Star Gold Coast Poker Room Reopens, Plans Champs
The Star Gold Coast is one of the many gambling establishments across Australia hit hard by the pandemic. The ups and downs of attendance during a pandemic, not to mention the closures and reopenings of the poker room, have been a struggle for players and staff alike. But open again, the Star GC poker room is promoting the return of the Gold Coast Champs. Satellites begin in mid-February and the series kicks off on 11 March.
Roller Coaster of Poker Offerings
Most of the pandemic-related closures were out of the Star Gold Coast’s hands. Orders from government and health officials dictated the actions, and management complied.
When the poker room at the Star Gold Coast closed in the first part of 2020, it was closed for the better part of the year. In early December 2020, though, it reopened with cash games. And they brought daily tournaments back in March 2021. Things moved along nicely, even allowing the WPTDeepStacks to mark the long-awaited return to Australia with a series in May. Management even planned to host the APL Million again for the first time after the pandemic shutdowns.
Late June 2021, however, brought a three-day closure per the Queensland government. And a worsening case count soon prompted the poker room to cancel the APL Million Gold Coast.
Openings and closures punctuated the following months. But a strict adherence to health protocols allowed the Star GC to host the Summer Series. That series did take place from late November into early December. The end result was:
- Number of tournaments: 9
- Total entries: 1,638
- Total prize money awarded: A$924,950
- Main Event results: 475 entries, A$475K prize pool, Alexander Lynskey won for A$94,046
New Year, New Plans
As January began, the Star Gold Coast had to close its poker room again on 8 January. That was not a government-mandated action, but the rising number of Covid-19 cases prompted significant staff shortages. In less than two weeks, though, the poker room reopened with a few cash game tables. And tournaments returned soon after.
That’s when they announced the return of the Gold Coast Champs. The 11-day festival was set for 11-21 March with ten events and a $1,500 buy-in Main Event. Buy-ins for the other events would start as low as $330.
Satellites to the Main Event begin on 14 February and run through 19 March. The buy-ins are $175 with multiple reentries. Only the last chance satellites on 18-19 March will require higher buy-ins of $325 and $550.
Gold Coast Champs Schedule
The event schedule for the March series is as follows:
- 11-13 March (Event 1): $750 buy-in Opening Event (2 flights, multiple reentries, 30K stack)
- 12-13 March (Event 2): $1,100 buy-in NLHE (1 reentry, 30K stack)
- 13 March (Event 3): $330 buy-in Bounty (1 reentry, $100 bounties, 20K stack)
- 14 March (Event 4): $440 buy-in Teams Wipeout (freezeout, 20K stack)
- 15-16 March (Event 5): $660 buy-in Big Wave (multiple reentries, 40K stack)
- 16-17 March (Event 6): $440 buy-in PLO (multiple reentries, 25K stack)
- 17-18 March (Event 7): $550 buy-in Big Bounty Shot Clock (multiple reentries, $250 bounties, 6 time-bank chips per day, 25K stack)
- 18-21 March (Event 8): $1,500 buy-in Main Event (2 flights, multiple reentries, 50K stack)
- 20-21 March (Event 9): $2,500 buy-in Shot Clock (1 reentry, 6 time-bank chips per day, 100K stack)
- 21 March (Event 10): $350 buy-in Final Wave Wipeout (freezeout, 25K stack)
Players must be members of The Star Club, 18 or older with a valid identification. The website offers online registration for tournaments and satellites.
