Oct 24, 2015 | News
In fact, the Poker Tournament being held in Malta began Tuesday, 20th and is set to end on Saturday, 31st this month. Malta is a fascinating archipelago within the Mediterranean Sea, and the poker tournament just adds to the inflow of visitors into the island this season. Of course, it is not the first time Malta is hosting a poker competition of this magnitude, and the surrounding areas like Sicily in Italy are bound to benefit economically from this tournament.
This repeat hosting of the tournament by Malta goes to show that besides players and fans of poker loving the venue, the state laws are also appealing. It means that Malta is a place where betting enthusiasts can engage in poker without worrying about breaking any state poker law or other related poker law.
For yet another time, Malta is working closely with the Italian Poker Tour to ensure effective promotion of the event, successful hosting, and generally great experience for the poker fraternity. The specific town hosting the tournament is St. Julian’s, which is popularly known for its vibrant nightlife, actually beating even Malta’s official capital, Valletta. So, after enjoying Malta’s beautiful greenery in the day, poker players and fans can take time off to relax in St. Julian’s’ many clubs, some of which may have facilities for online poker and other gambling activities. There is also no shortage of restaurants as well as cafes in the town and that makes the place great for hosting a big function intended to attract throngs of poker lovers. There are a good number of bars too.
What Makes This Year’s Venue Suitable?
First of all, the venue happens to be the Portomaso Casino – all modern and elegant. Nobody in the poker fraternity can doubt the suitability of this casino considering it is one of the renowned places in the world and has been known to successfully host events of equal magnitude before. Another factor that puts the Portomaso ahead of others in suitability is its proximity to the Hilton, Malta; the place considered the official EPT hotel.
Who Is Welcome At The Portomaso For The Poker Tournament?
Gladly, there are no state laws restricting entry into Malta, and as for the poker tournament itself, any visitor who has attained the maturity age of 18yrs is welcome. When it comes to locals – the Maltese – the law of the land allows them entry into such venues when they have attained the age of 25yrs. Any person trying to gain entry into the Portomaso for the poker tournament is required to show valid identity first. And as for the dress code, it is liberally casual as sportswear is also acceptable.
Convenience of Transactions
The Portomaso Casino is providing currency exchange services at rates issued by the Forex Exchange Bureau. As such, participants in the poker tournament need not worry about buying Euros, Malta’s official currency, beforehand. The currencies well catered for in this regard include the Australian dollar; the Canadian dollar; the US dollar; the British pound; the Danish Krone; the Swiss Franc; the Japanese yen; the Israeli New Shequel; the Norwegian Krone; and the Swedish Krona.
And as a mark of further friendliness within the poker fraternity, if there is need for a patron to receive a cash refund at the casino, it is possible to get it in the original currency and at the same rate initially used. Of course, this is possible if the refund is being made within a period before banking is done. Understandably, the recipient of the cash, whether a poker player or poker fan, will need to show the original receipt.
Oct 9, 2015 | Article
Casino games are the rave among gamblers these days. These games come in a variety of themes making game play even more exciting. Online gamblers are getting addicted to it. Couple this with the fact that numerous companies are trying to make it to the front line means offers are going to be literally thrown at you. These offers range from deposit bonuses to playing bonuses and what not.
A new person will usually opt for the first offer coming their way. Sugar coated offers giving 100% deposit bonuses and free plays sound quite tempting, no doubt. However there is a certain way to go about with casino games, with extra care necessary if one isn’t that experienced yet in the cosmos of online gambling. Before explaining why caution is recommended, read on about the most commonly offered bonuses and their advantages below.
Sign-up bonuses
In the online gambling world bonuses are something that never fails to catch the attention of online gamblers. Basically these are given to attract new players to a casino. When for the very first time an inexperienced online gambler enters a particular online casino, the first notification, gets prompted is of the sign up bonus which is enough to catch the attention of an online gambler. The upside is that they mean free game playable money in exchange for nothing. One can try out the online gambling at no cost whatsoever. No risk means zero downsides; you can play and see what you like without breaking bank.
Bonus points on deposits while playing
These are the main bonuses which really determine how much you’re making and using through the extra money. A pro will always be using more of bonuses and less of his/her actual deposited money. Casinos offer bonuses on every deposit made. The system is progressive with the more money deposited, the more the bonus multiplier. But there are certain things to consider.
The usage of the money earned on bonuses is governed by certain laws of that casino. Make sure to check out the fine print. You are depositing to get that bonus so you can play your favorite games. Make sure your favorite game(s) fall in the category where deposit bonuses apply because if you don’t go deeper then maybe you regret later on.
