WSOP $1,500 buy-in events finalized

(PRESS RELEASE) -- At the 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP), set to run from May 26 to July 15, 2020 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the $1,500 price point remains the most widely-spread, with 25 different live gold bracelet events utilizing this popular buy-in level, with anyone playing in one of these events guaranteed a minimum 25,000 starting chip stack.

The $1,500 buy-in level has been a consistent price point at the World Series of Poker since first appearing in 1977, when a $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 38 players and created a $57,000 prize pool. (Louis Hunsaker, from Austin, Texas took home the gold bracelet and $34,200 for his victory, one of just three players to cash).

This price point has been on every World Series of Poker schedule since (except for 1985), and really took off in the nineties, becoming a staple of the event schedule year-in and year-out. The eight No-Limit Hold’em offerings in 2019 averaged 3,332 entrants, a $4,498,200 prize pool and a $642,173 first place prize.

At the 2020 World Series of Poker, 25 different live tournaments will be spread at the $1,500 buy-in level, featuring unique formats encompassing 18 different game types, with a dozen of these events utilizing the freezeout format.

“We have found the $1,500 price point to be the sweet spot in poker, perfectly balancing affordability, field size and prize pool to offer great value for participating players,” said WSOP Vice President Jack Effel. “As we continue to cater our offerings to find something for everyone, the $1,500 buy-ins remain a core staple of the WSOP.”

Of the 19 new events announced today, nine will utilize the freezeout, single elimination format. The other ten events will utilize the single re-entry format, allowing players one chance to re-enter during the open registration period should their initial entry result in elimination.

Also new in 2020, several of the $1,500 buy-in events will have a dedicated leaderboard, like the WSOP Player of the Year race. Any player cashing in these selected events will earn points throughout the summer with prizes up for grabs for the winner. Expect more information to be announced prior to the start of the WSOP.

A record 187,298 entries participated in the 2019 WSOP, creating a 50-year high of $293,183,345 in prize money. The average WSOP gold bracelet event in 2019 had a $3,257,592 prize pool.

Buy-ins for tournaments at the Rio in 2020 will start as low as $75. Single table satellites and all your favorite live poker games: low, medium and high limit will begin on May 26 and run 24 hours a day throughout the seven-week series taking place in the spacious Rio Convention Center for the 16th consecutive year.

Methods of payment to pay the required buy-ins for WSOP events are as follows: (1) cash, (2) credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express), (3) wire transfers or cashier’s checks drawn from accredited banks and made out to Participant or Rio, (4) Rio gaming chips, (5) Rio Tournament Buy-In Chips, or Tournament Buy-In Credit. Additional fees will be incurred on all credit card transactions. Participants using credit cards must have a valid ID that matches the cardholder name present on the credit card used for the transaction.

Room reservations are being accepted across Caesars’ Las Vegas properties with rates as low as $33 for existing Caesars Rewards members by using the booking code WSOP20. Visit Las Vegas - WSOP to make your room reservations for the 2020 WSOP.

Individual event online pre-registration won’t open until April, after all events have been determined and approved by regulators. More than 500 poker tables will be set up across nearly 200,000 square-feet of ballroom space to accommodate the thousands of players from around the world who attend poker’s annual Woodstock.

WSOP.com’s real-money online poker offerings in New Jersey and Nevada will be the exclusive online home for players in these states to win seats into WSOP events, including the Main Event, as well as to participate in the exclusive online WSOP official gold bracelet events. While in New Jersey or Nevada, eligible players can play on WSOP.com, whether a resident or not. Satellites have begun and are expected to run regularly throughout the WSOP. 888Poker remains WSOP.com’s international online poker partner in most jurisdictions, with plenty of satellite qualifications planned to award seats to the WSOP in Las Vegas.

All above announced dates, times and events are subject to change.