Full Tilt Poker to Host Take 2 in September
Taking place throughout the month of September on Full Tilt Poker is Take 2, an innovative online poker promotion that allows players to earn up to $50 in cash and double Full Tilt Points (FTPs).
Take 2 kicks off at 00:00 ET on September 1st and runs until 23:59 ET on September 30th. There are two ways to boost your bankroll and FTP balance. First, players who compete on at least two real money ring game tables during the month-long promotion will earn bonus cash based on the number of days they hit the virtual felts. Five days of multi-tabling will earn a Full Tilt customer a cool $5 bonus. Players who multi-table for 10 days will pocket an extra $10 for a total of $15. Fifteen days of multi-tabling means an extra $10 in your pocket, or $25 total. Finally, 25 days of multi-tabling during the month of September results in $50 in bonus cash.
In addition, poker enthusiasts can earn double FTPs on two tables while playing. For example, if a player were to earn 60 FTPs at one table and 40 FTPs at another table, they would take home a total of 200 points as part of the Take 2 promotion. Points can be used in the Full Tilt Store for poker paraphernalia and other items. In addition, FTPs can be redeemed for tournament and sit and go entries. A Mini Cooper S in the Full Tilt Store will set players back six million FTPs, while a Harley-Davidson Night Train motorcycle runs four million. A wide variety of electronics, including a 2.7 million FTP price tag Apple MacBook Pro, can be had, along with apparel, sporting gear, luggage, poker books, and Full Tilt branded merchandise.
Players must opt into Take 2 by visiting the “Cashier” window. Then, they’ll need to click on the rectangular “My Promotions” link and look for “Take 2.” Follow the instructions to register your account and then hit up the cash game felts of Full Tilt in earnest. The “My Promotions” page will keep tabs on how many FTPs and bonus cash you’ve earned; extra points will be dumped into a player’s account within six hours. In order for a tables to count, at least one FTP must be earned while more than one window is open.
Full Tilt will only double the number of FTPs on two tables. Text found on Full Tilt’s website explains, “If a player plays at more than two real-money ring-game tables simultaneously during Take 2, that player will receive double points from the combination of their top two tables.” For example, if a player were to earn 60 FTPs at one table, 50 FTPs at another table, and 10 FTPs at a third table, then they would receive 110 bonus FTPs, equal to the sum of their top two points-earning tables. Full Tilt spreads Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and Razz in a variety of structures.
The site is fresh off hosting the 13th Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS), which played out earlier this month amid much fanfare. Starting on September 9th, MiniFTOPS XIII will make its debut, featuring the same tournament lineup as FTOPS XIII, but with buy-ins that are one-tenth of the size. Highlights include a $256 buy-in Two-Day Event featuring at least $400,000 on the line and a $55 buy-in Main Event that assures at least $500,000 is up for grabs. A total of 25 tournaments will play out, each hosted by a member of Team Full Tilt.
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Martonas Loses $1.4 Million on Full Tilt Poker
This weekend, the high-stakes action at the Full Tilt nosebleed tables was relatively calm compared to the Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) frenzy that transpired last weekend. The slow action of Friday and Saturday brought an anticlimactic end to a week that saw the return of Durrrr Challenge play, a big winning week for Ashton “THEASHMAN103″ Griffin, and a substantial loss for the player known as “martonas.”
The bulk of martonas‘ $1.4 million downswing came at the hands of Tom “durrrr” Dwan and Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond last Friday at the $300/$600 PLO tables. Martonas clashed with durrrr in two massive hands, one worth over $280,000 and another that sent $460,000 durrrr’s way. In the latter hand, the two got it all-in on the flop with martonas holding a massive combination flush and straight draw to durrrr’s nut flush draw. The river brought the third diamond to complete the flush and give durrrr the best hand.
