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sabato 9 marzo 2024

Poker News: The latest news from the world of poker


From the WSOP to online poker, here are the latest news

Daniel Negreanu wins the first tournament of 2024

For Negreanu, as mentioned, the year just ended was the worst of his entire career. The Canadian recorded a deficit of $2,228,174. In the last ten years it had closed only one other year in deficit, 2016, for 1.25M, while in 2017 it had essentially made even.

Phil Ivey wins his tenth WSOP bracelet

Phil Ivey makes history: he won his tenth WSOP bracelet
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Unmissable events around the world


Live poker is no different from online poker, with several unmissable events scheduled for March 2024.

EPT Paris: The European Poker Tour (EPT) stops in Paris from March 7-17. The Main Event will have a buy-in of €5,300 and a guaranteed prize pool of €7 million.

WSOP Circuit: The WSOP Circuit is underway in multiple locations around the world. Players who win a WSOP Circuit ring will qualify for the WSOP Global Casino Championship, which will be held in Las Vegas in 2025.

Triton Poker Super High Roller Series: The Triton Poker Super High Roller Series is a series of tournaments reserved for the most high stakes players in the world. The next event will be held in Macau from March 14 to 24.

Italian Poker Tour: The Italian Poker Tour (IPT) is the most important live poker tour in Italy. The next stage will be held in Sanremo from 24 to 30 March.

Not just events:

In addition to the events, there are other news in the world of live poker. PokerGO is the new streaming platform that offers the possibility of following the most important live poker tournaments in the world.

New rules and variations:

New poker rules and variations are emerging in the live poker landscape. Progressive ante poker is a variant that is gaining popularity, as it increases the action and fun of the game.

The future of live poker:

Live poker is a unique experience that cannot be replicated online. The future of live poker is bright, with new events and variations that will continue to attract players from all over the world.

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Online Poker: What's new for March 2024


New tournament series and unmissable promotions

The world of online poker is constantly evolving, with new tournaments and promotions launching every month. March 2024 is no different, with several new features that will whet the appetite of all enthusiasts.

PokerStars: The most famous online poker room in the world has started the Carnival Series, a series of tournaments with guaranteed prize pools of over €10 million. The series includes events to suit all tastes and skill levels, with buy-ins ranging from €1 to €250.

888poker: 888poker has also launched a series of unmissable tournaments, called The Festival. The series includes events featuring several poker variations, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha and 5 Card Draw. The total guaranteed prize pool is €5 million.

Partypoker: Partypoker has instead decided to focus on promotions. Throughout the month of March, players who qualify for the Partypoker Million will have the chance to win a guaranteed prize pool of €1 million.

Not just tournaments and promotions:

In addition to tournaments and promotions, there are other news in the world of online poker. PokerStars VR is the new virtual reality poker platform that allows players to enjoy an immersive and realistic gaming experience.

WSOP Online: The World Series of Poker (WSOP) will also be held online in 2024. The event will take place on several platforms, including PokerStars, 888poker and partypoker. The total guaranteed prize pool is $100 million.

The future of online poker:

Online poker is continually growing and the future of the game is bright. New technologies and innovations will continue to improve the gaming experience and attract new players.

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sabato 2 marzo 2024

Boom in Women's Poker: New Protagonists and Challenges to Face


In recent years, there has been a real boom in women's poker. More and more women are approaching this game, challenging stereotypes and preconceptions and demonstrating great talent and skill.

New Protagonists:

Players like Vanessa Selbst, Liv Boeree and Kristen Bicknell have reached historic heights, winning prestigious tournaments and beating high-level male opponents.

Challenges to Face:

Despite the progress, women in poker still face several challenges. Sexism and gender inequality are still present in some poker circles.

Promoting Inclusion:

Several initiatives are aimed at promoting inclusion and diversity in poker. Associations such as Women in Poker and Ladies European Poker Tour organize events and tournaments dedicated to women.

Conclusion:

The future of poker is full of new challenges and opportunities. Artificial intelligence, new technologies and the growing number of female players are helping to evolve this game in unexpected ways. Poker remains an exciting and competitive activity, capable of providing excitement and satisfaction at all levels.
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New Frontiers of Online Poker: Immersive Experience and Socialization


Online poker is constantly evolving, with new technologies offering an increasingly engaging and socializing gaming experience.

Virtual and Augmented Reality:

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are opening up new possibilities for online poker. Players can immerse themselves in a realistic virtual environment and interact with opponents as if they were sitting at the same table.

