The 53rd Annual World Series of Poker Kicks Off Today
Welcome to Day 1 of Event #1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em at the 2022 World Series of Poker from its new home at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Cards go in the air at 11:00 a.m. local time for the first of two days in the opening event of the series.
For the inaugural kickoff, casino employees from all around the world will face off for their shot at the first WSOP bracelet of the 2022 series.
The reigning champion from the 2021 WSOP Casino Employee Event is Jimmy Barnett, who at the time of winning was a dealer and floor manager at Caesars Palace. Barnett came first in a field of 419 entries to take home a top prize of $39,013 and his first gold bracelet.
Players start off this morning with 25,000 chips and will play 17 levels today with blinds increasing every 40 minutes. Registration will close at the end of the dinner break following Level 9, with each player being allowed a single reentry. There will be a 20 minute break every three levels and a 90 minute dinner break after Level 9, at approximately 5:40 p.m. Day 2 will pick back up at noon tomorrow.
The PokerNews team will be on hand daily providing coverage for the entire series, so keep tuning in for live updates on all the action.