Ah… so close. Three more sleeps. The World Series of Poker gets underway on Thursday with the casino employees event. The first open event in Friday ($1500 no-limit hold’em) and all four member of Team Canuck Poker will be playing on Friday. We will also be playing Saturday ($1500 pot-limit hold’em), and Sunday ($1500 limit hold’em).
I have obtained media accreditation. Thus, starting first thing Thursday you will be getting a lot of updates in this site. My plan is to send frequent updates throughout the day, including photos, from my Treo. Then, last thing before bed or first thing in the morning I will file a major “daily update.” This update will include photos, audio (mp3 interviews and whatever else I can think to get), and text.
Please do me a favor. I was originally refused media accreditation because www.CanadianPoker.com is viewed as a “player site” with little original editorial content. I assured that staff at Harrah’s that I would be providing lots of original content and they reconsidered and granted me media pass. I am, by the way, truly impressed and grateful for their reconsideration. Often, large organizations are very rigid, but that did not prove the case here. So, what favor can you do me?
Please look in at this site from time to time over the next few days and again over the course of the WSOP Championship in July. If you like what you are seeing, please pass the word to anyone and everyone you know that might be interested in following four Canadian players at the WSOP and interested in “being there” moment by moment, courtesy of my Treo. Thank you. Again, I appreciate Harrah’s putting their faith in me and I want them to feel happy with their decision.
CanadianPoker.com has about 6,000 readers per month. I will delight in providing all of you with WSOP coverage and I will do my best to see that you get (1) General reporting, (2) Canadian reporting, and (3) Team Canuck Poker updates. Thanks for stopping at my site. And, enjoy the WSOP coverage. You will find it on the homepage by clicking the “Canuck 2005 WSOP Play-by-play” card at the bottom right. Check in often starting Thursday.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Poker Nerd Content
Aces and Kings
This week I started reading Aces and Kings: Inside Stories and Million-Dollar Strategies from Poker’s Greatest Players by Michael Kaplan and Brad Reagan. It is a biography of a bunch of the past and current figures in poker. It’s awesome. Give you a great historical perspective and may give you some playing tips (haven’t read enough to know). The bios include Puggy Pearson, Amarillo Slim Preston, Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Erik Seidel, Phil Hellmuth, Man “the master” Nguyen, Howard Lederer, David “the Devilfish” Ulliott, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, and others. Great book so far.
This week I started reading Aces and Kings: Inside Stories and Million-Dollar Strategies from Poker’s Greatest Players by Michael Kaplan and Brad Reagan. It is a biography of a bunch of the past and current figures in poker. It’s awesome. Give you a great historical perspective and may give you some playing tips (haven’t read enough to know). The bios include Puggy Pearson, Amarillo Slim Preston, Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Erik Seidel, Phil Hellmuth, Man “the master” Nguyen, Howard Lederer, David “the Devilfish” Ulliott, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, and others. Great book so far.
Poker is a game of luck, not skill
DURHAM -- The expert witnesses came from Las Vegas, the Bahamas and Florida to testify that poker is chiefly a game of skill.
But Durham's senior judge wasn't willing to take the gamble.
Poker is a game of chance, he ruled, that can get betting players locked up in North Carolina.
Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson's decision Monday stymied The Joker Club, which had hoped to open a poker-betting establishment here. A club lawyer indicated that Hudson's decision might be appealed.
Hudson said later he is not a poker player himself, but has no moral or religious scruples about the game. He also said a state law against poker betting dates to the 19th century and might be antiquated.
"The culture is different now," he said. "Society is different. The law is ambiguous in a number of different ways."
The law says it is illegal to bet on games in which chance "predominates" over skill, Hudson said.
"[But] how do you measure that?" he asked rhetorically. "If the legislature told us what they had in mind, I'd understand. But they didn't tell us what it means."
Still, Hudson said, he was bound to follow the law as it was written.
The Joker Club leased a building on Ferrell Road in November, indicating it wished to open "a business that allows adult persons to play poker against one another and whereby [the club] will retain a portion of funds which are wagered by the players."
In its effort to make that happen, the club sued former District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr. after he wrote that poker betting "does not comply with the law." Hardin said he would order police and sheriff's deputies to crack down on any perceived violations.
After at least two postponements, the case belatedly found its way into court on Monday. Hardin, now a judge, was not there.
Lawyer Marcus Hill, one of three attorneys representing The Joker Club, argued that 37 states have "some form of" legalized poker.
"Of course, there is an element of luck in all games," Hill acknowledged. "There is an element of luck in poker. But skill will prevail."
Assistant Attorney General David J. Adinolfi II countered that "there are no cases whatsoever that state or imply that poker is anything but illegal" in North Carolina.
"We're not talking about shuffleboard here," Adinolfi said. "We're not talking about archery. Poker is simply not legal. ... The turn of a card is what settles it all. The best player in the world can get beat by an amateur. Chance predominates. Chance overwhelms skill.
"The cards are dealt face down. You can be as skilled as possible. You can do all the statistical analyses. But chance predominates when you flip the card over. It's just that simple. You can't will the card to be an ace when it's a deuce."
Adinolfi also said the state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court previously declared poker betting to be illegal in North Carolina.
"This court doesn't pass legislation," Adinolfi said of Hudson. "This court can't overrule the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals."
In branding poker betting as illegal, the Legislature apparently wanted to protect low- and middle-income players "from getting beaten out of their paychecks every week," Adinolfi added.
The Joker Club pulled some human aces from its sleeve during its unsuccessful court bid on Monday.
One of them was Roy Cooke of Las Vegas, a 16-year professional poker player and lead columnist for Card Player Magazine.
He said the skills involved in poker include emotional fortitude, statistical expertise and the ability to "read" the minds and mannerisms of opponents.
"Unskilled players tend to lose their money," Cooke said. "Luck is a neutral factor over the course of time. The person who says he is unlucky year in and year out really doesn't play well and is in denial."
Anthony Lee, vice president of a casino in the Bahamas, also came to Durham to testify on Monday. He acknowledged that he is not a skilled poker player and, as a result, not a good one.
"I can't bluff," Lee added. "In poker, you need certain skills which I haven't worked on."
Frank Martin, a Florida poker consultant and tournament organizer, agreed in testimony that poker "is definitely" a game of skill.
"Sure, there is an element of chance," he said. "But that's part of the beauty of it. You're using chance to your benefit by understanding what you're dealing with. The chance part of it can be overcome by the fact that you can induce people to fold."
By John Stevenson
But Durham's senior judge wasn't willing to take the gamble.
Poker is a game of chance, he ruled, that can get betting players locked up in North Carolina.
Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson's decision Monday stymied The Joker Club, which had hoped to open a poker-betting establishment here. A club lawyer indicated that Hudson's decision might be appealed.
Hudson said later he is not a poker player himself, but has no moral or religious scruples about the game. He also said a state law against poker betting dates to the 19th century and might be antiquated.
"The culture is different now," he said. "Society is different. The law is ambiguous in a number of different ways."
The law says it is illegal to bet on games in which chance "predominates" over skill, Hudson said.
"[But] how do you measure that?" he asked rhetorically. "If the legislature told us what they had in mind, I'd understand. But they didn't tell us what it means."
Still, Hudson said, he was bound to follow the law as it was written.
The Joker Club leased a building on Ferrell Road in November, indicating it wished to open "a business that allows adult persons to play poker against one another and whereby [the club] will retain a portion of funds which are wagered by the players."
In its effort to make that happen, the club sued former District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr. after he wrote that poker betting "does not comply with the law." Hardin said he would order police and sheriff's deputies to crack down on any perceived violations.
After at least two postponements, the case belatedly found its way into court on Monday. Hardin, now a judge, was not there.
Lawyer Marcus Hill, one of three attorneys representing The Joker Club, argued that 37 states have "some form of" legalized poker.
"Of course, there is an element of luck in all games," Hill acknowledged. "There is an element of luck in poker. But skill will prevail."
Assistant Attorney General David J. Adinolfi II countered that "there are no cases whatsoever that state or imply that poker is anything but illegal" in North Carolina.
"We're not talking about shuffleboard here," Adinolfi said. "We're not talking about archery. Poker is simply not legal. ... The turn of a card is what settles it all. The best player in the world can get beat by an amateur. Chance predominates. Chance overwhelms skill.
"The cards are dealt face down. You can be as skilled as possible. You can do all the statistical analyses. But chance predominates when you flip the card over. It's just that simple. You can't will the card to be an ace when it's a deuce."
Adinolfi also said the state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court previously declared poker betting to be illegal in North Carolina.
"This court doesn't pass legislation," Adinolfi said of Hudson. "This court can't overrule the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals."
In branding poker betting as illegal, the Legislature apparently wanted to protect low- and middle-income players "from getting beaten out of their paychecks every week," Adinolfi added.
The Joker Club pulled some human aces from its sleeve during its unsuccessful court bid on Monday.
One of them was Roy Cooke of Las Vegas, a 16-year professional poker player and lead columnist for Card Player Magazine.
He said the skills involved in poker include emotional fortitude, statistical expertise and the ability to "read" the minds and mannerisms of opponents.
"Unskilled players tend to lose their money," Cooke said. "Luck is a neutral factor over the course of time. The person who says he is unlucky year in and year out really doesn't play well and is in denial."
Anthony Lee, vice president of a casino in the Bahamas, also came to Durham to testify on Monday. He acknowledged that he is not a skilled poker player and, as a result, not a good one.
"I can't bluff," Lee added. "In poker, you need certain skills which I haven't worked on."
Frank Martin, a Florida poker consultant and tournament organizer, agreed in testimony that poker "is definitely" a game of skill.
"Sure, there is an element of chance," he said. "But that's part of the beauty of it. You're using chance to your benefit by understanding what you're dealing with. The chance part of it can be overcome by the fact that you can induce people to fold."
By John Stevenson
The Long Arm of the Law in Nova Scotia
SYDNEY, N.S. – The provincial gaming authority is telling bar owners to drop their popular Texas Hold 'Em poker games.
Televised tournaments featuring Hollywood stars are fuelling a poker craze throughout North America. To meet demand in Sydney, local pubs stepped in because the game isn't offered at the casino.
More than 30 people were showing up at Ardon Moffard's pub every Wednesday night for Texas Hold 'Em games – a much-needed boost for business.
"It's challenging to get people in a pub any night. So it was good to have the revenue generated by the game," Moffard said.
He insists those profits were in food and drink, not from the game. Moffard said money never changed hands and the only thing passed around was free merchandise from breweries and liquor companies.
But the province got involved.
"The liquor board stepped in and decided there wouldn't be any more games, I guess due to ... the fear of money changing hands in the pub," Moffard said.
The executive director of the alcohol and gaming authority, Dennis Kerr, said bars can host card games, including Texas Hold 'Em, for fun.
There are three elements needed to cross the line into gambling: an entry fee, a game and a prize. Kerr's concern is that gambling would happen without the bar owner's consent.
"We just want to make sure they don't get in trouble. There is potential in these tournaments for side bets and so forth and if some of those issues happen, it's the licensee that will be held accountable," he said.
If a bar owner does want to hold a tournament, Kerr said, they should talk to a lawyer first. Until then, poker players should hold 'em.
Televised tournaments featuring Hollywood stars are fuelling a poker craze throughout North America. To meet demand in Sydney, local pubs stepped in because the game isn't offered at the casino.
More than 30 people were showing up at Ardon Moffard's pub every Wednesday night for Texas Hold 'Em games – a much-needed boost for business.
"It's challenging to get people in a pub any night. So it was good to have the revenue generated by the game," Moffard said.
He insists those profits were in food and drink, not from the game. Moffard said money never changed hands and the only thing passed around was free merchandise from breweries and liquor companies.
But the province got involved.
"The liquor board stepped in and decided there wouldn't be any more games, I guess due to ... the fear of money changing hands in the pub," Moffard said.
The executive director of the alcohol and gaming authority, Dennis Kerr, said bars can host card games, including Texas Hold 'Em, for fun.
There are three elements needed to cross the line into gambling: an entry fee, a game and a prize. Kerr's concern is that gambling would happen without the bar owner's consent.
"We just want to make sure they don't get in trouble. There is potential in these tournaments for side bets and so forth and if some of those issues happen, it's the licensee that will be held accountable," he said.
If a bar owner does want to hold a tournament, Kerr said, they should talk to a lawyer first. Until then, poker players should hold 'em.
Poker Joke
The doctor answered the phone and heard the familiar voice of a colleague on the other end of the line. "We need a fourth for poker," said the friend.
"I'll be right over," whispered the doctor.
As he was putting on his coat, his wife asked, "Is it serious?"
"Oh yes, quite serious," said the doctor gravely. "Why there are three doctors there already!"
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Hold'em Tournament Brings Cigar Smokers Together
It seems like these days, every charity or special interest group is hosting Texas Hold'em tournaments and cigar enthusiasts apparently didn't want to miss out on the trend. At the Cigar Aficionado's second annual no-limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament, players got the chance to play their hand at Texas Hold'em, all the while sucking on their favorite stogies. The tournament was held on May 14th, when 55 cigar smoking poker fans came to Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel and Casino to compete for the prize pool of $28,000.
The Texas Hold'em tournament carried a $500 buy-in and a top prize of $14,000. Players were also provided with a three pack of Trinidad, Montecristo and H. Upmann Cameroon Vintage cigars, on the house.
