GGPoker and WSOP.com to host 2020 World Series of Poker Main Event
“There must be a World Champion in 2020”
Play will begin online then shift to live play before culminating in a heads up match between the US and international finalists.
The World Series of Poker will crown a Main Event Champion in 2020, but like most things this year, it will play out very differently than it has in previous years.
The WSOP $10,000 No-Limit Hold-em World Championship (a.k.a. The Main Event) will be a hybrid event this year with play beginning online at WSOP.com for players in the United States and on GGPoker for international players.
Play for each leg will then move to live venues before the winners of each leg meet in person to compete heads up for the 2020 Main Event title.
“There must be a World Champion in 2020,” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the World Series of Poker in a press release. “Poker’s history is too important. It’s a unique format for the Main Event, but this is a unique year. We want to keep players’ health and safety top of mind and still deliver a great televised showcase for the game we love.”
Each leg of the tournament will play down to nine remaining players before shifting to final tables that will play out in a live venue. From there, the two players that win their respective final tables will meet for a live heads up match to determine the 2020 Main Event Champion.
All live in-person play will be subject to “special COVID rules and procedures,” according to organizers.
In addition to the prize money won from each tournament, the World Series of Poker and GGPoker will combine to add an additional $1 million in prize money for the winner take all finale. The winner of the heads up match will also be crowned 2020 World Champion and take home the 2020 Main Event bracelet.
Coverage of the WSOP Main Event will air on ESPN with commentary from Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.
The WSOP.com leg of the 2020 Main Event will start on Sunday December 13 with players being allowed to participate from New Jersey and Nevada.
Organizers expect the tournament to take two full days before reaching the final nine. From there play will move to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday December 28 where the final nine players will compete until only one player remains. That player will then take on the survivor of the international leg in a heads up match on December 30 to determine the 2020 World Champion.
To make it easier on players’ bankrolls, satellite events allowing players to qualify for the Main Event will be available for as little $1. There will also be a string of weekly freerolls that will award a $10,000 seat to the Main Event.
GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu about the 2020 WSOP Main Event.
“We had an incredible summer running bracelet events at both WSOP.com and GGPoker.com but the one thing missing were a pure freezeout Main Event to genuinely crown a 2020 WSOP champ.”
“I’d much prefer playing on GGPoker but I’m currently involved in a heads-up challenge on WSOP.com so that makes the most sense for me.”
Due to his ongoing heads-up challenge against Doug Polk, Negreanu confirmed that he would be playing on WSOP.com from home in Las Vegas.
