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Digital Dynamics: GGPoker Unlocks NFT Avatars; Online Poker Players Can Now Connect Token Assets

GGPoker recently announced a new feature giving players the ability to display their NFT’s as avatars at the virtual poker tables.

One of the largest online poker sites in the world is embracing the NFT scene. GGPoker recently announced a new feature giving players the ability to display their NFT’s as avatars.

NFT stands for “non-fungible tokens” and are a form of digital asset. These digital creations feature pieces of online art, video, or other media. Fans then collect the digital tokens like sports or Pokémon cards.

GG is now offering players a way to display their NFTs as part of their time at the virtual poker tables. 

“The GGPoker community is slowly, but surely, embracing our new NFT Avatars feature and showcasing their favorite NFT swag at the tables,” GGPoker head of public relations Paul Burke says. “Poker players are known for showing off on the live felt, with lots of bling and jewelry; NFT Avatars bring the same energy to the digital felt.”

NFT popularity growing among online poker sites

GGPoker is one of several poker companies and players are getting in on the NFT game. Players can purchase a collectible and then store them in digital wallets that players own.

The owners can then display their art or sell or trade their items. GGPoker is now allowing players to display those items in their wallet as their own personal avatar. 

“The feature uses Wallet Connect to support NFT wallets,” Burke says. “Wallet Connect covers over 120 different wallets, including MetaMask, Trust, Argent, Rainbow, Infinito, Ledger Live, and more. We plan to integrate some more big crypto platforms in the near future.”

GGPoker NFT avatar display features

Once players connect their wallets they can display NFT art as their avatar. GG is also offering a feature so other players know the avatar they are seeing is through a verified wallet.

The GGPoker website offers step-by-step directions on setting up an NFT avatar.

“You should now be able to see a hexagonal shape throughout your profile,” the site notes, “which will be an indication to others that you indeed own a verified NFT.”

Big money NFTs head to site

So far, GGPoker reports more than 450 accounts have already connected their NFT wallets. Burke says some pricy NFTs are already appearing as avatars on the felt. 

“The most expensive NFT currently in use at GGPoker as an Avatar recently sold for 26.5 Ethereum, approximately $52,225,” he says.

Some well-known NFTs currently used as avatars at GGPoker include Otherdeed for OtherSide, Galaxy Fight Club, Pudgy Penguins, and BEANZ Official.

How to get started in the sea of NFTs

One popular spot for people looking to get into these tokens is OpenSea.io. This site is like the ebay of the NFT world and collectors simply create a wallet to get started.

After that, users then connect their wallet to OpenSea and can purchase and sell as they please.  Collectors simply click on an NFT that interests them and can then make an offer.

OpenSea even lets users create their own NFTs on the site. Many artists currently list their works on the site.

At this time, GGPoker doesn’t sell or mint any tokens. However, numerous other operators have begun their own NFT offerings from the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker to partypoker and even individual players.

The poker world continues seeing a future in the new world of digital collectibles.

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Scoring Seats: GGPoker Launches ‘Road to Vegas’ Promo; WSOP.com Qualifiers Also Underway

GGPoker has launched the "Road to Vegas" promotion for online poker player hoping to win a WSOP Main Event tournament package.

For online poker players outside the US, GGPoker is the official partner for World Series of Poker satellites. The site announced on Monday that its “Road to Vegas” satellites have launched. The event allows players to grab a seat in the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event this summer.. 

Starting on April 3, online grinders will have multiple chances to win a package to Las Vegas. 

“I’ll be playing the WSOP Main Event again this year, and I hope to be joined by hundreds of fellow GGPoker players from every corner of the planet,” GG ambassador Daniel Negreanu said in a news release. “It’s every poker player’s dream to win the biggest tournament there is; there’s no other poker experience like playing the Main Event.”

WSOP.com also has qualifiers running for players in US legalized markets as well. Here’s a look at how to win a seat.

Plenty of perks for GGPoker satellite winners

GG plans a wide range of satellite buy-in price points and qualifying tournaments are already going strong at the site.

