What could turn out to be the largest NLHE tournament of the year in Ontario is up and running, with daily shots to qualify for CAD $200. The CNE Casino, presented by PokerStars Ontario, is hosting the NLHE event with a prize pool that could hit CAD $320,000. PokerStars is throwing in an NAPT Las Vegas Gold Pass worth $10,000 for the winner, which gives you a seat, accommodation and expenses for its flagship event at Resorts World in November.
The temporary casino – the only one in Downtown Toronto – is located in the northeast corner of the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place. It opened on July 24, providing casino games and a 24-table poker room. That poker room offers daily shots at qualifying for the semi-finals of the NLHE event through CAD $200 sit-and-gos. Win one of those, and you'll progress to the semi-finals.
There are four semi-finals on August 7, 14, 21, and 28, with 40 players per semi-final. The top 10 players in each will move on to the finals, which are on Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31.
Last year's event was a sellout and boasted a prize pool of CAD $248,000. It is expected that this year's event will be bigger.
Kevin Harrington, CEO of PokerStars, said, "We're really excited to be able to bring the Vegas Gold Pass to players in Ontario and offer another way to attend the highly anticipated event later this year. The CNE event was a great success last year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the players of Ontario back to this event."
Win your way to the NAPT
The 2024 NAPT plays out at Resorts World in Las Vegas on November 1-10, with the $5,300 Main Event running November 5-10. The $5,300 buy-in is three times the $1,650 buy-in for the inaugural NAPT which played out last year with 1,095 runners. That was won by Sami Bechahed, who scooped $268,945.
The 2024 NAPT Las Vegas Gold Pass includes the following:
- $5,300 buy-in to the Main Event of the NAPT
- $2,900 hotel accommodation at Resorts World
- $1,800 expenses to cover travel and other expenses
