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Fedor Holz Faces Off With Wiktor ‘Limitless’ Malinowski in GGPoker High Stakes Heads-Up Challenge

The GGPoker Face-Off Challenge between Fedor Holz and Wiktor Malinowski wrapped up Friday with Holz winning about $90,000.

Heads-up poker seems to be en vogue lately. After some major action involving Phil Galfond over the last year, Doug Polk recently squared off with Daniel Negreanu.

The focus then turned to Phil Hellmuth and Negreanu in a live event as part of the High Stakes Duel series on PokerGO. On Tuesday, GGPoker got in the action by revealing details of an upcoming high-stakes battle between Fedor Holz and Wiktor “Limitless” Malinowski.

The online heads-up duel offers poker fans another major series to follow.

Details on the match at GGPoker

Holz is a longtime online poker pro who’s played at the highest stakes and became a GGPoker ambassador in 2020. Malinowski, a high stakes pro from  Poland, issued an open challenge to the poker world in August 2020.

Holz, Germany’s all-time money winner with more than $32 million in earnings, has now accepted. The four-session series is the first match of the new GG Face-Off Challenge.

https://youtu.be/T2MWIJENyxU

The series pits the world’s top players against each other, with some major cash and professional pride on the line. Here’s a look at the Holz-Malinowski match details:

  • Dates: March 5, 8, 10, and 12
  • Game: No Limit Hold’em
  • Stakes: $100/$200
  • Starting stacks: $20,000 (100 big blinds)

Both players bring plenty of online poker skills to the table. Malinowski has more than $700,000 in live tournament winnings, but much more online. Last May, he won the $10,200 High Roller in the WPT Online Championship series at partypoker for $281,750.

Also in 2020, Holz found his own online tournament success. He took down the $25,000 heads-up event in the World Series of Poker Online at GGPoker for $1.1 million.

Following the action with GGPoker

Poker fans looking to check out the action can view every hand on GG’s YouTube channel at GGPoker.TV. The action will be on a 30-minute delay with expert commentary.

The streams will also feature exclusive interviews, special guests, and prizes given away. The GGPoker social media channels will also follow the match, with additional content, and competitions on tap.

“This one has been a while in the making,” director of live events and sponsorships at GGPoker John Scanlon said in a news release, “but we think that now is the perfect time for these two titans of the game to clash and there’s no better place for all the action to unfold than on GGPoker’s award-winning software.”

The matchup has already attracted some interest in the poker world – including from Polk. His Upswing Poker coaching site also plans on streaming the series with Polk providing commentary.

Malinowski is confident and recently called out Holz. He even offered to take on a few of his poker coaching students simultaneously.

Betting on the challenge will be available directly within the GGPoker app. The event should be another nice addition to the growing list of heads-up matches featuring interesting names in the poker world..

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POKER GYMNASTICS: GGPoker Launches Flip & Go Twist to Traditional Tournaments

GGPoker's Flip & Go's bring unique twists to tournament poker.

With hopes of bringing something new to tournament poker, GGPoker unveiled its latest unique variant this week. The new Flip & Go format is designed to make tournament play more exciting with some innovative twists.

The new events are meant to get players right to the money portion of a tournament.

“If you want to get straight to the hottest action in a tournament, then Flip & Go is for you,” GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu said in a news release. “Get flipping with a standard stack or super-size your chips from the start – the choice is yours.

“There are extra stacks on offer during the flipout and a standard game gets underway once you’re in the money.”

How do Flip & Go tournaments work?

Flip & Go tournaments allow players to purchase extra buy-ins at registration. They then sit down with up to 10 times the default starting chip stack. 

Once underway, Flip & Go’s kick off with a fast-paced “flipout” phase in which participants are dealt three hole cards. They then must discard one before hands are completed.

Bonus chips are added to the stacks of those dealt certain three-card poker hands, such as straights and flushes. 

The flipout phase ends when every table has played down to a single winner. Each of these is then guaranteed a prize. The rest of the Flip & Go is then played out in a standard Texas Hold’em tournament format.

Flip & Go buy-ins start from just $0.01 and tournaments are scheduled every 30 minutes.

