Every week I get emails from my readers telling me how wrong I am about this or that. On two occassions I received threats that involved my balls and a knife. Apparently people get very upset when I don't fall in line and print only glorious stories of things that are "good for poker" - a phrase that makes no sense to me... who is this poker guy anyway and why do I care if what I say is good for him?

The absurd decision to sell the “exclusive reporting rights” of WSOP and WPT tournaments has claimed its latest victim.

I logged onto MySpace earlier today to find a message from Jen (Andy Bloch’s better half). The title was “PokerWire.com signs off”. A visit to the PokerWire web site confirmed the news, with the latest post on the blog style site stating that they will only post updates as they are made available by the WPT. Live tournament coverage and the PokerWire radio show will be no more.

It was unnecessary, however, for the site to shut down. As I stated before, you cannot sell the exclusive reporting rights of anything in this country. Anybody is free to report on whatever they want to. The Bill of Rights gave us that privilege a couple of centuries ago. You can limit access to an event, but once the “news” is made public, it can easily be re-reported. Card Player Magazine can’t copyright the chip counts! You can’t own public information! Once they give their live reports, anybody is free to repost the info as “almost live reports”. There is nothing that the WPT nor Card Player can do to stop this from happening.

I still wonder who the braniacs were at the WSOP and WPT that thought it was a good idea to piss off as many members of the press as they could. “Hey let’s rub it in their faces too by sending a press release that says fuck you”. Sounds absurd, but that is pretty much how it went down.

United Sports Media, a Los Angeles based media and television syndication firm (subsidiary of United Multi-Media Investments, LLC), along with World Poker Entertainment Network, has announced today that it has signed an international broadcast agreement with the World Poker Showdown. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The announcement was made today at a press conference in Burbank, Ca by Rod Myers, President of United Sports Media.

According to the AP, a Harvard professor has proclaimed that poker should be seen as an educational tool that can build strategic thinking skills.

"It teaches life skills, it teaches numeracy, risk assessment, resource management, and it teaches a lot about psychology," Harvard Law School's Prof Charles Nesson said at an internet conference.

The statements were made during the announcing of a plan to offer workshops to schools and universities worldwide.

Poker "teaches you to rely on yourself, assess the situation yourself and make the play," Prof Nesson said. He said he is forming a "global poker strategic thinking society" that will offer poker workshops. The society would be started at Harvard, Prof Nesson said.

I don't want to get into the habbit of posting video after video, but this one jumped out at me. It starts kind of so-so ha ha-ish, but it ends pretty funny. Oh, and it may not make any sense to anybody under the age of 30 or over the age of 40.

Here's to Poker in the Eighties...

I once posted about Boston Rob giving me the riot act in Costa Rica because I didn't know who or what a "Boston Rob" was. Apparently this guy didn't know who was either. What was he thinking? How could you push a poker god / reality TV king like Boston Rob around like that?

NOT HOT!

Ok, maybe I am going against the grain on this one, but I just don't see what the draw to "Jennicide" is. A few months ago she did a spread for FHM and now it seems that she will be posing for Playboy.

I once played a satellite with her at the Mirage and just shook my head silently while guys at the table giggled and whispered like a bunch of fifth graders wishing they could snap her bra.

I posted the video from her FHM shoot below. Take a look and ask yourself if she is seriously Playboy material.

Not only is she lacking in the looks department, but also in the brains department. Here is an excerpt from the FHM interview...

"I hear about people who win $150,000 in one day and 24 hours later they’re down $500,000. They’re going out and getting bottle service for $3,000 a night and bringing hookers back to their hotel. And they don’t just get the $50 hookers down the street—no, no, they get the $1,500 ones. Obviously that’s not what I’m spending my money on! I’m very lucky—as a female with breasts, I rarely have to pick up a tab. But there’s more to me than my ability to stay up all night and play poker. I have the personality and the looks where I can do other things with my career."

"Personality and looks"? Give me a freakin' break! The only reason that any of these magazines are looking at her is because poker is hot and these magazines always look for the hot girls that are involved in that day's hot topic. Fortunately for her, there are very few hot chicks in poker. Even more fortunate for her, the few hot girls that do play poker all turned down the job! Get a reality check, missy!

Every week we receive dozens of press releases alerting us of new poker products and services. Companies write and distribute these alerts to the press in hopes that the various media outlets will print articles about their new product or service. With that goal in mind, you would think that sending a press release that basically says F-U to the press corp would be counter-productive.

