Poker News Archive

Live Stream on WSOP 2009

27.05.2009

Tomorrow, the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino will open the doors for the 40th Annual World Series of Poker (WSOP). Thousands of poker players and fans will descend on the Amazon Ballroom to watch the penultimate event of the poker year, but several thousands more will be unable to make it to Las Vegas for the fun and games. Harrah’s officials have made it easier for everyone to take in some of the action that will develop during the next seven weeks.

In an announcement late Thursday afternoon, WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack announced that two websites - ESPN360.com and BluffMagazine.com - will have live streaming video broadcasts of 24 tournaments. By using these two outlets, fans from around the world will be able to view the action in almost real-time. During the announcement, Commissioner Pollack commented, “We are proud to provide the culminating action of so many prominent events to a worldwide audience in real-time. This online initiative will complement our spectacular television package on ESPN and deliver even more of this year’s milestone WSOP to fans who want the most immediate coverage possible.”

While ESPN’s television coverage will contain 32 hours of action, it will be limited to two bracelet events, the special anniversary $40,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em tournament and the Main Event. It will also air two non-bracelet events, the WSOP Champions Invitational and the Ante Up for Africa charity tournament. The streaming video feed of the WSOP will feature other highly prestigious tournaments on the schedule, including four of the $10,000 World Championships, the Ladies’ Championship, and the $50,000 HORSE tournament.

In an exclusive interview with Poker News Daily, Sports and Entertainment Director Seth Palansky stated that internet broadcasts will run similarly to last year: “There will be a slight delay for those that view the tournaments on the internet. These delays were built in by the rules of the Gaming Control Board, not us, to prevent any possibilities of impropriety. They were satisfied with the delay we instituted last year and we plan to do the same with the web broadcasts this year.”

The ability for thousands of people to see the events as they unfold in Las Vegas on the internet is extremely special for not only the WSOP, but also for the players and fans themselves. Palansky commented. “To have 24 bracelet events being awarded and for folks around the world to be able to see them, it’s terrific. Assuming that there are no technical issues - which there weren’t last year - we will let the public or those tuning in determine the success thereafter. We are happy to offer it and appreciate Bluff’s and ESPN’s willingness to make it happen.”

The schedule of events that will either appear on Bluffmagazine.com or ESPN360.com is as follows:

Event #4: $1,000 No Limit Hold’em
June 2nd, ESPN360.com

Event #5: $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
June 3rd, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #7: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
June 4th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #10: $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha/Pot Limit Hold’em
June 5th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #11: $2,000 No Limit Hold’em
June 6th, ESPN360.com

Event #15: $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed
June 8th, ESPN360.com

Event #17: $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold’em
June 9th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #19: $2,500 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed
June 10th, ESPN360.com

Event #20: $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em
June 11th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #22: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Shootout
June 12th, ESPN360.com

Event #24: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
June 13th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #29: $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Heads-Up
June 15th, ESPN360.com

Event #30: $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
June 16th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #33: $10,000 Limit Hold’em
June 17th, ESPN360.com

Event #34: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
June 18th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #35: $5,000 Pot Limit Hold’em
June 19th, ESPN360.com

Event #36: $2,000 No Limit Hold’em
June 20th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #40: $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha
June 22nd, ESPN360.com

Event #41: $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Shootout
June 23rd, ESPN360.com

Event #45: $10,000 Pot Limit Hold’em
June 25th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #47: $2,500 Mixed Hold’em
June 26th, ESPN360.com

Event #49: $50,000 HORSE
June 30th, ESPN360.com

Event #51: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
June 29th, Bluffmagazine.com

Event #54: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
July 1st, Bluffmagazine.com

Dwan wins Big in HSP5

27.05.2009

In the finale of Season 5 of GSN’s High Stakes Poker, Tom “durrrr” Dwan faced off against Alan Meltzer and took home $514,400 in the episode’s last hand. No announcement has been made as to when Season 6 will debut.

High-dollar pots pervaded the Season 5 finale. In the first hand of the show, Meltzer called the $800 big blind with A-8, Eli Elezra called with Q-2 of hearts, poker legend Doyle Brunson called with A-8, and Dwan bumped the action to $5,000 with pocket fives. All three limpers called and the flop fell J-8-A, giving Brunson and Meltzer top and bottom pair, while Elezra held a queen-high flush draw. Meltzer led out for $20,000, Elezra called, and Doyle raised to $95,000. Meltzer promptly shoved for $172,800, Elezra got out of the way, and Brunson called. The massive $387,600 pot was chopped.

Dwan and “Silent” Mike Baxter battled a few hands later. David Peat called the big blind with 6-5 of clubs, Dwan smooth called with aces, Baxter called with K-2 of hearts, World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Dario Minieri called with A-4 of clubs, and Phil Laak, who was in the big blind, checked his option. The flop came 7-A-3 with two hearts, giving Baxter a king-high flush draw and Peat an open-ended straight draw. Dwan bet $2,200 with his flopped set, Baxter raised to $8,200, and the action folded back around to Dwan, who re-raised to $19,700. High Stakes Poker Host Gabe Kaplan noted, “A little bait raise. He’s hoping to get popped by Baxter.” However, “Silent Mike” just called and the turn came the five of spades. Both players checked to see the king of diamonds fall on the river, giving Baxter a pair. Dwan bet $33,400 and Baxter called, shipping the $111,800 pot to the man they call “Durrrr.”

In the episode’s second $300,000 pot, Elezra put on the $1,600 live straddle. Laak bumped the action to $4,600 with J-10 and Elezra called with 9-7 of spades. The flop came 7-9-Q. Elezra bet out $8,000 with bottom two pair, Laak raised to $24,000 with an open-ended straight draw, and Elezra pushed the price of poker to $55,000. Kaplan explained, “Phil’s decision is to go all-in or go out. He can’t just call. He wouldn’t know what to do if he didn’t hit on the turn.” Sure enough, Laak pushed for $128,7800 and Elezra called. The two agreed to run it twice. The first board was 6-2, ensuring at least half the pot for Elezra. The second board fell 5-5, sending the entire $345,000 purse Elezra’s way. Laak promptly re-bought for $250,000; Elezra found himself up $345,000 overall.

Minieri made his exit after busting in a hand against Peat. After Peat put on the live straddle, Meltzer called $1,600 with A-8, Minieri raised to $9,000 with pocket aces, Peat called holding a 10 in his hand, and Meltzer folded. Sure enough, the flop came 10-10-5, giving Peat trips. Minieri bet $11,000 and Peat raised to $30,000. Kaplan noted, “This is very bad luck for Dario.” Minieri asked for a count before raising all-in for $111,700. Peat happily called and the pair agreed to run it twice. No ace fell on either board and Minieri found himself broke, departing the High Stakes Poker set at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas. Conversely, Peat raked in $245,400.

On the final hand of Season 5, Laak raised to $3,100 with pocket fives. Peat called with Q-9 of clubs, and Dwan raised to $14,000 with J-10. Meltzer peeked down at pocket kings for the second straight hand and raised to $30,000, Laak folded, Peat folded, and Dwan made the call. The flop came 3-A-10. Meltzer bet out $30,000 and Dwan called to see the turn came a jack. Meltzer checked, Dwan bet $46,200 with two pair, and Meltzer made the call with an overpair. The river brought another jack, giving Dwan a boat. On the final card to be dealt during the current season, Kaplan noted, “That might save Alan Meltzer some money.” Meltzer checked to Dwan, who pushed for $146,800. Meltzer called for his entire stack and quickly mucked upon seeing Dwan’s hand. The $514,400 pot pushed Dwan into the green for the final stable of players to take to the felts. He was a winning player against all three groups during High Stakes Poker Season 5.

Kaplan and A.J. Benza then doled out the Season 5 awards. The Couture Award, which was given for the most creative use of a scarf in a poker playing capacity, was awarded to Minieri. The Corrigan Award, which was for miscalculating what other players have in hands you’re not involved in, went to Brunson. The No Deal Award was bestowed upon Dwan for not reaching an accord with Barry Greenstein in the largest pot in High Stakes Poker history, over $900,000. The Smelling Salts Award was given to Greenstein for not passing out when a queen on the turn shipped the record-breaking pot to Dwan. Finally, the Trillion Percent Right When You’re a Trillion Percent Wrong Award went to Antonio Esfandiari, who swore up and down that he was missing $50,000 from his stack. In actuality, he had forgotten to take it out when he sat down.

No indication of when Season 6 will be filmed or aired has been given. In the meantime, past episodes of High Stakes Poker will continue to be shown on GSN on Sunday nights.

Full Tilt Poker FTOPS XI starts tomorrow

03.02.2009

Full Tilt Poker is starting their famous FTOPS Series tomorrow.

See all Details below:

Der komplette Turnierplan der FTOPS XI

Titan Poker announce ECOOP III

23.09.2008

One of the leading online poker rooms, Titan Poker, has announced the European Championship of Online Poker III.

This series of tournaments, also known as ECOOP, will run for 14 successive days, from November 24 until December 07 2008, and concludes with the enormous $1,500,000 Guaranteed Main Event.

The first 13 events are No Limit and Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, PL Omaha Hi/Lo and Limit 7 Card Stud with the Main Event being a No Limit Hold’em event.

Titan Poker player will get the chance to participate in the big events by qualifying through a number of Satellite tournaments starting from as little as $1+0.1. That is incredible value for such an amazing event with a massive prize pool.

Join Titan Poker now and get 150% on your first deposit up to $600 plus $20 for free.

Complete Schedule of Titan Poker ECOOP III

Partypoker celebrates its Birthday - Join Now!!!

05.08.2008

The champagne corks are popping as PartyPoker.com celebrates its 7th birthday this week, counting down to a $1,000,000 guaranteed Birthday Party bonanza tournament on Sunday 10th August at 12.45 ET.

Players can buy-in directly to the championship-style blind structured main event for $640. As always, PartyPoker.com will provide a diverse qualifying structure allowing ALL players, no matter the size of their bankroll, an opportunity to qualify and participate in the $1 Million Birthday Party. Qualifiers start from as little as $1 with a range running daily. It is possible to get involved in the action by using just 15 PartyPoints.

Detailed information on qualification can be found at: Partypoker

In addition, to mark PartyPoker.com’s 7th birthday there is special promotions every day leading up to Sunday’s big tournament.

Tuesday 5th August – Magic Hand

On Tuesday a magic hand will appear once every 77,777 hands. If you’re lucky enough to hit one, both you and all the players at your table will win a share of up to $300. The winner of the hand will get 50% of the money rewarded while the rest of the table will share the remaining amount. That means you don’t even have to win the hand to receive a payout. The cash prize depends on the game you’re in when the magic hand is played. $300 is awarded to $3/$6 limit tables or higher, $0.50/$1 no limit or higher, $0.50/$1 pot limit or higher. $200 is awarded for $2/$4 limit tables and lower, $0.25/$0.50 no limit and lower, $0.25/$0.50 pot limit and lower and any tournaments. $100 for a magic hand is available for freerolls.

Wednesday 6th August - $777 tournaments

Seven special tournaments each paying out $777 in prize money, with the top 77 players getting the cash. You can enter as many of the seven as you want and they are spread throughout the day. The tournaments take place at 08.00 ET, 10.00 ET, 12.00 ET, 14.00 ET, 16.00 ET, 18.00 ET and 20.00 ET.

Thursday 7th August – Surprise Tournaments

Over a non-stop 10 hour period there’ll be a series of 20 surprise tournaments offering a mixture of cash prizes and qualifier seats for the $1,000,000 Birthday Party. The tournaments will only appear in the lobby 15 minutes before they’re due to start, so make sure you’re there and ready for action.

Friday 8th August - $1,000,000 Birthday Party Qualifiers

PartyPoker.com will be running dozens of extra qualifiers all day so you can book your seat for the $1,000,000 Birthday Party on Sunday.

Saturday 9th August - $7,777 Tournament and Super Saturday $1,000,000 Birthday Party Qualifiers

Every player who picked up 77 points during the birthday week will be invited to take part in the $7,777 tournament where the top 777 will get a slice of the prize pool. We will also be giving away at least 150 seats into the $1,000,000 Birthday Party on Sunday.

Sunday 10th August - The PartyPoker.com $1,000,000 Guaranteed Birthday Party!

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said, “It’s a week of celebrations all round on PartyPoker.com to mark our birthday. Sunday is the big one but there is great value to be had every day in the lead-up.”

For more information see: Partypoker

European Poker Tour New Schedule for 2008-09

14.06.2008

The very successful European Poker Tour has announced a somewhat reduced schedule for the coming season. The EPT has grown each year but for 2008-09 they have dropped the Dublin Open and the Caribbean Adventure from last year's tour schedule. Here is the EPT schedule for the coming season:

Barcelona Open (Casino Barcelona) - Sept 10-14, 2008 - €8,000

London (Victoria Casino) - October 1-5, 2008 - £5,200

Polish Open (Hyatt Regency, Warsaw) - November 15-19, 2008 - 20,000 PLN

Prague (Hilton Hotel) - December 9-13, 2008 - €5,000

Deauville (Barrière Casino) - January 20-24, 2009 - €5,000

Scandinavian Open (Casino Copenhagen) - February 17-21, 2009 - 50,000 DKR

German Open (Casino Hohensyburg) - March 10 - 14, 2009 - €5,000

San Remo (San Remo) - April 18-23, 2009 - €5,000

Grand Final (Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort) - April 28 - May 3, 2009 - €10,000

200% up to $600 and $50 Gratis at CD Poker

24.04.2008

CDPoker is offering his players a sensational Sign up Bonus of 200% up to 600$. To use this Bonus you need to register with our Bonuscode pokerworld with CDPoker. If you deposit more than $100 you get an extra $50 gratis on top of it.

In this quickly growing I-Poker Network CDPoker is offering Tournaments with high Pricepools and progressive Jackpots.

A very good customer service und a stable software with many additional features are only some of a list of good points in this poker room. All in all is CDPoker a good poker room with sophisticated Graphics and many promotions. Actually there is the possibility to receive a one year sponsorship as a professional Poker player.

Register here with our Bonuscode pokerworld and receive a 200% up to 600$ Sign up Bonus plus $50 gratis.

Party Poker guaranteed $250K every friday

09.04.2008

PartyPoker.com introduce a new tournament schedule that guarantees $250,000 every single Friday.

'The Friday Night Party' features tournaments to suit every level, all the way up to a big money $50k Friday special. There will also be seats available for the World Series of Poker up for grabs. Better still, the tournaments are spread out, so there is never a long wait to get stuck into the action.

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "Cancel your plans and start freeing up your Fridays. With at least $250,000 to be won there's absolutely no reason to be anywhere else."

For more information about Party Poker, go to our review.

Here's the full Friday Night Party program:

Tournament Name	EST	GMT	CET	Buy-in	Guarantee
Friday Night Party $20K Gtd Rebuy	13:00	18:00	19:00	$50 +$5	$20,000
Shootout	13:30	18:30	19:30	$5 + $1	$2,500
Friday Night Party $15K Deep stack 6 handed	14:00	19:00	20:00	$100 + $10	$15,000
$5k Gtd Speed	14:30	19:30	20:30	$50 +$5	$5,000
Friday Night Party $50K Gtd Special	15:00	20:00	21:00	$200 + $15	$50,000
Crazy Stack Turbo	15:30	20:30	21:30	$50 +$5	$10,000
Friday Night Party $25K Gtd	16:00	21:00	22:00	$50 + $5	$25,000
$10K Gtd Rebuy	16:30	21:30	22:30	$5 + $1	$10,000
Friday Night Party $50K Gtd Rebuy 6 handed	17:00	22:00	23:00	$110 + $10	$50,000
$5k Gtd	17:30	22:30	23:30	$10 + $1	$5,000
WSOP Satellite	18:00	23:00	00:00	$540 + $40	$40,500
$2K Gtd Speed 6 Handed	18:30	23:30	00:30	$5 + $1	$2,000
Friday Night Party $25 Gtd	19:00	00:00	01:00	$100 + $9	$25,000
$3K Gtd Shootout	20:00	01:00	02:00	$30 + $3	$3,000
Friday Night Party $5K Gtd	21:00	02:00	03:00	$30 + $3	$5,000

1000 Seats for World Series of Poker 2008

29.03.2008

PokerStars, the world's largest online poker site, announced the launch of their WSOP satellite tournaments, where players can win prize packages worth $12,500.

And that's not all. PokerStars qualifiers who make it to the final table at the WSOP Main Event will win an automatic cash bonus, including a cool million for bringing home the Main Event trophy. Finish second, get a $400,000 bonus. Finish in third place, get $300,000. Finish in fourth-fifth or sixth-ninth and get $200,000 or $100,000 respectively. Cash bonuses of up to $50,000 also are available if a sponsored player makes it to a WSOP "TV table."

"If I didn't win a $39 satellite on PokerStars, I would have been on the sidelines at the 2003 WSOP," said Chris Moneymaker, who rode his PokerStars prize to victory in the Main Event. "This year's prize package is even more incredible and the prize pool is set to be its biggest yet."

Unlike other sites who are only offering only150 main event seats and assorted freeroll entries, PokerStars will be sending over 1,000 players to the Main Event. Registered users can test their skills to win a ticket to the "Big Dance" for free at PokerStars.net

The full prize package also includes:

- $10,000 Main Event buy-in
- $2,500 for expenses
- Free hotel accommodations at the Palms for eight nights
- Hotel suite upgrades for Supernova and Supernova Elite VIP members

PokerStars sends more players to the Main Event than any other site. Since 2002, over 3,600 qualifiers have won a seat by traveling the satellite route.

After Moneymaker's Main Event victory, the "Moneymaker Effect" was in full swing. Chris' victory inspired thousands of everyday players to try their luck at World Series glory. In 2006, PokerStars qualifier Greg Raymer also went on to win the championship and $5 million. The result was massive WSOP field growth, culminating in an $8.25 million top prize last year. This year looks to be even bigger.

More about PokerStars

Titan Poker announce ECOOP 2

04.03.2008

Titan Poker, the largest poker room on the iPoker Network, is guaranteeing $3,500,000
in cash prizes in its second European Championship of Online Poker Series.

Staged in December 2007, the first ECOOP was a resounding success and
awarded winners with more than $2,500,000 -- exceeding its guaranteed
prize pools. However, with an additional million dollars already
confirmed, the ECOOP II is certain to be even more exciting and
lucrative for online poker enthusiasts across the globe.

ECOOP II will run for ten consecutive days, from the 23rd of May to the
1st of June. One ECOOP tournament will be staged each day and each event
will award huge guaranteed prizes. The tournament series will conclude
with a $1,500,000 Main Event on the 1st of June.

Titan Poker is already staging daily qualifier satellite tournaments.
Buy-in to these satellites start at just $2 + $0.20, so players can
potentially win a share of $3,500,000 for an investment of less than
three dollars.

In addition to the huge cash prizes that Titan Poker players stand to
win, winners of each event will also receive a special ECOOP bracelet,
similar to the bracelets awarded at the World Series of Poker. As an
extra bonus, the top 100 tournament players participating in the ECOOP
events will be entered into a $50,000 Freeroll, to be staged 72 hours
after the Main Event.

888 reports gaming revenues up

12.02.2008

Internet gaming firm 888 Holdings reported a 36% rise in net gaming revenues in its first full year without any business in the US.

The operator of Paradise Poker took 213 million US dollars (£109m) in the year to December 31, with its casino games winning 22% more in the company's fourth quarter, compared to its third.

The firm, which was hit by the US internet gaming ban in 2006, added its new 888Ladies bingo brand had started well.

The group lost more than half its revenues because of the US withdrawal, but has recovered ground through the launch of new casino and poker sites, partnering agreements and expansion in areas such as Latin America.

The Gibraltar-based firm said today its new bingo service, 888ladies - which offers game tutorials, an online community and chat tools - is seeing 'hundreds of new customers' signing up every day.

Chief executive Gigi Levy said "We are delighted with our results released today, our first full year of trading without any business in the US."

This year, the company also launched the World Poker Crown, a poker tournament with a $3m guaranteed prize, handicapped sport betting for Asia, Lucky Ace poker and Wink Bingo

NBC Set to Launch 3rd Season of Poker After Dark

27.12.2007

With two successful seasons of Poker After Dark in the books, NBC will continue to bring poker fans around the globe the very best in 6-handed match-ups with the airing of its 3rd season beginning late night on December 31. The hit show will again feature the top players in the game each putting up $20,000 per match and competing for a $120,000 winner-take-all prize. Returning to provide limited commentary is Ali Nejad.

The program, designed to show how a match progresses over time by showing the majority of the hands involved, has provided not only top quality poker filled with drama and excitement, but also a lot of laughs and some eyebrow-raising behavior. Contributing to the entertainment factor is the interaction that takes place between the players, which allows viewers a better look into each of their personalities. This banter is often confrontational, but for the most part is lighthearted and filled with exchanges and anecdotes you won't find on any other program.

The producers takes pride in introducing an interesting mix of players to the viewing audience, and the first 2 seasons saw 57 of the game's elite participate. This year 15 newcomers will make their debut, including John-Robert Bellande, Hoyt Corkins, Roland de Wolfe, Chau Giang, Mark Gregorich, Sam Grizzle, Berry Johnston, J.J. Liu, Scotty Nguyen, David Oppenheim, Erica Schoenberg, Beth Shak, Gavin Smith, and Robert Williamson III. Another notable newcomer is amateur Ken Light, who will play in the opening match of the season. Ken won his seat via a freeroll at FullTiltPoker and was able to choose his personal dream line-up.

PAD3 will also debut a highly entertaining new program host named Marianela, who will bring her unique charm, wit, and personality to the show. This Argentina-born beauty is hip, creative, and as comfortable in front of a camera as any runway model. The players loved working with her, and viewers will especially enjoy how well she interacts with the players.

Win a $12,000 package for the PartyPoker.com Million VI for $1

22.12.2007

The first PartyPoker.com Million to visit the Mediterranean will be the held from May 3 through 10, 2008. The eight-day cruise will sail from Venice in Italy and will stop at the following ports:

* Bari, Italy
* Olympia/Katakolon, Greece
* Izmir, Turkey
* Istanbul, Turkey
* Dubrovnik, Croatia

Each $12,000 package will include:

* $8,200 buy-in for the No-limit Texas Hold’em main event
* $2,700 for accommodation and the cruise
* $1,100 spending money

You could win a $12,000 package for the PartyPoker.com Million VI. Join the qualifiers now for as little as $1.

HORSE Trophy named after Chip Reese

19.12.2007

Future winners of the $50,000 buy-in event at the World Series of Poker -- currently the HORSE World Championship -- will receive a trophy named after the late David "Chip" Reese, according to Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light.

"A true gentleman and the youngest person admitted to the Poker Hall of Fame, Chip Reese was recognized by his peers as the most successful player in the biggest mixed cash games of all time," Pollack said. "But he was also a great tournament player with three WSOP bracelets, including one for his historic victory in the inaugural $50,000 buy-in HORSE tournament in 2006." As a tribute to this great player who embodied the very best of our game, next year's $50,000 HORSE World Championship will be played in Chip's honor and memory," Pollack said. "And the winner will receive the 'David "Chip" Reese Award,' as well as a WSOP bracelet, to commemorate their achievement."

Review: CD Poker

18.11.2007

CDPoker is offering his players a sensational Sign up Bonus of 200% up to 600$. To use this Bonus you need to register with our Bonuscode pokerworld with CDPoker. In this quickly growing I-Poker Network CDPoker is offering Tournaments with high Pricepools and progressive Jackpots.

A very good customer service und a stable software with many additional features are only some of a list of good points in this poker room. All in all is CDPoker a good poker room with sophisticated Graphics and many promotions. Actually there is the possibility to receive a one year sponsorship as a professional Poker player.

Register here with our Bonuscode pokerworld and receive a 200% up to 600$ Sign up Bonus.

Titan Poker Announce ECOOP 2007

18.11.2007

Titan Poker is proud to announce its First Ever online poker series!!

The European Championship of Online Poker 2007 (ECOOP) will run for ten days and is giving away more than $2,500,000 in Guaranteed Prizes!!

The ECOOP will start at the end of November. For ten thrilling days, you will have the chance to compete for a share of $2,500,000! Each event winner will also receive a special ECOOP bracelet.

PLUS play for YOUR place on our special ECOOP leaderboard and you could win a seat in a $50,000 Freeroll!! All top 50 players will be eligible to play in the $50,000 GP Freeroll, which will be staged a day after the Main Event. Details to follow.

You can buy-in to the ECOOP directly or win your seat at satellites over the course of two qualifying periods. The first qualifying period has ALREADY STARTED!! The second starts on the 10th of September.

For a fantastic Sign up Bonus up to $1000 use the Bonuscode pokerworld

PKR has now more than 1 Million Users

28.09.2007

Next generation online poker room PKR has reached an historic milestone this week when it signed up its one millionth user. Passing the one million mark caps a phenomenal year of growth for PKR.com, which has come out of nowhere to quickly establish itself as a major player in the online poker market.

PKR's state of the art 3D graphics and immersive game system, which allow players to customise characters and interact with opponents using a range of body language and emotes, has proven irresistible to players around the world who have flocked to the site in record numbers since its August, 2006 launch.

A stand alone operator, PKR quickly proved more than capable of generating a critical mass of players with a product unique in the industry and with an innovative marketing campaign that has drawn a new generation of players to the game.

Entering its second year PKR is poised to continue scooping record numbers of players while leveraging other competitive advantages that place it in an extremely favourable market position. Licensed in Alderney, PKR is regulated by a jurisdiction recently 'white listed' by the Department for Culture Media and Sport in the UK, ensuring that PKR will be allowed to expand advertising efforts in one of its key markets while many rivals are frozen out.

PKR.com has also stayed completely out of the US, meaning the company has never accepted cash bets from American players. This decision has been fully vindicated in the light of the October passing of the UIGEA that effectively outlawed online gaming.

About PKR:

PKR is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that aims to change both the way that online poker is played and perceived. Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker.

Poker After Dark: New Episodes coming soon

28.09.2007

This week's match on NBC's Poker After Dark features five familiar faces, three of whom had victories in PAD's first season, and one newcomer. Returning are previous winners Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, John Juanda, and Clonie Gowen. These three will look to join Howard Lederer as the only other two-time winner on PAD. They are joined by Annie Duke, Andy Bloch, and David Williams, who will all compete for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.

Laak, Juanda, and Gowen represent an interesting contrast of personalities. Laak's antics and chatter, of course, have made him one of the more entertaining players to watch on television, as his victory over long-time rival Antonio Esfandiari last season will attest. Juanda's road to victory in PAD's first season was in sharp contrast to Laak's, as he engaged in a "strictly business" heads-up battle with Allen Cunningham, with nary a word exchanged between them. Gowen's victory during Ladies Week showed that she is certainly not shy about mixing it up, either verbally or with her play.

Duke, who has appeared twice on the show, and Bloch, who has appeared once, will be looking for their first victory. Duke is known to be chatty, while Bloch talks less but is always cordial. All of the players this week possess friendly natures, so look for lighthearted exchanges between them.

This will be PAD's first look at the sometimes-flamboyant Williams, who is known to wear just a touch of bling on occasion. But ever since emerging on the poker scene with his second-place finish in the 2004 World Series of Poker main event good for $3.5 million, Williams has added another $2.2 million to his coffers in tournament play, and is currently ranked 22nd on the all-time money list.

Brief profiles of all six players follow. The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 AM, September 24, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the "Director's Cut" will air late night Saturday, September 29, at 1:00 AM, right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews.

Each of the match's six segments can also be viewed daily at www.nbcsports.com/poker. More detailed information on the players is also available there and at www.pokerafterdark.com.

This match features a near-record comeback by one of the players, some fast play by another and some very interesting hands. For fans, picking the winner before the match begins will again not be easy, and affords a great opportunity for side bets among friends.

Phil Laak: (Seat 1)

• Nicknamed "The Unabomber" for the trademark hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses he usually wears
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.27 million
• Known for his unusual and often humorous antics and mannerisms at the table

David Williams: (Seat 2)

• Winner of one WSOP bracelet, and was runner-up to Greg Raymer in the 2004 WSOP main event
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.75 million, and ranks 22nd on the all-time money list
• According to an interview in ALL IN magazine, didn't wear the same pair of shoes from April 2006 until at least October 2006

Annie Duke: (Seat 3)

• Winner of one WSOP bracelet
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $3.47 million
• Ranks 2nd on the women's all-time money list, trailing only Kathy Liebert

Andy Bloch: (Seat 4)

• Holds two electrical engineering degrees from MIT and a law degree from Harvard
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $2.97 million
• Donates a great deal of the money he wins playing to charity

John Juanda: (Seat 5)

• Owns three WSOP bracelets
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $6.90 million, and ranks 14th on the all-time money list
• Soft-spoken at the tables, he has aspirations of becoming a physician once his playing days are over

Clonie Gowen: (Seat 6)

• Real first name is Cycalona, a name inspired from being born during a powerful storm in Oklahoma
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $570,000
• One of poker's more attractive women players, she appeared on the cover of the July 2006 issue of Maxim magazine

Eighteen Year Old Norwegian becomes poker millionaire

17.09.2007

A Norwegian 18-year-old became the first woman to win the World Series of Poker over the weekend.

A teenager from a country where it is illegal to play live poker for money has become an overnight millionaire and broken a string of records by winning the main event at the World Series of Poker in London.

"It's possible mama and I will buy a house now," Obrestad said after winning at the event in London.

She was also the youngest to ever win a World Series of Poker. She also beat last year's winner, Jamie Gold.

Obrestad started playing five-card stud with her father and became a regular online at the age of 17.

Germany's Thomas Bihl Captures First-Ever WSOPE Bracelet

10.09.2007

LONDON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The first round in the new battle for global poker bragging rights goes to Europe, thanks to Thomas "Buzzer" Bihl who made poker history today at the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe Presented by Betfair.com.

Bihl, a native of Frankfurt, Germany, who started playing poker just four years ago, won 70,875 pounds Sterling and the first-ever WSOP bracelet awarded outside the United States. Bihl outlasted a field of the world's top poker pros in one of the most challenging of all poker games, the 2,500 pounds Sterling HORSE championship that kicked off the inaugural WSOP Europe.

"Thomas Bihl has earned a place in poker history with this incredible win," said WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. "The fact that he is a Betfair player, when Betfair is our presenting sponsor, makes this even sweeter."

Two-time World Series of Poker winner and Nevada native Jennifer Harman finished a disappointing second after relinquishing a two-to-one chip lead to Bihl, who played a quiet waiting game for most of the 13-hour final table. Harman had hoped to add a third WSOP bracelet to her total today at the 2007 WSOP Europe.

Bihl emerged victorious in the three-day HORSE event - a tournament featuring five variations of poker -- at 4:15 a.m. GMT at The Casino at The Empire in London, capturing the 70,875 pounds Sterling first-place prize and a coveted WSOP gold bracelet made by luxury Swiss watchmaker CORUM.

Up to today's event, the 32-year-old Bihl had won $132,226 in official prize money in his four-year career. The event was the eighth major-tournament final table for Harman, whose official career winnings totaled $1,557,372 leading up to this competition. She has won millions more in the world's biggest cash games in the course of a professional poker career that began two decades ago in her hometown of Reno, Nevada.

WSOP bracelet winner Kirk Morrison finished third, winning 28,250 pounds Sterling. Five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Chris Ferguson finished fourth, adding 21,656 pounds Sterling, or more than $42,000, to his career earnings of $5,551,650. Russian phenom Alex Kravchenko collected 17,714 pounds Sterling for fifth place, while Yuval Bronshtein won 14,438 pounds Sterling for sixth, Joe Beevers 11,812 pounds Sterling for seventh and Gary Jones 9,118 for eighth. In all, the top 16 of the 105 entrants won 262,500 pounds Sterling in prize money.

An hour before the HORSE final table began, 156 of the world's top players anted up 5,000 pounds Sterling pounds to play in the WSOP Europe Pot-Limit Omaha championship. The WSOP Europe HORSE and Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments established record prize pools.

The World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com debuted in London September 6 and runs through September 16. The tournament is hosted at three casinos operated by London Clubs International -- Fifty on St. James Street, The Casino at the Empire on Leicester Square and The Sportsman at Marble Arch.

The World Series of Poker Europe consists of three events. The largest of these is the Main Event, a 10,000 pounds Sterling buy-in, 750-player, six-day tournament spread over three casinos with an expected prize pool of roughly 7.5 pounds Sterling million. The winner could take home more than 1.5 million pounds Sterling in cash, depending on the number of entrants, as well as a WSOP gold-bracelet, the most coveted prize in poker.

Additional information about the WSOP Europe can be found at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

The WSOP brand is owned by Harrah's License Company, LLC an affiliate of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. , the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through its operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company's properties operate primarily under the Harrah's(R), Caesars(R) and Horseshoe(R) brand names; Harrah's also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

More information about Harrah's is available at its Web site - www.harrahs.com.

French player wins Everest Poker Europe event

29.07.2007

Everest Poker today announced the winner of the online poker room's first direct entry poker tournament for a seat at the upcoming World Series of Poker Europe main event, "jujumalo" from France. The WSOP Europe event is a six-day £10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold'Em Championship held on September 10th in London. The participating casinos are The Empire, The Sportsman and Fifty. The playing field will be consolidated beginning September 13 at The Empire.

"Getting to send our players to a historical event like the first World Series of Poker Europe event is fantastic," said Jonathan May, Everest Poker property manager. "We fully believe that the WSOP Europe is going to become a rival to its American counterpart very quickly."

We fully believe that the WSOP Europe is going to become a rival to its American counterpart very quickly.

France had the heaviest participation in this past weekend's tournament, with 107 players competing for the WSOP Europe seat. Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands also sent a significant number of players. The next WSOP Europe direct entry tournaments willl be held on Saturday, 4 August, 2007, and Saturday, 18 August, 2007. There is one guaranteed seat at the WSOP Europe main event per direct entry tournament and the prize package includes travel and hotel expenses, along with that famous Everest Poker hospitality.

"We look forward to seeing more players take a shot at winning a seat at the biggest European poker event so far," added May. "Our satellites for these tournaments start out low and give players with any size of bank roll the chance to win big!"

Click here for more Information

Humans beat Poker Computer

27.07.2007

The humans won and the computer lost in The World's First Man-Machine Poker Championship, which pitted two poker masters against a computer program, called Polaris, at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) conference this week, in Vancouver B.C.

Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, a mechanical engineer and winner on the World Poker Tour, and Ali Eslami, a gaming consultant turned professional poker player, beat Polaris in the last two matches, even though Polaris won one match and played to a draw in the first two matches. Despite their loss, the team that programmed Polaris at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada) was upbeat about the results.

"We are delighted with winning and drawing two of the four matches. For us that was milestone--a huge step forward," said professor Jonathan Schaeffer, leader of the University of Alberta team. "For the last two sessions, the humans hunkered down and poured all their concentration into the match and they deserved to win."

The bout, which was supervised by the Poker Academy, included 2000 hands of poker played in four 500-hand sessions, with the cards being "dealt" electronically from randomly generated card decks. Two copies of Polaris simultaneously played against the two humans, who were isolated in separate rooms, with the pot shared between the humans at the end of each session. Laak and Eslami received a $50,000 prize for winning the match.

Unlike chess, in which a timer is used to keep the humans from thinking longer than the computer, the poker match allowed the humans to contemplate their hands as long as they wanted. Consequently, the human poker players made no obvious errors, the way Gary Kasparov did against IBM's Deep Blue--an error that many experts said caused Kasparov to loose to Deep Blue a decade ago.

"If we had had a time limit imposed, we probably would not have won," said Laak after the match.

In the third match, which Polaris lost to the humans, a bug in the program was detected after game play was over, prompting bloggers to report that the humans probably would have lost otherwise. Schaeffer disagreed.

"The bug meant that [Polaris] did not play as strongly as it should have--the version of Polaris used in session three was a learning program, and the bug meant that some of the data that was being gathered during the match was not learned. But the fact [that there was a] bug is completely irrelevant. The humans deserved to win," said Schaeffer.

Schaeffer managed a team of a dozen professors, staff engineers and graduate students who worked together to craft Polaris. Most of the algorithms that constitute Polaris were run ahead of time to compile a giant database of possible hands. During the match, Polaris, which was run on an Apple MacBook Pro, mainly just looked up the pre-computed results to decide what to do next. The only "learning" version of Polaris was used in session three; it contained some significant real-time code.

"To an engineer, poker might not sound like a difficult problem, and by industrial standards the program is not very large--maybe 20,000 lines of code--but the key to Polaris is not the actual software, but the ideas it was based on," said Schaeffer. "For chess, Deep Blue became a more formidable competitor when it was run on faster hardware. But Polaris is not like that--it was the ideas behind the algorithms that counted."

The programming team plans to stick together to improve Polaris, based on its performance during the match, plus new ideas that Schaeffer hopes new graduate students will be able to contribute before next year's match.

"This was a grueling experience for our team," said Schaeffer. "But after the match our team was pumped up, and we are looking forward to competing with an improved version of Polaris next year.

Richest Cash Game in History on High Stakes Poker IV

20.07.2007

GSN's HIGH STAKES POKER ("HSP") continues to be the richest cash game in history on television and the last seven episodes in season IV have up to and over $5 million on the table. HSP IV premieres on Monday, August 27 at 9 PM ET/8 CT from South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This season features 17 episodes up from 13 episodes in season III.

Once again the world's top players and personalities face off against newcomers putting up at least $100,000 of their own cash in a private, no limit game of Texas Hold'em. HSP IV gives viewers the unique experience of watching Vegas' biggest game in action. The popular duo of Gabe Kaplan and AJ Benza return and bring their unique commentary to the series.

The line up of players includes the controversial Phil Hellmuth returning to the game after taking two seasons off, as well as the legendary Doyle Brunson, the charismatic Daniel Negreanu and 2006 WSOP champion Jamie Gold. In addition popular pros return including: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, Jennifer Harman, Barry Greenstein, Eli Elezra, Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, Sammy Farha, and Todd Brunson.

Beginning Monday, November 5, HSP IV goes where no poker show has ever gone before as the minimum buy-in was raised up to $500,000. The final seven shows of the season feature the following players: Doyle Brunson, Jamie Gold, Daniel Negreanu, Sammy Farha, Antonio Esfandiari, Patrik Antonius, David Benyamine and Guy Laliberte. Laliberte, making his first appearance on HSP, is the owner and founder of Cirque Du Soleil. He is donating a percentage of the money he wins to his charity "One Drop."

Also appearing for the first time on HSP this season are: Mike Baxter, Brian Brandon, Brandon Adams, Phil Galfond, Bob Safai, Antonio Solorio and Haralabosa Voulgaris. Once again the players will be rotating throughout the season in the episodes.

Click here for playing High Stakes Poker.

Jerry Yang wins WSOP 2007

20.07.2007

WSOP Winner: Jerry Yang, a 39-year-old psychologist who uses his professional training in his card-playing arsenal, won the $8.25 million top prize Wednesday at the World Series of Poker. He won his way into the main event from a $225 satellite tournament and only began playing poker two years ago. On the last hand, with a huge mound of cash deposited on the felt, Lam moved all-in with an ace and queen of diamonds and Yang called with pocket eights.

When a queen, five and nine came on the flop, it looked like Lam, waving a Canadian flag, would be on the verge of a miracle comeback, making a pair of queens for the lead. But a seven on the turn and a six on the river gave Yang a straight, sealing a win in which he dominated the final table from the moment the nine finalists sat down.

Daniel Negranu joins Team Pokerstars

11.06.2007

PokerStars, the world's largest online poker site, today announced that champion poker player Daniel Negreanu has decided to make PokerStars his new professional home. A legend for his ability to read players, spot the best action and mentor up-and-coming players, Negreanu will join Team PokerStars as its newest ambassador of the sport beloved by 50 million people worldwide.

"I've enjoyed a long personal relationship with the folks at PokerStars since the company's founding in 2001 and have always felt as though PokerStars fully understood what players wanted: lots of tournaments, lots of variety and great software," said Daniel Negreanu. "I'm very excited about joining Team PokerStars. The organization seems like the perfect fit for me and I'm glad they feel the same way."

The Toronto native left school early to pursue his dream of becoming a professional poker player and officially moved to Las Vegas at age 23. At the 1997 World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, Negreanu won back-to-back titles, earning himself the Best Player Award. He has since won three World Series of Poker bracelets, winning his first in 1998 (in the first WSOP event he had ever entered) at the age of 23, making him the youngest bracelet winner ever at that time. Negreanu has also been a dominant figure on the World Poker Tour, winning two titles and also boasting more top three finishes than any other player.

A perennially popular player, Negreanu had been named the "Player of the Year," by the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour and Card Player magazine, as well as "Favorite Poker Player" by Card Player in February 2006.

Negreanu has written over 100 articles for Card Player magazine, has a syndicated newspaper column in over 50 cities and also has a best selling book on the market entitled, "Hold'em Wisdom for All Players." For his second book, Daniel has assembled a team of `Superstar Contributors' to write a book called, "Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy." He regularly plays against these contributors in televised tournaments and high stakes games including Late Night Poker, High Stakes Poker, the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament and Ultimate Poker Challenge (as a commentator and stand-in host).

"Daniel embodies what poker and PokerStars are all about: enjoying the excitement and the challenge of poker," said fellow Team PokerStars Player Barry Greenstein. "Daniel is a true ambassador of the sport and we welcome him to the Team as well as all of his players and fans from Full Contact Poker. We know they will enjoy the PokerStars experience."

