Why do people still support UB and AP?

On Dec. 20, Phil Hellmuth, playing under his real name, got involved in a hand with a player named DOUBLEBALLER on a $200/$400 table. Hellmuth held one pair while DOUBLEBALLER hit trips, but the new software shipped the pot to Hellmuth anyway.

Tokwiro, which owns both Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, released a statement explaining the software error this way: “We have concluded that the malfunction occurred because the winning player disconnected from the table at the precise millisecond when the software was awarding the pot, in conjunction with the ‘player’s state’ data being cleared from the memory cache.”

- more from Cardplayer.com

Hand in Question

See it played out in this Hand Player (number 23)

Stage #XXXXXXX: Holdem (1 on 1) Normal $200/$400 - 2008-12-20 04:15:23 (ET)
Table: FIR AVE (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 - PHILHELLMUTH ($4495 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOUBLEBALLER ($7494 in chips)
PHILHELLMUTH - Posts small blind $100
DOUBLEBALLER - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $300 to $400
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $600
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $400 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Calls $200
*** FLOP *** [Js Kc Kh]
DOUBLEBALLER - Checks
PHILHELLMUTH - Bets $200
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $200
*** TURN *** [Js Kc Kh] [2h]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $800 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $800 to $1200
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** RIVER *** [Js Kc Kh 2h] [9c]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DOUBLEBALLER - Shows [Kd Qh] (Three of a kind, kings)
PHILHELLMUTH - Mucks
PHILHELLMUTH Collects $5599 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($5600) | Rake ($1)
Board [Js Kc Kh 2h 9c]
Seat 4: PHILHELLMUTH (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($5599) HI: ($5599) [Mucked] [2s 10s]
Seat 6: DOUBLEBALLER (big blind) HI:lost with Three of a kind, kings [Kd Qh - B:Kh,P:Kd,B:Kc,P:Qh,B:Js]


You're connected to our server. Enjoy your game.

PHILHELLMUTH: U wanna play or what?
DOUBLEBALLER: no
DOUBLEBALLER: 5600 pot
DOUBLEBALLER: they are gonna credit it to me
PHILHELLMUTH: I play U limit, right now
DOUBLEBALLER: how the **** can that happen phil??
DOUBLEBALLER: that is such a major error!!!!
PHILHELLMUTH: good thing U found it, no wonder we differed about who was w
PHILHELLMUTH: winning
DOUBLEBALLER: i am just in awe
PHILHELLMUTH: maybe U were booted just then'
DOUBLEBALLER: no
DOUBLEBALLER: they just credited me
DOUBLEBALLER: it is so weird
G0N3INW1ND: thats embaressing
DOUBLEBALLER: they show me showing the hand
PHILHELLMUTH: miracle U beat me
G0N3INW1ND: what kind of site is this?

 

What are others players saying?

 I visit a forum called "two plus two" ... they have led most of the poker community in good and bad news involving online gaming.  In one of their posts another forum member supplied an example of another error ... this error gave the winnings to a player that folded preflop.  Read for yourself ...


Stage #1136089263: Holdem No Limit $0.50 - 2008-12-02 03:48:48 (ET)
Table: TUSTIN (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 6 - OZMANZ69 ($175.34 in chips)
Seat 1 - SBOM333 ($86.20 in chips)
Seat 2 - MIKE DACIUK ($100 in chips)
Seat 3 - MINES13W ($24.20 in chips)
Seat 4 - ROYALSTARS ($88.11 in chips)
Seat 5 - LUCKY_SPACE ($68.50 in chips)
SBOM333 - Posts small blind $0.25
MIKE DACIUK - Posts big blind $0.50
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to LUCKY_SPACE [Ad 9d]
MINES13W - Folds
ROYALSTARS - Folds
LUCKY_SPACE - Raises $1.75 to $1.75
OZMANZ69 - Folds
SBOM333 - Calls $1.50
MIKE DACIUK - Folds (Timeout)
*** FLOP *** [3c 7d 2d]
SBOM333 - Checks
LUCKY_SPACE - Bets $3
SBOM333 - Folds
LUCKY_SPACE - returned ($3) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
LUCKY_SPACE - Does not show
MIKE DACIUK Collects $3.80 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($4) | Rake ($0.20)
Board [3c 7d 2d]
Seat 1: SBOM333 (small blind) Folded on the FLOP
Seat 2: MIKE DACIUK (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: MINES13W Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: ROYALSTARS Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: LUCKY_SPACE HI: [Does not show]
Seat 6: OZMANZ69 (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS

Here is her email to support and their reply.

