Live poker is back and PokerStars announced some major expansion of the company’s upcoming schedule on Friday. That includes details on the second PokerStars Players Championship (PSPC), which returns to the Bahamas in January at the Baha Mar resort.
The announcement follows a successful Prague stop on the European Poker Tour (EPT). More stop on that tour is now on the way as well as more regional tour events.
“We have missed our live events as much as our players, so it is our true pleasure to announce the PokerStars Players Championship will take place at Baha Mar in January,” Stars managing director and commercial officer Severin Rasset said in a news release.
“Beautiful location, hundreds of qualifiers, with millions to win. If there is one tournament to choose for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it will be the PSPC. We will provide more details soon on how to get your hands on a Platinum Pass – stay tuned!”
PSPC, Platinum Passes return to PokerStars
News of the PSC’s return may be the biggest part of Friday’s announcement. Stars ran the first event in 2019, giving away hundreds of Platinum Passes along the way.
These entitled winners to a $30,000 travel package that included a $25,000 buy-in for the event.
The tournament saw 1,039 entries for a $26.5 million prize pool. Spain’s Ramon Colillas cashed in on a Platinum Pass and won the tournament for $5.1 million.
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The COVID pandemic delayed the second event, which was originally planned for Barcelona. PokerStars now moves that event back to the Bahamas with the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) also returning.
The PCA heads to the Bahamas from Jan. 22 – Feb. 3 at the new location of the Baha Mar. The PSPC will again be part of the action, running Jan. 30 – Feb. 3.
As in the run up to the first PSPC, the company plans on handing out more Platinum Passes to online poker players and poker fans around the world.
“Players can come together for this unique event,” PokerStars notes, “to enjoy the winter sunshine and kick off 2023 at what PokerStars plans to be an unforgettable celebration and an even bigger and better PSPC, with hundreds of Platinum Pass winners set to attend.”
More PokerStars EPT events on tap
PokerStars also outlined more events in the announcement including the EPT heading to Barcelona and Prague again this year. EPT Barcelona runs Aug. 8-21 at the Casino Barcelona.
The series features plenty of tournaments to choose from including a €1,100 ESPT event and €5,300 Main Event.
Additionally, EPT Prague plays out Dec. 7-18 at King’s Casino in Czech Republic. Players can expect a full slate of tournaments including a €5,300 Main Event from Dec. 12-18.
A Eureka Tour €1,100 Main Event is also planned for Dec. 8-12. Players can win their way to these events via online qualifiers. Satellites are running for free on the site or jump in a qualifier for as little as €1.10. These are expected to start soon.
Regional tour action ramping up; Dublin, Malta events planned
PokerStars also plans the return of some of its regional tours and offered more details on Friday.
After six years, PokerStars UKIPT (United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour) returns to Dublin from May 16-22 at the Bonnington Hotel. Online satellites for these events start today for as little as €1.10.
Also, for the first time PokerStars will sponsor a Summer Poker Festival running from June 18-26 in Malta. The series’ Main Event will be a joint UKIPT and ESPT event. The company plans to release more online satellite information for these series soon.