Mississippi Sportsbooks Start the Year Slow as January Revenues Decline

Mississippi Sports Betting Legalization Saga Continues with Fifth Bill


As the Magnolia State is busy with its fifth attempt to introduce online sports betting, land-based sportsbooks in the state recorded an average revenue decline of 54.9% compared to December 2022. Such a stark drop was unexpected as player spending took a nosedive for little apparent reason.

Player Spending Was Low across All Regions

According to the MGC’s official data, sportsbooks in the state recorded January revenues of $5.1 million. The figure marks a 21.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. More worryingly, profits were $11.3 million lower than last month, marking a stark 54.9% drop. Player spending also predictably dropped 14.0% compared to January 2022 to $57.2 million. 

Mississippi’s coastal region traditionally made the most profits, accounting for $3.4 million in taxable revenue from a handle of $37.0 million. Meanwhile, central casinos received $11.56 million in bets for $1.43 million in revenue. Northern venues continued to prove less popular than their central and coastal counterparts contributing just $280,500 in profit from a handle of $8.67 million.

A look at individual sports reveals that basketball barely edged out football as the most popular game. It accounted for $1.41 million in revenue from a $22.86 million handle, compared to football’s $1.3 million and $22.84 million. Football actually won out at coastal casinos, but a strong preference for basketball in the other two areas was enough to turn the tide.

States with Online Betting Seem to Fare Much Better

January’s financial results are surprising, given that other states like Pennsylvania continue to enjoy stable growth, meaning the Magnolia state’s lackluster performance cannot be solely due to seasonal trends. However, the difference between the two states is that Pennsylvania has offered online sports betting since 2019, while Mississippi is currently struggling with its fifth attempt to introduce mobile sportsbooks.

House Bill 606 again aims to enable bettors to place wagers on sports events online. It has already been sent to the Mississippi House Gaming Committee for further consultations, hopefully making progress in the five-year saga. The state government remains cautious due to a desire to ensure a proper legal framework. However, mounting pressure from people traveling to neighboring Louisiana to bet online may be a deciding factor.



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Prosser Veterans Worker Steals $300K from Employer

Prosser Veterans Worker Steals $300K from Employer


Sara Lee Moon, who has been working as a gambling manager at the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, has been detained due to allegations of first-degree theft. Moon is being held at the Benton County Jail.

The Theft Was Discovered after Routine Check from Washington State Gambling Commission

Back in February 2022, the Washington State Gambling Commission performed a routine check at the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. As part of this audit, all records related to gambling activities at the Post were inspected. 

As a result, the Washington State Gambling Commission quickly discovered that funds are missing. This led to a criminal investigation being conducted by the Commission, which took many months before Sara Lee Moon was identified as the main suspect.

Moon joined the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in June 2019. Her job title was gambling manager and she was responsible for running the gambling and bar accounts. 

The investigation conducted by the Washington State Gambling Commission revealed that in this position of trust, she was able to defraud over $300,000. Moon created bank accounts to her name and was able to transfer some of the funds there. It took a large number of transactions spanning over a few years to steal such a large amount. 

It was discovered that Moon started her criminal activity not long after joining the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Moon took advantage of the fact that she was entrusted with confidence and responsibility by her employer and her position facilitated the execution of her crimes.

Moon Not the First Worker to Betray an Employer’s Trust

It is not the first time trusted employees betray the confidence instilled in them and steal money from their employers. Just last week an elderly Indianapolis church staff member was arrested on similar charges. Marie Carson, who was a business manager at the church, stole $573,836.59 from the church accounts, which mainly came from parish donations. Another recent case, saw two clerks from Flordell Hills, Missouri, stealing the whopping amount of $663,604 from the city’s coffers. The two women allegedly forged the mayor’s and the city treasurer’s signatures and issued over 600 checks to their names. They used the funds for gambling and paying their bills and taxes.



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How To Become A Professional Gambler

How To Become A Professional Gambler


The idea of becoming a professional gambler is a dream for many people who like to have a flutter regularly.

Partly, this is thanks to Hollywood’s obsession with gambling as shown through movies like 21, Rounders, and Casino Royale.

Unfortunately, the reality is quite different.

Fast cars, perfect poker hands, and vodka martinis – shaken not stirred – aren’t always guaranteed. 

There are also a lot of steps you must take before becoming a professional gambler. These include decisions about what type of bettor you should be and how you are going to manage your bankroll. 

To help you understand all the steps we’ve put together this detailed guide. As you’ll see, there’s a lot more to being a professional gambler than Hollywood suggests…

Steps To Becoming a Professional Gambler

It will take experience, patience and time before you are ready to bet for a living. There’s no point in sugar coating it. That is what it means to be a professional gambler.

As you would work at a regular “proper” job, you must do the same with betting.

It will take experience, patience, and time before you are ready to bet for a living. There’s no point in sugar coating it, hard work is what’s needed. 

Most of your time as a budding professional gambler should be spent on developing the following three practices:

1. Learning And Studying

No matter how, where, or when you gamble, studying is extremely important.

If it’s sports, there is always another soccer match or horse race to watch. For poker players there are always opponents to study and odds to calculate. 

👉 Top 20 Texas Hold ‘em Books You Need To Read ASAP

Studying is so important because it is only with knowledge that you can make the best decisions possible and maximize your chances of winning.

For example, a certain racehorse trainer might always target a particular event at a certain track. Or there could be one football club that is a bogey team for another.

These are variables you need to know.

