Poker News
Poker News

What happens in Lego Vegas...

Saturday, March 31, 2007

A Las Vegas Miniland has been built by a team of 15 designers in Carlsbad and at Lego headquarters in Billund, Denmark, over the past three years. It is the biggest scale model in the Legoland park, located 40 miles north of downtown San Diego.

It's amazingly realistic, and so it should be after 16,000 labour hours and more than 2million lego blocks!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
Welcome to Fabulous Lego Vegas

Lego Exaclibur
Lego Excalibur

Bellagio
Lego Bellagio

Luxor
Lego Luxor

New York New York
Lego New York, New York

Lego Treasure Island
Lego Treasure Island

Venetian
Lego Venetian

And remember - what happens in Lego Vegas, stays in Lego Vegas...


Posted at 4:51 AM Permalink | 1 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Harrahs gearing up for WSOP 2007

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Players competing in this year's World Series of Poker can expect to find a richer variety of games taking place in a newly designed "poker superstructure" adjacent to the Rio casino in Las Vegas.

World Series of Poker commissioner Jeffrey Pollack detailed some of the new plans for poker's biggest event - including a schedule moved up nearly a month - during a recent open conference call.

The final table of this year's $10,000 main event is scheduled for noon July 17, more than three weeks earlier than last year's date of Aug. 10. The 2007 World Series begins June 1 with a $5,000 mixed Texas hold 'em - meaning limit and no-limit - event.

"We'll also be on ESPN earlier than ever before. The turnaround to TV will be shorter," Pollack said.

The revised schedule positions the tournament as "the summer programming we were meant to be, rather than creeping into the fourth quarter," where it faces competition from the NFL and college football.

Playing off the success of last year's $50,000 buy-in HORSE tournament - a mixed-games event featuring hold 'em, Omaha, razz, 7-card stud and 7-card stud high-low split that attracted many of the world's best poker players - officials tweaked and expanded the roster of games available during this year's World Series.

"Last year's HORSE event was a way for us to signal we're going to look at the tournament fresh again each year," Pollack said.

"We wanted to (make HORSE-type games available) not just for the top players but for the other players as well."

The 2007 schedule includes a $2,500 HORSE event, a $5,000 HORSE event and a $1,000 SHOE event along with the reprise of the $50,000 HORSE world championship tournament. Another mixed-game tournament pairs Omaha and stud high-low.

Other tournaments feature "specialty" games such as deuce-to-7 triple draw, Omaha high-low and razz. "That comes from meeting with the players, and listening to the players' requests," said Howard Greenbaum, chief of operations for the World Series.

In all, 55 "bracelet events" - indicating a championship bracelet is awarded to the winner - are planned.

The tournament "superstructure" built next to the Rio will hold 258 tables this year, according to Pollack, who said officials plan to accommodate as many as 10,000 players in the championship event but will not cap the field.
"If there's more, we'll find a way to figure it out," Pollack said.

Harrah's own at least 6 Las Vegas casinos that I can think of, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to find some extra space...

Full Tilt Poker is guaranteeing more World Series of Poker entry packages than any other site. They'll also give you an EXTRA $10million if you qualify through Full Tilt, then go on to win the World Series. So if you think you could handle wining over $20 million, try your luck at Tilt.


Posted at 6:32 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Monte Carlo - European poker finale

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The final event of the European Poker Tour started today in Monte Carlo, Europe's playground for the rich and famous.

Players are enjoying the luxurious surrounds at Salles des Etoiles at the Monte Carlo Sporting at the exclusive Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.

Sponsored exclusively by PokerStars.com, the EPT is finishing it's third season with what is going to be the biggest prize pool ever for a European poker tournament.

With at least 650 players and a record prize pool of more than €6 million (nearly US $8,000,000), the EPT Season 3 Grand Final is the richest poker touranment ever held outside the USA. The winner will receive more than €1,600,000 (over US $2,200,000).

