PPA: Blogs Around the Web

Wider World of Poker - Spanish tax schemes, legalizing Australians, Grippo's SCOOP savvy, S&G mania, and top marks for PokerStars.

2012-05-26T13:02:13Z

A wise person once said, “money is very important in poker.” That was me. I said that. You might have thought, with your steam-powered brain, that this nugget concerned only towers of plastic chips being shuffled around in a million simultaneous cash games. Simpleton! Even away from the felt, fiscal forces buffet the poker industry, as we shall shortly see in this week’s Wider World of Poker.

Spanish Money Grab

I imagine that many of you have spent hours telling various friends why it would be a good idea for the U.S. government to legalize online poker. So fish out that tattered sheet of arguments and remind yourself of example 3.5: tax revenue.

The equation simply goes, if you allow online poker companies to operate in your country, you can generate piles of money and make a lot people happy. A manoeuvre hitherto considered impossible.

Cash-strapped Spain have taken this a step further. In anticipation of granting their first official licenses, Iberian authorities have suddenly decided to demand back taxes from all companies who were operating in the country from January 2009 to May 2011. The legal bedrock for these demands come from repurposing two old laws, created in the 60s and 70s. [Tax News]

Aussies Get Legal

With a glacial pace that befits government, country after country are laying the groundwork for their own regulated online gambling industry. Latest to fall into line are our friendly cousins from downstairs, the Australians. It’s all still rumour at the moment, but important people with fancy job titles are suggesting that regulations for online poker and in-play sports betting could become a reality in 6-12 months. [Daily Telegraph (AU)]

Grippo Grabs SCOOP Title

The Spring Championship of Online Poker is over, a tradition used to mark the beginning of Summer since the ancient Egyptians invented multitabling. The victor of victors was Nick “GripsDsNutz” Grippo. He took down the $10,000 Main Event – the most expensive selection from three different buy-in tiers. His prize was around $800,000, earned not only by great play, but also a savvy piece of negotiation. Rich Ryan over at PokerNews has a great breakdown of how Grippo managed to walk away from a three-way deal with $100,000 in bonus equity. [Poker News]

40K Sit & Go Challenge

When sites like PokerStars announce that they’ve passed their seventy twentieth billionthty hand, it’s difficult to process just how vast that volume really is. With data collected over such a large spread of time that’s to be expected, but I never thought I’d have trouble comprehending the amount of poker one man plans plays in a single month.

Nevertheless that’s how I felt while hearing about Martin “phasE89” Balaz’s decision to play 40,000 Sit & Go tournaments in 30 days. The Czech pro has form in this seemingly insane arena, have previously completed a 24,000 SnG prop bet. I’m definitely pulling for him, if only thanks to the brilliantly grandiose trailer that he and a friend put together to advertise the challenge. That, and when PokerNews asked why he was doing it, he said, “I like popularity.” I can get behind that kind of honesty. [Poker News]

PokerStars a Fine Place to Work

It’s easy to be (often justifiably) cynical about the behemoths of online poker and their occasionally dubious activities, but hats off to PokerStars. Even amid the tumult of Black Friday, a survey of their employees by Great Place to Work have named them one of the UK’s finest workplaces. [Gaming Intelligence]

After that uncharacteristic burst of positivity, I need a rest. The sun has launched a surprise assault on my beloved London, so I’m going to do my part for the nation and lie down on the grass in an attempt to deflect the fiery orb’s attack rays back into space. If this glorious struggle doesn’t cost me my life, I’ll see you again next week for another Wider World of Poker.

N.J. Moves Towards Legal Sports Betting This Fall, in Time for NFL Season

2012-05-25T12:39:54Z

It appeared for some time last year as if New Jersey was about to become the first state to legalize and regulate online gaming in the form of poker. But Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed state legislation to that effect, citing legal and constitutional concerns.

Now, however, Christie has laid down the gauntlet to the U.S. Department of Justice on a different type of gambling – sports betting. In January, he signed legislation allowing sports betting in New Jersey after it was approved by a 2-to-1 margin in a nonbinding voter referendum in November 2011. And he announced on May 24 that he plans to go ahead and set up a system of wagering at the state’s racetracks and casinos this fall, before the National Football League season ends.

Christie was quoted as saying that he signed the bill in January in order “to boost our casino and horse racing industries, and encourage tourists to come here to Atlantic City.”

“We intend to go forward and allow sports gambling to happen, if someone wants to stop us, they’ll have to take action to stop us,” he said.

The governor was referring to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a 1992 federal statute that prohibits states from operating a gambling system based on professional or college sports. Only four states –Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana, which already had this type of gaming in effect – were exempted. The NFL, the National Basketball Association, and other pro leagues are strongly opposed to legalized gambling, and the U.S. Department of Justice can be expected to consider taking legal action to stop New Jersey’s plan from going into effect.

In fact, State Sen. Ray Lesniak, a leading proponent of sports wagering in New Jersey, fully expects that the federal government and the NFL will try to prevent the system from going into effect.

Although this state action may face a significant legal challenge, a bill to legalize online poker in New Jersey that is now moving through the state legislature, if passed and signed by the governor, looks as if will be legally safe. Lesniak says he hopes that bill will be ready for the governor’s signature by the end of June. The bill was changed this year to meet the governor’s objections from 2011, and in addition, the U.S. Department of Justice has now expressed the view that the federal Wire Act does not prohibit online poker.

We support New Jersey’s efforts to legalize these types of gaming in the interests of helping its economy and giving residents and visitors a chance to enjoy this pastime and possibly even make some money.

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Colorado Fights To Secure Legalized Online Gaming

2012-05-24T12:09:36Z

When it comes to online casino games there is no arguing that Colorado is one of the US States that is a part of the big pack leading the fight for legalizing online poker in the country. It was not very long ago that the government of United States passed a bill stating that all forms of online gambling with offshore sites was illegal.

Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

As of now, states across the US are trying to get the government to legalize online poker on a state level.

The bill was introduced in 2006 and called the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. Although the bill was passed in 2006, in 2005 almost a year earlier Colorado’s Governor General insisted that online gaming and gambling of any form is strictly illegal.

In 2012, almost 6 years after the legislation was passed making all forms of online gaming illegal; the Colorado Gaming Association is working to legalize online gaming. Even though the move has been initiated this year, the association of Colorado’s casinos has decided it would be difficult to introduce this change by January 2013. However, Colorado’s Association’s executive director Lois Rice stated that, “As developments occur at the federal level, Colorado will face issues with reference to online gaming.”

The Colorado state’s proposed bill is based on a bill by New Jersey. New Jersey struggle to obtain a legal license was long and hard. Unfortunately the State met with strong opposition from Governor Chris Christie. However, due to the persistence of the State’s policy makers a breakthrough has now been seen.

In a complete turn of events, however, Frank McNulty from the office of House Speaker remarked that federal government is yet to hear from Colorado’s gaming association. Colorado’s gaming association had earlier stated it would be difficult to push the legislation by January 2013; a fact that has been attributed to another game related issue at hand.

The advantages of legalizing online gaming are just coming to light. If the state governments like those in Colorado make the move to legalize online gaming, then one day one can hope that the federal government with legalize it too. By authorizing online casinos one can see heightened consumer protection, higher revenues and new opportunities. Colorado alone with its 40 commercial casinos sees an annual turn over of $750 million as stated by the American Gaming Association. However, Lois Rice stated that online poker games need a stronger regulation as they can issue extremely large bets.

United States Responds To PPA’s Question on Online Poker Legalization

2012-05-23T11:09:32Z

When the government of the United States promoted “We the People,” the Poker Players Alliance, a group dedicated to the cause of online poker, decided to use this opportunity to create a petition for legalizing online poker within the country. “We the People” is a government initiative and a promotion directed at the American public, where it allows for US residents to raise a petition on any matter that they are passionate about. The rule of thumb was, if the petition received 5,000 votes within a stipulated time-period, then the government promised to respond and consider the matter. September 22nd, 2011 was the day when the Poker Players Alliance created the plea for online poker. Since that time period, the petition has received the minimum 5,000 votes within three days and more than 10,000 votes by the last date.

Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

Eventually, the deputy director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese issued a statement.
It took the government about eight months to respond to the petition; however, Mr. Deese’s four-paragraph long statement commented on the process the NEC used to conclude and took the time to congratulate the American spirit. He did nonetheless convey the fact that the government was aware of America’s obsession over online poker, but it would ultimately be the states’ decision to permit online poker within their jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, the actual essence of the petition, which spoke of the revenue boom, increased security against illegal activities, consumer protection and new job opportunities; sank around the diplomatic talk of the government officials who promptly gave no resolution.

