April 2013
Paddy Power Virgin and BetFred Casino Software Developer IGT Innovates with New Game
09/04/13 12:40 Filed in: Casino News
International Game Technology (IGT) is a popular software developer whose work can be found on well loved sites like Paddy Power Casino, Virgin Casino and BetFred Casino. Now, with the release of its brand new game, Star Trek: Against All Odds, IGT is looking to revolutionize online casino play with one of its most involved titles to date.
IGT's latest game takes its theme (and some video clips) from 2009's Star Trek feature film. While licensed casino games are nothing new the real hook of Star Trek: Against All Odds involves the introduction of the kind of arcade-style skill systems typically found in videogames. The addition of an innovative new bonus mode (Enterprise Defender Bonus) enhances the game with a shoot 'em up gameplay feature that sees players given 45 seconds to take down incoming missiles. Performance during this bonus round can leads to awards multiplying up to 22,500 times. Regardless of the skills they're able to display during Enterprise Defender Bonus, Against All Odds comes packed with potential earnings through lucrative nine wheel bonuses and bi-directional payouts.
A statement from IGT's Europe, Middle East and Africa Interactive Commercial Director described Star Trek: Against All Odds as a title with "engaging gameplay" that will work to "[give the game] universal appeal." Members of IGT powered sites (such as Paddy Power, Virgin and BetFred's online casino offerings) will be able to try Against All Odds for themselves in the near future.
IGT's latest game takes its theme (and some video clips) from 2009's Star Trek feature film. While licensed casino games are nothing new the real hook of Star Trek: Against All Odds involves the introduction of the kind of arcade-style skill systems typically found in videogames. The addition of an innovative new bonus mode (Enterprise Defender Bonus) enhances the game with a shoot 'em up gameplay feature that sees players given 45 seconds to take down incoming missiles. Performance during this bonus round can leads to awards multiplying up to 22,500 times. Regardless of the skills they're able to display during Enterprise Defender Bonus, Against All Odds comes packed with potential earnings through lucrative nine wheel bonuses and bi-directional payouts.
A statement from IGT's Europe, Middle East and Africa Interactive Commercial Director described Star Trek: Against All Odds as a title with "engaging gameplay" that will work to "[give the game] universal appeal." Members of IGT powered sites (such as Paddy Power, Virgin and BetFred's online casino offerings) will be able to try Against All Odds for themselves in the near future.
Ladbrokes Poker Reveals Monthly Promo Line-Up
09/04/13 12:40 Filed in: Poker
Ladbrokes Poker has prepared a full month of exciting promotional offers for fans of its site. From freerolls to qualifiers, Ladbrokes is making the coming weeks well worth the attention of eager online poker players.
The bulk of Ladbrokes' big November promotional schedule is made up of the poker site's Points Grab freeroll series. Points Grab comes with a £10,000 guarantee and is set to take place each Sunday evening. Every Ladbrokes member with at least 50 poker points in their account are eligible for freeroll qualification and can enter into these proving rounds until the second last week of November. Aside from Points Grab, the site is also offering eight races awarding a total of €20,000 in cash prizes and the Poker Casino Bankroll Surge promo. The $20,000 Bankroll Surge final will be pre-empted with a series of qualifiers throughout November and December. Players who have spent/won a minimum of $200 in a given week will be eligible for entry to the qualifying rounds while those who have used the same amount of money over a two week period will have two special opportunities to compete in qualifiers as well. Ladbrokes Poker members who spend/win at least $10,000 throughout all of November will also be invited to compete in a bonus "high roller tournament" set to take place on Saturday, 1st December.
Online poker players have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and should head over to Ladbrokes Poker now to get started in taking advantage of the site's promotional offers.
The bulk of Ladbrokes' big November promotional schedule is made up of the poker site's Points Grab freeroll series. Points Grab comes with a £10,000 guarantee and is set to take place each Sunday evening. Every Ladbrokes member with at least 50 poker points in their account are eligible for freeroll qualification and can enter into these proving rounds until the second last week of November. Aside from Points Grab, the site is also offering eight races awarding a total of €20,000 in cash prizes and the Poker Casino Bankroll Surge promo. The $20,000 Bankroll Surge final will be pre-empted with a series of qualifiers throughout November and December. Players who have spent/won a minimum of $200 in a given week will be eligible for entry to the qualifying rounds while those who have used the same amount of money over a two week period will have two special opportunities to compete in qualifiers as well. Ladbrokes Poker members who spend/win at least $10,000 throughout all of November will also be invited to compete in a bonus "high roller tournament" set to take place on Saturday, 1st December.
