Posted on

Partypoker Becomes Latest Option for Canadian Players in Ontario; Platform Now Live

WSOP.ca and GGPoker are hosting the WSOP Winter Circuit Ontario from Dec. 4 – Jan. 9 with $5 million guaranteed.

As the Canadian province of Ontario continues transitioning to a regulated market, another operator jumped in the market on Tuesday. Partypoker announced its fully-licensed online poker room was open for business in the province.

The company also outlined how players will transition from the international site to the Ontario platform. Party now offers online sports betting and casino gaming in Ontario as well.

“I am truly excited that all three of our Party brands are entering the Ontario market,” party brands managing director Vic Walia said in a news release.

“Both recreational and professional players living in Ontario will be able to experience a world-class gaming product across poker, casino and sports. As a Canadian and Toronto native myself, I am particularly proud of this moment in our company’s history.”

Changes come to Ontario

The party launch is the latest move into the province by online poker companies. Regulators have transitioned Ontario from a market open to international online poker sites to a regional approach.

Players will now be part of a “ringed-in” environment as seen in states in the US. Players compete only against others within Ontario.

With a population of 14.6 million and large cities like Toronto and Ottawa, most online poker operators have adapted to the changes.

888poker and BetMGM are both live in the province as well. GGPoker also plans to launch a World Series of Poker-branded site soon.

Partypoker players can transfer their accounts

Those in Ontario who are already party players will see their accounts transferred to the new platform. Once on the site, players will find a seamless experience for poker, casino games, and sports betting.

Canadian dollars are also now in use for partypoker Ontario. Players’ cash balances will be transferred and converted into the new currency after a few steps including:

  • consenting to the new Ontario-specific terms, conditions, and privacy policy
  • reviewing personal information
  • verifying player identity

Players will find the new tournament schedule features partypoker favorites like Daily Legends and Super Sunday events. Players can play cash games, fastforward quick-play cash games, SPINS events, and sit and gos.

Party also launches casino, sports betting

The partypoker site is only part of the offerings from the company in Ontario. Party Casino and Party Sports offer players even more options.

Casino players can check out a suite of exclusive slot games such as Bison Fury and Big Banker Pots.

Casino classics like Premium Roulette or Vegas Blackjack are also available. There are even new game shows like Sweet Bonanza Candyland.

★★★ Looking to get in the online poker, casino, or sports betting action at partypoker? Click here for a complete site review and exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

BetMGM Plants Flag in Ontario as First Regulated Online Poker Operator Under New Rules

Ontario regulators have approved for PokerStars to operate and the platform officially went live in the Canadian province on Tuesday.

After recent regulatory changes, BetMGM became the first online poker platform to launch in the Canadian province of Ontario on Wednesday.

Ontario, home to major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton, has shifted away from a “grey” market to a regulated environment. That’s had online gaming companies lining up to get in the action in the province.

MGM now becomes the first new operator in the province with a platform for the new regulated environment (and not previously available in the “grey” market). More operators are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

“BetMGM Poker brings an agile, diverse, and player-centric platform to Canadian players,” BetMGM director of poker Luke Staudenmaier said in a news release. “Through high-visibility partnerships, the brand will also connect players with world-class omni-channel experiences and poker legends, like brand ambassador Darren Elias.

“We look forward to building our community in Ontario, welcoming players to our tables, and providing safe, accessible, and entertaining options.”

BetMGM becomes first in regulated Ontario

Ontario becomes the fourth market for BetMGM, which is a skin of the Partypoker US Network. In the US, the company operates in:

The company also operates the Borgata Poker skin as well in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Like in the US states, the Ontario market will function as a “ringed-in” market.

That has players competing only against others within Ontario. The move means players will transition from the grey market to a more regulated environment. Ontario offers a nice market for online poker with almost 14.6 million people.

There is potential to share liquidity with other provinces eventually as Quebec, British Columbia, and Manitoba all host officially government-sanctioned sites. Those in Quebec and British Columbia currently operate a shared network and liquidity.

