Releasing the full schedule five months before the cards hit the air, the World Series of Poker is certainly vacuuming up the air in the poker community. On Thursday, WSOP and Caesars officials released the day-by-day schedule for this year’s festivities, which will run from May 30 to July 18. There is also going to be a special drive to get players into the Championship Event, which came up just short of the all-time record in 2022.
Online, Live Satellites for Championship Event Begin in March
The 2022 WSOP Championship Event (also known as the “Main Event” unofficially) saw the record nearly broken. In 2006, 8773 players flocked to the Rio in Las Vegas to take part in the Granddaddy of all poker tournaments. In 2022, the venue was different – the then-known as Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, but the record almost fell, coming up with 8663 players. TPTB at WSOP headquarters is looking to obliterate that record in 2023 with two unique outlets.
First GGPoker, the official online satellite partner of the WSOP, will receive 300 more satellite seats to bring their total up to 600 total seats. These satellites will begin in March on the site (GGPoker is not accessible by U. S. players) and they should be snapped up fairly quickly. This is but the start of the “Main Event Mania,” as the WSOP is billing it.
In May, the first-ever synchronized satellite system outside of the WSOP will be conducted worldwide. May 20-21 will be WSOP Global Qualification Weekend, with live poker rooms on four continents holding satellite tournaments for the Championship Event. They will be done in a STEP format, with an initial buy-in of $140 and finishing with a super satellite with a buy-in of $1175.
In the U. S., Caesars properties in North Carolina (Cherokee), Tunica (Horseshoe), Las Vegas, St. Louis, Pompano, Turning Stone in New York, the Hard Rock in Tulsa, the Grand Victoria Casino in Illinois and Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Iowa) will all play host. Internationally, the King’s Resort (Czech Republic), Charron Paris (France), Deerfoot Inn & Casino Calgary (Canada), Enjoy Punta del Este Resort and Casino (Uruguay), and Casino Es Saadi Marrakech (Morocco) will be open for business for Global Qualification Weekend.
If the record is broken in the Championship Event, then Caesars will award a very special prize. All of the contestants in the Championship Event will be entered into a drawing. The prize? A seat in the Championship Event for the next thirty years, something that ANY player would love to have in their pocket.
Tournament of Champions Moves, New Low Buy-In Event
There are a couple of noteworthy changes to the overall schedule.
Instead of happening at the end of the WSOP as it did in 2022, this year’s Tournament of Champions will start the 2023 WSOP. All WSOP Circuit ring winners, both live and online, from July 2022 to May 2023 will be eligible to step up against the live winners from the WSOP in 2022 in Vegas, Rozvadov (Europe), and online. Those who win a bracelet during the 2023 WSOP will be eligible for next year’s Tournament of Champions.
Finally, a tournament that almost anyone can afford brings the lowest buy-in in WSOP history. The $300 Gladiators of Poker has a $3 million guaranteed prize pool, but it could also be a minefield; four flights are beginning on June 7 and players can re-enter twice should they be knocked out. Toss in new events for Badugi, Big O (five-card Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo split), a H.O.R.S.E. “High Roller” ($25,000), and a split Omaha Hi-Lo/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, and there are choices aplenty for the players in Las Vegas this summer.
For a full look at the schedule for this year’s tournament, head over to the WSOP website. You will also find full information on special room rates and registration information there. So get your flights booked and your room reserved – we know when the 2023 WSOP is going to kick off!