Phil Ivey takes on Full Tilt Poker

Phil Ivey, one of the biggest poker players in the world and one of the biggest endorsements of Full Tilt Poker, is now biting the hand that feeds him. Well, it’s not exactly like that, but he has turned on Full Tilt and has drawn a line in the sand, calling on them to make things right by their members.

Phil Ivey has won eight World Series of Poker bracelets and is the second-ranked poker player in the world, behind only Erik Seidel. He appears in commercials for Full Tilt and regularly plays in live tournaments wearing Full Tilt gear, but he is now taking on his sponsor. Frustrated by the fact that American members haven’t been refunded their money, he has refused to play in the World Series of Poker this year or appear anywhere on their behalf.

Ivey says that he is embarrassed by the company and has had his name tarnished by association. Full Tilt Poker was one of the companies targeted by the Department of Justice on Black Friday. Like PokerStars, they reached a deal with the DOJ allowing them to reopen the domain to return money to American players. However, while PokerStars has announced that they have refunded all of the money, Full Tilt has not. Their latest response was to say that the money is “safe and secure and we are working to resolve the distribution of these funds.”

Ivey says that isn’t good enough. He is sitting out the World Series of Poker, saying that it is “not fair that I compete when others cannot.” He hopes that by taking on the company, he can help them quickly resolve the problem and pay the players. In addition to the name-calling, refusal to appear for Full Tilt and refusal to play in the WSOP, he is also suing Tiltware, the software provider for Full Tilt, on behalf of the players.“I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action,” he said.

Tags: Black Friday, Full Tilt Poker, Phil Ivey, World Series of Poker

Hansen Busts Dwan to Make Final Eight

Gus Hansen is putting on a world-class performance in his first WSOP event of the summer.

Hansen, who won the WSOPE Heads-Up title in London last year, beat four of the best heads-up players in the world to secure a spot in this year’s $25k Heads-Up Championship’s final eight.

The WSOP could not have scripted Hansen’s final match on Day 2 of the event any better as he faced online wizard Tom “durrrr” Dwan. 

The match lasted nearly four hours before Hansen was finally able to fight back from a steep deficit and dispatch Dwan, much to the delight of a huge crowd of railbirds.

“When push comes to shove it was a very tough match and I had the luck in the end,” he said.

It hasn’t been an easy path for Hansen as he’s already had to beat Jason Mercier, LAPC winner Greg Brooks, Daniel Alaei and Dwan just to make it to the round of eight.

“If I’d seen that draw ahead of time I wouldn’t have liked my chance of making it to the final eight,” admitted Hansen.

Unlike some of the other opponents, Hansen and Dwan were very familiar with each other’s games, having played thousands of hands against each other online.

Hansen, however, wasn’t convinced that experience helped either player in a significant way.

“Obviously we know each other and have played a lot,” he said. “We haven’t played that much No-Limit Hold’em though.”

The Great Dane added that he’s been playing a much different style than he usually does when he’s playing online.

“Hopefully I had a read or two on him,” chuckled Hansen.

Hansen joins an elite group of players in the final eight that includes Matt Marafioti, Eric Froehlich, Anthony Guetti, Yevgeniy Timoshenko, Jake Cody, David Paredes and Nicolay Evdakov.

First up for Hansen tomorrow will be Canadian high stakes player Marafioti. A win against Marafioti will shoot Hansen into the final four.

It’s already been an exceptional year for Hansen, who is up nearly $4 million in online poker.

This year’s Heads-Up Championship had two distinct changes from last year’s event. The first was the bumped up buy-in from $10k to $25k while the second was the addition of two “reload chips” which players can use at any time.

The event attracted a total of 128 players, who generated a record-setting prize pool, for a heads-up event, of $3 million with $851k dedicated to first place.

Action will resume at 3 p.m. local time tomorrow and PokerListings will be on hand for all your live coverage needs.

The 2011 WSOP continues through July 19. For comprehensive coverage live from Las Vegas be sure to check PokerListings’ Live Updates and News.

Illinois House passes Chicago casino bill

New Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel got his wish in the Illinois House, and as far as I know he didn’t even have to send a dead fish or any other threat to get it. The state House of Representatives passed a bill allowing a casino in Chicago. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Emanuel is urging them to pass it swiftly.

