Hold onto your poker chips, Vegas lovers – the 2025 World Series of Poker is rolling into town with more bling, bigger bounties, and a schedule so packed you’ll need a caffeine IV drip to keep up.
This year marks the WSOP’s first rodeo under new owner GGPoker, but don’t worry – they’ve kept the chaos we all know and love. With 100 gold bracelet events (a record!), a $10K Main Event that’s basically poker’s version of the Thunderdome, and a “Battle of the Ages” that’ll pit Gen Z against the AARP crowd, this summer promises more drama than a reality TV finale.
Location, Location, Location (Still)
For the fourth straight year, we’ll see the Paris’ opulent ballrooms host high rollers and mixed-game specialists, while Horseshoe’s convention space accommodates massive field events like the $500 Colossus. The connected properties – one dripping with old-school Vegas charm, the other pretending to be France – will host everything from the $300 “Gladiators of Poker” to the $250,000 “Super High Roller” where players bet more per hand than most of us owe in student loans.
Pro Tip: Follow the smell of adrenaline and desperation through the indoor walkway linking the two casinos. It’s like The Hunger Games, but with better cocktails.
2025 WSOP Schedule: May 27 – July 16
The WSOP’s 56th edition kicks off on May 27 with the $1,000 Mystery Millions – an event so chaotic it has five starting flights and a $1 million “mystery bounty” that’s basically a golden ticket for whoever knocks out the right mark. From there, brace yourself for 50 days of:
- The Colossus ($500 buy-in): Where 20-somethings with Red Bull IVs and grandmas with hidden aces collide.
- $1,500 Monster Stack: Perfect for players who want to lose sleep and their life savings.
- $25,000 Heads-Up Championship: Because why settle for trash talk when you can bankrupt your best friend?
But let’s be real – everyone’s here for the $10,000 Main Event (July 2–16). Last year’s record 10,112 entrants created a prize pool juicier than a Vegas poolside margarita, and 2025’s field could be even bigger. Just remember: If you bluff your way to the final table, you’ll join legends like Jonathon Tamayo (2024’s $10M champ) and get a bracelet so heavy it’ll double as a workout weight.
New for 2025
GGPoker’s acquisition of WSOP for $500 million in late 2024 brought questions about potential upheaval, but the schedule retains its core identity. CEO Ty Stewart reassured fans: “In 2025, the WSOP schedule is better again, with something for everyone who loves the game. There’s nothing like summer in Las Vegas”.
Notable tweaks include reduced freezeouts (down to 24 from 35 in 2024) and extended late registration windows, giving players more flexibility to re-enter events.
GGPoker didn’t just copy-paste last year’s schedule. They’ve added six new events that range from “genius” to “who greenlit this?!”:
1. Battle of the Ages ($1,000 buy-in)
Finally, a chance to settle the “OK Boomer” vs. “Gen Z Snowflake” debate… with cards. Players over 50 start on June 22 (Day 1A), while the TikTok crowd gets Day 1B. Survivors merge on Day 2, where generational warfare unfolds. Will it be denture cream vs. viral dances? Only time – and a river card – will tell.
2. $100,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller
For those who think No-Limit Hold’em is for peasants. This event is where hedge fund managers and crypto bros go to flex. Pro tip: Bring a briefcase full of antacids.
3. TORSE ($3,000 buy-in)
It’s like HORSE, but with Triple Draw instead of Limit Hold’em – because why make sense when you can confuse everyone? Perfect for masochists who enjoy 3 a.m. rule explanations.
4. $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed
A Frankenstein’s monster of poker formats. One round you’re betting the farm in PLO; the next, you’re folding pre-flop in Hold’em. Chaotic? Yes. Fun to watch? Absolutely.
5. $5,000 Super Turbo Bounty
For players with the attention span of a goldfish. Blinds double every 15 minutes, and bounties pop faster than champagne corks on New Year’s Eve.
6. Landmark Mega Satellites
Because nothing says “WSOP” like grinding a $100 satellite for 12 hours to win a $10K seat… and then busting in Level 1.
The Main Event
Dates: July 2–16, 2025
Buy-in: $10,000 (or one kidney, depending on the black market)
Structure: Four starting flights (July 2–5), 10 grueling days of play, and a final table where the last person standing wins a bracelet and enough cash to buy a small island.
Why it’s iconic:
- Last year’s champ, Jonathon Tamayo, won $10M – enough to buy 20,000 front-row seats to Adele’s residency.
- The 2024 field had 10,112 players. This year? Expect more. Because nothing attracts humans like the chance to lose money gloriously.
Surprise Boycott From a Legend
I am not playing the @WSOP Main Event. It has become an “Endurance contest.”
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) February 18, 2025
I truly believe that 80% of the players want changes made to the @WSOP Main Event. 12 hour days, or longer, for 6-7 days in row, is brutal and disproportionately affects older players pic.twitter.com/7K4OcJOZ56
Registration Tips
Do’s and Don’ts
- Register Early: Online registration opens April 1 via Bravo Poker Live. We recommend securing your spot weeks in advance, as popular events like the Colossus and Mystery Millions sell out quickly.
- International Players: Bring a passport and a utility bill (dated within 90 days) for address verification. The WSOP’s updated KYC protocols aim to streamline check-ins but require meticulous documentation.
- Satellite Savvy: New this year, Main Event satellites run July 1–7 across both properties. With over 500 seats guaranteed, these qualifiers offer affordable pathways to the $10K buy-in.
Pro Tip: If you’re eliminated early, drown your sorrows at the Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower replica. It’s the closest you’ll get to Europe this year.
FAQs (Frequently Avoided Questions)
Can I play if I’m bad at poker?
Absolutely! The WSOP thrives on your misplaced confidence.
What’s the dress code?
Hoodies and sunglasses indoors – because nothing says “poker pro” like looking like a vampire who robbed a sweatshirt store. In fact, the WSOP’s dress code remains relaxed—hoodies, sunglasses, and noise-canceling headphones are all permitted. Just avoid clothing with offensive logos or excessive distractions.
Will Vince Vaughn return as MC?
TBD, but let’s hope so. The man’s poker face is almost as good as his Wedding Crashers improv.
Will there be live streams for non-Main Event tournaments?
Absolutely. PokerGO will broadcast 30+ bracelet events, including the $100K PLO High Roller and the Battle of the Ages final table. Subscribers can watch every critical hand unfold in real time.
Are there accommodations for players with disabilities?
Yes. Both Horseshoe and Paris offer ADA-compliant gaming areas, and WSOP staff can arrange accessible seating upon request. Contact wsopaccessibility@caesars.com to coordinate needs in advance.
The 2025 WSOP is shaping up to be a glorious mess of adrenaline, absurd buy-ins, and generational showdowns. Whether you’re here to win millions, people-watch, or just Instagram the Main Event final table, one thing’s certain: Vegas will be the place to be this summer.
Now go forth, shuffle up, and deal… but maybe practice first. Those 100 events aren’t going to lose themselves. 🃏✨
