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NJ Online Poker Treads Water Heading Into Two Big Tournament Series

NJ online poker

There is a lot of excitement in New Jersey these days. Unfortunately, it isn’t around online poker. Instead, all eyes are on legalized sports betting as the first big week of betting on football concludes.

A weekend full of games and mobile sports betting did nothing to help bolster the fledgling online poker market. The good news is it didn’t really hurt it either.

Consequently, the bottom line is online poker in New Jersey is just treading water.

Here are the key stories from the U.S. regulated poker scene since our last report published on Aug. 28 are:

  • The three major online poker networks are showing declining trends across the board
  • WSOP.com continues to show the sharpest declining trends post World Series of Poker
  • PokerStars NJ gave a few cash game players back to WSOP.com
  • partypoker NJ is holding steady and remains relatively flat across the three major metrics

Now, let’s take a look back at the cash game and tournament trends for the two-week period ending Sept. 9, 2018.

U.S. Regulated Online Poker Operators

The major U.S. poker operators are:

Operator Network Provider Other Sites in the Network
WSOP.com 888 888poker
PokerStarsNJ PokerStars None
partypokerNJ partypoker Borgata Poker and PlayMGM-NJ

Pala Poker also operates in New Jersey on its own network. We do not include Pala Poker in this report because the traffic volume is low and doesn’t affect the latest US online poker trends.

Major online poker tournaments summary

The poker tournament schedule was void of any major tournament series over the past two weeks, and it shows. Not even Sunday football was successful in attracting players to the virtual felt.

With the launch of New Jersey mobile sports betting, there was hope that players would fire up their poker client while rooting on their favorite team. The hope was short-lived.

Each online poker site held their regular scheduled Sunday Major tournaments, with one exception. WSOP.com lowered its Sunday $100,000 guarantee to $75,000 over the Labor Day holiday.

It was surprising to see WSOP.com lower its guarantee. It has, after all, handily met its guarantee all but once since the launch of shared liquidity.

WSOP.com, thanks to the lower guarantee, generated prize pools well north of the posted guarantee. PokerStars NJ and partypoker NJ, however, posted overlays for each of their major Sunday tournaments.

The tournament scene is likely to get a boost with two upcoming tournament series on the docket.

From Sept. 18 through Sept. 30, WSOP.com will offer the first WSOP.com Online Circuit event. The series boasts over $700,000 in guarantees and will award 13 rings over the 13 days of play.

WSOP.com combines the player pools between Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey. This Online Circuit series stands to impact New Jersey online poker more than most.

Right on the heels of the WSOP.com Online Circuit event, PokerStars NJ is bringing NJCOOP back to the Garden State. The popular tournament series will run from Sept. 29 through Oct. 15 and guarantee over $1 million in prizes. The 47-event series will also be giving away three Platinum Passes.

There is a lot of excitement around the inaugural online circuit event and the return of NJCOOP to New Jersey’s online poker rooms. Let’s hope that enthusiasm translates to some large prize pools.

Sunday major online tournaments by the numbers

Information for the tournaments held on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018

Tournament Entries Guarantee Prize Pool Difference
WSOP $320 Sunday Weekly $175,000 NLH 213 $75,000 $92,100 $17,100
PokerStarsNJ $200 Sunday Special, $35,000 Guaranteed 146 $35,000 $27,156 -$7,844
partypokerNJ $215 Sunday $35,000 Guaranteed NLH 150 $35,000 $30,000 -$5,000

Information for the tournaments held on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018

Tournament Entries Guarantee Prize Pool Difference
WSOP $320 Sunday Weekly $100,000 NLH 247 $100,000 $113,100 $13,100
PokerStarsNJ $200 Sunday Special, $35,000 Guaranteed 181 $35,000 $33,666 -$1,334
partypokerNJ $215 Sunday $35,000 Guaranteed NLH 168 $35,000 $33,600 -$1,400

Average cash game and peak traffic summary

Much like the tournament report, the cash game numbers are relatively unexciting. That is actually not entirely bad news.

For the past month, we’ve seen an exodus of poker players in the online poker market. For the past few weeks at least, all three operators are holding relatively steady.

WSOP.com gained some cash game players while PokerStars NJ lost a few, but overall there were not any big shifts like we saw a month ago. The loss of players post WSOP is still affecting WSOP.com’s sharply declining trend line. Expect that to begin to flatten out over the coming weeks.

Peak traffic numbers, with the exception of some good days, seem to be on a constant decline. When you think about it, it’s a pretty interesting number to track.

If a more significant number of players on a site at one time has the power to attract more players, then this number tells a pretty grim story. Most poker players prefer to play when the most games were running. Knowing that, the peak traffic number should continue to climb, or at the very least hold steady. Instead, it continues to decline.

It will be interesting to see how a month of big tournaments will impact the cash game and peak traffic numbers.

Factors that will impact U.S. regulated online poker in the coming weeks

Obviously, the most significant factor to impact New Jersey online poker is the two upcoming New Jersey online poker tournaments. Both series are sweetening the pot enough to entice serious poker players in the region to set up shop in the Garden State for a while.

The excitement around sports betting is another area that may impact poker. New Jersey is now home to seven sportsbooks. Avid sports bettors (which describes many poker players) may choose to spend their evenings and weekends at their favorite sportsbook. Of course, that may result in taking players away from the virtual felt.

Pennsylvania, which many hope will launch online gaming soon is taking its sweet time in doing so. While we continue to keep an eye on the state’s progress, don’t expect any movement in the near future.

