http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ Poker Players Alliance Forums: Recent Posts en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:24:27 +0000 http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/378#post-1198 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:48:11 +0000 KenK2 1198@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I am sure you are aware of the Club Royale that recently shut their doors due to an agreement with the Tribe, then was raided by the Tucson Police Dept. and Az. Dept. of Gaming..</p> <p>The tribe in the suit claimed that they were in violation of the RICO Act and brought that up in the lawsuit, along with the TPD and their report also states RICO.. </p> <p>I was hoping you could give your opinion about how much merit(if any) the ACT has with the Club Royale situation.. I have been reading the ACT and do not see how it could have any merit other than for a judge to throw it out.. I would love to hear what you say about it..</p> <p>Ken </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/377#post-1197 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:35:30 +0000 Tahosa65 1197@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Existing Federal Law that established the FICA or Social Security program specifically spelled out where the money comes from and who it goes to. Such a basic and systemic change as you propose would require a total rewrite of the program and that would never pass Congress or a vote of the people. Good idea, can't happen. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/356#post-1196 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:30:12 +0000 Tahosa65 1196@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>No matter how good (or bad) you play, Pokerstars is a crap shoot. Ultimate Bet and Absolute have been cheating and it is now proven. If you carefully track the beats (your beats) and know the odds, you'll see that certain players cannot win on Pokerstars. They may have a black list or something that excludes certain players for whatever reason. Other players, no matter how badly they play or what cards they hold, will win. When a player consitantly wins with 7-9 os and 6-8 os against pocket aces and queens, then something is very wrong. Sure they should suck out about 10% of the time, but winning 80% of the time?? No way. So Pokerstars supports the IGC which supports the PPA, so what? They take your money and give some back to the PPA. If I want that I will contribute directly to the PPA. WE desperately need online regulation, consistancy and policing. Write your legislators and call your congressman. Until these sites are located in and responsible to the United States, there is no control. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/349#post-1195 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:16:55 +0000 Tahosa65 1195@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I've stated in other areas on this blog that the only site I find to be fair and honest (at least as far as the odds coming out even) is Full Tilt. That may just be me. I don't know how some players on Poker Stars continue to win, win, win, all in difiance of the odds and seem never to take the bad beat but always hand it out. This is reason enough to demand of your legislators that Poker be legalized, regulated and policed in the United States. Poker is not a crime, but criminals take advantage wherever they can and online Poker is rife with criminals. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/377#post-1194 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:56:52 +0000 PotPusher 1194@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Why cant the lawmakers offer an open bid to control legal online poker in the US and take a small rake for the Social Security. A third party could do all the record keeping ( taxes, money transfers ) and take 10 cents per hand up to 50 cents per hand and pass it along to the Social Security. This covers the governments concerns about money laundering. All the SSA would have to do is cash the check. An open bid for rights to operate a monopoly in the US would allow the land based casinos a chance to get in on the very large rake. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/357#post-1193 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:02:19 +0000 Tahosa65 1193@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>If you play Poker long enough, you will encounter almost every kind and scenario of bad beat, from both sides of the table and both live and online. I've won hands that I should have lost. I've lost hands where I was 95% after the flop. I recently beat a friend when he held A-Q os to my A-J suited when the flop came J,J,J. It is my opinion (remember opinions are like rectums, everyone has one) that Full Tilt is the most honest and fairest site online. I tend to win there when I'm patient, play well and avoid suicide all in's. I lose when I make bad calls and use poor judgement. I also get sucked out on about the normal amount of times. I won't say you won't take a bad beat on Full Tilt, but I will say that on average I hand them out about as much as I take them. Besides, Full Tilt actively and openly supports the PPA. I now play there exclusively. Look for Tahosa Fox if you want to hand me a bad beat.<br /> Gary R Reed<br /> Colorado State Director<br /> Poker Players Alliance </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/337#post-1191 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:05:14 +0000 Tahosa65 1191@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>If I may, having spent many months and much time (both inside courtrooms and law enforcement offices) trying to understand what the CBI and local law enforcement want from the people of Colorado I offer the following.<br /> If your bar has a cabaret license as opposed to a simple liquor license, players can participate in a private game among themselves without interference from law enforcement. The cabaret license grants the establishment the right to have live entertainment and Poker falls under that provision. For the game itself to be legal other factors come into play, but the bar is not responsible. The enforcement of this is under the purvey of the State Liquor Board. For the game to be legal in and of itself it has to only include people with a provable social relationship. That is a group of friends, lawyers, cops, firefighters etc.