Posted on

PokerStars Hosts ‘Easter With Aces’ Featuring Platinum Pass; ESPT-Madrid Breaks Records

PokerStars is bringing online poker players 13 days of action April 4-16 with the Easter With Aces series and a Platinum Pass on the line.

With spring in bloom, PokerStars is bringing online poker players 13 days of action April 4-16 as part of the Easter With Aces  series. Players will find 10 tournaments and six community home games as part of a fun new low-roller series.

 Poker pro and PokerStars ambassador Fintan “EasyWithAces” Hand hosts the series with plenty of fun and prizes planned as well as a $186,490 guaranteed prize pool. The Easter series includes buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $55 with a Main Event featuring guaranteeing $75,000.

A highly coveted Platinum Pass will also be up for grabs for the PokerStars Players Championship. That awards a player a complete travel package and $25,000 tournament buy-in.

“Happy Easter you beautiful folks,” Hand said in a news release announcing the series. “I am really excited that PokerStars are giving me my own series and an amazing opportunity for someone from my community to win a PSPC Platinum Pass.”

 

What to expect from the series

The Easter With Aces festival isn’t the traditional poker series and Stars is throwing some additional bonuses into the mix. Throughout the series, Hand will also set challenges via Twitch moderators.

PokerStars is promising some entertaining viewing as Hnd attempts to meet these challenges during the series.

Easter With Aces is a great opportunity for those with lower bankrolls to take a shot at some nice prize pools. The events kick off on April 4 with an $11 No Limit Hold’em Freezeout with a $7,500 guarantee.

Another interesting event is the $55 High Roller on April 9 with a $20,000 guarantee.

The $33 Main Event is set for April 16 and comes with a $75,000 guarantee. Here’s a look at the complete series.

2022 PokerStars Easter With Aces

DateTournamentBuy-inGuarantee
April 401: $11 NLHE [8-Max, Freezeout]$11$7,500
April 502: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Bounty]$5.50$5,000
April 603: $22 NLHE [8-Max, Freezeout]$22$10,000
April 74: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO, Turbo PKO]$5.50$5,000
April 805: $11 Eight-Game [6-Max, 8-Game]$11$2,500
Aprtil 906: $55 NLHE [8-Max, High Roller]$55$20,000
April 1007: $11 NLHE [8-Max, Triple Stack]$11$7,500
April 1108: $22 NLHE [Marathon]$22$10,000
April 1209: $5.50 NLHE [8-Max, Deep Stack]$5.50$5,000
April 1610: $33 NLHE [8-Max, Main Event]$33$75,000
April 17EasterWithAces Freeroll – 1 Platinum Pass + $9,000 Guaranteed* Freeroll ticket$38,990
TOTAL$186,490

More planned for PokerStars’ Easter With Aces

Alongside the tournaments, six community home games are set for April 13-15, with buy-ins from 11 cents to 55 cents.

Tickets awarded throughout the series for a special freeroll on April 17 may be even more exciting. Those who snag a ticket have some big prizes to play for.

First place score a Platinum Pass for a once-a-lifetime tournament opportunity. Several other nice prizes are also planned and here’s a look at what to expect.

  • 1st – Platinum Pass
  • 2nd – $5,300 tournament ticket
  • 3rd – $1,050 ticket
  • 4th-5th – $530 ticket
  • 6th-7th – $109 ticket
  • 8th-9th – $55 ticket
  • 10th-50th – $22 ticket
  • 51st-100th – $11 ticket

Stars and Hand are promising even more in the coming days. Players are asked to keep an eye on Hand’s Twitch channel for some entertaining content.

 

ESPT sees record turnout for Main Event

In other PokerStars news, the Estrellas Poker Tour continues playing out in Madrid, Spain. Many European players are pleased to see live poker return to the continent.  

That may be exemplified by the ESPT Madrid €1,100 Main Event turnout. The tournament broke the tour attendance record with 784 entries across four starting days for a €752,640 prize pool.

That topped the 2014 record of 721 entries. The Main Event wrapped up on Sunday at Casino Gran Vía with Romani’s Nico Giuri finding the top spot for €123,410. This was by far the largest live tournament score of his poker career.

