No Poker on New Years Eve @ Johnny Joe's

No Poker on New Years Eve @ Johnny Joe's .

We will resume on Thursday, January 1st normal times.. 8 & 10

Poker After Dark New Season Monday

Article from Bluff Magazine: Proving that poker on television is anything but dead, NBC’s Poker After Dark returns for a fifth season beginning Monday night with “Close But No Cigar” week. Each of the six players in this week’s episode has made the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event but come up short in their pursuit of the game’s most storied title.

Andy Black, Lee Watkinson, Dewey Tomko, David Williams, Allen Cunningham, and Mike Matusow all put up $20,000 to chase the winner take all prize of $120,000. Three of the players, Black, Watkinson and Tomko are all making their PAD debut while the other three players have a mixed record.

Williams has one win in three appearances, Cunningham has a single win in two appearances and Matusow will be looking for his first win after going away empty-handed in his first 10 times on the show.

The match will begin airing on NBC Monday at 2:05 AM and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday at 1 AM, right after Saturday Night Live.

Poker on Xmas

With no games at Johnny Joe's tonight (12/25) I am getting asked where there is a game tonight, rumor has it that Flop the Nutz is still hosting at Your Place on Progress Avenue at 8 p.m., however, I couldn't find anywhere on the internet to confirm that...

Holiday Schedule at Johnny Joe's

As of right now, there will be no poker at Johnny Joe's on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Years Eve.... However we our trying to effort Hany into letting us play on xmas eve... since at least two dozen folks wanted too...

I know this is late notice, and the people that this effects don't read this blog, hell, more people hit this blog from the UK than here in central PA... but...

Al "Alfonzo" is making and bringing in ten pounds of peel and eat shrimp with lots of Old Bay and everyone is invited to bring a dish, i guess this is our poker "dysfunctional" family xmas party!

see you guys tonight and for the love that is the all holy nut flush, please, at least tonight, stop chasing draws (and draws i mean needing runner-runner to complete said flush) and for the sake of the holidays, stop playing like a complete and utter donkey! ;)

No Poker at JJ's Friday, Dec. 19th

There will be no poker December 19th, Johnny Joe's is doing a 'metalfest' instead! Poker will continue as normal on Saturday.

Not yet sure on the holiday schedule.

Johnny Joes: No Poker 11/26

Poker for Wednesday night (Thanksgiving Eve) has been canceled, Johnny Joe's is having a band, Adrian Blitzer playing instead.... Thanksgiving night, however, is still on....

As far as I know, Hooters, Angies and Doc Hollidays are still on if you are looking for an alternative... If anyone knows of others, add them in the comments..

------------------------------

Edit: I went to see Adrian Blitzer play Wednesday night, very cool band and would recommend them to anyone!

Dawg House

The Fly Magazine had an article about yesterdays $500 freeroll at the Dawg House in Duncannon... A bunch of us tried to find a number to see what time it started...

Well, i know its a dollar short and a day late, but they did play it, at 1 and yes it was for 500... They play every Sunday at 1p.m. and Mondays at 8 p.m.

Dawg House on MySpace.com
and for the record: 717-957-9988

[PSA] Daniel Negreanu on UIGEA

Important message from Negreanu and the Poker Players Alliance (and again, I urge each and everyone of you to join), also a nice tip on how not execute a bad bluff:

Atlantic City Casino Smoking Ban Lifted

As a smoker living in an unfriendly smoking state, this is good news, of course the poker rooms will continue to be smoke free, but now you don't have to run a mile away from the table to grab a quick smoke! Article via the Telegraph

Smoking ban lifted at struggling casinos
A controversial smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos has been lifted by the city council after the local economy was hit by a steep fall in profits.

After a month of fresh air, smoking has been allowed once again inside the city's 11 casinos.

The City Council passed a total smoking ban in April but the financial meltdown led to a steep decline in takings at the casinos.

The council has now changed its mind and agreed to repeal the smoking ban for at least a year.

Under the ban, the casinos could set up ventilated smoking lounges where gamblers could light up away from the slot machines and gambling tables.

Trump Entertainment Resorts CEO Mark Juliano says at least now there's an even playing field with out-of-state gambling venues, most of which allow smoking.

Bad News for US Online Poker Players

Online Poker very much in jeopardy in the states...

As you may have heard, our idiot president bush has rushed his midnight deals, starting January 19th, the day before Obama takes office, the UIGEA (unlawful internet gaming enforcement act) will go into effect.. From the AP:

The rule from the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve requires those companies to establish procedures to prevent payments in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. They would be expected to comply by Dec. 1, 2009.

The law sought to curb online gambling by prohibiting financial institutions from accepting payments from credit cards, checks or electronic fund transfers to settle online wagers. But the law did not offer a clear definition of Internet gambling, instead referring to existing federal and state laws, which themselves provoke differing interpretations.

From PPA's (Pokers Players Alliance) Chairman Alfonse D’Amato:

Yesterday, in a move reminiscent of 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act [UIGEA] legislation passed in the dead of night, the Bush Administration finalized the UIGEA regulations. These so called “midnight rules” are set to go into effect on January 19th, 2009, the day before President-Elect Obama takes office. Even though the President stated many times he was against midnight rulemaking, his actions undermine those words.

Right now, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is preparing for a potential lawsuit against the UIGEA because its vagueness will likely force banks and other payment processors to over-block lawful Internet poker transactions. Thusly, the PPA is looking for a few good men and women to stand with us in a potential lawsuit. As a paid PPA member, your support has been crucial to our successes. The PPA is prepared to underwrite the complete cost of potential litigation we just need members like you to be part of our action.

We are looking for certain characteristics from our members who would be in this potential lawsuit. Firstly, you would incur no legal costs of your own, and would not be in danger of any kind of prosecution for your actions. If you fit the follow characteristics and would be interested in helping, please let me know as soon as possible,

1. Engage regularly and currently in internet poker;

2. Earn money through internet poker–the greater the percentage of one’s total income the better;

3. Report net internet gaming income on one’s federal and state tax returns; and

4. Reside in or game from a state where such activity is not illegal.

Plaintiffs who are required either by circumstance (e.g., care for children) or health (e.g., disabled) to remain at home and who therefore, earn their income solely from internet gaming would be highly desirable. Members of the military stationed in a war zone who engage in internet gaming would also be desirable.

If you are interested in being interviewed by PPA’s legal counsel to serve as a plaintiff in this potential case send us an email at uigealitigation@pokerplayersalliance.org. You must include the following information in your email, and a member of our legal team will contact you.

Name

Contact Phone Number

State of Residence

Date of Birth

Thanks so much, and I look forward to standing up to this injustice with you.

Proud to Play,
Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman
Poker Players Alliance

Once again, this is bullshit and I encourage anyone out their to head over to the Poker Players Alliance and join and help support the battle for our RIGHTS!

Hooters: Atlantic City Trips to Be Awarded

Hooters of Mechanicsburg is giving away a trip for 2, and a trip for one and some other prizes this coming Wednesday, (tonight 11/13) at 8 p.m.

Those of you that don't know, there is a Harrisburg Poker Forum Board and I encourage you to head on over and sign up and participate, you can get there by following the perma-link in the right hand column, or by clicking here.

2008 WSOP Main Event Now Over

If you really, really want to know who has won the Main Event before it is being televised tonight, click here!