<br /> Stupid? Undoubtedly. Legal? Questionable. Right? Absolutely not. </p> <p>Gary R Reed<br /> Colorado State Director<br /> Poker Players Alliance </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/341#post-1190 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:48:48 +0000 Tahosa65 1190@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>In Colorado three things are required for the law enforcement community to consider your game illegal. Risk, chance and reward. Risk = anything of value, cost, gift or entry fee required to participate. Chance = correctly or incorrectly the State of Colorado considers Poker to be a game of chance. Reward = playing for something of value ie a prize pool, free "stuff" or gift certificates. Remove any one of these items and the game becomes legal. No cost to play - game is legal. No chance - here we in the PPA disagree with the State - poker is a game of skill. Reward - if you're not playing for anything of value you can charge an entry fee (that goes to a charity) and you are fine. Exceptions - games played among a group that has a bone-fide social relationship outside of poker. A group of friends, a professional association hosting a game open only to its members etc qualify for this exception. The waters become murkier when you advance through these exceptions, for instance – a charity that has a membership base and only allows that membership to play in a tournament. Law enforcement would look at membership requirements, length of participation (did they join that night just to play etc) and exclusivity of joining requirements.<br /> While it is always prudent to get the opinion of a lawyer when planning such an event, the lawyers are as far apart in their interpretation of the law as the present and past Attorneys General for the State. A past Attorney General issued the opinion that Poker is a game of skill and not bound by the present gambling statutes. The current one takes the opposite stance and lumps Poker in with all forms of gambling. Thus the need for and the mission of the State Chapter of the Poker Players Alliance becomes clear. We need some clarity and reason in the State statutes that recognize Poker aside from other games of chance. </p> <p>Gary R Reed<br /> Colorado Director<br /> Poker Players Alliance </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/376#post-1189 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:27:27 +0000 Tahosa65 1189@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>A recent article in the Wall Street Journal has started me thinking about how the uninformed and unknowing perceive the game that we all love. The author of the article was pontificating about gambling and how it has become less attractive and in danger of being severely curtailed during these economic hard times. That, in and of itself, is understandable and probably accurate. That said the author goes on to lump poker in with the rest of gambling and talks about how the “poker boom” has topped out and is in decline. Fewer and fewer people playing, fewer new inductees into the game etc. Apparently that worthy hasn’t been in the rooms, games and venues that I frequent.<br /> First let me tell you where I stand before I tell you where I sit. Poker is not gambling. For us in the PPA or elsewhere to go on allowing the uninformed to lump it in with gambling in general is a disservice to the game and to us. Gambling, to my mind is games of chance played against a fixed statistical disadvantage. Poker is no such game. No fixed disadvantage exists prior to the cards being dealt and the actions or lack of same of the players determines the odds, statistics and chance surrounding any given hand. In other words the house will not take from 6% to 20% of your money given that you play long enough to make those odds apply.<br /> Certainly one can gamble while playing poker. Often you hear a player say “let’s gamble”. He/she usually realizes that they are behind in a hand and probably up to a 4 to 1 dog but chooses to let “luck” decide their fate. I never advocate this approach but many do. Those people are the ones that keep the rest of us coming back to wet our beak at the trough of incompetence.<br /> Any accomplished poker player knows that knowledge, skill and ability have much greater weight, in the long run, than simple luck. Yes, that player that just said “lets gamble” and went all in with pocket deuces and was called by pocket Queens, may hit a deuce for a set and win the hand. If he/she continues to play in such a manner, they will undoubtedly be out of the tournament or be calling for “more chips” at the cash game. In the end they will bemoan their “lack of luck” and say that they just can’t win because they get “unlucky”. These self same players would say that the player that consistently cashes in the tournaments and wins at the cash games is just “naturally lucky”.<br /> You and I know that the truth lies somewhere in between. Any good player can get unlucky for a hand, a tournament, or sometimes for weeks. Still, over the long haul, that player will win his/her share of tournaments and cash games. That skilled player will, at the end of the day, have far more money and tournament wins than the unskilled. They are not truly gambling. They know that if they keep track of their income from poker, day to day, month to month and year to year, they will show a steady and significant income.<br /> So we, the membership of the PPA need to gently but firmly correct those that lump Poker in with gambling in general. Whether or not a person is in favor of or opposed to gambling, they need to start considering Poker as a separate enterprise.<br /> Gary R Reed<br /> Colorado State Director </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/375#post-1188 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:11:36 +0000 snakeyjakey 1188@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Following is a letter sent to Virginia's new Senator from a Virginia member. Thought some would like to see it.</p> <p>Jeff Gregson<br /> Va. State Director</p> <p>Dear Senator-elect Warner:</p> <p>Here's an idea, that while controversial and what some could consider immoral would make many Americans happy and generate huge revenues for the US Government with no tax increases!