WSOP
- World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2024
- WSOP 2024 Key Information
- World Series of Poker 2024 Highlights
- WSOP Online Qualifiers & Online Bracelet Events 2024
- World Series of Poker Schedule 2024
- Television & Streaming Schedule, Final Tables
- Daily Deepstacks, Weekly Events & Satellites
- Daily DeepStack Events
- Weekly H.O.R.S.E and Seniors Tournaments
- Landmark Satellites
- WSOP Streaming
- World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) 2024
- WSOPC USA Events in 2024
- WSOPC International Events in 2024
- History of the World Series of Poker
- Television & Online Poker Grow The Game
- Key WSOP Players & Winners
- World Series of Poker FAQS
World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2024
The long awaited and much anticipated schedule for the 55th annual World Series of Poker has now been revealed. The series takes place at the linked casinos of the Horseshoe (formerly Ballys) and Paris in Las Vegas from May 28th until July 17th, 2024. The 2024 schedule includes 99 bracelet events, the most ever awarded in a single series, up from the 95 that were won in 2023.
Qualifying details aren’t known yet, but it is likely that as per 2023, players will be able to not only qualify for live WSOP events at GG Poker, but also take part on cue again in online bracelet events. There are also expected to be qualifying options for the WSOP Main Event on Club GG and for residents of some states, WSOP online is also an option.
WSOP 2024 Key Information
| WSOP 2024 | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 28 -July 17, 2024 |
| Location | Las Vegas Strip, Horseshoe & Paris Casinos |
| Live Bracelet Events | 99 |
| Buy-in range | $300 to $250,000 |
| $10,000 Main Event dates | July 3-17 |
World Series of Poker 2024 Highlights
The series takes place at the linked casinos of the Horseshoe (formerly Ballys) and Paris in Las Vegas from May 28th until July 17th, 2024.
Overall the schedule is very similar to last year's, with a few minor changes and additions. These are the highlights and key takeaways from the 2024 WSOP Bracelet Event Schedule
- 99 bracelet events
- Main Event runs from July 4th -17th, including four starting days
- New Independence Day event
- More Multi-Starting Day events
- Expanded PLO Offering
- Daily Deepstacks Schedule running side-by-side with bracelet events
- Satellites all become Landmark (milestone) format
- GG Poker aiming for 1,000 main event online qualifiers
The series also includes 24/7 live cash game action and a permanent Hall of Fame Poker Room. The series also includes the $300 Gladiators of Poker event for its second outing. Once again, it is the lowest buy-in event on the schdule and the lowest in WSOP history for a live event.
The $10,000 Main Event is set for July 4-17 following last year’s 10,043 player field, the largest in the history of the WSOP.
WSOP Online Qualifiers & Online Bracelet Events 2024
Players on GG Poker can compete every Sunday in Road to Vegas satellites that cost $1,200 to enter and award $12,000 packages for every 10 players registered.
GG Poker is attempting to qualify 1,000 players for the 2024 WSOP Main Event. In 2023 GG Poker qualified 774 online players via its Road to Vegas promotion.
Early signs are that they will meet this target, but not without it costing them a lot in missed guarantees, as written about on PokerWired.
World Series of Poker Schedule 2024
The 99 event schedule includes a mix of old and new and will be played out on a total of 700 tables, spread across three main tournament rooms. This is the highest number of tables that the series has ever employed and suggests that if the players turn up in big enough numbers, the WSOP will be ready for new records to be set once again.
New Events
There are 12 new events taking place at the 55th WSOP this summer. The Champions Reunion, Independence Day Celebration and Bomb Pot events are clearly the standout new events of the year, but there’s quite a few others that will also peak players’ interest.
Omaha players are certainly well catered for this series and as well as the inaugural mixed game bomb pot event there are also three other new Omaha events and a mixed game event that includes Omaha variants. For those with deep pockets there’s the $10,000 Big O Championship event that takes place near the start of the series and the $10,000 Mixed Game Championship, which is near the end. Perhaps the most anticipated of the new Omaha events is the $1,000 Pot Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty event. With a high turnout expected, this is being staged with two starting days.
The inclusion of a $5,000 Seniors High Roller is also a first and the $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship will likely be a very popular new event, taking place towards the end of the series, while the main event is still in full flow.
