The Newest Poker Millionaire
When asked what he would do if he won the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure Tournament (PCA), his nonchalant answer accompanied by a shrug and a smile was, “I haven’t really thought about what I would do with the money”. Now he’s the actual winner, we’re pretty sure he has a few ideas about how he’ll spend his newly acquired fortune.
Who is Poker’s newest millionaire you wonder? We’ll give you a few hints. He started playing small stakes Poker with a few friends when he was in Grade 10. He recently graduated with a degree in biochemistry from McMaster University. He qualified for the PCA through a $33 rebuy turbo tournament at Pokerstars. And, finally, his PCA win has earned him a place in the European Poker Tour Grand Final, which takes place from April 28th to May 3rd. He is none other than 22 year old Poorya Nazari. At the final table, Nazari started second in chip count after Alex Gomes. The tables turned when Gomes finished fourth with the same pocket aces hand that had put him in the chip lead just the day before. Benny Spindler finished third with a chip count of $1.1M. He went on to eliminate Tony Gregg on the final hand of the night. Gregg took home $1.7M for his second place win while Nazari went on to bank the $3 million First Place prize. This is Nazari’s first major championship win.
It will be interesting to see how Poker’s newest sensation will perform at the EPT. Let’s hope that the surreal feeling he noted after his win will have long passed so that all the focus can be on his potential win for that event.
The 2009 PCA Final Table winners are:
- Poorya Nazari - $3,000,000
- Tony Gregg - $1,700,000
- Benny Spindler - $1,100,000
- Alexandre Gomes - $750,000
- Pieter Tielen - $550,000
- Dustin Dirksen - $400,000
- Daniel Heimiller - $300,000
- Kevin Saul - $234,000
The skinny on the Clonie Gowen lawsuit against Full Tilt Poker
In mid November of 2008, Clonie Gowen filed a lawsuit against Full Tilt Poker claiming that in 2004 the company promised her a 1% stake in Full Tilt Poker and Tiltware LLC which leases the software to Full Tilt. In return Gowen was to promote and represent the company. She accepted this offer at a meeting held at Phil Ivey’s suite at the Golden Nugget and spearheaded by Howard Lederer.
After representing the company for years without any compensation, Gowen claimed that, in November of 2007, Lederer offered her $250K as payment for past work. Gowen refused the money. In the latter part of 2008, Gowen was advised by Full Tilt that a Press Release would be issued. In the PR it would be announced that all ties with Gowen would be severed. Shortly thereafter Gowen proceeded to take legal action against Full Tilt to the tune of $40M, her 1% stake to the company worth $4 Billion.
On Tuesday 6th, the law firm of Olson, Cannon, Gormley & Desriusseaux filed a twelve-page motion to dismiss claimin that Gowen “certainly does not have a shotgun claim for fraud against her thirteen fellow poker pros”. They further demanded that dismiss the claim or “significantly clean up [Gowen's] almost random claims against the multiple defendants”. The defendants in question are members of “Team Full Tilt” and consist of its founders and original owners including Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren and Patrik Antonius to name a few. Also listed as defendants are companies associated with Full Tilt, namely Full Tilt Poker, Tiltware LLC and Pocket Kings Ltd.
Will the court dismiss the thirteen individual defendants from the claim or will Gowen make an offer of proof sufficient enough to satisfy the court? Tune in for more news on the Gowen-Full Tilt lawsuit.
Anurag Dikshit In the Toilet
Anurag Dikshit, one of the founders of PartyGaming and the 207th ranked richest people in the World, will pay US authorities a mind-blowing $300 MILLION after pleading guilty to charges related to illegal online wagering in conjunction with a Wire Act violation. Dikshit could also face up to 2 years in jail for entering the US to make a plea agreement concerning these charges. He has also agreed to cooperate with ongoing DoJ investigations. It is rumoured that Dikshit’s dealings with the US Government were voluntary to avoid possible future prosecution.
