2010 Poker Memories by Linda Johnson

Time is passing too quickly. We just said goodbye to 2010, but memories of my favorite (and not so favorite) poker moments from the year are still vivid in my mind. I’d like to share a few of my personal 2010 poker memories with you.

Proudest 2010 Poker Memory

Without a doubt, being nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame is the answer to this category. What a thrill it was to learn that I had been nominated along with such a prestigious group as Erik Seidel, Dan Harrington, Tom McEvoy, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Scotty Nguyen, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, and Barry Greenstein. Congratulations to the 2010 inductees Erik Seidel and Dan Harrington.

Favorite Poker News Story

I loved the coverage given to the Mizrachi family during the WSOP. It seemed like every poker magazine had Michael Mizrachi on the cover. Even mainstream Las Vegas entertainment magazines featured Michael and his family.

Favorite Poker Vacation

The 12-night Card Player Cruises poker trip to the Mediterranean wins in this category. The poker room was a lot of fun as usual, but the highlight was seeing all of the magnificent European ports. We stopped at Cannes/Monte Carlo, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Corfu, Dubrovnik, and Barcelona and had great weather in each.

Favorite Charity Event

Of all of the charity events I was fortunate to participate in during 2010, the fundraiser for MickeysCamp.org was my favorite. Mickey’s Camp was started by Mickey Maurer and is held in Indianapolis, Indiana every August. There is a three-day camp for men and a three-day camp for women. The participants sleep in the same cabins the kids stay at during summer and participate in a variety of activities including fishing, camping, wine tasting, cooking, self-defense, magic, and swimming.

I had the honor of teaching the poker sessions and running the poker tournaments for both camps. Mickey’s Camp has raised more than $1 million dollars for charity since its inception 10 years ago. Honorable mention in this category goes to fundraising events for Poker Gives and Child Rescue.

Most Disappointing Poker News

I am still angry and annoyed that we haven’t been able to overturn the UIGEA, although I think we are getting close. The news that the Washington State courts upheld the ruling making online poker illegal is just plain gross! After the ruling, Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars shut down service to Washington residents, a move that should have been met with much more fury and protest from the state’s players.

Favorite Whirlwind Trip

My quick trip to Golden, Colorado for a Poker Players Alliance event qualifies in this category. In less than 24 hours, I flew in and out of Denver and participated in a poker tournament to help Senator Michael Bennett’s campaign. Bennett was elected by a very small margin and I believe he was the victor due to the support of Colorado poker players.

Most Prestigious Poker Event

The winner in this category was easily the Women in Poker Hall of Fame banquet held at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. The Grand Ballroom, decorated by a group of volunteers headed by Lupe Soto and her Board of Directors, took on the look of an elegant bistro/nightclub. Jan Fisher did a great job as the emcee and Jeffrey Pollack and Nolan Dalla delivered passionate speeches. After a delicious dinner, awards were presented, followed by a dance. Congratulations to the 2010 inductees Jennifer Harman, Kathy Liebert, and Billie Brown.

Favorite New Poker Procedure

I love the new rule established at the Commerce Casino that penalizes players who are gone too long from the table. Players who miss several rounds in $20-$40 and higher Hold’em games have $5 taken from their stacks and put into the pot.  Note that this rule was just about to go into effect the last time I played there and so may have been refined since.

Favorite New Poker Social Media Source

I admit it… I am a Twitter addict! I read it as often as I can and follow many of the top poker celebrities’ Tweets. I hate that it takes up so much of my time and makes me feel like a voyeur, but I can’t seem to give it up. Perhaps they will start a Twitters Anonymous in 2011 and I will be a charter member.

Favorite Tournament Series

Few would argue that the World Series of Poker wins in this category. The series expanded into even more square footage at the Rio and saw an increase in total participants. I had three deep runs (16th, 29th, and 31st) out of the five tournaments I entered, yet am not sporting a new bracelet. Congratulations to all of the bracelet winners, but especially to Gavin Smith, who won his first bracelet after many close efforts.

The runner-up award in this category goes to Wild Horse Casino in Pendleton, Oregon. Roland Waters directs a great tournament series with huge player fields. Entrants get rewarded with $75,000 in added money and free dinner buffets every night.

Other favorite poker memories from 2010 include delivering the “Shuffle Up and Deal” opening speech for the WSOP Ladies Event, teaching WPT Boot Camp at many locations around the country, playing in the WPT Celebrity Invitational at the Commerce, and hosting tournaments at the Eureka Open in Mesquite, Nevada, the Rainbow Spectrum of Poker at the Rainbow Hotel in Wendover, Nevada, and the Wild Horse Resort Casino Poker Roundup in Pendleton, Oregon.

I am extremely blessed to be part of this wonderful poker world and am grateful for the opportunities it has provided me. In 2010, I met many wonderful people who share my passion for poker and was thrilled to have so many chances to give back to our community.

Our country is facing tough economic times ahead. I hope 2011 is a prosperous and happy year for Poker News Daily readers.  In closing, I am happy to offer our readers a discount on any 2011 Card Player Cruises trip. Mention Poker News Daily when you book your cabin by January 15th and you will get a $50 per person discount. For more information, go to CardPlayerCruises.com.

Editor’s Note: Linda Johnson is available for poker functions, seminars, corporate events, and charity fundraisers. You can contact her through her website at CardPlayerCruises.com.

Pennsylvania Gaming Board Revokes Foxwoods Casino License

Pennsylvania gaming authorities revoked the gaming license of a Foxwoods casino project in Philadelphia late last week, leaving lawmakers distressed over a potential blow to the city’s financial plan. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, fed up after countless delays on the project, voted 6-1 to revoke a $50 million license for the South Philadelphia casino, which has yet to break ground. It marks the first time the state has revoked a multi-million dollar license for a major gaming casino and could leave Philadelphia without a second casino for a long time. The city’s first casino, SugarHouse, opened in September in Fishtown.

The original plans for the new Foxwoods casino had it being built along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia, but the site was changed after opposition from neighborhood groups. The original diagram called for a casino with 3,000 slot machines, a 1,800-seat showroom, and a 4,500-space parking garage built on 16.5 acres. However, a revised plan presented to the gaming board last month called for a two-story, 57,463-square-foot casino with 1,500 slot machines, 70 table games, and 1,376 parking spaces.

The board had set a deadline of December 10th for a signed, finalized deal on what the investors would build, how they would pay for it, who would own it, and who would manage it. According to the head of the Office of Enforcement Counsel, investors submitted letters from two banks that said they were confident but not yet committed in funding $200 million for the $275 million first phase of construction. However, changes were made to an original pledge of 42% of the casino profits going to local charities for children, leaving the board understandably dissatisfied.

Foxwoods Development, an affiliate of the Connecticut-based casino, is reviewing the decision and considering options. “PEDP (Philadelphia Entertainment and Development Partners) has worked diligently to negotiate a development agreement beneficial to all parties, including the city of Philadelphia,” the company said in a prepared statement.

Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company, agreed in October to buy a one-third stake and run the casino once the project was finished. Caesars would have managed the casino under its Horseshoe brand.

“We believe the Caesars transaction would have provided the most advantageous outcome, creating jobs and providing much needed tax revenue for the local community,” a spokesperson from Foxwoods Development said.

The board’s decision to revoke Foxwoods’ license leaves everyone wondering what will happen next. Lawmakers have already proposed ideas for legislation that would allow open competition for gambling licenses reserved for casino projects in Philadelphia and Lawrence County. When the State Legislature voted to legalize gambling in 2004, five of the 14 licenses were labeled “Category 2″ stand-alone casino licenses. Two of those were committed to Philadelphia, one to Pittsburgh, and two to “tourism-enhanced” locations.

Foxwoods’ main location in Ledyard Center, Connecticut holds the largest poker room on the East Coast with more than 100 tables and offers two major tournament series every year: the Foxwoods Poker Classic and the World Poker Tour (WPT) Foxwoods World Poker Finals.

Twas the Night Before Christmas: Poker Style

Tomorrow morning, good little boys and girls all over the world will wake up, run downstairs, and marvel at the bounty that Santa Claus has left them under the Christmas tree.  But, for online poker players in the United States, this will not be the best Christmas of all-time.  Despite making it through the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank’s bill that aimed to legalize and regulate internet gambling lost momentum as the year wound down.

Then, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was unsuccessful in getting a poker-only bill passed in the lame duck session.  Reid’s bill had some serious flaws, so many people are happy about its death, but large portion of the poker community would rather see online poker legalized and regulated than not.

What I would like to do, though, is take that disappointment and turn it into something fun.  So here you go, my poker version of Clement Clarke Moore’s (or Henry Livingston’s, depending on what you read) classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas.”

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
iPoker was silent, no keyboard, no mouse;
The chips were stacked up on the table with care,
In hopes that St. Brunson soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of “Rounders 2” danced in their heads.
And mamma in her hoodie, and I in the same,
Had just settled down for a quick heads-up game,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
I was hoping for Santa or maybe an elf,
But instead ’twas a man saving me from myself.
Logic had failed him in each word that he said,
And same for his minions wearing ties colored red,
With Arizona plates and a know-it-all smile,
I knew in a moment it must be Jon Kyl.
Following lockstep behind him, they hated our game,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Bachus! Now, Frist! Now, Goodlatte and Leach!
Gather ’round, come closer, remember my speech!
Online Poker is bad! It hurts our fine youth!
We must speak out against it; spread lies and untruth!”
According to them laundered funds we all hide,
And one third of students attempt suicide.
Sample size be damned, they have one guy to thank,
When he went busto in poker he done robbed a bank!
They don’t care to learn what the game is about
‘Tis the root of evil, of that there’s no doubt.
“Won’t anyone think of the children?” they say,
While lotteries pay for our schools every day.
I can watch porn, build bombs, and trade stocks on the Net,
But these fogeys don’t want me to place one little bet.
Correction! I can, in fact, still play the ponies
‘Cause the horse lobby pays Goodlatte and his cronies.
These guys, they think the game of poker’s all luck,
To that I say let’s play and see who loses a buck.
But even games of pure chance, as long as they’re fair,
Should be my business to play – why should they care?
‘Tis my money, my home, my business, my time,
So screw you for wanting it to be a crime.
I pay taxes, raise my kids, put food on the table,
I should be allowed to play from home if I’m able.
Poker is fun, ’tis a game, for some ’tis their jobs,
So just let us play in our undies like slobs.
Regulating the market is the wise move,
But apparently Kyl has something to prove.
His words sound of contempt, so proud of his work,
And filled with such crap, he’s a bit of a jerk.
And raising his finger, the middle one, with flair,
And giving a laugh, his broom took to the air.
Drunk with power, to his team gave a whistle,
Congress was adjourned; it was time for dismissal.
We didn’t win this year, but victory’s not out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and keep fighting the fight!

2011 Poker Predictions

Now that another year is in the books, I get to bring out my prognosticating skills once again and dazzle you with my ability to see into the future.  What will we expect to happen in 2011 in the world of poker?  Read on to find out.

Black Card Adjustments

This is hardly a bold prediction, as we’ve been told on both the TwoPlusTwo and PocketFives.com forums by Full Tilt site rep “FTPDoug” that an adjustment for the Black Card promotion is coming, most likely in the middle of January.  The site underwent heavy criticism for altering its rakeback method, which was to the detriment to the vast majority of the player base, while rolling out what Full Tilt officials felt was a compromise in the Black Card program.

What we might see is another tier added to the Black Card program, perhaps something like a “Red Card” that rewards another Full Tilt Point multiplier for those who average 1,000 points per day.  Either way, we’ve been promised that this adjustment will be an improvement for players.

PokerStars Will Kill Short-Stacked Games

Maybe this is more wishful thinking, but the clamoring of many on the forums hasn’t gone on deaf ears.  When PokerStars decided to forge a compromise between the short-stackers and everyone else by offering three tiered games (Short, Regular, and Deep) the site did what many thought would happen and that’s kill the small- and mid-stakes full ring games.

Right now, the games are as bad as they have ever been, but by eliminating the Short buy-in tables, all will be right again with the world and the SuperNova and SuperNova Elites of the world will continue their grind.  PokerStars is aware of how its main base of regulars feels, so something will be done.

Another Merger?

We saw the merger between two superpowers in online gaming, Party Gaming and bwin, finally complete, with the two set to come together in 2011.  One trend we’ve continued to seen, given worldwide legislation, is that smaller sites aren’t growing, but rather staying the same or shrinking.  According to various industry reports, the online poker industry is shrinking at 1% annually.

