Top Rated Poker Rooms

Random Questions with professional poker player Mark Newhouse.

Filmed at the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Possibly Related Posts:

• 2010 WSOP: Turn out the lights, the Party’s Over. For now.
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily ‘Lack of Sweat’ or Ode to Gavin Smith
• 2010 WSOP The Daily Sweat mobile blackout edition 22/23 June
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat — 22 June “I hate Mondays”
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat 21 June

Online poker and live poker both face a lot of challenges today:

Item 1:  Texas looks at making Texas Hold ‘Em Legal:

From the desk of Texas based poker reporter Michele Lewis comes and update on the fight for live poker in the Lone Star State.  The Texas legislature is holding a vote today on a bill to get live poker legal inside of Texas borders.  To quote a bit from Ms. Lewis’ blog:

Will Doyle Brunson and other top pros from Texas see poker legalized in their home state soon?  Tomorrow the attempt will be made as Texas HB 222will be heard at the capital.  Once again, I will be testifying in hopes of making Texas Holdem legal in Texas.  In the past, most Texans have felt legalizing poker was a pipe dream; however, the bill from two years ago actually made it to the House Floor which was a milestone for Texas poker.  Although the bill died, everyone agreed we would have a great shot in two years.  Which brings us to… tomorrow.

I wish I had more notice to rally up a poker posse of media, pros, players and fans to show up for support tomorrow.  That being said, show up at the Capital tomorrow to show your support in legalizing poker in Texas!  HB 222 is scheduled sometime shortly after lunch, however, things can change rather quickly (but usually slowly) so follow me on twitter for any changes.

Item 2:  Washington State deals the PPA lobby another blow:

Getting blown by a prostitute is still less of an infraction than playing online poker in your own home for the $2 you won in a 2500 man freeroll.  Washington State has decided that it can regulate interstate law despite the PPA lobby attempting to show the unconstitutional nature of such and action.  Lee Rousso, PPA representative for the State of Washington, was handed another setback in his quest to keep online poker from being a felony insde the borders of his state.  Mark Anderson posted the following story with far more accureate information and details than I can muster at this hour, enjoy:

Lee Rousso, the Washington State Director for the Poker Players Alliance, recently weathered another major setback in his ongoing battle to curb the state’s extreme anti-online poker laws when a state appeals court rejected his argument that a 2006 law (which makes playing online poker in Washington a felony) is unconstitutional.

According to a recent article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (www.seattlepi.com), a three judge panel from division 1 of the appeals court disagreed with Rousso that the Washington law oversteps it’s jurisdiction and violates the U.S. Constitution, which puts the regulation of interstate commerce in the hands of the federal government.

With this setback, Rousso’s next step would be to appeal again, this time to the state Supreme Court, which according to the article he is currently considering.
For more information on this and other ongoing fights concerning the legality of poker visit the Poker Players Alliance - poker’s largest grassroots advocacy group.
(We like to call them a LOBBY, but hey, you go boys.)

Item 3:  Poker is illegal!?!  Wanna bet?

On a similar note, online training site BlueFire Poker (who’s instructors included online poker luminary ‘OGMClay Aiken’ Phil Galfond) has put up a $1,000,000 to $1 challenge to the President or any member of Congress that wishes to test the ‘Game of Skill vs. Game of Luck’ theory face to face.  Despite amazing odds, no one has piped up to take this shot at winning the case for their side and making a quick million bucks.  Maybe they should attach it to a pork barrel amendment on a bill introduced right before midnight at the end of a session of congress.  That should get some action.  Worked for the UIEGA.

Item 4:  Online poker for Aussies, Aussies, Aussies?  No! No! No!

Australia seeking to ban online poker??  Toothless scare tatics or a serious threat to one of the fastest growing poker paradises?  Say it ain’t so, mate!!  Well, things are in the works and you can find the full measure (Australia’s Interactive Gaming Act of 2001) here and discuss the issue with our friends at Poker Road on their forums.  Basically,  the Internet Gambling Act 2001 has been in place for years, but only recently has the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) become more adamant about restricting “offensive and illegal” material. The Internet Gambling Act 2001 has been updated over the past few years to include the promotion of interactive gambling services to customers in Australia.   Apparently enforcement is reaching a boiling point as a “blacklist” was leaked according to online source, Wikileaks.

On that blacklist of 1,370 sites are a myriad of online poker sites, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. But it also includes several actions seeking out anyone who includes hyperlinks to banned sites — i.e. PokerWire, Poker Road and PokerNews. Hey, I guess were could be illegal in Austrailia now.  As the government proceeds with its plan to censor such sites, the blacklist gives an ugly look at how comprehensive the censorship may be, assuming it gets introduced and enforced.

Possibly Related Posts:

• 2010 WSOP: Turn out the lights, the Party’s Over. For now.
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily ‘Lack of Sweat’ or Ode to Gavin Smith
• 2010 WSOP The Daily Sweat mobile blackout edition 22/23 June
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat — 22 June “I hate Mondays”
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat 21 June

Random Questions Interview

2006 World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold;
*turn up your volume

Some of you probably remember the strip we did a few years back.   I was one of those people who took the reported stories to be true, and  I lashed out pretty good.  There are some things that bugged me,  but overall he really does seem like a good guy.   After watching this video, I think I have a new respect for him.   I admire his apparent philanthropy and appreciated the time he spent talking about the Children Uniting Nations charity he is involved with.  So Jamie, I apologize.

He has got me interested in this ACED poker room.  Has anyone played there yet?   Sounds like some good fun. And if he is really donking off 50k a day there…. I want some action.
EDIT:12:20pm: I guess Gold left Aced last week.

Speaking of action;

Poker Road Bounty Tournament

Joe Sebok and the PR crew are hosting a bounty tournament tomorrow (Sat. 16th) on the Players Only poker room.  Time: 12pm PT, 3pm ET – Buyin: $5+50c – Password: PKRRoad – listed under the PRIVATE tournaments tab.   $500 prize pool added.   $50 each to knock out Seebs, Stapleton, Huff, and Leatherman.  Bounties will be doubled to $100 cash if you sign up via this link.  They have a pretty good 1st deposit bonus too.   Other prizes include a hoody, tshirt and baseball cap to bounty winners.

I plan on playing but it isn’t 100 percent.  Though I am sure there will be at least 1 LaB member there and if so, I will place a bounty on their head too.

*Open to US players only.  Sorry rest of of the world.

Cyndy Violette  – Full Tilt Charity Poker Tournament

This Sunday you can also play in the FT charity tournament benefiting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund, hosted by (this year’s Woman’s Hall of Fame inductee) Cyndy Violette.

Details:
Date:Sunday, May 17, 2009
Time: 1500 ET
Location: Log on to FullTiltPoker.com, click “control T”, enter 91058998
Password: charity
Buyin: $10 ($5 into prize pool – $5 for charity)
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I will try and play in this one too. & Same thing goes regarding a bounty and any LaB staff playing.

So come join us for a good time this weekend!

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BTW – If you didn’t get a chance yesterday, check out my “what the future may bring” blog post.

Go NUGGETS…  and GO ROCKETS! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Possibly Related Posts:

• 2010 WSOP: Turn out the lights, the Party’s Over. For now.
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily ‘Lack of Sweat’ or Ode to Gavin Smith
• 2010 WSOP The Daily Sweat mobile blackout edition 22/23 June
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat — 22 June “I hate Mondays”
• 2010 WSOP: The Daily Sweat 21 June