Monthly Archives: May 2023

Doyle Brunson, a pistol-packing poker legend nicknamed Texas Dolly who dominated high-stakes games for 70 years, first in smoky backrooms where gunfire occasionally erupted and then later (and legally) on cable television at the World Series of Poker, died on May 14 at a hospital in Las Vegas. He was 89.

His agent, Brian Balsbaugh, confirmed the death but did not provide a cause.

The arc of Mr. Brunsons career parallels pokers history in America, from illicitly out of sight to mainstream entertainment.

Ranked by Bluff magazine as the most influential player in history, Mr. Brunson won 10 World Series of Poker tournaments, including Main Event titles in 1976 and 1977. He was the first player to win $1 million in tournament play and finished his career with $6.2 million in live earnings though thats just what he made in public view.

Until recently, Mr. Brunson also played in private games with staggering stakes, sometimes winning (or losing) millions of dollars a month. His wife more than occasionally found him exasperating.

But this is what I do, he told Texas Monthly last year. Its what Ive always done. And if I drop dead at the table in the middle of a monster pot, hell, Ill die a happy man.

In the early 1950s, he played in the backrooms of bars and other adult establishments in a seedy neighborhood along Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth.

Exchange Avenue was maybe the most dangerous street in America, he explained to Texas Monthly. There was nothing out there but thieves and pimps and killers. It was amazing.

Mr. Brunson always packed a pistol. (Asked if he had ever used it, he answered, No comment.) One night, someone interrupted a game, put a loaded gun to a players head and fired. Mr. Brunson took off with his chips and hid in a creek.

On another night, this time in Austin, armed bandits busted in, took the cash off the table and lined the gamblers up against a wall, ordering them to drop their pants. The bandits threatened that if players were hiding money, their legs would be blown off.

Suddenly, the players began throwing $100 bills on the floor.

Mr. Brunson was philosophical about the mayhem.

You have to have absolutely no regard for money, he told the New York Times. You have to look at it as action and the money as units. What youre trying to do is win as many units as possible.

Mr. Brunson eventually joined up with other players, traveling throughout Texas to play in private games with doctors, lawyers and other professionals where there was ever more money at stake and certainly less violence.

In the early 1960s, he moved to Las Vegas, where poker was thriving. He played in the First World Series of Poker event in 1970.

A few years later, World Series events began to be televised. ESPN began broadcasting events in the 1980s, and interest grew steadily. Mr. Brunson became one of the games most familiar faces, a cowboy hat always fit tight on his head. He was fabulously wealthy, reportedly investing millions to raise the Titanic and find Noahs ark.

Mr. Brunson also wrote several books on poker, including Doyle Brunsons Super System, in which he described his methods. The book, and a later follow-up, became the sports bible, appearing in the opening scenes of the gambling movie Rounders (1998) starring Matt Damon.

More than any other game, he wrote, poker depends on your understanding your opponent. Youve got to know what makes him tick. More importantly, youve got to know what makes him tick at the moment youre involved in a pot with him. Whats his mood his feeling? Whats his apparent psychological frame of mind right now?

The neck is the best place to look for a tell.

On a lot of people, the pulse in the neck is visible, he wrote. If so, a man cant hide it, since nobody can control their heartbeat in [stressful] situations. When you see a mans neck just throbbing away, you know hes excited, and usually hes excited because he is bluffing.

Doyle Frank Brunson was born on Aug. 10, 1933, in Longworth, Tex., a rural farming town consisting of a few houses, a general store and no indoor plumbing. His father worked at a gin manufacturer and secretly, Doyle later found out, played poker to finance his childrens college educations. His mother was a homemaker.

Mr. Brunson excelled at sports, primarily basketball and track. At Hardin-Simmons University, a Baptist-affiliated school in Abilene, Tex., he starred on the basketball team and played poker with friends on Saturday nights.

After graduating in 1954, he stayed at Hardin-Simmons and received a masters degree in education. He got a job selling business equipment. On his first day at work, he stumbled on a poker game.

It was a Seven-Stud game where I cleared a months salary in something less than three hours, he wrote in Super System. My God, I thought, what am I doing trying to sell machines nobody wants to buy from me when I can sit down at a poker table and make ten times the money in one-sixth the time?

He quit and headed for Exchange Avenue.

In 1962, he married Louise Carter, a pharmacist, at a funeral home where his brother-in-law worked. The chapel was lovely, Mr. Brunson told Texas Monthly.

Survivors include his wife; their children Todd and Pamela Brunson; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Carter; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Brunson was a master at figuring out tells.

Once I had a tell on Puggy Pearson, he wrote in Super System. Every time he put his chips in the rack and bet them, he was bluffing. He must have been doing that six months before somebody else discovered it and told him.

But he was equally adept at bluffing.

All top professionals have a defense against people using tells against them, Mr. Brunson wrote. Sometimes when Im bluffing I say some particular thing, like gee whiz, so that people will connect that with [a] bluff. But the next time I say gee whiz, I wont be bluffing.

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Doyle Brunson, pistol-carrying poker legend who won millions, dies at 89 - The Washington Post

Doyle Brunson was a legend of the game of poker. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta, File)

Doyle Brunson, legendary poker player and author, died on Sunday in Las Vegas. He was 89 years old.

