The WSOP Main Event bracelet to be an NFT
This year's WSOP Main Event champion will have the option of either a diamond bracelet or an NFT estimated to be worth much more.
The craze for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) goes mainstream this year, in poker at least, as the 2022 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet will be an NFT instead of a physical item.
As part of a new partnership with NFT platform OpenSea the World Series of Poker will award its winner a fully digital bracelet. It will be minted with the champions name live on PokerGO and CBS Sports Network on July 16.
For those skeptical about NFTs, early insider projections suggest that such a rare digital asset could have a floor price starting at $250,000 and would potentially be worth much more if the craze carries on throughout the years.
OpenSea CEO Devin Finzer spoke about the partnership, saying "The NFT space owes a lot to poker players, who were some of the early adopters of this new technology. This is the start of moving the WSOP to the metaverse and we could not be more excited".
OpenSea are also hosting an additional online bracelet event for its users, with all prize money being awarded in the form of credit to purchase NFTs.
"I'd be lying if I said I knew what an NFT was" said Ty Stewart, the WSOP's Executive Director.
Diamond bracelet for 'old school' winners
There is obviously something special about holding your winner's bracelet up for the cameras that most players covet. For that reason a special diamond bracelet will be available for the eventual champion to pose with the night they win.
After that the player has the choice of keeping the bracelet or opting for the NFT. The WSOP is expecting the eventual winner to opt for the physical bracelet, but believes a shrewd champion would pick the first ever NFT WSOP bracelet, which could prove priceless.
The 'old school' diamond bracelet at this year's WSOP is worth a mere $100,000.
Would you pick the NFT or the old school bracelet? Let us know in the comments:
