ACR’s CAGE Sees One of the Biggest First Place Payouts In History

The Cage didn’t necessarily feature the biggest turnout in Americas Cardroom’s history last night, but it was a memorable event nonetheless.

Not only did all eight players who successfully emerged from The Cage win more than their buy-in back, but this week’s top two players earned more cash than the first place winner in most installments of the time-based cash game.

"Congrats to everyone who left The Cage as big winners,” stated Michael Harris, spokesperson for Americas Cardroom. "With 1234JE’s $7,213, we witnessed one of the biggest first place payouts in the history of The Cage and we’re thrilled for everyone who walked away a winner."

The Cage is Americas Cardroom's time-based cash game that combines the best of tournaments and ring games into one of the most anticipated weekly events in online poker. The end goal in The Cage is to emerge from the five-hour game with cash.

This week, Americas Cardroom changed the structure of The Cage to include an extra level.  Instead of 4-60 minute levels, there are now 5-55 minute levels, allowing for more game play and fewer shorter stacks as the blinds increase.

Much like a tournament, players buy in to the event and receive the same amount of chips as all other players. There are five levels with increasing blinds and antes, and the goal is to stockpile as many chips as you can because all players get paid $1 for every chip.

However, The Cage differs from cash games in a big way. Unlike cash games, busting out means it’s game over. There is no opportunity to jump back into The Cage, so those players left standing after the five hours get to keep whatever they’re holding. And while the increasing levels is modeled after the tournament format, the game ends after five hours, not after one player has won all the chips.

In last night’s installment of The Cage, eight players out of the 26 that participated, emerged with cash and every single one of them walked away with more than the $1,000+$50 buy-in. First place winner 1234JE earned $7,213 and second place finisher NVGIVUP earned $6,040. To put things in perspective, the second place winner won more than the first place winner in the last several installments of The Cage.

The Cage resumes next Wednesday, December 16th at 7pm ET. Players can buy in directly for $1,000+50 or find a low buy-in satellite.

More details on The $1k Cage, it's satellites and other great promos can be found at AmericasCardroom.eu.