The popularity of poker, both in person and online, soared in recent years. Although poker took a hit due to the pandemic, several years later, many events attracted aficionados and poker pros alike. Despite that, a recent World Series Of Poker (WSOP) bracelet event saw minimal entries, which resulted in its cancellation.
Four Out of Eight Required Players Registered for the Event
The WSOP #13 $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller event was one of the many events that are part of the 2024 WSOP Online. It’s important to note that the event was scheduled for Tuesday, October 15 at 4 PM and was available for players from the United States.
As one of WSOP’s US-based online tournaments, it permitted players from Nevada, New Jersey and Michigan only. While that’s no small pool of players, regretfully, not even eight players registered for the $5,300 bracelet event. Reportedly, only four out of the minimum eight players registered for the event, which resulted in its cancellation.
Attracting such a small pool of players was unexpected, to say the least. Considering the $5,300 bracelet event was canceled, it no longer appears in WSOP’s lobby. At the same time, the four players who registered reportedly received a refund of their buy-in money.
Did the Attractiveness of WSOP Bracelets Dip?
The famous poker player, WSOP bracelet winner and WPT champion, Tony Dunst, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it was funny to see the aforementioned event canceled. The pro player also wrote that the $5,300 bracelet event could have been completed if WSOP had removed the minimum number of required entries or with the help of satellites.
Equally as concerning, according to Dunst, is the “diluting” value of WSOP bracelets. He argued that some high-roller players “don’t feel safe playing bigger buy-ins on a site with vague security and that only communicates through automated tweets.” Although Dunst attached a tweet posted by WSOP, it was inaccessible, likely deleted.
The canceled event caught the attention of another poker pro player, Tim Link. The poker player posted a screenshot of a promotional message for the tournament that was received after the cancellation. “Gotta fix that. More satties. Something. I got sent this after the cancellation,” wrote Link.
Currently, the WSOP offers bracelets for winners in both in-person and online tournaments. While growing the way bracelets can be secured likely attracted new players, it also signals a potential dip in their value and attractiveness.