WPO Madrid: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 2022

All information below is accurate and verified as of 20/04/2022. Can’t see your question in the list? Send us a message!

During the festival, the installation of the Winamax Live app (iOS and Android) is highly recommended. Turn on your notifications to be informed about chip-counts, structures, schedules, last minute changes etc. in real time.

 

  • Covid-19

    Do I need to be vaccinated to travel to Spain? Do you need a health pass?
    Let's quote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the most reliable source of information on the subject:

    "Any entry into Spanish territory [...] by air (airports), sea (ports) or land is subject to the presentation of one of these documents, in digital or paper format, written in Spanish, French, German or English:
    either the EU digital Covid certificate [...] > or a certificate proving that the applicant is a member of the European Union.
    > or a certificate proving full vaccination against Covid-19 for at least 14 days. [...]
    > or a certificate of a test for active infection, with a negative result, issued within 24 hours (antigenic test) or 72 hours (PCR test) prior to arrival on the territory. [...]
    > or a Covid-19 reinstatement certificate, valid from the 11th day after the 1st positive diagnostic test, for a total period of 180 days. [...]     "

    Don’t hesitate to check the complete travel conditions for Spain on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (you’ll need to translate the page with an online translator) in order to prepare your stay as well as possible.

    Do I need to be vaccinated to play the WPO Madrid? Do I need a health pass?
    Casino Grand Madrid Torrelodones does not impose any particular restrictions on the subject of Covid-19. However, in reality most of you will need to be vaccinated (or have a negative test) before travelling to the WPO Madrid, as travelling from France to Spain requires compliance with certain rules, detailed in the previous question in this FAQ.

    I am not vaccinated. Will I have to be tested before returning to France?
    Yes, the conditions of travel between France and Spain are the same on the outward journey as on the return journey. The local hospital, located not far from the Casino Grand Madrid Torrelodones, will allow non-vaccinated travellers to be tested before their departure.

    Do I have to wear a mask during the WPO Madrid?
    No. In Spain, it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask in enclosed areas open to the public as of Wednesday 20th April 2022, with exception to buses, planes, trains and other forms of public transport.  
     

  • Getting to the WPO Madrid

    Where does the WPO Madrid take place?
    The WPO Madrid will be held at the Casino de Torrelodones, known as "Gran Madrid". A huge venue, the only one in the region that can accommodate the number of tables required to host a poker festival of this calibre. The Casino de Torrelodones is located about 20 km northwest of Madrid.

    What are the closest airports to the WPO Madrid?
    Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is the most important airport in Spain and receives daily flights from all over France.

    How do I get from the airport to the WPO Madrid?
    Taxi, VTC or rental car: the best way to get to the Torrelodones casino is by car. The journey takes just over 40 kilometres and about 30 minutes on the M-40 and then the A-6.

    I'm coming by car! Will there be room to park?
    Yes, there is. There is a huge free car park at the casino.

    Do I need a passport to go to Spain? Is the identity card (CNI) enough?
    A valid identity card will do just fine. Please note: if you are not a citizen of a European Union member state, a passport is required.

    Is there a shuttle service between the airport and the casino?
    No, there is not. If you need help, we invite you to visit our Wam-Poker forum, where we have set up a topic to help other players.  
     

  • Qualify for the WPO Madrid

    What is the deadline for qualifying on Winamax.fr?
    Online qualification for the WPO Madrid Main Event will close on Sunday 1st May. You can check the satellite schedule on this page.

    I missed the satellites on Winamax! Will I be able to qualify on site in Madrid?
    Yes, several live satellites will be held at the Torrelodones Casino during the WPO Madrid. They are already listed in the festival schedule.

    Can I resell a seat won in a live satellite at the casino?
    No.

    I won a satellite on Winamax.fr, I'm so happy! What should I do?
    Congratulations! Winners are automatically contacted by email right after their victory.

    Important: don't forget to answer the few (very simple) questions we will ask you by email after your qualification. This is to speed up the registration process on site and avoid queues as much as possible!

    I didn't receive any email after my qualification. Is there a problem?
    Check your SPAM box, it's probably there. If you really haven't received anything, contact support.

    I won a satellite on Winamax.fr, but I won't be available. Can I get a refund?
    No. No refunds are possible in case of unavailability.

    I won a live satellite at the casino after having won a satellite on Winamax. Can I get a refund for my Winamax ticket?
    No. Your ticket won live will be used in priority for your registration. Then, the ticket you won online can be used to re-enter in case of elimination (re-entry). Otherwise, it can be carried over to another Winamax live festival. Under no circumstances can it be refunded.

    If you win so many tickets in the live satellites that you still have some left at the end of the WPO Madrid, the casino will give you casino credit, which can only be used inside the establishment.  
     

  • Register for the WPO Madrid

    Can I register in advance online?
    Yes, and it is highly recommended to avoid the queues at the venue. Go to the Casino de Torrelodones website to register for the tournament(s) of your choice and pay now by credit card.

    What is the deadline for registering online?
    Online registration is open until 22:00 the day before the tournament.

    Can I book my place online but wait until I get to the venue to pay?
    Nope, sorry.

    How do I register at the venue?
    On-site registration will open one hour before the start of each tournament. Head to the casino cashier.

    How do I collect my casino ticket if I have registered in advance?
    Seats already paid for online (or won on Winamax.fr) can only be collected at the casino cashier, via a special queue, which will save you time compared to the standard queue. You can collect your ticket from one hour before the start of the tournament. With one exception: if the tournament in question is the first one on the schedule for the day, you can collect your ticket from 22:00 on the previous day.

    Can I pay for my entry with Winamax Miles?
    Yes. Three WPO Madrid tournaments are offered in our VIP Boutique: the Main Event, the Battle Royale and the High Roller.

    Can I use my Winamax bankroll to register?
    No. This is not allowed by law.  
     

  • Play the WPO Madrid

    What are the opening hours of the casino?
    It depends on the day... but in general the Casino Torrelodones will open its doors about an hour before the start of each tournament, and will close at around 4am (during the week) and 6am (at the weekend).

    Are there any formalities I need to follow when I arrive at the casino?
    Don't forget your ID: the casino will give you your membership card on your first visit.

    Are all tournaments played in short-handed (6-max)?
    Yes. We love 6-max, always have! And if you're not used to the format, we bet you'll love it too. The only exception is the Midnight Deglingo tournaments, which are played in full ring.

    Where can I find the schedule and structures of the tournaments?
    The full schedule of the 47 WPO Madrid tournaments is available on this page. To see the structures, click on the red buttons!

    What are the rules for the tournaments? Who is the Tournament Director?
    The internationally recognised Tournament Directors Association (TDA) rules will be applied to all WPO Madrid tournaments. You can check them on the official TDA website. The WPO Madrid will be managed by Israel Serrano, the head referee you already met in Lloret de Mar during the 2019 SISMIX (and in the Winamax Live Sessions). Israel will be assisted by Antonio Martinez and Olivier Franceschi.

    If I arrive late when I've already registered, will I lose chips while I'm away?
    No. If you are already registered, you will be able to take your seat at the casino cashier and sit down immediately during the first hour of the tournament. You will start with a full starting stack. Your chips will not be placed at the table until you arrive. If there is no waiting list, you may arrive at any time during the late registration period and again, you will start the tournament immediately with a full starting stack.

    Special case: if you arrive more than an hour late (but during the late reg period) and there is a waiting list to register, you will be put on the "alternative" waiting list. When spots become available, the casino will rotate the players in: one player from the buy-in waitlist / one player from the alternative waitlist, and so on. You will start with a full starting stack. Your chips will not be placed at the table until you arrive.

    Is it possible to re-enter if you are eliminated?
    It is possible to re-enter most WPO Madrid tournaments. We invite you to check the structure of each tournament on the schedule page for the exact terms of re-entry, which differ from tournament to tournament (sometimes there is only 1 re-entry allowed, sometimes you can re-enter an unlimited amount of times during a certain period, etc).

    Is there a prize system on the Main Event?
    The prizes/bounty system has been losing interest for a while now, we put it in the wardrobe a few years ago.

    How are the winnings paid out?
    Winnings are paid by bank transfer. However, it is also possible to receive part of the winnings in cash.

    Is it possible to receive my winnings on my Winamax account?
    No, this is not allowed by law.

    In tournaments with several Day 1 flights, is it possible to play several Day 1 flights and keep your highest stack at the end?
    No. However, you can choose to give up your stack at the end of Day 1 (by making this clear to a supervisor) and try your luck again on the next Day 1. Be aware, however, that there is a big risk in doing this: if you are eliminated on the next Day 1, you will not be able to regain the stack you acquired on the previous Day 1.

