While the countdown to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) itself is winding down, tournament officials across the pond are getting their ducks in a row. WSOP Europe has finalized its schedule for October and November, and three things stuck out about the upcoming series.
First, here’s the full series:
| Date | Event # | Event Name | Buy-in (in Euros) | Guaranteed Prizepool (in Euros) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 13, 2019 | 1 | The Opener No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | 350 | 220,000 | |
| October 14, 2019 | 1 | The Opener No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | 350 | 220,000 | |
| October 15, 2019 | 2 | Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) - Flight A | 550 | 100,000 | |
| October 16, 2019 | 3 | Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | 1,350 | 500,000 | |
| October 16, 2019 | 2 | Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) - Flight B | 550 | 100,000 | |
| October 17, 2019 | 3 | Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | 1,350 | 500,000 | |
| October 17, 2019 | 4 | Turbo Bounty Hunter No-Limit Hold'em | 1,100 | 200,000 | |
| October 18, 2019 | 3 | Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | 1,350 | 500,000 | |
| October 19, 2019 | 5 | Pot-Limit Omaha/No-Limit Hold'em Mix | 1,650 | 200,000 | |
| October 20, 2019 | 6 | Platinum High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | 25,500 | 1,000,000 | |
| October 23, 2019 | 8 | Diamond High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | 100,000 | 5,000,000 | |
| October 23, 2019 | 7 | Pot-Limit Omaha | 2,200 | 200,000 | |
| October 25, 2019 | 9 | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | 10,350 | 5,000,000 | |
| October 26, 2019 | 9 | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | 10,350 | 5,000,000 | |
| October 28, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| October 29, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| October 30, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| October 31, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight D | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| October 31, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight E | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| November 1, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight F | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| November 1, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight G | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| November 2, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight H | 550 | 1,000,000 | |
| November 2, 2019 | 10 | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight I | 550 | 1,000,000 |
There’s something for everyone
For a tournament series with only ten events, there is quite a bit of diversity in both game selection and buy-in. Even players on a tight budget can take a shot at winning a bracelet.
In fact, buy-ins for WSOP Europe begin at €350. From there, the cost to enter a tournament scales upward – all the way to a whopping €100,000.
However, no matter the buy-in level, every tournament guarantees a six-digit prizepool. Even the smallest WSOP Europe tournaments are a big deal.
There will also be three pot-limit Omaha tournaments available in October. Two of these tournaments are pure PLO, and one of them features a round of each game.
Two high roller events round out the slate of tournaments. The big mama of these, the Diamond High Roller, requires €100,000 for each seat.
The Main Event may not be as big as the Colossus
The Main Event at the American version of the WSOP is certainly the marquee event for the series. However, based upon the schedule, it’s not clear that the European counterpart shares that view.
There’s no doubt that the WSOP Europe Main Event is a doozy. The tournament features a €10,350 buy-in and a whopping €5,000,000 buy-in.
However, it’s hard to ignore the Main Event’s status as a warm-up act to the Colossus. The Colossus, a transplant from the American series, features an incredible nine opening flights.
These nine flights are spread across eight days. As a result, some players will wait more than a week (and into the following month) to play out the rest of the tournament.
The Colossus is also accessibly priced at €550. Anyone, more or less, can play.
In that, the Colossus is supplanting the Main Event as the great equalizer across the pond.
WSOP Europe may have found a home in Rozvadov
For the third year in a row, WSOP Europe will occur at the King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. Tournament officials will host the event beginning on October 19 and finishing on November 5.
The return of the WSOP brand to Rozvadov cements the King’s Casino as one of the premier poker destinations in Europe. Its central location, near the German border between Prague and Munich, allows players to take easy trips from the entire continent.
“We are eager to return to King’s Resort in October for the 11th edition of WSOP Europe,” said WSOP Director Gregory Chochon, in a press release. “King’s Resort has become the center of the poker world in Europe and they are once again bolstering this series with €14 million plus in guarantees to ensure players find plenty of value and opportunity.”
Having a consistent location will also help to secure WSOP Europe’s place in the European poker scene. A permanent home for the Series will (hopefully) result in more players and bigger prizepools.
If you are planning a trip to play or watch the WSOP Europe, check either the WSOP site or the King’s Casino site for information. It’s definitely going to be a sight to see.