what is point of WSOP circuit events?

[PokerPaul]

i think this was asked before but im still hazy on it.

Arent these WSOP circuit events just the same as any other big poker event leading up to a $10,000 buyin main event.

Seems they are just like any other one, except they are trying to leverage the WSOP name even though its not the WSOP.....