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Congrats to Paps, Finals Winner

Congrats to Dan "Pappy" Scheaffer for winning Johnny Joe's Big Summer/Fall Poker Texas Hold Em' Tournament.


Remember new season begins tonight at 8... We are all tied at this point!

WSOP 2008 Main Event Down to 2

SPOILER ALERT:

I won't post the results in case some of you are waiting for tomorrow (Tuesdays) televised event, but if you don't want to watch it unfold on the tube, click on over to The Poker Prof's coverage of the action!...

Photo courtesy of Poker Profs

Current Point List

Below is the current point totals for this season at Johnny Joe's through Sunday November 2nd. The tournament is this Sunday, Novermber 9th at 3:30 (note: there will not be a 1:00 game). Remember the top 40 are only eligible to play, so if you are on the bubble for the top 40, points will be accumulated through Saturdays (11/8) play... Complete List

1-Mike riordan 3704
2-Alan keffz 3158
3-Rod m 2956
4-Roberto 2182
5-Bridget bell 2174
6-Jim benson 2016
7-Brandon B 1782
8-Kirby 1666
9-Steve goddin 1664
10-Dan shaff 1620
11-Stacey blumenstein 1298
12-Jim follmer 1272
13-Joshua martin 1264
14-Judy follmer 1152
15-B ross 1132
16-Michael d 1102
17-Jessica singer 880
18-Dan williams 872
19-Dave m 850
20-Rick chaffee 800
21-Andre woods 800
22-Brad l 780
23-Shaun soloma 756
24-Jessica richard 648
25-Lisa hawkins 642
26-Chris havens 634
27-John gray 586
28-Kevin M 586
29-Frank katz 568
30-Jen ege 566
31-Dena henry 524
32-Jay mrozinski 444
33-Tony d 430
34-Curtis smith 426
35-Doug kuhn 420
36-Justin lovell 412
37-Shawn unger 400
38-Mike french 388
39-Rebecca hill 366
40-Brian knepper sr 356
41-D allen 356
42-Jeff westhafer 348
43-Stacy wilson 346
44-Chuck byrd 340
45-Frank smith 330
46-Scott frampton 326
47-Mike plofsky 324
48-Willis gardner 310
49-Bryan english 284
50-Frank coaxum 262

Complete List

Election Day!

Regardless of whom you want in office, GO VOTE!

Banning Internet Gambling on Republican Party Platform

With the election just a day away, I want to stress one more time to my fellow poker players just what may be at stake if Republicans win tomorrow....

from PokerWorks

The Republican Party platforms of 2000 and 2004 included the following statement:

“Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports.”

When the 2008 platform was released last week, the above passage was originally omitted, and the media was made aware of it. As word began to spread throughout the poker media in particular and it was taken as a positive sign that the Republicans had possibly returned to their roots of protecting individuals’ privacy, things changed. Suddenly, a new look at the platform indicated that it had been added at a later time. Whether it was an attempt at deception or a mere oversight on the first released draft of the platform, the Republican Party has again made its intentions clear.

The inclusion of such language caught the eye of more than just the poker media; many mainstream political outlets picked up on the story and expressed frustration with such a moralistic-based political stance. CQ Politics was one of those outlets, and in an article by CQ staff writer Bart Jansen, poker pro and 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer was quoted as saying, “My point is simple. Is the Republican Party no longer the party of personal freedom and individual responsibility? Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a nanny-state?”

The Republican Party platform that includes the goal of prohibiting internet gambling – and that does include poker, as it has not been designated a game of skill – is the platform that Senator John McCain has adopted as the Republican candidate for the office of U.S. President.

It is becoming clearer that the work of the Poker Players Alliance is not only important but urgent. The lobbying organization with over a million members has been making progress over the past year but must have the active support of those members to truly make a difference. Not only is it vital that poker players and fans of the game let their Congressional representatives know their views, but Senator McCain should be made aware of our powerful constituency as well.

Vote!

From the Poker Players Alliance!

The upcoming elections are fast approaching and your poker rights are on the line, now more than ever. The next U.S. Congress will make key decisions about the future of Internet poker, so you can’t sit this hand out. You need to go to the polls on November 4th and support candidates who support your rights.

Before you head to the polls, please take a few minutes to visit: www.congressionalpoker.org . There at our new Congressional ratings site, you can see how your US Senators and Congressman in Pennsylvania are rated in regards to their stance on Internet poker.

Making proactive changes in our Nation’s capitol starts with your participation on Election Day in Pennsylvania. With your help, we can ensure that poker will be treated fairly by our elected officials.

Palin and Gambling

Just read on Eagle Forum Alaska the following questionnaire, it was sent to all gubernatorial candidates for the 2006 election for Governor of Alaska with their responses.

One question of significance to poker players is the following:

6a. Do you support the expansion of gambling in Alaska?

Sarah Palin: No, in so many cases, gambling has shown ill effects on families and as Governor I would not propose expansion legislation.

This woman is one heart attack away from being President if McCain is elected!!!!

If you care about poker, especially online poker, this is a HUGE reason to vote Democratic on Tuesday....

The Election and the Pros

I keep it no secret who I am voting for, but for what its worth, here is a short video of some interviews of some pros and their thoughts on Tuesdays election:

Watch Poker Stars Presidential Picks on RawVegas.tv

Johnny Joe's Final (Summer/Fall) Tournament

The big tournament is slated for Sunday, November 9th at Johnny Joe's. More details to follow.

The top 40 point earners qualify, the list will be done in a few days so tune in again in the near future for updates!

Hellmuth at Main Event

This Hellmuth blow up has been the source of a lot of talk at the tables the last week and the blog has received many hits because I blogged an old Hellmuth blow up in the past, so I thought it necessary to post the incident with Christian Dragomir:



I am not defending Phil, however, how many times have you been donked and wanted to berate the guy across the table too?????

Here is another view from the crowd with phone vid, kind of interesting watch!

WSOP: Europe, Johhny Juanda is the Bracelet Winner

via Bluff Magazine:

John Juanda endured a record-smashing final table to capture the World Series of Poker-Europe Main Event title and the £868,800 first place prize.



The final nine players sat down and were dealt the first hand at 1:23 pm London time. The final hand between Juanda and runner-up Stanislav Alekhin went down at 10:32 am the next morning. A total of 19 hours and nine minutes made the WSOPE Main Event final table the longest in WSOP history, beating the record set in the $1,500 Razz event in 2005.

Final payouts:

John Juanda $1,546,464
Stanislav Alekhin $950,421
Ivan Demidov $596,033
Bengt Sonnert $483,270
Daniel Negreanu $386,616
Scott Fischman $306,071
Robin Keston $241,635
Toni Hiltunen $194,308
Chris Elliott $144,981

Poker Terms: The Straddle

Lately this has been a small issue and I noticed not everyone understands what this is.. I know only Eric, whom is relatively new at JJ's, does this, but it is legal and this is what he is doing:

The straddle is a minimum of double the big blind and when there’s no cap it sometimes can be a much, much larger blind. It’s also a blind raise that allows you to act last in that round where players wanting to enter have to at least call your blind raise, giving you the open to raise your blind raise, reraise a raiser, check, or fold. Confused? I hope not. PTP (Part Time Poker.com) readers are savvy, educated players and should know the basics of the straddle. But knowing how to straddle doesn’t mean a savvy, educated player can do it right or will even straddle when it’s right to do so.

For more on straddling, click here!