This is exactly what the World Poker Tour did last week.

On Friday, we received a press release from the PR agency that represents the WPT. It basically said that they have sold the exclusive rights to cover all WPT events (and we would no longer be issued press passes). This was certainly not the kind of press release that made me feel warm and giddy enough to share the news with my readers. The only reason that I am writing about it now is because I find the irony (and stupidity) very amusing.

The press release stated that the WPT has sold the “exclusive tournament reporting rights” to Card Player Magazine. How hilarious is that? First of all, you can’t sell exclusive reporting rights in this country. We have what is called the First Amendment, which allows for freedom of the press. Members of the press, or anyone for that matter, can report on whatever the hell they want to, whenever the hell they want to.

The press release goes on to say, “The exclusive coverage will include the only full, up-to-the-minute chip counts available and in-depth hand-by-hand coverage of all regular Season VI WPT tournaments.” Now, what makes these braniacs think that their “exclusive chip counts” can’t be re-reported elsewhere? I guess nobody told them that U.S. copyright laws do not include compiled public data - that’s why it is legal to copy the white pages of the phone book word for word. Another example that comes to mind is when hundreds of sports writers from around the world watch a baseball game on ESPN and write their articles based on ESPN’s broadcast.

Surely, Mr. Lipscomb and company had to know that there is no such thing as “exclusive reporting rights”, so I guess this makes him a genius. Steve was able to find a sucker that fell for the notion that they would be the only outfit in the world that would be able to report on WPT tournaments. I have always had a great deal of respect for the Shulmans (owners Card Player) and still do, but I believe that the Shulmans got bamboozled on this one.

I think that it will be ultra amusing when Card Player’s reporting is re-reported with lightening speed during the next WPT event.

The Good ol' days of easy depositing are back for U.S. online poker players!

I have been excited to do a post about duplicate poker for a while now, mainly because I've wanted to use this pic of duplicate babes for something... but also because the concept is pretty cool and I think that the ease of depositing methods will be good for U.S. players.

Here's an article that explains the concept of Duplicate Poker. It's definately worth checking out.

How Well Do You Play the Six Seat?

Start with your normal multi-table poker tournament. Now, take away the luck factor. Take away the bad beats. What do you have left? The answer is: a true skill game that just happens to be played online and legally in the United States.

Duplicate Poker, the nation's only U.S. based online poker site, launched late last year to a mix of reviews. Some thought the concept of poker without luck was preposterous, while others thought it was genius.

At first glance the style of tournament play at Duplicate Poker might seem a little confusing, but once you grasp the (very) easy to understand concept, you are left with a game of skill that can win you thousands.

Here's the simple concept that you need to understand: while each hand is played against the other players at your table, you are collecting points based on how you fair against the people sitting in your seat at the other tables. For example, if you are in the six seat, you are essentially playing against all of the people sitting in the six seats at other tables.

Here's the kicker - all of the tables are dealt the exact same cards each hand that is played and each hand is started with every player having the same number of chips. Now you have nothing to whine about! There is no more complaining about cold cards or bad luck. It's all about pure poker skills now. Can you make more money with AK than the other guys sharing your position? Can you lay down KK when you know your beat? Can the other players at the other tables? Play the hand better than other players sharing your position at the other tables and you win tournament points.

Anybody with a brain can excel and win money playing at Duplicate Poker. The game is played just like normal Texas hold'em and the concept of winning is essentially the same too - win as many chips as possible in the hands that you win and lose as few chips as possible in the hands that you don't win. Sounds like a silly thing to say, but you would be surprised as to how many people do not practice that thought concept (in any type of poker)!

Perhaps the best part is that your credit card will work at Duplicate Poker! Gone are the days of waiting for some offshore company to draw funds from your checking account. Duplicate Poker is 100% legal in the United States and that allows them to accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Duplicate Poker also has cash games. Cash games are played similarly to the tournaments; you start each hand with the same amount of chips as everybody else and your wager is actually against other players that share your position (and are being dealt the exact same cards as you) at the other tables.

Just like the offshore poker sites, Duplicate Poker offers a number of different buy-in tournaments and cash games. Create a good poker playing strategy and you will win money.

A smashed up mouse, a bruised fist, a broken chair... all acceptable casualties of online poker... but what happens when your flopped straight is beat by a flush one too many times?