Click here for more Information.

New Episode of Poker After Dark to Air June 11

11.06.2007

Fans of NBC’s Poker After Dark have a reason to smile, as three new matches make their debut in June on this popular show. Ten more episodes were filmed at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in early May, and this week’s show is the first of these never-before-seen exclusive matches. Once again, each episode will feature six of the best poker players in the world engaged in a $120,000 winner-take-all freezeout.

The new series of matches kicks off in dramatic fashion with “Champions Week,” and like last season, features six players who have each won the World Series of Poker Main Event. Returning to the felt to participate in this clash of poker titans are Doyle Brunson (1976-1977), Jamie Gold (2006), and Johnny Chan (1987-1988). Chan bested Brunson, Gold, Chris Ferguson (2000), Chris Moneymaker (2003), and Carlos Mortensen (2001) in winning this match during PAD’s first season.

But Chan will also have to contend with three new formidable opponents in addition to Brunson and Gold in an attempt to defend his title. Joining this week’s match are former World Champions Huck Seed (1996), Greg Raymer (2004) and Joseph Hachem (2005). This will be our first look at both Raymer and Hachem on Poker After Dark, as neither participated in any of the previously aired matches.

This turned out to be an extraordinary battle and lasted more than 175 hands, a long match given the structure employed. Fans will especially enjoy the epic heads-up battle for the title, which comprises the entire final episode and gives viewers a great look into what goes through the minds of two of the champions as they attempt to eliminate one another and lay claim to the title.

The match will begin airing late night Monday on NBC at 2:05 AM, June 11, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. The “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, June 16, at 1:00 AM, right after Saturday Night Live. This show features a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews, and concludes with the winner sitting down with Shana Hiatt to discuss and analyze the match.

Each of the match’s six segments can also be viewed daily on www.nbcsports.com/poker. More detailed information on the players is available at this website as well.

Gold, Jamie: (Seat 1)

* Reigning World Series of Poker Champion, winning $12 million for his victory in 2006 by outlasting 8772 players
* First person in history to eclipse $10 million in tournament winnings

Hachem, Joseph: (Seat 2)

* 2005 World Series of Poker Champion
* Career tournament winnings in excess of $10.32 million, and ranks 2nd on the all-time money list

Raymer, Greg: (Seat 3)

* World Series of Poker Champion in 2004
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.79 million, and ranks 17th on the all-time money list

Seed, Huck: (Seat 4)

* Owns 4 WSOP bracelets and was the 1996 World Series of Poker Champion
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $3.42 million, and ranks 45th on the all-time money list

Brunson, Doyle: (Seat 5)

* Back-to-back World Series of Poker Champion in 1976 and 1977
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $4.96 million, and ranks 24th on the all-time money list

Chan, Johnny: (Seat 6)

* Back-to-back World Series of Poker Champion in 1987 and 1988
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.92 million, and ranks 14th on the all-time money list

Everest Poker Announces Tournaments for Seats at WSOP Main Event

22.05.2007

Everest Poker today announced that the online poker room was beginning a series of biweekly tournaments that gave players the chance to win a seat at the upcoming World Series of Poker Main Event. This year's WSOP Main Event lasts 11 days and will be held at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas beginning on 6 July.

"The World Series of Poker Main Event is a massive tournament for any player to be a part of," said Jonathan May, Everest Poker property manager. "Getting there is not easy at all, and that's why we're very eager to see how our players perform."

The first direct entry tournament for seats was held on 19 May 2007 at 15:00 GMT. Further tournaments will be held on a biweekly basis, with the next occurring on 2 June. Buy-in for these direct entry poker tournaments is $100+9. Seats in the biweekly tournaments can also be gained through daily satellite tournaments featuring a low buy-in of $11+1.

"Players who win a seat at the WSOP Main Event get a complete package. Everest Poker covers the $10,000 it'd take to get to walk through the door as well as their travel expenses," May added. "We even make sure you get Everest Poker gear!"

In addition to the World Series of Poker Main Event, Everest Poker sends players to poker tournaments around the world as well as sponsoring their own major events. Every Sunday, the poker room hosts a $100,000 guaranteed holdem poker tournament for its players and the Everest Poker Avalanche, a tournament culminating in a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize is currently in full swing.

Click here for more Information.

National HeadsUp Championship showcases the Underdogs in the Final 8

11.05.2007

NBC will present taped coverage of the sixth installment of its ultimate big-stakes poker showdown, the National Heads-Up Poker Championship presented by Outback Steakhouse, from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Sunday at Noon ET/ 4 p.m. PT. This season's most talked about underdog, American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth, wiped out the high profile veteran Barry Greenstein last week, and will take on Costa Rica's poker heavyweight Humberto Brenes this Sunday. The other feature tables will include the first female professional player to advance this far in NHPC history Kristy Gazes against "Downtown" Chad Brown; Season IV World Poker Tour Player of the Year Gavin Smith against 2006 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E event runner-up Andy Bloch; and a match-up between two of poker's emerging stars Paul Wasicka and Nam Le. The four players to advance to the semifinal are guaranteed at least $125,000.

Quarter Final Match-Ups:

Shannon Elizabeth vs. Humberto Brenes
Kristy Gazes vs. Chad Brown
Gavin Smith vs. Andy Bloch
Paul Wasicka vs. Nam Le

Remaining 2007 National Heads Up Poker Schedule:

May 13: Noon- 2 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)
May 20: Noon-3 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT)

The National Heads-Up Poker Championship is a unique, head-to-head, single-elimination tournament with 64 players competing for the $1.5 million purse.

Full Tilt player wins WTP Five Star World Poker Classic

08.05.2007

Full Tilt Poker pro Carlos "The Matador" Mortensen, rallied through three hours of grueling heads-up play against Kirk Morrison to win the 2007 WPT Five Star World Poker Classic. The $3.9 million victory makes him the first player to ever win both a WPT World Championship and a WSOP Main Event.

Mortensen started heads-up play as a two-thirds underdog, with 12.8 million in chips to Morrison's 19.45 million, and within 15 minutes lost even more ground by losing more than six million in one hand.

Down but not out, Mortensen built up his chip stack over then next hour until he rivered a straight and took the lead. Unfortunately, it wouldn't last. Just 10 minutes later, Morrison doubled up, and Mortensen had to dig himself out of another big hole.

The chip lead would switch sides three more times during the night. Finally, the pivotal moment came when Morrison moved all in pre-flop with A-4, and Mortensen called with K-J suited. The flop fell 7-4-3 giving Morrison a big advantage with a pair. But a Jack on the turn and a 3 on the river meant Mortensen had a higher two pair and the victory.

Mortensen's latest $3.9 million win moves him into the top-10, all-time money list and is a crowning achievement in an already impressive career. Besides winning the 2001 Main Event, Mortensen owns another World Series of Poker* bracelet and a second WPT title.

"Carlos Mortensen has always been one of the most dangerous players on the circuit," said fellow Full Tilt Poker pro Howard Lederer. "With this win he solidifies his legacy as one of the most successful major championship event competitors in poker history."

Mortensen represents one of the fastest growing online poker sites, www.FullTiltPoker.com, and spends several hours a week online helping amateur players learn the game by sharing his poker knowledge through real-time chats at the virtual tables. Along with Mortensen, 66 other top poker professionals play at www.FullTiltPoker.com, where they have helped to create the best possible atmosphere for players who want to improve their games.

Full Tilt Poker's 67 professional players own a total of 70 WSOP bracelets between them. "Team Full Tilt," is a select group of the world's finest professional poker players, including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Gus Hansen, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, Clonie Gowen, John Juanda, Mike Matusow, and Allen Cunningham. Full Tilt Poker offers players the unique opportunity to Learn, Chat and Play poker with the best poker pros in the game.

CEO Poker Tour Partners with Poker Players Alliance

26.04.2007

The CEO Poker Tour (www.ceopokertour.com), where executives battle for the title of Chairman of Poker, is partnering with the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) (www.pokerplayersalliance.org), which supports poker player rights, by strategically including PPA in the year long poker tour.

The partnership will include a strong presence at every tournament location to include: placement of PPA items and information in CEO Poker gift bags, poker room banner, CEO Poker website insertion with link to PPA website, logo on direct mail pieces, and more.

"We are excited at the possibility of reaching more potential members through our inclusion in the national CEO Poker Tour," says Michael Bolcerek, President of the Poker Players Alliance. "The Poker Players Alliance is committed to defending the rights of poker players, and we search for opportunities, at strategic poker events through out the country, to further our message of protection of the poker game in the US and globally."

PPA's first strategic marketing presence will be at the CEO Poker Tour, at Trump Taj Mahal, May 19-25, where players will battle over the green felt of the poker table with buy-ins from $500-$5000.
"This is the first time that PPA will be included in a poker tournament kit and will mark an important step in furthering the support of thoughtful legislation to protect the game of poker," says William Peraza Jr. CEO of CEO Poker. "We see this as a long term relationship that will only grow over time."

PPA with over 350,000 members and counting is supporting poker player rights in a variety of ways, including partnerships with companies that believe in the importance of protection of the game.

World Poker Tour will film 100th episode

26.04.2007

Bringing World Poker Tour history full circle, the WPT will film its 100th episode and wrap its 5th anniversary season next week at Bellagio--where the very first WPT episode was shot five years ago.

"We couldn't ask for a more fitting way to celebrate these incredible milestones," said Steve Lipscomb, President, Founder, and CEO of WPT. "Bellagio is a key charter member who helped us launch the World Poker Tour and create a global phenomenon. To come full circle back to where it all started and film the biggest event of the year, shoot our 100th episode, and conclude our 5th season... it's just truly amazing."

The television milestones will take place April 27 as WPT tapes the final table of the season's biggest and richest tournament, WPT World Championship. Boasting a $25,000 buy-in, the Championship brings together hundreds of world-class poker pros who battle it out in a week-long tournament for a piece of the multi-million dollar prize pool and the prestigious Championship title. Last year's first place winner, Joe Bartholdi of Las Vegas, beat a field of 605 players to take home $3.7 million. The Championship kicks off Saturday, April 21.

WPT will also film a special final table on April 28, Poker by the Book, Chapter II, which will pit pros who have authored books on poker instruction against each other to see who will school whom. This exciting final table will feature top pros Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari, Dan Harrington, Barry Greenstein, Johnny Chan, and Tom McEvoy. Audience members will receive a copy of the most recent book written by each player.

Members of the public are invited to sit in a television audience to watch the final tables filmed on the WPT set. To receive free tickets, please check-in at the Bellagio Ballroom at 3pm on April 27th for the Championship and April 28th for Poker by the Book.

National Poker League Launches Charity Poker Tour at Paris Open

20.04.2007

The National Poker League (NPL) and FundRaisers.com are joining forces to launch a unique effort appropriately coined the NPL Charity Group.

The organizations announced the formation of The Charity Poker Tour to be held at every 2007 NPL World Open venue, kicking off with the upcoming Paris Open. As the first tournament of the 2007 circuit, the Paris Open will be May 13-22, 2007 with an estimated prize pool of $3.5 million euros plus $125,000 (euros) added money. The tournament is expected to reach Europe's highest attendance where all players will also be invited to enjoy an exclusive VIP Charity Gala.

Host casino Cercle Gaillon will welcome the players for the Paris Open at which NPL has created the ultimate poker experience, offering players the opportunity to play and appear in any of the six 1-hour television episodes from each tour stop that will be aired to more than 350 million households worldwide. The charities will be featured on TV on all televised markets. The National Poker League is the only poker television series produced in high definition.

The NPL Charity Group is committed to giving back to the community. The organization designed this poker circuit with charities along with local associations and organizations in mind, aiming to help meet the needs of fundraisers for their causes. Annie Van Bebber, Founder of Fundraisers.com has been tracking and reporting on the phenomenon of charity poker tournaments and after meeting with NPL comments "We believe that with the growth of charity poker tournaments and auctions, along with the popularity of poker shows on television, that this combination will help to raise awareness for the charities and funds for their causes," according to Ms. Van Bebber.

Along with NPL and Fundraisers.com, charity sponsors include Louis Vuitton, Dior, TF1 TV Group, UUU, SBM, Patron Spirits and Le Queenie, the club hosting the gala party. Media and venue sponsors are Le Queenie, Hotel California-Paris, Bluff magazine, Bluff Europe, and PokerNews.com.

The VIP Charity Gala will hold a Live auction with auctioneer M. Frederic Chambre from Pierre Berge to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Items up for auction are a one of a kind poker chip set from Louis Vuitton (LVMH group), a one of a kind Dior Watch engraved and sponsored from Cercle Gaillon, a package for the Grand Prix de Monaco (Formula sponsored by the French Channel TF1, package of 3 cards (2 VIP and 1 platinum) from UUU concierge service, a unique crystal bottle of Tequila sponsored from Patron, a weekend package in Monte Carlo at L'Hotel de Paris + dinner for 2 sponsored from SBM and a package for the NPL UK open in London in August sponsored by the NPL.

McHugh fourth in poker event

17.04.2007

Danny McHugh arrived back on Irish soil last Friday at the end of a week he’s not likely to forget. His holiday in England had been shorter than planned but he wasn’t complaining. Having booked a flight for last Sunday week, his progress in the Paddy Power Irish Poker Open kept him in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin. By the time he caught a flight on Tuesday, he had finished fourth in the prestigious event and had €291,000 spending money!

Yet he almost didn’t make it to the starting line. Fifteen minutes after submitting his entry, McHugh (manager of Supermac’s in Claremorris and Ballinrobe) was called to a fire at his place of work in Ballinrobe. Were it not for the fire brigade’s speedy intervention, there would have been no card-playing. Then he arrived in Dublin the following day to discover that his draft entry had gone AWOL. Thankfully, proof of postage had been secured and four Mayo entrants (McHugh, his cousin Brendan, Eamonn Walsh and Niall Higgins from Kiltimagh) took their places as the action got under way. Legends of the sport were to be seen at every turn.

“It really hit me about three-quarters of the way through the first day,” McHugh recalls. “I was just sitting there and the next thing Padraig Parkinson, one of the top guys in Ireland, comes and sits down beside me. It was unbelievable. Emily, my wife, plays golf and I was saying to her that it would be like playing a fourball with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington!”
Poker is invariably a roller-coaster ride – one minute you’re up, the next you’re down. It’s a game for night owls too – play went on til 3.30am. McHugh survived day one, and fought his way into the top 70, thus guaranteeing himself a cash prize. His companions, eliminated from the competition, stayed on to offer support and advice. By day three, the Garrymore footballer was 36th out of the 46 remaining players, and was drawn at a table featured in RTÉ’s television coverage of the event.

“By then it was nearly all down to professionals. It’s very different to what it looks like on TV – pure psychology and mind games! And what’s shown on TV is only a fraction of the time we spend on the table. It was going on for 12 hours a day, and you’re really like a zombie. Even going to the toilet is an issue!”

On Monday night, McHugh had made it into the last seven and was back on the small screen. He received over 200 text messages that day from all over the county. After three players were eliminated, McHugh and the other three still in contention (professionals all) reached a deal. He eventually walked away, not with the official €175,000 prize for fourth place, but €291,000. Not a bad weekend’s work.

It’s a remarkable story when you consider that McHugh only seriously took up the game a year ago – though he dabbled a little bit when he ‘should have been studying’ in Sligo! Having enjoyed some success in online tournaments, he had his eye on the Irish Open, and would now love a go at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Lest the success go to his head, however, he got a text from Michael Higgins, who observed: “You’re number 83 in the world, you’re the number two Irish player in the world, you’re number 38 in the European rankings, you’re number 22 on the all-time Irish money list, and you’re number seven in the Claremorris Poker League!” We always did have high standards in Mayo.

Daniel Carey - http://www.mayonews.ie/

Students are playing online poker to earn money

17.04.2007

Some students wait tables, lifeguard, bartend or do office work as part-time jobs during college.
Others play online poker.

For Daniel Stermer, 19, and Kevin Laird, 20, playing online poker is not only fun, but a way to put money in their pockets."If you are good enough, you can make money," said Laird, a University of Florida sophomore. "Then it can be your part-time job."

Online poker began in 1998 with the launch of the Planet Poker Web site, according to the CBS News Web site. Since then it has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry.

Among males 18 to 22, online gambling doubled in the past year, according to a report by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. More than 50 percent of college-aged males gamble on a monthly basis, the report stated.

Laird has played online poker for two years, but didn't start playing for money until a year ago.
In that time, Laird has won about $8,000 and plays five to six days a week.
"You have to take poker seriously," he said. "You have to approach it as a game of skill instead of a game of luck."

The number of online poker sites is in the hundreds, said Stermer, a UF finance sophomore.
The most popular sites are Poker Stars, Party Poker, Full Tilt Poker, Interpoker, Titan Poker, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet.
People have to make their own luck in poker and manipulate it in order to win, he said.
He has been playing poker for money online for seven months and has won about $5,000 playing almost every day of the week.
Depending on the game or tournament he enters, Stermer said he usually spends five to six hours a day playing.

Poker is a purely competitive activity, he said. The key to it is that a person has to have a passion for the game in order to be successful.

People gamble because they like the risk and the feeling of excitement while playing, said Ilan Shrira, a UF assistant psychology professor.

Men are more inclined to gamble, he said. Women tend to be more social than men and would prefer to play face to face than online.
Karlie Petrilla, a UF athletic training sophomore, said she started playing poker a year ago and now plays about once a week with a group of people who live on campus in the Murphree area.

She said she enjoys playing poker because it's fun, a good way to hang out with friends and meet new people.
She has never played poker online, but knows a friend who does.

"Poker is more about being around people than watching it on a screen," Petrilla said.

Natalie Arce Indelicato, a visiting clinical assistant professor at the UF Counseling Center, warns students of the potential to become addicted to gambling.
Gambling has legal, social and academic consequences, she said.

Indelicato said student gamblers may withdraw from friends, lose interest in other activities, suffer from depression and experience declining academic performance.

Group and individual counseling dealing with substance abuse and addictive behaviors are available to all students at the UF Counseling Center, she said.

A lot of psychology can be learned from poker, Laird said. Poker teaches people how to keep their emotions in check, to not let their egos get in the way and to become more patient.

People get into trouble when they play above their spending limit, he said. They shouldn't get into games they can't afford to lose.

Stermer said he is not addicted to playing poker, but it's just something he's compelled to do.

He could stop whenever he feels like it, but he makes it a top priority in his life because it's how he makes money, he said.
Laird compared his poker playing to football players who practice every day.
He said just because they play every day does not mean they are addicted to football; they just do it because they got a scholarship to play.

He said poker can interfere with schoolwork, but everyone has something in their life that they do, whether it's partying, watching TV or playing video games.

"My interference is just playing poker," Laird said.

Ashley Furrow (gainesville.net)

WPT Deals Poker to Game Show Network

11.04.2007

WPT Enterprises Inc. said Thursday it signed a licensing deal with Game Show Network LLC for the sixth season of its World Poker Tour television series.

WPT previously had an agreement with The Travel Channel LLC for the show. But WPT said in a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that The Travel Channel did not pick up an option for the sixth season of the show.

Under terms of the agreement with the Game Show Network, WPT will receive a $300,000 licensing fee per episode. The per episode fee will climb by 5 percent in future seasons if GSN exercises options for those seasons.

WPT may also receive a bonus fee per episode between $20,000 and $35,000, if the average Nielsen ratings of all premiere episodes in a season exceed a certain agreed-upon level. The bonus fee will be paid at the end of each season.

GSN has options for the seventh and eighth seasons of the show.

J.C. Tran captures World Poker Tour Title

31.03.2007

After making five World Poker Tour® (WPT) final tables in his career--with three in the past two months--professional poker player J.C. Tran won his first WPT Champion title yesterday at the World Poker Challenge at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev. Beating out a field of 475 pros and amateurs, the 30-year-old Sacramento, Calif., native will take home a first place prize of $683,473 and a $25,000 seat in the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio in April.

On the heels of two recent WPT final table appearances--including a second place finish in the Los Angeles Poker Classic on March 1 and a sixth place finish in the World Poker Open on January 25--Tran will pass the current point leader Joe Pelton in the Season V WPT Player of the Year race. The Player of the Year will be announced after the WPT World Championship, which is the last tournament of Season V.

Tran secured his first place World Poker Challenge finish on the fourth hand of heads-up poker against Juan Carlos Alvarado, who moved all in pre-flop. Tran called with pocket 10s that held up against Alvarado's A6, sending the 21-year-old Alvarado home with a second place prize of $366,798. During the winner toast, Alvarado expressed his praise to Tran, saying, "I have a tremendous amount of respect for JC. He deserves this."

Poker pro David "the Dragon" Pham placed third, winning $182,260, followed by poker pro and Professional Poker Tour(TM) commentator, Mark "the Shark" Seif in fourth with $159,478. John Hom went out in fifth taking home $136,695, leaving Danny Wong in sixth with a $113,913 prize.

PKR Springfest coming up

29.03.2007

PKR unveiled details today of its groundbreaking new online poker festival Springfest. The event is expected to draw thousands of competitors from around the world by giving players at all levels the chance to play for big money prize pools plus a shot at a seat in the world's most prestigious poker event – the World Series of Poker.

With at least $85,000 up for grabs during a week of spectacular poker action this is PKR's biggest event ever and, true to PKR's innovative approach, signals a major departure from traditional online poker events.

PKR Cardroom Manager Neil Wright said, "We wanted to make Springfest different by making it more accessible to everyday players who are put off by the big buy-ins of other major festivals. So we put together a series of tournaments with very impressive prize pools with lower buy-ins and satellites that players can buy into for as little as $1.10".

The action kicks off March 31 and runs for eight action packed days – culminating in the main event on April 7 with a $25,000 Guaranteed no limit hold 'em tournament.

Throughout Springfest players can test their skill in a variety of exciting formats, each featuring big time prize pools and affordable buy-ins. The winner of each event, along with the top two players from the Springfest leaderboard, will qualify for the Tournament of Champions to play off for a seat in the 2007 WSOP main event.

With low buy-ins, satellite tournaments and a wide range of games to play Springfest really does offer something for everyone. And with each event winner receiving a solid silver commemorative bracelet, they'll be playing for keeps!

Click here for more Information.

Danielle Lloyd battles Ted Sheringham for lots of money

20.03.2007

Sexy Danielle Lloyd is to go head-to-head with ex-boyfriend Teddy Sheringham in a £100million poker match.

Model Dani, 23, is about to be signed up as the face of betting giant Ladbrokes’ poker empire.

The Big Brother babe’s gorgeous face and figure will be used to promote the firm’s tournaments.

And that means the Liverpool lass will be battling it out with former lover Teddy, 40, who fronts rival bookie Victor Chandler’s poker ventures.

The pair, who split last month, will now be competing on behalf of their companies to win the biggest slice of Britain’s poker market, worth more than £100m and rising.

The battle between the pair will be one of the industry’s most compelling contests.

A betting source said: “Dani’s appearance on the poker scene will really raise the stakes, but there’s no way Teddy is going to fold and let her and Ladbrokes take the jackpot. This will be some game.”

The poker war was sparked by Dani’s visit to the Cheltenham Festival last week. She won £10,000 at the races after picking out three winners, including Gold Cup champ Kauto Star.

Ladbrokes bosses were so impressed, they decided to sign her up for a string of celebrity poker games they have planned this year.

Danielle, who was taught poker by West Ham striker Teddy, has already enjoyed success at the tables.

But her new job won’t please Teddy, who is long established as the face of Victor Chandler.

He launched the world’s biggest ever online Grand Slam poker event last year with a £5m jackpot on offer.

Poker After Dark: This week's preview

19.03.2007

NBC’s Poker After Dark continues to bring viewers the very best in six-handed table match-ups with the airing of its 12th week. Three of the poker’s more vocal and controversial players, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, and Tony G, will take center stage in what promises to be anything but a quiet match. They will go up against three other highly recognized and accomplished pros in Andy Bloch, Sam Farha, and Phil Ivey.

Matusow and Hellmuth have had some classic confrontations in the past, and each is known to needle the other incessantly when seated at the same table. The addition of one of the game’s most caustic trash talkers in Tony G, though, could add even more fuel to a match that already has potential for some fireworks.

But these three have many other attributes other than their propensity to wear their emotions on their sleeves and to pummel the airwaves with insults and expletives. Together, they have won more than $14 million in tournament play, and whether you love them or not, they do make for interesting television.

The above bad boys, however, are not the only players in this match. They will have to contend against the steady play of Andy Bloch, the shiftiness of Sam Farha, and the skills of one of the game’s best in Phil Ivey. All had good years in 2006, with Bloch earning nearly $1.6 million, Ivey almost $1.4 million, and Farha winning his second WSOP bracelet. Collectively, they have won nearly as much as the other three in tournament play, cashing for over $12 million in their lifetimes.

Brief profiles on all six players follow. The match will begin airing late night Monday at 2:05 AM, Monday, March 19, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, March 24, at 1:00 AM, right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews, and conclude with the winner sitting down with Shana Hiatt to discuss and analyze the match.
By Dennis Oehring

World Series of Poker prepares for 10,000 entrants in Las Vegas

19.03.2007

LAS VEGAS (AP) - World Series of Poker organizers are preparing for 10,000 entrants to this year's main event, a 14 percent increase from last year, despite a U.S. crackdown on online gambling sites that have boosted the tournament's popularity.

Organizers said Wednesday that the number was for planning purposes only, and did not reflect confidence that last year's 8,773 entrants would be topped. Half of last year's record number of entrants were estimated to have won their seats in online qualifier events.

"It is not either a target, a goal or a prediction," tournament commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said during a conference call with reporters. "But again, you've got to plan for something. We're planning for a top level of 10,000 but if there are more, we will figure it out."

The tournament plans to build a structure beside the host Rio casino-hotel in Las Vegas and increase the number of tables to 258, Pollack said. That would be enough to allow more than 3,000 players to play the first three days of the main event.

A higher number of entrants would mean the grand prize for the world's richest poker game would exceed last year's $12 million.

The tournament also said it was distancing itself from online poker sites that accept bets from U.S. players, in line with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The measure was signed by President Bush as part of a port security bill in October.

Groups associated with dot-com poker sites that take U.S. wagers will no longer be allowed to set up VIP booths and displays, Pollack said.

The tournament, owned by Harrah's Entertainment Inc., also is warning sites that improperly use trademarked material, such as the tournament name, to stop.

That could include poker Web sites such as FullTiltPoker.com and Bodog.com, which are holding satellite tournaments that award World Series of Poker seats worth $10,000 apiece.

Pollack said players would not be able to sport logos from sites that continue to violate its trademark rights by the time the first events of the 47-day tournament series begin June 1.

The trademark warnings could crimp registrations, said Internet gambling expert and lawyer Anthony Cabot.

"I think they're in a difficult position," Cabot said. "They're a licensed entity and therefore have to be cognizant of the new laws and the potential impact those new laws could have on them as a company. At the same time, implementation of those policies will have a negative economic impact on the tournament."
By RYAN NAKASHIMA

Wall Street's poker gamble: All-in with WPT

14.03.2007

Poker may not seem as hip as it was just a few years ago. And nobody's feeling that more than shareholders of WPT Enterprises, operator of the World Poker Tour.

Wall Street has pretty much cashed in all its chips on WPT over the past few years. The stock, which hit an all-time high of $29.50 in 2005 on merger speculation, has since sunk to about $5.

A group of investors led by poker legend Doyle Brunson made an offer to buy the company in 2005, but the takeover overture turned out to be a, uh, bluff. WPT then hired investment bank Thomas Weisel last February to explore the possibility of a sale, only to have the company announce in September that it had decided to remain independent.

But some analysts think that the company is now a good bet.

Hedge fund manager holds the right cards

WPT reported fourth-quarter numbers after the close Monday, and the results were mixed: sales jumped 13 percent, but the company reported a loss of 5 cents a share, larger than analysts were expecting. Wall Street also expects WPT to post a loss of 4 cents a share for all of 2007.

Still, the company, which generates the majority of its sales from domestic television licensing revenue - World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour shows air on the Discovery Holding -owned Travel Channel - hopes to become a winning hand with investors once again thanks to the relaunch of its online poker site later this year.

Clint Morrison, an analyst with Feltl & Co., a Minneapolis-based investment bank, said the company's first online poker site - which is only available to consumers outside of the U.S. since Internet gambling is illegal here - has not been as big a success for WPT as the company originally hoped.

That's because the site, which was run by a third party, had several technical problems and often crashed. Morrison said the company has learned from its past mistakes and invested heavily in software to develop a new site that it should roll out sometime in the second quarter of this year.

And even without the prospect of getting money from U.S. poker junkies, Morrison still thinks that WPT could do well with a new site since online poker is about a $1 billion market globally.

"The whole story is going to be WPT bringing up their new online poker site. That's where the real growth and the upside for the stock is. They should be able to leverage a strong brand in what is a large and profitable market," Morrison said.
Kicking the urge to lose money

To that end, despite the glitches on the first WPT online poker site, revenue from online gambling has already become an increasingly important part of the company's overall financial health. WPT generated $3.2 million in online gaming sales during 2006, more than 10 percent of the company's total revenue.

And one fund manager who owns shares of the company thinks that online poker could wind up being a much bigger revenue and profit generator once the new site kicks in.

"If they can just get a small piece of the online gaming market, it could be big for WPT. With their brand name and presence you would think they should be able to do really well," said Daniel Perkins, co-manager of the Perkins Discovery fund. "If they can get just 2 percent of the online gaming market, that could mean $20 million in sales and maybe they can do a lot better than that."

To put the $20 million figure in perspective, WPT is expected to generate just about $28 million in total sales in 2007.

However, WPT's decision to go it alone in online gaming also means more risks for the company. Traci Mangini, an analyst with ThinkEquity Partners, wrote in a recent report that she would prefer to see WPT partner with other poker companies on an online network in order to reduce costs.

"Given the capital-intensive nature and technical expertise needed to develop the network in-house, we continue to believe that this is not the best course of action for the company," she wrote.

"While joining a poker network does mean it must share revenues [typically 20-25 percent of the rake], we believe the benefits of immediate player liquidity, faster ramp up, and elimination of significant costs [capital expenditures and technical expertise needed to build and maintain the site] outweigh the loss of control and ability to retain 100 percent of revenues," Mangini said.

Morrison concedes that profits will probably take a hit in 2007 as the company invests in the new site. But he thinks that will be worth it in the long run.

World Poker Challenge starting at Grand Sierra Resort

06.03.2007

Season Five of the World Poker Challenge returns to Grand Sierra Resort & Casino starting Thursday, March 8 and continuing through March 28.

The event is a favorite of top poker players hoping to win before advancing to play in the World Poker Tour (WPT) finals held in Las Vegas later this year.

The World Poker Challenge in Reno is a growing event, thanks in part to popularity of televised poker.

Players who buy-in by March 25 pay only $5,150, the lowest buy-in of all WPT events. Buy-ins for similar qualifying WPT events held at major Las Vegas and Native American-owned casinos can require buy-ins of over $10,000.

In 2006, a record number of players competed for the biggest pot ever at the Reno event. Cool competitor Michael Simon beat out 591 players to win $1,052,890 cash and a seat at the WPT Season Four finals held in Las Vegas.

For the past four years, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino has hosted the World Poker Challenge leading to the prestigious WPT, the highest-rated program broadcast on the Travel Channel.

Even if you don’t play poker, this is a chance to watch the chips stack or crash as some of the country’s best poker players hold ‘em and fold ‘em in high stakes wagers. Grand Sierra Resort & Casino goes all out, with 60 tables spread throughout the recently renovated casino that is the largest in Northern Nevada.

The final table will be filmed at 5 p.m., on March 28 in the Silver State Pavilion and will be broadcast on the Travel Channel in June at the conclusion of the WPT Season Five Championship.

For more details about the World Poker Challenge and WPT Event at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, visit www.grandsierraresort.com or stop by the Poker Room at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino.

2007 World Series Of Poker Pre-Registration beginns

03.03.2007

Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., has opened pre-registration for the 2007 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light, scheduled for June 1 through July 17, 2007, at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino®.

Pre-registration instructions and new participant rules - including a more liberal player-apparel policy - can be found at www.worldseriesofpoker.com, the official web site of the World Series of Poker.

"In recognition of the endorsement agreements that provide income to many poker players, we've liberalized our policy to allow tournament entrants to wear apparel with multiple logos and patches," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "There are some reasonable restrictions on what is permissible, but this is definitely a far more liberal, accommodating and player-friendly policy.

"We encourage all players and their sponsors to review the rules well in advance of the tournament." said Pollack.

Player pre-registration instructions are included in Section 1 of the rules. In 2007, acceptable forms of payment include cash, cashier's checks, wire transfers and-Rio casino chips including a newly created WSOP branded $10,000 Rio casino chip. These payment forms may be used to pre-register for entry into any of the 55 events scheduled for the 2007 World Series of Poker.

The 38th edition of the World Series of Poker will include bracelet tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. The buy-in for the WSOP Main Event - the No-Limit Hold'Em World Championship - will remain at $10,000. The schedule of events can be found at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through its operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

Chad Brown named Bluff Magazine’s Poker Player of the Year

26.02.2007

Chad Brown has been honoured with the Title of Bluff Magazine’s Player of the Year 2006. Brown, a professional poker player who has been playing poker since boyhood, considers this one of his greatest achievements. In an upcoming interview with Bluff Magazine, Brown commented on his title:

“This is an enormous accomplishment to be very proud of. To put this in context, if I was acting, it would be like I won an Oscar at the Academy Awards.”

But Brown is no stranger to winning. His tournament history is, after all, what gained him this title. But Brown draws a distinction between being player of the year and being the winner of a major tournament. “It’s not like winning a tournament. Anyone can get lucky one day and win a tournament. But all the best players in the world play all the big main events and the Player of the Year award is defined by (your achievements) in all the major tournaments.”

Bluff’s proprietary ranking system awards points to players who finish in the money in North American poker tournaments with at least a $5,000 buy-in, where there are at least 100 competitors. Brown scored a total of 470.44 points throughout 2006, beating runner-up JohnnyBax by almost 30 points.

“Our Player of The Year is our highest player honor.” said publisher Eric Morris, “It is one of the few honors in the poker world which considers all major poker achievements throughout the year, transcending the boundaries of poker associations and tournament series.”

Chad Brown’s interview will appear in the April edition of Bluff Magazine, on Newsstands across North America, Europe and Australia.

Jamie Gold says he was wrong

26.02.2007

After resolving a lawsuit over his victory in the World Series of Poker last summer, Jamie Gold acknowledged he had some regrets about his experience at the tournament, although none of them were about his legal issues.

In his first interview since the settlement, Gold, a 38-year-old Hollywood producer from Paramus, N.J., said the lawsuit was not difficult to resolve, although the agreement bars him from disclosing the fate of the record-setting $12 million purse.

But Gold apologized for his previously undisclosed antics during the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Texas Hold ’Em tournament — antics that might have resulted in penalties if he had been caught.

The most significant admissions were that he flashed one of his cards at a competitor during the main event and that he tipped off a friend about one of his hands.

“You should never flash a card,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking, ‘Wow, I’m going to bend the rules.’ I was just so caught up in the excitement of what was happening and I kind of just lost myself and I regret doing that. And I basically told a friend of mine what I had because I didn’t want him to bust out and that was also really inappropriate. And I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen again. People are just going to have to forgive me.”

The admissions are likely to stir up new controversy for Gold, whose victory celebration was marred by a lawsuit filed against him by Crispin Leyser that led to a court order freezing $6 million of the prize. Leyser said that Gold pledged to give him half his winnings in exchange for Leyser’s help in recruiting minor celebrities to play in the World Series of Poker under the banner of Gold’s sponsor, the poker Web site Bodog.com.

“The first moment we actually got into a room together, we settled it,” Gold said. “It’s just a misunderstanding and it’s behind me.”

Leyser could not be reached for comment.

The spokesman for the World Series of Poker, Gary Thompson, said the prize money had been dispersed since the Feb. 7 settlement and expressed surprise at Gold’s admissions. “Technically it can be construed as collusion and is clearly a violation of the rules, as is flashing a card during the play of a hand,” Thompson said. Still, he said, “It’s over, it’s done.”

Phil Gordon, a professional poker player and the co-host of Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown, who had been critical of Gold’s conduct at the tournament, said, “It’s refreshing that Jamie can acknowledge that his behavior was inappropriate.”

Gold said his focus in recent months has largely been on his parents. His father was in the final throes of a six-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and died in December. Throughout the tournament he spoke movingly about his desire to take care of his ailing father and to provide for his soon-to-be-widowed mother.

Gold, who as a talent agent in the 1990s represented the actors James Gandolfini, Donnie Wahlberg and Felicity Huffman, is also busy creating television shows through his production company, Buzznation. One of its first shows is a reality contest, “America’s Hottest Mom,” which does not have a network yet.

With his father’s death and the legal issues behind him, Gold said he was looking forward to getting back into the games at his home casino, the Commerce Casino near Los Angeles, and gearing up for the next World Series of Poker, which starts in June.

Unlike other World Series of Poker champs who are rankled by the suggestion that they caught lucky breaks en route to their victories, Gold agreed that he had his share of good fortune in those blistering summer weeks in Las Vegas.

“I’m lucky in life, my whole life has been fortunate,“ Gold said. “Every single great thing that’s happened to me I’ve been really grateful. Maybe I was lucky. I don’t know how you can beat 9,000 people without being lucky.”

By STEVE FRIESS

791 Turn Out For L.A. Poker Classic Championship

26.02.2007

COMMERCE, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The L.A. Poker Classic Championship (LAPC) event at Commerce Casino smashed records for largest field and largest prize money ever for a $10,000-buy-in World Poker Tour® (WPT) event and for a WPT event in the continental U.S. The 790 field of established pros and aspiring amateurs swelled the prize money to a whopping $7,593.600.

The winner will go home with $2,429,970 and a $25,000 seat in the WPT World Championship in April at Bellagio in Las Vegas. That is the largest first prize ever for a non-championship WPT event. The second place finisher will claim $1,177,010. Fifty four players will share in the prize pool.

Add the LAPC championship event's $7.5+ million total prize money to the $9,270,883 awarded in the previous 29 events staged during the month-long tournament, and Commerce will have awarded $16,864,483 to players from January 25-March 1.

The WPT's largest field ever was set only weeks before in the Bahamas with a field of 937, with a field fueled by online qualifiers, and the buy-in was only $8,000. The LA Poker Classic is the largest WPT field ever at a land- based casino and the largest for a $10,000-buy-in event. Commerce Casino is world's largest poker room.

"While many have claimed that poker's popularity has peaked, Commerce Casino's record WPT field at the LA Poker Classic, shows how wrong they are," said Casino Manager Tim Gustin. "We continue to grow and attract new players. In fact, we had record numbers for tournaments throughout the month, showing that the game is growing at all levels-from $300 buy-ins up to $10,000. We are thrilled that our winner will also be taking home a record first prize for a non-championship WPT event."

The L.A. Poker Classic Championship drew such poker luminaries as Daniel Negreanu, Kathy Liebert, Barry Greenstein, Todd Brunson, Ted Forrest, Gus Hansen, Erick Lindgren, Chip Reiss, Cyndy Violette, Antonio Esfandiari or Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, Ted Forrest, Chau Chiang, Jamie Gold, Joe Hachem, John Hennigan, Mike Matusow, John Juanda, Michael Mizrachi, John Gale, David Williams and such up-and-coming superstars like Gavin Smith, Vanessa Rousso, Patrik Antonius, Michael Gracz, David Benyamine, Kenna James, J.J. Liu, Isabelle Mercier, Nam Le, John Phan, Erica Schoenberg, Johan Storakers, Nick Schulman and Joe Sebok.

Last year's champion, Alan Goehring, went home with $2,391,550. In 2005, 24-year-old Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi claimed $1,859,909, and 2004's victor, another 24-year-old, Antonio Esfandiari, took home $1,399,135.

Spectators who would like to watch the LA Poker Classic Final Tables March 1 may come to Commerce to watch the action. It's first come, first serve in the viewing stands. The World Poker Tour reserves a limited number of seats for spectators during the filming of the shows. Fans should be at Commerce Casino by 3 p.m. in order to secure a seat.

The 2007 LA Poker Classic WPT final table will be televised on the Travel Channel June 27. The World Poker Tour airs every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. PT/ET.

Commerce Casino

Commerce Casino is the largest poker casino in the world. There are more than 200 poker tables featuring just about every form of poker: Texas Hold 'Em, 7-Card Stud, Omaha, Lowball, Pot Limit, Mexican Poker, Pineapple, Draw, Low-Ball and many others. Also offered are Pan and California games.

Commerce Casino is also recognized for its innovative "Bring Your Home Game to Commerce" program which enables poker fans to invite their friends and family for a casual home game, bachelor party or birthday celebration with a professional dealer in the casino setting.

Commerce Casino is located at 6131 East Telegraph Rd., Commerce, CA 90040, just off the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at the Washington Blvd. exit. The phone is (323) 721-2100. For more information, go to www.commercecasino.com.

National Heads-Up Poker Championship Players Announced

22.02.2007

Sixty-four of the world’s best poker players are set to converge on Las Vegas March 1-4 as the 3rd National Heads-Up Poker Championship brings its distinctive, confrontational style to the Caesars Palace Poker Room.

