The 2021 WSOP Kicks Off Today With Event #1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em
It is once again time for poker players and poker enthusiasts to rejoice following a prolonged wait. The 52nd annual World Series of Poker returns to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino today with 88 live bracelet events on the schedule.
As in previous years, the 2021 WSOP kicks off with the Casino Employees Event, and all of the players in this event today will have a chance at winning WSOP gold bracelet; this special tournament features a buy-in of $500. In the most recent edition back in 2019, the tournament attracted 685 entrants who generated a $297,975 prize pool. On the third day of play, Aria poker dealer Nicholas Haynes defeated Isaac Hanson in heads-up play to win a WSOP gold bracelet and the $62,345 top prize.
The structure is similar to the most recent iteration of this tournament. Players will start with 25,000 in chips and will play for two days, with 40-minute blind levels starting at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante.
The action is slated to get underway at 11 a.m. PST. Each player will be given the option of one re-entry during the late registration period of nine levels. During the first day, there will be a 20-minute break after every three levels and a 75-minute dinner break after level 9. A total of 17 levels are scheduled for Day 1, and a winner will be crowned on Day 2.
Previous Casino Employees Event Winners
| Year | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Dave Alizadeth | $21,800 |
| 2001 | Travis Jonas | $40,200 |
| 2002 | David Warga | $47,300 |
| 2003 | David Lukaszewski | $35,800 |
| 2004 | Carl Nessel | $40,000 |
| 2005 | Anthony Nguyen | $83,390 |
| 2006 | Chris Gros | $127,496 |
| 2007 | Frederick Narciso | $104,701 |
| 2008 | Jonathan Kotula | $87,929 |
| 2009 | Andrew Cohen | $83,833 |
| 2010 | Hoai Pham | $71,424 |
| 2011 | Sean Drake | $82,292 |
| 2012 | Chiab "Chip" Saechao | $70,859 |
| 2013 | Chad Holloway | $84,915 |
| 2014 | Roland Reparejo | $82,835 |
| 2015 | Brandon Barnette | $75,704 |
| 2016 | C.J. Sand | $71,157 |
| 2017 | Bryan Hollis | $68,817 |
| 2018 | Jordan Hufty | $61,909 |
| 2019 | Nicholas Haynes | $62,345 |
and was met with a check-raise to 2,000 by the small blind, which he called.
turn, this time for 2,500, and Patrick raised to 9,000. His opponent moved all-in for his remaining 16,500 and Patrick called, showing 
for the turned nut flush.
for two pair and didn't improve on the river, sending the pot to Patrick. He has nearly doubled his starting stack to 46,000 here on Level 2.
showing on the board, Jorge Ruiz, who finished third in this event in 2019, check-called a bet of 3,000 from the player under the gun.
, and this time Ruiz fired out 7,200, which his opponent called.
. He's now up over 30,000.
. The hands were revealed. 
and Balfour scooped up the pot as two players were gone, leading Balfour to express his wishes of it being a knockout tournament.
and Richards's opponent shoved for 13,000.
to take the pot.
turn and on the 
of Gates.