The Texas Hold'em tournament carried a $500 buy-in and a top prize of $14,000. Players were also provided with a three pack of Trinidad, Montecristo and H. Upmann Cameroon Vintage cigars, on the house.
Hand Rankings of Hold'em Poker
Hand Rankings of Hold'Em Poker
|
Monday, May 23, 2005
The Team Canuck Poker World Series of Poker Bon Voyage Tournament
Our first tournament on ParadisePoker attracted 181 players. This time we only had 127 starters. I am a little disappointed in the reduced numbers. I think there were two reasons: (1) The tournament was on the Saturday of the Victoria long weekend. This is “Canada’s long weekend.” After a long Canadian winter the May long weekend marks the traditional kick off to summer and I know a lot of people has commitments for the weekend. (2) I have been very busy the last couple of weeks. I usually take a very active role on PokerForum.ca and UnitedPokerForum.com. These two venues are primary sources of promotion and were ignored over the last couple of weeks. My fault.
In any event, the tournament was a lot of fun. Unlike other online tournaments in which it really is “the faceless masses” these tournaments feel like you are playing with friends.
Some things of note:
Devin “all_aces” Armstrong lost the Team Canuck Poker sidebet. Devin was posting and folding, like last time, but this time Bob, Ralph, and I all got by him. This means that in Las Vegas in June, Ralph buys breakfast and Devin buys Bananas Foster … mmm, bananas with booze, on fire. Yummy.
The winner was Buddy “bemore” Ashmore from Edmonton. The second and third place finishers were both from my hometown of Saskatoon.
In any event, the tournament was a lot of fun. Unlike other online tournaments in which it really is “the faceless masses” these tournaments feel like you are playing with friends.
Some things of note:
Devin “all_aces” Armstrong lost the Team Canuck Poker sidebet. Devin was posting and folding, like last time, but this time Bob, Ralph, and I all got by him. This means that in Las Vegas in June, Ralph buys breakfast and Devin buys Bananas Foster … mmm, bananas with booze, on fire. Yummy.
The winner was Buddy “bemore” Ashmore from Edmonton. The second and third place finishers were both from my hometown of Saskatoon.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
How To Bet On The Preakness Stakes
You are 1 minute away from betting the Preakness Stakes
There are 3 easy steps to bet the Preakness Stakes:
Step 1: Sign Up for your FREE betting account
Step 2: Make a deposit to your account
Step 3: Make your bet
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Poker ace's guide to play a winning
Here's his advice on applying the lessons of a winning hand to a winning career:
Read your competition Whenever Mr. Goetsch sits down to a poker table or to make a deal, he takes time to assess the competitive styles of his fellow players.
"I plan to fold for the first few hands, unless I get dealt aces and kings, and just observe how the rest of them react," he says. This gives him insights into how they'll behave when the chips are down.
He's found that people tend to fall into one of four categories that he relates to animal behaviours:
Alligators: These are very aggressive, ego-driven opponents who won't back off, often try to press their luck with marginal hands or ideas and tend to become flamboyant deal-makers.
"They can be effective and get to lofty places quickly. However, alligators tend to risk it all at certain key points without a backup plan," which can wipe them out, Mr. Goetsch says.
You can beat them if you play offensively with a strong hand and don't get into an ego contest.
Elephants: This type of player or manager tends to be passive and tight, and is all too common among managers of mature companies.
"They simply do their jobs but are not emboldened with the burning flame to strive to succeed above and beyond through creative means," he says. "Because poker and life are not dealt with a consistently favourable deck, the elephant is destined to mediocrity."
Even when they do have a powerful hand, elephants tend to doubt themselves and not to raise the stakes high enough. The way to win against them is to stay confident.
Chameleons: They readily adapt their approach to changing situations. But that's quite difficult because being able to shift strategies rapidly on the fly is not instinctive behaviour and needs to be learned and consciously worked on, Mr. Goetsch says.
Adept chameleons are formidable opponents because you can't predict their next move or plan a long-term defence against them.
Jackals: These are wild cards who will play almost anything and use bluster and uncertainty to scare off the competition. Their strategy depends on aggressiveness, intimidation and luck, and jackals tend to burn out quickly.
Jackals can get lucky several times, but in the long run, if they keep betting, no matter what their cards, they will go broke, Mr. Goetsch says. The best defence is not to follow their example.
Use your position to advantage
In poker, your betting position is important. Being the "button," or dealer, means you are the last person to have to respond as the bets go around the table. That's powerful, because you don't have to commit yourself until you've seen how everyone else has played.
At work, too, it's good strategy to not to reveal yourself straight off. Positioning to be the last one to react gives you power "because those who come before you don't know what you are capable of," Mr. Goetsch says.
Don't play by the book
"I read the popular books on poker and business strategy not because I'm going to play that way but because I know the people I am playing against are reading them and are likely to play that way," Mr. Goetsch says.
Read up on what people are saying about how to get ahead in your career, then gain an advantage by coming in with a twist the competition won't expect, he advises.
Don't be predictable
Mr. Goetsch says he works hard at being a chameleon because being unpredictable keeps competitors off balance. If you become known for using the same approach throughout your career, people will learn to work around you.
But there are times when he becomes "positively alligator-like." That's when he realizes he has "the nuts -- a hand so strong it is virtually assured of winning, or a deal that will guarantee him a promotion. Then he becomes unwavering in pursuit of his goal.
Know when to fold 'em
Most of the time, in poker or at work, outcomes aren't that clear, and Mr. Goetsch says it's important to not waste time and effort on marginal efforts.
When he looks at tournaments in which he has come out ahead over the years, "I find often I have only played between 13 and 15 per cent of the hands before the flop. That means I fold at 85 to 87 per cent of the opportunities I am given."
In his career as well, he has chosen to sit it out about the same percentage of opportunities. He finds he is better off devoting full attention to a few big opportunities than over-extending himself on too many smaller ones.
And in all of his jobs, he's always avoided going "all in" -- betting it all on one venture or client.
That's the important difference between the game of poker and the game of work, he concludes.
In poker tournaments, you must take ultimate risks to win, but if you lose it all one day, there is always another game the next.
In your career, though, it's a lot harder to get back in the game if you bet it all and fail, Mr. Goetsch says. "But if you do the appropriate planning, you should never have to."
read more
Read your competition Whenever Mr. Goetsch sits down to a poker table or to make a deal, he takes time to assess the competitive styles of his fellow players.
"I plan to fold for the first few hands, unless I get dealt aces and kings, and just observe how the rest of them react," he says. This gives him insights into how they'll behave when the chips are down.
He's found that people tend to fall into one of four categories that he relates to animal behaviours:
Alligators: These are very aggressive, ego-driven opponents who won't back off, often try to press their luck with marginal hands or ideas and tend to become flamboyant deal-makers.
"They can be effective and get to lofty places quickly. However, alligators tend to risk it all at certain key points without a backup plan," which can wipe them out, Mr. Goetsch says.
You can beat them if you play offensively with a strong hand and don't get into an ego contest.
Elephants: This type of player or manager tends to be passive and tight, and is all too common among managers of mature companies.
"They simply do their jobs but are not emboldened with the burning flame to strive to succeed above and beyond through creative means," he says. "Because poker and life are not dealt with a consistently favourable deck, the elephant is destined to mediocrity."
Even when they do have a powerful hand, elephants tend to doubt themselves and not to raise the stakes high enough. The way to win against them is to stay confident.
Chameleons: They readily adapt their approach to changing situations. But that's quite difficult because being able to shift strategies rapidly on the fly is not instinctive behaviour and needs to be learned and consciously worked on, Mr. Goetsch says.
Adept chameleons are formidable opponents because you can't predict their next move or plan a long-term defence against them.
Jackals: These are wild cards who will play almost anything and use bluster and uncertainty to scare off the competition. Their strategy depends on aggressiveness, intimidation and luck, and jackals tend to burn out quickly.
Jackals can get lucky several times, but in the long run, if they keep betting, no matter what their cards, they will go broke, Mr. Goetsch says. The best defence is not to follow their example.
Use your position to advantage
In poker, your betting position is important. Being the "button," or dealer, means you are the last person to have to respond as the bets go around the table. That's powerful, because you don't have to commit yourself until you've seen how everyone else has played.
At work, too, it's good strategy to not to reveal yourself straight off. Positioning to be the last one to react gives you power "because those who come before you don't know what you are capable of," Mr. Goetsch says.
Don't play by the book
"I read the popular books on poker and business strategy not because I'm going to play that way but because I know the people I am playing against are reading them and are likely to play that way," Mr. Goetsch says.
Read up on what people are saying about how to get ahead in your career, then gain an advantage by coming in with a twist the competition won't expect, he advises.
Don't be predictable
Mr. Goetsch says he works hard at being a chameleon because being unpredictable keeps competitors off balance. If you become known for using the same approach throughout your career, people will learn to work around you.
But there are times when he becomes "positively alligator-like." That's when he realizes he has "the nuts -- a hand so strong it is virtually assured of winning, or a deal that will guarantee him a promotion. Then he becomes unwavering in pursuit of his goal.
Know when to fold 'em
Most of the time, in poker or at work, outcomes aren't that clear, and Mr. Goetsch says it's important to not waste time and effort on marginal efforts.
When he looks at tournaments in which he has come out ahead over the years, "I find often I have only played between 13 and 15 per cent of the hands before the flop. That means I fold at 85 to 87 per cent of the opportunities I am given."
In his career as well, he has chosen to sit it out about the same percentage of opportunities. He finds he is better off devoting full attention to a few big opportunities than over-extending himself on too many smaller ones.
And in all of his jobs, he's always avoided going "all in" -- betting it all on one venture or client.
That's the important difference between the game of poker and the game of work, he concludes.
In poker tournaments, you must take ultimate risks to win, but if you lose it all one day, there is always another game the next.
In your career, though, it's a lot harder to get back in the game if you bet it all and fail, Mr. Goetsch says. "But if you do the appropriate planning, you should never have to."
read more
Canadian Club -R- Deals a Smooth National Poker Program. Chance to Win $2.5 Million
Appropriately coined, "Dealing up a Smoother Night," the program features thousands of on-and off-premise promotions developed to help Canadian Club's consumers stay smooth as they aim to duplicate Moneymaker's feat - as an amateur back in 2003, he parlayed a $40 bet into a $2.5 million cash prize.
From May through August, 2005, five regional poker tournaments featuring more than 350 on-premise poker-themed events will take place at sports bars in five key Canadian Club markets. The five winners will qualify to go to Las Vegas to compete in the final tournament hosted by Moneymaker. An additional four players will be chosen from regional sweepstakes, and a tenth player will be selected based on a national website contest (via www.CCSmooth.com) that will be heavily promoted through off-premise merchandising and in 10 additional markets where CC will conduct more than 400 on-premise poker nights.
The game isn't over after the tourney and sweepstakes end, as CC stays at the table and deals up more than 2,500 events in 17 markets throughout the summer. Canadian Club is also raising the ante with a special edition poker bottle, available in the retail trade between May and July, 2005.
CC's association with poker - which began at the grassroots level in 2001 - "capitalizes on the tremendous phenomenon that poker has now become, from the cities to suburbia," said Susan Kilgore, Canadian Club Marketing Director at Allied Domecq Spirits, North America. Kilgore added that the timing of Allied Domecq's major investment in the national program coincides with Canadian Club's return to sales growth. After years of flat or declining sales, the Canadian category is now increasing its share of the U.S. spirits industry, with Canadian Club leading the way, thanks to consumers' increasing interest in premium spirits. According to AC Nielsen, CC consumption increased by roughly 9 percent for the 4-week period ending April 30, 2005.
Canadian Club is widely regarded as the benchmark for premium Canadian whiskies, and is known for its light, smooth and mellow taste. "CC is the perfect ingredient for a winning poker match, and we are thrilled to offer our 'band of brothers' a smooth taste and attitude when they're throwing down their chips," said Dan Tullio, the brand's Master Distiller.
Canadian Club signature "Smooth" cocktails will be featured throughout all on-premise poker events, and Canadian Club-branded poker tables, chips, cards and consumer giveaways will be part of the CC tournaments. Canadian Club "Smooth" ambassadors, direct mail, email newsletters and off-premise point-of-sale materials also will promote the Canadian Club poker program. Participation in tournament events will be limited to adults of legal drinking age.
In addition to hosting the final weekend of the Canadian Club poker tournament, Chris Moneymaker will make several guest appearances at on- and off-premise events, and will attend promotions with distributors in leading Canadian Club markets. Moneymaker was an amateur player who came out of nowhere to win the 2003 World Series of Poker, proving to newcomers and poker pros alike that anything is possible with a chip and a chair.
"Chris Moneymaker is the ideal spokesperson for our poker program - he is a proven, smooth winner, just like Canadian Club," Tullio said.
Images and drink recipes available upon request.
About Canadian Club(R)
The only Canadian whisky blended before aging in used white oak barrels for a full six years, CC is widely regarded as the benchmark for premium whiskies, and is known for its light, smooth and mellow taste. The flagship brand is complemented by other high-end products within the CC line, including Classic 12 by Canadian Club (which features carefully selected, barrel-blended whiskies that are matured for twelve years to create a blend rich in mellow and natural smoothness), and CC Reserve (which is blended and then aged slowly for a full decade in small oak barrels, resulting in superior quality and exceptional character). For more information, visit http://www.canadianclubwhisky.com
Canadian Club(R) Whisky, 40% alc./vol., Allied Domecq Spirits, USA, Westport, CT. Canadian Club is imported and marketed by Allied Domecq Spirits, North America, based in Westport, CT. Allied Domecq reminds consumers: "There's Strength in Moderation. Drink Responsibly."
