What game should you play? What about RING games!

Hi all, and welcome to another edition of Adrian's corner. This week will be a fairly short one as I am not feeling very healthy at the moment and need to get some R & R & Rx (that's rest, recuperation and medication for those that didn't know :)). I often find that new poker players don't know what type of game to play. That is - tournament or ring/cash games. Each game type has its pros and cons, but I believe that tournament poker has taken the spotlight due to it's massive TV coverage over the last few years, whereas the cash game has lived in its shadow. Although the big poker tournaments show you entrants taking home bucket-loads of cash, remember that it's only those select few top placers that may hit a huge payday and that a player could go dry for several tournaments. I find that this must puts severe strain on your game, especially from a mental perspective (and most likely your wallet if you're constantly buying-in and not placing). Cash games on the other hand are, at least for me as a player, exciting on every single hand. Why, you ask? Well it's not a case of "I've spent my buy-in money and that's all that I will spend in a tournament". In my opinion, this makes you sloppy because you aren't treating every hand as important. It's difficult to explain in words, but hopefully you get the just of what I'm trying to say. I feel more disciplined playing cash games because it's my ACTUAL money in front of me - if I play badly, that's my money gone. If you keep your head on straight, you'll make good profit and there are many folks who make a living playing purely ring games. Also, in cash games if I feel like I'm hitting a brick wall with hands, then I can get up and leave. Fantastic - that means I'm not getting blinded out, can go home and rethink my game and come back refreshed and ready to conquer. I really enjoy the freedom that the cash game gives you. No having to wait for a specific break period, no specific start time. Just sit down and get going. Another very important aspect is that there are far less people to beat! I'd take my chances with 8-10 people instead of having to fight through hundreds or even thousands in a tournament. So cash game score 3, tournaments 0 ;) And here comes the very best part: blinds don't increase. Which means that I'm not going to play nonsensical hands. I can fold, and not stress that the blinds are increasing to 5000/10000 in the next minute and my stack is getting short so I'll play my 8 3 off suit in early position just because I have no other choice. I can sit and fold all night, until I'm happy with the starting hands I get. There are probably more things I could think, but I think that these are pretty good reasons to actually get yourself proficient in cash games. You'll have a lot more fun, and you'll probably find that your game will seriously improve too. Till next time, may your opponents be plagued by 7 - 2 off suit. Adrian

Players Bestow River Belle 4 Prestigious Awards

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Players Bestow River Belle 4 Prestigious Awards

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That's Odd(s) - Part 1

Hi Folks, And welcome to this week’s pearl of wisdom from the "corner". I'd like to cover something which everyone who plays poker knows about, but doesn't necessarily understand or use........odds. For those new to this concept, it's really not as scary as it sounds and the math needed is actually fairly simple. I think it can really help make your game more profitable. DISCLAIMER: I am not a stats expert or mathematician (I didn't even do math at school) so what I'm going to give you is a quick and easy odds calculation to help with working out the possibility (%) of times that you'll make your hand. It's not absolute purist math so the advice I give you will be approximate, not exact. Let's begin: Odds of hitting/making a hand: Let me start by telling you what "outs" are. Simply put, they are any of the remaining cards in the deck that you need to make your hand (or increase its strength). So let’s say in a game of Texas Hold'em, I've got an Ace and Two as my hole cards. The flop comes out Three, Four, Ten. That means that I'm sitting with a potential straight (A234). I need the Five to complete the hand. Since I have no five in my hand and there's no five on the flop and we can't see our opponents’ cards, we take it that there are still four Fives left in the deck. The neat little trick that I learned to get an approximate percentage of time that I'll get the cards goes like this - COMMIT THIS TO MEMORY: (4 outs x 2 + 1) = 9% (approximate) chance that I will get the card that I need to make the hand. Easy, huh? Do the same with a potential flush: You've got two diamonds and two more diamonds and a club appears on the flop. That means there are 4 diamonds which you can see out of the 13 in the deck which leaves 9 diamonds still to come. (9 outs x 2 + 1) = 18% (approximate) chance that I'll hit the card that I need Some folks say to add 2 instead of 1 once you've multiplied your outs by 2, but I prefer to go a little bit more conservative as it makes me more disciplined. Now the brains who are reading this are probably thinking this isn't entirely accurate. Let me stress, this is an approximation and can help beginners and even intermediate players make better decisions and I just don't have the grey matter to delve to heavily into the math side anyway :) Now where odds really come into play is weighing up the chance of hitting your hand vs. the pot odds that you're getting. In other words: what your chances are of hitting your hand, vs. how much money you could win. This is called Pot Odds. I'll cover the relationship between calculating your outs and pot odds and whether it's worth calling a bet in the next edition. Till then readers, may your opponents be plagued by 7 - 2 off suit. Adrian

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Ace In The Hole: Phone and Save the Future of Online Poker!

