GG Poker - Everything you Need to Know about WSOP Express

GG Poker's WSOP Express has just launched... and it's spectacular! But don't just take our word for it, read on to find out exactly what it is, how to take part and, most importantly, how you can win.

What is GG Poker's WSOP Express?

GG Poker's WSOP Express is a series of four steps, each with a different buy-in, ranging from $0.50 (Step 1) to $150 (Step 4). Finishing 'in the money' in any step will give you entry to the next step. Once you reach Step 4, you're then playing for a ticket into the final 'Super Step.' This is where the real big prizes are won - a $30,000 Super Pass to WSOP Paradise.

Alternatively, depending on the specific Step 4 type you play, you might earn entry to a different live WSOP event - WSOP $10k Main Event or the WSOP $5k Super Circuit Event. Sound confusing? It's not, don't worry. We will explain more.

Ultimately, WSOP Express gives you the chance to win $5,000+ passes to the biggest live poker tournaments in the calendar, all starting from just a few cents! You could be the next Chris Moneymaker.

WSOP Express Steps

Okay, let's get into the different steps (satellite tournaments) available in the WSOP Express. The table below gives a quick overview, but we go into more detail below. The format of each step is different, so make sure you know what type of poker you're playing before getting started!

WSOP Express Step 1

Step 1 of the WSOP Express adopts a unique, fun format; All-in of Fold (AoF). You probably don't need us to tell you this, but in AoF tournaments give you just two options when acting - going all-in or folding. There's no raising, re-raising, limping in from the small blind. Just all-out action.

For this step, you'll start with 3x stacks of 80 chips, with blinds starting at 5/10, but interestingly, you can deploy your stacks at anytime. Want to start with 240 chips? Fine, use them all at the start and crush from the beginning. However, get stacked and you'll be out. Whereas, if you only use one stack from the start, you could have two more to play with after busting. It adds an extra strategic element to a simplified version (in terms of betting) No-Limit Hold'em.

AoF Step 1s are played as 4-max tournaments, with the winner gaining a ticket to Step 2 while the other three players are sent to the virtual rail.

WSOP Express Step 2

Step 2 of the WSOP Express is where things go up a notch. The stakes, in terms of buy-in at least, are small. BUT the potential prize is huge. In fact, it doesn't get bigger; a $30k Super Pass. But don't get too excited, this is extremely rare (one in 333,333 according to GG's payout frequency).

So what's this all about then - how can you play a $2 online tournament and win a live pass worth $30,000? Welcome to online poker...

Step 2 uses a Spin & Gold format. This is where a random prize is allocated to each tournament before play starts. This random prize can be anything from a simple $10 Step 3 Tickets to a $30k Super Pass. Obviously, the latter is a lot rarer, but there are lots of different payout in between as well, offering you great value for your $2 buy-in.

The payout structures 6-max Spin & Golds also vary. Sometimes, only 1st will win something. Other times it's top 3 or even every player. It just depends on the luck of the draw (or in this case, luck of the spin). The most common prize will simply be a $10 Step 3 ticket to the winner only, which will happen 94.44% of the time. Other than that, see the other full payout structures and the frequency per 100m spins below.

WSOP Express Step 3

Normality resumes somewhat at Step 3, as a regular MTT (Multi-Table Tournament) format is adopted. It's a turbo tournament that you can either buy directly into for $10 or use a ticket from the previous step. From that point, it runs like a regular turbo tournament, where the top percentage of players will win a ticket to Step 4.

WSOP Express Step 4

Step 4's the big one! $150 buy-in or a ticket, in just a normal old MTT. No fancy bells or whistles, just straightforward poker action. The prize differs depending on the Step 4 tournament. All follow an identical structure, but some award tickets to the Super Step, while others award direct $5k and $10k passes to the Ring Circuit and Bracelet Events respectively.

WSOP Express Super Step

If the last step was 'the big one' then this is the gargantuan one! This is the poker tournament you play if you want to go for it all and win a $30k Super Pass. It's a $2,500 buy-in tournament (or you can use a ticket), with the top percentage of players winning a Super Pass that includes flights, $26k WSOP Paradise Main Event entry and much more. It's the prize of all prizes, but just one satellite runs each day.

WSOP Express Step 0 (Free)

An unofficial preliminary stage of the WSOP Express is 'Step 0.' This might not be around forever, but right now GG players can get one free ticket each day to this step. It's a bit of a wacky concept, but players pick an avatar before the start of the game. Each avatar has a different type of preflop hand, each of similar strength. There are five community cards, each dealt one by one. After each card lands, the player with the best hand will advance one position in the virtual race. After the fifth card, the player who has advanced the furthest will be the winner and awarded a free ticket to Step 1.

Standard poker tournament, no. Unconventional, yes. Interesting, absolutely. But it's free, so why not get involved and work your way up the steps for absolutely nothing?

