The World Series of Poker announced the overall dates for the 51st installment of the WSOP at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. The 2020 WSOP will begin on May 26 and run through July 15. The prestigious $10,000 buy-in Main Event kicks off with four opening flights starting on Day 1A and concluding with Day 1B on July 4. Despite the rumors, the WSOP will remain at the Rio Casino for at least one more running.
Ready for the annual running of the donks in Sin City? Ready for the 2020 World Series of Poker? The World Series of Poker will celebrate its Sweet 16 at the Rio this summer. Yes, it's hard to think that the WSOP migrated to the Rio for the first time back in 2005, or over 16 summers ago.
Wow, so many things have changed in both the poker world, Las Vegas, and the overall world in general. I never would have guess in a million years back in 2005 that if you told me online poker would be shutdown in the majority of America but you could buy legal weed in Vegas, I'd tell you that you're crazy.
Alas, as time passes things change. But one thing had remained the same since then... you headed to the Rio every summer to play at the World Series of Poker.
While the Rio was sold, the WSOP will still remain in place at least for 2020 and probably 2021 before it moves elsewhere (most likely to the new convention area on the Strip).
For now, mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 26. The 2020 WSOP begins the day after Memorial Day and concludes on Wednesday, July 15. The 2020 WSOP spans 51 days. The $10,000 buy-in marquee WSOP Main Event starts on July 1, 2020 with the opening flight and will conclude on July 14 with the Main Event finale.
The total amount of events is still subject to change. Who knows what will get added at the last second.
The Big 50 will return. It was a huge hit last year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the WSOP. The powers that be will bring it back... at least the $500 price tag. The Big 50 will take place starting May 28.
For now, there's not many teasers on what will happen. We do have a juicy quote from the mega suits at WSOP HQ...
"We can't wait to open our doors for the 2020 World Series of Poker," said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart in a statement. "Summer can't come fast enough, and we look forward to welcoming poker players from all over the globe back to the Rio in Las Vegas to award gold bracelets and hundreds of millions of dollars."
The 2019 WSOP included 90 events. According to the WSOP Propaganda of Numbers and Affairs, the 2019 WSOP attracted a total of 187,298 entries spread out over 90 bling events with a total prize pool of $293.18 million.
Of course, that number is skewed because it's not like the WSOP gave away that money for free. It's the people's money... the poker community's money... and that all flew out to Vegas and poured in $293 million of their own money and bankrolls for a shot at large stacks of cash and WSOP bracelets.
That's why you play the series, right? It's all about the bling... the bracelets... the bragging rights... the glory... the power... the cash... the respect and attention... the revenge and spite... and the overall celebration of poker excellence... that's why people play the game and that's why the WSOP is successful year after year because it's the greatest assemblage of poker wealth and prowess in the universe.
Germany's Hossein Ensan won the 2019 Main Event for a $10,000,000 score.
