Bluffaway

Daniel Negreanu expresses his disgust with Bitar, Lederer, and Ferguson

George Wilewicz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:45:37 +0000

I troll poker forums, blogs, on a daily basis. Recently, I came across this blog post, the most recent entry, in Daniel Negreanu’s poker blog. Since we receive countless emails asking for FTP updates, I thought this was fitting to add into our Online Poker Magazine. In this blog post, the poker professional, discusses tournaments he’s played, account hacking, and gets into expressing his opinions about Ray Bitar, Howard Lederer, and Chris Ferguson, the leaders of the infamous FullTiltPoker debacle.

Here is what he had to say about the FullTiltPoker owners:

“I’m disgusted by them and what they’ve done to smear the game with putrid decision making. Ray is a buffoon, Howard is arrogant, condescending, and incompetent, and Chris is a liar and has the warmth of a snow pea. These were never my friends, I never cared for any of them. I never trusted them for a second, and my “read” was always that these were not my kind of people. Why are they different from the rest of the group? These three were on the board, admittedly making all the decisions, and jeopardizing millions of dollars worth of players money that still hasn’t surfaced. You guys suck. I hope to never see any of your faces at the WSOP anymore, and I hope you live with the shame you deserve for the rest of your lives. Your own personal, private hell. You deserve all the wrath you’ve received from the poker world, and much more. You are scum and each of you absolutely deserves a few swift baseball bat swings to the groin area, old school Vegas style.”

Daniel Negreanu doesn’t hold back, and I think that the poker community appreciates his honesty. I’m sick of poker professionals hiding and not speaking out about the mis-management of FullTiltPoker. I agree, that I hope none of them ever show their faces again in a poker room. I’m glad Daniel has the balls to come out and say what every poker player with money tied up in the FullTiltPoker scheme has felt for months.

You can follow Daniel’s blog at: FullContactPoker.com

Senator writes open letter to poker players on Facebook

George Wilewicz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:57:48 +0000

Senator John Boozman (R-AR) wrote an open letter on his Facebook page, in response to the overwhelming amount of comments, phone calls, and letters he’s recieved relating to the pro-poker movement in the United States.

Here is the open letter the Senator wrote on his Facebook:

“Back in June of 2011, I noticed an uptick in posts on my Facebook page from advocates of online poker legislation. From the activity on my Facebook page in the past 24 hours, I can see that it this issue remains a concern to many Americans. I would like to thank you those of you from around the country for sharing your thoughts about this issue with me.

“Please allow me to briefly share my views on the issue. I believe that the federal government should have the ability to oversee internet gambling, as it is nearly impossible to regulate, monitor or ensure participants are being fairly treated. As of right now, legislation to oversee internet gambling as not been introduced in the Senate. The bill being referenced in the posts (H.R. 2366) is currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, please know that should either of these bills or similar legislation come before this chamber, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

“I ask that you please leave your comments on this issue on this note out of courtesy to the people of Arkansas with whom I am trying to share updates and hear from on this page. The numerous posts on this issue to my wall make it difficult to find other posts on unrelated matters that are of concern to Arkansans. Thank you for understanding and sharing your views on the issue.”

Among the respondents to Senator Boozman’s message were Poker Players Alliance big-wigs John Pappas and Rich Muny. Muny offered the following response before directing Senator Boozman to an interview he conducted with Tax-policy wonk Grover Norquist on the topic of online gaming:

“I thank you for reaching out to poker players and to our concerns regarding online poker legislation.

“It is my belief that all conservatives should oppose big government efforts to ban online poker. If we empower big government in areas like this, we empower it to act “for our own good” in ALL areas of our lives.”

Although this doesn’t give anyone any news they didn’t already know, it shows that Facebook comments, phone calls, and emails to our representatives in the US government are not going unnoticed. Keep plugging away, leaving comments, and letting our government officials know that the US poker player isn’t going away, and we should be heard, because we won’t stop annoying their offices until this mess is worked out.

