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.
Utah Poker Players Locked Out of Lock: Other State Players Now Welcome
The new Revolution Gaming Network appears to be following the new US model for online poker whereby individual states have been given the green light to offer Web gambling at the local level while others can elect to opt out.
Lock Poker Departure Spells Dramatic Loss for Merge
Preliminary numbers are in and it appears the Merge Gaming Network will see a sharp decline in traffic following the exit of marquee brand Lock Poker.
Lock left Merge May 31, 2012, citing “growing pains”. It has since started a brand new online poker network, combining forces with Cake Poker to develop the Revolution Gaming Network.
Daniel Negreanu Bows Out of WSOP Pot Limit Hold’em in 5th Place
The World Series of Poker Event #5 Pot Limit Hold’em was winding down during the late evening hours of Friday. One of the most winningest poker pros of all time, Daniel Negreanu, managed to go deep, finishing in 5th place and leaving the table with $41,683.
Nick Jivkov, Bryan Pellegrino and Jonathan Aguiar were each vying for the WSOP bracelet in this event at the time Gambling911.com was going to publication.
Gay Porn Star Killer Who Chopped Up Ex, Ate His Buttocks Luka Magnotta was Poker Player
Canada’s Most Wanted, former gay porn star Luka Magnotta, was apparently a poker player.
Magnotta is wanted for allegedly chopping up his ex boyfriend and eating a portion of his buttocks then mailing various body parts to government officials. Magnotta also filmed the brutal murder scene and posted the video online.
He is believed to be in hiding, quite possibly in France. Magnotta could also be dressing up as a woman.
ACR Allows Players Exchange of Reward Points for Entry Into Sunday Night $50k Guaranteed
Online poker players rejoiced last month when Americas Cardroom made its Sunday Night $50,000 Guaranteed tournaments — which gained wild popularity during April's Liberty Weekends series — permanent fixtures. Today the online poker site sweetened the program, announcing that players they can keep their wallets in their pockets when buying into the weekend headliners.
May the Leif Force be With You: Wins Event 3 at WSOP and First Bracelet
One of the more interesting names on the poker circuit today, Leif Force, has just won the Event #3: Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha. He beat out Jason Coon for the 1st place prize of $207,708 and was awarded the second bracelet of this year’s World Series of Poker.
PokerStars Changes Rake Structure Again
PokerStars has opted to reduce its rake structure during the first part of this year just as the likes of the new Revolution Gaming Network and Merge Gaming increase theirs.
Fixed limit rake at Stars at $1/2 and $2/4 will be reduced, with the caps at 3-4 handed dropping from 80c to 70c and those at 5+ handed also cut, according to a statement released by the company Thursday.
The size of VIP bonuses will also be reduced along with their corresponding FPP cost. The value itself remains unchanged.
Poker Pro Daniel “Jungleman” Cates Joins Matchbook.com
The popular betting exchange, Matchbook.com, has begun maneuvering itself within the online poker arena. They announced the addition of Poker Pro Daniel “Jungleman” Cates to their roster on Thursday just as the 2012 World Series of Poker got underway.
Matchbook.com already features the likes of two-time bracelet winner JP Kelly, European Poker Tour winner Roberto Romanello, Matt Perrins, James Akenhead and last year’s WSOP “Bubble Boy”, John Hewitt.
Revolution Gaming Network Surpasses Merge in Terms of Worldwide Traffic
The Revolution Gaming Network is just barely 24 hours old yet it still managed to bypass the most trafficked US-facing online poker network, Merge, as of Friday morning.
At 9:30 am ET, Revolution had 585 cash players while Merge had 526. The 24-hour peak was showing Merge a few hundred greater than the Revolution Gaming Network at 1826 compared to 1489 for Revolution. The later site has barely been up for more than 24 hours with many customers still coming on board throughout the day.
