Varun Goenka

Chinese Taipei finished runners-up on home soil last time around, can they better it in Hong Kong?

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Check out the full squad for Chinese Taipei as they prepare for their toughest Asian battle yet. National Federation leader David Tai has been doing incredible things for the growth and acceptance of poker as a mind sport & game of skill in his nation. 2022 saw the first season of the National Match Poker League as well as the University Match Poker League, with both being received very well and promising bigger 2nd seasons this year!

 

This is how the national team looks for the 2023 Asian Nations Cup in Hong Kong:

 

Team Leader – PO CHUN ROSS WEN (文柏鈞)

Bio – Ross is the chairman for Taiwan Formosa Poker Sports Association and the tournament director for CTP Poker Club, and Vice Manager of the National Match Poker Team. He was first introduced to Match Poker at the Nations Cup in Dublin in 2019.

 

Coach – CJ CHEN (陳紀任)

Bio – CJ is honoured to coach the national Match Poker team this year. As a dedicated poker player, he is eager to share his knowledge and help the team achieve their goals. He believe in the power of high-level competition to sharpen critical thinking and decision-making skills, while remaining humble and open to learning from others.

 

Coach – EN CHING WU (吳恩慶)

Bio – Jack Wu moved to Macau in 2012 to play cash games and won his first live title in 2016. After three days, he won the main event and went on to become the 2016 Asia player of the year leading to being sponsored by Pokerstars in 2017. He opened his first live course in 2017, and along with some coaches established Taiwan Rounders in 2018 (the biggest coaching site in Taiwan). The site: https://reurl.cc/GzL6Z. Jack has also acted as a national team coach in 2019.

 

Team Member – HSU FENG MING (許峰銘)

Bio – His first poker approach was in 2019 in a friend’s home game, since then he’s been loving it and started to play Live MTTs in 2022 at CTP Poker Club Kaoshiung. He also joined Taoyuan poker academic in 2022 and continues to learn advanced poker strategy until today.

 

Team Member – CHOU SUN CHEN (周孫楨)

Bio – Chou Sun Chen prefers to be called by his English name, Steven. He grew up in New Taipei City and is proud to represent his nation.

 

Team Member – LIU SHU TING (劉書婷)

Bio – Shu Ting Liu also goes by Ban Ban, has been a member of the national Match Poker team in 2021 and continues her journey this year with all other members, wishing everyone the best year ahead in 2023.

 

Team Member – HUANG WUN TING (黃文廷)

Bio – Tim Huang is a 21 year old college student from Taiwan. He hopes to play well against good players from around the world.

 

Team Member – CHEN-YI, LIU (劉甄詒)

Bio – Known as Serina Liu, she holds an electronic engineering masters degree from National Taiwan University (NTU) and is currently working as an engineer in the largest IC design company – Mediatek. Serina has about 4 years of MTT experience, during the span she’s captured 8 trophies from various global poker events and made over 8 million in earnings. She’s also a poker lecturer in NTU and an ambassador of CTP poker club.

 

Team Member – WANG,CHING-CHIA (王淨加)

Bio – Coming from the south side of Taiwan – Tainan, he has been playing poker for almost one year now and was introduced to it by a friend. He has been loving this strategy game since his first poker tournament in Taipei’s CTP Poker Club, and is very excited to get selected to be a member of the national team.

 

Team Member – JUSTIN CHU (朱啟仁)

Bio – Justin is a poker enthusiast who likes to travel around the world and play poker MTTs.

Varun Goenka

Hong Kong to Host the 2023 Asian Nations Cup!

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The International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP) and the Match Poker Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China are proud to announce that the 2023 Asian Nations Cup will be held in Hong Kong from 24-27 February and promises to be the biggest and most high profile Asian Match Poker Championship to date.

With a minimum of 12 national teams competing, this tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of Asia’s best national Match Poker teams coming together to compete for the title of Champions of Asia and seal their qualification to the Nations Cup Finals scheduled to be held in Zurich later this year. Team India will be looking to defend its title after emerging victorious in Taiwan in 2019, with the host nation ensuring a thrilling last hand finish. Top 4 finishing teams will qualify to the World Championships and will also share the guaranteed HK$100,000 prize pool!