By a 65-50 vote, the House passed a bill that would allow four additional casinos in Illinois, including one in Chicago. The legislation would also allow slot machines to be added to the state’s racetracks and to the two airports in Chicago.

Emanuel supports the legislation and has lobbied lawmakers in the House and Senate on behalf of bringing a casino to Chicago. He has talked to members of both parties and has also lobbied the governor. After the House passed the bill, Emanuel issued a statement saying that “a Chicago casino will spur local economic growth and provide jobs to Chicagoans, both needed to get our city moving again.”

Often when someone says that a casino will boost an economy, someone else rolls their eyes and says that it won’t do much. However, it’s hard to make that case for Chicago. Though the city doesn’t have its own casino, there is one across the border in Hammond, Indiana, which is only 25 miles away. The casino there gets so much business from Chicago that they refer to themselves as a Chicago entertainment business. Half-joking, Emanuel said recently that “we have a casino in Chicago,” but that “it just happens to be located in Hammond, Indiana.”

Terry Link, the senator sponsoring the bill in his chamber, says that he expects it to clear the Senate easily. He also expects Governor Pat Quinn to “take a long hard look” at the legislation, eventually signing it to avoid turning down billions of tax dollars and new jobs.

Tags: Chicago gambling, gambling expansion, Illinois gambling, Rahm Emanuel

Bookmaker Refunds €3,000,000 After Barcelona’s Teaching of Football

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power have refunded a record breaking €3,000,000 in losing bets placed on last night’s Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.

The bookie had sensationally pledged to refund losing bets on the Champions League Final, if red-hot betting favourites Barcelona won the match in 90 minutes.

A spokesperson of the bookmaker commented: “This Money-Back Special was chosen for our customers by our customers so I had a feeling it was always going to end up this way. A three million quid refund has raised the bar to new heights, but that’s what happens when you bet with Paddy Power.”

Pedro’s first half goal had the writing on the wall for Paddy Power and set the wheels solidly in motion for the record breaking €3,000,000 customer refund.

This generous offer, which applies to all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets placed on the match, was chosen by Paddy Power betting customers from a list of potential Money-Back specials on the game. Continue..

The Sunday Scoop: Reinkemeier is Sunday Million Champ

Big events on PokerStars and Full Tilt meant big money this Sunday with BadExtasy89 and Tobias “PokerNoob999” Reinkemeier finishing as the day’s biggest winners.

Reinkemeier had a lucrative session on PokerStars, winning the last Sunday Million before the WSOP begins Tuesday.

An accomplished German poker player with big results online and live, Reinkemeier earned $135,053 for the victory.

A total of 4,833 players bought in to the PokerStars Sunday Million this week, coming up just short of the $1 million guarantee and forcing PokerStars to chip $33,400 into the prize pool.

720 players in all would get a spot in the money. Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree pure-bubbled this event, busting in 721^st.

When the final table was reached, Reinkemeier was second in chips with 11.3 million, trailing The_Anfied who led with 14.7 million.

A deal was agreed upon nine-handed, based on chip equity, and $20,000 was set aside for the winner.

Reinkenmeier enjoyed an almost 2-1 chip lead when the tourney got heads-up but it was a see-saw match that saw The_Anfied taking the chip lead and handing it back before Reinkemeier was able to put his opponent down for good.

Reinkemeier won a SCOOP title in 2009 and his total online poker tournament earnings now total more than $1.5 million.

He’s made his mark in the live arena as well, amassing over $2.2 million in winnings since he started playing tournaments in 2007.

Reinkemeier’s live results are highlighted by an EPT High Roller victory in Monte Carlo last year that earned him $1,272,698.

As no surprise then, he’s also one of PokerListings Best Bets for the 2011 WSOP.

In total $529,930 was awarded to players who made the final table.

Here are the final results taking into account the nine-player chop:

1st:  Tobias “PokerNoob999” Reinkemeier ($135,053.32)
2nd: The__Anfied ($129,319.00)
3rd : TomsBrakis ($26,834.20)
4th : Maroc_Dk 77 ($49,354.30)
5th : rumazon ($42,861.55)
6th : 3max ($25,917.22)
7th : sedinoel ($37,521.16)
8th : reutsim ($42,295.27)
9th : swillslinger ($40,773.98)

Full Tilt Poker’s big Sunday tournament went off with 4,299 entrants, breaking the $750k guarantee and building a total prize pool of $859,800.

