Final Table Set at WSOP Circuit Event at Council Bluffs
February 28, 2008
Two familiar pros head the final table at the World Series of Poker Circuit Event taking place in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this week. Michael Martin, an established pro out of Pennsylvania, and Bernard Lee, a well-known online player that made waves in 2006 when he went deep into the WSOP Main Event, hold the top 2 chip counts going into Thursday’s final (UPDATE: Council Bluffs winner posted in Forum).
The $5,000 buyin tournament attracted 99 players to the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, where first place is a cool $170,000. Here are the chip counts (courtesy of CardPlayer) for the final 9.
- Bernard Lee - 155,500
- Michael Martin - 214,500
- Ben Hock — 122,000
- Samuel Shamburg — 117,000
- Keith Murrell — 116,500
- Dan Jensen — 83,500
- Nicholas Manganaro — 75,000
- Howard Wolper — 63,000
- Ron Koenemann — 43,000
Poker Players Alliance Spends Nearly $1 Million in 2007.
February 27, 2008
In 2007, the PPA – also collectively known as the Poker Players Alliance – spent almost $1,000,000 in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. The group represents poker players and gamblers alike, and has been involved in an uphill battle with Congress over the legislation of online poker.
The PPA now boasts over 900,000 members around the nation, and has gained quite the following since tearing onto the scene shortly after the UIGEA was passed. The federal government has made the lives of online poker players living hell since the aforementioned bill was put into law in late 2006, deeming that while it is still “legal” to play online, it is now illegal for banks and credit card companies in the United States to allow for depositing onto any gambling website.
The Poker Players Alliance, which is headed by Alfonse D’Amato of New York, has been working night and day to work out a solution with Congress on getting online gaming regulated by the United States. D’Amato and the rest of the Alliance has made it very clear that regulation would bring in billions for the economy, help jumpstart many federal programs, and improve existing ones in need of additional aid.
Poker players like myself can only hope that the PPA continues their strong fight, and give us hope that our voices will indeed be heard. Tell your congressman today that poker is truly a game of skill, and not a game of chance – and let your own voice be heard – visit the PPA’s official website today.
HighStakesBlog.com Official Sunday Tournament Recap Posted - February 25th, 2008
February 27, 2008
Our partner site over at HighStakesBlog.com has posted the final results of this past Sunday’s big online tournaments. For information on who won the PokerStars Sunday Million, Full Tilt Poker’s $750k, Bodog’s $100K, and Ultimate Bet’s $200k, please do not hesitate to visit via the links provided.
The site itself, which was launched earlier this week, will hopefully be one of the top online providers of high stakes poker news, videos, and other big gambling headlines. It’s had a huge delay in time between it’s last update, but it looks like the blog is back on track this week. So if you’re looking for solid high stakes games recaps and some great poker room reviews, then HighStakesBlog.com is your place.
PokerStars Gives Away NBC 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship Seat
February 26, 2008
PokerStars recently held a promotion that would give away a seat to the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Players received free entry into qualifiers on the site that could win the NBC prize package. There has been a lot of buzz over the past few months on who would be playing in the tournament and with the recently announced list of confirmed attendees the excitement has been mounting.
When the list was released, people could see there was an empty place that said “online qualifier”. Well that person is twenty three year old Alisha Kunze. Alisha is a nursing student from Indiana . Alisha won a prize package worth $20,000 that would give her entry into the event , four nights’ accommodations in Las Vegas , and $1,000 to blow on whatever she wants. I would choose gambling.
Alisha has stated that she is going to begin preparing herself for the tournament. She understands that play will be quicker since it is heads-up and she must be ready. She has also stated she is excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As well she should be. Can you imagine playing poker with some of your favorite celebrities as well as some of the greatest names in poker.
The Heads-Up competition will begin on February 28th at Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas . A drawing party will be the beginning of the three day festivities which will start at 9:30 PM. It will be very exciting to see how the action unfolds and maybe Alisha will find herself $500,000 richer.
Schedule for 2nd Annual European Championship of Online Poker Announced
February 24, 2008
Europe’s premier poker network, iPoker.com announced today the tournament schedule for this year’s 2nd Annual European Championship of Online Poker (ECOOP II) in which they are hosting. The ten tournament online series will have players showing off their skills in games of No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Pot Limt Omaha Hi-Lo to name a few, and will be played in succession for ten days beginning May 23rd, 2008. The ECOOP II will be set in motion with players buying with $200+$15 for the first game, a $250,000 guarantee. The ECOOP II ends on June 1st with the $1,000+$60 buy-in for the $1.5 Guaranteed Main Event.
Included in the tournament series will be a leaderboard event which will have the top one hundred players competing in a $50,000 GP freeroll; this event will award the top and most valuable player with the ECOOP II MVP distinction. Engraved championship bracelets will be given to all winners of the main events including the ECOOP II MVP. The prize pool for the entire Championship is totaled at $3.5 Million Dollars Guaranteed.
Antonio Esfandiari Hired For New WPT Spokesman Gig
February 24, 2008
Antonio “the Magician” Esfandiari was recently hired by WPT founder Steve Lipscomb to be the official spokesman for the World Poker Tour “Poker-Made Millionaires,” which consists of all players who have earned over a million dollars from WPT events.
It’s been quite a journey for the young poker superstar, as he was originally hired by Lipscomb to entertain as a magician when the World Poker Tour had its grand opening a handful of years ago. Little did he know then that he would someday actually take down a WPT event himself, earning well over a million dollars alone during his televised victory at the LA Poker Classic in 2004.
“I will never forget the day Steve Lipscomb hired me to perform magic at the press release party for the WPT,” said Esfandiari. “All I ever wanted was to play in a WPT event, let alone win one. To have actually won a few years later and to now become the official spokesperson for a company that did so much for poker and me personally is an honor I hold very dear to me. It’s great to be a part of the WPT, who has been such an instrumental part of my poker journey.”
His new job description (on top of his professional poker status) will include traveling around the world to all WPT events, and providing updates via online blogs and live TV telecasts. This is definitely one job his best friend and poker player rival Phil “the Unabomber” Laak will be jealous of for months to come…lol.
Beauty, Brains and Poker Skills! - Absolute Poker’s Newest Poker Face
February 23, 2008
She may not be a household name yet, but keep your eye on Liv Boeree! The 23 year old astrophysics graduate from University of Manchester has become the newest face and poker player for Absolute Poker.
The former London fashion model (who modeled alternative fashion - she’s also a metal guitar playing rocker!) has kept herself quite busy the past few years as a spokesperson and reporter for several UK based poker television shows such as Sky Poker TV, Ladies’ World Poker Open, Ultimatepoker.com Showdown, Gala UK Poker Tour, Gutshot TV and the World Series of Poker Europe to name a few. Boeree first showcased her presenting skills in her television debut for Gutshot TV at the 2006 World Poker Tour in Las Vegas. Boeree also shows off her writing skills in her magazine column for Bluff Europe.
The talented poker darling has been fine-tuning her skills on the poker circuit in Europe since discovering and falling in love with the game in 2006. On the show UltimatePoker.com Showdown she is known as “The Professor.” With eleven plus top 10 finishes in Texas Hold’em tourneys and four 1st plce wins in her mini-skirt pocket, the poker playing cutie had this to say about her contract with Absolute Poker, “Absolute Poker is the perfect fit, because it’s such a fun, young and vibrant brand. It’s very friendly for young ladies such as myself. The software is really quick, simple to use, and attractive as well.” Absolute Poker says that Liv is “a poker force to be reckoned with and the Absolute team is thrilled to have her on board.”
Playboy Gaming and The Palms To Celebrate Huge Hefner’s Birthday Bash!
February 22, 2008
Playboy Mansion Here I Come!
Playboygaming.com has been in the news recently for the fantastic prizes they give their players. A short time ago two young men got the VIP treatment after winning a promotion on the Playboy Casino website. Now Playboy gaming has upped the ante.
One of the most popular parties that takes place every year is Hugh Hefner’s birthday party. The event takes place at the Las Vegas Palms Fantasy Tower and only the most famous and wealthy people are invited. Until now that is. Playboygaming.com is giving away two exclusive passes to the Party of all parties.
Players have until March 16th to win the lucky tickets. Players who wager $500 on any slot game from now until the 16th will receive one entry for the prize drawing to win the two tickets. Casino players have this option. For poker players, you will need to collect 500 MPPs from now until the 16th. For every 500 My Poker Points you get one entry into the drawing.
The prize includes: paid flights to and from Las Vegas beginning on April 4th and returning on April 7th, a double or twin room at the Palms hotel, entry into Hef’s birthday bash and a table at the Moon Nightclub where it will take place, and finally two bottles of Champagne you can enjoy.
This is an awesome opportunity for players who love all things Playboy. My personal favorite is The Girls Next Door: Holly, Bridget and Kendra. It would be really awesome to meet them and party!
CoinFlipPoker.com - Your Complete Guide to Beating Sit-and-Go’s and Learning Poker.
February 22, 2008
Offering some of the best information for poker strategies as well as incredible bonuses, CoinFlipPoker is one site that is worth a visit. Established in 2006, it has quickly become a premier free portal for poker players who play both online as well as offline. The site offers everything from poker room reviews, poker professional profiles, poker bonuses, poker strategies, poker news to poker downloads. In regards to poker downloads, you can visit the website directly and Download Pokerstars straight from CoinFlipPoker - which comes complete with a special bonus code as well. And yes, Pokerstars even accepts US players and many easy-to-use deposit methods!
CoinFlipPoker is best known for their extensive knowledge of Sit and Go Strategy Guide. Players can literally be guided on all of the ins and outs of playing in all of the varieties; Single Table, Multiple Tables, Shorthand, Satellites, Turbos and Heads-Up. From the ever popular coined “Gap Concept” and Opponent Situational Play, you can be sure you will be sitting pretty at the table after reading their guide. CoinFlipPoker also offers you very helpful bankroll suggestions that many sites do not offer. Other helpful strategy guides they offer are No Limit and Limit Hold’em Strategies, Omaha Hi/Lo and Omaha High Strategies, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Strategies, 5 Card Draw Strategy, 2-7 Triple Draw Strategy and Razz Poker Strategy.
They also pride themselves on their unique bonuses offered that are a rare find on many sites. Pretty much every top online poker room site is listed complete with CoinFlipPoker’s very own Internet Poker Bonus. Currently, some of the more notable ones offered are Ultimate Bet with a first time deposit offer of 111% up to $1,100; Chan Poker with a first time deposit offer of 100% up to $1,000; Full Tilt Poker with a first time deposit offer of 100% up to $600 bonus and No IQ Poker with a first time deposit offer of 100% up to $600 bonus and PlayersOnly Poker with a first time deposit offer of 110% up to $650 bonus. In addition, CoinFlipPoker - in conjunction with Sportsbook Poker - is currently offering an amazing Sportsbook Promotion Code where you can receive a 100% up to $1,000 bonus not only on your first time deposit, but on your second time deposit as well!
This easily-navigable site has certainly found its niche amongst the bevy of informational poker sites abound; you won’t be disappointed after checking out Coinflippoker.com!
California Assemblyman Introduces Online Poker Bill For Review
February 22, 2008
Below is an article excerpt regarding the recent bill introduction in the state of California regarding the legality of online poker in the state. The piece was written by one of my best writers (also my significant other, lol - woot woot!) on PokerOwnage, and was posted on her own blog over at http://www.SoCalSportsChick.com. Enjoy!
“Could online poker become legal again in the state of California? California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine is intending to raise that issue in a new study bill aimed at convincing the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) and the Department of Justice of just that. This assembly bill titled AB2026 will be introduced on March 20th, 2008. The study bill will acertain the legalities of intrastate online poker and why should it become legal in California.
If this bill comes to fruition, The Governor along with Legislature will have control over the operations and that California online poker players will be protected. According to Assemblyman Levine, “Our understanding of the law is that as the player and serve (hosting the online game) are in California, it would be legal.” He goes on to add that that is what they are trying to find out….” FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE VISIT http://socalsportschick.com/?p=13
