After the cancellation of the 2020 World Series of Poker due to COVID-19 and a Main Event option late in the year, poker players can now celebrate the return of the series today. The WSOP is back in action with the 2021 season set to start today with events running through November 23. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino will play host of course, and players will come from around the world to compete.

This year will still be a bit different due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Players are required to be vaccinated before attending an event. Newly vaccinated players must be fully vaccinated, having taken their only or final shots within 14 days of the tournament start date. The requirement had mixed reactions among professional and amateur poker players, so it will be interesting to see if the turnout is just as high as it normally would be pre-COVID.

Details of the Series

The total series will include 88 events and kick-off with the Casino Employees No Limit Hold’em tournament. This event has a buy-in of $500 and begins at 11 am in Las Vegas. Tomorrow, the series will host The Reunion, another NLH event. This tournament also has a $500 buy-in and guarantees $5,000,000 in prize money. This event requires over 10,000 players to be able to meet the prize pool guarantee.

Additional events to watch out for include the Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship. This tournament takes place on October 5 and only allows for 64 players. The field should consist of the best poker players in the game.

Of course, all eyes will also be on the WSOP Main Event. The tournament starts on November 4 and goes through November 17. The buy-in is the usual $10,000 and should see one of the highest turnouts in the series. The world’s greatest players as well as amateurs compete in this event in the hopes of cashing out big time as well as gaining notoriety.

CBS Sports Providing Coverage

For those not participating in the Nevada events, CBS Sports is offering coverage of the series. The CBS Sports Network plans to broadcast 15 hours of the Main Event as well as additional tournament action. Eighteen other bracelet events will be available for viewing, spread out over 36 hours of coverage.

Fans can easily tune in and watch their favorite pros compete or watch as amateurs win major events, upsetting the field of competitors. It will certainly be interesting to watch as the action goes down at the Rio for the next few months!

Ty Stewart, the WSOP executive director, commented that the WSOP is preparing for a full house. Stewart commented:

“Throughout the storied history of the WSOP, this year will be particularly memorable and we’re preparing for a poker reunion all players can celebrate. We’re beyond thrilled to offer a complete schedule of can’t miss events including all our flagships and the variety players deserve.”