It was a big night for durrrr, who picked up $1 million in profit. Galfond also found success in last Friday’s session, bringing his end-of-day winnings to over $800,000. Like durrrr, he also picked up a chunk of his bankroll off of martonas. Meanwhile, martonas ended the day down nearly $1 million and that was not the end of his misfortune. He dropped an additional $600,000 on Monday and, despite winning sessions on Sunday and Tuesday, ended the week as the big loser on Full Tilt with a $1.4 million loss from Friday, August 21st to Saturday, August 29th.
Other players who ended up in the losing column during that time include both Di “Urindanger” Dang and his brother Hac “trex313″ Dang, who each dropped in the vicinity of $300,000. Several Full Tilt Red Pros didn’t fare too well this week, either. David Benyamine, Haseeb Qureshi, David Oppenheim, and Gus Hansen all came out of the week in the red with six-figure losses.
While those sponsored pros had a rough week, several other names in red came out in the black, most notably Patrik Antonius. He picked up much of his $500,000 in profit from two epic Durrrr Challenge sessions in which he was able to completely erase durrrr’s $726,000 overall lead in their infamous bet. Now, Antonius is sitting with a slight lead of $76,104 and half-million dollars more in his Full Tilt account. Richard Ashby and Phil Ivey also booked respectable weeks with profits of $190,000 and $163,000, respectively.
The big success story of the week is THEASHMAN103, who found himself up nearly $900,000 at week’s end. His $1 million winning session on the tables on Tuesday resulted in the majority of that profit. THEASHMAN103 continues to be one of the big winners of 2009 on Full Tilt Poker along with Antonius, CardRunners instructor Cole “cts” South, and Ilari “Ziigmund” Sahamies. Ziigmund had an impressive week himself, with $725,000 in winnings.
If this weekend is any indication, the fast and furious action on Full Tilt Poker may be hitting a lull. With the live tournament schedule picking up and continuing high-stakes action in Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio, perhaps the attention of many players is diverted. In his latest blog post, Doyle Brunson spoke of “insane” action at the Bellagio, so that could explain part of the dip in action at the online nosebleed tables. Only time will tell if action will pick back up shortly, when Durrrr Challenge play will resume, and if martonas can rebound from his rough week at the tables.
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Card Player Cruises Releases 2009-2010 Schedule
Starting in November, Card Player Cruises will return to the high seas aboard the 138,000 ton Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Explorer of the Seas. Destinations over the next year for the cruising company include Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Mexico.
The nine-night Canada and New England Fall Foliage cruise will depart from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey in November and steam up the eastern seaboard of the United States. Ports of call include Portland, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, and Boston and the cruise starts at $550 per person. Card Player Cruises partner and Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Linda Johnson commented in a press release distributed by the travel company, “This trip will feature some of the most spectacular scenery on the Eastern Seaboard. There’s no better time to visit this region than in the fall, when the foliage stands out in every imaginable color.”
Besides the fall foliage outside of the ship, the other main attraction on the November cruise will be its poker room. $100 to $200 buy-in poker tournaments will abound, with private seminars and free poker lessons also taking place. In addition, the press release notes, “Passengers can play as much or as little as they want during the week.” The Explorer of the Seas also features a rock-climbing wall, ice skating rink, miniature golf course, basketball court, disco, spa, fitness center, pools, Jacuzzis, and shops. In addition, what would a cruise be without a parade of food?
Here is the upcoming schedule for Card Player Cruises:
Canada and New England Fall Foliage nine-night cruise – October 15, 2009
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas
Departs from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, New Jersey
Mexican Riviera seven-night cruise – November 15, 2009
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner
Departs from Los Angeles, California
Western Caribbean seven-night cruise – March 7, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager
Departs from Galveston, Texas
Mediterranean Venice 12-night cruise – May 15, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance
Departs from Barcelona, Spain
Alaska seven-night cruise – August 27, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody
Departs from Seattle, Washington
Eastern Caribbean seven-night cruise – September 25, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis
Departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mexican Riviera seven-night cruise – December 5, 2010
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner
Departs from Los Angeles, California
The poker room closes while the ship is parked in port and opens while the vessel is out in the open water. Card Player Cruises customers make up between 25% and 40% of the total number of passengers onboard, so traditional cruising activities still occur day and night. In order to play poker, Card Player Cruises guests must be at least 18 years-old, while some special events, such as the PartyPoker Million, feature a different age requirement.