Brunson's agent, Brian Balsbaugh, shared the news with a statement from Brunson's family.

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson," the statement reads. "He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father and grandfather. Well have more to say over the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.

Brunson, aka Texas Dolly, was a giant on the poker scene who helped popularize the game to the mainstream. He won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets from 1976-2005 including back-to-back wins in the $10,000 no-limit hold 'em main event in 1976 and 1977.

Brunson's first WSOP main event prize in 1976 was $220,000 from a winner-take-all field of 22 players. He won $340,000 in 1977. By 2022, the main event field had swollen to 8,663 global entrants competing for an $80.7 million prize pool. First place was awarded $10 million.

Doyle Brunson, seen here with his $340,000 cash prize after winning the 1977 World Series of Poker main event. (Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Brunson's influence on poker played a major influence on the game's meteoric growth from his rise as a world-class player in the 1970s through the 2003 TV boom and beyond. He parlayed his early WSOP wins into success as an author with the 1978 strategy guide "Super System." The 600-plus page book was groundbreaking as one of the first to share in-depth poker insights from a professional to anyone willing to read it. Brunson published a followup titled "Super System 2" in 2005.

Countless recreational and aspiring professional poker players used the knowledge from "Super System" as a foundation for their games. Poker has since evolved to the realm of advanced analytics with top pros using high-powered computer solvers to advance their games. While the information in "Super System" is outdated, its place in poker history never will be.

Poker exploded in popular culture in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP main event. An accountant from Tennessee, the amateur defeated seasoned pro Sammy Farha in a heads up battle for the $2.5 million top prize. The victory broadcast on ESPN inspired amateurs around to world to pursue the game in an effort to repeat his success. It also led to a proliferation of poker on TV, where Brunson became a star.

Brunson was a regular on broadcasts of WSOP events and high-stakes cash games, where his reputation, aggressive play and gregarious personality, made him a fan favorite. The legend of Brunson's rise as a player grew.

Brunson won each of his WSOP main events while holding 10-2, a poor starting hand that became his signature. He completed full houses with the holding in each win. The hand inspired players to try to win largely unsuccessfully while holding it. Pro Scott Seiver told a story upon the news of Brunson's death of trying and failing to bluff him with his iconic hand.

Brunson continued to play in high-stakes games into his 80s as televised poker shifted to online streaming.

"We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing," Brunson often repeated.

Brunson was remembered fondly by members of the poker community upon the news of his death.

Brunson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988. He is survived by his wife Louise and children Todd and Pamela.

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Poker icon Doyle Brunson dies at 89 years old - Yahoo Sports

Daniel Negreanu and Eric Persson battled for some huge pots on Tuesday's High Stakes Poker show on PokerGO, and the former got the best of it.

The high roller poker players recently faced off heads-up on High Stakes Duel IV Round 1, with "DNegs" taking down the match for $100,000. His opponent declined a rematch but perhaps he owed him one after the cooler we're about to discuss on Episode 15 of the iconic poker cash game show.

There were five others at what was a mostly new table compared to last week Stanley Choi, Charles Yu, Ben Lamb, Eric Hicks, and Bill Klein.

The action in this $200/$400 no-limit hold'em cash game started right off the bat when Lamb three-bet to $8,200 with AK before being four-bet to $25,000 from the 98 of Yu. Lamb then jammed all in for $191,000 total and his opponent was forced to instantly muck his cards.

Moments later, the two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table participant would take down another pot when he hit a straight on the turn with A5 on a board of 3294. There was already $39,600 in the middle. Lamb sized up a bet of $20,000 hoping to entice some action in the three-way pot, but Klein and Hicks didnt have strong enough hands to continue.

Negreanu Defeats Persson on High Stakes Duel

The huge pots continued with Choi raising to $3,000 on the button with A7. Negreanu, holding KQ made the call, as did Persson with his K10.

When 3QK showed up on the flop, action checked to the preflop raiser who bet $4,000 with just ace-high. That, of course, didnt work because Persson had top pair and bumped it up to $19,000. Negreanu had an even stronger hand top two pair and then went for a re-raise to $64,000.

After Choi quickly moved out of the way, Persson had a decision to make against the opponent he recently lost a $100,000 heads-up match to on High Stakes Duel IV.

The move he chose, to move all in for $96,000 total, was not a profitable one. DNegs snap-called and could only lose to a combination of runner-runners. The 3 on the turn brought about two chop outs, but the 10 river sent the Poker Hall of Famer the entire $206,000 pot.

Persson would get some revenge in a $48,000 pot against the same opponent when he bet three-high on a flop and forced Negreanu off ace-high. Hed take another pot down against the six-time WSOP bracelet winner when a diamond on the river gave him a flush to crack top pair.

The dynamic duo went at it once again in one of the most epic hands of the day. Persson limped with 44 and then Negreanu made it $2,000 on the button with AJ, and they went heads-up to the flop, which was about as juicy as possible J64 making a set versus top pair and the nut flush draw.

Negreanu, after action was checked over to him, bet $1,000 and received a call. Persson dark-checked the turn and Negreanu bet $8,000 before seeing the 9. Persson called and then dark-checked the river again. Kid Poker bet $21,000 in the dark and then the dealer turned over the A, creating quite the cooler.

Persson moved all in for $147,000 effective, and Negreanu simply couldnt fold top two pair on that board.

