PokerGO is a new online poker operation, which promises to revolutionize the way players enjoy their favorite game. The site will be powered by blockchain technology, and it will offer an exclusive experience that all but guarantees customer satisfaction. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts have been waiting for this platform since PokerStars was shut down in April of 2019.
Although March Madness is done, PokeGO is bringing the bracket bouts back in April. The new PokerGO Tour Heads-Up Showdown was announced this week by the streaming service, with the full bracket being published on Tuesday.
The series will feature 32 players who will be competing for $25,000 each at the PokerGO Studio at Aria in Las Vegas from April 21 to 23. The opening round begins on Thursday, and sections of the event will be broadcast on PokerGO and on the company’s YouTube page.
Some of the top names in poker will be featured, including Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Erik Seidel, Darren Elias, and others. On Tuesday night, commentators Jeff Platt and Brent Hanks, together with Aria tournament director Paul Campbell, drew the matches.
The new event will be “a little flash from the past,” according to Hanks. “We wanted to produce something similar to the NBC Heads-Up Championship,” said the team.
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Consider the brackets.
When the action begins on Thursday, poker aficionados will be greeted by a large field of professionals. Spades, Diamonds, Clubs, and Hearts are the four divisions in the bracket.
The grand prize winner receives $400,000, while the runner-up receives $200,000. Each of the third and fourth place finishers receives $100,000. The first-round pairings in each division are as follows:
Spades
- Sean Winter vs. Sam Soverel
- Simon Yu vs. Alex Foxen
- Shaun Deeb vs. Shannon Shorr
- Richie Sklar vs. Justin Young
Clubs
- Daniel Negreanu vs. Jared Bleznick
- Stanley Tang vs. Tamon Nakamura
- Erik Seidel vs. Dylan Gang
- Landon Tice vs. Darren Elias
Diamonds
- Nick Schulman vs. Chino Rheem
- Chris Brewer vs. Jeremy Ausmus
- Jake Daniels takes against Ali Imsirovic.
- Phil Galfond vs. Bill Klein
Hearts
- Dan Shak vs. Nicholas Rigby
- Phil Hellmuth vs. Eric Persson
- Scott Ball vs. Alex Livingston
- Isaac Kempton vs. Scott Seiver
The winner of the Spades division then faces the winner of the Clubs division. The winner of the Hearts will face the winner of the Diamonds. The two victors will then compete for the championship.
Winners advance to the Sweet 16 and quarterfinals on Friday after the round of 32 concludes on Thursday. On Saturday, the semi-finals and finals will be held.
Examining the matches
There are a few early-round fights that stand out. Shannon Shorr vs. Shaun Deeb looks to be a fascinating clash between two talented poker players. The Chino Rheem-Nick Schulman pairing might potentially provide some entertaining watching and volatile dynamics.
It’s also worth seeing Darren Elias take on Landon Tice. In the Bill Klein-Phil Galfond battle, expect a bit old school vs new school.
Depending on how things play out, the whole tournament presents a chance for some additional intriguing matchups. Because of prior Twitter feuds, a Deeb-Negreanu showdown would be exciting. The players fought in 2019 over a divorce side bet involving Negreanu’s new marriage.
Hellmuth vs. Galfond would be a war of minds as well. Both are intelligent and have exceptional abilities in the field of foresight.
In the finals, one of the most intriguing matches would have to be between the two teams. Ali Imsirovic was recently accused of cheating in both the latest Super High Roller Series Europe and online poker by Alex Foxen.
When these two players meet in the finals, there will undoubtedly be fireworks and lots of stress.
The selections have been made.
Without a few entertaining selections to sweat, no preview of this tournament would be complete. Below are the picks of USPoker columnist Cicali, Anthony and editor Sean Chaffin is a writer and a musician..
Cicali, Anthony
In the last four, look for Deeb-Negreanu and Hellmuth-Galfond. Cicali sees a rematch from High Stakes Duel, with Hellmuth and Negreanu facing off for the championship, with the Poker Brat emerging victorious.
“In the end, Hellmuth emerges victorious,” he argues. “He’s been on fire recently, and his ‘white magic’ is evident right now.” I believe this will be a long fight, and Negreanu will put up a good fight, but Phil will emerge victorious.”
Sean Chaffin is a writer and a musician.
Because the Imsirovic-Foxen matchup seemed to be too implausible, Chaffin chose the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship champions. Only two of them are currently on the battlefield. Hellmuth was the winner in 2005 and the runner-up in 2013.
Along with 2011 winner Erik Seidel, he’ll be in the final four. Shannon Shorr and Chino Rheem have both been on fire recently. In the final four, expect Seidel to face Shorr and Hellmuth to face Rheem.
“I believe this will conclude with a true contrast of personalities — Hellmuth vs Shorr,” Chaffin adds. “Is it possible to stop Phil ahead of time?” I believe it’s only a matter of time until Shorr triumphs.”
AMERICA’S BEST SOCIAL POKER ROOM
Offer for a free $20 gold coin
PLUS if you have a verified account.
For $20, you may obtain a $40 gold coin offer.
Players from the United States are welcome.
Every day, just for logging in, you’ll get a FREE Sweeps Coin.
Ring games, tournaments, and SNGs in Texas Hold’em
Possibility of Winning Cash Prizes
With rewards on the line, make your own selections.
Fans of poker may create their own brackets by entering 40849 as the league ID and the password “Showdown22” as the password. This week, Negreanu submitted his own choices and, accordingly, is in the last four.
I finished my bracket.
I was given a final four matchup of
Alex Foxen vs. Daniel Negreanu
Nick Schulman vs. Scott Seiver https://t.co/NZF7H0EznM
April 20, 2022 — Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker)
PokerGO has a few prizes up for grabs for those who make their picks, including:
- 1st place – “No Gamble, No Future” T-shirt, autographed winning picture, and $50 PokerGO Shop gift card
- 2nd – T-shirt and a $25 PokerGO Shop gift card
- 3rd – T-shirt and a $10 PokerGO Shop gift card
Cicali, Anthony contributed to this report.
