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The sound of players shuffling and stacking poker chips filled the card room at Napa Valley Casino like a symphony of chirping crickets Saturday, but this was no ordinary poker game. Among the 100 tournament participants at the American Canyon card house were poker superstars Daniel Negreanu and Chris Moneymaker, betting, folding and shooting the breeze while mingling with locals.

Negreanu, whose career winnings total more than $30 million, is a two-time World Poker Tour champion, and his résumé includes six World Series of Poker bracelets. Moneymaker is best known for his 2003 main event World Series of Poker victory, where he turned a $40 buy-in into $2.5 million after qualifying for the event via online entry, proving that an amateur could take on the pros and win big, igniting an interest in online poker across the nation in the process.

However, online poker, the format Moneymaker used to rise to fame, has been unauthorized in California since 2011, following a nationwide crackdown on online gambling. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legislation allowing online gambling, but California has yet to get a law on the books – not that legislators haven’t tried. California came close to passing legislation last year, but the bill fizzled out by the end of session.

This year California Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer introduced AB167, dubbed the Internet Poker Consumer Protection Act of 2015, to authorize and regulate online gambling. The legislation would create a licensing process for online gambling outlets to ensure the protection of online players.

Negreanu and Moneymaker were in American Canyon as part of PokerStars’ Let California Play pro tour, a campaign to create awareness for the Californians for Responsible iPoker, a grassroots coalition seeking the authorization and regulation of online gambling in the state.


Read more: Poker stars promote online gaming laws in American Canyon

Good news for the Russia...

Good news for the Russia...


Yes but he Is still an Idiot!!

While some players claim they play online poker for the “challenge,” most of us play online poker to win money. In the timeless tradition of road gamblers, poker players are constantly looking for a way to make the most money while playing poker.

Online poker has exploded in the last decade and allowed thousands to make a living by playing poker online. If you’re a new player looking to improve win money at online poker, check out our five ways to boost your win rate in online poker.
Learn to Multi-Table

One way to quickly boost your online poker win rate is to learn how to multi-table. Online poker gives you the unique ability to play multiple tables at one time. This gives you the opportunity to double your hourly win rate or better.

Consider the following. You’re a solid player that wins approximately $25 per hour playing one table of micro-stakes poker. While this is a solid win, what if you could make a similar hourly rate over two, three, four tables or even more? Even if you dropped to $20 per hour per table multi-tabling, that’s $60 per hour if you play just three tables.

If you choose to multi-table, start slowly. Start with two tables and once you master playing two tables at a time, increase by one for as long as you feel comfortable and are able to stay profitable. If you’re game starts to suffer, don’t be afraid to drop tables as needed.
Learn Other Games Than Texas Hold’em

Most online poker players are going to focus exclusively on Texas Hold’em. As a result, online cash games are harder now than they’ve ever been in history. You will notice that many of the game’s top pros do not play NL Hold’em exclusively but compete in other games such as PLO, 8-Game, 2-7 Lowball and others.

Mixed games have grown in popularity over the last few years and there are plenty of fish available in low limit games on many of the major online poker sites. Your best bet would be to start with one game, such as PL Omaha or Omaha Hi-Lo and become proficient in that game before adding another game.

Players that are proficient in multiple forms of poker open up additional revenue streams and are not solely reliant on finding “good” NL Hold’em games.
Dedicate Time for Study and Training

While it is important to put in hours at the table, it is equally important to take time each week to work on your game through study and additional training. When we refer to study, this can take multiple forms but you need to take time to review your sessions and honestly evaluate your play.

Also, consider investing in some type of coaching or maybe setup a peer group with fellow players where you can ask questions and get advice on playing online poker. Research multiple training options, including poker software, and select the one that best suits your game. Then dedicate a few hours each week focused solely on poker training.
Eliminate Distractions While Playing

Many online poker players make the mistake of trying to do a dozen other things while playing poker online. Some like to watch TV or listen to music while others will check Facebook and Twitter, chat on Snapchat or Skype or even hang out with buddies while playing online.

