EPT Monte Carlo adds extra day

It's good to see that poker in Europe continues to grow. The European Poker Tour finale in Monte Carlo has added an additional first day, doubling the capacity of the tournament.

Set to be Europe's richest poker tournament, the EPT Grand Final will now take place from March 28 to April 2, 2007, in the Salles des Etoiles at the Monte Carlo Sporting at the exclusive Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.

Last year's Grand Final, with a prize pool of €2,980,000, was won by PokerStars qualifier Jeff Williams, 19, who went home with €900,000 ($1,100,000).

Qualifying satellites for the EPT Grand Final - from as little as $2.20 - are running daily on PokerStars.com. There is also a daily $240 Double Shoot Out, with one guaranteed seat, as well as Sit n Go satellites. The final $800 super-satellite takes place on Friday, March 23 at 13.30 (ET) / 17.30 (GMT).

If you make it, be sure to visit the exclusive party that Stars is throwing at Jimmy'z - Monte Carlo's hottest nightclub. The party starts at 7.15pm on March 27. All EPT players, their guests and accredited media are invited!

Chuck Norris plays poker!

A jeweler named Danny Yousefzadeh won today's WSOP circuit event final table at Caesars Atlantic City. Congrats on your $488, 828 first prize Danny. ;)

But with the WPT event at Bay 101 and the European Poker Tour attracting the bigger names, the really interesting story today is that Chuck Norris came 9th!

Who knows if it is the real Chuck Norris, or some other clown pretending to be Chuck Norris. Here at the Poker.com office we love any Chuck Norris!

We hear that Chuck didn't go to a single showdown all day, because when he bet at a pot the other players just folded. Chuck also didn't get dealt a single full house, but he dealt out plenty of round houses....
(apologies for the really bad chuck norris internerd humor)

Here were the final standings and prizemoney.

1. Danny Yousefzadeh $488,828
2. John McMahon $268,858
3. Eugene Fouksman $137,484
4. Frank Vizza $106,932
5. Matt Brady $91,656
6. Rick Austin $76,380
7. David Fox $61,104
8. Grant Lang $45,828
9. Chuck Norris $30,552

Make sure you spend that $30k wisely Chuck. With no more Texas Walker on TV who knows where your next pair of rhinestone boots is coming from you loveable cowboy karate police ranger guy you...

WSOP Circuit to include Indiana

The high-stakes action of the World Series of Poker, the richest sporting event on the planet, is returning to Caesars Indiana from March 25 to April 6, 2007.

The World Series of Poker Circuit schedule for Caesars Indiana will include 10 tournament events, with buy-ins ranging from $200 up to $5,000 for the no-limit hold’em finale.

The winner of the $5,000 championship will win cash plus a $10,000 buy-in to the World Series of Poker Main Event at Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in summer 2007 and a chance at a prize pool of almost $100,000,000.00.

“The World Series of Poker is without question the single most prestigious gambling event anywhere, and we’re thrilled to bring all the excitement of the tournament to our guests,” said Ed Garruto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars Indiana.

Last year, Caesars Indiana Circuit Event drew over 4,800 entrants who competed against prominent professional players such as Chad Brown, Paul Wasicka, David Williams and Captain Tom Franklin and shared in over $3 million total prize money.

You can qualify for the 2007 WSOP main event at Full Tilt Poker.com.

Time to qualify for the WSOP...

Where are you going to try your luck qualifying for the World Series of Poker this year?

The 2007 WSOP kicks off in just 2 months and two weeks. The main event doesn't start until July 6 meaning you have just over 3 months to qualify by winning your seat online.

Chris Moneymaker did it in 2003, Greg Raymer did it in 2004. The 2005 & 06 winners didn't win their spot online, but they certainly honed their skills at places like FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com before they took down the big one.

I'm going to try my luck at Full Tilt and Stars because they seem to be offering the most generous deals.

Full Tilt is running what they call 2007 Main Event Mania. If you qualify at Tilt, then go on to win the main event, they will pay you $10million in addition to whatever you win from the tournament.