--Original Message--
From: xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Date: 12/02/08
To: support@absolutepoker.com
Subject: I won the hand and another player received my money[#10021793]

Hi, I just played this hand at table Tustin, hand history #1136089263
.. In the hand I made everyone fold and a player that folded his hand
preflop received my money. This was the last hand played at the table
before it switched over to another server. Would you please look at
this hand and credit me back the appropriate amount, thanks.


From: <support@absolutepoker.com>
Date: Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 8:09 AM
Subject: RE:I won the hand and another player received my money [#10021793]
To: xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com



Dear Ms. xxxxxx,

Thank you for contacting us and for reporting this situation.

Be kindly informed that we have reviewed the hand in question and
confirmed that the pot was incorrectly paid out. We have credited the
money you should have won on your account and forwarded your email to
the appropriate department for further review.

If there is anything else we can help you with, please let us know. We
are here for you!

Kind Regards,

Luigi
Team Absolute ~ Customer Support
"To Continue to be the Best and Most Trusted"
Support@AbsolutePoker.Com

Ensure the security of your account! Never give out your password and
change it frequently.

        

Guinness World Record Attempt

PokerStars is trying to hold the largest online poker tournament in history.  They are aiming for over 30,000 players but would love to MAX out at 35,000!!!!  The entry fee is $11 and the tournament will take place on Sunday December 28 at 15:30 ET with a $500k guaranteed prize pool.  That is a $150,000 overlay ... if less play then that means MORE overlay!!!!

I hope to see you there.

Best of luck to all that enter!
CnC

        

The WBCOOP Final

The World Blogger Championship of Online Poker Final takes place Sunday December 21, at 15:00 ET.

Prizes

Places	WBCOOP Final - Prizes Awarded
1st	PokerStars Caribbean Adventure prize package - worth $14,300
2nd	European Poker Tour±  prize package + SCOOP‡ Main Event ticket + Step 6 ticket - worth $11,100
3rd	European Poker Tour± prize package - worth $7,500
4th	SCOOP Main Event ticket + Step 6 ticket - worth $3,675
5th	Step 6 ticket - worth $2,100
6th	SCOOP Main Event ticket - worth $1,575
7th	$1,050 Tournament entry
8th	Step 5 ticket
9th	$530 Tournament entry
10th-18th	$320 Tournament entry
19th-27th	$215 Tournament entry
28th-45th	$109 Tournament entry
46th-100th	Step 3 ticket

 

Best of luck to all that play!

CnC

        

A boy's (Brenden Foster) generous last wish was to feed the homeless ...

An 11-year-old boy's dying wish to feed the homeless is becoming a national movement. Brenden Foster isn't afraid to die. He says he just wants to make a difference, before his time comes.  More





Video Clip of Story


Happy Holidays,
CnC

        

I came to her defense after hearing what her backers had said while she was playing in the WSOP Main Event.  But after seeing the ESPN editted version of how she acted in the WSOP and her interviews (like this one with PokerNews) I am not surprised there was so much drama after all ... it seems to be in her nature.   She posted a response in her blog and in a forum which opened the door to other players providing feedback ... one of those players played with her and was not happy with her "actions" on the table.

Below I provided a link to her response from the poker community ... maybe there is something we can learn from this?  And here is a link to an interview about the negative feedback she is getting from the poker community.

---

I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to write me. I'm absolutely flattered by the love, attention, kind words and support that I've been showed.

Of course there will always be haters and I have been appalled at some of the nasty messages I've received from complete strangers who I've never had a conversation with a day in my life. They somehow feel it is their place to judge me based on four episodes of POKER television. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I truly am sorry if watching me on TV rubbed anyone the wrong way. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to weed through the editing and TV screen and see the real time and real scenarios in which my words and actions occurred. Furthermore, if you don't personally know me and you may not understand my joking and sarcastic personality at the tables where I'm just having some fun and harmless banter with the boys. Before you judge remember that you saw 7 EDITED TV hours of a tournament that I played for an entire week and close to 100 hours of time. I don't think there is a single person who I played with live who would walk away and say anything negative about how I personally treated them at the tables or that I didn't show respect to my fellow table mates.

more here

The exchange between Tiffany and Craig

tiffanymichelle

Yeah. This is all well and good after the fact, but you were extremely disrespectful and unbelievably rude while we were playing in just about every situation you could be. I feel like those 7 edited episodes accurately depicted your behavior during the tournament, and you can say it was "your table face" or whatever, but your calling the clock during the Paul Snead and Scott Montgomery hand in what is probably the most stressful situation the man has ever been just boggles my mind. Also this is coming from somebody who is judging you entirely on his personal experience with you, not from the any media-skewed perspective.

more here

WSOP Main Event Boo Fest?