If you don’t have a full understanding of the odds behind every bet then you can’t make the best decisions. Poor decisions will ultimately lead to you failing as a professional gambler.

The learning will never stop throughout your career, so if you don’t like putting in the work you should abandon your dreams of being a pro gambler now.

2. Preparing For Total Commitment

Knowledge is only useful when paired with commitment.

Remember, this is professional gambling we’re talking about. You can’t expect to be successful if you are half-hearted with it.

For example, twin brothers Gavin and Alex Walker watch four or five matches a day when betting on soccer. This dedication to their craft saw them make £440,000 in an 18-month period.

If you want to have similar success you have to treat gambling as your full-time job. Turn up every day and put the work in.

No excuses. 

3. Learning How To Leave Emotions Out Of It

As a professional, your betting decisions must be based on cold, hard logic.

There is no room for sentimentality in successful gambling, so make sure to follow your head, not your heart. In other words, make the logical bet, not the emotional one.

Closely tied to logical decision making is avoiding superstition.

Lucky charms and rituals may be comforting to you, but even professional gamblers don’t win all the time.

The difference between a pro and the average bettor is that they get things right more often than they get them wrong. Being overly superstitious might prevent you from doing this.

Leaving your luck charms at home and not betting on your favorite sports team is one thing but when it comes to casino games, letting go of your emotions is even more important. 

After all, you can’t expect to be a successful poker player if you can’t keep your cool.

Leave your emotions at the door and focus on the job at hand.

The Types Of Professional Gambler

Not all professional gamblers are the same.

To succeed in the casino, you need to be able to count cards and bluff well, but those attributes won’t help you if you like betting on sports.

Here is a rundown of the types of professional bettors:

1. Matched Bettor

Almost every online gambling site has a sign-up offer or welcome bonus that acts as an incentive for you to join.

This has led to the rise of the matched bettor, gamblers who make their money through so-called “free bets”. The beauty with such bonuses is that you don’t risk any actual capital.

While stakes aren’t returned from any wagers placed with free bets, anything made off them is pure profit. 

Of course, the downside of matched betting is that it can’t go on forever; you can only be a new customer of sportsbooks once. 

What’s more, bookmakers who realize what you are doing may limit, restrict or even completely remove additional promotions, prematurely ending your run of free bets.

2. Horse Bettor

Long before soccer was the most popular betting sport, professional gamblers were seen on racecourses all around the world.

Horse betting is known for being incredibly statistical.

In fact, some of the richest gamblers in the world have made their money by building algorithms that analyze vast pools of statistics to determine who is the true favorite.

Of course, an understanding of how handicapping works is also important. This is because most horse races run are handicaps.

Thanks to both exchange betting and the widespread use of statistical models by today’s gambling syndicates, the average bettor can now see which horses are being backed and which are being bet on to lose. 

This presents alternative ways for professional gamblers to make money: Follow the syndicates or take on favorites – who typically lose around two-thirds of the time.

3. Sports Trader

Talking of the exchanges, that point about horse racing applies to sports betting in general.

As you can bet for or against sporting outcomes, it is often likened to financial traders playing the stock markets.

You can buy into the sports bets you like by backing them and sell the ones you don’t by laying them not to happen.

What exchanges allow you to do is supplement any bets you have made through fixed odds sportsbooks. That means you can cover all your bases. This is a wise move.

Clever professional gamblers are always trying to create scenarios where they cannot lose.

You can closely follow what is happening on the exchanges before choosing the exact right time to back or lay an outcome.

Developing this sense of timing is the key to sports betting success.

4. Arb Bettor

That brings us on to arbitrage betting, or “arbing” for short.

By betting across multiple platforms and sportsbooks, it’s possible to find mathematical differences in the odds offered by various sportsbooks.

Hunting down those margins allows you to back and lay the same outcome on a sporting event, guaranteeing you a profit regardless of the final result. 

As you are gambling across different websites and betting services, you need to keep very good records of your wagers. This prevents confusion.

Arbing, much like matched betting, is something that the bookies frown upon though, so you don’t want to get caught doing it.

5. Card Counter

Card games like blackjack are all about counting.

As each hand is dealt and played, you need to know which cards are on the table and which have yet to appear.

You’ll also need to keep track of all the cards that have been previously played as well as calculating future probabilities.

In other words, you need to be a math whizz.

Although not illegal, casinos will also ban anyone they think is card counting as it’s a form of advantage play.

If you are thinking of trying this virtually, you can’t. The deck is shuffled after every hand is played, preventing you from counting cards.

👉 How Casinos Catch Card Counters And Why You Should Avoid Trying It

Pros And Cons Of Being A Professional Gambler

Pros and Cons of Being a Professional Gambler

As with any job, there are upsides and downsides to betting for a living.

You should carefully consider the pros and cons of becoming a professional gambler before trying it as a career:

Pros

  • If you enjoy sports or card games, then it won’t feel like work.
  • Satisfaction of beating the bookmakers.
  • Life changing sums of money (only if you are fully committed and successful).

Cons

  • Risk of being shut down by the bookies or thrown out of a casino at any time.
  • You can always take your business elsewhere, but the marketplace has become smaller.
  • Research and knowledge are needed and must be kept constantly up to date, which might turn treasured pastimes, like watching sport, into something of a chore.
  • You can also lose a lot of money – there are no guarantees with gambling.

3 Top Tips That All Professional Gamblers Follow

Gambling finances

On the road to betting as a pro there are some handy bits of advice you’d do well to follow.

