Swim with the card sharks

The World Series of Poker, held every April at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, is the preeminent event for all comers - novices and champions alike - to pay their money and take their chances. But the $10,000 entry fee is way too steep for most just looking to stick a toe or two in the deep end. The US Poker Championship, however, hosted by the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City for the past seven years, seems a little more accessible: a 19-day tournament with buy-ins ranging from $330 to $7,600, and four different poker variations.