40TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 2009 WORLD SERIES OF POKER SCHEDULE

After a lengthy delay and much rumor, Harrah's Entertainment and WSOP officials released the 2009 World Series of Poker Schedule. Despite a rumored contracted schedule, Harrah's will extend the series, bumping the total from 55 to 57 bracelet events. The big news is a $40,000 "high rollers" NLHE event on the Series' opening weekend in late May, which is pitched as a one-time-only affair for the WSOP's 40th edition. Another development: no more re-buy events, due in part to the labor drain caused by the massive rebuys during the early levels. Most major events return and remain in their traditional spots, with a four-month delay for the main event's final table.