Ace In The Hole: Phone and Save the Future of Online Poker!

Lady Marmalade: Being truly understood, the world over...

Lady Marmalade: Being truly understood, the world over...: "Being truly understood, the world over... Blogging Mommies unite! Spent most of the day reading, chuckling, crying, and most of all - relating to a bunch of mommy blogs I found. I don't think I've ever felt quite so understood in my life. My problems, worries, fears, obsessions, paranoias and tears are by no means unique or special. I am not alone, and I am not doing too badly, either! Bless the man (or woman) who started the blogging phenomenan, allowing people from all over the world to feel like they are not alone. Like they belong. I put the blogging mommies links under My Favorite Parenting Blogs to share the joy and laughter only mommies will truly understand..."

Postcards From The Ledge: Internet gambling stocks: A good time to buy?

Postcards From The Ledge: Internet gambling stocks: A good time to buy?: "Internet gambling stocks: A good time to buy? Get 'em while their hot....or better yet, get 'em while their not. In the wake of a blood bath that witnessed internet gambling stocks come crumbling down Monday right through into Tuesday, one has to ask themselves: Can it really get any worse? Aside from PartyGaming and 888.com, most of the other internet gambling firms trading on the London Stock Exchange seem poised to stay put and continue catering to the US market. Following the passage of an internet gambling bill that sailed through Congress Friday night as an attachment to the popular ports security measure, the online gambling community including the nearly 100,000 member strong Poker Players Alliance, were left wondering if they still had an industry to call their own following Monday's stock carnage and the biggest online poker site, PartyPoker, announcing plans to leave the US. The banking sector and attorneys calmed nerves somewhat with some encouraging news that gamblers themselves would not be held liable and that banks could only enforce regulations with credit cards. If a bill passes Congress ordering all hospitals to ensure there is a cure for cancer within a nine month period to cut down on health care costs, that doesn't mean the hospitals would be able to"

Germans threaten to arrest British executives of online gambling

The Queen of Hearts: Germans threaten to arrest British executives of online gambling: "Germans threaten to arrest British executives of online gambling Not-so-veiled threats from the Germans First it was the Carruthers arrest by US authorities, followed by the detention of British businessman Peter Dicks in New York and more recently the apprehension of Austrian Bwin online gaming chiefs who were on a visit to France. Now German authorities are threatening to arrest British executives of online gambling companies if they set foot in the country. Officials from the interior ministries of the German states of Hesse and Bavaria told UK publication The Business that executives of foreign companies who let German residents place sports bets online are committing “criminal” acts that could lead to prosecution in Germany."

Casino Affiliate Program

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Poker software 101 - A handy guide

Hi folks and welcome to this edition of Adrian's Corner. This week I don't really have much insights into actual poker playing as I haven't been playing as much as usual lately - you can blame my bosses for that, they keep dishing out the work :) What I'd like to focus on this week are some of the nifty little features and options that our poker software gives you in order to make your playing experience a better one and possibly helping you to win a little more. I'll start off with actual poker table options. 1. Showing Borders If you're lazy like me and don't want to have to actively watch the action at the table or are busy painting your nails or have one eye on the football game while playing poker, then this is really nifty to keep track of the action. This option puts a little red or green border around a players name plaque - a red color border means that the player still has to make a betting decision and green means they already have. When all borders are green, the next betting round ensues. 2. Game Markers For the mathematicians of the game. This is especially good for looking at pot odds and making decisions based on players in the game and money in the pot. This shows you how much money was in the pot and how many players were still in the game for each betting round. 3. Hand Description One of my personal favorites (me being lazy again) - if I'm not focusing all my attention on the cards this little feature will actually describe my current hand to me. It shows on the table in text and of course it's only visible to you in case you're worried. 4. Four Color Deck A marvel of modern poker. Having trouble spotting flushes? Well this makes for easier potential flush identification. Hearts and Spades stay in red and black respectively whilst Diamonds and Clubs turn blue and green. I really recommend using this option! 5. Changing Table Size If you're pressed for space on your desktop, then pick the one that suits you - Large, Small or Mini. 6. Seating Preference Another cool feature if you're picky about where you sit. This allows you to actually select a particular seat for certain table sizes - so if you like to sit bottom left at a table then this will put you in that seat every time you play. 7. Game History This is for those that really take their game seriously or if you just want to check back on a hand. Allows you to save the game commentary (which includes your cards, actions, bets - everything about the game) to your computer for review. What's awesome about this is that if you're using a third party program to track your statistics like Poker Tracker for example, it's quick and easy to take the histories and add them to the program for review. 8. Show Stats See the little show stats button at the bottom of the table when you've got it in Normal or Large view? Click on it and you'll be given some great stats on your number of games won, how often you perform certain actions etc. This can really help up your game if you make good use of them and adjust your play when you see that you're lacking in certain areas. 9. Player History Notice the little red "tick" next to a player's nameplate? Click on it and what you'll get is their actual play history for the round - telling you what they did and how much they bet - again a great way to be lazy and not have to actively watch the action or while attempting to multi task. There are some more options that can be helpful, but I think these are the nicest ones to highlight as I use pretty much all of them and find them very useful. Hope you do too. Note that options 1 through 5 are accessible by clicking MENU at an open poker table, then selecting OPTIONS ==> POKER TABLE OPTIONS from the fly-out menu. Option 6 is accessible by clicking MENU at an open table and then OPTIONS ==> SEATING PREFERENCE. Option 7 by clicking MENU at an open table then OPTIONS ==> GAME HISTORY. Options 8 and 9 are visible to you at the poker table. That's it for this week - have fun, give the features a try and may your opponents be plagued by 7-2 off suit. Adrian

