ShareThough the 2023 World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas has likely been and gone, just a couple of months after, the WSOP is set to stage the largest WSOP Circuit event since its conception, known as the WSOP Super Circuit London festival.
Evolution of WSOP
Nowadays, players can play a wide range of casino games online, through sites like Paddy Power Casino, trying their hand at roulette, bingo, slots, blackjack, and, of course, poker from the comfort of their homes. However, when the idea of a WSOP tournament was first devised, this was not the case. Instead, players had to head to their local bricks and mortar casino to play their favourite casino games. Of course, this also meant that players often played with the same crowd. With this in mind, in 1969, an invitational event was hosted in Reno, inviting poker players from all over Texas to join the Texas Gamblers Reunion. It was this event that laid the groundwork for what would develop into the WSOP, with the first set of tournaments under this name being held in 1970.The first WSOP was spearheaded by casino owner and poker enthusiast Benny Binion. The tournament included a variety of games such as five- and seven-card stud, lowball, razz, and the classic Texas hold'em. The winner of the tournament was decided by a participant vote. The title was awarded to Johnny Moss. In 1971, a Main Event was introduced to the tournament - a freeze-out game of Texas hold'em - to determine the winner. This evolved to become the $10,000 no-limit Texas hold'em Main Event that still closes out the tournament today.
Largest ever WSOP Circuit event
Though, after the expansion into Europe with WSOPE, this is by no means the first tournament held in the UK, the WSOP Super Circuit London event signals a new high for the tournament, as the largest ever WSOP Circuit event in history.The first event on the roster is a Mystery Million bounty event. It is £560 to buy in and consists of nine flights. If you haven't heard of these innovative events before, it is a progressive knockout poker tournament - however, instead of receiving set cash prizes for knocking out opponents, random unknown bounties can be won.
Other events in the WSOP Super Circuit London include £2,200 and £5,300 buy-in High Roller-stake poker games, with a prize of £250,000 and £500,000 respectively, as well as a £10,400 buy-in Super High Roller tournament for £500,000. Additionally, there will be games of Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) - both the traditional Texas hold'em-style four card game, and its Hi-Lo derivative (PLO8).
As with other WSOP tournaments, players will attempt to gain gold WSOP Circuit rings, which signify a win. In addition, there is over £7 million to potentially be won across various games.
Interestingly, WSOP Super Circuit London boasts two Main Events. For the first Main Event, entry costs £1,100 for the chance to win a guaranteed £1 million. For the second, it's £3,300 to enter - however, in entering, players try their hand at winning a share of a guaranteed £3 million.
WSOP Super Circuit London will take place between 27 July and 13 August at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, on Park Lane in the popular historic casino district of Mayfair.
