PokerStars is spicing up its European live-stop schedule for 2025 by introducing an exciting new leader board competition, awarding thousands in buy-ins as well as a chance to become the newest PokerStars Ambassador and win a contract worth €100K.

The competition ends at the end of the year, so there’s not long to go. Here you’ll find all you need to know about the Live League, from the latest standings to how the players at the top of the leader boards feel about their chances.

LATEST STANDINGS

HIGH

Last updated: Tuesday, October 28

1. Klemens Roiter (Austria) 3,081 pts
2. Enrico Camosci (Italy) 2,573
3. Aleks Ponakovs (Latvia) 1,807
4. Jesse Lonis (USA) 1,755
5. Christopher Nguyen (Austria) 1,628

Make no mistake, the PokerStars Live League is causing a stir among poker players at all levels. High leader Klemens Roiter has live poker earnings of more than $5.6 million and battles in the biggest tournaments the world has to offer, but you better believe he’ll be seeing out the Live League leader board. Chasing points is his priority.

“Oh, it’s a big one,” Roiter told us at EPT Barcelona. “Yeah. It’s a big one.”

That’s because the top prize for the “High” tier (tournaments with a buy-in of €5K+) is a buy-in package worth €62,400. Plus the chance of becoming a PokerStars Ambassador and receiving a contract worth €100,000.

“Online, you’re used to this kind of leader board, but I’m very pleased that Stars introduced this kind of league,” Roiter said. “I started off pretty well in Dublin, and then when someone told me I was first in the leader board, it got my attention. Then of course from this moment, I thought OK, if I’m first, I have good chances and I should go for all the tournaments. So I’m planning to play all the EPTs this year.”

Can Roiter hold onto the top spot?

Read our full interview with Klemens Roiter here.

MEDIUM

Last updated: Tuesday, October 28

1. Gerard Rubiralta (Spain) 2,851 pts
2. Kenny Hallaert (Belgium) 2,593
3. Petre Ionescu (Romania) 2,284
4. Jon Kyte (Norway) 2,153
5. Antoine Labat (Italy) 1,846

Spain’s Gerard Rubiralta has dominated the Medium board this year, which tallies tournaments with buy-ins of €/£/$1,000 to €/£/$4,999 — so it doesn’t even include his great run in the recent EPT Malta Main Event (26th for €22,250).

“I always like these kinds of rankings, leader boards, things like that,” Rubiralta told us in Malta. “I enjoy it a lot. It’s an extra motivation to play and for me it’s great. It’s about consistency, which is very important. These kinds of leaderboards are a proof of consistency.”

The winner of this particular race will earn €25,600 in tournament buy-ins. And Rubiralta is paying very close attention to the race. “I have four friends from the EPTs that are fighting a lot, and they are telling me, ‘I’m going for you!’ So I have to give my best, he said. “It’s very, very nice to have that competition.

“Honestly, to win it, it would mean more than the money you get for it. The satisfaction that I would have for winning it would be more than winning or finishing second in a tournament with a prize that’s more than that. It’s something that I would enjoy a lot.”

Check out the full interview with Rubiralta here.

PokerStars Ambassador Kenny Hallaert is hot on his heels, however, and while he’s already got the Ambassadorship sorted, he’s also going for that top prize.

“With the leader board grind, I do need to make sure that I at least maximise my chance of getting in as many points,” he told us. But you take it day by day. Having more than 20 years experience as a player definitely helps to just stay calm and be able to take it easy. Don’t be too stressed about it.”

Hallaert described how his festival life is now designed almost exclusively around the tournaments he can play that will qualify for “medium” leaderboard points. He passes up satellites, and forwent even the $10K EPT Malta High Roller, which he would usually play.

“When you’re busting a tournament, you’re quickly opening the app to see what’s the next one that I can play,” he said. “How will I plan my day. If I bust from this, what can I play? It requires a little bit of planning to potentially maximise your points.”

You’ll find the full Kenny Hallaert interview here.

LOW

1. Steinn Du Karlsson (Iceland) 872 pts
2. David Docherty (UK) 856
3. Andreas Froehli (Switzerland) 800
4. Soraya Estrada (Spain) 695
5. Thomas Clack (UK) 593

It’s super close at the top of the Low leader board, with top grinder David Docherty hot on the heels of long-time leader Steinn Du Karlsson of Iceland.

Docherty shot up into second at PokerStars Open Manchester thanks to four cashes and two side event victories (a £220 and £550)–no small feat considering there were only 18 events (including satellites) on the schedule.

