Sweepstakes poker (SC vs GC) tournaments
Sweepstakes poker sites (like Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold) use two currencies. Gold Coins (GC) have no cash value. Sweeps Coins (SC, also called Chips on some sites) can be redeemed for prizes under the site's sweepstakes rules. No purchase is necessary to play.
How it works
You usually buy Gold Coin packages and receive free SC as a bonus, or get SC free via daily bonuses or mail-in requests. Tournaments can be in GC or SC. Each site excludes certain states, and some have higher age limits for prize play, such as 21+ for Global Poker's promotional play.
Global Poker's Hydra Stage 1 costs SC 99. Survivors make the SC100,000 GTD Final. On our site, SC buy-ins count as about $1 per SC for stake tiers.
Strategy tips
- Check your state is eligible before playing for SC. See our state pages.
- Read the sweeps rules on redemption minimums and ID verification.
- Treat GC tables as practice. Player behavior often differs from SC tables.
- Use free daily SC and freerolls to try the format first.
- Play responsibly and set limits even though it's "no purchase necessary".
Common mistakes
- Assuming sweepstakes are legal in every state
- Confusing GC with redeemable SC
🔎 Know who you're up against
Sweepstakes poker sites still have regulars mixed in with casual players. SharkScope covers Global Poker (not ClubWPT Gold), so you can see who you're up against there. Knowing the field helps you choose which SC games to play and how aggressive to be.
How to use SharkScope to pick tournaments · SharkScope ↗ (affiliate link)
SharkScope covers ACR, CoinPoker, BetOnline, Ignition/Bodog, GG, WSOP and more, not ClubWPT Gold. Check each room's rules on third-party tools.
Find these tournaments
Sweepstakes tournaments → Online poker by state →
FAQ
What is a sweepstakes poker (sc vs gc) tournament?
Sweepstakes poker sites (like Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold) use two currencies. Gold Coins (GC) have no cash value. Sweeps Coins (SC, also called Chips on some sites) can be redeemed for prizes under the site's sweepstakes rules. No purchase is necessary to play.
Can I win real money with Sweeps Coins?
SC can be redeemed for prizes under each site's sweepstakes rules, where available.
What is the difference between SC and GC?
GC is for fun only. SC can be redeemed for prizes.
Related guides
Freeroll · Shove-fest / all-in
Play responsibly. Tournaments are entertainment, not income. Set a budget and time limit, and never chase losses. 18+/21+ depending on site and state. Help: 1-800-GAMBLER.
18+/21+ only. Minimum age depends on the site and your state. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up. That doesn't change the listings or the order they appear in.
Not legal advice. Online poker and sweepstakes laws vary by state, so check your local laws before you play. Only PokerStars (US) and WSOP Online are licensed in the US, and only in the states they list (NJ/PA/MI and NV/NJ/MI/PA). Offshore and crypto sites (Ignition, ACR, BetOnline, CoinPoker, Phenom) are not licensed in the US. GGPoker doesn't accept US players. CoinPoker accepts US players even though its terms list the US as restricted. Sweepstakes sites exclude some states.
Schedules come from each site's public pages, and each listing shows its source and the date we last checked it. Items marked unverified conflict across sources or are out of date. Always confirm in the poker lobby. SC (Sweeps Coins) and CHIP are treated as about $1 for stake tiers.