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.
America’s Card Room Offering Thanksgiving Day $25K Guaranteed Warm-Up Tournament
Don't get too stuffed this Thanksgiving because you'll want to stay wide-awake for this one.
On November 24th at 9:00pm ET, Americas’ Card Room is hosting a $25,000 Guaranteed ACROSS warm-up tourney. It costs just $50+5 to get into the Thanksgiving Warm-Up and satellites are now live from as little as $2.
Phil Ivey at the PokerStars Macau Poker Room
As Gambling911.com reported the other day, professional poker player Phil Ivey has come out of hiding and showed up at the PokerStars Macau Poker Room at approximately 1:45 pm Wednesday afternoon.
Free-to-Play Game of Online Poker Zynga Won’t Offer Cash Games in Near Future
There has been a lot of talk about the world’s largest free-to-play game of online poker Zynga offering cash games once regulation takes place in the United States.
Zynga Poker General Manager Lo Toney has been talking down the prospect in recent days.
In fact, Mr. Toney is adamant Zynga Poker will remain free-to-play, even if legislation ultimately passes that would make cash games legal in the United States.
Switch Poker Becomes First Bitcoin Poker Room
Mobile poker operator Switch Poker became the first to offer Bitcoin as a payment solution for players. Switch Poker does not currently accept US customers. The online poker room also promotes itself as being the first room compatible on just about every browser for iPhone, iPads, iPods and more.
WPT Jacksonville 2011 Final Table Set: Lisa Hamilton Excels, Next Stop Tampa
The final table has been set for WPT Jacksonville 2011 event, which this week became the biggest poker tournament the state of Florida has ever seen. It is taking place at the Jacksonville Poker Room.
A big of irony as the individual with the least number of chips is named Darryll Fish. The term “fish” is used in poker to identify a “weaker” player.
Who is !P0krparty¡? Yet to be Unmasked
Canadian online poker player !P0krparty¡ is making waves similar to those made by Viktor Blom last year. Blom, you might recall, played high stakes online poker as Isildur1, raking in tons of cash, the whole time few knowing his true identity (though many did connect the dots). Blom was eventually signed to PokerStars and his identity was unveiled shortly thereafter.
!P0krparty remains a greater mystery. Those who think they know his true identity are merely guessing. The name being thrown around in poker circles is one Harry Kaczka.
Phil Ivey in Macau for Big Cash Games
It is being reported that professional poker player and Full Tilt Poker stakeholder, Phil Ivey, was spotted in Macau this week for their fabulous cash games. Also on hand was Tom Dwan.
Online Poker Traffic Flat Lines This Week
Online poker traffic for the week dropped a mere 0.2 percent according to PokerScout.com.
PokerStars was among three sites in the top 10 that witnessed a slight gain, increasing its traffic by 2.5 percent after a sharp decline last week. Stars up and down traffic has been attributed to big time promotions in recent weeks. This week the poker site is celebrating 10th anniversary with freerolls and a $10 deposit bonus.
Meanwhile, PokerStars French website continued surpassing its Italian version.
The California Tribal Business Alliance Demands Regarding Online Poker Regulation
The California Tribal Business Alliance believes the following principles must be adhered to for any online gaming legislation at the state or federal level. The legislation must:
• Not compromise the inherent rights of tribal governments, modify the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or undermine existing tribal-state gaming compacts.
• Allow tribes to accept wagers from persons not on Indian lands.
WPT Jacksonville 2011 Largest Poker Tournament Ever Held in Florida
The WPT Jacksonville 2011 has become the largest poker tournament ever held in the state of Florida not hosted at a casino with a generated prize pool of 393 players, a few shorter than that seen at last week’s Punta Cana Poker Classic in the Dominican Republic.
The Phil Ivey Porn: Not Quite But Close (Video)
A member of the popular TwoPlusTwo.com posting forum recently stumbled upon a Phil Ivey look-a-like….in none other than a porn.