By Eric Rosenberg

A Washington attorney is challenging the state's 2006 law that made playing online poker a felony.

Renton, Washinton based attorney Lee Rousso is a poker aficionado. In fact, the councilor once won a seat to play in the World Series of Poker's main event in an online qualifier. Now, he has his sites set on a different prize. Rousso claims that the state's ban is a direct violation of the Constitution's commerce clause, which forbids individual states from passing protectionist laws against other states' business.

"I think my chances are darn good," he told the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The ban took effect last spring and specifically banned Internet based card games such as Texas hold'em and Omaha.

Current law makes it a felony to play online poker, however the state gaming commission oversees dozens of licensed brick and mortar poker rooms, most owned and operated by American Indians.

The World Series of Poker has added a fourth start day for the WSOP Main Event, which begins July 6, WSOP officials said today.

The Main Event – a $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'Em World Championship – traditionally draws the largest fields in poker. Last year, 8,773 players competed for the $12 million top prize and coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

"We want to ensure that we're able to provide a comfortable experience for all players who want to enter the Main Event," said Jack Effel, WSOP tournament director. "Adding a fourth start day will allow us to do that."

Players who pre-register for the Main Event will be able to choose Day 1A, 1B, 1C or 1D – July 6, 7, 8 and 9 – as their start day. July 9 was originally scheduled as a break day.

Effel said there will be two Day 2s – 2A and 2B – on July 10 and 11. Main Event play starts at 12 noon each day, beginning July 6.

The 2007 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light, the world's richest sporting event, began June 1 at the Rio® All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. More information on the tournament is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Chipup.com made an announcement today that they are offering a "play now, pay later" option for their players. Apparently that means that you can play "on the finger" at their new site. The press release does not go into details, but they seem to be pretty clear about how serious they are about you paying your debts... right next to their logo is a picture of a snub nosed .38 calibre.

By Eric Rosenberg

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and his bill to legalize online poker are back in the news.

The bill, introduced by Frank last April, seeks to reverse last year's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and set up a framework to legalize, license, regulate, and tax Internet gambling.

Frank was quoted by today's San Francisco Chronicle as saying, "I want to get it undone. If an adult in this country, with his or her own money, wants to engage in an activity that harms no one, how dare we prohibit it? Adults are entitled to do with their own money what they want."

If you are wondering what Vegas thinks of the possibility of online gambling, wonder no more. The article spoker to some of the Vegas big boys...

"We would do so as quickly as we could," said MGM Mirage Senior Vice President Alan Feldman. "We would have it up and running within a year. And I have to believe that just about everyone will get involved at some level. All the major players." He believes that the appeal of easy money would even expand outside of the Las Vegas gambling scene. "All the major entertainment companies will get involved, too. Sony, Apple, Universal, Columbia, Time Warner. It just seems logical that at some point they would find their way into the industry," Felman said.

As Frank's bill gains momentum in Washington, the usuall oponents are speaking out.

"Online poker is currently the most addictive form of gambling activity among American youth," said Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, who has defended an online gambling ban for years. "There is an attempt by Congressman Barney Frank to remove the online gambling enforcement mechanisms provided by [the current law]. I oppose efforts to remove tools that our state and federal authorities have long sought."

Frank's bill went before the House Financial Services Committee last month. The hearings focussed on the effectiveness that new technology would have in preventing underage gambling, problem gambling, and money laundering. Frank gave no indication of when he expects the full House of Representatives, or Senate, to vote on the bill.

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with TLC Casino Enterprises, Inc. to sell Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, NV for $32,000,000 in cash. TLC Casino Enterprises, Inc., which is controlled by Terry Caudill, also owns the Four Queens Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission and the City of Las Vegas, and purchase price adjustments based on changes in net working capital and certain capital expenditures between execution and closing.

By Adam Johnson

All of Alex Jacob’s chips were pushed to the center of the table. His tournament life and deep run in yet another WSOP event hung in the balance after he re-raised a button raise from an amateur in the $1500 No Limit tournament.

Did Jacob want a call or did he want his opponent to fold? These are the questions players, reporters, and observers try to solve when a bet of this magnitude is made No-Limit.

With about 100 players left, all of whom had made the money out of an initial field of 2,778 players, the tournament was in that critical juncture where some players were trying to chip up for a final table run while others waited for their hour glass to expire while safely moving up in the money.

