Daily Poker News Review: Monday March 31, 2014

Main Headlines

New York Proposes Internet Poker

A “bad actor” clause and shared liquidity provision headline the features in the proposed legislation.

• New York State Senator John J. Bonacic (R-Mt. Hope) introduced a bill last week that would legalize online poker in the state.
• The bill also contains a “bad actor” clause that bars those people and assets involved in online gaming within the US prior to December 31, 2006 unless specifically authorized by state or federal law.
• The bill also allows for the sharing of liquidity with other US states that share similar suitability standards.

PokerStars: California Gambling Control Commission is “More Than Qualified” to Determine Suitability

Calls for a bad actor clause in Californian legislation are rebutted in a statement arguing that they are unnecessary and anti-competitive.

• PokerStars has released a statement explaining its position on a potential “bad actor” clause in proposed Californian legislation.
• Rational Group Head of Corporate Communications, Eric Hollreiser, said that “PokerStars has not, will not and need not request any changes to the California gaming regulations.”
• He suggested that it was normal to “leave the assessment of suitability to qualified expert regulators” rather than to legislate against specific operators “to gain a competitive market advantage and to limit competition.”

Bovada Confirms Comcast Connectivity Issues

The largest ISP in the US is blocking access to the Bovada website and gaming servers at the DNS level, players have reported.

• Players on Bovada have reported that they are unable to access the site through their Comcast ISP.
• It appears that Comcast has deliberately blocked access to Bovada.lv from its DNS.
• Bovada has recognized that there is a problem and representatives are posting a temporary solution on social media.
• The workaround suggested by Bovada involves changing the DNS which players use to access the internet.

Lesniak on PokerStars: “The More the Merrier”

Senator clarifies that Rational Group is “not excluded” from igaming in New Jersey.

• PokerStars had “paid their penalty” and the group were “not excluded” from participating in online gaming in the state.
• Rational Group’s application for an online gaming license was put on hold for two years due to concerns over continued association with PokerStars rounder Isai Scheinberg.
• Lesniak’s comments came unprompted, following a question from the audience to Californian senator Lou Correa, sponsor of an online poker bill in the state.

888 Sees Silver Lining in UK’s New Regulations

UK’s forthcoming “Point of Consumption” tax will force further consolidation—benefiting larger operators like 888, the group claims.

• “In more mature markets such as the United Kingdom, we anticipate that there will be further consolidation given the advantages of scale, brand and technology that larger operators can employ in a more competitive environment.”
• 888’s positive take on a substantial new tax burden this year echoes that of William Hill who, in their Q3 2013 financials, asserted that the POC tax could lead to “market share gains,” adding that the group “[sees] that as an opportunity.”

High Stakes Online Poker Report: March 31, 2014

Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond is among the week’s top winners at the high stakes tables.

• Most of hte action was at hte Triple Draw tables.
• Gus Hansen posts a welcome win, along with Galfond and Kagome Kagome.
• Phil Ivey and Daniel Cates among the week’s biggest losers.

The Global Poker Index Newsmakers: March 31, 2014

Khoroshenin Wins EPT Vienna

• A summary of the recent accomplishments of players ranked on the Global Poker Index.

This Week in Poker Podcasts: Jason Somerville, Gus Hansen and Kevin Mathers

The latest from the Pokerfuse Poker Podcast Directory.

Poker Training Videos This Week: Adjusting Ranges, Playing Short Stacked and Life Coaching for Poker Players

Improve your poker game with our top picks from the pokerfuse poker video directory.

Picks from F5 Poker:

Gavin O’ Rourke Loving Every Minute of Turning Pro

Former train driver takes a professional poker turn. We know there’s a lot of grinders and weekend warriors out there who would love to take a stab at making a run at being a poker pro. Meet Ireland’s Gavin O’ Rourke who, 6 months ago, quit his full time job as a train driver for his shot at professional poker.