About Allied Domecq PLC - Brands People Want
Allied Domecq PLC is one of the world's largest premium spirits, wines and food service operations. A global company with annual sales of more than GBP3,229 million/$5,844 million*, Allied Domecq serves consumers through its operations in more than 50 countries, supported by 12,000 highly skilled employees. Core spirits brands include Ballantine's, Beefeater, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, Kahlua, Malibu, Maker's Mark, Sauza, Stolichnaya and Tia Maria. Allied Domecq's wine portfolio features Campo Viejo, Champagne Mumm, Champagne Perrier Jouet, Clos du Bois and Montana. Allied Domecq owns or distributes 14 of the top 100 international premium spirit brands and its brand portfolio commands world No. 1 or No. 2 positions in six leading categories. Dunkin' Brands, Inc., the company's international quick service restaurants business, includes Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's which operate in more than 50 countries, with over 12,000 franchised outlets worldwide. Allied Domecq's performance is driven by its globally recognised portfolio, its geographically diverse market and customer presence, and the talents of its people.
Allied Domecq is traded on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ALLD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:AED). Further information on the company can be found at www.allieddomecq.com.
* FY 2004
read more
From May through August, 2005, five regional poker tournaments featuring more than 350 on-premise poker-themed events will take place at sports bars in five key Canadian Club markets. The five winners will qualify to go to Las Vegas to compete in the final tournament hosted by Moneymaker. An additional four players will be chosen from regional sweepstakes, and a tenth player will be selected based on a national website contest (via www.CCSmooth.com) that will be heavily promoted through off-premise merchandising and in 10 additional markets where CC will conduct more than 400 on-premise poker nights.
The game isn't over after the tourney and sweepstakes end, as CC stays at the table and deals up more than 2,500 events in 17 markets throughout the summer. Canadian Club is also raising the ante with a special edition poker bottle, available in the retail trade between May and July, 2005.
CC's association with poker - which began at the grassroots level in 2001 - "capitalizes on the tremendous phenomenon that poker has now become, from the cities to suburbia," said Susan Kilgore, Canadian Club Marketing Director at Allied Domecq Spirits, North America. Kilgore added that the timing of Allied Domecq's major investment in the national program coincides with Canadian Club's return to sales growth. After years of flat or declining sales, the Canadian category is now increasing its share of the U.S. spirits industry, with Canadian Club leading the way, thanks to consumers' increasing interest in premium spirits. According to AC Nielsen, CC consumption increased by roughly 9 percent for the 4-week period ending April 30, 2005.
Canadian Club is widely regarded as the benchmark for premium Canadian whiskies, and is known for its light, smooth and mellow taste. "CC is the perfect ingredient for a winning poker match, and we are thrilled to offer our 'band of brothers' a smooth taste and attitude when they're throwing down their chips," said Dan Tullio, the brand's Master Distiller.
Canadian Club signature "Smooth" cocktails will be featured throughout all on-premise poker events, and Canadian Club-branded poker tables, chips, cards and consumer giveaways will be part of the CC tournaments. Canadian Club "Smooth" ambassadors, direct mail, email newsletters and off-premise point-of-sale materials also will promote the Canadian Club poker program. Participation in tournament events will be limited to adults of legal drinking age.
In addition to hosting the final weekend of the Canadian Club poker tournament, Chris Moneymaker will make several guest appearances at on- and off-premise events, and will attend promotions with distributors in leading Canadian Club markets. Moneymaker was an amateur player who came out of nowhere to win the 2003 World Series of Poker, proving to newcomers and poker pros alike that anything is possible with a chip and a chair.
"Chris Moneymaker is the ideal spokesperson for our poker program - he is a proven, smooth winner, just like Canadian Club," Tullio said.
Images and drink recipes available upon request.
About Canadian Club(R)
The only Canadian whisky blended before aging in used white oak barrels for a full six years, CC is widely regarded as the benchmark for premium whiskies, and is known for its light, smooth and mellow taste. The flagship brand is complemented by other high-end products within the CC line, including Classic 12 by Canadian Club (which features carefully selected, barrel-blended whiskies that are matured for twelve years to create a blend rich in mellow and natural smoothness), and CC Reserve (which is blended and then aged slowly for a full decade in small oak barrels, resulting in superior quality and exceptional character). For more information, visit http://www.canadianclubwhisky.com
Canadian Club(R) Whisky, 40% alc./vol., Allied Domecq Spirits, USA, Westport, CT. Canadian Club is imported and marketed by Allied Domecq Spirits, North America, based in Westport, CT. Allied Domecq reminds consumers: "There's Strength in Moderation. Drink Responsibly."
About Allied Domecq PLC - Brands People Want
Allied Domecq PLC is one of the world's largest premium spirits, wines and food service operations. A global company with annual sales of more than GBP3,229 million/$5,844 million*, Allied Domecq serves consumers through its operations in more than 50 countries, supported by 12,000 highly skilled employees. Core spirits brands include Ballantine's, Beefeater, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, Kahlua, Malibu, Maker's Mark, Sauza, Stolichnaya and Tia Maria. Allied Domecq's wine portfolio features Campo Viejo, Champagne Mumm, Champagne Perrier Jouet, Clos du Bois and Montana. Allied Domecq owns or distributes 14 of the top 100 international premium spirit brands and its brand portfolio commands world No. 1 or No. 2 positions in six leading categories. Dunkin' Brands, Inc., the company's international quick service restaurants business, includes Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's which operate in more than 50 countries, with over 12,000 franchised outlets worldwide. Allied Domecq's performance is driven by its globally recognised portfolio, its geographically diverse market and customer presence, and the talents of its people.
Allied Domecq is traded on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ALLD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:AED). Further information on the company can be found at www.allieddomecq.com.
* FY 2004
read more
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Bill clarifies state poker law
"What this does is clarify that a Texas Hold'em tournament, or any other kind of poker tournament, is not legal," said David Werning, spokesman for the Department of Inspections and Appeals. "It removes all doubt."
The current legislation deals with "bona fide contests," which are legal in the state of Iowa. The laws legitimize games like cribbage, dominos, pinochle and "similar contests." Poker tournaments are not mentioned.
The amended subsection specifically states that poker, blackjack, craps, keno and roulette cannot be considered "bona fide" contests.
Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson said that, while it was difficult to say what action the bill will inspire on the state's behalf, the main point of the new subsection was clear.
"At this point in time, it appears, at least on the face of the statute, that you're not going to be able to participate in these games," he said.
The new legislation will not affect establishments that hold a social-gaming license, which permits games between friends and acquaintances in public places. But regulations in the Iowa Code demand that such games conform to stated rules. Players must have a pre-existing social relationship, no entry fee can be required, and only $50 may be won or lost within a 24-hour period.
So while it's still legal to play small-stakes, penny-ante poker among friends at places holding these licenses, officials said, open tournaments with winnings over $50 are illegal. The amended subsection will also not affect games between friends and acquaintances, but only leagues, contests and tournaments.
There are 49 social-gambling licenses issued in Black Hawk County, mostly to bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Elks Lodge.
The law could hurt business at bars that hold poker tournaments, said Mike Gruetzmacher, owner of the Sports Page on Kimball Avenue. Tournaments like the one held at the Page for the past five weeks may not be legal after July 1.
"I think it's just kind of a sad thing, because it's a nice evening of entertainment for people to come in for," he said. "This could hurt our business. I don't think they realize the effect it'll have. For Mom-and-Pop places like us, those things really help us out on slow nights. It helps pay the bills."
The tournaments have become popular --- and profitable --- for those who host them, said Daniel Wells, general manager of the Sports Page. For the past five weeks, the bar and restaurant has hosted a weekly Monday Texas Hold'em tournament with a $20 buy-in. While the bar makes no money from the game itself, the action attracts a thirsty clientele.
Already the number of players at the Sports Page's game has begun to swell. The first night, Wells said, 18 people showed up to play. Last week, there were 32.
Wells said the idea to host the tournament was taken from another establishment. The idea, he said, was to increase the draw of the 3-month-old Sports Page to customers and to find something else to bring them in. The game, he said, has been a huge success.
Ed Brown, 29, a poker enthusiast and college student in Waterloo, said the city was a friendly one for the card-savvy.
"Seven nights a week, there's a game in this town," he said.
There's a certain draw, Brown said, to playing cards in the bars and clubs around the Cedar Valley.
"I just do it for fun," he said. "For $20, you get four or five hours of entertainment. And you get to meet new people that you wouldn't have met otherwise."
Werning said that the Department of Inspections and Appeals, which investigates complaints of illegal gambling, had always held the view that such tournaments were illegal. But interpretations among county attorneys, who have the official say as to whether such laws are being violated, have differed from county to county.
In January, a dispute arose between county and state officials over a 10-week Texas Hold'em tournament held in Carter Lake. State officials asked that the game, hosted by the Chez Paree, be stopped, but Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber disagreed, saying the game was legal under Iowa law.
The new legislation was sponsored by the standing House committee on state government, which has no representatives from Black Hawk County.
Larry Mullen, special agent in the Iowa Department of Public Safety, didn't expect the new laws to result in any charges but rather an "educational period" as tournament organizers become aware of further restrictions against poker tournaments.
Contact Luke Jennett at ljennett@iastate.edu or at (319) 291-1473.
read full article
The current legislation deals with "bona fide contests," which are legal in the state of Iowa. The laws legitimize games like cribbage, dominos, pinochle and "similar contests." Poker tournaments are not mentioned.
The amended subsection specifically states that poker, blackjack, craps, keno and roulette cannot be considered "bona fide" contests.
Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson said that, while it was difficult to say what action the bill will inspire on the state's behalf, the main point of the new subsection was clear.
"At this point in time, it appears, at least on the face of the statute, that you're not going to be able to participate in these games," he said.
The new legislation will not affect establishments that hold a social-gaming license, which permits games between friends and acquaintances in public places. But regulations in the Iowa Code demand that such games conform to stated rules. Players must have a pre-existing social relationship, no entry fee can be required, and only $50 may be won or lost within a 24-hour period.
So while it's still legal to play small-stakes, penny-ante poker among friends at places holding these licenses, officials said, open tournaments with winnings over $50 are illegal. The amended subsection will also not affect games between friends and acquaintances, but only leagues, contests and tournaments.
There are 49 social-gambling licenses issued in Black Hawk County, mostly to bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Elks Lodge.
The law could hurt business at bars that hold poker tournaments, said Mike Gruetzmacher, owner of the Sports Page on Kimball Avenue. Tournaments like the one held at the Page for the past five weeks may not be legal after July 1.
"I think it's just kind of a sad thing, because it's a nice evening of entertainment for people to come in for," he said. "This could hurt our business. I don't think they realize the effect it'll have. For Mom-and-Pop places like us, those things really help us out on slow nights. It helps pay the bills."
The tournaments have become popular --- and profitable --- for those who host them, said Daniel Wells, general manager of the Sports Page. For the past five weeks, the bar and restaurant has hosted a weekly Monday Texas Hold'em tournament with a $20 buy-in. While the bar makes no money from the game itself, the action attracts a thirsty clientele.
Already the number of players at the Sports Page's game has begun to swell. The first night, Wells said, 18 people showed up to play. Last week, there were 32.
Wells said the idea to host the tournament was taken from another establishment. The idea, he said, was to increase the draw of the 3-month-old Sports Page to customers and to find something else to bring them in. The game, he said, has been a huge success.
Ed Brown, 29, a poker enthusiast and college student in Waterloo, said the city was a friendly one for the card-savvy.
"Seven nights a week, there's a game in this town," he said.
There's a certain draw, Brown said, to playing cards in the bars and clubs around the Cedar Valley.
"I just do it for fun," he said. "For $20, you get four or five hours of entertainment. And you get to meet new people that you wouldn't have met otherwise."
Werning said that the Department of Inspections and Appeals, which investigates complaints of illegal gambling, had always held the view that such tournaments were illegal. But interpretations among county attorneys, who have the official say as to whether such laws are being violated, have differed from county to county.
In January, a dispute arose between county and state officials over a 10-week Texas Hold'em tournament held in Carter Lake. State officials asked that the game, hosted by the Chez Paree, be stopped, but Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber disagreed, saying the game was legal under Iowa law.
The new legislation was sponsored by the standing House committee on state government, which has no representatives from Black Hawk County.
Larry Mullen, special agent in the Iowa Department of Public Safety, didn't expect the new laws to result in any charges but rather an "educational period" as tournament organizers become aware of further restrictions against poker tournaments.
Contact Luke Jennett at ljennett@iastate.edu or at (319) 291-1473.
read full article
Television's Home of Poker
Pokerzone features more than just pre-recorded poker tournaments. It is an action-packed, lifestyle channel including; poker-themed classic movies such as The Man with the Golden Arm and exclusive inside track documentaries exploring the history of poker and interactive gaming.
To kick off pokerzone's launch, they will be airing exclusive coverage of the world-famous 'Monte Carlo Millions' poker tournament, sponsored by The Prima Poker Network, at 7:00pm, followed by pokerzone's regular live participation format, 'Poker Night Live', at 9.30pm. 'Poker Night Live' is the world's only televised online poker tournament, directly fusing the internet and the television. The nature of the format allows players from across the world to compete on live TV at bespoke, online tables. Pro commentators, Greg 'The Axxeman' Winters and 'Dr.' Tom Sambrook take players late into the night with their analysis of live online tournament action.
