The World Series of Poker is happening this summer, after all. The WSOP has announced a plan to stage an 85-tournament series entirely online on the WSOP.com and GGPoker networks.
Alas for online poker players in Pennsylvania, they won’t be able to compete for WSOP bracelets from the Keystone State.
NJ and NV can play for WSOP bracelets, not PA
The COVID-19 outbreak forced the WSOP to postpone a summer full of live bracelet events. A largest-ever schedule of 101 events had been planned, including 87 live events at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
In its place, 31 online bracelet events will begin taking place on WSOP.com starting July 1. Then beginning July 19 there will be 54 more events on the GGPoker network, enabling players from many countries outside of the United States to compete.
Those playing on either WSOP NJ or WSOP NV will be able to participate in the WSOP.com events. The WSOP has yet to launch a site in Pennsylvania, meaning Pennsylvanians wanting to play in the events will need to travel to New Jersey or Nevada to do so.
PA poker players are also sidelined in the live game. Live poker rooms will remain closed for the time being even as PA casinos begin to reopen their doors, per PGCB safety guidelines.
2020 WSOP Online: 85 bracelet events, 2 networks
So far the WSOP has only announced the WSOP.com portion of the WSOP Online series schedule. There will be one event each day in July, totaling 31 events (see the full schedule below).
Reflecting a limit of the WSOP.com software, nearly all of the events (27 of them) will be no-limit hold’em, with the other four Omaha variants.
The GGPoker or “international series” portion of the schedule will begin on July 19 and run through September 6, although it has not been announced as yet. There, players may be allowed to play short deck hold’em and perhaps other formats supported by the GGPoker software.
Buy-ins for the WSOP.com bracelet events will range from $400 to $3,200.
WSOP seeking regulatory approval to launch in Pennsylvania
WSOP officials are currently seeking regulatory approval to launch an online poker site in Pennsylvania. However, those efforts will not be realized in time for the WSOP Online bracelet series.
Since Pennsylvania legalized online poker in 2017, PokerStars has been the only operator to launch a site. PokerStars PA launched in early November 2019.
With its land-based partner Harrah’s Philadelphia, the WSOP appears one of the frontrunners to become the first online site to challenge PokerStars’ Pennsylvania monopoly. However, there still is no timetable at present for when WSOP PA or any other online poker site (i.e. partypoker) will arrive.
2020 WSOP Online: Schedule for WSOP NJ/NV
| Event | Date | Time | Event | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 1 (W) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Kick-Off | $500 |
| 2 | July 2 (Th) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em 8-Handed Deepstack | $1,000 |
| 3 | July 3 (F) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $400 |
| 4 | July 4 (Sa) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Super Turbo | $500 |
| 5 | July 5 (Su) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $1,000 |
| 6 | July 6 (M) | 3:00 p.m. | PLO8 6-Handed | $600 |
| 7 | July 7 (Tu) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Knockout Deepstack | $800 |
| 8 | July 8 (W) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $500 |
| 9 | July 9 (Th) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em 6-Max | $1,000 |
| 10 | July 10 (F) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em MonsterStack | $600 |
| 11 | July 11 (Sa) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Turbo Deepstack 6-Handed | $500 |
| 12 | July 12 (Su) | 3:00 p.m. | The BIG 500 No Limit Hold'em | $500 |
| 13 | July 13 (M) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em High Roller Freezeout | $1,500 |
| 14 | July 14 (Tu) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em High Roller | $3,200 |
| 15 | July 15 (W) | 3:00 p.m. | PLO 8-Max HR | $1,000 |
| 16 | July 16 (Th) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Turbo | $500 |
| 17 | July 17 (F) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'emÊ | $777 |
| 18 | July 18 (Sa) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em 8-Handed Turbo DeepStack | $1,000 |
| 19 | July 19 (Su) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $400 |
| 20 | July 20 (M) | 3:00 p.m. | PLO 6-Handed | $500 |
| 21 | July 21 (Tu) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $777 |
| 22 | July 22 (W) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Turbo Deepstack | $500 |
| 23 | July 23 (Th) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Knockout | $500 |
| 24 | July 24 (F) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em 8-Handed | $400 |
| 25 | July 25 (Sa) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Summer Saver | $500 |
| 26 | July 26 (Su) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Grande Finale | $500 |
| 27 | July 27 (M) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $400 |
| 28 | July 28 (Tu) | 3:00 p.m. | Omaha 8 6-Max | $1,000 |
| 29 | July 29 (W) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Turbo Deepstack 6-Handed | $600 |
| 30 | July 30 (Th) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Senior's Event | $500 |
| 31 | July 31 (F) | 3:00 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Championship | $1,000 |
