WSOP Adds Vaccine Rule and Clarifies Mask Requirement

Last updated on September 7th, 2021

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The 2021 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas is fewer than 30 days from its start date of September 30. It gets closer every day…because that’s how time works.

With that said, the WSOP will be tweaking its rules and putting out little tidbits of information as the series nears. Most of those updates will likely pertain to the Covid-19 mandates and rules. The state of Nevada may change its guidance at any time, as could Clark County and even Caesars Entertainment and the Rio, Nevada Gaming Commission, or the WSOP itself. As the number of positive Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccines fluctuates from day to day, it has the potential to change the way the 2021 WSOP will operate.

Covid-19 Clauses

The evolution of the WSOP’s vaccine policy for the Las Vegas series started with serious ambiguity. WSOP executives cleaned it up a bit in the weeks that followed. While that hasn’t changed, they did just add a new disclaimer of sorts in the official WSOP rules.

-Aug 9: All rule changes revealed, with Rule 115 as the broad Covid-19 paragraph.
-Aug 14: WSOP and Daniel Negreanu clarified Rule 115 on Twitter.
-Aug 27: WSOP issues vaccine mandate, posts information and FAQ page on WSOP site.

This was the original Rule 115, and its wording has not changed in the official document:

“In accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control, [Rio] reserves the right to remove any Participant from any WSOP Event at any time prior to or during the WSOP Event, in its sole and absolute discretion, for any health or safety related reasons, including but not limited to, if Participant is determined by [Rio] in its sole discretion, to have received a positive test result for COVID-19 or come into close proximity (within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes) of any person who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if Participant refuses to undergo any health and safety screening required by [Rio] to participate in a WSOP Event. If Participant is removed from a WSOP Event pursuant to this paragraph, and for no other reason, Participant shall not be entitled to any compensation or remuneration of any type other than what Participant had already been awarded prior to being removed from the WSOP Event. However, for the avoidance of doubt, should Participant be disqualified for any additional reason or reasons that subject Participant to penalties pursuant to the Official Rules, those penalties shall apply. Further, in the situation where one or more Participants is disqualified pursuant to this Paragraph, [Rio] reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to determine whether to proceed with any WSOP Event as scheduled or to postpone or reschedule a WSOP Event, or any portion of a WSOP Event, to a later date.”

Negreanu tweeted his own clarification: “No on-site testing or proof of vaccine required (as of today. WSOP will not DQ a player unless they volunteer they have tested positive. Any contact tracing done by CDC in Nevada is independent of the WSOP.” However, he is not an official spokesperson of the World Series of Poker.

WSOP Rule 115 clarification:
No on-site testing or proof of vaccine required (as of today)
WSOP will not DQ a player unless they volunteer they have tested positive
Any contact tracing done by CDC in Nevada is independent of the WSOP.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) August 14, 2021

The WSOP’s own social media clarification was as follows:

“The health and safety of our World Series of Poker participants and Team Members is our top priority. To that end, Caesars Entertainment will continue to operate in a manner consistent with CDC guidelines while following the applicable rules and mandates of our local governments and regulators at all times. Consistent with current CDC guidelines, WSOP participants who are known to have been exposed to a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 will not be required to leave the tournament and quarantine if they are fully vaccinated within the appropriate timing parameters and remain asymptomatic since the time of exposure. We recognize that the Covid-19 public health situation is constantly evolving. We will continue to work with our team of health and safety experts, local government, and our regulators, and all our policies are subject to change as guidance evolves. We remain committed to providing the safest environment possible for the return of the World Series of Poker.”

The Vaccine Mandate

The WSOP made the tough decision to require a vaccine. Players, spectators, and members of the media would need to show proof of a full vaccine – two doses for most brands – for approval to enter the poker areas of the Rio Convention Center in Las Vegas. The final dose must be dated 14 days or more from the date of WSOP entry.

Players based in the United States can use the CLEAR app, but everyone must show proof at the Rio when they first arrive to obtain official verification. That verification desk will be in the Belize Room on and following September 30.

The WSOP posted all details and answers to frequently asked questions on its website.

What About Exemptions and Alternatives?

Many people want to play the WSOP this year but want to get around the mandate for various reasons. (They’re the customers who want that burger on the menu but just no pickles or onions, lettuce instead of a bun, well-done with no pink, extra tomatoes but sliced thin, and maybe a different kind of cheese.) Some are valid reasons, but the WSOP had to lay draw some boundaries.

For the “but I have antibodies!” crowd, that is not a valid exception. Nor can they use a negative Covid-19 test for admittance. The only possible exception will be taken under advisement but needs time for processing. And it must be pretty compelling.

“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. It may take some time to conduct this process consistent with applicable law and to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be implemented, so we recommend submission of your request in advance of your registration and well in advance of your arrival.”

For those wanting exceptions based on medical and religious bases, no. The WSOP referred to the Governor’s State of Nevada Emergency Directive 050 of September 2, 2021, which said that there are no such exemptions from vaccination requirements.

From the FAQ at https://t.co/OiUeFpDyjy pic.twitter.com/ITuaSlkrrC
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) September 7, 2021

Keep the Masks Handy

The WSOP must work within the state and local guidelines, which are guided by national health experts. At the current time, as Nevada residents are not vaccinated in high enough numbers to prevent the spread of Covid-19, people in casinos must wear masks. Unless eating or drinking, people must wear their face coverings.

However, the WSOP does have some leeway because of its vaccination requirement.

“Within the WSOP playing areas, players will have the option to remove their mask while seated and playing at their poker table, consistent with Directive 50. However, pursuant to the Rio’s health and safety policies, players must put their mask on anytime they are moved or step away from their poker table for any reason while indoors.”

The 2021 WSOP will operate under the mask exception set forth in NV Emergency Directive 050, released by Gov. Sisolak on 9/2. With all attendees required to be fully vaccinated, players will be able to remove their masks while seated at poker tables. FAQ: https://t.co/jpVw8yHScK pic.twitter.com/COYdXGURwe
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) September 7, 2021

Be Alert for Possible Changes

As mentioned, the volatile nature of the virus and vaccine trends create an uncertain scenario. And after 2020 showed the world how everything can turn on a dime, the WSOP is putting a disclaimer on everything. In fact, it put it into the rules. Per Kevin Mather’s latest document comparison of the two latest editions of the WSOP rules, Rule 2 added a pretty substantial statement to the end.

“Rio and/or Casino reserves the right to modify any and all Official Tournament Rules and/or procedures at any time in the interest of health and public safety, including, but not limited to adding any requirement that a Participant must be fully vaccinated and/or complete certain testing or screening in order to participate or continue to participate in the WSOP. All inquiries about Official Tournament Rules and procedures may be sent to WSOP Operations Manager Tyler Pipal at [tpipal@caesars.com].”

Most likely, WSOP powers-that-be do not want to make any more changes to the rules. They will only do so if necessary to protect their customers and staff.

However, if you think your Facebook meme-based medical background qualifies you as an expert, by all means, tweet at the WSOP. If I worked for the World Series of Poker, I would probably take your misspelled comment and link to a widely discredited source very seriously and reevaluate the entire policy based on your analysis.