Thursday 31 January 2013

'Donielyons': The Mane Man in Leg 2


 
The Black Belt Poker League returned this week with a plethora of new faces, including unknown entity donielyons who roared to victory in Leg 2.

He topped a 108-strong field while Purple Belt Bob myteamouse Bulman was close but no cigar in second.

Further down the list were Leg 1 winner KingofTheBongo in 55th, reigning League Champion Dionysian at 46th, and Blue Belt StilettoMafiosa who departed in 67th.

1st  donielyons -- $135.00
2nd  myteamouse -- $91.80
3rd  themackem1968 -- $70.20
4th  mikeymixitup -- $49.95
5th  Ourkid888 -- $35.10
6th  TableKnight -- $28.35
7th  omnipokerist1 -- $22.95
8th  generalshifty -- $18.90
9th  ChipRead77 -- $14.85
10th  bornTOflirt -- $12.96
11th  tristiano -- $12.96
12th  FumbDuck1 -- $12.96
13th  losbert40 -- $11.34
14th  jojosiejo -- $11.34
15th  VBlueBBP -- $11.34

Just a handful of points separate the top contenders, with 18th place finisher David liquidpoker101 Manders a gnat's nostril hair ahead at the top.

1st  liquidpoker101 -- 224 points
2nd  tristiano -- 222 points
3rd  JustinBieber -- 221 points
4th  ChipRead77 -- 218 points
5th  losbert40 -- 217 points
=6th  setmina -- 212 points
-6th  NPStars1 -- 212 points
8th  PhilDee64 -- 210 points
9th  JHobbit1 -- 207 points
10th  KingOfTheBongo33 -- 206 points
=11th  generalshifty -- 205 points
=11th  bornTOflirt -- 205 points
=11th  BubbleCloud -- 205 points
=14th  Ourkid888 -- 194 points
=14th  tandy26 -- 194 points
16th  ourkidsid -- 191 points
17th  VBlueBBP -- 189 points
18th  TableKnight -- 185 points
=19th  browndog0 -- 175 points
=19th  bagpussrocks -- 175 points

Coming to a monitor near you is Samurai, which takes place on February 20 at the usual time of 20:00. Already booking his seat is defending Champion Andrew LegendKing1 Dwyer who secured a spot for just $10 in this week's $5 rebuy satellite.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 satellite and feeder tokens were handed out in the Satellite Sensation Freeroll, including three $35+3.50 tokens to winner KBV1TALS:

1st  KBV1TALS -- 3 x $35+3.50 Samurai satellite tokens
2nd  cikarang5 -- 2 x $35+3.50 Samurai satellite tokens
3rd  eixip50 -- 1 x $35+3.50 Samurai satellite token
4th  TeeDeeEye1 -- 3 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite tokens
5th  WiseOwlBB -- 2 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite tokens
6th  Elysiumjay -- 2 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite tokens
7th  NinjamanUK -- 2 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite tokens
8th  S0lution -- 1 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite token
9th  nickhem1 -- 1 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite token
10th  CareybearBBP -- 1 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite token
11th  Ourkid888 -- 1 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite token
12th  ourkidsid -- 1 x $5+0.50 feeder Samurai satellite token

In other news, Dawn bagpussrocks Cooke won her second consecutive Turbo Takedown, while on the same night Russ nicenutter Cocrhan picked up 500 Belt Points in the Nifty at Nine.

Perhaps the best value tournament at the moment is the Deepstack Mulligan, every Wednesday at 20:30, in which the top five receive bonus points dependent on Belt level.

Just 10 players competed this week, meaning that more than half the field profited to some extent with Steve stevegw Westcott also adding $67.60 to the kitty.