The Importance of Position - Part 2

I'm going to expand some more on my previous insert. What I'm going to focus on here is WHO you want at the table in relation to your position, as well as a hand chart which will give you a good indication of what to play from what position. This is specifically for Hold'em so further study will be needed for other poker variations. WHO do you want at your table and, most importantly, WHERE do you want them sitting in relation to you. Let's say that you've got a maniac/loose/wild player at the table. The terms "maniac/wild/loose" means that this player will enter pots with any kind of hand. What you want to do is have the the aforementioned human ATM sitting to your right. Why? Because you can make a fortune off them. The advantage is that you get to act after this player so if they do limp or have a history of betting at the pot with any hand, you want to be able to re-raise them and maximize the profit you can make from them. So if you get the opportunity, watch the table, see who the maniacs are and try and get a seat where they sit to your right. Now we get the other side of the coin: the rocks. The term "rock" basically indicates that the player is tight, solid and will only enter pots when they have a very good starting hand - the rest of the time they'll be folding. These are the guys you want to your left. Why? Because unless they have got a premium hand, they will often fold so it's very easy to steal blinds from these guys and bet into them with bluffs. If you notice that you have a very tight player who you have been stealing blinds from all through the game, be very weary of when they do call (or raise) because it's likely that they'll have a good hand. That at least gives you information so that you don't risk any further chips if you suspect they have a better hand than you. The other interesting thing about this is isolation. If you're in late position or on the button and the maniac before you has bet/raised and you call or re-raise, the tight player to your left will likely fold along with others and the maniac to your right may call your bet. What this does is that it then pushes everyone else out of the hand and if you've got good cards, the probability of you winning against the maniac is much greater. Hopefully you'll remember my game selection column previously. Remember the flop percentages? These give an indication of the types of players at your table - the higher the flop percentage, the more maniacs, the lower the flop percentage, the more rocks. And you'll want to try and get a seat where you have the advantage :) Hand Charts - What hands to play from what position Here's a rough little guide of what hands are playable in various positions. You'll notice that there are less hands to play when in early position and playable hands start increasing the later you're positioned. Rough Starting Hand by Position Guide Eary Position Middle Position Late Position AA JJ 77 KK Q10 (s) 66 QQ 1010 55 AK (s) AJ 44 AQ (s) 99 33 AK A10 22 AQ 88 A8 (s) A9 A7 (s) AJ (s) A6 (s) KQ A5 (s) A10 (s) A4 (s) KJ A3 (s) A9 (s) A2 (s) K10 K10 (s) KQ (s) K9 (s) QJ Q9 (s) KJ (s) Q8 (s) Q10 J9 (s) QJ (s) 109 (s) 98 (s) K9 Q9 J10 * (s) denotes that the cards are suited i.e. A6 (s) means that it's the Ace and Six - with both cards being the same suit e.g. spades. Disclaimer: Please note that this is a very rough guide to the hands by position and is, from my personal experience, what I've had success with in the past. There are far more scientific, statistical & extensive hand chart resources available that can give greater insight on these starting hands so if you're wanting to look into it a bit more, I'd recommend that you obtain books by noted poker authors. This is merely my interpretation and is hopefully going to help you or at least put you on the right track to recognizing what hands you can or should be playing from various positions. Oh and another thing (I'll quit whining soon I promise :)), as with most things in life, the guide above is not a recipe for success - it can only be done in conjunction with the information you have gathered from your opponents and making the best decision, after all, that's what poker is about: using the information you've gained to make the correct decision (even if you don't win the hand - in the long run you'll be smiling). That's it from me folks. Until next time, I wish you good cards, good poker and that your opponents are plagued by 7 2 offsuit.

