The World Poker Tour is reviving one of its most celebrated tournaments this October. From October 17 to November 2, poker fans and pros will descend on Bay 101 Casino in San Jose for the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Festival.
This year’s festival features multiple events, culminating in the flagship WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship. Players who qualify through regional satellites or online qualifiers may come through US online poker sites and other feeder paths.
WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Festival: Events Schedule
During the festival, a diverse slate of events will run side by side to suit various bankrolls and game preferences:
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-In |
| Fri Oct 17 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener 1A | $600 |
| Fri Oct 17 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Sat Oct 18 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener 1B | $600 |
| Sat Oct 18 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Sun Oct 19 | 9:15 AM | Pot Limit Omaha | $600 |
| Sun Oct 19 | 11:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener Day 2 | — |
| Sun Oct 19 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Mon Oct 20 | 9:15 AM | Omaha 8 | $600 |
| Mon Oct 20 | 1:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Mon Oct 20 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Tue Oct 21 | 9:15 AM | HORSE | $600 |
| Tue Oct 21 | 1:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Tue Oct 21 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 |
| Wed Oct 22 | 9:15 AM | No Limit | $2,200 |
| Wed Oct 22 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $1,150 |
| Thu Oct 23 | 9:15 AM | No Limit | $1,100 |
| Thu Oct 23 | 11:15 AM | No Limit Day 2 | — |
| Thu Oct 23 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $1,150 |
| Fri Oct 24 | 10:00 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 1A | $5,300 |
| Fri Oct 24 | 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $1,150 |
| Sat Oct 25 | 10:00 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 1B | $5,300 |
| Sat Oct 25 | 11:15 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 2 | — |
| Sun Oct 26 | 1:15 PM | High Roller Satellite | $2,650 |
| Sun Oct 26 | 5:15 PM | High Roller | $15,400 |
| Mon Oct 27 | 9:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty | — |
| Mon Oct 27 | 11:15 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 3 | — |
| Mon Oct 27 | 2:30 PM | High Roller Day 2 | — |
| Tue Oct 28 | 9:15 AM | 8 Handed No Limit | $2,200 |
| Tue Oct 28 | 12:00 PM | Shooting Star Championship Day 4 | — |
| Wed Oct 29 | 9:15 AM | Limit Hold’em | $1,100 |
| Wed Oct 29 | 11:15 AM | 8 Handed No Limit Day 2 | — |
| Wed Oct 29 | 1:15 PM | No Limit Lightning Stack | — |
| Thu Oct 30 | 9:15 AM | Pot Limit Omaha | $1,100 |
| Fri Oct 31 | 9:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 1A | $1,100 |
| Sat Nov 1 | 9:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 1B | $1,100 |
| Sun Nov 2 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Closer NL | $600 |
| Sun Nov 2 | 11:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 2 | — |
Tables begin nine-handed, shift to eight-handed on Day 3, and go six-handed once 36 players remain. A televised final table will take place later in Las Vegas, on December 19, per WPT rules.
Moreover, knocking out a designated “Shooting Star” yields a $2,500 bounty, and Day 1 chip leaders receive a $5,000 bonus. The winner will collect both the top prize and the Champions Cup trophy.
History of the Bay 101 Shooting Star
The Shooting Star format was first introduced in 1997, and winners quickly etched their names into poker lore. In 1997, Sam Merchant won the inaugural event for about $29,000.
In 1998, Huck Seed outlasted 151 players to claim the title and $30,250. Six years later, with the event elevated under WPT sanctioning, Phil Gordon navigated a field of 243 to secure the trophy and $360,000. The following year, Danny Nguyen topped 440 entrants, earning $1,025,000 after eliminating all five of his final-table opponents.
In the years that followed, champions such as Nam Le, Steve Brecher, Taylor Paur, and Sam Panzica added their names to the prestigious roster. The 2017 edition attracted 806 entries, with Panzica capturing his second title and $1,373,000 for first place.
The event went on hiatus after 2017 and had a partial revival in 2019-2020. However, the tournament was cut short by the pandemic, and remaining players chopped the prize.
With its return in 2025, the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Festival renews a storied tradition. It promises bold plays, big bounties, and another chapter in poker history.
Be sure to follow qualifiers via US online poker sites or local satellites, and don’t miss the action when it unfolds this October.
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