Although, a definitive answer for this petition is missing, many from the American public believe that for the first time since the advent of online poker, the government was seriously thinking about considering legalizing the game.

While there are petitions that saw their ideas got to the floor and get actioned quickly in comparison to online poker, John Pappas, executive director of PPA is being very optimistic. He is happy that the response was positive, as this would eventually lead the US regulation of industry to address the situation. He also mentioned that he hoped someday not too far into the future, a bill would be passed to legalize online poker that would protect consumers and reinstate a sense of freedom among the American public. Pappas also thought this move would bring a tremendous source of income and job opportunities that the country needs.

New Podcast Recommendations - The sounds of botching a Bellagio robbery, Jersey casinos un-resurrected, scholarly gaming pursuits @UNLV + hardcore legalese w Disco Stu

2012-05-25T00:11:45Z

So many new podcasts. At least the voices in our heads are staying fresh … and there really is more news and analysis related to poker and gaming and casinos and gambling than you can read all over the internet.

Some shows I recently found and/or enjoyed … you may want to give a listen, and perhaps bookmark for recurring download:

Poker Fraud Alert Forum Radio — I try to steer clear of industry love triangles, but sometimes can’t avoid the latest Donkdown breakup story. New and clique-worthy from Druff and Drexel: the pilot episode of their version of the old show, complete with real newschat about a botched pepper-spray robbery for Bellagio cranberries (as per plans hatched on Craigslist), the felony arrest of ~~alleged~~ exposed Vegas scammer Peter Falcone, and informed tangential discussion of female biology on, off, and under the table. http://pokerfraudalert.com/forum/radio.php

Vegas Gang Podcast — Pub-style virtual roundtable, featuring gaming industry wonks talking about non-poker casino numbers and constructions stories with a little history and on-air smoking. http://www.vegasgangpodcast.com/2012/05/vegas-gang-78-may-17th-2012/

CEM Audio Edge — Twitter’s @GamingCounsel (and Pokerati’s own non-binding legal correspondent) Stu Hoegner takes the mic at Casino Enterprise Management for a guest hosting gig and Jersey-style cage match with DC lobbyist and iMega chieftain Joe Brennan, Jr. http://www.cemaudioedge.com/episode/gaming-law-news-guest-host-stu-hoegner

UNLV Gaming Podcast — Dr. David Schwartz’s advanced study of degen living, aka UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research, provides statistical data set to audio, and sometimes featuring research fellows presenting their findings on matters like, on the episide I heard, the sociology of gambling expansion. http://gaming.unlv.edu/podcast.html

State Senator Urges Governor to Support Online Gambling in New Jersey

2012-05-24T19:55:21Z

Law

Senate Head Stands For Pro Online Poker Legalization

2012-05-19T07:18:51Z

The state of Illinois wants to legalize online poker and they want to do it fast – at least faster than any other state in the US. At least this is what, John Cullerton, a Democrat and Senate President is proposing in his letter.

Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

According to John Cullerton, the President of the Senate, “Certain forms of iGaming, especially poker, rely on large pools of potential players, and states that move swiftly to design a system that captures the widest audience of participants will have an advantage in terms of long-range success. The goal is to make the state nimble enough to adjust to new Internet gambling approaches.”

Cullerton is lobbying for the state to legalize online poker and is promoting the idea that this could make the entire state very popular. Cullerton hopes that by legalizing online poker and internet gambling in Illinois first; it would make the state the online poker capital of the United States. He even suggested that the state organize a high level poker game to get international popularity.

Cullerton addressed the appeal to legalize online poker in this letter to all his fellow senate leaders and to the Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn. Cullerton also pushed the appeal from the more revenue for Illinois standpoint.

However, not everyone agrees with Cullerton’s view and would prefer to err on the side of caution than turn it into a sort of rat race for online poker legalization on a state level.

Patty Schuh, who represented Christine Radogno, a Republican Senate head from Lemont, cautioned against following Cullerton’s views. “If you allow Internet poker to be sanctioned by the state of Illinois, there are a whole lot of questions that need to be answered. Being first isn’t necessarily a good thing,” she said.

