Imagine a rec league basketball player taking on LeBron James in a one-on-one matchup. Now imagine the rec leaguer having a chance to pocket a bunch of cash by doing the unthinkable and defeating King James. Now imagine the unthinkable actually occurring.

Well, you can’t imagine it, because it wouldn’t happen in a million years. Which is precisely what makes the annual World Series of Poker so appealing: Novices frequently get the chance to square off against pros—and when the cards fall just right, the novices can actually push the pros off the table.

This explains why the World Series of Poker’s participant numbers continue to skyrocket. Last spring, a record 120,995 players representing 111 countries—more than half the countries on the planet—descended on the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for a poker palooza that spanned six weeks (and two seasons). Those players competed in 74 events that offered 16,814 payouts totaling more than $230 million.

The biggest prize went to New Jersey resident Scott Blumstein, who entered the $10,000 no-limit Main Event with $8,206 in career WSOP earnings—and departed with another $8.15 million after being the last one standing in a field of 7,221 entrants.

This year’s Main Event is scheduled for July 2-4, but before then, countless poker hands will be dealt in three Rio ballrooms, where competitors of varying skill levels will vie for coveted WSOP bracelets in 78 events.

Don’t have the bankroll (or guts) to enter one of those events but still want to be part of the action? You’re in luck, as spectators 21 and older are invited to take in everything from the opening hand of a $365 pot-limit Omaha tournament to the final table at the $10,000 Seven Card Stud championship.

No, you won’t win any money being a railbird, but you won’t lose any either, as daily admission is absolutely free.

Rio, times and buy-ins vary, through July 17. wsop.com/2018