Poker's popularity grows

Poker's popularity grows By John Majetski For Home News Tribune On a night when other teens are anywhere but home, Kenny Totten is spending his Saturday inside in his socks, pajama pants and a T-shirt. But he isn't alone. The 17-year-old Old Bridge High School student and a crew of close friends are gathered in the basement of his parents' house for poker night. They sip soda and munch on nachos as the cards are dealt on top of a pool table. Several players sport sunglasses as they attempt to bluff their way to victory in an activity that, at one time, brought to mind cigar-smoking older men in the back of a bar. Poker has joined the mainstream the last couple years, sparking interest from those as young as their early teens. Television shows feature poker-playing Hollywood types while radio ads hawk the latest online gambling service and stores everywhere stock a slew of poker-related goods. It seems difficult to determine just how much interest in the card game has increased, but one local retailer called it an explosion, while estimates say there are currently anywhere from 50 million to 80 million players in the United States. "It's the competitiveness of the game," said Totten, who began playing last summer after watching poker on the ESPN network. "It's something you can do anytime you want if you have three, four, five friends." A volleyball and basketball player, Totten said he and his friends — mostly fellow athletes — get together once or twice a month. At $5 a game, they said, it's cheaper than going to the movies. And unlike other competitive activities, poker "doesn't judge anybody," said Totten's girlfriend and fellow Old Bridge High School student, Jaime Chaifetz, 17. But does the betting bother parents? "As long as it's not large amounts, I don't think it will harm anything," said Kenny's mother, Marie Totten. "I don't mind because I know where they are. I know they're here, safe. They're off the streets." The extension of the poker craze into the underage set worries some gambling experts, however. "The more people who play, the more problems there are," said Terry Elman, education coordinator for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. "It's gotten to epidemic proportions." The nonprofit organization delivers free programs to about 70 schools annually to discuss gambling prevention and awareness. Elman said while the law does not prohibit teens from betting at home — provided the host does not take a financial cut or in some way charge someone to be there — it can be a gateway to an eventual gambling addiction. Elman said teen interest in Texas Hold 'Em — the popular form of poker featured in the World Series of Poker televised on ESPN — started more than two years ago. It is probably the most common thing students bet on these days, he said. "Sports betting is always around, and cards had actually dropped out of the scene," he said. "Then, as ESPN kept pushing it, it has become popular again. Kids even look at the players and revere them like athletes." Due to their still-developing emotional state and penchant for risky activities, teens are second only to senior citizens in terms of vulnerability to a gambling addiction, Elman said. He also said the fact that teens have little disposable income can lead to financial troubles even more quickly. "It's all the things that are exciting about gambling," Elman said of the appeal of poker. "And they gamble right in their basements. Their parents say, "They're OK, they're downstairs.' They don't realize what's being done can lead to addiction." But that doesn't mean every card player will become affected. "Eighty percent of people who play never have a problem, 15-20 percent have a problem and 5 percent become pathological," he said. Gambling addicts, Elman said, will bet on any type of game or sport. The teen who plays poker once or twice a month for a small dollar amount each game is not experiencing a problem, Elman said, provided the interest stops there. "Once you want to move higher than that, you're probably into it too much," he said. Gambling addiction seems to be no problem for the Old Bridge youths. Poker is more about having a good time than earning money. "We're kids," Kenny Totten said, adding betting big would just result in hurt feelings and angry parents. "We don't have money growing out of our ears. We just want to keep it fun and friendly.' Elman said parents should be particularly concerned about online gambling. He said its danger is that it can be done 24 hours a day, while teens are often alone. And because it generally requires a credit card, teens likely are swiping their parents' plastic. Regardless of where one sits on the issue, there's no denying the surge in interest over the card game. There's no evidence of it waning, either, said Eric Morris, publisher of the Atlanta-based poker magazine Bluff. "It's not a Rubik's Cube or Beanie Baby. It's not like that. People are still dreaming they can be the next star. I truly believe it will not end up where it was 10 years ago — at the back of the bar," Morris said. While celebrities and television have glamorized the game, the allure for many is that the average person can hit it big in poker tournaments. "You can be old, young, tall, short, fat, bald," he said. "(Success) isn't dictated by youth or physical ability." Morris said his publication's readership is largely adults ages 21 to 35, although he is aware teens are enamored with the activity. "High school kids, instead of parties, are going to poker tournaments. They're not drinking and doing other activities," he said. Morris said he does not advocate that teens play poker, but he said there are benefits to taking part in this "thinking-man's game." "It's similar to backgammon or chess. It develops your mind, keeps you more alert," he said. "The people who do well are generally more intelligent. There are social skills involved, too." At the Gameroom Store, a specialty shop in Woodbridge Center mall, assistant manager Jay Prusik said teens are responsible for only about 15 percent of sales for poker products. "We see a lot of people in the mid-20s to mid-30s," he said. "Part of the reason is these are the people who can legally go to casinos." Prusik said the poker market is experiencing an "explosion" that began about two years ago. As a result, extravagant chip sets that sold for nearly $600 five years ago now cost customers $100. "Because of the increase in popularity and the price change, it's flying out the door," he said. And that's not likely to change for a while. "So long as the World Series of Poker gets ratings on ESPN . . . as long as that's popular, the poker craze isn't going anywhere," said Prusik. Elman agreed that television and marketing is responsible for the recent boom. He said the activity, by its nature, is no more dangerous to teens than other forms of gambling. "It's more of a problem only because it's promoted more," he said. Some school officials share Elman's concerns about teens who bet. "To me, it's like underage drinking," said Pat Andersen, student assistance counselor at Woodbridge High School. "The funny thing about gambling is it's only bad when you're losing — from a player's perspective. In my personal opinion, it's bad to gamble at all when you're an adolescent." Andersen said she has received a few calls from parents concerned about their children playing poker at home. Woodbridge has a policy against students playing cards at school. "I think it's seen as being exciting," Andersen said of gambling. "There's actually an adrenaline rush that goes along with it. (Teens) like things exciting and risky." Parents who allow teens to gamble at home because they can "keep an eye on them" may be leading their children, or someone else's child, down a dangerous road, Andersen said. "For some kids it's going to be a problem, and for some it's not," she said, adding that representatives of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey will visit her school later this year. "You can know where your kids are, but have better activities." Back in Old Bridge, players said they don't hold poker nights often, and, when they do, they always keep the per-game cost low. Competition remains the main source of motivation, too. "I don't play for the money," said Old Bridge High School senior Nicholas Li, 18, who plays for money about twice a month and more frequently online at nonbetting sites. "I play for the experience. I play for the bragging rights, too." Li, who pipes nature sounds through his headphones during poker games, said he knows when to draw the line on gambling. "I think it's only dangerous if it's not fun anymore," he said. "As long as it's not intruding on my studies and budget, it's all good." Kenny's brother, Michael Totten, 15, said he also plays for the competition. "It's fun to beat some of your friends," he said. His mother said she is aware of what experts are saying about teens and poker, but believes the card game is no more dangerous than most other activities. "Anything can lead to an addiction," Marie Totten said. "The stakes are not high by any means. It all depends on the individual, but these kids are doing it for fun."