Opinion: Loosing your bankroll? Move to lower stakes!

George Wilewicz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:42:50 +0000

I was walking through the casino and saw a long time friend that I haven’t seen for years. First met him when I moved to Rhode Island and haven’t kept in touch. He plays professionally at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, and plays almost every day. He’s a strong solid player, who usually plays $2/5 NL or $20/40 limit regularly, so I was caught completely by surprise when I saw him playing $1/2NL. I went up to him and asked him why he was swimming with the fish at $1/2NL and his answer was simple, bankroll management. After thinking for a while, I was actually proud of him. He’s doing what most players don’t do, moving down stakes when running badly, to rebuild your bankroll.

Time and time again I see players who decide to play $2/5NL when they aren’t even ready to play $1/2NL and could learn much more by reading a few poker books, rather than dumping $300 at a time at a level they can’t afford, and are not ready to play. If you have a small bankroll (or hell, even a larger bankroll) you should move stakes appropriately with your bankroll. If you play $2/5NL and have a few bad sessions, move back down to $1/2NL. Poker isn’t a game of chance, it’s a game of skill, if you’re not up to your game in your level of play, move down and rebuild.

Growing your poker bankroll shouldn’t be about how many pots you win, or how high your table stakes are. You should always play comfortably within your bankroll, and if your bankroll is diminished by “bad luck” (aka varience) then move stakes, re-focus, and re-build. In the long run you’ll have a much better chance of building your bankroll for your higher stakes games.

Moving to a smaller stake and winning less money is FAR better than staying at a stake you can’t afford, and loosing your entire bankroll. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of poker players trolling online poker forums talking about how they lost their whole bankroll they were building on for a year, in one hand. Learn from other’s mistakes, and play within your means, and your skill level.

Good luck at the tables.

Bovada’s new Black Diamond Poker Open starts in March.

George Wilewicz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:34:13 +0000

Bovada.lv (the new face of Bodog Poker) has set a schedule of events called the Diamond Poker Open scheduled to start in March. With over 2,000 Satellites, 52 Events, and Non-stop play, the tournaments should make any poker player that plays online salivate.

There are some very lucrative tournaments, with relatively low buy-=in’s, these tournaments should fill up quickly. Here is some more information from Bovada.lv:

“The new BDPO tournament series is eight weeks of your favorite online poker tournament games from Texas Hold ‘em to Seven Card Stud and Knockouts to Shootouts. Get your cut of the $750,000 Guaranteed prize pool by playing the Contender Series from March 5th to 18th or the Championship Series from March 19th to April 1st.

You can buy in directly to any of the 52 Events or qualify through one of the over 2,000 satellites offered from February 6th to April 1st. Be the first Black Diamond Poker Open Champion ever and take home at least $50,000 in the Championship Main Event and a $5,000 engraved Championship Watch.”

There are tons of satellites so even if you’re just starting out with your online poker bankroll, you can win your way into a tournament with tens of thousands going to the winner, I can’t see a better way to grow your bankroll online.

Here is a schedule of events, mark your calendars:

For more information, check out the Bovada poker room, or visit their information page here.

Barry Greenstein speaks out regarding his FTP debt.

George Wilewicz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:47:23 +0000

Barry Greenstein spoke out about his FullTiltPoker debts and why he is reluctant to pay them back. It’s simple.. If they pay US players back what’s owed, he’ll pay the new FTP owners.

Here is what Barry had to say in a recent 2+2 post:

“I have been inundated with calls from all the poker media sites regarding this, so it’s easier for me to respond in one place. Obviously, 2+2 has become the main place where people discuss online poker so I’m posting here. It would be nice if everyone who owes money discusses it openly so there is a better chance that they will make good on their debts and the money will end up in the pockets of players with balances on FTP.

