WSOP Weekly: The 2025 World Series of Poker Arrives in Las Vegas

What to Know About the 2025 WSOP Kickoff

The 2025 World Series of Poker has landed in Las Vegas, drawing professional players and hopeful amateurs alike to the famed Horseshoe and Paris casinos. Over the next eight weeks, the poker world’s most prestigious event will see participants battle for millions in prize money and the coveted gold bracelets that signify true excellence in the game.

Key points to know heading into this year’s series include:

– The WSOP’s origins trace back to the 1970s, evolving from intimate gatherings into a global poker phenomenon.
– The Main Event’s $10,000 buy-in, set in 1972, stands as an enduring tradition, with players chasing not only big payouts but also poker immortality.
– Ownership transitions—from Harrah’s purchase in 2004 to the Caesars Entertainment era—have moved the action from downtown Las Vegas to the heart of the Strip.
– Online platforms, including GGPoker’s acquisition of broadcast and digital rights, and the rise of poker vlogs and streaming have accelerated the event’s popularity and accessibility.
– Despite these changes, the WSOP remains poker’s ultimate measuring stick, with legend Phil Hellmuth echoing the sentiment that WSOP bracelets remain the gold standard in the sport.

The First Week: Marquee Events and Early Action

The 2025 WSOP series officially launched on a Tuesday, beginning eight exhilarating weeks that culminate on July 16. The opening week features a packed schedule, headlined by the high-profile $1,000 Mystery Millions tournament, which is set to run five opening flights through Saturday. This event is especially exciting, as two fortunate players have the chance to land surprise $1 million bounties.

Simultaneously, the $500 Industry Employees No Limit Hold’em event (formerly the Casino Employees Championship) invites casino workers to compete for bragging rights and a sizable payday—last year’s champion, Joe Garcia, emerged from 1,189 entries to claim $79,134.

Additional notable tournaments through the first week include:
– Wednesday: $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event
– Thursday: $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha tournament
– Friday: $25,000 Heads-Up NLHE Championship, drawing elite high rollers
– Saturday: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship
– Sunday: $600 No Limit Hold’em Deepstack (popular among weekend warriors)
– Sunday: $10,000 Mystery Bounty, raising the excitement for mystery prize pools

Fans unable to attend in person need not miss out—the action will be available on PokerGO, with comprehensive broadcast schedules available for eager viewers.

Legendary Players and Off-the-Felt Storylines

No WSOP would be complete without drama away from the tables, and this year’s edition is no exception. Poker icon Phil Hellmuth, holder of 17 bracelets, caused a stir with his announcement to skip the Main Event. Having famously won it all in 1989 at just 24, Hellmuth cited the tournament’s marathon demands as his reason—though many, including rival Daniel Negreanu, question whether he’ll ultimately resist poker’s grandest stage.

Inside the $25K Fantasy Poker Draft Phenomenon

Daniel Negreanu’s passion for the WSOP shines both at the tables and off, where he’s become a familiar presence through his detailed YouTube vlogs. In 2011, he launched the $25K Fantasy Draft—a high-stakes fantasy contest where teams pay $25,000 each to draft a roster of eight pros. The excitement around this event has reached new heights, with 25 teams registered for 2025, a record turnout.

The 2024 draft saw “The Drinkers” team secure a $225,000 payout, thanks to standout performances from pros like John Racener, Brian Rast, and Ben Lamb. Fans can track the 2025 leaderboard and results on social media and dedicated websites throughout the series.

Players Arrive: Energy and Innovation in the Air

Excitement fills the air as first-time participants and poker veterans alike file into the venues, ready for the journey ahead. Four-time bracelet winner Max Pescatori appeared early, eager for action and showcasing the new WSOP+ app, designed to streamline registration, table assignments, live updates, and event details.

Players also celebrated the unveiling of new champions’ banners, with tributes to 2024 Main Event winner Jonathan Tamayo and Player of the Year Scott Sevier.

On the competitive front, Phil Ivey draws early attention as he seeks to add to his impressive collection of 11 bracelets, trailing only Phil Hellmuth’s all-time record. Last year, Ivey secured his latest piece of jewelry by winning the $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship and continues to be an enigma and force in the poker world.

The WSOP Through the Years: Evolution of Poker’s Premier Tournament

The journey of the World Series of Poker began in 1970, when casino owner Benny Binion sought to attract attention to his Horseshoe property with a high-stakes poker gathering. That inaugural event drew legendary players such as Doyle Brunson and Johnny Moss, with Moss crowned best all-around player by a vote.

The following year, Texas Hold’em became the official format, and by 1972, the $10,000 buy-in Main Event was established—a tradition that remains to this day. The series continued to grow, introducing additional events and the now-iconic gold bracelet awards in 1976.

Prize pools surged over the decades, with the Main Event’s top prize eclipsing $1 million in 1991. The explosion of televised poker and online qualifiers in the 2000s propelled the series to new heights. Amateur Chris Moneymaker’s improbable 2003 win for $2.5 million dramatically expanded poker’s popularity worldwide, forever changing the sport’s landscape.

Ownership shifted in 2004, when what would become Caesars Entertainment took the reins and moved the series to the Rio in 2005. The recent move to the Strip’s Horseshoe and Paris venues—the original Horseshoe returns as host—heralded a new era for the WSOP.

Technological advances have continued to spur growth. The emergence of online streaming, mobile apps, and acquisitions such as GGPoker’s purchase of online rights for $500 million have ensured the WSOP remains the central hub for televised and digital poker. Even so, Caesars retains the rights to host the live tournament series for at least another two decades and will continue to operate branded poker rooms.

For today’s poker elite, the ultimate measure remains unchanged: the WSOP bracelet. As Phil Hellmuth puts it, “A good measure of poker greatness is measured in WSOP bracelets.”

Title Image Credit: Caesars Entertainment