The six-day No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament ends on April 2. Nearly all Team PokerStars are plaaying including former World champions Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker and Joe Hachem as well as Lee Nelson, Humberto Brenes, Barry Greenstein, Katja Thater, Luca Pagano, Noah Boeken, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Isabelle Mercier, Victor Ramdin, Bill Chen and Vanessa Rousso.

Last year's Grand Final, with a prize pool of €2,980,000, was won by PokerStars qualifier Jeff Williams, 19, who went home with €900,000 (US $1,100,000).

On the first day of play,PokerStars players Greg Raymer & Victor Ramdin did well, as did Australian Mark Vos from Full Tilt Poker.

Here are the top 10 chip counts at the end of day 1a.

Steve Jelinek 110000
Thomas Wahlroos 88200
Jani Vilmunen 88000
Mark Vos 76000
Hans Ritburg 69000
Josh Arieh 65000
Greg Raymer 48000
Harry Demetriou 47500
Johnny Lodden 47200
Victor Ramdin 43800

Day 1b will be played tomorrow and we'll keep you updated with all the action from Monte Carlo right here at Poker.com.


Posted at 11:14 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Irish Poker Open looking good.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Irish Poker OpenSome of poker's most influential and well known stars from the US and across Europe have confirmed their participation in the 26th Irish Poker Open being held at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin over the upcoming Easter weekend (6-9 April) 2007.

Mike Sexton, host of the World Poker Tour television series, World Series of Poker bracelet holder and all-round ambassador for the game, will play the main event as will Academy Award nominated actress Jennifer Tilly and her Dublin-born partner Phil Laak.

Laak, also know as 'the Unabomer', was predictably excitable about his prospects of playing in the Irish Open. "The Irish Open, wow. Very cool. Very cool indeed," he enthused. "Fully Genius sir. Fully genius."

WSOP bracelet holder and Laak buddy, 'The Magician' Antonio Esfandiari, is also playing the main event and will be joined by fellow countrymen Chad Brown (TV presenter and actor) and World Poker Association head Jesse Jones.

Between them these six world-class players have earned almost $10 million in tournament poker payouts.

The charismatic jeweler, Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott who has won over $4 million in tournament play is one of dozens of top European players attending the event. This list also includes Roland De Wolfe who has won both World and European Poker Tour titles.

Other players who have already registered for the event to date include: Donnacha O'Dea, Padraig Parkinson, Andy Black, Roy 'the Boy' Brindley, 'Mad' Marty Wilson, Dave Colclough, Lee Nelson, Jan Molby, Michael Greco, Barny Boatman, Scott Gray, Ivo Donev, Rolf Slotboom and Julian Gardner.

Registrations have been pouring in from all over the world and with well over half the 700 seats taken the event is on track to be the biggest poker tournament ever held in Europe, as well as the longest running.

You can bet that Full Tilt Poker will have a full contingent of players and pros representing them at the event. They ran a lot of sunday satellite tournaments giving away packages to the tournament, and Dublin is definitely one of the Tilters' favorite cities!

Ahh to be sure, to be sure.. It'll be poker craic!


Posted at 11:55 PM Permalink | 2 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Bye Bye Lee Jones

Monday, March 26, 2007

The big news in the poker world today is that Lee Jones, the poker room manager at PokerStars.com is stepping down from his position. He'll be taking a more active role with the European Poker Tour and is planning to actully play some poker!

It may come as a surprise to some, but I don't blame him at all for wanting a change of pace. Managing an online poker room is a time-consuming and often thankless task. He's done well to last 3 1/2 years in the job. Prior to joining the poker industry full time in July of 2003, he was a computer hardware and software designer in Silicon Valley for over 20 years.

This is his letter explaining his decision and future plans.


Hi all –

It is with great delight and profound regret that I announce that, effective April 1st, 2007, I will no longer be the poker room manager at PokerStars. [1]

The good news is that I am still going to be part of the PokerStars family. I will be working for John Duthie in the EPT (European Poker Tour), doing organization, hosting, and TV commentary. Furthermore, I will still be working as a consultant for PokerStars, helping with some PokerStars events, such as the PCA (PokerStars Caribbean Adventure) at the Atlantis (Resort) and the World Cup of Poker. And I will show up sometimes at Sunday Million and WCOOP (World Championship of Online Poker) final tables.