According to PokerScout.com, notable gainers year-over-year include the Merge Gaming Network (up 134%), 888 (up 8%), and PokerStars (up 7%).  Notable losers include Everest Poker (down 64%), Cake Poker (down 59%), the iPoker Network (down 31%), and the CEREUS Network (down 31%).  It’ll be very hard to imagine some of the smaller networks not going belly up or merging with others in order to survive today’s shrinking market.

More Live Events

Although some casinos may not like to admit it, online poker does a great job of getting them exposure when special tournaments are held.  The PokerStars-backed North American Poker Tour (NAPT) has been a huge success in its first year, with many at PokerStars pleased at the response the series has received from their player base.  Online poker players, contrary to belief, do like to get out of the house and travel. Expect more live event tie-ins in 2011 and perhaps the start of something new with Full Tilt in the United States.

Isildur1’s Identity Revealed

In 2011, we’ll finally know the true identity of PokerStars sponsored pro Isildur1.  Everyone has speculated for over a year that it’s Viktor Blom and there’s been nothing to make us think it’s anybody else.  Although I have met quite a few big name pros who claim to know his identity and refuse to spill the beans, someone will slip up or PokerStars will pull a publicity stunt to let us all know it’s Blom.

No Legislation for the United States

With the recent election, there’s no real hope for legalized and regulated online poker in the United States in the next two years.  Just expect more talk, no action, and continued reports of payment processors being targeted by the Federal Government.  Meanwhile, there’s potential in New Jersey and California for intrastate internet poker.

2011 Poker Predictions

Now that another year is in the books, I get to bring out my prognosticating skills once again and dazzle you with my ability to see into the future.  What will we expect to happen in 2011 in the world of poker?  Read on to find out.

Black Card Adjustments

This is hardly a bold prediction, as we’ve been told on both the TwoPlusTwo and PocketFives.com forums by Full Tilt site rep “FTPDoug” that an adjustment for the Black Card promotion is coming, most likely in the middle of January.  The site underwent heavy criticism for altering its rakeback method, which was to the detriment to the vast majority of the player base, while rolling out what Full Tilt officials felt was a compromise in the Black Card program.

What we might see is another tier added to the Black Card program, perhaps something like a “Red Card” that rewards another Full Tilt Point multiplier for those who average 1,000 points per day.  Either way, we’ve been promised that this adjustment will be an improvement for players.

PokerStars Will Kill Short-Stacked Games

Maybe this is more wishful thinking, but the clamoring of many on the forums hasn’t gone on deaf ears.  When PokerStars decided to forge a compromise between the short-stackers and everyone else by offering three tiered games (Short, Regular, and Deep) the site did what many thought would happen and that’s kill the small- and mid-stakes full ring games.

Right now, the games are as bad as they have ever been, but by eliminating the Short buy-in tables, all will be right again with the world and the SuperNova and SuperNova Elites of the world will continue their grind.  PokerStars is aware of how its main base of regulars feels, so something will be done.

Another Merger?

We saw the merger between two superpowers in online gaming, Party Gaming and bwin, finally complete, with the two set to come together in 2011.  One trend we’ve continued to seen, given worldwide legislation, is that smaller sites aren’t growing, but rather staying the same or shrinking.  According to various industry reports, the online poker industry is shrinking at 1% annually.

According to PokerScout.com, notable gainers year-over-year include the Merge Gaming Network (up 134%), 888 (up 8%), and PokerStars (up 7%).  Notable losers include Everest Poker (down 64%), Cake Poker (down 59%), the iPoker Network (down 31%), and the CEREUS Network (down 31%).  It’ll be very hard to imagine some of the smaller networks not going belly up or merging with others in order to survive today’s shrinking market.

More Live Events

Although some casinos may not like to admit it, online poker does a great job of getting them exposure when special tournaments are held.  The PokerStars-backed North American Poker Tour (NAPT) has been a huge success in its first year, with many at PokerStars pleased at the response the series has received from their player base.  Online poker players, contrary to belief, do like to get out of the house and travel. Expect more live event tie-ins in 2011 and perhaps the start of something new with Full Tilt in the United States.

Isildur1’s Identity Revealed

In 2011, we’ll finally know the true identity of PokerStars sponsored pro Isildur1.  Everyone has speculated for over a year that it’s Viktor Blom and there’s been nothing to make us think it’s anybody else.  Although I have met quite a few big name pros who claim to know his identity and refuse to spill the beans, someone will slip up or PokerStars will pull a publicity stunt to let us all know it’s Blom.

No Legislation for the United States

With the recent election, there’s no real hope for legalized and regulated online poker in the United States in the next two years.  Just expect more talk, no action, and continued reports of payment processors being targeted by the Federal Government.  Meanwhile, there’s potential in New Jersey and California for intrastate internet poker.

2011 Poker Predictions

Now that another year is in the books, I get to bring out my prognosticating skills once again and dazzle you with my ability to see into the future.  What will we expect to happen in 2011 in the world of poker?  Read on to find out.

Black Card Adjustments

This is hardly a bold prediction, as we’ve been told on both the TwoPlusTwo and PocketFives.com forums by Full Tilt site rep “FTPDoug” that an adjustment for the Black Card promotion is coming, most likely in the middle of January.  The site underwent heavy criticism for altering its rakeback method, which was to the detriment to the vast majority of the player base, while rolling out what Full Tilt officials felt was a compromise in the Black Card program.

What we might see is another tier added to the Black Card program, perhaps something like a “Red Card” that rewards another Full Tilt Point multiplier for those who average 1,000 points per day.  Either way, we’ve been promised that this adjustment will be an improvement for players.

PokerStars Will Kill Short-Stacked Games

Maybe this is more wishful thinking, but the clamoring of many on the forums hasn’t gone on deaf ears.  When PokerStars decided to forge a compromise between the short-stackers and everyone else by offering three tiered games (Short, Regular, and Deep) the site did what many thought would happen and that’s kill the small- and mid-stakes full ring games.

Right now, the games are as bad as they have ever been, but by eliminating the Short buy-in tables, all will be right again with the world and the SuperNova and SuperNova Elites of the world will continue their grind.  PokerStars is aware of how its main base of regulars feels, so something will be done.

Another Merger?

We saw the merger between two superpowers in online gaming, Party Gaming and bwin, finally complete, with the two set to come together in 2011.  One trend we’ve continued to seen, given worldwide legislation, is that smaller sites aren’t growing, but rather staying the same or shrinking.  According to various industry reports, the online poker industry is shrinking at 1% annually.

According to PokerScout.com, notable gainers year-over-year include the Merge Gaming Network (up 134%), 888 (up 8%), and PokerStars (up 7%).  Notable losers include Everest Poker (down 64%), Cake Poker (down 59%), the iPoker Network (down 31%), and the CEREUS Network (down 31%).  It’ll be very hard to imagine some of the smaller networks not going belly up or merging with others in order to survive today’s shrinking market.

More Live Events

Although some casinos may not like to admit it, online poker does a great job of getting them exposure when special tournaments are held.  The PokerStars-backed North American Poker Tour (NAPT) has been a huge success in its first year, with many at PokerStars pleased at the response the series has received from their player base.  Online poker players, contrary to belief, do like to get out of the house and travel. Expect more live event tie-ins in 2011 and perhaps the start of something new with Full Tilt in the United States.

Isildur1’s Identity Revealed

In 2011, we’ll finally know the true identity of PokerStars sponsored pro Isildur1.  Everyone has speculated for over a year that it’s Viktor Blom and there’s been nothing to make us think it’s anybody else.  Although I have met quite a few big name pros who claim to know his identity and refuse to spill the beans, someone will slip up or PokerStars will pull a publicity stunt to let us all know it’s Blom.

No Legislation for the United States

With the recent election, there’s no real hope for legalized and regulated online poker in the United States in the next two years.  Just expect more talk, no action, and continued reports of payment processors being targeted by the Federal Government.  Meanwhile, there’s potential in New Jersey and California for intrastate internet poker.

Top Poker News Story of 2010

We’re nearing the end of the 2010 calendar year and, as such, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past 365 days. There were plenty of headlines in 2010, but which one stole the show for our esteemed panel of writers? Poker News Daily asked our staff which poker headline of 2010 stood out.

Dan Cypra: Splintering of Online Poker

2010 saw the continued splintering of the online poker market worldwide. France and Italy now have their very own online poker fiefdoms, while legislation in New Jersey to create the very first intrastate internet gambling framework in the United States is gaining steam. In fact, the measure will be one of the first topics that the New Jersey Assembly tackles in the New Year.

Whether the division of the online poker market is detrimental to the player experience remains to be seen. Many of the FR and IT sites tracked by PokerScout.com hold strong in the top 20 worldwide in terms of cash game volume, but players cannot compete as part of the worldwide pool. Expect this trend to continue in 2011 and beyond, especially in the United States, where a state-by-state legalization of internet gambling appears to be in the cards.

Annie Duke: Year of the Woman

I think the biggest news story of 2010 is the breakout of women in poker, and that is not just because I am one of them. Vanessa Selbst winning two majors was a huge step forward for women in poker and, of course, an incredible accomplishment for her. Leading into that, Liv Boeree’s stellar performance in San Remo was a breakout for her and for women in poker. I guess my win has to get a mention here, too. Women have had a hard time getting true traction in this game and 2010 put an exclamation point on the quality of the women who play.

Linda Johnson: Washington Online Poker Law Upheld

I think the biggest poker news story involved the Washington State courts upholding the 2006 state law saying that playing online poker is a Class C felony, a crime on the same level as child molestation. This prompted Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars to pull out of that market. What a travesty it is for people in that state, many of whom will have to relocate. I think it is also very hypocritical of the government; after all, Washington State residents still can buy lottery tickets online.

Lee Jones: Year of the Near Miss

2010 will be remembered as the “Year of the Near Miss”. We will probably never know how close we got to overt legalization of online poker in the United States towards the end of 2010. Harry Reid tried every possible maneuver to get his bill passed that would have legalized and regulated online poker in the USA. Had it not been for Jon Kyl, the bill almost certainly would have passed and been signed by President Obama.

Despite poker pros’ concerns about the 15-month blackout prior to actual regulated play, I believe that legalization would have (and will eventually) produce a second renaissance of poker that will completely overshadow 2003, the year of Chris Moneymaker and the WPT. It will only be in the light of that second renaissance that we realize how unfortunate the “Near Miss” of 2010 was.

John “JimmyLegs” Wray: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill

Certainly the biggest almost-story was the Harry Reid online poker bill. But it looks like regulated online poker in the States will have to wait. Maybe it’ll be the biggest news story of 2011? Fingers crossed!

Chris “Fox” Wallace: Full Tilt Rush Poker Mobile

I think we will eventually realize that Rush Poker Mobile is the biggest poker news story of 2010. It might not be the biggest story right now, but it will probably bring about some significant legal changes. Seeing people playing poker on the bus, in the halls at work, at the bar, or anywhere that people congregate – and seeing all of those people playing online poker for real money on their phones – will change public perception.

What direction the public perception goes and how the legal aspects work out will have a huge effect on the future of our freedom to play our favorite game. I think Michael Mizrachi‘s trip to the WSOP final table was talked about a lot more at the tables, but Rush Poker Mobile will have a bigger splash in the long-run.

Brett Collson: WSOP Ladies Event

When I first saw Shaun Deeb seated wearing lipstick, makeup, and a cowboy hat at the WSOP Ladies Event, I knew the poker world was about to erupt. Deeb and more than a dozen male players crashed what was supposed to be an enjoyable tournament for female poker players. Instead, it turned into a media circus.

Some of the men claimed they were taking a “gender equality” stance by playing in the $1,000 event; others had lost prop bets. Regardless, all of the women were upset by it, as evident by the standing ovation that occurred each time a male player was eliminated. The unfortunate episode also fueled one of the biggest feuds of the year between Annie Duke and Daniel Negreanu, which is another of the most memorable stories of 2010.

Bernard Lee: Michael Mizrachi

For me, it would be Michael Mizrachi. At the beginning of 2010, not many people put Michael Mizrachi in the forefront of poker, but as he arrived at the WSOP, he definitely wanted to make his mark. Mizrachi came out of the gates winning the $50,000 Player’s Championship. In addition to that, he made two other final tables and, of course, who could forget him almost winning the improbable double-double of the $10,000 Main Event as well? Michael Mizrachi had a phenomenal year and has put himself back in the forefront of the world of poker.

Sean Gibson: Michael Mizrachi

For me, the biggest news story of 2010 was the resurrection of Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi’s poker career. Count me in as one of the guys who wrote him off for good, especially when all of the financial trouble started cropping up. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s one of the world’s best players; his run to the November Nine was every bit as magical as Phil Ivey‘s in 2009. Mizrachi is a player we can respect for his past accomplishments and track as one of the big names in the poker industry.

