Tucson, Arizona
Undercover agents posed as poker players on at least six occasions over a three-month span during their investigation into a North Side card room, spending more than $1,000 on poker in the process, the state's investigative report shows.
Arizona Department of Gaming agents and Tucson police executed a search warrant Tuesday on Club Royale, 2665 N. Campbell Ave., as well as at the residences of club owners Donna and Johnny Ray Rogers.
The searches were conducted five days after Club Royale closed its doors as part of an agreement with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to settle a civil lawsuit filed by the tribe.
The tribe, which operates two of the Tucson area's four casinos, sued Club Royale on Aug. 19, claiming the poker room was violating state gambling laws and that it held a competitive advantage over Indian casinos because it didn't have to abide by a gaming compact.
Indian casinos are regulated by the Arizona-Tribal State Gaming Compact, which was approved in 1993 and renewed by voters in 2003.
The timing of the warrants was not related to the club's closure, said Seena Simon, a spokeswoman for the Department of Gaming.
"That's when we were ready to go," Simon said. "We would have asked for the search warrants even if the club was open."
The investigative report, which the Gaming Department has posted on its Web site along with surveillance video and photos taken during the investigation, says agents began infiltrating Club Royale in late July and returned on several occasions in an attempt to see if the club was violating state laws on gambling.
During their investigation, agents observed the club's evolution into a hot spot for action-seeking poker players, the report states.
"The size of the poker games held in the Club Royale have grown so much that this establishment is now a full-fledged poker room and not a social club," the report stated in an entry related to an Aug. 28 poker game that involved several players placing "bundles of hundred-dollar bills into the pot."
The report says agents sat in on poker games and struck up conversations with players, dealers and other card-room staffers, learning that word was spreading in the Tucson area that Club Royale had more live "action" than poker rooms at Casino del Sol or the Desert Diamond Casino.
Agents used more than $1,000 in "undercover funds" to buy poker chips and memberships to the club. One agent won $155 in a poker game played on Oct. 16.
Agents observed card-room dealers collecting a $3 fee from a different player before each hand, which would then be placed by the dealer into a metal container on the floor next to the dealer's leg, the report states.
This fee resulted in $123 in revenue collected during an hour-long period on July 30, the report states. That amount swelled to an estimated $555 being taken in per hour on Aug. 20, when the report states five active poker games were each dealing 33 to 37 hands per hour.
Charging players a fee to play makes the game illegal because the house receives a direct profit from the games, says a news release issued Tuesday by the Arizona Department of Gaming.
In addition to posing as poker players, gambling agents set up surveillance outside of the club, and also tailed the Rogerses and other card-room staff members in an effort to gather information on where the owners were making financial transactions related to the club.
An account with Wells Fargo, set up for Club Royale, had deposits totaling $44,506 between Aug. 1 and Oct. 9, according to the report.
The report also states that agents routinely collected trash from a Dumpster behind the card room, and also arranged with local Waste Management officials to inspect trash collected from the Rogerses' residences.
The investigation has been turned over to the Pima County Attorney's Office for review, but it could be several months before a decision is made on whether charges will be filed, said David Berkman, the county's chief criminal deputy attorney.
Findings from the search warrants have yet to be returned and forwarded to the county, Berkman said.
Donna Rogers declined to comment on the investigation, and calls made Friday to her and Johnny Ray Rogers' lawyer, Stephen Weiss, were not immediately returned.
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
5 th annual Poker Toutnament raises $ 25,000 for MS !
The 5th Annual Turek Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament was held on Saturday, Nov. 15, at TJ’s Restaurant in Port Chester , N.Y. The event raised $25,000 to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter and residents throughout the state battling the potentially debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS). The tournament was established in 2004 by Jason D’Aloia in honor of his mother-in-law, Janice Turek, of Enfield, Conn. Turek was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago.
“This all began as a Christmas gift,” said D’Aloia, a resident of Stratford , Conn. “I gave my mother-in-law a letter one Christmas informing her that a charity poker tournament was going to be held in her honor to help find a cure for MS. After witnessing her strength in fighting the disease, I knew a fun poker tournament would be a wonderful way to show our support as a family. The tournament has grown tremendously ever since.”
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents, like Turek, live with the effects of multiple sclerosis. The cause is unknown, and, as a result, there currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. Funds raised through events, such as the 5th Annual Turek Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, ensure ongoing scientific research to find a cure and the continuation of programs and services provide by the chapter to Connecticut residents living with multiple sclerosis.
Since the first tournament was held in May of 2004, the event has raised more than $112,000 to benefit the Connecticut Chapter and those it serves. The tournament has received national recognition and worldwide sponsorship, including Full Tilt Poker, Samuel Adams America ’s World Class Beer, New York Knicks, ESPN, WSOP Academy , FatHead.com, CardPlayer Magazine, Poker VT, Foxwoods, New York Giants, New York Jets, Copaq and sports artists James Fiorentino and Edgar Brown. Professional poker player Andy Bloch has contributed to the event for the past three years. His involvement and that of many other poker professionals, like 2004 WSOP Champ Greg Raymer, Antonio Esfandiari and Matt Matros, has helped to bring recognition to the tournament. New York Knick great John Starks and WKTU DJ Goumba Johnny teamed up this year in the fight against MS.
