http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ Poker Players Alliance Forums: Recent Topics en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:28:30 +0000 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/356#post-1132 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:44:20 +0000 mckeever2004 1132@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I HAVE PLAYED ON PACIFIC POKER AND WON OVER 12,000 DOLLARS BEFORE THE US SHUT THEM DOWN.SO I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY GOOD POKER PLAYER.SINCE I HAVE BEEN PLAYING ON FULLTILT I AM TOTTALY CONVINCED NO MATTER HOW GOOD A PLAYER YOU ARE YOU ARE DOOMED TO LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY HAVE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE SET UP.THE ONLY ONE THAT WINS IS THE POKER SITE.<br /> EVEN THOUGH I LOVE PLAYING POKER ,ITS SIMPLY STUPID TO THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY TO THESE POKER SITES.ITS IMPSOSIBLE TO WIN ON THESE SITES.WHEN YOU PLAY OVER 200 HANDS AND WIN ONLY 1% PER CENT. THE ONLY DUMMY IS THE PLAYER WHO KEEPS ON PUTTING IN MONEY TO THESE POKER SITES. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/349#post-1106 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:36:54 +0000 GoldMiner1849 1106@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>With all the rumors of Poker Sites cheating the players who is or should be investigating? I'm a computer programmer and it is very easy to write code to insure "insiders" take your money: maybe not everytime you play; but the majority of the time continually draining your bank account. </p> <p>I've had my share of bad beats online...Now and then you expect it...but not in defiance of the odds continuously. There are too many cases of this happening and someone needs to take action to assure us we get a fair deal.</p> <p>Still, I continue to play..but in very small stake games and with money I don't care if I lose. I play for the entertainment. </p> <p>Please help assure those that can't afford to lose that they are getting a fair deal. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/357#post-1137 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:33:00 +0000 tokerstarj 1137@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I HATE WHEN IM PLAYING LATE AT NIGHT AND CANT TELL SOME1 HOW I GOT RAPED BY SOME DONKEY WITH A 2 OUT MIRACLE. SO IF U HAVE 1 LET ME KNOW BOUT IT IM HEAR TO LISTEN TO THEM. P.S. FUCK POKERSTARS!!!!! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/337#post-1049 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:12:02 +0000 playpttt 1049@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Hello, </p> <p> I work at a pool room/bar in Colorado and a couple of weeks ago these guys wanted to use some chips so they could play cards. So, I gave them some chips that we use for the free poker tournament. I didn't ask if the where going to be playing for anything. They played heads up and one of the men ended up losing $500 to the other guy. The guy that lost calls the cops but nothing was done about it. A week later we get raided by the gaming police. They say that we could be charged with a felony. They search the whole bar and we are going to be put on a watch list and get searched randomly and they are going to send in under covers. I thought that people where allowed to gamble amongst themselves if the house was not taking a rake or tips? </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/341#post-1064 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:41:36 +0000 KodyB 1064@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I'm inquiring about loop holes for running a poker tourney for fund raisers for fire depts, hospitals and such. I once heard that if a certain percentage goes to a non profit organization that it was perfectly legal? Would this qualify under the bone fide law or how creative am I going to have to get? </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-979 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:58:56 +0000 Berserker871 979@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>As poker players we should all be appauled by the NFL's role in passing this law. I encourage anyone who is a fan of poker to NEVER buy NFL liscensed material again and to most of all NEVER participate in fantasy football. </p> <p>It is uncomprehendable how flawed this country's systems are. This country if full of corrupt orginizations and administrations that based on their financial power have complete control over this country leaving the vast majority of the country powerless and forced to go along with whatever these orginizations deem to be their "best interest". </p> <p>The fact that one is allowed to go to any casino and lose his or her life savings but not able to do the same online is clearly because online gambling DOES NOT PRODUCE REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMANT. This is further proof that this country is driven by greed and not the advancement of civilization. Which at it's roots is why this country is in such bad condition as it is. </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-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/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-955 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:12:00 +0000 Millercrew5 955@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Where is the Director for North Carolina? Why aren't we more active? I never heard a thing from the PPA for the North Carolina vote since Kay Hagan was running against Dole. If it was such a pivotal race how come PPA had no presence? Feels like the PPA is just here to collect my membership and thats it! </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/358#post-1146 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:46:37 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1146@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>December, 2008 </p> <p><strong>Greetings Nevada PPA Members</strong> </p> <p>It has been a great honor to recently have been selected to represent the Poker Players Alliance as Nevada’s new State Director. </p> <p>At this time I want to introduce myself to you, the members in our great State and thank you for the support that you have given the PPA. My background includes 20 plus years in the poker industry including holding positions of Satellite Director and Payout Manager for the World Series of Poker, Tournament Director for the 2008 Montel Williams Charity Event in New York, board member for the 2007 