Earlier this month, PokerStars USA, which recently signed Next Gen Poker as ambassadors, wrapped up the North American Championship of Online Poker (NACOOP).
The 2023 NACOOP was PokerStars’ first endeavor covering all North American ring-fenced liquidities with series in the merged market of Michigan and New Jersey (USCOOP), as well as the merged markets of Pennsylvania (PACOOP) and Ontario (ONCOOP). All told there was $7 million in guarantees across both counties. This represented the largest guarantee for an Online Tournament Series in the North American regulated space.
Ambitious guarantees were supported by trophy events and leaderboards to celebrate winners, a deposit match offer prior to the announced date, a depositor freeroll to the Main Event, a redesigned $10K Leaderboard in each liquidity, and ticket drops for marquee Sunday events as well as entry-level offerings with $3 Spin and Gos, satellites starting at $1, events starting at $10 and $100 buy-in Championship Trophy events.
Highlights from the NACOOP
Here are some interesting highlights, facts, and figures released by PokerStars US in regard to the 2023 NACOOP.
- Championship Trophies awarded for select events
- Competitive Leaderboard recognizing elite performance and fueling event-by-event support from our most engaged players
- Main Events, exceeding GTDs., which also added a NAPT Golden Pass for the Winners
- PA: $300. 877 Entries / Won by ‘Schwinns1’ for $40,807 + NAPT Golden Pass
- US_SL: $300. 1,194 Entries / Won by ‘cal4567’ for $52,576 + NAPT Golden Pass
- ON: $300 CAD. 737 Entries / Won by ‘wrsport1015’ for $27,975 + NAPT Golden Pass
- High Roller Main Events at $2,500 in PA and US_SL, $1,000CAD in ON. Each event generated six-figure prize pools and excitement for the high stakes community
- Large Prize Pools: 15 $100K+ events
- Overall MTT Performance at a level that has not been seen since the height of the 2021 US Boom
- Wide variety of offerings provided
- Buy ins: $10-$2,500
- Free or low-priced entry options for casual players to find a pathway into the mix
- Ten-Deuce Day. PokerStars tips its cap to a poker legend with events inspired by Doyle Brunson on the final day of COOP 10/2
- $10,200 Ten-Deuce Freeroll. Over 2,500 players entered in PA and US_SL
- “The Godfather Championship”. An 8-Game Championship event as the final trophy event for PA/USCOOP
David Kaye Grows His Audience (And His Bankroll) at the 2023 NACOOP
Not only that, several well-known poker players made headlines during the 2023 NACOOP.
- David Kaye, PokerStars Ambassador from Michigan won two events, final tabled another two, and made Day 2 in the Main Event. Total cashes of over $55K, all while engaging with his audience in his platforms
- Maria Konnikova added to the PokerStars Ambassador roster during COOP and played in the Main Event and Ten-Deuce Freeroll
- A female player won PACOOP 83: $2,500 NLHE [High Roller Championship], $150K GTD, outlasting a field of 70 and taking home one of the largest 1st place prizes of COOP for nearly $45k
- ‘wrsport1015’, The winner of the Ontario Main Event ended up making a three-way deal at the Final Table for just under $28K CAD, but now will also have the chance to play for more at NAPT Vegas.
- All the NACOOP Main Event winners received Vegas Gold Passes.
What’s Included with a PokerStars Vegas Gold Pass
These passes cover your buy-in for, travel to, and accommodation during the $5,300 NAPT Las Vegas High Roller.
Excitingly, the passes also include three-day access for two people to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The full package is worth $20,300 and contains:
- one seat in the $5,300 NAPT Las Vegas High Roller, running from November 10 to 12;
- three-day passes—from November 16 to 18—for two people for the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience in Las Vegas;
- ten nights—from November 9 to 19—accommodation for two at Resorts World Las Vegas;
- taxes and resort fees; and
- an additional $3,653 towards flights and expenses.
How to Win a PokerStars Vegas Gold Pass
PokerStars’ players can now earn a Vegas Gold Pass through the Power Path promotion.
Power Path is an ongoing four-step online satellite series. Players can buy into Steps 1 to 3, in which winners will earn tickets to the next step.
However, you cannot buy directly into Step 4 where the prizes change to Bronze, Silver, and Gold Passes. To earn a seat in Step 4, you have to win your ticket in a Step 3 tourney.
From October 2 until October 26, the PokerStars Power Path is “supercharged” with fifty guaranteed Gold Passes ten of which are redeemable for Vegas bundles.
Plus, to help start you off on your own Power Path adventure, PokerStars is also awarding every player who plays real money cash games or tournaments on the PokerStars client a free $0.50 Step 1 ticket.
PokerNews 2023 NACOOP Recaps
Below are convenient links to our daily recaps of the 2023 NACOOP. Also, you can visit our live reporting page for the 2023 NACOOP to see live updates from select tournaments.
Executive Editor U.S.
Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.