WPT LA Poker Classic: Phil Ivey still in competition for Day 3

The main event of $ 10,000 buy-in of the World Poker Tour LA Poker Classic (WPT) is in its third day of competition today. During the Day 1, they were 523 players who joined the poker room of Commerce Casino in Los Angeles to take part in the tournament. As one of the circuit stop the busiest, the WPT LA Poker Classic attracted numerous poker stars as the famous Phil Ivey, who is back on poker tables since the beginning of this year 2012. At the end of the day, 395 players managed to get their ticket for Day 2 and Ivey was part of this list with a stack level well below the average. The Day 1B was held on Saturday, Feb. 25, and in total, organizers registered a field of 549 participants.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

EPT Copenhagen: Victory of Mickey Peterson

Among one of the cleverest in the world of online poker, Mickey Petersen won with brightness the title of the European Poker Tour Copenhagen (EPT). The Danes won against his opponents on the final table and also succeeded in ousting his competitor's final duel, who is none other than the Belgian player Pierre Neuville with his aggressiveness and his talent. For the second time, Pierre Neuville had to give up his dreams, because indeed, he has already missed the title at the EPT Vilamoura in 2009. This is then a huge success for the Danish player who comes to record his first major achievement in live tournaments and in the EPT circuit and who has also just bring up the flag of his country. This victory let him then to win the first prize amounting $ 455,000, the trophy and a Shamballa bracelet.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Partouche Super Sat Aix-en-Provence: The first to Adil Iddir

Last weekend, the Pasino of Aix-en-Provence, in France welcomed the 323 poker players who registered for the Partouche Poker Tour Super Satellite. This field was composed by poker enthusiasts who qualified in the online poker room and in satellite tournaments of € 170 held at the casino and those who paid the buy-in of € 1,250. Having earned his place in satellite tournaments of € 170, Adil Iddir managed to win against his 322 competitors and finally obtained the title and the first prize of € 16,000. He made a good run because he began the second day of competition as chipleader. He managed to remove Luis Damien, the chipleader at the table at a time when there were only four players in the race. During the final duel, perseverance and performance enabled him to oust Magalie Fabron who pocketed the second prize of € 9,200 as runner-up.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

EPT Copenhagen Day 3: Pierre Neuville as chipleader

After the three first days of the European Poker Tour Copenhagen (EPT) that was full of surprises as well as for qualified players than for eliminated as Arnaud Mattern, the poker tournament continued with the Day 3 during which the 176 qualified players fight for the 24 places of the Day 4, the penultimate day of the EPT Copenhagen 2012. After a few hours of play, the 24 players were known gradually at the Casino Copenhagen with the Belgian Pierre Neuville as chipleader with a stack of 780,000 chips. Follower of the European Poker Tour, the Belgian has already registered a nice performance in the past with in particular a place of runner up and two final tables. He also has many EPT cashes at his prizelist.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

WSOPC Florida: A real success for the inaugural event with more than 2,600 participants

Palm Beach Kennel Club of Floride host actually a stopover of the World Series Of Poker Circuit. A real success is awaited for all the continuation of this edition 2012 according to the number of registered players during the opening event. A stuning turnout of 2,607 participants generating a prizepool of $ 1,250,345 was effectively registered during this No-limit Hold'em of € 555 buy-in. Organizers have even some difficulties to ensure the security and they ask help from the local police to guarantee the good progress of the tournament. Effectively, players had to wait seven hours before having a place on a table. The tournament began on February 26 and was planned to run during 3 days but the final table was postponed and held on last Monday.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

PPT Super Sat: The next stage in Aix-en-Provence this weekend

It's in the south of France that followers of the tournament Partouche Poker Tour will meet. Effectively, the Super Satellite, the qualifier tournament for the final of the 5th season will have a stopover in Aix-en-Provence on next February 25 and 26. As usual, organizers prepared a very interesting program that will let participants to play poker in a friendly and professional atmosphere. The flagship event which is the main event of € 1,250 buy-in with a guaranteed prizepool of € 40,000 will begin then this February 26 from 2:00 pm. It's a nice tournament according to its structure because players will face each other with a starting stack of 20,000 chips and rounds of 40 minutes. At this Satellite of the PPT, 10% of players will receive packages for the final in Cannes. However, 4 packages for the world championship of poker will be also distributed.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

International Stadiums Poker Tour: Other steps announced

Utopia or reality, the International Poker Tour Stadiums (ISPT) looks just the same as the tournament not to miss this year on the Old Continent, at least as envisaged by Bernard Tapie Group. The words of its president, Laurent Tapie, who is also the co-founder of the ISPT Holding with Bernard Tapie himself and Prosper Masquelier continue to animate the headlines of poker news. Indeed, the ISPT promises to be spectacular with its guaranteed prize of € 20 million, more than 30,000 participants and the Wembley Stadium as place where it will be held. And the particularity of this event is that it will be held in internationally renowned stadiums.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

EPT Copenhagen: Melanie Weisner lead after the Day 2

The European Poker Tour (EPT) Copenhagen gathered finally a total field of 299 participants. While the Day 1A saw a small crowd with 83 registered players, 217 poker enthusiasts from 35 different countries joined the poker room at Casino Copenhagen to take part in Day 1B. However, a sharp drop in attendance was recognized as last year, there were 499 players who attended the event. At the start of Day 2, this field narrowed to 179 players and Steve O'Dwyer was in the lead with 190,975 chips in hand. Other professionals such as the finalist of the EPT Prague and the Partouche Poker Tour 2011 Mads Wissings, Roberto Romanello, Juha Helppi and Marcel Bjerkmann are also part of the top 10. And other favorites as Martin Jacobson, Anton Wigg, Luca Pagano and Victor Blom are still in contention.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

