The fourth day of the Main Event of the LA Poker Classic was a blast for the remaining 63 players that included chip leader, internet gamblers and world champions. As none of the former LAPC champions survived by the end of Day 3, the doors are open for anyone to claw their way to the top of the leader board. Chris Ferguson got into action and replaced Kofi Farkye as the chip leader and managed to land himself in one of the most optimum positions for the final table’s battle. Besides Ferguson and Farkye putting up a good show on Day 4, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Jeff “ActionJeff” Garza, Erica Schoenberg, Hoyt Corkins and Paul Wasicka were also seen sashaying around.

As all of the 63 players who had managed to make it to Day 4 were promised cash, most of the short stacks found the exit early. After being dealt trips to octuple up on the last hand of Day 3, David Daneshgar was the earliest run-out on Day 4 earning himself the 63rd place with $23,052. Shortly afterwards Paul Darden, Dan Shak, David Pham and Nick Binger joined him in the pay-out line. The field was quickly thinned to the final four tables as the rest of the contestants were eliminated in the beginning of the day. Leaving with a sum of $38,085 for his 36th-place finish was Men “The Master” Nguyen while Shawn “sprstoner” Glines landed on the 34th.

Kofi Farkye who had the chip lead to himself for a much of the first three days was seen overwhelmed mostly due to his debut on the major stage. A very unfortunate hand with Chris Ferguson annihilated Kofi’s chips on Day 4 and collected a sun of $38,085 for his tournament. Among the last eliminates of Day 4 was Paul Wasicka who busted in the 28th place to set up the final table redraw of the night. The last exclusion of the fourth day was also the last female in the field. Nancy Todd Tyner was defeated by Mike Sowers in a big final hand and collected $44,433 for 21st place.

At the end of Day 4 of the LA Poker Classic Main Event and the final table looming near, the remaining players bagged their winnings with Chris Ferguson leading the 20 finalist.

Posted by Diana Sterling in LAPT, Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 28th, 2009

The Patrik Antonius and Tom “durrrr” Dwan’s battle of skill continued with a new outcome during this bout. At their last meeting Antonius won $191,000, but “durrrr” dominated the Finn this time around stealing away a $206,757 win.  The match lasted three hours and 1,027 hands of $200-$400 pot limit Omaha.

The match started off on Monday afternoon and Dwan was witnessed raking a six-figure pot not to mention coming out victorious.  Dwan opened up with $1,200 and Antonius confident about his cards re-raised to $3,600 which Dwan promptly called.  The flop came down JH, 9D, and 4D putting a possible flush draw. Antonius grabbed what he thought was a glorious moment and shot out $5,200 which Dwan again called.  The turn came 6D, possibly giving someone a flush.  Antonius clearly had this thought weighing heavy on his mind and took his time to bet out $12,400, which Dwan quickly called.  The KH landed on the river and Antonius came down hard with a booming $30,800. Dwan called again. A show of cards revealed that the calm Durr had beautifully reeled in a king high flush just getting up on Antonious’ queen-high flush.

The biggest hand was yet to come which was set by a hefty pre-flop action. Dwan with A, A, 7, 6 again opened for $1,200 and Antonius re-raised to $3,600 with 4, 4, 8, 8. Durr this time came back with more chips and raised to $10,800. Antonius called and the flop came down of 10, 7, and 4. Antonius hit bottom set and Dwan was set on flush draw.  Antonius bet $14,800 and Dwan raised to $66,000 to which Antonius moved all in with $100,874.Dwan called.

 The K on the turn and Dawn caught the flush. The $166,581 pot was Dwan’s to take who was up by over $283,000.

The most intriguing hand of the match was one of the last ones giving Durr victory with a grand finale. Dwan opened with $1,200 and Antonius called.  The flop came down AD, 2C, 3S and Antonius made a $2,400 bet. In response Dwan raised to $6,600 and evaluating his opponent Antonius Re-raised to $19,200. Dwan called it and the turn came 6C, putting out a potential straight and a flush draw.  Antonius bet over half his stack in at $31,200. Dwan called. The river came 7C, a possible flush. Antonius moved all in and Dwan instantly called, revealing his KD, 8D, 4S, 5S for the straight. Antonius only with a pair of sevens lost all.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker Articles, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 26th, 2009

The first ever event on the brand new PokerStars.net Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT) took place in February at ANZPT Adelaide. A field of 215 players descended on Australia’s city of churches to create a total prize pool of AUD $586,950. Victory was claimed by PokerStars qualifier Karl Krautschneder who swept aside the competition to turn his $33 satellite entry in to $170,215 prize money and was crowned as the first ever ANZPT Champion. Now, we’re giving you the chance to repeat this success as the tour moves on to its next stop – ANZPT Sydney!