These tips are ones that many professional gamblers have learned over the years.

1. Practice Good Bankroll Management

Although there should be more profits than losses, managing your betting bank balance is essential.

Smart bettors will withdraw some of their profits while leaving themselves something to play with for future bets. 

Failing to remove profits can see you wager and lose all your capital. This would spell the end of your gambling career.

2. Look At The Bigger Picture

It is well worth looking beyond the soccer match, horse race or sporting event you are currently betting on to see what is going on elsewhere.

Even though you’re not wagering on this other match, you might learn something or even find a potential punt for the future.

It’s the same with casino games. Try to see everything, listen to everyone. You never know when some valuable information might come your way.

3. Bet Within Your Means

Even as a pro, there is one golden rule: Never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Keep to your budgets and within betting limits. Sticking to these is vitally important as overstretching can lead to financial ruin.

We know it might be tempting to try and win your losses back after a bad day, but you will probably just dig a deeper hole.

Accept the loss, move on, and don’t overstretch. 

Fancy Being A Professional Gambler?

So, there you have it. Anyone who wants to bet for a living needs incredible knowledge and dedication.

Professional gamblers can’t take shortcuts and must study the sports or card games they play thoroughly. 

Ego and emotions must be left at the door when it comes to decision making. Logic and data should take their place.

There are several gambling professions to choose from. Each has its skills and attributes, not to mention pros and cons. Be sure to pick yours wisely. 

If, after learning all this, you are still set on betting as a pro, then all that’s left to do is wish you the very best of luck!



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MGM – First Operator to Sign CEO Water Mandate

MGM – First Operator to Sign CEO Water Mandate


MGM Resorts has become the first gambling company to support the United Nations’ CEO Water Mandate. The latter initiative seeks to raise awareness of water crises and address the problem.

The CEO Water Mandate was established in collaboration between the UN Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute. It seeks to encourage companies in the power sector to be responsible when it comes to water-related practices.

CEO Water Mandate supporters should improve their practices in six core areas – direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement and transparency.

As of the time of this writing, the CEO Water Mandate is supported by a total of 234 companies from various sectors.

MGM Resorts Remains Committed to Sustainability

MGM Resorts’ president and chief executive, Bill Hornbuckle, addressed his company’s decision to sign the mandate. He noted that Las Vegas’ innovative approach to water has taught his company a lot. MGM plans to use this knowledge to improve its practices, realizing the ongoing effects of climate change in the Western United States.

The ongoing drought and effects of climate change in the Western U.S. are a wake-up call that we need to do more, and to that end—we’re proud to endorse the CEO Water Mandate to not only share what we’ve learned in Las Vegas, but also help strengthen our commitments.

Bill Hornbuckle, president & CEO, MGM Resorts

MGM Resorts is a business that truly depends on water, considering all of its beautiful fountains and luxurious pools. The company understands that it needs to be more responsible in managing its water resources and managed to reduce its consumption by 37% between 2007 and 2021. In 2022, the company also finalized its Global Water Policy.

Other notable water-saving initiatives have seen the casino giant replace large sectors of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in its Las Vegas properties. Furthermore, the company has been installing a variety of water-saving fixtures across its venues, helping it further reduce unnecessary consumption. MGM Resorts also augmented the efficiency of its Las Vegas cooling tower systems which helped it bring down evaporative loss.

Overall, the company has been committed to making its business as sustainable and responsible as possible. Thanks to that, MGM Resorts is a member of the A-List of leaders in corporate transparency when it comes to the usage of water and responsibility to climate change. The casino and hospitality juggernaut was also invited to attend the 2023 UN Water Conference next month.



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EPT Paris: Alan Goasdoue Wins Largest-Ever FPS Main Event

EPT Paris: Alan Goasdoue Wins Largest-Ever FPS Main Event



The record-breaking €1,100 France Poker Series (FPS) Paris Main Event wrapped up after a relatively short Day 4 that saw Alan Goasdoue defeating fellow Frenchman Jean-Luc Labryga after a brief heads-up battle to take home the shimmering silver trophy and €287,830.

Goasdoue, a 23-year-old who has been playing poker since he was 18 and professionally for the last five months, had just $39,562 in Hendon Mob earnings when he decided to play the European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris festival after satelliting into the FPS Main.

€1,100 FPS Paris Main Event Final Table Results

  PLACE PLAYER COUNTRY PRIZE (IN EURO)
  1 Alan Goasdoue France €287,830
  2 Jean-Luc Labryga France €179,950
  3 Elias Fisz Netherlands €128,530
  4 Roger Taieb France €98,870
  5 Christopher Dowling Ireland €76,050
  6 Oleksii Natoptanyi Ukraine €58,490
  7 Thibault Reverdito France €44,990
  8 Vasyl Zabrodskyy Ukraine €34,610
  9 Alexis Lucarini France €26,620

“Even though I came into today’s final with the last stack, I stayed focused”

Despite entering the day as the shortest stack, Goasdoue managed to ladder past several players — including fellow French natives Thibault Reverdito (7th – €44,990) and Roger Taieb (4th – €98,870) and fellow Europeans Oleksii Natoptanyi (6th – €58,490), Christopher Dowling (5th – €76,050) and Elias Fisz (3rd – €128,530) — before ultimately overcoming start-of-day chip leader Labryga.

“I’m pretty calm right now,” Goasdoue said in a winner’s interview. “Everything has been going well for me since the beginning of the tournament and I’ve always managed to survive with double-up when I was dominated.

