The 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will run from May 28 to July 16. This year will feature a record 89 bracelet events, with buy-ins ranging from $400 to $100,000.
Benny Binion founded the series at his Horseshoe Casino in 1970 as a meeting of the seven best poker players in the world. Since then, the series has grown into the biggest event in poker, especially after moving to the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in 2005.
Last year’s series brought in 123,865 entries, and tournament officials paid out $267 million to winners. The $10,000 main event featured 7,874 entries with Indiana’s John Cynn taking home $8.8 million in 2018.
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The 2019 WSOP tournament schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, May 29th | 11:00 AM | $500 Casino Employees Event | $500 |
| Wed, May 29th | 12:00 PM | Super Turbo Bounty | $10,000 |
| Thu, May 30th | 11:00 AM | BIG 50 - Flight A | $500 |
| Thu, May 30th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo Eight or Better | $1,500 |
| Fri, May 31st | 11:00 AM | BIG 50 - Flight B | $500 |
| Fri, May 31st | 3:00 PM | 50th Annual High Roller NLH | $50,000 |
| Sat, Jun 1st | 10:00 AM | BIG 50 - Flight C | $500 |
| Sat, Jun 1st | 3:00 PM | $2,500 Limit Mixed Triple Draw | $2,500 |
| Sun, Jun 2nd | 10:00 AM | BIG 50 - Flight D | $500 |
| Sun, Jun 2nd | 3:30 PM | No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $400 |
| Sun, Jun 2nd | 6:00 PM | Short Deck No-Limit Hold’em | $10,000 |
| Mon, Jun 3rd | 11:00 AM | $600 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack | $600 |
| Mon, Jun 3rd | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Dealer's Choice | $1,500 |
| Mon, Jun 3rd | 6:00 PM | $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em | $5,000 |
| Tue, Jun 4th | 10:00 AM | $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo Bounty | $1,000 |
| Tue, Jun 4th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw | $1,500 |
| Wed, Jun 5th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 HORSE | $1,500 |
| Wed, Jun 5th | 3:00 PM | Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em | $10,000 |
| Wed, Jun 5th | 4:00 PM | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $1,500 |
| Thu, Jun 6th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout | $1,500 |
| Thu, Jun 6th | 3:00 PM | Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better | $10,000 |
| Fri, Jun 7th | 10:00 AM | Millionaire Maker - Flight A | $1,500 |
| Fri, Jun 7th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Seven-Card Stud | $1,500 |
| Sat, Jun 8th | 10:00 AM | Millionaire Maker - Flight B | $1,500 |
| Sat, Jun 8th | 3:00 PM | No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw | $10,000 |
| Sun, Jun 9th | 11:00 AM | $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack | $1,000 |
| Sun, Jun 9th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Eight Game Mix | $1,500 |
| Sun, Jun 9th | 3:30 PM | 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha (Online) | $600 |
| Mon, Jun 10th | 11:00 AM | $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack | $600 |
| Mon, Jun 10th | 12:00 PM | $2,620 No-Limit Hold'em Marathon | $2,620 |
| Mon, Jun 10th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better | $1,500 |
| Tue, Jun 11th | 11:00 AM | No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| Tue, Jun 11th | 3:00 PM | H.O.R.S.E. | $10,000 |
| Wed, Jun 12th | 11:00 AM | $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha | $1,000 |
| Wed, Jun 12th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $3,000 |
| Thu, Jun 13th | 10:00 AM | Seniors No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| Fri, Jun 14th | 10:00 AM | $1,000 Double Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,000 |
| Fri, Jun 14th | 3:00 PM | Dealers Choice 6-Handed | $10,000 |
| Sat, Jun 15th | 10:00 AM | $1,000 Double Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,000 |
| Sat, Jun 15th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout | $3,000 |
| Sun, Jun 16th | 11:00 AM | $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack | $800 |
| Sun, Jun 16th | 3:30 PM | Knock-Out Bounty No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $600 |
| Mon, Jun 17th | 10:00 AM | $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| Mon, Jun 17th | 12:00 PM | $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha | $1,500 |
| Mon, Jun 17th | 3:00 PM | Seven Card Stud | $10,000 |
| Tue, Jun 18th | 11:00 AM | $600 Mixed No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack 8-Handed | $600 |
| Tue, Jun 18th | 3:00 PM | $2,500 Mixed Big Bet | $2,500 |
| Wed, Jun 19th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Bounty | $1,500 |
| Wed, Jun 19th | 3:00 PM | High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha | $25,000 |
| Wed, Jun 19th | 3:30 PM | Turbo No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (Online) | $500 |
| Thu, Jun 20th | 11:00 AM | $1,000/$10,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold'em | $10,000 |