Buy-ins start at $1. The site awards dozens of WSOP Main Event packages each week. Winner packages are expected to include:

  • $10,000 Main Event entry
  • seven-night hotel accommodations at Bally’s Las Vegas
  • $1,200 cash for round-trip airfare
  • exclusive GGPoker player party
  • GGPoker lounge access

Winners will also receive merchandise swag packs. A special “last-longer” prize is also planned for GG satellite qualifiers that includes a ticket to WSOP Europe.

WSOP Main Event details

GGPoker is offering weekly satellites to win a prize pack. Players winning a Main Event seat online can choose one of four starting flights to play this year.

Registration is open until July 6 and here’s a look at the starting days for the tournament:

  • 1A – Sunday, July 3
  • 1B – Monday, July 4
  • 1C – Tuesday, July 5
  • 1D – Wednesday, July 6

For players that win a seat but can’t attend, they will forfeit GG’s travel money and accommodations. However, these players can still claim funds from the site. 

“If you cannot attend the 2022 WSOP Main Event,” GG notes, “you will be offered $10,000 (in tournament dollars).”

https://twitter.com/lappypoker/status/1510731832031006722?s=21&t=fsJSfB32zEm-AFXQMMEeIA

WSOP.com offers qualifiers for US-based players

For players located in New Jersey and Nevada, WSOP.com is offering players a “Draft Pack” for the series. Until April 16, online grinders can win a chance at the ultimate prize pack. 

Each day WSOP.com will offer two daily draft tournaments. Each winner of those events will play in a special 32-player tournament on April 19.

The tournament will play down to one winner who scores the draft package. The prize includes:

  • $25,000 worth of gold bracelet buy-ins for the 2022 WSOP
  • three-night luxury hotel stay
  • $500 airfare travel stipend
  • Dinner at a celebrity chef’s restaurant in las Vegas

Qualifying opportunities are also expected in the ringed-in WSOP.com markets of Pennsylvania and Michigan. PokerScout will offer updates as more WSOP satellite information becomes available.

* Lead image courtesy PokerGO

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Taking on Twitch: ‘CallMeLija’ Joins GGPoker After Finding New Calling as Poker Player & Streamer

Andrijana Gligoric tes her story of going from studying electrical engineering to Twitch streamer to GGPoker ambassador.

Prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns, Andrijana Gligoric was a typical college student. She studied electrical engineering, worked on her social media presence, and hung out with friends.

Those friends soon influenced a new course in life for Gligoric however. A few of them organized cash games in the Serbian city where she attended school. Poker soon overtook her interest in electrical engineering.

“I helped them with the organization of the games and that’s how I met a lot of my poker-playing friends,” says Gligoric, who is originally from Loznica, Serbia. “Then I started to get interested in the game myself. I learned the rules, started playing online, and then fell in love.”

Just a few short years later, Gligoric is the newest member of Team GGPoker and looking for big things ahead.

Jumping into Twitch streaming

After leaving college behind, Gligoric’s love of the game led her to Malta where she met more people in the poker and casino world. She began playing more poker and even made appearances online with Twitch poker streamers.

Those interactions turned out to be fun and led her to fire up her own mic and webcam.

“I loved how they interacted with people, how they built their communities, and how entertaining it all was overall,” she says. “I was still new to the game, but I decided to try streaming.”

The new venture online came with some learning experiences at first.

“I didn’t know how hard it was until I tried, but I’m so happy that I did and met some amazing people,” Gligoric says. “I stayed consistent, dedicated and most importantly, I kept showing up.”

Social media influencer joins GGPoker; begins $10K bankroll challenge

Andrijana Gligoric is the latest member of GGPoker’s stream team.

Gligoric’s hard work eventually paid off with a gig at one of the fastest-growing online poker sites in the world. GGPoker announced in mid-February that the 23-year-old social media star was the site’s newest ambassador.

Known as “CallMeLija” on her Twitch channel, Gligoric is also the “Cash Game Queen” on the Team GG Twitch Squad. She’s now putting in the hard world, grinding six to seven days a week trying to build a bankroll.