Socialization and Interaction:

Online poker platforms are implementing new features to improve interaction between players. Group chats, emoticons and video chats allow you to create a more social and fun environment.

Online Tournaments with Record Prize Money:

Online poker also offers the possibility of participating in tournaments with millionaire prize pools. Accessible from any device, these tournaments attract players from all over the world and offer the chance to win astronomical sums.
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Artificial Intelligence dominates Poker: Challenge for the Pros or New Tool?


In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant progress in the field of poker. Programs like Pluribus and Cepheus have defeated professional champions head-to-head, demonstrating unprecedented calculation and strategy.

New challenges for professional players:

The rise of AI in poker poses several questions for professional players. How can they compete against adversaries who have far superior computing and analytics power? Do you need to adapt your strategies to exploit AI weaknesses?

Opportunities to improve the game:

AI can also be seen as a new tool to improve the game of poker. By analyzing millions of hands and identifying the best approaches in each situation, AI can help players refine their strategies and make more precise decisions.

Open debate:

The debate on the impact of AI in poker is still open. There are those who fear that AI could make the game less competitive and more mechanical. Others see AI as an opportunity to evolve poker and reach new levels of strategy and complexity.
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sabato 24 febbraio 2024

The Venetian Las Vegas expands and relocates poker room


The Venetian Las Vegas plans to unveil a brand-new poker room this summer. The iconic poker room will relocate from The Venetian casino floor to Level 2, Grand Canal Shoppes. This strategic move allows The Venetian Resort to continue its commitment to delivering unparalleled gaming experiences and catering to the evolving needs of its players.

The new poker room will feature 50 tables spread across 14,000 square feet of space, making it the largest room on the Strip. The expansion allows for upgraded seating arrangements and the spaciousness for which the current Venetian Poker Room is known.

In addition to the expanded space, the new poker room will feature a range of amenities aimed at enhancing player comfort and enjoyment. From self-serve Coca-Cola soda fountain and coffee to online ordering and delivery from the breadth of options at Grand Lux, to USB and USB-C charging ports at every seat, TVs throughout the venue, and dedicated restrooms, every aspect of the experience has been curated with the players in mind. The room will also have kiosks for both the resort’s loyalty program, Venetian Rewards, and sports betting operated by William Hill.

“The expansion of the poker room is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts of reimagining the gaming experience at The Venetian Resort," said Danny Ruiz, chief gaming officer of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. "The room was designed to provide an elevated playing experience and everything from design details to enhancements were made with the players in mind.”

The relocation also enhances accessibility for players. Situated in a prime location, on Level 2, Grand Canal Shoppes, the new venue offers convenient access to The Palazzo self-parking garage, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience from arrival to departure. Another benefit of the new location is the proximity to additional culinary offerings including Miznon, Mott 32, and more.

The new poker room will continue to spread cash games and the DeepStack poker tournament series. An added benefit of the venue is the launch of a dedicated streaming room, allowing players to coordinate a vlogging session and provides the ability to stream tournament final tables and cash games.

“We’re making an investment in our players and curating the amenities based on their feedback,” said Tommy LaRosa, director of poker operations at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. “We can’t wait to unveil the new room this summer and show why the Venetian Poker Room is and continues to provide an unparalleled poker experience.”

Widely regarded as the best poker room in Las Vegas, the original Venetian Poker Room opened in 2006 and quickly became one of the most popular venues for poker in Las Vegas. It will remain open until the new room is completed. The Venetian Poker Room is home to the popular DeepStack poker tournament series with multiple events scheduled throughout the year, including the DeepStack Championship Poker Series every summer.
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Betby expands partnership with Bad Hombre Gaming

Betby, an innovative sports betting provider, has reinforced its partnership with Bad Hombre Gaming by launching multiple betting brands and having its AI-based sportsbook tools made available to all brands powered by the partnership.

Bad Hombre Gaming, a next-gen casino platform supplier specializing in crypto payments, utilizes Betby’s sportsbook platform and the Betby.Games eSports odds feed to power over 15 brands, with its brand portfolio further boosted with the launch of three further brands powered by the Betby sportsbook solution.

With Betby launching and showcasing its innovative AI-based sportsbook tools in London, Bad Hombre Gaming also announced that it is planning to roll-out these tools to its partner network. The sportsbook tools, branded by Betby as “AI Labs”, focus on churn and LTV prediction, bet recommendation, risk management automation, and a prompt-based BI Reporting system.