After a series of probing questions, almost folds, and darting glances toward Jacob, the amateur finally made a reluctant call. After watching the hand develop for the past few minutes, the players and reporters anxiously awaiting the showdown inched toward the table as the hands were turned.

Jacob sheepishly turned over Q-3 offsuit, the amateur revealing A-K. After an ace hit the turn, Jacob’s hopes of making his fourth WSOP final table and donning his first bracelet were crushed, flushed away on a bluff gone bad.
As he stepped away from the table, the man who just busted Jacob approached him for an autograph, not exactly the best time for such a request given the circumstance. It was one of those moments where a variety of responses could have been justified from the 22-year-old professional with over two million in tournament winnings. It was one of those times where a blow-up or blow-off seemed possible if not likely.

In a moment that can bring out the worst in some poker players, Jacob was about to show his mettle.

With the class and charisma expected from someone who’d just won a tournament, Jacob grabbed a Sharpie and scribbled a message on a napkin the amateur is sure not to take on his next picnic.

[inscribed...]

Andrew,
Good Call. Q-3 never wins.
Alex Jacob

---

Adam Johnson is a 23-year-old graduate from the University of Missouri covering the WSOP.

By Eric Rosenberg

In 1986 Wade Boggs had 580 official at bats and made 207 hits. After someone pulled out their pencil and did a little sixth grade division, we were given proof that Wade's batting average for the year was .357. Similar statistics are kept in other sports too, all based on the individuals actual performance. But statistics for the World Series of Poker are kept in a much different way.

The WSOP likes to give their statistics in dollar values. I've always had a problem with this because the numbers do not reflect two major factors, 1) how much money they have lost and 2) how much was given to other players as the result of a deal.

Let's address both of those issues.

We'll start with wins .vs losses. In the Wade Boggs example above, there is a clear cut method to figure out his batting average for the year. A baseball player's batting average goes up as he gets more hits and goes down after each strikeout. The player's statistics are equally affected by positives and negatives. Not so with poker statistics.

One list that I often see is the lifetime earnings list. Take Daniel Negreanu for example. According to the WSOP official web site, Daniel has had lifetime WSOP earnings of $1,301,035. Not too shabby, but what happens when we figure in Daniel's lifetime WSOP buyins? Take that figure and subtract it from the $1,301,035 and that should be Daniel's true WSOP earnings. Hey, wait a second... the web site does not list that figure.

To play in all of this year's WSOP events up to and including the main event, one would spend $139,750. Add the $50,000 HORSE event and that total rises to $189,750. If Daniel played all of these events and did not have a single cash, would the lifetime earnings on the WSOP web site be altered to reflect the amount of money that he lost in buyins? I think we know that the answer is no.

Sure, you could use the argument that it doesn't matter how much money the player dishes out, his earnings are his earnings, but that's the same as saying that I will fly to California to wash your car for $200. If the plane ticket costs me $300, did I still "earn" $200? I guess if you want to get technical about it, but earnings like that surely won't pay the bills.

Now we are at the second issue that I have with WSOP statistics... deals.

To those in the know, deals are made in poker quite often. A simple example would be a final table down to its last three players decides to split the prize money equally. If that were to happen in a World Series of Poker event, the official record would not indicate that such a deal took place. They would report that first place won $XXX, second won $XX, and third place took home $X.

One could argue that the WSOP is not involved in these deals and the players are free to do with there money whatever they want, but we now know that that is not the case. Take last week's $1500 Shootout event, in which Bill Chen asked permission from a tournament director if it was acceptable that he and the other remaining player at his table can split the prize money and send Bill automatically to the next round (Bill agreed to give his opponent 25% of his winnings). The tournament director agreed to that deal, causing even ESPN to raise one eyebrow. This, of course, was a much different scenario than the final table example given above. In a shootout, the winner of each table advances to the next round of the tournament. Bill Chen's made a deal with a player that affected the outcome of the tournament without the rest of the players' approval, but he did do it with the tournament director's approval.

So, now we have situations where WSOP referees are officiating over equity deals made between players in the middle of the tournament.

The official WSOP record showed that Bill Chen earned $6,757 for his efforts in that tournament. But wait a second! We know that Bill was obligated to give 25% of that to the player that he made the deal with. This was an official deal, overseen by an official of the World Series of Poker! Why are they not giving credit to the player that "earned" $1,689 of that $6,757?