Even though I came into today’s final with the last stack, I stayed focused. I figured out how my heads-up opponent was playing and I was also lucky to win.”

Final Table Action

The FPS Paris Main Event, one of the first events to kick off the inaugural EPT Paris stop, attracted a massive 2,071 runners and a prize pool of €1,988,160 to break the previous FPS Main attendance record set at 2022 EPT Prague. The field likely would have been even larger if not for capacity limitations at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile.

Seven players returned to finish out the final table on Day 4 after the late-night elimination of Vasyl Zabrodskyy, whose pocket sixes couldn’t hold up against the eventual runner-up’s ace-jack.


Teun Mulder Eviscerates Final Table to Win EPT Paris €25,000 High Roller


Labryga was a Day 1 chip leader before entering Day 4 with the biggest stack and his run-good was just beginning. In the first level of play, Labryga got it in on the flop with just ace-high against the top pair of Reverdito, but a runner-runner straight sent Reverdito to the rail in seventh place.

After the respective eliminations of Natoptanyi and Dowling, Labryga picked up aces to be far in front of the nines of Taieb, who had playfully teased Labryga throughout the final table before his fourth-place exit.

Roger Taieb

Goasdoue stayed quiet throughout most of the day’s action but that changed when he picked up pocket nines and looked up a shove by Fisz with ace-eight, who couldn’t improve to fall in third and set up a French heads-up battle.

Labryga and Goasdoue, the oldest and youngest players at the final table, entered heads-up play nearly even in chips but Goasdoue quickly took a lead after making a few hands, including two full houses. Labryga was down to a short stack when he open-jammed on the button holding ace-eight and Goasdoue looked him up with nines, which proved to be the holding of the day as they once again held up to earn Goasdoue the victory.

Alan Goasdoue

The career-best score marked the PokerStars qualifier’s first major live score just a few months after transitioning from online poker.

“My goal was to play more live events in the future,” said Goasdoue. “I’ve known for a long time that I’m capable of a big performance. Now I’ve ticked the box, as they say! I said at the beginning of the tournament that I was going to put one bullet the FPS and win, then one bullet in the EPT (Main Event) and win. So I’m halfway there!”

That wraps up PokerNews’ coverage of the record-breaking FPS Main Event. Be sure to check out the live reporting hub for the team’s coverage of other events here at EPT Paris.

Alan Goasdoue





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Top 5 Celebrity Gamblers – Top Rank Casinos

table high stakes games tables casino poker chips


Gambling is a very popular pastime among celebrities and prolific figures and has been for many years. Even King Henry VIII was an avid gambler back in the Tudor time period. Many celebrated public figures partake in games that involve high stakes and very large bets, in both traditional games like poker, to one-off matches like sporting events. Some have apparently lost millions on their hobbies, whereas others have reportedly won some of the largest jackpots available.

Of course, this is all speculation as we have no way of knowing what specific games these celebs play or if the reported figures are exaggerated at all. With that being said, here are the top 5 celebrity gamblers in no particular order.

1. Michael Jordan

Many sports figures throughout history have had a keen interest in gambling, and Michael Jordan is no exception. Recognised as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, his main hobby outside of his work involves betting large sums of money on recreational gambling. It is suggested that this interest began as early as during his university years, when he would gamble with fellow students at North Carolina.

It is reported that he has lost millions of dollars to his enjoyment of gambling throughout his life, with his game of choice being those related to golf. Whether it be a minor card game, or a classic table game, Michael Jordan is seemingly placing a bet if he is not on the basketball court. It’s not uncommon for many celebrities to place large wagers on their favourite games, but when it comes to basketball players; Jordan seems to be out betting his fellow team members.

2. Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is a name that you might not have expected to see on this list, but the socialite and businesswoman is an avid gambler. Since her teenage years, the television star has been seen on the underground poker circuit with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (who is also on this list). Her love of gambling has stayed consistent throughout the years; she famously celebrated her 31st birthday at the tables.



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Bragg Expands in Switzerland with Swiss Casinos

Bragg Expands in Switzerland with Swiss Casinos


Bragg Gaming Group, a leading provider of iGaming content, has expanded its presence in Switzerland thanks to a new agreement with Swiss Casinos. As a result, a selection of top Bragg titles will now be available to the operator’s players.

Under the agreement, the provider will power Swiss Casinos with acclaimed titles that have proven appeal among local audiences. This will help the operator engage its players with new and exciting experiences. In addition, Swiss Casinos will be able to keep things fresh as extra Bragg titles will be incorporated into its platform at regular intervals.

Bragg’s portfolio has proven to be effective in Switzerland, which is further attested by the current agreement. As announced by the company, the European country now represents an important part of the provider’s overall growth strategy.

Executives Are Delighted by the Deal

Lara Falzon, Bragg Gaming Group’s president and chief operating officer, addressed the deal with Swiss Casinos, emphasizing the opportunities it provides to her company. According to her, the launch of Bragg content with another Swiss operator represents a significant milestone for her company.

Falzon praised Swiss Casinos for the “strong and established” platform, noting that its popularity will help Bragg Gaming’s high-performing content reach more local players. The group president added that Bragg has big plans for the year and that Switzerland will be an important market for its future plans.

We are set to further expand across numerous regions in 2023 and the maturing Swiss market will play an important part going forward thanks to the collaborations with our leading partners.

