NBC Heads Up Qualifiers [Full Tilt Poker]

[ryanjg87]

Actually, I forgot to ask something (my reason for coming to this forum topic, got caught up in previous post).
Is the only way to move to the later rounds through these qualifiers or can people pay? I don't want to pay but was just curious as to the value of the seats.
1st round qualifier value would be zero I guess, but the next round, what would that be worth, as only the winners of the 256 person heads up sit and go tourney advance.
Round 3 is more what my question is pertaining to. Of the up to 5000 entries in round 2, only the top 64 advance. Can someone just buy into that round? I don't think so, but if so what is a seat there worth?
Then, of the top 64 qualifiers in all the round 2 qualifiers that play Februry 22 (and the people that buy in if you can- again I don't think you can), only the winner gets a seat at the NBC Heads-up tourney. What is the value of that prize package? That is the real question I have I guess.

 

[ryanjg87]

Also, good luck to all of those competing in this tourney. It would be cool if someone from here won the grand prize! Good luck everyone!!

 

[ryanjg87]

Here we go. Prize info

Found this just after I typed all of the above so thought I should share for those who don't know. This info is from tightpoker.com

Full-tilt poker has announced that they will be giving away free seats to the fifth annual NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Full Tilt will award two of their members with a prize package valued at $22,000 which includes an entry into the Heads-Up Championship as well as travel and accommodation.

Players can win these packages by entering the daily “Round 1” heads-up shootout tournaments which run until February 20th, the weekly “Round 2” freerolls which run until February 21st, or by buying directly into the final qualifier on February 22nd at 4:35 ET. Anyone who finishes in the top 200 of a Round 1 tournament moves on to the Round 2 freeroll; those who finish in the top 56 of Round 2 earn a spot in the final qualifier on Feb. 22nd.

The NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship normally gives its seats away through invitations. All NBC Heads-Up champions, the last three wsop Main Event champions, the latest WSOP Main Event runner-up, and the last WSOP Player of the Year earn automatic invitations. And, as mentioned before, two of the invitations will be reserved for Full Tilt members.


Ths answered all my questions. Hope yours too were answered

 

[ryanjg87]

Looked at last years tourney info and seats were $20000, but by invitation. 64 players(?) only. Payouts were $500,000 for 1st, $250,000 for 2nd, 3rd and 4th got $125,000, 5th to 8th got $75,000, and 9th to 16th got $25,000. Also, Chris Ferguson was the winner.

 

[LizzyJ]

I love playing the heads-up freeroll. I basically suck at heads-up so I try to get all the practice that I can. Great way to get experience without having to pay for it.

 

[ryanjg87]

Here is a write up for this years event that explains everything! (From gambling911.com):

"If you are a poker fan, you no doubt have witnessed the National Heads-Up Poker Championship on television. This prestigious tournament features a who's who of the top players in the world. Much like college basketball's March Madness tournament, the Heads Up tournament begins with 64 players who compete in heads up matches until a final winner is left standing.

Historically, this has been an invitation only event but this year, Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars will be giving away 5 seats to this event.

The list of participants is truly an exclusive club.
The past five NBC Heads-Up champions are automatically awarded bids, as are the last 3 world series of poker Main Event Champions. Also given seats are this years WSOP main event runner up, the WSOP Player of the Year and the Card Player Magazine Player of the year.
The lineup truly boasts the best of the best.

The actual live Heads Up Championship takes place March 6 - 8, 2009 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

NBC will air the tournament live on television on these dates and times:

April 12: Noon - 2PM EST
April 19: Noon - 1PM EST
April 26: Noon - 2PM EST
May 3: Noon - 2PM EST
May 10: Noon - 2PM EST
May 17: Noon - 3PM EST

Now, in conjunction with Caesar's Palace, the two top online poker sites will be sending a total of five members to play in the classic event, absolutely free.
They will be offering freerolls to gain entry to the event.

On February 22nd at 11AM, Caesars will run its freeroll and to qualify, all a player needs to do is play poker at the casino for 40 hours during the month of January. Qualifying players will compete in a multi table tournament until there are 64 players remaining. At that point, remaining players will compete in heads up poker matches just like the NBC event.
The top 32 will get a cash payout and the winner is entered into the NBC event.

pokerstars will be hosting a championship freeroll as well on February 22nd. Preliminary tournaments have been underway since December 20th. In the preliminary events, the top 200 finishers advance to a Round 2 tournament in which the top 56 move on to the big final. The top 2 finalists will win their seats on the NBC show.

full tilt poker's format is similar to the one held by PokerStars though one seat was awarded on January 4th in a freeroll. They are holding Round 1 heads-up shootouts and weekly Round 2 freerolls. Like the other two venues, their championship for the remaining seat is on February 22nd."

Hope this info helps and tells you everything you wanted to know.