Why the change? Well, it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to expand my horizons and stretch some new muscles. I will be at all the EPT events, doing final table announcing, and commentary on the TV shows and webcasts. [2] I love meeting and hanging out with the players, so this will be great fun for me. And it will give me time to do some other projects, including actually playing a little poker!

Of course, the regret comes from leaving a job that I’ve had, and loved, for three and a half years. I’ve gotten to watch PokerStars go from a promising enterprise in third place on the online poker ladder to the clear market leader; and working hard daily to stay there. The people at PokerStars are an extraordinary bunch and I’ve been honored to be part
of that team. I’m not going to start naming names for two reasons: (1) I’d be sure to leave out a really important name, and (2) there are simply too many of them. But from the senior management to the customer service representatives, these people have become not only colleagues but friends. I will miss acutely the day-to-day interaction with them.

I will also miss the day-to-day contact with the thousands of PokerStars players that I’ve come to know via email. The support you’ve given me these past years has been overwhelming and I am quite humbled by it. Furthermore, you’ve been quick to provide constructive criticism when I’ve made a wrong turn, and that’s just as important. I trust that you will provide my successor [3] with the same support and constructive criticism that you’ve given me.

But as I said, I’ll still be around. I’ll be at plenty of live events (particularly in Europe) ... .

But for now, I’ll sign off as I have since October of 2003, proud to say …

Best regards,

Lee Jones
PokerStars Poker Room Manager


[1] No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.
[2] The first webcast, from the Dortmund, Germany EPT, was the nuts — people loved it. We’re going to do it from Monte Carlo too and it will be bigger and better.
[3] That person is yet to be named, but we’ve got a few *really* good candidates.


Good luck Lee - we look forward to seeing you on the European Poker Tour circuit. But cutting a deal at a PokerStars.com final table just won't be the same without you...


Posted at 11:05 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


888's new poker software

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Pacific Poker today anounced that they will be upgrading to new software very soon! It will be avilable in English to begin with, and then other languages to follow.

As well as being an impressive graphical improvement, there are many features and improvements that will push 888's software toward the top of the online poker pile.

Some of the new features include;
  • Add-ons & Rebuys in tournaments
  • Personlised avatars, timezones, and design preferences
  • Custom table views to make it easier to find the table you wish to play
  • Improved multi-window play with cascading & tiled windows
  • Chat & Player notes at the tables
There's also a backgammon client on the way!

Stay tuned - we'll review the new software as soon as it's released. In the meantime, you should check out the Matador Freeroll promotion.


Posted at 10:46 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Online poker relic gone

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Planet Poker, one of the first (maybe even THE first) online poker room has announced that it is ceasing operations on March 31st and no further deposits may be made.

Citing difficulties competing in the current competitive online poker industry, the message was relayed to site members via email on Friday night.

It's sad to see planet poker go, even if the software was horrible by today's standards.... They were pioneers of online poker.

If you're an ex Planet Poker player and are looking for somewhere new to play, try Full Tilt Poker.


Posted at 1:16 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


EPT Monte Carlo adds extra day

Monday, March 19, 2007

It's good to see that poker in Europe continues to grow. The European Poker Tour finale in Monte Carlo has added an additional first day, doubling the capacity of the tournament.

Set to be Europe's richest poker tournament, the EPT Grand Final will now take place from March 28 to April 2, 2007, in the Salles des Etoiles at the Monte Carlo Sporting at the exclusive Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.

Last year's Grand Final, with a prize pool of €2,980,000, was won by PokerStars qualifier Jeff Williams, 19, who went home with €900,000 ($1,100,000).

