In the previous level, Randall Emmett joked in table chat who he considered as a professional player and fish. The American producer then claimed he had already engraved his name into the trophy and that the other players at the table could come outside and take a picture with it. One of them may well do that in a few days from now, but Emmett has been among the early casualties in the second level of the day.
Danny Tang and famous golfer Sergio Garcia also joined Emmett on the rail. Garcia ran into a set of David Yan twice in quick succession, first with aces versus queens on a queen-high flop and then with versus pocket tens when Yan immediately flopped another ten.
In the first hand, the board read with around 14,000 in the middle. Mustapha Kanit bet 7,000 from under the gun and Paul Pierce was considering his options from Kanit's direct left. After a while, Pierce reluctantly made the call but mucked as soon as Kanit tabled for the rivered straight.
The hand right after, Pierce raised to 1,000 from under the gun and Kalidou Sow three-bet to 2,200 from the button. The flop came , Pierce check-called the 2,000 bet of Sow. The turn was the , now Pierce check-folded to the 3,100 continuation-bet of Sow.
"I need to double up soon!" Pierce exclaimed while Kanit was filming an Instagram story claiming he was the real MVP and tagging Pierce in it. Pierce just laughed it off.
James Hartigan, Joe Stapleton, and Chris Moneymaker are ready
With 320 entries into this tournament courtesy of the PokerStars Platinum promotion, this tournament was always going to be the biggest $25,000 buy-in tournament in the history of the game. Among those 320, of course, were some lesser experienced poker players. Those, and the fact there's no rake, it's the Bahamas, and there's a guaranteed $1,000,000 added to first, attracted the sharks. And they are out in force.
When Bruce Buffer's last words echood through the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis Resort, the tournament clock indicated 728 players had registered. That's almost 100 players more than the standing record of 639 entries that was set in the WPT Championship event in the Bellagio back in 2007.
We took a look at the biggest $25,000 buy-in events in the history of the game. The Top 4 of that list, sorted by entries, is held by the WPT.
Year
Tour
Event
Buy-in
Entries
Prize Pool
Winner
First Place Prize
2007
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
639
$15,495,750
Carlos Mortensen
$3,970,415
2006
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
605
$14,671,250
Joe Bartholdi
$3,760,165
2008
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
545
$13,216,250
David Chiu
$3,389,140
2005
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
452
$10,961,000
Tuan Le
$2,856,150
2018
partypoker LIVE
MILLIONS World Bahamas
$25,500
394
$10,000,000
Roger Teska
$2,000,000
2004
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
343
$8,342,000
Martin de Knijff
$2,728,356
2009
WPT
Bellagio
$25,500
338
$8,196,500
Yevgeniy Timoshenko
$2,149,960
2015
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
269
$6,456,000
Ilkin Garibli
$1,105,040
2016
PokerStars Live
EPT Monte Carlo
€ 25,500
231
$6,531,825
Alexandru Papazian
$1,381,499
2014
PokerStars Live
EPT Monte Carlo
€ 25,500
214
$7,257,852
Philipp Gruissem
$1,378,059
Since 2010, PokerStars has organized a $25,000 event at the PCA. Here are the numbers for the main $25,000 event at the PCA since its inception:
Year
Tour
Event
Buy-in
Entries
Prize Pool
Winner
First Place Prize
2015
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
269
$6,456,000
Ilkin Garibli
$1,105,040
2014
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
247
$6,051,500
Jake Schindler
$1,192,624
2016
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
225
$5,400,000
Nick Maimone
$996,480
2013
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
204
$4,998,000
Vanessa Selbst
$1,424,420
2011
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
151
$3,775,500
Will Molson
$1,072,850
2012
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
148
$3,626,000
Leonid Bilokur
$1,134,930
2018
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
144
$3,484,800
Christopher Kruk
$836,350
2010
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
84
$2,057,998
William Reynolds
$576,240
2009
PokerStars Live
PCA
$25,000
48
$1,200,000
Bertrand Grospellier
$433,500
Registration remains open till the start of Day 2. While reentries are not allowed, it's a given that the number will grow. The registration line was long, and some might opt to start a little later.
One of the most highly anticipated tournaments kicks off right after the fireworks introduced the new year all over the world. An entire year filled with promotions at various PokerStars live event stops culminates in the $25,000 PokerStars NL Hold'em Players Championship as part of the 2019 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA).
More than 300 players have earned their Platinum Pass worth $30,000 and will be joined by the who-is-who on the international poker circuit for the biggest $25,000 buy-in event in poker history. What better location for dreams to come true could there be than The Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas?
