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.

$50,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold’em Online Poker Tourney Announced

America’s Card Room is closing out the year with another massive $50,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em tourney. They have structured it with one re-buy and one add-on to make it anyone's game.

It goes down one week before Christmas - December 18th at 6:00pm ET. And it costs just $75+7.50 (1R+1A) to get into.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/15/2011

Public Policy Polling Has Ron Paul One Percentage Point Behind Gingrich

Most of the national polls have GOP candidate Ron Paul tied with Mitt Romney in the Iowa Caucus but at least one poll now has Paul closing in on Newt Gingrich.

The long time Texas Congressman is coming in one point behind Gingrich the Public Policy Polling. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Dec/14/2011

Berlin Poker Bandit Organizer Sentenced

After a long-lasting trial the organizer of the so-called poker robbery in Berlin has been convicted to six years and four months in jail for armed robbery and assault. Yesterday the district court in Berlin found the 30yo guilty of hiring the executing robbers by a relative, instructing them, driving the getaway car and splitting the loot. During the robbery on the poker tournament in a luxury hotel in March 2010 242.000€ had been captured.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/14/2011

World Poker Tour Venice 2011 Day 1a Results

The World Poker Tour Venice 2011 had 158 out of 200 remaining after Day 1a but the WPT was brutally honest of its assessment.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Dec/14/2011

Hellinger Online Gambling Trial On Hold

The trial for Magazine Publisher and online gambling payment processor Don Hellinger has been put on hold with a yet-to-be-determined new date.  The trial was originally set to begin January 3, 2012.

Hellinger processed online gambling payments for a number of prominent i-Gaming ventures during the period 2005-2006 including now-defunct BetOnSports.com and Bodog.com, which has since become Bovada.lv. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/14/2011

No More Bodog.com in US: Hello Bovada.lv

In with Bovada.lv and out with Bodog.com.

Bodog.com has stopped accepting US customers as of Wednesday December 14, 2011.

While the company planned to pull the Bodog.com and .eu domain names from US reach while offering a rebranding alternative, the move comes a bit sooner than previously expected.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/14/2011

Phil Hellmuth: “I Wouldn’t Be Surprised If (Online Poker Measure) Passed Before Feb 1” (Video)

World Series of Poker bracelet record holder Phil Hellmuth may know something we don't.  His hinting about online poker becoming legal in the US and the likelihood of him signing on with a company that nobody has even heard of in the very near future was far from subtle. 

Hellmuth made these remarks in an interview with Short Stacked Radio last week (the stream appearing below).

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/13/2011

Bodog Poker Traffic Drops Off 9.3 Percent?

Bodog.com unveiled its “anonymous” software two weeks ago with one of the objectives being to prevent traffic monitoring websites from so-called “data mining”. 

The most popular of those monitoring websites, PokerScout.com, reported that Bodog Poker’s traffic fell nearly 10 percent (9.3 percent) in the past week.   The irony in all of this is that such a drop off seems to indicate the “anonymous” software is just that….anonymous.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/13/2011

Unibet Leaves Spain as Nation Begins Segregating Online Poker Market in Spain

The popular European online bookmaker Unibet has opted to exit the Spanish market as that nation begins segregating its Internet poker market.  Unibet advised its affiliate marketers of the company’s decision last week.

A message to affiliates read as follows: 

The majority of the Spanish banners/text links in your affiliate account will be de-activated on the 14th of December 2011. However, we will keep the best performing banners/text links active and re-direct these to the Brasilian website as of 14th of December 2011.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Dec/13/2011

Vanessa Selbst One Million Dollar Year 2011

Noted female poker pro Vanessa Selbst is among the most successful on the live circuit and, once again, she caps off another one million dollar year.

The Brooklyn, New York native is closing in on $5 million lifetime tournament earnings.  Her biggest win came just over a year ago at the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event – No Limit Hold’em, where her first place finish resulted in nearly $2 million.  Months prior to this, Selbst won the PokerStars NAPT Mohegan Sun Season 1 NAPT Main Event – No Limit Hold’em.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Dec/13/2011

Zynga Tops Daily Average Users on Facebook With CityVille, Texas HoldEm Free Poker

AppData reported on Tuesday that Zynga titles topped the Daily Average Users of Facebook.  Probably no surprise, but the amount of users is staggering.

