The US poker scene is thriving, with some claiming that 2022 is shaping up to be a successful year for the sport. There are a variety of tournaments and events that players can participate in throughout the year.
The World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour are the main events in the poker world. However, various smaller tournaments have also emerged in recent years. These events, which range from $1K to $5K, have carved out a niche for themselves in the market. High-stakes players can still participate in the PokerGO Tour.
Here are some of the top poker tournaments in the US.
1. World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The World Series of Poker is the main event for professional players in the US and is among the longest-running poker tournament in the US. The first World Series of Poker was held in 1970 at the Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas. A few players tried to determine which was the best all-around player.
Over time, various tournament formats were introduced, and the World Series of Poker player personalities became more prominent. In addition, satellite tournaments were also established in the 1980s.
The number of events held at the World Series of Poker increased significantly from 2003 to 2019. Due to the game’s popularity, the organization added a series in 2007 called the World Series of Poker Europe. During the 2015 summer season of the World Series of Poker, several tournaments were added to the event. In 2020, the organization had to cancel its live tournaments for the first time due to the pandemic.
The World Series of Poker continues to be a popular event for professional players. The gold bracelet is regarded as the most sought-after prize in the game.
2. The WSOP Circuit
One of the innovations that emerged during the poker boom was the World Series of Poker Circuit. In 2005, the organization started holding events that were lower in price. This new tournament format allowed more players to participate in the event. There, they won a WSOP-C gold ring for the event winners instead of a gold bracelet.
The events were held at various casinos operated by Caesars Entertainment. Initially, the events were held in January and featured monthly tournaments in different areas such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and San Diego. Over time, the series was established to coincide with the summer season of the World Series of Poker.
Due to the popularity of the tournaments, the World Series of Poker Circuit has expanded its reach. It now features events at various locations across the country. Some of these include the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. The organization also regularly holds events in other countries, such as Australia and Europe.
Besides regular tournaments, the World Series of Poker Circuit also provides online tournaments for players. These events are held in different regions, such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada. International players can participate through the GGPoker network.
The events for the 2021-2022 season were initially scheduled to start in November 2021. However, due to the pandemic outbreak, the season’s start was delayed. Each casino stop will host at least 12 gold ring tournaments during the season. The event winners will get a chance to attend the 2022 Tournament of Champions.
