Parx, Stadium Casino, and Mount Airy all applied for the comprehensive online gaming licenses, but did any other casinos sneak in before the deadline?
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PokerStars announced the return of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) late last year. Additionally, the online poker site announced the inaugural PokerStars Players Championship.
The five-day event will precede the extremely popular PCA in January 2019. And the company has been on a mission to give away more than 300 Platinum Passes worth $30,000 each.
The Platinum Pass package includes a $25,000 PokerStars Players Championship buy-in plus $5,000 worth of accommodations and spending money.
The global online poker site has found plenty of ways to give Platinum Passes away outside of the U.S. While PokerStars hopes to offer online poker when it launches in Pennsylvania, currently the company only operates in New Jersey.
As such, the opportunities to give Platinum Passes away to U.S. poker players is more of a challenge.
Only six U.S. players are holding a Platinum Pass to next year’s Players Championship. Those players are:
More passes will make their way into U.S. poker players’ hands through PokerStars Ambassadors Jaime Staples, Jason Somerville, Liv Boeree, and Igor Kuganov.
Plus earlier this month, PokerStars announced the Moneymaker PSPC Tour. The nine-event tournament series hosted by Chris Moneymaker will travel around the United States and award a Platinum Pass at each stop.
And the giving of passes doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
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Visit WSOP NJPokerStars is teaming up with Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida to give away two more Platinum Passes.
To win one of the two available passes, players must log 100 hours of play at any jackpot-eligible poker game. The first 235 players to qualify will be able to play for their share of the Seminole Hard Rock $65,000 Summer Freeroll.
The top 20 finishers in the freeroll will earn various prizes including satellite tickets. The winner wins an entry into the $5,250 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship event and the coveted Platinum Pass.
The second Platinum Pass winner will come from a pool of players that participate in at least one tournament during the SHRPO series. The 26-event series takes place from Aug. 2 – 14.
Every buy-in to either satellites or primary events earns an entry. A player can earn multiple entries.
The drawing will take place on August 14. One random winner will walk away with an entry to the most highly-anticipated event of 2019.
“We have partnered with the Seminole Hard Rock on various charity events in the past including last year’s Hurricane Irma Relief, and we are very proud to be working with them once again,” said Eric Hollreiser, Vice President of Corporate Communications at The Stars Group in a press release.
“We wanted to give their players the opportunity to play in the PSPC through tournaments right on their doorstep. The Bahamas is only a short hop from the States, so this is perfect for those who have their eye on a Platinum Pass and the poker adventure of a lifetime. Poker lovers who can’t make it this time don’t have to worry. We have more routes coming up.”
PokerStars was the leader in online poker in the U.S. before Black Friday. Today, only three states offer online poker: Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. PokerStars is offering games in only one of them.
The fact that PokerStars continues to invest in the United States as a whole when they only operate in New Jersey speaks to its commitment to the game.
Sports betting legislation has been the talk of the country ever since the Supreme Court‘s decision in May to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
Many think this bodes well for online poker to make its way back into homes across America. It’s fair to say PokerStars is hoping that is the case.
Staying involved in the U.S. market and partnering with local casinos like Seminole Hard Rock proves PokerStars is ready to be back on top once legislation makes it possible.
The post PokerStars Is Heading To Florida With Two Platinum Passes appeared first on .
The $565 buy-in Colossus poker tournament attracts the largest field of any World Series of Poker event. Unfortunately, this year’s Colossus fielded the smallest group of players in its short history.
Brazilian Roberly Felicio won the event, banking the $1,000,000 first-place prize
This year’s tournament fielded 13,070 entries. The tournament, a five-day event, ran from June 2 to June 7.
There’s no denying the tournament is a gigantic event. Multiple big-name players offer instructions for how to navigate the huge number of players in the event.
Still, this year’s event was the smallest incarnation of the Colossus so far. In fact, the fields have shrunk each subsequent year since the tournament’s debut in 2015.
The 2015 event remains the largest version of Colossus. In fact, it’s the largest live tournament ever played, with 22,374 entries generating a prizepool that ballooned over $11 million.
The fields have tumbled by 42 percent since. Even more alarmingly, each year’s decline has been greater than the last.
This year’s event hosted nearly 5,000 fewer entries than 2017’s event alone. Overall, attendance is down by more than 9,000 entries.
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Visit WSOP NJThe dying fields might seem confusing. After all, the WSOP continues chugging along, with this year’s Main Event ranking as the second-largest in that event’s history.
However, there are three main reasons that the Colossus is less colossal this year:
WSOP management took a bit of a flyer on the Colossus in 2015. There was a great deal of uncertainty about offering such a low buy-in event.
Furthermore, the team had to withstand criticism from top pros and amateurs alike. The low buy-in drew their ire because, in their view, it cheapened the value of the coveted WSOP bracelet.
So, when tens of thousands of people showed up, management felt emboldened about smaller buy-in events. It began introducing more low buy-in tournaments in 2016, when a $565 Pot-Limit Omaha event appeared.