</p> <p>Millions of Americans already enjoy this pastime, myself included. We enjoy the challenges, competition, excitement, possible profits, and camaraderie we experience while playing online poker.</p> <p>Recently, the government, through last minute legislation tied to an unrelated bill, has tried to outlaw this hobby enjoyed by many. The idea was to stop money flow offshore to the gaming concerns located outside the US. I fully support the concept of stopping the money flow offshore, but the regulations aren't working. It only took a matter of days for these offshore operators to figure a way to get around the regulations. </p> <p>This has caused many Americans to be in violation of a poorly thought-out law. Just this Sunday, I went on the one of the sites, and it showed over 200,000 people in play at one time. Most of these were Americans. One can go on this site at any time and regularly see over 100,000 people playing at any given moment, again, mostly Americans. I guess that makes it obvious that the new regulation is failing, much as alcohol prohibition did. It seems to be very easy to circumvent the regulation. The result of poorly thought out legislation is that it's not working at all. How can we fix this problem?</p> <p>Poker is not gambling in the truest sense. There is a lot of skill and strategy involved. This has been proven many times. There is a component of luck involved, but no more that any sport which is currently legal in this country, and much less than legalized bingo, lotteries, etc.</p> <p>Does it take skill to win a golf tourney, bowling championship, the Super Bowl, the World Series or a NASCAR race? Sure it does, but it also requires a degree of luck, just like poker. These games only monetarily benefit a select talented few, while poker can benefit anyone who studies the strategies and applies them rationally. It doesn't take an athletic skill which one must be born with.<br /> Personally, I have never been athletic enough to compete in professional athletics, have you? However, I am competitive in cards, board games, etc. I do have a dream to be exceptional in poker, and I fully believe it to be possible, but the government is trying to take it away. At my age and physical ability, I can not even dream of being successful in any other paid sport. Please allow my dream to continue.</p> <p>If the US Government legalized online poker; not full casinos where table games which require much more luck and less skill, we all would be winners. Full casinos, which by the way are legal in many states, are the truest form of gambling, and create serious problems for those who can not control their impulses. In poker, one must prove that their knowledge and skills are better than their opponents', just like any sport, not some gaming institution where the odds have been carefully calculated over many years to benefit the casino and take advantage of the player.</p> <p>Here is the solution:<br /> First is to form a national gaming commission. The gaming commission would allow companies who already have brick and mortar businesses established in this country or any other AMERICAN enterprise to begin online gaming. The results would be amazing.</p> <p>1) Americans who are currently circumventing the regulations could enjoy their hobby legally.<br /> 2) A regulated industry would discourage illegal or immoral actions which one could experience in the current atmosphere.<br /> 3) A tax on the Americanized industry could be created to the benefit of ALL Americans, and fully fund the commission.<br /> 4) Current legal gaming concerns revenues would increase as they enter the new area, creating more TAXABLE income for them. Their stock prices would increase, helping American investors and increasing the investors' TAXABLE income!<br /> 5) Foreigners would then be forced to play on the US sites as that's where the majority of the players would then be playing. This would create an INFLOW of money into our country, monies which are currently flowing to offshore countries!<br /> 6) Americans who currently profit from playing, but do not report the income derived from it would be forced to report the profits as TAXABLE income. Should the research be done, I believe this would be a very large number!<br /> 7) Many jobs would be created in the new industry, creating TAXABLE income and removing some from the public dole.<br /> 8) Excitement generated from what could become a National pastime could generate huge sums of money through related promotions. This equals more incoming tax dollars!</p> <p>This is a game (some would call a sport) which is already being played legally in many states at brick and mortar casinos, and is already being regulated and taxed. Why not spread the benefit to ALL states?</p> <p>I'm sure there are other benefits, as there are some pitfalls, however, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. This route would do much more to stop the flow of American dollars offshore than current legislation which is clearly not working at all! Let us become an importer of gaming dollars, rather than an exporter! Let's put the internet to work to generate benefits for our great country which other countries are already enjoying!</p> <p>Please give this your thorough attention It deserves it! Solve some budget problems, and let US Citizens legally enjoy a competitive hobby! We all WIN!</p> <p>I look forward to your response! God Bless, and Good Fortune to you in your new position!</p> <p>Richard Starnes </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/319#post-1187 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:17:34 +0000 Nightmare 1187@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I have switched to Fantasy Fishing </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/374#post-1186 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:11:41 +0000 kadish 1186@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I have been thinking about this for quite a while and even took some action on seeing what was possible. As you know slots were approved at tracks and it is logical that poker would be also approved if you could convince state lawmakers that it would be a strong revenue generator. </p> <p>The state needs the money and we need access to legal rooms. I spoke with Yonkers raceway and they agreed that it would be a good idea but that their hands are tied by the state lawmakers.