Main Headlines

PokerStars to “Substantially Review” VIP Program for 2015

“No plans yet” as to possible changes.

  • The statement comes as as a result of in-person discussion with players at PokerStars’ headquarters on the Isle of Man, and is unconnected with therecent Amaya acquisition.
  • During the meetings the VIP program was discussed, including the idea of “robin hooding”—reducing the value of the higher tiers and increasing the amount paid out to lower tiers.
  • No specifics have been decided.

Amaya Acquisition: PokerStars “Still Plans to Serve All Current Markets”

Player concerns continue despite Director of Poker Room Operations stating that PokerStars will not exit Canada.

  • PokerStars has sought to assure players that the online poker room will continue to serve all existing markets, despite its acquisition by publicly traded Amaya.
  • The combination of its location, existing government relationships, and an interpretation of Canadian law have caused players to question if the company may exit the Canadian market.
  • However, PokerStars’ Director of Poker Room Operations, Steve Day, quickly responded to the suggestion that PokerStars would have to leave the Canadian market.

All Five Weekend WSOP Bracelets Go to First Timers

First time WSOP winners perhaps, but not first time players.

  • WSOP live tournament action over the weekend.

Portuguese Government Books Time to Debate Online Gaming Bill

Dithering may be over as new gambling laws are set to be debated by the end of this parliamentary session.

  • The Portuguese government has provisionally booked parliamentary time for a debate on new gaming laws before the end of this parliamentary session on July 10.
  • Under the proposals, foreign operators will be allowed to apply for licenses, and a tax rate of between 15% and 20% is likely to be imposed, in a regulation system expected to resemble that of the segregated Spanish market.

Weekly High Stakes Online Cash Report: A Low Volume Week

For yet another week, the action on the nosebleed high stakes online poker cash games was a little slow with only 3 winners edging their way just over the six figure mark, while there were only 2 players finding themselves sliding into 6 figure deficits.

  • It was yet another slow week at the nose bleed stakes.
  • Carlooo13 was the week’s biggest winner.
  • no_Ola turned over the biggest loss in poker for the week

PokerStars Speaks Following Sale to Amaya Gaming

Company provides statements to community, regulators and employees on its future.

  • With an abundance of speculation about the implications of the sale being bandied about, the online poker behemoth took some time to set the record straight.
  • PokerStars Director of Poker Room Operations Steve Day quashed speculation that the online poker site would be exiting the Canadian market.
  • PokerStars CEO and Co-Founder Mark Scheinberg—who will be resigning his position upon closing of the deal with Amaya—sent an email to current employees addressing the sale late last week.
  • Rational Group general counsel Paul Telford issued a separate statement—to Isle of Man regulators—assuring regulators that the purchase “wiII not impact the continued commitment PokerStars has to the lsle of Man.”

This Week in Poker Podcasts: Ari Engel, Dominik Nitsche and WSOP Main Event Champ Ryan Riess

The latest from the Pokerfuse Poker Podcast Directory.

Poker Training Videos This Week: Defending Against 3-Bets, Improving Your Bet Sizes and Reverse Floating

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

Picks from F5 Poker:

Jackie Glazier May Just Hustle Daniel and Phil This Summer

2013 “Last Woman Standing” is back at the WSOP for more. Team888 pro, Australia’s Jackie Glazier has arrived at the World Series of Poker and she talks with Thomas Keeling from Bluff Magazine to try and do just a little bit better than her famous deep run in the 2013 Main Event.

Philipp Gruissem Back On The Bracelet Chase

Germany’s All-Time Money leader has landed in Las Vegas. Philipp Gruissem has a lot of things, including money, but while he’s won a WSOP event – he still doesn’t own a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Shane “Shaniac” Schleger Finds Poker A Better Hobby Than Profession

“Dope Stories” podcast host tries to find the fun again. It’s been over six month since former PokerStars Team Online pro opted to leave his position as a sponsored player for the online giant and move back to California from an isolated existence in Mexico. Now he’s back on the felt and talking with Remko Rinkema at PokerNews about keeping poker in his life as a hobby and his new turn as podcast host of the semi-controversial internet talk show 'Dope Stories.’

Cliff’s Notes – France Scores First 2014 Bracelet & Other WSOP Action

Everything you need to know in 60 seconds. Wanna get caught up on the WSOP but don’t need every detail to do so? We got you. Here’s what you need to know in 300 words (or less).

Chip’d Up – Check Out Matt Stout’s Massive Chiplead

Great shot by PokerNews of the over t$1M chipstack held by Event #31 chipleader Matt Stout.

Caption Contest – Selbst And Hellmuth On The Mic

Who wants an F5 T-shirt? When you are a start up, like F5Poker…everything counts. Every fan, every follower, every visit…and we super appreciate those of you who check us out on a, sometimes daily, basis. With that in mind, we wanted to have some fun with those of you who have stuck by us in these first few months and so we put what few dollar bills we have into some sweet new shirts.