Besides tournaments, each ship’s poker room hosts a wide variety of cash games, ranging from limits of $1/$2 to $30/$60. Customers with children are more than welcome to participate as well. Card Player Cruises explains, “There are extensive programs for children that provide entertainment for the kids from morning until night. Some of the activities are scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, talent shows, pizza parties, disco parties, trips to the spa/gym, video games, etc. Children are able to sail at reduced rates on most cruise lines.”
Prices for the above schedule vary between $448 per person and $1,719 per person. The cost covers food, cabin, nightly entertainment, and use of the ship’s amenities. According to Johnson, the majority of players who board a Card Player Cruise are recreational and several are celebrating milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. Players can call 888-999-4880 for additional information and to book passage.
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Online Poker Funds Remain Seized in Account Services Case
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, online poker funds seized by the Southern District of New York belonging to Account Services will remain under guard for what the newspaper claimed “could be years.”
On August 21st, a hearing was originally scheduled featuring lawyers for the online poker payment processor Account Services arguing why $14 million should be returned to the company. The funds were seized as part of a June raid by the Southern District of New York and were contained in Wells Fargo and Union Bank accounts in California. Account Services filed a motion for return of property in the Southern District of California and the case was assigned to Judge Jeffrey Miller. However, the hearing was later cancelled indefinitely.
On Saturday, the Union-Tribune published a story claiming that Miller “denied a bid Thursday by lawyers for the company, Account Services Inc., and the Poker Players Alliance to return the money. The players group is an advocacy organization that represents some 1 million online poker players.” It added, “Now, after Miller ruled against them, it could be years before they see any of the money.” The Southern District of New York seized well over $30 million in total, affecting more than 24,000 online poker players.
Paper checks and e-checks began bouncing in June, leading to concern on popular online poker forums about the security of player deposits. In many cases, the online poker sites, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, compensated players fully and oftentimes awarded a cash bonus for any inconvenience. The warrant to seize funds from the Union Bank accounts identified Full Tilt and PokerStars by name as clients of Account Services. The document read, “Account Services has previously provided payment services for companies providing online gambling services, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, the largest internet poker businesses in operation.”
The Wells Fargo account was used to pay online poker players in 2008 and 2009. Still redacted (crossed out) in its warrant application is evidence that led the Southern District of New York to finger PokerStars and Full Tilt in the first place.
Account Services’ Douglas Rennick was indicted earlier this month on bank fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling charges. He faces up to 55 years in jail and up to a $1.75 million fine plus forfeiture of funds obtained. The San Diego news outlet explains, “Prosecutors then argued the indictment made the San Diego lawsuit irrelevant and that Miller should not hear it. The judge agreed, saying the players could try to recover the money after the criminal case is resolved.”
Rennick is a Canadian citizen and, as of yet, has not surrendered to U.S. authorities. The indictment issued by the Southern District of New York revealed that Rennick had been in the business of processing internet gambling payments since 2007. Over $350 million was transferred from a bank account in Cyprus for this purpose and “Rennick… provided false and misleading information to various United States banks about, among other things, the nature of the internet gambling-related payments being processed by the companies under Rennick’s control in order to induce banks to engage in financial transactions that they otherwise would not have facilitated.”
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) filed an amicus brief on behalf of Account Services despite Rennick’s indictment. The 1.2 million member strong organization argued that poker is a game of skill and therefore not illegal gambling. Account Services added that funds in the Union Bank accounts were seized without a warrant, which was issued about a dozen days after the asset freeze took place. FBI Special Agent Dana Conte swore to both warrant applications.
Poker News Daily is seeking comment from the PPA and Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA).
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Doyle Brunson Interview with Poker News Daily
Poker News Daily: You have an autobiography coming out later this year. Can you talk about why you’re writing the book now and what readers can expect?
