WCOOP Frequently Asked Questions

What is the World Championship of Online Poker?

Now in its tenth year, the PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker is a series of tournaments that brings players from around the world together to compete for WCOOP bracelets and of course, millions in cash prizes. It is the premier online poker series in the world.

How do I enter the World Championship of Online Poker?

Anyone with a PokerStars.com, PokerStars.ee or PokerStars.be account that’s valid for real money play can enter. If you don’t yet have an account, it’s easy to download the free poker software and set one up. You can buy in directly, win a satellite for as little as $1 or even get in the game through Frequent Player Point satellites.

What can I use to buy in?

You can buy directly into the events themselves with cash, tickets or T$. Tickets to enter may be purchased in the VIP Store, or may be won in certain satellites which will be marked as awarding tickets. Satellites can be entered using cash and T$, and some accept FPPs. Some tournaments and satellites can be entered using Steps tickets.

Can I unregister from an event for which I've won a seat?

Yes. If you win a seat to a WCOOP event and then unregister from it, your account will be credited with T$ equal to the buy-in + fee of that event.

Unregistration will be available from the tournament lobby up until two minutes before the start of each event.

Note that this registration option applies to event seats won via satellite. Event tickets are not transferrable. Event tickets awarded via promotional tournaments must be used in that event or forfeited, as they have no value outside of the tournament to which they grant admission.

If you have already been awarded a ticket for a particular event, please do not play more promotional events which award the same ticket, since if you win the additional ticket will have no value. If you have won a promotional ticket for an event and are registered for that event, you may continue to play cash or FPP satellites to that same event, and if you win you will be awarded T$ for the value of the seat.

What can I do with T$?

T$ can be used to register into any PokerStars online tournament. VIPs can also sometimes use T$ to buy directly into live events. See the About Tournaments page to find out more.

To check your T$ balance at anytime, please visit the Cashier window through the PokerStars lobby.

Will there be any special tournaments or deals for VIPs this year?

Absolutely! We will hold multiple satellites throughout the course of qualifying which are open exclusively to PokerStars VIPs. These special events may include added seats or seats at a higher-than-normal ratio, in either case giving our VIPs many great opportunities to qualify.

Also, VIPs will have the option of purchasing entry tickets to WCOOP events via the VIP FPP Store.

Will there be Second Chance events this year?

Yes. Three hours after the start of most events, a Second Chance event for that particular WCOOP event will begin. A Second Chance event will have the same structure as the event for which it is a Second Chance, though the buy-in will be slightly less and the levels will rise a bit faster than in the corresponding WCOOP event. T$ will be accepted for entry to Second Chance events. Bracelets will NOT be awarded to Second Chance event winners and Player of the Series points are NOT awarded.

What does the winner of a WCOOP event receive?

The prize is two-fold. For starters, each event has a minimum guaranteed prize pool. On top of the cash, you will be competing for a coveted gold and diamond WCOOP bracelet that will be awarded to the winner of each event.

Can we make deals at the final table?

For the WCOOP events themselves, yes, and we will be there to facilitate them. However, please note that any deal will have to leave a portion of the prize pool out of the deal to be awarded to the winner. The minimum amount to be left aside will be specified in the tournament lobby. For more details about deals, please see our poker tournament rules.

Can we make deals at the final table of the WCOOP satellites?

No. The intent of the satellites is to produce seats into the WCOOP and not just distribute T$ to people. Therefore, we are prohibiting final table deals during the satellites.

What if I win multiple seats into the same event?

For subsequent seats after the first one you win, your account will be credited with T$ equal to the buy-in + fee of the target event.

How old do I have to be to participate?

To play on PokerStars, you must be 18 years of age or of legal age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater.

What rules govern play in the World Championship of Online Poker?

The standard PokerStars Tournament Rules apply. Please read the poker tournament rules.

What is meant by [1R1A] in the title of some of the events?

[1R1A] indicates that players are allowed 1 rebuy and 1 add-on each within the tournament. For example in some events, players begin with 7,500 chips each. While their stack is 7,500 chips or less, they may purchase another 7,500 chips for an additional $500. At the time of the first break, all players may make a one-time purchase of 10,000 additional chips for $500.

What is meant by [Ante Up] in the title of some of the events?

[Ante Up] is a tournament format where the blinds stay the same while the antes increase with every level. Additionally, antes start from the first level.

What is meant by [2X Chance] in the title of some of the events?

[2X Chance] indicates that players are allowed 1 rebuy if they have lost all of their chips. No additional rebuys and no add-ons are allowed. The rebuy is only allowed during the rebuy period as specified in the tournament lobby.

What is meant by [Big Antes] in the title of some of the events?

[Big Antes] is a tournament format where the both the blinds and the antes increase with each level. Additionally, antes start from the first level. The structure of these tournaments has a higher ante to blind ratio than the normal structure.

Some of the events are marked as 2-day events. What does this mean?

These events will pause at the point stated in the tournament lobby and will be resumed the following day at the same time Day 1 began. Before the tournament resumes, player seats will be re-drawn.