WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star 2023 Schedule: The Return of a Legend

WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star returns in October 2023 in San Jose. Find out the schedule and details of the legendary poker festival.

In October 2023, the legendary Bay 101 Shooting Star series returns under the World Poker Tour (WPT) banner for the first time since 2017. This event will take place at Bay 101 Casino in San Jose, California, and promises to be one of the most exciting poker festivals of the fall. The series will run from October 17 to November 2 and will culminate in a $5,300 buy-in championship event, with the final table played and televised in Las Vegas at a later date. History of Bay 101 Shooting Star: From the First Tournaments to Records Bay 101 Shooting Star is a series with a rich history dating back to 1997. The first tournament was won by Sam Merchant, who took home $29,000. The following year, the title went to Huck Seed, who was later inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. In 1998, he outlasted 151 entrants in a $1,000 buy-in event and won $30,250. In 2004, when the tournament became part of the second season of the WPT, the buy-in increased to $5,200. That year, Phil Gordon emerged victorious, recently giving an exclusive interview to PokerNews. He beat 243 opponents and won $360,000. In 2005, the buy-in rose to $10,000, and Dan Nguyen became champion, winning $1,025,000. The prize pool peaked in 2017: 806 players created a prize pool of $5,722,600. The winner was Sam Panzica, who took the top prize of $1,373,000. However, after that, the WPT removed the tournament from its schedule. Hiatus, Return, and Recent Years After 2017, Bay 101 Shooting Star was held as a standalone event for a while. In 2019, the tournament took place outside the WPT, and in 2020 it was forced to end early due to the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, the ten finalists agreed to a prize pool chop, and Craig Varnell was declared champion, receiving $159,710. Among the chop participants were well-known players such as Kristen Foxen, Tyler Patterson, Anthony Zinno, and Lexy Gavin-Mather. 2023 Festival Schedule The return of Bay 101 Shooting Star under the WPT banner comes with a packed schedule. The festival kicks off on October 17 and features a variety of tournaments for players of all skill levels and bankrolls. October 17: $600 Shooting Star Opener with two starting flights Also on the schedule — $600 Pot-Limit Omaha and Omaha 8 Other events include: $600 H.O.R.S.E., $15,400 High Roller, $1,100 Mystery Board Bounty (two starting flights) The series will conclude on November 2 with the $600 Shooting Star Closer The main event of the series — Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship with a $5,300 buy-in — starts on October 24 and features two starting flights. The final table will be set on October 28 and played out on television in Las Vegas. This tournament allows one re-entry. Play will begin with nine-handed tables, switch to eight-handed on Day 3, and when 36 players remain, to six-handed tables. Full Schedule of the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Festival Date Tournament Buy-in Format October 17 Shooting Star Opener (Day 1A) $600 NLHE, starting flight October 18 Shooting Star Opener (Day 1B) $600 NLHE, starting flight October 19 Pot-Limit Omaha $600 PLO October 20 Omaha 8 $600 Omaha Hi/Lo October 21 H.O.R.S.E. $600 Mixed Games October 22 High Roller $15,400 NLHE October 23 Mystery Board Bounty (Day 1A) $1,100 NLHE, starting flight October 24 Mystery Board Bounty (Day 1B) $1,100 NLHE, starting flight October 24 Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship (Day 1A) $5,300 NLHE, starting flight October 25 Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship (Day 1B) $5,300 NLHE, starting flight November 2 Shooting Star Closer $600 NLHE Key Format Features and Tournament Rules The main Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship stands out for its format. The buy-in is $5,300, there are two starting flights, and one re-entry is allowed. Initially, tables will be nine-handed, then eight-handed on Day 3, and when 36 players remain, six-handed. This approach increases the pace of play and the number of hands dealt in the later stages. The schedule also features mixed game tournaments: Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha 8, and H.O.R.S.E. — a great opportunity for fans of different formats to test their skills beyond classic No-Limit Hold'em. Special attention goes to the Mystery Board Bounty event, where knocking out certain players earns additional prizes, adding an element of surprise and strategy. Famous Champions and Their Achievements Among the Bay 101 Shooting Star winners over the years are well-known names such as Sam Merchant, Huck Seed, Phil Gordon, Dan Nguyen, and Sam Panzica. Each of them won the tournament at different buy-in levels and in different competitive environments. For example, Phil Gordon won $360,000 in 2004, while Sam Panzica took home a record $1,373,000 in 2017. In 2020, when the tournament was interrupted by the pandemic, Craig Varnell was declared champion after a ten-way chop, with Kristen Foxen, Tyler Patterson, Anthony Zinno, and Lexy Gavin-Mather among the finalists. This highlights the high level of competition and the prestige of the series. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players The return of Bay 101 Shooting Star under the WPT banner is an important signal for all poker enthusiasts, including PPPoker club players. First, the variety of tournament formats in the festival schedule — from classic NLHE to mixed games — highlights the demand for versatile skills. It's a great reason for PPPoker players to try new formats in their clubs and expand their poker arsenal. Second, the main event structure, with the gradual reduction in the number of players per table, shows how important it is to adapt to changing conditions. By practicing in club tournaments with different table sizes, you can prepare for such formats and increase your chances of success in major events. Finally, the success stories of players like Sam Panzica, Phil Gordon, and Craig Varnell are inspiring. Participating in PPPoker club series can be excellent training and the first step toward big final tables and significant victories.