PokerStars Las Vegas made a spectacular comeback to the poker scene after staying away for 12 years. The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) came back strong in November 2023. Players gathered at the stunning Resorts World Las Vegas, a $4.3 billion resort that hosted this grand return.
The 2024 Main Event turned into a soaring win. Nearly 900 players competed for a guaranteed prize pool of $3,000,000. Players of all skill levels joined the 10-day tournament series. Buy-ins started at $250 and went up to $25,000. Gold Pass holders had an amazing run – 20 players out of 115 qualifiers won prizes totaling $240,600.
NAPT Las Vegas Tournament Structure
The NAPT Las Vegas tournament series boasts a rich lineup of poker events with buy-ins that range from $250 to $25,000. The series’ crown jewel, a $5,300 Main Event, leads the pack with a massive $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Main Event Format and Prize Pool
Players in the Main Event start with 30,000 tournament chips and play through 60-minute levels. The blinds begin at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. The tournament offers three starting flights, including a turbo flight 1c, and players can re-enter once per flight. Players can register until Day 2, which gives them plenty of flexibility.
High Roller and Mystery Bounty Events
Two major high-stakes tournaments highlight the series. The $25,000 Super High Roller pulled in 60 entries and built a prize pool of $1,440,600. The $10,300 High Roller that followed saw 170 players compete for a $1,328,900 prize pool.
The Mystery Bounty event turned out to be a huge success with 1,201 entries across five starting flights. The tournament’s prize pool reached $576,480, almost doubling its $300,000 guarantee.
NAPT Cup Schedule and Details
The NAPT Cup runs from November 8-10 with a $550 buy-in and $300,000 guarantee. The series also features special events like the NAPT Women’s Event with its $330 buy-in and $30,000 guarantee. The RunGood Open rounds out the schedule with a $400,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Qualification Pathways
PokerStars’ detailed satellite system gives players multiple ways to qualify for NAPT Las Vegas.
Online Satellites on PokerStars US
The Path to NAPT program is a four-step qualification route that starts at just $0.50. Players begin their journey with Spin & Go tournaments to win entries into higher steps or secure a Gold Pass with a rare 0.0001% chance. The second step features $1.50 On-Demand Sit & Go events that guarantee at least one ticket to step three. The third step consists of $10 Multi-Table Tournaments where players can win Bronze Passes worth $100. Bronze Pass holders can enter $100 qualifiers that lead to bi-weekly $1,000 NAPT Satellites, where one in ten players wins a Gold Pass.
Gold Pass Package Benefits
Each $10,000 Gold Pass has:
- Main Event entry worth $5,300
- Luxury accommodation valued at $2,900
- Travel and expense allowance of $1,800
Regional Qualifier Events
PokerStars’ 2-year old regional qualification opportunities give players more chances to win. The Maryland State Poker Championships runs at Live! Casino & Hotel from July 31 through August 4. Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia’s events happen from August 22 to September 8. Gold Passes to the Las Vegas festival go to Main Event winners at these regional stops automatically. RunGood Poker Series events are a great way to get Gold Passes through tournament leaderboards.
Venue and Experience
Resorts World Las Vegas stands as the most expensive resort property in Las Vegas at $4.3 billion. This premier destination for the NAPT series sits on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip and welcomed its first guests in summer 2021.
Resorts World Casino Facilities
The property has three hotels under one roof – Hilton, Crockfords, and Conrad. The poker room ranks among the largest in Las Vegas with 29 tables in a spacious setting. Serious players will find mixed games at limits from 4/8 to 300/600.
Player Amenities and Services
NAPT participants can enjoy the resort’s impressive amenities:
- 40+ restaurants and bars from quick-service to fine dining spots
- A dedicated sportsbook to enjoy between sessions
- Tournament players get VIP lounge access
- Every poker seat comes with USB charging ports
Tournament Area Setup
The venue proved its tournament hosting capabilities during the 2024 NAPT series by welcoming more than 1,100 players across five starting flights. A spacious ballroom serves as the tournament area, specially designed for major poker events. Players can follow all the action from their tables thanks to thirteen 65-inch HDTVs throughout the space. The facility’s layout makes tournament operations smooth with easy access to registration areas and player services.
