Daily Rewind: HU Result, PCA Offer, Ryan Leaves PartyPoker, Microgaming Rebrands

In today's Daily Rewind we recap yesterday's Heads-Up Championship, offer a chance to play at the PCA, say goodbye to PartyPoker's Jim Ryan and check out Microgaming's new look.

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:

Heads-Up final set

Who will win?

It was always going to be a close match, but after seizing a three buy-in lead early in the match imfromsweden007 didn't relinquish his grip on Arne KTU Gewert.

The PokerStrategy.com coaches engaged in a tense match where one big pot either way could have had a dramatic effect on the outcome.

However, with the 90 minute mark fast approaching,
imfromsweden007 managed to scoop a handful of crucial pots to put the match beyond Gewert.

imfromsweden007 and Paul lnternet Otto will now have a day to rest and plan their attacks ahead of the Heads-Up Championship final on Thursday, December 6th, at 20:00 CET.

 Forum: The PokerStrategy.com Heads-Up Championship

Play at the PCA

Follow in "ElkY"'s footsteps

Yesterday we brought you news of the PCA's partnership with Slyde watches and today you've got the chance to get your hands (or wrist) on one thanks to their deposit offer.

To help celebrate the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and its 10 year anniversary, you can get a free qualifier ticket if you make a deposit of at least $50 on PokerStars by 23:59 GMT tonight.

By using the deposit code "PCA10" you'll not only get a $10 PCA qualifier ticket but also access to our exclusive $10,000 depositor freeroll on December 9th.

The PCA ticket will give you access to a weekly satellite on PokerStars where one player will win a $16,000 PCA package.

For more information on the promotion, click here.

Ryan to retire

Ryan says goodbye

PartyPoker's CEO, Jim Ryan, is to step down from his position at the company after four years of service.

His departure will leave bwin.party's other CEO, Norbert Teufelberger, to navigate the choppy waters on the poker industry on his own.

Since taking over as PartyPoker's top figure in 2008, Ryan has overseen a number of milestones in the company's history, including a $105 million payment to the US government following UIGEA and the acquisition of the World Poker Tour.

Together Ryan and Teufelberger have helped bolstered bwin.party's overall package, expanding their bingo offering, as well as launching a fast-fold poker product and offloading the Ongame Network.

Ryan has stated that he's planning on moving back to his native Canada with his wife and children before contemplating his next career move.

Micro Makeover

A new look

The Microgaming Network has just completed a major rebranding process following two years of internal changes and improvements.

What started in 2010 as a series of software changes has now culminated with the launch of the MPN brand.

The MPN Network will now be the portal for the likes of 24hPoker who recently moved to the network.

While the launch of thempn.eu is the final step in the reinvention process, the network has seen a raft of changes over the past two years, including: the introduction of Blaze Poker, anonymous tables and a re-designed poker platform.

In addition to these alterations the network will be rolling out a new poker lobby over the next couple of months as well as a series of joint promotions.

Commenting on the changes, Lydia Melton, Head of Network Games, said:

"The rebrand of the network to MPN and the launch of the network website are both significant milestones for Microgaming poker. We are approaching our 10th year in operation, and we are stronger than ever before."

Daily Signoff

For today's Daily Signoff we look back at a classic PCA confrontation between David Pham and eventual winner, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier.