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World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic Continues to Grow
2007-12-23 15:09:00 We all know the World Series of Poker and the annual World Poker Tour Championship as the two most anticipated and celebrated events in the game of poker . But what about the third richest ? Yep , it's the World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic , which wrapped up this past Tuesday night at the Bellagio in Las Vegas .This year the event was won by Eugene Katchalov of New York and attracted a field of 664 players . The prize pool was a whooping $9.6 million and first-place got better than $2.48 million ! Last year's tournament drew 583 players , a field of 555 in 2005 and 376 in 2004 . As you can see the field is growing each year and is doing so without any internet involvement according to Doug Dalton, director of poker operations at the Bellagio . The Las Vegas Sun reports that of the 555 players who competed in 2005, about 40 percent were Internet qualifiers, according to an estimate by Jack McClelland, the Bellagio's tournament director. Of this year's field, at l...
World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic Continues to Grows
2007-12-23 15:09:00 We all know the World Series of Poker and the annual World Poker Tour Championship as the two most anticipated and celebrated events in the game of poker . But what about the third richest ? Yep , it's the World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic , which wrapped up Tuesday night at the Bellagio in Las Vegas .This year the event was won by Eugene Katchalov of New York and attracted a field of 664 players . The prize pool was a whooping $9.6 million and first-place got better than $2.48 million ! Last year's tournament drew 583 players , a field of 555 in 2005 and 376 in 2004 . As you can see the field is growing each year and is doing so without any internet involvement according to Doug Dalton, director of poker operations at the Bellagio . The Las Vegas Sun reports that of the 555 players who competed in 2005, about 40 percent were Internet qualifiers, according to an estimate by Jack McClelland, the Bellagio's tournament director. Of this year's field, at least one-t...
European Union cuts a Deal on UIGEA !
2007-12-21 17:40:00 Looks like the countries that I would have thought would not buckle under to the U.S.A. on the UIGEA law has done so after all . The European Union 's $100 Billion compensatory claim against the U.S.A. over the online gambling ban was a great source of hope for many of us online gamers , but that hope has now gone down the drain........The World Trade Organization is supposedly the most powerful legislative and judicial body in the world and has repeatedly made it clear that the U.S.'s ban on online gambling violates free trade agreements . It appears though that U.S. politicians and diplomats made quick work of that by signing new agreements with the EU, Canada and Japan to keep those three out of the way, leaving the dispute between only the U.S.A. and Antigua . Antigua is the recognized center for online gambling companies , and was one of the first nations to legalizeand license online gaming.This week the EU reached an agreement with the American government that will all... More About: Deal , Cuts
Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Fined for Gambling Ads
2007-12-20 16:55:00 Looks like the three giants of the internet have been fined for running gambling ads . The fines are really just a drop in the bucket for Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Google Inc. , but this judgement makes me wonder what is in the future for U.S. owned domains that run ads and affiliate banners . Who's next on their list and will this trickle down to the little man ? I just don't know.......U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said , the investigation conducted by Hanaway's office, along with the IRS and the FBI, dates back to the year 2000 . Negotiations have been going on for 12 to 18 months, and the big three have agreed to pay a combined $31.5 million to settle federal civil allegations they took ads for illegal gambling .Earlier this year, London-based Internet gambling firm BetOnSports PLC pleaded guilty in St. Louis to federal racketeering charges and cases are still pending against the company executives. All because of them accepting bets from gamblers in the U.S.A.For the... More About: Gambling , Yahoo!
Soldier's suicide leads to another bill on gambling ?
