A new event is coming to the Rio in 2019 to celebrate the 50th Annual World Series of Poker. This year's opening weekend event will be the brand new Big 50. The Big 50 gives players more value in a WSOP event at this price point than ever before. Players will start with a massive 50,000 chip stack and levels are 50 minutes long. The buy-in is $500 and 100% of everyone's initial entry will go directly into the prizepool. Re-entries will be raked as normal.

In addition, the event has been tagged with a $5,000,000 prize pool guarantee and a guaranteed 1st place payout of $1,000,000.

The Big 50 will have one starting flight each day from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2. The Thursday and Friday starting flights will begin at 11 a.m. and the weekend's starting flights will get underway at 10 a.m. This event allows a maximum of one re-entry per starting flight.

Due to our table capacity and expected field sizes for this event, several measures have been enacted to try and accommodate as many players as we can, while also minimizing registration and payout transaction times. Please review the structure sheet and the key details below prior to registering for this event.

View Color-Coded Structure Sheet

Big 50

• By paying out 15% of field, players will reach the money at some point during their Day 2 play
• Players will remain separated by flight during Day 2 play. Meaning, if you play Day 1A (Thursday) you will play Day 2A with any survivors from that Day 1A flight. Carefully review your Day 2 start day and time and use the color codes below and on structure sheet to help quickly find your flight details.
• All players will play 8 levels on their Day 2, thus completing 20 levels of play over two days of actual play.
• Those surviving after 12 levels of Day 1 play, will return for their Day 2 flights as follows:
  • Thursday Flight 1A players: Return on Friday, May 31 at 2pm to play 2A. Finish at 9:40pm.
  • Friday Flight 1B players: Return on Saturday, June 1 at 5pm to play 2B. Finish at 12:40am.
  • Saturday Flight 1C players: Return on Monday, June 3 at 10am to play 2C. Finish at 5:40pm.
  • Sunday Flight 1D players: Return on Tuesday, June 4 at 10am to play 2D. Finish at 5:40pm.
• Day 3 of the tournament will begin on Wednesday, June 5 at 11:00am and combine fields for all remaining players and play 12 levels.
• Day 4 of the tournament will begin on Thursday, June 6 at 11:00am and is expected to play 12 levels.
• Depending on number of entries, a Day 5 may be necessary on Friday, June 7 to reach a winner.
• Players may forfeit their current chip stack at the end of their Day 1 flight prior to bagging if they so choose, for the opportunity to re-enter another flight. But once that decision has been made, there is no rescinding.
• If you are eliminated in the Big 50 and there is another starting flight still in the open registration period, you are eligible to enter that new starting flight.

Registration

• Players may pay with cash, Rio casino chips, Rio tournament buy-in credits or via Credit Card using the online registration system through our Bravo Software partner.
• It is encouraged that everyone chooses their preferred flight and make plans to register in advance.
• Play will begin on time as scheduled. Plan for lines and delays if registering the day of the event.
• Start times will not be pushed back to accommodate line delays.
• Beginning May 28 at 9 am, the WSOP Cage in the Rio Convention Center will open and remain open 24 hours a day, where players can register and receive seat assignments for this event.
• Best time to register for this event is between 8 pm and 8 am. Busiest times are between 9 am and 6 pm.
• Reminder: Players can only register for one flight in advance. If a player is eliminated during a flight, they may return to registration and sign up for that same flight if available, or another available flight.
• Seats are non-transferable. Only the player with name on the seat card may enter the event.

Payout Details

The Big 50 will use the unique payout system which will see each starting flight play into the money. For each flight, a separate payout table will be produced based on the number of entries in that flight. (Example: 1,000 players enter Flight B, thus 150 players will reach the money). After the bubble bursts, players who are eliminated will be paid based on that payout table. When the flight is complete, all remaining money in the prizepool will be added to the Day 3 prize pool. On Day 3, a new payout table will be calculated using the money not yet paid out from all flights, and based on the total number of entries remaining in the event. Note that all players reaching Day 3 are guaranteed a minimum payout of at least $1 more than the largest payout made on any Day 2. WSOP.com will be posting all of the Day 2 payouts as they become available. This adjustment will help reduce congestion at the payout desk and make the money bubble process easier for all.

Seating/Capacity Flow & Plans

• Players are encouraged to take their seats at the posted starting time.
• Players will start with a full chip stack when they are seated to begin play.
• Chips will not be put in play until player checks in to assigned table.
• Players in 11am flights must be in their seat by 1:00 pm (start of Level 3). After 1:00pm, players will have their seat voided and refunded if they haven't shown. Seat is subject to sale to other players, with original player only eligible for other flights.
• Players in 10am flights must be seated by 12:00 noon (start of Level 3). After 12:00, players will have their seat voided and refunded if they haven't shown. Seat is subject to sale to other players, with original player only eligible for other flights.
• All flights are able to seat approximately 4,800 entries at the start of play.
• Players will be assigned seats on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the flight's capacity has been reached, subsequent registrations will be considered alternates. Players enter with a full chip stack, but must enter at the Level/time the event is at when seating becomes available.
• It is important to note that this structure is very slow, thus opening up fewer seats throughout the registration period compared to a typical WSOP event. Thus it is advised that those who want to ensure their participation in this event do so by pre-registering and showing up at the Flight's start time.
• It is expected this event will potentially sellout (weekend flights most likely). Seats are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and we cannot be responsible for any travel costs or expenses for those who aren't able to enter. We will announce publicly if/when a flight is sold out.
• Be sure to follow @WSOP on Twitter to get the latest news and information on this and all WSOP events.