From OnlinePokerWebsite.net:
This week Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank introduced a set of bills designed to freeze the UIGEA and allow US residents freedom to play poker on the Internet. Frank’s bill establishes the Department of the Treasury as the licensing and regulating authority, and provides for the consumer protections the gambling ban does not offer, including age and identification verification, responsible gaming systems, and measures against money laundering and cheating.
Alphonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance, praised Frank and his efforts.
“Online poker is a legal, thriving industry and poker players deserve the consumer protections and the freedom to play that are provided for in this legislation,” said D’Amato. The ex-Senator said he promised to “activate the alliances grassroots army made up of over one million members to help him drive legislation”.
The bill grants states the right to opt out, meaning states that don’t allow land-based poker do not have to accept online play. Licenses will only be awarded to operators that respect the laws of individual states, so such non-gambling states as Hawaii and Utah will likely be blocked by regulated poker rooms.
Also, players used to pocketing winnings on a regular basis without reporting them to Uncle Sam will now find their take a little lighter. Frank includes clauses that require the online gambling operator to set aside taxes against winnings before paying patrons.
Still, the legal gray cloud may be lifted if the bill can pass through Congress. Monitoring for cheating will ease the minds of many online players, and security of personal information may bring thousands of new players to the Internet.
“The government should not interfere with people’s liberty unless there is a good reason,” said Frank in a press conference on Capitol Hill. “This is, I believe, the single biggest example of an intrusion into the principle that people should be free to do things on the Internet. It’s clearly the case that gambling is an activity that can be done offline but not online.”
“Tournament poker can be very exciting, but like many exciting things in life, it can also be terrifying. There is nothing quite like the thrill of playing at a big money final table. I am often asked how I handle the pressure of playing for such big money. I could give the standard answer of “You have to forget the money and just think about the chips as units.” This is certainly true. But, those units are worth a lot of money and forgetting about the money and prestige that comes with winning is easier said than done.”
Continue Reading for the 4 steps to achieving poker mastery.
from GamingAlerts.co.uk:
US online poker players will be rejoicing after a new ruling from a Pennsylvanian Judge has deemed Texas Hold’em, the popular poker game, is not gambling and so not illegal.
The ruling came after Judge Thomas A James Jr stated that the game known as Texas Hold’em was considered to be more a game of skill and not chance and so did not constitute as gambling.
The case involved a man who ran a $1 – $2 no Texas Hold’em poker game in his garage. He was acquitted of all 20 charges against him and the games dealer. Judge James explained that, “the dominant factor test that is applied to games of skill can also be applied to poker.”
Citing a study which showed that expert poker players did not rely on the cards they were dealt or those that flopped but instead, used their skills to minimise their losses on bad hands and also to maximise their winnings on big hands.
Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas, told Poker News Daily, “Clearly the judge had an understanding of how poker is played….the decision sets an excellent bar for us in the future.”
Early on Tuesday, the Poker Players Alliance released a statement authored by its chairman, former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, regarding the unfolding insider-cheating situation at UltimateBet and a similar situation at Absolute Poker that was exposed months earlier. D’Amato’s statement called for a full and public disclosure of the affairs and included a renewed call for the United States to implement a licensing and regulatory framework for online poker to protect American citizens’ interests. D’Amato also noted that the PPA is not a regulatory body per se, but that the unfolding events compelled the organization to make a statement on the matter.
“Trust is paramount in poker,” began the heart of the D’Amato/PPA statement, the complete text of which is available at the pokerplayersalliance.com site. “Sadly, this foundation has been undercut by admissions from two well-known online poker companies, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, that cheating has occurred on their poker sites. The Poker Players Alliance condemns any and all cheating in poker no matter the forum in which it is played. Because of the current legal uncertainties and the lack of federal regulation and oversight, it is especially troubling when cheating occurs in online poker. This has created an untenable atmosphere and has denied the proper means to investigate allegations, administer due process and then apply appropriate penalties for the wrongdoers. We urge these companies and their regulating authority, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, to provide a full and transparent accounting of these breaches of the public trust to help lift the black cloud that has been placed over the industry.”
