Party Gaming to Announce 2008 4Q KPIs on February 6th, by Earl Burton - Poker News Daily - 30th January 2009
Next Friday, the world’s largest online gaming company that is traded on a national stock exchange, Party Gaming PLC, will announce its fourth quarter 2008 earnings and key performance indicators. The organization is the parent company of popular online poker room PartyPoker.
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Party Gaming, and Group Finance Director Martin Weigold will be leading the discussion of the company’s performance over the last quarter of 2008 at 9:30am London time for shareholders and industry analysts to participate in. A quick review of the last six months reveals that the conference call should show that Party Gaming has weathered the recent market fluctuations well and is ready to move towards an improved 2009.
At the start of the third quarter on June 2nd, 2008, PartyGaming was trading at 300p on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol PRTY. This was prior to the worldwide economic downturn that struck virtually every stock market, currency, and company around the globe. At one point during the economic upheaval, Party Gaming’s stock fell as far as 95p, but it has since been able to rebound to 194.75p at the end of 2008 and finished trading on Friday at 173.25p.
2008 marked a period of significant change both with Party Gaming’s stock as well as its corporate makeup. June saw the departure of former CEO Mitch Garber over differences with the company’s Board of Directors. Ryan stepped in as CEO at that point and assumed an aggressive three year campaign to move Party Gaming back to the forefront of the online gaming and poker markets that it used to own.
After the tumultuous market stretch of the late fall and early winter, one of the Co-Founders of Party Gaming, Anurag Dikshit, entered into a plea bargain with the United States Department of Justice for his participation in online gaming. He admitted to violating of the Wire Act of 1961 and agreed to pay a fine of $300 million. He also still faces the possibility of two years in jail for his plea; Dikshit, however, is assisting the government in further investigations into online gaming and has had his potential sentencing delayed until late next year. Meanwhile, Party Gaming continues negotiations with the government over the same issue.
Earlier this month, Party Gaming announced that the longtime Managing Director of the organization, John O’Malia, would step down from his post in order to enter into other business interests. O’Malia had been with Party Gaming since 2006, when the company he had served as CEO of, Gamebookers, was acquired by Party Gaming. He stayed with Party Gaming through the integration of Gamebookers into the company and was named to the Board of Directors and Managing Director last year. After O’Malia’s departure at the end of February, Ryan will step in to take over his position with Party Gaming (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Friday, January 30, 2009
ESPN Stars World Series Of Poker Europe Broadcasts Sunday, by Earl Burton - Poker News Daily - 29th January 2009
While some may be distracted with the activities of Super Bowl Sunday, poker fans will also have plenty to be excited about. Fresh from the ratings success that their Las Vegas World Series broadcasts earned through last summer and fall, ESPN will begin their first ever broadcast of the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe, held at the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square, London.
While the Super Bowl plays out, ESPN will put up the first four hours of the planned eight hours of WSOPE broadcasting beginning at 6PM Eastern Time. After the first four episodes have run, ESPN sister station ESPN2 will rebroadcast the first two episodes at 10PM and 11PM. ESPN will also continue to feature the broadcast team of Lon McEachern and Norman Chad with the commentary of the action.
The tournament, which was a £10,000 buy in (approximately $20,000 American dollars), was played out for the second time between September 27th and October 1st of last year and drew 362 of the largest names in poker out for the second edition of the event. All were chasing the youngest World Series champion ever, Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad, whose victory at just one day short of nineteen in the 2007 tournament is a record that should stand for some time. In addition to battling each other, there was £3,620,000 in prize money at stake - with £868,800 going to the winner - and the prestigious World Series of Poker bracelet.
As with their broadcasting of the Las Vegas World Series, ESPN breaks down the episodes by what day they were played. In the first episode at 6PM Sunday, Day 1A features former World Champions Phil Hellmuth and Joe Hachem, with other “celebrity” players such as Australian cricket player Shane Warne. The true draw of this hour, though, is the running battle between two of Full Tilt Poker’s best professionals in Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow.
Hour Two is dedicated to Day 1B and the start of Obrestad’s run for a second title. ESPN will focus on how she went from playing online to sitting at the table with some of the most skilled players in the game during this time. Others who will also be featured on the broadcast will be World Champions Doyle Brunson and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, along with Howard Lederer, Phil “The Unabomber” Laak and Antonio Esfandiari.
After these first two hours, the field will be whittled down to the 179 players that survived the action last fall. The next two hours of play will take the viewers all the way to the top 36 players, who earned a minimum of £50,000 for their time on the felt. Featured during the final two hours will be such players as Daniel Negreanu, David “The DevilFish” Ulliot, Vicky Coren and Andy Bloch. This two hour segment will also feature the runs of two of the top online players in the game as Justin “Boosted J” Smith and Chris “Moorman1” Moorman get airtime.
By the time ESPN has finished the eight hour long episodes, a champion will be crowned in one of the most grueling final tables in poker history. Be sure to watch how it all started with ESPN’s historic broadcast of the World Series of Poker Europe starting this Sunday at 6PM Eastern. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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While some may be distracted with the activities of Super Bowl Sunday, poker fans will also have plenty to be excited about. Fresh from the ratings success that their Las Vegas World Series broadcasts earned through last summer and fall, ESPN will begin their first ever broadcast of the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe, held at the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square, London.
While the Super Bowl plays out, ESPN will put up the first four hours of the planned eight hours of WSOPE broadcasting beginning at 6PM Eastern Time. After the first four episodes have run, ESPN sister station ESPN2 will rebroadcast the first two episodes at 10PM and 11PM. ESPN will also continue to feature the broadcast team of Lon McEachern and Norman Chad with the commentary of the action.
The tournament, which was a £10,000 buy in (approximately $20,000 American dollars), was played out for the second time between September 27th and October 1st of last year and drew 362 of the largest names in poker out for the second edition of the event. All were chasing the youngest World Series champion ever, Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad, whose victory at just one day short of nineteen in the 2007 tournament is a record that should stand for some time. In addition to battling each other, there was £3,620,000 in prize money at stake - with £868,800 going to the winner - and the prestigious World Series of Poker bracelet.
As with their broadcasting of the Las Vegas World Series, ESPN breaks down the episodes by what day they were played. In the first episode at 6PM Sunday, Day 1A features former World Champions Phil Hellmuth and Joe Hachem, with other “celebrity” players such as Australian cricket player Shane Warne. The true draw of this hour, though, is the running battle between two of Full Tilt Poker’s best professionals in Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow.
Hour Two is dedicated to Day 1B and the start of Obrestad’s run for a second title. ESPN will focus on how she went from playing online to sitting at the table with some of the most skilled players in the game during this time. Others who will also be featured on the broadcast will be World Champions Doyle Brunson and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, along with Howard Lederer, Phil “The Unabomber” Laak and Antonio Esfandiari.
After these first two hours, the field will be whittled down to the 179 players that survived the action last fall. The next two hours of play will take the viewers all the way to the top 36 players, who earned a minimum of £50,000 for their time on the felt. Featured during the final two hours will be such players as Daniel Negreanu, David “The DevilFish” Ulliot, Vicky Coren and Andy Bloch. This two hour segment will also feature the runs of two of the top online players in the game as Justin “Boosted J” Smith and Chris “Moorman1” Moorman get airtime.
By the time ESPN has finished the eight hour long episodes, a champion will be crowned in one of the most grueling final tables in poker history. Be sure to watch how it all started with ESPN’s historic broadcast of the World Series of Poker Europe starting this Sunday at 6PM Eastern. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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PKR wins Gambling Online Magazine award
LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Online poker room PKR.com has another cause for celebration after winning the for best poker software.
The Gambling Online Magazine Readers' Poll Awards are the only awards in the industry decided by public vote and recognise the efforts of gaming operators in a wide range of categories.
PKR.com picked up the prize for best poker software at the 8th annual ceremony, seizing the crown from Ladbrokes who placed top in the same class the previous year. This latest triumph caps off a fantastic start to the New Year following a hugely successful 2008 for the next-gen site.
PKR.com Marketing Manager Erika Schwartz said, "We're delighted that our software has been recognised by Gambling Online readers - it's always especially pleasing to win awards that are voted for by customers."
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LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Online poker room PKR.com has another cause for celebration after winning the for best poker software.
The Gambling Online Magazine Readers' Poll Awards are the only awards in the industry decided by public vote and recognise the efforts of gaming operators in a wide range of categories.
PKR.com picked up the prize for best poker software at the 8th annual ceremony, seizing the crown from Ladbrokes who placed top in the same class the previous year. This latest triumph caps off a fantastic start to the New Year following a hugely successful 2008 for the next-gen site.
PKR.com Marketing Manager Erika Schwartz said, "We're delighted that our software has been recognised by Gambling Online readers - it's always especially pleasing to win awards that are voted for by customers."
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New Poker Controller launched
29th January 2009
The recent online poker boom has resulted in millions of poker fans taking part in online games against each other. Sites such as Full Tilt, PKR and Party Poker attract thousands of players every hour of the day.
Traditionalists claim playing online will never beat a live casino environment, yet internet technology is allowing for operators to provide even more realistic features and applications, to recreate the action which takes place in a live poker game.
We all know that poker can be a long game, drawn out over several hours but internet users have been getting used to the idea of playing in virtual environments using their keyboard or mouse to control the actions they make. For example clicking fold, bet or raise buttons.
In spite of this a new piece of hardware is now available which makes online poker game play far more luxurious, classy and controlled.
Meet the new Poker Control product (right), design by a UK company which allows users to control their actions whilst playing games using a far more reliable tool. Many poker players will have often miss clicked or bet to much using a standard PC mouse or keyboard. Yet this new product claims to be far more reliable and easier to use.
Additionally the raise-o-meter will allow users to decide the perfect bet quickly and with ease. The tilt feature also allows players to lock themselves out of a game whilst others continue playing.
Is this the future of online poker? Well it's certainly the beginning of something big in terms of new game play applications. Could we soon be using electronic cards on a electronic poker table connected to our PC. Certainly sounds like fun to me!
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker
Poker News
29th January 2009
The recent online poker boom has resulted in millions of poker fans taking part in online games against each other. Sites such as Full Tilt, PKR and Party Poker attract thousands of players every hour of the day.
Traditionalists claim playing online will never beat a live casino environment, yet internet technology is allowing for operators to provide even more realistic features and applications, to recreate the action which takes place in a live poker game.
We all know that poker can be a long game, drawn out over several hours but internet users have been getting used to the idea of playing in virtual environments using their keyboard or mouse to control the actions they make. For example clicking fold, bet or raise buttons.
In spite of this a new piece of hardware is now available which makes online poker game play far more luxurious, classy and controlled.
Meet the new Poker Control product (right), design by a UK company which allows users to control their actions whilst playing games using a far more reliable tool. Many poker players will have often miss clicked or bet to much using a standard PC mouse or keyboard. Yet this new product claims to be far more reliable and easier to use.
Additionally the raise-o-meter will allow users to decide the perfect bet quickly and with ease. The tilt feature also allows players to lock themselves out of a game whilst others continue playing.
Is this the future of online poker? Well it's certainly the beginning of something big in terms of new game play applications. Could we soon be using electronic cards on a electronic poker table connected to our PC. Certainly sounds like fun to me!
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
First PartyPoker.com Monthly Million Tournament This Sunday!
27th January 2009 – A wide range of qualifiers are online now at http://www.partypoker.com for the inaugural Monthly Million tournament this Sunday.
The Monthly Million is a $1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month. The first Monthly Million takes place at the end of this week on Sunday 1 February at 12.45 ET (17.45 GMT, 18.45 CET) and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $600+$40 but the diverse qualifying paths means you can join the qualifiers from as little as $1. The wide range of qualifiers includes $64+$4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $50+$5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $32+$3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The countdown is on to our $1,000,000 Sunday. There are plenty of ways to get a piece of the action and see a great return for only a very small investment.”
PartyPoker.com has recently introduced a GREAT new reward scheme. The new reward program is simple - earn points and that’s it. No more weekly goals, no more vesting of points - the number of points you earn is the number of points you have. You can redeem these points in the online shop for an array of prizes including cash, satellite entries and land-based tournament packages. The new programme allows you to redeem your points for cash at much lower levels than before and PartyPoker.com has also introduced the ability to buy bonuses with points. PartyPoker.com has made sure that every player gets the same, if not better, value from the new plan. See https://secure.partyaccount.com/pc/rewardsplan.do for more details.
For our top players PartyPoker.com has also introduced Palladium Lounge http://www.palladiumlounge.com. Collect more than 5,000 reward points in a month, and you’ll immediately become a member of this exclusive club, where you’ll enjoy exceptional service with the personal touch.
**22 players who won packages for the Asian Poker Tour Philippines on PartyPoker.com and are in Manila for the six day poker festival that has become one of the most popular land based events in the calendar. The action is underway today with main event satellites and a celebrity event.**
(Source: PartyPoker)
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27th January 2009 – A wide range of qualifiers are online now at http://www.partypoker.com for the inaugural Monthly Million tournament this Sunday.
The Monthly Million is a $1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month. The first Monthly Million takes place at the end of this week on Sunday 1 February at 12.45 ET (17.45 GMT, 18.45 CET) and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $600+$40 but the diverse qualifying paths means you can join the qualifiers from as little as $1. The wide range of qualifiers includes $64+$4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $50+$5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $32+$3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The countdown is on to our $1,000,000 Sunday. There are plenty of ways to get a piece of the action and see a great return for only a very small investment.”
PartyPoker.com has recently introduced a GREAT new reward scheme. The new reward program is simple - earn points and that’s it. No more weekly goals, no more vesting of points - the number of points you earn is the number of points you have. You can redeem these points in the online shop for an array of prizes including cash, satellite entries and land-based tournament packages. The new programme allows you to redeem your points for cash at much lower levels than before and PartyPoker.com has also introduced the ability to buy bonuses with points. PartyPoker.com has made sure that every player gets the same, if not better, value from the new plan. See https://secure.partyaccount.com/pc/rewardsplan.do for more details.
For our top players PartyPoker.com has also introduced Palladium Lounge http://www.palladiumlounge.com. Collect more than 5,000 reward points in a month, and you’ll immediately become a member of this exclusive club, where you’ll enjoy exceptional service with the personal touch.
**22 players who won packages for the Asian Poker Tour Philippines on PartyPoker.com and are in Manila for the six day poker festival that has become one of the most popular land based events in the calendar. The action is underway today with main event satellites and a celebrity event.**
(Source: PartyPoker)
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Colorado Poker League Organizer Found Not Guilty, by Tom Jenkins - Poker News Daily - 26th January 2009
The third ruling favorable to online poker in 2009 came down this week, this time in the state of Colorado. In a case that pitted Kevin Raley against the State for operating a poker league, a jury found Raley not guilty of illegal gambling. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), which boasts 13,000 members in the state, commented on the victorious ruling.
The PPA noted that, under Colorado law, illegal gambling as it pertained to the case is defined as “means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include bona fide contests of skill.” The outcome hinged on whether poker was a game of skill or a game of chance in Colorado. Professor Robert Hannum, Professor of Statistics at the University of Denver, served an instrumental role in claiming that poker is indeed a game of skill, serving as an expert witness. According to the Coloradoan, the PPA paid for Hannum’s appearance.