“I am delighted that we have been able to make this event bigger and better every year,” said D’Aloia. “People now look forward to this annual tournament. I look forward to making it all the more successful in 2009.”
“This all began as a Christmas gift,” said D’Aloia, a resident of Stratford , Conn. “I gave my mother-in-law a letter one Christmas informing her that a charity poker tournament was going to be held in her honor to help find a cure for MS. After witnessing her strength in fighting the disease, I knew a fun poker tournament would be a wonderful way to show our support as a family. The tournament has grown tremendously ever since.”
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents, like Turek, live with the effects of multiple sclerosis. The cause is unknown, and, as a result, there currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. Funds raised through events, such as the 5th Annual Turek Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, ensure ongoing scientific research to find a cure and the continuation of programs and services provide by the chapter to Connecticut residents living with multiple sclerosis.
Since the first tournament was held in May of 2004, the event has raised more than $112,000 to benefit the Connecticut Chapter and those it serves. The tournament has received national recognition and worldwide sponsorship, including Full Tilt Poker, Samuel Adams America ’s World Class Beer, New York Knicks, ESPN, WSOP Academy , FatHead.com, CardPlayer Magazine, Poker VT, Foxwoods, New York Giants, New York Jets, Copaq and sports artists James Fiorentino and Edgar Brown. Professional poker player Andy Bloch has contributed to the event for the past three years. His involvement and that of many other poker professionals, like 2004 WSOP Champ Greg Raymer, Antonio Esfandiari and Matt Matros, has helped to bring recognition to the tournament. New York Knick great John Starks and WKTU DJ Goumba Johnny teamed up this year in the fight against MS.
“I am delighted that we have been able to make this event bigger and better every year,” said D’Aloia. “People now look forward to this annual tournament. I look forward to making it all the more successful in 2009.”
Man arrested after playing poker !
A man who was kicked out of a poker game, got into a fight, smashed a front room window and then robbed a pharmacy, according to police, has been arrested.
Salt Lake police arrested Matthew Shane Jones, 33, Wednesday. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of felony robbery, felony drug possession and felony fleeing.
Jones was playing poker with others in a Millcreek house on Tuesday when he got into an argument and physical fight with another man. After being kicked out of the house, an angry Jones responded by punching his hand through the front glass window and then throwing a planter box through the window, striking a man inside, according to police.
Less than 15 minutes later, a man described as having fresh facial wounds and blood all over his white shirt, robbed a Walgreens pharmacy near 900 East and 2100 South.
Investigators found Jones Wednesday and booked him into jail about 4 p.m.
Salt Lake police arrested Matthew Shane Jones, 33, Wednesday. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of felony robbery, felony drug possession and felony fleeing.
Jones was playing poker with others in a Millcreek house on Tuesday when he got into an argument and physical fight with another man. After being kicked out of the house, an angry Jones responded by punching his hand through the front glass window and then throwing a planter box through the window, striking a man inside, according to police.
Less than 15 minutes later, a man described as having fresh facial wounds and blood all over his white shirt, robbed a Walgreens pharmacy near 900 East and 2100 South.
Investigators found Jones Wednesday and booked him into jail about 4 p.m.
Playtech launches new network for Italian poker market !
Playtech, a developer and licensor of software for the online, mobile and land-based gaming industry, has launched a 'play for real money poker' network in the expanding Italian poker market.
Following license agreements, announced earlier in the second half of 2008, with Italian operators Snai, Gala Coral's Eurobet Italia, Sisal and Cogetech, all operators are now offering 'play for real money' products on Playtech's Italian poker network.
Playtech has said that the product utilizes its back office system with the appropriate customization for the local market and has been fully integrated with the licensees' systems in order to ensure a better gaming experience for the player.
Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, said: "The recent launch with leading Italian operators Snai, Gala Coral's Eurobet Italia, Sisal and Cogetech set our foothold in the Italian market which will lead to a prominent position in that market. The launch of the play for real network in Italy testifies to our extensive experience in penetrating new regulated markets with our best of breed software platform."
Following license agreements, announced earlier in the second half of 2008, with Italian operators Snai, Gala Coral's Eurobet Italia, Sisal and Cogetech, all operators are now offering 'play for real money' products on Playtech's Italian poker network.
Playtech has said that the product utilizes its back office system with the appropriate customization for the local market and has been fully integrated with the licensees' systems in order to ensure a better gaming experience for the player.
Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, said: "The recent launch with leading Italian operators Snai, Gala Coral's Eurobet Italia, Sisal and Cogetech set our foothold in the Italian market which will lead to a prominent position in that market. The launch of the play for real network in Italy testifies to our extensive experience in penetrating new regulated markets with our best of breed software platform."
Pokerstars Poker Camp in January !
PokerStars is bringing back its Poker Camp for a second time, taking place at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure this January.
The first Poker Camp took place at the PokerSTars.com EPT stop in Barcelona earlier this season, and the second camp will take place in the Bahamas along with the Caribbean Adventure at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino.
The Poker Camp is scheduled for an extended three-day schedule Jan. 7-9. Poker Camp qualifiers will participate in morning and afternoon modules led by world-class instructors and members of Team PokerStars Pro such as Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker and Vanessa Rousso.
That's two former World Series of Poker Main Event champions plus a four-time bracelet winner and one of the top female players out on the tournament trail teaching PokerStars players the tricks of the trade.
