World Poker Tour New Site

The World Poker Tour (WPT) has recently renvoated their website. I think it looks really great, very catchy. It looks like their new approach is more sex, as several scantily clad women can be found on the front page awaiting your click. Check it out for yourself at wwww.worldpokertour.com

A Touchy Subject

Currently in today's world the rules and regulations on gambling are very much up in the air. Last week when NBA Comissioner David Stern relaxed some of the rules that applied to league referees off court behaviors, it really raised some eyebrows. After the highly publicized scandal involving long time ref Tim Donaghy, a general investigation in the league found more than half of the NBA's refs in mild violatio of the rules on gambling.



But most of the violations involved everyhting from $5 lottery ticktes to sitting at low stake poker tables. In a league Board of Governers meeting Stern noted it is to easy to make rules on their (the refs) faith alone. However, the low stakes poker table Stern refers might have been the one held at the NBA's annual Officials Training Camp, where a poker game has long been one of the camp's social functions.

Poker How To

As I was searching the Internet for enticing poker related news, it dawned on me that not everyone even knows how to play poker. Although this is foreign to me, it must be brought to light. So for all those who do not have a clue when it comes to the difference between three of a kind and a straight flush here is a great video compliments of non other than YouTube.com.

My Favortie Part of Grade School

In light of the recent PPA rally against the 'Unlawful Internet Gambling Act', here is an old school tribute to Capitol Hill...

Rally, Rally

Online poker players unite! And that is exactly what is going on as the PPA (Poker Players Alliance) kicks off some serious citizen lobbying on Capitol Hill.In an attempt to make strides against 'The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act' (UIGEA), PPA has organized not only citizen lobbying but also policy conferences to educate those who disapprove of the act.

Some of the most famous names in the professional poker world are expected to be apart of the conference including,Barry Greenstein, Andy Bloch, Howard Lederer, Chad Brown, Vanessa Rousso and Victor Ramdin. Here is a list of some of the planned events and guest speakers:

• "How to Lobby Congress" Breakfast

• Member of Congress/Staff Meetings

• Capitol Hill Reception

• Policy Forum

• Invited speakers include: Charles Nesson, Professor, Harvard Law; Sallie James, Policy Analyst, Cato Institute; Keith Whyte, Executive Director, Nat'l Council on Problem Gambling; and other experts in the field of public policy and law

Further Developments in 'Absolute Poker' Scandal

After further investigation, according to VNUNET.com, 'Absolute Poker's' own are being held responsible for the recent security breach. In fact it is the co-founder of the website who is being accused of cheating. Scott Tom who lives in Costa Rica was using the site as a registered player but he allegedly used his access to see players hole cards to his advantage along with other players. If this information is prove to be true it could possibly be fatal for the 'Absolute Poker' site and Tom along with others involved with face serious jail time.

Fellow blogger and economist Steven Levitt commented on the situation; "If all this is correct, it shows exactly how the cheating would have transpired: an insider at the website had real-time access to all the hole [hidden] cards (it is not hard to believe that this capability would exist) and was relaying this information to an outside accomplice".

More Chip Tricks to Look Like a Pro

A Big 'Oops' from Absolute Poker

Popular online poker site, 'Absolute Poker', experienced a recent security breach. After talk of suspicious happenings on the site around the poker blog world, 'Absolute Poker' released this statement:

Dear valued player,

Absolute Poker has identified an internal security breach that compromised our systems for a limited period of time. The cause of the breach has been determined and completely resolved. In addition, all necessary resources, both internal and external, have been engaged to ensure this does not happen again. Our investigation is not fully concluded, and we wish to thank the extended poker community for any and all assistance related to the matter.

Game integrity has always and continues to be of the utmost importance at Absolute Poker. The Management of Absolute Poker is appalled by these findings, and is committed to our players and to the integrity of our site and the online poker industry.

All players affected by the security breach will be identified during the audit process that has been initiated and all funds, including interest, will be returned. Absolute Poker would like to apologize for the recent events and is committed to diligently working with outside security firms, auditing firms, the extended poker community and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission to ensure the situation is entirely resolved.

This breach, though taken care of fairly quickly, is a serious blow to the struggling online poker market.