Phil Hellmuth and Tiffany are introduced to the crowd during the Main Event and recieves a chorus of boos.  Quotes are from Barry's blog on PokerRoad


3:45 Tiffany Michelle got introduced to the crowed as the highest finishing woman. I applauded, but it couldn't be heard over the chorus of boos from the balcony. I could certainly feel her pain as I sat next to her.

I told her that as a woman she will get scrutiny for her actions when they aren't considered acceptable but she will get the most positive attention for doing well. That's how things are amplified for women in poker.

4:05 Phil Hellmuth is introduced to the crowd and is booed. Jack Effel announces that he didn't want Tiffany to feel alone. Phil, sensing camera time, goes over and embraces Tiffany.

4:45 Phil Hellmuth asks me if I would move over so he can talk to Tiffany. When I hesitate, he explains that she is with UB, so I should let him. As I move I notice a pungent marijuana aroma in the air. It seems to be coming from my left. Phil assures me it's not him.

5:10 Daniel Negreanu shows up from Foxwoods. He gets introduced and cheered. Phil Hellmuth laments, "Of course YOU got cheered.

Daniel says he needs a drink and does an impersonation of Scotty Nguyen when he asks, "Where my cocktails?". Not sure if it was recorded for TV.

5:50 Johnny Chan shows up and he and Phil debate about their records on Poker after Dark. Johnny tells Tiffany she looked good on the TV coverage.

        

SNL Sarah Palin Opening

Amy Poehler’s Sarah Palin Rap

 

Amy Poehler’s Sarah Palin Rap Lyrics

 

Tina and Amy at their best

        

John McCain's Roast at Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner





Barack Obama's Roast at Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner

        

• Marc Faber
• Jim Rogers
• Peter Schiff

Heres what Peter Schiff said last year on CNBC and he was laughed at

Heres Marc Fabers book which everyone should read IMO

Heres what Jim Rogers says will happen now




Heres what they say is going to happen as central banks intervene where they shouldn't

• The printing presses will be put into overdrive
• Hyper inflation resulting in the loss and maybe even the confiscation of domestic savings and wealth, especially gold is a distinct possibility
• Mass unemployment and a deep depression as a short sharp shock is turned into a deep long shock by central bankers
• Asia will rise to be the new global economic leader
• The US dollar will be massively devalued and America will lose its economic place in the world

Heres what they said should happen to allow the situation to resolve itself

• take the bitter medicine and don't try to avoid the necessary corrective pain - let the markets work it out and stop meddling in the price discovery mechanism
  
• Let the weak go to the wall and the strong pick up the pieces
  
• End the culture of borrowing to consume and replace it with a culture of saving to produce (which made America loved, hardworking and very wealthy).
  
  

So these guys predicted the event and the central banks reaction to it and they were right.

Apparently, Bernanke and Paulson aren't able to predict a sunrise but Americans listen to them, (even if the market knows they are clowns...or worse).

They've been right along and Bernanke/Paulson have been wrong all along.

Tell me what has happened to make Bernanke/Paulson right this time and why Faber/Schiff/Rogers are wrong.

        

Kimbo Slice KO’d In 14 Seconds

Seth Petruzelli (11-4) def. Kimbo Slice (3-1)

Kimbo Slice, a street brawler who gained fame via youtube, was knocked out in a mere 14 seconds Seth Petruzelli.  Seth stepped in at the last minute when Ken Shamrock sustained a gash above his left eye during training Friday night.

After landing one solid punch Kimbo hit the mat ... the fight was called when he could not muster a defense.

Why do I care?

Gina Carano: Saves Fight Ticket

Gina Carano (7-0) def. Kelly Kobold (16-3-1) via Unanimous decision

This fight was worth watching. The standing exchanges were crisp, but Kobold was able to slow down the match at will by bulling Carano into the cage. She constantly went for takedowns but was only successful once, late in the second round. Carano clinched the fight late in the third round with hard kicks to the face of Kobold, who was cut over her right eye.

Kobold was more aggressive but Carano looked good whenever they exchanged especially when she used her jab.  

They saved the fight card.  

Late Show Interview (youtube video)

Another fight of note?

Andrei Arlovski (15-5) def. Roy Nelson (13-3) via Knockout

Arlovski’s superior speed and footwork standing made the difference in Round 2 as he used punches, kicks and knees on his slower opponent. Arlovski had Nelson in trouble after a flurry and finished him with a right.