2007-12-19 13:45:00 A bill in Congress seeks to eliminate military slot machines overseas that take in $130 million a year . The money is mostly from soldiers. The big reason for the bill ? Army Warrant Officer Aaron Walsh, a decorated Apache helicopter pilot who became addicted to gambling on military slot machines and then later commited suicide...... The Defense Department says the slot machine money goes to pay a portion of its , and I quote from the source , morale, welfare and recreation programs . What the hell is that ? "If American men and women are willing to serve our country overseas we should not be dependent on them to pay for recreational activities they deserve" , Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tennessee said in a statement. It seems Walsh was discharged from the Army because of his addiction to the slots that were available by the military . After that he just hit rock bottom , lost his wife and children and ended up homeless in the streets of Vegas . What happened to the... More About: Leads , Suicide , Gambling , Bill
Chatting with Poker-Pro Gary Spitzer
2007-12-18 13:26:00 Today we have with us Gary Spitzer who's a 4th generation Texas gambler living, winning and losing in Sin City. His grandfather won over $52,000 dollars shooting dice and playing poker on the ship home from France after WWII and his Dad was a professional gambler and drag boat racer for decades in Texas and the Southwest. Gambling and thrill seeking is a family tradition when it comes to the Spitzer clan .1. How and when did you get your start playing professional poker?My Grandmother taught me to play poker at age 6. I entered my first WSOP in 2001. This was when I came to the realization that my game was good enough to play at a professional level. 2. Hold'em is the favorite these days in the poker world; both online and live. I grew up playing 7-stud and 5 card draw and still have a fondness for draw poker. What did you start off playing and what do you prefer to play ?Five card draw was my first introduction to poker. I have played every game you can imagine plus some that we ... More About: Poker , Chatting
Weekend News at the House of Poker - 12/17
2007-12-17 14:27:00 Not a whole lot of news from the weekend at The House of Poker . We had our little game over at 5th Street and I must admit it was a nice little change of pace . Sad to say that only three of us played , but the A-5 Lowball was quite the fun game to play . I personally feel this is more a thinking mans/ladies game than holdem due to the three draws you have . The game will keep you on ya toes for sure . After about an hour of play between the three of us it was over , and my good online buddy the ShushiKid managed to win when I pushed all-in with a 9 high after a second draw only to be called and be staring at an 8 high . oops .I did get a little bored last night and felt like a little poker , but weren't in the mood for no big game . So I decided that I'd give Pitbull Poker a shot with the free $10.00 they give out for signing up . I figured that I'd just jump on a .05/.10 table and waste an half hour or so.....After folding every hand for about 10 minutes to g... More About: News , Weekend , The House
45th Co-Sponsor for Regulation of Online Poker & Gambling in USA
2007-12-16 15:28:00 Congressman Barney Frank's HR 2046 Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA), a bill that seeks to license and regulate online poker and online gambling in the USA in an effort to counter the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act , has just got it's 45th co-sponsor in California Representative Ellen O. Taucher (D.) The list of co-sponsors is slowly growing , but growing it is .Congresswoman Ellen O. Taucher has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1996 and is Chairwoman of the House New Democrat Coalition . The committee is charged with enacting policies that maintain U.S. competitiveness, meet the challenges of globalization, and strengthen national security. She serves as well on the Board of the Battered Women's Alternative.I don't know too much about her myself , me being on the east coast while she is on the west , but Congresswoman Taucher was one of the few who voted against UIGEA when it was slipped into the Safe Port bill just before Con... More About: Poker , Online , Sponsor
Playing A-5 Lowball at 5th Street
2007-12-14 13:42:00 Tomorrows game over at 5th Street is going to be Pot Limit A-5 Lowball . I'm not a fan of this game by no means , but we mixed the games up this season as a learning experience for other poker games .A-5 Lowball works the same as 5 Card Draw but with players trying to make the best possible low hand, and there are three draws instead of one. Straights and flushes don't count so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 regardless of suit. Before the cards are dealt the two players to the left of the dealer button (a small D in a circle identifies the current dealer position) must make forced bets, called blinds. The first person left of the dealer pays the small blind, the next person pays the big blind, which is double the small blind. (These are the table limits) The minimum bet in a hand is the amount of the big blind. Once all the players have their cards there is the first of 4 betting rounds and players have the 3 options: fold their hand, call the big blind (bet equal...