The ANZPT will roll in to Sydney on April 30 before moving on around Australia and New Zealand taking in some of the most vibrant and exciting cities the region has to offer, where the beauty of the landscape will be matched only by the intensity of the poker, and YOU could be at ANZPT Sydney by qualifying through our online satellites.

Win a $2,935 prize package, including event buy-in, hotel accommodation and $500 expense money, through ANZPT – Sydney qualifying satellites. Qualifying is already underway with freeroll satellites available now under the Tourney > Regional tab in your PokerStars lobby. For an even better chance of winning your seat, our real money qualifiers start from as little as $2 or 500 Frequent Player Points (FPP), and are located under the Events > Special tab in your PokerStars lobby.

Posted by Diana Sterling in ANZPT, Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 25th, 2009

Returning to the Commerce Casino for Day 2 of the 2009 LA Poker Classic Main Event was an astonishing number of 400 players awaiting their destinies. Though big names were seen at this grand event Phill Hellmuth, Erik Seidel, Gavin Griffin and Mike Matusow the World Poker Tour front man Antonio Esfandiari forced them to pack their bags and go home as he built a massive stack of chips for himself. Followed by another interesting happening at the LA Poker Classic Main Event was the addition of a new comer Kofi Farkye, who spent Day 2 nipping at Esfandiari’s heels for the chip lead.
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Refusing to let the dazzle of his contenders intimidate him Farkye shared a table for quit a long period of the day with Phill Hellmuth and David Chiu. Immediately pouncing with a bet on a 9d, 3s, 5d and got one caller. Farkye called again when the 8c came and to answer this call his opponent decided to commit almost half of his stack to the pot but the game got really interesting when the Qs was displayed on the turn .Seeing this as a great opportunity Farkye stacked up even more chips which prompted his opponent to back out.

Completely engrossed in building his chip stack Farkye had no idea that he was going to face a grueling challenge from Antonio Esfandiari who was busy building his own Mount Everest of chips. After a few minutes of recklessly squirming for the reserves of a big pot against one of the players on the LA Poker Classic Main Event Antonio Esfandiari was paired up against fellow big stack K.J. Nam. Handling a flop carrying a 9d, Jh and a 3h Esfandiari played for a nearly pot-sized bet and Nam in response raised the stakes to slightly three times his bet. Sinking deep into the tank before making the call Esfandiari checked the 9h turn. Nam led out for less than half the pot which gave him away and sensing this moment of weakness Esfandiari provoked Nam to fold with a check raise thus adding another 100,000 to his stack.

At the conclusion of the day ,it was Esfandiari in the lead with Farkye close behind but still lurking in the field were some of the most dangerous and notorious pros.
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The top ten survivors:

Antonio Esfandiari — 405,000
Kofi Farkye — 391,000
Mike Sowers — 337,900
Anthony Venturini — 211,800
Haralabos Voulgaris — 210,400
KJ Nam — 200,500
Jason Dewitt — 191,800
Adam Geyer — 188,000
Cody Slaubaugh — 183,100
Bertrand Grospellier — 178,900

Posted by Diana Sterling in LAPT, Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 24th, 2009

Gathering the right thrust in snowy Denmark the 184 qualifying players played down to the money at the grand event held by Poker Stars.com. Day 2 was set to conclude the minute the bubble had burst and that defining moment was contravened swiftly as the highly belligerent Scandinavian Poker that has become the personification of this event continued. Big names triumphed and big names collapsed under the grueling pressure of the savage battle that continued for several hours with a persistent pace and brought down many talented and renowned poker pros standing strong in the field, leaving only 40 survivors.

The young and charming Norwegian Annette Obrestad stood her ground to the latter stages of the day when she gave in and was unable to achieve another result for her sparkling C.V. Crashing out just shy of the payouts Annette was not going alone as the highly dexterous and talented Trond Eidsvig joined her shortly along with Arnaud Mattern and Luca Pagano, not to mention.

Witnessed with awe, 2007 William Hill Grand Prix winner Martin Wendt and two-time European Poker Tour final tablist Andrea Benelli were seen among other renowned players scuffling through the bustling tables to the pay out spots. While the earlier eliminations headed to the bar for consolatory drinks Wendt made it through Day 3 of the European Poker Tour holding a big stack as one of the chip leaders. Given the title of the underlying surprise package Thor Hansen joined the tournament with the idea of showcasing his veteran dexterity and intuitiveness in front of the younger Scandinavians and teaching them a thing or two. Providing himself with a chance to win the European poker glory as well as the title Thor guided his stack impressively through the day to make the final 40.

