A bigger and better year is what’s to be expected in this year’s 44th World Series of Poker. With just over a hundred days left before the real action begins, all the needed preparations are underway. There are 62 total events that are being planned and every individual that joins an event will find something to suit their preferences, be it the type of poker, the size of their bankroll and so on.
The series will take place between May 29 up until July 15 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (same location as last year). This is an annual event that has been held in Las Vegas since 2005.
Originally, it started with Benny Binion inviting seven of the best-known poker players at the Horseshoe Casino to play a single tournament, implementing a start and stop time and having a winner determined by secret ballot.
The kick off of this year’s event will be on July 6 and will conclude on July 15 and the final nine will have to return on November 4 to declare the winner. The low buy-in casino employee’s event, as per its annual custom, will kick off on May 29.
After the announcement about this tournament, other major events were also announced. Event 6 or better known as the “Millionaire Maker” was announced, which features a $1,500 single rebuy event with a guaranteed first prize of $1 million. The $1k buy-in first-ever turbo tournament is also going to take place and is scheduled on the 19th of June. It may strike controversy as the ladies buy-in is only for 1k while men will have to pay 10k to enter.
For the more financially well off people with deeper pockets, the $50k Poker Players’ Championship as well as the 25k six-handed no-limit hold’em will be a great choice. Everyone will have a chance of winning the most coveted prize aside from the winnings themselves; the World Series of Poker bracelet. Winning the bracelet is like the heavyweight championship belt of boxing or an Olympic gold medal.
Unfortunately, one event that will not take place, is the $1 million buy-in event as it was removed this year. The past year, Antonio “The Magician” bagged the staggering grand prize. Though that event was axed, it was replaced by the super-high-roller $111,111 tournament, which is scheduled for June 26.
ONE DROP charity raised $5.6 Million last year and will receive $3,333, and $33 on each entrance as well as $111 from the buy-in of the $1,111 “Little One for One Drop” this year. The non-official $5k side event for Open Face Chinese poker fans will also be something that will lure even the biggest of gamblers.
Luckily for the ONE DROP Foundation, which is a founded by Guy Lalibete, the WSOP is always willing to help them with their mission to fight poverty worldwide. Their intention of helping people to have access to water and raising individual community awareness about safe drinking water and its accessibility will continue on for the indefinite future.