Callmelija is currently working on a $500-to-$10,000 bankroll challenge, playing an average of five hours each day. Finishing out this type of effort isn’t easy, but Gligoric thinks she’s up to the challenge.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that what you put into this game is what you’ll get back. You can’t sit in your chair and expect things to happen. You need to work, grind, stay consistent, and never give up. Discipline is the key.”

Gligoric wears her emotions on her sleeve while streaming as this tough bad beat illustrates.

A tight Twitch community

The Twitch streamer is building an impressive community online. Her channel has grown to almost 9,000 followers in the last year. Gligoric focuses on integrating and connecting with her community.

One reason the Callmelija community is so interactive may be due to her roots in Loznica, Serbia. She says Serbians are generally a welcoming people.

“Serbia is a lovely country, it is forever my favorite,” she says. “Serbians are among some of the most welcoming and hospitable people in the world.

“As an interesting Serbian cultural fact, locals believe that they will not receive luck or favors from the Gods if they don’t treat their guests well.”

Heading to Las Vegas

Even though Gligoric considers herself more of an online player, she plans on testing her skills this summer at the World Series of Poker. She’s excited to connect with players and people in the industry. 

“I didn’t have many chances to play live at the start of this journey,” she says, “but that will change now. I can’t wait to start playing more live.”

The pandemic was tough for a lot of people, but some have emerged with new strengths and passions in life. Gligoric has used her discipline to grind a passion into a way of life. 

“My plans are to beat high stakes and to study and play as much as I can,” she says, “then see where poker takes me from there.”

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Match Poker Online App Launches, Offering Players Unique Skill-Building Environment

The inaugural Match Poker Online World Cup recently concluded with top-tier players from around the world competing.

Poker players now have a new app to check out from anywhere in the world to work on their skills and compare against others. The Match Poker Online app officially launched on Feb. 14 and allows players to sharpen their skills for free. 

The app is much different than a traditional free-to-play poker app. Match Poker turns the game into a sporting competition without having to wager your own bankroll. At the same time players can test their strategy and abilities against players worldwide. 

“It’s not poker as you’ve ever played it before – it’s a Battle Royale where you compete against opponents playing the same hand as you to survive elimination,” Match Poker Online head of customer relations Jake Colman said in a news release.

“This makes it a pure test of skill – a sport – an official mind sport. And, for the first time in the history of poker, you can obtain an official world ranking. No other poker experience gives you this.”

What is Match Poker?

The initial launch features a “Battle Royale” game. All players jump in a poker situation that includes 36 contestants.

Each seat is dealt the same hand across tables. Whoever scores best in each situation moves on and is awarded points. 

This allows luck to be phased out and the app focuses on player results in each situation. The app shows a player how to play that hand with the best possible outcomes. 

“Match Poker shows you how better players played exactly the same cards, offering a unique learning experience,” Colman says. “Plus, the app collects stats on your play and uses them to tell you if you are playing too aggressively, too passively, too loose, or too tight.”

The app contains statistics, graphs, and some fun gameplay. Players learn from seeing how their own play measures up to others who have played the same hand in the exact same seat.

Future Olympic event? 

Once the app takes off, developers plan to launch a “Seasons” feature. This will allow players to be nationally ranked and climb leaderboards. 

Match Poker plans to hold national events at every ranking level. According to the company, the goal is to get this style of play into an Olympic eSport.

While that remains a way off, Match Poker Online officials hope the app grows and brings something new to the game. Players can gain insight into their own game and carry some of those skills learned over to live or other online poker tables.

Other upcoming plans include:

  •  Players can access the Match Poker database to evaluate results of thousands of different hands
  • A “Famous Hands” feature that allows players to jump into some big poker moments. Users are thrown in a monumental hand from poker’s past to see how they would have played the hand themselves.
  • A fantasy-style game mode, where players can form mini-leagues to see how they’re skills stack up against friends.

After years of development, players can now test their skills by using real-time updated data. Match Poker Online is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

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FASHION ON THE FELT: A Look at 3 Popular Poker Clothing Brands

To play the part, you have to look the part. With any major gaming or sports niche, a clothing brand is close behind. 

