Your Guide To Hold'em Events at the 2011 World Series of Poker
Last Monday, the curiosity of the poker world was satisfied with the much-anticipated release of the 2011 World Series of Poker schedule. Fifty-eight events are on tap, running from May 31 to July 19, and Texas hold'em once again dominates the slate. Thirty-five events are purely variations of hold'em, and we've broken them down by game so you can decide what to play come summer.
$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em (Lowest Buy-in)
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Event #8 | June 4-8 |
| *Event #20 | June 12-14 |
| *Event #34 | June 19-21 |
| *Event #45 | June 26-28 |
| Event #54 | July 2-6 |
Never played in a WSOP event before? The lowest buy-in event open to the general population conveniently starts over weekends so you don't have to take off from your weekday job. You may want to save up some sick days, though, just in case you make a deep run and find yourself playing when Monday rolls around!
*(The three-day $1,000s are likely to require an extra day to finish with the new 10-level hard-stop times rule.)
$1,500 No-Limit Hold'em (Low Buy-in)
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Event #18 | June 11-13 |
| Event #28 | June 16-18 |
| Event #32 | June 17-19 |
| Event #38 | June 22-24 |
| Event #43 | June 25-27 |
| Event #48 | June 28-30 |
| Event #56 | July 5-7 |
There is no more frequent event at the WSOP than the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em. Seven are on the docket this year.
No-Limit Hold'em (Restricted Entry)
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | Event #1 (Casino Employees) | May 31 - June 1 |
| $1,000 | Event #30 (Seniors) | June 17-19 |
| $1,000 | Event #53 (Ladies) | July 1-3 |
As was the case last year, men can play in the Ladies event. However, unless you enjoy the feeling of everybody in the tournament applauding your bust-out, you ought to look elsewhere.
No-Limit Hold'em (The Other NL Full-Ring Events)
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | Event #36 | June 21-23 |
| $5,000 | Event #4 | June 2-4 |
| $10,000 | Event #58 (Main Event) | July 7-19 |
The $1,000s and $1,500s too low for you? Not a problem, one of these should get your blood pumping. You've heard of the Main Event, right?
No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Event #10 | June 6-8 |
| $2,500 | Event #26 | June 15-17 |
| $5,000 | Event #40 | June 23-15 |
| $10,000 | Event #46 (Championship) | June 27-29 |
Over the last few years, 6-max hold'em has become both more popular and difficult. If you're a fan of frequent five- and six-betting, look no further.
No-Limit Hold'em Heads-Up
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | Event #2 | May 31 - June 3 |
New to the schedule this year, this $25,000 Heads-Up event is the only one of its kind on the docket. Expect a field heavy with top pros and heads-up specialists.
No-Limit Hold'em Triple Chance
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Event #12 | June 7-9 |
| $5,000 | Event #50 | June 29 - July 1 |
Rebuy tournaments were left off the schedule last year, and this is once again the case this year. Still, Triple Chance is as close to rebuy as it gets at the WSOP.
No-Limit Hold'em Shootout
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Event #13 | June 8-10 |
| $5,000 | Event #24 | June 14-16 |
If navigating through a field of hundreds or even thousands sounds too difficult, try taking it one table at a time to capture a bracelet.
Mixed Hold'em (No-Limit Hold'em/Limit Hold'em)
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | Event #52 | June 30 - July 2 |
Skilled in both games? Prove your all-around prowess in the only mixed hold'em event of the WSOP.
Limit Hold'em
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Event #6 | June 3-5 |
| $3,000 | Event #14 | June 8-10 |
| $10,000 | Event #27 (Championship) | June 15-17 |
Don't enjoy playing with those young punks who like to shove all-in every hand? Keep it here.
Limit Hold'em 6-Max
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | Event #19 | June 11-13 |
Short-handed and limit means raises and reraises galore. If you're more of a passive player, try your luck elsewhere.
Limit Hold'em Shootout
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Event #41 | June 24-26 |
If you like to take it one step and one bet at a time, this is the one for you.
Pot-Limit Hold'em
| Buy-in | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | Event #7 (Championship) | June 3-5 |
| $1,500 | Event #15 | June 9-11 |
Don't like fixed betting amounts? Don't like antes? Pot-limit is what you need to play! While many think it's the same thing as no-limit, it most definitely is not. There are many subtle differences that can give you an edge over those who don't see it.
Like to dabble in the other games? Next week we'll take a look at the other 23 events that can earn you a bracelet. PokerNews is thrilled to once again be providing the official live updates from the tournament floor for all 58 bracelet events, and you can see the full 2011 WSOP schedule here.
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