Two Loose Cannons: Find Out Who Won $50k Stakes to Play PokerStars Big Game
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Via an American Idol style competition, Nikki Limo and Lily Newhouse were chosen as the first PokerStars Big Game "loose cannons" in over a decade. As such, they will receive a $50,000 stake to compete in a high-stakes cash game against pros and entertaining recreational players.
The contest began on Sunday from the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) with a free qualifier shootout poker tournament at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Each table winner — 20 players — then advanced to an intense interview process on Monday judged by Nadya Magnus, Joe Stapleton, and James Hartigan.
Magnus was one of the original loose cannons when the popular show first aired in 2010-2011. She won over $60,000 on that day, her first introduction to televised poker. Stapleton and Hartigan will commentate on the show when it airs in 2024. Filming will take place at Resorts World this week, however.
The purpose of the audition phase was to find the two individuals who best exemplify a true loose cannon — is at least a somewhat competent poker player, would benefit greatly from winning a significant amount in the game, and has a colorful personality.