Good hand, I was going to go broke no matter what, Negreanu told his opponent. Theres no way out of that one.

Perssons run-good continued shortly after against Yu when he flopped a set against top pair and top kicker. Yu, facing a $25,000 bet and $83,000 in the pot, moved all in for $98,000 and without hesitation was called by an opponent who was way out in front. Klein, who had flopped a small flush draw, had to fold his cards. There would be no sick suck-out and Persson took down his second pot of over $250,000.

Check out our past recaps from Season 10 of High Stakes Poker on PokerGO:

*Images courtesy of PokerGO.

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Daniel Negreanu and Eric Persson Can't Get Enough of Each Other on High Stakes Poker - PokerNews.com

Get the best crypto poker experience in 2023! The ORDB team tested the top 10 best cryptocurrency poker sites. Get ready to bet, spin, and win with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more.

The crypto poker scene can be difficult to navigate, with many new platforms claiming to offer the best crypto poker experience. Are you a fan of video poker games? Then you should take advantage of the best crypto poker sites.

To help you navigate the confusing waters of online poker sites, the team at ORDB has reviewed more than 120 different online poker sites and selected the top 10 crypto poker sites that offer the most exciting and thrilling gaming experiences. From incredible casino bonuses to secure payment methods, these sites have it all to offer. Read on to discover the best Bitcoin poker sites you shouldn't miss!

In parallel with casino software and service tests, ORDB has also launched Private Club. The free VIP club helps gamblers find and rank the best crypto casinos in specific locations and provides access to special bonuses that are updated regularly.

Founded in 2017, the Stake casino is a major player in the crypto poker scene and one of the largest online poker sites. It is regulated by the Curacao Online Gambling Supervision Commission, making it one of the safest online casinos. It offers many poker games and online keno tournaments. Its bitcoin sportsbook is the #1 among all choices.

The selection of poker games at Stake is extensive and includes Omaha, 7-Card Stud, Heads Up Matches, Caribbean Stud Poker, and many more. There are also several other variations in the poker room, such as Open Face Chinese Poker and Badugi.

Given that Stake offers an exclusive Rakeback bonus, the experience becomes even better. In case you need help with understanding Rakeback, here is the full guide on what Rakeback is.

Bitcoin and Altcoins can be used at Stake, allowing players to make deposits with no minimum amount. Withdrawals can be made via Bitcoin or Altcoins with a minimum amount of 0.003 BTC or $10.

Moreover, if you need help with crypto deposits or withdrawals, Stake offers customer support via live chat or email. Note that this platform also has the US version. It is also the best DOGE casino among all crypto poker websites!

Bitsler is one of the newer players on the crypto poker scene, but it is quickly becoming one of the best spin casino alternatives. With a huge selection of poker games and poker tournaments, Bitsler is a great choice for anyone looking for a safe and fun way to play poker online. The online casino is licensed and follows the regulations of the Curacao eGaming Commission.

At this bitcoin poker site, players can choose from various poker variants such as Caribbean Stud Poker, Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and 7-Card Stud. In addition, they also offer minimum deposit video poker and allow players to play online poker with bitcoin.

Apart from the excellent selection of poker games, Bitsler offers its members a wide range of other casino games, such as roulette, blackjack, blast, baccarat, keno, slots, and much more. The site offers an impressive selection of proven fair games that are regularly tested and updated to ensure that their customers always get a fair game.

Licensed by Curacao eGaming, Bets.io is a state-of-the-art online poker room hub that has been in operation since 2019. The site offers great aesthetics, an easy user experience, and a wide range of bitcoin payment options.

Users can choose from a wide range of popular poker game variants, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, 5 Card Draw, 7 Card Stud, Short Deck, Chinese Poker, High/Low Chicago, Video Poker, Razz, PLO8, among others, with more than 6000 games available. The site also offers a lot of classic casino games, including baccarat, blackjack, roulette, slots, and keno.

7BitCasino is one of the online casinos in Canada industry that has been popular for its game collection. It offers players a wide range of bitcoin poker games, including Stud, Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and other popular variants.

Besides the possibility of playing bitcoin poker games, the online casino also offers a wide range of other casino games, from blackjack to video slots. The minimum deposit for video poker is 0.001 BTC, and all deposits and withdrawals are free. Moreover, you can play at the Ethereum casino with cryptocurrencies and receive deposit bonuses and free spins.

Regarding LTC gambling, 7Bit is the third-best website for Litecoin games!

As one of the leading online poker sites, the online casino supports various payment options such as Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Trustly, and others. In addition, players can also make transactions using Bitcoin. The processing of withdrawal requests takes up to 24 hours, much faster than traditional methods like bank transfers or credit/debit cards.

BitStarz is one of the most reputable and reliable crypto casinos. Founded in 2014, the site offers a wide range of online casino games, bitcoin poker games, and online poker rooms for players of all levels.

BitStarz has obtained an online gambling license from Curacao eGaming, which means that its crypto poker games are regulated and proven to be fair. But also, this crypto gambling hub has many extra awards, including the AskGamblers seal of trust!

BitStarz offers a variety of different poker variants, from classic Texas Hold'Em to video poker. In addition to its extensive selection of crypto poker games, BitStarz also offers other great casino games like slots, live casino, blackjack, and roulette.