For BetMGM, adding poker in Ontario brings a full betting experience to the province. The company launched online sportsbook and casino operations on April 4.

Growing the brand

Not only does Ontario present a fourth market for the company, but MGM’s first outside the US. The company is part of ROAR Digital, a partnership between MGM and Entain, owner of the international partypoker brand.

 BetMGM poker offers players a number of poker variants, signature poker tournaments, and cash games of all buy-in levels. The platform also operates the Fast Forward quick-play poker option and also features the Grind Rewards program.

In the US, the operator has ramped its tournament offerings in recent months. The company has run synchronized tournament series in each of the three legal US states. The site has also given each series a more distinct name than previously seen with monthly online festivals.

“We want to make our players … excited about the game of poker and we’ve found that variety in our month-to-month offers helps to pique their interest,” Staudenmaier told USPoker recently. “We want our players to recognize us as thoughtful and innovative, just like players themselves when making decisions at the table.”

The company also regularly partners with the Borgata casino, MGM property, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The casino’s poker room is one of the most popular poker rooms in the Northeast and offers partypoker/BetMGM some synergy in marketing online and live events.

While exact details aren’t yet known, poker players can probably expect similar tournament series and promotions as seen in the US. To celebrate the launch in Ontario, BetMGM is hosting daily Welcome Freeroll tournaments through April 30.

The BetMGM Poker apps are accessible in Canada on both Apple iOS and Android, as well as via desktop and laptop computers.

★★★ For Ontario residents ready to get in on the online poker action at BetMGM, click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

Market Updates: Ontario Regulations Restrict Online Poker; Partypoker Pulls Out of Russia

WSOP.ca and GGPoker are hosting the WSOP Winter Circuit Ontario from Dec. 4 – Jan. 9 with $5 million guaranteed.

Canada has long been a card-playing hotspot and that goes for online poker as well. However, players in the province of Ontario may have received some unwelcome news recently.

In late January, provincial officials released a launch date for the Ontario private online poker market. The new rules, however, may leave players locked out of the international player pool.

Instead, players will find themselves in a “ringed-in” environment, similar to the state-by-state approach currently in the United States.

“On (Jan. 28), the province revealed the launch date for its new market, April 4,” Online Poker Report noted. “On that date, companies without an operating agreement will have to cease serving Ontario customers. Those that don’t comply will find themselves on the province’s black list.

“Those who do launch in the new market will have to comply with its regulations. Among these, Online Poker Report has learned, is the stipulation that Ontario poker sites cannot share traffic with other jurisdictions.”

 

A new playing field

Where the market is exactly headed remains an open question at this point. Until now, Ontario players could play in the open market on major sites like PokerStars and partypoker.

These sites would now have to re-enter the regulated market and provide a separate platform within the province. This would be a major departure from the historical online poker scene in the country and set it apart from other Canadian provinces.

“‘Sharing traffic’ is not allowed as pooled liquidity is not permitted in the Ontario regulated market,” a provincial gaming regulator told OPR.

Players in Quebec, British Columbia, and Manitoba have the option of official government-sanctioned sites. Those sites in Quebec and British Columbia already have a shared network and liquidity. Ontario could possibly join that at some point.

However, players in those other provinces also have the option of playing internationally in a gray market. Ontario players may not have that option.

Under the new regulations, poker platforms are disincentivized in Ontario under the plan. An operator that continues offering poker to Ontarians could be blackballed from ever offering legalized poker, sports betting, and other online gaming. That would curtail significant revenue generators in the province.

Players concerned about market changes 

Operators haven’t responded yet to the change in the Ontario market. The moves have left some players disappointed in how the process has played out.

Mike Millard, 33, live in Whitby, Ontario, just outside Toronto. He’s a part-time player who works in digital media strategy by day. However, Millard plays poker about 24 hours a week as a second job.