The importance of position

What I'm going to focus on here is WHO you want at the table in relation to your position, as well as a hand chart which will give you a good indication of what to play from what position. This is specifically for Hold'em so further study will be needed for other poker variations. WHO do you want at your table and, most importantly, WHERE do you want them sitting in relation to you. Let's say that you've got a maniac/loose/wild player at the table. The terms "maniac/wild/loose" means that this player will enter pots with any kind of hand. What you want to do is have the the aforementioned human ATM sitting to your right. Why? Because you can make a fortune off them. The advantage is that you get to act after this player so if they do limp or have a history of betting at the pot with any hand, you want to be able to re-raise them and maximize the profit you can make from them. So if you get the opportunity, watch the table, see who the maniacs are and try and get a seat where they sit to your right. Now we get the other side of the coin: the rocks. The term "rock" basically indicates that the player is tight, solid and will only enter pots when they have a very good starting hand - the rest of the time they'll be folding. These are the guys you want to your left. Why? Because unless they have got a premium hand, they will often fold so it's very easy to steal blinds from these guys and bet into them with bluffs. If you notice that you have a very tight player who you have been stealing blinds from all through the game, be very weary of when they do call (or raise) because it's likely that they'll have a good hand. That at least gives you information so that you don't risk any further chips if you suspect they have a better hand than you. The other interesting thing about this is isolation. If you're in late position or on the button and the maniac before you has bet/raised and you call or re-raise, the tight player to your left will likely fold along with others and the maniac to your right may call your bet. What this does is that it then pushes everyone else out of the hand and if you've got good cards, the probability of you winning against the maniac is much greater. Hopefully you'll remember my game selection column previously. Remember the flop percentages? These give an indication of the types of players at your table - the higher the flop percentage, the more maniacs, the lower the flop percentage, the more rocks. And you'll want to try and get a seat where you have the advantage :) Hand Charts - What hands to play from what position Here's a rough little guide of what hands are playable in various positions. You'll notice that there are less hands to play when in early position and playable hands start increasing the later you're positioned. Rough Starting Hand by Position Guide Eary Position Middle Position Late Position AA JJ 77 KK Q10 (s) 66 QQ 1010 55 AK (s) AJ 44 AQ (s) 99 33 AK A10 22 AQ 88 A8 (s) A9 A7 (s) AJ (s) A6 (s) KQ A5 (s) A10 (s) A4 (s) KJ A3 (s) A9 (s) A2 (s) K10 K10 (s) KQ (s) K9 (s) QJ Q9 (s) KJ (s) Q8 (s) Q10 J9 (s) QJ (s) 109 (s) 98 (s) K9 Q9 J10 * (s) denotes that the cards are suited i.e. A6 (s) means that it's the Ace and Six - with both cards being the same suit e.g. spades. Disclaimer: Please note that this is a very rough guide to the hands by position and is, from my personal experience, what I've had success with in the past. There are far more scientific, statistical & extensive hand chart resources available that can give greater insight on these starting hands so if you're wanting to look into it a bit more, I'd recommend that you obtain books by noted poker authors. This is merely my interpretation and is hopefully going to help you or at least put you on the right track to recognizing what hands you can or should be playing from various positions. Oh and another thing (I'll quit whining soon I promise :)), as with most things in life, the guide above is not a recipe for success - it can only be done in conjunction with the information you have gathered from your opponents and making the best decision, after all, that's what poker is about: using the information you've gained to make the correct decision (even if you don't win the hand - in the long run you'll be smiling).

Have Your Say In The Largest Online Gambling Player Survey

Have your say! eCOGRA has launched its much anticipated Global Online Gambler Survey. Millions of poker and casino players worldwide will now have the opportunity to have their say, in what has been widely reported as the largest research initiative ever undertaken into the behavior and attitudes of online gamblers. Covering areas such as poker, casino, player protection, responsible gambling and luck, the survey will be promoted to players via an unprecedented show of support from leading software providers, operators and portals, as well as through eCOGRA's own contact database. The results are expected to create a better understanding of players' needs and concerns and to hear directly from players as to what makes rewarding and safe online gambling experience. Click here to complete the survey.

