It’s with great pleasure that we introduce the new and official blog of the International Federation of Poker.
As is customary with this kind of thing, the IFP blog will be where you can find all sorts of information, news and even fun stuff about the IFP ahead of what promises to be an exciting few weeks, even if we do say so ourselves.

If you’ve already visited the website of the IFP (LINK) you’ll know the details of what that involves, with the Nations Cup (a Duplicate Poker team event) and The Table serving as a world premiere of sorts for what the IFP is all about; two new events which should turn heads around the poker world. Not a bad way to get things started. These form part of the latest stage of what has been a swift evolution for the IFP, formed in Lausanne, Switzerland, back in April 2009. Back then a core group of 12 member nations established poker’s first official governing body, electing Anthony Holden as IFP President, with the intention of securing Mind Sport status for poker. Now, just 18 months later, there are 36 member nations, including the United States, with more members on the way. And, in a world that often views poker in unfavourable terms, the status of poker as a skill game is much improved.

Those aren’t the only changes. The new IFP Facebook and Twitter pages are now up and running, a place to find videos, quizzes, polls and anything else we can think of. The IFP also has a new website, which will be changing here and there over the coming weeks to include articles, comment as well as details of the latest developments where the official governing body of poker is concerned.
Have a look now and you can be among the first to register your interest in all things IFP. We promise more big news announcements in the coming weeks, including how you could be playing at The Table in 2012.

 

The International Federation of Poker (IFP) has announced details of Duplicate Poker, the Mind Sport variation of the game.

Borrowing concepts from Duplicate Bridge, the poker equivalent creates the intriguing prospect of staging tournaments, played either by teams or individuals, in an environment free from the “luck of the draw” – the perfect way for poker players to highlight individual skill rather than good fortune.

Details of Duplicate Poker have now been made available, published in the IFP website Librarypage, detailing not only how the game is played, but also how the deck is prepared for each hand and how the unique structure has been devised. In addition, the strict security procedure is also examined in depth.

The creation of duplicate poker marks the next step forward in poker’s long journey towards recognition as a ‘skill game’ in the eyes of the world. It also highlights the continued work of the IFP, bringing further credibility to the game in a political climate which, in some countries, makes playing the game harder, and in some cases illegal.

While that battle rages, poker can, for the first time, be played in an environment free from the whims of luck, thwarting those who consider the game to be nothing more than gambling. No running good, no running bad; it’s now all about playing good or playing bad.