Cards Get in the Air for PokerGO Cup, Extra $1.25 Million On the Line This Year for PG Tour
High stakes poker action returns to the PokerGO Studio on Wednesday with the start of the PokerGO Cup. Poker fans around the world can watch some of the game’s best take to the tables at the Aria in Las Vegas.
The series runs Jan. 11-20 features eight events with buy-ins ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The events also are the official start to the 2023 PokerGO Tour, with the streaming service showing all the action.
Beyond the Cup, the tour also recently announced that $1 million will be up for grabs this year in the season-ending PGT Championship freeroll. The top 40 players have a shot at the cash along with a few new “Dream Seat” players.
“The PGT is committed to growing the game at the highest levels and celebrating the best players in the world,” PokerGO President Mori Eskandani said in a news release. “After capping off an incredibly successful second season of the PGT, we’ve decided the only way to go is up.
“Not only will the PGT Championship see the game’s best players and brightest stars compete for a $1 million prize pool, but it will provide an exclusive group of PGT Championship Dream Seat winners with an opportunity of a lifetime to compete in one of poker’s most prestigious events.”
Previewing the PokerGO Cup
Those checking out the PokerGO Cup action will find all events featuring No Limit Hold’em. The $50,000 buy-in finale highlights the series and is set for Jan. 19. Poker fans who don’t enjoy stalling at the tables may appreciate the 30-second “shot clock” used during play.
All tournaments qualify for PGT points. Those points also ultimately determine the PokerGO Cup winner with an extra $50,000 going to the player coming out on top.
Last year, that honor went to Jeremy Ausmus. He took down one event and also cashed in four of eight events for $824,500. All four of his cashes were also top-three finishes.
Other 2022 winners included Daniel Negreanu, Nick Petrangelo, Chance Kornuth, and Sean Perry. Look for many of those to be back in the field this week.
The PokerGO Cup begins tomorrow and I can’t wait to get back to work!
Fun little contest below with free prizes for those who want to have a little sweat of the action.
These tourneys are open to everyone, so come on down to the @PokerGO studio and play! https://t.co/vhxC5Rjcbk
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) January 10, 2023
Here’s a look at the complete schedule.
PokerGO Cup 2023
Date Event Tournament Starting stack Re-entry
Jan. 11 1 $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 125,000 Double
Jan. 12 2 $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 125,000 Double
Jan. 13 3 $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 125,000 Double
Jan. 14 4 $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 125,000 Double
Jan. 16 5 $15,000 No-Limit Hold’em 125,000 Double
Jan. 17 6 $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em 150,000 Double
Jan. 18 7 $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em 150,000 Double
Jan. 19 8 $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em 200,000 Single
A look at the $1 million PGT Championship
As the action unfolds in Cup events, players have a shot at some nice extras in the 2023 PokerGO Championship. The season-ending event offers the top 40-ranked players a $1 million freeroll.
Qualifying players’ starting chip stacks will once again be based on leaderboard points earned throughout the season. All players receive a minimum of 100 big blinds to start the tournament.
PokerGO is also allowing other players to live out a poker dream. A select group of “Dream Seat” winners will grab a spot in the championship event.
The company plans to award these seats via special events and promotions for a shot to compete in the PokerGO Studio. The plan would see average Joe players take a seat on a massive poker stage.
December’s championship was a winner-take-all format with GGPoker ambassador Jason Koon taking the title for $500,000. PokerGO now doubles that, but without the winner-take-all format. The winner can once again expect a $500,000 payout with the remainder going to other top finishers.
More payouts are also planned. The top player on the PGT season leaderboard earns the player of the year honor and an extra $50,000. Another $50,000 goes to the winners of the PokerGO Cup, US Poker Open, and Poker Masters.
Bonuses of $25,000 are also awarded for PGT Mixed Games and PGT Pot Limit Omaha series winners. That all amounts to more than $1.2 million in extra money on the line this season.