The Big Game Returns with PLO Edition at partypoker MILLIONS Germany
One of the most famous televised cash games around — partypoker’s The Big Game — returns next month for its first-ever PLO edition. The eight-handed €50/€100 game will take place during the €12.5 million guaranteed MILLIONS Germany series at King's Casino in Rozvadov.
In true The Big Game fashion, the cash game will run for 36 hours straight, kicking off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 and wrapping up at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12. The minimum buy-in for the game is €20,000 and players can buy in for a maximum of €40,000.
According to partypoker’s blog, a host of entertaining players including top pros and businessmen are expected on the scene. Among them are many of the usual suspects: partypoker Ambassador Sam Trickett, Dusk till Dawn owner Rob Yong, actress and WSOP Ladies Event winner Jennifer Tilly and successful businessman known as “The Wolf,” Yair Bitoun.
International poker phenoms Viktor Blom, Phil Laak and Philipp Gruissem will be in the mix as well, in addition to another figure who has been instrumental in creating the huge draw of viewers to The Big Game — and that’s Lithuanian poker pro-turned-politician Antanas "Tony G" Guoga.
Some previous big winners in The Big Game include Tony G, Roger Hairabedian, Tilly and Laak, and many of them will have the opportunity to add to those wins at King's Casino.
No Ordinary Cash Game
It should be clear already that this will not be your run-of-the-mill poker game, but there are additional twists that can affirm that suspicion.
One facet that makes The Big Game unique is the presence of an online qualifier who makes his or her way into the game by winning the partypoker Big Game Challenge. The competition for this seat and the package worth more than $27,000 will run online at partypoker between Jan. 25 and Feb. 4. The winner will be awarded the following:
- $20,000 Big Game buy-in
- $5,300 MILLIONS Online entry
- €1,100 MILLIONS Open entry
- 5 nights accommodation
- $900 for travel and expenses
The viewers of the livestream will also get the opportunity to be involved as partypoker is bringing back the vote-off, a feature of the original game. Every three hours, viewers can vote on their favorite player and the person with the top votes as well as the most aggressive player will have immunity from eviction. The player who garners the least number of votes will be hitting the sidelines to be replaced by fresh blood.
Yet another feature, new for the upcoming edition, is the “party button booster.” For the booster, every hand, the player on the button puts a single dead big blind on the button to create a supplemental side pot.
The party button pot accumulates with the player on the button adding a big blind to it each hand until the person on the button wins the hand, in which case they also drag the button booster, and it starts over. As if the game wouldn’t be exciting enough on its own, the party button booster is sure to drive even more action.
Excitement Brewing
Some of the players talked to partypoker about what they are looking forward to in the upcoming PLO edition of The Big Game.
“I’m really looking forward to the return of the Big Game," Trickett said. "It’s always huge fun to play – even if you don’t win – and I’m looking forward to testing my PLO skills against the likes of Isildur and Tony G.
"The Big Game is also a great opportunity for an online qualifier to take on the best in the game and maybe even win. This is one of the most popular poker shows on TV so it’s a high profile event and will be a very exciting part of the MILLIONS Germany schedule in Rozvadov.”
Tilly also looks forward to getting to play with the infamous Tony G.
“Superstoked to be returning to The Big Game!" she said. "Looking forward to mixing it up with the notorious Tony G!”
As for Tony G himself, he wasn't shy about voicing his confidence.
“I am going to take everything they have — and then more!” he said.
King's Casino owner Leon Tsoukernik was proud to play host to the spectacle.
“King’s is well known for its variety of cash games but this televised Big Game will surely be the longest we’ve ever had here," he said. "We look forward to welcoming everybody to our new casino and hotel.”
Joining the Party
Previous episodes of The Big Game are available on Front Runner, Sky ch468 and Freesat ch250 UK only. Outside of the UK, you can watch on partypoker TV through the My partypoker LIVE website and app, where you can also catch the livestreamed action on a short delay.
The livestream production of the game will be hosted by former Poker After Dark commentator Marianela Pereyra and commentary on the game will be provided in three languages, including English, German and Russian.
The English broadcast will include commentary from Jesse May, James Dempsey, Simon Trumper and guests, the German version will feature Josip Šimunić and Stefan Hachmeister and Russian commentary will be provided by Mikhail Semin and Leonid “LeBroHbka” Logunov.
Players interested in competing in the Big Game Challenge at partypoker to win their seat for the game can get details here.
If you do not already have a partypoker account, you can download one for free and get in on the party.