WPT LA Poker Classic: Kick-off of the main event this Friday, February 24

The celebration of the LA Poker Classic (LAPC) began last month at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. Indeed, this poker festival composed of fifty events started since January 18, 2012. Players who came at Commerce Casino have played poker no-limit hold'em, pot limit Omaha, Deepstacks, Omaha eight or better, or Heads Up Seven Card Stud. But the highlight of the celebration will be the World Poker Tour LA Poker Classic of $ 10,000 which kickoff will be held this Friday, February 24. The coronation should take place on February 29. Note that this event attracts many poker enthusiasts each year. Since its existence, the main event of the WPT LAPC recorded more than $ 40 million prize pool of which 11.5 million were awarded to six champions including top players such as Gus Hansen, Michael Mizrachi, Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Ivey.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Wynn Poker Classic 2012: The kickoff for this February 23

Having became an annual gathering of followers of poker, the Wynn Classic 2012 tournament will take place from February 23 to March 25. It will be once again a great poker festival which will consist of 16 events with different buy-in. Participants will then have a large choice. The flagship event is the Wynn Classic Championship of $ 5,170 which will begin on March 12, 2012 and on March 15, the one who will succeed to Tim West, the champion of the edition 2011 that ousted the young Annette Obrestad during the final duel, will be crowned. Note that the main event in 2011 brought together a field of 212 participants composed of many poker pros as Matthew Waxman, who finished 3rd, Max Steinberg who finished 4 th and Eric Froelich who held the 5 th place. The prize pool totalled $ 1,028,200 and the largest share in the amount of $ 318,738 was awarded to the winner.

Friday, 24 February 2012

UKIPT: Ellet Mullin crowned during the Galway step

The results of the inaugural stage of the United Kingdom & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) of this year held at Radisson Hotel in Galway are known. After four days of fairly hectic fighting, Emmett Mullin emerge finally victorious from the tournament and pocketed for this feat the top prize of $ 100,000. Note that a deal has been established by the last three players in the race about the allocation of the prize pool. The final table between the 9 last players began on Monday, February 20, 2012. Each competitor gave his best to continue racing as long as possible in order to win the title and reward. However, the eliminations were unavoidable and Joris Ruijs, holder of one of the lowest stack at the table, was the first victim. He was followed five minutes later by Richard Haile.

Friday, 24 February 2012

Gembloux Poker Fair: Another edition scheduled for February 25 and 26

Given the success of the first four previous editions, the organizers of the Gembloux Poker Fair decided to hold another edition this year, the fifth of its kind. Indeed, they hope to repeat the success of the event 2011 which brought together 1,500 visitors. This year's event will take place on February 25 and 26 at the community center of Gembloux, near Namur, in Belgium. This show became a popular meeting point for fans as they can play poker, discover new poker material and win various prizes. Indeed, several tournaments are held at the fair as Sit & Go, Deepstack... Through the collaboration between the organizers and various sponsors, the best players will receive great rewards such as access to live or online poker tournaments, polo shirts, packages for events in major European poker tour, T-shirts and materials of poker. But what's even better is that amateurs and beginners of the game will get a chance to improve their competence.

Friday, 24 February 2012

Benidorm Poker Tour: A new tournament for unprofessional

After the onset of the Florida Poker Tour, the Land Sea Poker Tour and the Arena Poker Camp, a new amateur poker tournament just see the day. This is the Benidorm Poker Tour, an event organized in southern Spain, dedicated to European poker enthusiasts. The first stage of this event is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 29, 2012 and participants will be welcomed into the luxurious Benidorm Plaza Hotel. The organizers of this new circuit are aiming to allow fans to play poker in a professional setting while offering them the chance to access more interesting tournaments.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Latin American Poker Tour: Daniele Nestola grabs the trophy

The fourth season of the Latin American Poker Tour ended with the victory of Daniele Nestola during the grand finale which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The final table was held on Monday, February 20 after four days of action-packed and emotion. Note that many poker enthusiasts who come from different European cities and Canada made the trip. The Canadian poker pro, Daniel Negreanu has even incorporated the list of qualified for the final table. Unfortunately, he lost at the sixth place. The only representative of Brazil during this final battle, Vitor Torres, didn't also managed to clinch victory and settled for the 7 th place.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

EPT Copenhagen: Only 83 players registered for the Day 1A

At first glance, the European Poker Tour (EPT) Copenhagen 2012 is far from as successful as the edition 2011. Indeed, the first qualifying day gathered only 83 participants. It will be thus a little bit difficult to believe that the field can reach 449 participants as recorded in the last edition. Despite the low attendance, a nice show have been available on the gaming tables because well known players attended the event. In addition, Steve O'Dwyer who was awarded the runner up place at the stage of London was able to seize the chip lead up at the end of the day. He colleted 190,975 chips at the end of the day. Roberto Romanello, Anthony Hnatow and Melanie Weisner are among the top 10. While Arnaud Mattern was not in a very fit at the end of Day 1A, his compatriot, Hnatow is ready to defend the honour of France with 70,500 chips in hand.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

WSOP Africa: Scotty Nguyen nominated ambassador to promote it

For the second time, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) will have a stage on the African continent, in South Africa specifically. After a first stage less glorious, the tournament promises to be more attractive this year as the organizers decided to call a master of poker to fill the role of ambassador, a decision in order to promote the event. Scotty Nguyen was elected to do this, the world champion of poker in 1998 and owner of five WSOP bracelets. The player told be honored by this choice. Note that the organizers count on his talent and showmanship to enliven the public and ensure the success of the tournament.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Unibet Open Prague 2012: Filip Verboven pocketed the title