Gary Reed, the PPA’s State Director for Colorado, commented in a press release distributed by the organization on Monday, “The PPA is pleased with the outcome of this case. It is further confirmation that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance. At the same time, the not guilty verdict cements the rights of Colorado citizens to enjoy the American pastime of poker and will allow law enforcement to use its scarce resources to investigate real unlawful activity in the state, not poker games.” Raley is a card-carrying member of the PPA, which operates a Litigation Network for its paid membership to take advantage of. The Network connects poker players in need of legal counsel with local lawyers.
Last week, a three-judge Court of Appeals panel in the Commonwealth of Kentucky ruled that its Governor, Steve Beshear, did not have jurisdiction to order the seizure 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to mammoth online poker rooms such as PokerStars, Ultimate Bet, and Full Tilt Poker. Twenty-four hours after the successful Court of Appeals ruling, the Commonwealth announced that it would appeal the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The domain names were seized under the grounds that they were “gambling devices,” similar to tangible items found in an illegal underground casino such as slot machines, roulette wheels, and dice. No timeline has been given as to when the Kentucky Supreme Court will announce whether it will take the case. The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, headed by J. Michael Brown, is anchoring the case for the Commonwealth.
In Pennsylvania, a similar case was resolved just over one week ago. Judge Thomas A, James, Jr. ruled that Texas Hold’em is a skill game in the state. Its defendants, Walter Watkins and Diane Dent, operated a $1-$2 No Limit Hold’em game out of their garage. No rake was taken, but each player was encouraged to tip the dealer proportionally to the size of the pot of they won. An undercover Pennsylvania State Trooper participated in the game, which ultimately led to its demise. Extensive mathematical studies were presented in Judge James’ ruling, including text from Mike Caro’s “Secrets of Winning Poker” and other industry literature. In Pennsylvania, video poker machines are illegal, as the state’s Supreme Court has ruled that they constitute games dominated by chance, not skill.
John Pappas, Executive Director of the one million member strong PPA, commented on the recent surge of pro-poker rulings: “The momentum continues in our favor and the PPA will continue to champion such causes in other states as well as at the national level.” (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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The third ruling favorable to online poker in 2009 came down this week, this time in the state of Colorado. In a case that pitted Kevin Raley against the State for operating a poker league, a jury found Raley not guilty of illegal gambling. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), which boasts 13,000 members in the state, commented on the victorious ruling.
The PPA noted that, under Colorado law, illegal gambling as it pertained to the case is defined as “means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include bona fide contests of skill.” The outcome hinged on whether poker was a game of skill or a game of chance in Colorado. Professor Robert Hannum, Professor of Statistics at the University of Denver, served an instrumental role in claiming that poker is indeed a game of skill, serving as an expert witness. According to the Coloradoan, the PPA paid for Hannum’s appearance.
Gary Reed, the PPA’s State Director for Colorado, commented in a press release distributed by the organization on Monday, “The PPA is pleased with the outcome of this case. It is further confirmation that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance. At the same time, the not guilty verdict cements the rights of Colorado citizens to enjoy the American pastime of poker and will allow law enforcement to use its scarce resources to investigate real unlawful activity in the state, not poker games.” Raley is a card-carrying member of the PPA, which operates a Litigation Network for its paid membership to take advantage of. The Network connects poker players in need of legal counsel with local lawyers.
Last week, a three-judge Court of Appeals panel in the Commonwealth of Kentucky ruled that its Governor, Steve Beshear, did not have jurisdiction to order the seizure 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to mammoth online poker rooms such as PokerStars, Ultimate Bet, and Full Tilt Poker. Twenty-four hours after the successful Court of Appeals ruling, the Commonwealth announced that it would appeal the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The domain names were seized under the grounds that they were “gambling devices,” similar to tangible items found in an illegal underground casino such as slot machines, roulette wheels, and dice. No timeline has been given as to when the Kentucky Supreme Court will announce whether it will take the case. The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, headed by J. Michael Brown, is anchoring the case for the Commonwealth.
In Pennsylvania, a similar case was resolved just over one week ago. Judge Thomas A, James, Jr. ruled that Texas Hold’em is a skill game in the state. Its defendants, Walter Watkins and Diane Dent, operated a $1-$2 No Limit Hold’em game out of their garage. No rake was taken, but each player was encouraged to tip the dealer proportionally to the size of the pot of they won. An undercover Pennsylvania State Trooper participated in the game, which ultimately led to its demise. Extensive mathematical studies were presented in Judge James’ ruling, including text from Mike Caro’s “Secrets of Winning Poker” and other industry literature. In Pennsylvania, video poker machines are illegal, as the state’s Supreme Court has ruled that they constitute games dominated by chance, not skill.
John Pappas, Executive Director of the one million member strong PPA, commented on the recent surge of pro-poker rulings: “The momentum continues in our favor and the PPA will continue to champion such causes in other states as well as at the national level.” (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Poker Is "Not Gambling" According to Colorado Court
Poker league operator declared not guilty of illegal gambling
January 28, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- Another U.S. state court has ruled that poker cannot be prosecuted as gambling, several news sources are reporting today. This ruling contributes to a new trend of court verdicts that are classifying online poker as a game of skill and not a game of chance, possibly helping it to escape the illegal status with which online gambling has been burdened since the U.S. passed UIGEA in 2006.
Poker News Daily's Tom Jenkins writes: "The PPA noted that, under Colorado law, illegal gambling as it pertained to the case is defined as 'means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include bona fide contests of skill.'
"The outcome hinged on whether poker was a game of skill or a game of chance in Colorado. Professor Robert Hannum, Professor of Statistics at the University of Denver, served an instrumental role in claiming that poker is indeed a game of skill, serving as an expert witness. According to the Coloradoan, the PPA paid for Hannum’s appearance."
This verdict follows recent similar rulings in two other states: Kentucky (where the legal battle over 141 seized domain names had been raging for months), and Pennsylvania, where a judge ruled that Texas Hold 'Em is a game of skill in that state. The Kentucky ruling will be appealed to that state's supreme court.
The Poker News Daily article goes on to quote John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, on the recent pro-poker rulings: "The momentum continues in our favor and the PPA will continue to champion such causes in other states as well as at the national level."
According to Colorado's Greeley Tribune, Kevin Raley, the defendant in the Colorado case, was hoping to add Colorado to this growing list of states that have gone on record to classify poker as a game of skill, and not a game of chance. "He wanted to do his part in building what he called a 'mountain' of cases of positive verdicts for poker and poker players," writes the Tribune's Dan England.
Read the Poker News Daily article here. Colorado's Greeley Tribune article can be found here. (Credit: CAP)
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Poker league operator declared not guilty of illegal gambling
January 28, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- Another U.S. state court has ruled that poker cannot be prosecuted as gambling, several news sources are reporting today. This ruling contributes to a new trend of court verdicts that are classifying online poker as a game of skill and not a game of chance, possibly helping it to escape the illegal status with which online gambling has been burdened since the U.S. passed UIGEA in 2006.
Poker News Daily's Tom Jenkins writes: "The PPA noted that, under Colorado law, illegal gambling as it pertained to the case is defined as 'means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include bona fide contests of skill.'
"The outcome hinged on whether poker was a game of skill or a game of chance in Colorado. Professor Robert Hannum, Professor of Statistics at the University of Denver, served an instrumental role in claiming that poker is indeed a game of skill, serving as an expert witness. According to the Coloradoan, the PPA paid for Hannum’s appearance."
This verdict follows recent similar rulings in two other states: Kentucky (where the legal battle over 141 seized domain names had been raging for months), and Pennsylvania, where a judge ruled that Texas Hold 'Em is a game of skill in that state. The Kentucky ruling will be appealed to that state's supreme court.
The Poker News Daily article goes on to quote John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, on the recent pro-poker rulings: "The momentum continues in our favor and the PPA will continue to champion such causes in other states as well as at the national level."
According to Colorado's Greeley Tribune, Kevin Raley, the defendant in the Colorado case, was hoping to add Colorado to this growing list of states that have gone on record to classify poker as a game of skill, and not a game of chance. "He wanted to do his part in building what he called a 'mountain' of cases of positive verdicts for poker and poker players," writes the Tribune's Dan England.
Read the Poker News Daily article here. Colorado's Greeley Tribune article can be found here. (Credit: CAP)
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
2009 World Series of Poker Schedule Features $40,000 No Limit Event, by Dan Cypra - Poker News Daily - 26th January 2009
On Monday, the lineup of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) schedule was unveiled by Harrah’s. Participants at the 2009 WSOP will be able to partake in a $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament, the second richest tournament on this year’s slate of events. A total of 57 bracelet events will make up the festivities, up two from 2008. One major change involved the elimination of all five rebuy tournaments that were held last year.
Event #4 of the 2009 WSOP will see Harrah’s officials offer a “special stimulus” event, a $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament that is numbered 4A and 4B. On the other end of the buy-in scale are $10,000 World Championship tournaments. A total of 10 of them will play out in 2009, up from eight in 2008. There are also 39 events with buy-ins of $2,500 or below, up from 37 last year. In total, this year’s 40th WSOP lineup will promise viewers who watch the action unfold on ESPN a wider assortment of poker tournaments.
In addition, the final table of the Main Event will once again be delayed until November. This time, the action picks up on November 7th and a winner will be crowned three days later. The finale, featuring the November Nine may air on ESPN on Tuesday, November 10th after the event concludes from the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. No official television schedule has been announced.
Last year’s WSOP slate of events shattered several records, including the most number of total tournament entrants at 58,720, the most total number of countries represented at 124, and the largest cumulative prize pool at over $180 million. Peter Eastgate, the winner of the $10,000 buy-in Main Event, became the youngest winner ever of the feature tournament at age 22, shattering Phil Hellmuth’s standing record of 24. Here is a look at what players have to look forward to in Las Vegas this year:
May 27, 2009
Casino Employees No Limit Hold’em, $500
May 28, 2009
40th Annual No Limit Hold’em, $40,000
May 29, 2009
Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
May 30, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,000
May 31, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,000
June 1, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $1,500
World Championship Seven Card Stud, $10,000
June 2, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
2-7 Draw Lowball No Limit, $2,500
June 3, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $1,500
Pot Limit Holdem/Omaha, $2,500
June 4, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Mixed Event, $10,000
June 5, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,500
Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $2,500
June 6, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $5,000
Seven Card Stud, $1,500
June 7, 2009
Ladies No Limit Hold’em World Championship, $1,000
World Championship Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $10,000
June 8, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $2,500
Pot Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 9, 2009
HORSE, $3.000
June 10, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $1,500
World Championship 2-7 Draw Lowball No-Limit, $10,000
June 11, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
Omaha/Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $2,500
June 12, 2009
Limit Hold’em, $1,500
Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $5,000
June 13, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
World Championship Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em (256 player maximum), $10,000
June 14, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $2,500
HORSE, $1,500
June 15, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Limit Hold’em, $10,000
June 16, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 17, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $5,000
June 18, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $10,000
June 19, 2009
Limit Hold’em, $2,000
June 20, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
World Championship Pot Limit Omaha, $10,000
June 21, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $5,000
Mixed Event, $2,500
June 22, 2009
Seniors No Limit Hold’em World Championship, $1,000
Seven Card Razz, $2,500
June 23, 2009
World Championship Pot Limit Hold’em, $10,000
Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $2,500
June 24, 2009
Mixed Hold’em (Limit and No Limit), $2,500
June 25, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
June 26, 2009
World Championship HORSE, $50,000
Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $1,500
June 27, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 28, 2009
Triple Chance No Limit Hold’em, $3,000
Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
June 29, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
2-7 Triple Draw Lowball Limit, $2,500
June 30, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $5,000
July 2, 2009
Ante Up For Africa Charity Event, $5,000
July 3, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1A
July 4, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1B
July 5, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1C
July 6, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1D
November 7-10, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Final Table (Credit: Poker News Daily)
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Series of Poker
Poker
Poker News
On Monday, the lineup of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) schedule was unveiled by Harrah’s. Participants at the 2009 WSOP will be able to partake in a $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament, the second richest tournament on this year’s slate of events. A total of 57 bracelet events will make up the festivities, up two from 2008. One major change involved the elimination of all five rebuy tournaments that were held last year.
Event #4 of the 2009 WSOP will see Harrah’s officials offer a “special stimulus” event, a $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament that is numbered 4A and 4B. On the other end of the buy-in scale are $10,000 World Championship tournaments. A total of 10 of them will play out in 2009, up from eight in 2008. There are also 39 events with buy-ins of $2,500 or below, up from 37 last year. In total, this year’s 40th WSOP lineup will promise viewers who watch the action unfold on ESPN a wider assortment of poker tournaments.
In addition, the final table of the Main Event will once again be delayed until November. This time, the action picks up on November 7th and a winner will be crowned three days later. The finale, featuring the November Nine may air on ESPN on Tuesday, November 10th after the event concludes from the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. No official television schedule has been announced.
Last year’s WSOP slate of events shattered several records, including the most number of total tournament entrants at 58,720, the most total number of countries represented at 124, and the largest cumulative prize pool at over $180 million. Peter Eastgate, the winner of the $10,000 buy-in Main Event, became the youngest winner ever of the feature tournament at age 22, shattering Phil Hellmuth’s standing record of 24. Here is a look at what players have to look forward to in Las Vegas this year:
May 27, 2009
Casino Employees No Limit Hold’em, $500
May 28, 2009
40th Annual No Limit Hold’em, $40,000
May 29, 2009
Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
May 30, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,000
May 31, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,000
June 1, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $1,500
World Championship Seven Card Stud, $10,000
June 2, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
2-7 Draw Lowball No Limit, $2,500
June 3, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $1,500
Pot Limit Holdem/Omaha, $2,500
June 4, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Mixed Event, $10,000
June 5, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,500
Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $2,500
June 6, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $5,000
Seven Card Stud, $1,500
June 7, 2009
Ladies No Limit Hold’em World Championship, $1,000
World Championship Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $10,000
June 8, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $2,500
Pot Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 9, 2009
HORSE, $3.000
June 10, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $1,500
World Championship 2-7 Draw Lowball No-Limit, $10,000
June 11, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
Omaha/Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $2,500
June 12, 2009
Limit Hold’em, $1,500
Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $5,000
June 13, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
World Championship Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em (256 player maximum), $10,000
June 14, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $2,500
HORSE, $1,500
June 15, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Limit Hold’em, $10,000
June 16, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 17, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha, $5,000
June 18, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $2,000
World Championship Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $10,000
June 19, 2009
Limit Hold’em, $2,000
June 20, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
World Championship Pot Limit Omaha, $10,000
June 21, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $5,000
Mixed Event, $2,500
June 22, 2009
Seniors No Limit Hold’em World Championship, $1,000
Seven Card Razz, $2,500
June 23, 2009
World Championship Pot Limit Hold’em, $10,000
Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $2,500
June 24, 2009
Mixed Hold’em (Limit and No Limit), $2,500
June 25, 2009
Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
June 26, 2009
World Championship HORSE, $50,000
Limit Hold’em Shootout (1,000 player maximum), $1,500
June 27, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
June 28, 2009
Triple Chance No Limit Hold’em, $3,000
Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, $1,500
June 29, 2009
No Limit Hold’em, $1,500
2-7 Triple Draw Lowball Limit, $2,500
June 30, 2009
No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, $5,000
July 2, 2009
Ante Up For Africa Charity Event, $5,000
July 3, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1A
July 4, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1B
July 5, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1C
July 6, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Day 1D
November 7-10, 2009
World Championship No Limit Hold’em Final Table (Credit: Poker News Daily)
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Series of Poker
Poker
Poker News
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Long-awaited WSOP schedule finally released
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The 40th annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) -- a set of poker tournaments open to anyone 21 years of age or older -- will commence Wednesday, May 27 with the first of 57 gold bracelet events, and the next day a special $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament will commemorate the gaming industry's most illustrious event.