WSOP Europe Final Table Set

They are down to the final nine in London at the World Series of Poker Europe. Daniel Negreanu is there as is John Juanda. The most interesting player to notice is Ivan Demidov. Why? Because Ivan has another final table to play next month in Las Vegas. Ivan Demidov is one of the November Nine, still in the running for the 2008 WSOP main event bracelet. Now wouldn't this be a double win that would be talked about for a long, long time.

Seat 1: Robin Keston 849,000
Seat 2: Daniel Negreanu 1,002,000
Seat 3: Chris Elliott 281,000
Seat 4: Bengt Sonnert 385,000
Seat 5: John Juanda 1,349,000
Seat 6: Ivan Demidov 1,006,000
Seat 7: Toni Hiltunen 386,000
Seat 8: Scott Fischman 732,000
Seat 9: Stanislav Alekhin 1,278,000

U.S. Senator Introduces Internet Poker Bill, S. 3616

The PPA is pleased to inform its more than 1 million members that U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ-D) has introduced S. 3616, the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act of 2008.

This exceptional piece of legislation will establish licensed Internet poker in the U.S. and provide American consumers with the vast benefits of a clear regulatory system. The bill is the first of its kind to focus primarily on your favorite pastime. S. 3616, is landmark legislation for the poker community and sets the stage for the next Congress and new Administration to enact sound public policy in the area of Internet poker.

Today, the PPA issued a press release in support of the bill. And we are encouraging everyone to send an note to Senator Menendez to thank him for introducing this bill. You can do this by going to the Senator’s "Contact Me" page on his official Senate Website.

Tell the Senator:

•Thank you for introducing S. 3616, the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act
•As a poker player and a voter, it is important to me that our government takes steps to regulate Internet poker in the U.S.
•Regulation will provide necessary safeguards to protect adult consumers, children and problem gamblers. Moreover, significant federal and state revenue can be gained through a U.S. regulated industry.
•S. 3616 is a positive development and the poker community applauds you for introducing it.

World Series of Poker Europe Main Event

The World Series of Poker Europe main event is down to 62 players from the starting field of 362. With so few starting runners compared to the thousands in the Las Vegas WSOP, it is not surprising that the leader board is still full of big name professionals. Here are the players at the top entering day three.

1 Bloch, Andy - Las Vegas 321,600
2 Townsend, Brian - Santa Barbara, CA 290,100
3 Seidel, Erik - Las Vegas 282,300
4 Juanda, John - Las Vegas 252,500
5 Rouas, Phillippe - San Francisco 233,300
6 Elliott, Christopher - Alloa UK 231,900
7 Moorman, Christopher - Brighton UK 219,500
8 Smith, Justin - Kissimmee, FL 217,700
9 Negreanu, Daniel - Las Vegas 203,700
10 Adams, Brandon - Miami, FL 190,000
11 Sointula, Jani - Helsinki Finland 184,800
12 Sonnert, Ben - Linkoping Sweden 184,600
13 Matusow, Mike - Las Vegas 180,300
14 Demidov, Ivan - Moscow Russia 176,200
15 Moreira, Tome - Porto Portugal 165,800
16 Alekhin, Stanislav - Moscow Russia 164,000
17 Williamsson, Christofer - Gothenberg Sweden 163,500
18 Fischman, Scott - Las Vegas 152,800

Poker Rule: The String Bet

This tip courtesy of OnlinePoker.com.

This came up yesterday during afternoon play at Johnny Joe's, a new player did not know what a string bet is, so for the few out there that are new, here is a good definition:

Tournament Director’s Association Rule 39: Dealers will be responsible for calling string raises (bets).

When you make a bet or a raise, you are required to make that bet in one motion. This means you cannot say put out 300 to call a bet and then go back to your stack to get more chips in order to raise. A two motion bet is called a string bet and will be (or should be) called by the dealer and not allowed.

However, the whole problem of string bets can be eliminated if you simply announce your bet. If you want to bet 500 and you say “500″, then you can drop your chips, misbet, knock your stack over or faint. The bet is 500 and there can be no string bet call made against you.

Also if you simply announce “Raise” you can put out the amount to make the call and then go back to your stack once to get the amount of chips you wish to raise. If any part of betting is unclear, then remember the golden rule: If you announce the amount of your bet, then that is the bet you have made and how you fumble or move your chips does not matter. You announced your bet and you get to make that bet.

Beginning players would be wise to make verbal calls and verbal raises to avoid and mistakes in moving your chips. Remember a string bet must be taken back but all of the players at the table know you wanted to make that bet, so they have additional information on your hand without having to call the string raise.

GSN: Poker Sundays Begins Tonight

GSN (Game Show Network) has a new lineup for Sunday nights that will be a poker fan pleaser. The network will pair High Stakes Poker and episodes of the World Poker Tour for back-to-back poker action starting Sunday, Sept. 28.

The evening begins with High Stakes Poker at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the World Poker Tour at 9 p.m.

"We think poker on Sunday night is a great way for viewers to end their weekend and begin their week," said Kevin Belinkoff, vice president of original programming and development at GSN. "With High Stakes Poker and World Poker Tour, we're proud to have the best poker in the world and we're looking forward to establishing Sunday night on GSN as the home of poker on television."

Barney Frank’s HR 6870 passes Committee vote

Article via We Do It All Vegas:

Since the implementation of the UIGEA in 2006, Congressman Barney Frank has done what ever is possible to stop the progress of the enforcement bill and to clarify its specific purpose by arguing that U.S government should not have the right to determine how the American citizens invest their time and money.

Yesterday, Congressman Frank introduced a proposed bill (HR 6870 or Payments System Protection Act) in its effort to amend the problems and confusion caused by the UIGEA and its and to give financial institutions a detailed definition of what is and is not considered an illegal online gambling activity.

When the bill was introduced to the committee yesterday, Representative William Lacy Clay criticized the arguments of several professional sports leagues, saying: “I’m alarmed that major league sports would come forward to announce their opposition to the Bill. I’m puzzled by their stance especially when you have legal sports books in Las Vegas. I can’t figure out what the difference is between Internet gambling and Las Vegas sports books.”

The good news is that Frank’s bill has been approved today by the House Committee on Financial Services and would push the Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Attorney General and a special Administrative Law Judge to classify and determine what really constitutes “unlawful online gambling” and initiate an economic a deep research and study on the fulfillment costs of the prohibition.

The enactment of the bill would delay the execution of the UIGEA through a process calculated to guarantee that the UIGEA regulations do not harm the operations of the U.S. payments system or wrongly prevent transactions considered legal.

The Committee also voted an amendment to a bill in where federal regulators are obligated to issue regulations to financial institutions to block transfers and transactions related to online sportsbetting and other gambling activities including online poker and casinos, with the exception of horse racing, dog racing and jai-alai. According to the new amendment, unlawful gambling operators would be specified by the U.S. Treasury on a list that would be check and revised by financial institutions to execute the prohibition.

Support Online Poker

The federal elections in the United States are less than 45 days away. This is the time, once every four years, when elected officials actually listen to voters. If you are a poker player and you want the right to play poker online, then you need to take two minutes to go to the Poker Player Alliance website and fill out this form, which will be sent to your Congress person and both of your Senators. This is a new legislative notice, if you have written in the past, please do it again today. Might I suggest that you add a line or two at the beginning of the pre-packaged message. Here is what I (Cranky Olde Coot from Pokerblog.com)wrote:

"This year, I am a single issue voter. You either fully support my right to play poker online or you are against me. No half-ass political double-speak. If you fully support the right of all Americans to do with their money and time whatever they see fit, then you have my vote. If you don't, then your opponent gets my vote. I wanted to keep it simple, so you understand. You are for us or against us and my vote will reflect your position. If I do not hear from you before the election or if you send some non-committal bullshit about further studies, I am voting for the other guy. I hope we are clear on this issue."

More US of A Poker Communism!

Ky. governor seeking to block online gambling

Wow, is this the United States or commmunist China? And this by a Democratic "pro-poker" Gov! Unreal!

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) _ Kentucky's pro-gambling governor is looking to make sure all bets are off for more than 140 online gambling Web sites that operate in the state known for the world's biggest horse race.

Gov. Steve Beshear said his administration has asked a Franklin County Circuit Court judge to give the state control of 141 gambling Web site domain names. Beshear said he's looking to restrict Kentuckians' access to Web sites with names that include some of the most popular gambling sites for U.S. players: bodoglife.com, doylesroom.com and fulltiltpoker.com.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Judge Thomas Wingate.

Beshear believes Kentucky is the first in the country to attempt to block online gambling by taking over Web domain names of gambling sites.

"Unlike casinos that operate on land or on riverboats in the United States, these operations pay no tax revenues, provide no jobs and yield no tourism benefits," Beshear said at a Monday afternoon Capitol press conference. "They are leeches on our communities."

Kentucky, home to the Kentucky Derby, already has a state lottery and allows gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Blocking internet gambling sites in Kentucky would "protect the signature industry," Beshear said.

Such sites "siphon off money from regulated and legal games such as Kentucky's thoroughbred racing industry, our lottery and charitable gaming activities," Beshear said.

Although Kentucky officials did not have a definite estimate of how much money is being lost to online gambling in Kentucky, Beshear claimed residents were wagering millions online.

Justice Secretary J. Michael Brown said the state is asking the court to forfeit control of the domain names to Kentucky state government. Brown said if successful, the domain names would then controlled by Kentucky state government and subsequently blocked.

"There is gambling going on on the Internet and we know that that gambling is illegal in the commonwealth of Kentucky," Brown said.

Beshear, a Democrat, largely based his campaign for governor last year on a pledge to push for an amendment to the state constitution legalizing casino gambling in Kentucky. Beshear was unable to persuade Kentucky lawmakers earlier this year to put a proposed gambling amendment on the ballot this fall.

Read More...

Poker Players Alliance Press Release

Pokerati's Comments

Last Day: Smoke 'Em if You Got 'Em

Today is the last day in Pennsylvania you will be permitted to smoke in pubs! Tonight (9/11) at midnight the ban goes into effect!

Sad DAY! However, there are over 700 business applying for state exemptions to the ban and those businesses that applied for one will be permitted to allow smoking until a decision is made on their application.

Patriot News Article:

With the state's smoking ban set to take effect at midnight, already 700 businesses have applied to be exempted from the law, said Dr. Calvin Johnson, Pennsylvania health secretary.

'I have no idea as to how many we should expect. I quite honestly think 700 is too many and I hope we don't get anymore," said Johnson at a Capitol news conference to announce the law on the eve of its effective date.

The law bans smoking indoors in most workplaces and public places, but carves out exceptions for such places as cigar bars, taverns where food sales comprise no more than 20 percent of their annual sales, up to 25 percent of rooms in hotels and portions of casino floors.

So far, no exemptions has been granted, he said. But businesses that applied for one will be permitted to allow smoking until a decision is made on their application, Johnson said.

Those who receive an exemption must apply annually, but steps will be taken to make that process as simple as possible for businesses, a health department official said.

Anti-smoking advocates in attendance at the news conference joined Johnson in hailing Thursday as a "great day for the health of all Pennsylvanians."

Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery County, who has fought for a smoking ban for 15 years, said the law will allow 95 percent of state workplaces to be smoke-free. Yet, he isn't content with that. He already is at work drafting legislation to be introduced in the next legislative session that starts in January to raise that percentage even higher.

He said someone asked him if he intended to celebrate the fruits of his 15 years of labor on this issue by lighting up a cigar on Thursday. If he does, he assured it would happen outside.

Hooters NASCAR Prize

Hooters NASCAR Poker Night - September 17th

Next Wednesday September 17th Hooters is having a special promotion for poker night. In addition to cash and gift certificates the winner will receive 2 tickets to the NASCAR Race at Dover. Tournament starts at 8PM registration starts at 7pm.

Visit http://717pokertour.com/

In a barely related note, this Tshirt rox!:


Thanks to BustedTees.com for the image!

Johnny Joe's Regular Wins Elsewhere

Congrats to our very own Brad "L." Limbacher, who incidentally is the current reigning champion for the latest Johnny Joe's Tournament, for winning Monday night at Hooters and getting posted on the Internet for his accomplishments... (Sadam a.k.a Cheech and Scott are on there as well!)

Good Job!

Photo courtesy of 717 Poker Tour

Eff Planters!

After watching ESPN's WSOP coverage the last few months, I have to yell out, I miss the DEGREE ALL IN MOMENT!


Fuck Planters intense whatchamcallit BS!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrr!

LAS VEGAS – June 05, 2007 – Harrah’s License Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET), has entered into an multi-year agreement with Kraft Foods Global Inc. (NYSE:KFT) to make Planters nuts an official sponsor of the World Series of Poker and the “official nut” of poker’s biggest event.

“The sponsorship is a great fit given that “the nuts” is a common poker phrase associated with having the best hand in any given situation,” said Stephen Chriss, director consumer promotions, Kraft Foods, Inc.

“We’re pleased to welcome Planters to the World Series of Poker family,” said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. “When it comes to support from leading consumer product companies, now we really do have the nuts.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the WSOP and to help promote the natural occasion of poker and Planters,” Chriss said.

08 WSOP Main Event on Tonight

Article courtesy of Poker Prof's Poker Blog....

Its the event we've all been waiting for. The first two hours of the scheduled twenty-two hours of coverage of the 2008 WSOP Main Event. Beginning tonight at 8 pm EST on ESPN (check schedules in your area for exact times) will be the granddaddy of all poker tournaments, the $10,000 WSOP No-Limit Hold'em World Championship. Every Tuesday we'll get two hours of the 2008 Main Event until November 11 when the final table is finally played and a 2008 Champion is crowned.

Dr. Pauly's daily recap for Day 1A and Day 1B is a must read for tonight's TV poker show. A selection of Flipchip photos from the 2008 WSOP main event Day 1A and 1B can be viewed here.

Mohegan Sun: Casino of the Wind Poker Room Opens

Mohegan Sun Opened their 42-Table Poker Room, $925Million Expansion on August 29th.
by PokerPages.com

Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun, already one of the largest gaming facilities in the world, will grow bigger when they unveil the first phase of their $925 million Casino of the Wind expansion. Mohegan's new 64,000-square-foot Casino of the Wind will feature a 42-table poker room, more than 650 slot machines, and 28 table games.



Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is set to open Sept. 29.

Mohegan's expansion continues to up the ante to secure new gamblers with nearby rival Foxwoods, as Foxwoods earlier this spring opened up a new MGM Grand addition.

"We are very excited to reveal Casino of the Wind to the world," said Mitchell Etess, President and CEO of Mohegan Sun. "The Rockwell Group, who have been our architects since the beginning in 1996, have outdone themselves. This may be their best work yet."

The new facility, which broke ground in June 2007, makes its much-anticipated debut on Friday, August 29th at 10:00am immediately following a Tribal blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony.

SPECIAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING- ALL MONTH LONG

To celebrate the latest milestone in Mohegan Sun history, the property has planned a month-long celebration beginning October 1st. The festivities include a poker tournament with one of the largest guaranteed prize pools on the East Coast, daily car giveaways, signature drinks, stellar entertainment, celebrities and so much more.

$750,000 Guaranteed Tournament

It's 'Aces Up' in the new 42-table poker room with Mohegan Sun's first major poker tournament, featuring one of the largest guaranteed prize pools on the East Coast. Mohegan Sun's Super Stack Tournament, with a guaranteed prize pool of $750,000, will kick off with preliminary qualifying tournaments on October 1st, with finals being held October 22nd through 26th. For specifics on Mohegan Sun's Super Stack Tournament, visit mohegansun.com/wind.

Hollywood Comes to Connecticut

Mohegan Sun will roll out the red carpet in October, as various A-list celebrities will stop by to check out the new Casino of the Wind. From the red carpet to the poker and blackjack tables, spot your favorite celebrities throughout the month at Mohegan Sun. Check mohegansun.com/wind for all the latest updates on the grand opening celebrations.

Vice President Hottie!

Best Joke of the Day!

VPILF!

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and republican candidate for VP!

Cool Poker Site: #2

I stumbled upon this poker site, it is a daily TV schedule listing for just poker TV shows in the US, UK and Sweden.

Poker TV Guide

Redumblicans Flip Flop on Poker

er.. I meant Republicans, did I say that? :)

I know we live in a very tight conservative area that is central PA and I know I have had numerous arguments supporting Obama and NOT McCain at the table, however, I really wish you poker players would take more notice of what is going on, article from Poker News:

Initially it looked like the party may have decided to drop their opposition to online gambling from the official line, but CQ Politics reported on Tuesday, the language has once again been added.

In 2000 and 2004, the platform for the Republican Party had included, "Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports."

I argue that poker is not in the same category as sports gambling or other casino games and I am sure most readers agree.

The Poker Players Alliance has also been lobbying pretty heavily to have the Republican Party change its stance on online gambling and return to its traditional stance of protecting people's personal freedoms and individual responsibility.

As a result the PPA encouraged its Republican members to post comments on the www.GOPPlatform2008.com site which the committee is using to help shape this year's platform.

By mid August more than 160 poker players had posted comments on the site, including Greg Raymer and players from all over the country.

On Tuesday, word went out that the Republican Party was removing the call for an online gambling ban from its platform, but later in the day CQ Politics reported the language had been returned.

The comment section is still active and below are some good ones:

By mid August more than 160 poker players had posted comments on the site, including Greg Raymer and players from all over the country.

On Tuesday, word went out that the Republican Party was removing the call for an online gambling ban from its platform, but later in the day CQ Politics reported the language had been returned.

Already the GOP Platform site has seen feedback on the flip flop from members.

"Wow ... great job guys. Way to throw all of us who enjoy the freedom to play Internet poker in our homes a bone by initially saying that you were going to pull the draconian language from the platform that says Internet gambling is a scourge on society, then caving to Chad Hills and Focus on the Family when they applied a little pressure three hours later," writes Aaron from Norwood, Mass.

"No wonder the Democrats are the party of the people. They actually listen to them, as opposed to small fringe groups that pull the strings in the GOP. Well I know how I'm voting in 2008, and for the foreseeable future, and sorry John (McCain), it ain't for you."

His sentiment was shared by Dave from Weston, W. Va., who wrote that he was given a ray of hope for the GOP when the news came out that the language for an online gambling ban was taken out of the party platform.

However, when news of the reversal came out later in the day, he was once again turned off by the Republican Party.

"You have LOST my vote and more importantly I will be actively working against the GOP in my SWING state of West Virginia which is, as you know, in play this year," Dave wrote.

"Though I am only one, there are MILLIONS of regular folks who enjoy a game of cards with other ADULTS and since you seem to want to manage my life you have. Ironically you have managed to harden my heart AGAIN against the GOP. Oh well."

The GOP site is still open for comments on what should be put in the 2008 Republican Party platform. The platform committee is meeting again today to write up a document for the party to adopt on the first day of the Republican Convention, Sept. 1, in St. Paul, Minn.

I know many of my fellow Pennsylvanians are conservative and have many problems with us crazy liberals, however, I must say one more time, if you enjoy poker as much as I do, then please reconsider your vote for McCain and take a stronger look at Obama!

Poker Stars Summer Games Freeroll Series Starts Aug. 22

More Than 80,000 Cash Prizes Will Be Awarded Along With a $100,000 Final

The Olympic Summer Games may be coming to a close in a few days, but the Summer Games at PokerStars have yet to begin. PokerStars is kicking off an eight-week-long promotion called the Summer Games that pits Canadians vs. Americans in a fight to snag some of the more than 80,000 cash prizes to be given away and seats in the $100,000 final, and it all starts this Friday, Aug. 22.

Each week features a different poker variation, and players get one free round-one entry for each week's poker variant. Each country has a separate set of tournaments, and the free entry can be used for any of the round-one Summer Games tournaments running during that week for the player's home country.

Those who finish well enough in the round-one event move on to that week's round-two final, and the weekly finals send five players from each country to the $100,000 main event. Then, the next week, players can try their hands at a different poker variation with another free round-one entry.

The round-one and round-two events aren't just qualifiers, though; plenty of cash prizes are being awarded in each tournament.

Here's the schedule of events:


Limit hold'em
Aug. 22-28
Aug. 31, 4 p.m.

Seven-card stud
Aug. 29-Sept. 4
Sept. 7, 4 p.m.

Five-card draw
Sept. 5-11
Sept. 14, 4 p.m.

Omaha
Sept. 12-18
Sept. 21, 4 p.m.

Short-handed no-limit hold'em
Sept. 19-25
Sept. 28, 4 p.m.

Pot-limit hold'em
Sept. 26-Oct. 2
Oct. 5, 4 p.m.

Omaha eight-or-better
Oct. 3-10
Oct. 12, 4 p.m.

No-limit hold'em
Oct. 11-16
Oct. 19, 4 p.m.


Those interested in taking part in this free promotion and representing either the USA or Canada can sign up for PokerStars today.

Sick Hand #4: The Cat Fight!

Watch Clonie Gowen want to kill Vanessa Russo after a suckout and check out the end when she needs to borrow money from Matusow! And her quote; "Nice Hand".

Poker Olympian?

Rumor from LaunchPoker.com....

Olympic swimming "Poseidon", Michael Phelps, apparently plays poker and is contemplating playing WSOPE (World Series of Poker Europe) event in London in September:

"Michael Phelps has the attention of the world after winning the eight golds at the Olympics, and the rumor is he may be headed for the World Series of Poker Europe to try his hand at poker. The WSOPE will take place in London this September, and it is the second year the WSOP Europe event will be held, the only such World Series of Poker event to be held outside of the United States. Phelps, who typically swims for 12 hours a day, will have the time to practice his Holdem now that he is the greatest Olympian of all time."

