The 888poker LIVE circuit will have its first event of 2024 in the Spanish capital of Madrid from January 22-29. The 888poker LIVE Madrid venue will be the luxurious Gran Via Casino, located in a historic building in the city center.
The 888poker LIVE Madrid Festival
The festival will consist of 10 events with buy-ins ranging from €55 to €2,000. The Main Event will cost €888, will have four initial days, and will begin on Thursday, January 25. Qualifying satellites will be offered for the most important tournaments.
This will be the Main Event schedule:
- Day 1A: Thursday, January 25 at 5 pm
- Day 1B: Friday, January 26 at 5 pm
- Day 1C: Saturday, January 27 at 5 pm
- Day 1D Turbo: Sunday, January 28 at 1 pm (20 minutes blind levels)
- Day 2: Sunday, January 28 at 5 pm
- Day 3: Monday, January 29 at 3 pm
Re-entry will be unlimited, blind levels will last 45 minutes and late registration will be open for 11 levels for all flights other than Day 1D Turbo. Super Satellites will be offered for the Main Event on Wednesday the 24th (2 PM), Thursday the 25th (9 PM), and Friday the 26th (2 PM). They will feature a €100 buy-in with unlimited re-entry, 20-minute blind levels, and late registration through the seventh level.
Schedule of secondary events:
| Event | Dates | Time | Buy-In | Levels |
| The Opening | January 22, 23 & 24 | 6 PM | €220 | 30 minutes |
| The Mini Short Turbo | Monday, January 22 | 9 PM | €65 | 15 minutes |
| High Roller | January 24 & 25 | 6 PM | €2,000 | 40 minutes |
| The Mystery Bounty | January 27 & 28 | 7 PM | €330 | 30 minutes |
| The Mid Shot | Friday, January 27 | 4 PM | €165 | 20 minutes |
| Pot Limit Omaha | Saturday, January 27 | 7 PM | €165 | 20 minutes |
| The BIG Shot | Sunday, January 28 | 7 PM | €330 | 25 minutes |
| Ladies | Sunday, January 28 | 3 PM | €55 | 20 minutes |
| The Closer | Monday, January 29 | 6 PM | €100 | 20 minutes |
Ambassadors, Freerolls and Live Streaming
Those who attend the festival in Madrid will have the chance to meet and play with several 888poker ambassadors, including: Lucia Navarro, Vivian Saliba, Ian Simpson, Alexandre “Cavalito” Mantovani, and Nick Eastwood.
Main Event action will be transmitted via Live Stream from Day 1B until the end of the tournament. Viewers will be offered a chance to win tickets to the XL Winter Series online festival, which will begin playing on January 14 and will distribute $2M in prizes in its events. In addition, special freerolls with free entries will be played on those days.
Live Streaming and freerolls schedule:
- Friday, January 26: Day 1B Live Streaming at 16:30 GMT / Freeroll at 18:30 GMT
- Saturday, January 27: Day 1C Live Streaming at 16:30 GMT / Freeroll at 18:30 GMT
- Sunday, January 28: Day 2 Live Streaming at 16:30 GMT / Freeroll at 18:30 GMT
- Monday, January 29: Day 3 Live Streaming at 14:30 GMT / Freeroll at 18:30 GMT
David Luzago anticipates a great festival
We contacted David Luzago, Poker Manager of Casino Gran Via, to ask about the festival’s expectations. He responded: “We are very happy to be one of the venues for the 2024 888poker LIVE season. It is very nice to receive the ambassadors in the room, and we hope to repeat the great numbers of last year. The calendar is very complete with tickets for all types of bankrolls starting at €55 up to €2K for the High Roller. In addition, three super satellites will be played for the Main Event, allowing you to qualify for only €100.”
Some players won their entry online at 888poker and will play at Gran Vía for the first time. What will they find inside the Casino?
“You are going to find a century-old palace that was converted into a casino 11 years ago and has an entire floor dedicated to poker. It is located in the center of one of the most visited European cities of the moment that is passing through one of its best eras in terms of security, accommodation, and leisure. It is a unique city and the entertainment offers around the casino are many with pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and shopping centers.”
Qualify for 888poker LIVE Madrid From Home
Would you like to qualify for the festival’s Main Event from the comfort of your home? You can do this with 888poker’s Step format satellites, which have buy-ins starting at just 1 cent and going up to $109. You can find the qualifying satellites in the “Tournaments” > “Live Events” section of 888poker.com.