Giuri won the event after cutting a heads-up deal with Josef Snejberg, who took home €100,000. Japanese player Makoto Yoshimichi finished third for €61,360.

In other action, Norway’s Tom Bedell took the title and €55,220 in the €5,200 Super High Roller. The tournament saw a field of 33 entries with Yaman Nakdali taking runner-up for €36,010.

More PokerStars Live action is in the works including the EPT Monte Carlo, set for April 28 – May 7.

★★★ Looking to get in the action at PokerStars? Click here for a complete site review and exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

Complete Schedule Released for PokerStars Big 20 Birthday Bash; Huge Prizes on the Line

PokerStars is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the new Big 20 Rewind from Nov. 14 – Dec. 4 with $5.5 million guaranteed and some huge prizes.

PokerStars is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the new Big 20 Rewind. The series runs Nov. 14 – Dec. 4 with $5.5 million guaranteed and promises some unique events.

The celebration features buy-ins for all bankrolls with events meant to represent a major moment in PokerStars history. The site is also putting some major extra prizes on the line as well. Some of that includes online tournament tickets, Platinum Passes, trips around the world, and more.

Inside the PokerStars Big 20 Rewind schedule

With huge moments through the years, both live and online, PokerStars made plenty of poker history in its 20 years. Players jumping in the Big 20 action will find plenty of interesting events.

The schedule offers a complete PokerStars retrospective, highlighted by the $55 Big 20 Finale. The three day event runs Dec. 5-7 and comes with a $5 million guarantee. Here’s a look at the complete series and prizes available.

Nov. 14: 2001 – Year of PokerStars

  • Buy-in: $11
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $100,000
  • Prize: SLAM package (SCOOP & WCOOP Main Event buy-ins), EPT package, PSPC Platinum Pass

Nov. 16: 2002 – Year of WCOOP

  • Buy-in: $1,050
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $250,000
  • Prize: Luxury trip around the world

Nov. 17: 2003 – Year of Moneymaker

  • Buy-in: $86
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $125,000
  • Prize: 20th Anniversary “PokerStars Passport” including $10,000 in buy-ins for live events in 2022

Nov. 18: 2004 – Year of the EPT

  • Buy-in: $1,050
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $250,000
  • Prize: 20th Anniversary trophy in the style of the original EPT, plus an EPT package

Nov. 19: 2005 – Year of the PCA

  • Buy-in: $109
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $100,000
  • Prize: Luxury trip to the Bahamas

PokerStars is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the special Big 20 Rewind series, running Nov. 14 to Dec. 4 with 20 nostalgic tournaments.

Nov. 21: 2006 – Year of the Sunday Million

  • Buy-in: $215
  • Start time: $215 (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $1,000,000
  • Prize: Tickets to a major sports event final held on a Sunday

Nov. 22: 2007 – Year of EPT Live

  • Buy-in: Freeroll
  • Start time: 14:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $20,000
  • Prize: Streaming package (gaming station, chair, headset, webcam)

Nov.  22: 2008 – Year of the Turbo Takedown

  • Buy-in: $30
  • Start time: 14:30 ET
  • Guarantee: $100,000
  • Prize: An electric car valued up to $100,000

Nov. 23: 2009 – Year of SCOOP

  • Buy-in: $109
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $300,000
  • Prize: 20th anniversary luxury watches for all three winners

Nov. 23: 2009 – Year of SCOOP

  • Buy-in: $1,050
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $700,000
  • Prize: 20th anniversary luxury watches for all three winners

Nov. 23: 2009 – Year of SCOOP

  • Buy-in: $10,300
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $750,000
  • Prize: 20th Anniversary luxury watches for all three winners

Nov. 24: 2010 – Year of the Big Game

  • Buy-in: $55
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $250,000
  • Prize: State-of-the-art TV and surround sound system

Nov. 25: 2011 – Year of Home Games

  • Buy-in: $11
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $100,00
  • Prize: Home Game package with table and poker set including the use of a dealer and chef for one night

Nov. 26: 2012 – Year of Zoom

  • Buy-in: $11
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $125,000
  • Prize: Tickets to the Monte Carlo Grand Prix plus an EPT package