Returning to compete this year are several of the worlds top poker pros, including: defending champion Ted Forrest; 2005 champion Phil Hellmuth; and Chris Ferguson, who will try to improve on his 2005 and 2006 runner-up status. Celebrity participants include Don Cheadle, Jennifer Tilly and Shannon Elizabeth.

The single-elimination competition begins Friday morning, March 2 and continues through Sunday, March 4 when a two-out-of-three championship match will determine the winner. The tournament will be taped for broadcast on NBC and CNBC over seven consecutive Sundays in April and May. The viewing gallery is open to guests on a first-come first-served basis.

The National Heads-Up Poker Championship features 64 players competing in a series of heads-up (one-on-one games of Texas Hold'em) matches to determine who is the best face-to-face poker player in the world. The tournament has a unique, single-elimination, bracket-style format modeled after college basketball tournaments. The brackets will be set during the tournament’s draw party held at PURE Nightclub Thursday, March 1st.

“The National Heads-Up Championship brings together the most elite poker players in the world,” offers Jon Miller, Executive VP of NBC Sports. “Having a seat at one of these tables guarantees you’ve got some serious poker chops. Head-to-head poker with players of this caliber is as intense as it gets.”

The field, in alphabetical order, follows:

Angelil, Rene
Antonius, Patrik
Benyamine, David
Bloch, Andy
Booth, Brad
Brenes, Humberto
Brunson, Todd
Brown, Chad
Chan, Johnny
Cheadle, Don
Cloutier, T.J.
Cunningham, Allen
D’Agostino, John
Duke, Annie
Elezra, Eli
Elizabeth, Shannon
Esfandiari, Antonio
Farha, Sam
Ferguson, Chris
Fischman, Scott
Forrest, Ted
Gold, Jamie
Greenstein, Barry
Gordon, Phil
Gowen, Clonie
Hachem, Joe
Hansen, Gus
Harman, Jennifer
Hellmuth, Phil
Ivey, Phil
Juanda, John
Kaplan, Gabe
Laak, Phil
Lederer, Howard
Le, Nam
Le, Tuan
Lindgren, Erick
Madsen, Jeff
Matusow, Mike
Mercier, Isabelle
Michael, John (Caesars Qualifier)
Mizrachi, Michael
Moneymaker, Chris
Mortensen, Carlos
Nakano, Yosh
Negreanu, Daniel
Nguyen, Scotty
Raymer, Greg
Reese, Chip
Russo, Vanessa
Seed, Huck
Seidel, Erik
Sheikhan, Shawn
Shulman, Jeff
Smith, Gavin
Tilly, Jennifer
Tran, JC
Traniello, Marco (Caesars Qualifier)
Violette, Cyndy
Williams, David
Zolotow, Steve
NBC Qualifier
TBD
TBD

Johnny Chan opens first Poker Hotel

09.02.2007

Poker legend and all-time great, Johnny Chan, is partnering with Las Vegas hotelier, Liko Smith, to create 5th Street, "The World's First Poker Hotel." The first location will open in 2007. A site has been selected in Los Angeles county, other sites in California, Illinois, New York, Florida and Macau are under development.

The creative team for the hotel concept includes, Johnny Chan of www.chanpoker.net, Liko Smith of Rogue Hospitality, and Matt Savage, Jeff Brausch and Kelly Flynn of THE DIVISION Poker. The team has been developing the concept for nearly 2 years. Rogue Hospitality is the exclusive management force behind THE BLOCK "The World's First Snowboarder Hotels,". Rogue Hospitality will also manage the 5th Street Hotels. "We have a brand development process, a level of service and a genuine authenticity that no other management company can deliver;" says Liko S. Smith, President of Rogue Hospitality.

"When we first approached Johnny about our plans to create a hotel that would cater exclusively to poker in his image, he was 100% for it," says Liko Smith, President of Rogue Hospitality…"5th Street is going to for poker players everywhere and set a new standard of service, quality, and game that you can't get online, or in any casino in the US today," he finishes. Kelly Flynn, 5th Street Partner, adds, "The time has come for a concept such as 5th Street to grace the felt for poker players...a hotel for poker players by poker players. It will be a home away from home, the cure for the common casino that most poker players are forced to find themselves in now."

All 5th Street hotels will offer highly designed exteriors and interiors, state of the art room amenities. Daily services will include fully licensed Poker Tournaments in the best Poker rooms on the planet. 5th Street Hotels will create a "high-roller" experience for guests from reservations to check out. Plans call for rooms to include: 70-inch plasma screens, in-room safes, free wi/fi, 500 watt custom sounds systems, full service computers, fax machines and high-quality case furnishings with complimentary fine cigars and hi-def wall art of the greatest poker photographs ever taken. Hotels planned will be full service with valet, fine dining restaurants, rooftop bars, spa and massage treatment and an exclusive full service men's salon as well as a 24-hour cafe.Selected sponsors will be able to sponsor guest rooms, bars, public areas, amenities, case goods, and other amenities. Poker will be the primary game at 5th Street, no slots, keno, craps or roulette. The hotel along with its multi-million dollar poker rooms, will feature monthly celebrity poker tournaments and social events. Several owner/operators are being interviewed for joint venture opportunities with the 5th Street brand. Information on sponsor opportunities can be received by contacting Kevin@roguehospitality.com.

Johnny Chan: Immortalized in the movie Rounders and countless media inserts, , Johnny Chan is the world's best known professional poker player and a legend in the Poker World. With two World Series of Poker championship titles (1987 and 1988) under his belt and impressive ownership of 10 WSOP bracelets, his career achievements far surpass what most players can only dream about. Nicknamed the "Orient Express," Chan is the first international great Asian poker player and serves as an inspiration and role model to many. Since he broke into the game, there has been overwhelming surge of great Asian players among the professional tournament circuit today.

New Yorker wins $375,100 at Borgata Winter Poker Open

30.01.2007

The remaining twenty-seven players competing in the $5,000 event returned to the new 85-table poker room at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa to play for a champion. Within a few hours the Final Table was formed. The Grinder was the first to be bumped from the table winning, $15,730. Joey Brooks was able to withstand a short stack for much of the day before falling in 7th place winning $44,400. With six remaining players, they deliberated intently over each decision, each move. The stakes were high and the action was tense.

The $5,000 event was the richest event to date at the Borgata Winter Poker Open. Newly turned pro, Matthew Casterella, of White Plains, NY, withstood the pressure of the day and the competition to win the tournament and $375,100 in prize money. Casterella who spent most of the day without much expression on his face was all smiles, while collecting nearly $400,000 in prize money. "This is incredible. I have played a lot of poker, but this is my first major win. It feels great to have won this at Borgata."

Bill Edler, one of the top players in the world, was cheered on by a large selection of pros. Gavin Smith and Chris Bell led the cheering section for "Wild" Bill, who finished in 4th place taking home $84,700. Edler was visibly disappointed after the event noting, "I'm upset. When you make it this close, it's not about the money; it's about winning."

John Myung, another professional with over $1,000,000 in career earnings, fought valiantly with his short stack, but fell in third place winning $114,950. An amateur from Florida, Elio Cabrera fell in second just several hands after Myung. Cabrera, who won $211,750 for his efforts said, "I was not expecting second place to be so much money! This was such a fun tournament and a great time."

Thursday Night also featured the World Poker Tour Kick-Off Party at Gypsy Bar. Many top pros mingled with fans and celebrated the start of the WPT Classic. WSOP's 2006 Main Event winner Jamie Gold played Heads Up on the Poker Pro tables with many fans.

The $10,000 buy-in WPT Borgata Poker Classic day began with nearly 600 entries including the superstar of poker, Phil Ivey. One hundred thirty-six players won their way to the Main Event through one of the Super Satellites that have taken place throughout the Borgata Winter Open. Yesterday's winners included Egg Harbor Township, NJ, native Mike Hofeld. After the event Hofeld commented, "I started with $100 and now I am playing in the $10,000 buy-in event; not a bad return."

WSOP 2007 from 01th June to 17th July - Tournament Schedule

29.01.2007

The schedule for the World Series of Poker from 01th June to 17th July in Las Vegas, Nevada.

# Date Day Time Buy-In
#01 June 1, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Mixed Hold'em (Limit/NL) (3 Day event) 5,000.00$
#02 June 1, 2007 - 5 PM Casino Employees NL Hold'em (2 day event) 500.00$
#03 June 2, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#04 June 3, 2007 - 12 noon Pot Limit Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#05 June 3, 2007 - 5 PM Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 day event) 2,500.00$
#06 June 4, 2007 - 12 noon Limit Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#07 June 4, 2007 - 5 PM Pot Limit Omaha W/Rebuys (2 day event) 5,000.00$
#08 June 5, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em w/Re-Buys (3 day event) 1,000.00$
#09 June 5, 2007 - 5 PM Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#10 June 6, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#11 June 6, 2007 - 5 PM World Championship Seven Card Stud (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#12 June 7, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#13 June 8, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Pot Limit Hold'em (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#14 June 8, 2007 - 5 PM Seven Card Stud (2day event) 1,500.00$
#15 June 9, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#16 June 9, 2007 - 5 PM H.O.R.S.E. (3 day event) 2,500.00$
#17 June 10, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Ladies Event NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,000.00$
#18 June 10, 2007 - 5 PM World Championship Limit Hold'em (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#19 June 11, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 2,500.00$
#20 June 11, 2007 - 5 PM Seven Card Stud Hi-low-8 or Better (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#21 June 12, 2007 - 12 noon NL Hold'em Shootout (2 day event) 1,500.00$
#22 June 13, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#23 June 14, 2007 - 12 noon Pot Limit Omaha (2 day event) 1,500.00$
#24 June 14, 2007 - 5 PM World Championship 7-Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) 3,000.00$
#25 June 15, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#26 June 15, 2007 - 5 PM H.O.R.S.E. (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#27 June 16, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#28 June 17, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 3,000.00$
#29 June 17, 2007 - 5 PM Seven Card Razz (2 day event) 1,500.00$
#30 June 18, 2007 - 12 noon NL Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) 2,500.00$
#31 June 19, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Heads Up NL Hold'em (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#32 June 19, 2007 - 5 PM Seven Card Stud (2 day event) 2,000.00$
#33 June 20, 2007 - 12 noon Pot Limit Omaha W/Re-Buys (2 day event) 1,500.00$
#34 June 20, 2007 - 5 PM Limit Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 3,000.00$
#35 June 21, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#36 June 21, 2007 - 5 PM World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#37 June 22, 2007 - 12 noon Pot Limit Hold'em (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#38 June 23, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#39 June 24, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship H.O.R.S.E. (5 day event) 50,000.00$
#40 June 24, 2007 - 5 PM Mixed Hold'em (limit/NL) (3 Day event) 1,500.00$
#41 June 25, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Seniors NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,000.00$
#42 June 25, 2007 - 5 PM Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better (2 day event) 1,500.00$
#43 June 26, 2007 - 12 noon Limit Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#44 June 27, 2007 - 12 noon Omaha Hi-Low Split (2 day event) 2,000.00$
#45 June 28, 2007 - 12 noon NL Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) 5,000.00$
#46 June 28, 2007 - 5 PM Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 day event) 1,000.00$
#47 June 29, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 2,000.00$
#48 June 29, 2007 - 5 PM 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit) W/Rebuys (2 day event) 1,000.00$
#49 June 30, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em (3 day event) 1,500.00$
#50 July 1, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship Pot-Limit Omaha (2 day event) 10,000.00$
#51 July 1, 2007 - 5 PM S.H.O.E (2 day event) 1,000.00$
#52 July 2, 2007 - 12 noon NL Texas Hold'em w/Re-Buys (3 day event) 1,000.00$
#53 July 3, 2007 - 12 noon Limit Texas Hold'em Shootout (2 day event) 1,500.00$
July 4, 2007 - Satellite Day
#54 July 4, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship NL 2-7 Draw Lowball w/Re-Buys (2 day event) 5,000.00$
July 5, 2007 - Satellite Day/Media Event

#55 July 6, 2007 - 12 noon World Championship NL Texas Hold'em Day 1A 3000 10,000.00$
July 7, 2007 - 12 noon Day 1B 3000
July 8, 2007 - 12 noon Day 1C 3000
July 9, 2007 - OFF
July 10, 2007 - 12 noon Day 2
July 11, 2007 - 12 noon Day 3
July 12, 2007 - 12 noon Day 4
July 13, 2007 - 12 noon Day 5
July 14, 2007 - 12 noon Day 6
July 15, 2007 - 12 noon Day 7
July 16, 2007 - OFF
July 17, 2007 - 12 noon Final Table

Bryan Sumner took home $900,000 at the World Poker Open

28.01.2007

Daniel Negreanu may be Kid Poker to his fans, but he was second fiddle last night in a close match between the veteran poker pro and online pro cash player Bryan Sumner. Sumner, who is from Smyrna, Tennessee, headed up to Tunica for the side game action during this World Poker Tour event, and entered it on a whim. His instincts served him well as he picked up over $900,000 in cash for his win, which he plans to use to buy a car and a house. This experience has sold Sumner on playing more live poker.

For the sixth time - The World Poker Tour

26.01.2007

The World Poker Tour does, indeed, take place in various places around the world, but the largest concentration is in the United States, and specifically in Las Vegas. The new schedule for the Sixth season has been released and will once again include a French event at the Aviation Club in Paris, and the Bellagio will once more host the final event of the season, the World Poker Tour Championship, to be held April 19-25, 2008. So far there are fourteen events scheduled and two special events - the Ladies Night event and the Celebrity Invitational.

Gus Hansen wins Aussie Millions

20.01.2007

Dublin, Ireland (PRWEB) January 19, 2007 -- Team Full Tilt Member Gus Hansen took down the final pot of the 2007 Aussie Millions in style when his pocket Aces held up against the straight and flush draws of second-place finisher Jimmy Fricke.

Hansen’s Aces earned him an AU$1.5 million payday and the Aussie Millions Main Event title. Hansen’s pay out, which totaled nearly $1.2 million U.S., marks the second time he has won more than $1 million in a single tournament.

"I was behind 3 to 1 when it was heads up, so I felt that I could gamble a little," Hansen was quoted as saying in his post-match interview with fellow Team Full Tilt member Howard Lederer. That attitude has helped earn Hansen one of his trademark nicknames -- "Gambling Gus" -- along with three World Poker Tour titles and more than $4.5 million in career tournament earnings.

This year’s Aussie Millions Main Event attracted 747 players and generated a total prize pool of more than AU$7.4 million, making it the biggest poker tournament outside North America.

Joining Hansen at the final table of this impressive event were fellow Full Tilt Poker pros Andrew Black and Kristy Gazes, who finished third and seventh, respectively. Black’s performance earned him AU$70000, while Gazes pocketed a tidy AU$220,000.

"With this win, Hansen has reminded the poker world that there’s no more dangerous poker player on the circuit," said fellow Team Full Tilt member Howard Lederer.

Hansen, Black and Gazes all represent one of the largest, growing online poker sites, Full Tilt Poker, and spend several hours a week online helping amateur players learn the game by sharing their poker knowledge through real-time chats at the virtual tables. Along with these players, 49 other top poker professionals play at Full Tilt Poker, where they have helped to create the best possible atmosphere for players who want to improve their games.

HIGH STAKES POKER Season 3 Premieres on Monday, January 15th

08.01.2007

SANTA MONICA, Calif./PRNewswire/ -- GSN's HIGH STAKES POKER (HSP 3) kicks off its third season on Monday, January 15 at 9 PM ET as the 2006 World Series of Poker champion Jamie Gold and others face the best cash game players. This season once again features the top poker pros and amateurs playing with their own cash. There's millions of dollars up for grabs on HSP 3 that was taped at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

For the first time, Gabe Kaplan, the popular analyst on HIGH STAKES POKER makes his debut as a player in the series. During the second episode (on January 22) Kaplan makes a surprising entrance on the set. He asks the players if any of them want to give up their seat at the table and "Kid Poker" Daniel Negreanu, one of the most entertaining poker players, accepts. Negreanu makes his broadcasting debut as the analyst taking over Kaplan's role. Negreanu calls the action with host AJ Benza as long as Kaplan plays at the table through episode 3 on January 29.

In addition to Gold, who won $12 million at the 2006 WSOP main event, the line-up on the first episode includes the legendary Doyle Brunson, Negreanu, Daniel Alaei, Shawn Sheikhan, Victor Ramdin, Bill Chen and Mike "The Mouth" Matusow.

As a lead up to the premiere of HSP 3 on Monday, January 15 at 8 PM ET, GSN recaps the first two seasons of the series with the BEST OF HIGH STAKES POKER Volume 2. The one-hour BEST OF HSP special will get viewers caught up with the most dramatic moments from the first two seasons with commentary from Kaplan and Benza. HSP 3 repeats on Monday nights at 2 AM and Thursday nights at 9 PM.

GSN is also providing special HIGH STAKES POKER podcasts on Apple's iTunes and additional video content on GSN.com. The exclusive video provides viewers with more coverage than ever before. The podcasts feature interviews from the players as they discuss their play and unseen behind the scenes footage from the taping of HSP 3.

World Poker Association Nears Milestone

08.01.2007

( PRWEB ) January 8, 2007 -- The signing into law of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act has shown the poker community many things about government, hypocrisy, and, most importantly, the need for us to stand up and stand together to protect the game that we love. The time is now, as we see our rights as poker players and our industry as a whole being challenged.

The World Poker Association (WPA) was established as a non-profit organization by Jesse Jones to provide that unity for tournament poker through the concerted efforts of the its members. The WPA's mission? To assure the integrity of tournament poker by establishing fair and consistent rules and procedures and thereby increase the opportunities of individual and organizational members worldwide.

As tournament poker continues its phenomenal growth across the globe -- from casino events to bar leagues to charity tournaments -- there is a popular desire for continuity and a clear set of rules and procedures that encompasses the needs of everyone, from the players to the dealers, from the casinos to the online gaming websites.

Jones formally introduced the WPA to the masses at the 2006 World Series of Poker, tirelessly recruiting hundreds of poker players, fans, dealers, and other tournament staff to join. Many of the game's top pros joined immediately as founding members of the WPA, i.e. Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Phil Gordon, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Marcel Luske, Barry Greenstein and Daniel Negreanu, to name only a few. Organizations have also been taking a keen interest in the WPA, as they realize that everyone will soon band together to make decisions about tournament poker, and they want their voices heard as well.

Thus, the WPA has grown and is nearing the 1,000-member mark, at which point nominations will begin for the Board of Directors. Only a few members are needed to reach that goal, though the organization will continue to grow by leaps and bounds in order to truly have a positive affect on tournament poker.

Committees are also forming quickly to take action and build the WPA. For example, Tom McEvoy is heading up the Ethics Committee and is in the process of creating a comprehensive code of ethics and conduct, and coordinating with Leon "Jingo" Jingozian of the Dealers Committee and other members to collect input from all. Craig Hartman is chairing the Budget & Finance Committee to develop the 2007 budget. Mary Jones is leading the Elections Committee in establishing the nomination and election requirements for the Board of Directors. And Mark Fracalossi is overseeing the Media Committee to disseminate the word about the WPA.

The WPA asks you to take a look at the website, www.WPAPoker.org, and consider playing a role -- as a member or a committee volunteer -- in determining the future of tournament poker. Questions can be addressed on the website, and the forums and various sections have a plethora of information about the organization.

Your opinions and participation in the WPA are welcome. Remember, the cards are in your hands.

High stakes for MSU Alumni

02.01.2007

Texas Hold’em requires a good knowledge of the rules of the game and mathematical skill, said Mitch Schock, manager of the North Dakota State Championship Poker Tournament. It also requires more subtle skills, such as how to read an opposing player’s face and maintain a “poker” face yourself.

More than 700 people from North Dakota and other states are expected to try their skills in the third annual poker tournament being held this weekend at the Vegas Hotel in Minot. The 50 best players from the qualifying rounds Saturday and from the qualifying rounds today will be given a chance to play for a $25,000 pot on Monday. On Saturday afternoon, poker players frowned, inspected their cards and did their best to ignore the tension mounting at the table.

Players came from Alaska, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Texas, Arizona and Florida as well as from North Dakota. Wendy Rupert, general manager of the Vegas Hotel, said some of the players from out of state have relatives in town and decided to visit when they heard about the poker tournament. Each player paid a $100 entry fee for the opportunity to enter the competition. The number of players in the tournament has increased each year since it started.

Schock, who finished 29th in the World Series of Poker last spring, also manages the Dakota Poker Tour in North Dakota. Texas Hold’em has exploded in popularity over the past five years, said Schock, and has become a popular spectator sport aired on ESPN. It became more fun to watch the game once a camera was focused on the cards held by the players, letting the audience see the player’s hand.

The popularity of Texas Hold’em was one of the reasons the state championship poker tournament was started a few years ago. Rupert said they were looking for an event that would draw a large crowd during a time of year when there aren’t a lot of events in Minot. The poker tournament also provides an alternative New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day activity, she said, and many of the poker players and their families will spend money in Minot. People who want to come and watch the poker tournament will also be able to have a drink or a meal in the Sevens Bar and Restaurant.

“We even have confetti for the winner,” Rupert said.

The tournament is being sponsored by the Minot State University Alumni Association. Chad McNally, from Minot State University, said some of the proceeds from the tournament will go to fund scholarships for students.

The poker tournament will continue through Monday at the Vegas Hotel.

By ANDREA JOHNSON

$1000 added - PW24 X-Mas Tournament

23.12.2006

On December 26th 2006 at 7pm GMT PokerWorld24 is organizing a $5+0,5 Tournament on Poker Ocean. Poker Ocean added $1000 to the Price Pool. To registrate use our Link to Poker Ocean and the Bonuscode: pokerwld.

You find our X-Mas Tournament in the Software:
"Tournaments » Scheduled » Name: PW24 X-MAS TURNIER » Password: PWORLD ".

Good Luck!!!

Joe Hachem wins $2.8m world title

21.12.2006

Australian poker king Joe Hachem has pocketed nearly $3 million after winning the world's second biggest poker tournament.

His victory at the Bellagio Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, earned him $US2.2 million ($A2.8 million), News Ltd reports.

"He's very emotional, very humble and over the moon," brother Tony Hachem said.

The 39-year-old from Melbourne shocked the poker world last year by winning the main event of the World Series of Poker, pocketing $10 million.

"He's a true-blue Aussie and everyone wants to take him on," his brother said.

"But he's beaten the best players in America, some of whom have playing the game for 40 years."

He will play in the $US10 million ($A12.7m) Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas next week before returning for the Australian World Series at Melbourne's Crown casino.

High Stakes Poker begins Third Season on GSN

12.12.2006

The latest James Bond movie features an intense high stakes poker game for millions of dollars and GSN brings this fantasy to reality with real money being played by high rollers in the only poker cash game on television. The third season of HIGH STAKES POKER ("HSP 3") premieres on Monday, January 15 at 9 PM ET/8 PM CT from the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Although not quite as dramatic as James Bond defeating the bad guys, HSP 3 newcomer Jamie Gold pulled off his own amazing accomplishment beating over 8,500 in the 2006 World Series of Poker. Gold is one of 14 new players who will be making their debut this season on HSP 3, which features the toughest field of players ever.

As in the past two seasons, HSP 3 features the players buying in with at least $100,000 and up to $1 million of cash to play no limit Texas hold 'em.

"HIGH STAKES POKER is a hit for GSN. Poker continues to gain momentum with a record number of players participating in the World Series. In addition, major films including 'Casino Royale,' have featured high stakes games," said Rich Cronin, President and CEO of GSN. "We have put together an all-star line up of players who brought more money to the table than ever before. With the NFL regular season and college bowl games over on January 8th, viewers will enjoy the new season of HIGH STAKES POKER action on Monday nights beginning January 15th."

Once again Gabe Kaplan and AJ Benza call the action on HIGH STAKES POKER. In an unprecedented move, Kaplan, a renowned poker player himself, will play this season. Kaplan will take a seat at the table on a couple of episodes and one of the players will switch places take over the analyst role on the broadcast.

Joining Kaplan and Gold is a star studded line up of newcomers including 2006 WSOP runner-up Paul Wasicka, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Patrick Antonius, David Benyamine, John D'Agostino, Victor Ramdin, David Williams, Bill Chen, Dan Harmetz, Dan Shak, Illya Trincher and Brian Townsend.

The star players who made HIGH STAKES POKER a smash in the first two seasons also return for more action. The line-up features:

Daniel Alaei Brad Booth
Doyle Brunson Todd Brunson
Eli Elezra Antonio Esfandiari
Sam Farha Barry Greenstein
Jennifer Harman Phil "The Unabomber" Laak
Erick Lindgren Mike "The Mouth" Matusow
Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu Shawn Sheikhan

The second season brought high drama, intensity and the largest pot in the history of HSP. It included Daniel Negreanu losing a pot of $575,000 when his full house was defeated by Gus Hansen's four-of-a-kind. That hand topped the first season's record pot of over $350,000 when Sam Farha's pocket kings beat Barry Greenstein's pocket aces when a king appeared on the flop.

The new 13-week season of HIGH STAKES POKER 3 is on Monday nights at 9 PM ET. It repeats at 2 AM ET on Mondays with an encore showing on Thursday nights at 9 PM ET.

Hayden Christensen is The Madison Kid

08.12.2006

Hayden Christensen ("Star Wars" prequels) will play "Poker Brat" Phil Hellmuth in the biopic The Madison Kid, according to Production Weekly.

In 1989, the 24-year-old Hellmuth became the youngest World Champion of Poker by defeating the two-time defending champion, Johnny Chan, in the World Series of Poker main event. Hellmuth attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for three years before dropping out to play poker full time much to the chagrin of his father, a professor at the school.

Hellmuth's friend, Bob Soderstrom, wrote the script which is scheduled to begin filming April or May in Winnipeg, Canada.

White takes $600,000 poker win

05.12.2006

After three days of tournament play, David Ross White of Abbotsford is B.C.’s newest poker champion, walking away with the grand prize of $600,000, the champion’s watch and bragging rights.

White outlasted 784 other poker players to nab the top title after 32 hours of play in the $2 million No Limit Texas Hold’Em event at River Rock Casino Resort on Sunday.

“I feel fantastic,” said White. “I think we’ll use this money to pay off some debt and go on a holiday. We’re going to have a great time!”

The tournament attracted players from Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Yukon, and from states as far away as Florida, Texas, Nevada, California and Washington.

“The response we received from players and spectators at this year’s tournament is truly remarkable,” said Brian Lynch, BCLC Vice-President of Casino Gaming.

Well-known players who competed in the tournament included Gavin Smith, who finished 27th, Brad “Yukon” Booth and poker legend Johnny Chan.

Derrick Law finished second, taking $290,000 back to his home in the Yukon.

UltimateBet.com’s Online Championship

30.11.2006

Leading poker site, UltimateBet.com, holds their premier Online Championship Event (UBOC) for poker players. From December 1-10th poker players world over will compete for huge prize pools totaling a guaranteed $2,000,000.

Inspired by 10 time world poker champion and UltimateBet poker pro Phil Helmuth, the UB Online Championship provides players to the opportunity to play in daily poker tournaments. Daily guaranteed events culminate in a $1,000,000 Guarantee on December 10 where the winner not only cashes in, but plays heads up against Helmuth for bragging rights and an additional $10,000.

Live online expert commentary will be provided throughout the event by UltimateBet’s poker pros Annie Duke, P0kerH0, Shawn Rice, and others. Bluff Radio host, Nick Geber, will co-host commentary during the championship.

Players can qualify for UltimateBet’s Online Championship through daily feeders or buy in to the events. Additional information about UltimateBet’s Online Championship can be found on their web site.

Click here for more Information.

Phil Gordon Takes the Win at The Full Tilt Poker.Net Championship

30.11.2006

Six of the world’s best poker professionals and one online qualifier from FullTiltPoker all met at the table on Thanksgiving Day to compete for a $1 million prize pool in the Full Tilt Poker.Net Championship at Red Rock Resort and Casino.

Team Full Tilt member and best selling author and television host, Phil Gordon devoured the competition taking first place, winning $600,000. Full Tilt Poker representative Roland de Wolfe took second place, winning $275,000. Other professional players in this star-studded, live tournament included Team Full Tilt members Erick Lindgren, John Juanda, and Allen Cunningham, as well as Full Tilt Poker pro Toto Leonidas. The pros earned their seats at this Thanksgiving Day event in July 2006 by winning their respective heats at a qualifying shoot-out tournament, also held at the Red Rock Resort and Casino.

Once in Las Vegas, these online qualifiers competed against one another for the opportunity to play in the Thanksgiving Day, live, televised Championship event, which aired on Fox Sports Network. With a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million, no one left the live, televised, final table empty handed, as even the seventh-place finisher was paid no less than $25,000.

Phil Gordon is the former co-host of Bravo’s "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and is now the host of ESPN’s "Pro Am Equalizer" which begins airing January 2007. He is also the best selling author of "Poker: The Real Deal," "Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book," and the newly released "Phil Gordon’s Little Blue Book." A percentage of his $600,000 win will be donated to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation’s Bad Beat on Cancer initiative.

The FullTiltPoker.Net Championship is the latest in a string of live televised poker tournaments created by Full Tilt Poker. Over the past two years, Full Tilt Poker has featured top poker professionals competing for millions of dollars in prize money in such prestigious events as The FullTiltPoker.Net Championship at Wynn Las Vegas and the FullTiltPoker.Net Invitational from Monaco.

"Team Full Tilt," is a select group of the world’s finest professional poker players, including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, Clonie Gowen, John Juanda, Mike Matusow, Gus Hansen, and Allen Cunningham. Full Tilt Poker offers players the unique opportunity to Learn, Chat and Play poker with the best poker pros in the game.

Click here for more Information.

New Record for Online Poker - PokerStars Sunday Million

29.11.2006

Poker Stars Sunday Million is swiftly becoming a record breaking machine, with yet another record left in the dust for their monthly $500+30 that runs in place of the Sunday Million. The record prize pool of $1,397,000 was generated from 2,794 players. Nearly four hundred players hit the money, and top prize was handed out to Jovial Gent, who banked $250,202.70. Apestyles picked up plenty of small pots, putting him with two thirds of the chips when the play got down to six players, which led to a final second place finish and over $135k.

» more about PokerStars

Annie Duke won the Ultimate Poker Challenge

27.11.2006

Rocks are great things. The Edison of the Cro-Magnon people banged a couple of them together and had suddenly discovered fire. Minutes later, this nameless humanoid relative looked around at the burning forest and realized he had also discovered arson. More recently, somebody who has yet to discover the wonders of a Sony Playstation amused themselves by chucking rocks into a small inland lake.

We all know what happens when somebody throws a stone into a body of water. There will be a sizeable splash (this is actually relative to the size of the rock that somebody has tossed in), and circles of ripples will move off in all directions from ground zero of where the surface of the water was broken. A lot of thoughtful people see this as a metaphor for life. These are generally the type of people who are not invited to really good parties, but that doesn't mean they are wrong. The effects of an event that happens on a particular day can be felt in the distant future. This is not unlike the rock and the ripples it has created.

At the 2004 World Series of Poker an unusually large stone was dropped into calm waters that had become very comfortable with the status quo. In the $2,000 buy-in Omaha Hi/Lo tournament Annie Duke held off a contingent of 234 players, some of them very high profile champions (Hellmuth, Lederer, and the rest of the usual suspects), to capture her first World Series of Poker bracelet.

This win was not the first by a woman in a WSOP event, but it was, in the opinion of many, the most momentous. Annie Duke was a high profile player, but had the tag of somebody who could always come close, but never finish. The day when she sealed the deal, and slipped on the bracelet, it did more than just annoyed Phil Hellmuth, it jumpstarted the industry of women's poker.

One of the ripples of that 2004 victory was felt all the way into November of 2006. The Ultimate Poker Challenge has seized on the popularity of woman's poker and forged an alliance with Woman Poker Player magazine. In February of 2007 the UPC will be adding a woman's event to their tournament calendar. It will begin on February 9th, and the final table will be televised on February 10th.

The irony is that Annie Duke will probably not play at this event. Despite the rise of female poker that she facilitated by proving a woman can play with the big boys, she generally shuns events that are limited to estrogen fueled players. Of course after beating the best the world of men has to offer, she might see an event that excludes guys as a step back.

Source: launchpoker.com

High Stakes Poker comes back

21.11.2006

GSN’s poker fans will have an extra present under the tree this holiday season when the network telecasts the Ultimatebet.net Aruba Classic on Friday, Dec. 8 at 10 PM ET and new footage from its popular poker series in the Best of High Stakes Poker Monday, Dec. 11 at 8 PM ET.

A world class field of poker players assembled for the no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament in Aruba with $2.6 million in prize money at stake. Calling the action from the final table is one of the top tournament players of all-time, Phil Hellmuth. Hellmuth will be joined by one of the top female poker players in the world, Annie Duke, as well as the best selling author and poker expert John Vorhaus on the telecast

High Stakes Poker has become the favorite show for poker fans with players risking their own cash and huge pots. The first two seasons have featured pots of over $300,000 and over a half million dollars. Unlike tournament poker shows, High Stakes Poker is the only “Cash Game” on television.

The “Best Of” show will feature the most memorable moments and never before seen footage from the first two seasons. It will also include interviews with the players as they talk about their play on the show and the plays of their opponents. AJ Benza and Gabe Kaplan reprise their regular roles for this special.

Source: bluffmagazine.com

New law on Web gambling may hurt poker

07.11.2006

LAS VEGAS - Observers say the recently enacted U.S. law that bans gambling online could cut into the number of entrants to the planet's richest card game — the World Series of Poker.

The number of players in the tournament, run by Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has ballooned thanks largely to the online game. In 2003, a mere 839 participants took part when accountant Chris Moneymaker emerged from a $40 Internet tournament and went on to win the $2.5 million grand prize. This year, 8,773 players gambled for part of an $82.5 million prize pool and more than half are estimated to have won tournaments over the Web to play.

With the law banning banks from processing Internet gambling transfers set to be enforced before next year's tournament, the well of poker players is expected to dry up.

"It's going to affect the average player most dramatically. And those players are the ones that have kind of filled the ranks," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a 130,000-member group that fought the legislation.

"The hardcore ones will find somewhere, they won't care whether it's regulated," said Bolcerek. "That's what a prohibition does. It drives everything underground."

Mike Sexton, who hosts the popular World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel, said the ban would hurt what has become considered a sport.

"I wouldn't say it would put poker in a death spiral but in the long run it will hurt the growth of poker," Sexton said. "The World Series of Poker is going to be devastated over this."

Casino operators, however, were holding out hope.

"Poker's enormous popularity won't be changed," said Alan Feldman, spokesman for MGM Mirage Inc.

The number of poker tables in Las Vegas has surged from 142 in 2003 to 405 in 2006, with many citing the growth to Internet players seeking to test their skills on the felt.

Organizers for the World Series of Poker, televised by Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN, also said they were not daunted by the new law. Before the legislation was enacted, ESPN, which has covered the tournament since 1993, signed on to cover it through 2010.

Tournament spokesman Gary Thompson said since 2005, organizers have not accepted third-party registrations for the $10,000 buy-in main event from online gambling companies with U.S. operations, and that hasn't stopped it from attracting record fields.

"In 2005 and 2006 we had record fields each year. We're confident again that 2007 will be the best one ever," he said.

Thompson suggested that a loophole that allowed players who qualified online to pay their own entry fees directly, after being given the fees by online poker companies, would continue to pass muster with regulators.

"We're planning to accommodate a larger field than we ever had before," Thompson said. "But whether or not we'll have a larger field, nobody really knows."

By ADAM GOLDMAN and RYAN NAKASHIMA

CEO of Who's your Daddy Inc, crowned 2006 Chairman of Poker

07.11.2006

Las Vegas, NV ( PRWeb ) November 6, 2006 -- Dan Fleyshman, CEO of Who's your Daddy Inc, known as King of the Energy Drink, based in San Diego, was crowned 2006 Chairman of Poker and $43,350 in prize money, at The Palms in Las Vegas, Oct 27, 2006.

Fleyshman battled against spirited CEO Dan Gunn, from Viatec based in Canada, for the title of Chairman of Poker and emerged triumphant. Gunn emerged as the Vice Chairman of Poker after a heads up with Fleyshman that left onlookers waiting with bated breath.

"I've played this game with some of the icons of poker in the past and playing against CEOs was just as hard," says Fleyshman. "The elimination process was draining because these CEOs are good players. At one point, I took a sip of my Whos Your Daddy Green Ice Tea for an extra boost and it gave me the energy I needed to finish the game and take home the championship."

Winning a poker tournament among his peers isn't the only notch on the young CEO's belt, as the 25-year-old claims to be the youngest man ever to own a publicly traded company. Who's Your Daddy, Inc. is a licensing firm with a collection of clothing that advertises the catchy phrase, along with a line of popular energy drinks.

When asked about his experiences during the first annual CEO Poker Tournament, Fleyshman said, "It felt like a fraternity. I got to exchange business ideas with my comrades. There was a lot of networking going on and I think we all came away from this with something." He added, "It felt more like a fellowship than a poker tournament."

When asked if he'd return to defend his title at next year's CEO Poker Tournament, Fleyshman exclaimed, "Absolutely! This event is just going to get bigger and better every year."

Viatec's Danny Gunn of Victoria, British Columbia, had a strong read on his fellow CEOs at the final table, where he ended up battling Fleyshman for the title of Chairman of Poker. Gunn was relentless, staring down his opponent Fleyshman hand after hand. It was a battle of CEO wills that left Fleyshman Chairman of Poker and Gunn, Vice Chairman of Poker.

"I was sponsored to play in the CEO Poker event by a group of friends I play with in Canada," said Gunn. "They believed I could make it to the finals and I appreciate their support. I placed third in the first event of the week and I was awarded the Vice Chairman title in the finals. It was an amazing week."

First out in the money, in fifth place, was Tim Murphy of Elite Racing of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Representing Euro RSCG of New York was Tom Messner who came in fourth, and Sam Feldman of SL Feldman & Associates from Hawaii went out in third place. But it was anyone's game as Who's Your Daddy CEO Dan Fleyshman went heads up against Viatec's Danny Gunn of Victoria, British Columbia. In a series of all-ins that lasted for over an hour, the two traded chip leads until Fleyshman landed on top, leaving Danny Gunn with the second-place title of Vice Chairman of Poker.

"We knew that CEOs battling for the Chairman of Poker would make for an exciting event," says William Peraza Jr, founder and CEO of CEO Poker Inc. "These men battle in the board room every day, making decisions, analyzing competitors, just like in poker. Each of the CEO participants battled relentlessly for the title of Chairman of Poker. They showed the same energy, skill, and quick decision making process seen in boardrooms. They are all true poker chairmans."

CEOs participating in CEO Poker represented all areas of industry: real estate, business, hospitality, investor, Internet, health, advertising, and more.

Veteran tournament director Robert Thompson ran the five-day affair. Gene Trimble, Director of Poker for The Palms managed the successful series.

Veteran World Series of Poker Staffers to serve as Tournament Director

07.11.2006

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. today announced that seasoned officials Jack Effel and Robert Daily will serve as Tournament Director and Event Director, respectively, at the 2007 World Series of Poker.

As tournament director, Effel will oversee a wide variety of tournament operations, including dealer and floor-person staffing, tournament rules, payout percentages, structures for mega- and super-satellites, and second chance tournaments. Daily's event director duties will include management of accounting, auditing and cage operations as well as office staffing, registration and convention services. Both Effel and Daily will report directly to Howard Greenbaum, Harrah's Western Division Vice President of Specialty Gaming.

"Improving tournament operations is our top priority for 2007," said World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. "Howard will provide clear leadership and one-stop shopping on all things poker, and Jack and Bob will manage the tournament and event operations day-to-day. This is a winning combination that deepens our bench and will result in a better experience for players and spectators."

"Jack and Bob know the poker business inside out," said Greenbaum. "Given the enormous complexity of hosting an event of this magnitude, it's important to have truly exceptional people overseeing the details. Jack and Bob fit that description."

Effel and Daily both served as World Series of Poker tournament directors in 2006. The division of labor in 2007 reflects a continuing commitment to improving the world's largest, richest and most prestigious poker tournament.

With a total gross prize pool of more than $171 million and in excess of 48,000 player registrations, the 37th annual World Series of Poker presented by Milwaukee's Best Light shattered every participation and prize money record for a live poker event. The top prize for the $10,000 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold'em World Championship, commonly referred to as the Main Event, reached $12 million.

The World Series of Poker is broadcast exclusively on ESPN. More information about the World Series of Poker is available online at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Pair of twos hit the jackpot

06.11.2006

A pair of twos turned out to be enough to win a 27-year-old Oshawa man $1.35 million early Monday morning in the final hand of the World Poker Tour's North American Championship.

Soren Turkewitsch, a factory worker living with his girlfriend of six years in her parents' basement won a marathon final table in the $4.8-million tournament, held at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Five Canadians and one American started playing the final table at 5 p.m. Sunday and it wasn't until Turkewitsch's opponent Jason Sagle went all-in at 12:50 a.m. Monday that the tournament finally came to an end.

Sagle, convinced his ace-five combination would hold up, put all his chips on the line, only to have a two come up on the flop that gave Turkewitsch a tourney-winning pair.

Aussie Millions Super Satellite at Titan Poker

02.11.2006

Titan Poker announce an Aussie Millions Super Satellite awarding one or more skillful players with a seat(s) at the Aussie Millions Tournament at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2007.

Titan Poker will award a $12,000 Package (including Main Event buy-in, flights and accommodations). The Main Event will take place between January 16 and January 19 in Australia.

