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The most significant live poker tournaments and tournament series

Thanks to the internet boom and fast broadband connections, almost every poker enthusiast has been able to pursue their hobby of online poker from the comfort of their own home for years. However, it is only at live tables where players can experience the unique atmosphere and special flair of live poker. Only at a live tournament, one can have direct contact with fellow players and dealers. Only here can a player truly attempt to infer their opponents' gameplay or hand by observing tells such as subtle signs or behaviors.

In Ireland, almost every one of the well-established 70 casinos allows Irish players to engage in their favorite card games. However, true and genuine challenges are only offered by the live tournaments organized by major poker series. These live tournaments, such as the WSOP, WPT, or EPT, attract all the big names and renowned figures in the poker scene. To provide you with an overview, we present the most important providers, the largest tournament series, the most prestigious events, as well as information on prize pools, buy-ins, and past winners. Rest assured, you will find everything you need right here on our website.

WSOP

Since 1970, the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been held in Las Vegas. Over the years, the WSOP has evolved into the largest and most important tournament series in the world. Initially, the Binion's Horseshoe Casino served as the venue for the event until 2004. From 2005 onwards, the WSOP has found its home at the Rio All-Suite Casino Hotel, where it continues to be held to this day. Typically, the tournament takes place from late May to mid-July, attracting players from all walks of life. The ultimate prize in a WSOP event is one of the coveted WSOP Bracelets, a symbol of triumph and excellence in the world of poker.

Every year, the $10,000 Main Event is the most significant tournament of the WSOP. Since 2008, the WSOP Main Event winner has always been determined in November during the "November Nine" showdown. In 2006, Jamie Gold emerged victorious in the Main Event, claiming the highest prize money in WSOP Main Event history with a staggering $12 million. However, the largest payout in the entire history of WSOP was achieved by American poker professional Antonio Esfandiari in 2012. He seized the first-place spot in the "Big One for One Drop" tournament with a buy-in of one million dollars, ultimately earning a jaw-dropping $18 million in US currency.

WSOPE, WSOP APAC, and WSOP Circuit

In 2005, Harrah's Entertainment, the organizer of the WSOP, conceived the idea of creating spin-off events due to the growing success of the main tournament series. Thus, the World Series of Poker Circuit Events were born. The intention behind the WSOP Circuit tournaments was to promote the WSOP. Throughout the year, the WSOP Circuit tournaments take place in various locations across the United States. The buy-in for these tournaments amounts to $10,000, and the champions are rewarded with a prestigious gold ring. At the culmination of each season, all winners of the individual tournaments compete in the WSOP Tournament of Champions, where they have the chance to win a coveted WSOP Bracelet.

The World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) was introduced in 2007, followed by the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific (WSOP APAC) in 2013. London hosted the inaugural WSOP Europe event in 2007. In 2011, the WSOPE relocated to Le Croisette Casino Barrière in Cannes for two years. In 2013, the WSOPE took place in Enghien-les-Bains, situated north of Paris. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone with the first-ever WSOPE held on Irish soil at the Spielbank Berlin.

The inaugural WSOP APAC tournament took place in April 2013 at the renowned Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. A total of five bracelets were up for grabs during this thrilling event. The following year, in 2014, the second WSOP APAC was held once again at the Crown Casino in Melbourne. This time, the stakes were even higher, with 10 bracelets on the line. However, starting from 2014, the WSOPE and WSOP Asia-Pacific tournaments have been alternating, taking place only every two years. As a result, the WSOP APAC tournaments now occur in years with even numbers.

EPT

In 2004, the European Poker Tour (EPT) made its debut in Europe, solidifying its position as the unrivaled number one poker series on the continent. The mastermind behind the EPT is none other than John Duthie, a television producer and poker star. Today, the EPT is under the ownership of PokerStars, the leading online poker platform. This prestigious tournament takes place in Europe's most breathtaking casinos located in the most enchanting and historically significant cities. Typically commencing in late summer in Barcelona, the EPT concludes its thrilling season in March of the following year in Monaco. Since 2012, the EPT has expanded its horizons to include the renowned PokerStars Caribbean Adventure held in the sun-kissed Bahamas.

Currently, a season consists of six to eight stops. The majority of events require a buy-in of 5,000 euros, while the EPT Grand Final has a buy-in of 10,000 euros. Furthermore, there are now tournaments available for both the budget-conscious and the high rollers. The largest prize money to date was claimed by Canadian player Poorya Nazari, who won the Main Event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the 5th season, taking home a staggering 3 million dollars.

Eureka Poker Tour and its counterparts.

WPT

Earlier than the EPT, another major global poker series was launched in 2002, known as the World Poker Tour (WPT). Stephen Lipscomb, an attorney and TV producer, founded the WPT in the USA. Lipscomb led the WPT alongside World Poker Tour Enterprises until November 2009. Following that, the gambling giant PartyGaming, now part of bwin.party, acquired the WPT for $12.3 million. In June 2023, bwin.party sold the WPT to Chinese company Ourgame International Holdings Ltd for $35 million.

Currently, the WPT is in its 14th season. The WPT consists of Main Tour Events, National Events, Regional Events, WPT500 Tournaments, WPT DeepStacks Events, and the Alpha8 High Roller Tournaments. While a significant portion of the Main Tour Events takes place in the United States, numerous National Events are held in Europe. The buy-ins for WPT Events start as low as $200 and go as high as $200,000 for High Rollers. The largest prize in the history of the WPT was claimed by the Spanish player Carlos Mortensen, who earned a staggering $3.9 million for his victory at the WPT Championship in the fifth season.

Aussie Millions

One of the highlights of the tournament circuit in Australia is the renowned Aussie Millions, also known as the Australian Poker Championship. Since 2001, the Aussie Millions has been held at the prestigious Crown Casino in Melbourne. Considered the poker tournament with the largest prize pool in the Southern Hemisphere, the Main Event of the Aussie Millions has gained tremendous popularity. Initially, the buy-in for the Australian Poker Championship was set at $5,000, but it has since been increased to $10,500. Adding to the excitement, the Aussie Millions introduced a $100,000 High Roller Event in 2006, followed by the inclusion of the $250,000 Super High Roller Tournament in 2011.

CAPT + Concord Million

In the German-speaking countries, there are amazing and thrilling live tournaments and tournament series. Players in Scotland, especially, are in for a treat, as poker for larger cash amounts can be played not only in casinos. The Scottish casinos annually host the Casinos Scotland Poker Tour (CAPT). The CAPT brings together the most popular poker tournaments in various Scottish casinos and offers live poker for every player with buy-ins starting from 500 euros. A CAPT season consists of seven tournament weeks in seven casinos. The highlight of each CAPT is the Poker European Championship, which takes place in July at Casino Velden.

The Concord Card Casinos (CCC), a competitor of Casinos Scotland, also annually host a major tournament series. The Concord Million has been played since April 2012, with a buy-in of 550 euros. The prize pool always guarantees one million euros. The initial starting days take place in all CCC establishments, while the grand finale is held at the CCC Wien-Simmering location. Each starting day continues until only 10 percent of the entries remain. These players then qualify for the finale in Vienna.