Today is like a holiday you can't mark on your calendar. You know it's going to happen sometime around this date, but you can't say exactly when. That simple fact almost makes it more exciting. It's like someone saying, "Christmas morning is coming but I'm not going to tell you when." Then you wake up this morning and--boom--a whole bunch of presents are waiting for you.

Today, PokerStars launched satellites to the 2008 World Series Main Event.

Here's what the package looks like:

$10,000 World Series Main Event buy-in

$2,500 in cash for travel expenses

Eight nights at the Palms during Main Event or $1,000 cash

If that were the whole of what you could win, it would be enough. Turns out, that's just the minimum.

PokerStars is also giving up to $50,000 to qualifiers who make it to a TV table and...wait for it...up to $1 million bonus cash for players who make the Main Event final table.

Oh, and you get a free shuttle to from the Palms to Rio every day, which isn't anything to sneeze at.

Of course, getting these packages will take a little work on your part. Starting today, PokerStars is running a full compliment of satellites to suit just about any bankroll. Cash satellites start at $2 and go up to $1,050. You can get in through any of the daily Frequent Player Point satellites, too.

Among the most popular qualifiers for all big events are the PokerStars Steps satellites. For the World Series, the Steps satellites start at $7.50 or 500 Frequent Player Points.

The first qualifiers to the World Series start just after 4:30pm today.

Merry World Series, everyone!