Earl Burton: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill and Jonathan Duhamel

As far as the biggest stories of the year in poker, I am torn between two. The four-year-long battle to overturn the UIGEA, which heated up even more over the past 12 months, seemed to get the hopes up of many of us in the poker community. I was always pessimistic about the passage of any legislation that would allow Americans to play poker online and, in the end, my pessimism proved to be correct.

The second story is Jonathan Duhamel’s victory in the WSOP Main Event. He became the first ever Canadian World Champion, capturing the attention of his country and the world. He was even nominated for Canadian Athlete of the Year alongside such big names as Sidney Crosby and Joey Votto. When you think of players from Canada who came before Duhamel, such as Daniel Negreanu and Gavin Smith, for him to become the first Canadian champion of the Main Event was a truly significant feat.

Top Poker News Story of 2010

We’re nearing the end of the 2010 calendar year and, as such, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past 365 days. There were plenty of headlines in 2010, but which one stole the show for our esteemed panel of writers? Poker News Daily asked our staff which poker headline of 2010 stood out.

Dan Cypra: Splintering of Online Poker

2010 saw the continued splintering of the online poker market worldwide. France and Italy now have their very own online poker fiefdoms, while legislation in New Jersey to create the very first intrastate internet gambling framework in the United States is gaining steam. In fact, the measure will be one of the first topics that the New Jersey Assembly tackles in the New Year.

Whether the division of the online poker market is detrimental to the player experience remains to be seen. Many of the FR and IT sites tracked by PokerScout.com hold strong in the top 20 worldwide in terms of cash game volume, but players cannot compete as part of the worldwide pool. Expect this trend to continue in 2011 and beyond, especially in the United States, where a state-by-state legalization of internet gambling appears to be in the cards.

Annie Duke: Year of the Woman

I think the biggest news story of 2010 is the breakout of women in poker, and that is not just because I am one of them. Vanessa Selbst winning two majors was a huge step forward for women in poker and, of course, an incredible accomplishment for her. Leading into that, Liv Boeree’s stellar performance in San Remo was a breakout for her and for women in poker. I guess my win has to get a mention here, too. Women have had a hard time getting true traction in this game and 2010 put an exclamation point on the quality of the women who play.

Linda Johnson: Washington Online Poker Law Upheld

I think the biggest poker news story involved the Washington State courts upholding the 2006 state law saying that playing online poker is a Class C felony, a crime on the same level as child molestation. This prompted Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars to pull out of that market. What a travesty it is for people in that state, many of whom will have to relocate. I think it is also very hypocritical of the government; after all, Washington State residents still can buy lottery tickets online.

Lee Jones: Year of the Near Miss

2010 will be remembered as the “Year of the Near Miss”. We will probably never know how close we got to overt legalization of online poker in the United States towards the end of 2010. Harry Reid tried every possible maneuver to get his bill passed that would have legalized and regulated online poker in the USA. Had it not been for Jon Kyl, the bill almost certainly would have passed and been signed by President Obama.

Despite poker pros’ concerns about the 15-month blackout prior to actual regulated play, I believe that legalization would have (and will eventually) produce a second renaissance of poker that will completely overshadow 2003, the year of Chris Moneymaker and the WPT. It will only be in the light of that second renaissance that we realize how unfortunate the “Near Miss” of 2010 was.

John “JimmyLegs” Wray: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill

Certainly the biggest almost-story was the Harry Reid online poker bill. But it looks like regulated online poker in the States will have to wait. Maybe it’ll be the biggest news story of 2011? Fingers crossed!

Chris “Fox” Wallace: Full Tilt Rush Poker Mobile

I think we will eventually realize that Rush Poker Mobile is the biggest poker news story of 2010. It might not be the biggest story right now, but it will probably bring about some significant legal changes. Seeing people playing poker on the bus, in the halls at work, at the bar, or anywhere that people congregate – and seeing all of those people playing online poker for real money on their phones – will change public perception.

What direction the public perception goes and how the legal aspects work out will have a huge effect on the future of our freedom to play our favorite game. I think Michael Mizrachi‘s trip to the WSOP final table was talked about a lot more at the tables, but Rush Poker Mobile will have a bigger splash in the long-run.

Brett Collson: WSOP Ladies Event

When I first saw Shaun Deeb seated wearing lipstick, makeup, and a cowboy hat at the WSOP Ladies Event, I knew the poker world was about to erupt. Deeb and more than a dozen male players crashed what was supposed to be an enjoyable tournament for female poker players. Instead, it turned into a media circus.

Some of the men claimed they were taking a “gender equality” stance by playing in the $1,000 event; others had lost prop bets. Regardless, all of the women were upset by it, as evident by the standing ovation that occurred each time a male player was eliminated. The unfortunate episode also fueled one of the biggest feuds of the year between Annie Duke and Daniel Negreanu, which is another of the most memorable stories of 2010.

Bernard Lee: Michael Mizrachi

For me, it would be Michael Mizrachi. At the beginning of 2010, not many people put Michael Mizrachi in the forefront of poker, but as he arrived at the WSOP, he definitely wanted to make his mark. Mizrachi came out of the gates winning the $50,000 Player’s Championship. In addition to that, he made two other final tables and, of course, who could forget him almost winning the improbable double-double of the $10,000 Main Event as well? Michael Mizrachi had a phenomenal year and has put himself back in the forefront of the world of poker.

Sean Gibson: Michael Mizrachi

For me, the biggest news story of 2010 was the resurrection of Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi’s poker career. Count me in as one of the guys who wrote him off for good, especially when all of the financial trouble started cropping up. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s one of the world’s best players; his run to the November Nine was every bit as magical as Phil Ivey‘s in 2009. Mizrachi is a player we can respect for his past accomplishments and track as one of the big names in the poker industry.

Earl Burton: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill and Jonathan Duhamel

As far as the biggest stories of the year in poker, I am torn between two. The four-year-long battle to overturn the UIGEA, which heated up even more over the past 12 months, seemed to get the hopes up of many of us in the poker community. I was always pessimistic about the passage of any legislation that would allow Americans to play poker online and, in the end, my pessimism proved to be correct.

The second story is Jonathan Duhamel’s victory in the WSOP Main Event. He became the first ever Canadian World Champion, capturing the attention of his country and the world. He was even nominated for Canadian Athlete of the Year alongside such big names as Sidney Crosby and Joey Votto. When you think of players from Canada who came before Duhamel, such as Daniel Negreanu and Gavin Smith, for him to become the first Canadian champion of the Main Event was a truly significant feat.

Top Poker News Story of 2010

We’re nearing the end of the 2010 calendar year and, as such, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past 365 days. There were plenty of headlines in 2010, but which one stole the show for our esteemed panel of writers? Poker News Daily asked our staff which poker headline of 2010 stood out.

Dan Cypra: Splintering of Online Poker

2010 saw the continued splintering of the online poker market worldwide. France and Italy now have their very own online poker fiefdoms, while legislation in New Jersey to create the very first intrastate internet gambling framework in the United States is gaining steam. In fact, the measure will be one of the first topics that the New Jersey Assembly tackles in the New Year.

Whether the division of the online poker market is detrimental to the player experience remains to be seen. Many of the FR and IT sites tracked by PokerScout.com hold strong in the top 20 worldwide in terms of cash game volume, but players cannot compete as part of the worldwide pool. Expect this trend to continue in 2011 and beyond, especially in the United States, where a state-by-state legalization of internet gambling appears to be in the cards.

Annie Duke: Year of the Woman

I think the biggest news story of 2010 is the breakout of women in poker, and that is not just because I am one of them. Vanessa Selbst winning two majors was a huge step forward for women in poker and, of course, an incredible accomplishment for her. Leading into that, Liv Boeree’s stellar performance in San Remo was a breakout for her and for women in poker. I guess my win has to get a mention here, too. Women have had a hard time getting true traction in this game and 2010 put an exclamation point on the quality of the women who play.

Linda Johnson: Washington Online Poker Law Upheld

I think the biggest poker news story involved the Washington State courts upholding the 2006 state law saying that playing online poker is a Class C felony, a crime on the same level as child molestation. This prompted Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars to pull out of that market. What a travesty it is for people in that state, many of whom will have to relocate. I think it is also very hypocritical of the government; after all, Washington State residents still can buy lottery tickets online.

Lee Jones: Year of the Near Miss

2010 will be remembered as the “Year of the Near Miss”. We will probably never know how close we got to overt legalization of online poker in the United States towards the end of 2010. Harry Reid tried every possible maneuver to get his bill passed that would have legalized and regulated online poker in the USA. Had it not been for Jon Kyl, the bill almost certainly would have passed and been signed by President Obama.

Despite poker pros’ concerns about the 15-month blackout prior to actual regulated play, I believe that legalization would have (and will eventually) produce a second renaissance of poker that will completely overshadow 2003, the year of Chris Moneymaker and the WPT. It will only be in the light of that second renaissance that we realize how unfortunate the “Near Miss” of 2010 was.

John “JimmyLegs” Wray: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill

Certainly the biggest almost-story was the Harry Reid online poker bill. But it looks like regulated online poker in the States will have to wait. Maybe it’ll be the biggest news story of 2011? Fingers crossed!

Chris “Fox” Wallace: Full Tilt Rush Poker Mobile

I think we will eventually realize that Rush Poker Mobile is the biggest poker news story of 2010. It might not be the biggest story right now, but it will probably bring about some significant legal changes. Seeing people playing poker on the bus, in the halls at work, at the bar, or anywhere that people congregate – and seeing all of those people playing online poker for real money on their phones – will change public perception.

What direction the public perception goes and how the legal aspects work out will have a huge effect on the future of our freedom to play our favorite game. I think Michael Mizrachi‘s trip to the WSOP final table was talked about a lot more at the tables, but Rush Poker Mobile will have a bigger splash in the long-run.

Brett Collson: WSOP Ladies Event

When I first saw Shaun Deeb seated wearing lipstick, makeup, and a cowboy hat at the WSOP Ladies Event, I knew the poker world was about to erupt. Deeb and more than a dozen male players crashed what was supposed to be an enjoyable tournament for female poker players. Instead, it turned into a media circus.

Some of the men claimed they were taking a “gender equality” stance by playing in the $1,000 event; others had lost prop bets. Regardless, all of the women were upset by it, as evident by the standing ovation that occurred each time a male player was eliminated. The unfortunate episode also fueled one of the biggest feuds of the year between Annie Duke and Daniel Negreanu, which is another of the most memorable stories of 2010.

Bernard Lee: Michael Mizrachi

For me, it would be Michael Mizrachi. At the beginning of 2010, not many people put Michael Mizrachi in the forefront of poker, but as he arrived at the WSOP, he definitely wanted to make his mark. Mizrachi came out of the gates winning the $50,000 Player’s Championship. In addition to that, he made two other final tables and, of course, who could forget him almost winning the improbable double-double of the $10,000 Main Event as well? Michael Mizrachi had a phenomenal year and has put himself back in the forefront of the world of poker.

Sean Gibson: Michael Mizrachi

For me, the biggest news story of 2010 was the resurrection of Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi’s poker career. Count me in as one of the guys who wrote him off for good, especially when all of the financial trouble started cropping up. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s one of the world’s best players; his run to the November Nine was every bit as magical as Phil Ivey‘s in 2009. Mizrachi is a player we can respect for his past accomplishments and track as one of the big names in the poker industry.

Earl Burton: Harry Reid Online Poker Bill and Jonathan Duhamel

As far as the biggest stories of the year in poker, I am torn between two. The four-year-long battle to overturn the UIGEA, which heated up even more over the past 12 months, seemed to get the hopes up of many of us in the poker community. I was always pessimistic about the passage of any legislation that would allow Americans to play poker online and, in the end, my pessimism proved to be correct.

The second story is Jonathan Duhamel’s victory in the WSOP Main Event. He became the first ever Canadian World Champion, capturing the attention of his country and the world. He was even nominated for Canadian Athlete of the Year alongside such big names as Sidney Crosby and Joey Votto. When you think of players from Canada who came before Duhamel, such as Daniel Negreanu and Gavin Smith, for him to become the first Canadian champion of the Main Event was a truly significant feat.

December 23rd – Weekly News Update

Welcome to your weekly fix for this week’s poker news, I’m Sean Gibson and in our PND weekly update, I’ll be recapping the hottest headlines for this week.

We start out with maybe the biggest name in poker… and MORE exposure of UB.com’s Phil Hellmuth is just what the poker world needs. In recent days, Hellmuth potentially dropped a bombshell by Tweeting:

“OMG! Phil Hellmuth (me!) on ‘Dancing with the Stars!’ Outrageous! Might make a fool out of myself on worldwide television one more time.”

ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” is entering its twelfth season, which is set to hit television airwaves in the beginning of Two Thousand Eleven.

Despite multiple media outlets asserting that Hellmuth is a lock for “Dancing with the Stars,” let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. The cast for the new cycle has not yet been announced, but is apparently due out in January.

According to Politco, Senator Jon Kyl is keeping his Two Thousand Twelve reelection plans close to the vest, which is creating uncertainty about the future hierarchy of his party’s leadership. Kyl is the Senate Minority Whip, the second ranking position in the Republican Party.

Poker players know Kyl as Capitol Hill’s current public enemy number one to online poker. He was one of the key players behind the UIGEA four years ago. The bill, which aimed to stop the flow of funds to offshore internet gambling sites, was attached to the must-pass SAFE Port Act in the middle of the night just before Congress adjourned for the year.

Since Two Thousand Six, Kyl has continued to fight against online poker. Earlier this year, he blocked the appointment of several of President Barack Obama‘s nominees to the United States Treasury because he was upset that the UIGEA implementation deadline had been pushed back six months. This month, he was the most vocal opponent of Senator Harry Reid’s failed attempts to legalize and regulate online poker.

The sixth UB.com Online Championship, or UBOC, will kick off on Sunday, January Sixteenth. A record-setting twenty nine events will comprise the new series, culminating in a one thousand fifty dollar buy-in No Limit Hold’em Monster Stack Championship on January Thirtieth. All told, at least five million bucks will be shelled out to UB.com faithful during UBOC Six.

Running concurrently with UBOC Six is Mini UBOC Six, which offers the same slate of events, but with buy-ins that are one-tenth as large. This allows players of all bankrolls to compete in the wide range of tournaments on the docket. In addition, the entire UBOC Six schedule is open to players from UB.com’s CEREUS Network sister site Absolute Poker.

The very first PokerStars SuperStar Showdown took place on Sunday and featured Isaac Haxton squaring off against Isildur1. In the end, Haxton boosted his bankroll by forty-one thousand dollars over the twenty five hundred hand match and was declared the winner. Both Haxton and Isildur1 bought in for one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

According to the PokerStars Blog, the lively rail for the very first SuperStar Showdown match featured high-stakes pros like Kevin [MICK-FEE] MacPhee and Chad Batista. The group watched one of their own battle against an unknown Swedish online pro who many believe to be Viktor Blom. Four No Limit Hold’em tables at fifty/one-hundred blinds served as the battleground for the Showdown.

The next SuperStar Showdown opponent for Isildur1 has not yet been announced and interested players are encouraged to e-mail showdown@pokerstars.com. On its blog, PokerStars claims that a match may take place at the upcoming PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, although whether Isildur1’s true identity would be revealed at that time remains to be seen.

Looking to expand its brand further into the global marketplace, Caesars Interactive Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with one of Italy’s top online poker companies, Microgame.

In an announcement last Friday, Caesars Interactive and Microgame revealed a long-term agreement to co-brand Microgame’s online poker outlet, PeoplesNetwork.it, with the World Series of Poker name and logo. Through the agreement, Caesars Interactive and Microgame will offer online and live events to the Italian market prominently featuring the WSOP brand. Additionally, Microgame will become the official satellite outlet for Italian players entering the WSOP.

The movie that helped spark the poker boom is returning to fire a second barrel. Miramax Films announced this week that it will be teaming up with the Weinstein Company to produce “Rounders Two,” a sequel to the cult favorite that was released more than a decade ago.
According to IMDB, “Rounders Two” is currently in development and scheduled to hit theaters in Two Thousand Twelve. The cast and crew have not been announced, but Matt Damon and Edward Norton have supposedly signed on for the project, as has original director John Dahl. It’s unknown whether John Malkovich or John Turturro will return for the sequel, leaving fans to speculate where the story will take the lead characters this time around. Miramax broke the exciting news in press release late last week.

That does it for this week’s top headlines in the world of poker. We thank you for watching our Weekly News Update and encourage you to visit our site every day for the latest in poker news. I’m Sean Gibson, wishing you a very happy holiday season and of course … for you to crush the games for a late year heater. See you next time!

Ladbrokes, 888 Revisit Merger Talks

Four years ago, Ladbrokes and 888 Holdings had a merger deal in place.  Four months later, the deal was off.  Now, as the calendar is about to read 2011, the Financial Times reports that discussions have been rekindled, as Ladbrokes is considering a bid for its smaller rival.

The offer would reportedly be for 70 pence per share, giving the deal a total value of £240 million.  While no formal offers have been extended yet, 888 shareholders are probably wishing things had worked out a few years ago.  The previous offer was rumored to be for 140 pence per share, twice what the new one will supposedly be.

Back in 2007, talks fell apart largely because Ladbrokes was nervous about possible legal problems for 888 in the United States, as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) had recently been passed.  Those same issues may still arise, as 888 has not reached any settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over the business it did in the past with U.S. customers.

Nick Batram, an analyst at Peel Hunt, told the Financial Times, “Clearly, the mere fact that they’re sitting down shows the risk appetite is higher now, under Richard Glynn, than it was. It’s not as if Ladbrokes doesn’t know about the U.S. situation.”

Shares of 888 Holdings climbed sharply on the news, up 8.75 pence to 57.75 pence, a gain of 17.9%.  As is the case with most merger news, Ladbrokes, the possible buyer, saw its stock price fall.  The damage was minimal, however, as its shares declined 1.5 pence to 126 pence, just a 1.2% drop.

In August, 888 CEO Gigi Levy told eGaming Review that it was “highly likely” his company would discuss a merger with another player in the online gaming industry within six months.  Party Gaming and bwin had announced their merger shortly before Levy made his statement, so many thought that 888 was just trying to keep up with its competitors.

Levy refuted that sentiment, saying, “I think that the first thing to remember is that the consolidated Party-bwin, when the transaction is completed, will represent less than 10% of the market.  We are not talking about someone controlling 50% of the market, giving us no chance to compete. We are talking about an entity that is significantly larger than us, but still is less than 10% of a very fragmented market. In that regard, I don’t see us changing anything in our strategy because of that.”

On the poker front, a Ladbrokes/888 combination would be nary a blip on the radar.  According to PokerScout.com, 888poker, also known by its historical name, Pacific Poker, is the 16th largest poker room on the internet, with a seven-day average of 1,260 cash game players.  Ladbrokes is a member of the Microgaming Network, but has averaged just 34 cash game players of its own over the last seven days.

Poker is not likely to be the focus of a merger, though.  888 is a major player in the online casino realm, while Ladbrokes is one of the top sports books in the industry.  In addition to its online presence, Ladbrokes has many brick-and-mortar betting shops around the United Kingdom and across Europe.  Said Batram, “It offers both sides solutions.  888 hasn’t got economies of scale to compete in regulated markets and Ladbrokes needs internationalization and better marketing.”

As mentioned earlier, Party Gaming and bwin announced a merger of their own earlier this year and just last week, Party Gaming noted that everything was on track to be completed in the first quarter of 2011.  The new company will be an internet gambling giant, as both have significant global footprints; bwin, in particular, is a formidable force in sports betting.

As far as poker is concerned, PokerScout’s numbers show that the combined poker room would sit comfortably in the number three spot behind PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.  PartyPoker is currently the third largest poker site on the internet, but it is constantly jockeying for position with the iPoker Network.  The merger with bwin’s Ongame Network, which currently ranks fifth, would create a network with a seven-day average of 6,300 cash game players.

Internet Gambling Opponent Jon Kyl Mum on Reelection Plans

According to Politco, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) is keeping his 2012 reelection plans close to the vest, creating uncertainty in the future hierarchy of his party’s leadership.  Kyl is the Senate Minority Whip, the second ranking position in the Republican Party.

Poker players know Kyl as Capitol Hill’s current public enemy number one to online gambling.  He was one of the key players, along with then-Congressman Jim Leach (R-IA) and then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), behind the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.  The bill, which aimed to stop the flow of funds to offshore internet gambling sites, was attached to the must-pass SAFE Port Act in the middle of the night just before Congress adjourned for the year.

Since 2006, Kyl has continued to fight against online poker.  Earlier this year, he blocked the appointment of six of President Barack Obama‘s nominees to the United States Treasury because he was upset that the UIGEA implementation deadline had been pushed back six months.  This month, he was the most powerful opponent of Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) failed attempts to legalize and regulate online poker.

Rumblings about Kyl’s possible reelection bid began in November, shortly after midterm elections.  When asked, Kyl told Roll Call, “One of the lectures I give is, what’s wrong with the political system today. It’s that every election starts the day after the last one. That is what’s screwing up our system, because there’s no time out to do legislation in a bipartisan way or without the press of elections. And, so I said, I’m not going to be a part of that game. I’m not going to start that right now.”

Randy Pullen, Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, does not think Kyl will seek reelection.  “Things may change, but I don’t believe he is running based on past conversations that I’ve had with him,” he said.

Wes Gullett, who has eyes on the Phoenix mayoral post in 2011, couldn’t say either way whether Kyl will run, but he has no doubt he would win.  “I wouldn’t put much stock in what you do or don’t see right now,” said Gullett.  “Kyl is in the driver’s seat. If he does run, which I think he will, it’s an easy race for him.”

One byproduct of Kyl’s silence is the uncertainty of the future of the three Senators who rank immediately below him in the Republican Party: John Cornyn (R-TX), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and John Thune (R-SD).  All three are in position to move up should Kyl retire from the Senate.  Publicly, none of them have expressed concern with the uncertainty.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” Alexander said to Politico. “I can’t remember that we’ve ever had a better whip than Jon Kyl. Our leadership team functions easily, we work perfectly well together, and one of the reasons we do is that none of us are gunning for each other’s position. I think we happen to be in the right positions right now.”

Kyl, a Nebraska native who grew up in Iowa, got his start in politics 20 years after earning a law degree from the University of Arizona.  An attorney by trade, Kyl first ran for the United States House of Representatives in 1986, handily defeating Democrat Philip Davis, 64.5% to 35.5%.  He won three reelection bids in similarly easy fashion, serving a total of eight years in the House.

In 1994, Kyl made a run at a Senate seat, once again earning an easy victory.  The Republican received 54% of the vote, compared to Democrat Samuel Coppersmith’s 40% and Libertarian candidate Scott Grainger’s 6%.  In 2000, he ran without opposition from a major party, and in 2006, defeated former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pederson in one of the most expensive campaigns in the state’s history.

According to the National Journal’s 2009 Vote Ratings, Kyl was the 18th most conservative member of the Senate last year.  He rated as the number one most conservative Senator in 2008.

Order of Abeyance Issued in Kentucky Internet Gambling Case

Last Friday, Judge Thomas Wingate issued an Order of Abeyance in the Kentucky internet gambling case, effectively freezing the status quo for 30 days. Motions filed by the State and the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) “shall be held in abeyance until such time as this Court rules on the legal standing question of whether associational representation is proper in an in rem proceeding.”

For those who aren’t legal experts, iMEGA Chairman Joe Brennan laid the groundwork for where the case currently stands: “Everything is in time out until everyone has an opportunity to be heard on the matter of associational standing. It seems by the court’s brief that they’ve accepted that iMEGA has met the requirements for associational standing as laid out by the State Supreme Court. The court must determine whether it’s warranted to have an association intercede in this matter when the court is still looking at it as an in rem jurisdiction.”

Now, iMEGA will submit a brief arguing why it’s appropriate for an association to intervene on behalf of the 141 internet gambling domain names seized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky two years ago. The southern state is seeking the forfeiture of the URLs, which belong to sites like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. If successful, these domains may be unavailable not just in Kentucky, but also around the world. Kentucky’s lawyers are allegedly working on a contingency-fee basis, according to Brennan.

On his reaction to hearing that the court had issued an Order of Abeyance in the case, Brennan told Poker News Daily on Monday, “When the court comes back and doesn’t rule against you, it’s always a victory for us. This draws things out more, which provides more exposure to a critically flawed argument by the State.” The State argued in part that domain names constitute “gambling devices” under Kentucky law, a two-word term traditionally reserved for tangible objects like slot machines that you’d find in an underground casino.

Also newsworthy in Judge Wingate’s court filing last week was his acknowledgment that Yatahay Limited is the owner of TruePoker.com. Wingate asserted, “Though another company may operate the TruePoker.com website, iMEGA has proven that Yatahay Limited owns TruePoker.com… Even so, it is unclear whether associational standing applies in an in rem proceeding.” The State had ardently questioned the legitimacy of affidavits filed to prove that Yatahay Limited was a member of iMEGA.

