In this column we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
WPT launches NFTs
We did recently report about Tony G being the first known poker person to launch NFTS, but now the World Poker Tour has announced a much bigger project around this.
As a reminder, NFTs are non-fungible tokens, basically digital and unique collector’s items, often pieces of art. It’s all the rage in the crypto space at the moment and NFTs are here to stay.
The WPT has thought up a way to create NFTs with special moments that occurred during their tournaments.
“We are thrilled to bring some of our top Poker pros, players and celebrities to the NFT world, featuring rare and legendary WPT packs in weekly drops and running exclusive one of a kind auctions for super rare poker moments.” said Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour.
The really smart part here is that the WPT will drop those packs during TV shows on the Theta Network. This way event more hype is created and viewers can get involved in the action right away. This draws viewers to the shows that don’t want to miss the dops and draws poker fans to the NFTs that would otherwise not have been aware of it.
- 18th April 2021 – Theta Network WPT Cash game, part 1
- 25th April 2021 – Theta Network WPT Cash game, part 2
- 2nd May 2021 – Theta Network WPT Cash game, part 3
- 9th May 2021 – Theta Network WPT Cash game, part 4
Generally it is still being said that in today’s age it is more valuable to actually produce and sell NFTs than it is to buy and own them. But this can absolutely flip around at some point in the future.
Chico Poker Network updates
The Chico Poker Network has been delivering some good news to their players in April. First of all, there are now Daily Cash Game ($1650 total prize pool) and SnG Leaderboards (T$ 500 total prize pool).
In addition to this Chico has introduced new “Action Tables”. These are NL10 to NL500 6-max tables with a VPIP threshold of at least 32%. We do not have information yet about these rules are going to be enforced, however. And even more tables have been announced in the shape of new high stakes for 6-max Hold’em, NL2,000 and NL5,000. There is a bit of a strange way to get access to these tables, however. You do need to contact support in order to be able to join the games.
partypoker deal with Isurus esports team
Poker-wise it has been fairly quiet around partypoker recently, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t stuff in the works. The poker operator has now announced that they entered a partnership with the Latin American esports brand Isurus. Isurus has over 30 members and was founded in 2011. The team has won over $150k across several games like Counter-Strike, League of Legends and Rainbow Six.
Just a few months ago PokerStars had entered this market officially by signing a deal with Furia Esports, which is also a Latin American brand. How much value this collaboration has brought to poker so far is difficult to say, but it might just be that we’re not as aware of the Latin American going-ons in this area.
Poker and esports are destined to work together and it has been tried for a while to make it work. How this will look like in 20 years’ time is difficult to predict, but it is good that these first steps are being taken.
The Venom PKO on WPN
The Winning Poker Network flagship event The Venom has been announced once again. It will take place from 30th April to 12th May and offer a $5 million guarantee and satellites to the event are already running. You can play the $2650 tournament on PokerKing, Americas Cardroom and Black Chip Poker.
Here is the schedule for the event:
- Day 1A: Friday, 30th April
- Day 1B: Sunday, 2nd May
- Day 1C: Friday, 7th May
- Day 1D: Sunday, 9th May
- Day 2: Monday, 10th May
- Day 3: Tuesday, 11th May
- Final Table: Wednesday, 12th May
It is also worth mentioning that the Venom will be a PKO tournament. The same event broke a record in September 2020 by accumulating a prize pool of $6,777,500, making it the biggest single online bounty event in history.
Moneymaker, Raymer at record $1M poker tournament in Texas
The next news is not about an online event, but a live event that former world champion Chris Moneymaker is coming out of live poker retirement for. It’s the $1,300 buy-in Main Event of the Lone Star Poker Series at the new Champions Poker Club in Houston, Texas.
Why is this special? It will break the state record with a $1 million guarantee. The tournament will begin with Day 1As from 26th April to 1st May. Day 2 will take place on 2nd May with the final day on 3rd May.
But Chris Moneymaker won’t be the only former WSOP Main Event champion to attend this tournament. Greg “Fossil Man” Raymer is also going to travel to the Lone Star State for his chance to take down this event. There is already some good old smack talk going on between the two poker icons on Twitter:
Seems there is going to be a problem. I'm coming in to play this event also. And this town ain't big enough for the both of us! Something has to give, and it ain't gonna be me, pardner! https://t.co/vctDiaa6o4
— Greg Raymer (@FossilMan) April 7, 2021