GGCare continues helping with bad luck

This new tournament joins another unique GG January promotion called GGCare. This program allows cash game players a chance at overcoming some bad luck.

The site utilizes an algorithm to recognize those who receive a tough cooler or suckout. These players are automatically registered to a daily $30,000 Flipout tournament.

That promotion runs throughout January.

★★★ To get in on the action at GGPoker, check out the complete PokerScout site review including some exclusive PokerScout bonus offers.★★★

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COOLER CONTROL: Unique GGPoker Promotion Pays Back Players Experiencing Bad Luck

GGPoker has launched a new promotion to help players experiencing some bad luck.

Bad beats – be gone. That’s the message GGPoker is sending to start the new year.

The site launched a new integrated promotion on Jan. 1 called GGCare and hopes to ease the pain of coolers and suckouts. Cash game players experiencing these types of poker disasters are rewarded as part of the program.

GG will be tracking cash game hands throughout January. Players who experience bad beats are registered automatically to a daily $30,000 Flipout tournament.

“We’ve all experienced the pain of bad beats. It’s part of the game,” GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu said in a news release. “But GGPoker has your back. With GGCare, you can suffer the worst bad beat, and still come out ahead.”

How does GGCare work?

After earning a tournament ticket , each “unlucky” player receives an entry for the following day. There are a few interesting wrinkles to the promotion.

When the Flipout tournament starts, players will be awarded different starting chip stacks depending on how unlucky they were. A custom data algorithm will determine each player’s chips – meaning the bigger the bad beat, the more a player has in the tournament.

The conditions that trigger eligible bad beats, coolers, or suckouts vary by game. The company plans to continuously optimize the GGCare system.

In the coming weeks, GG will add new trigger points to expand eligibility. That should reward even more players that find themselves in unlucky situations.

GGCare tries to channel rewards to players that might need them the most. The promotion brings something a bit different than the traditional online poker tournament reward.

Most sites normally reward similar freeroll entries to cash game players based solely on volume. Company promotions staff members have high hopes for GGCare and will monitor how players receive the program.

More than $7 million given away in January

With online poker exploding around the world, GGPoker continues to work to meet player demand. That includes on the promotion front as well.

The site has promised more than $7 million in free money up for grabs throughout January. Along with the GGCare promotion, players will find $40,000 given away daily in Rush and cash game leaderboard prizes. That totals $1.3 million in cash prizes for the month.

The site is also offering $20,000 in daily leaderboard cash for Spin & Gold players. Here’s a look at just a few other promotions planned:

  • All-In or Fold daily prizes – Play 100 hands and earn one buy-in every day.
  • Short Deck (6+) Hold’em leaderboard – GG is giving away $150,000 this month with $5,000 awarded daily.
  • Daily free spin – Simply log in and earn a daily $0.25 Spin & Gold ticket. Players have an opportunity to win up to 12,000 times their buy-in.

Along with all the January promotions, the World Series of Poker Online Circuit series continues through Jan. 10.

The series has a packed schedule with 18 championship ring events and $100 million guaranteed. For a complete look at that series, click here.

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Damian Salas Becomes Latin America’s First WSOP Main Event Champion, Scores $2.55 Million

Damian Salas at the table in the 2020 World Series of Poker Main Event.

South America now has its own World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event champion. On Sunday, Argentina’s Damian Salas finished off his second deep run in the biggest tournament in poker with a championship bracelet.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Main Event featured a split series with online play and live final tables. The international half played out at GGPoker and the US half played out at WSOP.com.

Salas was the international winner, claiming $1.55 million after topping the final table in the Czech Republic. On Sunday, he faced US champion Joseph Hebert at the Rio in Las Vegas for the title of Main Event champion and an added $1 million. 

After finishing seventh in the same event in 2017, Salas found some redemption on Sunday. The 45-year-old from Buenos Aires now claims the biggest title in poker as the game’s world champion.

Argentina’s new WSOP champion

Winning any tournament isn’t easy, but the main event is an even bigger accomplishment. The 2020 Main Event attracted big numbers online at a time when online poker is booming.

