The PokerStars.net Big Game - FAQs
You can also find more details on the Big Game Terms & Conditions page.
- What is The PokerStars.net Big Game?
- The PokerStars.net Big Game is a televised high stakes cash game featuring some of the best players in poker. The minimum buy-in is $100,000 and the blinds are $200/$400 with an ante of $100.
- What is a Loose Cannon?
- Each episode of The PokerStars.net Big Game features an online qualifier who has been staked by PokerStars to play in the game. They receive the $100,000 buy-in for the game, but they will only get to keep the profit. If they have a successful session, the Loose Cannon will be invited back for another episode. The Loose Cannon needs to be experienced in ring game/cash game style of poker.
- How do I become a Loose Cannon?
- Loose Cannons are selected based on their poker ability and screen presence, and they MUST be located in the US or Canada. Ability is tested over three rounds of special qualifying tournaments. Make it into the top 300 of a daily tournament and you will progress to Round 2 on Saturday. Make it to the top 1,000 in that tournament and you will proceed to the Final Round on Sunday. The top 200 players will go into the casting pool for the TV show. Once you have proven your poker ability and made it into the casting pool, you will be invited to send in a video audition for the show. If you show you have the personality and charisma to be a part of The PokerStars.net Big Game, you could soon be appearing on national TV!
- What are PokerStars looking for in the audition movie?
- PokerStars will know it when we see it. So be yourself as much as you can. What we can tell you is that we want to get to know you. You don’t have to be playing poker in your movie as we already know you can play by getting this far. We want: personality, enthusiasm, zeal, humor and talent.
- How do I find the qualifying tournaments?
- The tournaments all contain ‘The Big Game’ in their name. They are all located under the ‘Tourney’ > ‘Regional’ tab of the PokerStars software. NOTE: Only residents of USA and Canada are eligible to play in The Big Game qualifying tournaments.
- When are the Round 1 qualifiers?
- These take place 4 times daily from January 31, 2011 until December 31, 2011 at 17.30 ET, 19.30 ET, 21.30 ET and 23.30pm ET.
- What is the format of the qualifying tournaments?
- The tournaments are all no-limit Hold’em. To replicate the format of The Big Game, the tournaments feature big antes from the very beginning. You will need to prove you can cope with this skilful format if you want to make it to the small screen.
- What is the PokerStars.net Big Game TV show?
- This is a high stakes poker show which will be broadcast five nights a week. It will feature a number of qualified players whose audition movies were selected. These are the Loose Cannons and there will be one Loose Cannon per show.
- And how do I send an audition video?
- Each one of the weekly 200 winners of the Big Game finals will be sent instructions on what to do next.
- Who will be appearing on the TV show?
- The TV show will feature some of the biggest and best names in poker, including many of your favorite Team PokerStars Pro players - including Daniel Negreanu and Vanessa Rousso.
- What can I win?
- PokerStars stakes you (The Loose Cannon) the initial $100,000. Anything The Loose Cannon wins above this figure is theirs to keep.
- And can the Loose Cannon decide when to leave the cash game if they’re doing well?
- The Loose cannon cannot leave the game until its completion, which is 150 hands. The Loose Cannon must remain in the game. Furthermore, if the Loose Cannon leaves the game for a period of time, they will still be expected to pay blinds/antes.
- And what if they lose?
- Another contestant is then chosen to sit at the cash game and the challenge is repeated. If a Loose Cannon loses his stake he will leave the table – for it to be filled by another Loose Cannon.
- When does the filming for The PokerStars.net Big Game TV show take place?
- At the moment, the date for the first recording weekend is likely to be sometime in March 2011.
- And where and when can I watch the show?
- You’ll be able to follow the action on FOX throughout 2011. The exact times and dates (and local networks) will be confirmed in good time and the site updated accordingly.
Go back to The PokerStars.net Big Game home page.
