888poker’s live offering is looking to improve further, with the poker brand aiming to strengthen and partner in new regulated markets in the years to come.
In an exclusive interview with 888poker’s Business Development Manager Doron Sionyhe explained the success of the company’s recent festival in Barcelona, how the players reacted to the return of live events and what the future holds for his new position.
7 (Incredible) 888poker Client Features You Should Check Out RIGHT NOW!
Return of 888poker LIVE events
With 888poker hosting events in Bucharest and London in 2021, they were able to keep live poker alive in places where COVID restrictions had been eased. However, with the lifting of the latest global travel restrictions, the size of the fields has steadily grown in events around the world.
“Players who weren’t able to travel are now coming back to play,” Ziony said. “They can now meet their friends at live events. On top of that, over the past two years new players have discovered poker in its online form, so now this new generation is eager to expand their poker experience at the live stage as well.”
Ziony says 888poker couldn’t wait for players to come back and experience the incredible live atmosphere of 888poker LIVE events.
“Poker players have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” he said. PokerNews. “As part of our strategy and values, our events offer accessible buy-ins and structures for players of all levels, so we have been able to attract both professional and recreational players to the live poker scene.
“Poker players have been waiting for this moment for a long time”
“It was easy to capture their excitement at the opportunity to socialize and compete head-to-head against other players again, because that’s ultimately what poker is all about.”
Win the ULTIMATE Las Vegas Package for a single penny at 888poker
Barcelona success
888poker LIVE Barcelona ended at the end of last month, with Sandro Hauser (photo) disassemble the Main event at €1,100 for €56,800.
Ziony says Barcelona is one of the best poker destinations in Europe, offering a huge range of off-the-felt activities, with an incredible buy-in schedule to suit all players.
“The weather, the location of Casino Barcelona, the variety of hotels available, the delicious food and even the possibility of combining their poker activity with watching the Barcelona F1 circuit or a FC Barcelona football match are things you can only find in certain destinations.”
Former Irish Open champion Ian Simpson flattered to join 888poker
Players at the event got to rub shoulders with team members 888poker Stream and Ambassador, as well as special guests like Dan “Jungleman” Cates, Maria Ho and Melika Razavi. Ziony said it was great to include them as much as possible in the event.
“We were lucky enough to host special activities with them on our live stream and produce great live and future content to share with our community who couldn’t join us on the pitch.”
“People are looking to travel and combine other activities like poker as part of their vacation”
The return of live poker wasn’t just for poker’s biggest stars, it was also for those who discovered poker for the first time during the pandemic. Ziony said he spoke with several players who said it was the first event they played live.
“Now that the restrictions have been lifted, people are looking to travel and combine other activities such as poker as part of their vacations, so we aim to continue to hold our events in the best destinations and even expand. new ones in the near future.”
The next stop on the 888poker LIVE tour will take place in Bucharest from June 20-26. The festival offers an opening event at €230 and a main event at €888. Click here for more details!
New role, same priorities
As the former Live Events Manager, Ziony still works closely with 888poker partners and Live Events. However, he says his new focus will be to expand 888poker’s presence in new markets.
“Our goal at 888poker is to strengthen our partnerships and create new ones in new regulated markets to ensure our growth. This is something that will require a lot of my attention in the months and years to come, and I am excited about the plans 888poker has for the future.”
will shillibier
EU Editor-in-Chief
Will Shillibier is based in the UK. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a BA in German, then studied for an NCTJ degree in sports journalism at Sportsbeat in Manchester. Previously, he worked as a freelance journalist and video presenter for the World Poker Tour.
