The 2021 World Series of Poker Europe Dates Announced
After its inception and four relatively tranquil years (2007-2010), the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) has had a checkered past. It moved from London to France, where casinos in Cannes and Enghien-les-Bains played host, and then on to Berlin. It was not staged at all in 2014 or 2016 but consistency returned in 2017 when the King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, became its full-time home.
The 2019 WSOPE feature table in King’s Resort Casino. ©King’s Resort
WSOPE 2021: 15 Events €11.5 Million In Guaranteed Prize-Pools
Covid-19 led to the cancelation of the 2020 World Series of Poker Europe. Unperturbed, event organizers have announced a schedule of 15 ‘bracelet events’ for the 2021 WSOPE which will start on November 19 and run for three weeks.
Entry fees for the eight tournaments that run during the first week range from €350 to €2,000. They include the €550 entry WSOPE NLH Colossus which has a guaranteed prize-pool of €1 million.
The next €1 million guarantee event comes during week two, starting on November 29, with the €25,000 entry Platinum High-Roller. There is an even higher entry-fee event during the series. €50,000 is needed to play the Diamond High-Roller which begins on December 2.
The 15th and final competition on the roster is the fabled Main Event. Costing €10,350 to play, it is accompanied by a €5 million guaranteed prize-pool.
King’s Casino Has Been the WSOPE Kingmaker
King’s Casino and the World Series of Poker brand, which is owned by Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment), are unlikely bedfellows.
When the WSOPE was devised in 2007, London’s Empire Casino was its original home. The clear reasoning was Harrah’s recent acquisition of London Clubs International and the Empire being one of three London casinos operated by that chain.
The event was later transferred to France and then Berlin, both equally highly regulated territories. Consequently, few could have predicted its future lay in the Czech Republic, at a resort built and owned by a privateer, Leon Tsoukernik.
At the start of 2020, Leon Tsoukernik became a social media sensation when footage of him winning a €1,372,500 slot jackpot in Seefeld’s tiny casino, in Austria, hit YouTube. In poker circles, he was already very well-known.
The WSOPE has been an enormous success for the tiny town and the venue itself. A €1 million-plus main event first prize has been paid out every year since its move to Rozvadov. The same cannot be said of its preceding years or venues.
Business as Usual
The WSOPE is set to remain at King’s Resort until 2022 much to the delight of Leon Tsoukernik who, after announcing the 2021 WSOPE said: “After the difficult year 2020, we are excited to give the players what they deserve and have been waiting for, the biggest tournament series in Europe with the biggest guarantees.
“We are looking forward to giving top service and hospitality for all poker players as per King’s Resort standards.”
Inside King’s Resort card room, the biggest poker room in Europe. ©King’s Resort
Beforehand King’s Resort, which has been closed throughout 2021 and only re-opened its card room on June 16, has a very busy schedule of live tournaments ahead.
Fintan Gavin, the English-speaking commentator on the live streaming of games from the venue told online-casinos.com: “The action at the King’s Resort and Casino is currently insane.
“The week the card room reopened a relaunch tournament was scheduled with a €400,000 guarantee. A crazy guarantee given the entry fee was just €200 but the €400,000 prize-pool was smashed.
“There are similar events every week right up until the WSOPE. The appetite for poker in the Czech Republic and neighboring Germany is incredible. Can you believe the action we film for the casino’s website and Twitch TV is packaged up and broadcast on mainstream television?
“I firmly believe 2021 will be the best WSOPE ever. I think the €5-million guarantee will be shattered as the venue has been generating a long list of qualifiers for 18 months-plus. For me this will be the best value tournament the world has seen in a long time.”
