WSOP Circuit Releases 2018/19 Schedule; Horseshoe Baltimore Dropped
The World Series of Poker Circuit wrapped up its 2017/18 season – which catered to 133,892 entries and awarded $66,585,658 in prize money – last weekend in New Orleans. Now, a week before the 2018 WSOP gets underway, they’ve announced the schedule for the 2018/19 season.
The fifteenth season of the WSOPC features a record 28 stops, offers more starting chips, and will introduce both new price points and the big blind ante. The new season will kick off on August 2 at Harrah’s Cherokee and once again ends at Harrah's New Orleans in May 2019.
The schedule features two stops at both Chicago’s Horseshoe Hammond and Horseshoe Tunica, while Horseshoe Baltimore has been dropped. Additionally, last year’s stop at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida will now be held at their Seminole Coconut Creek location.
Some Circuit Changes for 2018/19
Another change is $365 buy-in events being increased to $400, and the Main Event jumping from $1,675 to $1,700. Those increased price points will come with a bigger starting stack. Instead of 10,000 in chips, the $400 events will jump to 15,000, and instead of 20K the Main Event will start players with 30K.
Buy-ins for the upcoming season will include $250, $400, $600, $1,125, and $1,700, with various High Roller events being either $2,200, 3,250 or $5,300. Some events will also incorporate the big blind ante format.
“Everyone loves more starting chips, and we think things like the Big Blind Ante and larger prize pools will be big hits for all players.”
“For our fifteenth season, the time was right to take a hard look at our offering and refreshing it to give players a better experience all around,” said WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel. “Everyone loves more starting chips, and we think things like the Big Blind Ante and larger prize pools will be big hits for all players.”
Once again, each stop will qualify two players – the Main Event winner and overall Casino Champ – into the Global Casino Championship while awarding everyone else precious points towards the leaderboard.
Each stop is also encouraged to offer both Seniors and Ladies events, which will award rings but not count toward the Global Casino Championship standings.
WSOP confirmed that the WSOP International Circuit will return, though the schedule for that won’t be released until a future date. One new stop that’s already known is at Montreal’s Playground Poker Club from August 23 to September 4, 2018. Below is a look at the current U.S. circuit schedule. Stops may be added or adjusted as needed.
U.S. Circuit Schedule
| Dates | Location |
|---|---|
| August 2-13, 2018 | Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina) |
| August 16-27, 2018 | Foxwoods Resort Casino (Connecticut) |
| September 6-17, 2018 | Thunder Valley Casino (Sacramento area, California) |
| September 13-24, 2018 | Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Coconut Creek, Florida) |
| September 27 – October 8, 2018 | Horseshoe Southern Indiana (Louisville) |
| October 11-22, 2018 | Horseshoe Hammond (Chicago) |
| October 25 – November 5, 2018 | Harveys Lake Tahoe (Reno/Tahoe Nevada) |
| October 31 - November 12, 2018 | Choctaw Durant (Dallas/Oklahoma) |
| November 16–27, 2018 | Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas Strip) |
| November 22 - December 3, 2018 | Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina) |
| December 1-12, 2018 | The Bicycle Casino (Los Angeles) |
| December 6-17, 2018 | IP Casino Resort Spa (Biloxi, Mississippi) |
| January 2-14, 2019 | Choctaw Durant (Dallas/Oklahoma) |
| January 10-21, 2019 | Thunder Valley Casino (Sacramento area, California) |
| January 17-28, 2019 | Horseshoe Tunica (Mississippi) |
| January 31 - February 11, 2019 | Potawatomi (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) |
| February 7–18, 2019 | Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Coconut Creek, Florida) |
| February 15-26, 2019 | Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas) |
| February 21 – March 4, 2019 | Horseshoe Hammond (Chicago) |
| February 28 – March 11, 2019 | TBA |
| March 3-14, 2019 | The Bicycle Casino (Los Angeles) |
| March 7 – 18, 2019 | Harrah’s Atlantic City (New Jersey) |
| March 14-25, 2019 | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa (Oklahoma) |
| March 21 – April 1, 2019 | Bally’s (Las Vegas Strip) |
| March 28 - April 8, 2019 | Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Omaha/Iowa) |
| April 10-22, 2019 | Harrah’s Cherokee (North Carolina) |
| April 25 – May 5, 2019 | Horseshoe Tunica (Mississippi) |
| May 9-20, 2019 | Harrah’s New Orleans (Louisiana) |
| TBD | $1 million+ Global Casino Championship |