Match Poker events don’t involve any ‘buy-ins’ as national teams compete based on qualifying to the event. The individuals representing their national teams are selected by their national federations, who have their own processes for team selection usually based on tracking the performance of their player database over the course of a calendar year in the regular national federation events and tournaments.

This tournament boasts a prize pool, and unlike conventional poker tournaments, it is not made up of the ‘buy-ins’ from the participants themselves, and keeping in line with conventional sports and eSports it is infact a sponsored prize pool. This is a big step toward Match Poker’s recognition and acceptance globally as a mind sport and digital sport, moving it further away from the link with gaming and gambling.

Teams are made up of 6-10 individuals, with a mandate to include both male and female athletes. There are no restrictions based on age, gender or physical ability. Being a mind sport, Match Poker ensures a level playing field for all. The tournament will take place from 24-27 February at the Match Poker eSports Arena in Central, Hong Kong – a unique and first-of-its-kind venue catered to eSports, digital gaming & poker.

The event will be streamed live globally with multi-language commentary, broadcast to 60+ nations through IFMP’s global network, along with post-produced material to be circulated and broadcast on major channels and media across the member federation community.

“We are thrilled to bring the 2023 Asian Nations Cup to Hong Kong and have the support of the Match Poker Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China,” said IFMP President Patrick Nally. “The growth of Match Poker in Asia and in particular in Hong Kong has been incredible to see over the past couple of years. Our first national league and university league were both launched in Asia and Hong Kong has been integral to the adoption of the sport of Match Poker. We have no doubt that Hong Kong will provide the perfect stage for Asia’s best teams to showcase their talents and for fans from all over to come together and celebrate the exciting sport of Match Poker.”



Varun Goenka

Israel Player Shachar “OctopuSZ” Zvang Comes Out on Top in Match Poker Online World Cup

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Some tough international competition hit the online poker tables over the last three weeks as part of Match Poker Online’s first World Cup. The series brought together hundreds of the mobile gamer’s best for a battle featuring players from around the world.

Users qualified by playing on the app throughout the year and were grouped with two different categories. The “Ruby ” division was the event’s top division and featured the game’s best players. The “Ivory” category included the game’s second tier and also featured some excellent players betting and bluffing out for bragging rights and some cash prizes as well. When the dust settled, Israel’s Shachar “OctopuSZ” Zvang found the winner’s circle and secured $625 for his efforts. He was also rewarded with a digital certificate and trophy.

Zvang wasn’t the only player to grab some cash. Well-regarded poker player and writer Matt Matros, of the United States, earned $250 for runner-up and German player Daniel “Zealot” Eylenfeldt found the bronze medal for $125. Eylenfeldt is a regular in live match poker events and his team, Piranhas Hamburg, won the German National Live Match Poker competition. In the Ivory division, another German found a nice finish with “MacHarry” topping the field for $450. A pair of players from Hong Kong grabbed second and third, with “AndyLai” winning $175 and “NutsHK” pocketing $75.

“Thank you for this amazing experience,” Zvang posted on Twitter after his big win.

Matros also took to Twitter to share his own World Cup story, noting: “More than a decade ago I competed for the U.S. in a Match Poker team event on the London Eye, so I was really hoping to come full circle and win this World Cup. Alas, I will have to settle for the silver medal!”

A total of 632 players qualified for the Ruby and Ivory competitions. After two weekends of Playoffs, the field was narrowed down to 36 finalists in each category for the Finals, which were held Dec. 17-18.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and good sportsmanship of all involved in the competition – many sending congratulations and expressing how fun and close the final results were,” Match Poker Online head of customer relations Jake Colman said. “We’ve learned a lot about how to make the Cup even better in future years – thanks to the enthusiastic feedback from our players. It seems everyone is on board for a bigger and better 2023 for Match Poker Online!”

 

How Does Match Poker Online Work?

Those new to the game will find a truly unique experience at Match Poker Online. The app truly gauges where a player stands by having competitors play the same hands across the platform. Players can work on their skills by comparing their own play and decisions to others around the world who have played exactly the same hand.

The app is packed with features, statistics, excellent graphics, and exciting gameplay. You can even compare your own play against friends in a fantasy sports-style competition. There’s no longer a need for arguing or debate on which players are better based on conjecture and insufficient data. With Match Poker, all that data is available for players to check out.