Poker room - Veteran Poker Kings and Young Aces Go Head-to-Head Veteran Poker

Veteran Poker Kings and Young Aces Go Head-to-Head
Veteran Poker Kings and Young Aces Go Head-to-Head in GSN'S 'POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE AGES' Series Premieres Friday, November 4 at 10:00 PM ET/PT Featuring Top Six Players Over 60 Against Top Six Players Under 30 Years Old

Royal Vegas Poker Gets the Big Slick - Offers $15,000 Freeroll
October 7, 2005 -- Royal Vegas Poker has re-launched their already popular poker room and the results have been tremendous. The new look website boasts a cleaner, more modern feel and appearance, and the site's navigation has been stepped up to ensure a smooth and easy-to use interface.The website redesign has proved to be very appealing to younger gamers who are enthralled by the many tournaments and charity campaigns that are on offer at Royal Vegas Poker (http://www.royalvegaspoker.com). The

BRAVO LAUNCHES ITS FIRST ONLINE POKER TOURNAMENT ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
BRAVO LAUNCHES ITS FIRST ONLINE POKER TOURNAMENT ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 WINNERS OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL WIN A TRIP TO VEGAS AND THE CHANCE TO PLAY IN THE NEXT "CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN" SERIES ON BRAVO

The business of poker
This week I would like to discuss one of the most difficult aspects of poker: reading your opponent.The first part of reading your opponents is knowing who your opponents are, and what tendencies they tend to exhibit. Essentially, there are four major styles of players in the poker world: the Mouse, the Elephant, the Jackal, and the Lion.The Mouse is a very timid player. Someone who folds most of their hands, plays only a few pots, and will occasionally win the big one. Their chip stacks remain

Life is good as a college poker star
Hey Dave, I whispered into my cell. I need you for a second. It was just then that I realized what an interesting turn of events my life had taken after I made an innocent deposit of $50 into a PartyPoker.com account two years earlier, while living in my Blackwell dorm room. I was seated in a mafia-owned card room in downtown New York City. My hands were glossed over with grease from a filthy, worn-down table and poker chips that had probably been in use for fifteen years without being washed

World Poker Tour stops in Las Vegas
1. THE TOURNow in its fourth season, the World Poker Tour consists of 16 tournaments filmed at sites throughout the world and televised on a tape-delay basis at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on the Travel Channel, Cox cable channel 66. The season culminates with the WPT World Championship, scheduled for April 18-24 at the Bellagio. Buy-ins for the tournaments range from $5,000 to $15,000, except for the championship, which carries a $25,000 entry fee. Last year's championship event at the Bellagio was won b

SpikeTV.com | King of Vegas

SpikeTV.com | King of Vegas It's one thing to be a poker champion, but it's another thing to be the King of Vegas... the player who has mastered not only poker, but the entire art of gambling. Blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, keno... no matter what the game, we're looking for the guy or girl who can walk into any casino - and own it. Spike TV presents a spectacle befitting a heavyweight prize fight, a weekly marquis event whose scope will trump the current poker craze. We're putting a one million dollar prize on the line in a cutthroat gambling competition to crown the country's greatest gambler. Each weekly hour will feature gamblers going head-to-head on our primetime set. Players will compete across multiple games in each episode. Every episode engages the players' skill, strategy and sometimes sheer luck throughout the arc of the competition. It will be an epic tournament spanning 10 episodes. The series will culminate in a final showdown during which one person will prove that he or she is the master... the million dollar King of Vegas. ARE YOU THE KING OF VEGAS?

