Live Poker vs. Live Streaming Poker
The PartyPoker UK Tour is just a little more than a month away from making its grand debut in the British capital of London at the Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford City on April 19-27.
Our team at poker.pro will be on hand to report the experience live from the casino floor, as will be PartyPoker Ambassador and streamer Matt Staples.
Staples shared his thoughts with poker.pro about the PartyPoker Tour returning in 2025 and a variety of topics involving Staples and his experiences around poker including sharing some differences in live streaming and playing compared to traditional live poker.
“The whole game is different in a live atmosphere,” shared Staples elaborating that you run into a lot more casual players in live play. “Anytime I do play live, it’s kind of refreshing to see how recreational, fun, and casual it is.” Staples added that people online tend to be more die-hard especially those watching streams and grinding multiple tables online.
However, Staples has been streaming for so long that he is comfortable and used to people watching him.
“When I’m on a delay, it does feel like I’m kind of protected anyway,” Staples explained, noting that even though people can see the decisions he is making, he doesn’t feel like he’s under the spotlight. “Since I don’t play a lot of live poker, people staring at me live — they can’t see my cards, but I’d say I feel the pressure more at a live table,” he added. “It’s very real, a lot more real than on delay.”
The Return of the PartyPoker Tour
The London stop is scheduled from April 19 to 27 with four more stops planned in the following months. Staples took a year off from live poker but just prior found his two best live cashes in the 2022 PartyPoker Millions Main Event (10th for €23,000) and the 2023 PartyPoker Malta Millions (4th for €31,900). Staples explained part of his success at these tournaments is that they are trips to Europe, where he methodically plans out the trip and plays in bigger events compared to local Canadian events.
“It’s about having fun and being locked in,” Staples said. “It’s not just another tournament for me — I have to make a big trip. So I’m really focused and into the series, and I perform better because of that.” He added that luck plays a huge part in these tournaments as well, allowing him to make these deep runs.
The Future of Poker
Staples spoke on the changing landscape of poker in recent years and shared his thoughts as to what was in store for the future of poker.
“It seems like live poker is trending, and people are more excited about live poker,” Staples shared. “Online is facing a lot of challenges that live poker isn’t right now, and I expect live poker to continue to thrive.”
He hopes that all the series and poker companies can work together to create the best space for poker. There are sure to be challenges with fair play and security, but if companies work together, they can help ensure that poker lasts. As well, Staples applauded the addition of online satellites to live events. He recently qualified into The PartyPoker Tour through a qualifier from Canada.
1,000 Seats Available Through Online Qualifiers
PartyPoker is making sure its 2025 UK Tour will be packed with action by sending 1,000 players to live events through online qualifiers. With buy-ins starting as low as £0.20, players can compete for £1,000 packages, including a £500 Main Event seat and £500 for expenses. Each of the five stops will feature a mix of tournaments, and thanks to PartyPoker’s qualifiers, hundreds of players will get the chance to take their shot at live poker glory.
The Weight Loss Bet and How Life Outside Poker Transitioned to Poker
One event that had catapulted Matt Staples and his brother Jaime to notoriety was a weight loss bet where the pair earned $150,000.
Although it was outside the realm of poker, Matt said that “the discipline carried and it was such an intense bet there was no way to not be disciplined for it. The only way we could win was a full year of complete commitment. And we both showed up for that.”
Matt took a lot of those skills into poker, whereas Jaime already had an established pro poker career at that time. It was easy to take the confidence from that into everything I was doing.
Finally, Staples shared that he was “excited to play with people in live poker, and hopefully, I can have a deep run or two and be on a live stream.” He gave a shoutout to anybody who he was able to meet or watch him, and is excited for the year to come. Thanks to Matt for taking the time, and be sure to check out his livestreams on Twitch or his YouTube videos like the one below.
Another interview with his brother Jaime Staples is soon to follow and make sure to stay tuned for all updates surrounding The PartyPoker Tour 2025.
2025 PartyPoker UK Tour London Schedule
| Date | Time | Event # | Event | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 19 | 11:00 | – | Mini Main Satellite to event #1 | £20 |
| 14:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1A | £150 | |
| 18:00 | 2 | NLH Knockout | £200 | |
| 21:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| Sunday, April 20 | 11:00 | – | Mini Main Satellite to event #1 | £20 |
| 14:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1B | £150 | |
| 18:00 | 3 | PokerPRO Omaha 7-Max | £200 | |
| 21:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| Monday, April 21 | 11:00 | – | Mini Main Satellite to event #1 | £20 |
| 14:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1C | £150 | |
| 19:00 | 4 | Mystery Prize Added Value NLH | £30 | |
| 21:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| Tuesday, April 22 | 11:00 | – | Mini Main Satellite to event #1 | £20 |
| 14:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1D | £150 | |
| 17:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| 20:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1E Turbo | £150 | |
| Wednesday, April 23 | 13:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event Day 1F Hyper | £150 |
| 18:00 | 1 | Mini Main Event – Day 2 | CLOSED | |
| 19:00 | 5 | Gamblers Connect NLH | £100 | |
| 21:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| Thursday, April 24 | 12:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 |
| 14:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 1A | £500 | |
| 18:00 | 1 | Mini Event – Day 3 | CLOSED | |
| 21:00 | 7 | NLH 7-Max Turbo | £200 | |
| 22:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| Friday, April 25 | 10:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 |
| 12:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 1B | £500 | |
| 17:00 | – | Main Event Satellite to event #6 | £60 | |
| 20:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 1C Turbo | £500 | |
| 20:00 | – | Player’s Party | CLOSED | |
| Saturday, April 26 | 11:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 1D Hyper | £500 |
| 16:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 2 | CLOSED | |
| 17:00 | 8 | Mystery Bounty Day 1A | £250 | |
| 21:00 | 9 | 4/5/6 Card Omaha Turbo | £150 | |
| Sunday, April 27 | 11:00 | 8 | Mystery Bounty Day 1B | £250 |
| 14:00 | 6 | Main Event Day 3 | CLOSED | |
| 16:00 | 8 | Mystery Bounty Day 2 | CLOSED | |
| 16:00 | 10 | High Roller | £1,000 | |
| 18:00 | 11 | Faded Spade NLH | £200 | |
| Monday, April 28 | 18:00 | – | Online Closer Mystery Bounty | £150 |
