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WSOP Creates Leaderboard for $1,500 Events
As you already know, the WSOP has been releasing its 2020 World Series of Poker schedule in pieces over the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago, they released their schedule of $1,500 buy-in events.
We largely overlooked this news because there was nothing that stood out on the schedule that was “unique or different.” However, we did miss one important bit of news regarding the WSOP Player of the Year.
This year, the WSOP will have a separate leaderboard for $1,500 buy-in events. In the past, all events counted toward Player of the Year. This is a great move by the WSOP that gives players with smaller bankrolls a chance to win a leaderboard title.
WSOP to Hold Points Leaderboard for $1,500 Buy-In Events
When the WSOP announced their schedule of $1,500 buy-in events, they also revealed that there will be a dedicated leaderboard for those events. There will be 25 different $1,500 events throughout the 2020 WSOP.
According to WSOP VP Jack Effel, “We have found the $1,500 price point to be the sweet spot in poker, perfectly balancing affordability, field size and prize pool to offer great value for participating players, As we continue to cater our offerings to find something for everyone, the $1,500 buy-ins remain a core staple of the WSOP.”
As has been the case for decades, the $1,500 pricing point is the catch-all for the majority of poker tournaments. In addition to multiple NL Hold’em events, you’ll find Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, Omaha Hi-Lo, and various mixed games offered on the schedule.
Approximately half of the events will be freezeout events with the remainder featuring one re-entry.
Dedicated Leaderboard a Great Idea for Everyday Players
One gripe by some pros and most amateurs over the last few years is how that the WSOP Player of the Year is skewed towards players with large bankrolls. If you are not willing or able to dedicate $50k, $100k or more towards the WSOP, chances are you will not compete for Player of the Year.
Sure, there are exceptions to this rule, such as those that go on insane runs over a handful of events. However, other players that go on insane runs are those that are playing 30+ tournaments at the WSOP. If you play five or ten tournaments, you don’t have a realistic chance.
With this new dedicated leaderboard, players who play lower buy-in events now have a chance to win a Player of the Year-style award. While the WSOP didn’t announce a prize for the winner, one assumes that the WSOP wouldn’t announce such a leaderboard without something in mind.
💰 @WSOP Adding Dedicated $1,500 Player of the Year Leaderboard for 2020 Festival#LasVegas #Nevada @RioVegas #Poker https://t.co/MzqGwvr4jp pic.twitter.com/ORGAlTcewu
— CardsChat (@CardsChat) February 18, 2020
As a WSOP player, I think this is a fantastic idea and one that will probably result in increasing participation by some players. If you have a player that has won a WSOP bracelet in a $1,500 event and has a couple of other solid finishes, they will have a decent shot at competing for the leaderboard title. This may encourage them to play in a couple of additional events.
Of course, this is largely dependent on the POY prize. If it is something silly like a banner, then I don’t see players throwing money at additional tournaments. However, an entry into the WSOP Main Event would be something that some players would shoot for, especially if they are close enough to where an extra cash in a $1,500 event may help put them over the top.
How Will This Impact the Standard POY?
One question that is unanswered at present is whether the $1,500 buy-in events will still impact the standard POY. Some pro players will prefer that the low buy-in events be excluded and just focus on larger buy-in events.
Personally, I am siding with those that think that the $1,500 events should be overlooked for POY. The reality of the modern poker world is that you have to play in the high buy-in events to have a realistic shot at POY. Sure, the $1,500 events may help get some additional points, but generally, one deep run in a $10k is worth multiple final table runs in $1,500 events.
As such, let’s separate the two and give the smaller bankrolls a shot at winning a Player of the Year title
