PA Poker News June Update: WSOP Bracelet Winners, Online Promos & Parx Big Stax Returns
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Hi! I'm Keith Becker, PokerNews Ambassador and Pennsylvania native, here with a PA poker update for June 2024. It's an exciting time in America for the game we all know and love, and I'm excited to be bringing you state highlights every month.
What are the big issues and stories on everyone's minds? Let’s get into it.
WSOP Bracelets
The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is well underway in Las Vegas, but grinders here in Pennsylvania are chasing bracelets on WSOP PA as well, which are being offered once a week.
The first bracelet was captured by Frank “D.Lafferty” Bonacci (lead picture), who took home a prize of over $20K as well as that beautiful wrist hardware.
PA's second winner was a familiar name to anyone grinding in the state, claimed by Zach "CaptainLevi" Gruneberg for a prize of over $16K and his second bracelet. Five more events are still to come, each giving away an additional WSOP Online bracelet.
Speaking of bracelets, if you live in Pennsylvania and want a shot at the biggest one there is, WSOP.com is planning a Main Event Seat Freeroll on June 25th. All you have to do is make any deposit with code GOLD24 and you'll receive a tournament ticket to the freeroll, giving a Main Event Seat to the winner.
Other Online News
Over on BetMGM PA players are participating in a satellite promotion, giving players a four-step chance to win a $5,000 package to their BetMGM Poker Championship. The package includes entry into their Mystery Bounty Event, their $1,600 Poker Championship, a three-night stay at Aria, travel credit and a swag bag. The events take place June 30-July 2.
Finally, on PokerStars PA, the seasonal Summer Stacks Series is underway, and this time it includes their own satellite promotion, Path to NAPT - a five-step satellite, culminating in the chance to win a $10K NAPT Gold Pass.
PokerStars recently added to their North American Poker Tour (NAPT) stop this November in Las Vegas, announcing NAPT Regionals in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Our Pennsylvania event runs from August 22nd through September 8th, and winners of the regional events will receive Gold Passes to the big show in Vegas in November - presumably in addition to prize pool money, although we await more details.
There's other PA online poker news, and I know what you're thinking - that's all the operators! Well, maybe not for long.
Recently, a representative from BetRivers sent a message in the leading PA Poker Discord, soliciting feedback from players prior to "launching online poker in the future." BetRivers is slated to launch on Phil Galfond's RunItOnce platform, a well-received operator among players. The message garnered many various responses and has created a buzz in the community. If nothing else, it shows that BetRivers is open to player feedback and delivering a product that players want, but could it also mean that the launch is coming sooner than previously thought?
And while we're on Betrivers, in the live poker world, the brick-and-mortar BetRivers Philadelphia held their Philadelphia Poker Championship Series in May. The Main Event winner was Pennsylvania community member, online & live crusher Andrew Porter. He claimed the series trophy and first-place prize of $64,000.
Meanwhile Philadelphia Live! Poker Room recently wrapped their Road to Riches tournament, a $250 buy-in which saw 768 entries. The final result was a two-way chop between Christopher Shum of New Jersey and James Zaragoza of Pennsylvania, each taking home $23,000.
Wrapping up our live offerings in Pennsylvania, we have the return of Parx Casino's Big Stax, a fan-favorite offering that has been announced to come back in July to August. Big Stax 33 will feature $750 and $1,500 events, as well as other tournament offerings.
Check out our Pennsylvania online tournament calendar here!
PokerNews Cup on Global Poker
As for me, I will be playing on one of my favorite operators for the rest of the month – Global Poker. I will be live starting Monday, June 17th, seeking glory in the PokerNews Cup, which runs from June 17-July 7. But glorious victory is not all that's on offer. Huge boosted freerolls, trophies, swag and prizes galore are up for grabs in this series, so make sure when you're thinking about what to play in June and July to go check out the PokerNews Cup at Global Poker.
And the ONLY reason I'm not playing EVERY DAY of that series is I'm heading to Las Vegas from June 30th to July 13th for my very first trip to the WSOP! I'll be out there creating content, helping PokerNews deliver great coverage, and connecting with YOU if you're in Las Vegas as well. If you're a Pennsylvania poker player at the WSOP - hit me up on any socials and let's connect.
Poker is surging in America, and I'm thrilled to be your ambassador here in PA. For more information, check out our PokerNews Pennsylvania page here, and be sure to follow me on socials to stay in the know. I’ll be back next month with another update!
Keith Becker is an American poker player based out of Pennsylvania. A former member of PokerStars Team Pro Online, Becker is now a PokerNews Ambassador and Streamer. Becker has been streaming poker on Twitch since Day 1 of regulated poker in Pennsylvania and has led a grassroots movement for PA to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.
