And actually right now, there are lots of players with scores high enough to play at the 2500s. Most just choose not to, for several reasons.

A few simple reasons are that it takes longer to get a game going, and that players must risk more points to play there.

The jump from 500 to 2500 is also, in my opinion, the biggest change in game play between any of the table levels. There isn't much discernible difference in the level of play between the 100 and 500 tables. Players can still do reasonably well at the 500 tables even if they don't chat at all, since there are still many new players to beat and score points against. Once you hit the 2500 tables though, you are playing against all players who have made that climb up, and you aren't going to benefit from nearly as many mistakes made by your opponents.

I think we all remember the first time we stepped up to each higher level and got our butt kicked for awhile. That process can hurt, and many players are happy to stay at the 500s where they can still do reasonably well, have fun, and finish in the top 100 if they are successful.