The highlight of the poker tournament circuit is back in action in Las Vegas
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is officially back in Las Vegas for its 56th edition, launching another summer of high-stakes action, coveted bracelets, and long days at the tables. The series kicks off today, May 27, and runs through July 16, featuring 100 live bracelet events and an additional 30 up for grabs online.
The opening day begins with tradition, as the $500 Casino Employees event sets the tone, alongside the first flight of the $1,000 Mystery Millions—one of the most popular early tournaments in recent years. With a mix of familiar favorites and new experiments on the schedule, this year’s WSOP is expected to keep players and fans engaged from start to finish.
One of the more talked-about additions this year is the $1,000 Battle of the Ages. It introduces a unique format where players aged 50 and older play on Day 1A, while those under 50 enter on Day 1B. The separate fields will merge on Day 2, making for an unusual generational showdown not seen in standard tournament formats.
The $10,000 Main Event—the crown jewel of the series—is set to begin on July 2 and will play down to a champion by July 16. After drawing a record-breaking field last year, expectations are a bit more measured this time around, partly due to global economic concerns and potential travel hurdles.
This year also marks the first WSOP entirely under the ownership of GGPoker. One of the immediate changes includes stricter rules on electronic devices at the tables, a response to past controversies involving technology use during live events.
Fans can follow the action on PokerGO, which will begin its coverage on Saturday. Whether numbers match previous highs or not, the WSOP remains poker’s biggest stage, and the chase for gold bracelets is once again underway.
