Poker fans will enjoy after the WSOP announces an eight-month saga in which the World Series of Poker greats will train 14 social media influencers before their December showdown in an unknown location in the United States. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Epic, eight months showdown
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has announced an epic eight-month show for 14 social media influencers trained by WSOP mentors. According to an official press release on Thursday, the WSOP will launch the first phase of its Road To The Table initiative this week via Instagram.
Influencers will collaborate with some of the best WSOP players
The 14 social media influencers will split into five with some of the best WSOP players. These influential veteran mentors will then help “master the game and become Poker Legends,” said Playtika, a division of WSOP’s parent brand Caesars Interactive Entertainment.
Jay Cedar, WSOP general manager, said the initiative aims to “bring the love of poker and the WSOP to a wider audience and show how fun it is to play poker.”
The way to the table
The WSOP will reveal the identities of 14 mysterious Instagram influencers this week. According to the press releaseInfluential viewers will see them “unlock their secret WSOP boxes to reveal their competitors”.
The 14 social media celebrities hail from a mix of content worlds, from gaming, comedy, and filmmaking to automobiles, sports and fitness.
The eight-month tournament will run until the poker showdown in December 2022 with the five teams facing each other at an undisclosed location in the United States. Playtika states that Road To The Table will also give poker fans access to live videos and opportunities to interact with WSOP legends and social media celebrities.
Paying poker feels good
Cedar was very excited when the “unique eight-month campaign” was launched. He also expressed his company’s hope that WSOP players “will be excited about this new adventure and will learn some new poker skills and tricks from the soon-to-be legends of poker.”
Multiple recent stories have left a bitter taste in the mouth
Despite Ceder’s optimism, news of the new campaign comes at a turbulent time for official WSOP partner GGPoker, with several recent stories leaving a bitter taste in the mouth.
Controversial events include the evasiveness of Brian Kenny in addressing accusations of fraud. Poker player Lauren Roberts also claimed that GGPoker broke the law by promoting and facilitating some of Kenney’s activities. The company also took a hit for its decision to keep Dan Bilzerian as a brand ambassador despite his appalling attitude toward women, empty promises, and bad press in general.