It is not yet known how PartyGaming’s shares will be affected. Currently, Dikshit owns 27% of the company, while his partners Russell DeLeon and Ruth Parasol (husband and wife team), retain 14% each. If a settlement is reached then PartyGaming could resume consolidation negotiations with other firms. If not, PartyGaming’s stock could continue to dwindle.
Although there is no certainty with Dikshit’s case, one thing for sure is, and that is the US Government makes little distinction between Sports Betting and Online Poker. If it did, there would be acknowledgement that Poker is a game of skill and not chance like many Online Casino games and the likelihood of indictments of executives of Poker Rooms who have, at some point in time, conducted business with US customers, would be non-existent..
PartyGaming is one of 3 high profile gaming companies that are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange indices. The other 2 companies are Sportingbet and 888 Holdings. PartyGaming is expected to report to the London Stock Exchange regarding Dikshit’s plea arrangement. As of today, his partners, DeLeon and Parasol, have not agreed to any negotiations with the US Government.
€100 Welcome Bonus at Unibet.com
Complete the Unibet Registration Form, get the free poker software, deposit and start playing Poker. It’s that simple. While you’re at the tables, if you collect 2000 VIP points, you will receive €100. The bonus is paid in 3 instalments: €10 after 90 VIP points, €40 after 850 VIP points and the final €50 when you have earned a total of 2000. Enter the Poker Lobby to learn how many VIP points you have accumulated. Points must be accumulated within 30 days from account registration in order for you to receive the entire bonus amount of €100. Sign up at Unibet.com and earn €100 - no hassle, no questions asked.
Absolute Poker Cuts A Deal with Cheater to Protect His Identity
A joint investigation by The Washington Post and 60 Minutes revealed scandal and fraud in online Poker at AbsolutePoker.com and its sister site, Ultimatebet.com. Regular Players at Absolute Poker began to grow increasingly suspicious at the consistent losses, especially after one Player lost $15,000 in a short series of games. When they could get no answers from the Management at Absolute, they conducted their own investigations and determined that cheating and/or collusion were involved. After pressuring the Poker Room for months, the Management finally admitted that the cheater assumed Managerial responsibilities for the online Poker Room. He was never formally charged. Absolute refunded Players with over $1.6 Million dollars following the reveal.
Over at Ultimatebet.com, word was circulating like wild fire that former Ultimatebet employees had stolen over $20 Million from Players of the Poker Room over a 4-year period. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Russ Hamilton, a 1994 World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion, was also in on the scam.
Watch the official CBS 60 Minutes Video where Steve Kroft investigates how online Poker Players who suspected cheating at Absolute successfully ferretted out the cheaters.
While there is no doubt that the “Powers that Be” at Absolute and Ultimatebet abused the authority and trust that were placed in them and tarnished the good name of Internet Poker, Poker Players have no intention of quitting online Poker. They are even more adamant that it should be regulated in the United States. The concensus is that there is “nothing wrong with playing a game of skill online for money, when the UIGEA legislation allows loopholes for lobbying reasons; for playing fantasy sports for money; and for betting on horseraces online”.
Golden Poker Rules
These rules were learned the hard way - experience. I would have much preferred that someone had guided me as to what to do when I was actually playing against people and losing. So that you don’t suffer my fate and so that you can work with a much larger bankroll, I have compiled a set of the 5 Golden Rules of Poker. Read them carefully and follow them well, my friends. I guarantee they will work for you.
- 1) Study your opponent’s playing habits, especially when it is not your turn to play or you’re not in the hand, because you’re far more likely to be analytical when you’re not involved in the action.
- 2) Bet with your head, by playing within your bankroll and folding at the appropriate times.
- 3) Play the game as it should be played, like a mathematical, odds-based game and remove the element of luck from your thought process.
- 4) If you think someone has you beat, they probably do.
