Dragonara Interactive Launches Associates program with Income Access

Dragonara Interactive Ltd, the net gaming subsidiary of Malta’s major land-based casino operator, Dragonara Gaming Ltd, has announced the launch of an affiliate programme for the company’s online casino brand Dragonara Online in partnership with Income Access. The Dragonara Online affiliate programme can be powered by Income Access’ award-winning affiliate management platform.

Established in 1964, the Dragonara Casino, that's located in St. Julian’s, Malta, and entertains greater than 350,000 customers a year, is operated by Dragonara Gaming Ltd, the Mediterranean island nation’s largest land-based casino operator. In October 2013, the corporate founded its iGaming subsidiary Dragonara Interactive Ltd and launched the web casino brand Dragonara Online.

The Dragonara Online brand recreates the thrill and glamour of the Dragonara Casino in a web-based setting. Players can choose between a wide variety of video slots, 3D slots and classic slots developed by Net Entertainment, IGT, Play’n GO and Betsoft Gaming. In addition, the logo includes a range of online table games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat and video poker in addition to live-dealer baccarat and casino hold’em.

The Dragonara Online brand is offering players attractive bonuses. All new players receive a 100% welcome bonus, while a 50% reload bonus could also be available every month.

To celebrate the launch of the Dragonara Online affiliate programme at the Income Access platform, which has won the most productive Affiliate Software award on the eGR B2B Awards for the last two years straight, Dragonara Interactive Ltd has unveiled an affiliate promotion. According to their performance within the programme, all new affiliates have the danger to win a weekend trip to Malta to go to the Dragonara Casino in person.

The Dragonara Online affiliate programme also boasts an attractive commission structure. Affiliates can earn a monthly revenue share of between 30% and 50%, dependent on how much revenue they refer. 

“Introducing our affiliate programme was a natural progression for our business,” said Franco de Gabriele, Business Development Director at Dragonara Gaming Ltd. “Through our partnership with Income Access, we will be able to now start offering affiliates a trustworthy programme for them to grow their business in partnership with a brand that was operating in gaming for fifty years.” 

Dragonara Interactive Ltd’s in-house team of affiliate managers will manage the Dragonara Online affiliate programme. They've over a decade’s collective experience in managing the affiliate programmes of leading iGaming brands.

“We’re already partnered with a variety of US land-based casinos, so it gives me great pleasure to also see a prestigious European casino’s iGaming subsidiary integrate with our platform,” said Nicky Senyard, founder and CEO of Income Access. “The Dragonara Online affiliate programme offers affiliates the danger to benefit from the convergence between the land-based casino and iGaming sectors in addition to promote a brand with a heritage stretching back over half a century.” 

Read More... [Source: eGaming]

Double Bubble: What if we paid half the sphere?

For the longest time, poker tournaments paid about 10% of the sphere. And in fact, the earliest WSOP events were winner-take-all, if memory serves. But there has been a general sense that the highest small handful of individuals should take home the entire money.

As time has progressed, most folks within the business have come to believe that paying out more of the sphere is best. That is, increasing the choice of players who get something back is preferable to putting an additional bonus on top of the already staggering size of the prizes on the top.

To give an example, suppose first prize on the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) was going to be $1.5 million. But suppose that as opposed to paying that guy/gal $1.5 million, we paid her or him $1.2 million and paid out 15 more people on the very bottom of the money ladder $20k each? I claim that that move could be +EV for the entire game and industry. Yes, in some senses, we'd be costing our winner $300k, that is serious money. But let's be real - $1.2 million is very large life-changing money it doesn't matter what. Our winner goes to have an exceptionally hello. But we've just made 15 more people have an excellent day too.

And the truth of the problem is that while we discuss the large prizes up top, and everyone talks about not desirous to min-cash, there are two indisputable facts that lead me to believe that that isn't the entire story.

First, have a look at all of the final table deals. If everybody really wanted that just about unimaginably large first prize, then deals wouldn't happen. But in point of fact, they happen just about all the time. Regardless of whether it's nervous amateurs terrified of playing for enormous sums, or seasoned pros seeking to reduce the variance, there appears to be a universal appetite for deal-making.

And let's discuss the bubble. For all of the individuals who mentioned not desirous to min-cash, have a look at the wave of "chip and a chair" behaviour because the bubble approaches. Those individuals are not making ICM-optimal decisions to maximise their chances for a last table; they're doing whatever it is going to take to get to the money. The very smallest minimum payoff. My point is that this: whatever people's plans and dreams are initially of a tournament, for many folks, there comes some extent where locking up some money at the moment is preferable to the potential for more cash later. Call it the "Bird within the hand" theory.

