Nick Jones
@pokerprojones.com
All things online poker. pokerfuse.com, Poker Industry PRO, former poker player. pokerprojones.com for other social links.
Interesting times ahead. If this *does* work at least for CA, or really for any other states, I can see this model being adopted *very* quickly from Global Poker.
September 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Interesting times ahead. If this *does* work at least for CA, or really for any other states, I can see this model being adopted *very* quickly from Global Poker.
Will they stay in California if this bill becomes law? Will affiliates, ambassadors, payment processors etc (all oh which can be held criminally responsible) stick around?
September 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Will they stay in California if this bill becomes law? Will affiliates, ambassadors, payment processors etc (all oh which can be held criminally responsible) stick around?
So we have to see how this plays out. Do CWG now feel confident enough to return to certain markets they recently exited? Like NJ?
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
New Jersey Players Left With No Sweepstakes Poker as ClubWPT Gold Exits
ClubWPT Gold is officially out of New Jersey following the new bill banning sweepstakes wagering model in the state.
pokerfuse.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So we have to see how this plays out. Do CWG now feel confident enough to return to certain markets they recently exited? Like NJ?
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
I don't know. And this is all very off-the-cuff from me and i'm far from an expert on these bills. THIS IS ALL MY OWN QUICK THOUGHTS.
And ... maaaybe CWG's new format has nothing to do with with CA bill and it targets something else (i think it's CA specific)
And ... maaaybe CWG's new format has nothing to do with with CA bill and it targets something else (i think it's CA specific)
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I don't know. And this is all very off-the-cuff from me and i'm far from an expert on these bills. THIS IS ALL MY OWN QUICK THOUGHTS.
And ... maaaybe CWG's new format has nothing to do with with CA bill and it targets something else (i think it's CA specific)
And ... maaaybe CWG's new format has nothing to do with with CA bill and it targets something else (i think it's CA specific)
So on the one hand, they are calling the credits you buy the "Hand Analysis balance in your wallet" which.... sort of sounds like a currency?
But that probably doesn't matter. You can't play or participate with those credits.
But you can with indirect consideration?
But that probably doesn't matter. You can't play or participate with those credits.
But you can with indirect consideration?
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
So on the one hand, they are calling the credits you buy the "Hand Analysis balance in your wallet" which.... sort of sounds like a currency?
But that probably doesn't matter. You can't play or participate with those credits.
But you can with indirect consideration?
But that probably doesn't matter. You can't play or participate with those credits.
But you can with indirect consideration?
2 - this isn't dual currency sweepstakes.
So this will be the key point here. In California's new bill, this is how sweepstakes gaming is defined (and v likely soon to be banned):
So this will be the key point here. In California's new bill, this is how sweepstakes gaming is defined (and v likely soon to be banned):
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
2 - this isn't dual currency sweepstakes.
So this will be the key point here. In California's new bill, this is how sweepstakes gaming is defined (and v likely soon to be banned):
So this will be the key point here. In California's new bill, this is how sweepstakes gaming is defined (and v likely soon to be banned):
As you play, you learn. And in fact, the only way to make use of the credits for hand analysis is _to_ play (you can't afaict just fire up analysis. it comes from 'chips' games only)
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
As you play, you learn. And in fact, the only way to make use of the credits for hand analysis is _to_ play (you can't afaict just fire up analysis. it comes from 'chips' games only)
1 - communicate that we're not a poker site, that's sweepstakes but masquerading as real money; we are now a training site, with a training ground (with real money prizes)
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
1 - communicate that we're not a poker site, that's sweepstakes but masquerading as real money; we are now a training site, with a training ground (with real money prizes)
And its important to note that this is still a sweepstakes poker site, and will be justified as such. You can still get chips thru the ubiquitous stamped addressed envelope and other promos.
But what they're trying to do here is - IMO - 2 key things.
But what they're trying to do here is - IMO - 2 key things.
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
And its important to note that this is still a sweepstakes poker site, and will be justified as such. You can still get chips thru the ubiquitous stamped addressed envelope and other promos.
But what they're trying to do here is - IMO - 2 key things.
