Turning some heads and making poker headlines this week, Full Tilt Poker unveiled the Onyx Cup Series, 6 high stakes live tournaments to be held in several countries across the globe. With direct buy-ins set at a minimum of $100,000 and going up from there, the estimated prize-pool for the super high stakes series is expected to exceed $30,000,000. Set to kick off in Las Vegas on May 11th, with all the series excitement of the world’s elite of course being filmed for television, 2 events will also take place in Asia and another in Europe.
At the conclusion, the top players and 250K Grande Finale return to play in Las Vegas, where the series leader, determined by overall points, will get much more than the usual customary Jersey and avatar given for winning Full Tilt Poker Events; this time, he or she will receive the Onyx Cup, bragging rights through having their name engraved on the one of a kind trophy, all to go with a luxury sports car to drive away from the game in.
Some of the features of the event’s formats will help keep things exciting, 8 handed tables and 30 second “shot clocks”. Competitors must make a decision in that time or they will be checked or folded. Each player does receive a “time bank” equivalent however, in the form of two 30 second chips and one other for going “in the tank”; a 2 minute time extension chip. Players can opt to use their time chips anytime during the game, but the fast pace should help keep the pressure high and the game moving, making for some exciting TV.
While Seidel, Ferguson, Antonius and Ivey are just a few of the Full Tilt Poker “Red Pros” bankrolled to enter this, players don’t have to be loaded to get in, online satellites will be running for those that want their shot. Real money satellites are currently listed to begin on March 20th, starting from $69+6, with several larger buy-ins, ($600+40-$2000+100), scheduled every few weeks for the Onyx Series first event.
For those that just want a shot at huge money scored from playing against a group of the world’s most successful players, a personal mission to show the world that you also have game, this is definitely your series. For the rest, this should be fun to watch!