Two Mad Geniuses Join Bluff Magazine (Poker room) Two Mad Geniuses Join

Two Mad Geniuses Join Bluff Magazine
Two Mad Geniuses Join Bluff Magazine Mike Caro and Phil Laak are Bluff s newest columnists

Cingular Wireless and Summus Reveal Secrets of Hold'em with Howard Lederer
TLANTA and RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, thenation's largest wireless carrier, and Summus, Inc.(OTC Bulletin Board: SMMU), a leading provider of mobile media applicationsthat optimize the consumer wireless experience, announced today the launch ofa unique Texas Hold'em tutorial poker game, "Secrets of Hold'em with HowardLederer," available first on Cingular Wireless. Known as "The Professor of Poker," Howard Lederer is one of the mostsuccessful and famous poker pla

Hold 'em still on hold in Del.; Licensing delaying legalization of poker tourney
DOVER - You can't know when to hold 'em - or know when to fold 'em - until somebody deals 'em. But for the time being, No Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments in Delaware are on hold.Three months after the enactment of a law allowing nonprofit groups to raise money by sponsoring high-stakes poker tournaments, poker players in Delaware are still waiting for the chance to ante up.Officials with the state Gaming Control Board blame the holdup on a lack of applications from people seeking the requ

Phil Gordon s poker pointers Phil Gordon s poker pointers World-class poker (Poker)

Phil Gordon s poker pointers
Phil Gordon s poker pointers World-class poker player and Celebrity Poker co-host bets on Little Green Book

Protectors of Poker
As poker continues to entrench itself in mainstream American culture, accompanying organizations are springing up to ensure the game -- whether played online, in casinos or at home -- maintains a steady increase in popularity.The Poker Players Alliance, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit group, is attempting to become an advocate for the growing legion of poker players who lack collective representation. Founded earlier this year, the group is seeking members, has hired a Washington, D.C., lobbyist to

Agency tells groups not to bet on gambling events
SACRAMENTO - At least four Sacramento groups have canceled or curtailed fund-raisers in recent weeks amid a state Department of Justice crackdown on charity-sponsored gambling events.The agency hasn't taken legal action against any of the fund-raisers but has made clear in letters and phone calls that only licensed card rooms or tribal casinos are permitted to host "controlled games," such as poker or Monte Carlo-style gambling.The tougher line comes as card games such as Texas Hold 'Em soar in

Spike TV Antes Up for 'King Of Vegas'
Spike TV Antes Up for 'King Of Vegas'; Weekly Original Series Set to Debut in 2006 $1 Million Prize on the Line in First-Ever 'Decathlon of Gambling' Competition

Why Play Poker Online ?

Why Play Poker Online There are a lot more than five reasons to play online poker, but I thought I'd list the five top reasons that make poker online more profitable than poker in your local card room. Reason #5: There is always a game that is right for you That's actually an understatement. When it comes to online poker there are always hundreds of games that are not only right for you, but there for you right now. There is no wait for a table, and once you sit down at the table there is no reason to ever play in a game that is too tough, not your preferred limit, too quiet, or too aggressive. The beauty of online poker is the instantaneous availability of every kind of poker game at every limit. If you want to play in a quick tournament for $100 it is there for you. If your limit is $1 there is a game at those stakes as well. In addition, you can use the lobby of any online poker room to ascertain which games suit your style of play. Reason #4: You gain invaluable poker experience I'm sick and tired of reading about how playing poker online cannot make you a better poker player, it can only make you a better online poker player. Do people really think that the two are that different? The style of play is far looser and objectively worse online as a rule, but so what? The fact that you get to see thousands and thousands of hands provides you with the experience to win at any card room, online or offline. Furthermore, if you are winning at online poker it means that you have discipline, good hand selection, and have seen every possible scenario. Reason #3: Statistics, Statistics, Statistics In your local card room you might recognize three or four familiar faces at your table when you sit down. You might think to yourself that those guys are very tough, and you probably have no choice but to play against them. But with online poker you have the choice to get up and play at another table immediately, and you also have a lot of information about those players and many more like them. You can keep profiles and notes of your opponents, and you can access information about your own play. You don't play the same every session, and to prove this you should look at your own stats. Online poker provides a wealth of statistics, whereby you can monitor your own play and everyone else's play as well. It will make you money if you use it properly, trust me. Reason #2: The big score is finally within reach You could have played at your local card room's $4/$8 game for the rest of your life and never come close to sitting at a world series of poker table, or beating a poker pro that you secretly idolize. Now, with online poker those dreams are within reach, seriously. Poker rooms online are a populist's wet dream - providing everyone with a chance to win a huge event, or at least qualify. Every day, right now in fact, online poker is sending an amateur poker player to a $1 million event, or even a $20 million event, and it cost that player the price of lunch to qualify. Because of the sheer size of these poker rooms they can hold almost limitless satellite events and other feeder tournaments to send thousands of players to the biggest poker tournaments in the world. This isn't a pipe dream, it's online poker reality. Reason #1: The best reason: Online poker is more profitable Someone has to say this and it might as well be me. If you're a good player and you regularly earn $x an hour playing poker you should expect to make $2x an hour playing online poker. There are more hands, weaker players, and so many opportunities to win that it is staggering. Sure you get unlucky sometimes, and sure you only remember the shocking bad beats. That's poker nature. What you fail to remember is all the times that you caught lucky, because in your mind that was just life evening out. Get beyond the justice and play solid poker and you will show a far greater profit as a small to medium level poker player than you could ever manage in any real-world card room. Online poker will enable an entire generation of poker players to turn pro, and it will allow those good players to take the money of the weak. Who needs any other reason to play besides this one? About The Author Marc Weinberg is a writer for Online Poker Insider

Latest News From The World Poker Tour Event At The Bellagio

News From The World Poker Tour Event At The Bellagio From Online Poker Insider Some big names are out on the first day, which is only to be expected. Among them are Phil Hellmuth, who departed quietly, David Grey, Ted Forrest, and a host of other well known players. The defending champion, Carlos Mortensen is also out. The tournament is down to 250. 417 started in the end, so first prize is a tad over $1 million. There were some monster tables on the first day. Not only the one I mentioned in my previous blog, which was frightening enough, but also: Chip Reese, Ted Forrest, Kenna James (played with him yesterday, what a character), Mark Gregorich (played with him yesterday as well, another very tough customer), Robert Mizrachi. All at one table, and most of them renowned for their super-aggressive play. They`re almost done for the first day. Doyle was playing at the featured table up on a little stage and he suffered a fall, hurting his shoulder. But he is okay, I am assured.