At the international final table, Salas defeated Brazil’s Brunno Botteon at King’s Casino to earn his shot in Las Vegas. Defeating Hebert for the ultimate victory didn’t come easily.

Argentina’s Damian Salas shows off his World Series of Poker Main Event championship bracelet. (all photos courtesy WSOP/Melissa Haereiti)

The two players fought it out for 173 hands and over nearly six hours with the lead swinging back and forth. Eventually, Salas vanquished his foe after Hebert moved all in with Ace-Queen.

Salas called with King-Jack and flopped a pair of Kings. The turn card brought no help to Hebert and another King on the river gave Salas the championship.

“Joseph was a very hard opponent, and he played really well,” Salas said. “In a few instances, he was about to win, it was a real fight and he never slowed down. Going into the championship, I felt all the energy and support from my family and friends in Argentina tonight, and that helped me.”

Fulfilling a dream

Back in Argentina, Salas works as an attorney and doesn’t plan on leaving his job. He’s a regular player online and now has more than $3 million in live tournament winnings as well.

Before the event, the two competitors complimented each other and spoke about this year’s unique Main Event. Salas said it would be a dream come true to win a bracelet. 

“I always try to be better and that’s my motivation,” he said about his mindset going into the match.

A family man, Salas credited his wife, children, and friends with his success. He also thanked the Latin American poker community for their support.

Main Event champion Damian Salas and runner-up Joseph Hebert after the final hands plays out in the Rio.

“I feel like they’re here with me,” he said. “I feel like they make me better as a person.”

The new champion now has first bracelet, encrusted with plenty of diamonds. However, the post-match bracelet photos included two pieces of hardware. An additional bracelet crafted by Salas’ daughter was also included.

Big numbers for a big event

Getting to a champion wasn’t easy and there some unique circumstances came with the event. That included one player from China not attending the international final table.

In the US, another player was disqualified and paid ninth-place money after testing COVID-19 positive. In the end, the tournament indeed produced a 2020 champion no matter the obstacles.

How Salas’ championship is remembered remains to be seen. At the very least, his title stands out as an interesting footnote in the event’s 51-year history.

The tournament produced big numbers at GGPoker and WSOP.com. Between the two final tables, four players received payouts of more than $1 million.

Two of those became the first to win seven figures in the regulated US online poker market. Here’s a complete look ta the Main Event numbers:

  • Entries – 1,379
  • Prize pool – $13.2 million plus an extra $1 million for the heads-up match
  • Entries at WSOP.com – 705
  • Prize pool at WSOP.com – $6.8 million
  • Entries at GGPoker – 674
  • Prize pool at GGPoker – $6.5 million
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STAKE WITH SIZZLE: GGPoker Staking Feature Brings Easy Online Option for Backing Other Players

GGPoker staking feature is exclusive to the site and has become a popular option.

Poker backing deals are probably as old as the game itself. A well-heeled player might peel off a few bucks to back a fellow player, landing a bit of skin in another player’s game.

The practice has grown in recent years to players even seeking some “investment” in online events. GGPpker has recognized this growing trend and made it even easier.

Players on the site can make use of the staking feature to back others on the platform. It’s a simple way to take out a sweat in another player – and possibly win some money without even playing.

 

What is poker staking and why is it popular?

Those new to the world of poker staking may be asking: why stake other players at all?First of all, there’s some fun that comes with staking some other players.

Daniel Negreanu

Backers can follow their “horses” throughout an event to have a fun sweat. Seeing one of those players streamed at a final table makes it even more fun.

Backing another player also offers a chance at some winnings should that player run deep. Seeing a nice score for the player means spreading the winnings around to all those backers.

For a player selling action, backing means minimizing his risk. That player may be able to play in a bigger event by selling a chunk of his action.

GG ambassadors Daniel Negreanu or Felipe Ramos may even seek out some action. A big name player’s score also means some dollars coming the way of those who staked him as well. Regular online grinders can also get in the staking game as well.

“The staking feature on GGPoker is cutting edge and incredibly user friendly,” Negreanu tells PokerScout. “I truly love it. Whether you are looking to buy or sell action, you can do it all very easily in the client and when the player cashes in a tournament, the funds are updated immediately.”