River Belle player drives off with $50,000 OCC Chopper

Winner of “Ticket to Ride” Promotion Drives Away with a Custom Orange County Chopper Valued at $50,000 Gibraltar, August 29, 2006 – Check your rearview mirror and stay out of the fast lane because if you see Marc C. barreling down the highway he just might be riding his new River Belle branded Orange County Chopper. Belle Rock Entertainment, owner of four online casinos and two online poker rooms, flew seven prize package winners from around the globe to New York for a chance to press their luck one last time. On August 25th at the Orange County Chopper (OCC) workshop in Montgomery, New York, the “Ticket to Ride” promotion came to an end with a key turning ceremony that saw Marc rev the engine of his new custom chopper. Upon their arrival at the OCC workshop, the finalists were each directed to choose a single key in random order. After four other winners tried their keys and failed to start the ignition, Marc gave his a turn, and let the purr of the chopper be the proclamation that he was its new owner. After the ceremony, the winners were able to meet with the Teutuls and take a tour of the workshop made famous in the Discovery channel show American Chopper. Even though Marc left with the bike, everyone left with a story and a great experience. Before the hand-off, Marc and the other prize winners were all treated to the full Belle Rock VIP experience in New York City. Arriving in New York on a first class flight, the seven winners and their guests found luxury accommodations, a gift bag full of prizes, and a weekend taste of Champaign wishes and caviar dreams, including dinner reservations at one of the City’s best restaurants and tickets to the proclaimed Broadway hit “The Producers.” “This was simply sensational, really a wonderful experience from start to finish,” said Marc who won his place in the “Ticket to Ride” promotion at the Lucky Nugget Online Casino. “I’m not a big spender or a free roller, so I never thought I would be able to win a promotion like this. Meeting with the Teutuls and getting on that bike for the first time, I had to pinch myself.” Six of the seven prize package winners came from the various Belle Rock casinos and poker rooms with one each coming from:

• River Belle Online Casino (www.riverbelle.com)
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• the Lucky Nugget Online Casino (www.luckynugget.com)
• and the Jackpot City Online Casino (www.jackpotcity.com).

The seventh finalist bid for the chance to win this prize at the end of July in Belle Rock’s industry leading auctions. “We always try to offer unique and rewarding promotions to our players so that the action on the tables and at the slots can be taken past the games,” said Tim Johnson, Chairman of Carmen Media Group, owner of Belle Rock Entertainment. “We were overjoyed to see how great the River Belle bike turned out, and couldn’t wait to give it to one of our gamers. Congratulations to Marc and the rest of the winners.” About Belle Rock Entertainment Belle Rock Entertainment is a group of online casinos and poker rooms. It is owned by Carmen Media Group Limited, based in Gibraltar and is one of the most experienced and trusted online gaming operators in the world. Over the past 10 years, the various brands within Belle Rock Entertainment have become synonymous with exciting entertainment, the most advanced games and the biggest promotions. All of the Belle Rock Entertainment’s online casinos carry the eCogra Players’ Seal of Approval which testifies to fair play and responsible gaming, as well as secure and timely payouts. The group’s major brands include River Belle, The Gaming Club, Jackpot City and Lucky Nugget

Poker News Online, Online Poker Blog: Goodlatte to Make His Move Thursday

Poker News Online, Online Poker Blog: Goodlatte to Make His Move Thursday

Poker Prof's Poker Blog - NASCAR"S Jeff Gordon Hosts Charity Foundation Poker Classic at Caesars Palace

NASCAR"S Jeff Gordon Hosts Charity Foundation Poker Classic at Caesars Palace Check out the Poker Prof's photo gallery from the PokerRoom.com Bahama cruise. Jeff Gordon on the red carpet at Caesars Palace for his namesake charity poker tournament. Jeff Gordon on the red carpet at Caesars Palace for his namesake charity poker tournament. Caesars Palace is once again the setting for a major poker tournament, the 2006 Jeff Gordon Foundation Poker Classic. The tournament was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but was moved to today. The festivities got underway with a red carpet introduction of NASCAR drivers, sports stars and professional poker players. Jeff was joined in the Caesars Place tournament poker area by Tony Stewart, Robbie Gordon, Scotty Nguyen, Chrtis Moneymaker, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Robert Williamson III, Steve Dannenmann, George Rogers, Samantha Cole and Harry Morton along with many others for a No-limit Hold'em tournament to benefit the Jeff Gordon Charity Foundation. 1998 WSOP Main Event Champion, Scotty Nguyen. 1998 WSOP Main Event Champion, Scotty Nguyen. The table winners in the shoot-out style tournament will combine into a final table at 6:00 this evening to determine the champion of the event. The crowds were lining the rails and the red carpet, even at the early hour of 10:00 AM (Remember, this is Las Vegas and 10 in the morning is damn early unless you stayed up all night). Professional players remaining at mid-afternoon are Chris Moneymaker, Steve Dannenmann and Chris Ferguson. Jeff Gordon was eliminated after a good showing while the 1998 WSOP Main Event Champion, Scotty Nguyen, was one of the first players to leave when his all-in pocket Kings were defeated by an Ace on the turn for pocket Aces and it was a quick exit for Scotty. More Photos and details from the final table later this eventing. Tony Stewart, Chris Ferguson and Jeff Gordon pose on the red carpet. Tony Stewart, Chris Ferguson and Jeff Gordon pose on the red carpet. Online Casino

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Poker Series Returns to Binions Horseshoe in Vegas

