Last year, after a long hiatus, the WSOP series returned to life, and despite the limitations and various pitfalls, the series produced a total of more than 125,000 entries in all events, with $237,781,991 redistributed among the players. As respectable as these numbers look, the organizers predict that they will be nothing compared to what awaits us in 2022!
The 53rd edition of the most prestigious poker series in the world will take place this year from May 31 to July 20, when 88 gold bracelets will be awarded to the successful players. The historic moment this year will be the relocation of the entire series, which has taken place every year at Rio Casino since the move from its hometown of Binion´s. After many years, WSOP events will be split between Bally's (which will soon be renamed Horseshoe) and Paris - together the two casinos will offer more than 600 poker tables. "This year will be a historic year for the WSOP to move to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip and debut in the best space we have ever had," WSOP CEO Ty Stewart said about the planned changes.
Even from this year's offer, really everyone can choose, the wide selection includes events of various formats and buy-ins ranging from $400 to $250,000. In addition to 88 bracelets in live events, another 14 will be awarded on virtual tables, where at least one bracelet will be awarded every Sunday of the summer. "The program is packed with world-class events, and we all expect to see the biggest WSOP in history!" As for the most expected event of the festival, the legendary WSOP Main Event, it will take place this year from July 3-16 - will it surpass last year's 6,650 entries?
Highrollers with huge buy-ins, an interesting $400 Colossus, a challenging $50,000 Poker Players Championship and a Tournament of Champions are again among the highlights of the whole event. It last took place in 2010 and among its winners we can find names like Annie Duke, Mike Matusow or Mike Sexton. This year, too, it will be a million-dollar freeroll that is open to all bracelet or ring holders from all WSOP/WSOPE/WSOPC events of the 2021/22 season. Also new will be the Million Dollar Bounty event with $1,000 entry, where each player will have a Mystery Bounty envelope in front of them, which will hide various rewards, where one will include a million dollar check.
Compared to last year, anti-pandemic measures are being abandoned, and even unvaccinated players will be able to intervene in the game. "Of course, during the festival we will have to follow the local laws of the state, but at the moment it looks like we will not require players to be vaccinated or wearing masks."
The organizers also revealed the return of the European version of the WSOP, which will take place again at the King's Resort in Rozvadov. If nothing changes, the festival will take place from October 12 to November 3 and will bring a total of 15 bracelet events, led by the 5 million Main Event.
Source: WSOP.com, PokerNews.com
