2023 NAPT Las Vegas

$1,650 Main Event
Day: 1e
Event Info

2023 NAPT Las Vegas

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a10
Prize
$268,945
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,650
Prize Pool
$1,609,650
Entries
1,095
Level Info
Level
35
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Players Info - Day 1e
Entries
449
Players Left
95

Two Loose Cannons: Find Out Who Won $50k Stakes to Play PokerStars Big Game

Level 14 : Blinds 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante

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.

Click here to learn more about what happened!