Near the conclusion when the players bagged and tagged their chips, Norway’s Langest was left standing as the chip leader pocketing $327K. Also expected to be the man with the highest odds to win European Poker Tour Glory in Denmark’s Langest was closely followed by the second in chips Dane Rasmus Nielsen, who made fourth here last year with $254k at the conclusion of the play and Ramzi Jelassi is also expected to return tomorrow well-placed with $143k in his stack.

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Posted by Diana Sterling in EPT, Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 23rd, 2009

A highly unfortunate online poker player at AbsolutePoker managed to turn around his fortune last Friday and all that was required of him was to lose. On Valentine’s eve, HDCOWBOY was dealt with an amazing quad eights in a no-limit Hold’em table while his rival held the best poker hand in one of the coldest hands; four kings. Receiving the cue to unveil the massive amount of money at AbsolutePoker the bad beat jackpot during that particular time stood at $813,341.85. HDCOWBOY left with a sum of $264,418.89 while the winner got $132,995.95. The others at the table received over $1k and1028 players left with $82.79. Not a generous amount you would think but if you are earning that much by just sitting at the bad beat jackpot table ,it is still worth something.

After just completing a target of giving their loyal customers a payout of $32 million on January 31st, the CEREUS poker network’s jackpot game, Bad Beats has given out over $800 to several lucky players on Valentine’s. HDCOWBOY, a Pennsylvanian Resident managed to win a grand total of $813,341.85 for Absolute Poker players just in time for Valentine’s Days on 13th January. He was overpowered by his opponent and lost his jackpot at a game of Texas Hold’em to four kings. The other five players at the table no doubt enjoyed winning over $1000. Besides spending a much happier Valentine’s Day and sharing it with that significant someone, HDCOWBOY also plans to pay off a huge portion of his home mortgage with his prize money.

Only a couple of days later another lucky player, SFBEGGARS landed with $308,156.46 on Sunday 15th February at 12.55 EST and left with a total of $100,346.90. Bad beats is a progressive jackpot network game that keeps 50 cents of each qualifying Texas Hold’em hand and adds it to the ever growing pool, until a player decides to put his unfortunate fate to a tests . 65% of the jackpot is distributed among the Bad Beats Jackpot players while some of the remaining portion goes back in, towards the next losing hand jackpot. Don’t be disappointed if you think you are too lucky for this game, maybe your luck will still award you a small portion of the hefty payout and all you have to do is to have the same limit and game type when seated at a Bad Beat Jackpot.

Read our Absolute Poker review!

Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker News, Poker Promotions | No Comments » February 21st, 2009

(PRESS RELEASE) — PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site, today announced the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo Grand Final Season Five schedule – Europe’s largest and richest seven-day poker extravaganza. The PokerStars Monte Carlo EPT Grand Final will run April 27-May 3, offering fourteen separate events making the Grand Final the most exciting poker festival ever held in Europe.

The Fourteen events will stretch across one week to provide non-stop action in one of the most stunning destinations in the world. PokerStars is pulling out all the stops to insure that poker fans from all over the globe have multiple opportunities to win their way to beautiful Monaco. Satellites are already running on PokerStars for the Main Event.

Last year’s Main Event attracted over 840 players, with 22-year-old Canadian Glen Chorny clinching the title and taking home over $3.15 million. This year, the $12,633 (EUR10,000) buy-in No Limit Hold’em Championship (NLHE) is set to surpass all records previously set at a European poker tournament. With more than 1,000 players expected to attend, there is an estimated $12 million total prize pool. The Main Event is only one of the attractions – this year there are two major new tournaments – the three-day $31,585 (EUR25,000) European High Roller Championship and the two-day $6,316 (EUR5,000) Pot Limit Omaha Championship (PLO). Dedicated satellites will be running for the PLO tournament on PokerStars, offering a special three-day weekend prize package to Monte Carlo for qualifiers.

In addition to the three premier tournaments, a number of side events will be introduced including $6,316 (EUR5,000), $2,526 (EUR2k), $1,263 (EUR1k) and $631 (EUR500) NLHE tournaments as well as a $631 (EUR500) PLO re-buy event. Numerous live satellite tournaments are also scheduled – including two super satellites each to the Main Event and high roller tournament, plus a unique super satellite tournament enabling players to win seats at any future PokerStars tour destination – a prize which effectively gives players the chance to win a trip to almost anywhere on the planet.

