Poker players from around the world rejoiced at the news that there is a 2021 WSOP. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) revealed tentative dates for the 2021 WSOP on April 1. Players thought the announcement was a cruel April Fool’s joke, but it was deadly serious.
Last year was the first year since 1970 that the WSOP has not taken place in Las Vegas. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the WSOP’s plans and forced them to think outside the box. There were plans to try to fit in a WSOP in the fall of 2020, but those plans never materialized.
The 2021 WSOP does not have a concrete schedule yet, but players can begin planning for the festival. September 30 through November 23 are the tentative dates for the 2021 WSOP. Those dates are subject to state and regulatory approvals.
Details of the opening week’s schedule made their way into the public domain, despite the WSOP keeping the full schedule under wraps. A $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament and a $5 million guaranteed No-Limit Hold’em event billed as “The Reunion” occur during Week 1. A special charity event is planned to raise money for frontline health workers, too.
WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart is looking forward to welcoming the poker community to Las Vegas.
“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.”
2021 WSOP Online Planned in the U.S. and Worldwide
The WSOP awarded more than 70 gold bracelets in 2021 despite no live festival taking place. Online poker sites WSOP.com and GGPoker hosted U.S. and worldwide festivals, respectively. Both online festivals were a massive success, so players are delighted to learn they are returning.
The 2021 WSOP Online takes place for domestic players from July 1. The schedule is yet to be released, but we know there is a $1,000 Championship Event signing off the series. WSOP plan to release the full schedule on its website on April 15, 2021.
Expect an announcement regarding the 2021 WSOP Online international edition too. GGPoker is expected to be the site of choice, having awarded 54 bracelets in 2020. You may recall the “Main Event” run at GGPoker last summer is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest-ever online poker tournament prize pool.
WSOP Europe Returns to the Calendar
In Rozvadov, Czech Republic, King’s Casino is gearing up to host the 2021 WSOP Europe festival. Dates of November 19 through December 8 are penciled in but are also subject to regulatory approval.
World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) should feature 15 bracelet-awarding events, including a €10,000 Main Event. Previous editions of the WSOPE suggest expecting a €50,000 High Roller, too.
The Czech Republic government is strict when it comes to COVID-19 lockdown measures. Furthermore, European countries are under strict travel restrictions while the vaccination program rolls out. WSOP’s Stewart is hopeful of the relaxation of those restrictions.
“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.”
What To Expect From Both Schedules
The WSOP management team keeps its cards close to its chest when it comes to the 2021 WSOP schedules. This stance is not surprising, especially with the ever-changing coronavirus outlook.
The WSOP is extremely popular, and each of its events attracts several thousand entrants. Play is usually on nine-handed tables, but this may not be possible due to social distancing measures.
One of two things is most likely: a shorter schedule or fewer seats around tables. The WSOP will wait until the last minute before finalizing the schedule so that it can fit as many events in as possible.
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Matthew Pitt
If it’s something you can play online for real money, chances are Matthew knows a bit about it. He’s been writing about slots, craps and poker for the better part of the last decade. He’s written for PokerNews, PartyPoker and many other respected online gambling websites during the last nine years.