Poker
World Series of Poker Paradise Brings Buzz, Huge Prize Pools and Big Stars to the Bahamas

First WSOP Paradise eclipses $70 million in total prize pool
Main Event Champion to win biggest $5k tournament of 2023
Historic bracelets, strong fields and memorable appearances by poker’s biggest names and sports legends highlight the first winter series for the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Starting on December 3 at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, WSOP Paradise hosted some of the biggest poker tournaments of 2023 at various buy-in levels and surpassed its promised $50 million guarantee to achieve a total prize pool of more than $70 million.
“From hall of famers winning bracelets to celebrity sightings and a classic Phil Hellmuth entrance to the Main Event, WSOP Paradise exceeded even our own lofty expectations and became the final highlight of an incredible year,” the Senior Vice-President and Executive Director for the WSOP, Ty Stewart, said. “We thank every player who made the trip to the Bahamas to be part of the action and launch our newest tradition, Winter in Paradise.”
Event #1, Mystery Millions, kicked off the poker in paradise action by breaking the record for the largest poker event ever hosted in the Bahamas and things only heated up from there. The winter series saw exceptional turnouts for its high roller events, with many of the tournaments becoming the strongest of the year at their buy-in level. This included Event #3: GGMillion$ High Roller Championship, which was larger than its $25k counterpart at the WSOP in Las Vegas this summer.
All high-roller event entrants and prize pools can be seen below:
Event #3: GGMillion$ High Roller Championship ($25k buy-in)
- 533 entrants
- $13,325,000 prize pool
Event #7: Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em ($50k buy-in)
- 137 entrants
- $6,850,000 prize pool
Event #9: Ultra High Roller No-Limit Hold’em ($100k buy-in)
- 111 entrants
- $11,100,000 prize pool
The inaugural WSOP Paradise No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, better known as the ‘Main Event’, has solidified itself as the largest $5k buy-in poker tournament of 2023, with 3,010 entrants battling for the top prize. The first WSOP Paradise Main Event champion will soon take home a $2 million first-place prize in addition to the highly-coveted Main Event bracelet hand-crafted by Jostens from yellow gold, weighing nearly 95 grams and 494 genuine blue topaz round stones.
The full payout breakdown for the WSOP Paradise Main Event Final Table is as follows:
- 1st: $2,000,000
- 2nd: $1,200,000
- 3rd: $900,000
- 4th: $685,000
- 5th: $510,000
- 6th: $400,000
- 7th: $300,000
- 8th: $250,000
- 9th: $200,000
Although this is just the first edition of WSOP Paradise, players and fans at Atlantis witnessed a familiar scene for a WSOP Main Event on December 9 as Phil Hellmuth made his grand entrance into the Atlantis Ballroom dressed as Poseidon, joined by choreographed dancers, mermaids and a marching band. Other highlights from the series action include Hall of Famer Erik Seidel taking home his tenth career WSOP bracelet after winning Event #7: Super High-Roller No-Limit Hold’em and Japan’s Masashi Oya breaking through to claim his first-ever WSOP bracelet to go along with a massive $2.9 million first-place prize in Event #9: Ultra High-Roller No-Limit Hold’em.
Familiar faces from the sports world also attended WSOP Paradise including 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Parker, two-time WNBA Champion and Las Vegas Aces’ Head Coach Becky Hammon, Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero, FS1’s Nick Wright and more. Parker finished in the money for the first time in a live poker tournament in Event #4: Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold’em and Aguero competed at the feature table for the Main Event with a seat next to Daniel Negreanu.
The excitement surrounding WSOP Paradise builds on a banner year for the WSOP after the series shattered its all-time attendance record for its Main Event in Las Vegas this summer, 17 years after Jamie Gold defeated a crowd of 8,773 entrants in 2006 to take home the prestigious WSOP Main Event bracelet.
Livestreamed coverage for the Main Event continues on GGPoker’s YouTube channel and three post-produced television episodes will air on CBS Sports Network with commentary from legendary poker analysts Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.
Players should follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP .com for event news and updates.
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ACR POKER AND CHRIS MONEYMAKER TO SEND PLAYERS TO $300,000 GTD MONEYMAKER TOUR MAIN EVENT THIS SEPTEMBER

