FAST FIVE: Things you might have missed this week

Here’s a quick catch up from the week on PokerStarsBlog… 

• PokerStars launches All-in Cash Out feature
• The Complete Guide to EPT Barcelona
• Chase Your Dream competition winners announced
• How the Sunday Million was won (August 11)
• Book excerpt: Jonathan Little’s “Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em”

ALL-IN CASH OUT LAUNCHED

We’ve all had those moments where you’re all-in and ahead in a big cash game pot, but you’ve got a bad feeling your hand won’t hold up. Up until now you’ve had to cross your fingers and hope for the best, but with PokerStars’ new All-in Cash Out feature, you can get out while the getting’s good. 

When all-in with no action pending, players will be offered a choice to cash out or let the hand run as normal. So, in those spots where you’re ahead but have a bad feeling, or those hands you’re dominated and want to cut your potential losses instead of hoping to suck out, you can lock up an amount which is added directly to your stack.

Here’s all you need to know about the new feature.

COMPLETE GUIDE TO EPT BARCELONA

The European Poker Tour (EPT) swings into Barcelona this month as it has for the past 15 years.

This week we took a look at the location, key dates, accommodation, food, and everything else you might find useful.

Here’s your complete guide to the city and the event, which kicks off August 20.

CHASE YOUR DREAM WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Around a month ago we launched an exciting competition that would send four people on a VIP trip to Spain for EPT Barcelona. Now, after hundreds of video applications were seen by judges, the finalists can be revealed.

The prize not only offered an all-expenses paid trip to EPT Barcelona, but would give all finalists the chance to take their moment in the limelight and play to win €10,000 against PokerStars Ambassadors and celebrity guests in PokerStars ‘Chase Your Dream – Play Against Your Heroes’ live-streamed tournament.

Let’s meet the winners.

HOW THE SUNDAY MILLION WAS WON (AUGUST 11)

Brazil is the largest country in South America, occupying more than half the continent. Meanwhile the country took up a third of the real estate at this week’s Sunday Million final table, with three players making the final nine.

One of those three came away with the win — S.totuli who captured the biggest chunk of the prize pool by winning $107,200.94 following a three-handed deal.

It wasn’t easy, though, with heads-up taking nearly two hours before the final hand was won.

Here’s the story of how S.totuli did it, along with some input from a fellow Brazilian who made the final table as well.

BOOK EXCERPT FROM JONATHAN LITTLE

Ever get asked to recommend a strategy book for someone who has just started playing poker and wants to learn how to get better? Ever ask that question for yourself?

Poker pro and coach Jonathan Little’s Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em has emerged as a book many knowledgeable players have begun recommending more and more as a great place to start for lower-stakes players looking to improve their games.

Check out an excerpt here.

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