WSOP organisers have announced a blanket ban on all phones and other electronic devices during the final three tables of any event this summer.
This is sure to be a popular move with the fans but there’s even more welcome news coming out of Las Vegas today.
Massive queues to enter WSOP events have long been the bane of players, particularly those who aren’t hardened professionals and are making the trip as a one off bucket list event. It’s incredibly frustrating to stand in line for what seems like an eternity.
But from 2025, the WSOP+ app is here to save the day after preliminary rollouts at the 2023 and 2024 WSOP Bahamas.
New Look WSOP for 2025
The 2025 WSOP is only three weeks away now and it is now official that phones and all other electronic devices will be banished from sight during the final three tables of all WSOP events.
You might be asking yourself what happened to bring on such a change. Well, during the final table stage of the 2024 WSOP Main Event, Jonathan Tamayo, who later won the event, had Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche sitting on the rail with a GTO solver giving him advice hand-by-hand.
This didn’t sit well with many observers and so changes were asked for by many in the live poker community.
So when the WSOP Paradise was about to start back in December, a new rule was added to the rulebook.
Rule 63b said:
“Players and spectators are not allowed to use charts, apps, or any other form of electronic assistance in the tournament room. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a penalty up to disqualification for the player and removal from the tournament room for the spectator.
“Spectators are also prohibited from providing live assistance or coaching. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a penalty for the player and removal from the rail for the spectator. Non-players on the rail must adhere to the WSOP Terms & Conditions, including no viewing of live streams on an electronic device.”
Mobile phones will still be allowed at the table during the earlier round, provided they are on silent. But come the final three rounds, or at any feature table or live-streamed table, all devices must be put away from view.
Players who do not comply with the new instruction risk “penalties up to and including disqualification.”
The new rule is officially worded as below:
“No devices will be allowed to be used in the tournament room during these late stages of streamed events and no coaching from anywhere within the tournament room will be allowed; this includes viewing of the tournament stream and usage of any electronic assistance.
“Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a penalty for the participant and removal from the tournament room for the spectator.”
WSOP+ to Be Mandatory for all WSOP Events
WSOP+ to Be Mandatory for all WSOP EventsThe introduction of the WSOP+ app for this year’s series will see a rule making it mandatory to register for an account in order to play any of the events this summer. Players must also apply for a Caesars Rewards Loyalty Card.
This is a much-needed step into the modern world for the WSOP. Players can now pre-register for events and avoid the lengthy queues seen in the past. Real-time updates will also keep players informed about seat availability.
Everything players need to know about upcoming events will be available on the WSOP+ app, along with current chip counts, prize pools and results.
Jack Effel, Senior Vice President of Poker Operations and World Series of Poker at Caesars Entertainment, said:
“The advantages of bringing WSOP+ online in time for the next World Series of Poker in Las Vegas are endless. Players should feel an immediate positive impact on their experience when they arrive this summer.
“Beyond WSOP+’s advanced features, there’s no question this innovation should reduce wait times, allowing participants more time to get to the felt and enjoy the events they love.”
Ty Stewart, CEO of the World Series of Poker, added:
“WSOP+ will further elevate the WSOP experience for all of our players. Not only can our community now save time and effort by registering in advance for their favorite tournaments, but the app will also showcase WSOP content and all of the important event information that participants are eager to have at their fingertips!”
The WSOP+ app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and registration requires an in-person visit to the verification area at the Paris Las Vegas to show a government-issued ID.
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