Daily Rewind: PokerStars security, Main Event unveilings, Robl's training
Today we improve security at PokerStars, recap the start of the Main Event and prepare for a fight with Andrew Robl.
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:
Catch up with the latest action from the WSOP with our daily report.
PokerStars SMS security
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| Tighter security |
A new security feature designed to limit the potential of hackers has just been announced by PokerStars.
Available in the site's latest update, the new software will alert players via an SMS message when any irregularities occur on their account.
Once a potential threat has been detected, a player will need to enter the SMS security code before any actions (such as a deposit, transfers, or withdrawals) can take place on their account.
Similar to SMS security procedures on sites such as PayPal, the alerts will be free and players will simply need to register their mobile number.
At present the update is being trialled in a few countries before it's rolled out to all players.
Pieces of WSOP history
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| Doyle's bust |
Yesterday saw the WSOP Main Event get underway and before the frivolities started two unveilings took place.
Before 1,900+ players sat down for Day 1B, Doyle Brunson was called to the stage to receive a special bronze bust commemorating his success at the WSOP.
Despite saying he wasn't going to play this year's Main Event, Doyle gladly accepted the sculpture before sitting down to contest the $10,000 tournament.
While Doyle was being immortalised inside the Rio, this year's WSOP Main Event bracelet was being unveiled at the Cosmopolitan.
Designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, this year's piece contains over 200 grams of 14 carat white gold and is encrusted with more than 28 carats of white diamonds.
Valued at $500,000, the bracelet is worth significantly more than previous incarnations and is the most expensive sports trophy in the world.
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| The $500,000 bracelet |
Robl's MMA preparation
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In keeping with poker's inexplicable link with fighting, Andrew Robl (pictured right) looks set to face JC Alvarado in an MMA match later this year.
Having tentatively agreed terms a few months ago, the contest looks set to happen in November and both fighters are now training hard for the fight.
With $34,000 of his own money on the line, Robl has been honing his skills at One Kick's Gym in Las Vegas and in a recent video he gave us a glimpse into his preparations.
PokerStrategy.com Open Series
| Open Series - Medal Ranking Table | |||
| Country |  Gold |
 Silver |
 Bronze |
 Russia |
14 | 13 | 7 |
 Germany |
10 | 3 | 6 |
 Poland |
4 | 8 | 5 |
The inaugural PokerStrategy.com Open Series came to a conclusion over the weekend and after 63 events it was Russia who collected the most medals.
After claiming 14 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals, members of our Russian community helped their nation finish ahead of both Germany and Poland.
The festival's final winner was crowned on Saturday after Serbia's "GiletteSRB" took down the $109 Main Event.
With a prizepool of $20,000 up for grabs, "GiletteSRB" was able to top the 174 player field ahead of the Ukraine's "serhiy1989" (second - $3,000) and Czech grinder jaxyz (third – $2,260) to claim the $4,090 top prize.
High stakes corner
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| Blom on a roll |
Viktor "Isildur1" Blom has had an impressive start to the month and in the last 24 hours he's banked another $525,291.
Topping yesterday's daily leaderboard ahead of Patrik "FinddaGrind" Antonius ($215,681), Blom has scooped $1,429,586 since the start of the month.
That figure is enough to put him way ahead of July's other big winners: "trex313" ($434,616), "wilhasha" ($413,499) and "Rhje" ($286,642).
Daily Signoff
It might not have been the finest display of kickboxing you'll ever see, but there's no doubting Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier's spirit during his battle with Lex Veldhuis.