Shocking Poker Crime

On Monday night in New Smyrna Beach, Florida a man was shot and killed while playing in an in home poker game. Pokernews.com reports that around 9:30PM two masked men broke into the house where eight people were engaging in a rumored high stakes poker game. After a heated argument,shots were fired inside the house fatally injuring 62 year old Dennis Michael Turner.


The homeowner was known for hosting games several times a week at his home and this was not the first time his house was targeted. A few months earlier burglars made off with more than $30,000 in cash and valuables. Although the murder is the Police's main focus they are further investigating the homeowner who could potentially face charges for hosting illegal high stake poker games.

WPT Spainish Championship Winner Crowned

Another one of my heroes has fallen. Unforunatley, Gus Hansen could not hold his commanding lead with only one day of play to go. Hansen finished fifth overall taking home just over $140,000 not bad for a few days work.

The champion at this WPT event was amatuer player Markus Lehmann who cashed in at over $780,000. Lehmann was the second short stack going into the final table, playing his cards strategically eventually payed off as he picked off his fellow international oppoents one by one.
And an international field it was at the final table with repersentation from six countries including, Russia, Sweden, Korea, France, Austria, and Denmark. A true World Poker Tour Event.

"A chip and a chair"

Probably one of the most famed sayings in poker is "a chip and a chair". Its is something I hear every time I play poker and by far my father's favorite poker saying. But where did this widely used phrase come from? This week in Tom Sexton's blog he discovers the legend behind the famous words.

In fact the story Sexton unfolds in one of poker history greatness. On the second day of the 1982 World Series of Poker main event player Jack Straus made a move that will never be forgotten. On a single hand he bet around 15,000 chips, thinking he made an all-in move but not declaring it verbally. As the cards unfolded Straus lost the hand and as he stood up to leave the table believing he was eliminated, the dealer kindly asked if that was his single chip under the table railing. And in fact it was, Jack Straus had a single chip and of course his 'chair' in the tournament.

But what is even more extraordinary about this Poker tale, Straus went on to win the 1982 World Series of Poker main event. Perhaps the most unbelievable win in Poker history.

WPT Spanish Championship Update

Only 11 remain in the great city of Barcelona. This years 2007 Spanish Championship finds a very familiar face on top in perhaps the final day of play. One of my personal favorites, Gus Hansen, is the current chip leader with 807,000 chips. Ludovic Lacey finds himself in second with 467,000 giving Hansen a demanding lead. Four more professionals and five professional hopefuls round out the remaining few. The field began with 226 players and like always only one will walk away with the top prize.

College Level Poker Training?

Having gaming training at a collegiate level would be a dream for many and those dreams nearly came true this week. Gatlin Educational Services recently announced a partnership with the University of Buffalo to provide an entire gaming curriculum. It would consist of casino dealer courses in blackjack,baccarat,and poker all hosted by famed poker professional's Johnny Chan Academy.

GES feels it is answering a community's call for this type of education but UB immediately trumped their ideas by cancelling the agreement. UB stated that the educational program did not agree with the school's mission. However,future gaming hopefuls can still register for the Johnny Chan Academy through the Buffalo based Casino career training center.

World Poker Tour: Spanish Championship

Today marks the start of another World Poker Tour event. The Spanish Championship kicked off today in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain with a total of 97 players buying into the action. The buy in fee was 7,500 Euro and the event is being hosted at the extravagant Casino Barcelona.

Play will continue until Tuesday October 16th and like all World Poker Tour events it is sure to be an exciting several days. Some familiar faces at this tournament include the poker women of the year, Annette Obrestad.

A Big Sigh of Relief for the Poker World

Today’s poker news brings a great sigh of relief for anyone who plays high stake poker especially professional poker players. Recently there was a scare, when the government attempted to pass and implement a 25% (!!!) withholding tax on poker tournament winnings over $5,000. Fortunately, today news broke that the tax is not going to be put into place even though it had been reported by many poker news outlets that it was.

Despite the confusion, The American Gaming Association is pleased with the final decision because overtime it would reduce the number of players who could regularly afford to play in high stakes tournaments. Instead of the 25% tax players will be given earnings/tax statements to declare their winnings. This will be used to file on W-2 forms as miscellaneous income.

The final decision in this situation is a great move for the poker world. Popularity and amounts of players would have severely suffered at the cost of the 25% tax.

