Get $20 in FREE Satellite Entries!
Did you know: The World Series of Poker* is the world's richest sporting event, and this years prize pool is expected to be in excess of $250,000,000 for all events!
Q: What are WSOP* Satellites?
A: The WS tournament Satellites are tournaments hosted at online poker rooms where you can qualify for a seat at the Main Tournament by entering.
Q: Why should I Qualify via an Online Satellite?
A: The buyin for the main event is $10,000 - which is a bit expensive for most people, unless you are a hardened poker professional. At online Satellite Qualifiers you can enter for free (at certain sites) or for as little as $1. This makes it far more attractive to normal poker players to enter!
Q: How do Satellite Tournaments Work?
A: Naturally every site that offers Satellites differ slightly, but in general it works like this: a seat at the Main Event costs $10,000 - Online Poker Rooms buy seats and then offer tournaments for people to win them. Eg. if 10 people all paid $1000 to play in a Single Table Tournament Satellite, then the winner would get the $10,000 dollar seat. Alternatively, if 10,000 people all paid $1 then the winner in this tournament would also get the seat. Of course, the more you pay for your initial buyin, the better your chances of getting the seat, as you will have less competition to deal with!
Q: If (or when!) I win my seat, how do I play in Las Vegas?
A: Again, each poker site will differ slightly, but in general the way it works is: The poker site will provide you with some money towards travel and accomodation, for instance CostaDelPoker offer $2000 expenses to qualifiers at their site. When you arrive in Las Vegas you will be met by a representative of the Poker Room who will firstly register you and buy you in to the tournament you have qualified for, and normally provide you with branded clothing to wear during the event. Some poker sites also look after you during the whole time you are in the tournament, making sure that you have everything you need to be comfortable at the tables, whether it be getting food and drink, to ordering a table side massage!
Q: What restrictions are there on entry to Satellites?
A: The only requirement is that you are registered as a player on the poker site that you choose to try and qualify through, BUT make sure you are able to play in the event you qualify for!
Q: What are the restrictions on entering the Big Tournament?
A: The only requirement is that on the day the tournament starts you are aged 21 years or over. This rule is standard for all USA based poker tournaments as it is the legal age requirement for entering a Casino in the United States. Other tournaments held across the world such as the EPT (European Poker Tour) make the requirement 18 years or over, the rule generally follows the law in the country the tournament is being held. There are no restrictions other than this, so anyone from anywhere can play, as long as they can win their seat or buyin directly!
Q: How do you rate Satellites?
A: The Author of this website has qualified two years running for the main event, and others such as the $1,000 NLHE and $3,500 LHE events. I've played at over 70 poker rooms in the last 4 years and make my living from playing online at various sites. As such I feel able to correctly advise the best rooms where you can maximize your chances of qualifying!
Q: Can I Qualify for the Main Event for Free?
A: Yes you can! Click here for more details on FreeRoll Satellites to the Main Event!