A Search Engine for Only Online Gambling

A Search Engine for Only Online Gambling A new innovative concept in the online gambling industry has emerged. Kahching is an alternative way to search for online gambling. With Kahching, the user doesn’t have to search through thousands of useless sites to find what type of online gambling venue they are looking for. Kahching is simple, just search for the game you are interested in, and the search results will bring up quality relevant sites. Kahching is not only great for the gambler, but it is the best bet to advertise your online gambling site. They have a different philosophy than most of the other search engines. Kahching does not offer pay-per click advertising which can cost hundreds of thousands a month. Sites on Kahching are ranked to the relevancy of their online gaming category and content. Although Kahching is fairly new, the company has gained much attention and support from some of the leading casino operators. And, with a price tag of $49.95 per year it is well worth casino operators and affiliates to sign up. Reviewing the customer base of Kahching, we see it is growing at a rapid pace, and with only relevant search results it does make for easy and effective surfing. Kahching is well worth the time to check out for online gambling. Finally, with the millions of people who gamble online every day, this is a safe and very effective way to search for online gambling. A dedicated search engine is well over due for this huge industry. This is probably the best new concept in online gambling and is the future of internet gambling. Kahching is also looking for your feedback, if you have any questions or comments about this site please email management@kahching.com and we will be happy to get back to you. Make your next online gambling search Kahching. www.kahching.com Source - Professional Free Press Release News Wire

Players Network Coming To Cable Cable television has been a (Poker news)

Players Network Coming To Cable
Cable television has been a distinct part of the rebirth of interest in the game of poker. From the Travel Channel's broadcasts of the World Poker Tour to ESPN's airings of the World Series of Poker...

Poker Bounty on the Brunsons and Caro
Online poker sites are doing whatever they can to attract new players and keep current users satisfied. Some sites are offering huge prizes while others are offering stock in the poker site itself...

Running a Major Poker Tournament is Hard Work
Without a doubt, playing poker is a tough business. The long hours and mental strain can wreak havoc on the minds of even the best in the game....

The Poker Counselor's Corner (27)
This weekly column gives poker players advice on the psychological issues that can affect them at the table, or away from it...

Poker TV Review - Full Tilt: Learn From the Pros.
As I have mentioned a number of times in my column, or various stories I've written here, despite the sheer amount of poker on U.S. television these days, I believe there is room for a lot more....

Bravo Brings Poker Action to Life
Bravo is making big moves to further captivate this year's Celebrity Poker Showdown audience. For the first time, BravoTV.com will launch the 'Celebrity Poker Showdown Online Tournament,'..

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $5,000 freeroll
Here at PokerNews.com, as I have said before, we try to bring you the best value on the web. Two months ago, we had two rooms we were doing freerolls with, and now we have five.

New Poker Program Coming To The Air
With all of the success of tournament poker programs on television today, one thing that has been lacking is programming that looks beyond the felt, so to speak.

Cameron Diaz Has Fallen For Poker
Everyone knows that poker is the latest "Hollywood" celebrity fad. What people don't realize is that these star converts to the game are falling in love with the game...

Steve Brecher and John Juanda Trump (Poker news) Competition at US Poker

Steve Brecher and John Juanda Trump Competition at US Poker Championship
Full Tilt Poker's Steve Brecher and John Juanda Trump Competition at United States Poker Championship

9X WSOP Champion Phil Hellmuth to Headline TASER(TM) Foundation Poker Tournament
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty lucky people will have the opportunity to play poker against the best, Phil Hellmuth, at a poker tournament hosted by the TASER Foundation to raise money for the families of fallen law enforcement officers. One hundred other players will get a chance to learn from the nine-time World Series of Poker Champion and participate in the general tournament.The TASER Foundation, a non-profit foundation to honor fallen law enforcement officers, will hold

Online poker - 9X WSOP Champion Phil Hellmuth to Headline TASER(TM) Foundation Poker

9X WSOP Champion Phil Hellmuth to Headline TASER(TM) Foundation Poker Tournament
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty lucky people will have the opportunity to play poker against the best, Phil Hellmuth, at a poker tournament hosted by the TASER Foundation to raise money for the families of fallen law enforcement officers. One hundred other players will get a chance to learn from the nine-time World Series of Poker Champion and participate in the general tournament.The TASER Foundation, a non-profit foundation to honor fallen law enforcement officers, will hold

Online Poker Radio Goes Major League
By David Utter
For WebProNews

Major League Poker marries digital radio with the World Series of Poker to complement the online poker-playing experience.

Poker has moved from the felt portraits of card-playing dogs to the digital streamed radio show called "On the Felt."

As poker has exploded in popularity, with coverage of events on outlets like ESPN, many players have turned to Internet venues like The Gaming Club Online Poker Room to play. The Gaming Club Online Poker Room launched "On the Felt," the first online radio show for poker players. Major League Poker produced the show, with Atlanta radio personality and poker player Mark [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Online poker - Fairground London listing success Fairground Holdings, the listed investment company

Fairground London listing success
Fairground Holdings, the listed investment company with links to software firm Microgaming, saw its share price jump over 150% following its listing on the London Stock Exchange this week.

