The Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba, is setting its sights on introducing the excitement of poker to mainland China, but with a unique approach. Collaborating with Ourgame, a company specializing in sports and entertainment, they are placing a significant wager on “Match Poker” – a variation of the game that excludes gambling.
Their ambitious objective? To attract an astounding two million Chinese participants within the next five years. This is no small task in a nation where gambling, with the exception of government-authorized lotteries and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, is strictly prohibited.
However, Match Poker is not the poker of previous generations. Created by the International Federation of Poker (IFP), it distinguishes itself from conventional games like Texas Hold’em by completely eliminating the gambling aspect. Consider it more akin to a game of ability and tactics, played in teams using a smartphone application. Instead of chips and money, players vie for points, and the software guarantees a fair competition where skill takes precedence over luck.
The IFP firmly believes that this crucial distinction – the emphasis on skill rather than chance – is what makes Match Poker stand out and earns it recognition as a legitimate sport.
IFP President, Patrick Nally, conveyed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, remarking, “The union of Ourgame and Alisports forms one of the most influential sports marketing forces globally. I am thrilled they are dedicating their influence, concentration, and assets to Match Poker and share my conviction in its immense worldwide potential.”
This calculated maneuver by Alibaba has the potential to revolutionize the industry, potentially unlocking a vast new market for poker and permanently altering how the game is viewed in China.
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