In the end, Judge Wingate explained, “iMEGA may be entitled to associational standing. However, iMEGA has not yet established that associational standing is proper in an in rem proceeding… Accordingly, iMEGA’s Motion to Intervene is, at the very least, premature.”

Organizations that wish to file amicus briefs in the case now have 30 days to do so. Judge Wingate asked that the briefs focus on whether associational standing is appropriate in the case. Last Monday, a hearing in Frankfort, Kentucky was held, but no ruling was made on iMEGA’s Motion to Intervene on behalf of the 141 internet gambling domain names at risk.

The domains were originally seized in September 2008, allegedly without due process and Judge Wingate upheld the State’s actions. iMEGA then sought the intervention of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which ruled by a 2:1 margin in January 2009 that the State did not have jurisdiction to seize the domain names in question. Commonwealth attorneys appealed to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which promptly sent the case back to the trial court to determine standing.

The Commonwealth has also filed a separate case to recoup funds lost by state residents against Party Gaming, Pocket Kings, and Microgaming. The former two are the parent companies of PartyPoker and Full Tilt Poker, respectively. Party Gaming vacated the U.S. market in 2006 following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), while Microgaming followed suit in 2008. Full Tilt Poker continues to accept U.S. action and is the second largest online poker site in the world in terms of cash game volume.

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest.

Poker News in Brief: Dec. 13-19, 2010

Our news team stayed hard at work, however, and collected all the stories you may have missed in our weekly Poker News in Brief feature below.

This week, the PPA is disappointed by the failure of another online poker bill, a WPT Royal Flush Girl is named Maxim's Hometown Hottie, the WSOP gets a little Italian flavor and a whole lot more.

PPA Disappointed By Reid Bill Fail

The Poker Players Alliance expressed disappointment this week that lawmakers likely missed an opportunity to license and regulate online poker before the end of the 111th session of Congress.

"On behalf of the millions of Americans who play online poker, I am disappointed Congress has not acted to implement important licensing and regulation of this growing industry," said former Senator Alfonse D'Amato, chairman of the PPA. "It's a missed opportunity, pure and simple."

Several attempts by Senate Majority leader Harry Reid to piggyback legislation to legalize and regulate online poker onto tax and spending legislation before the current lame duck congressional session ended Dec. 17 failed.

However, the PPA remains committed to the cause.

"The progress we've made this year and the momentum of the past few weeks will only help as we continue to work with lawmakers at the state and federal levels to protect the rights of Americans to play the great game of poker in a safe, regulated, U.S. market," said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA.

Paddy Power Releases Irish Open Schedule

Paddy Power Poker released the full Irish Open 2011 schedule this week.

The five day-long festival will run Apr. 21-25 at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, Ireland.

The four day €3,200+€300 main event begins at 2 p.m. Apr. 22 and runs through the conclusion of the festival.

Several satellites and side events are also included.

For more information and registration click here.

Weekly super satellites take place on Paddy Power Poker every Sunday and Tuesday.

WPT Royal Flush Girl Named Hometown Hottie

WPT Royal Flush Girl Melanie Iglesias has won Maxim Magazine’s Hometown Hotties national model search competition.

Iglesias beat out thousands of contestants to make it to the Top 10 and the Magazine announced she was the leading vote-getter this week.

“I was so excited and shocked when Maxim called to tell me. What an amazing honor,” she said. “First, I get picked to be a Royal Flush Girl, then I’m fortunate enough to win this great contest – it’s been an unbelievable year.”

A new pictorial will appear on the website and Iglesias will be featured in an upcoming issue of Maxim.

WPT on Facebook Offers Invitational Seat

WPT Texas Hold ’Em Poker on Facebook is giving fans a chance to win a seat at the WPT Celebrity Invitational tournament this coming February.

One draw winner and a guest will be able to attend the Commerce Casino event in Los Angeles, California and play side-by-side with celebrities and poker pros.

WPT Texas Hold ‘Em Poker on Facebook players will receive a draw entry for each purchase of any poker chip package during the promotion period.

The promotion runs Dec. 15 through Jan. 10, 2011.

WSOP Goes Italian

Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. announced a long-term agreement with Microgame S.p.A. for its WSOP brand in the Italian poker market this week.

Microgame and Caesars will now work together to market the WSOP brand in Italy with online and offline poker tournaments and promotions.

Microgame already operates the largest poker network in the newly-regulated Italian online market.

People’s Poker, a network of over 120 online poker sites, will be co-branded utilizing the WSOP brand and People’s Poker brand.

Microgame and the WSOP will also create land-based tournaments for the Italian players using the WSOP name and Microgame now becomes the exclusive satellite provider in Italy for WSOP land-based events around the world.

Christmas at Betfair

Betfair is hosting several holiday poker promotions this month.

The site has a $60,000 Christmas Points Race from Dec. 1-21 promising players in the top 100 a share of $60,000 with $10,000 for first.

The site is also giving players the chance to win one of 85 iPads via its 85 iPad Giveaway tournament Jan. 5. Players can secure a seat through select satellites all this month.

And finally, Betfair is hosting a $40,000 Raked Hand Frenzy from Dec. 11-29. Players with the most number of raked hands in the Gold, Silver and Bronze leaderboard will all win live satellite seats and prizes.

PartyPoker Starts WPT Venice Satellites

Satellites for the WPT Venice main event begin online at PartyPoker Dec. 20.

The $7,000 packages up for grabs all include the buy-in, hotel accommodation and $1,000 in spending money.

“Play in our mix of daily qualifiers that run from Dec. 20 to Jan. 23 for your chance to play in these prize satellites," a PartyPoker spokesperson said. "Remember, start with our daily freerolls and you could end up at the WPT Venice main event for free.”

The main $350+$25 online satellites take place every Sunday at 3:20 p.m. ET with one package guaranteed.

WPT Venice runs Feb. 3-11 at the Casino de Venezia.

Springael wins 2010 3LT Grand Final

The Everest Poker sponsored 3LT Grand Final drew 261 players to Vienna, Austria this week.

Belgium's Joris Springael outlasted them all to take the title and €132,680 first-place prize.

Run by TD Thomas Kremser, the 3 Länder Poker Tour (3LT) debuted as the first poker tour held in the three German-speaking countries this year.

Visit www.pokerlistings.com

PPA: Christmas Miracle Needed for Harry Reid Online Poker Bill

On Friday, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director John Pappas appeared on Bloomberg Television to discuss the bill legalizing and regulating online poker introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). On the likelihood of a bill passing before the current Congressional session expires, Pappas candidly told Bloomberg viewers, “It would really have to take a Christmas miracle at this point.” Watch now.

The four-minute segment, dubbed “The High Stakes of Internet Poker,” hit television airwaves at 11:45am ET on Friday. Pappas admitted that the window for legalized internet poker was quickly closing: “Unfortunately, I think Congress is missing an opportunity to get this done and get it done sooner than later. I think next year is really our next best venue. The vehicles this year just didn’t add up to get a bill done and there was really no way to get the bill as a standalone measure any time in the last week or so. I just don’t think there’s any way it’s going to happen now.”

Reid may have been close to adding the online poker language to the tax relief act, which was signed into law by U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday. Despite an early report from The Hill claiming that the “lame duck” Congressional session would expire on Friday, Congress was still going strong at the time of writing tackling the topic of gays in the military.

In 2011, the House of Representatives will switch to Republican control, causing pro-internet gambling members of Congress like Barney Frank (D-MA) to lose their positions of power. Frank is the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, but Pappas expressed optimism that online poker won’t be lost in the fray: “I don’t know how any member of Congress – Republican or Democrat – can be happy with the status quo. They passed a bill in 2006 that tried to prohibit internet gambling, but it’s grown. Millions of Americans continue to play online poker and they’re doing it without any of the protections the Federal Government could provide.”

On Friday, an article by the Associated Press revealed that unemployment rates in 21 states rose month-over-month, the largest number in four months. Accordingly, Pappas told Bloomberg viewers that legalizing online poker isn’t just about generating revenue for the Federal and State Governments, it’s also about creating jobs: “The bills that have been introduced would mandate that these companies establish a presence here in the U.S. These are high-tech, high-paying jobs that internet gaming companies generate. It’s not cocktail waitresses at a casino. These are really high-tech jobs, from software security to software development as well as customer service.”

Any bill not acted upon by the end of the Congressional session is deemed dead. Besides Reid’s bill, Frank’s HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, will also fall by the wayside when the new Congress is seated in January. HR 2267 would have created a licensing and regulatory framework for the internet gambling industry sans sports betting. The Financial Services Committee approved the measure by a 2:1 margin in July, but it has not been discussed since.

On Thursday, Pappas told Poker News Daily that Reid’s bill was effectively dead. Stay tuned to PND for the latest legislative headlines.

December 17th – Weekly News Update

Welcome back to another edition of our Weekly News Update. I’m your host, Sean Gibson, and we’ll be talking about the biggest headlines for the week. Let’s get to the news!

On Thursday morning, Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas told Poker News Daily that the bill introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid legalizing and regulating online poker is dead. A move to add the bill’s language to the tax relief act debated in Congress this week failed to come to fruition.

Pappas told Poker News Daily that a highly charged debate over the tax bill was largely to blame:

“When the tax package fell through and things became much more political for it – not related to our bill – it became clear that another controversial addition to the tax bill could sink it.”

Reid’s bill would have opened the online poker market in the United States to current operators like Caesars Entertainment, which owns the rights to the annual World Series of Poker. Pappas added that hope is not lost:

“The online poker bill that was floating around needs some improvement, so the PPA wants to go back to Senator Reid [in 2011] and talk about how we can improve on his current draft. There’s going to be a renewed focus in the Senate and we’ll be taking some of the legislation in a different direction so that’s it not focused on the Financial Services Committee, where we have a known opponent.”

Party Gaming co-founder Anurag Dikshit, who admitted to violating the Wire Act of Nineteen Sixty-One two years ago, was sentenced to one year of probation by a New York court on Thursday, according to Forbes. He has also coughed up three hundred million dollars and agreed to cooperate in an ongoing Federal investigation.

U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff determined Dikshit’s fate on Thursday and the possibility of two years behind bars hung in the balance. In the end, Rakoff told the court, “I am persuaded that no jail time is appropriate here.”

Dikshit’s admission marked one of the first times that online poker has ever been associated with the Wire Act, which has traditionally applied to sports betting. In October Two Thousand Nine, Dikshit sold his remaining shares in Party Gaming for around two hundred million British Pounds, which amounted to a twenty eight percent stake.

Party Gaming vacated the U.S. market in 2006 after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The publicly traded company has since inked a non-prosecution agreement with the United States Government and forked over a one hundred five million dollar fine.

Last week, PokerStars announced that the mysterious high-stakes phenom Isildur1 had signed on to become the latest member of Team PokerStars Pro. At the same time, a new promotion, the SuperStar Showdown, was launched, allowing all comers to take on Isildur1 in a nosebleed stakes heads-up match. On Tuesday, Isildur1?s first opponent was revealed.
This Sunday at Six PM Eastern Time, Isaac Haxton will put one hundred fifty thousand dollars on the line as he takes on Isildur1 at four tables of Fifty / One Hundred No Limit Hold’em. Haxton is well known throughout the poker community and, in addition to his cash game success, has put together an impressive record on the live tournament circuit.

The matches will last either twenty five hundred hands or until one of the players goes bust, whichever happens first, and the winner is the player who ends up with the most money. Anyone who is willing to pony up fifteen hundred big blinds can issue a challenge to Isildur1 by e-mailing PokerStars.

Full Tilt Poker pro Jonathan “xMONSTERxDONGx” Karamalikis bested a field of two hundred eighty nine players to win the Asia Pacific Poker Tour Grand Final in Sydney, Australia last weekend. The twenty two year old online superstar from Adelaide earned four hundred fifty nine thousand Australian Dollars, his biggest score ever.

The star-studded final table included Team PokerStars Pro member Daniel Negreanu, live poker Triple Crown winner Roland de Wolfe, and former APPT champion Eddy Sabat. Negreanu, who took a short stack to the final table, was the first to exit after running top pair into de Wolfe’s set of threes. His ninth place finish earned him thirty-six thousand Australian Dollars. By the way, De Wolfe finished in eighth place.

Staying with the live tournament circuit, PokerStars announced details on Thursday for Season Four of the Latin American Poker Tour. The fourth LAPT season will begin in February and has five events on the schedule so far, including stops in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.