Many of the new events are at lower price points and will be accessible to more players, with the cheapest being the $600 Pokernews Deepstack Championship. Most championship events at the WSOP have a $10,000 price tag, making this is a great opportunity for lower staking players to have a shot at winning a championship tournament.
The Full Bracelet Schedule
| Event # | Date | Event | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 28th | Champions Reunion No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout (8-Handed) | $5,000 |
| 2 | May 29th | Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em | $500 |
| 3 | May 29th | WSOP Kickoff No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $500 |
| 4 | May 30th | Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 5a | May 30th | Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,000 |
| 6 | May 30th | Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship | $25,000 |
| 7 | May 31st | Dealers Choice (6-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 5b | May 31st | Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,000 |
| 8 | May 31st | Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) | $5,000 |
| 9 | Jun 1st | Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 5c | Jun 1st | Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $1,000 |
| 10 | Jun 2nd | Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship (8-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 5d | Jun 2nd | Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold'em - Flight D | $1,000 |
| 11 | Jun 3rd | Badugi | $1,500 |
| 12 | Jun 3rd | No-Limit Hold'em (6-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 13 | Jun 4th | Dealers Choice Championship (6-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 14 | Jun 4th | Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $1,000 |
| 15 | Jun 4th | Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 16 | Jun 5th | No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $5,000 |
| 17 | Jun 5th | No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack | $800 |
| 18 | Jun 5th | Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 19 | Jun 6th | Limit Hold'em Championship (8-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 20a | Jun 6th | Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $300 |
| 21 | Jun 6th | High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (6-Handed) | $25,000 |
| 22 | Jun 7th | Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw (6-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 20b | Jun 7th | Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $300 |
| 23a | Jun 7th | Shootout No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,500 |
| 24 | Jun 7th | Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship | $10,000 |
| 23b | Jun 8th | Shootout No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,500 |
| 20c | Jun 8th | Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $300 |
| 25 | Jun 9th | No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $3,000 |
| 20d | Jun 9th | Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight D | $300 |
| 26 | Jun 9th | High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $25,000 |
| 27 | Jun 10th | Big O | $1,500 |
| 28 | Jun 10th | Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em | $1,500 |
| 29 | Jun 11th | Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship (6-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 30 | Jun 11th | Mixed No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack | $600 |
| 31 | Jun 11th | No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $3,000 |
| 32 | Jun 12th | Seven Card Stud | $1,500 |
| 33 | Jun 12th | Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack (8-Handed) | $600 |
| 34 | Jun 12th | $No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $2,500 |
| 35 | Jun 13th | H.O.R.S.E. | $1,500 |
| 36 | Jun 13th | No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack (8-Handed) | $800 |
| 37 | Jun 14th | Big O Championship | $10,000 |
| 38a | Jun 14th | Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,500 |
| 39 | Jun 14th | High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $50,000 |
| 40 | Jun 15th | Razz | $1,500 |
| 38b | Jun 15th | Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,500 |
| 41 | Jun 15th | Mixed NLH / PLO Double Board Bomb Pot | $1,500 |
| 42 | Jun 16th | Seven Card Stud Championship | $10,000 |
| 38c | Jun 16th | Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $1,500 |
| 43 | Jun 17th | Mixed PLO / Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better / Big O | $1,500 |
| 44 | Jun 17th | No-Limit Hold'em | $2,000 |
| 45 | Jun 18th | H.O.R.S.E. Championship | $10,000 |
| 46a | Jun 18th | Seniors No-Limit Hold'em Championship - Flight A | $1,000 |
| 47 | Jun 18th | High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | $100,000 |
| 48 | Jun 19th | Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) | $1,000 |
| 46b | Jun 19th | Seniors No-Limit Hold'em Championship - Flight B | $1,000 |
| 49 | Jun 19th | $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $3,000 |
| 50 | Jun 20th | $10,000 Razz Championship | $10,000 |
| 51 | Jun 20th | $Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $1,500 |