My statement to the press and the poker community:

I borrowed $400,000 to play on Full Tilt a few years ago, before PokerStars had high stakes games. I didn’t pay it back, hoping that some people who owed me and had money on Full Tilt would pay me there so I could use that against the debt. (I’m only owed about $150,000 now). I have assumed when this case is resolved, the DOJ will allow methods for dealing with debt to FTP.

Tapie Group contacted me last week and asked if I would pay them directly. Their attorney offered me the opportunity to pay in installments so I could have a chance to use money owed to me. He even offered me the opportunity to discount my debt if the US players don’t get paid in full. I told him that I have never paid less than I owe on any debt and I would rather wait until the DOJ establishes a fund for the US players. I don’t believe my debt has any impact on the sale to the Tapie group as they have alleged. I was concerned about taking money due to US players and giving it to the Tapie Group because it is understood that the Tapie Group won’t be the one paying the US players. On the other hand, I realize that the total debt counting other players is substantial, especially because I would include in that tally any money taken from FTP once it had become insolvent.

Here is an excerpt from the letter I sent to their attorney:

“The consensus in the poker community is that all money owed to Full Tilt or taken by investors after the company became insolvent should be used to pay back player’s funds. If I were to make a deal with you it would look like I had turned my back on the best interests of the American players.

Even though the terms are easier for me if I deal with you and it will fulfill my legal obligation, I have to see how things work out with the DOJ and try to make good on my moral obligation to the US players. I assume at some time in the future the DOJ will establish a pool of funds from Full Tilt’s assets that will be used to pay off some percentage of the player balances that are owed.””

If I owed FTP money from previous tournaments and floats, I would pay the debt back, but I would also wait until something was on paper saying that US players are going to be paid back. Why would a poker pro, in the United States, side with a new company that has no outline of how US players are going to be paid back?

It’s nice to see a poker pro:
1. Come out with a post and publically discuss the situation.
2. Actually support and stand for US poker players.

More news will be posted as it becomes available. Follow @Bluffaway for instant updates.

Is FullTiltPoker sale being held by Player Debts?

George Wilewicz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:28:07 +0000

Lately many rumors have been circulating about the sale of FullTiltPoker to Groupe Bernard Tapie, a french investment group, and how player funds will be released to FullTiltPoker players who still have money tied up with the poker site.

Behn Dayanim explained the situation to PokerStrategy.com in this article:

“GBT doesn’t want to acquire assets which will need to be litigated over later. In total, the sum owed to the company is between $10 and $20 million. Several of the players who owe money and have not yet expressed a willingness to pay their debts include Phil Ivey, Layne Flack, David Benyamine, and Erick Lindgren. Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow, and others owe a smaller but still significant amount.

If the money doesn’t come in, it creates a serious obstacle to completion of the deal. This isn’t the only issue with the takeover, and the deal won’t end on any one issue – but this is a substantial item.”

Looks like the sale is not being held up by player funds, but it is certainly a large hurdle that would need to be addressed before the sale actually takes place, and moves are made to repay players. Some pro’s have come out and said they will not re-pay their debts until a deal is made to repay US players.

Groupe Bernard Tapie is seeking to buy Full Tilt for $80 million as part of its agreement with the Department of Justice. Groupe Bernard Tapie’s deal with the DOJ would result in re-payment to playeres OUTSIDE of the US and would leave US players to fend for themselves trying to get money directly from the US government, rather than directly from the sale.

In my opinion, it’s absolutely ridiculous to exclude US players in repayment, as the site was geared toward US players since the beginning. That’s what happens when a company that is known globally as a firm with experience in take-overs and the bottom line, rather than a company looking out for the players and their bankrolls.

Bovada (formerly Bodog) now the US poker players home?

George Wilewicz — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:56:18 +0000

Bodog is back with a new poker room, and the changes are fantastic. I’ve moved from playing on the Merge network (Sportsbook.ag) to playing on Bovada. The overall layout is much better than the Merge skin, it’s super clean and really is easier to navigate. I’m a US poker player, and it’s been hard to find a poker skin that allows US players, and actually looks and feels like an online poker room, rather than some poker room script made in 1995.

Bovada’s players are also much looser, many tournament pots seeing 1-2 all-in’s pre-flop. While playing on the Merge Poker Network, it feels that the players are tighter, while on Bovada, most are eager to play every hand. It’s fantastic for someone looking to grind.

Although when I first signed up, it was hard to find a tournament that actually gave a good return for your money. Lately however, there is a flurry of $10k, $25k, $50k, and even $100k guaranteed tournaments. The tournaments now have fantastic returns, and you can even choose to play beginner tournaments, which pay out more people. Beginner tournament layouts on Bovada are a great way for new players to make money, in a larger payout schedule.

I’d recommend if you’re a US poker player, to check out Bovada. Some great tournaments, good payouts, loose players.. What more could you want. Oh, and i’d tell you to check me out on Bovada, but all of their screennames (while you are at the table) are masked by a simple random number. No more telling if you’ve played with someone before.. Makes it much more interesting.

I’ve sent a few messages out to Bovada representatives. I’d love to host a few BluffAway Freeroll Tournaments on Bovada.. Let’s see what they say. Stay tuned to BluffAway’s homepage, and follow @Bluffaway on twitter for instant updates when we launch our new tournaments.

See you on the tables.

Merge Poker Network announces Poker Maximus Tournament Series

George Wilewicz — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:12:08 +0000

The Merge Poker Network has grown to be one of the biggest poker networks in the world. Recently, they have announced a new poker series with tons of new events and massive payouts for poker players. The Merge network sites (including Lock Poker, Sportsbook Poker, and Aced.com) will be flooded with players looking to score.

Here is what a Merge poker room operator has said about the events:

Starting March of 2012 we are going to run the first ever tournament series on the Merge Network. We are confident this will be a massive event and it is something that players have been asking for consistently for a while now.

The event will be called Poker Maximus and will officially start on March 4th 2012. Satellites will start running for the events in late January 2012. Here is a brief overview of the details:

Dates – March 4-25th

Satellites – Will start early to mid January and run until completion. Players who have existing tournament entry coupons will be able to use them throughout Poker Maximus. Poker Maximus specific satellite tickets will need to be used between March 4 – 25.

Main event – $109 entry – $150,000 Guaranteed NLH Freezeout. Players receive 5000 chip starting stacks and the tournament will run 15 minute levels commencing at 10/20.

Other bonuses / Awards – Tournament Leaderboard Champion (players of the series paid to 1st, 2nd and 3rd) and a Tournament of Champions event.

Schedule: Starting from the 4th March, there will be a minimum of three tournaments per day with buyins for daily tournaments ranging from $3 to $200.

- 70 Poker Maximus Events
- $60,000 Guaranteed Poker Maximus High Roller Main Event ($215 Buyin)
- Poker Maximus $530 Deepstack Main Event
- Minimum $150,000 Guaranteed Main Event ($109 Buyin, with $40,000 Guaranteed to the winner)
- Player of the series award
- A Tournament of Champions for all Poker Maximus Tournament Winners
- Over $1.25M worth of guaranteed cash and prizes
- Buyins ranging from $3.00 to $200 with one $500 buyin tournament
- Unique accolades for event winners and leaderboard places.

Here is a schedule of events, start planning your online poker grind sessions:

* Sun, Mar 4th — Event #1: $7,500 Nlh Freezeout $10+1

* Sun, Mar 4th — Event #2: $150,000 Nlh Freezeout $100+9

* Sun, Mar 4th — Event #3: $15,000 Nlh Freezeout $30+3

* Sun, Mar 4th — Event #4: $75,000 High Roller $200+15

* Mon, Mar 5th — Event #5: $2,000 Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $5+0.50

* Mon, Mar 5th — Event #6: $5,000 NLH Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $10+1

* Mon, Mar 5th — Event #7: $7,500 NLH Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $55+5

* Tue, Mar 6th — Event #8 $2,500 NLH 1Rebuy / 1Addon Freezeout $5+0.50

* Tue, Mar 6th — Event #9 $5,000 NLH 1Rebuy / 1Addon Freezeout $10+1

* Tue, Mar 6th — Event #10 $10,000 NLH 1Rebuy / 1 Addon Freezeout $55+5

* Wed, Mar 7th — Event #11: $15,000 Nlh Freezeout $55+5

* Wed, Mar 7th — Event #12: $7,500 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Wed, Mar 7th — Event #13: $40,000 Nlh High Roller $200+15

* Thur, Mar 8th — Event #14: $15,000 Nlh Freezeout $100+9

* Thur, Mar 8th — Event #15: $10,000 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Thur, Mar 8th — Event #16: $7,500 Nlh Shorthanded Rebuy $5+0.50

* Fri, Mar 9th — Event #17: $7,500 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Fri, Mar 9th — Event #18: $4,000 Nlh Rebuy Frenzy Turbo $1+0.10

* Fri, Mar 9th — Event #19: $10,000 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $30+3

* Sat, Mar 10th — Event #20: $10,000 Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $55+5

* Sat, Mar 10th — Event #21: $5,000 Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $30+3

* Sat, Mar 10th — Event #22: $4,000 Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $10+1

* Sun, Mar 11th — Event #23: $15,000 Nlh Freezeout $30+3

* Sun, Mar 11th — Event #24: $150,000 Nlh Freezeout $100+9

* Sun, Mar 11th — Event #25: $10,000 Unlimited Rebuys and Addon $10+1

* Sun, Mar 11th — Event #26: $75,000 Nlh High Roller — $200+15

* Mon, Mar 12th — Event #27: $15,000 Nlh Deepstack Freezeout $100+9

* Mon, Mar 12th — Event #28: $2,000 Nlh Heads Up Matches $15+1.50

* Mon, Mar 12th — Event #29: $10,000 Nlh 1 Rebuy / 1 Addon $30+3

* Tue, Mar 13th — Event #30: $10,000 Nlh Shorthanded $55+5

* Tue, Mar 13th — Event #31: $15,000 Nlh Shorthanded $200+15

* Tue, Mar 13th — Event #32: $3,000 Nlh Shorthanded $10+1

* Wed, Mar 14th — Event #33: $20,000 NLH 1 Rebuy / 1 Addon — $100+9

* Wed, Mar 14th — Event #34: $12,500 Nlh 1 Rebuy / 1 Addon $30+3

* Wed, Mar 14th –Event #35: $10,000 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys / 1 addon Turbo $10+1

* Thu, Mar 15th — Event #36: $2,000 Plo Hi/Lo $10+1

* Thu, Mar 15th — Event #37: $5,000 Plo Hi/Lo $55+5

* Thu, Mar 15th — Event #38: $3,000 Plo Hi/Lo $30+3

* Fri, Mar 16th — Event #39: $7,500 Nlh Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $5+0.50

* Fri, Mar 16th — Event #40: $5,000 Nlh Rebuy Frenzy Turbo $3+0.30

* Fri, Mar 16th — Event #41: Nlh Shorthanded – Unlimited Rebuys / 1 Addon Turbo $30+3

* Sat, Mar 17th — Event #42: $6,000 Nlh Shorthanded Deepstack Freezeout $30+3

* Sat, Mar 17th — Event #43: $3,000 Plo Shorthanded $20+2

* Sat, Mar 17th — Event #44: $10,000 Nlh Deepstack Freezeout $55+5

* Sun, Mar 18th — Event #45: $150,000 NLH Freezeout $100+9

* Sun, Mar 18th — Event #46: $40,000 Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $55+5

* Sun, Mar 18th — Event #47: $10,000 – Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Sun, Mar 18th — Event #48: $75,000 NLH High Roller $200+15

* Mon, Mar 19th — Event #49: $4,000 Plo Hi/Lo Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Mon, Mar 19th — Event #50: $10,000 Plo Deepstack Freezeout $100+9

* Mon, Mar 19th — Event #51: $10,000 Nlh 1 Rebuy and 1 Addon $30+1

* Tue, Mar 20th — Event #52: Players Choice Tournament — Visit the Poker Maximus Facebook Page to vote for the Players Choice Tournament TBA

* Tue, Mar 20th — Event #53: $10,000 – Plo Deepstack Freezeout $55+5

* Tue, Mar 20th — Event #54: $4,000 Nlh Rebuy Frenzy Tournament $1+0.10

* Wed, Mar 21st — Event #55: $40,000 Nlh High Roller $200+15

* Wed, Mar 21st — Event #56: $5,000 Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $10+1

* Wed, Mar 21st — Event #57: $10,000 NlH Freezeout — $55+5

* Thu, Mar 22nd — Event #58: $10,000 Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Thu, Mar 22nd — Event #59: $20,000 Unlimited Rebuys and 1 Addon $55+5

* Thu, Mar 22nd — Event #60: $5,000 Nlh Rebuy Frenzy Turbo $3+0.30

* Fri, Mar 23rd — Event #61: $5,000 – Nlh Freezeout $10+1

* Fri, Mar 23rd — Event #62: $3,000 PLO Shorthanded – Shorthanded $30+3

* Fri, Mar 23rd — Event #63: $10,000 – Nlh Deepstack Turbo Freezeout $55+5

* Sat, Mar 24th — Event #64: $7,500 – Unlmited Rebuys and 1 Addon $10+1

* Sat, Mar 24th– Event #65: $10,000 – Unlmited Rebuys and 1 Addon $30+3

* Sat, Mar 24th — Event #66: $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha $55+5

GSN pulls the plug on High Stakes Poker

George Wilewicz — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:15:48 +0000

Many poker professionals and amateurs either watch or record High Stakes Poker at some point. The show brought a new poker show to cable tv, and really enhanced the perspective of how large poker games can get, and how professionals really play their hands.

The show’s producers really wanted to showcase almost every hand, meaning, it’s not edited down like past years of WSOP broadcasts have been. Poker players don’t want to see just the all-in/call hands, they want to see the small pots as well, that lead up to a $100,000 tilt call with AK.

With that said, GSN has announced that they are pulling the plug on the show, most likely due to the online poker “shutdown”. Advertisers can’t spend the money to put into the show, because they can’t advertise a shut down business. GSN must have moved to regular standard advertisments, and not have enough money to keep the show going based on their income.

It’s a shame, because HSP was a great show. Hopefully GSN puts it back on TV, or another network picks it up. It would be a shame to see HSP go into a TV history archive, never to have a new episode again. Only time will tell.

Pokerstars picks up Piuz Heinz, dumps JP Kelly and Juan Maceiras

George Wilewicz — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:37:43 +0000

Pokerstars recently picked up Piuz Heinz, the 2011 World Series of Poker champion, to add to their roster of Team Pro’s. Apparently, this meant that they didn’t need as many Team Pokerstar Pro’s from Europe, as they have also taken JP Kelly and Juan Maceiras off of their site and Pro Roster.

Both Kelly and Maceiras are successful professionals, with over $1,000,000 in tournament winnings for each of them. Kelly is a double bracelet winner with consistent finishes in large tournaments. From my perspective, if they were already on my Roster, I would keep them there, as both look to be poised for another huge win in the near future.

I don’t think it will be very long before Kelly and Maceiras are picked up by other competing poker sites, because they are both are at the beginning of long and successful careers.