Weekly and monthly bonuses
There are many online gambling casinos which offer much attractive, weekly and monthly bonuses. Well! These bonuses are something that an online gambler must not miss. Lots of amazing offers you can have in the form of these bonuses. It is your decision to cash it wisely. However you must take it into count what sorts of bonuses are being offered? Because it is good to keep eyes on every single detail
These bonuses allow you, at some days and/or time periods, to play using free money. How so? Usually casinos calculate low traffic days and offer the bonuses at those times to keep their business running.
Final verdict
The bonuses offered nowadays by online gambling casinos are endless. You will see dozens of online casinos, providing gamblers amazing bonuses. Online gamblers often get caught in their web because they just see the shallow part, if they go deeper then they’ll get to know the main point behind it. Think wisely and don’t go for the flashy name of the bonus. Check out the requirements, the payout time, the multiplier, and the minimum deposit requirements. All of this might seem a lot at first, but with experience you’ll find yourself picking out the best bonuses with your eyes closed.
Sep 30, 2015 | News
Paddy, whose full name is Patrick Hicks, passed away last Saturday the 26th. Paddy has been in the poker arena for decades and had grown to become part and parcel of the Irish poker community. His popular stake out was Fitzwilliam Card Club within Dublin, where his presence will be greatly missed. He lived in Hamilton Street.
Paddy, who is survived by his children, Billy; Sharon; Yvonne; as well as Paula, was not just admired at the poker tables for his playing prowess. He was also popular away from the games. He had an admirable demeanour that drew people to him. Whether he was playing Irish poker or the conventional poker as known worldwide, Paddy was evidently an experienced hand.
Is Irish Poker any different?
Well, Irish Poker is one variant of Hold’em, which has protocols most poker players are familiar with. It, obviously, has its distinct features, like the player being dealt 4-hole cards in place of 2 pre-flop; two of which are soon discarded – actually immediately following the flop round of the betting. This form of poker is offered both as a No Limit format as well as a Pot Limit format.
During this mourning period, both online poker players and those who play in casinos and other brick and mortar venues within Ireland are united in remembering one of their own. Paddy’s demise follows that of another elderly Irish poker player, Liam Flood, who passed away slightly over a year ago. Liam was also admired as a gentleman. In fact, his nickname was ‘The Gentleman’.
Liam left an indelible mark on the poker scene in Ireland, having played a major role in the establishment of the Irish Poker Open Tournament. His prowess as a poker player was also underlined by his two major winnings of the tournament – in 1990 as well as 1996. He passed away at 71yrs of age.
Both Patrick and Liam were poker veterans who could pride themselves with having witnessed the evolvement of the poker scene in Ireland, from the betting game of a relatively small community to becoming a popular game for people of all walks of life. That does, in no way, mean that playing of poker has ever been curtailed in Ireland, but it has had its hiccups too, like in many other countries.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Irish have always had a liking for poker, more or less like their beer, the state laws on gambling became a little too tight in 1956, and a good number of casinos closed down. However, as the saying goes, where there is will there is a way. The Irish were keen to identify loopholes in their new state poker law. Shrewd operators opened gambling venues in the name of clubs and thus returned poker and other gambling activities with a bang. Of course, today, casinos in Ireland operate without concealing the fact that they are gambling arenas, and there are fourteen of them well established and buzzing with betting activity.
Today, as Ireland’s poker fraternity remembers with admiration the life of Patrick Hicks, the elderly folk cannot miss to relish the long way they have traveled, with online poker and other online gambling activities becoming accessible to gaming lovers in addition to the games in brick and mortar casinos. Ireland is way ahead of many countries when it comes to the vibrancy of poker. One may wish to point out, for example, that poker players have opportunity to play or watch live poker in eight well established casinos. In fact, the Emerald Casino, which is said to be Ireland’s largest and situated within Dublin, boasts of 24 games tables; 24 gaming machines; plus 22 poker tables.
Sep 29, 2015 | Article
2015 marks the year for the awareness of poker games. Technology has taken things to the next amazing level. Live streaming of Poker is going to attract hundreds of Poker fans. Twitch T.V has made its name in the cosmos of live poker streaming but still it lacks the depth, some minor and major software changes need to be done to make the live streaming attractive enough for the players.
Visualize! The world where you can access poker’s live streaming just in seconds. Pokers fans you are going to experience a new thrill, a new excitement. You imagination has taken the physical shape via Periscope.
Must be wondering what periscope is! Periscope is an app that has made feasible for you to enjoy the live streaming via your smart phones. For poker fans smart phones were never smarter before the development of this great app.
