WSOP Paradise Super Main Event on Track for Massive Guarantee After Missing in 2024

The World Series of Poker Paradise Super Main Event is on track to make its lofty $60 million guarantee. At about the halfway point, it’s well ahead of pace compared to the 2024 edition, which fell short despite a lower $50 million number.

The WSOP raised some eyebrows with the move to increase the guarantee in 2025 after missing the year before. However, by doing so, it struck a different tone for the series than its chief competitor, the WPT World Championship, which dropped its guarantee entirely after a big miss.

The WPT World Championship ran promised an ambitious $40 million in 2023, but couldn’t draw the requisite crowd. Starting last year, it ran without a guarantee but wound up losing even more entries because of it. The field dropped to 2,392 in 2024, after drawing 3,835 in 2023. That may have factored into WSOP’s decision, as losing nearly 40% of one’s players is a worse outcome than a small overlay.

Keeping the guarantee is one thing, but it’s interesting that the WSOP set its sights even higher this year instead of trying $50 million again. Moreover, it looks likely to get there thanks to some structural changes implemented by its new owner, GGPoker.

2024 Super Main Event Fell Just Shy

Last year’s WSOP Paradise Super Main Event drew 1,978 entries, which included some online qualifiers via GGPoker. With a buy-in of $26,000, that meant it was more of a “reduced rake” event than a true overlay. Although the intended prize pool contributions came up short, tournament fees were enough to cover the shortfal. Ultimately, $25,278 from each entry went into the prize pool, so the effective rake was only about 2.8%.

The WSOP and GGPoker had to work hard just to get that close to the number. In addition to qualifying players online with traditional packages, GGPoker held online Day 1s that sent players directly into the money on Day 3.

Still, it ultimately fell just a hair shy, so the WSOP wound up having to redirect some of the rake to cover the shortfall. The series still raked more than $10 million as a whole, but margins wound up thinner than they could have been.

WSOP Paradise Adjusts Structure, Draws More Early Entries

Last year, through the first two starting flights, the Super Main Event had drawn 715 entries. This year, the Super Main Event surpassed that number on Day 1A alone with 869 entries. It’s off to a much stronger start.

Here’s a breakdown of how each year of the event compares:

The 2025 Super Main Event has already drawn more entries than every live starting flight of the 2024 edition, despite still having two Day 1s left.

It’s also more than halfway home in terms of making the guarantee. The tournament needs 2,400 entries, and it’s already 52% of the way there. In addition to the two remaining starting flights, there are still several hours of Day 2 registration available.

WSOP brass should be able to breathe a little easier this year, though they made some adjustments to the structure to tip the scales a bit in favor of more entries.

Last year, only two reentries were permitted per flight. This year’s event allows unlimited reentries.

Late registration also extends a bit further into Day 2. Whereas the 2024 Super Main Event allowed entries through two levels of Day 2 play, this year allows three levels of Day 2 registration.

Furthermore, WSOP rearranged the schedule in such a way that more entries are possible.

This year, there are two Day 2s instead of one. Day 2A follows the first two Day 1 flights. Each Day 2 plays down to 7% of the field, with about 15% paid, according to the WSOP+ app. Last year’s Day 2 played to about 10% and into the money.

In other words, this year, players can bust in the money on Day 2A, then fire more entries into the subsequent Day 1C and Day 1D, as well as directly into Day 2B.

Image credit: Don Ramey Logan/Wikimedia Commons (license)