Revolution Gaming Network Good Luck Charm: Annette Obrestad Cashes at WSOP
Young Norwegian poker pro Annette Obrestad didn’t win the WSOP Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #3), but she did manage to finish a respectable 6th place with a cash out of $28,409. She finished strong the very day Lock Poker launched the world’s newest online poker network, Revolution Gaming.
Advertisement: The Revolution Gaming Network Is Here – Introducing the NEW Lock Poker…
Lesniak Wants Internet Gambling Bill on Chris Christie’s Desk by End of June (Video)
While he’s not entirely optimistic about getting it done, New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak tells Natalie Rydstrom of SBR News he’s hoping to have his Internet gambling bill on Governor Chris Christie’s desk by the end of June (2012).
Brent Hanks Wins $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Event at 2012 World Series of Poker
Brent Hanks has won the $1500 No-Limit Hold’em event, the first open to all poker players at the 2012 World Series of Poker. He one of the poker world’s best female players, Vanessa Selbst, to take the first bracelet of the year.
Hanks himself is an accomplished player who has won just over $1.1 million in live tournament play, which includes this event.
Kidnap Plan Foiled: FBI Claims Men Wanted Revenge for Poker Losses
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The FBI has arrested two men in Palm Beach County for allegedly plotting a kidnapping partly as revenge for one suspect's poker losses.
Investigators identified the pair as 50-year-old Michael James Melillo and 38-year-old Pavlos Kaimacliotis. Both were jailed Thursday awaiting a bail hearing Friday.
Purple Lounge Casino, Poker Customers Likely Screwed
Troubled Purple Lounge Casino and Poker is now in liquidation with customers not likely to see any of their funds returned.
Parent company, Media Corp PLC announced the liquidation on Thursday with all staff being laid off. Media Corp Chairman Phil Jackson claims Purple Lounge had “historical operational and financial failings”.
Bookmakers Offer Odds to Win the 2012 WSOP
Last year, for the first time, casinos in Las Vegas were allowed to offer betting odds on who would win the World Series of Poker Main Event.
They'll be offering those odds once again this year, but if you can't make it to Vegas to put in your action, don't fret.
Lock Poker Launches on the Revolution Network: $4000 Bonus Being Offered
Lock Poker has officially begun operating on the newly branded Revolution Gaming Network, completing major updates as of Thursday May 31, 2012 at 9:45 am ET with most updates complete. MAC customers will be able to play very shortly.
Lock joined forces with the Cake Network to oversee rebranding. The popular online poker room had previously existed on the Merge Gaming Network.
Online Poker Promotions June 2012: Cake Announces Massive Tournament Increase
As of June 1, popular online poker site, Cake Poker is increasing the size and frequency of its Guaranteed Poker Tournaments within an entirely new tournament line-up. To mark this occasion, Cake Poker is featuring two special tournaments on June 3rd – a $100,000 Guarantee and a $75,000 Guaranteed Super Stack. Additionally in June, Cake Poker has increased their first deposit bonus and is launching a $30,000 Gold Champs 2012 Tournament Series which mirrors the Euro 2012 football events.
Vanessa Selbst, Annette Obrestad Start Off Strong Early on at 2012 WSOP
One of the best female poker pros around was making a strong showing thus far at the 2012 World Series of Poker. Vanessa Selbst was within striking distance of taking over the chip lead at Event #2 No Limit Hold’em during the evening hours Wednesday as this event had dwindled down to 6 players. Selbst is guaranteed to take home at least $87,231.
Selbst an American professional poker player who has made three final tables and two heads-up semi-finals at the World Series of Poker.
PartyPoker Investing US$50m Over the Next Two Years in Social Media Site
PartyPoker parent company bwin.party has announced plans to invest US$50m over the past two years in a standalone social media website.
The social gaming unit, called Win, will be headed up by former Mytopia and Amuso CEO Barak Rabinowitz, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Assets from social gaming companies Velasco Services and Orneon Limited have already been acquired by Party to “accelerate our market entry”.