“I grind most of my schedule on partypoker, but fill the schedule with PokerStars and GGPoker tournaments sprinkled in,” he says.

For major series, Millard may even take the entire time off work. The new changes have him frustrated with where online poker is headed in his home province.

“To anyone – like me – who thought the new Ontario regulations were a good thing … this is absolutely brutal news for poker players based in Ontario,” he recently noted on Twitter.

“I’m really curious how successful this will be. With the ability to play on all major sites and anti-government sentiment regarding their involvement with live casino poker, I can’t see why anyone would play on an Ontario-only site.”

Another ringed-in market?

Ringed-in markets allow players only to compete against other players in the same jurisdiction. In other words, Ontario players would be limited to playing against others in that province only.

The potential player pool for these players would shrink from the global market to Ontario’s almost 14.6 million people. These types of “ringed-in” or “fenced-in” markets have limited success as seen in US states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

India and Italy also feature similar setups for players in those countries. Ontario’s population comes in just ahead of Pennsylvania’s 12.8 million in the US. The Keystone State is the US’s largest online poker market by comparison.

Another reason operators may want to comply is the potential to operate or continue doing business in the US. As more states expand online gaming, companies don’t want to be seen as operating illegally in other countries.

“US regulators tend not to look kindly on operators who serve black markets,” OPR notes. “Even if Ontario can’t directly force operators to comply, the threat of losing market access in the US will be sufficient in most cases.”

 

Partypoker exits Russia

In other news along these same lines as not serving black markets, partypoker also pulled out of Russia last week. Parent company Entain cited legal concerns for the move.

“It’s correct we are removing services from various locations due to regulatory issues,” party Twitch and community manager Colette Stewart noted on the site’s Discord server.

Russia is a large market that has seen considerable online poker growth recently. However, Entertain has worked to shift to regulated markets in recent years and left other markets as well.

PokerStars has made similar moves in some markets in recent years, but remains operating in Russia as of now. The company’s European Poker Tour also has a stop scheduled for Sochi from March 18-27.

888poker, GGPoker, and some other sites still operate in the country.

Posted on

World Cup of Cards Debuts Online This Week at Partypoker

Another major series returns to partypoker with the World Cup of Cards running June 16 to July 8 and featuring a $1 million main event.

Another major tournament series returns to partypoker this week with the online debut of the World Cup of Cards. The 12-event festival runs June 16 to July 8 and features mini versions of each tournament.

The series is normally hosted by Playground Poker Club in Quebec, Canada. However, the 2021 version will be online and is open to all players, not just those in Canada.

Party is planning plenty of action with qualifying opportunities for players of all bankrolls.

Inside partypoker’s World Cup of Cards schedule

Partypoker has worked to make the online World Cup very player friendly. Tournaments will feature shorter clocks allowing for earlier finishes.

The company even planned key events to fit around this summer’s European Football Championship.

The $55 Grand Prix Knockout kicks off the series on opening day and comes with a $250,000 guarantee. The tournament features several starting flights before wrapping up on June 24.

A $5.50 Grand Prix Mini Knockout also offers a nice option for players looking for a bargain-priced event. The Mini Knockout also features multiple starting flights and a $50,000 guarantee.

The three-day $1,100 Main Event includes a $1 million guarantee with starting flights on June 27 and July 1 and 4. An additional Day 1 turbo is set for July 5.

The final table plays out on July 8 and partypoker notes that the day “avoids a clash with any major football matches.”

Another interesting event is the $320 Playground Cup, which comes with a $125,000 guarantee. The event is set for June 25-27 with four starting flights.

Players can also check out the $33 mini version of the tournament with a $50,000 guarantee. All events feature No Limit Hold’em and additional side events may be added to the schedule in coming days.

Lower cost options to get in the action

Partypoker has worked to make the World Cup appeal to players of all bankrolls. The site has a comprehensive satellite plan for the series including for the main event.