In their slots section, you can find a huge selection of high-quality slots from renowned software providers like NetEnt and Play'N Go. They also offer weekly poker tournaments where you can play poker against other players from all over the world and win real money.

The most popular payment method at BitStarz is Bitcoin, but the site also accepts deposits in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and CAD.

Founded in 2014, mBit is one of the oldest crypto casinos. As one of the first crypto poker sites, mBit has established itself as a reliable, safe, and fast way to play online poker with crypto. Players can choose from several poker games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, and Draw variants.

Apart from the wide selection of online poker variants, the bitcoin poker site also offers a variety of other online casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, slot,s and more. Players can use these trusted algorithms to ensure that the outcomes are always fair!

The site is known for its exciting tournaments with low entry fees, special prizes,s and generous payouts - all of which can be earned by playing online poker with Bitcoin. When you play on this Bitcoin poker site, you can make your deposits using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. The minimum deposit amount for each currency varies slightly, but all payments are processed instantly once initiated.

BC GAME is one of the best jackpot city alternatives out there. Founded in 2017, it is an up-and-coming platform with many features that make it stand out from the crowd. Its main strength lies in its extensive game selection, ranging from classic poker variants like video poker to unique titles like "Sci-Fi Poker" and "Mixed Martial Arts" poker.

The Bitcoin Poker site offers a variety of payment methods, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as traditional payment methods, such as credit cards and bank transfers.

In addition, BC.GAME Casino offers a comprehensive guide to help you get started and familiarize yourself with the game and dedicated customer support for any questions or issues you may have.

As for the selection of poker games, the Bitcoin poker site offers an extensive range of options. Various video poker titles are available, for example, Omaha Hi/Lo, Joker Poker, 5 Draw, and other variants. Moreover, the top Bitcoin casino offers a wide range of stakes, making it an ideal choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Lucky Tiger Casino has been collecting top-notch poker games since 2020. One of the most important features of a good crypto poker site is the game selection. At Lucky Tiger Casino, players can access all the latest poker games, from classic Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hi/Lo to more obscure variants like 5 Card Draw and 7 Card Stud.

One thing that sets Lucky Tiger Casino apart from other crypto poker sites is the selection of other casino games. In addition to traditional poker games, you can also play baccarat, blackjack, slots, roulette, and craps at this online casino.

The Bitcoin poker site offers a variety of payment options for players. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are some of the accepted cryptocurrencies here, along with a few fiat currencies. Credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are also available for those who want to use them for deposits or withdrawals.

PuntCasino, formerly known as CarbonPoker, is one of the best bitcoin poker sites around.

It has been around since 2017 and is a trusted site with a good reputation in the online poker industry. PuntCasino holds an online gambling license from Curacao eGaming and is a regulated casino. Players can feel safe playing at this crypto poker site because it complies with all the necessary regulations.

On this bitcoin poker site, players can find a variety of different poker games like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Video Poker, and 7-Card Stud. They also offer variants like Pineapple Open Face Chinese, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Speed Poker, and more. In addition to the many types of poker games on offer, they also offer slots, bingo, table games, keno, and other proven fair games.

The bitcoin poker site accepts deposits using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash, Dogecoin, and USDT. Deposits are instant, so you don't have to wait for your money to appear in your poker account before you can start playing. Once you have made your deposit, you'll have access to various promotions and bonus offers such as deposit bonuses, free spins, poker tournaments, and more.

Founded in 2011, Bovada is the most well-known of all bitcoin poker casinos. With a sleek and user-friendly design, it allows poker players from all over the world to participate in a variety of poker games and tournaments. As one of the most trusted online casinos available today, Bovada has a gambling license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

From classic Texas Hold'em to more exotic variants like 7 Card Stud and Caribbean Stud Poker, there are plenty of options for players looking to test their skills. Other games offered include Pai Gow Poker, Video Poker as well as Bitcoin Video Poker games.

The popularity of online poker has increased in recent years, and with the rise of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin poker sites are becoming a viable option for online players. Whether you play live or online, both types of poker have their advantages and disadvantages.

Bitcoin poker sites offer players several advantages over live poker games. The most obvious advantage is the anonymity that comes with playing on bitcoin poker sites. Players don't have to worry about sharing their information with the casino, as all transactions are anonymous.

Moreover, bitcoin poker sites usually have lower minimum deposits and withdrawal fees than online poker rooms, which makes them attractive to casual players.

Another advantage of playing poker on Bitcoin video poker sites is that they often offer demonstrably fair games, allowing poker players to verify the legality of the game results.

Bitcoin video poker sites also usually offer a better selection of poker variants and tournaments than traditional online casinos. They often offer casino bonuses and free spins, giving players even more chances to win big.

While the best bitcoin poker sites offer some great benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. For example, these sites may not offer the same level of customer support as traditional casinos, and some don't have the necessary licenses to operate legally. Also, some bitcoin poker sites may not accept all forms of digital currency, which limits the number of options for players.

Phil Galfond on Live Poker vs Online Poker!

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Both live and online crypto poker have their pros and cons, so it's important to consider which type of game is right for you before you start playing. If you're looking for anonymity, fast withdrawals, and demonstrably fair games, then bitcoin poker sites may be the right choice.

