Poker
What are some of the hottest headlines in the world of poker? Here you will find all the latest juicy stories along with other important news and tournament results. A must read for the poker enthusiast with articles published throughout the day.
888 Holdings Forecasts Strong Earnings: Shares Rise 5 Percent
Shares in 888 Holdings rose 5 percent Wednesday on news that it was expecting a significant surge in interim earnings.
Little additional information was provided by the FTSE 250 company other that saying “continued to deliver a very strong performance and anticipates announcing ebitda for the period significantly ahead of the comparable period in the prior year”.
Big Name Players Bust Out of WSOP Main Event: Four Former Champs Remain
A number of big name poker players have failed to advance beyond the World Series of Poker Main Event 4th day (known as Day 2AB).
Among those who bid farewell: Josh Arieh, Dennis Phillips, Mike Matusow, Jason Somerville, George Danzer, Brandon Shack-Harris, Live Boree and Annette Obrestrad. Obrestrad had an especially painful exit as she lost a 100k chip pot with her opponent drawing nearly dead, the WSOP noted.
2014 World Series of Poker Main Event Among Top Five Biggest of All Time
It’s official. The 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event is among the top five biggest of all time based on number of entrants.
Day 1C of the 2014 Main Event broke the record for the largest starting flight in Main Event history drawing 3,968 entries. The previous record was held by Day 1C of the 2013 Main Event when it drew 3,467 players.
WSOP: Jeff Madsen Arrest and Ejection From Rio a Hoax
Tweets made last week from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas by poker pro Jeff Madsen about getting arrested for drugs and being banned from the event venue were not true, Gambling911.com can confirm.
The remarks, made on Madsen's Twitter feed last Thursday, July 3, were simply attempts at humor by the three-time WSOP bracelet-winner who is known for his wacky sense of humor and quirky personality.
Nahmad Partied Hard Before Jail Stint: Had Role in Russian Mafia Gambling Ring
The New York Post this weekend reported that art gallery owner Helly Nahmad was spotted partying with the likes of magician David Blaine and other big name celebrities the weeks leading up to his 366 day jail sentence.
Record Number for WSOP Main Event Starting Flight Expected
Day 1a of the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event drew a modest 771 players while Day 1b resulted in an impressive 2,144 entrants.
Day 1c is always the biggest draw with WSOP officials already anticipating over 3,467 players, which is likely to shatter last year's record.
From WSOP.com:
Online Gambling Operators in France Detained for Running Illegal Bitcoin Exchange
TOULOUSE, France – (Reuters) - French police have dismantled an illegal Bitcoin exchange and seized 388 virtual currency units worth some 200,000 euros ($272,800) in the first such operation in Europe, a public prosecutor said on Monday.
Pokerstars Guarantees $5 Mil: Adds ‘Micromillions Challenge’ to 8th Championship
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – PokerStars today announced the schedule for the eighth running of the world’s most popular online poker championship, MicroMillions. It will take place over 11 days from July 17-27, and feature 100 events with $5 million in guaranteed prize money.
The highlight will be the $22 No Limit Hold’em Main Event tournament on the final day of the championship, which has a $1 million guarantee. Incredibly, six of the seven previous Main Event winners have pocketed huge six-figure paydays, with a record first prize of just over $160k – all from just a $22 buy-in.
Breaking News: Amaya Considers London, New York for Secondary Listing
(Reuters) - Canada's Amaya Gaming Group Inc is working towards a secondary listing, either in London or in New York, the online gambling company's head told the Times on Saturday.
The company was weighing the benefits of a dual listing, but had not finalised which city it would be in, the daily quoted Chief Executive David Baazov as saying.
Amaya Gaming could not immediately be reached for a comment outside of regular business hours.
Jeff Madsen Not Banned From 2014 WSOP for Pot Possession After All
Poker pro Jeff Madsen appeared to have been banned from this year’s World Series of Poker after Rio Casino security officials removed him from the property for possession of marijuana.