Playing A-5 Lowball at 5th Street
2007-12-14 13:42:00 Tomorrows game over at 5th Street is going to be Pot Limit A-5 Lowball . I'm not a fan of this game by no means , but we mixed the games up this season as a learning experience for other poker games .A-5 Lowball works the same as 5 Card Draw but with players trying to make the best possible low hand, and there are three draws instead of one. Straights and flushes don't count so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 regardless of suit. Before the cards are dealt the two players to the left of the dealer button (a small D in a circle identifies the current dealer position) must make forced bets, called blinds. The first person left of the dealer pays the small blind, the next person pays the big blind, which is double the small blind. (These are the table limits) The minimum bet in a hand is the amount of the big blind. Once all the players have their cards there is the first of 4 betting rounds and players have the 3 options: fold their hand, call the big blind (bet equal...
2008 WSOP Event Announced
2007-12-13 15:50:00 The 2008 World Series of Poker event has been announced and it will be held at the beautiful Harrah's Rio Resort in Las Vegas again next year . The $10,000.00 Main Event will run for 2 weeks with 2 days off for a total of 12 days of play and will begin July 3rd . This year’s schedule includes a whopping nine tournaments with buy-ins of $10,000 or more . Talk about some huge games !There's also two more games that I think deserve mentioning , one is that The Ante Up for Africa Charity Event returns for 2008. This one's for a good cause and I'm glad to see that it's returning . The second one I want to mention is Pokers way of honouring "Chip" Reese , who just passed away this month . The winner of the $50K H.O.R.S.E. event will now receive a special David "Chip" Reese memorial trophy. From what I understand this will be the case each year........For more info you can visit the Poker Profs Blog . You can start trying to win your seat to the WSOP by ... More About: Anno
Send a Soldier a Card , and It's all Free !
2007-12-12 14:53:00 As it says at the page header , we here at the House of Poker believe in showing our support for the Troops . All politics aside , these men and women are just doing their job and doing it to the best of their ability .I ran across a site called Lets Say Thanks yesterday where you can send a soldier a card of thanks at no cost , and they don't ask you any personal questions . Here's the information from the site :The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country. All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then... More About: Card , Free , World News , Soldier , Send
Good news for Online Poker in the U.S.A. ?
2007-12-11 14:06:00 Well this is news that surely doesn't hurt . The British Government has really gotten involved with the U.S over the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act since the WTO ruled against the U.S.A. The British Government says that it does favor U.S. regulation of internet gambling as opposed to prohibition , and that doing so could resolve the possible $100 billion dispute . This would bring the U.S. into compliance with international trade agreements and create a level playing field for operators . I'm hoping now that our biggest Allies has stepped up to the plate and speaking it's mind that this may get our Government to look more closely at the laws...Read more here .In closing , I want to remind everyone that the last chance to tell Washington how you feel about the UIGEA is this month on 12/12 . Learn how to make your voice heard by clicking here . More About: News , Poker , Good News , Online , Good
Weekend News at the House of Poker - 12/10
2007-12-10 13:55:00 Was a slow weekend for the House of Poker . I personally only played one game all weekend, and that was the League Game over at 5th Street . The game is held weekly at Nordica Poker and though small in players it's the one game that I really enjoy playing on a Saturday morning. The game this week was no-limit Holdem and we had four very good players make the table . An hour into the game we still had three players on the felt ! Soon after the first break ,Yellow Rose was busted out of the game and that left the cunning Killa Shandra and myself heads up.....we battled back and forth for the chip lead for an half hour or so till I was dealt big slick on the bb . She raised me and I decided to push all-in (I had done the same earlier with just Q-10 os and then had shown her the hand after she folded)....Killa made the call with K-J os and the board paired our kings up for me to knock her out . It was a very good game and if any of you would like to join just come over to 5th Str... More About: News , Weekend , The House
Mayweather beats Hatton at Las Vegas, Nevada