The resort has hosted the PCA since 2004, and some of the biggest names in poker were among those to lift the trophy in the Main Event and High Roller tournaments. It all began with the victory of Gus Hansen in the $7,500 Main Event, and the Great Dane was followed by such big names as Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Triple Crown champion Harrison Gimbel, Galen Hall, Dominik Panka and Mike Watson. Christian Harder claimed the Main Event title in 2017 and Maria Lampropulos scored her second seven-figure payday in the 2018 edition.
Former PCA Main Event Winners
Year
Buy-In
Entries
Total Prize Pool
Winner
First Prize
2004
$7,500
221
$1,657,500
Gus Hansen
$455,780
2005
$8,000
461
$3,487,200
John Gale
$890,600
2006
$8,000
724
$5,647,200
Steve Paul-Ambrose
$1,388,600
2007
$8,000
937
$7,063,842
Ryan Daut
$1,535,255
2008
$8,000
1,136
$8,562,976
Bertrand Grospellier
$2,000,000
2009
$10,000
1,347
$12,674,000
Poorya Nazari
$3,000,000
2010
$10,300
1,529
$14,831,300
Harrison Gimbel
$2,200,000
2011
$10,300
1,560
$15,132,000
Galen Hall
$2,300,000
2012
$10,300
1,072
$10,398,400
John Dibella
$1,775,000
2013
$10,300
987
$9,573,900
Dimitar Danchev
$1,859,000
2014
$10,300
1,031
$10,070,000
Dominik Panka
$1,423,096
2015
$10,300
816
$7,915,200
Kevin Schulz
$1,491,580
2016
$5,300
928
$4,500,800
Mike Watson
$728,325
2017
$5,000
738
$3,376,712
Christian Harder
$429,664
2018
$10,300
582
$5,645,400
Maria Lampropulos
$1,081,100
Grospellier, who sits atop the French all-time money list with more than $13 million in cashes, is also among the previous High Roller champions at the PCA. In the first $25,000 High Roller back in 2009, Grospellier topped a field of 48 entries and received $433,500 for his efforts. Other High Roller champions include Alex Bilokur, Vanessa Selbst, Jake Schindler, Lucas Greenwood and two-time champion Steve O'Dwyer.
While a five-figure buy-in has already become common on the international poker circuit, there aren't as many tournaments with an even bigger price tag. Since 2011, the PCA has played host to the Super High Roller events with a buy-in of $100,000. The list of winners reads like a poker all-star line-up including Eugene Katchalov, Viktor Blom, Scott Seiver, Fabian Quoss, Steve O'Dwyer, Bryn Kenney, Jason Koon, and Cary Katz.
Bryn Kenney on top of the PCA all-time money list so far
It comes as no surprise that one of the Super High Roller winners tops the PCA all-time money list. Kenney has already cashed for more than $6.2 million on Paradise Island, O'Dwyer follows in second by some margin with more than $3,8 million. With the upcoming $25,000 PokerStars NL Hold'em Players Championship, there may however be a change at the top of the leaderboard. After all, the event guarantees $1 million on top for the eventual champion.
Unlike most other High Roller tournaments, the highlight of the festival schedule will be held rake-free and as a Freezeout over a total of five days. The structure and key features of the $25,000 PokerStars NL Hold'em Players Championship were based on player feedback collected at various PokerStars live stops.
Schedule of the $25,000 PokerStars NL Hold'em Players Championship
Tournament Day
Date
Time
Further Information
1
January 6th, 2019
12:00
Play 8 levels of 60 minutes each, no dinner break, finishes approx. 21:10
2
January 7th, 2019
12:00
Registration closes at start of day, 8 levels of 60 minutes each, no dinner break, finishes approx. 21:10
3
January 8th, 2019
12:00
Levels last 60 minutes each, possible dinner break, # of levels according to the pace of the event
4
January 9th, 2019
12:00
Levels last 60 minutes each, possible dinner break, # of levels according to the pace of the event
5
January 10th, 2019
12:00
Play down to a champion
Day 1 will feature a total of eight levels of 60 minutes each, and the registration closes at the start of Day 2 at 12 p.m. local time on Monday, January 7, 2019. The event will be played nine-handed at the start and, if space and seats allow, move to eight handed at the start of Day 2 at the latest.
All participants receive 60,000 in chips, and each level lasts 60 minutes each, down to the last three the level duration will be shortened to 30 minutes. There will be no dinner break on the first two tournament days to wrap up at just after 9 p.m. local time and all further days will be adjusted according to the pace of play.
The PokerNews live reporting team will provide updates and news articles from nine different tournaments throughout the festival, so make sure to check back regularly to find out who claimes the glory at the Bahamas to kick off the poker year 2019.