Nov. 27: 2013 – Year of the PKO

  • Buy-in: $22
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $225,000
  • Prize: UFC tickets

Nov. 28: 2014 – Year of Spin & Go

  • Buy-in: $10
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $150,000
  • Prize: Dinner at a Michelin three-star restaurant for the winner and two friends with a value of up to $5,000

Nov. 29: 2015 – Year of Sports & Casino

  • Buy-in: $55
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $200,000
  • Prize: Trip to Las Vegas

Nov. 30: 2016 – Year of the USA

  • Buy-in: $200
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $200,000
  • Prize: Trip to New York

Dec. 1: 2017 – Year of Twitch

  • Buy-in: $11
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $100,000
  • Prize: Trip to TwitchCon in Amsterdam

Dec. 2: 2018 – Year of the Platinum Pass

  • Buy-in: $5
  • Start time: 13:05 ET
  • Guarantee: $50,000
  • Prize: $10,000 in tickets to Year of the PSPC tournament for top finishers

Dec. 3: 2019 – Year of the PSPC

  • Buy-in: $25
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $150,000
  • Prize: Platinum Pass for PSPC 2022

Dec. 4: 2020 – Year of the Arena

  • Buy-in: $5,200
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (two-day event)
  • Guarantee: $300,000
  • Prize: VIP Live Foo Fighters arena concert experience

Dec. 5: The Big 20 Finale

  • Buy-in: $55
  • Start time: 13:05 ET (three day event ends on Tue 7 December)
  • Guarantee: $5 million

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

Posted on

PokerStars Forced to Delay Players Championship, Pass Winners in Waiting Game

The PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC) has been cancelled this year, the company announced this week.

The PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC) has been cancelled this year, the company announced this week. The event was set for August at Casino Barcelona in Spain.

This would have been the second PSPC after PokerStars ran the event in the Bahamas in 2019.

“We are excitedly looking ahead to a later date when we can truly celebrate being back with our community with a bang when the time is right,” the company noted in a news release.

PokerStars spectacular on hold with hopes to plan event the future

The first PSPC became the biggest $25,000 buy-in poker tournament in history. PokerStars offered Platinum Passes throughout 2018 for winners online, in small buy-in live events as part of the Chris Moneymaker Tour, and social media contests.

The tournament awarded more than $26.4 million to 181 players with 43 of those being Platinum Pass winners. The final table produced six players taking home scores of more than $1 million.

Spain’s Ramon Colillas entered the event as a Platinum Pass winner and topped the massive field for $5.1 million. The unique event brought together an interesting mix of pros and amateurs.

Platinum Pass winners not only secured a buy-in but also an all-expenses paid trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

COVID cancels PokerStars PSPC again

PokerStars hoped to relive some of the event’s excitement in 2020. The Coronavirus pandemic, however, cut those plans short.

This year’s cancellation means players will have to wait at least another year. The company hasn’t offered an alternative date but promised to offer regular updates.

“We know that this further news will come as a disappointment to many hoping the PSPC would take place this year,” the company said, “but our priority is the safety and good health of all our players and staff, as well as the communities that host such large events.”

This postponement won’t affect any players who have already won Platinum Passes. In total, PokerStars has already awarded passes to 400 players.

The company promises more promotions in the future awarding more.

“We look forward to highlighting our Platinum Pass winners, sharing their amazing stories and creating that brilliant community of winners that we had in our inaugural event,” PokerStars noted.

“Our Platinum Pass winners are a very special community and we will continue to plan activities and surprises in the run-up to the event, albeit with a longer than expected lead time. We promise it will be worth the wait.”

★★★ Looking to get in the PokerStars action? Click here for a complete site review and exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

PokerStars Offers Live Events, Platinum Passes, Big Online Action in Coming Months

The Platinum Pass parade continues for PokerStars and the site announced plans for even more chances to win on Thursday.

From live events to a huge Carnaval Series, PokerStars has plenty of events and online opportunities for players over the next few weeks. That includes numerous opportunities to win a Platinum Pass.

The EPT Sochi also approaches as well as the 14th anniversary of the Sunday Million. There will also be numerous major online tournaments in the coming months. Here’s a look at what to expect from PokerStars.