Madsen claimed on his Twitter account that he had taken some cannabis into a WSOP PLO event to throw into the “pot”, so to speak.
On Sunday, Madsen declared he would be playing in the Main Event after all.
He had earlier tweeted:
Doyle Brunson Says World Series of Poker Main Event Hours ‘Too Damn Long’
Poker legend Doyle Brunson has tweeted that he will no longer play in the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Brunson, who turns 81 next month, tweeted:
To everybody who keeps asking...I'm not playing the Main Event. Hours are just too damn long
2014 World Series of Poker Main Event Kicks Off
The 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event was set to begin on Saturday. Over the next three days, we will grasp the number of entries and, as such, the ultimate prize money to be handed out.
Last year’s WSOP had Ryan Reiss (remember him?) walk away with the top prize of $8,361,570. We won’t know the winner until November when the final table takes place.
Russia to Open Up Sochi, Crimea for Gambling: Easing Online Poker Restrictions
Russia has announced plans to ease restrictions on Internet gambling while opening up Sochi and the Crimea for land-based casinos.
Phil Ivey Responds to Borgata Cheating Allegations: ‘Was All Skill’
Poker pro Phil Ivey is looking to have a lawsuit filed against him by the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City dismissed. The Borgata alleges that Ivey and a companion cheated the casino out of nearly $12 million while playing baccarat.
One Drop Winner Daniel Colman Aloof, Won’t Promote Poker
Immediately following 23-year-old Daniel Colman’s Big One for One Drop $15 million plus win early Tuesday, the Boston poker player ran off and refused to talk to any media.
Colman fled the World Series of Poker host casino, the Rio, within five minutes.
His handlers claimed Colman “was not interested in promoting poker”.
From the Las Vegas Sun:
Poker Pro Chad Brown Passes Away at Age 52
Following a long bout with cancer, poker pro Chad Brown has passed away at the age of 52.
Brown died at 1:15 am Wednesday morning at Calvary Hospital Hospice in the Bronx, New York.
Daniel Negreanu Now All Time Top Money Earner in Poker: $8 Mil Loser at One Drop
Regardless of where he finished at this year’s World Series of Poker Big One for One Drop, Daniel Negreanu had become the biggest money earner of all time in poker.
Latin Series of Poker Rebrands as Latin Poker Series Following WSOP Dispute
San Jose, Costa Rica – As most of the poker world focuses their attention on Las Vegas for the world's richest poker tournament, the guys behind the World Series of Poker have turned their attention to south of the United States. In response to a claim by the WSOP that LSOP is infringing on its copyright with its use of 'Series of Poker', LSOP management have opted to rebrand as the Latin Poker Series (LPS).
Paris Hilton Ex Rick Salomon Leads Big One for One Drop
Rick Salomon, perhaps known best for starring in that infamous sex tape with one time girlfriend Paris Hilton, lead with chips heading into the finale of the 2014 Big One for One Drop.
Man Convicted of Shooting Player Over $5 Poker Hand
A North Carolina man has been convicted and sentenced to serve up to 60 months behind bars for shooting a fellow poker player over a $5 hand.
Prentice Reaves was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury by a Columbus County jury on Tuesday.
The incident began as a friendly poker game and quickly turned violent.
Sam Trickett, Antonio Esfandiari Look to Repeat Their One Drop Success
Heading into Monday of the first day of the $1 million buy-in Big One For One Drop Sam Trickett and Antonio Esfandiari were among the top three chip leaders with Tom Hall leading the pack.
Esfandiari and Trickett finished 1st and 2nd at the inaugural Big One for One Drop two years ago. Both walked away with a huge payday. Esfandiari took home $18,346,673 while Trickett took home $10,112,001 as the loser. This event, which featured 42 entries, will pay less to the winner than the first year’s One Drop, $15,306,668.