Poker Series Returns to Binions Horseshoe in Vegas by Bob Pajich for Card Player Magazine Once again, Binions Horseshoe in Las Vegas will host a tournaments series. The American Poker Player Championship is a 29-event series that will take place from May 10-24, at the former home of the World Series of Poker. Buy-ins for the events range from $330 to the $5,300 no-limit championship that will be held on May 22. Satellites start at $100. All the tournaments will be capped at 800 players. The complete schedule is listed below. Binions Horseshoe was the home of the World Series of Poker from 1970 to 2004, the year Harrah’s Entertainment bought Binions Horseshoe specifically to take control of the World Series of Poker brand name. The same year, it sold the casino to MTR Gaming Group, which owns Mountaineer Race Track in West Virginia. The WSOP is now held at the Rio in Las Vegas. The complete schedule of the American Poker Player Championship follows: May 10, 5 p.m: free no-limit media tournament May 11, 11 a.m: $550 no-limit hold’em May 11, 6 p.m: $330 Omaha high-low May 12, 11 a.m: $550 no-limit hold’em bounty event May 12, 6 p.m: $330 with $100 rebuys no-limit hold’em May 13, 11 a.m: $1,075 no-limit hold’em May 13, 6 p.m: $330 pot-limit Omaha high May 14, 11 a.m: $550 limit hold’em May 14, 6 p.m: $330 seven-card stud May 15, 11 a.m: $550 no-limit hold’em May 15, 6 p.m: $330 limit hold’em May 16, 11 a.m: $550 no-limit hold’em bounty event May 16, 6 p.m: $330 no-limit hold’em May 17, 11 a.m: $550 no-limit hold’em May 17, 6 p.m: $100 with $50 rebuys no-limit hold’em satellite May 18, 11 a.m: $550 pot-limit Omaha high May 18, 6 p.m: $100 with $50 rebuys no-limit hold’em satellites to main event May 19, 11 a.m: $1,075 no-limit hold’em bounty event May 19, 6 p.m: $330 no-limit hold’em May 20, 11 a.m. $330 no-limit ladies event May 20, 4 p.m: $550 limit hold’em May 21, 11 a.m: $200 with $100 rebuys no-limit hold’em satellite to main event May 21, 4 p.m: $200 with $100 re-buys nolimit hold’em satellite to main event May 22, 11 a.m: $5,300 no-limit hold’em championship event May, 22, 6 p.m: $100 with $50 rebuys no-limit hold’em satellite May 23, 2 p.m: $1,075 no-limit hold’em May 23, 6 p.m: $100 with $50 rebuys no-limit hold’em satellite May 24, 11 a.m: $1,075 no-limit hold’em

Goodlatte to Make His Move Thursday

Goodlatte to Make His Move Thursday U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., has announced plans to reintroduce his Internet Gambling Prohibition Act on Thursday. A media alert released from Goodlatte's office this afternoon links the failure of Goodlatte's previous attempts to pass prohibitory legislation in the 106th (1999-2000) and 107th Congresses (2001-2002) to Jack Abramoff's "campaign of misinformation." Goodlatte's office notes that the original Internet Gambling Prohibition Act received support from more than 60 percent of the House but lacked the necessary sixty-seven percent required by suspension calendar rules. Various Republican Congressmen have in recent weeks discussed reform as a means to distance themselves from and correct the political scandals involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX). Amid allegations that the voting on I-gaming prohibition bills in 2000 was tainted by Abramoff and DeLay, the House has been motivated once again to tackle online gambling. Goodlatte's prohibition bills have differed from the more recent efforts by Rep. James Leach, R-Iowa, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., in that they seek to amend the federal Wire Act with language to specify that remote forms of gambling are illegal. The efforts of Leach, who has already introduced a separate piece of prohibitory legislation this session, and Kyl focus instead on preventing the financial transactions that facilitate online gambling from taking place. The media alert from Goodlatte's office asserts further: "Abramoff's total disregard for the legislative process has allowed Internet gambling to continue thriving and it's now a $12 billion industry. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act is vital to protect our children and communities from the problems of addiction, crime, bankruptcy and family difficulties that come from gambling." Click here to view the media alert from Rep. Goodlatte's office.

From Casinos to Strip Clubs, a Tour across South Africa

From Casinos to Strip Clubs, a Tour across South Africa Source: Big OC News Staff Strip clubs and casinos are both enjoying a rising popularity in South Africa these days. The businesses, which as recently as a decade ago were considered illegal, are now booming. Thousands of adult entertainment fans and casino gamblers pour into these venues each day. In the past, local residents who wished to gamble or watch a strip show, had to go to neighboring countries. However, since censorship collapsed with South Africa's transition to a democratic regime in 1994, pornography and casino gambling have turned into a regular sight in the country. Official records demonstrated that, including the national lottery, as many as 80% of the population gamble on a regular basis. The biggest boom appears to have been felt at the top end of the market, with major businesses having entered these once-taboo markets. Ultimately, these businesses dominated the underground organizations that previously led these industries. Derek Auret, CEO of the Casino Association of South Africa, was reported as saying that since the country's constitution became so liberal, people just do what they like to do. And, if it's naked strippers and casino chips that please the nation, so be it.

