While online poker has been in operation since 2013 in the US and the World Series of Poker is decades older, both have only come together a handful of times. For 2019, the WSOP will be offering a total of nine events, the most ever provided during the series within the online component. Players from New Jersey will be able to take part in at least two events while Nevada gamblers will have access to all nine.
Schedule of Online Events
The first online event via the WSOP will take place on June 2nd. The No Limit Hold’em event has a buy-in of $400 and offers 60k in starting chips. Blind levels increase every 60 minutes and players are allowed one re-entry.
The second online poker event takes place on June 9th. It will be a Pot Limit Omaha Six-handed tournament with a $600 buy-in. Players will be provided 15k in starting chips and blind levels will increase every 20 minutes. The re-entries to this event are unlimited.
On June 16th, players will find the Knock Out Bounty No-Limit Hold’em tournament on offer with a $600 buy-in and 20k in starting chips. Blind levels go up every 15 minutes and there are no re-entries. Every player has a $100 bounty on their heads.
Fast forward to June 23rd and the WSOP is offering a Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em event with a $1,000 buy-in. A total of 30k in chips are provided in the starting stack with 15 minute blind levels. Players can renter a total of three times.
On June 30th, the No Limit Hold’em Championship event is scheduled with a $1,000 buy-in and 20k in starting chips. Blind levels change every 15 minutes and players have access to three re-entries. July 3rd is the No Limit High Roller event with a large $3,200 buy-in and 25k in starting chip stack. Blind levels increase ever 20 minutes and players can access three re-entries.
Just four days later on July 7th, players can compete in the No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event. This tournament has a buy-in of $800 and offers a 15k starting chip stack. Blind levels increase every fifteen minutes and three re-entries can be purchased.
The last online event on the schedule is the Summer Saver No-Limit Hold’em tournament on July 14th. This event has a $500 buy-in and offers 20k in starting chips. Blind levels increase every 15 minutes and players have three re-entry options.
New Jersey Cut Off
In the past, the state of New Jersey has been able to participate in online poker events during the WSOP due to interstate gaming compact with Nevada. However, now that the Department of Justice has decided to make changes to the Wire Act, all interstate gambling is illegal.
The change is set to be enforced by June 14th. So, this leaves poker players in New Jersey only for sure able to compete in two of the online poker events. This may change, but as of now, the WSOP is only guaranteeing players can compete in two events.
The Wire Act change is currently facing a court battle started by New Hampshire and their state lottery. If a ruling takes place in the coming weeks, we may see players in New Jersey able to compete fully in the WSOP events. However, for now, the option is restricted to just two.
The first online event kicks off in just a few days and players are certainly excited to see more online poker gaming options during this years WSOP.
