Signature format

The Venom at ACR: Guide to the Flagship Tournament

The Venom is the signature tournament of ACR Poker and one of the biggest regular events in online poker. It comes back several times a year with multi-million guarantees, a $2,650 buy-in and a large satellite system that lets players qualify for a fraction of the price.

Review ACR Poker Player reviews

What the Venom is

The first Venom ran in July 2019 with a $5 million guarantee, at the time a record for a site open to US players. The guarantee then grew step by step and, from August 2021, the main editions were played for $10 million and more, with first prizes above $1 million.

Today the name covers a family of events rather than one tournament. Over the year ACR runs the Venom in different formats, including classic editions, Mystery Bounty and progressive knockout versions, often with a Pot-Limit Omaha companion event. The buy-in has traditionally stayed at $2,650.

How an edition is played

Each edition has several Day 1 flights spread over about two weeks to suit different time zones. Those who make it through any flight meet on Day 2, and the event is played down to a final table on a separate day.

Typical rules: once you have a Day 2 stack, you cannot register for another Day 1, and you may play from only one account on the Winning Poker Network. Final-table deals are allowed. Tickets usually expire within a year, and in the current rules only $2,650 Venom tickets can be transferred.

Satellites: Venom Fever

Most of the field does not pay the full $2,650. Before every edition ACR runs Venom Fever, a satellite program with direct satellites, mega satellites whose paths start at $0, and Survivor Flip step satellites from about $0.80.

Hundreds of seats are usually guaranteed through satellites, and freeroll steps give a free route in, although the odds of going all the way from the bottom are naturally small. Tickets you win but cannot use before late registration closes generally carry over to the next Venom.

The October 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the current edition is the Dual Venom PKO: a $5 million guaranteed No-Limit Hold’em PKO and a $1.5 million guaranteed Pot-Limit Omaha PKO, both at $2,650. Five Day 1 flights run from 4 to 18 October, Day 2 is on 19 October and the final tables are scheduled for 21 October 2026.

In a progressive knockout part of every buy-in goes into bounties, and as a rule half of each bounty you collect is paid straight to you while the other half is added to your own head. According to ACR, last year’s NLH champion took home over $675,000 including bounties. Dates and guarantees change from edition to edition, so check the tournament page or the client for the current schedule and terms.

Compared with other rooms

PokerStars uses its Power Path to send players from a $0.50 Spin & Go to Silver and Gold Passes for EPT and other live events, so its showcase is a route to live poker. Winamax’s Space KO adds random bounties to knockout tournaments. The Venom is different: it is a purely online event with a fixed high buy-in and a guarantee in the millions.

It is closer to the big online festivals, but built around one main event. For ACR players it is the main chance to play for a seven-figure prize pool through a cheap satellite.

Who it suits and how to approach it

A direct buy-in is for experienced tournament players with a bankroll that can absorb a $2,650 entry many times over. Everyone else should treat satellites as the normal way in and only play steps whose buy-in fits a regular budget.

Huge fields mean big swings: even strong players miss the money most of the time. Decide in advance how much you will spend on satellites and re-entries, keep to that number, and remember that a big guarantee says nothing about your own chances. Play for the experience, not to fix your finances.

FAQ

01How much does the Venom cost?

The direct buy-in is traditionally $2,650. Satellites start much lower, with step satellites from about $0.80 and freeroll paths.

02How often is the Venom held?

Several times a year, in different formats such as classic, Mystery Bounty and PKO editions. ACR announces each one on its tournament page.

03What is in the October 2026 edition?

Two PKO events at $2,650: $5 million guaranteed in NLH and $1.5 million in PLO, with Day 1 flights from 4 October and final tables on 21 October.

04Can I re-enter after I reach Day 2?

No. Under the current rules, once you qualify for Day 2 you cannot register for any other Day 1 flight of that event.