Every year, online and offline poker series and tournaments offer multi-million-dollar prizes. Some are relatively new, while others have become legendary over the decades. Let's explore the most famous poker tournaments in the world and where you can compete for millions without investing a penny.
Now, we’ll reveal 10 of the best poker tournaments in the world, both live and online.
The 5 Most Popular Live Poker Tournaments
Of the countless tournaments going on around the world, a few capture extra attention. You can expect gorgeous locations, attractive prize guarantees, and prestige at each of the series on our list.
1. The World Series of Poker (WSOP)
This is the most renowned poker series, dating back to 1970. The World Series of Poker began at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas with seven top American players in a cash game. The winner was determined by voting. Today, it includes over 100 tournaments in various formats.
The recent 2024 WSOP had some controversy, as well as:
• Almost 700 tables.
• Over $430 million in prize money.
• Main event prize of $10 million and 10,112 entries.
2. The World Poker Tour (WPT)
Launched in 2002 in the USA, WPT revolutionized poker broadcasts. They introduced commentators and showed players' cards, transforming poker into a sporting event rather than just gambling.
WPT facts:
• Prize pools can surpass $40 million for the series
• Main tournament first-place prizes often exceed $1 million
• The WPT has its own registered and RNG-certified poker site, known as WPT Global.
3. The European Poker Tour (EPT)
The EPT, created in 2004, welcomes players from all countries. Popular events include PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and EPT Monte Carlo, with multi-million dollar prizes in main tournaments. The creator, John Duthie, was the first winner of the Poker Million tournament.
EPT facts:
• The 2024 EPT events will be held in Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Cyprus, and Prague
• In 2017, the EPT was rebranded as the PokerStars Championship but reverted back in 2018.
4. The Triton Series
This series hasn’t been running anywhere near as long as the World Series of Poker, but Triton deserves special mention anyway. The tell-tale signs that you’re watching a Triton event are luxurious rooms, outstanding production quality, and sky-high stakes.
Founded by Malaysian businessmen Paul Phua and Richard Yong, it caters to high rollers. Buy-ins start at $15,000, with the most expensive event costing $1 million to enter.
Uniquely, Triton televises MTTs and cash games, and more Short Deck Holdem than other series.
Triton features Texas Holdem and Short Deck, with occasional Pot Limit Omaha tournaments. Its live streams attract thousands of viewers due to high stakes and celebrity players.
5. The Asian Poker Tour (APT)
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has become a cornerstone of the Asian poker scene since its inception in 2008. This prestigious tournament series attracts players from across the globe, offering a mix of high-stakes action and cultural experiences unique to the region.
The APT hosts events in various Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea. For countries that may not have a widespread poker following, the Asian Poker Tour brings valuable attention to the game.
Starting small in MTT poker is possible and can even be free. Our schedule (updated daily) shows dozens and dozens of freerolls, which have real money prize pools, with no cost to enter. They won’t make you an instant millionaire, but you’ll build skills while competing for real cash.
The 5 Most Popular Online Poker Tournaments
Many major poker rooms host their own series and prestigious events. There’s a common misconception that online tournaments are always smaller, and this isn’t necessarily true. Many MTTs you can play on computers or phones have larger guaranteed prize pools than live events.
1. The PokerStars Sunday Million
Held weekly on PokerStars, the Sunday Million has a $215 entry fee and a standard $1 million prize pool, which can increase for special occasions. In 2020, participants competed for over $18 million, with the winner receiving more than $1 million. In 2024 the 18th anniversary of the series arrived and the prize pool went up to $8 million.
2. World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP)
PokerStars has run the WCOOP since 2002. Players consider it one of the best online series due to its diverse disciplines, large prize pools, and high participation. WCOOP features Texas Holdem, several Omaha variations, Stud, Razz, and mixed games. In spring, PokerStars runs a similar series called SCOOP.
WCOOP Facts:
• 2020 prize pool exceeded $100 million
• Over 75 tournaments with various disciplines, formats, and buy-ins
• Main event first place can win over $1 million
3. Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP)
PokerStars held a SCOOP in 2024 with a whopping $75 million guaranteed. The site even put $350,000 worth of tickets in satellites and games like Power Path, so players can enter a variety of ways. The SCOOP caters to low-stakes and high stakes, with multiple buy-in levels, as low as $2.20 and as high as $25,000.
Like the WCOOP, the SCOOP is one of the most prestigious events an online player can win, so the champions receive trophies to commemorate it.
4. The Venom
Americas Cardroom and PokerKing offer The Venom, one of the largest online tournaments year after year. In 2024, its prize pool surpassed $12 million. Direct entry costs $2,650, but cheaper and free satellites are available. Additional events include the $1 Million Guaranteed Venom Warmup and Venom Fever. 2025 and 2026 are sure to be larger and you can find inexpensive ways to enter if you play on ACR or PokerKing.
5. GGMillion$
GGPoker hosts the GGMillion$, a $10,300 buy-in tournament with a $1 million guaranteed prize pool. It runs every Sunday, with final table broadcasts on Twitch and YouTube. On Thursdays, viewers can see players' cards, offering insight into famous high rollers' thought processes.
