The WSOP has postponed many upcoming Circuit events due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the fate of the 2020 World Series of Poker is still undecided.
For a complete list of major events that have been postponed or cancelled, please click here. As for all Circuit events in the upcoming month, they have been postponed, per a press release.
There is a bit of positive news in this difficult time for poker players in New Jersey, however. In response to the World Series of Poker canceling its Atlantic City Circuit series, an 18-ring online series replacement beginning March 14 has been announced. That event runs until March 31 at WSOP.com New Jersey and guarantees at least $1 million in prize pool money.
World Series of Poker Circuit Postponements
- Harrah’s Atlantic City (March 5-16)*
- Bally’s Las Vegas (March 19-30)
- King’s Resort Czech Republic (March 5-23)*
- Bicycle Casino Los Angeles (March 7-18)*
- Hard Rock Tulsa (event currently in progress, has yet to be postponed)
- Harrah’s Cherokee (April 8-20)
- Casino Barriere Le Croisette France (April 9-19)
*Event suspended mid-series, will resume at an undetermined future date.
Update on 2020 WSOP
In the press release on the Circuit events, the WSOP gave a brief update on the 2020 World Series of Poker. Many players are concerned the series will be canceled due to the coronavirus scare, but an official decision has yet to be made.
“As it relates to the summer WSOP in Las Vegas, we are monitoring COVID-19 developments very carefully and it is scheduled to be held as planned,” the statement read. “With this situation continuing to evolve, we will provide further updates on any additional changes to our scheduled tournaments on WSOP.com.”
The 51st annual World Series of Poker is just over two months away. Thousands of players from all around the world travel to Las Vegas to compete in poker’s biggest annual event. But given the unknown, many poker players aren’t sure if they should book their summer trip to Sin City or make other plans.
CardsChat News reached out to Seth Palansky, the VP of corporate communications for the World Series of Poker. He said it’s “impossible to predict the future” and that his staff is in a “day-to-day situation now” as it relates to crucial decisions about the upcoming WSOP.
“We’re essentially dealing with events in the 30 days in front of us and trying to manage those as best we can,” he said. “We’ll keep taking everything as we can. Hopefully, people focus on their health and safety, and poker will take care of itself in due time.”
That’s some sound advice. If the series is canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be another one in a year. But only if we all, as Palansky advises, focus on our health and safety.
