Coronavirus Update: WSOP.com Announces Online Super Circuit Series; Casinos Shut Down Worldwide

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has shaken the world to its core, now has 171,027 confirmed cases and 6,525 deaths recorded globally. In this number, 77,790 recovered cases have also been accounted for. At present, there are 86,712 infected patients, out of which 80,785 are in mild condition, while 5,927 are reported to be in serious or critical condition. A total of 141 countries have been affected thus far.

In India, there are 110 confirmed cases, with Maharashtra being the worst hit with 33 cases. As of March 15, Meghalaya became the latest region to join the list of states that have shut down educational institutions till March 31. Meanwhile, the Bihar government has announced that it will bear full expenses of the treatment of Coronavirus patients in the state.

In West Bengal, state officials are being provided hand sanitizers, and the state’s ruling party, Trinamool Congress, has requested the Election Commission to postpone the municipal polls.

With so much happening worldwide, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) took a smart decision to postpone/cancel all ongoing and immediately upcoming tournaments. Like the WPT, they, too, announced an impromptu WSOP.com Online Super Circuit Series. Comprising of 18-ring events, the series is available to players located in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.

With the US reporting 3,802 confirmed cases of the COVID-19, including 70 deaths, it was only a matter of time before casinos started shutting shop. Several Los Angeles area casinos and card rooms agreed to shut down on March 14. The MGM and Wynn in Las Vegas joined the bandwagon on March 16.

WSOP.com Online Super Circuit Series to Run From March 14 to March 31

With ‘social distancing’ becoming a core necessity for the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus, many live poker series have been either canceled or postponed. Though no news has come through whether the 2020 WSOP will be postponed or not, the brand has come out with the WSOP.com Online Super Circuit Series, which will run from March 14 to 31 and will be available to players in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.

This decision comes at a time when the WSOP Circuit had to cancel its stops at the Bicycle Casino and Harrah’s Atlantic City midway and also had to pull the plug on upcoming stops at Bally’s Las Vegas and Harrah’s Cherokee. To fill the void that the canceled live series created, the WSOP announced this 18-ring event series, which features more than $1,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools. All ring events will count for the Global Casino Championship leaderboard points standings, with the Main Event champion and Casino Champion from these events earning an automatic qualification.

A Mega Satellite into the $200,000 Circuit Main Event with 20 seats guaranteed will be hosted on March 28.

WSOP.com Online Super Circuit Series Schedule

Casinos in Las Vegas Shut Down

This was an inevitability. With the Coronavirus showing no signs of letting up, the gambling capital of the world that attracts thousands of tourists daily was bound to close operations. Governor of California Gavin Newsome banned public gatherings of over 250 people last week, but gamblers still kept at it through the weekend. Eventually, common sense prevailed, and by March 16, most casinos had closed their doors, including the MGM and Wynn in Las Vegas.

The MGM Grand and the dozen other properties that the company owns in LA and Vegas will also be shut down. The Wynn and Encore will officially close on Tuesday, March 17, at 6 PM.

However, with the WSOP.com announcing its Online Super Circuit Series and World Poker Tour (WPT) joining hands with partypoker to host the inaugural WPT Online Series, there is no dearth of online poker.

Coronavirus Statistics

The disease that has plagued the world since December 2019 still has no specific treatment. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study detailing who has been the most impacted by the virus.

Of all the Coronavirus cases studied by China’s CDC, 4.7% were critical, and roughly half of those, i.e., 49%, with a critical case died. None of the mild or severe cases in the study were fatal.

Of all cases within the study, 2.3% ended in the patient dying.

Contracting the virus is particularly dangerous for populations 60 years and older, but the death rate really shoots up for people who are 80 years or older.

Coronavirus: Do’s & Don’ts

Things to do to avoid catching or spreading the COVID-19:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
2. Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
3. Use hand sanitizer gel if soap and water are not available
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
5. Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterward
6. Try to avoid close contact with unwell people

Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Stay safe and take precautions!