Phil Hellmuth Planning Elaborate Entrance to 2009 WSOP

Poker pro Phil Hellmuth is planning an elaborate entrance to the 2009 WSOP. (Bodog Beat Image)"]

Last year poker pro Phil Hellmuth arrived at the WSOP as a racecar driver surrounded by models, making a huge spectacle walking into the Rio to play in Day 1 of the Main Event. Well, it looks like he's planning on doing much the same this year, and possibly something even larger and more, dare we say, obnoxious.

For this year's event, the 11-time WSOP bracelet winner has arranged with the Las Vegas City Council to parade into the Rio dressed as Caesar on a chariot pulled by two black horses, surrounded by 100 models and greeted by 11 body-painted muses (one for each bracelet).

Caesar. One assumes Julius, and not Nero or Caligula, who were crazy egomaniacs.... wait. Oh, right, makes sense then. Does this mean he will be assassinated by angry senators poker players? Anyway, odd imagery to use, but whatever.

The 2009 WSOP Main Event gets underway in just a few days and the preparations have already started. PokerPalooza (aka the Gaming Life Expo) starts on Thursday and there are many, many parties to attend, including the exclusive Bodog shindig at the Kingpin Fantasy Suite at the Palms Hotel.

We'll bring you details and pics of all of the happenings so make sure to check out the 2009 WSOP updates page.