Shuffle Up And Deal: WSOP Will Return In 2020 With Hybrid Format

The Main Event’s final table at the World Series of Poker will be held live and in person at the Rio All-Suites & Casino on Dec. 28.

Earlier this year, the WSOP made the decision to delay the world’s biggest poker tournament until the fall. Regrettably, that season has now passed. However, the WSOP will still take place in 2020.

The December tournament, which is a hybrid online and live version of the $10,000 No-Limit Hold-Em World Championship, will occur. This year’s tournament will also feature a competition between a US winner and an international winner.

The WSOP Main Event is set to kick off on Sunday, Nov. 29 for international players, and on Sunday, Dec. 13 for those in the US. Despite its late timing in the year, WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart emphasized the importance of having a 2020 installment.

A World Champion for 2020 is essential, given the significance of poker’s history. The Main Event format is distinct this year, but it corresponds with the uniqueness of the year itself. Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of the players while still providing an excellent televised presentation of the game we cherish.

New hybrid WSOP format

The redesigned and scaled-down WSOP will present a different experience for players. However, for the majority of non-poker players who solely watch the Main Event on TV, the changes may not be noticeable.

The introduction of the new hybrid format was a response to travel restrictions and a precautionary measure for player safety in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s format is sure to be distinctive.

Events in the early rounds will commence online, with each player having one entry on WSOP.com or GGPoker.com. Following this, the competition will shift to live events for the final table action, taking place on two different continents.

The 2020 WSOP will feature two brackets, both offering independent prize money to tournament participants. The final table will be a unique event, conducted as a heads-up game for the World Championship, with a whopping $1 million in prize money at stake.

The Main Event will adhere to traditional “freeze-out” rules and restrict entries to one per person. Furthermore, it will feature the lengthiest levels and the largest stacks ever presented on online platforms.

WSOP online tournaments only in Nevada or New Jersey

Please be aware that WSOP.com is not currently legal in all parts of the US. As of Dec. 13, American players can only participate in the Main Event online if they are in New Jersey or Nevada.

Dates for the local segment of the WSOP:

• December 13: Day 1
• Day 2: December 14 (The tournament will end when there are only 9 players left)
• The final table will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 28 and will continue until a winner is determined.

The event, worth $10,000, is anticipated to span over two days until the final table is reached. After roughly twelve hours of gameplay, the WSOP will halt play for an overnight recess. When the competition has been reduced to the final table, there will be a two-week hiatus before the last nine contestants make their way to Las Vegas. They will then compete at the final table at the Rio.

Players reaching the final table will have to follow special COVID-19 rules and procedures. Mandatory health screening will be necessitated for all players before they participate live.

A player who tests positive for COVID-19 before the start of the final table play will be disqualified and will be given the minimum final table payout. Similarly, if a final table player opts out of flying to Las Vegas, they can surrender their chip stack and still receive the minimum final table payout.

The final table will be televised on ESPN with commentary provided by Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.

The final event: domestic vs. international Heads-Up Championship

The last event of the year for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is set to occur at the Rio on December 30. Champions from both the domestic and international WSOP competitions will converge in Las Vegas for a showdown that will be broadcasted on television.

Aside from the earnings from US and international tournaments, the victor of this world heads-up championship stands to gain $1 million. However, this may be subject to change if the international series champion is under the age of 21.

If new travel restrictions are imposed or casinos are forced to close due to coronavirus spread, both live events could potentially be moved online or rescheduled for a future date.

Rio reopening shortly before WSOP

Shortly after Caesars announced the reopening of the Rio to the public at 10 a.m. on Dec. 22, news about the WSOP live event in Las Vegas was released.

The Rio will partially reopen in December. The casino, along with many amenities like restaurants and bars, will be operational seven days a week. However, the hotel will only accept suite reservations from Thursday to Sunday.

Another William Hill sportsbook will also be making its debut at a Caesars Las Vegas casino.