Poker players are known to rock the latest fashion at the tables. From hoodies to track suits and even a tuxedo once in a while, all kinds of looks can be seen around the rails. 

Some entrepreneurs have dived into this trendy world by offering the hottest fashions for poker players. Here’s a look at three poker apparel brands keeping players fitted on the felt. 

1 – RunGood Gear

Tana Karn is the founder and CEO of RunGood. He started the company by hustling from the ground up and has become one of the top apparel brands in the game. 

“RunGoodGear came to life from a backpack full of shirts in the halls of the Rio during the World Series of Poker,” Karn says.

The company also has one key element that no other brand has right now. 

“To our knowledge, we’re the only poker clothing company to have a poker tour,” he says. “The brand is a mix of many things over the past 10 years, but overall it’s a combination of reputation and quality clothes that has set us apart.” 

In 2014, the company launched the RunGood Poker Series. It has since expanded to over 12 properties. 

The company offers sporty clothes but also takes pride in some of its community efforts as well. In 2017, the company raised $30,000 as a fundraiser to send care kits to soldiers overseas with Operation Gratitude. 

The clothing company also has a group of ambassadors that travel around playing in poker tournaments. Players such as Jamie Kerstetter, Daniel Lowery, and Blair Hinkle represent the brand.

2 – PokerNChill Apparel

One of the newest brands to come to the poker room is PokerNChill. The company is located in New Jersey and founded by Darnell “Rico” Davis and Chris Reyes.

“Our goal is to bring people together with the idea of being able to share their poker experiences and let it be spoken through PokerNChill’s stylish brand,” the company’s website notes.

“Furthermore, comes the exquisite quality of our apparel brand so that customers can experience a full lifetime of their purchased merchandise. We stand behind our product 100% guaranteed.”

The new company makes some fun merchandise, including the popular “Donkey I Call” shirt, as well as hoodies and hats. 

 

3 – Chip Bully

Joe Reddick has a story that sounds like it came straight from a movie. Reddick was a former self-admitted crack dealer from New York who served 15 years behind bars.

During his life in a cell, he learned how to play cards and turned his time from rags to riches. In 2016, Reddick hit big when he took down the Borgata Million Dollar Open. Reddick bullied his way through the final table to take home $217,792.

“It’s just something I slipped into,” he told WPT.com of his fashion business. “It’s going great, and sales have been great. I started it after I won the Borgata Open in 2016.”

According to the company site, Chip Bully is designed for “determined people who grind with style. His story is not only inspiring but it is the dark side of the American Dream.”

Chip Bully sells T-shirts, hats, jackets, and the popular “Bluff Proof” vest.

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TUNING IN: Five Great Poker Podcasts to Check Out for 2022

Whether working in the office, hitting the treadmill, or on the drive to the local casino, these podcasts are worth a listen in 2022.

Poker podcasts continue to grow in popularity. Players can get their fix of news, strategy discussions, and player interviews from anywhere in the world. 

Some of these shows offer real insight, are available for free, and are generally updated often. Here’s a look at five podcasts players may want to add to their daily repertoire.

Whether working in the office, hitting the treadmill, or on the drive to the local casino, these productions are worth a listen. 

1 – Red Chip Poker Podcast 

The Red Chip Poker Podcast is hosted by James “Splitsuit” Sweeney and boasts over 3.5 million downloads. Sweeney offers strategy coaching sessions and also conducts interviews with some of today’s biggest pros.

The host also throws out a mix of online and live poker strategy. The show, currently in its fifth season, is geared to new and more experienced players alike.

2 – Thinking Poker Podcast 

This podcast is hosted by poker crushers Andrew Brokos and Nate Meyvis. The podcast runs weekly and includes poker lifestyle topics, industry news, and pro interviews.

A unique part of the show is how Brokos and Meyvis bring top-notch strategy to the podcast. However, the hosts break these concepts down in simple terms. They also review new poker books for listeners.

3 – Sessions DGAF 

Listeners don’t have to be high rollers to get the gist of this podcast. This show is set in motion by high stakes regular “DGAF.” The podcast follows along on his latest table adventures.

