The Global Poker League (GPL) was expected to launch its second season by now but head honcho Alex Dreyfus seems to be focusing more on expanding the concept to regional markets.
In particular, Dreyfus is seeking to launch a similar league in China which is seen as a lucrative poker market.
It has been often said that the next poker boom would come from Asia, primarily China.
Dreyfus has partnered with a Chinese firm JuzhongJoy to operate GPL’s operations and sponsorships.
Consisting of eight teams, GPL China is expected to start later this year. Not just China, Dreyfus is looking at other markets with potential.
Global Poker Index
In a statement Dreyfus said,
I am happy to tease that GPL will support other regional initiatives such as the GPL Heads Up Challenge in France. Alongside GPL China, we are currently preparing the rollout of GPL India and GPL Latin America also. Our goal is to connect poker fans and help them be a part of the GPL adventure, regardless of where they are.
Another market being eyed by Dreyfus is India. Two new outfits mimicking the GPL have initiated operations in India – the Poker Sports League and the Online Poker League. Dreyfus intends to enter this market in order to protect GPL’s turf.
With respect to GPL’s Season 2, Dreyfus said that it was held up for now but not cancelled. He highlighted that the first season of the innovative poker league had faced a few issues that needed to be addressed before kicking off the second season. Dreyfus observed that it had not been the intention to have the first season last for nine long months. Poker tournaments typically have short seasons in order to retain the interest of poker fans. Dreyfus stated that he was working on creating a structure that would ensure a short and exciting season.
Dreyfus is said to not only be tinkering with the duration of the GPL but also the format. He said that he was considering all the feedback received regarding the inaugural season and was developing an improved version.
Some of the changes being considered include the way the online format for the games is handled. Many found the Twitch streams to be a disappointment as they expected the streams to show live games. Dreyfus is also considering changes to the Summer Series of games where players play online but inside the Cube, that takes place concurrently with the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