Atlantis Resort, home of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Bahamas
The upcoming PokerStars Caribbean Adventure — with the accompanying $25,000 PokerStars Players No-Limit Hold'em Championship — kicks off on Saturday, so there's no better time than now to help poker players plan their trips.
Many players will be going to PCA for the first time, whether because they won $30,000 Platinum Passes or in hopes of taking advantage of the massive value present because of said passes and the $1 million added by PokerStars.
For those unaware, Atlantis Resort is on a small island called Paradise Island just across a short bridge from the main island of New Providence. When you land in the airport, you'll first need to take a cab through the capital city of Nassau to Paradise Island.
At that point, you've arrived. And if you're on your maiden voyage to PCA, consider these tips from PokerNews.
Meals, at Atlantis and Otherwise
Food expenses at the PCA can run you a pretty penny if you aren't careful. And be aware, service won't exactly be speedy no matter where you go, so make sure you block out ample time.
Some of the most popular places to eat for poker players attending PCA are nice restaurants within a relatively short walk of the convention center where the poker tournaments are held. These include Casa D'Angelo (Italian), Chop Stix (Chinese), Olives (pizza, fish, steak) and Nobu (sushi). Now, all of those are fine options, but they will easily set you back around $50 or more for a meal.
Atlantis Resort from afar.
Outside of the main resort, on the harbor where the ships are docked, sit a number of more affordable places to eat.
Those looking for the absolute cheapest option can try the pizzeria or the deli. Those might be the only spots on the island where you can get full for under $15. There are also a few mid-tier restaurants to check out where the prices will more be in the range of $30.
If you're looking to get brave and branch off outside of the resort, there are some options for that as well. Immediately across the bridge are a couple of palatable restaurants called The Poop Deck (seafood) and Seafront Sushi. Underneath that same bridge, there's a small strip of land called Potter's Cay that has a bunch of seafood shacks serving up freshly caught fish.
Or, you can head to the famous local fish fry shacks a couple of miles to the west. PokerNews' own Sarah Herring did just that, and you can see what she found in the video below:
If you are on the absolute tightest budget possible, there's a little spot in a strip mall just to the southeast of Atlantis called The Village Grocery Store. It's quite small, but you can get some of the bare essentials there like yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, and some dry and canned goods.
Things To Do
Maybe Christoph Vogelsang busted you early in the PSPC, and you still have several nights left on Paradise Island. Maybe you're just all pokered out and need a little break. Or maybe poker's secondary to vacation concerns and you are looking forward to relaxing and finding other stuff to do more so than grinding.
In any case, there are plenty of options for other things to do if you want to get away from the felt for a bit.
Obviously, those looking for water-based activities will find tons of stuff within easy access of the resort. There are beaches public and private and pools aplenty. Plus, you can sign up for activities like swimming with dolphins, scuba diving and snorkeling.
There's also a vast waterpark on the resort with tons of slides, rivers, and rides.
PokerNews' Herring checked out a popular attraction called swimming with the pigs, which you can check out in this video:
Atlantis is also near a popular golf course, with the likes of top pro Sergio Garcia among those frequenting the links.
Rum lovers have a unique opportunity just a couple of miles into the main island. John Watling's Distillery is a popular attraction offering complimentary tours.
Other Things to Consider
If it's exercise you're looking for, Atlantis has plenty of options — just make sure you don't overestimate your leg endurance. There are even basketball and tennis courts on the premises. Weekly passes run $50 for those not staying at Atlantis. Just be aware it's a significant walk into the resort.
Provided the weather is nice, there are plenty of paths to run around the islands — either down the beach or on solid ground — and catch a tan.
If you're one of those people who absolutely can't get through the day without some caffeine to power you through, Atlantis has a Starbucks right down the staircase of the main entrance. Be warned, though, every morning before the tournaments begin there will be a sizable line of players waiting for their morning cup of joe, so get there early.
The PCA is always a special event on the poker calendar. It's sure to be even more memorable this year with the one-of-a-kind PSPC, so keep these tips in mind if you're making the trip to maximize your time in paradise.
![[user38873]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
versus pocket tens when Yan immediately flopped another ten.
with around 14,000 in the middle. Mustapha Kanit bet 7,000 from under the gun and Paul Pierce was considering his options from Kanit's direct left. After a while, Pierce reluctantly made the call but mucked as soon as Kanit tabled 
for the rivered straight.
, Pierce check-called the 2,000 bet of Sow. The turn was the 
, now Pierce check-folded to the 3,100 continuation-bet of Sow.