The new LAPT Player of the Year awards will recognize excellent performances throughout the season. The awards, much like the PokerStars European Poker Tour awards, will be handed out at the end of the season based on results in not only Main Events, but also most of the side events. The EPT gives trophies yearly to the top overall player as well as the top Omaha player, Mixed Games player, heads-up player, and qualifier. There is also an award given to the country that performs the best during the season.

The first stop of Season Four will be in Sao Paulo. Here’s a look at the schedule so far:

February 16-20: Sao Paulo, Brazil (R$5,000 buy-in)
March 17-20: Vina Del Mar, Chile ($1,100 buy-in)
April 12-17: Lima, Peru ($2,500 buy-in)
June 1-5: Rosario, Argentina ($2,500 buy-in)
August 3-7: Bogota, Colombia ($1,100 buy-in)

Thanks for tuning in to the Poker News Daily Weekly Update and be sure to check back with us every day for the latest in poker news.

Party Gaming Founder Anurag Dikshit Receives One Year of Probation

In breaking news, Party Gaming co-founder Anurag Dikshit, who admitted to violating the Wire Act of 1961 two years ago, was sentenced to one year of probation by a New York court, according to Forbes. He has also coughed up $300 million and “agreed to cooperate in an ongoing investigation with Federal prosecutors.”

Dikshit, an Indian citizen living in Gibraltar, helped create Party Gaming, the parent company of the popular online poker room PartyPoker. U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff determined Dikshit’s fate on Thursday and the possibility of two years behind bars hung in the balance. In the end, Rakoff told the court, “I am persuaded that no jail time is appropriate here.”

The Forbes article assessed the possibility that Dikshit could have received jail time for his transgressions: “It certainly would have been strange for Dikshit to wind up in jail even as other online poker entrepreneurs were not being prosecuted. Some of the most prominent are not even offshore, like the men widely believed to be behind Full Tilt Poker, the second biggest company servicing U.S. play, poker champions Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer.”

Dikshit founded Party Gaming alongside Ruth Parasol and Russell DeLeon, neither of whom has paid any settlement fee to the United States Government nor appeared in court. Rakoff was befuddled as to why Dikshit was the only person who had stepped forward and so asked government attorneys yesterday, “Nobody else has been indicted. It has been two years since this defendant began cooperating, what’s going on?”

Dikshit’s admission marked one of the first times that online poker has ever been associated with the 1961 law, which has traditionally applied to sports betting. As such, Forbes noted that his decision elicited a harsh reaction from many in the online poker community, including DoylesRoom namesake Doyle Brunson. “Texas Dolly” commented two years ago, “It looks like he would feel a sense of obligation to online poker, the industry that made him a rich man. Instead, he folded up like an accordion and pled guilty to breaking some kind of mystery law and is paying a 300 million dollar fine and possible two-year jail term.”

In October 2009, Dikshit sold his remaining shares in Party Gaming for around ?200 million, which amounted to a 28% stake. Party Gaming vacated the U.S. market in 2006 after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA. The publicly traded company has since inked a non-prosecution agreement with the United States Government and forked over a $105 million fine. Party Gaming has also become a target of a lawsuit filed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which is seeking to recoup funds lost by state residents on PartyPoker.

Despite coming under fire in Kentucky and having one of its patriarchs admit to violating the Wire Act, Party Gaming appears to be poised to re-enter the U.S. market should online poker or internet gambling become legalized and regulated.

In a trading update issued on Friday in London, Party Gaming officials asserted, “There continues to be much movement in the U.S. towards regulating online gaming both at the Federal and state levels. Should the requisite legislation be enacted, the Group is well advanced in discussions with licensed companies in the U.S. that could create substantial value for the Group’s shareholders.” Party Gaming is also involved in an ongoing merger with bwin that will likely be completed in March.

Read the entire Forbes article outlining Dikshit’s probation sentence.

Harry Reid’s Internet Poker Bill is Dead

It has been confirmed that the efforts by Sen. Harry Reid to legalize Internet poker will be going no further in this lame duck session of Congress.

Poker Players Alliance: Harry Reid Bill Dead

On Thursday morning, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director John Pappas told Poker News Daily that the bill introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) legalizing and regulating online poker is all but dead. A move to add the bill’s language to the tax relief act currently being debated in Congress failed to come to fruition.

Pappas told Poker News Daily that a highly charged debate over the tax measure was largely to blame: “When the tax package fell through and things became much more political for it – not related to our bill – it became clear that another controversial addition to the tax bill could sink it.” Reid’s bill would have opened the online poker market in the United States to current operators like Caesars Entertainment, which owns the rights to the annual World Series of Poker.

U.S. President Barack Obama struck a deal with Republicans on the contents of the tax relief act, which perhaps closed the door to other bills being added.

Now what? With the Republican Party taking control of the House of Representatives in 2011, pro-internet gambling allies like Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) may take a back seat. Frank, whose HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, garnered 70 co-sponsors and sailed through the House Financial Services Committee in July, will likely lose his post as Chairman. In his stead could be staunch internet gambling opponent Spencer Bachus (R-AL), whom the PPA graded an “F” in its Congressional Ratings Guide.

Looking ahead to 2011, Pappas told Poker News Daily, “The online poker bill that was floating around needs some improvement, so the PPA wants to go back to Senator Reid and talk about how we can improve on his current draft. There’s going to be a renewed focus in the Senate and we’ll be taking some of the legislation in a different direction so that’s it not focused on the Financial Services Committee, where we have a known opponent.”

Two years ago, Bachus, the current Ranking Member of the committee, erroneously quoted a study from McGill University linking internet gambling to suicide. The Alabama lawmaker asserted in a June 2008 hearing, “McGill University found that one-third – one-third – of college students who gambled on the internet ultimately attempted suicide. That is why the rate of suicide on our college campuses has doubled in the last ten years.” In fact, no such study had ever taken place.

On Wednesday night, ESPN.com published an article declaring Reid’s bill dead. Pappas told the Connecticut-based news outlet, “Sadly, some politicians remain with their heads firmly in the sand. The leadership of the Poker Players Alliance got the debate this far and we are determined to see this through.” The Hill reported that the ongoing lame duck session on Capitol Hill is scheduled to end on Friday, although reports during the week have surfaced that lawmakers may remain in Washington, DC until close to Christmas.

Last weekend, adding language legalizing and regulating online poker to a must-pass omnibus spending bill appeared to be a possibility according to Bloomberg, but Pappas explained that adding another earmark would “make things more complicated.” The Senate approved the tax relief bill on Wednesday, with the House potentially set to follow suit this afternoon.

Pappas was scheduled to tape a segment about the online poker bill with Bloomberg that will air on Friday at 11:45am ET. Pappas will speak on behalf of the 1.2 million member strong lobbying group that has become the main voice for poker players in the United States. Four years ago, the PPA stood at just 50,000 members.

Reid’s bill won’t officially be dead until the clock strikes Midnight on the 111th Congress. Pappas concluded with a silver lining: “We always knew we had a chance to pass legislation during the lame duck session, but it fell short. But, I think there’s significant momentum going forward. We’ve done a good job of convincing lawmakers that the status quo isn’t acceptable.”

Keep it tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest developments from Capitol Hill.

R.I.P. ‘The Reid Bill’ – US Congress halt online poker legislation

After more than a week of hype, buzz and speculation over the future legal state of online poker in the United States, the US Congress has thrown out the so-called “Reid Bill” proposing to legalise online poker in America; attached to a larger bill in the same way the UIGEA passed in 2006.

Poker Pro Dale Philip (Daleroxxu) Begins Tour of Cards

It is the dream of every poker player: travel the world, visit exotic locations, and play live and online. It is a dream that one of poker’s most notable bloggers and players, Dale “Daleroxxu” Philip, will begin in just a few short weeks.

Philip, a member of Team PokerStars Online, put his name on the map by winning the 2006 World Blogger Championship of Online Poker. Since that time, he has become a master of sit and gos and has been able to make a living off that very difficult discipline of poker. His desire to move away from the computer, however, has led him into an endeavor called the Tour of Cards, which will be sponsored in part by PokerStars.

The Tour of Cards will see Philip travel the world in 2011, visiting 52 different countries, one each week of the year. While he travels, he will try his hand at live poker and also maintain a grueling online playing schedule. Philip will also be blogging about the trip on a dedicated Tour of Cards website, allowing the poker world to monitor his status.

Poker News Daily caught up with Philip as he was making the final preparations for his trip, which begins just before the New Year.

Poker News Daily: For those who aren’t familiar with you, tell us about yourself.

Dale Philip: I grew up in a council estate – what Americans would call the “housing projects” – in a small town in Scotland. It wasn’t particularly nice and my parents were poor and sometimes unemployed, so we only ever went on one overseas vacation when I was a kid.

I moved to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, to work, but quit my job to play poker full-time in 2008 and just stayed there. I didn’t know a lot of people in the city and had an infinite amount of free time to grind poker, so that’s what I did when I could pry myself from the XBox 360!

I’ve always been a sit and go player and crushed them on every site I’ve played them on for a consistent profit. But because this was such a profitable, almost guaranteed, income for me, I never played MTTs or ring games seriously; I just stuck to printing money playing sit and gs. But sit and gos are drying up a lot now that everyone knows how to play them, so I’m starting to play some Pot Limit Omaha online and live MTTs. This has actually made poker fun and interesting for me again when it was starting to become somewhat of a dull grind.

PND: Was that the idea behind the Tour of Cards or was there something else that drove you to do it?

Dale Philip: One day, I was thinking to myself how lucky I am to have a career that allows me the flexibility to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it. Then, I realized how little I take advantage of that freedom. I spend most of my time sitting at a computer in the same boring room in the same old city playing online poker. I thought to myself that I could just as easily be sitting on a laptop in some exotic location doing my job, so what the hell am I still doing here?

I started to research different countries that I might like to relocate to, at least for a year, and the more I learned about other places, the more I wanted to visit all of them. Then, this epic idea came into my head: I’ll visit 52 countries in 52 weeks, play a ton of online and live poker, do a lot of cool stuff, blog the whole adventure, and call it the Tour of Cards.

PND: What sponsorships have you set up to be able to partake in this adventure?

Dale Philip: I recently signed with PokerStars. My sponsorship with PokerStars was announced after I had announced my Tour of Cards project; however, PokerStars had approached me before I had even thought up this project. When I told them about my plans, they loved the idea and gave me a very attractive offer based on that. It’s truly awesome to have the support of the world’s largest and best online poker site; they really understand what I want to achieve.

PND: What are your goals for the Tour of Cards?

Dale Philip: I have so many goals for Tour of Cards. I want to promote poker and the poker lifestyle to people across the world. I want to see and experience a bunch of awesome stuff, meet interesting people, make new friends (and girlfriends), and learn about different cultures. But, of course, my main goal for the project is just to have a bunch of fun because if it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing.

PND: What are the logistics of planning a trip such as the Tour of Cards?

Dale Philip: Although this whole thing is a logistical nightmare and it’s been taking up a lot of my time lately, I’m getting a lot of enjoyment out of planning and making this project happen. I’ve been trying my best to plan the order of countries I visit in a way such that the next country I go to is very close to and has a direct flight from the country I’m leaving in order to make journeys short and inexpensive. However, there are certain poker festivals I want to attend such as the Aussie Millions, PokerStars Macau Cup, and PokerStars EPT Snowfest, so making sure I get to them has made the planning much more complicated.

I’m happy to say that all of my flights for the first three months have been planned, booked, and paid for. The next thing that I have to do is organize accommodations in each location. That’s perhaps tougher than organizing flights because I have to research each location to figure out where the best place to stay is. I really don’t want to be spending a week in a hotel that sucks or is in a terrible location. It’s also usually cheaper to book hotel rooms at the last minute using an online bidding site such as Priceline. That is the opposite of flights, which are cheaper the earlier you book them.

PND: The first three months of your schedule have you in the Asian Rim. Tell us about what you’re expecting there?

Dale Philip: I’m especially looking forward to visiting the Asian countries on my tour, not just because I find Asian chicks extremely hot, but also because their culture is so much different than ours in the Western world. It’s a part of the world, being so far away, that I’ve never visited, so I can’t wait to get there, check it out, and eat their delicious food. Playing live poker in Asia should make for a fun and interesting experience, as poker is really starting to boom there now, especially in Macau. I’m expecting the games to be very lively and fun.

PND: What difficulties could you encounter during the Tour of Cards?

Dale Philip: A guaranteed way to get yourself held up at any country’s immigration border is to tell them that you are a professional poker player, so I’m generally creative with the truth when they ask, “What do you do back home?” It just makes life a lot easier. In general, it’s easy to travel to other countries for U.K. nationals. The only country on my list so far that U.K. nationals can’t enter visa-free or with visa-on-arrival is Vietnam; it has to be arranged in advance of traveling there.

