D-25 'WDHL Championship' Participation Guide from A to Z

From Local WJ Stores to the Dongdaemun Stage
W-Ticket Is the Sole Gateway to the Main Event

In order to address questions from those hoping to participate in "WDHL Championship Season 1," which is set to begin next month, the organizers have released detailed information on how to qualify for the main stage and how to register.

There is only one way to reach the main stage: by securing a W-ticket. The W-ticket is a personalized entry ticket that can only be obtained by achieving a top placement in the daily preliminary rounds (satellites) held at WDHL locations nationwide and at "WDHL JUNIOR (WJ)" affiliate stores.

The W-ticket holds no monetary value, cannot be transferred or traded, and will automatically expire six months after the date of acquisition. It cannot be purchased with cash or sold to others. It is attainable solely through skill.

The prize money is not funded by the participants’ entry fees. All prize money and main event operating expenses are provided entirely through sponsorship. The preliminary round entry fees are used exclusively for operating those rounds and are completely separate from the prize fund. This differs fundamentally from conventional poker tournaments.

The organizers have moved away from the traditional model in which entry fees directly fund prize money, instead creating an ecosystem similar to professional sports or e-sports, operating the tournament through corporate sponsorship. This separation of revenue streams is seen as a significant and meaningful innovation for the industry.

The preliminary rounds are being held as of now. Daily satellite rounds are taking place at directly operated stadiums in Incheon, Yatap, Achasan, and Sadang, as well as at WJ affiliate stores nationwide. With WDHL officially launching its franchise program this month, there are a growing number of locations across the country where players can enter the preliminaries. At any WJ store, participants can earn the same W-ticket and stand on the main stage at Dongdaemun.

The main stage will be at the WDHL Main Stadium in Goodmorning City, Dongdaemun, Seoul. Spanning approximately 1,500 pyeong (about 4,960 square meters), it is the largest dedicated hold'em venue in Asia, equipped with 112 tournament tables, a professional broadcast studio, and stage facilities. The final table will be broadcast live with professional commentary.

A GHS representative stated, “The core of this championship is that anyone can start from their local WJ store and challenge themselves all the way to the largest stage in Asia,” adding, “If you are a skilled player, we recommend that you head to a nearby preliminary round right now.”

The schedule for the preliminary rounds and participation details can be found on the official WDHL app and website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.