- PokerStars unveils the schedule for the 22nd World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), featuring $80 million in prize money across 340 tournaments.
- For the first time, players can secure seats via the newly launched Power Path qualification format.
- Main Events include a $10,300 game with $6 million guaranteed, as well as $109 Low and $1050 Medium editions with $2.5 million and $4 million guaranteed respectively.
- Promotions include $285,000 in WCOOP tickets integrated into Power Path Step 3 & 4 tournaments, as well as a Player of the Series promotion offering $100,000 in prizes across three leaderboards.
Poker enthusiasts around the globe are in for a treat as online poker giant PokerStars has unveiled the comprehensive schedule for its grand annual event, the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP).
Spanning the usual 25 days from September 10, the 22nd edition of WCOOP 2023 guarantees a whopping $80 million in prize money across 340 tournaments.
Following the trend set since 2017, WCOOP adopts SCOOP’s three-tiered structure, where each event is offered across three buy-in levels: Low, Medium, and High. Buy-ins range from an accessible $5.50 to a high-stakes $25,000.
Continuing the momentum from the previous year, this year’s schedule will once again feature a lineup of special Championship events, echoing the style of the live World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Twelve events have been earmarked as Championships, each corresponding to a unique poker variant. This includes NLHE Progressive Knockout (PKO), 6-Max NLHE, Heads-Up, PLO, Razz, NL 2-7 Single Draw, along with other Draw games and a dedicated Women’s Championship event.
As a result, the total number of individual tournaments is 340 — making it one of the most extensive WCOOP schedules in its twenty-plus year history.
- Deposit $20 and get $30 worth of free play
- One of the best mobile apps
- Biggest MTT guarantees
The Main Events include the highly anticipated $10,300 High, which returns with $6 million guaranteed. It will be accompanied by a $109 Low edition and $1050 Medium, boasting $2.5 million and $4 million in guarantees, respectively.
WCOOP 2023 NLHE Main Events:
- $109 WCOOP Main Event-L: $2.5M Gtd
- $1050 WCOOP Main Event-M: $4M Gtd
- $10,300 WCOOP Main Event-H: $6M Gtd
Adding to the excitement, there are also three Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Main Events with buy-ins of $109, $1050, and $10,300, collectively boasting guarantees of $1.45 million.
The series comprehensively covers PokerStars’ diverse game offerings, spanning from the popular staples (No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Progressive Knockouts, Freezeouts, Zoom) to more niche options, including Limit Hold’em, No Limit Omaha, Stud, Razz, Badugi, 6+ Hold’em, and a selection of mixed-rotation formats.
Unfortunately, the trending Mystery Bounty format will not be part of this year’s schedule. PokerStars is readying the format and its launch is expected to take place soon. But players will have to wait another year before they can play MB tournaments during the WCOOP series.
Satellites will run from just 55 cents, with Main Event seats also available via a special edition of Spin & Go’s coming in three different buy-ins: $0.75, $4 and $20.
Power Path to WCOOP 2023
For the first time players will be able to secure WCOOP tickets through the newly launched qualification format, PokerStars Power Path.
The new system provides an innovative way for players to qualify for major live and online events through a progression-based satellite system for as little as 50 cents. Players can even start their journey for free — every day, players get one Step 1 ticket free for just logging in and paying one cent in rake. This deal is open to new and existing players alike.
- Deposit $20 and get $30 worth of free play
- One of the best mobile apps
- Biggest MTT guarantees
Power Path is a four-step system where players work their way through to win Bronze (valued at $109), Silver ($2500), and Gold Passes ($10,300), which are then converted into packages for specific events or series of their choice.
The final step involves a $109 MTT held every Sunday, awarding Silver or Gold Passes. Notably, this final step can only be earned by winning Step 3; direct buy-ins to Step 4 are not available. All Bronze Pass holders can participate in $109 buy-in events, complemented by three additional Pass bundles.
For Silver and Gold Passes, players have two alternatives for each category, each offering unique bundles.
Silver Pass Ticket Bundle (1) Approx $2500 in Value:
- 1 x $530 WCOOP ticket ($530)
- 3 x $215 WCOOP tickets ($645)
- 6 x $109 WCOOP tickets ($654)
- 8 x $55 WCOOP tickets ($440)
- 10 x $22 WCOOP tickets ($220)
Silver Pass Ticket Bundle (2) Approx $2500 in Value:
- 2 x $1050 WCOOP Main Event-M tickets ($2100)
- 2 x $109 WCOOP Main Event-L tickets ($218)
- 8 x $22 WCOOP ticket ($176)
Gold Pass Bundle Approx $10,300 in Value:
- 1 x $5200 WCOOOP ticket ($5200)
- 4 x $1050 WCOOP tickets ($4200)
- 4 x $109 WCOOP tickets ($436)
- 6 x $55 WCOOP tickets ($330)
Players also have the option to use a $10,300 Gold Power Pass to gain entry into the prestigious WCOOP Main Event-H promising $6 million in guarantees. Furthermore, players can exchange passes for WCOOP events and ticket bundles.
WCOOP 2023 Promotions
In a bid to generate excitement, PokerStars is contributing $285,000 in WCOOP tickets that will be integrated into Power Path Step 3 & 4 tournaments.
The series will also run a Player of the Series promotion, which will distribute $100,000 in prizes across three leaderboards, one per tier, alongside an additional leaderboard for overall performance. The winner of this leaderboard secures a coveted $25,000 cash prize.
Additionally, the operator for the first time will run a special invitation-only Champions Freeroll that will be open to all WCOOP 2022 winners. Scheduled for the inaugural Sunday, September 10, this freeroll will award five tickets to the $10,300 Main Event.
WCOOP 2023 coincides with rival GGPoker’s WSOP Online 2023 bracelet series, set to kick off this Sunday, August 20 and run until October 2. WCOOP 2023 runs from September 10 through to October 4.
WCOOP 2023 Championship Events
| Date | Event | Buy-in | Gtd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | World Championship of Progressive KO NLHE | $5,200 | $1M |
| Sep 13 | World Championship of HORSE | $1,050 | $100K |
| Sep 14 | World Championship of 2-7 Triple Draw | $1,050 | $50K |
| Sep 17 | World Championship of 6-Max NLHE | $5,200 | $700K |
| Sep 18 | World Championship of PLO8 | $1,050 | $165K |
| Sep 19 | World Championship of Heads-Up NLHE | $5,200 | $200K |
| Sep 20 | World Championship of Razz | $1,050 | $65K |
| Sep 25 | World Championship of 8-Game | $2,100 | $150K |
| Sep 28 | World Championship of NL 2-7 Single Draw | $1,050 | $60K |
| Sep 30 | World Championship, Women’s Event | $215 | $35K |
| Oct 1 | WCOOP 98-H: World Championship of NLHE | $10,300 | $6M |
| Oct 1 | WCOOP 100-H: World Championship of PLO | $10,300 | $750K |