UPDATE: PA firehouse in Westmoreland

Updating my first post on the Seward Volunteer Fire Company in Westmoreland County having to pay back proceeds from a fund raiser Texas Hold Em tournament, here is the latest:

Johhny Joe's Points List

Many of you have been asking about this seasons points list and the lack of updates, but have no fear, Scott is back in town from his humanitarian visit to Florida and I suspect once he gets caught up at work, he will update the points.

Just give him a break for the next few days!

It would be wiser spending time on not being a poker jackass ;)

Angle Shooting

Tip thanks to OnlinePoker.com

This tip is more poker etiquette than a playing tip, and one I think most 'freerollers' don't know about, and the many players that 'shoot angles' think they are funny rather than being a poker jack-ass!

This applies not only to a few players that regularly play at Johnny Joe's, but anywhere you play, be it Mr. G's, Brewhouse, the Cave or anywhere else there is a freeroll.

"Sometimes just called “an angle” or the act of “angle shooting” refers is technically legal but unethical play. Make no mistake about it, legal or not you can be asked to leave a poker room for shooting angles and you might also be asked to step outside by an angry and usually larger player if you shoot angles.

Some examples are angle shooting are: Faking towards the pot with chips and then pulling them back; miscalling your hand to try and steal the pot by having an opponent with the winning hand fold to your miscall; putting less chips in the pot than needed to make a legal call or raise.

There are many more examples of angles at the poker table. Most often a player simply makes a mistake but be alert that you are not seated with a angle shooter. First time a mistake, second time a low life player who might well be an outright cheat. Call the floor and ask that the player be warned."

Take heed of this etiquette tip, nobody wants to be the poker JackAss at the table!

PA and Poker - Uptight and Antiquated

Fire company getting burned on poker tourneys
Article: The Tribune Democrat Johnstown, PA

Another article here at Poker News

Seward Volunteer Fire Company in Westmoreland County, PA is getting sued for fund raising events held in 2007, three to be exact, all poker tournaments for $40k plus. The police also raided an August of 07 tourney held at the firehouse.

Wonder when Enola and Penbrook will be on Pennsylvania's nazi-esque state government hit list:

Texas hold ’em card games may be popular among poker players, but they aren’t a legal form of gambling in Pennsylvania – as one area fire company is finding out the hard way.

Seward Volunteer Fire Company held at least three money-raising poker tournaments in 2007.

Now, the state Attorney General’s Office is seeking $40,814 from the illegal games.

Of that, $9,728 was seized by state troopers during a tournament Aug. 3. An additional $31,086 was deposited by the fire company into its account at AmeriServ Financial of Johnstown. Those deposits were identified by fire company Treasurer James Darby as proceeds from a Texas hold ’em tourney, said Robert Stewart, a senior deputy attorney general.

“Pennsylvania case law sets forth that poker is unlawful gambling ... and that it is unlawful to profit from unlawful gambling,” Stewart said.

Because the bank is in Cambria County, Stewart filed the forfeiture in Cambria rather than Westmoreland County, home of the Seward fire company.

Cambria County District Attorney Patrick Kiniry said he wasn’t aware of similar raids in Cambria.

In the past two years, Kiniry said he has fielded inquiries about holding the games to raise money for nonprofit activities.

His advice: The tournaments aren’t legal small games of chance, so don’t hold them.

“The state police confirmed they consider it illegal and would be systemically raiding them throughout the state,” Kiniry said,

Greensburg attorney Jeffrey Monzo, who represents the fire company, could not be reached for comment.

Funny that it was OK to put in casino's all around our state for real BIG profit for the state, but a volunteer fire company gets nailed and raided for raising money for equipment!

To the men and women that volunteer and put your lives on the line, it must be nice to know your state thinks you may be hero's, but to them you are also criminals because there is no bigger evil than poker! Bad hero's! Bad!

Do as I say not as I do, eh? Hypocrisy knows no bounds!

As mentioned in an earlier post, I must urge each and every poker player reading this to click over to the Poker Players Alliance and sign up and help fight the good fight!

Montana Banana

Thanks to Rodney "Hot Rod" Morton, the phrase Montana Banana has been going around Johnny Joe's the last month or so... Most people are unfamiliar with this poker hand nickname, so here is the skinny....

Montana Banana

The pocket cards 9-2, either suited or offsuit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: It is a widely asserted myth that this nickname originates from the legalization of poker in Montana by Proposition 92. However, poker was legalized in Montana by the Card Games Act, 23-5-311.

Some people also have argued the term comes from a joke that bananas will grow in Montana before that hand makes any money.

The actual origin of the term is unknown.

EXAMPLE: "I had Montana Banana and quickly folded."

A spin on Montana Banana is Joe Montana Banana which is the hand 9-4 suited or offsuit, because Joe Montana was a San Fransisco 49er.

And now you know!

Danger: Online Poker and You

Fleet Street Games has a comedic look at how our government is handling online poker, although the clip is a joke, at least Doyle Brunson and Andy Bloch thinks this might be more real than humorous and publicly supports Barrack Obama:

Stetson-wearing Las Vegas pros who like his belief in the freedom to gamble are putting their chips on Mr Obama, who is himself a skilled player of Texas Hold'Em and Seven Card Stud.

Doyle Brunson, America's greatest living player and formerly a life-long Republican, has come out for Obama.

Another leading poker player and Obama backer, Andy Bloch, told The Sunday Telegraph that most players in Las Vegas for the main event of the World Series of Poker, which began on Thursday, are backing the Democrat. Meanwhile a group called Poker Players for Obama writes a blog on his campaign website.

...Announcing his support for Mr Obama, Mr Brunson, twice a winner of the world championship, said he could not back Mr McCain because the Republicans support the current US ban on internet gaming. Mr Obama has said he would like to regulate online poker and gambling, rather than criminalise it.

"Poker players have to support Obama," he said. "God help the internet gambling business if McCain does happen to win."

More on the politics of poker and the upcoming election soon. However, although not online, I bet those involved in the poker raid in Lemoyne in January has this video hitting home a little too hard...

WSOP: TV Schedule

Two people last night asked me if I knew when ESPN was going to begin showing this years WSOP events... Well, here is the full lineup, every Tuesday beginning on July 22 from 8-10 p.m.

July 22 -- 8-10 p.m. $10,000 pot-limit hold 'em
July 29 -- 8-10 p.m. $1,500 no-limit hold 'em
Aug. 5 -- 8-10 p.m. $5,000 mixed hold 'em
Aug. 12 -- 8-10 p.m. $1,000 no-limit hold 'em with rebuys
Aug. 19 -- 8-10 p.m. $50,000 HORSE
Aug. 26 -- 8-10 p.m. $10,000 pot-limit Omaha
Sept. 2 -- 8-10 p.m. $10,000 no-limit hold 'em main event
Sept. 9 to Oct. 28 -- 9-11 p.m. $10,000 no-limit hold 'em main event
Nov. 4 -- 8-10 p.m. WSOP main event final table preview show
Nov. 11 -- 9-11 p.m. WSOP main event final table

Not Poker, but Unbeleivable Baseball Video

WSOP Main Event Down to Final Table

And with day 7 in the books yesterday, the final table is set and now have to wait until November to play it out....

