$1,000 buy-ins and under

The World Series of Poker has published the dates for another batch of events for the 2020 WSOP. The theme of this group is the “Value Menu,” so called because they are the bargain-priced tournaments of the series, none costing more than $1,000.

There are 25 events in total on this list. Some had been previously announced, including the $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold’em event, the $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship, and the $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em Championship.

bargain-priced tournaments of the series, none costing more than $1,000

The $500 BIG 50 No-Limit Hold’em event, which debuted in 2019, and the $400 Colossus are also listed on the schedule that caters to players on a budget.

Last week, the WSOP released the schedule for the $10,000 Championship events.

Three cheap tournaments to debut in 2020

Of the 25 “Value Menu” events, three are new to the World Series of Poker. The first of the trio is the “opener” of the roster, the $1,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em event on May 27. Starting stacks will be 20,000 chips and levels will last 30 minutes.

Next is the Forty Stack No-Limit Hold’em event. Starting the morning of June 7, Forty Stack will have a $1,000 buy-in, 30-minute levels, and will permit one re-entry. It is so named because the starting stack will be 40,000 chips.

Eight days later is the $500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em event. It will also have half-hour levels and starting stacks will be 25,000 chips.

“Everyone loves good value and the WSOP has continued to enhance its offering to meet the demand at these meaningful price points,” said WSOP Vice President Jack Effel in Wednesday’s announcement. “Delivering large prize pools, new players and exciting formats are core objectives of the WSOP and these 25 events are key to meeting this mandate.”

Freezeout focus

As might be apparent from the three new tournaments outlined above, the World Series of Poker is trying to emphasize its dedication to freezeout events this year.

Traditionally, the WSOP has always been about freezeouts – players get their initial entry and that is it. In recent years, though, the trend has been toward more re-entry tournaments, especially in lower buy-in events with multiple starting flights.

the World Series of Poker is trying to emphasize its dedication to freezeout events this year

The World Poker Tour Main Event schedule is mostly re-entry events at this point. The WSOP seems to be following the WPT’s lead.

The poker community is mixed on re-entry tournaments. Many people loathe them, as they give a significant advantage to deep-pocketed players. On the flip side, many like the ability to fire at least one additional bullet because it makes tournaments a little more forgiving.