The crowd booed the first round, which saw Nelson control it by bulling Arlovski into the fence. Arlovski, the former UFC champion, looks to be the most logical opponent for Fedor Emelianenko on Affliction’s next card and looked good in the last minute of the fight, but Arlovski had a difficult time in the first round against the former IFL champion.

        

Man I am looking forward to this. 

"White said Tuesday that the fight will be in Las Vegas instead of Portland, Ore., as had been planned for UFC 91, because he felt the fight was so big that there wouldn’t be sufficient rooms and flights to Portland to accommodate the demand."  more here

No kidding. 


UFC 88 -- Liddell vs. Evans

Who knew Evans had that much power in his hands?  Or maybe it is Liddell (at 38 years old) that has had to many shots to the head?  Time will tell.

Betting on MMA

If you bet on Chuck ... I wouldn't beat myself up too badly.   MMA betting is what it is ... every now and then you wind up on the end of something as unpredictable like this (although for my money this is more unpredictable than Crocop/GG which is what everyone was comparing this to at my place).   Given this, MMA betting still remains profitable because of how wildly lines are (at least 1 or 2 every major event) and how easy it is to be on the right side of large line movements.

I'm saying is ... don't beat yourself up over outcomes like this.   If these are the worst "mistakes" you're making, you'll be fine. 

        

Looking for a deposit option that is not tied to your checking account?  A prepaid card is the answer.  The Netspend Prepaid Card is free to sign up for and you can get $5 credit if you use the referral code below.   

Is there a catch? What about fees?

No catch ... fees are based on which plan you choose.  They have a pay as you go and a monthly plan ... to see which one fits your life style check the site for details.   But it does take up to ten days to get the card in the mail.

Can I use it as a deposit option?

Yes ...  plus you can use your card anywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted and get cash at ATMs worldwide.    Multiple sources have confrimed this.

How do I get my free $5?

To recieve your free $5 follow the steps below ...

To redeem:

1. Visit www.mynetspendcard.com to purchase your card online or search for a nearby retailer at netspend.com
2. Once you receive your card in the mail call the number on the back to activate it, provide your REFERRAL CODE: 5333919230, and get a $5 credit to your Account

Best of luck,
CnC

        

Scotty Nguyen's Belligerent Drunk Montage at the WSOP 50k HORSE 2008

 


Interview:
Scotty Nguyen Takes Down The $50k HORSE - 2008 WSOP




Interview:
Michael De Michele on What Went Down at the 50k HORSE

 


Mike's comments on Scotty's $50K HORSE event and that Scotty lost a sponsor because of his behavior.

The Mouthpiece #50
Starts at 2:50

http://www.cardplayer.com/tv/33540

        

In their own words

I will let the press releases talk for themselves ....

POKERTRILLION.com successful in its application for a garnishee order against Boss Media bank accounts

April 14, 2008 Malta - Trillion Limited (POKERTRILLION.com).

The online poker site POKERTRILLION.com has announced that on Friday 11th April 2008 at the First Hall Civil Court, Malta (Court of Record and Complaint Number 532-08), they achieved a garnishee order (also known as a freezing order) on the bank accounts of Boss Holdings Limited and Boss Media Malta Poker Ltd. The garnishee order has been executed at all seven banks in Malta where the Boss Media companies hold bank accounts.

POKERTRILLION.com C.E.O Andy Pyrah comments; "As a small and new entrant to the market we are taking a zero tolerance approach to being mistreated by Boss Media".

The freezing order has been made in conjunction and relating to a �45million initial law suit being taken by POKERTRILLION.com against Boss Media and their online payment processer Webdollar for alleged fraudulent, and potential criminal activities by various personnel, and/or management of Boss Media or their associated companies in various jurisdictions, including but not restricted to, Sweden and Malta.

Pyrah continues to explain, "Owing to the massive irregularities surrounding Boss Media and their handling of POKERTRILLION.com this led to a number of contractual issues that in turn has led to us making some extremely exciting and important developments in the way in which we operate our business".

It is to be expected that if Boss Media follow the proper code of conduct then they will shortly make a full and complete disclosure to the Stockholm Stock Exchange which they are listed on, this invariably will have a catastrophic effect on their share price, and may even lead to the arrest by the authorities of certain members of their management team and the possible suspension of their shares. This in turn would mean that players not in the POKERTRILLION.com stable would find their funds that are held by other partners of Boss Media in serious jeopardy.

Andy Pyrah adds, "One thing is for sure, all players who hold an account with POKERTRILLION.com have an unconditional and unlimited guarantee on all funds they hold at POKERTRILLION.com".