BadExtasy89 outlasted them all to take home $153,904.

Here are the full final-table results:

1st:  BadExtasy ($153,904.20)
2nd: Exan 13 ($106,615.20)
3rd : Budnikov ($76,350.24)
4th : JTpatron-CH ($56,746.80)
5th : Andypsx ($42,130.20)
6th : trontrontron ($29,233.20)
7th : prrak ($19,775.40)
8th : bloodlust007 (13,756.80)
9th : Santiniii ($9,457.80)

King Cashalot Slot Lands GBP1.5 million Jackpot

June 1 – King Cashalot, one of Microgaming’s best-loved progressive casino slot games has proven that this is a keeper, after the software giant announced a massive jackpot win on this game.

Microgaming said that a member of Ladbrokes Casino, one of the most popular online casinos on the group’s gaming network, had bagged himself £1.5 million after playing King Cashalot on May 2nd at the site.

The Head of Casino for Microgaming software group, Mike Hebden said: "I am delighted that the progressive jackpot network has created another millionaire."

"It is so exciting when this happens and I am extremely proud that the player is paid out in one single payment, rather than an annuity," he said.

"We still hold the record of the biggest online jackpot win in history back in May 2009 with a staggering €6.37 million pay out," reminded Hebden.  "Watch this space for more winners in the future."

So far, over eight thousand players have so far won £237 million through the jackpot network at partner casinos on the Microgaming network.

Multi Features and Big Payouts

The attraction of King Cashalot slot can definitely be understood, as this game boats multiple features and huge payouts.

More about King Cashalot slot game:

• A huge progressive jackpot that gets reset to $100,000 after it is won each time.
• The average progressive jackpot payout is $700,000.
• The King symbol is the Wild symbol and five of them on the pay line with a maximum wager earns the player the jackpot.
• The King also acts as the multiplier and doubles all payouts.
• The Jester symbol is the scatter symbol and will pay out wherever it is on the reels.
• The highest single line win is 15,000 coins.
• There are thirty single line winning combinations.
• The fixed coin value is $0.05, meaning that with all lines enabled, the top price per spin is $2.25.

Black Friday has more casualties

US federal authorities pursuing online gambling firms operating in America can add another notch to their gun following the announcement by the World Bingo Network that it has shut down with immediate effect.

The network includes sites like Bingo Workz, Desperate Housewives Bingo, USA Bingo, Bingo Tropic, Bingo Gang, Bingo Comics, Bingo Oasis, Fair ‘n Square Bingo and Wave Bingo.

In an email sent to affiliate marketers working for the network, WBN explained:

“Unfortunately, due to many circumstances totally beyond our control, World Bingo Network will close its doors, effective May 27, 2011.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, but we have no choice.

“Obviously this will affect all WBN affiliate sites and affiliates. We will do our best to settle all accounts if and when possible.”

The final sentence sounds especially ominous, and the company has not yet clarified the position regarding its players and how it intends to pay monies owed to them.

As InfoPowa went to press the company had not responded to enquiries.

Shuffle Up and Deal at the 2011 WSOP

Shuffle Up and Deal for the 2011 WSOP

All of the stars of the poker world are currently aligning in Las Vegas, with the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) scheduled to get underway on May 31st. The annual series features the Main Event as its crown jewel (with the winner typically taking home $8-$9 million each year in poker’s largest tournament) but includes 58 different tournaments in total, with buy-ins ranging from $1,000 all the way up to $50,000.

It may be the millions in prize money that draw the bulk of poker players to Vegas each year for the WSOP but there;s prestige on the line as well, with pros and amateurs alike trying to amass as many winner’s bracelets as possible that go traditionally go to the winner of each WSOP event. The gaudy diamond and gold bracelets aren’t exactly the most fashionable piece of jewelery but they are a hot commodity in the poker world, as the only way to get one is to be crowned champion of a WSOP event.