One Package will be awarded for every 40 players participating in the Super Satellite. The remaining prizepool, if any, will be distributed according to Titan Poker's standard tournament payout structure.

The Aussie Millions Super Satellite will be staged on December 23, 2006, at 7.00am EST.

Direct buy-ins to the Aussie Millions Super Satellite are available for $300 + $20, but you can win your seat at one of the ongoing Sit 'N' Go satellites, or at one of the Bi-Daily Multi-Table Qualifiers.

Stage 3 satellites, awarding seats to the daily Multi-Table Qualifiers, are available for as low as $1 + $0.20.

Click here for more Information about Titan Poker.

Canadian Players Dominate Tournament

31.10.2006

With the first-ever WORLD POKER TOUR(R) (WPT) Canadian tournament stops in the history books, Fallsview Casino Resort has crowned its two new WPT title winners - one each for the inaugural WPT Canadian Open and the WPT North American Poker Championship (NAPC).

From October 22 through October 28, the Fallsview Casino Resort welcomed a combined field of 793 local and U.S. poker players for the two events, which had a combined prize pool of almost $5.7 million. Many professional poker players were among the entrants in both tournaments-including Daniel Negreanu, Isabelle Mercier, Gavin Smith, John Juanda, Alan Cunningham, Dan Harrington, Barry Greenstein, Joe Sebok, Brad Booth, and more. In the end, 10 out of the 12 final table players in the two events were from Canada, with an amateur Canadian player taking the NAPC title and a young American poker pro capturing the first-ever Canadian Open title.

"We were thrilled and overwhelmed with the amazing turnout and support of the two WPT events from the spectators, press and players," said Greg Medulun, Manager of Corporate Communications for Fallsview Casino Resort. "We couldn't have asked for better results for WPT's first foray into Canada."

Playing through a field of 497 players, 27-year-old amateur poker player Soren Turkewitsch of Oshawa, Ontario, battled the remaining five players in an eight-hour final table of the NAPC on October 30 to take home a first-prize of over $1.3 million. Turkewitsch, an automobile factory worker, secured his $10,300 entry by winning a $90 satellite tournament, which he parlayed into a $160 satellite tournament win then a seat in the NAPC. The NAPC was Turkewitsch's first major poker tournament.

Placing second in the NAPC was professional poker player Jason "Bigbird" Sagle of Sudbury, Ontario, who won over $600,000. John Lam of Toronto placed third; Jim Worth of Oakville, Ontario, placed fourth; John Juanda of Alhambra, California, placed fifth; and Marc Karam of Ottawa, Ontario, placed sixth. The final table, which was taped in front of a live audience in the Avalon Ballroom at Fallsview Casino Resort, will air on the Travel Channel in the spring of 2007.

The final table for the WPT Canadian Open, which drew 296 players to Fallsview Casino Resort, was held on October 30. Placing first was 25-year-old Scott Clements of Mt. Vernon, Washington, who claimed the first-ever WPT Canadian Open title and more than $250,000 in prize money.

Finishing behind Clements in the Canadian Open was poker pro Tony O'Hagan of Paris, Ontario, who placed second; Vince Sassa of Toronto placed third; Terris Preston of Toronto placed fourth; Steve Buttery of Windsor, Ontario, placed fifth; and Dang Trinh of Toronto placed sixth.

The Canadian Open will be broadcast in Canada at a later date. For more details please visit: www.worldpokertour.com.

Source: Newswire

15th Master Classics of Poker

28.10.2006

This year, for the 15th time, the Holland Casino Amsterdam is staging the Master Classics of Poker, the biggest and best-known international poker tournament in Europe. From November 3rd to 11th, the best poker players from all over the world (including the USA, France, Great Britain, Russia, Scandinavia, Austria and Germany) will be doing battle. Along with famous Dutch poker players like Marcel Lüske, Rob Hollink and Noah Boeken, international poker stars like David Colclough (UK) and Isabelle Mercier (Canada) will also be putting in an appearance. And of course the famous players from 'The Hendon Mob' wouldn't miss this tournament either. Last year the total MCOP prize pot pushed EUR2.5 million. On top of that, extra prize money is also being put up this year by the Holland Casino: a contribution of no less than EUR63,900.

The main tournament in the MCOP is the Lido Poker Tournament. This tournament takes place from Wednesday the 8th to Saturday the 11th of November and has a buy-in of EUR5,000. The total of all the stakes is paid out as prize money. The Norwegian Thomas Aleksander Middleton, last year's winner of the Lido Poker Tournament, received EUR528,000. And that's not all: in honour of the anniversary the nine finalists in the Lido Poker Tournament will also go away with a US$10,000 ticket to take part in the 2007 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

The Master Classics of Poker consists of seven different tournaments where the poker variants Texas Hold'em and Omaha are played. For every tournament there is a participants' stake which varies from EUR120 to EUR5,000. The total prize money for these tournaments of course depends on the number of participants. The tournaments start every day at 2pm.

For more information: www.masterclassicsofpoker.com

Source: Holland Casino Amsterdam

Swedish player wins $1.000.000 seat

24.10.2006

Titan Poker, one of the fastest growing online poker rooms, announced that Simon Leetsaar, 28, from Sweden, is the third player to have qualified for The Tournament Titan. The Tournament Titan is a Sit & Go tournament with a massive $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool and is the richest Sit & Go tournament ever played online. Only 20 players will qualify for this exciting tournament, making each seat worth an impressive $50,000.

With a Million Dollars on the line, The Tournament Titan competition is drawing some of the best tournament players online. Titan Poker has launched this competition in order to find the world's best and most consistent poker tournament player. To qualify for The Tournament Titan, Titan Poker players will have to make the final table three times in a row at any of the popular poker room's regularly scheduled participating tournaments. The first twenty players to achieve this feat will earn a seat in The Tournament Titan, guaranteeing themselves a share of the $1,000,000 in prizes.

Simon Leetsaar (nickname: "simaar") secured his seat at The Tournament Titan by finishing at the final table consecutively at Titan Poker's $2,000 Guaranteed Prize Freezeout and at two of the $5,000 Guaranteed tournaments over a period of three days.

Simon had been playing at Titan for just six weeks when he secured his place.

"Reaching the Tournament Titan is absolutely the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. I am so very delighted and I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to play in this great tournament," he said.

President Bush bans Internet Poker

15.10.2006

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- President Bush today signed into law a ban on online wagering, impacting 23 million Americans who enjoy the game of poker on the Internet. By including this legislation in the SAFE Port Act, Congress and the President bluffed the American people who overwhelmingly oppose federal efforts to ban online poker.

"Today is a dark day for the great American game of poker," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots advocacy organization of more than 110,000 poker enthusiasts. "Twenty-three million Americans who play the game online will effectively be denied the ability to enjoy this popular form of entertainment, even in the privacy of their own homes."

Bolcerek added, "Congress had a real opportunity to create good public policy by licensing, regulating and taxing Internet poker. Yet, they chose prohibition. This decision will prove to be detrimental in the long-run and leaves more than $4 billion in annual tax revenue on the table."

In late September, in a move of political gamesmanship, leaders of the U.S. House and Senate hi-jacked the vital port security bill and added the Internet gambling prohibition language.

Living poker legend Doyle Brunson said, "As a lifelong poker player, I can't believe the underhanded way this new bill restricting online poker was passed through Congress. What does Internet poker have to do with the Safe Port Bill? We Texans don't like this kind of trickery. Texas is a state where you can see an enemy coming, a friend is a friend, and you look someone straight in the eyes."

The legislation contains specific exemptions for Internet wagers on horse racing, state lotteries and fantasy sports. The PPA hopes that Congress will evaluate objectively the skill game of poker and afford it similar treatment.

"Internet poker is a great source of enjoyment and allows me to compete on an equal playing field with people from around the world," said Ethan Ruby, an amateur poker player who was paralyzed in a traffic accident five years ago. "I can't understand how President Bush would take this game away from me and millions of other Americans."

The Poker Players Alliance http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org/ is a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.

Pacific Poker Special Tournaments Upcoming

09.10.2006

2007 WSOP Qualifier
Every Saturday at 16:00 PPT

Share in the fortunes of Paul Wasicka and Rhett Butler, who won $9.3 million between them in the 2006 WSOP, and qualify for your seat in the 2007 World Series of Poker, courtesy of Pacific Poker. Plus, 888.com will give you a FREE buy-in to a $1,500 NL WSOP event when you win your seat to Vegas from a Qualifier! $80,000,000 was shared by thousands of players this year, so don't miss your chance to play for an even greater prize pool next summer!

When:	Every Saturday from 16:00 PPT
Tab:	'WSOP' tab
Tournament Name:	'WSOP Qualifier'
Buy-in:	$125 + $10
What can be won?	Buy-in & travel expenses to the 2007 WSOP!
Registration Open:	NOW but hurry as seats are limited!

And don’t forget, daily Sub-Satellites and Satellites are running now where you can win a seat to the Qualifier for only $2. Check the WSOP and Sit&Go tab for details.

NOTE: To participate you must be 21 years of age by the start date of the event.
The 2007 WSOP package is not refundable or saleable and there are no deals.

Dublin EPT Qualifier
Sunday, 8th & 22nd October at 14:00 PPT

Qualify for your $8,000* package on the richest poker tour in Europe, the European Poker Tour 2006, and win thousands of dollars on television!

Jet off to this fantastic event, taking place between 26th and 29th of October in Dublin, and for as little as 50¢ the luck of the Irish could win you hundreds of thousands of dollars on television!
*Approx. $6.270

And what’s even better, is you’ll have two chances to win as we’re hosting two Dublin EPT Qualifiers!

When:	Sunday, 8th October at 14:00 PPT & Sunday, 22nd October at 14:00 PPT
Tab:	'Multi-Table' tab
Tournament Name:	'Dublin EPT Qualifier'
Buy-in:	$40 + $4
What can be won?	$8,000 package for the Dublin EPT
Registration Open:	NOW but hurry as seats are limited!

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Hamburg SPT Qualifier
Sunday, November 19th at 14:00 PPT

Win your seat to the Showdown Poker Tour, taking place in Hamburg, Germany, from November 27th, 2006.

Satellites commence two weeks before the Qualifier, giving you a chance to win your seat from only 50¢, or buy-in directly to the Qualifier for just $75 + $5.

When:	Sunday, November 19th at 14:00 PPT
Tab:	'Global' tab
Tournament Name:	'Hamburg SPT Qualifier'
Buy-in:	$75 + $5
What can be won?	Seat & travel expenses totaling $15,000 to the Showdown Poker Tour, Hamburg
Registration Open:	Two weeks before Qualifier

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Bluff Magazine and PPA issues a Statement on Internet Gambling Act

06.10.2006

ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement has been issued by Bluff Magazine, America's largest poker magazine.

Congress passed legislation late in the evening on September 29th making it illegal to use credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers for online poker. Known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, President Bush is expected to sign the legislation within the next two weeks. Senate Republican leader Bill Frist of Tennessee attached the bill to the popular Safe Port Act bill on Saturday, prior to Congress going into recess for the upcoming election. As a result, several online-poker sites are closing down and will no longer be doing business with US customers.

"Having been unable to gain enough support to pass the bill on its own merits, Republican leaders strong-armed their way into piggy-backing the bill on the must-pass Port Security Act," commented Eddy Kleid, co-president of Bluff. He continued, "Why ban online poker? Apparently, it's OK to play other online games for money on AOL, but for some reason, which no one in Congress is willing to explain, poker is different. It doesn't matter that a majority of Americans oppose the legislation, that 23 million American's play poker regularly, or that poker is a game of skill. Needless to say, the poker community is very upset at the moment."

Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, the group representing all of the major poker pros and over 100,000 poker enthusiasts, added, "Passage of Internet Gambling Prohibition by Congress came as a great shock to all, not just the manner in which is was attached last minute to the Port Security Act, but the substance of a law that never gained required consensus in years of Congressional debate. Poker players in America will be hurt by this act of political trickery, and for what purpose? To act as an angry 'nanny state,' dictate morality, and tell Americans how they can spend their own money, and what they can access on the internet. Yes, in the land of the free, we are deputizing banks to monitor your each and every debit and credit, and censoring the internet like the Chinese government. Poker is an 'American tradition' loved by over 70 million Americans and deserves the same free pass that was provided to horseracing, state lotteries, and fantasy sports. We deserve another deal."

To discuss the issues further with Eddy Kleid, co-president of Bluff Magazine or with Michael Bolcerek, president of Poker players Alliance please contact: Jimmy Shapiro, jimmyshapiro@comcast.net or 425-818-8883.

Hollywood loves Poker

02.10.2006

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Hollywood has long known a high stakes poker table is a powder keg of dramatic potential. The sexy new poker flick, Aces the Movie, is the latest in a long line of poker classics. The popular online casino is celebrating the DVD release of Aces the Movie -- dubbed "the Charlie's Angels of Poker" at the WSOP this summer -- with a gala star-studded event in Beverly Hills next week.

Matt Damon revived the poker movie genre in Rounders (1998), but Hollywood has been fascinated by poker and poker culture since Hopalong Cassidy saved the day by posing as a newbie poker player in Sunset Trail (1939),and Gene Autry starred in the classic poker murder mystery, Loaded Pistols (1948). In Maverick (1994), Mel Gibson and Jody Foster needed $3000 dollars to enter a winner takes all poker tournament. California Split (1974) directed by Robert Altman (M*A*S*H) and starring George Segal & Elliot Gould, showed the day-to-day life of card-playing, sports-betting, sleep-till-noon gamblers. Like the main character in 'Aces the Movie', the heroine in Big Hand for a Little Lady (1966) had never played poker before she sat down to the big table. Steve McQueen manages to get into the highest stakes game of his life in what most consider to be the ultimate poker classic, The Cincinnati Kid (1965).

"Poker isn't just about rules and strategy," "It's a culture. With so many people playing poker online now, it' s a lifestyle that millions dream about."

The retro Vegas-style online gambling site has sponsored and promoted 'Aces the Movie' all summer. Thousands of free DVDs have been given to new players and awarded as contest and tournament prizes.

Top Ten Poker Movies: Aces the Movie (2006), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Rounders (1998), Big Hand for a Little Lady (1966), Kaleidoscope (1966), Maverick (1994), The Gambler (1980), California Split (1974), The Sting (1973), High Roller - The Stu Ungar Story (2003).

Omaha October at Noble Poker

02.10.2006

This October is 'Omaha October' at Noble Poker!

The $3000 Grand Prize Tournament will held on October the 28th.

Weekly $300 FreeRolls with 1st and 2nd places gaining entry to the Grand Prize Tournament. The freerolls take place on October the 7th 14th and 21st.

Click here for more Information.

New family film set in the World of Poker

28.09.2006

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A new family film set in the world of poker, scheduled to begin shooting in Los Angeles and Las Vegas this spring, will have a real "full house" of talent behind it. Film will be Executive Produced by Garry Marshall and Hector Elizondo. Randy Feldman and Brad Neufeld will produce from their script in association with poker impresarios Mark and Lisa Tenner. Scott Marshall, who recently helmed "Keepin Up With The Steins," is set to direct.

The movie tells the story of a talented 15-year-old who qualifies for a $10-million dollar poker tournament at a major Las Vegas Hotel. The 15-year-old convinces his mother to play in his place and, through a series of extraordinary circumstances, the young man is allowed to play at the final table against many of the superstars of poker. In addition to exec producing, Elizondo is set to co-star as the casino manager with a heart. The producers are in the process of casting the leading lady role.

Titan Poker's Launches Bold New Look to Meet Growing Demand

25.09.2006

(PRWEB) September 25, 2006 -- Titan Poker, one of the fastest growing online poker rooms, has introduced a new design to the lobby of its popular poker software and has added a Mini Table View that is already a huge hit among the site's poker players.

Titan Poker launched the new lobby design in order to meet the growing demands of increasing numbers of downloads and activity. The easy to understand dropdown menu makes for quick navigation to and from the ring games and tournament tables players desire.

Titan Poker has also added a Mini Table View, allowing poker players to tile all their open tables on the computer screen. Titan Poker's innovative software enables players to play at up to eight tables and/or tournaments simultaneously, and the Mini Table View helps players to quickly toggle back and forth and stay in the action.

The new lobby design is just the latest of a long string of improvements and exciting promotions run by Titan Poker. Titan Poker is currently staging The Tournament Titan, an ongoing promotion set to determine the best poker tournament player online.

The Tournament Titan is just the latest of a long string of innovative promotions run by Titan Poker. Titan Poker's jackpot sit 'n' go tournaments are extremely popular and attract veteran and novice poker players alike. If a player succeeds in winning the appropriate number of consecutive tournaments, he is entitled to receive a huge jackpot prize in addition to the regular tournament payout. Titan Poker already paid out more than $1.5 million in jackpot prizes to its various winners. In addition, Titan Poker regularly sends qualifying players to land-based tournaments, including the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.

European Poker Tour in London

22.09.2006

Starting in Barcelona, Spain, Season 3 of the European Poker Tour heads for London today. Settling in the famous Grosvenor Victoria Casino, this EPT event wraps up The Vic′s European Poker Championships festival. Only 400 seats are up for grabs in this £3,500 (€5,000) buy-in Main Event, but 80 spots have been reserved for players who are members of Team PokerStars, the major sponsor of the EPT.

Joseph Hachem, the WSOP Champion from 2005, French poker pro Isabelle Mercier, Luca Pagano, and Jeff Williams, the EPT Monte Carlo Season 2 Grand Final winner, will all be in attendance. Those clamoring for a seat will need a passport and a membership application, as players will need to become a member of the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in order to gain entry to the club.

Maine deciding about a ban on "illegal online poker"

20.09.2006

Online poker is a hot topic in today′s legal arena, and soon the US Senate will be deciding whether or not to enforce a ban on "illegal online poker", a ban that would be welcomed by many in the state of Maine. The Bangor Daily News, a Maine news source, recently published an opinion article on the topic, citing the advancement of online gambling among the young in their state, saying that of the 900 young people surveyed, 10 percent said that online gambling had put them into debt.

Many concerns about youthful access to online gambling sites are spurring the anti-online poker sentiment, adding fuel to the fire, while other organizations such as the Poker Players Alliance strive to provide the opposing point of view to the decision makers.

Play against Supermodel online

19.09.2006

One of the biggest draws to online poker rooms is the chance to match up against a poker pro, something usually reserved for those with the time and money to hit up the World Series of Poker or similar live events. Throw into the mix celebrities who play poker online and there is even more attraction, but how about the chance to play with the "World′s Hottest Swimsuit Model"? That honor is reserved for Titan Poker′s players, who get a shot to play against their spokesperson, Joanna Krupa, online. Part of her role with the organization is to appear in ring games and tournaments every week. Lest anyone think Krupa can′t play, be forewarned - she outlasted most of the celebrities in this year′s WSOP Main Event.

Ivey Drops In on European Poker Tour

16.09.2006

It should come as no surprise to anyone that has watched a single televised World Series of Poker match on ESPN that Phil Ivey is among the players to survive Day One at the European Poker Tour kicked off in Barcelona. Though it was quite a surprise that he showed up at the event in the first place. Ivey was not registered for the sold out event and seemed to head to Barcelona as an afterthought to his playing a tournament in London. Needless to say, the organizers allowed him to play. Saying no to Ivey at a sold out, high-profile poker tournament would be akin to saying no to Kobe Bryant in a pick-up basketball game after you′ve already chosen your players. It may not be fair, but some things are good for everyone involved. After nine hours of poker, Ivey finished the day with about 27,000 in chips, which is about average for the field.

Ivey is among a few other notables who also made the trip to Barcelona and survived the first day. Among them are online poker maverick Johnny Lodden, Humberto Brenes, Rob Hollink, and Jeff Lisandro. Isabelle Mercier and Mike "The Mouth" Matusow are also scheduled to play in the next round of the tournament.

Lindstrom Wins First Everest Poker Championship

14.09.2006

The last man standing at the Everest European Poker Championship on Saturday, September 9th was a Swedish player from Wirsbo, Sweden. Peter Lindstrom overcame a field of 20,000 players online and won the tournament. He and 17 other players from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Italy will share the Euro 50,000 prize pool. The Finale included the final 100 players squaring off, each representing a country.

Lindstrom won the live qualifier tournament in Wirsbo, Sweden on May 13th. He honed his skills by playing poker regularly – at least twice a week – in his poker club of about 100 players. After winning the qualifier in Wirsbo, he received all expenses paid trip to Barcelona plus Euro 900. The rest is history as Lindstrom won the first ever Everest European Poker Championship.

PA man wins over $112,000 at Borgata Poker Open

09.09.2006

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 8, 2006 -- The competition was fierce at Thursday's final table of the Borgata Poker Open's $750 No-Limit even at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. The action moved fast with the chip lead constantly changing hands as the players battled for their share of the $387,000 prize pool. By 11:00 p.m. the final table was down to two with Fritz Stoner of Lancaster, PA edging out one of last year's bracelet winners, Billy Hill, to capture the $112,447 first-place prize and the champion's Rolex watch.

Stoner was elated after his victory and already looking forward to the start of the $1,000 buy-in event on Friday. He commented, "I play the majority of my poker at Borgata and can't believe I won my first big tournament at the Borgata Poker Open. Why would anyone play anywhere else?"

Other notables at the final table included John Renzi of Philadelphia who made three final tables during the Borgata Summer Open (July 2006). Renzi was content with his third place finish and $31,020 in prize money. As Renzi walked away from the final table he said, "I've now made four different final tables between the last two major tournaments at Borgata, and I am going to be back at a fifth final table soon."

Matthew Stout, a 21-year-old Atlantic City native, was the fourth place finisher taking home $27,142. Stout was a fan favorite and continues to build his reputation as a premiere tournament poker player. Of course, Stout was disappointed that he did not win the event but at the same time he was pleased finishing fourth from a field that began with more than 500 elite poker players. After receiving his prize money Stout said, "I am ready to celebrate with my friends at Gypsy Bar, and I look forward to the start of Friday's $1,000 buy-in event. The competition is going to be intense."

The action is only going to heat up as more and more pros arrive for the higher buy-in events. With a host of celebrities, professionals and future Cinderella stories in the making, the 2006 Borgata Poker Open promises to produce some of the most heated battles of the year.

For tournament updates, exclusive video interviews with top competitors, and 'behind-the-scenes' footage of the event, visit the official 2006 Borgata Poker Open blog at www.theborgata.com.

Players can still register for the remaining Borgata Poker Open events. Seats can be reserved online at www.theborgata.com. Online registration closes 48 hours before each event after which time on-site registration is still available.

Poker Players Ante Up for Baby Hannum

06.09.2006

LOS ANGELES, CAlifornia -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Last week, there were more than just hearts on the poker table in the growing poker community—poker players opened their own hearts for a very special cause.

This exceptional occasion was in response to raising funds for the unborn baby of World Poker Tour beloved cameraman Paul Hannum, who sadly died five weeks ago at the age of 45. Hannum was engaged to Sarah Percy, who is seven months pregnant with their child, nicknamed "Baby Hannum."

When the call went out for help, it was answered in a big way. Poker pro and WPT Player of the Year Gavin Smith, the WPT and the Bicycle Casino took leadership roles in paving the way for mother and child. The night of Wednesday, August 30th, the Final Table players at the Legends of Poker capped it off with a big "All-In."

It began with Smith, a close friend of Hannum, approaching Haig Kelegian, Managing Partner of the Bicycle Casino and WPT founder Steve Lipscomb about staging a benefit poker tournament at the Bike on the night before the Legends of Poker Final Table. The end result of their combined energy and commitment produced a tournament with a $1,000 buy-in that attracted 115 players to support the cause and compete for a seat at the $25,000 WPT Championship and a host of other phenomenal prizes. The event was expertly managed by Kristin Cranford, a former WPT production staff member, who donated her time.

Among the players who came out were Barry Greenstein, Joe Sebok, Michael Mizrachi, Allen Cunningham, Melissa Hayden, Jeff Madison, Lee Watkinson, Scott Wilson, Vince Van Patten, Dick Van Patten, Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Shirley Rosario, Vanessa Rousso, Mark Seif, Casey Kastle, Kenna James, J.C.Tran, Mel Judah, Alex Outhred, Nam Le, Lou Diamond Phillips, Courtney Friel, Mike Sexton, David Singer, Billy Burke and Chris Ferguson.

When the dust cleared, Jennifer Tilly was the victor, but the gracious actress made the exceptional gesture of declining the first prize and giving it back to the baby's fund. Gavin Smith won second place—a $10,000 seat in a WPT main event--and then promptly announced that he would give 50% of any winnings from that tournament to Baby Hannum.

But the real surprise came the next night when Scotty Nguyen, soon to be a dad himself, convinced the other players at the Legends of Poker Final Table to donate a portion of their winnings to Baby Hannum—with Nguyen putting in a sizeable donation, followed by Hoyt Corkins, Kevin O'Donnell, Randy Holland and then winner Joe Pelton, who put in twice what the others individually contributed!

"I want this to be just a starting place," said Smith. "I'd like to encourage all the other Final Table players throughout the WPT's entire Season V to make a contribution. We also intend to hold the tournament annually, so that as a poker community, we can provide a family for Paul's family."

Donations are still being welcomed at www.babyhannum.com. Pictures of the benefit tournament will be posted on www.thebike.com, with proceeds going to Baby Hannum.

"I still cannot believe the outpouring of support from the poker community," said Sarah Percy. "Our little baby will know what a great dad she had by the incredibly generous show of support from his wonderful friends in poker."

James Bond now a Poker expert

01.09.2006

New James Bond actor Daniel Craig has added gambling to his range of 007-inspired skills.

The 38-year-old star, who had to learn how to drive a high-powered car and handle a gun convincingly for his Bond debut, revealed he has now become a card-sharp.

Craig was taught to play a plausible hand of poker during the filming of gambling scenes in the forthcoming 007 movie Casino Royale.

In one casino scene, Bond has to ruin the arch villain by bluffing him at the poker table. And Craig enjoyed learning how to play poker so much he has taken to the game in his spare time as well.

British card player John Duthie, who has made £1.5million from poker, was asked to advise on the gambling scenes. He said Craig not only had to learn the game but also had to look convincing playing it.

He added: "And let’s just say there were some extra-curricular sessions that went on off-set that were all down to the cast and crew. I think some were playing for their week’s wages."

It is unlikely that Craig would be playing for a week’s wages, however – he is being paid £1.5million for his first appearance as Ian Fleming’s cold-blooded spy.

He has signed to make two more 007 movies. For the next one, set for release in May 2008, he will get a £3million pay day and he will receive £4million for his third outing as Bond two years later.

Craig, who appeared in the thrillers Layer Cake and Enduring Love, has received an unprecedented amount of flak for his portrayal of a darker, more fallible Bond – even though the film remains strictly under wraps until its November release.

Iowa Poker players oppose Internet Gambling Legislation

01.09.2006

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the recently scheduled "field hearing" on the issue of Internet gambling hosted by Rep. Jim Leach (R- IA) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) in Cedar Rapids tomorrow, Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) a grassroots organization of more than 100,000 members, released the following statement:

"The Poker Players Alliance supports an open dialogue to discuss this issue and we sincerely hope that the interests of poker enthusiasts in the state of Iowa will be heard at the field hearing. At the same time, while millions of poker players across the country care about this issue, we do not believe that Internet poker is of critical importance to the average Iowan. Field hearings focusing on high gas prices, quality education and healthcare, or the escalating war on terror would be a much more appropriate and productive use of taxpayer dollars.

"While there are concerns with underage gambling and problem gambling, the prohibition bill sponsored by Rep. Leach and supported by Majority Leader Frist is shortsighted and will do nothing to address those concerns. As it stands the bill makes exemptions for Internet wagers on horse races, lotteries and fantasy sports. This fact is inconsistent with the supposed desire to ban online gambling. Moreover, Americans learned long ago that prohibitions don't work. In fact, prohibiting online poker will only drive the industry underground, essentially creating unregulated online 'speakeasys' for people to play this game of skill.

"A more sensible approach is to license, regulate and tax this skill game here in the United States, much like we already do with 'brick and mortar' casinos and card rooms. A recent economic analysis commissioned by the PPA reveals that more than $3.3 billion in tax revenue could be raised by the federal government by simply regulating Internet poker. An additional $1 billion could be spread amongst the states. Some of this money could be wisely spent on public education about the proper age to gamble and programs to treat problem gamblers.

"The PPA values the leadership of Rep. Leach and Sen. Frist and we sincerely hope that they will shift their focus away from prohibiting a game of skill enjoyed by 23 million Americans on the Internet to more timely and relevant issues facing the people of Iowa and this country."

The Poker Players Alliance http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org/ is a non- profit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.
Poker Players Alliance

CONTACT: John Pappas, +1-202-715-1514, for Poker Players Alliance; or
Michael Bolcerek of Poker Players Alliance, michaelb@pokerplayersalliance.org

Titan Poker offers Reload Bonus

26.08.2006

Titan Poker offer all Players who make an additional deposit between August 25 and midnight August 29, 2006 EST an attractive Reload Bonus. After making an additional deposit, or a number of additional deposits, players will be entitled to earn a Reload Bonus. The amount of this bonus is based on the player's VIP Level.

Players at Bronze VIP Level (Level 1) are entitled to a Reload Bonus of 25% of each of their additional deposits up to a maximum of $150.

Players at Silver VIP Level (Level 2) are entitled to a Reload Bonus of 50% of each of their additional deposits up to a maximum of $200.

Players at Gold VIP Level (Level 3) are entitled to a Reload Bonus of 50% of each of their additional deposits up to a maximum of $300.

Players at Platinum VIP Level (Level 4) are entitled to a Reload Bonus of 60% of each of their additional deposits up to a maximum of $350.

Players at Titanium VIP Level (Level 5) are entitled to a Reload Bonus of 70% of each of their additional deposits up to a maximum of $500.

The Reload Bonus is issued to players as they earn Titan Poker Points at ring games and tournaments.The key for bonus release is 1000 Points = $10 cash bonus issued.

Poker winners attract much more attention

23.08.2006

If you hadn't heard before now that Jaime Gold is the winner of the 2006 World Series of Poker No-Limit Texas Hold'em Championship well, you must have had the TV turned off and skipped reading the papers.

Gold is a former Hollywood agent who once counted James Gandolfini among his clients, and he produced 10-time WSOP winner Johnny Chan's instructional poker DVD. And that makes him a near-perfect media winner for what has become an enormous annual media event.

It wasn't always that way, of course. No one outside poker pro circles paid attention in 1970 when Johnny Moss became the first WSOP winner. He was elected champion by his peers, who voted Moss as the competitor who had played the best during the event. The following year the freeze-out formula, playing until one player had all the chips, was adopted, and Moss won again.

Moss won $30,000 for that 1971 freeze-out, a far cry from the $12 million won by Gold this year. Today's big money is the result of the phenomenal growth in poker, especially no-limit Texas Hold'em, that has been spurred by televised and online tournaments. There were 8,773 entrants this year, each with a $10,000 buy-in, whether that buy-in came via actually ponying up the 10 grand or by winning their entry for a fraction of the cost in satellites at Harrah's casinos across the country or on the Internet.

The Internet connection is bound to be a source of controversy and angst in the coming years, depending on how aggressively the federal government chooses to pursue controlling online gambling. The U.S. House of Representatives this summer passed a bill that would outlaw banks and credit companies from handling transactions for online gambling. It doesn't appear the Senate will approve such a measure, so we're at an uneasy status quo in which the federal government holds it to be illegal for U.S. residents to gamble online, but doesn't seem to be in position to control it.

Against that backdrop, Antigua has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, contending that any U.S. crackdown on online gambling violates international trade rules. The WTO can't stop the U.S. from passing anti-Internet gambling rules, but it can impose economic sanctions.

The economic sanction that Antigua is seeking would sting the industry where new World Series of Poker champion Gold makes his non-poker living. Antigua plans to ask the WTO for permission to copy and export U.S.-made DVDs, CDs and other entertainment media without paying royalties.

That raises the stakes far beyond a $10,000 entry to the World Series of Poker, and even far beyond Gold's $12 million windfall.

Scanning the list of players who finished in the money in the No Limit Texas Hold'em Championship, I kept an eye out for anyone with a local connection. The top Midwesterner was Dan Nassif of St. Louis, who made the final table and finished ninth, good for $1,566,858. No. 1 in the Chicago area was Walt Schafer of Aurora, who finished 104th, winning $51,129.

The World Series of Poker is far more than the final championship, with 45 events covering the poker spectrum. The top Chicago area finisher in any of them was Shawnee Barton of Chicago, who finished second and won $123,178 in the $1,000 buy-in Women's No Limit Hold'em championship.

Off the poker track, my wife and I took advantage of a vacation day to drive to Milwaukee and visit the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. It had been a few years since I'd been able to make it there, and wanted to get a good look around. Potwatomi does a great job with its theme, using Native American photographs, artifacts and imagery around the property. That includes a huge false flame that symbolizes the Potawatomi status as keepers of the fire in alliance with the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes.

We had a fun day, mostly dabbling in nickel slots. What the casino is most of all is a slot lover's haven, with games from a variety of manufacturers – IGT, WMS, Bally, Aristocrat, Atronic and Konami. This was the first casino where I got to see Atronic's e-Millions in action – if you bet the maximum, you're eligible for a million-dollar progressive jackpot. If not, you can still become a nickel-aire, with a jackpot of a million nickels.

Food service is outstanding here, with Dream Dance being one of the best casino restaurants around. We were there on a seafood buffet night, so we opted to make some cold cracked crab claws the center of our meal.

Expansion is coming soon to Potawatomi, and I'm looking forward to seeing what that brings.

By John Grochowski

NBA, poker stars to play for charity

22.08.2006

Some of the biggest names in the NBA and poker, including Michael Jordan and Phil Ivey, are coming to the inaugural Trent Tucker Charity Poker Tournament on Sept. 8 at Canterbury Park.

All proceeds from the no-limit Texas Hold'em tournament will benefit the Trent Tucker Non-Profit Organization for Twin Cities youth programs. The organization's partners in the venture include Canterbury Park, the World Poker Store and Polaroid.

"I am excited about the opportunity to partner with Canterbury Park and the World Poker Store to put on a world-class poker tournament to benefit our youth programs," said Trent Tucker, a former University of Minnesota basketball standout and NBA player. "It is going to be an amazing event that will allow us to further our impact on the community."

NBA icons scheduled to appear include Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley. Poker stars expected to attend include Ivey, Johnny Chan, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hanson and Marcel Luske.

There will be an estimated first-place prize of $50,000, based on 200 paid entrants. Seats for the public cost $2,500. Individuals can earn a seat in the main event by winning a one-table, 10-person satellite tournament. Buy-ins are $275 and are held every Sunday and Thursday at Canterbury Park.

For more information visit www.trenttucker.org.

Strip poker champ bares all after win

21.08.2006

London - The new World Strip Poker Champion who beat nearly 200 other players celebrated winning the £10 000 prize by removing his remaining clothes, thus securing a further £10 000 for charity.

John Young, a 32-year-old freelance writer from Slough, a town just west of London, secured victory after an eight hour competition involving both men and women from 12 countries, organisers Paddy Power said on Sunday.

"We said we would give £10 000 to Cancer Research if John dropped his trousers at the end of the match and he duly obliged," a spokesperson for the Irish bookmaker said.

Paddy Power decided to hold the competition after its spoof April Fool earlier this year generated a lot of interest.

The contest was held on Saturday in the prestigious Cafe Royal in central London with players battling it out in games of "No Limit Texas Hold 'em".

Aside from strict rules governing the poker play, there were clear guidelines on the stripping element - most importantly that each player started the match by wearing five items of clothing supplied by the organisers.

Each contestant was given a towel to sit on and to cover themselves when naked, but only after they had stripped completely.

Supermodel Joanna Krupa Shines in World Series of Poker Play

18.08.2006

Titan Poker, one of the fastest growing online poker rooms, issued its congratulations to its Spokesmodel, Joanna Krupa, for her stellar World Series of Poker achievements. Joanna, considered by Playboy Magazine to be the "World's Hottest Swimsuit Model," shocked poker fans by outlasting most of the other celebrities and professional players participating in this year's WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.

Despite only beginning to play poker last year, Joanna survived well into the second round of play of the Texas Hold'em No Limit $10,000 Buy-In Main Event, beating out more than 5,000 poker players, including actresses Shannon Elizabeth and Jennifer Tilly and 2004 WSOP champ Greg "Fossilman" Raymer.

"I am happy that I beat a lot of pros from the first day," Joanna said. "They play all the time and this is only my second time in a tournament. I'm very pleased with myself."

Sporting a Titan Poker t-shirt and bearing an awesome poker concentration, Joanna played through 11 grueling hours of poker on Day Two before she was knocked out of the competition.

Joanna, whose picture has graced the covers of Maxim, GQ, and Playboy Magazines, said her looks didn't help her that much at the table. "I don't think they're looking at every person and getting distracted. I just think everybody is here to do their best," she said.

Joanna has teamed up exclusively with Titan Poker and plays regularly at the popular online poker room. Joanna has appeared in a number of exciting film and television projects, and will soon star in a major production on the Fox network.

In addition to Joanna, many other players qualified to represent Titan Poker at the 2006 World Series of Poker. Titan Poker players who finished with significant cash prizes included Per Eric Loeff from Norway who finished in 118th place and won $51,129, John McDevitt from New York who finished in 767th place and won $16,493, and Andrew Taylor from Scotland, who finished in 808th place and won $15,504.

Titan Poker regularly sends players to the biggest mainland poker tournaments in the world, including the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour, and the European Poker Tour.

Shannon Shorr wins the Bellagio Cup Championship Title

16.08.2006

Shannon Shorr now has more than enough money to cover his tuition at the University of Alabama where he's a civil engineering major.

Now that he's made more than a million dollars playing poker, Shorr's wondering if school's his best bet.

Shorr, said he's got some thinking to do after spending eight months as a professional poker player. He got his start by playing on line at Party Poker. He globetrotted around the world playing live events in Australia, Austria, Spain and the Bahamas until he turned 21.

The 21-year-old won the Bellagio Cup competition in Las Vegas this week and was awarded $960,000 dollars. That brings his total 2006 winnings to more than $1.3 million and ranks him THIRD in Cardplayer.com's Professional Poker Player of the Year Contest, trailing Phil Hellmuth Jr. by only 63 points.

Shorr was planning to return to school after finishing 577th in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Instead, he decided to buy into the Bellagio Championship for $10,000 dollars and is now, glad that he did.

Man vs Machine

14.08.2006

If the crew of 2001: A Space Odyssey needed to defeat evil supercomputer HAL, they should have challenged it to a game of poker.

Unlike IBM's Deep Blue, a computer that was able to beat world-champion chess player Garry Kasparov in 1997, even the world's best poker-playing computers would flop against the top human players.

That's because computer scientists have not yet figured out how to write programs that can make informed decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information, said Jonathan Schaeffer, chair of the University of Alberta's computer science department and Canada Research Chair in artificial intelligence.

"The skills that make human poker players really good are skills that don't seem to match well with what computers can do," said Schaeffer.

"Computers aren't particularly good at learning, for example, or reasoning by analogy."

Schaeffer was part of the team that designed Hyperborean, a poker-playing computer that recently went undefeated at two tournaments hosted by the American Association of Artificial Intelligence.

The University of Alberta was one of the first institutions in the world to attempt to develop a poker-playing computer. Its research was initiated in 1997 by a graduate student named Darse Billings.

GSN invites Jamie Gold to play High Stakes Poker

12.08.2006

GSN is extending an invitation to Jamie Gold, who just won the 2006 World Series of Poker main event, to play in the next season of HIGH STAKES POKER on GSN.

Gold won over $12 million by outlasting over 8,000 players in the "World Series of Poker" main event. If he accepts the invitation, Gold will be taking on top professionals in a cash game where every player puts up $100,000 or more of their own money to play.

The third season of HIGH STAKES POKER will be taped in Las Vegas. The tape date, location and complete field of players will be announced later.

The second season of HIGH STAKES POKER is currently airing on GSN Monday nights at 9:00 PM ET. HIGH STAKES POKER is the first true cash game of poker on television with a $100,000 minimum buy-in. Unlike other poker tournament shows, where the most players can lose is their initial buy-in of $10,000. On GSN's HIGH STAKES POKER, players have at least $100,000 and often several hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own cash at stake.

The first two seasons have featured the top professionals in poker including Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Gus Hansen, Antonio Esfandiari, Sam Farha, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, Todd Brunson, Michael Mizrachi and Johnny Chan.

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 133 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Now reaching more than 60 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

Jamie Gold wins World Series of Poker

11.08.2006

Former Hollywood talent agent Jamie Gold pulled off his best acting job ever early Friday, bluffing his way to victory at the World Series of Poker and taking home the grand prize of $12 million.

Gold, of Malibu, Calif., somehow convinced Paul Wasicka he had a weaker hand, getting him to push all his chips in the pot. The 36-year-old Gold screamed for joy to see Wasicka pocket 10s to his pair of queens.

It was the last bit of overacting for the former agent to the stars, who had bluffed and cajoled his way to the chip lead during the last four days of play.

"I knew that he was weak but he had a hand. And then I knew it was my chance," Gold said. "I went all in and then I just went into my act. I actually talked him into calling with the worst of it and that won the whole tournament."

Wasicka said he felt he could tell when Gold was bluffing even after he fell into his trap.

