The 888poker 8-Team Competition is a team-based poker challenge built around national representation and big-event pressure. Instead of playing only for individual results, players compete as part of a country team, earning points through performance — with a prize designed to connect the experience to the biggest stage in tournament poker.

What Is the 888poker 8-Team Competition?

The 8-Team Competition is a format where multiple country teams compete against each other during a major live series. Each team includes a small group of players who represent their country, and the overall winner is determined by which team earns the most points.

How the 8-Team Format Works

Teams are typically made up of three roles:

  • Captain – an established player or brand representative
  • Wingman/Wingwoman – an additional supporting player
  • Qualifier – a player who earns their spot through online qualification

Each player’s performance contributes to a team score, creating a unique mix of individual decision-making and team pressure. The better the overall finishes across a team, the more points they earn toward the final standings.

Why the Competition Is Linked to the WSOP Main Event

What makes the 8-Team concept stand out is the prize: it has historically been connected to the WSOP Main Event by awarding seats or packages tied to a future Main Event. That connection gives the format real meaning — teams aren’t only competing for pride, but for a tangible route to poker’s most iconic tournament.

National Pride Meets Tournament Strategy

The team element changes how fans follow the action and how players experience it. Instead of only tracking chip counts and individual runs, the storyline becomes “Which country is leading?” and “Who can deliver points for the team?” This adds extra tension, motivation, and momentum to every deep run.

Why Events Like the 8-Team Matter

Team competitions help bring poker closer to a “sport” format: it’s easier to follow, creates natural narratives, and gives recreational qualifiers a bigger role in the spotlight. For players, it’s also a rare chance to combine personal goals with something bigger — representing a team and chasing a shared outcome.

Conclusion

The 888poker 8-Team Competition blends national rivalry, team scoring, and the high-stakes atmosphere of a major live series. By connecting team performance to prizes tied to the WSOP Main Event, it turns poker into a shared mission — where every finish can make the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 888poker 8-Team Competition?

It’s a team-based poker competition where country teams earn points based on player performance, and the team with the most points wins the overall challenge.

How do teams earn points in the 8-Team format?

Points are earned through tournament results and deep finishes, with each team member contributing to the team’s total score.

Who is usually on a team?

Teams commonly include a captain, a wingman/wingwoman, and an online qualifier who earns a spot through online events.

How is the 8-Team Competition connected to the WSOP Main Event?

The prize has historically included seats or packages linked to a future WSOP Main Event, making the competition more than just bragging rights.

Chad Holloway is a 2013 World Series of Poker bracelet winner and currently Head of Live Reporting USA for PokerNews. He previously served as Media Director for the Mid-States Poker Tour from 2016-19, and before that he spent six years traveling the world as a live reporter for PokerNews.

Additionally, he pens a nationally-syndicated poker column, is the Wisconsin State Ambassador for Ante Up Magazine, and is a co-host of the PokerNews Podcast. He is also a regular contributor to 888poker Magazine and in 2015 released his own zombie-themed poker comic – World Series of Zombies (WSOZ).