Poker News

Poker Tournament Scene in 1980 by Linda Johnson

I hope you all are enjoying the new year! 2009 ended incredibly well for me at a party at the Spinetti house in Las Vegas. In addition to some top-notch entertainment, hanging out with great friends, and enjoying some delicious food, there was a poker tournament. I managed to hang in long enough to be part of a final table chop and still make it to the rooftop in time to watch the fireworks launched from many of the Strip hotels at the stroke of Midnight.

A post-Midnight conversation among some of the party attendees who are poker dinosaurs like I am had us reminiscing about the differences in poker tournaments from 1980 to 2010. I’m sure some of today’s young players would scoff at the conditions 30 years ago. First of all, we didn’t have all of the conveniences of modern technology such as a tournament clock. Instead of being able to look on a screen and see how much time was left in the round, time was kept on a small timer worn on the tournament director’s lapel. If you wanted to know when the limit was going to go up, you had to hunt down the tournament director and glance at his kitchen timer.

Another big difference in tournaments over the past 30 years is the specific poker game of choice. Many of the tournaments in 1980 were Seven Card Stud or Draw Poker events. Hold’em became popular in the early 1980s and quickly became the favorite tournament game, but of course I’m talking about Limit Hold’em. Other than at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), one could not find a No Limit Hold’em tournament. Around the mid-1980s, Omaha/8 was introduced to Las Vegas and became a popular form of tournament poker, but when I first started playing, Omaha was only known as a city in Nebraska.

In 1980, there weren’t nearly as many tournaments to choose from as there are today. Card rooms in Las Vegas usually spread one or two tournaments a week and the buy-ins were low - $22, $33, $44, or occasionally $55. There was only one $10,000 buy-in a year and it was the Main Event of the WSOP. There was no World Poker Tour (WPT). There were no such things as what I call “tournament mills” – card rooms that offer four or more tournaments in a day.

Today’s youngsters would laugh to learn how few chips we used to get in tournaments. There was no such thing as “deep-stack” events; if you paid $400 to enter a WSOP event, for example, you would start with $400 in tournament chips.

Tournament conditions have changed quite a bit in the past 30 years. If you couldn’t tolerate smoke, you couldn’t play, since every card room allowed smoking. I can remember how brutal it was to be stuck between two smokers for hours at a time. The atmosphere wasn’t nearly as pleasant 30 years ago as it is today. There was no penalty system for abuse, so you had to have thick skin to play. Some players didn’t respect dealers and they had to get used to bobbing and weaving as cards were thrown at them.

All of this contributed to having very few women play in the old days. Today, of course, almost every card room in the world is non-smoking, abuse has been greatly curtailed, and there are lots of women who enjoy a very non-threatening poker environment.

There was no such thing as the Tournament Director’s Association (TDA) in 1980. Tournament rules were far from standard, so every time you went to a different locale, you had to ask how many raises were permitted, whether they used a forward-moving or a dead button, etc. Players were allowed to expose cards to get a read on their opponents. They could even discuss the contents of their hands. You didn’t have to table your cards when you were all-in with no more action possible. Today’s players take for granted that TDA rules apply in almost every tournament venue in the country.

One of the rules that I was instrumental in changing through the power of the pen as publisher of CardPlayer was in regards to the chip race. In the 1980s, when it was time to color up, players received one card for each odd chip, just like they do today. However, instead of coloring up the odd chips into higher denomination chips and then giving a maximum of one chip per player, the player who ended up with the highest card at the table received all of the new higher value chips.

Getting the high card could affect the outcome of the event since it was such a huge win. For example, if they were coloring up 23 $100 chips, one player would get $2,500, which often was more than the starting chip stack. In today’s events, five players would each get one $500 chip instead of one player getting all five $500 chips.

In 1980, we played poker. There was no tweeting at the table, no iPods, and no cell phones. Sometimes I miss the good old days. Happy 2010!

Mike Sexton Tall Tales by Linda Johnson

I’ve had lots of highlights in my poker career, but attending the dinner and ceremony during which Mike Sexton was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is certainly among the highest. By now, I’m sure you know that Sexton was the only one who got inducted this year. If I were a betting woman, I’d bet that he got the nod from 100% of the voting media and living Hall of Fame members.

I was thrilled for Mike and honored when he called to let me know that he was the 2009 Poker Hall of Fame inductee. The night before the induction, I went to a private party at Mike’s house. Tales from Mike’s earlier days were being tossed about and this one was my favorite. When Mike was fairly new to Las Vegas, his longtime relationship with Chip Reese and Danny Robinson led to him hang out with many of the high-limit players at that time.

He met Puggy Pearson through Chip and Danny. Puggy was a “hustler” and eventually Mike and he made arrangements to play backgammon at a local bar for some fairly high stakes. By the time they actually played, Mike was, as he said, “between bankrolls.” He was a bit concerned that there might be some trouble if he lost because he couldn’t pay Puggy that night, so he asked his brother Tom to go with him in case things got out of hand. Puggy won the first few matches and had Mike stuck about $1,000. Puggy then said, “Son, I think we should settle up every time the figure gets to be $1,000, so pay me now and then we can continue to play.” Uh-oh… bad beat for Mike!

He looked at Puggy and said, “Well, I hate to say this, but I didn’t bring any money with me tonight. You know I’m good for it though.” Puggy then glared at Mike for about two minutes before breaking out into laughter. “What’s so funny?” asked Mike. Puggy replied, “Well son, I didn’t know what to do if I lost. I didn’t bring any money either.”

We swapped Sexton stories. I recalled the most exciting bet I’d ever been involved in: In 1998, Sexton, Bonnie Damiano, Jan Fisher, and I made a $5,000 bet with Erik Seidel that we could pick the winner of the WSOP Main Event if we got to choose 60 players. Erik would get the field versus our 60 players. Additionally, he was allowed to select 10 players that would be considered neutral, so if any of those people won, the bet would be a push.

This was a huge bet for us at the time, so Bonnie, Mike, Jan, and I met every day during the WSOP to modify our list. We would add players based on who was playing well and delete names of those who were having personal problems, money problems, doing drugs, etc. The final list that we turned in to Erik on the morning before the Main Event started looked nothing like the list we had originally concocted. To our dismay, there was a large number of entrants that year, 350 to be exact, which meant that after ruling out ten neutral players, we had 60 players against Erik’s 280.

Our dismay turned to joy as the field narrowed. We were already counting our winnings because there was one spoiler for us, Kevin McBride, who no one had even heard of before the final event. T.J. Cloutier was at the final table, but was a neutral player, so if he won, the bet would be a push. We had Scotty Nguyen, Lee Salem, and Dewey Weum on our list. I give Mike extreme credit for such great handicapping since back in those days, no one would have picked those three guys. When we heard Scotty’s words, “Call this baby and it’s all over,” it was music to our ears!

The Rio hosted a first-class affair for Mike’s induction. The decorations and the food in the Brasilia Room were impressive. Mike’s wife, Karen, and his 16-month old, Ty, were there as well as a veritable "who’s who" of poker.

In Mike’s acceptance speech, he credited the eight other nominees and then thanked some people who had helped him along in his career. Mike acknowledged that I was the one who gave him his start when I hired him to write a column for CardPlayer. That gave him exposure to the world, which ended up in him getting a call from Ruth Parisol to come help to India to help get an online site off the ground. That company turned out to be Party Gaming, which eventually sold for about $9 billion when it went public.

What Mike didn’t mention on his special night was that in the beginning, PartyPoker wasn’t all roses. Mike had encouraged PartyPoker to hire me as one of its spokespeople to add credibility to the site. Party definitely needed that credibility since there were problems with the software in the early stages. Mike and I went on public forums to soothe the naysayers and encouraged everyone to trust the site and give it time to fix the glitches. The players hung in there and the software became the best at that time.

Next, Mike came up with the idea for the PartyPoker Million. He had a vision that called for players to qualify online in $22 buy-in tournaments and then those players would win a cabin on a cruise ship and a shot at a $1 million prize pool. The only problem was that he needed someone to guarantee the $1 million. Card Player Cruises stepped up to the plate and made the guarantee. My word that the money would be paid was good enough to get lots of players to qualify. Unfortunately, not enough players qualified, so Card Player Cruises had to make up the $400,000 deficit. The Party Poker Million cruise launched with Kathy Liebert winning the first event.

Mike told some great stories at his induction and as usual, the audience was mesmerized.  I’ve known Mike for 20 years and cherish our friendship. Way to go, Mike!

Poker2Nite Welcomes Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton

The UB.net sponsored poker news program “Poker2Nite,” which makes its home on Fox Sports Net, welcomed Mike Sexton this week. The World Poker Tour (WPT) host is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame after being inducted one month ago.

“Poker2Nite” began with Absolute Poker pro Lacey Jones interviewing players at the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas. Among those to appear on-camera was dual World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Jeff Madsen, who told Jones, “What it comes down to is the skill level of the players, the structure is good, and the Bellagio atmosphere is good to players in general.” Jones also spoke with Robert Mizrachi and 2009 WSOP November Nine member Kevin Schaffel. The $15,000 buy-in tournament crowns a champion on Saturday.

Next up was UB.net pro Phil Hellmuth presenting Phil’s Best Blow-Ups. There are a multitude of meltdowns to choose from, but Hellmuth recapped his explosion against Cristian Dragomir during the 2008 WSOP Main Event. Dragomir called Hellmuth’s raise pre-flop with 10-4, only to flop top pair. Hellmuth explained, “Of course, this joker gets rewarded for his donkey play and that just did not sit well with me.” His tirade against Dragomir featured lines such as “He’s the worst player in history and they’re cheering” and “To you, it’s poker. To me, this is my life.”

After recapping Sexton’s Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which took place during the dinner break of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, the bracelet winner joined the “Poker2Nite” crew. On being elected to the Poker Hall of Fame, Sexton told “Poker2Nite” hosts Joe Sebok and Scott Huff, “To me, it’s the ultimate career achievement award. To reach this level, it’s a pretty big honor.” Sexton was the only member of the Class of 2009 and, in order to be elected, had to receive 75% of the vote of a panel of media members and current Hall of Famers.

So-called “Sextonisms” have become a staple of modern poker lingo, but the WPT host noted that one of his favorites is, “You can only slide so far on barbed wire.” This author would have preferred “Bingo, bango, bongo,” but laughed nonetheless. Sexton also discussed PokerGives.org, which he founded along with Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Lisa Tenner. Sexton commented, “It’ll be a way the poker world can give back to worthwhile charities.”

A new segment called Coin Flipping aired, pitting Sebok and Huff against each other to see what option had a slight mathematical edge. First up was who was the better No Limit Hold’em cash game player, Phil Ivey or Patrik Antonius. Sebok remarked, “I’m going with Phil because he looks scarier.” Also discussed was whether winning the $50,000 HORSE Championship or WSOP Main Event was more prestigious, as was whether Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin or Cornel Andrew Cimpan should be the Player of the Year. On the latter, Sebok gave his two cents: “I don’t think this one is really that close” and chose Baldwin, who effectively has already taken down the CardPlayer Player of the Year title for 2009.

Dana Workman dished out the Bluff Magazine sponsored Weekly Misdeal segment, poking fun at WSOP Main Event runner-up Darvin Moon’s conspiracy theory about ESPN crews sharing information, champion Joe Cada taking to Capitol Hill in support of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), Montel Williams facing a lawsuit from the International Team Poker League, and Marcel Luske’s new album.

“Poker2Nite” airs on Wednesdays at 11:00pm in each market on Fox Sports Net. However, the show is often pre-empted for local sporting events, so viewers are advised to check their local listings for airtime and channel information.

Poker Pros Rally Behind Former WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack

Late last week, World Series of Poker (WSOP) Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack stepped down from his post and removed himself from Harrah’s entirely. The move caught much of the poker world off-guard and Poker News Daily solicited the reaction from a few of the game’s top names.

“Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up and marquee female pro Annie Duke told Poker News Daily that Pollack’s ascension to the role of WSOP Commissioner in 2006 marked a player-friendly movement for the tournament series. She explained, “The first thing he did was meet with top players and I was fortunate enough to be among them. He really listened to us. There was only so much he could do because in the end he didn’t own it, but he was committed to working with the players and making sure they had a strong voice.” Pollack formed the Players Advisory Council, of which Duke was a member.

On the future of the tournament series without Pollack’s involvement, Duke admitted, “I know that Jeffrey stood as a partner with the players and fought with management over some of the issues. I feel like he was the players’ protector and it does concern me that he’s gone. I hope people at the WSOP take a lesson from what he did and partner with the players because that’s how you grow the brand.” Two years prior to Pollack’s Commissioner nod, Duke won the WSOP Tournament of Champions event for $2 million.