Play in the Beast Mega Satellite this Sunday for a chance to win a share of over $44,000 in Moneymaker Tour packages to Aruba
Players now have an opportunity to win an unforgettable poker vacation to one of the hottest live events in Aruba this fall. ACR Poker and poker legend Chris Moneymaker are guaranteeing a host of exclusive packages to the $300,000 GTD Moneymaker Tour Aruba Main Event in September.
ACR Poker’s online Beast Mega Satellite, on Sunday, June 22nd at 5:05pm ET, will guarantee 12 Moneymaker Tour packages worth $3,700 each, totaling $44,400 in value. Players can buy-in for just $95 or qualify for free by placing on the Beast weekly leaderboard.
Each package includes the $1,700 Main Event buy-in, a four-night hotel stay (September 25th to 29th), and $1,000 in airfare. Players will then compete for a share of the $300,000 GTD prize pool, all while enjoying epic poker and off-the-felt experiences set against the stunning backdrop of Aruba.
“We’re all about making poker fun and accessible, and this Aruba stop is the perfect mix of serious competition and a great vacation,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Whether you’re chasing the title or just chasing the sun, this satellite gives players a chance to play poker in an incredible location and hang out with fellow poker fans—all for a small buy-in. Can’t wait to see who wins their way there this fall.”
This exclusive opportunity is part of Chris Moneymaker’s popular land-based poker tour, which includes stops in Las Vegas, Florida, and Canada. From September 26th to 28th, the $300,000 GTD Main Event in Aruba offers players the very best of live poker in a stunning paradise setting. Beyond the poker tables, players can enjoy pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the vibrant island culture of this Caribbean gem.
Also this Sunday, players can join the penultimate Vegas Main Event Satellite at 2:05pm ET, where 10 packages (worth $12,500 each) to the $10,000 buy-in Main Event in Las Vegas will be awarded. In addition, the Sunday Moneymaker Tournament will take place at 1:05pm ET with a $109 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of $300,000.
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Ariva Serviced Residences Unveils Exclusive Offer Ahead of 2025 World Series of Poker

In honor of the upcoming 56th annual World Series of Poker, Ariva Serviced Residences, the official luxury apartments of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Aces, has unveiled an exclusive offer to those looking for an extended stay of 31 days or more.
Conveniently located just minutes from the action on South Las Vegas Boulevard, Ariva Serviced Residences is offering guests 10% off their stay from today through July 16. In addition, guests who sign up during this time frame will receive a $200 UberEats gift card to fuel guests between hands.
The luxurious selection of premium serviced residences come equipped with extensive, full-service amenities that create an exclusive atmosphere for guests. Each residence comes fully furnished, with luxurious amenities such as Frette linen, Matouk terry, Grown Alchemist bath products, Smart TVs, Nespresso machines, high-end appliances, refrigerators stocked with the basics and weekly housekeeping services. Residences range in size from one, two and three-bedroom serviced apartments to lavish, multi-bedroom penthouses.
“We are excited to present this special offer to attendees of the 56th annual World Series of Poker. Ariva Serviced Residences provides a restful, upscale retreat just minutes from the excitement of the tournament, making it perfect for players, fans and executives visiting for the event,” said Sylvia Wong, director of WTI, Inc., the owner of Ariva Serviced Residences.
Ariva Serviced Residences also offers access into all amenities on the property that includes a 24-hour business center, a newly-opened Sky Deck and Sky Lounge with surrounding views of the mountains, a pet park, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a Zen garden, four resort-style pools (three of which are heated), two spas and so much more.
To reserve an upscale residence at Ariva for this year’s annual poker event, call or text 702-820-1266 or email [email protected].
For more information on this offer, please visit arivaservicedresidences.com/offers.
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ACR POKER ADDS BONUS FLIGHTS TO MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNAMENTS, GIVING PLAYERS ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN

Extra flights to take place on Saturday, April 26th for the $10 Million NLH and $2 Million PLO events
ACR Poker is giving players another shot at poker glory with the addition of bonus flights for the huge Dual Venom tournaments that are running side by side. Included are a massive $10 million GTD NLH event and $2 million GTD PLO event. The bonus flights will take place this Saturday, April 26th at 1:05pm ET, ahead of the final Day 1 flight on Sunday, April 27th.
Day 1 survivors from the six flights in the $10 Million NLH Venom will return for Day 2 on Monday, April 28th, and if they advance, continue to Day 3 on Tuesday. Day 3 survivors will compete for the Venom NLH title at the Final Table on Wednesday, April 30th at 4:05pm ET. With a $2,650 buy-in, the champion is set to win an estimated $1 million. Meanwhile, the winner of the $2 Million PLO event, which ties as the largest Omaha event in ACR Poker’s history, is projected to win a top prize of $400,000.
“Venom is really heating up and the extra flights are another chance for anyone who still wants to make a run at Day 2 and get a piece of the huge prize pools and the Venom glory,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker.
There’s still time for players to lock in their Venom entry through ACR Poker’s Venom Fever Satellites, with qualifiers starting at $0. Venom Madness, Direct and Mega Satellites offer players affordable routes into both headline tournaments. Additional opportunities include the Venom Vault, which has already awarded over $150,000 in prizes and 22 X $2,650 seats.
ACR Poker is also hosting Venom Specials during every Day 1 and Day 2 of the Dual Venoms, featuring over $14 million in guaranteed prizes. Plus, the $500,000 GTD Venom Warmup has daily Day 1 flights running through this Sunday, April 27th, for just a $66 buy-in.
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