PSOP Opening Tournaments Double Guarantees Across Early Events

Phenom Poker’s inaugural Phenom Series of Poker (PSOP) awarded more than $185,000 across its first nine events during the opening two days, with every early tournament at least doubling its posted guarantee. The 92-event online series began October 23 and runs through November 15, offering more than $1 million in advertised prizes.

According to reports published October 28, the schedule features buy-ins ranging from 25 to 5,000 CHIP, more than 580 satellites and freerolls, and tournaments spanning Hold’em, Omaha, draw, stud and mixed games.

Several opening tournaments generated prize pools well above their guarantees. Event #1, the $50 PLO Kickoff, attracted 274 entries and awarded $12,741 against a $2,500 guarantee. Event #3, the $200 8-Game Mix, recorded 134 entries and a $25,326 prize pool against $7,500 guaranteed.

Event #6, the $200 Big Bet Championship, generated $28,350 from 150 entries, surpassing its $5,000 guarantee. Event #7, the $500 2-7 Triple Draw Championship, attracted 88 entries and awarded 

$41,580 against a $20,000 guarantee.

Other reported prize pools included $15,309 in Event #8’s PLO5 PKO, $10,137 in Event #17’s NLH 6-Max PKO, $12,191 in Event #18’s Stud 8 or Better, and $39,690 in Event #20’s Omaha or Better Championship.

The PSOP features two independent competitions awarding packages for WSOP Paradise. The results-based PSOP Leaderboard offers a $16,000 package that includes entry into the $10,000 8-Game Mix bracelet event. The top 150 leaderboard positions receive payouts.

In standings reported October 28, Cal held the lead after winning the 200-CHIP Super Triple Draw Mix and 50-CHIP NLH 6-Max events. 

Mikhail “FAL1st” Yakovlev ranked second after winning the 500-CHIP PLO Championship and 1,000-CHIP H.E.R.O.S. Masters. Brian Rast remained in contention following several deep runs, including a runner-up finish in the PLO Championship.

The volume-based PSOP Rally offers a separate $6,500 WSOP Paradise package, including a seat in the $2,750 Circuit Championship. King153246 led the early standings, followed by Phenom Team Pro Huck Seed and Yakovlev. 

Rast, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom and Phenom Stream Team member Scott “Pokerbrahs” Kenyon were also in contention.

Mixed games feature prominently alongside traditional Hold’em and Omaha tournaments, with Championship, Masters and knockout formats scheduled throughout the series. Phenom ambassadors and invited professionals are also participating in the festival.

The PSOP concludes November 15 with the 5,000-CHIP 9-Game Mix Masters High Roller, which carries a 50,000-CHIP guarantee. The event will close the 92-tournament series, with a mixed-game high roller taking the place of a conventional no-limit hold’em Main Event.