WCOOP 2025: The Mixed Game Specialist’s Ultimate Battleground

On September 7, 2025, the 24th World Championship of Online Poker begins, and while mainstream outlets focus on the massive Hold’em fields, we’re diving deep into what matters most to our readers: the mixed game championships that have become the proving ground for poker’s most versatile players. With 52 mixed game tournaments and over $8.5 million guaranteed specifically for non-Hold’em events, WCOOP 2025 represents the pinnacle of online mixed game competition^[1].

Complete WCOOP 2025 Mixed Games Schedule (Sept 7–Oct 1)

Below you’ll find all 52 mixed game tournaments with interactive filters to help you plan your WCOOP campaign. Championship events are highlighted for easy identification.

The King of Mixed Games: Benny Glaser’s Historic Dominance

The story of modern WCOOP mixed games is inseparable from one name: Benny “RunGodlike” Glaser. The Southampton native holds an unprecedented 15 WCOOP titles, with an astonishing seven victories coming in last year’s series alone – the most titles ever won by any player in a single WCOOP. His dominance spans virtually every variant except Hold’em, from his first WCOOP victory in 2018’s $55 PLO event to his 2023 rampage through Badugi, 2-7 Triple Draw, PLO8, and 5-Card Draw championships. With 26 total COOP titles between WCOOP and SCOOP, Glaser has established himself as the undisputed king of online mixed game tournaments.

The Elite Circle of Mixed Game Champions

While Glaser sits atop the throne, the competition for mixed game supremacy remains fierce. Norway’s Tobias “Senkel92” Leknes has quietly amassed 13 WCOOP titles across an impressive range of formats, from 2-7 Triple Draw to 8-Game championships, including three titles in 2023 alone where he collected over $100,000. Russia’s Denis “aDrENalin710” Strebkov holds 12 WCOOP titles and made history in 2018 with five victories in just 10 days, a record that stood until Glaser’s seven-title explosion.

These three players have collectively won 40 WCOOP mixed game titles, representing a level of dominance rarely seen in any competitive arena. The American contingent brings its own firepower with Shaun Deeb’s eight WCOOP titles and three Player of the Year awards, while Brazil’s Yuri “theNERDguy” Dzivielevski has converted his five WSOP bracelets into seven WCOOP victories, including becoming only the second player ever to win two WCOOP titles in a single day in 2021.

Tomorrow’s Battles Begin with PLO

The 2025 series kicks off on September 7 at 1:30 PM ET with a three-tier PLO offering that sets the tone for the mixed game schedule ahead. The $11 buy-in features a $25,000 guarantee, while the $109 middle tier jumps to $60,000 guaranteed, and the $1,050 high tier offers $125,000 guaranteed. These opening day PLO events traditionally attract some of the series’ strongest mixed game players warming up for the championships to come.

The first week brings immediate championship opportunities. Wednesday’s $1,050 HORSE Championship at 12:30 PM ET has increased its guarantee to $75,000, expecting around 150-200 of the world’s best mixed game players^[2]. Thursday features the $1,050 FL 2-7 Triple Draw Championship with a $60,000 guarantee – Glaser’s self-proclaimed favorite game and one where he calls the competition “significantly weaker” than in Hold’em equivalents.

Field Sizes Reveal the Specialist’s Advantage

The statistics tell a compelling story about the strategic advantage of mixed game mastery. While $1,050 Hold’em events routinely attract 1,500-4,000 entries, comparable mixed game championships draw just 30-150 players. The smallest fields appear in the most specialized formats: 2024’s Badugi Championship had just 33 entries, while NL 5-Card Draw attracted only 34 players. Even the most popular mixed format, 8-Game, rarely exceeds 135 entries at the $1,050 level.

This dramatic difference in field sizes translates directly to ROI potential. Professional mixed game specialists consistently achieve returns that would be impossible in mass-field Hold’em events. The most extreme example came from a Finnish player who parlayed a $55 satellite into a $130,035 score – a mind-boggling 236,327% ROI. The overlay frequency in mixed games runs 5-10 times higher than Hold’em events, with approximately 28% of exotic format tournaments failing to meet their guarantees in recent series.

The Rise of 5-Card Variants and Format Innovation

WCOOP 2025 showcases the evolution of mixed game offerings with expanded 5-Card PLO8 events appearing on September 9, 14, and 22. These high-action variants have grown from experimental offerings to regular fixtures, attracting fields that bridge the gap between traditional PLO players and mixed game specialists. The addition of both Fixed Limit and Pot Limit Badugi events reflects the growing sophistication of the player pool, with different betting structures attracting distinct player demographics.

The satellite ecosystem has evolved to better serve mixed game players. The new Power Path system starts from just $0.50 and provides routes into every championship. The September 7 Power Path Express offers $200,000 in tickets for a $55 buy-in, while the August Boot Camp series specifically included HORSE, 8-Game, Razz, and PL Badugi events with 12 free coaching sessions from mixed game specialists.

