Brazil Series of Poker returns to São Paulo

(PRESS RELEASE) -- PokerStars is giving players another opportunity to experience Latin America's thriving poker scene this March with the PokerStars-sponsored Brazil Series of Poker (BSOP) São Paulo that runs 23-28 March. With online qualifiers for the inaugural PokerStars Championship Panama event having now come to an end, players still have time to win packages to BSOP São Paulo, which takes place just a few days after. Online qualifiers start from as little as $0.33 at PokerStars, an Amaya Inc. brand.

Players who have already qualified for PokerStars Championship Panama, which takes place from 10-20 March at the Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino in Panama City, can use this as an opportunity to take in more of Latin America by qualifying for BSOP São Paulo, which takes place at the Sheraton São Paulo WTC Hotel, from 23-28 March. Brazilian Team PokerStars Pro Andre Akkari commented, "Players attending the BSOP São Paulo can expect a fantastic, professional event. Poker is incredibly popular in Brazil and the carnival BSOP atmosphere really has to be experienced to be believed."

Routes to entry
Seats to the $930 Main Event and packages worth $1,520 can be won via a wide range of satellites at PokerStars from just $0.33 to $215. Packages include a Main Event buy-in worth $930, six nights' accommodation at the Sheraton São Paulo WTC Hotel with free internet and breakfast from 23-29 March, and $590 spending money.

BSOP: "Like playing at the Maracanã"
Earlier this month in Uruguay, Akkari made his first appearance on a BSOP Main Event final table, having narrowly missed out a few times before, at Punta del Este. The Team PokerStars Pro finished in seventh place when his AQ lost out to pocket threes, leaving him with $15,340 for his efforts.

He said, "I felt really proud to make it to the final table of BSOP Uruguay, especially as BSOP is the biggest tournament in Latin America and brings great players to the felt. Playing in BSOP is like playing at the Maracanã Stadium for me. In São Paulo, with my supporters, I'll take it down and keep the BSOP São Paulo title at home!"

BSOP São Paulo

• Location: 23–28 March, Sheraton São Paulo WTC Hotel
• Qualify: Online satellites run until 5 March at PokerStars
• Package: Main Event buy-in worth $930, six nights at the Sheraton WTC from 23-29 March with free internet and breakfast included, and $590 spending money

BSOP returns to São Paulo in July before heading to Foz Do Iguazu in August and back to São Paulo for the BSOP Millions in November, offering plenty more opportunity for poker action in 2017.

Poker chips for a gold chip and a chair
In addition to qualifying for the BSOP and PokerStars Championship Panama live events, players have been converting online poker chips into solid gold Special Edition poker chips that commemorate Brazilian football hero Neymar Jr.'s Olympic gold medal in the Rio games. More than 360 gold chips have been won via limited edition Spin & Go tournaments so far, to the value of more than $290,000. Players who have won a unique piece of PokerStars memorabilia have until 28 February to redeem their gold poker chips.