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Salute to Warriors: The History of the WSOP Unique Charity Event

Salute to Warriors: The History of the WSOP Unique Charity Event
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Vasilisa Zyryanova Blog Content Editor
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: July 11, 2025 · 2 minutes to read

WSOP has an image of a poker festival where people chase their dream of winning big or at least being glorified as a bracelet winner. But its schedule actually has one steady event created for charity purposes — the military-related Salute to Warriors.

And since this event is unique for WSOP, PokerListings offers you to learn more about ideas behind it but also its history and winners.

Why WSOP Holds the Salute to Warriors Event

The charity event Salute to Warriors was launched in 2019 to honor the US military and raise money for United Services Organization (USO) and other related charities who support veterans and ex-military personnel.

One of the people behind this initiative was a legendary poker player Mike Sexton, who himself served during the Vietnam War and cared deeply about veterans.

He hoped that this event would become annual but died in 2020 never knowing that his dream would come true.

From 2019 Salute to Warriors was held every year — and every year organisers have been taking $40 — $50 from each $500 buy-in for donation towards Armed Forces charitable organizations. For the first 6 years WSOP raised:

  • 2019 — $43,000
  • 2021 — $69,520
  • 2022 — $74,809
  • 2023 — $172,120
  • 2024 — $180,680
  • 2025 — $157,480

The Brief Timeline of the Salute to Warriors Event

The inaugural $500 Salute to Warriors No Limit Hold’em was held in 2019. It made history right away by attracting 1,723 entries and being won by a U.S. female poker player Susan Faber who took a $121,161 prize.

Salute to Warriors Susan Faber
Susan Faber

During the COVID-19 pandemic the event was postponed as a part of the WSOP schedule and returned in 2021 with a similar number of entries.

But the next year on WSOP 2022 $500 Salute to Warriors had an enormous field of 3,209 entries and was won by U.S. player James Todd who took a $161,256 prize.

Salute to Warriors James Todd
James Todd

The next year number of entries exceeded 4 thousands, updating its own record, but the 2024 $500 Salute to Warriors outshined it hugely with 4,517 entries and the first winner not from the USA but from UK — player Ben Collins who took also a first-ever two hundred thousand plus prize in this event in the sum of $207,486.

Salute to Warriors Ben Collins
Ben Collins

In 2025 $500 Salute to Warriors gave up some ground and shrunken a little to 3,937 entries. It was also again won by the U.S. player — Joey Couden who took a $187,937 prize.

Salute to Warriors Joey Couden
Joey Couden

Winners of WSOP Millionaire Maker Event

YearEntriesWinnersWinners’ Prize
20191,723 Susan Faber$121,161
20211,738 Eric Zhang$102,465
20223,209 James Todd$161,256
20234,303 Steven Genovese$217,921
20244,517 Ben Collins$207,486
20253,937 Joey Couden$187,937
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