The WinStar River Poker Series $2.5 Million GTD Main Event Kicks Off This Friday
Want to play for a guaranteed $1,000,000 first-place prize for just a $2,500 buy-in? This weekend you'll have the chance at the WinStar River Poker Series at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
The $2,500 buy-in reentry Main Event, which runs from September 4-8, features a massive $2,500,000 guarantee, with the eventual winner becoming a millionaire! The Main Event will feature three starting flights, start players with 25,000 in starting chips, and 40-minute levels on Day 1 followed by 60-minute levels on Days 2 and 3, making it one of the region's best-structured events each and every year.
"This will be the sixth year in a row that I've been going to the River Poker Series and each and every year is bigger and better than the last," WinStar ambassador Maria Ho told PokerNews. "The WinStar is an awesome resort but you might not want to miss the around-the-clock poker action. It's honestly one of the best value tournaments all year and I'm excited PokerNews will be there covering all the action from this prestigious event."
Last year, Jason Helder topped a field of 1,323 entrants to win the 2014 WinStar River Poker Series Main Event for $1 million. Others who cashed in that event were Travis Rice (2nd - $340,403), Kevin Eyster (3rd - $219,088), Jonathan Gaviao (6th - $90,881), David "ODB" Baker (10th - $30,164), and Joseph Cheong (13th - $26,989).
As Ho previously stated, PokerNews will be on hand to capture all the action in the Main Event, and we're happy to announce that players will have the opportunity to use the My Stack app to update their hands and chip counts straight into the live blog.
To download the My Stack app absolutely free on either Apple or Android, click here.
"It's very exciting for PokerNews to return to the WinStar World Casino and Resort for coverage of the River Poker Series Main Event," boasted PokerNews Editor-in-Chief Donnie Peters. "Our team was at the event in 2012 and 2014, and both times over 1,300 entries were generated. With a $2,500 buy-in once again this year and a similar field size expected, how can any poker player forgive themselves for missing this event? There's a $2.5 million guaranteed prize pool and a $1 million top prize, plus an excellent player-friendly structure. We look forward to seeing everyone there."
Here's a look at those who've captured the prestigious title in the past:
Past WinStar River Poker Main Event Winners
| Year | Entrants | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,323 | Jason Helder | $1,000,000 |
| 2013 | 1,108 | Kaophone Inthavong | $473,900 |
| 2012 | 1,394 | Aaron Massey | $651,559 |
| 2011 | 1,355 | Bronson Tucker | $640,400 |
| 2010 | 1,436 | Khoueng Souvoravong | $646,690 |
| 2009 | 1,500 | Bobby Hempkins | $710,000 |
| 2008 | 1,450 | Jim Carroll | $700,000 |
To learn more, visit winstarworldcasino.com, and be sure to follow them on Twitter @WinStarWorld. For more on the WinStar, check out PokerNews video from the property a few years back:
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