Due to the US government crackdown on online poker and casino sites in recent months, expect to see a slightly different scene at this year’s WSOP. Overall attendance will likely be down for many events, as two of the sites involved in the US government indictments — Full Tilt and PokerStars — have in past years sent thousands of online qualifiers to the Main Event each year. Not only will many of those seats be empty this year but some of the high-profile figures involved with running Full Tilt (and rumored to be owners as well) such as Howard Lederer, Phil Gordon, and Chris Ferguson may skip the WSOP entirely.

The 2011 WSOP kicks off with a bang on May 31st, with the $25,000 NLHE Heads-Up setting the tone and likely attracting some of poker’s biggest names such as Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel, and Doyle Brunson. After that it’s basically non-stop poker action at the Rio until the Main Event begins on July 5th, with WSOP tournaments scheduled for each and every day. The WSOP not only attracts tens of thousands of poker players each year but also fans as well, dropping by to enjoy a little casino gambling as well as seeing some of their favorite players live and in action.

Poker’s In and Out List: If You Can’t Hang, Don’t Bang

They say actions speak louder than words. We say snap judgments posted on the internet speak loudest of all.

That’s why once a week we’re calling it as we see it.

This is Poker’s In and Out List.

Poker’s In List – May 20-27, 2011

Krantz – IN

Jay Rosenkrantz has an impressive resume but he still manages to fly more or less below the radar.

His work includes, but is not limited to, 2 Months 2 Million, DeucesCracked.com, The Micros and most recently the poker documentary Boom.

For his continued dedication to quality content, and having the taste and sense of humor to make it possible, Krantz is squarely “In” this week.

A.J. Jejelowo – IN

In this million-dollar score-saturated poker world a $235,000 WSOPC Regional Championship win barely registers, except when the winner qualifies through a mega satellite and has never even cashed in a poker tournament before.

That’s exactly what happened last weekend in New Orleans when A.J. Jejelowo took a satellite buy-in and turned it into almost a quarter of a million dollars!

Jejelowo gets a spot in our good books this week for living every recreational poker player’s dreams of a big tournament spin-up.

Joe Sebok – IN

We can’t speak for Joe Sebok but it seemed like his UB deal was causing him some stress. In fact, you might even say there’s been some anti-Sebok sentiment floating around some parts of the poker world because of it.

We’re preemptively placing Joe Sebok back “In” now that UB has severed all ties with their pros, Seebz included.

People in poker, and on the internet in general, have short memories. If Sebok can get back to his roots – which mostly consists of finishing 7^th in major tournaments on a regular basis – we’ve got no doubt people will remember why Joe became such a staple of the live tournament circuit to begin with.

Poker’s Out List – May 20-27, 2011

We’ll call it a comeback.

 

Jeff Madsen – OUT

Jeff Madsen being “Out” this week isn’t really a negative judgment of him, just an acknowledgement of Prahlad Friedman’s dominant return to rapping prominence.

With two hits in two weeks Friedman has uncovered his inner L.L. and displaced Madsen at the top of the poker rap world.

Madsen had the edge for a while with his 911 conspiracy-fueled freestyle rants but Prahlad has countered with a spicy Thai-flavored rap that was just right.

The United States of America – OUT

Before we go too far and offend an entire country, we’re only talking about poker here. The USA is still very much “In” when it comes to things like celebrities and fast food consumption.

 As the numbers from the 2011 PokerStars SCOOP illustrate, the online poker world is healthy despite the loss of the US player base on sites like Stars and Tilt.

Numbers were still down from 2011 that drop was moderated by increased attendance from countries like Russia, which experienced a 100% increase in SCOOP registrations, and Greece, whose attendance jumped nearly 300% from 2010 to 2011.

“Ship It” – OUT

No one should ever say “Ship it” unless they are referring to an actual ship, or shipping something via accepted forms of ground or air delivery.

Governor of Iowa inks online poker bill

Iowa is back in the news this week with reports in the QC Times and other regional publications that Governor Terry Branstad has signed into law a bill calling for a full report on the pros and cons of intrastate online gambling. The bill was one of several intrastate legalisation initiatives in the United States this year but in Iowa was watered down to an investigatory measure when legislators decided they needed more information on the subject.

The Commission is tasked to report back to lawmakers by the end of the year.

The bill also contained provisions affecting land gambling interests in the state.

Other US states where internet gambling legalisation bills have been introduced include New Jersey, California, Hawaii, Florida, Washington D.C., and Nevada, with varying degrees of success and in some cases outright failure.