Players can qualify from just $0.01 and 20 tickets are awarded every week. A trip to play in Canada may not be possible, but partypoker hopes the action online fills the void.

“I’m looking forward to partypoker bringing the World Cup of Cards online,” Team partypoker’s Kristen Bicknell said in a news release. “I’m missing playing at Playground, which is such an exciting place to play live, but hopefully we will see this series back there soon.

“In the meantime, I’m most looking forward to the Main Event, which should be a great tournament. As always, there will be great satellites running, but if you don’t manage to make it through, the $5.50 and $55 Grand Prix tournaments are a helpful lower-stakes option.”

Here’s a look at the complete schedule.

2021 partypoker World Cup of Cards

DateEventBuy-inGuaranteeRe-entry options
June 16#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 16#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 16#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 16#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 16#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 16#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 17#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 18#2 - Quebec Opener Day 1A: $125K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 18#2 - Mini Quebec Opener Day 1A: $50K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 18#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 19#2 - Quebec Opener Day 1B: $125K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 19#2 - Mini Quebec Opener Day 1B: $50K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 19#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 20#2 - Quebec Opener Day 1C: $125K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 20#2 - Mini Quebec Opener Day 1C: $50K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 20#2 - Quebec Opener Day 1 Turbo: $125K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 20#2 - Mini Quebec Opener Day 1 Turbo: $50K GTD [8-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 20#2 - Quebec Opener Final Day: $125K GTD-$125,000-
June 20#2 - Mini Quebec Opener Final Day: $50K GTD-$50,000-
June 20#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 20#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 21#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 22#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 23#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $250K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1 Turbo: $250K GTD [6-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1 Turbo: $50K GTD [6-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Day 1 Turbo: $250K GTD [6-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$50+5$250,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Day 1 Turbo: $50K GTD [6-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$5+0.50$50,0001 RE
June 24#1 - Grand Prix Knockout Final Day: $250K GTD-$250,000-
June 24#1 - Mini Grand Prix Knockout Final Day: $50K GTD-$50,000-
June 24#3 - The Rail: $25K GTD [7-Max PKO]$100+9$25,0001 RE
June 24#3 - The Mini Rail: $10K GTD [7-Max PKO]$10+1$10,0001 RE
June 25#4 - Playground Cup Day 1A: $125K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 25#4 - Mini Playground Cup Day 1A: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 26#4 - Playground Cup Day 1B: $125K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 26#4 - Mini Playground Cup Day 1B: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 27#4 - Playground Cup Day 1C: $125K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 27#4 - Mini Playground Cup Day 1C: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 27#4 - Playground Cup Day 1 Turbo: $125K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
June 27#4 - Mini Playground Cup Day 1 Turbo: $50K GTD [7-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
June 27#4 - Playground Cup Final Day: $125K GTD-$125,000-
June 27#4 - Mini Playground Cup Final Day: $50K GTD-$50,000-
June 27#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Day 1A: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]$1,000+100$1,000,0001 RE
June 27#6 - Mini Main Event Day 1A: $200K GTD [8-Max, 2-Day Event]$100+9$200,0001 RE
June 27#7 - Kahnawake KO: $25K GTD [6-Max PKO]$200+15$25,0001 RE
June 27#7 - Mini Kahnawake KO: $15K GTD [6-Max PKO]$20+2$15,0001 RE
July 1#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Day 1B: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]$1,000+100$1,000,0001 RE
July 1#6 - Mini Main Event Day 1B: $200K GTD [8-Max, 2-Day Event]$100+9$200,0001 RE
July 1#8 - Mount Royal 6-Max: $25K GTD [6-Max]$100+9$25,0001 RE
July 1#8 - Mini Mount Royal 6-Max: $10K GTD [6-Max]$10+1$10,0001 RE
July 2#9 - Montreal Masters Day 1A: $125K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
July 2#9 - Mini Montreal Masters Day 1A: $50K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
July 3#9 - Montreal Masters Day 1B: $125K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
July 3#9 - Mini Montreal Masters Day 1B: $50K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Montreal Masters Day 1C: $125K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Mini Montreal Masters Day 1C: $50K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Montreal Masters Day 1 Turbo: $125K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$300+20$125,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Mini Montreal Masters Day 1 Turbo: $50K GTD [Mix-Max PKO, 2-Day Event]$30+3$50,0001 RE
July 4#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Day 1C: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]$1,000+100$1,000,0001 RE
July 4#6 - Mini Main Event Day 1C: $200K GTD [8-Max, 2-Day Event]$100+9$200,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Montreal Masters Final Day: $125K GTD-$125,0001 RE
July 4#9 - Mini Montreal Masters Final Day: $50K GTD-$50,000-
July 4#10 - Malibu Big Game: $500K GTD [7-Max]$5,000+200$500,0001 RE
July 4#11 - Toronto Turbo: $25K GTD [7-Max]$200+15$25,0001 RE
July 4#11 - Mini Toronto Turbo: $15K GTD [7-Max]$20+2$15,0001 RE
July 5#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Day 1 Turbo: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]$1,000+100$1,000,0001 RE
July 5#6 - Mini Main Event Day 1 Turbo: $200K GTD [7-Max, 2-Day Event]$100+9$200,0001 RE
July 5#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Day 2: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]-$1,000,000-
July 5#6 - Mini Main Event Final Day: $200K GTD-$200,000-
July 5#12 - Canadian Closer: $50K GTD [6-Max PKO]$500+30$50,0001 RE
July 5#12 - Mini Canadian Closer: $20K GTD [6-Max PKO]$50+5$20,0001 RE
July 8#5 - World Cup of Cards Main Event Final Table: $1M GTD [3-Day Event]-$1,000,000-