Lou Lang, D-Skokie, a House Representative described the struggles he had been having to get a gambling bill to the floor which required the addition of slot machine at race track events. Quinn’s office had been strict regarding and had threatened to veto it. As a reusalt, Cullerton had not even pushed the bill as far as Quinn’s office. “I cannot even pass a bill if the horse racing industry isn’t satisfied that it helps them into the future,” said Lang.

It remains to be seen how far the proposals of the legalization of online poker in the state of Illinois will go.

Spain’s New Online Tax Laws May Stop PokerStars from Buying FTP

2012-05-17T15:52:28Z

As the Full Tilt Poker community and the US poker industry as a whole await the purchase of the Tapie rejected site by PokerStars, it would seem that yet another spoke may have just been inserted into the wheel of progress for Full Tilt Poker.

Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

This spoke in the wheel is nothing but the new tax impositions that Spain is putting on its online poker rooms – of which PokerStars is one. These unexpected taxes will require all online poker rooms operating in Spain to pay back taxes. This works up to different sums for the many poker rooms functioning in the country and unfortunately PokerStars seems to have a huge unexpected debt on its hands.

According to Jeremy Taylor, a representative and spokesperson for G-poker, “PokerStars is estimated to owe $257 million in back taxes. That’s a huge sum of money, especially now that PokerStars is allegedly in negotiations with the Department of Justice to acquire Full Tilt Poker and repay former Full Tilt players. The question is, with this unplanned financial burden, can PokerStars proceed with its alleged plans to buy Full Tilt Poker?”

It is quite likely that these taxes will affect popular poker sites like 888 Poker, Party Poker and of course PokerStars. It will remain to be seen if PokerStars will comply with the new tax rules or if it will find a way out. Yet another option in responding to this situation is to withdraw from catering to Spanish customers. PokerStars could also opt to pay the back taxes and drop out from the Full Tilt Poker deal. However, a golden lining would be for PokerStars to not just purchase Full Tilt Poker but to also pay its back taxes and take both in its stride. Spain has required that the poker sites pay back taxes from 2008.

Taylor also compared the taxes owed by PokerStars which was $257 million to what the situation was for Party Poker and 888 Poker. “Party Poker is looking at approximately $77 million in back taxes in Spain, a hefty but also seemingly manageable sum for the world’s largest publicly traded online gaming company. For privately owned online poker sites, this could majorly affect their budgets. However, for public companies like 888 Poker and Party Poker, it’s less of a concern. Regulation should only strengthen investors’ belief in the companies’ ability to operate,” he said.

Delaware Online Gambling Bill Clears Committee

2012-05-18T16:55:15Z

Illinois and California in Race to Regulate - Legal poker stories not to miss

2012-05-17T18:16:12Z

The movement toward a legal poker environment continues in the United States. And with that comes many shifting measures.

Why State Legislation in the US Won't Affect the PokerStars / Full Tilt Deal

2012-05-17T18:10:13Z

PPA Embarks on Town Hall Tour - Update from the Poker Players Alliance

2012-05-16T20:20:58Z

I have some exciting news to share. PPA is kicking off the PPA Town Hall meeting tour this month. PPA Director of Grassroots and External Affairs Drew Lesofski and I will be traveling to various cities across the country to meet with the poker community, to hear your concerns and answer your questions in person, and to share all that PPA is doing.

The kickoff will be in Tampa, FL, on May 23rd, followed by a Fort Lauderdale, FL town hall on the 24th. We will be joined by poker coach and mindset expert PPA FL State Director Donna Blevins (PokerMindsetAcademy.com). Aside from great discussion, as an added bonus Donna will offer a one-hour complimentary poker training session! So, I hope everyone in the area will join us for a great evening.

On the advocacy front, as the fight for poker rights continues on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across our great nation, it is imperative that we all keep up the pressure on our lawmakers to ensure that they know we want and expect our rights as poker players to be respected. You received an email yesterday encouraging you to meet with your Congressman over the Memorial Day recess (here). I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to make yourself heard one-on-one with your elected representative. Can I count on you to participate?

