The 54th annual World Series of Poker officially got underway on Tuesday with the traditional $500 Casino Employees event, which is open only to those who work in the gambling industry.
The customary ‘shuffle up and deal’ announcement was delivered by WSOP Vice President and Tournament Director Jack Effel, who led the players in the room in a moment of silence for the recently departed Doyle Brunson.
“As we get another WSOP underway, we’re reminded how indebted we are to the colossal impact Doyle had on the WSOP and the game of poker itself,” said Effel.
The 2023 event kicks off with the first of four starting flights on May 31, making it the centerpiece of the typically-packed opening weekend of the festival. 2023 will be the first year that the WSOP will not play host to a dedicated area offering single-table satellites.
In fact, there will be no single-table satellites held outside of those that will directly qualify players for the main event (which will start on July 2), and the ‘Flip and Go’ (starting July 13 and concluding when registration ends for the event on the following day) which last just a single hand.
Players will be dealt three cards and then be taken directly to the flop, at which point they will all be forced to discard one before the turn and river are dealt and a single winner is decided.
