Hey everyone,

It's time to talk SCOOP! This year's SCOOP will run from April 30-May 23rd and will tentatively contain 56 Events. This thread is meant to discuss the goals and concepts of the series as well as the schedule itself. Before getting into the Events, I think it is important that I share with you our goals for the series:

Engage more players than ever while still maintaining the prestige of the Series as well as the interest of experienced players.
Beat last year's total prize pools of $90.5M.
Craft a streamlined satellite schedule that meets player demand and expectations without being cumbersome.

The reason I wanted to share the goals with you is because we'd like your suggestions to focus on assisting us in accomplishing the above while maintaining the integrity of the Series. Next, I'll provide some short explanations of what has changed in the schedule and why.

• Phase 1s to Event 53 will begin running on April 30th. We'd like to attach some serious guarantees to these Events!
• The lowest buy-in for SCOOP this year is $5.50/$55/$530 instead of $7.50/$82/$700. Although this change is slight, it will allow more players to enjoy the series.
• All of the mixed games and many of the Omaha games will offer re-entry. In addition to this, the buy-in for several mixed games has been reduced to $11/$109/$1,050. The $2,100 High versions of many mixed games have not performed well for several years. This change will open the games up to more players at all levels.
• This version of the schedule has 12x NLHE Events with re-entry. If you look closely, you'll notice that they are primarily non-standard formats (Win the Button, Ante Up, 4-Max, etc.).
• I've included potential start times for Phase 1s to Event 53 in this schedule. They are not finalized, but have been included to show that any day that seems to lack NLHE Events has potential for a Phase 1.
• Mixed-Max is not in the schedule.
• Pay tables will be slightly flatter in this year's Events. Last year, the High Events primarily had 1-in-9 pay tables and the Low and Medium had 1-in-8. This will be altered to 1-in-8 and 1-in-7, respectively. There will be some exceptions, such as the Phase Event.

And finally, the Events! All times are in ET. A * indicates that the Event allows re-entry.

Sunday, April 30th - Saturday, May 6th

SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1] - Times TBD

Sunday, May 7th

08:00 SCOOP-01: $11/$109 [Sunday Kickoff SE]/$1,050 NLHE
11:00 SCOOP-02: $27/$215 [Sunday Warm-Up SE]/$2,100 NLHE [Progressive KO]
14:00 SCOOP-03: $27/$215 [Sunday Million SE]/$2,100 NLHE
15:30 SCOOP-04: $11/$109/$1,050 [Sunday Grand SE] PLO [6-Max]*
17:00 SCOOP-05: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [6-Max]*

Monday, May 8th

11:00 SCOOP-06: $11/$109/$1,050 NLO8 [6-Max, Progressive KO]*
13:30 SCOOP-07: $5.50+R/$55+R/$530+R NLHE
15:00 SCOOP-08: $11/$109/$1,050 HORSE*
16:30 SCOOP-09: $27/$215/$2,100 NLHE [Win the Button]*

Tuesday, May 9th

10:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
12:00 SCOOP-10: $5.50+R/$55+R/$530+R PLO [6-Max]
13:30 SCOOP-11: $11/$109/$1,050 [Super Tuesday SE] NLHE
16:00 SCOOP-12: $5.50/$55/$530 NLHE [Progressive KO, Ante Up]*

Wednesday, May 10th

11:00 SCOOP-13: $27/$215/$2,100 Razz*
13:30 SCOOP-14: $215/$2,100/$25,000 NLHE [8-Max, High Roller]*
16:00 SCOOP-15: $11/$109/$1,050 PLO8 [6-Max]*
17:30 SCOOP-16: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Turbo]

Thursday, May 11th

10:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
12:00 SCOOP-17: $27/$215/$2,100 FL Triple Draw 2-7*
13:30 SCOOP-18: $11/$109/$1,050 [Thursday Thrill SE] NLHE [Progressive KO]
16:00 SCOOP-19: $27/$215/$2,100 PLO [Heads-Up]

Friday, May 12th

11:00 SCOOP-20: $11/$109/$1,050 Stud8*
12:00 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
13:30 SCOOP-21: $11/$109/$1,050 FLO8 [8-Max]*
16:00 SCOOP-22: $27/$215/$2,100 NLHE [6-Max, Zoom]*

Saturday, May 13th

09:00 SCOOP-23: $5.50/$55/$530 NLHE [Progressive KO]
11:00 SCOOP-24: $27/$215/$2,100 8-Game*
13:30 SCOOP-25: $215/$2,100/$25,000 NLHE [Heads-Up, High Roller]
15:00 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
16:00 SCOOP-26: $27/$215/$2,100 NLO8 [6-Max, Turbo]*

Sunday, May 14th

08:00 SCOOP-27: $11/$109 [Sunday Kickoff SE]/$1,050 NLHE
11:00 SCOOP-28: $27/$215 [Sunday Warmup SE]/$2,100 NLHE [6-Max]*
14:00 SCOOP-29: $27/$215 [Sunday Million SE]/$2,100 NLHE
16:30 SCOOP-30: $5.50/$55/$530 PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO]*

