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Viktor Blom’s First WSOP Event

June 7, 2012

Unfortunately, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, world-renowned in the online poker realm, didn’t fare too well in his first attempt at a World Series of Poker bracelet. Blom, 21, headed into his first WSOP event with the world at his fingertips, and while fans of Blom were hoping that the lovable online poker phenomena would start off the series with a bang, it just didn’t happen at what was his first live tournament appearance ever in the US.

At the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) last January, Blom proved that he was just as good offline than on when he won the $100K Super High Roller event and scored a $1.2+ million prize. He then went on to win twice at this year’s PokerStars’ SCOOP (Spring Championship of Online Poker). It is these feats that make it even more disappointing that Blom fizzled out in his WSOP debut.

Event #12 started out with a 152-player field and after only three rounds and one day, that number was decreased to 32. Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey didn’t have success in this event either.

Ultimately, Brian Hastings, 23, from Hanover Township, Pennsylvania took his first WSOP title and gold bracelet when he won eight matches straight and collected $371,498. Twenty-four-year-old Jason Ho from St. Louis came in second and won a $229,722 prize.

Written by Marcus · Filed Under Poker News 

Nevada to Issue First Online Gaming License

June 7, 2012

It recently became known that the honor of the first US online gambling license will be given to Bally Technologies. Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) chairman Mark Lipparelli says it’s “another step forward, but it’s not the last.” Bally’s application for licensure was unanimously accepted by all three members of the NGCB.

VP for Bally Technologies business development John Connelly explained that as many as 50 (mostly Vegas-based) casinos have expressed interest in purchasing or leasing Bally’s system in order to provide players with online or mobile casino play. However, before this is possible, according to Connelly, the software must be tested to ensure that the software will restrict online gaming to Nevadans who are 21 years of age and older and that those who do not meet this criteria will not be able to access the system in any way, as US federal law allows online wagers to be received in Nevada only and requires that bettors be age 21 or older.

Connelly also added that he believes mobile online betting will become increasingly popular in the near future as people are already using mobile devices for more than two and a half hours per day.

Bally’s system is customizable for casinos so that they can adjust games offered to include online poker, slots, bingo, sports betting, video poker, and table games. Casinos may also decide for themselves how to collect wagers from online customers.

According to legal rep for Bally Technologies Mark Lerner, Nevada had already enacted these gambling laws 10 years ago and now many US states will soon follow. The Nevada Gaming Commission has final say on the license though, which will take place in Las Vegas at a meeting to be held on the 21st of this month. He also mentioned that Chiligaming, based in France, has sold their online gaming system to Bally, though they didn’t buy Chiligaming. And Bally has recruited some Chiligaming execs after in-depth investigations have cleared Chiligaming from ever having offered illegal online gambling to US players.

Written by Mac · Filed Under Poker News 

WSOP Circuit Gold Ring Winner Wins WSOP Gold Bracelet

June 5, 2012

Semi-pro poker player Nick Jivkov realized the WSOP motto, “First the ring, then the bracelet,” a slogan that persuades poker players to go for the WSOP circuit ring during the nine months that the WSOP is not in session. The 34-year-old business owner from Illinois has been fervently following the National Circuit and has cashed 10 times in a variety of WSOP Circuit tourneys in the past couple years, winning a gold ring in 2010 in Biloxi. He had not cashed at a WSOP event until this year.

The game was PLH and Jivkov finally earned his first WSOP gold bracelet and a prize of nearly $190K.

Jivkov, originally from Bulgaria, owns a transportation company in Chicago and has two daughters, age 6 and 12. Before winning Event #5, he had amassed $136K in live earnings.

Jivkov had a chip lead about halfway through the final session for which a crowd had grown around the ESPN Main Stage primarily to see Daniel Negreanu who was close to scoring his fifth gold bracelet, but alas he did not succeed, much to the relief of Jivkov who had taken over about 60% of the chips by the time there were four players left.

Bryan Pellegrino came in second with a $117K+ prize and no bracelet. Negreanu finished 5th.

On the difference between the WSOP and other live tournaments, Jivkov told WSOP.com, “To be honest with you, I found myself much more composed and much more patient and not nervous than what I was expecting.”

Written by Johnny · Filed Under Poker News 

June 2012 PartyPoker Bonus Code

June 1, 2012

Poker Bonus

For the month of June, PartyPoker is giving new players a $/£/€500 sign up bonus with any first time deposit. To claim this bonus, just use PartyPoker Bonus Code 500PS when you create your new account and make your deposit. Once you begin playing online poker for real money at PartyPoker cash games or tournaments, you’ll earn PartyPoitns. For every dollar you bet at a cash table, you’ll earn one point; for every dollar you pay in tournament fees, you’ll earn one point. Your bonus will be deposited automatically into your account in 10 equal installments as you earn the required amount of points. For $US, you’ll need to earn six times your bonus; for Euros, you’ll need to earn eight times your bonus; and for Sterling, you’ll need nine times your bonus in PartyPoints. This bonus will expire 60 days after you claim it, which is ample time to clear the bonus in full.

WSOP Prize Packages

There’s still time to score a seat to the world’s biggest live poker tournament—the World Series of Poker—at PartyPoker. Through June 17th, PartyPoker is still giving away $14K prize packages, which includes the $10K buy-in to the WSOP Main Event, a 10-night stay at a Vegas hotel, and $2K to spend on whatever you want. Participate in one of the many opportunities including daily freerolls and an assortment of other qualifiers. Winning the WSOP this year is within reach, and if it is your dream, you can achieve it by starting out at PartyPoker.

New Player Zone

If you are new to online poker, PartyPoker offers a section just for rookies with instructions on how to play the different variants of poker offered at this online poker site as well as info on blinds, positions, and more.

Written by Bea · Filed Under Promotions 

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