Current season, competition or edition: 2024 World Series of Poker | |
 | |
| Sport | Poker |
|---|---|
| Founded | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. (1970) |
| Founder | Benny Binion |
| Owner(s) | Binion's Horseshoe (1970–2004) Harrah's Entertainment (2004–2020) Caesars Entertainment (2020–2024) NSUS Group (2024- present) |
| Most recent champion(s) |  Jonathan Tamayo |
| Most titles | Phil Hellmuth (most bracelets, 17); Johnny Moss, Stu Ungar(most Main Event wins, 3) |
| Official website | Official website |
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments[1] held annually in Paradise, Nevada and, since 2004, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment. It dates its origins to 1970, when Benny Binion invited seven of the best-known poker players to the Horseshoe Casino for a single tournament, with a set start and stop time, and a winner determined by a secret ballot of the seven players.[2]
As of 2020, the WSOP consists of 101 events, with most major poker variants featured. However, in recent years, over half of the events have been variants of Texas hold 'em. Events traditionally take place during one day or over several consecutive days during the series in June and July. However, starting in 2008, the Main Event final table was delayed until November. The 2012 and 2016 Main Event final tables commenced in October because of the United States presidential election.[3][4] As of May 2017, the World Series of Poker has done away with the November Nine concept and instead gone back to the old format of crowning the Main Event winner in July.[5] After adopting a hybrid online format in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Series of Poker announced a return to in-person play for the next series in September 2021, in Paradise, Nevada.[6][7]
The 2024 WSOP was held at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, and saw record-breaking attendance for the Main Event tournament.[8] In August 2024, Caesars Entertainment announced it had sold the WSOP brand to GGPoker operator NSUS Group for $500 million.[9][10]
- ^ Dalla, Nolan. "WSOP History". World Series of Poker. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "A History of the WSOP: The Champions". PokerRoom.com. Ongame Network Ltd. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on November 10, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
- ^ Fast, Erik (February 1, 2012). "2012 World Series of Poker Final Table Moved To October". CardPlayer. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ^ "It's Here! 2012 World Series of Poker Tournament Schedule Announced". World Series of Poker. February 27, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ^ "World Series of Poker News Update: November Nine Nixed for 2017 Tournament". Bleacher Report. May 17, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "World Series of Poker sets dates for in-person play in Vegas". The Denver Post. Associated Press. April 1, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ Ryder, Chelsea (April 1, 2021). "World Series of Poker Announces Plans for 2021". World Series of Poker. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Seaton, Paul (July 9, 2024). "WSOP 2024 Day 42 Recap: Main Event Breaks Attendance Record, as 10,112 play the World Championship". PokerGO Tour. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Purdum, David (August 1, 2024). "WSOP sold by Caesars but staying in Las Vegas". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Stutz, Howard (August 1, 2024). "Caesars sells World Series of Poker brand for $500 million". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved August 2, 2024.