Posts Tagged ‘PokerStars’

New Spin & Go Contest Launches at PokerStars NJ

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

After being launched for just over one full week in the state of New Jersey, PokerStars is now offering a special Spin & Go contest. Players can compete in a special edition of their popular Spin & Go with $100,000 up for grabs. Players can take part in the three-handed SNG tournament options in the hopes of earning a big win!

The Spin & Go’s of PokerStars are three-handed hyper turbo SNG tournaments that offer winner take all prize pools, for the majority of the time. The big thrill of these contests is the fact that players are competing for an unknown prize pool. The prize money is not known until three players take a seat at the table.

Once seated, a spinner will appear and reveal the amount of prize money. In most cases, the prize money is 2x the buy-in. In New Jersey, players can compete for four levels of buy-in with the Spin & Go’s, $1, $2, $5 and $10.

Players will pay this buy-in and compete, hoping to be seated at the $100,000 table. If the big prize table is hit, the first place winner would earn the entire prize pool while the other two would be able to earn 10% of the prize pool.

Basically, the Spin & Go contests offer prizes based on 2x, 4x, 6x, 10x, 25x, 100x, 200x and 1,000x the buy-in. You would have to play the $10 tables and see a 1,000x the buy-in to reach the $100,000 prize pool, but this could happen! For this amount of money, first would earn $100,000, second and third place earning $10,000 each.

Players can head on over to PokerStars NJ if physically located within the state. The Spin & Gos will offer this special prize money for some time, allowing players to enjoy the same great competition but with much more up for grabs!

Bot Suspicions Arise at PokerStars TCOOP

Friday, January 29th, 2016

PokerStars regularly hosts events for players to enjoy online, including tournament series the brand has created themselves. The Turbo Championship of Online Poker is one such series that is popular with players as it offers quick game play and affordable buy-ins. The recent edition of the TCOOP has now resulted in questioning as to whether or not a runner up to an event was a bot or an actual human player.

PokerStars investigated the matter and has concluded that the player was real and not a bot used during game play. The incident took place during TCOOP 08 which was a no limit hold’em event with Turbo, Big Antes, and Optional Re-Entry. The event had a guaranteed prize pool of $200,000 and towards the end of the event, a representative for PokerStars opened a chat with HostMattieM to set a deal with the final two players IvanHaldi of Russia and LuckboxStami of Finland.

The PokerStars Host was requested by LuckboxStami to present the options left with $4,000 left to play for if both players agreed to a deal. The host came back with the final numbers that would give LuckboxStami just over $40,000 and IvanHaldi just over $39,000. Each could then win the remaining money and a TCOOP bracelet by claiming the final win.

LuckboxStami agreed to the deal immediately by stating “I agree” in the chat box. The opponent was silent. The host asked for someone to help in Russian but IvanHaldi still did not respond. A private chat was tried by the host but no answer still. After about an hour of trying to contact the player, LuckboxStami began to suggest that the player is actually a bot.

The host tried everything possible to make a deal due to the fact that big money was on the line. Play finally resumed and LuckboxStami asked PokerStars to look into the matter. In the end, LuckboxStami was able to win more, earning just over $48,000, with PokerStars stating an investigation proved the player was real and not a bot.

California Cardrooms to receive visits by Pros of PokerStars

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

pssiFor months now, the state of California has tried to enter the online gambling industry. Interested in online poker, officials have introduced legislation but have yet to move forward in legalizing the option. PokerStars have a valid interest in the state, with partnerships with cardrooms and Indian Tribes, hoping to be involved in online poker gaming if legislation is passed.

PokerStars has launched an online site to help residents learn more about online poker gaming and how the state of California would be affected if the option was allowed. Now, the brand has announced that their Team Pros will be traveling throughout the state to help promote the game.

The tour is titled Let California Play and will be used to raise awareness among residents in the state. The benefits of online poker regulation will be explained and the pros will be using their knowledge of the game to help players determine what to expect if the state enters the industry.

Included in the tour will be top pros visiting card rooms over eight different stops. The pros include:

Jason Somerville

Liv Boeree

Daniel Negreanu

Chris Moneymaker

Vanessa Selbst

The pros will visit the California cardrooms, speaking and taking part in special tournaments. Card players will be able to take part in game play against the pros, an exciting option for any poker player. Negreanu stated that it is important for poker players to make their voices heard among the decision makers in the state and to tell the officials to Let California Play.

PokerStars works with the Hawaiian Gardens, Commerce and Bike cardrooms as well as the Morongo and San Manuel tribes. Along with the tour, the groups work together to run the Californians for Responsible iPoker website. These are the first steps of the coalition to help move the state forward to offer online poker gaming.

 

 

 

PokerStars and Jonathan Duhamel Part Ways

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

PokerstarsPokerStars is a top online poker site known for signing top pros to sponsorship deals. With several areas of sponsorship, the site has Team players, Friends of PokerStars and more. For years, PokerStars has had a strong team of players, heading up live events as well as taking part in online game play. However, since Amaya Gaming took over the online poker brand, there have been several cuts within the sponsorship department.

