World Series of Poker starts May 28th – How to Get in Cheap!!!

The best way to qualify for the WSOP $10K Main Event and all the preliminary Events is to play satellites at online poker rooms. Not only do you save LOTS of money in rake from playing live satellites in Vegas, but almost all online poker sites provide extra value in several different areas. Bonus Payments, Hospitality Suites, Dinner with Poker Professionals, Hotel Packages, Exclusive Parties, Apparel, are among the extras.

There is one site that provides a helpful one-page summary of the major online poker rooms WSOP Satellites as well as a full schedule of the 57 Events World Series of Poker – Schedule/Online Satellites

There are several interesting offerings for 2010.

One thing I always find strange. Although PokerStars sends the most players by far to the WSOP (supposedly more than all the other sites combined), it starts its satellites the latest. It does not start official satellites until April 20ish. All other rooms have started in some fashion.

Full Tilt offers the most comprehensive WSOP program and the most ways to get into the Main Event. Of course, they have the infamous $10Million Bonus if you happen to win the WSOP Main Event, but this year they added a Free 2011 Main Event Entry if you simply CASH the Main Event this year (of course you must satellite in through Full Tilt). They are offering 81 Player Shootout Satellites as well as Weekly Cash Qualifiers every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

They are also giving away 50 completely Free $10K Seats in the Race to Main Event Promotion that involves round-the-clock Freeroll SNGs starting soon in April.

Full Tilt also will be offering a very interesting $1.10 Satellite every Sunday through June 27 that guarantees 5 seats. They even have 30 cent satellites to the satellite. Imagine winning the Main Event World Series of Poker on 30 cents!!!

You can also win prizes at Full Tilt including a free 2011 Main Event Seat by playing Fantasy WSOP which involves choosing a15 player team of pros before each World Series Event.

Full Tilt $12K prize package includes Dinner w/FTP Poker pros; Rio Accommodations; Free access to hospitality suite; $2K in spending money .

Ultimate Bet (UB) offers the next best WSOP set of promotions. In “$how Up Get Paid”, UB qualifiers to the Main Event get paid a minimum $1000 cash just for playing the event, and can make more money based on a progressive, shared prize pool. UB also offers a nice variety of satellites that start at Step Tourneys from $0.10. “Final Table Sponsorship” pays bonus money to the UB qualifiers who make the Final Table up to a maximum $750,000 for 1st Place. They are also offering a “King of Satellites” leaderboard which provides cash to the Top 5 Satellite Winners ($5K 1st)

Carbon Poker offers an interesting “ALL-IN OR FOLD YOUR WAY TO WSOP” that involves a 10 Step process that starts at $1 and you must Fold or bet All-in each hand. Winners get entry to Event #54 $1K buyin and $1500 cash. Carbon’s Main Event Satellites provide winners a $12,500 Package in a $275 Grand Finals Sat. SNGs start at $2.

Cake Poker offers a $12,500 Package every Sunday with a $374 Finals Satellite.

Doyle’s Room offers the same $12,500 Package but includes: A private dinner with Doyle Brunson; An invite to all-inclusive party; A photo session/Meet & Greet with Doyle; Autographed copies of his books; DoylesRoom apparel & gear.

Bodog has not published their 2010 Schedule, but always offers nice extras for players who qualify through satellites including: A personal handler to ensure you play your best; VIP Players lounge: hanging out with the pros, meeting the Bodog girls; getting a massage; Bodog clothes, bags, gadgets; evening parties; Bonuses based on your performance and exposure.

For NON-USA Players, the iPoker Network, which includes sites such as Mansion Poker, Sun Poker and Titan is offering a unique set of satellites that includes a $13K Main Event Package with 7 nights stay at Wynn Las Vegas. You will also find several multi-event satellites topped off with the “Jackpot Sit’N’Go Executive Package”. If you can win 6 consecutive $12 Special SNGs, iPoker will award $25K in prizes which includes two WSOP Events ($2500/$10K) and 13 nights at Wynn.

Party Poker is giving its players a chance to Freeroll their way to a $14K Main Event Package by offering 2 Freerolls daily to a Sub Qualifier that eventually leads to a $750 Main Satellite. All package winners will also be invited to join an exclusive WSOP poker seminar when they get to Vegas. Players will receive expert advice, tuition and tips from Team Party, which includes successful players like Mike Sexton, Tony G, Kara Scott, Ian Frazer and other pros.

WECpoker – A Helpful, Unique (and information filled) Connection to the Poker World

WECpoker is one of the most unique poker websites available on the internet.  While it does contain similar online poker site and online casino/sportsbook site information as many other sites, it provides a different look by only including personal recommendations by long-time Online Player “WEC” and includes each sites new “monthly” and ongoing promotions in a short one page format for all sites covered.

It goes much further than typical poker sites by including many features and valuable information only available at WECpoker.  For instance, no other site combines an explanation of Poker Staking, with many of the most reputable sites available for online staking with a short explanation of each site.  Another resource not available on most other poker-related sites is the listing of recommended Online Poker Forums, and many top Poker News and Information sites.

WECpoker also lists which sites offer informational tools such as online databases that capture players Online Cash Game and Tournament results, as well as the best available Poker Software Programs which will help find your strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your opponents.

Included in the wealth of information located at WECpoker is an explanation of Rakeback and recommended Rakeback sites;  a list of recommended Poker Training Sites with a small summary and cost for each site;  recommended Poker Books;  and various Deposit Options (also includes two poker trading threads for intra-site transfers).

Lastly, WECpoker contains an extensive section of Live Poker Rooms which lists highly recommended poker rooms located throughout the United States, including Las Vegas and also Las Vegas recommended Hotels.

The site was designed to assist all levels of poker players find a plethora of information to improve their game or increase the enjoyment of the game.

Several Opponents of Online Poker are heard at Congressional Hearings

The long awaited hearing focusing on internet gambling in the House Financial Services Committee headed by Barney Frank (D-MA) took place last week.  The hearing was only 90 minutes long and did feature witnesses that were in favor of US Regulation of Online Gambling (as opposed to ban), but several strong opponents of online gambling spoke up or provided testimony to cast a negative light on poker.

One of the strongest enemies of online poker is Spencer Bachus (R-AL), the Committee’s Ranking Member, who last year falsely relayed a study linking internet gambling and suicide.  He said Online gamblers can gamble 24 hours a day, seven days a week from home. Children may play without sufficient age verification and they can bet with a credit card. This undercut’s a player’s perception of cash. Young people are particularly at risk because if you put a computer in a bedroom or a dorm room, it’s a temptation that they may fall prey to.  He also stated that UIGEA should have been implemented and finalized two years ago.  He also said, “If Congress repeals the law, online casinos will proliferate. In the next five years, I feel that if [we] are successful in creating a federal right to gamble on the internet, we will create a generation of millions of Americans who from their youth will be addicted to internet gambling and, therefore, life-long problem gamblers.” Barney Frank labeled Bachus’ comments “hyperbole” and “based on no factual basis whatsoever.”

The Tribal Chairman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, who has been lobbying to have the tribe offer internet gambling in California, came to the hearing against online gambling because it hurts Indian Tribe casino business and was upset Tribes were not consulted about the UIGEA extension.

A letter was released at the hearing, from Shawn Henry, assistant director for the FBI’s cyber division, that stated “Technology exists to manipulate online poker games in that it would only take two or three players working in unison to defeat the other players who are not part of the team. The online poker vendors could detect this activity and put in place safeguards to discourage cheating, although it is unclear what the incentive would be for the vendor.”

The good news is overall the hearing seemed a positive for the online poker industry and the chances for regulation. Chairman Frank opened up the proceedings with the most logical opinion from a freedom-loving American, “I continue to believe it’s a mistake for the Congress of the United States to tell adults what to do with their own money on a voluntary basis. Some adults will spend their money unwisely, but it’s not the business of the Federal Government to prevent them from doing it.”

