Daily Archives: January 17, 2021

The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved Detroits three casinos to open their poker rooms. On Wednesday MGM Grand Detroit sent out an email to its customers, that its poker room will be open on Friday.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) officially approved for Detroits three casinos to open their poker rooms. This Friday one will open at the MGM Grand Detroit.

Poker rooms were closed for months during the pandemic. Last September, MotorCity announced that poker is back on the table and so did Greektown that poker rooms are ready to restart operation, although not specifying when. However, the MGCB had not elaborated any safety framework for their reopening.

Last year in March, Detroits casinos closed with the uncertainty as to when they will be able to function again due to the global situation. They were allowed to open for a short period of time in August, but without poker. When Detroit casinos reopened in December, poker was excluded again. The MGCB didnt have the safety plans at that time.

The poker community was left to look for means to play elsewhere. Currently, in Michigan, online poker is not legal but it is expected to go live in the next months, notwithstanding any regulatory delays. Presently, Michigan is about to launch mobile sports betting. However, Detroit casinos officially have the green light to bring live poker back and the message is already out, amid falling revenues.

Detroit is going to see its poker tables functioning for the first time after 9 months. This Wednesday MGM Grand Detroit sent out an email to its customers that this Friday the poker room will open, following the instructions and requirements for the capacity of people sitting at the tables. Keith Franker, the manager of poker operations, wrote an email stating that the health of the guests and employees comes first.

MGM Grand Detroit will open five poker tables with eight players per table, which is one short of the usual nine. The tables will be spaced out according to the rules and there will be a plexiglass divider between each player.

The room will be open 24-7, but no food and beverages will be allowed indoors. Every player will have to wear a mask. The dividers, chips, and cards will be sanitized frequently. The MGM Grand jackpot is set to $106,000 but no tournaments and games are going to be offered yet.

Casinos were allowed to restart on December 23 following the latest shutdown, fearing that prolonged shutdowns could have cost millions to the city budget.

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Poker Is on the Cards for Detroit This Friday - GamblingNews.com

As we reported on Tuesday, Sheldon Adelson passed away from cancer at age 87. The casino magnate left quite an impression on poker community, but not a good one.

Adelson died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a common but often deadly disease that occurs when the lymph-node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissues throughout the body.

He was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2019. Just last week, he took a leave of absence from his role as CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp to receive cancer treatment. But days later, the Republican megadonor died of complications from that treatment.

Despite the casino owners passing, many in the poker community wont let bygones be bygones. As such, some of the comments on social media were harsh towards the deceased billionaire. Take Vanessa Selbst, for example.

The best thing I can say about Sheldon Adelson was that he was such a POS that he unified the two disparate circles in my lifeprogressive liberals and poker players (in our immense amount of hatred for him). May his death be a sign of better things to come for both communities.

Vanessa Selbst (@VanessaSelbst) January 12, 2021

The best thing I can say about Sheldon Adelson was that he was such a POS that he unified the two disparate circles in my lifeprogressive liberals and poker players (in our immense amount of hatred for him). May his death be a sign of better things to come for both communities, Selbst wrote on Twitter.

Adelson built a casino giant and hired 50,000 employees. He paid above industry standard and was known to take care of his employees. Be he was also a detriment to the growth of online poker. One could argue no individual in the world did more harm to the industry and prevent American poker players from playing online.

He lobbied to pass the Restoration of Americas Wire Act (RAWA) for years. If the bill had passed through Congress, all forms of online gambling would have been illegal at the federal level. Instead, individual states now have the option to legalize online poker.

But only five out of 50 states have done so since Black Friday in 2011, and no other states appear to be close to passing a pro-poker bill. So, while RAWA was shot down in 2017, Adelsons certainly left his mark on the internet gambling community.

Selbst was far from the only one on poker Twitter taking shots at the deceased Venetian owner. David Lappin, co-host of the Chip Race Podcast, also had some choice words to say.

Id like to say how sorry I am to hear about the death of Sheldon Adelson.

Id like to but its impossible because he was a tumescent ball-bag. In the end, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was to him what he was to the poker world.https://t.co/C5nEfpIeXG

David Lappin (@dklappin) January 12, 2021

Id like to say how sorry I am to hear about the death of Sheldon Adelson. Id like to but its impossible because he was a tumescent ball-bag. In the end, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma was to him what he was to the poker world, Lappin wrote.

Sheldon Adelson is as responsible as anyone for the decline/death of online poker in the US. Im sure he did plenty of other bad stuff. Good riddance, Twitter user @LitCen1 posted.

Some poker players argued that online poker might grow in the US or become legal at the federal level now that Adelson is gone. But thats likely wishful thinking. Its already up to individual states to determine legality, and that process is moving along at a snails pace. Dont expect that to change any time soon even without Adelson lining the pockets of politicians.

Remember when Sheldon Adelson got online poker shut down so that he could make more money so that he could funnel more money to anyone who would work hard to enforce Israeli apartheid?

He was my No. 1 most disliked public figure on the planet. Now I need to find a new one!

