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Home / Uncategorized / BREAKING: PokerStars launches Players No-Limit Hold’em Championship #AreYouPlaying

There’s something new coming to the poker world, which today we’re proud to unveil as the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC). It’s a tournament like no other, one that defines a new era of poker, and one that will make 2018 a year to remember.

As Team Pro Daniel Negreanu announced at the PokerStars Championship Prague Main Event a short while ago, the PSPC will be the culmination of all PokerStars online and live promotions and player rewards throughout 2018. Read more from David Carrion, the heart and soul of the new event, right here.

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The PSPC will take place in the Bahamas in January 2019, with a year-long build-up to the tournament set to create hundreds of unique stories, and hundreds of potential life-changing winners, as PokerStars gives away an estimated $8 million worth of free tournament packages. Not only that, but PokerStars will be adding $1 million to the first place prize too. Some quick math should hint at the scale of this event – to create the richest, and most exciting $25,000 live event in poker history.

One tournament for all

What’s more, we want to make this a celebration of the game, bringing the poker world together in a one-of-a-kind live poker experience, presenting players of all skill levels the chance to win millions of dollars. Read that again, because we mean everyone. Whether you’re a poker rookie, fledgling amateur, established local pro or a bonafide superstar.

Throughout the next 12 months, PokerStars will be giving away more than 300 Players Championship packages, known as Platinum Passes, at PokerStars live tours around the world, but also online in tournaments, cash games, promotions, and via the Stars Rewards loyalty program.

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Each Platinum Pass is expected to be worth around $30,000. That includes the $25,000 tournament buy-in, accommodation at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino Resort in the Bahamas, and $2,000 in cash towards travel costs. Of course, you can also buy-in directly.

“We expect the PokerStars Players Championship will set the new global standard for live poker tournaments,” said Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group, Rafi Ashkenazi. “We want to give something back to the players and demonstrate our commitment to the game, not only through our investment of $9 million, but through an event that brings professionals and amateurs together creating winning moments and unforgettable stories.”

Daniel Negreanu added some of his thoughts about what to expect.

“This tournament is exactly what it’s called – the Players Championship,” said Negreanu. “This is going to be an incredible experience for those who participate and everyone, no matter their skill level, has a chance to win a Platinum Pass. It’s something to be truly excited about.”

When do the Platinum Passes start? Well we awarded the first one today, to Prague bubble finisher Mihai Manole, with the next batch awarded online during PokerStars’ Winter Series, running from December 25 – January 7. They’ll be followed by giveaways in Italy, Macau, the PCA, and PokerStars Festival in London.

It makes this a big day for PokerStars, and its players.

But it’s not the only news being made today.

A welcome return

PokerStars has today also announced its refocus of certain live tour brands, including of the European Poker Tour (EPT), Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). Just like the PCA’s return, you’re going to be seeing some familiar logos in 2018.

It’s at these events that at least one Platinum Pass will be given away, as well as at each PokerStars Festival and PokerStars MEGASTACK event. That means countless destinations, in countries around the world, all presenting players a chance to earn their seat to the biggest event of its kind.

It’s a lot to think about, a lot to talk about, and a lot to look forward to.

“It’s a new era,” said Team Pro Andre Akkari. “It’s a crazy experience, that I believe will make history like the PCA did, like the WSOP Main Event did, or the Moneymaker effect.”

“This is a thing that never happened before in the history of poker. It’s an historic achievement. Thank God that I’m part of it, that this is happening in my era. I’m really happy, and it will be a year where everybody will try to guarantee participation in such an historic event.”

The question remains: #AreYouPlaying? We hope you have a great 2018 finding out.

Want to know more, check out PokerStarsLive.com.


Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog. Follow him on Twitter: @StephenBartley. What did you think about this post? Let us know on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.

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