Everest Poker, the official on-felt sponsor of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP), is celebrating its fifth anniversary in style. The promotion is highlighted by a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool event featuring a live finale.
The $500,000 Guaranteed will begin with an online tournament on October 4th. However, its conclusion will play out under the hot sun in Las Vegas. The nine finalists who reach the Sin City component of the $500,000 Guaranteed will be invited to stay and watch the feature table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, which will take place inside the Penn and Teller Theater at the Rio beginning on November 7th. Step tournament qualifiers for the $500,000 Guaranteed will begin in August. The final Step (#5) is worth $360 and Step 1 weighs in at just $2. Everest Poker players who reach the Las Vegas finale will receive $2,000 to cover airfare and accommodations. In addition, a special five year anniversary party will be held.
Everest Poker has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. On March 4th, 2005, the online poker site hit 10 million hands. On January 1st, 2006, it kicked off the New Year by dealing its 100 millionth hand. On April 17th, 2007, Everest Poker hit a colossal one billion hands. Now, the independent site is on the brink of recording its five billionth hand. Every player who is dealt cards in the five billionth hand on Everest Poker will receive a $5,000 cash bonus. In addition, any player who makes quad fives between July 1st and August 31st will take home 55,555 Summit Points. Only real money ring games qualify for the quad fives bonus and at least one five must be in the pocket. Players need to notify Everest Poker through e-mail in order to receive the massive Summit Point boost and include their Hand ID.
Also a part of the Everest Poker five year celebration is the Daily 5. Players who earn at least five Summit Points per day for one calendar month will qualify for a $5,000 freeroll. Players who earn five Summit Points daily between July 5th and August 4th are able to play in a $5,000 freeroll on August 6th at 18:00 GMT. Players who earn five Summit Points daily between August 5th and September 4th can qualify to play in a $5,000 freeroll on September 8th, also at 18:00 GMT. The site notes, “If you have an off day, we understand. As long as you earn 5 Summit Points 30 out of 31 days, you are still eligible for our freerolls.”
Summit Points can be exchanged for top-tier merchandise in the Store on Everest Poker. During the five year anniversary, players will see 5% to 55% discounts on select items in the Summit Point Store, making their balance go just a little bit further. Items up for grabs include Everest Poker shirts, chipsets, sports bottles, and mouse pads. In addition, the Summit Points Store also showcases an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, a Cartier Roadster Chronograph watch, a Corum Bubble Royal Flush watch (the same manufacturer as WSOP bracelets), and a Seadoo Seascooter GTI.
Finally, Everest Poker is holding $5,000 Refer-A-Friend Freerolls. Players who refer four or more friends in July or four or more friends in August are eligible to enter freerolls on August 4th and September 2nd, respectively. Both freebies will issue the “Shuffle up and deal” command when the clock strikes 19:00 GMT. Everest Poker explains, “Players who meet the referral requirements for our $5,000 Refer-A-Friend Freerolls will be pre-registered for the tournaments.” The Refer-A-Friend Freerolls are on top of the $50 bonus regularly received per referral.