Daniel Negreanu, the face of GGPoker, addressed some concerns with the upcoming online WSOP Main Event. In a Twitter video, he also provided some important information on how Americans can compete in the 54-event series.
GGPoker will host 54 of the 85 bracelet events this summer, beginning on July 19 and running until Sep. 6. WSOP.com, which is only available to players in Nevada and New Jersey, is spreading the first events, starting on July 1.
After GGPoker announced its schedule for the series, many poker players on social media were critical. It was unclear at the time if the $5,000 buy-in Main Event will allow players to buy into the tournament 22 times — once per Day 1 — of the starting flight. If so, that would give the deep pockets a sizable advantage over the recreational players. But Negreanu cleared the air on Twitter.
Negreanu Calms the Critics
No, you can’t enter the WSOP Main Event, a $25 million guaranteed online poker tournament, 22 times. Negreanu clarified the confusion in a brief Twitter video on Monday.
Some important news about the @GGPokerOfficial @wsop this summer!
-A scheduling change
-Some clarity on the main event
-Travel rules for US Players pic.twitter.com/sbrP6A2cOx
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 29, 2020
“No matter how many heats there are, if there are 100 heats, 200 heats, you will only get to play three times,” he said. “So you get one shot, mulligan. Two shot, three strikes, you’re out.”
Negreanu also said he’s hopeful the $10,000 Main Event will run later this summer at the Rio in Las Vegas. The WSOP still plans on a fall World Series of Poker despite the 85-event online series. But there’s no way they can guarantee the series will run. It all depends on the progression of COVID-19. If cases in Nevada remain high in the fall, and the gaming board hasn’t lifted its five-handed poker restrictions, there’s little to no hope for a fall live WSOP.
The Poker Hall of Famer then addressed another issue: How can Americans compete in the GGPoker WSOP series? GGPoker is only available in certain countries, the United States not being one of them. So, for American players to compete, they’ll have to travel to a country such as Mexico, where Negreanu has booked a pad for the series.
“For you players that are traveling from the US to play other places, there’s been a little bit of confusion about what the rules are there,” the GGPoker ambassador explained. “So, here’s the deal. It’s actually going to be a lot simpler than you think. You can get an Airbnb, you can get a hotel, wherever it is you want to go outside the United States. All you need to do is show proof of address and you’re good to go.”
Negreanu then clarified the proof of address issue in the comments. Players aren’t required to show proof of address showing they live in the country they are visiting. Instead, they simply must provide the poker site proof they are staying at a hotel, home, or Airbnb within that country. This will make it more difficult for American players to get away with using VPNs to play from within the US.