We will keep our eyes on the New Jersey poker scene, and the complete U.S. regulated online poker landscape and report back here on Sept. 25.

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Poker Podium: Online Qualifiers Crushing, Ambassadors Chalk Up Nice Wins, Big Bluffs, & More

While it may have been a short month, some big online poker winners rose to the top in the month of February.

While it may have been a short month, some big online poker winners rose to the top in February. Online operators offered plenty of action with a few players also reaping massive rewards in live events after qualifying online.

Severa site ambassadors also recorded nice scores including Lex Veldhuis, Ian Simpson, and Vivian Saliba. Here’s a look at the latest Poker Podium and some players recording some wins in February.

PokerStars

The ability to qualify for major online events remains a nice incentive for many online poker players. PokerStars offers numerous opportunities, whether just smaller buy-in satellites or major promotions like Platinum Passes.

The last month saw some of these qualifiers win big. That includes Razvan Belea recently winning the European Poker Tour Paris main event title for $1.2 million. He secured his seat via a €530 online qualifier and is more accustomed to playing low roller events, especially freerolls.

The Romanian may now be tempted to move up in stakes after such a life-changing win.

“This is unreal,” he said after the win. “It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of since I started playing poker.”

If that weren’t enough, the series also featured a stop on the France Poker Series. Another online qualifier found the winner’s circle with France’s Alan Gaosdoue taking down the €1,100 Main Event for €287,830.

PokerStars ambassador Lex Veldhuis also showed off a massive hand in February when heads-up in the $540 Marathon. He ran a huge bluff with 5-high to take a massive pot and then went on to win the event for $5,213.

GGPoker

The $150 Overlay Edition highlighted much of the online action at GG in February. That culminated with Germany’s Philipp Gruissem taking the title earlier this week for $806,385.

The tournament brought in 64,622 entries for an $8.9 million prize pool. As part of the overlay, GG added $1.1 million to the prize pool. The win came after Gruissem took some time away from the game.

“I can still do it,” he noted on Twitter.

In other action, Collin Capone offered a look at what it’s like to win a GG Bounty Jackpot. Playing in a $10.80 Bounty Hunters event, he cashed in for more than $1,000.

Some good vibes also headed the way of GGPoker ambassador Kevin Martin recently. The Canadian poker pro and former Survivor contestant made quite the hero call in a huge pot with only Ace high. His instincts proved correct, eliminating his opponent in a $100 Sunday Hyper event.

888poker

A few days remain in the 888poker Mystery Bounty Series. The action runs through March 7 and the entire series features $2 million guaranteed.

The festivities kicked off on Feb. 19 and 888 ambassador Vivian Saliba making a deep run on the first day of action in the $109 Mystery Bounty Opening. The tournament came with a $120,000 guarantee and saw 1,032 entries. Players also vied for a top bounty of $12,000.

Saliba, of Brazil, ultimately finished fourth for $4,002. A pair of fellow Brazilians took the top two spots with “Leofoliveira” winning the event for a total of $10,812. “perrivini” took runner-up for $9,210, and here’s a look at the final hand.

As of March 1, Brazilians were dominating the series with six titles. The closest other countries were Montenegro, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom with two each

One of the other big events so far included the $109 Mystery Bounty Eight-Max, which came with a $150,000 guarantee. The action produced a field of 1,820 entries for a $182,000 prize pool with a top bounty of $15,000. 

player named “Anywayz” entered the final table in the middle of the pack, but was able to move up and take the win. Anywayz scored the $15,633 top prize plus $1,215 in bounties for a total of $16,848.

Another 888 team member scored a nice run in the series. In the $109 Mystery Bounty ($15,000 guaranteed), StreamTeam member Josh Manley made a final table appearance, finishing eighth for a total of $540.

Fellow ambassador Ian Simpson has quite the celebration after scoring a bounty tournament win for a $5,000 night.

PartyPoker

This operator recently announced a new tournament schedule including the weekly $109 Sunday Party. The PKO (progressive knockout) event comes with a $150,000 guarantee. Online qualifiers start at just $0.01.

The first event debuted on Feb. 6 with 1,608 entries, topping the guarantee by $10,800. “BinkusMaximus” took the inaugural Sunday Party win for a total of $15,955.

On Feb. 26, Party boosted the prize pool to $200,000 and saw 2,014 entries for a $201,400 prize pool. In the end, “Nepomniachtch” ended the party on top, scoring $10,985 with an additional $13,014 in bounties for a total of $23,999. “Takafogonela” took runner-up for a total payout of $13,634.

The new $22 Sunday Carnival includes a $50,000 guarantee and saw a boost to $75,000 on Feb. 26. The tournament saw 3,436 entries for a small overlay. In the end, “Spakman0888” grabbed the win in this PKO event for a payout of $4,254 plus $2,900 in bounties for a total of $7,154.

In other news, PartyPoker ambassador Jaime Staples remains a popular Twitch streamer and recently gave fans a look at how he streams on Twitch. Not a bad online poker setup.

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888poker Launches Mystery Bounty Festival with $2 Million Guaranteed, $300,000 Main Event

The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival runs Feb. 19 – March 7 with more than $2 million guaranteed including a $300,000 guarantee.

Fresh off the XL Winter Series, 888poker is back with more tournament action for online poker players this month – and all in the mystery bounty format.

The Mystery Bounty Festival runs Feb. 19 – March 7 with more than $2 million guaranteed. Buy-ins range from $1 to $55 and players will find several starting flights for the $160 Main Event. That tournament comes with a $300,000 guarantee. 

