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Global Poker Awards Nominations Announced, Ceremony Coming March 3 from Las Vegas

The Global Poker Index and Hendon Mob recently announced the final nominations for the 2023 Global Poker Awards.

The Global Poker Index and Hendon Mob recently announced the final nominations for the 2023 Global Poker Awards. The fifth annual ceremony is set for March 3 and showcases some of the best in poker. 

The awards highlight some of the brightest players on the felt along with those in the industry. PokerGO will stream the ceremony from the streaming service’s studio at the Aria in Las Vegas.

Some of this years nominees include Joey Ingram, the World Series of Poker’s Jack Effel, PokerGO’s Mori Eskandani, Daniel Negreanu, and numerous others.

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A look at Global Poker Award nominees

Some of this year’s categories include Best Poker Personality, Best Trophy, Best Hand, Favorite Live Stream, and more. Fans and poker players were able to vote for their favorite choices to narrow down the nominees. 

The event returned last year after a pause during the pandemic.  Poker commentator Jeff Platt returns to host the event and was pleased to be back last year after the hiatus. 

“It is good to be back in person,” Platt said. “After 23 months off we are here to celebrate the very best this industry has to offer.”

Some in the industry are looking to make it back-to-back this year. That list includes poker vlogger Brad Owen, tournament director Matt Savage, and Platt.

One player to watch is Ethan “Rampage” Yau, who is up for a third trophy in the Peoples’ Choice – Best Poker Personality category. He faces off against Ryan DePaulo, Felipe Ramos, and Lex Veldhuis. Veldhuis has already won the Best Streamer award twice. 

The Best Trophy category will crown a new champion. The PokerStars EPT Main Event, PokerGO Tour Stairway to Millions, Women’s Poker Association, and World Series of Poker Main Event are all nominated.

The Best Hand category sees the infamous Robbie Jade Lew “Jack-Four” hand going up against Daniel Negreanu’s runner-runner quads, David Diaz’s crucial Main Event fold, and a big bluff by Alejandro Lococo (aka Papo MC). Here’s a look at all the nominees.

Global Poker Awards
PLAYERS CHOICE FOR TOUGHEST OPPONENTBEST TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Brian Altman (USA)Paul Campbell (USA)
Stephen Chidwick (England)Ray Pulford (USA)
Alex Foxen (USA)Matt Savage (USA)
Stephen Song (USA)Toby Stone (England)
BEST FINAL TABLE PERFORMANCEBEST EVENT
Daniel “Jungleman” Cates (USA), WSOP $50,000 PPCEPT Barcelona Main Event
Espen Uhlen Jørstad (Norway), WSOP Main EventTriton Poker Coin Rivet Invitational
Daniel Negreanu (Canada), Super High Roller Bowl VIIWorld Series of Poker Main Event
Stephen Song (USA), WPT Prime ChampionshipWPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas
GPI BREAKOUT PLAYERBEST MID-MAJOR CIRCUIT/TOUR
Angela Jordison (USA)RUNGOOD Poker Series (RGPS)
Espen Uhlen Jørstad (Norway)Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT)
Alejandro Lococo “PapoMC” (Argentina)World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC)
Punnat Punsri (Thailand)WPT Prime (WPTP)
Ethan “Rampage” Yau (USA)
BEST BROADCASTER
COMEBACK PLAYERJames Hartigan (Ireland)
Phil Ivey (USA)Jamie Kerstetter (USA)
Alex Keating (USA)Jeff Platt (USA)
Taylor von Kriegenbergh (USA)Nick Schulman (USA)
Daniel Weinman (USA)
BEST PODCAST
TWITTER PERSONALITYOnly Friends Podcast (Matt Berkey (USA), Melissa Schubert (USA), Landon Tice (USA) & Friends)
Phil Galfond (USA)Poker in the Ears (James Hartigan (Ireland), Joseph Stapleton (USA) for PokerStars)
Will Jaffe (USA)PokerGO Podcast (Timothy Duckworth (Australia), Donnie Peters (USA), Remko Rinkema (Netherlands) for PokerGO)
Jamie Kerstetter (USA)The Chip Race Poker Podcast (David Lappin (Ireland), Dara O’Kearney (Ireland) for Unibet Poker)
Marle Spragg (USA)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: WRITTEN
BEST STREAMERTim Fiorvanti (USA) for WPT.com: Andrew Moreno Made Good on a 15-Year Dream
Kevin Martin “kevinmartin” (Canada)Connor Richards (USA) for PokerNews: The Endlessly Creative Side of Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel
Benjamin Spragg “Spraggy” (England)Jennifer Shahade (USA) for the Wall Street Journal: How Becoming a Poker Pro Helped Me Accept a Personal Tragedy
Jon Van Fleet “apestylespoker” (USA)Robbie Strazynski (Israel/USA) for Cardplayer Lifestyle: In the Name of the Father, the Son... and the Poker
Lex Veldhuis “LexVeldhuis” (Netherlands)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: VIDEO
BEST VLOGGERCaitlin Comeskey (USA): A love letter to the investigation parody
Jaman Burton (USA)Joey Ingram (USA): Emergency Investigation: Garrett vs. Robbi on Hustler Live
Mariano Grandoli (ARG)Gregory “Greg Goes All In” Liow (Canada): Poker vlogger who doesn’t understand that the voice over is done in post
Brad Owen (USA)Marle Spragg (USA): Solvers.
Ethan “Rampage” Yau (USA)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: PHOTO
RISING STAR IN CONTENT CREATIONAntonio Abrego (USA) for PokerGO: “Oooooooooooo yeah!”
Natalie Bode (USA)Hayley Hochstetler (USA): Glantz Pulls Million Dollar Bounty
Caitlin Comeskey (USA)Alec Rome (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: Schindler Wins First WSOP Bracelet
Jesse Fullen (USA)Spenser Sembrat (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: “That First Bracelet Feeling”
Lexy Gavin-Mather (USA)
BEST INDUSTRY PERSON
Ryan Beauregard (USA)
Jack Effel (USA)
Mori Eskandani (Iran/USA)
Tana Karn (USA)

