World Series of Poker announces return of the live for 2021

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has announced its plans for 2021, which include the return this of the live World Series of Poker event and $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em World Championship at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. The tournament series, also known as “The Main Event”, will take place this fall from November 4 to November 17, pending applicable state and/or regulatory approvals.

« The Main Event », which experienced record-smashing participation in 2019 and adjusted to a hybrid format to accommodate 2020, will be back in-person, with an opening weekend expected to feature a special charity event to benefit frontline health workers, a $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. and a $5 million GTD No-Limit Hold'em event billed as "The Reunion. "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.

A rich online tournaments schedule

Building off last summer's record-setting success for both domestic and international online poker tournaments. Last year, WSOP.com's domestic series awarded nearly $27 million in prize money across its 31 events, making it the biggest online tournament series in the history of U.S. regulated poker. WSOP Online 2020 was also a massive draw for international players in partnership with GGPoker, with the WSOP Online Main Event smashing the Guinness Book World Record for largest online poker tournament with a $27.5 million prize pool for a single event.  In total, nearly $150 million in prize money was awarded across the festival, including seven-figure prize pools in 45 events, making it amongst the biggest tournament series in history. This year, WSOP.com will hold the domestic tournaments on its All-American Poker Network beginning Thursday, July 1, closing with a $1,000 championship. Qualification will be available for as little as $1.  

Across the Pond, WSOP Europe is expected to round out the year of poker action with its return to King's Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic running from November 19 through December 8, subject to regulatory approval. "We hope and anticipate travel restrictions will ease by the fall," said Ty Stewart. "It's important to us that we have an excellent tournament schedule available to our European players”, he added.