World Series Of Poker Truly Goes World-Class In 2022 As It Descends Upon Las Vegas Strip
The world’s most famous poker event is simultaneously returning to its roots and making a big move to a new location this year. For the first time ever, the 2022 WSOP schedule includes two venues on the Las Vegas Strip.
At the same time, one of the new venues represents a throwback of sorts for the World Series of Poker. Fans and players can expect more of the action they have grown to love this year as well with the COVID-19 pandemic waning.
2022 World Series of Poker schedule begins in May
This year, the tournament will run from Tuesday, May 31, and end on Wednesday, July 20. All the events fans expect are in the mix, including the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’Em World Championship. Most poker fans affectionately call that the “Main Event.”
The venues playing host to the entire menu of events this year will be Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and the current Bally’s (soon to be re-branded Horseshoe Las Vegas). Note that these are both physically located on Las Vegas Boulevard, aka The Strip, while the Series’ former home of Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is off-Strip.
For the second consecutive year, CBS Sports Network will broadcast the Main Event, and PokerGo will offer live streaming.
The Main Event will begin on July 3 from Bally&rsquo
;s. The Final Table is set for July 15 and July 16. This year, not only is the full schedule of smaller events back on, but the WSOP has added new mid-stakes events.
These include No-Limit Hold-em tournaments running on single days in June and July. Those events will feature buy-ins between $2,000 and $5,000. The main reason for the ramp-up? Easement in COVID-19 protocols.
No masks or vaccinations required for WSOP
Earlier this month, local and state authorities rescinded their requirements for patrons to show proof of vaccination and wear a face mask inside Las Vegas casinos. Unless those authorities reinstitute similar rules, the events will not require participants to comply with either protocol.
Naturally, players and spectators are still free to wear masks if they like. However, the capacity restrictions that were in place last year are no more. Additionally, players and spectators should not expect staff around them to be wearing masks.
If you prefer to stay home or simply can’t make it to Las Vegas but want to take part, there is an online portion that poker players in Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania can get in on. Through the 21 online events, you can win bracelets and cash just like the players who are in Vegas.
The eased restrictions also mean the sizes of the field of contenders for the events will be back to their pre-pandemic levels. Due to the new venues, that could escalate to unprecedented heights.
New venues mean more capacity and a little history
The convention spaces at both Bally’s and Paris will be converted to a poker room for a total of 600 tables. That means the capacity for the 2022 WSOP will be at its greatest ever. It’s fitting, as the tournament is getting back to its roots in a way.
The first-ever WSOP took place at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas in 1970. Due to Caesars’ takeover of Bally’s in Las Vegas, which prompted the coming re-brand to Horseshoe Las Vegas, this move represents a homecoming of sorts.
The larger venues on a bigger stage hearkening back to the event’s roots create the perfect narrative for the 2022 WSOP roaring back to its zenith as the pandemic subsides. The expanded schedule also means more people than ever have chances to win bracelets and cash.
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