Daily Poker News Review: Thursday, April 10, 2014

Main Headlines

WSOP “Won’t Endorse, Won’t Ban” Use of HUDs in New Jersey

Rep responds to player questions over legality of poker tracking software.

The statement came in response to player queries on WSOP’s customer support forum.
WSOP New Jersey and 888 New Jersey, competing online poker rooms that use the same software, recently began saving hand histories to the hand histories to the hard drive, which facilitates online tracking by allowing the software to import hands and display player statistics at the table.
In response, PokerTracker and Hold’em Manager have added support for the two online poker rooms.

Everest Poker to Withdraw From Russia

Betclic-Everest is withdrawing from the Russian market, a spokesperson has confirmed to pokerfuse.

Betclic-Everest is withdrawing from the Russian market, a spokesperson has confirmed to pokerfuse.
Last month, a number of online poker sites were added to an official blacklist in Russia.
PokerStars, whose domain is on the blacklist, and 888 have each issue statements indicating that they will continue in the market.

bwin.party Announces “Robust” Performance, Promises Online Poker Upgrades

An upgrade to partypoker’s mobile client will accompany an expansion of the dot-com client to regulated markets.

bwin.partydepicts the performance of its online poker products in a positive light in its first quarter financial report, and has promised a number of upgrades to be introduced over the next few weeks.
The dot-com poker client will be expanded to the French and Italian markets and a new mobile client will also be released with support for sit and go tournaments.
New Jersey software will get new features and an upgrade to its mobile client.

Merge Ends Network Split, Raises Tournament Guarantees—But Restricts Grinders

Following PokerHost departure, player pool desegregated on network—but high volume players report a new 4-max table cap and ejection from VIP program.

All Merge skins have now been merged into a single player pool. The network segregated last May.
The changes follow the departure of Pokerhost, which switched to the Equity Poker Network (EPN) a few days ago.
Tournament guarantees have been raised and the OPS tournament series now has a $250k gtd Main Event.
Some players are being be restricted to a maximum of four tables and
one player has reported that he is no longer a member of the VIP scheme—apparently moves to manage sharks in the player pool.

Picks from F5 Poker:

Poker Hall Of Famer Linda Johnson Hates Spicy Food, Loves Lasagna

Check out 25 odd facts from “The First Lady Of Poker” You might think you know a thing or two about Poker Hall of Fame member Linda “The FIrst Lady of Poker” Johnson but do you really?

PokerStars EPT 10 London Super High Roller – Episode 4

The Final Table plays down to a winner. It’s the final episode of PokerStars coverage of the European Poker Tour London Season 10 £50,000 Super High Roller and it all comes down to this.

World Poker Tour Hard Rock Poker Showdown Offers 5 Million Reasons To Visit Florida

Penultimate stop of Season XII pushes expectations. Everything is a little crazier in Florida. That includes poker.

Underground Poker NYC – Welcome To The Underground

Last year’s NatGeo docu-drama is our #TBT post of the day. Here’s a Throwback Thursday post from the not-too-distant past. Last week, we pushed a post about a character reel video for what was likely to be a television show about the underground poker games in Atlanta. Today we offer you this video all about the New York Underground.

Poker Night In America – Gavin Wins, Danielle Loses and Schneider Is Just No Good

Check out the PNIA recap from Maryland Live! Casino When the Poker Night In America team rolled into the Maryland Live! Casino they brought a ton of big name poker superstars with them. Gavin Smith, Matt Glantz, Tom 'The Donkey Bomber’ Schneider, Ultimate Poker’s Jason Somerville and Danielle Andersen as well as 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Greg Merson all showed up with wads of cash to play for the TV cameras.

Study Up On Where To Kick Off Your Newfound Poker Profession

Cardplayer lists the best US cities to be a poker pro. For a lot of people, it’s the dream. Doing what you want, when you want and playing poker in-between. The life of a poker pro is often described as “a hard way to make an easy living” but depending on where you pay your rent and set up shop, finding your game of choice can be made a little easier.

Poker Podcasts and Training Vids:

Podcast: 04/09/2014 Poker Action Line Poker Action Line

BIG Dave and Joe discuss the opposition emerging against the Graham-Chaffetz Bill, which is attempting to eliminate online gambling. The guys also talk about a couple of poker hands, including an early tourney hand by Jaime Gold that propelled him to the victory in the 2006 WSOP Main Event.

Podcast: Scott’s back, sort of Ante Up! Pokercast

Scott is back from our L.A. poker cruise, but he’s still on the road at the Ante Up Poker Tour stop at The Casino 101.

Training Video: Ben Reasons Premiere Series – Member HH Review Tournament Poker Edge

TPE welcomes a new pro! Ben Reasons is a live circuit grinder and online crusher. Now he brings his analytic approach to TPE. First up for Ben is a review of a TPE member Frenchie155 win in a $5 tourney on stars. This is a 5 part series.

Training Video: Moving Up Stakes Drag The Bar

In this powerpoint video I talk about factors that hold players back from successfully moving up stakes. Enjoy!

Training Video: Advanced NLHE Concepts: Introduction to Modeling Hands – Part 1 Deuces Cracked

Exclusive Articles on pokerfuse PRO:

Regulation in Review: US

A review of the latest developments in gaming regulation in the US. This week: Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Illinois and New Jersey. New Jersey Regulator Considers Action Against Unregulated Offshore Sites

bwin.party Has a New Chairman

59 year old Philip Yea is a known “heavy hitter” in the world of corporate finance. Philip Yea will take over as the new Chairman of bwin.party following the company’s Annual General Meeting on May 22. He has been appointed a non-executive director with immediate effect.