</p> <p>Who is up for making this happen? </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/373#post-1185 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:31:40 +0000 jsbx 1185@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>There have been several questions on the UIGEA, poker and gambling. search these on the site and vote for all of them (not that we will actually get a real answer) </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/373#post-1184 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:25:48 +0000 Yagasmurf 1184@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I went to <strong><a href="http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions_20081217_private_url" rel="nofollow">http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions_20081217_private_url</a> </strong> and left this question for Obama<br /> "With the need for more tax revenue, why not amend UIGEA and allow the government to regulate and tax online poker? Poker is a game of skill, &#38; is even considered an occupation by the Supremem Court (Baxter vs US). This form of gaming is not illegal"<br /> Yagasmurf, Cypress, Ca - Economy View response Post a response </p> <p>Go there and vote for this question so he knows how important it is to you !!!!!!!!! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/357#post-1183 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:47:12 +0000 y2icon 1183@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>check out the bluff magazine forum for the bad beat section. I have come to the conclusion that AQ will always end up boning me on pokerstars </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/372#post-1182 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:35:13 +0000 KenK2 1182@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I am sick to my stomach.. Yesterday, the Tucson Police along with the Ariz. Dept of Gaming siezed all of Club Royales possessions. Here is the article..</p> <p><a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/273121" rel="nofollow">http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/273121</a></p> <p>This is an outrage how 1 sided the story is and I am really pissed! Here is a copy of Harold Lee's statement to the press, sent out this early morning.. This is BY FAR FROM OVER! At this point I know what I want to do, but implementing it is going to be tough. We need to band together, all players from Az and let them know how we feel about this! They cannot just do this to us and get away with it! The Pima County Prosecutors dont even know if they are going to Prosecute!</p> <p>*****For Immediate Release ****</p> <p>Tombstone, AZ a joint press release from:</p> <p>The International Card &#38; Game Players Association and the Arizona Card Room, Inc</p> <p>We cannot comment on the case against Johnny or Donna Rodger as we revoked the club’s license and charter on November 7th for cause, and reported our concerns to the Tucson police at that time. </p> <p>Playing poker for cash is not illegal conduct in Arizona!<br /> Third party profit taking, from lawful conduct, is not illicit or criminal conduct.</p> <p>All lawyers trained in the law would insist that I not talk to the press any further; pending the outcome of potential criminal charges. And, that is solid lawyerly advice, but precisely why we will not be retaining a lawyer for the looming battle. We have been spoiling for this fight for nearly four years in our attempt to free the sport of poker, from the clutches of the gambling industry, and their allies.</p> <p>However, it appears from press reports that the Tucson police are being used by the quasi-legal Arizona Department of Gaming (ADOG) to shake down our professional players and force them back into the criminal enterprise run by their employer; the Indian gambling casinos. It won’t work this time either.</p> <p>The Arizona Department of Gaming; for at least the forth or fifth time, is attempting to coerce our professional players back to the reservation casinos, where they can continue to steal from our prize purses and soil our contests with gambling schemes. And they would like to closet me in some jail for providing safe and secure venue for my friends and associates, whom just want to conduct their lawful business of playing cash poker.</p> <p>This quasi-police agency supported only by gambling industry money (no tax dollars) has no business in our poker rooms and they know it! The folks at ADOG need a leash; and a course in what constitutes abuse of prosecution. Their continued boorish behavior is moving them ever closer to the edge. </p> <p>They have continued to prosecute our ACR System, even though their boss (the Arizona Attorney General) and the Cochise County Attorney have denied repeated request to prosecute! In fact, the Attorney General announced publically in June, that he cannot obtain a conviction. </p> <p>And, he is not alone; seven cities have issued licenses for our ACR System. They had good reason; we are not breaking any laws! And, we provide a very good public service to the community.</p> <p>Whereas, ADOG and their employers (the Indian casinos) are stealing money from our members prize pools when they play in their poker rooms. Not withstanding their outrageous attempt to sanctify theft and conversion in an illicit compact with the state---raking the pot is theft. And they should be prepared for the industry’s large counter-claim for many years of their continuing theft and conversions of our property. We are gaining strength every day.</p> <p>We are also gaining refuge in the cities and towns that recognize the inequities of previous pubic policy regarding the sport of poker. Indian casinos, like most of the casinos in the gambling industry, victimize the professional poker players. They invade our contest, and discreetly rake money from the prize purse (lots of it) which they then use to soil the integrity of the game with silly jackpot schemes.</p> <p>Ever increasing public demand for poker rooms is evident by the fact; that in just a few months of operation we garnered over a thousand members. And the reason wasn’t as reported “just because we offered a true no limit game” it was because we charge players accessory fees up front, and for about half the amount they steal. </p> <p>The prosecutors in Arizona are aware that the social gambling exemption is flawed. And, many of them aren’t too comfortable with the gaming compact either; since it unlawfully creates two separate and unequal classes of voters, each under different criminal liabilities. </p> <p>The act of social gambling is a unique creation of the legislature; crafted solely to protect adults engaged in professional strategic competitions from criminal liability. It is a clear sanction for our very old and beloved profession of Poker. Poker, like all other sports wants to be free of the influence of the gambling industry---and we will. It is only a matter of time.