Online poker players have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and should head over to Ladbrokes Poker now to get started in taking advantage of the site's promotional offers.
Full Tilt Poker Requires Members to Continue Waiting for Refunds
09/04/13 12:40 Filed in: Poker
Full Tilt Poker's recent re-launch has gone fairly well, the site returning to business with plenty of exciting gameplay promotions and a stable software offering. Despite this level of success the many American members of the site still awaiting refunded money are likely disappointed to find that their funds are still unavailable.
The latest news from Full Tilt Poker comes through the political advocacy group, Poker Players Alliance (PPA). The PPA's Executive Director, John Pappas, recently met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and ZwillGen PLLC legal counsels, Ken Dreifach and Marc Zwillinger. The PPA came to the Department of Justice with the issues most important to Full Tilt players, raising concerns regarding full refunds of account balances (both real money and loyalty point totals) still unpaid from before Full Tilt's Black Friday shutdown. While the PPA described its "thoughts on these matters" as "well received", it also mentioned that "it was clear from our discussion that no decisions have been made at the Department of Justice regarding [player repayment]" and that the goal of actually returning these funds is likely still "a long way away."
The Full Tilt Poker members who have been awaiting the return of their bankroll and loyalty points are likely frustrated with the slow process of receiving their frozen funds, but the PPA's agitations are still providing the best hope for a speedy resolution. For now, the Poker Players Alliance promises the many online poker players counting on their work that it will "remain vigilant" and "do everything it can to help get the process moving."
The latest news from Full Tilt Poker comes through the political advocacy group, Poker Players Alliance (PPA). The PPA's Executive Director, John Pappas, recently met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and ZwillGen PLLC legal counsels, Ken Dreifach and Marc Zwillinger. The PPA came to the Department of Justice with the issues most important to Full Tilt players, raising concerns regarding full refunds of account balances (both real money and loyalty point totals) still unpaid from before Full Tilt's Black Friday shutdown. While the PPA described its "thoughts on these matters" as "well received", it also mentioned that "it was clear from our discussion that no decisions have been made at the Department of Justice regarding [player repayment]" and that the goal of actually returning these funds is likely still "a long way away."
The Full Tilt Poker members who have been awaiting the return of their bankroll and loyalty points are likely frustrated with the slow process of receiving their frozen funds, but the PPA's agitations are still providing the best hope for a speedy resolution. For now, the Poker Players Alliance promises the many online poker players counting on their work that it will "remain vigilant" and "do everything it can to help get the process moving."
PKR.com Provides Players with Even More Software Updates
09/04/13 12:40 Filed in: Poker
PKR.com has received plenty of accolades for its fantastic 3D poker software. Now, with the announcement of yet another substantial software update, the online poker network looks to continue providing its members with one of the most immersive gaming experiences available.
The last PKR.com software update saw the site adding the ability for players to buy virtual cocktails for themselves and their fellow competitors. Following in the same vein as those features, PKR is expanding its offering with digital food, new drinks and more. The addition of new beverages (such as Mexican beer, vodka tonics and lemonade) are joined by foods like cookies, pizza and sushi. Most interestingly, PKR.com has added collectable "lucky items" (like horseshoes and toys) and a number of new avatar animations. These animations play out while the player's avatar eats or drinks, but also allow competitors to perform new chip tricks that add a bit of flash to table play. Lastly — and as usual for most PKR software updates — avatar clothing and accessory options have also been expanded, providing even greater customization options.
A statement from PKR.com's Chief Operating Officer, Leon Walters, discussed the new additions, explaining that the "goal at PKR.com has always been to deliver an engaging and entertaining experience." Walters said that the expanded drinks options, virtual food and avatar expressions will "take PKR.com to the next level of immersion."
The last PKR.com software update saw the site adding the ability for players to buy virtual cocktails for themselves and their fellow competitors. Following in the same vein as those features, PKR is expanding its offering with digital food, new drinks and more. The addition of new beverages (such as Mexican beer, vodka tonics and lemonade) are joined by foods like cookies, pizza and sushi. Most interestingly, PKR.com has added collectable "lucky items" (like horseshoes and toys) and a number of new avatar animations. These animations play out while the player's avatar eats or drinks, but also allow competitors to perform new chip tricks that add a bit of flash to table play. Lastly — and as usual for most PKR software updates — avatar clothing and accessory options have also been expanded, providing even greater customization options.
A statement from PKR.com's Chief Operating Officer, Leon Walters, discussed the new additions, explaining that the "goal at PKR.com has always been to deliver an engaging and entertaining experience." Walters said that the expanded drinks options, virtual food and avatar expressions will "take PKR.com to the next level of immersion."
