The Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) is one of the premier online poker festivals in the world. Running every May on PokerStars, it acts as the ultimate digital warmup before players travel to Las Vegas for the summer live circuit.
While the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) dominates September, SCOOP changed the industry forever in 2009. It became the first major tournament series to introduce a three-tier buy-in system. This complete guide breaks down the history of the series, explains the mechanics of the legendary tier structure, and details exactly how players can qualify for the massive Spring Main Events.
SCOOP stands for the Spring Championship of Online Poker. It is a massive annual online tournament series hosted by PokerStars. The festival pioneered the Low, Medium, and High tier system. This setup guarantees that players of any bankroll size can compete, all building toward three massive Main Events.
History and the Invention of Tiers
Before 2009, major online poker championships catered primarily to high rollers. If recreational players wanted to compete for a world title, they had to grind through satellites or watch from the sidelines. PokerStars launched SCOOP specifically to bridge this gap.
Timeline of Growth
How the L, M, and H Tiers Work
SCOOP established the industry standard for multi-tier festivals. Every single poker discipline on the schedule is split into three separate tournaments that run simultaneously. This intelligent design ensures maximum participation from across the global player base.
Low (L) Tier
Buy-ins range from $2.20 to $22. Designed for recreational players and beginners, these events attract massive fields. Tens of thousands of entrants regularly compete, creating huge potential returns on a small investment.
Medium (M) Tier
Buy-ins generally range from $22 to $215. This tier hits the sweet spot for serious amateurs and mid-stakes professionals, offering highly competitive fields alongside substantial final table payouts.
High (H) Tier
Buy-ins span from $215 up to $25,000 for Super High Roller events. This tier attracts elite professionals and high stakes regulars. Winning a SCOOP High title means beating the sharpest minds in online poker.
The Three SCOOP Main Events
The entire spring festival builds momentum toward the final Sunday, where the three No Limit Hold’em Main Events kick off. These headline tournaments boast the largest guarantees of the series.
| Event Level | Typical Buy-In | Expected Guarantee | Target Player Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Main Event | $109 | $2,000,000+ | Massive fields of recreational players looking for a huge ROI. |
| Medium Main Event | $1,050 | $4,000,000+ | Serious grinders and aspiring professionals seeking major titles. |
| High Main Event | $10,300 | $5,000,000+ | Elite global professionals and high stakes regulars. |
A Celebration of Mixed Games
While No Limit Hold’em dominates the daily online lobbies, SCOOP remains a true test of comprehensive poker skill. The festival schedule features a heavy rotation of alternative variants.
Players compete for official titles in Pot Limit Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi, and complex rotation formats like 8-Game Mix and H.O.R.S.E. Since these niche games also run at the Low tier, SCOOP provides an excellent opportunity for recreational players to learn new formats without risking a large portion of their bankrolls.
How to Qualify Online
You do not need a $10,300 bankroll to play in the High Main Event. PokerStars provides a deep satellite ecosystem leading up to the spring festival.
The Power Path System
By participating in daily real-money games, players earn free Step 1 tickets. Grinding these steps can unlock Bronze, Silver, or Gold Passes. During the festival, players can exchange these passes directly for valuable SCOOP tournament ticket bundles.
Special Edition Spin & Go’s
PokerStars updates its popular lottery Sit & Go tournaments for the series. By entering $4 or $22 SCOOP Spin & Go’s, players can hit jackpot multipliers and instantly win a $10,300 Main Event ticket within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SCOOP stand for?+
SCOOP stands for the Spring Championship of Online Poker. It is a massive annual online tournament series hosted by PokerStars that features three distinct buy-in tiers for every event on the schedule.
What is the difference between SCOOP and WCOOP?+
SCOOP is held in the spring (usually May) and is recognized for inventing the Low, Medium, and High tier system in 2009. WCOOP (World Championship of Online Poker) takes place in September and serves as the original online world championship. Both stand as highly prestigious series hosted by PokerStars.
How much is the SCOOP Main Event?+
Thanks to the multi-tier system, SCOOP actually features three separate Main Events. The High Main Event is typically $10,300. The Medium Main Event is usually $1,050. The Low Main Event is highly accessible, generally costing $109.
Can US players play in SCOOP?+
Players located within the United States cannot access the global PokerStars client. However, PokerStars frequently runs localized versions of SCOOP (such as NJSCOOP or PASCOOP) for players located in regulated states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
How do I qualify for SCOOP tournaments?+
Players can qualify for SCOOP events for a fraction of the cost through PokerStars’ extensive satellite system. This process includes traditional multi-table satellites, special edition Spin & Go tournaments, and the progressive Power Path system.
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Tournament details and schedules are subject to change — please refer to the official website for the latest information. Poker involves financial risk and is only available to adults aged 18+. Please play responsibly and within your local laws.
