PokerStars Winter Series Kicks Off in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

he first of many PokerStars online tournaments will kick start this week as online poker players in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will have the chance to win a combined $1.5 million in prize money over the next two weeks.

In previous years, PokerStars staggered events in neighbouring states, allowing players to participate in both tournaments. Although due to travel restrictions between states in 2021, PokerStars will merge the Winter Series in New Jersey and Pennsylvania this January.

As a result of more players taking to online poker in 2020, there is now more revenue in the online industry. Now, higher guarantees for the winners of the PokerStars 2021 Winer Series.

$1.5 Million in Tournament Guarantees and Varied Bankroll Participation

In comparison to the 2020 Winter Series, players will get much better value in 2021. Players of all bankrolls can enter, with buy-ins starting from $20 in New Jersey, and maxing at $750 across 40 tournaments. In Pennsylvania, the lowest buy-in is $10, while the highest is $1,000 in 45 different events.

The overall prize money will be distributed across the individual tournaments, which begin on January 21 and finish on January 31 in both states. A main event and mini-event will also take place in the two states. Winners from the main event are guaranteed either $100k from New Jersey and £200k from Pennsylvania.

Overall, both states are offering massive increases compared to PokerStars 2020 Winter Series. In total, over $1 million will be paid out in Pennsylvania, a rise in $325k from last year, while $500k is on offer for players from New Jersey, $200k more than 2020.

Further Promotions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

In addition to the increase in prize money on offer for players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, PokerStars is running further promotions in both states, which provide even more rewards for players.

One of the main promotions is for players who deposit $30 or over throughout the tournament. These players will enter into a freeroll, with a chance to win $10,000 worth of Main Event tickets.

PokerStars will also offer second chance freerolls, where players can enter another freeroll event if they bust without earning a prize. $3 Spin & Go satellites will also be on offer as players can access Main Event tickets.

Although the promotions are the same in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, players in the Keystone state will have more poker game formats to choose from, in comparison to those taking part in the Garden State. Pennsylvania players can enter two Pot-Limit Omaha events in addition to 5-Card Draw, 5-Card Omaha, No-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, HORSE and 8-Game. But in New Jersey, the Winter Series is entirely made up of Hold’em events, except for one Pot-Limit Omaha and another 8-Game.

Due to travel restrictions in place in many parts of the U.S, and live tournaments not going ahead, the turnout for the PokerStars Winter Series should increase in 2021. Additionally, the bigger guarantees and lower buy-ins could also create a boom in this year’s competition.