The Poker Camp modules will combine lectures and presentations and include interactive sessions like live hand analysis.
According to PokerStars, the camp's activities have been designed with flexibility in mind. Modules have been set up so participants can mix and match classes from module to suit their interests.
One set of modules will focus on conquering large field, deep stack, live tournaments - like the PCA main event. This includes the structure of the Camp tournament which will allow 60 players to put the daily lessons to the test each evening.
Once the learning sessions are over, the participants will put what they learned into practice in an exclusive tournament open only to the PokerStars Poker Camp participants.
There are also many options at PokerStars for players to get their spot in the Poker Camp. They can buy-in directly using any of the PokerStars currencies such as cash, FPPS and W$, or players can qualify through online poker satellites for as little as $11.
The Poker Camp will also be open to the guests of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure qualifiers. Their family and friends will have the chance to participate in several sessions of the camp that will be open to a wider audience.
These sessions will include a Poker 101 teaching the difference between odds and outs. There will also be sessions open for more advanced players as well.
The first Poker Camp took place at the PokerSTars.com EPT stop in Barcelona earlier this season, and the second camp will take place in the Bahamas along with the Caribbean Adventure at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino.
The Poker Camp is scheduled for an extended three-day schedule Jan. 7-9. Poker Camp qualifiers will participate in morning and afternoon modules led by world-class instructors and members of Team PokerStars Pro such as Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker and Vanessa Rousso.
That's two former World Series of Poker Main Event champions plus a four-time bracelet winner and one of the top female players out on the tournament trail teaching PokerStars players the tricks of the trade.
The Poker Camp modules will combine lectures and presentations and include interactive sessions like live hand analysis.
According to PokerStars, the camp's activities have been designed with flexibility in mind. Modules have been set up so participants can mix and match classes from module to suit their interests.
One set of modules will focus on conquering large field, deep stack, live tournaments - like the PCA main event. This includes the structure of the Camp tournament which will allow 60 players to put the daily lessons to the test each evening.
Once the learning sessions are over, the participants will put what they learned into practice in an exclusive tournament open only to the PokerStars Poker Camp participants.
There are also many options at PokerStars for players to get their spot in the Poker Camp. They can buy-in directly using any of the PokerStars currencies such as cash, FPPS and W$, or players can qualify through online poker satellites for as little as $11.
The Poker Camp will also be open to the guests of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure qualifiers. Their family and friends will have the chance to participate in several sessions of the camp that will be open to a wider audience.
These sessions will include a Poker 101 teaching the difference between odds and outs. There will also be sessions open for more advanced players as well.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Poker Stars and Card Player Sending Reader to Bahamas !!
Freeroll Takes Place Friday
On Friday, PokerStars and CardPlayer.com are teaming up to give one of our readers a trip to the Bahamas to attend the three-day PCA Bahamas Poker Camp. The freeroll takes place Friday, Dec. 26, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Card Player readers can find it under the “Tournaments/Private Area” tab on PokerStars. Use the password “Raymer” to register.
The winner of this event will be given $1,000 for travel to the Atlantis Hotel and Casino, where four free nights await them. The winner also gets a $500 room credit for food, three days of camp instruction, and a $500 ticket for the camp’s final poker tournament.
The camp takes place Jan. 7-9 and features PokerStars pros, such as Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker, and Vanessa Rousso. The European Poker Tour PokerStars Caribbean Adventure takes place Jan. 5-10.
Card Player also secured extra swag from PokerStars for those who go deep in the event but fail to win. The prizes are:
First — Trip to PCA Boot Camp
Second — Chip set and T-shirt
Third — Chip set and hat
Fourth — Chip set
Fifth — T-shirt and hat
Sixth — T-shirt and hat
Seventh — T-shirt and hat
Eighth — T-shirt
Ninth — Hat
On Friday, PokerStars and CardPlayer.com are teaming up to give one of our readers a trip to the Bahamas to attend the three-day PCA Bahamas Poker Camp. The freeroll takes place Friday, Dec. 26, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Card Player readers can find it under the “Tournaments/Private Area” tab on PokerStars. Use the password “Raymer” to register.
The winner of this event will be given $1,000 for travel to the Atlantis Hotel and Casino, where four free nights await them. The winner also gets a $500 room credit for food, three days of camp instruction, and a $500 ticket for the camp’s final poker tournament.
The camp takes place Jan. 7-9 and features PokerStars pros, such as Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker, and Vanessa Rousso. The European Poker Tour PokerStars Caribbean Adventure takes place Jan. 5-10.
Card Player also secured extra swag from PokerStars for those who go deep in the event but fail to win. The prizes are:
First — Trip to PCA Boot Camp
Second — Chip set and T-shirt
Third — Chip set and hat
Fourth — Chip set
Fifth — T-shirt and hat
Sixth — T-shirt and hat
Seventh — T-shirt and hat
Eighth — T-shirt
Ninth — Hat
Full Tilt gets sued for $ 40 MILLION
Celebrity poker player sues Full Tilt parent
Breach-of-pact lawsuit seeks $40 million
For principals in the online card room Full Tilt Poker -- who include some of the world's top poker players -- luck may not be a lady.
In November, Cycalona "Clonie" Gowen -- a former beauty queen and high school athlete who became a professional poker player -- sued in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas against Tiltware LLC, the Ireland-based software company behind Full Tilt Poker. She is seeking $40 million in damages for breach of contract.
