The PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) marked its impressive comeback with nine days of thrilling poker at Resorts World Las Vegas. This event attracted players globally, offering the quintessential PokerStars Live experience to professionals, recreational players, satellite winners, and Power Path qualifiers alike.
The NAPT saw the participation of renowned figures, including actor and comedian Michael Ian Black, actresses Arden Cho and Jennifer Tilly, poker legend Phil Hellmuth, and PokerStars Ambassador Lex Veldhuis. They were accompanied by special qualifiers Nikki Limo and Lily Newhouse for the relaunch of The Big Game.
This event also marked the first PokerStars appearance for the latest PokerStars Ambassadors, Next Gen Poker – consisting of Jack, Rosey, and Frankie – who joined forces with fellow ambassador Maria Konnikova.
Maria Konnikova notably cashed in the NAPT Main Event and was a key participant in a special Women in Poker panel. The panel, including Jennifer Shahade, author and poker player Alex O’Brien, and Poker Power president Erin Lydon, discussed strategies to increase female participation in poker and the role of platforms like PokerStars in driving this change.
Sami Bechahed emerged as the winner of the NAPT Main Event, outlasting a record-breaking field of 1,095 players – the largest ever on US soil. Originally from France and now residing in California, the former poker dealer claimed a prize of $268,945, triumphing over a final table featuring notable players like David Coleman, Sergio Aido, and Nick Schulman.
Other notable victories included Jesse Lonis winning the $10,300 NAPT Super High Roller ($174,550), Samuel Laskowitz in the $5,300 NAPT High Roller ($180,850), and American player Kyna England in the $360 NAPT Ladies Event ($7,520).
The excitement extended beyond the poker tables, with a weekend of racing action in collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing. Red Spade Pass winners experienced unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Fans are encouraged to follow PokerStars’ social media channels for updates on these exclusive experiences.
“We said we were going to make this return spectacular, and I don’t think we disappointed!” Steve Preiss, Vice President for PokerStars North America. “Resorts World Las Vegas was a stunning venue for the return of this iconic series, and we hope that our players enjoyed every minute of it.
“But the NAPT doesn’t stop here. We can’t wait for 2024 and to build on the success of this event.”
