partypoker bring the Big Game out of retirement during MILLIONS Germany. All the old favourites return, but there is a new game in town with Pot-Limit Omaha featuring for the first time.
Without a doubt, what you currently see at partypoker shines anew. But there are some jewels buried in a grave marked RIP partypoker; one of which is about to have the dirt removed and a spit polish applied.
The partypoker Big Game returns.
For newcomers, let me fill you in. The Big Game is one of two made for TV poker shows created by partypoker way before anyone wrote the word MILLIONS on a Post-It Note and slapped it on a whiteboard.
Big Game VIII puffs out its chest during MILLIONS Germany live and direct from the King’s Casino in Rozvadov. As has become bog standard, the game will run for 36-hours non-stop, kicking off at 6 pm Sat 10 Feb, and ending 6 am Mon 12 Feb.
No-Limit Hold’em has always been the game of choice, but Big Game VIII will deal four cards per player, not two. Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) takes centre stage, increasing the likelihood that there will be winners and losers the likes of which Big Game viewers have not seen before.
The game runs eight-handed. The stakes are €50/€100 with a minimum buy-in of €20,000, and a maximum buy-in of €40,000. Players confirmed to compete include partypoker ambassador Sam Trickett, Dusk till Dawn (DTD) owner, Rob Yong, Jennifer Tilly and her man Phil Laak, Philipp Gruissem, Viktor Blom, Tony G and businessman Yair Bitouin.
There is also a spot for an online qualifier.
From 25 Jan through 4 Feb, partypoker will run a promotion guaranteeing one lucky blighter a $27,000 package including $20k Big Game buy-in, $5,300 MILLIONS Online entry, €1,100 MILLIONS Open entry, five nights accommodation, and $900 for travel and expenses.
The Big Game is not the Big Game without Jesse May. The best commentator in the business returns to his rightful position at the helm. James Dempsey and Simon Trumper assist. The live stream commentary comes in three different languages. Josip Šimunić and Stefan Hachmeister take care of the Germans, and Mikhail Semin and Leonid “LeBroHbka” Logunov look after the Russians. Poker After Dark commentator Marianela Pereyra acts as host.
You can catch the full 36 hours of the live stream on Partypoker TV via the My partypoker LIVE website and app. TV viewers will have to wait to get a glimpse, but it is coming. If nostalgia is your thing, then you’ll be pleased to know that previous episodes of the Big Game are available on Front Runner, Sky ch468 and Freesat ch250 UK as well as on partypoker TV via the My partypoker LIVE app.
The Familiar and The New
The “Vote Off’ returns with live stream viewers able to vote to evict a player every three hours or so. You can also vote for your favourite player to stay, and the most aggressive player at the table is unbudgeable, so you can expect to see Viktor Blom playing 36-hours straight.
For the first time, the Big Game features the ‘Button Booster’. I’ve tried to figure out what it means, but can’t, so here is the description from the partypoker blog. Figure it out for yourself.
A new element to the Big Game will be the party button booster which is bound to bring some fun, drama and action to the table. Whoever draws the button in the first-hand places a dead big blind on the button and every player continues to add a big blind to the button booster when it is their button until the button wins the hand in which case they win the button booster. When it is won the booster then reverts to one big blind put in by the next player on the button.
MILLIONS
The €12.5 million guaranteed MILLIONS Germany runs 8 – 18 Feb. There are nine events outside of the Big Game, including a €1m GTD High Roller, €1m GTD Super High Roller, and a €5m GTD Main Event.
I did say that The Big Game was one of two made for TV poker shows that used to carry the partypoker flag.
The other was the Premier League.
I wonder if that’s the next jewel to rise from the ground?
Let’s hope so.