If you're more comfortable with traditional online casinos, there are plenty of choices here as well. No matter what you prefer, many great bitcoin poker sites have been reviewed by experts who can help you find the right site for you.

Get ready to experience the thrill of bitcoin poker! From the convenience of playing bitcoin poker for free anytime, anywhere, to the different variations available, we'll explore why most bitcoin poker casinos offer bitcoin poker and why it's the most popular form of online poker. So, let us dive in and learn more about the exciting world of bitcoin poker!

The classic game of Texas Hold'em is one of the most commonly played variants of online poker with Bitcoin. With no house advantage or dealer involvement, poker players can keep all their bitcoin poker winnings while enjoying an exciting game against other players.

This type of online crypto poker requires skill and strategy, which makes it a favorite among experienced players looking for a challenge.

Omaha poker is also a variant of crypto poker that is played with Bitcoins and offers a higher winning potential than Texas Hold'em. Players are dealt four hole cards instead of two and must use two cards from their hand along with three community cards on the board to form a five-card hand. Like any other type of crypto-poker, this game requires a certain level of skill but can be fun for beginners and experienced players alike.

For poker players looking for something completely different from the standard crypto poker variants, 2-7 Lowball might be just the thing.

This unique variant has a unique set of rules compared to the traditional crypto poker variants, where the lowest hand wins rather than the highest.

While this variant may not appeal to all types of players, those who are familiar with it will love its wild and unpredictable nature.

Badugi is a type of crypto-poker that involves making low hands from all four suits (clubs, diamonds, spades, hearts). When you have the lowest possible hand from these suits, you have created the Badugi. A Badugi beats triplets as well as straights, flushes, and full houses.

Another form of crypto poker is Stud, which consists of seven card rounds and relies heavily on strategy. Unlike other poker variants such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha, where players use community cards to complete their hands, Stud players rely solely on the cards the dealer gives them.

The best stud poker player knows the number of rounds remaining and the value of each card before making a move. Besides, bluffing plays an important role in this type of crypto-poker; bluffing at the right moment can help a player win the pot.

In draw poker, each player initially receives five cards. Then, each player may discard any number of cards from their starting hand before receiving replacement cards from the deck. There are two main forms of the draw: five-card draw and seven-card draw.

Similar to 2-7 Lowball, this type of crypto-poker combines elements of several online poker variants into a single format. A round HORSE usually contains elements of Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo, and 8-Card Stud.

Each round usually follows the same format and uses the same betting structure. HORSE adds a little fun to the mix and allows players to play several different games within one session.

Crypto poker is a new form of online poker that has become popular in recent years due to its anonymity and security. Crypto Poker is based on blockchain technology and uses crypto deposits, withdrawals, and betting. To participate in Crypto Poker, you first need to understand the rules.

The basic rules of Crypto Poker are the same as traditional poker, with a few minor differences. The main difference between Crypto Poker and traditional poker is the use of cryptocurrencies instead of traditional currencies. All players must make deposits in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum to participate in the game.

In addition to using cryptocurrencies, players must also follow any "house rules" that the poker room may have. Some Bitcoin poker rooms may have restrictions on how much players can bet or how long they take to make their moves. These house rules vary from site to site, so it is important to read the terms and conditions before playing.

The same hand rankings apply to crypto poker, with a few minor variations depending on the game. In Texas Hold'em, for example, players must make a five-card poker hand consisting of two hole cards and three community cards. The best possible hand is called a "royal flush" and consists of the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten in the same suit.

Finally, all bitcoin poker sites have the same standard betting structure. This includes small blinds and big blinds, as well as different betting rounds. Players can raise, call, check, or fold during each round to stay in the game or increase their potential winnings.

At the end of each round, the remaining players come to a showdown where the hands are revealed and the winners are determined. Winning at Crypto Poker, like any other poker variant, requires skill, knowledge, and luck.

As more people learn about this exciting new way to play poker online, more websites are offering Crypto Poker games. With so many options, it can be difficult to find the right crypto poker site for you. To help narrow down your search, we've compiled this list of the 10 best bitcoin poker sites. Each of them offers something unique and will give you an unbeatable experience!

The 10 bitcoin poker sites we have listed here offer an unbeatable experience for players who want to get the most out of their online gambling. These sites offer a wide range of games, with some even offering exclusive cryptocurrency tables.

It's important to remember that bitcoin poker sites may operate differently than regular online poker sites, so it's important to read the rules carefully before playing. Also, be aware of the differences between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies before making any deposits or withdrawals.

Regardless of your choice, you can be sure you'll have an unbeatable experience at one of our recommended online casinos. Get ready for the revolution and start playing poker today!

It depends on what kind of game you prefer and what kind of rewards you are looking for. Popular online casinos like Stake and 7BitCasino have gained traction recently due to their high level of security and attractive rewards programs.

Most bitcoin poker sites use blockchain technology to ensure the security of players' funds and personal information. Many of these sites also employ external security companies to monitor their networks, which provides additional protection against hackers and other malicious actors.

The two best casino bonuses are the deposit bonus and rakeback. The deposit bonus gives players a significant cash boost, while Rakeback lets them have a percentage of their Poker room contributions back.

If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, we advise you to call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with a counselor to get help and make gambling safer for you and your loved ones.

