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Tribal Casino Fighting Idaho Poker Ban

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014

An Indian tribe in Idaho wants to open a poker room and they are not letting a state constitutional ban stop them. The Coeur d’Alene Casino is scheduled to open a new poker room on May 2nd, despite the state having a ban on poker games. The tribe says the law does not apply to the tribe and their casino.

The Idaho Lottery Commission has a different take on the subject. They may be planning on shutting down the poker games at the casino, which would be six tables in all. The casino would be offering Texas Hold’em and Omaha and there would be no house bank involved, the players would only be competing against each other and wagering on the outcome.

The tribe asked many opinions on the subject before moving forward with creating the online poker rooms. According to the information found, the tribe believes they are exempt from the state regulation as based on the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

However, the Lottery Commission has a different opinion. Jeff Anderson is the director of the commission and he stated that the state has interrupted the law differently. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act does exempt card games that are non-house banked on tribal lands but this is only when the given game is not prohibited by law.

According to Anderson, the game of poker is specifically prohibited in the state, by law. There have been arrests in the state before for breaking this law. Anderson recently sent a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission to ask to speak about the subject. The casino is now trying to work out the details where they can offer poker by the deadline without having to be subject to the law or prosecution. It will be interesting to see if the casino can pull this off or if poker will still remain nonexistent in the state of Idaho.

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Online Poker Gaining Ground in Delaware

Friday, April 18th, 2014

Of the past few months, the state of Delaware has been seriously lagging when it comes to online poker gaming. The state offers both online poker and casino game play and has done so since late last year. However, the state did not market their gaming well and when compared to Nevada and New Jersey, the state just didn’t cut it with online poker game play. However, for the month of March, the state was able to pull out and rebound in earnings after seeing a decline in revenues for two months straight.

The state has three licensed racinos that offer online gaming and as of March, the poker option was up 14%. Just over $84,000 was earned, which is a nice growth. However, when compared to their counterparts, for example, New Jersey, the revenues are staggering. New Jersey was able to earn $3.2 million in the same time frame. However, the state does have more population numbers, around 10 times more.

When it comes to the state of Delaware, the Delaware Park racino has the majority of the revenues for online poker with 65%. Dover Downs and Harrington come in second and third with 25% and 9% of the revenues.

When speaking of table games, the state has seen the revenues double for the second month in a row. Almost $4.8 million was wagered during the time frame and in February the amount was at the $2 million mark while January was only at the $1 million mark. The players in the state clearly enjoy the online casino gaming options more than the poker gaming.

The state does continue to see new players signing up for game play but there has been a big slow down with how many players are signing up. For the past few months, the state has seen a significant decline in the number of player signups.

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2nd Attempt at Counterfeit Chip Passing in Maryland

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

file4741238088930Maryland Live! is the largest casino in the state of Maryland and has been subject to scandal as of the past few weeks. After an incident of counterfeit chips took place just a few weeks ago, another incident has now been reported. According to the Washington Post, two people tried to pass counterfeit chips at the casino after using Hollywood Casino chips.

The couple, Ngan S. Nguyen and Dung N. Vo took several white $1 from the Hollywood Casino located at Charles Town Races, located in West Virginia to change the chips into the $100 black chips perfect for the Maryland Live! Casino. However, the chips were not perfect and officials discovered the scam. The couple now faces one count of felony theft, conspiracy to commit felony theft and two additional felony/theft related counts.

The couple were caught after investigators caught on and then used surveillance footage and information from driver’s license to record the alleged crime in action. The incident reportedly tok place over the Thanksgiving holiday where the couple exchanged the fake chips for chips of the casino during game play. The swap was seen on camera and caused the couple to be caught in action.

Back in late February, the first case of counterfeit playing chips occurred at the casino. Four people were involved in a scam to pass fake chips with values of $100 and managed to take between $1000 and $10,000. Rosa A. Nguyen and Vuong Q. Truong were found guilty of the crime and police ended up finding many fake chips after searching a lake area near the couple’s residence.

The couple was able to get the fake chips from an online purchase worth $12,000. This amount paid for $150,000 in fake chips. The couple planned on cashing in but was never able to as they were caught in the process of placing the chips into play.

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Poker Pro Gives Away Yet Another WSOP Bracelet

Friday, April 11th, 2014

When a poker player wins a World Series of Poker gold bracelet, it is considered a rite of passage. The gold bracelet signifies the best of the best and top pros will have earned more than one. There is a very short list of players who have earned more than one WSOP bracelet and Phil Hellmuth Jr. takes the lead with the most WSOP bracelets standing at 13.