The annual poker extravaganza, which dates back to 1970, is televised exclusively on ESPN from the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and consists of a comprehensive slate of the game's most popular variations.
The 40th annual WSOP will conclude with the $10,000 buy-in World Championship No-Limit Hold'em Main Event which begins play Friday, July 3, 2009 and reaches its final table (nine players) on July 15, 2009, at which time play will be halted. The famed tournament's culmination will be held with the "November Nine" from November 7-10, 2009, before a live audience with special primetime coverage from ESPN.
The landmark WSOP comes on the heels of a record year in 2008, when the WSOP generated the most entries ever (58,720) from the most countries ever (124) that competed for the largest prize pool ever ($180,774,427) while awarding 55 championship gold bracelets, globally recognized as the sport's top prize.
Among the highlights of the 2009 schedule:
• 57 gold bracelet events over 50 days.
• A "stimulus special" $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament on the opening weekend, May 30-31, 2009, which is anticipated to draw the largest-ever live tournament field outside the Main Event and offer a prize pool approaching $5,000,000.
• 10 "World Championship" $10,000 buy-in events ("World Championship" refers to tournaments with a buy-in of $10,000 in each of the various disciplines of poker).
• The third annual $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament, with an enhanced gold bracelet and the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy awarded to the winner.
• A one-time commemorative gold bracelet event, a $40,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament to help mark the 40th annual WSOP on Thursday, May 28, 2009.
• Seven open $1500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournaments, the most popular events in poker.
• The 3rd annual Ante Up For Africa $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em celebrity and charity tournament on Thursday, July 2, 2009, (the day before the Main Event begins) featuring the opportunity for anyone age 21 or older to enter and be seated at the same table as A-list celebrities and top poker pros.
• The Ladies Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on Sunday, June 7, 2009, featuring a $1,000 buy-in and helping to raise awareness for the Nevada Cancer Institute, the official community relations partner of the World Series of Poker.
• The Seniors Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on Monday, June 22, 2009 for all poker enthusiasts 50 years of age or older.
• The return of the "November Nine" where the nine finalists of the Main Event (July 3-15) return to the Rio on November 7-10, 2009 to vie for the multi-million dollar prize and the title of 2009 World Champion of Poker in front of a live audience with special primetime coverage on ESPN.
"Whether you play poker around the kitchen table or consider yourself a professional, you will find a comfortable seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "This year's schedule offers more variety than ever before and we look forward to welcoming players from around the world to the Rio for our 40th annual extravaganza this summer."
The famed Amazon Room in the Rio Convention Center once again will serve as the center of the poker universe this summer, featuring the same highly popular blueprint as last year.
Gold bracelet tournaments will begin at 12 noon or 5 PM Pacific Time each day, with a maximum of 10-one hour levels being played for the noon starts, while the 5 PM events will play a maximum of 8 one-hour levels. For those fortunate enough to advance past the first day, re-starts for noon bracelet events will begin at 2 PM, and 5 PM tournaments will restart at 3 PM with a maximum of 10 levels being played each day until a champion is crowned.
Pre-registration for the 2009 WSOP will begin in late February on-site at the Main Cage of the Rio in Las Vegas and online through www.worldseriesofpoker.com. Players will be encouraged to register through a streamlined online process in advance of coming to Las Vegas to avoid being shutout of their favorite events. Any foreign entrants who wire transfer monies will receive the exchange rate into U.S. dollars at the time of the wire transfer, thus locking in their exchange rate in advance.
A complete array of satellites, from single-table to mega, will be offered beginning from May 26-July 5, 2009.
Nightly No-Limit Hold'em tournaments will be offered from May 26-July 14 at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
All winners will be required to provide a valid picture ID.
Tax forms will be completed for those with winnings in excess of $5,000 net of event buy-in.
Players without a Tax Identification Number and foreign players from non-tax treaty countries are subject to up to 30% tax withholding.
Harrah's reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament or any tournament event, in part or in whole, without notice.
Complete tournament schedule.
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Series of Poker
Poker
Poker News
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The 40th annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) -- a set of poker tournaments open to anyone 21 years of age or older -- will commence Wednesday, May 27 with the first of 57 gold bracelet events, and the next day a special $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament will commemorate the gaming industry's most illustrious event.
The annual poker extravaganza, which dates back to 1970, is televised exclusively on ESPN from the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and consists of a comprehensive slate of the game's most popular variations.
The 40th annual WSOP will conclude with the $10,000 buy-in World Championship No-Limit Hold'em Main Event which begins play Friday, July 3, 2009 and reaches its final table (nine players) on July 15, 2009, at which time play will be halted. The famed tournament's culmination will be held with the "November Nine" from November 7-10, 2009, before a live audience with special primetime coverage from ESPN.
The landmark WSOP comes on the heels of a record year in 2008, when the WSOP generated the most entries ever (58,720) from the most countries ever (124) that competed for the largest prize pool ever ($180,774,427) while awarding 55 championship gold bracelets, globally recognized as the sport's top prize.
Among the highlights of the 2009 schedule:
• 57 gold bracelet events over 50 days.
• A "stimulus special" $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament on the opening weekend, May 30-31, 2009, which is anticipated to draw the largest-ever live tournament field outside the Main Event and offer a prize pool approaching $5,000,000.
• 10 "World Championship" $10,000 buy-in events ("World Championship" refers to tournaments with a buy-in of $10,000 in each of the various disciplines of poker).
• The third annual $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament, with an enhanced gold bracelet and the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy awarded to the winner.
• A one-time commemorative gold bracelet event, a $40,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament to help mark the 40th annual WSOP on Thursday, May 28, 2009.
• Seven open $1500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournaments, the most popular events in poker.
• The 3rd annual Ante Up For Africa $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em celebrity and charity tournament on Thursday, July 2, 2009, (the day before the Main Event begins) featuring the opportunity for anyone age 21 or older to enter and be seated at the same table as A-list celebrities and top poker pros.
• The Ladies Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on Sunday, June 7, 2009, featuring a $1,000 buy-in and helping to raise awareness for the Nevada Cancer Institute, the official community relations partner of the World Series of Poker.
• The Seniors Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on Monday, June 22, 2009 for all poker enthusiasts 50 years of age or older.
• The return of the "November Nine" where the nine finalists of the Main Event (July 3-15) return to the Rio on November 7-10, 2009 to vie for the multi-million dollar prize and the title of 2009 World Champion of Poker in front of a live audience with special primetime coverage on ESPN.
"Whether you play poker around the kitchen table or consider yourself a professional, you will find a comfortable seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "This year's schedule offers more variety than ever before and we look forward to welcoming players from around the world to the Rio for our 40th annual extravaganza this summer."
The famed Amazon Room in the Rio Convention Center once again will serve as the center of the poker universe this summer, featuring the same highly popular blueprint as last year.
Gold bracelet tournaments will begin at 12 noon or 5 PM Pacific Time each day, with a maximum of 10-one hour levels being played for the noon starts, while the 5 PM events will play a maximum of 8 one-hour levels. For those fortunate enough to advance past the first day, re-starts for noon bracelet events will begin at 2 PM, and 5 PM tournaments will restart at 3 PM with a maximum of 10 levels being played each day until a champion is crowned.
Pre-registration for the 2009 WSOP will begin in late February on-site at the Main Cage of the Rio in Las Vegas and online through www.worldseriesofpoker.com. Players will be encouraged to register through a streamlined online process in advance of coming to Las Vegas to avoid being shutout of their favorite events. Any foreign entrants who wire transfer monies will receive the exchange rate into U.S. dollars at the time of the wire transfer, thus locking in their exchange rate in advance.
A complete array of satellites, from single-table to mega, will be offered beginning from May 26-July 5, 2009.
Nightly No-Limit Hold'em tournaments will be offered from May 26-July 14 at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
All winners will be required to provide a valid picture ID.
Tax forms will be completed for those with winnings in excess of $5,000 net of event buy-in.
Players without a Tax Identification Number and foreign players from non-tax treaty countries are subject to up to 30% tax withholding.
Harrah's reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament or any tournament event, in part or in whole, without notice.
Complete tournament schedule.
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Series of Poker
Poker
Poker News
Poker News Media
Casino News Media Profiles Updated
PartyPoker.com
PKR Poker
Virgin Poker
Pacific Poker
World Series of Poker
World Poker Tour
Asian Poker Tour
Poker
Poker News
Casino News Media Profiles Updated
PartyPoker.com
PKR Poker
Virgin Poker
Pacific Poker
World Series of Poker
World Poker Tour
Asian Poker Tour
Poker
Poker News
Monday, January 26, 2009
PartyPoker.com Monthly Million
PartyPoker.com introduce a $ 1 million guaranteed monthly tournament
PartyPoker.com is pleased to announce the introduction of the Monthly Million – a $ 1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month!
The first Monthly Million takes place on Sunday 1 February at 17.45 GMT and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $ 600+$ 40 but the diverse qualifying structure allows you to qualify from as little as $ 1 and the qualifiers for February’s showpiece are running now! This includes $ 64+$ 4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $ 50+$ 5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $ 32+$ 3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “With $ 1,000,000 up for grabs in the Monthly Million, the first Sunday of every month is definitely not a day of rest at PartyPoker.com.”
An opinion poll conducted by Poker Players Research Ltd found that PartyPoker.com came out top when players were asked which was the easiest site to win at, so take advantage of Party's recently introduced new reward scheme. The new reward program is simple - earn points and that’s it. No more weekly goals, no more vesting of points - the number of points you earn is the number of points you have. You can redeem these points in the online shop for an array of prizes including cash, satellite entries and land-based tournament packages. The new program allows you to redeem your points for cash at much lower levels than before and PartyPoker.com has also introduced the ability to buy bonuses with points. PartyPoker.com has made sure that every player gets the same, if not better, value from the new plan.
PartyPoker.com has also introduced the Palladium Lounge for top players. Collect more than 5,000 reward points in a month, and you’ll immediately become a member of this exclusive club, where you’ll enjoy exceptional service with the personal touch.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming
Poker News
PartyPoker.com introduce a $ 1 million guaranteed monthly tournament
PartyPoker.com is pleased to announce the introduction of the Monthly Million – a $ 1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month!
The first Monthly Million takes place on Sunday 1 February at 17.45 GMT and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $ 600+$ 40 but the diverse qualifying structure allows you to qualify from as little as $ 1 and the qualifiers for February’s showpiece are running now! This includes $ 64+$ 4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $ 50+$ 5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $ 32+$ 3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “With $ 1,000,000 up for grabs in the Monthly Million, the first Sunday of every month is definitely not a day of rest at PartyPoker.com.”
An opinion poll conducted by Poker Players Research Ltd found that PartyPoker.com came out top when players were asked which was the easiest site to win at, so take advantage of Party's recently introduced new reward scheme. The new reward program is simple - earn points and that’s it. No more weekly goals, no more vesting of points - the number of points you earn is the number of points you have. You can redeem these points in the online shop for an array of prizes including cash, satellite entries and land-based tournament packages. The new program allows you to redeem your points for cash at much lower levels than before and PartyPoker.com has also introduced the ability to buy bonuses with points. PartyPoker.com has made sure that every player gets the same, if not better, value from the new plan.
PartyPoker.com has also introduced the Palladium Lounge for top players. Collect more than 5,000 reward points in a month, and you’ll immediately become a member of this exclusive club, where you’ll enjoy exceptional service with the personal touch.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming
Poker News
Annette Obrestad Out Of Poker Aussie Millions
Day 3 of the AU$10,500 Aussie Millions Main Event concluded yesterday with 28 players left in contention. The chiplead changed hands throughout the day and eventually ended up with Rajkumar Ramakrishnan.
One of the chip leaders on Day 3 was Annette Obrestad, perhaps the most dangerous player left in the field after Patrik Antonius was eliminated in 41st place. Annette outlasted Joe Hachem, Kelly Kim, Scotty Nguyen and Clonie Gowen to survive Day 3 but she couldn't make it through Day 4 to the final table.
Annette made a re-raise bluff for Zach Fellows's entire stack, a significant pot at that stage of the tournament. Fellows tanked before calling with 55, much to the Norwegian's shock and disgust. She had only Ace-Ten and lost the race, decimating her stack. Later in the day she received a 5-minute penalty for using her mobile phone at the table, then she was eliminated.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aussie Millions
Crown Casino
Casino News
Poker News
Day 3 of the AU$10,500 Aussie Millions Main Event concluded yesterday with 28 players left in contention. The chiplead changed hands throughout the day and eventually ended up with Rajkumar Ramakrishnan.
One of the chip leaders on Day 3 was Annette Obrestad, perhaps the most dangerous player left in the field after Patrik Antonius was eliminated in 41st place. Annette outlasted Joe Hachem, Kelly Kim, Scotty Nguyen and Clonie Gowen to survive Day 3 but she couldn't make it through Day 4 to the final table.
Annette made a re-raise bluff for Zach Fellows's entire stack, a significant pot at that stage of the tournament. Fellows tanked before calling with 55, much to the Norwegian's shock and disgust. She had only Ace-Ten and lost the race, decimating her stack. Later in the day she received a 5-minute penalty for using her mobile phone at the table, then she was eliminated.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aussie Millions
Crown Casino
Casino News
Poker News
PartyPoker.com Team Head To Asian Poker Tour Philippines
24th January 2009 – 22 players who won packages for the Asian Poker Tour Philippines on PartyPoker.com will shortly be jetting off to Manila for the six day poker and party festival that has become one of the most popular land based events in the calendar. The action gets underway on the 27th January and runs until the 1st February.
The PartyPoker.com line-up is led by recent PartyPoker.com Irish Poker Championship winner Rory Rees Brennan from Dublin and features players from all over the world who won their way through to the Far East hotspot through online qualifiers that ran in December and January. The package is worth $6,000 and includes accommodation at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, the $2,500 + $200 buy-in for the Main Event and $2,500 spending money.
The highlight is the Main Event, which runs from the 29th January – 1st February but parties on the Asian Poker Tour have reached legendary status and even won an award! One party the online qualifiers will definitely not miss at this year’s event is the FHM backed player’s party, which starts at 19.30 on the 31st January and promises to be ‘tastefully wild,’ with FHM bringing cover models to acts as hosts. After the party, the Asian Poker Tour and FHM have hired party buses to take players around Manila’s hotspots. There will also be welcome cocktails to mark the opening ceremony on the 28th January and a gathering exclusive only to those who won seats on PartyPoker.com.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Some of the players who qualified for the Asian Poker Tour only invested a few dollars to secure their thriller in Manila. Last year, plenty of the online qualifiers ended up in the money so we’ll be looking for a repeat performance or better!”
In addition to the Main Event and parties the Asian Poker Tour has also introduced a Headhunter event, a Pot-Limit Omaha Hi tournament, as well as a 'GREED' tournament and 13 card poker game. Amongst the pros to look out for include David ‘Chino’ Rheem, Nam Le, Steve Sung, Quinn Do and many others.
Last year’s Asian Poker Tour Philippines winner was Australia’s David Saab, who scooped first place and $280,000. Overseeing the action will be leading tournament director Matt Savage.
http://www.partypoker.com has introduced the Monthly Million – a $1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month!