Named in the lawsuit is Howard Lederer, professional poker player and one of the company's founders, and other famous players, described as "Team Full Tilt," including Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Mike Matusow, Allen Cunningham, Gus Hansen and Jennifer Harman-Traniello.
Gowen, 37, alleges in the lawsuit that Full Tilt hired her to be one of their "celebrity players," and that company officials agreed that she would be rewarded with a 1 percent share in Full Tilt -- a company with an estimated value of $4 billion.
The lawsuit has been a hot topic in Internet poker forums, chat rooms and blogs in recent weeks. Full Tilt is one of the largest and fastest-growing card rooms in cyberspace, with a celebrity poker professional roster filled with A List players.
A Hollywood screen writer couldn't come up with a more colorful plaintiff.
Gowen, a native of Florida, was born during a powerful storm, which served as the inspiration of her first name. She grew up in Kiowa, Okla., and was crowned Miss Teen McAlester, Okla., at age 15.
In high school, Gowen was a member of the state championship varsity basketball team and started on her track and field team as a high jumper, where she was ranked seventh in the state.
In 2003, Gowen earned national recognition when she won the World Poker Tour Ladies' Night event in the World Poker Tour Costa Rica Class in 2003. In recent years, Gowen has served as a guest commentator for the Ultimate Poker Challenge and The Gaming Club World Poker Championship. She also appeared several times on the NBC television program, Poker After Dark, and has won three titles.
In July, Gowen won the no-limit Texas hold 'em event at the Bellagio Cup IV, earning $437,775, and launching her into the poker world's upper echelon.
But winning a battle in a Las Vegas courtroom against an online poker room headquartered off shore could represent a daunting challenge.
Tiltware LLC, the marketing and software company for Full Tilt Poker, was founded in Los Angeles in 2004, but moved to Ireland in late 2006, only weeks after Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which effectively made it illegal for Americans to play online casino games.
Gowen's case may face problems because she acknowledges there is an oral, but not written contract between her and Full Tilt, and that most of the alleged promises took place over the phone or in meetings with Tiltware executives in Las Vegas more than four years ago.
But Jim Kohl of the Las Vegas office of law firm Howard & Howard, who is representing Gowen, said: "Assuming everything we've learned so far is true, we feel we have a good case." Kohl also said there are international treaties between Ireland and the United States "that will allow us to enforce our judgments overseas."
Gowen claims that in 2007, all members of "Team Full Tilt Poker" received distribution checks except her. She claims she asked for her "fair share" and was turned down. Not long afterward, according to the lawsuit, Lederer offered Gowen $250,000 for her past work with the company, but she turned him down.
"We are confident the allegations will be proven at trial," Kohl said. "Clonie has been wrongly denied her compensation and, after we go through the process of discovery, we feel the court will find in our favor."
Officials at Tiltware have a different point of view.
"Tiltware, LLC, has been made aware of the recent filing of a meritless lawsuit by a former Full Tilt Poker endorser, Ms. Cycalona Gowen," Tiltware said in a statement. "All claims have no merit and there are many inaccuracies improperly and unlawfully asserted by Ms. Gowen within her frivolous complaint. Tiltware LLC expects that this lawsuit will be dealt with accordingly by a competent court in due course."
Experts in online gaming note the lawsuit, if nothing else, will serve to remind online business owners and employees that whether a business is in cyberspace or in a brick-and-mortar location, elementary principles still apply.
"The situation (at Full Tilt) is no different than in any type of business," said Tony Cabot, practice group leader at the Las Vegas law office of Lewis and Roca. "There will always be lawsuits that allege questions of ownership, promises or rights, and it makes sense for every business to properly document all relationships. That way, it a dispute comes up, then you have the intent of the parties in writing."
To some professional poker players, the lawsuit couldn't have come at a worse time.
"While I really don't know any details about the Clonie Gowen case against Full Tilt, I am disappointed there is a lawsuit," said Susie Isaacs, who has twice won the World Series of Poker women's championship, and is a columnist for several poker and gaming publications.
"This is a very strategic time for poker players who want online poker to be legalized and a very bad time for any red flags in that industry," Isaacs said.
Breach-of-pact lawsuit seeks $40 million
For principals in the online card room Full Tilt Poker -- who include some of the world's top poker players -- luck may not be a lady.
In November, Cycalona "Clonie" Gowen -- a former beauty queen and high school athlete who became a professional poker player -- sued in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas against Tiltware LLC, the Ireland-based software company behind Full Tilt Poker. She is seeking $40 million in damages for breach of contract.
Named in the lawsuit is Howard Lederer, professional poker player and one of the company's founders, and other famous players, described as "Team Full Tilt," including Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Mike Matusow, Allen Cunningham, Gus Hansen and Jennifer Harman-Traniello.
Gowen, 37, alleges in the lawsuit that Full Tilt hired her to be one of their "celebrity players," and that company officials agreed that she would be rewarded with a 1 percent share in Full Tilt -- a company with an estimated value of $4 billion.
The lawsuit has been a hot topic in Internet poker forums, chat rooms and blogs in recent weeks. Full Tilt is one of the largest and fastest-growing card rooms in cyberspace, with a celebrity poker professional roster filled with A List players.
A Hollywood screen writer couldn't come up with a more colorful plaintiff.