| 52 | Jun 20th | No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $5,000 |
| 53 | Jun 21st | Nine Game Mix (7-Handed) | $3,000 |
| 54a | Jun 21st | Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,500 |
| 55 | Jun 21st | Super High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | $250,000 |
| 56 | Jun 22nd | Mixed Triple Draw Lowball (Limit) | $2,500 |
| 54b | Jun 22nd | Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,500 |
| 57 | Jun 23rd | Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout | $10,000 |
| 54c | Jun 23rd | Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $1,500 |
| 58 | Jun 24th | Poker Players Championship | $50,000 |
| 59 | Jun 24th | Super Seniors No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| 60 | Jun 24th | No-Limit Hold'em | $3,000 |
| 61 | Jun 25th | Mixed Games: Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better/Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better | $2,500 |
| 62 | Jun 25th | PokerNews Deepstack Championship No-Limit Hold'em | $600 |
| 63 | Jun 26th | No-Limit Hold'em Lowball Draw (7-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 64 | Jun 26th | No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack | $600 |
| 65 | Jun 26th | Seniors High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | $5,000 |
| 66 | Jun 27th | Pot-Limit Omaha Championship | $10,000 |
| 67 | Jun 27th | Salute to Warriors - No-Limit Hold'em | $500 |
| 68 | Jun 27th | No-Limit Hold'em | $2,500 |
| 69 | Jun 28th | Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better | $1,500 |
| 70a | Jun 28th | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $400 |
| 71 | Jun 28th | Ladies Championship No-Limit Hold'em | $10,000 |
| 72 | Jun 29th | No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship (7-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 70b | Jun 29th | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $400 |
| 73 | Jun 30th | High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha | $25,000 |
| 70c | Jun 30th | Colossus No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $400 |
| 74 | Jul 1st | Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship | $10,000 |
| 75 | Jul 1st | Tag Team No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| 76 | Jul 1st | Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 77 | Jul 2nd | Mixed Big Bet (6-Handed) | $2,500 |
| 78 | Jul 2nd | Mini Main Event | $1,000 |
| 79 | Jul 3rd | High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha | $50,000 |
| 80a | Jul 3rd | Independence Day Celebration - No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $800 |
| 81a | Jul 3rd | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em World Championship - Day 1A | $10,000 |
| 80b | Jul 4th | Independence Day Celebration - No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $800 |
| 81b | Jul 4th | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em World Championship - Day 1B | $10,000 |
| 81c | Jul 5th | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em World Championship - Day 1C | $10,000 |
| 81d | Jul 6th | Main Event No-Limit Hold'em World Championship - Day 1D | $10,000 |
| 82 | Jul 7th | No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
| 83 | Jul 7th | Eight Game Mix (6-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 84 | Jul 8th | Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $600 |
| 85 | Jul 8th | Flip & Go No-Limit Hold'em Presented by GGPoker | $600 |
| 84 | Jul 9th | Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $600 |
| 86 | Jul 9th | Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $1,000 |
| 87 | Jul 10th | No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) | $5,000 |
| 86 | Jul 10th | Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $1,000 |
| 88 | Jul 11th | Eight Game Mix (6-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 89 | Jul 11th | Mid-Stakes No-Limit Hold'em Championship - Flight A | $3,000 |
| 90 | Jul 11th | Pot-Limit Omaha (6-Handed) | $1,500 |
| 91 | Jul 12th | H.O.R.S.E. (8-Handed) | $3,000 |
| 89 | Jul 12th | Mid-Stakes No-Limit Hold'em Championship - Flight B | $3,000 |
| 92 | Jul 13th | High Roller No-Limit Hold'em | $50,000 |
| 93 | Jul 13th | Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em - Flight A | $777 |
| 94 | Jul 14th | No-Limit Hold'em Championship (6-Handed) | $10,000 |
| 93 | Jul 14th | Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em - Flight B | $777 |
| 95 | Jul 14th | Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold'em | $1,979 |
| 96 | Jul 15th | High Roller H.O.R.S.E. | $25,000 |
| 93 | Jul 15th | Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em - Flight C | $777 |
| 97 | Jul 15th | Pot-Limit Omaha (6-Handed) | $3,000 |
| 98 | Jul 16th | No-Limit Hold'em - The Closer - Flight A | $1,500 |
| 98 | Jul 17th | No-Limit Hold'em - The Closer - Flight B | $1,500 |
| 99 | Jul 17th | Super Turbo No-Limit Hold'em | $1,000 |
Television & Streaming Schedule, Final Tables
Most players dream of making a final table and being on television or a streamed final table on PokerGO. CBS Sports is back for a third season as the WSOP broadcast partner. PokerGO will stream action daily as well.