In the great debate that happened this week about whether Chen's deal was ethical, a good majority of those arguing pounded that the TD approved the deal and deal making is a part of poker, therefore it was all good.

If deal making is a part of poker then why aren't deals, especially the deals that are signed off on by officials, a part of poker's statistics?

By Eric Rosenberg

If you are tired of the boring cash and bracelet prizes being offered at the World Series of Poker, perhaps you should hop on a plane to Australia.

By Eric Rosenberg

My mother, two ex-girlfriends, an ex-wife, and even my wife all agreed that I know how to push peoples' buttons. I won’t argue with that. Sometimes I do it for fun, sometimes I do it by accident, and sometimes I do it because some people just need their buttons pushed.

The blog post that I made about Bill Chen’s deal in the $1500 WSOP shootout event was not meant to push anybody’s buttons. It was meant to get people thinking about whether or not making a deal in a preliminary round of a shootout event is a) ethical, b) within the boundaries of the rules, or c) something that should be addressed by the TDA.

Wowwy wow wow! I guess my plan worked. Take a look at this discussion thread on RGP! This one is a doozy and although I didn’t mean to do any button pushing, some buttons were obviously pushed… and pushed hard!

I spent the better part of the last two days fielding emails and somewhat defending myself in the thread itself. I hate doing that though. A friendly argument or (debate) in an online setting is a rare thing. Often times, people fight there battles by cherry picking points of your argument and quotes so that it reads to their favor in new posts. In a thread as long as this one, you can’t expect readers to go through each and every posting, so points made are often lost or even changed by your debate opponents.

With that in mind, I made one last post on the topic…

Here's a CNBC segmant that debates the new Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. I love how the opponents are sticking with the comparison of Texas Hold'em to crack cocaine!

I know that the purpose of this presser is to attract more people to the charity poker tournament raising money for the victims of Darfur, but I have to admit that I am posting it as an excuse to put half naked pictures of Shannon Elizabeth and Gina Gershon on the site. What? Did you want the Willie Garson pics instead?

This is actually a great cause and if you are in Vegas for teh WSOP, I recommend taking some time to hob nob with the celebs and help raise some money.

Las Vegas - Stars Gina Gershon, Shannon Elizabeth, Willie Garson and Brad Garrett and top poker professional Jennifer Harman have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 5 at the 38th annual World Series of Poker.

The Ante Up for Africa tournament is designed by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. It will begin at 4 p.m. July 5 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, home of the World Series of Poker, and will be followed by a private party for tournament participants at the Rio's famed Voodoo Lounge.

The tournament is open to anyone 21 years of age or older. Seating is limited, and those who want to participate are encouraged to pre-register for the event at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/anteup/anteup/pdf.

Gershon, Elizabeth, Garson and Garrett have joined a list of Hollywood stars that includes Cheadle, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Hank Azaria, George Clooney, Matt Damon, George Lopez, Danny Masterson, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler and James Woods, all of whom have expressed plans to play, subject to availability.

They will be competing with poker pros and sports celebrities including basketball greats Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith and poker pros Erik Seidel, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Robert Williamson III, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow and Clonie Gowen, who've also said they intend to play.

While donations are not required to participate, Ante Up For Africa participants are being asked to contribute half of their tournament winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.

"Interest in this event is rapidly gaining momentum," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "We encourage anyone who wants to enjoy a very special evening with some of the biggest names in entertainment and gaming while helping to ease the suffering of more than 2.5 million Darfur refugees to pre-register before the event is sold out."

Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims.

By Eric Rosenberg

Orleans Parish, which includes the city of New Orleans, is being excluded from a bill that will likely allow Louisiana bars and restaurants to hold Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The bill is headed to the full Senate for debate after winning approval from a Senate committee yesterday.

Two couples were playing poker one evening.

John accidentally dropped some cards on the floor. When he bent down under the table to pick them up, he noticed Bill's wife, Sue, wasn't wearing any underwear under her dress ! Shocked by this, John upon trying to sit back up again, hit his head on the table and emerged red-faced.

Later, John went to the kitchen to get some refreshments.

Bill's wife followed and asked, "Did you see anything that you liked under there?"

Surprised by her boldness, John courageously admitted that, well indeed he did.

She said, "Well, you can have it but it will cost you $500."

After taking a minute or two to assess the financial and moral costs of this offer, John confirms that he is interested.