Speaking of ensuring we are heard, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee Facebook page recently banned many poker enthusiasts from posting on their page. As we poker enthusiasts have business before that committee and as all posts there were respectful and courteous, I was outraged by this attack on our right to freedom of speech as well as our right to petition government for redress of grievances – rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. I sent the Committee an email requesting an explanation for this action. Many other poker supporters wrote them as well as part of the Poker Daily Action Plan. I am pleased to report that the Committee reinstated all previously banned posters and is again allowing posts advocating for legislation to license online poker. As you can see, we are being heard. For more information, please check out the story here.

Speaking of taking action, I hope everyone will continue to do just that. Please visit theppa.org/takeaction today!

New Jersey Continues to Advance Online Gaming Legislation

2012-05-11T15:33:58Z

Law

Spanish Player Funex700 Wins PokerStars 80 Billionth Hand

2012-05-07T14:22:24Z

Eighty billion is a huge number, and it is almost impossible to think of 80 billion hands being played, but online poker players at PokerStars will never be able to forget the number eighty billion because the online poker room gave its players a number of attractive chances to win big money when its 80 billionth hand was being played.

Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

Funex700, a Spanish online poker player at PokerStars won the 80 billionth hand when he was playing at an NL Texas Hold’em table with limits $0.10/$0.25. He won a pot of $179.88 plus an extra $22,940 because it was the 80 billionth hand. Besides, the rest of the players at the table won their share of $10,000 just for being part of the historic PokerStars 80 billionth hand.

It was mid-afternoon in Madrid when the 80 billionth hand was dealt on PokerStars. The players were amazed when a pop up informed them that they were the lucky players who were being dealt PokerStars 80 billionth hand. Needless to say, many of the players got emotional and the messages in the chat box, given as follows, shows exactly how they felt when they were told that they were going to play the historic hand.

“Starfighte86: OMG
PatrickStoia: yes
Starfighte86: this is so wonderful
Starfighte86: i could cry :P”

When Funex700 won the hand, his table mates broke into excited chatter, many of them unable to believe their good luck.

The 80 billionth hand is not the only exciting thing happening at PokerStars at the moment; online poker players have two more mega online poker events to capture their attention—Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and the Limit Hold’em Challenge. SCOOP 2012 commenced on May 6 Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ET. The event comprises 120 online poker tournaments and an incredibly large prize pool of $30 million. Just before SCOOP commenced on Sunday, Daniel Negreanu began playing the Limit Hold’em Challenge against rUaBot.

PokerStars is home to some of the hottest poker action in the industry. For instance, now that the 80 billionth hand has been played and won, eager PokerStars players are waiting for the 85 billionth hand. Home to professional as well as recreational poker players, seasoned players as well as beginners, PokerStars has something for everybody in terms of cash games and tournaments, promotions and bonuses. The highlights of PokerStars are a first deposit bonus of $600, an excellent customer care team, and 100 percent security.

Congressional “Policy Retreat” in Florida, Poker Derby Days in KY - PPA Player Relations Update

2012-05-09T18:23:13Z

Last weekend, the Poker Players Alliance joined nearly twenty Members of Congress at a House Republican policy retreat in Florida. The highlight of the conference was a poker and casino night sponsored by PPA and headlined by PPA Board Member & 2004 World Series of Poker Champion Greg “Fossilman” Raymer.

Throughout the course of the weekend, PPA Executive Director John Pappas, PPA lobbyists, and the Fossilman interacted with lawmakers and explained the merits of online poker licensing and regulation. We were pleased that Congressional champions of poker rights Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) were on hand to help make the case to their House colleagues for a regulatory framework that would provide strong consumer protections, bring in revenue without raising taxes, and restore personal freedoms.

Greg was a huge hit with all the attendees. He gave a poker tutorial to a crowded table of novices who were excited to learn from one of the world’s best players. The weekend event was an excellent and unique opportunity for us to bring your issues to the forefront. We succeeded in educating these lawmakers on the policy, and they had a lot of fun learning more about the great game of poker.

John Pappas, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH), and Greg Raymer

Greg instructs a table of poker beginners on the finer points of Texas Hold’em

Last Thursday, I attended the Derby Poker Championship tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. As the PPA Kentucky State Director, I enjoy getting out to meet with the poker community as often as possible to hear everyone’s concerns and to share all that PPA is doing.