New Online Casino Software for Interactive Poker

New Online Casino Software for Interactive Poker By Andrew B Zone4Play’s new poker game is soon to be available to 10 million households in the UK. The game, ‘Face-Up Hold'em’, is designed for multiple e-gaming platforms and hopes to tap into the poker market that generated $4 billion in revenues in 2005.

‘Face-Up Hold'em’ is based on the popular Texas Hold'em Poker but with a fixed odds twist. It will be available on all interactive platforms in the UK including mobile, Internet and interactive TV; however, the focus will be on participation TV in particular.

In addition to the fixed odds set up, ‘Face-Up Hold’em’ will enable TV viewers to participate in poker TV shows by betting during each hand on the results of the game.

Shimon Citron, CEO of Zone4Play, said, ‘We are excited about the introduction of this new game, which strengthens Zone4Play's growing e-gaming portfolio, as market demand is proving to be higher than ever.’

World Poker Tour's Season Five Schedule Released

World Poker Tour's Season Five Schedule Released By Bob Pajich For CardPlayer.com In season five, like members of the Starship Enterprise, the World Poker Tour is going to a place it never has been before. In doing so, two familar tournaments have been axed. The WPT will visit Mandalay Bay for the first time in the fifth season of the show to cover the Mandalay Bay Poker Championship in June and is ending its working relationship with online poker sites Party Poker and Ultimate Bet. In a press release, Steve Lipscomb, the founder of the WPT, says: "We've had a great run with both companies, but the circumstances have changed since we elected to launch WPTonline.com, our own international gaming website. Although they will no longer be on the tour, we continue to explore future opportunities with both of these organizations." PokerStars.com’s Caribbean Adventure remains on the schedule. Season four has seven tournaments left until the championship takes place at Bellagio in late April; the Borgata Poker Classic takes place Jan. 29-30; the L.A. Poker Classic at Commerce Casino takes place Feb. 16-21; the WPT Invitation takes place at Commerce Casino Feb. 22-24; the Bay 101 Shooting Star takes place at Bay 101 Casino Feb. 27-March 3; the World Poker Challenge takes place at the Reno Hilton March 27-30; the Foxwoods Poker Classic takes place April 6-9; and the championship event takes place at Bellagio April 18-24. The schedule for season five follows, minus two events that will soon be announced: Mirage Poker Showdown, Mirage Las Vegas, May 14-17 Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, Mandalay Bay, June 4-8 Grand Prix de Paris, Aviation Club de France, June 12-16 Legends of Poker, The Bicycle Casino, Aug. 26-30 Borgata Poker Open, Borgata, Sep. 15-19 North American Poker Championship, to be announced, Oct. 23-27 World Poker Finals, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Nov 11-16 Bellagio Five Diamond Poker Classic, Bellagio, Dec. 15-19 PokerStars.com Caribbean Adventure, Atlantis Casino, Bahamas, Jan. 6-13, 2007 World Poker Open, Gold Strike Casino Tunica, Jan. 21-25, 2007 L.A. Poker Classic, Commerce Casino, Feb. 15-20, 2007 WPT Invitational, Commerce Casino, Feb. 21-23, 2007 Bay 101 Shooting Star, Bay 101 Casino, Feb. 27-March 3, 2007 World Poker Challenge, Reno Hilton, March 26-29, 2007 WPT World Championship, Bellagio, April 21-27, 2007

Online Poker Room Pokerstars For Sale

Online Poker Room Pokerstars For Sale Israeli owners appoint top investment bank to advise on sale or IPO The world's second largest online poker ROOM company, PokerStars is up for sale or a public listing by the Israeli Scheinberg family. Having moved their company to the Isle of Man jurisdiction recently, the Scheinbergs have engaged a leading City bank, NM Rothschild to sell or launch an IPO in London for Poker Stars...and they're looking at a price tag of over $2 billion (GBP 1.2 million) PokerStars is the second-biggest virtual poker operator after PartyGaming, the company behind the PartyPoker website, whose four owners pocketed about GBP 1 billion last summer after floating it on the London Stock Exchange with a value of GBP 4.64 billion. Isai Scheinberg founded Poker Stars and he and his family are believed to hold around 75 percent of the company, with his employees owning most of the other 25 percent. He comes from a technical background and was previously a programmer with IBM. Israeli business media reports indicate that Scheinberg worked for IBM’s Canadian subsidiary and that he and his family reside in that country. He has two sons, who manage the company with him. Scheinberg founded PokerStars in 1999, and the company now has a turnover of $150-200 million a year, with a high net profit margin, amounting to almost half its revenue. Although a flotation for PokerStars, probably in the second half of 2006, is a possibility, City analysts believe the huge growth in internet gambling is likely to make PokerStars attractive to both virtual and physical rivals. At a recent conference Lenny Barshack the head of Tribeca Tables, a poker software developer produced statistics showing that online poker revenues reached US $3 billion in 2005. Analysts postulate that one possible merger partner could be 888 Holdings, which in September followed in the footsteps of PartyGaming in floating on the London Stock Exchange with a value of almost GBP 600 million. Like PokerStars, 888 is controlled by Israeli interests, the Shaked and Ben Yitzhak families. Some City analysts believe that the sale of PokerStars may also attract interest from traditional gambling companies, such as Rank Group and William Hill, keen to boost their presence in the online sector. Source: online-casinos.com

