To All Quad-City Area Poker Players:

Here’s info on several upcoming local Texas hold’em tournaments.

* Saturday Jan. 21 — Davenport Elks Club, Lodge #298, 4440 West Central Park Ave., Davenport.

This fundraiser for the Quad-City Heat traveling baseball team runs from 7-10 p.m. and costs $25. Top prize equals about 30% of the total prize pool. $10 of each entry goes to the team and $15 goes into the prize pool. Last year there were 72 players and they’re hoping to hit 100 this time. Even if you don’t play it’ll be a fun night, with lots of raffles, 50/50 drawings and a full-service bar. Just come out & play; no advance registrations needed.

* Saturday Feb. 4 — Jumers Casino Event Center, Rock Island. (Sign up online at www.arcqca.org or call Arc of the Quad-Cities Area at 309-786-6474 to pre-register)

UPDATE: My LuckyDog Poker column this week has lots more detail about this event and even offers a strategy tip or two on how to maximize your chances of winning the top prize — a seat in the WSOP $10K Main Event!

This fundraiser for Arc of the Quad Cities Area will be huge — possibly the largest poker tourney in Q-C history — and the winner will get a $10,000 seat in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event, plus a $1,000 travel voucher. Qualifying sessions will be at Noon and 5 p.m., with a 200-player seating limit for each session. The top 10 players from each qualifying session (20 total) advance to the Championship Final at 9 p.m. Second prize is a $2,500 bag of gold; third place wins a Las Vegas getaway valued at $1,500. Other finalists win lesser prizes as well. Actual poker tables will be used and trained volunteer dealers will handle the dealing chores. Buy-in is $60 and there is one-time rebuy for $30. I understand players will start with 2,500 in chips and that blinds and betting levels will be set so that each qualifying session lasts about 4 hours. A champion will be crowned before Midnight.

* Friday Feb. 24 — Modern Woodmen Baseball Park, Davenport. (Sign up online at www.kennediskisses.org or contact Matt Sherwood at 563-529-4623 or email kennediskisses@yahoo.com; flier below)

This is the second annual tourney to raise money for Kennedi’s Kisses, a new charity that provides financial help for burial and memorial costs to parents dealing with the loss of an infant child. Doors at the stadium open at 5 p.m.; cards in the air at 6 p.m. Buy-in is $40 with one $20 rebuy. Top prize is a 3-night trip for two to Las Vegas and an entry into a $1,000 World Series of Poker bracelet event. Other finalists also receive nice prizes. The seating capacity of 296 was easily surpassed last year (despite the snow!) and several dozen players were shut out. Pre-registration is highly recommended.

* Friday March 2 — Golden Leaf Banquet Center, 2902 E. Kimberly Road. Suite 1, Davenport. (Call Q-C Area Realtor Assoc. at 563-355-6655 to pre-register; flier below)

This popular annual event — 147 players last year — raised about $11,000 for Habitat for Humanity and organizers are excited about the prospect of attracting an even larger field this year. Doors open at 5 p.m. (west end of the complex) and the tourney fires up at 6 p.m. Top prize is a $2,500 VISA card — a sizable haul given the low $30 entry fee. The runner-up gets a 46-inch flat-screen TV, and third place wins a getaway weekend at Jumers Casino & Hotel in Rock Island. A cash bar and free appetizers will be available, so get there early. A reduced entry fee ($10) is available to QCARA members, and non-players also can come out and join the party for $10.

* Saturday March 10 — Rock Island Arsenal Golf Clubhouse Ballroom, Arsenal Island. (Call 309-782-5890 to reserve your seat or for more info)

This is the 10th deep-stack poker tourney on Arsenal Island conducted by the U.S. Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command to raise money for activities benefitting local soldiers and their families. Buy-in is $40 or $45 (haven’t heard yet) and includes lunch starting at 11:30. No rebuys, and players start with a whopping 5,000 in chips and 25-50 starting blinds. The tournament begins at 1 p.m., and I’ll be directing again. Terrific trophies for final-table players plus nice prizes. Turnout for recent events has been approaching 100 players, so reservations are recommended.

If you have info on additional fundraiser poker tournaments coming up which are open to the public, send it to me and I’ll try to spread the word.

Cheers,

Russ Scott
LuckyDog Poker

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WEEKLY UPDATE
BY RICH MUNY
VP-PLAYER RELATIONS
POKER PLAYERS ALLIANCE

This past weekend, PPA participated in a conference hosted by the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) to discuss the outlook for licensed Internet poker with state lawmakers, lottery officials, and tribal leaders.

