Moneymaker Tour Returns on International Scale, Platinum Passes Start Flowing
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The Platinum Pass giveaway for the 2020 PokerStars Players No-Limit Hold'em Championship has begun as the online poker giant builds upon last year's success in providing hundreds of players the poker opportunity of a lifetime.
The 2020 Platinum Passes include entry to the €22,500 buy-in PSPC taking place in Barcelona next August along with money for travel, accommodations and spending, bringing the face value to more than $30,000. In addition, pass winners have the opportunity to turn their entry into millions, just as Ramon Colillas did when he won the 2019 PSPC for $5.1 million.
Platinum Pass Giveaway Underway
Like last year, players will have a multitude of avenues through which to try to get their hands on a coveted Platinum Pass, including paths online and live.
One popular path to the PSPC last year was the Moneymaker Tour, headlined by a man who embodies the dream of turning a small buy-in satellite win into life-changing money, Chris Moneymaker himself. In fall of 2018, Moneymaker embarked on a tour through North America and Canada, stopping at various venues to help host events that included Platinum Passes added to prize pools.
Like the path Moneymaker took in 2003, the buy-ins were on the small side, affordable. And like Moneymaker in 2003, the pass winners held in their hands an opportunity of a lifetime.
Moneymaker: “The Moneymaker Road to PSPC gives players the opportunity to win big and have a great time without traveling too far from home.”
PokerStars had already hinted that the Moneymaker Tour would be returning in the lead-up to the second PSPC, and on Friday, they dropped more details. Among the eight stops listed thus far, the tour is promised to span the globe: from Russia to Reno to U.K. to Dublin, with both coasts of the U.S. accounted for with stops in California and Florida.
The Moneymaker PSPC Tour will kick off next month at the popular Sochi Casino in Russia. The tournament will run Oct. 11-13 and sports a RUB10,500 (~$166) buy-in. From there, it heads to Reno for Somerville's semi-annual Run It Up Reno festival, then to a few stops in the U.K., on over to Ireland, and back stateside with stops at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood and Stones Gambling Hall in the greater Sacramento, California area. More stops are sure to be announced in the coming months, so check here for updates to the Moneymaker Tour schedule.
“The Moneymaker Road to PSPC gives players the opportunity to win big and have a great time without traveling too far from home,” said Moneymaker. “There are not enough words to explain how much fun was had on last year’s Tour, I can’t wait to get back out there. Playing poker and hanging out with people who love the game is memorable enough, then add in the Platinum Pass and opportunity to potentially change someone’s life… it’s going to be awesome!”
Last year, three lucky Moneymaker Tour Platinum Pass winners made it to Day 3 of the PSPC, all cashing for five-figures after qualifying through $86 buy-in events. Stones Gambling Hall qualifier Cliff Ellefson won $39,500 for finishing in 97th place while New Jersey pro Anthony Maio and L.A. qualifier Ori Kossonogi each collected $35,000 for finishing in 130th and 139th places, respectively. Time will tell if the next batch of Moneymaker Tour qualifiers can best the results of their predecessors.
Moneymaker PSPC Tour Schedule
| Dates | Venue | Location | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 11-13 | Sochi Casino | Sochi, Russia | $166 (RUB10,500) |
| Oct. 16 | Reno Peppermill (Run It Up Reno) | Reno, Nevada | $175 |
| Oct. 24-27 | Hippodrome | London, U.K. | $175 (£140) |
| Oct. 28-Nov. 3 | Aspers Casino | Newcastle, U.K. | $175 (£140) |
| Nov. 4-10 | Casino Milton Keynes & Aspers Casino | London, U.K. | $175 (£140) |
| Nov. 22-24 | Bonnington Hotel | Dublin, Ireland | $193 (€175) |
| Dec. 11-15 | Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | TBD |
| Jan. 31-Feb. 9 | Stones Gambling Hall | Citrus Heights, California | TBD |
Schedule is subject to change.
The following is a list of upcoming chances to win a Platinum Pass, provided by PokerStars.
- Road to PSPC Namur
- PSPC Mega path winners every Sunday
- Streamer Showdown
- Dare to Dream Sign Up Offer: Any new sign-up on FRES from Sept. 1 will get a freeroll ticket upon specific requirement depending on each license. No deposit required.
- IPO, Nova Gorica
- Moneymaker's Road to PSPC (beginning with Sochi)
- Platinum Pass Experience Aix en Provence
- Road to PSPC Aix en Provence
- Road to PSPC Divonne-les-bains
- CEP Marbella
- CEP Peralada
- University Championship Paris
For more on these opportunities, check out the PokerStars Blog page dedicated to upcoming Platinum Pass opportunities.
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