The Isle of Man-based firm raised 3.8m through the listing to fund acquisition of smaller casino, poker, bingo and skill gaming sites.

Fairground has access to a cash pile of 8m, and is expected to target some of the smaller casino and poker sites in the Microgaming portfolio.

And investors clearly backed the plan, sending share prices rocketing from a listing price of 50p to almost 120p a share at the time of [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Phantom Fiber powering m-gaming
Mobile technology firm Phantom Fiber has announced the launch of several mobile casinos on a range of US-facing sportsbook sites.

The products are the result of a link-up with sportsbook software firm DGS, and a similar rollout is planned later in the year for a range of RealTime Gaming powered casino sites.

Jeff Halloran, President and CEO for Phantom Fiber said mobile gaming had finally arrived. Mobile gambling is becoming the predominant marketing channel to acquire new customer, Haolloran said.
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Online Poker's First Millionaire crowned in Paradise
NEW YORK, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ - After battling 3,900 opponents online, Lee Biddulph, a 28 year old chef from Blackpool, England has walked away with $1 million dollars, the winner of ParadisePoker.com's first Million Dollar Free online poker tournament. This is the world's largest online poker tournament prize ever, and it was absolutely free to participate!The final table, which was played out in a mystery tropical location, was made up of nine amateurs, eight from the U.S. who beat out almos

Poker shares take another big hit
Empire Online s share price fell by a third today and other egaming stocks fell sharply as edgy investors gave the sector another body blow.

Empire s value fell by over US$ 0.3bn following the announcement PartyGaming has set up a new operating platform solely for PartyPoker.com.

Empire Poker, the poker room owned by Empire Online, will now share a separate player pool with Party s other skins, Coral, Intertops and Multipoker.
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Poker shares take another big hit Empire Online s share price

Poker shares take another big hit
Empire Online s share price fell by a third today and other egaming stocks fell sharply as edgy investors gave the sector another body blow.

Empire s value fell by over US$ 0.3bn following the announcement PartyGaming has set up a new operating platform solely for PartyPoker.com.

Empire Poker, the poker room owned by Empire Online, will now share a separate player pool with Party s other skins, Coral, Intertops and Multipoker.
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Poker guru beating the odds
Finally, someone who has put a Georgia Tech education to work on the big stuff.Like, say, the human dynamics of rock-paper-scissors."I play a lot of high stakes rock-paper-scissors," begins Phil Gordon, 35-year-old Yellow Jacket/poker raconteur. "Played for $10,000 one time [and won]. It's actually a game of skill, much like poker. You think that it's random, but it's not. Human beings are not good randomizers; they always fall into patterns. If I know which way you're going, you can't win."In a

POKERBEAT IN FINAL STAGES OF PRODUCTION
09/25/2005, Minneapolis, Minnesota -- Pokerbeat, an exciting, informative and fresh new television show, is now in the final stages of production in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than two years in development and orchestrated by experts in gaming content, Pokerbeat offers a stylish and unique glimpse into the world of professional poker play. The episodes will showcase top competitors and industry insiders while delivering up-to-the-minute poker news in a fast-paced, magazine-style 30-minue format.

Borgata Adds Women's Poker Event
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was a sea of pink as the Ladies Only No Limit Hold 'em event kicked off Sunday and players sported their new pink Borgata Poker Open hats.With 516 competitors playing for the title, the ladies wasted no time taking to the felt like fish to water. Action flowed as the sound of chips being shuffled dominated the early rounds. The ladies action went long into the evening as players fought fatigue and short

Annie Duke to be Featured Crave's World Championship Poker 2
Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames, has released images and a profile of poker pro Annie Duke, one of top female poker players in the world and one of thetop poker stars that will be featured in the upcoming release, World Championship Poker 2. World Championship Poker 2, is the follow up to one of the best selling titles for the first half of 2005, is slated to ship this fall for the PlayStationR computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and the Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

About Annie Duke

Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Annie Duke [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

For the wonder of it all
The popularity of No Limit Hold 'Em poker has undeniably increased over the past few years, with ESPN's coverage of the World Series of Poker and other televised events. But with the newfound love for professional poker, an increase in gambling has followed suit."Last year, with the popularity of Texas Hold 'Em games on TV, we had some games sprouting - people doing it for fundraisers or even for their own benefit," said Lt. Paul Paradis of University of Maine Public Safety.Even with the No Limi

Card Player Media Brings Poker Content to the Cell Phone Market
Card Player Media Brings Cutting-Edge Poker Content to the Cell Phone Market Company Chosen by Amp'd Mobile as Exclusive Poker Content Provider

Online Poker's First Millionaire crowned in Paradise NEW YORK, Sept.

Online Poker's First Millionaire crowned in Paradise
NEW YORK, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ - After battling 3,900 opponents online, Lee Biddulph, a 28 year old chef from Blackpool, England has walked away with $1 million dollars, the winner of ParadisePoker.com's first Million Dollar Free online poker tournament. This is the world's largest online poker tournament prize ever, and it was absolutely free to participate!The final table, which was played out in a mystery tropical location, was made up of nine amateurs, eight from the U.S. who beat out almos

Always look both ways before claiming a seat
While this might seem silly to some, there is actually merit to the question, "Where is the best place to sit at a poker table?"I'm not talking about closest to the bathroom or to the fridge; I'm talking about where the best place is for you to sit at the table in relation to certain types of players.If you've played poker, you know that people approach the game in different ways. You have experienced players and novices, aggressive types and conservative competitors. Eventually you'll meet them