The staking feature has also been popular with poker streamers, allowing viewers to check out their play. Staking also tends to make players focus on their best play with others’ money also on the line.

“You can set your own price, how much you want to sell, and even put a cap on how much anyone can buy,” Negreanu says. “This is really helpful for streamers who want to give fans a chance to have a piece of the action while they watch. I did it regularly during WSOP.”

Staking other players at GGPoker

So how does staking at GGPoker work? The ability to back others is integrated directly into the software and mobile app. Exclusive to GG, this is the first online poker feature to facilitate players buying others’ action.

“It’s very popular and in any given tournament there will be a range of players seeking stakes and others staking them,” GGPoker spokesman Paul Burke says.

The process is pretty simple. Players first just need to visit any tournament lobby to back someone in an event. 

The staking tab is found in the lobby of all eligible events. Backers pay a proportion of a player’s entry fee with an added player-defined margin (also known as markup).

A look at the GGPoker tournament lobby staking tab, for Felipe Ramos in this case.

Backers pay the full amount of the stakes they buy, which are purchased in increments of 1%. This can decrease to as little as 0.1% for events with a buy-in of $5,000 and above..

Once a stake is purchased, the transaction becomes non-refundable except when:

  • the seller subsequently cancels the sale or unregisters from the tournament
  • a tournament is cancelled for unforeseen circumstances

Selling action using the feature

Average Joe and Janes can also list some of their own action for sale. Once registered for a tournament, players go to the tournament lobby and use the staking panel to list their action.

After registering for a tournament, sellers set the percentage of their play for sale as well as the markup. Players can value their action as they see fit and sell throughout the tournament registration period. Sellers can cancel a sale at any time during this period.

A look at how players can buy action from another players on the site.

Once a player opts to sell action, a staking profile page will be accessible to potential backers. The profile provides information on a player’s performance.

Potential bakers can check the history of any player selling action to gauge potential success.

What does a staking deal look like?

Imagine a fictitious player named Johnny GG is looking to sell some action. He’s registering for a $10 event, but some backers might be nice to cover that entry fee.

Johnny then sets how much he’d like to sell in the staking tab of the event lobby. Perhaps he’s looking for backers to cover 50% of his entry at a markup of 2x.

A backer purchases 5% for $1. If Johnny cashes for $100, then the backer receives the equivalent percentage of winnings purchased. In this case, the backer receives 5% of the total payout – $5.

Players can sell up to 90% of their action and there’s no fee charged to players for using the feature. Many in the industry have stressed the need to bring the fun back to poker. GG seems to have done its part to add some extra entertainment to the poker mix.

GGPoker’s staking feature has now moved beyond the traditional notion of poker backing. Players surviving past the first day in phased tournaments can also sell some pieces of themselves.

Staking is now available on Day 2 of some events. This makes following a player’s action a bit more fun as cashing is now even closer.

 

GG staking success stories

Those looking for some staking action in major events will usually find plenty of opportunities. All 54 of this summer’s World Series of Poker Online bracelet events utilized the staking feature.

The nine multi-day Phase tournaments have also used the recently-introduced Day 2 staking option as well. GGPoker staking has produced some nice scores for players.

Staking Fedor Holz in the WSOP Online at GGPoker paid off in a big way recently for 136 backers. (photo courtesy Poker Central)

The best overall result came during the WSOP Online. GGPoker ambassador Fedor Holz took the title in the $25,000 Heads Up event.

Holz sold 77.5% of his action to 130 investors at a markup of 1.15. Those players bought chucks of  between 0.1% and 10.3%.

After scoring $1.1 million, all players won 36 times their investment. That meant a 0.1% stake of $28.75 turned into $1,089. That was certainly a “good game” for backers.

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RING IN THE NEW YEAR: WSOP Winter Online Circuit Kicks Off at GGPoker with Plenty of Gold

The GGPoker WSOP Winter Online Circuit offers players 18 championship ring events.

The World Series of Poker Main Event may have reached its conclusion at GGPoker, but the WSOP action continues into January. The site has once again teamed up with the series for the WSOP Winter Online Circuit.