Gowen, a native of Florida, was born during a powerful storm, which served as the inspiration of her first name. She grew up in Kiowa, Okla., and was crowned Miss Teen McAlester, Okla., at age 15.
In high school, Gowen was a member of the state championship varsity basketball team and started on her track and field team as a high jumper, where she was ranked seventh in the state.
In 2003, Gowen earned national recognition when she won the World Poker Tour Ladies' Night event in the World Poker Tour Costa Rica Class in 2003. In recent years, Gowen has served as a guest commentator for the Ultimate Poker Challenge and The Gaming Club World Poker Championship. She also appeared several times on the NBC television program, Poker After Dark, and has won three titles.
In July, Gowen won the no-limit Texas hold 'em event at the Bellagio Cup IV, earning $437,775, and launching her into the poker world's upper echelon.
But winning a battle in a Las Vegas courtroom against an online poker room headquartered off shore could represent a daunting challenge.
Tiltware LLC, the marketing and software company for Full Tilt Poker, was founded in Los Angeles in 2004, but moved to Ireland in late 2006, only weeks after Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which effectively made it illegal for Americans to play online casino games.
Gowen's case may face problems because she acknowledges there is an oral, but not written contract between her and Full Tilt, and that most of the alleged promises took place over the phone or in meetings with Tiltware executives in Las Vegas more than four years ago.
But Jim Kohl of the Las Vegas office of law firm Howard & Howard, who is representing Gowen, said: "Assuming everything we've learned so far is true, we feel we have a good case." Kohl also said there are international treaties between Ireland and the United States "that will allow us to enforce our judgments overseas."
Gowen claims that in 2007, all members of "Team Full Tilt Poker" received distribution checks except her. She claims she asked for her "fair share" and was turned down. Not long afterward, according to the lawsuit, Lederer offered Gowen $250,000 for her past work with the company, but she turned him down.
"We are confident the allegations will be proven at trial," Kohl said. "Clonie has been wrongly denied her compensation and, after we go through the process of discovery, we feel the court will find in our favor."
Officials at Tiltware have a different point of view.
"Tiltware, LLC, has been made aware of the recent filing of a meritless lawsuit by a former Full Tilt Poker endorser, Ms. Cycalona Gowen," Tiltware said in a statement. "All claims have no merit and there are many inaccuracies improperly and unlawfully asserted by Ms. Gowen within her frivolous complaint. Tiltware LLC expects that this lawsuit will be dealt with accordingly by a competent court in due course."
Experts in online gaming note the lawsuit, if nothing else, will serve to remind online business owners and employees that whether a business is in cyberspace or in a brick-and-mortar location, elementary principles still apply.
"The situation (at Full Tilt) is no different than in any type of business," said Tony Cabot, practice group leader at the Las Vegas law office of Lewis and Roca. "There will always be lawsuits that allege questions of ownership, promises or rights, and it makes sense for every business to properly document all relationships. That way, it a dispute comes up, then you have the intent of the parties in writing."
To some professional poker players, the lawsuit couldn't have come at a worse time.
"While I really don't know any details about the Clonie Gowen case against Full Tilt, I am disappointed there is a lawsuit," said Susie Isaacs, who has twice won the World Series of Poker women's championship, and is a columnist for several poker and gaming publications.
"This is a very strategic time for poker players who want online poker to be legalized and a very bad time for any red flags in that industry," Isaacs said.
Poker Club Folds !!
Private Arizona Poker Club Folds
A private Tucson, Arizona poker club whose opening served as a challenge to that state's gambling regulations has agreed to close in the face of legal pressure. Club Royale, opened by former judge Harold Lee and Donna and Johnny Ray Rogers, agreed to shutter its doors to resolve a civil suit brought by Arizona's Pascua Yaqui nation. The Pasqui Yaqui operate two of the four state compact-regulated casinos in the Tucson area.
The battle featured the viewpoints of the outspoken and maverick Lee against the state and the tribes, who insisted that they had the exclusive legal right to spread poker in Arizona, which in total offers 22 casinos run by 15 different tribal nations. Among the poker wrinkles at Lee's club was its spreading of no-limit hold'em, forbidden under the 1993 Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, which governs the tribal casinos.
The Club Royale battle also developed into a rift between the Rogers, who retained their own representation in the matter, and Lee, who vowed to continue his fight to offer poker in Arizona. By closing the club, which ran under the auspices of the International Card and Game Players Association (ICGPA), a group founded by Lee, the Rogers will not have to pay any damages to the Pascua Yaqui nation. Lee accused the Rogers of misusing ICGPA funds while operating one of two private poker clubs that opened in Tucson last year. (The other club closed for separate reasons.) Lee also vowed to reopen the club at a new Tucson location.
A private Tucson, Arizona poker club whose opening served as a challenge to that state's gambling regulations has agreed to close in the face of legal pressure. Club Royale, opened by former judge Harold Lee and Donna and Johnny Ray Rogers, agreed to shutter its doors to resolve a civil suit brought by Arizona's Pascua Yaqui nation. The Pasqui Yaqui operate two of the four state compact-regulated casinos in the Tucson area.
The battle featured the viewpoints of the outspoken and maverick Lee against the state and the tribes, who insisted that they had the exclusive legal right to spread poker in Arizona, which in total offers 22 casinos run by 15 different tribal nations. Among the poker wrinkles at Lee's club was its spreading of no-limit hold'em, forbidden under the 1993 Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, which governs the tribal casinos.
