At the start of 2019, PokerStars presented a tournament that, to be brutally honest, the poker industry wasn’t sure would be a success. The PokerStars Players’ Championship actually turned out. The PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship tournament will take place from January 6-10, 2019 in the Bahamas, as part of the PokerStars PCA series. The PSPC is an open-event, $25,000 buy-in tournament. There is no re-entry. There is no rake.

1. 2019 Pokerstars Players Championship
2. Pokerstars Players Championship 2019 Standings
3. Pokerstars Live Tournaments

PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC) has become a record-breaker with time left to spare after more than 1,000 players sat down for Day 1 of the $25,000 event.

PokerStars sets another record as more than 1,000 players fill the Atlantis Resort & Casino. (Image: Casino Global Club)

Even though the registration desks remained opened until the start of Day 2 on January 7, PokerStars’ marquee high roller has etched its name into the history books after its opening flight. According to the live reports, 1,014 runners anted-up to play for a share of the $25 million+ prizepool.

12-Year-Old Record Falls

In tempting 1,014 players to sit down inside the Atlantis Resort & Casino, Bahamas, PokerStars has surpassed the previous record set by the World Poker Tour (WPT). Back before the events of Black Friday rocked the industry in 2011, the 2007 WPT Championship made the headlines by attracting 639 entrants.

With that target in sight, PokerStars added $9 million to the prizepool and gave 320 Platinum Pass winners, including Arlie Shaban, a chance to play alongside the game’s high rollers. In doing that, the operator has not only broken the record for the biggest ever $25,000 tournament but ensured the winner gets at least $5 million.

Leading the race for the biggest prize ever PokerStars payout at the close of Day 1 was Talal Shakerchi. A regular on the high stakes scene, the Englishman bagged 425,300 chips to end the session ahead of Dan O’Brien (301,200) and Alexis Gavin (267,000) and Platinum Pass winner Andrei Kurov (260,400).

PokerStars Event Shows Poker is Booming

In attracting a record crowd featuring celebrities such as Bruch Buffer, PokerStars has shown that the industry is alive and kicking. Although online poker isn’t as buoyant as it was during the early noughties, tournament fields have rebounded in recent years.

Following a downturn after Black Friday, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) rebounded and broke numerous records in 2018. In tandem with side events raising the bar, the $10,000 Main Event was the biggest since 2006.

By welcoming 7,874 players, the championship event stood as a sign that poker is in a state of recovery. At the start of 2019, the PSPC has continued this trend and shown once again that industry is on its way back up.

As well as being a positive for the game as a whole, the PSPC is another feather in PokerStars’ cap. After watching its main rival Partypoker host the largest online MTT in history just before Christmas, the operator has responded in the best way possible by breaking yet another attendance record.

2019 Pokerstars Players Championship

Got questions about the PokerStars Players NL Hold'em Championship (PSPC), and need help with your trip to paradise? Check out the most frequently asked questions below, or contact us.

The PokerStars Players NL Hold’em Championship (PSPC) launched in 2019 as a rake-free, $25,000 buy-in poker tournament. It aimed to be one of the biggest in poker history, and it succeeded, with 1,039 players taking part. Ramón Colillas, a Platinum Pass winner, eventually walked away victorious after turning his free entry into a staggering $5,100,000.

In 2020, the PSPC returns and could be bigger and better than before. Get playing and win your Platinum Pass via a range of routes.

PSPC 2020 takes place from August 20 to 24, 2020, during EPT Barcelona.

Other key tournaments taking place during EPT Barcelona include:

• EPT Barcelona National Event – August 15-18, 2020
• EPT Super High Roller – August 17-19, 2020
• EPT Barcelona Main Event – August 24-30, 2020

A full schedule of tournaments will be released closer to the PSPC start date.

PSPC 2020 will play out in the seaside city of Barcelona, Spain. The casino is mere minutes’ walk from the beach as well as a host of hotel, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

The PSPC has a €22,500 (approx.$25,000) buy-in. However, we recommend you try and qualify for the event by winning a Platinum Pass.

Pokerstars Players Championship 2019 Standings

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the PSPC or any EPT Barcelona events. No persons under the age of 18 are allowed to enter the tournament area or the casino at any time.

There are numerous qualification options open to players. Keep an eye on the PokerStars Live and PokerStars Blog and social media channels and never miss out on details. Click here for a list of live events where you can win a Platinum Pass.

A Platinum Pass package is your chance to play the PSPC for free. Please visit the PSPC main page for full details on what is included in a package, and how you can win one.

All Platinum Pass packages are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you are unable to attend the PokerStars Players NL Hold'em Championship, you will forfeit the entire value of the prize package.

Can I purchase a PokerStars Players NL Hold'em Championship package?

Yes, there are multiple ways in which you can purchase a package, visit the Buy-in page or contact our Registrations Team for full details.

Please Note: if you register for PSPC in advance of the event, we will reserve you a seat. If you do not arrive to collect your ticket, and have not informed us of your un-registration BEFORE the start of the tournament, your funds will be added to the prize pool and you will not be entitled to a refund.

Of course! Visit the Buy-in page for or more details or contact us.

Pokerstars Live Tournaments

You can buy chips at the Casino Cashier desk with credit or debit cards, but you cannot directly buy-into the tournament.

You can also wire the funds to the casino in advance. For details, please check the Buy-in page.

Barcelona Casino offers a currency exchange service. It is your responsibility for ensuring you have the correct funds (EUR ONLY) to buy into any of the events on the schedule.

If you have won (or bought) a Platinum Pass package, you will be required to complete an online accommodations registration form, where you can input all hotel details, including requests for extensions and upgrades. Any special requests (i.e. additional nights, additional guests, upgrading accommodation), should be included on this registration form. You will then be contacted with rates and information regarding the request by our Accommodations Team.

For all other players, media and anyone else planning on attending the event, please go to PokerStars Travel or contact the PokerStars Travel team.

There is only one starting day for the PSPC. The event starts on August 20, 2019.

There are multiple ways to buy into side events. Visit the Buy-in page for full details.

We will allow you to take a portion in cash at the Casino discretion. The rest can be deposited into your Stars Account if you have a COM or EU account, or wired directly to a bank account in your name.

Yes. There will be a Party held as part of the EPT Barcelona event that all PokerStars Players NL Hold'em Championship players are invited to attend. Further details will be announced closer to the event.

Yes. You are required to accept the PSLive Terms of Use to sign up for a PSLive account. The PSLive Terms of Use are comprised of The Stars Group rules and regulations governing live poker tournaments and cash games during tour events. Upon registration to a Tournament for the first time, you will need to accept the PSLive Terms in order to receive a PSLive Card, which is mandatory to play in any of the tournaments.

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