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.
Not a Pretty Picture Painted of Art Dealer Tied to Poker, Sports Betting Probe
The Business Insider of Australia gave the low down on New York-based art dealer Helly Nahmad, a Lebanese-American indicted this week in connection with an international high stakes poker/sports betting ring.
It ain’t all that pretty either.
Megan Willett writes:
Poker Player Esben Guenther Leads After Day 2 of 2013 Berlin Cup
Norwegian player Esben Guenther is leading the remaining 281 players as the €1,100 Berlin Cup goes into Day 2. There were 638 players today and 196 made it through, including EPT Snowfest champion Vladimir Geshkenbein, EPT Berlin winner Kevin MacPhee, Erich Kollmann, Jan Collado, EPT Player of the Year Ondrej Vinklarek, EPT Kyiv winner Max Lykov, Pieter de Korver, Max Heinzelmann, Kevin Vandersmissen and Ana Marquez They will be joining the 85 Day 1a survivors for Day 2.
2013 Berlin Cup Attracts 638 Poker Players
There were 638 players for Day 1b of the €1,100 Berlin Cup today which combined with yesterday's 273-strong Day 1a field, means 911 players in total, creating a €883,670 prize pool with €180,000 for first. 112 places paid.
Nearly half the players (435 / 48%) came from Germany - more than ten times the number from the next biggest country Russia, which has 5% of the field with 43 players. It's the first time the Berlin Cup has ever been held and the €883,670 prize pool far exceeds the €500,000 guarantee.
Producer of Showtime’s ‘Ray Donovan’ Denies Wrongdoing in FBI Poker Sting
Bryan Zuriff, an Executive Producer for the upcoming Showtime drama “Ray Donovan” has denied any wrongdoing in connection to an FBI probe of high stake poker games and sports betting with ties to the Russian Mafia.
Probability Plc Looks at Potential US Online Gambling Alliances
(Reuters) - UK-based Probability Plc, a maker of gambling games for mobile phones, is in advanced talks with potential U.S. partners to break into the American online gaming market as several states relax betting restrictions.
The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey this year, following similar legislation by Nevada and Delaware last year is expected to persuade other states to change their laws.
Macau Poker Cup 2013 Schedule: PokerStars LIVE at the City of Dreams Will Host
The Macau Poker Cup 2013 schedule features events that kick off April 17 and run through April 28. The event itself will be hosted at the newly branded PokerStars LIVE at the City of Dreams in Macau.
Stars has moved from their temporary home in the Grand Waldo Entertainment Complex.
One of the most highly anticipated events taking place during the Macau Poker Cup is the $HK$11,000 Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon Main Event, which last year featured the largest number of entries for any tournament held in Asia to date. It includes a $5 million guaranteed prize pool.
Massachusetts Online Gambling Bill Would Not Allow PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker
A measure to legalize online gambling in the state of Massachusetts includes a provision that would prevent wagering firms that engaged US citizens post 2006 prohibition from obtaining a gaming license.
Among those companies that continued to accept business from Americans up until April 2011, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker would be excluded under such a provision. It should be noted that New Jersey and Illinois both contained similar language in their own Internet gambling legislation only to remove such a provision later on in the process.
Insurance Broker Used $1.9 Million of Clients Funds to Gamble Online
An insurance broker from Prudential has been indicted, charged with allegedly bilking his insurance clients out of over $1.9 million and using those funds to gamble online.
The indictment alleges that Daniel J. Trolaro, 34, unlawfully used the funds of nine clients to place wagers via the Internet from June 2008 through February of this year while employed at Prudential in East Hanover, New Jersey.
Trolaro will not be arrested, however, he must appear before a judge in Morris County in the coming weeks.
Full Cash Games Confirmed at European Poker Tour Grand Final
Edgar Stuchly, President of the European Poker Tour, has confirmed a full slate of cash games at this year’s EPT Grand Final (2013)…..
