30-second summary
- WSOP is adding 34 events to its schedule, bringing the total to 74
- It will also implement the “big blind ante” rule
- Buy-ins for certain events have been reduced, and some people aren’t happy
- WSOP is looking to expand into new markets both in the US and abroad
Details of WSOP’s plans
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) plans to make things bigger and better in 2019. Another 34 events will be added to its schedule in 2019, including a Champion of Champions event. The “big blind ante” rule will also be implemented.
The WSOP and Las Vegas go hand in hand. A total of 74 events are now on the calendar and even more might be added in the coming months. The big blind ante rule was tested throughout the 2018 edition of the WSOP and in the European WSOP. Because it has been deemed to be a success to date, the rule will now be used in all No Limit Hold ‘Em events in 2019.
Under the big blind ante rule, a player who is in a certain position, usually the button or the blind position, will contribute the entire ante on behalf of the whole table instead of every player at the table adding to the ante with each deal. This rule aims to make poker events quicker and more exciting.
There will also be changes to starting stacks at the WSOP in 2019. A new event that will stir a lot of excitement is the Champion of Champions event. This will take place on July 10 and there will be a $1,500 buy-in for all former winners of WSOP bracelets. Currently, 1,078 players have won bracelets.
Opposition to these changes
Some people are not in favor of the changes. Some believe that lowering the stake to buy into events cheapens the WSOP.
Triple crown winner Mohsin Charania tweeted: “When I first started playing @WSOP people went to other casinos for low stakes buy-in events, and now you go to the @WSOP for low stakes buy-in tournaments and other casinos for real buy-in tournaments.”
This tweet drew a reaction from Seth Palansky of WSOP. He pointed out that 20 of the events have a buy-in of at least $10,000. Charania responded that most of those events were for mixed games.
Of course, many others are happy with these changes as the WSOP continually tries to adapt to the current environment and to garner attention.
Further expansion
The WSOP wants to increase interest in its events. In addition to implementing rule changes, it is expanding into new markets. They are launching an online circuit of events for the first time in New Jersey and Nevada while also expanding into Vietnam and India.
The Southeast Asia market is booming, with many gambling entities setting up operations in the region to try and take advantage of this growing market. The WSOP also has events in South Korea and Japan. One of these is a team event with up to 16 nations invited to send players to the competition.
Talking about these expansionary measures, a WSOP spokesman says they are “looking to raise the level of televised events and the experience we provide to our players. We understand the change may have sparked a sense of uneasiness from some of our players, but there is plenty to be excited for. Each televised final table will come with an increased spotlight and players who reach a final table will receive a true superstar VIP experience in Las Vegas, the global home of poker.”