Poker Room Tournament Schedules
You saw poker media evolve from blogs, written updates, and experimental podcasts into official livestreams, social video, and organization-owned content. With only a handful of exceptions, I don’t think any player really struck me as wildly different from how they were on television. Everyone on the team at that time really was committed to putting on the best event they could and doing so in a way that revered the brand. Honestly, if Chops hadn’t outlined the vision for others, I don’t think I would have ended up doing as much multimedia as I did because the industry was so stuck in the paradigm of girl in poker video equals ‘hot girl.’ I think this was a time where there was a very narrow idea of what women in poker could really do. You entered a poker industry that was overwhelmingly male, both at the tables and in the media.
To qualify online for WSOP 2026, please visit GGPoker to find out more about WSOP Express, or wsoponline.com if located in the United States. You’re going to need somewhere to rest and recuperate between 2026 WSOP events, and what better place to do that than at a Caesars Entertainment property? Starting May 26, the streams will bring live action from a revamped TV set featuring some of poker’s most familiar voices. WSOP Circuit tournaments usually enjoy large crowds, but the ones in Las Vegas this summer could break attendance records with so many grinders being in Sin City for the 2026 WSOP. The three-day event features two starting flights and brings GG’s flagship brand to the live stage. Last year, the Millionaire Maker was one of the most talked-about stories of the series, controversial but compelling, it remains a standout event that always draws a massive crowd.
Coin Series of Poker
The PLO and NLH Venom tournaments kicked off today with a combined $15M in guarantees spread across several starting flights all month. “The success of the spring championship reaffirmed what makes The Venetian Resort a premier destination for tournament poker,” said Tommy LaRosa, director of poker operations at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. The rest of the festival promises several bounty events, the regular seniors’ event, and lots of satellites into the championship.
From your first Circuit event to a final table in Las Vegas, WSOP is still where you go to prove something. It’s the only platform in the US where you can win a poker tournament for official WSOP gold bracelets without leaving home! Each of these platforms offers a wide range of tournaments and a competitive gaming experience. Remember, the journey in tournament poker is as rewarding as the destination. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, applying the insights and strategies discussed can elevate your game and enhance your poker experience.
However, since I play mainly high-stakes tournaments in the US, most of the players I’m familiar with are also high-stakes regulars. Have you talked to American players about coming to play APT events? The tables are livelier; they’re more willing to chase draws and take gambles, and their fundamentals are still a bit weaker compared to US players. The biggest difference between tournaments in Asia and those in the US is that Asian players tend to play more aggressively. Since I mostly play high-stakes events in the US, which normally start and finish late, I might be more suited to the pace of US high-stakes tournaments because I’m a night owl.
A double up early on or being an overwhelming chip-leader means little, given the total amount of chips in play and the time left in the tournament. ICM considerations, bankroll implications and gameplay dynamics become even more relevant, and there are several factors to consider in order to be profitable. WSOP.com brings the glitz and glamour to digital tables, offering a host of different REAL WSOP bracelets during WSOP Online Circuit events. GGPoker is home to the WSOP Online, where players from eligible countries can compete for actual World Series of Poker bracelets.
Let our friendly and experienced staff help you find a game that matches your style. The prize pool depends on the number of entries, but the 2025 Main Event featured a $90.5 million pool, with $10 million awarded to the winner. Players should follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP.com for more event news and updates. These progress into a $2 buy-in (or Step 2 ticket) Spin & Gold 6-Max SNG, then a $10 buy-in (or Step 3) Turbo Tournament, before a $150 buy-in (or Step 4 ticket) regular tournament opens the door for a WSOP bracelet pass. GGPoker sent more than 1,000 online qualifiers to the WSOP Main Event in 2025, and that impressive number is expected to increase this summer.
This product consolidation isn’t growing the game. But some people don’t have time for the stream. As your own questions to me attest, being a tournament reporter was always considered this horrible grunt work. The fact these episodes are lost to time guts me, as I would give a lot to be able to go back and listen. Getting to share some of the stories from a tournament day that weren’t the headlines but were memorable nonetheless was a very special opportunity. Out of all the work that I did in poker, getting asked to be part of Poker Road Radio was always the work I remember most fondly.
