By Haley Hintze
WSOP Europe Announces Seven- Bracelet 2012 Slate
The 2012 World Series of Poker Europe is slated for September 21 October 4 in Cannes, France. The events include no-limit hold’em and pot-limit hold’em, with a variety of formats: short-handed, shootout, and a special “mixed-max” tourney, debuting this year. The WSOPE’s main event begins on September 29, with returning champion, Elio Fox.
Iowa Bill Falters, Mississippi’s Tanks
Two state bills aimed at legalizing online poker encountered rough sledding in recent weeks. An Iowa bill proposing an intrastate online poker network similar to that planned by Nevada, passed the Iowa Senate on a 29-20 vote, but faces an uncertain future. A similar measure went down to resounding defeat in Mississippi, despite the presence of land-based casinos in that state. No real prospects exist for another effort in Mississippi, while the Iowa bill, despite its passage, moves on to a House waiting list, where GOP legislators have expressed their plans to block the bill from further action.
Andrew Kim Takes APPT Korea
American Andrew Kim, captured one of the major new Pacific Rim titles, topping a 268-player field at the Asian Pacific Poker Tour’s recent Seoul, Korea stop. Kim’s victory in a regional hotbed for the game was worth 145 million South Korean Won—about US $129,700. Another US player, Vincent Rubianes, took second for $80,950, while Spain’s Rafael Rodrigo finished third, collecting approximately $84,400. Germany’s Moritz Ortmann officially finished in fourth, but left with the second-most money, $94,800.
Failla Victorious at HPT’s 100th Event
The Heartland Poker Tour’s success in mid-price tourneys continues, with the tour recently conducting its 100th stop, at St. Louis’ River City Casino. Plenty of star players joined the event’s 328-player field, including Greg Raymer, Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, and Dennis Phillips. But veteran, East Coast player, Will “The Thrill” Failla, claimed top honors and a $119,064 payday. Brian Nguyen finished second, to take home $67,390. William Matula was third, which was good for $42,863.
Eriquezzo Cap tures WSOPC Atlantic City Main Event
Atlantic City recently hosted the latest WSOP Circuit series, where Ryan Eriquezzo secured his second-ever WSOP circuit ring. Eriquezzo topped 640 other players, finishing off David Zeitlin, to secure a $191,194 winner’s payday. Zeitlin’s run was worth $118,307, with Troy Erickson finishing third for $86,774, and Garry Gates fourth for $64,530.
Frederik Jensen Bes t at EPT Madrid
The European Poker Tour’s recent stop in Madrid, Spain served as the scene of the second straight EPT triumph by one of Denmark’s rising poker stars. Frederik Jensen topped a 477-player field to win €495,000. Jensen finished off Scotland’s Fraser MacIntyre, to complete the Danish double, with MacIntyre settling for €290,000 in second-place money. Romania’s Andrei Stoenescu finished third.
Bwin.Party Seeks Nevada License
Bwin.Party, whose namesake brand PartyPoker was once the largest US-facing online poker site, joined a growing list of companies seeking Nevada gaming licenses. The application was filed by Bwin.Party subsidiary BP Gaming Entertainment, Inc., seeking approval as a service provider. Given the parent company’s lack of a physical Nevada presence, licensure requires the firm to form a partnership with an existing firm already doing business in the state. State officials have received nearly two dozen applications to date. Each of the applicants—manufacturers, service providers, operators, and testing labs—seek to establish their presence in a reopened market.
Veteran poker-industry writer/editor Haley Hintze is the author of an upcoming book on the Absolute Poker and UltimateBet online cheating scandals, to be released later this year.
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