First place pays 10K, second is 7K, third is 4.5K and they are paying twelve spots. It's a good payday for the top finishers. 7th-8th pays 1,000, so that's probably where you need to finish to break even. It's a hard way to make an easy living, but a lot better (and a lot more fun) than sitting at a desk all day.
P.S. I know people will scoff at my assessment of expenses but the reality for most of these guys looks more like this - Many of these players were already here for the West Coast Swing so they only had to drive over from Phoenix (as many did) or take a short flight that isn't expensive. Rooms in Vegas at this time of year can be had for $40-50 a night during the week (Monday thru Thursday) and maybe double that for Friday thru Sunday. If you are sharing this room, it might cost you $250 per week and there are many less expensive places that rent by the week for around $300. You can eat well two meals a day for $25, and even less if you don't mind fast food joints (what's wrong with MacDonalds for breakfast and KFC for dinner sometimes). Add it up and your personal expenses can be kept under $500 for the week. Add in the $500 entry fee and that's where I come up with $1,000 for 7th-8th is break even. That said, it leaves 37 of the 45 players with a losing week, UNLESS they make money on the second event (U.S.Open Eight Ball). Some of those players may make a little money gambling over there, as there is usually some soft action to be had, and then there are others who blow whatever they win in the casinos. They shall go nameless at this time.
Living in Vegas for a week on $500 is probably possible. It would require a significant amount of discipline.
Something pool players are well known for.
