Bodog Beat

More millions will be up for grabs at the 2009 World Series of Poker this summer in Las Vegas. (Bodog Beat Image)

The dates and schedule of events have been released for the 40th annual World Series of Poker and feature a major one-time addition to the fun, a "Stimulus Special" for those hammered by the economy as well as the continuation of last year's major addition.

The biggest (as in most expensive) change to the schedule for the 2009 WSOP is a $40,000 buy-in commemorative bracelet event that will be held the opening weekend of the WSOP, May 30-31. The other major addition is a $1,000 buy-in "Stimulus Special" on May 27-28 that organizers expect will draw the largest non-Main Event field in WSOP history along with a prizepool reaching the $5 million mark.

Making a return to the schedule for the second year will be the November Nine. Once again, the final table of the WSOP Main Event will be held four months later so that Harrah's can "hype" the players and turn them into "household" names. Hopefully, they will be a little more successful this year than last.

Aside from those, here are some highlights from the WSOP website:

• 57 gold bracelet events over 50 days
• 10 “World Championship” $10,000 buy-in events (“World Championship” refers to tournaments with a buy-in of $10,000 in each of the various disciplines of poker)
• The third annual $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament, with an enhanced gold bracelet and the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy awarded to the winner
• Seven open $1500 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournaments, the most popular events in poker
• The 3rd annual Ante Up For Africa $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em celebrity and charity tournament on Thursday, July 2, 2009, (the day before the Main Event begins) featuring the opportunity for anyone age 21 or older to enter and be seated at the same table as A-list celebrities and top poker pros
• The Ladies Only No-Limit Hold’em World Championship on Sunday, June 7, 2009, featuring a $1,000 buy-in and helping to raise awareness for the Nevada Cancer Institute, the official community relations partner of the World Series of Poker
• The Seniors Only No-Limit Hold’em World Championship on Monday, June 22, 2009 for all poker enthusiasts 50 years of age or older

As always, Bodog Poker will be providing ways for online poker players to qualify online for the 2009 WSOP, so stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks and months.