An international organization recognizes poker as a mind sport, Maria Ho beating up on celebrities and athletes for a second time, and the World Series of Poker returning to Las Vegas are the short stacks CardsChat scooped in its latest orbit of poker news.
Maria Ho beats the celebs again
Maria Ho did it again. Ho is the winner of this year’s Celebrity Poker Tour Championship that was held at PokerGO studios yesterday, just like she did at another Celebrity Poker Tour event in March. This time, she won $50,000 — $10,000 better than before — and is the first repeat champion of the series.
The made-for-broadcast event had 59 punters, and while the tournament was loaded with poker celebs, they were outnumbered by athletes, streamers, and TV stars like Jose Canseco, Adrian Peterson, Ninja, Patrick Peterson, CJ So Cool, contortionist Sofie Dossi, and a bunch of others.
She also won a trophy and a wrestling belt and hugs from everyone.
Poker recognized as a sport
File this one under “things that took way too long”: Poker has been named one of the world’s “mind sports” by the International Mind Sports Association (IMPA). Founded in 2005, the IMSA was organized to unite and promote factions of games they think should be considered sports.
Poker joins games like chess, go, mahjong, draughts, bridge and eSports. The World Poker Federation spearheaded the movement, and celebrated the news on its website:
“Today, we celebrate what may be the most important day in the history of poker. From this moment forward, poker is officially and forever recognized as a Mind Sport. This historic milestone is the result of decades of work, countless battles fought, and the unity of a global community that has always believed in the strength and greatness of poker.”
The announcement was made is São Paulo during PokerStars’ BSOP Millions.
WSOP Circuit back in Las Vegas
Perhaps some of those celebs Ho took out yesterday will make their way across the Las Vegas Strip to the Horseshoe for the WSOP Circuit series that is taking place there Nov. 21 to Dec. 2.
Flights to the $400 multi-flight opener with its $100,000 prize pool begin today as part of an unsurprisingly packed schedule. Some of the series’ highlights include a $1,125 Mystery Bounty event Nov. 27, a $300 Ladies Event Nov. 26, a $2,200 high roller event Nov. 26, and two Senior events ($600 event Nov. 26 and a $400 event Nov. 28).
First of three starting flights to the $1,700 Main Event with its $500,000 guarantee price pool begin Friday, Nov. 29. Satellites to the events are now running.
The WSOP Circuit is also at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles until Nov. 26. Flights for the $1,700 Main Event and its $1 million guaranteed prize pool began today.
The final WSOP Circuit series of 2024 takes place at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina Nov. 28 to Dec. 9.
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