Antonio Esfandiari Thinks He Got Stood Up

Prop bet backed out of leaves Antonio high and dry. Perennial table captain Antonio Esfandiari is always the life of the party. In this instance, “The Magician” convinced a long-haired fellow to take $800 to shave his head in the middle of the Brasilia Room during the World Series of Poker $1K event.

Calvin Anderson – Grateful And Thankful For First WSOP Victory

Elite online grinder makes his mark at the 2014 WSOP. Maybe he’s tired or maybe he’s just subdued, but as the former PocketFives #1 online poker player in the world wins his first bracelet, he is most certainly humble.

Pierre Milan – In His 2nd Year At WSOP Finally Wins A Bracelet

Finally. Not sure if serious.

Sam Trickett Answers All Your Questions – Live!

Hangout with Sam from the Global Poker Index booth.

Tony Dunst – When It Comes To Poker It’s “Mind Over Body”

Juice cleanse all you want, just make sure you study. World Poker Tour’s Raw Deal host and bone fide ladies champ, Tony Dunst is a world traveller and, as he talks to Bluff Magazine, it’s clear he’s learned a thing or two about what it takes to climb to the top of Mount Poker. You see, this sharply dressed man is a WPT Champ and lifetime earner of just under $1.5M so when he says that, while taking care of your body is important, your poker mind can only be refined through studying.

Exclusive Articles on pokerfuse PRO:

Amaya: Rational Platform to Include Online Sports Betting

Amaya CEO Baazov has high hopes for Stars’ exploration into other online gaming verticals. During a 30-minute conference call held Friday following the announcement that Amaya was acquiring PokerStars and Full Tilt, Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov described Rational’s target growth initiative which includes online casino gambling, social gaming and sports betting.

Full Tilt Promotes Play Chip Purchase With a Billion Chip Freeroll

Monetization and brand projection drive Rational Group play money promotions. Full Tilt is following on from sibling PokerStars’ Sunday Billion play chip promotion with a Billion Chip Freeroll of its own.

CJEU Judgment Confirms PokerStars, 888 and bwin.party Licenses in Schleswig-Holstein

CJEU rules that two systems can exist in separate regions of one country under EU treaties. A judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) determined that the gambling licensing system in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein does not constitute an inconsistent legal framework for gambling regulation.

Poker Podcasts and Training Vids:

Podcast: Top Pair Episode 212, June 14, 2014 Top Pair Poker Podcast

Introducing Our New Co-Host, Robbie
The Home Game Poker Scene In Israel
Card Player Lifestyle Is Hitting The Big Time
Poker Notes Live, An App To Keep Your Game Sharp
 
Fold A Pair? Why Would I Fold A Pair?

Podcast: Rabbit Hunt: 194 Rabbit Hunt

The big news finally dropped: Amaya is going to acquire PokerStars to the tune of nearly $5 billion dollars. Chris and Mark discuss what this will mean for both Amaya and poker players around the world, as how this may affect legalization efforts in the US. Then, the two shift gears to the WSOP, discussing the latest results, WSOP.com traffic numbers, and the first big controversy of the series, involving Mike Matusow and the TDA rulebook.

Podcast: Thinking Poker Podcast Episode #82: Ari Engel PokerNews Podcast

On this episode of the Thinking Poker Podcast, Nate and Andrew set the location for the meet up in Las Vegas, break down a cash game hand that listener Jason played at Maryland Live! Casino, and talk with Ari Engel about how to travel the circuit profitably, the difficulties of multi-tabling online, and the value of live tells. 

Training Video: Clint’s Quick Hitters: Reverse Floating Bluefire Poker

Clint walks you through reverse floating. He explains how to, when to and the benefits of reverse floating.

Training Video: Beating Live SSNL: Peeling the Flop Deuces Cracked

In a good no limit game, you can often find yourself getting a very good price on a flop call – despite the fact we’re playing NO LIMIT. When you do decide to “peel” the flop, it’s important you’re doing so for the right reasons. In this video, Chuck goes through why a player may want to call the flop lightly and more importantly why that player shouldn’t.

Training Video: Midstakes Live Sweat with a Focus on Note Taking by Marc Alioto Tournament Poker Edge

Marc Alioto is back with a live sweat with a twist. In this series he focuses on how to take notes on your opponent and how it helps him in game. This is a four part series.

Training Video: Setting and Achieving Goals Drag The Bar

In 1979 Harvard business students were asked whether or not they had written goals. Only 3% did. However, 10 years later that same group was interviewed again and the result was astounding. The 3% with written goals were earning 10 times the amount of the other 97% COMBINED!

In this video I discuss effectively setting written goals. This is a topic that in my opinion is universally applicable to any poker player and an important skill in achieving both internal and external wealth. I spend time talking about why goal setting is daunting, why you may have previously failed to follow through on your goals, and then systematically lay out a 12 step process that if followed, will ensure 100% success.