 

Southern Europe ready to party with massive PokerStars Carnaval series

Online players in southern Europe are in store for more than two weeks of online poker action Feb. 16 to March 2. The PokerStars Carnaval Series features a guaranteed prize pool of more than €8 million. The 166-event schedule will be for for players in France, Spain, and Portugal.

The €250 buy-in Main Event on March 1 features a €500,000 guarantee. PokerStars is offering players some nice qualifying options:

  • Depositor Freeroll – €25,000 worth of Main Event tickets will be awarded in a special freeroll on Feb. 29. Players must make a deposit of €25 from Feb. 16-29.
  • Spin & Go’s – €12.50 Spin & Go’s begin running Feb. 16 awarding €250 Main Event tickets.

The inaugural Carnaval Series in 2019 drew more than 34,500 players and a €11.2 million prize pool.

At the same time, Italian players can jump in their own “Carnival Series” from Feb. 16 to March 2. The festivities feature €5 million guaranteed with 110 events. The €250 buy-in Main Event on March 1 features a €400,000 guarantee. That should have plenty of players in a festive spirit.

Platinum Passes on the line in Germany

Poker players in Germany have the chance to play for a Platinum Pass on their home turf March 10-15. The Road to PSPC: Hamburg will be held at Casino Schenefeld.

In addition to the first-place prize money, the winner of the €200 Main Event takes home a Platinum Pass. As many poker players know, that means a free trip and €22,500 entry into the  PokerStars Players No Limit Championship (PSPC) in Barcelona Aug. 20-24.

Platinum Pass packages are valued at €26,000 and also include six nights’ luxury hotel accommodation, flights, and other travel expenses for the winner and guest.

Players can earn entry online for free through Freebuy satellites awarding tickets to even bigger qualifying tournaments. Online satellites are underway and run through March 8. Players can win complete tournament packages that include the Main Event entry and travel expenses.

Road to PSPC tournaments have been awarding Platinum Passes to players throughout the United Kingdom, France, and Spain since last year. The low buy-ins and fun atmosphere have make them popular events.

PokerStars Platinum Madness Challenge continues with 21 passes awarded

The PokerStars 21-day Platinum Madness Challenge continues through March 1. The promotion will award 21 Platinum Passes and a total of more than $1 million in prizes. 

The challenge is available across .com markets. Separate challenges are also offering €500,000 in prizes including 21 Platinum Passes on the .fr and .es sites.

 Players who like challenges and board games are in for a treat with the new promotion. Here’s how players can get in the action:

  • Opt-in via the Challenges Window.
  • Play real money games and earn Stars Rewards Chests containing dice rolls.
  • Roll the dice to move that number of spaces across the playing board and land on PSPC Chests to earn prizes. That includes a chance to win a Platinum Pass. Land on a ladder to climb upward and make it to the end of the board faster.
  • Complete the board and win additional prizes and more chances for a Platinum Pass.

Those making it all the way to Square 49 receive an additional PSPC Chest. This will contain a shot at one of five Platinum Passes and a larger reward than other PSPC Chests.

Players reaching the final square on the board also receive a ticket to the Last Chance Freeroll on March 2. The event offers the last pass opportunity as part of Platinum Madness.

 

PokerStars, EPT heading to Sochi with numerous online qualifiers

Hundreds of players will head to Russia’s Casino Sochi for one of PokerStars’ flagship events of 2020, EPT Sochi. The event is set for March 20-29 and special Freebuy feeder tournaments are already underway online.

These events have unlimited $0.11 rebuys, run every weekend, and each award one seat to the $215 qualifier. Those then take place on Sundays and guarantee up to eight Main Event seats.

PokerStars is also giving away EPT Sochi Main Event packages. These include accommodations in a five-star hotel, expenses, and the $4,500 Main Event buy-in. Players can take their shot in a $5 Spin & Go.

EPT Sochi features 25 events with the Main Event set for March 24-29. A Platinum Pass is also up for grabs for those who qualify for the Main Event online.

There is also plenty for players to enjoy off the felt in the mountain ski resort of Krasnaya Polyana. PokerStars will host the Bowling Cup on March 26 and Karaoke Battle on March 27.

Get online now for a chance at some big money and big fun at this EPT prestigious event.

