The final schedule is still in development, but the key dates for the 2017 World Series of Poker were announced Monday, allowing poker players around the world start marking their calendars. It all gets underway on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 and runs through the establishment of the November Nine on Monday, July 17th.
“We want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and best wishes for a safe and successful 2017,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart in a press release. “We are busy trying to finalize the entire 2017 WSOP schedule. We anticipate a similar series to last year with a few new wrinkles, but ensuring a broad array of options to satisfy every potential participant.”
May 30th is when things like satellites and cash games begin, but the actual bracelet events of the WSOP start on Wednesday, May 31st with the traditional opener, the $565 No-Limit Hold’em Casino Employees event.
Also back are the Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack, the Ladies Championship, the Little one for ONE DROP, and the Seniors Event. That Seniors Event – a $1,000 buy-in event for those 50-years of age and up – has a slot on the calendar: Friday, June 16th. For the first time, it will be a re-entry event.
Another tournament returning in 2017 – was there ever any doubt? – is the $565 Colossus. The incredibly cheap event compared to other WSOP tournaments, has become the largest live tournament in the world. It features a $1 million guaranteed prize pool and has attracted nearly 44,000 entries in its two previous years.
Like last year, to accommodate all the players, there will be three starting days for the Colossus III – June 2nd, June 3rd, and June 4th – with two flights on each, likely beginning at 10:00am and 4:00pm. It is also re-entry, allowing players to pay again to enter a subsequent flight if they get knocked out. I’m sure my colleague Earl Burton is thrilled about this.
The 2017 World Series of Poker Main Event will begin July 8th and run through July 17th before breaking until November. As has been the case the last few years, there will be three starting days. Qui Nguyen won the Main Event this year using a super aggressive style of play, winning $8 million.
The 2016 WSOP consisted of 69 events and brought in 107,833 entrants from107 countries, a record for the Series. Total prize pools across all tournaments amounted to more than $221 million. Next year’s World Series is expected to be even bigger with at least 70 events.