Poker Game Tips

The iconic landmark where players will compete in a duplicate poker tournament. (Photo by Nimalan Tharmalingam)

This November in London, the International Federation of Poker (not to be confused with the United Federation of Planets) is going to be hosting a unique event at the iconic London Eye. Players representing 12 different countries, including the USA, UK, German, Spain and France will play for the Championship Trophy, medals and national pride all inside individual pods of the world famous landmark on the 17th before laying out the final stages in County Hall on November 18.

The unique setting is just one thing that’s setting this tournament apart from the others: it’s also going to be the first major event featuring Duplicate Poker. What is Duplicate Poker? It’s a variant where each table is dealt an identically-shuffled pack of cards. That means that the guy sitting in the third seat at table four has the same hand as the guy sitting in the third seat at table ten.

The IFP touts this as a “pure mind-sport version of poker” and ANthony Holden said “The Nations Cup will be a genuine celebration of all that is best in intellectual sports. Some of the world’s best players playing for pride and the honour of representing their countries in an intense competition with the added spice of international rivalry. Poker is played by millions around the world and Duplicate Poker is the game in its purest form. Players compete against each other based on skill, without any fluctuation in chance. I believe that it’s the best way to highlight poker as a game of strategic skill and as a Mind Sport. The Nations Cup will be a genuine celebration of all that is best in intellectual sports with the added spice of international rivalry.”

Well, color us intrigued, if not exactly sold on this variant.