The series features 18 championship ring events and runs through Jan. 10 with a massive $100 million guarantee. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, however, and there are numerous other side events as well.

The temperature may be dropping this winter, but the prize pools remain high at GGPoker.

A look at the WSOP Winter Circuit at GGPoker

Players looking for some holiday Hold’em will be in luck with a tournament for every bankroll. Buy-ins range from $30 to $10,000 and that includes several “mini” events.

Players will also find numerous starting flights in many events. The series is highlighted by the $1,700 Main Event, which features a $10 million guarantee.

Starting flights for that event begin Jan. 4 with the final table set for Jan. 16. A few other championship ring events to watch out for include:

  • $800 Monster Stack (Event 4) – $2 million guarantee
  • $315 Bounty Giant NLHE (Event 9) – $1 million guarantee
  • $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS (Event 10) – $1.225 million
  • $10,000 Heads Up NLHE (Event 13) – $1 million guarantee
  • $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS (Event 15) –  $2.021 million guarantee
  • $252 Deepstack Bounty Hunters NLHE (Event 17) – $500,000 guarantee

Those with smaller bankrolls may also want to check out Event 6. This $170 Mini Main Event has several starting flights and comes with a $2 million guarantee.

The Mini also awards a championship ring along with a nice payout. The series wraps up on Dec. 26 live on the GGPoker Twitch stream.

Some other nice low baller options dot the schedule as well. The $30 Mini Marathon on Dec. 19 features a $50,000 guarantee.

Here’s a look at the remainder of the series.

