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WSOP Talks Promotions, Warmups, More Summer Poker Details

Written by Jennifer Newell
Last updated on
Jennifer Newell

The 50th Annual World Series of Poker begins in one month.

No one is more excited than professional poker players…and recreational poker players…and poker fans…and Las Vegas strippers…and Rio bartenders…and the World Series of Poker staff.

So, a lot of people are excited.

And with the action in Las Vegas coming up so quickly, the WSOP decided to release some new information. There will be promotions and some non-bracelet events for ladies, seniors, and PLO players. A charity event will benefit the family of the late Gavin Smith. And players will need to know how they can buy in to events and wire money.

Money and More Money

Players will be able to arrive at the Rio through the casino entrances or through the convention center entrances, but to get to the convention ballrooms – where the tournaments and cash games will be – they will need to pass through the rotunda in the convention center.

They will find a display there consisting of the famous Horseshoe, representing Binion’s where the WSOP was born and raised for most of its history. And under that horseshoe will be $1 million in cash. The display will be there for the duration of the WSOP for photograph opportunities. And it goes without saying that it will likely be heavily guarded.

Those not bringing cash or access to a local bank will have other ways to pay for their buy-ins this year.

First, players can wire money to the Rio after setting up an account at the WSOP Main Cage, which will be located in the Tropical ballroom. They can then wire money into the account from anywhere in the world. Once that is done, they can then register online or through a mobile app to sign up for tournament play, avoiding the lines at the cashier cage throughout the series. There will then be kiosks at which they can print their seat cards and receipts before taking their tournament seats.

Second, players will be able to use cash or casino chips – as always – to buy in to events, but they can also use credit or debit cards. They will need to do so at the WSOP Main Cage.

Win a Main Event Seat

This is a new initiative from the WSOP this year. They are giving away five seats to the $10K buy-in Main Event. That $50K giveaway is to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Players earn one ticket for the drawing by swiping their Caesars rewards card at the Rio Caesars Rewards desk. But players can earn additional tickets, up to a total of five. One ticket can be earned by playing two WSOP gold bracelet events. Receive a third ticket for playing a third gold bracelet event, and a fourth and fifth are earned for subsequent events. Buy-ins automatically register players for the drawing.

And that drawing will be held at the Rio on July 1. Players need not be present to win.

Player Announcements

For tournament players, they should know that 100 tables in the Amazon ballroom will be equipped with automatic shufflers. Those tables will mostly be used for late-start events, such as those that begin at 3pm, and for all restarts, such as Day 2s.

For cash game players, the games will be held in the Pavilion ballroom. About 40 of the tables will participate in a new promotion called “Hot Seat.” Once every hour, a random table and seat number will be drawn, and that player will receive $500 in Rio casino chips. The tables will be marked, and cash game staff will be able to direct players to them. The promotion will start on June 3 and continue through July 9.

Another new feature this year for cash game players will be a new Gorilla section for mid-stakes players. The tables are made by Gorilla, complete with automatic shufflers and charging stations, and upgraded chairs will be provided. Those 30 tables will be marked in a special live action section of the Pavilion ballroom where all cash games will take place.

High-stakes players can again look forward to the King’s Lounge section, which will provide 15 tables for cash game players, complete with high-end tables, chairs, and a special food buffet.

Special Tournaments

When Gavin Smith died in January 2019, it took many in the poker world by utter surprise. Smith had custody of his two sons at the time, and many who had known Smith through poker – or even known of him – were moved to provide financial aid to the boys. Now, they will have another chance to contribute but also to join friends in a poker tournament to celebrate his life.

The Gavin Smith Memorial Poker Tournament will take place on May 28 at 6pm, presumably in one of the ballrooms at the Rio. The buy-in will be $200 and no rake, with $100 going to the prize pool and the other $100 to the Gavin Smith Trust for his sons.

A special tournament will be held for women at the WSOP. On the night before the Ladies Championship bracelet event, there will be a non-bracelet event on June 19 at 6pm. The Ladies NLHE Warm Up will be a single-day event with a $150 buy-in.

Seniors will have quite a few chances to play with only those 50 and older. There will be a Seniors Deep Stack NLHE tournament – no bracelets involved – every Wednesday throughout the WSOP. Action starts at 9am every Wednesday from May 28 to July 10.

PLO fans will also have even more Omaha, as there will be a $250 PLO Deep Stack every Sunday evening at 5pm from June 2 to July 14.

 

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