Brunson: The book is supposed to be out in November. It’s been in the works for four or five years and I’ve vetoed it twice because I didn’t want it out there. They pressured me around until I finally released it. It’s a story about my life and the things I’ve been through. It’s hard to talk about some things, but I’ve tried to get most of it in there.
PND: Can you give us a glimpse of some of the things that are difficult to talk about in the book?
Brunson: Just think about your own life. Is there anything in your own life that you wouldn’t want to put on public display? There are some personal things. At my age, I’m trying not to be any more famous than I already am.
PND: What would casual poker fans be surprised to learn about Doyle Brunson?
Brunson: I don’t know what the perception of me is. I’ve been married for 50 years and that’s pretty unusual in the poker world. I’ve tried to keep my personal life isolated from the gambling world. That’s the only way you can keep your family together, at least with my wife. She couldn’t handle that pressure, so I try not to talk about gambling around my house. My son has turned out to be a professional poker player, but I didn’t teach him anything; he taught himself in college. I never discuss gambling in my house simply because my wife is what you would call a “square.” She’s not accustomed to the ups and downs of the poker world.
PND: What’s the difference between poker in 2009 and when you won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in 1976 and 1977?
Brunson: The popularity of poker is much more now than it was. The fact people accept that you’re a poker player now is a big thing. In those days, you were a second-class citizen. They thought you were a gangster if you played poker for a living. I think the media has softened that a bit and the public can accept you now as a poker player.
PND: Talk about November Nine member Jeff Shulman’s comments that he would trash the WSOP Main Event bracelet if he won.
Brunson: That’s a little bit strong. I understand his concerns and I agree with most of them. The WSOP is a pretty big tradition. It’s the biggest event in the poker world. I think it’s a little bit strong to say that you’re going to throw the bracelet away. If he felt that way, he probably shouldn’t have entered. Jeff is a sensible young man and he’ll come off that statement a little bit. He thinks that Harrah’s has prostituted the poker world. I agree with him to some extent. I think there could be changes made.
All of us who came from the original WSOP at Binion’s have seen a big difference. At Binion’s, they bent over backwards for us and made the poker player come first. They paid all of our expenses, set up big buffets for us, and paid for our rooms just to come out and play. Naturally, Harrah’s doesn’t do that and I can see their point of view. It’s a big business. Harrah’s makes a lot of money off the WSOP. It’s a two-edged sword and you have to compromise on some things.
PND: You seemed to tighten up a bit on the most recent season of GSN’s “High Stakes Poker.” Was this a strategy coming in or just how the table played out?
Brunson: I get that a lot. The way others at the table play dictates the way you play. These young kids are so aggressive that it’s hard to be more aggressive than they are. That would just make a total crapshoot out of it. I have slowed my play down a little bit, but I’ve never lost on one of those shows. I’ve played 15 in a row and won every time. The object is to win. Some of the younger guys try to put on a show and demonstrate how smart they are instead of just trying to play poker. One of these days, I might just break loose and show them what aggression really is.
It’s so simple just to sit back and win that it’s hard not to do it. The reason I’ve been so successful is that other people try to build their image up. Instead of trying to play good poker, they try to make “flashy” plays.
PND: If you hadn’t become a professional poker player, where would you likely be right now?
Brunson: My life was heading towards playing in the NBA. That’s what I worked my whole life for. I was lucky enough to be a good athlete. I was an All-State basketball player. I was State Champion in the mile. In college, I was the Most Valuable Player in my conference. The NBA scouts had already come down and talked to my coach and I was going to be drafted the next year. I feel like I could have played in the NBA. Then, I would have probably gone back and been a teacher or a coach.
PND: Talk about the explosion of poker on television. Is it surprising to you?
Brunson: It is. It’s hard for me to accept the fact that people perceive poker players as celebrities. I don’t consider myself to be a celebrity. I’m not an entertainer; I’m a poker player. It seems like some of these “wannabees” spend more time trying to be entertainers and performers than they do playing poker. It doesn’t sit too well with me. I guess I’m a poker purist. I like poker for what it is: a great game. America is just finding out about it and I found out about it 50 years ago. I hate to see people who play poker do things besides playing poker to benefit themselves.