| Thu, Jun 20th | 12:00 PM | $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em | $2,500 |
| Thu, Jun 20th | 3:00 PM | Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw | $10,000 |
| Fri, Jun 21st | 10:00 AM | Monster Stack - Flight A | $1,500 |
| Fri, Jun 21st | 3:00 PM | $2,500 Mixed Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better | $2,500 |
| Sat, Jun 22nd | 10:00 AM | Monster Stack - Flight B | $1,500 |
| Sat, Jun 22nd | 3:00 PM | Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed | $10,000 |
| Sun, Jun 23rd | 11:00 AM | $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack 8-Handed | $800 |
| Sun, Jun 23rd | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Razz | $1,500 |
| Sun, Jun 23rd | 3:30 PM | Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $1,000 |
| Mon, Jun 24th | 10:00 AM | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo Bounty | $1,500 |
| Mon, Jun 24th | 12:00 PM | Tag Team No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| Mon, Jun 24th | 3:00 PM | Poker Players Championship | $50,000 |
| Tue, Jun 25th | 11:00 AM | $600 No-Limit Hold'em DEEPSTACK CHAMPIONSHIP | $600 |
| Tue, Jun 25th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better | $1,500 |
| Wed, Jun 26th | 10:00 AM | $400 Colossus - Flight A | $400 |
| Wed, Jun 26th | 3:00 PM | Razz Championship | $10,000 |
| Thu, Jun 27th | 10:00 AM | $400 Colossus - Flight B | $400 |
| Thu, Jun 27th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Omaha Mix | $1,500 |
| Fri, Jun 28th | 10:00 AM | $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $888 |
| Fri, Jun 28th | 3:00 PM | Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 | $10,000 |
| Fri, Jun 28th | 5:00 PM | $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $888 |
| Sat, Jun 29th | 10:00 AM | $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $888 |
| Sat, Jun 29th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 Limit Hold'em | $1,500 |
| Sun, Jun 30th | 10:00 AM | $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold'em - Flight D | $888 |
| Sun, Jun 30th | 3:00 PM | Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 | $10,000 |
| Sun, Jun 30th | 3:30 PM | No-Limit Hold’em Championship (Online) | $1,000 |
| Mon, Jul 1st | 11:00 AM | $1,000 Mini Main Event | $1,000 |
| Mon, Jul 1st | 3:00 PM | $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $5,000 |
| Tue, Jul 2nd | 11:00 AM | SALUTE TO WARRIORS - $500 No-Limit Hold'em | $500 |
| Tue, Jul 2nd | 3:00 PM | Limit Hold’em Championship | $10,000 |
| Wed, Jul 3rd | 12:00 PM | $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT - World Championship - Flight A | $10,000 |
| Wed, Jul 3rd | 3:30 PM | High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $3,200 |
| Thu, Jul 4th | 12:00 PM | $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT - World Championship - Flight B | $10,000 |
| Fri, Jul 5th | 12:00 PM | $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT - World Championship - Flight C | $10,000 |
| Sat, Jul 6th | 11:00 AM | $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop - Flight A | $1,111 |
| Sun, Jul 7th | 11:00 AM | $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop - Flight B | $1,111 |
| Sun, Jul 7th | 3:30 PM | 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $800 |
| Mon, Jul 8th | 11:00 AM | $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop - Flight C | $1,111 |
| Mon, Jul 8th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $3,000 |
| Tue, Jul 9th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Bounty | $1,500 |
| Tue, Jul 9th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em | $3,000 |
| Wed, Jul 10th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold'em Pot-Limit Omaha | $1,500 |
| Wed, Jul 10th | 3:00 PM | $1,500 50th Annual Bracelet Winners Only No-Limit Hold'em | $1,500 |
| Thu, Jul 11th | 11:00 AM | $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack | $1,500 |
| Thu, Jul 11th | 3:00 PM | High Roller No-Limit Hold’em | $100,000 |
| Fri, Jul 12th | 11:00 AM | The Closer - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,500 |
| Fri, Jul 12th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed | $3,000 |
| Sat, Jul 13th | 11:00 AM | The Closer - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,500 |
| Sat, Jul 13th | 3:00 PM | 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em | $10,000 |
| Sun, Jul 14th | 11:00 AM | The Closer - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $1,500 |
| Sun, Jul 14th | 3:00 PM | $3,000 HORSE | $3,000 |
| Sun, Jul 14th | 3:30 PM | Summer Saver No-Limit Hold’em (Online) | $500 |
| Mon, Jul 15th | 12:00 PM | $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em | $5,000 |
Notable events
This year, the WSOP has even more events geared toward players with smaller bankrolls. In essence, there is now three-tiered pricing with low, medium and high buy-ins. Here are some of the highlights from each tier:
Low tier
- Big 50 (May 30) – In honor of its 50th anniversary, the WSOP kicks off with this $500 no-limit hold ’em event. With a guaranteed prizepool of $5 million and $1 million going to the winner, the field should be huge.