Not all countries will have legal brick-and-mortar casinos or poker rooms, so I’m never going to be able to play a live poker game in all 52 countries. Thankfully, with a laptop and a PokerStars account, I’m always within instant reach of a game wherever I am. I just have to hope that the internet connection of most countries will be fast and stable enough, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask for in 2011, is it?

There is also the fact that, in certain countries, governments have total control over their citizens’ internet access and block all online poker sites. Most of these countries, where online gambling is illegal, are blocking poker sites because the morons in power don’t know the difference between poker – a game of skill – and gambling. But, if PokerStars has no problem with me playing from a specific country and I am able to access the site, directly or otherwise, then I will play. It is likely that I will use a reliable VPN service to bypass restrictions where necessary so I can play poker when I can’t access the site directly.

PND: What hardships outside of poker might you run into during your yearlong journey?

Dale Philip: Language could certainly be a huge obstacle in some countries, as English is the only language that I speak, and I speak it with a Scottish accent. The closest I come to knowing another language is a tiny bit of Russian due to having a couple of Russian girlfriends in the past, but that’s not going to get me far in somewhere like Japan. I guess I will just have to get really good at acting out charades or get a translator app for my phone and just try to remind myself that although foreign languages make life difficult as a traveler, it’s also part of what makes the culture in these places so different.

In addition to having their own languages, countries also, annoyingly, have their own currencies. Changing physical cash at airports and banks would get quite time-consuming and expensive, as they always advertise “Commission Free” and then use their own rigged exchange rate that’s a mile away from the wholesale rate. But, I’ve already got my hands on a prepaid global currency MasterCard with a U.K. bank where I can load it up with Sterling and use it to purchase goods or withdraw from ATMs in any country without getting screwed over on the exchange rate. I’ve tried it out in the USA and Ireland so far and it’s been awesome. Another advantage is that if it gets stolen, it’s replaceable, not gone for good like a pile of money would be.

I reckon the chance that I can go on 52 plane journeys and have them not lose my baggage or cancel/delay my flights to the point of seriously disrupting my plans is quite low. I’ll just have to deal with that nonsense when it happens. I will also look at alternatives to flying between countries accessible by other means. For example, I had booked an ultra cheap one-hour flight from Malaysia to Singapore, but then someone told me that there is a five-hour train journey on a very comfortable modern train with a lot of jungle scenery, lots of little towns, kids waving at the train, etc., which is a really good way to see the country.

PND: How much of an estimated expenditure are you looking at? Will what you win along your journey help finance the trip?

Dale Philip: I’ll certainly want to make more money from poker in 2011 than I spend on this project, but I’m well equipped with comfortable poker and life bankrolls, so if I go on some outrageous downswing or can’t get enough hours of online play in due to poor internet connections, it won’t be a huge disaster.

I originally figured the flights and accommodation would cost around $100,000. I realize I could do it cheaper, but I just don’t stay in bad hotels. Then, there are the expenses of eating out or ordering room service for every single meal and going on tours or doing cool stuff that isn’t cheap.

I’m revising the costs downward a bit after having been offered to stay with some poker players I know from other countries. I’ll be staying with Joel Carr, who is a PokerStars Supernova, in his Thailand villa for a week in February. “Peru,” who people may know from the TwoPlusTwo forums, has offered to let me use his house in Peru as a base to travel to countries in South America.

I’ll also be doing about five weeks of my journey with U.K. poker pro Simon “Amatay” Jones, so we’ll split hotel room costs. In addition to saving money, it’s also great to be able to spend time with other interesting poker pros either in their homes or traveling around with them, which should make my experience and my blogs more interesting too.

The Tour of Cards should prove to be an interesting journey! Visit PokerStars to play with Philip and others.

Kentucky Lawyers Respond to iMEGA Standing Claims in Internet Gambling Case

On Friday, attorneys for the Commonwealth of Kentucky responded to the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA). The organization had filed a motion to intervene on behalf of 141 internet gambling domain names that could be forfeited if legal action taken by the State is successful.

Court documents filed by iMEGA read in part, “iMEGA seeks to intervene in order to move that this Court address all of the jurisdictional and constitutional issues in this case. These issues are numerous and substantial, as appellate courts of this state have recognized. As ground for this motion, iMEGA asserts that this action is without basis in Kentucky law and that this Court is without subject matter jurisdiction to proceed.” The trade organization added that it sought to avert a court hearing scheduled for Monday.

iMEGA’s legal counsel attached a proposed order to the filing and asserted that it held standing in the case because one of its members, TruePoker.com owners Yatahay Limited, was targeted. To prove that Yatahay Limited is an iMEGA member, the organization submitted three affidavits, one from iMEGA Chairman Joe Brennan, one from Network Solutions’ Natalie Sterling, and one from Matthew Bartlett of Yatahay.

Also to claim standing, iMEGA explained, “In this action, iMEGA will raise statutory and constitutional issues that apply in any case involving the effort to seize any domain name under… the Kentucky Penal Code. The individual participation of iMEGA members is not required. In fact, iMEGA’s representation of its members serves goals of judicial economy.”

Kentucky’s attorneys reminded the Court that issues of the validity of Yatahay’s affidavits were brought up in preceding hearings. Moreover, the legal counsel maintained, “iMEGA’s current motion is yet another attempt to skip important procedural steps… The issue may not be decided until the Commonwealth has had a reasonable opportunity to conduct reasonable discovery on the issue.”

As to iMEGA’s rights to defend the URLs in jeopardy, Kentucky’s lawyers noted, “There is no indication of how many members support iMEGA’s positions on the litigation or how the decision to support iMEGA’s position was made.” The Commonwealth continually questioned Yatahay’s interest in the case and cast doubt on Bartlett’s association with the company.

In November, Commonwealth attorneys proposed splitting up the 141 domain names in question, with the first batch consisting of playersonly.com, sportsbook.com, sportsinteraction.com, mysportsbook.com, and linesmaker.com. Two months prior, the Kentucky Supreme Court returned the case to the trial court level due to questions of standing.

The domain names were originally seized two years ago in a way that iMEGA claimed violated due process. The case now returns to Judge Thomas Wingate, who upheld the State’s seizure back in 2008. iMEGA sought the intervention of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which ruled in January 2009 that the Commonwealth did not have jurisdiction to act. The case then made its way to the Kentucky Supreme Court. If the State were successful, the 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to major online poker sites PokerStars and Full Tilt, could be inaccessible worldwide.

Kentucky attorneys summarized, “Once an owner is identified as a matter of fact, should the owner wish to appoint a duly authorized representative to appear on its behalf, the Court may consider the issue of representation standing in an in rem action at that time. However, until the factual issue of ownership is determined, issues of standing are premature and not properly before the court.” What will happen next in this roller coaster of a case is anyone’s guess.

Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown is serving as the Plaintiff in the case, which is numbered 08-CI-1409. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest developments.

WSOP Main Event Runner-Up John Racener Receives Third DUI

Over the weekend, 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event runner-up John Racener received his third DUI, according to the St. Petersburg Times newspaper. Early Saturday morning, law enforcement officials stopped Racener at West Azeele Street and South Westland Avenue.

According to the Times, “He refused blood-alcohol testing and was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on $1,000 bail.” The Florida news outlet also profiled Racener’s past run-ins with the law: “Racener has been arrested in Hillsborough County three times before – on charges of driving under the influence in 2005 and 2007 and on a misdemeanor battery charge in 2009, according to jail records.”

Racener has not updated his Twitter feed since December 9th at 1:01am, when he bowed out in fourth place from the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $232,000. Victory Poker pro Antonio Esfandiari ultimately won the marquee WPT tournament, which saw Andrew “good2cu” Robl, PokerStars pro Vanessa Rousso, Kirk Morrison, and Ted Lawson also reach the six-handed final table. At the time, Racener was one month removed from heads-up play in the WSOP Main Event.

Racener banked $5.5 million in the Main Event and played second fiddle to Jonathan Duhamel, who became the tournament’s first Canadian champ. The Full Tilt Poker pro nearly outlasted the entire 7,319-player field and recorded his third final table. Racener hails from Tampa and sported logos for CardRunners at the final table. When play reached heads-up, Racener switched to a Full Tilt patch.

A 22-page thread about Racener’s run-in with the law popped up on TwoPlusTwo, where posters were largely critical of the poker player’s decision to drink and drive. One member, however, explained, “Very naive to think most people don’t or haven’t driven while over the legal limit. You go to a restaurant and look around, you will see like six couples with a bottle of wine sitting in front of them. None of those people are driving home? I mean they might not be ‘hammered,’ but I would guess they are over the legal limit. Is it right to drive while drunk? No. Is it right to drive after two glasses of wine? No. Do people tend to do it? Yes.”

Racener broke onto the live poker scene four years ago, when he finished third in the WSOP Circuit Championship in Atlantic City for $103,000. One year later, he took eighth in the WPT Borgata Winter Open, also in Atlantic City, for $166,000. He claimed a Circuit gold ring in December 2007 in Atlantic City, besting a final table that included future November Niner Eric Buchman.

In the online arena, Racener won the challenging PokerStars $100 Rebuy in August for $24,000. On Valentine’s Day, he took second in the UB.com $100,000 Guarantee for $23,000. More recently, Racener came away with a third place finish in the PokerStars $200 Rebuy for $19,000 in October.

Harry Reid Online Poker Legislation May Be Added to Spending Package

According to an article published by Bloomberg sourcing the Washington Post newspaper, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) may add a measure legalizing online poker to “a spending package or other must-pass legislation before Congress adjourns for the year.” Online poker was not part of a draft of the tax relief bill released last week.

Also last week, Reid released a statement that read in part, “Experienced regulators already trusted by millions of Americans will maintain oversight and reputable operators with proven track records will provide a secure gaming environment for Americans.” However, critics of the bill have called Reid out for placating to two of his largest campaign contributors, Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment) and MGM Resorts International. The former owns the rights to the annual World Series of Poker held at the Rio.

According to the Associated Press, the American Gaming Association came out in support of Reid’s efforts on Friday. American Gaming Association head Frank Fahrenkopf asserted, “Current online gambling laws do not provide these safeguards, leaving players and the system open to fraud, cheating and other illegal acts.” The ongoing lame duck session in Congress will likely come to an end next Friday, which means that Reid’s window to turn online poker legalization into a reality is quickly closing.

On why Reid has been focusing on online poker as opposed to other forms of gambling, the Associated Press quoted the Senate Majority Leader as saying, “I still have serious concerns about legalizing the broad range of casino-type gambling through the internet. The bill I am working on would make other types of internet gambling clearly illegal, while increasing penalties and strengthening the ability of law enforcement to shut down illegal sites.” It remains unclear whether other games would be legalized in the future.

On Thursday, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the main lobbying group for poker players in the United States, sent an e-mail blast to its members updating the developments on Capitol Hill. The PPA explained, “While many have speculated that the ‘Tax Bill’ would be a likely vehicle for iPoker legislation, because of recent political developments with respect to the tax bill, it has become complicated to predict whether that bill is a viable path.”

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest developments.

December 19th – Weekly Update

Welcome back to the Poker News Daily Weekly update where we highlight the biggest stories in the world of poker. I’m your host, Sean Gibson, and let’s get to the news.

Well, It’s shaping up to be an interesting last few days of the current Congressional session for members of the online poker community. On Tuesday, Politico published an article revealing that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was attempting to add a bill legalizing online poker to the measure extending tax cuts.

Politico confirmed Reid’s desires with Senator Orrin Hatch. Senator Jon Kyl, one of the masterminds of the original UIGEA, would not allow the plan to come to fruition. Kyl told Politico,

“[There is] zero chance – no chance whatsoever that would be part of the tax deal. I don’t think it would be the right thing to do.”

We’ll keep you posted on this constantly changing story.

Nearly leading the tournament wire-to-wire, Antonio Esfandiari took down the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, a stop on the World Poker Tour. Esfandiari, a Victory Poker pro, banked eight hundred seventy thousand dollars for his efforts. The tournament can be seen as part of Season Nine of the WPT on Fox Sports Net next year.

Esfandiari edged out fellow Victory Poker pro Andrew Robl heads-up when “The Magician’s” King Jack held against Robl’s Queen Ten on the final hand. Here’s how the final group of six cashed out in the ten thousand dollar buy-in tournament:

1. Antonio Esfandiari – $870,124
2. Andrew “good2cu” Robl – $549,003
3. Vanessa Rousso – $358,964
4. John Racener – $232,271
5. Kirk Morrison – $168,924
6. Ted Lawson – $126,693

Earlier this week, PokerStars took the unexpected step of signing Isildur1. The Swede gained fame by multi-tabling against the world’s best players including Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Tom Dwan. The signing is atypical for PokerStars, which usually aims to ink established pros who have had a ton of television face time. This time around, they’ve gone with a player without an identity who has yet to play on TV.

