Poker is arguably one of the most popular casino games, with over 100 million worldwide online Poker players alone. These online games cater for all types of Poker – for players with a variety of skill levels and bankrolls. There is also a selection of online tournaments for players to choose from, with some having a guaranteed prize pool.
Online Poker tournaments tend to start with low stakes, but can act as a gateway into bigger and bolder, worldwide tournaments. It’s worth remembering that in 2003, Chris Moneymaker was the first person to become champion of the World Series of Poker after qualifying at an online Poker site – coining the term the ‘Moneymaker Effect’. There are several huge official Poker tournaments that have massive amounts of money as the jackpot prize to win! Let’s take a look at three of the biggest Poker tournaments in the world.
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is one of the largest and richest Poker tournaments in the world, having awarded more than $3.3 billion in prize money and with entrants from over 100 countries taking part to win some of the $10 million total prize money. The prestigious gaming events included in the WSOP are globally recognised as top sporting events with the WSOP Gold Bracelet as the ultimate prize – enticing over 8,500 participants to enter in 2019.
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2020, the WSOP is the longest running Poker tournament. It’s 51st Tournament will aim to see a hybrid version in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with both online and live Poker gaming events taking place. The ‘No-Limit Hold-Em’ World Championship, known to players and fans as the ‘Main Event’, is set to take place this year on November 29th for international players and December 13th for those in the US.
World Poker Tour
The World Poker Tour (WPT) has been an international, innovative gaming event series since 2002. This premium Poker tournament combines high-stake, land-based and online games, and is broadcast around the globe to over 150 countries. The different events of the tournament are usually organised in these various countries throughout the year. The WPT season always ends with the WPT Championships – champions of which have their names engraved on the WPT Champions Cup.
In its 18th season, the WPT will broadcast its first ever Main Tour online event this year as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. The WPT Online Poker Open Main Event has a $1 million guarantee and will take place between December 27-29th, with the winner being crowned at a live-streamed final table on December 29th.
World Championship of Online Poker
The World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) is the largest Poker tournament of its kind, with its games and events all taking place online. Beginning in 2002, the WCOOP saw the biggest ever prize money awarded at an online Poker tournament, with over $12 million generated from the 15 events that took place in 2005. Just like a traditional Poker tournament, the WCOOP sees players take part in a variety of Poker games, with low, medium and high buy-in tiers for each event to cater for the different skill sets of the entrants.
As an already established online series of events, the WCOOP was little effected by the pandemic this year, and saw its tournament go ahead during the month of August and ending on September 23rd. The 225-tournament schedule had $80 million in guarantees and saw a top jackpot prize money of $2 million.