The 2018 PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker runs September 2 - 17.

As always, September is going to be a busy, busy time for online poker players. Just days after partypoker announced the schedule for their upcoming Powerfest series, PokerStars released full details for the 2018 World Championship of Online Poker.

This year’s schedule, which runs September 2 – 17, includes 182 events spread across three different buy-in levels; Low, Medium, and High. This marks the first time that the three-tier buy-in system has been used for WCOOP. In 2017, the WCOOP schedule included a High and Low buy-in system and the three-tier system has been a staple of the Spring Championship of Online Poker schedule.

“Each year, players from around the world come together at PokerStars to battle it out in the WCOOP,” said Severin Rasset, Director of Poker Innovation and Operations. “The three-tier buy-in system that we have introduced this year means that everyone can enjoy the WCOOP action over 16 days, giving everyone a shot at becoming a PokerStars world champion of online poker.”

The Low schedule includes events with buy-ins ranging from $2.20 up to $215. Medium buy-ins go from $55 up to $2,100 while the High events start at $530 and reach a high of $25,000.

The Medium Main Event has a $1 million guarantee with a $55 buy-in while the High Main Event has a $10 million guarantee and a $5,200 buy-in. There is no Main Event at the Low level.

The total guarantees for 2018 WCOOP top $70 million. There are 25 events that guarantee at least $1,000,000 including five that guarantee more than $1,000,000.

2018 WCOOP Five Biggest Guarantees

EVENT BUY-IN TOURNAMENT GUARANTEE
#46 (High) $530 No Limit Hold’em (PKO, Half Price Thursday Thrill) $1.25M
#31 (High) $1,050 No Limit Hold’em $1.5M
#1 (High) $215 No Limit Hold’em (Phase 2) $2M
#43 (High) $25,000 No Limit Hold’em (Eight Max, High Roller) $2M
#58 (High) $5,200 No Limit Hold’em (Main Event) $10M

Mixed Game Action

Of the 182 tournaments on the schedule, 116 are some variation of No Limit Hold’em but that leaves 66 events for players who prefer something else. There are 15 Pot Limit Omaha events highlighted by the $25,000 buy-in PLO Six Max High Roller on September 5.

There are also events in No Limit Omaha 8 or Better, HORSE, Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better, Eight-Game Mix, Stud 7 or Better, Limit Hold’em, Triple Draw 2-7, Five Card Pot Limit Omaha, Five Card Draw, Single Draw 2-7, Razz, and Omaha 8 or Better.

Satellite Options

Beginning in late August, PokerStars will offer players a variety of ways to qualify for WCOOP events via satellite. Starting August 26 and running until September 16, a daily $55 satellite will award a total of 22 $5,200 Main Event seats.

Players playing $5 and $25 Spin-n-Gos between August 23 and September 16 could win various WCOOP tickets.

Six Platinum Passes Available

And it wouldn’t be a PokerStars event in 2018 if there wasn’t significant Platinum Pass involvement. While details on how the passes will be awarded have not been released, players can win one of six Platinum Passes available during WCOOP. The Platinum Pass includes a $25,000 buy-in to the PokerStars Players Championship event at the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and $5,000 for travel and accomodation.

PocketFives will have daily coverage of 2018 WCOOP.