World Series of Poker Returns to Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the richest, most prestigious and longest-running poker series, has finalized its daily event schedule for 2021. The poker event will be hosted live at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas From Sept. 30 to Nov. 23, 2021.

Online and in-person registration will open some time in August. The theme for this year event is “get vaccinated and get back to Vegas.”

Full house

A statement announced that the World Series of Poker, or WSOP, will be headlined by the much-anticipated $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em World Championship, better known as the "Main Event", which in 2019 eclipsed 8,000 entrants for only the second time in history. The familiar 200,000 square foot Rio Convention Center will again set the scene with a wide variety of tournaments, which include all popular variations of poker ranging in price from $400 to $250,000.

The Main Event will have four starting flights to choose from - Day 1A on Thursday, Nov. 4, Day 1B on Friday, Nov. 5, Day 1C on Saturday, Nov. 6 and Day 1D on Sunday, Nov. 7. The iconic deep-stack tournament will continue play through the Main Event Final Table on Tuesday, Nov. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 17.

"Make no mistake, the 2021 WSOP will be the real deal and we're preparing for a full house. 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," said Ty Stewart, the WSOP's Executive Director residing over his 16th WSOP.

This year’s event is particularly a big deal because last year’s physical WSOP was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that was raging at that time. Last year’s event proceeded as an online event, generating much controversy. 

This year’s event had also to be delayed for the same reasons. But with a decline in new numbers and widespread vaccination ongoing, organizers of the poker event got the thumbs to proceed with this year’s WSOP.

Specials for players

A change to this year’s event is that WSOP has a new broadcast partner -- CBS Sports, which will offer increased coverage for the duration of the tournament. An unprecedented 18 different bracelet events will be televised with a minimum of 15 hours of coverage of the 2021 Main Event, produced exclusively by Poker Central.

The annual event has been held since 1970.

The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino and all Caesars Entertainment resorts in Las Vegas will offer reduced hotel room rates for entrants of WSOP bracelet events. The Rio offers players rates on select dates as low as $47. Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah's Las Vegas, Bally's Las Vegas and The Linq Hotel + Experience will also provide discounted WSOP player rates.

The full schedule of the 88 bracelet events is available here.

“We could not be more excited to welcome everyone back to Las Vegas and the Rio. The entire WSOP team is hard at work to ensure players have the absolute best experience possible,” said WSOP Vice President and Tournament Director, Jack Effel. “

Organizers are yet to announce specific COVID-19 safety protocols and other related 2021 tournament policies.

WSOP has also announced plans for the resumption of WSOP Europe in 2021, currently scheduled to run from Friday 19 November to Tuesday 8 December at King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. WSOP Europe is expected to include 15 gold bracelet events, including a €10,000 buy-in WSOP Europe Main Event and a €50,000 High Roller event.