What better way to end 2014 than dreaming of a World Series of Poker bracelet win in 2015?
The dates for the 46th WSOP have been released and if you’ve always been priced out of the action before this could be your year. The headline news is the addition of the lowest buy-in bracelet event ever, the Colossus, a tournament that kicks off the opening weekend with what is sure to be an almighty bang.
With a guarantee of $5m and a buy-in of just $565, the Colossus is likely to deliver the largest field ever to play in a live poker tournament. It will feature two starting days, with two flights in each, and a re-entry format that means players can buy back into different starting flights. Stacks are 5,000 with starting blinds at just 25/50 with no antes. If your poker ambition is to play a bracelet event, but your bankroll’s struggling, this could be your chance. Book your flights and accommodation now and you’ll get a bargain.
WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart said: ‘Load up the entire gang – the home game, the spouse, whomever you know that enjoys the game. The Colossus is going to feature a historic prize pool at this buy-in level and it can only happen at the World Series of Poker.’
Other key tournaments have been announced with dates for the festival set between May 27 and July 14.
June 5-6: $1,500 Millionaire Maker
The second Friday/Saturday of the series marks the return of the successful Millionaire Maker event with a couple of tweaks. Players will begin with 7,500 in starting chips – an increase of 66% from 2014 – and it has two starting days. The $1,500 buy-in guarantees the winner at least $1m. This event featured a record 7,977 entries in 2014 and the winner, Jonathan Dimmig earned $1,319,587.
June 12-13: $1,500 Monster Stack
The standout tournament of 2014 was the Monster Stack, which also returns with a couple of tweaks. It will sport two starting flights, with both starting at 10am, and you start with 15,000 chips. Hopes are that this will break the record 7,863 unique entries and $10.6 million prize pool of the 2014 debut.
June 19: $1,000 Seniors Championship
One of the most anticipated events each summer. In 2014, the event attracted 4,425 entries, creating a $3,892,500 prize pool. Dan Heimiller captured the gold bracelet and the $627,462 first place prize. In 2015 starting stacks have been increased to 5,000 (66% increase).
June 25: $1,000 Ladies Championship
The $10,000 buy-in (90% off for ladies) event also gets a big boost in starting chips, with players getting 5,000 chips and 100-big blinds for Level 1.
June 28: $111,111 One Drop High Roller
With the Big One for One Drop on its biannual leave, the One Drop High Roller returns with a $111,111 buy-in. One Drop founder Guy Laliberté is playing and hoping the field will be even bigger than in 2013 when 166 players stumped up the six figures. Tony Gregg was the big winner, taking $4,830,619
June 30: $1,000 Little One for One Drop
The fourth biggest tournament of 2014 returns with a $1,000 buy-in, and bigger starting stacks of 5,000. You can double this to 10,000 by paying an extra $111. This extra buy-in has been dubbed “Donating for Double”, with all $111 going directly to One Drop.
July 5: $10,000 Main Event
The $10m guarantee is back for the final tournament of the series, which runs over ten days until July 14, when the final table will be set for a return in November.
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