LAS VEGAS — A set of 57 poker tournaments attracting wealthy gamblers and poker's brightest stars is starting in Las Vegas with a $50,000 buy-in event at the World Series of Poker.

Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson and other top pros planned to enter the series' most expensive tournament Friday night.

It's a mixed-game challenge of eight variations designed to determine poker's best all-around player.

The five-day tournament will test players in limit Texas Hold 'em, Omaha high-low split, seven-card razz, seven-card stud, seven-card stud high-low, no-limit Texas Hold 'em, pot-limit Omaha and deuce-to-seven triple-draw lowball.

The "Poker Player's Championship" replaces the series' H.O.R.S.E. championship. David Bach beat 94 others in that tournament last year, earning $1.28 million.