Poker and Hearthstone pros to compete in unique dual-discipline event

The first poker and Hearthstone crossover esports event is coming, with some of the biggest names from either side taking part.

World Collide will see three poker pros and three top Hearthstone pros compete in both games in a one-day event.

For the Hearthstone side, one of the game’s top streamers, Jason “Amaz” Chan, will line up alongside Team Liquid‘s David “Dog” Caero and Esteban “AKAWonder” Serrano, who recently qualified for the Hearthstone Championship Tour Spring Championship.

The trio will face a pair of accomplished poker players, Maria Ho and Doug Polk. Ho has more than $2.6 million career earnings and dozens of top-level appearances, while Polk is considered the world’s best no-limit Hold ‘Em player. Last year, Polk took part in a different Twitch event, beating a Carnegie Melon artificial intelligence over 20,000 hands of poker.

Very little information about the broadcast or prize has been released, but StarCraft legend Geoff “InControl” Robinson will be commentating on the event.

Hearthstone has seen an influx of poker pros competing in the game at the highest level over the past year. Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier—with over $10 million in poker winnings under his belt—became the first player to be sponsored in both disciplines, competing under the banners of PokerStars and Team Liquid. German PokerStars player George Danzer formed the Flow Esports organisation in March, bringing together a group of young poker and Hearthstone  players including 100in10 Arena Challenge winner Tobias “TwoBiers” Graap.

Poker is growing in popularity on Twitch in recent years, with initiatives like the Global Poker League attempting to introduce esports-style competition and broadcasts to the game.