Big announcements from PartyPoker in the last few hours – signings of Francesco Totti and Dragan Galic.

Francesco Totti – ambassador of PartyPoker.it

AS Roma’s captain and Italian football legend Francesco Totti has been confirmed as an ambassador for PartyPoker.it. Totti will represent PartyPoker and play poker exclusively online at PartyPoker.it‘s poker tables. With this deal, Francesco Totti has become the biggest sports star to sign a deal with an online gaming company.

“Er Pupone” had following to say: “I have faced many challenges in my career and I always apply myself with skill, intelligence, loyalty and passion. You need all these abilities for poker and it is also a game that excites me and is a lot of fun. Thanks to PartyPoker.it, I am able to combine my passion for sport and the challenge of poker. The qualities you need to become a good poker player are very close to those of a sport.”

Francesco Totti will now feature in TV ads and print ads all over Italy. See the Italian language ad below:

Dragan Galic – newest TeamParty member

The other big announcement of the day is the signing of Dragan Galic to represent PartyPoker’s TeamParty. Dragan Galic recently played at the PartyPoker’s Premier League Poker in Las Vegas.

Dragan has now been confirmed as a part of the TeamParty alongside the very recent signings of Kara Scott and Tony G. Mike Sexton, Ian Frazer, Felipe ‘Mojave’ Ramos, Bodo Sbrzesny and Remy Biechel complete the TeamParty.

Dragan Galic is 35 years old and shares Croatian and German roots. He lives in Hamburg, Germany and has almost 1 million Dollars in tournament winnings until now. Dragan Galic’s most recent win is the Casino Austria Poker Tour and he also finished fifth in the EPT San Remo Main Event.

Dragan Galic has this to say: “After spending time with the other members of Team Party in Vegas I am delighted to join. PartyPoker.com was the very first site I played on so in many ways it feels like coming home. I find games suitable for me on there and am excited by the opportunities this sponsorship deal will offer.”

You can now play against Dragan Galic online at PartyPoker.com tables – his table nick is DraganGalic.

Stylsey says “The game was excellent, everyone that played enjoyed! I have had lots of messages from players saying how they loved it and want more lol. Action started from the 1st hand.  Chris, our winner from the last game, made an early exit though“.

Ian Frazer out 23rd with Tc, Qd

IAN_FRAZER went out in the 23rd position after going all-in pre flop with Tc, Qd. Very aggresive call from Erzbichei with Jd, 7s on Ian’s all-in, but Erzbichei flopped a pair of 7′s and there was no help for Ian on turn or on the river.

Stylsey says: “Pity I went out 12th :-( Pretty tough being a bounty though. I sat out quite a bit until it settled a bit. I played 3 hands the 1st hour all pocket 8′s and hit a set each time. I was forced to make a decision with the straight draw out there, my opponent wanted me all in, it only took me a few seconds to realise that the pot was all Stylseys.“

Stylsey picked up Qh, 9s in the big blind, checked and flopped the top pair of 9′s.  Nothing changed on turn and river and Stylsey went all-in but was called by Bainn who had pocket Jacks and slow played them all the way.

Unlucky awkword411 out on bubble with pocket Kings

Top 6 finished in the money, and it was the unlucky awkword411 who went out as a bubble boy after going in with pocket pair of Kings but was called down by Jens9100′s pocket pair of Aces. No help on the board for awkword411 who went out with no money.

Jens9100 continud playing well and ended up heads-up against Ian Frazer’s bounty winner Erzbichei. Final hand Erzbichei went all in preflop with 9d, Tc was called by Jens9100 with Qc, Js. A 9 on the flop brought pair of 9′s to Erzbichei, which was enough to win the tournament. This is the top 6:

1. Erzbichei $185 plus 2 seats to 300K Guaranteed (value $215 each for winning and kicking Frazer out)
2. Jens9100 $110
3. Deanomite1 $75
4. stephan_joh $55
5. Bainn $40 plus 1 seat to 300K Guaranteed (value of $215 for kicking Stylsey out)
6. Vergner $35

Stylsey says “A big thank-you to all that played the “Frazer & Stylsey Xmas Tourny”. 5o runners was great. Deanomite1, my mate who I play against lots live, came in 3rd (woot woot) Deano. But a big congrats to Erzbichel taking Ians bounty plus the WIN. Awesome game all looking forward to my next game real soon.“

Make sure to fan PartyPoker on Facebook to get more info on our special tournaments and offers.