PKR.com Launches Oktoberfest Tournament Series Long After Oktoberfest Ends
08/04/13 19:13 Filed in: Poker
Real life Oktoberfest celebrations may have come to an end, but PKR.com is extending the holiday with the return of its Oktoberfest autumn tournament series. Set to run over the next several weeks, the series in question consists of 51 events, all contributing to a total of approximately $450,000 in prizes.
PKR.com's Oktoberfest kicked off on 27th October and is set to run until 18th November. The beginning of the tournament series saw players entering into competition with the first of the daily tournaments — ongoing events featuring low, mid and high stake varieties meant to appeal to all types of players. PKR has also provided an exciting leaderboard promotion alongside these daily events. Players who earn enough ranking points to climb the boards will gain entry to a six-handed freeroll event (set to take place after Oktoberfest concludes) that offers the incredible incentive of earning the title of Oktoberfest Champion and a $3,000 World Poker Tour National Dublin prize package. PKR has also set up $3,500 of tournament ticket prizes to be awarded to lower ranking leader board positions.
PKR.com's Card Room Manager, Neil Wright, told press that the decision to revive its Oktoberfest series for 2012 was easy, describing how the site has "always had a soft spot for this particular series." Wright went on to mention PKR's happiness with its decision to mix "old favourites [with] new and entertaining game types." Oktoberfest event buy-ins start at $1.50.
PKR.com's Oktoberfest kicked off on 27th October and is set to run until 18th November. The beginning of the tournament series saw players entering into competition with the first of the daily tournaments — ongoing events featuring low, mid and high stake varieties meant to appeal to all types of players. PKR has also provided an exciting leaderboard promotion alongside these daily events. Players who earn enough ranking points to climb the boards will gain entry to a six-handed freeroll event (set to take place after Oktoberfest concludes) that offers the incredible incentive of earning the title of Oktoberfest Champion and a $3,000 World Poker Tour National Dublin prize package. PKR has also set up $3,500 of tournament ticket prizes to be awarded to lower ranking leader board positions.
PKR.com's Card Room Manager, Neil Wright, told press that the decision to revive its Oktoberfest series for 2012 was easy, describing how the site has "always had a soft spot for this particular series." Wright went on to mention PKR's happiness with its decision to mix "old favourites [with] new and entertaining game types." Oktoberfest event buy-ins start at $1.50.
Full Tilt Poker Announces ReLaunch Date, Deal Me In Promotion
08/04/13 19:13 Filed in: Poker
Full Tilt Poker's long road toward re-opening for business is almost at an end as the site has announced its relaunch, scheduled for Tuesday, 6th November. To help celebrate its return to the online poker industry the network will be greeting its members with a new promotion.
Full Tilt's Deal Me In will be launched along with the site on 6th November and will consist of a wide range of freeroll tournaments. The total $250,000 prize pool available to competitors is also set to grow daily as the promotion goes forward, enticing competitors with increasingly lucrative games. Alongside these freerolls, Full Tilt will be hosting a series of ten $10,000 events on 11th November and an additional promo that temporarily allows loyalty points to be used toward event entry. Site members who buy Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS) and/or Steps Tournaments ring game or daily/weekly tournament tickets will be able to enjoy discounted buy-ins to fantastic events. If that wasn't enough, the newly re-opened Full Tilt will offer double loyalty points games in order to help players earn their way toward discount tournament entry.
A statement from Full Tilt Poker describing the re-launch and Deal Me In promotion discussed the full range of special offers while also outlining the basics of the upcoming FTOPS XXI Satellite Frenzy, an event that will provide "hundreds of bonus entries to FTOPS XXI events worth more than $300,000." Interested players should keep their eyes on the site in the weeks to come for more details on the satellite series.
Full Tilt's Deal Me In will be launched along with the site on 6th November and will consist of a wide range of freeroll tournaments. The total $250,000 prize pool available to competitors is also set to grow daily as the promotion goes forward, enticing competitors with increasingly lucrative games. Alongside these freerolls, Full Tilt will be hosting a series of ten $10,000 events on 11th November and an additional promo that temporarily allows loyalty points to be used toward event entry. Site members who buy Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS) and/or Steps Tournaments ring game or daily/weekly tournament tickets will be able to enjoy discounted buy-ins to fantastic events. If that wasn't enough, the newly re-opened Full Tilt will offer double loyalty points games in order to help players earn their way toward discount tournament entry.