When playing, you’re not just competing against the players at your table, but against players seated at other tables in the same seat you are. All players in that seat are dealt the same two “hole” cards and see the same flop, turn, and river. It’s a unique twist on traditional poker. Even more statistical options and game features are in the works for 2023.

*** Match Poker Online is available in the App Store and Google Play Store. Players can also simply click here to take them right to the download option.  For more details on the Match Poker Online World Cup, click here.

 

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website – https://matchpoker.com

Facebook – https://facebook.com/MatchPokerOnline/

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sean Chaffin, [email protected]

Varun Goenka

Match Poker Online World Cup Features Diverse Group of Players Chasing a Championship and Cash Prizes

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Players from around the world are set to battle it out in the Match Poker Online World Cup in the coming days – with plenty of bragging rights and cash prizes on the line. The event brings some international prestige to the popular poker app and features players who have competed in Match Poker Online throughout the year.

A few hundred players are now eligible to compete with the Playoffs set for Dec. 3-4 with the Finals on Dec. 10-11. U.S players compete Dec. 2-3 with the Finals on Dec. 9-10. The winner of the Ruby division, the top competition, will be crowned the overall World Cup champion and takes home $625 in cash. The top three competitors in all four divisions also receive cash prizes.

Match Poker features competitors playing the same hands across the platform. Players can work on their skills by comparing their own play and decisions to others around the world who have played exactly the same hand.

When playing Match Poker, you’re not just competing against the players at your table, but against players seated at other tables in the same seat you are. The app is cutting edge and packed with high-tech features, statistics, excellent graphics, and exciting gameplay.

A Look at Some of the Top Competitors

After plenty of betting and bluffing, qualifying players now have a chance to prove their mettle against some of the best. The World Cup action will feature players from around the world. Here’s a look at a few of the top qualifiers.

  • Avishek Behera (Odisha, India) – The 20-year-old loves to work on his poker skills using the app.
  • Peter-John Rodriguez (Barbados) – This player ranks No. 3 overall on the Match Poker Online platform.
  • Michael Cheung (Hong Kong) – He loves the Battle Royale and believes his play on the site has helped with his game at the live poker tables.
  • Terry Fitzgerald (Sydney, Australia) – The 55-year-old loves the game’s quick pace and is ready for the World Cup to get started.

Those who haven’t qualified can still get in the action via the app with the hope of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup!

 

** Match Poker Online is available in the App Store and Google Play Store. Players can also simply click here to take them right to the download option.  For more details on the Match Poker Online World Cup, click here.

*** Editors, for more information or to test drive the new Match Poker Online app, please reach out. We’re also happy to provide more information and answer any questions regarding the World Cup and new features. Please find relevant links and contact information below.

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website – https://matchpoker.com

Facebook – https://www.instagram.com/matchpoker/

Instagram – https://facebook.com/MatchPokerOnline/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/matchpoker

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean Chaffin, [email protected]

Varun Goenka

Match Poker Online Unveils New World Cup Featuring Cash Prizes and Bragging Rights on the Line

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After a successful launch earlier this year, Match Poker Online is ramping up the action even more this winter. The app is bringing the thrill of international competition to the online poker tables with the Match Poker Online World Cup. Eligible players of all levels have the chance to represent their country and play to determine the best Match Poker player in the world.

All eligible players can get in the action by competing on the app. To be eligible, players must have achieved at least one of the following by Nov. 27:

  • reached an IFMP (International Federation of Match Poker) Rating of 1,200 or above
  • be in the top 15% of the Ivory, Sapphire, or Emerald tiers of IFMP Ratings
  • be among the top 15% of eligible players in any Premiership Season
  • won a Weekly Challenge 
  • won a Special Event, such as the May Cup or Battle Weekend

There were 385 eligible players as of Oct. 5, but players can still qualify. Eligible players will be notified via email.

“From the start, we’ve wanted to be much more than an app, we’ve wanted to be a sport – albeit one that is played via an app,” Match Poker Online head of customer relations Jake Colman says. “Being a sport necessarily involves holding championship events, world cups, and other big events to determine the best players in the sport of poker. So this is the first time we are offering the pinnacle of our sport.”

