Up the ante with poker high-rollers

Whether you call it an art, a science, or a way of life, there is no underestimating the popularity of poker. The poker pyrotechnics are igniting across South Africa once more, as the SunBet Poker Tour took over the Time Square Casino in Pretoria, Gauteng’s biggest gaming destination, from 3 March in its much-anticipated launch event.

Africa’s Richest Poker Tour

Billed as Africa’s Richest Poker Tour, the SunBet Poker Tour is in its second year with SunBet – Sun International’s online betting arm – as the headline sponsor. The Tour makes stops at Sun International casinos around South Africa, giving punters an extra incentive to experience the wonder of South Africa’s most-loved gaming and entertainment brand.

In 2022, the Tour saw buy-ins of almost R80 million and organisers expect the 2023 five-leg edition to be even bigger and more lucrative. The Tour is brought to you in association with Monster Jam Poker Tour (MJPT) and also includes a thrilling Race to Vegas element.

The opening event is being held at Times Square Casino, Pretoria, from 3 to 12 March and features an astounding guaranteed prize pot of R11.5 million.

Global standards

According to SunBet CEO Simon Gregory, “the immense popularity of the poker tour can be seen in the fact that last year, there was a total of R78 million in buy-ins from participating players.

“The SunBet Poker Tour is a tour de force. Our poker tour is at a global level in terms of prestige, buy-ins, prize money, and competition.” Simon Gregory

Tour events encompass 10 days of intense competition, catering to every level of player and features the prestigious Super High Roller Team tournament that sees high-profile business people and poker professionals battling it out for prize money, bragging rights, and a coveted trophy.

The world’s most-loved card game, poker is a cultural phenomenon, rising from humble roots to become an inspiring force in popular culture. The SunBet Poker Tour gives South African poker purists and amateur enthusiasts a platform to catch the wave, expressing themselves at tables across the country, and possibly even taking on the world in Las Vegas.

Marc Joseph, Director of MJPT, said: “We’re so excited to return to Time Square to kick off Season 2 of Africa’s Richest Poker Tour. Year one was incredible, and the 2023 edition promises to be even bigger and better. I invite everyone to come down and witness the spectacle!”

The SunBet Poker Tour began at Times Square on Friday, 3 March, and will be followed by events at:

• Sibaya Casino, Durban: 5 – 14 May
• Sun City, North West: 4 – 13 August
• Boardwalk Casino, Gqeberha: 29 September – 8 October
• GrandWest, Cape Town: 24 November – 4 December

The Tour is a truly democratic event. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hard-nosed veteran or a complete novice, anyone with a Sun International MVG card can enter the Poker Tour, even if it’s activated on the day of the event. Aspiring players can also qualify through a series of satellite events.

“Poker has always been important to Sun International and Time Square. We’re thrilled to once again be hosting the opening event of the SunBet Poker Tour and can’t wait for our MVGs and poker players to have a wonderful time enjoying our world-class facilities,” said Time Square GM Ruben Gooranah. 

Race to Vegas

The Race to Vegas sees event winners rack up points and make their way up a hotly contested leaderboard. The top 10 players win a golden opportunity to showcase their skills and soak up all the pizazz of the world’s gaming capital of Las Vegas in the legendary World Series of Poker. The leaderboard will close after the Sibaya series. A series of Vegas satellite qualifiers in May and June will ensure that those who missed out the first time enjoy another shot at glory.

Having tied up a five-year sponsorship of the SunBet Poker Tour, Gregory said SunBet was thrilled to be taking poker to a wider audience and helping elevate the Tour to a truly world-beating affair.

Find out more at the SunBet Poker Tour at Monster Jam Poker and be sure to check out the leaderboard.

So what are you waiting for? Take your seat at the table and stake your claim for Africa’s richest poker prize!