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Tournament Trail: A Preview of International Poker Series Scheduled for This Winter

PokerScout previews international live poker series running over the next few months from the PSPC to WSOP Circuit and more.

For poker players looking to travel this winter, many tournaments are on the horizon this winter. Major series like the World Series of Poker, European Poker Tour, 888poker Live, and the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour are showcasing hot events throughout the colder months.

Big player pools and large guarantees await at many of these tournament stops. The PokerStars Players Championship also kicks off in January and promises to be one of the biggest events of the year. 

PokerScout takes a look at some of the international live poker series running over the next few months.

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WSOP International Circuit

The World Series of Poker hosts multiple international circuit stops in early 2023. All events feature championship rings up for grabs.

Each winner is also granted a spot in the $1 million Tournament of Champions freeroll, set for this summer in Las Vegas. The announced 2023 stops on the schedule include:

  • Jan. 4-24  – King’s Resort (Rozvadov, Czech Republic)
  • Jan. 11-23 – Deerfoot Inn & Casino (Calgary, Canada)
  • Jan. 14-22 – Es Saadi Gardens Resort (Marrakech, Morocco)
  • Feb. 3-13 – Casino Plaza (Dakar, Senegal)
  • Mar. 22- Apr. 3 – Casino Royale (St. Maarten)

WSOP Circuit schedule in Czech Republic

King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, will be the first international WSOP Circuit stop of 2023. The series offers multiple events and highlights include the €1,700 Main Event with a €1 million guarantee.

With 160 poker tables, King’s is the largest poker room in Europe and one of the biggest in the world. Players have a nice mix of options to pick from including No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. Besides the Main Event. A few standout tournaments include:

  • €250 Mini Main (Event 1, Jan. 4-8) – €500,000 guaranteed
  • €550 Monster Stack (Event 6, Jan. 12-15) – €500,000 guaranteed
  • €440 Pot Limit Omaha (Event 8, Jan. 16) – €50,000 guaranteed
  • €1,100 Bounty Hunter (Event 12, Jan. 22) – €100,000 guaranteed

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is back

The major poker action once again returns to the Bahamas this year with the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) at the Baha Mar resort from Jan. 22 – Feb. 3.

The Road to the PSPC (PokerStars Players Championship) is wrapping up and players are headed to the Caribbean for this massive event.

Platinum Pass winners won seats into the $25,000 buy-in tournament, scheduled for Jan. 30. A Platinum Pass includes a tournament and travel package worth more than $30,000. Some other events at the PCA festival include:

  • $100,000 Super High Roller – Jan. 22
  • $30,000 Mystery Bounty  – Jan. 26
  • $25,000 PLO High Roller – Jan. 27
  • $10,000 NLHE Warm Up – Jan. 28

PokerStars offers even more beyond the PCA The PokerStars EPT action returns in February with five major series planned across the continent including a new festival in Paris.

After the PCA is over, PokerStars international events start right back up. Players can expect big fields in tournaments around the world.

Here’s a look at confirmed events in the coming months:

  • Feb. 15-26 – European Poker Tour (Paris, France)
  • Mar. 2-6 – Latin American Poker Tour (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil)
  • Mar. 29 to Apr. 4 – Brazilian Series of Poker (São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Apr. 26- May 6 – EPT (Monte Carlo)

Stars offers online qualifiers for many live events in the coming months. Players have a chance to win tournament packages at a bargain price.

888poker winter events approaching

Live tournament players also have a couple of events to look forward to from 888poker. The company recently released a full slate of events for 2023 with action planned all around the world. 

Players looking for some winter action can check out two upcoming events. That includes the Madrid stop from Jan. 13-23 and 888poker Live London from Feb. 9-13.

Online players have the opportunity to win a seat into the action throughout the year. 888 Live Passports are up for grabs for players completing a certain set of challenges.

888 awards exclusive packages to the live event of a player’s choice. More details on qualifying will be released in the coming weeks.

