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The economic recession, and especially Black Friday, led many poker analysts to believe that attendance at the 2011 World Series of Poker would be marginal in comparison to previous years. The notion stands up to logic, since many US players were likely unable to afford their buy-ins given that online poker withdrawals are still largely frozen.

Fortunately for the tournament’s organizers and the poker community in general, attendance has not only met but exceeded the figures established in 2010. As of now, 11 WSOP events have passed and overall attendance is up 2.6% from the 2010 event. This figure includes the Heads-Up Championship, which dropped from 256 to 128 entrants this year due to its buy-in increasing from $10,000 to $25,000.

Not including the HU Championship, attendance is positive by 3.9% this year. The Casino Employee’s Event was especially popular, attracting 18% more players than last year. The second biggest tournament roster increase came with yesterday’s Six Handed NLHE event, a $1,500 buy-in event that had 257 more players than in 2010 for a 15.5% increase.

Nolan Dalla, Media Director for the WSOP, described the tournament as “recession proof.” He said that, because the WSOP is the “ultimate destination” for players from all over the globe, a change affecting only one country (even if it’s the country hosting the event) will never ruin the event’s attendance.

Dalla said that attendance is up in virtually all facets of the tournament, including satellites, cash games, side events and major events. Cash game attendance alone is 6% stronger than in 2010, and satellite attendance is up by roughly the same amount, according to Dalla.

Not all of the events have been as popular as in previous years, however. Attendance for the $1,500 buy-in Seven Card Stud tournament dropped by 12.5%, while the $10k PLHE and $10k Omaha Hi Lo 8oB events dropped by 7.1% and 4.7%, respectively.