In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
PokerStars’ WCOOP 2022 set for September
Online giant PokerStars has finally unveiled the dates for its biggest annual poker festival, the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) happening this 2022. The awaited series is set to kick off on September 4th through the 28th for 25 days of thrilling action across its usual three buy-in levels, Low, Medium, and High. The upcoming 21st edition is expected to once again feature a full schedule of over 300 individual events which covers a wide variety of games for those in search of action aside from the classics No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
Last year’s festivities drew in a total of $122 million in combined prizes awarded, smashing the $100 million guarantee in celebration of the site’s 20th anniversary. Russia’s ‘CrazyLissy’ bagged the $1.5 million top payout after beating Canadian pro Pascal Lefrancois in heads up play and emerging victorious in the $5,200 Main Event. As of late, interested runners are yet to hear from PokerStars regarding this year’s WCOOP festival and Main Event guarantees. Considering the brand’s exit from a number of vital markets, the 2022 prize pools may be slightly less than that of 2021’s yet remaining to be a festival to look forward to.
iPoker Network brings €1M GTD Summer Festival
Ramping up its tournament action, iPoker Network is back again this summer for its third tournament series for the year. A more modest version compared to its Spring series, the iPoker Summer Festival is currently underway and will run through August 8 to complete a 139-event lineup. The two-week festival boasts a total of €1,000,000 in prize guarantees, €100,000 of which falls under its crown jewel €100K GTD Main Event.
Since the 24th, qualifiers for three of its multi-day tournaments SF #37 – €40K Weekender, SF #133 – €50K Mini, and F #134 – €100K Main, have been running daily with its major schedule set to start on the 29th. Buy-ins for the festival remain at an affordable €5 with its highest priced at €200 for its three listed high-tier tournaments. Two Main Events are highlighted for the ongoing Summer Festival, the €50K Mini with a buy-in of €30 and the €100K Main for €150. Both events are set to host a total of 64 flights with its Day 2 (Final Day) scheduled to conclude on August 8, 2022.
iPoker Summer Festival Highlights
SF #37 – €40K Weekender
Date/s: July 24 – August 31, 2022
Buy-in: €70
SF #122 – €30K Round Two D
Date/s: July 31 – August 7, 2022
Buy-in: €50
SF #133 – €50K Mini
Date/s: July 24 – August 8, 2022
Buy-in: €30
F #134 – €100K Main
Date/s: July 24 – August 8, 2022
Buy-in: €150
WPT Global App covers $3.5M in prizes for Summer Festival
Another summer festival is making its round across the online poker scene with an even bigger $3,500,000 in prizes spread out over its 50-tournament lineup. The newest World Poker Tour Global application showcases another jaw-dropping tournament for its newcomers with a $1 buy-in for a $1 million guaranteed prize pool featured in its latest Summer Festival. Additionally, its $330 Main Event likewise boasts a seven-figure prize pool with its final table gameplay set for August 22nd as well.
Recreational players and poker professionals alike are welcome to join in on the fun with buy-ins catering to any level of bankroll. For $1 to $2,000, players can jump in a selection of NLH, PLO and Short Deck tournaments available through August 22nd for a chance of WPT glory. Aside from its generous prize guarantees, satellite runners and event winners can also lock in entries into the $15 Million Guarantee WPT World Championship scheduled this December at the Wynn Las Vegas.
WPT Summer Festival Schedule of Events
| Date/s | Day/s | Event | Buy-in | Prize pool |
| Jul 20 – Aug 22 | Every Wed / Sun | $1 for 1 million | $1 | $1,000,000 |
| July 20 – July 24 | Wed – Sun | The Micro Opener | $2 | $10,000 |
| July 25 – July 31 | Mon – Sun | Summer Showdown | $220 | $250,000 |
| July 25 – July 31 | Mon – Sun | The Mini Showdown | $22 | $50,000 |
| Aug 1 – Aug 7 | Mon – Sun | PLO Championship | $220 | $150,000 |
| Aug 1 – Aug 7 | Mon – Sun | PLO Micro Championship | $22 | $20,000 |
| Aug 1 – Aug 7 | Mon – Sun | Short Deck Bounty Championship | $110 | $100,000 |
| Aug 8 – Aug 14 | Mon – Sun | Summer Progressive Bounties Championship | $220 | $300,000 |
| Aug 8 – Aug 14 | Mon – Sun | Mini Summer Progressive Bounties Championship | $11 | $20,000 |
| Aug 12 – Aug 21 | Every Day | Mini Main Event 100,000 GTD. | $33 | $100,000 |
| Aug 12 – Aug 22 | Every Day | Main Event 1 million GTD | $330 | $1,000,000 |
Chico Network hosts $200K GTD Main Event for its Poker Mystery Series 2.0
US-friendly Chico Network is bringing back an improved format of its popular Poker Mystery Series available on its flagship skins, including BetOnline and TigerGaming through the end of the month. The $500,000 guaranteed festival is currently making its way through a boosted weeklong lineup of events with entry fees ranging from $11 – $109. Its $200K GTD Main Event scheduled to play through this Sunday, July 31st, highlights the largest prize pool to wrap up the series.
From its name, players can win several mystery prizes in the form of Mystery Boxes awarded to those who fail to cash in any of the highlighted tournaments the day prior. These Gift Boxes allow its users to collect tournament tickets to continue their grinds and test their luck on the tables once again. Moreover, a Mystery Series Leaderboard will also be up throughout the festival where the top 10 players will share a bonus $1,000 in prizes.
Poker Mystery Series 2.0 Schedule of Events
| Date | Time (ET) | Event # | Tournament | Buy-In |
| Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 | 3:30 PM | 9 | ($11) $5,000 Gtd | $11.00 |
| 5:30 PM | 10 | ($22) $5,000 Gtd | $22.00 | |
| 7:30 PM | 11 | ($55) $25,000 Gtd | $55.00 | |
| 9:30 PM | 12 | ($109) $10,000 Gtd | $109.00 | |
| Thursday, July 28th, 2022 | 3:30 PM | 13 | ($11) $5,000 Gtd | $11.00 |
| 5:30 PM | 14 | ($22) $7,500 Gtd | $22.00 | |
| 7:30 PM | 15 | ($55) $25,000 Gtd | $55.00 | |
| 9:30 PM | 16 | ($109) $10,000 Gtd | $109.00 | |
| Friday, July 29th, 2022 | 3:30 PM | 17 | ($11) $5,000 Gtd | $11.00 |
| 5:30 PM | 18 | ($22) $5,000 Gtd | $22.00 | |
| 7:30 PM | 19 | ($55) $30,000 Gtd | $55.00 | |
| 9:30 PM | 20 | ($109) $10,000 Gtd | $109.00 | |
| Saturday, July 30th, 2022 | 3:30 PM | 21 | ($11) $5,000 Gtd | $11.00 |
| 5:30 PM | 22 | ($22) $5,000 Gtd | $22.00 | |
| 7:30 PM | 23 | ($55) $25,000 Gtd | $55.00 | |
| 9:30 PM | 24 | ($109) $10,000 Gtd | $109.00 | |
| Sunday, July 31st, 2022 | 1:00 PM | 25 | $200,000 GTD (Main Event) | $109.00 |
| 4:00 PM | 26 | ($22) $10,000 Gtd PKO | $22.00 |
