Tournament Focus: The WCOOP

Click here for the WCOOP 2008 Schedule

Click here to find out how to Qualify for WCOOP 2008

The World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) symbolises more than anything else the staggering growth of the internet form of the game.

In its inaugural year of 2002, the Main Event drew 238 runners, creating a prize pool of $238,000. It was won by ‘MultiMarine’, who took home $65,450 for his efforts. That wouldn’t even be enough to cover the smallest guarantees in the 2008 Championship events.

Last year saw 2,998 players create a record prize pool of a staggering $7,495,000 and after more than 20 hours of play ‘Ka$ino’ emerged victorious and $1,378,331 richer.

This year, there will be more events, more players, and more money than ever before.

Not only is the WCOOP the biggest championship in online poker, it one of the biggest anywhere. The 2005 events generated over $12million in prize money, making it the third biggest series of the entire year. It also brings out the biggest names in poker, with previous bracelet winners including the likes of Erik123, ActionJeff, strassa2, Greg Raymer, James Mackey & Sowerss. The top cashers last year also resembled a who’s who of online tournament poker: of 23 events, THE__D__RY cashed 7 times, VietCutie 6 times & Asiandude77 and Dario Minieri both cashed 5 times apiece. And when Stars call it a ‘World’ Championship, they’re not kidding: in 2007 there were 107 countries represented (out of a world total of 193).

So, what’s in store for this year? Well, the series runs from September 5th-21st and the total $30million in guaranteed prize money is double the total of 2007. There are also 10 more events than last year (33 total) with some new buy-ins that will stretch even the largest bankroll. The H.O.R.S.E. event is now $10,300 ($5,200 last year) and the Main Event will now cost $5,200 to enter ($2,600 last year). There are still the usual collection of $215 Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Stud & H.O.R.S.E. tournaments with some interesting additions mixed in. The $215 NLH 4-max & $320 Mixed Hold ‘Em events are sure to attract plenty of interest, as well as a fascinating $320 8-game Mixed Event. The heaviest hitters will be eyeing up the $10,300 ‘High Roller’ NLH & the whopping $25,500 NLH heads-up will most likely contain many of the same runners from the Full Tilt equivalent earlier this year.

These new features are sure to give the series plenty of positive publicity, which in truth it could do with after a spat of recent controversies. In the 2006 Main Event Annette Obrestad, who finished 7th for $163,150, was accused of letting someone else use her account during the tournament (see here). And in the 2007 ME Greg Raymer was subject to a torrent of abuse by ‘Belrgazo’ after being eliminated. The dialogue went as follows:

Belragazo: “Kill him!”

Belragazo: “Yes!”

Belragazo: “I would be 500 000 if he was not here”

Raymer: “Bel, you have the worst attitude I've seen in weeks”

Raymer: “Bel, I like French, but guys like you give them their bad reputation. Try to act more like Bruno Fitoussi”

Belragazo: “You should know me, I am the nicest guy ever”

Raymer: “Bel, you're a jerk, jerks always lose in the end”

Not great for one of the sites sponsored players (it must be noted that Belragazo has since apoligised: see here).

See the final table finale below:

Despite this, PokerStars expect numbers to increase substantially from last year’s total of 40,280 unique buy-ins.

You can qualify online now for as little as $2.20; a relatively small investment considering there’s a $10million guarantee on the Main Event.

(Download PokerStars here).