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Linda Johnson’s Favorite WPT Memories
I had the best job of anyone on the World Poker Tour. I got to travel all over the world, meet lots of awesome people, get my hair and makeup done, entertain an audience of poker players, and say “Shuffle Up and Deal!” I also got to work with an incredible crew including Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten.
My job as the studio announcer was to call the action (announce bet amounts, hole cards when there was an all-in, winning hands, and new blind amounts) in order to keep the audience interested. I involved the audience by playing trivia with them during breaks, telling jokes, and introducing famous poker players and celebrities between hands.
This led to a few awkward moments, of course. During a taping at the Commerce Casino, I saw Doyle Brunson walk in with someone I didn’t know and they sat down to watch. At the appropriate time, I said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have the legendary Doyle Brunson in our midst. Doyle, please give us a wave.” Doyle took off his Stetson, waved to the crowd, and he and his friend left a few minutes later. Shortly after that, the producer contacted me through my earpiece and asked why I hadn’t introduced Robert Duvall (the gentleman with Brunson). “Who is Robert Duvall and where does he play,” I asked.
One of the perks of my job was getting to play in the WPT Celebrity Invitational. I always wrote an article about the celebrities at my table, but first they had to identify themselves. Throughout the years, I had played in tournaments with Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, Ricki Lake, Montel Williams, Dom DeLuise, Norm McDonald, Camyrn Manheim, Jason Alexander, Paris Hilton, James Woods, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jennifer Tilly, and lots of actors and actresses that everyone except me seemed to recognize.
Every final table was different in its own way, but I don’t believe the excitement of that first-ever WPT event at Bellagio will ever be topped. The WPT set and announcers’ booth was introduced to the world, as was super hostess Shana Hiatt. The final table consisted of Gus Hansen (who was unknown at the time), John Juanda, Freddy Deeb, Scotty Nguyen, and John Hennigan, all superstars who later won WPT titles. I still remember how impressed I was to see Doug Dalton in his tuxedo pouring champagne to toast the winner.
During my time with the WPT, I traveled to lots of amazing destinations around the world. I actually enjoyed all of them, but for different reasons. For instance, I loved the beaches of Aruba and taping the show in an upstairs restaurant overlooking the ocean. I enjoyed Nassau because I was allowed to wear tropical clothing and not my typical black!
Tunica’s Gold Strike and Biloxi’s Beau Rivage were memorable for the wonderful Southern hospitality and incredible food. I looked forward to Foxwoods for the beauty of the surrounding forests. The Bicycle Casino and the Commerce Casino were special because there was so much poker action when I wasn’t working. Borgata had the best beds.
The Aviation Club in Paris offered the best sightseeing opportunities and the Reno Hilton had the best sushi and a shopping arcade on premises. Fallsview offered incredible views of Niagara Falls from our hotel rooms. Bay 101 had the most energetic, enthusiastic fans, which made my job easy. I always liked taping at the Mirage and Bellagio because I could stay in my own home at night! And of course, I am a bit biased, but I loved the PartyPoker.com Million because I got to spend a week on a Card Player Cruises vacation.
There were lots of funny moments on the WPT. One of the best happened at Foxwoods the year Hoyt Corkins won. Phil Hellmuth was at the final table and Hoyt was driving him crazy with his aggression and all-ins. Finally, after Hoyt hit a river card, Phil jumped out of his chair and banged his head on the overhead microphone. Another time, Joe Hachem was at the final table and when he won his first big pot, his fans started yelling, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy!” I looked at them and said, “Don’t start that crap here.” They must have thought I was serious because they didn’t do it again.
Although I had a few embarrassing moments along the way, such as dropping my microphone battery pack in the toilet or having a hot flash during filming, there were some very special moments too. I’ll always remember Brunson’s inspirational victory at the Bicycle Club. Tears came to my eyes on multiple occasions when I saw the joy of new millionaires being created. The most emotional moment for me took place during the taping of the “Father/Son Special.” Barry Greenstein and his son, Joe Sebok, eliminated the other teams and were supposed to play each other to determine the winner. Instead, they agreed to push all-in pre-flop and let the cards decide the victor since neither one wanted to beat the other on television.