They are also giving away two WSOP main events packages every week - totally free! You simply have to earn 3000 ft points in any qualifying week then you go into the weekly freeroll tournament.

Finally in a tournament on Sunday June 17th, Full Tilt are guaranteeing 100 main event packages which include a $10,000 WSOP buy-in and $2000 spending money. You could come 100th in a tournament and still win a WSOP seat! You can buy directly into this tournament for $500+35 or there's satellites running daily for as little as $4.

PokerStars.com don't have offerings quite as good as Full Tilt , but it is still a great place to qualify and they really look after their players well at the event. They're also offering an extra $1000 cash or hotel accommodation to any qualifier that agrees to wear their logos for the duration of the event. It's nice that they give you the choice and do not just demand that you wear their gear because you qualified at their site.

I'll keep updating the best places to qualify for the WSOP, but the moment you can't go wrong with these two. Remember to use bonus code POKERDOTCOM at Full Tilt for a 100% bonus.

Good luck, I might just see you at the tables. ;)

Texas Poker Bars?

It looks like the politicians in Texas may not be as crazy as in some other parts of the USA. This bill to legalize poker in Texan bars is gaining support in the lone star state.

State Rep. Jose Menendez from San Antonio has introduced a bill that would regulate poker and allow up to four poker tables in certain bars or establishments.

“This legislation could raise over a billion dollars over the next biennium for state coffers while bringing the game out of legal limbo and into the light,” said Mike Lavigne, treasurer of the Texas Poker PAC.

“Texas would finally be able to benefit from rise of Texas Hold’em”

Charity poker tournaments would also be legal. Supporters say it would raise moneys for state programs.

“Charitable poker means more Texans win,” said Lavigne. “Texas charities are losing out on millions of dollars due to the antiquated laws governing the game.”

Despite recent federal attempts to eliminate online poker, the game continues to grow in popularity worldwide. As poker related television programming continues to spread in popularity, so do the many new tournaments that attract tourists and visitors. States like California and Connecticut have long been reaping the benefits of the poker boom.

Highlights of the bill:

• 4 live and/or electronic, raked tables allowed in each establishment that meets requirements
• Lottery Commission decides how many tables are allowed in each racetrack
• Charitable poker enabled
• Mandatory dealer training and licensing (inexpensive)
• Licensing for distributors of commercial poker equipment
• Money raised will be dedicated to necessary state services
• Criminal penalties for dishonest operators
• Raises over a billion dollars for state services

Good work Jose! It's good to see some politicians have the sense to give people what they want and do it in a way that benefits the community as a whole.

Miracle card gives Bob win

Bob Willis, a 41-year-old professional motorcycle racer was on the receiving end of three twists of good fortune at the final table of event #4 at Caesars Atlantic City yesterday.

There were three big hands in the WSOP circuit event that combined with his well disciplined play to give him his first major poker tournament victory.

The $500 buyin tournament attracted 510 players, 501 of which were eliminated in the first 12 hours of play. The nine survivors returned yesterday to play the final table.

Willis' first lucky hand occurred when he busted 6th place finisher JJ Hurley. Hurley tried to bluff when Willis had a 6 in his hand and two more showed up on the flop for a set.

The second lucky hand Bob had 5-5 in his hand, against the K3 of hearts of Derek Buonano. Two hearts came out on the flop, but so did a 5 so all the chips went into the middle. The turn produced a heart so Bob's set was looking shaky... Until the board paired on the river and Bob's lucky full house beat Derek's flush and sent him to the rail in 3rd place.

Heads up play began and Willis enjoyed a 2-1 chip lead over David Santitoro. Santitoro made up some ground to take a slight chip lead until Bob's third lucky hand was played.

After being dealt A6 he raised against David's cowboys - KK. Santitoro was all in with his kings and after thinking long and hard, Willis called to see he was drawing to just three outs.

But of course an Ace hit on the river, and a few hands later it was all over. Willis had lucked himself into an extra $35,000 in prizemoney with $76,500 for first place.

But that's poker - it happens in real life too, not just online!