Players can hear some interesting true tales from the felt on the monthly show. DGAF also interviews some of today’s top players. 

4 – The Chip Race

The Chip Race is hosted by poker pros and Unibet ambassadors David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney. Between live and online the two hosts from Ireland account for over $6 million in winnings.

That means both players bring plenty of poker success to the show, which now has over 150 episodes.

The show runs a special segment called “The Lock-In” featuring interviews with players like Jennifer Tilly, Barry Carter, and Jared Tendler. It’s an interesting listen and worth tuning into each week.

5 – Smart Poker Study Podcast 

The name says it all. Sky Matsuhashi hosts the show and focuses on a full range of topics including:

  • poker HUD breakdowns
  • beginner strategy
  • player interviews

SPSP puts out weekly episodes with over 250 produced to date. This is a great podcast for players looking to break into the poker world. 

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GOING LIVE: Five YouTube Vloggers to Check Out in 2022

Poker vlogging continues to grow on YouTube and here's a look at five vloggers to check out in the new year.

Previously the only place you could catch poker was on late-night episodes on ESPN. Now the new trend of YouTube vloggers is on the rise. With the growth of live streaming over the last several years, players can now check out action from their local casinos. 

Poker vlogs contain a mix of live and online play, poker news, interviews, and strategy discussions. Vloggers also give players a current look at different casinos around the world. 

Most YouTube vloggers edit and distribute their own content. Daniel Negreanu receives plenty of views from his popular vlogs each summer from the World Series of Poker.

Vlogs are a bit different from traditional Twitch poker streams. Players not only offer a look at their live or online play, but also follows their travel, lifestyle, and other aspects of poker life.

As vlogging continues as a growing trend, USPoker takes a look at five vlogs that are worth checking out in 2022.

1 – Brad Owen

Brad Owen has one of the fastest-growing vlogs out there. He currently lives in Las Vegas, playing cash games and vlogging full time.

His YouTube channel is home to over 500,000 subscribers and Owen is one of the most popular poker vloggers. 

Owen posts videos weekly and creates content at local casino cash games around Vegas. He also does meet up events with other vloggers. 

2 – Mariano Molino

A rising star in the vlogging community, Mariano Molino’s vlogging quest started about two years ago. His following has grown ever since. 

Molino currently has 81,000 subscribers and posts content each week. Even though he’s known as a cash game player, this vlogger is no slouch in the tournament world. He currently has over $80,000 in winnings, including two first-place finishes. 

3 – Rampage

Ethan “Rampage” Yau is a man on a mission. Rampage started his run about three years ago and now has over 122,000 subscribers.

He started making rounds in the northeast hitting casinos such as Encore Boston Harbor and New Hampshire properties. 

Rampage documents his cash game play, but he is also a tournament player as well. He has over $250,000 in tournament winnings. This includes a World Series of Poker online bracelet at WSOP.com and WSOP Circuit ring.  

4 – PokerfaceAsh

Ashley “PokerfaceAsh” Frank is one of the newest poker vloggers to emerge over the past year. Her platform has seen a quick show of support.

Ash debuted less than a year ago and has over 15,000 subscribers. She plays a mix of live and online cash games. The Arizona poker player frequently travels to Las Vegas and records the action from her trips. 

5 – Alex Duvall

Alex Duvall is also a newer vlogger but has some impressive stats under his belt. Recently, he collected his third WSOP Circuit ring and $21,236 when he shipped the $320 WSOP double stack in December. 

Duvall, originally from North Carolina, now calls Las Vegas home. His channel has over 5,000 subscribers, but continues to grow.

His YouTube channel includes such content as online poker tournaments, travel stories, and live cash game reports.

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WSOP Europe Update: Martini Shakes It Up, Scoring Two Bracelets in a Single Week

The WSOP Europe continues at King’s Casino inn the Czech Republic, and France's Julien Martini was the big winner last week.

The World Series of PokerEurope continues at King’s Casino Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. Many new bracelet winners have emerged as European vie for some hardware.

The standout over the last week was France’s Julien Martini, who grabbed two bracelets.

