SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun

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The World Series camps draw a diverse group of participants, Lederer said.

Some are wealthy, casual poker players who treat the experience as they would a baseball fantasy camp or a rock-guitar camp.

They value the experience of rubbing elbows with poker stars such as Lederer, who has two World Series bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles.

Others are intent on bringing their poker game to the next level.

"These are players who could be making a very wise investment," Lederer said.

"They are serious players looking for the kind of one-on-one training you won't really find at a fantasy sports camp."

Instructional camps can complement preparations such as reading the classic poker texts - David Sklansky's "The Theory of Poker" is one - and putting in tons of hours at the tables.

Lederer compared them to golf instruction camps.

"You pay $2,000 for three days instead of $100 for a private lesson, but it's a unique experience," Lederer said.

"It's three days of total immersion. That really gives you the incentive to make a commitment."

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