It was a great time and a great event that benefited a great charity – Blessings in a Backpack.

G. Douglas Dreisbach, General Manager of Southern Gaming Magazine, and me at the event

John Taylor of the Louisville Poker Tour and me

Brady Rights Require Attention, but This Bill Is Flawed

2012-05-09T11:57:37Z

While the prosecution of former Senator Ted Stevens is long over, the fallout from the prosecutorial misconduct in that case continues. Congress is now considering legislation that attempts to ensure that federal prosecutors comply in a meaningful way with their obligations under Brady v. Maryland and its progeny. The legislation has some provisions that could possibly help protect Brady rights, but even if it passes – which appears doubtful – the bill is unfortunately more of a political gesture than an effective tool for protecting the rights of criminal defendants.

Perhaps the most significant provision in the proposed Fairness in Disclosure Act is one that addresses the timing of Brady disclosures. Under current practice, prosecutors often delay the required disclosures of exculpatory information as long as possible. Given that the only time limitation appears to be the ill-defined requirement that information must be provided within a reasonable time for the defense to use it at trial, the law effectively allows the government to disclose Brady information almost any time before trial. Because the legislation requires the disclosure of such information “without delay after arraignment,” it has the potential to lessen the incidence of late disclosure of Brady information by prosecutors. The proposed bill’s requirement that Brady information be provided before the entry of a guilty plea is also commendable.

Other provisions that address the location and possession of the information at issue may also be helpful. The act would make clear that information contained in witness statements must be disclosed, and may not be withheld until it is provided – after a witness testifies at trial – pursuant to the Jencks Act. The bill also requires that prosecutors disclose not only information that they know but also information that they should know – an attempt to prevent prosecutors from insulating themselves from exculpatory information. The proposed law also makes clear the requirement of disclosure not only of the information in possession of the prosecutors and the investigatory agency but also of information in the hands of any other agency that participates in the investigation.

Other provisions, such as those relating to whether inadmissible evidence must be disclosed and the remedies for violation of the act, also have the potential to have a favorable impact on Brady compliance.

The problem is that, in the end, the Fairness in Disclosure Act will be effective only to the extent that it clearly defines what information falls within the scope of prosecutors’ obligations to disclose. And in that respect, the bill largely substitutes one ambiguous standard for another. On the one hand, it discards the approach that turns entirely on “materiality” of the information – a concept that works for appellate courts after the fact but is an impossible standard to enforce against prosecutors before trial. On the other hand, the bill’s requirement that prosecutors disclose information that is favorable to the defense as to guilt or sentencing does not solve the real obstacle to ensuring that defendants’ Brady rights are protected. That’s because it still leaves it in the hands of prosecutors – who may not know what defense the defendant will utilize – to determine whether a piece of information is favorable or not. To many criminal defense lawyers, that is the real problem that causes problems with Brady compliance even with well-intentioned prosecutors.

Despite these flaws, a number of organizations, including the American Bar Association, have expressed support for this bill. Nevertheless, at least one website that carries predictions on the fate of legislation puts the likelihood of passage of the bill at 2 percent. It is surely a good development to have politicians and the public focused on the need for reform to protect criminal defendants’ rights, but the Fairness in Disclosure Act may not ultimately be the solution to this issue.

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PokerStars Gets Closer to 80 Billionth Hand

2012-05-01T16:45:01Z

PokerStars is close to dealing its 80 billionth hand, as part of which players stand the chance of claiming their share of a total prize pool of one million dollars. The winner of the 80 billionth hand will receive a top prize of $20k, irrespective of the table limits. However, this promotion applies to cash games only, and not tournaments.
Click Here For Sites Still Accepting USA Players

