PokerStars Celebrates 25 Billionth Dealt Hand

SAN JUAN, Costa Rica - PokerStars is close to hitting another milestone and is inviting everyone to the bash.

The world's biggest poker site is about to deal its 25 billionth hand and is hosting the
  "25 Billion Bash" to celebrate the achievement.

Of course, the winner of the "Mega Milestone Hand" will come away with a bonanza of prizes.

But even for PokerStars, the prize package is huge. The lucky (or skillful) player will take home $100,000 in cash, a European Poker Tour Monte Carlo Grand Final package, a PokerStars Caribbean Adventure package, a World Series of Poker package, and a World Championship of Online Poker Main Event ticket.

The total prize package is estimated at $150,000.

The rest of the table will share $100,000 in cash and prizes, so those who don't win the hand will still reap some serious benefits.

But PokerStars is also spreading the wealth with a boatload of other bonuses for those who take part in the bash.

The action actually begins before the 25 billionth hand is dealt. PokerStars will be rewarding players who win one of 150 "Milestone Hands" with cash prizes. The 24.85 billionth hand will be the first "Milestone Hand" to receive a prize and every millionth hand afterwards will also receive cash.

"Milestone Hands" will be announced before the hand is dealt and a host will arrive at the table to provide an explanation on what's going on. Depending on table limits, the winner of the hand will receive anywhere from $300 to $2,500 on top of whatever they won in the pot. The rest of the table will win between $125 and $1,000. If a player is a VIP member, they can win a bonus between 15 and 200 percent.

Those who are new to PokerStars have a chance to get in on the action with a series of first-deposit freerolls. Players can simply enter the code "fdf2500" at the cashier and will then be able to play as many freerolls as they wish. There will be three $2,500 freerolls per day during the week of February 15-22.

PokerStars' weekly Sunday Million Tournament usually has a $1.5 million prize pool. For the "25 Billion Bash," however, that prize pool will be bumped to $2.5 million. The Sunday Warm-Up tournament will also be increased to $1.25 million.

PokerStars has already started rewarding players with a 25 percent reload bonus, its biggest ever. The qualifying period ends February 18 at 11:59 PM EST. To receive the bonus players must earn 20 VIP Player Points per bonus dollar and enter the code '25bash' into the bonus code area when making their qualifying deposit. To earn the entire $250 bonus, the first eligible deposit must be at least $1,000.

Everyone has a chance to win in the next few days at PokerStars, from the high rollers to those playing $0.01-$0.02 no-limit. In between Valentine's Day and the NBA All-Star Game (just kidding), a stop by PokerStars would be well worth your time.