PokerStars is a giant online poker room. Despite that, the operator is always looking for ways to be inclusive. In other words, PokerStars strives to become the go-to poker room for novice and pro poker players.
In line with that, the poker room is introducing a new qualification program going by PowerPath. This system will allow poker players to qualify for big tournaments.
The official launch date of the program is still away. However, a recent press release about the return of the EUREKA festival mentioned the qualification system. The poker operator is describing the new system as an exciting way for players, whether novice or experienced, to be eligible for big tournaments.
Previous Qualification Systems
PowerPath is not the first qualification system PokerStars is introducing. The poker room has run several other successful programs, seeing players join big tournaments for as low as cents or $1. These systems allow poker players to qualify for the PokerStars LIVE tour, among other tournaments.
For instance, the Mega Path qualification system comprised several stages, starting with a Spin & Go. This was followed by Sit & Go, then a weekly MTT, and lastly, a PSPC qualifier game.
The Mega Path was a popular qualification system among casual poker players at PokerStars. It helped several players win a $25,000 Platinum Pass each for playing with as little as a few cents throughout the stages.
Another qualification program that PokerStars runs during big tournaments is Fast Track. This program comprises four buy-in levels, with players winning their way to the big event with as low as $1.
These multi-tier qualification systems ran out of fashion decades ago. However, PokerStars reintroduced them in 2020 during the Grand Tour game, currently known as Kick Off.
The Kick-Off has six levels that players progress through. Players move from one level to the next after a four-handed game is won. Also, players win random bounties.
While there is not much information about the new program, PowerPath could be a combination of previous qualification systems. It is also possible that the system will feature a Target Stack or Hit & Run format.
Unlike other formats that reward tickets to the last player standing, this format allows players to qualify for the targeted tournament by accumulating a specific number of chips.
PokerStars used this format during the last European Poker Tour. However, Winamax was the first online poker room to use the format.
New Product Innovation
PowerPath is the newest product by PokerStars. The poker room has not introduced a new product innovation for the last three years. Instead, PokerStars focused on temporary in-game and cash game formats.
During that time, PokerStars introduced over seven titles, including Deepwater, Fusion, Split Hold`em, Unfold, and others. These ran for a short while titles such as Tempest and 6+ Hold`em are still running.
According to Chris Straghalis, the Director of Online Poker Experience at PokerStars, a poker room faces many challenges with a new variant. Chris explained that each variant has to pass compliance checks from different regulators.
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