Lara Falzon, president & COO, Bragg Gaming Group

Patrick Mastai, Swiss Casinos’ director of online casinos, also spoke on the agreement. He lauded Bragg Gaming as a company with a rich and high-performing online slots portfolio. Mastai noted that the supplier’s content immediately proved to be popular among local players.

Bragg’s library of slots is already performing well in our online casino and we are very pleased with the start of our relationship. We look forward to adding additional content from Bragg and working together to further both our positions in the exciting Swiss marketplace.

Patrick Mastai, director online casinos, Swiss Casinos

Swiss Casinos Group was established in the 1970s and now operates four casinos in the country. When Switzerland launched its online market, Swiss Casinos joined the iGaming sector with a brand that proved to be an instant success.



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888poker Ambassador Vivian Saliba Falls Short of Mystery Bounty Festival Title

888poker Ambassador Vivian Saliba Falls Short of Mystery Bounty Festival Title


Date Time (GMT) Buy-in Event Guarantee

Wed, Feb 22 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Wed, Feb 22 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Wed, Feb 22 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Wed, Feb 22 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Wed, Feb 22 19:00 $22 MB Festival #08 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Mini 22 $15,000

Wed, Feb 22 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Wed, Feb 22 19:30 $109 MB Festival #09 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max 109 $20,000

Wed, Feb 22 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Wed, Feb 22 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Wed, Feb 22 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Wed, Feb 22 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Wed, Feb 22 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Thu, Feb 23 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Thu, Feb 23 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Thu, Feb 23 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Thu, Feb 23 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Thu, Feb 23 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Thu, Feb 23 18:30 $55 MB Festival #10 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 $20,000

Thu, Feb 23 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Thu, Feb 23 19:30 $5.5 MB Festival #11 – $6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 $6,000

Thu, Feb 23 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Thu, Feb 23 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Thu, Feb 23 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Thu, Feb 23 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Thu, Feb 23 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Thu, Feb 23 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Thu, Feb 23 TBD $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02) $150,000

Fri, Feb 24 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Fri, Feb 24 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Fri, Feb 24 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Fri, Feb 24 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Fri, Feb 24 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Fri, Feb 24 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Fri, Feb 24 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Fri, Feb 24 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Fri, Feb 24 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Fri, Feb 24 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Fri, Feb 24 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Fri, Feb 24 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Fri, Feb 24 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Fri, Feb 24 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Fri, Feb 24 TBD $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02) $150,000

Sat, Feb 25 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Sat, Feb 25 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Sat, Feb 25 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Sat, Feb 25 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Sat, Feb 25 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Sat, Feb 25 18:30 $55 MB Festival #12 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 $20,000

Sat, Feb 25 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Sat, Feb 25 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Sat, Feb 25 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Sat, Feb 25 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Sat, Feb 25 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Sat, Feb 25 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Sat, Feb 25 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Sat, Feb 25 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Sat, Feb 25 TBD $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02) $150,000

Sun, Feb 26 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Sun, Feb 26 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Sun, Feb 26 17:00 $11 MB Festival #13 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 11 8-Max $20,000

Sun, Feb 26 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Sun, Feb 26 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Sun, Feb 26 18:30 $55 MB Festival #14 – $50,000 Mystery Bounty 55 8-Max $50,000

Sun, Feb 26 19:00 $5.5 MB Festival #15 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 8-Max $15,000

Sun, Feb 26 19:00 $22 $25,000 MB Festival – Sunday Mystery Bounty 22 8-Max $25,000

Sun, Feb 26 19:30 $525 $35,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 525 $35,000

Sun, Feb 26 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Sun, Feb 26 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Sun, Feb 26 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Sun, Feb 26 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Sun, Feb 26 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Sun, Feb 26 TBD $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02) $150,000

Mon, Feb 27 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Mon, Feb 27 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Mon, Feb 27 17:00 $11 MB Festival #16 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 11 6-Max $15,000

Mon, Feb 27 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Mon, Feb 27 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Mon, Feb 27 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Mon, Feb 27 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Mon, Feb 27 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Mon, Feb 27 19:30 $109 MB Festival #17 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 109 6-Max $15,000

Mon, Feb 27 20:00 $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 2) $150,000

Mon, Feb 27 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Mon, Feb 27 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Mon, Feb 27 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Mon, Feb 27 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Mon, Feb 27 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Mon, Feb 27 TBD $109 MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (Day 1s are running 23.02-27.02) $150,000

Tue, Feb 28 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Tue, Feb 28 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Tue, Feb 28 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Tue, Feb 28 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Tue, Feb 28 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Tue, Feb 28 18:30 $55 MB Festival #19 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 Turbo Deep 6-Max $20,000

Tue, Feb 28 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Tue, Feb 28 19:00 $5.5 MB Festival #20 – $6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 Turbo Deep 6-Max $6,000

Tue, Feb 28 19:00 – MB Festival #18 – $150,000 Mystery Bounty 8-Max (FT) $150,000

Tue, Feb 28 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Tue, Feb 28 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Tue, Feb 28 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Tue, Feb 28 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Tue, Feb 28 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Tue, Feb 28 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Wed, Mar 1 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Wed, Mar 1 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Wed, Mar 1 17:00 $11 MB Festival #21 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 11 8-Max $15,000

Wed, Mar 1 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Wed, Mar 1 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Wed, Mar 1 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Wed, Mar 1 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Wed, Mar 1 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Wed, Mar 1 19:30 $109 MB Festival #22 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 109 8-Max $15,000

