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December 27, 2022December 27, 2022

Israel’s Shachar Zvang Wins First Match Poker Online World Cup, Matt Matros Takes Runner-up

The inaugural Match Poker Online World Cup recently concluded with top-tier players from around the world competing for bragging rights and cash prizes.

The tournament was held over the course of two weeks in December with hundreds of online poker players taking part. Israeli player Shachar “OctopuSZ” Zvang emerged as the winner and tournament organizers were pleased with the results.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and good sportsmanship of all involved in the competition – many sending congratulations and expressing how fun and close the final results were,” said Jake Colman, Match Poker Online head of customer relations.

World Cup action and a look at winners

Players qualified for the World Cup by participating on the app throughout the year. Competitors were placed into one of two categories. The “Ruby” division featured the game’s best players and the “Ivory” division included the game’s second tier.

After two weekends of playoffs, the field was narrowed down to 36 finalists in each category for the finals, held on Dec. 17-18. At the end of the event, Zvang emerged as the winner, taking home $625, a digital certificate, and a trophy.

After his big win, Zvang took to Twitter to thank the organizers for the “amazing experience.” American poker player and writer Matt Matros finished runner-up. He shared his own World Cup story on Twitter. He’d hoped to “come full circle” and win the tournament, but settled for the silver medal.

More than a decade ago I competed for the US in a Match Poker team event on the London Eye, so I was really hoping to come full circle and win this World Cup. Alas, I will have to settle for the silver medal! https://t.co/W5mGnWss9Y

— Matt Matros (@Matt_Matros) December 18, 2022

German player Daniel “Zealot” Eylenfeldt finished third, winning $125. Eylenfeldt is a regular in live match poker events. His team, Piranhas Hamburg, previously won the German National Live Match Poker competition.

In the Ivory division, German player “MacHarry” came out on top for $450. “AndyLai” from Hong Kong took second place for $175. “NutsHK,” also from Hong Kong, came in third for $75.

A total of 632 players qualified for the Ruby and Ivory divisions. Match Poker Online officials are looking forward to an even bigger and better tournament in 2023.

What is Match Poker and how does it work?

Released in February, the free Match Poker app highlights a “battle royale” game mode. In this structure, 36 players are dealt the same hand across tables and compete to see who can score the best in each round.

The goal is to eliminate luck as the app focuses on player results and offers tips on how to play the hand for the best possible outcomes.

Additionally, the app collects statistics on player behavior, allowing users to see if they are playing too aggressively, passively, loose, or tight. The app also includes various statistics, graphs, and other enjoyable gameplay features.

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

Colman recently appeared on the Nerdthusiast Poker Podcast and discussed the game and its future.

Match Poker introduces a new twist on traditional poker by allowing players to compete not only against those at their own table, but also against players seated at other tables in the same seat as them.

In this format, all players in the same seat are dealt the same two hole cards and see the same flop, turn, and river. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game and allows for more detailed statistical analysis.]

Developers have announced that more game features and statistical options will be added in 2023.

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.

November 8, 2022

Match Poker Online Launches First Major Event; World Cup Coming in December, Cash Prizes for Winners

The official Match Poker Online app launched earlier this year and now takes the platform to the next level. The World Cup international competition is now on the horizon for the online poker app and set for December.

The event allows players to represent their country and take on the best players in the game. Cash prizes will also be up for grabs.

“From the start, we’ve wanted to be much more than an app, we’ve wanted to be a sport – albeit one that is played via an app,” head of customer relations Jake Colman says. “Being a sport necessarily involves holding championship events, world cups, and other big events to determine the best players in the sport of poker. So this is the first time we are offering the pinnacle of our sport.”

Qualifying for the Match Poker World Cup

To get in the action, players must meet the eligibility requirement by downloading and playing on the app. Competitors must have achieved at least one of the following by Nov. 27:

reached an IFMP (International Federation of Match Poker) rating of 1,200 or above
be in the top 15% of the Ivory, Sapphire, or Emerald tiers of IFMP Ratings
be among the top 15% of eligible players in any Premiership season
won a weekly challenge
won a special event, such as the May Cup or Battle Weekend

About 400 players are in the World Cup pool so far, but players can still qualify. Eligible players will be notified via email.

How does Match Poker work?

Launched in February, the free poker app features a “Battle Royale” game. 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 risk your own bankroll.

Players get a chance to test their skills against players all over the world. All players are tested 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 helps take luck out of the game and focuses on particular hand situations. The app can be a nice training tool, helping players see different scenarios in real time. It also is continually improving as well.

“We’re going to start analyzing everything from how often you make it to showdown, win at showdown, three-bet or fold to a three-bet, continuation bet, or move all in,” Colman says. “Each statistic tells the player where they are, and where they should be.”

A look at the World Cup

The World Cup features a playoff series and concludes with a finals consisting of players of the same rating tier. Tournament play showcases Match Poker Online’s new “Triple Battle” format, which sees players compete in one Battle Royale each hour for three consecutive hours.

The top 36 players then advance in the finals. The series comes after months of planning and continuous growth on the app.

“What’s been wonderful to see has been the enthusiasm from our players,” Colman says. “Each of our matches goes for 30-45 minutes, and heaps of players play 20 or so matches each week, which is a wonderful commitment of time and effort.

“There are some players who have played more than 100 matches a month! Adding even more players at all skill levels gets us closer to our goal of running matches almost instantaneously. Happily, we’re getting closer.”

The playoffs take place Dec. 3-4 for most players with the finals playing out on Dec. 10-11. For US players, those dates are Dec. 2-3 with the finals on Dec. 9-10.

The winner of the Ruby division, the top competition, is crowned the overall World Cup champion. And even though it’s a free app, Match Poker Online is awarding cash prizes. Players can compete for a share of more than $2,000 and here’s a look at the payouts:

Ranking category	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
Ruby	$625	$250	$125
Ivory	$450	$175	$75
Sapphire	$200	$100	$50
Emerald	$100	$50	$25

Ramping up the Match Poker app

Besides the World Cup, the company is looking to expand the app’s statistical analyses. This will give more and faster players feedback regarding their own play.

After years of development, players can now test their skills by using real-time updated data.

The company is also expanding the digital platform into other parts of Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Future highlights include country-specific events set to launch in 2023. Players will then also be able to create private clubs and expand to make their own competitions. The moves come as Match Poker Online continues to “sportify” poker.

“Even though it’s played in an app, Match Poker is a sport,” Colman says. “We’re working hard to see it become as widespread as basketball, tennis, or chess, with communities in every part of the world, at every level – from suburban leagues to national titles. The World Cup is the most important step forward we’ve ever taken in getting there.”

Match Poker Online is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

February 15, 2022

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

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.