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Welcome to WSOP Satellite Tracker - taking you to the World Series of Poker.
Times have been changing for the WSOP. Old school card sharks brought up on bricks and mortar casino poker such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, Johnny Chan and Stu Ungar used to rule the roost in WSOP events. Predicting who would be battling it out on the final table used to be fairly clear cut, with hardened live tournament junkies generally dominating the competition. However, poker has undergone a bit of a revolution since the introduction and meteoric rise in popularity of online poker. These days, a complete amateur qualifying through an online poker room can go on to win the much coveted WSOP Main Event. Mentioning no names, Chris Moneymaker.
WSOP’s changing faces
2009 saw Joe Cada make history as the youngest ever winner of the WSOP Main Event. At only 21 years of age, Cada is a born and bred online poker player, having given up college to concentrate on his aspiring poker career. Venturing out to the WSOP for the first time proved he could not only handle himself in a high profile live poker competition, but that he could actually beat the best as he saw off the likes of then 7-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey to win his main event title, along with a cool $8.5 million.
Online baby boom
Observers of the WSOP are predicting this as the start of a trend for WSOP events to come. As poker has become more mainstream and online poker sites have attracted millions of players to the industry, stories like Cada’s have not gone unnoticed by the scores of would-be poker champs hanging out on the web. Inspiration and easier access to competitions like the WSOP are all that’s been needed to spawn a new, much younger generation of players who are capable of competing with the all-time greats. Poker, and the money it brings with it, has become undiscriminating and available to all.
WSOP Satellites; take your chance
By that token, there is nothing to stop a good player taking their shot at a WSOP tournament. More online poker sites than ever before are now offering satellites with guaranteed seats at the WSOP. Saving yourself up to $10,000 in buy-in money can’t be bad, but you’ll need to bring your A game if you’re going to get through the thousands of players who are trying to do the same thing. Major league poker rooms such as PokerStars, Full Tilt, Titan Poker, Ultimate Bet and Party Poker are all running WSOP qualifiers, with Full Tilt offering $1 qualifiers with guaranteed seats. Pacific Poker, part of 888, are running promotions based on 88 seats with 8 qualifying routes. Check out our write ups for more information on how you can secure your chance to play in the next WSOP event.
Tournament tips
If you need to brush up on your live tournament skills, we’ve put together a few tips on taking down your competition in true ‘gloves-off’ live poker style. Playing live poker can be more brutal than online poker as you’re forced to face-off with your opponents and some will stop at nothing to disrupt your game. You only need to look at Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow to know this is true. While you can ignore people trying to put you on tilt when playing online, it is less easy at a real table. Knowing the tricks of the trade can be useful in aiding your survival or even giving them a taste of their own medicine!
Whether you choose to get involved with the WSOP or not, make sure you catch all the latest news from this year’s event right here at WSOP Satellite Tracker.