Further information will be released as and when the courts give permission for POKERTRILLION.com to discuss such developments.

source: http://www.pokertrillion.com/media-centre/SuccessfulApplication.cfm



Boss Media assures player funds and no disruption in services

In relation to the statements made by Poker Trillion August 18 (Trillion Limited -v- Boss Media Malta Limited and Boss Media A, Boss Media has issued the following statement:

Poker Trillion’s recent comments are a reckless attempt to support a legal action that is without merit and initiated as retribution for their dismissal from the Boss Media network. To be clear, player funds are not affected by the current proceedings. All players’ funds are held separately under the control of the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority and cannot be seized by any court.

Poker Trillion is a former customer of Boss Media who was terminated because of rake back violations. They have since then repeatedly tried to disrupt the Boss Media business through the dissemination of groundless rumors. In April 2008 Poker Trillion alleged in a press release a claim that among other things, Boss Media player funds were frozen. The allegations were false but typical of the type of tactics employed by Poker Trillion.

While there has been no hearing on the merits of the Poker Trillion suit, there have been preliminary hearings on the matter. Boss Media has assured that adequate security is provided in Malta in the event of an award of damages against it which we believe to be unlikely.

Boss Media is currently exploring various legal options regarding our Maltese assets and can assure that Boss Media has the requisite assets in place to ensure that our business will continue to operate with the highest standards. In the extremely unlikely event that any Malta operations would be affected, Boss Media have high-performance back-up systems in place to ensure continued service to all our customers and their players.

source: Press Release dated 08-19-2008  http://www.bossmedia.com/index.aspx 

POKERTRILLION.com Successful in its Application to Seize Boss Media Servers in Malta

Malta August 18, 2008 - The online poker site POKERTRILLION.com has announced that on 18th August 2008 at the First Hall Civil Court, Malta (Court record and Complaint Number 755-08), Judge Gino Camilleri issued a judgement authorising Trillion Ltd to enforce seizure of the Boss Media Malta Limited and Boss Media AB servers, and that these servers cease being used for any commercial activity as from 18th September 2008 with Boss Media not being allowed to appeal the court's decision any further.

This judgement, which relates to Trillion Limited's multi-million Euro law suit for breach of contract against Boss Media AB and their associated companies, comes off the back of a number of successful applications made to the courts in Malta by Trillion Ltd. POKERTRILLION.com C.E.O Andy Pyrah explains, "Today's decision will in effect bring down Boss Media's operation in their licensed jurisdiction of Malta on September 18, and any partner still on the Boss (IPN) Poker Network at this stage will see their service closed down too".

The judge further ordered that the cosignatory which is now responsible for the equipment also provides full accounts of the revenues being generated from this equipment.

Pyrah comments further, "It should also be noted that despite appeals from Boss Media, we've been successful in every one of our applications that we've filed with the courts in Malta and this includes having our initial garnishee order increased from €5million to €20million earlier this month, this in turn means that there is now a €20million freezing order on all Boss Media's assets within this jurisdiction, and in accordance with European law we will be applying for this to be executed all over Europe".

source: http://www.pokertrillion.com/media-centre/SuccessfulApplication.cfm

        

BetUS is holding a $10,000 freeroll on August 10th. This special freeroll will have a first place payout over $1,600 ... see their site for details. 

BetUS shares the same network with Cake Poker but offers sports betting too ... the best of both worlds!

Best of luck to all that can play.

CnC

        

The Tiffany Michelle / Poker News / Tony G Story

Tiffany Michelle a poker player and actor had a great run at the 2008 WSOP Main Event ... she finished 17th and out lasted every other woman in a field of 6,800 ... but the story does not end there ...

I was going to provide an over view and "take" on events but decided to post links and let the reader gather all the facts. 

I will say this tho ...

Does poker need this much drama?  Poker has always had a dark side ... you play poker for the love of the game but marketing (and other factors) can generate large amount of revenue for the right people.  Tiffany was the right people.

She was seen as a money train and people close to her saw dollar signs ... I hope when things calm down a little everyone will appreciate what just happened.


PokerNews Official Statement

In fact, PokerNews was looking forward to and expected a large number of sponsorship offers from the world’s biggest poker rooms – Tiffany’s career was about to explode and we could not have been more proud for her. Therefore, we are incredibly disappointed with Tiffany and her agent’s lack of respect and professionalism. We are currently seeking legal council on this entire situation and potential damages to PokerNews.

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2008/07/pokernews-official-statement.htm


Tiffany Michelle Official Statement
Thursday, July 17, 2008

It is with great sadness that I've had to see my accomplishment of finishing 17th in the WSOP Main Event clouded by slanderous accusations and inaccurate information. I have been humbled by the overwhelming support from friends, fans and the media and for their sake as well as mine I feel as if I must respond and bring clarity to the situation.

