PCA - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure?

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) is the PokerStars annual live festival of poker, with over 40 events. The most recent PCA was held at the Atlantis Resort and Casino January 5-14, 2012. The Main Event took place between January 7-13.

Is there an agreement I need to sign to play in any of the PCA events?

Yes. A condition of entry into any tournament on the PCA will be the completion and signing of a waiver form. To receive a copy of the waiver form prior to the Event please e-mail pca@gptl.com.

Can I play even if I don't sign the waiver form?

No. The waiver form is a requirement for participation in any of the events.

How old do I have to be to participate?

You must be 18 years of age or above to participate in PCA events. No persons under the age of 18 are allowed to enter the tournament area throughout the duration of the event.  

How much does it cost to play at the events?

The events have a variety of buy-ins. Please check the PCA Schedule for full details.

How much does it cost to play the Main Event?

We encourage you to win your entry by playing in one of our satellites. Satellite buy-ins start at $1.10; there will also be satellites where you may use your Frequent Player Points to buy in. To play in any of our satellites please go to our client and check under the ‘Events’ > ‘PCA’ > ‘Satellite’ tab. If you do not have a PokerStars account please go to www.pokerstars.com and download the software for free.

If you fail to qualify and would still like to play in the event, you may buy directly into the tournament for $10,000 + $300.

How do players qualify on PokerStars for the Main Event?

You may qualify one of four ways:

• Win one of our cash satellites.
• Win one of our Frequent Player Point or Tournament Leader Board events.
• Buy directly into the event for $10,000 + $300.

Can I purchase a Main Event package?

Yes, there are five ways in which you can purchase a package:

From your PokerStars Account
We are allowing players to buy the PCA Main Event Package (Seat only, Seat + Hotel + Food Credit or Seat + Hotel) directly from their PokerStars account. Simply go to the Tournament Lobby, click ‘Events’ > ‘PCA’ > ‘Qualifiers’ and chose from:

• 2012 PCA: Day 1A Direct Buy-Ins [seat only] - to purchase the $10,300 Main Event Entry only for Day 1A
• 2012 PCA: Day 1B Direct Buy-Ins [seat only] - to purchase the $10,300 Main Event Entry only for Day 1B

Registration for PCA 2012 Hotel Packages (listed below) will be available for registration approximately 1 month before the event, in the same lobby described above.

• 2012 PCA: Direct Buy-In (Seat and Hotel) - to purchase the $13,778 Seat and Hotel package.
• 2012 PCA: Direct Buy-In (Seat, Hotel and Folio) - to purchase the $14,778 Seat, Hotel and Folio package (including $1000 credit to spend at the resort).

NOTE: To unregister you will need to email registrations@gptl.com at least 3 hours before the event begins, or visit the onsite registrations desk after this time.

Players who register using PokerStars account funds will be considered PokerStars players and we reserve the right to require them to wear a PokerStars logo during the event. Players will also be subject to onsite cash payout restrictions (specified upon event registration). Any winning amount above the Cash Maximum payout will be deposited to the PokerStars account used to buy in.

With PokerStars T$
You also have the option to use T$ to buy into the PCA if you have a PlatinumStar status or above, however players of any status can buy in using their real money balance, as per the above. To register using T-Money, please email registrations@gptl.com.

With PokerStars FPPs
If you have reached the Supernova level of the PokerStars VIP Club. For more details please contact vipclub@pokerstars.com. Please remember, if you use your FPPs to buy into this event, you will be required to wear PokerStars clothing while you play.

On Site
You can buy in directly at Atlantis with $10,300 in cash.

By wire
For more details on buying in using a wire transfer please e-mail registrations@gptl.com

Are there are any specific rules for buying directly from my PokerStars account?

