What is Stake Poker Showdown?

Stake Showdown is a major Stake Poker tournament with a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool. Players can qualify through three satellite steps or buy into the main event directly.

How much does it cost to enter Stake Showdown?

The direct buy-in for Stake Showdown is $1,000. However, qualifying tournaments start from just $0.50.

Can I qualify for Stake Showdown for $0.50?

Yes. Step 1 costs $0.50 and awards entry to Step 2. You must then progress through Step 2 and Step 3 to win your $1,000 Stake Showdown seat.

Do I have to start at Step 1?

No. Players can start at Step 1, Step 2, or Step 3, depending on how much they want to spend. You can also skip the qualifiers and enter Stake Showdown directly for $1,000.

How much can I win in Stake Showdown?

The tournament has $125,000 guaranteed, meaning at least that amount will be available in prize money. The final prize pool can be higher if enough players enter.

Where can I find the Stake Showdown qualifiers?

Open Stake Poker and check the tournament lobby for Stake Showdown Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 events. Qualifiers begin on 1 September 2026.

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Stake Showdown Poker: Qualify from $0.50 for $125K GTD Tournament

By Leon Travers

01 Sep 2026

Leon Travers01 Sep 2026

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Join the Stake Poker Showdown for only $0.50
Progress to the main event and play for a $125,000 GTD pot
Learn about the qualification steps and the direct buy-in method

Stake Showdown Quick Facts
How to Qualify for Stake Showdown
How to Join Stake Showdown
Stake Showdown Main Event
Stake Welcome Bonus for New Players
Stake Poker Showdown FAQs

Start from just $0.50 and play your way into a $125,000 guaranteed poker tournament.

Stake Showdown is Stake Poker’s flagship online event, with three qualifying steps leading to a $1,000 main-event seat.

Players can begin at any stage, work their way through the qualifiers, or buy into Stake Showdown directly for $1,000. The main event takes place on 27 September 2026, with at least $125,000 up for grabs.

This article explains the buy-ins for each step, game format, and the key details you need to know before taking your seat at the table.

Stake Showdown Quick Facts

Stake Showdown gives players several ways to reach the $125,000 guaranteed main event, including qualifiers starting from just $0.50.

Tournament	Stake Showdown
Guaranteed Prize Pool	$125,000
Main Event Buy-In	$1,000
Cheapest Qualifier	$0.50
Qualifying Steps	3
Qualifiers Start	1 September 2026
Main Event Date	27 September 2026
Platform	Stake Poker
Entry Options	Qualify through Steps 1–3 or buy in directly

How to Qualify for Stake Showdown

Players can qualify for Stake Showdown through three progressively higher buy-in tournaments. Each step awards entry to the next stage, eventually leading to a $1,000 seat in the main event.

Stage	Buy-in	Prize
Step 1	$0.50	Entry to Step 2
Step 2	$10.00	Entry to Step 3
Step 3	$100.00	Entry to Stake Showdown
Stake Showdown	$1,000.00	Win a share of $125,000+

You do not have to start at Step 1. Players can enter at any qualifying stage or skip the steps entirely and buy into Stake Showdown directly for $1,000.

How to Join Stake Showdown

Joining Stake Showdown is straightforward, whether you want to try and qualify cheaply or buy into the main event directly.

Log in to your Stake account and open Stake Poker from the main menu.
Find the Stake Showdown tournaments in the tournament section.
Choose your starting point: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, or the $1,000 main event.
Pay the required buy-in for your chosen tournament.
Win your qualifying step to progress to the next stage.
Reach Stake Showdown and compete for a share of the $125,000+ prize pool.

Qualifying events run every day from 1 September 2026 up to the day before the main event on 27 September 2026. This gives players plenty of chances to qualify regardless of the path they choose.

Stake Showdown Main Event

Stake Showdown takes place on Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 17:00 UTC, with a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Players who qualify through Step 3 receive a $1,000 seat in the tournament. Alternatively, anyone who wants to skip the qualifiers can buy into the main event directly for $1,000.

The $125,000 figure is a guarantee rather than a fixed prize pool, so the final amount can increase depending on the size of the field. Players who survive deep into the tournament will compete for a place at the final table and a share of the total prize money.

Stake Welcome Bonus for New Players

New Stake players who register with promo code HUGE can qualify for a 200% matched deposit bonus worth up to $3,000.

The offer is not prominently advertised on Stake’s main promotion pages, but it is available to eligible players who sign up using the HUGE code.

Players can use their Stake account across Stake Poker, casino games, and sports betting, making the offer a useful starting point for anyone joining Stake for the first time.

Check our Stake promo code guide for full details on the $3,000 welcome bonus, eligibility requirements, and how to register with code HUGE.

Stake Poker Showdown FAQs

What is Stake Poker Showdown?
Stake Showdown is a major Stake Poker tournament with a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool. Players can qualify through three satellite steps or buy into the main event directly.
How much does it cost to enter Stake Showdown?
The direct buy-in for Stake Showdown is $1,000. However, qualifying tournaments start from just $0.50.
Can I qualify for Stake Showdown for $0.50?
Yes. Step 1 costs $0.50 and awards entry to Step 2. You must then progress through Step 2 and Step 3 to win your $1,000 Stake Showdown seat.
Do I have to start at Step 1?
No. Players can start at Step 1, Step 2, or Step 3, depending on how much they want to spend. You can also skip the qualifiers and enter Stake Showdown directly for $1,000.
When is the Stake Showdown main event?
Stake Showdown takes place on Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 17:00 UTC.
How much can I win in Stake Showdown?
The tournament has $125,000 guaranteed, meaning at least that amount will be available in prize money. The final prize pool can be higher if enough players enter.
Where can I find the Stake Showdown qualifiers?
Open Stake Poker and check the tournament lobby for Stake Showdown Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 events. Qualifiers begin on 1 September 2026.
Is there a Stake welcome bonus for new players?
Yes. Eligible new players who register with Stake promo code HUGE can qualify for a 200% matched deposit bonus worth up to $3,000. Check our Stake promo code guide for the full offer details and requirements.