“We’re going all out this February with an entire series jam-packed with mystery bounties,” 888 noted in a news release. “For the first time ever, every tournament in the series will feature a mystery bounty. So, you don’t have to finish in the money to win massively in this poker series – possibly win up to $30,000 cash in one single knockout.”

A look at the 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival

With the Mystery Bounty Festival, 888 has again offered players a series for all levels and bankrolls. Events range from micro stakes to high rollers with all events featuring No Limit Hold’em.

Main Event starting flights run from March 1-6, culminating with Day 2 on March 6. The final table is set for March 7 and streamed live on the Twitch 888pokerTV channel.

Another series highlight is the $109 Mystery Bounty Eight-Max, which runs Feb. 23-27. The mUlti-starting flight tournament features a $150,000 guarantee. The final table also streams on 888pokerTV on Feb. 28.

The action gets started with some nice events on the first day of the series. An $11 Mystery Bounty event kicks off the series with a $20,000 guarantee. Players will also find a $55 version with a $50,000 guarantee and a $109 version with a $120,000 guarantee.

For those new to a mystery bounty, the format is a bit different than a traditional bounty tournament. Instead of cashing in on a set amount when eliminating an opponent, a player receives a random prize. Some of those can be some large payouts.

The events have become popular on the live poker felt as well as online. As the name implies, the tournaments add some real mystery to the bounty process.

Grabbing mystery bounty tournament tickets at a bargain price

Players looking to get in the mystery bounty action will find a few lower-cost options. Bigger events on the schedule feature satellites for a chance at a seat via a reduced point. That includes $16.50 satellites for the Main Event. Here’s look at a few other qualifying opportunities:

  • Play daily freerolls for a chance to play the Mystery Bounty Main Event.
  • Qualify via satellites to the Main Event for as little as $0.01.
  • Win a Main Event ticket in a random gift drop.

Watching streamed final tables also offer players a chance to win tournament tickets, including some for the Main Event. Here’s a look at the streaming schedule.

  • $120,000 Mystery Bounty Opening final table plus giveaways – Feb. 20
  • $150,000 Mystery Bounty Eight-Max plus giveaways –  Feb. 28
  • $300,000 Main Event – March 7

Additionally, the 888 StreamTeam and other ambassadors will stream their play during various events. They will have tournament tickets up for grabs as well. Here’s a look at the entire mystery bounty schedule.

