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Comparison of WSOP Packages[ return to main articles page ]

By: duquedelsol
Published on Mar 3rd, 2006
I have listed these in the order of attractiveness TO ME...but as I noted below - just because I think a site's offerings are attractive does not mean I think they are best for everyone...

Pokerstars support is saying their packages will be released soon...

Thought this would be a good idea - to have one place to compare/contrast ways to qualify... <READMORE>

That being said - I am not sure that there is ONE best way...the packages/plans that are condusive to me may not be alluring to Bob...though I do think facts AND opinions would be helpful to those making the effort...

Most packages will include a signifigant amount of swag - an additional value of $200-$500...

Cryptologic (Interpoker/Betfair/William Hill/etc)

Package includes:

* 10K buyin to WSOP ME
* 3K for 14 nights at Rio (and based on last year - this is a low estimate of value...Rio rooms - when available - during last years WSOP were about $300/night)
* $2500 in cash for travel/expenses
* A 200K freeroll (they are estimating the value of this at $1500...presumably - this is only open to people qualifying through the Crypto sites)
* An entry into a $1K "second chance" event...this is the event I cashed in last year - except this year - it is apparently a bracelet event...

Official value of package: $15,500
Actual value of package: $18,000

Advantages

* Package is undervalued
* Last year - ran guaranteed giveaways with additional overlays
* Satellites are soft
* Nice swag package

Disadvantages

* Sub-satellites are small (sometimes only giving away one seat in the main super)
* Cash withdraw procedure slow and complicated
* Last year's pre-WSOP party was weak...(OK - thats snobbish)
* (A little of both) - though staying at Rio has its advantages - a bit of overvalue on room allotment (meaning you can stay at a nice room on the strip during the WSOP for about $1500)...

Full Tilt Poker

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $2000 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $12,000
Actual value of package: $12,000

Advantages

* Tons of ways to qualify - including freerolls for ring game play - freerolls open to anyone - and supers ranging in cost from $200-$1K
* Sub satellites start as low as $4
* At least two supers per week
* Best line up of name pros
* Guaranteed bonus for making FT of ME (could be plus or minus)
* King of the Hill tourney will add value

Disadvantages

* Auxillary package is small (not sure $2K will cover all expenses for some - especially overseas players)

PartyPoker (actually on par with - if not better - than FTP - this could move up)

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $1000 in cash for travel/expenses
* Free hotel

Official value of package: $11,000
Actual value of package: being unsure of the actual hotel - we'll say $12,500

Advantages

* Package is underrvalued
* Tons of ways to qualify - freerolls/steps/supers
* It's Partypoker

Disadvantages

* Auxillary package is small ($1K for air and expenses not a lot)

UltimateBet

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $2000 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $12,000
Actual value of package: $12,000

Advantages

* Tons of ways to qualify - including freerolls open to anyone - and supers ranging in cost from $200-$1K
* Sub satellites start as low as $4
* At least two supers per week
* Good line up of name pros
* Excellent Tourney structure
* First 150 qualifiers elegible for monster freeroll - winner to be "VIP" for WSOP

Disadvantages

* Auxillary package is small (not sure $2K will cover all expenses for some - especially overseas players)
* I have a low success rate at UB

Bodog

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $2500 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $12,500
Actual value of package: $12,500

Advantages

* Overlays in $250 supers have been HUGE so far - most upwards for $5,000
* One of the two best pre-WSOP parties
* Nice swag package
* SnG qualifying starts at $1
* Last year - had great "24 seats in 24 hours" promo with supers starting as small as $10
* Have you PLAYED on bodog?!?!

Disadvantages

* $250 super usually only allowing for "winner take all" tourneys
* Only one package per person - with no buyback option...
* Have you PLAYED on bodog?!?!

Paradise Poker

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $2000 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $12,000
Actual value of package: $12,000

Advantages

* Lots of ways to qualify - including freerolls for ring game play and tourney success
* At least two supers per week
* Usually THE BEST pre-WSOP party

Disadvantages

* Auxillary package is small (not sure $2K will cover all expenses for some - especially overseas players)

Prima Poker (Royal Vegas/Gaming Club/Golden Riviera/etc)

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* Economy airfare irfare to Las Vegas (undetermined carrier)
* Hotel accomodation in Las Vegas (undetermined hotel)
* $500 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $14,500
Actual value of package: for most in the US - I would guess closer to $12,500

Advantages

* Play in early sats was QUITE soft
* Some overlays possible in Level 1 events
* Only pay vig on one level - which could save hundreds qualifying from Level 1

Disadvantages

* Package appears to be overvalued for most in the US
* Only one main super per month
* Prima software sucks
* Structure of sats is a bit fast
* Sats have been small (first main super only had 42 runners for 2 spots + 1 runner up
* It doesn't appear that there is an official buy-back alternative for winning more than one package

PokerRoom (Pokerroom/FCP/Hollywood)

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* not sure what else

Official value of package: $13,500
Actual value of package: ??

Information incomplete - will update as available

Doyle Room Network (DR/Fishtank/etc)

Package includes:

* $10K buyin to WSOP ME
* $2500 in cash for travel/expenses

Official value of package: $12,500
Actual value of package: $12,500

Advantages

* Um - Get to hang with Doyle - Chau Chang and Scott Fischman

[I]Disadvantages<
 

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