The World Series of Poker has announced plans for a full return of its annual live tournament series in 2021, with organizers revealing tentative dates over two months starting in late September.
The return of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker tournament series comes after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic – although the WSOP did eventually run a controversial online/live hybrid event in December.
With vaccinations now well underway in the United States – around one-third of the population is said to have now received their first shot – the 2021 WSOP will return to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino from Thursday 30 September and run through October, with the WSOP Main Event starting on Thursday 4 November and concluding on Wednesday 17 November.
The full schedule of events has yet to be finalized, however the WSOP said it plans to host a US$25,000 charity H.O.R.S.E. event on the opening weekend to benefit frontline health workers, plus a US$5 million GTD No-Limit Hold’em event billed as “The Reunion”.
Specific COVID-19 safety protocols and other related 2021 tournament policies will be reviewed with gaming regulators in the lead-up to the event, and it remains to be seen how many international players are allowed to travel to and from the United States by the time the WSOP gets underway.
“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,” said WSOP Executive Director, Ty Stewart.
“In 2021 the theme is get vaccinated and get back to Vegas.”
The WSOP has also announced plans for the resumption of WSOP Europe in 2021, currently scheduled to run from Friday 19 November to Tuesday 8 December at King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. WSOP Europe 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.
(Photo: WSOP)