The € 1,650 main event of the poker tournament Unibet Open in Prague delivered its verdict this weekend. It was the Belgian player Filip Verboven who took the victory with a bonus of € 100,000. He triumphed face to 254 participants and won the final table. Indeed, it only took a few minutes for him to win the so coveted title by members of this last round. The French player Flavien Guenan has meanwhile left the game in the 9th position. The Romanian dan Murariu, winner in 2010, the Dutchman Hans Sybrandi, the Poles Tomasz Kozub and the Belgian Gerret van Lecker then joined the bench of eliminated just a few time after.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

LAPT Punta del Este: A prize pool of $ 1,343,100 gathered for the main event

The Grand Finale of the Latin American Poker Tour 2012 (LAPT) began on Friday, February 17 in the poker room of Casino Punta del Este, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main event of Reias 4,000, a sum equivalent to $ 2,330, brought together 367 participants, which generated a total prize pool of $ 1,343,100. The event is already in its third day of competition and it remains only 24 players. Some well known players have been already defeated during the second day of competition and didn't even managed to access the list of paid places. Nacho Barbero, Jorge Periera, Bill Gazes and Felope Ramos were among them. The local poker pro Felipe Ramo also had the misfortune to be in place of the bubble boy. The Champion of the World Series of Poker Europe Elio Fox, Leo Fernandez and Patrick Mahoney accessed for their part the money list.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

EPT: In Copenhagen from February 19 to 25, 2012

From February 19 to 25, 2012, fans of the European Poker Tour (EPT) circuit are expected in Copenhagen, the capital and one of the biggest cities of Denmark. Last year's EPT Copenhagen was a resounding success as its main event brought together a field of 449 participants generating a prize pool of $ 2,769,554 of which the largest share, $ 679,244 was awarded to Michael Tureniec for his excellent feat. This year again, the same success is expected as the main event open for $ 6,600 buy-in will begin on February 20, 2012 and will be spread over five days of competition. In addition to this flagship tournament, various interesting events will be scheduled during the edition 2012.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Chicago Charity Poker Championship: The tournament of One Step Programs for March 1st

For the seventh consecutive year, One Step Programs, a charity invites poker enthusiasts to participate in its charity tournament to be held on March 1st, 2012 at River East Art Center in Chicago, Illinois. This is once again a great opportunity to play poker for a good cause because, profits at this international event will be awarded to Children's Incology Services Inc. (COSI), a department of Memorial Hospital Chicago, which supports children having cancer. According to the association One Step Programs, the goal is to allow these sick children to enjoy their childhood in the best possible conditions. The fact of having been diagnosed with a serious disease should not be an obstacle to their development. Thus, with the money raised at this poker tournament, children of COSI will be able to go on a ski vacation or participate in other funny activities.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

IPT Season 3: At Nova Gorica in a week

From next week, poker enthusiasts around the world, especially Italians are invited at the Italian Poker Tour for its penultimate stage of the Season 3. After the IPT San Remo that ended with the victory of Oleksii Kovalchuk face to a field of 350 players, the next stage of the Italian Poker Tour will be held in Perla Casino for the IPT Nova Gorica 2012. On Saturday 25 to Tuesday, February 29, Perla Casino will receive the Mini IPT Nova Gorica, where nearly 500 players are expected for a small buy-in of € 400. Satellites to qualify for the Main Event and side events are planned during the five days of game. This event will be a foretaste of what will be the IPT Nova Gorica.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open: Matt Juttelstad pockets the $ 268,444

The final table of the World Poker Tour Lucky Hearts Poker Open took place as agreed on Tuesday, February 14 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida with the coronation of Matt Juttelstad. During the four days of poker tournament, Matt Juttelstad and Gigi Gagne exchanged hand after hand the chip lead and was left to the advantage of Gigi Gagne at the entrance of the final table. Six players survived to the final table like Sharon Levin, Uri Kadosh, Matt Juttelstad, Gigi Gagne, Keith Ferrera and Todd Jacobson but ultimately, it is Juttelstad who won and pocketed the big prize of $ 268,444.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Arena Poker Camp: A poker stay in Indalo Park

Poker tournaments are experiencing more and more participants encouraging event organizers to embark in new formula that attract people : combining poker with other animations. On next Sunday 15 to Saturday, April 21, poker enthusiasts can relax and enjoy a poker stay during the Arena Poker Camp. This poker event to be held during a week was set up by Nicolas Delvaux and Cyrill Missillier and will be held in Santa Susana, in Spain for the delight of players in search of relaxation having as main topic poker. For its first edition, the Arena Poker Camp is based on a unique concept where poker enthusiasts can relax, train, meet professionals of live poker and of course participate in many tournaments, all this in the beautiful design of the prestigious Hotel Indalo Park.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Deepstack Club Poker: Naus chipleader of the Day 1A

The city of Paris is actually the meeting place of lovers of poker with the holding of the Deepstack Club Poker. The Day 1A gathered 128 registered players but at the end of the day, only 54 players survived to Day 2. This event is held since February 16 until February 19 at the Aviation Club de France with a buy-in of € 250 and a structure with 30,000 starting chips and levels of 60 minutes. Sebastian Naus ended the day 1A as chipleader with a stack of 189,000 chips. Jonathan Guez is the runner up of the same day with 127,000 chips followed by Xavier Hugonet (122,000), Stephane Malhuret (115,000), Stephane Tayar (107,000), Ronan Monfort (93,000), Elsa Bargiarelli (87,000), Rodolphe Finck (77,000), Laurent Vigne (70,000) and Damien Mesgard (68,000).