Future Growth Plans
NAPT has revealed ambitious regional expansion plans across North America after its successful return. The tour wants to build a strong presence in the Northeast region where PokerStars currently runs active online operations.
Northeast Regional Expansion
PokerStars North America’s VP Steve Preiss has confirmed several live events scheduled for 2025 in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. Live! Casino in Philadelphia continues to be the life-blood partner for upcoming events. Notwithstanding that, the most important development points to possible expansion into Ontario, which would mark NAPT’s first international territory during this growth phase.
Integration with Online Platform
We focused our tour’s growth strategy on markets where PokerStars runs regulated online poker platforms. Players can qualify easily and participate more through this integration. Natural synergies between online and live poker experiences emerge from the operator’s presence in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Partnership Development Strategy
NAPT’s partnership strategy covers three key initiatives:
- RunGood Poker Series collaboration for a $400,000 guaranteed tournament
- Mixed Games Festival integration with Cardplayer Lifestyle
- Next Gen Poker alliance to draw younger audiences
Next Gen Poker’s partnership, with its impressive 150 million channel views, shows NAPT’s calculated move to modernize poker entertainment. The strategic collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing strengthens NAPT’s brand reach beyond traditional poker circles.
NAPT plans to enter more jurisdictions where online betting becomes legal in 2026 and 2027. This strategy lines up with FanDuel’s strong presence in regulated markets and could accelerate poker’s growth in new territories. Creating available pathways for players remains the focus while maintaining strong connections with existing customers through digital and live platforms.
Conclusion
PokerStars’ NAPT Las Vegas comeback shows poker’s lasting appeal and room to grow. Players of all skill levels have their attention drawn to the available buy-ins, big prize pools, and Gold Pass packages. Resorts World Las Vegas turned out to be the perfect venue with its exceptional amenities and tournament facilities that lifted the whole experience.
The 2024 series was a soaring win. The Main Event pulled in almost 900 players and offered a $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, which proves there’s a real market need. This success paved the way for NAPT to grow bigger throughout North America, especially in regulated markets like Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
NAPT’s mutually beneficial alliances with RunGood Poker Series, Next Gen Poker, and Oracle Red Bull Racing set the stage for continued growth. These partnerships work alongside PokerStars’ 20-year-old online presence to create a smooth connection between digital and live poker experiences. The tour’s satellite system starts at just $0.50, which helps poker fans at every level take part in this exciting new chapter of North American poker.
FAQs
Q1. How can players qualify for the NAPT Las Vegas?
Players can qualify through online satellites on PokerStars US, starting from as low as $0.50. The Path to NAPT program offers a four-step qualification route, including Spin & Go tournaments, On-Demand Sit & Go events, and Multi-Table Tournaments. Regional qualifier events are also available at select casinos.
Q2. What does the Gold Pass package for NAPT Las Vegas include?
The Gold Pass, valued at $10,000, includes entry to the $5,300 Main Event, luxury accommodation worth $2,900, and a travel and expense allowance of $1,800.
Q3. Where is the NAPT Las Vegas held?
The NAPT Las Vegas is held at Resorts World Las Vegas, a $4.3 billion resort property located on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. The venue features a spacious poker room with 29 tables and a tournament area specifically configured for major poker events.
Q4. What are some of the key events in the NAPT Las Vegas tournament series?
The series includes the $5,300 Main Event with a $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, a $25,000 Super High Roller, a $10,300 High Roller, and a popular Mystery Bounty event. Additionally, there’s the NAPT Cup with a $550 buy-in and specialized events like the NAPT Women’s Event.
Q5. What are PokerStars’ plans for expanding the NAPT?
PokerStars plans to expand the NAPT across North America, focusing on the Northeast region where they have an active online presence. Future events are planned for New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and potentially Ontario. The tour aims to integrate with PokerStars’ online platforms and develop strategic partnerships to attract a wider audience.
