Natural8 has introduced Pick & Go, a football-themed poker tournament format where a player’s chosen team can affect both the buy-in discount and their tournament life.
The idea is straightforward. Before the match begins, players pick one of the two teams tied to a listed Football Championship fixture. That choice determines the discount through live match odds, then becomes part of the elimination rule once the football match is played.
Pick a Team, Then Play to Survive
In Pick & Go, the football result matters as much as the action at the poker table. Players remain in the tournament if their chosen team wins or draws. If that team loses, they are eliminated immediately, regardless of how many chips they have.
The format also brings the match into the tournament experience. Players can follow the score on a live scoreboard, while flags above avatars show which side each player has selected.
Live Odds Decide the Buy-in Discount
The buy-in discount is linked to the live match odds of the selected team. Choosing an underdog may offer a larger discount, while the discount can also change according to the current score and remaining match time.
Natural8 states that live odds are updated manually and may continue to change until the match ends. Discounted Pick & Go tickets must be redeemed before the official start of the designated match and tournament. Standard registration is suspended while the match is in progress, and any registration after the match ends is not eligible for a discount.
Schedule Runs From Jun 11 to Jul 19
The listed Pick & Go schedule runs from Jun 11 to Jul 19, with event times shown in both UTC and HKT.
Most listed events have a $10 buy-in and a $5,000 guarantee. The opening Mexico vs South Africa event on Jun 11 is listed with a $10 buy-in and a $10,000 guarantee.
The later events on Jul 14, Jul 15, Jul 18, and Jul 19 move to a $50 buy-in and a $10,000 guarantee. Some later schedule entries are still shown as “- vs -,” meaning the teams have not yet been listed.
Postponements, Cancellations, and Player Notes
If a football match is postponed, the corresponding Pick & Go tournament will also be moved to match the rescheduled kickoff. If the match is canceled, the tournament will be canceled as well, and participating players will receive a full buy-in refund.
Players must be 18 or older to participate. Natural8 also notes that listed guarantees may change, and the amounts shown on the website may not always be current. Players should check the tournament lobby in the Natural8 app for the latest information. Unless stated otherwise, all amounts are quoted in US dollars.
