In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
Winamax Pokus features €7M in guarantees
France’s Winamax is back again this November for the third offering of its annual Winamax Pokus series. This season’s enchanting themed festival takes on a twelve-day schedule featuring €7,000,000 in guarantees across 168 tournaments. Kicked off last November 6th, the series is geared to host six more days of thrilling action through the 17th. A newcomer on the festival’s lineup is its mystery bounty offerings which has taken on the tournament scene strongly since the format was introduced. Buy-ins for the games range from €2 to €250 with its most awaited Pokus Million KO event demanding an affordable €50.
The sole seven-figure Main Event runs its qualifiers starting today, November 13th through the 15th for four flights each day. All Day 2’s of its highlight tournaments – Mystery Giant, High Five KO, Magicus Mystery, and the Pokus Million KO are set for this coming Wednesday, November 16 with Day 3 following the day after. Listed below is the full schedule for the festival’s key multi-day events with numerous side events accompanying the lineup available on the platform.
2022 Winamax Pokus Highlights
| Event | Time (CET) | Tournament | Buy-in | Stack | Levels | Prize Pool |
| Day 1 flights 6th to 15th November | ||||||
| 1 | 13:00, 15:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30* | MYSTERY GIANT | €2 | 10,000 | 11 Min Day 1(1) | €120,000 |
| 2 | 13:00, 15:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30* | HIGH FIVE KO | €5 | 10,000 | 11 Min Day 1(1) | €200,000 |
| 3 | 13:00, 15:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30* | MAGICUS MYSTERY | €20 | 10,000 | 11 Min Day 1(1) | €600,000 |
| Day 1 flights 15th November | ||||||
| 1 | 13:30, 16:00, 17:30, 18:30 | MYSTERY GIANT | €2 | 10,000 | 8 min / 4 min / 2 min 30 | €120,000 |
| 2 | 13:30, 16:00, 17:30, 18:30 | HIGH FIVE KO | €5 | 10,000 | 8 min / 4 min / 2 min 30 | €200,000 |
| 3 | 13:30, 16:00, 17:30, 18:30 | MAGICUS MYSTERY | €20 | 10,000 | 8 min / 4 min / 2 min 30 | €600,000 |
| Day 1 flights Sunday 13th to 15th November | ||||||
| 100 | 13:00, 15:00, 17:30, 20h et 22:30* | POKUS MILLION KO | €50 | 20,000 | 11 min | €1,000,000 |
| Day 2 16th November/Day 3 17th November | ||||||
| 1 | 21:00 Day 2 / 20:00 Day 3 | MYSTERY GIANT | €2 | 10,000 | 11 min | €120,000 |
| 2 | 21:00 Day 2 / 20:00 Day 3 | HIGH FIVE KO | €5 | 10,000 | 11 min | €200,000 |
| 3 | 21:00 Day 2 / 20:00 Day 3 | MAGICUS MYSTERY | €20 | 10,000 | 11 min | €600,000 |
| 100 | 21:00 Day 2 / 20:00 Day 3 | POKUS MILLION KO | €50 | 20,000 | 11 min | €1,000,000 |
EGR awards 888poker Poker Operator of the Year title
The EGR Operator Awards 2022 came down right before October closed with online staple 888poker bagging two of the most notable titles in time for its 20th anniversary celebration. The ceremony showcased at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, saw four operators – 888, Betsson Group, Kindred Group, and VBET, vying for the Poker Operator of the Year title. By the end of the night however, the proud company claimed the following awards listed below for its two-decade long success.
- 888poker: Poker Operator of the Year
- 888casino: Casino Operator of the Year
- William Hill: Marketing Campaign of the Year
- William Hill: Football Betting Operator of the Year
888poker was mainly recognized for its major software upgrades throughout the year in addition to its boosted online offerings such as the Retro Week Series. The budding popularity of the leading brand likewise translated to its live presence as it captivated crowds across both the US and UK regions. Aside from these, the operator has also grown its user base by tapping into new markets and expanding its media presence via its official Twitch channel, 888pokerTV and group of ambassadors, the Stream Team.
“This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of teams across the Group and showcases the strength of our content and product leadership strategy, which continues to create genuinely unique betting and gaming experiences for players across all our brands. Now, as we look to 2023, we can’t wait to show you what’s in store – exciting times ahead! We are Bigger, Stronger, and Better Together!”, commented an 888Holdings spokesperson.
888poker boasts over $2M in prizes in The Knockout Games
An exciting Mystery Bounty festival is cooking up a storm in 888poker as the brand’s The Knockout Games currently plays through to November 22nd. The special events festival promises a massive $2,200,000 in prizes across its 17-day schedule, bringing along a $500,000 guaranteed Main Event. The KO Games – Mystery Bounty edition is due to complete a 73-tournament lineup with buy-ins ranging from $5.5 to as high as $2,100 for its Super High Roller PKO event.
The crown jewel of the series remains to be its $500,000 guaranteed KO Games – Mystery Bounty Main Event kicking off on Wednesday, November 16. Tournament runners will have multiple chances of making Day 2 with a total of 21 flights available throughout the qualifying six days. Entry fee is priced at $250 with each Day 1 closing in at the end of level 18 or when the field has dwindled down to 14% of the registered entrants. Unlike the other events where the Mystery Bounty format begins right when late registration closes, Main Event runners will have to make Day 2 first before they can score a chance of claiming the biggest listed bounty amounting to $50,000. The Main Event champion will be crowned on the series’ concluding day, November 22nd where the final nine players return to close the action.
The Knockout Games Highlights
| Date | Event | Buy-in |
| November 13, 2022 | $150,000 KO Games – Mystery Bounty | $215 |
| November 20, 2022 | $100,000 KO Games – Super High Roller PKO | $2,100 |
| November 22, 2022 | $500,000 KO Games – Mystery Bounty Main Event (FT) | $250 |
Natural8 – GGNet announces $5M GTD Omaholic Series
Omaha enthusiasts have poured into online poker giant Natural8 – GGNet yesterday as the site’s Omaholic Series kicked off on a Sunday full of festivities. Running through the 27th, an exciting $5,000,000 in combined guarantees will be awarded across the two-week period. Buy-ins for the events cater to a wide range of players with games beginning as low as $5.40 to as high as $5,250. The tournament lineup appears to be similar from Monday through Saturday with guarantees varying altogether – Friday with the smallest prize pools, and Saturday with bigger ones. Sundays however, are a different story with most of the platform’s offerings seeing a boosted selection for its busiest day of the week, covering over $700,000 in just one day.
A total of three multi-day events complete the schedule including the prime Omaholic Mystery Bounty Main Event with an advertised $500,000 prize pool and a thrilling $50,000 top bounty. Those with lesser bankrolls can turn their attention to the $5.40 buy-in Omaholic Mini Bounty MILLION$ for a worthy $100,000 guarantee or the slightly higher $54 buy-in Omaholic Bounty MILLION$ for $250,000. Additionally, high roller players were definitely not forgotten with two Main Events scheduled every Sunday set at two price points – $210 and $1,050.
Join Natural8 – $100 in Free tickets with your 1st Deposit