2007-12-09 15:23:00 I know this is not poker related , but most players like a good fight in the ring as well . This was supposed to be a huge fight between two undefeated fighters , and huge it was . Mayweather improved to 39-0 when he knocked Hatton down with a damaging left to the chin as the British fighter was swinging a punch of his own. Hatton rose and Mayweather followed with a hammering left hook and a dazed Hatton fell moments later , referee Joe Cortez stopped the bout at 1:35 of the 10th round . The one thing that riled me though was after Hatton supporters sang along with "God Save the Queen" before the bout, they then booed throughout the singing of the US anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". Totally imature as hell if you want to know how I feel and this on the very day in history that the U.S. joined in on the fight of WW II . It riles me whenever fans act in such a behavior regardless of where they are from , personally I think it does no good at all for world ... More About: Nevada , Las Vegas , Beats , Vegas
How to win in Stud Poker
2007-12-07 10:19:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; & nbsp; ; &nbs p; The sound principle of good play in poker should not be discarded simply because some of the cards will be dealt face-up instead of face-down.You will still have to a sound first bet and you will have to fold (drop) if you fail to improve. A clinch is an unbeatable hand.Here are some general rules Dont play unless you are good enough, that is, only as long as you show promise to win the pot. Most stud players hang on grimly once they have entered-and waste chips that way. If you think you are best then bet the limit,make them pay to see you holds good for stud. The notable exception is when you show the best ha... More About: Poker , Stud Poker
How to win in Stud Poker
2007-12-07 10:19:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; & nbsp; ; &nbs p; The sound principle of good play in poker should not be discarded simply because some of the cards will be dealt face-up instead of face-down.You will still have to a sound first bet and you will have to fold (drop) if you fail to improve. A clinch is an unbeatable hand.Here are some general rules Dont play unless you are good enough, that is, only as long as you show promise to win the pot. Most stud players hang on grimly once they have entered-and waste chips that way. If you think you are best then bet the limit,make them pay to see you holds good for stud. The notable exception is when you show the best ha... More About: Poker , Stud Poker
So long Chip......March 28, 1951 ? December 4, 2007
2007-12-06 14:53:00 It was a sad week for the poker world this week when David "Chip " Reese was found dead by his son early Tuesday at his Las Vegas home after suffering from symptoms of pneumonia . I really don't think that a lot of the younger online players knew who he was till his death , but from what I saw and read this man was a true gentleman on and off the felt . "I knew him for 35 years, I never saw him get mad or raise his voice," Doyle Brunson said. "He had the most even disposition of anyone I've ever met. He's certainly the best poker player that ever lived." Brunson and Reese had became business partners, investing in everything from oil wells and mining to TV stations and racehorses and becoming sports betting consultants. None of the ventures was successful, Brunson said. One of the great Stud players , and despite winning three World Series champion's bracelets , including a $1.8 million HORSE event in 2006 which combines five different poker games, R... More About: March , Long , December
So long Chip......March 28, 1951 ? December 4, 2007
2007-12-06 14:53:00 It was a sad week for the poker world this week when David "Chip " Reese was found dead by his son early Tuesday at his Las Vegas home after suffering from symptoms of pneumonia . I really don't think that a lot of the younger online players knew who he was till his death , but from what I saw and read this man was a true gentleman on and off the felt . "I knew him for 35 years, I never saw him get mad or raise his voice," Doyle Brunson said. "He had the most even disposition of anyone I've ever met. He's certainly the best poker player that ever lived." Brunson and Reese had became business partners, investing in everything from oil wells and mining to TV stations and racehorses and becoming sports betting consultants. None of the ventures was successful, Brunson said. One of the great Stud players , and despite winning three World Series champion's bracelets , including a $1.8 million HORSE event in 2006 which combines five different poker games, R... More About: March , Long , December
Drew Carey Speaks up for Poker
