The MPN Poker Tour came to a spectacular end last night with the crowning of the 23rd – and last ever – MPNPT champion. Estonia's Martin Piik, who is only 23 years old, took down the €550 Main Event in Madrid for €52,000 after besting one of the biggest fields the tour has known. The MPN tour has been a vaild product of the live poker industry for six happy years and they leave a hole that will likely be filled by more tournaments by the big hitters, with partypoker.
ByMost players know it as MPN. The Microgaming Poker Network has been a staple in global online poker for more than a decade.
For those who remember Prima Poker from 2003, that was the start of what would become known as MPN. Microgaming turned that site base into a poker network. And in 2007, it redesigned the software to keep up with the latest in online poker technology.
MPN was one of the first networks to offer anonymous tables in 2010 and mobile poker software months later. In 2014, MPN also launched a live tournament series called the MPN Poker Tour.
On September 20, 2019, MPN announced it will close its poker network in 2020.
The Announcement
MPN Managing Director Alex Scott posted the announcement of the network closure on the MPN blog today.
“I’m sad to confirm that Microgaming Poker Network will close next year.”
We’re sad to confirm that the MPN will close next year. Until then, it’s business as usual for us. Further details here: https://t.co/mhyoDxrRg8
— MPN (@ThrillOfPoker) September 20, 2019
Scott went on to explain that the company has been doing an extensive review into the poker product, along with obtaining feedback from industry experts and consultants. The end result was that Microgaming needed to adopt an entirely new strategy and business model in order to be competitive in the industry. “Ultimately,” he wrote, “the poker network is not part of that vision.”
He continued, “All of us in the Microgaming poker team are committed to seeing this out with dignity. More than that, we want the poker community to have fond memories of the network we have invested so much of our time and energy in.”
MPN plans to continue operating as usual, complete with the tournaments and cash games to which players have become accustomed. Everything will move forward with the same promotions until the final close date is determined and publicized.
At this point, Scott estimated that the network will close in the second or third quarter of next year.
Until then, player funds will remain safe, separate from operating funds and safe.
An incredibly sad day for poker. Networks that genuinely care about the player, like MPN, are a dying breed in modern poker sadly. Very sad to hear todays news
— Williams (@williamsSAFC) September 20, 2019
Sites Affected
Currently, there are 17 sites on the Microgaming Poker Network, according to the MPN website.
Scott said that every poker room told him they intend to find a new poker software supplier. When ready, MPN will help the site operators make smooth transitions to their new virtual homes and make sure player accounts and information are migrated properly.
The sites listed on the MPN site as a part of the network are:
–Grosvenor Poker
–One Time Poker
–Bets10
–PCF Poker
–32Red
–NordicBet
–Guts Poker
–PAF
–TouTou
–Betsafe
–OlyBet
–188BET
–Coolbet
–7777 (Belgian market)
–Red Star
–Betsson
–Adjarabet (Georgian market)
MPN Poker Tour
The MPN Poker Tour held two events this year so far. There was the Prague stop in earl May and then the London stop in mid-July.
Next up is the Battle of Malta, scheduled for October 15-22 at Casino Malta. Partnering casinos are awarding prize packages to the event, which are still in progress.
The €1,500 #MPNPT @ @BattleOfMalta packages are sold out and now we are offering €1,900 packages with an upgrade to the 5 star InterContinental Malta.
Online satellites running until 13th October.
Win your package or seat by playing any tour partners: https://t.co/miLb16DD4Mpic.twitter.com/8VvS06SKFl
— MPN Poker Tour (@MPNPokerTour) September 11, 2019
Scott said the tournament will go on as planned, as well as another event to follow that will be announced in the coming months.
The schedule for the Battle of Malta includes numerous tournaments but will feature the €555 buy-in Main Event. It is called “Let the Battle Begin” and will feature five starting flights, beginning on October 16. That tournament will have a €1 million prize pool guarantee.
Last year’s Battle of Malta drew 3,816 entries and a prize pool of €1,850,760. It became the largest poker event ever held in Malta.
UCOP 2019 Running Now
The announcement of MPN’s closure came at an awkward time, as the Universal Championship of Poker (UCOP) is underway.
The online poker tournament series began on September 15 and runs through September 29 with a total of 94 events. The highlight will be the UCOP Main Event, which will take place on the last day of the series. The €110 buy-in event has a €100K guarantee.
Scott noted in his announcement that the series will run through completion as scheduled, with all guarantees remaining in place. But considering the news, some players may withdraw their funds and not play the rest of the events. Due to that possibility, Scott said, “Expect overlays.”
UCOP 2019 weekly Event Schedules are out!