Wed, Mar 1 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Wed, Mar 1 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Wed, Mar 1 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Wed, Mar 1 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Wed, Mar 1 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Wed, Mar 1 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Thu, Mar 2 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Thu, Mar 2 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Thu, Mar 2 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Thu, Mar 2 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Thu, Mar 2 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Thu, Mar 2 18:30 $55 MB Festival #23 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 $20,000

Thu, Mar 2 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Thu, Mar 2 19:00 $5.5 MB Festival #24 – $6,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 $6,000

Thu, Mar 2 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Thu, Mar 2 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Thu, Mar 2 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Thu, Mar 2 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Thu, Mar 2 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Thu, Mar 2 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Thu, Mar 2 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Fri, Mar 3 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Fri, Mar 3 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Fri, Mar 3 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Fri, Mar 3 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Fri, Mar 3 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Fri, Mar 3 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Fri, Mar 3 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Fri, Mar 3 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Fri, Mar 3 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Fri, Mar 3 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Fri, Mar 3 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Fri, Mar 3 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Fri, Mar 3 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Fri, Mar 3 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Fri, Mar 3 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Sat, Mar 4 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Sat, Mar 4 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Sat, Mar 4 17:00 $11 $10,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 11 $10,000

Sat, Mar 4 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Sat, Mar 4 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Sat, Mar 4 18:30 $55 MB Festival #25 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 55 8-Max $20,000

Sat, Mar 4 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Sat, Mar 4 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Sat, Mar 4 19:30 $109 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 109 $12,000

Sat, Mar 4 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Sat, Mar 4 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Sat, Mar 4 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Sat, Mar 4 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Sat, Mar 4 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Sat, Mar 4 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Sun, Mar 5 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Sun, Mar 5 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Sun, Mar 5 17:00 $11 MB Festival #26 – $20,000 Mystery Bounty 11 6-Max $20,000

Sun, Mar 5 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Sun, Mar 5 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Sun, Mar 5 18:30 $55 MB Festival #27 – $50,000 Mystery Bounty 55 6-Max $50,000

Sun, Mar 5 19:00 $5.5 MB Festival #28 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 5.5 6-Max $15,000

Sun, Mar 5 19:00 $22 $25,000 Mystery Bounty 22 $25,000

Sun, Mar 5 19:30 $525 $35,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 525 $35,000

Sun, Mar 5 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Sun, Mar 5 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Sun, Mar 5 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Sun, Mar 5 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Sun, Mar 5 01:00 $8.8 $1,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty 8.80 $1,500

Sun, Mar 5 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Mon, Mar 6 06:00 $11 $1,200 MB Festival – Early Mystery Bounty 11 $1,200

Mon, Mar 6 11:00 $33 $3,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 33 $3,000

Mon, Mar 6 17:00 $11 MB Festival #29 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 11 $15,000

Mon, Mar 6 18:00 $1 $1,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 1 $1,500

Mon, Mar 6 18:15 $8.8 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 8.80 $5,000

Mon, Mar 6 18:30 $55 $15,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 55 $15,000

Mon, Mar 6 19:00 $22 $12,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 22 $12,000

Mon, Mar 6 19:00 $5.5 $5,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 5.50 $5,000

Mon, Mar 6 19:30 $109 MB Festival #30 – $15,000 Mystery Bounty 109 $15,000

Mon, Mar 6 20:00 – MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (day 2) $300,000

Mon, Mar 6 21:00 $2.2 $2,000 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 2.20 $2,000

Mon, Mar 6 21:15 $55 $4,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty 6-Max 55 $4,500

Mon, Mar 6 22:30 $16.5 $2,500 MB Festival – Mystery Bounty Dash 16.5 $2,500

Mon, Mar 6 23:30 $33 $2,500 MB Festival – Late Mystery Bounty Dash 33 $2,500

Mon, Mar 6 TBD $160 MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (Day 1s are running 01.03-06.03) $300,000

Tue, Mar 7 19:00 – MB Festival – $300,000 Main Event (FT) $300,000





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A Definitive Guide to the GPI Global Poker Awards 2023 – Part 2: Content Creators

GPI Global Poker Awards


Content creators

On March 3, the fourth GPI Global Poker Awards will honour players, content creators, and industry figures across 29 categories. Hosted by Jeff Platt, the ceremony will take place in the PokerGO studio at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on PokerGO. 

the people who have entertained us throughout the year

In Part 1 of my guide to the event, I made my predictions in the player-focused categories. Now in Part 2, I will turn my attention to poker’s content creators. These are the people who have entertained us throughout the year – whether it be via countless Twitch streams, the vicarious thrill of their vlogs, their eloquent words, the wisdom or humour that they can jam into 280 characters, their capturing of a moment in time, or in the case of The Chip Race, the sexiness of their voices. 

Simply put, these are the people who look at the poker space and make things. In one form or another, they are artists. To borrow from the great sculptor Alberto Giacometti: “The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.”

‘Content creation’ is a very pretentious term. ‘Content creator’ is even more masturbatory. So let’s take a closer look at all of these w*nkers. 