Las Vegas Hotel Rates Down – But Still too High in my Opinion

I have been reading the Las Vegas Sun lately to see how casinos have been holding up in this tough economy and 13% unemployment rates in Las Vegas. It is pretty gloomy reading the paper these days. Each day seems to bring another casino group filing for bankruptcy or having to halt their plans to build a new resort. Boyd Group just announced it would be at least 3 to 5 YEARS before they re-start building on the new Mega-Resort on the spot the Stardust once stood.

One thing I have noticed, while room rates are down, I still think they are terribly high at many casino/resorts given the need to attract more visitors.

Visitor numbers were down 4.7% January through September vs. 2008, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports. Convention attendance dropped 27.1% during that period.

While hotel discounting is the norm now, you will still find the new luxury Aria opening at official rates under $200, from $179 on slow days. That’s at least 20% off what they originally expected, but still a lot of money for people trying to enjoy a Las Vegas Vacation and still have money to gamble. Besides the Aria, a ton of hotels in Vegas still sport rates over $100 a night. The new Mandarin Oriental is banking on high rollers, with 392 rooms and suites that start at $545, with a second night free.

Just what happened to those old executives of Las Vegas who realized that cheap hotel rates and low-priced food brought the masses to gamble and made Las Vegas popular? Seems the town has gotten away from that idea and charges high prices for many places that serve food, put on shows, and provide hotel rooms.

A Good Las Vegas Hotel Recommended List with Short Summaries

Tony Bigcharles Video Interview

All Vegas Poker Interviews Tony…this is old but I thought it might be interesting

Mike “The Mouth” Matusow – Check Raising the Devil

One of the most recognizable faces (and personalities) in Poker has recently released a great book, Check-Raising the Devil.  For those that don’t know him, his nickname of “The Mouth” reflects his reputation for trash-talking at the poker table.  He is also known for sometimes ruining hours or days of good play with a single spectacular misjudgment, known as a “Mike Matusow Blow-up” or “Mike Matusow Meltdown”.  Matusow began playing poker seriously in the early 1990s, first while working as a poker dealer,  then as a professional player. His successes include being a three-time World Series of Poker and the winner of the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.

Unlike most poker books, Check-Raising the Devil takes you on a breathtaking, true-life roller coaster ride from his humble beginnings in a trailer park to a rock and roll lifestyle full of hot women, sex, wild drug-filled parties and million-dollar wins and losses.  Yet behind the glamour and glory of his high-stakes poker career lurked the flip side: a person torn between two debilitating mental illnesses; bipolar disorder and ADHD. To dig himself out of depression and suicidal despair, Matusow turned to dangerous street drugs to self-medicate a problem he didn’t understand, and spiraled deeper into the darker world of addiction, police narcotic stings, and jail time.

In this revealing and tumultuous autobiography, the combustible Matusow holds nothing back. You’ll get a mouthful of the man behind the infamous Matusow Meltdowns seen on national TV.

Other Highly Recommended Poker Books

UIGEA Regulation Implementation to be Delayed at least 6 Months

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is expected to make a statement Friday that U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner granted the Poker Players Alliance’s petition to delay the compliance date for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The six months would be a compromise to the year requested by the PPA and Frank.

Word of the delay comes just days before the December 1 date when banks and financial institutions were to be held responsible for making sure no outgoing transactions were made to web sites related to what was termed as “illegal Internet gambling.”

The six-month delay, while not a victory in itself, sets the stage for future victories by giving Frank time to address his other bill, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act.

It remains to be seen how the banks and credit card companies will respond to a delay. The situation likely will remain similar to recent months, where some are blocking transactions and some are not. But the six-month stay should prevent blocking from getting worse.