GGPoker WSOP Winter Online Circuit

DateEventBuy-inGuarantee
Dec 16WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $200 Monster Stack$200$50,000
Dec 16WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $300 Marathon$300$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Marathon$30$50,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $500 Fifty Stack$500$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $105 Bounty 6-Handed$105$75,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $400 Forty Stack$400$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Opener$2,500$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $52.50 Bounty Hunters Daily Main$52.50$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $1,500 Deepstack$1,500$150,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $80 Deepstack Pot Limit Omaha$80$20,000
Dec 16WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Prime$2,500$150,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Circuit$315$150,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Omaha$315$40,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $3,150 Blade Bounty King$3,150$100,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $55 Fifty Stack$55$50,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $300 Triple Chance$300$75,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Triple Chance$30$25,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Mulligan$2,500$150,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade PLO$2,500$50,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $126 Deepstack Bounty Turbo$126$60,000
Dec 16WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $80 The Closer$80$25,000
Dec 16WSOPC Series: $80 The PLOser$80$15,000
Dec 16WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Closer$2,500$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $200 Monster Stack$200$50,000
Dec 17WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $300 Marathon$300$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Marathon$30$50,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $500 Fifty Stack$500$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $105 Bounty 6-Handed$105$75,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $400 Forty Stack$400$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Opener$2,500$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $52.50 Bounty Hunters Daily Main$52.50$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $1,500 Deepstack$1,500$150,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $80 Deepstack Pot Limit Omaha$80$20,000
Dec 17WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Prime$2,500$150,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Circuit$315$150,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Omaha$315$40,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $3,150 Blade Bounty King$3,150$100,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $55 Fifty Stack$55$50,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $300 Triple Chance$300$75,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Triple Chance$30$25,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Mulligan$2,500$150,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade PLO$2,500$50,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $126 Deepstack Bounty Turbo$126$60,000
Dec 17WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $80 The Closer$80$25,000
Dec 17WSOPC Series: $80 The PLOser$80$15,000
Dec 17WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Closer$2,500$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $200 Monster Stack$200$50,000
Dec 18WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $300 Marathon$300$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Marathon$30$50,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $500 Fifty Stack$500$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $105 Bounty 6-Handed$105$75,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $400 Forty Stack$400$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Opener$2,500$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $52.50 Bounty Hunters Daily Main$52.50$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $1,500 Deepstack$1,500$150,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $80 Deepstack Pot Limit Omaha$80$20,000
Dec 18WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Prime$2,500$150,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Circuit$315$150,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Omaha$315$40,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $3,150 Blade Bounty King$3,150$100,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $55 Fifty Stack$55$50,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $300 Triple Chance$300$75,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Triple Chance$30$25,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Mulligan$2,500$150,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade PLO$2,500$50,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $126 Deepstack Bounty Turbo$126$60,000
Dec 18WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $80 The Closer$80$25,000
Dec 18WSOPC Series: $80 The PLOser$80$15,000
Dec 18WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Closer$2,500$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 19WSOPC #4: $800 Monster Stack No Limit Hold’em$800$1,000,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $200 Monster Stack$200$50,000
Dec 19WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $300 Marathon$300$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Marathon$30$50,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $500 Fifty Stack$500$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $105 Bounty 6-Handed$105$75,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $400 Forty Stack$400$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Opener$2,500$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $52.50 Bounty Hunters Daily Main$52.50$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $1,500 Deepstack$1,500$150,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $80 Deepstack Pot Limit Omaha$80$20,000
Dec 19WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Prime$2,500$150,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Circuit$315$150,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Omaha$315$40,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $3,150 Blade Bounty King$3,150$100,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $55 Fifty Stack$55$50,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $300 Triple Chance$300$75,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $30 Mini Triple Chance$30$25,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Mulligan$2,500$150,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade PLO$2,500$50,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $126 Deepstack Bounty Turbo$126$60,000
Dec 19WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 1]$170$2,000,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $80 The Closer$80$25,000
Dec 19WSOPC Series: $80 The PLOser$80$15,000
Dec 19WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade Closer$2,500$100,000
Dec 20WSOPC #5: $600 Pot Limit Omaha$600$500,000
Dec 20WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD [Day 2]$170$2,000,000
Dec 21WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 21WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 21WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 21WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 22WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 22WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 22WSOPC #7: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed Championship$1,500$1,000,000
Dec 22WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 22WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 23WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 23WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 23WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 23WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 24WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 24WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 24WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 24WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 25WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 25WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 25WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 25WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 26WSOPC #8: $600 Marathon No Limit Hold’em$600$500,000
Dec 26WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 26WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 26WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1]$400$1,225,000
Dec 26WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$1,225,000
Dec 27WSOPC #9: $315 BOUNTY GIANT No Limit Hold’em$315$1,000,000
Dec 27WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD [Day 2]$400$1,225,000
Dec 28WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 28WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 28WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 28WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Dec 29WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 29WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 29WSOPC #11: $1,050 Bounty Hunters Championship$1,050$1,000,000
Dec 29WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 29WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Dec 30WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 30WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 30WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 30WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Dec 31WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 31WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 31WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Dec 31WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Jan 1WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 1WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 1WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 1WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Jan 2WSOPC #12: $500 Deepstack No Limit Hold’em$500$500,000
Jan 2WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 2WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 2WSOPC #13: $10,000 Heads Up NLHE [No Late Reg, 128 Cap]$10,000$1,000,000
Jan 2WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1]$400$2,021,000
Jan 2WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Day 1, Turbo]$400$2,021,000
Jan 3WSOPC #14: $800 FIFTY STACK No Limit Hold’em$800$1,000,000
Jan 3WSOPC #15: $400 NEW YEAR COLOSSUS, $2.021M GTD [Final Day]$400$2,021,000
Jan 4WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 4WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 5WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 5WSOPC #16: $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship$3,000$500,000
Jan 5WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 6WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 6WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 7WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 7WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 8WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 8WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 9WSOPC #17: $252 Deepstack Bounty Hunters No Limit Hold’em$252$500,000
Jan 9WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 9WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 1]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 10WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD [Day 2]$1,700$10,000,000
Jan 16WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD – Final Table$1,700$10,000,000

Leaderboard cash, streaming plans for the latest WSOP Online Circuit

GGPoker offers players plenty of ways to win during the series. That includes some free money for those who are regulars throughout the series.

GG has put $100,000 up for grabs for the player of the series. The player in the top spot takes home an extra $10,000.

The GGPoker Twitch channel will also be shown live streaming several events with cards-up coverage. That culminates with the $1,700 Main Event final table on Jan. 16 with Jeff Platt and Brent Hanks calling the action.