"I felt like I had a perfect read on him all day, whenever he would show his bluff, I thought he was bluffing," said Wasicka, a 25-year-old former restaurant manager from Westminster, Colo. "But against a player like that it makes it really difficult. You kind of just have to go with your gut. That's what I did and it was wrong."

By the time Gold and Wasicka were the last two players left from a field of 8,773 entrants, huge bundles of cash were deposited on the poker felt. But most of the chips were on Gold's side of the table.

He had eliminated six of the previous seven players himself, and Gold's 79 million in chips covered a good corner of the table. Wasicka's 11.2 million was badly overmatched.

Each player Gold wiped out fell victim to a different game.

Dan Nassif, a 33-year-old newspaper ad sales executive from St. Louis, busted out in the first 20 minutes of play when he went all-in with an ace and king and a plain-looking board of five, three and two. Gold was holding pocket twos, giving him a killer three-of-a-kind.

Nassif jokingly apologized "to everyone back home who ordered the pay-per-view" after his short final table run to finish ninth. He said he would return to his job despite going home $1.57 million richer.

"It's been a great experience, it's been a wild ride," he said.

Gold also knocked out Swedish pro Erik Friberg, when Friberg went all-in with a pair of jacks but ran smack into Gold's pocket queens. For good measure, Gold hit another queen on the river, sending the 23-year-old Friberg home in eighth place with $1.97 million.

"I'm feeling disappointed," said Friberg, the third Swede to make it to the World Series' final table in the past three years. "I don't know what happened out there."

Doug Kim, a 22-year-old recent Duke University graduate from Martsdale, N.Y., went out in seventh when he pushed in for all of his some 4 million in chips holding pocket nines and a flop of three, four, four. But Wasicka had him covered with pocket queens.

"I thought this was as good a spot as any to stick it in there," said Kim, who finished with a $2,391,520 payday. "I'm satisfied with my play. I have no regrets."

Gold's third victim of the final table was 55-year-old retired San Antonio businessman Richard Lee, who Gold had been reraising all night.

Just calling the big blind, or limping, with pocket queens, Gold watched as Lee raised to 1.2 million. Gold set the trap by reraising to 4 million and Lee, holding pocket jacks, went all-in for twice that amount, which Gold called instantly.

Lee busted out in sixth for a payday of $2,803,851.

A gracious Lee denied that the bluff set him up for a fall. "I knew he had some kind of a hand, I just didn't give him credit for that big of a hand."

Later, Rhett Butler, a 45-year-old insurance agent from Rockville, Md., busted out in fifth for a $3.22 million payday when he moved all-in with pocket fours but Gold called with a king and jack and got a jack on the board for a higher pair.

Michael Binger, a 29-year-old from Atherton, Calif., with a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford, was wiped out in third, for $4.12 million. Gold called an all-in bet holding an unsuited three and four and made a straight on the turn.

Even tournament pro Allen Cunningham, 29, of Las Vegas, fell in fourth when his pocket 10s failed as Gold's king and jack made a pair of jacks on the board.

Cunningham, who won his fourth World Series event last month, was favored by some to win the main event because of his experience. But once Gold controlled more than half the 87.7 million chips in circulation, he made it difficult for other players to raise pots with anything but undoubtedly the best hand.

By RYAN NAKASHIMA

Nine players remain at World Series of Poker's final table

09.08.2006

LAS VEGAS — Nine players — four pros, a former talent agent, an insurance broker, an ad salesman, a recent college grad and a retired businessman — were all that remained from a field of more than 8,700 hopefuls vying for poker's biggest prize of $12 million early Wednesday.

Around 2:20 a.m., after a dozen hours of play, Fred Goldberg, a 30-year-old general contractor from Hollywood, Fla., bet all his remaining 2.8 million in chips on the only hope he had left: that no other players had decent cards and that he could pick up the blind bets and antes that left a pot of 440,000 for the taking.

Unfortunately for him, Richard Lee, the businessman from San Antonio, Texas, looked down at his cards and saw pocket kings, and called.

"I wasn't happy going to the final table without chips," Goldberg said after being knocked out in 10th place. "I got very unlucky."

Goldberg's queen and three received no miracle help from the board, sending him home one seat away from the final table, but with a $1.15 million payday.

Afterward, the surviving players shook hands and congratulated each other. They were to be on poker's biggest stage.

Some were youngsters who had honed their skills in one of dozens of Internet poker sites that are based offshore because they are illegal in the United States.

Douglas Kim, a 22-year-old who graduated in May with an economics degree from Duke University, spent $3,000 buying into online satellite tournaments and won the last one available for $650. He'll start work at a financial consulting firm in New York in September, but said he is trying not to think about anything but the cards and players in front of him. "I just still can't believe it right now," he said. "I'm just taking everything one hand at a time."

Dan Nassif, a 33-year-old newspaper ad salesman from St. Louis, qualified for his second World Series main event in two years online. Last year he busted out in five hours. This year, he's guaranteed to go home a millionaire.

"I'm living my dream," he said. "My boss even text messaged me, wanting to know if I was quitting. I told him not to worry, that I wasn't going to."

Lee, 55, said his wife forced him to get out of the house after retiring from running several businesses eight years ago. He returned to playing poker. It was a game his father taught him at home games with local bigwigs at the age of 14. "My father would be smiling on me right now," Lee said.

Rhett Butler, a 45-year-old insurance agent from Rockville, Md., returned to his former profession after a decades-long hiatus to get married and have children. "My buddies put up half the money. They're here rooting me on."

Heading into the final grueling day of poker on Thursday after a day of rest, former Hollywood talent agent Jamie Gold was chip leader with 25.6 million, four-time World Series bracelet winner Allen Cunningham was second with 17.8 million and Lee was third with 11.8 million.

Nassif had the smallest stack at 2.6 million, while Swedish pro Erik Friberg was 4th with 9.6 million, Internet player Paul Wasicka was fifth with 8 million, Kim was 6th with 6.8 million, and Butler was 7th with 4.8 million.

Michael Binger staved off elimination late in the day, doubling up to about 3.1 million, in eighth place, when his ace and queen caught a miracle ace on the turn, beating Goldberg's pocket 10s.

"The burden is off," said the 29-year-old, Atherton, Calif., poker pro. "I'm at the final table and now I can play poker and go for the win."

By Ryan Nakashima, Associated Press

Former agent leads Poker World Series

08.08.2006

LAS VEGAS — Former Hollywood talent agent Jamie Gold kept his lead Monday at the World Series of Poker, wiping out two players in the space of an hour and amassing a chip stack almost twice the size of his nearest competitor's.

Gold, a 36-year-old Malibu, Calif., resident, nearly doubled his stack to 13 million in chips by the end of play Monday. In second was Erik Friberg, a 23-year-old online poker pro from Sweden, with 7.7 million.

David Einhorn, a 37-year-old hedge fund manager from New York leaped into third with 6.9 million after winning a massive three-way all-in pot.

"I'm playing for charity," Einhorn said, as players' jaws dropped around him. "The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Anything I win goes to that. My grandfather had Parkinson's."

Popular Costa Rican pro Humberto Brenes busted out.

At the noon start, the 45 players left in the hunt for the $12 million grand prize after nine days of no-limit Texas Hold 'em were greeted with plastic bags full of chips placed at their assigned seats at the Rio hotel-casino.

Gold's was so huge he said he spent the first hour "just stacking" them.

Gold got to work early, getting an opponent to call with a pocket pair of 10s to Gold's pocket aces.

Later, Gold improved his stack again when he called an all-in bet from Rob Betts. Gold's two pair of aces and kings beat Betts' aces and jacks.

By: Ryan Nakashima

Defending champion Hachem is eliminated

06.08.2006

LAS VEGAS -- Defending champion Joseph Hachem was knocked out of the World Series of Poker on Saturday night and finished in 238th place.

Hachem, who won $7.5 million last year, went all-in with a pair of aces, but lost to his opponents three of a kind.

At about 12:30 a.m. EDT, Jamie Gold was the chip leader with 1.8 million. Alex Balandin was second with 1.5 million, WeiKai Chang was third with 1.35 million and Kyle Bowker was fourth with 1.23 million.

Other pros still in the running for the $12 million top prize were Annie Duke and Allen Cunningham.

Ken Jacobs, son of poker pro Tom Jacobs, had fallen far back in the pack.

The day saw several notables bust out, including pros Daniel Negreanu, Kathy Liebert and Cyndy Violette, and longtime player Hoyt Corkins. None of the remaining players will go home empty-handed. The final 873 players in the tournament are "in the money," meaning they win some portion of the $10,000 buy-in back.

The final table of nine will play down starting Thursday.

By:THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WSOP 2006: Poker players reach the cash bubble

05.08.2006

They say in poker you can win with just a chip and a chair. Jeff Kanow did just that Friday, holding tightly onto his last $100 chip and turning it into a World Series of Poker payday of $10,616.

"I'm going to pay off some credit cards," Kanow said. "Then afterwards go hunt for a job."

The 36-year-old former poker tournament organizer from Alhambra, Calif., was right on the bubble Friday afternoon. After 8,773 entrants put up $10,000 to play in the world's largest poker tournament, the field had finally winnowed to less than 900. Players who finished 873rd or higher would be paid. Others would have nothing to show for days upon days of poker.

Kanow had been fired a day before the tournament began because he hadn't been at work in about a month. His girlfriend recently sold her house and moved to Las Vegas to get a job. He was left behind to pay the bills.

"I was flat broke, had no money and no place to live in California," he said. "I am so broke I borrowed some money to get lunch from my girlfriend."

As the forced bets known as the blinds increased to $1,000 and $2,000 with a $300 ante, Kanow glanced around the room to see players getting knocked out one after the other.

Players at his table enticed him to play, but seeing no cards to bet on, Kanow just plain held on.

"I said I'd rather wait and hope a bunch of people get knocked out," Kanow said. "Then they announced we were three away. And I was like, 'Oh geez.'"

His last $100 went into what was Kanow's final hand, which he lost to a straight despite his solid holding of an ace and queen.

Kanow was cordoned off with the other recent knockouts as dealers at other tables finished off their rounds.

Experienced players, like Costa Rican pro Humberto Brenes, were swooping down on short-stacked foes, stealing their blind bets and forcing players hoping to backslide into the money to bet all-in or go home with nothing.

Others with healthier stacks had their eyes more on the top prize of $12 million, which would be paid after the final table plays down beginning Aug. 10.

Among those still remaining before the dinner break were pros Daniel Negreanu, Allen Cunningham, defending champ Joseph Hachem, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Kathy Liebert.

Pros Phil Ivey, Juan Carlos Mortensen, Layne Flack, Freddy Deeb and Josh Arieh had already been busted out - and out of the money.

To ease the pain of those whose tournament lives ended before 873rd, this year, finishers in 874th place or slightly worse got an equal portion of the bottom end of the prize pool as long as they busted out in the same round, or one orbit of deals at the table, as the in-the-money finishers.

So Kanow waited with 10 others in a roped off area to see whether they had made it. He made a bunch of phone calls to tell people that he was close.

Kanow had borrowed $500 for the tournament and built it up at the blackjack tables to the $1,060 stake he needed to play to get into the main event from a satellite tournament, which he won. So any payoff would be profitable.

Then after about 10 minutes, the announcement came up: "Attention main event players: Congratulations, you're all winners!"

Kanow was in the money.

"Gold plate this one chip," he said. "I'm taking it home."

By RYAN NAKASHIMA

World Series of Poker field narrows

03.08.2006

By RYAN NAKASHIMA
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS -- Tournament supervisor Charles Ciresi was just trying to drum up morale. What he got was an answer that was more of the same -- the relentless stacking of chips and a dispassionate smattering of applause.

"Congratulations everyone! You beat out half of the room!" he called out, getting virtually no rise out of the players.

"Nobody really cares about that," said Kurt Acker, 38, a software business developer from Springfield, Va., as he walked with 60,000 in chips to his next table. "Everybody's trying to get through today."

With Day 6 of the World Series of Poker's main event in full swing, there were 1,541 players left, down from a record 8,773 entrants.

Each player's $10,000 buy-in goes into a massive prize pool, and by Friday, some people -- starting from the 873rd place finisher -- will get a piece of it, at least $14,597, back. The winner will take home a top prize of $12 million.

Ted Forrest, a cash game specialist who won the National Heads-Up Poker Championship in March, was at 56,000 in chips, after starting the day with just 1,000 more than that.

"I went all the way down to 19,000, got moved to this table and it took me an hour and eight minutes to win a pot. And now I'm back where I started," he said. "I'm wearing these 8,000 players down."

A lot of the action was away, or at least behind, the tables.

While working one player's stiff shoulders, masseuse Michelle Ardinez got two more requests for massages in the space of five minutes.

"We're all exhausted of course," she said. "Some people want two, three hours (of massages)."

Darren Nelson, 34, from Rochester, N.Y., had aches and pains in his back after sitting at the poker table for hours, he said.

But he had a philosophical view of the tournament, especially with a healthy stack of 80,000 in chips.

"Obviously everybody wants to win and it's frustrating when you get knocked out," he said. "It's fun. If you can't enjoy playing it, then there's no need to be here. If this is stress, then you've got problems."

Chris Jesus Ferguson Works Miracles At World Series Of Poker

02.08.2006

Chris (Jesus) Ferguson put his tournament on the line twice Tuesday, both times catching miracle cards at the World Series of Poker and turning a below-average stack into more than enough chips to remain a contender in the main event. In a feisty exchange, the poker pro raised and re-raised his way into a massive pot holding pocket kings, with the board showing a harmless-looking queen, five and four. Opponent Robert Ozeran, a 21-year-old student from the University of Southern California, held a queen and five, giving him the dominant two pair. When the betting was done, Ferguson's 40,000 in chips were all-in.

A jack fell, then a four, pairing the board and giving Ferguson the unlikely best hand of kings and fours.

Ozeran, whose stack had been cut to nearly nothing, had a meltdown.

"At least I can say Jesus Ferguson sucked me out," Ozeran said.

"Get in line," Ferguson joked, having doubled up to about 84,000 chips. Earlier, Ferguson also doubled up to about 40,000 as he paired his ace on a river card to beat a lower pair.

After about three hours of play on Day 5 of the world's largest poker tournament, 1,085 of the 1,637 players who played Tuesday remained in the hunt for a top prize of more than $11.5 million US.

On Wednesday, a second group of 1,736 was to play down. The survivors from Tuesday and Wednesday will be combined into single field Friday. The final table gets under way Aug. 10.

"I've been all-in with the worst hand and won both times," said Ferguson, who won the World Series main event in 2000. "I'm willing to get my money in on a coin flip." Both times, he acknowledged, his odds were worse than 50-50.

The chip leader by the afternoon was James Crowshaw with 231,000. Other names on the leader board were Ken Jacobs, son of poker pro Tom Jacobs, with 186,000, Daniel Alaei with 110,000 and Allen Cunningham with 107,000.

Pros Men "The Master" Nguyen, Eric Froehlich, Barry Greenstein, John Juanda, Andrew Black and David Williams were knocked out.

Michael Pino, a retired 59-year-old from New York, clung to hope and 21,000 in chips after knocking Greenstein out by calling Greenstein's all-in bet for 1,175 in chips with a king and nine. Pino held an ace and a 10, which created a pair when an ace appeared on the flop.

As is his practice, Greenstein signed a copy of his book and wrote down the hand that beat him before giving it to Pino and walking out.

"It's nice that I won the hand," Pino said. "As far as knocking him out personally, he's a gentleman and a very nice guy. I sort of feel bad about it, to be honest."

Souce: canada.com

'Lucky' Lady Drew Barrymore Goes All In

31.07.2006

Now that Drew Barrymore does not have to stay in character, the actress says she is ready to learn poker from the pros.

Barrymore, who stars in Lucky You, a movie set at the 2003 World Series of Poker, said she missed out on lessons given to other actors by pros such as Doyle Brunson because she plays a lounge singer who doesn't know much about gambling.

"Now that I don't have to stay true to the movie for my character, I'm planning to pick up as many tips as I can from the experts so I can go home and kick my friends' butts," the 31-year-old actress said.

Barrymore, who starred in ET the Extra-Terrestrial and the Charlie's Angels movies, appeared at the actual World Series at the Rio hotel-casino to promote her new film, also starring Eric Bana and Robert Duvall.

Poker pro Jennifer Harman plays a role, while a handful of other pros such as Sam Farha and Chris Ferguson make cameo appearances.

Victor Perches Wins His First WSOP Gold Bracelet

30.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – Victoriano Perches came to this country as many good people do – to seek a better life. The native of Chihuahua, Mexico arrived in the United States 25 years ago and began working inside a food processing plant in Oregon. He eventually moved to Las Vegas and started playing in local poker games for fun. Along the way, Perches discovered he had a hidden talent for the game and progressively started playing for higher-stakes. He now plays regularly in big cash games – frequently as high as $200-400 limit.

It’s not the typical Mexican-American success story. But Perches demonstrates that every person’s path to the promised land takes a different highway. On July 26, 2006, the 57-year-old poker pro won his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet and $157,338 in cash.

The Limit Hold’em Shootout championship was played over a three-day period. There were 524 entries. It took two days to eliminate 518 players. The six finalists returned to the Rio poker stage on Day Three. The final table consisted mostly of limit cash game players with high-stakes experience. However, none of the final six had previously won a WSOP title.

Name Chip Count Seat
Ralph Porter $150,000 1
Anders Henriksson $150,000 2
Mariano Garcia $150,000 3
Victoriano Perches $150,000 4
Thomas Schneider $150,000 5
Arnold Spee $150,000 6

The shootout format meant that each of the six players began with the same number of chips. Hence, all players started the final table as equals.

Mariano Garcia went out first when his ace-ten was capped by Rep Porter’s ace-jack. Garcia flopped top pair, but three spades on board gave Porter a flush. Garcia failed to improve, which meant an early sixth-place exit for the 26-year-old player from San Francisco. Garcia received $17,882.
Tom Schneider (a.k.a. “Donkey Bomber”) was eliminated next when he moved all-in from the small blind holding a marginal hand, which lost to Arnold Spee’s flush. Schneider, a poker player, author, and gaming consultant from Phoenix, earned $28,610 for fifth place. Interestingly, Schneider once wrote a book titled, “Oops! I Won Too Much Money.” It is unknown as to whether Schneider intends to write a sequel after chasing out in this event.

Ralph “Rep” Porter busted out a short time later. The Washington State investor and poker player finished second at the Caesar’s Palace championship, part of last year’s World Series of Poker Circuit. This time, Porter took fourth when his ten-eight paired up on the flop but lost to Victor Perches’ pair of aces. Porter was paid $39,339.

Anders Henriksson went out next. The Swede lost all of his last chips with ace-eight versus Victor Perches’ king-ten. Perches flopped a king, which left Henriksson in trouble. An ace failed to rescue the poker pro, which meant a third place finish. Henriksson collected $50,068.

Heads-up play began with Arnold Spee holding a 2 to 1 chip lead over Victor Perches. One hour later, the chip lead was reversed. Exactly one hour later, Perches won the final pot of the night. A key hand in the confrontation took place when Spee committed a large number of chips with pocket nines to a board of 7-7-4-3-Q. Perches, betting and raising all the way, flipped over seven-six -- good for trip sevens. He scooped a huge pot.

Down to less than 100,000 in chips of 900,000 in play, Spee fizzled out with queen-jack. Up against Perches’ ace-six, all of Spee’s chips were committed on the turn on a board which showed A-J-9-6. Spee, up against two pair, was drawing to two outs. A jack failed to fall from the deck, ending the tournament in Perches’ favor. As the runner up, Arnold Spee collected $78,679.
Victor Perches, adorned in a western-style hat, was thrilled with his victory. Cheered on by family members in the crowd, Perches posed for photographs following his win and enjoyed his first time in the poker limelight.

Oddly enough, although natives of Bolivia, Costa Rica, and other Latin American countries have won gold bracelets -- in the 37-year history of the World Series, Perches is believed to be the first poker champ ever born in Mexico.

by Nolan Dalla

Official Results:

1. Victor Perches Las Vegas, NV $157,338
2. Arnold Spee Thousand Oaks, CA $78,679
3. Anders Henriksson Stockholm, Sweden $50,068
4. Ralph Porter Woodinville, WA $39,339
5. Thomas Schneider Phoenix, AZ $28,610
6. Mariano Garcia Fremont, CA $17,882
7. Chris McCormick Las Vegas, NV $7,153
8. Peter Fischer Silkeborg, Denmark $7,153
9. Pedro Rios Houston, TX $7,153
10. Bill Burdick St. Petersburg, FL $7,153
11. Hyon Chun Cerritos, CA $7,153
12. Todd Witteles Las Vegas, NV $7,153
13. Kenneth Cruz Orange, CA $7,153
14. Chad Layne Las Vegas, NV $7,153
15. Scott Regner Walnut, CA $7,153
16. Justin Sadauskas Chicago, IL $7,153
17. Todd Taylor Las Vegas, NV $7,153
18. Hang Ha Vancouver, Canada $7,153
19. Michael Baker Boston, MA $7,153
20. Mike Caro unknown $7,153
21. Michael Banducci Travers City, MI $7,153
22. Kevin Daly London, UK $7,153
23. Danny Wong Los Angeles, CA $7,153
24. Joseph Thomas Paxton, MA $7,153
25. Craig Brockman Las Vegas, NV $7,153
26. Andrew Bloch Las Vegas, NV $7,153
27. Bon John Phan Los Angeles, CA $7,153
28. Chris Moneymaker Nashville, TN $7,153
29. Jeffrey H. Frerichs Henderson, NV $7,153
30. David Plaskett Boulder Creek, CA $7,153
31. Robert Guthmann Atlanta, GA $7,153
32. Eric L. Froehlich Springfield, VA $7,153
33. Howard Lederer Las Vegas, NV $7,153
34. Paul Niemela Las Vegas, NV $7,153
35. Scott Bohlman Homer Glen, IL $7,153
36. Vanco Nikolic Sterling Heights, MI $7,153
37. Marco Traniello Las Vegas, NV $7,153
38. Jamin A. Stokes Rockford, MI $7,153
39. William H. Jensen III Silver Spring, MD $7,153
40. John Carlisle Mt. Morris, MI $7,153
41. Andreas Hagen Stavanger, Norway $7,153
42. Mario Esquerra Whittier, CA $7,153
43. Darren Drandes Clearwater, FL $7,153
44. Zachary Fritz Las Vegas, NV $7,153
45. Gunnar Ostebrod Oslo, Norway $7,153
46. Tuan Jeff Lam San Jose, CA $7,153
47. Thmas Fiore Cranston ,RI $7,153
48. Johnny R. Kitchens III Jacksonville, FL $7,153
49. Michael Cribb Rochester Hills, MI $7,153
50. Jeffrey S. Whitson St. Michael, MN $7,153

Nothing than Online Poker

28.07.2006

Online poker is a multi-billion dollar industry, and its phenomenal growth is set to continue, writes Claire Doble.

Poker, check. Beer, check. Snacks, check. Friends - well, sort of ... I'm holed up on a Saturday evening with my online poker buddies: Suzi99, a 21-year-old American housewife; CryingBob, a dude from Michigan; gr8hand in Ontario; Ivan000, the silent Russian type; and Wernker from Adelaide. The deals are all perfect - no flipped cards, no slow shuffle-time - and when it's your turn, a helpful impatient-siren sounds if you take more than 15 seconds to bet, check, raise or fold. It's easy to see why people get addicted.

Worldwide, online poker is a multibillion-dollar industry and it continues to grow. The three factors behind its increased profile are television coverage of big tournaments such as the World Series of Poker, the convenience of playing online and the enjoyment and challenge of the game itself.

Internet poker is played against real people and you can bluff, fold or ride out a royal flush just as in live games. The differences are anonymity, 24-hour access and guaranteed fast, accurate play. And you lose some of the atmosphere, interaction and tactics of trying to read your opponent's poker face.

It's illegal to play poker and other games of chance online for money in Australia, but it's ridiculously easy to gain access, and you can play without spending a cent. Visit a site, sign up for a username and password, and download the software. Then you have the option to use the play-money tables free (sites can give you an automatic $US1000 play-money that can be "renewed" once a day if you lose your wad), or proceed to the real-money games and tournaments. The sites have plenty of incentives for this, with deposit bonuses and big-prize matches, such as a $1 million prize-pool game every Sunday or the chance to win a spot in the world series.

You can choose game speed, start and bet limits and the kind of poker you wish to play - Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud. Compared with most other forms of gambling, poker is compelling because, online or off, it relies far more on a player's skill than, say, roulette, consultant and world series host Mike Sexton.

"Poker is a game that has everything that most people like: a skill factor, luck, and risk versus reward," says Sexton, who recently challenged Paris Hilton to an online poker match after she allegedly lost her $US150,000 ($201,000) car at a live game. The prize was a new Bentley.

Unlike evil pokie machines, which are programmed so players lose more often than they win, the sites that run online poker do not set the odds and make the same amount per game whether $1 or $10,000 is bet.

Enthusiasts such as Richard O'Neill, managing director of a Sydney poker equipment seller say this makes online poker fair: "You're playing against other people, not the house, so in theory it's a level playing field. There's no advantage to the house because they don't make money from you losing - they just want as many people as possible to play."

Poker Stars, which boasts high-profile ambassadors such as Australia's Joe Hachem, who won the world series last year, has 5.2 million registered players, with an average of 80,000 playing each US night, according to company spokesman Nolan Dalla. Hachem, who catapulted the game into the Australian public's eye with his surprise $US7.5 million win last year, says he enjoys the convenience of internet poker and has been playing online since 2001.

"I have to travel a lot and I have to spend a lot of time with my family, so I can't go to casinos all the time," Hachem told Icon before heading off to Los Angeles for this year's world series. "I use online poker to stay in practice by playing people all over the world."

O'Neill says there are about 100,000 Australian online poker players. Globally, he says, most players fall into the 18-40 year-old "computer generation", and he estimates about 35 per cent are female and 1 million are professionals. But Hachem says this shouldn't worry the rest of us: "You don't have to be a professional. I played in a $5 tournament today for promotional purposes. People love that it only costs $5 to play the world champion. You can't do that with tennis, golf or any other professional sport."

Playing the pros and winning a place in the world series is a distinct possibility with online poker. Former WSOP champions Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer both won through to the comp via online games, as did one of Hachem's friends, providing the motivation for Aussie Joe to stump up the $US10,000 entry fee. Last year's World Series had 5600 entrants and Hachem says 8000 are expected this year, about half of whom will have qualified online.

The money pit

Sydneysider Neil Pheeney, 32, a non-professional who has played internet poker off and on for the past few years, says he wants to try to win through to the World Series by playing online. However, he's well aware of the risks. Pheeney hasn't visited the cyber tables for a while because of the time and money it takes. He says that some of his friends spend about $1000 a month on internet poker and it's tough to make a profit.

"You've got to really know what you're doing, because there are loads of patient people on there for hours and hours, waiting to take your money."

The old combo of booze and gambling may sound appealing for some, but Pheeney says he learned the hard way that coming home from the pub and playing a few hands could quickly relieve him of several hundred dollars.

"You've got to spend so many hours working out strategy and generally you will lose money," he says. "At some of the bigger tables there are people losing $40K an hour."

Others, however, are happy to play with only virtual money. Lesley Fernandez, 23, has been into online play-money poker for six months. Fernandez plays for three hours every weeknight and says she got into it because she spends a lot of time online and enjoys pitting herself against real opponents.

"I would play for real money if I had the disposable income to do so," Fernandez says.

Addiction

Australians, it is said, would bet on the proverbial two flies crawling up a wall. That adage is backed by statistics: we have the highest per-capita spend on gambling worldwide. And poker is in many ways the ultimate gamer's game. It's easy to master the basics, but takes time and practice to become a pro; in the interim there are many rewards to keep you engaged.

Relationships Australia's gambling help services program leader Neil Mellor says online poker is too recent a phenomenon in Australia for people to present with problems. However, the number of people seeking help for online gambling addiction overseas is increasing. Mellor says it's a "particularly dangerous form of gambling" and likens it to playing the stockmarket, where people have been driven to suicide after committing money they cannot recoup.

Even the play-money games are bad news in Mellor's opinion. Research shows the earlier a person begins gaming, the more likely they are to be habitual gamblers their whole life. "It's not necessarily a harmless activity, people should be very wary."

O'Neill, who doesn't play for cash, says the time spent playing online poker is almost as much of an issue as losing money. "You get roped into it, even for the fun-money games. You can find yourself playing for hours ... On the sites they offer heaps of giveaways and money bonuses, which gets you in [and] keeps you playing."

Is it legal?

Australian company Centrebet provides legal, online sports betting in Australia and online gaming to its overseas clients. The company says it takes extensive measures to ensure Australians cannot illegally use its online gaming services. "However, if the regulatory environment in Australia was to change with a relaxation of regulatory restrictions, [Centrebet] will be well positioned to offer a full range of online gaming services to Australian residents," its prospectus says.

Centrebet, which floated on the ASX this week, is anticipating poker will be the fastest growing part of its business over the next few years. "The online poker market surged in 2004, generating a 342.1 per cent increase in global revenue on 2003 to $US1.4 billion."

A spokesman for Star City Casino says the popularity of poker on television and online has attracting a new group of customers to the casino.

None of the players Icon spoke to said they were worried about the illegality of playing for cash via the internet, and most also play live games regularly with friends or work colleagues.

O'Neill, who runs an Australia-wide live pub-poker tournament, says he has never heard of anyone prosecuted for playing online. The Australian Federal Police did not respond to Icon's request for an interview.

Top tips for avoiding trouble

* Never bet more than you can afford.

* Only play if you're over 18 - for legal and maturity reasons.

* Never bet with credit.

* Keep track of and limit the amount of time spent online at the tables.

* Don't chase your losses.

* When it starts moving from being fun into an activity that's taking up increasing amounts of your time and attention, it may be time to stop.

* Programs such as Gamblock (www.gamblock.com) can prevent gambling software being used on your PC. This can assist problem gamblers and/or prevent minors from accessing gambling sites.

By Claire Doble

Phil Hellmuth joins the Ranks of Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan

27.07.2006

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE) Four weeks into the World Series of Poker and with the Main Event around the corner, at 1:00 am at the Rio Pavilion in Las Vegas, Phil Hellmuth Jr. re-wrote the World Series of Poker record books one more time winning his tenth gold bracelet in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Rebuy tournament.

In front of a growing crowd of anxious fans, standing room only, Hellmuth faced off with Juha Helppi to reclaim his place as number one. Crowned the "poker brat," Hellmuth now joins the ranks of Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, the only other pros to have won ten World Championships of Poker, and the most all-time wins.

From a field of 754 players, Hellmuth went into the final table with a chip lead of 768,000 against Daryn Firicano, Juha Helppi, Rafael Perry, Terris Preston, John Spadavecchia, David Plastik, Elio Cabrera, and Antanas "Tony" Guoga. After a long heads up battle against Helpppi, Hellmuth won $631,863, his share of a $2,340,238 prize pool in the event holding an A of Spades J of Hearts against Helppi's A of Diamonds 9 of Hearts when the board came up Q of Spades, 8 of Spades, 2 of Clubs, K of Spades, and 6 of Clubs.

Hellmuth has been a force on the poker scene since 1989 when he became the youngest World Series of Poker champion at the age of 24, taking home his first gold bracelet and an astounding $775,000. His stated career goal is to become the best poker player of all time. Now with ten WSOP victories (two of them in 2003), four Hall of Fame titles, and more than fifty tournament titles, Hellmuth is well on his way to cementing his poker legacy. Winning three WSOP titles and a second place finish in 1993 is considered the best feat in the history of poker.

In the World Poker Tour tournaments Hellmuth has amassed top-ten finishes and in 2005, Hellmuth took first place ($500,000) at the Golden Nugget's NBC National Heads-Up Poker tournament against 64 of the world's best poker players. He has won dozens of major tournaments internationally, including wins at the World's Biggest Seven-card Stud Tournament in Vienna at Casinos Austria, the Poker EM "European Champion," (2000), and Late Night Poker III Champion in Great Britain (2000). Added to his list of titles is also the 1995 Hall of Fame Championship Event.

In addition to today's triumph, on June 30th Hellmuth reached another key record in WSOP history when he became the first player ever to cash-in 50 times, getting 67th place in a field of 2,776 players at the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event. Hellmuth is now able to claim that he is the first player to ever reach that mark, which again puts him into the annals of World Series history.

Jeff Madsen - The new Poker Genius

25.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – The unthinkable happened on July 22, 2006 when 21-year-old Jeff Madsen won his second gold bracelet within a week. Even more remarkable is the fact that Madsen turned “21” just six weeks ago. This was Madsen’s third final table at this year’s World Series of Poker, presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light. He is one of only two players to hold such a distinction. Madsen now has two firsts and one third-place finish on his WSOP resume.

No player has ever skyrocketed to the top of the poker world so quickly, or so effortlessly. Not Stu Ungar. Not Johnny Chan. Not Phil Hellmuth. At 21, Ungar was still hustling gin games in New York. Chan was washing dishes in his parent’s restaurant. Hellmuth was a University of Wisconsin student, playing in $20 buy-in hold’em games. Contrast those memoirs with Jeff Madsen, who already has two gold bracelets and $1,401,881 in WSOP winnings. And, here’s a notion that should make the poker world shake and shudder – he’s not finished yet.

The $5,000 buy-in Short-Handed No-Limit Hold’em world championship attracted 507 entries. The tournament was played six players to a table. After 498 players had been eliminated over two long days, finalists took the final table on the Rio poker stage.

The six players comprised a tough lineup, most notably two former gold bracelet winners -- “Captain Tom” Franklin and Jeff Madsen. Noted tournament professional Erick Lindgren was also competing for his first WSOP win. When play began, Jonathan Gaskell enjoyed a comfortable chip lead. Jeff Madsen was dead last in the chip count coming into the final table. That would certainly not be the case seven hours later, when the tournament ended and history was made.

Name Chip Count Seat
Tony Woods $354,000 1
Jonathan Gaskell $727,000 2
Captain Tom Franklin $365,000 3
Erick Lindgren $448,000 4
Paul Foltyn $438,000 5
Jeff Madsen $201,000 6

Paul Foltyn had a rough time at the final table. He was eliminated about two hours into play after taking a number of tough beats that left him severely short-stacked. Foltyn, a 22-year-old college student from England, was forced to play a weak hand and missed completely. He collected $83,402 for sixth place.

Proving that having chips at the start had no bearing on the outcome, the early big stack Jonathan Gaskell was the next player to go bust. Gaskell, another English player, experienced his Waterloo when his pocket kings were cracked by Erick Lindgren’s ace-king. Lindgren certainly didn’t like the view when the cards were tabled. But agony turned into ecstasy when an ace rained down on the river, giving Lindgren a monster-sized pot and the chip lead. Meanwhile, Gaskell was aghast and hit the rail in fifth place, good for a less-than-satisfying payout totaling $119,145.

Tony Woods went out next. The 41-year-old poker pro from California lost with ace-king to Erick Lindgren’s pocket jacks. Woods failed to hit his pair, which meant a fourth-place finish and $150,123 in prize money.

This was “Captain” Tom Franklin’s second final table appearance this year. Franklin, a Vietnam veteran turned poker pro from Gulfport, Mississippi, went card dead at the worst possible time of the tournament. His two opponents -- Madsen and Lindgren -- applied relentless pressure, forcing Franklin into repeated folds when he could not call a large bet or a raise after missing the flop. Franklin’s final hand came when he hit top pair, but was out kicked by Jeff Madsen. Franklin’s queen-ten lost to Madsen’s king ten, after a ten flopped. The Captain was saluted for his third-place finish, which paid $214,461.

Normally, a player in Madsen’s unique position would be a huge crowd favorite, when heads-up play commenced. But this was not the case. Erick Lindgren, described by many of his peers as “the best poker player not to have won a WSOP gold bracelet,” attracted a rowdy cheering section. For a time, it looked like Lindgren would not disappoint his legion of fans. The Vegas poker pro enjoyed the chip lead during most of the duel, but then suffered a horrendous turn of events that left everyone in a stunned state of disbelief.

After taking a few beats and losing coin flip situations (Lindgren’s pocket eights losing to Madsen’s ace-king when an ace flopped completely changed the momentum of the contest), Lindgren lost his final hand of the night holding ace-jack suited versus Madsen’s queen-nine. The final board showed K-Q-2-5-3 – good for a pair of queens for Madsen.

Erick Lindgren could not have been more disappointed with a $357,435 payoff. No amount of consolation could ease the painful sting of defeat. However, like Gentleman John Gale the previous year – who lost a WSOP tournament in the most dramatic way possible, only to come back and win an event this year – Erick Lindgren’s day shall come.

The question everyone is now asking is – what will Jeff Madsen do next? He will be competing for what could be a record-third gold bracelet over the next week. Madsen will also play in the main event, which begins on July 28th. But beyond that, what does a 21-year-old college student do with $1.4 million and two WSOP titles?

Demonstrating maturity and composure far beyond his years, Madsen said he expects to return to college in the fall for his senior year. The Cal State-Santa Barbara film student still wants to pursue a career in movies. Perhaps Jeff Madsen’s first film should be a remake of “Kid Millions.”

Swedish Poker pro Mats Rahmn wins his first WSOP Bracelet

24.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – Many people might be surprised to learn that Scandinavia is one of poker’s hottest new markets. Perhaps it’s the cold dark winters. Perhaps it’s the relatively high income and education levels. Or, perhaps it’s the high-tech sophistication of the region. Scandinavians own more personal computers and cell phones, per capita, than any other population group. Not surprisingly, Swedes, Fins, Danes, and Norwegians also play more online poker than any other region.

Leading the way is Sweden, with a total population nine million. Right behind the U.S., the U.K., and Canada – Sweden sends more players to the World Series of Poker than any other nation. Adjusted for population size, Sweden is second only to the United States in the total number of players who play in the WSOP main event. Sweden’s emergence as a poker hub is also now producing world champions.

Mats Rahmn, a 26-year-old professional poker player from Stockholm, won the $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em championship at the 2006 World Series of Poker, presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light. More impressive was the fact that Rahmn topped a gigantic field of 2,126 players.

After 2,117 players had been eliminated over two long days, nine players took the final table on the Rio stage. The nine finalists comprised a very tough lineup, although none had previously won a WSOP gold bracelet.

Player Name Chip Count Seat #
James Sileo $144,000 1
Richard Toth $447,000 2
Mats Rahmn $511,000 3
Billy Duarte $96,000 4
Padraig Parkinson $278,000 5
Ashwin Sarin $591,000 6
Chris Birchby $497,000 7
Michael Binger $325,000 8
Jordan Morgan $307,000 9

“Boston Billy” Duarte was the first player to exit. The longtime poker pro, who plays in big cash games and at major tournaments around the country, was eliminated with ace-queen against ace-king. Duarte failed to catch a queen, putting him out in ninth place, which paid $58,040.

Ashwin Sarin went out next. The software engineer from Redmond, WA arrived at the final table as the chip leader. But Sarin suffered a horrible series of hands and beats over a 90-minute period that melted his stack of chips. Down to his last 200,000 after starting the day off with 591,000, Sarin moved all-in with pocket kings after the flop came J-8-6. His opponent called holding an eight, and then caught a second pair to eliminate Sarin in eighth place. He received $72,550.

Jordan Morgan, a 22-year-old college student from Norman, Okalahoma finished in seventh place when his pocket tens were run down a high pair. Morgan moved all-in with his last 125,000 and was called by a player with a flush draw. Instead of catching the flush however, Morgan’s opponent caught a queen to make a higher pair, resulting in Morgan’s abolition. The Oklahoman collected $87,060 at his first WSOP final table.
Michael Binger had chips for a while, but then went card dead. He tried to take a pot with king-jack by making a 135,000 pre-flop raise. He was called down by an opponent with 10-7 who ended up flopping a seven, good for a pair. That was all it took to knock out the Stanford graduate (PhD). Binger, a physician from California, received sixth-place prize money totaling $101,570.

James Sileo went out next. Hold’em’s most classic confrontation eliminated Sileo, who held ace-king against pocket queens. Board came with all low cards, a disappointment to Sileo, who ended up taking fifth place and $116,080.

Chris Birchby, a.k.a. “Marvin Garden” hit the rail in fourth place when he was desperately low on chips and was forced to play a sub-par hand or risk being blinded off. He moved all-in with his last 100,000 in chips on a steal attempt, but was down called by Mats Rahmn. Birchby had queen-five versus Rahmn’s king-seven. A king flopped, and Birchby – the owner of a sun block lotion company (“Coola Sunblock”) got burned. Fourth place paid $145,100.

Anyone who still doubts that Europeans can play great poker would be advised to look at the three finalists in this event. After the six Americans had all gone bust, that left an Irishman, a Hungarian, and a Swede to compete for what would be a first WSOP gold bracelet. Padriag Parkinson, who finished third in the WSOP main event back in 1999 (the year fellow Irishman Noel Furlong won it), had to settle for third place again this time around. Parkinson took a horrible beat when his ace-four was cracked by Richard Toth’s ace-three. Both players flopped an ace, but a three fell on the river to make two-pair for Toth. Parkinson, who was cashing for the fourth time at this year’s World Series, collected $203,139 for third place.
When heads-up play began, Richard Toth enjoyed a 2 to 1 chip lead over Mats Rahmn. The two players battled back and forth for nearly an hour before Rahmn won the decisive final hand of the tournament. The final hand came when Rahmn was dealt pocket kings versus Toth’s jack-eight. Toth called a pre-flop raise. After the flop came J-10-9, Rahmn bet out 150,000 and Toth moved all in for 500,000 more. Rahmn called and showed his overpair. Toth had top pair with an outside straight draw. However, two blanks hit the turn and the river, securing the victory for Rahmn.

