Live Poker Tournaments
Live poker tournaments combine strategy with a unique, immersive atmosphere, bringing players from around the world together to compete for prizes and titles. Unlike online games, live events offer face-to-face interaction, real-time excitement, and the ambiance of a casino or poker room.
Each tournament has its own rules and structure, catering to players of all levels, from beginners to professionals. These events also contribute to the growth of poker as a global phenomenon, drawing millions of fans through live broadcasts and online streaming. Poker tournaments have become not just competitions but spectacles where every decision can turn the tide.
Most Popular Live Poker Tournament Series
Upcoming Live Poker Tournaments (Schedule)
This table shows a live poker tournament schedule that will be held at various casinos and poker venues. We have compiled information on the dates, venues and format of the tournaments to help you not miss out on the important events.
Tournament | Dates | Location |
---|---|---|
World Series of Poker (WSOP) | May 27 – July 16, 2025 | Las Vegas, USA |
European Poker Tour (EPT) – Paris | February 12 – 23, 2025 | Paris, France |
European Poker Tour (EPT) – Monte Carlo | April 30 – May 10, 2025 | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
European Poker Tour (EPT) – Barcelona | August 18 – 31, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain |
World Poker Tour (WPT) – Cambodia | February 6 – 24, 2025 | Cambodia |
World Poker Tour (WPT) – Cyprus | March 13 – 17, 2025 | Cyprus |
World Poker Tour (WPT) – Gold Coast | March 13 – 26, 2025 | Gold Coast, Australia |
World Poker Tour (WPT) – Choctaw | May 2 – 5, 2025 | Choctaw, USA |
888poker LIVE – Madrid | January 12 – 19, 2025 | Madrid, Spain |
888poker LIVE – Glasgow | March 13 – 23, 2025 | Glasgow, United Kingdom |
888poker LIVE – Barcelona | May 8 – 18, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain |
888poker LIVE – London | September 4 – 14, 2025 | London, United Kingdom |
Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) – Coventry | January 9 – 19, 2025 | Coventry, United Kingdom |
Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) – Manchester | January 30 – February 9, 2025 | Manchester, United Kingdom |
Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) – London | Dec-25 | London, United Kingdom |
Asian Poker Tour (APT) – Manila I | February 7 – 16, 2025 | Manila, Philippines |
Asian Poker Tour (APT) – Taipei I | April 25 – May 4, 2025 | Taipei, Taiwan |
Asian Poker Tour (APT) – Manila II | May 30 – June 8, 2025 | Manila, Philippines |
Asian Poker Tour (APT) – Jeju | September 26 – October 5, 2025 | Jeju, South Korea |
Asian Poker Tour (APT) – Taipei II | November 14 – 30, 2025 | Taipei, Taiwan |
Best Live Poker Tournament Series
If you enjoy playing poker and want to try and win big, there are many popular and prestigious tournaments where you can enter and battle it out against the top players in the world. Below, we take a look at the best global and regional poker tournaments.
Global Tours
Global poker tournaments are becoming real events, attracting professionals and amateurs from all corners of the planet. Here are some of the most famous and significant tournaments:
World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The World Series of Poker (WSOP), held annually in Las Vegas, is the most prestigious poker tournament series in the world. Since 1970, it has grown from a small gathering into a global phenomenon, playing a key role in poker’s widespread popularity.
Initially offering only a few events, the WSOP now features dozens of tournaments in various formats, with No Limit Hold’em as its hallmark game. The Main Event, renowned for its high buy-in and massive prize pool, attracts both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, all vying for the coveted championship bracelet.
The WSOP’s inclusive structure accommodates players of all levels, combining high-stakes events with accessible side tournaments. This diversity fosters a vibrant and competitive atmosphere, uniting participants in their shared passion for the game.
Over the years, the WSOP has evolved into a highly structured and competitive series, showcasing poker’s strategic depth and cultural significance. It remains the ultimate stage for the game, continually drawing new players and audiences worldwide.