If you want to improve your hourly rate, you need to remove all distractions during the time you’re playing online poker. Even if your distractions seem nominal, they can make the difference in being focused during a key decision and making the wrong pay because you wanted to watch Miley Cyrus twerk.
Play on Multiple Sites

While every online poker site likes to claim they are the best, the quality of games is in constant flux. Depending on when you prefer to play online, you may need to split up your time between multiple sites in order to maximize your rate.

For example, during the weekends you may want to focus exclusively on PokerStars or other major sites as they bring in the majority of traffic. During the week, you may discover that the iPoker network has softer games some days and other sites may have softer Sit & Go’s other days.

Check out multiple sites to see which have the best games and maybe even make schedule. In time, you will figure out which sites are worth your time to frequent and this will result in a higher win rate.


5 Ways to Boost Your Win Rate in Online Poker

Professional online poker players traditionally begin their careers with one-tabling, low stakes endeavors that serve as an introductory course to the game. However, if you play poker long enough and put enough effort into it, you’ll likely arrive at a crossroads in which you decide that it is more profitable to add tables to your daily/nightly session. This article takes a look at five major distractions that can take away from an online poker pro’s expectation.

Before I list the things to avoid while grinding online poker, it may be helpful to lay out my own professional online poker career. I began multi-tabling full time in mid 2005, following 14 minimum deposits of $50 on PartyPoker. Back in those days, the lowest stakes cash games were $0.50/$1 and the lowest denomination Sit & Gos one could enter was $5+$1. with a maximum of four tables.

Once I got the hang of the game, I played anywhere between 12-16 tables at a time daily on PokerStars — working my way up from the softest games to $55+$5 Turbo Sit & Gos along with $20+$50 buy-in Multi Table Tournaments (MTTs). From 2005-2008, I made a modest full-time living playing online poker, saw well over 1 million hands, then changed career paths when I decided to work full time in the poker industry. From the moment I “turned pro” to the day I decided to do something else, I never had to make another deposit unless it was to take advantage of a sign-up or reload bonus.

I consider myself fortunate to have only lost expectation by not avoiding two or the following five distractions back when I played professionally, but even those two were very costly in terms of maximizing my win rate. Hopefully this list will prove useful to upcoming and current online poker pros who routinely multi-table.
The 5 Worst Distractions for a Serious Multi-Tabling Online Poker Player.



Read more and have fun: 5 Distractions to Avoid When Multi-Tabling Online Poker

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Despite once ruling that poker is a game of skill, Brazil has now made it illegal to play online poker in public.

While many poker fans were forced to check their calendars to make sure it wasn’t April Fools’ Day when the news broke, it has since been confirmed that the Brazilian authorities weren’t joking when they decided to update their laws on misdemeanors.
Poker Behind Closed Doors

According to an official document published on JusBrazil, it is now illegal to ante-up in an online poker or casino game in a place accessible by the public.

What exactly promoted this shift in law is unclear, but it seems as though anyone caught playing poker via Smartphone or tablet in a public place will now be charged.

At the most severe end of the punishment spectrum, if other misdemeanors are involved, a player could face a three month prison sentence.

Beyond this, a simple infraction could now incur a fine of between $575 and $575,000 if convicted.

The move comes as something of a surprise given Brazil’s poker history.

Aside from harboring a number of world class players, the country declared poker a game of skill back in 2012.


Read more: Brazil Outlaws Public Displays of Online Poker

Less than a decade ago, mobile gamers barely were a blip on the radar of the online poker marketplace. Thanks to the explosion of the iPad and other mobile devices, online poker sites were forced to rethink their marketing strategies and sites slowly started to develop mobile poker apps.

Now there are literally thousands of online poker apps swarming the internet but few are even worth the time to download. Remember this – not all mobile poker apps are created equal. If you’re new to online poker and considering whether you want to download an app, here are five things to look for in an online poker app.
Ability to Deposit or Make Withdrawals Within App

One fact of mobile gaming frustrating man players in the past is the lack of funding options within the app itself. With some mobile poker apps, you must login to the physical client or go to the client website to make a deposit.