Monday, 20 February 2012

WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open: Diane "Gigi" Gagne leads the final table

In Florida, the attention of poker fans are riveted to the World Poker Tour Lucky Hearts Poker Open. After a second very busy day, the 34 survivors of Day 2 met again at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in order to decide to designate the six players who will integrate the final table. Matt Juttelstad started the day as chipleader with a stack of 805,000 chips but after nine hours of play, the runner up of Day 2, Diane "Gigi" Gagne took over the top spot by accumulating more than 2.5 million chips. Matt Juttelstad will have then, at the beginning of the final table, a million chips less than the leader.

Friday, 17 February 2012

National Marbella Poker Festival: A new stage of the WPT not to miss

As part of the celebration of the 10 th anniversary of the poker circuit World Poker Tour (WPT), its organizers decided to include in the program new steps and some novelty intended to broaden the destinations that fans can discover with the circuit. From April 19 to 27, therefore, they have rendezvous in Marbella, Spain to attend a festival of poker which is the WPT National Marbella Poker Festival to be held at the luxurious Puerto Banus. During this step of the WPT edition 2012 so, players can play in various events starting with the € 1,650 buy-in main event which kickoff is scheduled for April 20. It will consist of two first days of qualifying and the final table will be broadcast on television.

Friday, 17 February 2012

WSOPC: Kurt Jewell won the Harrah's Tunica stage

After three days of intense poker, Kurt Jewell finally win the title of champion of the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Harrah's Tunica, Mississippi. Note that the $ 1,600 buy-in main event was attended by 647 participants. It was a great success compared to last year's tournament during which a field of 480 participants were registered at the event. During the third day of competition, while there were only 16 survivors in the race, Kurt Jewell showed his best poker, which proved to be profitable and propelled him to victory. It, however, took him nine hours to reach his goal. Thanks to his efforts and talent, this player finally won the trophy, the first prize of $ 192,984, a place for the National Championship and his third gold ring.

Friday, 17 February 2012

PPD Lyon: Success of the event with a victory of Offir Salomon

A huge success was recorded during the stage of the Partouche Poker Deepstack (PPD) in Lyon last weekend. Indeed, despite the chilly climate, it was a very attractive event because there was a broad field of 500 participants who registered there. Well known players such as Flavian Guénant, Antonin Teisseire, Margaux Ponnelle, Leo Truche, Bruno Launais, Ondine Monnanteuil and many journalists were present there. After the first two days of competition, there were only 33 survivors with Jean-Pierre Ricci as chipleader. In addition, he managed to access the list of finalists. But finally, he rolled to the 8 th place, pocketing however, a prize of € 4,000.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

WPT Lucky Hearts: Many players present at Seminole Hard Rock Casino

While the World Poker Tour Venice (WPT) has just delivered its results, the WPT Lucky Hearts is coming to its second day of competition. Having started last Friday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Florida, the $ 3,500 buy-in Main event brought together a field of 295 participants including 125 registered on Day 1A and 170 at Day 1B. The presence of Jason Mercier marked the first qualifying day because he was crowned "WPT Player of the day." Note that Jason Mercier is looking for a WPT trophy to win the famous Triple Crown because he already has a victory at the European Poker Tour and a bracelet of the World Series of Poker. And the moment, he seems to be well positioned to win the title he covets so much because he has the eighth largest stack of the Day 2.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Mazagan Poker Million: Victory of Alberto Saade in Morocco

Last weekend, French and Moroccan poker enthusiasts gathered in Morocco for the Mazagan Poker Million, an event which took place in the luxurious 5-star hotel Mazagan Beach Resort. The event of € 1,100 buy-in had a great success because during these two days of poker in this prestigious setting, 139 players registered for the Main Event of one million dirhams prize pool. Many French players made the trip like the two world champions at the WSOP 2011, at the HORSE and PLO event : Fabrice Soulier and Elie Payan but also other well-known players as Roger Hairabedian, Jean Paul Pasqualini and Alain Roy. But at the end, it is the Lebanese Alberto Saade who won during the Main Event after a head's up against Med Bennani. The Lebanese therefor won 275,000 dirhams or the equivalent of € 24,700.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Marrakech Poker Open: Kick off the 25th edition on February 15

It remains only a few days before the beginning of the 25th edition of the Marrakech Poker Open. Indeed, those who like this poker circuit will meet again in the famous Casino Es Saadi of Marrakech from February 15 to 19. As usual, the main event of € 1,350 buy-in will be the event not to miss in this tournament. It is expected to attract many participants as possible especially as this tournament has a guaranteed prize amounting one million dirhams. The main event will spread over during three days and will run from February 17. Regarding the structure, it will be a Deepstack tournament. Competitors will receive 50,000 starting chips for a level of play of 45 minutes. In addition to online poker tournaments that can let players get packages for the MPO 2012, four qualifying satellites for the main event, accessible for € 135 will be also on the agenda of this poker festival in Morocco.

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Land Sea Poker Tour: The Season II will begin in Algarve

If the first season of the amateur poker circuit Land Sea Poker Tour (LSPT) was a huge success, the second season that will begin on February 20 promises to be even more interesting. Indeed, from February 20 to 25, followers of the circuit are expected at Algarve, in southern Portugal at the Hotel Grand Real Santa Eulalia. This is a luxurious resort located on the beach of Santa Eulalia Albufeira. As usual, the organizers wanted to keep the concept of the tournament which is to enable participants of the tournament to play poker and enjoy a relaxing holiday in a unique setting. Those who join Algarve for the first stage of the LSPT will be entitled to various leisure activities such as sessions at the spa, swimming in heated pools or tennis courts during their stay.