So we studied on that for some time after which somebody said, "Well, what if we paid 50% of the sphere"? "DO NOT BE silly, you can not pay 50% of the sphere". Well, in point of fact, you'll. When we worked out the details, here is what we came up with:

When we get right down to half the field, we are going to return the unique buy-in to all remaining players. So suppose it is a $1000+$100 event with 80 runners. When 40 players are left, we walk around and drop $1100 in cash (or chips) in front of every of the rest 40 players. The cash that's left is sent in an 8% payout structure (not too terribly different than how regular tournaments used to receives a commission out within the old days). So there are really two bubbles: at 50% of the sector and eight% of the sphere. Being the promoting geniuses we are, we borrowed and adapted the name of a classic American bubble gum and called these tournaments "Double Bubble".

Obviously, these tournaments aren't going to go back massive prizes on the top - if you wish to opt for the massive brass ring, join one in all our regular tournaments. But when you need some good fun with nominally a 50% chance of having your money back, and the danger to still win some nice prizes deep in, maybe Double Bubbles are only the item for you.We're going to present them a test-drive on the PCA, that is the easiest place for a light-hearted entertainment-centric event comparable to Double Bubbles are. We expect they'll be fun and offer players an opportunity to check out something different. Can we expect Double Bubbles to revolutionize the poker tournament scene? Not likely, but there is no harm here -we'll run a couple of and, as always, see what the players let us know with their feet.

So, do you're thinking that you'll outlast just half the sector in a poker tournament? If so, in a Double Bubble, you're going to get your buy-in back and can be freerolling for the intense money. Search for Double Bubbles at a PCA near you in early 2015.

Lee Jones is the top of Poker Communications at PokerStars. He first joined the corporate in 2003 and have been thinking about the pro poker industry for over 25 years. You'll read his occasional tweets at @leehjones.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Caribbean Adventure]

2014 ACOP Main Event Day 4: The tension of the rail

Sometimes being at the rail is more stressful than playing.

That's certainly the case for Aaron Lim as he sweats his girlfriend Yaxi "Yvonne" Zhu deep on Day 4 of the 2014 ACOP Main Event.

"I would say being at the rail sweating my girlfriend is 3 times tougher than playing," Lim tells us. "I DON'T BELIEVE I've ever felt this nervous at a poker tournament in my life."

That's certainly saying something considering Lim has made the general table of several massive poker tournament, including winning a WSOP bracelet, winning an APPT title, finishing runner-up in an EPT Berlin High Roller and finishing third within the Partouche Poker Tour.

Lim can't pinpoint exactly why it's harder to be at the rail. It can be because Lim is itching to play the hands himself, but it's out of his control. Obviously he cares so much about his girlfriend too and obviously he's very nervous for her.

Yaxi Zhu is beginning to create her own impressive poker resume

It's much more likely that it is a combination of loads of feelings that make Lim so nervous. Regardless, Lim is attempting to stick positive and is making an attempt not to get too eager about Zhu's game.

"If I've seen a hand or have any little bit of information I NEED to offer her I usually to check out to attend until the break to speak to her. I DO NOT need to give her an excessive amount of strategy advice either too, mostly just encouragement."

It's unlikely that somebody so experienced as Lim hasn't given Zhu a large number of tips on her game, but Lim does let us know that Zhu is a brilliant player in her own right.

"I really didn't give her an excessive amount of advice getting into today. She has a particularly good table presences. She takes her time together with her decisions that's great. Her bet sizing is truly strong too. I similar to to encourage her."

Aaron Lim (right) watches Yaxi Zhu from the rail

Zhu's poker resume doesn't have too many results on it, but she does have some experience in big tournaments having played the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final this year. Perhaps if Zhu final tables or wins the ACOP we will be able to see her at more events.

"She really enjoys poker. We have not mentioned her becoming a professional, but when she continues enjoying it and doing well you are likely to see her at more tournaments."

If Zhu continues runs like here on the ACOP, Lim might find himself as a full-time rail bird.

"I hope I'LL BE at the rail more! A COUPLE OF more nervous moments like this may be nice."

The ACOP Main Event is now right down to 14 players and so the nerves will only be growing by the minute. Especially considering Zhu also recently became the "last woman standing" with the elimination of Team PokerStars Celina Lin.

The end of Lin tournament's life came when she was short stacked and all in preflop with pocket fours against Dimitar Danchev's pocket tens and Ami Barer's A♣K♣. No help for Lin and she or he finished in 22nd place, adding another Macau tournament result to her very large resume.

Celina Lin picked up HK$270,000 for her finish

Be certain to keep your eye at the live reports section on the top of the 2014 ACOP page to follow Zhu, and everybody else's, progress. Within the meantime, you'll be able to catch a video interview with Zhu that was down late on Day 3 below!

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Macau]

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EPT11 Barcelona: Matias Ruzzi reigns in Estrellas Main Event

Beginners luck huh! This was Matias Ruzzi's first ever Estrellas Poker Tour event and he only went and won it! Just nine of the record-breaking 2,560 strong field - the most important live freezeout tournament in PokerStars history - returned today and firstly of play Ruzzi was the second one shortest stack, but will be the only player remaining with chips come the tip of play.

