World Series of Poker reveals this summer’s 88-bracelet lineup

The news everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived! The 53rd World Series of Poker event schedule has been released with 88 bracelets up for grabs across fifty-one action packed days. The industry’s most prestigious annual festival is expected to be bigger than previous as it returns to its usual summer schedule, running from May 31 through July 20, 2022.

Also adding to the buzz are the new facilities. For the first time in 17 years, the series will be held at Bally’s (soon to be Horseshoe) and Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino located on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. WSOP Executive Director, Ty Stewart stated,

“This year is particularly historic for the WSOP with its move to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip and debut in the best facilities we’ve ever had. We’re ready to welcome players from all over the world to our housewarming party at Bally’s, soon-to-be Horseshoe, and Paris. The schedule is jam-packed with first-class events and we expect this to be the biggest and most anticipated WSOP yet.”

Another element that may likely boost attendance is the announcement that vaccination is no longer required at this time. However, in whatever light this news is viewed, all players will still be subject to CDC guidelines.

Taking a look at the 88-event schedule, as always there are plenty of gold opportunities for players to prove their worth. Event buy ins start from as low as US$ 400 to the heights of US$ 250,000. Acknowledging the overwhelming popularity of No Limit Texas Hold’em, the variant has been boosted to a total of 50 bracelet events which includes the series top attraction, the $10,000 Main Event No Limit Hold’em World Championship. Other events to look forward to are mixed events, phased events, non-NLH variants, guaranteed prize pools, new additions, and a special invitational freeroll coined Tournament Of Champions featuring a US$ 1 Million prize pool.

Here’s a look at the highlights.

WSOP Main Event

With players eager to return to normalcy, this year’s $10K MAIN EVENT No Limit Hold’em World Championship has every potential to draw the biggest crowd in history. To date, the attendance to beat is 8,773 amassed in 2006. This year’s prestigious deepstack freezeout tournament will see four starting flights offered from July 3 to 6 followed by elimination days leading up to the final table on July 15 and July 16.

The Housewarming No Limit Hold’em

The Housewarming No Limit Hold’em event peels off the gates on opening weekend with an enticing US$ 5 Million guaranteed prize pool and buy-in at the series low standard of US$ 500. In 2019, this event debuted as the BIG 50, and pulled in the largest live tournament crowd ever seen of 28,371 entries for a massive US$ 13,509,435 prize pool. Last year, it was dubbed “The Reunion” and despite the vaccine mandate, it drew 12,973 entries for a pot of over US$ 5.44 Million.

Return of the Record Breakers

Running every Friday and Saturday from June 11 to July 16 are WSOP flagship No Limit Hold’em events that never fail to pack the house. Returning to action are the Monster Stack, Colossus, and The Closer. One of the most sought after titles will be the $1,500 Millionaire Maker. Now in its ninth year, this event stands apart as it guarantees the champion a whopping US$ 1,000,000 minimum payout.

New event: $100K High Roller Bounty No Limit Hold’em

Opening week rounds up several high stakes bracelet events featuring buy ins from US$ 10,000 to US$ 100,000. On the upper end is a new addition to the roster. The $100K High Roller Bounty No Limit Hold’em where every player eliminated awards the winner a sizable $25K bounty reward. This two-day event kicks off on opening day May 31.

New event: One Million Dollar Mystery Bounty event

Mystery Bounty events have been growing in popularity and to meet the demand, the WSOP has added it to the bracelet roster. Intended to launch in 2020, the newest bounty tournament is a freezeout and features a $1 Million Mystery Bounty pot in addition to the regular bounty pool. Players that advance into Day 2 will have a shot at mystery bounty prizes ranging from US$ 2,500 to the highest of US$ 250K. Game is scheduled for July 2 to 4, buy in is US$ 1,000.

New event: $777 Lucky Sevens No Limit Hold’em 7-Handed

The $777 Lucky Sevens No Limit Hold’em 7-Handed will be offered on the WSOP live felt for the first time this summer. Although the event debuted last year, it was only offered at online platform WSOP.com. Similar to The Millionaire Maker, the champion is guaranteed a massive payout of US$ 777,7777. The event takes place from July 10 to 12.

Returning events

Players looking to catch some of the world’s elite in early action could hang on the rails for this opening week event. For just the third time in history, the Head Up No Limit Hold’em Championship will feature a US$ 25,000 buy in. In 2011, Jake Cody triumphed over the 128 player field, and last year, Jason Koon bested the 57 player field. This year’s event will be capped at 64 players.

Another event where you can ogle at the superstars is the $250K Super High Roller No Limit Hold’em which takes place on June 23rd. This is the most expensive tournament of the series. Its maiden appearance last year drew 33 entries for a prize pool of over US$ 8.2 Million. Spanish pro Adrian Mateos came out victorious to capture his fourth ever gold bracelet and a payout exceeding US$ 3.26 Million.

Now in its second year, the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty takes place during the late stage of the festival. As tribute to the Poker Hall of Famers, this open freezeout event will see every inductee in attendance sporting a bounty on their head. Bounty rewards are based on the year he or she was inducted.

Also back for its second year is the $1,000 Buy-In Flip and Go Presented by GG Poker. The popular online event – now turned live – starts as a one hand shootout with players choosing to play two of three hole cards dealt. The winning player per table advances to the money round. From there, the game continues as a regular NLH tournament.

Mixed Events

Although No Limit Texas Hold’em has the monopoly on amassing the biggest fields, a player cannot truly be recognized as one of the best poker players in the world unless he or she proves their prowess at other variants. Aside from bracelet events under Omaha, Razz, Seven Card Stud, 2-7, Short Deck, etc… this year’s series also offers a long lineup of Mixed Events ranging from two variants to as many as 20 variants. The most coveted title is the $50K Poker Players Championship 6-Handed, the tournament considered by the elite to be the ultimate test of one’s poker expertise. This is also the only event where the champion’s name will be engraved on the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy. The five day event kicks off on June 26.

Invitational: Tournament of Champions

To wrap up the series, the WSOP offers a special event for the 88 bracelet winners and ring winners of the 2021/2022 WSOP Circuit season. The first ever Tournament of Champions is an invitational freeroll with a very generous US$ 1,000,000 prize pool. According to the WSOP, this is “the first time all WSOP winners in a given year are brought together for one ultimate bragging rights event featuring regional grinders and international superstars.”

WSOP.COM Online Bracelets

Aside from live bracelet events, players can try to snag one of those golden beauties at online events held at WSOP.com every Sunday during the ongoing series. A few dates will see a double header. Last year awarded 11 bracelets with buy ins ranging from US$ 400 to the highest of US$ 7,777.