Today I’m happy to confirm that this year’s PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final will be the largest festival of cash games in the tour’s history.
Yes, cash games.
It’s Official: PokerStars Applies for NJ License to Operate Atlantic Club Casino
While news broke earlier in the year that the world’s largest real money online poker room was in talks to acquire the Atlantic Club Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, PokerStars had not yet filed for the necessary licensing application with New Jersey’s Gaming Commission.
The company filed the application last week and will now undergo a 90-day review. Most industry experts believe PokerStars will ultimately be permitted to operate in the state.
Frederic Vacher Leads After Day 1a of First Ever Berlin Cup
French player Frederic Vacher is chip leader with 239,200 at the end of Day 1a of the first ever Berlin Cup. There are 85 players remaining from the 273 who started at noon. The €1,100 tourney has a guaranteed prize pool of €500,000. Today's survivors include Team Pro Jan Heitmann, Connor Drinan, Petr Jelinek, ************************, Yury Gulyy, Michael Tureniec and Thomas Mühlöcker. Updates are on www.pokerstarsblog.de (in German).
Poker Maximus V to Feature $2 Million in Guaranteed Prizes
Poker Maximus is back and bigger than ever! This time featuring over $2,000,000 in guaranteed prizes!
CarbonPoker is excited to announce we are running our fifth tournament series this year with the launch of Poker Maximus V. The last 4 Poker Maximus tournament series were so successful that players have been clamoring for the next installment.
Online Jackpot Games to Offer $2 Million at Cake Poker: Upgrades Blackjack
Popular online gaming site, Cake Poker (CakePoker.eu) has launched Jackpot Games, a selection of cash and Gold Chip buy-in casino and entertaining games that offer wins of up to $2 Million. In addition, Cake has launched an upgraded version of their BlackJack games with new, advanced features including auto play, speed settings and the inclusion of strategy tips.
Majestic Star Casino in Gary to Host Heartland Poker Tour in August
Gary, IN –Heartland Poker Tour (HPT), one of the longest-running televised poker tours in the United States, announced today its upcoming return to Majestic Star Casino & Hotel this summer, August 9th-19th. Majestic Star, located just 25 minutes outside of Chicago in Gary, IN, has been one of HPT’s most popular stops, hosting the tour each year since its second season in 2006.
PokerStars SCOOP 2013 Schedule Released: Will be Richest Online Poker Festival
ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN –PokerStars today released the official schedule for the 2013 Spring Championship of Online Poker, which takes place from May 12-26 and features 44 events (132 tournaments) spread across low, medium and high stakes levels, making it the largest poker festival ever held.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Will Feature $10 Million Guarantee
The Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, has announced it will be hosting a $10 million guarantee poker tournament this Aug. 22-29. The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open will be one of the largest guarantees of the year and is certain to draw big name players from around the globe. Gambling911.com, with headquarters nearby, will be in attendance.
NJ Men Arrested for Running Illegal Poker Games Tied to Russian Mob
Yugheshwar Rajkumar of Bergen County, New Jersey, has been taken into custody for his alleged role in running high stakes poker games tied to Russian organized crime.
The games were attended by Hollywood celebrities, athletes and high powered Wall Street executives, according to an indictment handed down on Tuesday.
FBI Names Poker Hostess Molly Bloom, Others in Massive Gambling Ring Raid
Feds released the names of poker players connected to an investigation into a Russian organized crime ring that held high stakes poker games.
FBI agents arrested several people Tuesday in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and elsewhere as part of the investigation. Federal agents also searched a Madison Avenue art gallery located within the prestigious Carlyle Hotel.
NY’s Carlyle Hotel Raided in High Stakes Poker Probe With Mafia, Art Ties
A section of New York’s ritzy Carlyle Hotel was raided on early Tuesday in connection to an international multi-billion dollar gambling investigation with alleged ties to the Russian Mafia.
Online Poker Phenom Isildur1 Closes in on $2 Million in Just Over Week
One of online poker’s most famous young players, Viktor “Isildur” Blom, has won over $1.5 million in just over a week.
