PokerStars Players Championship Enjoys Record Turnout

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Over the last year, the poker world has been hyping the PokerStars Players Championship with numerous events around the world and online giving away Platinum Passes worth $25,000 and a trip to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure to play in the event.

The event finally kicked off on Sunday, and the event exceeded PokerStars’ wildest imagination, ultimately creating the largest $25,000 poker tournament in the history of live poker. The PokerStars Players Championship drew a record 1,039 players and is quickly approaching the money bubble. After two days of play, Farid Jattin is the chip leader with numerous big names in contention for over $5 million in first place prize money.

PokerStars Players Championship Draws 1,039 Players

Sunday saw the commencement of the PokerStars Players Championship at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. The PCA is held annually at the Atlantis Casino in the Caribbean and draws pros and amateur poker players from around the world.

The buildup to this event has been massive with numerous Platinum Passes given out throughout the year. Sunday, those pass holders took their shot at poker glory along with other players looking to make history. By the end of Sunday, the field already exceeded 1,000 players and by the time that late registration closed at the start of Day 2 play on Monday, a total of 1,039 players put up the $25,000 buy-in.

This made the PokerStars Players Championship the largest $25,000 tournament in the history of poker, creating a prize pool of $26.45 million. The event will pay 181 players with a min-cash earning $25,450. While technically only a $450 profit for what will be over two days of play, a number of players who won their way into the event will earn a massive payday with a min-cash.

The top six players in this event will all become poker millionaires. Eventually, the winner will take home $5.1 million.

PokerStars Director of Marketing Eric Hollreiser commented on the turnout in a press release, stating, “Passion and interest in poker is alive and well in 2019, and this tournament highlights the global excitement for the game. Tens of thousands of players participated in a year of unique promotions leading up to the event and that enthusiasm delivered one of the most exciting events in poker history.”

Long-time PokerStars ambassador Daniel Negreanu also comment, stating, “This tournament has been in the works for over a year and it’s been super exciting to follow the journey of the many Platinum Pass winners. I had a chance to meet many of them, and their excitement for this event is truly what poker is all about. The turnout was simply unbelievable! Over 1,000 players in a $25k buy-in. PokerStars did a fantastic job making this event happen, and the players themselves had input into everything from the blind structures to the payouts. It’s truly been the No-Limit Holdem Players Championship.”

Jattin and Kanit Lead Final 215 Players

After two days of play, Farid Jattin leads all players with 921,000 in chips. Mustapha Kanit and Griffin Benger are right behind with 888k and 885k respectively. Other players in the top 10 include Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Julien Martini, and Brandon Adams.

GPI Women’s Player of the Year Kristen Bicknell is making an awesome showing in this event, presently 17th in chips with 631,000. Other notable players still alive in this event include Talal Shakerchi, Dan O’Brien, Christoph Vogelsang, Dan Shak, Ryan Riess, Jack Salter, Will Failla, Frank Kassela, Sam Greenwood, and Martin Jacobson.

Day 3 kicks off on Tuesday and will easily reach the money. Afterward, everyone’s attention will turn toward the final table. Can someone turn a Platinum Pass into a $5 million payday or will poker’s elite come out on top of the largest $25k High Roller in history?