The festival runs through Dec. 8  with more than €11.5 million guaranteed. The €10,350 Main Event is also now underway and is set for Dec. 3-8 with a €5 million guarantee. Here’s a look at some of the winners over the last week of action.

Event 5: €550 Colossus (Nov. 24)

It took multiple days but Kosovo’s Edmond Jahjaga won his first bracelet after taking down the Colossus event.

Jahjaga defeated France’s Riadh Farhart in heads-up play for the title. The event featured 2,478 entrants and Jahjaga won €147,775 for his victory. 

“It means a lot to me,” Jahjaga told WSOP.com. “I don’t know how to describe it because it comes so unexpected. The whole experience feels like a movie and it just happened.”

Event 6: €1,650 NLHE/ PLO Mixed (Nov. 25)

The mixed event drew in 339 players to create a €483,075 prize pool. Antoine Vranken of the Netherlands scored his first bracelet after defeating Moncef Karoui of Tunisia.

Originally this event was scheduled to be a two-day event but the tournament went into a third day. Ten players returned to Day 3 to chase the gold including a short stacked Vranken. However, he stayed patient and was able to make a run to score the win.

Event 7: €5,000 PLO (Nov. 27)

Denmark’s Maximilian Klostermeier crushed the competition in the €5,000 PLO event. This was the second bracelet win for Klostermeier. His first bracelet was won in 2019 in a PLO event as well.

Klostermeier defeated 184 players to score a payday of €204,010. The total prize pool for this event was €830,300.

Bulgaria had a heavy presence at the final table as Nikola Minkov, Vasil Medarov, and Veselin Karakitukov all made an appearance. 

Event 8: €2,500 Short Deck (Nov. 28)

Frenchman Julien Martini (pictured above in lead image) won his second bracelet on Tuesday after winning the Short Deck event. The event drew in 98 players and created a prize pool of €214,130. 

Martini won €60,009 for first place. For those new to Short Deck, the game  uses a 36-card deck with all the twos, threes, fours, and fives taken out. This changes the odyssey for a couple hands:

  • A flush beats a full house
  • Three of a kind beats a straight

Event 9: €1,100 Turbo Bounty Hunter (Nov. 29)

Romania’s Sergiu Covrig showed to be the top bounty hunter last week after defeating Germany’s Michael Strauch. 

Covrig grabbed his first bracelet and €79,282 for the victory. This event also needed an extra day of play as 604 entries jumped into the field. The prize pool was a total of €214,130. 

Besides Strauch, Tim Novotny and Pierre Trauer also represented Germany at the final table. 

Event 10: €25,000 Platinum High Roller (Nov. 29)

Ukraine’s Andriy Lyubovetskiy won €518,430 after defeating Joni Jouhkimainen heads up in this high stakes affair. This was the second time in a week Jouhkimainen scored a runner-up for a finish.

The total prize pool reached €1.7 million and included 72 players. 

Event 11: €1,650 NLHE Six-Handed (Nov. 30)

Italian player Simone Andrian netted his first bracelet and €158,616 after topping the Czech Republic’s Josef Snejberg in heads-up play. 

Andrian defeated a field of 535 entries to capture the gold. The Czech Republic also claimed the fifth-place spot as Jan Bednar scored €31,320.

Event 12: €2,000 Eight-Game Mixed (Dec. 1)

Most players are lucky enough to win one bracelet in a lifetime, but for Julien Martini he grabbed two in a week.

On Thursday, Martini won €33,910 and his second piece of hardware. He defeated 61 entries and took his piece of the €107,207 prize pool. 

On the final day, 10 players were left including Max Pescatori of Italy. However, Pescatory, Borja Gross, and Roland Israelashvili all busted out in the first few minutes when action restarted

Upcoming WSOP bracelet events

The WSOP Europe is wrapping up over the next few days. A few final events remain including the Main Event. Here’s a look at this week’s action:

  • €10,350 Main Event  (Event 14, Dec. 3-8)
  • €3,000 Closer (Event 15, Dec. 6)

* Lead image courtesy WSOP/PokerNews

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