Heats are cool for OnGame

11/14/2007

Bwin Group subsidiary Ongame Network Ltd, a provider of online gaming platforms, has seen an increase in interest of over 200 percent in the Grand Tournament – the flagship event of the network – following the addition of the innovative feature Heats two months ago.

With a player-friendly two-day structure, the $1 000 buy-in monthly Grand Tournament is arguably the most innovative online poker event on the circuit since it first emerged in 2005. But the recent addition of Heats has dramatically spurred its popularity. Just over 220 players participated in August this year, compared to over 620 Heat players who entered the event in October.

Heats offers players a choice of days in which to commence their challenge for the Grand Tournament’s title and emulates major offline poker tournaments that split large participation fields over several starting days in order to accommodate all contestants.

While space constraints are the predominant reason why heats, or flights, are implemented in offline games, Ongame Network and its more than 25 poker partner sites developed the concept primarily to increase a player’s accessibility and choice.

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

Due to the recent increase in players, the Grand Tournament XIX (23-25 November 2007), will include a $500 000 prize pool guarantee. During this tournament, Heats will run on Friday and Saturday with survivors from the two heats meeting for the traditional final on Sunday. Qualifiers are available across all Ongame Network partner sites.

Ongame's network consists of 25 operators, and more than 35 000 players can be routinely be found playing concurrently at peak times during the day. Since its acquisition by Bwin, the network has benefitted from access to the parent group's over 11 million registered players in over 20 core target markets.