The 2008 WSOP $10,000 NLHE World Championship Final Table:

Dennis Phillips 53, St. Louis, Missouri, 26,295,000
Ivan Demidov, 27, Moscow, Russia, 24,400,000
Scott Montgomery, 26, Perth, Ontario, Canada, 19,690,000
Peter Eastgate, 22, Odense, Denmark, 18,375,000
Ylon Schwartz, 38, Brooklyn, New York, 12,525,000
Darus Suharto, 39, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 12,520,000
David Rheem, 28, Los Angeles, California, 10,230,000
Craig Marquis, 23, Arlington, Texas, 10,210,000
Kelly Kim, 31, Whittier, California, 2,620,000

The Johnny Joe's Tourney

Congrats to Brad who took the Tournament down... nicely done sir!

Michael Coulson came in second, not bad for his first Johnny Joe's Experience!

Not sure about third through sixth, Rod and I busted out in 8th and 7th respectively on the same hand, by Brad of course...

When I busted out, Dan "Pops" was big stack with Scott and Brad in second in chips, Sam and Michael right behind them with Karate Frank, and DHL Lisa also still in the game...

Brandon, good tourney, it was fun... and again big props to Brad...!

Starting tonight, we are all tied again with zero points... :)

New Pictures from Johnny Joe's

Checking it Down.. Followup

Reference this post on players verbally checking it down while another player is all in...

The Poker Prof took the time out of his busy WSOP schedule to get back to me, I asked him about the legality of two or more players saying "I will check it down..."

Here is his response...

The short answer is, yes, verbal agreement is a form of collusion.

The longer answer is, it depends on the house rules. If you don't have a set of clear house rules it will come back to bite the group in the end.

Thanks Poker Prof ;)

World Series of Poker Main Event

This update is courtesy of Prof's Las Vegas Poker Blog... The Prof is a professional poker blogger from Vegas... Check out his blog, very up to date WSOP news...

Today at noon (vegas time) begins Day 2A... (Tomorrow will be Day 2b, then the third day)

Recap of the first full day of the tourny...

Day 1 is actually broken into four days, named Day 1A, 1B etc... The overall chip leader heading into today's action is Mark Garner from Day 1A with 194,900. Second in chips is Day 1B chip leader Ben Samoff with 177,500.

Notable bust outs in first day action are:

Phil Ivey, Jesus Ferguson, Jen Tilly, Andy Bloch, Jose Canseco, Scott Lazar, David Williams, Chuck Liddell, Annie Duke, Layne Flack, Tony G, TJ Cloutier, Kirk Morrison, JC Tran, Jeffrey Lisandro, Mike Sexton, Daniel Alaei, Greg 'Fossilman' Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Andy Black, Ted Forrest, Jamie Gold, Orel Hershiser, Kenny Tran, Gavin Smith, Dan Harrington, Jason Alexander, Freddy Deeb, Devilfish, David Benyamine, Phil 'OMGClayAiken' Galfond, Joe Sebok

Johhny Joe's Points List

The latest Johnny Joe's Points list is updated, click here.

Negreanu Gets Pissed

This may be a setup, hard to tell, but it seems real enough! Either way the interviewer is a total prick and I love what Daniel does at the end!!!!! Just another reason why it is hard not to like Negreanu... Don't fuck with us hockey players!

Johnny Joe's Tournament

The final tournament will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 3:30 for the top 40 people in points.

There will be prizes awarded to the final 8 people first place being a trip to Atlantic city, one night in a casino hotel and and a buy-in for a tournament.

Sick Hand#3: The Suckout

Negreanu in a heads up tourny sucks out HARD against Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss.

Best part of this video is the very last thing Daniel says to Buss right before the video ends....

Chip Trick #3: The Thumb Flip

My favorite thing to do at the table, besides talking shit! :)
via SKD1337



Need more help? Just ask Brandon or Me!

Checking it Down

A debate arose last night at the BrewHouse about the legality and etiquette of 'checking it down' at the final table when we were down to four players left in the tourny...

I argued wrong, "I don't wear my chaps for the Harley alone" Gary argued correct and said it was illegal. (Gary filled in for Herm last night, and all in all, it was WAY quieter and the tourny ran much more smoother than usual! :)

I always thought saying and agreeing to the other player with more chips "I will check it down" was just bad poker etiquette, however, not only is it bad etiquette, it is illegal, specifically called "explicit collusion" (explicit because it was done in the open as oppossed to implicit collusion, which is in secret or hidden), however, if the two big stacks do not communicate the "checking it down", that is perfectly OK!

I am still looking for more verification on this, but this is the Wiki entry on "Checking it Down":

In a poker tournament, when one player is all in and two other players are active in the pot, it is common for the two players with chips left to "check it down". Unless they explicitly communicate an agreement about checking it down, this is not collusion.

and another reference by Randy Hudson:

If you have one all-in player, and two other players who still have stacks left, is it 100% expected that the two "live" players simply check it down?

No, but it's pretty common. The presence of a player whose hand will always be shown down makes bluffing generally inadvisable, and consequently (though less obviously) shifts the hand strength needed for a value bet upward. Each of these makes bets less likely, and so tends to promote a checked-down finish.

When the players are involved in a place-paying tournament or supersatellite, and are near or in the money, that is compounded by the value of eliminating a player. Because both players benefit if either one eliminates the all-in player, bluffs usually have negative value, and the desirability of making value bets goes down even further. This is the situation where most players automatically check it down.

Failing to participate in this "implicit collusion" will draw scorn from some other players. The ones no longer involved in the pot still stand to benefit from elimination of the all-in player, so they also want to see it checked down, as that maximizes the chance of an elimination.

If anyone has more information on this subject, email me or post a comment, I am still not 100% sure of the ruling, but based on the above, it seems to be pointing to illegal!

PA Smoking Ban

SAD DAY FOR SMOKERS BEGINS SEPTEMBER 11th

The smoking ban was passed by our shady mafioso gov, Rendell... This will effect many of us in the poker scene, some happy, some, like me, pissed off as hell... Anyway, did some digging, here are the details:

Residents won’t be able to breathe easier for 90 more days, however, because that’s when the law will go into effect.

But then, smoking will be illegal in most workplaces, in all restaurants and schools, and indoor areas where the public is invited or permitted.

...Business interests demanded that there be some loopholes. So smoking will still be permitted at bars where food sales constitute 20 percent or less of annual revenues; in private clubs; in 25 percent of hotel rooms and all rooms at full-service truck stops.

There may be designated outdoor smoking areas at sports or recreation facilities, theaters or other performance venues. And, in a major bow to the czars of gambling, smoking will still be permitted on up to 25 percent of casino floors or up to 50 percent if a casino can prove to the state Revenue Department that the ban is hurting its bottom line.

World Series of Poker Starts Today

Article via Cardplayer.com

Today, the 39th-Annual World Series of Poker starts its six-and-a-half-week long schedule of events with the three-day $10,000 World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold’em, and it will be interesting to see how many players show up for this big buy-in tourney, which is the most expensive one ever to kick-off of a WSOP.

Talk about starting with a bang.

From now until July 15 — and into November now that the main event’s final table won’t take place until then — the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas becomes Poker Central. Likely more than 50,000 entries will be collected through the 55 events, and thousands of other poker fans will flood the Amazon Room for a peek at the players they have followed through Card Player and television. It will be a poker madhouse.

AOL Qualifier for WSOP Main Event

Just letting anyone who is interested, I played in a (freeroll) qualifier (for June 1st WSOP Main Event Buy-in tourney, including air fare and hotel) today, in reference to my previous post.