Among those lamenting Pollack’s departure was PokerRoad’s Joe Sebok, who made a deep run in the 2009 WSOP Main Event and finished in 56th place. Sebok told Poker News Daily, “I think it’s a bummer. The biggest thing is that the players are losing out. Jeffrey did a good job and people don’t understand how much he fought for different things. He really was an advocate for us, so it’s a sad day. He was a great Commissioner and I think he did a great job of fighting for the WSOP and fighting for the players.” PokerRoad will take to the television airwaves this Wednesday with the debut of “Poker 2Nite,” a poker news show that airs on Fox Sports Net.

Two Poker News Daily Guest Columnists also weighed in on Pollack’s resignation from the WSOP and Harrah’s. Linda Johnson, co-owner of Card Player Cruises, explained, “This is not necessarily the best thing for poker players. He was a great communicator. If you sent him an e-mail, he responded immediately and he listened to us.” ESPN “Inside Deal” host and noted poker author Bernard Lee added, “I’m surprised. I think he did a great job of bringing the WSOP to another level with not only the commercial success, but also the growth in the number entrants. I thought he was doing a great job.”

Last night, the CBS reality series “Amazing Race” aired, one of the first episodes since the elimination of poker pros Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho, who were sent packing in the Netherlands. Michelle gave her take on Pollack’s exit from the WSOP: “I’m very sad to see Jeffrey Pollack resigning. He has been so instrumental in the excellent changes and adaptations we’ve seen over the last four years. Jeffrey was professional, yet personal, which is why I think he held the respect of the entire poker community.” Michelle was the last woman standing in the 2008 WSOP Main Event, while Ho held that honor one year earlier. In 2009, the designation went to Leo Margets, who finished in 27th place.

According to WSOP officials, there are no immediate plans to fill the Commissioner’s role, leading many to wonder who will become the next face of the annual festivities in Las Vegas. Pollack was slated to become the President of Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment, the casino giant’s Canadian-based online arm. Former Party Gaming CEO Mitch Garber remains the head of the new outfit.

Mike Sexton Relives Poker Hall of Fame Induction

It was a great honor for me to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.  It really is the ultimate career achievement award.  To know that you’ll always be linked to the legends of poker – guys like Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Binion – is an awesome feeling.

Several things made my induction into the Poker Hall of Fame extra special.  The first is that this year, for the first time, a process was used to determine who would get in.  This included being nominated by the fans and then being voted in by the media and living members of the Poker Hall of Fame.  It also makes me the answer to the trivia question, “Who is the first player to ever get inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame through a voting process?”  The most meaningful part to me was to be welcomed into this exclusive club by the Hall of Famers themselves.

Another thing that made my induction so special were the 2009 nominees I was up against, literally a “who’s who” of the poker world.  Their poker accomplishments are amazing.  The other nominees were Barry Greenstein, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrinton, Scotty Nguyen, and Men “The Master” Nguyen.  I truly believe that most, if not all, of these guys will be joining me in the Poker Hall of Fame one day – and deservedly so.

The induction dinner was held at the Rio during the dinner break of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on November 7th.  It was a first-class, two-hour affair that was put on by Harrah’s and the WSOP and was sponsored by JAQK Cellars.  A special thanks to all of those people.  For all of us that attended, it was an evening to remember.  I believe the process of getting elected and the Poker Hall of Fame dinner add a lot of prestige.  I hope the induction dinner becomes an annual event.

I provided a slide show during dinner that featured my family (especially my one year-old son, Ty), numerous Hall of Fame poker players, and me.  The World Poker Tour (WPT) was kind enough to provide some entertaining footage of Vince Van Patten and me as well as some clips of Doyle Brunson and the 2009 nominees when they won on the WPT.  My brother Tom had some collages of me as well as some terrific pictures that were put on display.  All of these things added a great deal to the event.

The speakers must have thought this was a Mike Sexton roast, but I must admit that they were quite entertaining.  They included Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, T.J. Cloutier, and Tom McEvoy.  Jeffrey Pollack then gave a very warm welcome speech and my brother Tom was the person I chose to introduce me. He was terrific, as I knew he would be.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

No one gets to the top of any profession without drive, dedication, being in the right place at the right time, help from some key people, and the love of family.  All of those things certainly apply to me.  I spoke, wove my way through my career, and thanked those who were extremely helpful to me along the way.  They included Linda Johnson (who hired me to write for Card Player), Doyle Brunson (who hosted my Tournament of Champions and has been a longtime friend), Ruth Parasol (who hired me for PartyPoker), and Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT).

I was recently asked by a reporter, “What’s the neatest thing about being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?”  I said, “The neatest thing about getting inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is when I think about my son and when he gets to Junior High and High School.  The other kids will say, “Wow!  Ty’s old man is in the Poker Hall of Fame.’  That’s really cool!”  And it is.

Being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is an honor I’ll cherish forever.

Mike Sexton Relives Poker Hall of Fame Induction

It was a great honor for me to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.  It really is the ultimate career achievement award.  To know that you’ll always be linked to the legends of poker – guys like Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Binion – is an awesome feeling.

Several things made my induction into the Poker Hall of Fame extra special.  The first is that this year, for the first time, a process was used to determine who would get in.  This included being nominated by the fans and then being voted in by the media and living members of the Poker Hall of Fame.  It also makes me the answer to the trivia question, “Who is the first player to ever get inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame through a voting process?”  The most meaningful part to me was to be welcomed into this exclusive club by the Hall of Famers themselves.

Another thing that made my induction so special were the 2009 nominees I was up against, literally a “who’s who” of the poker world.  Their poker accomplishments are amazing.  The other nominees were Barry Greenstein, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrinton, Scotty Nguyen, and Men “The Master” Nguyen.  I truly believe that most, if not all, of these guys will be joining me in the Poker Hall of Fame one day – and deservedly so.

The induction dinner was held at the Rio during the dinner break of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on November 7th.  It was a first-class, two-hour affair that was put on by Harrah’s and the WSOP and was sponsored by JAQK Cellars.  A special thanks to all of those people.  For all of us that attended, it was an evening to remember.  I believe the process of getting elected and the Poker Hall of Fame dinner add a lot of prestige.  I hope the induction dinner becomes an annual event.

I provided a slide show during dinner that featured my family (especially my one year-old son, Ty), numerous Hall of Fame poker players, and me.  The World Poker Tour (WPT) was kind enough to provide some entertaining footage of Vince Van Patten and me as well as some clips of Doyle Brunson and the 2009 nominees when they won on the WPT.  My brother Tom had some collages of me as well as some terrific pictures that were put on display.  All of these things added a great deal to the event.

The speakers must have thought this was a Mike Sexton roast, but I must admit that they were quite entertaining.  They included Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, T.J. Cloutier, and Tom McEvoy.  Jeffrey Pollack then gave a very warm welcome speech and my brother Tom was the person I chose to introduce me. He was terrific, as I knew he would be.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

No one gets to the top of any profession without drive, dedication, being in the right place at the right time, help from some key people, and the love of family.  All of those things certainly apply to me.  I spoke, wove my way through my career, and thanked those who were extremely helpful to me along the way.  They included Linda Johnson (who hired me to write for Card Player), Doyle Brunson (who hosted my Tournament of Champions and has been a longtime friend), Ruth Parasol (who hired me for PartyPoker), and Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT).

I was recently asked by a reporter, “What’s the neatest thing about being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?”  I said, “The neatest thing about getting inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is when I think about my son and when he gets to Junior High and High School.  The other kids will say, “Wow!  Ty’s old man is in the Poker Hall of Fame.’  That’s really cool!”  And it is.

Being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is an honor I’ll cherish forever.

Mike Sexton Relives Poker Hall of Fame Induction

It was a great honor for me to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.  It really is the ultimate career achievement award.  To know that you’ll always be linked to the legends of poker – guys like Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Binion – is an awesome feeling.

Several things made my induction into the Poker Hall of Fame extra special.  The first is that this year, for the first time, a process was used to determine who would get in.  This included being nominated by the fans and then being voted in by the media and living members of the Poker Hall of Fame.  It also makes me the answer to the trivia question, “Who is the first player to ever get inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame through a voting process?”  The most meaningful part to me was to be welcomed into this exclusive club by the Hall of Famers themselves.

Another thing that made my induction so special were the 2009 nominees I was up against, literally a “who’s who” of the poker world.  Their poker accomplishments are amazing.  The other nominees were Barry Greenstein, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrinton, Scotty Nguyen, and Men “The Master” Nguyen.  I truly believe that most, if not all, of these guys will be joining me in the Poker Hall of Fame one day – and deservedly so.

The induction dinner was held at the Rio during the dinner break of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on November 7th.  It was a first-class, two-hour affair that was put on by Harrah’s and the WSOP and was sponsored by JAQK Cellars.  A special thanks to all of those people.  For all of us that attended, it was an evening to remember.  I believe the process of getting elected and the Poker Hall of Fame dinner add a lot of prestige.  I hope the induction dinner becomes an annual event.

I provided a slide show during dinner that featured my family (especially my one year-old son, Ty), numerous Hall of Fame poker players, and me.  The World Poker Tour (WPT) was kind enough to provide some entertaining footage of Vince Van Patten and me as well as some clips of Doyle Brunson and the 2009 nominees when they won on the WPT.  My brother Tom had some collages of me as well as some terrific pictures that were put on display.  All of these things added a great deal to the event.

The speakers must have thought this was a Mike Sexton roast, but I must admit that they were quite entertaining.  They included Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, T.J. Cloutier, and Tom McEvoy.  Jeffrey Pollack then gave a very warm welcome speech and my brother Tom was the person I chose to introduce me. He was terrific, as I knew he would be.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

No one gets to the top of any profession without drive, dedication, being in the right place at the right time, help from some key people, and the love of family.  All of those things certainly apply to me.  I spoke, wove my way through my career, and thanked those who were extremely helpful to me along the way.  They included Linda Johnson (who hired me to write for Card Player), Doyle Brunson (who hosted my Tournament of Champions and has been a longtime friend), Ruth Parasol (who hired me for PartyPoker), and Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT).

I was recently asked by a reporter, “What’s the neatest thing about being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?”  I said, “The neatest thing about getting inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is when I think about my son and when he gets to Junior High and High School.  The other kids will say, “Wow!  Ty’s old man is in the Poker Hall of Fame.’  That’s really cool!”  And it is.

Being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is an honor I’ll cherish forever.

Mike Sexton Relives Poker Hall of Fame Induction

It was a great honor for me to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.  It really is the ultimate career achievement award.  To know that you’ll always be linked to the legends of poker – guys like Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Binion – is an awesome feeling.

Several things made my induction into the Poker Hall of Fame extra special.  The first is that this year, for the first time, a process was used to determine who would get in.  This included being nominated by the fans and then being voted in by the media and living members of the Poker Hall of Fame.  It also makes me the answer to the trivia question, “Who is the first player to ever get inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame through a voting process?”  The most meaningful part to me was to be welcomed into this exclusive club by the Hall of Famers themselves.

Another thing that made my induction so special were the 2009 nominees I was up against, literally a “who’s who” of the poker world.  Their poker accomplishments are amazing.  The other nominees were Barry Greenstein, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrinton, Scotty Nguyen, and Men “The Master” Nguyen.  I truly believe that most, if not all, of these guys will be joining me in the Poker Hall of Fame one day – and deservedly so.

The induction dinner was held at the Rio during the dinner break of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on November 7th.  It was a first-class, two-hour affair that was put on by Harrah’s and the WSOP and was sponsored by JAQK Cellars.  A special thanks to all of those people.  For all of us that attended, it was an evening to remember.  I believe the process of getting elected and the Poker Hall of Fame dinner add a lot of prestige.  I hope the induction dinner becomes an annual event.

I provided a slide show during dinner that featured my family (especially my one year-old son, Ty), numerous Hall of Fame poker players, and me.  The World Poker Tour (WPT) was kind enough to provide some entertaining footage of Vince Van Patten and me as well as some clips of Doyle Brunson and the 2009 nominees when they won on the WPT.  My brother Tom had some collages of me as well as some terrific pictures that were put on display.  All of these things added a great deal to the event.

The speakers must have thought this was a Mike Sexton roast, but I must admit that they were quite entertaining.  They included Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, T.J. Cloutier, and Tom McEvoy.  Jeffrey Pollack then gave a very warm welcome speech and my brother Tom was the person I chose to introduce me. He was terrific, as I knew he would be.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

No one gets to the top of any profession without drive, dedication, being in the right place at the right time, help from some key people, and the love of family.  All of those things certainly apply to me.  I spoke, wove my way through my career, and thanked those who were extremely helpful to me along the way.  They included Linda Johnson (who hired me to write for Card Player), Doyle Brunson (who hosted my Tournament of Champions and has been a longtime friend), Ruth Parasol (who hired me for PartyPoker), and Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT).

