The WSOP Circuit Pompano Beach stop is in full swing at Harrah's Pompano Beach in Florida, with a $1,700 Main Event carrying a $1 million guarantee and a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package for every ring winner. According to Pokerology, the series opened October 1 and runs 12 days through October 12 with 18 ring events.
If you are in South Florida or planning a last-minute trip, there is still time to jump into the Main Event flights. Here is a breakdown of the schedule, the value on offer and what to know before you play.
Series Overview
Pompano Beach is one of the regular stops on the WSOP Circuit calendar, which has been running live events across the United States and, increasingly, around the world. This edition offers 18 gold ring events. Pokerology highlights seven featured events with combined guarantees of $1.65 million.
Featured Events
| Event | Buy-In | Guarantee | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Stack Opener | $400 | $50,000 | Oct. 1 |
| Seniors High Roller (50+) | $1,100 | $50,000 | Oct. 1 |
| Mini Main Event | $600 | $250,000 | From Oct. 2 |
| Monster Stack | $500 | $150,000 | From Oct. 5 |
| No-Limit Hold'em | $1,100 | $100,000 | Oct. 7 |
| Main Event | $1,700 | $1,000,000 | Oct. 8-12 |
| High Roller | $2,200 | $50,000 | Oct. 11 |
Other events include a $600 Black Chip Bounty, a $400 Seniors event, $600 Pot-Limit Omaha, $400 PLO 8 or Better, $400 Big O and a $400 Ladies event. The $400 Double Stack Closer on October 12 awards the final ring.
The Main Event
The $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event began October 8 with Flight A at 10 a.m. Flight B starts Friday, October 9, and Flight C starts Saturday, October 10, both at 11 a.m. The event wraps on October 12.
A $1 million guarantee on a $1,700 buy-in means the operator expects, or at least hopes for, roughly 650 to 700 entries once rake is taken into account. Circuit main events often come close to or exceed their guarantees in popular stops, but not always. Multi-flight structures like this one help, because players can choose a start day, re-enter and fit the event around travel or work.
The Paradise Incentive
Every ring winner at Pompano Beach receives a $5,000 package for WSOP Paradise 2026 in the Bahamas. The package covers entry into the $2,750 Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty and accommodation at Baha Mar. Paradise runs December 2 to 17 in Nassau.
That is a significant bonus. A circuit ring is already a prestigious prize, and the Paradise package adds tangible value. For players on a budget, winning a ring might effectively fund a trip to one of the most hyped events of the year. (If you're interested in how the Circuit ties into the wider WSOP calendar, check our WSOP schedule and WSOP 2026 results pages.)
What Comes Next: Turning Stone
Pokerology notes that the next stop is Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, from October 15 to 26. That series also has 18 rings and more than $3 million in guarantees, including a $1 million Main Event, a $600,000 Mini Main and a $400,000 Monster Stack. For players on the East Coast, Turning Stone offers an even bigger prize pool than Pompano Beach, although the same $1 million Main Event guarantee applies.
Why Circuit Events Are Popular
Accessible Buy-Ins
Most events are priced between $400 and $2,200, which puts them within reach of recreational players and semi-pros. That's a sharp contrast with the $100,000 buy-ins seen in high roller series.
Big Guarantees, Soft Fields
Guarantees of $50,000 to $1 million attract large fields, including many amateurs. For skilled players, that can mean good expected value. Larger fields also mean more variance, so understanding bankroll management is crucial.
Tangible Prizes
Gold rings, Paradise packages and Circuit points give players goals beyond cash prizes. The ring's prestige and the Paradise incentive create additional motivation.
Mixed Formats
PLO, PLO8, Big O and Ladies events broaden the appeal. The presence of Omaha variants means players who prefer pot-limit games have options, and our Hold'em vs Omaha guide explains the differences.
Strategy Tips for Circuit Events
Adjust to the structure. Most circuit events have slow-ish structures in the early levels but speed up in later stages. Review the blind schedule before you enter. Starting stack to blind ratios determine how much room you have to play.
Understand ICM. At bubble time and final tables, ICM considerations matter significantly. Folding hands you'd normally play can be correct when a pay jump is close.
Know when to re-enter. Multi-flight events with re-entry allow you to fire again. But each additional bullet reduces your return. Decide in advance how many entries you can afford.
Use position and aggression. In large live fields, many players play passively early on. Well-timed aggression can build a stack without risking elimination. Our guide to Texas Hold'em and poker strategy can help refine your approach.
Watch for live tells. Live events provide physical information you don't get online. Review poker tells before you play.
Online or Live?
If you can't travel to Pompano Beach, online options are available, and many players alternate between formats. The trade-offs between online and live play are covered in our guide to online poker vs live poker. For tournaments online, see our tournaments page and sites such as Americas Cardroom or BetOnline, keeping local laws in mind.
What This Means for the WSOP Circuit
The Circuit's expansion over recent years, with new locations and a growing global presence, has made it one of the most important live poker products outside of the main WSOP. Series like Pompano Beach, with a million-dollar Main Event and regional appeal, are the backbone of that structure. The addition of Paradise packages ties the Circuit to a marquee destination event, creating a coherent pathway for players.
Whether you play or follow from home, the key storyline will be who takes down the Main Event on October 12 and whether the prize pool exceeds its guarantee. We'll have more once results are available.
Final Thoughts
WSOP Circuit Pompano Beach offers players a rare combination: reasonable buy-ins, strong guarantees, a chance to win a ring and a ticket to the Bahamas. With two Main Event flights still to start and the High Roller on October 11, there's plenty of action left. If you plan to play, check the official schedule, arrive early and bring your A-game.