Ruzzi - winner of the most important ever PokerStars sponsored freezeout tournament

It could have been Ruzzi's first venture onto the Estrellas Poker Tour, but he's no poker virgin. The pro player finished 16th within the EPT Grand Final back in April and the €198,550 he picked up tonight, when he defeated Vladislav Donchev heads-up, effectively doubled the 28-year-old's live winnings. "I'M more than happy. That is the most efficient tournament I've won and it's even better as PokerStars is saying it is the biggest live freeze-out in its history," said the Argentinian.

Donchev - second again

Whilst Donchev, who finished runner-up at UKIPT3 Edinburgh in January 2013, needed to accept another silver medal, he did receive the most important pay out as a result of being chip-leader when a deal was brokered with four players left. He's got €278,500 to feel free along with his performance today, whilst start of day chip leader Nir Levy (3rd, €188,511) and Hakim Guitoun (4th, €178,550) were also a part of the carve up.

Before the deal was struck the dream of a primary female Estrellas Main Event winner was extinguished for one more tournament when Corinne Baucher busted in fifth and Andrew Chen - three time a EPT Main Event finalist - had another luckless final table before being eliminated in sixth place and jumping straight into the EPT Main Event.

The Canadian's final table hex continued

Tonight though belongs to Ruzzi, who has reigned in Spain and it will be steaks, Quilmes and Malbec all round for his friends tonight as he said. "Today I'LL celebrate but tomorrow I'LL BE back to play Day 1B of the EPT."

#EPT100 Estrellas Barcelona Main EventEntrants: 2,560 Total prize pool: €2,483,200Places paid: 833

Final Table Result:

1. Matias Ruzzi, Argentina, PokerStars player, €198,550*2. Vladislav Donchev, Russia, PokerStars player, €278,500*3. Nir Levi, Israel, PokerStars qualifier, €188,511*4. Hakim Guitoun, France, €178,550*5. Corinne Baucher, France, €91,5806. Andrew Chen, Canada, PokerStars player, €73,8267. Daniel Barriocanal, Spain, PokerStars qualifier, €56,3698. Bela Toth, Hungary, PokerStars qualifier, €40,849

* Payouts adjusted because of four-way deal

Ruzzi and friends celebrate his win

Whilst the Estrellas Main Event could also be over the EPT Main Event is simply getting started. Follow the entire action from the tournament floor at the main EPT Barcelona page. There's hand-by-hand coverage within the panel on the top, including chip counts, and have pieces below.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Estrellas Poker Tour]

Bettors in all places Duke in marquee matchup with MSU

In a single of the primary marquee matchups of the young college hoops season, Michigan State battles Duke and bettors are all around the higher ranked Blue Devils.

Read More... [Source: Covers.com: NCAAB News and Stories]

ANZPT6 Melbourne Day 3: Caruana misses FT; Bryce runs into rockets

The craziness of the overall table bubble finally came to an end with the elimination of Michael Caruana.

His final hand saw Vincent Chua open to 75,000 before Caruana moved keen on 560,000 from the button. The blinds folded and Chua gave the verdict some thought.

"This could be it boys!" Chua yelled to his pals who've been sweating all of the action in between hands at the nearby 20/40 Limit Omaha table.

Chua made the decision with pocket nines and located himself in great shape against Caruana's pocket sevens. The dealer spread a seven-less board and Caruana was out in tenth place much to the delight of Chua's support crew in addition to the rest nine players.

The clock was paused and ANZPT Melbourne final table seats were drawn as follows:

Seat 1: Vincent Chua - 1,485,000Seat 2: Edison Nguyen - 850,000Seat 3: Wayde Rickhuss - 400,000Seat 4: Dennis Huntly - 1,700,000Seat 5: Dylan Honeyman - 995,000Seat 6: Corey Kempson - 1,455,000Seat 7: Gabriel Messo - 1,635,000Seat 8: Cameron Bryce - 415,000Seat 9: Luke Spano - 1,170,000

The 2014 ANZPT Melbourne final table

With a forty-minute dinner break to consider things, the players returned and it didn't take long for fireworks to erupt at the final table.

The short-stacked Cameron Bryce moved all in from early position with pocket sixes, Vincent Chua flat-called before Dennis Huntly moved all in excessive. Chua gave it some thought but eventually got out of how as Huntly tabled pocket rockets!

Cameron Bryce watches on because the dealer cuts out the all-in bets

The board bricked out and Bryce must be content with $18,550 for his ninth place finish.

So we're all the way down to eight and Dennis Huntly has increased his chip advantage over the sector. He's as much as 2,500,000 chips and gunning for the highest prize of $253,000.

Heath "TassieDevil" Chick is a contract Contributor for the PokerStars Blog.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Australia New Zealand Poker Tour]