Jennifer Harman, Nevada SPCA Charity Event and organized the first Legends of Poker at the Commerce Casino. Politically, I served on the staffs of former US Senator Birch Bayh, Mayor Russell G. Lloyd and former Governor Matthew Welsh, all from Indiana. Currently, I hold the position of Public Relations Director for DG Holdings Group SA </p> <p>It is my position that Nevada, being the capitol of gaming ‘Around the World’, we must take a leadership role in pushing for reversal of the UIGEA legislation. Keeping that in mind, I am reaching out to you, the Nevada members. The PPA and I need your continued support. Timing is of the essence. The holidays are fast approaching, the economy is in a mess and I know we all have busy lives, but if you would just take a few minutes from your schedules to protect your privacy rights, we need to unite and do the following: </p> <p>Get two of your friends in Nevada to join the PPA<br /> Contact the Obama Change Team express your opposition to the UIGEA<br /> Contact are Senators &#38; Congressmen and express your concerns</p> <p>There are many activities that I will be attending making our voices heard in Nevada and will be posting a schedule for you to follow. You will also be getting updates of the progress of these meetings and future projects and goals for increasing the Nevada’s membership. </p> <p>Thank you, </p> <p>Dianna Donofrio,<br /> Nevada State Director </p> <p>Please feel free to contact me I look forward to your comments and suggestions. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/276#post-827 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:42:31 +0000 chukphx 827@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Arizona members I had a death in the family recently and have had other things going on and have not really been active the last month but I think we need to meet and get some serious planning done. There are many things going on right now and its not looking good for this game we all love. A quote comes to mind and I am not sure who said it but I think the message is clear enough "the only cure for despair is action". There are elections, candidates and things we need to collect information on and inform others about members and non members alike. We need to set up a committee and work on recruiting members and garnering media attention. I am more than willing to open up my home to a meeting because I really feel like this is a crucial time for poker and definitely not a time to be complacent if you care about this game and your civil rights and liberties concerning it, please let myself or arizonapokerplayer know so we can set up something and why not have a game and some good food as well? I also know a local brew master at one of the Rock bottom Breweries and I'm sure he would give me a friendly discount on a keg of beer as well. I'm willing to make it fun and provide the place if we can get the bodies to one of these meetings. As always we are open to suggestions but we need some motivated bodies to get our state chapter(s) going, our message and our rights to play this game alive and kicking. Anybody else feel this way if so lets take action outside of these blogs and do something. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/66#post-141 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:30:42 +0000 Skallagrim 141@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>This was my original post on this subject, Posted way back on Friday, Feb 16, 2007</p> <p>I am posting this in a few places to be sure it gets noticed.</p> <p>More than 1/2 of the US states define "gambling" as participating in a game where "the outcome is predominantly determined by chance." Logically then, if it can be shown that poker outcomes are not result of chance more than 1/2 the time, we will have shown poker is not 'gambling' and therefore LEGAL in those states. Here is the best method I have come up with for convincing judges and or juries (most of whom have only a limited familiarity with poker) that poker is, more often than not, DETERMINED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE PLAYERS, AND THUS NOT CHANCE. Your comments will be appreciated.</p> <p>First, define the terms:</p> <p>"chance" is the random distribution of the cards.<br /> "outcome" is who wins and how much.</p> <p>Now consider a fair representative number of poker hands at any table, and remember, showing chance means the outcome is determined by the cards.</p> <p>So, first, every hand that does not go to showdown was the clealry result of player actions, not the cards (there is no rule that says you HAVE to fold 2-7 or call/raise with A-A). In most forms of poker this is the way most hands are resolved (all but one person folds before all the cards are revealed).</p> <p>Second, when hands do go to showdown, that is a choice of the players and that should count for something.</p> <p>Third, who is at the showdown is detemined by player decisions (to call, fold or raise), not the cards. And quite often the person who would have had the best hand has folded long before all the cards are shown. That also counts for something.</p> <p>Fourth, even at the showdown the more skilled player will be in the advantage (he who has the best pre-river hand is there usually because his skills -math AND psychology- tell him he has that hand). So are the cards determining who goes into a showdown with the hand most likely to win, or is it the skill (or lack thereof) of the players?</p> <p>Fifth, even at the showdown, the underdog only wins less than half the time because, of course, thats why he is the underdog!</p> <p>And finally, the amount of the win (especially significant in tournament poker) has been determined completely by the players (though structured by the betting rules), not the cards.</p> <p>So put all that together, and the only time you can really say that chance DETERMINES the outcome in poker is when there is a showdown and the less skilled player gets lucky and hits his or her improbable card. We all know that happens in poker, we also all know that happens far, far less than half the time.</p> <p>Dont talk to me here about bankroll management, or long term v short term and how you have to play the percentages. Those concepts are absolutely important for being an overall money winner in poker, but they fail to show to the average person that a typical hand of poker is more often than not the result of a player's skill/decisions than chance.