PokerStars WSOP Qualifiers Abound

Over the last few years, PokerStars has had perhaps the most visible logo at the World Series of Poker (well, except for the Party Poker banners and the logo on each table).  During the Main Event, one could count on seeing at least two players at each table wearing PokerStars gear.  And, of course, everyone knows about the back-to-back-to-back champions that play at PokerStars: Moneymaker, Raymer, and Hachem. 

This year, the poker room will once again send players to the Rio in droves.  Estimates currently place the number of Main Event seats PokerStars will award at over 1,000.  There are several ways to win the $12,500 prize package ($10,000 for the seat, $2,500 for expenses). 

First, there is the multitude of cash satellites, which all lead up to weekly Main Event qualifiers.  There are four weekly events – the “High Roller” qualifier with a direct entry buy-in of $1,050, the European qualifier for $650, the Australian qualifier for $475, and the “Main” qualifier for $650.  They are open to anybody – the regional qualifiers are simply held at times more convenient for Europeans and Australians.  Players can satellite into each of the qualifiers through a variety of paths, with buy-ins ranging from $2 on up to $225.  Several different tournament formats will be used for the satellites, as well: sit-and-go, shootout, re-buy, freezeout, and turbo. 

Those with FPP’s to spare can also play in FPP satellites.  There are three different initial satellites to reach the final FPP qualifier: 40 FPP re-buy multi-table tourney (MTT), 400 FPP MTT, and 40 FPP freezeout MTT.  Each awards seats into the weekly qualifier for the Main Event prize package. 

Finally, there are the popular Steps sit-and-go’s.  In these, players can work their way up a ladder of six sit-and-go levels to attempt to win a seat in the Main Event.  Step 1 has a buy-in of $7.50 or 500 FPP, but each Step (except for Step 6) can be skipped by simply buying-in directly to a higher Step.  The top two finishers in each step move up, while other finishers may get the opportunity to try again or loop back to a lower level.  The winner of Step 6 gets the Main event seat, while the second through sixth place finishers win cash. 

PokerStars will also give players cash bonuses for making a TV table during the Main Event and for making the final table.