We all knew it was coming. And now it’s almost here. At the European Poker Tour Grand Final, PokerStars Head of Poker Communications Lee Jones announced that the world’s largest online poker room will soon be launching its Road to 100 Billion celebration. That’s one hundred billion cash game hands over the history of PokerStars.
The 100 billionth hand is expected to be dealt sometime in June. Most of the details have yet to be released, but PokerStars has let it be known that during the lead-up to the big hand, a total of $1 million will be paid out during the milestone hands, which will be every millionth hand. The Mega Milestone hand, number one billion, will be a Million Dollar Hand. According to PokerStars, everyone dealt into the hand will win a share of $1 million. Then, after the Mega Milestone hand prizes are calculated, the rest of the Million Dollar Hand prize money will be divided amongst all the players at tables of the same stakes and game as the Million Dollar Hand when that hand was dealt (what the “rest” of the prize money is, we’re not exactly sure at this point). The winner of the Million Dollar Hand is guaranteed at least $100,000.
PokerStars will also be giving away another $3 million in prizes via special promotions during the Road to 100 Billion. Additionally, special new tournaments and Sit-and-Go’s will be introduced.
PokerStars saw its 95 billionth hand dealt during March. During that celebration, players dealt into every Milestone (millionth) Hand won a base prize of $20 plus $60 for every VIP point earned during the preceding 50 hands at that table. Anyone who won a portion of the main pot also had their prize doubled.
For the Mega Milestone 95 billionth hand, the formula was similar, just jacked up. Those dealt into the Mega Milestone hand won a base prize of $10,000 plus $1,000 for every VIP point earned during the last 50 hands at that table. As with the regular Milestone hands, the winner of the main pot had his prize doubled.
The 95 billionth hand was dealt at the $0.08/$0.16 No-Limit Hold’em table “Pasiphae.” Player “RichB17,” holding the mighty J♣-4♥, won the jackpot when he rivered a 6-high straight. “Super bink,” he typed in the chat box as he won $23,920.
