Poker in the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Changed the Game in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation or postponement of major live poker series in 2020. The World Poker Tour was the first to postpone its Asian stages for at least three months. The Triton Poker series in South Korea, Montenegro, and London were all canceled due to the pandemic. PokerStars Players Championship and EPT Barcelona were postponed to 2021. World Poker Summit in Sochi, Russia, was postponed to 2021. EPT Sochi was postponed to October 2020.

Casinos in Macau, the US, and Europe closed temporarily due to the pandemic. All casinos in the Krasnaya Polyana gaming zone in Russia were closed until further notice. PartyPoker moved Irish Poker Open and Poker Masters to online platforms. Unibet Poker moved all its live series to online in 2020. GG Network hosted the main poker event of 2020.

Daniel Negreanu suggested legalizing online poker in the US during the pandemic. Doyle Brunson spent extended time in self-isolation to protect his wife. Patrick Leonard contracted COVID-19. Bertrand Grospellier contracted COVID-19 while in Prague. Sam Greenwood offered free hand analysis to those in self-isolation. Brin Kenney financially supported those who lost their jobs due to pandemic measures. Matt Glantz stated he would get COVID-19 for $250,000. Mike Matasov openly stated he would not wear a mask.