Partypoker has countered a recent move by PokerStars by launching a new $10 million MTT series just in time for the festive period.
Although the operator has only provided a brief overview of the event, a look inside the Partypoker lobby shows that Christmas Freeze tournaments will get underway on December 23. Across the schedule, there will be 201 MTTs, including Mix-Max, Hold’em, Omaha and 8-max formats.
Additionally, all tournaments will have a freezeout structure, which means rebuys and re-entries aren’t permitted.
Another Big Money Event from Partypoker
For those that take part in the Christmas Freeze, Partypoker is putting up at least $10 million in guaranteed prize money. Although a far cry from the $21 million+ prizepool it attained during the record-breaking Millions Online, the move appears to be prompted by the announcement of PokerStars’ Winter Series.
As the industry’s two leading online operators jostle for position, PokerStars announced last week that it will be giving away at least $85 million during the holiday season. On top of the site’s regular tournaments, the PokerStars Winter Series will run between December 23 and January 7 and feature 60 events and a $40 million prizepool.
Given the timing of PokerStars’ announcement, the move was seen as a reaction to the success of Partypoker’s Millions Online. However, where one operator moves, the other is now prepared to follow, which means the Christmas Freeze will run alongside the PokerStars Winter Series.
Rivalry Raising Standards for Players
For players, the new MTT war is generating more value across the board. With customers able to take part in both Christmas events, there’s now almost $100 million in guaranteed prize money to play for between December 23 and January 7.
The intensifying rivalry is also a positive sign for the online poker industry as a whole. Just as a rising tide lifts all boats, the battle between the two market leaders is pushing boundaries and raising the stakes for every operator.
Heading into 2019, poker is in a positive place. While participation levels may be lower than what they were during the early noughties, the last five years have seen a recovery after the impact of Black Friday.
Heading towards Christmas, that’s resulted in more gifts from Partypoker and PokerStars.