Monday, May 15th

11:00 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
12:30 SCOOP-31: $11/$109/$1,050 FLHE [6-Max]*
13:30 SCOOP-32: $27/$215/$2,100 NLHE [4-Max]*
16:00 SCOOP-33: $27/$215/$2,100 NLHE [6-Max, Shootout]

Tuesday, May 16th

10:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
12:00 SCOOP-34: $11/$109/$1,050 PLO8 [8-Max]*
13:30 SCOOP-35: $11/$109/$1,050 [Super Tuesday SE] NLHE
16:00 SCOOP-36: $11/$109/$1,050 FL Badugi*

Wednesday, May 17th

12:00 SCOOP-37: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Progressive 100% KO]
13:30 SCOOP-38: $215/$2,100/$25,000 PLO [6-Max, High Roller]*
15:00 SCOOP-39: $55/$530/$5,200 NLHE [8-Max]
16:30 SCOOP-40: $5.50/$55/$530 NLO [8-Max, Win the Button]*

Thursday, May 18th

11:00 SCOOP-41: $5.50/$55/$530 NLHE [Deep Stacks]
13:30 SCOOP-42: $11/$109/$1,050 [Thursday Thrill SE] NLHE
15:00 SCOOP-43: $11/$109/$1,050 Stud*
16:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]

Friday, May 19th

11:00 SCOOP-44: $11+R/$109+R/$1,050+R NLHE
13:30 SCOOP-45: $5.50/$55/$530 NLHE [Bubble Rush]*
15:00 SCOOP-46: $11/$109/$1,050 5-Card NLO8 [6-Max, Hyper-Turbo]*
16:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]

Saturday, May 20th

09:00 SCOOP-47: $27/$215/$2,100 NLHE [6-Max]*
11:00 SCOOP-48: $5.50/$55/$530 NLHE [Progressive KO, Win the Button]*
13:30 SCOOP-49: $27/$215/$2,100 NLO8 [6-Max]*
15:00 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 1]
16:00 SCOOP-50: $11/$109/$1,050 NL 2-7 Single Draw*

Sunday, May 21st

08:00 SCOOP-51: $11/$109/$1,050 PLO [6-Max]*
09:00 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Turbo, Final Phase 1]
11:00 SCOOP-52: $27/$215 [Sunday Warm-Up SE]/$2,100 NLHE [8-Max]
12:30 SCOOP-53: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Phase 2]
14:00 SCOOP-54: $109/$1,050/$10,300 NLHE [Main Event]*
17:00 SCOOP-55: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO]*

Monday, May 22nd

14:00 SCOOP-56: TBD

The goal is still to finalize the schedule by the end of February, which leaves us a bit over a week to discuss it. LFG

Wednesday is the new Sunday? Why 25ks on the Wednesdays?

Heads up / Shoot outs being in the late slot is kinda tough to play, they take long time.

It is missing the popular 3 max pko zoom.

Last year you had more $11 phases than 109 and 1ks which makes sense. you can do 3 $11 phases a day.

Not cool that u reduce most of 27$ tourneys to 11$.
Make at least 50% of currant 11$ to be 27$.

I dont get it why [Phase 1] is in every single day as separate event?
U can run it between events every single day but on that time slot there should be new event.

NLHE and PLO 3/4 max pko zoom tourneys should be in the schedule.

What about the idea that all of L tourneys to have at least 1 re-entry?

Why Sunday, May 14th have 4 events? Should be a mistake.

Make all working days with at least 4 events without counting phase tourneys.
1 of that events should be NLHE 9max FO, 1-other kind of NLHE and 2-non NLHE or 3-NLHE, 1-other type. As standard every week day should have 5 events 3-NLHE, 2-other non NLHE.
Weekends can handle more then 6 events without counting phase tourneys. Make that happen.

Waaay too many 11/109/1k , pls increase number of 27/215/2k instead.

needs 3max zoom or 3max psko they were v popular last scoop and wcoop 4m just doesnt cut it :|

+1

It's that time of the year where everyone plays higher than they should. Let's keep this attitude alive.

Terrible for Omaha8 players.
Only 1 decent progressive KO which, thankfully, is a re-entry.
Probably will not plan a schedule for this as i am not excited enough by it.

- Not sure what others think SCOOP-37: $11/$109/$1,050 NLHE [Progressive 100% KO] should def be a re-entry (hell yeah even if it was unlimted)

- 3 max zoom pko will do way better than a 4 max freezeout

- You could add NL 5 Card Draw event on 14th May. If not you should def replace Stud with NL5CD as it did better than Stud last year (L and M) and you could still play stud in 8game and horse even if you leave out stud.

- I think there should at least be 1 NLHE event with something unique payouts like deep payouts(25%) or bigggg min cash (3x or 4x). (Even Mysterious payouts would be nice ) Why all the events have to have the same payout %?

$11/109/$1050 buy in for mixed and other games looks good even though I'd have liked $27/$215. I still think you could do $27/$215/$1050 as only the $2100 struggled in the past.