1st  stevegw -- $67.60 (50 Belt Points)
2nd  nicenutter -- $40.50 (60 Belt Points)
3rd  Touagorimou -- $27.00 (20 Belt Points)
4th  liquidpoker101 (5 Belt Points)
5th  jimmyt31 (5 Belt Points)

If you'd like to win one or four East End Live seats, then make sure you join us again next Tuesday for the third leg of League XVIII.


For more information on the Black Belt Poker League, see our promotions page.

To download the software, simply click here and follow the step-by-step process provided.

Previous reports:

Week 1: King of League XVIII

Friday 25 January 2013

King of League XVIII


 
After an extended festive hiatus, the Black Belt Poker League made its much-anticipated return this week to take its first steps of adulthood.

League XVIII attracted an impressive 127 hopefuls to the felt, all of whom were keen to make an early mark on their campaign and exit the starting blocks in Bolt-like fashion.

It was a fresh face (/moniker) that captured opening honours as Joe KingofTheBongo33 Campbell climbed one rung higher than fellow Yellow Belt Tom setmina Osbourn. This feat earned him $146.11.

1st  KingOfTheBongo33 -- $146.11
2nd  setmina -- $101.60
3rd  JustinBieber -- $77.55
4th  JHobbit1 -- $57.15
5th  liquidpoker101 -- $38.10
6th  NPStars1 -- $31.75
7th  PhilDee64 -- $25.40
8th  tristiano -- $19.05
9th  losbert40 -- $15.87
10th  browndog0 -- $14.28
11th  tandy26 -- $14.28
12th  ChipRead77 -- $14.28
13th  Yourt00kind -- $13.65
14th  BubbleCloud -- $13.65
15th  BobbersAllin -- $13.65
16th  Touagorimou -- $13.01
17th  JosseWales -- $13.01
18th  FalconAyr -- $13.01

Reigning Champion Spencer dionysian Lawrence placed credibly in 26th, but Joe's victory proved he's the current king of the League jungle with 152 points.

Also notable in their top-10 presence is two-time Champion Adam JHobbit1 Saunders, as well as former Blue Belt and UKIPT finalist Joe JustinBieber Roberts.

1st  KingOfTheBongo33 -- 152 points
2nd  setmina -- 144 points
3rd  JustinBieber -- 140 points
4th  JHobbit1 -- 136 points
5th  liquidpoker101 -- 133 points
6th  NPStars1 -- 130 points
7th  PhilDee64 -- 127 points
8th  tristiano -- 124 points
9th  losbert40 -- 121 points
10th  browndog0 -- 119 points

Monday witnessed the usual Takedown/Nifty double whammy, and after Dawn bagpussrocks Cooke took down the former, Phillip PhilDee64 Dronfield earned his month's maintenance in the latter:

1st  PhilDee64 -- 500 Belt Points
2nd  KBV1TALS -- 350 Belt Points
3rd  Sarannedipity -- 225 Belt Points
4th  stevegw -- 125 Belt Points
5ht  BeatTheDonk123 -- 50 Belt Points

There were even more Belt Points up for grabs in Wednesday's Mulligan; Green Belt Spencer Lawrence took full advantage:

1st  dionysian -- $75.00 (150 Belt Points)
2nd  liquidpoker101 -- $45.00 (30 Belt Points)
3rd  myteamouse -- $30.00 (20 Belt Points)
4th  stevegw (5 Belt Points)
5th  nickhem1 (5 Belt Points)

The next Samurai tournament is less than a month away. This week, Spencer completed a Samurai/Mulligan double when he bested a field of 24 in Tuesday's rebuy satellite:

1st  dionysian -- Samurai seat ($250+25)
2nd  cheekyweeguy -- $32.50
3rd  StilettoMafiosa -- $19.50
4th  bagpussrocks -- $13.00

For the time being, however, all eyes remain firmly fixed on the League, and with just one leg in the bag, there's still plenty to play for.

This time around, Black Belt Poker are serving up one of our most juicy dishes to date with not one, not two, not even three… but FOUR East End Live seats up for grabs, not to mention Belt Points for those who finish in the top 20.