WPT plans for 2023

The World Poker Tour also has a few international tournaments planned for the winter months as well. From Jan. 22 – Feb. 5, the tour is hosting WPT Prime series in Paris, France at Club Circus casino.

Players kicking off the new year chasing player of the year points will find a mix of tournaments. The €1,100 main event starts on Jan. 31 and highlights the series.

WPT Prime then heads to Amsterdam with the main event running March 29 – Apr. 1. More events are in store for international players later in the year as well.

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Grosvenor UK Poker Tour

In the United Kingdom, the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) has a full schedule set for 2023. The tour has more major events planned out the entire year and some of those winter tournaments include: 

  • Jan. 12-22 – London, The Vic (£1,250 Main Event)
  • Feb. 2-12 – Manchester, Bury New Road  (£1,250 Main Event)
  • Feb. 25 to March 5 – UK Poker Open – Coventry (£1,500 Main Event)
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Israel’s Shachar Zvang Wins First Match Poker Online World Cup, Matt Matros Takes Runner-up

The inaugural Match Poker Online World Cup recently concluded with top-tier players from around the world competing.

The inaugural Match Poker Online World Cup recently concluded with top-tier players from around the world competing for bragging rights and cash prizes.

The tournament was held over the course of two weeks in December with hundreds of online poker players taking part. Israeli player Shachar “OctopuSZ” Zvang emerged as the winner and tournament organizers were pleased with the results.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and good sportsmanship of all involved in the competition – many sending congratulations and expressing how fun and close the final results were,” said Jake Colman, Match Poker Online head of customer relations.

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World Cup action and a look at winners

Shachar “OctopuSZ” Zvang

Players qualified for the World Cup by participating on the app throughout the year. Competitors were placed into one of two categories. The “Ruby” division featured the game’s best players and the “Ivory” division included the game’s second tier.

After two weekends of playoffs, the field was narrowed down to 36 finalists in each category for the finals, held on Dec. 17-18. At the end of the event, Zvang emerged as the winner, taking home $625, a digital certificate, and a trophy.

After his big win, Zvang took to Twitter to thank the organizers for the “amazing experience.” American poker player and writer Matt Matros finished runner-up. He shared his own World Cup story on Twitter. He’d hoped to “come full circle” and win the tournament, but settled for the silver medal.

German player Daniel “Zealot” Eylenfeldt finished third, winning $125. Eylenfeldt is a regular in live match poker events. His team, Piranhas Hamburg, previously won the German National Live Match Poker competition.

In the Ivory division, German player “MacHarry” came out on top for $450. “AndyLai” from Hong Kong took second place for $175. “NutsHK,” also from Hong Kong, came in third for $75.

A total of 632 players qualified for the Ruby and Ivory divisions. Match Poker Online officials are looking forward to an even bigger and better tournament in 2023.

What is Match Poker and how does it work?

Released in February, the free Match Poker app highlights a “battle royale” game mode. In this structure, 36 players are dealt the same hand across tables and compete to see who can score the best in each round.

The goal is to eliminate luck as the app focuses on player results and offers tips on how to play the hand for the best possible outcomes. 

Additionally, the app collects statistics on player behavior, allowing users to see if they are playing too aggressively, passively, loose, or tight. The app also includes various statistics, graphs, and other enjoyable gameplay features.

“This makes it a pure test of skill – a sport – an official mind sport,” Colman says. “And, for the first time in the history of poker, you can obtain an official world ranking. No other poker experience gives you this.”

Colman recently appeared on the Nerdthusiast Poker Podcast and discussed the game and its future. 

Match Poker introduces a new twist on traditional poker by allowing players to compete not only against those at their own table, but also against players seated at other tables in the same seat as them.

In this format, all players in the same seat are dealt the same two hole cards and see the same flop, turn, and river. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game and allows for more detailed statistical analysis.]

Developers have announced that more game features and statistical options will be added in 2023.

After years of development, players can now test their skills by using real-time updated data. Match Poker Online is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

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WSOP Details 2023 Series Including Main Event, $1M Mystery Bounty, Weekend Warrior Events

Hundreds of online poker players will head off to Las Vegas this summer to play in the WSOP $10,000 Main Event, courtesy of GGPoker.

The World Series of Poker has announced that the 54th annual event will take place from May 30 – July 18 at the Paris casino and the soon-to-be rebranded Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) in Las Vegas.

On Monday, the company released some of the major events early so players can start planning trips now to Sin City. 

“Poker players and fans can now officially mark their calendars and maybe even book their loved ones or themselves a trip to the WSOP as a holiday gift,” WSOP Senior Vice President and executive director Ty Stewart said in a news release.

“We’re glad to be back at Paris Las Vegas and the future Horseshoe Las Vegas for another exciting chapter in the tournament’s history as these two resorts raised the bar in hosting last year’s event.”

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Details on the 2023 Main Event

The $10,000 Main Event features four starting days to pick from and will take place during the July 3-17. Players can pick among four starting days from July 3-6.

