To say the least, the World Championship of Online Poker is a huge event. Dozens of countries from around the world participate in 62 unique events, showcasing the best poker players in the game. Now in its tenth year, the 2011 PokerStars WCOOP is here with a $30,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, and you can bet that players will hope to set a new record for the prize pool of the $5,200 Main Event.
Scheduled from September 4th-26th, play started this past Sunday with the $200+$15 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Max Event. Lasting over the course of several days, it was online player LOL_U_21 who captured $288,660 in prize money. The event generated a total of 7,500 players, with over a million in guaranteed money. Not a bad pay day for the unknown poker player.
While a few other events have also concluded, most of the hype thus far has surrounded the $10,300 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em event. Several blue-chip poker pros could be found in the player pool, including Jude Ainsworth, online poker savant Joao Barbosa, Chris “Moorman1” Moorman, Humberto Brenes, Joe Hachem, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom and Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier. Hachem finished as one of the Team PokerStars pros to finish the deepest, despite coming up short overall in the pursuit of the $430,000 top prize.
That honor belonged to Ashley “DYBYDX” Mason, who went through a bit of a hurricane to finally land at the top of the standings. Coming into the final table as one of the short stacks, it was a series of successful all-ins at the final table that propelled him into the winner’s circle.
So what makes the WCOOP so attractive? The money is unprecedented, the competition is steep, and you can play in your pajamas. Online poker tournaments, especially of this magnitude, have the potential to provide life-changing money. With the possibility of chopping deals, unique “second chance” events, cheap satellites and qualifiers, and low buy-ins, players from all walks of life have the potential to win a bracelet. It only takes a chip and a chair, and the PokerStars WCOOP provides both at very little cost.
Since 2002, the WCOOP has brought in total prize money of nearly $220 million, and just over 416,000 entries. There has been 228 events since its induction also, making it a great opportunity for players of advanced skill levels to reduce tournament variance. So if you have the talent, join as many WCOOP tournaments as you can!.
Last year, the WCOOP $5,200 Main Event champion, POTTERPOKER, won $2,278,097 for his two days of great play and timely luck. This could be you in 2011!
U.S players should look at BetOnline Poker for tournament play. If you’re outside of the U.S., sign up for satellites and qualifiers for the World Championship of Online Poker!