Harrah's has solidified the schedule for the 2008 World Series of Poker. The WSOP will run from May 30- July 16 and will again feature 55 events held at the Rio All-Suite Resort and Casino.
The biggest change for the year is that the WSOP will feature eight $10,000 World Championship events in the following games: pot-limit hold'em, seven-card stud, a mixed event (read below), a heads-up no-limit hold'em event, limit hold'em, Omaha eight-or-better, pot-limit Omaha, and the no-limit hold'em main event.
The mixed event will feature eight variations of poker: limit and no-limit hold'em; Omaha eight-or-better and pot-limit Omaha; seven-card stud; razz; seven-card stud eight-or-better; and deuce-seven triple draw.
The Series kicks off with the $10,000 pot-limit hold'em championship event, a change from the past when, traditionally, the Series started with the $500 casino employees event.
The main event will start July 3, and the final table is scheduled to take place July 16. A day of rest is scheduled for July 7, and this is when the casino employees event is scheduled to take place.
The $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event will take place June 22. This is a five-day event. Harrah's will hold eight $1,500 no-limit hold'em events. The first one will feature two starting days to accommodate the larger crowds this event always attracts.
The poker tent that was located outside the Amazon Room at the Rio (where the Series is held) will also be a thing of the past. In 2007, the tent often heated to unbearable temperatures.
The Ante Up for Africa charity poker tournament, featuring Don Cheadle and Annie Duke, will return. Last year, it raised more than $700,000. It's scheduled for July 2.
Corum will again manufacture the bracelets. Preregistration for the events begins in February and can be done either online or at the Rio.
