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.
No PokerStars in Atlantic City for Now
A deal that would have allowed the world’s largest real money online poker room to take over a troubled Atlantic City property is dead for now.
PokerStars was to have acquired the Atlantic Club Casino, formerly the Atlantic City Hilton, however, the initial contract has since expired.
From the Wall Street Journal:
Busted High Stakes Poker Ring had Ties to NYC Murder Suicide
A busted Russian mob linked high stakes poker and sports betting ring had ties to a murder suicide, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.
From the Daily News:
First Real Money Online Poker Based in US Open for Business
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Poker devotees will soon be able to skip the smoky casino and legally gamble their dollars away on the couch — at least in the state of Nevada.
A Las Vegas-based social gambling company is expected to launch the first legal, real-money poker website in the United States on Tuesday morning.
The site, run by Ultimate Gaming, will accept wagers only from players in Nevada for now, but likely represents the shape of things to come for gamblers across the country.
WSEX Founder Left Suicide Note: Hated Having to Stiff Customers
World Sports Exchange founder Steve Shillinger reportedly left a suicide note behind prior to taking a gun to his head last week.
Obama’s Choice of Ambassador to France has Ties to High Stakes Poker Bust, Mob
A recent New York City bust tied to illegal sports betting and high stakes poker games led to the indictment of a prominent art dealer, a so-called “Princess of Poker” and an individual said to be a major figure in Russian organized crime.
Internet Gambling Bill in Illinois Would be Standalone
Whether this reduces the chances of passage remains to be seen but an Internet gambling measure in Illinois will now be presented as a standalone.
The measure was originally added to a much broader gambling expansion bill that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn as already shot down. He has stated that a more thorough review would be required before allowing Web gambling in the state, adding he was "not excited about it at all."
Insane from Isildur1
More Insanity From Isildur1 as Poker Phenom Wins Another $900k Thursday’s $470k just wasn’t enough for the young poker pro known as Isildur1, real name Viktor Blom.
This weekend, the Swedish player managed to add another $900k to those winnings. From HighStakesDB.com: Anyone following the ongoing Isildur1 vs. Bttech86 CAP PLO games will know that going into yesterday, Isildur1 had already carried over a $470k win from a session which began Thursday evening. As it turned out, he had a lot more damage to do yesterday, finally ending the day an $895.2k winner.
Canadian Government Caught Off Guard by Bitcoin Emergence
OTTAWA – (Canadian Press) - Canadians buying and selling an emerging digital currency are running afoul of established banks and operating in uncharted territory for financial regulators.
"The Canadian government doesn't know what a Bitcoin is, doesn't recognize the Bitcoin, and there's no regulatory agency that knows what a Bitcoin is," said Joseph David, the owner of VirtEx.
His Calgary-based website lets Canadians trade Bitcoins through an online market similar to a stock exchange. David said the two-year-old company facilitated $15 million in transactions this year.
Daniel Pidun of Germany Wins EPT Berlin 2013 for €880,000
It’s the third time he’s run deep, but this time German businessman Daniel Pidun achieved his dream and won EPT Berlin – for a massive payday of €880,000.
Witnesses Testify in High Stakes Poker Game Killing
Eight men involved in a Saginaw Township, Michigan high stakes poker game testified against Quintel A. West this week.
West is accused of fatally shooting Michael Kuhlman, who was hosting the poker game at his home. West and an accomplice were attempting to enter the home, according to the witnesses. When Kuhlman placed his weight against the door to try and prevent the two men from entering, he was shot through the door. The bullet entered his lung.
Zynga Upgraded From ‘Sell’ to ‘Hold’ After Disastrous Week
Following a huge decline in its share price this week, there was a little ray of hope for Zynga Inc. Friday as TheStreet Ratings upgraded it from a “sell” to “hold”.
That development comes following Zynga reporting stronger than expected earnings per share for the past quarter.
Online Poker Room Tower Gaming Shuts Down: Cake Takes Over Accounts
Tower Gaming, which has been in business for seven years now, shut its doors this week with all player accounts being migrated to Cake Poker.
Once an Ongame poker room skin, Tower Gaming has operated on the Revolution Network since November 2011.
“After years of fun and excitement around the tables and more good times than we can remember, we’re stepping out of the game,” a statement from Tower Gaming read.
17 Players Remained Heading Into 2013 EPT Berlin
German player Roman Herold was the chip leader going in to Day 5 of EPT Berlin.
The 26-year-old has 4,485,000 after winning a monster pot against fellow German Alexander Helbig in the penultimate hand of the day. There were 17 players left in the tourney heading in Friday, all guaranteed at least €27,000 but all hoping to snag the first prize of €880,000.
Ray Bitar Must Give Up $3m Mansion, Surrender 18 Bank Accounts
Former Full Tilt Poker CEO Ray Bitar may not be serving any jail time but he will have to surrender several coveted assets including a $3 million mansion in Glendora, California.
Bitar was among those indicted for his role in running an illegal online poker room, Full Tilt Poker. He recently plead guilty to charges of fraud and violating a 2006 gambling prohibition act.
Zynga Shares Were Down Another 6 Percent Thursday
After falling 10 percent in after hours trading Wednesday, social gaming company Zynga witnessed another 6 percent drop in its share price heading into Thursday afternoon.
The company's surprise profit in the first three months of this year was overshadowed by reported revenue decline, a drop in the number of users and a lower-than-expected second-quarter forecast.
Revenue fell 18 percent to $263.6 million, from $321 million.
Analysts, on average, had expected revenue of $264.5 million, according to FactSet.