The first six seasons of the WPT flew by and were full of incredible moments. Maybe someday I’ll write a book about them.
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Joe Cada Turns Down PokerHost, Ultimate Bet to Sign with PokerStars
Recently, World Series of Poker (WSOP) November Nine member Joe Cada inked an agreement to be sponsored by PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site. The signing marked the end of a grueling process for Cada and his agent, Dan Frank.
A verbal agreement between Cada and PokerStars was reached, although the process of finalizing a contract took several days. While holding out for PokerStars, Cada passed up what Frank called “really good” offers from PokerHost (a USA-friendly Cake Poker Network site) and Ultimate Bet, which makes its home on the popular CEREUS Network. Ultimate Bet and PokerHost offered their contracts to Cada around the same time and gave the youngster 24 hours to come to a decision. In the end, he decided to pass up both and wait for an offer from PokerStars.
Frank believed PokerStars was gunning to sign WSOP November Nine members Antoine Saout and Darvin Moon. One online poker site can only sponsor three players at the final table of the Main Event this year, making the process of signing players competitive. Saout inked an agreement with Everest Poker, which is the official on-felt sponsor of the WSOP, and Moon has yet to sign with an online poker site. On why Cada was intent on signing with PokerStars, Frank commented, “He loves that brand more than the others. That’s where he plays most of his online poker.”
When Cada could not commit to Ultimate Bet, the site gave him extra time to contemplate his next move. Meanwhile, Cada was a guest on ESPN’s “Poker Edge” radio show, where he told host Phil Gordon that he wanted to sign an agreement with PokerStars. Frank quickly contacted the online poker site and a contract soon followed. Frank told Poker News Daily, “It was very unnerving because I thought I had all of the possible deals on the table for him. I thought the Ultimate Bet and PokerHost deals were the best he was going to see and the fact that he wouldn’t let me discuss them was frustrating. We’re grateful that PokerStars came to the table. To have both Eric and Joe sign with PokerStars – I’m grateful for that.”
“Eric” refers to fellow WSOP November Nine member Eric Buchman, who signed with PokerStars in July. Cada commented in a press release distributed by Top Set Management, “I’m proud to have been chosen to represent PokerStars. Their reputation and prestige are second to none. I look forward to bringing even more accolades to their already decorated team.” In a July interview with Poker News Daily, Cada revealed that he had signed a one-day agreement with Ultimate Bet during the Main Event, but had not yet negotiated with any rooms for exposure at the final table.
Cada will hold the fifth largest chip stack when play resumes at the Rio in Las Vegas, while Buchman sits second in chips to Moon. Here’s a look at how the field will come armed to November’s final table:
1. Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
2. Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
3. Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
4. Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
5. Joe Cada – 13,215,000
6. Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
7. Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
8. Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
9. James Akenhead – 6,800,000
Cada and Buchman join a roster of PokerStars pros that already includes former WSOP Main Event Champions Peter Eastgate (2008), Joe Hachem (2005), Greg Raymer (2004), Chris Moneymaker (2003), and Tom McEvoy (1983). 2008 WSOP November Nine members Dennis Phillips and Ylon Schwartz are PokerStars-sponsored pros, while Canadian accountant Darus Suharto is also associated with the site.
PokerStars players and gearing up for the annual World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), which will kick off on Thursday and culminate in a $5,200 buy-in Main Event with at least $10 million up for grabs. A total of 45 events will play out across a wide range of poker genres and tournament structures.
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Durrrr and FullFlush Headline World Open V Lineup
Major changes are in store for the latest installment of the PartyPoker and Matchroom Sport sponsored World Open poker tournament. In addition to several new faces participating in the popular televised event, the World Open V will also have a new place to call home and a new structure.