PokerNews

Tony BigCharles -update

Tony Bigcharles, the infamous self-proclaimed “Poker Professional” who was discussed below, had been maintaining a massive blog at All Vegas Poker. He recently went into a fit and had his highly entertaining blog closed, although it remains in archive to read about his zany adventures and thoughts.

This attention-seeking character can not remain sidelined for long, and has already posted in a new thread opened at All Vegas Poker titled “Tony Bigcharles News and Sightings”. I highly recommend you follow his antics.

December 1st – Potentially scary day for all Online Poker

Lots of people who follow Online Poker have been concerned about what will happen when the calendar hits December 1, 2010. That is the day the financial services industry in the United States must fall into full compliance with the regulations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). In its simplest form the law prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to an illegal Internet gambling site, specifically excluding fantasy sports, online lotteries, and horse/harness racing. The initial passing of this legislation in 2006 was the cause of many Poker sites (and online casino sites) to pull out from the United States market.

So, will Online Poker grind to a halt December 1st? At the moment it does not appear so. The legislation and its implementation are under attack on several fronts, although it seems doubtful any of these attempts will succeed prior to December 1. In any case, Barney Frank (D) Mass, and the Poker Players Alliance have been working hard to prevent the UIGEA from taking effect.

For those wondering what will happen if they are not successful by December 1, the good news is it appears Financial Institutions will not be working hard to universally prohibit your poker transfers. A recent, excellent article titled “U.S. Banks Offer “Due Diligence” as UIGEA Deadline approaches”, states that for now the extent most banks are willing to go is to send all Account Holders “due diligence” notices with their bank statements similar to this:

“As a (fill in the blank) customer, we’d like to inform you that in accordance with the requirements of the Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and Regulation GG, certain transactions are prohibited from being processed through your account

Prohibited transactions include those in which a person accepts credit, funds, or other proceeds from another person in connection with unlawful internet gambling. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this regulation, please contact us.”

The UIGEA achieved one of its initial objectives of scaring off potential newcomers, along with publicly traded companies who didn’t want to challenge the government on the legislation, but in the end the legislation was so poorly thought out that when it came time to write the regulations for it the Treasury threw up its hands and essentially said it wasn’t possible, so they wrote a set of rules that demanded that the financial institutions do their dirty work for them.

If poker players are lucky, the initial indications are that banks are going to send out these letters to all customers telling them that the UIGEA is now law and please don’t bet online. Anything beyond that isn’t the banks problem. We can only hope this is the case, and that all the people fighting for online poker in the United States will eventually allow Americans to play poker online in their own homes.

Interesting Report on Online Poker (includes summary of legal status)

A report on online poker was authorized and ordered by the Florida state legislature this past spring. This report has been completed. It contains a detailed summation of the legal status of online poker on the international, federal and state level, from the government viewpoint.  Everyone should read this report to understand how our lawmakers, both federal and state, view the legal status of online poker (and online gambling).  This report is expected to play a very important role in how legislators on both the federal and states level proceed.

Interesting Excerpts:

Poker is played, legally and illegally, in Florida every day. Legal forms of poker include penny-ante games played by individuals in private homes and authorized games played in regulated cardrooms located in pari-mutuel facilities. Illegal poker includes Internet games and those that occur in sports bars or other venues where unlicensed operators offer poker games.

In the United States, the Department of Justice interprets federal statutes to prohibit all forms of Internet gambling; however, the department’s interpretation relies upon some federal laws that predate the Internet. Florida law does not specifically address Internet poker or other forms of online gambling.

The Nevada Legislature passed legislation in 2001 allowing its gaming commission to adopt regulations governing the licensing and operation of Internet gaming. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice advised Nevada that federal law prohibits gambling over the Internet. More recently, the North Dakota Legislature considered bills in 2005 to regulate, license, and tax Internet poker. The state Senate rejected the bill after receipt of a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice indicating that federal law prohibits Internet gambling.

Link to Actual Report

Link to 2+2 Thread Discussion