I was recently asked by a reporter, “What’s the neatest thing about being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?”  I said, “The neatest thing about getting inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is when I think about my son and when he gets to Junior High and High School.  The other kids will say, “Wow!  Ty’s old man is in the Poker Hall of Fame.’  That’s really cool!”  And it is.

Being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is an honor I’ll cherish forever.

Mike Sexton Relives Poker Hall of Fame Induction

It was a great honor for me to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.  It really is the ultimate career achievement award.  To know that you’ll always be linked to the legends of poker – guys like Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Binion – is an awesome feeling.

Several things made my induction into the Poker Hall of Fame extra special.  The first is that this year, for the first time, a process was used to determine who would get in.  This included being nominated by the fans and then being voted in by the media and living members of the Poker Hall of Fame.  It also makes me the answer to the trivia question, “Who is the first player to ever get inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame through a voting process?”  The most meaningful part to me was to be welcomed into this exclusive club by the Hall of Famers themselves.

Another thing that made my induction so special were the 2009 nominees I was up against, literally a “who’s who” of the poker world.  Their poker accomplishments are amazing.  The other nominees were Barry Greenstein, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrinton, Scotty Nguyen, and Men “The Master” Nguyen.  I truly believe that most, if not all, of these guys will be joining me in the Poker Hall of Fame one day – and deservedly so.

The induction dinner was held at the Rio during the dinner break of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table on November 7th.  It was a first-class, two-hour affair that was put on by Harrah’s and the WSOP and was sponsored by JAQK Cellars.  A special thanks to all of those people.  For all of us that attended, it was an evening to remember.  I believe the process of getting elected and the Poker Hall of Fame dinner add a lot of prestige.  I hope the induction dinner becomes an annual event.

I provided a slide show during dinner that featured my family (especially my one year-old son, Ty), numerous Hall of Fame poker players, and me.  The World Poker Tour (WPT) was kind enough to provide some entertaining footage of Vince Van Patten and me as well as some clips of Doyle Brunson and the 2009 nominees when they won on the WPT.  My brother Tom had some collages of me as well as some terrific pictures that were put on display.  All of these things added a great deal to the event.

The speakers must have thought this was a Mike Sexton roast, but I must admit that they were quite entertaining.  They included Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, T.J. Cloutier, and Tom McEvoy.  Jeffrey Pollack then gave a very warm welcome speech and my brother Tom was the person I chose to introduce me. He was terrific, as I knew he would be.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

No one gets to the top of any profession without drive, dedication, being in the right place at the right time, help from some key people, and the love of family.  All of those things certainly apply to me.  I spoke, wove my way through my career, and thanked those who were extremely helpful to me along the way.  They included Linda Johnson (who hired me to write for Card Player), Doyle Brunson (who hosted my Tournament of Champions and has been a longtime friend), Ruth Parasol (who hired me for PartyPoker), and Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT).

I was recently asked by a reporter, “What’s the neatest thing about being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?”  I said, “The neatest thing about getting inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is when I think about my son and when he gets to Junior High and High School.  The other kids will say, “Wow!  Ty’s old man is in the Poker Hall of Fame.’  That’s really cool!”  And it is.

Being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame is an honor I’ll cherish forever.

Linda Johnson Recaps the California State Ladies Poker Championship

One of the annual events that I look forward to attending each year is the California State Ladies Poker Championship (CSLPC) held at the Oceans Eleven Casino in Oceanside. In fact, I’ve never missed one since this event debuted 13 years ago. The CSLPC is much more than just a ladies poker tournament; it’s several days of fun and female bonding that happens to include poker.

Bob Moyer and Dan Dreger, two of the managing partners at Oceans Eleven, spare no expense when it comes to making the ladies feel welcome and at home. In addition to feeding us lavish meals three times a day, they provide great entertainment for us when we aren’t playing poker. There is always a theme for the weekend. This year, it centered on a murder mystery that took place in Europe. Clues were given on Friday and Saturday and the crime was solved on Sunday (By the way, my character, Bonnie Ponzi, was not the murderer). There was a show one evening featuring some very talented Oceans Eleven employees. Dancing took place nightly in the bar.

The CSLPC kicked off this year with a poker clinic taught by Jan Fisher, Thomas Gallager, Karina Jett, Susie Isaacs, and me. On the break, one of the attendees came up to Jan and said that she had a problem with bluffing because she is a Christian and she thinks bluffing is stealing. Jan thought for a while trying to come up with an analogy that might help. Finally Jan said, “Do you watch basketball on television?” The lady said yes. Jan then asked if she thought it was okay to steal the ball from the other team while they are dribbling down the court. She replied, “Yes, it’s part of the game.” Voila! Jan convinced her that bluffing was also part of the game and the lady made the final table after pulling off a successful bluff.

The next day was a $125 buy-in LIPS tournament that attracted 195 entrants; I managed a seventh place finish. A big controversy was created by the handful of men who entered the tournament. Due to legal rulings by California courts, card rooms cannot prohibit men from playing in ladies events. Personally, I don’t understand why a man would want to enter a woman’s tournament, nor do I think they should do so. However, the men I encountered were pleasant and acted like gentlemen. Most said that they “just wanted to play in a tournament” and it was the only one offered that morning. I don’t think they deserved the poor treatment they got.

A friend told me that at her table, several women called the clock on a man who had not taken an unreasonable amount of time to act on his hand. Every time a man was eliminated, there were ecstatic screams and loud applause by many of the women. My opinion is that they should just be ignored completely.

The second tournament was the $225 CSLPC event. Congratulations to Donna Delfin from Sacramento, who won the 2009 title. In addition to her prize money, she won an entry into the 2010 Ladies World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament, a customized jacket, a gift certificate, and a beautiful trophy. Battling Donna in a tough two-hour heads-up match was Lois Petty. Lois had many fans supporting her. In fact, the tournament had been dedicated to Lois, who has stage four cancer.

There always is a charity component to the CSLPC. A silent auction and raffle was held on Saturday night to benefit Ivey Ranch, a local school for handicapped children. Sunday’s tournament was a tag team event that was Half Limit Omaha/8 and Half Limit Hold’em. Players were allowed to play either with a partner or without one since more money would be raised for Ivey Ranch (25% of the prize pool was designated for this wonderful charity) if there were extra entrants. I opted to play without a teammate and ended up winning.

Most of the attendees stayed around for the farewell awards banquet on Sunday night. There were no dry eyes in the audience when Bob Moyer presented Lois an award for being such an inspiration to us all.

Tournament Director Tina Corpiz and Director of Marketing Suzanne Carter did an amazing job coordinating the 2009 CSLPC. I can hardly wait to see what plans they come up with for the 2010 version.

Mike Sexton Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame

Doyle Brunson kicked off the Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony dinner at the Brasilia Room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. The festivities honoring Mike Sexton occurred during the dinner break of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table at 7:00pm PT.

The guest list read like a “who’s who” of the poker community, including Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Jack Binion, Ali Nejad, David Singer, and Dewey Tomko. Also in the house was World Poker Tour (WPT) Co-Host Vince Van Patten, who told Poker News Daily, “I couldn’t miss this. Mike is such a great champion and a great friend of mine. What we share together on the WPT is one of the most important parts of my life. So many laughs and Mike is such a great guy. He is the real thing.”

The WPT is currently filming its eighth season. In fact, The Foxwoods World Poker Finals, the November WPT stop, is currently playing out at the Connecticut casino. On Van Patten and Sexton’s chemistry after eight seasons, the Poker Hall of Fame nominee’s co-host told us, “We could go for 25 years. We don’t get bored with it, we love it, and we’re not faking it. We’d probably do it for no money. We love it that much and we enjoy each other’s company. He’s one of a kind, a great family man, and the real thing in poker.”

Those on stage were Brunson, Jack Binion, Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2009 candidate Tom McEvoy, and T.J. Cloutier. The latter told the assembled crowd of about 175, “We both went broke plenty of times… This man would bet on anything… Mike always thought he was the best split pot player of them all. He could always play those eight or better games.” In fact, Sexton’s lone WSOP bracelet came in 1989 in a Seven Card Stud High-Low Split tournament.

McEvoy then took to the podium and admitted, “This man holds a grudge,” referencing a story from the first WSOP Pot Limit tournament ever held. Binion, a Poker Hall of Fame member who helped popularize the WSOP, commented, “Mike was the one who got PartyPoker started, the one who got the software started. He’s the one who really made poker.” Sexton currently serves as the ambassador for PartyPoker, whose parent company, Party Gaming, recently completed the purchase of the WPT for $12.3 million plus a percent of future gaming revenues.

WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack formally presented Sexton’s trophy and his speech was preceded by an emotional speech from Tom Sexton. The new Poker Hall of Fame member’s brother stated, “Mike has the gift of vision, where he can see things that others can’t in the poker world.” Sexton’s brother also referenced the WPT host testifying in a poker court case in South Carolina and serving as the spokesperson for approximately 500 players shut out of Day 1D of the 2009 WSOP Main Event when the contest reached capacity.

One of Tom Sexton’s most memorable quotes came when referencing the “Daddy Hall of Fame,” which he revealed, “If there were a Daddy Hall of Fame, Mike would be in it.” Young Ty Sexton, whose nursery has overrun the Sexton home’s dance floor, is just 15 months; Mike is 62 years-old.

Sexton received a 30 second standing ovation upon being introduced and recognized each of the other eight candidates for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2009: Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel, McEvoy, Dan Harrington, Scotty Nguyen, Men “The Master” Nguyen, and Barry Greenstein. Ivey, who was one of seven players remaining in the WSOP Main Event at the time, even stopped by, flanked at the door to the Brasilia Room by Layne Flack, Lacey Jones, and Nejad.

Sexton took the time to recognize a bevy of individuals, including Linda Johnson, Steve Lipscomb, and Brunson. He also recalled a phone call received over Christmas in 2000 from Ruth Parisol, co-founder of Party Gaming, who asked him to fly to India to launch the then-nascent online poker site. After eight months, PartyPoker was born, quickly challenging Paradise Poker for tops in the industry.

JAQK Cellars presented the two-hour affair, which wrapped up at 9:00pm PT. The living Hall of Fame members then took to the stage of the Penn and Teller Theater to resume play in the WSOP Main Event final table, with Sexton issuing the evening session’s “Shuffle Up and Deal” command.

Mike Sexton Welcomes Family and Friends for Poker Hall of Fame Induction

World Poker Tour (WPT) Host Mike Sexton will personally welcome five tables of friends, family, and coworkers in the poker community as part of the Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremonies slated for Saturday. Around 200 attendees are expected.

Poker News Daily was privileged to be welcomed to Sexton’s Spanish Hills home in Las Vegas on Friday night, where a small crowd of relatives was gathered 24 hours prior to the icon’s enshrinement ceremony. Among those in attendance were his wife, Karen, and Jon “pokertrip” Friedberg, a family friend. Two slideshows that will be seen during the dinner were previewed, including a 120-image self-developed tribute that Sexton had created by a local photo store.

The slideshows on tap include a bevy of industry personalities, including the other Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2009 nominees: Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Scotty Nguyen, Men “The Master” Nguyen, Erik Seidel, Tom McEvoy, Dan Harrington, and Barry Greenstein. Two galleries, Sexton’s and one crafted by the WPT, will actually be shown, one during the dinner and one as part of the actual induction ceremonies. One slide features Ultimate Bet pro Phil Hellmuth and Sexton jokingly told Poker News Daily, “Phil thinks I put it in because of him” (it’s actually because of the appearance of “Keith”). Following the show, the sitting Poker Hall of Fame members will take to the stage of the Penn and Teller Theater to be recognized.

Among those slides that induction attendees will view is his son, Ty’s, first Christmas, which features the youngster draped in a stocking. Also in the mix are images of Sexton alongside a bevy of Hollywood personalities including Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, and James Garner. Former WPT in-studio announcer Linda Johnson pointed out that several shots feature Sexton in a La Mode shirt or hat. Johnson told Poker News Daily, “Mike was one of the first poker players to have a sponsor.” La Mode is a popular clothing outfit. Sexton noted that he “took every photo around the house I could find” to compile his masterpiece.

ESPN announcer Lon McEachern was one of the many individuals who called to congratulate Sexton on his Poker Hall of Fame nod. Sexton added that his most memorable call was from a poker friend that he was close to when he first became involved in the game.