PokerStars is also planning another Poker Camp during the PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo event due to the huge success of the Poker Camps held in Barcelona and the Bahamas as part of The PokerStars European Tour, Season Five. Members of Team PokerStars Pro will be on hand to provide valuable and interactive coaching sessions focused on slow structure and deep stack tournament play. The camp tournament winner will be awarded a PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo Main Event package. Further details on the schedule of events will be available soon on pokerstars.net.

Additional action at the beautiful Monte Carlo Bay Resort and Hotel will include daily battleship poker tournaments – where players compete online and face-to-face – and a wide variety of sit n go’s available daily.

For the first time on the EPT circuit, in additional to competing in satellites for Monte Carlo, PokerStars players will be able to buy-in online to all scheduled tournaments directly through their PokerStars accounts. Online registration opens on April 20, 2009.

Another first for the tournament offers players who buy-in or qualify online for EPT Monte Carlo events to receive Frequent Player Points (FPP) for rewards in the PokerStars VIP Club.

The other big news this year is that the EPT Grand Final Main Event structure is being changed to 30,000 in chips and 60-minute levels on Day 1, with 75-minute levels from Day 2. This will also be the structure for all Season Six PokerStars EPT Main Events.

PokerStars EPT founder John Duthie said, “It is staggering to think that, at the very first EPT Grand Final in 2005, we had just 211 players and a total prize pool of EUR2 million. Last year, both player numbers and prize pool were four times that and this year, it looks likely that we’ll smash the EUR10 million mark for total prize pool. The EPT Grand Final now sits at the very pinnacle of world poker events and will prove a massive draw for top players from all over the globe. The addition of the High Roller event, the new European PLO championship and myriad other side events will provide unending excitement for the players – it looks set to be an incredible week.”

The PokerStars European Poker Tour Monte Carlo Grand Final Festival of Poker Schedule:

Super Satellite to EPT Grand Final Main Event: Buy-in EUR 500 + EUR 50 – April 27

EPT Grand Final Main Event: Buy-in EUR 10,000 + EUR 600 – April 28 – May 3

Super Satellite to EPT Grand Final Main Event Day 1b: Buy-in EUR 500 + EUR 50 – April 28

Super Satellite to High Roller Super Satellite: Buy-in EUR 550 + EUR 50 – April 28+29

Pot Limit Omaha – Unlimited Re-buys: Buy-in EUR 500 + EUR 50 – April 29

No Limit Hold’em Tournament: Buy-in EUR 5,000 + EUR 250 – April 30 + May 1

Super Satellite to High Roller: Buy-in EUR 2,500 + EUR 200 – April 30

European High Roller Championship: Buy-in EUR 25,000 + EUR 500 – May 1, 2 + 3

No Limit Hold’em Tournament: Buy-in EUR 2,000 + EUR 150 – May 1+2

Super Satellite to any PokerStars Tour – Unlimited Re-buys: Buy-in EUR 500 + EUR 50 – May 2

No limit Hold’em Freeze-out: Buy-in EUR 1,000 + EUR 100 – May 2 + 3

European Pot Limit Omaha Championship: Buy-in EUR 5,000 + EUR 250 – May 2 + 3

No Limit Hold’em Freeze-out: Buy-in EUR 500 + EUR 50 – May 3

Battleship Tournaments: Buy-in EUR 100 – unlimited – Daily

Cash SNGs: Buy-in EUR 200 – unlimited -Daily

For more information on the EPT Grand Final and all EPT events, please see www.ept.com.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Tournaments, Press Releases | No Comments » February 20th, 2009

Bodog is giving online poker players (Mac users included) the chance to play on the virtual felt anytime, anywhere, with its new Instant Play poker client. With absolutely no software to download, all a player needs to instantly access the Bodog Poker Room is a web browser and an Internet connection.

The flash-based poker client currently allows players to play one Texas Hold’em cash game table and features many of the same innovations as the downloadable Bodog Poker client, including a resizable window, a player spotlight that highlights action as it moves around the table, player-to-player chat, game details and other customizable options.

“The new Instant Play option at Bodog is perfect for when I want to play poker on my Mac or play cash games on a friend’s computer who may not have the Bodog Poker client installed,” says Bodog Poker Pro Evelyn Ng. “You can even snatch a few games at work.”

