In my most recent article, I said that you can support American poker online by participating in World Series of Poker satellites on Full Tilt, and today I will show how it’s possible to play on PokerStars and do the same thing. PokerStars also offers many opportunities to participate in the WSOP, and if you’re able to money the Main Event, you’ll receive some great bonus prizes.
You’ll be glad you chose to support American poker online because the ME satellites are plentiful on PokerStars. If you don’t mind using your bankroll to buy-in to cash satellites, you’re guaranteed to encounter plenty of freeze-out MTTs in a wide variety of buy-ins that give ME packages to the winners. If you refuse to spend a lot on WSOP qualifiers, Steps Satellites are a good alternative if you don’t mind working your way up. Or maybe you’re a good player that wants to take advantage of weaker players working their way up the Steps ladder? Go ahead and buy-in to one of the higher Steps levels and get your seat that way. Are you so broke that you can’t even afford the cheapest Step Satellites? As usual, Stars has an alternative for you. As long as you’re not keeping your Frequent Player Points (FPPs) for a specific VIP Pokerstars bonus, they’re good for entering special FPP satellites. Think about how jealous your fellow players will be once they find out you won your entry to the Main Event without even spending a dime of your own cash!
To help with some expenses, the ME package awarded in satellites contains more than just a tournament buy-in. You’ll also receive $1,000 to spend on airfare (or anything else you need), 8 nights hotel accommodation at the Palms, and use of a free shuttle to the Rio. You can trade your hotel accommodations for an extra $1,000 cash if it works better for you. If you know that you’re going to play the ME no matter what, you might want to make a poker deposit into PokerStars and attempt to win your way in since the site makes it so easy for its players.
As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of PokerStars bonus incentives for those that agree to wear PokerStars clothing during the Main Event. The first bonus is a free 50,000 VPPs for your account to start 2011. That’s right – just represent PokerStars and you’re automatically half way to Supernova in 2011! The players that money the event receive a complimentary PokerStars Caribbean Adventure or North American Poker Tour event package. Your big goal will be to earn the Main Event Champion Bonus, however. Do this and you’ll receive $500k in live tournament buy-ins, $100k in online PokerStars tournament buy-ins, and $400k cash. If you add up all the free MTT poker, the entire Champion Bonus is worth $1 million!
At first you might consider that a Full Tilt Poker download is superior because they give $10 million for winning the Main Event, but keep in mind that you’ll be tied to Full Tilt for a full decade before you receive all the money. You are offered the same value for a year at either PokerStars and Full Tilt ($1 million), but you only have to sign a one year deal with PokerStars. If you value freedom over money, the final table bonuses at PokerStars are probably better for you because ten years sure is a long time!