Please remember that gambling sites and guides are only available to persons 18 years of age or older. Certain casino sites featured on our website may not be accessible in your region. Therefore, make sure that online gambling is available and permitted in your region.

If you need free resources on gambling addiction, you should visit the following organizations:

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Find the Best Crypto Poker Sites - Top 10 Picks for 2023 - BSC NEWS

Friday night's Hustler Casino Live stream was so entertaining that producer Ryan Feldman cut it short and will air the rest on May 25, one day prior to the show's historic $1 million buy-in poker game.

The decision to stop the stream in the middle of a juicy game didn't sit well with many fans who expressed their displeasure on social media. But, as Feldman explained in a tweet, there were "good reasons" to do so. In that high-stakes game, one player lost nearly $600,000, a mystery player showed up and became an instant legend, and poker vlogger Mariano Grandoli took down a $600,000 pot with a straight flush against the nut flush.

If there was an award for the best poker hand of 2023 thus far, many would vote for this one. In the hand in question, Mariano raised from under the gun to $500 with K10. Charles, a high-stakes regular on the show, raised to $2,000 with 87 on the button. Andy "Stacks," a legend in the Los Angeles high-stakes community who was already down six-figures for the night, made the call from the big blind with A4.

Mariano then decided to four-bet it to $9,000, which didn't convince either player to fold. Three-way to the flop they went, and it came out 9JQ.

"Oh no, you've got to be kidding me!" Hustler Casino Live announcer David Tuchman exclaimed.

With the hand being straight flush versus ace-high flush and both players having stacks of at least $300,000, there wasn't any foreseeable way to avoid blood. All three players checked to see a meaningless 3 on the turn. Andy again checked to set the trap, but little did he know Mariano, who then bet $8,000, had him drawing dead.

Charles, of course, moved out of the way with his eight-high, and then when action returned to the preflop aggressor, he raised it up to $35,000. With a straight flush, Mariano called and then a fourth diamond 6 appeared on the river. Andy bet out $120,000 before his opponent jammed all in for $257,000.

Given the board wasn't paired, Andy simply couldn't find a fold with the A, so he made the call and then found out the bad news that he had just lost a $611,300 pot.

The brutal cooler was only half of Andy's horrendous luck on Friday night. He was down $599,700 when the stream was cut about six hours into the game. How he finished the session will be revealed on May 25. Mariano was up $332,900 at the show's conclusion.

There was a mystery player named "Brad" who appeared late in the stream and became an instant legend for his gamble mentality. He made Alan Keating seem like Allen Kessler.

Brad bought in for $100,000 and immediately made his presence known when he called a four-bet jam for $85,000 total with just 43 preflop against Andy's KQ. As bad as Andy was running on this night, it was no surprise that Brad paired up on the turn and took down the pot.

Moments later, however, Brad would punt off the chips he won against Andy in a pot versus Charles. In that hand, with about $50,000 in the middle on a board of 10629, he put his opponent all in for $88,000 with A3. The bluff didn't get through because Charles, who snap-called, had 22 for a set. Brad was drawing dead and was back under his starting stack.

Within minutes, he was all in for $62,000 with 32 preflop against the 77 "Dentist Dave" held. The best hand would scoop the pot and it was time for another $100,000 rebuy from Brad.

On his second bullet, it took him little time to spin up a fortune. After taking down a decent pot, he called a three-bet to $8,000 from Mariano, who held AA, with 65. "Bobo," who has become a regular on Hustler Casino Live, made it $25,000 with AK before Mariano then five-bet to $60,000.

Brad, in character, wasn't going anywhere so he called, leaving about $72,000 behind and was covered by both players. Bobo then moved all in for about $180,000 more. Mariano and Brad both snap-called. All three players agreed to run it twice, and the first run out of J342K gave Brad a winning straight, guaranteeing he'd at least scoop half of the main pot.

No way could six-high win both run outs, right? The second board went 36627, trips for Brad, who took down the entire main pot and all of a sudden had over $400,000 in his stack. He was far from done. Shortly after, with the nut full house on the river, Andy attempted a six-figure bluff with five-high before being forced to fold when his opponent moved all in.

Following that hand, Brad was sitting on over $700,000 for a profit of more than $500,000. He'd give some of it back before the stream was cut, but he still finished with a $359,900 profit, slightly more than Mariano's score. He did so while VPIP'ing at 85%, meaning he voluntarily put chips in the pot 85% of the hands he was dealt.

The Friday evening Hustler Casino Live stream had numerous six-figure pots and the game was so intense that even Nikhil "Nik Airball" Arcot, usually the most active and vocal player in the game, was almost an afterthought on this night. We'll all find out how the session concluded and if Brad left Hustler Casino with money on May 25. For now, you can watch the first six hours of the show on HCL's YouTube channel.

Top 5 Hustler Casino Live Hands of 2022

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Friday's Hustler Casino Live was Bonkers and a New Poker Legend ... - PokerNews.com

Poker House Dallas, one of the top card rooms in Texas, is facing a forced closure from the city over a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issue.

The North Texas poker club, according to a statement provided to PokerNews, is currently at the mercy of the court system as it hopes to remain open permanently. But the laws of the land could say otherwise.

Poker House Dallas is at the mercy of the court of appeals as to whether or not we will be able to continue after midnight, Tuesday May 23. Were asking for the communitys support during this unsettling time for staff and players," the statement read.