888poker Mystery Bounty Festival

DateEventBuy-inGuarantee
Feb. 19$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 19$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 19MB Festival #01 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty Opening 11		$11$20,000
Feb. 19$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 19$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 19MB Festival #02 –
$50,000 Mystery Bounty Opening 55		$55$50,000
Feb. 19$8,000 MB Festival –
Sunday Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$8,000
Feb. 19MB Festival #03 –
$120,000 Mystery Bounty Opening 109		$109$120,000
Feb. 19$25,000 MB Festival –
Sunday Mystery Bounty 22		$22$25,000
Feb. 19$35,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 525		$525$35,000
Feb. 19$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 19$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 19$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 19$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 19$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 20$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 20$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 20MB Festival #04 - $15,000
Mystery Bounty 8-Max 11		$11$15,000
Feb. 20$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 20$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 20$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Feb. 20$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 20$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 20MB Festival #05 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max 109		$109$15,000
Feb. 20$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 20$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 20$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 20$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 20$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 21$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 21$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 21$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 21$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 21$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 21$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Feb. 21MB Festival #06 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep Mini 22		$22$15,000
Feb. 21$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 21MB Festival #07 –
$25,000 Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep 320		$320$25,000
Feb. 21$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 21$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 21$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 21$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 21$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 22$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 22$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 22$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 22$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 22$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 22$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Feb. 22MB Festival #08 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Mini 22		$22$15,000
Feb. 22$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 22MB Festival #09 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max 109		$109$20,000
Feb. 22$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 22$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 22$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 22$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 22$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 23$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 23$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 23$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 23$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 23$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 23MB Festival #10 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 55		$55$20,000
Feb. 23$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 23MB Festival #11 –
$6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5		$5.50$6,000
Feb. 23$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Feb. 23$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 23$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 23$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 23$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 23$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 23MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max
(Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02)		$109$0
Feb. 24$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 24$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 24$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 24$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 24$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 24$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Feb. 24$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 24$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 24$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Feb. 24$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 24$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 24$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 24$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 24$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 24MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max
(Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02)		$109$0
Feb. 25$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 25$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 25$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 25$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 25$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 25MB Festival #12 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 55		$55$20,000
Feb. 25$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 25$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 25$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Feb. 25$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 25$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 25$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 25$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 25$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 25MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max
(Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02)		$109$0
Feb. 26$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 26$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 26MB Festival #13 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 11 8-Max		$11$20,000
Feb. 26$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 26$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 26MB Festival #14 –
$50,000 Mystery Bounty 55 8-Max		$55$50,000
Feb. 26MB Festival #15 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 8-Max		$5.50$15,000
Feb. 26$25,000 MB Festival –
Sunday Mystery Bounty 22 8-Max		$22$25,000
Feb. 26$35,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 525		$525$35,000
Feb. 26$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 26$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 26$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 26$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 26$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 26MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max
(Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02)		$109$0
Feb. 27$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 27$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 27MB Festival #16 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 11 6-Max		$11$15,000
Feb. 27$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 27$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 27$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Feb. 27$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 27$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Feb. 27MB Festival #17 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 109 6-Max		$109$15,000
Feb. 27MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 2)		$109$150,000
Feb. 27$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 27$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 27$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 27$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 27$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Feb. 27MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max
(Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02)		$109-
Feb. 28$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Feb. 28$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Feb. 28$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Feb. 28$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Feb. 28$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Feb. 28MB Festival #19 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 55
Turbo Deep 6-Max		$55$20,000
Feb. 28$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Feb. 28MB Festival #20 –
$6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5
Turbo Deep 6-Max		$5.50$6,000
Feb. 28MB Festival #18 –
$150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (FT)		--
Feb. 28$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Feb. 28$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Feb. 28$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Feb. 28$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Feb. 28$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Feb. 28$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 1$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 1$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 1MB Festival #21 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 11 8-Max		$11$15,000
Mar. 1$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 1$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 1$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Mar. 1$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Mar. 1$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Mar. 1MB Festival #22 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 109 8-Max		$109$15,000
Mar. 1$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 1$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 1$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 1$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 1$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 1MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 2$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 2$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 2$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Mar. 2$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 2$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 2MB Festival #23 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 55		$55$20,000
Mar. 2$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Mar. 2MB Festival #24 –
$6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5		$5.50$6,000
Mar. 2$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Mar. 2$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 2$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 2$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 2$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 2$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 2MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 3$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 3$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 3$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Mar. 3$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 3$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 3$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Mar. 3$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Mar. 3$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Mar. 3$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Mar. 3$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 3$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 3$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 3$2,500 MB Festival – L
ate Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 3$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 3MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 4$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 4$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 4$10,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 11		$11$10,000
Mar. 4$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 4$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 4MB Festival #25 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 8-Max		$55$20,000
Mar. 4$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Mar. 4$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Mar. 4$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 109		$109$12,000
Mar. 4$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 4$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 4$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 4$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 4$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 4MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 5$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 5$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 5MB Festival #26 –
$20,000 Mystery Bounty 11 6-Max		$11$20,000
Mar. 5$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 5$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 5MB Festival #27 –
$50,000 Mystery Bounty 55 6-Max		$55$50,000
Mar. 5MB Festival #28 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 6-Max		$5.50$15,000
Mar. 5$25,000 Mystery Bounty 22$22$25,000
Mar. 5$35,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 525		$525$35,000
Mar. 5$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 5$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 5$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 5$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 5$1,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$1,500
Mar. 5MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 6$1,200 MB Festival –
Early Mystery Bounty 11		$11$1,200
Mar. 6$3,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 33		$33$3,000
Mar. 6MB Festival #29 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 11		$11$15,000
Mar. 6$1,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 1		$1$1,500
Mar. 6$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 8.80		$8.80$5,000
Mar. 6$15,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 55		$55$15,000
Mar. 6$12,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 22		$22$12,000
Mar. 6$5,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 5.50		$5.50$5,000
Mar. 6MB Festival #30 –
$15,000 Mystery Bounty 109		$109$15,000
Mar. 6MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event (day 2)		-$300,000
Mar. 6$2,000 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 2.20		$2.20$2,000
Mar. 6$4,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55		$55$4,500
Mar. 6$2,500 MB Festival –
Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5		$16.50$2,500
Mar. 6$2,500 MB Festival –
Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33		$33$2,500
Mar. 6MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event
(Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03)		$160-
Mar. 7MB Festival –
$300,000 Main Event (FT)

★★★ Ready to get in the action at 888poker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

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Players Score $50,000 Jackpot in $5 Blast Sit & Go at 888poker

Three 888poker players recently played a $5 Blast sit & go on the site and score a share of a $50,000 prize pool.

Five bucks recently paid off in a big way for a few online poker players at 888poker. The site’s popular Blast sit & go events saw three players score a $50,000 prize pool in a $5 event.

These lucky competitors played for prize money worth 10,000 times their buy-in. While the events are usually a winner-take-all format, when these mega-prize pools are triggered, all players have a chance at some nice cash.

“Blast jackpot poker games are one of the hottest tickets on 888poker,” the company noted in a news release. “The games are super fast, and players only have to beat two opponents to take home the top prize. We’re kicking off 2023 right with another big hit.”

888poker player finds huge win for only $5

“FlushyFish” became the latest Blast player to cash in big in January. This player swam to the top, pocketing a cool $35,000 for the win.

Fish wasn’t the only player to grab a five-figure payday. “Dustin69” finished runner-up for $10,000, quite a return on his $5 buy-in.

Even the third-place finisher recorded a nice payout as well. “ryan3212” walked away with $5,000.

In total, 888 Blast sit & go’s paid out more than $130 million in 2022. Buy-ins ranged from 10 cents all the way up to $100 with players choosing from Fast Blast and regular Blast structures.

Several Blast players found some huge payouts in 2022, with the top prize pool topping out at $100,000. In 2021, three players hit the $1 million ultimate jackpot. That level rewards $700,000 for first, $200,000 for second, and $100,000 for third.

How do 888poker Blast tournaments work?

Looking to get in a Blast sit & go? Players simply need to visit the poker lobby and look for the Blast section. Next, join a table where the prize pool is then chosen at random before the cards are dealt.

The events can feature a prize pool of twice the buy-in and up to 10,000 times the buy-in. Players’ starting stacks are based on the prize pool awarded. The larger the prize pool, the more chips players receive.

The same goes for blind levels. The bigger the prize pool, the longer the blind levels. The last player standing wins the entire prize pool unless one of the mega jackpots are triggered.