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

EPT Deauville: A very good turnout for the side-events

Alongside the main event which was won by Vadzim Kursevich, the EPT Deauville Season 4 had also in its program several side events. A total of 20 side events of buy-ins ranging from € 100 to € 10,000 were played for a week at the Centre International de Deauville, transformed into a poker room from January 31 to February 6. We can mention among others the NLHE Bounty (€ 1,100), the PLO (€ 1,100), the NLHE Heads-Up (€ 5,300), the High Roller (€ 10,300), the NLHE (€ 2,200), the NLHE Deepstack (€ 880) or the High Roller Turbo (€ 5,250). Many poker players participated in these side events, judging by the turnout registered at the € 1,500 NLHE, at the € 2,000 and the € 10,000 NLHE High Roller with the respective participation of 378, 289 and 72 players, these three events generated together the biggest prize pools in the tournament: € 554,320 for the € 1,500 NLHE, € 554,800 for the € 2,000 NLHE and € 691,200 for the € 10,000 High Roller.

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

APPT: The stage of Cebu unveils its program

Appointment highly anticipated by poker enthusiasts in Asia, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) will stop in Cebu, Philippines. This passage is the most popular stage of the tournament. And this year, it will be held at the famous Waterfront Hotel and Casino on April 25 to 30. A wonderful program will receive players who will join Cebu to attend this event. The flagship event of the APPT Cebu will be the main event of PHP 100,000 buy-in, equivalent to $ 2,350. It will be held during three days and will start on Wednesday, April 25. The APPT Cebu also has a High Roller tournament of $ 5,496 buy-in that won't fail to gather regulars of this Asian poker appointment.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

EMOP Prague: Victory of the Swedish Nils Jarefjδll

The Swedish Nils Jarefjäll won the trophy of the inaugural stage of the European Masters of Poker (EMOP) season 4. Indeed, having been in pole position at the beginning of the final table, the Swedish maintain his ranking until the end and accumulated a large advantage in number of stack before the final duel. After a deal with Pim Van Wieringen, Jarefjäll was elected, at the conclusion of the EMOP Prague final, champion and pocketed the opportunity for a gain of € 52,277. Note that this tournament of € 1,100 buy-in was attended by 229 competitors. The talent of the Swedish is not unknown to the public because it's his second victory in the EMOP circuit. Indeed, Jarefjäll had the privilege to climb at the top of the podium in the poker room of Las Palmas casino in the Canary Islands by winning the title at the € 1,000 main event of this stage of the second season of the EMOP 2010.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

GPI Player of the Year 2012: Duhamel in the top spot

Each week, the live poker player who reaches the top of the Global Poker Index (GPI) is awarded the title of Best Player of the week. The ranking changes weekly according to the performance of players after a tournament in progress and also some other criteria. For this year, the Federated Sports + Gaming (FS + G) is launching the "Global Poker Index Player of the Year" which will reward the best of 1,000 players of the GPI ranking who participated in live tournaments eligible for the vote : buy-in ($ 1,500 minimum), earnings, final place and number of participants (21 players at least). Depending on the result he accumulated over the past three years, the best player in the GPI rankings will receive award from the Federated Sports + Gaming.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Genting Poker Series: The trophy of the inaugural stage to Ruslan Vlasov

The opening stage of the new poker circuit Genting Poker Series, held at Star City Casino in Birmingham, England last weekend, was a huge success. Indeed, the tournament attracted a field of 365 participants generating a prizepool of £ 146,000 during its main event of £ 430 buy-in. After the competition, the native of Nottingham, Ruslan Vlasov, won the title with a first prize of £ 18,200. The happy champion also won his place for the grand final of the tournament open for £ 1,600, and to be held at Palm Beach Casino in London, in December. Note that this is the first major feat accomplished by Vlasov. However, he is a regular of cash game tournaments. He also showed he has talent to play poker during the final heads-up that oppose him to Neil Ryder. This duel took place in a very short time. And occupying the position of runner-up, Neil Ryder pocketed £ 13,700.

Friday, 10 February 2012

WPT Venice Grand Prix: Marcel Bjerkmann lead for Day 3

For his second stage in the romantic city of Venice, the World Poker Tour (WPT) brought together 155 participants composed of many top players. After the first qualifying day, the field was quickly narrowed to 89 survivors and the local player, member of the November Nine in 2011, Filippo Candio reached the place of chipleader with 227,900 chips. He triumphed in front of well-known players like Mike Sexton, Tony G or James Akenhead. To the delight of the French public in the poker room of Casino Di Venezia, their compatriot Nicolas Levi managed to sit in the top 10 at the start of the second day of competition.

Friday, 10 February 2012

Online poker: 1.2 million active accounts in France with more women

Since the legalization of online gambling market in France, many people engage in this activity. According to the report of the Regulatory Authority of Online Games (ARJEL), during the fourth quarter of 2011, more and more women play in online poker. However, during the same period of 2010, the female population constituted only 9% of the population of online poker players. This rate increased to 11% in Q4 2011. The other highlight of the year 2011 according to this statistics is the growing of online poker market in France despite a contrast between the offer of tournament and cash game which recorded a slight decline. Poker continues to grow, judging by the rising of offers tournament which grow by 24% which means a combined entrance fee of more than € 320M while the offer of cash game register a decrease of 3% or € 1.869 million less than in 2010.