How the World Cup Works

Each competition features Playoffs and Finals exclusive to players of the same Rating Tier. Tournament play features Match Poker Online’s new Triple Battle format, which sees players compete in one battle royale each hour for three consecutive hours. The top 36 players then advance in the Finals. The series comes after months of planning and continuous growth on the app.

“What’s been wonderful to see has been the enthusiasm from our players,” Colman says. “Each of our matches goes for 30-45 minutes, and heaps of players play 20 or so matches each week, which is a wonderful commitment of time and effort. There are some players who have played more than 100 matches a month! Adding even more players at all skill levels gets us closer to our goal of running matches almost instantaneously. Happily, we’re getting closer.”

For most players, the Playoffs are set for Dec. 3-4 with the Finals playing out on Dec. 10-11. U.S. players can compete on Dec. 2-3 with the Finals on Dec. 9-10. The winner of the Ruby division, the top competition, is crowned the overall World Cup champion. And not just bragging rights are on the line. Match Poker Online is awarding cash prizes for top players. In total, players can compete for a share of more than $2,000 and here’s a look at the payouts:

Ranking Category1st Place Prize2nd Place Prize3rd Place Prize
Ruby$625$250$125
Ivory$450$175$75
Sapphire$200$100$50
Emerald$100$50$25

* Amounts in US dollars

How Does Match Poker Online Work?

Match Poker Online truly gauges where a player stands by having competitors play the same hands across the platform. Players can work on their skills by comparing their own play and decisions to others around the world who have played exactly the same hand.

The app is packed with features, statistics, excellent graphics, and exciting gameplay. You can even compare your own play against friends in a fantasy sports-style competition. There’s no longer a need for arguing or debate on which players are better based on conjecture and insufficient data. With Match Poker, all that data is available for players to check out.

When playing, you’re not just competing against the players at your table, but against players seated at other tables in the same seat you are. All players in that seat are dealt the same two “hole” cards and see the same flop, turn, and river. It’s a unique twist on traditional poker.

Even More to Come

Beyond the World Cup, Match Poker Online developers are working to bring players even more in the weeks ahead. More analytics should be coming soon, substantially increasing from two key statistics to 12. Players will see a massive increase in how they can gauge their own play.

“We’re going to start analyzing everything from how often you make it to showdown, win at showdown, three-bet or fold to a three-bet, continuation bet, or move all in,” Colman says. “Each statistic tells the player where they are, and where they should be.”

Also in the works for 2023 are country-specific events. This feature will then expand to allow anyone to create a club and host their own competitions. Players can battle it out with others like they’re playing in a club competition or round-robin tournament. The moves come as Match Poker Online continues to “sportify” poker. The World Cup and these other additional offerings only add to these efforts.

“Even though it’s played in an app, Match Poker is a sport,” Colman says. “We’re working hard to see it become as widespread as basketball, tennis, or chess, with communities in every part of the world, at every level – from suburban leagues to national titles. The World Cup is the most important step forward we’ve ever taken in getting there.”

Player Reactions

After more than nine months in operation, players have been pleased with the game. Here’s a look at what a few players had to say:

  • As a former professional poker player I am super excited by your project, I truly believe that we need to rethink poker and show it as a skill game rather than gambling. – “Cukrapok”, France
  • Let me congratulate you on the best poker app ever developed. – “Fairbank”, USA
  • I want to thank you for a great way to play poker and your game is so fantastic. I no longer play in other places. Great job!    – “Stinger”, USA
  • Loving the game, awesome concept.👌🏼I have deleted all other poker apps from my phone. – “Rendog”, Australia
  • You’ve made something truly fun, unique, and innovative and I look forward to what the future brings🙂.  – “RedBacon”, Israel

Match Poker Online is available in the App Store and Google Play Store. Players can also simply click here to take them right to the download option.  For more details on the Match Poker Online World Cup, click here.

*** Editors, for more information or to test drive the new Match Poker Online app, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re also happy to provide more information and answer any questions regarding the World Cup and new features. Please find relevant links and contact information below.

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website – https://matchpoker.com

Facebook – https://facebook.com/MatchPokerOnline/

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean Chaffin, [email protected]