Tuesday Night Poker Coming Your Way on ESPN
Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2008
Tuesday night is poker night on ESPN. Even when the world's attention is turned into synchronized swimming, badminton, saber dueling and BB gun shooting some of you would rather be watching a few card players doing battle for a large pile of money. This week's, Tuesday August 12th, 2 hour installment, episodes 7 & 8, of exclusive coverage of the 2008 WSOP offers WSOP Event #5, $1,000 Buy-In No-Limit Hold'em with rebuys.
With a prize pool of $2,894,094 at stake the 766 starting players did a total of 2,258 rebuys. The top 72 players get paid at least $8,103. The winner takes home $636,736 and a gold bracelet. The Day 1 crowd included many well known pros including a number of past WSOP Main Event champions. By the end of the second day the crowd had been reduced to the final table nine, a final table without a single WSOP ME Champion.
The action begins at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN; but, be sure to check local TV listings for exact times in your area. Take a break from the "other" sporting event happening in China and enjoy some high stakes poker. Another dozen Flipchip photos from the three days of the event after the jump...
Bodog Releases $250K Poker Props
Date: Sat, Aug 9, 2008
Bodog loves those poker props. They had dozens up during the WSOP and now they're keeping the ball rolling with their big upcoming $250K tournament and its own set of props.
They have put odds on how well the players will do pitting the top 10 from their current yearly poker tournament leader board against each other as well as the top 10 from last year's leader board.
A few names should jump out at you immediately on there, especially the ones who appear on both yearly TLB's like "thatsNice", "daisyxoxo", "Killa_Tyven"
Head over to the Bodog Sportsbook for all their poker props including their odds on the WSOP Final Table.
Bodog $250K Guaranteed Tournament this Sunday
Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2008
This Sunday Bodog is taking its weekly $100K guaranteed poker tournament and injecting with some serious cash to make it $250,000 and the biggest guaranteed prize pool in Bodog Poker history.
The $250K event has a $270 buy-in and runs Sunday, August 10th at 4 p.m. ET. First place will win over $50,000. They are also juicing the pot by giving every single player who enters $25 in credit to be used on Bodog Live.
Bodog Live lets you bet in real time on sports like baseball and football where you try and guess what will happen next.
They are also offering plenty of way to get in cheap including a 100 Seat Guaranteed satellite that is happening on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. The buy-in is $29.
There are also two ways to get into the 100 Seat Guaranteed tourney using nothing more than Bodog Poker Points. Find out more about their PTS satellites.
Politics of Poker
Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2008
Newsflash ... A recent independent study has determined that government (i.e. US Congress) funded studies serve no useful purpose other than to create even more confusion and results are generally ignored. Studies are great tools that allow politician to put off any commitment that could affect re-electability - "We'll study this issue until the elections are over." So, what does Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-NV, want to do? A study, of course. We'll do a one year study of Internet Poker, after all, it starts with a "P" and that rhymes with "T" and that stands for trouble!
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-TX, introduced a bill, H.R. 6663, just before the summer recess that would provide an exemption for on-line poker from the poorly defined Internet Gambling Ban (UIEGA) rammed through by former Senator Frist, R-TN. Now all the poker friends and foes are squaring off against this simple Sessions solution. Even the Poker Player Alliance (PPA) has publicly come out against the Session's bill because it would be the same as admitting that on-line poker was illegal. Right, the "same as" but not exactly the same. The basis of this PPA rejection is the bill would not clear up the confusion about the definition of unlawful Internet gambling. Perhaps we need another study to define "definitions."
The American Gaming Association, Nevada casino lobbyist, stated they are neutral on the Session's bill but would oppose any move to add it to their legislation of choice, the Shelley Berkley study. Please note, the Sessions bill would keep on-line sports betting as an illegal activity and Nevada casinos are really big on sports betting. I can open an account at a Las Vegas sports book then pick up my phone and wager on the sporting events of my choice; but, I can't fire up my computer and do the same thing. Which end of the egg is the right end to crack? Sounds a bit silly doesn't it?
