No, this is not an April Fool’s joke – the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is back!
A live 2021 WSOP will take place in Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino from Sept. 30 through Nov. 23 pending applicable state and/or regulatory approvals.
The schedule for the fall series has not yet been released, but officials did reveal that the opening weekend is expected to feature a special charity event to benefit frontline health workers, a $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. and a $5 million guaranteed no-limit hold’em event billed as “The Reunion.”
As for the $10,000 Main Event, it will run from Thursday, Nov. 4 through Wednesday, Nov. 17 with four starting flights to choose from — one a day from Nov. 4-7. Players participating on Thursday or Friday will have their Day 2 on Monday, Nov. 8 if they survive the first day with chips. Those selecting Saturday or Sunday for an opening flight will play their Day 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with the fields combining on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Specific COVID-19 protocols are expected but not yet determined. WSOP officials will work with gaming regulators and state officials to ensure player safety.
“This year, more than ever, we embrace our role at the WSOP to deliver memorable experiences and bring this community of poker lovers back together. In 2021, the theme is, get vaccinated and get back to Vegas,” said Ty Stewart, WSOP Executive Director.
Hotel room reservations are now being accepted across Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas resorts, including the headquarters at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, with rates as low as $60 for existing Caesars Rewards members. Visit www.caesars.com using promo code “WSOPM” to make your room reservations. Online pre-registration won’t open until this summer, after all events have been determined and approved by regulators.
2021 WSOP Online This Summer
In 2020, WSOP.com and GGPoker held a series of gold bracelet events over the summer. Both are slated to return in 2021, with WSOP.com holding domestic tournaments on its All-American Poker Network beginning Thursday, July 1, closing with a $1,000 championship. Qualification will be available for as little as $1. Complete information about the WSOP Online tournament schedule will be released and published on wsop.com on April 15, 2021.
Additional information on the international component of WSOP Online 2021 will be published shortly thereafter. PokerNews has confirmed that those events are expected to be held on GGPoker.
WSOP Europe is Back
Finally, the WSOP will close out the year at King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic with the 2021 WSOP Europe, which will run from Friday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Dec. 8, subject to regulatory approval.
The WSOPE is expected to include 15 gold bracelet events, including a €10,000 buy-in WSOP Europe Main Event and a €50,000 High Roller event. The full schedule will be released in the future. For more information on King’s Casino and to book hotel rooms, visit https://kings-resort.com/.
“We hope and anticipate travel restrictions will ease by the fall,” said Stewart. “It’s important to us that we have an excellent tournament schedule available to our European players.”
While an online series and two live festivals are good news for poker players around the world, WSOP officials did point out that appropriate modifications may be made to the schedule, policies, and procedures as needed in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
