In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
Road to Las Vegas satellites available on 888poker
While a World Series of Poker experience may be heavy on the budget, online platforms such as 888poker, make it easier for players around the globe to access the anticipated games for a fraction of the price. Similar to this year’s official event partner GGPoker, 888poker has announced its Road to Las Vegas 2021 promotion which offers Vegas packages valued at $13,000 for as low as 1₵. A direct buy-in is priced at $1,050 and can be viewed via the “Tournaments” tab > ”Live Events” tab.
888poker’s $13k Vegas package includes:
- $10,000 tournament buy-in
- $1,500 for the accommodation of your choice (Via MET site)
- $1,500 for travel & expenses (paid directly to your 888poker account)
- 888pokerLIVE kit
The Road to Las Vegas packages, whilst unofficial and miss to carry the WSOP brand name, refers qualifying into “the most massive poker event on the planet”. With a little over a month left on the calendar, interested travelers can jump in the great value online satellites running until October 17th and make their way to the entertainment capital just in time for the 52nd edition of the annual WSOP.
Bencb joins PokerStars, Papo MC represents PokerStars.net
Raise Your Edge founder Benjamin “bencb789” Rolle has further cemented his status in the poker industry by this time partnering with leading platform PokerStars. Joining its roster of poker ambassadors, Rolle will work towards “providing current and new players with exciting exclusive content, live training, and courses to improve poker strategy and support the community in improving their game.”
The German pro has seen his fair share of online successes having won the 2014 Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) Main Event for over $250K and carried on to dominate the 2016 World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Super High Roller event for close to $1.2M. With this year’s WCOOP events coming up, the timing seems to be just right as fans take a closer look at the coach’s gameplay.
“Working with Ben and Raise Your Edge, PokerStars will be able to provide top standard content and gain valuable feedback and input from Ben, the RYE community, as well as our existing ambassadors and partners, to ensure we can continuously improve and provide the best experience for all our players and communities“, said PokerStars’ Associate Director of Communities and Partnerships, Scott Goodall.
Today I am joining @PokerStars
I am excited to be working on new projects and helping to grow poker.
With Pokerstars as a Partner, it is going to be much easier to make an impact and give immediate feedback.
AND FINALLY, I HAVE ALL THROWABLES #letsCrushhttps://t.co/kDdMb3NMRz— bencb (@bencb789) August 19, 2021
On the other hand, well-known rapper Papo MC has been dubbed as the first face to represent PokerStars.net, the site’s play money field. With a strong social media presence – a count of over 6 million subscribers across three platforms, Alejandro Andrés Lococo is a charismatic personality perfect for developing a new user-base of players.
The popular musician is not new to the game himself and has previously appeared in partypoker’s Celebrity Show Match alongside Phil Hellmuth. Most recently, Lococo also took down the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) Online Event #4: $215 NLHE for $11,956.
“Today is a big day for me, I’m so proud to wear the PokerStars badge. This is a big step in my career. This is where every poker player dreams of being. Let’s work hard to take poker to the next level. See you at the tables“, said Papo MC.
US Poker Open televised on NBC Sports
PokerGO’s US Poker Open held last June 3-15, 2021 was a smash hit among viewers with the 12-event high stakes festival having welcomed an all-star studded cast throughout its games. Top ranking pros included Jake Daniels, Sam Soverel, Joe McKeehen, John Riordan, Joey Weissman, Eli Elezra, Jared Bleznick, Ali Imsirovic, and David Peters were seen battling it out on the felt. While the event was made to be streamed live on PokerGO platforms, the 2021 US Poker Open has excitingly been chosen to be broadcasted on major network NBC Sports.
The first showing already began last August 16th with the second series of four new episodes due to air this coming August 23rd. The final four episodes which will feature the $50,000 Main Event is hitting the screens this August 30 where fans and amateur players can see what goes down in these high buy-in events.
Interestingly, Global Poker celebrates the occasion by offering US players to partake in a 32 tournament lineup between August 23 through September 5 across its free-play site. Half of the scheduled MTTs post buy-ins in the form of Gold Coins (the platform’s onsite currency) while the remaining half will be in Sweep Coins (promotional credits). Sweetening the pot even moreso, the top player for the Gold Coins segment will receive the honor of having a tournament named after him while the top Sweep Coins MTT player will be awarded $5,000 for a trip to Las Vegas and an exclusive gold trophy.
“PokerGO is pleased to take its partnership with Global Poker to the next level,” said PokerGO President, Mori Eskandani. “With the online U.S. Poker Open series on Global Poker running alongside the premiere episodes on NBC Sports Networks, poker enthusiasts will have an elevated viewing experience that includes being able to both watch and play the U.S. Poker Open at the same time.”
Winamax deals 3 billionth cash game hand
French online poker room Winamax is keeping its eye on the counter as it quickly approaches its 3 billionth real money cash game hand. In celebration of the impressive milestone, the site has prepared to give away a minimum of €100,000 spread out over 101 jackpot hands. The most recent one billion hand record was the fastest feat yet, having done so in less than three years.
Three types of jackpot hands which qualify for a prize:
- 100,000 Jackpot Hand – every 100,000 hands (990,110,000 / 990,200,000 / 990,300,000)
- Million Jackpot Hand – every million hands (990,000,000 / 991,000,000 / 992,000,000)
- The Billionth Hand
PokerStars hosts Mind Sports Olympiad poker segment
For the second year to date, the Mind Sports Olympiad (MSO), an annual international festival of a variety of competitions exhibiting mental skill, is set to be held online considering today’s global health crisis. Similar to its 2020 events, the poker segment for this year’s festivities will be hosted by leading operator PokerStars.
The MSO events are currently underway and will run through until early September on the platform’s play money client. Entries to the games remain free of charge and open to all interested individuals.
