WSOP's New Pro-Am Event Sparks Controversy Among Poker Players

The World Series of Poker announced that it will hold its first “pro-am” event with a $250,000 buy-in at WSOP Paradise. Amateurs apply for consideration, with the WSOP Pro-Am Committee selecting who receives an invitation. Professionals do not need an invitation. Amateurs and pros begin in separate fields.

The WSOP and Triton co-promoted a similar event, also for $250,000, at last year’s WSOP Paradise. In the Triton ones, recreational players nominate a corresponding pro who gains entry. The field has an even distribution of pros to amateurs in the Triton format. They also only stay separate for Day 1, combining on Day 2 and playing the tournament out normally from there.

This new format has sparked controversy among poker players who value the meritocratic nature of the game. The WSOP's pro-am event separates amateurs and professionals until the money is reached, which some players see as antithetical to the original intent of the WSOP. The event has raised questions about the criteria for determining who is an amateur and who is a professional, as well as the transparency of the selection process.