Major Changes in Store For 2010 World Series of Poker

As the 2009 World Series of Poker heads toward its November conclusion, word is emerging that plans for the 2010 WSOP are being made - plans that include some fairly significant departures from this year’s schedule.

The big difference: World Series of Poker Communications Director Seth Palansky told CardPlayer that the $40,000 buy in event, introduced in 2009 in conjunction with the WSOPs 40th anniversary, will not be returning in 2010. “Next year, you’re not going to have a Champions Invitational. You’re not going to have a $40K for the 40th-annual event,” said Palansky. “Both events probably come back 10 years from now, when we’re celebrating 50 years. We announced them and intended them as one-off specials.”

The WSOP may decide to introduce a larger buy in event to keep pace with other high-buy in offerings from the WPT, APT and others, but it looks like (for now) the HORSE event will be the largest buy in for 2010 at 50k.

Speaking of that event, Palansky also told CardPlayer that it’s unlikely to return to television in 2010 unless players agree to change the final table format to be strictly no limit holdem. “Unless it goes back to no-limit hold’em, the event will exist, but the television component probably will not,” said Palansky.

The other big change reportedly in the works: more $1,000 buy in tournaments, a level that was immensely popular in 2009 when it was promoted as a ‘Stimulus Special’. As the WSOP seeks to keep attendance (and revenue) growing, expect to see more of these dotting the schedule, possibly at the expense of mid buy in or less-popular formats.

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