She tells him that since her husband Bill works Friday afternoons and as John doesn't, he should be at her house around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon.

When Friday rolled around, John showed up at Bill's house at 2 p.m. sharp and after paying Sue the agreed sum of $500 they went to the bedroom and closed their transaction, as agreed.

John then quickly dressed and left.

As usual, Bill came home from work at 6 p.m. and upon entering the house, asked his wife abruptly. "Did John come by the house this afternoon?"

With a lump in her throat Sue answered "Why yes, he did stop by for a few minutes this afternoon."

Her heart nearly skipped a beat when her husband curtly asked, "And did he give you $500?"

In terror she assumed that somehow he had found out and after mustering her best poker face, replied, "Well, yes, in fact he did give me $500".

Bill, with a satisfied look on his face, surprised his wife by saying, "Good, I was hoping he did. John came by the office this morning and borrowed $500 from me. He promised me he'd stop by our house this afternoon on his way home and pay me back."

Now THAT, my friends, is a poker player!

Libertarian presidential hopeful, Wayne Allyn Root, recently released the following essay regarding his stance on the banning of online gambling and online poker.

I am the U.S. Presidential candidate that Ladbrokes of U.K. (the world's largest legal bookmaker) calls the frontrunner for the Libertarian Presidential nomination. Ironically, in England (our best friend in the world and partner in the war on terror) millions of bettors (or “punters” as they call them on the other side of the Atlantic) are able to legally bet their hard-earned money on my chances of winning the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination (I'm the favorite). And they're also legally betting on my odds of winning the White House (the odds are 100 to 1 against me). Ladbrokes has even set the odds on my likelihood of attracting the most votes of any Libertarian candidate in history (I'm a prohibitive favorite). Yet here in America, it would be a crime to take that bet. But why?

Almost 40 million Americans visit Las Vegas annually- making the gambling capital of America also our tourist capital. America has legal online horseracing. Many states have legalized slot machines being installed in horse racetracks across the country. Tribal gaming is thriving from coast to coast- with gambling revenues at tribal casinos in California alone now surpassing the Vegas Strip! We have legal state lotteries- and the recent online gaming law passed by Congress actually carved out exceptions for online state lotteries. So Americans can play the lottery on their computers- with state governments playing the role of casino. Poker shows dominate the airwaves of American television. And of course, stock investors gamble billions of dollars online every day- they bet on stocks like IBM, Microsoft and MGM Mirage with the stroke of a mouse and click on a computer keypad.

These are questions that need to be asked by American voters and the mainstream American media: Why are millions of Americans now barred from playing poker in the privacy of their own homes, on their own computer, with their own money? Why is online gambling or online poker a problem? What is the difference between betting on the direction of a stock like IBM or betting on the Dallas Cowboys? Isn't poker a game of skill just like bridge, chess or fantasy football (which are all legal to play online)? Does Prohibition ever work, or does it make a mockery of the law? Does this ban actually stop online gaming or merely push it all underground (where consumers, compulsive gamblers, and underage gamblers are at far higher risk)? Are we throwing away billions in new tax revenues that could be used to fund homeland security, the war on terror, education, or deficit reduction?

Is it the business of government to tell Americans what they can or cannot do in the privacy of their homes? To tell us what choices we can or cannot make for entertainment? How does any individual choosing online poker as his or her favorite form of entertainment hurt anyone else? Is it the job of government to protect us from ourselves? Is it government's right to choose what is (in their estimation) good or bad for individuals? Isn't that why we're supposedly fighting the war in Iraq- so the Iraqi people can enjoy freedom? So why are we losing our freedoms here at home, at the same time we fight for freedom in Iraq?

Does the same government that brought us warrantless wiretaps, unlimited corruption investigations and indictments in Congress, the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the war in Iraq, the Walter Reed Hospital scandal, the illegal U.S. Justice Dept firings, and out of control deficit spending in Washington that threatens to bankrupt our country and our children…does that same government have a right to lecture us on morality? Could they even spell “morality” if we spotted them the first 5 letters?

This is the issue that the mainstream media is ignoring. It may decide the 2008 Presidential election. It is an issue important to as many as 30 million American gamblers and poker enthusiasts. It is not going to go away. Yet the issue is not gambling- it is FREEDOM.