Best Streamer

  • Kevin ‘kevinmartin’ Martin (Canada)
  • Ben ‘Spraggy’ Spragg (UK)
  • Jonathan ‘apestylespoker’ Van Fleet (USA)
  • Lex ‘LexVeldhuis’ Veldhuis (Netherlands)

This will be a rerun of last year’s final with the same four streamers battling it out. Despite having ended his partnership with Twitch, Lex is still the King of Poker Streamers, his audience numbers surpassing all others year in year out. Last year, however, my personal favourite Benjamin ‘Spraggy’ Spragg dethroned him, keeping the coveted prize with Team Pokerstars. Either man would be a worthy winner again but my instinct is that this prize might go elsewhere this year. 

infusing entertainment with education

Apestyles and Kevin Martin are both tremendous communicators, infusing entertainment with education on their streams. The former is an online poker OG who has remained at the top of the game for almost twenty years while the latter is a reality tv star who has brought his audience on a journey from fun player to genuine crusher. 

In what is perhaps the most competitive category, I think it might be Martin’s turn to claim the award:

Best Vlogger

  • Jaman Burton (USA)
  • Mariano Grandoli (ARG)
  • Brad Owen (USA)
  • Ethan ‘Rampage’ Yau (USA)

Grandoli in, DePaulo out. Otherwise it’s a rerun of last year. Can Brad Owen go back-to-back-to-back? Yes, and he probably will. That being said, the talented Yau and my personal favourite Burton will give him a run for his money. So too will Grandoli and his 123K YouTube subscribers. 

Twitter Personality

  • Phil Galfond (USA)
  • Will Jaffe (USA)
  • Jamie Kerstetter (USA)
  • Marle Spragg (USA)

Last year, I said how there would never be another winner of this award so, after she won it again, it should be renamed ‘the Jamie Kerstetter Award’ and then she can no longer win it. 

VegasSlotsOnline News spoke to Kerstetter and the following exchange ensued:

VSO: “So, what do you make of your competition this year?”

Kerstetter: I’m just really confused how two vloggers and Farah’s husband snuck into the category I paid Eric Danis to create for me.”

VSO: And how does it feel to be constantly recognized for your 280 character work but never for your ten day broadcasts?”

Kerstetter: “Best broadcaster? Again?…

Wow, I’m pretty sure they accidentally left my name in there from last year.”

All joking aside, I actually believe that there will be a new winner of this award. Will Jaffe’s ‘tough convos’ bit have been the funniest thing in the poker space for quite some time and this year he took it up a notch. 

Rising Star in Content Creation

  • Natalie Bode (USA)
  • Caitlin Comeskey (USA)
  • Jesse Fullen (USA)
  • Lexy Gavin-Mather (USA)

This is a new category and definitely the smartest addition by the GPI Global Awards team. There are established talents with big audiences in poker. Therefore, it is wholly appropriate to parse out the up and comers and give important recognition to breakout talents in the content space. 

Natalie Bode is a smart and funny sideline reporter who has worked for PokerGo this past year. Lexy Gavin-Mather is an excellent vlogger who specialises in hand history reviews. Jesse Fullen is a social media guru who has successfully brought his skills from other industries to become quite the character in the poker space. 

While all of these guys are undoubtedly rising stars, I think there is a standout person in this category who combines smart writing, comic timing, and genuine acting chops. Caitlin Comeskey’s chameleon-like impressions of members of the community earned her a Best Video Content nomination and I think she is a shoo-in to bink this prize. 

Best Media Content: Written

  • Tim Fiorvanti (USA) for WPT.com: Andrew Moreno Made Good on a 15-Year Dream
  • Connor Richards (USA) for PokerNews: The Endlessly Creative Side of Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel
  • Jennifer Shahade (USA) for the Wall Street Journal: How Becoming a Poker Pro Helped Me Accept a Personal Tragedy
  • Robbie Strazynski (Israel/USA) for Cardplayer Lifestyle: In the Name of the Father, the Son… and the Poker

A problematic category that needs to be broken up. Poker books desperately need their own category, at least every two years. Another way to solve this could be to have a ‘Best Strategy Content’ award, allowing poker strategy books to compete with strategy video series and seminar material. This should be voted on specifically by an informed group (similar to how only the GPI Top 100 vote for Toughest Opponent). 

Regardless, the finalists all did great work. Fiorvanti wrote a beautiful piece on Andrew Moreno’s journey. Richards delved into another side of poker legend Erik Seidel with the help of his friend and poker protégé Maria Konnikova. Strazynski offered up some nostalgia with a personal story of his father journeying to Las Vegas as the recipient of a WPT Wynn package.

giving us access to her process in the face of tragedy

My favourite, however, is a stunningly honest and raw Wall Street Journal article by Jen Shahade. Shahade is a terrific writer, evidenced by her numerous books and articles. She possesses a keen eye for what details to leave in, giving us access to her process in the face of tragedy and the battle that takes place between mind and the emotional self when we are confronted with situations outside of our control. The subject matter of this piece is close to my own heart and it was important to see somebody put beautiful words to a heart-breaking experience. 

Best Media Content: Photo

  • Antonio Abrego (USA) for PokerGO: “Oooooooooooo yeah!”
  • Hayley Hochstetler (USA): Glantz Pulls Million Dollar Bounty
  • Alec Rome (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: Schindler Wins First WSOP Bracelet
  • Spenser Sembrat (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: “That First Bracelet Feeling”

Their looks are laughable… unphotographable… but occasionally poker players can be the subject for a favourite work of art. Great poker photographers operate in the shadows, playing their own volume game as they swish between tables in search of a great shot. 

