Summer Games - USA Qualifying Structure
Every PokerStars player from the United States is eligible to enter one (1) Round 1 event each week. This means that you are able to play in one qualifier for each of our 8 different poker events. PokerStars offers free practice games for all events 24/7, so if there’s a game that’s new to you, why not practice before you get in the game?
Daily Round 1: Four times daily at 8:00PM, 8:30PM, 10:00PM and 10:30 PM ET.
Maximum number of entrants is 5,000 in each. The top 250 players in each Round 1 will receive $5 each, with the top 50 also advancing to the Weekly Round 2 (Final).
Weekly Round 2 (Final): Sunday 4:00 PM ET, August 31 - October 19.
This is made up of the top qualifiers from each of the week’s Round 1 events. The top 140 players in the Round 2 will each win a further $20, with the Top 5 also win a place on Team USA to compete in the Summer Games Grand Final.
The Summer Games Grand Final: Sunday 4:00PM ET, October 26.
40 members of Team Canada compete against Team USA in 40 Heads Up battles. Each match winner will receive $500 simply for taking part, and up to another $2,000 for their part in the country clash. The team that wins the most Heads Up contests will receive a $20,000 cash prize, shared equally among all 40 team members. To see how much you could win in the Grand Final, please see below.
Every PokerStars player from the United States is eligible to enter one (1) Round 1 event each week. This means that you are able to play in one qualifier for each of our 8 different poker events. PokerStars offers free practice games for all events 24/7, so if there’s a game that’s new to you, why not practice before you get in the game?
| Event | Game | Qualify Daily at 9:30PM ET |
Final | How to Play |
| 1 | Limit Texas Hold'em | Aug. 22 - 28 | Aug. 31 | Limit Hold'em |
| 2 | 7 Card Stud | Aug. 29 - Sep. 4 | Sep. 7 | 7 Card Stud |
| 3 | Short Handed NL Texas Hold'em | Sep. 5 - 11 | Sep. 14 | Short Handed Hold'em |
| 4 | Pot Limit Omaha | Sep. 12 - 18 | Sep. 21 | Omaha |
| 5 | Pot Limit Texas Hold'em | Sep. 19 - 25 | Sep. 28 | Pot Limit Hold'em |
| 6 | 5 Card Draw | Sep. 26 - Oct. 2 | Oct 5 | 5 Card Draw |
| 7 | Omaha Hi/Lo | Oct. 3 - 10 | Oct. 12 | Omaha Hi/Lo |
| 8 | No Limit Texas Hold'em | Oct. 11 - 16 | Oct. 19 | No Limit Hold'em |
Daily Round 1: Four times daily at 8:00PM, 8:30PM, 10:00PM and 10:30 PM ET.
Maximum number of entrants is 5,000 in each. The top 250 players in each Round 1 will receive $5 each, with the top 50 also advancing to the Weekly Round 2 (Final).
Weekly Round 2 (Final): Sunday 4:00 PM ET, August 31 - October 19.
This is made up of the top qualifiers from each of the week’s Round 1 events. The top 140 players in the Round 2 will each win a further $20, with the Top 5 also win a place on Team USA to compete in the Summer Games Grand Final.
The Summer Games Grand Final: Sunday 4:00PM ET, October 26.
40 members of Team Canada compete against Team USA in 40 Heads Up battles. Each match winner will receive $500 simply for taking part, and up to another $2,000 for their part in the country clash. The team that wins the most Heads Up contests will receive a $20,000 cash prize, shared equally among all 40 team members. To see how much you could win in the Grand Final, please see below.
Daily Round 1 event:
Top 250 places: $5
Top 50 places: one seat each in Round 2
Weekly Round 2 event:
Top 140 places: $20
Top 5 places: a place in Team USA.
Summer Games Grand Final:
Taking part in your Heads Up match: $500
Winning your Heads-Up match: $500
Being part of the team that wins each poker event overall (i.e. the team that wins the most Heads Up games in, e.g. Omaha): $500
Being part of the Summer Games Grand Final winning team: $500