The Club Royale battle also developed into a rift between the Rogers, who retained their own representation in the matter, and Lee, who vowed to continue his fight to offer poker in Arizona. By closing the club, which ran under the auspices of the International Card and Game Players Association (ICGPA), a group founded by Lee, the Rogers will not have to pay any damages to the Pascua Yaqui nation. Lee accused the Rogers of misusing ICGPA funds while operating one of two private poker clubs that opened in Tucson last year. (The other club closed for separate reasons.) Lee also vowed to reopen the club at a new Tucson location.
Don't get to fancy in big blind !
Don't get too fancy in big blind
Defending your big blind isn't easy. You'll be out of position for the entire hand unless the raise comes from the player in the small blind. It's important to respect that positional disadvantage and not try to outplay your opponent with fancy moves.
Many players in the big blind get in trouble by calling pre-flop raises; they try to do too much. They don't want to get bullied so they attempt a tricky check-raise bluff or overplay their hands in an ill-advised effort to push back.
Folks, that's like trying to swim upstream.
What makes you think you can overcome positional disadvantage by plowing your way through? Trust me, no matter how much better than your opponent you think you are, if he has position, it will be almost impossible for you to outplay him.
But there is a method to neutralize your opponent's advantage in this situation — playing possum.
You see, it is possible to exploit an opponent who has position by letting him think he can run you over. But don't do this with aggressive betting. Rather, if you think you're in the lead, just check and let your opponent do all the betting.
In more marginal situations, though, focus on minimizing the damage when you might be beat and maximizing your profit when you're ahead by letting a bluffing player continue to bet.
Like professional player Layne Flack once said, "Why do the pushing when the donkey will do the pulling?" In other words, when you're out of position, respect that disadvantage. Your options are limited so think about conserving your chips, not betting aggressively.
Let's look at an example.
In a no-limit hold'em game with blinds at 50-100, a player in late position raises to 300. You look down at Kc-10c and call the bet with just the two of you in the pot.
The flop comes Ks-8s-2d. The standard play is to check and see what your opponent does. So you check and he bets out 500.
You only have two legitimate options: check-raise the flop or call. Folding is out of the question because your opponent would probably bet that kind of flop whether or not he had a good hand.
The best option is to call his raise. Here's why.
By just calling, your opponent won't be able to read your hand. Perhaps you're on a flush draw or even have a hand like pocket nines. Your opponent may decide to continue betting as a bluff.
Also, you'll lose less when you're beat. If he does have a hand like A-K, he'll want to get maximum value and will likely bet an amount that is easy for you to call. If you had check-raised the flop instead, you would have made the pot even bigger, meaning your opponent's future bets would have been bigger still.
Finally, if you check-raise, you'll have to guess about what your opponent has in the event he calls, or even worse, reraises. Had you decided to check-call the flop and turn, you'd only have to make a guess on the river. By that time, though, you'd have collected a lot more information with which you can make an informed decision.
There's no doubt that it's important to defend the big blind. If you don't, your opponents will pick on you relentlessly. But having said that, when you do decide to defend your big blind, don't get the idea that you'll be able to consistently outplay your opponent.
Instead, play possum and challenge your opponent to outplay you.
Defending your big blind isn't easy. You'll be out of position for the entire hand unless the raise comes from the player in the small blind. It's important to respect that positional disadvantage and not try to outplay your opponent with fancy moves.
Many players in the big blind get in trouble by calling pre-flop raises; they try to do too much. They don't want to get bullied so they attempt a tricky check-raise bluff or overplay their hands in an ill-advised effort to push back.
Folks, that's like trying to swim upstream.
What makes you think you can overcome positional disadvantage by plowing your way through? Trust me, no matter how much better than your opponent you think you are, if he has position, it will be almost impossible for you to outplay him.
But there is a method to neutralize your opponent's advantage in this situation — playing possum.
You see, it is possible to exploit an opponent who has position by letting him think he can run you over. But don't do this with aggressive betting. Rather, if you think you're in the lead, just check and let your opponent do all the betting.
In more marginal situations, though, focus on minimizing the damage when you might be beat and maximizing your profit when you're ahead by letting a bluffing player continue to bet.
Like professional player Layne Flack once said, "Why do the pushing when the donkey will do the pulling?" In other words, when you're out of position, respect that disadvantage. Your options are limited so think about conserving your chips, not betting aggressively.
Let's look at an example.
In a no-limit hold'em game with blinds at 50-100, a player in late position raises to 300. You look down at Kc-10c and call the bet with just the two of you in the pot.
The flop comes Ks-8s-2d. The standard play is to check and see what your opponent does. So you check and he bets out 500.
You only have two legitimate options: check-raise the flop or call. Folding is out of the question because your opponent would probably bet that kind of flop whether or not he had a good hand.
The best option is to call his raise. Here's why.
By just calling, your opponent won't be able to read your hand. Perhaps you're on a flush draw or even have a hand like pocket nines. Your opponent may decide to continue betting as a bluff.
Also, you'll lose less when you're beat. If he does have a hand like A-K, he'll want to get maximum value and will likely bet an amount that is easy for you to call. If you had check-raised the flop instead, you would have made the pot even bigger, meaning your opponent's future bets would have been bigger still.