If you want to chow down on value and get your piece of the money pie, then make sure you join us next week for Leg 2 at the usual time of 19:30.

For more information on the Black Belt Poker League, see our promotions page.

To download the software, simply click here and follow the step-by-step process provided.

Monday 21 January 2013

League XVIII - Starts Tomorrow



 After taking a well-earned break over the festive period, the Black Belt Poker League makes its long-awaited return tomorrow for eight more legs of hot poker action.

To mark its eighteenth outing, and the first of 2013, we're offering one of our juiciest prizes to date with not one, not two, not three… but four Black Belt Live seats up for grabs.

Following the success of last year's event, the Black Belt East End Live will grace Aspers shores once more when it makes its welcome return to Stratford this Easter.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of reigning Champion Sonny Pomroy, then we're giving you the opportunity to do just that with League XVIII.

The first leg will take place tomorrow, January 22 at 19:30, and will continue each week at the same time until its conclusion on Tuesday, March 12.

As always, there will be Belt Points up for grabs for those who miss out on the top prizes, as well as 200 Loyalty Bonus Belt Points for anyone who participates in all eight legs, regardless of finishing position.

What's more, all leg winners will be invited back to compete in the Second Chance SNG in which the winner will earn a free East End Live seat, thus meaning you can miss the first seven legs and still have a chance of winning a star prize.

The prizes are as follows:

1st               Black Belt East End Live II Seat & Personalised Hoodie
2nd
              Black Belt East End Live II Seat
3rd
              Black Belt East End Live II Seat
4th
               725 Belt Points
5th
               600 Belt Points
6th
               500 Belt Points
7th
               400 Belt Points
8th
               300 Belt Points
9th
               200 Belt Points
10th
             150 Belt Points
11th-20th     100 Belt Points

Last time, Green Belt Spencer dionysian Lawrence proved why he is the hottest thing on Black Belt Poker at the moment when he became League XVII Champion. If you fancy knocking him from his throne, then register now or purchase a League XVIII token from the Store.

For more information on the Black Belt Poker League, see our promotions page.


To download the software, simply click here and follow the step-by-step process provided.

Friday 18 January 2013

Sail to Victory This Sunday



The January Sales reaches its exciting conclusion this weekend with the $200,000 Sunday Special.

As always, we're keeping the same juicy guarantee, but slashing an incredible 40 percent off the buy-in meaning you can enter for just $120+10.

The tournament will be a rebuy event taking place at 18:00 on Sunday, January 20 and can be located in the tournament lobby under Scheduled > January Sales.

Alternatively, you can purchase a token from the Black Belt Poker Store in return for Belt Points accumulated while playing on the Black Belt Poker skin.

The $200,000 GTD is iPoker's biggest weekly tournament with past winners including Black Belt Poker player Martin Malone. And you could follow suit this Sunday for a reduced investment.

If you want to slice even more off the entry fee, then you'll be pleased to learn that there are a plethora of satellites available, including a Mega Satellite tomorrow, Saturday, January 19.

The action kicks off at 20:30 with a discounted buy-in of $25+2.50. Meanwhile, there are a mammoth 100 guaranteed seats up for grabs.

If you can't wait that long to get your hands dirty, then be sure to check out tonight's $20,000 Guaranteed Rebuy at 19:00. The $30+3 buy-in has been knocked down to $15+1.50 meaning that you can play the same event for half price!

See our promotions page for the full schedule.

If you would like to check out all the action on Black Belt Poker, then make sure you open an account now: simply download the poker client and follow the step-by-step process provided.

Saturday 12 January 2013

Dublin Up at the Irish Open



In 2008, a young(ish) chap with a spring in his step and a sparkle in his eyes registered for the Irish Open, Europe's longest running Hold'em event. This fresh-faced upstart was so confident that he placed a £500 bet on himself to win the event at 100/1.