There is no denying the positive press and exposure I brought Pokernews by wearing their logo and being their representative during the 2008 World Series of Poker main event. After such a successful series, I am greatly dismayed by Pokernews' subsequent actions. No one has ever questioned my integrity before this and I am so distressed that Pokernews is using their powerful public forum to spin such a negative recounting of the facts of what occurred during the final two days of the main event.

As we all know, it is standard practice for players to wear multiple logos during the main event. Pokernews was aware of this, having placed their logos on a number of players with sponsorship deals with other companies. Throughout the World Series I saw several players wear the Pokernews logo alongside the logos of online card rooms such as Pokerstars and T6. This makes it very clear that Pokernews supported this practice as a rule and were not against players wearing their logo in conjunction with the logo of an online card room. Like many other people, I wore multiple logos but in no way diminished the presence of Pokernews in doing so.

Unfortunately in this instance, Pokernews suddenly felt that I was in violation of my backing deal by wearing another logo. I have a written contract that has been reviewed by legal counsel – and it is very clearly a non-exclusive contract meaning that while I was expected to wear the Pokernews logo – I was in no way prevented from wearing any other logo. Furthermore Pokernews did not possess any power to make, advise or negotiate any kind of logo or sponsorship deal that came about via my playing the main event. In light of recent allegations by Pokernews, I have had this contract reviewed again by legal counsel to reconfirm my stance – that I in no way was in violation. It was never even said to me verbally until after the fact that there was an expectation of exclusivity. Even in my previous dealings with Pokernews, as their On-Camera Host I have made a point to never agree to any kind of exclusivity with their company as advised by my talent manager. The first I heard of Pokernews' disapproval to me wearing the UB logo was after I already had it on and was playing on the featured table.

It was unfortunate that while I was working hard to try to win the main event (and in so doing help to further promote Pokernews) I was chastised by Pokernews representatives at all hours of the day and night for wearing a second logo. Despite my repeated requests that they go through my manager and let me just concentrate on playing, they insisted on contacting me directly, greatly upsetting me during the most important weekend of my life. These representatives of Pokernews kept repeatedly telling me they had nothing but 'my best interests at heart' yet I felt bombarded by several parties trying to control my decisions and pressure my actions.

A fact that is known to Pokernews is that I was approached by many online poker sites wanting me to represent them during the last few days of the event; however I chose to work with UltimateBet. Tony G even quotes in his BLOG "I had been working on putting a deal together for Tiff with PokerStars and they had just emailed me. I knew Tiff could become a huge star and I was going to allow her to do a deal that would protect Pokernews also for the main event". The fact that Pokernews was willing to work with PokerStars on a joint deal says it all – the contract was NONEXCLUSIVE.

I am a grown woman and I can decide for myself who I choose to associate myself with. That should not be Tony G's decision. Just because Tony G. backed me in the event (and profited quite nicely by doing so) does not mean that he should be able to control or profit from any logo or sponsorship deal I might make or have any say in how I handle my career. I have been around poker a long time and it's widely known that a backer has no say or cut of a player's sponsorship or logo deal. Again, I had seen several Pokernews sponsored players wearing online card room logos already so clearly the backing deal and the logo deals were separate for every other player wearing Pokernews. Why would it be different just for me?

In the end, I completely stand by my decision and I feel that UltimateBet was the one site that treated me with the respect and dignity deserving of someone in my stressful situation. Throughout the whole event they were insistent on wanting me to just concentrate on my play and were clear that the decision in the end was mine and I should do what I felt was best for me.

It is unfortunate that Pokernews has taken the step of publicly accusing me of breaching their contract when I have been scrupulous in fulfilling my obligations. I have always felt that disputes like this should be handled privately and in this case using such a broad reaching platform to air such a dispute seems really inappropriate to me. Still, I want to say how much I appreciate the opportunities that Pokernews has given me. I am deeply grateful to Jeff Lisandro and Tony G for backing me in the event and giving me this opportunity to play in the most exciting event of my life.


Tony G Poker Blog

As I (Tony G) thought about it all, I said to Jeff that if he put up $4K, I would put up $6K but I would have all the rights to Tiff in terms of endorsement. I know Jason and Tiff both heard me say this. Jeff immediately said yes, that he would do it. I was under a lot of pressure right then because I had run out of cash and even had to borrow money to stake her. I told Tiff that she would have to sign a contract and I wanted it understood that I wanted the rights from anything that might come of her playing and placing in this event; at the time, it was kind of like buying a lottery ticket. I was pretty excited and pumped because I had 35 players in the main event and very high hopes that some of them would do very well and win, of course I was interested in what it would all mean to PokerNews in terms of traffic and new exposure. PokerNews is my dream and a very big part of my life. If I succeed, so does PokerNews, and if PokerNews succeeds, so do I.

