The Essential Guide to the 2024 World Series of Poker: FAQs and Key Details

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Overview: What to Expect at the 2024 World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) returns in 2024 with its iconic blend of excitement, opportunity, and record-breaking potential. Taking place between May 28 and July 17, this legendary series draws thousands of poker enthusiasts to Las Vegas, each hoping to compete for coveted bracelets and life-changing prize pools. After a historic 2023 Main Event—capped by Daniel Weinman’s $12.1 million victory—the 2024 edition promises even more action for players of every skill level and bankroll.

Venue: Where the WSOP Takes Place in 2024

This year marks the 55th iteration of the WSOP, hosted at the Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) and Paris Las Vegas hotels. Having moved from the Rio in 2022, the WSOP now benefits from a prime location on the heart of the Strip. The Horseshoe and Paris are seamlessly connected, offering over 150,000 square feet of tournament space and allowing players and spectators to move easily between both venues. Gone are the challenges of staying off-strip or relying heavily on transportation; attendees enjoy quick walking access to Las Vegas’ most popular sites.

Top Accommodation Choices for WSOP Participants

Attending WSOP is most convenient if you stay at either the Horseshoe or Paris hotels, which put you right in the midst of the action. Both venues provide direct access to the tournament areas, saving players valuable time between sessions. While premium suites in these hotels feature stunning views of the Strip, a primary advantage is exclusive elevator access—a crucial perk, as elevators become extremely busy during major tournament breaks.

Beyond the official venues, nearby hotels cater to various budgets. The LINQ is a reliable, affordable option, while the Bellagio offers a luxury experience. For comfort and amenities, Planet Hollywood is unique among Strip hotels by including bathtubs as a standard feature in its entry-level rooms.

Accessing the Full 2024 WSOP Tournament Schedule

The official WSOP schedule was released in February and features 99 live bracelet events. Highlights include the Gladiators of Poker ($300 buy-in, $3 million guaranteed), returning crowd favorites such as Mystery Millions, new formats like Double Board Bomb Pot, and the Seniors High Roller. There’s also a range of online bracelet events accessible while visiting Las Vegas.

For beginners or those with limited time, daily low buy-in tournaments are available throughout the series. These fast-paced, single-day events offer an excellent way for newcomers to experience the thrill of the WSOP without committing to lengthy, high-stakes competitions.

Alternative Poker Series During the WSOP

While the WSOP is the main attraction, Las Vegas’ premier casinos host their own tournament series during these weeks. The Wynn, Venetian, Aria, MGM Grand, and Golden Nugget all run parallel festivals, generally featuring shorter one or two-day events. These offer additional opportunities to play for significant prizes and experience different tournament styles away from the main WSOP venues.

Key Dates: When Is the 2024 WSOP Main Event?

The Main Event—the crown jewel of the WSOP—will be held from July 3 to July 17, 2024. As per tradition, the buy-in is set at $10,000, drawing both seasoned pros and bold newcomers from around the world.

WSOP Entry Fees: Understanding Buy-Ins and Costs

Rather than a single event, the WSOP consists of a vast array of tournaments, each with its own buy-in. In 2024, these range from the $300 Gladiators of Poker to the high-stakes $250,000 Super High Roller. The Main Event remains $10,000 to enter. Notably, in previous years, special charity tournaments have seen buy-ins as high as $1 million for the Big One for One Drop.

If the high cost is a concern, players can attempt to win their seat through online satellite tournaments, with entries available even at a fraction of the direct buy-in. Some WSOP tournaments also allow for rebuys, offering a second chance to compete in exchange for an additional fee.

How to Watch the 2024 WSOP Events

Poker fans can watch live streams of this year’s top WSOP tournaments via PokerGO, the primary platform for comprehensive coverage. Additionally, CBS Sports Network plans to broadcast selected Main Event episodes and other featured bracelet events, bringing the action and drama to screens nationwide.

Insider Tips for Attending the WSOP

If you’re heading to the WSOP, bring plenty of smaller bills for tips. While water bottles are complimentary, tipping is standard etiquette for service staff. A little generosity goes a long way during the long days at the tables.

Understanding WSOP: Structure and Participation

The World Series of Poker is a festival made up of numerous individual tournaments varying in format, buy-in, and structure. Every event operates as a standalone tournament, where each player begins with the same number of chips and competes to be the last one standing. The champion of each event claims not only a payout but also a highly respected WSOP bracelet, the symbol of success in professional poker.

