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WSOP SCHEDULE FOR 2010

The 2010 World Series of Poker Schedule

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As potential participants and poker fans gear up for the 2010 WSOP schedule, I am struck by a strong sense of déjà vu. To understand why, let's briefly travel back in time a few years and explore the maturation of the WSOP in general. During the golden years of online poker between 2003-2006, the lack of US government intervention combined with the healthy economy to fuel an explosion of interest in the World Series of Poker. It was fascinating to watch the old guard of professionals lose their stranglehold on live tournaments if only due to the sheer number of competitors.

Beginning with Chris Moneymaker in 2003, each successive WSOP Main Event seemed to crown a new personable champion characterized by plenty of fans, detractors, subsequent media attention, online sponsorships, and the occasional controversy. The numbers and, unfortunately, the controversy peaked in 2006 when Jamie Gold, already generally disliked for the poor sportsmanship and obnoxious style of play exhibited throughout the tournament, was sued by another player that he had allegedly stiffed out of half of the $12 million prize.

All of this brings us back to the present and the 2010 WSOP schedule. While I may have displayed my fair share of skepticism over the past couple of years about the state of the WSOP, Harrah's certainly still does a fine job of hosting the premier event on the tournament circuit. The organization of WSOP events is certainly an improvement over the old Horseshoe days, the Rio facility is an immaculate modern resort with an enormous poker room, and media coverage has never stronger.

The main issue with the modern World Series of Poker and these apparent improvements is that it is run as a calculated spectacle by an international multibillion dollar corporation rather than by poker players. Much of the charm of the WSOP has been replaced by sterile commercialism. The "November 9" gimmick, which pauses final table play for almost 4 months in order for Harrah's to build TV ratings and hype, tends to make the years blur together as little innovation distinguishes each calendar year. The 2010 WSOP schedule will certainly again feature the delayed final table as it supposedly boosted TV ratings significantly.

Of course, Harrah's isn't responsible for the general shift in poker as a whole. An unintended side-effect of the unsuccessful US anti-online-gaming legislation was a decrease in Main Event attendance due to restrictions on online satellites. Combined with the fiasco last year in which Harrah's refused several hundred players trying to register for the final entry day of the Main Event, total registrations last year totaled 6,494 with first place taking home over $8.5 million. The total number of entrants across all events in 2009 set a record with almost 61,000 players despite the fact that the cumulative prize pools dropped almost $10 million from 2008.

Undoubtedly in large part to the pitiful economy robbing many players of their discretionary spending, the only events besides the Main Event in last year's WSOP that were able to surpass 1,000 entrants had buy-ins under $2,500. The 2010 WSOP schedule will likely follow this pattern, which allows everyday players a chance to be a part of such a hallowed poker event without a significant investment.

The 2010 WSOP schedule will host 57 events for the first time to accommodate both the proliferation of low buy-in events and the niche events like lowball, stud, and H.O.R.S.E. that cater mostly to the professionals who are well-rounded in every popular cash game variation. Hopefully, the excellent $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event can draw more than 97 players in 2010. The pros fared poorly in terms of overall bracelets last year, although Jeff Lisandro had an excellent showing winning 3 bracelets. With the mere presence of Phil Ivey at the Main Event final table generating enormous buzz, it's clear that the public is exponentially more interested in poker events that contain household names in the mix.

While the public may not be consuming everything poker at the frenzied rate of just a few years ago and the game certainly isn't seeing the massive online growth that it once did, the World Series of Poker remains a mecca that every passionate poker player strives to attend at least once in their lifetime. Harrah's may have allowed sponsors to brand everything but the foreheads of the players (there's always next year), but the allure of winning a gaudy bracelet, being mentioned alongside the greatest names in poker history, and, yes, the enormous cash prizes that the 2010 WSOP schedule represents will always be second to none in the poker world.

The 2010 WSOP schedule has been released and can be viewed in full below. If you'd like to be automatically e-mailed regarding the release of future WSOP schedules, our private WSOP freerolls, and our exclusive strategy content please subscribe to our newsletter.

Related Sections: US Online Poker, Past Bracelet Winners, Professional Player Profiles.

