The PokerStars Stars Season: Kicking Off with a Bang
The excitement surrounding the PokerStars Stars Season is palpable as it launched this weekend with a spectacular trio of Terminator PKO tournaments. Among them, the highlight was undoubtedly the Season Kickoff Sunday Million PKO, which featured a staggering seven-figure prize pool. So far, PokerStars players have collectively won an impressive $1,867,988, setting a high bar for the events to follow.
A Record-Breaking Opening Weekend
The centerpiece of this opening weekend was the $1 million guaranteed Season Kickoff Sunday Million PKO, which attracted 9,756 entrants during its Day 1. From that initial pool, only 80 players advanced to Day 2, where they battled for their share of the massive prize pool. Notably, despite their determination, a trio of PokerStars Ambassadors reached significant points in the game but did not make it to the final stage. Lex "L. Veldhuis" Veldhuis, for example, managed to finish in 102nd place but was actively engaged with his hosting duties in the trio of Terminator events.
Final Table Action
Among the nine finalists, Romania’s "marinusmacy24" was the first to exit, taking home $7,230. The eliminations continued with players from Sweden, Kazakhstan, and Belarus falling out, each with substantial winnings along the way. As the competition drew towards its climax, it boiled down to a heated heads-up battle between "animalridens" of Thailand and "Gyan Yellov" of Brazil. Ultimately, it was "animalridens" who claimed victory, walking away with a lucrative total prize of $83,347, including bounties worth $28,792. Gyan Yellov took a respectable runner-up position, netting $57,536.
Season Kickoff Sunday Million PKO Final Table Results
| Rank | Player | Country | Bounties | Prize | Total Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | animalridens | Thailand | $28,792 | $54,555 | $83,347 |
| 2 | Gyan Yellov | Brazil | $2,987 | $54,549 | $57,536 |
| 3 | Rb)bolov | Belarus | $10,768 | $40,270 | $51,038 |
| 4 | MpZancan | Brazil | $2,298 | $28,054 | $30,352 |
| 5 | BRP-37 | Belarus | $2,715 | $19,526 | $22,241 |
| 6 | Nooreek26 | Kazakhstan | $4,643 | $13,336 | $17,979 |
| 7 | MichailJapon | Mexico | $2,231 | $9,397 | $11,628 |
| 8 | FrittssoN4 | Sweden | $4,888 | $6,670 | $11,558 |
| 9 | marinusmacy24 | Romania | $2,483 | $4,747 | $7,230 |
A Strong Start for the Terminator Events
Before the adrenaline-filled Sunday Million, the Season kicked off with several Terminator PKO events. Hosted by Lex Veldhuis, the trio of tournaments provided varying buy-ins of $11, $55, and $215, all of which experienced incredible turnout. The lowest buy-in attracted 7,572 players, with "mirodelas7" emerging victorious and pocketing $6,385. The mid-tier event concluded with "sejedno," claiming $18,461 after winning against 3,175 opponents. The high-stakes edition was snagged by "&REW21," who boosted their bankroll to $32,191 through bounties.
In addition to these events, another standout performer was "Fiktenasch," who transformed just $11 into an impressive $10,334 victory in the Sunday Storm.
Overview of Stars Season Results So Far
| Episode | Entrants | Prize Pool | Champion | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #01-L: $11 The Terminator | 7,572 | $74,205 | mirodelas7 | $6,385* |
| #01-M: $55 The Terminator | 3,176 | $158,800 | sejedno | $18,461* |
| #01-H: $215 The Terminator | 968 | $193,600 | &REW21 | $32,191* |
| #02: $109 Season Kickoff Sunday Million PKO | 9,756 | $1,000,000 | animalridens | $83,347* |
| #03: $11 Sunday Storm | 14,210 | $139,258 | Fiktenasch | $10,334* |
*Includes bounty payments.
Upcoming Events: What to Expect
The Stars Season continues to ramp up with an exciting lineup of events. With the next big happenings scheduled before the month of October ends, players can look forward to a variety of tournaments, including the widely anticipated Super Sunday on November 3. This massive event promises a total of $1,425,000 in prize money across three distinct buy-ins.
To stay updated on upcoming events, players can leverage the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar. This handy tool enables poker enthusiasts to filter events by buy-in, game type, or prize pool guarantees, ensuring they never miss out on an opportunity to compete.
As the PokerStars Stars Season unfolds, it’s clear that the momentum generated from its kickoff weekend will carry through the coming weeks. With thrilling competitions, significant prize pools, and the chance for players to showcase their skills on a global stage, this season promises to be one for the books.
1
20
20
