The 2024 final table
World series of poker (WSOP) –The very best poker tournament
No list of top poker tournaments is complete without the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Founded in 1970, the WSOP is held annually in Las Vegas and is widely considered the most prestigious poker event in the world. It features dozens of events, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha and mixed games, but the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event is the most iconic.
Winning the WSOP Main Event doesn’t just mean walking away with millions of dollars—it also comes with the coveted WSOP bracelet, the ultimate symbol of poker greatness. Past champions like Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, and Daniel Negreanu have all solidified their legacies through the WSOP.
Check out our "original six" ranking of the best poker events around the world
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World series of poker (WSOP) – the crown jewel
No list of top poker tournaments is complete without the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Founded in 1970, the WSOP is held annually in Las Vegas and is widely considered the most prestigious poker event in the world. It features dozens of events, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha and mixed games, but the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event is the most iconic.
Winning the WSOP Main Event doesn’t just mean walking away with millions of dollars—it also comes with the coveted WSOP bracelet, the ultimate symbol of poker greatness. Past champions like Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, and Daniel Negreanu have all solidified their legacies through the WSOP.
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European poker tour (EPT) – europe’s finest
The European Poker Tour, run by PokerStars, is the premier poker circuit in Europe and has hosted some of the most glamorous and high-stakes events since 2004. With stops in cities like Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Prague, the EPT combines world-class poker action with stunning European destinations.
What makes the EPT stand out is its elegant atmosphere and the high quality of competition. The EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, for instance, attracts top players from all over the world. For many professionals, the EPT is a must-play series due to its mix of luxury and fierce competition.
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World poker tour (WPT) – the televised titan
The World Poker Tour revolutionized poker in the early 2000s by bringing the game to television screens around the world. With its signature final table set under bright lights and cameras rolling, the WPT has elevated the game to a global audience.
With events across North America, Europe, and Asia, the WPT has become a truly international series. Its WPT Championship is particularly notable, often held at iconic casinos such as the Wynn Las Vegas or the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. In addition to large prize pools, the WPT offers players a chance at fame, thanks to its wide TV coverage.
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Triton super high roller series – the elite battleground
For those who play at the absolute highest stakes, the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series is in a league of its own. Launched in 2016, Triton hosts exclusive events featuring buy-ins that start at $100,000 and go as high as $1 million.
What makes Triton unique is its blend of elite professional players and ultra-wealthy recreational players, often from the world of business or finance. The series is known for its luxurious venues in places like Macau, London, and Montenegro, and the atmosphere is often both relaxed and ultra-competitive. The record-breaking £1,050,000 Triton Million event in London in 2019 had a prize pool exceeding £54 million—one of the largest in poker history.
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Aussie millions – poker down under
Held annually at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, the Aussie Millions is the largest and most prestigious poker tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. Its Main Event draws hundreds of players each year and boasts a multimillion-dollar prize pool.
What sets Aussie Millions apart is its warm and friendly atmosphere, combined with top-tier competition. It also features one of the most famous high-stakes events in the world—the $100,000 Challenge—which regularly draws poker elites such as Phil Ivey and Erik Seidel.
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Partypoker live MILLIONS – the rising force
PartyPoker LIVE MILLIONS is a newer entrant to the global poker tournament scene, but it has quickly made a name for itself. Backed by the online poker site PartyPoker, this series has hosted massive events in cities like Sochi, Nottingham, and the Bahamas.
These tournaments are known for their enormous guarantees—often in the millions—and for offering value to both professionals and amateur players. The PartyPoker MILLIONS brand emphasizes fun and player-friendly structures while still delivering world-class poker action.
Discover the best poker event in the USA: the World Series of Poker (WSOP)
If you’re searching for the best poker event in the USA, look no further than the legendary World Series of Poker (WSOP). Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, the WSOP is the most prestigious and widely recognized poker tournament series in the world. With millions in prize money, world-class competition, and an iconic reputation, the WSOP is the ultimate destination for anyone serious about poker.
The WSOP Main Event, a $10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournament, is the crown jewel of the series. Each year, thousands of players from across the globe travel to the U.S. to compete for the chance to win millions and earn a coveted WSOP gold bracelet. Past champions include household names like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, and Chris Moneymaker, whose 2003 victory helped spark the global poker boom.