Friday, 10 February 2012

EPT Deauville Season 4: Kursevich as winner

Renowned event on the European circuit of live poker, the European Poker Tour Deauville has always been a great success. This poker tournament of € 5,300 buy-in was attended by 889 players during the few days of the Main Event. After a week of tough competition, the eight finalists met at the Centre International de Deauville for the final table with an important presence of French players. The final table was composed of five French players like the chipleader Paul Guichard who finished with 5,955,000 chips at the entrance to the final, Olivier Rogez (4,415,000), Bruno Jais (3,450,000), Than Vuong Trong (2,570,000), Yorane Kerignard (1.68 million), the Irishman Mick Graydon (960,000), the Belarussian Vadzim Kursevich (5.67 million) and the Italian Luca Pagano (2.01 million).

Thursday, 09 February 2012

Partouche Poker Deepstack: The next step in Lyon Vert casino

Those who like playing deepstack poker are expected at Le Lyon Vert casino next weekend to attend the fourth stage of the tournament Partouche Poker Deepstack (PPD). Indeed, after stopovers in Forges-les-Eaux, Knocke and Divonne-les-bains, the circuit will visit the French town of Lyon from February 10 to 12. The structure of the tournament remains the same, players who paid the buy-in of € 500 will compete on tables of Partouche casino with 50,000 starting chips for levels of one hour. As usual, a guaranteed prize of € 100,000 will be proposed by organizers. Organizers hope to receive the same success as that of Divonne-les-Bains. Note that there were 300 competitors registered at this stage. Members of different poker club like Lyon Holdem, Poker à Lyon and Tripot Holdem Club will be certainly part of.

Thursday, 09 February 2012

World Poker Tour: Kick off of the Venetian stage

Since Monday, February 6, the Casino di Venezia, in the city of Venice hosted poker enthusiasts who came there to compete for the title of the World Poker Tour Venice (WPT). Indeed, the € 4,950 buy-in main event of this phase has just begun. Note that this event attracted last year a field of 523 participants and the title went into the hands of the local player Alessio Isaia. This year, well-known players as Guillaume Darcourt, James Akenhead, Nicolas Levi, John Eames, Fabrice Soulier, Marvin Rettenmaier, Kara Scott, Jake Cody, Tony G, Roberto Romanello and the WPT Player of the Year Andy Frankenberger have already been seen in the poker room at the first qualifying day.

Thursday, 09 February 2012

EPT Grand Final: A Super High Roller of € 100,000 will mark the come back in Monaco

After a transit in Madrid, in the bright sun of Spain last year, the grand finale of the European Poker Tour (EPT), the most famous European poker circuit, will make a comeback in Monaco this year. Indeed, lovers of the circuit will gather in the lavish poker room of Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Casino on April 23 to May 1, 2012. As usual, several tournaments that will delight amateurs and professionals of this discipline apart from the main event of € 10,000 buy-in will be in the program. Moreover, the tournament director, Edgar Stuchly, announced that the final of the 8th season of the EPT will be a great festival of poker. Thus, for the first time in history, a Super High Roller of € 100,000 buy-in will be organized as part of the final. The event will run from April 23 to 25. Already Victor Bloom, the great lucky who won the Super High Roller of the Pokerstars Caribbean Poker Adventure, has already confirmed his presence at this major event.

Wednesday, 08 February 2012

Brazil: Recognition of poker as a sport

Great news had just fell in the middle of poker in Brazil. Indeed, the Brazilian government has just declared that poker is a sport of mind and recognized thus the Confederação Brasileira de Texas Hold'em (CBTH) as an official poker league. This recognition is a major victory for local poker enthusiasts because now they will be considered as athletes while they are classified as gamblers in other countries such as France, the U.S.A or the UK. Many variations of poker as Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Razz or Seven Card Stud are part of poker disciplines represented by the league. The Brazilian Ministry of Sports provided some explanations about this announcement. He explained that this decision was taken because they know that poker is a game that requires intelligence, a good competitive spirit and a great ability to reason.

Wednesday, 08 February 2012

EMOP Prague: Nils Jarefjδll as chipleader of the final table

Alongside the European Poker Tour Deauville (EPT), last week was also marked by another tournament but was this time held in the heart of Eastern Europe, in Prague. It was the first step of the European Masters of Poker season 4. Held from February 2 to 5, the € 1,100 buy-in Main Event of the EMOP Prague brought together 231 players during the two days of entry and which, finally let to 27 of them to be part of the list of paid players with € 58,900 for the winner and € 35,340 for the runner up. This step, which took place at Gran Casino of Prague marked the beginning of the Season 4. Indeed the capital of the Czech Republic inaugurated the opening of the edition 2012 of the European Masters of Poker that will consist of four tournaments: the EMOP Lisbon from March 29 to April 1st at Gran Casino of Estoril, the EMOP Bulgaria from June 5 to 12, the EMOP Barcelona from September 13 to 16 and the EMOP Dublin planned for November but the date has not yet been set.

Wednesday, 08 February 2012

High Speed Hold'em On The Halifax: A charity tournament supported by Annie Duke

On February 22, 2012, a charity tournament called High Speed Hold'em on The Halifax will be organized to the benefit of Nascar Foundation, a charity of Halifax in Canada. The event will run from 7:00 to 10 pm in a poker room arranged for the event at MG. Known for her great contribution in charity events, Annie Duke, the famous poker player and founder of the Epic Poker League, will hold the role of tournament director during this evening. Note that celebrities in stock-car racing as well as renowned poker players will be among the field of 200 participants of this $ 500 buy-in event.