</p> <p>The Social gambling law does not make cash poker a criminal act! </p> <p>It does however; criminalize the admirable and very lawful act of third parties earning profit from lawful conduct, such as providing safe haven for adults playing cash poker.. </p> <p>The only acts criminalized under the social gambling provision of the gambling law are third party profits from lawful conduct. Understanding all other acts being lawful there is no criminal activity or conduct available to prosecutors in the act of earning money or a profit. And providing services and a safe environment for those engaged in lawful conduct must be prima fascia evidence of legality. In all cases; playing the sport of poker professionally is clearly not unlawful conduct in Arizona--- promoting the sport of poker is not the equivalent of promoting gambling. </p> <p>Under the social gambling statute; the State is attempting to manufacture a crime from whole cloth, by assigning criminal conduct to an accessory of a lawful act by the principal? If this appears to be nonsensical then you understand the problem. </p> <p>There are no lawful grounds under statutory or common law; for the state to criminalize marketers that provide goods and services to lawfully sanctioned conduct---like playing cash poker. </p> <p>A larger problem for the police, than the vague and nonsensical social gambling exclusion, is Arizona’s exemption for bona fide businesses; poker easily qualifies. </p> <p>State law exempts from the criminal gambling laws; ANY bona fide business whose transactions are subject to the law of contracts. And, we are more than prepared to establish our bona fides to any judge or jury. The Sport of Poker is exempted from the gambling statutes in Arizona by being a bona fide international sport and profession of long standing. </p> <p>The public already acknowledges our bona fides; we are the third highest viewed sport on ESPN and, our professional players hold untold billions of dollars of bona fide contracts. And none can argue that the prize pool in a poker match is anything other than a contract. We are clearly a bona fide global business within the sports and entertainment industry---our right to self regulate and police our sport will not be denied us! </p> <p>This is why we are in discussions with state lawmakers and lobbyist; we support state regulation of our industry. However, we feel that the growth of poker requires that the state respond by helping our industry and our millions of fans to organize our lawful industry and sport. Not illegally prohibit or restrict access to this benign adult amusment. Adult amusements as popular as poker; cannot be prohibited or suppressed, but they can and should be regulated. </p> <p>In spite of our egregious treatment in this case; we will continue organizing our business, while continuing to work with community leaders and officials. Or, anyone else wanting to help us bring this great old sport out of its insalubrious environments and into fair, safe, and very transparent venues, sanctioned by the players. </p> <p>Sincerely, </p> <p>Harold Lee ---Founder of the International Card &#38; Game Players Association, Inc<br /> Tombstone, Arizona</p> <p>*****For Immediate Release-----Contact person Harold Lee (520) 559-5306**** </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/372#post-1181 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:02:22 +0000 arizonapokerplayer 1181@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Here is the article: <a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/272397.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/272397.php</a></p> <p>Certainly disappointing that we did not get any type of resolution out of the Courts. This suit was ill-conceived and not likely to succeed in any event. I suspect this will embolden the tribe in the future. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/372#post-1180 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:46:40 +0000 KenK2 1180@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Hey Fellas..</p> <p>Well, Donna at Club Royale has chosen to shut her doors. I am going to assume she did not want to fight the tribe for various reasons. </p> <p>When they started the Club, she made a crucial mistake, IMO, in not protecting herself by forming an LLC or Corp, so if and when you do get sued, they dont come after everything.. So the Tribe listed all that she owns, her house, tattoo parlors, etc.. She is also in the middle of a divorce and could not get split from Johnny because of the civil suit.. She has been having some fun with the younger guy and he was really pressuring her to get divorced hence was another reason for her decision.. </p> <p>I am hearing of another club(Tucson Card Club) opening up right after Christmas so stay tuned.... From what I understand, this club WILL NOT be associated with Harold Lee.. If anyone wants ANY more info, let me know, I will be happy to give it to you... ;)</p> <p>K </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/315#post-1179 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:25:12 +0000 Millercrew5 1179@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>If this is all there is to PPA then I am not going to renew my membership! I have heard nothing from the state of NC and that is crap. Now that the elections are over the PPA is on vacation until the next elections come around. I understand trying to change things in Washington but the NC chapter of the PPA has falling down on the job! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/371#post-1178 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:19:15 +0000 geno875 1178@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Below is the email sent to me from Dick Durbin. What a politically correct way to say piss off.</p> <p>Dear Mr. Hubbart:</p> <p>Thank you for your message regarding Internet gambling. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.