The annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas will return to its usual in-person format September 30, as it announced today that it has finalized its full schedule more than 14 months after the last series wrapped up.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Caesars International to postpone, then cancel, the 2020 series, eventually replacing it with a hybrid online-first series that finished up in person at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas in December. That series, and an earlier online-only series, were welcomed by players wanting the World Series tradition to continue but panned by others who thought those series should not be considered on the same level as the traditional in-person event.
But the 2021 series, which will run Sept. 30 through Nov. 23 at the Rio with 88 gold-bracelet events – some of which will be held online – and several additional tournaments, will look almost unchanged from what players remember from 2019. The Main Event, which crowns the world champion, will run from Nov. 4-17.
“Make no mistake, the 2021 WSOP will be the real deal and we’re preparing for a full house. Throughout the storied history of the WSOP, this year will be particularly memorable and we’re preparing for a poker reunion all players can celebrate,” Ty Stewart, who enters his 16th year as the WSOP’s executive director, said in a press release. “We’re beyond thrilled to offer a complete schedule of can’t-miss events including all our flagships and the variety players deserve.”
The series will feature some updates to many events and some new events as well, including a Poker Hall of Fame Bounty event open to all players, in which all Poker Hall of Fame members will be given a free entry and have a bounty on them equaling the year in which they were inducted.
Operationally, the series will have a number of changes this year as it comes out of the pandemic:
- Televised coverage will feature 18 events and will be produced again by Poker GO, but the broadcast outlet has switched from ESPN to CBS Sports.
- To reduce lines and congestion, entrants are encouraged to register online on their phones or computers. After their identification is verified in-person, entrants will be able to print out seat assignments from self-service kiosks. Also to reduce lines, player payouts will begin in the Palma Ballroom and be completed at the main cage in the Tropical Ballroom.
- ACH has been added to the many ways entrants can pay for their entries.
“We could not be more excited to welcome everyone back to Las Vegas and the Rio,” Jack Effel, World Series of Poker vice president and tournament director, said in a press release. “The entire WSOP team is hard at work to ensure players have the absolute best experience possible.”
Scott Long is an editor and contributor to CDC Gaming and is publisher of Ante Up Magazine. He can be reached at scott@cdcgaming.com.