"British poker is going crazy," says commentator Greg 'the Axxeman' Winters. "The poker boom is massive and television is the next step in this phenomenon. " Poker programming already attracts more than 1.3 million viewers a night - and pokerzone is set to be that audience's primary destination."
Jim Sibcy, Managing Director of pokerzone said, "Being a part of this launch is an exhilarating experience. The number of internationally renowned British poker players has rocketed over the last year and we are very lucky to be working with them all."
Tune in to Sky Channel 226 at 2pm on Wednesday, May 18th
About pokerzone (www.pokerzone.tv)
Pokerzone - SKY CHANNEL 226, is the brand new poker and casino lifestyle channel and offers a well-informed and highly charged alternative to all existing entertainment channels on the SKY platform.
pokerzone programming features include exclusive tournaments, movie nights, never-before seen documentaries, classic entertainment series and a selection of interactive gaming options.
read more
To kick off pokerzone's launch, they will be airing exclusive coverage of the world-famous 'Monte Carlo Millions' poker tournament, sponsored by The Prima Poker Network, at 7:00pm, followed by pokerzone's regular live participation format, 'Poker Night Live', at 9.30pm. 'Poker Night Live' is the world's only televised online poker tournament, directly fusing the internet and the television. The nature of the format allows players from across the world to compete on live TV at bespoke, online tables. Pro commentators, Greg 'The Axxeman' Winters and 'Dr.' Tom Sambrook take players late into the night with their analysis of live online tournament action.
"British poker is going crazy," says commentator Greg 'the Axxeman' Winters. "The poker boom is massive and television is the next step in this phenomenon. " Poker programming already attracts more than 1.3 million viewers a night - and pokerzone is set to be that audience's primary destination."
Jim Sibcy, Managing Director of pokerzone said, "Being a part of this launch is an exhilarating experience. The number of internationally renowned British poker players has rocketed over the last year and we are very lucky to be working with them all."
Tune in to Sky Channel 226 at 2pm on Wednesday, May 18th
About pokerzone (www.pokerzone.tv)
Pokerzone - SKY CHANNEL 226, is the brand new poker and casino lifestyle channel and offers a well-informed and highly charged alternative to all existing entertainment channels on the SKY platform.
pokerzone programming features include exclusive tournaments, movie nights, never-before seen documentaries, classic entertainment series and a selection of interactive gaming options.
read more
Monday, May 16, 2005
Johnny Grooms, 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament Director
He had played poker a few times at the Horseshoe in Tunica where his best friend's brother dealt poker and Johnny thought dealing would be a fun way to make money to pay his way through law school. He was hired on at Hollywood Casino in Tunica in 1999 as a poker dealer. Two months later a dealing position came up at the Horseshoe and having a reputation of being one of the best poker rooms in the country swayed Johnny to audition. His talent landed him the job.
2001 was the premier of the World Poker Open and Johnny signed on to deal. He thought it would be a fun experience with an added bonus of meeting all the well-known poker pros.His skillful performance landed him a position in the line up to deal the final table of the main event. The following year was a repeat and that was the beginning of a career in the world of tournament poker.
The Tournament Director of the Horseshoe at the time was Jimmy Sommerfeld but he was spending a lot of time traveling the tournament circuit for other events. Johnny asked Jimmy to teach him every thing he knew about tournaments so he could fill in when Jimmy was on the road. Johnny wanted to learn from the best in the business and he believed Jimmy's level of knowledge and professionalism was first-class. Jimmy agreed and taught Johnny every thing he knew about tournaments. What Johnny didn't learn from Jimmy he learned from Ken Lambert. Ken has a reputation of being one of the best in the business in customer service and at getting things done.In 2004 Johnny was Ken's assistant at the WPO and admitted it was not only enjoyable but an eye opening experience. It was also Johnny's first time on staff at a world class tournament. Johnny went on to assist Ken at the World Poker Challenge in Reno and the Mid-America Poker Classic in Tunica.
In December of 2004 Jimmy Sommerfeld left Tunica and the Horseshoe for a permanent position as Tournament Director for Bonnie Damiano on the Mardi Gras Queen in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This opened up the position of tournament director at the Horseshoe and Johnny received the appointment. Prior to Jimmy leaving, Ken and Jimmy had spent a lot of time on the details of the WSOP Circuit Tour and when Jimmy had to decline the offer of tournament director, Ken recommended Johnny. Johnny accepted the position and has completed the circuit event in Atlantic City, San Diego, the Rio in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe in late April and will finish up in New Orleans in May.
Johnny took a break between the Atlantic City circuit event and the San Diego event to wed his fiancee, Rebecca Swan, on February 4, 2004 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. At present they are proud parents of two Jack Russell's, named Sally and Charlie Brown. Johnny confessed that his wife is an avid Peanuts fan and that's how Charlie Brown got his name.
It's official, 31 year old Johnny Grooms was appointed Tournament Director of the 2005 World Series of Poker.
DB: You have been appointed tournament director of the most prestigious tournament in the world and you're only 31, do you believe you have what it takes to handle the job?
JG: Yes, tournament procedures can be learned but I believe the most important necessity of a good tournament director is the ability to make a logical decision that keeps with the spirit of the game. I want players to know when I'm directing a tournament that my interest doesn't matter. The interest of all the players in the field is the most important factor. If a player does something unethical I want to make a decision that doesn't allow him to manipulate the rules.
DB: How many entrants do you predict for the main event this year?JG: This may sound like a funny answer, but it could be as few as 4,500 or as many as 6,500.
DB: Why such a large gap in your prediction?JG: Predicting tournaments used to be almost a science but that has all changed last year. With the overwhelming population of poker we're seeing an enormous increase in the numbers of players. It's become such a wide spectrum event that virtually anyone can become a millionaire overnight.
DB: Do you believe we will ever see a well know pro win again?JG: Yes, we all know there is a luck factor in poker but we also know that over the course of nine days the pros are going to give themselves more chances to win then the amateurs.
DB: We'll we ever see a repeat winner?JG: That's very unlikely. The numbers alone indicate that even though the pros give themselves more chances to win, the amount of coin tosses you need to win and the bad beats you have to avoid become overwhelming over a nine day period. The number of times a pro gets his money all-in as a three- or four-to-one favorite is going to be on the high side and chances are he's going to lose eventually.
DB: Do you believe the change of venue will have any negative effects on the WSOP?JG: Poker has a lot of history and tradition and I respect that but over the last few years it's basically undergone a facelift in the eyes of the public from the old days of backroom gamblers, so in my opinion moving the WSOP is a good thing. The Rio is a beautiful property, we will have 200 tables in one room and with the proximity to the strip it all makes for a good location.
DB: Why was the Ladies event changed to a no-limit event this year?JG: No-limit used to be viewed as a man's game and very few women had any experience playing the game. Now look around, we've had a no-limit ladies event at every circuit stop with no less than 150 entrants. Annie Duke won the Tournament of Champions playing against eight of the best male poker players in the world, and the game was no-limit, that's a milestone for women in poker.
DB: How many women do you predict will enter the ladies event this year?JG: At least 300.
DB: How many women do you predict will enter the main event this year?JG: Between 10 and 20 percent of the overall field.
Poker: It's easy. It's quick. It's online
Fuhgedabout green felt tables and cheap drinks, chips you can roll between your fingers and the hard eyes of the liar who is sitting next to you, waiting for your decision.
No, poker now is sitting in the den at 2 a.m., wearing no sunglasses, perhaps not even pants, staring into the low glow of a computer screen and click-clicking to ante up.
And suddenly every other kind of gambling looks about the same. From blackjack to betting on sports, Americans are seizing the chance to gamble online from anywhere at any time.
Almost 20 million Americans visited a gambling Web site in February, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.
As a result, despite concerns about the legitimacy of Web sites based on small Caribbean islands and despite the fact that gambling is, well, against the law, Internet casinos are flourishing.
American gamblers lost an estimated $4.1 billion online last year, according to Christiansen Capital Advisers LLC. The New York-based firm estimates online losses this year could total $5.9 billion. By comparison, Americans lost $72.8 billion at legal gambling in 2003.
"It's quick and easy and it gives you the distinct advantage of not having your legs broken due to lack of payment," said Michael, 32, a Charlotte gambler who has switched from the olden ways to the Internet.
Michael, who asked that we not use his last name, used to call a bookie to place his bets each week during NFL season. Now he visits Sportsbook.com and pays with a Visa credit card.
The Web site, which is run by London-based Sportingbet Plc, collects a fee on each bet. All of this is legal in England, and the company's stock trades on the London Stock Exchange.
Michael's bets, however, violate the policies of his credit card company, which prohibits the use of the card for online gambling. Oh, and he is also violating U.S. and N.C. law.
But Michael has little reason to worry. The consensus in local law enforcement is that no one in North Carolina has been prosecuted for gambling on the Internet.
The state attorney general says it's a decision for district attorneys to make. The Mecklenburg DA's office has no formal opinion on when, if ever, some unlucky gambler might get collared.
`Leap of faith'
For most players, any hesitations about gambling online come instead from concern they could win and not get paid because the site cheats -- or they could lose because the site cheats."I certainly did take a leap of faith in the beginning," said Brian, 38, an Albemarle resident who has been playing poker and blackjack on the Internet for six years.
Davis found peace of mind in a pair of rapidly forming safety nets -- consumer Web sites that track the industry, and companies that guarantee the integrity of online casinos.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the global audit and consulting firm, charges online casinos to certify sites as safe for players. The site can then display the company's seal. Several dozen casinos have signed up.
There are also consumer sites, such as PokerPulse.com, where reports of bad experiences sit on message boards like scarlet letters on a gambling site's reputation.
"That kind of disciplining has a surprisingly strong effect," said Koleman Strumpf, an economics professor at the University of North Carolina who follows the industry.
Because casinos make money on each bet, the loss of business that comes with a bad reputation means many sites go out of their way to keep customers happy.
Even so, many players are more cautious online than at a casino with real neon lights.
"I don't wager more than $100 just in case I don't get paid out," said Pete, 31, a Charlotte resident who plays online poker two or three times a week.
Credit card runaround
Alongside trust, the other major challenge for players and Web sites is money flow.
Under government pressure, many banks that issue credit cards have banned the use of their cards for Internet gambling. Paypal, the most popular money transfer Web site, bans transfers to online casinos.
Strumpf said these policies caused a brief hiccup in the growth of online gaming. But into the gap have sprung a number of other payment services, such as Neteller.com.
"It's exactly the same thing as Paypal except it's located in Canada," Strumpf said. Users deposit money by credit card or other means, and the money can then be used without restrictions.
Online gambling is legal in Canada and in most other countries. That leaves the United States in the position of being by far the largest market for online gambling and also one of the few places where it is illegal.
Exactly how illegal is hard to tell. The Bush administration has opined that an old law against using the telephone to bet on sports applies to all Internet gambling. Many states, including the Carolinas, have laws that bar Internet gambling. But experts say only one gambler, a North Dakota resident, has been convicted for gambling online.
Mostly the administration has focused enforcement on U.S. companies that do business with the offshore casinos. The government has lately turned the screws on companies that accept advertising.
In April 2004, the federal government seized $3.25 million from Discovery Communications. The money had been paid to Discovery to run television advertisements on the Travel Channel for Tropical Paradise, a Costa Rica-based poker Web site.
Radio giants Infinity Broadcasting and Clear Channel Communications yanked advertising for online casinos after a government warning. So did Internet giants Google and Yahoo.
The absence of mainstream advertising has affected the online gambling industry in roughly the same way it has affected the online pornography industry. Both are booming.
"I like it because it's very private and no one bothers you," said Bill, 46, a Charlotte resident who plays online blackjack and bets on sports.
Ain't misbehavin'
Half the gamblers we spoke with believe the government should legalize online gambling. The other half believed gambling online already was legal."If it's OK to go to Vegas to do it, what's wrong with doing it online?" said Peter, a 20-something who live in the Charlotte area and plays poker online.
Indeed, online gambling has the potential to be safer than casino gambling, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, which counsels people with gambling problems.
"They have access to almost total information," Whyte said, "so theoretically they could come up with all sorts of creative limitations, public service announcements and responsible gaming practices."
For now, however, online gambling remains a largely freewheeling frontier.
Peter, who asked that we not use his last name, has won more than $4,000 online over the last two years. He knows he's doing something illegal, but he said he pays taxes on his winnings and views himself as a basically upstanding citizen.
It's just entertainment, he said, no different than going to dinner and a movie. Check that. One small difference.
"When you go to dinner," he said, "you're not getting any of that money back."
Feeling Lucky?
We would never encourage you to break the law. If you're feeling lucky, however, here are some Web sites that are willing to let you gamble.
www.sportsbook.com
One of the world's busiest online sports books. Based in London, it is operated by SportingBet PLC, which advertises itself as the world's largest online gaming operator. Like all English bookies, the site offers odds on much more than sports. Already available: The early line on the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
www.pokerstars.com
The site, based in Costa Rica, shot to fame in 2003 when it sent the winner of an online tournament to the World Series of Poker. The aptly named Chris Moneymaker emerged victorious over a roomful of seasoned pros, giving the site -- and online poker -- lots of free mentions in places like The Charlotte Observer.
www.intercasino.com
Voted the Internet's top casino by the readers of Gambling Online magazine (www.gamblingonlinemagazine.com), the site offers a version of nearly every game you can find on a casino floor, from slots and video poker to multiplayer games such as blackjack and baccarat.
