The Nightly Turbo: WSOP Main Event Begins Thursday, Ray Bitar News, and More
Can you feel it? The 42nd Annual World Series of Poker Main Event kicks off on Thursday. We'll bring you a preview of all the ways you can check out the coverage, tell you some news on Full Tilt Poker's Ray Bitar, and much more in this edition of the Nightly Turbo.
In Case You Missed It
Poker is looking for backers on Capitol Hill, and it may have found one in a presidential candidate. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is openly campaigning for the poker-player vote.
The $50,000 Poker Player's Championship is down to its final nine players. Wondering who's left? Find out in our daily World Series of Poker recap.
What's in a name? A lot, especially when the Hilton wants to take it away. The Las Vegas Hilton is in search for a new name. Find out more in the latest edition of Inside Gaming.
The fifth week of the 2011 WSOP is in the books. What did we think about it? Rich Ryan let's you know in his Five Thoughts.
2011 World Series of Poker Main Event
The 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event is upon us. On Thursday, the first of four Day 1s kicks off. PokerNews will be providing extensive coverage of the Main Event, as it has throughout the 42nd Annual World Series of Poker. You can find all the action straight from the felts of the Pavilion Room and Amazon Room in the Live Reporting Blog, as well as videos, and daily podcasts.
Not only that, beginning on July 14, on Day 3 of the Main Event, you'll be able to check out the action on ESPN3.com and ESPN2. The coverage, that will be on a 30-minute delay, will switch back and forth between two feature tables approximately every 30 minutes. Every hand will be shown unedited, along with hole cards, and all "all-in" and "call" situations will be shown from both tables.
“For the first time viewers at home will have the best seats in the house for the World Series of Poker, poker’s premier event. Fans will see hole cards post-flop and get an inside look at all of the strategy, angst and competition of the world’s best players vying for a seat at the most prestigious final table in the sport,” Matthew Volk, ESPN manager of programming and acquisitions said.
If you want to check out the entire live stream schedule, head on over to WSOP.com.
Bitar Out?
According to WickedChops, its "sources from across the pond" have spilled the beans on an interesting tidbit. Please remember that none of this is confirmed yet. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, back to the juicy stuff. WickedChops has reported that the word on the street is that on Sunday, Ray Bitar was voted out of his position as CEO of Full Tilt Poker.
The boys at WCP are also reporting that the Alderney Gambling Control Commission could reinstate Full Tilt Poker's license "by the weekend, possibly as early as Friday."
Obviously we'll stay on top of the story to bring you any breaking news. Until then, check out the post on WickedChopsPoker.com.
AGA Poker Bill
According to EGRMagazine, the American Gaming Association will attempt to push new legislation that would favor Nevada and New Jersey as licensing and regulatory authorities. EGRMagazine has reported that the AGA will not support Joe Barton's Internet poker bill.
“Ten days ago Joe Barton of Texas introduced a bill that was modelled on the draft that was worked on by Senator Reid and Senator Kyl in the lame duck session. We are not supporting it," said Frank Fahrenkopf, CEO of AGA.
The AGA bill differs from Barton's regarding how tax revenues would be split between the state and federal governments. “Taxes would be divided between the state where the bettor is, with the state where the regulator is. The federal government would only receive the income tax on winnings,” Fahrenkoph said.
Want to know more on the bill? Check out EGRMagazine.com to find out what Fahrenkoph said during the Gaming Executive Summit in Madrid.
Another Poker Tour Heads to Vegas
HeadsUp Entertainment and World Poker Showdown announced on Wednesday that they have secured a two-year agreement to host a number of poker tournaments in Las Vegas.
According to the press release, three major events will take place annually. Also, televised broadcasts, an expo, and poker training camps will also be established around each event. The venue has not been named, but the press release says it is a "major resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip."
The schedule, tournament formats, and more will be announced at a later date; however, according to the press release, the first event is planned for September.
Read the press release for more.
Planking Around
Planking is sweeping the world and has even made it into the halls, Pavilion Room, and Amazon Room at the Rio. Don't know what planking is? We're not going to tell you. Kristy Arnett is going to show you.
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