The Nightly Turbo: Unabomber Replaces TexDolly, NAPT High-Roller Players, and More
We've got the scoop on who will be replacing Doyle Brunson in the PartyPoker Premier League, a few of the confirmed players for the PokerStars North American Poker Tour High Roller Bounty Shootout, and more in tonight's Nightly Turbo.
In Case You Missed It
A California senate committee held a hearing today on intrastate poker. Find out more about what it means for online poker in California and who was scheduled to speak.
It's almost time for the PartyPoker Premier League IV to kick off in Las Vegas. We have a preview of the players and structure for you in this article.
The FTOPS XV is just around the corner and we got to thinking about who the top performers in FTOPS history were. This is what we came up with. Check it out and let us know what you think.
The "durrrr" Challenge is trudging along with over 32,000 hands in now. Tom Dwan and Patrik Antonius met last night to put another dent in the number. Who came away with the win? Find out here.
Laaked In
Doyle Brunson announced that he was pulling out of the PartyPoker Premier League IV last week because he was having surgery and not going to be recovered in time. Phil Laak has been named as Brunson's replacement.
"This is the most money I have ever wagered against the toughest field I have ever faced. Collectively my opponents have over $45 million in tournament winnings. This will be the best ride ever. Full stop," Laak said.
"I hear Tony G has a bike now. I hope he doesn't send me off on it! As for Full Flush there will be free sandwiches. Negreanu and Hellmuth...ranked two and four on the all time money list. Truly amazing. Vanessa Rousso is always thinking while Roland de Wolfe is full of sharp wit and is amazingly entertaining, always," he said when asked about the group he was going up against.
The PartyPoker Premier League IV begins on Feb 12 and runs through Feb 18 and PokerNews' own Tony G has offered up shares of himself on ChipMeUp. Click here to buy a piece and then sweat your investment on our Live Reporting page beginning Thursday.
Bernard Lee is a Fox
Foxwoods Resort Casino has announced that Bernard Lee has been named the official spokesperson for its poker room.
Lee has more that $1.35 million in career tournament earnings and three titles on the tournament circuit. Most of you probably more recently recognize him from ESPN's Inside Deal.
"If there is such a thing as home-court advantage in poker, for me it’s at Foxwoods. I’m proud and humbled that Foxwoods would choose me to be their official spokesperson among the millions of poker players in the world," said Lee.
Congratulations Bernard!
Check out the Foxwoods poker room at Foxwoods.com.
NAPT High Roll(er) Call
We have other confirmations for the PokerStars North American Poker Tour High Roller Bounty Shootout and by the looks of things, it's going to be a star-studded event and one you definitely won't want to miss.
We told you yesterday that Daniel Negreanu was confirmed. Just confirmed today and joining him: Phil Hellmuth, Antonio Esfandiari, Barry Greenstein, and PokerNews' head honcho Tony G.
While you're waiting for our detective work to produce more names, why don't you sign up for a PokerStars account and produce some results of your own.
China Brings the Smackdown
The Chinese government is tightening the reins on the online gambling industry, including banks and other Web sites that support online gambling. The campaign will run from February to August and will "concentrate on investigating major and important cases of online gambling, knock out domestic and foreign groups that organize online gambling, and severely punish the criminal elements."
Gambling was banned in mainland China in 1949, with the exception of the two state lotteries. According to a statement made on the Web site of the Ministry of Public Service, this recent crackdown will severely punish those who run underground banks and third-party payment platforms with banking services for gambling.
Read more on Reuters.com.
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Raking In a WSOP Seat
FullTiltRakeBack.com is offering its players a seat in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event. Not only that, but being a FullTiltRakeBack.com VIP player gets you special privileges and rewards.
Here's how:
Sign up for your Full Tilt Poker account with FullTiltRakeBack.com and get 27 percent rake back. If you earn $2,500 of rake per month, you're VIP. On top of special privileges and rewards, VIP members are eligible to compete in the monthly $7,500 Rake Race.
As for that WSOP Main Event seat, you'll have to earn $60,000 of rake over the next four months to get that. The package is worth $14,000 ($10k for the buy-in and $4k for travel and accommodation).
Head on over to FullTiltRakeBack.com to get signed up.
