Daily Rewind: UKIPT London, WPT Bay 101 Latest, Negreanu Part of a Cult?

In today's Daily Rewind we kick off UKIPT London, recap Day 1A of the WPT's Bay 101 Shooting Star event and refute claims of a cult association with Daniel Negreanu.

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:

UKIPT festivities kick off in London

UKIPT's home at the Hippodrome

PokerStars' London poker festivities begin today with the £700+£70 UKIPT London Main Event.

Running until March 10, the £250,000 guaranteed tournament will merge seamlessly with EPT London and is expected to draw a large field.

Indeed, such is the expected attendance that PokerStars has spread the event across two venues.

Originally scheduled to take place in the Vic Casino, the event will now also take place inside the new PokerStars LIVE poker room at the Hippodrome Casino.

As well as a number of notable pros, PokerStrategy.com's Spanish coach Pablo 'kazediel' Otero will be in action.

As the tournament progresses we'll keep you up-to-date with Otero's progress as well as all the other high and lows.

Stars shoot for WPT success

Lichtenberger on top

The WPT's Bay 101 Shooting Star event kicked off yesterday, with 207 players all looking to top the daily chip counts and scoop a $10,000 bonus.

On top of the chip lead bonus, a selection of $2,500 bounties were pinned to the backs of some of the game's most recognisable pros.

Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth and Vanessa Selbst were three bounty players whose demise allowed Andrew Lichtenberger to ascend yesterday's leaderboard.

Indeed, as the end of the session loomed, the American pro took Antonio Esfandiari's bounty, before eliminating Jerry Yang and Matt O'Donnell in a single hand.

Those pots pushed Lichtenberger to the top of the remaining 107 players with 341,000 chips; comfortably ahead of Stephen Bokor (274,200) and Andy Hwang (242,000).

Negreanu vs. Micon in cult claims

Micon's observations

Daniel Negreanu has been accused of falling victim to a growing cult by Donk Down's Bryan Micon.

The poker player pro and website owner has penned a new article that criticises Negreanu's affiliation with Choice Center Las Vegas.

Having reviewed the organisation, Micon claims it's "a poor-man's Scientology" and that it fits the Large-Group Awareness Training model that is a "common scam-cult-religion formula".

Drawing on the pseudo-qualifications of the organisation's leader, Robyn Williams, Micon believes people are buying into a very expensive scheme that offers no benefit.

While few would assume that Daniel isn't intelligent enough to spot a scam, the PokerStars pro has taken some time to respond to Micon's claims.

In his repost Daniel refutes the notion that he makes money from recruiting people and that most of the claims are "wildly inaccurate".

Moreover, Daniel said he'd be the first to speak up if something "fishy" was going on.

To read Daniel's full response, click here.

Today at PokerStrategy.com

A chat with Daniel Negreanu, further playerpool segregation and more ways to boost your bankroll have all caught the headlines at PokerStrategy.com in the last 24 hours:

Tobias Block talks exclusively to Daniel Negreanu about all things poker.

Find out how the Revolution Network is dividing its playerpool.

EuroPoker has finally introduced its own fast fold poker variant.

Our exclusive Gemstone and Level Up promotions are combined with cash offers worth $20,000 this month at William Hill.

Don't forget, you've still got time to Level Up and earn up to $100 this March.

Daily Signoff

Bryan Micon is used to engaging in verbal battles on the internet, however, it seems he's somewhat less comfortable when things get physical.