New to SCOOP? Here’s Your Ultimate Guide to Making the Most of PokerStars’ Flagship Series 6n436s

When I was new to PokerStars about fifteen years ago, I would see the SCOOP banners on the client and think, Wow, this series must be something special. I used to dream of playing in those events and winning one of those iconic SCOOP watches, but most of the buy-ins were simply out of my reach. 6c2k20

Today, the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) remains just as prestigious, but PokerStars has made it far more accessible. The entry points are much more affordable now. Back then, $5.50 buy-in events were rare; now, they are a regular part of the schedule. And the prizes are just as exciting, players can still chase glory and even take home a trophy.

Take this year’s SCOOP, for example: there are around 72 events priced at $5.50 or $11, 31 of them at $5.50 and 41 at $11. Impressively, 26 of the $11 buy-in tournaments offer guarantees of $50,000 or more.

Here’s a guide to help new players navigate this year’s SCOOP schedule.

Timing Tip 1f2q6q

If you are new to SCOOP, the best time to play is during the first few days of the week: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. According to PokerStars, these days typically feature smaller fields and fewer opponents, making them ideal for less experienced players.

Another helpful tip is to enter tournaments scheduled around the same time as the more popular events, as these often attract softer fields and can offer great value.

Here are a few good examples from this year’s schedule:

• #47-L: $22 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $75K Gtd, Monday, May 19 at 11:05 ET
• #54-L: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $30K Gtd, Tuesday, May 20 at 10:05 ET
• #55-L: $22 PLO [6-Max, PKO], $35K Gtd, Tuesday, May 20 at 11:30 ET
• #60-L: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $15K Gtd, Wednesday, May 21 at 10:05 ET

Also worth noting: Event 01 is running multiple Phase 1 flights daily. It carries a $55 buy-in and a $1 million guarantee and is one of the most accessible ways to take a shot at a big score. Phase 2 takes place on June 2.

Deep Stack Advantage 244d4j

Another valuable tip for new players on PokerStars is to consider playing Deep Stack events. While regular and turbo-structured tournaments are attractive because they wrap up quicker, Deep Stack events offer a slower, more forgiving pace. With deeper starting stacks and longer levels, players have more room to play hands, make decisions, and settle into the game, ideal for those still building experience.

This year’s SCOOP schedule includes 45 Deep Stack tournaments, with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $530. Here are a few beginner-friendly options to consider:

• #34-L: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $20K Gtd, Saturday, May 17 at 10:05 ET
• #54-L: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $30K Gtd, Tuesday, May 20 at 10:05 ET
• #74-L: $22 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stacks], $85K Gtd, Saturday, May 24 at 10:05 ET
• #100-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max Deep Stacks], $40K Gtd, Wednesday, May 28 at 10:05 ET

Bounty Action b10q

If you are the type of player who enjoys action from the very first hand and the chance to win back your buy-in before late registration even closes, Progressive Knockouts (PKOs) are the format to explore. Despite debuting over a decade ago, PKOs remain incredibly popular today, especially as new variations of bounty tournaments continue to evolve.

Out of the 380 total events on the SCOOP schedule, 138 are PKOs, offering plenty of opportunities to dive into this high-energy format. It is a great fit for new players who enjoy fast-paced play with immediate rewards for eliminating opponents. Here are a few recommended PKO events to check out:

• #36-L: $55 NLHE [8-Max, PKO, Mini Bounty Builder HR], $250K Gtd, Saturday, May 17 at 12:30 ET
• #38-L: $5.50 NLHE [4-Max, PKO], $35K Gtd, Saturday, May 17 at 15:05 ET
• #41-L: $11 NLHE [8-Max, PKO, Sunday Warm-Up, 2-Day Event] , $85K Gtd, Sunday, May 18 at 10:05 ET

Mystery Bounty Play 441x4r

For those looking to try something fresh and a little unpredictable, something even seasoned regulars are still learning to master, Mystery Bounty tournaments are the perfect choice. Originally launched in live poker rooms, this format quickly gained popularity, prompting every major online poker site to jump on board. Now, they are a staple on most sites, including PokerStars.

Mystery bounties play out much like PKOs, but with a twist: the bounties only begin after the bubble bursts or late registration ends, depending on the specific tournament. And instead of fixed payouts for knockouts, players receive a random mystery prize, which could be a modest amount or a massive payday.

This year’s SCOOP schedule features 55 Mystery Bounty events, offering plenty of chances to the action. A few standout options include:

• #39-L: $22 NLHE [8-Max, Mystery Bounty, Daily Cooldown], $75K Gtd, Saturday, May 17 at 16:30 ET
• #45-L: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Mystery Bounty, Sunday Cooldown], $30K Gtd, Sunday, May 18 at 16:30 ET
• #61-L: $5.50 PLO [6-Max, Mystery Bounty], $40K Gtd, Wednesday, May 21 at 11:30 ET

Targeting underplayed formats 6c5z

And for those looking to explore beyond the classic Hold’em and Omaha formats, mixed games are a fantastic option, especially during SCOOP. PokerStars is well known for offering one of the most diverse mixed game lineups in the online poker world.

In fact, one of the main reasons I took the time to learn mixed games was because so few players know how to play them well. These events typically attract smaller fields compared to No Limit Hold’em, which means if you put in the effort to master even a few of these formats, your chances of winning a SCOOP title and a trophy increase dramatically.

Here are a few great mixed game events to consider:

• #57-L: $55 FL 2-7 Triple Draw [6-Max], $15K Gtd, Tuesday, May 20 at 13:30 ET
• #63-L: $11 Razz [6-Max], $8K Gtd, Wednesday, May 21 at 13:30 ET
• #95-L: $5.50 NL 2-7 Single Draw [6-Max, PKO], $4K Gtd, Tuesday, May 27 at 11:30 ET

And finally, don’t overlook the last week of SCOOP, it is the most crucial stretch of the entire series. The Main Events take center stage with millions in guarantees, though they come with higher buy-ins. But if you are a new player, there is still a way in: satellites. These lower-cost qualifiers offer a shot at the big leagues without breaking the bank.

Final Week Highlights 6g494w

If you’d rather skip the Main Event and still enjoy the action, there are plenty of exciting alternatives in the final days:

• #118-L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo, Mystery Bounty, Daily Cooldown], $40K Gtd, Saturday, May 31 at 16:30 ET
• #128 (A, B, C): $215 [8-Max, Pick Your Poison], $100K Gtd, Monday, June 2, at 14:05, where you can play pick either from the PKO or Mystery Bounty or non-bounty tournament.

Extra Perks 3h4d69

Beyond that, there is no shortage of low-stakes options in the final week. Fan-favorite formats like Fenomeno, Cooldown, and Supersonic return, alongside a wide range of side events perfect for practice and value.

Don’t forget about Power Path, PokerStars’ accessible qualifying route starting at just $0.50, or the SCOOP Lucky Dip promo, which is handing out $500,000 worth of SCOOP tickets throughout the series.

SCOOP 2025 wraps up on June 2—make sure you finish strong!