- 5) Getting bluffed is not a great thing BUT it is better than making a bad call and losing your stack.
BONUS:About all else be sure to play Poker with a clear frame of mind and, if you lose, be a sport take your losses like a man (or woman as the case may be).
Antigua now on the UK’s Whitelist of approved jurisdictions
Effective November 21st, the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda will become the first non EU country to be added to the UK’s whitelist of approved jurisdictions. This means that the 96 sites available to advertise their online gaming services will be able to do so legally to UK residents.
Antigua’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Errol Cort, had this to say about the approval, “We are extremely pleased that our application has now been approved, and we look forward to the expansion opportunities that this provides for our current licensees and to welcoming other, select first-rate remote gambling brands to the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda.”
This is a major milestone for Antigua’s gambling industry, especially as their negotiations with the United States have not yet yielded success. Antigua and Barbuda achieved an historical milestone as a developing nation and most notably as one of the smallest members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on March 24, 2004. The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the WTO yielded a victorious ruling regarding the United States – Measures Affecting the Cross-Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services. Conjunctively, the Appellate Body of the WTO affirmed the DSB findings when it ruled on April 7, 2005 in favour of Antigua and Barbuda in its Appellate Report. This triumph emboldens the desire of the WTO, whereby to facilitate the increase in participation of developing countries in trade and services and the expansion of their service exports. Additionally, the ruling in a general context can be viewed as taking into account, the need for developing countries to improve their economic and social development through the liberalization of trade in services. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to the advancement of the internet gaming sector and remains proactive in solidifying its position as a contender in such a dynamic industry.
No Resolution to Poker Murder
Last year to this date, the unfortunate shooting resulting in the death of David Michael Turner, occurred at the home of James Marathas.
David intended to play Texas Hold ‘Em with his fellow Poker buddies that night but the friendly game turned into a garish scene out of a murder flic. About 9:20 p.m., 2 hours into the Poker game, two masked, armed men burst into James’ New Smyrna Beach home, demanding money. When their request was granted, they exited the house the way they came in, through the front door, but not before firing a single gun shot. This was the clincher of the evening. The surreal moment ended with David laying lifeless on the floor.
The investigation into the senseless murder is still ongoing. A reward of $26,000 was issued in the hopes that someone with any useful leads or information would come forward. However, one year later, police have no words of comfort for David’s family members, who have their own theories about the homicide. They, however, remain optimstic that, with the reward still open, someone will come forward.
Cool Hand Poker
Cool Hand Poker is Belle Rock Entertainment’s latest online Poker room to be launched. As with other Belle Rock online entertainmnent companies, it uses the Microgaming technology and offers fantastic bonuses and a realtime Leader Board.
Cool Hand has just been opened for a little over 1 month but Players are already clamouring there, mostly because of its promotions and incentives. Some of these include:
- a 100% Welcome Match Deposit Bonus up to $350.
- a $25 bonus to any Player who makes a significant jump in points irregardless of the number of hands played.
- weekly and monthly leader board competitions. Players who earn the most points in a week qualify to receive one of 16 MP3 players.
- a shared prize pool of $5000 for the top 100 players on the monthly leader board.
Budapest to host the World Poker Congress
The World Poker Congress (WPC) will be hosted on October 29th and 30th at the Marriott Hotel in the European city of Budapest.
The WPC is where the two worlds of online poker and live poker will meet and discuss the similarities and differences between the two businesses. Clarion Gaming is organizing this anticipated even and expect at least 150 influential Poker attendees, who represent more than three-quarters of the online and land-based poker companies. Steve Lipscomb, WPTE founder, and Hendrick Knopp, Bwin’s Head of Poker, will also be in attendance as keynote speakers, which should give a good mix of useful suggestions, views, and general expertise.
With the uncertainty of the future of online gaming, including Poker, this year’s conference is a necessity if Poker is to continue to flourish as a worldwide sport, say the WPC organizers.
