Main Headlines
Everything You Need to Know About the TDA Rule Changes
Last week the Poker Tournament Directors Association released the latest draft of the Official TDA Rules, their first revision of the guidelines since 2011, and put them in action during the annual Bay 101 Open in San Jose.
- Last week the Poker Tournament Directors Association released the latest draft of the Official TDA Rules, their first revision of the guidelines since 2011.
- The revision of the rules is extensive and clarifies gameplay, putting more attention on what the Tournament Director can expect from the player—as well as what the player can expect from the gameplay.
- Rules were put in place to help keep the tournaments orderly and moving.
- Under the new rules, players have more responsibility for following the action.
- The rule that has most people talking is Rule No. 29 which states that players now have to be at their seat at the time the very first card is dealt to the very first player otherwise they have a dead hand, rather than by the time the last card is dealt as it was previously.
California Online Poker Bill Reclassified as “Urgency Bill”
SB 678 will take effect immediately if it passes both houses and signed into law.
- The amendment to SB-678 is the first movement of the bill since it was introduced in February.
- The bill is now severable, allowing portions of it to be deemed invalid without jeopardizing the entire bill.
- SB-678 is now also an urgency bill which would enable it to take effect immediately upon passage and requiring a 2/3 majority in both houses.
Unannounced, PartyPoker Adds 3% Fee for All Skrill, Neteller Withdrawals
Unprecedented $4 + 3% uncapped fee slapped on ewallet withdrawals.
- New fee added over the weekend with no prior warning.
- Transaction rates for large merchants at Skrill on the standard rate card are below 2%.
- Players report that the new fee is also present on other skins on the PartyPoker network.
- PartyPoker offers check by mail for a fixed $5—which will be the cheaper option for withdrawals larger than $160—but the cashout time will take 7-20 business days.
Kevin “Phwap” Boudreau Making Progress Every Day
A full update on Kevin “Phwap” Boudreau’s condition has been posted on the youcaring.com website. He is making progress and can now communicate using his iPad.
More Headlines from Around the Web:
September edition of Ante Up Magazine now available online anteupmagazine.com
This month’s magazine is a special one—the five-year anniversary edition. If you’re a live US grinder, be sure to check it out—this edition features an interview with WSOP bracelet winner and October Niner Steve Gee, along with all the latest details of US tours and tournaments, As always, you can download a PDF free from the website, or sign up for a print subscription.
According to 2+2 poster, GCG says funds 'within months’ following Nov deadline twoplustwo.com
Further positive news for ex-FTP players—according to a poster on the 2+2 forums, a Garden City Group representative told him on the phone that players were likely to have their money “within a few months” of the November 16 submission deadline for claims.
Nevada online poker market was larger than New Jersey pre-BF, according to study pokerscout.com
According to independent industry tracker PokerScout, who commissioned a study into online poker is the US, the Nevada online poker market prior to Black Friday was larger than that in New Jersey. This is in spite of the dramatic population difference, with New Jersey housing more than three times the residents of Nevada. If accurate, it has concerning implications for New Jersey iGaming hopefuls. This, plus PokerScout’s usual expert online poker industry analysis, makes this week’s update a must read.
HootersPokerOnline.com launches on Amber Gaming free‐to‐play network casinojournal.com
A new subscription online poker site has popped up and it’s branded under the Hooters name.
Open Face Chinese Poker arrives at the ACF for the WPT Grand Prix de Paris madeinpoker.com
The WPT Grand Prix de Paris will be hosting a € 5,000 Open Face Chinese Poker tournament. If the event goes well, players can expect lower buyin tournaments in the future.
Exclusive Articles on pokerfuse PRO:
CVC Buys Controlling Stake in Skrill
Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has purchased a 75% stake in payment processor Skrill for €600m, the group announced Thursday.
Global Cash Access Launches Everi Product Suite
Nevada-based payment processor Global Cash Access Inc. has launched Everi, a new interactive gaming solution that will connect its customers’ online gaming and land-based operations.
Social Gaming Risks Attract Research Funding in Australia
The potential regulation of social gaming is hampered by a lack of research: A two-year study in Australia aims to uncover what risks may exist. Australia’s Southern Cross University has attracted a research grant of $456k from Gambling Research Australia to fund a two year study into any risks which may be associated with social gaming.
Taiwan May Accept Poker Tournaments as “Intellectual Competition”
Minister propose exempting live poker tournaments from gambling ban and has held discussions with the WSOP. Taiwan is considering relaxing its strict anti-gambling laws to allow big-name international poker tournaments to be held. Currently, all “for-profit games of chance” are banned on the island.
Greece Fires Head of Privatization Agency Responsible for the Sale of OPAP
Stelios Stavridis was sacked for taking a free ride on the private jet belonging to one of the buyers of OPAP. The Greek government has sacked Stelios Stavridis, the head of privatization agency HRADF, which managed the sale of gaming monopoly OPAP.
