Shuffle Up and Vaccinate: 2021 World Series of Poker Requires COVID-19 Shots
Posted on: August 27, 2021, 01:40h.
Last updated on: October 5, 2021, 10:16h.
The 2021 World Series of Poker, set to begin in just a little more than a month, announced Friday that anyone attending the event, including participants, will need to show proof they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a statement released Friday, WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart said the decision was made in an effort to offer “the greatest level of protection” throughout the series of events that will run from Sept. 30 to Nov. 23.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly–it is made with no agenda beyond protecting player eligibility and the operations of a unique televised gaming event,” he said. “The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time, and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants. We want players to be excited for their return to the WSOP, while offering the greatest level of protection and limiting complications during the tournament this fall.”
Full vaccination is defined as having received their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine no earlier than 14 days before their event begins. So, for a player entering the Main Event and starting on Day 1a, which is Nov. 4, they will need to complete their vaccination protocol by Oct. 21.
The vaccine mandate also covers sanctioned satellite participants.
For US players, full vaccination is either a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. International players who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will also be allowed to play, as long as the final dose was received at least 14 days prior to their event.
Exceptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Would Be Rare, If Any
On the WSOP website, officials noted “the need to minimize interruptions” to events and the broadcast schedule as the rationale for creating the full vaccination requirement, and not just allowing people to provide negative tests.
There may be accommodations, but those will be rather limited in scope.
“Only a request for an accommodation pursuant to state and federal law may be submitted and will be evaluated individually and in context of the then-applicable public health situation, through an interactive process,” the WSOP website stated.
Further, officials noted that consideration of such requests may take a significant amount of time to consider.
The vaccine mandate also applies to reporters and other media personnel covering the event, as well as spectators and vendors in attendance.
Beyond the vaccine mandate, WSOP officials said all attendees will be required to wear masks, which is in line with current recommendations from both the US Centers for Disease Control and the state of Nevada.
WSOP Recommends Use of CLEAR App
After holding virtual events and a “hybrid” Main Event because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event returns to live play only this year at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas.
World Series of Poker officials are also encouraging US participants to register their vaccination records with CLEAR Health Pass, a free mobile app. Those that do so will be able to proceed to the registration cage at the Rio upon their arrival.
CLEAR Health Pass is the same app the Las Vegas Raiders are using to manage the vaccine mandate they’ve implemented to attend this season’s games at Allegiant Stadium.
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Last Comments ( 6 )
I sincerely hope they change this rule for 2022. As So may of us will not be attending WSOP events any longer
This nonsense would stop if fewer folks would show up - however in suspect a packed house since most sheep in this world got the jab.
WSOP can take your bioweapon satan shot requirement and go to hell along with every fool that goes along with it BOYCOTTWSOP
We now live in a communist dictatorship in the USA. Because of this decision by the WSOP (which will offer little protection to its players) I’m now not going to the WSOP. I hope they see much backlash from this corrupt decision. BOYCOTT WSOP.
In related news, Ty Stewart spotted on brand new yacht LOL
How much was this pay off? Must have been significant for the nickel-diming-squeeze every cent out of gamblers company that is Caesars Entertainment. If social media whores were getting tens of thousands just to say something like “get vaccinated”, one can only imagine how much Ty got.