There are also a number of sites attempting to serve as watchdogs, some operated by the industry and some privately operated. Some of the most established include www.casinomeister.com for casinos and www.sportsbookreview.com for online sports books.
read more
No, poker now is sitting in the den at 2 a.m., wearing no sunglasses, perhaps not even pants, staring into the low glow of a computer screen and click-clicking to ante up.
And suddenly every other kind of gambling looks about the same. From blackjack to betting on sports, Americans are seizing the chance to gamble online from anywhere at any time.
Almost 20 million Americans visited a gambling Web site in February, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.
As a result, despite concerns about the legitimacy of Web sites based on small Caribbean islands and despite the fact that gambling is, well, against the law, Internet casinos are flourishing.
American gamblers lost an estimated $4.1 billion online last year, according to Christiansen Capital Advisers LLC. The New York-based firm estimates online losses this year could total $5.9 billion. By comparison, Americans lost $72.8 billion at legal gambling in 2003.
"It's quick and easy and it gives you the distinct advantage of not having your legs broken due to lack of payment," said Michael, 32, a Charlotte gambler who has switched from the olden ways to the Internet.
Michael, who asked that we not use his last name, used to call a bookie to place his bets each week during NFL season. Now he visits Sportsbook.com and pays with a Visa credit card.
The Web site, which is run by London-based Sportingbet Plc, collects a fee on each bet. All of this is legal in England, and the company's stock trades on the London Stock Exchange.
Michael's bets, however, violate the policies of his credit card company, which prohibits the use of the card for online gambling. Oh, and he is also violating U.S. and N.C. law.
But Michael has little reason to worry. The consensus in local law enforcement is that no one in North Carolina has been prosecuted for gambling on the Internet.
The state attorney general says it's a decision for district attorneys to make. The Mecklenburg DA's office has no formal opinion on when, if ever, some unlucky gambler might get collared.
`Leap of faith'
For most players, any hesitations about gambling online come instead from concern they could win and not get paid because the site cheats -- or they could lose because the site cheats."I certainly did take a leap of faith in the beginning," said Brian, 38, an Albemarle resident who has been playing poker and blackjack on the Internet for six years.
Davis found peace of mind in a pair of rapidly forming safety nets -- consumer Web sites that track the industry, and companies that guarantee the integrity of online casinos.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the global audit and consulting firm, charges online casinos to certify sites as safe for players. The site can then display the company's seal. Several dozen casinos have signed up.
There are also consumer sites, such as PokerPulse.com, where reports of bad experiences sit on message boards like scarlet letters on a gambling site's reputation.
"That kind of disciplining has a surprisingly strong effect," said Koleman Strumpf, an economics professor at the University of North Carolina who follows the industry.
Because casinos make money on each bet, the loss of business that comes with a bad reputation means many sites go out of their way to keep customers happy.
Even so, many players are more cautious online than at a casino with real neon lights.
"I don't wager more than $100 just in case I don't get paid out," said Pete, 31, a Charlotte resident who plays online poker two or three times a week.
Credit card runaround
Alongside trust, the other major challenge for players and Web sites is money flow.
Under government pressure, many banks that issue credit cards have banned the use of their cards for Internet gambling. Paypal, the most popular money transfer Web site, bans transfers to online casinos.
Strumpf said these policies caused a brief hiccup in the growth of online gaming. But into the gap have sprung a number of other payment services, such as Neteller.com.
"It's exactly the same thing as Paypal except it's located in Canada," Strumpf said. Users deposit money by credit card or other means, and the money can then be used without restrictions.
Online gambling is legal in Canada and in most other countries. That leaves the United States in the position of being by far the largest market for online gambling and also one of the few places where it is illegal.
Exactly how illegal is hard to tell. The Bush administration has opined that an old law against using the telephone to bet on sports applies to all Internet gambling. Many states, including the Carolinas, have laws that bar Internet gambling. But experts say only one gambler, a North Dakota resident, has been convicted for gambling online.
Mostly the administration has focused enforcement on U.S. companies that do business with the offshore casinos. The government has lately turned the screws on companies that accept advertising.
In April 2004, the federal government seized $3.25 million from Discovery Communications. The money had been paid to Discovery to run television advertisements on the Travel Channel for Tropical Paradise, a Costa Rica-based poker Web site.
Radio giants Infinity Broadcasting and Clear Channel Communications yanked advertising for online casinos after a government warning. So did Internet giants Google and Yahoo.
The absence of mainstream advertising has affected the online gambling industry in roughly the same way it has affected the online pornography industry. Both are booming.
"I like it because it's very private and no one bothers you," said Bill, 46, a Charlotte resident who plays online blackjack and bets on sports.
Ain't misbehavin'
Half the gamblers we spoke with believe the government should legalize online gambling. The other half believed gambling online already was legal."If it's OK to go to Vegas to do it, what's wrong with doing it online?" said Peter, a 20-something who live in the Charlotte area and plays poker online.
Indeed, online gambling has the potential to be safer than casino gambling, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, which counsels people with gambling problems.
"They have access to almost total information," Whyte said, "so theoretically they could come up with all sorts of creative limitations, public service announcements and responsible gaming practices."
For now, however, online gambling remains a largely freewheeling frontier.
Peter, who asked that we not use his last name, has won more than $4,000 online over the last two years. He knows he's doing something illegal, but he said he pays taxes on his winnings and views himself as a basically upstanding citizen.
It's just entertainment, he said, no different than going to dinner and a movie. Check that. One small difference.
"When you go to dinner," he said, "you're not getting any of that money back."
Feeling Lucky?
We would never encourage you to break the law. If you're feeling lucky, however, here are some Web sites that are willing to let you gamble.
www.sportsbook.com
One of the world's busiest online sports books. Based in London, it is operated by SportingBet PLC, which advertises itself as the world's largest online gaming operator. Like all English bookies, the site offers odds on much more than sports. Already available: The early line on the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
www.pokerstars.com
The site, based in Costa Rica, shot to fame in 2003 when it sent the winner of an online tournament to the World Series of Poker. The aptly named Chris Moneymaker emerged victorious over a roomful of seasoned pros, giving the site -- and online poker -- lots of free mentions in places like The Charlotte Observer.
www.intercasino.com
Voted the Internet's top casino by the readers of Gambling Online magazine (www.gamblingonlinemagazine.com), the site offers a version of nearly every game you can find on a casino floor, from slots and video poker to multiplayer games such as blackjack and baccarat.
There are also a number of sites attempting to serve as watchdogs, some operated by the industry and some privately operated. Some of the most established include www.casinomeister.com for casinos and www.sportsbookreview.com for online sports books.
read more
7 Poker Pros for World Championship Poker 2
Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames, today announced that they have signed 7 top poker professionals to exclusive agreements so that their character likenesses, play styles and iconic signature personality traits can be incorporated into World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer. World Championship Poker 2, the follow up to one of the best selling titles for the first half of 2005, is slated to ship this Fall for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
WCP 2 exclusively will feature:
Howard Lederer - Known as the "Professor of Poker," Lederer has quickly become one of the most respected players around. Lederer holds 13 major poker titles including the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour championships.
Greg Raymer - Raymer, also known as "Fossilman", was the 2004 World Series of Poker champion. Raymer defeated a record field of 2576 players to win the $5 million dollar first prize - the single largest cash prize for a poker tournament.
Clonie Gowen - Gowen is one of the rising female players who placed 10th on the World Poker Tour tournament in Costa Rica and then ended up winning the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, besting more experienced players such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harmon.
Amir Vahidi - Vahidi was ranked 1st for 2003 "tournament player of the year," with nine no-limit final table appearances in 2003, including a sixth place finish at the World Series of Poker (where he has lifetime earnings of $300,000).
Paul Darden - Darden holds a World Poker Tour Title and a World Series of Poker Bracelet. He's an active participant in the tournament circuit and frequently places in the money. Darden was also featured as one of the World Poker Tour's "Bad Boys of Poker."
Robert Williamson III - A born poker player, Williamson waited on his father's game at the age of five and was playing by age 10. Known for his Pot Limit Omaha expertise, Williamson won a World Series of Poker bracelet in that event in 2002.
Matt Savage - Savage is the tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for the World Series of Poker. Savage continuously strives to maintain the high standards and integrity of the World Series of Poker.
Annie Duke (non-exclusive) - Howard Lederer's sister, considered by many to be the best female poker player in the world, and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
"The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave, said Rob Dyer, president and COO. " We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in WCP2"
Developed by Point of View, World Championship Poker 2 features a much more detailed one player game, where you now have to work your way up the ranks, starting in your mom's basement. Once you start winning and accumulating money, you can spend your winnings on increasingly better pads, and furnishings. Hit a losing streak, and you may have to hock your stuff to stay in the game. Other features of WCP2 include:
14 types of poker, including Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud and Pineapple
Different levels of simulation - "Real Deal" for the more experienced card shark and "Power Play" for the casual players
Active tell and bluff systems.
Third-person "TV" mode (including the popular in-bumper "card cam") or first-person mode to watch human and computer opponents more closely for signs of tells and bluffs
RPG-like upgradeable skill system
Play with the pros - in game character likenesses, as well as play styles and iconic signature personality traits of some of the world's top poker players including: Howard Ledrerer, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Robert Williamson, Matt Savage, Amir Vahedi, Clonie Gowen, and Paul Darden.
Detailed character customization feature - really put yourself in the game
More attitude - truly colorful color commentary including player controlled taunts, bluffs and tells
Poker tutorials, as well as hints and tips on strategy
Dynamic one player game - upgrade your pad and host online tournaments. Hock your stuff if you're desperate for funds for the next tournament
Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 is support for the EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2), which allows online opponents to see each other as they play, in addition to supporting text chat. The Xbox version of the game supports Xbox Live® online game service including Scoreboards, Voice/Chat and Live Aware.
Scheduled for release in Fall 2005, World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft with an MSRP of $19.99.
About Crave Entertainment
Based in Los Angeles, California, Crave Entertainment is a privately held publisher of videogame entertainment products. Crave produces games for the major console platforms including Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo GameCube™, the PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, and for the PC. For more information about Crave Entertainment, please visit http://www.cravegames.com.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
read more
WCP 2 exclusively will feature:
Howard Lederer - Known as the "Professor of Poker," Lederer has quickly become one of the most respected players around. Lederer holds 13 major poker titles including the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour championships.
Greg Raymer - Raymer, also known as "Fossilman", was the 2004 World Series of Poker champion. Raymer defeated a record field of 2576 players to win the $5 million dollar first prize - the single largest cash prize for a poker tournament.
Clonie Gowen - Gowen is one of the rising female players who placed 10th on the World Poker Tour tournament in Costa Rica and then ended up winning the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, besting more experienced players such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harmon.
Amir Vahidi - Vahidi was ranked 1st for 2003 "tournament player of the year," with nine no-limit final table appearances in 2003, including a sixth place finish at the World Series of Poker (where he has lifetime earnings of $300,000).
Paul Darden - Darden holds a World Poker Tour Title and a World Series of Poker Bracelet. He's an active participant in the tournament circuit and frequently places in the money. Darden was also featured as one of the World Poker Tour's "Bad Boys of Poker."
Robert Williamson III - A born poker player, Williamson waited on his father's game at the age of five and was playing by age 10. Known for his Pot Limit Omaha expertise, Williamson won a World Series of Poker bracelet in that event in 2002.
Matt Savage - Savage is the tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for the World Series of Poker. Savage continuously strives to maintain the high standards and integrity of the World Series of Poker.
Annie Duke (non-exclusive) - Howard Lederer's sister, considered by many to be the best female poker player in the world, and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
"The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave, said Rob Dyer, president and COO. " We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in WCP2"
Developed by Point of View, World Championship Poker 2 features a much more detailed one player game, where you now have to work your way up the ranks, starting in your mom's basement. Once you start winning and accumulating money, you can spend your winnings on increasingly better pads, and furnishings. Hit a losing streak, and you may have to hock your stuff to stay in the game. Other features of WCP2 include:
14 types of poker, including Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud and Pineapple
Different levels of simulation - "Real Deal" for the more experienced card shark and "Power Play" for the casual players
Active tell and bluff systems.
Third-person "TV" mode (including the popular in-bumper "card cam") or first-person mode to watch human and computer opponents more closely for signs of tells and bluffs
RPG-like upgradeable skill system
Play with the pros - in game character likenesses, as well as play styles and iconic signature personality traits of some of the world's top poker players including: Howard Ledrerer, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Robert Williamson, Matt Savage, Amir Vahedi, Clonie Gowen, and Paul Darden.
Detailed character customization feature - really put yourself in the game
More attitude - truly colorful color commentary including player controlled taunts, bluffs and tells
Poker tutorials, as well as hints and tips on strategy
Dynamic one player game - upgrade your pad and host online tournaments. Hock your stuff if you're desperate for funds for the next tournament
Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 is support for the EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2), which allows online opponents to see each other as they play, in addition to supporting text chat. The Xbox version of the game supports Xbox Live® online game service including Scoreboards, Voice/Chat and Live Aware.
Scheduled for release in Fall 2005, World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft with an MSRP of $19.99.
