When does WSOP 2026 start and end?

WSOP 2026 runs from May 26 to July 15, 2026, at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The Main Event takes place July 2-13 with a delayed final table date to be announced.

How should I prepare for the WSOP Main Event?

Focus on three areas: (1) Preflop range mastery for 15-40bb stack depths, (2) ICM bubble strategy since the Main Event has massive pay jumps, and (3) Short-stack play including reshove ranges and heads-up Nash equilibrium. Use a free GTO solver like PokerGTO Solver to practice these spots before heading to Vegas.

What is the WSOP Summer Circuit in 2026?

The WSOP Summer Circuit is a new addition in 2026, running from July 14-25 during the final days of the bracelet series. It offers ring events similar to the regular WSOP Circuit stops, providing more tournament options for players staying through the summer.

WSOP 2026 Preparation Guide: Strategy, Schedule & GTO Training Tips

WSOP 2026: What You Need to Know

The 2026 World Series of Poker runs from May 26 through July 15 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. This year features 100 bracelet events and several major changes that every serious player should understand before heading to Vegas.

Key Schedule Changes for 2026

New Opening Event: Mini Mystery Millions

The $550 Mini Mystery Millions replaces the traditional Casino Employees Event as the marquee opener. With a low buy-in and massive field expected, this is the perfect warm-up event for recreational and serious players alike.

Return of the Delayed Main Event Final Table

For the first time since 2017, the WSOP Main Event final table will be delayed — bringing back the excitement of the "November Nine" era. The Main Event runs July 2-13, with the final table date to be announced. This changes strategy significantly: players who make the final table will have time to study opponents with solvers and coaches.

WSOP Summer Circuit

A brand-new WSOP Summer Circuit will run from July 14-25, overlapping with the final days of the bracelet series. This means more ring events and more value for players staying through the summer.

Free Daily Livestreams

The WSOP is launching free daily livestreams on YouTube from May 26 through the Main Event, with Jeff Platt leading a revamped broadcast team. Studying these streams is a free way to see how top pros approach different tournament spots.

Must-Play Events by Buy-In Level

Low Buy-In ($300–$1,000)

Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions — New opener, massive field
Event #63: $1,000 Mystery Millions — Always a huge prize pool
Event #86: $600 Ultra Stack — Deep structure for the buy-in
Event #100: $1,000 Super Turbo — Last chance bracelet

Mid Buy-In ($1,500–$5,000)

Event #2: $5,000 8-Max NLH — Strong structure, elite field
Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship — Best value mid-tier event
Colossus & Monster Stack — Massive fields, life-changing scores

High Roller ($10,000+)

$10,000 Main Event — The pinnacle of poker
$250,000 Super High Roller — For the elite
$50,000 Poker Players Championship — The pros' favorite

GTO Strategy for WSOP Preparation

1. Master ICM Bubble Spots

Tournament poker near the bubble is fundamentally different from cash game poker. The Independent Chip Model (ICM) dictates that your chips are worth more than their face value when you're close to a pay jump. Use a solver to practice:

Short-stack shove/fold ranges on the bubble
Big-stack pressure spots against medium stacks
Folding strong hands when the math says to

2. Preflop Range Discipline

WSOP fields are softer than online, which means you can profitably play slightly tighter than GTO. But you still need to know the baseline. Use our Range Wizard to memorize opening, 3-betting, and calling ranges for every position at various stack depths.

3. Short-Stack Play

Most WSOP events feature periods where you'll have 15-25 big blinds. This is where solvers shine. Key spots to drill:

Reshoving ranges against different position opens
When to call vs reshove with 20bb
Heads-up short-stack Nash equilibrium

4. Practice with Free Solver Tools

You don't need a $100/month subscription to prepare. PokerGTO Solver's free browser-based solver lets you analyze any postflop spot directly in your browser. Set up common tournament scenarios and compare your intuition to GTO solutions.

Bankroll Management for WSOP

Never risk more than 1-2% of your bankroll on a single tournament. For a $1,500 event, you should have a bankroll of at least $75,000 if playing professionally. Recreational players should treat buy-ins as entertainment expenses — only play what you can afford to lose.

If you're on a limited budget, satellite qualifiers on ClubGG and GGPoker offer paths to Main Event seats for a fraction of the buy-in.

Final Preparation Checklist

Study preflop ranges for 15-40bb stack depths
Drill ICM bubble spots with a solver
Watch WSOP livestreams from previous years
Review hand histories from similar buy-in events
Get physically prepared: sleep, hydration, and stamina matter in long tournament days