Following last week’s $1 million in winnings, Isildur1 took in another $548.1 million yesterday playing against another notable online poker, Tom “Durrrr” Dwan.
Blom had sought sweet revenge for a defeat Sunday at the hands of Dwan.
HighStakesDB.com highlighted one of the biggest pots of the day:
Free-to-Play Online Poker Network Zen Entertainment Acquired
A Swedish gaming company has purchased the troubled free-to-play online poker network Zen Entertainment.
NYX Gaming Group has completed the acquisition according to Gaming Intelligence Report.
Daniel Negreanu Wins 2013 WSOP APAC and 5th Bracelet
Big name poker pro Daniel Negreanu has won the 2013 World Series of Poker APAC and his 5th gold bracelet.
It has taken Negreanu five long years to win his most recent bracelet. In doing so he managed to take down 405 other players and win AUD$1,038,825.
The Toronto, Canada native sits among the biggest money earners on the live poker circuit of all time, winning just over $17.5 million in his career.
PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker Would be Permitted to Offer Online Poker in Illinois
Illinois is pushing to legalize online poker as part of a gambling expansion bill. On Monday it was revealed that both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker would be permitted to apply for licensing in the state. The two companies were named in a 2011 indictment.
Full Tilt Poker Founder Ray Bitar Sentenced to Time Served
Full Tilt Poker founder Ray Bitar plead guilty last week to operating an illegal online poker company.
Bitar who is awaiting a heart transplant and only has 6 months to a year to live without one, will not be serving any prison time. The former Full Tilt Poker head was sentenced to time served exactly two years to the day he was indicted.
Guns, Online Gambling Ensure Bitcoin Staying Power
As long as online gambling remains on the fringe of legality in nations across the globe, Bitcoin should emerge as a viable alternative currency for the industry as more operators come to embrace it.
And then there are guns.
With US efforts to curb gun sales through expansion of background checks, Bitcoin suddenly becomes more attractive to gun sellers and buyers.
‘Straight Flush’ Book Details Absolute Poker: Excludes Cheating Scandal
“Straight Flush”, a story of how Montana college frat brothers launched one of the biggest online poker rooms, Absolute Poker, is available for pre-order now.
The book won’t be on shelves until May 28.
Author Ben Mizrich reportedly omits any information pertaining to an insider cheating scandal that would eventually be featured in a segment on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes”. Mizrich instead opts to focus on how the once financially strapped college students began earning around a million dollars a day after developing their Web card room.
B3W Group to Fix Security Flaw in Online Poker Software
B3W Group, based out of Malta, has announced it plans this week to fix a vulnerability recently discovered by two security experts. The company produces turnkey online casino and poker solutions.
B3W's software updates itself over an insecure HTTP connection. Updated files are stored without digital signatures, and ".exe" files are not verified before installation. They also found issues with how B3W's software stores passwords on a person's computer.
Sam Trickett and Team Europe Win WSOP Asia Pacific Caesars Cup
The greats of poker from three continents went up against one another down under at the 2013 Caesars Cup. Ultimately, Sam Trickett’s Team Europe came up victorious.
The event took place at the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific in Melbourne, Australia.
Trickett’s team consisted of fellow Europeans Marvin Rettenmaier, Phil Gruissem, Dominik Nitsche, Sam Holden.
Online Poker Attorney Jeff Ifrah Sued by Client: Claims He Cooperated With Feds
A big name attorney for the online poker and gambling industry, Jeff Ifrah, is being sued by one of his own clients for allegedly withholding information.
Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari Among Chip Leaders at WSOP APAC Main Event
Among the 15 players remaining at the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific (APAC) Main Event were none other than big name pros Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu.
Russell Thomas was the overall chip leader after Day 3.
15 of 94 players that started out the day have advanced.
There is a AUD$1,038,825 top prize waiting for the winner of the WSOP APAC Main Event.