About Crave Entertainment
Based in Los Angeles, California, Crave Entertainment is a privately held publisher of videogame entertainment products. Crave produces games for the major console platforms including Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo GameCube™, the PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, and for the PC. For more information about Crave Entertainment, please visit http://www.cravegames.com.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
read more
Poker Forum to Host a Heads-Up Poker Challenge
With the National Heads-Up Poker Championships on NBC in full swing, millions of viewers are tuning in to watch some of the greatest poker players in the world test their skills in a different poker tournament format. Shows like this have spectators wondering what it would be like to play in a heads-up poker tournament.
Well, now poker fans have an opportunity to test their skills. An internet poker community, Case Ace Poker Forum (http://forums.caseacepoker.com/) has introduced a poker tournament in a new format to encourage continued growth at their online poker forum.
The Heads-Up Poker Challenge is a poker tournament designed to feature weekly head-to-head matches that will take place over a period of 6 weeks, starting Tuesday May 24th. Registration for the tournament costs only $10, which should make it accessible for players of all skill levels. Each player that registers will be put into one of four brackets (aptly named after professional poker players), and then head-to-head matches will be randomly assigned. The winner of each match will advance to another match the following week within their bracket.
Registration for the Heads-Up Poker Challenge began on May 11, and Case Ace Poker Forum is still accepting registrations for the poker tournament. In addition to the prize money generated by the $10 entry fees, Case Ace Poker Forum is giving a total of $200 to the top four finishers in the Heads-Up Poker Challenge.
The poker forum received a nice boost in its initial subscriber base when it hosted a kick-off poker tournament on May 1, and now the creators of the online poker forum are looking for continued growth. Case Ace Poker Forum has already given away over $1,500 worth of additional prizes in its first two tournaments, and, if the Heads-Up Poker Challenge is any example, it appears that the innovative management team at Case Ace Poker Forum will continue to offer new tournaments and additional prizes in the foreseeable future.
For additional information on the poker tournament, please visit:
http://forums.caseacepoker.com/viewtopic.php?t=310.
read more
Well, now poker fans have an opportunity to test their skills. An internet poker community, Case Ace Poker Forum (http://forums.caseacepoker.com/) has introduced a poker tournament in a new format to encourage continued growth at their online poker forum.
The Heads-Up Poker Challenge is a poker tournament designed to feature weekly head-to-head matches that will take place over a period of 6 weeks, starting Tuesday May 24th. Registration for the tournament costs only $10, which should make it accessible for players of all skill levels. Each player that registers will be put into one of four brackets (aptly named after professional poker players), and then head-to-head matches will be randomly assigned. The winner of each match will advance to another match the following week within their bracket.
Registration for the Heads-Up Poker Challenge began on May 11, and Case Ace Poker Forum is still accepting registrations for the poker tournament. In addition to the prize money generated by the $10 entry fees, Case Ace Poker Forum is giving a total of $200 to the top four finishers in the Heads-Up Poker Challenge.
The poker forum received a nice boost in its initial subscriber base when it hosted a kick-off poker tournament on May 1, and now the creators of the online poker forum are looking for continued growth. Case Ace Poker Forum has already given away over $1,500 worth of additional prizes in its first two tournaments, and, if the Heads-Up Poker Challenge is any example, it appears that the innovative management team at Case Ace Poker Forum will continue to offer new tournaments and additional prizes in the foreseeable future.
For additional information on the poker tournament, please visit:
http://forums.caseacepoker.com/viewtopic.php?t=310.
read more
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Poker vs. Purpose
Earlier this spring, U.S. News & World Report had a front cover headline: "Great Jobs Ahead!" Its subheads were equally exclamatory: "Cool options for college grads," "How to land that great spot now."
Talk about good news, maybe worth two exclamation points!! USN&WR tells us "workers are suddenly realizing they can demand a little bit more" in salary and amenities: Workers can get jobs in places where "the quality of life" is high, with one indication of that being an "abundance of ski slopes."
USN&WR performs an additional service by noting occupations "where the hiring is the hottest" -- such as education paraprofessional, forensic scientist, dental hygienist, and biomedical engineer -- and reporting three pieces of information about each: "How hot," "How to land the job" and "How much."
What's missing from this picture? Before answering that question, consider a second article, a recent New York Times piece about college students who are majoring in poker. The NYT poster boy was Michael Sandberg, 22, a Princeton senior who won $10,000 last summer: "My parents thought I should do something useful. ... I thought that was pretty useful." He has won $120,000 since September in Atlantic City and, according to the NYT, plans to make poker his postgraduate occupation: "I don't think I can make $120,000 doing anything but poker."
What's missing from both articles is one word, "calling," a word suggesting that God calls people -- sometimes dramatically, often subtly -- into various occupations that productively use their God-given talents. We need money, but money's not the prime reason for working, and by itself does not make a job "useful."
So don't lower the boom on Sandberg: He's following USW&NR's materialistic way of thinking. Nowhere in its long cover story does the magazine emphasize what people actually do all day on their jobs. Its emphasis is on material rewards and on what a job enables people to do off-the-job.
Poker is thus one "useful" occupation among others -- and USN&WR list of hot occupations includes "casino cage worker." That's because "there are plenty of applicants for glamorous jobs like poker dealer and big-tip jobs like waitress. Better odds can be had in the 'cage,' where cashiers turn gamblers' bills into chips and supervisors keep watch on the cash."
The NYT tut-tuts, because of the odds, the choice of poker over study: "While Mr. Sandberg insists that he is not a compulsive gambler, and he seems to bet large amounts only when the odds are heavily in his favor, some experts fear that college-age gamblers are swallowing the hype of big-stakes poker without coming to grips with the dangers of addiction."
The expert relied on here is Keith S. Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. He complains that college officials "don't do a good job of telling student (gamblers) how to get help, the same way they're sending the 'prevention and responsibility' messages for alcohol, substance abuse and date rape."
Students, though, don't make money by using alcohol and drugs or engaging in date rape -- but what if a smart poker player can beat the odds, maintain self-control and make money at gambling? Sure, as Whyte says, that rarely happens: "Most people regress to the mean and wind up with zero or close to it." But what if Sandberg is one of the few, the proud, the poker Marines?
Only one counter-argument really works, and I hope someone takes it up in a commencement address. It starts this way: The worth of a job is not defined by what it allows you to do when you're not working. A job should employ God-given talents in a way that glorifies Him. Individuals may have to study hard, prepare hard and work hard to get a job like that. But a job like that is worth striving for. Settling for something that just presents material rewards and off-the-job pleasure is trading away our birthright.
read moreWednesday, May 11, 2005
WC Poker 2 for Fall
The sequel to World Championship Poker will feature the likenesses of eight professional poker players and it'll even release this fall on PlayStation 2 and Xbox for just $20. More surprising is the amount of advancements Crave Entertainment and the developers at Point of View plan on implementing into their product.
WCP 2 Game Features:
Pros Include:
If you're interested in this game, be sure to add it to your wishlist. You can keep notes, rank games, get updates by email, and more.
read more
WCP 2 Game Features:
- 14 types of poker.
- Different levels of play. "Real Deal" for experienced players and "Power Play" for the casuals.
- Active tell and bluff systems.
- Third-person "TV" mode (including the popular in-bumper "card cam") or first-person mode to watch human and computer opponents more closely for signs of tells and bluffs.
- RPG-like upgradeable skill system.
- Likenesses and signature personality traits of eight pro players.
- Detailed character customization feature.
- Color commentary including player controlled taunts, bluffs and tells.
- Poker tutorials, as well as hints and tips on strategy.
- Dynamic one player game -- upgrade your pad and host online tournaments. Hock your stuff if you're desperate for funds for the next tournament.
- Exclusive PS2 EyeToy support.
- Xbox Live and PS2 Online support.
Pros Include:
- Howard Lederer -- Known as the "Professor of Poker," Lederer has quickly become one of the most respected players around. Lederer holds 13 major poker titles including the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour championships.
- Greg Raymer -- Raymer, also known as "Fossilman", was the 2004 World Series of Poker champion. Raymer defeated a record field of 2576 players to win the $5 million dollar first prize - the single largest cash prize for a poker tournament.
- Clonie Gowen -- Gowen is one of the rising female players who placed 10th on the World Poker Tour tournament in Costa Rica and then ended up winning the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, besting more experienced players such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harmon.
- Amir Vahidi -- Vahidi was ranked 1st for 2003 "tournament player of the year," with nine no-limit final table appearances in 2003, including a sixth place finish at the World Series of Poker (where he has lifetime earnings of $300,000).
- Paul Darden -- Darden holds a World Poker Tour Title and a World Series of Poker Bracelet. He's an active participant in the tournament circuit and frequently places in the money. Darden was also featured as one of the World Poker Tour's "Bad Boys of Poker."
- Robert Williamson III -- A born poker player, Williamson waited on his father's game at the age of five and was playing by age 10. Known for his Pot Limit Omaha expertise, Williamson won a World Series of Poker bracelet in that event in 2002.
- Matt Savage -- Savage is the tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for the World Series of Poker. Savage continuously strives to maintain the high standards and integrity of the World Series of Poker.
- Annie Duke (non-exclusive) -- Howard Lederer's sister, considered by many to be the best female poker player in the world [Ed's note: Jennifer Harman might have something to say about that], and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
If you're interested in this game, be sure to add it to your wishlist. You can keep notes, rank games, get updates by email, and more.
read more
7 Top Poker Pros
Howard Lederer - Known as the "Professor of Poker," Lederer has quickly become one of the most respected players around. Lederer holds 13 major poker titles including the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour championships.
Greg Raymer - Raymer, also known as "Fossilman", was the 2004 World Series of Poker champion. Raymer defeated a record field of 2576 players to win the $5 million dollar first prize - the single largest cash prize for a poker tournament.
Clonie Gowen - Gowen is one of the rising female players who placed 10th on the World Poker Tour tournament in Costa Rica and then ended up winning the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, besting more experienced players such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harmon.
Amir Vahidi - Vahidi was ranked 1st for 2003 "tournament player of the year," with nine no-limit final table appearances in 2003, including a sixth place finish at the World Series of Poker ( where he has lifetime earnings of $300,000 ).
Paul Darden - Darden holds a World Poker Tour Title and a World Series of Poker Bracelet. He's an active participant in the tournament circuit and frequently places in the money. Darden was also featured as one of the World Poker Tour's "Bad Boys of Poker."
Robert Williamson III - A born poker player, Williamson waited on his father's game at the age of five and was playing by age 10. Known for his Pot Limit Omaha expertise, Williamson won a World Series of Poker bracelet in that event in 2002.
Matt Savage - Savage is the tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for the World Series of Poker. Savage continuously strives to maintain the high standards and integrity of the World Series of Poker.
Annie Duke ( non-exclusive ) - Howard Lederer's sister, considered by many to be the best female poker player in the world, and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
"The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave, said Rob Dyer, president and COO. " We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in WCP2"
Developed by Point of View, World Championship Poker 2 features a much more detailed one player game, where you now have to work your way up the ranks, starting in your mom's basement. Once you start winning and accumulating money, you can spend your winnings on increasingly better pads, and furnishings. Hit a losing streak, and you may have to hock your stuff to stay in the game. Other features of WCP2 include:
14 types of poker, including Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud and Pineapple
Different levels of simulation - "Real Deal" for the more experienced card shark and "Power Play" for the casual players
Active tell and bluff systems.
Third-person "TV" mode ( including the popular in-bumper "card cam" ) or first-person mode to watch human and computer opponents more closely for signs of tells and bluffs
RPG-like upgradeable skill system
Play with the pros - in game character likenesses, as well as play styles and iconic signature personality traits of some of the world's top poker players including: Howard Ledrerer, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Robert Williamson, Matt Savage, Amir Vahedi, Clonie Gowen, and Paul Darden.
Detailed character customization feature - really put yourself in the game
More attitude - truly colorful color commentary including player controlled taunts, bluffs and tells
Poker tutorials, as well as hints and tips on strategy
Dynamic one player game - upgrade your pad and host online tournaments. Hock your stuff if you're desperate for funds for the next tournament
Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 is support for the EyeToyTM USB Camera ( for PlayStation®2 ), which allows online opponents to see each other as they play, in addition to supporting text chat. The Xbox version of the game supports Xbox Live® online game service including Scoreboards, Voice/Chat and Live Aware.
Scheduled for release in Fall 2005, World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft with an MSRP of $19.99.
read more
Greg Raymer - Raymer, also known as "Fossilman", was the 2004 World Series of Poker champion. Raymer defeated a record field of 2576 players to win the $5 million dollar first prize - the single largest cash prize for a poker tournament.
Clonie Gowen - Gowen is one of the rising female players who placed 10th on the World Poker Tour tournament in Costa Rica and then ended up winning the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, besting more experienced players such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harmon.
Amir Vahidi - Vahidi was ranked 1st for 2003 "tournament player of the year," with nine no-limit final table appearances in 2003, including a sixth place finish at the World Series of Poker ( where he has lifetime earnings of $300,000 ).
Paul Darden - Darden holds a World Poker Tour Title and a World Series of Poker Bracelet. He's an active participant in the tournament circuit and frequently places in the money. Darden was also featured as one of the World Poker Tour's "Bad Boys of Poker."
Robert Williamson III - A born poker player, Williamson waited on his father's game at the age of five and was playing by age 10. Known for his Pot Limit Omaha expertise, Williamson won a World Series of Poker bracelet in that event in 2002.
Matt Savage - Savage is the tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for the World Series of Poker. Savage continuously strives to maintain the high standards and integrity of the World Series of Poker.