At the urging of players, 888 made some significant changes to the tournament structure in 2022 . The timer and “automatic all-in” features were removed and the events now function more as a traditional small-field, quick-paced tournament. Here are the top five prize pools players can compete for at 888.

TournamentBuy-inPrize pool
$10 Blast$10$100,000
$2 Blast$2$20,000
$5 Blast$5$50,000
$5 Blast$5$50,000
10-cent Fast Blast (300 chips)$0.10$1,000

★★★ Ready to get in the action at 888poker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScour bonus offers. ★★★

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POKER PODIUM: Nice Wins from Kenny Hallaert, Niklas Astedt; PCA, PSPC Events Wrap Up & More

Poker Podium once again takes a look at online and live poker winners from January including nce scores from Kenny Hallaert and Niklas Astedt.

The poker world was busy in January with many online events as well as players heading to some major live events. That included some major online series with Kenny Hallaert, Niklas Astedt, and others finding some nice wins.

GGPoker ambassador Jason Koon also received some welcome news in January, meaning keeping some big winnings from his heads-up battle with Phil Hellmuth. The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure also recently wrapped up with some huge winners.

Poker Podium once again takes a look at January winners from the online and live poker felts.

PokerStars

No doubt the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) was a major event for the site over the last month. Several players won big in the series in January and early February. That included Belarus’s Aliaksandr Shylko scoring the win in the $25,000 PokerStars Player Championship for $3.1 million.

The tournament included 400-plus Platinum Pass winners and attracted 1,014 entries for a $24.8 million prize pool.

The $10,000 PCA Main Event also wrapped up in January. That tournament saw Portugal’s Michel Dattani grab the top spot for $1.3 million. The event produced a field of 889 entries for an $8.6 million prize pool.

A few PokerStars online winners

In the online arena, Huber Sebastian celebrated his recent win in the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP). The Stars ambassador and Twitch streamer scored a victory back in September, scoring more than $2,800 in the process. He was pleased with receiving his trophy.

Fellow ambassador Lex Veldhuis made a deep run in the New Year Series Main Event. That included knocking out fellow ambassador Ben “Spraggy” Spragg.

In the end, the tournament saw 5,362 entries with Switzerland’s “Scoops2022” scooping the title for $143,479. 

GGPoker

It’s been a huge run recently for GGPoker ambassador Jason Koon, with 2022 bringing plenty of wins and big finishes. A massive Triton Poker win for more than $1.9 million came his way in May.

In October, Koon added a Poker Masters title for $666,000. In December he also chalked up a win in the $50,000 PokerGO Tour Championship for $500,000.

If that weren’t enough, Koon walks away a winner from PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel. He scored $1.6 million after beating Phil Hellmuth in December. When no one stepped up to battle Koon, he was declared the winner of the series in January. He now has more than $42 million in live tournament winnings.

GG online winners

Numerous online players continue celebrating some GG tournament wins as well. That included streamer and YouTuber “Questje,” who also made his first online final table deal on the site.

Brazilian recreational player “Be Lima” turned a free qualifier ticket into a $1 tournament entry. He then took the top spot for a hearty return on investment.

https://twitter.com/robertapker/status/1618534984155017217?s=20&t=so-7QXHX7x3f-CPnZKxsxw

888poker

The XL Winter Series wrapped up at 888 in January and awarded more than $1.5 million. The result easily topped the $1 million overall guarantee and saw several players scoop some nice paydays. In total, the series produced 16,168 entries with most buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $55.

In the international competition, players from Romania and Brazil came out on top with five wins each. German players scored four titles while Lithuanians snagged three.

The $250 Main Event highlighted the series and featured a $500,000 guarantee. The mystery bounty event also featured a top bounty of $50,000 and the tournament saw 2,059 entries.

In the end, “AMG_people” came back from one of the shorter stacks at the final table to secure the win. The Ukrainian player bagged $37,592 in prize money and bounties. Ukraine’s “alwaySsmilee” finished runner-up for $32,567.

The $2,100 Super High Roller was another highlight and guaranteed $100,000. The event saw 51 entries for a $102,000 prize pool.

Sweden’s Niklas “tutten7” Astedt found the winner’s circle for $37,740. No stranger to poker success, Astedt has $1.8 million in live tournament winnings as well as other major wins online. Canada’s “beebsterizer” took runner-up for $25,500.

A look at 888 Live winners

In other 888 news, the site recently headed to Mardrid for the latest 888poker Live series. Spain’s Adrian Garcia came out on top for a nice score of €92,000.

Russia’s Oleg Bystrenin took runner-up for €60,000. 888’s newest ambassador Lucia Navarro also shined. The poker YouTiuber scored fourth for €27,000 and was pleased overall with her play.

PartyPoker

The PartyPoker Championship Winter Edition took center stage at PartyPoker in January. The  $530 Main Event highlighted the series, attracting 1,089 entries.

The tournament easily topped the $500,000 guarantee, garnering a $544,500 prize pool. Ireland’s Rytis Strigunas claimed the win for $78,160 after a deal with runner-up Victor Oliveira Girao, of Brazil, who scored $72,827.

Henrique Miguel Santos Da Silva, of the United Kingdom, took down the $35 Mini Main Event for $20,284. Well-regarded pro Kenny Hallaert scored the win in the $215 PKO Championship for $24,937.

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‘The Wizard’ Casts Spell at 888poker With Major Rewards for Players, $300,000 Up for Grabs

888poker launched the Wizard's Spell promotion today, which runs through April 23 with a host of freerolls and mystery prizes for players.

888poker launched the new Wizard’s Spell promotion today, which runs through April 23 with a host of freerolls and mystery prizes for players.