Poker fans looking to check out some final tables can head to the Horseshoe for the final table television set. There are also several feature tables located outside the final table area as well.
A complete streaming has yet to be released. Check back here for updates.
Daily Deepstacks, Weekly Events & Satellites
Those heading to Las Vegas have some other events they might want to check out. Here’s a look at some of those as well as some key details to keep in mind when heading to the WSOP.
Daily DeepStack Events
While the main focus of the WSOP is on the bracelet events, there are also daily deepstack tournaments priced at a much more affordable level. These take place three times a day, running from May 28th until July 15th. The schedule is the same every day.
| Start Time | Buy-In |
|---|---|
| 1pm | $250 |
| 4pm | $400 |
| 8pm | $200 |
Weekly H.O.R.S.E and Seniors Tournaments
There are also weekly $250 H.O.R.S.E. and Seniors No Limit Hold'em tournaments on Mondays and Thursdays respectively.
| Dates | Event | Start Time | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Only June 3rd-July 15th | H.O.R.S.E | 3pm | $250 |
| Thursdays Only May 30th-June 11th | Seniors(50+) NLH | 9am | $250 |
Landmark Satellites
The format of live satellites to WSOP events has been changed for 2024. Over the last few years most live poker operators have made the same switch, abandoning the traditional satellite format where the tournament ends when the number of players left is exactly number of seats being awarded to the target event. The new format, for which each operator has slightly confusingly given a different name. The WPT calls them milestone satellites and the WSOP has chosen to call them Landmark satellites. In this format a target number of chips is pre-determined and once players have built a chip stack that is equal or greater to that target, they are awarded a seat in the target event and their chips are removed from play. It is a more exciting format and speeds up the process for most of the seat winners.
While the format of the satellites has changed, the schedule remains similar to that of the previous year.
Satellites take place throughout the series, with specific satellites to the main event, the $5,000 and $10,000 Championship events and several other selected bracelet events. These usually take place the day before the target event begins.
There are also 'casino credit' The satellites that award casino chips give players full flexibility to decide which event to use their winnings to play. As the prize in these is casino chips, you can also use them to play casino games, or simply cash them out at the casino cage and use it for something entirely different.
For full details of the satellite schedule, please check out part 5 of PokerWired's dedicated 2024 WSOP Players' Guide.
WSOP Streaming
The 54th annual series World Series of Poker is set for May 30 – July 18 at the Horseshoe and Paris casinos in Las Vegas. This year’s festival features 95 live events and another 20 online tournaments.
Poker fans around the world can follow the action on PokerGO. The streaming platform will offer 47 consecutive days of live broadcasts beginning June 1.
The highlight is streaming of the $10,000 Main Event from July 3-17 with 30 other gold bracelet events also on tap. Other major tournament on the streaming schedule include:
- $50,000 Poker Players Championship
- $250,000 High Roller
- Tournament of Champions
- $1,500 Monster Stack
- $1,000 Ladies Championship
The majority of streamed events are on the PokerGO platform, available worldwide on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and web or mobile browser. A selection of WSOP tournaments will also be available on the PokerGO YouTube channel or via PokerGO World Series of Poker Streaming.
World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) 2024
In addition to the annual poker marathon that is the WSOP, there are also a vast number of World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) events, held in the USA and in venues in Europe and Africa. WSOPC festivals are held throughout the year and in 2023 there were an astonishing 40 such festivals.
The full 2024 WSOPC schedule hasn’t been released, but as the WSOP seasons start in July after the summer WSOP has concluded, those up until the end of May are already on the calendar. Between January and May 2024, a total of 20 WSOPC festivals will take place.
While the WSOP awards bracelets to its winners, the WSOPC has Ring events. Not all tournaments at WSOPC festivals are Ring events, but there are usually 12-18 of these on each schedule. The main event buy-in at WSOPC events is $1,700 for events in the USA and Canada and between €1,100-€1,500 for events outside the USA.
Here’s the WSOPC schedule for the first half of 2024, split into festivals in the USA and International Circuit Events.
