The $1,100 PCA National Kicks Off at Noon

While the $25,000 PokerStars NL Hold'em Players Championship reaches its sizzling climax today by crowning six millionaires, other side events are kicking off as well to keep action going at the 2019 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure at the Atlantis Resort & Casino. For the deepest pockets, the $100,000 PCA Super High Roller, which will commence at 12:30 p.m. local, is where it's at. On the more affordable side of the scale, it's the $1,100 PCA National that will have cards flying around from noon onwards. On tap are two starting days today and a second, final day tomorrow.

Last year, the PCA National (billed as the $1,650 PCA National Championship) made headlines everywhere when none other than bestselling author Maria Konnikova went on a dream run. While working on her book The Biggest Bluff, she sought out tutelage from Erik Seidel. The teachings certainly paid off as the Friend of PokerStars topped the PCA National Championship's 290-strong field to win $84,600 and grabbed one of the first Platinum Passes that would be awarded. The incredible success changed her plans and shortly after, Konnikova signed on as a full-fledged ambassador for the Red Spade to continue her ride from amateur rank to duking it out with the world's best.

With the Platinum Pass winners enjoying their final days in the Caribbean sun, the modest buy-in of the PCA National could entice many of them for a last-ditch effort to end their one-of-a-kind poker trip on a high note. Day 1a kicks off at noon and will feature levels of 30 minutes, while the second flight starts at 6 p.m. with 20-minute levels. Play continues until 15% of the field is remaining, at which point play will be halted and everyone that has survived will be in the money. Day 2 will recommence at noon on Friday, January 11, with 40-minutes levels up until the end. Players will get 20,000 chips to work with. Late registration closes at the start of level 9 and there will be no dinner break.

Make sure to check back regularly to PokerNews for live coverage of the PCA National and other events at the 2019 PCA.

$1,100 PCA National Day 1 Structure

Level	Duration	Small Blind	Big Blind	Big Blind Ante
1	30 min	100	100
2	30 min	100	100	100
3	30 min	100	200	200
4	30 min	100	300	300
BREAK	15 min
5	30 min	200	400	400
6	30 min	200	500	500
7	30 min	300	600	600
8	30 min	400	800	800
BREAK	15 min
9	30 min	500	1000	1000
10	30 min	600	1200	1200
11	30 min	800	1600	1600
12	30 min	1000	2000	2000
BREAK / COLOR UP 100	15 min
13	30 min	1000	2500	2500
14	30 min	1500	3000	3000
15	30 min	2000	4000	4000
16	30 min	2500	5000	5000
BREAK	15 min
17	30 min	3000	6000	6000
18	30 min	4000	8000	8000
19	30 min	5000	10000	10000
20	30 min	6000	12000	12000

Tags: Maria Konnikova