WSOP Express is a series of online qualifiers powered by GGPoker, designed to give all players a chance to play at the World Series of Poker, offering tickets for ring and bracelet events, and even entries into Super events like the WSOP Super Main Event in The Bahamas.

In many ways similar to the PokerStars Power Path, WSOP Express consists of several steps, with buy-ins starting as low as $0.50. Thus, everyone can get involved and try their hand at qualifying, regardless of the size of their bankroll.

There are four steps in total, with the final step offering passes to WSOP Bracelet and Ring events. Players can buy into any of the steps directly, including the final Step 4 satellites.

On this page, we break down everything you need to know about WSOP Express, how it works, and why it is one of the best ways for many casual players to get their seats in various WSOP tournaments.

WSOP Express Step Tournaments

The WSOP Express path consists of four steps with increasing buy-ins. Players are free to enter the qualifying path at any step, whether they buy in with cash or use a ticket won in previous steps.

• Step 1 – $0.50 All-In or Fold 4-Max Sit & Go
• Step 2 – $2 Spin & Gold 6-Max Sit & Go
• Step 3 – $10 Turbo Tournaments
• Step 4 – $150 Regular MTT awarding Ring or Bracelet Passes

We are bringing you a short description of how each of the steps works and how you can make your way up the ladder.

Step 1 – All-in or Fold

The first step on the WSOP Express ladder is a $0.50 All-in or Fold sit and go, where the winner receives a Step 2 ticket. In case you’re not familiar, players are given three bullets (stacks) to begin with.

If you lose your first stack, the second one is activated. If you lose that one, you get reloaded once more.

Of course, with short blind levels, the value of each new stack becomes smaller, but you should still make the most out of the opportunity. With your first stack, you can get a bit of a feel for your opponents and take some calculated risks.

You don’t need to go crazy on your first bullet, but don’t wait for too long to try and get that double-up, either. You want to be able to activate your additional stacks (or at least one of them) while blinds are still relatively small.

Step 2 – Spin & Gold Excitement

Step 2 6-max Spin & Gold tournaments are perhaps the most exciting of all steps along the WSOP Express path. The buy-in is just $2, but the prize for the winner isn’t fixed. Instead, it is determined by the Spin & Gold wheel, and it can be any of the following:

• Step 2 ticket (for a repeat chance)
• Step 3 ticket (the most common outcome)
• WSOP Circuit & Ring Passes (very rare)
• WSOP Super Passes (extremely rare)

In most cases, you’ll be playing for a ticket to the next step, but, if you play enough of these (or just get very lucky), you might find yourself in a situation where you are playing for a pass worth between $5,000 and $30,000 for a buy-in of just $2.

Since this is a winner-takes-all format, your best bet is to stick to a solid and aggressive strategy no matter what the prize is. Try to focus on making the best decisions whether you’re playing for a $10 ticket or a $30,000 Super Pass.

Step 3 – Target Stack Tournaments

Step 3 of WSOP Express features a $10 Target Stack Turbo tournament. In this format, you’ll qualify for the ticket as soon as your chip count reaches a certain number.

Once a player reaches the target number, those chips are removed from play, while any chips over the target amount are distributed equally to other players at the table.

The number of Step 4 tickets available in Step 3 tournaments depends on the number of entrants (one ticket for every $150 in the prize pool).

With this format, you can approach these games more like a cash game, looking for favorable opportunities to get your chips in the middle. If you can double up early on, you can get close to hitting the target right off the bat. Unlike in regular tournaments, accumulating chips is much more important than the survival.

Step 4 – Pick Your Path

Step 4 is the final step on the WSOP Express path. These are classic multi-table tournaments awarding different types of WSOP Ring or Bracelet passes for top finishers.

Once you have Step 4 ticket, you can choose the type of satellite you want to play in. At this juncture, you can go for a direct pass to a live event or press it one more time to win entries into even more expensive qualifiers.

• Direct Pass Path to a live event of your choosing
• Bracelet Step Path – $1,000 buy-in, with one in ten players receiving a $10,000 WSOP Pass
• $2,500 Super Step — awarding Super Pass prizes to events like the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event (one in 13 players)

At this point, it boils down to what you’re after. If you’re recreational player with little live experience, you’re better off going for a direct path and trying to secure your seat in one of cheaper WSOP Circuit events. On the other hand, serious grinders can take advantage of the opportunity to win a seat in one of the more expensive events at a significant discount.

WSOP Express Step Progression, Buy-ins and Prizes

WSOP Express Passes

Players can win different types of passes via Step 4 satellites. All of them will be for World Series of Poker or World Series of Poker Circuit events, depending on what is coming up.

Right now and for the remainder of 2025, the focus will be on the upcoming WSOP Paradise, which takes place in December.
Passes available via WSOP Express include:

• $5,000 Ring Pass — A ticket for WSOP Super Circuit Live events, covering a buy-in & expenses
• $10,000 Bracelet Pass — A ticket for any $10,000 WSOP tournament (including the Main Event)
• $30,000 Super Pass — A ticket for the 2025 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, covering the $26,000 buy-in, discounted accommodation at the Bahamas, and various other perks.

Players can use their Step 3 tickets to buy into any available Step 4 event. So, depending on what you’re looking to play, you can take your pick. Whether you’re looking to play in the Bahamas, want to secure your seat in the 2026 WSOP Main Event, or have a shot at some Circuit events, the options are available.

Free WSOP Express Step Tickets

There are a few ways you can get free Step 1 and Step 2 tickets. These do require you to put in some volume at GGPoker, but if you play on the site as is, these step tickets are a nice addition to all the other promotions and rakeback you’ll be accumulating.

• Play 100 hands in cash games — get a Step 1 ticket ($0.50 value)
• Play 300 cash game hands — get a Step 2 ticket ($2 value)

You can use these tickets to enter any and all WSOP Express tournaments of the appropriate level. For the first two steps, there are opportunities available around the clock, so you can pick any time that works for you.

It is also worth noting that all cash game hands count toward this promotion. Whether you play classic Hold’em and PLO, Short Deck, Rush & Cash, or All In or Fold, once you get 100 and 300 hands in, you’ll get your tickets.

FAQ

What is WSOP Express?

WSOP Express is a new series of online qualifiers powered by GGPoker to give all players a chance to qualify online for various WSOP Circuit and WSOP events and compete for rings and bracelets.

What can I win with GGPoker WSOP Express?

With GGPoker’s WSOP Express, you can win entries into live WSOP Super Circuit and WSOP bracelet-awarding events. Prizes are worth between $5,000 and $30,000.

Can I qualify for the WSOP Paradise via WSOP Express?

Yes, you can qualify for the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event via WSOP Express and win a $30,000 package to cover your buy-in, give you discounted accommodation, and more.

Can I qualify for the WSOP Main Event through WSOP Express?

Yes, you can qualify for the WSOP Main Event using WSOP Express and win a $10,000 entry into the tournament.

Can I play in WSOP Express for free?

There are various ways you can get Step 1 and Step 2 tickets for free at GGPoker. For example, by just playing some cash game hands on the site, you’ll be receiving regular WSOP Express tickets.

When can I use my WSOP Express pass?

Once you win a pass to a live event via WSOP Express, you can use it as early as the next day if there is an event with the appropriate buy-in starting at that time, and you can get to a location to play.