WSOPC USA Events in 2024
| Event | Festival Dates | Main Event Dates | Ring Events | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSOPC Dallas/Oklahoma | 3-12 January | 12-15 January | 18 | Choctaw Casino, Durant, Oklahoma |
| WSOPC Lincoln | 11-22 January | 19-22 January | 15 | Thunder Valley Resort Casino, Lincoln, California |
| WSOPC Mississippi | 18-29 January | 25-29 January | 16 | Horseshoe Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi |
| WSOPC Pompano Beach | 1-12 February | 8-12 February | 17 | Harrah's Pompano Beach, Florida |
| WSOPC North Carolina | 15-26 February | 22-26 February | 19 | Harrah's Cherokee, North Carolina |
| WSOPC Chicago | 29 February - 11 March | 7-11 March | 16 | Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana |
| WSOPC Tulsa | 7-18 March | 15-18 March | 13 | Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| WSOPC New York | 14-25 March | 21-25 March | 18 | Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York |
| WSOPC Las Vegas | 21 March - 1 April | 29 March - 1 April | 18 | Horseshoe Las Vegas, Nevada |
| WSOPC Chicago | 4-15 April | 11-15 April | 18 | Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois |
| WSOPC Mississippi | 18-29 April | 26-29 April | 16 | Horseshoe Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi |
| WSOPC North Carolina | 2-13 May | 10-13 May | 18 | Harrah's Cherokee, North Carolina |
| WSOPC Southern Indiana | 9-20 May | 17-20 May | 17 | Caesar's Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, Indiana |
WSOPC International Events in 2024
| Event | Festival Dates | Main Event Dates | # Events on Schedule | Ring Events | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSOPC Rozvadov II | 3-16 January | 12-16 January | 15 | 12 | Kings Casino, Rozvadov, Czech Republic |
| WSOPC Marrakech | 12-21 January | 18-21 January | 31 | 12 | Casino de Marrakech, Morocco |
| WSOPC Calgary | 10-22 January | 18-22 January | 27 | 15 | Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, Canada |
| WSOPC Rio de Janeiro | 12-20 March | 14-20 March | 15 | 14 | Windsor Maparendi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| WSOPC Nottingham | 15-25 March | 21-25 March | 11 | 11 | Dusk Till Dawn, Nottingham, England |
| WSOPC Cannes | 12-22 April | 18-22 April | 12 | 12 | Le Croisette Casino, Cannes, France |
| WSOPC Calgary | 1-13 May | TBC | TBC | TBC | Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, Canada |
| WSOPC Netherlands | 3-11 May | TBC | TBC | TBC | Holland Casino, Venlo, Netherlands |
| WSOPC Paris | 22-28 May | TBC | TBC | TBC | Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris, France |
History of the World Series of Poker
The WSOP was the vision of Benny Binion, who rebranded a downtown Vegas casino as Binion’s Horseshoe in 1951.
The former Dallas gangster always looked for some media attention to bring in gamblers and believed a high-stakes poker game featuring some of the best players in the country could do just that.
That first event brought in only a handful of players, many from Texas, including poker legends like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, and Amarillo Slim Preston.
That initial WSOP didn’t even feature a tournament. Those in attendance played cash games in various formats with the players voting Moss as the best all-around player.
A Texas Hold’em tournament format became the norm the next year and Moss won again. In 1972, the main tournament buy-in (now known as the Main Event) was set at $10,000, and still carries this price point today.
Amarillo Slim took the title and several appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson followed. Seen as a seedy game at the time by many, Slim’s humorous stories gave a unique insight into the game and some nice media attention.
Early Growth
The series continued to grow in the coming years with increasing numbers of players and additional side events growing the festival’s schedule. In 1976, Binion added what has become the best-known trophy in poker with gold bracelets handed out to winners.
As of 2023, Phil Hellmuth remained at the top of the bracelet standings with 16. He became the youngest player to ever win the Main Event at the time when he took down the tournament in 1989 for $755,000. He now has $16.8 million in WSOP winnings.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Jellmuth said of his own win. “My dad flew out to support me, just on the chance that I won it. It was the first time he ever attended any tournament. Embracing him after winning the 1989 WSOP was one of the sweetest moments of my life. Winning the Main Event was my number one life goal. Luckily, I pulled it off early in my career.”
The series continued to grow both in number of players and events in the coming years. By 1991 the Main Event payout topped $1 million for the first time, remaining so for about a decade. With the popularity of online poker and televised poker, however, the series exploded in the 2000s.