How to Register and Qualify for WSOP Events

Players can register for WSOP events either online or in person. Required documentation includes a valid photo ID and a Caesars Rewards Loyalty card; international participants need an extra form of identification. New cards are issued quickly and for free at Caesars Rewards Centers inside the host casinos.

WSOP tournaments are open to anyone age 21 and up with proper identification and a player’s card. This inclusivity means the tables can feature both amateur hopefuls and world-class professionals competing side by side.

• Winning a seat through low-cost satellite tournaments is a popular entry route for many players, sometimes leading to million-dollar successes. In a famous example, Chris Moneymaker turned a $39 qualifier into a $2.5 million Main Event win in 2003.

Complete List of Common WSOP Questions and Answers

Prize Money: How Much Can You Win at the WSOP?

Payouts in WSOP events depend on the number of participants in each tournament. While larger fields mean more lucrative prize pools, competition can be fierce, often resulting in million-dollar first-place prizes. Innovative formats like mystery bounty tournaments add another layer; for instance, in the Mystery Millions event, eliminating a player could reveal a surprise bounty reward worth up to $1,000,000.

Other events, such as the $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty, offer standard bounties, where every elimination is instantly worth a set amount (e.g., $500).

Poker Legends: Most Successful WSOP Players

Record-holder Phil Hellmuth leads with 17 career WSOP bracelets since 1989. Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, and Doyle Brunson trail behind with 10 bracelets each. In terms of Main Event victories, both Johnny Moss and Stu Ungar each have three wins, a feat unmatched by any other players. Johnny Moss’s early wins occurred under the original format, where the winner was chosen by peer vote.

On the financial leaderboard, Bryn Kenney stands as the highest-earning poker tournament player, accumulating over $65.1 million in winnings to date, followed by Justin Bonomo and Stephen Chidwick.

Qualifying Through Satellite Tournaments

Satellite tournaments act as preliminary qualifiers, enabling players to win seats in larger buy-in events for a fraction of the cost. These are most often available online, with buy-ins starting as low as a few dollars. Live satellites are also held in Las Vegas, though entry costs are typically higher. Succeeding in a satellite gives you direct access to specified WSOP tournaments.

Platforms such as ClubGG even offer monthly memberships where players can try to win a WSOP seat through exclusive satellites. Keep an eye out for promotional contests or giveaways—sometimes, social media competitions grant lucky winners a Main Event buy-in.

WSOP Main Event Structure and Table Sizes

Due to the Main Event’s popularity and scale, Day 1 is divided into several starting flights. Typically, nine players are seated per table, but numbers can temporarily increase to ten in the event of overcapacity. As players are eliminated, participants are regularly reseated to maintain balanced table numbers.

Choosing Your WSOP Main Event Starting Day

Selecting your Day 1 flight can influence your tournament experience. U.S. holidays like July 4th tend to attract more international professionals, resulting in a distinctive playing atmosphere. Conversely, the final Day 1 flight (Day 1D) usually draws the largest field and is scheduled closest to the weekend. Players now have the option to buy in directly to Day 2—cutting out the initial round, but starting with a shorter field and closer proximity to the payout thresholds.

The Difference Between a Bracelet Win and the Main Event Title

Any WSOP event champion earns a prized bracelet; however, the Main Event winner receives unique recognition as the world champion of poker. While both achievements are prestigious, only one Main Event bracelet is awarded each year, accompanied by a life-changing cash prize and a legendary status in the poker community.

WSOP Dealer Compensation

Dealers at the WSOP start at $12.50 per hour and receive a $100 bonus after successfully completing their first shift. Additional pay, ranging from $15 to $20 for each “down” (rotation at a table), and pooled tips from tournaments contribute to overall earnings. Despite the demanding nature of the job, dealing at the WSOP can be financially rewarding.

Sponsorship: Tournament Patches and Endorsements

WSOP final table participants often wear sponsor patches, sometimes earning substantial appearance fees. For high-profile players, these deals can be worth significant sums, occasionally reaching six figures—though players may decline offers to maintain personal image or signature attire.

Taxation on WSOP Winnings

Taxes on poker winnings vary according to a player’s country of residence. U.S. citizens may owe up to 50% in federal and state taxes, while players from countries like the UK and many in the EU are not taxed on gambling wins. Such differences can result in significant variance among players’ final take-home prize amounts.

Conclusion: Make the Most of Your WSOP Journey

The World Series of Poker remains the most prestigious live poker festival, offering something for every type of player—aspiring amateur or seasoned pro. From affordable satellites to multimillion-dollar high rollers and everything in-between, the 2024 WSOP presents unmatched opportunities to test your skills, pursue poker glory, and forge unforgettable memories on the biggest stage in the game.