Qualifying satellites for the EPT Grand Final - from as little as $2.20 - are running daily on PokerStars.com. There is also a daily $240 Double Shoot Out, with one guaranteed seat, as well as Sit n Go satellites. The final $800 super-satellite takes place on Friday, March 23 at 13.30 (ET) / 17.30 (GMT).

If you make it, be sure to visit the exclusive party that Stars is throwing at Jimmy'z - Monte Carlo's hottest nightclub. The party starts at 7.15pm on March 27. All EPT players, their guests and accredited media are invited!


Posted at 10:59 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Chuck Norris plays poker!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Chuck Norris PokerA jeweler named Danny Yousefzadeh won today's WSOP circuit event final table at Caesars Atlantic City. Congrats on your $488, 828 first prize Danny. ;)

But with the WPT event at Bay 101 and the European Poker Tour attracting the bigger names, the really interesting story today is that Chuck Norris came 9th!

Who knows if it is the real Chuck Norris, or some other clown pretending to be Chuck Norris. Here at the Poker.com office we love any Chuck Norris!

We hear that Chuck didn't go to a single showdown all day, because when he bet at a pot the other players just folded. Chuck also didn't get dealt a single full house, but he dealt out plenty of round houses....
(apologies for the really bad chuck norris internerd humor)

Here were the final standings and prizemoney.

1. Danny Yousefzadeh $488,828
2. John McMahon $268,858
3. Eugene Fouksman $137,484
4. Frank Vizza $106,932
5. Matt Brady $91,656
6. Rick Austin $76,380
7. David Fox $61,104
8. Grant Lang $45,828
9. Chuck Norris $30,552

Make sure you spend that $30k wisely Chuck. With no more Texas Walker on TV who knows where your next pair of rhinestone boots is coming from you loveable cowboy karate police ranger guy you...


Posted at 1:40 AM Permalink | 2 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


WSOP Circuit to include Indiana

WSOP CircuitThe high-stakes action of the World Series of Poker, the richest sporting event on the planet, is returning to Caesars Indiana from March 25 to April 6, 2007.

The World Series of Poker Circuit schedule for Caesars Indiana will include 10 tournament events, with buy-ins ranging from $200 up to $5,000 for the no-limit hold’em finale.

The winner of the $5,000 championship will win cash plus a $10,000 buy-in to the World Series of Poker Main Event at Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in summer 2007 and a chance at a prize pool of almost $100,000,000.00.

“The World Series of Poker is without question the single most prestigious gambling event anywhere, and we’re thrilled to bring all the excitement of the tournament to our guests,” said Ed Garruto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars Indiana.

Last year, Caesars Indiana Circuit Event drew over 4,800 entrants who competed against prominent professional players such as Chad Brown, Paul Wasicka, David Williams and Captain Tom Franklin and shared in over $3 million total prize money.

You can qualify for the 2007 WSOP main event at Full Tilt Poker.com.


Posted at 12:23 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Time to qualify for the WSOP...

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Where are you going to try your luck qualifying for the World Series of Poker this year?

The 2007 WSOP kicks off in just 2 months and two weeks. The main event doesn't start until July 6 meaning you have just over 3 months to qualify by winning your seat online.

Chris Moneymaker did it in 2003, Greg Raymer did it in 2004. The 2005 & 06 winners didn't win their spot online, but they certainly honed their skills at places like FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com before they took down the big one.

I'm going to try my luck at Full Tilt and Stars because they seem to be offering the most generous deals.

Full Tilt is running what they call 2007 Main Event Mania. If you qualify at Tilt, then go on to win the main event, they will pay you $10million in addition to whatever you win from the tournament.

They are also giving away two WSOP main events packages every week - totally free! You simply have to earn 3000 ft points in any qualifying week then you go into the weekly freeroll tournament.

Finally in a tournament on Sunday June 17th, Full Tilt are guaranteeing 100 main event packages which include a $10,000 WSOP buy-in and $2000 spending money. You could come 100th in a tournament and still win a WSOP seat! You can buy directly into this tournament for $500+35 or there's satellites running daily for as little as $4.

PokerStars.com don't have offerings quite as good as Full Tilt , but it is still a great place to qualify and they really look after their players well at the event. They're also offering an extra $1000 cash or hotel accommodation to any qualifier that agrees to wear their logos for the duration of the event. It's nice that they give you the choice and do not just demand that you wear their gear because you qualified at their site.

I'll keep updating the best places to qualify for the WSOP, but the moment you can't go wrong with these two. Remember to use bonus code POKERDOTCOM at Full Tilt for a 100% bonus.

Good luck, I might just see you at the tables. ;)


Posted at 1:49 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Biggest poker tournament of all time!

Monday, March 12, 2007

This past Sunday, PokerStars.com hosted the biggest real money poker tournament of all time. Not just the biggest online poker tournament, but the biggest poker tournament of any kind - EVER!

The Sunday Million Anniversary Tournament saw an amazing 10,508 players play for a $2,101,600 prize pool. Every one of them paid $200 to enter and when play finally got down to 5 players remaining, a deal was done to pay the chip leader at the time over $160,000.

$30,000 was left in the middle for the eventual winner of the tournament, per the PokerStars chop rules. As a result of the deal, the following payouts were guaranteed:

nickym998 – $160,950
gambforlife - $119,209
Othimua - $103,142
francky2011 - $102,177
Zeddor - $101,972

As it played out, the 5th placed player at the time of the deal went on to win the extra $30k and the tournament.

Congrats to all the players that played - you were all a part of online poker history. Sign up at PokerStars.com today and you could win yourself a seat in the next Million Guaranteed by playing in the daily satellite tournaments.


Posted at 6:53 PM Permalink | 1 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Texas Poker Bars?

Sunday, March 11, 2007

It looks like the politicians in Texas may not be as crazy as in some other parts of the USA. This bill to legalize poker in Texan bars is gaining support in the lone star state.

State Rep. Jose Menendez from San Antonio has introduced a bill that would regulate poker and allow up to four poker tables in certain bars or establishments.

“This legislation could raise over a billion dollars over the next biennium for state coffers while bringing the game out of legal limbo and into the light,” said Mike Lavigne, treasurer of the Texas Poker PAC.

“Texas would finally be able to benefit from rise of Texas Hold’em”

Charity poker tournaments would also be legal. Supporters say it would raise moneys for state programs.

“Charitable poker means more Texans win,” said Lavigne. “Texas charities are losing out on millions of dollars due to the antiquated laws governing the game.”

Despite recent federal attempts to eliminate online poker, the game continues to grow in popularity worldwide. As poker related television programming continues to spread in popularity, so do the many new tournaments that attract tourists and visitors. States like California and Connecticut have long been reaping the benefits of the poker boom.

Highlights of the bill:

  • 4 live and/or electronic, raked tables allowed in each establishment that meets requirements
  • Lottery Commission decides how many tables are allowed in each racetrack
  • Charitable poker enabled
  • Mandatory dealer training and licensing (inexpensive)
  • Licensing for distributors of commercial poker equipment
  • Money raised will be dedicated to necessary state services
  • Criminal penalties for dishonest operators
  • Raises over a billion dollars for state services
Good work Jose! It's good to see some politicians have the sense to give people what they want and do it in a way that benefits the community as a whole.


Posted at 11:07 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Miracle card gives Bob win

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Bob Willis, a 41-year-old professional motorcycle racer was on the receiving end of three twists of good fortune at the final table of event #4 at Caesars Atlantic City yesterday.

There were three big hands in the WSOP circuit event that combined with his well disciplined play to give him his first major poker tournament victory.

The $500 buyin tournament attracted 510 players, 501 of which were eliminated in the first 12 hours of play. The nine survivors returned yesterday to play the final table.

Willis' first lucky hand occurred when he busted 6th place finisher JJ Hurley. Hurley tried to bluff when Willis had a 6 in his hand and two more showed up on the flop for a set.

