IFP handed Match Poker boost with Chinese alliance
The International Federation of Poker’s (IFP) Match Poker form of the game has been handed a major boost in China through a new partnership between the Alibaba Sports division of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and the Oceans Sports & Entertainment agency.
The strategic partnership brings together the two organisations with the aim of developing and marketing sports in China and has already identified Match Poker, the digital, non-gambling, team-based variant, as a “priority project”.
Match Poker is a new e-sport version of poker where competitors play for points instead of cash prizes. Cards are replaced by hands dealt to smartphones, while all gameplay is conducted digitally and both individual and team performances, as well as match and league information, is recorded and stored centrally.
The IFP has said that Match Poker will generate revenue through pay-per-play, subscriptions, sponsorship and media rights. The organisation expects to attract two million players within five years.
“The alliance between Oceans and Alibaba sport creates one of the most powerful forces in sports marketing anywhere in the world,” IFP president Patrick Nally said. “I am delighted that their energies, attention and resources will be focused on launching and promoting Match Poker and that they share my belief in its massive worldwide potential.”
Oceans is a long-term supporter of Match Poker and has worked with the IFP for some time on developing the technology to drive the sport.
Shoto Zhu, chief executive of Oceans, added: “The strategic alliance with Alibaba Sports is a game-changer for Oceans Sports and Entertainment as it harnesses our specialist marketing skills and know-how with the media and e-commerce might of Alibaba Sports.
“It will enable us to promote sports opportunities effectively and decisively in China and beyond. Both Oceans and Alibaba are excited about its potential in the age of e-sport and it is a priority project for the alliance.”
http://www.sportbusiness.com/sport-news/ifp-handed-match-poker-boost-chinese-alliance
Can Alibaba punt on Match Poker pay off in China?
Match Poker is hoping to make major progress in the key Chinese market through a new strategic partnership between Oceans Sports & Entertainment, its marketing agency in the region, and Ali Sports, a subsidiary of online retail giant Alibaba Group.
Oceans’ Shoto Zhu
The promotion of Match Poker, a non-gambling, mobile-based version of the game which is currently conducting a funding round as it seeks global expansion, has been announced as a priority project for the partnership between two of China’s biggest and most influential sports sector organisations.
Under the agreement, Oceans will manage the on-ground event logistics and traditional marketing of Match Poker and the other sporting events in its portfolio, while Ali Sports “will introduce a comprehensive new digital ecosystem to improve the experience and value for the projects’ participants, audience, sponsors and business partners”.
Oceans chief executive Shoto Zhu told TotallyGaming.com that the partnership with the media, marketing, data and financial services powerhouse will play a significant role in driving growth of the mind sport…
Austrian Poker Sport Association Invitational 2015
The Austrian Poker Sport Association held its inaugural invitational meeting and tournament last month.
More than 30 representatives of Austrian poker clubs and media attended.
President Martin Sturc commenced with a presentation of the upcoming projects of the Association which include a campaign to shift the public’s perception of poker more towards mind games.
He also introduced the new national team coaches, two of Austria’s most successful online players.
President Sturc emphasized that the Austrian Poker Sport Association and the Poker Clubs have to continue working together in order to create a positive future for the mind sport of Poker in Austria.
In the following discussion the representatives had a chance to ask questions and give feedback on the current situation and offer their wishes for the future.
Following a lunch all attending had a chance to prove their poker skills to the new national team coaches in a double shoot-out tournament which was won by Andreas Schwaiger, a former winner of the Austrian Poker Masters.
These are not wrinkles, it is a sixpack from thinking!
Poland vs Lithuania – Round Two
On 11th April 2015 the Polish sports poker team (Tabu sponsored Poland Team) was defeated 122-98 in the second leg of a friendly match by the national poker team of Lithuania.
The event took place in the Hit Kasino at Krucza Street in Warsaw, Poland.
The Polish team consisted of 12 players and the Lithuanian team of 6 players.
The first six Polish players (beginners) – supported by captain Michal Panek – was defeated by the Lithuanians 24 to 86.
The second six Polish players defeated their Lithuanian opponents 74 to 36.
In the opinion of the training staff of the Polish National Federation, final result of 122 to 98 for Lithuania is quite positive in preparation for the World Championship later this year.
Lithuania was captained by their National Federation president Skirmantas Tomkevicius.
Previously on 21st March 2011 in Vilnius, Lithuania – the Polish team defeated the Lithuanians 163-125.
The Poker Sports Association is the only legal representative of the sports poker in Poland.
Its purpose is to promote the idea of competition and to create the best team for all kind of poker matches.
Lietuvos Sportinio Pokerio Federacija is the only governing body for the sport of poker in Lithuania.
The Lithuanian team is created by selecting the best (according to national LSPF rankings) players from the year 2014.
IFP would like to congratulate the Lithuanians on their victory and encourage all our members to organise and play amongst themselves!