Read the rest at PokerNews.com
NEWTON, MA — (MARKET WIRE) — May 23, 2007 — Casino City Press today announced the release of the 2007 edition of “Casino City’s Global Gaming Almanac,” which provides 570 pages of comprehensive, up-to-date market summaries, statistics, and profiles of properties, owners, and regulators for every gaming jurisdiction in the world.
Industry analysts consult the Almanac for world market data to support business plans, analyze local and foreign competitors, and monitor global trends.
“Casino City’s Global Gaming Almanac” covers more than 250 world gaming jurisdictions in 164 countries with market summaries and statistics for each segment of the gaming industry including casino and card room gaming, lotteries, race and sports wagering, charitable gaming, and online gaming. Recent revenue statistics are provided along with counts and distribution of gaming properties, devices, and tables along with an overview of the current and historical regulatory environment, pending legislation, and major trends. Detailed profiles are provided for 3,740 gaming properties, 594 gaming property owners, 643 agencies and commissions, and — new to this edition — over 2,300 agency and commission executive contacts.
The Almanac is also available on CD with unique analysis tools allowing the creation of custom gaming property and market reports by geographic area and type of gaming facility. The CD also includes the entire contents of the print edition in PDF format along with 229 annual reports of international gaming property owners, a world gaming property map, and data files including agencies and commissions and their executive contacts.
To find out more about “Casino City’s Global Gaming Almanac” and CD, visit www.CasinoCityPress.com or call 1-800-490-1715.
LONDON — (MARKET WIRE) — May 14, 2007 — BrightShare (www.brightshare.com), a leading online and mobile affiliate network in the interactive casino market, announced today that it is offering a new mobile program for content aggregators via Wild Jack Mobile Casino’s (www.wjmc.com) Play4Fun version of Classic 21 BlackJack.
After signing up for this unique program, aggregators will receive the popular game on the Microgaming/Spin3 platform and can retail the casino-style game to end-users at their set price. A second round of revenue can be generated when the mobile content aggregator’s clients convert to the real money casino. In this case, they stand to reap even more rewards on BrightShare’s lucrative six-level revenue share program, up to 40% commission structure.
Lloyd Apter, Program Manager of BrightShare, commented, “Our Play4Fun BlackJack offering is an innovative business model. WJMC is the leading mobile casino in the UK. Aggregators looking to expand their reach can sign up for this program with absolutely no financial commitment, but, in the same light, can realize revenue growth.”
Nicc Lewis, UK Country Manager for Wild Jack Mobile Casino, said, “This will push our availability to the next level while letting other businesses gain revenues due to the innovative revenue sharing business model. Wild Jack Mobile Casino is always looking for ways to push the envelope in terms of accessibility, user experience and supporting its partners. The success of a truly great mobile casino can now be shared.”
Classic 21 BlackJack was chosen because BrightShare felt that blackjack is highly popular amongst mobile gamers and can successfully compete as a stand-alone game. In addition, the game comes complete with many features that one would have at a brick and mortar casino and since aggregators offer only a Play4Fun version there are no legal concerns.
“Since day one, BrightShare has always offered top quality service coupled with revenue generating programs. Our six-level revenue share program is well regarded and we recently added a flexible CPA/CPM model that is showing very strong growth. I anticipate that the Play4Fun BlackJack offering will follow suit and become a major revenue generator for savvy aggregators,” said Lloyd Apter.
About BrightShare
Founded in 2002, the BrightShare Network is a leading online casino affiliate program, and offers among the highest commission levels in the industry. BrightShare works exclusively with the Jackpot Factory Group and is fully devoted to the success of its affiliates. For more information, please visit us at www.brightshare.com.
About WJMC
Wild Jack Mobile Casino (WJMC) is among the first fully functional mobile casinos providing mobile phone users the ability to play exciting casino games directly and instantly from their handsets. WJMC is an extension of the successful online entertainment and gambling website www.wildjack.co.uk, which has been providing high quality online gambling experiences to players since 1999. Wild Jack Gaming (including poker, mobile and casino) has paid out over $900 million in winnings since its launch and is dedicated to providing its players with safe, enjoyable and highly credible gambling experiences in both the web and wireless environments. For more information, please visit us at www.wjmc.com.
