Poker

What are some of the hottest headlines in the world of poker? Here you will find all the latest juicy stories along with other important news and tournament results. A must read for the poker enthusiast with articles published throughout the day.

Nevada Gambling Revenue Up, Zynga Rises

(Associated Press) - The state Gaming Control Board reports Nevada casinos won $897.3 million in May, posting a 1.37 percent increase from the same month a year ago.

The May winnings pushed the fiscal year-to-date total to more than $10 billion, 2.4 percent more than last year.

Taxes collected on the May win totaled $57.5 million, an increase of 10.9 percent.

The Las Vegas Strip posted a 6.4 percent monthly gain over May a year ago and is now 5 percent ahead of 2012.

Casino winnings in Reno jumped 9.8 percent.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Thu, 07/11/2013 - 11:31

Michael Mizrachi Still Killing it at 2013 WSOP Main Event

Lock Poker pro Michael Mizrachi continued to play strong at yet another World Series of Poker Main Event. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has already made one final table, although there are still a number of days and over 2300 people to go before we can start talking about a repeat.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 07/11/2013 - 11:14

Gun Toting Poker Babe Anna Benson on Ex Hubby: ‘Can’t Keep it in His Pants’

The ex-wife of Texas Rangers player Kris Benson, Anna Benson, was arrested and booked Monday morning following an alleged brazen home invasion.

Anna, a poker player who has previously entered World Series of Poker events, reportedly entered Kris’ home dressed entirely in black and wearing a bulletproof vest. She also pulled a gun from her purse and also carried a metal baton.

In a 911 recording, the former baseball player appears to be calm.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 07/11/2013 - 10:30

Caesars Shares Up Due to Online Gambling Spinoffs

Caesars Entertainment Corp (CZR) has gained 13 percent to $15.94 Wednesday after announcing it plans to offer about $1.18 billion in stock in its expansive US-based online gambling business. The company has more than doubled this year.

The company plans to offer a real money platform for its WSOP.com website and last week partnered up with its four Atlantic City properties to begin offering real money Web gambling to residents of New Jersey.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 07/10/2013 - 18:34

Poker Commentator Anna Benson Gun-Toting Home Invader Says Ex (911 Call)

A poker commentator and model, Anna Benson, has been arrested for an alleged home invasion.

The outspoken ex-wife of former Texas Rangers star Kris Benson reportedly broke into his Georgia home, brandishing a pistol and whacking his computer with it. Kris made a frantic 911 call at the time of the apparent forced entry.

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 07/10/2013 - 17:20

2013 World Series of Poker Main Event: Greg Merson Watch

Day 2A/B of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event championship was filled with plenty of highlights, disappointments, and dramatic moments. The day belonged to a number of new names and faces, as well as some superstars who are intimately familiar to everyone who enjoys playing and following the game.

Submitted by Press Release on, Wed, 07/10/2013 - 12:05

Zynga Unveils Real Money Gambling Apps for Facebook

Zynga was in the process of unveiling its real money gambling apps during a conference in Barcelona, Spain.

From ValueWalk.com:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 07/10/2013 - 11:44

Americas Cardroom to Unveil Cutting Edge Software: Fastest Paying Online Poker Room

North America’s fastest paying online poker room, Americas Cardroom, is about to take it to the next level.

ACR has long been praised for its fast payouts and aggressive promotions including the first ever progressive rake race and, how can we forget THE BEAST?

The biggest criticism lodged against Americas Cardroom – Its software can at times be clunky.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Tue, 07/09/2013 - 22:56

Phil Ivey Inks Deal With California Tribal Casino Online Poker Room

PokerFuse.com is reporting that poker pro Phil Ivey has entered into a deal to act as front man for the Pala band of Mission Indians new online poker room.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 07/09/2013 - 11:51

Michael Mizrachi Among Top 5 Chip Leaders at WSOP Main Event

One of the biggest names in poker and a past World Series of Poker Main Event finalist, Michael Mizrachi, was among the top 5 chip leaders following Day 1c’s action.

The Lock Poker pro has amassed more than $14 million in career live tournaments to date. He also managed to finish 4^th and 9^th in two of this summer’s World Series of Poker events.

Some of the other big survivors after Day 1c included Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, and 2010 WSOP Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 07/09/2013 - 11:21

Italy Online Poker Future is Bleak

For a time, Italy had become one of the most lucrative online poker epicenters with its population just shy of 60 million.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 07/09/2013 - 10:43

Attendance Records Set at 2013 World Series of Poker: Record 79,471 Entries Overall

LAS VEGAS – The 44th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas established a host of new records as poker enthusiasts from 106 nations traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the game’s grandest spectacle. The WSOP remained the industry standard-bearer, with 79,471 entries in 62 events and awarding the second largest prize pool in WSOP history: $197,041,468.

Submitted by Press Release on, Tue, 07/09/2013 - 01:01

World Series of Poker Day 1C Likely Record Breaker for Single Day Entries

Today marks the final starting flight of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event, and already the record for the largest one-day Main Event field in history (3,418 players) looks to be in jeopardy. Earlier today, Ty Stewart of the WSOP tweeted that there were already 3,000 players registered for the third and final starting day, and this was three and a half hours prior to play starting and eight hours before registration closes.

Submitted by Press Release on, Mon, 07/08/2013 - 17:17

‘Closeted Skeletons’ Complicate Legalization of Online Gambling in US

Joshua Brustein of BusinessWeek.com wrote an article Monday dealing with what he calls the “closeted skeletons” getting in the way of online gambling legalization in the US.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mon, 07/08/2013 - 11:30

Online Poker Phenom Daniel Cates Among Chip Leaders at WSOP Main Event

One of online poker’s biggest names, Daniel Cates, was one of the chip leaders ending Day 1b of the 2013 World Series of Poker.

