A Tale of Unibet's Live Poker: Fun, Friendship, and a Welcoming Vibe
Unibet partnership with "The Chip Race," a significant part of Dara O'Kearney's poker journey, reaches its conclusion.
Back in 2011, my first run at Unibet Open in Dublin, I felt like a fish out of water among my fellow countrymen. However, what I remember most fondly about that tournament was the camaraderie among the foreign visitors, making me feel at home even amidst the austerity-clouded Irish poker scene.
Fast-forward five years, and I find myself in Bucharest, buckle-deep into the largest Unibet Open ever. What stood out was the same friendly vibe I'd encountered in Dublin, a welcome return to the simpler days of live poker amidst my harder-edged experiences in the years that followed.
Unibet's entire ethos channels a focus on recreational poker enthusiasts. For those of us who see poker as a source of fun and social interaction, Unibet is an ideal partner. It's about savoring the atmosphere rather than grinding relentless GTO ranges.
This approach to poker resonated with me, leading to an exciting opportunity to represent Unibet alongside my good friends Ian Simpson and David Lappin at the London Unibet Open.
Embracing the good life
For eight and a half years, "The Chip Race" has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Unibet Poker—a site that cares for its players and nurtures the health of the game. It's been an honor for us to collaborate and amplify their message.
Following our visit to London, our time with Unibet comes to a close on June 1. We'd like to give a shout-out to the wonderful folks who've been instrumental in our journey: David Pomroy, Kris Bergvall, Kat Arnsby, Nataly Sopacuaperu, Kasia Scanlon, Simon Steedman, Andy Paton, Stubbe Buchwald, and Sebastian Rebhan.
In this transitional period, we'll publish three more Chip Race episodes, two strategy videos, and our 100th episode of The Lock-In from The Irish Open—all guaranteed to be smashing hits.
Ambassadors of fun
Having cut my poker teeth in May 2007, I've served as an ambassador for three poker sites for nearly thirteen years, representing other brands on top of that. If this sponsorship comes to an end, I'll look back on my career with a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Of course, if new opportunities arise and I fit the bill, I'll entertain the prospect—fingers crossed for another ambassadorship opportunity with David, who has stepped up to the role impressively. Together, we've represented Unibet for over eight years, fostering lasting connections with an array of amazing people and fans.
A bittersweet farewell?
The decision to call it quits on "The Chip Race" looms large, but it may not necessarily be a permanent state. Both David and I are juggling extensive responsibilities, and making the podcast requires a significant investment of time. Without a sponsor, it's difficult to justify the continued effort. But don't count us out just yet; we're keeping our fingers crossed for a new sponsor to help us press on past June.
It's been a fantastic journey, connecting us with thousands of passionate poker enthusiasts worldwide. We'll cherish the memories and the work we've produced—our 100th episode is just the beginning of our legacy.
So, with bated breath, we await potential sponsors, keeping our love for poker burning brighter than ever. Fingers crossed for a continued blog-turned-legend—stay tuned!
[1] Sources: PokerStrategy.com, PokerNews, and the Unibet Poker forum. These platforms showcase discussions and debates on Unibet's focus on recreational poker and their innovative tournament formats. The findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of posted opinions, forums, and articles.
- In the heart of Dublin, Unibet's Casino-games section offered a welcoming environment, filled with the friendliness that my fellow poker enthusiasts exhibited, even in the midst of the austerity-clouded Irish poker scene.
- As I delved deeper into the world of sports-betting, I discovered that Unibet was more than just a casino-and-gambling platform; it was a hub where sports, poker personalities, and recreational enthusiasts converged.
- Although my years in the poker industry have seen me represent several brands, my longest-standing partnership has been with Unibet Poker, a site that not only supports players but also nurtures the health of the casino-games industry.
- With the Unibet ambassador roles, I've had the privilege of working alongside poker veterans like Ian Simpson and David Lappin, fostering connections with a variety of amazing people and fans.
- While contemplating the future of "The Chip Race," I remain hopeful that a new sponsor might emerge, allowing us to continue producing engaging content for the casino-personalities and sports-betting communities we're proud to serve.


