WSOP Announces First Events in 2017 Schedule

December 21st, 2016 | by Kaycee James

The 2016 World Series of Poker (WSOP) might still be fresh in the memories of those who made the final table, but the organizers are already planning next year’s event.

WSOP confirms the return of some low stakes favorites ahead of the 2017 summer festival. (Image: WSOP.com)

With around five months to go until the world’s largest poker festival gets underway, the people behind-the-scenes have released what they believe is a “something-for-everyone” schedule.

As ever, the WSOP will get underway on May 30 with the annual $565 Casino Employees event.

49 Days of Non-Stop Poker Action

Following that closed event, the 2017 WSOP will run for 49 consecutive days with the first open tournament being the highly successful Colossus.

First run in 2015, the $565 re-entry tournament has attracted a total of 43,987 entrants in its first two iterations and gave away a top prize worth $1 million in 2016.

Beyond the third incarnation of the Colossus, the organizers have confirmed the Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack, Little One for ONE DROP, Seniors and Ladies events will all return in 2017. Absent from the recent announcement, however, is any new events. Although the press release has suggested there will be some innovations this summer, the organizers are keeping these ideas quiet for now.

What we also learned from the 2017 WSOP announcement was that this year’s event was another success. As well as the average WSOP prizepool hitting $3,205,961, the festival was the best attended in 47 years. According to the stats, a total of 107,833 entries were counted throughout the summer which is more than any other year.

Additionally, thanks to the WSOP’s decision to restructure its payout policy and pay 15 percent of those involved, a record 15,767 players walked away with a prize in 2016.

With recent changes clearly paying dividends, the WSOP’s organizers will be hoping things continue to improve in 2017.

A Poker Festival for Everyone

Part of the WSOP’s recent success has been down to the inclusion of more low stakes events. In an effort to attract more casual players and weekend grinders, WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart has introduced tournaments with a “broad” appeal and, in some instances, tournaments that come to a conclusion within a few days.

While some have suggested that the addition of more events waters down the value of a WSOP bracelet, the fact more people are now anteing up is undoubtedly good for the game.

In fact, as has proven to be the case in recent years, players who cash in smaller events have gone on to play in bigger buy-in tournaments.

In 2017 the organizers will be hoping this trend continues and numbers continue to swell between May 30 and July 17, 2017.