Online poker site aims to turn novice players into experts

by Julia Pearlman, Brand Republic 17-Nov-05

LONDON - SportingOdds, owned by SportingBet, and marketing agency Beechwood are targeting novice online gamblers with a new website, press and direct mail campaign.

SportingOddsPoker.com will compete with sites such as US-based PartyPoker.com, which has dominated the multimillion-pound online gambling market and is run by Gibraltar-based PartyGaming.

Beechwood has developed the website to contain easy navigation with entry costs from just 10 cents. It will run promotions from within the poker site and the SportingOdds website.

The website features: a step-by-step guide to poker's popular online game Texas Hold 'Em; hand rankings; a dedicated beginner's section; tips and live web chats from resident expert Tony "Tikay" Kendall; plus multichannel 24-hour player support.

Ben Walton, SportingBet's marketing manager, said: "The new site reflects SportingOdd's unique position in the online poker market place, catering specifically to beginners and ensuring users never feel out of their depth.

"By supporting members on their journey of poker discovery, we are more likely to retain their loyalty as they go from poker novice to poker hero."

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