Online poker players can take on daily, weekly, and monthly challenges to earn tournament tickets. The site is offering some serious guarantees for those looking to grab some free cash.

“Win tickets to our mystical freerolls by playing our enticing, exciting, and fun challenges – worth $300,000 in guarantees,” 888 noted in a news release.

Wizard offers 888poker some nice extra payouts

Those taking part in the Wizard’s Spell campaign will find plenty of tournament opportunities. 888 is running three major freerolls throughout the promotion.

Players can compete in the $300 Daily Wizard’s Wonder Freeroll after completing any of three tasks for a tournament ticket. Those daily freeroll challenges to work toward include

  • Cash Games Challenge – Win a hand in cash games with Ace-King.
  • BLAST Challenge – Win one of these popular sit and go games.
  • Bets Challenge – Place wagers totaling $2 on any casino game or sporting event.

Players who enjoy mystery bounties are also in luck with the Wizard’s Spell. The $2,000 Weekly Magical Mystery Bounty Freeroll runs every Sunday.

To qualify players must complete nine of any of the challenges above within one week. Players finishing this task earn a freeroll ticket.

Those who then finish in the top five win a surprise mystery reward as well. Prizes include live event packages, bonuses, gifts, and other merchandise.

Monthly Miraculous Mystery Bounty Freeroll

There’s even more freeroll action planned at 888poker. Players can win tickets to the Miraculous Mystery Bounty Freeroll, which runs monthly.

The exclusive freerolls offer a chance to win a share of up to a $60,000 guaranteed prize pool. To grab a seat, players need to complete any of the following within the month.

  • Mega Cash Games Challenge – Win 100 hands in cash games with any cards.
  • Tournaments Challenge – Finish five or more tournaments in the money.
  • Knockout Challenge – Eliminate 10 or more players in any progressive knockout (PKO) and Mystery Bounty tournaments.

Beyond the planned  guarantees, the 888poker Wizard will “charm” each monthly freeroll with a surprise guarantee. Players will find out about this addition three days beforehand.

The Wizard’s Spell offers poker players some nice options at free winnings for the next three months.

More series, live events coming from 888poker

The Winter XL Series is also currently underway at 888poker. The series offers players a guarantee of $2.5 million. The $250 Main Event offers players multiple starting flights with a $500,000 guarantee. For a complete series preview and schedule, click here.

The site also recently announced the complete 888poker Live schedule. Players will find numerous opportunities to qualify online for complete tournament packages.

The event schedule for 2023 includes stops in Spain, the United Kingdom, and more. For a complete preview of the schedule as well as information on how to qualify, click here.

★★★ Ready to get in the action at 888poker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

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888poker XL Winter Series Offers Mystery Bounty Fun; Qualify Online for Madrid Live Packages

With colder weather here, 888poker is ramping up the  XL Winter Series with more than $2.5 million guaranteed and action running Jan. 15-21.

With colder weather here, 888poker is fittingly ramping up the  XL Winter Series with more than $2.5 million guaranteed and action running Jan. 15-21.

Online poker players who are fans of mystery bounty events are in luck with this festival. The XL Series features many events in this popular format. The $250 Main Event features multiple starting flights with $500,000 guaranteed.

“We’re bringing the heat to the 888poker tables this winter season with another massive XL Winter Series,” the site noted in a news release. “We are focused on what our players want – bargain buy-ins and value for money.”

Action also kicks off this week in the 888poker Live MadridFestival soon and online qualifiers are still underway.

Inside the 888poker XL Winter Series

888 is hoping to appeal to players of every bankroll in the XL Winter Series. Buy-ins range from $5.50 to $55 for most events. The Main Event action begins on Jan. 25 with daily starting flights running through Jan. 30. Day 2 also begins on the same day. The final table then wraps up on Jan. 31.

Players will find several other tournaments each day throughout the series. The $2,100 Super High Roller Six-Max is one of the schedule’s marquee events and is set for Jan. 29 with $100,000 guaranteed.

The $109 Opening kicks off the series on Jan. 15 with $120,000 guaranteed. Players will also find a $525 high roller version with $50,0000 guaranteed and a $55 mini version also with $50,000 guaranteed.

Most days also feature the following several regular tournaments with a few special add-ons:

TournamentBuy–inGuarantee
$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
$15,000 XL Winter Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000

Streaming plans, winning seats for free

Those looking to grab a seat in the series for free have a few options. Players can buy in directly to the Main Event or play XL Winter Series freerolls, which are already underway. These events run through the series finale.

The 888poker Discord channel will also offer free tournament tickets as well as the latest 888poker news. Free tickets are also up for grabs on 888poker’s social media channels and during live streams of the upcoming 888 Live Madrid Festival (more on that series below).

The XL Winter Series offers several live streaming with series tickets giveaways and exclusive freerolls. The 888poker StreamTeam will host events on members’ Twitch.TV channels with more ticket giveaways. Here’s the 888pokerTV live stream schedule:

  • Jan. 16 – opening event live stream plus giveaways
  • Jan. 20-23 – 888poker LIVE Madrid Live streams plus XL Winter Series giveaways
  • Jan. 31 – XL Winter final table live stream

Check out the complete tournament schedule below.