World Poker Tour (WPT)
The World Poker Tour (WPT), launched in 2002, is a globally renowned series of televised poker tournaments, with a strong focus on events in the United States. It capitalized on poker’s early 2000s boom and quickly became a staple of the poker scene.
Unlike the WSOP, which prioritizes player opportunities, the WPT is designed to captivate viewers. Its high-stakes tournaments attract top professionals while offering an exciting spectacle that appeals even to casual fans. Each season delivers drama and thrilling gameplay, making the WPT a hit both at the tables and on screen.Featuring primarily Texas Hold’em, the WPT hosts a mix of prestigious main events and accessible side tournaments, catering to players of all skill levels. Its engaging format and storytelling have helped popularize poker as mainstream entertainment, drawing in new audiences and solidifying the WPT’s role as a key player in the global poker landscape.
European Poker Tour (EPT)
The European Poker Tour (EPT), established in 2004, is one of the most prestigious live poker tournament series in Europe. Initially gaining popularity due to its lower buy-ins compared to the WPT, the EPT quickly attracted top poker professionals while remaining accessible to amateur players through online satellites hosted by PokerStars.
The EPT offers a mix of high-stakes main events and affordable side tournaments, featuring formats like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. This blend of inclusivity and competitiveness has produced a diverse roster of winners, from rising stars to seasoned pros.
Beyond the games, the EPT is renowned for its electrifying atmosphere, offering players a chance to compete against world-class talent. It has played a pivotal role in popularizing poker throughout Europe, drawing in new players and strengthening the game’s global appeal.
Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT)
The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) is a prestigious series of live poker tournaments held in major cities across the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2007, it has been pivotal in meeting the growing demand for competitive poker in Asia and Australia, driven by the global poker boom.
The APPT offers a range of tournaments, primarily focusing on Texas Hold’em, with high-stakes main events and accessible side tournaments that cater to both amateurs and professionals. Events are hosted in iconic destinations like Macau, Sydney, and Manila, attracting a diverse and competitive player base.
Thanks to partnerships with leading online poker platforms, players can qualify for APPT events via online satellites, enhancing accessibility for newcomers and seasoned players alike. Beyond the competition, the tour fosters a vibrant social atmosphere, creating opportunities for connection and camaraderie.
The APPT has significantly contributed to the growth of poker in Asia, building a passionate community and elevating the region’s prominence in the global poker scene.
Regional Tours
Regional tournaments are often smaller, but they also offer exciting games and the opportunity to win prizes. These events may be held at local casinos and clubs.
Eureka Poker Tour (EKA)
The Eureka Poker Tour (EKA) is a renowned poker tournament series that has captivated the European poker scene since its inception in 2011. It caters to a wide variety of players, from seasoned pros to enthusiastic amateurs, as the EKA tournament structure includes multiple buy-in levels, allowing players with different budget levels to participate.
The EKA’s reputation for excellence stems from its meticulously crafted tournaments, which boast sizable prize pools and a stringent commitment to preserving the integrity of the game. The tour’s calendar features multiple stops annually, each held in prestigious locations across Europe. From Prague to Budapest and other major cities, the EKA adds extra allure by immersing players in diverse and vibrant environments.
Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT)
The Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) was founded in 2008 and its first tournament was held in May of the same year. The LAPT series covers many countries in Latin America including Brazil, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia, with new locations being added all the time due to the growing popularity of the tournaments.
These tournaments feature a wide range of buy-ins for players of varying skill levels and bankrolls. Each LAPT event, especially the season’s Main Event, has a vibrant atmosphere, with fireworks, festivals and the Latin American culture that brings a special charm to the tournaments.
Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT)
The Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) was founded in 2011 and has become an important part of the poker scene in Spain. The first tournament was held in Málaga and since then the ESPT has covered many cities including Madrid, Valencia and San Sebastian. ESPT tournaments attract both professional and amateur players due to the variety of formats and buy-in levels.
