PokerStars continues to stay busy worldwide

(PRESS RELEASE)

And suddenly it's gone...

We spent months looking forward to it and now it's all gone for another year. The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is over, the two week 50 event festival drawing to a close earlier this month having bestowed titles and prize money on a handful of players set to bear the fame spotlight for months to come. The main event, which kicked off the festival, was won by 19-year-old Harrison "gibler321" Gimbel from Florida, United States, who took the first prize of $2,200,000 after a heads-up duel against Tyler Reiman; the pair overcoming a record PCA field of 1,529 to do so. After a PokerStars party that was rocked with its' arms in the air by a stunning performance by R&B star Kelly Rowland, it was the turn of the high rollers, an exclusive $25,000 buy-in event that culminated in a top draw final featuring Tobias Reinkemeier, Will Molson and Michiel Brummelhuis. Eventually it was William Reynolds who took down the quick fire final and won the $576,240 first prize. Another successful PCA in the books and it's just 11 months until the next one.

There's always the World Cup

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is not just about main events and high rollers. It's the permanent home of the World Cup of Poker, the most original and entertaining tournament on the poker calendar. Featuring teams made up of Tournament Leader Board winners and freeroll victors, it pitches together national teams in a series of nine-handed, six-handed and four-handed sit and goes as well as heads-up contests before a final table. It's there that teams began with stack sizes determined by their sit and go results and played a unique structure, one that included time outs (even during hands) and substitutions. This year, against all the odds, Team Chinese Taipei stunned the world with a gallant display, lead by Team PokerStars Pro Raymond Wu, that saw his mix of newbie and amateur team mates take down the $100,000 first prize ahead of debutants Croatia. It's a tournament that gets better and better each year. Roll on 2011.

No rest as tour heads back to Europe

There was no rest for PCA players on their return from the Bahamas with EPT Deauville starting the Tuesday following William Reynolds Thursday night High Roller win. Despite cynics predicting a small turn out in France a record 768 players made their way to the Normandy coast in pursuit of a €847,000 first prize in the picturesque town more famous for horse racing and its film festival than for shuffling up and dealing. That may now all have changed. After five days of intense play, and a final lasting late into the night, Englishman Jake Cody overcame a huge chip disadvantage to lift the trophy and collect a cheque for €847,000, defeating Teodor Caraba of Romania heads-up. Mike McDonald, narrowly missed out on a record second EPT title when he finished third and it was the same story for Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, who just missed the final table, eliminated in ninth. The tour now takes a short break before it heads north for mid winter in Copenhagen on the 16th February.

It's a date - North American Poker Tour confirmed

Another poker tour? You bet. The North American Poker Tour becomes the latest PokerStars sponsored high stakes tour to darken the poker calendar, as announced at a press conference at the PCA. Jeffrey Hass, head of PokerStars Live, detailed the tours inaugural season, one that will take in stops at the Venetian in Las Vegas in February before heading to the north east and Connecticut, where the Mohegan Sun will host the second leg in April. That's just the start of it with more stops to be confirmed later in the year. On board for the tour is supermodel Joanna Krupa who was confirmed as the tour's host. Satellites are already up and running on PokerStars with the last one on Feb 14, 2010. For those wanting to say they were there when it all started make sure to register before the event as it is sure to be a sell out..

And down south

With the PCA done, poker tours in all corners of the world return to normal service. While the EPT heads to Deauville the LAPT heads south to the glorious Punta del Este in Uruguay for the $3,500 main event which last year was won by Karl Hevroy. Back then Hevroy walked away with $283,500 after defeating a field of 327. This year promises an even bigger prize pool with a bigger field expected to head to one of Latin America's most exotic resorts. The satellites are running on PokerStars are the cheapest way to get there, including seat, accommodation, travel and spending money. Check out the tournament lobby for details.

Get thee to Manchester

Coming off the success of its inaugural event in Ireland, the UKIPT heads back across the Irish Sea next month, with the £500 buy-in UKIPT Manchester. It may not have the grandeur of Punta del Este or the luxury of Monte Carlo, but what it lacks in those departments the UKIPT makes up for in good old fashioned British competitive spirit, and marks the first time a PokerStars event has been held within the United Kingdom outside the busy borders of the M25. And, with a buy in of £500, it's sure to attract an appealing combination of the best of British poker and those looking to test themselves for the first time in a major poker competition. UKIPT Manchester starts on February 11th and satellites are taking place now on PokerStars.com. Check out the tournament lobby for more details.

Giving a little back - amfAR wins at PCA

PokerStars charity events have always attracted strong turn outs for what is one of the most entertaining ways to win some money and give a big chunk to charity. Following the massive success of the PokerStars Ante Up for Europe event in Monte Carlo at the end of EPT season five, the PCA seemed a natural venue for another, this time in aid of amfAR, the foundation for Aids research. An all-star cast, including rock icon Slash, R&B stars Nelly and Kelly Rowland, chat show host Montel Williams, and actor Carlos Bernard joined Team PokerStars Pros Joe Cada, Daniel Negreanu, Team PokerStars SportStars Mats Sundin and Boris Becker, in competing for a first prize of $37,500, with much of the buy-in going directly to amfAR. In a late night climax to the tournament the event was won by the only PokerStars qualifier left in the field; Spencer Benjafield, who defeated Team PokerStars Pro Alex Gomes heads-up to first place. A great result for the 24-year-old and a great night for amfAR with more than $250,000 raised for the cause.