The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has unveiled 888poker as the official sponsor of the 2016 WSOP, continuing the partnerships created in 2015.

Under the terms of the sponsorship deal, 888poker receives broad exposure around the official live reporting on the WSOP website from visitors outside of the United States, and will feature prominently during the WSOP Main Event television programming on ESPN and on the WSOP live streams throughout the 2016 festival. The sponsorship deal also gives 888poker exclusive rights to run official WSOP satellites online.

One tournament that 888poker’s players can qualify for is the Event #54, a four-day tournament commencing on July 1. Nicknamed “Crazy Eights,” this $888 buy-in no-limit hold’em eight-handed tournament features a guaranteed first place prize of $888,888 and, of course, a coveted gold WSOP bracelet. In the coming weeks, 888poker’s players can win packages to the Crazy Eights tournament, which includes the buy-in for the event, flights to Las Vegas and hotel accommodation.

Last year, 888poker sent 128 players to the WSOP Main Event, including the eventual champion Joe McKeehen. While McKeehen deservedly received the plaudits, the story of Tommy Yates was one that captivated audiences around the world. Yates qualified for a 2015 WSOP Main Event package, worth $13,000, for a single cent and went on to finish in 486th place for a score of $19,500, busting at the hands of McKeehen.

Senior Vice President & Head of B2C at 888 Holdings Itai Pazner said he hopes to send players from all over the world to the 2016 WSOP.

“The World Series of Poker is the pinnacle of the poker calendar and during the Main Event the eyes of the poker world are on the action in Las Vegas. In 2015 we made dreams come true for Tommy Yates and renewing our partnership will help to get more 888 players from all over the world to the WSOP again this year. The sponsorship is fantastic for the 888poker brand, for 888 players, and for the poker community more generally.”

Ty Stewart, the WSOP executive director, applauded 888poker’s “commitment to market the game with unique offers and incentives around the biggest poker festival on the planet.”

Qualify for the 2016 WSOP Main Event at 888poker

As in 2015, 888poker is running steps satellites to the 2016 WSOP Main Event starting as low as $0.01. Qualification is via a seven-step route as shown in the table below:

Name	Buy-in	Prize
Step 1 to WSOP, 888Live & Major Tournaments	$0.01	One Step 2 seat for every $0.10 in the prize pool
Step 2 to WSOP, 888Live & Major Tournaments	$0.10	One Step 3 seat for every $1 in the prize pool
Step 3 to WSOP, 888Live & Major Tournaments	$1	One Step 4 seat for every $5 in the prize pool
Step 4 to WSOP, 888Live & Major Tournaments	$5	One Step 5 seat for every $30 in the prize pool
Step 5 to WSOP, 888Live & Major Tournaments	$30	One Step 6 seat for every $160 in the prize pool
Step 6 to WSOP Main Event	$160	One WSOP 2016 ME Qualifier seat for every $1,050 in the prize pool
WSOP Las Vegas 2016 Main Event Qualifier	$1,050	One $12,500 WSOP Main Event package guaranteed, more added per additional $12,500 in the prize pool

Anyone fortunate enough to get their hands on a $12,500 WSOP Main Event package can look forward to receiving:

• The $10,000 buy-in to the 2016 WSOP Main Event
• Five nights (July 10-15) accommodation at Vdara Hotel
• $1,500 for travel expenses
• Welcome toast
• 888live poker kit

Step 6 tickets can also be used for the WSOP 2016 Side Event Qualifier tournament where at least one $3,000 package to the Crazy Eights WSOP event is guaranteed. Players winning a package to this tournament (Event #54), receive:

• The $888 buy-in to the Crazy Eights Event with an $888,888 guaranteed first place prize
• Four nights (July 1-5) accommodation at the Rio Hotel
• $1,400 for travel expenses
• 888live poker kit

Grab Your Free $88 at 888poker Today

If you’re looking at trying to qualify for one of these two fantastic WSOP packages – or perhaps both – you’re going to need an 888poker account. Download 888poker via PokerNews and you’ll receive a free $88 (£20 in the United Kingdom) just for creating your account, then when you’re ready to make your first deposit it will be matched 100% up to $888 in the form of a first deposit bonus.

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