Khac Trung Tran Wins 2013 APT Philippines Main Event
Australia native Khac Trung Tran has won the 2013 APT Philippines Main Event and the $124,000 grand prize.
205 players took part in the $2,700 buy-in event at Resorts World Manila.
Until recently, Tran has had 20 cashes in live poker events, having amassed just over $100,000 total. This is his biggest win to date.
Energy Drinks Should be Banned From Poker Rooms Says Sludikoff
In an interesting editorial written by Poker Player Newspaper Publisher Stanley R. Sludikoff, the question is asked: Should energy drinks be banned from poker rooms?
Sludikoff suggests there is good reason to do so.
Aku Joentausta Still the Chip Leader Going Into Day 4 of EPT9 Berlin
Finnish player Aku Joentausta was the overnight chip leader yet again Wednesday.
The 21-year-old, who came 14th at EPT Barcelona at the beginning of the season, goes into Day 4 of EPT9 Berlin with 1,039,000. He is one of 55 players who have made it through from the 168 who started the day. The survivors also include tennis legend and Team SportStar Boris Becker who is recording his best ever live event cash, guaranteed at least €15,000. His previous best was 97th at EPT Barcelona for €8,000.
Borgata Hotel Unveils Online Gambling Plans
Fast forward to 2024 and $3.23 billion had been generated over the past year from online casino gaming in the U.S. with New Jersey accounting for a cool $1.5 billion.
Art Gallery With Alleged Ties to High Stakes Poker Probe, Russian Mob Reopens
The Helly Nahmad Gallery, located within the confines of the ritzy Midtown Manhattan Carlyle Hotel, has reopened.
Zynga Shares Drop More Than 10 Percent in Extended Trading
NEW YORK — (Associated Press) - Zynga Inc.'s surprise profit in the first three months of the year got overshadowed by a revenue decline, a drop in the number of users and a lower-than-expected second-quarter forecast.
The online game maker's stock fell more than 10 percent in extended trading Wednesday after the first-quarter results came out.
Heartland Poker Tour Expands to West Coast
Lincoln, CA – Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) announced a West Coast expansion of their popular tour with a nationally-televised event at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, California. The series, September 20th-29th, will include a deepstack event, nationally-televised Main Event with three starting flights, and a full schedule of cash tournaments and qualifying events.
Two Men Sentenced in Poker Player Extortion Plot: Hacked and Stole Naked Pics
Keith James Hudson, 39, has plead guilty to hacking into professional poker players accounts and stealing naked pictures then attempting to extort money. Hudson will serve two years prison time.
Also pleading guilty, Tyler Schrier, 23, who was sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars. He was sentenced for conspiracy, extortion and unauthorized access to another personal's computer information without permission.
888.com Expects Big Dividends From Online Poker in US by 2015
LONDON - (Reuters) - Gambling company 888 Holdings Plc expects to launch online poker in Nevada this summer and should start to see the full effects of more open U.S. markets from 2015.
Nevada, home to gambling centre Las Vegas, granted the London-listed company a licence last month and 888 is also seeking clearance to operate in New Jersey, another state where a ban on Internet betting is being lifted.
Will BuddyBet be the Next Social Online Gambling Phenom
Social gambling website BuddyBet has secured $3 million in funding from private investors.
BuddyBet lets buddies play against one another as opposed to playing against the actual website or a bookmaker. The site itself focuses exclusively on sports betting but will move into other sectors in the coming months.
VentureBeat.com explains the BuddyBet concept:
Colorful Characters Emerge in High Stakes Poker Case With Russian Mob Ties
NEW YORK — (Associated Press) - It’s a case teeming with colorful characters: a reputed Russian mob boss once accused in an Olympic scandal, a wealthy art world impresario who hung out with Leonardo DiCaprio and a woman named Molly Bloom who gained a celebrity following by hosting them at high-stakes poker games.
Aku Joentausta Leads at EPT Barcelona
Finnish player Aku Joentausta, who came 14th at EPT Barcelona at the beginning of the season, is chip leader going into Day 3 of EPT9 Berlin with 751,300.
Day 2 started with 478 players and 168 have made it through including tennis legend Boris Becker and Team Pros Liv Boeree, Theo Jorgensen, Alex Kravchenko, Jan Heitmann, Sandra Naujoks and Team Online's Mickey Petersen.
The 912-strong field has made this the second biggest EPT in Germany, generating a €4,423,200 prize pool and €880,000 first prize; 136 players will get paid.
- Source: www.pokerstars.com
European Poker Tour 2013 Main Event: Michael Mizrachi Leads
Lock Poker pro Michael Mizrachi leads after day 1b of the European Poker Tour 2013. 565 players registered at the start of day 1b. 314 remained by day’s end.
Mizrachi is one of the most successful poker players, having won over $14 million in live tournaments to date.
Bet365 Named in Affidavits Tied to Criminal Complaint
Bet365 was recently mentioned in the affidavits supporting a criminal complaint filed against two individuals in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York who are accused of money laundering connected with an Internet gambling operation. Bet365 was not named as a defendant, but the question remains; can a non-U.S. facing site be at risk for prosecution as a result of customers who obtain access to their sites through masked IP addresses?
Anonymous Poker Players Busts Out of APT Philippines 2013: $10k Pay Day
The world’s first anonymous poker player at a live event promised to pay anybody who managed to kick him out of APT Philipines $1,000, that man was a very pleasantly surprised Mark Dalimore.
Jonas Odman, President of the Bodog Poker Network, who funded the mystery player’s entry, commented: “Zorro did pretty well making Day 2 and we’ll certainly bring him out again at another big tournament in the near future. Anonymous poker is no longer just an online phenomenon.”