Yes, there are. Everyone buying directly from their PokerStars account needs to adhere to the following rules:

• Once you register for Main Event or any of the side tournaments, you can only unregister up until three hours prior to the start of the event.
• Any player buying a PCA Seat + Hotel or PCA Seat + Hotel + Food Credit package and wishing to unregister, will be allowed to receive a full refund up to three weeks before the start of the event (December 17, 2011). After that time, unregistrations will still be processed but we can’t guarantee that we will be able to refund the Hotel cost. We will have to contact the Hotel and see if we can sell the room to someone else.
• Players buying in directly through their PokerStars account are still subject to the PCA Terms & Conditions
• Players buying directly through their PokerStars account are considered sponsored PokerStars players and may be required to wear PokerStars logo clothing throughout the tournament.
• Any winnings will be paid directly to players’ PokerStars accounts with a maximum of $10,000 being allowed to be taken in cash.

What other tournaments will there be during the PCA?

There will be a large variety of side events running at the PCA. See the PCA Schedule page to find out more, with the full schedule set to be announced soon.

How can I buy into the PCA side tournaments?

From your PokerStars Account. Side event registration through your PokerStars account will open later in the year once the full schedule is announced.

On Site
Registration will be open every day for all the MTT side tournaments. Sit & Go’s and cash games will also be available

Can I purchase a package by wiring funds?

Yes. Please email registrations@gptl.com for further instructions

Can I win an entry once I'm in The Bahamas?

Yes. There will be super-satellites available on-site. See the PCA Schedule page to find out more.

What if I don't manage to win a seat in the super-satellites?

You can still purchase an entry directly before the start of the event subject to availability.

Will there be more than one starting "flight" at the Main Event?

Yes. We will have two starting flights on the first two days of the tournament, Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8.

Can I choose my Main Event starting flight day?

If you have qualified or bought-in, you can request a start day up until a week before the start of the event. Do this by e-mailing registrations@gptl.com

What day does the Main Event actually start?

The Day 1A, first flight, will be on Saturday, January 7.

Will there be a Party? Can I bring a guest?

Yes. There will be a Party and all players are allowed to bring one guest.

What is the blind structure and prize structure for the Main Event?

Take a look at the Main Event blind structure page.

Can I buy in into the second flight after the first day starts?

Yes, if the event hasn’t sold out. You may buy in directly until cards are in the air on the day of the second flight.

Will there be other poker games and tournaments I can play while in The Bahamas?

Yes. There will be cash games of various limits and a selection of other tournaments you can play. Take a look at the PCA schedule for more.

Is smoking allowed at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure?

Smoking is not permitted inside the tournament area as per Atlantis policy. All games and tournaments are strictly non-smoking.

Do I need a passport to get to the Bahamas?

Yes. All travellers, travelling to and from The Bahamas, need to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality. Make sure you start working to get your passport now should you require one;  it can take a long time to get your passport. It is your responsibility to have proper documentation. We have provided links to some passport services below. If your country is not listed, simply Google the word "passport" and the name of your country to find your local passport service.
• United Kingdom passport information
• Canada passport information

Where can I find out more details about the Atlantis resort?

You can learn more about Atlantis at www.atlantis.com.

How will I get paid if I win the tournament?

We will allow you to take a portion in cash. The rest can be deposited into your PokerStars account or wired directly to your bank account. Further details on the maximum cash winnings a player is allowed to take will be published later in the year.

Will taxes be withheld from my winnings?

No. You are personally responsible for paying all required taxes in your home country on your winnings.

Will money be withheld from the prize pool for dealer tokes?

Yes, 3% of the majority of prize pools will be reserved for dealers and tournament staff. You are more than welcome to contribute any additional amount you like from your winnings.

What logos am I allowed to wear?

The PCA has strict rules on the wearing of branded logos by players during PCA. Please check the Rules and Regulations page.

Will I appear on television?

It's possible! Some PCA events are televised, including a featured 'show' table. The PCA TV show is produced by 441 Productions and is broadcast on terrestrial and TV channels across the world. All PCA contestants are obliged to sign a TV waiver form before play commences. Any player who does not sign the TV waiver will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.

How do I book accommodation?

To book accommodation at the Atlantis please emails pca@meridican.com. For all other hotels please contact the hotel directly.