The WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star returns to San Jose for its second consecutive year, running October 16 through November 1. The tournament carries deep roots in poker history, debuting nearly three decades ago in 1997 at the storied Bay 101 card room.
The Shooting Star earned legendary status as one of poker's most iconic tournaments. Players have long considered it a marquee event on the poker calendar, drawing serious talent to the Bay Area every year. The tournament's return to San Jose marks a continuation of Bay 101's resurgence in the live poker landscape after periods of reduced activity.
The WPT's decision to bring the event back signals confidence in the Bay Area market and in Bay 101's ability to host high-level poker action. San Jose remains one of California's prime poker destinations, and the tournament attracts both local regulars and traveling professionals seeking to test their skills in a prestigious field.
The two-week run gives players multiple starting flights and chances to build a stack before the final table. The Shooting Star format typically draws a diverse player pool, from grinders to recreational players banking rolled and weekend warriors willing to put down buy-ins for a shot at WPT hardware.
For the WPT, the Bay 101 event strengthens its footprint on the West Coast. Live poker continues to recover and grow beyond pre-pandemic levels, and prestigious tournaments like the Shooting Star anchor that growth. Bay 101 itself benefits from the prestige associated with hosting a WPT event, bringing foot traffic and attention to the room.
The October-November timing positions the Shooting Star ahead of the holiday season and Thanksgiving, when travel to California increases and poker players often build their schedules around major tournaments. This placement gives the tournament solid player volume.
Details on specific buy-ins, structure, and field size remain to be announced,