888poker XL Winter Series 2023

DateEventBuy-inGTD
Jan. 15$12,000 XL Winter – Sunday Big Shot 33$33$12,000
Jan. 15$15,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 11$11$15,000
Jan. 15$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 15$50,000 XL Winter #01 – Mystery Bounty Mini Opening$55$50,000
Jan. 15$25,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 22$22$25,000
Jan. 15$10,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 5.5$5.50$10,000
Jan. 15$120,000 XL Winter #02 – Mystery Bounty Opening$109$120,000
Jan. 15$50,000 XL Winter #03 – Mystery Bounty HR Opening$525$50,000
Jan. 16$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 16$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 16$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 16$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 16$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 16$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 16$20,000 XL Winter #04 – PKO 8-Max$109$20,000
Jan. 16$5,000 XL Winter #05 – PKO 8-Max Mini$11$5,000
Jan. 17$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 17$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 17$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 17$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 17$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 17$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 17$30,000 XL Winter #06 – Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep$320$30,000
Jan. 17$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 17$12,000 XL Winter #07 – Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep Mini$33$12,000
Jan. 18$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 18$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 18$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 18$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 18$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 18$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 18$15,000 XL Winter #08 – 6-Max$109$15,000
Jan. 18$7,500 XL Winter #09 – 6-Max Mini$33$7,500
Jan. 19$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 19$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 19$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 19$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 19$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 19$20,000 XL Winter #10 – Mystery Bounty$55$20,000
Jan. 19$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 19$5,000 XL Winter #11 – Mystery Bounty Mini$5.50$5,000
Jan. 19$200,000 XL Winter #19 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max Day 1$160-
Jan. 20$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 20$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 20$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 20$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 20$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 20$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 20$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 20$200,000 XL Winter #19 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max Day 1$160-
Jan. 21$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 21$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 21$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 21$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 21$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 21$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 21$35,000 XL Winter #12 – High Roller$1,050$35,000
Jan. 21$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 21$200,000 XL Winter #19 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max Day 1$160-
Jan. 22$12,000 XL Winter – Sunday Big Shot 33$33$12,000
Jan. 22$15,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 11$11$15,000
Jan. 22$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 22$40,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 55$55$40,000
Jan. 22$20,000 XL Winter #13 – Mystery Bounty Mini 8-Max$11$20,000
Jan. 22$25,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 22$22$25,000
Jan. 22$10,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 5.5$5.50$10,000
Jan. 22$45,000 XL Winter #14 – Mystery Bounty HR 8-Max$525$45,000
Jan. 22$200,000 XL Winter #19 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max Day 1$160-
Jan. 23$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 23$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 23$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 23$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 23$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 23$6,000 XL Winter - Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 23$20,000 XL Winter #15 – PKO$109$20,000
Jan. 23$5,000 XL Winter #16 – PKO Mini$11$5,000
Jan. 23$200,000 XL Winter #17 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 2)-$200,000
Jan. 24$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 24$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 24$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 24$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 24$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 24$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 24$30,000 XL Winter #18 – Mystery Bounty$320$30,000
Jan. 24$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 24$12,000 XL Winter #19 – Mystery Bounty Mini$33$12,000
Jan. 25$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 25$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 25$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 25$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 25$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 25$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 25$15,000 XL Winter #20 – Super KO 8-Max$109$15,000
Jan. 25$7,500 XL Winter #21 – Super KO 8-Max Mini$33$7,500
Jan. 25$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 26$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 26$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 26$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 26$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 26$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 26$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 26$20,000 XL Winter #22 – PKO 6-Max$320$20,000
Jan. 26$20,000 XL Winter #23 – PKO 6-Max Mini$33$7,500
Jan. 26$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 27$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 27$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 27$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 27$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 27$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 27$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 27$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 27$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 28$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 28$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 28$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 28$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 28$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 28$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 28$35,000 XL Winter #24 – High Roller 8-Max$1,050$35,000
Jan. 28$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 28$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 29$12,000 XL Winter – Sunday Big Shot 33$33$12,000
Jan. 29$15,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 11$11$15,000
Jan. 29$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 29$50,000 XL Winter #25 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max$55$50,000
Jan. 29$25,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 22$22$25,000
Jan. 29$10,000 XL Winter – Sunday Mystery Bounty 5.5$5.50$10,000
Jan. 29$100,000 XL Winter #26 – Super High Roller 6-Max$2,100$100,000
Jan. 29$25,000 XL Winter #27 – Mystery Bounty 8-Max Mini$22$25,000
Jan. 29$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 30$7,500 XL Winter – Big Shot 33$33$7,500
Jan. 30$10,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 11$11$10,000
Jan. 30$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 8.80$8.80$6,000
Jan. 30$15,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 55$55$15,000
Jan. 30$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 22$22$12,000
Jan. 30$6,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 5.50$5.50$6,000
Jan. 30$12,000 XL Winter – Mystery Bounty 109$109$12,000
Jan. 30$500,000 XL Winter #28 – Main Event Day 1$250-
Jan. 30$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event (Day 2)-$500,000
Jan. 31$500,000 XL Winter #28 Main Event (final table)--

888 action heads to Madrid this week, online qualifiers continue

Along with the XL Winter Series, the site kicks off its live poker season this with 888poker Live Madrid running Jan. 13-23 at Casino Gran Via.

The €888 Main Event highlights the series with €300,000 guaranteed. Players can still qualify for the event online including via 888’s one-cent satellites.

Players can also jump in $109 direct qualifiers for a chance to win a luxury Madrid package worth €1,600. Each package includes: 

  • €888 Main Event buy-in
  • €400 for accommodations from Jan. 19-23
  • €312 in travel money
  • 888poker Live kit

888poker team ambassadors will represent the brand and support the player community during the series. Kara Scott, Ian Simpson, Vivian Saliba, and Alexandre “Cavalito” Mantovani will also be in attendance. The group’s newest member, Lucia Navarro, will also be part of the team on site.

