2024 Maryland State Poker Championship

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Win Your Way to Las Vegas with the PokerStars Path to NAPT!

Path to NAPT
Path to NAPT

With the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) returning to Las Vegas this fall, PokerStars have released information about the new 'Path to NAPT', offering players the chance to win their way to Vegas for as little as $0.50.

Two $600 buy-in NAPT Regional events have also been announced, taking place in Maryland and Philadelphia later this summer. Don't miss the opportunity to get involved in some incredible PokerStars Live events.

PokerStars NAPT Returning to Resorts World Las Vegas November 1-10

Win a Gold Pass to NAPT Main Event

Last year Sami Bechahed defeated Jonathan Borenstein heads-up to win the 2023 NAPT Las Vegas Main Event and $268,945. He topped a 1,095-player field to win the first NAPT Main Event title in 12 years.

Want to be part of the next one? Well here's your chance! PokerStars is planning on offering 100 chances to secure a Gold Pass worth $10,000 to the Las Vegas NAPT Main Event.

These coveted passes will offer:

  • $5,300 Buy-In: Entry to the Main Event of the NAPT.
  • $2,900 Hotel Accommodation: Ensuring a luxurious stay during the tournament.
  • $1,800 Expenses: Additional funds to cover travel and other costs.

Path to NAPT

The easiest way to get your hands on a Gold Pass is through the newly-announced 'Path to NAPT'. This offers players the chance to win their way from $0.50 and parlaying smaller wins into larger prizes — and ultimately a Gold Pass to the NAPT Main Event.

How Does the Path to NAPT Work?

Players who log into the PokerStars client will earn a $0.50 Step 1 ticket. These can then be used to enter tournaments that will lead to winning Gold Passes. If you don't have an account, be sure to take advantage of the PokerStars sign up bonus.

Players will also be able to win Silver Passes that will be redeemable for NAPT Regional events and bi-weekly $1,000 satellites to the NAPT.

NAPT Regionals

As for NAPT regionals, two $600 buy-in events have been announced that will take place between July and August.

The first, taking place at Maryland Live!, will run from July 31-August 12. The second runs from August 22-September 8 at Philly Live!

Both events will have six starting flights, with the winners of each Main Event awarded a Gold Pass to the NAPT Main Event in Las Vegas this November.

Win Your Way to Las Vegas with the PokerStars Path to NAPT!

Tags: Gold PassJonathan BorensteinMarylandPhilly LiveSami Bechahed

Biggest Hands from Day 1f

Toby Barrera
Toby Barrera

The sixth and final starting flight of the $600 Kickoff Event of the PokerStars 2024 Maryland State Poker Championship has wrapped up and saw John Wilson bagging the chip lead with a stack of 557,000.

Day 1f was the biggest flight of all with 289 entries, and among the 37 players who bagged are Matthew Sabia, Lee Childs, Eric Liebeler, Matthew Riebel and James Kennedy. PokerNews' Tyler Boyer recapped the flight, which can be read here.

Here's a look at some of the biggest hands from the final flight:

Win Your Way to Las Vegas with the PokerStars Path to NAPT!

Tags: Eric LiebelerJames KennedyJohn WilsonLee ChildsMarylandMatthew RiebelMatthew SabiaPokerStarsTyler Boyer

Donovan Bates Wins PLO 8 Event for $7,400

MSPC #4 PLO 8
MSPC #4 PLO 8

Another winner has been crowned at the PokerStars 2024 Maryland State Poker Championship and it is Virginia's Donovan Bates, who took down the $400 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha 8 event for $7,400.

The $20,000 guaranteed event drew 55 players, and those who made the money included David Greene (7th - $900), Stuart Rotter (4th - $1,900) Gilles Raynaud (3rd - $2,700) and runner-up Christopher Pham Le (2nd - $4,400).

2024 Maryland State Poker Championship PLO 8 Results

PLACEPLAYERHOMETOWNPRIZE (IN USD)
1Donovan BatesWoodbridge, VA$7,400
2Christopher Pham LeBowie, MD$4,400
3Gilles RaynaudEllicott City, MD$2,700
4Stuart RotterClarksville, MD$1,900
5Han OhCatonsville, MD$1,500
6J CorllBowie, MD$1,200
7David GreeneElkridge, MD$900

Follow the $600 Kickoff Event!

Tags: Christopher Pham LeDavid GreeneDonovan BatesGilles RaynaudHan OhStuart RotterPokerStarsMarylandJ Corll

PokerStars NAPT Returning to Resorts World Las Vegas November 1-10

Sami Bechahed, 2023 NAPT Main Event Winner
Sami Bechahed, 2023 NAPT Main Event Winner

After the successful 2023 return of the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) in Las Vegas, PokerStars announced that the NAPT will be back at Resorts World Las Vegas this year for ten days of tournament poker action.

The 2024 NAPT Las Vegas festival will take place Nov. 1-10, culminating with a $5,300 buy-in NAPT Main Event — an increase from last year's $1,650 price tag — after a successful event with a strong turnout in 2023.

“Last year, the NAPT smashed all expectations, so this year, we’re going even bigger," PokerStars North America Vice President Steve Preiss said in a press release. "With a premier partner like Resorts World Las Vegas, we’re stepping up our game: bigger tournaments, buy-ins, and player-focused events.”

See Full Details Here

A Look at the Online Qualifiers of Day 1f

Online qualifiers
Online qualifiers

Here's a look at the online qualifiers competing in the final flight of the $600 Kickoff Event. The last qualifier standing will earn a Gold Pass package to NAPT Las Vegas.

They include Karneet Arora, Kory Shope, Kyle Stern, Michael Viera and Samuel Curlee.

Karneet Arora
Karneet Arora
Kory Shope
Kory Shope
Kyle Stern
Kyle Stern
Michael Veira
Michael Viera

Tags: Gold PassKory ShopeKyle SternMichael VeiraSamuel Curlee

Who Will Win the Gold Pass to NAPT Las Vegas?

Path to NAPT
Path to NAPT

With the $600 Kickoff Event well underway, the fight is on among the online qualifiers to win a Gold Pass package to NAPT Las Vegas in November.

The last online qualifier standing will receive a Gold Pass package that offers:

  • $5,300 Buy-In: Entry to the Main Event of the NAPT.
  • $2,900 Hotel Accommodation: Ensuring a luxurious stay during the tournament.
  • $1,800 Expenses: Additional funds to cover travel and other costs.

Only three online qualifiers survived the first five starting flights, and they are Michael Lavin (302,000), Rahul Agarwal (62,000), and Joseph Weaver (59,000). But there are a handful of online qualifiers in contention in Day 1f, identified by the NAPT patches slapped on their shirts and jackets.

There will also be a Gold Pass up for grabs in Sunday's $400 6-Max Championship as a mystery bounty prize, as well as for the winner of the $500,000 guaranteed $2,200 Main Event.

Learn More About the Gold Passes!

Tags: Gold PassPokerStars