2007-12-04 13:15:00 Funny man and the Price is Right host Drew Carey is an avid poker player and says what's on his mind . When Dallas Texas police raided a poker game at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post , he wasted no time at all on stepping up to the plate and letting the world know what he thinks . Yep you read right , according to the Dallas News police raided not only one but two Veteran organizations' posts for alleged illegal gambling last weekend . Police busted a poker operation at the AmVets Post No. 106, in the 2300 block of Oates Drive, on Friday night, Dallas police Lt. Christina Smith said. The following night, police said, they broke up poker games at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1837, in the 2300 block of Lakeland Drive. All this because the Veteran organizations' keep roughly 10 percent of the pot for the house at each location, police said. Now I'm a vet , and used to even play the guitar and sing at a couple of the local post in my area , and I can... More About: Poker , Drew Carey
Bart Simpson Hosts Charity Poker Event
2007-12-01 13:33:00 I've never been one to watch the Simpson s myself , but it's my son in laws favorite TV show . I always sort of perferred King of the Hill ...lolNancy Cartwright, the voice of one of the most recognizable animated characters of all time, Bart Simpson , opened up her home for her second annual "Monte Carlo Night" in late September . She welcomed celebrities, professional poker players, and even the general public into her San Fernando Valley home to benefit the Devonshire PALS (Police Activities League Supporters) Youth Center for at-risk children and a charity poker tournament was just one of the activities designed to raise fund to help .Numerous professional poker players showed up for the night's festivities, including such notable players as Todd Brunson, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Jamie Gold, and Sammy Farha . "I'm so stoked about this," said Nancy before the event took place. "Last year over 300 people showed up. This year we're exp... More About: Poker , Event , Charity
New IRS Regulations for Poker Tournaments
2007-11-30 10:15:00 Starting in march of next year (2008) the IRS will be implementing new regulations for tournaments and their sponsors to report all tournament winnings to the IRS.From what i understand this mandate will make sponsors comply or face a penalty of 25% on winnings over the specified amount not reported.For more on this story Click here England's First Poke r Room Opens History was made in the United Kingdom with the opening of the first poker only card room.This is great news for poker players and will hopefully grow in numbers and attract big players and tournaments to our country in the near future. For more on this story please click here New brought to you coutesy of Launch Poker More About: Regulations , Tournaments , Amen
Cards for the Troops
2007-11-29 18:07:00 I was going to post today on a way to support the troops this Holiday Season . A retired Airforce friend of mine brought me over an address to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and suggested I post how folk could send Christmas cards and letters to the wounded Soldiers.......I thought it sounded like a great idea till I went to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center website and read that they do NOT accept these letters and cards . This is from the site : "Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.&quo... More About: World News , Troops , Cards
Fighting for Our Rights
2007-11-28 15:03:00 Any of you that have ever been to any of the other sites that I'm at know that I am a member of the PPA. I've written letters to my state Congressmen and plug the PPA every so often as a reminder to folk to keep up the fight for our rights . With a member base of over 800,000 and still growing , The Poker Players Alliance is a force to be reckoned with . PPA's chairman has said that he expects online poker to be fully legalised in the USA very soon..... I have to admit that I been really slack over at their forum though , but they now have a new Manager of Membership Relations there and participation has really picked up , so I'd like to invite everyone to come join the PPA's forum and let us hear from you . As poker Players , we are the first line of defense, and the PPA forum is where your call for action will be heard. More About: Rights , Fighting
Poker for the Kids
2007-11-27 13:28:00 The first Saturday of the month is this weekend and we need all the help we can get for "the Make a Wish Foundation" . I am more proud of this game than I am of any other . Please help us make this game grow in numbers folk . We hold the monthly game to help the "the Make a Wish Foundation", and it's called "The 5th Street Charity Ball". The game is every month on the first Saturday and it's just a 4.40 entry fee , with half the proceeds going to the children . Here's the details on the tourney :5th Street Charity BallSite: Carbon Poke r Description: The 5th Street Forum Special Charity Tournament - $2 ofentry-fee going to Make-A-Wish Foundation.Tab Location: Tournament > Private > ScheduledLimit Type: No LimitGame Type: Texas HoldemMoney Type: Real MoneyStarting Chips: 1,555 chipsBuyin: $2.00Entry Fee: $2.40Schedule Type: Monthly tournamentStart Time: 1st Saturday of the month at 2:00pmAnnounce Period: ImmediatelyIf you don't have t... More About: Kids , The Kids