Day 2 flights will be played on July 7-8. Players will also be able to buy in directly on Day 2. 

The popular Mini Main also starts on July 2 and includes a $1,000 price point. This event has generally been popular as a warm-up to the Main Event.

Small buy-in, big-field bracelet events

Besides the Main Event, the WSOP has also announced dates for some of the smaller buy-in events. These generally attract large fields of recreational players and include some of the classics such as:

  • $1,000 Seniors Championship – June 21
  • $1,500 Millionaire Maker – June 23
  • $400 Colossus – June 30

For just a small investment, players will be able to jump in a new small buy-in tournament this summer. These events are usually wrapped around a weekend to cater to recreational players.

The series adds one new event in this category, the $300 Gladiators of Poker. The tournament features a guaranteed prize pool of $3 million and begins June 7. 

“I like the way the schedule is being put together so far,” says Joe Shinn, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. “There seems to be a good event available regardless of what week you are out there.”

Mystery Bounty delivering $1 million paydays

A full WSOP schedule hasn’t dropped yet, but some highlights are available such as the $1,000 Mystery Bounty. After last year’s success for the tournament, the WSOP is bringing it back.

This year the event features a $ 1 million bounty again along with $1 million guaranteed to first place. Last year Matt Glantz took down the top bounty during and scooped a cool million. 

Planning ahead

In years past, some players complained the WSOP schedule took too long to be released. This caused issues with recreational players trying to schedule time off and coordinate booking rooms and flights. 

“The historic debut of the WSOP on the Las Vegas Strip delivered in a big way, and we’re excited to announce our summer 2023 dates in time for the holidays,” Stewart said.

Reduced room rates are now available at all Caesars Entertainment properties for those planning to attend. Guests who book early can secure special rates by using the advanced booking code “WSOP23.”

There has already been positive feedback in regard to the early series announcements.

Here’s a look at WSOP events released so far.

World Series of Poker 2023 highlights

DateEventGuarantee
May 31$1,000 Mystery Bounty$1 million to winner, bounties from $10,000 to $1 million
June 7$300 Gladiators of Poker$3 million
June 16$1,500 Monster Stack
June 21$1,000 Serniors Championship
June 23$1,500 Miloi09onaire Maker$1 million
June 29$1,000 Ladies Championship
June 30$400 Colossus
July 2$1,000 Mini Main Event
July 3$10,000 Main Event
July 7$777 Lucky 7s$777,777
July 11$600 Ultra Stack
July 14$,500 The Closer

Online bracelets

In 2022, more online bracelets were given out than ever before. Even though WSOP.com hasn’t announced the online schedule yet, players can expect a considerable number of bracelet events again.

The current legal states with WSOP.com platforms include Nevada/New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Players have to be physically present in the state to play online, but do not have to be a resident.

Stay tuned with PokerScout to find out more about all the future online events. 

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Recapping the 2022 WSOP

The 2022 WSOP saw players from over 100 countries participate with a record-breaking 197,626 entries. The post-pandemic tournament created some of the biggest player fields in WSOP history. 

Norway’s Espen Jorstad won the Main Event, taking home $10 million in prize money. The success of last year’s event has set the stage for an even bigger WSOP in 2023.

Poker players and fans around the world are already looking forward to another  summer of gold bracelet hunting.

“It looks like they took some of the suggestions made by the poker community and tweaked things to make improvements for everyone so far,” Nerdthusiast Poker Podcast host Brian Keane says. 

★★★ Ready to get in the action at WSOP.com? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive Pokerscout bonus offers. ★★★

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Six Dollars to Six Figures: Canadian Player Records Massive ROI to Win PartyPoker Main Event Title

Sebastien Proulx won a seat in PartyPoker's MILLIONS Online Main Event for $6 and went on to win the title and $123,602.

Sebastien Proulx went on an impressive run recently at PartyPoker. In the MILLIONS Online KO Winter Edition Main Event, the Canadian player won his seat through a $6 satellite investment and turned that into $123,602 and the title.

This was quite a turn of events for Proulx, who scored a massive online poker tournament win for the price of a hamburger and fries. The win is considered one of the best returns on investment in PartyPoker history. 

The main event saw 978 entries and the $1,050 buy-in tournament came with a  $1 million guarantee.

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Road to Main Event victory thanks to earning a seat via PartyPoker satellites

Earning a seat into the Main Event required some work for Proulx. Earlier in the month, he entered a Phase 1 satellite and began his road to victory.

After winning that, he advanced on to Phase 2. This next round was a $33 buy-in that rewarded a seat into the $1,050 KO Main Event. He took down that event as well and was ready for the real deal.

Three days later he had $123,602 in his PartyPoker account. The final table was streamed on PartyPoker’s Twitch channel.

A look at the winner

Before this tournament, the player from Laval, Quebec, Canada, had lifetime live tournament winnings of $49,829, according to Hendon Mob. At the tables, some previous live final table experience may have helped secure his recent win. Those include:

  • $330 PartyPoker Live Eight-Max (2017) – seventh for $4,749
  • $230 Playground Power Six-Max Bounty (2018) – first for $5,227
  • $250 NLH Rio Daily Deepstack  (2019) – fifth  for $4,581

This time, Proulx was able to break through with a big online win as well.

