Five Ways to Prepare For WCOOP 2026

A big series hits different. A deep run in a World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) event feels different, because it truly is different.

Bigger prize pools mean more pressure and bigger pay jumps the deeper you go. A big score in a big event could make or break your year. So, it’s important to be in the right place both mentally and physically if you want to bring your A-Game night after night. That’s easier said than done though, and what works for one person may not work for another – it’s all about finding what suits you.

Whether you spent August grinding the WCOOP Boot Camp or you’re jumping straight into the main action, keeping your game and mindset in peak condition is vital. With the biggest tournaments – including the Main Events – still on the horizon, proper preparation is everything. Here are five practical ways to stay sharp and prepare for the action ahead. New to Multi Table Tournaments (MTTs)? Our MTT Course has you covered with all the fundamentals.

Establish a Session Warm-Up Routine

Jump-starting a session straight from a busy day or a distracting task is a quick way to make early mistakes. Building a brief 10-15 minute pre-session routine helps you transition into a focused mindset before registration. Review a few hands from yesterday, close unnecessary browser tabs, grab your water, and get into the zone. Treating each session like an athletic performance ensures you start sharp from the very first hand instead of using the first two levels just to warm up.

Hit The Lab

It can be hard to take a complete break from the game, so if you’re still wanting to scratch that poker itch then studying off the table is a great way to stay mentally sharp. It’s what some of the best in the game do, so if it’s good enough for them…

There are many different ways to study, from the most obvious, like reading strategy articles or posting a hand history on the PokerStars Discord server. Or, if you rarely play satellites outside of a big series, brush up on your satellite strategy, it could save you a lot of money if you can satellite into events for a fraction of the entry fee.

Learn A New Game

Whilst NLHE will dominate the schedule of a big series, there’s plenty of variety and some of poker’s lesser lights have the spotlight shone on them. One way to keep online poker fun is to play more than just NLHE and picking a new game or games is a great way to stay focused.

If you still want a flop, turn and river, then Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit Hold’em and 6+ Hold’em are right there waiting for you. If you want something a little more old school, then Stud, Stud8 and 5-Card Draw are still around and if you want to fully embrace the Mixed Games Movement then try your hand at HORSE or 8-Game.

The good news is that whichever variant you target, there are daily tournaments from as little as $2.20 available.

Make A Schedule

Boring, right? Nobody likes spreadsheets, we get it. But hear us out. Setting out a rough schedule ahead of time can really help. Firstly, plenty of events will run over two days, so unless you’re a professional poker player, you’ll have to juggle work, life and a deep run. If you’re entering a multi-day event, make sure you know when Day 2 restarts so you can plan accordingly.

Secondly, planning ahead can mean that you don’t find yourself missing events you want to play, or find yourself playing more tables than you usually do. With so many big prize pools on offer it can be tempting to play everything, or at least play more tables than you usually do. Don’t! Instead, focus on quality over quantity.

And, we’ve saved the best for last: you don’t even need a spreadsheet! On PokerStars you can save your favourite tournaments with a single click in the PokerStars lobby, allowing you to easily access your favourite tournaments.

Set Limits and Target Satellites

Bigger fields mean increased variance so it’s crucially important to set limits, stick to them and avoid chasing losses. Before a series starts set a limit for the biggest buy-in you’re prepared to play.

If you want to take shots at higher buy-in events or the upcoming Main Event, direct satellites are running continuously in the PokerStars lobby. Shot-taking via satellites is the best way to play big events without overstretching your bankroll.

Via the PokerStars lobby our Responsible Gaming tools allow you to easily restrict your tournament buy-in limit and restrict your deposit limit.

Affordable Ways to Qualify for WCOOP

You don’t need a massive bankroll to take a shot at the biggest prize pools of the year. PokerStars offers multiple budget-friendly ways for players of all levels to qualify for WCOOP events:

• Direct Satellites: Daily satellite tournaments are running around the clock in the PokerStars lobby, with buy-ins starting from as little as $0.55.
• Special Edition Spin & Go’s: Fast-paced Spin & Go tournaments (starting from just $0.75) give you the chance to turn a tiny buy-in into a high-tier WCOOP entry in just a few minutes.
• Power Path Express WCOOP Edition: Use the Power Path Express WCOOP Edition to win Bronze, Silver, or Gold Passes. These ticket bundles can be redeemed for WCOOP event entries and Main Event seats.
• WCOOP Lucky Dip: Simply playing in WCOOP tournaments gives you entry into daily Lucky Dip, giving you the chance to win additional WCOOP tickets just for hitting the tables.

Head to the PokerStars lobby to explore the available satellites, qualify for WCOOP events, and get ready for the biggest tournaments of the series.