Ian Frazer is in Las Vegas at the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic. The first WPT report was published last week. The following is Ian’s experience from the day 3, and it includes sidebets with Antonio Esfandiari. Plus another Frazer video poker tip and a chance to play Ian heads-up for $500.

WPT Bellagio Las Vegas Day 3

Well not the best start for the main event, I am told, cards in the air at 1pm. So I wander down around 1.15 to miss all the kafuffle that goes on at the start of a big tourney, only to find the first level was nearly over DOH!

It started at 12pm and there are 5 x 1hr 30mins levels each day with 60k in starting chips. My table looks ok-ish at first glance, but I find out pretty quick that I have the winner of the $5k tourney two days ago and $5k WSOP bracelet winner to my left and next to him is Baldwin who has just been voted Card Players, player of the year and also won the $1k rebuy tourney for a cool payout of $200k, Elky came 8th by the way and needed 7th to break even is that mad or what. Further round is Jimmy Tran so there is not going to be any easy spots for stealing.

The $5k winner to my left is pretty much centre of attraction, he seems to be in all the big pots and when he passes he claims the 2nd best hand every time (I like this but can see straight through it) His chip stack is up and down like a yo-yo, I figure he won’t last very long or have massive chips early he looks like he’s in a hurry.

He is also the brain in a game for side bets with Antonio Esfandiari and another on the next table. This guys voice is one of those really loud and annoying ones that you would hate if things are not going right for you but fortunately I was okay and it was keeping me very amused. For those of you, who do not know the rules for this game. It is the most stupid, immature, trusting and egotistical way to gamble but better than listening to an iPod I suppose.

Basically two or more players will choose a subject with a number as a spread to gamble on over/under or closest to the line, which the brain declares after telling the players “IM LOCKED IN” ha-ha, you gotta love it. The players take it in turn to decide on the subject for the brain here are a few of the subjects I heard to give you an idea, the stakes are not chicken feed either! Ha-ha it just tickles me no end.

1st Question

Antonio: okay brain how much money do I need not to have an orgasm for 6 months…oh and you know I can do anything right?

Brain: Does this include involuntary?

I am thinking what the hell does that mean! What are these guys ever on?

2nd Question

Another: Brain how many one night stands in Vegas tonight?

Brain: Does a couple count as one or two?

Antonio: Na that’s only one man, and we are not talking hookers here right!

Brain: Okay I am in the tank!

Brain then starts to work out how many bars and clubs and what night it is etc and then declares okay “IM LOCKED IN”…………ha-ha I just cannot believe it these guys are killing me. Last one I promise.

3rd Question

Antonio: Brain how many girls has Bin laden bedded in the last year?

Brain: Do you mean the last 365 days because he is probably dead?

Antonio: well his last 365 days then.

Brain goes through all the rig moral of sayings again and this time he even searches Bin Laden on his iPhone, ha-ha I mean what did he tap in for crying out loud. I haven’t bothered with the other answers but this time brain says okay two.

Antonio: Two! For a man with a billion dollars and a penis Two! are you crazy brain.

I gather he gambled for more, anyway the brain made a really bad play in a 3 way pot and he was out and that was the end of the brain game. (Sob).

Back to the game and I am treading water, nothing much is happening I am on 80k in chips and we are on the last level of the day.

I make a big squeeze after a small raise UTG with 5 callers I hold 10dJd and figure I want to force some play now. UTG passes which I obviously love, but then I get called in two spots. Flop Qc9s6c (that’ll do) I lead straight at it no pause, with half pot bet. I get one call. It is now a big pot and I figure the caller has a suited club ace or even straight & flush draw as this guys range was pretty wide, especially calling down. The turn brings 2d I am so certain I have a good read on his hand so I bet 2/3rds and the guy moves in on me, dam I have got this so wrong, I still have 22k so I pass and he shows 99.

I got the hand so wrong and felt gutted. I then found myself all in later after my pre-flop raise hit 2nd pair with a flush draw against top pair and that was the end of my WPT.

Ian Frazer’s poker tip of the week

Ian Frazer’s Christmas bounty tournament is on this Sunday. Last week Ian discussed how to play against crazy loose poker players, the week before he discussed strategy for early levels of tournament play. The tip of the week is on why you need to concentrate if you want to be a winning player.

Head over to the Partypoker Facebook page for details on how to you can win a $500 head-to-head match against Ian Frazer.

Ian Frazer has been at the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic this week.  Read on to see how the PartyPoker ambassador has progressed in the first two days at the Bellagio and a curious appearance from a hungover Devilfish!