Zynga’s CityVille pulled in a whopping 10 million per day while other titles such as Farmville and the free online poker game Texas HoldEm Poker also topped the list.

Zynga is about to launch its Initial Public Offering in the coming weeks. 

CNBC reported that a Sterne Agee analyst has placed a "sell" rating on social network game maker before the stock ever begins trading.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/13/2011

Ongame Sale Unlikely to be Finalised by Year’s End

LONDON (SHARECAST) – Online gaming company Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment has reported a 'solid' performance since September, with its core margin for the full year set to be between 22% and 24%.

However, investors were disappointed by news that the sale of Ongame B2B is unlikely to be finalised before the end of the year despite being at an "advanced stage".

The firm said revenue performance since the end of September has been in-line with management's expectations and it remains on-track to deliver around €40m of annualised synergies in 2012 and €65m in 2013.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/13/2011

Viktor Blom Wins $1.6 Million

Following a three-month self-imposed exile from the online poker tables, Viktor Blom won $1.6 million on Monday before giving back about $800,000 of those winnings by Tuesday. 

Blom is now up just over a million dollars in profit this year on PokerStars, trailing only Ilari “Ilari FIN” Sahamies and Rafi “refaelamit” Amit. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/13/2011

Doyle Brunson Gets Lifetime Epic Poker Card

(AP)  LAS VEGAS — A professional poker league that's trying to become the PGA Tour of poker is giving card icon Doyle Brunson its first lifetime player card, making him automatically eligible to play all future tournaments.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/13/2011

Eastern PA Online Gambling Cold Case Gets Hotter as Trial Set for January 3

An online gambling payment processing case is reportedly set to go to trial on January 3, though a delay is possible. 

The US Attorney’s Office in Eastern Pennsylvania case involves processing for companies during the years 2005 and 2006, including the now defunct BetOnSports.com.  Companies that are still in existence today are also mentioned in the complaint, including Bodog.com, though they are not named as one of the defendants.    

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/13/2011

Game of Skill: Success Rate of Poker Players Matches That of Top Baseball Teams

Poker pros love Freakonomics and a recent finding that appeared on James McManus’s Grantland.com seemingly supports the argument that poker is indeed a “game of skill” through a comparison with Major League Baseball

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/13/2011

Badugi Triple Draw Poker Online

Gambling911.com is taking a look at the different online poker games available and with this piece we focus on Badugi Triple Draw Poker, available at Lock Poker, which is giving away up to $750 in FREE CASH here (Lock Poker is compatible with Macs and PCs)

The exact origin of Baduci is unknown but the game is growing in popularity since it is now being played in card rooms around the world and online at poker sites like Lock Poker.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/12/2011

Somach: Romney Wouldn’t Be First Gambling President

Much fuss is being made about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's offer to bet fellow contender Rick Perry $10,000 during a live televised debate this past weekend.

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Dec/12/2011

Poker Players Call for Boycott The Venetian Hotel, Casino and Other Sheldon Adelson Properties

Following word last week that Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson announced he is opposed to current legislation that would allow for regulated online poker in the United States, some in the poker playing community have called for an all-out boycott of Adelson’s casino properties, including the famed Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip.

"Since Sheldon Adelson is lobbying against Internet poker, I will no longer play at The Venetian poker room," a player wrote on the TwoPlusTwo.com message board. "I suggest if you care about the issue, that you also boycott the room."

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/12/2011

James Dempsey Wins 2011 World Poker Tour Five Diamond at Bellagio

James Dempsey has won the 2011 World Poker Tour Five Diamond at the Bellagio Resort.  Dempsey outlasted 413 other players to capture the $821,612 first place prize. 

He is now up over $1.5 million in live tournaments.  His previous big wins included 1st place at the 41st World Series of Poker 2010 Event 9 – WSOP Pot Limit Hold’em, where he cashed out $197,470, and the 41st WSOP 2010 Event #25 – Omaha Hi/Lo Championship 8 or Better with a 2nd place finish but biggest cashout leading into this past week at $301,790.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/12/2011

French Gambler Sues Government Over Poker Sites: Defendant in MGM Suit Uses Condom Defense

A French gambler has sued the Government claiming it failed to prevent him from accessing online poker sites in that country. 