The final result was that PokerNews paved the way for Tiffany Michelle’s entrance into the main event. The deal was one third for me, one third for Jeff and one third for Tiff and she represents PokerNews.


http://tonyg.pokerworks.com/2008/07/the-integrity-of-poker.html#more-329


Mo' Money, Mo' Problems: The Tiffany Michelle Story

What was supposed to be the best day of Tiffany Michelle's life turned out to be one of the worst.

Returning to the Rio for Day 7 of the WSOP Main Event, all eyes were on Tiffany-- not just because she had gone to bed the night before third in chips in poker's premiere event, not because she was the only woman (and a young, attractive, and articulate one at that) remaining among the final 27 players, and not because she was poised to break a slew of records that day for women in poker.

No, everyone in the media was lurking around her table at the start of play on Day 7, myself included, to see what logo or logos she'd be wearing. As everyone's favorite internet doctor wrote the night before on the Tao of Poker while I slept off that day's 14-hour shift at the Rio, "Tiffany Michelle's breasts had become a battleground."


http://potcommitted.blogspot.com/2008/07/mo-money-mo-problems-tiffany-michelle.html



Suited Connections Poker Team Web Site

Tiffany broke onto the poker scene in 2005 after honing her skills playing Hollywood house games with fellow actors for several years. She then caught the tournament bug after winning the very first Vegas tournament she entered and played as a member of the BombshellPoker team. With her poker knowledge and success, performing background and personality Tiffany has had several opportunities to write, commentate and host for various poker outlets. In 2006 she joined Bluff Radio's national broadcast team for the WSOP coverage on Sirius Satellite Radio. In 2007 she traveled internationally as the On-Camera Hostess for Pokernews.com and in 2008 she returned to the WSOP for her third year providing player interviews and coverage for the Exclusive WSOP Media Update Team.


http://www.suitedconnections.com/suited_connections_team_tiffany_michelle.html


Tiffany Michelle's Web Site 

http://tiffanymichelle.com/


CnC

        

        

To see what my win ratio would be if I played 10 + straight heads up matches.  I played in 27 Heads Up matches and lost 7 of them.   My game of choice was Omaha ... I feel I have an edge over most online players.  Most of my buy ins were $11 but some were higher ($23, $34, and $57).  I stayed with Pot Limit because it gives me more control over the size of the pot and the pot odds for draws.

Another experiment

Omaha Tips

I could write about how to play Omaha (for example What are good starting Omaha hands?) but others have done a better job explaining Omaha then I could. 

My advice is the following:

• Know why you are in the pot. 
• The nuts change every street ... beware when the texture of the board changes.
• Play the player.   If the player is aggressive ... let him bet it for you!   If the player is tight ... take as many small pots as possible.
• Try to win large pots and lose small pots.
• Keep the Hand History open to check how he plays his cards (does he trap when he has a hand and bet on draws?)
• Play the limit that is within your budget.
• Find a Stat collection service that can help you tract your own stats and the stats of your opponents. 

Stat Collection Services

Below are some of the stat collection services that are available.  Make sure you are not breaking any rules by using these services ... as far as I know the sites listed below are legal but that is subject to change, please verify with each site you play on.

• Sharkscope - has a good SNG/HU capture rate. 
• Poker Pro 3 has a a great layout and is great for MTT and SNG but their HU capture rate needs improvement (missed 3 HU matches of mine out of 50 played). 
• Offical Poker Rankings is great for MTT tracking.

There are Three Parties in a Heads Up Match

When you play heads up there are three parties involve: you, your opponent, and the poker site.  Poker site's never lose ... they collect a rake every time you play.  I know I know but follow me here ... if you are a .500 player you will lose money via the rake.

Example: You pay $57.50 for a chance to win $110.00 ($55 into the prize pool and $2.50 for the rake). Someone will win, someone will lose, and the poker site collects $5 for hosting the game.

My point: Make sure you can win 2 out of 3 matches in Heads Up play.  I have over 20% ROI at the $10 level ... 17% ROI at the $20 level ... but I am a 3% to -3% ROI at the $55 level.  I win 50% of my games at the $55 level but that is not enough to cover my rake.  If you play 20 games at the $55 level, expect to pay $50 in rake.