The festivities in the Rio’s Brasilia Room kick off on Saturday during the dinner break of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table, which will likely occur between 7:00pm and 8:00pm after three levels of play have concluded. His brother, Tom, will introduce him to the assembled crowd of friends, family, poker fans, and media. The room is set up for 275 guests.

According to Sexton, a buffet-style menu is on tap and when asked what plated meals he would prefer to serve, Sexton responded chicken and an Italian dish “to satisfy the non-meat eaters.” From talking to Sexton and seeing the bevy of slides on tap, it’s apparent that Ty, now 15 months old, encompasses a major part of the WPT host’s existence. Sexton told Poker News Daily that the expecting couple was looking for a “one syllable masculine name” and Sexton suggested Ty, short for Tyler. He was on the phone with his niece at the time, who approved on the name and it stuck. If the couple’s first child would have been a girl, they had selected Shelby.

We were then treated to the grand tour of Sexton’s spacious home, which overlooks Red Rocks and will soon be on the market, as the family is moving to Los Angeles in the next few weeks. Highlights included 30-foot ceilings in the downstairs area and a dance floor converted into a nursery. Sexton’s office includes five flat-panel televisions and the upstairs features state-of-the-art exercise equipment and a fully-functional massage table. Sexton also owns two dogs, which were kept at a relative’s house on Friday night.

Sexton was the only one of nine Poker Hall of Fame nominees to receive the requisite 75% of the vote this year.

Televised Poker Rocks by Linda Johnson

I just returned from a wonderful nine-day Card Player Cruises trip to New England and Canada. The fall foliage was magnificent and the lobster and clams on the East Coast are much, much tastier than their counterparts on the West Coast. I also spent three nights in New York City on each end of the cruise. I’m a theater lover and managed to squeeze in seven Broadway shows. On my must-see recommendation list are Memphis, Superior Donuts, and Bye Bye Birdie.

When I get home from an extended trip, I can hardly wait to catch up on my favorite television shows. Thank goodness for Tivo! I had so many shows waiting. Choices, choices, choices! The obvious choice for the first show I watched was Survivor (I haven’t missed an episode in 19 seasons). After Survivor, the next choice was close, but I opted for the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on ESPN (Grey’s Anatomy, Dateline, 60 Minutes, Private Practice, The Good Wife, and Two and a Half Men could wait).

I found myself taking notes to share with my Wednesday Poker Discussion Group, so I will share them with the Poker News Daily readers as well. With more than 6,000 total entrants, I was surprised to learn that only 200 were women. Although women comprised fewer than 3% of the field, there still was one left when they were down to 27 players (more than 99% of the field had already been eliminated). Although I enjoyed watching Leo Margets play, I don’t understand why such a big deal is made out of the “last woman standing.” Outlasting all of the other women doesn’t matter; you haven’t won the event unless you’ve beaten everyone. By the way, I found Margets to be absolutely charming. She was gracious when she was eliminated and was kind enough to sign autographs at that very tough, emotional time.

It seemed like a lot of attention was paid to the fans, a.k.a. “sweaters.” Julie Schneider was a hoot with her “Stack ‘em…stack ‘em to the top” chant every time her husband Tom won a pot. You could see the pride on Barry Greenstein’s face as he watched his son, Joe Sebok, play. As each elimination came, the fans got more vocal and excited and I can’t blame them! The two most loyal fans were Mel and Pat Humphries, who rail Phil Ivey every year. Mel and Pat were on the Card Player Cruises trip with me when these episodes aired. They never told me that they were the same couple who is featured cheering “Ivey, Ivey” when he won a pot.

Peter Eastgate and Dennis Phillips have had outstanding runs in the past two years. What an accomplishment to have made it to the November Nine last year and outlasted more than 99% of the field this year! Who knows how far Phillips would have gone this year if he hadn’t suffered a bad beat to go out in 45th. In case you didn’t see it, his A-K suited got beaten by another A-K suited when his opponent made a flush on the river. Phillips is such a class act; he never complained and wished everyone good luck as he left.

I saw some outstanding folds pre-flop and post-flop; the ability to make a great laydown is what separates the real players from the rest. One hand in particular interested me. The blinds were 25,000/50,000. Eric Buchman raised it to 140,000 and Jeff Shulman re-raised to 500,000 with A-K of hearts. Jonathan Tamayo then went all-in from the small blind for 3.25 million with his pocket queens. Buchman folded. Shulman thought for a while and said, “Sorry guys, this is a big decision.” He asked Tamayo if he wanted action and got no reply. A call by Shulman would have been for almost all of his chips; he laid the hand down and is now in the November Nine. I don’t think most players would have folded in the same spot.

There was a lot of minimum or barely more than minimum raising pre-flop, which baffles me. I also heard lots of, “Will you show me if I fold” questions.

Things sure have changed since I started playing poker. There were so many 21 year-olds in the field. I can only imagine how exciting it must be for them to be playing for so much money and enduring the pressure of playing on television. I enjoyed hearing the story about Ian Tavelli’s grandfather staking him to the Main Event because he kept up a good grade point average (I think my grandfather bought me a new eight-track player when I graduated).

The age statistics were interesting as well. With 21 players remaining, the average age was 31 and the oldest player, Kevin Schaffel, was 51. Tavelli was the youngest and four of the remaining 21 players were eligible to break Eastgate’s record of being the youngest Main Event winner ever.

Someone needs to explain to Norman Chad what a stop and go play is. Twice players executed stop and gos and he couldn’t understand what they were doing. Another time, he called a play in which a player check-called on the flop and then bet about half of the pot on the turn a stop and go. Get with it, Norman!

Here’s a statistic that shocked me: The last time the Main Event was won by anyone who already had a WSOP bracelet was in 2000 (Chris Ferguson). With 23 players remaining, only two of them were prior bracelet winners.

The chip leader going into the final table, Darvin Moon, seems like a really cool guy. He isn’t impressed by all of the lights and cameras. He hasn’t accepted an online endorsement that I know of. He seems very humble and says he’ll be “back to the woods with a chainsaw” when all of this is over. If he wins, it would be great for poker, just like it was when Chris Moneymaker won the title.

In closing, congratulations to Mike Sexton for being the 2009 Poker Hall of Fame inductee. Mike and I have been friends for more than 20 years and he has honored me by asking me to sit at his table during the induction ceremony. I’m sure there will be tales to share with you after that event.

James McManus Discusses the Poker History Book Cowboys Full

Earlier this decade, when poker wasn’t the behemoth that it is today, a noted writer by the name of James McManus accepted a job from Harper’s Magazine to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

Far from looking at it as simply a poker entity and observe the proceedings, McManus decided to dovetail his story of the tournament with the ongoing murder investigation of the late Ted Binion and chronicle his efforts to play. After using a satellite to gain entrance into the Main Event, McManus went on to finish fifth in the $10,000 tournament and chronicled the whole story in what has become one of the poker world’s seminal books in “Positively Fifth Street,” which was released in 2003.

Since then, however, McManus has limited his writing about poker to newspapers and magazines. His last non-fiction book, “Physical: An American Checkup” (2006), looked at the American health care system and pointed out its problems even prior to this year’s debate on the issue. Now, one of the most notable scribes in the business has returned with what might be called the definitive book on the history of the game.

“Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker” was released on October 27th and documents, as best as possible, the development, growth, and history of what once was considered to be America’s game and has since expanded around the world. From the beginning of the creation of playing cards in China and Korea to today’s game, McManus nails the goal of putting a history to a pastime.

“Poker has a long-deserved reputation as the cheaters’ game, but the book reminds us that cheating has been a big part of baseball, football, cycling, boxing, horseracing, marriage, taxes, politics, warfare, and most other human activities,” McManus stated before the interview with Poker News Daily began. “It’s naive to single out poker as being overly luck-based or larcenous, especially when making laws banning some games, while encouraging others. For the State to encourage lotteries and bingo while banning poker is greedy and cynical.”

McManus continued by discussing the theory that poker is luck-based and how his book handles that issue. “I think the book makes it fairly clear how much luck is involved in other games, such as baseball and football, games that few people think of as being determined by luck,” McManus said. “Luck determines the winner of baseball’s World Series about as much as it does the winner of the WSOP.”

PND: After the success of “Positively Fifth Street,” why didn’t you write another poker book immediately?

McManus: Because I was sent by a magazine to get an executive physical at the Mayo Clinic, by another magazine to cover the debate about stem-cell research, and by another to write about emergency surgery my daughter had undergone. It seemed only natural that I would combine this material into a book, which turned out to be “Physical: An American Checkup” (2006).

In the meantime, poker still had my interest. My agent, editor, and I were all surprised that there was no single book on the history of what is clearly America’s card game and arguably the national pastime, especially during the boom years this decade. As such, I continued to research the poker story and it became “Cowboys Full.”

PND: What were some of the problems in writing a book on a subject that doesn’t have a well-known and documented history?

McManus: One problem was that I had no training as an historian; it’s one reason I call it the story of poker, not the history.

Another was that people tend not to keep records of their poker action, especially when they work as blacklegs and swindlers. You’re forced to rely on lore, hearsay, and the work of feature writers such as Mark Twain, who were paid to exaggerate for humorous or dramatic effect. The book addresses this problem directly and makes a serious effort to deduce what was actually going on. The reporting becomes more precise and historically reliable as I cover the last third of the 20th century, especially when famous hands began to be televised.

PND: What was more difficult, the research for or the writing of “Cowboys Full”?

McManus: Most definitely the research. I have 35 years of experience as a writer, but very little as a researcher, although Google and the Amazon search function made the job a lot easier than if I had to do it with microfiche. I also couldn’t have done it without David Schwartz’s hospitality and sage advice at the UNLV Center for Gaming Research or without his marvelous history of gambling, “Roll the Bones.”

PND: You look at poker from sides that the average person wouldn’t consider. When you talked to academics and scientists about poker and its effects on human history, did they understand what you were doing?

McManus: In many cases, I was relying on what people had written. People like John von Neumann, Oskar Morgenstern, David Halberstam, and the presidents and generals in charge of World War II and the Cold War were already dead while I was writing.

At the same time, I interviewed plenty of folks including Todd Brunson, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Linda Johnson, Andy Beal, Crandell Addington, Chris Ferguson, Aaron Brown, Tony Holden, and Gabe Kaplan, who understood some of these issues a lot better than I did before I started talking to them.

PND: What was the most surprising aspect of poker you learned from your research?

McManus: How important its logic and psychology was, and continues to be, to the military and diplomatic strategies deployed in a world in which several countries, including some extremely unstable regimes, have nuclear weapons. In other words, how important poker-based game theory is to life beyond the green felt.

PND: What can the reader take away from “Cowboys Full” other than a grasp of the history of the game?

McManus: That it isn’t just a history lesson. It has dozens of pretty cool stories about actual games: riverboat hustles, friendly games in the White House and the homes of ordinary citizens, $40 million showdowns between Andy Beal and the corporation of Las Vegas pros captained by Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman facing off against Andy while waiting for her second kidney transplant, Stu Ungar making a WSOP final table from the intensive care unit, and Chris Moneymaker’s bluff against Sammy Farha. They’re all there and more.

PND: Now that you have followed up “Fifth Street,” are you finished writing books about poker?

McManus: No, but almost. I’m currently writing the final book of the trilogy. Book one was a memoir about the WSOP, which became “Positively Fifth Street.” Book two is the history of poker, which is “Cowboys Full.” Book three is a novel tentatively titled “The Winter Casino” about a very large tournament played in a city being threatened by an Al-Qaeda cell with a nuclear suitcase device.

Mike Sexton Elected to Poker Hall of Fame

The 38th person elected into the Poker Hall of Fame is none other than PartyPoker Ambassador and Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Mike Sexton. He will be enshrined as part of ceremonies to be held on November 7th.

2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Poker Hall of Fame. This year, nine finalists were up for nomination to the Hall, with a panel of 15 living Hall of Fame members and 15 media representatives (including this author) determining the fate of the 2009 class. Sexton was the only one that I felt was a shoe-in for election, as 75% of the 30-member vote was required in order to capture one of poker’s most prestigious accolades. A press release distributed by World Series of Poker (WSOP) officials properly labeled Sexton “a true gentleman who has constantly enhanced the game of poker both with his play at the tables and his promotion of the game off of it.”

Ballots were due on October 2nd, with each person able to vote for up to three candidates for the 2009 class. This author selected Sexton, Tom McEvoy, and Dan Harrington, the three elder statesmen on the 2009 ballot. Other nominees included November Nine member Phil Ivey, “The Robin Hood of Poker” Barry Greenstein, “PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge” lead man Daniel Negreanu, Men “The Master” Nguyen, WSOP Main Event and HORSE Championship winner Scotty Nguyen, and eight-time bracelet holder Erik Seidel.

