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As soon as the World Series of Poker Europe winds down, many of the games’ top professionals will dive right into another popular series of poker tournaments. However, the venue for these particular tournaments won’t be the lavish London casinos, but instead could be sitting at a desk, lolling on a couch, or even lounging by a pool, as PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker returns. Starting September 14, players will compete in a twenty-three tournament series that concludes on September 30 with the $2600 buyin No Limit Hold’em Main Event.
The series has grown in popularity (and players) each and every year since its inception in 2002. This year boasts six tournaments with at least half a million guaranteed in prize money, including the Main Event that has a staggering $5 million guaranteed prize pool, up $2 million from just a year ago. Also new this year are the $100,000 guaranteed 2-7 Triple Draw and the $100,000 guaranteed Pot Limit 5-card Draw. Making a return on September 28 is the No Limit Hold’em Triple Shootout Tournament that was used in 2005, but was put on hold last year. All in all, PokerStars is guaranteeing $15 million for the series!
With all that money to be won, don’t expect to find only internet tournament regulars in the fields. Several of pokers’ top pro players have entered this amazing series and have some very notable cashes. Just last year, tournament wizard J.C. Tran (Area23JC) won the WCOOP Main Event for over $670,000! J.C. isn’t the only “name pro” to have success in the WCOOP. Names like Jason Strasser (strassa2), Eric Sagstrom (Eric123), David Bennefield (Bebop86), Scott Fischman (EmptySeat88), Jennifer Leigh (Jennicide), Kyle Bowker (kwob20), Eric Haber (Sheets), Chris Moneymaker (Money800), Barney Boatman (BarnyBoatman), Humberto Brenes (Humberto B.), Chad Brown (Stelladora), Tom Dwan (Hold_emNL), and Carl Olsen (Colsen10) have all had great finishes in the WCOOP. With the guarantees in nearly every tournament at an all time high, expect even more household names (and forum celebrities) to play the WCOOP this year.
While the buy-ins to many of these tournament may exceed the bankroll of the typical internet player (ranging from $215 all the way up to the $5200 H.O.R.S.E), ‘Stars makes it easy for everyone to at least have a chance at the big money. Players may qualify for as little $2.20 in the cash satellites or for as few as 400 of their Frequent Player Points (FPP). In fact, PokerStars is giving away over $1 million in seats through its FPP program.
PokerStars is the largest site on the planet for a reason. Full Tilt is growing each and every day… and with good reason. However, ‘Stars’ loyalty program, constant software updates, and customer service are second to none. This year’s WCOOP promises to be the biggest and best online tournament series in the world, with the Main Event Champion possibly taking home a cool million dollars!
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