2021 World Series of Poker officially kicks off

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The 52nd annual World Series of Poker is officially underway at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Recognized as the gaming industry’s largest and most prestigious poker tournament series, competitors from around the world will be competing in one of 88 highly coveted WSOP gold bracelet events now through Tuesday, 23 November for the chance to be immortalized as poker royalty.

Back and bigger than ever, the WSOP is raising the stakes this year with new and noteworthy events like this weekend’s $500 “The Reunion” featuring a $5,000,000 GTD prize pool on Saturday, 1 October; the $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship featuring poker’s finest on Tuesday, 5 October; the Return of the Record Breakers with appearances from The Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack, Double Stack, Colossus and The Closer beginning Friday, 8 October – Friday, 19 November; and much more.

“We’ve spent the last 26 months dreaming of the return of the WSOP live and in-person to the Rio, and it feels incredible to say, today is that day,” said Senior Vice President of the World Series of Poker, Ty Stewart. “There is nothing like the WSOP live with each day making history-- from the unforgettable wins to the overwhelming upsets—it’s an unmatched experience. We are incredibly appreciative of those who have traveled near and far to be back in Las Vegas with us, as well as our Team Members and partners considering it takes a huge village to pull this event off.”

In addition to the in-person tournament at the Rio, the 2021 WSOP is once again bringing the action to Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania players online with gold bracelet tournaments each held Sunday on WSOP.com. Tournaments will start at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST beginning on Sunday, Oct. 3 with a special “Double Bracelet Day” through Sunday, Nov. 21 with a “Mini Main Event,” totaling 11 online gold bracelet tournaments.

Returning this year, fans can stay up to date with weekly online press conferences. Kicking off at 1 p.m. PST on Saturday, Oct. 2 and then being held every Friday at 12 p.m. PST, WSOP will hold a virtual press conference live from the Rio Convention Center, where hosts Tiffany Michele and Sarah Herring will recap the week’s hottest stories; interview some of the week’s winners and preview what is to come.

The 2021 WSOP opening day also marks the beginning of public online nominations to the Poker Hall of Fame. Starting today through Thursday, Oct. 14, poker enthusiasts are encouraged to nominate the sport’s greatest players at www.wsop.com/PHOF. To qualify for the Poker Hall of Fame, players must meet the following criteria:

• A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
• Be a minimum of 40-years-old at time of nomination
• Played for high stakes
• Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
• Stood the test of time
• Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

On Friday, 15 October, Caesars Entertainment Inc. will reveal a list of finalists that will be delivered to the Hall of Fame members to cast their votes. The 2021 inductee will be honored during a live announcement on CBS during the Hall of Fame Bounty Event on Wednesday, 17 November.