Luke i think you are a Smart guy but people need to know one thing the Schedule is much more like the same like Last year the only thing that i know will happen is a few tweaks here and there e.g the guarantees will probably go down by some margin - the satellites will be focused more on deep stack and not Rebuys 3x ,the starting times will be affected- this Scoop will be more focused on streamlining the business Agenda of Pokerstars when it comes to big events #makeScoopGreatAgain

Does anyone like these 100% prog kos?

having a load load of phase 1ks seems ambitious. maybe more phase 1s for lower stakes, less for higher

I would change events 47/48. 2k starting later will help participation levels, especially before the last "big" Sunday. 9am is just so early for a Saturday when there's nothing else to play. People want to get stuff done before the big Sunday.

Phases on Tuesdays, especially for $1k should start a couple of hours later.

What is "deep stacks"

Thursday 18th May. Start the 1k etc phase a little earlier

Add a $11/109/1k kick off or ultra deep variable levels on the last Sunday.

In general just too many phases. We will (touch wood) make it through early and then there's just an empty slot in everybodies schedule. Running a phase alongside another event in the same time zone is completely reasonable.

Thoughts on 2nd Tues/Thurs being $1575 or $2100 price point for the normal $1k super tues/thurs thrill? the 1050/1575/2100 seems to work real nicely during WCOOP

marathon event?

Would love to see:

A big bet mix like the new WSOP event - Any out of NLH/PLO/PLO8/NL08/NL2-7single draw /PL 2-7 triple draw.

A mixed Omaha hi/lo event like last years zoom

More phase tournaments including a phase Omaha event as well as Omaha Hi/Lo - these both would be HUGE.

A 5 or 10 Stack 6 Max iteration of both Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo events.

A Marathon event!!

A NL 2-7 Single draw psko event. I feel psko works really well with this pure game.

A 2 day event with a short day 1 as the final SCOOP of the day, will help your core SCOOP grinders as two week of 12hr+ grinds takes its toll.

I posted this in the unofficial thread. having seen the sched u posted some of the changes i think should be made:

more $11's changed back to $27's, its SCOOP not micro millions. while you may get a few more players, overall prize pools will be lower if you drastically change most of the 27$s to $11.

Whats happened to N-Stack format? There was a 5 stack PLO Scoop last year that had the most beautifully deep structure. 2 Scoops a go there was a 5 Stack NLH Mtt.

You can probably find space for two events on the final monday. A NLH + PLO event will round SCOOP off nicely. 12:00 and 14:00 timeslots or 13:00 and 15:00 timeslots.

Have you removed the 'Championship' tag? Or was that WCOOP only?

Also i thought SCOOP was deep stack and slow structures, I see many turbos and even a hyper-turbo in the prelim sched

I really dislike re-entry on literally anything that's a championship thing, but I guess it cannot be stopped. Maybe it's ok on some games where you can give a 1k a 100k+ guarantee with re-entry or something.

Make sure structures are such that, especially if they start later in the day, playtimes are nicely divided between day 1 and 2. If a tournament is projected to last for 14 hours try to go for 7/7 or something, too often in the past have these gone like 11/3.

I would also say that especially the high and to a lesser extent the medium versions of the tournaments are really aimed towards the professional players, and as such you should not be scared of slapping on some nice structures and making 3-day events. I guess the main thing I'm worried about is having to skip some events because their day 1 lasts until 7am or whatever. I also don't think this necessarily needs to be consistent between buyin levels, it's totally ok to have a 15-min low that's 2 days and a 20-min mid/30-min high that are 3 days.

No marathon event? It was one of my favorites from wcoop. L-30min M-45min H-60min with a 500bb starstack should be fun for a poker enthusiast, and grinders will play as they are playing every day anyway.

You actually have software capabilities for Progressive KO re-entry (as was listed for ante up) or is one of those things a typo?

I've never heard of 5 card Omaha played no limit yet it's very commonly played pot limit. Why mess will a good thing and make the 5c O8 event NL?

I like the schedule, but please add a Marathon event.

+1 for marathon event

+1 for more 27$ vs 11$ (215vs109 etc)

-1 for 100% psko

will there be watches for the winners?

+1 imo the $1575 nailed it! but either is an improvement!

+1

get rid of all turbos....we had tcoop in january

+1 for a marathon event

no 100% progKO

thrill and ST buy in levels seem perfectly fine as in previous years

Would be cool to have one week of the Super Tuesday/Thursday Thrill events being 6max edition so it gives a more special feeling of a "new" exciting tourney that week.

+1 for a marathon event.

No 100% PKO please. Nobody are used to that format and people want big prizepools during these series! 25% prog or SKO would be better.

0 NLO8 events with 8-max or 9-max is well, just fool's errand. Add one additional NLO8 tournament which is 8-max and convert regular NLO8 to 9-max, imo.

There's also certainly room to have 4 (non-phase) events during weekdays and even 5-6 events for Sat / Sunday.