World Series of Poker Craze Lives On

The more popular than ever World Series of Poker continues to capture the attention of the public. Tournament information for the 2008 World Series of Poker was released today and I can hardly wait.

The 2008 event will be held at its' usual home, the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. It will be presented by Milwaukee's best Light and run May 30th through July 17th. The specific tournament schedule has not yet been released.

2008 will mark the first year I will actually be eligible to participate in any live poker event. Hopefully I can make my dreams come true.

How to Look Like a Pro

Sure everyone wants to play like a pro but the reality of it is that no matter how hard we try we all can’t be poker champions of the world. But not to worry there is some hope in this matter. If we all can’t play like the pros at least we can all try and look like a pro.

Recently while browsing You Tube for some material, I found this video by Wrestling Ferret Production that teaches the average poker Joe how to shuffle chips like a pro.

Take notes and enjoy!

Poker Chip Mania

Poker Chip Mania is the leading online retailer of gaming products for not only households but prominent casinos throughout the world. The recent release of the 15g clay poker chip, the first of its kind, is turning a lot of heads. Not only is it the heaviest poker chip to date, its feel is distinctively different from the array of chips all ready on the market.

The official name of the chip is the ‘15g Las Vegas Casino’ and the face of the chip features an etching of the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign and the denomination of the chip. All orders are available custom and these chips are sure to be a great seller for the online retailer.

Poker Blogger Tournment

My dreams have finally come true! I have found the best poker news of the year.

For the third time, although this is the first of I have heard, a major online poker site is hosting the World Blogger Championship of Online Poker. Yes, that is right; anyone who can prove they have been a Blogger of poker for at least two months is eligible for this tournament. There is over $40K in prizes including iPods, Xboxs, and plasma screen Tvs.

The tournament will begin October 14th but it will be no amateur event. Famous poker Blogger Daniel Negreanu will be playing in the event.

Who is this man?

Who is this man clearly stuck in the 1980s’ you ask? Well believe it or not, this 80s’ ‘hair band’ original is actually rallying for a very good cause.

Vince Neil, pictured above, formerly of the bad boy band ‘Motley Crue’ is calling for porn stars and poker players alike to come together for his third annual ‘Off the Strip’ poker tournament. The tournament is a fundraiser for a cause that hits close to home for Neil whose daughter died of cancer at a young age in 1995. Money raised goes towards the Skylar Neil and TJ Martell Foundations. The tournament is just apart of Neil’s efforts to raise money for the cause which he has done since his daughter’s passing.

Despite the serious cause, Neil likes to keep his charity events light hearted including a live auction during the tournament hosted by adult film stars.

The event will be hosted at The Joint at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. The buy in is $550 and anyone interested can check out skylarneil.org.

Poker Trouble in Sweden

Like pretty much the entire World, Sweden too is experiencing the current poker craze storming the globe. The popularity of poker in Sweden has sky rocketed over the past several years and even prompted the country to start a state run online poker site, ‘Svenska Spel’. But also like the rest of the world interested in poker, Sweden has come across legal troubles concerning underground poker clubs and unlicensed tournaments.
Commercial for Svenska Spel

Recently six men were arrested for such a crime. Facing up to four years in jail, the men are being accused of hosting and organizing what they called The European Poker Classic. Despite being unlicensed the event was well publicized and attracted 700 players who each paid a 250 Euro buy in fee. The top prize, which was never rewarded due to the raid, was to be 50,000 Euro. All men being charged are denying the allegations and a court date has been set for November.

'Seven Majors’ of Poker According to Tom Sexton

Any true professional sport has its crowning moments, its grand slams, or major events. For football it’s the Super bowl and baseball it’s the World Series. In golf crowning moments come in the form of majors. Like when Bobby Jones took home the Gran Slam in golf winning The US Open, US Amateur, British Open, and British Amateur. Today golf had evolved and so has the world of Poker so why should this sport not have its crowning moments or major events.

According to poker legend Tom Sexton, greatness in poker like other professional sports should be measured based on accomplishments in seven major events. Sexton’s picks for the seven majors are:

1. World Series of Poker Main Event
2. World Poker Tour Main Event
3. World Series of Poker H.O.R.S.E. Event
4. World Series of Poker Main Event Europe
5. NBC’s National Heads Up Poker Championship
6. World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions
7. High Stakes Poker

Together these events would be the true measure of a poker champion.