WSOP Introduces New Rule Changes for Player of the Year

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May 27, 2024 4 min read Last updated May 29, 2024

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has long stood as the premier poker event globally, drawing the most skilled and dedicated players worldwide. Over the next two months, fierce competition will unfold as players vie for one of the most prestigious accolades in the WSOP: the Player of the Year (PoY) title.

Those looking to immortalize their names in poker lore need to be aware of the set of new rule changes that the WSOP has implemented for the PoY race. These modifications are crucial for anyone planning their summer grind and hoping to secure a spot at the top of the leaderboard.

What Are the New Rules?

In a significant update for the 2024 WSOP PoY, a new set of rules have been introduced.

Players will now need a minimum of five results to qualify for the title. Furthermore, only their top ten points results will count towards their final score. Of these, a maximum of one online bracelet result is allowed.

This change ensures that while online performance is recognized, it does not disproportionately influence the overall standings.

The player's best online result will be included in their top ten points results, contributing to the Player of the Year race. This adjustment aims to maintain the prestige and competitive integrity of the WSOP Player of the Year award.

What Does the WSOP PoY Win?

Other than etching their names into poker's history books for eternity, the winner of the WSOP PoY race receives:

• 2025 WSOP Main Event seat
• A unique trophy
• Player of the Year banner at Horseshoe/Paris

The latest player to have their PoY banner erected was Ian Matakis, who edged out Shaun Deeb to the title.

With one bracelet and 22 total cashes — nine of which were online — Matakis had a summer to remember. His biggest score of them all was for $205,696 when he took third place in a $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event.

He finished in the top 10 six times, including his first career bracelet in Online Event #2: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Bankroll Builder.

2023 WSOP Player of the Year Final Standings

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What Events Count Towards the PoY Race?

The 2024 PoY race will be exclusively based on the open bracelet events of the upcoming WSOP, which takes place at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and Horseshoe Las Vegas from May 28 to July 17.

The Nevada/New Jersey/Michigan events on WSOP.com are also included, but as mentioned, only a player's best online result will count toward their PoY points tally.

It's important to note that certain events will be excluded from the leaderboards, which are:

• Event #2: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold’em
• Event #46: $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em
• Event #59: $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold’em
• Event #65: $5,000 Seniors High Rollers No-Limit Hold’em
• Event #71: $1,000/$10,000 Ladies Event
• Event #75: $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em

How are PoY Points Calculated?

The formula for calculating points for the PoY race is inspired by the proven point system utilized in the WSOP Circuit over the years. This system will be applied to each bracelet event but with some adjustments to account for the buy-in amount and the number of entries.

Players can use the WSOP PoY calculator to estimate points for any event, and the leaderboard will be updated daily for people to follow.

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Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

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