Erik Seidel Recalls Regretful Decision in EPT London SHR

PokerStars Bonus Cut plays out Seidel vs. Vogelsang. It’s another well-produced episode of PokerStars’ “The Bonus Cut.” This time, Super High Roller beast Erik Seidel faces tough decisions in a big hand early on Day 1 against Christoph Vogelsang. Looking to get three streets of value Vogelsang walks us though how he played AK out of position against a tough opponent like Seidel. Check it out.

Dan Bilzerian Opens His Home, Life For All (In) To See

Magazine shows Blitz lifestyle from the inside out. Easily, already, one of All In Magazine’s most popular videos, the new mini-documentary on the inner workings of the lifestyle of Dan Bilzerian has almost 100k views.

Poker In Idaho: Indian Tribe Push All In on Live Poker

Currently outlawed Coeur d’Alene Tribe takes a stand. Though currently outlawed by the Idaho Constitution, live poker will commence this spring at the Coeur d’Alene Casino if the Indian Tribe that runs it has it’s way. According to CDAPress.com, the new live poker game, which may be totally illegal, is set to start dealing Texas Hold’em and MTTs on May 2 as the tribe has determined that poker falls under Class II gaming which is not regulated by State law.

World Poker Tour Hangs The “Help Wanted” Sign

Marketing Manager in So. Cal wanted. What’s tougher: the state of modern poker or the current US job market? If you want to get in the poker industry, we got you covered. Here at F5poker, we’re always looking for a better gig…um…we mean…a job for all of you who want to jump into the poker industry.

Go Big And Go Home – Views On Cash Game Hit And Run

PokerNews asks the public and pros. We’ve all been there. You sit down at a cash game and #RunItUp in no time. When this happens is it cool to pack it up, pack it in or do you feel obligated to hang out and give the table some time to take it back from you? PokerNews broached the subject both online with their fans and in person with the pros.

Guess Who’s Back? Howard Lederer Returns In SrslySirius’ New Masterpiece

Howie knows you miss him. Just in time for the World Series of Poker, poker’s “Professor” and Full Tilt Poker fall guy , Howard Lederer finds himself ready for a return to the felt in the new Eminem inspired video from SrslySirius. Having gotten away with all of it Howard dances and raps his way back into the halls of the Rio, dissing all his enemies in the process.

Is PokerStars Losing Their Cool In California?

Op-ed on PokerStars’ search for US foothold. Over at 4Flush prolific poker pundit Steve Ruddock asks if online giant PokerStars’ ambition to get a foothold back in the USA is turning them from cool kid at the poker party to persona non grata.

High Stakes – The Big Business of Backing

Wall Street Journal pulls back the curtain on the world of staking. Selling pieces, swaping and being backed…these are some of the little talked about agreements that poker players engage in to stay in action, to lower their variance or to even have more to sweat.

The Important Opposition To Poker’s Shot Clock

Marvin Rettenmaier speaks out, but Matt Savage may be its undoing. Late last week many had taken note of the fact that “Mad” Marvin Rettermaier took the time to blog his opposition to the proposed World Poker Tour shot clock. It’s definitely interesting, as he makes points about it being prohibitive to new players and that 30 seconds is just not enough time. He even cites the fact that even though he’s a notorious time-taker if it were good for the game, he’d “be objective” and be in favor of it.

Poker Podcasts and Training Vids:

Podcast: Strategy With Kristy: Mike McDonald Part 1 PokerNews Podcast

Mike McDonald is the youngest player ever to win a European Poker Tour event, is currently second in the Global Poker Index Player of the Year race, and is this week’s guest on Strategy with Kristy. In the interview, McDonald breaks down a hand he played in the $109 rebuy he won on PokerStars a couple of weeks ago. Here is a snippet during which he illustrated how he narrowed his opponent’s hand range preflop.

Podcast: Episode 73: Matthew Hunt Thinking Poker

Matthew “theginger45″ Hunt is one of the newest video producers at Tournament Poker Edge. After several years of traveling and living abroad, he’s returned to his native England to focus on poker and writing. He talks to us about why he gave up his nomadic life for poker, and more.