The Wait Is Finally Over...The Second-Ever PSPC Kicks Off Today at 12 p.m. ET
After four long years, the wait is finally over as the 2023 PokerStars Players No Limit Hold'Em Championship (PSPC) gets underway today at the Baha Mar Resort at 12 p.m. ET.
Players from each corner of the globe have made the trip to Nassau, The Bahamas to try and emulate the success of PokerStars Ambassador Ramon Colillas, who took down the inaugural PSPC back in 2019 for a life-changing payday of $5.1 million.
Colillas, who entered the first edition of the PSPC after bagging a coveted Platinum Pass, topped the record-breaking 1,039-player field to etch his name in poker's history books.
Often, a $25K buy-in event is reserved for poker's high rollers, but with over 400 Platinum Pass winners attending, there will be huge diversity within the playing field. Several players will be living the dream in what is a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.
Another reason why the PSPC is so extraordinary is that it is one of the few major events that operates as a freezeout. The playing field will be levelled out regardless of bankroll size and will undoubtedly create some moments that will be remembered for years to come.
The PSPC lasts for five days and only has one Day 1 flight, however, late registration is open until the start of Day 2. Those who enter the PSPC will receive a starting stack of 60,000 and will need to navigate the opening eight levels to bag and tag for Day 2. As mentioned, players will only be permitted one entry, and if they bust they will need to watch the tournament play out from the sidelines.
And while there is no guarantee for the PSPC, more than $14 million already sits in the prize pool. Payouts will be confirmed on Day 2 but it is already expected that the first-place prize will again be around the $5 million mark.
Day 1 Schedule
| LEVEL | DURATION | SMALL BLIND | BIG BLIND | BIG BLIND ANTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 min | 100 | 200 | 200 |
| 2 | 60 min | 100 | 300 | 300 |
| 22 minute break | ||||
| 3 | 60 min | 200 | 400 | 400 |
| 4 | 60 min | 200 | 500 | 500 |
| 22 minute break | ||||
| 5 | 60 min | 300 | 600 | 600 |
| 6 | 60 min | 400 | 800 | 800 |
| 75 minute break | ||||
| 7 | 60 min | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 8 | 60 min | 600 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
The PSPC will also be live-streamed on the PokerStars YouTube and Twitch channels from the get-go.
PokerNews spoke with PokerStars presenter and commentator James Hartigan, who said that he was "incredibly excited" to be heading back to the Caribbean.
"There are so many people who are effectively freerolling in a $25,000 buy-in tournament! They might never have dreamt of playing in a live event anywhere near that buy-in, but they've been given this amazing opportunity through PokerStars."
Be sure to check out the streaming schedule below to make sure you don't miss a single second of this highly anticipated event.
PokerStars Players Championship Streaming Schedule
| DATE | TIME (ET) | TIME (GMT) | EVENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30 | 12:30 | 17:30 | PSPC Main Event Day 1 |
| Jan 31 | 12:30 | 17:30 | PSPC Main Event Day 2 |
| Feb 1 | 12:30 | 17:30 | PSPC Main Event Day 3 |
| Feb 2 | 12:30 | 17:30 | PSPC Main Event Day 4 |
| Feb 3 | 13:00 | 18:00 | PSPC Main Event Final Table |
As always, be sure to keep it locked with PokerNews to keep up with all the action from the PSPC.
and he bet 2,100. 
for the nut flush while he disgustedly showed 
for the second nut flush.
. Kuo checked to Ponakovs who bet 1,300 and Kuo check-raised to 4,000. Ponakovs called and the 
landed on the turn.
completed the board and Kuo splashed in a bet of 14,000. Ponakovs snap-called and Kuo turned over 
for a rivered straight. Ponakovs mucked his hand and Kuo raked in a big pot in the first level.
. Papazian fired again for 18,200, which left him with a 25,000 chip behind. 
for an even bigger full house to win the pot. 
and defending champion Ramon Colillas caled with 
in the next position. Jason Strasser 
defended his big blind and the flop came 
, giving Kaye quads, and it checked through to Colillas.
gave Colillas two pair. Kaye checked for the third time and the 2019 PSPC champion bet 4,500.
and Jaffe fired 30,000 for two times the pot. Uselis quickly folded as the chip went to Jaffe.
and Pardo tabling 
, while his opponent showed 
flop, while Iyer could not connect on the 