Annie Duke ( non-exclusive ) - Howard Lederer's sister, considered by many to be the best female poker player in the world, and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
"The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave, said Rob Dyer, president and COO. " We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in WCP2"
Developed by Point of View, World Championship Poker 2 features a much more detailed one player game, where you now have to work your way up the ranks, starting in your mom's basement. Once you start winning and accumulating money, you can spend your winnings on increasingly better pads, and furnishings. Hit a losing streak, and you may have to hock your stuff to stay in the game. Other features of WCP2 include:
14 types of poker, including Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud and Pineapple
Different levels of simulation - "Real Deal" for the more experienced card shark and "Power Play" for the casual players
Active tell and bluff systems.
Third-person "TV" mode ( including the popular in-bumper "card cam" ) or first-person mode to watch human and computer opponents more closely for signs of tells and bluffs
RPG-like upgradeable skill system
Play with the pros - in game character likenesses, as well as play styles and iconic signature personality traits of some of the world's top poker players including: Howard Ledrerer, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Robert Williamson, Matt Savage, Amir Vahedi, Clonie Gowen, and Paul Darden.
Detailed character customization feature - really put yourself in the game
More attitude - truly colorful color commentary including player controlled taunts, bluffs and tells
Poker tutorials, as well as hints and tips on strategy
Dynamic one player game - upgrade your pad and host online tournaments. Hock your stuff if you're desperate for funds for the next tournament
Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 is support for the EyeToyTM USB Camera ( for PlayStation®2 ), which allows online opponents to see each other as they play, in addition to supporting text chat. The Xbox version of the game supports Xbox Live® online game service including Scoreboards, Voice/Chat and Live Aware.
Scheduled for release in Fall 2005, World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft with an MSRP of $19.99.
read more
2nd Annual College Poker Championship
WHAT: After eight months of anticipation and 37 preliminary
tournaments in the 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm)
(www.collegepokerchampionship.com), qualified students will have
the opportunity to go head-to-head in this Sunday's Semifinal
Tournament (4pm EST) and earn a highly-coveted seat at the final
table. Only the top 20 percent will advance to the final game on
the 22nd and the chance to take home a significant portion of
the $135,000 prize pool.
To date, more than 25,000 registered participants from 2,400
schools in 55 countries have competed. In addition to vying
for a chance at the title of the official 2005 College Poker
Championship winner, students also accrue points for their
school in the rivalry competition. At the conclusion of the
tournament, the college or university with the highest point
total will be named the official 2005 College Poker Champion.
The Top Ten schools to date will be represented by the
following number of participants in Sunday's Semifinal:
1. Pennsylvania State University, 157
2. University of Florida, 96
3. University of Wisconsin - Madison, 64
4. Purdue University, 63
5. Florida State University, 62
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, 60
7. University of Illinois - Urbana-Campaign, 55
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 53
9. University of Texas - Austin, 49
10. University of Central Florida, 47
WHEN: May 15, 2005 4pm EST -- The Semifinal Tournament: Only
students who have advanced in the qualifying tournaments can
participate, the top 20 percent move on to the Final Table.
May 22, 2005 4pm EST -- The Final Table:
-- The Champion will be awarded a $41,000 academic
scholarship.
-- Each contestant placing 1st-10th will earn a $1,000
donation to be awarded to the charity or organization of
their choice.
-- Players placing 2-10 will share a $53,300 scholarship
prize pool.
-- Players placing 11-80 will share a prize pool of $15,500
of scholarship awards.
CONTACT
Interested in speaking to some hip and happenin' young poker players in your area? Lou Krieger, author of Poker for Dummies and the Poker Player's Bible, and the volunteer host of the CPC, is also available. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Kerry Johnson / Ann Manby, Lotus Public Relations
Kerry.Johnson@lotus-pr.com / Ann.Manby@lotus-pr.com
212-922-5885
ABOUT COLLEGE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm) www.collegepokerchampionship.com is open to registered college and university students worldwide to determine the official 2005 College Poker Championship winner. Entry into the tournament is free of charge, with all events being played with tournament chips. No purchase is required. College Poker Championship supports students' educational endeavors with scholarships worth $135,000, donations to charities, and champions the use of poker as a strategic learning tool.
read more
tournaments in the 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm)
(www.collegepokerchampionship.com), qualified students will have
the opportunity to go head-to-head in this Sunday's Semifinal
Tournament (4pm EST) and earn a highly-coveted seat at the final
table. Only the top 20 percent will advance to the final game on
the 22nd and the chance to take home a significant portion of
the $135,000 prize pool.
To date, more than 25,000 registered participants from 2,400
schools in 55 countries have competed. In addition to vying
for a chance at the title of the official 2005 College Poker
Championship winner, students also accrue points for their
school in the rivalry competition. At the conclusion of the
tournament, the college or university with the highest point
total will be named the official 2005 College Poker Champion.
The Top Ten schools to date will be represented by the
following number of participants in Sunday's Semifinal:
1. Pennsylvania State University, 157
2. University of Florida, 96
3. University of Wisconsin - Madison, 64
4. Purdue University, 63
5. Florida State University, 62
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, 60
7. University of Illinois - Urbana-Campaign, 55
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 53
9. University of Texas - Austin, 49
10. University of Central Florida, 47
WHEN: May 15, 2005 4pm EST -- The Semifinal Tournament: Only
students who have advanced in the qualifying tournaments can
participate, the top 20 percent move on to the Final Table.
May 22, 2005 4pm EST -- The Final Table:
-- The Champion will be awarded a $41,000 academic
scholarship.
-- Each contestant placing 1st-10th will earn a $1,000
donation to be awarded to the charity or organization of
their choice.
-- Players placing 2-10 will share a $53,300 scholarship
prize pool.
-- Players placing 11-80 will share a prize pool of $15,500
of scholarship awards.
CONTACT
Interested in speaking to some hip and happenin' young poker players in your area? Lou Krieger, author of Poker for Dummies and the Poker Player's Bible, and the volunteer host of the CPC, is also available. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Kerry Johnson / Ann Manby, Lotus Public Relations
Kerry.Johnson@lotus-pr.com / Ann.Manby@lotus-pr.com
212-922-5885
ABOUT COLLEGE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm) www.collegepokerchampionship.com is open to registered college and university students worldwide to determine the official 2005 College Poker Championship winner. Entry into the tournament is free of charge, with all events being played with tournament chips. No purchase is required. College Poker Championship supports students' educational endeavors with scholarships worth $135,000, donations to charities, and champions the use of poker as a strategic learning tool.
read more
PokerBook Proprietary Poker Software
"We're thrilled with this new product and believe PB25 will redefine online Poker software as it is one of the only true non-downloadable programs in the market today," said PokerBook CEO Jay Patel. "The next few weeks will be a very exciting time for this company as we gear up for the World Series of Poker with Team PokerBook and the launch of our next product, PB Turbo."
To introduce PB25 to online Poker enthusiasts and the general public, PokerBook will be conducting weekly "Free Roll Tournaments" during the final beta test phase of the development. There will be no cost to the player and no deposit required, yet the winners of these free roll tournaments will be awarded valuable prizes. "This is a cost easily justified by both the exposure PokerBook will receive, and for the valuable feedback that tournament players will be able to offer by voicing their comments about the new interface," asserted Patel.
PB25 will quickly introduce the new player to online Poker. This version requires no downloads, no deposits and is extremely user friendly. Players can be playing within seconds of logging onto the website. PB25 will also act as an excellent practice platform for new players wishing to learn the game.
PB Turbo, a faster, more robust gaming platform designed for the serious Internet Poker player is set to launch in early June. PB Turbo is designed to compete with all the popular internet Poker platforms and includes exciting new features available only from PokerBook.
The Company reports that www.pokerbook.com will soon include Poker News from around the world, details of all major national and international tournaments, and playing strategies including "Tips from the Pros." Most importantly, the site can be used as an informational and learning tool for all Poker players. Poker fans should visit the corporate website for upcoming announcements.
About PokerBook Gaming Corporation:
PokerBook Gaming Corporation, a publicly traded subsidiary of Senticore, Inc. (OTC BB: SNIO), is a gaming software company that specializes in sponsoring unique charity-based and traditional online Poker tournaments. PokerBook's newly revised software -- known as PB25 -- is strictly web-based, thus eliminating numerous viruses and similar problems associated with other online gaming software programs. PokerBook pledges to its customers that it will continue to do everything possible to offer fair, honest, and secure web-based poker games, available everywhere in the world. PokerBook's security procedures are reviewed and updated regularly, and the corporation will be utilizing independent auditors to review game play and the awarding of prizes to assure adherence to fair play and maintaining the integrity of the game. Additional information may be found on the corporate website www.pokerbook.com.
About Senticore, Inc.:
Senticore, Inc., a publicly traded holding company traditionally involved in real estate based acquisitions, acquired a majority interest in PokerBook Gaming Corp. of Orlando, Fla. in December of 2004. Senticore's primary focus remains within the timber industry where it seeks to continue to acquire quality timber properties throughout the world. Management expects both the timber and online gaming industries to be the top performing investment sectors during the next five to ten years.
Safe Harbor Statement:
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain of the statements contained herein, which are not of historical facts, are forward-looking statements with respect to events, the occurrence of which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors. Information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company is detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
read more
To introduce PB25 to online Poker enthusiasts and the general public, PokerBook will be conducting weekly "Free Roll Tournaments" during the final beta test phase of the development. There will be no cost to the player and no deposit required, yet the winners of these free roll tournaments will be awarded valuable prizes. "This is a cost easily justified by both the exposure PokerBook will receive, and for the valuable feedback that tournament players will be able to offer by voicing their comments about the new interface," asserted Patel.
PB25 will quickly introduce the new player to online Poker. This version requires no downloads, no deposits and is extremely user friendly. Players can be playing within seconds of logging onto the website. PB25 will also act as an excellent practice platform for new players wishing to learn the game.
PB Turbo, a faster, more robust gaming platform designed for the serious Internet Poker player is set to launch in early June. PB Turbo is designed to compete with all the popular internet Poker platforms and includes exciting new features available only from PokerBook.
The Company reports that www.pokerbook.com will soon include Poker News from around the world, details of all major national and international tournaments, and playing strategies including "Tips from the Pros." Most importantly, the site can be used as an informational and learning tool for all Poker players. Poker fans should visit the corporate website for upcoming announcements.
About PokerBook Gaming Corporation:
PokerBook Gaming Corporation, a publicly traded subsidiary of Senticore, Inc. (OTC BB: SNIO), is a gaming software company that specializes in sponsoring unique charity-based and traditional online Poker tournaments. PokerBook's newly revised software -- known as PB25 -- is strictly web-based, thus eliminating numerous viruses and similar problems associated with other online gaming software programs. PokerBook pledges to its customers that it will continue to do everything possible to offer fair, honest, and secure web-based poker games, available everywhere in the world. PokerBook's security procedures are reviewed and updated regularly, and the corporation will be utilizing independent auditors to review game play and the awarding of prizes to assure adherence to fair play and maintaining the integrity of the game. Additional information may be found on the corporate website www.pokerbook.com.
About Senticore, Inc.:
Senticore, Inc., a publicly traded holding company traditionally involved in real estate based acquisitions, acquired a majority interest in PokerBook Gaming Corp. of Orlando, Fla. in December of 2004. Senticore's primary focus remains within the timber industry where it seeks to continue to acquire quality timber properties throughout the world. Management expects both the timber and online gaming industries to be the top performing investment sectors during the next five to ten years.
Safe Harbor Statement:
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain of the statements contained herein, which are not of historical facts, are forward-looking statements with respect to events, the occurrence of which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors. Information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company is detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
read more
A Star Studded PPT and a Stud event at the Mirage
The Professional Poker Tour (PPT) has come to the Mirage Resort on this Tuesday. The cards went into the air at noon with 172 invited Pros bringing their best "A" game, hoping to make no mistakes and win all of their all-ins. The half million in prize money for this freeroll tournament adds a little spice to the mix and makes the event even more exciting. The tables were crowded with the who's who of professional poker. The 1983 WSOP Champion, Tom McEvoy, is playing up front; while Marcel Luske, Europe's number one player and winner of an event in the recent Bellagio Five-Star, is seated next to well-known pro and author, Charlie Shoten. Movie star and poker pro, James Woods, is seated next to Kathy Leibert, one tough playing lady. Across the aisle at another table is Karina Jett playing with the likes of Mike Matusow, Antonio Esfandiari and Barry Greenstein. The rail is crowded with excited fans trying to catch a glimpse of WPT host Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, both playing in the event. Ron Rose was building his stack of chips into a skyscraper while table mate, Phil "Unabomber" Laak, was hanging tough hoping to make another televised final table. Susie Isaac is sitting at the TV feature table; while across the room Wendeen Eolis from Poker Player Magazine visits with David Levi. 
Lyle Berman, the originator and honcho of the WPT & PPT, remained in the action; while Carlos Mortensen, another WSOP world champion, adds to his growing piles of chips. Young Thomas "Thunder" Keller continues to exhibit his remarkable poker skills and the Poker King himself, Mr. Phil Hellmuth, is enjoying his iPod more than the poker game. Professionals Mel Judah, Young Phan, Ted Forrest, Huck Seed, Layne Flack and Minneapolis Jim Meehan are scattered about the tables in the tournament area.Late in the evening Evelyn Ng and David Williams strolled through the room stopping to visit with some of the players remaining in the action. Asher Derei, fresh from a WSOP Circuit win at the Rio, was seated at the corner table looking a bit bored with it all. The field finally reached the preset 54 player limit just before 11:00 pm and play was stopped. The PPT will resume play at 2:00 pm on Wednesday and continue until the field is narrowed down to the final table six. The PPT final table will be played after all the other events of the Mirage Poker Showdown are complete including the WPT sanctioned first event of Season IV, a $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament. 
