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WSOP 2021 in Las Vegas to Require Covid-19 Vaccination

Written by Jennifer Newell
Last updated on
Jennifer Newell

The World Series of Poker has had to make some tough decisions in its fifty-plus years of hosting the tournaments but none as consequential as the decisions in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, for the first time, WSOP executives canceled the entire live series in the US and Europe because of the pandemic. This year, they pushed the series out to a September 30 start date, reduced the number of tournaments to 88, and spread it all out over a longer-than-usual period of time. But they still faced one big issue. The damned pandemic remained a factor for many players.

Some players: “If you don’t require masks or a vaccine or both, I won’t attend.”

Other players: “If you do require masks or a vaccine or both, I won’t attend.”

The WSOP was in a bit of a no-win situation. There was going to be blowback no matter their decision. So, it chose the safest decision for overall customer health. They had to make a decision that would comply with all possible local and state mandates – which change by the week at times – and comply with CDC guidelines and stay on the good side of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Anyone attending, dealing, playing in, or watching the World Series of Poker this year at the Rio in Las Vegas must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Proof is required.

Considering Ramifications

The WSOP has made decisions in past years that were controversial. They closed some women’s restrooms for male players. They banned most online poker sites from offering official WSOP satellites. They delayed the Main Event final table from July to November.

Little did they know then that the biggest decision was yet to come.

WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart noted in the press release, “This is not a decision we have taken lightly; it is made with no agenda beyond protecting player eligibility and the operations of a unique televised gaming event.”

He needed to get out in front of anyone tossing out allegations of following a political agenda or caving to any public pressure from any singular contingent.

“The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time,” Stewart added, “and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants. We want players to be excited for their return to the WSOP, while offering the greatest level of protection and limiting complications during the tournament this fall.”

Evolution of a Policy

What had been Rule 115 blew up into its own policy and press release regarding Covid-19. It even has its own page on the WSOP website.

It started with an inconspicuous paragraph in the original 2021 rules document released without fanfare on August 9. There were new items like the ACH payment option…and then Rule 115. Essentially, it appeared to say that any player with a Covid-19 positive test result – or a player spending more than 15 minutes within six feet of said person – may be removed from a WSOP event without compensation. It was harsh, potentially punishing even the most careful of players for simply being near a person who tested positive. There was a lot of wiggle room for a lot of interpretations…and too many disqualifications.

Less than one week later and with some help from Daniel Negreanu, the WSOP tried to clean it up. Negreanu tweeted that the WSOP would not disqualify a player unless they volunteer information about testing positive. The WSOP’s message was more detailed but, for some, just as murky as the last one. It said that anyone with exposure to a positive Covid-19 person would not be disqualified if they are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.

With that said, the WSOP added, “We recognize that the Covid-19 public health situation is constantly evolving. We will continue to work with our team of health and safety experts, local government, and our regulators, and all our policies are subject to change as guidance evolves.

Again, the poker community had many questions.

That prompted the WSOP to respond a week later with a firm decision. Vaccines required for all.

“Players over 21 years of age seeking to participate in the 2021 WSOP must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to registration. This includes all WSOP bracelet events, side events, satellites, and live action or cash games. In order to be considered ‘fully vaccinated,’ you must receive your final vaccine dose at least 14 days prior to your entry date. The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino reserves the right to modify any and all Official Tournament Rules at any time in the interest of health and public safety, including, but not limited to adding any requirement that a participant must be fully vaccinated and/or complete certain testing or screening in order to participate or continue to participate in the WSOP.”

What Does It All Mean?

There were questions, of course, but the WSOP page provided answers.

The most basic question was about proof of vaccination. First, the player must have a valid vaccine card showing the date(s) and location of the vaccine. That card can also be uploaded to the CLEAR mobile app, which is free for the Covid-19 feature.

-Upload documents to the free CLEAR app. Click on the WSOP section of the app and register. Simply show to registration tellers and other WSOP officials when requested through the normal tournament or cash game registration process.

-Visit the on-site verification center in the Belize Room at the Rio Convention Center – the location of the WSOP – with a physical vaccination card or a health pass for approval in the WSOP registration system. From that point forward, simply register in the normal way.

The vaccine mandate applies to all employees, staff, vendors, members of the media, and spectators.

International players may not have access to the CLEAR app. They, too, should bring their country’s proof of vaccination as mentioned above and register once in person at the Rio.

What vaccines are acceptable?

-Pfizer (2 shots)

-Moderna (2 shots)

-Johnson & Johnson (1 shot)

-AstraZeneca (2 shots)

All vaccines must be completely administered at least 14 days prior to the person’s first visit to the WSOP or registering for their first event.

Other WSOP Mandates

At this moment in time, masks are mandatory. This is because the entire state of Nevada is under the CDC guidance of a masks mandate for indoor public gatherings because of recent Covid-19 case surges in the state. A mask must cover a person’s nose and mouth. This is currently required in all Las Vegas casinos, so the WSOP is no different.

If Nevada and Clark County remove the mandate before the WSOP begins, players may be able to compete without masks. This is outside the control of the World Series of Poker and can change at any time based on Covid-19 case rates.

The WSOP issued a “Covid-19 Safety Acknowledgement” that gives the WSOP more protection should people not abide by the rules and bring Covid-19 into the tournament areas.

“By attending the 2021 World Series of Poker, you expressly agree to comply with any and all rules and safety guidelines put in place by the event organizers, and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19, waiving all claims and potential claims against the event organizers, and their affiliated companies relating to such risks.”

They also suggest that people stay away from the WSOP if they:

-test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of attending,

-were exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of attending,

-experienced any Covid-19 symptoms within 48 hours of attending,

-or traveled to an international territory identified by state or local governments as having Covid-19 travel advisories or quarantine recommendations.

Author Opinion: Oh, the Complaints!

The WSOP’s decisions on this topic created quite a kerfuffle on social media. Poker Twitter was a mess with some people declaring their decision to not play the WSOP this year.

No one is forced to play the WSOP.

The WSOP is willing to field serious questions about the policy via email, which is in the FAQ section of the rules on the WSOP website. I certainly do not speak for the WSOP, but I will venture a guess that the WSOP will not discuss medical studies with you, entertain conspiracy theories, or engage in arguments about antibodies and human rights and freedom. Most of you are not medical doctors or Constitutional lawyers.

The bottom line is this: The WSOP had to make a decision. Either way, some poker players would be unhappy with the decision. The WSOP decided to err on the side of caution, prevent disease outbreaks, and not further the spread of the virus that cancelled the 2020 WSOP and threatened the 2021 one, too. The WSOP was going to lose players one way or another this year.

You can have all of the opinions you’d like. And because of your freedoms, you can express those all over social media all day long. You can even stand outside of the Rio in October with a “My Body, My Choice” sign. If that’s how you choose to spend your time, by all means, carry on.

Just remember that the vaccine is free, but a fake vaccine card costs money and is a federal crime.

Meanwhile, many members of the poker community will attend the WSOP. Will the numbers be down this year? Probably. But WSOP executives can sleep at night knowing they followed the facts and the science and potentially saved lives.

 

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