- As per the rules, those who did not want to travel or would test positive for COVID-19 would be disqualified.
- Changing travel restrictions made predicting if attendance were possible or desirable difficult for everyone.
- Living “next door” to the venue with only one train ride required, I became the prime candidate to report on the final table.
- Upon arrival, I underwent an antigen test, which the casino paid for, and two doctors were at the venue to administer it.
- All the staff were wearing either face masks or a plastic face shield to cover the mouth and nose.
- Since the Czech Republic is considered a high-risk country right now, I have to complete a mandatory ten-day home quarantine.
This past Tuesday, December 15, the international leg of the 2020 WSOP $10,000 Championship Main Event concluded at the King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czechia.
Damian Salas defeated Brunno Botteon to earn a prize of more than $1.5 million. He also gets his shot at another $1 million payday as the online/live poker hybrid is slated to determine the World Champion on December 30th, 2020, with the Heads-Up Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As a poker journalist, I was involved in the live reporting for the online stage. I was also the only live reporter who went to the Czech Republic to cover the Main Event final table on behalf of PokerNews.
This is my experience reporting on a unique poker event that successfully took place during a global pandemic.
