Category Archives: Gambling

EPT Online Main Event Result: Divine Performance Earns WhatIfGod Title

Sweden’s WhatIfGod is the latest European Poker Tour (EPT) champion and $1 million better off after making history in the $5,200 main event.

Sweden’s WhatIfGod is the new EPT Online main event champion after beating Timothy Adams heads-up. (Image: PokerStars)

Although the Swede joins a list of EPT main event winners that stretches back to 2004, they stand as the first ever online champion.

Not only that, WhatIfGod managed to defeat some tough opponents on Wednesday night, including Jon Van Fleet and Canada’s Timothy Adams.

Scotland betting shops headed back to lockdown over COVID-19

2020 is not going to end on a high note for the global gaming industry, or for the small independent operators that were hoping for a fourth-quarter rebound from the disaster caused by COVID-19. Everywhere, new orders are being implemented to have casinos and gambling shops shut down as the coronavirus starts to reappear, and the latest to be forced to take drastic measures once again is Scotland. As of this Friday, around 500 gambling shops there will turn off the lights for another forced timeout because of COVID-19.

Scotland is implementing “Level Four” procedures to try to prevent a recent coronavirus spike from getting worse. Under the level’s guidelines, all bars, restaurants, non-essential stores and hospitality venues need to halt their operations until December 11. Caught up in this are the gambling shops, representing about half of the market, which are already under considerable strain because of the global pandemic. Already this past July, there were concerns that the Scottish gambling industry was close to folding because of COVID-19.

According to Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, “Stubbornly high prevalence means that we might have less flexibility to offer some limited and careful easing of restrictions over the Christmas period which we are very keen to do. Moving to Level 4 restrictions for a limited period in some areas, while not a decision we would ever take lightly because of the wider economic and social impact, would help us to address both of these concerns.” However, while the gambling shops and other activity will be forced to a grinding halt, sports games will continue. 

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), as it has done previously, supports the government as it tries to keep COVID-19 from becoming a larger problem again. However, it also registered its concerns that more support is not being given to the gaming industry. It also feels that including the gambling shops in the lockdown might not be warranted, given the gaming industry’s ability to responsibly implement measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. With hundreds of gaming industry workers already at risk of losing their jobs, the new shutdown, only a month before Christmas and Hogmanay, is not going to give many people reason to celebrate.

Phil Galfond Mounting Another Galfond Challenge Comeback

Never doubt Phil Galfond’s abilities to come from behind in a Galfond Challenge. The Run it Once poker site founder has erased nearly all of a $300,000 deficit to Chance Kornuth. And all the momentum is on his side right now.

Phil Galfond is back in the ballgame after previously trailing by hundreds of thousands. (Image: Twitter)

But the truth about momentum is it can flip the other way at any time. So, while the online poker pro once known as “OMGClayAiken” has the supposed momentum on his side right now, Kornuth very well could bust out to a huge lead once again in a matter of minutes.

Galfond entered the competition nearly two months ago as a heavy favorite (4-1). As such, he laid 4-1 odds on a side bet ($1 million to $250,000) against Kornuth, the Chip Leader Coaching founder. Early on, he showed why he was so heavily favored and jumped out to a $280,000 lead nine sessions into the 35,000-hand pot-limit Omaha match.

Daniel Negreanu Destroys Doug Polk on Day 7 for Six-Figure Win

Daniel Negreanu is no longer a heavy underdog in his battle against Doug Polk. Certainly not after completely obliterating his opponent on Wednesday for a massive win.

Daniel Negreanu is completely obliterating Doug Polk in heads-up no-limit hold’em. (Image: WSOP.com)

But it’s not just one session in which “DNegs” got lucky. He’s been battling stride for stride with the Upswing Poker founder throughout. Even in sessions that he lost, you can chalk up bad luck as a contributing factor. On Wednesday, luck may have been on his side a bit, but he won that session with superior play.

In the last session (Monday), Polk picked off the GGPoker ambassador for about $93,000. In doing so, he regained the lead overall by $67,000. Luck was on Polk’s side on that day as he won an $80,000 pot early on thanks to a fortunate river card.