The International Federation of Poker is seeking to raise funds to help it develop match poker internationally ©IFP

California-based investment bankers Turnstone Securities have been appointed by the International Federation of Poker (IFP) to raise funding for a major development and expansion of its digital, non-gambling, team-based match poker variant of the sport. 

The funding will be used to complete the development of its software platform ahead of match poker’s roll-out into China, Russia, the United States and Brazil, as well as Europe, it is promised. 

Match poker is a digital mind-sport in which traditional cards are replaced by hands dealt to smartphones.

All game-play is conducted digitally and all individual and team performance, as well as match and league information, is recorded and stored centrally.

Match poker, where hands are dealt to smartphones, rather than traditional cards, will appeal to countries where betting is banned because no gambling is involved, it is claimed ©IFP
Match poker, where hands are dealt to smartphones, rather than traditional cards, will appeal to countries where betting is banned because no gambling is involved, it is claimed ©IFP

The Lausanne-based IFP, which owns all rights to and intellectual property in match poker, is an observer member of the International Mind Sports Association, which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

IFP's British-born President Patrick Nally claimed that its creative use of digital technology positions match poker to ride the current e-sport wave and that the absence of gambling makes it attractive in territories where betting is banned.

Nally claimed that that by creating a gambling-free version of the sport and harnessing it to the connective power of digital technology, which allows players to form teams, create leagues and compete in local, national and international competition, it will resonate with young people as well as established poker players.

IFP match poker will generate revenues through pay per play, subscriptions, sponsorship and media rights. 

It anticipates attracting two million players within five years. 

The figure is based on just one per cent of the current global poker playing base of 200 million, Nally claimed. 

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International Federation of Poker President Patrick Nally claims match poker could have two million players within five years ©Patrick Nally

Match poker made its official debut as an IFP international competition in London in 2011 but has since undergone significant technical development to fit it for the e-sport age.

"Match poker has been developed with the input of sports and technology experts from all over the world," Nally, founder of the West Nally Group, an early pioneer in sports marketing, said. 

"This funding will enable us to accelerate software development and complete our platform ahead of our global roll-out. “

IFP match poker aims to launch in some European markets in 2016 before becoming available in China, the US, Russia and Brazil.

“We are thrilled to partner with match poker on this unique investment offering," Walt Robinson, managing partner of Turnstone Securities, said.

"We feel the company’s strategic goals will have wide-range appeal to qualified investors, not only from around the US  but also the world.”