PokerStars breaks World Record

The results are in. PokerStars – the world’s largest online poker site – has shattered the Guinness World Record for ‘Largest Online Poker Tournament’.

On Sunday December 28, 2008, 35,000 players played the $11 buy-in world record tournament with PokerStars guaranteeing a $500,000 prize pool. The tournament, which sold out well in advance, played for over 9.5 hours with and a record 8,750 players hitting the money. No deals were made and Stan34powa outlasted 34,999 players to win the world’s largest-ever tournament and $30,000. PokerStars had set the previous record with a field of 20,000 players in the Sunday Hundred Grand on July 29, 2007.

It was a weekend of landmarks during the PokerStars ‘World Record Week’. Not only did PokerStars break the world record for the largest online poker tournament, they also hosted their largest ever Sunday Warm-up tournament with a record 5,836 players showing up for the special Sunday Warm-up and boosting the guaranteed $1 million prize pool to an amazing $1,167,200. 855 players walked away with a slice of the money and Hr_Herman took away $147,067.20 for his win.

The world renowned Sunday Million tournament also saw its largest week – pulling in a whopping 16,260 players and creating a $3,252,000 prize pool. This easily surpassed the $2.5 million that PokerStars had guaranteed in honor of ‘World Record Week’. A remarkable 2,475 players made the money, with Team PokerStars Pro Katja Thater making a deep run and finishing 134th.
The winner lp_SakiSaki took home an astounding $331,378.80.

“No other site brings the level of excitement, skill, and challenge that poker players crave,” said Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. “The Sunday tournaments on PokerStars provide an unrivaled opportunity to prove your poker prowess with a lucrative prize pool that matches the highest level of competition.”

Every month, PokerStars awards millions in cash, prizes, and all-expense paid trips to some of the most alluring travel destinations and world famous casinos. With tournaments like the Sunday Million, and annual events such as the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), PokerStars consistently hosts some of the most lucrative and renowned online tournaments. Over $39 million was awarded to players during the 33 events that comprised the 2008 WCOOP.