[toc]Poker enthusiasts, it’s time to celebrate. The 2017 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has officially started. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada is already abuzz with players arriving to register for events, claim their boxes and familiarize themselves with what will be their home for the upcoming two months.
The commencement of WSOP is thrilling but may also feel somewhat daunting. Instead of fumbling about until you grasp the gist, we’ve compiled a handy FAQ for those intending to participate, those keen on keeping track, and those planning a pilgrimage to the poker paradise this summer.
How can I play a bracelet event on the cheap?
The Giant and Colossus
If your aim is to invest a few hundred dollars and attempt to win a bracelet, this could be the best year to do it.
To begin with, bracelet events have reached a new record-low price this year. The Giant event, with a modest buy-in of $365, offers great value for money. This event is scheduled to commence a new flight every Friday, starting from June 9. Each of the five initial flights kick off at 7 p.m. and all participants convene for Day 2 on Saturday, July 8 under a single roof. The event permits unlimited re-entry.
The Colossus returns for its third year, of course. The event, which requires a $565 buy-in, is only days away and will commence with the first of its six flights on Friday. Last year, the tournament created a huge prize pool. As in the previous years, the champion will again receive a million-dollar payout this year.
$333 online bracelet
On this coming Saturday, another bracelet event with a $300 buy-in will start and you can join from the convenience of your own home. The WSOP has increased the number of online bracelet events from one to three this year. Even The Giant is cheaper than the first one. This online bracelet event, with a buy-in of $333, will take place on Saturday, June 2, at 3:33 pm. The entire event will be held in one day.
Online satellites
The well-liked Millionaire Maker and Monster Stack tournaments are making a return this year. While their entry fees are slightly higher than that of Colossus, you can still secure a spot without breaking the bank, courtesy of WSOP.com.
Satellites, including popular tournaments where you can earn a place in a $1,000 event, are in operation nightly. Additionally, this weekend will see the running of two major mega satellites.
A mega satellite with a buy-in of $22 for the $333 online bracelet event is scheduled for Friday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. This mega guarantees 33 seats.
The next day, at 5:00 p.m., another mega satellite with a $22 buy-in will take place, this time for Colossus, guaranteeing 22 seats.
The satellites are merely components of a comprehensive summer schedule on WSOP.com. The Summer Grind Tour, as it’s self-titled, promises $2.5 million in guarantees. The schedule provides more than just satellites, including an online tournament series. While the online summer schedule doesn’t match the size of the live WSOP, the online offerings are more rewarding than ever and definitely worth participating in.
Can I register for events online?
Indeed, you are able to do so using a credit card. However, it isn’t as straightforward as making a purchase on Amazon. If you’re intending to buy into a WSOP event online, your first step is to open an account with Bravo Online. If you’ve previously attended a WSOP event, you may already be familiar with Bravo. They are the company responsible for the software that operates the tournament clocks and cash game lists at the Rio.
An online buy-in instruction page is available. The great news is that you can use your credit card for the buy-in. You can even register online using your credit card up until the day prior. However, after registering online, you will still need to arrive at the Rio early to collect your seat assignment before you can start playing.
The downside is, if you intend to purchase through a money order or cashier’s check, you should do it at least two weeks ahead to guarantee your payment is processed on time.
Naturally, you can still select the standard buy-in options at the Rio’s cage. However, choosing this option means that using a credit card is not possible.
Is there a stream of every event?
In previous years, WSOP.com handled the production of livestreams for preliminary events. However, this year, PokerCentral acquired the streaming rights. The company has just launched its own streaming app, PokerGO, which is subscription-based and costs $10 per month or $99 per year.
However, it should be noted that not all events will be streamed by PokerGO, only some. Kevin Mathers, who handles social media for WSOP, has tweeted a schedule of the initial events that PokerGO intends to cover:
So far, the streaming schedule for the WSOP on @PokerGO is:
1Drop High Roller (2nd-4th place), 10k Heads-Up (1st-3rd place), 1.5k No Limit 6-Maximum (Final Table), Millionaire Maker (Final Table), 3K No Limit 6-Maximum (Final Table), Main Event.
This was tweeted by Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) on May 30, 2017.
The website also announced its intention to cover the final table of the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, the only non-hold’em event scheduled so far. The figures alongside the One Drop High Roller and $10,000 Heads-Up event suggest several days of coverage, a feature that is a novelty this year.
Where can I find live updates?
WSOP has decided to hand over the live update responsibilities back to PokerNews after managing it internally for two years. PokerNews will be present for every event and updates can be followed on their website. However, WSOP.com will also continue providing these updates.
When is the Main Event?
The preliminary bracelet events commenced on Wednesday, although the biggest tournament of the year will not begin just yet. The Main Event, which requires a $10,000 buy-in, will start on Saturday, July 8, being the first of three initial flights. The tournament will narrow down to a final table on Monday, July 17.
Following that, there will be a pause, but it will only last a few days instead of several months. The “No longer November Nine” will have 48 hours to unwind before the cards are dealt again on Thursday, July 20, for three days of final table gameplay. ESPN has discarded the delayed final table format this year, allowing viewers at home to watch the full Main Event on ESPN with same-day coverage on a half-hour delay. Filming commences on Day 1 and continues until only one player remains on Saturday, July 22.
If I decide to go to the Rio, what should I know?
At the WSOP’s home in the Rio Convention Center, business continues as usual with a few noteworthy changes:
- The feature table is currently located in Brasilia. If you’re aiming to reach the final table, you should know that the Amazon Room is no longer the place to go.
- You may need to bring your own snack this year as the Poker Kitchen will not be available. Food options are slightly more limited compared to previous years, although grab and go choices, All-American Dave, and mobile hot dog carts are still present at the Rio.
- The WSOP valet service is no longer available. The parking modifications in Vegas have somewhat affected the Rio. Although parking remains free of charge, those planning to valet their car at the convention center entrance will be let down.
