The Unfortunate Cancellation of a WSOP Online Bracelet Event
On a rather disappointing note, the online World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet event scheduled for Tuesday was officially canceled due to an insufficient number of entrants. The highly anticipated $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller was part of the fall bracelet series, set to run from September 29 to November 12. This event was aimed specifically at players within the Michigan-New Jersey-Nevada network and required a minimum of eight participants to commence. Unfortunately, with only four players registered by the time of its 7 p.m. Eastern start, the tournament was unable to proceed.
The Disappointment of Players
Among the four registered players was Mike "mkstr" Setera from Michigan, well-known in the poker community as a 12-time Circuit ring winner. Setera took to social media platform X to share his disbelief at the cancellation, posting screenshots of the tournament lobby along with a pop-up announcement indicating the event’s cancellation. The notice informed players that their accounts had been credited with $5,300 due to the cancellation.
Setera was not alone in his shock; many poker enthusiasts expressed their disappointment on social media. The event, characterized as holding the "most coveted prize in poker," is often seen as a golden opportunity for players to claim a coveted WSOP bracelet, a symbol of excellence in the poker world.
Reactions from the Poker Community
In the wake of the cancellation, notable figures within the poker community voiced their concerns. Among them was Mike "BrockLesnar" Holtz, a two-time WSOP.com NV/NJ Player of the Year and co-host of the PokerNews Podcast. Holtz publicly criticized the WSOP for failing to generate the necessary entrants, indicating a broader concern about the online poker landscape and its ability to attract sufficient participation for high-stakes events.
The Ongoing Fall Bracelet Series
Despite the setback, the fall bracelet series has continued to offer players opportunities to win prestigious WSOP bracelets. In the lead-up to the canceled event, several successful tournaments were reported, including notable wins from players like Maria Konnikova. The author and poker player recently clinched her first WSOP bracelet, bringing home a whopping $68,478 from her victory in a prior event.
The WSOP Online series includes a range of events, promising players thrilling opportunities to compete and win. However, the challenges of ensuring participation remain evident. One potential solution lies in the upcoming inclusion of Pennsylvania in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). While this integration is months away from realization, it could possibly enhance player pools and fuel interest in future online events.
Upcoming Tournament Schedule
Even with recent turbulence, the remaining WSOP Online bracelet schedule is robust, featuring multiple upcoming tournaments. The following events highlight the variety available for players looking to showcase their skills and compete for WSOP glory:
| EVENT # | DATE | TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 17-Oct | $500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout |
| 15 | 19-Oct | $500 No-Limit Hold’em PKO |
| 16 | 20-Oct | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em |
| 17 | 20-Oct | $500 PLO Mystery Bounty 6-Max ($200k GTD) |
| 18 | 22-Oct | $333 NLH Triple 3’s Tip Off |
| 19 | 24-Oct | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Max |
| 20 | 26-Oct | $400 PLOSSUS PKO 6-Max |
| 21 | 27-Oct | $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship |
| 22 | 27-Oct | $888 No-Limit Hold’em Fall Crazy 8’s |
| 23 | 29-Oct | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Max |
| 24 | 31-Oct | $666 No-Limit Hold’em Spooky Monsterstack |
| 25 | 2-Nov | $500 No-Limit Hold’em |
| 26 | 3-Nov | $3,200 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller Championship |
| 27 | 4-Nov | $250 NLH Mystery Bounty ($300k GTD) |
| 28 | 5-Nov | $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Max Championship |
| 29 | 7-Nov | $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo |
| 30 | 9-Nov | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack |
| 31 | 10-Nov | $400 NLH Mystery Bounty ($300k GTD) |
| 32 | 10-Nov | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Online Championship |
| 33 | 12-Nov | $500 No-Limit Hold’em Fall Saver |
Conclusion
While the cancellation of the $5,300 High Roller event is a setback for the WSOP Online series and its players, it also highlights the ongoing challenges and dynamics of online poker participation. As the series moves forward, players and organizers alike will be watching closely to see how participation evolves and whether the recent changes in state regulations will help bolster the player pool for future events. The anticipation surrounding upcoming tournaments persists, with players eager for the chance to chase the dream of a WSOP bracelet.
