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.

CEO Anthony Tailor Leaves Merge Gaming

Merge Gaming CEO Anthony Tailor has resigned from a position he has held for five years.  Details regarding the exit were not immediately known, however, the popular online poker network continues to thrive and, just this week, flagship brand Carbon Poker announced the return of the super popular Poker Maximus promotion (dubbed Poker Maximus II). 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Sep/03/2012

Muny Defends Perceived ‘Meekness’ in Poker Players Alliance Response to GOP Platform

Following a scathing report on PokerFuse.com accusing the Poker Players Alliance of not properly reacting to last week’s announced GOP agenda to essentially eradicate online gambling, that grassroots organization’s Director Richard Muny immediately went on the defensive this past weekend.

The GOP platform as it pertains to Internet gambling reads:

Submitted by Ace King on, Sep/03/2012

Lock Poker Introduces ‘Battle of the Knights’: Prizes Over $2 Million

Never one to lack when it comes to innovation, the uber popular Lock Poker has just rolled out “Battle of the Knights” (September 2012). 

Calling out to all the knights; sharpen your swords and get your armour ready. The battle is set, time to throw some cards and slice down your opponents stacks.

This is no Medieval fantasy we are talking about.  It’s an actual opportunity to win over 17,000 individual prizes, totaling over $2 million

Submitted by C Costigan on, Sep/03/2012

Olympic Swimmers Behaving Badly in Vegas: Michael Phelps Wins $100k in Poker Game

First it was US Olympic medal winning swimmer Ryan Lochte romping naked in Vegas with Prince Harry, now comes word that fellow Olympian (now retired) Michael Phelps just won a huge $100k pot in Sin City playing poker.

The win was reported by TMZ.com and occurred at Caesar’s Palace.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Sep/02/2012

9 Seized Online Gambling Domains Put Up For Sale Including DoylesRoom.com

Nine online gambling domain names seized as part of a sting operation by the US Attorney’s Office in Maryland have been put up for sale or license.  These include DoylesRoom.com and Bookmaker.com.

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Sep/02/2012

Survey Says: PokerStars Could be Preparing to Enter Sports Betting, Casino Sector

Could the world’s largest “real money” online poker company, PokerStars, be looking at entering the sports betting and casino market?

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Sep/02/2012

Stanley Choi Wins Macau High Stakes Challenge and $6.5 Million

Stanley Choi has won the Macau High Stakes Challenge along with $6.5 million in cash.

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This was Asia’s biggest tournament ever and indeed the biggest cash tournament outside of the World Series of Poker, ranking number 10 of all live tournaments to date.  The buy-in was $1 million and featured 73 high rollers.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Sep/01/2012

The Beast Goes Live Today!

Get prepared folks as Americas Cardroom is set to unleash The Beast.

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You’ve been reading all about him on the pages of Gambling911.com and now you finally get to meet The Beast face-to-face.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Sep/01/2012

Nevada Governor Not in Agreement With GOP Platform on Internet Gambling (Video)

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval is in sharp disagreement with his party when it comes to online gambling and their platform adopted over the past week that includes a few lines promising to continue prohibition.
News 3 in Las Vegas sent reporter Sergio to talk to the governor, who has been pushing for legalization of online gambling in the state.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/31/2012

Zynga Hires Former 888 Poker Exec in Sign They Are Moving Towards ‘Real Money’ Play

Zynga, the world’s largest free-to-play online poker social gaming company, has reportedly hired Maytal Ginzburg Olsha, the former Senior Vice President of Corporate and Regulated Markets at 888 Holdings, the parent company of 888 Poker. 

Zynga fouder and CEO Mark Pincus told analysts back in July that the company intended to have “real money” play ready for early 2013. 

Zynga has seen its stock price plummet in recent months as a number of high ranking executives have chosen to leave the firm.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/31/2012

DOJ to Full Tilt Poker Head Howard Lederer: ‘Cry Me a River (Card)’

The Department of Justice has rejected a request by Howard Lederer’s attorneys to reconsider their client’s case on the grounds that poker was recently ruled a “game of skill” by a respected New York Supreme Court judge.

