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LOUISE ULRICK WINS POKERSTARS x POKER POWER WOMEN’S BOOTCAMP SHOWDOWN IN CYPRUS

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There was a thrilling conclusion to the PokerStars x Poker Power Women’s Bootcamp Showdown at European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus with British player Louise Ulrick emerging victorious, winning a full package to EPT Prague this December.

The 55-year-old former maths teacher, turned licensee consultant, had never played a hand of poker until a few months ago but came out on top defeating American Katie Hopkins heads-up.

“I can’t believe it,” Ulrick told the PokerStars Blog after her victory. “Obviously winning was the objective of coming, but you never quite think it’s going to happen. I didn’t feel confident when we were practicing live. I felt clumsy with all the cards and the chips and everything, but today came together.

PokerStars x Poker Power Women’s Bootcamp Showdown Results

  1. Louise Ulrick – Former maths teacher
  2. Katie Hopkins – Associate General Counsel at Nasdaq, focusing on securities law
  3. Laura Lebailly – French student studying Luxury Marketing
  4. Sabrina Chevannes – Women’s international chess master who runs a London-based creative agency
  5. Katerena Nowosad – Accountant for a financial services company
  6. Drea Renee – TV reporter and massage therapist
  7. Yvonne Mai – Actress
  8. Jenny Larson – Charity Associate Executive Director
  9. Patrice Gordon – Leadership Development consultant specialising in reverse mentoring
  10. Ines Lafosse – Photographer, content creator and hotelier

Ulrick was one of 40 women who took part in an eight-week female-only poker bootcamp hosted by PokerStars and Poker Power, which saw women from around the world – who had no previous poker experience – learn and hone their skills.

“Anybody who is thinking about learning poker, it is such a good game to play,” continued Ulrick. “You can learn so much about yourself. There are online resources that are great to have a go at. And have a go!”

Following the intense programme which included weekly practice games and mentoring from PokerStars Team Pro Jen Shahade, the 40 recruits battled it out in Home Games Tournaments with ten awarded the chance to travel to EPT Cyprus to compete in the Ultimate Showdown.

Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Director of Partnerships, PR and Consumer Engagement said, “We are thrilled to be celebrating Louise as this year’s Women’s Bootcamp Champion and can’t wait to see how she gets on at EPT Prague. It has also been incredibly inspiring and rewarding to watch this group of women, and the community of women in poker around them, supporting each other and shining a light. The response from women around the world to this year’s bootcamp has been wonderful, with the number of participants increasing by over 400%. This, and the research we conducted earlier in the year, shows how vital it is to continue supporting women and activating our long-term plans to see more women take part, have fun and above all feel safe and comfortable at the poker table.”

Erin Lydon, President of Poker Power said, “Our innovative bootcamp program with PokerStars provides women with the platform and opportunity to go from zero to hero in an inclusive and supportive environment. All participants worked diligently during the Bootcamp and we hope that they each take away the strategies and skills developed through playing poker and apply them to their everyday lives. We are excited to congratulate Louise as the winner of the Showdown and very proud of all women who have taken their seats and begun their poker journey with us. Louise is proof that anyone can devote time, effort and study to this great game and triumph.”

Research conducted by PokerStars earlier this year, revealed that 55 per cent of women did not feel poker was inclusive to them, despite almost half (42 per cent) of women who play believing it helped improve their focus, concentration and decision-making ability.

In response, PokerStars teamed up with Poker Power to launch their second female-focused bootcamp to help women build their confidence and skills in poker, as well as provide a safe space for them to learn and play. Each recruit was taught game-play skills over eight weeks, that can translate to real world success including negotiation, strategic decision-making, and capital allocation.

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GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30

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GGPoker players to earn up to 80% cashback

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Ocean Rewards, a brand-new player loyalty program set to premiere on January 30, 2026. Ocean Rewards will replace the existing Fish Buffet program, ushering in a new era of rewards with a focus on simplicity, long-term stability, and significantly higher value for players.

Designed to be the most rewarding loyalty scheme in the online poker industry, Ocean Rewards offers players the chance to earn up to 80% cashback, a substantial increase from the previous 60% cap. The new program is built to streamline the player experience, moving away from complex short-term goals to a model that rewards consistent play over the long term.

Key Benefits of Ocean Rewards

  • Higher Cashback: Players can now receive up to 80% cashback, with improved rates available across all tiers

  • Guaranteed Yearly Status: Unlike the previous program, which focused on shorter timeframes, Ocean Rewards allows players to lock in their tier status until the end of the following year, providing greater peace of mind and stability

  • Simplified Earning: Players earn Tide Points and Gems through play. As players reach higher tiers – ranging from Fish to Shark – the rate at which Gems are earned increases, following the simple motto: “Collect more, Earn more”

Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker, commented on the upcoming launch: “With Ocean Rewards, we are taking our commitment to players to the next level. We wanted to move away from the short-term grind and create a program that truly honors loyalty with long-term security. By offering guaranteed yearly status and raising the cashback ceiling to an industry-leading 80%, we ensure that every player – whether a casual enthusiast or a dedicated professional – gets more value than ever before. This is the evolution of rewards our community deserves.”

