The World Series of Poker (WSOP) decided that April Fools Day would be the perfect time to announce that the online series, as well as the live version, are back in 2021. This is not a drill! The WSOP is coming back this year! This summer, players can take part in the Online Series again while the live version has been pushed to the fall in Nevada.

Online Series Back Again

The Online Series was extremely popular in the United States on WSOP.com while the international audience could take part via GGPoker. Gold bracelets were offered over the summer and now this coming summer, players can expect the same!

The All-American Poker Network will feature the WSOP in the US from July 1. The full schedule is not available yet as the WSOP is still working out the details. It is expected that the schedule will be released on April 15.

Live-Action

In 2020, May, June, and July came with no live poker gaming. The WSOP was canceled last year due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later in the year, we got to see a different version of the Main Event, but at least a champion was named. This year, the WSOP live version will take place in Las Vegas, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino as it normally would.

The only exception is the dates. The tentative dates are September 30 to November 23. These dates will stand pending state and/or regulatory approval needs. Like the online schedule, the WSOP has not provided it yet.

But, we do know a few details. The WSOP announced that a charity event will take place on opening weekend to benefit health care workers that have been dealing with the pandemic from the onset. A poker event called The Reunion is also on the schedule, set to offer a huge $5 million prize pool.

The Main Event will have a $10,000 buy-in, per usual, and take place November 4-17. There will be four starting flights and players will either compete in Day 2 on November 8 or 9. The fields will come together on November 10 to play out to the winner.

Of course, COVID-19 is still an issue so the WSOP will have to stay on top of the latest protocols and regulations involving the virus. The hope is that the vaccination process will be completed by then and the world will be back to normal.

Officials of the WSOP will continue to work with state officials and gaming regulators leading up to the event to ensure player and employee safety.

For anyone interested in attending, hotel reservations are being taken now via Caesars Entertainment properties in Sin City. The Rio All-Suite is on the list of available accommodations. Rates start at a low $60 for members of Caesars Rewards!

In November, the WSOP will head to Rozvadov, Czech Republic to host an event at King’s Casino. This will be the 2021 WSOP Europe. The dates are November 19 to December 8. The WSOPE should offer 15 gold bracelet events including a main event.