Annie Duke to be Featured Crave's World Championship Poker 2
Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames, has released images and a profile of poker pro Annie Duke, one of top female poker players in the world and one of thetop poker stars that will be featured in the upcoming release, World Championship Poker 2. World Championship Poker 2, is the follow up to one of the best selling titles for the first half of 2005, is slated to ship this fall for the PlayStationR computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and the Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

About Annie Duke

Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Annie Duke [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Big spill at the Bicycle Club
This year the $5,000 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) tournament at the Bicycle Club in Los Angeles brought out more than 800 entrants (with a first place of $1.1 million).This championship finale, capping a one-month-long series of tournaments in August, has some serious history and prestige, and has been on all the top poker players' schedules for 17 years running. And that prize pool has changed over those years!Way back when, in 1988, I won this event and a whopping $145,000, out of a prize poo

Poker news - Charity is in the cards for players at 3G Expo

Charity is in the cards for players at 3G Expo
Charity is in the cards for players at 3G Expo Organizers of the tournament at the "gears, games and gadgets" event hope to draw 2,500 players and break a Guinness record while benefiting a Denver cancer group.

WPT: Network Withdraws "Pro Poker" Offer
WPT: Network Withdraws "Pro Poker" Offer WPT Enterprises: Cable Network Withdraws Offer to Broadcast "Professional Poker" Series

Poker players could be breaking Iowa laws
DES MOINES -- Iowa lawmakers asked regulators Tuesday to help clean up rules governing popular poker games, arguing that Iowans who know when to hold 'em often don't know when they're breaking a confusing patchwork of laws.Members of the Government Oversight Committee said their constituents are uncertain when, where and how it's legally appropriate to play Texas Hold 'em and other poker games. Lawmakers said they want clarification, but, for now, they're not interested in new regulations."I thi

WPTE Plans to Go Global
LOS ANGELES (PRESS RELEASE) -- Can the sensational success of the World Poker Tour be duplicated around the world -- with local nuances, in languages as diverse as Chinese, Russian and Arabic?WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is betting that it can. With deals for Canada and the Philippines already inked, WPTE is setting up shop at MIPCOM (Booth Number: R37.13) to formally entertain offers for launching its branded format in markets around the world. In the U.S., that format involves 16 tou

Phil Gordon s poker pointers Phil Gordon s poker pointers World-class poker

Phil Gordon s poker pointers
Phil Gordon s poker pointers World-class poker player and Celebrity Poker co-host bets on Little Green Book

Borgata Poker Open Breaks Records
ATLANTIC CITY -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Energy levels among players and guests at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa rose early Monday morning as the hotel welcomed players of the World Poker Tour (WPT) main event.The highly regarded tournament series recorded the largest turnout of players in the history of Atlantic City casinos with over 500 players ponying up $10,000 for a shot at the biggest pool prize in Borgata Poker Open history.Spectators were treated to some intriguing tables as a number of top pro

Call for Entries for Absolute Poker's Free 'Win Your Tuition'
Call for Entries for Absolute Poker's Free 'Win Your Tuition' Texas Hold'em Tournament Ends October 6

The Bicycle Casino Sponsors the ``Entourage'' Poker Lounge
The Bicycle Casino Sponsors the ``Entourage'' Poker Lounge at Monkeys In Pants Award Suites to Raise One Million Dollars for Hurricane Katrina Victims

GSN Goes A'Hummin' Down the Las Vegas Strip
GSN Goes A'Hummin' Down the Las Vegas Strip Giving Away Cash and Prizes in New Interstitials Oct. 7 as Part of GSN's Friday 'Casino Night'

WPT - On TV This Week
Party Poker Million
Wednesday Oct 5, 2005

This week the WPT hits the Sea of Cortez for the Cruisin Mexico Party Poker Million, a floating festival of cards that will create not one, but two new WPT millionaires. 735 players ponied up $ 10,000 to test their mettle aboard the beautiful cruise ship M.S. Oosterdam, pushing the prize pool to the largest in WPT history - $ 7,207,108. It s a fitting testament to another milestone reached with this tournament, as the WPT crosses the $ 100,000,000 mark in poker payouts. Last year Erick Lindgren edged out Daniel Negreanu for the first million win. [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Taking a shot at Gutshot
BEFORE I GET into it, you should know that, from here on in, all the words and phrases in this column surrounded by quotes are the - much beloved by me - local London lingo. For those of you who have already guessed it, "bloody right,'' this piece is about a little UK poker!While in London last weekend shooting three parts of a reality show (the "UltimatePoker.com Showdown''), I thought it would be a treat to make an appearance at a poker club, out of respect and "honour'' for the United Kingdom

Online poker room - Life is good as a college poker star Hey Dave,

Life is good as a college poker star
Hey Dave, I whispered into my cell. I need you for a second. It was just then that I realized what an interesting turn of events my life had taken after I made an innocent deposit of $50 into a PartyPoker.com account two years earlier, while living in my Blackwell dorm room. I was seated in a mafia-owned card room in downtown New York City. My hands were glossed over with grease from a filthy, worn-down table and poker chips that had probably been in use for fifteen years without being washed

Protectors of Poker
As poker continues to entrench itself in mainstream American culture, accompanying organizations are springing up to ensure the game -- whether played online, in casinos or at home -- maintains a steady increase in popularity.The Poker Players Alliance, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit group, is attempting to become an advocate for the growing legion of poker players who lack collective representation. Founded earlier this year, the group is seeking members, has hired a Washington, D.C., lobbyist to

Cool hand Capo s coup
Patchogue poker novice and pal finish on top against the big boys in Atlantic City professional tourney

Online Poker Radio Goes Major League
By David Utter
For WebProNews

Major League Poker marries digital radio with the World Series of Poker to complement the online poker-playing experience.

