Online News: Jason Koon signs as GGPoker’s newest global ambassador; Speed Poker returns on iPoker Network; PokerStars’ live festivals and online satellites are back!

SMP EditorEditor-in-Chief

Updated: 2026.10.16

In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.

Jason Koon signs as GGPoker’s newest global ambassador

Online poker giant GGPoker is determined to be at the top of the game, continuing their aggressive take by signing the industry’s best players under their stead. Together with poker icons Daniel Negreanu, Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier, Dan Bilzerian, and Fedor Holz, well-known American pro Jason Koon is the latest personality to partner with the major network as its newest global ambassador.

“I’m really excited to join GGPoker, particularly so soon after they’ve taken a leading role in the poker world,” said Koon.

“I’m also thrilled to be in a position to help with game security and player advocacy, making GGPoker an even better place to play our favorite game.”

Being a long-time online crusher, Koon’s focus will be the poker site’s overall security and game integrity aside from being an international advocate for VIP games. Koon stands to be one of today’s most renowned players, boasting a record of over $32.6 million in live winnings throughout his decade-long career.

GGPoker is likewise thrilled to have Koon onboard with its Director of Sponsorships & Live Events, John Scanlon having said, “We view ambassadors as part of our overall team. We want them as bought into keeping GGPoker the number one site in the world as we are. Jason’s reputation and how he handles himself personally and professionally makes him an ideal global ambassador. Having a player of his calibre providing advice and direction, and representing the most committed segment of our player community, is invaluable for us.”

Welcome to the @GGPoker Global Ambassador Team @JasonKoon. pic.twitter.com/GXRNPygfXM
— GGPoker (@GGPoker) October 3, 2021

Speed Poker makes a comeback on iPoker Network

Catching up with today’s leading operators, iPoker Network has recently brought back its version of the popular fast-fold format, Speed Poker. In celebration of its return and to boost traffic across the tables, a Daily Speed Poker Leaderboard promotion is currently underway and is set to be available through the end of October. Additionally, with the arrival of the lightning-fast poker variant, players on the sites will simultaneously bid goodbye to its year-old ‘Top Trumps Football Stars Poker’.

Relaunched this October 1st, Speed Poker enthusiasts are in for a treat as the trusted operator’s latest point system allows players to win up to €100 in Free Blinds (Cash Dollars) daily! Indicated below are the points to be awarded with Speed Holdem tables €0.02/€0.05 and €0.05/€0.10 included for all tasks.

Earn points for	Points awarded
Get dealt any pocket pair	Win 5 points
Win a showdown with straight using both of your pocket cards	Win 3 points
Win a showdown with Flush using both of your pocket cards	Win 5 points
Win a showdown with Full House using both of your pocket cards	Win 7 points
Win a showdown with 4 of a kind using both of your pocket cards	Win 10 points
Win a showdown with straight Flush or better using both of your pocket cards	Win 20 points

PokerStars’ live festivals and online satellites are back!

Top player PokerStars is progressively back to speed with its live events coming along with a large number of online qualifiers. With the world recovering from the pandemic, three exciting festivals are lined up within the next six months spread out across various locations around the globe.

Beginning with the BSOP Millions scheduled this November, players who missed live poker action can head to Sao Paulo and secure a share of the R$ 15 million reais (~USD 2.75 million) combined prize pool. Those with lesser bankrolls have no need to fret as they can take advantage of PokerStars’ band of online satellites and free qualifiers for a chance to partake in the festival’s 51-event schedule. Tournament seats as well as travel packages are up for grabs on the site allowing winners to head into the Southern hemisphere’s biggest poker tournament for cheap.

BSOP Millions 2021
Festival Dates: November 24 – December 5, 2021
Key Events:

Date/s	Event	Buy-in (BRL)
November 26 – December 5, 2021	Main Event 7M GTD	3,500
November 24 – 27, 2021	NLH Start-Up 1.5M GTD	800
November 25 – 27, 2021	Super High Rollers 1M GTD	25,000
November 26 – 28, 2021	PLO High Rollers 400K GTD	8,000
November 30 – December 4, 2021	NLH Micro Million 1M GTD	350
December 2 – 5, 2021	NLH High Rollers 1.5M GTD	10,000
December 3 – 5, 2021	Mini Millions Freezeout 1M GTD	2,300

Following closely behind is the European Poker Tour’s Prague segment this December and its fifth return to Sochi in March 2022. Highlighted below are key dates announced by the brand as of late.

EPT Prague
Festival Dates: December 8 – 19, 2021
Tournament Schedule

Date/s	Event	Buy-in (EUR)
December 9 – 13, 2021	EPT National	€1,100
December 11 – 13, 2021	EPT Super High Roller	€50,000
December 12 – 13, 2021	EPT National High Roller	€2,200
December 13 – 19, 2021	EPT Prague Main Event	€5,300
December 17 – 19, 2021	EPT Prague High Roller	€10,300

EPT Sochi
Festival dates: March 18-27, 2022
Key Events:
EPT Sochi Main Event: March 22 – 27, RUB 175,000
EPT National: March 18 – 21, RUB 77,000

About the Editor

SMP EditorEditor-in-Chief

The SMP Editor covers international poker and iGaming for SoMuchPoker, providing news, tournament coverage, and industry insights. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevance, the editor helps readers stay informed about developments across the global poker community.