LAS VEGAS, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ameristar Casinos, Inc. announced today that it has completed its due diligence relating to its acquisition of Resorts East Chicago. On April 3, 2007, Ameristar entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Resorts East Chicago for $675 million, subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence and customary closing conditions. The due diligence period ended on April 22, 2007.
John Boushy, CEO and President of Ameristar, said, “Now that we have completed our due diligence, we’re even more enthusiastic about moving forward with our plan to acquire Resorts East Chicago. With this acquisition, we will add a well-positioned, cash-flow producing property, which we can enhance, expand and substantially grow. This deal absolutely hits the bulls-eye of our acquisition criteria, and this property will be an excellent addition to the Ameristar family, significantly contributing to our ability to achieve our goal of doubling our EBITDA over the next three to five years. We look forward to working with the East Chicago management team as we plan for the successful integration of this property.”
Resorts East Chicago is located in East Chicago, Indiana, an approximately 25-mile drive from downtown Chicago, Illinois, and is easily accessible from the entire Chicago metropolitan area. The Chicagoland market is the third largest commercial gaming market in the United States, generating more than $2.5 billion in gaming revenues annually and serving approximately 6.4 million adults. This market is significantly underserved compared with other domestic regional gaming markets, based on the number of adults per gaming position.
Mr. Boushy noted, “The Chicagoland market has tremendous growth potential. Resorts East Chicago allows us to enter this extremely attractive market, while diversifying our cash flow, enhancing our distribution channels and providing a platform from which we can substantially grow an already well- positioned property. No matter how you look at it, this acquisition strengthens the Ameristar brand, and we expect it will enhance our cash flow and create additional value for our shareholders.”
Resorts East Chicago currently features a 53,000-square-foot casino and premier 291-room hotel. The casino offers four levels of gaming, featuring approximately 1,900 slot machines, 60 table games and 16 poker tables. The property’s streetscape features six restaurants, players’ club facilities and meeting rooms. The hotel and casino are served by 3,000 parking spaces. Located in Indiana, Resorts East Chicago benefits from a historically stable regulatory environment which, unlike Illinois, has no restrictions on the number of gaming positions at each casino.
Ameristar intends to make a number of major capital improvements to Resorts East Chicago in order to leverage the opportunities within the dynamic Chicagoland market and maximize its return on investment. Though still in the early planning stages, Ameristar expects to significantly expand the gaming facilities, improve access to the casino, build additional structured parking
and upgrade the non-gaming amenities, all with the objective of creating best- in-class offerings and experiences consistent with Ameristar’s high standards.
The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to earnings by the second year after closing, following a slightly dilutive effect in year one. Ameristar anticipates that the property’s expansion and renovation will be completed during the third year following closing. Based on this timeline, Ameristar expects to more than double the property’s EBITDA within three to four years after the acquisition closes.
The acquisition, which is still subject to receipt of approvals from various gaming regulatory authorities and antitrust pre-clearance, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Standard five-card Poker hands are ranked here in order of strength, from the strongest Poker hand to the weakest.
Royal Flush
This is the best possible hand in standard five-card Poker. Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush
Any five-card sequence in the same suit (e.g.: 8, 9, 10, Jack and Queen of clubs; or 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of diamonds).
Four of a Kind
All four cards of the same value (e.g.: 8, 8, 8, 8; or Queen, Queen, Queen, Queen).
Full House
Three of a kind combined with a pair (e.g.: 10, 10, 10 with 6, 6; or King, King, King with 5, 5).
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence (e.g.: 4, 5, 7, 10 and King of spades).
Straight
Five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit (e.g.: 7 of clubs, 8 of clubs, 9 of diamonds, 10 of spades and Jack of diamonds).
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same value (e.g.: 3, 3, 3; or Jack, Jack, Jack).
Two Pair
Two separate pairs (e.g.: 2, 2, Queen, Queen).
Pair
Two cards of the same value (e.g.: 7, 7).
High Card
If a Poker hand contains none of the above combinations, it’s valued by the highest card in it.
So now you’re a seasoned Texas Hold’em player, but you’re looking to check out some new varieties of the game. Look no further than Omaha. It’s a great game that plays second fiddle to TH’em, but shouldn’t be overlooked.
Find out the differences and rules here from VCPoker.com
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