In just a weeks time, poker fans from all over the world will flock to the Rio in Las Vegas to compete in the World Series of Poker for the first time, in person, since 2019. With last year's series taking place online, there is great anticipation for the WSOP to get underway; and although there have been a few bumps in the road regarding the likes of mask mandates, vaccination status and disqualification clauses it is sure to be as epic as always.
However, there are going to be some significant differences compared to previous years, so stick around and read to the end to find out how this year's WSOP action will vary from its previous installments.
WSOP Moves to the Fall
Traditionally taking place during the summer, a scalding hot time to visit Las Vegas, this coming WSOP is taking place from September 30 - November 23. For those who despise triple-digit temps, you'll enjoy the weather a whole lot more with temps ranging from the '80s (early in the series) to the '60s (late in the series), on most days.
First Ever ClubGG Qualifiers to the Main Event
Another first for this years series is being able to qualify for the WSOP $10,000 Main Eventthrough ClubGG. "dontplayhigh", "JDubadubs" and "Tight" are the Three Club PokerNews players alone who have been able to secure their seats for the most prestigious event in the poker calendar through the app.
Every player who downloads the ClubGG app through PokerNews can join Club PokerNews and receive 100,000 in free chips to play with. Come hang out with us and play free cash games and tournaments against fellow PokerNews readers and staff.
One Last Hoorah for the Rio?
The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino has been the home to the WSOP since 2005 but will the 2021 WSOP be the last one to take place there? It is rumored that the 2022 WSOP will be moving to Bally's. The rumour mill got turning following The Valley National 8-Ball League Association (VNLA) posting this facebook update.
Part of the announcement reads: “VNEA’s long-term contract with Bally’s Hotel & Casino was suddenly canceled by Bally’s as a result of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) moving from Rio to the Bally’s/Paris properties in 2022 and beyond.”
2021 WSOP Coverage and Streaming
The WSOP has a new broadcast partner in CBS Sports offering increased coverage for the duration of the series. An unprecedented 18 different bracelet events will be televised with a minimum of 15 hours of coverage of the 2021 Main Event, produced exclusively by Poker Central.
2021 WSOP New Events
The 2021 WSOP features several stalwarts such as The Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack, Double Stack, Colossus, and The Closer, all of which will be held on various Fridays and Saturdays throughout the Fall, as well as new tournaments that are sure to entice players.
- Oct. 1: $500 “The Reunion” w/ $5,000,000 GTD prize pool – In order to meet the hefty guarantee, the opening weekend must attract 10,000 participants. Players can choose from three starting flights on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - or play them all.
- Oct. 5: $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship – The WSOP’s annual heads-up championship increased from $10K up to $25K. It will be capped at 64 players.
- Oct. 10: $1,000 Flip and Go Presented by GGPoker – The popular online format is galvanized into a live event. Each player will be all in preflop on the first hand, dealt three cards, and selecting two. One player will win the table and immediately fast forward into the money, where the tournament will then play out under a traditional structure.
- Oct. 27-28: $1,000 Seniors Doubles Up – The always-popular Seniors No-Limit Hold’em Championship will, for the first time, offer two starting days. Players will be allowed one optional re-entry per flight.
- Oct. 6, 13, 18, 21, and 24: “Old School Freezeouts Return” – No Longer is the Main Event the only pure freezeout at the WSOP. Beginning Oct. 6, every popular buy-in level from $500 to $5,000 will offer a true freezeout.
- Oct. 31: Deuce to Seven Single Draw NL Returns – The Poker Players’ Championship will expand to nine games with the return of 2-7 Single Draw NL. A $2,500 version of this format will also be available Oct. 28.
- Nov. 17: Poker Hall of Fame Bounty – In homage to the Poker Hall of Fame (PHOF) that started 1979, living Hall of Fame members will be invited to freeroll into a $1,979 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament open to all players. Each participating player will have a bounty corresponding to the year they were inducted into poker’s most exclusive club and the 2021 PHOF inductee will be announced.
- Nov. 19: Nosebleed PLO – The WSOP’s highest-ever buy-in for a PLO tournament ($50,000) punctuates a prestigious High Roller series scheduled after the Main Event, which also includes $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 No-Limit Hold’em events.
Proof of Vaccination Status
A second difference for this year is obviously needing to display one's vaccination status as a result of the pandemic.
Players are only required to show proof of vaccination one time. So, if they're already in the system as vaccinated, they won't again have to provide their vaccine card. The WSOP will utilize a free mobile app and Health Pass feature so the players can quickly and easily upload vaccine cards.
That app is only for US residents. Other alternate documentation including physical vaccination cards, & state/country-specific health passes will be verified at the Belize room prior to first registration.