- Deepstack Championship (June 25) – This $600 re-entry features a nice $500,000 guarantee. The winner gets a seat at the $10,000 main event.
- Salute to Warriors (July 2) – This new charity event honors military service members. The $500 buy-in gold bracelet event benefits the USO and other veteran organizations. Active military and veterans are encouraged to participate. A winner will be crowned fittingly on Independence Day.
Medium tier
- $888 Crazy Eights 8-Handed (June 28) – This event has become a popular tournament. It attracts a nice field (8,598 entries in 2018) with a significant guarantee of $888,888 to the winner.
- $1,000 Tag Team (June 24) – Get some buddies together and make it a team effort. Having a run of bad luck? Tag in a partner to mix it up, but no metal chairs.
- $1,500 “The Closer” (July 11) – This event was added in 2018 with a few tournaments to run concurrently with the main event. There are three flights with payouts starting in each of those.
High tier
- $50,000 50th Annual High Roller (May 31) – This special event should attract plenty of top players. It features a big buy-in and will bring a big payday.
- $10,000 Heads-Up Championship (June 5) – This one is always popular and attracts some of the game’s best in a bracket-style format.
- $50,000 Poker Players Championship (June 24) – This is a major bullet point for the game’s elite and should attract a nice field of pros. Players must be sharp as the tournament features seven different games.
- $100,000 High Roller (July 11) – Those with deep pockets will be heading to the Rio for this six-figure showdown. It even features one re-entry.
Seniors and ladies events
- $1,000 Seniors Championship (June 13) – Another fun day at the Rio, this popular event is open to players age 50 and older. There is also on re-entry allowed.
- $1,000 Ladies Championship (June 20) – This is always a popular event with a room full of female players. The actual price is $10,000, but women receive a discount to $1,000 to deter men from entering.
- $1,000 Super Seniors Championship (June 17) – Another seniors event, but this time for those age 60 and older. This tournament always attracts a diverse crowd and allows one re-entry.
Online events
Beyond the action in the Rio, online players in both Nevada and New Jersey can battle for bracelets. WSOP.com will be offering nine online bracelet events during the Series.
The online events have become popular in recent years. Last year’s $365 event featured roughly 3,000 entries and a first-place payout of $155,000.
All online events will begin at 3:30 p.m. Vegas time. Here’s a look at all online events this summer:
| Tournament Name | Date | Time (ET) | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-Limit Hold’em | June 2, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $400 |
| 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha | June 9, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $600 |
| Knock-Out Bounty No-Limit Hold'em | June 16, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $600 |
| Turbo No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack | June 19, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $500 |
| Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em | June 23, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $1,000 |
| No-Limit Hold’em Championship | June 30, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $1,000 |
| High Roller No-Limit Hold’em | July 3, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $3,200 |
| 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em | July 7, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $800 |
| Summer Saver No-Limit Hold’em | July 14, 2019 | 6:30 PM | $500 |
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Non-bracelet tournaments
Along with bracelet action, the WSOP offers several other tournaments with lower buy-ins featuring large fields and decent payouts. Here’s a look at some of those.
Daily deepstacks
These one-a-day, non-bracelet tournaments offer plenty of bang for the buck. Most feature decent-sized fields and regularly pay out five figures.
This year, the deepstack events return with some additional weekly offerings. Here’s a schedule of those events:
- $250 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em tournaments at 1 p.m.
- $200 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em tournaments at 4 p.m.
- $400 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em tournaments at 7 p.m.*
- $150 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em tournaments at 10 p.m.*
*These events will run using an accelerated format.
Ladies Warm Up
A new $150 NLHE tournament will be on the eve of the $1,000 Ladies Championship. This tourney is set for 6 p.m. June 19.
