PokerStars Michigan Smashes MICOOP Guarantee with $2.2 Million Payout

March 15th, 2021 | by Kaycee James

PokerStars Michigan has set the pace in the Great Lake State and shown that its waters run deep with the successful debut of its Championship of Online Poker.

PokerStars’ inaugural MICOOP has smashed its guarantee and shown that Michigan has the potential to become a hot online poker market. (Image: PokerStars)

The inaugural MICOOP was scheduled to have 60 MTTs and a $1 million guarantee. Things started well when the first batch of tournaments got underway on February 20 and things only got better from there.

By the close of play on March 8, PokerStars had smashed its guarantee and paid out more than $2.2 million.

Monopoly Helps MICOOP Thrive

PokerStars MICOOP was always going to be successful, simply because it’s the only active online operator in Michigan.

However, given the fact that 56 of its 60 MTTs broke their guarantees, there’s a strong chance MICOOP would have been a success regardless.

Topping the bill was the $300 main event. With direct entries and satellites starting at $2, the tournament attracted 1,284 runners.

That pushed the prizepool to $359,520 and meant the winner, smftt, banked $56,398. For a fledgling site, that’s impressive.

PokerStars went live in Michigan on January 29, 2021. Within six weeks, it’s already laid down a huge marker that others will have to follow.

As yet, it’s unclear which operator will be next to go live in the Great Lake State.

With a population of almost 10 million and a clear appetite for poker, the WSOP.com, Partypoker and others will be clamoring to launch their platforms.

However, it may be too late by then. High on the success of MICOOP, people at PokerStars HQ are already planning more events.

More to Come from PokerStars Michigan

In a recent press release, local players were told to hang tight for an announcement on when the next series will start.

Adding to this, PokerStars’ Rebecca McAdam Willetts said the early signs were positive.

“We are very encouraged by the success of our inaugural MICOOP and look forward to hosting future poker events for Michigan players,” said Willetts.

PokerStars had a slow start in the US due to old issue relating to its actions post-UIGEA. Those grievances have since been settled and its starting to become a leading figure in newly regulated states.

It’s not the top operator in New Jersey, the largest online poker market in the US. But it does have a monopoly in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

This will change. For now though, PokerStars is building a strong base in the regulated US gaming market.

MICOOP has further cemented its position and, moreover, shown the potential of Michigan’s online poker market.