Why swim with the Sharks: I love to challenge myself but that is not positive EV. I have a winning record against tatta (6-3) but a losing record against $hip It (2-5) ... average that out and I am a .500 player ... which means I lost money (16 games at $2.50 per match ... $40.00 in rake).

What? That is my long winded way of saying know your game and where the profits hide.


Quick Math:

The question that should be asked ... what EV should you shoot for ...

I played in 27 Heads Up matches and lost 7 of them ... I needed to win 8 matches to offset the 7 I lost plus rake collected by the site ... leaving me with 12 wins of pure profit. 

I want to win 2 out of 3, that would give me 1 win with profit for every 3 matches played ... so 20 wins out of 27 games played meets that goal.

Results

• I won 20 out of 27 but only 12 out of 27 increased my bankroll - 45% ROI.
• My game was Omaha (I feel I have a slight edge over most online players).
• Majority of my buy ins were for $11 but some were higher ($23, $34, and $57).
• I played Pot Limit because it gives me more control over the size of the pot and control over pot odds for draws.
• Matches lasted 20 minutes on avg.
• Dates shown are from June 4th - June 8th.

Details below:

	6/8/2008 12:33 PM	PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$30.00+$1.50		1	$60.00
	6/7/2008 8:15 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$22.00+$1.00		1	$44.00
	6/7/2008 7:54 PM	PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$20.00+$1.00		1	$40.00
	6/7/2008 7:38 PM	PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$20.00+$1.00		1	$40.00
	6/7/2008 1:16 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$33.00+$1.50		1	$66.00
	6/7/2008 12:47 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$22.00+$1.00		1	$44.00
	6/7/2008 12:18 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$33.00+$1.50		1	$66.00
	6/7/2008 10:59 AM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 10:41 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 10:37 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 10:27 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		2	$0.00
	6/7/2008 10:05 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 9:32 AM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 9:14 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/7/2008 8:40 AM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$55.00+$2.50		2	$0.00
	6/6/2008 6:44 PM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		2	$0.00
	6/6/2008 6:11 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		2	$0.00
	6/6/2008 4:40 PM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/6/2008 4:02 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		2	$0.00
	6/6/2008 2:39 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00

	6/6/2008 8:34 AM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00
	6/6/2008 8:07 AM	TURBO PL Omaha	$11.00+$0.50		2	$0.00
	6/5/2008 11:00 PM	TURBO PL Omaha	$6.00+$0.25		1	$12.00
	6/5/2008 10:09 PM	PL Omaha	$10.00+$0.50		1	$20.00
	6/5/2008 9:44 PM	PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$10.00+$0.50		1	$20.00
	6/5/2008 7:22 PM	TURBO PL Omaha	$6.00+$0.25		2	$0.00
	6/4/2008 11:54 PM	TURBO PL Omaha Hi/Lo	$11.00+$0.50		1	$22.00

Sample to Small?

I recieved comments about the sample size of my experiment ... I agree, it was to small.    Here is the stats for last week (which include the test period plus days after) ...

Games Played	Avg Profit		Profit	Avg Buy In	Win Ratio
43	$6.13		$263.75	$18.56	14/6

My win ratio is usually around 13/7 for every 20 games played ... that means I get 5-6 games of profit for every 20 games played.

Best of luck,
CnC

        

Top PokerCasts Currently Available

In a very short time the TwoPlusTwo forum has become a poker watch dog leader.  They broke the Absolute Poker scandal wide open when other forums and podcasts feared to touch it. 

I must admit their PokerCast is one of the best currently available.  It is handled by players for players.  Check it out for yourself ... worth the time. 

Weekly Listener Freeroll

They also offer a freeroll from PokerStars ... the password is given at the end of the PokerCast.

Review

I was going to write a review but found myself belittling other podcasts ... maybe it is best if you hear it for yourself.  Let the show stand on its own merits.


Best of luck,
CnC

        

        

Who cares?  What about these cons?

• All players can have coaches ... changing the play and outcome of the game.
• No reliable feel or reads on players after the 3-4 month delay.
• Unwelcomed intrusion in personal life??? 
• Possible no show at the final table. 
• Collusion or side deals creating a tainted final event.
• Inability to play in events (or attend family/business functions) that are scheduled for November.
• Sponsorship deal for reaching the final table is not a given.

 

What tells could a pro pick up on?

Jamie Gold won the 2006 main event by applying pressure with his stack while telling the opponent the true strength or weakness of his hand.  We could see it at home, screaming to call or fold, and then see the other players make the wrong move ... but at the table no one knew Gold's style.  What would have happened if professional poker player like Allen Cunningham had months to pick up Gold's physical or stylistic tells?

Is this good for poker?