Yes, it’s Phil Ivey in a wig. Not quite, but it’s a dead ringer.
CNN on Full Tilt Poker Shutdown: Did Poker Ponzi Steal My Rent? (Video)
With the Super Committee deficit-reduction failure drawing added viewers to CNN’s afternoon programming, the news network’s special look at how much money was lost by US poker players on Full Tilt Poker managed to garner additional attention, not to mention scaring off more potential poker players.
“A popular online gambling website shut down by the US Feds. Just how much money was lost by players?” a teaser asks.
While the shutdown occurred back in April, CNN continued to broadcast its segment throughout the afternoon hours.
Zynga Mobile No Match for Angry Birds…Yet
While Zynga, along with its online poker product, remains the biggest social games provider on Facebook, it is far behind where mobile gaming is concerned. Angry Birds currently holds the title there for “Most Popular” game platform.
Zynga has some 227 million monthly users.
From the Guardian Online:
The Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event Set for December 1 thru 6 2011
It’s all set. The Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event will run from December 1 thru 6, 2011 as part of the Asian Poker Tour. APT director Lloyd Fontillas revealed the schedule to Marv Dumon of the Examiner on Monday.
"Manny will be there either playing in the tournament or playing pool. [Currently] the room has 3 pool tables, we have been instructed to leave 1 behind for Manny to play on," said Fontillas.
Super Committee Failure Means Online Poker Won’t be Hitching a Ride
Supporters of legislation that would make online poker legal in the United States had hoped to have their bill attached to a so-called Super Committee financial reduction measure, but the prospects of this happening appear close to zero at this point.
It’s not so much that the online poker measure couldn’t somehow latch itself onto the deficit-reduction bill. Instead, the Super Committee was about to declare failure on Monday.
From Reuters:
Raul Mestre Wins International Federation of Poker World Championship and $250K: Beats Victoria Coren
Spaniard Raul Mestre was declared the winner of the International Federation of Poker World Championship and takes home $250,000. In the end, he went head to head with big name female poker pro Victoria Coren of the United Kingdom.
The World Championship was the final event of the first ever IFP World Championships that was held in London, UK. The German team won the first event of the Championships, the Nations Cup.
Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott Life Headed to the Big Screen
British poker pro Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott is going from the green felt of the poker table to the silver screen.
Poker Icons, the Swedish marketing and public relations agency that handles Ulliott, has announced that Ulliott's autobiography, written last year and titled "Devilfish: The Life and Times of a Poker Legend," is to be made into a movie.
Poker Icons made the announcement Thursday on its website, www.pokericons.com.
Ulliott, 57, is one of England's top poker players.
Poker Tournament News: 2011 EPT Loutraki Winner Zimnan Ziyard, WPT Jacksonville, More..
Poker tournament news for November 21, 2011 included a look at the EPT Loutraki, WPT Jacksonville and The World Series of Poker Circuit Harveys Lake Tahoe. Remember you can qualify for a seat at the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event by joining South Point Poker, the first online poker site run by a Las Vegas casino. It is free to join and play. Learn more here.
The World Poker Tour Jacksonville chip leaders were as follows as of 8 pm EST Sunday night.
World Poker Tour Jacksonville 2011 Attracts 393 Players (Video)
The World Poker Tour Jacksonville 2011 will pay out $325,928 to the first place winner with 393 players in the field.
90 players remained after Saturday’s play with former WPT champion Tommy Vedes leading in the chip count. Nick Grippo took over the lead.
Name Chips
1
Nick Grippo 280,000
2
Dan Henderson UFC Poker Marriage Perfect for Stations Casino Online Poker Plan
The Montreal Gazette this weekend posted an article on Dan Henderson enjoying success at the poker tables. He was slated to fight Mauricio (Shogun) Rua as part of Saturday night’s UFC 139 card. Henderson was a +120 underdog vs. Rua at -150.
