It was just four months ago when PokerStars dealt its 60-billionth hand, on the road to 100 billion hands. That time around, they paid out over $1 million in special prizes.

Now it’s time to hit the tables once more and join PokerStars to celebrate the 65 billionth hand milestone, with again many cash prizes to be had – who knows what the overall total will be this time around?

From hand 64.7 billion to 65 billion, players dealt into every one-millionth hand (known as a Milestone Hand) will be awarded cash prizes. There are 300 regular Milestone Hands and, of course, the final Mega Milestone for the players dealt into the 65-billionth hand.

For regular Milestone Hands, every player dealt into the hand will be awarded a base prize of $50, plus $50 for every VPP they earned in the preceding 50 hands. (VPP stands for VIP Player Point, and each one is earned by every player who participates in real money games on PokerStars. For a detailed explanation of how they are earned, check out the PokerStars VIP Club web page.)

Calculating the Milestone Hand cash prizes

As an example, a player dealt into hand 64,742,000,000 that earned 24 VPPs in the 31 preceding hands would receive: $50 + (24 x $50) = $1,250. In addition, whichever player goes on to win the hand has their prize money doubled.

For the Mega Milestone, the calculation is the same, but multiplied by TEN! The winner of the hand also has their prize doubled but will receive an additional bonus amount of $65,000.

With more money awarded for earning more VPPs, it really pays for players to play more hands in the run up to a Milestone Hand and maximise the potential prize.

Hand counter

In order for players to see when the next Milestone Hand is due to hit, there is a “Number of hands dealt” running counter at PokerStars.com – click here for the current real-time total. The first Milestone Hand is estimated to hit on Monday, July 18, and the winning will continue for up to eight days until the Mega Milestone strikes – currently forecast to be dealt around Tuesday, July 25.

Love PokerStars Women's Sunday?  Join us July 16th for a freeroll to win your way - final table paid - details are in our community.