The list of Poker Hall of Fame members reads like a roll call of poker legends: Doyle Brunson (inducted in 1988), Johnny Chan (2002), Phil Hellmuth (2007), Stu Ungar (2001), Chip Reese (1991), and Barbara Enright (2007), just to name a few. Now, Sexton’s name will be added to this illustrious list. In a press release distributed by PartyPoker, Sexton commented, “I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame and it is particularly special because for the first time it was a process that involved the fans, the media, and the living members of the Hall of Fame. To me, the most meaningful aspect of this process was the acceptance by the living Hall of Famers, who welcomed me into their exclusive club.”

One of Sexton’s most impressive feats was taking down the 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions, which saw the new Poker Hall of Fame member best a final table that included Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Andy Black, and Chris Ferguson. Sexton earned $1 million for the victory and, according to WSOP officials, donated half of his prize money to charity. His lone WSOP bracelet came in 1989, when the World Poker Tour (WPT) host outlasted a field of 174 players to win a $1,500 buy-in Limit Seven Card Stud High-Low event. He has reached the final table in 20 of the 47 WSOP events he’s entered, a 43% success rate.

Sexton is the voice that many in the industry “grew up to” following the poker boom in 2003 and was instrumental in bringing the WPT to life. Sexton sat, and continues to sit, alongside Vince Van Patten on WPT broadcasts, popularizing the notion that Texas Hold’em takes “a minute to learn and a lifetime to master.” He represents one of the few constants in an industry constantly in flux and had the backing of a bevy of influential industry veterans in his push for the Poker Hall of Fame, including Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Steve Lipscomb, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Padraig Parkinson, Matt Savage, Roland de Wolfe, and an army of public relations staffers at PartyPoker.

To me, one of the most defining acts for Sexton was when he took on a lead role to campaign on behalf of players shut out of the 2009 WSOP Main Event after Day 1D had reached capacity. Sexton joined forces with “Captain” Tom Franklin to present WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack options to accommodate players. Sexton, curiously, had little to gain from taking an active role in the situation, as he had already played on Day 1A and survived with an average chip stack. The situation manifested Sexton’s stature within the industry and is one of the many reasons we will look forward to welcoming him into the Poker Hall of Fame in November.

Linda Johnson Goes to Camp

I recently returned from a 10-day trip to Indiana. The first part of the trip was spent at the Hollywood Casino (formerly Argosy Casino) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.  The new $336 million facility is more than twice the size of its former vessel. The two decks, each wider than an aircraft carrier and nearly as long as a football field, make it the largest riverboat in the country. It gives one the feel of being in a luxurious casino with all of the bells and whistles.

Hollywood Casino has more than 270,000 square feet of space, including 150,000 square feet for gaming with 88 tables, 3,200 slots, and electronic table games. The Hollywood décor and theme is flawlessly executed throughout. The casino brings classic Hollywood to life with a 60-foot serpentine video wall, nine large billboards, and more than 300 flat screen displays featuring first-run movie trailers, video shorts, entertainment programming, and sporting events. Among the casino’s major attractions is an exclusive VIP Producer’s Lounge and an expanded high-limit gaming area.

I’d been to Argosy a few times in the past three years and had always enjoyed the gaming and hospitality there, so decided that the opening of its brand new 41-table poker room (the largest in the Midwest) and the Indiana State Poker Championship would be two great reasons to return. My first mistake was booking a flight into Indianapolis instead of Cincinnati. This error resulted in a two-hour drive to the casino instead of 10 minutes. On the bright side, however, I got to spend the two hours getting to know the Hollywood Casino cardroom manager Thom “TK” Krauss and Tournament Director Kevin Dawn. TK is very much a hands-on manager and knows all of his regular patrons by name. He told me that he loves his job, which was obvious since I saw him there at all hours of the day and night. The poker staff and players were very hospitable and made me feel very welcome.

The poker room is very comfortable, with lots of space between tables, great chairs, and good lighting. Players’ hours are tracked so they can earn comps. By the way, the buffet at Hollywood Casino is as good as the best buffets in Las Vegas. The poker room is so impressive that it recently was selected to host a stop on the World Poker Tour.

Jan Fisher and I gave a poker seminar at the Hollywood on the Roof, a performance area with a panoramic screen resembling the Hollywood Bowl, where bands can entertain guests and video content can be projected in grand scale. Hollywood on the Roof features a high-energy circular bar that looks out onto the casino atrium. The seminar was well-attended and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the locals.

After five days at Hollywood Casino, I went to Indianapolis to participate in Mickey’s Camp, a charity event held annually in a campground called Bradford Woods. There is a separate men’s camp and women’s camp and the attendees actually attend summer camp for adults. They sleep in the same bunks, 12 to a cabin, that kids sleep in during their camp. Each camper gets to choose 10 activities from about 35, including flyfishing, police training, backgammon, Alpine tower, pistol and rifle shooting, gourmet cooking, raft building, canoeing, wine tasting, billiards, table tennis, beer tasting, boxing, jewelry making, photography, yoga, painting, hiking, darts, orienteering, and swimming. I teach the poker class and then run a tournament for the men and women. After my classes, I get to be a camper. This year I chose the following activities: massage, magic, bridge, grilling, backgammon, medical myths, self-defense, sports dialogue, badminton, economics, rifle/pistol, and CPR.

From the $1,500 fee to attend the camp, at least two-thirds of it goes to Indiana charities. This can be done because most of the food is donated by local restaurants and the instructors donate their time as well. The founder, Mickey Maurer, is a great ambassador and philanthropist and has raised more than $1 million for charity through his camp.

Although the attendees are extremely successful in the business world (during the first evening of each camp, we sit under a tent, everyone introduces themselves and tells what they do, and I am always blown away by how accomplished they are), most of them are not the caliber of player I usually encounter in my classes. They sure do have fun though! I had to chuckle when I saw two of the players get up in the middle of the tournament and say, “Thanks, I think I’ve had enough.” Then, they just quit and left their chips on the table.

This was my fourth year at Mickey’s Camp. I love attending charity events and this is one of my favorites.

Card Player Cruises Releases 2009-2010 Schedule

Starting in November, Card Player Cruises will return to the high seas aboard the 138,000 ton Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Explorer of the Seas. Destinations over the next year for the cruising company include Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Mexico.

The nine-night Canada and New England Fall Foliage cruise will depart from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey in November and steam up the eastern seaboard of the United States. Ports of call include Portland, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, and Boston and the cruise starts at $550 per person. Card Player Cruises partner and Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson commented in a press release distributed by the travel company, “This trip will feature some of the most spectacular scenery on the Eastern Seaboard. There’s no better time to visit this region than in the fall, when the foliage stands out in every imaginable color.”

Besides the fall foliage outside of the ship, the other main attraction on the November cruise will be its poker room. $100 to $200 buy-in poker tournaments will abound, with private seminars and free poker lessons also taking place. In addition, the press release notes, “Passengers can play as much or as little as they want during the week.” The Explorer of the Seas also features a rock-climbing wall, ice skating rink, miniature golf course, basketball court, disco, spa, fitness center, pools, Jacuzzis, and shops. In addition, what would a cruise be without a parade of food?

Here is the upcoming schedule for Card Player Cruises:

Canada and New England Fall Foliage nine-night cruise – October 15, 2009
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas
Departs from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, New Jersey

Mexican Riviera seven-night cruise – November 15, 2009
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner
Departs from Los Angeles, California

Western Caribbean seven-night cruise – March 7, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager
Departs from Galveston, Texas

Mediterranean Venice 12-night cruise – May 15, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance
Departs from Barcelona, Spain

Alaska seven-night cruise – August 27, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody
Departs from Seattle, Washington

Eastern Caribbean seven-night cruise – September 25, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis
Departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Mexican Riviera seven-night cruise – December 5, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner
Departs from Los Angeles, California

The poker room closes while the ship is parked in port and opens while the vessel is out in the open water. Card Player Cruises customers make up between 25% and 40% of the total number of passengers onboard, so traditional cruising activities still occur day and night. In order to play poker, Card Player Cruises guests must be at least 18 years-old, while some special events, such as the PartyPoker Million, feature a different age requirement.

Besides tournaments, each ship’s poker room hosts a wide variety of cash games, ranging from limits of $1/$2 to $30/$60. Customers with children are more than welcome to participate as well. Card Player Cruises explains, “There are extensive programs for children that provide entertainment for the kids from morning until night. Some of the activities are scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, talent shows, pizza parties, disco parties, trips to the spa/gym, video games, etc. Children are able to sail at reduced rates on most cruise lines.”

Prices for the above schedule vary between $448 per person and $1,719 per person. The cost covers food, cabin, nightly entertainment, and use of the ship’s amenities. According to Johnson, the majority of players who board a Card Player Cruise are recreational and several are celebrating milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. Players can call 888-999-4880 for additional information and to book passage.

Linda Johnson’s Favorite WPT Memories

I had the best job of anyone on the World Poker Tour. I got to travel all over the world, meet lots of awesome people, get my hair and makeup done, entertain an audience of poker players, and say “Shuffle Up and Deal!” I also got to work with an incredible crew including Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten.

My job as the studio announcer was to call the action (announce bet amounts, hole cards when there was an all-in, winning hands, and new blind amounts) in order to keep the audience interested. I involved the audience by playing trivia with them during breaks, telling jokes, and introducing famous poker players and celebrities between hands.

This led to a few awkward moments, of course. During a taping at the Commerce Casino, I saw Doyle Brunson walk in with someone I didn’t know and they sat down to watch. At the appropriate time, I said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have the legendary Doyle Brunson in our midst. Doyle, please give us a wave.” Doyle took off his Stetson, waved to the crowd, and he and his friend left a few minutes later. Shortly after that, the producer contacted me through my earpiece and asked why I hadn’t introduced Robert Duvall (the gentleman with Brunson). “Who is Robert Duvall and where does he play,” I asked.

One of the perks of my job was getting to play in the WPT Celebrity Invitational. I always wrote an article about the celebrities at my table, but first they had to identify themselves. Throughout the years, I had played in tournaments with Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, Ricki Lake, Montel Williams, Dom DeLuise, Norm McDonald, Camyrn Manheim, Jason Alexander, Paris Hilton, James Woods, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jennifer Tilly, and lots of actors and actresses that everyone except me seemed to recognize.

Every final table was different in its own way, but I don’t believe the excitement of that first-ever WPT event at Bellagio will ever be topped.  The WPT set and announcers’ booth was introduced to the world, as was super hostess Shana Hiatt. The final table consisted of Gus Hansen (who was unknown at the time), John Juanda, Freddy Deeb, Scotty Nguyen, and John Hennigan, all superstars who later won WPT titles. I still remember how impressed I was to see Doug Dalton in his tuxedo pouring champagne to toast the winner.

During my time with the WPT, I traveled to lots of amazing destinations around the world. I actually enjoyed all of them, but for different reasons. For instance, I loved the beaches of Aruba and taping the show in an upstairs restaurant overlooking the ocean. I enjoyed Nassau because I was allowed to wear tropical clothing and not my typical black!

Tunica’s Gold Strike and Biloxi’s Beau Rivage were memorable for the wonderful Southern hospitality and incredible food. I looked forward to Foxwoods for the beauty of the surrounding forests. The Bicycle Casino and the Commerce Casino were special because there was so much poker action when I wasn’t working. Borgata had the best beds.

The Aviation Club in Paris offered the best sightseeing opportunities and the Reno Hilton had the best sushi and a shopping arcade on premises. Fallsview offered incredible views of Niagara Falls from our hotel rooms. Bay 101 had the most energetic, enthusiastic fans, which made my job easy. I always liked taping at the Mirage and Bellagio because I could stay in my own home at night! And of course, I am a bit biased, but I loved the PartyPoker.com Million because I got to spend a week on a Card Player Cruises vacation.

There were lots of funny moments on the WPT. One of the best happened at Foxwoods the year Hoyt Corkins won.  Phil Hellmuth was at the final table and Hoyt was driving him crazy with his aggression and all-ins. Finally, after Hoyt hit a river card, Phil jumped out of his chair and banged his head on the overhead microphone.  Another time, Joe Hachem was at the final table and when he won his first big pot, his fans started yelling, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy!” I looked at them and said, “Don’t start that crap here.” They must have thought I was serious because they didn’t do it again.

Although I had a few embarrassing moments along the way, such as dropping my microphone battery pack in the toilet or having a hot flash during filming, there were some very special moments too. I’ll always remember Brunson’s inspirational victory at the Bicycle Club. Tears came to my eyes on multiple occasions when I saw the joy of new millionaires being created.  The most emotional moment for me took place during the taping of the “Father/Son Special.” Barry Greenstein and his son, Joe Sebok, eliminated the other teams and were supposed to play each other to determine the winner. Instead, they agreed to push all-in pre-flop and let the cards decide the victor since neither one wanted to beat the other on television.

