2025 WSOP!!

I enjoy "offseason" poker in Vegas and will be looking to engage with stuff like Wynn WPT and Wynn Millions again this year. You don't need to wait until summer to play good tournaments in Vegas. They are sprinkled throughout the year.

On the other hand, no matter how cynical I get about the WSOP, it's definitely special. What sets it apart?

- Huge fields packed with international players who may only come to Vegas once per year (or even once per lifetime).
- The chance to turn a small buy-in into a gigantic prize because of the huge fields.
- The chance to play non hold-em and PLO variants for medium-high stakes in a tournament format.
- Uniquely exciting atmosphere. It's the world's biggest live poker festival.
- Numerous series running across town to benefit from the temporary poker player boom.

I'm sure I'll be back in 2025. Maybe I'll book a small cluster of days or maybe I'll go huge and block out a month in a rental. It's too early to say, but I know that when the time comes, I'll want to participate and take some shots at the miracle bink.

I don't expect major changes from GG yet. I think in the first year they'll stick with what works, other than ramping up the online element.

I’m one of those that only goes out once per year. And I’m lucky my wife even lets me do that!

Yeah, there’s just something special about this series that sets it apart from others. The atmosphere is electric.

In terms of player participation, I foresee little or no change. Those of us who come to the series every year will continue to do so. The WSOP will continue to be a major draw for the foreseeable future, and as highlighted above, the rival series at Venetian/Wynn/GN/Orleans etc are a huge attraction in themselves.

As regards the structure and format of the summer WSOP, I think we should be prepared for surprises. No corporation sinks 500m into an existing venture unless they feel they can add value and increase revenue in some way. That suggests change. Their online presence implies that we may see more bracelet events on the GG platform. Maybe some sort of hybrid event? Probably increased rake in one way or another, almost certainly an expansion of the satellite arena.

To my mind, two things are inevitable. One is that meaningful change of some sort will ensue. And the second is that most of it will be unattractive (to me at least).

I hope GG Poker is not same as Ceasars Corporate Staff. Ceasars Staff has no prior poker knowledge. Suddenly by working for a corporation which is Top provider of poker tournaments, they became Poker Expert.

There are two golden rules for huge tournament turnouts :
1, Big Guarantees
2, Moderate Buy-ins.

If GG Poker offers that , will do better than Caesars.

I’m thinking this year will be pretty much business as usual just so they can get a better handle on what they’re getting into. But I think the 2026 WSOP might be the beginning of significant changes.

Unless, you know, WWIII and/or CWII causes some delays or postponements.