Poker is a traditional American game. As we previously wrote in our review of The Noble Hustle, it’s a game that has captured the American imagination. And there’s no doubt that poker will always be an important part of our nation’s zeitgeist.
In the new normal, America’s foremost live poker tournaments have had to deal with shutdowns, lockdowns, delays, and a host of other problems. But thankfully, for many of these tournaments, the show will go on this 2021.
World Series of Poker
Happening at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is tentatively slated to happen on September 30 to November 17 this year. Although the official WSOP schedule still isn’t out yet, a guide to live poker tournaments in the US outlines that the WSOP opening weekend will include a $5 million guaranteed tournament win. This is alongside a $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. event. The $10,000 Main Event for the most prestigious poker tournament in the world kicks off on November 4.
Venetian DeepStack Championship
Also happening in Las Vegas Nevada, the DeepStack Championship will go down at the Venetian Resort and Casino. Although the details are still a bit fuzzy, organizers are planning to push through sometime between late May to the middle of July. Although it’s certainly not as big or as prestigious as the WSOP, this tournament is one of the biggest mid-stakes series not just in the U.S. but in the world. With buy-ins at $200 to $5,000, it’s common to find WSOP players taking a break from the big leagues and trying their hands here. Besides, there’s a seven-figure guarantee on the main event, so this is definitely a tournament that’s worth watching.
Mid-States Poker Tour: South Dakota State Championship
On May 14 to 16, Silverado Franklin Casino in Deadwood will host the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) for South Dakota’s State Championship. Apart from having an awesome name, Deadwood is a hidden gem for poker players in the Midwest and beyond. The buy-in is $1,100, with a guaranteed prize pool of $100,000. Whoever emerges as the winner will also have bragging rights as the 2021 South Dakota poker champion, a surefire ticket to the big leagues.
Mid-States Poker Tour: California U.S. Championship
This year, the MSPT U.S. Poker Championship will be happening in California’s Sycuan Casino. On September 16 to 27, the El Cajon casino will be the site of a $2,500-buy-in, $500,000-guaranteed event. Vegas may be known for its casinos, but this town is home to its own lively poker scene, which includes the two largest poker rooms in the world: The Bicycle Casino and the Commerce Casino poker rooms.
As of now, this is the latest information we have on these much-anticipated poker tournaments. It should be noted that fans should be ready for these dates to change at any time. Dealing with COVID-19 includes being flexible when it comes to scheduling, as it’s uncertain whether or not lockdowns or temporary closures will need to be enforced anytime soon. With that being said, if everything goes according to plan, fans can look forward to watching or even joining the aforementioned events. And if you do have the ability to travel to these casinos, make sure to observe all health protocols to keep yourself safe.
