Daily Rewind: WSOP Finale, One Drop's Back, Ivey's Thoughts, Caesars' Payments

In today's Daily Rewind we look forward to tonight's WSOP finale with our own live updates, find out about the return of One Drop, hear from Phil Ivey about his future and see who will be providing payment processing to Caesars' US online venture.

The Daily Rewind is your one-stop-shop for a sharp review of the day in poker. Join us here for a mix of the latest news and a more irreverent insight into the poker world. Today we discovered the following topics for you:

The WSOP will play down to a conclusion tonight and you can follow all the action with our dedicated live updates. You can also take part in the discussion over in our WSOP forum thread.

Keep up with all the action in with our live updates.
Join in the discussion as we rail the Main Event final table by posting in our forum

One Drop returns

Guy drops another announcement

This year's One Drop event caused a stir from the rail and the felt, with some of the world's best players putting on a million dollar show.

Indeed, even when the final chips had been stacked, the cameras turned off and the partying done, the impact of the event continued to influence the lives of those in need around the world.

Such enthusiasm for Guy Laliberte's multi-million dollar charity event has prompted the entrepreneur and the WSOP directors to schedule another One Drop event for 2014.

Giving themselves two years to plan and market the event, the organisers are hopeful they can attract a host of corporate sponsors and make it a spectacle on a world scale.

Not only that, but the added time will allow them to put in place a series of satellites which could enable the average grinder to earn a place in poker's richest tournament.

The WSOP's recent announcements didn't stop there, though. With a gap in next year's schedule they have decided to run a "mini One Drop" event with a buy-in of $1,111.

With unlimited rebuys for two days, this event could see the likes of Daniel Negreanu rejuvenate his penchant for multiple rebuys and create a sizeable prizepool.

Ivey on training and Full Tilt

Ivey waiting to speak

Yesterday we brought you news of Phil Ivey's new site and in a recent interview with ESPN he's revealed a little more about the concept behind it.

Speaking to Zach McCann, Ivey explained that he'd seen a gap in the market and he's looking to teach "people how to become winning poker players".

Joined by Patrik Antonius, Jennifer Harman and WSOP finalist Greg Merson, Ivey will be holding discussions and answering questions on how to play live and "how to observe others".

Ivey also indicated that people will be able to play on the site, stating:

"It's going to be a place where people can play socially. There's going to be no charge."

This would seemingly indicate that there is potential for a real money site to evolve out of the venture if US regulation is ever past.

During the interview Ivey was also asked about Full Tilt and, while declining to comment at present because of legal ramifications, he did say: "when the time is right – and it should be soon – I look forward to all the questions."

UK processor for Caesars

Optimal processing

UK based payment processor Optimal Payments has been selected as the financial gateway for Caesars Interactive and their online poker venture.

In preparation for the launch of virtual poker in Nevada, Caesars has chosen the Isle of Man based company to handle their deposits, withdrawals and all fraud management measures related to these processes.

Optimal Payments are the owners of NETeller, NetBanx and Net+ and will now become one of the major players in the start of what could be the re-emergence of the US online poker market.

Commenting on the partnership, Optimal's CEO Joel Leonoff said:

"This is a groundbreaking deal for Optimal Payments and demonstrates our ability to provide real value to globally renowned, land-based gaming operators and their leading brands, as the first step in our strategy to capitalize on the regulated U.S. market."

High stakes corner

It seems that Ilari "Ilari FIN" Sahamies can't be stopped at the moment as he ripped through the competition again yesterday with another six-figure win.

Having banked a total of $2.2 million since last Monday, the Finnish player has won a further $449,850 in the last 24 hours.

Following Sahamies in the profit charts was Isaac Haxton and Sam "tr1cky7" Trickett. The former managed to win $140,778, while the latter earned $82,476 in just 376 hands.

Ilari reaching for more chips

Daily Signoff

Jesse Sylvia scooped a critical pot from Greg Merson on Day 7 of the Main Event and with both players still in the final we could see another epic tussle between the two when things conclude later today.