Poker Pro Johannes Strassmann Body Found in River
A 29-year-old professional poker player from Germany who went missing June 21 has been found dead.
Slovenian police confirmed that a body found in the Ljublijianica River this past Friday is that of Johannes Strassmann.
The poker pro had been visiting some fellow players. He went missing after a trip to the town of Ljubljana.
Phil Ivey Claims 10th World Series of Poker Bracelet: Tied for Second All-Time
Phil Ivey has claimed his 10th World Series of Poker bracelet and is tied for 10th all-time after Phil Hellmuth with 13. The 38-year-old Las Vegas resident is tied with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan although one can argue that Ivey’s wins are far more impressive due to the dramatic increase in player fields.
Ivey’s feat was accomplished at the $1,500 buy-in Eight Game Mix tournament in which he also walked away with $167,332. His last three victories have come in mixed game formats.
Luis Suarez Loses Sponsorship Deal With 888 Poker
(Reuters) - Poker brand 888 has cancelled its sponsorship deal with Luis Suarez after the Uruguay striker was banned from all soccer-related activity for four months for biting an opponent during a World Cup match.
Suarez, one of the most talented but controversial players, lit up the English Premier League last season with club side Liverpool and became one of the online gambling company's brand ambassadors only last month.
Ohio Man Gets 7 Years in Poker Chip Robbery
CANTON, Ohio (Associated Press) — A northeast Ohio man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting his role in the January home-invasion robbery of a professional poker player.
Police in Canton said 25-year-old Christopher Lucius and another man broke into the home and stole $150,000 in casino chips and cash at gunpoint from Jerad Klick.
The (Canton) Repository (http://bit.ly/1ixOTuI ) reports Lucius halted his trial Wednesday to take a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated theft.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Sheldon Adelson: ‘Don’t Pick on Him’
Speaking to MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came to the defense of casino billionaire and GOP mega donor Sheldon Adelson, this after blasting two other Republican mega donors, Charles and David Koch.
"Sheldon Adelson, don't pick on him," he told NBC's Chuck Todd. "He's not in this for money. He's in this because he has certain ideological views."
That comment has raised eyebrows amongst those in the online gambling sector. While Reid has supported legalizing Web gambling at the federal level, Adelson is staunchly opposed.
The Players Championship 2014 Final Table: John Hennigan Wins
The Players Championship 2014 Final got underway on Thursday at 2 pm PST (5 pm EST).
This event featured a $50,000 buy-in. Ultimately it was John Hennigan who walked away the winner.
The man known as Johnny World was final tabling this event for the second time in a row. After taking 12th in the 2012 PPC, Hennigan finished in third place last year, collecting over $685,000. Hennigan was heads-up for what would have been his third bracelet earlier this summer, but he lost to Ted Gillis in a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event.
Bwin.Party on Verge of Breaking Up?
The party might be over for Bwin.Party. Rumors surfaced this week that the world’s largest publicly traded online gambling firm is on the verge of breaking up.
The company on Thursday denied it was breaking up or looking for a selling but said it was examining ways to increase shareholder value.
New Jersey Starts Review of PokerStars Buyer Amaya Gaming
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey casino regulators have begun their review of a Canadian company that's buying the PokerStars online gambling website and hoping to get it licensed in Atlantic City by this fall.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement says Amaya Gaming Group has begun submitting documents required for a determination on whether PokerStars can be licensed in New Jersey.
Doyle Brunson Near Death…… at 2014 WSOP Players Championship
The Legend of Poker, Doyle Brunson, keeps chugging along and has thus far made a strong showing at this week’s World Series of Poker Players Championship (Event 46) but was on the verge of elimination heading into Day 4.
Brunson, who turns 81 in August, made it through nearly half the field of 102 in the $50,000 buy-in but had the lowest chip count at the start of Day 4.
There was some question as to whether Brunson would actively participate in this year’s World Series of Poker.
