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5 Best Poker Tournaments to Enter in 2024

  • World Series of Poker (WSOP)
  • European Poker Tour (EPT)
  • World Poker Tour (WPT)
  • PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA)
  • Aussie Millions

5 Best Poker Tournaments to Enter in 2024

World Series of Poker (WSOP)

The WSOP is the biggest and most anticipated poker tournament series in the world, held annually between late May and early July in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. The richest event is a $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em championship that draws thousands of entrants from all over the world. The main event peaked at a record 8,569 entrants in 2023, underscoring the series’ increasing popularity. The WSOP has over 100 events that appeal to both recreational and professional players alike, with varying formats and buy-ins.

History and Evolution

The WSOP has immense history, starting back in 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. Once the elite of poker players met in a small assembly, today the tournament has become internationally known. The first-ever WSOP featured just seven players, with Johnny Moss being selected as the champion by his peers. As the poker world has changed, so too has the WSOP; it runs far more events than ever before and has even introduced online bracelet events.

Viewership and Media Coverage

The eyes of live audiences and online watchers alike are glued to the WSOP. Over the past few years, the main event has aired on ESPN where millions of people watch. Moreover, platforms such as Twitch and YouTube give extensive coverage to hundreds of events live, allowing you to track your favorite players on the go. All eyes are on the final table of the main event, which can draw more than 5,000 global viewers.

Tournament Format

The WSOP generally follows standard poker tournament rules, though each event has variations. The marquee tournament is a freezeout, which means when you bust, you’re out. No-limit betting operates in the same way; players are free to bet any amount of their chips at any time.

Chips and Prize Pools

The main event features 60,000 chips per player to kick off each event. The prize pool is the total pool of all cash players have paid to participate in the game, which gets distributed to the top finishers. For the main event of 2023, the prize pool totaled over $80 million, with $12 million going to the winner. The payout structure for the top 15% provides substantial rewards that benefit not only the final table but also deep runs.

Iconic Hands and Players

The WSOP is famous for some of the most memorable moments and players in the history of the game. Arguably the most famous hand of the WSOP main event came in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker (an amateur) pulled a huge bluff against seasoned pro Sam Farha to win it. Known as the “Moneymaker Effect,” this win inspired a poker boom, showing the world that anyone could win. Players like the great Phil Hellmuth, who has the most WSOP bracelets in the history of poker, and two-time main event champion Doyle Brunson stand out.

European Poker Tour (EPT)

The European Poker Tour (EPT) is a major poker tournament series that visits some of Europe’s most historic and popular poker cities. With destinations in cities such as Barcelona, Prague, and Monte Carlo, the EPT offers a festival of events in each stop over several days. A total of over 1,900 entries turned out in the EPT Barcelona 2023 Main Event alone, highlighting the tour’s wide-ranging appeal.

Historical Importance and Evolution

Brought to life by PokerStars in 2004, the EPT quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious poker tours in the world. The first season featured seven events beginning in Spain with Alex Stevic winning the Barcelona Main Event. The EPT‘s prize pools have grown significantly over the years, reflecting the general growth in poker worldwide. With satellites now included, the EPT Prague 2023 Main Event featured a prize pool of more than €6 million, underscoring the tour’s continued growth and importance.

Viewers Engagement and Broadcasts

The EPT receives extensive media exposure, with events being live-streamed on Twitch and YouTube among other platforms, and televised broadcasts following the sessions. The stream of the final table of the EPT Barcelona in 2023 drew more than 100,000 concurrent viewers, demonstrating the tour’s massive appeal.

Tournament Rules and Formats

The EPT follows standard tournament rules with variations adapted for each particular tournament. The Main Event carries a buy-in of €5,300 and is contested in a no-limit hold’em format. Players start with 30,000 chips, and blinds gradually increase to create a balanced playing field for both skill and action.

Chips and Prize Distributions

The EPT Main Event begins with 30,000 chips, and the levels increase regularly to maintain active gameplay. The prize pool is the total amount of money collected from player buy-ins. At the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event in 2023, for example, €5.5 million was collected, and the winner received €1 million. Payouts extend to about 15-20% of the field, providing good value for deep runs.

Memorable Hands and Champions

The EPT has seen some of poker’s most memorable hands and winners. One of the greatest moments was when Victoria Coren Mitchell made history in 2014 by becoming the only player to win two EPT Main Event titles. Another memorable hand occurred during the 2019 EPT Monte Carlo when Nicolas Dumont’s bluff against Honglin Jiang became a poster child for high-stakes poker strategy.

World Poker Tour (WPT)

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a series of international poker tournaments famous among poker players worldwide. WPT events run year-round in key poker locations like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and international hotspots such as Barcelona and the Caribbean. The WPT runs several Main Tour events each season, culminating in the WPT World Championship. With over 2,000 entrants in the 2023 WPT World Championship, this was one of the best performances in the tour’s history, showcasing its expansive reach.

