For Jack Effel, the return of the World Series of Poker to the Horseshoe is personal. And as a special Christmas present to PokerNews readers, we spoke to Effel about how plans for the 2023 WSOP were shaping up.
“It kind of makes my career complete,” Effel told PokerNews. “Obviously the rebrand is a cool thing, but I started out at the Horseshoe and I’ve ended up at the Horseshoe.”
Having started his career in 1997 as a Poker Room Shift Manager at the Horseshoe, he returns over 25 years later as Vice President of the World Series of Poker, and one of the most recognizable faces in the industry.
“Obviously, Caesars is a massive company withmany resorts all over the world, but it’s great to see the World Series of Poker back in its home. The WSOP and the Horseshoe have over 50 years of shared history together, and that’s before you factor in the 70 years of history the Horseshoe has going back to 1951.”
Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2023 WSOP is here.
Preparing for Life at the Horseshoe
Behind the scenes, work continues to be done to prepare for the WSOP’s return to the Strip for only the second time in its history, all being done alongside the rebrand of Bally’s to the Horseshoe.
“Just the feel of being back at the Horseshoe and connecting that with World Series of Poker is a great thing.”
“There are various projects going on around the property just to make it look more Horseshoe-esque,” says Effel. “Everyone involved in the World Series of Poker, we sort of care about it like it’s our baby.
“We’re just shepherds trying to carry the event forward, and at some point turning it over to someone else. It’s a very special thing and we love what we do.
The original Horseshoe Club was opened by Benny Binion in downtown Las Vegas in 1951. Later, his son Jack would found the World Series of Poker at the venue in 1970. The Horseshoe hosted the WSOP until its eventual move to the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in 2005.
“The Horseshoe and World Series of Poker being together is a great sentimental thing but a historical thing as well, and it’s a bright thing for us and our brand. Just the feel of being back at the Horseshoe and connecting that with World Series of Poker is a great thing.”
Hall of Fame Poker Room to be “Best in Vegas”
Last month as part of the rebranding, the brand new Hall of Fame Poker Room was opened, something Effel believes will be one of the best poker rooms in Vegas.
“The room itself is beautiful and it’s a really neat experience. There are other elements that we’re still designing now that are going to roll out. It’ll be a place you can come year-round and see the Poker Hall of Fame and the WSOP Gallery of Champions with all the past Main Event winners.
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“When you think about the rich history that the World Series of Poker and the Horseshoe have together, this room is something special. And we think it’s going to be one of the great rooms moving forward here in town and I’m excited about its future.”
Breaking Down the 2023 WSOP Schedule
This year the WSOP took the decision to release a highlights schedule in December in order for players to start planning their trips around the “weekend-anchoring” events like the Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack and brand new Gladiators of Poker event.
Effel said he’d sought counsel from numerous poker players, in order to have their views represented in the 2023 WSOP schedule.
“We want to make sure we have some exciting new events and create the best series of poker events in the world — as we always do! Every week there’s something big and we know the Ladies and Seniors Championships are pretty important events for people planning their once-a-year trip, so that’s why we released the dates early.”
One event that stood out from the schedule highlights already released is…
Read More: Interview: Vice President Jack Effel Looks Ahead to 2023 WSOP