As part of his sponsorship deal, Isildur1 will be taking part in high-stakes heads-up SuperStar Showdown matches exclusively played at PokerStars. These matches are feature a format of twenty five hundred hands at stakes no lower than fifty, one hundred. The official word from PokerStars is that these SuperStar Showdown matches will be played either as No Limit Hold’em or Pot Limit Omaha.

Poker News Daily polled the online poker industry to see what reaction several pros had to Isildur1’s signing. CardRunners founder Taylor Caby had this to say:

“I’m definitely excited to see Isildur1 back in the spotlight. As a poker fan, I’ve enjoyed watching him play and I’ll be on the rail when he starts playing again.”

Jay Rosenkrantz, founder of DeucesCracked said:

“Seems like a good move for PokerStars, creating a bit of a distraction too amidst all these legislative happenings. Watching Isildur1 play nosebleeds was better entertainment than anything on television and if they can create that kind of spectacle again, I’m sure it will be a good thing for their business and for poker.”

Unleashed Poker is handing out presents to all of its players this holiday season. Players on the site will have the opportunity to earn numerous prizes as part of Unleashed Poker’s Christmas Giveaways. From now until December Twenty-First, players can pick up exclusive Unleashed Poker swag along with high-end electronics. For those partial to Apple products, iPod Shuffles, iPod Touches, and iPads will be given away.

Players on the virtual felts at Unleashed Poker will earn Frequent Player Points, which can be used for the Christmas Giveaway prizes. Unleashed Poker will give out one FPP for each dollar raked at the tables and every prize has an associated FPP level. Unleashed Poker makes its home on the USA-friendly Cake Poker Network.

Actress Cheryl Hines of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and former World Series of Poker Main Event champ Joe Cada will host the third annual All In For Cerebral Palsy celebrity charity poker tournament at the Venetian’s poker room on Saturday. Proceeds from the event will benefit the One Step Closer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose main goal is to ease the lives of those who suffer from cerebral palsy through financial freedom and social acceptance.

The No Limit Hold’em charity tournament will have a five hundred forty dollar buy-in with unlimited two hundred dollar rebuys for ninety minutes. Half of the prize pool will go for the tournament’s payouts, with the other half going to the foundation. There will also be sports and Hollywood memorabilia available through auctions and an after-party with free drinks courtesy of the One Step Closer Foundation. Players can register at the Venetian Poker Room cage until the end of the rebuy period.

Finally, Full Tilt Poker released a software update on Monday that addressed many of its customers’ requests. Among the new features to the software were an “Auto Add-On” button for rebuys and a “Quick Fold to Any Bet” option for Rush Poker players.

The “Auto Add-On” button was probably the most asked-for feature that Full Tilt’s software was missing up until this latest upgrade. After PokerStars inserted a clickable “Auto Add-On” box for its rebuy tournaments in June of last year, Full Tilt players requested the same. It took well over a year, but the site came through for its multi-tablers who were frustrated about forgetting to add on after the rebuy hour. Full Tilt happily accepts players from the United States.

Well, that does it for a very busy and exciting week in the world of poker. Be sure to stay tuned in to Poker News Daily for the absolute latest in poker news and be sure to follow us at twitter dot com slash poker news daily. I’m Sean Gibson, thanking you for watching and wishing you a sick run this weekend at the tables!

Online Poker May Not Be Included in Tax Relief Bill

According to a Politico article released on Thursday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) still plans to pursue legislation legalizing and regulating online poker, but likely won’t do so as part of the tax relief bill.

The Politico piece noted that language legalizing online poker was absent from a version of the tax bill released on Thursday. The news outlet explained, “Reid could still insert the poker legalization into the tax cut bill if additional modifications are made before a final vote is cast sometime next week. Or he could slip the plan into a mammoth $1 trillion omnibus spending bill that has yet to be unveiled, but is necessary to keep the government funded through September. Any option is certain to generate backlash from the GOP.”

The Las Vegas Sun reported earlier this week that Reid’s online poker bill was all but dead, but quickly retracted the story after the Senate Majority Leader’s comments were taken out of context. However, it appears that the legislation is still alive, at least until next week’s scheduled end to the lame duck session. Reid issued a press statement on Thursday that read in part, “The legislation I am working on would get our collective heads out of the sand and create a strict regulatory environment to protect U.S. consumers, prevent underage gambling, and respect the decisions of states that don’t allow gambling.”

Also commenting on the bill on Thursday was the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), which addressed the 15-month blackout period in an e-mail sent to members: “Frankly, the proposed blackout period is absurd and the PPA opposes it. And we have fought – and continue to fight – tooth and nail against it. But it is a reality. There will likely be a blackout period of some length included in any legislation that is passed.” During the period, no online poker sites would be able to service the U.S. market legally.

The PPA reminded readers that a period of 15 months without legalized online poker may be more beneficial than continued industry decline: “We believe that the trade off for getting regulated, permanent U.S. online poker market is worth a temporary blackout of some sort. It’s not what we want, either, and it’s not what we pushed for in Congress, and we don’t even like it. But when viewing this from the perspective of maintaining a sustainable internet poker market, the 15-month period is short-term pain for a long-term gain.”

After the 15-month blackout period, existing casino companies in the United States would be able to procure licenses. Then, after two more years, other companies would be able to service the market. Posters on PocketFives.com, however, questioned what the lay of the land will be during the 15-month period: “There would just be too much money to be made serving the U.S. market if the likes of PokerStars and Full Tilt pull out for 15 months. Some of these current second and third tier sites could make a vast fortune in 15 months.”

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest from Capitol Hill.

PokerNews Op-Ed: Online Poker - Legalize It

Our own Rich Ryan takes a moment to share his opinion regarding Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's proposed poker legislation.

Harry Reid Online Poker Bill: An Ugly Necessity

“No man can have society upon his own terms.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

This week, the most commonly used phrase in online poker discussions is not “pot odds,” “fold equity,” or “continuation bet,” but rather something not poker-related at all: “lame duck.”  If you have been reading Poker News Daily recently, then you know what the term is all about.  The period between the November Congressional elections in the United States and the inauguration of the newly elected officials next year is the “lame duck” period, during which many Congressmen are in their final days in office.

For internet poker players, special attention is being paid to this year’s lame duck session, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is trying to get a bill passed before Congress goes on recess that would legalize and regulate online poker.

There is much hand wringing about the “Reid Bill.”  Naturally, many poker players want it to pass; they want the online game to come out of the shadows, out of its gray area, and take its rightful place as a “legitimate” pastime in the eyes of the law.  Others hate the bill and prefer the current environment to the restrictions that would be in place under a regulated regime.

The bottom line is that the status quo is crumbling.  Believe it or not, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is working.  No, it hasn’t chopped off the head of the online poker industry, but it is bleeding it to death.  The most important thing to the online poker rooms is liquidity; players need to be able to easily transfer funds to and from the sites.

As that process has gotten more and more difficult and expensive, the casual players have been giving up and moving on to other hobbies.  The decreased numbers of casual players not only makes for fewer available games, but also tougher ones, as there is a larger percentage of pros and other strong players at the tables.  The games are scarcer and more difficult for the remaining players.

The status quo is not good right now and it’s only going to get worse.  Thus, warts and all, we need Reid’s bill to pass.

Yeah, there are some pretty rotten aspects of the bill.  U.S. players will be locked out of online poker completely for 15 months once it passes.  Players from other countries won’t be allowed to play on U.S. sites for three years, if ever.  And it won’t be forced upon individual states, as there will be an opt-in or opt-out provision.  I think the first two, in particular, are asinine.  The lockout is only there to appease the bill’s opponents and I can’t see any good reason to only allow U.S. residents to play on the sites.

Like it or not, that’s what the bill looks like.  The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) might be able to help improve things a bit, but the bill still won’t look good in the end.  In the short-term, the internet poker landscape in America will be ugly.  We may still be able to play on a few sites that decide to not to follow the laws of the U.S., and those sites might actually grow a bit and provide decent player traffic, but if you think money processing is iffy now, then good luck with all of that.

But when the sites do finally open, I predict things will be better than they are now.  At first, the player bases of the poker rooms will probably pale in comparison to PokerStars and Full Tilt because of the lack of worldwide players, but things will pick up.  When casual poker players across the country realize that everything is legal and regulated, a large percentage of former online players will come back, and those who never played online will give it a try because it is now “okay” to do so.

Sites will almost certainly accept credit cards, so depositing money will be as easy as buying a book on Amazon.  Again, that means more casual players.  Plus, since sites won’t have to find all sorts of sketchy payment processors who are willing to risk prosecution, the cost of processing will go down.

This, combined with the stiff competition as the sites try to establish market presence, may very well mean lower rake and will almost certainly mean juicy promotions.  The tables will fill up, maybe not immediately, but more quickly than many people think.  In my opinion, non-USA players will eventually be allowed onboard and, at that point, online poker will truly thrive.

With regulation, players will be better protected than they are now.  Currently, if a player or a poker room cheats us, we have little to no recourse.  With regulation, there will be laws in place to punish the bad guys, along with the means to do so.  We won’t have to worry about whether or not our cashouts will find their way to our bank accounts.

I am as perturbed as anyone that anti-gaming lawmakers want to legislate their own morality.  It angers me that in order to get our game legalized and regulated, we have to put up with nonsensical rules such as the blackout and country restrictions.  But it is better to put up with it all than to lose everything.  The medicine may taste bad, but it will keep us healthy in the long-run.

Vote on New Jersey Internet Gambling Bill Coming Next Week

The internet gambling industry will start next week off on the right foot if all goes as planned. On Thursday, the New Jersey Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee sent a bill legalizing internet versions of brick-and-mortar games to the full Assembly. On Monday, the legislative body will likely vote on the measure, which is sponsored by State Senator Raymond Lesniak.

Hard at work in the East Coast state pushing Lesniak’s legislation along is the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA), whose Chairman, Joe Brennan, told Poker News Daily just moments after the committee vote that other states could potentially follow New Jersey’s lead. “That’s been our intention from the beginning,” Brennan revealed. “We focused on New Jersey because of the interest of the legislature. We did not cold call New Jersey, either; we were invited to work with them on this.”

As to whether the expansion of internet gambling in New Jersey could violate Federal law in any way, an article that appeared on NorthJersey.com quoted Lesniak as saying that “by allowing online gaming only for New Jersey residents within New Jersey state lines, the state would not run afoul of federal restrictions on such gambling. He also said that an economic analysis showed that internet gambling would produce $210 million to $250 million in annual gross revenues.”

Lesniak’s bill would create the first intrastate internet gambling model in the United States, which could then be mirrored around the North American country. With legislation on a Federal level introduced by Barney Frank (D-MA) and Harry Reid (D-NV) still in limbo and the movement potentially stunted in 2011 with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, state-by-state legalization of internet gambling may be in the cards.

Brennan told PocketFives.com that he expects Lesniak’s internet gambling measure to pass with flying colors next week: “We expect it to pass. We expect it to have pretty strong support, if not overwhelming support.” The NorthJersey.com article added that up to $30 million in annual tax revenue could be generated by legalizing web versions of land-based games. These funds would be used in part to fuel horse racing purses in the northern part of the state.

It was not clear whether debate on Lesniak’s bill would take place on Monday prior to a vote. If approved, according to Brennan, the legislation could also serve as a way to grow the technological sector of New Jersey’s economy: “This is a good way to segue into the investments that South Jersey needs to make to enjoy some of the high-tech industries that the rest of the state is home to.”

New Jersey features horse racing tracks spread across the northern part of the state and Atlantic City casinos entrenched in the south. Expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and other neighboring states has been slowly eating into revenues, leading to Lesniak’s bill.

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest developments from the Garden State.

Russian Series Crowns Grand Final Champ

For legal reasons, the tour saw stops in the Ukraine, Latvia and Egypt rather than Russian this season, wrapping up with its Grand Final in Kiev this week.

The $2750+$250 event drew 295 players creating a $786,912 prize pool that paid 36 spots.

In the end, Russian Dmitriy Gromov outlasted the field to book the RPS Grand Final title and $201,362 first-place prize.

Alexey Zharko won Player of the Series honors while Konstantin Puchkov was named Player of the Year.

There is currently no word on plans for a third PokerStars RPS season.

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