Heats at Ongame Poker Sites Heat Up Player Participation

Bwin Group subsidiary Ongame Network, whose 25 online poker-partner sites include HollywoodPoker, Interwetten, MansionPoker, and RedKings, has seen more than a 200 percent growth in the Grand Tournament, since the innovative Heat poker tournaments were added two months ago.

The $1,000 buy-in monthly grand tournament started in 2005, but the Heat element was introduced in August with 220 players participating. Over 620 Heat players have entered the event in October.

Due to this increase in players, the Grand Tournament XIX (23-25 November 2007), will include a $500,000 prize pool guarantee. Heats will run on Friday and Saturday with survivors from the two heats competing at the Sunday final.

Heats emulate major offline poker tournaments by allowing players a choice of days to start their participation in the grand tournament, thus making it easier for players to find time to participate.

"The driving force behind the recent increase in contestants is largely due to the added flight on Fridays, which has become immensely popular," noted Tomer Katz, spokesperson for the Ongame Network. "We are now looking into the possibility of introducing other innovative features that will spice up the event even more."

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