“It has a special place in our city and will set a new record this year by awarding more championship hardware.
The cards are up, and the 54th Poker World Series is already making history, with WNBA champion Las Vegas Ace All-Star guard Kelsey Plum hosting the ceremonial Shuffle Up & Deal for WSOP’s first marquee event of the summer, the $1,000 Buy-In Mystery Millions event. Following the WSOP’s successful start to the opening day, which included a tribute to WNBA champion Doyle Brunson, the WNBA champion, visited Horscho Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas to kick off the event and reveal the prestigious WSOP bracelets for players to win during the series.
Plum, who set a record himself, played an integral role in leading the Las Vegas Aces with the 2022 WNBA Championship, the first major sports league title in Las Vegas history. Today Plum helped set the tone for what is expected to be the biggest and best WSOP yet. Plum returned to the wshop stadium late in the afternoon to compete in the mystery million.
“It’s an honor to play a role in the first marking event of World Series poker in 2023, and we’re unveiling the iconic WSOP bracelet, one of the most prestigious trophies in sports,” Plum said. “It has a special place in our city and will set a new record this year by awarding more championship hardware. Let the cards fly and wish all the players the best!”
This year’s WSOP bracelet, designed by WSOP partner Jostens, features special horse hooves grafted into the design, a playing card suit of red and black stones, and a 10-carat yellow gold emblazoned with the champion’s event number and name.
“Kelsey knows a thing or two about championship hardware, so having the WSOP Gold Bracelet unveiled this year was an appropriate choice,” said Ty Stewart, executive director of the Poker World Series. “We’re excited that one of Vegas’ brightest stars is willing to be a rookie at today’s event. That’s the good thing about WSOP, you don’t have to be a poker ‘ace’ to participate, and you’re going to fit in with thousands of first-timers.”