★★★ Ready to get in the action at partypoker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

Players Split Top Prize of $1 Million Blast Jackpot Sit & Go at 888poker

Three 888poker players recently hit it big in one of the site’s Blast Jackpot Sit and Go’s – turning $100 into a share of $1 million.

Most poker players dream of a massive score. As short-handed, random prize jackpot-style tournaments have grown more popular, that’s become a possibility.

Three players at 888poker recently hit it big in one of the site’s Blast Jackpot Sit and Go’s. These lucky rounders turned $100 buy-ins into a share of the $1 million prize pool in less than 10 minutes.

Blasting off for six figures at 888poker

Blast Jackpot games are three-handed tournaments with a random prize pool determined before the event begins. Players receive a starting stack of 1,500 chips and begin play like a regular tournament.

The blind structure and prize pool distribution of each Blast game is set according to the multiplier.

After a certain amount of time, the games move all three players all in every hand until only one remains. The $1 million prize pool doesn’t come up often, but these three played for the top prize of $700,000.

“I couldn’t even believe it,” one of the winners told 888poker. “Only the next day I realized that it was true – I won a jackpot. I´m super excited and can’t thank you enough.”

A look at the big winners

Two of the Blast winners hail from Canada and one from the United Kingdom. Each player won a portion of the million-dollar prize. Here’s a look at the winners:

  • Mikaxe – first-place for $700,000
  • ayemaxx08 – second for $200,000
  • aatorblood13 – third for $100,000

One winner said the first thing he’d do is “pay a few bills and put money in savings.”

Plenty of action at 888poker this month

It’s been a busy couple months at 888poker. The site announced a partnership with the World Poker Tour’s Deepstacks series recently.

888 will be hosting WPTDeepstacks London Online from April 18-26 with a guarantee of $2 million.

Players will find 16 events with each winner scoring an official WPTDS trophy. The $1,050 Main Event features $1 million guaranteed.

Three WPTDeepStacks tour series are set for April 18-26 with a total of more than $3 million guaranteed prizes.

The site will also host numerous freerolls throughout the series. That includes giving out $200,000 in tickets to qualifying events.

