UB Sponsors Heartland Poker Tour

These days most of the big live tournament tours have an equally big online poker brand as their sponsor. PokerStars easily gets around the most, sponsoring events for the EPT, APPT, LAPT, NAPT and WSOP just to name a few. Full Tilt Poker is also a WSOP sponsor and recently launched their own live Onyx Cup Series. Now UB has some good live poker representation via their new sponsorship deal with the Heartland Poker Tour.

You may not remember hearing the Heartland Poker Tour name before, but chances are you’ve caught some of their tournament coverage on late night television. Many players have called the HPT “the best kept secret in poker.” The tour is now in its seventh season and continues not only to get national TV coverage of its largest events but also has its name on such high profile tournaments as the Nevada State Poker Championship. \

The partnership is obviously a win-win situation for both sides. UB has been busy rebranding its site, and HPT offers some excellent exposure in the growing live tournament industry. The HPT also has a valuable in when it comes to less developed areas of the live poker market since its prolific tournament schedule spans not only both coasts but also the largely untapped heartland poker audience (hence the tour’s name). Likewise HPT is looking to expand its audience, and UB is a great way to not only get seen online but to gain instant recognition and credibility among international poker fans.

UB’s sponsorship will be effective immediately, which means that you can expect to see some very high profile Team UB players at upcoming HPT events. For example, Eric Baldwin, Brandon Cantu, Adam Levy and Joe Sebok have all already committed to attending various HPT stops this spring and summer. The next tournament on the schedule is a two-day deal in Tama, Iowa. It will run from April 2-3 and will feature a $1500 + $150 buy in Main Event. Not only is a small contingent of lesser known Team UB members expected to attend, November Niner Darvin Moon will also be on-hand.

As you might have already guessed, UB will now also be offering online qualifiers for the Heartland Poker Tour’s nationwide events. It’s a great way for ambitious online amateurs to get a taste of some serious live but local action. One lucky Ultimate Freeroll Challenge winner will even earn a free VIP pass to all of the events on HPT’s Season Eight schedule.

Related Entries