I personally like the idea that the players are "tested" not by the purchase price but are tested by having to outplay a mountain of players in order to be named poker champion. Now it really means something to win the championship event as opposed to the days when only 20, 30 or 100 players played in it. (Just my opinion of course )

I personally thought it was more of a joke that some pros were able to help setup the parameters for the H.O.R.S.E tournament and got it priced at $50k for the buy-in. Appears to me they wanted a tournament where only they could afford. I loved the idea of the H.O.R.S.E. tournament but was disappointed to see the buy-in was so astronomically high.