Television & Online Poker Grow The Game
The World Poker Tour debuted on the Travel Channel in March 2003, allowing viewers to see players’ hole cards for the first time and to see how they played. Tournament entries ballooned and online poker also saw massive growth.
Then in May 2003, Chris Moneymaker won an online satellite via PokerStars and went on to win the Main Event for the bracelet and $2.5 million. With a media-friendly perfect surname, Moneymaker proved an amateur could conquer the pros – inspiring poker fans around the world.
The boom continued in the 2000s with massive tournament fields throughout the world and WSOP broadcasts on ESPN drawing major ratings numbers. In 2004, Harrah's Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment) purchased the rights to the WSOP and moved the series to Rio.
In 2006, Jaime Gold won the Main Event for $12 million. This remains the largest Main Event in series history, attracting 8,773 entries for an $82.5 million prize pool. The WSOP also began moving beyond its Sin City roots with smaller circuits and events played out all over the world.
Recent years have seen a poker resurgence with live streaming on sites like Twitch, YouTube, and PokerGO continuing to grow the game. Online poker continues to see massive numbers in the wake of= the pandemic.
This has all benefited the WSOP and organizers are using promotions like “Main Event Mania” and “Main Event for Life” in hopes of setting a new record in 2023.
Key WSOP Players & Winners
Many legends of poker have reached the winner’s circle in the WSOP Main Event and in other key tournaments. Here’s a look at just a few who stand out.
Johnny Moss
This Texan won the first two Main Event in 1970 and ‘71 then went on to win the title again in 1974. In total, he won nine bracelets and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979. The lifelong poker player passed away in 1979.
"Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr.
This Texan won the Main Event in 1972 and helped poker earn some of its earliest media attention with his humorous stories on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Doyle Brunson
The winner of the Main Event in 1976 and ‘77, Brunson remains one of the most respected players in poker. Even into his 80s, the Texan plays some of the biggest cash games in the world. He has a total of 10 WSOP bracelets as well as remains the oldest player ever to win a WOPT title. In 1979, the Hall of Famer also authored Super/System. Many consider the book to be the authoritative to modern poker strategy.
Jack “TreeTop” Straus
Another Texan, Straus won the 1982 Main Event after being down to a single chip at one point. His comeback victory gave rise to the popular poker saying, “All you need is a chip and a chair.”
Stu Ungar
After the series was dominated by Texans and southerners in the early days, New Yorker Ungar emerged as the winner of the Main Event in 1980 and ‘81. A gifted card player, many credit Ungar as being one of the best players in history. He became one of only two players, along with Moss, to win the Main Event for a third time in 1997. However in November 1998, Ungar was found dead in a Las Vegas motel room. His death was attributed to a heart condition after years of drug abuse.
Johnny Chan
This card-playing savant originally from China, who later emigrated to Houston, Texas, became known as “The Orient Express” after winning back-to-0backl Main Event titles in 1987 and ‘88.. He came close to claiming three in a row, but lost in a heads-up battle with Phil Hellmuth in 1989. Chan made a memorable cameo in the poker Rounders in 1998. He is tied with Brunson and Phil Ivey in WSOP bracelets with 10.
Chris Moneymaker
His everyman story of winning the 2003 in front of ESPN cameras after winning a seta on PokerStars helped spark the poker boom of the 2000s. Average Joe players around the world now dreamed of getting in the action. Online poker surged as well.
Jamie Gold
Winner of the 2006 Main Event, which remains the largest in history. The Los Angeles-based talent agent and television producer took down the tournament for $12 million. The tournament field saw 8,773 players for an $82,5 million.
World Series of Poker FAQS
What is the WSOP?
The World Series of Poker is the biggest and most prestigious annual live poker event in the world
Where does the WSOP take place?
The WSOP is held every summer, from late May to mid July at the linked venues of the Horseshoe Casino and Paris Casino at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip
How much will the WSOP Main Event Champion win?
The prize money awarded at the WSOP main event depends on how many players enter the tournament. Based on previous years the 2024 WSOP Main Event winner can expect to cash for at least $12m.
Who won the 2023 WSOP Main Event?
The 2023 WSOP Main Event was won by Daniel Weinman for $12.1m
Where can I qualify for the WSOP?
GG Poker is the home of online satellites to the WSOP
