In this column, we give you the latest and most interesting poker industry news from Australia’s recovering live scene.
Star Poker Gold Coast announces Summer Series
With postponed events here and there, Star Poker Gold Coast is getting ready to host the newest event to hit the felt this year. Its Summer Series due to play through this November 26 to December 6 is an exciting treat to cap off the end of this recovering 2021. The 11-day festival will feature a total of nine events with buy-ins ranging from $220 with the most expensive being the $1,100 multi-day Main Event. While no guarantees are set, traffic is definitely expected to return as positive Covid cases across the state remain low.
Aside from the nine featured events, daily satellites beginning November 1st will be available for those looking to join the Main Event action for a fraction of the price. Turbo satellites priced at $130 with unlimited re-entries will be running throughout December 2nd at 6:15pm onwards for the entire month.
Click here for the Star Poker Gold Coast Summer Series schedule and the full Main Event satellite lineup.
Star Sydney reopens without poker
After its recent four-month closure following a spike in local Covid-19 cases, The Star Sydney has finally reopened its doors last October 11th with a few additional restrictions in tow. In its announcement posted in the property’s official website, The Star noted that “all guests over the age 16 will be required to provide proof of their full COVID-19 vaccination or medical contraindication certificate prior to entering.”
The latest update includes guests required to wear masks at all times while in the property, in accordance with the New South Wales Government’s Public Health Order. Regardless if Star Sydney’s staff is already fully vaccinated, resumed operations on site will remain to be at a limited capacity specified to a single person per four square meters indoors and one person per two square meters outdoors. Aside from these, the Star Poker room also remains to be temporarily shut down as its reopening announcement is yet awaited by local live enthusiasts.
In spite of the timely reopening, the Star Entertainment Group’s share price continued to plummet amid allegations of the company’s illegal activities focused on welcoming VIP clients tied with organized crime, drug trafficking and the like. A recent exposé covered by three media reports placed Star in the spotlight and facing scrutiny as its major rival, Crown Resorts once was.
Stacked Poker Championship set for a later date
Originally scheduled for November 2021, Adelaide’s Stacked Poker Championship has been postponed to now kick off on January 28 to February 7, 2022. Five featured events complete the 11-day schedule with buy-ins ranging from $350 to $2,200 for the Main Event. With two starting flights qualifying for Day 2, Main Event runners will have enough opportunities to compete for the six-figure guarantee awarded solely to the tournament champion. Additionally, two Main Event mega satellites have been added to the series schedule (January 30 & February 3) for those interested in possibly turning $300 to a whopping $100,000 top prize.
“Our previous championship awarded a quarter million dollars in prizes and firmly put us on the map as one of Australasia’s elite poker destinations,” said Stacked Social’s Managing Director, Andrew Michael.
“Interstate competitors were integral to the success of our previous championship, with visitors from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia all making the journey to Adelaide to compete for the $100,000 first prize, The series attracted many high-profile poker personalities including ‘The Croc’ (Billy Argyros) who has been a huge supporter of the business since we launched back in 2019.”, he added.
