Unsure about the 2021 WSOP Events? This guide provides comprehensive insights on all the essential details you require
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2021 events offered a diverse schedule, catering to a wide range of poker players with varying buy-ins, qualifying satellites, blind structures, and playing schedules for both online and live tournaments.
Buy-ins
The buy-ins for WSOP 2021 events ranged from low to high stakes, with notable buy-in levels including $500, $1,000, $1,500, $3,000, $5,000, $10,000, and even $100,000 in high roller events. The $1,500 Millionaire Maker and events like the $3,000 Nine Game Mix reflected mid-level buy-ins, while the prestigious $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event attracted top-tier buy-ins.
Qualifying Satellites
Players could qualify for WSOP events through satellite tournaments, held both online and live. These satellites typically offered seats to the main events at a fraction of the cost. In 2021, there were multiple online satellites, especially given the emphasis on online play during the pandemic, and some live satellites, though specific details about satellite formats in 2021 are less documented. Satellite qualifiers remain a common pathway for tournament entry.
Blind Structures
WSOP tournaments typically utilize a structured blind progression system where blinds increase at fixed intervals to accelerate play while balancing stack sizes. The blind levels vary by event and buy-in but usually start small relative to starting stacks and increment every 30 to 60 minutes in live events. Online events sometimes used faster blind increases or turbo structures to fit scheduling needs.
Playing Schedules
WSOP 2021 featured a blend of online and live tournament days spanning multiple weeks. Single-day "freezeout" tournaments and multi-day events lasting 2 to 5 days were common. The Main Event started on a fixed date with play progressing to a multi-day final table. Online WSOP events allowed more flexibility in playing times, while live events ran on a strict schedule at venues such as Rio or Paris Las Vegas.
Notable Events in 2021
- The $1,500 Millionaire Maker, with multiple starting flights and a 5-day schedule.
- The $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Battle of the Ages event with separate flights by age group, lasting 2 days per flight.
- The $3,000 Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event over 3 days.
- The $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, the highlight tournament, lasting over two weeks including a multi-day final table.
Key Details for Specific Events
- The starting stack for the Colossus is 40,000 chips, with levels lasting 40 minutes. Day 1 of the Colossus features two flights, both played on the same day. Day 3 of the Colossus plays down to the winner.
- The Millionaire Maker has two starting days and all players come together to play until the winner is crowned. The starting stack for the Millionaire Maker is 25,000, and blinds start at 100/100 with 60 minutes levels.
- For all tournaments with a buy-in over $1,500 or $2,000, registration must be done in person.
- Blind levels for side events last from 40 to 60 minutes. Turbo events at WSOP feature very short, 20-minute levels.
- The variance in satellites can be brutal.
- The winner of the 2019 Colossus event received over $400,000.
- Satellites for the Main Event can be found on top poker sites year-round.
- Live satellites for WSOP events are fast-structured tournaments designed to wrap up in a few hours.
The WSOP 2021 starts on September 30 in Las Vegas. The full schedule of live WSOP events is published on the site a couple of months prior to the start. Side events at WSOP can have buy-ins ranging from $500 to $5,000.
- The WSOP 2021 schedule catered to diverse interests, including casino-and-gambling enthusiasts, as evidenced by side events with buy-ins ranging from $500 to $5,000.
- Bloggers covering the gaming scene in Las Vegas wrote extensively about the WSOP 2021 events, particularly the prestigious $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event.
- For those interested in lotteries and casino-games beyond poker, WSOP 2021 also featured options such as the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Battle of the Ages event and various side events, offering a broader casino gaming experience in Las Vegas.