Indeed, the Instant Player version of Bodog Poker gives players total freedom to play when and where they want, whether it’s getting in 20 minutes of poker during a break at work, playing a marathon session from a hotel room while on a business trip, or hitting the tables on that shiny new Mac at home.

Players using Instant Play for cash game action also have access to amazing incentives. The “Points to Cash” program lets players accumulate points just for playing – win or lose – that can be cashed in for up to $500 a month. The Royal Flush Bonus awards 50 times the big blind up to $200 if a player takes down a pot holding the king of all poker hands and, conversely, the Bad Beat Bonus awards 100 times the big blind up to $1,000 if that seemingly dominant hand is crushed by one better.

Click here to visit Bodog Poker Now!

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Posted by Diana Sterling in New Poker Sites, Poker News, Press Releases | No Comments » February 19th, 2009

Witnessing a sizzling week of some of the most immensely grueling rounds Welsh pro Roberto Romanello triumphed over the PartyPoker.com European Open V pocketing his first major title in London. Outlasting some very intimidating 71 competitors including a heads up play with Marc Goodwin Romanello won a staggering cash prize of $200,000 and the title.

Featuring a hefty $7,000 buy-in, the total prize pool of the tournament was elevated to half a million dollars, waiting to be won by one lucky winner. Among the mot renowned celebrities of the poker world who congregated at this exquisite affiar were Annette Obrestad, Surindar Sunar, Roland de Wolfe, Vicky Coren, Ciaran O’Leary and Barny Boatman. The play was initiated between 72 qualifiers  who played 12 six-handed heats, the winners of which all proceeded forward.

Giving the 12 runner-ups another chance at the title they scuffled in two six-handed turbo tournaments to produce two more players making it 14 altogether to reach the semi-finals. One of the most awe-inspiring events in this party poker tournaments was the comebcak of Romanello who had been among the runner-ups in the first heat but he carved his path through the field after having to survive a heads up battle of more than a 100 hands against Dale Hoy in the second choice provided to them in the turbo tourney. Becoming the first player to win a PartyPoker.com European Open through the second chance-rout Romanello has imprinted his name on the pages of poker history.

Having the chip lead with 351,000 chips William Taylor was followed by Andy Ward, Goodwin, Neil Channing, and Craig Burgess when the final table initiated. Sitting with a short stack at the commencement of the game Romanello started the final table with a meager 143,000 chips but his luck took a U-turn and from there on Romanello managed to eliminate Taylor as well as Channing, ending up with half the chips in play. When burgess and Ward were eliminated by Good win the heads up began between him and Romanello having a similar chip count. Being served the upper hand in a silver platter when Good win shoved all in with Ks and 9h, Romanello called with As and 10s. The flop brought Romanello an Ace and practically threw the title in his lap whereas Goodwin took $100,000 for ending up in second place.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments | No Comments » February 19th, 2009

CHANDLER, Arizona — (PRESS RELEASE) — 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, and the 2005 World Poker Tour Champion Gavin “The People’s Champion” Smith, will be playing in The Legends of Basketball Par and Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity event held during NBA All-Star week on February 13, 2009 in Chandler, Arizona.

The inaugural NBA Legends tournament consists of an 18-hole golf tournament at Whirlwind Golf Club and a No Limit Texas Hold’em poker tournament at Gila River’s Wild Horse Pass Casino. The poker and golf tournament will comprise of Hall of Fame athletes, Hollywood celebrities and professional poker players. Open to the public to play for both golf and poker, the poker tournament itself will boast a large cash purse and seats to the World Series of Poker Main Event. To register call 480.736.2464

“As my third Par and Poker appearance, I’ve enjoyed playing with poker enthusiasts and celebrities alike,” says Greg Raymer. “I invite the public to join me for a great cause and good times!”

In the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em World Series of Poker Main Event in 2004, Greg Raymer championed the event winning an astonishing $5,000,000 first prize. This win and the high finishes in the WSOP events and British Poker Open, among others, propelled Raymer as one-of-the-most popular poker professionals in the world.

The charity beneficiaries of this event are The Legends Cares Foundation and The Joyner-Walker Foundation, Incorporated. The Legends Cares Foundation supports charitable organizations and programs that promote positive growth within communities. Title Sponsor of Par & Poker, The Legends of Basketball, is comprised of NBA veterans that have given themselves to thousands of philanthropic activities like The Legends Cares Foundation.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker Articles, Poker News, Poker Pro Players, Poker Tournaments, Press Releases | No Comments » February 17th, 2009