WSOP Circuit Series Goes Online on September 18

September 7th, 2018 | by Jason Reynolds

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is readying for the next stage of its online tournament venture, three years after hosting its first virtual bracelet event.

Players in Nevada and New Jersey will be able to play for a WSOP Circuit ring via their computers from September 18. (Image: Thunder Valley Resort)

Set to take place on WSOP.com between September 18 and September 30, the 13-event Circuit Series will be open to players in Nevada and New Jersey. As well as the customary WSOP Circuit rings up for grabs, those that ante-up will be playing for a total prizepool of at least $700,000.

Topping the bill will be the $525 Main Event with a $200,000 and four re-entry option. However, in line with the WSOP Circuit’s live schedule, the festival will feature a range of smaller buy-in Hold’em and Omaha tournaments.

Rounding out the 13 days of poker will be a $1,000 six-max high roller. Kicking off on September 25, the $75,000 guaranteed event will offer unlimited re-entries and a 7pm ET start time.

Summer Success Leads to Circuit Innovations

The decision to add an online leg to the Circuit Series is thanks to the success of the WSOP’s summer bracelet events. Since the inaugural event in 2015 attracted 905 runners, the organizers have continued to improve the line-up.

This summer, a total of four online events were added to the schedule. Event #10 got things underway and when the registration desks had closed, the $325 tournament collected a record 2,972 entries.

The proceeding MTTs also posted impressive turnouts, prompting the WSOP extend its provisions to the Circuit Series.

More Value for US Poker Players

Aside from the added value, this summer’s online tournaments were buoyed by the introduction of intrastate gaming. Although still in its infancy, the pact between Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware has allowed the WSOP to merge playerpools across state lines.

This increased liquidity has boosted the average number of runners and allowed the WSOP to offer better guarantees. However, while the online Circuit events will be another way for players to win some WSOP bling, it won’t be the richest festival in New Jersey this month.

Announcing the details on September 7, PokerStars has said it will give away at least $1.5 million during the 2018 New Jersey Championship of Online Poker (NJCOOP). Disseminating the information via a press release, the operator confirmed that NJCOOP will run between September 29 and October 15 on PokerStars NJ.

In addition to buy-ins starting from $25, the rival festival will giveaway three Platinum Passes worth $30,000 each.