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.
Politico.com: Unlikely Duo Working on Internet Poker Measure for Subcommittee
Ultra conservative Republican Joe Barton and Liberal Barney Frank are working on a bill that would legalize Internet poker. They are in the process of presenting their measure to a subcommittee in charge of slashing the deficit.
Ironically, a member of this chosen subcommittee is none other than Jon Kyl, the Republican outgoing Senator from Arizona who authored the current online gambling prohibition.
Vin Diesel’s Underground Gambling Series Raising Blind Comes to FX
Vin Diesel’s One Race Films production company is moving to the small screen with FX scheduled to air Raising Blind.
It is a series delving in to the world of underground gambling. Great timing considering this past summer’s news about a Hollywood high stakes underground poker ring coming under fire for allegedly having a role in an investor ponzi scheme. The likes of Alex Rodriguez, Matt Damon and Toby Maguire were linked to the scheme with Maguire named as a defendant in a complaint filed by said investors.
Zynga Distances Itself From Facebook
The popular free online poker and gaming site Zynga has announced it is diversifying its business beyond Facebook with a focus on its own Web platform.
The move makes sense. Facebook currently takes a 30 percent cut of Zynga’s business.
Zynga chief executive Mark Pincus said of the company’s new direct-to-consumer strategy, called Zynga Direct, that it will allow “a direct relationship with consumers… where we can give you a whole sandbox and create socialness around the games.”
Four new games will debut as part of the new platform, including bingo.
Up, Up and Away: Merge, Lock Poker Begin Accepting New Customers Worldwide
Free Seat to the 2012 World Series of Poker Courtesy of South Point Poker
South Point Poker is giving away a chance to win a Free Seat to the 2012 WSOP every week for the next 26 weeks for Free.
Qualifiers will run every night at the new Online Poker Site www.Southpointpoker.com – The winner of each qualifier will fly to Las Vegas where they will stay at the South Point Hotel,Casino and Spa for free where they will play in the live final table to win the weekly Free $10,000 seat.
America’s Card Room Online Super Series Will Look to Mimic PokerStars
Exciting news this week as America’s Card Room announced its acquisition of DoylesRoom and the newly formed Online Super Series.
“This is going to be like PokerStars World Series of Online Poker,” a representative for America’s Card Room told Gambling911.com, which was the first to break the news regarding the acquisition on Monday.
“Obviously it will be at a much smaller level,” the rep added, noting that PokerStars is a much more massive operation.
Merge Poker to Begin Accepting New US Players Again Tonight?
PokerUpdate.com is reporting that the Merge Poker Network will once again start accepting new players from the US with the exception of certain states such as New York and Maryland as early as Midnight October 12.
The site claims to have sources close to the company who confirmed the time while noting that “some details are still unconfirmed”. Gambling911.com has not independently confirmed these details.
Everleaf Poker Peak Traffic Rises in October
With 126 online poker skins associated with the network, the most in online poker today, Everleaf should be among the top 10 networks in terms of overall traffic. It is not.
Everleaf just happens to be one of the only US-facing Internet poker rooms.
That said, PokerScout.com observed a fairly significant increase in peak traffic during the month of October compared to previous months.
Poker Pro Cribs, Wheels Pre-Black Friday: Where Are They Now (Video)
Prior to Black Friday April 15 poker pros had the world at their fingertips. Sponsored pros were able to afford lavish pads and fast cars.
Some of that has changed following the indictments related to Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars and UB.com on April 15. Executives from those three companies were charged with money laundering and bank fraud. The three rooms were forced to exit the US market as a result.
Matt Stout, a Lock Poker pro, purchased Paul Wasicka's house in Spanish Trail in Las Vegas just a year prior to Black Friday.
Alderney Commission to Hold a Review on What Went Wrong With Full Tilt Poker
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission has egg on its face following the collapse of what was the world’s second largest online poker room, Full Tilt Poker.
The AGCC was forced to revoke FTP’s license late last month after admitting the company did not have sufficient funds in reserve.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission says it will hold a review following the Full Tilt Poker scandal, according to a BBC report.
CalShark.com Online Poker in California Goes Live
CalShark.com, the first online poker website based out of California, has just gone live with its beta testing (see site here).
The site is affiliated with California’s leading Tribal casinos and card rooms. The site claims to be for instructional and entertainment purposes only, but does offer virtual prizes at the current time.
Daniel Negreanu on Annie Duke, Howard Lederer: Throw Them in Hall of Shame!
Poker pro Daniel Negreanu has taken another shot at his long time foe Annie Duke, this time suggesting she should be thrown into the Hall of Shame, as opposed to the Hall of Fame.
Ms. Duke, probably the most popular poker player in the world, is among those nominated to join the prestigious Hall of Fame.