Fans can also look for streaming action from the $170 Mini Main Event and $10,000 Heads Up as well. Here’s a look at the entire streaming schedule.

WSOP Winter Online Circuit Streaming Schedule

DateEventCommentators
Dec 15WSOPC #2: $10,300 Super MILLION$ High Roller, $5M GTD – Final TableNanonoko & Rotterdam
Dec 19WSOPC #1: BIG $50, $1M GTD – Final TableJeff Platt & Brent Hanks
Dec 22Super MILLION$ High Rollers $10,300, $1.5M GTD – Final TableNanonoko & Rotterdam
Dec 26WSOPC #6: $170 Mini Main Event, $2M GTD – Final TableJeff Platt & Brent Hanks
Dec 29Super MILLION$ High Rollers $10,300, $1.5M GTD – Final TableNanonoko & Rotterdam
Jan 2WSOPC #10: $400 CHRISTMAS PLOSSUS, $1.225M GTD – Final TableJeff Platt & Brent Hanks
Jan 5Super MILLION$ High Rollers $10,300, $1.5M GTD – Final TableNanonoko & Rotterdam
Jan 9WSOPC #13: $10,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold’em – Semi Final TableJeff Platt & Brent Hanks
Jan 12Super MILLION$ High Rollers $10,300, $1.5M GTD – Final TableNanonoko & Rotterdam
Jan 16WSOPC #18: $1,700 MAIN EVENT, $10M GTD – Final TableJeff Platt & Brent Hanks

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WSOP $10,000 Main Event Reaches Final Table at GGPoker, Winner Scores $1.55 Million

After four days of play that included three starting flights, the final table is now set on the international side of the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event.

Play wrapped up on Monday at GGPoker and Brazil’s Brunno Botteon leads those returning. He’ll be looking for a first-place payout of $1.55 million. 

The series announced in November that there would be two final tables with play held initially online. The WSOP.com half for US players follows on Dec. 13.

With the GGPoker side out of the way, poker fans now know what to expect at the final table.

Analyzing the WSOP GGPoker final table 

The GGPoker Main Event tournament produced a field of 674 players and a $6.5 million prize pool. Chip leader Botteon is no stranger to poker success, especially at GG.

While he may have only $78,000 in live tournament winnings, Botteon’s scored significant cash online. He was a regular in this summer’s WSOP Online, which brought some huge scores including:

  • $500 Limit Hold’em – runner-up for $41,855
  • $25,000 Poker Players Championship – sixth for $388,837
  • $25,000 NLHE Heads-Up – runner-up for $622,300

After those big runs, Botteon will be looking to add a win in the biggest tournament around. It won’t be easy and he faces some tough competition.

Portugal’s Manuel Ruivo in second and Argentina’s Damian Salas sit just behind Botteon. Ruivo has $745,000 in live tournament winnings and also significant online scores.

In 2018, he won the $5,300 partypoker MILLIONS Online for $2.3 million. Salas has $2.7 million in live tournament winnings, including a huge bullet point point on his resumé. In 2017, Salas took seventh in the $10,000 WSOP Main Event for $1.4 million.

The first player eliminated from the final table in ninth will earn $75,360. Blinds will be at 100,000/200,000 with a 20,000 ante when play resumes. Here’s a look at the complete final table:

2020 WSOP Main Event GGPoker Final Table

Position PlayerCountryChips
1stBrunno BotteonBrazil10,317,743
2ndManuel RuivoPortugal6,213,759
3rdDamian SalasArgentina5,653,528
4th“fullbabyfull”Liechtenstein4,232,560
5thHannes SpeiserAustria3,515,744
6thDominykas MikolaitisLithuania3,165,440
7thRamon Miquel MunozSpain3,035,940
8thPeiyuan SunChina2,185,676
9thStoyan ObreshkovBulgaria2,119,610

What’s next for the WSOP Main Event?

GG paused the action with the first final table set. The action shifts to live play at King’s Casino in the Czech Republic on Dec. 15.

The US final table will be played on Dec. 28 at the Rio in Las Vegas. The American side of the event will play out over three days in the states of Nevada and New Jersey.

