The UK and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) has been a runaway success since it opened its doors for business back in December 2009. Three seasons and multiple record-breaking fields later the UKIPT is on the verge of starting Season 4 (UKIPT Marbella, 12-16 June) but before then there's a taster of what's to come: UKIPT Series launches this Friday, 12 April.
The UKIPT Series is a new, ermm, series of tournaments which will run alongside, ermm, the UKIPT. The £250 + £25 events will use the same great structure as UKIPT Main Events but on a faster 30-minute clock. Given a 20,000 starting stack, which gives you 400 big blinds in the opening level, there's plenty of room for play. The tournament plays across three days with two Day 1s (Friday and Saturday) and one Day 2 (Sunday). This means it's plenty easy to enter, win and still get back to work on Monday without having to take any time off.
Where is it?
UKIPT Series takes place in the new PokerStars LIVE at The Hippodrome Casino card room. The casino is easily accessible by Leicester Square underground station. If you bust out (getting super unlucky, of course. How does he find aces when you six-bet shove Q7o there?) you can hit the London night life or hang around for the cash games.
Cranbourn Street,
Leicester Square,
London
WC2H 7JH
Tel: 0207 769 8888
www.hippodromecasino.com
Qualify now!
You can find online qualifiers to the UKIPT Series by clicking 'Events' > 'More' > 'UKIPT' in the PokerStars lobby. Satellites start from as little as 75 FPP. You can also buy-in direct through the PokerStars client to make sure that you guarantee yourself a seat.
Prizes mean points!
The UKIPT Series will be eligible for UKIPT side event leader board points. In addition, winners of each UKIPT Series event will also be invited to the UKIPT Champion of Champions event at the end of Season 4 to battle it out for a UKIPT Season 5 passport. That gives UKIPT Series some real added value.
Follow the action
PokerStars Blog will be on hand to track the key action and the biggest chip stacks. Workhorse Nick Wright will be scouring the floor, notepad in one hand and strong cup of tea in the other.
Rick Dacey staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.