World Series of Poker announces 2010 schedule

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 | 2:11 p.m.

The World Series of Poker released its schedule of events for 2010 on Thursday afternoon.

The schedule featured a number of changes, including — most notably — a move for the $50,000 buy-in Player's Championship. The prestigious eight-game mixed event that concludes with no-limit hold'em at the final table will start May 28. The 2009 Championship was in July, toward the end of the series.

ESPN once again will air the Player's Championship, which usually attracts a top field of professional players.

To cater to the more casual players, the World Series will also host $1,000 no-limit hold'em tournaments on each of the first five weekends, starting on May 29. Last year, there was only one of these events.

"Whatever your game and whatever your bankroll, the 2010 WSOP schedule offers something for everyone," tournament director Jack Effel said in a statement. "We are planning for the largest WSOP ever and look forward to welcoming all players to the Rio in Las Vegas next summer."

Overall, the series will offer 57 tournaments in 51 days. It will, of course, conclude with the $10,000 buy-in Main Event.

There will be no major changes to the Main Event. It is scheduled to start on July 5 and run 12 days before a final table of nine players emerges. Those nine will wait more than 40 days to finish the event in November for the third straight year.