888 will stream the Main Event from Jan. 20-23 with freerolls and giveaways part of the fun during the live coverage. Here are more details on the Main Event.

  • Starting stack – 88,000 chips
  • Day 1 and forward – 50-minute levels
  • Day 1D turbo – 20-minute levels
  • Final day – 60-minute levels
  • Unlimited re-entry

★★★ Ready to get in the action at 888poker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

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Poker Podium: Chris Klodnicki, Christian Rudolph Among Major December Online Winners

The holiday season brought plenty of gifts and treats for online poker players and Poker Podium looks at big December winners.

The holiday season brought plenty of gifts and treats for online poker players. A few bigger names found the winner’s podium during a hefty international online poker schedule.

PokerStars, GGPoker, and 888poker all held major series with big scores coming from players like Chris Klodnicki, Christian Rudolph, and Dan Wilson all finding some nice wins.

Poker Podium once again takes a look at some big online poker winners from December.

PokerStars

The New Year Series kicked off at PokerStars on Dec. 25 and runs through Jan. 17. The festival features 140 winter- and holiday-themed tournaments with $40 million guaranteed.

AS of Tuesday, the series had already produced big numbers including:

  • Tournaments completed – 119
  • Entries – 467,648 
  • Prize pool total – $16 million
  • First-place payouts – $2.3 million

The New Year’s Day Sunday Million was one of the marquee events so far and came with a special buy-in of $202.30. The normal $1 million guarantee remained intact.

The tournament saw 5,362 entries with Switzerland’s “Scoops 2022” scooping the first-place payout of $143,479, Scoops locked up the largest score of the series so far.

In other action, Dan “NukeTheFish!” Wilson topped the field in the $530 NLHE Six-Max for $32,659. This player from Ireland has $1.5 million in live tournament winnings as well as a doctorate in astrophysics.

The $530 NLHE Six-Max Deep Stack saw Christian “WATnlos” Rudolph, of Austria, rise to the top for $39,298. He has more than $5 million in live tournament winnings and also now another online score to add to his poker resumé.

In 2020 Rudolph grabbed a World Series of Poker bracelet online at GGPoker as well. He took down the $25,000 Poker Players Championship for $1.8 million.

Brazil’s Bruno “great dant” Volkmann Event took down a $320 NLHE event for $26,897. The New Year Series continues this month. For a complete preview, click here.

PSPC next up for PokerStars

The Stars action next heads to the Bahamas for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, which runs from Jan. 22 – Feb. 3 at the Baha Mar Resort.

The $25,000 PokerStars Players Championship is also part of the festivities. The company has awarded numerous Platinum Passes over the last year, which includes a complete tournament and travel package.

Stars ambassador Nicholas Walsh recently awarded a pass to one lucky winner – quite a Christmas gift.

GGPoker

Plenty of World Series of Poker championship ring action was underway at GGPoker in December. The Winter Circuit awards 18 championship rings and offers $150 million guaranteed throughout the series, which runs through Jan. 9.

Nick Maimone was already on a roll last month. He bagged a $1,050 Sunday Main Event High Roller for $80,332 and then took the title in the $1,500 Sunday Saver High Roller Hyper Turbo for another $34,090.

If that weren’t enough, he then came out on top in the $1,050 Naughty or Nice Bounty, which was part of the Winter Circuit. The tournament saw 1,399 players for a $1.4 million guarantee. Maimone pocketed $157,755 and his first WSOP Circuit ring. He has more than $2 million in live tournament winnings to go along with plenty of cashes online.

He wasn’t the only big name grabbing gold in December. Chris Klodnicki vanquished the competition in the $320 GGMasters Bounty Winter Freezeout. The event saw 1,421 players for a $422,037 prize pool.

Klodnicki picked up $40,590 for his efforts, adding to a deep poker record. In a career stretching back to 2005, Klodnicki has $10.1 million in live tournament winnings. That now includes two circuit rings and a WSOP bracelet as well.

Plenty of action remains in the Winter Circuit at GGPoker. Click here for a complete preview and click here for the WSOP.ca/GGPoker series in Ontario, Canada.

888poker

This site got in the spirit of the season in December with the Happy Holidays Sale series. The festival was a thank you to players and offered half off the tournament buy-in with the same normal guarantees.

888 awarded more than $300,000 in the series with players from the United Kingdom topping the leaderboard with three titles. Brazilian players grabbed two titles and the other event victories went to those in Malta, Ireland, Finland, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Belarus, and Montenegro.

All tournaments saw a total of 9,410 entries with $301,755 paid out. The $55 Mystery Bounty Main Event kicked off on Christmas Day and guaranteed $100,000. The tournament saw 1,618 players with 485 rebuys, topping the guarantee for a $105,150 prize pool.

In the end, “Laszlo_Szucs” took the top spot for $7,192 plus $258 in bounties for a total of $7,450.

The tournament also featured a top bounty of $10,000. Canada’s “Josieviolet” scooped that prize, finishing 113th for a total of $10,094.

In the $265 Mystery Bounty High Roller, Montenegro’s “Ognian1988” found the win for $12,034. The tournament produced 148 players, 37 rebuys, and a $46,250 prize pool, easily topping the $40,000 guarantee.

The tournament also features a $4,000 top bounty prize up for grabs, which went to Finland’s “Inflaatio.” The bounty winner finished sixth for a total payout of $8,957.