Today, on April 1, 2011, the WSOP has confirmed that the 2011 World Series of Poker, the 42nd Annual WSOP, would indeed be adding......Strip Poker!
The World Series of Poker is the longest-running poker tournament series, offering the widest variety of games in the industry and constantly adding unique and exciting events to keep poker players satisfied.
Since its inception in 1970, poker players have descended on Las Vegas for the annual Woodstock of Poker.
And as such, we felt it was time to add Strip Poker to the 2011 schedule.
Today's announcement, though perhaps controversial, is something that in Las Vegas in 2011 seems quite appropriate.
"Strip poker is as old as the game itself and we're hoping by adding this variant to our 2011 schedule will help bring back its popularity," said WSOP Vice President Ty Stewart.
The event, as all other WSOP gold bracelet events, will be open to anyone age 21 or older who presents valid identification upon registering.
Players will not be limited in the amount of clothing -- or layers of clothing -- that they can wear while playing in this event.
However, to try to introduce a higher degree of strategy to the event, it will be played outdoors by the Rio pool in what is expected to be 100+ degrees desert heat.
The $1,000 buy-in event will be played as No Limit Hold'em. Any player who chooses to go all-in, will be required to remove all their clothing and put it in the middle as part of the pot.
If they successfully win the hand, they can reclaim their clothing and re-dress.
However, if they lose the hand, their clothing becomes part of the property of the winner of the hand, with the goal being that all clothes collected during the event can eventually be donated to a worthy charity.
This will be a winner take all event (literally) with the last person standing being the one who has all the clothes and at least one article of clothing on themselves.
Unlike other WSOP events, this one will be played without tournament chips. Players can risk as many articles of clothing as they choose. Pots will be raised by items.
For example, if you have a good hand, you can risk your shirt, pants and socks. For another player to make the call, they must commit at least three articles of clothing themselves, or go all-in, if they have less than three remaining.
This is expected to be one of the most popular events at this year's WSOP.
Many of the world's top players have committed to playing in this event, since it is an official WSOP gold bracelet event. Those players include: Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius, Joe Sebok, Sara Underwood, Lacey Jones and Beth Shak.
However, before you get too excited about that group of players, we must be forthright. Others committed to playing in this event include: Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Jimmy Fricke and Amarillo Slim.
The 2011 WSOP will be held at the fabulous Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino from May 31 through July 19, 2011. It begins in just 60 short days -- less than two months!
We are gearing up for the grandest WSOP yet. We hope to see you at the Rio soon.
Your friends at the WSOP.