April Fools’ day aside, the excitement for this year’s awaited live World Series of Poker continues on as tentative dates are finally announced! As previously hinted by six-time bracelet champion Daniel Negreanu, the festival is scheduled to run beginning on September 30 – November 23, 2021 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The dates are said to remain tentative and subject to regulatory approval based on how the coronavirus situation is by this fall.
This isn’t an April Fools’ Joke : the WSOP is back. We couldn’t wait another day to share the good news :
– WSOP back in-person from Sept. 30 to Nov. 23 at @RioVegas
– Summer to see the return of WSOP Online
– WSOP Europe @PokerroomKings to round out 2021https://t.co/kOacLy6PaE pic.twitter.com/srNDjnxSXt— WSOP (@WSOP) April 1, 2021
So far, brand officials have made known of a charity event aimed for frontline healthcare workers, a $25,000 HORSE event (a mix of five poker games) and “The Reunion”, a No-limit Hold’em event with a guaranteed $5 million prize pool, to headline its opening weekend. Details such as expected number of players, use of plexiglass dividers, number of players per table and other further restrictions are yet to be discussed and finalized within the next couple of months.
Players looking to see the official schedule of the series will probably have to wait until this summer. Talks however, have been hinting on a full schedule of 90 bracelet events for a pretty normal WSOP this year. Eager enthusiasts on the other hand, can base their plans on the scheduled $10,000 Main Event set to take place on November 4 – 17, 2021. The highlight will run a total of four starting flights across two separate day twos and a combined field for its final day.
“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.
Despite last year’s live events being cancelled due to the global health crisis, 2020’s WSOP live/ online hybrid Main Event awarded Argentina’s Damian Salas the top prize of $2.55 million for his victory. As for this year and with the live festivities set in place, an online variant will run as well on its main platform WSOP.com focusing on the American market. The WSOP Online series will begin this July 1, 2021 featuring a highlighting $1,000 championship event. Full details and schedule will be released on April 15, 2021 and can be viewed on its official website. Its international component will again likely be held on the reputable GGPoker Network with further updates to follow.
WSOP Europe
Closing out this year’s line-up is also a live 2021 World Series of Poker Europe tour to be held in King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. The festival will run from November 19 – December 8, 2021 and feature exciting events including a €10,000 buy-in WSOP Europe Main Event and a €50,000 High Roller tournament. While relatively smaller than the Las Vegas series, 15 gold bracelet events are likely to be on schedule with further details to be released in the near future.
“We hope and anticipate travel restrictions will ease by the fall. It’s important to us that we have an excellent tournament schedule available to our European players.”, mentioned Stewart.
Given two notable live series and an online one to boot, poker players worldwide should start building up their bankrolls in preparation for the thrilling action yet to come. For now, it appears that Covid-19 will not be successful in disrupting this year’s plans with the whole poker community keen on definitely making 2021 a memorable one.
