PokerStars Announces America’s Cup of Poker

PokerStars, the worlds largest online poker room, today announced the launch of the first Americas Cup of Poker; a team event in which PokerStars players from designated countries will face off in a series of matches to determine the Americas Cup of Poker Champions. 

"What really drives people to poker, is the pure competition in the sport," said 2004 WSOP Main Event champion and Team PokerStars Pro, Greg Raymer.  "PokerStars has taken that competitive drive one step further by putting country against country.  I am truly looking forward to this event, and of course have no doubt that the United States will win."

Players from 16 countries will battle on PokerStars.net for the chance to help their nation make it to a live final.  The countries include USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Canada, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and three additional countries from preliminary freerolls.

All countries have been split into groups, and will face-off against each other week-by-week. The weekly rounds will consist of daily freeroll tournaments where players will try to score points for their country by finishing in the top 100. After the group matches are complete, the two countries with the most wins from each group, eight in total, will move on to the live final at a ski resort in Bariloche, Argentina on September 4-6, 2009. The full schedule is listed below.

Additionally, each team will be made up of the five players that won the most points for their team during the group stage.  The eight finalist countries will then battle for their share of the $250,000 prize pool with $100,000 going to the champions ($20,000 per player).  The rest of the prize pool will be divided as follows: second place -$60,000, third place -$30,000, fourth place -$20,000, fifth-eighth place -$10,000. Each team will also get a player from Team PokerStars Pro to join their team.

PokerStars are also offering a ‘Fund a Friend' promotion which encourages players to help their fellow countrymen compete and earn points for their country. PokerStars are offering a $50 bonus to any player who transfers as little as $.20c to a new players account that they use to make a final table of a $0.20 tourney (T&C's apply). Team PokerStars Pro Andre Akkari said "Anyone can compete in the ACP from as little as $0.20, this gives everyone a chance to represent and earn points for their country no matter how big their bankroll."

The Americas Cup of Poker schedule is as follows:

Group A - USA, Mexico, Ecuador and a Wildcard Country TBD

•        Round 1:  USA vs Ecuador & Mexico vs Wildcard 1 - Everyday June 27-Aug 2 at 20:30 ET
•        Round 2:  USA vs Wildcard 1 & Mexico vs Ecuador - Everyday August 3-9 at 20:30 ET
•        Round 3:  USA vs Mexico & Ecuador vs Wildcard 1 - Everyday August 10-16 at 20:30 ET

Group B - Canada, Columbia, Uruguay and a Wildcard Country TBD

•        Round 1:  Canada vs Uruguay & Wildcard 2 vs Columbia - Everyday June 27-Aug 2 at 20:30 ET
•        Round 2:  Canada vs Wildcard 2 & Uruguay vs Columbia - Everyday August 3-9 at 20:30 ET
•        Round 3:  Canada vs Columbia & Uruguay vs Wildcard 2 - Everyday August 10-16 at 20:30 ET

Group A - Chile, Venezuela, Peru and Costa Rica

•        Round 1:  Chile vs Venezuela & Peru vs Costa Rica - Everyday June 27-Aug 2 at 21:00 ET
•        Round 2:  Chile vs Costa Rica & Peru vs Venezuela - Everyday August 3-9 at 21:00 ET
•        Round 3: Peru vs Mexico & Venezuela vs Costa Rica - Everyday August 10-16 at 21:00 ET

Group A - Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and a Wildcard Country TBD

•        Round 1:  Brazil vs Paraguay & Argentina vs Wildcard 3 - Everyday June 27-Aug 2 at 21:00 ET
•        Round 2:  Brazil vs Wildcard 3 & Argentina vs Paraguay - Everyday August 3-9 at 21:00 ET
•        Round 3:  Brazil vs Argentina & Paraguay vs Wildcard 3 - Everyday August 10-16 at 21:00 ET

For more information about the Americas Cup of Poker, please visit http://www.pokerstars.net/poker/promotions/americas-cup/