Christian Vuchev, Head of Operations at Bad Hombre Gaming said: “We're pleased to strengthen our longstanding collaboration with Betby by not only launching a new brand but also integrating Betby’s innovative AI Labs tools. These tools will empower Bad Hombre Gaming to enhance the overall betting experiences through personalized features, predicting and reducing churn rates, and identifying high-value players in a reduced timeframe. All this whilst improving operational performance through an automated risk management for quicker detection of suspicious activities for our operators.”

Chris Nicolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at Betby said: “The continued partnership between Bad Hombre Gaming and Betby, marked by further brand launches and the roll out of our proprietary AI-based sportsbook tools, showcases Betby's steadfast commitment to enhancing the performance of its partners with the best solutions in the sportsbook landscape. In Bad Hombre Gaming we have found a partner with whom we share common values and ambitions, and we look forward to further strengthening the relationship going forward.”
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sabato 10 febbraio 2024

Everygame Poker celebrates the Year of the Dragon

Everygame Poker is celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year – the Year of the Dragon -- by giving free spins on two dragon-themed slots. Dragon Kings and Golden Dragon Inferno are both found under the Betsoft tab in the casino games section. Players that deposit with Bitcoin will not only pay lower transaction fees, they’ll also get 30 extra free spins on these fiery games. Also this week, Blackjack players can win bonus cash by collecting a series of winning hands.

Chinese myths come roaring to life in Dragon Kings, a modern take on a traditional tale. There are Jade Figurines, Lucky Coins and five Dragons on its five reels and a magical Flaming Pearl on a special sixth reel. Spinning all five Dragons and the Magical Pearl wins 2,000x the bet. The Scatter is a Pearl in a golden clasp and can award up to 25 and up to 50 free spins if there’s also Flaming Pearl on the sixth reel. All of the Dragons are Wild and each has its own powers. The Dragon King, which appears only on the middle reel, is an Expanding Wild that doubles wins and can pay out up to 400x the line bet. There are four jackpots in this game, won by hitting combinations of Dragons and Pearls.

Golden Dragon Inferno has Nudging Wilds and a Hold & Win bonus feature. Each reel contains positions where Stacked Mystery Symbols are replaced by one random symbol after the reel spin is complete. A glorious Golden Dragon is this game’s Wild. When it appears on the middle reel, it expands to create a full Wild Reel and multiplies any win it’s part of by up to 10X. When six or more Bonus symbols appear, they hold in place for three re-spins. Bonus symbols that appear during re-spins also stick.
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Playtech extends partnership with BoyleSports until 2028

Playtech has today announced that it has further extended its agreement with BoyleSports, a leading online sports betting and gaming provider, until 2028.

Playtech is pleased to announce an early extension of its original agreement with BoyleSports, which was initially set to run until 2025. This partnership, spanning across the U.K. and Ireland, has seen Playtech continue to provide a dedicated casino tab, an exclusive live casino, and its award-winning bingo and poker content.

This extension ensures that Playtech will remain the exclusive provider for BoyleSports’ live casino offering until 2025 whilst also maintaining exclusivity over BoyleSports’ live casino branded tables as well as Poker and Bingo until the end of 2028.

Steve Payne, Gaming Director at BoyleSports commented; “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Playtech for another four years. Having had a strong and successful partnership with Playtech for many years now, we see this extension as an exciting opportunity to continue growing our business. We are passionate about creating the best possible player experience across all verticals, and we remain confident that this continued partnership with Playtech will enable us to do exactly that.”

Panos Scoursis, Commercial Director at Playtech said; “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with BoyleSports and look forward to continuing to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences to our customers while maintaining our commitment to responsible gaming.”
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BetMGM's 2023 net revenue makes a jump

BetMGM, LLC, one of the leading sports betting and iGaming operators across the U.S., jointly owned by MGM Resorts International and Entain plc is today providing an update on performance for FY 2023.

- BetMGM delivered a strong FY 2023 financial performance (based on unaudited results) Net revenue from operations grew 36% year over year to $1.96 billion, at the upper-end of $1.8-$2.0 billion guidance range Same-state growth in net revenue from digital operations of 14% Key metrics across both iGaming and Online Sports Betting improved year over year, including average monthly actives, FTDs, hold percentages, bonus levels, NGR per active, and CPAs EBITDA positive in the second half of 2023 with expected FY 2023 EBITDA loss of approximately $67 million