Didn't finish as well as I would have liked. There were 4800 people that signed up and I finished around 800th.

You get 1500 in chips and blinds start out at 25 each, every ten minutes they double, (first increase is 50/100), so another words, blinds go up fast!

Within 50 minutes of the tournament I was eliminated, so the 5k players decreases extremely rapidly, I was eliminated on my big blind of 800 and pushed all in with big slick pre-flop.

I liked the pace of the tourney, but I got the impression you have too take some early risks to have a stack big enough for the fast blind increases!

They run them all day long leading up to June 1st and top 100 of each qualifier makes the tourney!

You can play/sign up at Games.com, and it is owned by AOL.

Welcome

This blog is intended to keep Harrisburg area poker players apprised of the poker happenings at Johnny Joe's and the surrounding poker scene in Harrisburg.

We will keep the Johnny Joe's point list online for easy viewing and will update the list when possible..

We invite anyone to comment on an article and post your opinions or comments, or just say hello....

And oh yeah, when you see any of us at your table, go ahead and fold those pocket Kings, because we will river the hell out of you ;)

Sunday HPT

Ahhhh the sunday Harrisburg Poker Tour. I found the best schedule that allows you to take your time goes like this: Johnny Joes 1 & 3:30, stadium club 6:00, brew house for the donkey fest at 9:30.

Here is a list for the week of where to play, feel free to add games not listed.

Poker Players Alliance

Fellow poker players, please take a minute and check out Poker Players Alliance, it is a non-profit group trying to gain rights for poker, both live and online games. You can join for free, but for $20 a year, you can help do your part for the game we love!

Mission Statement

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is a non-profit membership organization comprised of online and offline poker players. Our membership consists of enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and protect the right to play poker in all its forms.

The PPA’s mission is to establish favorable laws that provide poker players with a secure, safe and regulated place to play. Through education and awareness the PPA will keep this game of skill, one of America’s oldest recreational activities, free from egregious government intervention and misguided laws.



The Threat Is Real

Even as public support for poker grows and interest in the game expands through televised celebrity matches and other events, several states and localities are making changes to laws that encroach on poker players’ abilities to play online, at home, in bars or taverns, and even at charity events across the country. Moreover, some at the federal level have dedicated themselves to putting an end to interactive poker. Last year, in the dark of night, Congress passed legislation which seeks to keep you from playing poker over the Internet. This misguided law can be curtailed, and the PPA is working right now with Congress to establish new laws that clarify the legal status of poker and establish licensed and regulated Internet poker in the U.S.

The PPA understands that over-zealous, big government policies start out as seemingly small, insignificant steps. But if left unchallenged, such policies would guarantee that poker players from Bakersfield, California to Bangor, Maine, would be at risk of losing their freedom to play poker.

Playing Our Best Hand

The Poker Players Alliance is committed to defending the rights of poker players. On behalf of our broad membership, we will promote and protect poker through advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and throughout the nation. The Poker Players Alliance will work with key lawmakers to ensure a thoughtful and productive dialogue that represents everyone who enjoys and wants to protect the game.

But the Poker Players Alliance’s most powerful resource is its membership base, the players. Through our Web site, www.pokerplayersalliance.org, and through direct contact with our members, the Poker Players Alliance is empowering poker players and enthusiasts to deliver positive messages about the game and why it should be protected to federal, state, and local elected representatives.

Chip Trick #2: Compilation

You won't learn from this video, however, it is impressive to watch!

AOL to Award Six WSOP Seats

Free on AOL's games.com

For the third year in a row, America Online, the country's leading internet service provider, has joined with Harrah's Entertainment to award seats to the WSOP Main Event through AOL's Games.com service. Having begun on May 4 and now running through June 15, players can compete in free, daily qualifying tournaments, with a total of six Main Event seats up for grabs. At the end of each week, the daily qualifiers will compete in a Sunday winner-take-all tournament. The winner of each weekly tournament will receive not only an entry into the $10,000 buy-in Main Event to be held on July 3, 2008, but also travel accommodations from anywhere within the U.S. to Las Vegas.

"Free-play online poker continues to be one of our most popular categories on Games.com," according to Greg Mills, Director of AOL Games. "We are thrilled to continue our exclusive agreement with Harrah's License Company LLC, the owner of the World Series of Poker, to provide a chance for users to win a poker player's dream come true -- a seat at the table with poker professionals. And if they play their cards right, they could walk away with millions."

Phil Hellmuth to Appear on Milwaukee's Best Light Cans

Why I find this hilarious I am not sure....

The official beer of the WSOP will launch the new design on May 28, the day of the first 2008 WSOP event. Each can will have an official entry code inside specially marked packages of Milwaukee’s Best Light, Milwaukee’s Best, and Milwaukee’s Best Ice. By entering the code at www.MilBest.com, participants can win poker-themed prizes. There will be hundreds of winners, but only one will receive the grand prize, a trip for four to the 2009 WSOP, along with private lessons from Hellmuth. Other prizes include poker sets, Hellmuth hats, and “Poker Brat” T-shirts.

Top 10 Hottest Women in Poker

TexasHoldem.com has assembled a list of the top 10 hottest women to grace the poker tables. Number one on the list was a no brainer, Layla Kayleigh was the far and away winner.

Let's start from the bottom.

10. Maria Ho

Maria Ho came out of nowhere in the 2007 WSOP and rabid railbirds wanted to know who this good looking girl at the poker table was. She's #10.



9. Jennifer Tilly

It would be blasphemous not to include Jennifer Tilly. Even though she's not what she used to be, she's still got it.



8. Jennifer Leigh

Jennifer Leigh would be number ten on our list, but she just signed on to do a spread in Playboy, so her stock went up.



7. Isabelle Mercier

Isabelle Mercier has a mysterious kind of hotness that we can't quite put our finger on. She's our #7 pick.



6. Brandi Hawbaker

Brandi Hawbaker made the list. There's no denying she's hot, even if drama follows her at every curve.



5. Erica Schoenberg

Erica Schoenberg has had impressive results on the poker table, and she's appeared in a strip poker video. Hard to focus at the table when she's sitting across from you!



4. Chantel Mcnulty

Chantel Mcnulty oozes hotness. She came out of nowhere in 2007 onto the tournament scene, but disappeared just as quickly. Who can forget her, though, with those looks?



3. Shana Hiatt

Shana Hiatt is a former World Poker Tour host, and now hosts Poker After Dark. She's modeled in countless magazines, including Playboy.



2. Shannon Elizabeth

Shannon Elizabeth. Who can forget the infamous scene from American Pie? She's gorgeous. Oh yeah, and she's had some good results these days playing poker, too.



1. Layla Kayleigh

Layla Kayleigh is the 24 year old host of World Poker Tour's 6th season. She's modeled in Maxim, King, and other publications. She's a knockout and the number one spot is hers alone.



What do you guys think? I personally don't know how Clonie Gowen is not on this list...



Discuss in comments

Sick Hand#2: Phily Ivey vs. Paul Jackson

Sick is an understatement!

Very Good Hellmuth Blowup!

Chip Trick #1: The Chip Shuffle

The most common chip trick at the table, but yet lot's of folks cannot do it....

Ever wanna learn? tip to skd1337...


Not too hard, eh? Takes some practice, but you can do it!

Sick Hand#1: Hanson versus Negreanu

Perhaps one of the sickest hands ever.... ?



Thoughts?

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