Not only did he collect on those winnings, but he also captured the title and the €801,400 first prize, thus kickstarting a career in tournament poker that would see him tour the globe playing some of the game's most prestigious events while collating in excess of $3.3 million in live winnings.

That man was none other than Black Belt Poker head honcho Neil Channing, and this year Black Belt Poker are offering you the chance to follow in his footsteps with our Irish Open satellites.

Every week there are three juicy satellites including a €30+3 rebuy on Mondays and a €100+9 freezeout on Thursdays, both with an 20:00 start-time.

And for those looking for some added value, then every Sunday there is a €160+16 freezeout with a generous three packages guaranteed. The next one takes place tomorrow night, also at 20:00.

Packages are worth €3,200 a piece and include flights, accommodation, and buy-in to the €2,000+250 Main Event, as well as a little spending money for those keen to taste the pleasures of the Irish capital.

In order to cater for bankrolls of all sizes, Black Belt Poker are also hosting ongoing feeders with buy-ins from as little as 24 cents. Click here to check out the full schedule.

"The Irish Open is one of my favourite dates on the poker calendar," commented Channing. "Too many tournaments have people wearing hoodies and barely saying a word, but this is one where you can still have fun while experiencing the buzz of a big buy-in event."

The Irish Open was founded in 1980 by Ted Rogers and quickly became the world's second largest poker tournament behind the World Series. Legends such as Doyle Brunson, Dan Harrington and the late Chip Reese would cross the Atlantic to play the event.

The 2013 outing takes place from March 29 to April 1. Former Champions also include Liam Flood, Joe Beevers and former Blue Belt James Mitchell who won the 2010 event. If you want to echo his achievement and become the next Black Belt Poker champion, then be sure to ambush the many satellites and feeders on offer.

See our promotions page for more information.

Thursday 10 January 2013

Hero Call for Sam Razavi



Oscar season is nearing and while poker doesn't quite boast the talents of the industry's most established thespians, it's certainly not short of its own helping of Hollywood-ing and amateur dramatics.

This month, staple publication Poker Player Magazine decided to emulate the world of acting with its own, and perhaps suspiciously familiar version of the Academy Awards.

While Sam Trickett and co. received expected nods, the most welcomed inclusion was that of Black Belt Poker sponsored pro Samad Razavi who was bestowed the honour of 'Hero the Year'.

Beyond unveiling a secret life as a caped crusader, we were initially unsure as to what the title insinuated, so swiftly grabbed the nearest copy to learn more:

"Without doubt he's run good, but it's hard not to love the style with which he's done it. From recording videos singing a poker ballad in a kimono on a revolving bed (yes really), to Jäger sessions in Vegas to missing more flights than a drunk pilot he's living a life most players dream of."

Black Belt Poker couldn't be more proud.

"It's an honour to be 'Hero of the Year'," confirmed Black Belt Sam Razavi while sipping la explosion de Jägerment. "I would have suggested 'superhero', but beggars can't be choosers."

There's no doubt that Sam has achieved beyond his love of German liquor and impromptu globetrotting, and can boast numerous accolades from his poker antics of the last 12 months.

In February he came second in APT Cebu before enjoying final tables in Macau, Bevat City and Goa to be crowned the tour's Player of the Year. Meanwhile, he somehow found time to cash an incredible 33 times including an ANZPT title in Melbourne and third in the inaugural WPT China.

If there was a 'Globetrotter of the Year' category, Sam would be more dominant than Phil Taylor.

"I played well and ran better," confessed Sam upon reflection of his 2012. "It was an amazing year but I know that I can't be complacent in 2013; bigger things will be expected and I want to deliver and prove that I didn't just steal Usain Bolt's favourite trainers."

With a near million in tournament winnings and an Aussie Millions final table and UKIPT Player of the Year in the bag, few can doubt Sam's talents and he'll be hoping for a repeat performance in the new year. If his superhero powers could extend to Vegas, then not even the Avengers would be able stop him!