</p> <p>The debate over Internet gambling has generated strong public interest. While most types of Internet gambling operations are prohibited under federal law, many Internet gambling operations are based in foreign countries and have fallen outside the jurisdiction of American enforcement agencies. Overall, Americans spend roughly $4 billion to $6 billion a year on Internet gambling. Because of the largely unregulated nature of this business, Internet gambling sites often fail to block access to gambling by children and often lack effective safeguards against fraud. Further, Internet gambling can be addictive, and this addiction has had a harmful effect on some individuals and communities.</p> <p>In September 2006, the Senate passed the SAFE Port Act of 2006 (H.R. 4954). This legislation contained numerous important provisions that would improve the security of our nation's ports. When a House-Senate conference committee met to work out differences in their separate versions of the bill, the conferees added language regarding Internet gambling.</p> <p>The language that the conference committee added to the SAFE Port Act prohibits those who are in the business of gambling from knowingly accepting credit cards, checks, electronic fund transfers or similar financial instruments in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. The Act imposes fines and/or prison sentences on violators. The legislation further requires the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Board to issue regulations directing banks and other financial transaction providers to adopt practices that will enable them to identify and prevent restricted transactions that support Internet gambling.</p> <p>The final version of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 included a number of provisions important to our national security. It passed by unanimous consent in the Senate. There was not a separate vote on the provisions to prevent unlawful Internet gambling.</p> <p>As the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Board craft the regulations required by the gambling provisions of the SAFE Port Act, it is important that they work with law-abiding financial transaction providers. We can effectively improve the enforcement of our longstanding ban on unlawful Internet gambling transactions without imposing unrealistic or overly burdensome requirements on law-abiding financial transaction providers.</p> <p>Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to stay in touch.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Richard J. Durbin</p> <p>United States Senator</p> <p>RJD/td</p> <p>Why not just say I don't care about how you feel about internet poker? would of saved alot of typing. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/356#post-1177 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:09:53 +0000 Mechanix544 1177@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I am new to the PPA, so hello all. I can say for myself, that amid all the ppl saying that online poker is rigged, I have noted that if you are consistently a good player, you WILL end up on top. Of all the sites, I trust FTP the most, but i have been playing alot of .50/1 NL @ ultimatebet just for the BBJ's. Altho Ill prolly never hit it, its worth a shot. Ive consistently played my game, and i started with a 100 dollar deposit on UB, and Im up to 320 in a little over a week, so, stick to your game, it'll work out. (if you're good, that is) :P </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/358#post-1176 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:31:11 +0000 MartinLiss 1176@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Sorry for sort of hijacking this thread but I saw no way to create a new one. I've a question and that is how do I find out my PPA number? </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/276#post-1175 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:35:35 +0000 azmarc123 1175@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I'm in! Let's get this going! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/66#post-1174 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:52:35 +0000 azmarc123 1174@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>what are the 15 states that this thinking would still remain illegal? </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/368#post-1173 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:16:33 +0000 GoldMiner1849 1173@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>It shouldn't be about the taxes the US will take from us. I wish PPA and everyone would stop offering to give the US more of our money in order to legalize online poker for us. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/349#post-1172 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:53:42 +0000 GoldMiner1849 1172@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Two more weeks of bad beats playing on Poker Stars. Last bad beat I'm in small blind with pocket Queens. Game is NL 1/2. No other players come in. I raise to $6. BB (BeatKids) calls. Flop 9s, 3c, Jh. Bet $6 and BB calls. Turn 6s. Bet $8 BB calls. River is 8s....BB hits gut shot straight holding 7h Th and busts me. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/370#post-1171 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:26:05 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1171@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>The attached link will give you information on where to go to recuit new members for the PPA. Let the poker playing community know their voice counts with the PPA </p> <p><a href="http://www.thepokeratlas.com/region/nevada/3/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thepokeratlas.com/region/nevada/3/</a> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/369#post-1170 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:17:24 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1170@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>In our continued efforts to contact our elected officals, I am seeking volunteers to act as coordinators in recruiting new members for the PPA. Nevada is the "Mecca" of the gaming industry and we need your support. The "<em>TIME IS NOW</em>" to make our voices heard in Washington. <strong> The response so far has increased but it needs to get better. Many of you have already sent letters and made phone calls but we need more.