Main Headlines
Focus on Adjarabet: Interview with Head of Poker Alastair Ives
A niche market operator with impressive cash game traffic credentials.
PokerStars Confirms: Players Can be Banned from Live Events for Conduct Online
A blacklist across all Rational properties is in effect.
- Players banned online can find themselves locked out of EPT events, PokerStars confirms.
- “PokerStars and the European Poker Tour agree with the general principle that we should use what we know about online activity to also enhance the integrity of our live events.”
- Statement follows petition on poker forum 2+2.
GPI European Player of the Year Award Goes to Ole Schemion
Not just Global Player of the Year, the young German player has now been awarded the European Player of the Year award.
- The Global Poker Index (GPI) European Player of the Year award went to Ole Schemion in a ceremony at the EPT Deauville.
- Barny Boataman won a lifetime achievement award.
- Ana Marquez was Female Player of the Year and Toby Lewis won European Internet Player of the Year.
PokerStars, Betfair Apply for Bulgarian Licenses
PokerStars’ application is being considered though its dot-com site remains on the blacklist.
- The Bulgarian State Gambling Commission (SGC) has confirmed that is to review license applications from PokerStars and Betfair.
- Initial high taxes deterred operators from applying for licenses.
- Late last year, the Bulgarian parliament reduced taxes from 15% of revenues to 20% of profits, making the market a much more attractive proposition.
Picks from F5 Poker:
Sofia Lövgren — Team PKR’s One To Watch
Still looking for that defining live victory. Even though she’s been a Team PKR Pro since 2010, we’d like to introduce our readers to the Swedish charmer Sofia 'welllbet’ Lövgren. While mainly an online pro for the European online site, Sofia does make it out to live events like EPTs and the WSOP representing the site.
Antonio Esfandiari’s Thunder From Down Under
Looking a little like Joe Hachem himself, a shirtless Antonio Esfandiari holds his breath as he rights the ship. Getting ready to participate in the Aussie Millions, no doubt, the Magician gets in a little rest and relaxation cruising around Sydney.
Throwback Thursday — Classic Interview With Chip Reese
Legend of the game talks about how he first got started. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVsgBACaJgQ
Throwback Thursday II — The 1973 World Series of Poker Main Event
13 Players, winner take all. Check out this old school “hour long” special on the 1973 WSOP. Go back to when Jack Binion was the TD and the 13 man field, each of which paid 10k of 1973 dollars, was considered an enormous field.
Poker Podcasts and Training Vids:
Podcast: 01/29/2014 Poker Action Line Poker Action Line
Robert DellaFave, poker writer for OnlinePokerReport.com, joins BIG Dave and Joe to discuss New Jersey online poker. Robert evaluates the first two months of the internet scene in the Garden State, runs some of the business numbers, highlights the pros and cons of different sites, and shares his outlook on the future of online poker. Dave also updates the arrest of the culprit in the Borgata counterfeit chip debacle.
Podcast: #41 – Jason Mercier The Mental Game of Poker
What is the point of working hard on your game if you are going to get
unlucky? Of course, fixating on the things out of your control is only
going to make matters worse. The only thing you can do is double down
your focus on the things you can control. Jason Mercier is one of the
most prolific poker players in the world. He is about to surpass $10
million in live tournament cashes, he has previously been a Supernova
Elite, he has two bracelets, an EPT title and a string of other huge
results.
Podcast: Borgata update, Bitcoins and O’Mally Ante Up! Pokercast
We have an update to the Borgata counterfeit chip situation, plus Bitcoins are in the news again, and we have a new O’Mally’s Move.
Training Video: TPE Theory: Bluffing with Andrew Brokos Tournament Poker Edge
Andrew Brokos is back with another outstanding Theory series. This time Andrew covers “Bluffing.” Ready to learn when to bluff and when to call them down? We’ve got the series for you. This is a five part series.
Training Video: Search and Destroy 2: blocp13 – Part 2 – Combating Tilt with Math Deuces Cracked
In a continuation of last week’s session, Josh and blocp13 talk about ways to combat tilt. The focus of the episode is on preflop all-in situations and how to avoid getting all-in with the worst of it.
Exclusive Articles on pokerfuse PRO:
Newcomer Equity Poker Network Enjoys Steady Growth
New US-facing offshore network enters the top 50. Recently launched Equity Poker Network (EPN) has enjoyed steady growth since its launch ten weeks ago, estimated cash game data shows.
Report Confirms Spanish Online Gaming Market Decline
The financial crisis has reduced both the amount and proportion of leisure spending on gambling. The charitable arm of Spanish gaming company Codere has published its fourth report, “Social Perception on Gambling in Spain 2013,” including many statistics on the Spanish gaming market.
The Deal
New weekly column exclusive to pokerfuse PRO: An independent look at the latest marketing offers in online poker. Full Tilt’s “In The Money” Promotion Rewards Sit & Go Play With “Flip” Freerolls
Regulation in Review: US
A review of the latest developments in gaming regulation in the US. This week: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Illinois Pennsylvania Budget Woes Could Prompt a New Look at Online Gaming
Spanish PokerStars Players Get to Go Heads Up Against Nadal
Nadal to play microstakes Zoom cash, with €3000 at stake. PokerStars has launched an online promotion on its regulated Spanish site that gives players a chance to play online against tennis legend and latest PokerStars SportsStars member Rafa Nadal.
888poker Spain Poker Fighters Promotion Extended to End of 2014
Under the radar but nonetheless effective, smaller affiliate-driven promotions can play a valuable role. Spanish news and community site Poker10 has extended its Poker Fighters promotion into 2014.