You have to look far and wide to find anyone (other than the millions of US poker players that want to play on-line poker and bet on sporting events around the world without fear of arrest) that would support this legislation; but, one such person does exist. Jay Lakin, owner of Poker Source Online, has come out in favor of the bill. He said, since Nevada is the only state that allows sports betting the impact of the ban under the bill would be minimal.
And finally, why do the learned [sic] D.C. powers insist that poker and sports betting on-line be considered an evil entity. Because the Frist bill defined it as such? The truly simple answer here would be the repeal of the Frist bill and the legalization of online poker and sports wagering. Is there a sane person in the house? Paging Barney Frank, (D-MA), your seat is open in the poker room located right next to the sports book.
Wendeen H. Eolis has posted the first installment of "Inside Scoop on Poker Player Activism, Part 1" For those that don't know Wendeen just consider her to be one of the major poker industry powers and a poker player's best friend. Click on over to Poker Player Newspaper Online and read the real story.
Excalibur to make poker room all-electronic
Date: Thu, Aug 7, 2008
Four Winds casino in New Buffalo, Mich., was the first casino to launch with a WPT poker room sans dealers. All tables are PokerTek electronic tables, with players depositing and withdrawing to cards at an in-room cashier.
Players have a love/hate relationship with the tables. On the one hand, it doesn't feel like a real poker game without the dealer controlling the table (not to mention no chips or cards). On the other hand, less rake and no tip is always good.
Mostly because of a delay in getting approved, Las Vegas hasn't seen the poker e-tables yet, but by the end of this month, one casino will be converting to all dealer-less tables.
Excalibur informed dealers that they will close their poker room on Aug. 18, then reopen Aug. 21 with all e-tables. Floor staff will be kept to a minimum, and obviously -- no dealers.
R.I.P., Excalibur. We remember you fondly when you were in the sportsbook area, we could get a free hotdog buffet in late afternoons, and we could spin the wheel.
2008 WSOP Poker Faces
Date: Wed, Aug 6, 2008
I'm continuing work with the 2008 WSOP images so today's offering is more photos from the Big Poker Show. Most are up-close moments of concentration from some familiar faces and some not so familiar faces. This gives me an opportunity to display some of my favorite shots from the 47 days of big-time poker at the Rio resort in Las Vegas. All photos were taken at the 2008 WSOP at the Rio Resort Las Vegas.
Another dozen pics after the jump...
Poker Chips Will Kill You?
Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2008
Apparently the past rumors of poker chips containing lead are indeed true. Although the results of testing for lead content that was performed for a Phoenix TV station could not be duplicated and the dangerous levels they reported was never confirmed; but, it has been determined that lead is present. How much is too much? How about when it creates health problems?
The public was in an uproar when lead was discovered in children's toys coming from China and the government quickly decided that any lead was too much since "safe" levels have never really been defined and government standards continue to be lowered. Unfortunately, lead monoxide, PbO, is an excellent material to mix into ceramic products, especially ones that are going through a pill press and into a sintering oven or are mixed with an epoxy. They add weight, lubricate the dies, provide color, and react at low temperatures. Sounds like an ideal constituent for a poker chip material mix.
So are the poker chips at your favorite poker room going to kill you? You're more likely to die of clogged arteries from too many potato chips; but, you can practice a bit of lead exposure safety. When handling chips always wash your hands throughly and often, especially before eating or smoking. Never put chips in your mouth and never take them home or let the kids play with them. Adolescents are much more susceptible to lead exposure than adults.
Beginning November 1st, poker rooms in California will have to post signs stating informing customers that casino chips on the premises contain lead, a metal known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. This is the results of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Environmental Health against Gaming Partners International, previously known as Paulson Gaming, the Las Vegas based casino chip manufacturer.