In hopes of bringing in some much needed business during a difficult time for the poker club, Poker House Dallas is offering discounts to players until judgement day.

For the next ten days, our hourly seat rate will be changed from $13/hour to $8/hour to encourage players who still have time on their account," the statement continued.

Due to strict anti-gambling laws in the state many boast as a "free state," poker rooms are forced to operate as membership clubs and cannot legally collect rake, a stark contrast to traditional card rooms across most of the US. And even the membership-based model isn't good enough for some lawmakers who argue that poker, whether rake is taken out of pots or not, is illegal according to Texas Penal Code Chapter 47.

Doug Polk, who co-owns The Lodge Card Club near Austin, is among a group of Texas poker room operators who are attempting to reword the law so as to ensure there no longer is any confusion or dispute.

But Poker House Dallas is currently facing closure over a secondary issue its Certificate of Occupancy. Or, better yet, the question of whether the club's CO is or ever was valid. According to a District Court in Dallas, the business does not have a legal right to operate a poker room in the Dallas area. The business is currently going through the appeals process in hopes of reversing the ruling.

For now, Poker House Dallas is permitted to remain open, but they've been ordered to cease operations effective May 23. If the business is able to win in the appeals court, the card club will be able to continue spreading poker games.

Poker House Dallas is one of the largest poker rooms in the state with 30 tables. They offer cash games and daily tournaments, and it's one of the most popular places to play in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If the court isn't willing to budge, hundreds of players will need to find somewhere else to play and dozens of workers will be out of a job.

This isn't the first time a Texas poker room has faced closure due to Certificate of Occupancy issues. Texas Card House Dallas fought a legal battle in 2022 after the city went back on its word and revoked the room's CO two years after approving the business model. The room was never shut down, however, and continued to operate during the legal process.

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Popular Texas Poker Room "At the Mercy of the Court" to Remain ... - PokerNews.com

Major players are hoping that the SEC and Washington takes, what crypto watchers see as bluffs, seriously and soften the hard line that regulators have taken on the industry.

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Cryptocurrency companies are playing a game of poker with the Securities and Exchange Commission, making bold threats to leave the U.S. as the regulator steps up pressure on the industry to toe the line.

Major players are hoping that the SEC and Washington takes, what crypto watchers see as bluffs, seriously and soften the hard line that regulators have taken on the industry.

Executives at firms including crypto exchange Coinbase and blockchain services company Ripple have piled on with comments laying into the SEC and signaling plans to shift business overseas, in a bid to rally support and send a message to U.S. politicians concerned that the country may miss out on a key technological innovation.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said last week that the SEC was on a "lone crusade" with its tough actions against certain crypto companies. He added that Chair Gary Gensler had taken an "anti-crypto view," despite earlier being a supporter of the industry during his time as an economics professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

"The SEC is a bit of an outlier here," Armstrong told CNBC's Dan Murphy in an interview in Dubai. "I don't think [Gensler is] necessarily trying to regulate the industry as much as maybe curtail it. But he's created some lawsuits, and I think it's quite unhelpful for the industry in the U.S. writ large."

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, also tore into the SEC this week. When asked for his message to Gensler as the company announced an expansion into Dubai, he quipped, "Who?" before later saying Ripple will have spent $200 million defending itself against a lawsuit initiated by the regulator by the time it is over.

"I find it as a company that started in the United States and as somebody who is a U.S. citizen, it's sad. I have sadness about this. The U.S. is getting passed not just by a little bit but by a lot," Garlinghouse said.

"The tough thing about this is you have a country that I think has put politics ahead of policy and that's not a good decision if you're trying to invest in the economy."

Dubai and Europe have proven to be much more favorable markets with their virtual asset regulatory frameworks, Garlinghouse said, adding: "The United States is definitely stuck."

Garlinghouse, Armstrong and other crypto bosses have made threats to leave the U.S., highlighting concern from the industry that the SEC's crackdown is becoming too harsh. The regulator has taken strong enforcement actions against companies including Ripple, Coinbase, Kraken and Paxos, accusing each of flouting securities laws.

The SEC's contention is that most tokens in the market may qualify as securities, which would subject them to much stricter requirements around registration and disclosure. Crypto firms, naturally, have denied assets they issue or list on their platforms should be treated as securities.

The question is: could they actually leave? It looks pretty unlikely.

"The U.S. is one of the largest markets for crypto, and hence it is highly unlikely that they will leave," Larisa Yarovaya, associate professor of finance at Southampton University, told CNBC via email.

"The biggest fear of crypto companies is that regulation will cause panic among crypto investors and prices will go down. To look confident (even arrogant) is a common tactic of crypto company CEOs. They think this will translate into investors' confidence, overconfidence in some cases, and will encourage further irrational behaviour among investors, e.g. HODL [hold on for dear life] even when markets are falling."

Ripple's Garlinghouse has been threatening to move his company's headquarters overseas since 2020. In October that year, he said the U.K., Switzerland, Singapore, Japan and the United Arab Emirates were under consideration for Ripple's potential move abroad.

That hasn't happened yet.

Coinbase's chief, meanwhile, suggested at a London fintech conference in April that the firm would consider options of investing more abroad, including relocating from the U.S. to elsewhere, if the exchange doesn't get regulatory clarity in the U.S.