Each year the popularity of the tournaments grows and new locations are added to the schedule to cater to the growing interest in poker in the region.
Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT)
The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) was founded in 2009, initially known as the Minnesota State Poker Tour. Since then, it has expanded significantly beyond its roots in Minnesota, evolving into a prominent nationwide circuit that attracts players from all over the United States.
The MSPT hosts over 30 events annually, and each stop is designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels and player bankrolls, making the tour accessible to both amateurs and seasoned professionals. A key highlight of the MSPT calendar is its summer stop in Las Vegas at the Venetian, where players can participate in a series of tournaments that include larger buy-in events with substantial prize pools and guaranteed payouts.
Qualify for Live Poker Tournaments Online
If you’re eager to play in live poker tournaments rather than just watching or checking results, numerous online qualification opportunities are available.
Major tours like the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) offer online qualifiers through their platforms or partner sites. The WSOP, the most iconic live poker series, provides online qualification options for events in Las Vegas and WSOP Europe. In the U.S., WSOP.com facilitates qualifiers for players in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, while international players can find similar opportunities on leading poker platforms under the “tournaments” or “satellites” tab.
Online qualification packages for live tournaments typically include:
- Full buy-in to the main event or side events,
- Travel funds,
- Lodging for several nights,
- Poker-themed merchandise for the event.
Winning an online package offers amateurs and seasoned players an affordable way to experience the thrill and prestige of major live poker tournaments.
Watch Live Poker Tournaments Online
If you can’t attend a major live poker tournament in person, live streaming offers the perfect alternative. In fact, it might be even better, as streams provide a front-row seat to the action with details often missed from the sidelines.
Modern poker live streams deliver an unparalleled viewing experience with:
- High-definition visuals and smooth table graphics,
- Revealed hole cards and real-time winning probabilities,
- Expert analysis and engaging commentary, often with a touch of humor,
- Viewer perks like freerolls and exclusive promotions,
- Player interviews and replays of key moments.
Streaming isn’t limited to high-stakes events; mid- and low-stakes tournaments are also embracing the trend, making this innovation accessible to a broader audience. For poker fans, it’s a game-changer that brings the excitement of live tournaments to your screen.
Live Tournaments FAQs
What are live poker tournaments?
Live poker tournaments are the best face-to-face poker events, where thousands of players compete for the biggest prize pools. Every year there are multiple live poker tournaments worldwide hosting poker games such as Texas Hold’em, PL Omaha, Drawmaha, and many more.
Who can play in live poker tournaments?
Live poker tournaments are open to anyone, but must be of legal age (18 or 21, depending on jurisdiction). Participants must also register and pay an entry fee, which may vary from tournament to tournament.
How can I qualify for a live poker tournament?
To qualify for a live poker tournament, players can participate in online tournaments or qualifiers that offer a chance to win a ticket to the main event. Some casinos also run qualifying tournaments where winners get seats in the big events.
What are the most popular live poker tournaments in the world?
Some of the most popular live poker tournaments in the world include the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the European Poker Tour (EPT). These tournaments attract many players and spectators by offering substantial prize pools.
Where can I watch live poker tournaments online?
Live poker tournaments can be watched online on various streaming platforms such as Twitch, as well as on specialized sites that broadcast poker events. Some casinos and tournament organizers also host live streams on their official websites.
Are live poker tournaments different from other types of poker?
Live poker tournaments differ from other forms of poker primarily in their atmosphere and format. Unlike online games, where players play from home, in live tournaments the physical component is important, including interacting with other players and reading their behavior. Also, live tournaments often have stricter rules and longer decision-making times.
What poker games are played in live tournaments?
Popular poker games commonly played in live tournaments include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud and other variations. Texas Hold’em is the most common game played at tournaments, but other formats may also be featured, depending on the specific event.