The WSOP 2021 is starting in less than two months and Max Silver tweeted his ideas on how to safely organize the world-famous event.
New WSOP 2021 COVID-19 Rules
Recently, the WSOP 2021 rules have been published. While the majority of the rules is considered to be business as usual, there is a highly controversial COVID-19 paragraph which sparked discussions in the poker community.
A first look at the 2021 @WSOP Tournament Rules – https://t.co/VclQwbiRRe
Rule 115 is notable: pic.twitter.com/zZhLQLNEkC
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) August 9, 2021
According to the official WSOP rules, the Rio Casino reserves the right to remove players from the WSOP for any health or saftey-related reasons. Obviously, the biggest concern in this context is COVID-19.
If a player has received a positive test result for COVID-19 or came into close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, he may be removed from the event.
Furthermore, even players who refuse to do a test can also get excluded. Apparently, there isn’t even an exception to the rules for players who are already vaccinated.
This ruling obviously was highly discussed on Twitter:
You think that’s harsh what about this?
“Other than what participant has already been awarded.”
You aren’t awarded anything until you bust so I guess you final table the main, test positive, and get $0?
Also does @wsop just get to keep all this forfeited equity?
— SoftwareTest (@BrianWSOP) August 9, 2021
Alternative WSOP 2021 Rules by Max Silver
Max Silver, however, took things into his own hands and suggested some alternative rules for this year’s WSOP.
Had a go at creating what I think would be the best and safest WSOP rules would be if you HAD to run it (you don't)
A little thread
— Max Silver (@max_silver) August 10, 2021
8-handed maximum (more distance between players)
Mandatory masks (exclusions for eating and drinking)
All breaks 30 mins (to allow for rapid testing)ALL players must provide one negative rapid test every 3 days (5 days if vax'd) of the series, you can be tested while regging
— Max Silver (@max_silver) August 10, 2021
To ensure actual social distancing, he suggested running 8-handed events max. and players would have to wear masks at all times except for when they are eating or drinking.
He also came up with an alternative solution in case a player got a positive result. Unlike in the official rules, the chips of that particular player would get removed from play and the player would be returned his buy-in at a linear rate.
If a player had a positive test chips are removed from play and the buyin is refunded, 0-100% starting stack at a linear rate rounded to nearest $100, if over 100%, $0.50 per dollar of chip value over starting stack up to a maximum of buyin*5
— Max Silver (@max_silver) August 10, 2021
Tests would also play a highly important role in Silver’s plans. If a player is in close contact, he would have to provide an antigen test. Furthermore, the whole table would have to pause until this process would be concluded.
Not everybody was happy with the rules Max Silver suggested:
I admire the effort, but no.
This is highly flawed for several reasons.
Let me know if you want to see them.
— Todd Witteles (@ToddWitteles) August 11, 2021
Still, there is still some time left until the WSOP actually starts. Therefore, there is still a chance that the organizers will decide to adjust the rules.
While the WSOP took place online only last year, it is obvious that it is rather difficult to run such a large live poker event during a pandemic.
Overall, it is safe to say that there is certainly no way that the WSOP will be going be to normal pre-corona times this year.
While not everybody may be happy about the adjusted rules, it is obvious that the WSOP organizers need to take certain steps to avoid potential COVID-19 outbreaks at their events.
We will keep you updated about further WSOP rule changes in the future in our poker news.
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