The PokerStars Winter Series has become synonymous with the New Year for its North American network, and 2025 is no exception.
To kick off the year, PokerStars US & PokerStars Ontario are once again hosting their popular Winter Series, a flagship tournament series that ranks among the largest and most anticipated of the year.
Those wanting to play poker in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario can look forward to an exciting start to the year for poker in 2025.
A total of $4.5 million in guarantees is spread across three separate series, with New Jersey and Michigan sharing a combined player pool, while Pennsylvania and Ontario each operate on independent networks. All three series will run simultaneously from January 17 to February 3.
Each series features 89 tournaments with $1.5 million in guaranteed prize pools. Players on PokerStars NJ & PokerStars MI will compete for a shared $1.5 million, while PokerStars PA players enjoy their own $1.5 million guarantee—matching the combined size of the NJ and MI markets. In Ontario, Canada’s largest province, CAD $1.5 million is guaranteed, equivalent to just over $1 million USD.
PokerStars North America Winter Series 2025 Overview:
- Takes place from January 17 to February 3
- Available on shared liquidity (PokerStars MI and PokerStars NJ), PokerStars PA and PokerStars Ontario
- Over $4.5 million in combined guarantees
- 89 tournaments with buy-ins from $5 to $1000
- $175,000 guaranteed Main Events
- Depositor’s Freeroll offering Main Event seats
- $10K in leaderboard prizes
PokerStars’ Winter Series 2025 Highlights
The Main Event takes center stage on February 2, boasting a $175,000 guarantee in each market with a $300 buy-in. For players seeking a more affordable option, the Mini Main Event runs the same day, featuring a $50 buy-in and a generous $30,000 guarantee.
A day earlier, both Main Events offer a preview edition with a budget-friendly $30 buy-in, giving players a chance to gear up for the big day.
But leading up to the Main Event, the schedule is packed with standout tournaments. Highlights include a $100 Kickoff boasting a $35,000 guarantee; another $100 priced Mystery Bounty “*Mystery Special*” on January 19, which guarantees $70,000; and a $200 buy-in Sunday Special on January 26, offering $75,000 in prize money.
For high-stakes players, there are premium options like the High Roller Main Event on February 2, promising $75,000 in guarantees. Other notable high-roller events include the $1000 Thursday Thrill Super High Roller with $40,000 in guarantees, the $500 Super Tuesday High Roller with another $40,000 up for grabs, and the $500 Sunday High Roller featuring a $50,000 guarantee.
For players with smaller bankrolls, there’s no shortage of options, with numerous tournaments offering buy-ins as low as $5, alongside a variety of $10 and $20 events. The series caters to all budgets, with buy-ins ranging from $5 to $1000.
“Get ready to shuffle up and win big this winter! We’re thrilled to bring the Winter Series to players in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ontario, and New Jersey,” said Kevin Luyo, Head of Poker at PokerStars North America. “With 89 electrifying events designed for every skill level, this is your chance to chase poker glory and heat up your game!”
Winter Series Promos
PokerStars is offering multiple ways for players to win their spot in the prestigious Main Event. This includes the newly introduced Power Path qualification system, a popular format in the dot-com market now available to players in North America. The four-step system starts with buy-ins as low as $0.50, giving players a chance to climb their way to the $100 level, where the top prize is a $1000 Red Spade Silver Pass.
Traditional satellites remain another path to qualify for the Main Event, and for those looking to win a seat without spending anything, the Main Event Depositor Freeroll offers a great opportunity. Scheduled just hours before the Main Event on February 2, players can enter the freeroll by depositing at least $50 using the code “WINTER25.” The top 50 finishers will each receive a $300 ticket to the Winter Series Main Event.
In addition to these qualification methods, PokerStars is bringing back its popular leaderboards, offering $10,000 in prizes. The overall leaderboard winner will take home $2500, mirroring last year’s prizes.
Winter Series takes place from January 17 to February 3.