Caesars is always trying to increase the number of participants in the World Series Of Poker (WSOP).
Previously, WSOP moved some of its most affordable big-ticket tournaments to the weekend. Moving some of the more popular events to the weekend gives tourists a better opportunity to partake in some of the richer events during WSOP.
When WSOP released the full schedule of 2023 events earlier this year, it noted that the goal was to continue growing the event. The trend of weekend tournaments with low buy-ins with large prizes continues.
WSOP will award players with 95 championship bracelets during the 50-day poker event. While the $10,000 buy-in Main Event gets the most mainstream coverage, it’s just one of many tournaments.
The Main Event is popular but many visitors to Las Vegas don’t have the relatively large $10,000 buy-in or the time to participate should they have a deep run in the tournament. This year the company introduced Main Event Maynia to boost the number of players during the most popular tournament.
Many of the weekend events, however, are made for pros and tourists alike. Being able to visit Las Vegas to participate in the WSOP is a dream for many recreational poker players around the country. Weekend tournaments require less time away from home.
Weekend WSOP events of note
A good number of the tournaments have three and four-figure buy-ins with prizes that reach the million-dollar mark. In addition to special promotions like Main Event Maynia, these tournaments are helping WSOP grow more than ever.
Mystery Millions (May 31-June 5)
The $1,000 buy-in Mystery Millions starts between Wednesday, May 31, and Saturday, June 3. The guaranteed prize is at least $1,000,000. $300 from each buy-in will go toward the bounty pool. This should be one of the largest tournaments at WSOP again.
$600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (June 4-5)
The $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack begins on June 4 and ends the following day. Last year, the winner of this event, Raj Vohra, took home $335,286 from the two-day tournament.
$300 No Limit Hold’em – Gladiators of Poker (June 7-June 11)
The $300 No-Limit Hold’em Gladiators of Poker begins between Wednesday, June 7, and Saturday, June 10. This event has a guaranteed prize pool of $3,000,000 and will end on Monday, June 11. Players may reenter the event twice during opening flights.
$800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (June 11-12)
This is another Sunday-Monday event with a buy-in of less than $1,000. Last year, the winner of this event, Rajaee Wazwaz, scored a winning prize of $358,346.
$1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em (June 16-20)
The Monster Stack tournament begins on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17. The grand prize of this event should be around $1 million.
$800 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (June 18-19)
This is another Sunday-Monday tournament with a buy-in below $1,000. Last year’s winner, Richard Alsup, took home the top prize of $272,065.
$1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold’em (June 23-28)
The Millionaire Maker is one of the most popular events during WSOP. The first-place prize is guaranteed to be at least $1,000,000. Last year’s winner, Yuliyan Kolev, scored a $1,125,189 prize. Not bad for a $1,500 buy-in.
$500 Salute to Warriors – No-Limit Hold’em (June 25-27)
This three-day event begins on Sunday, June 25, and ends on Tuesday, June 27. $40 of each $500 entry will be donated to the United Service Organizations and other veteran organizations. This is a smaller tournament that supports good causes. James Todd took home $161,256 from this event last year.
$400 Colossus No-Limit Hold’em (June 30-July 3)
This event started as a less expensive version of the Millionaire Maker event and is one of the largest during WSOP. Last year’s winner, Paul Hizer, won $414,490 for finishing in first place.
$777 Lucky 7’s No-Limit Hold’em (July 7-11)
Event #77 of WSOP begins on 7/7 and requires a buy-in of $777. Keeping with the theme, Gregory Teboul won a first-place prize of $777,777 in this event last year.
In addition to these live poker tournaments at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, there are a number of midweek Nevada online poker tournaments with a buy-in of less than $1,000 each.