As the runner up, Richard Toth received $333,729. The Hungarian poker player, who works in high-tech sales, was making his first-ever appearance at the WSOP. Toth will be a force in Europe and in years to come when he plays in North America.

Mats Rahmn had few words to express the jubilation of winning his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet and $655,141. “It feels amazing,” he said.

by Nolan Dalla

Poker Players Alliance holds party

22.07.2006

Invigorated by the recent federal legislation that would prohibit playing online poker in the United States, the Poker Players Alliance is hosting a rally/cocktail party in Las Vegas July 28 for poker players interested in defending the game of poker on the Internet.

Event sponsor, Poker Players Alliance, organization president Michael Bolcerek, and members Chris Ferguson, Linda Johnson, Howard Lederer and Greg Raymer, invite all interested poker players to enjoy a hosted bar and hors d'oeuvres from 5 - 8 p.m. at Buzio's Seafood Restaurant in the Rio Hotel and Casino. Reservations are not required.

According to Bolcerek, "Poker is one of America's favorite past-times and we intend to keep it that way. It is time to rally together to defend the game and ensure poker players can enjoy this game as they always have."

Ferguson, Johnson, Lederer and Raymer also expressed their support:

Chris Ferguson -- "I am proud to serve on the Poker Players Alliance board of directors and help lead the fight to defend poker. I encourage anyone who loves the game to join the PPA today."

Linda Johnson -- "I am honored to be a member of the PPA. If you care about your rights as a poker player, please join us on July 28."

Howard Lederer -- "Poker players need a united voice to promote and protect the game. The Poker Players Alliance gives us that voice. Join me and become part of this growing and influential organization."

Greg Raymer -- "The Poker Players Alliance is an important organization fighting to protect poker from government interference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. and state capitals across the country. If you care about your right to play poker, you should become a member of the PPA."

The Poker Players Alliance is a non-profit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.

Eric Froehlich Becomes the Youngest Two-Time WSOP Winner in History

21.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – There’s a new kid in town. Eric Froehlich, aged 22-years and four months, became the youngest player to ever win two WSOP gold bracelets. Last year, “E-Fro” won his first championship and became the youngest WSOP winner ever. However, earlier this week, an even more youthful Jeff Madsen eclipsed Froehlich as the youngest gold bracelet winner (by two months) – making “E-Fro” the forgotten man, at least for a few days.

Froehlich topped a tough field of 158 players and won $299,675 in the Pot-Limit Omaha championship. A whopping 472 re-buys pushed the total prize pool close to a million dollars. The special re-buy event was added to this year’s schedule at the World Series of Poker, presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light.

After 149 players had been eliminated, nine players took the final table on the Rio stage. The nine finalists comprised a very tough lineup, including three former gold bracelet winners – Chau Giang (3 previous wins), Rafi Amit (1 previous win), and Eric Froehlich (1 previous win). Players were eliminated in the following order:

Ayaz Mahmood, a Pakistani-born poker pro now living in Houston, has been a common sight at final tables in recent years. Mahmood wasn’t able to generate much momentum in this group however, as he went out with A-J-9-6 to his opponent’s 7-7-5-4. The final board showed 9-6-3-Q-5 giving O’Donnell a straight. Mahmood received $18,162 in prize money.

Israeli-born Rafi Amit went out next. His 8-6-5-2 lost to A-7-4-3 when the final board showed J-4-2-4-3. Kevin O’Donnell caught runner-runner to make a full house, putting Amit out in eighth place. This was his second trip to the final table at this year’s WSOP. Amit was paid $27,243.

Richard “Knucklehead” Freire made things interesting for the crowd. By far the most animated player at the table, Freire made it seem he was playing in his weekly home poker game. He repeatedly stood up from the table and jokingly exchanged words with his rivals. But no amount of personality could save Knucklehead when his Q-5-3-2 was hammered by Chau Giang’s Q-Q-6-4. The final board showed 8-4-2-7-Q, giving Giang trip-queens. Seventh place paid $36,324.
Matt Overstreet went out next when his Q-Q-9-3 was dominated by Giang’s K-K-J-5. Giang ended up making trip-jacks this time when the final board showed A-J-2-A-J. Overstreet, a recent University of Mississippi graduate, hit the bricks with $45,405 for sixth place. Overstreet also cashed in the main event last year.

Parisian poker player and club owner Bruno Fitoussi was eliminated when his K-8-7-5 lost to Kevin O’Donnell’s A-J-8-3. The final board showed J-9-5-6-4 with three diamonds to go with the two diamonds in O’Donnell’s hand. Fitoussi, who won the World Heads-Up Poker Championship in 2001 did not get a chance to go one-on-one in this event. However, he did receive $54,486 for fifth place.

Kevin O’Donnell enjoyed the chip lead, but then suffered a devastating serious of blows that knocked him out of the tournament. O’Donnell tried to make a move with a straight and a flush draw when he re-raised all-in on the turn holding K-Q-J-2 (with two clubs). The board showed 10-8-7-4 with two clubs. Sherkhan Farnood called the large raise holding a very vulnerable straight (A-9-6-5), which held up. O’Donnell pocketed $72,648 for fourth place.

Chau Giang has been a master of Pot-Limit Omaha for over a decade. The three-time WSOP gold bracelet winner was shooting for win Number Four, but came up short. The Vietnamese-born poker pro (of Chinese decent) who frequently plays in the highest-limit cash games in the world, was knocked out when his A-8-4-2 was topped by Eric Froehlich’s mediocre 10-7-6-4. Giang did not have many chips left on his last hand, so Froehlich made the right call and then won the hand when the final board showed A-5-4-3-8 – good for a straight. Giang’s take from the event amounted to $90,810.

Eric Froehlich won his second WSOP gold bracelet at 3:17 am in front of a sparse crowd gathered around the final table. Given the late hour and so many other games and tournaments held in recent days, it’s understandable that few people were around to witness his second win. Yet, they may have very well witnessed the second chapter in what could prove to be a very long and highly successful poker career.

Froehlich’s moment of glory came when he was dealt Q-7-7-6 against Sherkhan Farnood’s K-K-6-3. Froehlich flopped a set and then made a full-house when the final board of the night showed 10-7-5-J-J.
Sherkhan Farnood finished as the runner up. Certainly Afghanistan’s most accomplished poker player, Farnood works as a banker. He deposited $165,274 for second place. Meanwhile, Eric Froehlich took center stage for the second time in two years.

When asked which of the two victories is sweeter, Froehlich reminisced back to last year’s win. “The first one is sweeter,” Froehlich admitted. When asked if a second WSOP win puts him into the same class with similar youthful champions such as Ivey, Negreanu, and Cunningham, Froehlich was more modest. “They are all great players,” he said. “Sure, I would like their respect and to be in that class as a player. But I still have a long way to go to earn that.”

Nevertheless, Froehlich says that is determined to make poker history in the years ahead. “I’m looking to pass Johnny (Chan) and Doyle (Brunson) in nine years,” Froehlich said half-jokingly. Chan and Brunson are currently the all-time leaders in most WSOP wins, with ten each.

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas
Official Results and Report

Event #26 (B)
Pot-Limit Omaha (with Re-Buys)
Buy-In: $1,500
Number of Entries: 158
Number of Re-Buys: 472
Total Prize Money: $908,100

Official Results:

1. Eric “E-Fro” Froehlich Washington, DC $299,675
2. Sherkhan Farnood Kabul, Afghanistan $165,274
3. Chau Giang Las Vegas, NV $90,810
4. Kevin O'Donnell Scottsdale, AZ $72,648
5. Bruno Fitoussi Paris, France $54,486
6. Matt Overstreet Henderson, NV $45,405
7. Richard Freire Miami, FL $36,324
8. Rafi Amit Holon, Israel $27,243
9. Ayaz Mahmood Houston, TX $18,162
10. Robert Wisiak Queens, NY $12,713
11. Davood Mehrmand Frankfurt, Germany $12,713
12. Daniel Harmetz Sacro, CA $12,713
13. Antanas Guoga Lithuania $10,897
14. Peter Costa Leichton $10,897
15. Jeffrey Lisandro Santa Barbara, IT $10,897
16. David Halpern New Orleans, LA $9,081
17. Greg Worker Onsteo, MI $9,081
18. Galen Kester Senatobia, MS $9,081

David “Dragon” Pham Wins His Second WSOP Gold Bracelet

20.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – If America is the “land of opportunity,” then poker is the amphitheater for fast-track success. The green felt provides equal opportunity for just about everyone to become rich and famous. Things which are important to the rest of society – such as race, religion, age, sex, education, language skills, family ties, personal background, and job title – have absolutely no bearing on who wins or loses at the poker table. Indeed, poker is the most “democratic” of all games. Short, tall, skinny, fat, black, white, male, female – none of these things matter when the cards are dealt.

David “Dragon” Pham arrived in the United States at the age of 17. During the mid-1980s, he was one of many Vietnamese immigrants who left everything behind in search of a better life. They crammed into small lifeboats which floated around the South China Sea for days, before being rescued and brought to the United States. Pham eventually settled down in the Los Angeles area and worked a number of low-wage jobs before being introduced to the game of poker by his cousin. Pham’s cousin had won several major poker tournaments and was quite well-known within the local Vietnamese-American community. He even shared some of his prize money with family members. The cousin’s name was Men “the Master” Nguyen.

Pham started playing poker about ten years ago, and tutored by his mentor “the Master,” he gradually improved his game. Before long, Pham was one of the best tournament players in poker. Pham got so good so fast, that he won Card Player magazine’s “Player of the Year” in 2002. Pham was anointed as “the Dragon,” an odd nickname considering that Pham is one of the calmest and most polite poker players on the tournament circuit. Prior to this year, Pham won his only WSOP gold bracelet back in 2001, in the S.H.O.E. championship, a contest of four different games.

At the 2006 World Series of Poker, presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light, Pham was one of 600 players who paid $2,000 each to enter the No-Limit Hold’em Shootout. It took two days to eliminate 590 competitors. That left ten players to return for the third day to compete for the championship.

Since the finale was a shootout format, this meant every player at the final table arrived with the exact same number of chips. Although there were some tough competitors amongst the final ten, David Pham had to like his chances in this field. He was the only previous WSOP gold bracelet winner of the final ten players.

The bust-outs started fast. Jeff Heiberg went out in tenth place and received $16,380.
Adam Kagin went out next when his ace in the pocket paired on the turn, but lost to two-pair on the river. Ninth place paid $21,840.

Dustin “Neverwin” Wolf was the next player to exit. The Los Angeles-based pro, well-known to many online poker players, went out with queen-jack suited against an ace-king. Wolf, who finished 32nd in the main event last year, took eighth-place on this occasion. He received $27,300.

David “Gunslinger” Bach was eliminated when his pocket queens were shot down by pocket kings. Bach, who holds a college degree in psychology from the University of Georgia, tried to figure out the meaning of a seventh-place finish, which paid $32,760.
Jason DeWitt has been playing poker for only two years. This was his first WSOP appearance. DeWitt went out in sixth place when his pocket fours were steamrolled by a higher pair. DeWitt received $38,220.

Chad Layne was the next player ejected. The insurance broker from Las Vegas cashed out for $43,680 when his ace-ten was topped by pocket jacks. Layne ended up fifth.

Reno Williamson went out next. The manager of a pipe fitting company, Williamson was drilled into a fourth-place finish. Williamson tried to steal from the button on his final hand of the night, got called, and then lost the hand. Fourth place paid $49,140.

Roland De Wolfe was the only non-American to play at the final table. The English writer turned poker pro took a tough beat when his ace-seven was edged out by David Pham’s ace-eight after an ace flopped. The higher kicker played and De Wolfe was sent away to howl about his fate. For third place, De Wolf received $65,520.

When heads-up play began, David Pham enjoyed a dominating 6 to 1 chip lead over Charles Sewell. It didn’t take long for the end to come. The final hand of the tournament was dealt when Sewell moved all-in holding ace-eight. Pham called with pocket jacks. The board didn’t help either player, so Pham’s jacks held up. Pham took the final pot.

As the runner up, Charles Sewell received $124,488. Prior to the event, Sewell joked that his Las Vegas trip had been a complete disaster. First, the resident of Okalahoma City was involved in a serious car wreck. Then, a short time later, Sewell was run over by a taxi cab. Perhaps the hundred grand-plus in prize money he won at the World Series made up for what has been a harrowing experience, thus far.

David “Dragon” Pham has also seen and experienced more than his fair share of personal hardships. Years ago, Pham started off with nothing, and through sheer talent and ambition, he became a highly-successful poker player. By winning, Pham collected $240,222 in prize money and received his second WSOP gold bracelet.

Official Results:

1. David “Dragon” Pham Cerritos, CA $240,222
2. Charlie Sewell Oklahoma City, OK $124,488
3. Roland DeWolf London, UK $65,520
4. Reno Williamson Mooresville, IN $49,140
5. Chad Layne Henderson, NV $43,680
6. Jason DeWitt South Bend, IN $38,220
7. David Bach Athens, GA $32,760
8. Dustin "Neverwin" Woolf Los Angeles, CA $27,300
9. Adam Kagin Henderson, NV $21,840
10. Jeff Heiberg Buffalo, WY $16,380
11. Kathy Liebert Las Vegas, NV $4,805
12. Yosh Nakano Long Beach, CA $4,805
13. John Kincaid Omaha, NE $4,805
14. William Durkee Pitssburgh, PA $4,805
15. Mike Cooper San Francisco, CA $4,805
16. Chris Clampitt Irmo, SC $4,805
17. David Singer Momaroneck, NY $4,805
18. Frank Blumlem NA $4,805
19. Robert Goldfarb Scottsdale, AZ $4,805
20. Mike Sexton Las Vegas, NV $4,805
21. James Worth Oakville, CANADA $4,805
22. Alan Adler Bakersfield, CA $4,805
23. Tom Franklin Gulfport, MS $4,805
24. Kevin Phillipson Las Vegas, NV $4,805
25. Carlo Cintrone Gafeshead, IRELAND $4,805
26. William Lin Denver, CO $4,805
27. Marek Kolk NA $4,805
28. Chris Smith New York, NY $4,805
29. Vlad Mezheritsky Brooklyn, NY $4,805
30. Blair Rodman Las Vegas, NV $4,805
31. Aaron Ogus Redmond, VA $4,805
32. Ian Woodley London, UK $4,805
33. Andreas Krause Heilbrown, GERMANY $4,805
34. Terry Ballew Reno, NV $4,805
35. Thung Huynh Westminster, CA $4,805
36. Gerald Rhoades Las Vegas, NV $4,805
37. Samuel Korman NA $4,805
38. Joseph Neiman Teaneck, NJ $4,805
39. Tobias Christensen Aarhus, DENMARK $4,805
40. Gary Hammer San Francisco, CA $4,805
41. Roy Vandersluis London, UK $4,805
42. Joe Pelton Newport Beach, CA $4,805
43. Mario Esquerra Whittier, CA $4,805
44. Emil Bayan Fremont, CA $4,805
45. Sverre K. Sundbo San Francisco, CA $4,805
46. Mark Warner Las Vegas, NV $4,805
47. Tracy Scala Boca Raton, FL $4,805
48. Josh Arieh Atlanta, GA $4,805
49. Todd Brunson Las Vegas, NV $4,805
50. Justin Tran Sacramento, CA $4,805

Jeff Madsen Becomes the Youngest Winner in WSOP History

19.07.2006

For the third consecutive year, the record for youngest World Series of Poker winner has been broken. Back in 2004, Gavin Griffin became the youngest player in history to win a gold bracelet. Even then, with so many young people turned on to poker, it seemed just a matter of time before a younger star would emerge and eclipse the record. Next came 2005, when Eric Froehlich won the $1,500 buy in Limit Hold'em championship. At 21 years, three months, and three days of age, Froehlich established a new benchmark for the youngest poker champion. Now in 2006, the record has been shattered again.

Jeff Madsen, age 21 years, one month, and nine days, has likely set a record that will not be broken for quite some time. Madsen defeated a whopping 1,578 players, who each put up $2,000 to enter Event #22 on this year’s World Series of Poker schedule. First place paid $660,948. Not bad for a young college student preparing to return to school next month for his senior year.

It took two long days to eliminate most of the huge field. On Day Three, the nine finalists took the stage at the Rio Las Vegas to play for the championship. The final table included several well-established tournament veterans. However, this was the first open event in 2006 not to include at least one former gold bracelet winner.

Name Chip Count Seat #
Troy Parkins $451,000 1
Bob Bright $365,000 2
Billy Duarte $102,000 3
Jeff Madson $413,000 4
Julian Gardner $628,000 5
Michael Chow $125,000 6
Robert Dylon Cohen $419,000 7
John Shipley $166,000 8
Paul Sheng $569,000 9

John Shipley was the first player out. The British pro was low on chips and was forced to play a sub-par hand in the end, resulting in elimination. Shipley, who won the European Poker Tour championship in London two years ago and also made the final table of the WSOP main event in 2002 (one of two players at this table to do so), received $60,349 for ninth place.

Billy Duarte, who has been playing poker for 60 years and made several final tables at major tournaments in recent years, was the next player to exit. Duarte arrived as the low stack and went out on the 10th hand of play holding ace-eight suited. His opponent had king-jack suited and flopped a jack. Duarte locked up eighth place, which paid $71,845.

Michael Chow followed next with pocket nines, which lost to pocket jacks.
Chow, 230th in the main event last year (out of 5,619 entries), took seventh place. The Hawaiian said “aloha” and pocketed $83,340.

Robert Bright went out in sixth place with pocket fours, which were steamrolled by a straight. Bright, the CEO of a stock trading firm, cashed out for $94,835 in prize money.

Robert Dylan Cohen was the next player to exit. The New York actor and comedian turned poker player was low on chips and lost his final hand with jack-ten versus pocket queens. Cohen had to settle for fifth place, which paid $112,077.

A few hands later, Troy Parkins made a very bold move with an all-in bet on a straight draw. Jeff Madsen made a tough call holding top pair. When Parkins missed his draw, it meant a fourth-place finish. Parkins, an information technology specialist from Leesburg, Virginia collected $132,194.

Julian Gardner hoped to become the third main event runner-up to win a gold bracelet this year. So far, Sammy Farha (2003) and David Williams (2004) have won events. Gardner finished second in 2002 to world champion Robert Varkonyi (earning $1.1 million). This time he could do no better than third place. On his final hand, Gardner had top pair but lost to Jeff Madsen’s spade flush. Gardner, one of England’s top poker players, received $172,427 in prize money.

When heads-up play began, Jeff Madsen enjoyed a slightly better than 2 to 1 chip lead versus Paul Sheng. It didn’t take long for the final hand of the tournament to come. Madsen had jack-seven versus Sheng’s ace-seven. Madsen’s hand was completely dominated, normally a bad situation. But all the chips went into the pot on the turn when the board showed 10-9-8-6. Both players had a seven, good for a straight. However, Madsen also had a jack, which meant a higher straight. It was a brutal way for Sheng to lose, but there was not much defense against a higher straight.

As the runner up, Paul Sheng received $330,485. The Taiwanese-born software executive, who now lives in San Francisco, had his best showing ever at the WSOP. This is Sheng’s third year to play on poker’s biggest stage and certainly won’t be his last.

Following his win, Jeff Madsen demonstrated why he has been so successful in poker at such a young age. Madsen displayed none of the bravado that one might expect from someone who had just won $660,948 at the World Series. Remarkably, this was Madsen’s second big cash at this year’s WSOP. He also finished third in the Omaha High-Low championship held two weeks ago – good for $97,552.

Madsen is currently a film student at UC-Santa Barbara. He says he hopes to eventually get into film and perhaps try his hand at directing. “I will definitely finish college,” Madsen said afterward. “College is very important, so it will be part of my life. But the reality is -- I’m still young, so I have some time to figure things out.”

Despite his youth, Madsen has played live casino poker for nearly three years. He played regularly at various California Indian casinos near his home, where the legal gambling age is 18. Due to Nevada state law, this is the first year he was eligible to play at the WSOP.

Madsen expects that his record might stand for quite some time. “It’s going to be tough (to break),” Madsen said. “I’m just lucky that my birthday was so close. It’s going to be hard, since I’m 21 and one month. It will sure be tough to break that record.”

by Nolan Dalla

Bill Chen Wins Second WSOP Gold Bracelet This Week

19.07.2006

Las Vegas, NV – It’s a peculiar thing that our culture gives far greater attention to the peripheral things than those which are genuine. We bestow our highest adulation on the rich, the famous, and the beautiful. Everywhere you look – be it magazines, newspapers, television, or the Internet – pop idols are the focus. It’s one reason why athletes and movie stars make hundreds of times more money than school teachers.

When surveys are taken and school children are asked who they most admire and respect – it’s usually a celebrity. Not a scientist, or an academic, or a philosopher. Can anyone name any of last year’s Nobel Prize winners? Probably not. But we certainly know all the latest celebrity gossip. Society’s warped sense of what constitutes “value” will almost certainly produce catastrophic consequences down the road. In the meantime, we must do what we can to recognize the real extraordinary talents amongst us who stand out above the rest in the ways that really matter.

If mental endowment was the sole basis for being rich and famous, then Bill Chen would be a combination of Donald Trump and Paris Hilton. The quantitative analyst for Susquehanna (a highly-successful financial services firm founded by poker players) holds a PhD in mathematics from Cal-Berkeley. With all respect to other scholarly powerhouses in the game of poker, such as Chris “Jesus” Ferguson (hold a PhD from UCLA) and Andy Bloch (a graduate of MIT and Harvard Law School), Chen may very well be the most brilliant mind in the game today.
And now, he is experiencing a huge personal breakthrough Most poker players would be thrilled to win a WSOP gold bracelet once in a lifetime. Bill Chen is currently winning two bracelets -- a week. Chen demolished a highly-competitive field of 740 players in the Short-Handed World Poker Championship. It came just seven days after he won his first gold bracelet in the $3,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em championship (good for $343,618).

Played six to a table, short-handed hold’em magnifies strengths and weaknesses. Simply put, there is no opportunity to sit around and wait for big cards and good hands. Short-handed poker forces the player into making more decisions, which are by circumstance tougher decisions. This format naturally favors those players with the best analytical abilities.

After 731 players were eliminated over the first two days of the tournament, Chen walked over the final table in a relatively swift four and a half hours – the quickest final table yet at this year’s World Series of Poker presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light. Chen made it look almost too easy.

Chen’s victory is even more remarkable for the fact that he was at a sizable chip disadvantage from the start – ranked fifth out of six finalists. The chip leader, Michael Guttman arrived fresh off his second-place finish in the Pot-Limit Omaha championship, held three days ago.

Name Chip Count Seat #
Bill Chen $175,000 1
Alex Diesel Bolotin $280,000 2
Harry Demetriou $378,000 3
Mike Guttmann $587,000 4
Nath Pizzolatto $102,000 5
Dan Hicks $321,000 6

The first player of the final six was eliminated when longtime tournament veteran Charidimos “Harry” Demetriou went out on a tough beat. Demetriou was dealt pocket jacks, normally a very strong hand in short-handed play. But not when the opponent holds pocket aces. Demetriou moved all-in after the flop and was quickly called by Alex Bolotin. The two aces held up and Demetriou finished in sixth place, which paid $58,719.

Next, Bolotin got a taste of his own medicine. About an hour after Demetriou’s exit, Bolotin was getting low on chips and lost with ace-queen to Nath Pizzolatto’s pocket eights. Bolotin, originally from Minsk, Belarus and now living in Brooklyn, took home $78,292.

Dan Hicks, who made it to the final table at the WSOP Circuit championship held at Caesar’s Palace earlier this year, could do no better than fourth place in this event. On his final hand of the tournament, Hicks was dealt ace-eight, which was dominated by Mike Guttman’s ace-jack. Neither player made a pair, but the jack played as a high card – putting Hicks out of the event. He received $107,226.

The next player to bust out was Mike Guttman. One of three players at this final table living abroad, the Australian went out holding ace-king against Bill Chen’s pocket jacks. Guttman’s “big slick” failed to pair up, resulting in a third-place finish. Guttman collected $139,564.

The heads-up match between Bill Chen and Nath Pizzolatto lasted just two hands. Chen held a slight chip lead when the astonishing hand that ended the tournament was dealt out. Chen raised pre-flop holding king-queen. Pizzolatto called the standard raise holding eight-six. On the turn, the board showed J-7-5-10 – giving both players a straight draw. A nine on the river cemented a straight for both players – a dream for Chen and a nightmare for Pizzolatto. After Pizzolatto bet out, Chen raised all-in and Pizzolatto called. Chen tabled his king-high straight which flattened Pizzolatto’s jack-high straight.

The runner-up, Nath Pizzolatto received $238,280. Remarkably, this was the Houston-based poker player’s first time to ever play at the World Series of Poker. Pizzolatto became a serious poker player last year when he was hospitalized after a life-threatening accident. Instead of lying immobile in his hospital bed, Pizzolatto started playing poker online. Eight months later, he was sitting at a WSOP final table and cashing out for nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

For all of his personal and professional success, both at the poker table and away, Bill Chen remains remarkably modest. He does not wear any jewelry. He does not even wear a wristwatch. Friends taunted Chen after he won his first WSOP gold bracelet, nicknaming the understated math wonk “Bling Bling.” There is currently some division as to whether Chen is now to be called “Bling Bling” or “Brains and Bling.”
“Math works,” Chen stated matter-of-factly as he posed for photographs in front of a pile of chips and money. “Math and poker do work. A lot of my play is not about reading my opponents. Sure, when I get a clear read on someone, I act on it. But that is rare. Most of my play in this event and in the limit event has been to balance my play, balance my bets and bluffs, and call with the right frequency. I try to gauge what my opponents range of starting hands is, and then devise my counterstrategy from that. It’s all part of game theory.”

Poker players everywhere will get a chance to learn more about Chen’s poker secrets in his new book, “The Mathematics of Poker,” co-written with Jerrod Ankenman. It’s scheduled to be released soon. If book sales might be helped by Chen’s win last week, they will certainly get an even bigger lift from this second win.

With two weeks still to go at this year’s World Series of Poker, the question everyone will be asking is, “Will Chen win gold bracelet Number Three? If so he would join the exalted ranks of Ted Forrest and Phil Ivey as the only trifecta winners in a single WSOP year.

The Chen Dynasty may have just begun.

by Nolan Dalla

Poker Queen Shannon Addicted To Cards

18.07.2006

AMERICAN PIE stunner SHANNON ELIZABETH is so hooked on poker she travels to Las Vegas, Nevada up to three times a month just to play with America's top card sharks.

The actress has become one of the leading celebrity poker players and has won a handful of impressive victories at the card table - but it's beginning to take over her life. She explains, "I have become addicted to poker. I am in Las Vegas two or three times a month these days, playing every other night sometimes. Poker has become my second career."

Elizabeth, who once walked away from a card game with $57,747 (GBP32,080) in winnings, admits she uses her looks to distract her male competition - and that's one of the things that make her a top card shark. She tells Blender magazine, "A lot of men get lost in their cards if you introduce a decent distraction."

Affleck and Maguire long shots to win WSOP 2006

17.07.2006

According to odds makers at Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, celebrities Ben Affleck and Toby Maguire will not have what it takes to leave the World Series of Poker Championships with a bracelet. The Hollywood hunks are each a 2000-1 bet to rake in all the chips.

The Rio All Suite Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada will host the tournament from July 28th to the final play downs on August 10th. Front runners to take the title are 5 time bracelet winner Phil Ivey at 150-1 and Poker lifer and legend Daniel Negreanu at 225-1. Leading up to the tournament Negreau has had an impressive showing in World Series events including four top ten finished and winnings of almost $500,000. Ivey is also on the upswing, having just placed second in the Omaha High/Low World Series game on July 8th.

"This tournament is the grand daddy of live poker, if the limit of 8000 entries is reached the first prize could pay out $10 million dollars,' said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "Everybody bets, and with poker all over the television and internet every poker fan out there has a favorite player to back. With Sportsbook.com, the chip leader won't be the only one to win at the WSOP."

Odds to win the 2006 WSOP

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Phil Ivey 150-1
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Daniel Negreanu 225-1
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Phil Hellmuth 250-1
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Howard (The Professor) Lederer 250-1
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Gus Hansen 300-1
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Chris (Jesus) Ferguson 300-1
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John Juanda 300-1
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Layne Flack 400-1
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Marcel Luske 400-1
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Barry Greenstein 400-1
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Carlos Mortenson 400-1
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Scotty Nguyen 400-1
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Sam Farha 400-1
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Greg (Fossilman) Raymer 400-1
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Mike (The Mouth) Matusow 400-1
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Michael Mizrachi 400-1
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Dave (Devilfish) Ulliott 500-1
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Phil (Unabomber) Laak 500-1
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Erik Seidel 500-1
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Huckleberry Seed 500-1
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Johnny Chan 500-1
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John (World) Hennigan 500-1
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Men (The Master) Nguyen 500-1
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Paul Phillips 500-1
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Ram (Crazy Horse) Vaswani 500-1
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TJ Cloutier 500-1
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Dan Harrington 500-1
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Annie Duke 500-1
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Antonio Esfandiari 500-1
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Doyle (Texas Dolly) Brunson 500-1
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Odds on who to make it to the final table

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Phil Ivey 15-1
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Daniel Negreanu 22-1
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Phil Hellmuth 25-1
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Howard (The Professor) Lederer 25-1
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Chris (Jesus) Ferguson 30-1
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John Juanda 30-1
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Gus Hansen 30-1
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Carlos Mortenson 40-1
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Barry Greenstein 40-1
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Marcel Luske 40-1
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Layne Flack 40-1
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Michael Mizrachi 40-1
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Mike (The Mouth) Matusow 40-1
------------------------------------------------
Scotty Nguyen 40-1
------------------------------------------------
Sam Farha 40-1
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Greg (Fossilman) Raymer 40-1
------------------------------------------------
Huckleberry Seed 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Johnny Chan 50-1
------------------------------------------------
John (World) Hennigan 50-1
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Phil (Unabomber) Laak 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Men (The Master) Nguyen 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Paul Phillips 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Ram (Crazy Horse) Vaswani 50-1
------------------------------------------------
TJ Cloutier 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Dan Harrington 50-1
------------------------------------------------
Annie Duke 50-1
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Antonio Esfandiari 50-1
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Doyle (Texas Dolly) Brunson 50-1
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Dave (Devilfish) Ulliott 50-1
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Erik Seidel 50-1
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Odds on Top Woman Finisher

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Jennifer Harman 14-1
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Annie Duke 20-1
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Kathy Liebert 20-1
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Isabelle (No Mercy) Mercier 33-1
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Joanne (JJ) Lui 33-1
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Jennifer Tilley 33-1
------------------------------------------------
Liz Liu 33-1
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Kristy Gazes 33-1
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Melissa Hayden 33-1
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Clonie Gowen 33-1
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Nani Dollison 33-1
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Jerri Thomas 33-1
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Patty Gallagher 33-1
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Lonnie Heimowitz 33-1
------------------------------------------------
Jennie Kang 33-1
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Anahit Galajian 33-1
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Evelyn Ng 33-1
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Cecilia Reyes 33-1
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Cindy Violette 33-1
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Kattrina Jett 33-1
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Top Former Champion

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Phil Hellmuth 8-1
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Chris Ferguson 10-1
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Erik Seidel 10-1
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Dan Harrington 10-1
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Carlos Mortenson 10-1
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Johnny Chan 10-1
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Scotty Nguyen 10-1
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Huckleberry Seed 14-1
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Greg Raymer 14-1
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Doyle Brunson 14-1
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Joe Hachem 16-1
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Russ Hamilton 25-1
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Tom McEvoy 25-1
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Amarillo Slim Preston 25-1
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Jim Bechtel 25-1
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Berry Johnstone 25-1
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Chris Moneymaker 33-1
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Noel Furlong 33-1
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Bobby Baldwin 33-1
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Robert Varkonyi 33-1
------------------------------------------------
Brad Daugherty 33-1
------------------------------------------------
Hamid Dastmalchi 40-1
------------------------------------------------
Hal Fowler 40-1
------------------------------------------------
Mansour Matloubi 40-1
------------------------------------------------

WSOP Event #20: Seniors World Poker Championship

15.07.2006

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas
Official Results and Report

Event #19
Seniors World Poker Championship
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $1,000
Number of Entries: 1,184
Total Prize Money: $1,077,440
Defending Champion (2005): Paul McKinney

Official Results:

1. Clare Miller Alamogordo, NM $247,814
2. Mike Nargi Maumelle, AR $129,293
3. Jake “Doc” Wells Cibolo, TX $74,882
4. Judy Carlson Blackhawk, CO $53,872
5. David Claiborne Twin Falls, ID $43,098
6. Ron Rose Dayton, OH $37,710
7. Doug Schuller Fresno, CA $32,323
8. Stan Schirer Las Vegas, NV $26,936
9. John “JV” Vorhaus Monrovia, CA $24,242
10. Scott McClellan Henderson, NV $21,549

Las Vegas, NV – There was a point very late in the 2006 Seniors World Poker Championship when tournament officials approached the surviving players and offered them the option of calling it a night and returning the next day. The seniors had played two lengthy, grueling days during which more than a thousand players had been eliminated. Amongst the nine exhausted survivors, there were some weary faces. When the tournament director approached 77-year old Clare Miller, her answer was uncompromising and to the point.

“Deal the cards, we’re playin’!” she snapped.

Poker is a natural pastime for all seniors. It very well may be the only competitive game which allows persons 50, 60, 70, or even 80-years and older to compete on an equal playing field with younger players in their 20s and 30s. Where else but a poker table could a 77-year-old grandmother become a “world champion?”

Poker not only affords opportunities for seniors to compete and win. More important, poker brings people of all walks of life together in a friendly social atmosphere. Many friendships are built around poker tables. Kuei Chi Chang, an 80-year-old woman from Las Vegas, who competed in her first-ever poker tournament at the World Series of Poker last week, said it best: “Poker makes me feel young again.”

This year’s Seniors World Poker Championship was the largest such competition ever in poker history. In a World Series which continues to shatter every conceivable record ever posted in poker, 1,184 players flooded into the Rio Las Vegas to compete for over a million dollars in prize money, including first place -- $247,814 in cash.
The event began with a solemn moment. The roll call of names from poker’s glorious past was called out over a silent room packed to full capacity. Poker’s proud pioneers were remembered -- including Benny Binion, Johnny Moss, and Puggy Pearson who passed away only a few months ago. “Oklahoma Johnny” Hale was the perfect host for the proceedings. As the event’s Grand Marshall, Hale inducted two new members into the Seniors Poker Hall of Fame. Mike “the Mad Genius” Caro and Paul McKinney were introduced in a brief ceremony.

With that, the senior’s event began. The competition was open to persons aged 50 and older. The event attracted an eclectic mix of poker players. Paul McKinney, last year’s 82-year-old seniors champion (and the latest inductee into the Seniors Poker Hall of Fame) was on hand to defend his title. Jan Fisher, the popular writer and columnist for Card Player magazine entered, along with her father, Dr. Peter Fisher. The Fisher’s participation likely marked the first time that a father and daughter played together in the seniors championship. Also, a husband and wife from Alamogordo, New Mexico entered the tournament. Shelby Miller would outlast all but 39 players in this event. His wife, Clare Miller would ultimately fare much better.

The final table began with nine players, including one former winner, Ron Rose. The first player to exit was the well-known poker writer and commentator John Vorhaus, a.k.a. “JV.” The 50-year-old poker celebrity from Los Angeles, author of the highly-acclaimed “Killer Poker” book series, received $24,292 for ninth place.

Stan Schirer went out next. The 70-year-old Las Vegas retiree, originally from Nebraska, was the third-lace finisher in the WSOP main event back in 2001. This time he finished eighth, good for $26,936.

Doug Schuller, a concrete dispatcher from Fresno, California cemented a seventh-place finish. The 54-year-old said plays poker as a hobby. Not too many hobbies pay $32,323 in prize money – which is what Schuller took home.

Ron Rose arrived with most impressive poker resume – with several major tournament victories including a win in the Seniors World Poker Championship back in 2003. Rose’s bid to become the first two-time champion in this event’s history was foiled as the former Internet guru from Dayton, Ohio had to settle for a sixth-place finish. Rose earned $37,710.

David Claiborne was the next player to exit. The auto dealer from Twin Falls, Idaho drove off with $43,098 for fifth place. Claiborne also finished in the top five percent in last year’s main event.

Judy Carlson was one of two ladies at the final table. Carlson ended up as the fourth-place finisher. The Blackhawk, Colorado poker pro added $53,872 to her poker bankroll.
Third place went to Jake “Doc” Wells. The horse veterinarian from Texas galloped off the final table with $74,882 in prize money.

Clare Miller had the chip lead most of the way. There had been a point earlier in the night when Miller caught a big break. She won a race with ace-king versus pocket queens, which essentially gave her the chips that would propel her on to victory. “It was luck,” Miller modestly explained in a post-tournament interview. “You have to have a lot of luck to win.”

The final hand of the tournament came when Mike Nargi was dealt pocket threes and moved all-in. Miller, holding queen-eight suited, called. The final board showed 10-4-2-6-8. An eight on the river eliminated Nargi and gave Miller her victory.

The runner up, Mike Nargi is a 53-year-old former craps dealer from Arkansas, who now gambles professionally. Nargi had a nice run at the poker table before he finally sevened-out. Second-place paid $129,293.

Clare Miller was overjoyed with her victory. She broke into tears and her voice quivered as she experienced the thrill of a lifetime. Afterward, Miller told her own personal story that she and her husband had struggled in their earlier years together. Through a lot of hard work and love, the couple built a few businesses and eventually became quite successful. In their retirement years they turned to poker as an activity they could play and enjoy together. The fact that Mr. Shelby Miller finished 40th in the same tournament was clear evidence that this would be the Miller’s day. Fittingly, the happy couple is celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary this week.

Miller put everything into proper perspective when she was presented with the coveted WSOP gold bracelet and prize money totaling nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars. “We are very lucky and live very comfortably now, so at this stage the bracelet is probably more important,” she said. “But they don’t mean anything compared to my 41 years with Shelby.”

WSOP Event#17: Jon Friedberg Pulls Off Stunning Upset Victory

15.07.2006

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas
Official Results and Report

Event #17
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $1,000
Number of Entries: 2,891
Total Prize Money: $2,630,810
Defending Champion (2005): Jon Heneghan

Official Results:

1. Jon Friedberg Las Vegas, NV $526,185
2. John “The Razor” Phan Los Angeles, CA $289,389
3. Mike Pomeroy Detroit, MI $157,322
4. Tom Hawkingberry Pittsburgh, PA $122,596
5. Kevin O'Donnell Scottsdale, AZ $105,232
6. Corey Chaston Thorold, ON, Canada $88,132
7. Humberto Brenes San Jose, Costa Rica $74,715
8. Mike Halford Memphis, TN $61,561
9. Thang T. Luu Las Vegas, NV $49,722
10. Carlos Mortensen Las Vegas, NV $38,936

Las Vegas, NV – Janis Joplin once sang, “freedom is just another word for – nothing left to lose.” What the 1969 song lyric meant was that it’s far easier to be daring and take chances when there is not so much at stake. Jon Friedberg, winner of the $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em championship certainly understands this. He won the second-largest live poker tournament in history at the 2006 World Series of Poker, presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light.

Friedberg overcame a field of 2,891 players to win over half-a-million dollars in prize money. Only the main event of the 2005 WSOP attracted more entries. A whopping 270 players finished in-the-money.

Friedberg, who won his first-ever gold bracelet, is a 31-year-old MBA graduate from Pepperdine University. He is a businessman and investor with a number of ongoing start-up ventures. Freidberg lives in Las Vegas.

It took two very long days to eliminate 2,882 participants. That left the final nine players, who returned for Day Three. When the final table started, Michael Pomeroy looked to be the player to beat. He enjoyed a sizable chip advantage. In fact, Pomeroy possessed one-third of the total chips in play. Only one former gold bracelet winner was present -- two-time champion Humberto Brenes. He won two WSOP titles in 1993, for Pot-Limit Omaha and Limit Hold’em.

Name Chip Count Seat #
John Phan $747,000 1
Michael Pomeroy $1,325,000 2
Humberto Brenes $564,000 3
Tom Hawkingberry $675,000 4
Corey Chaston $229,000 5
Mike Halford $89,000 6
Kevin O'Donnell $222,000 7
Jon Friedberg $189,000 8
Thang T. Luu $314,000 9

About 15 minutes into play, Thang T. Luu lost most of his chips with ace-jack against pocket kings, and then was eliminated a few hands later. Luu, born in Vietnam and now living in Las Vegas, received $49,722.

Mike Halford went out on the very next hand. He was pot-committed with jack-seven when the flop came Q-7-6 and actually had the best hand against John Phan’s flush draw. However, a heart fell on the river making the flush, which busted Halford. The Las Vegas poker pro now has 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th-place finishes at the WSOP over the last two decades. He collected $61,561.

