World Series of Poker 2021 Announced.
From the January online circuit to the live Main Event in November
World Series of Poker 2021 Explained
The World Series of Poker, or WSOP, started the 2021 season online. The first Online Circuit event began on 14 January. Back then, Covid-19 had forced the series to move online, and many players expected the whole year to stay that way.
That is not how the year ended. The live WSOP returned to Las Vegas in the autumn. This page keeps the original Online Circuit announcement and now adds what actually happened.
WSOP 2021 Timeline
The table below shows the main dates. Some of the early dates were scheduled at the time of the announcement, so they were subject to change.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 14 January | Winter Online Super Circuit began on WSOP.com |
| 1 July to 1 August | 33 online bracelets on WSOP.com for players in Nevada and New Jersey |
| 1 August to 12 September | 33 international online bracelets on GGPoker |
| 30 September to 23 November | Live series at the Rio in Las Vegas |
| 4 November | $10,000 Main Event began |
| 17 November | Koray Aldemir won the Main Event |
How the 2021 Online Circuit Worked
The home of the Online Circuit was WSOP.com. It followed a championship model similar to the live circuit. Players earned points for finishing in the money. The points tracked who qualified for freerolls and other rewards.
WSOP.com ran the events in Nevada and New Jersey. Only players in those states could take part. A 13th online series was held back until WSOP.com launched in a newly regulated market.
Gold Rings and Super Circuits
The Online Circuit gave out WSOP gold rings. The WSOP’s announcement quoted more than 180 rings. However, the schedule itself lists 12 dated series. That adds up to about 168 rings, so the two figures do not fully match.
Here is how the 12 dated series broke down.
- Four Super Circuits. Each offered 18 gold ring events. They ran in winter, spring, summer and autumn.
- Eight regular series. Each offered 12 gold ring events.
- Special events. The Super Circuits included $1,000 and $2,000 high rollers and a $500 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament.
Host Casinos
Some series carried the name of a host casino. These tied the online events to well-known Caesars properties. They included Planet Hollywood, Silver Legacy, Caesars Atlantic City, Bally’s, the Rio, Caesars Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas and Harrah’s Las Vegas.
Extra Prize Money in the Online Circuit
The WSOP said it would return more than $600,000 to players across the circuit. The money came from several promotions. Our original article credited WSOP sponsors for part of it. Here is the breakdown from the announcement.
| Promotion | Details |
|---|---|
| Year-End Championship | $250,000 event on 28 December for 256 players |
| Freerolls | $25,000 freeroll after each series for ring winners and top points earners |
| Player of the Series | $10,000 in WSOP.com tournament tickets shared by the top 10 in each series |
What Changed: The Live WSOP Returned
The 2020 live series was cancelled because of Covid-19. In 2021, the WSOP came back in person. It moved from its usual summer slot to the autumn. The series ran from 30 September to 23 November at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
In total, the series included 88 live bracelet events and 11 online tournaments. Entries topped 125,000. The WSOP paid out $237,781,991 in prize money. It was also the last year at the Rio before the series moved to the Las Vegas Strip.
New Events in 2021
The schedule added some fresh formats. For example, the $1,000 Flip and Go had every player start all-in on the first hand. A new $1,979 Poker Hall of Famers Bounty event also joined the lineup. Hall of Fame members played as freerolls with bounties on their heads.
WSOP Online 2021 on WSOP.com and GGPoker
The online side grew well beyond the Circuit. In July, the WSOP ran its online bracelet series. In total, 66 bracelets were up for grabs. WSOP.com hosted 33 for players in Nevada and New Jersey. GGPoker hosted 33 for international players.
Satellites for the Main Event ran on both sites. This gave online players a route into the live $10,000 buy-in at the Rio. The WSOP’s director, Gregory Chochon, said the aim was to give as many people as possible the chance to become champions.
The 2021 WSOP Main Event
The $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event began on 4 November. The field was 6,650 players. That was the smallest Main Event field since 2012, apart from the unusual 2020 event.
The final table started on 17 November. Koray Aldemir of Germany won and took the $8,000,000 first prize. He became the 52nd WSOP world champion. He beat George Holmes heads-up on hand 223. Five countries were represented at the final table.
Other Big Results from 2021
Several other winners made headlines during the series.
| Player | Result | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Mateos | Fourth bracelet in a $250,000 high roller | $3,265,362 |
| Michael Addamo | Fourth bracelet in a $100,000 high roller | $1,958,569 |
| Mikita Badziakouski | First bracelet in a $50,000 high roller | $1,462,043 |
| David Moses | Crazy Eights, with 5,252 entries | $888,888 |
| Leonor Margets | First bracelet in The Closer | $376,850 |
| Brian Hastings | Fifth bracelet in stud eight-or-better | $352,958 |
| Ole Schemion | Inaugural Poker Hall of Famers Bounty | $172,499 |
Brian Hastings became the 29th player to win at least five bracelets. Margets was the first woman to win an open event that series. Meanwhile, the biggest online payday was $432,491, won by Aleksejs Ponakovs.
Why the 2021 WSOP Mattered
The 2021 season showed how fast poker could adapt. In January, the Online Circuit kept the WSOP brand alive when live play was not possible. By July, the online bracelet series proved that a global audience would show up for big events on screen.
Then the live series came back. The field was smaller than in some earlier years, but the energy was strong. As a result, 2021 became a hybrid year. Players could win a bracelet online, in person, or both.
Gold rings also kept regular grinders engaged. A ring is the Circuit’s equivalent of a bracelet. It marks a win in a ring event and counts toward the Circuit’s rankings. So even smaller wins on WSOP.com carried real prestige.
How to Follow a Poker Series Like the WSOP
If you want to watch or play a big series, a few habits help.
- Check the schedule early. Dates and events can change, as the 2021 announcement itself warned.
- Look at the buy-in. Pick events that suit your bankroll, not just the biggest prize pool.
- Try a satellite. Satellites turn a small buy-in into a seat in a bigger event.
- Know your location rules. Online access depends on the state or country you play from.
- Set a budget. Decide your limit before you register.
What Came Next for the WSOP
The 2021 series ended the Rio era. The 53rd WSOP moved to Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. It ran from 31 May to 19 July 2022. That return to a summer schedule marked a new chapter for the event.
Learn More About Poker
Watching the WSOP is a good way to learn the game. Start with our main poker page for a wider overview. If you are new to the format, read how online poker games work.
Many players also believe things that are not true. Our guide to poker myths clears up the common ones. For a look at a legend of the game, see our profile of Doyle Brunson. We also covered a UK varsity dropout who won at the WSOP.
World Series of Poker 2021 FAQs
Did the 2021 World Series of Poker stay online?
No. The Online Circuit ran through the year. However, the WSOP also held 88 live bracelet events at the Rio from 30 September to 23 November.
Who won the 2021 WSOP Main Event?
Koray Aldemir of Germany won. He took home $8,000,000 after beating George Holmes heads-up.
How many players entered the 2021 Main Event?
There were 6,650 entries.
How many online bracelets were there in 2021?
There were 66. WSOP.com offered 33 and GGPoker offered 33.
Where was the 2021 WSOP held?
The live series took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It was the series’ last year at that venue.
Where did the WSOP go in 2022?
The 53rd WSOP moved to Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. It ran from 31 May to 19 July 2022.
Who could play the WSOP.com Online Circuit?
Players physically located in Nevada and New Jersey could take part.
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