The 2022 World Series of Poker is going on as we speak, but the world of poker is not exclusively inside Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas. In this version of “In Case You Missed It (ICYMI),” we will look at some of the other news that has come to the fore. You will learn about the history of Doyle Brunson, PokerGO’s new tournament deal and, if you’re a Omaholic, Zynga Poker has something for you.
Outstanding Feature Story on Doyle Brunson in Texas Monthly
If you’re a part of the poker world, then you have a soft spot for the man known as “The Godfather of Poker,” Doyle Brunson. While some may think they know it all about the ten-time WSOP bracelet winner, an article in Texas Monthly gets the “legend of Doyle Brunson” all into a massive feature article. It is well-worth a read for both those who know nothing about the two-time WSOP Championship Event winner and those who think they know it all.
In the article, written by Joe Levin for the July 2022 issue of the magazine, the entire life of Brunson is relived. The good moments – including his history at the WSOP and the rough and tumble climb to that level – and the bad – the death of his daughter Doyla – are covered in the article, among other things. Levin does an excellent job of reaching out to many in the poker world for their comments on Brunson and incorporating that commentary into the extensive missive.
As we will not see Brunson at this year’s WSOP, we can only genuflect on the man who has made the game of poker what it is today. Head to Texas Monthly to check out that article and prepare to learn more about a man we thought we knew everything about.
Zynga Poker Adds Omaha Hold’em
Know what you’re saying – an online poker room that does not offer Omaha Hold’em in 2022? – but the venerable “free poker” site Zynga Poker had avoided it to this point (at least in the States). That changed over this last week as the popular free play site cracked the seal on the four-card variant of Hold’em for its appreciative (but non-paying) players.
This is not the first new game offered on Zynga Poker for its customers. They also have created a version of Short Deck Hold’em, which removes the deuces through fives from the game and has a couple of other twists that “normal” Hold’em games do not have. Right now, there is only the Pot Limit Omaha version of the game available but, if players show an interest in the spread for the game, you can be sure that Zynga will continue to offer it.
There will be a slight break for Zynga’s new Omaha offering, however. From June 18-24, the new variant will be down as they fine tune the game, but it should be back up and running for the Omaholics that exist – even in the free poker world!
PokerGO, BetMGM Join Forces for BetMGM Poker Championship
PokerGO captures another major poker tournament in Las Vegas, and this one will be going on in just a couple of weeks.
BetMGM and PokerGO signed an agreement for the streaming outlet to provide exposure for the BetMGM Poker Championship, which will be the Main Event of the Aria Poker Classic. That tournament is set to start on June 23, with a $1 million guarantee and a $3500 buy in for the combatants. Over four days, the players will battle it out for the BetMGM Poker Championship, with the final table being broadcast from the PokerGO Studios in Las Vegas.
“PokerGO delivers the best in poker content to fans around the world, and we’re thrilled to welcome them as a valued partner of the BetMGM Poker Championship,” Luke Staudenmaier, the Director of Poker at BetMGM, stated during the announcement of the deal. “Through this relationship, the first-ever Championship final table and freeroll participants will play some of the most important hands of their lives in PokerGO’s iconic studio.”
The final table will air on June 27, with Jeff Platt and Jamie Kerstetter providing the commentary for the tournament.
