PokerStars U.S. Opens Up New Championship Routes - $30,000 Platinum Passes Up for Grabs

US online poker players can now win their way into the $25,000 Players Championship thanks to PokerStars’ famous Platinum Passes. The better than golden promotion is a first for PokerStars U.S. players and another step forward for the operator’s American revolution. 

Details of the Platinum Pass promotion were announced late last week. As per the press release, PokerStars users in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan can book their place in the January 2023 Players Championship.

Fun in the Sun this January at PokerStars Players Championship

The $25,000 tournament will take place in the Bahamas from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2023. COVID-19 restrictions kept Caribbean Adventure on ice for three years. That means 2019 PokerStars Players Championship (PSPC) winner Ramón Colillas is still the man to beat. 

The Spanish pro won his way into the tournament via a Platinum Pass promotion and topped a field of 1,039 players to bank $5.1 million. Before winning his seat in the high roller, Colillas had just under $11,000 in live cashes. 

Since his breakout performance in the PSPC, he’s gone on to win more than $1 million in live events around the world. That could be a good omen for PokerStars players in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan. 

Consistency Opens Up Platinum Pass Opportunities

The operator’s latest innovation will reward consistency between Aug 30 and Dec. 10. What does consistency mean in this context? Simple: tournament and cash game activity, deposits, and participation in community events. 

PokerStars will award leaderboard points to real-money players who compete in any or all of the above activities over the next four months. The more points you earn, the higher up the leaderboard you’ll climb. 

Then, at the end of the month, the most consistent performers get entry into a special freeroll:

• 500 players from PokerStars PA
• 300 players from PokerStars MI
• 200 players from PokerStars NJ

As well as monthly freerolls, the top 1,000 players in ‘COOP events will win entry to a Platinum Pass freeroll on Sept. 27. 

$30,000 Package for Bahamian Showdown 

Anyone who wins one of the Platinum Pass U.S. freerolls gets a prize package worth $30,000. That package includes the following goodies:

• A free ticket for the $25,000 PokerStars Players Championship
• Accommodation for six nights for you and a guest at the 5-star Baha Mar resort
• $1,900 for travel and expenses + free airport transfer in the Bahamas
• Access to exclusive Platinum Pass winner experiences

The packages are impressive. However, what’s more impressive is that they’re available to online poker players in the US. PokerStars has offered $30,000 Platinum Passes internationally since 2018. Now, with its US online poker sites gaining traction, prize packages are available in three states. 

Anyone 21 or older and registered with PokerStars U.S. can play for a $30,000 Platinum Pass if they’re in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Michigan. 

If you’re not a member of PokerStars US, read our state-based reviews and use our secure sign-up links to play for a place in January’s high-stakes Bahamian showdown.