Costa Rican superstar Humberto Brenes’ bid for his first gold bracelet in 13 years was dashed when Mike Pomeroy spiked a queen holding ace-queen versus Brenes’ ace-king. Brenes, who owns several businesses in Central America and also has 41 cashes in his illustrious WSOP career, said adios and was paid $74,715 for seventh place.

Next, Canadian poker player Corey Chasten went out in a three-way pot won by Kevin O’Donnell. Chaston received $88,132 as the sixth-place finisher.

When play became five-handed, Mike Pomeroy increased his chip lead to 2 to 1 and had about half of the chips in play. Kevin O’Donnell was not so fortunate. Fresh off winning the big pot that eliminated Chasten, O’Donnell flopped top pair holding ace-jack. But Jon Friedberg hit a third eight on the river to make three-of-a-kind, which broke O’Donnell. He earned $105,232.

Jon Friedberg started making his move when play was at four-handed. He narrowed the gap with the chip-leader Pomeroy, who busted the next player from the tournament. Tom Hawkingberry, who works as a compressed gas plant operator, exploded when his ace-four was dominated by Pomeroy’s ace-jack. Pomeroy made a gratuitous flush, putting Hawkingberry out in fourth place. He earned $122,596.

Which now brings us to singer Janis Joplin’s poker tournament strategy. In a post-tournament interview which occurred two hours later, Friedberg made an acute observation that summarized his reasons for success. He explained that it is sometimes easier to play a small stack than a big one. “I prefer to come into a tournament as a shorter stack than a big stack,” Friedberg said. “As odd as that sounds, when I am a short stack I feel like I have nothing to lose. But when I come in as a tall stack I am scared to lose my chips and it affects my game. To me, there are definite advantages to coming in with the short stack and I know it is uphill from there. I am willing to gamble, take chances, and play my game -- more so than if I have chips.”

Friedberg’s strategy proved effective. He pushed John Phan out of a few big pots and, in at least one sense, became the victim of his own success. Friedberg seized the chip lead and then annihilated the player who had dominated the final table up to that point. Mike Pomeroy lost all of his chips with queen-three against Friedberg’s pocket fives. Pomeroy caught a queen, but Pomeroy caught a five (making a set), which wrecked Pomeroy’s dreams of victory. Michael Pomeroy, an auto worker from Detroit, raced off with $157,322.

When heads-up play began, Friedberg enjoyed a 4 to 1 chip lead. Later, Friedberg reflected back on his feelings when initially faced with the prospect of playing against John Phan heads-up for the gold bracelet. “I think I needed a 4 to 1 chip lead to beat John. He is one of the very best players in the world. I’ll be honest -- I was scared to death to play him heads-up and even at 4 to1, I was scared to play against him.”

The fear certainly did not show. Phan was never seriously able to threaten Friedberg’s chip lead. About 90 minutes into heads-up play, the final hand of the night was dealt when Phan tried to make a pre-flop steal holding the less-than-desirable queen-four suited. Friedberg called the all-in move holding ace-seven suited. The final board showed 10-9-3-2-7, giving Friedberg a pair of sevens and his first WSOP victory.

As the runner up, John “The Razor” Phan received $289,389 in prize money. He was visibly disappointed with the outcome. “I have to try and keep my head up,” Phan said. “There is always tomorrow in poker. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Friedberg agreed that he had dodged a bullet by not having to confront Phan from a competitive disadvantage. “(Phan) was the single most feared opponent I had at this table,” Friedberg said. “John is not going to be happy when he sees the (ESPN) television footage of me when I pushed him off some key hands. John is a great player, and I feel very fortunate to have come out on top tonight.”

“I started off here on the final table eighth (in the chip count) out of nine players. I had a key double-up hand early. Then, I had a couple of very lucky suck outs and got some chips and was able to win. Every poker player’s dream is to win a World Series of Poker gold bracelet. I came here, and now did it. I really can’t believe it.”

Writer’s Note: 1969’s “Me and Bobby McGee” was actually written by Kris Kristofferson, but it was popularized by Janis Jopin.

by Nolan Dalla

Lee Watkinson wins WSOP Event 16

14.07.2006

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas
Official Results and Report

Event #16
Pot-Limit Omaha
Buy-In: $10,000
Number of Entries: 218
Total Prize Money: $2,049,200
Defending Champion (2005): Rafi Amit

Official Results:

1. Lee Watkinson Los Angeles, CA $655,746
2. Mike Guttman Melbourne, Australia $360,659
3. Mark Dickstein New York, NY $184,428
4. Rafi Amit Bucks, UK $143,444
5. Hasan Habib Downey, CA $122,952
6. Nicholas Gibson Windsor, UK $102,460
7. Jani Vilmunen Porvoo, Finland $81,968
8. Thomas Wahlroos Helsinki, Finland $61,476
9. Mickey Appleman Fort Lee, NJ $40,984
10. Ben Roberts London, England $24,590
11. Galen Kester Senatobia, MS $24,590
12. Rodeen Talebi Dallas, TX $24,590
13. Barry Greenstein Rancho Palos Verde, CA $20,492
14. James McManus Kenilworth, IL $20,492
15. Patrick Antonius Helsinki, Finland $20,492
16. Roland De Wolfe London, England $16,394
17. Mikhail Ustinov Moscow, Russia $16,394
18. Arul Thillai NA $16,394
19. William Chen Lafayette Hill, PA $12,295
20. Daniel Negreanu Las Vegas, NV $12,295
21. Samuel Grizzle Las Vegas, NV $12,295
22. Marc Goodwin Birmingham, England $12,295
23. Kirill Gerasimov Moscow, Russia $12,295
24. Christopher Gentile Plainfield, IL $12,295
25. David "Devil Fish" Ulliott Hull, UK $12,295
26. Ayaz Mahmood Houston, TX $12,295
27. Gary Benson Sydney, Australia $6,148
28. Padraig Parkinson Dublin, Ireland $6,147

Las Vegas, NV – In spiritual circles, St. Francis of Assisi is best known as the patron saint of all animals. St. Francis was a 13th century friar who rescued, housed, and protected wounded and needy critters who could not care for themselves. If St. Francis has a modern-day disciple, his name is most certainly “Lee Watkinson.” And, if you don’t believe it, just ask a chimpanzee.

On July 12, 2006, Watkinson got a monkey the size of an 800-pound gorilla off of his back. After playing in major poker tournaments throughout North America and cashing dozens of times since 2002, Watkinson finally won his first WSOP gold bracelet. Watkinson prevailed in a blistering field of 218 players – comprised of the very best Pot-Limit Omaha specialists in the world. Each player paid $10,000 to enter the event, which created a total prize pool $2,049,200.

It took two days to play down to the last nine competitors. The final table included three former WSOP gold bracelet winners – Rafi Amit (1 win), Mickey Appleman (4 wins) and Hasan Habib (1 win). However, what was most remarkable was the international composition of the nine finalists. Demonstrating that Pot-Limit Omaha is the most “European” of poker variations, five different countries were represented – including three players from Europe. This competition was also unique because it marked the first time at this year’s World Series that a defending champion made it to the final table. Rafi Amit won this event in 2005.

There was also a greater sense of camaraderie present at this table than seen elsewhere. At one point, the entire table ordered a shot and drank a toast together. All poker games everywhere should be as joyous as this one. ESPN television was on hand to capture it all.

Name Chip Count Seat #
Jani Vilmunen $485,000 1
Mark Dickstein $212,000 2
Mickey Appleman $102,000 3
Mike Guttmann $283,000 4
Thomas Wahlroos $168,000 5
Hasan Habib $349,000 6
Rafi "Refael" Amit $99,000 7
Lee Watkinson $276,000 8
Nick Gibson $207,000 9

Of all finalists, no player brought as much experience to the table as 60-year-old Mickey Appleman. The eclectic ex-social worker turned sports bettor turned hippie poker player arrived as the second-lowest stack and went out with a monster draw that missed everything. On his final hand, Appleman was dealt 9-8-8-7. The final board showed 10-6-3-4-2. Appleman missed it all – the straight, the flush, and the set. A lone pair of jacks scooped the large pot and the four-time WSOP winner Appleman exited in ninth place, paying $40,984.

Thomas Wahlroos went out next. The Finish-born poker pro was down to his last 44,000 (average stack was about 300,000) and moved all-in with K-10-9-4. The final board showed 10-7-4-Q-5. Wahlroos made two pair, but his opponent flipped over a higher two pair, which translated into an eighth-place finish. Wahlroos received $61,476.

Jani Vilmunen had higher expectations than a seventh-place finish. The early chip leader suffered through a brutal final half-hour. Vilmunen’s toughest beat took place when he made a full house (sixes over fives) holding 8-7-6-5 when the final board showed J-6-5-6-Q. Incredibly, Lee Watkinson had A-A-Q-Q. Only a miracle queen on the river saved Watkinson from elimination. Had the queen not tumbled from the deck, the final table outcome would have been completely different. It is perhaps fair to say that the hideous river queen may have cost Vilmunen a gold bracelet. It is most certainly a hand he will not forget. Vilmunen, the second Finn at the table, went out a short time later in disappointing fashion. Seventh place paid $81,968.

At six players, Englishman Nick Gibson was low on chips and committed his last 90,000 on an inside straight draw. Gibson had Q-J-J-10. Gibson was all-in after the flop came with K-9-6. Defending champ Amit had A-K-J-2 and called holding top pair. An ace on the turn gave Amit two pair. Gibson missed his draw on the river and went out in sixth place. He collected $102,460.

Hasan Habib survived several all-in situations before finally succumbing to a fifth-place finish. On his final hand of the night, Habib moved all-in, flopped two-pair and then picked up a straight draw on the turn. But he failed to improve and Rafi Amit showed a higher two-pair. Habib, who has won millions of dollars in tournament poker, including a WSOP title in 2004 for Stud Eight-or-Better, received $122,952.

When play became four-handed, it seemed anyone’s tournament to win. Lee Watkinson enjoyed a slight chip lead, but in a card game as volatile as Pot-Limit Omaha, anything was still possible. Rafi Amit learned this lesson the hard way when he lost a few key pots and many of his chips. Then, Amit went out when he flopped two pair against Watkinson’s flopped straight. Amit still had four outs to make the full house, but came up short. Rafi Amit, from Israel, played brilliantly and had to be proud of yet another final table appearance in this event. The 26-year-old collected $143,444 for fourth place.

Mark Dickstein, a New York City investment manager, made the most out of his $10,000 investment in this event. Try making 17 times the initial outlay in just three days. Dickstein went out when his A-K-J-9 was cracked by Watkinson’s A-Q-J-4. The final board came with three spades to go with Watkinson’s A-J of spades – completing a flush. Dickstein received $184,428 for third place.

Heads-up play started off with Watkinson holding a 3 to 1 chip advantage over Aussie Mike Guttmann. It took over two hours for Watkinson to overcome a very tough fight by the CEO from Melbourne. Midway through the duel, Guttman seized the chip lead momentarily when he rivered a flush against the shell shocked Watkinson. But that would be Guttmann’s high-point of the tournament. The man nicknamed “Sticky Micky” came unglued in the final stages of the tournament, seemingly helpless to stall Watkinson’s aggressive tendencies.

The final hand of the night was deal out when Watkinson held A-Q-6-5 versus Guttmann’s J-J-10-8. All of Guttmann’s chips went into the pot on a pre-flop re-raise. The final board showed 5-4-3-7-K. Watkinson’s 6-5 connected with the 7-4-3 on board to complete the straight. As runner up, Mike “Sticky Micky” Guttmann collected $360,659.

Afterward, Watkinson described the victory as more of a relief than a thrill. He finished second in this same event two years ago, which until tonight was the closest Watkinson had ever come to winning at the World Series.
“When I was playing heads-up and lost (the chip lead), I started thinking it was déjà vu all over again,” Watkinson said in reference to finishing in second-place at a number of majors in recent years. “But then, I just re-focused my game and realized that it takes a different kind of strategy to win a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament. I just played the percentages, wanting to get my money in with the best possible situation.”

Watkinson owns a few businesses, including a record company and a clothing line – which were started exclusively with his poker winnings. The Washington State native holds a degree in economics, which perhaps explains why Watkinson is so astute as an investor and poker professional.

Yet, as excited as Watkinson was to win over half a million dollars and the WSOP gold bracelet, he was quick to shift everyone’s attention to a greater, more humanitarian purpose. Watkins was joined up on the poker stage by his fiancé Timmi DeRosa. Together, they described their plans to constructively use some of the $655,746 in total prize money. Watkinson and DeRosa told of their longtime commitment to rescuing and retiring captive chimpanzees, many of which have been used in everything from major motion pictures to research laboratories.

Watkinson and DeRosa told about how chimpanzees are not as useful as they become older and are commonly discarded. So a few years ago, the couple made a commitment to rescue as many creatures as possible and eventually build an animal sanctuary. “All the animals need our help,” DeRosa said. “But we really try to focus on the chimpanzees.” For this purpose, the Cortland Brandenberg Foundation (www.cortlandbrandenberg.com) was co-founded by Watkinson and DeRosa.

This is certainly the first time ever in history that chimpanzees will benefit directly from a World Series of Poker victory. Following his win, as the arena stage was being cleared, Watkinson said he intended to got out later in the night and buy the chimps some cake and ice cream. Perhaps instead of St. Francis, we should call the latest WSOP poker champion “St. Watkinson.”

by Nolan Dalla

Daniel Negreanu voted sexiest WSOP poker player

13.07.2006

Internet supermodel Cindy Margolis rates WSOP’s hottest poker players. The biggest selling calendar model, who has sold more posters than Farrah Fawcett and Marilyn Monroe, puts poker stars Daniel Nagreanu and Joseph Hachem at the top of her list.

“Daniel’s charisma, charm, smile and overall demeanor make him the sexiest player at the tables, hands down," says Margolis, one of People’s Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful Women.” She adds, “Hachem is quite the hunk, brooding and mysterious.” Margolis, who will be signing autographs and taking photos at WagerWeb.com’s WSOP booth, will meet members of her list face to face, when she battles the competition in the WSOP Celebrity Tournament July 27th.

Margolis’ sexiest poker player list is as follows: 1) Daniel Negreanu; 2) Joseph Hachem; 3) Chris "Jesus" Feguson; 4) Chad Brown; 5) Johnny Chan; 6) John Juanda; 7) Mike Mizrachi; 8) Greg Mueller; 9) Greg Raymer; and 10) Doyle Brunson.

WagerWeb.com CEO Dave Johnson is beyond excited to have Margolis signed on as an endorser. “Cindy is at the ‘top of her game,’ racking up enough hits, page views, downloads and search engine statistics to secure a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Johnson says. “WagerWeb.com will have more presence then ever at this year’s WSOP, thanks in large part to Cindy, the most downloaded woman on the Internet.”

Home game queen trumps ladies at World Series of Poker

12.07.2006

A Nevada woman whose home game poker stakes have included doing the dishes and washing the car beat out 1,127 women to win $236,094 in the World Series of Poker's ladies event early Tuesday.

Henderson resident Mary Jones Meyer, a 56-year-old telephone company sales manager, put her huge stack of chips to work, calling an all-in bet from Chicago artist Shawnee Barton and making a measly pair of sixes on the river to win her first WSOP bracelet.

The most money she had made in tournament poker was about $2,700 at a World Poker Tour match in Las Vegas in May 2005, when she was the last woman to be knocked out.

Then after a jocular home game last October, a close friend had to accept the loser's chore of pushing Meyer's new puppy around on a doggie stroller at a boat convention in Long Beach, Calif.

"I'd have to say this is definitely more gratifying," Meyer chuckled. "I'm just so thrilled with the bracelet and winning the competition. It really is unbelievable. I'm beyond thrilled."

This year's field of women is nearly double the 600-strong field that Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly beat last year. Her win gave women players a higher profile in a game largely populated by men.

"Jennifer Tilly has a lot to do with the growth of women's poker," said Jeffrey Pollack, the tournament commissioner. "While women don't make up a majority of players at the World Series of Poker, I think they reflect the breadth of player that comes."

"I think that in the TV age, we may have lost sight of how long poker has been around and part of our culture."

For Meyer, that included playing poker with her parents as a child and playing her husband and friends for bragging rights - and the occasional night out to see a show or movie that her spouse might otherwise object to.

"We try to make sure that somebody's got skin in the game just to make it real," said her husband, Bob Meyer, 50, a former executive at Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which is hosting the tournament which runs from June 25 to Aug. 10.

"Money isn't the issue because it's among friends," he said.

Meyer's latest win may change that, however. Though she kept a business appointment Tuesday, future plans include parlaying two years of tournament hold'em experience into a professional career, she said.

"I'm seriously considering what I want to do," she said.
By RYAN NAKASHIMA

Results WSOP Event 13

11.07.2006

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas
Official Results and Report

Event #13
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $2,500
Number of Entries: 1,290
Total Prize Money: $2,967,000
Defending Champion (2005): Farzad Bonyadi

Official Results:

1. Max Pescatori Milan, Italy $682,389
2. Anthony Reategui Chandler, AZ $356,040
3. Justin Pechie Thompson, CT $206,207
4. Michael Scott Lesle Lake Elsinore, CA $148,350
5. Corey Cheresnick Coral Springs, FL $118,680
6. Tri Ma Houston, TX $103,845
7. Mike Matusow Las Vegas, NV $89,010
8. Terrence Chan Vancouver, Canada $74,175
9. Matt Heintschel Escondido, CA $66,758
10. William Lin Denver, CO $59,340
11. David Derringer Louisville, KY $54,890
12. Sarah Bilney Canberra, Australia $50,439
13. Larry Weinberg Aptos, CA $45,989
14. Melissa Hayen Las Vegas, NV $41,538
15. David Chiu Rowland Hts, CA $37,088
16. Jay Fung Boca Raton, FL $32,637
17. Ylon Schwartz Brooklyn, NY $28,187
18. Richard Osborne Martinez, CA $23,736
19. Joe McGowan La Quinta, CA $19,286
20. Jerry Denicholas Tampa, FL $19,286
21. Jose Torres Hollywood, FL $19,286
22. Erick Lindgren Las Vegas, NV $19,286
23. Chris Chung Irvine, CA $19,286
24. Joe Cassidy Costa Mesa, CA $19,286
25. Farzad Rouhani Gaithensburg, MD $19,286
26. Mark Bonsack Maple Valley, WA $19,286
27. Flex Bolotin Brooklyn, NY $19,286
28. Sam Grizzle Las Vegas, NV $14,835
29. Michael Berra St. Louis, MO $14,835
30. Danny Fuhs Las Vegas, NV $14,835
31. Jamie Pickering Surfers Paradise, Australia $14,835
32. Nathan Meyvis Bloomfield Hills, MI $14,835
33. Jenny Kang Portland, OR $14,835
34. Elliot Dornbusch Aventura, FL $14,835
35. Steve Numoto Hayward, CA $14,835
36. Luzhe Zhang Vienna, Austria $14,835
37. Timothy Stearns Burbank, CA $11,868
38. Steven C. Hoefs Avalon, CA $11,868
39. David Plastik Las Vegas, NV $11,868
40. Allen Pock Fullerton, CA $11,868
41. Adam Harrington Albuquerque, NM $11,868
42. Stephen Gin North York, Canada $11,868
43. Joanne Liu Las Vegas, NV $11,868
44. Steven Cohn Friendswood, TX $11,868
45. Russ Salzer Hollywood, FL $11,868
46. Scott Fischman Las Vegas, NV $8,901
47. Eric Froehlich Springfield, VA $8,901
48. Alex Shin Los Angeles, CA $8,901
49. Ricky Green Austin, TX $8,901
50. Zack Ballenger Dallas, TX $8,901
51. Kenneth K. Lee Oakton, VA $8,901
52. Mark Wilds Biloxi, MS $8,901
53. Roy Thung White Plains, NY $8,901
54. Seth Berger Malbern, PA $8,901
55. Neil Florin Miami, FL $7,418
56. Mike Bradshaw Eagle, ID $7,418
57. Fred Goldberg Hollywood, FL $7,418
58. Daryn Firicano Woburn, MA $7,418
59. Quim Do Los Angeles, CA $7,418
60. Frank Digiacomo Palm City, FL $7,418
61. Richard Sharpe Henderson, NV $7,418
62. Kevin Nathan Roseville, CA $7,418
63. Men "The Master" Nguyen Bell Gardens, CA $7,418
64. Dustin S. Pattonson Edinburg, TX $5,934
65. Joel Criste San rafael, CA $5,934
66. Kurt Paseka Bayside, NY $5,934
67. Tony Cousineau Daytona Beach, FL $5,934
68. Kevin Ho Gainesville, FL $5,934
69. Jonathan Friedberg Las Vegas, NV $5,934
70. Andrew Kurita Brooklyn, NY $5,934
71. Derek Dix Chico, CA $5,934
72. Eric Hicks Scottsdale, AZ $5,934
73. Salvatore Passariello Las Vegas, NV $5,934
74. Matthew Ing Honolulu, HI $5,934
75. Ariel Schneller Blacksburg, VA $5,934
76. Doug Sanders Calgary, Canada $5,934
77. Keith Hawkins Middleton, UK $5,934
78. Harry D. Scannell Dearborn Heights, MI $5,934
79. Garrett Patrick Aspen, CO $5,934
80. Mike Brown Springdale, AZ $5,934
81. Davie Minto Alamogordo, NM $5,934
82. Marcello Cabrera Visalia, CA $4,451
83. Joel Nichols Marion, OH $4,451
84. Tyler Herdklotz San Diego, CA $4,451
85. Jimmie Smith Norman, OK $4,451
86. David Raby Sweetwater, TX $4,451
87. Greg Violette Henderson, NV $4,451
88. Jay Minor Indianapolis, IN $4,451
89. Bao Dong Allen, TX $4,451
90. Dan Bates Nacogdoches, TX $4,451
91. Steve Day Edmonds, WA $4,451
92. Scott Bohlman Homer Glen, IL $4,451
93. Brian Hub San Jose, CA $4,451
94. Aidiliy Elviro Miramar, FL $4,451
95. Minh Ly Las Vegas, NV $4,451
96. Brian Wideman St. Louis, MO $4,451
97. John Hurst Dallas, TX $2,671
98. Leonard Demehak Streetsboro, OH $2,671
99. Musa Mustafa Hickory Hills, IL $2,671
100. Allie Prescott Memphis, TN $2,670
101. Dwight Derringer Louisville, KY $2,670

When Italian soccer star Fabio Grosso smashed the winning kick past French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in Berlin’s Olympiastadion to win the 2006 World Cup for Italy, Max Pescatori was half a world away madly celebrating. The Milan-born Pescatori was posted in front of a big-screen television along with dozens of his fellow countrymen in a Las Vegas bar, cheering the Italian national soccer team to victory. Pescatori was so euphoric that he was late for another appointment later that day.

The appointment just so happened to be a seat at the final table in the $2,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em championship at the Rio. Never mind that a whopping $689,382 in cash and a gold bracelet was at stake for first place. The World Series of Poker gives away millions of dollars in prize money every single day. But Italy wins the World Cup only once in a generation.

Does karma exist? Some players will swear to it. Max Pescatori certainly believes it – especially now. After seeing his beloved Italy win international sport’s most coveted trophy, Pescatori knew that this was going to be his big day. Nicknamed “The Italian Pirate” for his scruffy bandanna-capped buccaneer-look, Pescatori swash buckled through 1,290 entrants in three days and ended up winning his first-ever WSOP title. For Pescatori, the win was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“I have been playing poker for a very long time,” Pescatori said afterward. “I have won other big tournaments including a few on the WSOP Circuit -- but never at the World Series of Poker. To win this bracelet for me is very special, especially on the same day that my Italy won.”

After 1,281 players were eliminated during the first two days of tournament play, Pescatori arrived at the final table ranked third in the chip count. The early chip leader was Anthony Reategui, fittingly one of two former WSOP gold bracelet winners of the final nine. Superstar Internet pro Terrence Chan arrived second. Colorful poker personality Mike “the Mouth” Matusow (with two gold bracelets) started Day Three in the middle of the pack.

Name Chip Count Seat #
Max Pescatori $464,000 1
Justin Pechie $357,000 2
Tri Ma $117,000 3
Mike Matusow $335,000 4
Anthony Reategui $959,000 5
Matt Heintschel $116,000 6
Corey Cheresnick $249,000 7
Terrence Chan $494,000 8
Michael Lesle $146,000 9

Matt Heintschel must not have been Italian. The private contractor from Escondido, California arrived as the lowest stack and went out on a peculiar hand when his ace-eight was topped by his opponent’s identical hand. Four diamonds came on board and Heintschel held two clubs. His opponent had a diamond, which completed the flush. Heintschel’s fate was sealed. Ninth place paid $66,758.

Terrence Chan’s 55-minutes at the final table were a complete nightmare. Competing at his first WSOP final table, Chan barely dragged a chip and went out with ace-king against pocket fours. Chan failed to make a pair and was eliminated. Chan, who regularly plays in the biggest online cash games in the world (and is quite successful at it), received $74,175 for eighth place.

One of poker’s most animated characters went out next. Unusually subdued for a final table, Mike ‘the Mouth” Matusow was silent much of the time and went broke holding top pair (tens) when his opponent flopped two pair (tens and nines). Matusow later complained that he was not feeling well, which perhaps explained the restrained behavior and sub-par finish. Matusow’s prize money amounted to $89,010.

About two hours into play, Anthony Reategui went on a tear. He busted the next three players. Tri “Chico” Ma was eliminated in sixth place when his ace-queen suited was busted by Reategui’s pocket aces. Ma was drawing slim from the start, and drawing dead by the turn. Vietnamese-born Ma, now living in Houston, earned $103,845.

Reategui’s next victim was Corey Cheresnick. The Florida-based poker pro who also holds a Masters in accounting, went out with ace-eight, which lost to a Reategui’s straight. Cheresnick added $118,680 to his poker bankroll.

Michael Scott Lesle was the next player to enter Reategui’s meat grinder. Lesle moved all-in with king-queen suited, and was called down by Reategui holding ace-five. The chip leader flopped a five and Lesle failed to catch a pair. Michael Scott Lesle, who finished fourth at a WSOP final table back in 2003, took fourth place again this time, earning $148,350 in prize money.

Just when it looked like Reategui might end things quick -- the wind blew, the skies opened, and the storms came. Reategui started off three-way play with a 4 to 1 chip lead over Justin Pechie. Max Pescatori’s situation looked even worse. Pescatori was out-chipped by a 7 to 1 margin.

Big comebacks usually start with seemingly benign beginnings. Max Pescatori’s self-confidence was boosted when he made an extraordinary call against Pechie. On a board showing 10-7-2-Q-10, Pechie made a large river bet and Pescatori thought for several minutes before calling with king-nine – no pair (just king high). Pechie mucked his hand, Pescatori raked in the chips, the crowd started cheering, and the tournament ground rumbled, foreshadowing the earthquake that was later to come.

Justin Pechie went all-in about a half hour later holding pocket sixes. Pescatori called with pocket eights. The ground shook when both players flopped a set. But Pechie’s cheering section went silent when it was realized that the flopped six was no good, since the Italian had also hit his pair. When Pescatori spiked a fourth eight on the river – good for quads – the final nail in Pechie’s tournament coffin was pounded. Justin Pechie, a poker pro from Connecticut, received $206,207 for third place.

The final hour of play was a stunning reversal of fortune. Anthony Reategui, just one lone opponent away from winning his second gold bracelet, watched in hopeless frustration as every major pot of the last 30 or so hands went in Pescatori’s favor. Reategui, the champion of last year’s $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Shootout, must have felt like the poor French goalkeeper earlier in the day, desperately trying to fend off Pescatori perfectly-placed shots.

The game winner came when Pescatori was dealt jack-eight suited against Reategui’s queen-ten off-suit. The flop came 10-7-6. Reategui moved all-in with the top pair (tens) and Pescatori called with an inside-straight draw. A blank on the turn helped neither player.

Then, the inevitable Italian thing happened. Before the final chapter in Pescatori’s dream day is revealed, it must be divulges that in the Italian language, “PESCATOR” means fisherman. Max Pescatori was certainly fishing for his tournament life, a nine on the river -- which is exactly what he caught, thus making the straight and ending the tournament. Pescatori reeled in a nine on the river, and the blue-shirted gallery rooting on their fellow countryman broke out in wild celebration for the second time in a day. Runner up Anthony Reategui collected $346,040. Max Pescatori won $682,389.

“Nothing can beat this. For me, this is incredible,” Pescatori said. “I told all my friends that they have to watch for Italy to win (the World Cup) and then afterward to cheer for me on the Internet to win here at the World Series. This is the greatest day of my life.”

Ladies to Go All-in for the Chance to Take it All Off

11.07.2006

LOS ANGELES, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Playboy's Alta Loma Entertainment announced today that it has commissioned the Players Network to produce "Playboy's Women of Poker," a multi-part television series that will feature beautiful women competing to become members of Playboy's Poker Team and win all the perks that go along with it, including the potential of appearing in a Playboy Magazine pictorial.

Women interested in this unique opportunity should register on the Players Network website (www.playersnetwork.com) and then participate in one of five regional qualifying Texas Hold'em tournaments held throughout the United States at which time they will also do a test photo shoot. A total of thirty beautiful women who have what it takes to model for Playboy (six finalists from each of the five regionals) will win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the televised finals. The six women who accumulate the most points through their poker and modeling skills at the final event will become members of Playboy's Poker Team, attend parties at the Playboy Mansion, and potentially appear in Playboy Magazine or on Playboy. com as Cybergirls. As members of Playboy's Poker Team, the winners will make public appearances, play in charity tournaments and participate in other promotional events.

Michael Berk, President of Production for the Players Network and creator of the series said, "The Playboy brand is hotter than ever. E! Entertainment's 'The Girls Next Door' is one of the hottest TV shows on air. And poker has never been hotter. The opportunity to combine Playboy and poker is a win/win situation for both companies."

Jason Burns, Vice President of Production for Alta Loma Entertainment said, "While Playboy often conducts searches for the most beautiful women in the world, this is the first time any woman who has dreamed of being part of Playboy can win her way in based not only on her physical assets, but also on her mental acuity and competitive skills. We very much look forward to this unique combination of a reality series and poker tournament."

About Alta Loma Entertainment

Alta Loma Entertainment is owned and operated by Playboy Enterprises, Inc., a brand-driven, international multimedia entertainment company. Alta Loma Entertainment produces programming suitable for all audiences for distribution across all platforms, including television series such as "The Girls Next Door," "Party at the Palms" and the documentary feature film "Bullets Over Hollywood."

About Players Network:

Players Network is a Media, Marketing and Merchandising Company focusing on the Gaming Lifestyle, producing and distributing original content for its own VOD Channel on Comcast in ten-million homes, for its Broadband Network at playersnetwork.com, for DVD Home Video, mobile platforms, and through worldwide television syndication. Players Network has a 10-year history of providing consumers with quality gaming lifestyle content, and the gaming industry with strategic partnership services in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and throughout the worldwide gaming industry.

Source: Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc.

Bad Luck for Phil Hellmuth JR.

10.07.2006

You had to feel for Phil Hellmuth in the $5 000 No-Limit Hold 'Em WSOP event number 9 last week. It was an opportunity for the poker star to join the elite group of world class players who have won 10 WSOP bracelets, but it eluded him.

Hellmuth fought his way to the final table through a field of 622 hopefuls and found himself with a chip count of 461 000 in the company of the following:

1: Pro poker player Vinnie Vinh, the chip leader at 784 000
2: Popular female pro Isabelle "No Mercy" Mercier, 301 000
3: Veteran tournament pro Eugene Todd, 240 000
4: "The Flying Dutchman" Marcel Luske, 458 000
5: First time tournament player Jeff Cabanillas, 275 000
6: Tournament professional Douglas Carli, 273 000
7: Dan Smith, short stacked at 117 000
8: Thomas Schreiber, 200 000

The packed audience was treated to some great action poker as the players were eliminated one by one, with exchanges between Hellmuth, youngster and first timer Jeff Cabanillas, Eugene Todd and Luske, who eventually crashed out in fourth place.

Veteran tournament pro Eugene Todd was next to go, leaving the head to head between Hellmuth and Cabanillas with that tenth bracelet within the former's reach as a special bonus to the big prize money. The chip counts at that stage were 1.7 million with Cabanillas and 1.4 million for Hellmuth.

The chip lead fluctuated several times during the next three hour, 120 hand epic battle and, over the time period, the first timer was able to work himself back into command of the match, encouraged by a vociferous band of supporters. Some of those comments resulted in Hellmuth calling in the tournament director to introduce a little more order to the scene.

In the end, despite the heroic efforts and consummate poker skills on display, it was Cabanillas who won the game, depriving Hellmuth of both the $818 546 winner's prize but also that elusive tenth bracelet, leaving Hellmuth with the consolation of a $423 893 addition to his bank balance.

Hellmuth was gracious in defeat, saying: "Jeff played some great poker today and deserves to win. He will make an excellent champion."

Phil Hellmuth is playing for Ultimate Bet.

1,100 at World Series of Poker Ladies Tournament

10.07.2006

A field of more than 1,128 women by far the largest in poker history - entered the Ladies No-Limit Hold'Em tournament at the 2006 World Series of Poker, each hoping to unseat reigning champion Jennifer Tilly and outlast a host of other Hollywood celebrities who entered the event.

Last year's victory by the Oscar-nominated actress Tilly generated widespread publicity and sparked a near doubling in the number of entrants from the previous record field of 600 in 2005.

"Jennifer Tilly has helped fuel the explosive growth in the popularity of women's poker," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "She was a gracious winner of last year's event and has been a terrific ambassador for the game."

This year, Tilly joined forces with ELLE magazine and PartyPoker.net to form a team including actress Shannon Elizabeth and some of the country's top female players to raise funds for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign.

The ELLE-PartyPoker team includes actresses Tilly, Elizabeth, Alison Worth and Katie Porrello; Lisa Tenner, president of Tenner and Associates; producer and director Susan Genard; ICM executive Lori Sale; Card Player Media executive Allyn Jeffrey Shulman; ELLE executive Hillary Kerr, poker pros Karina Jett, Maureen Feduniak, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Jennifer Leigh, Wendeen Eolis and Irina Cornides, and real estate developer Leslie Eichner.

The ELLE team members will donate a percentage of any winnings to the American Heart Association, and team sponsors will match those donations. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

The ELLE team wasn't the only one featuring actresses. Hollywood Poker sent a team that included Anne Heche, Ricki Lake, Victoria Pratt, Jean Smart, Mimi Rogers, Mena Suvari and Kelly Hu.

The start of the Ladies tournament -- one of 45 events in the 37th Annual World Series of Poker that runs through August 10 -- drew the largest crowd of spectators thus far. Fans packed the huge tournament room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, hoping for a glimpse of their favorite Hollywood or poker celebrity.

The final round of the two-day Ladies tournament is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Monday, July 10.

Australiens Poker Champs spitting Chips

09.07.2006

War has erupted between Australia's two biggest poker champions - with neither side prepared to fold.
University drop-out Mark Vos, 22, shocked the world this week when he won $1.08 million in a Las Vegas tournament.

But he revealed yesterday he and Joe Hachem - who won $10 million in the World Series of Poker last year - do not talk to each other.

"We don't really get along," Mr Vos said. "It's complicated."

Of his win, Mr Vos, from Brisbane, added: "It was a real surprise but I always knew I was able to do it.

"It feels really good to have that win when you're so young and can use the money to do things for the rest of my life.

"Because I won here I can do whatever I want. I have all the options open to me."

This week, Mr Hachem finished second in another Las Vegas World Series of Poker lead-up tournament, winning $345,000.

Mr Vos and Mr Hachem's success just 24 hours apart has intensified their heated rivalry.

The dispute is believed to have been sparked by a message sent to an internet poker site which has escalated to heated exchanges between the players over the past few months.

Sources said the two cannot stand each other, with Mr Hachem believing he has not been given any respect by Mr Vos, despite being the current holder of the world poker crown.

"Vos has got a big mouth and he's a trash talker," one source said. "Joe can't stand him."

Mr Hachem would not comment on the spat yesterday.

Mr Vos and mr Hachem are set to compete against each other several times in Vegas over the next few weeks.

The preliminary contests lead up to this year's WSOP main event, when $14 million will be awarded to the winner.

One Hachem supporter said his man wanted to meet Mr Vos on the final table at one of this year's high-roller events and "wipe him off the table".

Harrah's announces schedule for 2006-07 World Series of Poker Circuit

08.07.2006

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. said the third season of the popular World Series of Poker Circuit® will include 11 tournament stops that will bring high-stakes poker action and excitement to players at nine Harrah's-operated casinos around the country.

"For the first time, our Circuit events are tied to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas," said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the WSOP(TM). "If you win the $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em Circuit championship at one of our properties, you're headed to Las Vegas to play in our Main Event."

The 2006-07 World Series of Poker Circuit begins September 7 at Harrah's Lake Tahoe and includes events at Harrah's casinos in venues such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New Orleans, and Tunica, Mississippi.

Each World Series of Poker Circuit stop will offer several tournaments with buy-ins ranging from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 for the No-Limit Texas Hold'em Circuit Championship. The winner of each Circuit $5,000 buy-in finale will receive cash as well as a seat in the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'Em World Championship at the 2007 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

The schedule for the WSOP Circuit follows:

Sep. 7-17, 2006 Harrah's Tahoe
Sep. 25-Oct. 4, 2006 Grand Tunica
Oct. 19-Nov. 2, 2006 Caesars Indiana
Dec. 9-19, 2006 Harrah's Atlantic City
Jan. 8-17, 2007 Grand Tunica
Jan. 29-Feb. 7, 2007 Horseshoe Council Bluffs
Feb. 11-21, 2007 Harrah's Rincon
Mar. 5-14, 2007 Caesars Atlantic City
Mar. 26-Apr. 4, 2007 Caesars Indiana
Apr. 23-May 2, 2007 Caesars Las Vegas
May 14-23, 2007 Harrah's New Orleans

Circuit schedules are subject to change. Information on individual Circuit events can be found at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

More information about Harrah's is available at its Web site -- www.harrahs.com.

Computer Program sets its own holdem strategy

08.07.2006

A Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist has demonstrated that you don’t necessarily need to know much about poker to create a computer program that can play a winning hand of Texas Hold’Em. A knowledge of game theory, not the specialized expertise of a human poker player, is at the heart of the poker robot called GS1 developed by Tuomas Sandholm, director of Carnegie Mellon’s Agent-Mediated Electronic Marketplaces Lab, and graduate student Andrew Gilpin.

Though not yet the equal of the best human players, GS1 outperformed the two leading "pokerbots" in playing heads-up, limit Texas Hold’Em in tests at Carnegie Mellon earlier this year. Both of GS1’s opponents were commercially available programs that, like other pokerbots, incorporate the expertise of human poker players. GS1, by contrast, develops its strategy after performing an automated analysis of poker rules.

Sandholm and Gilpin have since developed an improved version of their game-theory-based program, called GS2, which will compete in the American Association for Artificial Intelligence’s first Computer Poker Competition during the 21st National Conference on Artificial Intelligence July 16-20 in Boston.

Much as computer chess was an early test of artificial intelligence (AI), computer poker has emerged as an even greater AI challenge. "Poker is a very complex game," said Sandholm, a professor of computer science in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science. "Computer poker programs really require sophisticated technology."

Unlike chess, where the status of all of the chess pieces is known to both players, poker forces players to make decisions based on incomplete information. "You don’t know what the other guy is holding," Sandholm explained. And the sheer number of possible combinations of cards dealt, cards on the table and bets in two-player Texas Hold’Em games — 1018, or a billion times a billion — makes it impossible for even the fastest computers to fully analyze every hand.

This element of uncertainty and the vagaries of luck inherent in randomly dealt cards actually make poker a better test of AI’s prowess than chess. "A lot of real-world situations have uncertainty in them and you have to deal with the uncertainty," Sandholm said. An algorithm (sequence of steps) that can capably play poker might also be useful in electronic commerce applications, such as sequential negotiation and auctions, he said.

Electronic commerce is a major research focus for Sandholm. He has developed the fastest algorithms for matching supply and demand, which can now be expressed in significantly more detail than before. He is the founder, chairman and chief scientist of CombineNet, a company that helps Fortune 1000 organizations save money and time on procurement. More than $20 billion has been sourced through CombineNet’s system, generating in excess of $2.5 billion in savings for customers.

Using AI techniques to automatically set rules for electronic commerce is another direction Sandholm has pioneered. These programs generate mechanisms that can govern electronic auctions, elections or negotiations.

In his computer poker research, Sandholm has developed pokerbots that precompute the strategies for playing the first two rounds of Texas Hold’Em, the so-called "pre-flop" and "flop" rounds, when players are first dealt two cards and then three additional cards are positioned face-up. For the third and fourth betting rounds, the "turn" and the "river," his pokerbots update the probability of each possible hand by taking into account betting as well as the revealed cards. The strategy for those rounds is then computed in real-time for the setting at hand.

To reduce the computational complexity, GS1 and GS2 automatically recognize strategically equivalent hands. For instance, 25,989,600 distinct hands are possible in the second round, but only about a million are strategically different. That’s still too many to compute, so the pokerbots group strategically similar hands together. The end result is 2,465 groups, a small enough number to allow computational analysis.

In addition to participating in the Computer Poker Competition, Sandholm and Gilpin will present a paper on the GS1 pokerbot during the AI meeting in Boston.

