The social poker network, RankingHero, has thrown its hat into the poker ranking system ring after securing a deal to power the BLUFF European Poker Rankings, putting them into direct competition with the Global Poker Index (GPI).
The poker ranking wars continue with news of a new relationship between BLUFF Europe and RankingHero. The top European magazine have decided to hand over the responsibility of their ranking system to the French social poker network, who will now power the BLUFF European Rankings.
The deal is RankingHero’s first foray into a ranking system market that currently sees a two horse race between The Global Poker Index (GPI) and BLUFF magazine. According to a press release the new BLUFF European Ranking system will be based on a new algorithm that ensures ‘the number of players and the buy-in are taking into account for each qualifying tournament, meaning players are rewarded for both big scores and consistency.’
“We developed our own ranking system in-house several years ago and we have always been very proud of it, but there is always room for improvement,” said Michael Caselli, editor-in-chief of Bluff Europe. “RankingHero is the most comprehensive social poker database around, so we are confident the team there can help us take things to the next level.”
RankingHero’s CCO Nicolas Levi added: “We are thrilled to work with Bluff Europe on their long established rankings, which remains popular within the poker community. We believe poker players deserve the best technology and are honored to bring our expertise to the table.”
A month ago BLUFF Europe’s North American brother inked a deal to take over the Heartland Poker Tour’s (HPT) Player of the Year (POY) ranking system, and they remain the formula of choice for the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
The GPI have also expanded their reach with deals to take over the POY formulas of the European and World Poker Tours, and various smaller card rooms including the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Ironically, the GPI have recently announced their plans to create the Global Poker Conference (GPI 2015) in order to try to unify the world of poker in terms of best practice. Having multiple rankings doesn’t exactly conform to that ideal, making you wonder if Ranking Hero and BLUFF will be making an appearance at the event scheduled sometime in early 2015.
The Frenchman Miroslav Alilovic currently tops the BLUFF European Rankings, with the EPT Grand Final pairing of Jack Salter and Antonio Buonanno settled in third and fourth respectively. Alilovic is currently ranked #246 in the GPI Rankings, and #215 in the GPI 2014 POY Rankings.
The words ‘chalk’ and ‘cheese’ spring to mind.