The first six seasons of the WPT flew by and were full of incredible moments. Maybe someday I’ll write a book about them.

Industry Reacts to Phil Hellmuth WSOP Main Event Tirade

It took all of three episodes of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on ESPN for 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth to get the industry buzzing. Hellmuth used a parade of words not fit for television during ESPN’s Day 1C recap. This article contains language that is not suitable for all audiences.

Known for his short fuse, Hellmuth was seated at Table Two on Tuesday night during Day 1C coverage. After a player holding K-8 bested his pocket jacks, Hellmuth went off the deep end. He commented, “What the fuck? Calling a fricking raise with K-8?” Hellmuth then strung together four expletives in a row followed by the word “man.” The Ultimate Bet pro returned to the table and, while taking his seat, muttered, “Fucking moron players.” No penalty was handed down.

In a separate hand, an opponent rivered a flush against Hellmuth, which once again sent the “Poker Brat” away from the table steaming: “Is this some kind of fucking joke? I can’t even fucking believe what I’m seeing.” Again, no penalty was assessed. WSOP Communications Director Seth Palansky told Poker News Daily, “Our player conduct rule is about abusing tablemates and dealers. That’s what we’re trying to avoid so a person’s playing experience is not unpleasant. There is no anti-cursing rule. If it’s mean-spirited, then it’s a penalty, but it’s up to the discretion of the dealers and supervisors who are there to hear it.”

There were a total of 185 penalties and warnings assessed throughout the 2009 WSOP festivities at the Rio using a new database system to log infractions. Among them were players throwing cards at dealers, celebrating wildly, taunting opponents, loudly waving in order to attract the attention of ESPN cameras, and, in one instance, banging a set of cymbals. Poker News Daily Guest Columnist and Tournament Directors’ Association (TDA) co-founder Linda Johnson explained, “Hellmuth didn’t do anything terribly egregious. I possibly would have given a warning when he started talking about ‘morons.’ He’d better be talking about himself, which he wasn’t. I don’t have a problem with the ‘f’ word, although you should get a warning at some point.”

Given her association with the TDA, Johnson is typically by the book. The “First Lady of Poker” was outraged at antics by Hellmuth and Scotty Nguyen in 2008, but noted that the atmosphere at this year’s WSOP was much-improved: “I’m glad the WSOP cleaned up their act. It was a much more pleasant atmosphere this year. Kudos to their tournament officials for not allowing abuse.” In fact, the only actions that have raised Johnson’s eyebrows during telecasts of the 2009 WSOP on ESPN have involved players discussing the contents of their hands. She told Poker News Daily, “You have to be careful. There’s a rule that says you won’t tell someone what you have in your hand.”

PocketFivesLive.com Tournament Reporter Court Harrington, who has traveled the WSOP and World Poker Tour (WPT) circuits for the popular live coverage site, shared his take on Hellmuth’s antics: “For all of the publicity Hellmuth brings to the game, his antics surely cause passive players that might pull up a chair to stay away instead of putting themselves in an awkward situation with a top pro berating them.” On Tuesday night, ESPN announcer Norman Chad continuously reiterated Hellmuth’s now-famous “idiots from Northern Europe” quote from last year’s WSOP Main Event.

Harrington has seen novices and pros battle it out on the felts of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. He even broadcasts his opinions on PokerRoad, where he sits alongside industry staples like Joe Sebok, Gavin Smith, and Joe Stapleton. Harrington explained the dilemma that tournament officials often face: “Player conduct rules should be very situation-specific. In poker, keeping novice and amateur players comfortable is important. At the same time, pros have a responsibility to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner for the same reason - to make amateur players feel comfortable at the tables and more likely to return.”

Thanks from all of us here at Poker News Daily to Palansky, Johnson, and Harrington for their insight into the issue. Tell us what you think! Was Hellmuth out of line? Where should the line be drawn? Leave a comment and voice your choice.

Tournament Director Matt Savage Returns to Aruba Poker Classic

For the consecutive third year, Tournament Director Matt Savage will supervise the Ultimate Bet Aruba Poker Classic, which is slated for October 3rd through 10th from the luxurious island nation.

Ultimate Bet pro Phil Hellmuth has the Aruba Poker Classic circled on his calendar each year. The 11-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and de facto host in Aruba commented in a press release distributed by the online poker site, “Matt’s natural ability to run a smooth and fair tournament and his talent for making it feel more like a party than a poker room is one of the many reasons why our Aruba event is still one of the most popular on the annual calendar.” The Main Event in Aruba comes with a $5,500 price tag and kicks off on October 5th with the first of two starting days.

In addition to marking Savage’s third straight year overseeing action in the prestigious poker tournament, it also marks Ultimate Bet’s 10th year in operation. Savage commented in the same release, “In celebrating UB’s 10th Anniversary, I am honored to once again be part of the Aruba Poker Classic. With an extended tournament schedule, plus a group of floor staff and dealers that is second to none, 2009 is shaping up to be one for the scrapbook.” Savage will direct the action over the course of the eight-day poker extravaganza, which is expected to draw a total of 500 runners and see a prize pool topping $6 million.

Last year, Matt Brady trumped a 550-player field en route to a $1 million payday. In 2007, Travis “TravestyFund” Rice defeated 548 entrants and earned $800,000. In 2006, Devon Miller went toe-to-toe to former Team UB member Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy to earn $774,000 from the 512-player field. 2005 marked the final year that the Aruba Poker Classic served as a stop on the World Poker Tour. Freddy Deeb outlasted 647 runners that year to earn a $1 million first place prize.

The 2004 WPT Aruba Poker Classic featured one of the toughest final tables ever assembled, as Eric Brenes defeated Layne Flack heads-up. Also reaching the six-handed finale were Mike “The Mouth” Matusow and 2008 WSOP Europe Main Event Champion John Juanda. In 2003, Erick Lindgren beat Daniel Larsson heads-up in Aruba for $500,000 after 436 players entered. Also at that year’s final table was CardPlayer CEO Barry Shulman, whose son, Jeff Shulman, is a member of the 2009 WSOP November Nine. The younger Shulman has threatened to throw out the bracelet should he win. The very first Aruba Poker Classic was held in 2002 and won by Juha Helppi, who bested Phil Gordon heads-up.

Savage has directed a bevy of tournaments held around the world, including the WSOP, WPT, and the Aussie Millions. Along with David Lamb, Jan Fisher, and Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson, Savage founded the Tournament Directors’ Association. In 2003, he was inducted into the Poker Room Manager’s Hall of Fame.

On August 30th, Ultimate Bet will hold a 25 seat guaranteed tournament to send its players to Aruba. The event boasts a $530 buy-in and a bevy of qualifiers are available. In addition, direct satellites take place on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and award $8,500 prize packages. Each includes the $5,500 Main Event buy-in plus $3,000 to use for travel and hotel.

The Radisson Aruba Resort and Casino serves as the host venue and Ultimate Bet has rooms available at a rate of $209 plus 20% tax per night, which includes internet. STEP tournaments have been a popular way for players to claim their spot in Aruba.

We’ll have full updates on the 2009 Aruba Poker Classic right here on Poker News Daily.

Poker’s march on Washington works

Over the span of the week the PPA collected over 375,000 signatures on a petition to President Barack Obama supporting the legalization of online poker, nearly 200,000 letters/emails were sent to U.S. representatives and members of the PPA attended over 100 congressional meetings.

Even radio host Howard Stern signed up as a member of the PPA.

"I think we made a very strong impression on lawmakers who weren't aware of online poker or maybe even opposed it," said PPA executive director John Pappas. "We raised the overall understanding of the situation."

Pappas, PPA Chairman Alfonse D'Amato, 33 PPA state directors and seven poker pros including Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Jan Fisher, Howard Lederer, Dennis Phillips, Linda Johnson and Greg Raymer all made the trip to Washington, D.C. to show their support for legislation that would legalize and regulate online poker in the United States.

"I truly feel we are winning on this issue and the time is ripe for pro-poker legislation to pass into law," said the aforementioned Bloch.

It has been an uphill battle, according to Pappas, but the group finally seems to be making some headway.

"There is obviously a great fear when it comes to online gambling," he said. "People are concerned about having a casino in every home. That's not necessarily the case as we are bringing a skill game into people's homes.

"This isn't anything new. People have been playing poker in their homes for their entire lives. This way the government would be able to collect tax revenue from it."

The organization put a great deal of support behind Rep. Barney Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (HR 2267) which was originally scheduled for a hearing in July.

The proposed hearing was postponed to September, but the PPA was still able to convince seven more representatives to co-sign the bill, which is now up to 54 co-sponsors. Rep. Betsy Markey, Rep. Bill Pascrell and Rep. Russ Carnahan were all among the recent co-sponsors.

"We had several goals in Washington and I think we exceeded them all," Pappas said. "It was a great success. The only thing we weren't able to do is actually meet with President Obama and present him the petition with signatures. We hope to accomplish that later this year."

Despite the fact that National Poker Week is over, the PPA will continue to educate politicians about the game.

"We will continue to talk to people and promote the game," said Pappas. "We hope to set the stage for Frank's bill in early to late September.

"We also have the short-term goal of getting poker excluded from the current Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which will officially be enforced as of Dec. 1, 2009. We want them to leave poker out of that legislation because poker is a skill game."

Pappas went on to say that New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez will finally be dropping his long-awaited poker-only bill tomorrow (August 6).

In the end, when it comes to the future of online poker, Pappas was optimistic.

"I think it's going in the right direction," he said. "For the first time we are on the offensive when it comes to legislation. We're seeing numerous pro-poker bills and I haven't seen a single anti-poker bill introduced for months.

"The bills that have been introduced lately have all been about extending poker player's rights."

Barney Frank’s Internet Gambling Bill Breaks 50 Co-Sponsors

This week saw Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA) HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, officially break 50 co-sponsors. The bill establishes a complete licensing and regulatory framework for internet gambling outfits to solicit U.S. customers.

The addition of two Congressmen officially pushed the support to over 50 co-sponsors. On July 27th, just a few days removed from the conclusion of National Poker Week, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) lent his name to the bill to become co-sponsor #50. One day later, Congressman Dan Maffei (D-NY) joined on. Flanking Thompson and Maffei are Congressmen from both sides of the aisle. Each has come out to support legalizing the internet gambling industry in the United States and reaping tax revenue in return. Here is a full list of HR 2267’s co-sponsors, as given by the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI), along with the political party each belongs to (Democrat or Republican):

Alaska
Don Young (R)

Arizona
Raul Grijalva (D)

California
Michael Thompson (D)
George Miller (D)
Michael Honda (D)
Linda Sanchez (D)
Bob Filner (D)

Colorado
Jared Polis (D)
Ed Perlmutter (D)

Connecticut
Joe Courtney (D)

Florida
Robert Wexler  (D)
Alcee Hastings (D)

Hawaii
Neil Abercrombie (D)

Idaho
Walt Minnick (D)

Illinois
Luis Gutierrez (D)
Bill Foster (D)

Indiana
Andre Carson (D)

Massachusetts
James McGovern (D)
Barney Frank (D)
Michael Capuano (D)
William Delahunt (D)

Michigan
John Conyers (D)

Nevada
Shelley Berkley (D)

New Hampshire
Paul Hodes (D)

New Jersey
Robert Andrews (D)
Frank LoBiondo (R)
John Adler (D)
Steven Rothman (D)

New York
Tim Bishop (D)
Steve Israel (D)
Peter King (R)
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
Gary Ackerman (D)
Joseph Crowley (D)
Jerrold Nadler (D)
Edolphus Towns (D)
Mike McMahon (D)
Charles Rangel (D)
Paul Tonko (D)

North Carolina
Melvin Watt (D)

Ohio
Steve Driehaus (D)
Tim Ryan (D)

Oregon
Earl Blumenauer (D)

Tennessee
Steve Cohen (D)

Texas
Ron Paul (R)
Ciro Rodriguez (D)

Virginia
Bobby Scott (D)
Tom Perriello (D)
James Moran (D)

Washington
Jim McDermott (D)

HR 2046, introduced during the last Congressional session and labeled the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, garnered 48 co-sponsors. Frank unveiled it to the world in April of 2007, but it was not acted upon. The new version forbids gambling on any event that would violate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. However, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director John Pappas noted during National Poker Week that sports leagues are seeking clearer language in the bill. He explained, “Changes need to be made to explicitly outlaw sports betting.”

