The PokerStars download gives players all sorts of chances to make it to the PCA in 2011, but arguably the lowest risk way is through the WCP (World Cup of Poker). PokerStars forms 56 national teams that compete against each other to make it to the live final. The live final takes place in the Bahamas in January 2011 where 45 players will play for a total prize pool of $256k.

Each country’s team will consist of 5 players: the best online poker player of the country, a PokerStars pro, and 3 additional qualifiers. The highest qualifying player of the country on the 2010 PokerStars leaderboard is automatically on the team. The 3 additional qualifiers will need to play satellites. If you have a very small bankroll, do not worry. There are freeroll qualifiers, FPP qualifiers, and the cash satellites are just $1. You should definitely try the FPP satellites because every player that plays them gets the chance to play in a freeroll with a $100k prize pool if their region wins the championship!

Once all the qualifiers are over, the teams are divided into divisions. Teams need to win their divisions to make it to the final round, so plenty of experience on poker sites is an advantage. Several tournaments will be played, and players get points based on where they end up in their tourney. The teams with the most points win their divisions.

The teams that win their divisions will be invited to stop playing on their US poker sites in favor of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Each winner gets free accommodations at the Atlantis as well as cash for their flights. After they get to the Atlantis, every satellite qualifier plays a one table tournament for points that determine final table chip stacks.

The final table of the World Cup of Poker is unlike anything seen in online tournaments. Each team member receives some chips and receives cards for an orbit when it is their turn to play. Once every player has rotated and played at least once, it becomes possible to bust out of the event. Teams receive a portion of the prize pool depending on where they end up, and the team that survives until the end is awarded $100,000. Because the PokerStars professional has a job to promote the PokerStars marketing code, they do not get a share of the prize. This means that the $100k prize would be divided by 4 people rather than 5!

PokerStars works extremely hard to create a great experience at the PCA. It is also important to them to award as many prize packages to the events as they can. For a chance to win big at the tables, download free poker and try some of the PCA satellites. It is essential that you hurry if you want to participate in the promo I have described in this article, though. Your final chance to qualify for Round 2 is today!