The first Monthly Million takes place on Sunday 1 February at 12.45 ET (17.45 GMT, 18.45 CET) and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $600+$40 but the diverse qualifying structure allows you to qualify from as little as $1 and the qualifiers for February’s showpiece are running now! This includes $64+$4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $50+$5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $32+$3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
Media Man Australia Profiles
Asian Poker Tour
PartyPoker.com
PartyPoker.com News
Poker News
24th January 2009 – 22 players who won packages for the Asian Poker Tour Philippines on PartyPoker.com will shortly be jetting off to Manila for the six day poker and party festival that has become one of the most popular land based events in the calendar. The action gets underway on the 27th January and runs until the 1st February.
The PartyPoker.com line-up is led by recent PartyPoker.com Irish Poker Championship winner Rory Rees Brennan from Dublin and features players from all over the world who won their way through to the Far East hotspot through online qualifiers that ran in December and January. The package is worth $6,000 and includes accommodation at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, the $2,500 + $200 buy-in for the Main Event and $2,500 spending money.
The highlight is the Main Event, which runs from the 29th January – 1st February but parties on the Asian Poker Tour have reached legendary status and even won an award! One party the online qualifiers will definitely not miss at this year’s event is the FHM backed player’s party, which starts at 19.30 on the 31st January and promises to be ‘tastefully wild,’ with FHM bringing cover models to acts as hosts. After the party, the Asian Poker Tour and FHM have hired party buses to take players around Manila’s hotspots. There will also be welcome cocktails to mark the opening ceremony on the 28th January and a gathering exclusive only to those who won seats on PartyPoker.com.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Some of the players who qualified for the Asian Poker Tour only invested a few dollars to secure their thriller in Manila. Last year, plenty of the online qualifiers ended up in the money so we’ll be looking for a repeat performance or better!”
In addition to the Main Event and parties the Asian Poker Tour has also introduced a Headhunter event, a Pot-Limit Omaha Hi tournament, as well as a 'GREED' tournament and 13 card poker game. Amongst the pros to look out for include David ‘Chino’ Rheem, Nam Le, Steve Sung, Quinn Do and many others.
Last year’s Asian Poker Tour Philippines winner was Australia’s David Saab, who scooped first place and $280,000. Overseeing the action will be leading tournament director Matt Savage.
http://www.partypoker.com has introduced the Monthly Million – a $1 million guaranteed online poker tournament every first Sunday of the month!
The first Monthly Million takes place on Sunday 1 February at 12.45 ET (17.45 GMT, 18.45 CET) and features a championship blind structure. The buy-in is $600+$40 but the diverse qualifying structure allows you to qualify from as little as $1 and the qualifiers for February’s showpiece are running now! This includes $64+$4 daily satellites with 18 seats guaranteed, a Mega Friday $50+$5 satellite that guarantees 30 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $32+$3 buy-in and 25 seats guaranteed.
The paths into the Monthly Million are many – check out http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/monthly_million1.html
Media Man Australia Profiles
Asian Poker Tour
PartyPoker.com
PartyPoker.com News
Poker News
Inside Poker Business Magazine Launching this Month, by Dan Cypra - Poker News Daily - 24th January 2009
According to an article that recently appeared on the UK-based Guardian website, Dennis Publishing will launch “what it claims to be the first ever business-to-business poker magazine.” The new publication is set to debut later this month and will be found under the title Inside Poker Business.
The quarterly magazine will be overseen by Alun Bowden, who also serves as an editor for Inside Poker, a position he has held for the last three years. The new magazine, according to the Guardian, will be completely free “to industry figures internationally.” Featured heavily in the magazine´s first issue will be Jim Ryan, Party Gaming´s CEO. The company, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRTY,” just saw its Managing Director, John O´Malia, announce that he will step down at the end of next month. In December, one of Party Gaming´s co-founders, Anurag Dikshit, admitted to violating the Wire Act of 1961 in the United States. Dikshit will hand over a total of $300 million to U.S. authorities and risks two years in prison.
Ryan recently gave an interview to the Financial Times, saying that Party Gaming´s competitive advantage came from the fact that its fleet of sites - PartyPoker, PartyCasino, PartyGammon, PartyBets, PartyMobile, and PartyBingo, - represented a one stop shop for online gaming customers: “One deposit, one account – it’s a one stop shop. That is still the main strategic objective for a number of our competitors and we have it already.”
Dennis Publishing will look to bring its extensive experience in the print magazine industry to the world of poker. The company serves as the publishing arm of Men´s Fitness and Maxim magazines. Some of the top poker magazine titles that currently focus on the consumer include CardPlayer and Atlanta-based Bluff Magazine. Both have representatives traveling to the world´s largest live poker tournaments for coverage. Bluff serves as the media partner of the World Series of Poker and just instilled its Player of the Year honors for 2008 on John “The Razor” Phan. Coming in second on that leader board was Michael Binger, who had 2008 earnings of $1.1 million. Also appearing on the list were David “The Dragon” Pham (third), 2008 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure winner Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier (fourth), and Men “The Master” Nguyen, who led the way among the top 10 players with 25 qualifying cashes.
The December issue of Inside Poker Magazine included interviews with Irish poker pro Neil Channing as well as David Ulliott, the namesake of Devilfish Poker. We´ll have more details on the launch of Inside Poker Business Magazine as they become available right here on Poker News Daily. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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According to an article that recently appeared on the UK-based Guardian website, Dennis Publishing will launch “what it claims to be the first ever business-to-business poker magazine.” The new publication is set to debut later this month and will be found under the title Inside Poker Business.
The quarterly magazine will be overseen by Alun Bowden, who also serves as an editor for Inside Poker, a position he has held for the last three years. The new magazine, according to the Guardian, will be completely free “to industry figures internationally.” Featured heavily in the magazine´s first issue will be Jim Ryan, Party Gaming´s CEO. The company, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRTY,” just saw its Managing Director, John O´Malia, announce that he will step down at the end of next month. In December, one of Party Gaming´s co-founders, Anurag Dikshit, admitted to violating the Wire Act of 1961 in the United States. Dikshit will hand over a total of $300 million to U.S. authorities and risks two years in prison.
Ryan recently gave an interview to the Financial Times, saying that Party Gaming´s competitive advantage came from the fact that its fleet of sites - PartyPoker, PartyCasino, PartyGammon, PartyBets, PartyMobile, and PartyBingo, - represented a one stop shop for online gaming customers: “One deposit, one account – it’s a one stop shop. That is still the main strategic objective for a number of our competitors and we have it already.”
Dennis Publishing will look to bring its extensive experience in the print magazine industry to the world of poker. The company serves as the publishing arm of Men´s Fitness and Maxim magazines. Some of the top poker magazine titles that currently focus on the consumer include CardPlayer and Atlanta-based Bluff Magazine. Both have representatives traveling to the world´s largest live poker tournaments for coverage. Bluff serves as the media partner of the World Series of Poker and just instilled its Player of the Year honors for 2008 on John “The Razor” Phan. Coming in second on that leader board was Michael Binger, who had 2008 earnings of $1.1 million. Also appearing on the list were David “The Dragon” Pham (third), 2008 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure winner Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier (fourth), and Men “The Master” Nguyen, who led the way among the top 10 players with 25 qualifying cashes.
The December issue of Inside Poker Magazine included interviews with Irish poker pro Neil Channing as well as David Ulliott, the namesake of Devilfish Poker. We´ll have more details on the launch of Inside Poker Business Magazine as they become available right here on Poker News Daily. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Sunday, January 25, 2009
Aussie Millions title stays at home - NineMSN
Jan 25: The biggest poker prize in the Southern Hemisphere will stay on Australian soil, after New South Welshman Stewart Scott won the Aussie Millions Main Event at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Saturday night.
Scott, 36, outlasted 680 rivals, including poker greats like Scotty Nguyen and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, and sporting greats like Shane Warne and Mark Philippoussis, to win the title.
At the start of the tournament, Joe Hachem had called on his countrymen to pick up their game. “I think it’s about time an Aussie took home the title,” he said. “Get your acts together.”
Scott certainly took up the challenge. After lurking in the middle of the pack for the first three days of the tournament, he pushed to the lead on Day Four, and went to the final table with a stack of 4,520,000; almost double his nearest opponent.
The play at the final table lasted a gruelling 12 hours. Scott picked off the last of his opponents, American Peter Rho, when Rho went all-in with an Ace and a Jack. Scott called with pocket aces, the strongest starting hand in Hold’em, and held the lead when he finished with a full house, Aces over nines. (Credit: NineMSN)
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Jan 25: The biggest poker prize in the Southern Hemisphere will stay on Australian soil, after New South Welshman Stewart Scott won the Aussie Millions Main Event at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Saturday night.
Scott, 36, outlasted 680 rivals, including poker greats like Scotty Nguyen and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, and sporting greats like Shane Warne and Mark Philippoussis, to win the title.
At the start of the tournament, Joe Hachem had called on his countrymen to pick up their game. “I think it’s about time an Aussie took home the title,” he said. “Get your acts together.”
Scott certainly took up the challenge. After lurking in the middle of the pack for the first three days of the tournament, he pushed to the lead on Day Four, and went to the final table with a stack of 4,520,000; almost double his nearest opponent.
The play at the final table lasted a gruelling 12 hours. Scott picked off the last of his opponents, American Peter Rho, when Rho went all-in with an Ace and a Jack. Scott called with pocket aces, the strongest starting hand in Hold’em, and held the lead when he finished with a full house, Aces over nines. (Credit: NineMSN)
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Saturday, January 24, 2009
Asian Poker Tour comes to Manila - 24th January 2009
After the success of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) events in Manila and Macau last year, the biggest and original poker tour in Asia once again holds its 2009 tour in Manila.
Just like last year, the Asian Poker Tour Philippines 2009 will attract top professional and amateur poker players around the world.
With an estimated $1-M in prize money, world-renowned poker masters and fans will gather to showcase their poker mastery and skills on Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.
It is estimated that more than 800 players will participate in the various tournaments. International poker superstars like Quinn Do, David “Chino” Rheem and Nam Le have confirmed their participation as well as other leading Filipino players.
The main tournament will be the No Limit Texas Hold’em event, which will be played in four days.
The tournament begins with two flights (1A and 1B), then Day 2 and the Final Day (Sunday) where big cash prizes await the winners. For walk-ins and those who are no longer playing in the main tournament, cash games will be running on-site, as well as special events such as the PKR Headhunter Tournament and the Dafa Poker “PLO” Pot Limit Omaha, which, incidentally, will be the first time this particular game is played in Asia at a major poker event.
Omaha, popular among European and North American poker players, is gaining a following in Asia. Local celebrities will be invited to join a charity poker event where their cash prizes will be donated to charity organizations of their choice.
Celebrities expected to participate include Dingdong Dantes, Maui Taylor, Rajo Laurel, Andrea del Rosario, Jinno Rufino, Mo Twister and Tessa Prieto-Valdes.
The Asian Poker Tour Philippines 2009 is owned and managed by the AsianLogic Limited, an Asia-Pacific on-line and land-based gaming company. For details, call 889-3413 or visit www.asianpt.com.
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After the success of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) events in Manila and Macau last year, the biggest and original poker tour in Asia once again holds its 2009 tour in Manila.
Just like last year, the Asian Poker Tour Philippines 2009 will attract top professional and amateur poker players around the world.
With an estimated $1-M in prize money, world-renowned poker masters and fans will gather to showcase their poker mastery and skills on Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.
It is estimated that more than 800 players will participate in the various tournaments. International poker superstars like Quinn Do, David “Chino” Rheem and Nam Le have confirmed their participation as well as other leading Filipino players.
The main tournament will be the No Limit Texas Hold’em event, which will be played in four days.
The tournament begins with two flights (1A and 1B), then Day 2 and the Final Day (Sunday) where big cash prizes await the winners. For walk-ins and those who are no longer playing in the main tournament, cash games will be running on-site, as well as special events such as the PKR Headhunter Tournament and the Dafa Poker “PLO” Pot Limit Omaha, which, incidentally, will be the first time this particular game is played in Asia at a major poker event.
Omaha, popular among European and North American poker players, is gaining a following in Asia. Local celebrities will be invited to join a charity poker event where their cash prizes will be donated to charity organizations of their choice.
Celebrities expected to participate include Dingdong Dantes, Maui Taylor, Rajo Laurel, Andrea del Rosario, Jinno Rufino, Mo Twister and Tessa Prieto-Valdes.
The Asian Poker Tour Philippines 2009 is owned and managed by the AsianLogic Limited, an Asia-Pacific on-line and land-based gaming company. For details, call 889-3413 or visit www.asianpt.com.
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Sport stars struggle at Aussie Millions - NineMSN - 23rd January 2009
Jan 23: As the Aussie Millions Main Event at Melbourne's Crown Casino heads towards its conclusion, the hopeful and the hopeless players have been winnowed away. From 651 entrants, 28 people whose skill and luck has held true are left to play the fourth day, and fight for a place on the final table.
The celebrities who showed up for the Main Event failed to make a lasting impression at the tables, and won’t see any of over $6.8 million dollars prize money on offer.
Cricket legend Shane Warne was quickly dismissed from the tournament. He spent almost as much time in a press conference for the event as he did at the tables, bowing out after two hours of play.
Tennis and reality TV star Mark Philippoussis could serve plenty of aces at his peak, but wasn’t lucky drawing them at the table. He was also out on Day One; unlucky when his two pair, Kings and Queens, was beaten by a flush.
Two other champs, boxer Jeff Fenech and jockey Shane Dye, failed to mimic their sporting success at the tables, and left without prize money.
It wasn’t just part-time players who struggled in the field, with plenty of big names falling by the wayside. Joe Hachem made an early exit, dropping out of the action during Day Three, while last year’s winner, Alexander Kostristsyn, only lasted one day of competition.
Keeping hopes alive for an Aussie victory tomorrow is Melbourne fashion designer, Christopher Chronis. He starts Day Four sitting nicely in third position. (Credit: NineMSN)
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Jan 23: As the Aussie Millions Main Event at Melbourne's Crown Casino heads towards its conclusion, the hopeful and the hopeless players have been winnowed away. From 651 entrants, 28 people whose skill and luck has held true are left to play the fourth day, and fight for a place on the final table.
The celebrities who showed up for the Main Event failed to make a lasting impression at the tables, and won’t see any of over $6.8 million dollars prize money on offer.
Cricket legend Shane Warne was quickly dismissed from the tournament. He spent almost as much time in a press conference for the event as he did at the tables, bowing out after two hours of play.
Tennis and reality TV star Mark Philippoussis could serve plenty of aces at his peak, but wasn’t lucky drawing them at the table. He was also out on Day One; unlucky when his two pair, Kings and Queens, was beaten by a flush.
Two other champs, boxer Jeff Fenech and jockey Shane Dye, failed to mimic their sporting success at the tables, and left without prize money.
It wasn’t just part-time players who struggled in the field, with plenty of big names falling by the wayside. Joe Hachem made an early exit, dropping out of the action during Day Three, while last year’s winner, Alexander Kostristsyn, only lasted one day of competition.
Keeping hopes alive for an Aussie victory tomorrow is Melbourne fashion designer, Christopher Chronis. He starts Day Four sitting nicely in third position. (Credit: NineMSN)
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Countdown is on to Asian Poker Tour Philippines
Manila, Philippines – 22nd January 2009 – The countdown is on to the keenly anticipated Asian Poker Tour Philippines, which gets underway on the 27th January and runs until the 1st February at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Manila.
The highlight is the $2500 + $200 No Limit Hold’em Main Event, which runs from the 29th January – 1st February. The latest news sees the confirmation of an FHM sponsored party, a celebrity event and a PKR sponsored bounty tournament.
Parties on the Asian Poker Tour in Manila and Macau last year have taken on legendary
status and have even won an award! One highlight for this year’s event is definitely the FHM/DafaPoker Player’s Party, which starts at 19.30 on the 31st January and promises to be ‘tastefully wild,’ with FHM planning to send plenty of their cover models. After the party, the Asian Poker Tour and FHM have hired party buses to take players around Manila’s hotspots. At 20.00 on the 27th January, the Asian Poker Tour Celebrity Challenge, presented by Ray Ban, FHM and JBet, also promises to be lively. 20 celebrities will take part and the Asian Poker Tour and sponsors will be donating a minimum of 200,000 pesos to the charities of the celebrities’ choice. More details are to follow on this event but expect a twist to proceedings!
The Asian Poker Tour is also delighted to introduce the PKR Headhunter Tournament to the fantastic range of side action at the event. Getting underway at 19.30 on the 28th January the $250 + $20 tournament will feature members of The Poker Pack as bounties including Nam Le, David ‘Chino’ Rheem, Quinn Do, Steve Sung and Kwang Soo Lee. A recent online bounty tournament featuring members of The Poker Pack, who are currently on a phenomenal run on the world circuit, broke all records on next generation site PKR.
DafaPoker is the official partner of the Asian Poker Tour in presenting the Pot-Limit
Omaha Hi tournament – a first for a major Asian Tour. The game is scheduled to take
place at 14.00 on the 31st January. The buy-in for this tournament will be $185 + $15. On the same day at 19.00 there will also be a hugely anticipated 13 card tournament featuring a $460 +$40 buy-in. Other highlights include the world’s first GREED tournament and a huge range of cash games, sit and gos and satellites into the Main Event. Registration for the Main Event starts on the 27th January with welcome ceremony cocktails on the evening of the 28th January.
Chris Parker, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour said: “The excitement is building as the clock ticks down to the Asian Poker Tour Philippines. Manila is one of the most fun cities in the world and the event will reflect this. We are delighted with our package of famous parties and the range of side action around our prestigious Main Event. This is one experience not to miss!”
Last year’s Asian Poker Tour Philippines winner was Australia’s David Saab, who scooped first place and $280,000. Coverage of this year’s Main Event will be televised and distributed internationally later in the year. Overseeing the action will be leading tournament director Matt Savage.
The Asian Poker Tour is supported by the iPoker Network, Titan, Dafa Poker, PKR,
PartyPoker, Everest, 888, JBet Poker, 32 Red Poker, Microgaming Network and Everleaf
Network. Full details can be found at http://www.asianpt.com
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Manila, Philippines – 22nd January 2009 – The countdown is on to the keenly anticipated Asian Poker Tour Philippines, which gets underway on the 27th January and runs until the 1st February at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Manila.
The highlight is the $2500 + $200 No Limit Hold’em Main Event, which runs from the 29th January – 1st February. The latest news sees the confirmation of an FHM sponsored party, a celebrity event and a PKR sponsored bounty tournament.
Parties on the Asian Poker Tour in Manila and Macau last year have taken on legendary
status and have even won an award! One highlight for this year’s event is definitely the FHM/DafaPoker Player’s Party, which starts at 19.30 on the 31st January and promises to be ‘tastefully wild,’ with FHM planning to send plenty of their cover models. After the party, the Asian Poker Tour and FHM have hired party buses to take players around Manila’s hotspots. At 20.00 on the 27th January, the Asian Poker Tour Celebrity Challenge, presented by Ray Ban, FHM and JBet, also promises to be lively. 20 celebrities will take part and the Asian Poker Tour and sponsors will be donating a minimum of 200,000 pesos to the charities of the celebrities’ choice. More details are to follow on this event but expect a twist to proceedings!
The Asian Poker Tour is also delighted to introduce the PKR Headhunter Tournament to the fantastic range of side action at the event. Getting underway at 19.30 on the 28th January the $250 + $20 tournament will feature members of The Poker Pack as bounties including Nam Le, David ‘Chino’ Rheem, Quinn Do, Steve Sung and Kwang Soo Lee. A recent online bounty tournament featuring members of The Poker Pack, who are currently on a phenomenal run on the world circuit, broke all records on next generation site PKR.
DafaPoker is the official partner of the Asian Poker Tour in presenting the Pot-Limit
Omaha Hi tournament – a first for a major Asian Tour. The game is scheduled to take
place at 14.00 on the 31st January. The buy-in for this tournament will be $185 + $15. On the same day at 19.00 there will also be a hugely anticipated 13 card tournament featuring a $460 +$40 buy-in. Other highlights include the world’s first GREED tournament and a huge range of cash games, sit and gos and satellites into the Main Event. Registration for the Main Event starts on the 27th January with welcome ceremony cocktails on the evening of the 28th January.
Chris Parker, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour said: “The excitement is building as the clock ticks down to the Asian Poker Tour Philippines. Manila is one of the most fun cities in the world and the event will reflect this. We are delighted with our package of famous parties and the range of side action around our prestigious Main Event. This is one experience not to miss!”
Last year’s Asian Poker Tour Philippines winner was Australia’s David Saab, who scooped first place and $280,000. Coverage of this year’s Main Event will be televised and distributed internationally later in the year. Overseeing the action will be leading tournament director Matt Savage.
The Asian Poker Tour is supported by the iPoker Network, Titan, Dafa Poker, PKR,
PartyPoker, Everest, 888, JBet Poker, 32 Red Poker, Microgaming Network and Everleaf
Network. Full details can be found at http://www.asianpt.com
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Kentucky Domain Seizures Struck Down by Appeals Court
PPA heralds ruling as "tremendous victory"
January 20, 2009 -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) website is reporting that the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled today that the state may not enforce its order attempting to seize 141 domain names, which was pending since last fall.
The PPA's Executive Director John Pappas has made this statement: "This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker. We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate's earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort. The Court of Appeals has agreed with the PPA's position that Judge Wingate did not have jurisdiction to issue the order that he entered against these domains and that Secretary Brown has no legitimate right to deprive the citizens of Kentucky of the legal right to play poker online."
"On behalf of the thousands of PPA members who live in Kentucky we hope that Governor Beshear and Secretary Brown will abandon this misguided effort and focus new energies into regulation and taxation of Internet poker," said Rich Muny, Kentucky State Director for the PPA, who resides in Union, KY. "This common-sense approach would benefit Kentucky's poker enthusiasts and the revenue will benefit the state as a whole. Rather than spending hard to find dollars on this case, the Governor could actually turn this into a much needed new revenue stream for the Commonwealth."
This quote comes courtesy of the Casino City Times website, which also stated that the ruling may be due to "powerful arguments from a strong coalition of independent voices who opposed the Franklin Circuit Court ruling. Groups like the PPA, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier Foundation all successfully weighed in with the appellate court from a variety of legal perspectives."
This should be the end of this situation, although Kentucky Governor Beshear may continue to appeal or take other action if he is unwilling to accept this judgment. Still, an important victory has been won on behalf of the online gaming industry today.
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PPA heralds ruling as "tremendous victory"
January 20, 2009 -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) website is reporting that the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled today that the state may not enforce its order attempting to seize 141 domain names, which was pending since last fall.
The PPA's Executive Director John Pappas has made this statement: "This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker. We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate's earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort. The Court of Appeals has agreed with the PPA's position that Judge Wingate did not have jurisdiction to issue the order that he entered against these domains and that Secretary Brown has no legitimate right to deprive the citizens of Kentucky of the legal right to play poker online."
"On behalf of the thousands of PPA members who live in Kentucky we hope that Governor Beshear and Secretary Brown will abandon this misguided effort and focus new energies into regulation and taxation of Internet poker," said Rich Muny, Kentucky State Director for the PPA, who resides in Union, KY. "This common-sense approach would benefit Kentucky's poker enthusiasts and the revenue will benefit the state as a whole. Rather than spending hard to find dollars on this case, the Governor could actually turn this into a much needed new revenue stream for the Commonwealth."
This quote comes courtesy of the Casino City Times website, which also stated that the ruling may be due to "powerful arguments from a strong coalition of independent voices who opposed the Franklin Circuit Court ruling. Groups like the PPA, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier Foundation all successfully weighed in with the appellate court from a variety of legal perspectives."
This should be the end of this situation, although Kentucky Governor Beshear may continue to appeal or take other action if he is unwilling to accept this judgment. Still, an important victory has been won on behalf of the online gaming industry today.
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Nobody calls Shane Warne's tattoo bluff - The Daily Telegraph - 21st January 2009
He has never been one to shy away from a grand entrance and it was no different yesterday when Shane Warne waltzed into Crown Casino in Melbourne sporting what appeared to be a brand new arm-length tattoo.
Smiling broadly as he walked into a press conference for the Aussie Millions Poker Championship - which he is competing in this week - Warne asked reporters if they liked his new ink.
He then rolled down the fake tattoo sleeve and pulled it from his arm.
"Gotcha, didn't I?" the spin king laughed.
Well, perhaps there could have been one member of the audience who had never before seen the joke tattoo sleeves (pictured) - though that seems doubtful.
Warne went on to explain he was wearing the sleeve to take the mickey out of current Aussie cricket star Michael Clarke, who last month hit the headlines with a huge new tattoo.
Clarke's elaborate piece of body art depicts a guardian angel sitting on a cross, with the initials of his fiancee Lara Bingle emblazoned at the top.
For Warne, the new addition to Clarke's body was the perfect opportunity for a bit of fun with a former teammate.
"I keep taking photos and sending them to Michael," Warne said.
The cricket legend-turned-poker pro will be among 850 players vying for a first prize of $2 million in the Aussie Millions tournament.
And just to add to the "has-been" feel of the event, Warne yesterday posed for photographs with fellow poker fans and former sports stars Jeff Fenech and Mark Philippoussis. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
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He has never been one to shy away from a grand entrance and it was no different yesterday when Shane Warne waltzed into Crown Casino in Melbourne sporting what appeared to be a brand new arm-length tattoo.
Smiling broadly as he walked into a press conference for the Aussie Millions Poker Championship - which he is competing in this week - Warne asked reporters if they liked his new ink.
He then rolled down the fake tattoo sleeve and pulled it from his arm.
"Gotcha, didn't I?" the spin king laughed.
Well, perhaps there could have been one member of the audience who had never before seen the joke tattoo sleeves (pictured) - though that seems doubtful.
Warne went on to explain he was wearing the sleeve to take the mickey out of current Aussie cricket star Michael Clarke, who last month hit the headlines with a huge new tattoo.
Clarke's elaborate piece of body art depicts a guardian angel sitting on a cross, with the initials of his fiancee Lara Bingle emblazoned at the top.
For Warne, the new addition to Clarke's body was the perfect opportunity for a bit of fun with a former teammate.
"I keep taking photos and sending them to Michael," Warne said.
The cricket legend-turned-poker pro will be among 850 players vying for a first prize of $2 million in the Aussie Millions tournament.
And just to add to the "has-been" feel of the event, Warne yesterday posed for photographs with fellow poker fans and former sports stars Jeff Fenech and Mark Philippoussis. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
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PartyGaming dealt blow as MD quits, by Roger Blitz - Financial Times - 19th January 2009
PartyGaming has suffered the loss of one of its key driving forces as John O’Malia, who missed out on the chief executive’s job last year, quit the online gaming company after only eight months as managing director.
The company said he would be stepping down at the end of next month to pursue other business interests.
Mr O’Malia’s departure comes at an important time for the company as it seeks to rebuild its once imperious position in the sector.
A settlement with the US department of justice, which would clear its liabilities in the US, is understood to be imminent, paving the way for possible deals.
Mr O’Malia, 39, joined PartyGaming in 2006 when it bought GameBookers, a sports betting operator, where he was chief executive.
He is widely credited with creating a casino product, for reforming the company’s flagship poker website and for providing the company with much of its intellectual firepower.
But when the chief executive position fell vacant last year following the resignation of Mitch Garber, Mr O’Malia was pipped to the job by Jim Ryan, a Canadian accountant who made his name in the high technology industry.
Industry experts said they believed Mr O’Malia was upset at not getting the top job and that the newly created job of managing director, as well as a board position, was insufficient to keep him at PartyGaming in the long term.
One expert said with the new poker site up and running since the autumn, this was one of the earliest opportunities for him to leave the company.
Mr O’Malia said: “We have made enormous strides in repositioning the group’s gaming portfolio, something that I was determined to achieve before moving on ... I am looking forward to taking on fresh business challenges.”
Mr Ryan, who will assume Mr O’Malia’s duties, said he had made a significant contribution to the transformation of PartyGaming in the past two and a half years.
The company was forced to rethink its strategy after a US clampdown on online gaming in 2006 forced its exodus from the US, along with other listed gaming companies.
“John is a natural leader and is keen to fulfil his potential in a more senior management role that will play to his considerable industry and management experience,” said Mr Ryan said. (Credit: The Financial Times)
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PartyGaming has suffered the loss of one of its key driving forces as John O’Malia, who missed out on the chief executive’s job last year, quit the online gaming company after only eight months as managing director.
The company said he would be stepping down at the end of next month to pursue other business interests.
Mr O’Malia’s departure comes at an important time for the company as it seeks to rebuild its once imperious position in the sector.
A settlement with the US department of justice, which would clear its liabilities in the US, is understood to be imminent, paving the way for possible deals.
Mr O’Malia, 39, joined PartyGaming in 2006 when it bought GameBookers, a sports betting operator, where he was chief executive.
He is widely credited with creating a casino product, for reforming the company’s flagship poker website and for providing the company with much of its intellectual firepower.
But when the chief executive position fell vacant last year following the resignation of Mitch Garber, Mr O’Malia was pipped to the job by Jim Ryan, a Canadian accountant who made his name in the high technology industry.
Industry experts said they believed Mr O’Malia was upset at not getting the top job and that the newly created job of managing director, as well as a board position, was insufficient to keep him at PartyGaming in the long term.
One expert said with the new poker site up and running since the autumn, this was one of the earliest opportunities for him to leave the company.
Mr O’Malia said: “We have made enormous strides in repositioning the group’s gaming portfolio, something that I was determined to achieve before moving on ... I am looking forward to taking on fresh business challenges.”
Mr Ryan, who will assume Mr O’Malia’s duties, said he had made a significant contribution to the transformation of PartyGaming in the past two and a half years.
The company was forced to rethink its strategy after a US clampdown on online gaming in 2006 forced its exodus from the US, along with other listed gaming companies.
“John is a natural leader and is keen to fulfil his potential in a more senior management role that will play to his considerable industry and management experience,” said Mr Ryan said. (Credit: The Financial Times)
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Monday, January 19, 2009
CryptoLogic to Shed Poker Network by March, by Dan Cypra - Poker News Daily - 18th January 2009
Recently, the CryptoLogic Network, whose online poker sites include InterPoker and, until January 29th, Playboy Poker, announced that the move of all of its rooms to Boss Media will occur by the end of March. Poker News Daily spoke with Justin Thouin, Vice President of Product Development for CryptoLogic, to discuss the future of the mammoth software development company, which is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CRYP.”
Thouin told Poker News Daily why the decision was made for CryptoLogic to shed its online poker network. He explained, “If you look at the online gaming industry, it’s becoming more difficult to be a generalist. The companies that are succeeding now and will succeed in the future are those who can specialize. We saw an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in the online casino space.” Currently, the company offers more than 200 casino games, including 60 that can be played within a customer’s web browser. Among the latest rollouts is European Blackjack, which does not give the dealer a down card as in the traditional version of the game.
Celeb Poker and Paradise Poker are two rooms that make their homes on the Boss Network. Soon, the survivors from CryptoLogic will join them. Thouin describes the challenges of competing in the online poker industry in today’s economy: “In the online poker industry, it is hard to differentiate yourself. Players cared about liquidity. It was difficult to have the requisite liquidity given how much competition there was. We’ve cut $12 million in costs.” The company is aiming for $9 to $10 million in net profits during 2009 and plans to cut its server and office rental costs by 75%. Its worldwide headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland.
Since the company was founded 14 years ago, CryptoLogic has had to adapt to a market that was constantly in flux. It partnered with leading brands such as Marvel and Activision for its casino suite. Recently, it has allowed internet gambling companies to select which games to incorporate, rather than insist that new customers adopt the entire CryptoLogic catalog. On the industry’s future, Thouin predicts, “You’ll see more specialization. This is still a very attractive industry. Online gaming is still growing quickly. You’ll see it become a much more competitive space. Partnerships will form in ways there haven’t been before.” For example, this month, CryptoLogic forged a partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions, whose clients include 888 and bwin. Party Gaming has already incorporated 30 of CryptoLogic’s cutting edge games.
When most players sign onto an online poker room, they may assume that, from the site’s standpoint, very little staff and resources are required. Customer interactions are mostly automated. However, Thouin describes the requirements needed to operate a profitable online poker room: “You need poker room managers to set up tournaments. You need to interact with land-based events in order to have feeder systems. You have to have full fraud and collusion teams. The barriers to entry are fairly high. However, the rewards are also there.” Other publicly traded companies besides CryptoLogic include Party Gaming, 888, and Ladbrokes, all of which can be found on the London Stock Exchange. Playtech, William Hill, and Neovia (formerly Neteller) are traded in London as well.
CryptoLogic’s restructuring efforts are expected to cost the company $3.5 million in cash and up to $20 million in “non-cash charges,” according to a press statement released last week. Playboy Poker, which makes its home on the network, has announced that it will cease operations on January 29th. Customers will be encouraged to deposit on InterPoker and InterCasino. Betsafe is moving to the Ongame Network from CryptoLogic, although the timing for the departure is not yet known. Sun Poker and Poker Plex both packed up shop and headed to Playtech’s iPoker Network from CryptoLogic. Thouin told Poker News Daily that each licensee was given the option to join to the Boss Network.
Poker News Daily will keep you posted as the 2009 calendar year continues. We would like to thank Justin Thouin, Vice President of Product Development for CryptoLogic, for talking with us. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Recently, the CryptoLogic Network, whose online poker sites include InterPoker and, until January 29th, Playboy Poker, announced that the move of all of its rooms to Boss Media will occur by the end of March. Poker News Daily spoke with Justin Thouin, Vice President of Product Development for CryptoLogic, to discuss the future of the mammoth software development company, which is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CRYP.”
Thouin told Poker News Daily why the decision was made for CryptoLogic to shed its online poker network. He explained, “If you look at the online gaming industry, it’s becoming more difficult to be a generalist. The companies that are succeeding now and will succeed in the future are those who can specialize. We saw an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in the online casino space.” Currently, the company offers more than 200 casino games, including 60 that can be played within a customer’s web browser. Among the latest rollouts is European Blackjack, which does not give the dealer a down card as in the traditional version of the game.
Celeb Poker and Paradise Poker are two rooms that make their homes on the Boss Network. Soon, the survivors from CryptoLogic will join them. Thouin describes the challenges of competing in the online poker industry in today’s economy: “In the online poker industry, it is hard to differentiate yourself. Players cared about liquidity. It was difficult to have the requisite liquidity given how much competition there was. We’ve cut $12 million in costs.” The company is aiming for $9 to $10 million in net profits during 2009 and plans to cut its server and office rental costs by 75%. Its worldwide headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland.
Since the company was founded 14 years ago, CryptoLogic has had to adapt to a market that was constantly in flux. It partnered with leading brands such as Marvel and Activision for its casino suite. Recently, it has allowed internet gambling companies to select which games to incorporate, rather than insist that new customers adopt the entire CryptoLogic catalog. On the industry’s future, Thouin predicts, “You’ll see more specialization. This is still a very attractive industry. Online gaming is still growing quickly. You’ll see it become a much more competitive space. Partnerships will form in ways there haven’t been before.” For example, this month, CryptoLogic forged a partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions, whose clients include 888 and bwin. Party Gaming has already incorporated 30 of CryptoLogic’s cutting edge games.
When most players sign onto an online poker room, they may assume that, from the site’s standpoint, very little staff and resources are required. Customer interactions are mostly automated. However, Thouin describes the requirements needed to operate a profitable online poker room: “You need poker room managers to set up tournaments. You need to interact with land-based events in order to have feeder systems. You have to have full fraud and collusion teams. The barriers to entry are fairly high. However, the rewards are also there.” Other publicly traded companies besides CryptoLogic include Party Gaming, 888, and Ladbrokes, all of which can be found on the London Stock Exchange. Playtech, William Hill, and Neovia (formerly Neteller) are traded in London as well.
CryptoLogic’s restructuring efforts are expected to cost the company $3.5 million in cash and up to $20 million in “non-cash charges,” according to a press statement released last week. Playboy Poker, which makes its home on the network, has announced that it will cease operations on January 29th. Customers will be encouraged to deposit on InterPoker and InterCasino. Betsafe is moving to the Ongame Network from CryptoLogic, although the timing for the departure is not yet known. Sun Poker and Poker Plex both packed up shop and headed to Playtech’s iPoker Network from CryptoLogic. Thouin told Poker News Daily that each licensee was given the option to join to the Boss Network.
Poker News Daily will keep you posted as the 2009 calendar year continues. We would like to thank Justin Thouin, Vice President of Product Development for CryptoLogic, for talking with us. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Virgin Poker - Newcastle, UK 4 - 5th April 2009
What?
The Virgin Poker Festival is heading to Newcastle's Aspers Casino for the fifth ever Virgin Poker Festival. These are the most downright fun poker events in the business and with eyewatering added value it all adds up to a cracking weekend. Here's what Virgin are promising:
A 150 Euro two day deep stacked poker event
£5,000 added to the main event prize pool
£1,000 worth bounties and prizes
All the usual favourites will be there such as, fun value added side events, Virgin girls, a bar promotion and prizes for the Nintendo Mario Kart Wii to ensure that everyone is throughly entertained throughout the weekend.
How can players qualify?
Players must qualify online on Virgin Poker take a look at how you can get on the road to qualification.
Virgin Festival Sat (€1.65 + €0.15) - These run everyday at 8pm (GMT) starting on Monday 8th December. 1 in 10 players will win a seat to the Virgin Festival Final.
Virgin Festival Final (€15 + €1.50) - These run every Sunday at 6pm(GMT). 1 in 10 players will win a seat to the Virgin Poker Festival main event in Newcastle.
Festival Super Sat (€7.50 + €0.70) - These rebuy tournaments will have one main event qualifier for every €150 added to the prize pot. They run every Thursday at 8.30pm (GMT).
Good luck and hopefully we'll see you in Newcastle!
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What?
The Virgin Poker Festival is heading to Newcastle's Aspers Casino for the fifth ever Virgin Poker Festival. These are the most downright fun poker events in the business and with eyewatering added value it all adds up to a cracking weekend. Here's what Virgin are promising:
A 150 Euro two day deep stacked poker event
£5,000 added to the main event prize pool
£1,000 worth bounties and prizes
All the usual favourites will be there such as, fun value added side events, Virgin girls, a bar promotion and prizes for the Nintendo Mario Kart Wii to ensure that everyone is throughly entertained throughout the weekend.
How can players qualify?
Players must qualify online on Virgin Poker take a look at how you can get on the road to qualification.
Virgin Festival Sat (€1.65 + €0.15) - These run everyday at 8pm (GMT) starting on Monday 8th December. 1 in 10 players will win a seat to the Virgin Festival Final.
Virgin Festival Final (€15 + €1.50) - These run every Sunday at 6pm(GMT). 1 in 10 players will win a seat to the Virgin Poker Festival main event in Newcastle.
Festival Super Sat (€7.50 + €0.70) - These rebuy tournaments will have one main event qualifier for every €150 added to the prize pot. They run every Thursday at 8.30pm (GMT).
Good luck and hopefully we'll see you in Newcastle!
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
PartyPoker Introduces Monthly $1 Million Guaranteed, by Tom Jenkins - Poker News Daily - 17th January 2009
Beginning on Sunday, February 1st, PartyPoker will host a $640 buy-in $1 Million Guaranteed tournament once per month. Aptly called the Monthly Million, it will take place at 17:45 GMT on the first Sunday of every month. Qualifiers start as low as $1 and are running constantly on one of the largest online poker rooms that does not accept U.S. players.
A PartyPoker spokesperson explained in a press release distributed on Friday, “With $1,000,000 up for grabs in the Monthly Million, the first Sunday of every month is definitely not a day of rest at PartyPoker.com.” The tournament utilizes a Championship blind structure. For $1, players can enter rebuys that feed into either a $70 Monthly Million Qualifier with 18 seats guaranteed or a $35 Super Satellite Saturday with 25 seats guaranteed. Alternately, on Fridays, PartyPoker players can take advantage of a $55 buy-in tournament that doles out at least 30 seats into the Monthly Million. Country specific freerolls and points qualifiers are additional ways to enter, so check out the online poker room’s tournament lobby for more information.
Currently, PartyPoker’s premier tournament is the $300,000 Guaranteed, which takes place every Sunday at 17:45 GMT. The buy-in for the event is $215 and it will likely be replaced by the Monthly Million on the first Sunday of each month. Last week’s $300,000 Guaranteed was taken down by Rev_Hwy61, who bested a field of 1,451 entrants en route to a $60,000 first place payday. The turnout meant that the event had a $9,800 overlay, which occurs when the guaranteed prize pool of a tournament exceeds its actual prize pool. Finishing as the runner up was HOTEL_, who pocketed $30,000. Others who landed atop the field included paskwal (third place for $20,700), DoiNW8BeTs (fourth place for $16,350), Merseylad (fifth place for $13,800), Sonygolf (sixth place for $10,350), og1512 (seventh place for $7,950), RAGEUNIT22 (eighth place for $5,250), Poortwacht3r (ninth place for $4,050), and BrngMrRssns (tenth place for $2,850).
PartyPoker recently launched the Palladium Lounge for members who generate more than 5,000 points in a calendar month. Perks include 24 hour customer service, exclusive promotions, and additional deposit methods. Palladium Lounge Elite is available for players who accrue 75,000 points per quarter and 300,000 points per year. Benefits of Elite status include “snowboarding trips and adventure getaways” as well as the chance to “represent PartyPoker.com in televised events.”
Its parent company, Party Gaming, is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRTY.” In December, one of its co-founders, Anurag Dikshit, admitted to violating the Wire Act of 1961 in a New York court room. He agreed to shell out $300 million to the U.S. Government in three installments. Dikshit may also face up to two years in jail, although a sentencing hearing is not scheduled until December of next year. In the process, Dikshit sent shares of Party Gaming climbing, as his actions may serve to clear the air legally of any wrongdoing by the company in the eyes of the U.S. Government. Party Gaming was one of several publicly traded companies to withdraw from the U.S. market following the 2006 passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
According to PokerScout.com, which tracks online poker room traffic, PartyPoker ranks as the fourth busiest worldwide by the number of cash game players, boasting a seven day running average of 4,500. It trails only PokerStars (23,200), Full Tilt Poker (9,900), and the iPoker Network (5,700) in that department. The iPoker Network, which like PartyPoker does not accept U.S. customers, is owned by Playtech.
Recently, PartyPoker added Quick Seat and table preview features to its lobby. Players also now have the ability to open similar tables to the ones they’re playing on without having to visit the lobby. Tiling and manual resizing of tables are also available. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Beginning on Sunday, February 1st, PartyPoker will host a $640 buy-in $1 Million Guaranteed tournament once per month. Aptly called the Monthly Million, it will take place at 17:45 GMT on the first Sunday of every month. Qualifiers start as low as $1 and are running constantly on one of the largest online poker rooms that does not accept U.S. players.
A PartyPoker spokesperson explained in a press release distributed on Friday, “With $1,000,000 up for grabs in the Monthly Million, the first Sunday of every month is definitely not a day of rest at PartyPoker.com.” The tournament utilizes a Championship blind structure. For $1, players can enter rebuys that feed into either a $70 Monthly Million Qualifier with 18 seats guaranteed or a $35 Super Satellite Saturday with 25 seats guaranteed. Alternately, on Fridays, PartyPoker players can take advantage of a $55 buy-in tournament that doles out at least 30 seats into the Monthly Million. Country specific freerolls and points qualifiers are additional ways to enter, so check out the online poker room’s tournament lobby for more information.
Currently, PartyPoker’s premier tournament is the $300,000 Guaranteed, which takes place every Sunday at 17:45 GMT. The buy-in for the event is $215 and it will likely be replaced by the Monthly Million on the first Sunday of each month. Last week’s $300,000 Guaranteed was taken down by Rev_Hwy61, who bested a field of 1,451 entrants en route to a $60,000 first place payday. The turnout meant that the event had a $9,800 overlay, which occurs when the guaranteed prize pool of a tournament exceeds its actual prize pool. Finishing as the runner up was HOTEL_, who pocketed $30,000. Others who landed atop the field included paskwal (third place for $20,700), DoiNW8BeTs (fourth place for $16,350), Merseylad (fifth place for $13,800), Sonygolf (sixth place for $10,350), og1512 (seventh place for $7,950), RAGEUNIT22 (eighth place for $5,250), Poortwacht3r (ninth place for $4,050), and BrngMrRssns (tenth place for $2,850).
PartyPoker recently launched the Palladium Lounge for members who generate more than 5,000 points in a calendar month. Perks include 24 hour customer service, exclusive promotions, and additional deposit methods. Palladium Lounge Elite is available for players who accrue 75,000 points per quarter and 300,000 points per year. Benefits of Elite status include “snowboarding trips and adventure getaways” as well as the chance to “represent PartyPoker.com in televised events.”
Its parent company, Party Gaming, is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRTY.” In December, one of its co-founders, Anurag Dikshit, admitted to violating the Wire Act of 1961 in a New York court room. He agreed to shell out $300 million to the U.S. Government in three installments. Dikshit may also face up to two years in jail, although a sentencing hearing is not scheduled until December of next year. In the process, Dikshit sent shares of Party Gaming climbing, as his actions may serve to clear the air legally of any wrongdoing by the company in the eyes of the U.S. Government. Party Gaming was one of several publicly traded companies to withdraw from the U.S. market following the 2006 passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
According to PokerScout.com, which tracks online poker room traffic, PartyPoker ranks as the fourth busiest worldwide by the number of cash game players, boasting a seven day running average of 4,500. It trails only PokerStars (23,200), Full Tilt Poker (9,900), and the iPoker Network (5,700) in that department. The iPoker Network, which like PartyPoker does not accept U.S. customers, is owned by Playtech.
Recently, PartyPoker added Quick Seat and table preview features to its lobby. Players also now have the ability to open similar tables to the ones they’re playing on without having to visit the lobby. Tiling and manual resizing of tables are also available. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
3D Poker Site's Membership Hits 2.4 Million
40,000 registrations in 11 days ... and a new concurrent players benchmark reached
January 16, 2009 (InfoPowa News) -- The U.K.-based 3D online poker site PKR.com continued to set new company records going into the new year, according to the PKR Nation company forum. Between December 24 2008 and January 4 2009, the poker site recorded 40,000 new registrations, bringing the total player base to 2.4 million.
And on January 4th another record fell -- 15,000 simultaneous users were on the website and taking part in games. According to the independent online poker analyst site Pokerscout.com, recent developments have made PKR one of the fastest growing Internet venues for poker cash game action anywhere.
"We are going from strength to strength and it is encouraging to see us maintaining a healthy growth in this tough market," said marketing manager Simon Prodger. "Our ultra-realistic software, innovative gaming offering, and vibrant community are proving to be a big draw to new and current players alike." (Credit: InfoPowa News)
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40,000 registrations in 11 days ... and a new concurrent players benchmark reached
January 16, 2009 (InfoPowa News) -- The U.K.-based 3D online poker site PKR.com continued to set new company records going into the new year, according to the PKR Nation company forum. Between December 24 2008 and January 4 2009, the poker site recorded 40,000 new registrations, bringing the total player base to 2.4 million.
And on January 4th another record fell -- 15,000 simultaneous users were on the website and taking part in games. According to the independent online poker analyst site Pokerscout.com, recent developments have made PKR one of the fastest growing Internet venues for poker cash game action anywhere.
"We are going from strength to strength and it is encouraging to see us maintaining a healthy growth in this tough market," said marketing manager Simon Prodger. "Our ultra-realistic software, innovative gaming offering, and vibrant community are proving to be a big draw to new and current players alike." (Credit: InfoPowa News)
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Party Poker Review - Poker News Daily - 23rd June 2008
The Quick Summary
Party Poker is a monster among online poker sites. They are one of the biggest rooms with tremendous player action at any time of the day. They did suffer a costly hit to their player base when they decided to exclude US customers as a response to US legislation towards online gaming. Party Poker’s outstanding marketing efforts have resulted in a rebound of player traffic and they are once again on the rise.
Popularity: 9 of 10 – Excellent
No doubt about it: if you want action, you got it at Party Poker. They have more players than most any other poker site. Party Poker got a popularity boost when they acquired broadcasting rights for the World Poker Tour, an advantage they have taken care not to lose by constantly coming up with promotions that appeal to players around the world. You can expect to find action at any table stakes at all times of the day and night.
Security: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Even with such a massive volume of players, Party Poker has not faced any significant security or financial breaches. They are audited by ItechLabs and – since they are listed on the London Stock Exchange Market – all their financial information and security procedures are available for public inspection.
Player Competition: 8 of 10 – Excellent
The competition at Party Poker is soft. They have instituted a very friendly advertising campaign equating poker with a more light-hearted party approach rather than a hard core grinder mentality. Expect loose play if not a bit unorthodox thanks to the droves of new poker players brought in by Party Poker’s marketing programs. This is mostly true for the lower limit games but you can find soft games even at $2/$4 in No Limit and $5/$10 in Fixed Limit.
Site Software: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker uses proprietary software, meaning that it is not part of a network, but rather it has been independently developed to have unique features and great functionality.
Tables have a nice design, but the avatars and graphics are not extraordinary. The sound effects are crisp and appropriate but players who prefer it quiet can turn them off completely. Players can also choose from a selection of cartoon avatars which goes with the light-hearted party theme of the poker room. The software is fast and easy to use. The hand history feature is functional and useful, as is the note-taking feature. The lobby provides useful statistics such as average pot size and hands played by hour. On top of this, Party Poker’s software supports the automated import of tournament and ring-game data to Poker Tracker.
At Party Poker you can multi-table up to twelve tables at the same time, confident that the software will run smoothly and free of problems or disconnections. You also have the option to resize all tables save for Omaha and Seven-Card Stud games.
Customer Support: 5 of 10 – Ok
Party Poker has great customer service support through either 24-hr toll free number or e-mail. The phone support is excellent: agents are knowledgeable and friendly, always reminding players of the latest promotions and perks. E-mail support has been known to occasionally take too long to respond, although replies are always accurate. A major letdown with Party Poker is their lack of live chat support, which is very convenient for today’s busy players.
Company Ethics: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker is committed to ensuring responsible gaming. They comply with all legislations and regulations. Party Poker also provides self-exclusion tools, customer deposit limits, as well as not allowing access to minors. As one of the biggest online poker sites, they are fully committed with GamCare, a foundation that develops policies and practices to target problem gambling in accordance with their Social Responsibility Code of Conduct.
Site Promotions: 8 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker offers a good variety of promotions and bonuses: given their high player volume they can afford more generous bonuses than smaller sites. Another attractive Party Poker feature is their large number of exclusive tournaments, both online – such as the Sunday 300K Guaranteed – and live events, such as the lavish Party Poker Million tourney played every year on a cruise ship.
Overall Review: 7.86 of 10 – Excellent
Final Result: We give Party Poker a final overall score of 8.14 out of 10. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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The Quick Summary
Party Poker is a monster among online poker sites. They are one of the biggest rooms with tremendous player action at any time of the day. They did suffer a costly hit to their player base when they decided to exclude US customers as a response to US legislation towards online gaming. Party Poker’s outstanding marketing efforts have resulted in a rebound of player traffic and they are once again on the rise.
Popularity: 9 of 10 – Excellent
No doubt about it: if you want action, you got it at Party Poker. They have more players than most any other poker site. Party Poker got a popularity boost when they acquired broadcasting rights for the World Poker Tour, an advantage they have taken care not to lose by constantly coming up with promotions that appeal to players around the world. You can expect to find action at any table stakes at all times of the day and night.
Security: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Even with such a massive volume of players, Party Poker has not faced any significant security or financial breaches. They are audited by ItechLabs and – since they are listed on the London Stock Exchange Market – all their financial information and security procedures are available for public inspection.
Player Competition: 8 of 10 – Excellent
The competition at Party Poker is soft. They have instituted a very friendly advertising campaign equating poker with a more light-hearted party approach rather than a hard core grinder mentality. Expect loose play if not a bit unorthodox thanks to the droves of new poker players brought in by Party Poker’s marketing programs. This is mostly true for the lower limit games but you can find soft games even at $2/$4 in No Limit and $5/$10 in Fixed Limit.
Site Software: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker uses proprietary software, meaning that it is not part of a network, but rather it has been independently developed to have unique features and great functionality.
Tables have a nice design, but the avatars and graphics are not extraordinary. The sound effects are crisp and appropriate but players who prefer it quiet can turn them off completely. Players can also choose from a selection of cartoon avatars which goes with the light-hearted party theme of the poker room. The software is fast and easy to use. The hand history feature is functional and useful, as is the note-taking feature. The lobby provides useful statistics such as average pot size and hands played by hour. On top of this, Party Poker’s software supports the automated import of tournament and ring-game data to Poker Tracker.
At Party Poker you can multi-table up to twelve tables at the same time, confident that the software will run smoothly and free of problems or disconnections. You also have the option to resize all tables save for Omaha and Seven-Card Stud games.
Customer Support: 5 of 10 – Ok
Party Poker has great customer service support through either 24-hr toll free number or e-mail. The phone support is excellent: agents are knowledgeable and friendly, always reminding players of the latest promotions and perks. E-mail support has been known to occasionally take too long to respond, although replies are always accurate. A major letdown with Party Poker is their lack of live chat support, which is very convenient for today’s busy players.
Company Ethics: 9 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker is committed to ensuring responsible gaming. They comply with all legislations and regulations. Party Poker also provides self-exclusion tools, customer deposit limits, as well as not allowing access to minors. As one of the biggest online poker sites, they are fully committed with GamCare, a foundation that develops policies and practices to target problem gambling in accordance with their Social Responsibility Code of Conduct.
Site Promotions: 8 of 10 – Excellent
Party Poker offers a good variety of promotions and bonuses: given their high player volume they can afford more generous bonuses than smaller sites. Another attractive Party Poker feature is their large number of exclusive tournaments, both online – such as the Sunday 300K Guaranteed – and live events, such as the lavish Party Poker Million tourney played every year on a cruise ship.
Overall Review: 7.86 of 10 – Excellent
Final Result: We give Party Poker a final overall score of 8.14 out of 10. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Hitwise Top 10 "Gambling -- Poker" week ending Dec. 27, 2008 (based on visits):
Australia
1. (14.18%) Pacific Poker - www.pacificpoker.com
2. (11.75%) PKR Poker - www.pkr.com
3. (8.16%) PokerRoom.com - www.pokerroom.com
4. (5.44%) UltimateBet.com - www.ultimatebet.com
5. (4.90%) Play APL - www.playapl.com
6. (3.30%) National Poker League - www.npl.com.au
7. (3.10%) PartyPoker.net - www.partypoker.net
8. (2.74%) Poker Network - www.pokernetwork.com
9. (2.66%) PokerStars.com - www.pokerstars.com
10. (2.23%) Official Poker Rankings - www.officialpokerrankings.com
United Kingdom
1. (13.65%) Mansion Poker - www.mansionpoker.com
2. (13.42%) PKR Poker - www.pkr.com
3. (11.38%) Pacific Poker - www.pacificpoker.com
4. (8.78%) Sky Poker - www.skypoker.com
5. (6.56%) LadbrokesPoker.com - www.ladbrokespoker.com
6. (3.04%) Littlewoods Poker - www.littlewoodspoker.com
7. (3.01%) Paddy Power Poker - www.paddypowerpoker.com
8. (2.75%) Betfairpoker.com - www.betfairpoker.com
9. (2.62%) SharkScope - www.sharkscope.com
10. (2.31%) VC Poker UK - www.vcpoker.com
United States
1. (18.36%) Littlewoods Poker - www.littlewoodspoker.com
2. (7.55%) Pitbull Poker - www.pitbullpoker.com
3. (6.83%) PokerStars.com - www.pokerstars.com
4. (5.87%) PokerStars.net - www.pokerstars.net
5. (5.45%) VideoPoker.com - www.videopoker.com
6. (5.29%) Full Tilt Poker - www.fulltiltpoker.com
7. (4.83%) Railbirds - www.railbirds.com
8. (3.09%) Bodog Poker - poker.bodoglife.com
9. (2.87%) PartyPoker.net - www.partypoker.net
10. (2.87%) Absolute Poker - www.absolutepoker.com
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Australia
1. (14.18%) Pacific Poker - www.pacificpoker.com
2. (11.75%) PKR Poker - www.pkr.com
3. (8.16%) PokerRoom.com - www.pokerroom.com
4. (5.44%) UltimateBet.com - www.ultimatebet.com
5. (4.90%) Play APL - www.playapl.com
6. (3.30%) National Poker League - www.npl.com.au
7. (3.10%) PartyPoker.net - www.partypoker.net
8. (2.74%) Poker Network - www.pokernetwork.com
9. (2.66%) PokerStars.com - www.pokerstars.com
10. (2.23%) Official Poker Rankings - www.officialpokerrankings.com
United Kingdom
1. (13.65%) Mansion Poker - www.mansionpoker.com
2. (13.42%) PKR Poker - www.pkr.com
3. (11.38%) Pacific Poker - www.pacificpoker.com
4. (8.78%) Sky Poker - www.skypoker.com
5. (6.56%) LadbrokesPoker.com - www.ladbrokespoker.com
6. (3.04%) Littlewoods Poker - www.littlewoodspoker.com
7. (3.01%) Paddy Power Poker - www.paddypowerpoker.com
8. (2.75%) Betfairpoker.com - www.betfairpoker.com
9. (2.62%) SharkScope - www.sharkscope.com
10. (2.31%) VC Poker UK - www.vcpoker.com
United States
1. (18.36%) Littlewoods Poker - www.littlewoodspoker.com
2. (7.55%) Pitbull Poker - www.pitbullpoker.com
3. (6.83%) PokerStars.com - www.pokerstars.com
4. (5.87%) PokerStars.net - www.pokerstars.net
5. (5.45%) VideoPoker.com - www.videopoker.com
6. (5.29%) Full Tilt Poker - www.fulltiltpoker.com
7. (4.83%) Railbirds - www.railbirds.com
8. (3.09%) Bodog Poker - poker.bodoglife.com
9. (2.87%) PartyPoker.net - www.partypoker.net
10. (2.87%) Absolute Poker - www.absolutepoker.com
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Friday, January 16, 2009
A tournament where you can win millions, by Alex Lavelle - The Age - 16th January 2009
Australian Open organisers raised the winner's prizemoney to $2 million last week, which they said was because of a weaker Australian dollar, but could just as easily have been so that the other big show in town this month, the Aussie Millions poker tournament, didn't boast a greater first prize.
The winner of the main event at Crown casino will also receive $2 million, and endorsements worth plenty more. No wonder Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who complained that tennis players weren't paid enough, ignored Andre Agassi's advice to take his tennis prizemoney and buy some perspective and instead bought a heap of poker chips.
Among the 800 or so players attempting to snare the $2 million next week will be Shane Warne, who incidentally receives around $500,000 just to turn up to a handful of tournaments each year, and poker legends Gus Hansen, Joe Hachem and Phil Ivey.
There will also be plenty of AFL footballers keeping an eye on proceedings.
Brendan Fevola, who made it through to day two of the main event last year, would be there again if Carlton was not heading off to Malaysia for a pre-season training camp.
Texas hold 'em has become a favourite leisure pursuit among many footballers. After a night game, plenty of players will wind down with a few hands in the poker room at Crown or online at home.
"I'll often get online with 888.com after a night game. Obviously the adrenalin's still pumping and it's a good way to wind down," said Fevola, who played in the opening event of the Aussie Millions last Friday and lasted four hours before his ace-high flush was beaten by a full house.
"I love poker. It was a good feeling playing with good players and getting some more experience and I thought I played pretty well."
Many of the Carlton players hold a regular home game, and it may be no coincidence that former World Series of Poker champion Joe Hachem is a Blues fan. "It gets pretty competitive among the boys, but it's a good way to get the players together," said Fevola.
That was a sentiment shared by Hawthorn star Luke Hodge, who also played in the opening event. There are a dozen or so Hawks who play regularly. "Playing poker is a good way to relax and unwind and socialise with the boys," he said.
Hodge, who said he felt mentally drained after playing for six hours in the tournament last Friday, rates skipper Sam Mitchell as one of the handier poker players in the team and Clinton Young as the luckiest. One thing Hodge accepts, though, is that playing a lot of poker is easier when you are single.
"I've had to cut down a little. We've got a six-month-old, Cooper, who needs a bit more attention!"
Alex Lavelle lost almost half his chips in the first hand of the opening event on a bluff. He crashed out three hours later. If he had won any prizemoney, he would have given at least half to charity. Honest. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Australian Open organisers raised the winner's prizemoney to $2 million last week, which they said was because of a weaker Australian dollar, but could just as easily have been so that the other big show in town this month, the Aussie Millions poker tournament, didn't boast a greater first prize.