The second lucky hand Bob had 5-5 in his hand, against the K3 of hearts of Derek Buonano. Two hearts came out on the flop, but so did a 5 so all the chips went into the middle. The turn produced a heart so Bob's set was looking shaky... Until the board paired on the river and Bob's lucky full house beat Derek's flush and sent him to the rail in 3rd place.

Heads up play began and Willis enjoyed a 2-1 chip lead over David Santitoro. Santitoro made up some ground to take a slight chip lead until Bob's third lucky hand was played.

After being dealt A6 he raised against David's cowboys - KK. Santitoro was all in with his kings and after thinking long and hard, Willis called to see he was drawing to just three outs.

But of course an Ace hit on the river, and a few hands later it was all over. Willis had lucked himself into an extra $35,000 in prizemoney with $76,500 for first place.

But that's poker - it happens in real life too, not just online!


Posted at 3:05 AM Permalink | 1 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


D'Amato & The PPA - a necessary evil

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Check out the New York Times article today about new Poker Players Alliance chairman Alfonse D’Amato. It's a nice little beat up about how cool this guy is and how he plays poker - and also how he knew nothing about the organization of which he is now chairman...

Most will say it's good step in the right direction for the rights of poker players in the USA to have a man with Mr D'Amato's experience and contacts lobbying on the PPA's behalf. Poker does need this type of mainstream publicity to try and combat the lies and misinformation spread by supporters of the UIGEA.

The PPA is hoping that Mr. D’Amato, long known for his connections to Washington insiders and his ability to deliver perks to his constituents and interest groups, can help them overturn a new federal ban on Internet gambling — or at least exempt poker from its provisions.

Even former Representative Jim Leach, an Iowa Republican and one of the authors of the Internet gambling ban, said that Mr. D’Amato certainly added heft to the effort. “Don’t ever underestimate Al,” he said on hearing of Mr. D’Amato’s role.

I guess Mr Leech learned his lesson after he lost his seat at the last election, partly due to a push from poker players to swing the vote against him for his role in creating the anti-online gaming legislation. Of course he's going to say something nice because he's already been turfed out for his lunacy!

We need this D'Amato guy to ruffle a few more feathers and actually make some progress in the corrupt underworld of the US government. Like a lot of things in life & business the entire process revolves around money. The 'right' people have to end up earning the cash in order for any decisions to be made. That's why I'm not sure anything will ever get done - unless politicians or friends and family of politicians are making big money by legalizing online poker, it simply won't happen.

You can be sure D'Amato will earn himself a pretty penny, but he just might as well be banging his bald head against a brick wall unless he can funnel some cash to the decision makers.

It's just how the US system works... Democracy & freedom may as well be removed from dictionaries in the US school system because kids, your leaders just don't recognize those words any longer.... Make sure BLING, BANK & PAPER have their definitions revised though - that's more in tune with the vocabulary of today's governmental officials.

The fact that a guy like D'Amato has a job at all proves this point. He's being paid to influence people that should be using their integrity, morality & logic to make decisions. They shouldn't need a lobbyist to tell them what is best for the people they are supposed to be representing.

But if you can't beat them, I guess you have to join them.... Good luck Alfonse.


Posted at 8:53 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Atlantic City's turn to host WSOP circuit

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Anyone who thinks the poker boom may be slowing down would be strongly advised to look at the numbers from the latest World Series of Poker Circuit event. A whopping 1,106 players entered the $300 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament held at Caesars Atlantic City.

The thousand-plus field ranks as the second-largest tournament in the three-year history of the WSOP Circuit. Only the recent Circuit event held at the Grand Tunica Casino-Resort in Mississippi in January 2007 attracted more entries (with 1,345).

"We are absolutely thrilled to see so many poker players come from all over and join with us," said Paul A. Natello, Director of Table Games at Caesars Atlantic City.