- Established as a leading operator across North America, live in 28 markets with access to 49% of adult population Four new markets launched during the year: Ohio (online and retail), Massachusetts (online and retail), Puerto Rico (online) and Kentucky (online and retail) 14% market share in Sports Betting and iGaming in the U.S. and 22% in Ontario6 Secured market access with Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of expected March 2024 launch of newly legalized sports betting market in North Carolina, pending regulatory approval

- Further operational progress supported by technology, product and capability enhancements, positions BetMGM to drive growth going forward Seamless execution of single account single wallet across 21 markets ahead of the 2023 NFL season Enhanced sports betting experience with improved speed, broader market coverage and new differentiated bet types New in-house and exclusive games, including Dual Play Roulette, as well as largest progressive jackpots underpinning market leading iGaming offering

- On 4 December, BetMGM business update set out strategic roadmap to drive growth in 2024

Expanding the depth and breadth of our sports offering by leveraging Angstrom's sophisticated modelling to support innovative and original products, including player-popular Same Game Parlay, SGP+ and new LIVE SGP products Continue to deliver market-leading and engaging gaming experiences that are more personalized and differentiated, including exclusive and MGM-branded content

Increasingly investing in marketing and player acquisition as sports product and player retention continue to improve Unlocking BetMGM's unique omnichannel advantages, particularly in Las Vegas, Nevada Launched new improved app in January with single wallet functionality expected later in 2024 Leveraging Las Vegas sports teams and tentpole events, for example BetMGM's first Big Game commercial featuring Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky and Vince Vaughn

- Reiterating guidance from December 2023 business update of targeting approximately $500 million of EBITDA in 2026

- Recognized as Digital Operator of the Year by Global Gaming Awards, Online Casino of the Year by American Gambling Awards, and Casino Operator of the Year by EGR North America and SBC Awards North America.

- Ongoing commitment to industry leadership in player safety and responsible gaming Secured five-year extension with GameSense program, providing player tools and capabilities to play responsibly Partnered with nine NFL teams to promote responsible gambling in stadiums during games Piloted the first of its kind program with Kindbridge Health to evaluate efficacy of offering self-excluded individuals' referrals for problem gambling treatments Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, commented:

"Our performance in 2023 demonstrates our commitment to delivering on our promises. We were able to achieve strong organic growth, while executing against key strategic initiatives that lay the foundation for 2024 and beyond. The attainment of EBITDA profitability over the last three quarters of 2023 validates the effectiveness of our business model and provides the basis from which to invest further in expanding our sports offering through the integration of Angstrom and leveraging our largely untapped Las Vegas omni-channel advantages. With this comprehensive roadmap in place, we can focus on driving accelerated player acquisition and retention and strengthening our current market position. This clear strategic direction underpins our confidence in achieving our targets and building long-term, sustainable value for shareholders."
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sabato 3 febbraio 2024

William Hill adds four Irish horse racing ambassadors

William Hill has strengthened its impressive stable of horse racing ambassadors by aligning with leading Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell, top National Hunt jockeys J J Slevin and Sean Flanagan and respected presenter and broadcaster Jane Mangan.

Aimed at increasing its content offering in Ireland, the deals with Cromwell, Slevin, Flanagan and Mangan will see the ambassadors provide blogs covering all the major racing news and meetings as well as regular video content for the bookmaker’s social media platforms. The activity will begin ahead of this weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival from Leopardstown, where Slevin is set to partner Irish Gold Cup contender, Fastorslow.

The four new deals come in conjunction with the news that the leading bookmaker has extended its sponsorship of the William Hill Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival for the next three years, with several other races set to be sponsored including the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan on 11 February.

In addition, William Hill has also partnered with Irish sports media company, Off The Ball, who produce podcast, radio, website and live digital content. The partnership which will see joint branded William Hill and Off The Ball live horse racing events around Ireland in the coming months, with the first taking place on February 1st ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival. The live event will feature all four of the bookmaker’s new Irish horse racing ambassadors.

Andrew McCleave, Head of Marketing at William Ireland, said: “William Hill has a long proud history in horse racing, specifically in the UK, and for 2024 we want to position ourselves at the heart of racing in Ireland as well.

“We are delighted to announce Gavin Cromwell, J J Slevin, Sean Flanagan and Jane Mangan as our new horse racing ambassadors in Ireland. All four are very talented in their fields and will be able to offer fascinating and unique insight to our followers.