Poker has moved from the felt portraits of card-playing dogs to the digital streamed radio show called "On the Felt."

As poker has exploded in popularity, with coverage of events on outlets like ESPN, many players have turned to Internet venues like The Gaming Club Online Poker Room to play. The Gaming Club Online Poker Room launched "On the Felt," the first online radio show for poker players. Major League Poker produced the show, with Atlanta radio personality and poker player Mark [more ...]
Bronson - bronson@pokertourinfo.com

Bluff Magazine and Jim Feist Sports Announce Content Partnership
September 29, 2005 (Atlanta, GA) - Bluff Magazine and Jim Feist Sports, America s most respected sports Information Company, announced a season-long strategic content partnership. Every Saturday morning one of Bluff s professional poker player and columnist will be featured on Proline, America s longest running sports handicapping show on Television.Bluff Magazine s The Poker Corner will start by featuring one of the hottest young players, Antonio Esfandiari, whose column Poker Like a RockSta

TV mini-cam makes poker a winner
ATLANTA - Years ago, ESPN tried showing the World Series of Poker, and someone said it was like watching bears hibernate. Tonight, it's World Series of Poker time again, but now it's glitz city, baaaaay-bee: hyped-up announcers, high drama, wacko nicknames, huge prizes, everything but cheerleaders. And you won't have to wait long for them, probably. The difference, introduced a mere two years ago, was the little hidden camera at each player's seat that shows the hidden "hole" cards, the ones the

Poker room - Speed poker is resident's forte Lately, it seems poker is

Speed poker is resident's forte
Lately, it seems poker is everywhere. From how-to books and cable channels to the Internet, odds are if you're hankering to learn, play or just watch poker, you'll be able to do it anywhere - in Arizona or London.Which is exactly what Jason Smith, 28, of Chandler, is banking on while he is in England this week playing in the World Speed Poker Open, where he has the chance to win $90,000."It's really the competition," he said, just before his trip. "Being able to outthink someone else, making a p

Big spill at the Bicycle Club
This year the $5,000 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) tournament at the Bicycle Club in Los Angeles brought out more than 800 entrants (with a first place of $1.1 million).This championship finale, capping a one-month-long series of tournaments in August, has some serious history and prestige, and has been on all the top poker players' schedules for 17 years running. And that prize pool has changed over those years!Way back when, in 1988, I won this event and a whopping $145,000, out of a prize poo

St. Louis Man Dominates Poker Action at Borgata
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 17, 2005 -- Another day down, another champion rises to the challenge at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Event five of the 2005 Borgata Poker Open came to a conclusion late in the evening on the second day of the $1,000 buy-in tournament with St. Louis, Mo.'s Jess Yawitz capturing his first Borgata bracelet and a first prize of $121,210.Having started playing a little over a year ago, some might be surprised by Yawitz's success, but he proved hi

Online poker room - Player Profile: Chip Jett

Player Profile: Chip Jett
pPlayer.com - Oct 06 9:13 AM
Filed under: Professionals Born in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 22, 1974, Chip Jett now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife, professional poker player Karina Jett, and their daughter. Chip began dealing poker on an Indian reservation in Arizona when he was 18, and began playing in Las Vegas when he turned 21. Instantly recognizable by his slicked-back blond hair Save to My Web

WPT Aruba Final Table Recap
pPlayer.com - Oct 02 6:13 PM
Filed under: Tournaments Freddy Deeb won the World Poker Tours Aruba event this weekend. He entered the final day as the chip leader and eventually took home $1million for the victory. Freddy has made several final tables in the past but has never won a WPT event until yesterday. Go check out BJ Nemeths recap over at Card Player Magazine . During heads up play, Freddy Deeb took Save to My Web

2004 poker champion pens her memoir (Poker)

2004 poker champion pens her memoir
Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, WY - Oct 7, 2005 Both are remarkably interesting, especially if you're a poker amateur (she offers tips on strategy, a list of poker terms and colorful descriptions of some of

NHL is back, but will fans be?
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Oct 5, 2005 That system is now in place.". In poker terms, the NHL ownership bluffed and won its high-stakes gamble with the players' union.

Fit For Poker Play
PokerMag.com - Sep 20, 2005 In poker terms, Ryan Haneberg and Justin Britt of Kaua'i have gone "all in" with their new venture into the fashion business. The

Poker room - Borgata Final Table

Borgata Final Table
pPlayer.com - Sep 21 11:58 PM
Filed under: Bloggers , Tournaments Day 3 of the Borgata Poker Open is coming to an end. They are currently down to nine players as I write this post. The World Poker Tour has six handed final tables for television airing so action for the night wont be stopped until 3 more people are eliminated. Evelyn Ng fans will be upset to hear this but she got knocked out in 11th place. John Save to My Web

Poker room - Pegasus To Offer Seats To The World Poker Tour Event

Pegasus To Offer Seats To The World Poker Tour Event
Poker Mag - Pegasus Gaming Corp., an I-gaming software and e-commerce services company with exclusive licensing rights for Europe and Africa, is pleased to announce that it will offer the lowest entry fee to the World Poker Tour Event. will offer to its licensees World Poker Tour (WPT) satellite tournaments for

Indie veteran to be WPTE's poker format ace
C21 Media - producer of gaming-themed programming in getting World Poker Tour off the ground internationally ancillary revenue streams. The World Poker Tour format involves 16 tournaments open

