PokerStars launches their premium product Spin & Go on mobile devices, and Amaya subsidiary European Poker Tour announce plans to turn Prague into the largest festival ever.
Fans of PokerStars Spin & Go format will be happy to hear that the new adrenaline hit is now available on mobile.
Lloyd Melnick, Director of Social Gaming at PokerStars said that mobile gamers would ‘love the fast-paced poker action,’ and I am inclined to agree with him. It’s all about that high before the cards hit the deck and nobody injects it quicker that a PokerStars Spin & Go.
Instead of including the game as a feature on the PokerStars Mobile App, the Red Spade has decided to create a standalone app called ‘Jackpot Poker’. It’s a wise choice. It separates skill from luck. It’s also an effective branding exercise as it sounds more online casino than online poker.
According to the press release, the jackpot is 3,000x your buy-in, and the game is available on both iOS and Android. The game is to be used as a bridge to move new players into the PokerStars environment. Newcomers to Jackpot Poker will receive access to an in-game poker quiz designed to test players knowledge of the game, there are also in-app promotions and refer-a-friend bonuses.
EPT Prague to be Biggest EPT Ever
The announcement of the new app arrives perfectly for European Poker Tour (EPT) regulars currently en route to Prague. The EPT continue to raise the bar with more frequency than Sergey Bubka did in his heyday, after announcing this will be their largest festival in history.
Once again the EPT will partner with the Eureka Poker Tour to create a 12-day feast of poker running Dec 5 to 16 at The Hilton, Prague. The centerpiece will once again be the €5,300 Main Event, but that’s only one of 97 tournaments that will take place spread over 185 poker tables, and supervised by over 250-floor staff and dealers.
Don’t like tournaments?
Don’t sweat it. There will be 35 dedicated cash game tables operated by the EPT.
PokerStars has announced that nearly 260 players have already qualified for the EPT Prague Main Event playing online satellites and more than 390 have qualified for the €1,100 Eureka Main Event.
PokerStars will also take the opportunity to promote their relationship with Right to Play, the non-profit that uses sports and games to educate the impoverished in third world countries such as Uganda. EPT Prague will host a €150 rebuy charity tournament on December 10.
Will The Players Apply the EPT Brakes?
There’s no doubt that the EPT keeps getting stronger and stronger. One big factor is the willingness of the players to travel all over Europe to attend these fantastic events – a willingness that may be at risk.
Joey Ingram recently chaired a three-way between Daniel Negreanu and Dani Stern talking about 2016 PokerStars changes, and the proposed 72 hr player strike. During the interview, Stern said that there had been discussions between the 2,000 active player group about increasing their strike action to include EPT events. It seems highly unlikely that EPT Prague will be affected, but if PokerStars goes ahead with their proposed changes, then the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) in the Bahamas could become the next blip on their radar.