"I look around this room and I see many players who are relatively new to poker as well as some top players who have won major tournaments. The beauty of the World Series of Poker and this year's Circuit event is they can all compete here equally at Caesars Atlantic City and have a chance to win." Although casino gambling has been legal in Atlantic City since 1978, poker was not a part of the gaming menu until 1993. Caesars Atlantic City was one of the first casinos to open a poker room. Since that time, the poker room has been renovated and moved a number of times. Now, it is a plush and lively 24-table room adjacent to the main casino floor.

The WSOP Circuit Series which runs March 5-14 is being played inside the Palladium Ballroom at Caesars. The 70-table facility (in addition to the 24 tables already in the main poker room) guarantees that players will still be able to register and get seats in any of the remaining events or satellite qualifiers at this Circuit series. Of the 1,106 players who entered the first event, 81 will receive prize money. The tournament winner will receive $86,268 plus an engraved gold ring presented to each and every WSOP circuit event champion.

Fields are expected to be just as large, if not larger for upcoming Circuit events – particularly the no-limit tournaments taking place on Wednesday and Saturday at Caesars Atlantic City. After all, Event #1 took place on a Monday -- normally a slower day than weekends.

This Saturday's $300 buy-in no-limit hold'em event (March 10th) could break the record as the largest WSOP Circuit event in history and will most certainly be one of Atlantic City's largest poker tournaments ever.

The winner of that event will win a seat in the 2007 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.


Posted at 7:52 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Watch some new poker commercials

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

The team over at Full Tilt Poker have released a series of new commercials featuring their stable of poker pros. They're pretty good too - here's my favorites.


Allen Cunningham V Mike Matusow
Quicktime | Flash


Gus Hansen x 5
Quicktime | Flash


Luck or Skill?
Quicktime | Flash

You can view the rest of the videos and then learn and play with the pros every day at Full Tilt Poker.


Posted at 7:18 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


D'Amato joins PPA as Chairman

Alfonse D'AmatoFormer Senator Alfonse D'Amato has been named as the Chairman of the Board for the Poker Players Alliance. D'Amato assumes the position formerly held by Linda Johnson, who remains on the PPA's executive board.

Quickly dubbed by PPA president Michael Bolcerek as the 'First Senator of Poker', D'Amato is hoped to give the PPA and online poker in general a higher profile in Washington D.C.

Bolcerek continued, "We are thrilled to have Senator D'Amato take up our cause to promote and protect the game played by millions of Americans. His enthusiasm, tenacity and political astuteness will bolster the influence of the PPA and help earn poker a much deserved exemption from the recent online gaming law."

D'Amato is a self confessed poker fan and is planning to work toward a possible exemption for poker from the internationally ridiculed Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

"This new position," said D'Amato, referring to his naming as PPA Chairman, "will allow me to fuse these passions and help establish sensible policy that allows Americans to enjoy the great game of poker in the venue of their choosing."

D'Amato also stated, "Prohibitions don't work, they only create unintended consequences. The American people know this and we are going to make sure Congress knows it too. We need common sense regulation of Internet poker. Prohibition will only drive the industry underground and strip away any protections for children and services for problem gamblers."

This is a good step forward for both poker and the freedoms of American people. All Americans that read this article should make sure they are a member of the Poker Players Alliance.

Full Tilt Poker is a proud supporter of the Poker Players Alliance and have been running freeroll tournaments for new PPA members.


Posted at 2:09 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Wasicka Wins Heads Up Title

Monday, March 05, 2007

Paul Wasicka has taken out the 2007 NBC National Heads Up Championship.

It is his first tournament win, adding to a increasingly impressive poker resume that features 2nd place in the WSOP main event, and 4th in the biggest ever WPT event last week at Commerce Casino.

He defeated Chad Brown in straight games to become the third winner of the title, joining Phil Hellmuth and Ted Forrest.

Shana Hiatt from NBC's Poker After Dark was on hand to present Wasicka with the winner's trophy and the $500,000 winner's prizemoney. Chad Brown collected $250,000 for his second place finish.

Us folks at Poker.com like PW's no-nonsense style - so congratulations Mr National Heads Up Champ!

