Numbers Game: WSOP Officials Reflect on Series’ Record-Breaking Turnout
After eight weeks of action, the World Series of Poker concluded last week at Bally’s and Paris casinos in Las Vegas. Series officials recently released some overall numbers from the festival, which produced the biggest series in the history of the event.
Players saw 88 live events, a Tournament of Champions, and 13 online bracelet tournaments stretching from May to July. These brought in a total prize pool eclipsing 2019’s record numbers.
“As this year’s WSOP comes to a close, we reflect on yet another event that exceeded our expectations,” WSOP Senior Vice President and Executive Director Ty Stewart said in a news release.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the players who traveled from near and far to make our first year on The Strip an overwhelming success. After 52 years, we are finally a Strip headliner, and this couldn’t be possible without the help of our great Team Members.”
Huge WSOP fields continue
In total, the 2022 WSOP live and online bracelet events saw 197,626 entries from over 100 countries. That produced a new WSOP record of $347.9 million total prize pool, eclipsing 2019’s total of $293.2 million.
Poker players turned out in force as live poker continues to return with continually strong fields. The number of bracelet events seem to rise each year for a longer and longer series.
Some players may question the value of a bracelet with so many on the line each year. But the wider poker community seems happy to jump in the bracelet-hunting action each summer.
The $10,000 Main Event attracted a total of 8,663 entries, making it the second largest Main Event in WSOP history. That included players from 87 countries competing for an $80.8 million prize pool.
In the end, a player from outside the US took the Main Event for the fourth straight year. Norway’s Espen Jorstad scored the bracelet and cashed in for $10 million.
Weekend warrior events go XXL
Beyond the Main Event, other tournaments also scored some huge numbers. The series runs its “weekend warrior” events throughout the festival, catering to players with smaller bankrolls.
These events offer players a chance at a bracelet and a nice payout. That continued this year and a few of those produced some massive player pools. The three highest turnout events included:
- The Housewarming – 20,080 entries (fourth all time)
- The Million Dollar Bounty – 14,112 entries (sixth all time)
- Colossus – 13,565 entries (seventh all time)
This year’s WSOP event featured a few celebrities with Lisa Vanderpump, Vince Vaughn, and Neymar Jr. all making appearances.
More WSOP poker on the horizon
Those who can’t get enough poker action can now check out WSOP Circuit events for a chance at a championship ring. The circuit’s 18th season recently kicked off and WSOP officials recently announced 25 stops on the circuit.
Action is already underway at the Choctaw in Oklahoma with a stop at Harrah’s Cherokee next from Aug. 4-15. WSOP officials are also expected to announce 10 more circuit stops soon.
Online players in legalized markets can also expect more Online Circuit Series in the coming months as well. These regulated states are home to the WSOP.com platform.
Here’s a look at the complete live WSOP Circuit schedule.
WSOP Circuit 2022
Date Location
July 20-31 Choctaw Durant (Dallas/Oklahoma)
Aug. 4-15 Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina)
Aug. 17-28 Hard Rock (Tulsa)
Sept. 15-26 Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Omaha/Iowa)
Sept. 22 – Oct. 2 Aruba Hilton (Aruba)
Sep. 29 – Oct. 10 Thunder Valley Casino (Northern California)
Oct. 13-24 Isle of Capri (Pompano Beach, Florida)
Oct. 20-31 Harveys Lake Tahoe (Stateline, Nevada)
Nov. 3-13 Choctaw Durant (Dallas/Oklahoma)
Nov. 10-21 Grand Victoria Casino (Chicago, Illinois)
Nov. 24 – Dec. 5 Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina)
Dec. 3-14 The Bicycle Casino (Los Angeles)
Jan. 4-15 Choctaw Durant (Dallas/Oklahoma)
Jan. 12-23 Thunder Valley Casino (Northern California)
Jan. 19-30 Horseshoe/Tunica (Mississippi)
Feb. 2-13 Isle of Capri (Pompano Beach, Florida)
Feb. 16-27 Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina)
Feb. 23 – March 6 Horseshoe Hammond (Chicago)
March 4-15 The Bicycle Casino (Los Angeles)
March 9-20 Hard Rock (Tulsa)
March 16-27 Turning Stone Resort Casino (Verona, New York)
April 6-17 Grand Victoria Casino (Chicago, Illinois)
April 20 – May 1 Horseshoe/Tunica (Mississippi)
May 4-15 Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina)
May 11-22 Caesars Southern Indiana (Elizabeth,
WSOP Europe also on the way
For those looking for even more bracelet hunting, the WSOP Europe also returns to live action this fall. While series officials haven’t released a schedule yet, the action is set for Oct. 12 – Nov. 3 at King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic.
The series offers players 15 bracelet events including the €10,000 Main Event. A €50,000 High Roller is also planned as well.