Golden trophy in front of poker cards and colorful chips on a blue background.

When you want thrilling action and monster paydays, look no further than the best poker tournaments in the world. These legendary major poker events captivate our attention and have many players dreaming of life-changing paydays. The crazy part is that anyone with enough buy in cash can often stroll right into a main event and try their luck against the world’s top poker pros. What are the global poker championships that matter most? Here’s a look at the top 10 high-stakes poker tournaments in the world.

1. World Series of Poker (WSOP)

With apologies to the Rose Bowl, the WSOP is the granddaddy of them all when it comes to poker tournaments. This annual Series not only features over 100 separate tournaments and games but it is used by many to determine who is poker’s absolute champion.

It started in 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas as a fairly small affair among a niche set of card sharks and has blown up into a global phenomenon. The Main Event has a buy in of $10,000 and affords entrants a shot at millions in prizes. Last year’s winner, Jonathan Tamayo, took home $10M for his victory. The runner-up snagged $6M.

At the WSOP you can find the biggest names like 16-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu, and a cavalcade of celebrities, from former San Antonio Spur Tony Parker to Twitch chess sensation Alexandra Botez. Win a bracelet and you’ll be immortalized. That’s the WSOP.

Split image of World Series of Poker winner with cash and WPT poker table with players and logo.

2. World Poker Tour (WPT)

The WPT is another highly recognizable poker tournament series. It offers events all around the world. Since starting in 2002, the WPT has combined high-stakes poker tournaments with top-tier television production, making it a fan favorite. The WPT Championship, typically held in Las Vegas, boasts multimillion-dollar prize pools and attracts elite players year after year.

There’s also the WPT Player of the Year award. This is perhaps a better way to crown a champion than the WSOP’s single event. Players accumulate points all year long based on performance at WPT tournaments. Whoever has the most at the end of the season wins. Typically, the Main Event champ and the PotY are different people. Bertrand Grospellier came the closest in season 7 when he finished 3rd in the WPT Championship event and won Player of the Year.

3. European Poker Tour (EPT)

The EPT is one of the most prestigious poker circuits outside the U.S. It hosts games in glamorous locations like Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Prague. The fields are deep, the prize pools are massive, and the EPT has been home to some of the biggest moments in poker history. For example, when Victoria Coren-Mitchell became the first to win two main event titles (London and Sanremo), the poker world took notice. Or, who could forget when the board delivered a full royal flush at EPT Prague in 2022?

Split image of European Poker Tour table and busy Triton Poker Series tournament hall with players.

4. Triton Poker Super High Roller Series

For the big dogs, the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series delivers unbelievable action. Buy ins often top $100K, so there’s no real hope for the average player to get in on the action, no matter how diligently they save their winnings. The pots routinely break records, and the action is dizzying for folks of normal means. In 2024, a tournament with only 96 entrants led to a top prize of $12M+ for winner Alejandro Lococo. Definitely check out the stream if you want to see what the world’s most elite card players get up to when they’re going head-to-head.

5. The Black Diamond Poker Open (BDPO)

This tournament series from Ignition Casino offers ten million in guaranteed prizes and is one of the most accessible on Earth. Players from all over the world can join in online. The Main Event has a $1,000 buy in, but players can win entry through satellites and qualifiers. This is a super easy way to play for very big money no matter where you are. It’s been running for over 14 years for a reason!

Split image of poker hand with aces and chips, and Big One for One Drop winner at table with cash.

6. The Big One for One Drop

This charity tournament has really been turning heads for the past few years. There is a staggering $1 million buy-in, so it’s only for folks who are genuinely quite wealthy. The Big One is usually hosted as part of the WSOP, and top poker pros and business leaders from around the world will participate. A portion of the proceeds go to the One Drop Foundation.

One Drop is an international non-profit organization established in 2007 by Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil. Its mission is to ensure sustainable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for communities facing extreme issues.

7. Aussie Millions

Aussie Millions is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier poker event. It’s held annually in Melbourne and features a variety of high-stakes tournaments, like PLO, H.O.R.S.E. (mixed poker games), bounty tournaments, and more.

The Main Event is the highlight, naturally. The tournament’s laid-back yet competitive atmosphere has made it a favorite among players. And there’s a rumor circulating that it may be revived for 2025. Crown Resorts postponed it in 2023 indefinitely. But as all poker players know, if you host a big game with a big prize pool, players WILL show up. It’s a law of nature.

Split image of Aussie Millions poker table and Super High Roller Bowl logo with stacks of cash.

8. Super High Roller Bowl (SHRB)

We’ve already seen some crazy buy ins on this list. The SHRB is right up there with events that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to get into. The final tables are absolutely brutal, featuring some of the most elite, lethal poker pros in the world. Players need absurd skill to beat the likes of past winners like Brian Rast, Rainer Kempe, Christoph Vogelsang, Justin Bonomo, and Isaac Haxton. The competition is just way too tough, and most players should be happy they don’t have to lock chips with any of these opponents.

9. WSOP Europe (WSOPE)

There is a separate WSOP that takes place in Europe, bringing bracelets across the pond for those players who decide not to make the annual trek out to Nevada. Hosted in cities like Rozvadov and London, the WSOPE features a variety of bracelet events and, as you might imagine, features top players known to all. In 2024, Simone Andrian of Italy topped Urmo Velvelt of Estonia to win €1,3M and a very pretty piece of jewelry to go with it.

Split image of WSOP Europe bracelet and crowded hall at the Irish Open poker tournament.

10. Irish Poker Open

This is one of our favorite international tournaments, and we’ve traveled to it before to take in all that Dublin has to offer. In fact, it is the longest-running poker tournament in Europe, kicking off all the way back in 1980. Known for its lively atmosphere and the rich history of the fair city that hosts it, the event has become one of the best poker tournaments for both professionals and recreational players. The unique mix of competition and camaraderie makes it a standout on the poker calendar, and folks should expect it to continue to grow in the coming years. There you have it. The 10 best poker tournament events in the world. Check out Ignition Casino poker tournaments when you’re ready to make your own run at the big money.