</p> <p>Please do respond, however, this is an important part of the fight to get/keep poker legal (in most states anyway) and before I use this argument in a Court I want it thoroughly tested!</p> <p>Skallagrim </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/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/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/355#post-1130 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:55:17 +0000 KenK2 1130@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Fellas..</p> <p>Where is everyone?? The Lawsuit against Club Royale is upon us and there has been ZERO talk about this in the last 5 weeks.. Why are we so dead here in this section of the forums?? </p> <p>Ken<br /> Tucson </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> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/175#post-426 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:47:16 +0000 arizonapokerplayer 426@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>As of yet, we do not have any volunteers from three of Arizona's eight districts. If you live in district 1 (Rick Renzi); 7 (Grijalva) or 8 (Giffords) and would be willing to help on a more localized basis, please send me an e-mail at <a href="mailto:AZ@pokerplayersalliance.org.">AZ@pokerplayersalliance.org.</a> </p> <p>If you don't know what district you are in, you can find out here: <a href="http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/dbq/officials/" rel="nofollow">http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/dbq/officials/</a> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/330#post-1018 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:08:58 +0000 Bluegrass Poker 1018@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I am attending the hearing on the writs of prohibition filed by iMEGA, IGC and others on Dec 12 in Louisville. Rich, I'm sure you will be there as well. Any other PPA members want to get together and meet.</p> <p>Might be a good time to sit down and talk. Discuss what General Assembly members we may collectively know, which ones are poker players, etc and other potential lobbying issues. And just a convenient time to meet others as well. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/363#post-1156 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:14 +0000 mueneeez 1156@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>We are in the process of planning a group meet up for Montana PPA members. we are looking at a mid to late March date, It will be in Missoula. We hope to make it worth your while by having some poker events and other interesting, fun, and informative events. We will try and assit anyone interested in participating with lodging and eating.</p> <p>message me with ideas, ill keep you informed here.</p> <p>you can call me at 406.880.0385 </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/298#post-890 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:41:38 +0000 elktracter 890@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I just read in the PPA’s congressional rating guide Congressman Dennis Rehberg was rated as an “F” which means that he opposes our rights as Montanans to play online poker. </p> <p>Congressman Rehberg is a cosponsor of several House bills that would make you and I criminals in our own homes for playing a game that millions of Americans enjoy playing in casinos. </p> <p>Mr. Rehberg you are wrong about online poker, you are wrong for not protecting me as a voter and you are wrong for Montana. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/362#post-1150 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:02:28 +0000 mueneeez 1150@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><a href="http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/05/news/local/60-pokergames.txt#comments">Billings Gazzette</a><br /> "Tom Oberweiser, district supervisor for the state Gambling Investigations Bureau, said his officers raided a warehouse at 3 a.m. Nov. 9 and seized poker tables and cash. "</p> <p>I spoke with Tom by phone and although he could not speak about specifics of this case due to legal reasons, we did cover the important topics that are relevant. I first asked how law enforcement found out about the Poker game ? Oberweiser said that they had multiple tips, and suggested that they came from legal card room operators. </p> <p>Oberweiser told me that they(the Law) were basically protecting Legal gambling. As far as state and local laws go here in Montana home poker games are fine and may actually enjoy some freedoms that liscensed card rooms dont have such as pot limits of $300 (id like to see that change). Where these poker enthusiast/entrepenures went wrong is that they were basically running a public business. I get the feeling that there may have been a rake and some form of dealer compensation. The game operator(s) allegedly recruited players from legal card rooms to play, and included after hours operation. after hours operation of a card room is legal in two cities in Montana, and both happen to be the college towns of Bozeman and Missoula. </p> <p>There was no sting so to speak...no targeting of poker...by religous fanatics or poker haters...law officials were most likely tipped off by legal card room operators. Fellow poker players dropped the dime, WHY? aside from the obvious, after talking with a few local card room operators it is clear. "They stepped on toes" one anonymous source told me. </p> <p>A card room liscense is about $150 for 1 table in Montana, it is how some people make a living. It is not a monumental undertaking or big burden to comply with the laws and have a legal game. I doubt if they will get jail time but I do hope they learn their lesson. This is clearly not a case of big brother squashing evil gaming or connected mafia poker/gambling eliminating the competition. This is probably some enthusiastic entrepenurial poker players getting ahead of themselves, and being careless. </p> <p>The biggest problem that poker faces is legitamacy. We must embrace transparency and some kind of regulatory influence. sometimes we may disagree with the type of regulation...that is why we are members of PPA, we get involved. Our system may be flawed but we can make a difference. Thumbing your nose at people who follow the rules and run good games and the federal, state and local Law is sheer stupitity....and bad for Poker over all.</p> <p>I am waiting on some calls that hopefully give me some more information....I will post anything I get here. please comment...Id like to know what you think!</p> <p>Mike</p> <p>State Director Montana </p>