Click through for news on upcoming events, schedules and exciting action from the world’s biggest poker tours. Freeroll tournaments don’t charge a monetary entry fee and can offer real money prizes. Playing online poker at a licensed site is safe and fair. Getting started with online poker means learning the basic rules.
These satellites typically feature lower buy-ins, ranging from $1 to $20, making them accessible to a wide range of players. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the most prestigious and iconic poker tournament series in the world. Exploring these major tournaments provides insight into the heights of professional poker. One of its flagship tournaments, the $1 Million GTD event, draws a large number of participants looking for substantial payouts. Logging into the client and selecting Scheduled Tournaments provides an easy way to view all upcoming events and plan your next poker adventure.
It caters to a wide variety of players, from seasoned pros to enthusiastic amateurs, as the EKA tournament structure includes multiple buy-in levels, allowing players with different budget levels to participate. The European Poker Tour (EPT), established in 2004, is one of the most prestigious live poker tournament series in Europe. It remains the ultimate stage for the game, continually drawing new players and audiences worldwide. We have compiled information on the dates, venues and format of the tournaments to help you not miss out on the important events.
They generally begin at about 1% of the total starting chips each player has and increase at predetermined intervals. This method not only reduces costs but also increases the chances of competing in major tournaments. Eliot Hudon won the first prize at the WPT World Championship, highlighting his significance in the tournament’s history. SportsBetting offers thrilling gameplay combined with opportunities for substantial winnings. The tournaments hosted by SportsBetting include innovative formats and multiple buy-in levels, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. From low-stakes events to high-roller options, BetOnline ensures that there are opportunities for every budget.
These tournaments are run like a cash tournament but anyone who eliminates a player also receives the losing players ‘bounty’. Generally poker sites pay 15-20% of the field – so a tournament with 100 players would pay ~ 15 to 20 players, with most of the prize money allocated to the top spots. In cash tournaments players buy-in for a nominated amount and play down to the last person. The $50,000 buy-in, being five times larger than the buy-in for the Main Event, has thus far tended to deter amateurs from playing in this event, and the variety of games played require a broader knowledge of poker. Since 1972, the Main Event of the WSOP has been the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ‘em (NLHE) tournament (in 1971 the buy-in was $5,000 and the inaugural 1970 event was an invitational with winner determined by a vote from the players).
- We are the official live coverage partner of several major poker festivals including the World Series of Poker.
- By night’s end here at Paradise City Casino, 207 players had secured at least $2,700 from the $2,148,960 prize pool – more than double the $1 million guarantee.
- A qualifier of eight-or-better is usually needed to win the low hand in the split game.
During the tournament, blind levels increase at regular intervals, such as every 10 minutes online or every 30 minutes in live tournaments. The best way to practice tournaments is to actually play – good luck at the tables! Guaranteed tournaments or tournaments with a large number of runners tend to have the best expectation for a skilled player. If you’re looking to make a profit playing tournaments, you should pay extra attention to the prize pool. Large field MTTs can sometimes take hours to complete, so make sure you have a schedule that suits the tournaments you decide to play.
There were a couple of spots where if he had called, the tournament would have been over. So, just for the nerds that like to talk theory – when you think about a hold’em hand, and you’re thinking about the combinations of bluffs an opponent has and what value they have. When we got down to heads-up, he had become handcuffed and in really bad shape because he had completely run out of time banks. Sure, there are times when you get coolered, and you’ve got to put it in. It’s a game where I think that people have this completely backward. Sure, deep-stacked you can be adding some limps into your game.
The tournament itself will be one of the biggest poker tournaments in the mid-major buyin range this year, especially if we are only considering events on European soil. In these tournaments the prize pool goes to buying tickets for the higher buy-in tournament and the ticket(s) are then distributed to the winning players instead of cash. While most online poker tournaments are the same, there can be slight variations from tournament to tournament. Whether you’re looking for micro-stakes tournaments, satellites, freerolls or high-stakes online poker tournaments – the Poker.com tournaments database has got you covered.