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Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Aug/31/2012

Last Man Standing Online Poker Endurance Test Begins September 1, 2012

It is the last day of August and no matter their bankroll size or regular game, players all across the Carbon Poker platform are geared up for the Last Man Standing promotion beginning tomorrow, September 2, 2012.

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/31/2012

Four Poker Tells You Can Believe In From Expert Player Mike Caro

The legendary poker pro Mike Caro has published four poker tells he considers critical and almost 100 percent on the money, so to speak. 

What are they?

First, those who buy-in with low amounts and are attempting to hide their money will almost always play conservatively.  Those who flash their funds will play recklessly. 

Second, players who look at their cards and then gaze away from the action are usually intending to bet or raise.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

888 Online Poker is Great, Playtech Good Things Might Come to Those Who Wait

It’s a tale of two cities when discussing recent performances of top five leading online poker ventures, 888 and Playtech.

While 888 Poker, the world’s number four online poker company in terms of overall traffic, claimed this week that poker was the primary reason for its 70 percent increase in revenue for the first half of 2012, Playtech, operator of the world’s second biggest Internet poker network, iPoker, reported less-than-stellar results on the poker side of its business.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/30/2012

Not All Republicans on Same Page When It Comes to Legalizing Online Poker

It emerged this week that the Republican platform features wording that would look to quash the multi-billion dollar online gambling sector, and presumably Internet poker. 

Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support the prohibition of gambling over the Internet and call for reversal of the Justice Department’s decision distorting the formerly accepted meaning of the Wire Act that could open the door to Internet betting.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

Josh Hale Wins 2012 WPT Legends of Poker

Josh Hale was declared the winner of the 2012 World Poker Tour Legends of Poker held at the Bicycle Casino outside of Los Angeles.  The win yielded $500,000. 

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Hale, a relative unknown, defeated a field of 622 players over a five day period at the $3500 buy-in event.   He also managed to beat out million dollar plus live tournament career winners Max Steinberg and Jeff Madsen, among others.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

Saskatchewan Looks to Host Online Gambling Through GEOBet

The GEObet Gambling Network is pleased to announce that it is currently exploring opportunities with Saskatchewan First Nations to develop an online gaming solution that will extend the reach of the Saskatchewan First Nation Gaming network operated in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

GEObet has made several presentations, including to the recent Special Indian Gaming Assembly in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  All parties are confident that agreements will meet and exceed Saskatchewan First Nations’ expectations of igaming.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/30/2012

2012 Punta Cana Poker Classic Online Qualifiers Now Available at Carbon Poker

The winter may not be here yet in the middle of October but who wouldn’t want to go to the Dominican Republic for a week-plus then and play a little poker anyways?

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Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/30/2012

Full Tilt Poker’s Howard Lederer Uses ‘Skill vs. Chance’ Decision in Latest Defense

[Defense Request for Status Conference in USA v. PokerStars (Lederer, Ferguson, Furst) SDNY civil forfeiture proceedings:]

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

It’s Alive! Four Lucky Online Poker Players Will Go Up Live Against The Beast

In an online poker event unlike anything the game has seen, a quartet of greats will have their webcams flipped on as they compete against one another at the jackpot tables in an Americas Cardroom challenge known as "The Beast Live".

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Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

British Poker Pro Sam Trickett Becomes International Stadiums Poker Tour Ambassador

The International Stadiums Poker Tour has named British poker pro Sam Trickett as its newest ambassador.

The ISPT, conceived by Bernard and Laurent Tapie along with Prosper Masquelier, looks to assemble some 30,000 players at Wembley Stadium next May, all of whom will be competing in the world’s largest poker tournament.  The ISPT will kick off on laptops then switch over to a live format once 90 percent of the field is eliminated.   There will be a guaranteed prize pool of a guaranteed prize pool of €20,000,000.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/29/2012

WPT Legends of Poker 2012 Final Table Determined

The WPT Legends of Poker 2012 Final Table is ready to go with Josh Hale the chip leader. 

Max Steinberg, with 1,020,000 chips, has won $1.1 million in live tournaments to date with his biggest coming at this year’s World Series of Poker Event #33 where he walked away with over $440,000 and his first bracelet. 