Just last year, Joe Cada, the 2009 World Series of Poker winner, was cut from the site and now it seems the 2010 World Series of Poker Champion has left the site. Jonathan Duhamel is no longer located on the PokerStars website which would indicate the pro is no longer working with the online poker brand.

Several other players are no longer working with PokerStars after last year including:

Humberto Brenes

Angel Guillen

Jose Barbero

Marcel Luske

George Danzer

Alex Kravchenko

David Williams

Dario Minieri

The online poker industry seems to be taking a different turn when it comes to player sponsorships. Players who are now being signed seem to be in the new wave of technology being used for online poker. Gone are the days when players are signed based on significant live game play. Today, online poker sites are searching for something new and seem to be moving to live streaming to find new players to sponsor.

The online site signed Jason Somerville just last year after he became quite popular on Twitch, a live streaming service. Somerville teaches strategy on Twitch and has gained quite a following for his game play tutorials. It is very interesting to note the changes in industry standards with the new streaming technology and mobile gaming that has become so prevalent today. It will be interesting to see if the shift will continue and players who use Twitch are more likely to be signed by such sites than their live tournament gaming counterparts.

 

 

Vanessa Rousso No Longer a PokerStars Sponsored Pro

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

PokerstarsWhen a professional poker signs with an online poker company, the player tends to stay associated with the brand for quite some time. Players have been known to start careers after one major win and signing with top companies such as PokerStars, 888, Full Tilt and more. When a player signs with a poker site, they will earn a bio page online as well as compete in online tournaments or host special events. The player will also represent the site at live events, wearing clothing from the brand to show support and sponsorship.

Top pro Vanessa Rousso has been associated with the PokerStars brand for quite some time and now it seems as though the two have parted ways. The PokerStars website no longer has any information of Rousso including her picture and bio page that were previously on the Team PokerStars list.

According to f5Poker, PokerStars no longer has any information of Rousso on the site and Rousso’s Facebook and Twitter page no longer mention PokerStars. According to reports, it does show that Rousso works with PokerStars.net on her personal page of Facebook but this could just be from the pro not removing the status as of yet.

It is believed that the two parted ways toward the end of January as Rousso was still shown on the PokerStars site up until about a week before February began. Neither Rousso nor PokerStars have made a formal announcement on the subject as to a split or why the two will no longer be working together. More information should be released in the future on the subject.

Rousso will still be a big fixture in the poker industry and can be seen in a few weeks at a seminar featuring poker by focusing on reading and decoding player behavior at the gaming tables.

PokerStars Earns another California Partner

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

pssiPokerStars partnered with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians a few months ago in preparation for online poker in the state of California. The online poker room recently announced they are now working with the San Manuel Band of Indians in support of online poker in the state. According to a report by CardPlayer, the Amaya Gaming Group now adds the tribe to the agreement they have with the Morongo tribe as well as three card rooms in the state.

PokerStars has seen very little support from the tribes in the state as most want to see a bad actor clause enacted in the state. The bad actor clause would keep anyone who operated online poker after the UIGEA was created from offering online poker, PokerStars being one such company. With the addition of the San Manuel tribe to the partnership in the state, PokerStars now seems to have even more hope of offering online poker in the United States.

Of course, California does not currently offer online poker, but if the option is legalized, PokerStars, the two tribes and three card rooms; the Hawaiian Gardens Casino, Commerce Casino and Bicycle Casino are involved in the deal with Amaya Gaming. San Manuel Band of Mission Indians operate slots, poker, blackjack and bingo in the state and now look forward to working with PokerStars.

Lynn Valbuena, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman, stated that the tribe is pleased to join the coalition and are convinced that the various interests must work together if they are to be successful in creating a well-regulated environment and a best-in-class internet poker industry for the state. PokerStars is also happy to be partnered with San Manuel and are looking forward to working with Legislature to develop the industry in the state along with other stakeholders and those who have a vested interest.

 

 

Is Full Tilt Poker Coming to New Jersey?

Sunday, August 24th, 2014

Full Tilt PokerThe latest news to hit the poker industry in a major way is the fact that Full Tilt and PokerStars may soon be reentering the US online gambling market. The two top gambling sites are part of the Rational Group which was recently acquired by Amaya Gaming. Amaya has worked to try and see the two sites reenter the US with online gaming options for players to enjoy and recent developments have stated that the two sites will be launching in New Jersey, possibly as soon as October.

It has been years since PokerStars and Full Tilt have been allowed to operate in the US after the disaster that was Black Friday. Full Tilt Poker for US players as well as PokerStars would be a well-received option as both offer the best in poker gaming. Full Tilt also offers casino games and it has been stated by Amaya that PokerStars will be offering additional gaming as well.

Currently, Amaya Gaming is already licensed in the state of New Jersey, so it was easy to start there for a reentry into the US online gambling landscape. A recent conference call with Amaya Gaming and investors released details of the upcoming launch of both online gaming sites in the state of New Jersey. According to the call, Full Tilt casino games have been successful and the games were only offered to a small portion of FTP members. The casino games will be pushed further this year for the entire Full Tilt and PokerStars player base and expansion will be seen in several countries, not just the US.