On the major poker sites and networks, you can find a variety of SNGs starting every minute or so. Winning MTTs is not easy, but you’re usually treated with a big score if you manage to make it to the final table or even the top position. The scales are very top-heavy, meaning that the winner can take home tens or even hundreds of times more than the lowest paid finishing spot.
Currently, 19 of the 21 largest prize pools in history have been WSOP Main Events. The largest non Hold’em Tournament has been the 2008 WSOP $50K HORSE with a prize pool of $7,104,000 and the first prize of $1,989,120 going to Scotty Nguyen. For the last several years, the largest tournament in the world has been the World Series of Poker Main Event. Tournament structures are posted for each event, including chips, levels, and dealer best poker sites add-ons.
Tournaments such as the WSOP, EPT, and WPT represent the zenith of competitive poker. Short stacks can sometimes have an advantage, as moving all-in carries less risk compared to larger stacks. Consider the Independent Chip Model (ICM) to make the most profitable decisions and exploit weaker opponents. As the tournament progresses to the middle stages, stealing blinds and defending the big blind become vital strategies. This section will break down strategies for different stages of a tournament, helping you navigate your way to victory. From the early stages to the final table, understanding the right approach can significantly increase your chances of success.
Typically, the amount of each entrant’s starting tournament chips is an integer multiple of the buy-in. One hundred percent of the net monies raised is distributed to the benefiting 501(c)3 organizations designated per tournament. The WPT World Championship at the Wynn in Las Vegas in December is the biggest non-WSOP event in the United States. The €5,300 Main Event typically draws 2,000 or more entrants and generates multi-million-euro prize pools, with the champion earning over €1 million. The 2024 WSOP Main Event generated a prize pool of approximately $94 million from 10,112 entrants. No other tournament comes close to combining its field size, buy-in level, and historical prestige.
A tournament series may consist of either single-table or multi-table tournaments. Separate portions of each player’s buy-in go towards a prize pool and a «cash out» pool. For example, in a ten-person, $5 game, there may be two players remaining with $29 and $21, respectively, worth of chips.
He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. International players may also need additional proof of address, such as a utility bill or signed lease. All GGPoker players receive a free Step 0 Avatar Race ticket each day they log into their account. In July 2025, GGPoker launched the WSOP Express, allowing its players to win their way to the 2026 WSOP Main Event for as little as $0.50. Deeb won the coveted award in 2018, so the 2025 victory saw him become only the second player in history to become a two-time WSOP Player of the Year after Daniel Negreanu (2004 and 2013). The 100 bracelet-awarding events that make up the 2026 WSOP will play a significant role in the race for the revamped WSOP Player of the Year competition.
What Are the Best Poker Tournaments for Beginners?
Most other poker rooms around town will have a regular offering of daily tournaments, and they can be convenient if you are staying nearby. For some reason, neither was inducted in the first year in a long time when there was an opportunity to induct more than one player. Now, look, I know there are a lot of other players who belong in this conversation, but I’m using Deeb and Seiver as examples because they’re two of the most recent players who I think we’d all agree deserve to be in. You don’t get punished for that as you would in no-limit, because the crux of the game is played post-flop.
Play tournaments that don’t last longer than the time you can allocate for playing. You should take notes on your opponents and take advantage of the worst players who are still in the tournament, as they’re looking to gamble with all sorts of hands. Early stage in a tournament plays similarly to a cash game with deep stacks.
PartyPoker tops our list for the best poker site for freerolls and it was an obvious pick. That means you might be finding yourself playing for hours and only winning a few cents. There really isn’t a catch – freerolls are free and you can (often) win real money or other prizes. They’re perfect for beginners, bankroll builders and anyone looking to play without spending real money. At PokerNews, we’ve reviewed the top tournament sites in the US, Canada, UK and around the world. And this is what draws so many to the tournament format.