Positions in Poker

07.07.2006

Where to sit at the Pokertable can be important in Poker.
Here a small summary:

Early Position:

Early Position is usually defined as the first three players to act after the blinds (for a full table). A player in early position should only play strong hands, as there are players to act after them who may raise.

Middle Position:

Middle Position is usually defined as the next three players after the three early position players. A player in Middle Position may play slightly weaker hands than an early position player as they have the opportunity to see some of the action before them.

Late Position:

Late Position is usually defined as the last two players before the blinds. Players in Late Position may play a greater number of hands, as they are able to see the actions of the majority of the players at the table.

2006 WSOP Telecast Schedule on ESPN

06.07.2006

The ESPN telecasts will be aired every Tuesday at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time beginning July 18 and continuing through October 31.

In addition to the regular telecast schedule, poker fans will — for the first time ever — have the opportunity to see the Main Event’s final table live. For a suggested retail price of $24.95, poker fans can purchase for their TV screens or computers The World Series of Poker Live! — a new pay-per-view special starting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 10. The live coverage will continue until the champion is crowned.

“ESPN’s live coverage will be a historic first for the game of poker,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the WSOP. “This is another example of how our partners are innovating for the benefit of players and fans alike.”

Produced under the ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) banner, this year’s WSOP will be covered by up to 25 cameras, as well as an overhead camera that will travel the length and width of the tournament area. The specially constructed final table used throughout ESPN’s coverage will incorporate up to 10 “pocket cams” in the table’s rail to show viewers the players’ cards, and a “rabbit cam” under the table next to the dealer may show viewers the card that would have been dealt next should a player fold.

The following is the telecast schedule for ESPN’s World Series of Poker coverage:

——————————————————–
Circuit Championships:

July 18th 8 p.m. Harrah’s New Orleans
July 18th 9 p.m. Harrah’s New Orleans
July 25th 8 p.m. Showboat Atlantic City
July 25th 9 p.m. Bally’s Las Vegas
August 1st 8 p.m. Bally’s Las Vegas
August 1st 9 p.m. Bally’s Las Vegas
August 8th 8 p.m. Grand Casino Tunica
August 8th 9 p.m. Grand Casino Tunica
August 15th 8 p.m. Grand Casino Tunica
August 15th 9 p.m. Grand Casino Tunica

World Series of Poker Main Event:

August 22th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
August 22th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
August 29th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
August 29th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 5th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 5th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 12th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 12th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 19th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 19th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 26th 8 p.m. Main Event/$10,000
September 26th 9 p.m. Main Event/$10,000

World Series of Poker Bracelet Championships:

October 3rd 8 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$1500
October 3rd 9 p.m. Pot Limit Hold ‘Em/$1500
October 10th 8 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$2500
October 10th 9 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$2000
October 17th 8 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$1000
October 17th 9 p.m. Omaha/$10,000
October 24th 8 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$1000
October 24th 9 p.m. HORSE/$50,000
October 31th 8 p.m. Pot Limit Hold ‘Em/$2500
October 31th 9 p.m. No Limit Hold ‘Em/$2000

Mark Vos wins $803,274 at WSOP Event 6

05.07.2006

Australian poker pro Mark Vos wins $803,274 at WSOP Event 6

Mark Vos has a plan. And, despite winning over three-quarters of a million dollars tonight, he’s sticking to it. You see, Vos – at the tender age of 23 – made a personal decision that he will spend the next five years of his life “working” and the five years immediately after that “relaxing.” Vos’ plan is to play poker (which he defines as “work”) and then take the second-half of a decade off. It’s an unconventional career path to say the least.

If “work” means coming to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker, overwhelming a near-record field of 1,919 players, and earning $803,274 in just three days, then – then, there are certainly worse jobs. One has to ask, “Are there any job openings left? Where does one sign up?” Indeed, Vos won the $2,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em championship and earned his very first WSOP gold bracelet. Vos, a college student-turned-poker player from Brisbane became only the third Australian national ever to win an event at the World Series of Poker. He joins former Aussie champs Gary Benson (1996 -- Seven-Card Stud) and Joe Hachem (2005 – championship event) in the trifecta of poker winners from down under.

After two long days of play, the final table on Day Three started with nine players, including 2001 world poker champion Carlos Mortensen. Vos arrived a distant second in the chip count to Kevin Peterson, a poker pro from the Dallas area:

Name Chip Count Seat #

David Wells $275,000 1

J.R. Reiss $222,000 2

Willard Chang $214,000 3

Kevin Peterson $1,130,000 4

Nam Le $323,000 5

Vanessa Selbst $492,000 6

Mark Vos $528,000 7

Thomas Hunt III $468,000 8

Carlos Mortensen $215,000 9

Despite being short-stacked, the first player eliminated was something of a surprise. “The Matador,” Carlos Mortensen didn’t last long. Mortensen’s pocket sevens turned out to be an unlucky number when he was all-in and ran into ace-nine. An ace flopped and Mortensen waved farewell. Ninth-place paid $73,344.

Next, David Wells (no relation to the major league baseball player) struck out when he took a tough beat – king-ten against his opponent’s king-eight. An eight flopped and Wells was yanked from the game. The stock trader from Scottsdale, Arizona collected $87,315 for eighth place.

Vanessa Selbst was the second female player to make a final table appearance at this year’s WSOP. She had enough chips to be a force early, but was caught bluffing at the worst possible time. Selbst tried to move Kevin Peterson off of his hand with an all-in pre-flop re-raise, but she might as well have been standing on the railroad tracks staring at a roaring freight train. Peterson called instantly and flipped over pocket aces. He caught two more aces on the board to make four-of-a-kind, flattening Selbst’s chances to become history’s tenth female WSOP gold bracelet winner (in open events). Vanessa Selbst, a Yale University graduate last year, received $101,285.

The end-result for Kevin Peterson had to be disappointing. The chip-leader at the start, Peterson went through a very rocky two hours and failed to survive. He lost most of his chips holding pocket queens against Nam Le’s ace-king. A king flopped. That was the first serious hatchet chop into Peterson’s stack. Others would follow. The final blow was Peterson’s all-in move with queen-ten suited, losing to J.R. Reiss’ small pocket pair. Peterson picked up $115,255 in prize money.

A short time later, Willard Chang went out with a weaker hand that he would have liked under the circumstances. With blinds and antes escalating, Chang moved in hoping not to get called holding king-three, which was covered by Nam Le’s king-queen. Both players flopped a king, but the queen –kicker played and Chang was eliminated. Willard Chang, am engineer from Hawaii, received $136,211.

Thomas Hunt must have felt like a gang victim when he moved all-in with his few remaining chips in the small blind and was called down by all three opponents. The players checked on each successive round, and when J.R. Reiss revealed an ace to go with an ace on board, everyone mucked their cards – including Hunt, who ended up as the fourth-place finisher. Thomas Hunt, a physician from Las Vegas, billed the prize pool for $160,659.

Down to just three players, J.R. Reiss moved all-in with top-pair, top kicker (ace jacks to the board’s – 10-8-4-J-6) and was called quickly by Nam Le, holding nine-seven, good for a straight. Reiss, a professional gambler from Omaha, Nebraska added $209,555 to his bankroll.

When heads-up play began, Nam Le enjoyed nearly a 3 to 1 chip advantage – 2,775,000 to Vos’ 1,065,000. But great poker players shine in moments of adversity. It took Vos 45-minutes to seize the chip lead, plus another hour to lock down the victory. After Vos made a flush and took the chip lead, Le made one last valiant stab at the top prize, temporarily regaining the chip lead for a short time. He could have broken Vos when he had his opponent all-in with queen-jack to Vos’ pocket sevens. But Le failed to connect with a pair, and that would ultimately spell doom fro the aspiring champ.

Vos picked away chips from Le’s stack and gradually built up a 2 to 1 chip lead. The final hand was somewhat unanticipated as Vos was dealt queen-ten suited against Le’s pocket sixes. After catching a queen on the flop, Vos bet out and Le called. A blank fell on the turn, and Vos bet again. Le called. The river brought a queen, giving Vos trip-queens. Vos moved all-in and Le, suspecting a bluff, called. That was a mistake. The trip queens gave Vos the championship.

Nam Le, the second-place finisher, collected $401,647.

“I prefer to play poker online,” Vos said immediately following his victory. “I still prefer cash games online, but there is nothing like the experience of playing in a live tournament and making it all the way to the final table. Cash games are my day job, but the tournaments are for excitement and fun.”

Vos said he plans to stick with his game plan. “(Winning) does not really change things,” he said. “I mean, it helps. But I still plan to play poker…..then (in five years) I’ll relax, settle down, and find a place to live and decide what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

by Nolan Dalla

Note: All content in this report may be re-printed by media.

Overall Tournament Statistics (through end of Event #6):

Total Entries to Date: 9,165

Total Prize Money Distributed: $ 12,256,090

Poker ace Joe Hachem wins $345,000

04.07.2006

AUSSIE poker king Joe Hachem is in the money again after winning $345,000 in a Las Vegas tournament.

The former Melbourne chiropractor, who won $10 million playing poker almost a year ago, yesterday outlasted 822 poker players to finish runner-up in the World Series of Poker event.

But Hachem was a little disappointed he didn't win the tournament and the $649,000 first prize.

"It's bittersweet. On one hand it's a great result but I'm not happy that I didn't win," the 40-year-old father of four said.

Hachem looked set to beat Californian Russ Boyd but the turn of the final card, a five of diamonds, gave the American two pairs and the tournament.

Hachem said when he saw that card "my heart sank to my ankles".

"I had him right where I wanted him," he said.

"I'm disappointed I didn't win. I pushed him as hard as I could."

Hachem's finish was watched by his wife, Jeannie, who hugged him moments after the No Limit Hold 'Em game ended.

"She was disappointed for me. She's my No. 1 fan," Hachem said.

"She said to me, I hope you are happy with the result."

Asked what he was going to do with the $345,000 he'd earned for three days' play,

Hachem laughed and said: "I have no idea. Maybe I'll buy a property for one of the kids."

Hachem said he hoped the big payday would send a message to the world's best poker players that he was "the real deal".

"Anyone in their own field wants the recognition they deserve," Hachem said.

This month Hachem will defend his World Series of Poker world title in Las Vegas, competing for a first prize of $13.4 million.

Mike Sexton splits $1 million pot with charities

03.07.2006

It was 17 years ago that Mike Sexton won his first World Series of Poker bracelet and it took 17 hours for him to win his second WSOP tournament, the much-heralded 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions at the Rio in Las Vegas.

The spokesman and host is now sitting on top of the world, having returned to the winner’s circle in an event that he actually helped to conceive in 1998.

Sexton, elated, but exhausted after a gruelling 17 straight hours of play, got a chance to see the $1 million passed his way after years of watching and commentating on it going to other players. He promptly announced that he was giving half to charity — $100,000 to each of five charities.

“I am so happy to win,” a choked up Sexton said in a post-victory interview. “To win the million-dollar prize and this title means everything to me. To come back again all these years later and win this tournament really makes me proud. It is very special to me as I was the founder.”

BIG COMPETITION

Twenty-seven players started the event that brought together WSOP Circuit winners and 2005 WSOP final table players for a $2 million freerol.

At the end, it came down to the three big names of Sexton, Mike Matusow and Daniel Negreanu. The banter and hectoring by the latter two provided amusement for the crowd, but Sexton kept his cool as some extraordinary poker was played out in the spotlight.

Sexton eliminated Matusow in the 12th hour of the event, when Matusow went all-in with A-4, only to have Sexton beat him with pocket sevens. Then it was down to Negreanu and five more hours of back-and-forth play with the chip lead changing several times. A key moment came when Negreanu, seeking one card for a diamond flush draw, moved all in, but Sexton held on with a top pair, taking a 4-to-1 chip lead.

“I thought I had as good a chance as anyone because of the structure, and I got more confident as I built my chip stack up,” said Sexton.

Finally at just after 6 a.m., Sexton pulled pocket aces to Negreanu’s KQ, with a 10-8-4 flop. When an A and 8 hit the table, it gave Sexton the full house he needed and his second WSOP bracelet in 17 years. The first was in Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo in 1989. Sexton now stands among the top 10 for all-time number of finishes in the money at the WSOP with 37 cashes. He has nearly $2.7 million in total tournament winnings.

“Because I’ve been doing commentary on the WPT for the past five years,” Sexton said. “I am a much better player than I was before. Poker is a game of skill, and there’s a big advantage in having seen every hand. I see what players are doing, and I’m adapting my game.”

CHARITY WORK

Sexton was humbled and proud to announce the charities that he would be gifting with half of his winnings, a pledge he has made over the past few years and one that he says he will continue. The recipients included The Special Olympics, The Buoniconti Fund to help cure paralysis, The Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Wounded Warrior Project, which helps families of those wounded or killed in battle, and Children Incorporated, which helps provide food and school supplies for underprivileged children around the world. Children Incorporated is the primary recipient of donated monies from fellow poker player Barry Greenstein, known as the “Robin Hood of Poker.”

Sexton said: “Barry is a pioneer. Poker can do good things for underprivileged people.”

Poker Channel offering new free Broadband Service

02.07.2006

The Poker Channel launched its new free broadband poker TV channel this week, offering free-to-air broadband programs to a global audience.

The new service is distinct from the SkyTV channel and will operate on its own program schedule. will run to it's own schedule, available at www.pokerchannel.co.uk up to one month in advance of start times.

Exclusive world-class tournaments such as the British Poker Open, World Speed Poker Open and the European Poker Championships are all being carried, together with documentaries such as the ‘Up Close’ series giving an insight into world class pros like Greg Raymer, Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson.

Daily coverage from major worldwide poker tournaments, featuring exclusive news podcasts and downloadable video clips are also planned.

Access to the stream is offered free of charge to poker-relevant web sites. Josh Thomas, manager of the broadband service at the Poker Channel says: "Not only is this a fantastic affiliate resource – it is a great retention tool for all poker-interest sites. The content is different every day and will keep visitors returning to watch on a daily basis."

Crispin Nieboer, CEO of the Poker Channel said: "We are delighted to be able to offer international poker fans a professional, high-quality yet free TV service wherever they may be in the world."

The Poker Channel is the world’s first TV channel dedicated to the game of poker and is available to all Sky subscribers, as a free to air channel, located under the Gaming section Channel Number 844.

Poker Movie Trend Continues

01.07.2006

The proliferation of poker productions continues -- with at least three big-screen movies, in addition to such TV fare as celebrity-poker tourneys and reality TV. With Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You" drama with Robert Duvall, Drew Barrymore, Eric Bana and Jean Smart, due Sept. 15, Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces" is in hold 'em mode -- now due in January. That's the action-comedy with a cast including Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Alicia Keys and Jason Bateman.

And now, add to the lineup "Positively Fifth Street." If all goes as planned, writer/producer/director John Ridley ("Undercover Brother," "Three Kings," "Barbershop: The Series") reports he'll be helming the big-screen adaptation of the James McManus novel in the fall.

"We finished the screenplay, and we're really close to going after some actors and making some money offers," says Ridley. "It's Jim's true story of playing an unbelievable string of poker in the World Series of Poker at the casino owned by the Binion family while a murder trial was going on, because Ted Binion had been murdered by his mistress. Jim almost became an investigative journalist looking back on this guy's life and how he ended up getting murdered by his stripper girlfriend. What's more Las Vegas than that? It'll make a really terrific, very adult film."

Daniel Negreanu Takes $325,000 at World Series of Poker Tournament

29.06.2006

What does it take to win big at the World Series of Poker (WSOP)? A lucky bluff? Great cards? What if it was just ... wearing the right clothes? Fresh off Daniel Negreanu's second place $325,000 cash at the 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions, FullContactPoker.com (FCP) announced today the "WEAR THE NAME, SHARE THE FAME" promotion, set to run throughout the 2006 WSOP.

The promotion offers FCP members who play in WSOP events the chance to share in potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars, just for wearing FCP apparel. FCP has announced that they will generously match five percent of Negreanu's gross winnings and award it to eligible FCP community members. With over 30 events remaining at this year's WSOP, today's cash already guarantees $16,250 to FCP promotional participants.

Negreanu, a three-time WSOP gold bracelet winner, will play almost everyday throughout the six-week WSOP as he tries his hand at sweeping tournaments and winning the 2006 Main Event's $10 million prize.

At the end of the tournament, the five percent from FCP will be split into two prize pools, divided equally. One prize pool will be shared amongst online members that wear FCP branded apparel exclusively during any of the WSOP events they play. The second prize pool will be given to any FCP- apparel-wearing community member that makes it to a televised WSOP final table.

"The 'WEAR THE NAME, SHARE THE FAME' promotion is www.fullcontactpoker.com and Daniel's way of showing support for the FCP community. We're thrilled that Daniel's gotten off to such a great start at this year's WSOP and that eligible FCP members have the chance to share in his success just by wearing FCP apparel," said Henry Chu, President of Big Stack Enterprises. "Keep up the great play Daniel and best of luck to the FCP community at this year's World Series."

Must be 21 or older to participate. Only FCP members will be eligible for entry and all participants must register and receive confirmation of registration from FCP prior to participating in any WSOP events. For full terms and conditions and to find out how to register, please visit the FullContactPoker.com website.

PartyGaming Plc Launches PartyGammon.com

28.06.2006

PartyGaming, operators of PartyPoker.com, The World's Largest Poker Room(TM), today announces the launch of its new backgammon product, PartyGammon.com. Known as "the game of kings" and requiring skills of timing and calculation, backgammon is one of the world's most popular games and one of its oldest, with variants dating back more than 5,000 years. PartyGaming has now brought this history to the modern world of the internet, enabling new and existing customers to play backgammon, poker and casino all from a single PartyAccount.

"The launch of backgammon, a truly international game of skill, is a natural evolutionary step in our strategy to become the global gaming portal of choice," said Mitch Garber, CEO of PartyGaming. "We are very pleased to add it to our portfolio of games."

PartyGammon.com offers games to play for free or for cash for a variety of gammon versions, including Hypergammon and Nackgammon. As with all the products in the PartyGaming portfolio, customers can access PartyGaming's 24/7 customer support for any questions about getting started or using the product. PartyGammon.com features cutting edge technology and was developed entirely in-house.

New venues for World Poker Tour

27.06.2006

Changes have been made to the schedule for next season's World Poker Tour (WPT), it has been announced.

A total of three new events have been added to the WPT's season V calendar and other dates have changed.

Players putting their money on the tour are being urged to check the new schedule on the official website.

The Bellagio, the Borgata and Foxwoods are the new additions to the venue line-up and will take place in October 2006, January 2007 and April 2007 respectively.

Steve Lipscomb, chief executive officer and founder of WPT Enterprises, said: "We are delighted to confirm these three great new additions to the WPT calendar.

"It's an action-packed line-up with plenty of opportunity for all those who aspire to become WPT champions. The World Poker Tour continues to make history with our casino partners and our great contingent of regular and incoming new players."

For those not making investments in the WPT itself, each leg of the tour can be viewed on the tournament's television show, which can be found on the Travel Channel.

The Paris WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship winner was announced this week as Christian Grundtvig.

Mr Grundtvig was a member of a team sponsored by Poker Plex website and ended the event with profit of €712,500 (£492,398).

Poland win World Cup of Poker

27.06.2006

Poland defeated the US in heads-up play to win the third annual World Cup of Poker.

In a dramatic finish, Jacek Ladny, 40, an online qualifier, called a massive bluff by the US team captain Joe Harwell.

With A-6 of spades, the ice-cool Warsaw stockbroker called Harwell's unsuited 6-3 to win $20,000 for himself - and an additional $20,000 for each of his four teammates.

"We're going to play poker to see who takes the trophy home," he said.

Philip Hilm, 30, a regular player on the televised European Poker Tour, was the celebrity player on the Polish team.

He said: "None of these guys have played in a big tournament before but they were very consistent and performed very well. Everyone made a contribution but it took a great final call by Jacek to clinch victory.

"The US Team was playing very aggressively and he read the situation perfectly."

The rest of the winning team comprised team captain Marcin Doliwa, student pharmacist Andrzej Skawinski and Marcin Meinardi, a software developer.

The US took home $50,000 for second place, while Canada won $30,000 for third place.

Broadcast Veteran Howard David to Lead Play-By-Play

26.06.2006

BLUFF MEDIA, publisher of Bluff Magazine and producer of BLUFF Poker Radio, announced today that veteran announcer Howard David will head the broadcast as lead play-by-play announcer during Bluff's live coverage of the 2006 World Series of Poker.(www.wsopradio.com)

Bluff Poker Radio's live broadcast from the 2006 World Series of Poker (www.wsopradio.com) will span 10 hours a day for 43 days beginning June 29th and continuing through the final table of the Main Event on August 10.

"We are thrilled to have a play-by-play veteran like Howard David anchor the WSOP Broadcast," said Bluff Media co-president Eddy Kleid. "His experience with the NFL, NBA, Olympics, and the PGA will prove invaluable as we bring the World Series of Poker to Radio."

"When I was approached about broadcasting the World Series of Poker, I was honored to get involved with such a prestigious event." said Howard David. "I felt it would be a new challenge for me in the same light as the first Super Bowl I was fortunate to broadcast and the five that followed. I am delighted to have a role in this major undertaking and to announce the winner of the largest purse in all of sports."

Joining Howard David in the broadcast both is current Bluff Poker Radio host and Fox Sports Analyst Nick Geber and respected poker journalist John Vorhaus. In addition, Phil Gordon, former host of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown will provide color commentary for the main event final table.

Bluff Poker Radio's World Series of Poker live broadcast will include table and tournament analysis, tournament updates, interviews with the top poker players, listener interaction, and live play by play action from many of the 45 WSOP final tables.

For more information on Bluff's live broadcast of the World Series of Poker, please visit www.wsopradio.com or contact:

Jimmy Shapiro
js@zuckermediagroup.com
425-818-8883

About Bluff Media (www.bluffmagazine.com) Bluff Media is the owner Bluff Magazine is America's Largest Poker Magazine with 250,000 copies printed and distributed nationwide and Bluff Poker Radio, the nation's only syndicated weekly radio poker show. Bluff Media provides eager poker enthusiasts quality content which keeps them up with the fast-paced modern poker lifestyle. Regular contributors include: Jennifer Tilly, Josh Arieh, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, Mike Caro, Kenna James, and Annie Duke.

Source: BLUFF MEDIA

Elite Poker Rooms Announces Partnership With Bluff Magazine

25.06.2006

Elite Poker Rooms Inc, in partnership with Bluff Magazine announced today that they will be licensing the Bluff Brand for a poker room to be located in Helena, Montana.

Elite Poker Rooms Inc, based in Helena, Montana, plans to bring a Vegas style poker rooms to the local and statewide market. With a business model drawn on from years of expertise and knowledge, the rooms will be not only professionally run, but will also feature state of the art tables and chips.

The company’s flagship room, the “Bluff Poker Room” will be located at Woodpecker’s Casino. It will feature 4 state of the art tables and have no-limit, pot-limit and limit games nightly. The room will also feature FulltiltPoker.net chips and gear. The room will be non-smoking. Elite Poker Rooms plans to open the room in mid-July with the grand opening in August.

“We are thrilled to be involved with Bluff Media at the local level,” said Elite Poker Rooms President, Lara Miller. “The Bluff Brand is known world-wide for its quality within the poker industry and we plan to be bring that same quality to the local Poker Room market.”

“We are excited to be involved in a live poker room.” Said Eric Morris, President of Bluff Media. “The Bluff Poker Room will be another example of the standard of excellence we have achieved.”

The Bluff Poker Room is also endorsed by World Poker Tour Player of the Year, Gavin Smith. “I am proud to support Elite Poker Rooms in its endeavor”. Said Gavin Smith.” When I come to play in the Bluff Poker Room, I know that I will be treated with the same level of service I receive elsewhere.”

The ELLE 'Queens of Heart' Team Goes All-In

23.06.2006

It's ladies' night at the 2006 World Series of Poker (http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/), as ELLE magazine (http://www.elle.com/) heads to Las Vegas with an all-star poker team to raise funds for the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/). The ELLE "Queens of Heart" team is captained by last year's WSOP champion Jennifer Tilly, who is joined by actress Shannon Elizabeth and some of the country's top female players.

Sponsored by PartyPoker.net (http://www.partypoker.net/) and ELLE, the "Queens of Heart" will be playing for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign. The team hopes to increase awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women and will donate a percentage of any winnings to the cause, which will be matched by the team sponsors up to $5,000 each.

The Ladies Event is scheduled for July 9-10, 2006, at the Harrah's Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and has seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years. The 2005 event had three times as many women players as 2004, and it is expected that 2006 will be the biggest year yet.

The "Queens of Heart" team will consist of Jennifer Tilly, along with co- captain Lisa Tenner (president of Tenner and Associates, a leading figure in the world of music management, branding and marketing), Shannon Elizabeth (actress), Anne Spinetti (poker pro), Kristy Gazes (poker pro), Alison Worth (model, actress, European pro player), Susan Genard (producer/director of Taking a Shot), Lori Sale (head of global branded entertainment at ICM), Allyn Jaffrey Shulman (corporate counsel for Card Player Media), Hillary Kerr (ELLE), Karina Jett (poker pro), Maureen Feduniak (poker pro), Linda Johnson (current State of California Ladies Champion), Jan Fisher (poker pro), Jennifer Leigh (poker pro), Wendeen Eolis (moonlighting poker pro), Katie Porrello (actress, aspiring poker pro and former poker dealer), Leslie Eichner (real estate developer), and Irina Cornides (Austrian poker pro).

Commenting on the event, team captain Jennifer Tilly said, "I was thrilled to win the Ladies Event at the WSOP 2005 and as such, I am pleased to help bring awareness to a disease that affects so many women globally. Now when I play on the 'Queens of Heart' team to support the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement for this year's ladies event, it will mean so much more to me personally."

"Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, but we have the power to change this if women take action now to protect their health," said co-captain Lisa Tenner. "Since 2003, The American Heart Association has fostered the Go Red For Women campaign to inspire women to love their hearts, but the battle is not nearly won. Out of all the worthy causes in the world, this is the one that resonated most with our team and particularly with me as my father died from this disease."

Carol Smith, ELLE senior VP/group publisher, said, "Poker requires luck, strategy, style-and brains to spare. I'm sure that ELLE will bring them all to Las Vegas next month, when the 'Queens of Heart' arrive at the World Series of Poker. We have an amazing team, and we thank all the players for coming out to support the fight against heart disease in women. With their help, we'll all be winners."

For more information on the "Queens of Heart" and the World Series of Poker, visit www.elle.com/poker.

Poker Pro Challenges Paris Hilton to a $100,000 Tournament

22.06.2006

Maxim Magazine's highly anticipated July issue will have a World Series of Poker insert which will feature Full Tilt Poker Pro Clonie Gowen. On stands June 22nd, Maxim's "Guide To The World Series of Poker" will lead with a cover photo of Clonie Gowen as you have never seen her before. In addition to the cover, she is also the subject of a two-page spread. Ms. Gowen is a member of Team Full Tilt, a group of the best and most accomplished poker players in the world, backed by Fulltiltpoker.com.

Clonie Gowen, known to some as one of the sexiest women in poker, burst onto the poker scene by following up her top 10 finish at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Costa Rica Classic with a win at the World Poker Tour Ladies' Night event in 2003. Her victory against world-class players Annie Duke and fellow Full Tilt Poker pro and Team Full Tilt member Jennifer Harman was watched by millions of viewers and was the highest rated WPT show ever.

Ms. Gowen has not only been praised for her stellar game in the poker world, but also for her continued and tireless support of various charities. She constantly lends her name, time and likeness in support of charitable causes throughout the U.S. She is specifically drawn to helping needy children.

On the June 21st edition of Fox Sports Network's Best Damn Sports Show Period, Ms. Gowen challenged Paris Hilton to a $100,000 charity poker tournament. The winner will receive $100,000 (put up by Fulltiltpoker.com) to award to the charity of their choice. "Paris seems to be a great girl, however, she represents everything that I am not, but now that she has stepped into my world (the poker world) I challenge her to put her poker skills to work for charity. $100,000 will go a long way to helping those in need. Paris, are you in?" said Clonie Gowen. Raised in the small town of Kiowa, Oklahoma and born during a Cyclone, Clonie Gowen was named Cycalona.

"Team Full Tilt" is a select group of the world's finest professional poker players, including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, Clonie Gowen, John Juanda, and Mike Matusow. Full Tilt Poker offers players the unique opportunity to Learn, Chat and Play poker with the best poker pros in the game.

Professional Poker Tour in a new format

22.06.2006

The highly anticipated PROFESSIONAL POKER TOUR(TM) (PPT) from the
creator of the phenomenally successful WORLD POKER TOUR(R) (WPT),
will showcase poker's 250 leading stars in a new and exciting
format, destined to ratchet up televised poker to a whole new
level. The action-packed new series will thrill fans with great
strategy, cool moves and hot stars.

Tune in to the PROFESSIONAL POKER TOUR on July 5 at 9 pm on the
Travel Channel.

The PROFESSIONAL POKER TOUR will bring to TV viewers the cream of
the crop, 250 of the top poker players in the world. The first
season of jam-packed action will stretch over 24 weeks,
spotlighting a stellar lineup of poker's All-Stars -- champions
from the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) (WPT), World Series of Poker, and
European poker tournaments.

The shows take the viewers through the tournament start to
conclusion, focusing on one featured table each day of the event.
However, every time a player goes "All-In" anywhere in the room,
cameras rush to the table to catch the action. As many as
15 tables will get their moment in the sun with "All-In" action
throughout the preliminary rounds.

Enticed by five "free-roll" tournaments with a total of
$2.5 million in prize money provided by the PPT, the game's legends
and new young idols face off in four grueling quarters of
tournament play and one championship round. Famous poker faces
include Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, Annie Duke, Phil
Hellmuth, Gus Hansen, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Chris Moneymaker,
Antonio Esfandiari, Bobby Baldwin, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer
Harman, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Samy Farha, Mel Judah, Scotty
Nguyen, Erick Lindgren, Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, Huck Seed, Tom
McEvoy, Layne Flack, Carlos Mortensen, Chip Reese, Erik Seidel,
Lyle Berman, Kathy Liebert, T.J. Cloutier, and Linda Johnson.

The Final Table is distinctive as well. Players at the Final Table
must beat the 90-second clock in making their play or surrender
their hand. A player may invoke his "time bank allowance" to
extend that time period only once during the Final Table play.
Another unique feature of the PPT includes a royal blue Final Table
felt, instead of the traditional green.

Online Poker Site In on Pod Giveaways

21.06.2006

It is hard to walk into a poker room these days without seeing little white cords everywhere, running from poker player ears to iPods, pumping inspirational music into the card players' heads. Having music on hand is a definite boon to help combat the time between playable hands, which can sometimes add up to hours of your day. With the new video iPods from Apple Computers you can even download and watch movie trailers and episodes of your favorite TV shows. To help poker players get their hands on these miraculous toys one website is offering an all iPod tournament.

PokerOnAMac.com is offering a $1 event, played on Full Tilt Poker, where video and other iPods are the prizes, offered to poker bloggers everywhere.

Full Tilt Poker's Boxer Steaming After Chopped Pot

19.06.2006

Full Tilt Poker decided to do a little diversified marketing when they put their money and their name behind Middleweight title contender Winky Wright in a boxing showdown held Saturday, June 17 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Wright was hoping to win away the belt held by Jermain Taylor, but it wasn't to be so.

The Winky crew, all decked out in Full Tilt Poker gear according to the agreement they had with the poker web site, was disappointed by the draw outcome, as it meant that Taylor hadn't actually been beaten. Because he wasn't beaten, Taylor got to hold on to the championship belt. This is Full Tilt's second foray into boxing marketing.

Poker Steps Into the Realm of High Definition Television

16.06.2006

Gone are the days when televised poker tournaments require huge buy-ins to compete; now players with lots of game and a smaller bankroll can be television stars. The Vegas Open, the first such tournament, will be broadcast in high definition as a 13-episode series on INHD starting Sunday, July 2.

The tournament is being played in the recently opened and luxurious 14,500 square foot poker room in Caesars Palace and consists of 10 separate, $1,060 buy-in tournaments, open to the general public. Each event's winner advances to a semifinal heads-up round of play, from which five heads-up winners then advance to the final table for the chance to win $100,000 in cash, winner take all. The Vegas Open is the inaugural event in what is planned to be a series of international tournaments produced by the National Poker League, in association with Stella Productions.

The Vegas Open series will premiere on Sunday, July 2 (10:30 p.m. EASTERN) and run throughout the summer on INHD, an iNDEMAND Network. The show, the first poker series to be broadcast entirely in high definition, will speak to a younger generation of poker fans who know the game and are attracted by the allure of becoming a TV poker personality. Early results from the tournament are a testament to that, with younger players besting older, more seasoned competition.

"We envision The Vegas Open becoming one of the major arenas for players to make a name for themselves, without the requirement of huge bankroll or sponsorship," says Nene Gonzalez, National Poker League president. "We're giving players the opportunity to make some noise and, in the process, become a television star."

Oliver "Ali" Nejad, a prominent poker personality, will be providing commentary on the broadcast, while former WSoP champion, Scott Fischman, will give his "Into The Tank" poker tip and analysis during each episode.

National Poker League

The National Poker League (NPL), in association with Stella Productions, is an organization that produces poker events that provide dedicated players the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge of the game in a high profile setting. The NPL also aims at providing a younger crowd of players and fans with expert play and entertainment that they can be a part of, with tournaments such as The Vegas Open. For more information, visit: www.nplvegasopen.com

Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace, a Harrah's Entertainment resort, is one of the world's best known resort-casinos celebrating the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome, in an 85-acre destination location that sets the standard for entertainment, dining and luxury. Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace ranks among the world's top luxury resorts known for their originality and beauty and features more than 3,300 hotel guest rooms and suites, 26 diverse restaurants and cafes, 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, world-class health spa and salon services and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. Its 4,100-seat Colosseum spotlights world-class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld, and sits just steps away from celebrity chef restaurants and The Forum Shops. For more information, visit or call (702) 731-7110 or (800) 634-6001.

Howard Lederer joins Poker Player Alliance

15.06.2006

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a grassroots organization of 27,000 American poker players, today announced that Howard Lederer, world-renowned poker all-star, will join the PPA board of directors.

"I am thrilled that Howard has agreed to join our board," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance. "Howard's reputation within the poker community and his ongoing efforts on behalf of our organization and poker players to defend the game from attacks by Congress and others make him a great addition to the board."

Lederer will be joining other prestigious PPA board members including Linda Johnson, Greg Dinkin, Mary Magazine, and Jan Fisher.

In April of this year, Lederer teamed up with the PPA and fellow poker players Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer, meeting with members of Congress and educating them about the game of poker and why attempts to ban the game online are misguided.

In accepting his position on the board, Lederer said, "The Poker Players Alliance's mission is critically important as the game has increasingly come under attack. The challenge of promoting and protecting poker is the reason I joined the PPA as a member and wanted to get personally involved by joining the PPA board of directors.

"Poker is under attack by Congress, and I believe that all poker players should join the PPA and tell Capitol Hill that we do not want the Federal government to ban an American tradition that we love," added Lederer.

Discovering his passion for poker as a result of his love for chess, Howard Lederer became part of a circle of world-class games players who were the first to experiment with no-limit hold 'em when it was first introduced in New York City. In order to take his game to the next level, Lederer moved to Las Vegas in 1993. Once in Vegas, he began to work with his sister, Annie Duke, to help her develop her game. In 1994, Lederer and Duke made poker history as the first brother and sister duo to make the same final table at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Since then, Lederer has been a consistent and formidable player on the world poker circuit.

The Poker Players Alliance http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org is a non- profit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.

Gamebookers Launches New Poker Room on the Microgaming Network

14.06.2006

Gamebookers, one of the world's largest betting sites today announced the launch of its new poker platform. The poker room is live on the Microgaming Poker Network.

With access to non-stop 24-hour action, daily tournaments and satellites to the best land-based tournaments around the world, Gamebookers players will now be able to hone their skills at the poker tables, while still taking advantage of Gamebookers' state-of-the-art online sportsbook.

"Poker is an exciting addition to the market-leading Gamebookers betting and gaming portfolio. Online gaming, for us, is no longer 'just' about having the best sports betting platform in the market," said Gamebookers CEO John O Malia. "We have to ensure that we are offering the best of all possible available services to our loyal customers, and poker is the product that our customers were clamouring for most loudly after we launched our massively successful casino platform."

Already boasting more than 240,000 users worldwide, Gamebookers expects to add significant player numbers through this latest addition, as the world's appetite for poker shows little sign of slowing down.

"By working with market leaders in the online poker industry, we know that our players are getting the highest quality product that they expect from Gamebookers," continued Malia.

"As a leading sportsbook, Gamebookers is used to offering the highest quality of service to its players," said Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming. "The organization shares the same ideals as Microgaming -- to provide the most exciting, secure and robust experience for its customers. We have experienced considerable growth on our poker network over the past year and are delighted they have chosen to join the Microgaming Poker Network."

About Gamebookers

Gamebookers.com is an international betting group licensed in the UK, Austria and Antigua & Barbuda. Gamebookers is owned by Trident Gaming PLC. The group company has over 240,000 customers worldwide, handles over 30m bets per year and paid out in 2005 alone over EUR 167m to its customers. The Gamebookers family of betting websites represent a 'one stop shop' for bettors, covering a huge range of both fixed odds, live-betting, and P2P bets on every major sporting event combined with casino games and many unique content and entertainment features. Betting services are provided in 27 currencies and 12 languages -- including English, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Romanian, Greek, Russian Polish, Hebrew and Swedish. All companies belonging to the Gamebookers betting group are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Gamebookers Group Ltd., London, which is in turn owned by Trident Gaming Plc, Isle of Man.

About Microgaming

Since Microgaming (http://www.microgaming.com/ ) developed the first true online casino software over a decade ago, it has led the industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme, that averages four new releases a month and an unmatched 'partnership' approach to working with operators, Microgaming can be found powering many of the world's most profitable online casino sites. Microgaming software also powers the world's leading poker network. With over 40 card rooms and one of the most aggressive tournament schedules on the web, Microgaming's poker network ensures players will always find an active table, as well as the hottest action.

As a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is also at the forefront of an initiative focused on setting the highest standards in the gaming industry, most notably in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator conduct and player protection.

Paddy Power Launches WSOP Betting

14.06.2006

Paddy Power, Ireland's largest bookmaker, today launched betting on the World Series of Poker World Championship Event held in the Rio Hotel and Casino Las Vegas from 28 July to 10 August 2006.

This historic event is the jewel in the crown of world poker. It is expected that the 2006 event will attract upwards of 10,000 players vying for an estimated first prize of $10 million.

If a chosen player finishes in the top 60 in this event but fails to make the final 9 Paddy Power will refund the bet.

Current prices for some of the world's biggest poker stars to make the final table of 9 players (non-runner, no bet) include:

Phil Ivey 50/1

Daniel Negreanu 66/1

Johnny Chan 80/1

Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott 100/1

Barney Boatman 100/1

Andy Black 125/1

Ram 'Crazyhorse' Vaswami 150/1

Donnacha O'Dea 150/1

Doyle Brunson 150/1

David Sklansky 250/1

Many players at the main event will be famous for activities other than poker but will be throwing their hats into the ring along with hundreds of pro's and thousands of online amateurs.

Ben Affleck 200/1

Matt Damon 400/1

Teddy Sheringham 400/1

Toby Maguire 400/1

Paddy Power, spokesman for the company said, 'The sharks usually get their fish in these big poker games but with thousands and thousands of online qualifiers and 9 days of play to get through it really could be anybody's game this year so we're upping the ante and making things a little more interesting for the punter.'

Many more markets will be added in the run-up to the event including top European player, top Irish player, online qualifiers finishing in the money, group 'last longest' betting and a woman to reach the final table.

Lessons from the Pros / Jennifer Harman

13.06.2006

FullTiltPoker/Big Blind Play in Limit Holdem/Jennifer Harman

In Limit Hold 'em, the big blind is one of the toughest position to play. You're out of position, and that's never a good thing, but usually, you'll be getting excellent odds to continue with the hand. Against a single opponent who has raised, you'll be getting better than 3 to 1 and, in most hands, you're no more than a 2 to 1 dog. The problem is, you'll often find yourself going into the flop with shaky cards and, at that point, you're sure to face some tough decisions.

Before I talk about some tricky situations that develop in the big blind, I want to note that you can make your life a little easier by folding some hands pre-flop. If you're holding a medium Ace and you're facing an early position raise from a player who you know plays only good cards up front, then fold. It may seem like you're getting a nice price to continue, but in this spot, you're only going to get into trouble. When you miss the flop completely, it's going to be tough to continue and, if you hit an Ace, you may lose a lot to a hand that has you dominated. I'd rather play 6-7 against an early position raise from a tight player than A-7.

There are some hole cards that are just hopeless. If I'm facing a raise from any position and I find something like J-2, T-3, or 9-4. I'm going to surrender the hand.

The really difficult situations arise when you hold a mediocre hand, something like A-8 or pocket 6s, and you face a raise from late position. Many players will raise with just about anything in the cutoff or on the button, so it's tough to know where you stand with these medium strength hands.

What should you do?

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. My best advice is to vary your play so as to take advantage of a particular opponent's tendencies. For example, if you hold A-8 in the big blind and face a late-position raise from a player who tends to be a little weak after the flop, you should probably re-raise pre-flop and then follow up with a bet on the flop most of the time. Against this type of player, this kind of action will force a lot of