Previous versions of the World Open have taken place in a television studio, but this year, a change in venue is putting the action in the middle of the Palm Beach Casino in London. The tournament will still be taped and televised on the Five Network in Britain and distributed internationally. Longtime poker commentator Jesse May will once again be providing commentary. The tournament will take place from October 11th to 15th. A total of 48 players will pony up $10,000 to participate and take a shot at the $250,000 first place prize.
A number of pros from Europe and abroad are confirmed for next month’s event, including the entire team from PartyPoker. World Poker Tour host and semi-finalist for this year’s Poker Hall of Fame class Mike Sexton, Remy Biechel, Felipe Ramos, Ian Frazer, and the latest addition to the PartyPoker team, Bodo Sbrzesny, will all be participating. They will be joined by a slew of other pros like Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, Neil Channing, Scott Fischman, Roberto Romanello, Andy Black, J.C. Tran, Steve Sung, November Nine member James Akenhead, and World Open IV winner Marty Smyth.
Online poker rivals Tom “durrrr” Dwan and Luke “_FullFlush1_” Schwartz have also been tapped to play in the event. The vocal and opinionated Schwartz has been highly critical of durrrr’s play and social life, so the prospect of the two players sitting at the same table in a brick-and-mortar casino could make for some good television.
The sit and go structure for the World Open V will change slightly from past versions. The preliminary heats will feature eight-handed play instead of six-handed, while the final table will expand from six-handed to seven-handed. If the World Open V follows the same setup as other PartyPoker and Matchroom Sport poker events, the winners of each of the preliminary heats will advance to the final table. The runners-up at each table will then compete in a second chance heat with the winner taking the seventh and last seat at the final table. One final noteworthy change to the event is the implementation of triple stacks to allow for more play.
The big name pros will not be the only participants in the World Open V. PartyPoker has been running a number of satellites into the tournament. The online poker site is offering opportunities to qualify for as little as $3. The tiered satellite system offers daily tournaments for $3 and $8 in which players can qualify for the daily $70 satellite. For every 10 players in the $70 satellites, one will advance to the weekly $650 event. For every 20 entrants in the $650 event, one will win a prize package that includes buy-in to the World Open V, a hotel stay in London during the event, and $1,000 in spending money.
The fourth installment of the World Open boasted a final table of Smyth, Channing, Marc Goodwin, Andy Ward, Dixie Dean, and Ryan Fronda. Heads-up play came down to Smyth and Channing, who entered the final table with the two largest chip stacks. In the end, Smyth prevailed to take down the event and its $250,000 grand prize. Shortly after winning the World Open in April of 2008, Smyth claimed his first World Series of Poker bracelet when he took down the $10,000 World Championship of Pot Limit Omaha for $859,549.
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David Sklansky’s Las Vegas House Robbed
Word has spread like wildfire that respected Two Plus Two poker author David Sklansky was recently the victim of a home invasion outside of Las Vegas on July 25th. According to reports, Sklansky was asleep when two men broke into his home near Wigwam and Bermuda shortly after 3:00am. It was one of several violent robberies that took place in the Las Vegas Metro area in July. Fortunately, Sklansky was not hurt during the break-in.
“The guy burst into the bedroom; it was very dark, but I did see what appeared to be a gun,” Sklansky told a local NBC affiliate. “This is something I have visualized over the years. I always knew this was a possibility. I actually played it over in my mind of what I would do if it happened. I realized the most important thing was to keep him calm.”
Sklansky, a three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and master game theorist, described how he used his skills at the poker table to stay composed during the terrifying ordeal: “During the time he was there, my main focus was to make sure that he didn’t think that I was panicking or that I would do something silly,” Sklansky explained. “The advice is the same as in a poker game; you try and figure out what the other guy is thinking and then act accordingly. I can imagine if he was doing this same robbery with someone who didn’t behave the way I did, it could have turned out terribly.”
