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The World Championship of Online Poker is without a doubt the most prestigious online tournament series around. Every single player, whether he be a casual amateur or dedicated pro, wants to get their hands on a WCOOP title. Come September you can be sure that you’ll find everyone at PokerStars.com.
The WCOOP owes much of its structure and bearing to the World Series of Poker. Many see it as the closest online analogue to that hallowed event; not least because each WCOOP winner receives their very own 14 karat gold bracelet. Since its modest beginning it has grown into easily the largest and most revered online event, challenged only by Full Tilt’s FTOPS in terms of prestige. A glance at the tournament schedule reveals events of all shapes and sizes across all the major disciplines of poker. From Heads-Up No-Limit Hold ‘em to H.O.R.S.E, those who want to prove their prowess face a true all-around test at the WCOOP. And just like the World Series it all culminates in a huge Main Event. Since its inception in 2002 the WCOOP has catered to 49,029 unique players, paid out $100,000,000, and hosted 121 events. Representatives from 136 countries have competed, making this arguably the most global high stakes tournament series in existence. Entry figures and guaranteed prize pools increase every year as the popularity of online poker grows and grows. 2002The very first WCOOP consisted of only 9 events, including Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha, and Stud tournaments. Even in this early iteration, $730,000 was awarded to players, with MultiMarine from Sweden taking home $65,450 of it for his Main Event victory. One feature which made its first and only WCOOP appearance was an award for the best overall player. The one and only Best All Around WCOOP Player title holder is TheBeat, who picked up $5,000 for his efforts. 
2003This second WCOOP was held right in the midst of the so called “Moneymaker Effect”. Amateur player Chris Moneymaker famously won the World Series Main Event after qualifying via a satellite on PokerStars. Following his win the site quickly signed him up and became one of the main benefactors of the ensuing poker boom. The effect of this dramatic growth on the WCOOP was obvious. Although only two more events were added in this year, the total prize pool more than tripled to $2.7 million. 
20042004 saw only a moderate increase in the number of events, but a massive leap in the prize pool. By now the poker boom was fully in effect and the total amount awarded to players increased to over $6 million. Players from 40 countries, as well as at least one from every state in America, competed in 2004’s WCOOP. This year’s Main Event was also the first WCOOP tournament to feature a prize pool over $1 million. 
2005The total number of events crept ever so slowly higher in 2005, but was once again outdone by the huge leap in prize money. A total of $12 million was spread amongst the 15 tournaments, firmly establishing the WCOOP as one of the top poker events in the world. This year also saw a three way deal at the final table, where the final trio elected to chop the remaining prize money and play down for the title. 
2006The WCOOP was held in September for the second time in this year, a slot it still occupies today. The number of events increased from 15 to 18 and although the jump in prize money wasn’t as pronounced, there was still a $6 million increase. Razz and the all around mixed game H.O.R.S.E made their debut in 2006, beginning a pedigree of diversity that continues to this day. A pair of players distinguished themselves this year, both setting highly impressive records. By winning Event #4 spawng became the first player ever to win two WCOOP bracelets - having also captured a Pot Limit Omaha title in 2005. However he was outdone later in the series by kwob20, who became the first player ever to win two bracelets in one WCOOP. The growing prestige associated with a WCOOP victory was underlined in 2006 when 26 time WSOP casher Chad Brown finished top of the pile in the $5200 H.O.R.S.E event. He was then summarily outdone by double WSOP bracelet winner J.C. Tran, who picked up over $670,000 for his triumph in the Main Event. 
2007Shortly after the end of the previous WCOOP the habitually unclear UIGEA was passed, effectively outlawing online poker in the United States. PokerStars joined FullTilt in resisting the call to leave the US and remained open to American customers. As a result their traffic numbers soared and the WCOOP needed to expand to keep up. The number of bracelets available increased to 23, with tournament buy-ins generating a total prize pool of over $24 million. The 2007 Main Event was fraught with controversy after the original winner was stripped of his title and winnings. An account by the name of TheV0id finished in 1st place, but was later uncovered to be one of many accounts operated by the same person. The culprit is believed to have been Mark Teltscher, who was accused of using up to 5 different accounts in the same tournament. Vanessa Rousso put in a strong performance for Team PokerStars Pro by finishing second in the main event. The eventual winner of the 21 hour tournament was ka$ino (Kyle Schroeder), who become the first player ever to receive a million dollar WCOOP prize. 2004 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Raymer also demonstrated his prowess by winning a $320 Pot Limit Omaha Rebuy event. 
2008The 2008 WCOP was by far the biggest to date, evidence that it was now firmly established as the internet’s biggest series. The schedule of events grew to 33 and the total prize pool ballooned to nearly $40 million. The largest ever WCOOP tournament was the two-day Event #6. This $530 No Limit Hold’em contest was taken down by Carlvin32 for over $450,000. 
2009The 2009 series is currently just around the corner and looks set to reach even greater heights. There will be 45 events held over 18 days with a wide range of games, buy-ins, and guarantees. PokerStars guarantee the prizepool for every event, with the total figure this year set at $40 million. Along with three cut price $215 events with $1 million guarantee there are will also be three High Roller events to satisfy the pros. PokerStars are claiming that the structures have been slowed for this year’s event, leading to longer tournaments and more skilful play. The 2009 WCOOP stars on September 3rd with a $125 No Limit Hold’em tournament which includes a $1.25 million guarantee. Everything comes to a head on September 20th with the $5000 + $200 main event, sporting a huge $10 million guarantee. 
As you can see, each WCOOP event just keeps getting bigger and bigger! If you missed some of the action, want to follow along with the current series, or just want to find more information about past series check out the WCOOP section of FTR News:
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