The package, valued at $1,800 for 888poker LIVE Madrid includes:
- $970 entry to the Main Event
- $500 for accommodation expenses
- $330 for travel expenses
- 888poker LIVE kit
🌟 Join the poker journey on 888poker!
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— 888poker (@888poker) January 8, 2024
Lucia Navarro and Vivian Saliba are Excited
We reached out to two 888poker ambassadors who will be present in Madrid — Lucia Navarro and Vivian Saliba — to hear what they’ll be up to.
We asked Lucia what those who have never attended an 888poker LIVE event will be able to find and she told us: “In addition to a very complete schedule of tournaments and the great prizes that are generated, I would highlight the great atmosphere! We ambassadors try participate in every activity that is organized and since there is such a good vibe and connection between us, I think that is contagious! So there will be a lot of laughter and fun, too.”
Last year Lucia finished fourth in the festival’s Main Event. What does she remember about the tournament?
“It was my second tournament as an ambassador and I had to record a lot of content, so I remember thinking when I was at the final table: ‘how did I get here’ 😂😂 I felt very tired, but at the same time super lucky to have started the year doing great in a ‘home’ event both for being in Spain and for being for 888poker! Very proud!”
Will we see Lucia at all 2024 stops? “Yes, yes, I won’t miss a single one! I’m going to attend all the 888poker LIVE and the CNP stops in Spain. I’m very excited to repeat them all, because this second time I think I’m going to enjoy it much more.”
Vivian will also be present in Madrid and told us what tournaments she will play: “I will be definitely playing the High Roller 2K on the 24th and the Main Event on the days to follow. I would like to play a full schedule, as all the tournaments are interesting and the poker fields in Spain are usually very good, but I will also be using my time in Madrid to connect with the team members of the 888poker family and do some social activities. I am normally in charge of finding us the best restaurants to visit. As a matter of fact, I have already started my research!”
What tips would Vivian give to a player who is playing at their first ever 888poker LIVE event?
“Live poker is a different experience than online poker. Of course, you still have to make the right plays and make the correct decisions, but you also have to explore the different tools that are available for you. Taking your time before making any decisions is key. You should look for any behavoiral wickedness from your opponents, such as how fast they bet/make a call, things they say, facial expressions, and bet sizing tells. Live poker is the best way to socialize in the poker world and to get to know people that share the same love for poker as you do. Don’t forget to have fun and the enjoy the experience, whatever the results!”
Vivian has cashed at multiple 888poker LIVE events in Barcelona, Bucharest and London. What does she enjoy most about the festivals?
“888poker got it very right in terms of creating an enjoyable and potentially profitable experience for its players. I really like the schedules, especially the Main Events, which are normally super +EV tournaments, combining great structures with soft fields, and big prize pools. I also really enjoy the PLO tournaments, as they are always so much fun to play. Another great thing about the festivals is where they take place. Combining traveling with poker is one of the best ways to explore the world. You get to play great tournaments and visit new places. It basically combines the best of both worlds!”.
Which other 888poker LIVE events will we be seeing Vivian at this year?
“I am most likely attending all our 888poker live events this year. Madrid, Bucharest, Barcelona, London, and Coventry! I won a ladies event back in 2017, but now I am on a personal mission of winning another 888poker live trophy, and it is an 888poker live Main Event trophy! Let’s see if I will be able to do it in 2024.”
2023 888poker LIVE Madrid Highlights
Last year’s edition was played in mid-January at the Gran Via Casino. The Main Event boasted 514 entries for €888, distributing €394K in prizes and exceeding the guaranteed pool of €300K. The champion was Adrian Marin from Romania, who won a grand prize of €92K. Among the finalists was 888poker ambassador Lucia Navarro, who placed fourth, winning €27K. The best 53 players cashed.
The 2023 888poker LIVE Madrid champion / Photo: 888poker
The 2024 888poker LIVE circuit will visit:
- Madrid, Spain: From January 22 to 29 at the Gran Via Casino
- Bucharest, Romania: From March 16 to 24 at the Poker Room Bucharest
- Barcelona, Spain: From May 8 to 20 at the Casino Barcelona
- London, England: From August 14 to 25 at the renovated The Vic
- Coventry, England: From October 10 to 21 at the Grosvenor Casino
You can now schedule festival dates and try to qualify online for very little money at 888poker. Good luck!
