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.

The All-Japan Poker Championship, co-organized by the newspaper Yukan Fuji, raised money to benefit The Sankei-Shimbun Social Welfare Association, a charitable organization dedicated to the advancement of socio-cultural affairs.

"We are delighted by the opportunity to not only introduce one of our premier entertainment brands to the Japanese consumer, but support a worthy charitable cause in the process," said Michael Chen, president of Harrah's Asia-Pacific Region. "This tournament represents but a small sign of our company's ongoing commitment to expand our presence in Asian markets, particularly Japan."

"We are proud to have the winner of the All-Japan Poker Championship, participate in our event” said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker and vice president of sports and entertainment for Harrah’s. This event is an important first step for us in Asia and we look forward to further introducing the world’s most prestigious poker brand to this vibrant market.“

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), today enthusiastically supports Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) legislation that clarifies existing law and provides rightful protections for poker and other games of skill under both the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the WIRE Act of 1961.

"Congressman Wexler's bill is a positive development for the millions of American poker players who enjoy one of our nation's great pastimes," Senator Alfonse D'Amato, PPA Chairman of the Board. "Poker and other games of skill have fallen victim to bad public policy. Wexler's plan will give skill games the rightful protection they deserve and it will require the proper safeguards to protect children and those prone to abuse."

The online gambling ban that Congress passed last year, UIGEA, created confusion as to whether or not it applies to skill games such as poker, chess, bridge, and mah jong. The Wexler plan clarifies existing law by recognizing that skill games -- games where individuals compete against each other -- are separate and distinct forms of gaming and should be afforded protection under the law. In addition, the bill goes further than the UIGEA to require real safeguards for consumers. The plan requires that Web sites use the best age verification technologies, provide services for problem gamblers and abide by monetary controls to detect and stop money-laundering activities. Currently, no form of Internet gaming (i.e. horse racing, lotteries and fantasy sports) is subject to these types of regulations under current law.

"Congressman Wexler's legislation is necessary to provide equitable treatment for true games of intellect and competitions among individuals," said Senator D'Amato. "This skill based competition is the true spirit of the game, and the reason for its popularity whether it is played at the World Series of Poker, over the internet or at your kitchen table. Americans have played poker responsibly throughout our history and the Wexler bill will ensure that the game is enjoyed for years to come."

A good article appeared today at American.com about the current online poker atmosphere in Washington. The photo has nothing to do with the article, but we really, really like her.

You know those big smiles that accompany your big check when you hit a jackpot at the casino? I hate to break it to you, but the casino is not really happy for you! ;)