Senate Reacts Following Spencer Bachus Insider Trading Allegations
Following a segment that aired on “60 Minutes” claiming Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) engaged in insider trading during the height of the financial crisis, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and panel ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced Wednesday they will hold a hearing on the issue, which has been stuck in Congress for more than five years.
From TheHill.com:
Full Tilt Poker Customers Would Likely Get Deposits Back Should Deal Go Through
Customers of Full Tilt Poker owed monies since April 15 wait with baited breath as a reported settlement has taken place between the US Justice Department and Groupe Bernard Tapie, the entity looking to acquire Full Tilt Poker. On June 29 the company had its license to operate pulled after it failed to prove the business had sufficient funds on hand to pay players. Two executives of the company were indicted on April 15, charged with money laundering and bank fraud. Three other stakeholders in FTP were accused by the US Government of running an elaborate ponzi scheme. It is interesting
Alfonse D’Amato Comments on Friday Internet Poker Hearing: Responds to Lottery Concerns
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, offered the following comments in response to issues raised during today’s House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing on internet gaming.
Friday Hearing on Internet Poker: Can We Still Control Offshore Gambling Sites?
A November 18, 2011 Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing discussed the potential pitfalls of legalizing Internet poker in the United States. Issues raised included under age and problematic gambling along with cheating mechanisms. Additional coverage of Friday’s hearing, which concluded at 11:09 am EST could be found on the Gambling911.com website.
But what about the current multi-billion dollar online gambling industry that exists and what’s to stop these operators from continuing to extract business from licensed businesses in the States.
Joe Barton Testifies Before Subcommittee on Legalized Internet Poker (Live Streaming Video)
Texas Republican Joe Barton has drafted legislation that would legalize Internet poker in the US. He testified Friday November 18, 2011 before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. It was the second hearing on the subject over the past 30 days.
During the testimony, concerns were raised over the vulnerability of Web users who might access an online poker site.
“My experience (with poker players) is they excel in math. Not people who would be taken advantage of or need to be protected,” Barton said.
Internet Poker Hearing November 18 Live Video Streaming
Gambling911.com does have the live streaming video for November 18 hearing to discuss the potential for legalized and regulated Internet poker in the United States.
Witnesses spoke before a House Subcommittee. This is the second hearing held on the subject in just a period of 30 days.
Concerns over under age gambling and the ability for states to opt out were part of the day’s discussion.
This hearing began at 9 am EST.
Watch the video below….
DOJ Spokesperson Denies Full Tilt Poker, Groupe Bernard Tapie Deal for $80m
A DOJ spokesperson, Carly Sullivan responded to a CNN report that was quickly pulled off its site regarding a DOJ deal to allow Groupe Bernard Tapie’s acquisition of Full Tilt Poker: “We have no comment and do not confirm or deny a deal.”
Full Tilt Poker itself later issued a statement that an “agreement between Groupe Bernard Tapie and the Department of Justice have been finalized”, however, FTP has released “misleading” statements in the past.
Tom Dwan Beaten Badly in Macau: Loses $2.6 Million
The big cash games are back in Macau and online poker phenom Tom Dwan was reportedly annihilated to the tune of $2.6 million.
There was a chat log obtained by HighStakesDB.com:
Barney Frank Urges Spencer Bachus: Take Up Bill On Insider Trading (Video)
Massachusetts Democrat Congressman Barney Frank on Thursday sent a letter to Alabama Republican Congressman Spencer Bacchus urging him to take up a bill that would prohibit members of Congress and federal workers from trading on non-public information that they’ve obtained through their jobs.
A “60 Minutes” report suggested that Bachus engaged in “insider trading” during the height of the financial crisis.
Strange Bedfellows: Jon Kyl and Harry Reid New Internet Gambling Bill
The New York Post is reporting that Republican Jon Kyl and Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are working on a new Internet gambling bill. The significance of this cannot be overstated.
