The Nightly Turbo: Bodog Eyes Asia, 3G Studios Applies for Gaming License, and More
Last week, we told you that the Bodog Poker Network had its eyes on Asia. On Monday, Bodog confirmed a partnership with TLC88.com, an Asia-facing community-based gaming site. Find out about that deal and more in this edition of The Nightly Turbo.
In Case You Missed It
Tom "durrrr" Dwan and Viktor "Isildur1" Blom are back with Full Tilt Poker. Find out more about "The Professionals".
On online poker's biggest day of the week, Shannon Shorr took down the Sunday 500. Find out who else won in The Sunday Briefing.
Missed the World Poker Tour on the Fox Sports Network? No worries, Chad Holloway can bring you up to speed with the WPT on FSN recap.
The Seat Open Series continued on Monday with part two of a feature interview with Marvin Rettenmaier. Watch the episode to find out about Rettenmaier's life in the poker and his hopes for the future.
TLC88.com to Offer Poker, Joins Forces with Sunderland
Last week, we told you that the Bodog Poker Network had its eyes on Asia. On Monday, Bodog confirmed a partnership with TLC88.com, an Asia-facing community-based gaming site. Unlike other sites, TLC88.com focuses its efforts on providing a unique sense of fun and community to its gaming.
TLC88.com CEO Nick Lee said of the deal, “In Asia, offline gambling is viewed very much as an engaging, social pursuit, and the success of TLC88 has been to bring that sense of sharing and fun to the Internet…Poker is in its infancy in Asia, but unlike most Western-focused games lends itself well to the concepts of sharing and community that are so familiar to Asian gamblers. The Bodog Network is different from the other poker rooms and works better for players who are new to the game, which is what many of our customers will be.
Bodog Poker Nework CEO Jonas Odman added, “We always felt the best place for the Network was Asia as we are confident our product is the fairest place to play online poker, which especially appealing to those who are looking to learn the game and have fun while doing so. TLC88.com has cleverly built a great brand in the Asian market, and we hope we can help them continue that success for a long time.”
Also on Monday, the Sunderland Association Football Club announced that TLC88.com will be the club’s official Asian betting and gaming partner. This is the first Asian partnership that Sunderland A.C.F. has ever signed, but international marketing director Mike Farnan is excited to grow the club on an “international level.”
Sunderland ACF currently sits in 13th place in the Barclays Premiership League table. During the 2011-12 season, West Bromwich Albion Football Club wore the Bodog logo on the front of their kits.
CNBC.com has more.
From Video Games to Online Gaming
On Monday, 3G Studios announced it has applied for an online gaming license in Nevada. The local video game company focuses on mobile gaming devices such as the iPhone and PlayStation Portable (PSP). The company hopes that it will be granted a license and can begin offering online poker this spring.
“What we are looking forward to is two, three, or four years from now at a federal level, you’ll be able to start gambling on casual games and arcade games with your friends," said James Kosta, the CEO of 3G.
Kosata believes that customers will be able to bet on sports using their iPhone, and even wager on cell phone games like Words With Friends.
KTVN Channel 2 in Reno, Nevada, spoke with Kostas about those against mobile gambling, and he responded: “When people contain themselves with that box and decide that they’re going to spend $10 an hour gambling or $50 an hour gambling, whatever they can afford that’s responsible, then it absolutely is a form of entertainment.”
3G Studios, who worked in tandem with Harmonix to release a mobile version of Rock Band is no stranger to poker — in 2006, it worked with MTV to create Stacked with Daniel Negreanu, a poker video game for the PSP.
4Flush.com has more.
Coral Poker Moves
Last month, the Ongame Network was sold by bwin.party to Amaya Gaming. Now, Coral Poker, a former member of the Ongame Network, has signed a deal with the iPoker Network.
Last July, Gala Coral and iPoker parent Playtech inked a 10-year deal, and the Coral Poker move is reportedly the final piece of the transition. Gala Poker, Gala Casino, and Gala Bingo have already moved to Playtech. Eurobet Poker closed last year.
Representatives from Coral Poker informed their customers that the player incentive points will be upheld: “We have converted points on the old software for a cash equivalent amount. Download the new client now to collect your bonus. If you haven’t played with us for a while but had points available please contact us and we will be happy to convert them for a cash equivalent.”
Coral Poker is also promoting its new access to iPoker’s “Speed Poker” tables. Much like Full Tilt Poker’s “Rush Poker” and PokerStars’ “Zoom Poker,” Speed Poker allows players to quickly fold and move to another table.
For more, head on over to PokerFuse.com.
Bernard Lee is the “Busiest Man in Poker”
In the November-December 2012 edition of Harvard Magazine, there is lengthy feature story about poker columnist, broadcaster, and player Bernard Lee. Craig Lambert, an alumnus who has been writing for the publication since 2000, takes a look at Lee’s poker career, both on and off of the felt, which started at Harvard University.
Lee, who finished 13th in the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event ($400,000), began playing at the Quincy House game while studying at the Ivy League School. He tells Lambert that “winning $500 was a really good night,” and that Lee’s friend Abe Wickelgren adds that “Bernie had great discipline.”
The piece also details Lee’s childhood, how he qualified for the 2005 Main Event, his deep run, his life today and it even includes his ranking in the Global Poker Index: 333rd.
“It’s ridiculous that I can do this for a living,” Lee told Lambert. “I think about this game all the time and I love it.”
For the entire story, check out HarvardMagazine.com.
Episode Two of The Final Table
In episode two of The Final Table, we learn a little more about Octo-Niner Russell Thomas and the town he and Jason Somerville are training in.
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