Cameron Diaz is hooked on to poker

Cameron Diaz is hooked on to poker Source: New Kerala Newspaper London : Hollywood beauty Cameron Diaz has revealed that she has become a self-confessed poker addict, after being hooked on to the game by comedienne Ellen DeGeneres. The actress, who is dating singer Justin Timberlake, admits she now attends casinos and tournaments on a regular basis. “I’m addicted to it. I do like the casino a bit. I find myself at a casino every once in a while just walking through going: ‘What am I doing here?’ That’s so desperate - I’m in Tunica, Mississippi (at casinos),” she was quoted by the Sun, as saying. “I remember the fateful night (Ellen introduced me to the game) as well. I remember the phone call: ‘Come over and play Texas Hold ‘Em.’ I said: ‘I don’t know how to play Texas Hold ‘Em.’ She was like: ‘None of us do, come on over.’ We sat around a big table. What time did we get done, like four o’clock in the morning? I took everybody’s money that night!” she added.

U.S. Ordered to Clarify Online Casino Rules

U.S. Ordered to Clarify Online Casino Rules By Roy Mark For InternetNews.com The World Trade Organization (WTO) has given the United States until April to clarify its laws permitting Internet betting on horse racing but banning all other types of online gambling. Washington hopes the clarification will end the long-running trade dispute with the tiny Caribbean island nation of Antigua, which is attempting to rebuild its hurricane ravished economy with online casinos. Don't bet on it being resolved anytime soon, experts say. Antigua, the smallest member of the WTO, says the apparent inconsistency serves as a basis for Americans to legally gamble through online, offshore gambling casinos. More than two years ago, it filed a trade complaint with the WTO against the United States. For Washington, it's the trade complaint that won't go away. In April, the WTO issued a ruling that widely agreed with the United States. The decision said Washington has the right to keep gambling services off its list of free trade obligations to other WTO members under the organization's rules permitting countries to refuse to deal in goods and services it bans at home. Antigua, though, gained some measure of satisfaction in the decision when the WTO noted that the United States does permit online wagering when it comes to horse racing. It ordered the U.S. to clarify its current online gambling rules. Factoring in that congressional action might be necessary, the U.S. told the WTO it would have an answer in 15 months. Antigua insisted on a shorter time frame for the U.S. response and the WTO agreed, giving Washington until April 6, 2006. If Antigua is not satisfied with Washington's response, it can continue the trade dispute. In its April ruling supporting the U.S. ban on gambling, the WTO found "the possibility that the [Interstate Horseracing Act] exempts only domestic suppliers of some remote betting services for horse racing from the prohibitions" on remote gambling in pre-existing federal laws. "The one narrow issue we have to resolve is this: When a WTO member invokes a WTO exception, such as public morals, WTO rules say they have to do it without 'arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination,'" Neena Moorjani, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), told internetnews.com. Moorjani added, "We have to clarify is that there is no arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination in the treatment of horse racing." The dispute dates back to 2000, when Congress changed the language in the Interstate Horseracing Act to accommodate national betting through simulcasts at tracks throughout the country. As part of the change, Congress expanded the definition of an interstate off-track bet to include pari-mutuel wagers transmitted between states by way of telephone or other electronic media such as the Internet. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), 11 states currently allow Internet gambling on horse races. In April, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, called the WTO decision "very confusing and very interesting." Monday, Fahrenkopf issued a no comment on the latest WTO decision. In hearings before Congress two years ago, the House Banking Committee was told Americans will gamble more than $2 billion every year through offshore gambling sites. It is estimated that as much as 60 percent of all offshore gambling dollars come from Americans.

Poker bill hurdles House

Poker bill hurdles House By Liberty Dones For Saipan Tribune After months of postponements, the House of Representatives passed on Thursday a bill that allows poker shops only on Beach Road and Middle Road, extending to As Terlaje and As Lito roads. House Bill 14-267 aims to ban poker operations in inner villages such as Koblerville, Dandan, San Vicente, and Kagman, and other villages up north like Tanapag and San Roque. "There would be nothing in the villages. No[thing in] Chalan Kanoa, Koblerville. Nothing inside the villages. It's limited to the main roads," said bill author Rep. Clyde K. Norita. Norita, in an interview yesterday said that, the amendments made to the bill includes changing signages from "poker" to "game room." "The signage won't say poker. It's just game room," he said. The amended bill also provides that no amusement machine shall be operated within 250 feet from the closest boundary of any public or private school, childcare center, nurseries, and churches. It also prohibits operations of these machines adjacent to or within the same facility or complex and under the same roof where commercial Laundromats or grocery stores are located. Earlier, Rep. David Apatang had moved to amend the bill to reduce it from 250 feet to the existing policy of 100 feet, but this motion was defeated. Norita said, though, that House members voted on Rep. Jesus Attao's proposal to allow existing poker shops that would violate the 250 feet guideline to continue operating until they close shop. "Those existing operators can't sell or transfer their license. Say, if they go bankrupt or stop operations, that's the end of the license," he said. Lawmakers said that there are at least two major poker shops that are located near schools. Norita said the bill provides that all existing poker operators would be given 180 days to comply with the law once enacted. Meantime, he said that the amended bill took out the provision to raise the poker fee by $4,000 in view of an earlier passed bill authored by Rep. Arnold I. Palacios, which aims to raise the fee by $4,000 for fuel surcharge payment. The bill, he said, carries a provision now that 25 percent of the raised fee would go to National Honor Society and Junior Statesmen program. Norita said H.B. 14-267 calls for upfront payment of poker license fee. Currently, poker fees are paid on an installment or quarterly basis.