One of the most iconic stops in World Poker Tour history is officially back. The WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star is returning to the schedule for the first time since 2017, with the 2025 edition set to run from October 17 to November 2 at the Bay 101 Casino in San Jose, California. The highlight of the festival is the $5,300 Shooting Star Championship, which plays out October 24–28, with a televised final table scheduled later in Las Vegas.
For longtime poker fans and WPT followers, this is the revival they’ve been waiting for.
A Fan-Favorite Stop with Star Power and Bounties
The Bay 101 Shooting Star isn’t just another poker tournament — it’s a spectacle. The format is famous for its twist: each starting table includes at least one “Shooting Star,” a well-known pro with a $2,500 bounty on their head. Knock one out and you pocket the bounty. If they win the whole thing, they collect their own. In addition to the bounties, chip leaders of each Day 1 starting flight earn a $5,000 bonus, adding even more fireworks to an already explosive structure.
WPT CEO Adam Pliska put it best when he said, “The players, the fans, and the incredible team at Bay 101 create an amazing environment. We look forward to returning to this iconic venue once again.”
A Rich History of Legends and Champions
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Originally launched in 1997, the Bay 101 Shooting Star became a WPT staple starting in Season 2 back in 2004. Over the years, it’s produced some unforgettable winners and million-dollar paydays. Phil Gordon won the WPT debut in 2004 for $360,000, while Danny Nguyen banked over $1 million in 2005. Names like Nam Le, Ted Forrest, Steve Brecher, and Moon Kim all earned titles here. In 2014, James Carroll took down the event for more than $1.25 million. The last WPT champ was Sam Panzica, who earned $1,373,000 in 2017.
Even before the WPT era, this event had deep roots. Huck Seed, Carlos Mortensen, Chau Vu, and other early legends all cashed here. The tournament ran in 2020, but the final table was never completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final 10 players agreed to a chop, and the event faded into memory—until now.
Shooting Star Championship 2025 – What We Know
The 2025 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship keeps its classic format intact. It runs October 24 to 28 with a $5,300 buy-in. As in years past, each table will feature Shooting Stars with $2,500 bounties, and Day 1 chip leaders will receive a $5,000 bonus. The venue is Bay 101 Casino in San Jose, and the televised final table will be held at a later date in Las Vegas. The field is expected to include WPT champions, bracelet winners, and poker’s most familiar faces, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in tournament poker.
Among the confirmed Shooting Stars are 2025 WSOP World Champion Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Phil Hellmuth, Jeff Platt, David “ODB” Baker, Xuan Liu, Faraz Jaka, David Williams, Tyler Patterson, Kenna James, and Shannon Shorr, with more big names expected to join.
2025 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Full Schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 17 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener 1A | $600 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Saturday, October 18 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener 1B | $600 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Sunday, October 19 | 9:15 AM | No Limit Omaha | $1,100 |
| 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Opener Day 2 | ||
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Monday, October 20 | 9:15 AM | Omaha 8 | $1,100 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Tuesday, October 21 | 9:15 AM | HORSE | $1,100 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Wednesday, October 22 | 9:15 AM | No Limit | $2,200 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| 7:30 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $1,150 | |
| Thursday, October 23 | 9:15 AM | No Limit | $2,200 |
| 9:15 AM | No Limit Day 2 | ||
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Friday, October 24 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 1A | $5,300 |
| 5:15 PM | Shooting Star Satellite | $600 | |
| Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 1B | $5,300 |
| Sunday, October 26 | 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 2 | |
| 1:15 PM | High Roller Satellite | $1,100 | |
| 5:15 PM | High Roller | $15,400 | |
| Monday, October 27 | 9:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty | $1,100 |
| 9:15 AM | Shooting Star Championship Day 3 | ||
| 2:00 PM | High Roller Day 2 | ||
| Tuesday, October 28 | 9:15 AM | 8 Handed No Limit | $2,200 |
| Noon | Shooting Star Championship Day 4 | ||
| Wednesday, October 29 | 9:15 AM | Limit Hold’em | $1,100 |
| 9:15 AM | 8 Handed No Limit Day 2 | ||
| Thursday, October 30 | 9:15 AM | No Limit | $1,100 |
| 5:15 PM | Pot Limit Omaha | $1,100 | |
| Friday, October 31 | 9:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 1A | $1,100 |
| 5:15 PM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 1B | $1,100 | |
| Saturday, November 1 | 11:15 AM | Shooting Star Closer NL | $600 |
| Sunday, November 2 | 11:15 AM | Mystery Board Bounty Day 2 |
The return of the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star is more than just a schedule update—it’s a nostalgic revival of one of poker’s most beloved stops. With signature bounties, chip leader bonuses, and a history rich with legends, this tournament is set to reclaim its spot as a can’t-miss event on the calendar. Whether you’re hunting down a Shooting Star or aiming for a title of your own, San Jose will be the place to be this October.
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