History and Development

Founded in 2002 by attorney and television producer Steven Lipscomb, the WPT revolutionized poker broadcasting with its unique televised coverage. The inaugural season hooked audiences with hole card cameras and slick play-by-play commentary. Gus Hansen won his first WPT event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic in 2003.

Viewership and Broadcasting

The WPT did a lot to mainstream poker. Broadcast on networks like Fox Sports, the WPT reached over 100 million households. The Royal Flush Crew and player interviews added a personal and entertaining touch. Live streams on platforms like Twitch and YouTube make the tour accessible to fans, allowing viewers to see the action live.

Rules and Variants of the Tournament

WPT events, which are no-limit hold’em, follow the same tournament rules set by the WPT. Main Event buy-ins usually vary from $3,500 to $10,000, appealing to both mid-stakes and high-stakes players.

Chips and Prize Pools

The WPT is known for offering substantial prize pools. The 2023 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic generated a $9 million prize pool, with the winner taking home more than $1.6 million. Participants typically start with 30,000 to 50,000 chips, and levels escalate every 60 to 90 minutes to maintain a good speed of play, keeping players constantly under tension due to limited time.

Iconic Hands and Champions

The WPT has produced unforgettable moments and players. Daniel Negreanu’s 2004 bluff against Gus Hansen at the WPT Borgata Poker Open is an iconic hand highlighting high-level strategy. Darren Elias, who boasts a record four WPT titles, is one of the most famous names in the tour’s history.

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA)

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) is an annual poker festival held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Taking place in January, the PCA offers a stellar way for players to escape winter to a tropical paradise. With over 40 events spread over ten days, the 2023 PCA included a full slate of high rollers, turbos, and the storied Main Event.

History and Evolution

Since its inception in 2004, the PCA has been a mainstay on the global poker calendar. Gus Hansen was the first-ever PCA champion by winning the Main Event while it was still affiliated with the World Poker Tour. Over the years, the PCA has grown in size and reputation, drawing thousands of players and millions in prize money.

Engage Viewers And Media Relations

The PCA receives extensive media coverage, including live streams and televised events. The PCA Main Event final table in 2023 was streamed live on PokerStars’ official Twitch and YouTube channels, attracting tens of thousands of viewers.

Rules and Format of the Tournament

The PCA adheres to standard poker tournament rules, focusing on no-limit hold’em. The Main Event has a $10,300 buy-in with players starting with 30,000 chips. The structure features one-hour levels in a deep stack format.

Chips and Prize Pools

The PCA Main Event begins with 30,000 chips, with 60-minute blind levels throughout. The 2023 Main Event prize pool exceeded $8 million, with first place taking over $1.5 million. A fair range of pros and online qualifiers provide excellent depth and competition for this nationally renowned event. Payouts go to the top 15-20% of entrants, rewarding deep runs considerably.

Iconic Hands and Champions

The PCA is home to legendary hands and numerous poker greats. In 2010, Harrison Gimbel became the youngest ever PCA Main Event champion at 19 years old, winning $2.2 million. In 2018, Maria Lampropulos made history by becoming the first female champion in the PCA‘s history.

Aussie Millions

The Aussie Millions is an annual poker tournament held at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. Usually played from mid-January to early February, the series consists of various events culminating with the $10,600 AUD Main Event. Situated on the banks of the Yarra River, the Crown Casino proves to be an elegant venue for the tournament, attracting poker enthusiasts from around the globe. In 2023, the Main Event again saw over 800 entrants, proving its enduring appeal.

History and Development

Launched in 1998, the Aussie Millions has grown into one of the major poker events outside North America. The tour quickly established its credentials with Alexander Stevic’s victory in the 2003 Main Event, followed by an EPT Main Event title the following year. The Main Event prize pool surged past $8 million AUD by 2023, reflecting the tournament’s popularity and prestige.

Engaged Viewers, Aesthetic and Coverage

The event is televised globally and live-streamed to homes and smart devices worldwide. Platforms like Twitch and PokerGO provide live streams, making the event visible to millions of fans.

Format and Rules of the Tournament

All Aussie Millions games use no-limit hold’em rules, with variations built into each event. The Main Event has a $10,600 AUD buy-in and starts with 30,000 chips. Blinds escalate every 90 minutes, maintaining a strategic play environment.

Chips and Prize Pools

Each Main Event participant starts with 30,000 chips, and the structure is designed to play down to a winner in a reasonable timeframe. By 2023, the prize pool for the Main Event exceeded $8 million AUD, with the winner receiving more than $1.7 million AUD. Payouts extend to the top 15% of the field, ensuring many participants walk away with significant winnings.

Iconic Hands and Champions

The Aussie Millions has crowned some legends over the years. Ami Barer won the 2014 Main Event, earning $1.6 million AUD after a wild final table. Another iconic moment was when Tony Bloom won the 2005 Main Event, further entrenching his status as an elite poker player.

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