This year’s nominations for best photo are eclectic, capturing different emotions in a single image. Abrego and Jungleman combine for a macho-manly offering. Hochstetler depicts an explosion of emotion which as I recall followed a moment of supreme composure by the slowroll-loving Matt Glantz. Sembrat caught the moment that Michael Jukich leapt onto the table after winning his first bracelet:

My pick, however, is Rome’s moody rendering of the recently accused cheater Jake Schindler. Reminiscent of an Edward Hopper painting, he cuts lonely figure at the end of a tournament that he just won. A hollow man enjoying a hollow victory:

Best Media Content: Video

  • Caitlin Comeskey (USA): A love letter to the investigation parody
  • Joey Ingram (USA): Emergency Investigation: Garrett vs Robbi on Hustler Live
  • Gregory “Greg Goes All In” Liow (Canada): Poker vlogger who doesn’t understand that the voice over is done in post
  • Marle Spragg (USA): Solvers

This is another strange category that pits apples and oranges. The solution for this one would be to split it into long and short form. Another way to do it would be to honour an individual video but also a person’s body of work over the course of the year. (The same would be apt for writing and I would like to see the return of the Best Journalist category). 

Liow, Spragg, and Comeskey belong in the short form category as would someone like Will Jaffe who is my personal favourite and had half a dozen worthy entries this year. If it were just between the three more easily comparable bits, I’d give the edge to Comeskey for the variety of talent on show.   

Joey’s seemingly endless ‘Investigation’ streams gripped most of the poker world

However, it isn’t between those three and Joey’s seemingly endless ‘Investigation’ streams gripped most of the poker world in the aftermath of ‘that hand’ and the twists and turns that followed. I don’t think there is much chance of beating him in this category so expect the 2018 Journalist of the Year to add to his trophy case:

Best Podcast

  • Only Friends Podcast (Matt Berkey (USA), Melissa Schubert (USA), Landon Tice (USA) & friends)
  • Poker in the Ears (James Hartigan (Ireland), Joseph Stapleton (USA) for PokerStars)
  • PokerGO Podcast (Timothy Duckworth (Australia), Donnie Peters (USA), Remko Rinkema (Netherlands) for PokerGO)
  • The Chip Race Poker Podcast (David Lappin (Ireland), Dara O’Kearney (Ireland), Barry Carter (UK) for Unibet Poker)

I’ve said this before but ‘Thinking Poker’ is an OG in the poker podcast space and its omission year after year needs to be rectified. 

Dara O’Kearney and I are honoured that ‘The Chip Race’ has been nominated for a record third time. Last year, we interviewed 97 people from the poker world, producing more content than ever with 20 episodes of the main show, 25 episodes of ‘The Lock-In,’ and 13 strategy videos:

Defending champions ‘Poker In The Ears’ will certainly fancy their chances. The PokerGO podcast is shortlisted for the second time, having previously been up in 2019. My hunch, however, is that the trophy will go to new kids on the block ‘Only Friends.’ 

Producing around 190 episodes in 2022, Matt Berkey, Melissa Schubert, Landon Tice, Conrad Simpson, Christian Soto, and pals stream live most weekdays from the Solve For Why studio, offering the viewers/listeners a hang-out vibe as they weigh in on the topics of the day. 

In Part 3 of my definitive GPI Global Poker Award guide next week, I will look at the categories honoring poker’s leading industry figures. 

The post A Definitive Guide to the GPI Global Poker Awards 2023 – Part 2: Content Creators appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Jamul Casino and JIV Tribe Team Up for Black History Month

Jamul Casino and JIV Tribe Team Up for Black History Month


Details of the new collaboration emerged Monday and see the duo celebrate the rich history, contributions and culture of Black Americans. With this effort, Jamul Casino highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion. Thanks to the new collaboration, the organizations have set different events throughout February.

Earlier this month, Jamul Casino organized a luncheon that commemorated two local heroic women of color, Wendy Shurelds, the founder and CEO of Many Shades of Pink, an organization that helps with treatment and support to African American breast cancer patients, as well as Dr Suzanne Afflalo.

With a number of events and initiatives scheduled throughout February, the JIV and Jamul Casino are joining the celebration by amplifying Black voices and highlighting the significance of the historical contributions of Black Americans as well as the ongoing struggles,

reads a statement released by Jamul Casino and the Jamul Indian Village

What’s more, throughout February, Jamul Casino is featuring 31 important African American leaders and figures via its digital screens on site. Additionally, the casino will recognize those important figures via its digital media channels. Jamul Casino confirmed its commitment to support Many Shades of Pink with $10,000. Both the Tribe and Jamul Casino have also confirmed they will continue to provide donations and support the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce.

The Duo Is Excited to Collaborate for the Black History Month

Mary Cheeks, Jamul Casino’s president and general manager, explained that the different initiatives during Black History Month deliver a unique possibility for the communities to honor the struggles and sacrifices of Black people. “We’re excited to recognize the African American community’s contributions to our culture, and be part of creating a brighter, richer, more inclusive future for the next generation,” she pointed out.

This month, we acknowledge and appreciate the historical contributions of the Black community while also recognizing the role and impact of the systemic barriers to racial equality that still exist today.

Erica M. Pinto, chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village and chairwoman of the JIVDC Board

Erica M. Pinto, JIV and JIVDC’s Board chairwoman, outlined that during Black History Month, the Tribe acknowledges the historical accomplishments of the Black community. At the same time, she said that the initiatives identify the impact of the barriers to racial equality that currently exist. Finally, Pinto said that the Tribe and its Board of Directors commemorate the achievements and legacy of Black Americans.



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