This is highly inconvenient for players, especially those in the middle of a session and need to reload immediately. That’s why you should pick a mobile poker app with the ability to make deposits and request withdrawals within the app itself. This will save you time, effort and possibly your seat in a really juicy game.


Read more: 5 Things to Look for in an Online Poker App

Very interesting facts....thanks

Nline poker whiz Chad Batista, formerly of Coral Springs, died Thursday in Las Vegas after a brief period of declining health. He was 34.
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Mr. Batista, 5-foot-6, went by the online handle "lilholdem954." He was the No. 1-ranked online tournament player on PocketFives-com from August 2007 to July 2008. Mr. Batista earned $952,496 in live tournaments, $293,798 of which came at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He earned at least $5 million in online tournaments, although no formal records are kept.
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Like many players, Mr. Batista moved out of the country after the U.S. Department of Justice shut down online poker on April 15, 2011, a day referred to in poker circles as "Black Friday." Rather than go to Europe, Mr. Batista chose Mexico so he easily transport his two dogs, Bluff and Gamble back home. On visits to South Florida, he frequented local card rooms, and in October 2012 won a tournament and $12,240 at the Isle Casino and Racing in Pompano Beach.

"But after Black Friday, things weren't quite the same," said his aunt, Louise Batista, who raised Mr. Batista after his mother died when he was 16. "He didn't like live poker because it was too slow-paced, and he didn't like the crowds."

A father "was never in the picture," she said, and Mr. Batista left Coconut Creek High School after his junior year.

Mr. Batista learned poker from his grandmother, and in 2004 a friend staked him $50 to play online. Soon he was playing up to 12 screens at a time and coaching people, including swimmer Michael Phelps after the 2008 Olympics, Louise Batista said.

"He never read a poker book, never figured out pot odds or anything," she said. "He just had an aggressive game, and if he lost it, he took the hit."

But he also alienated other players with brash table talk and an aggressive demeanor when playing.

A 2007 Canadian newspaper article describing the marketing of a poker training web site, noted: "Batista goes all-out for the hip-hop image, with a diamond-studded teeth grill, black, baggy clothing, and a lengthy police record."

Broward County court records show charges of public intoxication, battery, trespassing and violation of probation.

"He was complicated, but easy all at the same time," said Louise Batista, who accompanied him on his court appearances.

"Back in the 'early days' of online poker, Chad 'lilholdem954' Batista was one of the most feared and successful tournament players in the world," wrote Pokernews' Brett Collson. "He won major event after major event, while attracting fans (and detractors) with his brash and aggressive behavior on the virtual felt. Batista's stardom faded after Black Friday, but his online moniker is one we'll certainly never forget."

Funeral arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to help an Orlando boy with cancer at m-facebook-com/TrevorsFight.

A native of Florida, Batista had quite a large online following prior to Black Friday. Facebook and 2 + 2 are filled with posts from fellow players who claim to have watched and marveled at his play as either ‘lilholdem954′ or ‘M8kingmoves.’

A number of posters admit to taking a liking to poker due to the online prowess of Batista, with several stating that his instincts for the game far excelled any knowledge that he may have possessed with regard to pot odds or mathematical strategy.
Won Millions

Most accounts put Batista’s online earnings in the neighborhood of $5 million or so. Almost another $1 million landed in the pockets of his baggy pants compliments of live tournament play.

Several news accounts reported that Batista’s death was somewhat sudden following “a brief period of declining health.” Those who claim to have known him best stated on social media that he drank himself to death.

“After Black Friday, Chad was suicidal because he said he had nothing to live for and he had no good way to get other employment because of his past mistakes,” posted ‘barryg1′ on 2 + 2. “After we talked, he convinced me he wouldn’t hurt himself, but after seeing how it turned out, I realize he inadvertently killed himself anyway as many of us will do as we disregard our health in this lifestyle.”