A month later, Armstrong said Coinbase "is not going to relocate overseas."

"We're always going to have a U.S. presence ... But the U.S. is a little bit behind right now," he told CNBC.

The U.S. is a huge market for the industry, with over 50 million Americans saying they own some crypto, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult for Coinbase.

"There's a much greater focus on the international markets for those firms. But at the top end of the market, personally I just can't see that ever happening that you leave the United States market completely," Jonathan Levin, co-founder of Chainalysis, told CNBC in an interview in London.

"It's more about how much do you invest in new international expansion where maybe that wasn't as high up on the agenda, but now it's let's look at France, let's look at the U.K."

On top of this, the practicalities of moving these already large companies out of the U.S. would be tough.

"Although these industries are virtual by their nature, they still need people, and people have families, mortgages, and preferences on where they live. Replacing them with local talent in the new place may be easier said than done," George Weston, a partner at global offshore law firm Harneys, told CNBC via email.

Crypto bosses are playing up to some officials' concerns that the U.S. has become shrouded in regulatory uncertainty while other jurisdictions, like the European Union and U.K., have charged forward with proposed regulatory frameworks for digital assets.

Hester Peirce, a commissioner at the SEC, said at a Financial Times conference last week that the U.S. was "shooting ourselves in the foot by not having a regulatory regime in the U.S."

She praised the EU on its progress with waving through laws for the crypto industry.

The EU is expected to bring in the first comprehensive set of regulations for digital assets, known as Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA), sometime in 2024.

"It's really commendable that Europe was able to get that done so quickly," Peirce said, according to Reuters. "If we built a good regulatory regime, people would come. I think you will see that with MiCA."

Diego Ballon Ossio, a partner at law firm Clifford Chance, said other jurisdictions including the U.K. and EU are changing their legislative frameworks to create clear regulatory regimes for exchanges.

"This means that other countries are effectively providing US based exchanges an option a place to move to. It is not unthinkable that a U.S. exchange decided to create operational hubs in non-U.S. jurisdictions where the product can be safely innovated and enhanced," he told CNBC.

Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, recently said it has become more difficult for the company to operate into the U.S. and that it was minded to establish a regulated operation in the U.K.

Patrick Hillman, the company's chief strategy officer, said the U.S. "has been very confusing over the past six months," pointing to the SEC's actions against Coinbase as a sign of how the country is in a "weird place."

While the U.S. crypto industry might currently be throwing out empty threats right now, there could be a real issue if regulators in America don't move forward with thoughtful regulation.

"My conclusion is that I think it is more sabre rattling than a genuine desire to up and leave the U.S., but if the SEC continues down the path it is on, many firms will have no choice but to try another way of doing business. It is existential," Daniel Csefalvay, a partner at BCLP law firm, told CNBC via email.

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Maurice Hawkins sat alone atop the World Series of Poker Circuit titles leaderboard for more than three years after winning his then-record-setting 14th WSOPC gold ring in a $400 buy-in event at the 2020 WSOPC Choctaw series. On April 17, 2023, Josh Reichard took down the WSOPC Grand Victoria Casino main event to secure his record-tying 14th ring.

Reichard and Hawkins ended up being tied for less than a month, as Hawkins managed to set a new record by winning his 15th ring on May 15. The Florida resident defeated a field of 92 entries in the WSOPC Harrahs Cherokee $2,200 no-limit holdem high roller to secure the hardware and the top prize of $54,599.

Reichard made a comment to WSOP Circuit after his recent win to tie Hawkins that seemed to downplay the race for the rings:

To be honest, I really dont care too much about records but this one is kind of cool On [the WSOPs] website, there are pictures of all the record holders and Phil Hellmuth holds the bracelet title, and I thought itd be cool if my picture was next to his because we are two Wisconsin guys. Im sure Maurices (Hawkins) picture will stay on there right now, but that just keeps me motivated to get there one day.

Put some respect on my name! I am Maurice Hawkins, thats who I am. if you are going to call me out go ahead and say it. I am not a fan of the passive aggressive fake humble act, acting like you dont care about the numbers when you clearly do, said Hawkins after he regained the lead, evidently in response to Reichards comments.

Hawkins now has more than $2.2 million in WSOP Circuit earnings, the most of any player on that tour. His nearest competitor in that category is Daniel Lowery, who recently won his 13th ring. Lowery has $1,499,471 in recorded WSOPC earnings.

This victory also marked Hawkins 142nd cash in a WSOPC event, putting him in a tie for sixth place with Ian Steinman on the all-time cashes leaderboard for the tour.

Hawkins topped a tough final table en route to his record-furthering win, with bracelet winner Will Givens finishing seventh ($6,877) and World Poker Tour champion Dylan Wilkerson placing sixth ($8,893). 2022 WSOP $3,000 no-limit holdem event runner-up finisher Toby Boas (2nd $33,744) got all-in with pocket kings facing the pocket tens of Hawkins with the title on the line, but a 9-7-2-J-8 runout gave Hawkins a jack-high straight to win the pot and the title.

Here is a look at the payouts awarded at the final table:

Winner photo credit: WSOP.

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Maurice Hawkins Wins Record-Setting 15th World Series of Poker ... - CardPlayer.com