Poker Tournaments

PokerStars is excited to host the best multi-table online poker tournaments and satellites anywhere on the Internet! Tournaments are elimination games that are normally played until one player has all the chips. Prizes are distributed based on the number of entrants.
For basic information about playing in our online poker tournaments, see about poker tournaments.
Before registering in one of our poker tournaments, please take a moment to look over our poker tournament rules.
Playing in a PokerStars Tournament
To play in a poker tournament, select the "Tourney", "Sit & Go", or "Events" tab from the main PokerStars lobby. If you select any tournament in this tab, you will see information about this tournament in the information box at the right. Under the State column, look for a tournament which has a state of "Registering".
You will find the details of each poker tournament game, such as game type (Texas Holdem, Omaha, Stud), structure (limit, no limit, pot limit), and buy-in are listed beside the state column. Double-click on a tournament in "Registering" state or click on the "Tournament Lobby" button and this opens the tournament lobby. Click the "Register" button, and log in if you have not already done so. The software will confirm your registration. You will be taken to your seat automatically shortly before the tournament begins. Check the tournament lobby screen for registration and seat times.
Tournament Lobby at PokerStars
Note that for all tournaments and multi-table satellites, players are all assigned random table seats when tournament play begins. As is customary in poker tournaments, seat changes are not allowed. The button in Hold'em and Omaha tournaments will be assigned to Seat 1.
As in a regular poker game, when it is your turn to act, you may check, bet, raise, call or fold (where applicable). You will notice another button called "Time Bank" when it is your turn to act, shown after you receive a time warning in the chat window. The Time Bank allows players extra time to decide on a course of action during a tournament, and will slowly deplete as it is used throughout the tournament.
Another way in which the PokerStars tournament interface varies from the ring-game interface is the "Info" tab on the chat box. This tab gives your current position in the tournament, as well as the highest, lowest, and average stacks for remaining players. The Info tab also tells you how much time is left in your Time Bank. The "Stats" tab provides statistical information about your play during the current poker tournament.
Tournament Lobby Screen
At any point during the tournament, players can check the tournament lobby screen for information about the current progress of the tournament. The lobby will show the current limit level for the tournament, information about players' stack sizes, and the breakdown of the prize pool. A good poker tournament tip is to check the lobby fairly often, to keep an eye on your progress.
The tournament lobby also lists all players, and double-clicking on any player's User ID (nickname), or clicking on the "Player info" button, will give you current tournament information for that player.
After the tournament, the winners will receive an e-mail providing comprehensive information about the tournament. Anyone can request a tournament history at any time after the tournament conclusion by going to the main lobby and selecting "Tournament History" from the "Requests" menu. Final information for each completed tournament will remain in the lobby for a few hours after the tournament conclusion.
Specific prize money breakdown will be shown after the registration is closed.
Viewing a Poker Tournament or Table in Play
A player in a poker tournament can observe any other table by double-clicking on that table in the tournament lobby's table list, or clicking the "Observe Table" button. Players who are not participants may also observe any table of a tournament.
Poker Tournament Dollars (T$) - PokerStars Exclusive
As the world's largest online poker site, PokerStars is proud to offer a unique Tournament Dollar system. When you qualify to any event through a satellite (excluding the W$ events discussed below), you have the option to unregister from the target event and receive Tournament Dollars (T$). T$ can be used to register in any PokerStars tournament or combination of tournaments, including Sit & Gos, special events, and satellites. If you win multiple seats to the same target event, the value of these seats will be automatically credited to your T$ account. T$ differ from real money, because they cannot be used in ring games - only for buying into tournaments.
To check your T$ balance at anytime, please visit the cashier window through the lobby.
W Dollars (W$)
In addition to Tournament Dollars, we also offer special W$. W$ can be used to register into any qualifying special PokerStars event.
Special poker events include:
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA)
European Poker Tour (EPT)
PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP)
World Series of Poker (*WSOP)****
Asia-Pacific Poker Tour (APPT)
When you win a seat in one of the W$ special events, for example a seat in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure event in the Bahamas, you will be required to play the event and will not be allowed to unregister. If you win multiple seats in the same event, the value of these seats will be automatically credited to your W$ account. If you win a seat to a satellite for a W$ special event, you have the option to unregister from the satellite and receive W$. W$ can be used to register in any W$ special event.
To check your W$ balance at anytime, please visit the cashier window through the lobby.
Note: In some cases it may not be possible to unregister from a tournament yourself. In that case, you may email PokerStars support at support@pokerstars.com to have us unregister on your behalf. Be sure to write from the email address listed on your PokerStars account, including your User ID, and the tournament number you wish to be unregistered from.
PokerStars is the Internet's largest poker room, and hosts more tournaments than any other site. We invite you to download our free poker software and see for yourself the large selection of online tournaments we have to offer. In our poker room. Whether you are looking to play small games or enter big events such as the World Poker Tour or *World Series of Poker, PokerStars has something for you.
* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah’s does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with, PokerStars or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.
** Tournament Dollars can be used to register into regular and special events; W$ can only be used for special events.
*** Any tournament data provided on this page is for information only. The most up to date tournament structures and start times can always be found in the PokerStars software, in the appropriate tournament lobby