At the bottom of the post we have another edition of Ian’s video tutorial series.

WPT Bellagio Las Vegas Day 1

Well I am here, my flight was only 5% full and Vegas seems really quiet, without all the cowboys here for their annual Rodeo festival it would be like a ghost town I am sure. It is also the coldest I have ever witnessed it here, I’m thinking this is going to be 100% working trip and no messing.

I register for the $5000 NLH side event and after 1 hour there is only 50 runners, this is not looking good. I play for 3 hours hardly moving a chip as there are a string of young guns on my table that obviously all know each other and they are persisting in making outrageous moves and raises then showing each other after. I think this is so funny; it’s like a competition between them and there’s loads of whispering going on. I am sure you know what I mean. The others at the table hate this but they’re not really seeing the potential.

I figure it is absolutely no good locking horns with these guys yet unless I have a hand, but then as the blinds get bigger I can use my image to work for me. I feel so confident I will outlast them all and find some good spots.

We are 4 hours into the tourney there are now 118 runners and Devilfish walks in, he is un-shaven, looks like he just got up and tells me he’d been party-in all night and had an hour’s kip (nothing changes then). Well he immediately doubles up and before the end of level 5 has 60k in chips. Ha-ha way to go eh!

Back to my game and I am so card dead it’s a joke AQ twice and JJ in BB with a walk ha-ha. I am down to 6500 there are still 4 of the young guns there but with 3 new players. The blinds are 200/ 400 with ante and I find A7 on the button when a player next to me over raises so I push, he calls with 7 10 and I double up Wallop! The next hand same guy raises again I push with Q2 and he folds. I get this guy again the next round and then make a couple of moves on one of the young guns and I have 48k Luvvly jubbly. We now break and down to one young gun left, I just knew it.

We play another level and there are 52 players left 1st prize $200k, I did get QQ that level but no action.

I get raised from last young gun in 2nd position it’s a weak raise which normally meant ace rag or connecting face cards from him and decide to play I have Jc3c (I know it’s bad, but timing felt good) so I re-pop 4X, I know he doesn’t like it but he calls. Flop Ac2c4x, this is great flop for me and I bet ¾ pot, he tanks and calls. I have to give him credit for an ace and put him on A9- ish, I figure he can’t have A2 or A4 as he would have re-popped it and the initial raise was too small for AK.

However he could have AA the vibe I am getting from him is more like raggy ace and he is worried about his kicker; he started the hand with 20k more chips than me, so I figure he can pass if I don’t hit. Turn comes another Ace, now I am in trouble as I know he has an ace and probably gonna find it very hard to fold even though he thinks I have AQ/AK. I take my time and decide to check hoping for a free river and take a view but if he bets, depending on the size I was going to push representing the big hand or fold.

Well that’s exactly what happened, my check induced a bet, I asked how many he had left to ensure he was aware he can pass and then I pushed and he sighed rocked backwards but then called anyway and was jumping for joy when he saw his A7 against my draw, which I missed. In hind sight I am obviously gutted about being out and playing the hand that way against him, but he did have enough chips to pass and I sold the story perfectly but these plays only work against top players DOH!

Off to the bar and some Chinese!

PS not sure what happened to the fish.

WPT Blog Bellagio Las Vegas Day 2

There are two super satellites going on today for the $15400 main event, plus lots of single table satellites for varying amounts. There are no other tourneys of any value on so I decide to play an $1800 one table; I am first to register and then leave to get some coffee. When I get back, the table is seated and about to start, I am gutted the line up is really strong and I think there is no value here what so ever. The good thing is we get 20k in starting chips so lots of play.

I don’t play a hand for the first level (20mins) and then get AK in BB with a 3 bet and call so I make it 5X and take the pot. The guy to my right who flatted the action said “big bet” as he passed and I said big hand man and left it like that.

One round later I’m big blind the same guy 3 bets me I have 33 so I double the action he re-doubles and I push all in. He thinks for a milli-second and passes I now show one 3 ha-ha I figure this can get me action as I am going to lock up now for a while.

The very next round same guy raises in cut off I have AJ on button and call, the flop comes AK5 he pushes with K9 I snap call and he is first one out. Wallop!

I am now feeling good and don’t get involved at all until we get 6 handed where I put in a few re-raises and accumulate a nice stack.