The following year brought two events which were actually lower in buy-in than even the Colossus. A $333 online poker event on WSOP.com and the $365 buy-in Giant likely shaved off some of the players who would normally stretch for the Colossus.
So, in 2018, WSOP hit an all-time high for low buy-in tournaments, introducing a PLO Giant. That addition brought the total of three-digit buy-in events to five.
The Colossus field also shrank due to the numerous options available to players at the same time. Two of the aforementioned low buy-in events ran either just before or during the Colossus.
For example, the $365 WSOP.com event ran entirely on what amounted to be Day 2 of the Colossus. The player pools from those two events alone combined for nearly 12,000 entries. Sure, some players multi-tabled by playing on their computer or tablet at the table
There was also an MSPT event at Venetian running at the same time. This event, part of Venetian’s Deepstacks Series, drew over 4,400 entries and carried a guarantee of $3.5 million.
All these competitors and complaints about the tournament structure could lead to a dwindling field. However, there is also one other, and simpler, reason for the decline.
It may sound unfair, but the Colossus just isn’t the new baby anymore. The event still promises a big field, sure, but the addition of so many new events – including the lower buy-in ones – have drained interest in the tournament.
This problem doesn’t have an easy solution. The reason why a tournament like the Main Event can continue to sustain or grow usually has to do with its presentation.
The Colossus has a reputation as a tournament for getting lucky, rather than as a skill-heavy event. Aside from the chance of rubbing elbows with famous pros (who are likely goofing around), there’s not much draw for a player who has worked hard to hone his or her game.
Winning a WSOP bracelet means engaging in gambling, to be sure. However, at their core, the events themselves should not be gambles. Otherwise, we should all just play slots tournaments.
The post Can WSOP Turn Around The Not-So-Colossal Colossus? appeared first on Play USA.
Pennsylvania state authorities recently destroyed a multimillion-dollar video gambling organization and arrested its alleged owner. The illegal operation conducted business in Allegheny, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
In the scheme, patrons at bars, restaurants, and clubs could win credits from machines placed in the establishments. The winners would then redeem the credits for cash from the bar owners.
In connection with the investigation, Pennsylvania State Police arrested 58-year-old Anthony Zenner of East Washington on July 12. Zenner, the owner of Zenner Vending, reportedly placed over 140 devices in bars or restaurants since 2006.
Several grand jury witnesses testified that Zenner would collect his money once a week. One witness referred to the event as “Tony Day.”
The witnesses also described how Zenner would split the profits evenly with the location’s owner. The Pennsylvania Attorney General‘s office alleges that Zenner ran his enterprise in 33 locations throughout the four counties.
“Today we’ve ended Tony Zenner’s video gambling operation,” said state attorney general Josh Shapiro. “This defendant raked in millions of dollars in illegal proceeds, draining money from Pennsylvanians — and from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania — over the last decade.”
The arrest was the final step in a three-year investigation. In April 2018, police confiscated over 100 video poker machines and $83,000 in cash from Zenner’s warehouse and car.
They also froze $63,000 spread across several bank account. In all, they allege that Zenner made $7 million over the course of the past decade.
Officials used undercover surveillance often over the course of the investigation. A state trooper testified to a grand jury that he observed Zenner removing and mixing money together, obscuring its origin.
Zenner denied all the charges through his attorney.
“This is a legitimate vending machine company. He has everything from dartboards, pool tables to soda pop machines, snack machines,” said Christopher L. Blackwell, Zenner’s attorney. “He obtained a license to place these machines within their municipality. He paid the appropriate taxes and the licensing fees that go along with that.”
Blackwell went on to dispute both the alleged income amount and ownership of all the machines which were confiscated. He also wasn’t sure if Zenner owned all 142 machines that had been taken as evidence.
There are a plethora of legal options available. From the four counties involved, three casinos – Rivers Casino, Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino – lie within an hour’s drive.
Even if those opportunities weren’t sufficient, online gambling will soon be a reality in Pennsylvania. On July 12, Parx Casino became the first casino in Pennsylvania to file for an interactive gaming license.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is also finalizing its regulations for sports betting in the Keystone State. After that, it is likely that sports betting will be available at some of the state’s casino properties.
That list of properties is also due to grow. Stadium Casino in Philadelphia is under construction and scheduled to open in 2020.
Every one of those legal options pays taxes to the state. Because of that fact, the state has both ethical and financial motivations to pursue illegal gambling operations.
No government body would ever reduce its vigilance when those two aspects combine. However, $7 million over the course of a decade may make it worth the risk to some.
The post PA Authorities Bust Up Multimillion-Dollar Video Gambling Ring appeared first on Play Pennsylvania.
The latest from the Pokerfuse Poker Podcast Directory.
Episode 262: Barney Boatman (feat. Josh Miller and Eric Keppler)
Card Player’s 2018 WSOP coverage is sponsored by BetOnline Poker. Get a 100 percent bonus, up to $1,000, by joining now. The site offers great cash game action and a …
Card Player’s 2018 WSOP coverage is sponsored by BetOnline Poker. Get a 100 percent bonus, up to $1,000, by joining now. The site offers great cash game action and a …
John Cynn defeated the second-largest World Series of Poker Main Event field of all-time to win $8.8 million early Sunday morning in Las Vegas. The 33-year-old from Indianapolis beat Tony Miles heads up in a record-breaking final table to redeem his 11th-place finish in 2016.
