Welcome to the 2019 888poker LIVE Bucharest Main Event
At 1 p.m. local time, the flagship tournament of the 2019 888poker LIVE Bucharest festival in cooperation with PokerFest Romania kicks off at the five-star InterContinental Bucharest and provides high expectations with a guaranteed prize pool of €300,000. A total of four starting days are featured with a buy-in of €888 and poker enthusiasts from near and far are expected to join the action in the capital of Romania.
One year ago, back then at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, it was local player Andrei Racolta that lifted the trophy after besting a field of 469 entries to take home $86,700 for his efforts. Whether or not Racolta will be back in action to defend his title remains to be seen, but there is one special incentive for all participants that makes the trip to Bucharest even more interesting. The winner of the 2019 888poker LIVE Bucharest Main Event will also receive a package for the 2019 WSOP Main Event, courtesy of WSOP sponsor 888poker.
The tournament features a 30-second shot clock and levels of 40 minutes in the first three regular heats, the turbo heat 1d provides levels of 20 minutes each. Unlimited re-entries and the late registration remains open for the first eight levels, each Day 1 will play 12 levels. On the final table, the players can look forward to a level duration of 60 minutes.
2019 888poker LIVE Bucharest Schedule
| Date | Time (EET) | Event | Buy-in | Starting Stack | Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 4 | 5 p.m. | Opening Event Day 1A | €230 | 15,000 | 30 min. |
| March 4 | 9 p.m. | Satellite to Main Event | €115 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 5 | 5 p.m. | Opening Event Day 1B | €230 | 15,000 | 30 min. |
| March 5 | 9 p.m. | Satellite to Main Event | €115 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 6 | 1 p.m. | Main Event Day 1A | €888 | 30,000 | 40 min. |
| March 6 | 2 p.m. | Opening Event Final Day | 30 min. | ||
| March 6 | 5 p.m. | Satellite to Main Event | €115 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 6 | 8 p.m. | Turbo Bounty | €230 | 15,000 | 15 min. |
| March 7 | 1 p.m. | Main Event Day 1B | €888 | 30,000 | 40 min. |
| March 7 | 3 p.m. | Ladies Event | €60 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 7 | 5 p.m. | Satellite to Main Event | €115 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 7 | 8 p.m. | Satellite to High Roller | €200 | 15,000 | 15 min. |
| March 8 | 1 p.m. | Main Event Day 1C | €888 | 30,000 | 40 min. |
| March 8 | 4 p.m. | Satellite to Main Event | €115 | 10,000 | 15 min. |
| March 8 | 9 p.m. | Main Event Day 1D | €888 | 30,000 | 20 min. |
| March 9 | 1 p.m. | Main Event Day 2 | 40 min. | ||
| March 9 | 2 p.m. | Deepstack Day 1 | €330 | 20,000 | 40 min. |
| March 9 | 4 p.m. | Satellite to High Roller | €200 | 15,000 | 10 min. |
| March 9 | 8 p.m. | High Roller Day 1 | €1,700 | 50,000 | 30 min. |
| March 10 | 1 p.m. | Deepstack Day 2 | 40 min. | ||
| March 10 | 1 p.m. | Turbo Deepstack | €220 | 20,000 | 15 min. |
| March 10 | 1:15 p.m. | Main Event Final Day | 40 min./60 min. | ||
| March 10 | 2 p.m. | High Roller Day 2 | 40 min. |
Other highlights of the festival in Bucharest include the €230 Opening Event with a guaranteed prize pool of €50,000 and the €1,700 High Roller. 888poker ambassador Ana Marquez cashed in the 2018 Main Event in 39th place and took down the High Roller title as well as €26,080 for her efforts.
Alongside Marquez, a host of 888poker ambassadors are expected to take part in the festival in Bucharest, and the PokerNews team will be there to cover all the action of the €888 Main Event until a champion is crowned on Sunday, March 10th, 2019.