Stars Group launches Pokerstars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship

Stars Group today announced the launch of the First Ever PokerStars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship, a poker tournament that will be the culmination of all PokerStars online and live promotions and player rewards throughout 2018. The year-long journey to the tournament, which will take place in the Bahamas January 6-10, 2019, will see PokerStars, the flagship brand of The Stars Group, give away an estimated USD 8 M worth of free tournament packages and contribute an additional USD 1 M to the prize pool generated by entrants for first prize. PokerStars aims to make the tournament the richest-ever USD 25,000 live event in poker history.

This unique poker tournament is intended to bring the poker world together in celebration of the game while providing a one-of-a-kind immersive live poker experience and the chance for players of all skill levels to win millions of dollars.

"We expect the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship will set the new global standard for live poker tournaments," said Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group, Rafi Ashkenazi. "We want to demonstrate and reinforce our commitment to the game, and give something back to the players by investing in our live events in a meaningful way. Our objective is to create an event that brings professionals and amateurs together, creating many winning moments and unforgettable stories."

Throughout 2018, PokerStars will give away more than 300 tournament packages, known as Platinum Passes, on PokerStars live tours around the world, and online in tournaments, cash games, promotions, and via the Stars Rewards loyalty program. Each Platinum Pass is expected to be worth around $30,000 and includes the $25,000 tournament buy-in, accommodation at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino Resort in the Bahamas, and $2,000 in cash towards travel costs. Like most poker tournaments, players can also buy in directly for $25,000. Tournament participants can also expect potential additional rewards, surprises, and experiences like that of no other tournament.

"I'm super excited about the Players No Limit Hold'em Championship," said Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. "This is going to be an incredible experience for those who participate and everyone, no matter their skill level, has a chance to win a Platinum Pass. It will be a must play event with loads of added value."

Following on from the well-loved PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) earlier this year, PokerStars has also today announced the refocus of certain of its live tour brands, including the European Poker Tour (EPT), Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). At least one Platinum Pass will be given away at each EPT, LAPT and APPT stop, as well as at each PokerStars Festival and PokerStars MEGASTACK event. PokerStars Festival events are mainly tailored for recreational players and take place in destination cities around the world, while PokerStars MEGASTACK events offer deep-structured tournaments at a low, accessible price in cities around Europe and the United States.