{"id":33054,"date":"2020-02-20T09:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T10:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=33054"},"modified":"2020-02-20T13:43:01","modified_gmt":"2020-02-20T13:43:01","slug":"chip-chatter-scheinberg-poker-central-zynga-wpt-high-stakes-poker-jersey-numbers-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/chip-chatter-scheinberg-poker-central-zynga-wpt-high-stakes-poker-jersey-numbers-more\/","title":{"rendered":"CHIP CHATTER: Scheinberg, Poker Central, Zynga, WPT, High Stakes Poker, Jersey Numbers, More"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s cold outside, but there\u2019s been plenty of heat in the poker world over the last month. That news ranges from new TV deals<\/b> and states legalizing online poker<\/b> to big events and Platinum Passes<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n There was even an arrest of one of the titans of online poker and the founder of PokerStars<\/b>. Here\u2019s a look at some news and notes in the live and online poker world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg<\/b> officially turned himself in to federal authorities in New York<\/b> on Jan. 17<\/b>. The 73-year-old Israeli-Canadian<\/a> <\/b>and industry titan has avoided U.S. soil for two decades, according to Forbes<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n Prosecutors have indicted Scheinberg on gambling<\/b>, bank fraud<\/b>, and money laundering<\/b> charges. He decided to surrender to authorities after the U.S. began extradition proceedings with Switzerland<\/b>.<\/p>\n Scheinberg was released on $1 million<\/b> bail and became a virtual fugitive from justice after Black Friday<\/b> in 2011<\/b>.<\/p>\n In 2001<\/b>, Scheinberg launched and built the largest online poker site in the world. He ran the company until its sale in 2014.<\/p>\n High Stakes Poker<\/i><\/b> has remained a fan favorite since its last episode aired on the Game Show Network<\/b> in 2011<\/b>. The show featured a cash game with some of the biggest names in the game<\/a>.<\/p>\n The show is now coming to PokerGO<\/b> after Poker Central\u2019s<\/b> acquisition of the its brand and assets. The company made the announcement in early February, and will begin streaming episodes in the coming months.<\/p>\n The new deal also calls for even more action. Poker Central is finalizing plans for new episode distribution through PokerGO and potential partners.<\/p>\n High Stakes Poker<\/i> ran for seven seasons, from 2006-11<\/b>. Regulars included Doyle Brunson<\/b>, Antonio Esfandiari<\/b>, Barry Greenstein<\/b>, and Daniel Negreanu<\/b>. Players ponied up a minimum buy-in of $100,000<\/b> in the first season and as high as $500,000<\/b>.<\/p>\n Mori Eskandani<\/b> produced all seven seasons of High Stakes <\/i>with executive producer Henry Orenstein<\/b>. Eskandani now serves as executive producer at Poker Central and is pleased to see the show\u2019s return.<\/p>\n \u201cHigh Stakes Poker <\/i>was raw and natural, we just let the players play and that\u2019s what made it so special,\u201d Eskandani said in a news release. \u201cIt\u2019s truly a dream come true to bring the series to a new generation of poker fans and players, and we expect even more action when the show returns with faces both new and old.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In other Poker Central news, the company recently announced a new partnership with Global Poker<\/b>. The social gaming site becomes the official online poker partner for a number\u00a0 of Poker Central\u2019s live events.<\/p>\n Some of those sponsored events include:<\/p>\n Along with event sponsorship, the Global deal includes live stream integration<\/b> with Poker Central. The platform will also create the \u201cGlobal Poker Lounge<\/b>\u201d inside the PokerGO Studio<\/b> in Las Vegas<\/b>.<\/p>\n \u201cKicking off this partnership with Global Poker has been a dream come true for our team,\u201d Poker Central President Sam Simmons<\/b> said. \u201cOur two companies share a common goal of making poker accessible to fans worldwide, and this partnership will allow both to advance that mission through live events and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The new sponsorship will also provide Global players with exclusive player experiences during Poker Central events. That could include meet and greets, special giveaways, and online qualifiers.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the prestige of Poker Central\u2019s events, bringing our brands together feels like the next step in taking both partners to the next level,\u201d Global Poker General Manager David Lyons<\/b> said. \u201cThis partnership will not only promote the events, but offer countless opportunities to bring poker players and enthusiasts from all over the world into the action.\u201d<\/p>\n The partnership between Zynga Poker<\/b> and the World Poker Tour<\/b> grew a bit more last week. The mobile poker site already sponsors an annual WPT500<\/b> event at the Aria<\/b> and also runs WPT-themed games.<\/p>\n The new deal includes the addition of the WPT Sweepstakes<\/b>. The promotion runs through March 6<\/b> for all US-based players who complete daily in-game challenges<\/b>. Some of those will win an all-expenses paid trip to play in the $3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown<\/b>.<\/p>\n Players earn up to three sweepstakes entries (one entry per week) by completing Tournament Center<\/b> weekly goals. Following the three-week contest period, 15 winners<\/b> will be drawn from the pool of entries.<\/p>\n In addition, winners will attend an exclusive training workshop run by WPT commentator and champion Tony Dunst<\/b>. With close to $4 million<\/b> in live tournament winnings, Dunst believes Zynga can be a great way to learn the game.<\/p>\n \u201cZynga Poker is a great platform for anyone to learn the ins-and-outs of Texas Hold\u2018em rules, strategies, and community,\u201d he said. \u201cZynga has given these players the practical tools to succeed, and I look forward to sharing tips I\u2019ve learned as a WPT champion to accelerate their respective learning curves.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n While online poker in New Jersey<\/b> has been treading water in recent years, there may be some hope. With online poker going live in Pennsylvania<\/b>, some enthusiasm seems to have spilled over to the Garden State.<\/p>\n According to PlayNJ.com<\/i>, the state\u2019s online casinos earned more than $50 million<\/b> for the first time ever in January<\/b>.<\/p>\n That total actually came to $55.1 million, a 70% increase from last January and 5.6% increase from December. Caesars\/WSOP.com\/888poker<\/b> remains the market leader, followed by PokerStars<\/b> and BorgataPoker\/partypoker<\/b>.<\/p>\n For online poker fans, additional good news is that January marked the second straight month of growth. Players will be hoping 2020 continues to show positive signs.<\/p>\n Phil Galfond<\/b>, founder of Run It Once Poker<\/b>, recently spoke with <\/a>PokerScout.com<\/i> about the site\u2019s first year. That included some challenges and his recent efforts to lure PokerStars cash game players.<\/p>\n PokerStars cash game players PokerStars founder turns himself in to authorities<\/span><\/h2>\n
High Stakes Poker returns<\/span><\/h2>\n
Global Poker partners with Poker Central<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Global has been expanding in recent years with numerous major series throughout the year. The site has partnered with the Card Player Poker Tour<\/b> in the past and sponsors some of its big winners at live events.<\/p>\n
Zynga, WPT team up for high roller sweepstakes event<\/span><\/h2>\n
New Jersey shows some positive online poker signs<\/span><\/h2>\n
Run It Once Poker to the US?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\u2013 now\u2019s the time to make your jump to @RunItOncePoker<\/a>.#StarsBecomeLegends<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/oE7znrCLrk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OBn5ZhBZH2<\/a><\/p>\n