I was honored to hear that on NBC television this weekend, during the broadcast of the popular show “Poker After Dark,” former World Series of Poker champion Greg “Fossilman” Raymer publicly mentioned my candidacy for President of the United States and declared me the frontrunner for the Libertarian nomination. A feature story on my Presidential candidacy also appears this week in the popular weekly magazine “Poker News” read by millions of poker players across America. That follows on the heels of the story just last week on my Presidential campaign in the Las Vegas Sun. Yet despite this barrage of positive support and publicity, I am not a one issue candidate. Far from it.

The legalization of online gaming or poker is certainly not the point of my campaign. Freedom is at the heart of my long-shot third party Presidential run. The federal government's attempts to ban online gaming (behind closed doors- with no discussion, debate or even explanation of the bill attached at the last second to a Port Security Bill) were senseless, sad and just plain stupid. This new form of Prohibition violated the rights and freedoms of millions of Americans. It throws away billions of tax dollars (while our good friends and allies England and Australia both rake in billions from legalized online gaming). Yet the real issue has nothing to do with gambling. This issue merely represents our loss of freedom, rights, individual initiative and personal responsibility. Our rights are being violated every day by Big Brother (in the form of Democrats invading our wallets and Republicans invading our bedrooms, computers and television sets). Unfortunately “The Nanny State” is alive and well.

The ban of online gaming simply represents how invasive our federal government has become- with its tentacles spread into every aspect of our lives- involving issues such as Internet freedom, warrantless wiretaps, mandatory cancer vaccines for 6th grade girls, the intrusion into Terri Schiavo's last days of life, expansion of seat belt laws, medicinal marijuana, FDA attempts to limit medical options such as holistic doctors, vitamins and alternative therapies- the list is endless).

You see banning online gaming was just a means to justify the “end.” For government that “end” is power. To gain power, government and politicians need control over our lives. They need to create endless laws that tell us how we can live our lives. But those attempts to expand government power happen to violate the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution is an instrument to limit the power of the federal government and keep the power in the hands of the individual. My Presidential campaign will encourage Americans to read their own Constitution and fight to take back what is rightfully theirs- FREEDOM.

Poker players spend years perfecting the art of bluffing and lying. Is that really a personality trait that you look for in a mate? If so, then read this presser from a new online dating site geared towards poker players.

Poker-Online-Dating launches its new and exciting free dating site for online poker players. It matches poker players together from around the world who are looking for true love.

Our site provides a safe environment where people
of similar interests and hobbies can meet. Imagine meeting someone online who loves playing poker as much as you. You can discuss the latest poker tournaments you've entered, your best poker hands, or your highest winnings without boring your date. Even better, your date understands you!

Poker-Online-Dating.com also meets the needs of today's online poker players“ tech savvy individuals who have limited time and energy to go on traditional dates. Why spend your time going out to bars and clubs when you can utilize a top online, comprehensive dating service that offers convenience and a worldwide, poker player database?

Our features include an advanced search engine where you can find profiles worldwide, anonymous private email with photo attachment capabilities, personal photo album creation, and video chat and instant messenger service. You also have access to our online dating service testimonials, as well our invaluable online library of dating articles. Get advice about the rules of dating, dating tips, first-date moves, dating etiquette, and much more.

Our site's greatest resource is its secret love weapon - Cupid, the online matchmaker. Cupid, our compatibility coordinator, makes matches based upon the results of the Cupid compatibility form. When other Poker Online Dating members set preferences that match yours, Cupid will let you know. You can set your preferences by location, age, hobbies, etc. And best of all, our Cupid compatibility service is completely free to all members of Poker Online Dating.

Remember - gamble on poker, not love. Join www.Poker-Online-Dating.com today and find your true match!

Often times the best man for the job is either overlooked or unknown to those making the decisions... even when that job is the all important one of being the leader of the free world. A two party government makes it almost a certainty that the best man will remain an unknown. Perhaps it is time to open our minds to other options. Perhaps it is time to get to know Wayne Allyn Root.





Online Videos by Veoh.com

By Eric Rosenberg

A bet with Gavin Smith took a back seat to a controversial email sent by a World Series of Poker champion.

A few accents among the players will be evident during this week's edition of Poker After Dark as six top pros that were all born outside of the U.S. each put up $20,000 to contend for the $120,000 winner-take-all prize.