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Main Event final table results

Eight different countries were represented at the final table. But at the end of the day Canada came out victorious. 

The final table was no walk in the park, however. Proulx had to overcome such players as British powerhouse Martins Adeniya. He also needed a little bit of luck to take out Portugal’s Andre Marques, who finished runner-up for $90,015.

In the final hand, Proulx held 5-7 versus Marques’ J-8. The flop came J-9-7 and Marques looked to be in great shape. But the turn was a disaster for Marques when a 5 landed on the board.

Both players went all in and Proulx’s hand held for the final knockout. Here’s a look at the total final table results including prize payouts and bounties. 

  1. Sebastien Proulx (Canada) – $123,602
  2. Andre Marques (Malta) – $96,015
  3. Mathias Siljander (Finland) – $56,851
  4. Vojtech Skalak (Czech Republic) – $40,054
  5. Vlad Martynenko (Ukraine) – $45,779
  6. Viktor Zsemlye (Austria) – $19,405
  7. Martins Adeniya (United Kingdom) – $12,845
  8. Matthieu Rodriguez (United Kingdom) – $13,580
  9. Pieter Theelen (Austria) – $7,397

* Lead image courtesy World Poker Tour

★★★ Ready to get in the action at PartyPoker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

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Match Poker Online Launches First Major Event; World Cup Coming in December, Cash Prizes for Winners

The inaugural Match Poker Online World Cup recently concluded with top-tier players from around the world competing.

The official Match Poker Online app launched earlier this year and now takes the platform to the next level. The World Cup international competition is now on the horizon for the online poker app and set for December.

The event allows players to represent their country and take on the best players in the game. Cash prizes will also be up for grabs.

“From the start, we’ve wanted to be much more than an app, we’ve wanted to be a sport – albeit one that is played via an app,” head of customer relations Jake Colman says. “Being a sport necessarily involves holding championship events, world cups, and other big events to determine the best players in the sport of poker. So this is the first time we are offering the pinnacle of our sport.”

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Qualifying for the Match Poker World Cup

To get in the action, players must meet the eligibility requirement by downloading and playing on the app. Competitors must have achieved at least one of the following by Nov. 27:

  • reached an IFMP (International Federation of Match Poker) rating of 1,200 or above
  • be in the top 15% of the Ivory, Sapphire, or Emerald tiers of IFMP Ratings
  • be among the top 15% of eligible players in any Premiership season
  • won a weekly challenge 
  • won a special event, such as the May Cup or Battle Weekend

About 400 players are in the World Cup pool so far, but players can still qualify. Eligible players will be notified via email.

How does Match Poker work?

Launched in February, the free poker app features a “Battle Royale” game. The app is much different than a traditional free-to-play poker app. Match Poker turns the game into a sporting competition without having to risk your own bankroll. 

Players get a chance to test their skills against players all over the world. All players are tested in a poker situation that includes 36 contestants.

Each seat is dealt the same hand across tables. Whoever scores best in each situation moves on and is awarded points. 

This helps take luck out of the game and focuses on particular hand situations. The app can be a nice training tool, helping players see different scenarios in real time. It also is continually improving as well. 

“We’re going to start analyzing everything from how often you make it to showdown, win at showdown, three-bet or fold to a three-bet, continuation bet, or move all in,” Colman says. “Each statistic tells the player where they are, and where they should be.”

A look at the World Cup

The World Cup features a playoff series and concludes with a finals consisting of players of the same rating tier. Tournament play showcases Match Poker Online’s new “Triple Battle” format, which sees players compete in one Battle Royale each hour for three consecutive hours.

The top 36 players then advance in the finals. The series comes after months of planning and continuous growth on the app.

“What’s been wonderful to see has been the enthusiasm from our players,” Colman says. “Each of our matches goes for 30-45 minutes, and heaps of players play 20 or so matches each week, which is a wonderful commitment of time and effort.

“There are some players who have played more than 100 matches a month! Adding even more players at all skill levels gets us closer to our goal of running matches almost instantaneously. Happily, we’re getting closer.”

The playoffs take place Dec. 3-4 for most players with the finals playing out on Dec. 10-11. For US players, those dates are Dec. 2-3 with the finals on Dec. 9-10.

The winner of the Ruby division, the top competition, is crowned the overall World Cup champion. And even though it’s a free app, Match Poker Online is awarding cash prizes. Players can compete for a share of more than $2,000 and here’s a look at the payouts:

Ranking category1st place2nd place3rd place
Ruby$625$250$125
Ivory$450$175$75
Sapphire$200$100$50
Emerald$100$50$25

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Ramping up the Match Poker app

Besides the World Cup, the company is looking to expand the app’s statistical analyses. This will give more and faster players feedback regarding their own play.

After years of development, players can now test their skills by using real-time updated data.