HR 2266 was introduced on May 6th, the same day as HR 2267, and calls for industry compliance with the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) to be delayed by one year to December 1st, 2010. The measure is dubbed the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act and is up to 32 co-sponsors. On its sister bill reaching the milestone 50th co-sponsor, SSIGI spokesperson Jeff Sandman commented in a press release, “Reaching this milestone illustrates that momentum is growing for a shift in U.S. policy and a rewrite of U.S. internet gambling laws. We also expect an increased spotlight on internet gambling as a way to augment federal revenues and help cover the cost of necessary policy initiatives.”

During a Fly-In orchestrated by the PPA as part of National Poker Week, over 100 meetings were held with Congressmen and their staffs from around the United States. Attendees included 33 PPA State Directors and a handful of poker’s elite, including Poker News Daily Guest Columnists Annie Duke and Linda Johnson, PokerStars pros Dennis Phillips and Greg Raymer, Full Tilt Poker pros Andy Bloch and Howard Lederer, and online poker sensations Chris “Fox” Wallace and Jordan “iMsoLucky0” Morgan.

Over 375,000 concerned players signed an online poker petition, which was presented to U.S. President Barack Obama last week. In addition, nearly 200,000 letters and e-mails were sent to Representatives and Senators during National Poker Week. The PPA’s Randy Law admitted that just 80,000 were sent during the entire 2008 calendar year. The organization currently has over 1.2 million members after boasting only 50,000 in mid-2006.

Biggest Surprises of National Poker Week

National Poker Week attracted 33 State Directors from the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) plus a throng of the game’s elite to Washington, DC. In the end, over 100 meetings were held on Capitol Hill. Poker News Daily was on-hand for the festivities and reviews several of the surprises of National Poker Week.

Prepare to Meet with Aides

If poker players take the time to visit their Congressmen, they should be prepared to meet with staff members. Being a Congressman means running frenetically between meetings, votes, and other pressing matters. Although conferencing with constituents is important, Congressmen have a full plate. Staffers are extremely influential, a point echoed by lawmakers like Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and former three-term Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY) during National Poker Week. Congressmen regularly defer to aides for insight on both critical issues and those that may not receive front-page headlines. Therefore, don’t be discouraged meeting with Congressional staffs.

Poker Really is a Game of Skill

A study by Cigital and PokerStars performed in December studied 103 million cash game hands on the world’s most popular online poker site. The results revealed that 75% of pots did not go to showdown. Instead, the process of betting and bluffing took down hands. It’s one thing for industry representatives to say that poker is a game of skill; it’s completely different to hear the sentiment from an American lawmaker. Congressmen Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), for example, told online poker forum PocketFives.com in an interview, “Poker is a sport of skill. If you don’t believe that, you need to watch some of the tournaments on television and understand that these are very talented people. They can win a hand with a lot worse cards than anybody else. It is a game of skill and not just what cards fall.” Well said.

Importance of Personal Stories

When you meet with Congressmen or their aides, be sure to share your personal story. This was the number one point emphasized by the PPA. The rationale behind sharing your personal story is breaking the stereotype that poker players are shady individuals, far from being law-abiding citizens. Instead, poker players are students, housewives, firefighters, soldiers, doctors, and teachers. They’re just like you and me. Formulate your personal story prior to calling, e-mailing, or visiting your Congressmen. While knowledge of the issue is of paramount importance, it was surprising to learn that the personal story is even more critical.

Generosity Makes the World Go Round

Poker players are an extremely generous group. Churches, synagogues, and other institutions around the world regularly employ poker tournaments as fundraising vehicles. The turnout at the PPA’s charity event was extremely impressive. Some of the world’s top pros were in attendance, including “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke, who came armed with a fistful of $100 bills in order to rebuy wounded warriors at her table. 2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion Greg Raymer imparted knowledge of the game to his tablemates and Howard Lederer (Duke’s brother) tried to out-rebuy his sibling. Generosity really is a quality of poker players. I’ve seen it first-hand.

Poker’s Role Models

The roster of pros that turned out to the PPA’s Fly-In as part of National Poker Week was truly impressive. In addition to Raymer, Duke, and Lederer, the movement to legalize and regulate online poker in the United States also attracted “The First Lady of Poker” Linda Johnson, Women in Poker Hall of Fame member Jan Fisher, former MIT Blackjack Team member Andy Bloch, online poker star Jordan “iMsoLucky0” Morgan, PokerXFactor instructor Chris “Fox” Wallace, and Team PokerStars Pro member Dennis Phillips. Even talk show host and poker veteran Montel Williams turned out, fresh off a trip to Africa.

I’m an economics major, so I’m familiar with opportunity cost. These pros came to Washington, DC voluntarily to help advance the game in the United States. There are plenty of opportunities they passed up in order to attend. My hat is off to each of them. They are truly poker’s role models.

Linda Johnson on National Poker Week, Pentagon Visit

As part of National Poker Week, Tournament Directors Association Co-Founder and Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson lived the high life in Washington, DC. She received a guided tour of the Pentagon and took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Johnson relived her travels with Poker News Daily.

Poker News Daily: Tell us about your Pentagon visit this afternoon.

Johnson: The Pentagon was one of the highlights of my life. I got to have lunch with Brigadier General Sandy Dittig, who is one of the top-ranking females in the military. She invited us to go to the executive dining room at the Pentagon. It was incredible service and a great atmosphere. When we sat down, they had these big plates that said “U.S. Army” on them. It was very fancy and very nice.

After that, she took us on a tour through the halls of the Pentagon and pointed out several department heads and we got to visit some of their offices. Then, we went to the 9/11 memorial and she gave us a tour of Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They actually saluted her when they came out for the changing of the guard. We found out all of the protocols on who has to salute who. Since she’s so high-ranking, they have to salute her. Until she salutes back, they have to continue to salute. You can really mess with someone if you want.

PND: Refresh our memory as to how you met Dittig.

Johnson: We met Sandi last year at a fundraiser for the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Washington, DC. We also met Lt. Colonial Pete Derouin, who gave us a tour of the city at night because our plane left at 3:00am. We saw all of the monuments and it was another incredible evening. We invited them to play in the charity poker tournament this week. Sandi is really not a poker player, but she’s excited. Last night, we played in a private tournament in Washington, DC and they were impressed that we were professional poker players and we were impressed that they were in the military.

PND: Talk about what the pros are doing at the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Fly-In as part of National Poker Week.

Johnson: The pros are at the Fly-In to aid support for the cause of the PPA. We have assignments to meet with some of our legislators and we are going to try to convince them to support HR 2267, which basically is going to regulate online poker. That’s our mission.

PND: Are you looking forward to meeting with Congressmen?

Johnson: I am so excited I can’t stand it. We have actually been role-playing all week. We’ve been practicing our talking points and we’re ready to go.

PND: You’ve probably been practicing with your longtime friend, Jan Fisher. Has she been the Congressman or the pro?

Johnson: She’s been both. My brother, who just learned to play poker a few years ago, is also with us and he’s really excited. He’s a layman who just plays poker part-time. Like we do, he finds it incredible that someone would try to take away our freedom to play online poker. I have friends in Canada who tease me that I’m from the “Land of the Free” and yet we can’t play online poker. That is appalling to me and it’s time to kick some butt on Capitol Hill and get this law overturned.

PND: Has the attendance at National Poker Week been what you thought it would be?

Johnson: I’m pleased to see so many people here. I have met a lot of them at various functions across the country. A lot of the State Directors are friends of mine. It is pretty much what I expected. There’s a lot of buzz and a lot of excitement. Everyone is ready to meet with staffers or Congressmen and let them know what’s on our mind.

Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher Attract Female General to PPA Charity Event

Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson and former World Poker Tour (WPT) statistician Jan Fisher spent Monday during National Poker Week visiting the Pentagon accompanied by Brigadier General, Army National Guard Sandi Dittig. One of the country’s highest-ranking females, Dittig donned civilian attire to play in a charity poker tournament benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington.

Playing alongside one of the most influential Army females were around 35 soldiers from nearby Walter Reed Army Medical Center, who, for one night, put their ailments aside for an uplifting game of poker. The electricity was readily apparent in the Ticonderoga Room of the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill when Ivan Neville took to the podium to sing the National Anthem of the United States. The troops in attendance received a 30 second standing ovation from the gathered crowd; many clapped with the masses in salute of their fellow man. It sent shivers up the spines of all who took part in Tuesday’s festivities.

Dittig was one of 150 starters and 30 alternates who took to the felts to raise $35,000 for the USO. She joined brand name players like 2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion Greg Raymer, “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke, former MIT Blackjack Team member Andy Bloch, and talk show host Montel Williams. Right before the “Shuffle up and deal” command was issued, Poker News Daily caught up with Dittig, who, very much like Johnson and Fisher, is a female on top of a male-dominated industry.

Poker News Daily: Tell us about why you came to the PPA charity poker tournament tonight.

Dittig: I’m very happy that the PPA is supporting the USO and paralyzed veterans of America. That’s where my heart and soul is: soldiers who have given so much and have allowed us to come here and play poker in peace and security.

PND: What’s it like being a top female General in today’s Army?

Dittig: It is a great honor. I will tell you that when I was promoted, all I could think about was that there are millions of women across the world who will never have an opportunity for anything in their lives, not in their families, not in their communities, and not within their governments. For me not to seize this opportunity that my government offered me would have been wrong, so I took this star for all of my girlfriends around the world.

PND: Has the reception been positive from your male counterparts?

Dittig: It’s been nothing but supportive. In fact, I have never had an issue in my 24 years of service. I have always been treated with respect. I have had every opportunity to do anything I have ever wanted. Granted, you have to have some thick skin, but I think you need thick skin regardless of what you do in life. Things will evolve with time and I think always for the better. I have no gripes or complaints. The Army has always been very good to me and I’m always happy to serve.

PPA Charity Poker Tournament Raises $35,000 for USO

On Tuesday night as part of National Poker Week, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) held a charity tournament to raise money for the USO of Metropolitan Washington. In the end, the event generated $35,000, including a generous $25,000 donation by the PPA.

The cards were in the air on Tuesday night at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill at 7:00pm ET for a special charity poker tournament sponsored by the PPA benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington. A capacity crowd of 150 players turned out as well as 30 alternates who eventually found their way onto the tournament’s tables. Poker pros in attendance included Jan Fisher, Poker News Daily Guest Columnists Linda Johnson and Annie Duke, Full Tilt Poker pros Howard Lederer and Andy Bloch, and PokerStars pros Greg Raymer and Dennis Phillips. Talk show host and 20 year poker veteran Montel Williams also lent his name to the tournament, which was free to enter and featured $100 rebuys.

Ivan Neville kicked off the festivities by signing the National Anthem, while a representative from the USO issued the traditional “Shuffle up and deal” command to begin play. Two tables called for rebuys in the first four minutes of action, while Lederer was responsible for rebuying four times in the first 20 minutes. Many of the pros in attendance financed rebuys for the 35 veterans from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center who played. Each person was issued a starting stack of 10,000 and blinds began at 50-100, escalating every 15 minutes. The price of poker ultimately went up every 10 minutes towards the end of play.

The grand prizes at stake were two round trip tickets to Las Vegas plus a three night stay at Caesars Palace as well as a $1,900 gift certificate to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Academy. Other parting gifts included two autographed Daniel Negreanu poker books, a copy of Microsoft Office, VISA gift cards, Nickelback tickets, a copy of HALO 3, a signed Washington Capitals hockey jersey, a JAQK Cellars package, and two six-inch LCD picture frames. Also awarded to two players were one year subscriptions to the training site PokerXFactor.com. One of its instructors, Chris “Fox” Wallace, played in the event and told Poker News Daily, “We thought it would be a nice thing for the bubble person and the first person eliminated to receive PokerXFactor subscriptions. We wanted to show our appreciation for the people who played and, at the same time, help out the PPA and USO.”

Credit cards and cash were accepted for rebuys. In addition to the poker pros in the Ticonderoga Room, a bevy of Congressmen also turned out. They included Shelley Berkley (D-CA), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and Xavier Becerra (D-CA). In one pot, Raymer explained the concept of a string bet to tablemates, but folded in the hand when his opponent showed A-J on a rag board. Duke came armed to her table with a stack of $100 bills and told Poker News Daily that she contributed around $1,500 to the cause. Duke and PPA Executive Director John Pappas were seated together, as were PPA Kentucky State Director Rich Muny and Bloch. Phillips and his agent also met as foes at the same table.