The winner of the main event at Crown casino will also receive $2 million, and endorsements worth plenty more. No wonder Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who complained that tennis players weren't paid enough, ignored Andre Agassi's advice to take his tennis prizemoney and buy some perspective and instead bought a heap of poker chips.
Among the 800 or so players attempting to snare the $2 million next week will be Shane Warne, who incidentally receives around $500,000 just to turn up to a handful of tournaments each year, and poker legends Gus Hansen, Joe Hachem and Phil Ivey.
There will also be plenty of AFL footballers keeping an eye on proceedings.
Brendan Fevola, who made it through to day two of the main event last year, would be there again if Carlton was not heading off to Malaysia for a pre-season training camp.
Texas hold 'em has become a favourite leisure pursuit among many footballers. After a night game, plenty of players will wind down with a few hands in the poker room at Crown or online at home.
"I'll often get online with 888.com after a night game. Obviously the adrenalin's still pumping and it's a good way to wind down," said Fevola, who played in the opening event of the Aussie Millions last Friday and lasted four hours before his ace-high flush was beaten by a full house.
"I love poker. It was a good feeling playing with good players and getting some more experience and I thought I played pretty well."
Many of the Carlton players hold a regular home game, and it may be no coincidence that former World Series of Poker champion Joe Hachem is a Blues fan. "It gets pretty competitive among the boys, but it's a good way to get the players together," said Fevola.
That was a sentiment shared by Hawthorn star Luke Hodge, who also played in the opening event. There are a dozen or so Hawks who play regularly. "Playing poker is a good way to relax and unwind and socialise with the boys," he said.
Hodge, who said he felt mentally drained after playing for six hours in the tournament last Friday, rates skipper Sam Mitchell as one of the handier poker players in the team and Clinton Young as the luckiest. One thing Hodge accepts, though, is that playing a lot of poker is easier when you are single.
"I've had to cut down a little. We've got a six-month-old, Cooper, who needs a bit more attention!"
Alex Lavelle lost almost half his chips in the first hand of the opening event on a bluff. He crashed out three hours later. If he had won any prizemoney, he would have given at least half to charity. Honest. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Party Gaming Boss Predicts Industry Consolidation - 9th January 2009
Hard times will see only five major online poker sites on the Net, says Ryan
Party Gaming CEO Jim Ryan opines that in three year's time there will be only five major online poker sites of any consequence due to industry consolidation....and he intends to ensure that Party Poker is one of them.
Speaking to the UK newspaper The Financial Times, Ryan said: “We need to retake the hill and position ourselves to be that leader again.
“Our job, frankly speaking, is to take share back.”
But, he admitted, the increased competition in Europe may make it more expensive for his group to achieve its aims as current industry high-rollers like Poker Stars and Full Tilt up the ante when it comes to media buys and teaming up with marketing affiliates.
The FT reported that Ryan is finding it frustrating that Poker Stars and Full Tilt continue to take the risk of operating in the United States market, something Party Gaming ceased to do following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. This created a significant competitive disadvantage for Party Poker, but he was nevertheless preparing the online poker site for the day when it might be able to legally re-enter the US market in the event of a change in the legislative landscape and a successful "clean slate" deal with the US Department of Justice.
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Hard times will see only five major online poker sites on the Net, says Ryan
Party Gaming CEO Jim Ryan opines that in three year's time there will be only five major online poker sites of any consequence due to industry consolidation....and he intends to ensure that Party Poker is one of them.
Speaking to the UK newspaper The Financial Times, Ryan said: “We need to retake the hill and position ourselves to be that leader again.
“Our job, frankly speaking, is to take share back.”
But, he admitted, the increased competition in Europe may make it more expensive for his group to achieve its aims as current industry high-rollers like Poker Stars and Full Tilt up the ante when it comes to media buys and teaming up with marketing affiliates.
The FT reported that Ryan is finding it frustrating that Poker Stars and Full Tilt continue to take the risk of operating in the United States market, something Party Gaming ceased to do following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. This created a significant competitive disadvantage for Party Poker, but he was nevertheless preparing the online poker site for the day when it might be able to legally re-enter the US market in the event of a change in the legislative landscape and a successful "clean slate" deal with the US Department of Justice.
Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa.
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Playboy Gaming to Close Online Poker Site January 29th, by Tom Jenkins - Poker News Daily - 14th January 2009
According to a customer service e-mail received on Wednesday, Playboy Gaming, the parent company of Playboy Poker, will shut its doors on January 29th. The e-mail read, in part, “In response to your email, I can confirm that Playboy Gaming will no longer have a poker site and will not be moving to another network.” Poker News Daily has also confirmed the news with CryptoLogic, the network Playboy Poker belongs to.
No mention of a shut down is given on Playboy Poker’s website at the time of writing. Playboy Poker is a site on the CryptoLogic Network and has no plans to head to another group of sites. Other CryptoLogic rooms include Interpoker, Betsafe, and William Hill. The Network is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol “CRYP.” Midday on Wednesday, it was trading up $0.42 to $3.17. The stock price was buoyed by a report that it had entered into a partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions, which develops casino software. Its current clientele includes Unibet, 888, Expekt, and bwin.
In 2007, Playboy Gaming added a casino to its suite of offerings. Its Rewards Club is one of the major features that separates Playboy Poker from its competition. The site offers a variety of experiences that can be purchased with player points, including lunch with Playboy Playmates and Bunnies, a party at the Playboy Mansion in California, and a trip to the Playboy Club in Las Vegas. Playboy merchandise and poker paraphernalia are also available. The site takes its name from the popular magazine and adult film company founded by Hugh Hefner. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “PLA.”
Sun Poker and PokerPlex recently bolted from CryptoLogic to join the iPoker Network, which is owned and operated by software developer Playtech. Littlewoods recently completed a move to 888 from CryptoLogic and Classic Poker is set to follow suit in the near future. In November, CryptoLogic announced that its online poker sites would become a part of the popular Boss Network in the beginning of 2009. However, no formal date has been given for the move. A press release distributed by William Hill stated that January of 2009 was the target date for the transition.
Poker News Daily confirmed the shutdown with a source at CryptoLogic, who stated that the reason for the closure was that the site “just didn’t do as well financially as we had hoped. The response to the Playboy brand wasn’t as great as we hoped.” The brand is well-known in the United States. However, outside of Playboy’s home country, its name takes on a different meaning. CryptoLogic officials described Playboy as a “lifestyle brand” in the U.S. The online poker room will encourage its customers to head to InterPoker and InterCasino.
On Thursday at 8:30am ET, CryptoLogic will be hosting a conference call “to update investors on the progress of its plan to return to growth and profitability in 2009,” according to a statement posted on the company’s website. In the third quarter of 2008, CryptoLogic posted a net loss of $5.9 million.
In 2006, the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in the United States sent many online poker sites packing from the market. Sites like Playboy Gaming, therefore, lost their target audience. PartyPoker, the largest online poker room in the world at the time, also vacated the U.S. For-profit online poker rooms that continue to accept U.S. customers include PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Bodog, Ultimate Bet, and Absolute Poker.
Playboy Gaming officials, based in London, could not be reached for comment at press time. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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According to a customer service e-mail received on Wednesday, Playboy Gaming, the parent company of Playboy Poker, will shut its doors on January 29th. The e-mail read, in part, “In response to your email, I can confirm that Playboy Gaming will no longer have a poker site and will not be moving to another network.” Poker News Daily has also confirmed the news with CryptoLogic, the network Playboy Poker belongs to.
No mention of a shut down is given on Playboy Poker’s website at the time of writing. Playboy Poker is a site on the CryptoLogic Network and has no plans to head to another group of sites. Other CryptoLogic rooms include Interpoker, Betsafe, and William Hill. The Network is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol “CRYP.” Midday on Wednesday, it was trading up $0.42 to $3.17. The stock price was buoyed by a report that it had entered into a partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions, which develops casino software. Its current clientele includes Unibet, 888, Expekt, and bwin.
In 2007, Playboy Gaming added a casino to its suite of offerings. Its Rewards Club is one of the major features that separates Playboy Poker from its competition. The site offers a variety of experiences that can be purchased with player points, including lunch with Playboy Playmates and Bunnies, a party at the Playboy Mansion in California, and a trip to the Playboy Club in Las Vegas. Playboy merchandise and poker paraphernalia are also available. The site takes its name from the popular magazine and adult film company founded by Hugh Hefner. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “PLA.”
Sun Poker and PokerPlex recently bolted from CryptoLogic to join the iPoker Network, which is owned and operated by software developer Playtech. Littlewoods recently completed a move to 888 from CryptoLogic and Classic Poker is set to follow suit in the near future. In November, CryptoLogic announced that its online poker sites would become a part of the popular Boss Network in the beginning of 2009. However, no formal date has been given for the move. A press release distributed by William Hill stated that January of 2009 was the target date for the transition.
Poker News Daily confirmed the shutdown with a source at CryptoLogic, who stated that the reason for the closure was that the site “just didn’t do as well financially as we had hoped. The response to the Playboy brand wasn’t as great as we hoped.” The brand is well-known in the United States. However, outside of Playboy’s home country, its name takes on a different meaning. CryptoLogic officials described Playboy as a “lifestyle brand” in the U.S. The online poker room will encourage its customers to head to InterPoker and InterCasino.
On Thursday at 8:30am ET, CryptoLogic will be hosting a conference call “to update investors on the progress of its plan to return to growth and profitability in 2009,” according to a statement posted on the company’s website. In the third quarter of 2008, CryptoLogic posted a net loss of $5.9 million.
In 2006, the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in the United States sent many online poker sites packing from the market. Sites like Playboy Gaming, therefore, lost their target audience. PartyPoker, the largest online poker room in the world at the time, also vacated the U.S. For-profit online poker rooms that continue to accept U.S. customers include PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Bodog, Ultimate Bet, and Absolute Poker.
Playboy Gaming officials, based in London, could not be reached for comment at press time. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Drop out's a poker ace at just 20, with millions in the bank, by Michael Lallo - The Sydney Morning Herald - 14th January 2009
Among a group of men huddled around a poker table in Crown Casino sits a 20-year-old Norwegian woman named Annette Obrestad.
She is short, confident and stylish; her hot-pink leggings and shiny black boots stand in stark contrast to the T-shirts and beer bellies of her competitors.
And if things go her way during the month-long Aussie Millions Championship, she will leave our shores a couple of million dollars richer.
Obrestad is a poker phenomenon: a high-school drop-out and under-age gambler who has become a record-breaking champion.
"I realised I was talented after I started winning more through poker than my mum was earning in her job," she says during a short break from play. "I've made lots of money. I'm not going to say how much, but it's quite a bit."
According to some reports, she has won at least $US3.3 million, including $US2 million in the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOP) tournament and $US500,000 from various Pokerstars online tournaments.
Obrestad got her start after seeing an advertisement for an online poker website.
"It sounded like fun, so I played a few games and did pretty well," she says. "I was only 15 at the time, so I guess what I did was technically illegal. But I never deposited the money, so I don't feel like I did anything wrong."
At 18, Obrestad became the youngest ever winner of the WSOP Europe tournament, and her $US2 million prize is the biggest single-event payout to a female player. She has since won several other live and online tournaments. Not bad considering she can't even compete in WSOP events in the United States until she turns 21.
"I dropped out of high school when I was 17," she says. "I just didn't see the point of getting a degree. All it would have done is stopped me from doing what I really want to do for another three years."
Not surprisingly, nearly all her competitors are men.
"You're lucky if one in 10 players are girls. The women I've played are much older. They only come to the casino because their husbands drag them along. And to be honest, most of them suck."
Obrestad says she prefers playing online, even though she cannot gauge her competitors' physical reactions.
"I find it easier because I first played online," she says. "You notice other players doing the same things with certain hands. And a lot of them have taught themselves on poker training websites. Often, they all end up using the same tactics, so it's not that hard to beat them."
Given Obrestad scored her first payout of $US9 in a tournament with no entry fee, she claims she has never gambled any cash she hadn't previously won.
"I'm pretty good with money," she said. "I obviously have to risk what I've earned to win more, but I've never lost more than I've won. My only big purchase is the house that I bought for my mum. Apart from that, I got some new clothes and invested the rest."
Obrestad's tournament entry fees are paid by her sponsor, an online betting agency, and she allegedly pays her own travel and accommodation costs. But anti-gambling campaigners warn against others being tempted to emulate her good fortune.
"Most people gamble in the belief they will make a quick buck," says Mark Zirnsak, chair of the Interchurch Gambling Task Force. "But that's a false belief. The odds are always stacked against you."
Zirnsak says anyone who gambles should set a limit and stick to it, gamble only what they can afford to lose, leave their bank cards at home, and always attend gambling venues with a friend. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Among a group of men huddled around a poker table in Crown Casino sits a 20-year-old Norwegian woman named Annette Obrestad.
She is short, confident and stylish; her hot-pink leggings and shiny black boots stand in stark contrast to the T-shirts and beer bellies of her competitors.
And if things go her way during the month-long Aussie Millions Championship, she will leave our shores a couple of million dollars richer.
Obrestad is a poker phenomenon: a high-school drop-out and under-age gambler who has become a record-breaking champion.
"I realised I was talented after I started winning more through poker than my mum was earning in her job," she says during a short break from play. "I've made lots of money. I'm not going to say how much, but it's quite a bit."
According to some reports, she has won at least $US3.3 million, including $US2 million in the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOP) tournament and $US500,000 from various Pokerstars online tournaments.
Obrestad got her start after seeing an advertisement for an online poker website.
"It sounded like fun, so I played a few games and did pretty well," she says. "I was only 15 at the time, so I guess what I did was technically illegal. But I never deposited the money, so I don't feel like I did anything wrong."
At 18, Obrestad became the youngest ever winner of the WSOP Europe tournament, and her $US2 million prize is the biggest single-event payout to a female player. She has since won several other live and online tournaments. Not bad considering she can't even compete in WSOP events in the United States until she turns 21.
"I dropped out of high school when I was 17," she says. "I just didn't see the point of getting a degree. All it would have done is stopped me from doing what I really want to do for another three years."
Not surprisingly, nearly all her competitors are men.
"You're lucky if one in 10 players are girls. The women I've played are much older. They only come to the casino because their husbands drag them along. And to be honest, most of them suck."
Obrestad says she prefers playing online, even though she cannot gauge her competitors' physical reactions.
"I find it easier because I first played online," she says. "You notice other players doing the same things with certain hands. And a lot of them have taught themselves on poker training websites. Often, they all end up using the same tactics, so it's not that hard to beat them."
Given Obrestad scored her first payout of $US9 in a tournament with no entry fee, she claims she has never gambled any cash she hadn't previously won.
"I'm pretty good with money," she said. "I obviously have to risk what I've earned to win more, but I've never lost more than I've won. My only big purchase is the house that I bought for my mum. Apart from that, I got some new clothes and invested the rest."
Obrestad's tournament entry fees are paid by her sponsor, an online betting agency, and she allegedly pays her own travel and accommodation costs. But anti-gambling campaigners warn against others being tempted to emulate her good fortune.
"Most people gamble in the belief they will make a quick buck," says Mark Zirnsak, chair of the Interchurch Gambling Task Force. "But that's a false belief. The odds are always stacked against you."
Zirnsak says anyone who gambles should set a limit and stick to it, gamble only what they can afford to lose, leave their bank cards at home, and always attend gambling venues with a friend. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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