Satellites are already underway. 888 will also offer four live streaming events on the site’s Facebook and YouTube channels. For a complete schedule of events, click here.

★★★ Ready to get in the action at 888poker? Click here for a complete site review with exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

Jack Hardcastle Becomes Latest WPT Champion at Partypoker; Wins WPT Montreal for $448,000

Jack Hardcastle won the WPT Montreal Online Main Event.

The inaugural WPT Montreal Online wrapped up online at partypoker earlier this week. The  United Kingdom’s Jack Hardcastle became the newest World Poker Tour Champions Club member by winning the Main Event.

The win brought plenty of loot for Hardcastle. Along with the $447,859 top prize, he took home a $15,000 seat to the next WPT Tournament of Champions.

His name will be engraved on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup and he’ll receive a replica of the trophy. A Playground Poker Club championship belt with his name engraved also heads his way. It was quite a series for the WPT and party.

A look at the WPT championship at partypoker

The Main Event was the highlight of WPT Montreal Online, which began on Jan. 17 with 24 events. The annual series was shifted online due to COVID-19. Montreal’s Playground Poker Club has been closed since Oct. 4.

The Main Event officially finished on Jan. 27. When Dan Shak busted out third for $212,458, Hardcastle and Lebanon’s Rayan Chamas battled heads-up for the title.

Hardcastle held almost a 2-to-1 chip advantage. The win was sealed when he called a triple-barrel bluff by Chamas.

When the hands were revealed, Hardcastle tabled two pairs to Chamas’ King high. Chamas banked $308,703 for his runner-up finish.

Daniel Dvoress wins Sexton Classic charity event

The $10,300 Mike Sexton Classic was another popular event on the schedule and concluded on Monday. Canada’s Daniel Dvoress took down the title to win $294,346.

The tournament also included a charity element, with $39,900 raised for a nice cause in the process. The $300 registration fee from each buy-in was donated to the Nevada Partnership Homeless Youth (NPHY) Charity.

The group aims to end youth homelessness in southern Nevada and was chosen specifically by Sexton’s family. 

The Sexton Classic ran across two days and comfortably beat the $1 million guarantee. The tournament attracted 125 players and a $1.3 prize pool.

Daniel Dvoress won the $10,300 Mike Sexton Classic for $294,346. (photos courtesy of partypoker)

A total of 20 players qualified for the second day of action, eventually leaving Dvoress heads-up against Aram Zobian. Despite Zobian holding a lead of 3 million chips, Dvoress turned the tide and battled back.

The final hand saw Dvoress hit a back-door straight on the river to top Zobian’s pair of queens. Zobian won $200,307 for runner-up.

Partypoker’s Twitch channel streamed live coverage of the final table. Hardcastle joined James Dempsey and Henry Kilbane to provide commentary.

The event featured Team partypoker’s Isaac Haxton, Patrick Leonard, and Joni Jouhkimainen. Other big names playing included Niklas Astedt, Michael Addamo, and Benjamin Rolle.

Other WPT Montreal winners 

There were plenty of other standout moments in the series. Addamo added another major buy-in win to his resumé. The Australian took down the Super High Roller for $450,076.

A couple of players from the Netherlands found the winner’s circle. In the Six-Max High Roller, Jelle Moene finished first and took top prize of $80,981. Tom Talboom won the Mini Main Event for $42,052

In the Micro Main Event, Thomas Clucas claimed the top prize for $7,686.

More to come from partypoker

The Montreal event may be in the rearview mirror, but plenty of action remains in February. The partypoker MILLIONS Online runs Feb. 13 to March 9 with 28 events and $17.55 million guaranteed.

The series features a $5,300 Main Event with a $5 million guarantee. The $1,100 Mini Main Event comes with a $1 million guarantee.

The site is offering numerous ways for players of all bankrolls to play, including events starting at just $0.01.