Sklansky has authored or co-authored 13 books on gambling theory and poker and contributed a section to the first edition of Doyle Brunson’s “Super/System.” Two Plus Two publishes Sklansky’s books and he is also a moderator at the reputable Two Plus Two online poker forum. There, he commented about the July robbery:
“I have no personal animosity toward these guys. They used the absolute lowest level of force necessary to accomplish their purposes. In one of my books, I wrote that there is not enough difference in the punishment of criminals who harm victims and those who don’t, using Steve Wynn’s daughter’s kidnapping as an example. I’m not going to change my mind just because I am now one of those victims. In this case, I doubt they will be caught anyway since I never saw them and they let the other person in the house sleep through it! Meanwhile, if this is being read by the robbers or someone who knows them, I would request that they mail me those few things (photos, etc.) that are of no value to them, but are to me.”
During a two-week span, six incidences took place around the Metro Las Vegas area, many inside gated communities. A week before Sklansky’s home was robbed, three men tried to steal from a home near Fort Apache and Patrick, but were caught after the homeowner fought back. Not all of the victims were so fortunate, however. One couple was tied up and robbed in their home near Buffalo and Lake Mead. A day later, robbers stole cash and jewelry while two women and a number of children were asleep at their residence near Washington and Tenaya. Metro police are still on the lookout for suspects involved in each of those robberies, including Sklansky’s case.
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California Intrastate Online Poker Update
Recently in California, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians presented a bill calling for the legalization of online poker in the state, according to the Capitol Weekly news publication. Poker News Daily sat down with Poker Voters of America (PVA) Executive Director Melanie Brenner to get the organization’s reaction.
Capitol Weekly explained the Indian tribe’s proposal, which could mark the first step towards intrastate online poker. The draft bill would “create a centralized, online poker website they would offer to online customers within California’s borders. The consortium would have an exclusive right to offer online poker, but all California Indian tribes and card clubs would be eligible to be members.” California finds itself stuck in an ongoing budget crisis, adding momentum to the Morongo proposal for increased revenues.
In response to the submission, State Senator Darrell Steinberg claimed that the bill should not be discussed in the waning days of the 2009 Congressional session. Now, the PVA has embarked on a mission to formulate a ballpark revenue figure that the State of California would realize should it choose to allow online poker. The news outlet quoted a study done of over 800 voters in August that showed that 61% of voters opposed legalizing online poker in California. This amid brick-and-mortar card rooms sprinkled throughout the state, including the Bicycle Casino and Commerce Casino in Southern California. The former is fresh off hosting the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Legends of Poker.
Brenner, who is also spearheading an effort to legalize and regulate the game in Florida and elsewhere throughout the United States, explained her position.
Poker News Daily: We’ve seen headlines like “Online poker suffers setback in California” in response to State Senator Steinberg’s remarks. Can you give us your reaction?
Brenner: This has been one of the best things that has happened to the PVA in the last couple of weeks. I want to open a bottle of champagne. What I think you’re seeing is a part of the political process. There are so many different parts to the process. One of the biggest challenges in California has been the opposition of the tribes not wanting online poker. One of the tribes now wants to run an online poker site. That’s a huge breakthrough.
PND: Have you been in discussion with the Morongo Tribe and others in California?
Brenner: Our plan was to have educational outreach to the tribe. When the Morongo Tribe announced this, we knew that the tribes had been starting to understand what we were saying. However, they jumped the gun a bit and hadn’t worked out all of the details.
PND: What was the feedback you received from lawmakers in Sacramento?
Brenner: The feedback was that there are way too many blanks to put this through. They have a three-week session that started last week. The Senate President said that they have too much on their plates and there isn’t enough here for them to tackle it now.
PND: What financial figures did the Morongo Tribe intend to use?
Brenner: They are using numbers from the Commerce Casino earlier in the year. We are familiar with the study and saw it, but aren’t quite comfortable with the credibility of the numbers.
PND: Will we see legalized intrastate online poker in California in 2009?
Brenner: From a political insider’s perspective, you can never say never. These are crazy times, but it’s very doubtful.
PND: Give us an update on your Florida endeavors.
Brenner: Things are going well, but nothing is happening right now. We’re on track and our timeline is to introduce legislation during the 2010 session.
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