The Poker Brat has earned the most WSOP bracelets of anyone competing and has done something unusual with the coveted piece of hardware. The poker pro has given away all of the bracelets he has won from the WSOP except #1 and #12.

Just two days ago, the poker pro decided to give away his 13th bracelet to his best friend. He said good-by to the bracelet on Twitter and announced who he was giving the gold emblem to. The best friend in question is Chamath Palihapitiya, a venture capitalist of California who has competed in the Big One for One Drop. He is also a part owner of the Golden State Warriors.

After the announcement, Hellmuth took to Twitter to explain who held the other bracelets that he had earned. While Hellmuth holds bracelets 1 and 12, his wife has #2. Mom and dad of the poker pro hold #3 and 4 while his sister Ann has #5. His brother-in-law John is holding #6 while his sons Phillip and Nick have #7 and #8. #9, 10 and 11 goes to his brother Dave and his sisters Kerry and Molly.

The WSOP bracelets of Hellmuth are a family affair. It is interesting to see how the pro has spread the wealth so to speak and given a solid piece of poker history to his many family members. Hellmuth will now try to earn a 14th bracelet by competing in this year’s WSOP events.

 

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Young Poker Pro Decides to Semi-Retire from Professional Poker Play

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

file4741238088930Poker pros are beginning to crop up at a more rapid rate and seem to be younger than ever before. Many players begin to enjoy the game as teens and college students, slowly working their way into online and live game play. Many young players end up with sponsorships from large online poker companies or winning live event after live event to build a solid career. Sam Holden is one such young man who has built a nice career in the poker industry, even making the November Nine. The pro has now announced he is going to take a semi-retirement to focus on his college career.

Holden is an ambassador for 888poker and announced via blog that he is taking a semi-retirement from poker. The pro has received a letter of acceptance for the University of Keno and would like to study for a philosophy degree. The pro will begin his studies in September so he will continue to work on his degree for the next three years.

The poker pro was first introduced into the poker industry after competing in the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event. The young player was able to outlast the majority of the 6,865 field to make the final table and finish in ninth place. Since that time, the young pro has earned over $1 million in live game play and just over $800,000 in online game play.

Holden stated in the blog post that he has spent four incredible years playing poker on a full time basis and never dreamed he would be able to do so. However, he does say that he has lost his drive, especially when it comes to live game play. He will now be taking a short break to focus on his education and where his life is headed in the future.

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Android Options Available at 888 NJ and WSOP

Friday, April 4th, 2014

For months now, players in the state of New Jersey have been enjoying online poker gaming. With sites available from 888 and WSOP, players in the state have been given the opportunity to enjoy high quality software as well as gaming options. As the online poker options have developed, new applications have been released to further enhance game play and make it easier for players to take part in gaming. The two sites recently announced that they are offering a new Android option for mobile poker gaming.

Both online poker rooms in the state of New Jersey now offer Android mobile applications. Players had expected the release to take place in December of 2013 but this did not take place. Party Poker was the first to offer Android capabilities two months ago and finally the other two sites have been able to offer the client.

888 and WSOP NJ were the first to offer an iOS app at iTunes and Party/Borgata were the last to join, so the roles have been reversed when it comes to Android. Android devices are more popular than the iPhone currently so it was important to get this app on the market so casino players would have the option during game play.

With the release of Android for WSOP and 888, there should be a nice increase in gaming revenues as now more players will have the opportunity to compete. Party Poker is currently the top performing online poker site in New Jersey and it will be interesting to see if WSOP and 888 Poker NJ can give them a run for the money with this app release.

The release of Android for the two companies must have been difficult as Bill Rini, the Head of Poker at WSOP, said the release took ‘blood, sweat and tears’. Now the client will have to go through a testing phase and then approval before it can be used on the market.

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WSOP National Championship Seats Up For Grabs

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

file4741238088930The WSOP National Championship is a closed event in which the best of the best from the World Series of Poker Circuit take part. Winners of every WSOPC main event and the Casino Champions of each tour stop as well as the top 50 in points of the season are able to take part in the special tournament.

It was now just announced that the World Series of Poker will be giving away five seats to the event via live and online freerolls. A sixth seat will also be given as part of a special $1,125 last chance tournament. Poker players in the states of Nevada and New Jersey will have the option to participate in the freerolls. The sites will be hosting the freerolls as well as offering a Knockout Series which wil see the winners of 14 consecutive tournament vie for a a seat in the event.

A live qualifier will be taking place on the 19th of May at Bally’s Atlantic City and then the last opportunity, a $1,125 last chance tournament will take place at Bally’s as well. Bally’s will be hosting each event in the new poker room.