In a move that makes me look like a genius once again, Party Gaming, operator of PartyPoker.com and .net, has decided to start selling ad space on their US facing web properties in an attempted to offset lost revenues from pulling out of the lucrative US online poker market.

Last year I wrote an article about "adverpoker" (remember that buzzword). In it, I asked why the bigger sites are not trying to monetize on the millions of play money players - most of which will never play for real money.

Clickz.com has reported that Party Gaming has signed a exclusive purchasing agreement with Traffic Marketplace, a Connexus-owned online ad network that claims to reach more than 108 million users monthly.

"They looked for new monetization and the obvious choice was advertising," said Connexus spokesman Calvin Lui.

Under the agreement, Traffic Marketplace will resell advertising and sponsorship opportunities on PartyGaming's US facing versions of PartyPoker.com and PartyPoker.net."

The demographics are just astounding," he contended. "And it's a very captive experience. You actually download a software application that has the game on it. So it's not a Web surfing experience and you are actually engaged in a game."

The type of campaigns will cover rich-media to simple pop-ups to integrated sponsorships. No gambling or pharma ads will be accepted.

I am smarter than most people. Perhaps that is an over the top way of saying that I predicted a coming trend before its arrival, but nevertheless, I like saying it.

Last year I wrote an article about "adverpoker" (remember that buzzword). In it, I asked why the bigger sites are not trying to monetize on the millions of play money players - most of which will never play for real money.

It seemed to me that there was an awful lot of bandwidth costs being spent on these players, so my suggestion was to sell advertising and plaster the hell out of the play money tables.

Well, PKR.com is doing just that. The company announced today that their play money players will be forced to watch 15 and 30 second commercial spots between games. Good for them.

Soon, you will all see that adverpoker is future of online poker.

Here's a great opportunity to share an event with a worthy cause and post pics of hot babes at the same time...

Babes & Aces Charity Celebrity Poker Tournament

Thursday, June 21st 2007

Who: b.a.b.e.b.a.b.e. – breast awareness benefits everyone, a non-profit organization working to end breast cancer

What: Charity Poker Tournament

“Texas Hold ‘Em No-Limit Poker Tournament” – $250 Buy-In($5000 Grand Prize)

“Babes & Aces” Poker and Black Jack Tables - $100 admission(Play for prizes)

Play with your favorite adult stars, plus celebrities from TV, film, and music.

b.a.b.e. supports: The Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund, Philadelphia; The Wellness Centers; Westside Family Health Center, Los Angeles; nationwide ‘Check ‘Em, Don’t Neglect ‘Em ® Campaign.

When: Thursday, June 21st, 20076:00 PM – Registration and Auction Begins

Where: Hollywood Park Casino3883 West Century BoulevardInglewood, CA 90303

Scheduled to Play: b.a.b.e. spokesperson Taylor Wane, Joanna Angel, Stormy Daniels, Jenna Haze, Sunny Lane, Gina Lynn, Tera Patrick, Ava Rose, and more.

The awkwardly tall and goofy looking poker superstar, Phil Hellmuth, made history today becoming the first player ever to win 11 gold bracelets at the World Series of Poker. The WSOP bracelet is considered the gold standard of the poker world. Each bracelet represents a single win at the world's largest and most prestigious poker tournament.

I was recently reminded of a little poker trivia about Richard "Quiet Lion" Brodie that I thought I would pass along. This is from Brodie's bio on Wikopedia...

I have just been informed that professional poker player Paul Eskimo Clark has had an apparent heart attack while playing in the $2000 Stud Eight event at the World Series of Poker.

I was watching one of the poker (fluff) videos from the WSOP and had to rewind to make sure that I was able to correctly write down today's poker quote of the day. It's from our good friend Andy Bloch...

"In the long run I think there's a lot less cheating in poker and a lot less funny business in poker than there is in just about anything else. In the business world, in sports, and things like that."

Thanks, Andy, for the Poker Quote of the Day!

Richard "Quiet Lion" Brodie has been allowed back onto Harrah's properties and is now being allowed to play in the World Series of Poker events.

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative announced its support for the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act, introduced today by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA). The bill would create a taxation regime for online gambling companies to be licensed under the recently introduced Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2046).

The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) is seeking judgment restraining the United States from enforcing the “Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006” (UIGEA). The current law prevents U.S. credit-card companies and banks from processing payments to online gambling businesses. According to the Act, violators are subject to civil and/or criminal penalties including imprisonment.