JerryDonabedian (@JerryDonabedian) January 12, 2021

Sean McCormack had a different take. Although he runs the poker room at Aria, a direct competitor to Venetians poker room, he found no joy in Adelsons passing.

Working in poker I all too well know the hurdles Sheldon Adelson created for US online poker. Although our ideologies did not align, in death we cease arguments and pay tribute. Sands Corp. has employed so many here in #LasVegas. Our city remains grateful. Rest In Peace, McCormack wrote.

McCormacks take, however, was in the minority on poker Twitter.

Written by

Jon Sofen

Semi-pro poker player with 17 years experience on the felt and more than five years working as professional poker media.

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Sheldon Adelson Died and the Poker Community has Mixed Feelings - CardsChat.com

UNITED STATESJust like football fans look forward to Super Bowl, poker enthusiasts from all over should be keeping track of the games at the World Series of Poker. After all, they are often called the unofficial world championships.

The prestige of the event and big cash prizes certainly attract the best players, and currently, the 2020 edition is quickly coming to a closure.

The modern competitions

One of the most significant milestones in the history of poker undoubtedly was the introduction of the hole cameras. Suddenly, the audience in front of the TV could see players cards during the whole gameplay.

If this invention helped the game to enter the mainstream media, then the World Series of Poker influenced the modern poker competitions. The event brings to the public some of the best players who compete for big money prizes and the ultimate recognition in the poker world.

Naturally, Rome wasnt built in a day. The beginnings of WSOP were indeed humble. The first competition back in the 1970s was simply a gathering of a few invited individuals. The winner was decided on a secret ballot vote conducted among the participants.

The concept of Texas Hold em Main Event as a freeze-out tournament was introduced the next year. There was little media interest at the early stages, but now WSOP is broadcasted by the big network companies.

And then came the year 2020

Undoubtedly, playing live poker is the ultimate goal for professionals and the very core of this unusual sporting discipline. While the best online casinos provide quality entertainment all year long, the big and prestigious tournaments are harder to pull off. World Series of Poker in particular, as it is truly one of a kind tournament. For obvious reasons, there had been a lot of complications with this years scheduling.

Initially, the tournament was planned to start on May 26 at the usual Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino located on the famous Strip in Las Vegas. There were supposed to be a total of 101 events planned and the same number of bracelets to be won. When this stopped being an option, the competitions were delayed, and a new plan emerged.

The end is near

The WSOP administrators decided not to hold the main event in Las Vegas. All the postponement has made the whole thing a little messy but also exciting in a way. The action was moved online, with international players competing on November 29 on GGPoker and American players starting December 13 on wsop.com.

After that comes a little bit of live excitement. Two final tables, each consisting of the remaining nine participants, would then play two live tournaments to declare a winner. The event for international players already took place on December 15 in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. Americans will have theirs in Las Vegas on December 28. The two remaining champions will battle against each other during another live heads-up clash in Vegas on December 30. Even in this unusual format, its still going to be one of the most exciting poker events of the year thats well worth following.

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Looking Ahead To The World Series Of Poker Finale - LA Canyon News

The Guardian

John Kiriakou, who was jailed in 2012 for identity leak, said his pursuit of a pardon came up in a meeting with Giuliani last year Rudy Giuliani reportedly rejected Kiriakous version of events and said he did not work as a pardon broker because he already represented Trump. Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images An associate of Rudy Giuliani told a former CIA officer a presidential pardon was going to cost $2m, the New York Times reported on Sunday in the latest bombshell to break across the last, chaotic days of Donald Trumps presidency. The report detailed widespread and in some cases lucrative lobbying involving people seeking a pardon as Trumps time in office winds down. The 45th president, impeached twice, will leave power on Wednesday with the inauguration of Joe Biden. The former CIA officer John Kiriakou, who was jailed in 2012 for leaking the identity of an operative involved in torture, told the Times he laughed at the remark from the associate of Giuliani, the former New York mayor who as Trumps personal attorney is reportedly a possible pardon recipient himself. Two million bucks are you out of your mind? Kiriakou reportedly said. Even if I had two million bucks, I wouldnt spend it to recover a $700,000 pension. An associate of Kiriakou reported the conversation to the FBI, the Times said. Meant to reward offenders who show contrition, presidential pardons do not imply innocence. Presidents often use them to reward allies but Trump has taken the practice to extremes. Among recent recipients of pardons or acts of clemency are Michael Flynn, Trumps first national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia; the political dirty trickster Roger Stone, who did not turn on Trump during the Russia investigation in which he was convicted of obstructing Congress; Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager convicted in the Russia investigation; and Charles Kushner, father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner who was convicted of tax fraud and witness retaliation. The Times report detailed an ad hoc White House system for approving pardons which it said was run by the younger Kushner, bypassing the usual intensive justice department review process intended to identify and vet the most deserving recipients from among thousands of clemency applications. The report also identified lobbyists it said were seeking pardons on behalf of fee-paying clients. Margaret Love, who was the United States pardon attorney at the Department of Justice for seven years, told the paper: This kind of off-books influence peddling, special-privilege system denies consideration to the hundreds of ordinary people who have obediently lined up as required by justice department rules, and is a basic violation of the longstanding effort to make this process at least look fair. Trump will lose legal protection once he leaves office and faces threats both potential and already in train. He has reportedly discussed issuing pre-emptive pardons to himself, Kushner, Giuliani and other family members and close aides. It is not clear whether a self-pardon would work. Pardons issued as the president leaves the White House are not uncommon. Infamously, Bill Clinton pardoned the fugitive financier Marc Rich on his last day as president in 2001. Kiriakou told the Times his pursuit of a pardon came up during a meeting with Giuliani on another subject, at the Trump International Hotel in Washington last year. During the meeting, which reportedly involved substantial alcohol, Giuliani went to the bathroom. It was then, Kiriakou said, that Giulianis unnamed associate told him: Its going to cost $2m hes going to want two million bucks. The Times said Giuliani rejected Kiriakous version of events and said he did not work as a pardon broker because he already represented Trump. Its like a conflict of interest, he was quoted as saying, adding that though he had heard large fees were being offered for pardons, I have enough money. Im not starving. It was reported this week that Trump, angry with Giuliani over the failure of almost all lawsuits mounted against election results, had told staff not to pay his legal fees. Ken Frydman, Giulianis press secretary in the 1990s, said: Lay down with dogs. Wake up with fleas and without $20,000 a day.