The 37-year-old from the city of Reims registered with the interior ministry last year to be voluntarily banned from casinos and online gambling sites, but was still able to access them, lawyer Emmanuel Ludot told AFP on Monday.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/12/2011

Romney Flip Flops on 10K Bet

US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stirred up controversy Saturday evening during a nationally televised GOP debate by offering to bet fellow candidate Rick Perry $10,000 over his assertion that the former Massachusetts Governor had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.

“I’ll bet you 10,000 bucks,” Romney said, denying Perry’s claims.

Perry replied, “I’m not in the betting business.”

By late Sunday, Romney tried to laugh off the bet.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/11/2011

Mormons and Gambling: The Mitt Romney $10,000 Bet

One of the most searched terms coming to the Gambling911.com website during the overnight hours of Saturday and early morning Sunday:  “Mormons and Gambling”.  The flurry occurred following Saturday evening’s GOP debate on ABC where US Presidential candidate and Mormon Mitt Romney challenged fellow candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry to a $10,000 bet over the assertion that Romney had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/11/2011

Martin Finger Wins EPT Prague 2011

Germany has scored yet another major poker victory tonight with PokerStars qualifier Martin Finger taking down the €5,3000 EPT Prague Main Event for €720,000. He joins a growing roster of German speakers who have walked away with EPT trophies this season – Ronny Kaiser (from Switzerland) won the season’s first event in Tallinn, Martin Schleich won EPT Barcelona and Benny Spindler won EPT London.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/10/2011

Ontario Gets On Board Online Gambling Bandwagon

The Canadian province of Ontario has announced plans to allow legalized online gambling.

Government officials believe that the industry could bring in $100 million over a five year period.

Other provinces like British Columbia already allow Internet gambling for its residence via the Lottery.

“We want to . . . get this right the first time,” said lottery spokesman Tony Bitonti.

Rob Ferguson of The Toronto Star writes

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Dec/10/2011

Joe Barton Eyes Ominibus Bills Over Next Two Weeks for Online Poker Attachment

The odds may be stacked against him but Texas Republican Joe Barton said his bill to legalize online poker could be attached to one of the ominibus spending bills expected to pass before the end of this month (December 2011).

Speaking before the Digital Gaming and Lottery Policy Summit in Washington, DC this week, Barton offered the following: 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/09/2011

Online Poker Caribbean Stud Jackpot

In our continuing look at online poker strategies and, more specificially, the features offered by Carbon Poker, Gambling911.com focuses on the Caribbean Stud Jackpot offered by Carbon

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Dec/09/2011

Internet Poker Strategies: Expose One Card, Deal the Turn and River Community Cards Twice

In our continuing look at Internet poker room strategies and Carbon Poker’s unique software benefits, Gambling911.com focuses on the Expose One Card and Deal The Turn and River Community Cards twice features.  Carbon Poker offers both and you can get up to $600 in FREE CASH or 100 percent on your initial deposit. 

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Dec/09/2011

Online Poker: The Rabbit Hunt

In this series that looks at the Carbon Poker software perks, Gambling911.com takes a look at the online poker rabbit hunt.

What exactly is the rabbit hunt you might be asking?

In home games, opposing players may ask to see what cards would have come had they not folded.  This is called rabbit hunting and it is available at Carbon Poker, but not at your local casino.  

From Carbon Poker: 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/09/2011

Jamie Gold Named Spokesperson of Tropicana Resorts

2006 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jamie Gold has been named Poker Spokespersona and Ambassador of the newly transformed Tropicana Las Vegas.  The casino’s poker room will be named “The Jamie Gold Poker Room” in his honor. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/09/2011

Breaking News

Instant Cash – Getting Quick Withdrawals from Online Casinos

Ever won big at an online casino only to wait days, or even weeks, to see that money? Nothing kills the thrill of hitting a jackpot faster than watching your withdrawal request sit in pending limbo. In current conditions, players want their winnings now.