    What is the minimum age to play poker at WPO Madrid?
    18 years old.

    What about cash games? What stakes are available? What time do they start?
    At the Torrelodones Casino we play No-Limit Texas Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha, from €1/€2 tables to... very very high stakes! Remember that the Winamax Live Sessions were filmed there...

    Important!     If you sit in cash-game, don't be surprised to see the dealer dealing the cards the wrong way: in Madrid, cash-game is played counter-clockwise! So be even more careful than usual not to talk before your turn...  
     

  • Entertainment, eating and drinking at the WPO Madrid

    What else can you do besides poker?
    You'll be able to do a lot of things, from the traditional beer-pong tournament, a blind test evening, a huge (and bilingual!) Bingo, a Team Winamax Master Class, a special "spooky" party on Friday the 13th, and so on. The main hub of relaxation of the WPO Madrid will be a huge terrace (or “terraza”) kitted out by Winamax, where you will offered games, entertainment, snacks and drinks all day long. The equivalent, for WPO regulars, of the famous Leisure Room in Dublin...

    You can find the WPO festivities schedule here.

    Is there a charge for non-poker activities?
    No. Everything is on Winamax! Except for the bar rounds... but count on us to buy you a drink or two in the heat of the action.

    How do I register for the non-poker activities?
    Registration will open one to two hours before they start, and will be done directly on site with the Winamax staff.

    Will there be beer pong tables?
    What do you think?

    Will I be able to buy Winamax goodies on site?
    Yes, the Winamax shop will be open during the whole WPO Madrid, with almost the entire collection on the shelves. Please note: first come, first served!

    I'm hungry! What do you eat at the casino?
    From quick snacks to gourmet restaurants and local classics (tapas and bocadillos), there is a wide choice of food in various parts of the casino, throughout the day and until (quite) late. We eat late in Spain anyway.

    I'm thirsty! What do we drink at the casino?
    Don't worry, it's a Winamax festival: you shouldn't be thirsty for long.

    Are there any nice places around the casino?
    Let's be honest: if you don't have a car, not much... But don't worry: we're going to do our best to make sure you don't miss anything during the WPO Madrid.

    I can't come this year. Can I still follow my buddies from a distance with a coverage? Will there be streaming?
    Yes, a hundred times yes. Photos, interviews, streaming news, tweets, stories: even from a distance, you won't miss anything from the WPO Madrid thanks to the official XXL coverage, which will start from the first days of the festival and will only stop once all the winners are crowned (and the bar is over). Visit https://www.winamax.fr/en/ and our twitter!  
     

  • Miscellaneous: dress code, language, smoking, etc.

    I don't speak Spanish, will that be an issue?
    Speaking Spanish will certainly help, but mumbling three words is not a problem. However, you should know that in Madrid, English will be more universal than French.

    What about money? Cash, credit card, which is better?
    All major credit cards are accepted at the WPO Madrid. If you prefer to make it rain physically, there are cash machines in the casino.

    Is there Wi-Fi in the casino?
    Yes, but as many of us will be using it, we cannot guarantee its reliability. 4G works very well in the casino.

    Is there a dress code in the casino?
    Yes, swimwear, flip-flops, tracksuit bottoms, gym shorts, men's tank tops, caps and bulky items such as backpacks and motorbike helmets are not allowed inside the casino. Please note that this rule will be less strict in the WPO Madrid area, so you can wear the cool Winamax cap that will be given to all Main Event players. A free cloakroom is available at the entrance of the casino.

    Where can I smoke or vape?
    You'll have to go outside. Why not go to the official WPO Madrid terrace ("terraza"), a great place to have a drink, eat, meet up with friends and play a game of beer pong?

    Which Team Winamax players will be present?
    All the Team Winamax players will be present, with the exception of Joao Vieira (but he gave us an apology). And our pros will be playing all week long. You can play against them in the tournaments (and at beer-pong), and you can chat with them: Adrian Mateos and Leo Margets will host a Master Class on Friday, and on Sunday the whole team will be waiting for you for a special afternoon. You can visit the Fiesta Schedule page for more information.

    Is the weather going to be nice?
    In Madrid, May is usually a very pleasant month, with the thermometer in the 19/23° Celsius range and no rain. A word of warning, however: in this part of Spain we are at an altitude of 845 metres. A little wool will do the trick once night falls...

    Can I walk around like a duck and pretend I’m pretend I’m Winston Chruchill?
    Of course you can.