Bracelet Bonanza: WSOP Releases Summer 2023 Dates With Main Event Set for July 3-17, New $1M Mystery Bounty on May 31
Winter may not be here officially yet, but World Series of Poker officials are already making plans for a summer of gold bracelet hunting. Organizers announced on Monday that the 54th annual poker extravaganza is set for May 30 – July 18.
As seen this summer, the series will play out at Paris Las Vegas and the soon-to-be rebranded Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) casinos.
“The historic debut of the WSOP on the Las Vegas Strip delivered in a big way, and we’re excited to announce our summer 2023 dates in time for the holidays,” WSOP senior vice president and executive director Ty Stewart said in a news release.
“Poker players and fans can now officially mark their calendars and maybe even book their loved ones or themselves a trip to the WSOP as a holiday gift. We’re glad to be back at Paris Las Vegas and the future Horseshoe Las Vegas for another exciting chapter in the tournament’s history as these two resorts raised the bar in hosting last year’s event.”
A look at the early WSOP plans
This year’s Main Event generated a field of 8,663 players for an $80.8 million prize pool. For 2023, players will find four Main Event starting days on July 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Organizers also noted that due to the deep starting stacks in the event, players can also once again buy in during either of the Day 2 flight on July 7 or 8.
Along with the Main Event, some new tournaments are planned along with the return of some classics. While a complete schedule isn’t available yet, WSOP offered some insight on more summer action.
The $1,000 Mystery Millions serves as the flagship opening of the series. The No Limit Hold’em tournament features mystery bounties from $10,000 to $1 million for each knockout. The event also comes with a $1 million guarantee for the winner.
Mystery bounties have become popular with players over the last couple years. Beyond a traditional bounty tournament, they offer players a random prize after knocking out an opponent.
That can be a seven-figure payday with the new WSOP event and the tournament should bring in a hefty field. Last summer’s first mystery bounty event saw 14,112 entries and a $1 million bounty won by poker pro Matt Glantz.
.@wsop players, mark your calendars for the 54th Annual World Series of Poker (@WSOP), running from May 30-July 18, 2023. VP of WSOP Jack Effel is at the newly opened WSOP Hall of Fame Poker Room to answer all of your questions.♣️ pic.twitter.com/QOpUDifEeA
— Horseshoe Las Vegas (@HorseshoeVegas) December 12, 2022
More details on events so far
Poker grinders can look for the full WSOP schedule in 2023, but organizers released dates for a few other notable tournaments. That includes some of the “weekend warrior” smaller buy-in events that bring in huge fields of recreational players.
For example, the $1,500 Millionaire Maker kicks off on June 23 and again features a $1 million guarantee. The $400 Colossus also begins on June 30 and the $1,000 Seniors Championship gets cards in the air on June 21.
The series has added another small-buy, big payout competition again this year as well. The $300 Gladiators of Poker comes with a $3 million guarantee and gets started on June 7.
WSOP.com also offered several online bracelet events throughout the summer in the Nevada/New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan markets. Look for more online events in 2023 as well. However, those online tournaments haven’t been announced yet. Here’s a look at all event dates released so far.
2022 World Series of Poker
Date Event Guarantee
May 31 $1,000 Mystery Bounty $1 million to winner, bounties from $10,000 to $1 million
June 7 $300 Gladiators of Poker $3 million
June 16 $1,500 Monster Stack
June 21 $1,000 Seniors Championship
June 23 $1,500 Millionaire Maker $1 million
June 29 $1,000 Ladies Championship
June 30 $400 Colossus
July 2 $1,000 Mini Main Event
July 3 $10,000 Main Event
July 7 $777 Lucky 7s $777,777
July 11 $600 Ultra Stack
July 14 $500 The Closer
Looking back & locking in a room
The 2022 WSOP saw 197,626 entries from more than 100 countries. In total, the series produced a record-breaking $347.9 million total prize pool. In the Main Event, Norway’s Espen Jorstad came out on top for $10 million.
Those already planning for a summer of poker can find reduced room rates now available at all Caesars Entertainment properties. Guests booking early can secure special rates by using the advanced booking code “WSOP23.”
Keep checking back at USPoker for more details on the series as they are released.