The World Series of Poker will not take place this Summer
It was a long time coming, but the WSOP has been officially postponed. The organizers are considering new target dates sometime this autumn, as well as running online versions of the tournaments.
2020 WSOP Postponed :
The 51st World Series of Poker (WSOP), is officially being postponed as a result of the public health emergency involving COVID-19. It is now targeted for fall of 2020, with exact dates and events to be determined.
More details: https://t.co/iaYZgSGXr9 pic.twitter.com/UVL6PQwH96— WSOP (@WSOP) April 20, 2020
While every other major live tournament and series had already announced their cancellation or postponement, the World Series of Poker organizers were still holding out hope for a Tuesday, May 26th start to their 7-week-long annual Vegas festival.
In a press release this week, however, the WSOP finally bowed to the inevitable as the world still battles with the novel coronavirus threat, releasing this statement:
‘The 51st running of the World Series of Poker (WSOP), set to begin Tuesday, May 26 from the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is officially being postponed as a result of the public health emergency involving COVID-19. It is now targeted for fall of 2020, with exact dates and events to be determined.
Executive Director of the World Series of Poker, Ty Stewart, added: “We are committed to running the World Series of Poker this year but need additional time to proceed on our traditional scale while prioritizing guest and staff well-being.”
Poker players reacting on Twitter
Reaction to the news came quickly on Twitter, Joe Ingram’s Twitter tears shared by many who had hoped against hope that the series would somehow run as normal.
The WSOP is officially postponed 😭https://t.co/EtfqHoOaFJ
— Joey Ingram 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 (@Joeingram1) April 20, 2020
…with Doug Polk sharing the same LVRJ story and commenting: “Looking pretty unlikely we have the WSOP at this point.”
To be candid, the @wsop being held over half a dozen crisp, cool weeks in autumn is kind of enticing. Still, sad to see our communal summer tradition take a forced sabbatical. https://t.co/JQdDicdxzS
— Mac VerStandig (@mac_verstandig) April 20, 2020
That led to discussions about just how feasible fitting in a month and a half of live poker would be later in the year, with the virus still perhaps looming over the world…
I think the biggest challenge will be thousands of people flying in from all over the world to sit atop one another for hours on end before switching to another group, then another group with dealers rotating every half hour… then flying back all over the world. In a pandemic. https://t.co/xvIfm9kIAS
— Dan O'Brien (@DanOBrienPoker) April 20, 2020
Playing some of the events online in the summer, including bracelet tournaments, is one option.
Ty Stewart said in the press release: “In the interim, official WSOP competitions are expected to be played online this summer, and we will soon announce details of an expanded series of tournaments to be played on WSOP.com and through a partnership with international operators, which will allow players to chase WSOP glory from their homes.”
That has had quite a few people discussing just where online would be best-suited for a part-schedule. Rob Yong offered up a poll thread on Twitter for fans to give their views and thoughts.
As usual @MikeMcDonald89 was right – WSOP has been postponed 😭 but which of the 4 biggest https://t.co/ZgOm4UdGab online poker site would YOU want @WSOPcom to run WSOP Bracelet events on this summer? https://t.co/mlpYj98mmP…
— Rob Yong (@rob_yong_) April 21, 2020
Quite what US players can do is unclear – only 4 states currently offering regulated online poker. Naturally, the replies were as mixed as the votes…
It would be an absolute travesty if it went to PokerStars after shafting players out of rakeback
— John Rooney (@JRooLFC) April 21, 2020
…with PokerStars getting a lot of votes, but also plenty of stick…
https://twitter.com/pablop_75/status/1252608614919004162?s=20
Although the 2020 WSOP schedule will “be revisited” by the organizers, who state “changes are anticipated”, the Main Event will naturally be a big part of the program.
“When this year’s edition does run, it will include poker’s world championship, the $10,000 buy-in Main Event championship, the richest prize pool on the poker calendar each year.”
The WSOP release ends, “Once details for the revised 2020 WSOP are finalized, plans will be communicated” and of course VIP grinders will bring you any news on the WSOP schedule as and when it is made available.
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