WSOP 2021: schedule, events and how to watch online and on TV

The 2021 World Series of Poker event opened its doors on Sept. 30, 2021.

The richest and longest-running poker event in the world takes place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the main event starting on Thursday, November 4 all the way through to the week prior to Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November, 17.

The last time the full WSOP Main Event was held in person was in 2019 with over 8,000 entrants participating. The 2020 Main Event, or better known as the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, took place online attracting about 1,300 people only.

This year, there are a total of 88 bracelet events, with the much-anticipated $10,000 Main Event expected to bring a significant number of people, even with the strict health and safety protocols that are in place.

Since 1976, a bracelet has been awarded to the winner of every event at the annual WSOP, and they are considered the most coveted non-monetary prize a poker player can win.

WSOP roaring back in 2021: Events

On Thursday, Sept. 30, the first of the 88 bracelet events, the $500 No-Limit Hold 'em, started the series at 11:00 a.m PT.

Over the course of 52 days the tournament sees all manner of different poker games, with a huge range of different styles, including: No-Limit Holdem, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or better. There are also events only for seniors and others with the proceeds going to Veteran Organizations (SALUTE to Warriors - No-Limit Hold’em on 2 November, for example, which starts at 11 am PT).

All that happens in the run up to November 4, when the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event will begin, with the final table scheduled for Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, and the champion determined on the 17th.

Last year’s champion, Argentina’s Damian Salas, concluded the championship with $1 million, a coveted gold bracelet, and the title of WSOP Main Event champion.

This year, players choose from four starting flights from the Main Event: (all times in PT)

Day 1a, 1b, 1d combine to play on Tuesday, Nov 9 at 11am, while Day 1c, 1e, 1f combine to play on Wednesday, Nov 10. The survivors from both Day 2abd and 2cef combine for Day 3 on Thursday, Nov 11.

The WSOP also added two Day 1 flights to the Main Event, and below is the updated schedule (with when the PokerGO live stream will begin – as they’re streaming live throughout the Main Event):

WSOP Schedule

Here is the full schedule for all 88 bracelet events, and we’ve added a few of the new and noteworthy items for the 2021 World Series of Poker below:

Oct. 8 - Nov. 19: Return of the Record Breakers – The WSOP’s flagship No-Limit Hold’em events will be seen each Friday and Saturday: the Millionaire Maker,Monster Stack, Double Stack, Colossus and The Closer, returning with multi-million dollar prize pools and weighty value.

Oct. 10 : $1,000 Flip and Go Presented by GG Poker – Each player will automatically be all-in on the first hand, dealing three cards and selecting two. In a traditional structure, one player will then win the table and proceed into the money.

Where to Watch? 

PokerGO®, the world’s largest poker content company, is available for live streaming the 2021 WSOP Main Event from start to finish for the first time ever on any of these devices: Android phone, tablet, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. You can find the full PokerGO schedule here. 

Viewers will also be able to find a large database of past WSOP content on PokerGO, including full episodes, event replays, and tournaments recaps. The CBS Sports episodes are planned to air after the WSOP and will be using the PokerGO live stream footage to edit down into made-for-TV episodes.

Besides the Main Event, these ones are also part of the live streaming schedule: Event #11: $25,000 Heads-Up Championship, Event #53: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller, Event #60: $50,000 Poker Players Championship, and Event #82: $250,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller.