Poker
Phil Ivey in Macau for Big Cash Games
It is being reported that professional poker player and Full Tilt Poker stakeholder, Phil Ivey, was spotted in Macau this week for their fabulous cash games. Also on hand was Tom Dwan.
Online Poker Traffic Flat Lines This Week
Online poker traffic for the week dropped a mere 0.2 percent according to PokerScout.com.
PokerStars was among three sites in the top 10 that witnessed a slight gain, increasing its traffic by 2.5 percent after a sharp decline last week. Stars up and down traffic has been attributed to big time promotions in recent weeks. This week the poker site is celebrating 10th anniversary with freerolls and a $10 deposit bonus.
Meanwhile, PokerStars French website continued surpassing its Italian version.
The California Tribal Business Alliance Demands Regarding Online Poker Regulation
The California Tribal Business Alliance believes the following principles must be adhered to for any online gaming legislation at the state or federal level. The legislation must:
• Not compromise the inherent rights of tribal governments, modify the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or undermine existing tribal-state gaming compacts.
• Allow tribes to accept wagers from persons not on Indian lands.
WPT Jacksonville 2011 Largest Poker Tournament Ever Held in Florida
The WPT Jacksonville 2011 has become the largest poker tournament ever held in the state of Florida not hosted at a casino with a generated prize pool of 393 players, a few shorter than that seen at last week’s Punta Cana Poker Classic in the Dominican Republic.
The Phil Ivey Porn: Not Quite But Close (Video)
A member of the popular TwoPlusTwo.com posting forum recently stumbled upon a Phil Ivey look-a-like….in none other than a porn.
Yes, it’s Phil Ivey in a wig. Not quite, but it’s a dead ringer.
CNN on Full Tilt Poker Shutdown: Did Poker Ponzi Steal My Rent? (Video)
With the Super Committee deficit-reduction failure drawing added viewers to CNN’s afternoon programming, the news network’s special look at how much money was lost by US poker players on Full Tilt Poker managed to garner additional attention, not to mention scaring off more potential poker players.
“A popular online gambling website shut down by the US Feds. Just how much money was lost by players?” a teaser asks.
While the shutdown occurred back in April, CNN continued to broadcast its segment throughout the afternoon hours.
Zynga Mobile No Match for Angry Birds…Yet
While Zynga, along with its online poker product, remains the biggest social games provider on Facebook, it is far behind where mobile gaming is concerned. Angry Birds currently holds the title there for “Most Popular” game platform.
Zynga has some 227 million monthly users.
From the Guardian Online:
The Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event Set for December 1 thru 6 2011
It’s all set. The Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event will run from December 1 thru 6, 2011 as part of the Asian Poker Tour. APT director Lloyd Fontillas revealed the schedule to Marv Dumon of the Examiner on Monday.
Super Committee Failure Means Online Poker Won’t be Hitching a Ride
Supporters of legislation that would make online poker legal in the United States had hoped to have their bill attached to a so-called Super Committee financial reduction measure, but the prospects of this happening appear close to zero at this point.
It’s not so much that the online poker measure couldn’t somehow latch itself onto the deficit-reduction bill. Instead, the Super Committee was about to declare failure on Monday.
From Reuters:
Raul Mestre Wins International Federation of Poker World Championship and $250K: Beats Victoria Coren
Spaniard Raul Mestre was declared the winner of the International Federation of Poker World Championship and takes home $250,000. In the end, he went head to head with big name female poker pro Victoria Coren of the United Kingdom.
The World Championship was the final event of the first ever IFP World Championships that was held in London, UK. The German team won the first event of the Championships, the Nations Cup.
Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott Life Headed to the Big Screen
British poker pro Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott is going from the green felt of the poker table to the silver screen.
Poker Icons, the Swedish marketing and public relations agency that handles Ulliott, has announced that Ulliott's autobiography, written last year and titled "Devilfish: The Life and Times of a Poker Legend," is to be made into a movie.
Poker Icons made the announcement Thursday on its website, www.pokericons.com.
Ulliott, 57, is one of England's top poker players.
Poker Tournament News: 2011 EPT Loutraki Winner Zimnan Ziyard, WPT Jacksonville, More..
Poker tournament news for November 21, 2011 included a look at the EPT Loutraki, WPT Jacksonville and The World Series of Poker Circuit Harveys Lake Tahoe. Remember you can qualify for a seat at the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event by joining South Point Poker, the first online poker site run by a Las Vegas casino. It is free to join and play. Learn more here.
The World Poker Tour Jacksonville chip leaders were as follows as of 8 pm EST Sunday night.
World Poker Tour Jacksonville 2011 Attracts 393 Players (Video)
The World Poker Tour Jacksonville 2011 will pay out $325,928 to the first place winner with 393 players in the field.
90 players remained after Saturday’s play with former WPT champion Tommy Vedes leading in the chip count. Nick Grippo took over the lead.
Name Chips
1
Nick Grippo 280,000
2
Dan Henderson UFC Poker Marriage Perfect for Stations Casino Online Poker Plan
The Montreal Gazette this weekend posted an article on Dan Henderson enjoying success at the poker tables. He was slated to fight Mauricio (Shogun) Rua as part of Saturday night’s UFC 139 card. Henderson was a +120 underdog vs. Rua at -150.
Senate Reacts Following Spencer Bachus Insider Trading Allegations
Following a segment that aired on “60 Minutes” claiming Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) engaged in insider trading during the height of the financial crisis, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and panel ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced Wednesday they will hold a hearing on the issue, which has been stuck in Congress for more than five years.
From TheHill.com:
Full Tilt Poker Customers Would Likely Get Deposits Back Should Deal Go Through
Customers of Full Tilt Poker owed monies since April 15 wait with baited breath as a reported settlement has taken place between the US Justice Department and Groupe Bernard Tapie, the entity looking to acquire Full Tilt Poker. On June 29 the company had its license to operate pulled after it failed to prove the business had sufficient funds on hand to pay players. Two executives of the company were indicted on April 15, charged with money laundering and bank fraud. Three other stakeholders in FTP were accused by the US Government of running an elaborate ponzi scheme. 
Alfonse D’Amato Comments on Friday Internet Poker Hearing: Responds to Lottery Concerns
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, offered the following comments in response to issues raised during today’s House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing on internet gaming.
Friday Hearing on Internet Poker: Can We Still Control Offshore Gambling Sites?
A November 18, 2011 Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing discussed the potential pitfalls of legalizing Internet poker in the United States. Issues raised included under age and problematic gambling along with cheating mechanisms. Additional coverage of Friday’s hearing, which concluded at 11:09 am EST could be found on the Gambling911.com website.
Joe Barton Testifies Before Subcommittee on Legalized Internet Poker (Live Streaming Video)
Texas Republican Joe Barton has drafted legislation that would legalize Internet poker in the US. He testified Friday November 18, 2011 before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. It was the second hearing on the subject over the past 30 days.
During the testimony, concerns were raised over the vulnerability of Web users who might access an online poker site.
“My experience (with poker players) is they excel in math. Not people who would be taken advantage of or need to be protected,” Barton said.
Internet Poker Hearing November 18 Live Video Streaming
Gambling911.com does have the live streaming video for November 18 hearing to discuss the potential for legalized and regulated Internet poker in the United States.
Witnesses spoke before a House Subcommittee. This is the second hearing held on the subject in just a period of 30 days.
Concerns over under age gambling and the ability for states to opt out were part of the day’s discussion.
This hearing began at 9 am EST.
Watch the video below….
DOJ Spokesperson Denies Full Tilt Poker, Groupe Bernard Tapie Deal for $80m
A DOJ spokesperson, Carly Sullivan responded to a CNN report that was quickly pulled off its site regarding a DOJ deal to allow Groupe Bernard Tapie’s acquisition of Full Tilt Poker: “We have no comment and do not confirm or deny a deal.”
Full Tilt Poker itself later issued a statement that an “agreement between Groupe Bernard Tapie and the Department of Justice have been finalized”, however, FTP has released “misleading” statements in the past.
Tom Dwan Beaten Badly in Macau: Loses $2.6 Million
The big cash games are back in Macau and online poker phenom Tom Dwan was reportedly annihilated to the tune of $2.6 million.
There was a chat log obtained by HighStakesDB.com:
Barney Frank Urges Spencer Bachus: Take Up Bill On Insider Trading (Video)
Massachusetts Democrat Congressman Barney Frank on Thursday sent a letter to Alabama Republican Congressman Spencer Bacchus urging him to take up a bill that would prohibit members of Congress and federal workers from trading on non-public information that they’ve obtained through their jobs.
A “60 Minutes” report suggested that Bachus engaged in “insider trading” during the height of the financial crisis.
Strange Bedfellows: Jon Kyl and Harry Reid New Internet Gambling Bill
The New York Post is reporting that Republican Jon Kyl and Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are working on a new Internet gambling bill. The significance of this cannot be overstated.
PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato Testimony Before Senate Committee re: Internet Poker
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, today testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on the future of online gaming and its potential impact on Indian tribes.
Ben Lamb’s New Car
Ben Lamb finished 3rd at this year’s World Series of Poker and is likely to be named “Poker Player of the Year” for 2011.
Lamb took home $4,019,635 and immediately ran out to spend it on the car pictured here.
From Pokerati.com:
Oversight Hearing on the Future of Internet Gaming Witness List: Starts 2:15 Nov 17, 2011
The Oversight Hearing on the Future of Internet Gaming: What’s at Stake for Tribes? Witness list appears below.
This is a critical hearing that will take place in the Senate. The Indian Tribes are among the most powerful lobbying groups in DC and they absolutely require appeasement if legalized Internet poker is going to happen in the US.
Already in California, we have seen the Tribes accept the inevitable and soften their stand to work more closely with parties seeking regulation.
Spencer Bachus: 60 Minutes Segment a Hit Job
Alabama Republican Congressman and strong advocate for online gambling prohibition, Spencer Bachus, denied he engaged in any form of “insider trading”. He called a “60 Minutes” segment that suggested otherwise “a hit job”.
The segment aired on Sunday. The reporting was based on a book by conservative author Peter Schweizer called “Throw Them All Out.” Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, was alleged to have traded stocks after he was told by Treasury officials in September of 2008 of the impending financial meltdown.
Phil Ivey Broke? Stopped Paying Alimony After Black Friday
Is poker pro Phil Ivey broke? That’s the rumor that surfaced in recent days.
Muny: November 16 Senate Committee Hearing Excellent for Poker Community
Richard Muny, a Regional Director of the Poker Players Alliance, noted that Thursday’s Senate Committee meeting regarding legalization of Internet poker was a giant step in the process, and perhaps one that came unexpected.
He noted on the Pokerati.com website:
