2025 WSOP PokerNews DeepStack Championship

The PokerNews DeepStack Championship (PNDC) is back at the World Series of Poker, and it’s bigger, better, and more accessible than ever.

If you’ve ever dreamed of winning a WSOP bracelet without spending thousands, this is the event for you. With a $600 buy-in, a deep structure, and a multi-day format that mirrors the Main Event, the PNDC gives everyday players a real shot at glory.

PokerNews Deepstack Championship Schedule

2024 PokerNews Deepstack Championship Final Five with PokerNews' Mark Powell-Bevan & Shirley Ang

The PNDC kicks off on Tuesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. and runs for four days at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Players get one re-entry and start with 30,000 chips.

Day 1 has 40-minute levels. From Day 2 onward, levels increase to 60 minutes. You can register until the end of Level 9, which is around 5 p.m. on Day 1. The first session will play through 17 levels. There are 20-minute breaks every three levels and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 12 at about 7 p.m.

Day 2 starts at 11 a.m. Players will go through 10 more levels. There will be 15-minute breaks every two levels and a 60-minute dinner break after Level 23, around 5:30 p.m. On Day 3, the action starts again at 11 a.m. The goal is to play down to the final five players. Breaks and dinner follow the same schedule as Day 2.

Day 4 is the final day. The last five players return to play to a winner. The restart time and dinner break will be confirmed at the end of Day 3.

PokerNews Deepstack Championship Blind Structure

Level	Blinds	BB Ante	Duration
1	100-100	100	40 mins
2	100-200	200	40 mins
3	200-300	300	40 mins
	20-minute break
4	200-400	400	40 mins
5	300-500	500	40 mins
6	300-600	600	40 mins
	20-minute break
7	400-800	800	40 mins
8	500-1,000	1,000	40 mins
9	600-1,200	1,200	40 mins
	20-minute break - Remove 100 Chips
10	1,000-1,500	1,500	40 mins
11	1,000-2,000	2,000	40 mins
12	1,000-2,500	2,500	40 mins
	75-minute break - Remove 500 Chips
13	2,000-3,000	3,000	40 mins
14	2,000-4,000	4,000	40 mins
15	3,000-5,000	5,000	40 mins
	20-minute break
16	3,000-6,000	6,000	40 mins
17	4,000-8,000	8,000	40 mins
	Day 1 Ends
18	5,000-10,000	10,000	60 mins
19	6,000-12,000	12,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
20	8,000-16,000	16,000	60 mins
21	10,000-20,000	20,000	60 mins
	15-minute break - Remove 1,000 Chips
22	10,000-25,000	25,000	60 mins
23	15,000-30,000	30,000	60 mins
	60-minute break
24	20,000-40,000	40,000	60 mins
25	25,000-50,000	50,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
26	30,000-60,000	60,000	60 mins
27	40,000-80,000	80,000	60 mins
	Day 2 Ends
28	50,000-100,000	100,000	60 mins
29	60,000-120,000	120,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
30	80,000-160,000	160,000	60 mins
31	100,000-200,000	200,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
32	125,000-250,000	250,000	60 mins
33	150,000-300,000	300,000	60 mins
	60-minute break
34	200,000-400,000	400,000	60 mins
35	250,000-500,000	500,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
36	300,000-600,000	600,000	60 mins
37	400,000-800,000	800,000	60 mins
	15-minute break
38	500,000-1,000,000	1,000,000	60 mins

Download the structure here.

How Can I Register for the PNDC?

Registering for the 2025 World Series of Poker has never been easier thanks to the introduction of the WSOP+ app. Available now on both iOS and Android, WSOP+ allows players to pre-register for events from anywhere, skip on-site registration lines, and stay updated on seat availability through a virtual queue and push notifications.

If you prefer to register in person, the main registration area is located in the Champagne Ballroom at the front of the Paris Convention Center in Las Vegas. This office opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, and operates daily from 6:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. through noon on July 17, when the Main Cage closes for the season.

What You'll Need to Register:

Valid, unexpired photo ID
Caesars Rewards card (available on-site if you don’t have one)
Accepted form of payment (cash, credit/debit card, casino chips, or wire transfer)

PokerNews Deepstack Challenge

Another way to play the PokerNews DeepStack Championship is by earning a seat through the PokerNews DeepStack Challenge.

From May 27 to June 30, players who enter the daily $200, $250, or $400 DeepStack tournaments at the WSOP will earn points on a weekly leaderboard. At the end of each week, the top 10 players will win a free seat into the $600 PokerNews DeepStack Championship on July 1.

That’s 50 seats up for grabs, and you can win more than one, so the more you play and cash, the better your chances. Full leaderboard standings will be updated daily on our soon-to-be-live leaderboard page.

Dates	Week	Prize
May 27 – June 2	1	10 Seats to PokerNews DeepStack Championship
June 3 – 9	2	10 Seats to PokerNews DeepStack Championship
June 10 – 16	3	10 Seats to PokerNews DeepStack Championship
June 17 – 23	4	10 Seats to PokerNews DeepStack Championship
June 24 – 30	5	10 Seats to PokerNews DeepStack Championship

Leaderboard points will be calculated using the same system as the WSOP Player of the Year race, with deeper finishes resulting in more points.

Want to see how many points it took players to bag themselves a ticket last year? Check out the previous year's leaderboards here. Furthermore, use the points calculator found on the WSOP website to see how many points you'll earn for each finish you make.

How Much Will the Champion Win?

The exact payout for the 2025 PokerNews DeepStack Championship winner will depend on how many players show up, but if last year is anything to go by, it could be life-changing money.

In 2024, the event drew a massive 5,110 entries, building a prize pool of over $2.6 million. The UK’s Hector Berry took it down and walked away with $282,876 and his first WSOP gold bracelet, not to mention a custom 24-karat gold PokerNews DeepStack Championship winner’s coin to mark the moment.

PokerNews DeepStack Challenge FAQs

What is the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge?

The PokerNews Deepstack Challenge is the leaderboard promotion where players can win a seat to the PokerNews DeepStack Championship bracelet event.

What is the buy-in for the PokerNews DeepStack Championship?

$600 – one of the lowest bracelet buy-ins at the WSOP, designed to give everyday players a real shot at a major title.

When does the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge run?

It runs for five weeks, from May 27 to June 30.

When is PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

July 1-4, 2025. It’s Event #78 on the WSOP schedule.

Where do the WSOP PokerNews Daily Deepstack take place.

The event takes place at the WSOP’s Horseshoe venue. Head up the escalator by the Horseshoe poker room and you can't miss it.

How do I play the PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

Register at the WSOP registration desks—or win a seat through the PokerNews DeepStack Challenge leaderboard. You can also skip the lines by registering using the WSOP+ app.

How does the leaderboard work?

The leaderboard uses the same points formula as the WSOP Player of the Year standings. The top ten daily deepstack players will win a seat each week for five weeks.

Can I win more than one seat?

Yes! If you win multiple seats, your extra entries can be used for additional entries into the PokerNews Deepstack Championship.