“We really want to get into the DNA of Irish racing by supporting big races and festivals, so it’s fantastic that we have extended our sponsorship of the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival for another three years, while our deal with Off The Ball should really help increase our exposure too.”
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EvenBet Gaming to unveil next wave of products at ICE London 2024

Showcasing from booth N1-433 at ICE London between 6-8 February, EvenBet Gaming is promising an immersive experience with an iGaming quiz designed especially for the event, set to engage and reward delegates with impressive prizes. Visitors to its booth will be able to test their knowledge of poker and card games and enjoy unique giveaways, including temporary tattoos crafted to enhance the experience of the last ICE expo in London.

A focal point of EvenBet Gaming’s 2024 strategy is the distribution of one-of-a-kind card sets at major industry events, starting with ICE. Attendees have the special opportunity to collect the entire suite.

Live demonstrations of over 38 poker and popular card games will be ongoing throughout the exhibition, with EvenBet Gaming’s expert product and commercial team available for in-depth discussions, queries and tailoring solutions to individual business needs. The demonstration will allow to dive deeper into the latest innovations and enhancements such as a new tournament lobby UI, Double Board and Smart Fold, enriching the game experience, and the latest engagement-boosting tools including more notification options, video chat, and others.

Attendees are invited to visit the provider’s booth at ICE to witness the future of gaming, whilst gaining valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that will shape the iGaming landscape in 2024.

Dmitry Starostenkov, Chief Executive Officer at EvenBet Gaming, said: "Our team is eager to present the latest features enhancing player engagement and retention and share our vision of the future poker vertical development.

“Visitors are welcome to explore our comprehensive suite of online card and poker games, available for seamless integration or as stand-alone iGaming projects."
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Fontainebleau Las Vegas to open Hall of Excellence next Friday

Fontainebleau Las Vegas will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, 9 February introducing the new Hall of Excellence – a specially curated museum of one-of-a-kind sports and rare memorabilia from Jim and Frann Gray, Tom Brady, and The Tom Brady Family Collection, among others.

Fontainebleau Development Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer, Hall of Fame Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jim Gray, and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will lead the commemorative event. Guests in attendance will receive a first look at some of the memorabilia that will be housed in the Hall of Excellence, including Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings – which will be on display at Fontainebleau Las Vegas throughout Super Bowl week and later within the Hall of Excellence upon opening.
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'berodualn' wins ACR Poker's latest Venom PKO

After days of intense competition in the Venom PKO, 'berodualn' has been crowned champion of ACR Poker's massive progressive knockout tournament.

'berodualn' from Austria took home the coveted Venom PKO title and a total payout of $544,875, following a strong performance at the final table. The champion eliminated 'niceoneee' in the flagship event, winning a life-changing prize of $416,787 and a staggering $128,088 in bounties.

Final Table results:

- 'berodualn': $416,787 + $128,088 in bounties - 'niceoneee': $416,787 + $85,410 in bounties - 'illusorypoker': $302,914 + $122,446 in bounties - '10of10': $220,150 + $65,473 in bounties - 'jimmi109': $159,998 + $11,093 in bounties - 'SOLID': $116,285 + $32,461 in bounties - 'LinusBurakov': $84,517 + $30,079 in bounties - 'TruthHurts': $61,421 + $43,330 in bounties

Among those competing in the tournament were notable players such as ACR Pros Drew Gonzalez and Monika Zukowicz, ACR Stormer Mark Rubbathan, three-time WSOP Bracelet winner Chance Kornuth, and WPT Global Ambassador Jonathan Van Fleet.

Commenting on his deep run in the Venom PKO, ACR Pro Drew Gonzalez said, "Having another deep run in the Venom for me was super fun! Since the Venom PKO only comes around twice a year, it makes it very special, so I get myself hyped up and in a special grind mindset for this event. I can't wait for the next Venom!"

Offering players a shot at massive cashes and enticing bounties, the Venom PKO tournament's four Day 1 options attracted a strong field of 2,839 players, forming a prize pool of $7,097,500. Surpassing its original $5 million guarantee, this year's first Venom PKO exceeded the success of last November's tournament, which saw 2,449 entries and a total prize pool of $6,122,500.
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sabato 27 gennaio 2024

Nominations announced for the 5th Global Poker Awards


Voting panel members in 16 categories have completed the voting process and nominees are now known for the 5th Global Poker Awards:

Caitlin Comeskey, who won a Global Poker Award for Rising Star in Content Creation at last year’s ceremony, has been nominated in three categories –Short-Form Content Creator, Best Video Content, and Best X/Twitter Personality. Comeskey will go head-to-head in all three categories with Marle Spragg, who also earned three total nominations.

