12 December 2009
Gavin O’Rourke on top at UKIPT opener in Galway
PokerStars qualifier Gavin O’Rourke is in pole position at the end of day one, holding a stack of 104,000 chips, a lead of 22,000 over nearest rival Christopher Brammer. Looming large is the presence of newly minted Team PokerStars Pro Jude Ainsworth who sits in third place with a stack of 81,850.
Busy weekend at Full Tilt with five Mini FTOPS events scheduled
First up is the $50+$5 PLO 6 Max, hosted by Roberto Romanello, which starts at 6pm today UK time. A prize pool of at least $100,000 is guaranteed. Next up is the $10+$1 No Limit Hold Em rebuy hosted by Christiane Klecz at 8pm UK time where $250,000 is guaranteed.
11 December 2009
Brian Hastings gives Oscar style speech after $4m win
A $4m win, you ask? Read our full report on Brian Hastings’s huge demolition of Isildur1’s bankroll here. Hastings proceeded to blog about his $4.18m victory over the Swede, including a reflection on life after his life-changing game; a history of his poker escapades from $5 home games and a gratuitous Gwyneth Paltrow-esque speech at the end.
First PokerStars UK and Ireland Tour Main Event starts today
The much anticipated PokerStars UK and Ireland Tour starts in Galway today with a host of top names expected to play in the €2,000 buy in Main Event. Bookmaker SportingBet has installed former WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate the 33/1 favourite. Joining him at the head of the market are former Poker Million winner Marty Smith and double WSOP bracelet winner JP Kelly also at 33/1
Did ESPN feed information on hands to November Nine coaches? Darvin Moon thinks so.
One of the biggest talking points at the final table of this year’s WSOP was a big lay down made by Darvin Moon. The eventual runner up folded a KQ hand against Steve Begleiter but proceeded to tell his wife that he in fact had queens, despite the ESPN cameras showing otherwise. Did he misread his hand or did he tell his wife a big porkie?
Absolute Poker and UB get eCOGRA certification
AbsolutePoker’s new software and wide selection of games gives it new credit in the poker community; UltimateBet’s rebranding as UB and some sort of progress made on sorting out “the Troubles” seems to have done the same thing.
Vladimir Geshkenbein joins Team PKR
Vladimir Geshkenbein is the latest big name (both literally and metaphorically) to join the professional team at PKR.com.
10 December 2009
Patrik Antonius talks about Isildur1
An interview at the Full Tilt Poker poker academy sees Phil Gordon sit down with Patrik Antonius, asking him about the nosebleed online games and, of course, the Swede known as Isildur1.
Nicky Power is Boylepoker’s latest sponsored pro
Boylepoker.com has strengthened its professional roster by adding Irishman Nicky Power to its team. Since starting playing poker in 2004 the urbane Irishman has had some fine results including a victory in the Macau Winter Festival and a sixth place finish in the Irish Open.
PokerStars announce Team Pro Tuesdays
PokerStars’s huge armada of Team PokerStars Pros are putting themselves to use in a different way with the new announcement of Team Pro Tuesdays. The tournaments are on Tuesdays at 6pm and 1am UK time carrying a $11 buy-in.