Just in time for everyone to make their plans, officials of Caesars Entertainment have announced the official schedule for the 48th Annual World Series of Poker.
Once again to be held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, this year’s schedule will run from May 30 to July 17 and offer whatever is the fondest dream of a poker player. Cash games will run 24/7 inside the Rio’s massive Convention Center (where the Amazon, Brasilia and Pavilion rooms are located) and the steady stream of tournaments will keep the most dedicated tournament junkie happy. Those factors were in the thoughts of Caesars and WSOP officials when putting together the 2017 roster of events.
“The focus of the schedule remains squarely on two core principles: the biggest prize pools possible and diversity in offerings to provide something for everyone,” said Jack Effel, the WSOP’s Tournament Director who is working his 13th WSOP and marking his 20th year in poker, during the announcement of the festival schedule. “The 48th running of the globe’s biggest poker series promises to deliver on these core principles and ensure another action-packed summer at the Rio.”
There are several new events on the 2017 schedule but, in some ways, they aren’t necessarily new. For example, there will be a $10,000 “Tag Team” tournament on the schedule. This tournament features teams of 2-4 players who can, at any point in the tournament, swap out for a teammate in the event. There was a $1000 event last year (won by Doug Polk and Ryan Fee) – and the event, known as a “mixed doubles” tournament, was held from 1979 to 1982 and featured such champions as Doyle Brunson and Starla Brodie (the inaugural winners) and David Sklansky and Dani Kelly (the 1982 champions) – but the $10,000 entry fee will ramp up the drama for poker fans.
Looking to get as many players to the felt as possible, a $350 No Limit Hold’em event called “The Giant.” This tournament will have five unlimited rebuy flights – June 9, 16, 23, 30 and July 7 – and the survivors of each flight will receive a minimum cash payday. Then those five flights will combine into one Day 2 field on July 8 and play it off for the bracelet.
Add in a $333 WSOP.com tournament with a $333,333 guaranteed prize pool (an official event), a “mixed big bet” tournament (featuring such disciplines as Pot Limit Omaha, Five Card Draw and Pot Limit Triple Draw), a $111,111 “High Roller for One Drop” and the usual suspects – The Colossus III, the Millionaire Maker and other special WSOP only events – and poker players will not want for action this summer in Las Vegas.
What is the attraction for literally thousands, however, is the $10,000 WSOP Championship Event. This year, the tournament is scheduled to begin on July 8 (Saturday) with the first of three-Day Ones. For those able to tiptoe through the minefield that will be whatever Day Two they play (either July 11 or July 12), they will be a part of the combined field that will come back on July 13 for Day Three action. Something that is intriguing about the 2017 schedule is that there is no mention of the “November Nine” (that is, there are no dates set out for the players to return in the information provided by Caesars and WSOP officials); IF that is still a part of the plan, that will be determined on July 17 and, if not, then we will have poker’s next World Championship on that date.
“This 2017 schedule reflects our continuing goal to broaden poker’s appeal and encourage first timers and recreational players to come experience the WSOP for themselves,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “With the new $365 buy-in “The Giant” anchoring Friday nights, alongside a tent pole event awarding millions every weekend, we believe we have the offering to be well worth the trip. Plus, for the serious and high-stakes player, we remain committed to having the most diverse schedule of events of any tournament in the world. Whatever your game or bankroll, let the bracelet chase begin.”
For more information about the 2017 World Series of Poker schedule or to plan your stay at the Rio (should you make that call), visit the official WSOP homepage for more information.