But what they're trying to do here is - IMO - 2 key things.
So you're buying something here of undisputed value. this is a commercial tool available elsewhere that charges a premium.
And then of course along with that purchase, you're getting some "chips", which are sweeps entries to their games with real money prizes.
And then of course along with that purchase, you're getting some "chips", which are sweeps entries to their games with real money prizes.
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
So you're buying something here of undisputed value. this is a commercial tool available elsewhere that charges a premium.
And then of course along with that purchase, you're getting some "chips", which are sweeps entries to their games with real money prizes.
And then of course along with that purchase, you're getting some "chips", which are sweeps entries to their games with real money prizes.
So anyway. The credits you buy are for a genuine tool - I assume its the tech from Upswing's Lucid Poker, now integrated into their platform.
The key point is you need to load up on credits *first*. Then *any* hand you play gets send to the GTO hand analyzer.
The key point is you need to load up on credits *first*. Then *any* hand you play gets send to the GTO hand analyzer.
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
So anyway. The credits you buy are for a genuine tool - I assume its the tech from Upswing's Lucid Poker, now integrated into their platform.
The key point is you need to load up on credits *first*. Then *any* hand you play gets send to the GTO hand analyzer.
The key point is you need to load up on credits *first*. Then *any* hand you play gets send to the GTO hand analyzer.
The credits are used for every hand you play. So there is a reason why you'd keep funding your account. If it was $1 an analysis, you can see how your balance would deplete and you'd need to reload.
So, smart. Maybe it'll cost more to analyze higher stakes?
So, smart. Maybe it'll cost more to analyze higher stakes?
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The credits are used for every hand you play. So there is a reason why you'd keep funding your account. If it was $1 an analysis, you can see how your balance would deplete and you'd need to reload.
So, smart. Maybe it'll cost more to analyze higher stakes?
So, smart. Maybe it'll cost more to analyze higher stakes?
Keep in mind they just had a tourney series with $14 million in prizes, with 4-figure buyins on schedule.
So yeah, the "solution" here is pretty smart.
So yeah, the "solution" here is pretty smart.
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Keep in mind they just had a tourney series with $14 million in prizes, with 4-figure buyins on schedule.
So yeah, the "solution" here is pretty smart.
So yeah, the "solution" here is pretty smart.
That's why we wondered if there could be training credits, or coaching credits involved - something that could be topped update ahead of time.
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
That's why we wondered if there could be training credits, or coaching credits involved - something that could be topped update ahead of time.
Because whenever we thought about this, we just didn't see how the economics would work. How many $500 packages can they have to let people play their high stakes games?
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Because whenever we thought about this, we just didn't see how the economics would work. How many $500 packages can they have to let people play their high stakes games?
so if you read Anuj's piece from last week, he talked a lot about the best guess we had on how this would work - you purchase Upswing packages, coaching credits, or subscriptions to their tools to get sweeps coins.
It's that, but cleverer/
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
It's that, but cleverer/
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
ClubWPT Gold's New Sweepstakes Business Model Delayed By a Week
Gold Coins will now be retired on September 24, giving players an extra week before ClubWPT Gold rolls out its promised “game-changing” feature.
pokerfuse.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
so if you read Anuj's piece from last week, he talked a lot about the best guess we had on how this would work - you purchase Upswing packages, coaching credits, or subscriptions to their tools to get sweeps coins.
It's that, but cleverer/
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
It's that, but cleverer/
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
Actually, don't - read this if you want to learn more, is have everything really we know so far, though further thoughts/analysis to come.
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
ClubWPT Gold's New Model Revealed -- Buying GTO Training Credits
Gold is gone, Sweeps Coins are Chips, and CWG will now be fueled by credits to its GTO hand analysis tool.
pokerfuse.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Actually, don't - read this if you want to learn more, is have everything really we know so far, though further thoughts/analysis to come.
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
So in summary - honestly, no idea what's coming.
ClubWPT Gold without Gold is going to be a thing later today.
They say sweeps coins will remain, and there has to be a method of obtaining them free, and through an indirect manner, non-purchased manner, to be sweeps gaming.
ClubWPT Gold without Gold is going to be a thing later today.