Hilton Sister Hosts New Year's Poker Tournament Bash

Hilton Sister Hosts New Year's Poker Tournament Bash Nicky Hilton, the less visible of the Hilton “celebutantes,” and her boyfriend, actor Kevin Connolly helped break in the new poker room at Caesars Palace on New Year's Eve. The pair co-hosted a poker tournament as part of the New Year's festivities at Pure, Caesars flagship nightclub, while Nicky's sister, Paris, was hosting her own “to do” across the street at the Venetian. The Hilton affair didn't attract much of a Hollywood presence, interestingly enough. As far as professional poker clout is concerned, however, a significant delegation was present. Big names included Mike Matusow, winner of the 2005 WSOP Tournament of Champions, 2004 WSOP main event runner-up David Williams, back-to-back WSOP bracelet-winner Scott Fischman, pro poker spouses Chip and Karina Jett, Joe Awada, Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari, Evelyn Ng, Cyndy Violette, John Phan, as well as celebrity poker couple Jennifer Tilly and boyfriend Phil “Unabomber” Laak. All in all, 92 players entered the tournament. Although she didn't win the tournament, the Hilton heiress reportedly put up a good fight, lasting over two hours into the competition, and making it further than some of the pros. This is not Ms. Hilton's first foray into the gritty yet glamorous world of poker. Hilton is a regular at celebrity poker shindigs. Readers may recall Hilton's crash-and-burn Vegas nuptials, circa 2004. Nicky and sister Paris were actually in Las Vegas that weekend for a celebrity poker tournament hosted by “Stuff” magazine. Hilton and Connolly were also in attendance at Doyle Brunson's recent player appreciation party, joining Leonardo DiCaprio, Charles Oakley and others. Source: Poker777.com

Shannon Elizabeth Wins Nicky Hilton Poker Tournament

Shannon Elizabeth Wins Nicky Hilton Poker Tournament By Poker Prof For LasVegasVegas.com Shannon Elizabeth wins the first ever Nicky Hilton Caesars Palace New Years Eve poker tournament. Outlasting all the top name pros and watching the celebrities and walk-ons fall aside, Shannon left little doubt she was the champion this day. Photos of the tournament plus some bonus ones of the Vegas midnight fireworks have been added to the photo gallery. Shannon is no stranger to major poker tournament play, having entered events in the Rio's 2005 WSOP including the main event, where she lasted past the brutal first day. The actress and producer is a serious tournament poker player, probably as a result of her Texas origin. Shannon is a native Texan, born in Houston, an area that has produced many accomplished actors and even more accomplished gamblers...especially high-dollar poker players, so no surprise she can play. Howard Hughes was another gambler/movie mogul born in Houston. Half of the new tournament poker room at Caesars Palace was cordoned off for the players, dealers, fans, media, well-wishers, friends, one of the Hilton sisters, actress Jennifer Tilly, friends of Nicky Hilton, bodyguards and the generally curious. The 92 players in the tournament included an 'A' list of poker professionals attracted mostly to the exposure and fun, the event being a part of Nicky Hilton'[s New Years Eve party at Caesars' Pure Nightclub. The event offered an approximate $120,000 prize pool. The tournament was officially named the Nicky Hilton & Kevin Connolly host a New Year's Eve Poker Tournament. At least, that was the name on the glossy flyer. The tournament got under way about a quarter past eleven Saturday morning, kind of early for some of the nocturnal poker pros. They often play through the night, so some of them had come to this tournament after playing all-night in a cash game, no sleep. The tournament was under the direction of Caesars Palace Tournament Director, Paul Lord, present on the floor to referee the tables and keep the tournament moving. The ego-enriched crowd full of New Year's holiday cheer remained docile, reserved and often strangly quiet, probably a result of the early hour. Even the crowd of camera toting onlookers was unusually hushed. The tournament ran smoothly from start to final hand, a tribute to the professional staff of the poker room at Caesars Palace. Click here for the rest of the article at Poker Prof's Blog