Cates had the 3^rd biggest stack by the end of Day 1b.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mon, 07/08/2013 - 10:41

PokerStars New Security Measure Implemented

SMS Validation will protect the security of PokerStars player accounts

ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN –PokerStars is pleased to announce ‘SMS Validation’, a new feature in the software to protect the security of PokerStars player accounts. The new feature is designed to reduce the vulnerability of player accounts to unauthorised hackers.

Submitted by Press Release on, Mon, 07/08/2013 - 10:15

Free to Play Online Poker: Ivey Poker Facebook App Review

When it comes to free to play online poker websites, none are likely to come close to the new Ivey Poker, which recently launched on Facebook.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Sun, 07/07/2013 - 22:22

Big Name Busts at the 2013 WSOP Main Event

Day 1b of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event got underway on Sunday and there were already some notable eliminations.

Saying “Good Bye” after Day 1a play included the likes of funnyman Jason Alexander, Soi Nguyen, Abe Mosseri, TJ Cloutier, Chino Rheem, Sopranos actor Robert Iler, Sam Barnhart, and 2011 Main Event Champ Pius Heinz.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Sun, 07/07/2013 - 21:56

2013 World Series of Poker Main Event Kicks Off

The 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event kicked off on Saturday with The first of three starting flights in this year’s event, the opening day of action is already drawing some big names from both the poker world and the sports and entertainment industries, according to WSOP.com. The event requires a $10,000 buy-in. Last year's Main Event paid winner Greg Merson $8,531,853.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Sat, 07/06/2013 - 22:27

World Series of Poker Real Money Online Poker Site to be Up by Late Summer

Caesars Interactive Entertainment CEO Mitch Garber is a busy man these days.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Fri, 07/05/2013 - 23:31

Roberto Luongo Heads to WSOP, Won't Talk Canucks

Canucks hockey star and PlayNow.com poker rep Roberto Luongo cancelled an appearance on a radio show Friday fearing the discussion would revolve around his NHL future.

Luongo will be taking part in the World Series of Poker Main Event but hockey fans don’t care about that….they just want to know if Luongo is returning to the Vancouver Canucks.

Rumors are swirling that he will not be.

NHL reporter Renaud Lavoie notes:

Submitted by Ean Lamb on, Fri, 07/05/2013 - 17:50

Matthew Ashton Wins 2013 WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship

UK poker player Matthew Ashton has won the 2013 World Series of Poker $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship Friday. This is his 3^rd first place finish and 1^st WSOP bracelet.

Ashton walks away with $1,774,089 for his efforts. Don Nguyen of Chino Hills, California, had led much of the way and managed to finish second with $1,096,254.

Submitted by Ace King on, Fri, 07/05/2013 - 11:08

Seminole Hard Rock 2013 Poker Open Schedule

The Seminole Hard Rock 2013 Poker Open schedule has been released with events kicking off August 8. This event takes place in Hollywood, Florida, just minutes from the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Satellite Tournaments

Hollywood, FL

Mondays - Wednesday in July @ 2PM

Mondays - Wednesday in July @ 8PM

Fridays in July @ 6:30PM

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Thu, 07/04/2013 - 22:09

Poker Player May Have Used Funds From Casino Heist to Enter WSOP

A Washington State poker player who placed 11^th in a recent World Series of Poker event may have used proceeds from a casino heist to pay his way into this year’s WSOP, according to authorities.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 07/04/2013 - 16:05

Jonathan Duhamel, David Benyamine at Final Table of Poker Players Championship

Poker superstars Jonathan Duhamal (the 2010 WSOP Main Event champ) and David Benyamine were among those making the final table of the $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship heading into Thursday.

All eyes were on relative unknown, Don Nguyen, however. He enters the day with a rather large chip lead.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 07/04/2013 - 12:28

Zynga Pays New CEO $5 Million Signing Bonus

(Associated Press) - Struggling Web game maker Zynga gave new CEO Don Mattrick a $5 million signing bonus and stock awards valued at $40 million to lure him away from his previous job overseeing Microsoft's Xbox console for video games.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 07/03/2013 - 22:02

Poker Community Reacts to PokerStars Re-entry Into US Market

The poker community is rejoicing news that PokerStars will be re-entering the US online poker market by way of New Jersey.

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 07/03/2013 - 18:16

It’s On! New Jersey Takes on Nevada to Control Large Chunk of Online Gambling Market

News Wednesday that PokerStars and Resorts Casino had entered into a deal to bring online poker to New Jersey residents will have a dramatic impact well beyond the Garden State’s own borders.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 07/03/2013 - 17:46

Breaking News: Resorts and PokerStars to Offer Online Gambling in New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY - Resorts Casino Hotel and The Rational Group, operator of PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site, have reached an agreement to provide online gaming in New Jersey, the companies announced today.

The agreement links the first casino to open in Atlantic City with one of the biggest online gaming companies in the world.

Submitted by Press Release on, Wed, 07/03/2013 - 16:14

Trump Daughter Talks Online Gambling With Bloomberg: Initiative is Complicated

This week it was announced that Ultimate Gaming would begin offering real money online gambling to New Jersey residents through a partnership with the Trump Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal retains online gambling rights to the Trump name but the Donald himself may want to jump directly into the US-legalized Web gambling fray.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 07/03/2013 - 11:45