The promotion was simple – the 25 Tournaments of Christmas. PokerStars launched the promotion in 2022 and the idea inspired New Jersey’s Jeremy Sissman. He hoped to ramp things up even more and launched his own “25 Wins of Christmas” challenge.
As the name implies the 38-year-old married father of two boys hoped not only to play at least 25 tournaments, but win 25. Sissman met that goal in 2022, but came up just short in 2023. He’s now bringing the challenge back and is hitting the tables at Pokerstars, BetMGM, and Global Poker.
“Sadly, the tournament field sizes are even bigger this year, making it even harder, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” he says. “Basically, I just have to get first place in 25 tournaments before Dec. 26 and the field sizes need to be at least 25 players. Although, the smallest fields I’m playing in are typically 50 people.”
What is the 25 Wins of Christmas Challenge?
As any player knows, winning a tournament isn’t easy. It takes plenty of skill, but variance also plays a role and booking victories can depend on running well throughout an event. Finding so many wins in just 25 days isn’t easy.
So far, things have been going well and Sissman has been documenting his wins on Twitter. By Dec. 12, he was on pace to reach his goal and had notched 13 wins including a score of more than $2,900 on PokerStars. He’s hoping to keep up the winning and take some time off around the holidays.
“I really didn’t want to play any poker on Christmas Eve or Christmas, so I need to be a little ahead,” he says. “I think I can do it.”
All his play is on New Jersey regulated platforms, which also pool players with Michigan, as well as the Global Poker social gaming site. He plays No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), and PLO Hi/Lo at buy-ins generally under $500. Sissman also plans on playing online World Series of Poker Circuit events.
The challenge has mostly been received well by fellow players over the last three years, but Sissman has been surprised by the detractors. The 25 Wins of Christmas keeps him motivated.
“The reaction has been like 90 percent positive, but some people freaking hate me for it,” he says. “I can’t even explain it. I guess it’s just because it’s the Internet – people be mad. Honestly, the people supporting me and liking my posts on X, really helps keep me motivated. There’s a few guys who like every win I post and it doesn’t go unrecognized.
“I love posting a win late at night and waking up the next morning, getting my coffee and seeing a bunch of likes. It’s a fun way to start the day.”