Celebrities at The 2012 World Series of Poker Include Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Ben Affleck
The 2012 World Series of Poker is already bringing out big name Hollywood celebrities to play, among them Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Tilly, Brad Garrett, “The Simpsons” co-creator Sam Simon, rapper Nelly and Jason Alexander, just to name a few.
Last year Simon, who was once married to Jennifer Tilly, made it relatively deep in the Main Event ahead of his fellow Hollywood colleagues.
Phil Hellmuth Going Strong, Stout Out at Current WSOP Events 2 Thru 4
Phil Hellmuth was among the top 15 chip leaders in the first open event of the 2012 World Series of Poker. He was taking part in the Event #2: No-Limit Hold'em, which was offering a sweet $517,725 to the winner.
Hellmuth, the WSOP record bracelet holder, made headlines last year when he managed to finish in second place in three World Series of Poker events.
Elsewhere, Event #3: Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha – also got underway Tuesday with a 512 player max.
Phil Ivey Playing in 2012 World Series of Poker After One-Year Absence
One of the most famous poker players in the world, Phil Ivey, will be playing in this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP) following a one-year sit out.
Gambling Not a Dirty Word According to US Government: Pork, Cloud, Mexico Are
The US Department of Homeland Security was required to release its list of key words and phrases monitored on social media websites and, surprisingly, “gambling” was not among them.
Camasino.com Strikes Deal with Snakespoker.com: Tournaments During Grand Prix Weekend
Camasino.com has made a deal with Snakespoker.com, located in Kahnawake Quebec, which will facilitate bigger tournaments and events. The deal fell through on the 15th of May and will officially take place on June 7th. June 7th is the beginning of the Grand Prix weekend in Montreal and you will be sure to find them on Crescent Street.
Hot Gambling News: What’s Next On Tap (May 29, 2012 – Noon EST Edition)
Hot Gambling News – What’s Next On Tap for May 29, 2012 shortly after Noon, Gambling911.com explores upcoming events of interest to gamblers the world over. You can get all the latest Hot Gambling News by following us here on Twitter. We’ll also let you know what’s trending.
2012 WSOP Event 1 Casino Employees World Championship First Bracelet Winner
Chiab Saechao has become the 2012 World Series of Poker’s first bracelet winner, taking the honor for the Casino Employees World Championship.
Event #1 is pretty self-explanatory. It’s for casino employees only, but is not inclusive to just those working in Vegas. Saechao is, in fact, a California blackjack dealer.
Online Poker Auto Top Up and Auto Buy-In Features Unveiled at Americas Cardroom
Americas Cardroom, known for some of the fastest payouts in the online poker world, has just announced new Auto Top Up and Auto Buy-In features. These are sure to grab the attention of players across the globe.
3D Online Gambling: The Next Big Thing
PKR Poker gets credit for launching what is truly one of the best – not to mention ONLY – 3D online poker sites way ahead of its time. 2012 looks like it will be the year of the 3D online gambling site.
A few have followed in PKR’s footsteps: Among them, Ladbrokes Poker and 888 Poker.
Bingo3X sent out a press release Tuesday describing the virtues of their newly developed 3D online gambling platform:
Revolution Gaming Splash Page Preview
The Revolution is here! Well, it gets underway officially on June 1, 2012. That’s when online poker players around the world will get to take advantage of the new Revolution Gaming, a rebranding of the former Cake Poker Network.
Cake Poker itself will still be on the network. That Gambling911.com endorsed online poker room will be joined by Lock Poker, which is overseeing the new Revolution Gaming Network.
Poker rooms on the network, including the first ever established online gambling website Intertops.com, will offer various promotions and tournament schedules.
2012 WSOP Event 2 No Limit Hold’em Will Pay $517,725 to Lucky Winner
Whoever wins the 2012 World Series of Poker Event #2 No Limit Hold’em will walk away with a gold bracelet plus $517,725. This year’s WSOP opened on Monday and will continue straight through January, culminating with the Main Event and determination of the nine finalists. The final table will return in November.
