Partypoker has stepped into the breach for the third time in a week, giving players more online options as the new coronavirus brings live events to a halt.
Following collaborations with the World Poker Tour (WPT) and Irish Open, the operator has partnered with Poker Central for a new online series.
Dubbed Poker Masters Online, the event will run between April 12 and April 26. Partypoker will post a total series guarantee of $15.25 million, and buy-ins for the 30 MTTs will start at $10,300.
Coronavirus Can’t Stop Poker Masters Online
Poker Central’s announcement confirmed that the online series is a reaction to the coronavirus situation.
“As a result of current circumstances, Partypoker is partnering with Poker Central to move the series online,” reads the event announcement released on Thursday.
The Poker Masters typically takes place in the fall. Therefore, the online series won’t be a direct replacement for the live event. However, it will act as a stopgap during what Poker Central President Sam Simmons called “uncertain times.”
In line with its live counterpart, Poker Masters Online will feature the now-familiar purple jacket. The garment of honor will be awarded to the top performer of the series, along with a bonus prize of $50,000.
The festival itself will be a mixture of No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha MTTs. All events will either be six-max or eight-max, and individual guarantees will range from $250,000 to $1 million.
Topping the bill in terms of value will be the $51,000 Poker Masters Online Main Event. The action will get underway on April 26, and those that taking part will be playing for a share of at least $2 million.
Partypoker Assumes White Knight Role
By stepping into the breach, Partypoker is doing more than giving high rollers something to play while casinos are closed.
As the WPT and Irish Poker Open fell victim to the global pandemic, Partypoker offered an alternative. With Poker Masters Online, it’s doing the same thing.
Although keeping poker players occupied may not be essential compared to bigger issues, the latest innovations are a testament to poker’s resilience. By turning live products into online offerings, operators are keeping the wheels turning while other industry’s suffer.
What’s more, as self-isolation becomes the norm for many, keeping people’s spirits up is a must. Poker Masters Online will help in at least some way. Moreover, it will contribute to the sense of cooperation and cohesion currently spreading through the poker community.