Cynn started the tournament as one of 7,874 hopefuls looking to make their stamp on poker history. By the time the 442-hand final table ended, Cynn was running on pure adrenaline after 10 days of play.
“It feels very different,” Cynn said in comparing his two Main Event results. “Really, neither is supposed to happen. To make 11th is insane on its own and to win, that’s literally something you dream of but never expect to happen. The last time, I was really happy. Right now, I feel pretty overwhelmed. All the emotions and time spent.”
The Main Event started for Cynn on July 4, when he bagged a healthy 133,000 from a 50,000 starting stack. Cynn anted 10 starting stacks on the final hand of the early morning in Las Vegas, NV to defeat Miles.
Cynn and Miles played 199 hands of heads up play over 11 hours to reach their climax. The two traded the chip lead numerous times before Cynn clinched the match at 5 a.m. PT.
A button raise from Cynn to 9 million led Miles to three-bet to 34 million. Cynn called and the king-king-five flop with two hearts brought a 32 million-chip bet from Miles. Cynn matched and the eight of diamonds on the turn brought two flush draws into play.
Miles moved all-in for 114 million and Cynn used a minute to think it over. His time was worth the effort as his call with king-jack had the queen-eight of Miles drawing dead.
The heads up match and overall final table set respective records for most hands played at either juncture.
Cynn complimented Miles on his play and reflected on the marathon in his post-win interview.
“It was kind of weird,” Cynn surmised. “You’re playing heads up for the main but at some point, it just feels like poker. Obviously, when you’re put in pressure spots and all the money goes in, you realize what it’s for. You can’t compare that to anything else in poker. There’s no equivalent to this in poker.”
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Visit WSOP NJA lively group of rails supported Cynn and Miles to the finish line. Cynn’s rail was populated by professional poker players including Bryce Yockey and Ben Lamb. Yockey was in charge of most of the feedback that went to Cynn from the live stream and discussed their strategy after heads up play wrapped up.
“The biggest thing we tried to do was to adjust his preflop sizing for different stack sizing,” Yockey said. “Given that we thought we had an edge, we didn’t want to play a lot of bloated pots. Once we got to heads up, it was more ‘this is the hand he raised with, this is the hand he three-bet with’ just so he could develop reads over time. After a while, we kind started shutting down giving him info because we could tell he was so tired that it was better for him to play his game and conserve his mental energy.”
Miles proved to be the fan-favorite of the final tablists due to his positive spirit during recovery from addiction. The third opponent on Day 3 of the final table was mystery man Michael Dyer. The 31-year-old Dyer came from a place of nothing in the poker world to win $3.5 million for third place.
Cynn’s background derives from cash games in Los Angeles. Lamb stated that he met Cynn playing high stakes cash there. Outside of his Main Event win, Cynn’s career earnings total a notch under $1 million with $650,000 of that figure coming from his 2016 run. Cynn says he doesn’t play too many tournaments but the Main Event is a can’t miss on an annual basis.
The days wore on Cynn, who claimed fatigue after the final card hit.
“I’m pretty beat. Every day, somehow you get more exhausted but also a little bit sharper because adrenaline keeps you going. It’s indescribable.”
The $8.8 million waiting for Cynn and the Rio cage isn’t going to a special place yet. Cynn hopes to not need to do anything with the prize yet and instead focus on the non-material items in his life.
“I’m not doing bad, but I’m not rich yet. The money is significant but I do like to think I don’t need the money to be happy. But at the same time, it’s going to make things a lot easier. Things I want to do in life, things with my family and parents. This is to my parents, money that they could never imagine. It’s definitely life-changing.”
Cynn’s parents cheered him on the rail and he gave an emotional hug to both after locking up the title.
The Main Event field whittled down to newcomers to big stages but quite a few season pros left their mark on the tournament. Eric Froehlich (23rd place), Barry Hutter (26th), Shannon Shorr (39th), Brian Yoon (41st), and James Obst (46th) all came within relative inches of making the final table.
All who made the final table were awarded at least $1 million and a special place in poker history.
1st place: John Cynn – $8,000,000
2nd place: Tony Miles – $5,000,000
3rd place: Michael Dyer – $3,500,000
4th place: Nic Manion – $2,825,000
5th place: Joe Cada – $2,150,000
6th place: Aram Zobian – $1,800,000
7th place: Alex Lynskey – $1,500,000
8th place: Artem Metalidi – $1,250,000
9th place: Antoine Labat – $1,000,000
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Card Player’s 2018 WSOP coverage is sponsored by BetOnline Poker. Get a 100% bonus, up to $1,000, by joining now. The site offers great cash game action and a chance …
Card Player’s 2018 WSOP coverage is sponsored by BetOnline Poker. Get a 100 percent bonus, up to $1,000, by joining now. The site offers great cash game action and a …