Phenom Poker's inaugural tournament series is off to a flying start, with early events attracting fields big enough to smash their guarantees — and some of poker's biggest names getting involved.
The Phenom Series of Poker (PSOP) kicked off on October 23, with 92 events running through November 15, and more than $1 million in combined prizes and guarantees on offer.
If the opening events are any indication, that number is going to be smashed, and by a healthy sum. Over the first two days alone, Phenom awarded over $185K across the first nine events of the PSOP.
Through the early days of the series, each tournament has at least doubled the posted guarantee, with some generating four to five times their guarantees.
Early Phenom Series of Poker highlights
Among the standout results reported from the opening events:
- Event #1: $50 PLO Kickoff - $2,500 GTD / 274 entries - $12,741 prizepool
- Event #3: $200 8-Game Mix - $7,500 GTD / 134 entries - $25,326 prizepool
- Event #6: $200 Big Bet Championship - $5,000 GTD / 150 entries - $28,350 prizepool
- Event #7: $500 2-7 Triple Draw Championship - $20,000 GTD / 88 entries - $41,580 prizepool
- Event #8: $100 PLO5 PKO - $4,000 GTD / 162 entries - $15,309 prizepool
- Event #17: $50 NLH 6-Max PKO - $2,000 GTD / 218 entries - $10,137 prizepool
- Event #18: $100 Stud 8 or Better - $3,500 GTD / 129 entries - $12,191 prizepool
- Event #20: $500 Omaha or Better Championship - $10,000 GTD / 84 entries - $39,690 prizepool
It's an impressive start for a series that has made mixed games a major part of its identity. And there's plenty more than individual tournament prizes up for grabs.
A Phenom-enal way to get to Paradise
Along with the growing prizes for individual tournament wins during the PSOP, Phenom is also awarding a pair of packages to WSOP Paradise through its two series leaderboards.
The PSOP leaderboard, which awards points based on tournament results, is giving the player of the series a $16K package to WSOP Paradise, which includes entry into the $10K 8-Game Mix bracelet event. Currently leading that leaderboard is American player 'Cal,' who took down the $200 Super Triple Draw Mix and $50 NLH 6-Max events.
Well-known online mixed-game player Mikhail 'FAL1st' Yakovlev sits second after winning the $500 PLO Championship and the $1,000 H.E.R.O.S. Masters events, while Poker Hall of Famer Brian Rast is also in contention after several deep runs, including a runner-up finish in the PLO Championship.
Phenom Team Pro and Poker Hall of Famer Brian Rast has been a regular fixture in PSOP events.The PSOP Rally rewards players putting in volume during the series, with a $6,500 WSOP Paradise package including a seat in the $2,750 Circuit Championship going to the player topping that leaderboard.
The early leader is ‘king153246,' with Phenom Team Pro Huck Seed close behind, and Yakovlev currently third. Also in contention for that award are Rast, fellow Phenom Team Pro Viktor 'Isildur1' Blom, and Phenom Stream Team member Scott 'Pokerbrahs' Kenyon.
An incredible 190 entries turned out for Monday's A-5 Triple Draw event.Get in on the action
There are over two weeks of action still on tap in the inaugural PSOP, so there’s plenty of time to get in on the action yourself.
If you’re just looking to try something new, Phenom offers over 30 different variants of poker well beyond traditional no-limit hold‘em and pot-limit Omaha.
The series will conclude with a 9-game mix high roller rather than a conventional no-limit hold'em Main Event.
Get your ‘dugis, draws, and dramahas on with Phenom Poker, and check out our guide to the PSOP.