Up for discussion were sports betting options, alongside casino gaming, as Amaya would like to further enhance the gaming options of both sites. With an addition such as sports betting, players will be able to take part in poker, sports wagering and casino gaming all in one place. This will create a larger player base along both poker sites.

Amaya has already decided to set aside a set amount of money to develop the sportsbook so we may see an option created by the gaming giant or they may consider trying an existing product for sports wagering. Amaya sees PokerStars and Full Tilt players as gamers who already take part in wagering on other gaming options so to add the same with the PokerStars and Full Tilt touch should be successful. With additional gaming options, the sites will also offer more promotional opportunities. Players will be able to take part in loyalty programs, bonuses and special promotions with one solid platform.

Amaya continues to expand both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker so players have the option of enjoying the best in casino gaming. The coming months are sure to be exciting for US gamers as we see how the Amaya acquisition of the Rational Group plays out. Hopefully it will not be too much longer before poker players are able to visit the online poker sites once again.

 

 

PokerStars Offering Buy-ins for Seminole Hard Rock Florida Event

Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

PokerstarsPokerStars is known as a top online poker operator and continues to team up with casinos and poker rooms to offer players the best opportunities for poker gaming. It was recently announced that PokerStars has partnered with the Seminole Hard Rock Casino to offer players an additional way to buy-in to the Main Event of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship. The casino is located in Florida and offers premium poker gaming and events.

The SHRPOC was recently moved from its previous set dates to not interfere with the EPT Barcelona which is sponsored by PokerStars. The series will now take place beginning August 14th and offer 24 events which include the $5,300 Main Event. The main event will have a prize pool of $10 million so many pros are expected to participate.

The main event will take place on the 28th and will be followed by the $100,000 Super High Roller Event just a few days later. The Main event will begin the following day after the Barcelona events conclude so players will be able to fly to Florida to compete in this event. According to PokerStars, the site will now be offering players the opportunity to buy into the live Seminole event for the first time ever via the PokerStars account. Players will be able to buy in to Day 1 and will have the option up until the 24th of August. To buy-in, players will need to open the lobby of PokerStars, click the More and Special tabs and then find the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship tournament. From there you can choose from three opening day options.

This is a great way for poker pros to be able to buy-in to the event without being on the property. Players simple log in online to their PokerStars account to get started purchasing the buy-in.

Fast-Fold Poker Earns US Patent

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

PokerStars is a top online gambling site that offers quality cash game and tournament options. The site continues to make updates and stay up to date with the latest technology and more. One variant that was added to the online poker room and tested to see if players liked the option is Fast-fold poker. Apparently the game has now earned a US Patent and this may hurt other sites that have added similar gaming options.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office decided in April of this year to issue a patent to the parent group of PokerStars and sister site Full Tilt Poker, The Rational Group, for the game of fast-fold poker. The patent was initially covered by news source Pokerfuse and then PokerNews, which stated that the USPTO will be giving The Rational Group a patent on May 20th of this year and the information on the patent will be ‘Computer gaming device and method for computer gaming’. The patent will be for Zoom Poker for sure, which is offered at PokerStars, but it is not clear if the patent will be for Rush Poker as well, which is Full Tilt’s variant.

The patent will not affect sites located outside the United States but will affect the variant type in the US. Regulated sites in the US will find that PokerStars owns the rights to fast-fold intellectual property once the patent is in place.

In the US, PartyPoker NJ and Borgata Poker offer a fast-fold game called Fast Forward, so once the patent is in place, these sites will have to make a deal with the Rational Group to continue to offer the game or litigation may take place. Other sites in the US such as 888 NJ, WSOP NJ and WSOP Nevada offer a similar game type called Snap Poker, which would face the same situation.

Poker Only for Top Online Poker Room

Friday, March 14th, 2014

PokerstarsPokerStars is a top online poker room known for offering high quality cash game and tournament play. Full Tilt Poker is the sister site of PokerStars and recently launched casino gaming options. This had many in the industry wondering if PokerStars would add casino gaming as well.

According to a TwoPlusTwo Question and Answer Session with Steve Day, a representative for PokerStars, the site will not be adding casino games. Day stated that as of right now there are no plans for casino games to be added to the client at PokerStars.

Day is not going to say never, but as of right now, PokerStars is going to be poker and nothing else. Day stated ‘We are Poker’ and will offer nothing else. PokerStars has a full plate as of right now with several live poker tours and tournaments, regular online gaming and promotional opportunities. It also seems odd to think that PokerStars might begin to dabble in online casino games.

Full Tilt Poker first began to offer casino gaming in January of this year with the addition of blackjack and roulette. With the addition of these games to the poker client, the Rational Group marked the first time that games of a non-poker variety were offered for real money game play.

Slot gaming is also expected by Spring of this year with the recent partnership of The Rational Group with Leander Games. Slots will be added to Full Tilt due to the partnership in the coming months. The Full Tilt Poker site is also looking to possibly offer sports betting to members of the site.

So, for now, players can enjoy online casino and poker gaming at Full Tilt Poker. PokerStars will remain an online poker site and will not be adding casino gaming options at this time.