The Nightly Turbo: DeepStacks Partners with Breeders' Cup, Full Tilt Owed Money, and more
More twists and turns developed in the Full Tilt saga on Thursday as Groupe Bernard Tapie's attorney claimed that several well-known pros still owe money to Full Tilt Poker. In this edition of the Nightly Turbo, we bring you up to speed on that story, as well as a new sponsor signing on with the DeepStacks Poker Tour, and more.
In Case You Missed It
The Global Poker Index remained mostly the same this week. However, despite a brilliant showing at the 2012 PCA, Jonathan Duhamel dropped out of the top 10.
Nevada bookmakers are holding their collective breaths over the outcome of the upcoming Super Bowl. Inside Gaming explains why the outcome of the game could result in big losses for the sports books.
Amir Salhani led the way after 1b of the PokerStars.fr European Poker Tour Deauville Main Event. Read about the action in our daily recap.
Breeders' Cup Sponsors DeepStacks Poker Tour
On Thursday, DeepStacks Poker Tour announced that the Breeders' Cup signed on as the presenting sponsor of Season 1.
“It is truly a great honor to be partnered with such a well respected brand and world class event in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. We feel this partnership aligns our mutual interests while offering our players the very best in televised poker,” said DeepStacks Poker Tour CEO Chris Torina.
Breeders' Cup World Championships is one of the most influential events in Thoroughbred racing. As the presenting sponsor, the Breeders' Cup brand will be integrated throughout the DeepStacks platform and will be featured prominently through signage, have its logos on the poker tables, and have sponsored television segments.
“We were pleased with our initial foray into poker during this past year’s event and this partnership with DeepStacks is the next logical step in progression as we continue to strive to reach the poker audience” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Media and Entertainment for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
DeepStacks kicks off its inaugural season with a $1,500 buy-in event on Feb. 17 at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel.
Check out the press release for more.
Poker Pros Holding up Full Tilt Poker Deal?
The debts of poker players like Phil Ivey, David Benyamine, Erick Lindgren and others are holding up the deal between Full Tilt Poker and Groupe Bernard Tapie, according to GBT attorney Behnam Dayanim.
On Thursday, Dayanim told Gaming Intelligence that between $10 million and $20 million in loans is still owed to Full Tilt Poker. That amount was discovered while GBT was conducting due diligence to learn more about Full Tilt Poker's financial situation.
When asked about the investigation, Dayanim told the following to PokerNews: "The due diligence process has indicated to us, or resulted in us understanding that the financial situation of the company is worse than we had anticipated, and there are a few significant obstacles that we need to sort out in order to get to closure."
Read the full story at PokerNews.com.
Money Returned to Jonathan Duhamel
Jonathan Duhamel's run-good in 2012 continued this week as the Toronto Sun reported that nearly half of the money stolen during the Dec. 21, 2011, invasion of his home was recovered. Police said in a statement that $80,000 was found in a in a mailbox in the Montreal suburb of Longueuil on Jan. 6 after they received an anonymous tip as to the whereabouts of the cash.
Duhamel's 2010 World Series of Poker bracelet and a Rolex watch were also taken during the robbery. Two of the suspects, Bianca Rojas-Latraverse and John-Stephen Clark-Lemay, are in jail until the trial later this month. Anthony Bourque, a third member in the alleged robbery, was released on bail last month.
For more, read the story at PokerNews.com.
Special Guest Visits WPT Venice
The World Poker Tour Venice Grand Prix begins Feb. 6 with its €4,950 Main Event at Casinò de Venezia Ca’ Vendramin. In addition to the regular cast and crew at the WPT, including the Royal Flush Girls, the WPT has announced that there will be a performance by celebrity magician Dynamo.
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Dynamo will be performing a 90-minute show for guests during the WPT Players Party. The world-renowned magician will dazzle attendees with a mysterious act including never-before-seen illusions.
We also learned on Thursday that our very own Tony G will be taking part in the show!
Here's a look at what those in attendance can expect:
The World Poker Tour Blog has more.
Just a Kid with a Dream
ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad's 18,000-plus Twitter followers probably got a kick out of his tweets during his jury duty experience last month. The judge presiding over the case, however, was not amused.
Chad was scolded by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Laura Foland Priver for using social media repeatedly during a burglary trial. Chad, also known as "Juror #7," tweeted more than two dozen times in three days before the judge was notified that he was using his mobile device in the courtroom.
“He made a mockery of our system,” Priver told Chad’s attorney. “I’m disturbed by this behavior. Once the information is out there, it’s out there forever. The public who sees these tweets is going to think this behavior is OK.”
Chad was let off with a warning even though communicating with a mobile device can be labeled a misdemeanor in California.
For more on the story, plus a look at some of Chad's tweets, check out PokerNews.com.
Macau Millions Postponed
On Thursday, PokerStars Macau announced that the 2012 Macau Millions has been postponed indefinitely.
"Our current agreement to operate PokerStars Macau events and tournaments at Casino Grand Lisboa will expire in March. As a result, the Macau Millions will be postponed for a later date," said Danny McDonagh, PokerStars director of live operations in Asia-Pacific.
McDonaugh added that the Macau Poker Cup:Red Dragon event scheduled for Feb. 18 through 26 will take place as planned, and the status of future events will be updated in the near future.
Last year, a record-setting 1,329 entrants took part in the HK$2,200 buy-in Macau Millions, with Hung-sheng Lin taking it down for HK$400,000. Justin Chan won the event in 2010.
Read the announcement at the PokerStars Blog.
Fertitta Interactive Applies for Nevada License
Fertitta Interactive, the company that owns the UFC and Las Vegas-based Station Casinos, announced Thursday that it has submitted an application to the Nevada Gaming Control Board to expand its gaming licenses to include online poker in Nevada.
Last October, Fertitta purchased online gaming provider CyberArts Licensing LLC ahead of the approval of an intrastate online poker law in Nevada. It joins companies like 888 Holdings, Ball Technologies Inc., Cantor Gaming, and International Game Technology in the race for an online poker space within state lines.
"Nevada has always been the leader in gaming regulation and we're pleased to file our application here," he continued. "Our goal is to provide customers with the best online gaming experience in a safe and well-regulated online environment."
PokerNews.com has more.
WAG Diaries From France
Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree and boyfriend Kevin MacPhee are in Deauville, France, for the European Poker Tour Main Event. Sarah Grant caught up with the poker couple in the latest edition of the WAG Diaries.
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