Daily Rewind: iPoker update, MicroMillions, Alpha8, player's suicide
Today we tackle bum hunting at iPoker, recap MicroMillions' first day, see why Mike McDonald is against Alpha8 and hear about a tragic death.
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:
iPoker update tackles idle grinders
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| Changes ahead |
The iPoker network has just released an update that will prevent heads-up players sitting idle at tables.
Known as "Heads-Up Hogging Prevention", the new software will monitor player's activity and automatically restrict them from joining any new games if they are sitting out at too many tables.
The idea of the new system is to keep games running smoothly and prevent regulars from specifically targeting weak players.
Also contained within the update is the ability to add more Speed tables at the click of a button, provisions for scheduled tournament breaks that span more than two days and the ability for players to have the lobby in their own time zone.
The changes are expected to be rolled out on all iPoker dot-com skins in the coming weeks.
Micro stars stacking chips
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| A win for "POKERDUUDE" |
PokerStars' opening round of MicroMillions events got underway last night and when the masses had dispersed a handful of winners were left clutching a fistful of dollars.
First to stand in the winner's circle was Cypriot grinder "aelole1010". Having made his way past 62,228 runners - who generated almost 300,000 $0.10 rebuys - the online player was able to scoop a top prize of $2,324.
With Event #1 having more than doubled its guarantee, Event #2 followed a similar trend. After the $1 rebuy period had closed the $150,000 guaranteed prize had risen to $215,410.
That total was enough to furnish the eventual winner, "POKERDUUDE", with a top prize of $17,258. Today's action will see another cohort of grinders turn a little into a lot as more tournaments get underway.
WPT's Super High Roller series
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| Lynn's new role |
The World Poker Tour has just announced a new Super High Roller series called Alpha8.
Taking place in various locations around the world, Alpha8 buy-ins will start from $100,000 and each event will be hosted by Lynn Gilmartin.
The first event will take place on August 26 at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open and premier on FOX Sports 1 in March 2014.
So far the community's reaction to Alpha8 has been mixed; while some players have welcomed the news, the likes of Mike "Timex" McDonald tweeted "$3,500 rake to play a super turbo. Enjoy the Alpha8 guys".
Poker player poisoned
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| Alessandro Bastianoni |
An Italian poker player has been found dead in Peru after racking up a reported $600,000 in gambling debts.
After travelling to Panama and Peru to take part in the Latin Series of Poker, Alessandro Bastianoni's girlfriend reported him missing on July 6.
Tracking the signal on Bastianoni's mobile phone, the police were able to locate his body in a luxury apartment and following an examination concluded he had been dead for around ten days.
Next to his body was a glass container filled with sparkling water and poison, as well as a briefcase and a note requesting that the $140,000 contained within the case be used to cremate his body.
High stakes corner
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| Blom still on top |
"Rhje" continued his bumper month at the virtual felt with a $424,500 profit in the last 24 hours.
In the last 30 days the online pro has dominated the No Limit Hold'em tables, banking $1,017,175 to finish just behind "Tight-Man1" ($1,131,921) and Viktor "Isildur1" Blom ($1,192,080) on the 30-day leaderboard.
Also faring well in the last 24 hours was "proudlikegoat" and "Trueteller" who banked $300,446 and $66,071 respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum, a $336,985 deficit for "Denoking" put him above "Tight-Man1" (-$294,760) and "MalACEsia" (-$126,004) on the daily loss chart.
Today at PokerStrategy.com
Catch up with this week's headlines in our daily round-up:
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What can you win in July? Check out our list of top promotions.
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Don't forget that you can take part in our rescheduled PSOS tournament on Sunday.
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Daily Signoff
To mark Lynn Gilmartin's new role on the Alpha8 tour, we thought we'd finish today with a look at some of her less impressive moments on camera.