The Low board counts all tournaments with a buy-in equal to or less than €/£/$999, and here’s what the top three pick up:

• First place: 10 x PS Open Main Event and 10 x Cup buy-ins – worth €15,000
• Second place: 10 x PS Open Cup buy-ins – worth €4,000
• Third place: 5 x PS Open Cup buy-ins – worth €2,000

INTRODUCING LIVE LEAGUE

The PokerStars Live League rewards consistency and hard work across European Poker Tour (EPT), PokerStars Open and PokerStars-sponsored events (like the Irish Poker Open). Split into three buy-in tiers (low, medium and high) it ensures players of all bankrolls have a shot of winning.

Players can accumulate points across the three separate leader boards according to the event buy-in, rewarding the grinders and giving them a great shot at winning more tournament buy-ins to PokerStars events.

There’s €150,700 in tournament buy-ins up for grabs, plus an exciting opportunity to sign a year-long contract as a PokerStars Ambassador. The top 10 finishers from each leader board will audition for the Ambassadorship and a contract worth €100K, with the winner representing PokerStars at future live events.

League points will be awarded based on the Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings formula (with a few differences that you can read about below) and there will be a points calculator built into the PokerStars Live app, making it easy for players to determine how many points they need and where they need to finish to get them.

LIVE LEAGUE LEADER BOARD BREAKDOWN

The leader board tiers and prizes are as follows:

HIGH

All tournaments with a buy-in of €/£/$5,000 and above

• First place: 4 x EPT Main Event and 4 x EPT High Roller buy-ins – worth €62,400
• Second place: 4 x EPT Main Event buy-ins – worth €21,200  
• Third place: 2 x EPT Main Event buy-ins – worth €10,600

MEDIUM

All tournaments with a buy-in of €/£/$1,000 to €/£/$4,999

• First place: 4 x EPT Main Event and 4 x PS Open Main Event buy-ins – worth €25,600
• Second place: 6 x PS Open Main Event buy-ins – worth €6,600
• Third place: 3 x PS Open Main Event buy-ins worth €3,300

LOW

All tournaments with a buy-in equal to or less than €/£/$999

• First place: 10 x PS Open Main Event and 10 x Cup buy-ins – worth €15,000
• Second place: 10 x PS Open Cup buy-ins – worth €4,000
• Third place: 5 x PS Open Cup buy-ins – worth €2,000

Winners can use the buy-ins whenever they choose (including as re-entries into the same event).

Restricted entry tournaments such as Seniors’ and Ladies’ events are also eligible for Live League points.

The first chance to pick up points is at the PokerStars Open in Campione, kicking off on March 10, 2025.

TRACKING THE LEADER BOARD

Players can follow league updates across the three tiers through the PokerStars Live app, tracking their progress and that of their rivals.

Players will earn leader board points whether or not they cash in the tournaments. For players who finish in the money, points will be calculated and awarded using a formula based on Global Poker Index points rankings. Players who bust a tournament without cashing will still receive points equivalent to 20% of the value of min-cash points. 

BECOME A POKERSTARS AMBASSADOR

PokerStars Live League not only offers huge prizes in buy-ins but also a unique opportunity to realise the dream of becoming a sponsored player.

In addition to prizes for the top three finishers across each tier of the leaderboard, the top 10 finishers on each tier will get the chance to audition to become a PokerStars Ambassador for 12 months.

The year-long experience will include attendance at, and entry to, some of PokerStars’s most prestigious and popular events including the EPT stops and iconic online series such as the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP).

“We’re really excited to bring PokerStars Live League to our player offering,” said Willie Elliot, Live Events Customer Engagement Manager. “Players have the opportunity to compete across a variety of different buy-in levels to win €150,000 in live event tickets, with three winners crowned.”

“Not only that, one winner will become a PokerStars ambassador, winning themselves a one-year deal worth a huge €100,000 – a dream for many poker players. The winner of the PokerStars ambassador role will travel across the globe wearing the iconic patch, attend the best live events in incredible locations, and play for millions in prize money alongside the best players in the world.”

POKERSTARS OPEN PASSPORT

PokerStars is giving players the ultimate flexibility with the launch of the PokerStars Open Passport, going live today.

This Gold Pass ‘Passport’ bundle allows players to choose up to four events in the PokerStars Open tour. This makes it easier than ever to experience the action across multiple stops.

For those looking for more variety, the Gold Pass can also be converted into four separate Silver Passes. These are redeemable for a mix of live and online tournaments.

Only want to play one event and keep the rest for expenses? Done.

Want to use the entire amount on live event buy-ins? Done.

Want to cherry-pick tournaments and have PokerStars arrange your hotel stay? Done.

It’s entirely up to you.

A live Power Passport is whatever you want it to be.

Simply reach out to PokerStars to find out more.

MORE INFORMATION + TERMS AND CONDITIONS

More information about the PokerStars Live League and PokerStars live events can be found here.

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