Tuesday, 07 February 2012

Genting Poker Series: The first stage began in Birmingham

The first stage of the new poker circuit called Genting Poker Series (GPS) has just been launched. Indeed, the Star City Casino in Birmingham, England met since last February 2 poker enthusiasts who came massively to participate in the £ 440 buy-in main event. About the structure of the tournament, two first days qualifying are in the program and competitors will receive 25,000 starting chips for levels of 60 minutes. On last Wednesday February 1st, a satellite tournament qualifier for the main event was also organized. Note that this main tournament has a guaranteed prizepool of £ 100,000.

Tuesday, 07 February 2012

EPT Deauville Day 2: Martins Adeniya concludes as chipleader

After the Day 1, the French stage in Deauville on the European Poker Tour (EPT) Season 8 is ongoing. The 178 players who qualified for Day 3 met at the Centre International de Deauville to identify players who will continue the adventure. The Moroccan Toufik Ouirini started the day as chipleader but in the end, it is Martins Adeniya who terminate in the top of the table with over 512,000 chips. The Englishman is in the best position to continue the rest of the main event by accumulating a stack of half million chips while his first pursuers, Artem Litvinok and Ludovic Lacay have respectively 397,000 and 377,000 chips.

Tuesday, 07 February 2012

Full Tilt Poker : Laurent Tapie sheds light on the goings on behind the scenes

Laurent Tapie has confirmed the statements made by his lawyer Ben Dayanim on Thursday; that the refusal of some of the ex-Full Tilt professionals to repay the money they owe to the group could block the takeover agreement should it remain unresolved.

Saturday, 04 February 2012

World Series of Poker 2012: No November Nine for the 43rd edition

The program of the 43rd World Series of Poker (WSOP), the edition 2012, which will take place from May 27 to July 16 is finally known. This new edition has undergone significant changes especially in its main event. Indeed, it is now confirmed that the final shifted in the month of November is canceled. Thus, the main event of the WSOP 2012 with the final will be held from July 7 to 16. The structure of the event and the buy-in will remain the same, but, the organizers decided that there will be no day off. During this tournament, 480 additional tables will be installed in the poker room, allowing organizers to welcome 1,000 more participants.

Saturday, 04 February 2012

Australia New Zealand Poker Tour: The program of the season unveiled

After the Aussie Millions 2012, poker enthusiasts in the southern hemisphere will have the chance to participate in another fascinating poker festival which is the Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT). The circuit is now at its fourth edition and the opening stage will be held in Sydney in March 2012. The ANZPT Sydney will be held at The Star Casino on March 22 to 25 with a main event open for $ 2,200 buy-in. After this first step, the ANZPT is scheduled to stop at Jupiters Casino Gold Coast in Australia in June. The entry fee of the main event of this meeting is set at $ 2,200.

Saturday, 04 February 2012

EPT Deauville season 8: Toufik Ouirini, chipleader at the start of Day 2

The magnificent city of Deauville welcomed since Tuesday, January 31 a stage of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Season 8 at the Centre International de Deauville. This new edition of the EPT Deauville was clearly different since the first two Day 1 of the Main Event due to a number of affluence as impressive as last year. Indeed, the Day 1A and Day 1B of the Main Event brought together 889 players. The Day 1A gathered 339 players who competed for eight levels. At the end of the day, 220 players survived with Kristijonas Andrulis as chip leader. This Lithuanian player became known for the first time during the EPT Tallinn 2010 with his victory at the High Roller. Kristijonas Andrulis has 162,600 chips and behind him, we find Philippe Ma with 162,200 chips.

Saturday, 04 February 2012

CAPT: A very busy season 2012

Poker became popular with the various poker tournaments held in major European cities as well as through online poker. Some countries are not yet included in the round of major tournaments like the WSOP, the WPT or the EPT, but are still known by well-organized tournament with a crowd that has nothing to envy with the other tournaments on the international circuit. In Austria, Casinos Austria Poker Tour (CAPT) is the ultimate tournament that is played in various casinos in the country. This year, the CAPT 2011 took place from March 25 to September 11 in six different institutions that are the Grand Casino Baden, Bregenz, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Velden. The Casinos Austria Poker Tour will be back in 2012 to the delight of Austrian and international poker players in January 20 at Seefeld Casino. 500 players are expected with a prize pool of more than € 800,000.

Saturday, 04 February 2012

WSOPC Caesars Palace: Kevin Calenzo crowned champion

After a rough confrontation during the final table of the $ 1,600 buy-in main event of the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) at Caesars Palace, Kevin Calenzo was the player who reach the top of the podium in the poker room. He managed to win against the 662 other competitors composed of several top players as Justin Bonomo, Allen Cunningham and Andrew Lichtenberg. Three WSOP champions were also part of the game, but they failed to go far in the competition. Indeed, Jeff Madsen settled for the 8th place, Dutch Boyd finished sixth and Sean Getzwiller stopped his course at the bronze place. With his great feat, Calenzo won the first prize of $ 197,451, the gold bracelet and a ticket for the WSOPC National Championship.

Friday, 03 February 2012

CNEC final 2012: To be held at Salon de Provence

For four years, the Club of Clubs (CDC) organized in France the tournament for National Championship per Team Club (CNEC), an event that brings together many associations and poker clubs. Throughout 2011, they were 2,000 players, members of 184 poker clubs, to have participated in qualifying tournaments that were held in different cities of the Hexagon. In these competitions, the members of each poker club had to collect as many points as possible to let their associations participate in the final. On February 25 and 26, the 27 clubs will meet the lucky ones at the Salon de Provence to take part in the grand final which is organized by the Club of Provence with the support of the mayor of the city and the Circle of Arts and Crafts. This club composed of 150 members has been elected as organizer of the event by the CDC.

