A Guide to PokerStars WCOOP 2022 Schedule
In today's world of hype and hyperbole it's easy to be cynical of grandiose claims, especially when it comes to numbers, but as far as the 2022 Pokerstars WCOOP (World Championship of Online Poker) is concerned, the stats really do deserve to be marvelled at.
The numbers are truly amazing, and a testament to the incredibly impressive track record of the big daddy of online poker. In the 20 years since the WCOOP was first unleashed on the poker world, the globally respected series has attracted over 6.6 million entries, seen 1,738 champions from more than 70 countries and, perhaps most staggering of all, paid out nearly $1.1 billion in prize money!
Be in it to win it
This year's edition of WCOOP doesn't disappoint on the facts and figures front, with a tournament schedule that will see countless more budding champions battle it out in a line-up that features 322 tournaments, with a mouth-watering $85 million in guaranteed prize money.
This article focuses on the NLHE Main Events and the PLO Main Events, and it should come as no surprise that even here we're dealing with prize pools in the millions. It's important to commend Pokerstars on their admirable ethos of inclusivity even for such an elite series, so whatever the size of your bankroll, you can have a go at glory (and life-changing prize money).
WCOOP 2022 Main Event Schedule - NLHE and PLO
Each of the NLHE and PLO categories has three Main Events, all taking place on 25 September, with buy-ins and prize pools as follows:
No Limit Hold'em
| Time | Event # | Buy-in | Event Name | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 92-L | $109 | NLHE Main Event | $2,500,000 |
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 92-M | $1,050 | NLHE Main Event | $4,000,000 |
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 92-H | $10,300 | NLHE Main Event | $6,000,000 |
Pot Limit Omaha
| Time | Event # | Buy-in | Event Name | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 94-L | $109 | PLO Main Event | $250,000 |
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 94-M | $1,050 | PLO Main Event | $600,000 |
| 18:30 CET | WCOOP 94-H | $10,300 | PLO Main Event | $1,000,000 |
Note that, this year, 12 actual World Championship events have been introduced, so if there wasn't already enough incentive, the fact that these two $10,300 buy-in events have also been given World Champion status is the icing on the proverbial cake.
WCOOP 2022 Main Event Qualifying Routes
As was mentioned earlier, Pokerstars endeavours to give everyone a chance of WCOOP fame and fortune and, as well as Low, Medium and High buy-in options (and with great prize pools in all!), there are numerous inexpensive ways to qualify for the Main Events that cater even for those poker fans with the most modest bankrolls.
First, there's the 'standard' qualifying route that sees satellites with buy-ins of $5.50 & $11, $55 & $109 and $1,050 for the Low, Medium and High buy-in Main Events respectively.
Fast Track Satellites
As the (rather macabre) old saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a rabbit, and the comprehensive qualification set-up affords poker players different options that can be tailored to your convenience. Fast Track satellites provide such flexibility, with the option to start your quest for the poker pinnacle at different stages. Indeed, it's possible to win your place in the $10,300 Main Event (and have a shot at a share of the $6M GTD prize pool) for as little as $1.50, which is all it will cost you to enter Round 1! Round 2 has a buy-in of $20, it's $109 to jump in at the Round 3 phase and, whether you choose to buy straight into the $1,050 buy-in Round 4 or win your way there via an earlier qualifying level, you'll be fighting it out for a juicy $10,300 ticket.
Spin & Go and Qualify!
Yes - you can even win your way to a Main Event seat by playing Spin & Go games thanks to the prizes for this fun format being tweaked during WCOOP 2022. A $0.50 buy-in Spin & Go has a $1,050 ticket as the top prize, while both the $4 and $20 editions also provide another chance of earning a $10,300 Main Event entry! Be there or be square...
*Any mention of a bonus or discussion of such terms is not in relation to the province of Ontario.