Several players had bounties on their heads, including former PokerStars Marketing Director Dan Goldman and tournament emcee Bryan Spadaro, who also serves as the PPA’s Memebrship Director. The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) funded rebuys for the first 10 players who busted out, while a flurry of exciting hands took place. When five tables remained, Goldman’s pocket kings defeated pocket queens and another player with pocket kings after four diamonds hit the board. Wallace lost a $50 last longer bet with online poker pro Jordan “iMsoLucky0” Morgan after his K-9 suited lost to A-10. The final board included two aces and Wallace was sent to the rails.

All in all, the tournament marked a successful fundraiser for the USO of Metropolitan Washington. For those involved, it represented a unique opportunity to play alongside 35 wounded veterans. After the tournament, Johnson told Poker News Daily that those in uniform hold a “special place in my heart.”

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest from National Poker Week.

Robert Wexler Speaks at PPA National Poker Week Fly-In Dinner

On Monday night at the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Fly-In held as part of National Poker Week, a working dinner featured Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato, and PPA Executive Director John Pappas.

A host of poker pros were in attendance at the Capitol Room inside the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. They included 2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion Greg Raymer, Full Tilt Poker pros Andy Bloch and Howard Lederer, Tournament Directors Association Co-Founder Linda Johnson, former World Poker Tour (WPT) statistician Jan Fisher, and “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke.

D’Amato kicked off the festivities by noting, “One person at the forefront… and has stood up specifically for… player versus player, and not versus the house, games – No one has been stronger than Bob Wexler.” The audience of about 50 people erupted into a chorus of applause after Wexler’s name was spoken. The Florida Congressman and former author of the Skill Game Protection Act last session called D’Amato a “class act in the finest sense of the word.” Wexler then outlined the goal of National Poker Week and the PPA Fly-In: “To put a face on the issue is very important.” He continued, “It’s an apple pie issue. Poker is a game that has been played in the White House, the Supreme Court, and… by some of the biggest names in American history.”

Wexler also reminded Fly-In attendees, which included 30 of the PPA’s State Directors, that follow-up contact is critical: “When you go meet with your Congressmen, your job is only half done. When you get back home, follow up with your local office. You can’t imagine how important that is. Spend 15 minutes with the director of the local office.” Wexler called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was passed in 2006 and attached to an unrelated port security measure, an “absurd law” and labeled Congressmen Barney Frank an “important ally.” He then hit up the buffet to grab a snack before exiting with a staff member.

D’Amato then returned to the podium to rally the troops: “I’m very hopefully we’ll be able to get one of the staunchest allies we have to be supportive of legislation that will give you the right to play poker on the internet.” He labeled an unspecified meeting this afternoon a “major breakthrough.” The PPA’s Chairman emphasized the importance of letting Congressmen and staffers know how many members the organization boasts. D’Amato added, “This is about civil rights and civil liberties.” A hearty round of applause followed that comment. He also recalled a bad beat story in which he was busted from a seniors’ poker tournament with pocket jacks after an opponent spiked an ace on the river. He concluded with, “Thank you for coming. Don’t get discouraged. We are making progress.”

An overview of briefing packets given out to Fly-In attendees followed. Stats highlighted included that 10 million Americans play online poker, while 70 million compete in poker. Guests were encouraged to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their scheduled Congressional meetings in order to go through security. Pappas encouraged attendees to convey their personal story and ask support for HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, which was introduced in May. Pappas also gave updates on upcoming Senate legislation to legalize online poker in the United States, over-blocking by credit card companies of internet transactions, and the Southern District of New York seizing over $34 million from more than 27,000 online poker players.

We’ll have more for you from the Fly-In, including complete coverage of Tuesday’s charity tournament, right here on Poker News Daily.

Poker News Daily Heads to National Poker Week

Sunday marks the official start of National Poker Week. The seven day affair features a concerted effort calling for the legalization and regulation of online poker in the United States. Poker News Daily will head to the nation’s capital as part of the Week’s Fly-In organized by the Poker Players Alliance (PPA).

Thirty of the PPA’s State Directors and at least a half-dozen poker pros will be in attendance, meeting with Congressmen and Senators on Capitol Hill. The PPA is targeting both poker-friendly lawmakers and those still on the fence in an effort to drum up support for HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, and HR 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act. The former establishes a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for the internet gambling industry in the United States, while the latter delays compliance with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) by one year.

A message posted on the official website of National Poker Week states, “Join the thousands of poker players from across the country who will raise their voices to help keep America’s most popular game legal during National Poker Week.” State Directors, poker pros, and media from around the United States will check in during the day on Monday to the Fly-In’s official hotel, the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. A panel discussion will be held in the afternoon in Room 2237 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The group will be discuss how the industry can be properly regulated and features Wired Safety Executive Director Dr. Parry Aftab, Cigital Vice President Stuart Dross, and a former executive with International Gaming Technology, Paul Matthews.

At 6:00pm on Monday at the Hyatt, a working dinner will be held featuring comments by Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL). A reception precedes dinner. The gala will focus on appropriate talking points for attendees meeting with Congressmen on Tuesday and Wednesday. Poker News Daily will likely have media access to several meetings on Capitol Hill to give our readers an in-depth look at common talking points for conversing with lawmakers. State Directors were given literature outlining discussion points as well as a comprehensive overview of HR 2267, which was introduced by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) in May and boasts 47 co-sponsors.

On Tuesday night, Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Annie Duke, Andy Bloch, Jan Fisher, Linda Johnson, Howard Lederer, and 2008 November Nine member Dennis Phillips will host a charity poker tournament benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington. The invitation-only event is free to enter and features $100 rebuys. The PPA is fronting the entire cost of the event and will be making its own donation to the tournament’s benefactor. Prizes for the winners include travel packages and poker tutorials. Poker News Daily will be on-site during the event, which will be held in the Ticonderoga Room of the Hyatt at 7:00pm. Congressional representatives, soldiers, and poker players alike will take to the felts in this unique event.

On Wednesday, continental breakfast will precede meetings with Congressmen. State Directors are encouraged to check out after 5:00pm and then enjoy the city of Washington, DC. The PPA reserved a block of rooms at the Hyatt for the event and, around July 1st, all but a handful were booked in what is expected to be a widely-attended Fly-In. National Poker Week was announced in June as part of a press conference held at the Rio during the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

An online poker petition will be presented to President Barack Obama on Wednesday. How it will be given to the Commander in Chief is not yet known, but the petition has attracted 345,000 signatures after clipping the 300,000 mark on July 14th. PPA officials were aiming to eclipse 500,000 signatures by Monday.

Look for updates from National Poker Week in the next few days right here on Poker News Daily.

Kenna James Wins Dream Team Poker WSOP Event

“Cowboy” Kenna James won the third Dream Team Poker event, held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas down the hall from the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Tao of Pokerati emerged victorious in the team competition.

Tao of Pokerati was the lone team to boast two members in the final 27 players. Dr. Pauly McGuire recorded a 13th place finish, while Dan Michalski earned 17th. Michalski showed prowess of the Dream Team Poker concept after folding pocket kings face up to assure moving on when his team had a chance to secure the first place prize. In the end, Tao of Pokerati earned $33,000 for the win. In Dream Team Poker, each squad’s two best finishes are recorded and the lowest score wins. For Tao of Pokerati, a score of 30 (the sum of 13th place and 17th place) was good enough to take home the title.

Here’s how the team competition stacked up. The buy-in for the third Dream Team Poker tournament was $560 per player, or $1,680 per team:

1. Tao of Pokerati - $33,017
2. Team Simpletrak - $18,106
3. Diaboloco’s - $10,651
4. Machine Team - $7,988
5. Team Puerto Rico - $7,455
6. 7 Kings - $6,923
7. 2 Kings - $6,390
8. The Maven VT 4 - $5,858
9. The Maven VT 3 - $5,325
10. Min Cash Masters - $4,793

In an interview after the tournament with Dream Team Poker emcee Alex Outhred, James explained, “I have to hand it to the Dream Team Poker team, they really run a class event. From all the information they provide, to having them out there, to having the music in the background, they really know how to generate the feeling that this event is all about. It was really special.” In the end, it was a gender versus gender clash, with James defeating Judy Tejwani of SOCRR heads-up. James, who played as part of Poker Host, banked $16,000 for the win, while Tejwani earned $7,800 for her runner-up showing.

The top individual finishers at the Rio were as follows:

1. Kenna James (Poker Host) - $16,473
2. Judy Tejwani (SOCRR) - $7,810
3. Stephen Nelson (I Love it When a Plan Comes Together) - $5,680
4. Peter Mavro (Min Cash Masters) - $4,260
5. Ricardo Felix Matos (Machine Team) - $3,621
6. Bojan Miljkovic (Juzni Vetar) - $3,160
7. Terresa Gallagher (Wicked Chops Poker II) - $2,485
8. David Hornsby (The Hangover) - $1,775
9. James Page (The Maven VT 3) - $1,598
10. Adam Wege (NLP FREE) - $1,598

The event brought out some of poker’s brightest stars. David Williams, Evelyn Ng, and Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo competed as part of Team Bodog. Barry Greenstein and Joe Stapleton joined forces on Team PokerRoad.com. Jerry Yang, Christina Lindley, and Eric Aude formed Team Six Hands, Four Nutz, and a Rack on Tilt. Marsha Waggoner, James Worth, and Young Phan made up Team True Poker and Barbara Enright, Paul Darden, and David Levi brought Team Bookmaker Poker to life. “Captain” Tom Franklin and Poker Hall of Fame member T.J. Cloutier competed under the Captain Krunch banner, while Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Rick Fuller battled as part of Bike.com.

A total of 122 teams and 366 players entered the Rio event, down sharply from the 148 teams and 444 runners who turned out for Dream Team Poker’s last competition, held at Caesars Palace in March. Among those in attendance was newly-minted Absolute Poker pro Lacey Jones, whose team took down the WSOP media event held last week. Jones commented in a press release, “This is my third time playing a Dream Team Poker event and I have had the most fun playing these events than any other poker tournament. I can’t think of any better way to enjoy the game of poker than to play with your friends and have them cheer you on!”

Visit the official website of Dream Team Poker for more information.

Poker Petition Breaks 300,000 Signatures

The petition put forth by the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) as part of National Poker Week currently stands at 300,428 signatures. The measure broke through the 300,000 threshold overnight.

Players have turned out in droves to sign the poker petition. The process takes less than 30 seconds and involves a person entering in their first name, last name, e-mail address, street address, city, state, zip code, and a special authentication code. Its text begins, “I am a voter and a fellow poker player asking for your support of my right to play games of skill like poker on the internet.” On July 22nd, the petition will be presented to President Barack Obama, who is in St. Louis this evening to throw out the first pitch of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Busch Stadium.

The language of the petition notes that regulation of online poker was the top technology topic in the Citizens’ Briefing Book, which asked Americans what issues they wanted to see addressed by the new Obama Administration. The entry, which appeared on Change.gov, was entitled “Boost America’s Economy with Legal Online Poker” and received support from around the industry. Specifically, the petition asks President Obama to “1) exempt poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and 2) license and regulate internet poker in the U.S. 3) Respect the rights of law-abiding Americans who love to play this great game of skill.”

The petition is one of several components of National Poker Week, which takes place from July 19th through 25th. Thirty of the PPA’s State Directors and a handful of poker pros will travel to Washington, DC to meet with Congressmen and push for the legalization of online poker. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has introduced two measures that State Directors and poker pros will push. HR 2267 establishes a full framework for the licensing and regulation of internet gambling in the United States. HR 2266 delays industry compliance with the UIGEA by one year until December 1st, 2010. The measures sit at 42 and 25 co-sponsors, respectively, after being introduced on May 6th.

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato, and PPA Executive Director John Pappas unveiled National Poker Week at a press conference on June 22nd during the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP). The PPA will welcome poker pros Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke, Jan Fisher, Linda Johnson, and 2008 WSOP November Nine member Dennis Phillips to the Capitol Hill next week for the festivities.

On Tuesday night, the PPA will host a charity poker tournament. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill and begins with a reception at 6:00pm. The tournament kicks off at 7:00pm, with funds raised being donated to the USO of Metropolitan Washington. According to an invitation sent out by the PPA, which is fronting the costs of the event, players can win “travel packages, poker tutorials by pros, and other great prizes.” Members of the U.S. Armed Services will play alongside some of the industry’s top poker players.

The PPA has also set up MyPokerStory.com, a site that allows players to submit videos outlining why poker is critical to their lives. Professional poker players including World Poker Tour (WPT) Host Mike Sexton, “Cowboy” Kenna James, and Lederer have all submitted videos to the cause. Sexton’s submission reveals, “I have been playing poker since I was 13 years-old… I’m a die-hard poker guy and I hope you like to play as well.”

Poker News Daily will be camped out in Washington, DC during National Poker Week, so stay tuned for a full recap of events.