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This woman used her Psychology Ph.D. to become a poker star - Yahoo News

Over the past few months, casino gaming has looked quite different depending on where you are in the United States. Some casinos are fully open for business at a smaller capacity while others are closed. When it comes to poker gaming, you may or may not have access to tables. In many states, poker has been lacking due to the high number of positive coronavirus cases. As people continue to test positive, the casinos have been unable to offer services that have a higher rate of social interaction. In Detroit, an announcement was just made that poker is coming back, with the MGM Grand the first to begin offering services again.

On Wednesday, the MGM Grand Detroit provided an email update to players, letting them know the poker room will be back in action this Friday. There will be capacity restrictions of course, due to the ongoing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The opening announcement comes just after the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced that the casinos could start offering this service once again.

In the email, poker operations manager Keith Frankel commented that it was his pleasure to announce the reopening of the poker room. As the venue reopens, the health and safety of guests and employees will be at the forefront of operations.

The poker room will offer five tables and each will be spaced out from the other. Only eight players can be seated at a table at one time. This is one less than the usual nine-handed tables. Each player will be separated from the others via dividers.

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The venue will be open 24-7 but will not offer food and beverage service. Right now in the state, regulations do not allow beverages or food to be consumed indoors. Players will have to wear masks at all times while in the poker room.

The staff members of the space will sanitize the plexiglass dividers of the tables often. The cards and chips will also be cleaned regularly. There will not be any tournaments on offer but the poker room will provide plenty of cash game action. There is also the bad beat jackpot which is at over $100,000 currently.

Detroit is home to three casinos: the MGM Grand, MotorCity, and Greektown. It is unclear as to when the remaining two casinos will start offering poker services again. In reports, the Greektown has said that it will open in a few weeks. Any attempts by news outlets to reach the MotorCity Casino have not been responded to.

Players will have to wait sometime still before all three casinos will be providing poker gaming. Hopefully, it wont be too long, but in the meantime, at least the MGM Grand will be in operation.

Online poker gaming should launch in the state sometime soon as well, which will give players an even more convenient way to play the game. It is expected that the online gambling industry will start in the state within the next few months, if not weeks.

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Poker Coming Back to Detroit This Week - USGamblingSites.com

A Cloyne woman who recently went back to the home of a neighbour she had attacked with a poker over two years ago banging at his door and shouting at him - was jailed yesterday.

Judge Sen Donnabhin imposed a 12-month sentence on Sheila OKeeffe with half of it suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Peter OFlynn, defence barrister, said the accused had spent the last two days in custody her first time in jail and she found it very difficult.

Garda Kieran Cotter said Sheila and Jason OKeeffe had been directed to stay away from the assaulted neighbour.

However, Sheila OKeeffe breached the order by turning up outside the victims door on Christmas week, banging at his door and shouting at him.

Mr OFlynn BL said she since moved out of Cloyne and went living in Watergrasshill. Her husband, Jason OKeeffe, from whom she recently broke up, left Cloyne to live in Rostellan, Midleton, barrister William Bulman said.

Judge Donnabhin imposed a fully suspended 12-month sentence on Jason OKeeffe.

Both parties previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm when they were living at Spittal Street, Cloyne, County Cork.

They admitted assault causing harm to Henry OCallaghan.

Previously, Garda Kieran Cotter said the injured party told garda that he went out to his front door and that Jason OKeeffe punched him in the face, knocking him back onto his sofa. He continued the assault when the injured party was on the sofa, the guard said.

Garda Cotter said Sheila OKeeffe picked up Mr OCallaghans poker and struck him with it. The victim lost four teeth and sustained other injuries during the assaults.

During various adjournments of sentencing the defendants gathered various sums of compensation between them for the injured party. With the 500 brought to court by Jason OKeeffe yesterday, this came to a total of 4,200.

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Jail for woman who attacked neighbour with poker in Cork town - EchoLive.ie