Geographic Dominance and the Specialist’s Mindset

The geographic distribution of mixed game success reveals fascinating patterns. The United Kingdom leads with 50 historical WCOOP titles, driven largely by Glaser’s recent dominance. Sweden’s 31 titles include contributions from players like Niklas “Lena900” Astedt who successfully transitioned from Hold’em to mixed game mastery. Norway’s 24 titles reflect a strong cultural tradition in Stud variants, while Germany and Finland round out the European powerhouses.

Recent years have seen emerging nations stake their claims. Slovenia’s Blaz “Scarmak3r” Zerjav became WCOOP 2024’s first double champion, while Brazil continues producing mixed game specialists who excel across all formats. This global distribution demonstrates that mixed game excellence transcends regional playing styles, rewarding instead the dedication to master multiple variants regardless of geographic origin.

The Economics of Specialization

The financial reality of mixed game specialization presents a compelling case for dedicated study. With mixed games comprising 25-30% of the WCOOP schedule but attracting only 5-10% of total entries, the value concentration is extraordinary. The biggest mixed game scores in WCOOP history include Dan Kelly’s $252,000 for winning the 2009 $10,300 HORSE and multiple six-figure scores in 8-Game and PLO8 championships.

More importantly, the consistency of returns for skilled players far exceeds what’s possible in Hold’em. Glaser’s 2023 campaign alone generated nearly $200,000 across seven titles, while players like Leknes and Strebkov routinely collect five-figure scores in events with sub-100 player fields. The $10,300 8-Game High Roller might attract just 25-80 entries, but those fields include the absolute elite of poker, making a deep run worth more in both money and prestige than cashing in a thousand-player Hold’em event.

Looking Ahead: The Mixed Game Moment

As WCOOP 2025 begins tomorrow, the mixed game community stands at an inflection point. Participation has remained relatively flat despite the overall growth of online poker, with events like the $11 FL Badugi generating just $8,565 in prizes while Hold’em events at the same buy-in create millions. Yet this apparent weakness is actually the community’s greatest strength – the barrier to entry keeps fields manageable and edges sustainable for those willing to invest in learning these variants.

The story of players like Benny Glaser offers a blueprint for aspiring mixed game specialists. His transition from Hold’em began with a simple realization: “I was pretty good at it and simultaneously everyone else was terrible.” That gap has narrowed but hasn’t closed, especially in variants like 2-7 Single Draw and Badugi where study materials remain scarce and experience counts for everything.

The Verdict: Mixed Games Remain Poker’s Purest Test

As mainstream poker continues its evolution toward faster structures and recreational-friendly formats, WCOOP’s mixed game offerings stand as a bastion of poker’s original challenge: mastering multiple variants at the highest level. The smaller fields, higher skill requirements, and sustainable edges make these events the thinking player’s paradise. Tomorrow begins another chapter in this ongoing story, where 52 tournaments will crown champions across every conceivable variant of poker.

Whether Benny Glaser can extend his record to 20 or more WCOOP titles, whether Leknes or Strebkov can close the gap, or whether a new champion emerges from the global mixed game community, one thing is certain: the players who excel in these events represent poker excellence in its purest form. They’ve mastered not just one game but many, adapting their strategies across formats while maintaining the mental endurance to compete at the highest level for 25 straight days.

For mixed game enthusiasts, WCOOP isn’t just another tournament series – it’s the annual celebration of everything that makes poker endlessly complex and rewarding. The cards go in the air at 1:30 PM ET on September 7, 2025. The question isn’t whether you should play, but how many different variants you’re ready to master in pursuit of WCOOP glory.

WCOOP 2025 Mixed Games — FAQs

When does the mixed-games schedule run?

September 7 to October 1, 2025, with 52 non-Hold’em events and $8.5M+ guaranteed across all mixed game tournaments.

Which championships are the biggest?

The major championships are HORSE ($1,050), FL 2-7 Triple Draw ($1,050), PLO8 ($1,050 with $150K guarantee), 8-Game ($2,100), FL Badugi ($1,050), and the PLO Main Events including the $10,300 World Championship.

How do I qualify on a budget?

Use PokerStars Power Path starting from $0.50 and targeted satellites before each championship. The September 7 Power Path Express offers $200,000 in tickets for just a $55 buy-in.

Who holds the most WCOOP mixed game titles?

Benny “RunGodlike” Glaser leads with 15 WCOOP titles, followed by Tobias “Senkel92” Leknes with 13 titles and Denis “aDrENalin710” Strebkov with 12 titles.

What are the typical field sizes for mixed game events?

Mixed game championships typically attract 30-150 players compared to 1,500-4,000 in comparable Hold’em events, offering significantly better ROI potential for skilled players.