Play any @ThrillOfPoker poker rooms and register or satellite into the events from Sunday.
Good luck at the tables!
Link to the promo page: https://t.co/ZC7aC93NGP#ucop#thrillofpokerpic.twitter.com/SYP8zMyPU8
— MPN (@ThrillOfPoker) September 9, 2019
Related Articles
After an absence of 5 years, the third MPN Poker Tour festival of 2019 will see our long-awaited return to the vibrant capital of England. MPN Poker Tour will visit Aspers Casino London from 18th – 21st of July.
You can qualify online on Red Star Poker, as we are offering satellites with buy-ins as low as €1.5 . Alternatively, buy in directly through the poker client – look for the holding lobby in the ‘Satellites’ > ‘Live Events’ tab.
Packages to the event that cost €1,500 will include:
- Entry into the €550 Main Event (£200,000 Guaranteed)
- €55 casino credit to use as you wish
- Accommodation for four nights at the 4 star Moxy London Stratford for you and a guest including continental breakfast
- A Players Welcome Party where you can meet the other players and the MPN staff
- €300 towards your travel and expenses
Packages to the event that cost €900 will include:
- Entry into the €550 Main Event (£200,000 Guaranteed)
- A Players Welcome Party where you can meet the other players and the MPN staff
- €350 towards your travel and expenses
Satellite Schedule
Getting There
There are direct flights from many European airports to London.
London City Airport: Jump on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) for a 15 minute ride to Stratford station. If you pay by contactless credit card (swipe your card on the entry and exit gates), the fare is £1.70 each way peak times (0630 – 0930 and from 1600-1900), £1.50 off peak. Buying a ticket with cash or from machines will cost £4.90 one way any time.
Mpn Poker Tour Madrid Live Stream
Stansted Airport: Catch the train to Tottenham Hale station and change there for a train to London Stratford. Tickets cost £20 if purchased online in advance. Book here: https://www.stanstedexpress.com/
Heathrow Airport: The least expensive route is via the Underground, take the Piccadilly line to Holborn tube, change there to the Central line (red line) to Stratford. The fare will be around £12 return. A slightly faster route would be to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then change to the tube. Take the Bakerloo line (Brown coloured line) on the tube to Oxford Circus, then change at Oxford Circus to the Central line (Red coloured line) to Stratford. The return fare is around £50. Both journeys can be booked here: https://www.thetrainline.com/
Gatwick Airport: Get on a Thameslink train to London Bridge station, then change to the tube to catch the Jubilee line (silver coloured) to Stratford. The return fare is approximately £42 and can be booked here: https://www.thetrainline.com/
Hotel & Venue
Packages include four nights at the Moxy London Stratford for you and a guest including breakfast. You’ll check in on Thursday 18th July and check out on the morning of Monday 22nd. The casino is located 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel.
Mpn Poker Tournaments
Aspers Casino Stratford is located in the Westfield shopping mall. The casino has a dedicated gaming floor, separate poker room, 24hr restaurant, cocktail and sports bars and is one of the premier venues for poker in the UK.There’s a dress code at Aspers Casino. Wearing the follow items may mean you are refused entry to the casino: soiled and ripped clothing, working clothing, clothing with extreme wording, vests, sleeveless shirts, swimming shorts or cut-off jeans, track suits, steel toe capped boots/shoes, T-shirts or sweatshirts with adult slogans or images.
If you require any additional hotel nights, please contact Main Event Travel, our travel partner.
Website: https://www.maineventtravel.com/
Email: info@maineventtravel.com
Tel: UK: +44 (0) 1770 280000
You are responsible for any additional charges to the room. When you check in, you might be asked for a credit card to cover any room charges. Nothing will be debited from your card unless you do charge something to your room.
Mpn Poker Tour Malta 2019
Terms and Conditions
Mpn Poker Tour
- The prize package worth €1,500 can’t be compensated with money; winners of the satellites have to take part in tournament. Packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable. If you win more than one seat or package, you can use the second seat as a re-entry ticket or transfer it to another player. The second package won can be transferred to another player or it can be used at another MPNPT stop within one year of the date won.
- Red Star Poker will register satellite winners to the tournament.
- By participating in qualifying tournaments, participants grant Red Star Poker the right to use the players name and likeness for future promotional purposes without further compensation.
- Red Star Poker Management is not responsible for any changes in the dates of tournaments and events made by the administration of the tournament.
- Red Star Poker Management decisions are final on all matters related to the Promotion or the awarding of prizes.
- Any player that registers or takes part in the MPN Poker Tour, agrees to be bound MPN Poker Tour Terms and Conditions that can be found on https://mpn.poker/tour-event/mpn-poker-tour-london-2019/