ACR Poker is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the largest Venom tournaments in its history: a $15 Million Dual Mystery Bounty Venom series running from August 13 to September 2, 2026.
The series features two $2,650 buy-in events: a $12,000,000 GTD NLH with a $500,000 top Mystery Bounty and a $3,000,000 GTD PLO with a $250,000 top Mystery Bounty. Eight Day 1 flights, stack combining, and over 1,500 guaranteed seats through Venom Fever qualifiers complete the package.
Two Venoms, $15 Million Guaranteed
The headline event is the $12,000,000 GTD NLH Mystery Bounty at a $2,650 buy-in. The top Mystery Bounty is $500,000, meaning a single knockout on Day 2 could pay more than most final table finishes.
Omaha players get their own event: a $3,000,000 GTD PLO Mystery Bounty, also at $2,650, with a $250,000 top bounty. Together, the NLH and PLO create the largest combined Venom series ACR Poker has ever run.
- NLH Venom: $12,000,000 GTD | $2,650 buy-in | $500,000 top Mystery Bounty
- PLO Venom: $3,000,000 GTD | $2,650 buy-in | $250,000 top Mystery Bounty
- Combined: $15,000,000 GTD across both events
ACR Poker is also running over $10 million in added-value Venom Specials throughout the series, starting Monday, August 17.
How the Mystery Bounty Format Works
In a Mystery Bounty tournament, every knockout after the bounty phase begins on Day 2 awards a hidden prize. That prize is pulled randomly and could range from a small payout to the top bounty.
This means a single elimination can pay more than a normal pay jump in a standard tournament structure. With a $500,000 top bounty in the NLH event, every Day 2 knockout carries real upside.
Every player who survives a Day 1 flight and advances to Day 2 is already in the money before the bounty hunt begins.
Day 1 Flights and Full Schedule
Both Venoms share eight Day 1 flights spread across three weeks. Players can enter multiple flights and combine qualifying stacks for Day 2.
| Day | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1A | Thursday, August 13 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1B | Sunday, August 16 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1C | Monday, August 17 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1D | Thursday, August 20 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1E | Sunday, August 23 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1F | Monday, August 24 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1G | Thursday, August 27 | 12:05pm |
| Day 1H | Sunday, August 30 | 12:05pm |
| Day 2 | Monday, August 31 | 1:05pm |
| Day 3 (NLH only) | Tuesday, September 1 | 1:05pm |
| Final Tables | Wednesday, September 2 | 4:05pm |
The spread of flights across Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays gives players flexibility to pick their preferred starting day or take multiple shots across the three-week window.
Venom Fever Qualifiers
Venom Fever is ACR Poker’s satellite system for both events. Over 1,500 guaranteed seats are available through direct satellites, mega satellites, Beast tourneys, Survivor Flips, and step tournaments starting from $0.
Players who do not want to put up the full $2,650 buy-in can grind their way in through the satellite ladder. For full details on ACR Poker’s current signup offer, see the ACR Poker promo code page.
FAQs
What is the buy-in for the ACR Poker Venom 2026?
Both the $12,000,000 GTD NLH and the $3,000,000 GTD PLO Mystery Bounty Venoms have a $2,650 buy-in. Players can also qualify for free through Venom Fever satellites starting from $0.
When do the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms start?
Day 1A begins on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 12:05pm ET. Eight Day 1 flights run through Sunday, August 30. Day 2 is Monday, August 31 and both Final Tables are on Wednesday, September 2.
What is the top Mystery Bounty in the Venom?
The NLH Venom carries a $500,000 top Mystery Bounty and the PLO Venom carries a $250,000 top Mystery Bounty. Every knockout after the bounty phase begins on Day 2 awards a randomly drawn hidden prize.
