The main event at the World Series of Poker saw its first decline in participants since 1992. The final tally of players at this year's event is 6,358, down 28% from last year's 8,773.
"Whether it's 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, or 10,000, this will still be the biggest, richest, most prestigious poker tournament in the world," WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack told USA Today. "Whoever wins will walk away a multimillionaire, lives will be changed and some great poker will be played."
Many blame the Unlawful Internet Gaming Act of 2006 for the decline in participants. The law, passed by Congress last fall, prohibits banks and credit card companies from making payments to online poker sites. This resulted in Harrah's making the decision not to accept third party registrations from poker sites where players won a seat. Unlike previous years where sites like PokerStars.com would wire the money directly to the casino, satellite winners were paid their "seat money" directly. It was then up to the winners to buy in to the main event themselves. Letting go of the $10,000+ proved to be easier said than done for many players.
The winner of this year's main event will take home $8.25 million. Last year the big prize was over $12 million.
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 RosenbergMassachusetts 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.