Finally, if you check-raise, you'll have to guess about what your opponent has in the event he calls, or even worse, reraises. Had you decided to check-call the flop and turn, you'd only have to make a guess on the river. By that time, though, you'd have collected a lot more information with which you can make an informed decision.
There's no doubt that it's important to defend the big blind. If you don't, your opponents will pick on you relentlessly. But having said that, when you do decide to defend your big blind, don't get the idea that you'll be able to consistently outplay your opponent.
Instead, play possum and challenge your opponent to outplay you.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sahara Hotel Robbed !!
Armed Robbery at the Sahara Hotel
Las Vegas Metro Police are investigating an armed robbery at the poker room inside the Sahara Hotel and Casino.
Police say the robbery happened just before 6:00 p.m. The robbery was to the Sahara, not a player. No word on how much money taken or if a weapon was used.
No one was injured.
Las Vegas Metro Police are investigating an armed robbery at the poker room inside the Sahara Hotel and Casino.
Police say the robbery happened just before 6:00 p.m. The robbery was to the Sahara, not a player. No word on how much money taken or if a weapon was used.
No one was injured.
DANES - Best Poker Players in the World !
$10 Million in One Week and Card Player World Tracker Proves Danes are the Most Successful Tournament Poker Players in the World.
Dubline, Ireland (PRWEB) December 19, 2008 -- In November 2008 three Danish Poker Players won $10 million dollars in the space of seven days, winning the World Series of Poker main event, the Amsterdam Master Classics main event, and the Ladbrokes European Online Championship of Poker IV main event.
Back in July 2008 Card Player Media research proclaimed that Danes were the most successful tournament players, per capita, in the world with "World Tracker" its sophisticated tournament player tracking tool.
The recent string of incredible results by Danes vindicates World Tracker as the world's leading indicator of tournament success.
Firstly online whizz "hahila" won the main event at LEOCOP IV for $229,500, then Peter Eastgate, at 22 years-old, became the youngest ever world champion at the World Series of Poker winning $9,152,416, before veteran World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jan Sorensen won $800,972 at the Amsterdam Master Classics main event.
Much like the Olympics, Card Player uses an extensive list of qualifying tournaments (including WSOP, WPT, and EPT events). World Tracker awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals to the countries whose citizens come first, second, and third in major international tournaments.
The top five countries in the poker tournament world are currently:
1. Denmark 2.04 medals per million
2. USA 1.33 medals per million
3. Australia 1.21 medals per million
4. Sweden 0.67 medals per million
5. Canada 0.66 medals per million
Sweden moved into the top 5 of the World Tracker for the first time while Canada dropped to fifth and Norway fell to sixth.
The latest research is published in the January edition of Card Player Poker + Sports and readers can keep up-to-date with the ongoing per capita medal tally each month in the magazine.
About Card Player Media
Card Player Media was recently named as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., expanding by almost 450 percent since 2003. The company is the publisher of Card Player magazine, the world's largest poker publication celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Card Player Poker + Sports in Europe. With its global partners, Card Player Media also publishes Card Player Brazil, Card Player Italia, Card Player France, Card Player Finland, Card Player Germany, Card Player Hungary, and Card Player Spain.
Dubline, Ireland (PRWEB) December 19, 2008 -- In November 2008 three Danish Poker Players won $10 million dollars in the space of seven days, winning the World Series of Poker main event, the Amsterdam Master Classics main event, and the Ladbrokes European Online Championship of Poker IV main event.
Back in July 2008 Card Player Media research proclaimed that Danes were the most successful tournament players, per capita, in the world with "World Tracker" its sophisticated tournament player tracking tool.
The recent string of incredible results by Danes vindicates World Tracker as the world's leading indicator of tournament success.
Firstly online whizz "hahila" won the main event at LEOCOP IV for $229,500, then Peter Eastgate, at 22 years-old, became the youngest ever world champion at the World Series of Poker winning $9,152,416, before veteran World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jan Sorensen won $800,972 at the Amsterdam Master Classics main event.
Much like the Olympics, Card Player uses an extensive list of qualifying tournaments (including WSOP, WPT, and EPT events). World Tracker awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals to the countries whose citizens come first, second, and third in major international tournaments.
The top five countries in the poker tournament world are currently:
1. Denmark 2.04 medals per million
2. USA 1.33 medals per million
3. Australia 1.21 medals per million
4. Sweden 0.67 medals per million
5. Canada 0.66 medals per million
Sweden moved into the top 5 of the World Tracker for the first time while Canada dropped to fifth and Norway fell to sixth.
The latest research is published in the January edition of Card Player Poker + Sports and readers can keep up-to-date with the ongoing per capita medal tally each month in the magazine.
About Card Player Media
Card Player Media was recently named as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., expanding by almost 450 percent since 2003. The company is the publisher of Card Player magazine, the world's largest poker publication celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Card Player Poker + Sports in Europe. With its global partners, Card Player Media also publishes Card Player Brazil, Card Player Italia, Card Player France, Card Player Finland, Card Player Germany, Card Player Hungary, and Card Player Spain.
Poker Stars
Percentage of Payout in Poker Stars
They use the 20% rule on prize pool. The survivor is always benefited regardless of the highs and lows and there are lesser benefits to someone who performs comparatively less.