Gavin Smith Memorial Tournament
This $200 tournament is set for opening day on May 28 at 6 p.m. The event helps raise funds for the family of popular poker player Gavin Smith, who passed away in January. The event is rake-free with $100 of each entry going to the Gavin Smith Trust.
Ways to watch the 2019 WSOP
ESPN will be offering 13 straight days of live main event coverage from July 3-16. PokerGO will stream other events throughout the series as well as main event coverage not broadcasted on ESPN. The service is available online or through its mobile app.
ESPN will telecast at least 40 hours of live coverage plus an additional 90 hours of edited episodes. The full PokerGO streaming schedule has not been announced yet, but here’s a look at what to expect on ESPN.
| Date | Time | Network | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2019 | 8:30 PM - 2:00 AM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 1A |
| July 4, 2019 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 1B |
| July 5, 2019 | 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 1C |
| July 6, 2019 | 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 2AB |
| July 7, 2019 | 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 2C |
| July 8, 2019 | 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 3 |
| July 9, 2019 | 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 4 |
| July 10, 2019 | 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 5 |
| July 11, 2019 | 12:30 AM - 2:00 AM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 6 |
| July 12, 2019 | 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 7 |
| July 12, 2019 | 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 7 (Play to Final Table) |
| July 14, 2019 | 10:00 PM – TBD ET | ESPN2 | WSOP Main Event Day 8 (Nine to Six Players) |
| July 15, 2019 | 10:00 PM – TBD ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 9 (Six to Three Players) |
| July 16, 2019 | 9:00 PM – TBD ET | ESPN | WSOP Main Event Day 10 (Three Players to Winner) |
Changes and additions coming to the 2019 WSOP
Deeper stacks
Many players favor deeper stacks and longer play. Consequently, tournaments that feature greater starting stack amounts tend to attract more players.
So, as it has done in years past, the WSOP is increasing starting stack sizes once again. As a result, many three-day events will also feature one added day.
Here’s a look at this year’s changes to stack sizes:
| Buy-in | 2018 Starting Stack Size | 2019 Starting Stack Size |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | 10000 | 10000 |
| $200 | 15000 | 15000 |
| $250 | 20000 | 20000 |
| $400 | 25000 | 25000/40000 |
| $500 | 5000 | 25000 |
| $600 | N/A | 30000 |
| $800 | N/A | 40000 |
| $888 | 8000 | 40000 |
| $1000 | 5000 | 20000/40000/60000 |
| $1,500 | 7500 | 25000 |
| $2,500 | 12500 | 15000 |
| $2,620 | Same | 26200 |
| $3,000 | 15000 | 20000 |
| $5,000 | 25000 | 30000 |
| $10,000 | 50000 | 60000 |
| $25,000 | 125000 | 150000 |
| $50,000 | 250000 | 300000 |
| $100,000 | 500000 | 600000 |
Tournament accounts
Players can now wire funds for tournament play or deposit money on their accounts after arrival at the Rio. After a setting up an account at the WSOP main page, players can then register online or on their mobile phone.
With notoriously long lines for some events, this should be a welcome addition. Players can now also use credit and debit cards for registration.
However, those who prefer traditional methods can still use cash, casino chips and cashier’s checks.
Very low buy-ins
Throughout much of its history, the series has offered two tiers of buy-in ranges. The $10,000 and higher championship events generally attracted big-name pros, while events with buy-ins in the $1,000-$2,500 range drew regular Joes.
This year’s event represents an attempt to offer a few events even below the “regular Joe” level. There are numerous events with buy-ins in the $400-$800 that provide an inexpensive chance at a gold bracelet.
WSOP 2019 FAQ
Can I still qualify for a WSOP tournament online?
Players in regulated markets like New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware (and soon Pennsylvania) can qualify for WSOP events by playing online.
The series’ site, WSOP.com, offers a chance to pony up to a table in the Rio for as little as $1. Satellites and super-satellites are running throughout May. Players can get direct satellite for an event for as low as $10.
Are New Jersey players able to play online for bracelets?
Yes, New Jersey players are eligible to play in at least two of the online events this year.
The two eligible events are the $400 NLHE event on June 2 and the six-handed PLO event on June 9. Both of these tournaments occur prior to the Department of Justice‘s June 14 deadline for enforcement of the Wire Act.
Given the legal battle over the DOJ’s Wire Act opinion, it is possible that more of the online events will be possible for New Jersey players. However, these two are the only ones guaranteed to be open.
Is the WSOP still at the Rio?
Yes, it is. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino remains the home of the WSOP for at least another year.