The PCA returns in 2018! PokerStars is bringing back the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. After a year in which the PCB was the artist formerly known as the PCA, the PCB is nevermore as the PCA make a triumphant comeback in January 2018 at the Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas. The PCA kicks off January 6 and runs thru January 14. In addition, the Main Event buy-in returns to $10K.
Adios PCB! Welcome back, PCA! The 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure returns to Bahamas running from January 6–14, 2018. The PCA has been a staple in PokerStars live international events. The first big event of the calendar years has been the PCA for nearly 14 years. Last year, the entire PokerStars international circuits were combined and rebranded into PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival. As a result (and an unpopular one at that), the PCA was rebranded as PokerStars Championship Bahamas otherwise known as the PCB. Wait, PCA and PCB, WTF?
Kudos to the suits at PokerStars HQ for realizing they dropped the ball with the rebranding of the PCA. I mean, those three simple letters... P... C... A... had become one of the sickest and most valuable acronyms in all of poker over the last 14 years. As PokerStars live events moves into its 15th year of existence, they had a moment of clarity and realized they screwed the pooch by killing one of the most popular acronym brands in the business (behind the giants WSOP and WPT). Just saying the "PCA" evokes nostalgia.
According to a press release, Eric Hollreiser (PokerStars Director of Corporate Communications) explained, “We're reviewing our live events and incorporating player feedback to ensure we're delivering the highest quality experience and exceeding player expectations whenever possible. This feedback included suggestions that we restore the PCA name and improve the quality of that event to reflect the great heritage and unique experience that made PCA one of the most-anticipated poker events of the year. We're restoring the name and reinvigorating the event to ensure it remains a premiere poker festival. We will also increase the promotions around PCA in order to bring even more people and make qualifying for packages as exciting as we can. We are committed to sending at least 400 players to this must-play event.”
One of the biggest changes involves the buy-in for the Main Event. Gone are the days of the budget buy-in. Behold the return of the 10K! The 2018 PCA Main Event will be $10,300. That's a proper buy-in. And there will be multiple high-balla Super High Roller affairs (25K, 50K, and 100K). All of these high roller events have a reduced rake and reduced admin fee on turbo events.
According to the presser, "It is estimated that these reductions will keep approximately $300,000 or so additional dollars in the player's pockets during the event."
In addition, they added tournaments with longer levels (40 minutes and up), plus a $50K freeroll.
There's also a scheduled battle between comedian/actor Kevin Hart and the fastest-man-alive Usain Bolt.
PokerStars Satellites for PCA start in September online, and players can qualify for as little as $1.10.
For more info, check out PokerStars Blog.
