The two largest online poker rooms in the world have sprinkled a little celebrity flavour over their upcoming tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
It was back in April that a number of gambling websites proffered an opinion that PokerStars had done a Pontius Pilate and washed their hands of any affiliation with sports stars in a change in marketing strategy.
The view formed after PokerStars told affiliates to shelve promotional materials relating to Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona favourite Neymar Jr as it became evident their contracts had run their course and wouldn’t be extended.
I reached out to Eric Hollreiser, Head of All Things to do With Communications for PokerStars and Amaya, and he confirmed that the rumours were false. PokerStars had not created a marketing strategy to move away from established sports stars and would use them again as well as other established stars from the world of TV, film and whatever else passes as celebrity status these days.
So it shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to learn that the American comedian, Kevin Hart, has confirmed his attendance at the PokerStars Championship in Monte Carlo.
It’s not the first time Hart has teamed up with PokerStars to compete in one of their events. The comedian appeared at the PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas, playing in the $100,000 Super High Roller, $50,000 Single Day High Roller, and the Main Event.
Hart will fly into the principality on April 27, so he can once again compete in the $100,000 Super High Roller. The three-day event plays 8-Handed, has unlimited re-entries, and a shot clock.
Jason Koon took down the previous $100,000 Super High Roller in the Bahamas for $1,650,300; Hart made it to Day 2 before Dan Colman sent him back to Hollywood,
888Poker Bring Our the Stars in Barcelona
PokerStars don’t have the monopoly on attracting top talent to their live tournaments. The nine-time tennis grand slam winner, Boris Becker, and the three-time World Boxing Champ, Carl Froch, both appeared at partypoker LIVE MILLIONS Dusk till Dawn.
Next up…888Poker.
The second largest online poker room inside this computer generated world we live in, are bringing out the big guns for what they anticipate to be their biggest live festival ever.
888Live Barcelona begins May 11 and ends May 22 with over $700,000 in guaranteed prize money up for grabs. 888Poker ambassadors confirmed to play are Kara Scott, Sofia Lovgren, Natalie Hof, Dominik Nitsche, Bruno Foster, Bruno Kawauti, and Nicola Villa-Lobos.
Also confirmed is the Finnish superstar and CalvinAyre ranked number one hottest poker player on the planet Patrik Antonius, Michael Mizrachi, Will Kassouf, Cate Hall, and Ema Zajmovic.
But that’s not all.
The former Brazilian World Cup winner, Denilson, will be competing, as will the former European Championship winner, Mario Basler.
The 888Live Barcelona Main Event is a €1,100 buy-in, and it runs May 18 through May 22 with the whole thing ending with a VIP Player’s Party at the Carpe Diem Lounge Club.