The company is also expanding the digital platform into other parts of Asia, Europe and the Americas. 

Future highlights include country-specific events set to launch in 2023. Players will then also be able to create private clubs and expand to make their own competitions. The moves come as Match Poker Online continues to “sportify” poker.

“Even though it’s played in an app, Match Poker is a sport,” Colman says. “We’re working hard to see it become as widespread as basketball, tennis, or chess, with communities in every part of the world, at every level – from suburban leagues to national titles. The World Cup is the most important step forward we’ve ever taken in getting there.”

Match Poker Online is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

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Tournament Trail: Roundup of International Poker Events Scheduled for This Fall

International poker players have worldwide options this fall. Big tournament series such as the World Series of Poker, European Poker Tour, and the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour are hosting major events before winter sets in.

Players can expect big fields and solid guarantees.  Here’s a look at some of the international poker tournaments through December. 

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WSOP Europe headlines in the Czech Republic

King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, hosts the WSOP Europe Oct. 26 – Nov. 3. Players trying to close out the year with a gold bracelet will have 15 tournaments to choose from this fall.

The series offers a wide range of buy-ins and highlights include the €10,000 Main Event and a €50,000 High Roller. 

“We’re very excited to host the biggest and most prestigious tournament series with the biggest guarantees in Europe without any limitations and struggles of the past two years,” King’s owner Leon Tsoukernik said in a news release. “Finally, travel restrictions for players coming from the US have been lifted. We’re all set to deliver first-class service and hospitality for all poker players at King’s.” 

King’s is the largest poker room in Europe, boasting 160 poker tables. Players will have a good mix of game types to pick from throughout the series. This includes No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Short Deck, and eight-game mix. A few major events include:

  • €350 Opener (Event 1, Oct. 26)
  • €1,350 Mini Main Event (Event 3, Oct. 31) 
  • €5,000 Pot Limit Omaha (Event 6, Nov. 6) 
  • €1,100 Bounty Hunter (Event 14, Nov. 14)

For a complete preview of the series and a schedule, click here.

Road to PSPC with PokerStars

PokerStars is continuing to run the Road to the PSPC (PokerStars Players Championship) Tour this fall. 

The events offer Platinum Passes to the PPC in the Bahamas, scheduled for January. A Platinum Pass includes a tournament and travel package worth more than $30,000.

Some events and locations of PokerStars official events include:

  • Oct. 10-16 – Bucharest, Romania
  • Oct. 18-22 – UKIPT (London, United Kingdom) 
  • Nov. 3-13 – APPT (Cambodia)
  • Nov. 8-13 – Paris, France
  • Nov. 14-26 – Brazilian Series of Poker (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
  • Nov. 22-27 – FPS (Aix-en-Provence, France) 
  • Dec. 7-18 – EPT (Prague, Czech Republic)
  • Nov. 27- Dec. 4 – Namur, Belgium

For more information on winning a Platinum Pass, click here.

WPT heads to Asia

The World Poker Tour has a few international tournaments to end the year. The company has announced two official upcoming events in Asia.

From Nov. 2-6, WPT hosts an invitational event in Tokyo at Sankaku Hiroba. This private event features some major players in the game with more information coming soon. After that the tour is headed to Taiwan on Nov. 16-21. The TWD30,000 main event highlights the series. 

“The WPT was very fortunate to be able to hold its first event in Taiwan in December 2020, open only to players in Taiwan due to COVID restrictions at that time,” the tour notes.

“Taiwanese players came out in force for a very respectable 526-Main Event field. Our great partners CTP, who are highly regarded for their professional running of poker events, can’t wait to host the next WPT event to an international field.”

Grosvenor UK Poker Tour finishes Season

Over in the United Kingdom the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) is making the rounds. The tour has more major events planned to close out the year. 

From Nov. 6-13, Blackpool hosts the £1,350 main event. The series closes out the year at The Poker Room in London from Dec. 1-18 and features a £2,000 Main Event. 

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WSOP International Circuit

The WSOP has a few more international circuit stops to hit before 2022 comes to a close. All event stops award championship rings to winners.

Winners of the ring events are also awarded a spot in the $1 million dollar freeroll Tournament of Champions. 

“Poker is bigger than ever and there has been a recent run of international champions in our Main Events,” WSOP Senior Vice President Ty Stewart said. “We’re excited to bring the once-in-a-lifetime poker experiences of the WSOP-C and WSOP Europe back to transcontinental players.”

 The remaining stops on the schedule include:

  • Oct. 18-28 – Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • Nov. 3-14 – Sydney (Australia)
  • Nov. 25- Dec. 3 – Holland (Amsterdam)
  • Dec. 2-10 – Punta del Este (Uruguay)
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Tournament Trail: A Look at International Poker Events to Close Out Summer & Online Qualifiers

Players heading home from the World Series of Poker have plenty of tournament action to look forward to this August and September.

The World Series of Poker in Las Vegas may be over but the action is just warming up for international players. Players heading home from Sin City have plenty of tournaments to look forward to this August and September.