The recent Department of Justice announcement regarding their interpretation of the scope of the Wire Act (please be sure to read the PPA statement on this important decision) has caused some states to start looking at the potential for licensing of intrastate online poker and other forms of Internet gaming. Therefore, it was important for PPA to share with those attending the conference the players’ perspective on the status quo and rationale for supporting a federal bill.

PPA Executive Director John Pappas spoke on a panel with other experts to discuss, “Internet Gambling: Is doing nothing a worst case scenario?”. He discussed how the inability of lawmakers (state or federal) to establish rules of the road for Internet gaming has thus far left consumers vulnerable by preventing appropriate oversight of this multibillion dollar industry. Pappas also explained how proposed federal legislation to regulate online poker will actually enhance states’ gaming rights and not erode them. To see Mr. Pappas’ PowerPoint slides on this topic: click here.

Unfortunately, it is abundantly clear that the states’ sole interest in perusing licensing is to raise revenue, and that should be a concern for players. Public policy centered on maximizing government revenues will never produce positive outcomes for consumers. While revenue is a natural byproduct of regulation, it should first be about protecting players and giving adults the freedom to engage in a game of skill over the Internet, rather than about maximizing the rake by limiting competition.

That is why the PPA is a strong supporter of Rep. Barton’s H.R. 2366, the Online Poker Act. H.R. 2366 puts consumers first, while giving states the option of participating in licensed Internet poker.

It is important that we continue making our voices heard in our state capitals. We need to continue paving the way so that each governor makes the right decision here. Let’s all tell our governors and state elected representatives that we want the right to play poker in our own homes on our own computers and that we want them to support federal legislation to enable this freedom.

PPA has made it easy. We just updated the automated, fully editable letter to state lawmakers to reflect the DoJ news and other recent highlights from our effort, so please click this link and send your email today. It takes just 30 seconds!

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The last two standing at the WSOP main event in 2009 were Darvin Moon and Joe Cada, and although Moon has a serious look in this picture, he definitely was very happy to be there to take home $5.1 million for second place. WSOP photo>

2009 WSOP runner-up pumped over his beloved Saints

By RUSS SCOTT

ROCK ISLAND, IL — The hold’em players at Jumers Casino here got a nice surprise Friday night when, shortly before 9 p.m., into the poker room walked Darvin Moon of World Series fame.

You remember Darvin Moon, I’m sure. Main event. 2009. Chip leader going into the final table and the most down-to-earth guy you could ever find at a poker table despite millions of dollars being at stake.

He finished second for $5.1 million, but he didn’t boast about his poker skills then, and he didn’t on Friday night, either, as he looked around at the four no-limit cash games in progress.

“I don’t feel like I’m a better player than anyone in this room,” Moon said. “I don’t play on the big circuit a lot these days. I’d rather play in small tournaments and lower-limit cash games like these.”

There’s no doubt he meant those words, and just a few minutes later Moon and his two buddies were seated in a game, mixing it up with the locals in friendly fashion.

This was just a one-night stopover. Saturday morning, Moon and his friends were heading to north-central Iowa to hunt white-tail deer. It’s muzzle-loader season, you see, and Moon was set for a fun weekend.

At some point Saturday, he’ll for sure check the score of the Saints-Lions playoff game. “The Saints are the best team out there, but they can’t look past Detroit,” he said, figuring the game will be the team’s first step toward the Super Bowl.

When I asked him why he wasn’t in New Orleans for the game, he said, “They know I’m there in spirit.”

(My interview column on Moon now is posted here.)

Darvin Moon sports the only sponsor’s logo he’s wearing these days — that of the Heartland Poker Tour, where he was named last spring as their first tour ambassador. Of course, the Saints logo hat hasn’t changed. (HPT photo)

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Christmastime events in the poker world this year have produced news ranging from happy to disturbing to wait-and-see. A peek into our holiday stocking reveals these highlights:

* On an upbeat note, the U.S. Department of Justice — those same buggers who cracked down on Internet poker back in April — on Friday unveiled a clarified legal opinion that the Wire Act of 1961 only applies to sports betting. This could be huge news in the fight for licensed online poker in the nation, which in the past has been maligned as running afoul of the 50-year-old law.

* Sadly, the Christmas season was dangerously marred for 2010 WSOP main event champ Jonathan Duhamel when two thugs broke into his Montreal home, tied up the poker champ, beat the tar out of him and stole money, a Rolex watch and his championship gold bracelet. He’s gonna be OK, but hopefully some special punishment awaits his attackers. (See Duhamel’s letter to fans below).

