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 category 1st place 2nd place 3rd 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.