Both single-table and multi-table satellites for the 2010 WSOP begin on May 27 and run through July 8. There will also be daily no-limit hold'em tournaments at 1PM with a $550 buy-in every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in June. The main satellite schedule will be as follows:

• $330 Multi-Table Satellites: May 27-July 2 at 3PM

• $550 Multi-Table Satellites: May 27-July 2 at 9PM

Top Choices for Qualifying Online

All sites listed are available to US players.

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With online player numbers regularly exceeding 300,000 nightly, PokerStars has simply left other poker rooms in its dust over the past 3 years. The same can be said for the annual WSOP showing of players qualifying through their hosted satellites, which often exceeds 25% of the total field. While the actual 2010 WSOP schedule may be several months away the online qualifiers seem to start earlier and earlier each year. It's also important to note that PokerStars accepts checking account deposits from all players, including US residents.

Players can usually expect the PokerStars satellites to begin in February or March. While the main $650 Main Event direct-entry qualifiers take place at least weekly, there are numerous sub-satellites to make the hefty $650 event less of an investment. Sub-satellites include $3 rebuys, $80 multi-table freezeout, and sub-$10 step Sit and Go events that run mere minutes apart around the clock. Another method made popular by PokerStars in recent years is the shootout, which is in a 9-handed Sit and Go format. If past years are any indication, PokerStars will once again be the most popular destination for players trying to qualify online for the 2010 WSOP.

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Now coming in at #2 in terms of sheer size, Full Tilt Poker has an extremely respectable WSOP satellite system. In terms of logistics, all US players are accepted and are able to deposit directly from their checking accounts. Players overwhelmed by the convoluted sub-satellite structure should appreciate the variety of the Full Tilt Poker direct-entry satellites. Instead of one massive (and expensive) weekly multi-table direct Main Event qualifier Full Tilt Poker usually offers at least 5 weekly events with buy-ins as low as $200. Of course, sub-satellites and shootouts also run around around the clock for miniscule buy-ins.

For the 2010 WSOP schedule, Full Tilt Poker will likely bring back the 150 Seat Main Event Guarantee, which is an enormous event that awards the most seats of any single WSOP qualifier. The buy-in is typically around $550 with about 5% of the field receiving WSOP prize packages. However unlikely it may seem, Full Tilt Poker also offers an extra $10 million to any player that wins the Main Event after qualifying through their site. That is, by far, the greatest extra WSOP prize offered by any online poker room. Full Tilt Poker has had a strong presence at the WSOP for years so expect them to send at least another 1,000 players to the Main Event this year.

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While it certainly doesn't have the brand-recognition or player traffic of our other top WSOP choices, Sportsbook Poker is our top satellite alternative and top-rated overall for a number reasons. Firstly, it's by far the easiest remaining US poker room for deposits. The near-100% acceptance rate for US credit and debit cards is a major draw as there is no need for a third-party e-wallet. Sportsbook Poker is also one of the few remaining poker rooms to offer an instant deposit bonus to our players.

In terms of 2010 WSOP schedule qualifiers, Sportsbook Poker will appeal to those who prefer smaller fields and a satellite system that doesn't require a chart to understand. There are basically 2 sub-satellites and 1 direct-entry satellite at Sportsbook Poker. The former is a 3-step Sit and Go system with $7, $28, and $105 levels. The top 2 finishers from each step escalate to the next level. There are also $70 multi-table qualifiers feeding into the main direct-entry event, which takes place weekly win a $425 buy-in. Sportsbook Poker is a growing mid-level poker room and certainly runs a capable and easy-to-understand WSOP satellite system.

World Series of Poker - 2010 Tournament Schedule

World Series of Poker Circuit - 2009/2010 Tournament Schedule

OUR WORLD SERIES OF POKER SECTIONS

• WSOP 2010 Schedule

• WSOP 2009 Schedule

• WSOP 2008 Schedule

• WSOP 2007 Schedule

• WSOP Freerolls

• 2007 WSOP Satellites

• WSOP Past Winners

• All WSOP Bracelet Winners

• WSOP Notable Accomplishments

• WSOP History

• WSOP News

• WSOP Satellite Information

• WSOP 2006 Schedule     

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