After the World Series of Poker announced a total of 85 online bracelet events in June, players got an idea of what to expect internationally from GGPoker. On Friday, the fast-growing operator released details of the schedule’s 54 bracelet events.
The series runs July 19 through Sept. 6 and is highlighted by the $5,000 Main Event. That boasts a record-breaking $25 million guarantee the biggest online poker tournament in history.
Players will find multiple Day 1 starting flights beginning on Aug. 16. Day 2 of the Main Event kicks off on Aug. 30.
“We knew GGPoker would go big on the WSOP Online Series, but this is ridiculous,” WSOP executive director Ty Stewart said in a news release. “The single biggest guarantee in the history of online poker is exactly what this once-in-a-lifetime event deserves.”
A look at the GG Poker WSOP Online schedule
The WSOP Online begins July 1 at WSOP.com, with 31 bracelets awarded each day throughout the month. Those events will be available for players in Nevada and New Jersey.
Series organizers hoped to offer an online bracelet schedule after the traditional summer WSOP was postponed to the fall. On July 19, GGPoker is added to the mix for international players.
The series is the first time players outside the US can win a bracelet online. Many players, including well-known players like Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth, have plans to play events on both sites.
Beyond the Main Event, GG players can expect a robust schedule. Buy-ins range from $50 to $25,000. The Big 50 will award a bracelet in an event featuring a buy-in of only fifty bucks.
Players will also find popular events like the Colossus, Millionaire Maker, and Poker Players Championship. Some highlights include:
- WSOP Event #1: $100 The Opener – July 19 (Day 2), $2 million guarantee
- WSOP Event #2: $1,111 Every 1 for COVID Relief – July 19 ($111 from each entry goes to the Caesars Cares fund)
- WSOP Event #10: $400 COLOSSUS – July 26 (Day 2), $3 million guarantee
- WSOP Event #17: $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER – Aug. 2 (Day 2), $1 million first prize guarantee
- WSOP Event #25: $10,000 Heads Up NLHE Championship – Aug. 9 (limited to 128 players)
- WSOP Event #31: $500 Mini Main Event – Aug. 16 (Day 2), $5 million guarantee
- WSOP Event #38: $25,000 NLHE Poker Players Championship – Aug. 23, $10 million guarantee
- WSOP Event #39: $50 BIG 50 – Aug. 23 (Day 2), $1 million guarantee
- WSOP Event #52: $10,000 WSOP Super MILLION$ – September 6 – $5,000,000 prize pool guarantee
Few guarantees, but plenty of big events
GGPoker players have become accustomed to massive guarantees. While the Main Event features a huge payout, only 12 events feature a guarantee.
“We wanted to keep to the format of the live WSOP as much as possible, where the glory of winning the WSOP bracelet was the real highlight,” GG spokesman Paul Burke told PokerScout. “They don’t put guarantees on the events, so barring some of the real standout events, neither are we.”
Players with lower bankrolls and looking to win their way into a bracelet event will have plenty of opportunities. GGPoker will run a series of micro and low-stakes qualifying events leading up to the series.
The site will also hold standard satellite tournaments beginning July 1.
“This reminds me of poker’s boom years,” said Negreanu, a GGPoker ambassador. “Anyone who has dreamed of winning a real WSOP bracelet can now do so across the globe. There’s no feeling like winning a WSOP bracelet, and GGPoker is opening that opportunity to the masses.”
Players will find several poker variations including Pot Limit Omaha and Short Deck. Organizers have also added a few other unique elements as well.
The Asia Championship will be held on Aug. 9 for players in that part of the world. There will also be four People’s Choice events from Sept. 1-5.
A $1,050 Beat the Pros Bounty is also planned for Sept. 5. Unlike the recent WSOP Online Circuit Super Series, however, there won’t be non-bracelet side events.
Real names at the table please
Along with the move to offering international WSOP bracelets, GG is adding another interesting element to the series. Players who make a final table will be required to play using their real names.
This is something new to the industry. Players will know who they’re up against and allows for better media coverage as well. It also allows final tables to mimic live WSOP final tables.
Viewers on the site’s Twitch stream, GGPoker.TV, and PokerCentral will be able to follow their favorite players. The real names of all players who earn cash prizes will also be made available.
“The ability to compete for WSOP bracelets – the ultimate prize in poker – from home is so amazing,” GGPoker ambassador Fedor Holz said. “The big events will be full of players from all over the world: Europe, Canada, South America, and everywhere else. The WSOP action will be scorching hot this summer.”
Here’s a look at the complete GGPoker WSOP Online schedule.
Date | Event Number | Tournament | Buy-in | Prize Guarantee | Notes |
Wednesday, September 02, 2020 | 48 | People's Choice Event [Pros Vote] | TBA | TBA | TBA by Vote |
Thursday, September 03, 2020 | 49 | People's Choice Event [Spin the Wheel] | TBA | TBA | TBA by Vote |
Saturday, September 05, 2020 | 50 | People's Choice Event [Most Popular] | TBA | TBA | Asia Time Zone, TBA by Vote |
Saturday, September 05, 2020 | 51 | $1,050 Beat the Pros [Bounty] | $1,050 | ||
Sunday, September 06, 2020 | 52 | $10K WSOP Super MILLION$, $5M GTD | $10,000 | $5,000,000 | 2-Day Event |
Sunday, September 06, 2020 | 53 | $100 WSOP MILLION$ [Final Day], $2M GTD | $100 | $2,000,000 | 2-Day Event, 1-RE Flights |
Sunday, September 06, 2020 | 54 | $500 The Closer [LAST CHANCE] | $500 |
Photo by Tomas Stacha/WSOP