* I’m on the fence about the holiday-timed approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission of regulations for intrastate online poker. It was sort of a race between Nevada, California and Iowa as to which state would jump on this bandwagon first. Players hungry for Internet poker who live in Nevada probably are happy, but a state-by-state approach to reinstating the game to our computers is not very satisfying for the nation as a whole. The hodge-podge of differing rules is scary to think about. If, somehow, this movement causes a stronger push for federal legislation, then I suppose the Nevada action could be considered good news.
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Take the Poker Survey – Win an Apple iPad2!

By RICH MUNY
V-P of Player Relations
Poker Players Alliance

Have you been thinking about buying an iPad? Do you want to help the PPA in its mission to restore your Internet poker freedoms?

Well, now is your chance to kill two birds with one stone, by taking this new poker survey.

Working with U.S. Gaming Survey, the PPA has created a poker-specific survey to help us better understand the playing community and in turn help us better advocate for your interests in Washington D.C.

Once you’ve fully completed the survey, your name will be entered into a drawing for a brand new Apple iPad2.

The survey is completely anonymous, and your personal information will not be shared with anyone.

Click on the link below to begin the survey and help the PPA help you! The survey will remain open until December 30th noon EST. The iPad2 prize winner will be announced on January 3rd, 2012.

PPA ONLINE POKER SURVEY

MEANWHILE — For a recently published recap of the online poker industry’s turmoil written by James McManus (”Positively Fifth Street”, “Cowboys Full”), click here. The article is long, but it’s impressive in detail and offers a story from a player’s perspective that will help the general public understand why this issue is so crucial to poker players.

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Cerebral Palsy Charity Tourney Draws Many Celebs, Poker Pros

When you mix together a long list of high-profile celebrities, many of the top poker professionals in the world, and now a chance to win a seat in the next multi-million-dollar Epic Poker League’s main event, the 4th annual All In for CP Charity Poker Tournament becomes the biggest thing happening in Las Vegas on Dec. 9 at the Venetian.

In three previous events, the non-profit One Step Closer Foundation has raised more than $172,000 in the pursuit of a cure for cerebral palsy while helping to bring financial freedom and social acceptance to people suffering from the disease. This year’s event figures to add significantly to that total.

The charity tournament is OSCF’s main source of fundraising and, thanks to strong support from big-time celebs, poker pros, high rollers and “average Joe’s”, is growing bigger each year.

Just added to this year’s tournament is the chance for a lucky player to win a seat into the Epic Poker League’s $1,500 pro-am event on Dec. 10-11 at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Vegas where he or she could capture one of nine “wild cards” into the exclusive $20,000 televised Epic Poker League main event Dec. 14-17 with millions of dollars up for grabs in a battle of poker’s elite. Epic Poker satellites will be available Friday and Saturday at the Palms.

“We’re elated to have Commissioner Annie Duke and Epic Poker League on board to add excitement to our event,” said tourney public relations representative Crys Spelman.

The fundraising tournament is the brainchild of Jacob Zalewski, who suffers from cerebral palsy but says he realizes he is one of the lucky ones so far in dealing with the illness. “We hope to see a future where cerebral palsy is a thing of the past,” says Zalewski. “We know we are getting one step closer to that vision every day.”

The All In for CP event starts at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Venetian Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Buy-in is $540 and $200 rebuys are available for the first 90 minutes. The final table players will receive more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.

Beyond the tourney payouts, players and guests can partake in on-site raffles of rare and collectible memorabilia and a silent auction.

The Venetian (702-414-1500) is offering special room rates for the event.

Celebrities scheduled to appear include Donnie and Jimmy Wahlberg, Sam Simon (The Simpsons), Omar Gooding (Play Makers), Glenn Morshower (”24″), Jennifer Tilly, Mekhi Phifer, Montel Williams, Alicia Webb (WWE), Omar Miller (8 Mile), Dennis McCoy (X-games), Playboy’s Stacy Fusion, Alison Waite and Lauren Anderson, along with many others.

Poker pros you could wind up playing beside include Barry Greenstein, Darvin Moon, Todd and Pam Brunson, Mike Matusow, Mike Sexton, Patrik Antonius, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, Tiffany Michelle, Mario Ho, Jamie Gold, Karina and Chip Jett, Eli Elezra, and many others.

For more tournament info, click here or contact One Step Closer Foundation, PO Box 3109 #74405, Houston, Texas 77253-3109. Or call 281.740.8604.

For more info about Epic Poker League, including TV schedules for tournaments and main event satellites for as little as $100, click here.

Tournament sponsors include Nix Venture Partners LLC, which will offer use of a private jet to bring celebrities to Las Vegas; Balls Marketing; Sugar-Factory; United Cerebral Palsy, and, new this year, Xinergy.

Annie Duke poses with the hardware after winning the 2010 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

Jacob Zalewski, who had the idea for a cerebral palsy fundraising poker tournament several years ago, has inspired many players and celebs who come to the event.