Hosted in Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s and Caesars), the World Series of Poker spans several weeks every summer and features dozens of events in various formats and buy-in levels. Whether you’re into Pot-Limit Omaha, Seven Card Stud, or traditional Hold’em, the WSOP offers something for every poker enthusiast.
What makes the WSOP the best poker event in America ?
Is not just the size of the prizes or the fame of its players—it’s the atmosphere. The electric buzz of the casino floor, the tension at the tables, and the excitement of watching amateurs take down pros create a unique environment you won’t find anywhere else.
The WSOP is also known for its accessibility. Thanks to online satellites and affordable preliminary events, even players with modest bankrolls can earn their seat at the table. This mix of elite competition and grassroots participation makes it a truly inclusive poker festival. In fact, many champions began as underdogs, proving that with the right strategy, patience, and a bit of luck, anything is possible.
For fans of the game, the WSOP is also a media spectacle. With extensive TV coverage on ESPN and streaming via PokerGO, fans can follow every big hand, bluff, and dramatic elimination. No other poker event in the USA draws this level of global attention.
While other events like the WPT World Championship, U.S. Poker Open, and Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open are significant, they don’t match the scale, history, or prestige of the WSOP. That’s why it remains the top choice for poker professionals and recreational players alike.
Whether you’re aiming to win your first bracelet or simply soak in the legendary atmosphere, the World Series of Poker is the one poker event in the USA that every player should experience.
Ready to go all-in? Join the next WSOP and become part of poker history.
How to Play a Poker Tournament
1. Understand the Rules of the Game
Most poker tournaments use Texas Hold’em. Here’s a quick refresher:
Each player is dealt two private cards (hole cards).
Five community cards are dealt face-up in stages: the flop (3), turn (1), and river (1).
Players use any combination of their two cards and the five community cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
2. Buy-In and Starting Chips
To enter a tournament, you pay a buy-in (e.g., $50).
Everyone starts with the same number of chips, like 10,000.
You play until you lose all your chips or win the tournament.
3. Blinds Increase Over Time
Tournaments use blinds (forced bets) that increase at regular intervals (e.g., every 15 minutes).
Example: Level 1 might have 100/200 blinds; Level 2 might be 200/400, etc.
Rising blinds create pressure and force action.
4. Basic Tournament Strategy
Early Stage:
Play tight and conservative. Avoid risky plays.
Focus on premium hands (e.g., AA, KK, QQ, AK).
Build your image and observe your opponents’ tendencies.
Middle Stage:
Start being more aggressive as blinds increase.
Look for chances to steal blinds with medium hands.
Eliminate weak players and build your stack.
Late Stage:
Blinds are high; stack sizes vary widely.
Focus on position and chip preservation.
Use short-stack tactics: shove (all-in) or fold if under 20 big blinds.
Avoid marginal spots unless you’re desperate.
5. The Bubble
The “bubble” is the point right before the payouts begin.
Players get very cautious here.
If you have a big stack, apply pressure; if you’re short-stacked, pick your spots carefully.
6. In the Money (ITM)
Once you’re “in the money,” you’ve locked up a prize.
Now it’s about climbing the payout ladder.
Keep adjusting your strategy based on stack size and table dynamics.
7. Final Table and Heads-Up
The final table usually has 9 or 10 players.
Payouts increase significantly with each elimination.
Stay patient but aggressive.
Heads-up (1v1) requires a big adjustment: play more hands and bluff more often.
8. Tips for Success
Don’t get emotional. Tilt can ruin your chances.
Know when to fold. Sometimes, a good fold is better than a great call.
Chip management is key. Don’t take unnecessary risks when short-stacked.
Watch your opponents. Pick up on patterns and betting tells.
Stay focused. Tournaments can last for hours.
Common Poker Tournament Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All-In | Betting all your remaining chips. |
| Rebuy | Option to buy more chips after busting (not in all tournaments). |
| Add-on | Extra chips purchased at a specific point in the tournament. |
| MTT | Multi-Table Tournament – dozens or hundreds of players. |
| Sit & Go | Small tournament that begins when all seats are filled. |
| ITM | In the Money – you’ve made it to the prize pool. |
| Bubble | The last player eliminated before prizes begin. |