At ACR Poker, we’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of what an online tournament can be. And starting Jan. 18, we’re doing it again—twice.
To kick off 2026, we’re launching Dual Venom Mystery Bounty tournaments, giving players two massive standalone events running side-by-side through Feb. 3.
This moment isn’t about building another “series.” It’s about giving players two enormous shots at life-changing money—one in No-Limit Hold’em and one in Pot-Limit Omaha—both packed with suspense, both loaded with mystery bounties, and both accessible through dozens of low-cost and free qualifying paths.
Two Venoms. Two Formats. Millions On The Line.
Running from Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, players can fire at both. Each event runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, with day 1 flights on Jan. 18, 22, 25, 29 and Feb. 1 at 12:05 pm ET. The field will combine for day 2 on Feb. 2 at 1:05 pm ET. The final table kicks off the next day on Feb. 3 at 4:05 pm ET.
The $2 million guaranteed pot-limit Omaha event ties the record for the biggest PLO Mystery Bounty we’ve ever offered, giving four-card fans a marquee competition of their own. Meanwhile, the $8 million guaranteed no-limit hold’em Venom stands as one of the largest Mystery Bounties in the industry today.
Both tournaments share the same key format element: Mystery bounties do not begin until Day 2. Make it to Feb. 2 and you’re already in the money, and every knockout from that point forward could reveal anything from a nice bankroll boost to a life-changing jackpot worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Venom Fever Begins Jan. 12: The Cheapest Way To Qualify
Forget the $2,650 price tag, you can get in for cheap. Venom Fever starts Jan. 12 and gives you multiple paths to earn your seat for much less, if not FREE.
Hundreds of guaranteed seats will be awarded before the final day 1 flights fire.
Players can take advantage of Venom satellites and mega satellites running every single day. Buy-ins for every bankroll, running constantly.
There are also plenty of Venom freerolls with zero entry fee. Real Venom seats on the line with no investment required.
Free Venom vault tickets are automatically awarded to every ACR Poker player, giving them a chance at a full Venom seat without spending a penny.
And don’t forget step tournaments. Start small, climb the ladder, and turn a few dollars into a $2,650 ticket.
As someone whose poker career changed forever in a single online satellite, 2003 WSOP main event champion Chris Moneymaker has a unique appreciation for events that offer enormous upside for a small investment.
“The beauty of the Venom Mystery Bounties is that everyone has a real chance,” says Moneymaker. “You can get in for cheap — or free — and once you make day 2, every knockout is a sweat. You could hit something huge on the very first hand. It brings back that feeling that anything can happen, and that’s why players love these events.”
Chris’s path is legendary because it proved that anyone could rise through the ranks and make a name for themselves. These Venom Mystery Bounties tap into that same spirit. For us, accessibility isn’t a promotional hook — it’s a core philosophy. If you want in, there should always be a way in.
Mystery Bounties: The Format That Changes Everything
The Mystery Bounty structure has added a level of electricity to tournaments that simply didn’t exist a few years ago, and the Venom editions amplify that effect dramatically.
Here’s the format in a nutshell:
- Play any day 1 flight of your choice.
- Multi-flight advantage: If you play multiple day 1s, your biggest stack advances.
- Reach day 2 and you’re automatically in the money.
- Mystery Bounties activate on day 2, and every knockout triggers a random prize reveal.
That means the very first elimination you score on day 2 might be worth more than making the final table. Every all-in has the potential to spark a moment. It’s poker with a plot twist behind every card.
Venom Specials: Big Events Every Day Of Venom
During each day 1 flight, we’re running Venom Specials — a lineup of added tournaments designed to keep players engaged throughout every Venom window.
These events include a variety of formats, multiple buy-in levels, and millions in combined guarantees.
Whether a player busts early, multi-tables while building a stack, or simply wants more action, the Venom Specials keep the lobby packed with meaningful events.
Why We’re Starting The Year With A Bang
The Venom remains the anchor of our tournament calendar because it reflects what we believe online poker should be: massive prize pools, accessible pathways, and unforgettable moments. Launching two Mystery Bounty Venoms — one NLH and one PLO — side by side gives players more opportunities than ever to take their shot at something big.
We’ve seen time and again that the Mystery Bounty format unlocks the magic that makes poker special. It blends strategy with suspense, patience with adrenaline, and decision-making with a little luck at exactly the right time.
And for us, this isn’t a preview of a “series” — it’s a preview of a year where we continue delivering high-impact stand-alone tournaments that give every player a legitimate path to a breakout moment.
Ready to Take Your Shot?
Venom Fever begins Jan. 12. Day 1 flights start Jan. 18.
Your seat could cost nothing.
Your bounty? That’s the mystery waiting to be revealed.