Each property will pay out winners separately and the two final players will meet at the Rio. Caesars and GGPoker are putting up $1 million for the winner-take-all heads-up battle.

Both final tables will be filmed for broadcast on ESPN as well as the heads-up duel.

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SOCIAL MEDIA MAVERICK: GGPoker Signs Dan Bilzerian to Company Ambassador Role

GGPoker has announced the signing of social media star Dan Bilzerian.

GGPoker already boasts an ambassador stable that includes Daniel Negreanu and Fedor Holz. On Thursday, the site announced the signing of another major poker name – “King of Instagram” Dan Bilzerian.

Bilzerian has become one of the world’s most recognizable poker players and social media influencers. On Instagram alone, Bilzerian has more than 32 million followers.

“Dan joining Team GGPoker is a huge win,” Negreanu noted in a news release announcing the signing.

“No one in poker has a bigger reach than Dan. He has won millions in cash games and isn’t afraid to get into the mix against the sharks in the high-stakes streets at GGPoker.” 

Bilzerian comes with some controversy

While he may bring plenty of eyeballs, Bilzerian has also been a polarizing figure in the world of poker. His social media posts frequently involve plenty of partying, global travel, and scantily-clad women.

When it comes to poker Bilzerian has made some big claims. At varying times he’s said to have won more than $10 million in a single session and $50 million over the course of a year (2014).

Bilzerian also has various business interests ranging from electronic cigarettes to CBD oil to vodka. He’s also worked as an actor on occasion.

https://twitter.com/DanBilzerian/status/1269910950171127808?s=20

His winnings and wealth have been disputed through the years. His father, Paul Bilzerian, was the subject of a Wall Street Journal investigation in 2014.

The elder Bilzerian is a former corporate takeover specialist. He battled the Securities and Exchange Commission over a $64 million civil judgement for 25 years. That involved self-exile on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts and even renouncing his US citizenship.

As the Journal noted, many believed his father had “assets set aside for son Dan Bilzerian, a social-media star who has attracted millions of online followers by flaunting his exploits with cars, guns, bikini-clad women and high-stakes poker.”

Bilzerian told the paper that his father did endow him a trust. However, he says much of his wealth has come from private high stakes poker games.

“People are going to believe what they want to believe,” Bilzerian said in the article.

What’s in it for GGPoker?

While Bilzerian comes with an edgy background, that’s nothing new for the world of poker. Vice has come hand in hand with poker at various times.

Some may even view Bilzerian as a nice addition and contrast to a more sanitized version of the game. Marketers may see a little controversy as just an opportunity to get the GGPoker brand in the public eye.

The company has made big headlines in recent months with its partnerships with the World Series of Poker. That even includes the $10,000 Main Event, with much of the tournament now played online.

GG has grown at a rapid clip since its launch in 2017. Bilzerian coming on board may introduce the site to a more mainstream audience. His social media following allows the site to potentially reach those who might be new to the game.

That’s the hope for any brand ambassadorship nowadays – converting fans to real-money players. The social media star certainly has an audience and GG hopes some of those may want to play poker. 

“In these crazy times, GGPoker is the best option to get my poker on – they cater to the recreational players and that’s the future of poker, not a bunch of math nerds,” Bilzerian said in a news release.

“I’ve battled guys from the $2 buy-in to the $200,000 buy-in tables at GGPoker, and will be working with GG to make cash game tables even better for the average player out there.”

GGPoker celebrates signing with $100,000 freeroll

To celebrate, GG is hosting a special 40th birthday party for Bilzerian on Dec. 7. The $100,000 Birthday Freeroll is open to all new players.

At least 50% of the field will earn some cash and the winner takes home at least $10,000. Additionally, the champ also is rewarded with a $3,000 buy-in for a heads-up match against Bilzerian.

There are also some extras planned. The player eliminating Bilzerian wins an all-expenses paid trip to party with him in Las Vegas in summer 2021.

Anyone knocking out another Team GGPoker player or one of Bilzerian’s special guests wins:

  • a Spin & Gold bundle valued at $200
  • $1,000 in cash for one winner

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