Sunday Million anniversary celebration features $12.5 million guaranteed

PokerStars’ celebrates the 14th anniversary of the Sunday Million tournament in style on March 22. The $215 event features $12.5 million guaranteed, the site’s biggest guarantee and prize pool ever for a single event.

Players can win their way into this iconic tournament via satellites starting at less than $1. There will also be a late-registration period of 24 hours, giving players extra time to sign up.

The Sunday Million tournament launched on March 6, 2006. It remains the world’s biggest $1 million guaranteed weekly poker tournament.

The first tournament attracted 5,893 players, a total prize pool of $1.2 million. Canadian player “aaaaaaaa” won that event for $173,843. Another player will make some more Sunday Million history when this event concludes..

Click here for a complete review of PokerStars including the exclusive opportunity to earn $30 in Free Play and a 100% Deposit Match up to $600.

Posted on

PokerStars Throwing $12.5 Million Birthday Bash; More Platinum Passes Awarded in 2020

PokerStars is celebrating its 14th anniversary on March 22 with a Sunday Million event featuring a $12.5 million guarantee.

PokerStars celebrates its 14th anniversary on March 22. The site is marking the occasion with the biggest guarantee and prize pool for a single event in PokerStars history.

The Sunday Million just got a bit bigger. PokerStars is upping the ante to celebrate and  the tournament will feature a $12.5 million guaranteed prize pool.

With so much on the line, the event should attract players looking to cash in for a massive score. The site began promoting this major event almost two months before cards are in the air.

PokerStars Sunday “Multi-Million” details

Players can expect a $215 buy-in for the anniversary event. The site will also be offering numerous opportunities to win a seat with satellites start at less than $1.

The Million will also offer a 24-hour late-registration period, giving players extra time to sign up. The Sunday tournament has become a PokerStars staple and remains one of the most popular in online poker.

The first Sunday Million tournament was held on March 6, 2006. That tournament attracted 5,893 players and a $1.2 million prize pool. Canadian player “aaaaaaaa” won that first event for $173,843.

The Sunday Million remains the world’s biggest $1 million guaranteed weekly poker tournament.

Battle for PokerStars Platinum Passes continues

Beyond the birthday bash, 2020 is again a big year for the company for other reasons. PokerStars announced in August that the Platinum Pass promotion would be revived in 2019-20.

Several of those coveted prizes have already been awarded with more packages up for grabs throughout the year. The €22,500 buy-in ($25,000) PokerStars Players Championship (PSPC) is set for Aug. 20-24 in Barcelona, Spain.

A Platinum Pass includes a buy-in for the event and a complete travel getaway Barcelona. It is one of the most coveted prizes in poker and the buzz should build throughout the year.

A two-time Platinum Pass winner ready for Barcelona

Canada’s Jennifer Carter made some news recently after winning her second straight Platinum Pass. Carter enjoys playing small-stakes tournaments on the site via mobile phone.

In 2018, she topped a field on more than 21,000 players in an online freeroll to win her seat in the Bahamas. Amazingly, she won yet another pass in October.

That came after starting out in a $2 Mega Path tournament. She then moved up three more steps to earn a seat in Barcelona this August. She’s now one of just three people to have won a Platinum Pass twice.

She told the PokerStars blog that she tried the $2 Mega Path route about 50 times before hitting paydirt. Her story shows how the event appealed to small-stakes players and professionals alike.

“I don’t know how I did it,” she told the PokerStars blog. “Because it’s me. I can’t beat $.01/.02 online! It’s unbelievable. I was literally baking muffins during this tournament, doing dishes.

“And then in Step 4 I was just sitting in my bed knitting. I don’t have a bankroll because I can’t even win a $1 tournament. But I can win the biggest ones. I just don’t get it.”

PokerStars awarded more than 300 Platinum Passes over 13 months for the inaugural PSPC in January 2019. The event was held at the Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas and featured a $26 million prize pool.

Platinum Pass winner Ramon Colillas topped a field of 1,039 to take home $5.1 million. Carter will once again be among the field in Barcelona hoping for a deep run.

“It feels like full circle right now,” she said. “I’m thrilled. It’s unbelievable.”