A quick turnaround has seen Partypoker announce and start its inaugural Omaha Series in another effort to one up its rivals.
Putting out a press on April 26 before the action got underway on April 28, the MTT series is an all Omaha affair.
With 160 tournaments running until May 5, players will not only be able to play for $2 million in guaranteed prizes but experience something different. At a time when the MTT scene is flourishing, a unique proposition could give Partypoker the edge over its peers.
Partypoker Picking Up Where It Left Off
At the turn of 2019, Partypoker had the momentum. After hosting the richest ever online tournament in December 2018, the operator reaffirmed its ability to challenge PokerStars’ dominance.
Within a few weeks, the market leader countered with some innovations of its own. The Sunday Million buy-in was cut by 50 percent before a series of Spin & Go updates went live.
In recent weeks, PokerStars announced that its Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) would feature a $75 million guarantee. With the prizepool capable of attracting record numbers, Partypoker been forced to hit back.
What it can’t match in terms of size and value, it’s made up for with uniqueness. By hosting 160 Omaha MTTs, it’s hoping to appeal to those who crave something difference.
Naturally a more volatile game than Hold’em, Omaha has become the variant of choice for many in recent years. Between this and formats such as PKO, Deep and Hyper, the Omaha Series should provide Partypoker with a USP over the next week.
Change is Positive for Everyone
What will be more interesting than the event itself is how it alters the industry’s dynamics. Although a single online festival won’t cause a complete power shift, there are clear signs that Partypoker is gaining traction.
Over the last seven days, PokerScout’s reports show a peak traffic increase of 500 players. Beyond the stats, Partypoker has also won praise for its recent move against bots.
After announcing it had taken down 277 illegal accounts and reimbursed players to the tune of $700,000+, the community responded. Commenting on our recent story, CardsChat members said they now feel safer when using the site.
Picking up on the positive remarks, “Korneel” said they believe Partypoker is now on its “way to become the biggest poker site.”
While that may or may not prove to be the case, the community is coming out on top. As Partypoker and PokerStars strive to deliver more value, innovations such as the Omaha Series are giving players more options.
After the dark period following the events of Black Friday in 2011, it’s reassuring to see the industry is on its way back up.