I stay patient as there are 2 short stacks and I am not giving any free chips. After a cagey few levels, we are 3 handed, Kenna James & Noah (a Vegas & world circuit regular) there is nothing for 3rd $2k for second and $15500 for the winner. After a good bit of fun I eventually get the better of Noah with my KK v 44 and I am heads up with Kenna with a 2/1 chip lead. We are good mates and decide on a split I take $11k and the game is over. I am very pleased with that as it was a tough table.

It is only early and I am playing the main event tomorrow so I decide to watch a show and get some food to keep me out of trouble for the night.

PS Fish was spotted in Pure last night so figured he didn’t make final table.

Ian Frazer’s Poker Video Tutorial

In honour of the young guns that Ian encountered on day 1 of his trip to Vegas this week the European Open champ discusses how to adapt your game to crazy loose players.  We’ve all encountered this problem at the poker table so Ian’s pro tips will come in handy next time you sit down with hyper-aggressive players.  Last week Ian discussed strategy for the early levels of tournament poker. As a Christmas bonus we’ve organised an Ian Frazer bounty tournament for the 27th of December, head over to the partypoker facebook page for details on how to register.

Here’s Debbie’s review of the tournament.

Talk about an adrenalin pumping, edge of your seat moment prior to the game commencing. With five minutes to go and only 14 players seated, my eyes could not believe what I was seeing. The seats started filling one after another, the hype was awesome. 45 players finally took the Stylsey Challenge, with loose, erratic online poker.

With Ian Frazer low stack early having the pressure of decision making, he became a casualty very early in the challenge. I guess us being the bounties with $150 on our heads, we became targets with myself being eliminated shortly after.

Whilst I was railing for the remainder of the challenge I witnessed some awesome play and decision making, made by these players. Fantastic effort by Brooke for placing 2nd, all the plaudits go to  Chris for taking down the 1st “Stylsey Challenge” at PartyPoker.com. So it is one up to the Brits, but I’m sure one of us Aussies will take down the next one. I’m looking forward to the next “Stylseys Challange”. BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

The next tournament will be played on the 27th of December, perfect for all of you with a Christmas hangover.  This time the bounty stakes have been raised.  Whoever knocks out either Ian or Debbie will get a free pass to the next $300K Guaranteed tournament worth $215 and the eventual winner will also get free entry on top of the first prize.

Head over to the PartyPoker facebook fan page for full details (you will need to login before you can add yourself to the event).  And don’t forget to add yourself as a fan so you can keep up to date with future exclusive tournaments.

FRAZER’S POKER TIPS

To help you get your game in order before the action kicks off Ian has produced a series of video tutorials.  We will be presenting them on the blog every Thursday running up to the big day.  To start things off Ian discusses the danger of overplaying big hole cards in the early stages of a poker tournament.

Keep his thoughts in mind when you face him at the poker table and you could well be the one to claim his scalp!

The main event had starting stacks of 20k with a good structure. I hit the ground running chipping up to 30 k within the first 30 minutes then went card dead for a long period. My stack took a big hit when I made a call to a re raise shove with 88,the board counterfeited my pair and was beaten by A 10

I managed to double my way back to 30k by the 500/1k level when the action folded to me in last position I looked down at K 10 suited and made it 2300 to go, it folded to the guy on the button who had been running really well playing aggressive and had accumulated around 110k or so he made it 5100 and the size of the re raise and the dynamics I figured it was a good time for him to raise me light so I shoved and he snap calls with AA no help from the board and so it was GG Auckland and back home for me.

Good Luck on the felt

Stewart Scott

You will have all heard about Giancarlo’s exploits on the racetrack but you may not know that he is also a keen poker player and has already starred in one of our tournaments, the Sports Stars Challenge IV, earlier this year in London.

We were so impressed with Giancarlo’s passionate and aggressive poker skills that we knew that we had to sign him up straight away.  After a couple of months of fierce negotiations we finally got our man.

All of our Italian players will have the chance to play against the F1 legend at www.partypoker.it but first off we are celebrating the new arrival to the PartyPoker paddock by offering daily poker freerolls where players can win a slice of a €500 prize pool and to top it off each winner will win a shirt signed by the great man himself.  Unfortunately, we can’t offer these freerolls to anybody outside if Italy due to the nature of regulations in Italy.

Commenting on our partnership, Giancarlo said: “Poker has become a very popular pastime in the paddock in recent months with many of the drivers.  I have joined two new teams recently and am delighted to be in pole position as a new ambassador for PartyPoker.it!”

So who knows, maybe we will see other Formula 1 drivers gracing the tables at PartyPoker in the future.  Now that would be a tourney I’m sure we would all like to see!