They say sweeps coins will remain, and there has to be a method of obtaining them free, and through an indirect manner, non-purchased manner, to be sweeps gaming.
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
So in summary - honestly, no idea what's coming.
ClubWPT Gold without Gold is going to be a thing later today.
They say sweeps coins will remain, and there has to be a method of obtaining them free, and through an indirect manner, non-purchased manner, to be sweeps gaming.
ClubWPT Gold without Gold is going to be a thing later today.
They say sweeps coins will remain, and there has to be a method of obtaining them free, and through an indirect manner, non-purchased manner, to be sweeps gaming.
Notably, Hijack offers deposits with CC but cashouts are only at the cage or with crypto.
Also, presumably it is only open to members, and geo-restricted to Texas? The latter making CWG a non-starter.
So yeah honestly i can't see this being a model for success.
Also, presumably it is only open to members, and geo-restricted to Texas? The latter making CWG a non-starter.
So yeah honestly i can't see this being a model for success.
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Notably, Hijack offers deposits with CC but cashouts are only at the cage or with crypto.
Also, presumably it is only open to members, and geo-restricted to Texas? The latter making CWG a non-starter.
So yeah honestly i can't see this being a model for success.
Also, presumably it is only open to members, and geo-restricted to Texas? The latter making CWG a non-starter.
So yeah honestly i can't see this being a model for success.
So technically, CWG could be looking at this model buuut... i mean, lets just say it's legally untested? I'm no legal expert but extending the TX penal code carveout into an online setting seems up for debate?
At least it seems on less strong legal footing than sweeps.
At least it seems on less strong legal footing than sweeps.
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
So technically, CWG could be looking at this model buuut... i mean, lets just say it's legally untested? I'm no legal expert but extending the TX penal code carveout into an online setting seems up for debate?
At least it seems on less strong legal footing than sweeps.
At least it seems on less strong legal footing than sweeps.
Notably, Polk's Lodge Card Club is hosting WPT at Lodge at end of this month, the first held in the state.
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
World Poker Tour to Make Historic Texas Debut at Doug Polk's Lodge Poker Club
The WPT is finally heading to the Lone Star State for its first-ever tournament at The Lodge Poker Club in Austin, navigating the state's unique...
pokerfuse.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Notably, Polk's Lodge Card Club is hosting WPT at Lodge at end of this month, the first held in the state.
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
pokerfuse.com/latest-news...
So there's a chance here CWG is looking at this model. They obviously have close ties:
- Polk is their big ambassador,
- Is owner of Upswing, which was just bought by CWG
- Owns competing card club in Texas
pokerindustrypro.com/news/articl...
- Polk is their big ambassador,
- Is owner of Upswing, which was just bought by CWG
- Owns competing card club in Texas
pokerindustrypro.com/news/articl...
ClubWPT Gold Buys Upswing Poker in Rare Operator-Training Site Merger
Doug Polk’s ties to ClubWPT Gold deepen as the sweepstakes poker platform acquires his training site, Upswing Poker, a move likely aimed at creating cross-sell opportunities between the two brands.
pokerindustrypro.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
So there's a chance here CWG is looking at this model. They obviously have close ties:
- Polk is their big ambassador,
- Is owner of Upswing, which was just bought by CWG
- Owns competing card club in Texas
pokerindustrypro.com/news/articl...
- Polk is their big ambassador,
- Is owner of Upswing, which was just bought by CWG
- Owns competing card club in Texas
pokerindustrypro.com/news/articl...
So anyway, TCH also has extended this concept to Hijack Poker, which takes this concept online. This site runs cash games and tournaments. You can deposit with credit card, at the cage at any TCH card club.
Rake free, but w/ hourly seat charge (billed in 6 min increments)
Rake free, but w/ hourly seat charge (billed in 6 min increments)
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
So anyway, TCH also has extended this concept to Hijack Poker, which takes this concept online. This site runs cash games and tournaments. You can deposit with credit card, at the cage at any TCH card club.
Rake free, but w/ hourly seat charge (billed in 6 min increments)
Rake free, but w/ hourly seat charge (billed in 6 min increments)