WSOP 2019 schedule announced

[Dan Druff]

Just dropped 10 minutes ago:

The 2019 WSOP will take place from May 28 through July 16.

The full schedule has NOT been announced, but some major events have.

There is a new RAKE FREE event for 2019 only called "The Big 50", which takes place on May 30. It has a $500 buyin, 50,000 starting chips, and zero rake. It is not clear if anything will be taken out for the dealers/staff, or if players are expected to do that after they cash. "The Big 50" is in honor of the 50th WSOP, which will take place in 2019 (the first one was 1970). $5 million is guaranteed in the prize pool, and $1m to the winner. This means they are expecting at least 10,000 entres!

Here are the events announced thus far, listed by STARTING DATE (some have multiple flights, which is why I am listing some date ranges below):

May 30-June 2 $500 Big 50 Rake Free NL Holdem ($5m guarantee)
June 7-8 $1500 Millionaire Maker NL Holdem
June 13 $1000 Seniors NL Holdem (age 50+ only)
June 14-15 $1000 Double Stack NL Holdem
June 21-22 $1500 Monster Stack NL Holdem
June 28-30 $888 Crazy Eights 8-handed NL Holdem ($888,888 to winner)
July 3-5 $10,000 NL Holdem Main Event


Here's one major change for 2018: The number of starting chips will be vastly increased for many events. In addition to the Big 50 having 50k starting chips, the Milionaire Maker will have 25k, the Seniors will have 20k, the Double Stack will have 40k, the Monster Stack will have 50k, the Crazy Eights will have 40k, and the Main Event will have 60k.

In 2018, aside from a few special events, the standard was to start with 5x the starting chips compared to the buyin. This meant that standard $1k events started with just 5k chips, and standard $1500 events started with 7500.

Since the "double stack" event is $1k buyin and starts with 40k, and since the Seniors starts with 20k for the same $1k buyin, I am assuming that they will be giving 20k chips for normal $1k events.

Since Millionaire Maker starts with 25k, I'm assuming most $1500 events will start with that, as well.

Befre you get too excited about the large stacks, keep in mind that the blinds are going to be adjusted much bigger, so it's unclear how much more play (if any) we will get.

If you want to book the Rio now, use code WSOP9 to get some additional money off.

[Kevmath]

An important note regarding the Big 50, the FIRST entry is rake-free. All $500 of the first entry goes into the prize pool, re-entries will have the standard rake, whatever that happens to be. There are 4 opening flights with 1 re-entry/flight.

Consider it the Colossus replacement, even if the Colossus returns in 2019.

[garrett]

An important note regarding the Big 50, the FIRST entry is rake-free. There are 4 opening flights with 1 re-entry/flight.

Consider it the Colossus replacement.

This is a very smart idea, allow the more recreational/fun players buy-in rake free while juicing the subsequent buy-ins of usually the more "pro" oriented, and/or wealthy player.

[Dan Druff]

An important note regarding the Big 50, the FIRST entry is rake-free. All $500 of the first entry goes into the prize pool, re-entries will have the standard rake, whatever that happens to be. There are 4 opening flights with 1 re-entry/flight.

Consider it the Colossus replacement, even if the Colossus returns in 2019.

Interesting.

So only the first entry is rake-free? How much are other entries?

And is it first entry per FLIGHT is rake-free, or just 1 entry total is rake free?

[Dan Druff]

[Jayjami]

“Before you get too excited about the large stacks, keep in mind that the blinds are going to be adjusted much bigger, so it's unclear how much more play (if any) we will get.”

Still can’t wait for June though. Gotta take down that senior title before I get too old!

[Dan Druff]

Still can’t wait for June though. Gotta take down that senior title before I get too old!

You have three more years to try for it before I enter the field and bust you.

[Kevmath]

An important note regarding the Big 50, the FIRST entry is rake-free. All $500 of the first entry goes into the prize pool, re-entries will have the standard rake, whatever that happens to be. There are 4 opening flights with 1 re-entry/flight.

Consider it the Colossus replacement, even if the Colossus returns in 2019.

Interesting.

So only the first entry is rake-free? How much are other entries?

And is it first entry per FLIGHT is rake-free, or just 1 entry total is rake free?

Quoting from the press release:

The Big 50 is a must play event for poker players. To celebrate our 50th, the WSOP is making everyone’s initial entry into this event rake-free. All $500 of the entry will go entirely to the prizepool. (Anyone who re-enters pays the normal rake, including re-entries into another flight). The Big 50 features four starting flights (Thursday-Sunday am) where players begin play with a whopping 50,000 in chips and play 12, 50-minute levels on Day 1. The WSOP has a $5 million prize pool guarantee, as well as ensuring the winner claims $1 million for the Big 50.

[Matt The Rat]

I am all for starting with a good amount of chips with a GOOD structure. I think for a $1500 buy in at the 2018 structure starting with only 7500 chips like they did last year is not good at all. Once again if you used the 2018 structure on a $1500 buy in I think 20k-25k SS is just right. You can bet this year they will be starting at 100-200 and blinds will almost double every level. There is a shit storm coming.

[Ryback_feed_me_more]

Might have to finally play some this year.. That $500 no rake sounds too tempting but Im willing to bet its gonna be a donkfest at least early on.. People shoving with shit willing to risk 4-6 bullets on this tournament..