The Best Affordable Hold'em Poker Tournaments for 2023 WCOOP

PokerNews Staff

Sep 07, 2023 6 min read Last updated Sep 08, 2023

Best Events at $5.50
Best Events at $11
Best Events at $22
Best Events at $33
Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Plan Your Action

The 2023 World Championship of Online Poker on PokerStars is just around the corner, doing its first shuffle and deal on Sunday, September 10.

And while many of the world's best poker players will be playing events that breach the five-figure buy-in mark, a vast majority of the poker community will be looking at the events on the more affordable side of the spectrum. So here at PokerNews, we've decided to put this handy guide together that covers only the best WCOOP hold'em tournaments that have buy-ins between $5.50 and $33.

For those also looking for the most exciting Mixed Games events, fear not, as we have also listed the best budget options for WCOOP's non-hold'em events.

Best Events at $5.50

If you're a budget-conscious poker enthusiast, the $5.50 buy-in events at WCOOP offer fantastic value for your money. These tournaments give you a shot at substantial prizes without risking a large portion of your bankroll. Some of our top picks at this buy-in level are:

WCOOP 02-L: $5.50 NLHE [WCOOP Kickoff], $50K Gtd
WCOOP 07-L: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, PKO, Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $30K Gtd
WCOOP 27-L: $5.50 NLHE [Deep Stack], $40K Gtd
WCOOP 51-L: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $16.5K Gtd
WCOOP 74-L: $5.50 NLHE [Single Day], $37.5K Gtd
WCOOP 99-L: $5.50 NLHE [PKO, Women's Event], $2.5K Gtd

With a variety of formats and generous guarantees, these tournaments are perfect for players looking to make their mark on the WCOOP without breaking the bank.

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Sun 10 Sep	08:05	WCOOP 02-L: $5.50 NLHE [WCOOP Kickoff], $50K Gtd
Sun 10 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 07-L: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $30K Gtd
Tue 12 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 13-L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $50K Gtd
Wed 13 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 21-L: $5.50+R NLHE, $40K Gtd
Thu 14 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 22-L: $5.50 NLHE, $35K Gtd
Thu 14 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 26-L: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $25K Gtd
Sat 16 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 27-L: $5.50 NLHE [Deep Stack], $40K Gtd
Sun 17 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 34-L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $40K Gtd
Tue 19 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 43-L: $5.50 NLHE [Deep Stack], $37.5K Gtd
Tue 19 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 47-L: $5.50 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $25K Gtd
Wed 20 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 51-L: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $16.5K Gtd
Sat 23 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 60-L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Saturday KO], $65K Gtd
Sun 24 Sep	08:05	WCOOP 64-L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $45K Gtd
Sun 24 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 69-L: $5.50 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO, Sunday Cooldown, Single Re-Entry], $30K Gtd
Mon 25 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 73-L: $5.50 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO], $30K Gtd
Tue 26 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 74-L: $5.50 NLHE [Single Day], $37.5K Gtd
Wed 27 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 82-L: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $25K Gtd
Sun 1 Oct	08:05	WCOOP 96-L: $5.50 NLHE [Sunday Kickoff], $45K Gtd
Sun 1 Oct	13:30	WCOOP 99-L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Womens Event], $2.5K Gtd
Mon 2 Oct	13:30	WCOOP 01-L: $5.50 NLHE [Phase 2], $400K Gtd
Tue 3 Oct	13:30	WCOOP 106-L: $5.50 NLHE/PLO [6-Max], $15K Gtd
Tue 3 Oct	15:05	WCOOP 107-L: $5.50 NLHE [Heads-Up, Turbo, Progressive Total KO, Zoom], $35K Gtd
Wed 4 Oct	15:30	WCOOP 110-L: $5.50 NLHE [7-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO, Series Wrap-Up], $30K Gtd

Full 2023 WCOOP Schedule

Best Events at $11

Stepping up a notch in the buy-in department, the $11 events still provide a relatively low-cost entry to WCOOP glory. Here are some of the best $11 tournaments to consider:

WCOOP 29-L: $11 NLHE [PKO, Saturday KO], $150K Gtd
WCOOP 46-L: $11 FLHE [6-Max], $8.5K Gtd
WCOOP 62-L: $11 NLHE [4-Max, Turbo, PKO], $60K Gtd
WCOOP 78-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max, PKO, Freezeout], $50K Gtd
WCOOP 97-L: $11 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $200K Gtd