Those past mistakes included several run-ins with the law. Batista wasn’t immune from doing some stupid things during his youth that he would later come to regret, as are most of us. His skills and talents revolved around online poker, a game that was taken away from him in April 2011.

He tried to make a go of it in Mexico, as many online pros have done. But for whatever reason, Batista apparently didn’t take a shine to being away from home.
Not The Same

An aunt who looked after Batista when his mother passed away in the mid-90s confirmed that the shutdown of PokerStars, Full Tilt and UltimateBet four years ago took a toll on the online poker star.


“After Black Friday, things weren’t quite the same,” said Louise Batista. “He didn’t like live poker because it was too slow-paced, and he didn’t like the crowds.”

According to numerous accounts, what Batista did like were his dogs, the platinum grillwork on his teeth, pimped rides, and online poker. He liked to play a brash, in-your-face style that both awed and angered his tablemates. But even those who he angered at the tables respected his play.

And now those same players are paying their respects to Batista in death, a life cut short perhaps due to the effects of Black Friday?

“Its disgusting how black friday ruined so many people, literally put them in the GROUND,” posted ‘WateryBoil’ on 2 + 2. “Perhaps if BF didnt happen he wouldnt have drank himself to death.”

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Online poker at Partypoker’s cash game tables increased considerably since the first week of August, regaining a previous 40% drop in action that was likely the result of a DDoS attack.

Roughly three weeks ago, Partypoker was knocked out of the top ten worldwide and averaged just 600 ring game players, according to PokerScout. But that misfortune is over and traffic has since re-stabilized, catapulting Partypoker back into 6th place globally with 1,000 players in a seven-day average.

Another site that has experienced large fluctuations in player traffic lately is Full Tilt. The goal to reshape online poker and attract casual players is the cause of the variance, as players contemplate whether they can do better elsewhere.



Read more: Online Poker Player Traffic Update - August 2015

When looking at which states are making the greatest push towards legalized online poker regulation, California is always at the top of the list. For the last few years, they have made numerous attempts at legalizing online poker but have fell short time after time.

Today we take a look at the progress that California has made in 2015, and at the groups that are pushing back in the fight for legalized iPoker. We finally give our predictions on whether their push for legalization will be successful in 2016.

It seems that every year that California makes a small bit of progress towards regulation over the prior year. This year, we finally saw a bill move out of committee and reach the Assembly floor, but it is unlikely to come to a vote. California lawmakers did hold multiple hearings on iPoker this year, another positive step forward.

While there were three bills filed for iPoker in California in 2015, only Adam Gray’s AB 431 was able to move out of committee. The problem is that the bill is merely a shell bill that is unlikely to be completed before the legislative deadline of September 11.

The most positive step forward in the legislative process was the new faction that has formed to forward the cause of online poker in the state. The Morongo tribe had already been partnered with PokerStars and three of the state’s largest cardrooms. Now, the Rincon, Pala and United Auburn tribes have changed course regarding bad actors and PokerStars and have joined together with the “PokerStars Coalition” to help forward iPoker legislation in the state.

PokerStars recently started Citizens for Responsible iPoker, a group that is lobbying for legal online poker in California. As part of their “Let CA Play!” initiative, the group started the PokerStars Pro Tour and has already traveled to 11 casinos to inform citizens and beef up lobbying efforts to legalize online poker in CA.


Read more: California Pushing Hardest for Online Poker but Stalls

Very nice offer I must say !

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Over the past four weeks on PokerStars, online poker pro Viktor “Isildur1” Blom has turned in one of his best upswings in his career. The Swede is up more than $2.2 million, according to tracking data from HighstakesDB.

Blom was actually a slight loser over the past month up until Aug. 20, when his tear began. Just over 19,000 hands in a week have added $2.5 million to his pockets.

The next biggest winner after Blom on PokerStars during the stretch was “Yoghii” with roughly $380,000 in profits. So, Blom is really cleaning up at the pot-limit Omaha tables at the moment.


Read more: Online Poker: Viktor Blom Has $2.5M Week

I will be there.

That's a lot of money!! I would stop there.