Content-creating phenom Alexander Seibt “Wolfgang Poker”, a newcomer to the Global Poker Awards, also received three nominations – joining Comeskey and Spragg in the Short-Form Content Creator Category, a new category for the 5th Awards, Best Vlogger and Fans Choice for Poker Personality.

Gregory Liow, aka “Greg Goes All In”, completes the Short-Form Creator category and joins Wolfgang in the Poker Personality category, along with Seth Moeller “SethyPoker” and Jonathan Rand “Slow Poker”.

Bin Weng will be presented with the GPI Poker Player of Year trophy on Awards night, Kristen Foxen will collect her mind-boggling FOURTH GPI Female Player of the Year award while Nick Pupillo will pick up the Mid-Major PoY title.

Game of Gold has been announced as the first award winner (other than the PoYs) – GGPoker will be presented with the GPI Award of Merit. Several other trophies are expected to be presented on Awards night, including The Hendon Mob Award and the Charitable/Community Initiative.

Previous GPI Award winners who are nominated this year include Stephen Chidwick, Alex Foxen, Will Jaffe, Jamie Kerstetter, Kevin Martin, Benjamin Spragg, Lex Veldhuis, and Brad Owen.

Final Four voting for the GPA Fans Choice Awards kickoff tomorrow (Wed 24 January) and conclude the following Wednesday. Fans will make their selections in four categories: Best Hand, Best Trophy, Best Live Stream, and Poker Personality. Anyone can vote in this final round, including fans who voted in the first round – only 1 vote per person/IP address.

Catch the Global Poker Awards live on PokerGO on Saturday, 24 February 2024.

5th GLOBAL POKER AWARDS NOMINEES (listed alphabetically)

PLAYERS CHOICE FOR TOUGHEST OPPONENT

Voted on by the Top 100 players on the GPI as of 3 January 2024

- Stephen Chidwick

- Alex Foxen

- Isaac Haxton

- Jason Koon

BEST FINAL TABLE PERFORMANCE

- Padraig O’Neill, EPT Prague

- Erik Seidel, WSOP Paradise Super High Roller

- Daniel Sepiol, WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas

- Daniel Weinman, WSOP Main Event

GPI BREAKOUT PLAYER

- Jans Arends

- William Kopp

- Samuel Laskowitz

- Santosh Suvarna

BEST X/TWITTER PERSONALITY

- Caitlin Comeskey

- Will Jaffe

- Jamie Kerstetter

- Marle Spragg

BEST STREAMER

- Kevin Martin “kevinmartin”

- Benjamin Spragg “Spraggy”

- Bert Stevens “girafganger7”

- Lex Veldhuis “LexVeldhuis”

BEST VLOGGER

- Jaman Burton “TheDrawingDeadVlog”

- Corey Eyring “corey_eyring”

- Daniel Negreanu “dnegspoker”

- Brad Owen “BradOwenPoker”

- Alexander Seibt “Wolfgang_Poker”

BEST SHORT-FORM CONTENT CREATOR

- Caitlin Comeskey

- Gregory Liow “Greg Goes All In”

- Marle Spragg

- Alexander Seibt “Wolfgang Poker”

BEST INDUSTRY PERSON

- Ryan Beauregard

- Mori Eskandani

- Adam Pliska

- Francine Watson

BEST TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

- Jack Effel

- Ray Pulford

- Matt Savage

- Toby Stone

BEST EVENT

- Irish Poker Open Main Event

- World Series of Poker Main Event

- WPT Prime Championship at Wynn Las Vegas

- WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas

BEST MID-MAJOR CIRCUIT/TOUR

- Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP)

- RUNGOOD Poker Series (RGPS)

- World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC)

- WPT Prime (WPTP)

BEST STAND-ALONE FESTIVAL/SERIES

- Irish Poker Open

- Malta Poker Festival

- Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open

- Wynn Millions Poker Series

BEST BROADCASTER

- Henry Kilbane

- Ali Nejad

- Jeffrey Platt

- Nick Schulman

BEST PODCAST

- Only Friends Podcast (Matt Berkey, Melissa Schubert, Landon Tice and friends)

- Poker in the Ears (James Hartigan, Joseph Stapleton for PokerStars)

- The Chip Race Poker Podcast (David K Lappin, Dara O’Kearney for Unibet Poker)

- Thinking Poker (Andrew Brokos, Carlos Welch)

BEST MEDIA CONTENT: WRITTEN

- The Tales of Billy Baxter: The Final Days of Stu Ungar (David Hill for WPT.com)

- The Truth Detective: A Poker Player’s Guide to a Complex World (Alex O’Brien)

