The 2023 World Championship of Online Poker on PokerStars is just around the corner, doing its first shuffle and deal on Sunday, September 10.
And while many of the world’s best poker players will be playing events that breach the five-figure buy-in mark, a vast majority of the poker community will be looking at the events on the more affordable side of the spectrum. So here at PokerNews, we’ve decided to put this handy guide together that covers only the best WCOOP hold’em tournaments that have buy-ins between $5.50 and $33.
For those also looking for Mixed Games events with affordable buy-ins, fear not, as we’re putting a similar article together, which will be available soon.
Best Events at $5.50
If you’re a budget-conscious poker enthusiast, the $5.50 buy-in events at WCOOP offer fantastic value for your money. These tournaments give you a shot at substantial prizes without risking a large portion of your bankroll. Some of our top picks at this buy-in level are:
- WCOOP 02-L: $5.50 NLHE [WCOOP Kickoff], $50K Gtd
- WCOOP 07-L: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, PKO, Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $30K Gtd
- WCOOP 27-L: $5.50 NLHE [Deep Stack], $40K Gtd
- WCOOP 51-L: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $16.5K Gtd
- WCOOP 74-L: $5.50 NLHE [Single Day], $37.5K Gtd
- WCOOP 99-L: $5.50 NLHE [PKO, Women’s Event], $2.5K Gtd
With a variety of formats and generous guarantees, these tournaments are perfect for players looking to make their mark on the WCOOP without breaking the bank.
Best Events at $11
Stepping up a notch in the buy-in department, the $11 events still provide a relatively low-cost entry to WCOOP glory. Here are some of the best $11 tournaments to consider:
- WCOOP 29-L: $11 NLHE [PKO, Saturday KO], $150K Gtd
- WCOOP 46-L: $11 FLHE [6-Max], $8.5K Gtd
- WCOOP 62-L: $11 NLHE [4-Max, Turbo, PKO], $60K Gtd
- WCOOP 78-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max, PKO, Freezeout], $50K Gtd
- WCOOP 97-L: $11 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $200K Gtd
These $11 events offer a wide range of poker experiences, from turbo formats to progressive knockouts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Best Events at $22
If you’re willing to invest a bit more, the $22 events at WCOOP continue to provide an excellent balance between affordability and potentially lucrative payouts. But as always, you should only play these events if you Bankroll Management allows you to. If this is the summer of shot-taking, then you should consider looking at the following:
- WCOOP 12-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo], $85K Gtd
- WCOOP 19-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, PKO, Single Re-Entry], $100K Gtd
- WCOOP 31-L: $22 NLHE [Freezeout], $80K Gtd
- WCOOP 65-L: $22 NLHE [Sunday Warm-Up], $165K Gtd
- WCOOP 97-L: $22 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $200K Gtd
Like the $11 tier, the $22 events offer a balanced mix of turbo, freezeout, and progressive knockout formats, making them an attractive choice for players looking to compete at a slightly higher level.
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Best Events at $33
For those willing to take on a bit more risk, some of our favorite events with $33 buy-ins to consider include:
- WCOOP 03-L: $33 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Single Re-Entry], $150K Gtd
- WCOOP 17-L: $33 NLHE [7-Max, PKO], $200K Gtd
- WCOOP 45-L: $33 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $150K Gtd
- WCOOP 68-L: $33 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $100K Gtd
- WCOOP 92-L: $33 NLHE [PKO], $250K Gtd
These $33 events offer the chance to compete for substantial prizes while maintaining a reasonable buy-in.
But as you can see from the lists above, whether your budget is big or small, there’s a WCOOP tournament for you in 2023. So, sharpen your skills, prepare your strategy, and prepare for an exciting season of online poker action at the World Championship of Online Poker!
Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Plan Your Action
Our free-to-use tool has several filters that make finding your perfect poker tournament, whether a WCOOP event or otherwise, a breeze. The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar allows you to register for tournaments with a couple of mouse clicks, so you need never miss out again.