Tournament Buy Ins Drop, Formats Change in 2010 WSOP

Poker News - January 12th, 2010 - Written By Glen

The World Series of Poker, founded in 1970, has undergone many changes. One of the most recent changes occurred in the 2010 World Series of Poker line up. The schedule was announced in December of 2009, and a few changes had been noted.

Perhaps the most significant of changes was the reformatting of one of their most popular tournaments. Rather than keeping with the $50,000 dollar H.O.R.S.E tournament, a new event will be dropped into the slot.

The new tournament, the Player's Championship, will kick off the series. All of the most played poker variants will be included in the tournament. Texas Hold 'em, both limit and no limit, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Low, Pot-Limit Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball are part of this tournament.

This format will pit players against each other to test their mettle in various poker games. This will be one of the most difficult tournaments in which to win, as well as one of the most expensive. Open to mostly high rollers, this tournament will carry a $50,000 dollar buy-in in order to take part in the event.

Other changes to the series include the reduction of many tournament's buy-ins. Several tournaments that once carried $1,500 dollar or larger entry fees have been reduced to $1,000 dollars. This change will allow even those amateurs with shallow pockets to participate in the events.

The series will still culminate with the $10,000 dollar buy-in No Limit Hold 'em main event. Last year, the grand prize went for $8.5 million dollars, going to the WSOP's youngest champion - online poker player Joe Cada.

Many online poker rooms are gearing up to offer satellites to these events. These online poker rooms will allow players an opportunity to enter the Main Event for as low as $500 dollars, provided they win the satellite tournament. Online poker rooms have been increasing the general popularity of the WSOP, a trend that will undoubtedly continue to rise.