- He Played At An Elite Level For Seven Decades: Doyle Brunson Remembered During

WSOP By His Peers (Connor Richards for PokerNews)

- PokerGO might have just saved televised poker (Brad Willis for Poker.org)

BEST MEDIA CONTENT: VIDEO

- Caitlin Comeskey: A love letter to the million dollar game @HCLPokerShow

- Phil Galfond, Matti Harju: What Makes Phil Ivey the GOAT? [Untold Stories] (Phil

Galfond, Matti Harju)

- PokerGO: Doyle Brunson Celebration of Life

- Marle Spragg: ICM

BEST MEDIA CONTENT: PHOTO

- Matthew Berglund: “Inconsolable”

- Hayley Hochstetler: “Weinman Wins”

- Rachel K
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World Series of Poker Circuit to return to Turning Stone Casino in March


The legendary World Series of Poker Circuit Event will return to Turning Stone Resort Casino for the third consecutive year this March – and it will be the casino’s biggest one yet. The only WSOP event in New York, the 12-day non-stop poker tournament series at Turning Stone runs from 14-25 March, with a guaranteed total payout of more than $2.5 million, a significant $1 million increase from last year’s event. The 2024 tournament will feature a mix of thrilling new events and the return of players’ favorite events with even higher guarantees. Turning Stone has added a $1 million guaranteed event to the WSOP Circuit series, which will begin on March 21.

While this year’s event is billed as having a $2.5-million guaranteed payout, this represents the minimum; actual payouts are much more. For example, during the 2023 WSOP tournament series, Turning Stone’s WSOP event paid out more than $5 million overall.

The most prestigious poker tournament in the world will attract several thousand people to the region to compete for more than $2.5 million, 18 WSOP Gold Rings, the trophy of the WSOP Circuit event, and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas this summer.

As interest to participate in the 2024 WSOP tournament continues to increase, Turning Stone is adding another 10 additional poker tables this year, for a total of 85 tables.

Last year’s WSOP Circuit Event was an overwhelming success with more than 14,650 total entries, including players traveling from 38 states and Canada. Additionally, a record-breaking $5.4 million was paid out to winners throughout the WSOP Circuit Event - five times more than the guaranteed prize pool – and the crowning of New York’s first-ever WSOP Ladies Tournament winner. Last year’s Ladies Only tournament at Turning Stone broke WSOP records for the largest Ladies event payout and the most players.

New in 2024: $1 Million Event, Higher Guarantees + More Rings

New this year will be the addition of a thrilling three-day $1 million event, which will begin at Turning Stone on Thursday, 21 March.

Also new in 2024, the Monster Stack event, the most popular WSOP event at Turning Stone, will return with a $200,000 guarantee, an increase of $100,000 from last year.

Plus, this year’s Ladies Only event will have a $25,000 guarantee and there will be 18 WSOP Gold Rings up for grabs (vs. 16 rings last year).

The WSOP Gold Rings

The iconic trophy of the WSOP Circuit Event is the coveted Gold Ring and this year’s event at Turning Stone will give players 18 different opportunities to take one home. The WSOP Gold Rings are designed by the same company that makes the Super Bowl and NBA Championship rings, establishing the caliber of these legendary pieces of jewelry.

Turning Stone is among a very selective group of gaming destinations with fewer than 15 casinos in the world to host a WSOP Circuit Event, distinguishing Turning Stone as the only WSOP Circuit Event in the entire Northeast.

Throughout the WSOP Tournament, poker players will also be able to participate in live poker action in the Turning Stone Poker Room with additional opportunities to win big payouts.

2024 World Series of Poker Tournament Series

Turning Stone will host New York’s only World Series of Poker Tournament Series from 14-15 March 2024 in the Turning Stone Event Center.

- Several thousand poker players will compete for more than $2.5 million in guaranteed cash winnings, 18 WSOP Gold Rings and a seat at the invitation-only $1 million Tournament of Champions event in Las Vegas this summer.
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Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to debut Glass Bar

Perfectly placed glass prisms envelop guests inside Glass Bar, a new bar and lounge opening this winter at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. Spanning nearly 4,000 square feet, the inviting cocktail lounge features bar-top games for guests to enjoy while sipping on a cocktail or watching sports on one of the six television screens that wrap around the bar. The new venue offers personalized bottle service, craft cocktails, and premium spirits and beer.

“We are excited to bring a gorgeous new cocktail bar to Planet Hollywood,” said Jason Gregorec, SVP and General Manager of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. “Glass Bar is the perfect venue for our guests to grab a cocktail before or after one of our incredible shows at Bakkt Theater.”

