Irish Open and WPT Barcelona cancelled
Two more high profile poker tournaments are cancelled because of coronavirus, while the WSOP-C in Rozvadov is also likely affected.
Arguably the two biggest poker cancellations of the coronavirus to date, as both the Irish Open and WPT Barcelona have been postponed.
WPT Barcelona, which was due to take place between March 27 and April 5, had already chosen to remove the guarantees for the festival in response. Now they have decided to postpone the event. In a statement on the Casino Barcelona website, they said:
Like other countries, the Coronavirus is spreading in Spain and our priority is, and always will be, the safety and experience of players and staff. All three parties are currently exploring the possibility of holding the event later in the year.
Players who have won their seat via satellite at partypoker will be allowed to use the value of it for another event.
Just a few hours later the organisers at the Irish Open, which was set to take place between April 6 and April 13, also announced they would be postponing their festival. In a statement they said:
The situation in relation to COVID-19 is evolving on a daily basis. We have to ensure that the safety and well being of our players and staff is our utmost priority and it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to postpone the event.
We are now in discussions with the Citywest Hotel to secure an alternative date for the Irish Open Festival later in the year. All current Irish Open 2020 qualifiers will have their current satellite seat redirected to the new date later this year or to Irish Open 2021. Further information on this will be made available as soon as possible.
Changes for the WSOP-C
Another event which has dramatically changed due to COVID-19 is the WSOP-C taking place at King's Casino in Rozadov. They have already removed the guarantees on their events and they have announced a number of safety measures including more space between players at the tables and temperature checks.
Yesterday the Czech Republic announced a ban on events of more than 100 people, which, assuming it is enforced, should severely impact the numbers at this event.
Earlier this month King's Casino announced they would not be allowing Italian residents to play to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Once again, all eyes now seem to be on the WSOP in Las Vegas, and whether that would, or should, be cancelled.
Were you planning on going to the Irish Open? Let us know in the comments:
