Satellite Options in WCOOP: Breakdown and Optimal Selection
Get Ready for the Online Poker Extravaganza: WCOOP Kicks Off September 6th!
Here's a lowdown on the satellites you can grab a seat for the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) happening next week. PokerStars pro, Mickey Petersen, has spilled the beans on the various satellite types up for grabs to suit all bankrolls and game preferences.
Deadline Satellites
If you're all about seizing opportunities, these satellites are your golden ticket. Starting approximately an hour before the target tournament, they guarantee a decent number of seats (usually around 100, but sometimes more). Deadline satellites have varying buy-ins, typically one-third of the target tournament's buy-in. If they're still too pricey, there are plenty of feeder satellites to snag a seat for less. Just remember that they often conclude after the WCOOP tournament has started, and you won't be able to unregister and claim your tournament dollars. These are a solid bet for most players.
FPP Satellites
Got a pile of FPP (Frequent Player Points) points in your account but no intentions of spending real cash? Fear not, FPP satellites are just your cup of tea. FPP satellite buy-ins range from 1 point to 100,000. These satellites are always played in turbo or hyper-turbo format. There are two types of qualifying tournaments: direct satellites where winning gets you into the target tournament, and multi-stage satellites where you need to play through several rounds to win a seat. For example, to win a seat in the $5,200 Main Event through a multi-stage satellite, you'd need to play through 8 rounds. You can start from any round that fits your FPP point budget.
Turbo Rebuys (2x, 3x Turbo)
For thrill-seekers who live for the adrenaline rush, qualifiers are the way to go! These run almost round the clock and usually guarantee more seats than the target tournament. My pro tip: play them only if you're ready to rebuy. Add-ons usually award more chips than a rebuy, so there's an advantage in lasting longer in these tournaments. Set aside and be prepared to spend around ten buy-ins on these satellites. For instance, if you're competing in a $1 rebuy 3x tournament, prepare to shell out at least $10.
Other Satellites
In case you prefer a different flavor, there are plenty of other satellites to tickle your poker taste buds. For example, Hyper Deeps, where players start with 500 big blinds and the satellite becomes turbo-formatted as it progresses. Deepstacks, with the same starting stack, run in a regular format. If you just want to play quickly and try to win a seat for the WCOOP event, turbo SNGs are ideal. The PokerStars lobby has numerous hyper sit-and-go tournaments, including steps where you can win tickets to $215, $700, and $2,100 tournaments.
Looking Ahead
You can find the schedule for all satellites, including Championship events, in the PokerStars lobby under the Online Events - WCOOP tab. As a bonus, let's not forget the epic 2012 WCOOP Main Event victory by Marat "maratik" Sharaputdinov, who qualified for the event through a multi-round satellite for just 40 FPP points and went on to win a massive $1,000,907.26.
Stay tuned for our next online performance review of Kazakhstani players, where we'll publish all our players' results at the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) 2015.
World Championship of Online Poker 2015 forum topic:
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- What about joining the FPP satellites if you've got a heap of FPP points but no plans to spend real cash?
- If you're banking on seizing chances and ready to take a shot, Deadline Satellites with their varying buy-ins might be the way to go.
- For adrenaline junkies, Turbo Rebuys with 2x or 3x speed could be the perfect fit, but be prepared to rebuy and spend more if needed.
- If you're in search of something different, consider Hyper Deeps, Deepstacks, or turbo SNGs for a unique poker experience and a chance to secure a WCOOP seat.
- Before the WCOOP 2015, don't forget to check the PokerStars lobby for the schedules under Online Events - WCOOP, and get inspired by Marat "maratik" Sharaputdinov's 2012 Main Event victory for just 40 FPP points.
