The spring means one thing in the world of online poker – that it is time to get ready for the qualifiers season for the World Series of Poker. This article takes a look at 2 sites who have early-bird satellites already running – and mentions a 3rd who have an evergreen ‘choose your tournament’ system which is available to US players.
World Series Qualifiers
Over the coming months almost every site will be announcing their satellites to the big Las Vegas events. They benefit from this in 2 ways. First the fees people pay when entering the online tournaments. Second they are hoping that the people they send and kit out with logoed clothing will end up making a deep run or hitting a televised table.
There are two big networks who have released their qualifiers already, these are 888 and Red Kings (note that Red Kings only send people to one of the smaller side-events).
Early World Series Of Poker Qualifiers – 888 Poker
888 are the success story of the last year or so, shooting up the poker rankings, becoming a permanent fixture in the top 4 poker sites. They are making a big splash in 2014, by being the first of the major sites to begin their tournaments for the world series Main Event.
You can win a package prize worth $14,000.
This includes the $10k for the Main Event, then hotel, expenses and a couple of extras like VIP parties and goodie bags.
You can enter these games from the micro-limits, with 1 cent, 10 cent and $1 qualifiers feeding into the process. This means you could win the $10,000,000 guaranteed for first place in the Main Event for an outlay of just one single cent…
Mid-range qualifiers are $5 and $30 which in turn lead to $160 and $1050 games – with the biggest buy-in awarding the WSOP prize packages directly.
In addition to their Main Event steps, 888 are offering a chance to play in side event 60 (this package is valued at $4500) and includes $1500 for entry into this ‘smaller’ tournament event.
There is still a cool $88 free (no deposit needed) at 888 Poker – you’ll get $8 right away, then 10 more increments of $8 as you collect points at the tables. I strongly recommend that you check out the tables there now – you’ll find out exactly why this site has grown so big recently for yourself! Check out www.888poker.com now!
Early World Series Qualifiers #2 – Red Kings Poker
Red Kings are the oldest and the coolest site on the OnGame Network. In 2014, they are forgoing Main Event qualifiers and focusing on sending as many players as possible to Side Event 51, a $1500 No-Limit Holdem game. Your trip will be from the 24th June to the 1st July and the entire package is worth a cool $4000.
What I like about this one is that there will be more packages given away for the same entry fees, compared to the $12k+ packages from other sites. There is a simple qualifier system with crazy ‘Super Steps’ games and a $212 direct qualifier.
What is even better with this site is that you’ll be paid an extra $300 in bonus cash the first time you get dealt the two red kings in a cash game – this goes up to $500 if you lose the hand at showdown.
I also recommend you check out schedule of the next ‘Fishmarket’ tournament here too (trust me, this is a must-play event!). Check out www.redkings.com for more.
World Series Qualifiers For US Players In 2014
No schedules released as yet, though Bovada already have a ‘coming soon’ page up.
Carbon on the Merge Network have an option though. This is a ‘Choose Your Tournament’ qualifiers system which runs each week, you work your way to the main satellite, where the winner gets a $12,000 prize that can be used for any major tournament series (including the World Series of Course). I will let you know if they come up with anything specific as soon as the info is released.
I will keep this blog updated with the news as it comes in, for more detailed WSOP 2014 Coverage, SNG Planet is the place to head!