Many also come with numerous opportunities to win a seat in some live action via online poker qualifiers. Operators like PokerStars, PartyPoker, and the WSOP are hosting major events to close out the summer months.

Players can expect big fields and lots of solid guarantees.  Here’s a look at some of the international poker tournaments through September. 

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PartyPoker heads to the Czech Republic

King’s Resort in Rozvadov will play home to the PartyPoker Championship (PPC) Czech Republic Aug. 8-15. Currently King’s is the largest poker room in Europe boasting 160 poker tables. 

The event includes multiple tournaments with buy-ins ranging from €150 to €1,000. Highlights include the €300 main event that carries a €500,000 guarantee.

The PartyPoker Championship Czech Republic is set for Aug. 8-15 at King’s Resort in Rozvadov with online qualifiers and starting flights.

“This event marks the return of PartyPoker to King’s Resort after several years,” PartyPoker head of live events Dan Rose said.​ “We’re so excited to bring our brand new PPC brand to such a famous, high-quality card room, and it will be a perfect low buy-in, high guarantee event for our players to return to Rozvadov for.”

There are also online opportunities. Players can advance in Day 2 of the Main Event by playing in an Online Day 1. Online starting flights run July 31, Aug. 7, and Aug. 9. For more information on the series, click here.

Road to PSPC continues with PokerStars

PokerStars is running non-stop action in the next few months. The company will be hosting tours all throughout Europe.

The tour will also offer Platinum Passes to the PokerStars Player Championship in the Bahamas, which is scheduled for January. A Platinum Pass includes a tournament and travel package worth more than $30,000.

Some events and locations of Pokerstars official events include:

  • Aug. 8-21 – EPT Casino Barcelona (Spain) 
  • Aug. 25-29 – Dusk Till Dawn (Nottingham, United Kingdom)
  • Aug. 31 – Sept.1 – Casino Schenefeld (Hamburg, Germany)
  • Aug. 31 – Sept. 4 – Casino Admiral Sevilla (Spain)
  • Sept. 13-18 – Pasino de la Grande (Motte, France)
  • Sept. 19-25 – Okada, Manilla (Philippines)
  • Sept. 22-25 – Regency Casino (Thessaloniki, Greece)

For more information on winning a Platinum Pass, click here.

WPT goes international

The World Poker Tour has a few series lined up for the summer. The company has announced two official upcoming events in Asia, Europe, and Australia.

A Main Tour heads down under Sept. 23-27 at the Star Gold Coast for the A$5,300 WPT Australia. From Aug. 11-23, WPT Prime hosts more than 25 tournaments at Nagaworld Integrated Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The $1,100 main event takes place on Aug. 18 with a $500,000 guarantee. 

In September, Prime takes over Casino Gran Via in Madrid, Spain. The $1,100 main event runs Sept. 15-19 and includes four flight flights.

For those heading to the Spanish event, cash players looking to jump in some side action will find a unique feature. Cash games at Casino Madrid play the button counter-clockwise compared to the conventional style of play. Tournaments run like normal however. 

Triton Series heads to Cyprus

For players looking for the big money events, Triton Poker has it covered. Merit Royal Diamond Hotel in Cyprus hosts the Super High Roller Series from Sept. 5-17.

The festival includes 13 events with buy-ins ranging from $25,000 to $200,000.

“We are excited to host the Coin Rivet Invitational, which will bring together a diverse group of passionate entrepreneurs and poker professionals to create an exciting event that will be streamed globally,” Triton CEO Andy Wong said.

The series will once again offer thorough, high-quality video coverage via Triton’s YouTube channel. For more on this series, click here.

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WSOP Europe on the horizon

For players still looking for a gold bracelet, the WSOP Europe is also approaching. The series is set for Oct. 12 – Nov. 3 with King’s Casino once again playing host.

Players will find 15 bracelets up for grabs. The highlights of the series include a  €10,000 Main Event and a €50,000 High Roller. Stay tuned to PokerScout for more WSOP Europe updates including a complete schedule.

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Digital Dynamics: GGPoker Unlocks NFT Avatars; Online Poker Players Can Now Connect Token Assets

GGPoker recently announced a new feature giving players the ability to display their NFT’s as avatars at the virtual poker tables.

One of the largest online poker sites in the world is embracing the NFT scene. GGPoker recently announced a new feature giving players the ability to display their NFT’s as avatars.

NFT stands for “non-fungible tokens” and are a form of digital asset. These digital creations feature pieces of online art, video, or other media. Fans then collect the digital tokens like sports or Pokémon cards.

GG is now offering players a way to display their NFTs as part of their time at the virtual poker tables. 

“The GGPoker community is slowly, but surely, embracing our new NFT Avatars feature and showcasing their favorite NFT swag at the tables,” GGPoker head of public relations Paul Burke says. “Poker players are known for showing off on the live felt, with lots of bling and jewelry; NFT Avatars bring the same energy to the digital felt.”

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NFT popularity growing among online poker sites

GGPoker is one of several poker companies and players are getting in on the NFT game. Players can purchase a collectible and then store them in digital wallets that players own.