Tomorrow's chip leader is Minneapolis Jim Meehan with just under a $100K in tournament chips. Marcel Luske and Layne Flack have close to $50K in chips while David Levi and Antonio Esfandiari are sitting comfortably with just under $40K. Thomas Keller and Jack McClelland have thirty something thousand in play money.
The first event of the Mirage Poker Showdown, a $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em affair that began on Monday, played the final table this afternoon. The event attracted a field of 318 players with a total prize pool of $308,460. Herman Zango of Miami Florida outlasted the field and collected $110,356 plus a $10,200 seat in the championship event. Kevin Song of Hacienda Heights, California was second and earned $56,669 while Gerald Cheatham of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania completed the top three and received $28,334. Well known Las Vegas poker professional and author, David Sklansky, left the final table in the sixth spot taking $10,439 for his efforts. The event paid twenty-seven places.
The second event of the Mirage Poker Showdown, a $1,500 + $70 buy-in 7 Card Stud tournament, began today, Tuesday, and will play the final table on Wednesday. The third event of the Poker Showdown, $1,500 + $70 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha, starts on Wednesday at noon. Complete tournament results are available at Poker Player Newspaper.
For all those players that participated in another tournament, the Poker Prof's WPBT sanctioned freeroll, a complete write up by Dr. Pauly of all the action will be available in the next couple of days.
More photos of the PPT action are available in the continue reading below.
Seven Poker Pros Sign On For World Championship Poker 2
The game has signed on players including Howard Lederer, who's won 13 major poker titles. Greg Raymer who was the 2004 World Series of Poker Champion. Clonie Gowen, a rising female player who placed 10th in the World Poker Tour in Costa Rica. Amir Vahidi who was ranked first in 2003 as tournament player of the year. Paul Darden who won World Poker Tour title and the World Series of Poker Bracelet. Robert Williamson III who won a World Series of Poker bracelet. Matt Savage who is tournament director of the Bay 101 Casino for World Series of Poker and finally Annie Duke who is perhaps the best female poker player in the world and the top female World Series of Poker money winner in history.
Crave president and COO Rob Dyer said, "The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave. We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in World Championship Poker 2."
The game will include a detailed one player game which allows you to work your way up the ranks starting from your mom's basement and as you win, you move from their and purchase new homes and furnishings. On the other hand, if you lose you'll have to start giving up your stuff. World Championship Poker will include 14 styles of poker including Texas Hold 'Em, Five Card Draw and Seven Card Stud among others.
The PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 will also support the EyeToy which will be used for online play to see your opponents. The Xbox version will also support online play with voice chat and scoreboards. The game is scheduled to release Fall 2005 for $19.99.
read more
Crave president and COO Rob Dyer said, "The World Championship Poker franchise has been phenomenally successful for Crave. We've locked up some of the world's top poker players, so they'll only be featured in World Championship Poker 2."
The game will include a detailed one player game which allows you to work your way up the ranks starting from your mom's basement and as you win, you move from their and purchase new homes and furnishings. On the other hand, if you lose you'll have to start giving up your stuff. World Championship Poker will include 14 styles of poker including Texas Hold 'Em, Five Card Draw and Seven Card Stud among others.
The PlayStation 2 version of World Championship Poker 2 will also support the EyeToy which will be used for online play to see your opponents. The Xbox version will also support online play with voice chat and scoreboards. The game is scheduled to release Fall 2005 for $19.99.
read more
Monday, May 09, 2005
Giacomo Won't Win Triple Crown!
Jockey Mike Smith is covered in the blanket of roses as he sits atop Giacomo after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. At right is trainer John Shirreffs. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Lukas said the 131st Derby was ``the most bizarre of all.''
While giving Giacomo a chance of winning the Preakness on May 21, Lukas agreed with Frankel that the colt won't sweep the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
``You can chisel this in stone: There will not be a Triple Crown winner,'' Lukas said Sunday. ``We got too many good horses that will upset the apple cart. The Preakness will be just as unpredictable. With all respect to the horse, (Giacomo) is beatable. He was beatable all spring.''
Giacomo, who went off at 50-1 odds, had one victory in seven previous races before winning Saturday in the second-biggest upset in race history.
``You wouldn't think he's a Triple Crown horse. You got to like the horses who didn't fire in the Derby to win the Preakness,'' Frankel said, referring to 5-2 favorite Bellamy Road and Afleet Alex.
Frankel's horse, High Limit, finished last; he was badly cut and bled, but not injured seriously enough to rule him out of the Preakness.
Giacomo can expect to see some of the same rivals and a few new ones in Baltimore in two weeks.
Nick Zito's best finish among his five entries was seventh by Bellamy Road, owned by New York Yankees boss George Steinbrenner. Zito was clearly subdued Sunday, but resolved to try again in two weeks.
``We'll send something there. I don't know what,'' he said.
Also expected for the 1 3-16th-mile Preakness is third-place Afleet Alex, who will ship to Baltimore on Wednesday.
``It's a little shorter race, it's in our backyard and if he runs with the same courage, they will have to outrun him like they do most times. We have a heck of a shot,'' trainer Tim Ritchey said. ``He came out of the race well.''
Closing Argument is likely to challenge Giacomo again, too.
``We don't like to run back in two weeks, but this is not a normal situation, so we will probably be in Baltimore,'' trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. ``He came out of the race great and looks super.''
Also possible for the Preakness are: Don't Get Mad (fourth in the Derby), Wilko (sixth) and Going Wild (18th). Trainer Todd Pletcher's duo of Flower Alley (ninth) and Coin Silver (12th) were on the list of maybes.
The likely newcomers are Scrappy T, Malibu Moonshine and Hal's Image.
Unlikely to race in Baltimore are: Buzzards Bay (fifth), Greeley's Galaxy (11th), Greater Good (13th), Spanish Chestnut (16th), Sort It Out (17th) and Bandini (19th).
The Preakness is limited to 14 starters, but there has not been a full field since 1992.
Asked if Giacomo could win that race, jockey Mike Smith said, ``Without a doubt. I believe in him a lot.''
read more
Bloggers and Las Vegas
It's a week of big news for the dedicated poker bloggers. First, congratulations to Pauly whose Poker Player article on the next WSOP champion was picked up as a lead by Fox Sports: Poker. Of course, Boy Genius continues to offer some of the best content to be found on Poker Player. Next, check out G-Rob's news segment starring Badblood. Otis, the master scribe from UpForPoker, has yet another article in a mjor poker publication. Finally, Max, Glenn and I cheered on Felicia at the H.O.R.S.E. tournament at the Union Plaza.
From Las Vegas:
The Las Vegas tournament poker scene this past week has been downtown at the Plaza Hotel and Casino. The Plaza World Poker Classic runs through May 17 with various events scheduled everyday. The Plaza Classic will have an ultra-buy-in final event. Have an extra $50K? Then you may want to consider playing in this one.
The Mirage Hotel will be hosting the World Poker Showdown. Satellites begin on Monday, May 9th and a Professional Poker Tour event will start at noon on Tuesday. The PPT tournaments are for qualified professionals only and the event will be a collection of well known professional playing in the Freeroll. This is a great event for fans to attend and watch your favorites do battle. The final table of the PPT event will be on May 27th and will be filmed for later broadcast on television. The first event of the WPT Season IV, The Mirage Poker Showdown, a $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament that is scheduled to begin on May 23rd and runs for four days.
Complete results for the Mirage Poker Showdown and all poker tournaments can be found on Poker Player Newspaper, along with the latest poker news, informative articles from poker's finest writers and the easiest to navigate tournament schedules on the Internet.
read more
Poker directory and portal
The United Kingdom is a country where poker’s popularity is gaining quickly. The game does not yet have the exposure that it does in the United States but we (UK) are a country rich in poker heritage. We are proud to launch www.pokerclass.co.uk and hope we can bring valuable content to the UK on their own terms ” Comments PokerClass Director of Operations, Lee Harris.
The website specifically addresses the world of online poker, a booming multi billion dollar industry. Many of the news pieces and discussions focus on the online game, and a wealth of information is present for those wanting to join the hundreds of thousands of online poker players worldwide.
http://www.pokerclass.co.uk has up to the minute news on the happenings in the poker world. In addition to news, the website has extensive information on online poker including rules, strategies and reviews.
“Poker is a global game, but we look to provide information which while useful to everyone will be especially useful to UK players" comments Harris
http://www.pokerclass.co.uk
For more information, please contact
Lee Harris
read full article
The website specifically addresses the world of online poker, a booming multi billion dollar industry. Many of the news pieces and discussions focus on the online game, and a wealth of information is present for those wanting to join the hundreds of thousands of online poker players worldwide.
http://www.pokerclass.co.uk has up to the minute news on the happenings in the poker world. In addition to news, the website has extensive information on online poker including rules, strategies and reviews.
“Poker is a global game, but we look to provide information which while useful to everyone will be especially useful to UK players" comments Harris
http://www.pokerclass.co.uk
For more information, please contact
Lee Harris
read full article
Play Poker Like the Pros
This was actually the first poker book I ever read. Sure, it's not the most well-written and it's a tad scatter-brained at times. But two big keys for beginners: Hellmuth uses simple language and his theories work.
For beginners, Hellmuth preaches patience, patience, patience. If you can't stand being in a poker game and not playing for long stretches at a time, maybe you should try blackjack, instead. Poker is all about patience. In the book, Hellmuth explains the advantages of playing only the Top Ten hands pre-flop (pocket aces through pocket sevens, along with AK & AQ). That's it. Nothing else. It may sound boring, but you put yourself at such an advantage by being selective in the hands you play. I read "Play Poker Like the Pros" two years ago and, for the most part, I still follow Hellmuth's advice when it comes to this.
Another interesting angle in the book is learning the practice of figuring out who's at your table. Hellmuth uses five animal comparisons to track their play. For instance, a jackal is the crazy man who raises every hand regardless of what he has. You don't have to necessarily go so far as memorizing the animal types, but realizing the habits and actions of players at your table is so important. It helps you determine whether to respect their play. Categorizing the play also helps you determine your own perception. Are you playing tight, like a mouse? Or are you the "calling station," like the elephant? For example, I always prefer playing extremely tight when I sit down. I like that to be in people's minds. If I turn a hand over in the first hour or two at the table, I want it to be one of the Top Ten hands. That way, they respect my raises down the road and it allows me to steal some pots with less than stellar hands. Regardless, Hellmuth's analogies here work. He even breaks down specific hand play against the specific animal types. It's great insight for beginners on how to play certain situations. You have to know your surroundings.
Finally, the book covers everything from small-stakes Limit Hold 'Em to No Limit, Omaha and even Razz. There's also a section on online play. No matter what your game, it's covered in "Play Poker Like the Pros."
You can buy Hellmuth's book at PhilHellmuth.com.
In the coming weeks, I'll look at some of the books aimed at more advanced players. If you have a poker or Las Vegas-related question, you can reach me at VegasInsider@woai.com.
read more
For beginners, Hellmuth preaches patience, patience, patience. If you can't stand being in a poker game and not playing for long stretches at a time, maybe you should try blackjack, instead. Poker is all about patience. In the book, Hellmuth explains the advantages of playing only the Top Ten hands pre-flop (pocket aces through pocket sevens, along with AK & AQ). That's it. Nothing else. It may sound boring, but you put yourself at such an advantage by being selective in the hands you play. I read "Play Poker Like the Pros" two years ago and, for the most part, I still follow Hellmuth's advice when it comes to this.
Another interesting angle in the book is learning the practice of figuring out who's at your table. Hellmuth uses five animal comparisons to track their play. For instance, a jackal is the crazy man who raises every hand regardless of what he has. You don't have to necessarily go so far as memorizing the animal types, but realizing the habits and actions of players at your table is so important. It helps you determine whether to respect their play. Categorizing the play also helps you determine your own perception. Are you playing tight, like a mouse? Or are you the "calling station," like the elephant? For example, I always prefer playing extremely tight when I sit down. I like that to be in people's minds. If I turn a hand over in the first hour or two at the table, I want it to be one of the Top Ten hands. That way, they respect my raises down the road and it allows me to steal some pots with less than stellar hands. Regardless, Hellmuth's analogies here work. He even breaks down specific hand play against the specific animal types. It's great insight for beginners on how to play certain situations. You have to know your surroundings.
Finally, the book covers everything from small-stakes Limit Hold 'Em to No Limit, Omaha and even Razz. There's also a section on online play. No matter what your game, it's covered in "Play Poker Like the Pros."
You can buy Hellmuth's book at PhilHellmuth.com.
In the coming weeks, I'll look at some of the books aimed at more advanced players. If you have a poker or Las Vegas-related question, you can reach me at VegasInsider@woai.com.
read more
Friday, May 06, 2005
How to bet on the Kentucky Derby?
You are 1 minute away from betting the Kentucky Derby
There are 3 easy steps to bet the Kentucky Derby:
Step 1: Sign Up for your FREE betting account
Step 2: Make a deposit to your account
Step 3: Make your bet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)