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Barney Frank has served in Congress since 1981

Poker Players Appreciate His Efforts, But Job’s Not Done Yet

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, the Massachusetts Democrat who probably has been the loudest and leading elected official pushing for regulated online poker, is looking for another game.

At age 71 and after serving 16 terms as Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District rep since 1981, Frank said Monday he won’t seek re-election in 2012. He told media outlets he didn’t want to become a lobbyist, but rather has his eye on “some combination of writing, teaching and lecturing.”

While Frank’s strong liberal beliefs and fiery persona have marked his long public-service career, many poker players likely are only interested in what impact his retirement will have on the pursuit of legal, regulated and taxed online poker in the U.S.

The answer to that, for now, is uncertain.

Frank told reporters he’s “not retiring from advocacy of public policy,” implying that citizen-freedom issues such as being able to play online poker in the privacy of one’s home with one’s own money will remain on his radar.

Plus, he still has more than a year to serve before stepping aside, so the prospect remains that he’ll continue to champion the cause until his term officially ends.

As boisterously as he has supported online poker — introducing four poker-related bills from 2007-2009 — his efforts have been stalled or side-tracked so far.

But there are some fresh signs of hope for such a law, and Frank certainly hasn’t given up. Earlier this month, for example, Frank testified in favor of current online poker legislation he’s co-sponsoring at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing.

Here’s part of his testimony:

“I have always believed that it is a mistake to tell adults what to do with their own money. Some adults will spend their money foolishly, but it is not the purpose of the Federal Government to prevent them legally from doing it. We should ensure that they have appropriate consumer protections and information, but otherwise allow people to pursue activities that they enjoy which do not harm others.”

Poker players and others who believe strongly in protecting their civil liberties will miss Frank’s passion on this subject. Wouldn’t it be fitting if safe, regulated online poker became the law of the land before Frank leaves office?

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2011 WSOP Ladies Champ Marsha Bladel Wolak (WSOP photo)

Rock Island Native Returns Home For Thanksgiving Visit

Marsha Bladel Wolak, the Rock Island native who won this year’s World Series of Poker Ladies Championship in Las Vegas, will greet friends and well-wishers Thanksgiving Eve from 8:30-10 p.m. in the Edje nightclub at Jumers Casino in Rock Island.

Wolak won the most-prestigious title in ladies poker this summer when she outlasted a field of 1,055 players, including a heads-up competition at the end against well-known professional player Karina Jett. For the victory, Wolak received $192,344 and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

Although Wolak now lives in Sarasota, Fla., with her husband and two children, the Rocky High School graduate still has close ties to the Quad-Cities area.

“I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends, and invite anyone else that would like to stop by and say hello,” she said.

Click here for a LuckyDog Poker column about Wolak, and here for the full transcript of her interview with LuckyDog.

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Army Capt. Sid Priest prevails in the final-table battle Saturday night on Arsenal Island

OFFICER FIRST ACTIVE-DUTY SOLDIER TO WIN ARSENAL EVENT

By RUSS SCOTT
LuckyDog Poker

Army Capt. Sid Priest religiously stuck to his strategy of playing patient poker to reach the final table, and when the dust settled Saturday night he had indeed won the annual fall no-limit hold’em tournament on Arsenal Island.

With the victory, the captain became the first active-duty soldier to win the title at this historic Army installation. The tournament was the ninth overall spring or fall event conducted by the U.S. Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation Command to raise money for programs that assist military personnel and their families.

After about six hours of eliminations, it took at least another hour to determine a champion at a final table packed with cagy veteran poker players and a couple of aggressive young guns.

At the end, the heads-up duel in the Ballroom of the Arsenal Island Golf Clubhouse was between Priest, of Davenport, taking his first stab at this tournament, and Jon Nelson, of Champaign and Moline, competing for a third time and a former third-place finisher in the event.
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NEWS RELEASE

The fifth annual fall deep-stack no-limit Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament — conducted by the U.S. Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command — is set for Saturday at the Arsenal Island Golf Clubhouse ballroom, 1838 Gillespie St., on Arsenal Island.

Buy-in remains $40, which includes lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. and players will be seated by 1 p.m. To reserve a seat, call 309-782-5890. Walk-ins on tournament day will be accepted until 1 p.m. as space permits.

Final-table competitors will receive trophies and prizes, with guaranteed non-cash gift-card awards of $400, $200 and $100 going to the top three finishers. The event is open to the public (age 18 and older).

MWR Command coordinators for the event are Debra Powell, Cathy Harris and Damen Johnson, with LuckyDog Poker columnist Russ Scott serving as tournament director.

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