Jeff Madsen was sitting with 1,030,000 chips.  He has won over $3.4 million lifetime and has two bracelets.

Ali Eslami had 2,900,000 chips.  He has won $1.1 million in live tournaments to date.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/29/2012

888 Poker in Talks With Facebook Regarding ‘Real Money’ Online Poker

888 Poker has begun talking with Facebook, the social media giant, to bring “real money” online poker to jurisdictions where such activity is permitted, a la Great Britain, according to a report on eGaming Review.

The news comes amidst reports that 888 Holdings second quarter costs have put a strain on margins, though the company is realizing a pretax profit of $18.36 million for the half year ended June 30, compared with loss of $22.10 million a year earlier. Revenue advanced 21% to $186.4 million.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/29/2012

Poker Maximus is Back! Carbon Brings Back Popular Online Poker Tournament

Last March, poker players at Carbon Poker thoroughly enjoyed the month long Poker Maximus tournament series and they have been asking for round two. Well, Carbon has obliged as Poker Maximus II starts on September 6th, 2012.

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/29/2012

Poker Pro Ryan Young Remembered on ESPN

ESPN featured an “in memory of” segment on poker pro Ryan Young late Tuesday evening (August 28, 2012) between the hours of 8 pm EDT and 9.  The segment is likely to be repeated.  It aired during the Republican Convention coverage. 

The 2007 WSOP bracelet winner was killed in a car accident in Torrance, California late last month.  Few details were known about the crash at that time.

Gambling911.com was one of the first to report on the tragedy after a few other poker pros tweeted about what had transpired.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Aug/29/2012

Warren Buffet Hosts Private Poker Tournament: Corzine Son Makes Final Two Cut

Forbes writer Randall Lane offered up an exclusive look at what it’s like to take part in Warren Buffet’s private poker tournament, the Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets Poker Invitational.  Even the name is intimidating. 

The comp features a prize pool of US$500,000, however, Lane claims that invitees are more interested in the bragging rights that come with taking part in such a tournament. 

The minimum cost to enter is US$200,000 and there are just 240 seats open to participants.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/28/2012

Zynga Chief Creative Officer Mike Verdu Exits to Start New Gaming Co, Backed by Zynga

Zynga’s Chief Creative Officer Mike Verdu may be on his way out the door, but his new online gaming venture will have backing from none other than….ZYNGA.

Without revealing the name of his new venture, Verdu disclosed that Zynga will be a primary investor. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/28/2012

Last Man Standing Program Brought Back to Online Poker Room Carbon Poker

After the tremendous success and popularity of the Last Man Standing program at Carbon Poker earlier this year, they’ve decided to bring it back for the month of September. This time around there is over $32,000 in cash prizes for players to win as their poker endurance will be tested for the entire month.

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/28/2012

Judge Weinstein’s Ruling on Poker as ‘Game of Skill’ Could Spark Resurgence Online

Last week’s ruling by New York Supreme Court Judge Jack Weinstein that poker is a “game of skill” and not “one of chance” has many believing an online poker resurgence is on its way. So-called “games of chance” were previously prosecuted under a law used to eradicate organized crime. 

In making his decision, Judge Weinstein relied extensively on the findings of a defense expert who analyzed online poker games.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Aug/28/2012

Schleswig-Holstein Awards More Online Gambling Licenses

The Northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein this week has awarded 4 more online gambling licenses, bringing the number thus far to approximately a dozen.

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Those licensed this week include 888, Admiral Sportswetten (Rettingen), Admiral Sportwetten (Gumpoldskirchen in Austria) and Cashpoint Malta Ltd (Malta). 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Aug/28/2012

Breaking News

 Breaking Down the Odds: Real Money Baccarat Strategies for Canadians

Breaking Down the Odds: Real Money Baccarat Strategies for Canadians

The online gambling movement in Canada has been gaining momentum ever since the activity was made legal in the province of Ontario in April 2022. A new realm of entertainment was unveiled to the Ontarian public with online casino and online sports books rushing to obtain licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).