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World Series 2005 - Frequently Asked Questions

*WSOP and World Series of Poker (from now on referred to as the Main Event and/or World Series)

World Series of Poker - Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can I sell (or otherwise transfer) the first package I win for the event?
  • No. Please do not play in the satellites if you can't attend the event. If you win your first package in a satellite for the event, but for any reason are unable to attend the event, your package will be forfeited without compensation to you.
  • Can I win a second package and sell (or otherwise transfer) it?
  • We will not award further Main Event packages after you have won one. If you win a final satellite to the Main Event after you already have won a package, you will be credited with 10,000 W$ and $1000 in cash. You may use the W$ as you wish according to our general W$ rules.
  • I don't need the hotel accommodations that come with the package I won. Can I get credit for them?
  • All players who qualify through the Frequent Player Point or Tournament Leader Board satellites are required to wear PokerStars logo-wear exclusively. In exchange you will receive nine nights of hotel accommodations or $1,000 deposited to your PokerStars account in lieu of hotel accommodations. Qualifiers who choose not to wear PokerStars logo-wear exclusively forfeit any hotel accommodations or cash payment offer. You will be asked to make these choices upon registration. We ask that you register within one week of qualifying.
  • What happens if I have won a satellite on another online poker site and then win a satellite on PokerStars?
  • Our rules clearly state that you must play the first seat you win. If you have already won a Main Event seat on another site, please do not play in satellites on PokerStars, since you will be obligated to play the seat if you do win.
  • What happens if I win a seat in a cash satellite at the Rio (or other brick and mortar casino) and then win a PokerStars satellite? Do I get cash or W$?
  • No. Winning a satellite in a brick and mortar casino will be treated the same as if you'd won a seat at an online poker site. PokerStars rules state that if you win Main Event satellite on PokerStars, you are required to use that seat in the Main Event. If you have already won a cash satellite in a brick and mortar poker room, please do not play in PokerStars Main Event satellites.
  • What happens if I win a seat on PokerStars and then play in a cash satellite at the Rio? Will they give me cash/lammers (tournament entry chips)?
  • For the time being, there is no official agreement with the host casino to offer cash or lammers for on-site Main Event satellites if you have already won a seat on PokerStars. If you have already won a satellite on PokerStars and subsequently win a Main Event satellite at the host casino, it is up to you to work out a solution with casino management.
  • I won a Main Event package. I'd like to unregister from that event and collect 11,000 W$. Can I do that?
  • No. You must play the first seat you win.
  • I won a Main Event package. I see that PokerStars is permitting people to use their W$ to buy into World Series circuit events. Can I unregister and use the W$ to enter a World Series circuit event?
  • No. You must play the first seat you win. If you win a second seat, then you're welcome to take the W$ that you get and buy into a World Series circuit event.
  • How old do I have to be to play in these events?
  • The minimum age to play on PokerStars is 18. But the minimum age to play in the World Series is 21. Therefore, you must be 21 by the time the World Series starts (July 7, 2005) to play in our Main Event satellites.
  • Can I use my W$ to enter PokerStars cash satellites to the Main Event?
  • Absolutely.
  • Can I accumulate 11,000 W$ and enter the World Series final event directly?
  • No, the only way you can qualify for the Main Event on PokerStars is by winning one of the final satellites.
  • Can we make deals during the satellites?
  • During the qualifying rounds, you may make whatever deals you wish. However, during any tournaments that award seats to the Main Event, no deal may be made that reduces the number of seats awarded.
  • How do you distribute leftover prize money in the final qualifying satellites?
  • Rather than give away a single lump sum of cash, we're returning as many buy-ins as we can.
  • Do I have to sign a television waiver to play in the World Series?
  • A television waiver will likely be required for the World Series. If you choose not to sign a World Series Main Event waiver, you will be disqualified from the event and your buy-in will NOT be refunded. PokerStars assumes no responsibility for entries forfeited in this way.
  • If I win a seat in the World Series final event, what are my obligations to PokerStars?
  • By participating in a satellite of any kind on PokerStars, or in the Event, you grant PokerStars the right to use your name and likeness for promotional purposes without further compensation. You further agree to help promote PokerStars and act as a PokerStars spokesman during and after the Event, including, but not limited to, meeting with press and participating in other events conducted by PokerStars.

    FPP and TLB Qualifiers - If you've won your seat through one of our many Frequent Player Point or Tournament Leader Board satellites, you are required to wear PokerStars logowear exclusively. In exchange, FPP and TLB qualifiers will receive free hotel accommodations.

    Cash Qualifiers - Cash qualifiers are encouraged to wear PokerStars logowear exclusively. Qualifiers who choose to wear PokerStars logowear exclusively will receive free hotel accommodations. Qualifiers who choose not to wear PokerStars logowear exclusively forfeit any hotel accommodations offer.
  • If I win, will PokerStars disclose my player ID?
  • We reserve the right to disclose your player ID. If we do so, we will give you the option to change your player ID after the tournament.
  • I played in a satellite and won a seat. But my wife's (brother's, son's, neighbor's, dog's, etc.) name is on my PokerStars account. Is that a problem?
  • Yes, that's a problem. The name on your drivers license or passport must match the name on your PokerStars account (which is the name we use to register you with the World Series). If not, you will not be allowed to play in the Main Event. If you have any questions about this, please contact wsop@pokerstars.com.
  • Hey - I won a seat! Now what?
  • Congratulations! Seven days after your win you need to register at www.regonline.com/22804. This is our online registration site. Shortly after registering you will receive a confirmation email with details about your hotel reservations and other information. If you don't hear from us within a few days of winning your seat, please contact wsop@pokerstars.com.

    You can also get more details about the event at our *World Series Satellite Winners Web Page.
  • I won a seat! I see that there are three different "flights" starting on three different days. Can I select the day on which I start?
  • No. Flight assignment is done by the World Series staff (presumably by random drawing) and we have nothing to do with it. You'll need to play on the day that you're assigned. After you have registered at our satellite winners' online website, we will buy you in. At that point, you'll receive a confirmation email from the World Series that contains your flight/table/seat information.
  • I won a seat! But you've put me in hotel X and I'd really like to be in hotel Y.
  • We're sorry, but we won't be swapping players around to different hotels. We are putting players in either the Treasure Island and Mirage, based solely on when they qualified for their seat. Both properties are very nice and you'll enjoy either. We are providing shuttle service over to the Rio too.
  • How long will you be running satellites to the World Series?
  • We plan to run our last Main Event satellite on Sunday, July 3rd, 2005. However, if we believe that the Main Event is about to fill up its announced cap of 6600 players, we will stop the satellites early. If it looks like the Main Event is going to reach their cap, we reserve the right to change the FPP satellite schedule and details to ensure that we give away all 100 free seats into the big dance.

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