Poker is undeniably one of the most famous card games worldwide. If you consider that there were up to 10,366 poker tables around the world in 2024 that numbers has now increased tenfold. According to the data and business intelligence platform Statista, upwards of 7,000 tables were in North America alone. Online poker is similarly prevalent globally, with an estimated 100 million active players.
This vast reach and relevance have spawned countless cross-regional poker tournaments, in which thousands of players participate every year. Interestingly, although online poker sites don’t necessarily hold their own global tournaments, many of these providers are responsible for some of the most exciting opportunities that combine travel and competitions. Here’s how:
Satellite matches for travel packages
Some online poker providers offer special satellite matches with travel packages as prizes. This allows aspirants to participate in otherwise exclusive events while seeing the beauty of the host country. The US’ leading online poker site, Americas Cardroom, is particularly known for providing such satellites. Established in 2001, the site is celebrated by the poker community for its secure software, crypto adoption, roster of poker stars, and massive tourneys.
Just earlier this year, the operator offered more of these packages in light of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series on Jeju Island, South Korea. Considered one of the most expensive poker events, the Triton Series is known for having some of the biggest buy-ins, with matches held in luxurious destinations. Winners of the aforementioned Americas Cardroom satellites received packages valued at around $110,000, on top of business-class airfare and 5-star accommodations. Throughout the year, other similar packages are regularly offered for other international competitions, providing more opportunities for players of all backgrounds to join.
Online qualifiers for overseas poker tours
Given that many poker events run for multiple days or even weeks, organizers aim to entice more participants by holding them in appealing destinations. For example, this is what the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been doing. Recognized as the most prestigious poker tourney in the world, the WSOP was owned for many years by Caesars Entertainment, which is among the largest casino and entertainment companies globally. Apart from the Main Event, which is traditionally held in the Horseshoe in Las Vegas, the WSOP also has events in other places, like the Bahamas.
To further encourage player participation in overseas locations, savvy organizers have embraced online qualifiers. Many fans may recall that online qualifiers first became popular in the early ‘00s, following poker icon Chris Moneymaker’s historic Main Event triumph. Besting more experienced players, Moneymaker’s journey started by winning an online qualifying satellite with a modest $86 buy-in. Today, even players from far-flung areas can prove their mettle through these remote mediums and earn a spot in elite poker matches held around the world. During the last Bahamas Paradise Super Main Event held in December 2024, 90 players made it through online qualifiers.
Sponsored travel perks for players
Traveling for poker competitions is one of the benefits that talented players have to look forward to. Many professional players are even sent to play in these tournaments with all expenses paid by their teams. For instance, Americas Cardroom pro Ebony Kenney had all her expenses covered by the poker platform when she became the first woman to play in the Triton Series 2022.
Alternatively, travel sponsorships can be an added incentive in workshops for those who are relatively new to the poker scene. To illustrate, in 2023, PokerStars held a bootcamp for female participants who had never played the card game before. PokerStars, a well-known online poker room, is renowned for its international presence and recently made headlines for migrating players from the Italian poker app Sisal onto its own platform. As part of the earlier-noted bootcamp, the best-performing player won a set at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus, which ultimately culminated in playing at the EPT Prague.