WSOP Poker on ESPN Tuesday Night at 8 PM EST
Date: Sun, Aug 3, 2008
Prepare yourself for another two hours of poker from the 2008 WSOP at the Rio Resort in Las Vegas. This weeks offering of installment #3 features Event #4 - $5,000 Buy-In Mixed Hold'em. For those that don't know the mix its alternating levels of Limit and No-Limit Hold'em. Listed by starting chip count with seat number in parenthesis, Tuesday night's final table will showcase - (3) David "Chino" Rheem 885,000 - (6) David Williams 678,500 - (7) Justin Bonomo 517,500 - (9) Erick Lindgren 345,000 - (1) Howard Lederer 324,500 - (2) Roland de Wolfe 194,000 - (8) Andrew Robl 162,000 - (5) Isaac Haxton 115,500 - (4) Pat Pezzin 108,500.
The event attracted 332 hopefuls vying for a prize pool of $1,560,400. The winner will receive $374,505 and a coveted gold bracelet. With the likes of Howard Lederer, David Williams, and Erick Lindgren this final table promises to be a tough road for the eventual champion.
Erick Lindgren is often referred to as the world's best poker player without a WSOP bracelet; but, that all changes on this night. As the saying goes, "Every dog has its day," and this day belongs to E-Dog. Even though Justin Bonomo began heads-up play with a 1,983,000 to 1,340,000 chip advantage he couldn't overcome the hard charging Lindgren and had to settle for second place and $230,159.
More photos after the jump of some of the well known players that didn't make the final table
2008 WSOP Champions Gallery Now Available
Date: Fri, Aug 1, 2008
The first 2008 WSOP Flipchip Photo Gallery is finally available. The 54 winners of the events can be seen in living color and hi-rez quality. For your convenience we've included the amount of prize money carted away by each of the 54 bracelet winners.
As always, all of the photos in the Flipchip Photo Galleries are available and offered per our Creative Commons License. Click the handy link above and check out the 2008 WSOP Champions. We'll be adding the final championship photo of the 2008 Main Event Champion on November 11th.
Best Las Vegas Poker Tournament Directory
Date: Thu, Jul 31, 2008
Are you in Las Vegas, planning a trip to Vegas or looking for an excuse to enjoy some live action poker in Las Vegas? Look no further than the Poker Prof's Las Vegas Poker Tournament Directory. It is the most up-to-date, comprehensive guide to Las Vegas poker to be found anywhere. Unlike print guides that offer month old info printed in a format guaranteed to confuse the Prof's schedules are updated daily so the information is as fresh and accurate as possible.
Need another reason to make the Prof's Poker Tournament Directory your exclusive poker planning tool? How about the easiest to use search functions currently available anywhere? Choose your input parameters - calendar dates, days of the week, clock times, casinos, formats, buy-ins - and and then quickly zero in on the events that fit your preferences, schedule and wallet. You can even custom tailor the resultant data in an easy to understand style of your choice.
It's time you stop squinting at the fine print of old fashioned poker tournament directories filled with out-of-date info. Use the Poker Prof's Las Vegas Poker Tournament Directory and the only squinting you'll be doing will be recording the flash of your opponent's hole cards.
Poker room offers at Station Casinos
Date: Wed, Jul 30, 2008
If you're in Las Vegas and play poker, it pays to sign up to the Station Casino's player's club.
We preferred the old Boarding Pass card to the new My Card, but that's just cosmetic. Either way, we received a flier in the mail for $10 off our next buy-in of $100.
Just two hours of play is necessary before claiming the $10, so it's basically $5 an hour to play a few hands.
The offer is good through Sept. 30.
You may already know about Station's Bad Beat Jumbo Hold'em Progressive, which starts at $150,000 at quad 10s beaten, then the hand requirement reduces every week until someone gets the beat.
And when it happens, everyone playing poker in every Station casino shares in the progressive... with a minimum of $200.
