For those fascinated by poker, there are a few marquee competitions you should keep an eye on. These significant events pull in viewers worldwide and the world’s most accomplished players. Each provides a distinctive glimpse into techniques and abilities developed by leading professionals. Whether you’re an experienced competitor or simply enthusiastic about the game, you will learn much from these tournaments.
WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) stands out as the most prestigious event. Hosted annually in Las Vegas between May and July, it garners global attention. Comparable to football’s World Cup, WSOP attracts international competitors, from seasoned pros to keen newcomers. The audience consists not only of poker enthusiasts but also those interested in gambling and online pokies in particular.
With over 80 events, its offerings are vast, including the acclaimed $10,000 Main Event, which often sees 7,000 entrants. Prize money is substantial, with the Main Event champion usually bagging over $10 million. Some well-known victors include Stu Ungar, Phil Helmuth and Johnny Chan.
PokerStars Players Championship and PCA
The PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC) forms part of the revered PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Scheduled between January and February, the $25,000 buy-in event pulls in professional players globally.
PokerStars offers many qualifying events, ensuring a diverse player pool, including many amateurs. Its allure lies in its structure and the massive guarantee, often attracting over a thousand entrants. In 2023, the champion Aliaksandr Shylko, took home $3.1 million. While PSPC is a highlight, Caribbean Adventure has been held at many enticing locations, like the Atlantis Bahamas and the Baha Mar Resort.
WPT World Championship
The World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship is an annual high-stakes contest that attracts a myriad of players: professionals, rising talents and amateurs alike. With an entry fee of $10,300, participants vie for substantial payouts and the title of champion.
In 2022, this event made its debut at the Wynn, Las Vegas, setting new records. Eliot Hudon of Canada clinched the title, amassing $4.1 million in winnings. The event typically hosts around 2,500 players.
Triton Super High Roller Series
Despite being relatively new in the poker world the Triton Super High Roller Series has garnered immense popularity. Prioritising high-roller events it frequently becomes the choice of seasoned professionals.
Spread throughout the year and hosted in various exotic locales, the series commands an average entry fee above $10,000. With entrants ranging from 30 to 200 players, Triton tournaments are no playground for novices. In a landmark event in 2019, Bryn Kenney bagged a staggering $20 million at a $1 million buy-in event in London.
European Poker Tour (EPT)
The European Poker Tour, often called EPT, is a PokerStars brainchild initiated in 2004 by John Duthie. Envisioned as a European-wide series, its events span cities such as London, Barcelona, and Monte Carlo. An average EPT main event witnesses a turnout of over 1,000 players, with many earning their spots via online PokerStars satellite tournaments.
The EPT main event champion can expect over $1 million in winnings, while side events offer between $50,000 to $900,000. Unlike EPT, PokerStars often runs freerolls and affordable qualifiers, providing a platform for amateur players to compete with the pros.
WSOP Online
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online has emerged as a significant digital adaptation of the traditional poker tournament, reflecting the contemporary shift towards online gaming.
Throughout the year, WSOP offers online tournaments for those seeking the coveted bracelet and Circuit tournament enthusiasts from the UK, US and globally. On average, a WSOP online event attracts over 2,000 players. The potential rewards for those competing in the WSOP Online Main Event are substantial, often exceeding $2 million.
WCOOP
PokerStars’ World Championship of Online Poker, better known as WCOOP, has etched its mark as an inclusive online poker tournament, offering games for all, from Texas Hold’em to Stud.
Scheduled in November, it covers a spectrum of buy-ins and variants. With the main events, particularly Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, often drawing in the most entrants, the general WCOOP event sees an average participation of over 1,000 players. However, the $5,200 main event typically sees a larger crowd, with over 2,000 players. Prize money varies, ranging from $10,000 to well over $1 million. Notably, WCOOP 2023 boasted a total guaranteed prize pool of a staggering $85 million.
SCOOP
The Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), a brainchild of PokerStars, complements the WCOOP series. SCOOP covers diverse poker variants like Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha from May to June. Its distinctive feature is the multi-tiered buy-in structure, catering to players of varied budgets.
While the low-stakes events attract over 5,000 players, high buy-in tournaments witness 200 to 2,000+ entries. With a guaranteed prize pool of $75 million in 2022, the eventual payouts soared beyond $100 million. Main events promise winners upwards of $800,000.
