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WPT Settles lawsuit

Sunday, April 20, 2008

A little while back, seven pro poker players filed a grievance with the World Poker Tour over the use of their images. Chris Ferguson, Andrew Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, Howard Lederer, Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem didn't like the release that players had to sign in order to play WPT events. They said it would force them to violate the terms of their other endorsement contracts.

Hachem and Raymer withdrew their involvement before now, but the other 5 received some good news last week when the WPT decided to settle the matter and change the wording of their release.

Whilst the new wording has not yet been announced, the WPT stated in a press release;

"WPTE continues to deny any liability or wrongdoing, but wants to settle its differences with the players so that the tour can focus on its continued growth rather than litigation."

WPTE founder and CEO Steve Lipscomb said, "We are glad to put this dispute behind us, and we look forward to working with all players to grow the sport of poker."

Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson, one of the 5 players had this to say, "We are happy to have come to an agreement that is fair to all players, and to have put in place a new release that clears up ambiguities in how players' images may be used. We are especially happy that this new release will apply to all poker players who wish to participate in WPT tournaments and events. WPTE has created some of the best poker events in the world, and we are excited to participate in them once again."

Ferguson meant it when he said he participate in WPT events again. He's currently playing in the WPT Championship running at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

At the time of this post he had 44,000 in chips a long way behind the chip leader Tom 'Durrr' Dwan on 163,000. Joe hachem was just hanging on with 6,000. Go Joe!



Posted at 10:30 PM Permalink | 2 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Nice try WPT

Thursday, April 17, 2008

It has always been agreed that the WPT revolutionised televised poker and even tournament poker to a degree, by making events entertainment spectacles and creating a generation of pro poker players that enjoy more celebrity than ever before.

But the fact remains that the prestigious prize pools are built from the dollars of the players themselves and not the World Poker Tour. They have often been criticised for trying to capitalize too much off of the players efforts and images. Some argue it's just not right to demand the use of players images and subsequent endorsement of the WPT when the players are paying for these events themselves as well as paying tournament juice to the host casino.

That's why it was especially scandalous when the WPT recently tried to deduct an ADDITIONAL 15% from the prize pool of their upcoming ladies event to donate to charity. Charity is great, everyone likes to do their part and help out those in need from time to time. But it should always be a personal choice, not a mandate of entry into what is supposed to be a championship poker event!

A few ladies, led by WPA member Susie Isaacs decided to boycott the WPT event in protest over the mandatory donation deduction.

Isaacs and her poker club colleagues who boycotted the WPT's Ladies event have made it clear that they are actually very pro charity.

"We were completely amenable to promoting the tournament and encouraging women to contribute to SGK from their prize winnings, as appropriate to their individual bankrolls—if the WPT would just make the donations optional."

The WPT board subsequently backed down and chairman Lyle Berman had this to say; "The WPT has re-evaluated its decision to make a charitable donation a condition for participation in the WPT Ladies Championship."

He added, "In the future there will be no such requirement in a WPT championship event."

It's good to see that a good old fashioned boycott can still have an affect on corporate types these days. Charities are good - but donations should always be optional, otherwise it's not really a donation is it?


Posted at 9:43 PM Permalink | 2 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


DEAL - opening April 25

Thursday, April 10, 2008

There's another poker movie about to be released on April 25, called 'DEAL". It stars Burt Reynolds, Brett Harrison and Shannon Elizabeth, along with a host of poker players and the World Poker Tour commentary crew.

Burt is the mentor with a troubled past, Harrison is the young hotshot, and Elizabeth is the compulsory hottie love interest. It's a pretty standard storyline.

Aussie Joe Hachem says "Its the best poker movie since Rounders". I don't think Joe would lie to us, but it's not exactly difficult to be the best poker movie since Rounders - what else is there to choose from?!

All I'm going to say is at least it looks better than 'Lucky You'... I reserve further judgement until I see the whole thing.

He's the preview trailer.



Posted at 7:24 PM Permalink | 2 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Poker Player Killed!

Monday, April 07, 2008

A fight at a Taj Mahal poker table in Atlantic City spilled into a parking garage on the weekend and ended with one player being stabbed and killed.

Vicente Perez, 57, of Georgia, was arrested following the violent incident.

The victim, whose identity was not released pending notification of the family, was stabbed repeatedly and transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

According to Bluff Magazine, the argument began at a $1/$2 table after one of the two men returned from the ATM to find his seat was occupied by the other man.

Wow.... How can a low stakes poker game turn into a stabbing? There's crazy people everywhere...

Maybe the guy had told Mr Perez that Harrahs is going to delay the final table of the World Series this year?

There's rumours flying around the web that WSOP main event play will cease at the Rio in Las Vegas this July once the tournament gets down to nine players!

Those nine players will then be pimped on TV for the next few months until the final table is played on TV during prime time, with nobody knowing the result beforehand. It will be played on a closed set, then broadcast a couple of days later after being edited and having witty commentary added.

It's kind of a good idea. It'll kind of be a catch 22 for the final table players. One good thing is that they probably will be famous whether they finish 9th or 1st. I can't remember many recent 9th place finishers apart from Mike the Mouth...

One bad thing is that any positive momentum will be lost and any reads you have on remaining players will most likely change. Another is the advantage of fitness & stamina will be reduced. Also, you won't have your friends cheering you on from the rail.

Players will be able to study their opponents a lot more than they would have in a real tournament situation if they have 3 months to do it.

I'm for the concept mostly, because it should further popularise poker. But it will take a little bit away from the effort needed to win the big one. At least the older guys will have a slightly better chance seeing as they won't have to grind it out for as long!

Will be interesting to see how the situation develops anyway.


Posted at 8:02 PM Permalink | 0 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum


Our favorite April fools joke

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Some will think this is bad taste, but it's one of the few April fools jokes we saw that was actually funny. And kinda believable!


Posted at 5:59 AM Permalink | 1 comments | Talk on the Poker Forum

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