Poker Affinity System

Why can't I get into high stakes game rooms anymore?

We're excited to announce that we've introduced a new affinity system to our Poker games. The affinity system is the money/status sytstem that is designed to let you show off your standing and play with people of your own skill level. Part of the switchover to the new system will mean that some of our best players may need to play a little in the lower stakes rooms to get into the high stakes rooms, due to minimum bankrolls required for certain rooms. We apologize for the short-term inconvenience, but we're confident you'll enjoy the new system in the long run. Please note that bankrolls are no longer saved between sessions in Social games in Poker.

So why the change?

Now, in addition to being able to earn special cards for playing the game, you can carry your virtual bankroll with you from game to game! This means you can show off your special deck as well as your fortune. One of the benefits we're most excited about is that people of similar skill will now be able to play with each other.

Rules of the New System

PLEASE NOTE: All reference to cash or money in the WSOP games refers to in-game currency with no real world value.

Cash won in the Social area can be replenished without consequence. You can go bust and keep on playing on an even-level with all the other players. However, in the Stakes WSOP world the Poker Cash you lose is lost (until you win it back, of course).

Poker Cash is the real currency of the Stakes world. You start with 500 in Poker Cash and can build from that.

If you lose all your Poker Cash (in your profile) at Medium or High Stakes games, you'll have to go back to Low Stakes games to earn enough to get back.

There are three areas in the Stakes world where Poker Cash plays a key role: Low Stakes, Medium Stakes and High Stakes. Each area has rooms where you can make and join games. The higher the stakes, the higher the buy-in and the higher the maximum bet (see below for details).

People of different skill levels can play with each other but there will be one obstacle to joining games of a higher rank – buy-ins. The higher the stakes level, the higher the fee.

Also, to join a game you need to have the bankroll to cover the table’s activity. If you’re a beginner and you want to play with the big boys then you better have the cash to match their bet levels. This will be an important element of life in the Stakes system. You'll always need to be mindful of how much you have, and not overextend yourself.

Bankrolls Required for Various Rooms

  • Social: none - you always start with $500.00.
  • Low Stakes: none - you will be advanced enough to play.
  • Medium Stakes: $400.00
  • High Stakes: $2,000.00
  • Single Table Tournaments: none - you will be advanced enough to play.
  • Multi-Table Tournaments: varies - see tournament details page.

Bets, Buy-ins, and Advances

  • No Limit and Pot Limit games:
    • Social (4 Poker Cash) you always get 500 when you sit down. If you go below 8 you are advanced 24 from your bankroll.
    • Low Stakes (10 Poker Cash) min buy-in is 80. If you have less than 80, you are advanced 100 at buy-in time. Max buy-in is 1,000. While playing, if you go below 20, you are advanced 30.
    • Med Stakes (40 Poker Cash) min buy-in is 400, max buy-in is 4,000. There are no advances except from your bankroll (if your profile bankroll is more than your buy-in). If you go broke you'll become an observer.
    • High Stakes (200 Poker Cash) min buy-in is 2,000 max buy-in is 20,000. There are no advances except from your bankroll (if your profile bankroll is more than your buy-in). If you go broke you'll become an observer.
  • Limit games (no max buy-in):
    • Social (4 Poker Cash) you always get 500 when you sit down. Currently, if you go below 180 you are advanced 200.
    • Low Stakes (10 Poker Cash) min buy-in is 100. If you have less than 100, you are advanced 100 at buy-in time. If you go broke you'll be advanced 100.
    • Med Stakes (40 Poker cash) min buy-in is 400. There are no advances except from your bankroll (if your profile bankroll is more than your buy-in). If you go broke you'll become an observer.
    • High Stakes (200 Poker cash) min buy-in is 2,000. There are no advances except from your bankroll (if your profile bankroll is more than your buy-in). If you go broke you'll become an observer.


Keep in mind, if you lose all your Poker Cash (in your profile) at Medium or High Stakes games, you'll have to go back to Low Stakes games to earn enough to get back.

Multi-Table Tournaments

You do not play with Poker Cash in Multi-Table Tournaments. Instead, you play with tournament chips and can win Poker Cash by placing "in the money" in the tournament. The buy-in to these tournaments is Poker Cash, but normally it will be advanced if you don't have enough. See the Tournament Details page for the appropriate tournament for more info.