Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates to Play MPN Poker Tour in Tbilisi, Georgia
American high-stakes regular Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates has confirmed his attendance to the upcoming MPN Poker Tour Tbilisi, as event organized by Adjarabet and the Microgaming Poker Network.
Built around a five-event schedule highlighted by a $550 buy-in four-day Main Event with a $250,000 guarantee, the festival features guaranteed prizes for a total of $400,000. The festival will kick off in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 28 at the Tblisi Sports Palace, the biggest indoor sports arena in the country. The four-day festival will be the first international poker event to ever touch ground in Georgia.
Besides the Main Event, the MPN Poker Tour plans to keep its players busy with non-stop cash game action and interesting side events like Event #4 $220 buy-in $100,000 guaranteed No-Limit Hold'em, and Event #5 $25 buy-in $25,000 guaranteed No-Limit Hold'em with unlimited rebuys.
"I always like to explore territories where there hasn't been much established poker for foreigners before, and I am excited about this trip as I have heard wonderful things about Adjarabet.com, the event and Tbilisi's atmosphere and cuisine," Cates said. "The Main Event is a small buy-in compared to what I am used too, but I'm getting whispers that there is plenty of high stakes cash game action and I encourage others to join me on this adventure."
Talking about the tournament's unusual location, Cates also explained: "Tbilisi has always been on my bucket list as a destination. I wanted to visit and with this tournament being organized by the biggest casino group in the country, I am fascinated to know what the local players have in store for visitors.”
"The fact that it is being held in the biggest indoor sports arena in Georgia shows just how much ambition the organizers have for the event," Cates concluded.
According to Adjarabet's Chief Marketing Officer Lasha Machavariani the MPN Poker Tour is part of a strategy that the poker room, which PokerScout ranks as the eleventh biggest in the world, launched to expand their brand.
"Adjarabet.com is the leading online poker site in Georgia, powered by its biggest casino group," said Machavariani. "This has heightened our ambitions to bring big time poker to the country and we are totally thrilled the event will be hosted by the country's biggest indoor sports venue."
Machavariani continued: "We hope to welcome many first-time visitors to Georgia from countries all over the world as there are no real issues with visas and travel. Tbilisi is one of the safest cities in the world and the dining and hotel options are amazing."
Talking about the decision to keep the Main Event buy-in as low as $550, Machavariani explained that in the organizers' mind this was the best option to attract a large field.
"We decided to pitch the buy-in for our Main Event at $550 as it looks like the world norm at the moment and is accessible for players on all different levels," Machavariani explained. "We are expecting north of 300 entries through online qualifiers who I am sure will also be thrilled to play and meet Cates."
Here's a look at the full calendar of the 2015 MPN Poker Tour Tbilisi:
| Date | Time | # | Event | Buy-in | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28.05 | 14:00 | 1 | Main Event Day 1A | $550 | $250,000 |
| 28.05 | 19:03 | 2 | Super Satelite | $55 | 25 Tickets |
| 29.05 | 14:00 | 1 | Main Event Day 1B | $550 | $250,000 |
| 29.05 | 19:30 | 3 | $165 Turbo Freezeout | $165 | $25,000 |
| 30.05 | 14:00 | 1 | Main Event Day 2 | $550 | $250,000 |
| 30.05 | 19:30 | 4 | $110 Rebuy (Day 1) | $110 | $100,000 |
| 31.05 | 14:00 | 1 | Main Event Final Day | $550 | $250,000 |
| 31.05 | 15:00 | 4 | $110 Rebuy (Day 2) | $110 | $100,000 |
| 31.05 | 19:30 | 5 | $25 Uncapped Rebuy | $25 | $25,000 |
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