(This is aside from the in-house bad beat jackpot of $10,000 for Aces full of 10s beaten.)
Another offer is $250 for every royal flush.
And, in addition to the regular $1/hour comp for playing live poker, you'll receive $3/hour if you play between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Nothing beats playing poker on the Strip, but sometimes it's worth taking a drive to check out the local casinos (Palace Station is the closest Station to the Strip, but our favorites are Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch).
Ladies of the 2008 WSOP Part I
Date: Tue, Jul 29, 2008
Sorting and cataloging the thousands of image shot during the 47 days of the 2008 WSOP is a mind numbing chore that requires hundreds of hours. I'm reliving the 55 events frame-by-frame so thought it would be appropriate to offer up some of my favorites gleaned from the mass. As expected from an old chauvinistic photographer, my choices trend toward the small percentage of females that take a seat at the tables.
I've selected a dozen or so images to spice up tonight's WSOP Poker Fest on ESPN. While you're watching the guys shove chips back and forth check out the ladies. Many more Flipchip WSOP photos will follow in the upcoming weeks.
Another dozen photos after the jump...
2008 WSOP on ESPN TV Tuesday 8 PM EST
Date: Mon, Jul 28, 2008
WSOP Episode #2 premiers Tuesday evening on ESPN at 8 PM EST. Times vary depending on your location so be sure to check local listings for the exact schedule in your area. A record field for this first $1,500 buy-in No-Limirt Hold'em event finally topped out with 3,929 players to make it the largest non main event live poker tournament ever. It also set a record for the largest prize pool for a $1,500 buy-in event without rebuys at $5,363,085. Tuesday night's final table nine will take home $2,906,436 from the record setting purse.
Tuesday's final table is not just another table full of poker hopefuls wishing for a miracle. Included on the list of nine is the 2000 WSOP Main Event World Champion Chris "Jesus" Ferguson looking from under the black hat to win his sixth WSOP gold bracelet. Under the other black hat at the final table is well known poker pro David Bach seeking his first WSOP gold. Poker millionaire Theo Tran will be there trying to strike the mother lode and carry away his first WSOP golden bracelet.
This final table will go to the heads-up play for all the marbles after Jesus is eliminated in the third spot leaving a couple of relatively unknown players, Grant Hinkle and James Akenhead. For more than two hours the two tip toed around each other with neither willing to do much gambling. The first bet at the pot often takes it down with few hands going past the turn card.
The four day event finally comes down to the final hand and a most fitting finish to the biggest non main event poker tournament. With Akenhead all-in and covered by Grant Hinkle's call the showdown reveals Hinkle's hole cards of 10-4 of diamonds to Akenhead's favored Big Slick. The flop comes 10,4,10 giving Hinkle a full house and Akenhead a migraine headache. His only out is a miracle of runner-runner Aces or Kings. All his hopes are dashed when the fourth 10 comes on the turn to give Hinkle quads for the win and Akenhead second place.
Grant Hinkle takes home $831,462 and the bracelet. James Akenhead received $520,219 for his bad beat second place finish. Chris Ferguson drives away in his red Ferrari with $388,287 and Theo Tran takes $327,148 for his fourth place. David Bach collected $117,987 after going out in eight place.
Online Poker Room Adds Bad Beat and Royal Flush Bonuses
Date: Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Bodog Poker recently added some value to their online poker room with Bad Beat bonuses and Royal Flush jackpots.
While few things hurt more than a serious bad beat, Bodog is easing the sting a bit. As of now, the Bodog poker room will pay out 100 times the big blind up to $1,000. All you need is to get beaten while holding at least a boat with aces full of kings.
On the flip side, when things are as rosy as they can be and you're holding a royal flush, Bodog will see that you make more than just the pot you're playing for. Their new royal flush bonus pays out the holder of the nuts of all nuts with 50 times the big blind up to $200.
Get the complete details on these promotions over at Bodog's online poker room.
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