Bounty Hunter Days 2026: Four Poker Stops Confirmed for the Fourth Quarter

The European poker circuit is gearing up for a high-octane final quarter. The Bounty Hunter Days, a series renowned for its Progressive Knockout (PKO) formats, has finalized its schedule for the remaining months of the year. Spanning across the Czech Republic, Malta, and Liechtenstein, these four stops offer both professionals and recreational players ample opportunity to compete for significant prizes. Beyond the cash, participants are vying for points in the Player of the Year ranking, which has seen intense competition following recent events like the Herzdamen Festival.

Grand Casino Aš (GCA), located right on the German-Czech border, serves as a primary hub for the series. Hosting two of the four upcoming stops, it highlights the venue's importance for the German-speaking poker community. After female players like Suse made significant moves in the rankings with victories in September, the race for the top spot remains wide open. Players like Torsten, currently hovering near the top 10, are expected to use these final four opportunities to climb the leaderboard.

Numbers and facts

The action begins this week, from October 7 to 11, at Grand Casino Aš. A total of 165.000 Euro in prize money is guaranteed for this stop. The PKO Main Event features a buy-in of 140 Euro + 60 Euro (Bounty) + 30 Euro (Fee), with a 66.000 Euro guarantee. Additionally, "Mayoman's High Roller" offers a 33.000 Euro guarantee with a 360 + 40 Euro buy-in, notably without a bounty element this time. Fans of niche variants can look forward to a two-day Crazy Pineapple event boasting a 22.000 Euro guarantee.

Later in October, the series heads south for the Battle of Malta Festival, running from October 26 to November 4. This event features a massive 2.000.000 Euro festival guarantee, with 1.5 million Euro dedicated to the Main Event alone. The Bounty Hunter Days specific events are scheduled for October 29 and 31. The year concludes with a 200.000 Euro guaranteed event in Aš in early December, followed by the Hot Progressive Winter Festival in Liechtenstein from December 26 to 29, featuring 100.000 CHF in guarantees.

Background

The Bounty Hunter Days have built a loyal following due to their focus on PKO structures, which reward aggressive play by awarding immediate bounties for every player eliminated. The logistics for these events are handled by Stephan Kübler via poker-trip.de, providing a streamlined booking process for tickets and accommodation.

"For all stops, you can book complete packages or just tickets via poker-trip.de and receive first-class service from Stephan Kübler." - Pokerexklusiv Editorial, Q4 Schedule Report

Early booking is highly recommended, as these events, particularly those featuring popular figures like Mayoman, tend to sell out quickly. The combination of a community-driven atmosphere and professional tournament standards continues to be a major draw.

Why it matters for German players

For German residents, participating in international live poker events requires an understanding of how these compare to domestic online regulations. While live games in Aš or Liechtenstein follow local regional laws, online poker in Germany is strictly governed by the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling. German players must ensure they only use online platforms that hold a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), as listed on the official whitelist.

Online play in Germany involves several restrictions, including a standard 1.000 Euro monthly deposit limit across all providers, monitored by the LUGAS system. Furthermore, virtual slots are limited to 1 Euro per spin. Live tournaments offer a different scale, as buy-ins for a single weekend often exceed these monthly online limits. However, player protection remains a priority, and participating in unlicensed offshore sites (such as those from Curacao) remains illegal and unsafe for German citizens.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed operators, major live events represent significant competition for player engagement and bankrolls. The GGL maintains strict oversight to ensure licensed operators do not promote illegal offshore gambling. However, live events near the border, like those in Aš, have long been a staple of German poker culture. Licensed online providers often attempt to compete by offering legal satellites or partnerships, provided they adhere to rigorous advertising standards. The enduring popularity of the Bounty Hunter Days demonstrates a robust demand for live action, which in turn pressures regulators to keep the legal domestic market attractive and competitive.