For instance, a few months before the average payout that was going out was likely amoung 13 to 16% of the number of citizens registered in the poker Stars tournament.
For example, whether 1500 players registered for the tourney next at least 210 to 225 places would be paid; however, of late, the overall average seems to have dropped from 11 to 12% per tournament.
Of late, it appears like the overall average of payout per tourney is getting comparatively decreased than it previously used to be at poker Stars. For instance whether there were 1500 players registered for a tournament, there will be 170 to 175 places that will be paid out.
Though the number of players registering for the tournament is going up, the kind of pay out that is being given out seems to be considerably less.
But when we analyze it in depth, we might be able to see that poker Stars have restructured the number of places they pay to something less, but they pay more money to the winners.
They use the 20% rule on prize pool. The survivor is always benefited regardless of the highs and lows and there are lesser benefits to someone who performs comparatively less.
For instance, a few months before the average payout that was going out was likely amoung 13 to 16% of the number of citizens registered in the poker Stars tournament.
For example, whether 1500 players registered for the tourney next at least 210 to 225 places would be paid; however, of late, the overall average seems to have dropped from 11 to 12% per tournament.
Of late, it appears like the overall average of payout per tourney is getting comparatively decreased than it previously used to be at poker Stars. For instance whether there were 1500 players registered for a tournament, there will be 170 to 175 places that will be paid out.
Though the number of players registering for the tournament is going up, the kind of pay out that is being given out seems to be considerably less.
But when we analyze it in depth, we might be able to see that poker Stars have restructured the number of places they pay to something less, but they pay more money to the winners.
Little Rock, Ark.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A man who operated a poker parlor that he claimed was legal has been sentenced to three years probation for running a prohibited gambling operation.
Logan Wight Dungan operated a National Poker Challenge franchise, which was raided in November 2007 that followed an undercover investigation by police. Five people were arrested after the initial raid but the 38-year-old Dungan was the only person charged.
Dungan entered a no contest plea on Monday to a charge of keeping a gambling house. In addition to probation, prosecutors say the judge fined him $300 and ordered him to forfeit his poker tables and related equipment.
The business operated at the Ashley Square shopping center in Little Rock.
At the time of the raid, company president Michael White said the games were legal and cited a 2005 attorney general's opinion. In a statement on the company Web site, White complained that prosecutors didn't know enough about how his games worked to judge them illegal.
After the raid, Prosecutor Larry Jegley said the state constitution would have to be changed for the poker games to become legal. "You can't just talk circles around the issue and make it legal," Jegley said at the time.
The site said players did not pay to play poker, but could pay a $100 monthly fee to have their statistics tracked.
White's Web site has since been taken down.
Dungan's plea was made three months after three Houston residents accused of participating in an illegal gambling operation on Base Line Road pleaded guilty to gambling charges. The raid on National Poker was conducted within a day of the raid at The Game Room where manager Timmy Le, 28, Francisco Javier "Paco" Moreno, 21, and Ngoc "Nancy" My Pho, 23, were arrested. At that operation, Little Rock police said they seized 70 electronic gambling machines and more than $14,000.
Deputy Prosecutor Troy Braswell says Le pleaded guilty to keeping a gambling house and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a gambling device in exchange for three years on unsupervised probation and the agreement to forfeit the money and games seized by police.
The felony gambling house charges against Moreno and Pho were dropped with their guilty pleas to a misdemeanor count of illegally possessing a gambling device, and each was fined $300.
Braswell said the seized equipment will either be auctioned by police or used for training or undercover work.
Logan Wight Dungan operated a National Poker Challenge franchise, which was raided in November 2007 that followed an undercover investigation by police. Five people were arrested after the initial raid but the 38-year-old Dungan was the only person charged.
Dungan entered a no contest plea on Monday to a charge of keeping a gambling house. In addition to probation, prosecutors say the judge fined him $300 and ordered him to forfeit his poker tables and related equipment.
The business operated at the Ashley Square shopping center in Little Rock.
At the time of the raid, company president Michael White said the games were legal and cited a 2005 attorney general's opinion. In a statement on the company Web site, White complained that prosecutors didn't know enough about how his games worked to judge them illegal.
After the raid, Prosecutor Larry Jegley said the state constitution would have to be changed for the poker games to become legal. "You can't just talk circles around the issue and make it legal," Jegley said at the time.
The site said players did not pay to play poker, but could pay a $100 monthly fee to have their statistics tracked.
White's Web site has since been taken down.
Dungan's plea was made three months after three Houston residents accused of participating in an illegal gambling operation on Base Line Road pleaded guilty to gambling charges. The raid on National Poker was conducted within a day of the raid at The Game Room where manager Timmy Le, 28, Francisco Javier "Paco" Moreno, 21, and Ngoc "Nancy" My Pho, 23, were arrested. At that operation, Little Rock police said they seized 70 electronic gambling machines and more than $14,000.
Deputy Prosecutor Troy Braswell says Le pleaded guilty to keeping a gambling house and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a gambling device in exchange for three years on unsupervised probation and the agreement to forfeit the money and games seized by police.
The felony gambling house charges against Moreno and Pho were dropped with their guilty pleas to a misdemeanor count of illegally possessing a gambling device, and each was fined $300.
Braswell said the seized equipment will either be auctioned by police or used for training or undercover work.
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