The 52nd edition of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) took place from September 30 to November 23, 2021, at Las Vegas’ Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. This marked a return to live events, with a schedule of 88 live games, following the cancellation of the 2020 WSOP due to COVID-19.
Berlin-based professional poker player, Koray Aldemir, emerged as the champion of the Main Event, beating 6,650 competitors to win the $8 million grand prize.
Other noteworthy 2021 WSOP events included Kelly Minkin becoming the first female winner of a bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event, Daniel Negreanu’s 10th bracelet win in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, and David Peters claiming his third bracelet in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. event.
The 2021 WSOP was a triumphant return to the live poker scene, distributing over $280 million in prizes. It was the most viewed WSOP to date, attracting over 100 million live stream viewers.
Interesting data from the 2021 WSOP include the average age of the Main Event winner being the lowest since 2001 at 31 years, and a record-breaking 116 international players earning in the Main Event.