The owners can then display their art or sell or trade their items. GGPoker is now allowing players to display those items in their wallet as their own personal avatar. 

“The feature uses Wallet Connect to support NFT wallets,” Burke says. “Wallet Connect covers over 120 different wallets, including MetaMask, Trust, Argent, Rainbow, Infinito, Ledger Live, and more. We plan to integrate some more big crypto platforms in the near future.”

GGPoker NFT avatar display features

Once players connect their wallets they can display NFT art as their avatar. GG is also offering a feature so other players know the avatar they are seeing is through a verified wallet.

The GGPoker website offers step-by-step directions on setting up an NFT avatar.

“You should now be able to see a hexagonal shape throughout your profile,” the site notes, “which will be an indication to others that you indeed own a verified NFT.”

Big money NFTs head to site

So far, GGPoker reports more than 450 accounts have already connected their NFT wallets. Burke says some pricy NFTs are already appearing as avatars on the felt. 

“The most expensive NFT currently in use at GGPoker as an Avatar recently sold for 26.5 Ethereum, approximately $52,225,” he says.

Some well-known NFTs currently used as avatars at GGPoker include Otherdeed for OtherSide, Galaxy Fight Club, Pudgy Penguins, and BEANZ Official.

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How to get started in the sea of NFTs

One popular spot for people looking to get into these tokens is OpenSea.io. This site is like the ebay of the NFT world and collectors simply create a wallet to get started.

After that, users then connect their wallet to OpenSea and can purchase and sell as they please.  Collectors simply click on an NFT that interests them and can then make an offer.

OpenSea even lets users create their own NFTs on the site. Many artists currently list their works on the site.

At this time, GGPoker doesn’t sell or mint any tokens. However, numerous other operators have begun their own NFT offerings from the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker to partypoker and even individual players.

The poker world continues seeing a future in the new world of digital collectibles.

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Scoring Seats: GGPoker Launches ‘Road to Vegas’ Promo; WSOP.com Qualifiers Also Underway

GGPoker has launched the "Road to Vegas" promotion for online poker player hoping to win a WSOP Main Event tournament package.

For online poker players outside the US, GGPoker is the official partner for World Series of Poker satellites. The site announced on Monday that its “Road to Vegas” satellites have launched. The event allows players to grab a seat in the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event this summer.. 

Starting on April 3, online grinders will have multiple chances to win a package to Las Vegas. 

“I’ll be playing the WSOP Main Event again this year, and I hope to be joined by hundreds of fellow GGPoker players from every corner of the planet,” GG ambassador Daniel Negreanu said in a news release. “It’s every poker player’s dream to win the biggest tournament there is; there’s no other poker experience like playing the Main Event.”

WSOP.com also has qualifiers running for players in US legalized markets as well. Here’s a look at how to win a seat.

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Plenty of perks for GGPoker satellite winners

GG plans a wide range of satellite buy-in price points and qualifying tournaments are already going strong at the site.

Buy-ins start at $1. The site awards dozens of WSOP Main Event packages each week. Winner packages are expected to include:

  • $10,000 Main Event entry
  • seven-night hotel accommodations at Bally’s Las Vegas
  • $1,200 cash for round-trip airfare
  • exclusive GGPoker player party
  • GGPoker lounge access

Winners will also receive merchandise swag packs. A special “last-longer” prize is also planned for GG satellite qualifiers that includes a ticket to WSOP Europe.

WSOP Main Event details

GGPoker is offering weekly satellites to win a prize pack. Players winning a Main Event seat online can choose one of four starting flights to play this year.

Registration is open until July 6 and here’s a look at the starting days for the tournament:

  • 1A – Sunday, July 3
  • 1B – Monday, July 4
  • 1C – Tuesday, July 5
  • 1D – Wednesday, July 6

For players that win a seat but can’t attend, they will forfeit GG’s travel money and accommodations. However, these players can still claim funds from the site. 

“If you cannot attend the 2022 WSOP Main Event,” GG notes, “you will be offered $10,000 (in tournament dollars).”

https://twitter.com/lappypoker/status/1510731832031006722?s=21&t=fsJSfB32zEm-AFXQMMEeIA

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WSOP.com offers qualifiers for US-based players

For players located in New Jersey and Nevada, WSOP.com is offering players a “Draft Pack” for the series. Until April 16, online grinders can win a chance at the ultimate prize pack. 

Each day WSOP.com will offer two daily draft tournaments. Each winner of those events will play in a special 32-player tournament on April 19.

The tournament will play down to one winner who scores the draft package. The prize includes:

  • $25,000 worth of gold bracelet buy-ins for the 2022 WSOP
  • three-night luxury hotel stay
  • $500 airfare travel stipend
  • Dinner at a celebrity chef’s restaurant in las Vegas

Qualifying opportunities are also expected in the ringed-in WSOP.com markets of Pennsylvania and Michigan. PokerScout will offer updates as more WSOP satellite information becomes available.

* Lead image courtesy PokerGO

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