Beyond that, partypoker is also offering numerous qualifiers for the upcoming WPT Russia. The event is co-branded with partypoker LIVE and is one of several major live events returning to the felt.

★★★ Ready to get in the action at partypoker? Click here for a complete review and exclusive PokerScout bonus offers. ★★★

Posted on

OH, CANADA: Partypoker, World Poker Tour Join Forces for WPT Montreal Online

the WPT Montreal moves online to partypoker.

The partnership between World Poker Tour and partypoker continues with the WPT Montreal now heading online in January. While a complete schedule hasn’t been released yet, the $3,200 championship features $2 million guarantee.

The two starting flights for that event are set to kick off Jan. 10 and 17. WPT Montreal Online now replaces the annual live series at Playground Poker Club in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada.

“The World Poker Tour and partypoker continue their thriving partnership into 2021 as we look forward to crowning another WPT champion online,” WPT CEO Adam Pliska said in a news release. “Players around the globe have shown their support of WPT Online and the continued prestige on display at our final tables.”

Shifting the Montreal poker action online 

Montreal has been a regular stop for the WPT since 2012. Several major names have won titles including former WPT commentator Mike Sexton, Seth Davies, and Ema Zajmovic, the first WPT Main Event open champion.

Geoffrey Hum won the live championship in 2019 for $380,648. Zajmovic also almost made it back-to-back titles in 2018, finishing runner-up for $424,893.

Patrick Serda took that title for $668,388 and many may remember his amazing call to finish off Zajmovic.

The Playground Club closed on Oct. 4 after the Kahnawake COVID-19 Task Force raised the pandemic status from orange to red. The Canadian government has also restricted travel from the US, keeping any possible American poker players away.

The series now moves online offering players around the world a chance at some WPT glory. The Montreal event also marks the seventh WPT champion to be crowned on partypoker in Season XVIII.

As in a live event, the winner of WPT Montreal Online receives:

  • a seat in the WPT Tournament of Champions presented by Baccarat Crystal
  • his or her name inscribed on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup
  • membership in the WPT Champions Club

Qualifiers for the event are already underway and start at $.01. A full schedule is expected to be released soon.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am about WPT Montreal being played out on partypoker,” partypoker LIVE president John Duthie said. “Playground is one of my favourite places to play on the globe and the players there are just such a great community.

“As the scene of his famous WPT victory, it was also one of Mike Sexton’s favorite stops on the tour; he’ll be with us all in spirit I’m sure.”

Series adds to a growing WPT presence online at partypoker

With WPT Montreal Online, players can expect a similar experience to the recent WPT Online Series and WPT World Online Championships. For those series, partypoker made use of:

  • real names at final tables
  • limited re-entries
  • numerous opportunities to qualify
Mike Sexton celebrates after winning the WPT Montreal in 2016. (Photo courtesy WPT/Joe Giron)

The two series focused on getting players into the action, no matter the bankroll. That is expected to continue with the Montreal series.

The WPT Online World Championships were held in August and September, awarding $101 million. The series also gave out 45,000 tournament seats via qualifiers.

The WPT Online Series was held in April and May with $52 million paid out. The tour has incorporated its main brand as well as WPTDeepStacks and WPT500 in some of these series.

The operator’s partypoker US Network arm has also partnered with WPT for online events in New Jersey. These efforts now continue with WPT Montreal and the festival’s popularity in Canada should help.

Players from Toronto to Vancouver can still get in on the action via partypoker. Like these other recent events, poker fans should expect plenty of streaming coverage via the WPT Twitch channel.

“Another exceptional event for players comes to partypoker this January,” WPT Europe Vice President Hermance Blum said. “The proven success of limited re-entries and real names carries over to WPT Montreal Online and we are excited to be partnering once more with partypoker.”

Look for a complete schedule at PokerScout soon.

♠♠♠ Ready to get in the partypoker/WPT action? Click here for a complete partypoker review and exclusive bonus offers. ♠♠♠