Normally, this time of year would find most of the world’s poker players sweating in the desert heat of Nevada. But this year, players will take the battle for gold to the virtual felt.
The World Series of Poker announced a new online poker tournament series, WSOP Online. It is a series of 85 online poker tournaments that will take place on WSOP.com and GGPoker.
Every year, the World Series of Poker runs its popular tournament series from the end of May through the middle of July. However, like many events this year, the coronavirus pandemic forced its postponement until fall.
The announcement came just as players were tweeting about missing the freezing Amazon room, wishing they were standing in line for the bathroom, and finding the best ways to avoid eye contact with the kiosk sellers as they head to their tables.
The WSOP may have heard their cries. Ty Stewart, executive director of the WSOP, said in a statement that summer just wouldn’t be the same without the WSOP:
“While we are thrilled to be reopening our venues and optimistic about future offline events, we couldn’t be more excited about deepening our relationship with GGPoker and watching some history unfold online this summer.”
WSOP.com to award 1 bracelet every day in July
The WSOP Online tournament series begins in the US on WSOP.com. NJ online poker players, along with those in Nevada, are eligible to play any or all of the 31 events in July.
Unfortunately, just like last year’s online gold bracelet events, Delaware poker players are not eligible.
As is typical leading up to any of its huge tournament series, WSOP.com will be offering promotions and reload bonuses. You can access the bonuses via its NJ online poker app. Players can satellite their way into a bracelet event for as low as $1.
WSOP will also award $100,000 in leaderboard bonuses for top-performing players throughout the month.
Events on WSOP.com will be either no-limit hold ’em or a variant of Omaha. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the events (27 out of 31) will be NLH.
While the guarantees for the tournaments have not been announced, looking back at the Online Super Circuit event, you can expect large prize pools and some healthy competition.
Fans of poker can follow the action on Poker Central. Look for original content, highlight packages and virtual bracelet ceremonies.
Mark your poker calendar with these key events:
- Monday, July 13: Event 13 – $1,500 No-Limit Hold ’em High Roller Freezeout
- Tuesday, July 14: Event 14 – $3,200 No-Limit Hold ’em High Roller
- Wednesday, July 15: Event 15 – $1,000 PLO 8-Max HR
- Sunday, July 26: Event 26 – $500 No-Limit Hold ’em Grande Finale
- Friday, July 31: Event 31 – $1,000 No-Limit Hold ’em Championship
WSOP.com 2020 WSOP Online Series Schedule
| Event | Day, Date | Time (PT) | Event | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday, July 1 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Kick-Off | $500 |
| 2 | Thursday, July 2 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em 8-Handed Deepstack | $1,000 |
| 3 | Friday, July 3 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em | $400 |
| 4 | Saturday, July 4 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Super Turbo | $500 |
| 5 | Sunday, July 5 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Freezeout | $1,000 |
| 6 | Monday, July 6 | 3:00 p.m. | PLO8 6-Handed | $600 |
| 7 | Tuesday, July 7 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Knockout Deepstack | $800 |
| 8 | Wednesday, July 8 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Freezeout | $500 |
| 9 | Thursday, July 9 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em 6-Max | $1,000 |
| 10 | Friday, July 10 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em MonsterStack | $600 |
| 11 | Saturday, July 11 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Turbo Deepstack 6-Handed | $500 |
| 12 | Sunday, July 12 | 3:00 p.m. | The BIG 500 No Limit Hold 'em | $500 |
| 13 | Monday, July 13 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em High Roller Freezeout | $1,500 |
| 14 | Tuesday, July 14 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em High Roller | $3,200 |
| 15 | Wednesday, July 15 | 3:00 p.m. | PLO 8-Max HR | $1,000 |
| 16 | Thursday, July 16 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Turbo | $500 |
| 17 | Friday, July 17 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em | $777 |
| 18 | Saturday, July 18 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em 8-Handed Turbo DeepStack | $1,000 |
| 19 | Sunday, July 19 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em | $400 |
| 20 | Monday, July 20 | 3:00 p.m. | PLO 6-Handed | $500 |
| 21 | Tuesday, July 21 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em 6-Handed | $777 |
| 22 | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Turbo Deepstack | $500 |
| 23 | Thursday, July 23 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Knockout | $500 |
| 24 | Friday, July 24 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em 8-Handed | $400 |
| 25 | Saturday, July 25 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Summer Saver | $500 |
| 26 | Sunday, July 26 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Grande Finale | $500 |
| 27 | Monday, July 27 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Freezeout | $400 |
| 28 | Tuesday, July 28 | 3:00 p.m. | Omaha 8 6-Max | $1,000 |
| 29 | Wednesday, July 29 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Turbo Deepstack 6-Handed | $600 |
| 30 | Thursday, July 30 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Senior's Event | $500 |
| 31 | Friday, July 31 | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold 'em Championship | $1,000 |
WSOP Online series continues beyond July
US poker players in Nevada and New Jersey compete in July. International poker players, however, will be competing in 54 events on GGPoker through Sept. 6.
It will be the first time poker players outside of the US can compete online for a WSOP bracelet.
The first international WSOP Online event will be held on July 19; however, the tournament details have not been released. According to a statement from the WSOP, the schedule is forthcoming.
“GGPoker plans to unveil its bracelet schedule on a rolling basis and will have a broad range of buy-ins and game formats.”
2020 might not be going according to plan, but there may be a shiny gold bright side to it.
Pairing the WSOP Online series with a rescheduled World Series of Poker fall festival means a record number of gold bracelets could be awarded by year’s end.