Friday, 03 February 2012

APT Asian Series Cebu 2012: The tournament is on!

After a stopover in London on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January, the largest live poker tournament in Asia, which is the Asian Poker Tour (APT), is back on its continent for the Asian Series Cebu 2012. Poker enthusiasts in this region but also from all around the world will meet there until next Tuesday in one of the largest countries of poker in Asia, the Philippines. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 1st until February 7, the APT Asian Series Cebu 2012 will be the meeting place for poker players in Asia in this beginning of the month. For this edition 2012 of the APT Asian Series Cebu, the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino will receive no less than 8 Side Events in addition to the Main Event.

Friday, 03 February 2012

Asian Poker Tour: Dorey won the London stopover

Since its inception in 2008, the Asian Poker Tour (APT) was known as one of the best poker tournament in Asia. The APT received such a reputation that the event is not only reserved for Asians. Thus, many European and American players often make the trip to India and the Philippines to participate in one of the first poker tournament in the continent. Given the turnout of Western players to participate in the tournament, the organizers found a new formula, including a world tour in its calendar. And last weekend, 125 people came to Fox Poker Club in London like Scott Shelley, Barny Boatman, Steve Watts, William Dorey, Romano Pizzo, Surinder Sunar, Pryian De Mel, Scott Shelley, Huntly Gordon and Phil Sanders. This field generated a total prizepool of £ 62,500. After two days of competition, the qualified for the final table was finally known with the qualification of nine players: Steve Watts, Stefan Wittmoss, An-Tuan Hoang, Mark Karoullas, Surinder Sunar, Duncan Mackie, Tolga Kuru, William Dorey and Alex Van de Weyer.

Thursday, 02 February 2012

IPT San Remo: Towards a second title of Kovalchuk

The start of the tournament Italian Poker Tour (IPT) San Remo was held on last Friday, January 27 in the poker room of San Remo casino. The € 2,200 buy-in event was attended by a total field of 248 players, generating a prizepool of € 675,000. After the first day of competition, it remains only 166 competitors. The Day 2 started on Saturday, January 28. Chipleader of the Day 1A, the Ukranian Oleksii Kovalchuk dominated the second day of competition. Thus, he still maintain his position as chipleader with 850,000 chips in hand. At this rhythm, Kovalchuk is on the way to achieve a double and win his second title at this Italian tournament.

Thursday, 02 February 2012

GUKPT Manchester: Hunter Lewis as winner of its first step of the year

The sixth season of the tournament Grosvenor United Kingdom Poker Tour (GUKPT) stopped at G Casino, in Manchester (UK) last weekend. The main event of this series open for £ 1,070 buy-in was attended by some 171 participants. As usual, the tournament was the meeting point of well known of British poker players. So, Jake Cody, David Nicholson, John Eames, Sam McDonald, Stuart Fox, Sunny Chattha, Matt Perrins, Will Fry and Karl Mahrenholz were present in the poker room of G Casino to compete for the title of the tournament. Unfortunately, none of them managed to access the money list. The player who won the title and the first prize of £ 49,600 is the Scottish Hunter Lewis. This was his first big victory and he deserves it because he defeated the online poker pro Kevin Steele at the final head's up. This latter tried to stand up as long as possible face to Hunter but admitted finally defeated and settled for the second prize of £ 34,630.

Thursday, 02 February 2012

EFOP Diamond Championship: Kool Shen wins € 100,000

After four days of intense confrontation at the Aviation Club de France, the winner of the Main Event of the European Finals of Poker 2012, the Diamond Championship is finally known. This new edition of the prestigious tournament of € 5,000 buy-in has seen the coronation of Bruno Lopes, the former rapper Bruno Lopes aka Kool Shen known alongside Joey Starr with the group NTM. Kool Shen left the microphone to poker and he succeeded, judging by his recent performance at the EFOP 2012 which closed this Sunday, January 28 with the Diamond Championship. The former rapper of the NTM group won face to a field of 109 players and received a nice sum of € 100,000 provided to the winner.

Wednesday, 01 February 2012

WSOPC Caesars Palace: Jeff Fielder as chipleader

The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) stopped at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last Friday. The Main Event of $ 1,600 buy-in of the event was attended by a total field of 662 players with 308 participants who enrolled in the first qualifying day and 354 on Day 1B. This event was the meeting point of famous poker players. Some of them failed to qualify for the day 2. But, Gavin Smith, Frank Kassel, Scott Clements, Jeff Madsen, Kathy Liebert, Jamie Gold, Eli Elezra, Bryan Devonshire, Steve Billirakis, William Reynolds, Allan Carter and Dan O'Brien managed to be part of the second day of competition's field. Note that the two Day 1 were each composed of 15 levels of play and if 58 players were able to qualify for Day 2 during the Day 1A, they were 76 to have joined the list of survivors at the end of Day 1B.

Wednesday, 01 February 2012

Aussie Millions Main Event: Nice victory of Oliver Speidel

A few hours after the coronation of Phil Ivey who took the title of the $ 250,000 Super High Roller , the main event which brought together 659 participants also delivered its verdict. The Aussie Millions 2012 champion is none other than a regular of Crown Casino Melbourne poker room, Oliver Speidel. From the beginning of the final table facing the 7 remaining players, Speidel was already in a very comfortable position. The competition was after the star resolved in a super fast way. Yann Dion was the first eliminated from the game and pocketed the prize of $ 170,000. Bjorn Li (6th) and Patrick Healy (5th) joined him on the bench of eliminated a few minutes and they received each the sum of $ 230,000 and $ 300,000.

Wednesday, 01 February 2012