If you’re the type of player that likes to make their tournament poker plans 6 months in advance, then Christmas came early for you this week as the World Series of poekr released the official tournament schedule for the 2010 WSOP.

The schedule has more similarities than differences with the 2009 schedule, especially when compared to, say, a 2006 schedule (which almost reads like an entirely different tournament event, to be honest). That said, there are some critical differences worth noting.

FOOTPRINT: The WSOP will be taking place at the Rio in 2010, but will be employing even more of that casino’s cavernous convention space. This year the WSOP maintains it’s use of the Amazon Room and additionally employs the Pavilion, the largest ballroom at the Rio. The new space will allow organizers to offer players an increase of tables approaching 20%, according to the WSOP (last year the event hosted 295 tables). Also, the ‘food tent’ from last year will be converted into an indoor food court based in the Miranda Ballroom.

50k HORSE: It’s no longer HORSE – the format is being shifted to a 50k buy in 8-game mix. The winner will still receive the ‘Chip Reese trophy’ and the event will, according to WSOP, be followed heavily by ESPN. If you’re not into playing the five-day event but like the mixed games (or are a HORSE purist), you’ll still have the 1.5k and 3k HORSE tournaments to participate in, as well as a new 10k buy in HORSE event that seeks to fill the void created by the format shift.

NEW BUY INS Harrah’s is catering to players at both ends of the buy in spectrum with new events planned for the 2010 WSOP. For lower buy in players, the Rio will be offering a series of weekday tournaments during the WSOP with a $550 buy in. The tournaments are NOT bracelet events, but will run in the WSOP area. Several 1k buy in events – which are bracelet events – have made their way onto the schedule as well. For players at the top of the buy in chain, Harrah’s has added a 25k buy in 6 max No Limit Holdem event.

Source: http://www.parttimepoker.com/official-2010-world-series-of-poker-schedule-released