News In Brief

World Series of Poker Frenzy Begins

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) frenzy has started, with online poker rooms offering opportunities to qualify for the events in what is possibly the most popular poker tournament in the world.

One such company is relative newcomer Poker Plex, www.pokerplex.com, which launched its WSOP qualifying tournaments on Saturday 19th February.

Winners of the satellite tournaments held every Saturday and Sunday between the 19th of February and 14th of May qualify to win a package including the $10,000 buy-in fee, five nights accommodation and $2000 travel allowance to Harrah’s WSOP tournaments to be held in New Orleans between May 18th – 28th.

For more details visit www.pokerplex.com

Online Qualifier wins the EPT event in Deauville, France

Brandon Shaefer, a player who qualified online from Seattle, USA, has won the European Poker Tour (EPT) event in Deauville, France, taking home 144,000 Euros.

On the SBB, he faced a 120,000 bet from Carl on a flop 7h 6h 3, in a pot that had been raised before the flop. Brandon had a T7 no hearts, up against Carl Olsen’s 4h 3h for a pair, an inside straight draw and a straight flush draw. Fortunately for Brandon, a nine and six came on the river, no hearts.

The sixth event in the European Poker Tour comes up March 15th at the Concorde Casino in Vienna, Austria.

Poker adds to flush hand for Cryptologic
Internet gambling software group, Cryptologic has reported revenues of US$63.7m in 2023, up 44 per cent year-on-year. Profits before tax rose even higher: up 55 per cent to US$16.5m. The company, whose customers include amongst others Poker Plex, William Hill and Ritz Casino, is planning even greater investment in poker technology following a 165 per cent uplift in fees generated in this area.