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Slice the Price of Samurai



 
If you were worried about the armour rusting and the sword gathering dust, then set your fears aside as Samurai is set to return for its first outing of the new year.

Taking place at 20:00 on Wednesday, February 20, Samurai is back for its fourth appearance with another night of deep-stacked poker action.

Samurai is a $250+25 freezeout exclusive to Black Belt Poker and boasts a lineup of former Champions that would make any warrior's eyes water.

Veteran Alan Vinson and nosebleed pro Frederik Ogilvie captured the opening honours, while the reigning title sits in the hands of Orange Belt Andrew Dwyer who defeated a field of 41 for a $3,792.50 first prize.

If you fancy battling it out over a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool and think you can knock Andrew off his throne, then join us on the battlefield this February.

Registration is already open and can be accessed in the lobby under Scheduled > Black Belt Tournaments > Samurai.

It's not only the affluent who can challenge for the crown; this time we're giving players of all bankrolls a chance of glory with satellites from as little as a fiver.

Every Tuesday we're hosting a $5+0.50 rebuy with the winner guaranteed a Samurai seat. To enter tonight's event, simply locate the tournament via Scheduled > Black Belt Tournaments > Samurai Satellite.

In the opening satellite of the month, Paul '2LAMCHOP2' Lamonby booked his place, while fellow Orange Belts Peter 'UliKoko' Derrick and Phillip 'PhilDee64' Dronfield secured their spot via December's Grab a Grand Freeroll.

If you don the same colour around your waist, then don't forget that you can join them courtesy of the 'Samurai Showdown' Freeroll, taking place next week at 19:30 on Wednesday, January 16.

For those looking for an alternative route, $35+3.50 freezeout satellites will be available next month, taking place every Thursday from 20:00. $5+0.50 feeders for the event will run on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:00.

See our promotions page for more information.

If you would like to check out all the action on Black Belt Poker, then make sure you open an account now: simply download the poker client and follow the step-by-step process provided.

Monday 7 January 2013

Save Money with the January Sales



The festive period can be a stressful and an expensive time, but don't worry as this month we're serving up the perfect remedy for those painful hangovers and lighter wallets with our January Sales.

From January 07 to January 20, we're slicing and dicing the prices in no fewer than 28 Black Belt Poker tournaments.

Across the two-week period, we'll be guaranteeing over $600,000 in prize pools while slashing the buy-ins by up to 70 percent.

For example, the $3,000 Rebuy on Tuesday, January 15 is now a mere $4+0.40 to enter. Meanwhile, the High-Roller a day earlier will cost just $200+10 - that's a discount of 60 percent!

The series will culminate in the Sunday Special on January 20. The event usually costs $200+15 to enter, but we're giving you the chance to play iPoker's biggest weekly tournament and compete for the very same $200,000 guarantee for just $120+10.

For the very first time, we're also offering a buy-one-get-one-free. If you participate in the $15,000 Guaranteed Rebuy at 20:00 on Thursday, January 10, then we'll enter you into the same event the following week absolutely free.

Get the straitjackets out because we're just giving it away!

If you fancy overloading on overlay and taking a one-stop trip to ValueTown, then make sure you join us this month for the January Sales.

The first event takes place tonight at 20:00 and is a No Limit Hold'em rebuy. Previously, the price tag read $50+5 but we've dipped in with a black marker pens and dissected it in half to just $25+2.50.
To register, locate the tournament in the lobby via: Scheduled > $20,000 Guaranteed R/A.

See our promotions page for the full schedule.

If you've yet to play a hand on Black Belt Poker, then there's never been a better time to make your debut. Simply download the software, follow the step-by-step process provided to opening an account, and start reaping what is just one of the many benefits of playing on Black Belt Poker.

If you're already a member, then simply boot up the poker client, locate the events in Scheduled > January Sales and look up at the sky as the money starts to fall.