PokerStars has been dealing milestone hands from its 79,700,000,000th hand, and before the 80 billionth hand is reached, 300 milestone hands will be dealt.
Here are a few PokerStars tips to help players make the most of this milestone promotion. First, players should play on as many cash game tables as possible as this will increase their chances of winning the milestone prize. Second, players should play longer as this will help them earn more VIP Player Points or VPPs, which will in turn increase their chances of winning larger prizes. Third, they must stake as much as they can as this helps them earn more VPPs. If the term VPP confuses players, they only have to head over to the VIP Club page of PokerStars to learn more.
PokerStars has run promotions for every 5 billionth hand it has dealt, and players are eagerly waiting for its 80 billionth milestone promotion, which promises to be very lucrative. In order to avoid missing the milestone promotion, players only have to check a counter at the top of the PokerStars promotions page, which keeps track of this essential detail.
The milestone promotion, however, is not the only exciting thing happening at PokerStars.com, which is considered to be the largest online poker room in the world. PokerStars is the home of mega online poker tournaments such as Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), Sunday Warm-up, and Sunday Million, to mention just a few.
The PokerStars software is compatible with Mac as well as Windows, and players can gain access to a wide range of poker variants such as Texas Hold’em, 2-7 Triple Draw, Omaha, HORSE, Badugi, and others. In short, there is something for everybody at PokerStars. Besides, PokerStars sponsors top poker pros who can teach players a lot.
PokerStars also gives players the opportunity to qualify for prestigious live poker events such as the European Poker Tour (EPT), Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), and the World Series of Online Poker (WSOP), to mention just a few.

PPA's Rich Muny on How Tribes Benefit from Federal Legislation

2012-05-02T17:45:34Z

HNR 5/1: WSOP to Australia; EPT High Roller; 80 Billion Hands at PokerStars

2012-05-01T18:39:39Z

Negreanu and Bonomo come up just short in the EPT high roller event, the WSOP will hand out bracelets in Australia, and PokerStars is ready to deal its 80 billionth hand. It’s all in Tuesday’s edition of the PTP Hit and Run.

WSOP heads Down Under: The World Series of Poker is expanding again, with bracelet events scheduled for Australia in 2013 at Crown Melbourne. Get the skinny on the newly launched WSOP Asia-Pacific here.

EPT High Roller: Daniel Negreanu fell just short in his bid to win the €25K High Roller event at the European Poker Tour’s Grand Final. See how the action went down here. Don’t feel too bad for him, though; he still won €600K. Igor Kurganov won the event for more than €1 million. Justin Bonomo nearly swept the high roller events at the EPT Grand Final after taking down the €100K event; he finished fourth in this one.

More with Negreanu and Bonomo, before they lost:

WPT: With 16 players left in the World Poker Tour’s Jacksonville BestBet Open, Will Failla is the chip leader. You can get live updates here. WPT on-air personality Tony Dunst is also making a push to make the final table.

WPT’s player of the day:

80 billion: PokerStars is handing out money left and right leading up to its 80 billionth hand. Learn how to get in on the action and the prizes here.

Full Tilt update: Nothing new, yet, on PokerStars possibly taking over Full Tilt Poker. But there was some news, as a leaked email from Groupe Bernard Tapie takes us behind the scenes of what GBT was planning, before its deal to purchase the troubled online poker site FTP fell through. Read the email here and analysis here.

Quick hitters:
–This week’s Sunday Million at PokerStars:

–PokerStars is allowing players who deposit in May to play in eight $1K freerolls a day.
–You can play darts world champion Adrian Lewis in poker.

PokerStars Awarding Bonuses Leading up to 80 Billionth Hand

2012-05-01T17:47:00Z

PokerStars is nearing its 80 billionth cash game hand dealt and is awarding a million dollars to players taking part in milestone hands leading up to the event.

Milestone hands are already being dealt, starting at 79,700,000,000. The player who wins the pot in the 80 billionth hand will earn at least $20,000, regardless of the stakes being played, according to PokerStars.

The milestone hands are only dealt at cash game tables, not in tournaments, or in the fast-paced PokerStars Zoom game. There will be a total of 300 “milestone” hands dealt leading up to the 80 billionth hand.

PokerStars provides the following tips for taking advantage of the milestone hand promotion:

Play on more tables – If you are able to play on more than one table at a time, you will increase your chances of being dealt into a milestone hand.
Play longer sessions – The size of the prizes depends on the number of VIP Player Points (VPPs) you have earned while sitting at the table. Try to take a seat at a table well in advance of the next milestone hand to increase the amount of your potential prize.
Loosen up – you earn VPPs every time you contribute to a raked pot. The more pots you play in, the more VPPs you will earn.
You can learn more about earning VPPs on our VIP Club pages.

To see how many hands have been dealt so far, and for more on the milestone promotion, you can visit PokerStars’ website.

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