A lot has been done in the technology, what else can be better than seeing the live streaming of poker? Nothing can be! Moreover without leaving the comfort of your homes you can access the live streaming on your smartphones.
All you need to know about Periscope
This live streaming app is available for iOS and Android users. There are many apps with the restriction of availability some apps are available on iTunes while some on Google playstore which create problems for the people but now poker fans won’t face any such problem either they are android users or iOS fans they will get access in both ways.
Just with a single command the live streaming starts, moreover to keep record of anything they can use their smartphones as video cameras.
Some flaws of Periscope
Other side of the story has some twists and turns, still live streaming technologies have given significant amount to challenges to the poker industry.
Live streaming can bring huge differences between the poker players and casino staff because of security threats. There is a possibility that the information get transmitted in real time which is of course ain’t good for the integrity of live poker. Moreover poker players might lose their trust in such casinos which will result in huge loss to the gambling world.
Stop it! before it goes viral
During live streaming the differences between players and casino staff can easily go live. Once it goes viral then nothing can stop it because all of us are aware of the power of YouTube. Billions of people can watch the dispute which results in losing the faith in that particular casino. On the whole still they are unable to find a single solution for this issue, hopefully in near future new advancement may take pace and come out with a logical solution.
Bottom Line
There is continues discussion going on social media regarding periscope and people seem to be much active especially on Twitter. All in all it is good to enjoy the live streaming but in case of any dispute between the players and casino staff it won’t be good for their reputation because once it goes viral then it is impossible enough to counter it.
We still can’t guess what the future holds for periscope but if we talk about live streaming then there are many others apps in the construction phase. We can stop one or two apps but it won’t work for all because banning the entry of Smartphone users is not a solution to this problem.
It’s the time for you to join the discussion and come up with suggestions may be you will come up with any solution.
Sep 29, 2015 | News
Poker news just in is that Archie Karas, a famed gambler has since been placed in the Black Book, also referred to as the list of excluded persons. Having been one of poker’s most legendary gamblers, this is news that has been received with shock and disbelief in equal measure all over Nevada Casinos and more so in other parts of the world.
One Anargyros Karabourniotis, herein referred to as Archie Karas is ideally the so-called stuff of legends. The man has been gambling and playing poker for as long as anyone could imagine and therefore the news of his ban is something that has been quite outstanding to many. From the year 1992 to the year 1994, Archie Karas is said to have turned $50 to more than $40 million in what is even up to date referred to as “The Run.”
During that duration, Karas is said to have defeated some of the best names in poker. These included Chip Reese, Stu Ungar and Doyle Brunson just to name but a few. In fact, it is good to note that only Johnny Chan was able to beat Karas at the time by reportedly $900000 from the revered poker player.
Unfortunately, for the once legendary gambler, his heater came to an end and subsequently he proceeded to lose almost everything over the next two years. Today, more than 2 decades later, his fall from grace has been going from bad to worse. Just recently, he was placed in the unwanted Nevada Black Book that is officially known as the List of Excluded Persons.
According to poker news released by the Las Vegas Review Journal, the gaming commission in Nevada voted unanimously in order to make Karas, currently 64 years old the 33rd entity in the list of shame. Again, Karas who happened not to have attended the hearing in order to defend himself might face criminal charges if he entered any Casino in Nevada.
So, what caused Karas to be included in this list?
Well, he was included in the list according to experts as a result of committing numerous transgressions. The most recent of those transgressions came in the September of 2013 whereby he was arrested for cheating at blackjack when playing poker at the Barona Casino in the eastern parts of San Diego. Eventually, the man himself was found guilty and subsequently sentenced to three years in probation. Prior to that incident, Karas had also been arrested about four times within Nevada from the year 1988 for the same offence of cheating and blackjack.
From these details and other poker news, there is no doubt that Karas is a man in great trouble. He has been involved in cheating for quite some time and this is the main reason as to why he has since found himself in the list of shame. A legendary gambler of his caliber would never want to get into such a mess but according to many experts, this occurrence is his own making. He has made cheating at blackjack a common issue for him and he always gets arrested when he commits the offence and therefore it is only prudent that he corrects this way of life.
Considerably, Karas has more than $205000 in terms of lifetime tournament earnings and seven cashes from the World Series of Poker. Notably, the largest score of his entire career came during the 2009 WSOP whereby he took the fifth position in the $10000 World championships no limit deuce to seven draws for an amount totaling $53783. Of course, after this aspect of being black listed, he would never be able to attend any future WSOPs and that simply means that he is done as a gambler considering the many times that he has found himself on the wrong side of the law.