Designed by the globally renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, Glass Bar is an elegant destination with thousands of crystal prisms and polished chrome brass framing the space. The clear, amber and gray crystal prisms create an ombre lighting element, while faceted, mirrored columns reflect the light and energy throughout the bar.

The cocktail menu includes the Fruit & Pebble, made with Bacardi Superior rum, fruity pebble syrup, lime juice and fruity pebble dust as a garnish. Guests can also indulge in The Light Show, which features Ketel One Cucumber & Mint Vodka and Lagoon Bay Aperitif and is topped off with Fever Tree cucumber tonic water. Perfect for Instagram, this refreshing cocktail is served in a glowing blue vessel. The Casino Carnival includes Grey Goose Strawberry & Lemongrass Vodka, passionfruit puree, lime juice, sparkling wine and a cotton candy garnish.

Glass Bar is set to open this winter in the former Heart Bar space in the center of the casino floor and steps away from Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood.
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ACR Poker unleashes biggest Venom tournament


American poker players who like big poker and big action should clear their calendars for ACR Poker's biggest tournament ever this spring. The popular online Venom tourney is back with a $12.5 million guaranteed prize pool, the largest in the Venom's five-year history, and $2.5 Million larger than last year's guarantee.

Running from 14 April to 1 May 2024, the $12.5 Million guaranteed Venom tournament represents the biggest online poker tournament the US has seen in almost 15 years. Sunday, 14 April will be the first of five Day 1 options. Day 2 will be on Monday, 29 April, followed by Day 3 on Tuesday, 30 April. The epic conclusion unfolds at the Final Table on Wednesday, 1 May, which will be live-streamed on ACR Poker's Twitch channel with commentary from Justin Kelly and a host of other poker guests.

The champion of the Venom's 5th Anniversary tournament is guaranteed at least $1 Million, marking a milestone event that is anticipated to create at least three millionaires this year, and offering aspiring players the chance to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner Brandon Lulov 'S3L3NAGOM3ZZ'. The U.S. poker pro triumphed over a 3,522 strong field to win the $1,577,970 top prize, navigating through a Final Table that featured notable players like ACR Pro John Van Fleet 'Apestyles' and high-stakes pro Chris Hunichen '2Rich2Care'.

"Jumping into prestigious tournaments like the Venom is hands-down the best way to improve your game and feel the excitement of big tournament action," said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. "With $12.5 million up for grabs and lots of ways to qualify for as little as $0 through freerolls and satellites, there's never been a better time to have your 'One Time' and take a shot at ACR's biggest tourney ever. See you at the tables."

This year's Venom direct buy-in is $2,650, however there are plenty of other cheaper ways for players to get their seat. These include The Beast and Step tournaments, as well as hundreds of seats up for grabs through Venom Fever satellites.
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sabato 20 gennaio 2024

ESA Gaming launches first title of 2024 with Clover Mine


ESA Gaming, the innovative games provider, has unveiled the seventh installment in its captivating Mine game series, Clover Mine.

The instant-win game presents a cheerful Irish theme coupled with fast-paced gameplay. Players choose their risk level through the number of hidden mines and pick the clover leaves in a quest to discover pots of gold, testing their luck for a chance to secure the x3,886.00 max win.

Clover Mine marks the supplier's inaugural release for 2024, joining the EasySwipe suite of games and an expanding collection of diverse content within its portfolio. This includes an array of Mine games such as Dragon Mine and Goal Mine, complemented by the thrilling crash-style game Big Fish Bonanza and the newly introduced slot, 12 Deadly Spins.

ESA Gaming's lightweight, mobile-first titles seamlessly integrate into operators' sportsbooks or gaming sites, delivering swift performance and unrivalled cross-selling opportunities.

The launch serves as the catalyst for the supplier's content roadmap for the year, featuring a mix of non-traditional content and a lineup of slots. This strategic move reflects the supplier's commitment to expanding the depth and diversity of its portfolio.

Thomas Smallwood, Head of Marketing at ESA Gaming, said: “This release not only reinforces our commitment to providing our partners with captivating gaming experiences but also sets the stage for what is set to be a promising content roadmap in 2024."

“Clover Mine, with its lively Irish theme and dynamic gameplay, exemplifies our dedication to pushing the boundaries of entertainment in the iGaming industry."January, a lucky Caesars Rewards member from California hit a six-card straight flush and won $113,581 while playing I Luv Suits poker.

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