These $11 events offer a wide range of poker experiences, from turbo formats to progressive knockouts, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Sun 10 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 06-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max], $85K Gtd
Mon 11 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 11-L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Freezeout], $70K Gtd
Wed 13 Sep	11:30	WCOOP 18-L: $11 NLHE [Deep Stack], $85K Gtd
Sat 16 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 29-L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Saturday KO], $150K Gtd
Sat 16 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 32-L: $11 NLHE [5-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO], $45K Gtd
Sun 17 Sep	08:05	WCOOP 33-L: $11 NLHE [Sunday Kickoff], $70K Gtd
Sun 17 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 37-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $75K Gtd
Mon 18 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 41-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $55K Gtd
Tue 19 Sep	13:30	WCOOP 46-L: $11 FLHE [6-Max], $8.5K Gtd
Thu 21 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 52-L: $11 NLHE, $65K Gtd
Thu 21 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 57-L: $11 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO], $75K Gtd
Sat 23 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 62-L: $11 NLHE [4-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO], $60K Gtd
Mon 25 Sep	13:30	WCOOP 71-L: $11 6+ Hold'em [6-Max], $17.5K Gtd
Mon 25 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 72-L: $11 NLHE [Freezeout], $45K Gtd
Tue 26 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 78-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $50K Gtd
Wed 27 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 80-L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO], $115K Gtd
Wed 27 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 83-L: $11 NLHE [4-Max], $40K Gtd
Thu 28 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 84-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max, Deep Stack], $60K Gtd
Thu 28 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 89-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO, Single Re-Entry], $40K Gtd
Sat 30 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 90-L: $11 NLHE [Deep Stack], $50K Gtd
Sat 30 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 94-L: $11 NLHE [6-Max, Turbo], $60K Gtd
Sun 1 Oct	16:30	WCOOP 101-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO, Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $70K Gtd
Mon 2 Oct	12:30	WCOOP 102-L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Series Saver], $165K Gtd
Mon 2 Oct	16:30	WCOOP 104-L: $11 NLHE [Turbo, Freezeout], $50K Gtd

Best Events at $22

If you're willing to invest a bit more, the $22 events at WCOOP continue to provide an excellent balance between affordability and potentially lucrative payouts. But as always, you should only play these events if you Bankroll Management allows you to. If this is the summer of shot-taking, then you should consider looking at the following:

WCOOP 12-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo], $85K Gtd
WCOOP 19-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, PKO, Single Re-Entry], $100K Gtd
WCOOP 31-L: $22 NLHE [Freezeout], $80K Gtd
WCOOP 65-L: $22 NLHE [Sunday Warm-Up], $165K Gtd
WCOOP 97-L: $22 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $200K Gtd

Like the $11 tier, the $22 events offer a balanced mix of turbo, freezeout, and progressive knockout formats, making them an attractive choice for players looking to compete at a slightly higher level.

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Mon 11 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 12-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo], $85K Gtd
Wed 13 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 19-L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Single Re-Entry], $100K Gtd
Sat 16 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 31-L: $22 NLHE [Freezeout], $80K Gtd
Mon 18 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 42-L: $22 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO], $85K Gtd
Wed 20 Sep	11:30	WCOOP 48-L: $22 NLHE [Single Day], $100K Gtd
Thu 21 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 54-L: $22 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill, Freezeout], $120K Gtd
Sun 24 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 65-L: $22 NLHE [Sunday Warm-Up], $165K Gtd
Sat 30 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 95-L: $22 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Freezeout], $80K Gtd
Sun 1 Oct	10:05	WCOOP 97-L: $22 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $200K Gtd
Mon 2 Oct	13:30	WCOOP 01-M: $22 NLHE [Phase 2], $500K Gtd

Luis "luis_faria" Faria Wins Big in 2022 WCOOP $10,300 Main Event ($1,293,825)

Best Events at $33

For those willing to take on a bit more risk, some of our favorite events with $33 buy-ins to consider include:

WCOOP 03-L: $33 NLHE [PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, Single Re-Entry], $150K Gtd
WCOOP 17-L: $33 NLHE [7-Max, PKO], $200K Gtd
WCOOP 45-L: $33 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $150K Gtd
WCOOP 68-L: $33 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $100K Gtd
WCOOP 92-L: $33 NLHE [PKO], $250K Gtd

These $33 events offer the chance to compete for substantial prizes while maintaining a reasonable buy-in.

But as you can see from the lists above, whether your budget is big or small, there's a WCOOP tournament for you in 2023. So, sharpen your skills, prepare your strategy, and prepare for an exciting season of online poker action at the World Championship of Online Poker!

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Sun 10 Sep	10:05	WCOOP 03-L: $33 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Single Re-Entry], $150K Gtd
Tue 12 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 17-L: $33 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO], $200K Gtd
Thu 14 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 25-L: $33 NLHE [6-Max, Single Re-Entry], $80K Gtd
Tue 19 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 45-L: $33 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $150K Gtd
Sat 23 Sep	16:30	WCOOP 63-L: $33 NLHE [Turbo], $85K Gtd
Sun 24 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 68-L: $33 NLHE [6-Max, Freezeout], $100K Gtd
Thu 28 Sep	15:05	WCOOP 88-L: $33 NLHE [Freezeout], $80K Gtd
Sat 30 Sep	12:30	WCOOP 92-L: $33 NLHE [Progressive KO], $250K Gtd
Tue 3 Oct	12:30	WCOOP 105-L: $33 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $100K Gtd

Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Plan Your Action

Our free-to-use tool has several filters that make finding your perfect poker tournament, whether a WCOOP event or otherwise, a breeze. The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar allows you to register for tournaments with a couple of mouse clicks, so you need never miss out again.

Share this article

PokerNews Staff

Follow on