GG's WSOP Express v PokerStars' Power Path

This multi-step satellite structure isn't a new thing. Those who have a few different poker accounts might find comparisons between GG's WSOP Express and PokerStars' Power Path. Both offer the chance to qualify into some of the largest tournaments around, for just a few cents, but what are the differences?

Steps

Winner: PokerStars' Power Path

Both WSOP Express and Power Path have four main steps. WSOP Express then also has the final Super Step, while Power Path stops the action at Step 4.

Buy-in levels (although hopefully you'll have won a ticket for each step) are similar for some steps. Step 1, the cheapest, starts at just $0.50 for both. WSOP Express' Step 2 is $2, while Power Path's Step 2 is either $1 or $1.50 depending on the format. Step 3s are similar, WSOP Express is $10 whereas Power Path's Step 3 is $11. And finally, the Step 4s are $150 for WSOP Express and $55 for Power Path.

Free Entry
Both sites, GG Poker and PokerStars, offer free tickets to steps. For WSOP Express, the free ticket is for 'Step 0,' whereas on PokerStars, you can get a Step 1 ticket outright. Either way, you have the chance on both sites to win entry to some massive tournaments for literally nothing! Simply login to GG Poker each day for a free ticket, while at PokerStars you have to wager just $0.01 to earn your ticket. GG also has other challenges you can complete to earn free tickets to Step 1 and Step 2 of their WSOP Express, such as 'Be Dealt Aces 3 Times.'

Top Prize Package

Winner: GG Poker's WSOP Express

Both top prize packages are fairly good to say the least, but the WSOP Express' takes the biscuit. For buy-in alone, the WSOP Express Super Pass grants you access to a $26k tournament, whereas the Gold Power Pass is a more modest (but still impressive) $10k ticket. However, with the Gold Power Pass, you can choose either a live EPT event, or an online event up to the same value. On Power Path, the top prize package is only for the live PokerStars events.

Other Packages
Apart from the top package, Power Path also offers a Silver and Bronze Power Pass. The Silver is like the Gold in that it can be used for either live or online events for $2,500. The Bronze is just a $109 ticket for an online event.

WSOP Express' secondary packages are more illustrious. The Ring Pass gives you access to a $5k Ring Circuit event, while the Bracelet Pass sends you to a live WSOP Bracelet event!

Formats

Winner: GG Poker's WSOP Express

If you're growing a little bored of conventional poker, want something a different and a bit more fun, WSOP Express is the way to go. They have a range of different formats, including the fast-paced action of All-in of Fold and the unique Avatar Race. There's also regular MTTs towards the end of the steps, but if you want variety and something crazier then GG Poker is the way to go.

Alternatively, if you're more of a traditionalist, the Power Path is the one for you. There are still different formats, but the Spin & Go and Sit & Gos are far closer to conventional poker formats.

Frequency

Winner: PokerStars' Power Path

In truth, both sites are tied for frequency, with GG and Stars offering Step 1, 2 and 3s on demand (E.g. when there are enough players to launch the tournaments). Both Step 4s are scheduled tournaments, happening less frequently (often one a day) given the smaller pool of players that will enter. We've got PokerStars just edging it, though, in this front as their traffic will mean games might fill up a bit quicker, but GG is hardly struggling traffic-wise either.

How to Play WSOP Express

To play WSOP Express, you first how to login to your GG Poker account. If you don't have an account, then see the section below on how to sign up. Once logged in, go to the main lobby and select the WSOP Express tab (far right) from the menu. From there you'll access the WSOP Express lobby and be able to play any and every step you desire. Here's a simplified rundown:

1. Login or signup for a GG Poker account
2. Go to the WSOP Express tab from the main lobby
3. Browse the various WSOP Express steps available
4. Pick one and register to the tournament
5. Work your way through the steps and (hopefully) win yourself a Super Pass

1. Sign up to GG Poker & Claim Bonus

If you haven't got a GG account already, here's what to do. Just sign up for a GG Poker account using the link below. From there, you just need to add the usual details; name, DOB. address etc. The next step is to provide ID so GG can verify you're of legal age in your jurisdiction - it may vary from 18 to 21 depending on the country you're trying to play from. Once the verification check is complete will almost always be done within 24-48 hours (though it can often be even quicker). You're then all set to go! Make a deposit and buy into any WSOP Express you like - or simply log in to claim your free (Step 0) ticket and get rolling on your journey to the biggest WSOP live tournaments for absolutely nothing!

What's more, by signing up through the PokerNews link, you'll be able to claim the best welcome bonus on offer. Usually, this is a 100% matched deposit (E.g. deposit $100 get $100 added bonus) but it can vary depending on your region.

1. Visit GG Poker by clicking the link below
2. Signup for a GG account
3. Get your account verified by sending the required documents
4. Make your first deposit and take advantage of the generous welcome offer
5. Navigate to the WSOP Express lobby and start your journey to winning a Super Pass!