History of the Poker Chip
2007-11-24 17:20:00 You ever wonder how the poker chip came in use for the game of poker ? Well back in the 1800's , coins , gold nuggets and gold dust could be a might bothersome to keep up with.....not to mention that carrying it around and flashing it might be a good way to get knocked upside your head or even shot . So soon chips replaced them , as they were easier to manage. Chip s were made from ivory, bone, wood, paper and a composition made from clay and shellac. As with anything new though , cheats would try anything . The shady characters would sneak their own chips into the game. Often, the establishment would end the game with many more chips than they began. It was then that the bars and saloons started having the manufacturers include a design to differentiate them from others places . The design could be engraved, embossed, inlaid or a paste-on sticker. Ivory chips were hand scrimshawed with numerals, initials, flowers, animals and just about any type of design.In the 1880's ... More About: Poker , History , Poke
The Game of the Wild West
2007-11-22 18:24:00 A brief description on poker and how it all began A product of American genius, poker is the most advanced and globally successful member of an ancient family of games including brag and primero. It originated around New Orleans during the 1820s, probably from a group of related games then chiefly represented by the french game of poque. Further evolution during the course of the nineteenth century turned it into the highly sophisticated game that it is today . Contrary to the popular opinion of those who do not play it, Poker is a game of skill. It also happens to be a gambling game, but only to the technical sense of the word-that is in the sense that it cannot be played for score points, like bridge or rummy, but only for hard cash, or at least tokens representing cash (chips). It also differs from bridge and other intellectual games in the fundamental sense that the latter are played with cards whereas poker is played with m... More About: Wild , West , Game , The Game
Figuring Your Odds
2007-11-21 15:47:00 I have a lot of folk ask me what is an easy way to figure your odds during a game of poker . Well , I don't use no fancy gadgets or some sort of calculator on the net myself . The way I look at it is a person don't always have the time when playing online to be doing all that . So what I recommend is the old four - two method and this explains it about as simple as they come ......Using the rule of four-two is an easy way to figure out poker odds for most situations where you know your outs. This method is not 100% accurate but it will supply you with an idea of your chances for making a decent poker hand. Here is how it works: With two cards to come after the flop you multiply your number of outs by four. With one card to come after the turn, you multiply your number of outs by two. This will give you a quick figure to work with. If you have a four-card flush after the flop you have nine outs. With two cards to come, you multiply the nine by four and you get... More About: Odds
Chris Ferguson Wins Lake Tahoe Event
2007-11-19 23:49:00 Anyone that knows me , knows that two of my favorite pro players are Doyle Brunson and Chris Ferguson . Doyle is still a very good player and has proved that even an old timer can still beat the young bloods that are out there .Chris Ferguson has shown that he's still got game as well , tho there never really was no doubts about that , seeing as how he has an unmatched record in tournament poker over the past decade .Chris "Jesus" Ferguson has won the $5000 buy in championship tournament of the Lake Tahoe WSOP circuit event. He took home $203,649 for first place after taking the chip lead into the final table along with collecting his third WSOP gold ring in four years, and an embossed certificate entitling him to an official entry into the 2008 World Series of Poker main event. You can play, chat and learn with Chris Ferguson , amoung other top pros at Full Tilt Poker !For more you can read here . More About: Event
Looking For Poker Related Links
More articles from this author:2007-11-19 13:57:00 Here at the new site we are looking for link exchanges with quality websites that will be helpful to the House of Poke r Blue's readers . We do have a few things we're looking for : House of Poker Blues does not link to, or want links from spam sites or sites dominated by ads and affiliates banners .Your site must have quality content that people of all ages can read . No foul launguage .Your site must be mostly about poker . If you have an appropriate site and want to do an exchange, contact us at skinski@houseofpokerblues.com More About: Links , Related 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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