FAQs - Million Dollar Challenge

What's this all about?
This is a chance to play poker in a great new TV show and win big. The PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge starts on August 17 at PokerStars.net. Players from the USA and Canada can compete for a place on our brand new poker TV show - where someone could win $1,000,000.
Great! Who's eligible?
Anyone who lives in the USA or Canada and is at least 21 years old (at the time of recording the show) can play. All you have to do is sign up for a free PokerStars account or use your existing account.
What can I win?
You could win up to $1,000,000 and a chance to play poker on TV. Please read below for more details on how to take part.
How do I enter?
Both new and existing US or Canadian players can take part in the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge competition. Anyone with a valid PokerStars account can play in the daily qualifiers (starting at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm ET). To register for any of our Million Dollar Challenge qualifying tournaments simply open the PokerStars lobby, locate the tournament under the ‘Tourney’ and ‘Regional’ tab and click register.
When are the qualifiers?
These take place four times daily from August 17 until December 20 at 8, 9, 10 and 11pm ET.
What do I have to do to get on the show?
If you finish in the top ten of any qualifier tournament, you will then be asked to submit an audition movie. You’ll receive an email with instructions on how and where to send your movie. Should your audition tape be selected by the PokerStars Team, you’ll be brought to the Fox TV studio to take part in the show - where you could ultimately win the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge.
When do I have to qualify by?
We have actually selected all the contestants we need for the shows up until December 27. But for those who won a tournament after November 1, 2009, we will still consider you for the next season’s shows.
If I finish in the top ten in a qualifier, how do I audition?
If you finish in the top ten, you will be sent an email confirmation soon after, which will contain all the necessary information for submitting your audition tape. Please note your auditions must be no longer than two minutes. Once received, the PokerStars Team will review all auditions before selecting the candidates whom we think will be perfect for our show. Only one audition movie may be sent per person, even if you make the top ten in more than one qualifier. The audition movie must also contain the two poker buddies that you’d like to accompany you to the show.
You want me to bring two friends?
Yes, that’s correct. To give you support and advice, and to give the show a better atmosphere, we would like to bring you and two poker friends to the studio. We’ll pay for their expenses too.
Can I take part in as many qualifiers as I want?
Yes, of course you can. However, as stated above, there is only one audition movie allowed to be sent per person. So if you do finish in the top ten and earn the right to send in an audition movie, there would be no point in taking part in another qualifier. So please allow someone else that same chance.
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 - and your poker chums. 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. From all of you. Basically, we’d like you to have something that sets you apart from the crowd – but not necessarily the Star Wars kid. Sorry!
What is the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge TV show?
This is comprised of four shows featuring a number of qualified players whose audition movies were selected. There will be four or five people with the best audition movies per show. Please note: all contestants must be at least 21 years of age to take part in the TV show.
Tell me more.
Once selected, the contestants in the show will battle it out against three different challengers (one after another) in a series of No Limit Texas Hold’em heads-up matches. These challengers will be made up of celebrities and Team PokerStars Pros, and will become increasingly harder to beat. Each heads-up battle is a ‘best of three’ situation. Daniel Negreanu will be on hand to coach and assist all the way through each of the first two stages (the contestant must win each stage against a challenger to progress). However, if the contestant progresses to the 3rd round they will then play AGAINST Daniel – who now becomes your adversary. This is the ultimate test of the pupil becoming the teacher – where they play for a seat at the final table on the 5th and final show. The contestant must beat Daniel in a ‘best of three’ heads-up game of poker.
What if the contestant loses?
Another contestant is then chosen and the challenge is repeated. If neither of the contestants beat Daniel then there will be another selection process used to choose the person to go through to the final. Depending on what stage you lose at will determine how much cash you walk away with. It could be zero. But if you don’t lose then you could take home a million dollars.
And the fifth show is like the final table?
That’s right. Each player will face 3 other winners from each of the three other shows. The four players will then play Texas Hold’em against one another, with the victor taking home the prize.
When does the filming for the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge TV show take place?
The show will be filmed in three stages: the first stage of recording will be on October 3-5, and the second stage of recording will be on December 6. And if you make it through to the final table, you will be asked to return for filming on December 20.
And where and when can I watch the show?
You’ll be able to follow the action on October 11 and 18, November 22 and December 13, with the grand final being shown on December 27. All at 4pm ET.*
And there’s a second season?
Yes, that’s correct. So most of the audition videos from November xx onwards will go forward for consideration for the next season’s shows. At this moment we have no firm recording dates for this.
I want to play in the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge. I know my husband opened a PokerStars account last year but he never played on it. Can I play using his account for this?
No. If your husband wants to play in the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge competition, that's great. But we do require that the player whose name is listed on the account play the event. Please feel free to open your own account and play.
What are my obligations to PokerStars if I win?
Thank you for asking. Please read our Terms and Conditions for your obligations should you win a prize during this promotion.

If you have any comments or questions, contact support@pokerstars.net.

Back to Million Dollar Challenge home page.

* Broadcast dates of the show may be subject to change.