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 Rio All-Suites & Casino on Dec. 28.

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

The $10,000 No-Limit Hold-Em World Championship in December will occur as a hybrid version, combining both online and live elements. This year’s tournament will also feature a match between a US champion and an international champion.

The Main Event at WSOP is set to commence for international players on Sunday, Nov. 29, and for US players on Sunday, Dec. 13. Although the tournament is scheduled towards the end of the year, WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart has emphasised the importance of ensuring a 2020 installment took place.

A 2020 World Champion is essential, given the significant history of Poker. While the Main Event will have a unique format this year, it’s fitting for such an unusual year. Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of the players while still providing a fantastic televised game for the sport we adore.

New hybrid WSOP format

The restructured and downsized WSOP will present a different experience for players. However, for the majority of non-poker players who only follow the Main Event on television, the changes may not be very noticeable.

The new hybrid format was introduced due to travel restrictions and for the sake of player safety amidst the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s format is undoubtedly going to be unique.

The initial round of events will start online, with each player making one entry on either WSOP.com or GGPoker.com. Following this, the tournament will transition to live events where the final table action will take place across two continents.

The 2020 WSOP will feature two brackets, both offering prize money to tournament participants independently. The culminating event will be a unique final table, manifesting as a heads-up game for the World Championship, boasting a prize pool of $1 million.

The Main Event is set to follow traditional “freeze-out” standards, allowing only one entry per individual. Furthermore, it will offer the longest levels and deepest stacks ever seen on online platforms.

WSOP online tournaments only in Nevada or New Jersey

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

Schedule for the domestic part of the WSOP:

• Day 1: Dec. 13
• Day 2: December 14 (The tournament will conclude when there are 9 players remaining)
• Final Table will take place at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 28. The game will continue until a winner is determined.

The event with a $10,000 stake is anticipated to span over two complete days to finalize the table. After about twelve hours of play, the WSOP will put a halt to the game for an overnight recess. Once the participant count reduces to the final table, there will be a two-week hiatus before the remaining nine players head to Las Vegas. Here, they will compete in the final table at the Rio.

Players reaching the final table will be governed by specific COVID-19 rules and procedures. Health screening will be mandatory for all players before participating live.

Should a player test positive for COVID-19 before the final table play commences, they shall be disqualified and will be entitled to the minimum final table payout. Likewise, any final table player who opts not to travel to Las Vegas can surrender their chip stack and will also 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 WSOP event for the year is scheduled for Dec. 30 at the Rio. Champions from both the domestic and international WSOP tournaments will congregate in Vegas for a showdown that will be broadcasted.

In addition to the earnings from US and international tournaments, the champion of this global heads-up championship will receive $1 million. However, this may vary if the international series winner is under 21 years old.

If new travel restrictions are implemented or casinos have to shut down due to the spread of coronavirus, both live events could either be moved online or rescheduled for a future date.

Rio reopening shortly before WSOP

Caesars recently announced that the Rio will reopen to the public at 10 a.m. on Dec. 22. This news comes shortly after the announcement of the WSOP live event in Las Vegas.

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

This will also mark the debut of an additional William Hill sportsbook at a Caesars casino in Las Vegas.