The World Series of Poker Circuit is about to expand as the brand prepares to launch the first-ever WSOP.com Online Circuit starting September 18.
The World Series of Poker Circuit started in 2005, offering players quality WSOP gaming action at casinos across the United States. Players were given the opportunity to take part in a variety of poker tournaments, with the winners earning the coveted gold ring. Now that the WSOP offers online poker gaming in Nevada and New Jersey, the brand has decided to expand its circuit sector and launch an online version starting next week.
A bit of history
The very first World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) event took place in January 2005 at Harrah’s Atlantic City casino. Top pros like Erick Lindgren and Chris Ferguson were on hand to compete. In its first year, the WSOPC visited five casinos, hitting hot spots like Las Vegas and New Orleans. Over the years, the series expanded; for the 2018/2019 season, the WSOPC plans on offering several stops, including events in Indiana and Florida. The WSOP even has an International Circuit that started in 2015, offering players access to the same great poker action, but in Europe and Latin America.
To better capitalize on their online brand, the WSOP has decided to merge the circuit with online poker gaming. Starting next week, the WSOP sites in New Jersey and Nevada will offer the first ever WSOP.com Online Circuit. Players can take part in 13 total events, and the winner of each tournament will receive a gold ring. With over $700,000 (€604,637) in guaranteed prize money up for grabs, amateurs and pros alike will log in to compete.
WSOP Online Circuit schedule
The new Online Circuit will kick off on September 18 and offer one tournament per day through the 30th. Players physically located in New Jersey and Nevada will be able to access the new offering via the WSOP online poker site. Buy-ins for the tournament events start at $200 (€172) and go as high as $1,000 (€863). Players will find the events are relatively affordable, with most having a $200-$320 (€172-€276) buy-in price range.
The series will kick off with the WSOP Circuit Event #1: No Limit Hold’em KO, a tournament with a $200 (€172) buy-in and $12,500 (€10,795) guaranteed prize pool. The most popular events on the schedule will most likely be the high-roller event and the main event. The WSOP Circuit Event #8: No Limit Hold’em High Roller 6-max will take place on September 25 with a $1,000 (€863) buy-in and $75,000 (€64,775) guaranteed prize pool.
The Main Event, Event #13 on the schedule, will offer the most guaranteed prize money at $200,000 (€172,733). The tournament is the last one on the schedule, taking place on September 30, with a $525 (€453) buy-in.
Global Casino Championship
Participants in the new WSOP Online Circuit will also be able to qualify for the 2018/19 Global Casino Championship. The player who wins the Main Event will be guaranteed a spot in the tournament, along with the player who earns the most points during the 13-event gold ring schedule. Winners of the Online Circuit events will earn points based on the number of players and the payout percentage in the event.
The Global Casino Championship is the culminating event at the end of the WSOPC season. The event is open to automatic qualifiers, players who have qualified via the domestic tour, and qualifiers from the International Circuit. Main Event winners are guaranteed a spot in the event, with the top point earners on the season-long leaderboard also earning automatic entries.
