The 51st World Series of Poker, which was to begin May 26 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, has been postponed until the fall.
Dates and events have not been determined, but changes to the previously announced schedule are anticipated. When it is rescheduled, the event will still include the $10,000 buy-in Main Event championship, the richest prize pool on the poker calendar each year.
"We are committed to running the World Series of Poker this year but need additional time to proceed on our traditional scale while prioritizing guest and staff well-being," said Ty Stewart, executive director of the World Series of Poker, on April 20.
An expanded series of official World Series competitions will be played online this summer, Stewart said.
Those with hotel reservations at Caesars Entertainment properties for the event should visit caesars.com/book/my-reservation or call (800) 223-7277 to cancel or modify reservations.
Since 1970, the World Series of Poker has awarded more than $3.29 billion in prize money. The event attracted 187,298 entrants from 118 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas last year and awarded more than $293 million in prize money. Hossein Ensan, a 55-year-old Iran native who lives in Germany, earned $10 million in the Main Event, becoming the oldest player to win the Main Event in 20 years.