A statement from Full Tilt Poker describing the re-launch and Deal Me In promotion discussed the full range of special offers while also outlining the basics of the upcoming FTOPS XXI Satellite Frenzy, an event that will provide "hundreds of bonus entries to FTOPS XXI events worth more than $300,000." Interested players should keep their eyes on the site in the weeks to come for more details on the satellite series.
Sky Poker Opens Up New Priority Club Loyalty Program
08/04/13 19:12 Filed in: Poker
Serious online poker players are being given a better way to enjoy their favourite game through Sky Poker. The launch of its new loyalty program, Priority Club, is meant to provide the site's most devoted fans with bonus rewards and a better way to get into games.
Sky Poker's Priority Club gives, like its name suggests, priority access to the network's most active competitors. Club members receive a wide array of special privileges, including the ability to buy-in directly to upcoming tournaments like the Sky Poker Tour Events and receive exclusive invitations to freerolls, competitions and other promotional events. These players will also enjoy access to Cash for Points bonuses before other Sky players and will be paid out on the first business day of every month. Maintaining Priority Club membership for more than three months provides improved Cash for Points rates as well.
Gaining membership to Priority Club is simple, Sky Poker allowing all players who have earned a minimum of 10,000 poker points in a given month (for three months) to enroll in the Club. Taking advantage of Priority Club benefits is made easy, too. Sky Poker automatically calculates its members' poker point total and sends out notification emails at the beginning of each month that let them know about the special events they've become eligible for. Players only need to set their accounts to "contactable" status or speak to account managers to take make sure they get the most out of their Priority Club accounts.
Sky Poker's Priority Club gives, like its name suggests, priority access to the network's most active competitors. Club members receive a wide array of special privileges, including the ability to buy-in directly to upcoming tournaments like the Sky Poker Tour Events and receive exclusive invitations to freerolls, competitions and other promotional events. These players will also enjoy access to Cash for Points bonuses before other Sky players and will be paid out on the first business day of every month. Maintaining Priority Club membership for more than three months provides improved Cash for Points rates as well.
Gaining membership to Priority Club is simple, Sky Poker allowing all players who have earned a minimum of 10,000 poker points in a given month (for three months) to enroll in the Club. Taking advantage of Priority Club benefits is made easy, too. Sky Poker automatically calculates its members' poker point total and sends out notification emails at the beginning of each month that let them know about the special events they've become eligible for. Players only need to set their accounts to "contactable" status or speak to account managers to take make sure they get the most out of their Priority Club accounts.
Full Tilt Poker Signs Blom and Dwan to Its Team of Professional Players
08/04/13 19:12 Filed in: Poker
When Full Tilt Poker re-signed Gus Hansen to its team of poker professionals it served as an indicator of the previously troubled site's financial and legal health. Now, with its sponsorship of former member Tom 'durrrr' Dwan and Pokerstars veteran Viktor 'ilsildur1' Blom, Full Tilt is demonstrating just how far it's come since the Black Friday legal scandals that nearly ended the company.
One of the best ways for Full Tilt Poker to show the online poker world that it's back on its feet is signing on poker pros as brand ambassadors. With the site kicking off real money play again later next month it has started preparing for its return with a pair of new sponsorships. The 26 year old Dwan and 23 year old Blom return/come to Full Tilt with impressive legacies, Dwan previously taking part in high-stakes games through the site's Durrrr Challenge and Blom having made a name for himself via huge wins at events like the 2010 World Series of Poker Europe and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
In a press release detailing the sponsorships Tom 'durrrr' Dwan said that he was "very excited that Full Tilt Poker is re-launching" and was "excited to be a part of it." Viktor 'ilsildur1' Blom expressed similar sentiments, saying that playing as a regular member of the Full Tilt network was "where I made my name and enjoyed some of my greatest victories" and that joining the site in an official capacity was a perfect fit for his career.
One of the best ways for Full Tilt Poker to show the online poker world that it's back on its feet is signing on poker pros as brand ambassadors. With the site kicking off real money play again later next month it has started preparing for its return with a pair of new sponsorships. The 26 year old Dwan and 23 year old Blom return/come to Full Tilt with impressive legacies, Dwan previously taking part in high-stakes games through the site's Durrrr Challenge and Blom having made a name for himself via huge wins at events like the 2010 World Series of Poker Europe and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
In a press release detailing the sponsorships Tom 'durrrr' Dwan said that he was "very excited that Full Tilt Poker is re-launching" and was "excited to be a part of it." Viktor 'ilsildur1' Blom expressed similar sentiments, saying that playing as a regular member of the Full Tilt network was "where I made my name and enjoyed some of my greatest victories" and that joining the site in an official capacity was a perfect fit for his career.