Transition for Existing Players 

The transition on January 30 will be automatic. Players do not need to take any action to opt in. Existing Fish Buffet rewards will be automatically cashed out to player balances, and accounts will be instantly upgraded to their new Ocean Rewards tier.

To learn more about Ocean Rewards, please visit: ggpoker.com/monthly-rewards/ocean-rewards/

The post GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

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MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive brings the beloved classic to life in the casino pit, transforming every round into a dynamic and rewarding experience. Mr. Monopoly is the star of the show, randomly selecting hands and providing exciting multipliers up to 10x, keeping players engaged and on the edge of their seats.

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Designed to deliver high energy and volatility without compromising house edge, the MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive is unlike anything the industry has seen. With nostalgic animations and familiar visuals, this theme adds a fresh layer of excitement to the table—and best of all, it’s compatible with nearly any Galaxy Gaming progressive.

The post MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Welsh great-grandfather wins £291,000 with The Pools

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Liverpool fan Peter celebrating bumper payout thanks to Man Utd’s late 4-4 draw with Bournemouth

A Welsh great-grandfather is celebrating a life-changing £291,000 win with The Pools, after selecting eight score draws, including Manchester United’s 4-4 Premier League December classic with Bournemouth.

Peter, 77 from Pontypridd, has played The Pools for over 40 years and enjoyed a magical Christmas and New Year to remember after securing the lucrative jackpot via his Classic Pools selections last month.

Seven correct selections from a rollercoaster weekend of European football in December saw Peter go into the Monday evening fixture at Old Trafford needing a score draw to land a life-changing sum. A topsy-turvy affair saw eight goals scored, including Eli Junior Kroupi’s 84th-minute equaliser, which brought home the eight-fold coupon.

Peter’s win was the biggest on Classic Pools since September 2024 when a lucky player took home £318,292.

Peter said: “I had selected the eight fixtures, but wasn’t watching the Manchester United game – it wasn’t until I received the phone call the next morning that I realised I’d won! I was shocked, happy, crying – all those emotions at once!

“I’m actually a Liverpool fan, so it’s fair to say we had a good 2025 – lifting the Premier League trophy and then winning on The Pools the week before Christmas. There was certainly plenty of celebrating across the festive period!

“This would be special at any time of year, but especially around Christmas and New Year, it was amazing, it couldn’t be better.”

‘This money means security and happiness for my family’

Peter was diagnosed with a rare spinal disability around 20 years ago, meaning most of his time is spent at his home in South Wales. But having always looked forward to playing The Pools each week, his win now offers his family a bright future.

He added: “The Pools has always been a hobby for me and I look forward to playing every weekend. I was diagnosed with syringomyelia in my 50s, a neurological disorder of the spine, so spend most of my time at home.

“I haven’t been able to travel for a long time, we haven’t been on holiday for a number of years, but I’m hoping we can maybe now book a trip to Spain with all the family.

“I’ve won small amounts with The Pools before, but nothing quite like this! It’s an amazing amount of money for my wife Janet, the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren too.

“We live in a house, but we can now hope to move into a bungalow, all on one floor, which will help me a lot. This money means happiness and security for my family, which will allow us to plan for the future.”

James Arnold, CEO of The Pools, said: “We’re all about celebrating all wins at The Pools, both big and small, but it’s fair to say one of our customers in Wales pulled off quite the coup with this Classic Pools selection last month.

“Landing eight correct score draws, ending in Manchester United’s memorable 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, has given Peter a life-changing sum, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact the winnings can have both for Peter, his wife Janet and all his family.

“Peter has played with The Pools for more than 40 years, so to see his success one week before Christmas, the same year his beloved Liverpool won the Premier League… it’s fair to say you couldn’t write the script for this one!”


Peter’s winning coupon

Saturday 13th December

  • Telstar v NEC – 2-2
  • Waregem v RAAL La Louviere – 2-2


Sunday 14th December

  • AC Milan v Sassuolo – 2-2
  • Bayern Munich v Mainz – 2-2
  • Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund – 1-1
  • NAC Breda v Utrecht – 1-1
  • Genk v Westerlo – 1-1


Monday 15th December

  • Man Utd v Bournemouth – 4-4

 

The post Welsh great-grandfather wins £291,000 with The Pools appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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