The WSOP National Championship is set to have a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million but organizers believe the event could see as much as $2 million up for grabs. The event will take place over Memorial Day Weekend this May and will be run in the Bally’s poker room, a branded WSOP space.

Organizers explain that the event is held to celebrate the consistent and dedicated players who take part in WOSP events. These players have shown strong performances in the game of poker and this championship is a way to showcase what players can do. The tour currently has five more stops on the tour before moving to the Championship event.

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Record-Setting World Series of Poker Circuit Win Earned

Friday, March 28th, 2014

The World Series of Poker Circuit is a popular poker tour that travels across the globe to host tournament events. Players can take part in events in major destinations with the chance to win a WSOP ring. Alex Masek is a poker pro who has taken part in many different WSOP circuit events. The pro has earned several gold rings via the WSOPC and just recently earned a record-setting 8th ring.

The latest event took place in St. Louis at the Lumiere Place Casino & Hotel with a nice playing field of competitors. The $365 Six-Max No Limit Hold’em event was on tap and Masek took part. After taking down the win, the pro was able to claim his 8th WSOPC gold bracelet which is a record for the series.

Masek had not always planned on playing poker as a career. The player had moved to San Diego in 2008 to be able to go to law school and eventually decided to get in on poker gaming. The decision was a great one and after moving to LA, he began to focus on his career.

It was just last December that Masek won the 7th WSOPC bracelet, which tied him at 7 wins with Chris Reslock. With the latest win,the pro was able to set the new record for most bracelet wins  and gain bragging rights for the poker tour.

The pro began competing in the WSOPC events in 2008/2009 season and continued to earn a bracelet at least once a year to date. Masek has earned just over $131,000 while competing in the various World Series of Poker Circuit events. It will be interesting to see if the pro is able to continue to hold the record and take a larger lead with WSOPC  bracelet wins or if another pro will take the lead.

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Hendon Mob Revamps to Pokermob with new Website Launch

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

The Hendon Mob is made up of Barny Boatman, Ross Boatman and Joe Beevers have now launched a new website called Pokermob, which is a new rendition of the Hendon Mob. The new site is part of a new deal with Grosvenor Casino and will see the poker league relaunch with a new name.

The new league will stage a relaunch beginning on April 1st at Grosvenor Poker beginning at 8pm local time. This first series for the league will continue until May 20th with a special playoff scheduled for the 27th after the eight week league is through.

Each league event will have a buy-in of £10+£1 and will have a different format of game play. From No Limit Hold’em Double Stack to Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, the events will offer a variety of poker formats. Players who participate in the league events will be given points based on the position finished at the end of each event. Every point is worth 50 chips during the playoff so the more points a player has the better the stack for the playoff event.

Players will be given a point for entering a leg of the competition and then points for placement. First earns 50 points while second and third earn 40 and 30. Fourth, fifth and sixth earn 25, 20 and 15 respectively while seventh, eighth and ninth earns 10 points each. Tenth to fourteenth place earns 5 points while fifteenth to twentieth earns 2 points.

The winner of the league will earn a seat to a /Grosvenor UK Poker Tour event as well as cash money. players who make the top ten of the leaderboard will also earn a tournament ticket of a lower value. Players who are able to take out Beevers or one of the Boatman’s during the competition will earn back their buy-in, quite the incentive!

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Record Setting Poker Weekend in the Works In Wisconsin

Friday, March 21st, 2014

file4741238088930This weekend, the state of Wisconsin will be hosting a stop on the Mid-States Poker Tour. The first two stops of the new season will take place at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells and this weekend, organizers are hoping to break a record.

The tour has stopped at the casino three previous times and each time, a new state record has been set for the largest poker prize pool. If the event goes as planned, the event will set a new record this weekend. Several pros and amateurs will be competing in the event to be able to take advantage of what the tournament has to offer.

Bryan Mileski is the founder and operator of the Mid-Stakes Poker Tour and he stated that the tour always looks forward to returning to Wisconsin. Mileski stated that the last three stops on the tour set the record in the state for the largest prize pool and the tour believes that this will happen again in Season five.

Players can currently qualify for the event at the casino and now the officials state that the qualifier numbers are quite high and the poker room manager says the room is energetic and players are looking forward to the event. As the event is set to begin soon, players are anticipating how many players will actually compete.

The event actually kicks off today at 4pm and this will be Day 1a of the tournament. Day 1b will take place tomorrow and players return to the felt to see who will earn the tour stop win on Sunday. Both pros and amateurs will be heading to the casino in the hopes of earning the title win. It will be interesting to see if the event is able to beat previous prize pool records as they have every year the tournament has taken place at the casino located in Wisconsin.

 

 

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