WSOPE Qualifier Poker Sites
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This page shows you how to win a seat in the WSOPE online. The qualifiers are looked at in several ways. First, the different game formats and a general look at the prizes on offer are covered. After that you’ll find information on some of the sites which are well known for their satellite qualifier games. At the bottom of the page you’ll find a quick overview of the highlights of the WSOPE so far.
Qualify for the 2024 WSOPE
Rank | Poker Site | Bonus Amount | Bonus Code | Start Playing |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ignition Poker | 100% up to $2000 | *Use Link | IgnitionCasino.eu |
2 | Bovada Poker | 100% up to $1000 | *Use Link | Bovada.eu |
3 | BetOnline Poker | 100% up to $2500 | *Use Link | BetOnline.com |
4 | Intertops | 100% up to $600 | *Use Link | Intertops.com |
5 | SportsBetting | 100% up to $2500 | *Use Link | SportsBetting |
6 | America's Cardroom | 100% up to $2000 | *Use Link | America's Cardroom |
7 | Blackchip Poker | 100% up to $2000 | *Use Link | Blackchip Poker |
WSOPE Satellite Qualifiers Online – Prize Packages and Game Types
The audience for World Series of Poker Europe qualifiers is global, and travelling to Europe can be expensive. For this reason, when poker sites run qualifiers to prestigious events like this one, they offer packages which include accommodation, travel expenses and the tournament entry. These start at around $12,000 – with $10,000 of that set aside for entry into the tournament. Details will vary from site to site, though if you do win a package, all your expenses are generally covered.
You’ll find 2 main types of qualifier games online. These are multi-table tournaments and Sit N Go tournaments. As you will see below, the two types can be mixed at some poker rooms.
With prize packages worth at least $12,000 it is not possible to give these away in smaller buy-in tournaments at most sites. Instead you’ll find a series of qualifier games for the WSOPE, each awarding seats in a bigger tournament. Depending on which site you play at, the direct qualifiers (usually held on a Sunday) have buy-ins of $500 and up. I recommend you look out for games which have a guarantee – for example ‘5 packages guaranteed’ in the title. If there are not enough entrants in the game this creates an ‘overlay’ in prize money.
Smaller qualifiers can start at just 1 penny, or even via freerolls. These feed into progressively bigger money games until you win a ticket for the direct qualifier. You can buy-in at any point, so if those crazy micro-stakes games are not your thing they are easily avoided. There are plenty of tournament variations available for qualifier games – both in speed of the game and the ability to rebuy if you bust out.
Sit N Go Satellites
1-table tournaments are a popular format for WSOPE qualifiers. While most sites will not have a specific series of these games for the WSOPE, the general idea still holds. You buy-in small and finish in the top 2 places to move up to a bigger buy-in 1-table tournament. You will then have a choice of either keeping on playing to the final stage, where you get to choose which live tournament to enter with your prize – or switch to the multi-table tournaments. These Sit N Goes are known as ‘Steps’. An example is the Steps at PokerStars. Here you can use your Step 4 entry to enter any $215 poker tournament – a common price for satellite qualifiers.
Where to Find the Best WSOPE Qualifiers
Your main options for World Series of Poker Europe qualifiers are the big international sites. These include 888 Poker, which is closely associated with the WSOP brand – and PokerStars, which allows you to choose your destination tournament via their ‘PokerStars Passport’ qualifier system. You can also find live event qualifiers on the iPoker Network.
I recommend 888 Poker for these games. This site is well known for having the most fish, as their focus is more recreational than the bigger PokerStars. You can choose Sit N Go or multi-table tournament qualifiers.
WSOPE History and Highlights
It felt like offering bracelets to winners of WSOP events outside of Las Vegas was a gamble at the time it was announced. Almost a decade later, European bracelets are accepted as just as valuable as their US counterparts – without diluting the prestige of the brand.
The first WSOPE created some history itself, with Annette Obrestadt from Norway winning the title and coveted bracelet. At just 18 years of age, Annette was the youngest ever bracelet winner. Some big names from the world of poker have since won the Main Event. These include John Juanda in 2008, Barry Shulman in 2009 and none other than Phil Helmuth in 2012.