<br /> <em>STRENGTH IS IN NUMBERS</em>. Please contact me thru the Nevada PPA site. Thank you, Dianna Donofrio, Nevada PPA State Director</strong> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/368#post-1169 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:40:10 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1169@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><strong> The United States is loosing hundreds of millions of $$$ by NOT reversing the UIGEA legislation. In making online poker legal, there would be licensing fees applied and monthly or quarterly revenue generated to support the United States economy, as is done in other countries <em>"Around the World."</em> WAKE UP AMERICA, support the PPA..strongly make your voice heard to your Senators &#38; Congressmen. We need to get this legislation reversed. The <em>TIME IS NOW</em>.</strong> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/367#post-1168 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:41:31 +0000 altim 1168@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>This is actually a good way of getting some exposure for the problems plaguing online poker, if someone would write a good enough question that we could all vote on... </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/355#post-1167 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:12:18 +0000 KenK2 1167@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Steve,</p> <p>Judge Lee and I met a few nights ago in Phx., along with a few other cardroom owners and according to him, it has been extended.. I am unsure as the what the new date is at this time. I will keep you posted..</p> <p>Ken </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/367#post-1166 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:50:38 +0000 jsbx 1166@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>The Obama Transition just launched an "Open for Questions" on their site. I'm sure we can think of a few questions to ask.<br /> <a href="http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions" rel="nofollow">http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions</a> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/366#post-1165 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:08:17 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1165@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><strong>The Poker Players Alliance had a strong presence at the 2008 WSOP sending in the 'top guns' from DC with a membership drive as well as assisting in voter registration. The PPA supports us, lets all put are best foot forward and help them to increase the membership in Nevada and the rest of the United States. Power is in the numbers. As a group we did help get President Obama&lt;strong elected.</strong> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/365#post-1164 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:01:16 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1164@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>World Series of Poker Might Not Have Rebuy Events in 2009<br /> BY: STEPHEN A. MURPHY | <a href="mailto:steve.murphy@cardplayer.com">steve.murphy@cardplayer.com</a><br /> PUBLISHED: Tuesday Dec 09, 2008 05:35 PM</p> <p>Organizers Also Considering a 'Winner Take All' Event<br /> Rebuy events at the World Series of Poker might be on their way out.</p> <p>WSOP Communications Director Seth Palanksy has confirmed that organizers of the World Series are considering the possibility of getting rid of rebuy events in 2009 based on some concerns voiced by players.</p> <p>“There is a movement to not have any rebuy events,” said Palansky. “There is the growing concern that a pro can buy a bracelet in a rebuy event.”</p> <p>Palansky said that player feedback is one of the major factors in creating the WSOP schedule. Every year, Harrah’s Entertainment and tournament organizers evaluate the merits and downsides of the previous year’s events before coming up with a new schedule. The 2009 schedule will not be released until at least January or February.</p> <p>Palansky stressed that a final decision regarding rebuy events has not yet been made and that the potential change is merely under consideration.</p> <p>“There’s as good a chance that there won’t be rebuys as there is that there will be,” said Palansky.</p> <p>In 2006, WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack created the Player Advisory Council to incorporate the player’s point of view into the World Series.</p> <p>Daniel Negreanu, four-time bracelet winner and a member of the Player Advisory Council, is an advocate of the proposed change.</p> <p>“I am 100 percent against rebuy tournaments at the WSOP,” said Negreanu. “They are fine for other venues, but not for a bracelet.”</p> <p>The popular Canadian player said that the rebuy events are not fair to the average player who doesn’t have an endless amount of money to pour into the event.</p> <p>“Frankly, it gives players like me an unfair advantage in terms of winning the Player of the Year award,” said Negreanu.</p> <p>The sentiment is not new. Mike Sexton even wrote an article in Card Player magazine in 2002 asking for the ban of rebuys at the WSOP. But many pros are hesitant to see them go.</p> <p>Poker pro Layne Flack, who won the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha rebuy event this year, dismissed the notion that a bracelet could be bought.</p> <p>“That’s bullsh--,” said Flack. “It’s not like there is no play. The field is huge.”</p> <p>Flack pointed out that a player can only rebuy when he has as many chips as when he started the tournament (or less), so it isn’t as if someone could just buy a dominant stack.</p> <p>“You want to talk about buying a bracelet? Let’s talk about Doyle’s bracelet when there were eight people in the tournament,” said Flack. “The critics should look back in history and see where a bracelet has been bought.”</p> <p>There have been some tiny fields and some unique formats in past decades. One of Doyle Brunson’s 10 bracelets came in a $600 mixed doubles event with Starla Brodie in 1979, when the two players beat out 14 other entries to win a modest $4,500.</p> <p>The first four main events of the WSOP in 1971-1974 attracted six, eight, 13, and 16 players, respectively.</p> <p>Of course, that was well before the poker boom. Today, the $1,500 no-limit hold’em events attract nearly 3,000 players in every tournament.