Back in July, 888Poker launched a new gaming option known as BLAST Tournaments. BLAST was 888’s version of Jackpot SNG Tournaments and could be enjoyed via mobile or desktop download. The format provides players at 888Poker with access to game play that could create a prize pool of 2x to 10,000x the buy-in. The largest buy-in available is $30 so a prize pool of $300,000 could be created. Last weekend, two tournaments provided the big payday thanks to the BLAST 10,000x multiplier.

The first big win involved a player known as Mn79BEN who earned a $30,000 payday while participating in a $5 buy-in BLAST tournament. The runner up of this tournament earned $10,000 while third and fourth were able to earn $5,000 each.

That very same weekend saw an even bigger prize pool created when online poker player bucopepic paid $30 to take part in a BLAST tournament. The multiplier hit the 10,000 mark and $300,000 was up for grabs. Bucopepic was able to earn $180,000 with the win while runner up earned $60,000, with third and fourth taking home $30,000 each.

The multipled prizes certainly make BLAST tournaments appealing to online poker players. When taking part, players are seated at four handed tables and are given 1,500 in poker chips. The tournament is on a timer and once the timer is up, the remaining players are set until a winner is named. For tournaments with prize pool multipliers of 2 to 5 times, the timer will last six minutes. 10x the prize pool creates a timer of 8 minutes while 100x will give players 10 minutes to compete. 1,000 to 10,000x the prize pool multiplier will create a timer of 12 minutes.

With a 2x multiplier, its winner take all while 5x will provide 70% of the jackpot to the winner and 30% to second place. 10x to 10,000x the prize pool will spread the cash out a little further with spots paid in 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and fourth place depending on the multiplier.

PokerStars is known as a top provider of online poker game play across the globe. The site is the leader in quality gaming and want to ensure the company maintains a quality reputation. Because of this, the site has recently announced a conduct ruling that has been in place for some time. The site has confirmed that players who act poorly during online game play can also be banned from live events.

PokerStars hosts many live events each year as part of various poker tours including the European Poker Tour. Michael Josem is the PokerStars Head of Public Relations and he recently commented on this ruling at TwoPlusTwo. Josem stated that the conduct rule has been in effect for some time now. Players can be banned from live events as pertaining to their actions in online game play.

Josem stated that both the European Poker Tour and the site have agreed that online activity information should be used to uphold the integrity of live events. The site plans on releasing more information on this policy as regards to what the site does, how they do it and why they choose this direction.

PokerStars made the announcement as a response to a petition on TwoPlusTwo that was asking PokerStars to do more about online poker cheating. Players want to see stronger action taken against those who cheat and the majority of players want to see banning take place in both online and live game play.

PokerStars also has a blacklist that they share with Full Tilt Poker to keep corrupt players from game play. Players who are banned from game play or who choose to be self-excluded will not be able to take part in gaming at either site. PokerStars strives to take the appropriate measures to remain responsible and keep the integrity of the game intact.