PokerStars to bring back The Big Game

The show that produced one of the most memorable hands in poker history is back, with a twist, next month.

If you are unfamiliar with the name, the PokerStars Big Game was a cash game show that bankrolled one amateur into a high-stakes game with famous players. Any profit that players made during the game after 150 hands, they kept. 

The amateur was known as the 'Loose Cannon' and the format provided a lot of entertainment. Most notably this hand where Ernest Wiggins ran it four times against Phil Hellmuth:

After a 12-year hiatus, the show is back. The Big Game on Tour will be part of the returning North American Poker Tour and the Loose Cannon will get a $50,000 stack to play with in a $100/$200 game. The first outing will be on November 8 and 9. 

NAPT Las Vegas will host exclusive satellites with a twist. The winners of each satellite will progress to a casting stage where they will be judged by a panel of judges, including James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton, where two players will be invited onto the show. No doubt the entertainment value of the players in the casting stage will play a huge part in the selection process. 

“The Big Game was one of the most beloved poker programs of all time,” said VP of PokerStars North America, Steve Preiss. “As we continue our focus on creating the best poker content, re-imagining and re-launching The Big Game was a no-brainer.

The show will be packaged into a 10-episode series to air in 2024. 

Did you use to watch The Big Game? Let us know in the comments: