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Ladies Poker 2010 Sees Hellebuyck Win Big

July 27th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Poker News

While the World Series of Poker continues to garner a lot of media attention, it is perhaps not as novel as was first perceived. Still, this trade off is due to the fact that the series has been able to maintain momentum and the interest of fans and followers of the pro poker leagues. This is good news for those who make their money in online poker where the stakes are high and fresh players are needed regularly. The ladies Championship of the 2010 Series has definitely garnered a hot following, with the ladies themselves now becoming something of cult heroes for both men and women around the world who love watching poker happen live. The recent champion, Vanessa Hellebuyck, has definitely become a star, winning the French bracelet and becoming a real luminary for the ladies league. She took home a customized pink diamond bracelet, the special edition creation for this year, which was designed by noted jewelry designer Steve Soffa.

What is incredible about Hellebyuck’s victory is that she managed to win 3 final tables over the past year alone and having lower buy ins of 300 to 1,000 Euros has proved a sound strategy for her, allowing her to build up the skill she needed to take Vegas by storm. The star is a mother to 2 daughters and free lance web designer by trade. She has already brought in $192,132 for her 1st place victory on the $1,00 championship game. Analysts except that while this may be her first Series bracelet win, only the 5th for the French, it is certainly going to be a nice launch to a regular career at the event if she so chooses.

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Poker Tourney Attendance Up Despite Economic Woes

July 16th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in Poker News

It comes as no surprise to many economic analysts that even during hard times in the global economy, there is still a sound and stable market for video poker and other casino based games of chance. The fact is, say analysts, there are specific industries around the world that tend to be far more recession proof than any others and among these are cinema, jewelry and entertainment such as poker. A large part of the reason for this is the fact or escapism to help people balance their emotions, but the other aspect is, of course, the chance to win cash – a lure that rarely loses its luster. The latest so called double dip recession has put countries such as the United States down in the economic sense and also the United Kingdom and many other parts of Europe, but despite this, big name poker events like the World Series of Poker have managed to do quite well and keep a strong level of attendance and beyond that – a steady core audience following the events.

Even in the most expensive games at the Series, players had no problem getting involved, making the high stakes games in 2010 much larger than in recent years. Europe was feared to have a lot lower attendance due to the economic woes there, particularly in regards to the value of the euro, but it does appear that things are working out much better. Traditionally, the event has used the currency market as a way to gauge attendance and in this 41st year of the annual Series, 57 tournaments will be played so far at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

First Time World Series of Poker Players Finding Winning Tougher Than Expected

July 12th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Poker News

Many poker players around the world have made the decision to go pro in recent years due to the rising popularity of poker as a sport, but there are many who confine their careers to the online poker room setting alone. Those who branch out past their preferred and familiar territory often face extra challenges and this is more so in the case of the World Series of Poker which is televised annually, drawing in viewers from around the world. Even some pro players like Antanas Guoga, known in the online circuit as Tony G, have found that the Series itself is an entirely different sort of competition than what pros are used to. Recently, Guoga decided to cash out and leave the tournament since he was not enjoying his time in Las Vegas, where the Series is held each year. Not all big star pros can perform well each year and that is why many will pack up and leave if things do not appear to be going in a direction that is profitable for them.

While Guoga is not a first time player and has already cashed out to the tune of nearly half a million dollars at other Series events, he is indicative of the level of pressure that pros can feel as they go up against some of the world’s toughest players. Although skill is definitely a must have trait for a strong pro poker player, the fact remains that an element of luck also goes into the event. Since Guoga had already raked in $3 million world wide in his career, he had resources to rely on, but this is not the case for all players.

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British Players Make Strong Showing in 2010 Word Series of Poker

June 17th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Poker News

If there is one thing that can be said for certain about the World Series of Poker that takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada each year, it is that the event is bound to draw in the biggest stars from around the globe and each of them will be drawing on incredible skill when they hit the tables. In the big names category, it appears that the British have invaded America once again in 2010, bringing in serious fire power to bear with pros from the United Kingdom who definitely know their stuff. This includes what insiders are calling a trifecta of pro poker prowess, three big names: James Dempsey, Praz Bansi and Richard Ashby. As the 3rd UK player to bring home a bracelet at this year’s 2010 Series, Ashby had to out last over 408 other players when he took to the tables for Event 21. The game was $1,500 seven card stud and at 38 years old, Ashby leveraged his experience in the online cash poker game setting to win himself a top spot against a lot of great heavy weights such as Dan Heinmiller and Sorel Mizzi who was the player of the year for Bluff magazine, a poker publication, for 2010.

Thanks to Ashby’s come back play against poker great Christine Pietsch, he managed to win bracelet No. 1 after a heads up game and pull in a total of $140,467 in winnings. With more than a decade of play experience under his belt, the poker pro prefers Omaha with a pot limit over seven card stud, but he managed to score big any way and has made this his 6th major tourney win of his career.

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New Poker TV Series on the Way

May 28th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Poker News

Pro level poker at the global level is only getting bigger these days as it continues to leverage on the success of its past earnings from online poker popularity and build a whole culture around the game itself. More akin to a sport these days, TV is a natural place for poker and there are definitely some major events out there which poker fans regularly get into, one of them being shows where actual cash is at stake. In fact, big networks are now getting in on the act with FOX airing a Poker Stars show called High Stakes Poker that will be airing in most markets at around 2 in the morning. There are now all sorts of people competing these days and bringing a whole new style to the game, both young and old players alike. According to poker pro Barry Greenstein, many younger players will be looking to sell pieces because they have a network while older players are generally going to be accustomed to being on their own.

With the backers coming in on the scene, things are getting heated and really providing some more spice and depth to the shows that feature poker games, coming in like a sport closer to pro racing and other sponsor oriented events and leagues. As the games and leagues get more complex, the sport could begin to build a lot more momentum say analysts and this could change things, leading to more broadcasts at more traditional time slots than are currently available.

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