You can earn yourself the same funky cap and the chance to play on NBC's Poker After Dark TV show by playing at Full Tilt Poker.


Posted at 6:10 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Wasicka on Fire!

Paul Wasicka has been proving that his 2nd place finish at the 2006 World Series of Poker was no fluke by making a great start to 2007.

After a 12th place at the Aussie Millions, he then finished 4th at the Commerce last week, taking home over $450,000. This weekend he has advanced to the final match of the 2007 National Heads up Championship where another $750,000 is up for grabs. (1st $500k, 2nd $250k)

On his way to the final table, he has eliminated Eli Elizra, Joe Hachem, TJ Cloutier, Nam Le and surprise packet Shannon Elizabeth in the semi-final. Now there is only 2006 Bluff player of the year, Chad Brown, standing between him and a coveted first title.

Elizabeth had an amazing run at this tournament, taking out Rene Angeli, Jeff Madsen, Barry Greenstein and Humberto Brenes before losing to Wasicka and walking out of Caesars Palace with $125,ooo for equal 3rd place. Not bad for a part time player/actress best known for playing foreign exchange student Nadia the Nymphette in American Pie.

Chad Brown won his place at the final table by defeating Kristy Gazes in the semi, Brad Booth in the quarter final, and Gabe Kaplan in the round of 16.

Final Table action is in progress right now and Wasicka has taken the first game of the best of 3 format. The winner gets $500,000 and his name on the trophy next to Phil Hellmuth and Ted Forrest.

Check back here for the winner soon, or catch the whole tournament on NBC from Sunday, April 8th.


Posted at 1:20 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


LA Poker Classic - Down to final table

Thursday, March 01, 2007

There's 6 players left in the LA Poker Classic at Commerce Casino, Los Angeles. That means it's TV final table time - World Poker Tour style.

JC Tran is still the chip leader with $3.47 million in front of him, but Paul Wasicka and Jacobo Fernandez are breathing down his neck with $3.3 million each.

Tran was also chip leader going into the final table of this same event last year, so will be focused on not repeating his 5th place bustout this time around.

Here's the final table chip counts.
1. JC Tran $3.47M
2. Paul Wasicka $3.39M
3. Jacobo Fernandez $3.37M
4. David Bach $2.27M
5. Eric Hershler $2.16M
6. Chau Giang $1.37M

They're playing for the first prize of over $2.4 million, one of the biggest ever WPT prize pools. My pick to win it is Paul Wasicka - he's due for a win after coming close so many times.

Wasicka was sponsored by 888.com at the WSOP - you could win your way to this year's WSOP by playing in the 888.com satellite tournaments.


Posted at 9:40 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


LA Poker Classic

Sorry for the lack of blog action this week, we've been busy working on the new format Poker.com. We've been working so hard that we haven't even been keeping up with what's happening at the Commerce Casino with the LA poker classic WPT event.

They're down to 18 players remaining, with JC Tran the leader on over $3.4 million in chips. Here are the final 18 chip counts thanks to Dr Pauly.

1 JC Tran $3,461,000
2 Jacobo Fernandez $1,334,000
3 Jason Strasser $1,196,000
4 Bill Edler $1,160,000
5 Tad Jurgens $1,059,000
6 Benjamin Johnson $1,055,000
7 David Bach $985,000
8 Chau Giang $813,000
9 Paul Wasicka $806,000
10 Eric Hershler $745,000
11 Chris Bell $636,000
12 Vincent Procopio $512,000
13 Joseph Cordi $512,000
14 Richard Munro $371,000
15 Jay Chang $333,000
16 Kristy Gazes $307,000
17 Juan Alvarado $282,000
18 Shan Jing $266,000

Play resumes Thursday morning. One player to watch is Paul Wasicka, who finished 2nd at last year's World Series of Poker.

We'll bring you some updates from play tomorrow. Until then, maybe you could win your seat to the next WSOP or WPT event at Full Tilt Poker.


Posted at 1:03 AM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum

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