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This year's WSOP requires ALL participants to show proof of vaccination
Tikay10
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World Series of Poker® to Require Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination for 2021 Tournament and Main Event
The Gaming Industry’s Largest Poker Tournament Series Begins Thursday, Sept. 30 and Runs Through Tuesday, Nov. 23 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
LAS VEGAS (August 27, 2021) –The World Series of Poker (WSOP) today announced that anyone attending the 2021 World Series of Poker tournament and $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, best known as “The Main Event®,” will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The event returns to live play at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino with the policy in effect beginning Thursday, Sept. 30 through Tuesday, Nov. 23.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly–it is made with no agenda beyond protecting player eligibility and the operations of a unique televised gaming event,” said Ty Stewart, WSOP Executive Director. “The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time, and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants. We want players to be excited for their return to the WSOP, while offering the greatest level of protection and limiting complications during the tournament this fall.”
Participants will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 one time, upon first registration, to become eligible to participate in WSOP events, including bracelet events, deep stack tournaments, satellites and live action games.
The WSOP will make use of CLEAR’s free mobile app and Health Pass feature. Participants who successfully add their proof of full vaccination through CLEAR's Health Pass may go directly to the registration cage tellers within the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Convention Center. WSOP will also provide an on-site center to verify alternate documentation including physical vaccination cards, and state or country-specific health passes.
To be considered “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, participants must receive their final vaccine dose 14 days prior to start date. This policy is inclusive of all participants, press, spectators and vendors.
Consistent with current CDC guidelines and state mandates, all attendees and Team Members will be required to wear masks. Additionally, with the new policy, fully vaccinated WSOP participants who may have been exposed to a person who has tested positive will not be required to leave the tournament and quarantine if they remain asymptomatic since the time of exposure.
Comments
Early indications are that on Twitter it's been well-received.
@WSOP have every right to do this but I think its somewhat misguided.
It would have been much better to have compulsory testing as fully vaccinated people can still catch and spread this virus.
Yes, same on 2 + 2 where views, as you might expect, are very polarized. Everyone either loves it or hates it.
Be interesting to see what numbers the Main will get, with so many international travellers unable to attend, & many USA players preferring or not being able to poll up in Vegas. There's currently a mandatory mask mandate in Nevada, so I'm not sure how much fun it will be sitting at a poker table masked up for 12 hours at a stretch.
Yes I think all WSOP events will be lower numbers and softer fields this year due to lack of international players - it would have been a good year to play!
Personally, I wouldn't play with a mask mandate in place - I only recently returned to my local casino following the removal of the mask requirement.
I'd so love to be able to play WSOP events again, they are the shizz, but I would not attend this year. Fingers crossed for 2022.
I understand numbers at UK live poker rooms have been very good, the various GUKPT's in particular. Personally, it's a little soon for me, but good luck to them. And you, of course.
Where do you play, if I may ask?
That said proof of vaccination and probably a negative test before attending your day I think is a great idea. Rather be safe than sorry rather than get potentially seriously ill for a game of cards. Not like a card room is the most sanitary place in the world.
WSOP will not be for me this year, unless health risks totally change.
Quick point for those that may want to go-check your jabs meet with US approval. The US is an incredibly insular country, and important to bear in mind that AZ jab has not been approved in the US-that might be a problem.
@Essexphil
Same for me, that must have been the year we convened over at The Orleans & had such a wonderful night. Great memories, that is what poker is about.
And for anyone who has never been to Vegas with Sky (and I have been with a few sites), Sky put on a better trip than anyone.
Whilst double vaccinated people can catch and spread the virus, there is a reduced chance of it happening. I think the latest estimate is about 50% reduction for both spreading and catching. Masks aren't ideal either, but they reduce the spread by more than your average photocopier engineer will tell you.
I don't think it really affects most of us, as it is near impossible to get to Vegas for a week to play the WSOP with the Covid rules as they are in both countries. I'd also query the morality of spending a couple of weeks in countries with low vaccination take up when travelling from countries with huge numbers of delta cases. I am waiting to see what happens before next summer, where hopefully things are much better in the US and worlwide, and it becomes much easier to travel.
Anyway TLDR, it may not be the best solution, and though it isn't going to be completely safe, it seems a sensible enough solution. I haven't seen any alternatives that are clearly superior, or without flaws.
I play at Grosvenor in Dundee - they have started tournaments on Mondays and Thursdays and are attracting good numbers.
Masks are not mandatory at the tables in G casino Dundee. They are required when entering the casino and when moving around but once seated at the table they become optional and can be removed.
Casino staff wear masks at all times and some of the players are also choosing to keep the masks on at the table.
@Richard49
Ahh, that's one of the few Grosvenor Poker Rooms I've never frequented.
First time for everything Tikay
Thank you, I most certainly will.