</p> <p>However, the rebuy events are not nearly as popular. While the hold’em events still do very well — the two $1,000 rebuy events attracted 879 and 766 entrants this year — the three other rebuy events did not garner massive fields.</p> <p>Flack’s pot-limit Omaha rebuy win was still over an impressive field of 320 players, but the $5,000 pot-limit Omaha rebuy, which was won by Phil Galfond, only attracted 152 players. Mike Matusow won a bracelet this year in the $5,000 deuce-to-seven lowball rebuy with just 85 players in the field.</p> <p>The smallest non-rebuy field in 2008 was 148 players in the $50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. event. There are no plans to scrap the televised tournament.</p> <p>The only other tournament that attracted fewer than 200 players was the $10,000 World Championship mixed event. Anthony Rivera beat out 191 other players to take the bracelet.</p> <p>Many pros are hesitant to see rebuys go, including Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi.</p> <p>When first told that there might not be any rebuys in 2009, Mizrachi quipped, “That’s good. It’ll probably save me a lot of money.”</p> <p>The Grinder acknowledges that they are a little unfair to players with less cash, but said he still hopes the tournaments remain.</p> <p>The World Series has seen a number of notable changes in the past few years. This year, the poker community was rocked when Harrah’s announced that it would delay the playing of the final table for more than four months. In 2007, World Series of Poker Europe launched in London with three bracelet events. In 2006, the $50,000-to-enter H.O.R.S.E. tournament debuted and has remained ever since.</p> <p>Palansky said that the tournament organizers are also discussing implementing brand-new tournaments in 2009, including a winner-take-all tourney. As for the highly debated final table delay for the main event, he said it was “likely” to stay. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/364#post-1163 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:56:14 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1163@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Poker Players Alliance Spreading Word Through Ad Campaign<br /> BY: BOB PAJICH | <a href="mailto:bob.pajich@cardplayer.com">bob.pajich@cardplayer.com</a><br /> PUBLISHED: Tuesday Dec 09, 2008 02:51 PM</p> <p>Advertisements Will Appear in Three Publications in Washington, D.C.<br /> The Poker Players Alliance is launching an ad campaign directed at those who work on Capitol Hill to encourage federal online poker regulation.</p> <p>This week, ads will appear in the three Capitol Hill publications Roll Call, The Politico, and The Hill urging readers to look at online poker regulation as a solution to the problems that were brought up during a recent 60 Minutes broadcast.</p> <p>The text of the ad pictured at right reads:</p> <p>In a story last week about online poker, The Washington Post debated the merits of Prohibition vs. Regulation. That’s an easy one. Sensible federal regulation is the only way to protect the millions of Americans who play Internet poker every day. </p> <p>We can’t guarantee every online company will play by the rules. But we’re certain good laws will deter and punish those that don’t. For too long, the federal government has abdicated this responsibility. It wrongly believes censoring the Internet and prohibition will work. This does nothing to protect consumers. What it does is limit our personal freedoms and drives players underground or overseas. Worse, billions of dollars that could be raised from regulation are lost. And in this economy, every nickel counts.</p> <p>Fortunately, Congress is working to pass legislation that will punish bad actors, guard against player fraud, protect children, and help problem gamblers.</p> <p>On behalf of our million members, the Poker Players Alliance calls on our Congressional leaders to support these efforts and preserve a national pastime.</p> <p>No matter how you cut the deck, regulation is the answer.</p> <p>Regarding the 60 Minutes story, which told the nation about the cheating scandal that took place on the online poker sites Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, the PPA released this statement featuring PPA Chairman and former Congressman Al D’Amato:</p> <p>The recent cheating scandals underscore the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers. While even the most highly regulated industries are susceptible to fraud and abuse, regulation does provide assurances that when consumers are harmed they have recourse, and that the offenders will be sanctioned. The continued pursuit of poker prohibition, on the other hand, will only drive this industry underground. As the Washington Post pointed out, prohibition represents a widening disconnect between 21st-century technology and 20th-century laws. </p> <p>Regulation of Internet poker does not equal an expansion of gambling in this country. Like it or not, the phenomenon of internet poker cannot be wished away. The American market has spoken. There is strong demand for Internet poker and no reasonable government can or should stand in the way of adults competing in games of skill on the Internet. To the contrary, the government should step up and exercise regulatory oversight on this multi-billion dollar interstate commerce, and collect the revenue—especially during this country's economic crisis. </p> <p>The federal government cannot continue to abdicate this basic responsibility to the millions of its citizens who choose to play poker on the Internet. The attempt to enforce an outright prohibition of online poker is deeply flawed and unworkable, and it invades upon the personal freedoms of law-abiding adults who wish to engage in a game of skill. And as 60 Minutes and the Washington Post stories reported it also exposes American consumers to the rare, unscrupulous bad apple operator who will take advantage of the lack of a U.S. regulated marketplace. </p> <p>Now more than ever the U.S. Congress needs to step up and enact real public policy as it relates to Internet gaming. We look forward to working with the new Administration and the new Congress to advance sensible regulatory solutions such as those introduced in the 110th Congress by Representatives Barney Frank (H.R. 2046) and Robert Wexler (H.R. 2610) and Senator Robert Menendez (S.3616). </p>