Poker Pro Matt Stout Barfs on 17th Century Antique
The Chateau de Bagnols outside of Lyon France, which served as the stomping grounds for last week’s Lock Poker retreat for its pros, contains dozens of precious antiques. One of these precious 17th century multi-million dollar jewels became the target of poker pro Matt Stout’s vomit.
“I barfed all over this antique in my room,” he confessed after a night of heavy drinking.
At least it wasn’t red wine. Stout admits he has barfed just looking at the stuff.
“I think it (the vomit) gives the antique character,” he said.
Ilari "Ziigmund" Sahamies Weighty Problem: The See Food and Eat It Diet
Alderney Gambling Control Commission Talks Full Tilt Poker With J Todd (Video)
J. Todd of Perspectives Weekly was on hand at the Global Gaming Expo this past week where he managed to grab an interview with Andre Wilsenach, the CEO of Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). The AGCC last week revoked Full Tilt Poker’s license.
53 Percent of California Residents Would Vote for Legalized Online Poker
A poll conducted last month revealed that 53 percent of California voters would side with legalizing online poker. The state legislators were forced to can a vote on legalizing the activity after it was determined there would not be enough time on the current year calendar for a vote.
State Sen. Lou Correa, who sponsored the legislation, explained the benefits of having California as a hub for Internet poker.
"In terms of the revenue potential for California, it could be explosive. What we need to do now is cut a deal."
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
Pro Who Dissed Helmuth Hired as Poker Coach (Video)
Poker pro Dusty "Leatherass" Schmidt, who famously wrote a book saying fellow poker pro Phil "Poker Brat" Hellmuth Jr. didn't know anything about playing poker, has been hired as a poker coach for a website that charges a fee to view instructional poker videos!
Schmidt a few months ago wrote a book called "Don't Listen to Phil Hellmuth," which bashed the famed Poker Brat's playing style.
The book drew criticism because of its absurd notion--that Schmidt knows more about poker than Hellmuth.
Ladbrokes Ends Acquisition Talks With Sportingbet
Ladbrokes and Sportingbet announced on Monday the two gambling firms have terminated merger talks as part of a mutual agreement.
A statement from Sportingbet on Monday said: “The boards of Sportingbet and Ladbrokes agreed to end discussions as the parties were unable to agree either a suitable structure or one that delivered sufficient value to shareholders in a meaningful time frame.”
Daniel Tzvetkoff to be Star Witness in Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars Trial
Australian entrepreneur Daniel Tzvetkoff will act as a star witness in the trial of 10 men charged in connection with the operation of three giants in the online poker sector – Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars and Absolute Poker.
MGM CEO: “Time has Come for Legalized Online Poker”
MGM CEO Jim Murren on Wednesday delivered the key note address at this year’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. As part of his address, Murren urged Congress to legalize Internet poker, predicting it would help, not hurt, the US economy.
“We feel the time for talking is over and that the time for action is right now,” Murren told attendees.
iPoker Network Bot or Not?
The iPoker Network found itself embroiled in a bit of a quagmire this past week after a customer service client informed players they were playing against the dreaded bots (robots), those nasty little computer generated mechanisms that tend to be smarter than the average online poker player.
Poker Players Alliance Meets With DOJ Regarding Full Tilt Poker
The Poker Players Alliance this week revealed the US Justice Department agreed to meet with the grass roots organization late last month.
The PPA said that it had stressed the importance of American’s being able to play online poker and that the game is one of skill and should not be misconstrued as gambling.
Yabba Dabba DOH! Lock Poker Pro Marc Alioto Forced to Dress Up as Female Fred Flintstone
Lose a side prop bet in poker and you’re sometimes forced to do crazy things, like dressing up as a female Fred Flintstone.
That’s exactly what Lock Poker pro Marc Alioto was “forced” to do the other night while attending an extravagant retreat in a Southern France castle this past week….although we wouldn’t quite use the word “forced” as Gambling911.com saw with our own eyes that Alioto did appear comfortable in his dressy caveman attire.
Cat calls were heard across the room as Marc pranced about the chateau's 17th century wine room.
Benny Spindler Wins EPT London Main Event 2011
PCA finalist Benny Spindler has won the PokerStars.com EPT London Main Event today for a £750,000 first prize, plus a stunning Shamballa Jewels bracelet worth over €10,000.
2011 Poker Hall of Fame Nominees Announced
The 2011 Poker Hall of Fame nominees have been revealed.
Qualifications for the Hall of Fame include the following:
A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
Played for high stakes
Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
Stood the test of time
Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.
Nominees must also be 40 years of age.
And the nominees are:
EPT London Final Table 2011
The EPT London Final Table 2011 was being led by Martins Adeniya.
The London-based player has 13 lifetime cashes and over $240,000 in live winnings to date.
EPT London Final Table Chip Counts
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Full Tilt Poker Faces Another Law Suit
Yet another lawsuit has been filed against Full Tilt Poker, this one by Cardroom International.
A statement was issued by the company:
