Monthly Archives: April 2024

The WPT Voyage was a roaring success, with players from far and wide embarking on the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady cruise ship in Miami before sailing in luxury to the Cayman Islands and The Bahamas. Thanks to WPT Global, some of the PokerNews team, including our excellent ambassador Lukas "RobinPoker" Robinson, were invited onboard the ship, and they decided to create a behind-the-scenes documentary called Poker on a Boat the WPT Voyage Experience.

Poker on a Boat: The WPT Voyage takes you behind the scenes of this incredible at-sea poker festival. Discover the culinary delights Robinson and his shipmates enjoyed, the once-in-a-lifetime activities they participated in, and, of course, plenty of poker action.

The first of five episodes, Setting SailAll Abord the World Poker Tour Cruise, will launch on Robinson's YouTube channel on April 24 at 4:00 p.m. BST.

Episode 1 starts with Robinson and the PokerNews team's journey to Miami, where they step aboard the luxury cruise liner. Once on board, Robinson takes you on a guided tour of the ship, has a pre-poker session meal of octopus and cookies (yes, really), presents PokerNews' Daniel Williams with some rather fetching pajamas, and challenges him to make $500 profit in the $1/$3 cash games taking place in the ship's casino.

Robinson got off to a flying start with the premium starting hand 43, endured a cold deck that was possibly caused by his PokerNews pajamas before locking in his first profit of the trip as the clock struck midnight; or did he?

Head over to Robinson's YouTube channel at 4:00 p.m. BST on April 24 to watch Episode 1 in full, and return on Friday, Sunday, next Monday, and next Wednesday to feast your eyes on the other five episodes.

See the rest here:

Introducing Lukas "RobinPoker" Robinson's Poker on a Boat: The WPT Voyage Experience - PokerNews.com

VFW locations rely on individual and corporate donations to stay in the business of providing a place for veterans of foreign service to gather and hang out. The VFW has served those who have served for over 100 years.

Whenever I have an extra minute, I know I can stop in at a VFW Hall anywhere and be welcomed by a great group of folks--Veterans and non-vets-- to share a story, game of pool, and a few tunes on the Juke. And while for me it's a casual way to spend a few hours, for others, it's the one place they can go where they don't need to explain themselves to anyone. There's a mutual understanding and respect among those who have served our country overseas. I don't know it by having served, but you can see it and feel it among those vets who are in your presence there.

The average age of membership in the VFW is rising, while the numbers are declining. Local Chapters have closed around the country due to lack of membership, and funds. Younger vets may not know about the VFW in their state or city, or the benefits those VFWs can provide.

Through his Poker run on Saturday, June 15th, Matt Kershner hopes to shine a little light on these places and have a little fun in the process.

Banding4Benefits Poker Run is a Poker Run that will stop at local VFWs to strike up business there and visit veterans while raising money for all VFW stops on the ride!

Register from 9am to 10:15am at the Bettendorf VFW, where they'll also be serving breakfast starting at 9am.

Kickstands up 10:30am.

Stops:

We'll see you there.

If you want to start something like this for your area, shoot Matt a message through Facebook.

Gallery Credit: Sabienna Bowman

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Support The Quad City Areas VFWs During This Poker Run - 97X

Ryan Garcia, who has appeared multiple times on Hustler Casino Live, pulled off an upset in the boxing ring Saturday night against the heavily favored Devin Haney, winning via majority decision.

One judge surprisingly scored the match 112-112 despite Garcia knocking his opponent down three times, while the other two judges scored it 114-110 and 115-109, although many boxing fans felt it should have been a unanimous decision. Either way, the winner is now 25-1 (20 knockouts) in his professional career, while the losing boxer lost for the first time in 32 fights.

The fight at Brooklyn's Barclays Center was originally slated to be for the WBC welterweight title. That was until Friday's controversial weigh in.

Garcia weighed in at 143.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound welterweight threshold. As such, no matter the outcome of the fight, he was not eligible to claim the belt. But the boxers agreed to continue with the match as planned.

Haney entered Saturday's contest as a heavy favorite (-900 odds to win at some sportsbooks at one point). Garcia was given little chance to defeat the unbeaten champ. In a recent CBS Sports prediction article, all three boxing experts predicted Haney to win by technical knockout.

In Round 7, Garcia knocked Haney to the canvas, the first time that has happened to the now former champ in 32 professional fights.

Garcia dominated the match so much that even a one-point penalty following the knockdown didn't help his opponent. A right hook in the 10th round sent Haney to the canvas again, and then one more time with the left in the 11th round. Although Garcia didn't knock Haney out, it was a convincing performance that left few other than one judge questioning who truly won the fight.

With the winner ineligible for the junior welterweight title due to his pre-fight weight, the belt is now vacant.

Garcia hasn't been spotted at the poker table since the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), at least not publicly. But he does have an interest in the game and has appeared four times on Hustler Casino Live where he's down over $80,000.

In last year's $10,000 Main Event, poker's world championship tournament, he reached Day 4 with a healthy stack, but was eliminated in 566th place out of 10,043 for $32,500.

Away from the felt and boxing ring, Garcia has sparked some controversy on social media over comments he made about how children are, in his opinion, being abused by "shadowy elites." Following his victory over Haney, in the post-fight press conference, the nearly unbeaten boxer again defended his conspiracy theory, calling out those who have questioned the legitimacy of his claims, before going straight to Twitter Spaces where over 50,000 were tuned in.

Prior to the fight, Garcia's mental and physical health came into question, part of why Haney was so heavily favored. But, as is often the case when it comes to sports, the "experts" were off base. Garcia admitted he drank daily leading up to the match, but he still came through with a dominating performance.

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Poker Player Ryan Garcia Upsets Heavily Favored Devin Haney in What Should Have Been a Title Fight - PokerNews.com

Dustin Melanson has won Event #8: $1,700 No Limit Holdem Main Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit Playground. He defeated a field of 1,660 players, taking home $339,770 after a heads-up deal with Sergei Gurin.

With this win, he more than doubles his career live earnings and can now add World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event Champion to his already successful career.

*Denotes a heads up deal

Melanson returned for Day 3 as the overall chip leader of the last 22 players in the field. He did not hold that lead the entire day, but his ability to battle adversity as the day went on was remarkable. After multiple bad beats and a few rough spots, he battled all the way to heads-up play with a sparring partner, Sergei Gurin, who also played excellent the entire day and was a force on the final table.

Before play began they agreed to an ICM chop, minus 10% that they would play for, along with the ring. The players were almost even at the start of heads-up play, and Gurin actually held the chip lead. Melanson had every chip in play about an hour and a half later. He was crowned champion, put on the ring, and collected his massive prize of $339,770.

Winners Reaction

"I felt like I was at my best, and I felt like my opponents couldn't really keep up with my aggression and the pressure I was putting on.

"I felt like my opponents couldn't really keep up with my aggression and the pressure I was putting on."

Melanson was asked to share some things that added to his success as the day went on, and he was very candid about what he felt he did well.

I think I was very consistent with switching gears at the right time. Couple good spots along the way that helped me. Sure, a nice ace from space on the river during the final table. You know, you need the run good, feel good, and I felt great.

After all of his success in this room, he spoke about the significance of Playground and how it has changed his professional poker career and his personal life as he met Emily in this very room.

It means everything. I mean, these guys, and this poker room, essentially, groomed my game and the player I am today. These guys are fantastic. They run tournaments better than anybody else in the world. Their staff, top to bottom, is incredible. The dealers are second to none. This place is one of a kind, that's for sure.

The ten-handed final table started with Pietro Lo Giudice's elimination in tenth place, as his ace-queen could not improve against George James' pocket nines. The table would then see wildcard Mohammad Feizi show a stone cold bluff with seven-duece to get the action moving. Robert Wong would thenfall to Feizi in 9th after his ace-jack was pipped by the ace-queen of Feizi.

Gabriel Croteau Gets His Second WSOP Circuit Ring of the Year

Melanson would then encounter his first jumping-off point of the day when he was all in and at risk against Matthew Paplyks pocket tens and hit the ace from space on the river to secure the double he needed to stay alive. The roller coaster would then go the other direction when Melanson got cooled off in a nasty spot when Joey Messina hit a three outer on the turn to double through him.

Matt Paplyk would then fall in eighth place after a classic cooler spot with aces versus kings. A few hands later, Israel Pantaleon got set over set to fall in seventh place after a gross run out. Messina then fell in sixth at the hands of Melanson who got the revenge after getting cooled off a bit before. Local legend, Nghi Van Tran, lost a flip to Melanson to fall in fifth place before James was eliminated in fourth by Gurin. Feizi fell in third at the hands of Melanson when he cracked Feizi's aces, and then it was down to heads-up play.

Melanson started heads-up play with a small chip disadvantage and got cut down a few times on his way to being all-in for his tournament life. He got the pure double to get about even with Gurin. He then grinded through a few small pots to gain the lead, and he would never lose it again. In the final hand, he was able to drill the wheel on the river to best the pair of Gurin.

Read more here:

Dustin Melanson Crushes Final Table to Become WSOPC Playground Main Event Champion - PokerNews.com

A leading poker and gaming marketing agency, Above the Felt, partnered with the landmark Potawatomi Casino Hotel for the grand opening of the Milwaukee-based casinos state-of-the-art poker room scheduled for May 2024. The partnership, bringing the flagship poker event to Wisconsin, represents a significant milestone in Above the Felts expansion in the Mid-West United States.

Grand Opening Festivities:

According to the agencys press release, the upcoming poker event will bring along some of the best poker players from Above the Felts talent pool and content creators and promoters. The new-age agency boasting of creating winning relationships between its talent roster and clients will use the poker room grand opening to make a connection with regional players and make the milestone event an unforgettable experience. According to Above the Felt, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel resort will be home to the grand opening and the main poker event scheduled for 2 May 2024.

Featuring Three Poker Experts:

The event is reportedly expected to heat the atmosphere and feature three prominent personalities from the poker industry. As reported, poker players Matt Berkey, Jamie Kerstetter, and Jaman Burton will attend the festivities and join the tables to exercise their poker skills. Even more, the trilling of aces will invite poker players to take advantage of a unique opportunity to join them for a special meet-up cash game.

Commenting on the milestone poker room grand opening, Tom Wheaton, Founder & CEO at Above the Felt reportedly said: We are proud to join forces with Potawatomi Casino Hotel to celebrate this occasion. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to enhancing the poker experience for poker players in the region by bringing together top poker talent to interact with players, fans, and followers alike.

Sharing excitement about the latest partnership, Michael Hall, Director of Table Games at Potawatomi Casino, commented: We are thrilled to partner with Above the Felt for the grand opening of our new poker room. This event marks a significant milestone for Potawatomi Casino Hotel, and we look forward to providing an unparalleled experience for poker enthusiasts with Matt, Jamie, Jaman and Tom on-site.

Connecting Poker Enthusiasts:

The unique personalities featured in the event expressed their excitement about the upcoming grand opening. According to the press release, Matt Berkey, an award-winning player well-known for his high-stake poker skills, is honored to participate in the poker room grand opening festivities at Potawatomi Casino Hotel. Its a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow poker enthusiasts at their typical stakes and share in the competition of the game together, he said.

Jamie Kerstetter, a distinguished broadcaster and poker player, considers events like these essential for fostering camaraderie and excitement within the poker community. Kerstetter added: I cant wait to engage with fans and create memorable experiences together!

An award-winning poker content creator, Jaman Burton, feels the same vibe as his fellow poker experts. Im excited to be partnering with Potawatomi Casino Hotel, one of the leading casinos and newest poker rooms in the state of Wisconsin, he said. It will be a lot of fun to share my passion for poker and connect with fellow players in such an immersive setting.

Expanding Talent Pool:

As reported, the poker room grand opening ceremony is set for 2 May 2024. The visitors of the Potawatomi Casino Hotel will have the opportunity to engage in the festivities and attend some thrilling poker action. Poker celebrations will reportedly begin at 12 p.m. to run all day long and mark the significant partnership between Above the Felt and the established casino brand in Wisconsin. Lastly, the event will also mark a milestone in Above the Felts expansion in the Mid-West region, which is set to bring more players to its remarkable talent pool.

Read more here:

Above the Felt's Poker Room Grand Opening in Wisconsin - World Casino Directory

The popular Poker in the Ears Podcast, a PokerStars production, released its 305th episode on Thursday, and it was headlined by guest Lexy Gavin-Mather.

Gavin-Mather is an author, poker pro, and teaches a poker training course. She joined hosts Joe Stapleton and James Hartigan for an interesting conversation about her experiences with the poker world.

But before the guest appeared, "Uncle Daddy Joe Stapleton" and his "Work Wife" explained that Will Jaffe, a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and comedic poker X personality, was the original guest slated to appear on Episode 305. Jaffe couldn't make it because he was too busy playing poker.

The conversation with Gavin-Mather started with the poker pro sharing her story about how and when she got into poker. Her entrance into the game began in 2009, right after she graduated college, on PokerStars, and her first live tournament cash came in 2013. Much like many other online poker players following the infamous Black Friday scandal on April 15, 2011, she had to make some changes.

"After Black Friday, I did the whole move to Canada thing with a bunch of pros and started grinding up there," Gavin-Mather said. "I used to mass multi-table, 24 tables."

More than a decade ago, she won an online package to a live event and transitioned more to playing live poker, mostly cash games. But she does have over $600,000 in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob.

Gavin-Mather credited the many poker pros she befriended, dated, or lived with in the past who helped her grow as a poker player. Some names she dropped included Greg Merson and Ankush Mandavia.

"I credit them for so much of my career," Gavin-Mather said of her early days poker pro friends. "I was a losing player when I first started playing online. I used to mass multi-table micro stakes, you know, and I was struggling beating 5-cent/10-cent for the longest time. I would just sit behind them and I would watch them, and I'd be like 'why'd you do that?"

Life Outside Poker: Farah Galfond on Days of Our Lives, Balancing Poker & Family

The Poker in the Ears guest would go on to discuss the lifestyle online poker grinders in their 20's had back in the post-Black Friday era. She then turned her attention to her spouse, Bob Mather, a fellow poker player and enthusiast.

"It was unexpected and the best thing to ever come out of my poker career for me," she said about her husband.

Gavin-Mather continued to say that she'd been friends with her now husband "for a very long time," and had met at Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles.

"The summer of 2019, we just kind of fell in love at the (World Series of Poker)."

Many poker pros find it difficult to build long-term relationships, but that hasn't been the case for Gavin-Mather, who told Stapes and Hartigan that Bob Mather has been supportive of her career, and referred to her marriage as "a team."

"I don't think I could have done it without him and his support," the poker pro said of her supportive spouse.

Not only is Gavin-Mather a poker author and pro, she also has a successful YouTube channel, which she uses to vlog her poker life and share some valuable poker tips for her audience.

To listen to the full conversation on Poker in the Ears, click on the link below or search for it on SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

There are thousands of online poker tournaments taking place every day, which is far too many to keep track of, even for the most organized of people. You lose out on a potential big score every time you fail to register for a tournament.

PokerNews has created an Online Poker Tournament Calendar for PokerStars players to use, helping them to plan ahead and create a grinding schedule, or fire up some events they weren't aware were in-play or about to start. Check it out!

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Poker in the Ears Episode 305: Lexy Gavin-Mather Tells Her Poker Story - PokerNews.com

Crandell Addington, a legendary Texas poker pro, has passed away at age 85.

The Poker Hall of Famer cashed four times in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event three times in the 1970s including runner-up finishes to Johnny Moss (1974), Doyle Brunson (1976), and Bobby Baldwin (1978).

Addington, born June 2, 1938 in Graham, Texas, passed away April 14, 2024. He competed in the first ever World Series of Poker in 1970 against Brunson, Moss, Amarillo Slim, Puggy Pearson, Sailor Roberts, and Carl Cannon. Back then, poker's world championship event was tiny and in its infancy, and the winner Moss was determined by a vote.

The late poker legend still holds the record for most WSOP Main Event final table appearances with seven. His last WSOP cash came in the 1989 Main Event, a 36th place finish for $7,500.

Addington was one of the lone remaining Texas road gamblers from the 1960s and 1970s. He came up in poker competing against the likes of Brunson, Moss, and Amarillo Slim, all Texans and fellow Poker Hall of Famers. In 2005, Addington joined the crew in the HOF, and was inducted alongside Jack Binion.

Poker was far from the only thing Addington is known for. The Southwestern University graduate with degrees in economics and accounting put that college education to good use after leaving Nevada to return to his Texas roots in San Antonio. He was an entrepreneur and the CEO, Chairman, and Director of Phoenix Biotechnology, a cancer treatment research organization.

A Celebration of Life memorial is set for Mr. Addington on April 26 at the Paisanos Restaurant in Lincoln Heights, Texas, not far from his home in San Antonio.

Poker Hall of Famer Crandell Addington Reveals Secrets from Early Days of WSOP

The rest is here:

Poker Hall of Famer Crandell Addington Passes Away at 85 - PokerNews.com

US poker players have a wide selection of offshore poker sites to choose from, the challenge is narrowing them down to find the online casino with the biggest bonuses, the widest selection of poker variations to play, as well as modern features and site design.

In this guide, we rank our favorite online poker sites and discuss everything you need to know about the various benefits, events, pros & cons, and unique features offered at the best offshore poker casinos. Keep reading to find out more.

CoinPoker US

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Everygame Poker US

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Slotastic Casino

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Show More Offers+

The offshore sites weve ranked below offer the best selection of bonuses and unique gaming opportunities for US online poker players.

Players can take advantage of a variety of games and perks at each of the offshore poker sites on our list. Weve provided more details about each of them below so that you can get an idea of how they reached the top of our rankings.

Multi-table events, cash games, entertaining poker variations, and incentives BetOnline has them all. If you are one of the low stakes players, BetOnline poker is perfect for you. Still, the operator also provides higher stakes for experienced players.

Poker fans can play cash games and tournaments featuring Texas Holdem, Omaha, and Omaha H/L at BetOnline. Cash game blinds begin at $0.05, and while there are some free tournaments, there arent many freerolls. Numerous tournaments are hosted every day, along with sit-and-go events that are offered 24 hours a day.

In addition to credit/debit cards, BetOnline accepts crypto deposits. While using a credit card in order to make a deposit involves a relatively hefty fee of 9.75%, using cryptocurrency is fee-free. Payouts generally require up to five days to process, while certain payments can be processed in less than ten minutes.

The BetOnline poker sign-up 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000, and the wagering requirements are reasonable. Players can benefit from a variety of ongoing poker promotions on the website, including the Rake & Rise Rewards and Mystery Bounty Tournament.

Since its debut in 2011, this website has grown significantly in popularity. Bovada poker room offers a variety of cash games with low rakes. It also provides a huge selection of events, including knockout and turbo tournaments, anonymous tables along with a reasonable welcome bonus.

Bovada features Texas Holdem and Omaha, which includes Omaha Hi/Lo. While Texas Hold em dominates in cash games and tournaments, many other tournament variations, including turbo tournaments, are available to US poker players.

Bovada offers a wide range of deposit options, such as credit/debit cards and crypto deposits, including Bitcoin and Litecoin. When it comes to the withdrawal option choice, there is an array of cryptos, bank wire transfers, and a few other methods. There may be fees connected to a number of withdrawal options, including credit card transactions, but not with cryptocurrencies.

While there arent many promotions on this site, there is a good poker welcome offer that doubles the first amount you deposit by 100% up to $500. Still, it does have a terrific loyalty program that rewards any recreational player for playing more. As you climb the loyalty tiers, points not only let you access new payment options but they also give you the chance to win cash and tickets at major poker tournaments.

Lucky Block, an exceptional offshore online crypto casino, welcomes gambling enthusiasts with 21 poker games, a vibrant live casino, and an extensive collection of approximately 6,000 thrilling casino games. Casino Hold Em and Caribbean Stud poker are available in addition to the normal live lobby sections. Plus, a variety of video poker variations can be played.

Your username, email, and password are the only information you need to provide throughout the simple sign-up process. This instant play option provides a level of anonymity that is unparalleled by other real-money online poker sites. Lucky Block shines as a premier choice for US gamblers, featuring a mobile app that easily syncs with its desktop platform for a smooth gaming experience.

The depositing options available to crypto players from the United States include Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin. Deposits start at 0.0001, and withdrawals at 0.0002. Besides, you dont have to worry about unexpected costs or payment limits.

Lucky Block offers a substantial welcome bonus of up to 25,000 and 50 free spins. Once you use that one up, you may be able to benefit from other Lucky Block promotions and bonuses like reload bonuses.

In December 2021, Everygame replaced Intertops as one of the first offshore poker sites, making it one of the best new casinos in the US. There are several reasons why Everygame poker is a great pick as your next offshore poker site.

To start with, you will receive a sizable 36% rakeback from Everygame, which will be transferred into your offshore gambling account in $10 increments which is quite different from the first three poker rooms we reviewed. Both cash games and tournaments are eligible for this rakeback. This incentive is not given out automatically, you must contact the website and ask for it.

The two poker variants offered inside Everygame poker room are Texas Holdem and, of course, Omaha. In cash games, blinds normally begin at $0.02/$0.04, while experienced players may notice significantly higher blinds. Numerous tournaments are offered throughout the day, as well as freerolls, such as a monthly freeroll for anyone who makes deposits of $25 or more.

You can make deposits with credit or debit cards. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin are supported, along with a few other payment methods. Luckily, there is more than one withdrawal option, but the majority of users choose cryptocurrencies or bank wire transfers. While withdrawals might happen quickly, deposits might require up to five days. Withdrawals of cryptocurrency are free. However, some processes, such as bank wire transfers, have a $50 fee.

You can get 20 free casino spins in addition to a 200% deposit bonus of up to $1,000. Additionally, there is a no-deposit incentive. The proper approach to take part in the loyalty program is to accumulate recurring player points when you play, climb the levels, and win prizes. The 36% rakeback, which is distributed in $10 increments each day, is an additional benefit.

Although SportsBetting.ag is generally recognized as a sportsbook, it also offers a fantastic poker platform. The most well-known poker site in the US, BetOnline, is a member of the exact same online poker network as this one.

Thanks to the Chico Poker Network, you can choose from a variety of poker titles, and there are always plenty of players willing to challenge you. The incredible selection of games offered by SportsBetting.ag is made possible by the renowned network it utilizes. Texas Holdem is the most popular variant, although Omaha and Omaha H/L are also available.

Numerous cash games are readily accessible, and tournaments start almost immediately. Freerolls and some significantly large multi-table tournaments are also available to players from the States.

One of SportsBetting.ags biggest selling point is the diversity of cryptocurrencies it accepts. There are 18 choices, and each one enables rapid, cost-free transactions. Credit/debit cards and a few common payment methods are also accepted. Several cryptos support payouts, with the majority of them requiring a $20 minimum payout. Using cryptocurrency is free in comparison with other methods that could charge fees.

Everyone playing at SportsBetting.ag receives a welcome bonus, and additional benefits are available all year long. Apart from the 8 days of complimentary tournament tickets you get, you can also claim the 100% deposit bonus of up to $1,000.

Heres an overview of the features that the best offshore poker sites offer to players from the US.

To help you make wise choices and play responsibly and safely, lets discuss the criteria we use to select the best offshore poker sites for US Gamblers.

LicensingSoftware and Game SelectionCasino BonusesPayment Methods

Always make sure the offshore poker casino sites you select are regulated by an established organization and have a current license. A trustworthy offshore operator must possess a valid gaming license from an established authority. Authorities in charge of licensing ensure that the offshore poker site abides by stringent rules on player safety, security, and game fairness. Curacao, Malta, and Kahnawake are a few well-known licensing jurisdictions.

The greatest offshore operators offer a variety of poker titles that appeal to players of all experience levels and tastes. Search for offshore sites that offer standard game types like Texas Holdem and Omaha, as well as specialized games and tournaments. Also, consider the websites software quality. User-friendly interfaces, smooth gambling, and reliable performance are essential to an enjoyable poker session.

The right promotions and bonuses can greatly improve your gambling experience by adding value and providing chances to increase your bankroll. The top offshore poker casinos provide a variety of promos, such as freerolls, welcome bonuses, as well as loyalty programs. However, its important to carefully read the terms and conditions of any deal because some can have hefty wagering requirements.

Its essential to have secure and practical payment options when gambling on an offshore website. Top offshore sites provide a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including a variety of cryptocurrencies, e-wallets and credit cards. Additionally, take into account whether there is SSL encryption, how quickly transactions are processed, and how much they cost, as these are signs of a poker site that puts players needs above everything else.

Offshore operators have become a popular choice for US poker enthusiasts seeking a larger selection of games and higher incentives. However, given the growing popularity of offshore poker gambling, it is crucial for participants to be aware of the pros and cons of playing at even the best offshore poker sites.

Access to the best offshore poker sites is permitted for US citizens, but gambling laws vary from state to state. Because these offshore sites are exempt from US legal requirements, they are free to run and function according to local laws in other countries.

It is against the law for US-based online poker operators to take players from jurisdictions in which this or any form of internet gambling is prohibited. Since there are no regulations preventing Americans from playing offshore poker online, doing so is completely lawful.

Opening a new account on an offshore poker site is a pretty easy process. Were going to walk you through the registration process using BetOnline, our top-rated offshore poker site, as an example in order to assist you.

On the homepage, click the Join (Sign Up) button to begin the registration process. You will need to fill in the requested information on the form that will be provided.

Making your initial deposit requires going to the cashier. There are numerous payment options available. You can enter the promo code to be eligible for a welcome deal after choosing the payment method and amount.

Head over to the BetOnline poker room and start playing your favorite poker games.

For many poker enthusiasts in the US, state-licensed sites are off the table, so they often turn to offshore platforms to play online. If youre weighing your options between regulated and offshore sites, here are some important factors to think about:

Choosing between regulated and offshore poker sites isnt a black-and-white decision. You can enjoy the best of both worlds, whether youre playing in a state with regulated sites or using reputable offshore platforms to ensure a safe and fun poker experience.

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Best Offshore Poker Sites for the US Players in 2024 - ReadWrite

Online poker sites PokerStars and Bwin must refund over $450,000 to cover losses by players on their sites, a Dutch court ruled on Wednesday.

In a significant ruling that may have widespread ramifications for both players and sites, two Dutch players sought reimbursement for losses incurred on PokerStars and Bwin while the sites operated in the Netherlands without proper licensing.

The court eventually ruled the gambling agreements null and void, meaning the losses which occurred between 2006 and 2021 must be repaid.

As reported by De Telegraaf and CasinoNieuws, the Overijssel District Court heard the case of two players who had lost money on the poker sites before the legalization of online gambling in the Netherlands in October 2021.

The players argued that since these casinos operated without licenses in the country, the gaming agreements each player agreed to were null and void. Therefore the sites should reimburse the losses.

PokerStars argued that even if the agreement were to be nullified, it doesn't necessitate a refund as most of the lost money in poker flows to other players. However, the court disagreed, emphasizing that the money went to PokerStars and was held in their PokerStars account, rather than being directly transferred to other players.

Although both sites have the right to appeal the six-figure ruling, the judgment has been declared provisionally enforceable by the judge and therefore must comply immediately. The ruling also sets a precedent for hundreds of other cases that have yet to come before Dutch courts.

Dutch Poker Players Set to Receive Millions in Taxes Back After Settlement Agreement

Layer Benzi Loonstein, who represented the poker players in these lawsuits, called it a "groundbreaking ruling", saying they'd been working intensely on the case for 18 months.

"This is the first time that the judge has ordered online casinos to refund the bets made to players," said Loonstein. "The gambling companies have clearly ignored their duty of care.

"The gambling companies have clearly ignored their duty of care"

"They can be reached 24/7 by people, while they do not see the damage being done. I assist clients who have gambled away their deceased parents' inheritance in a few days or whose savings account that was intended for their old age has disappeared. Such stories are very poignant. These are situations that the gambling companies are not aware of.

"With the rulings made, the court has shown that the behavior of the online casinos was unacceptable and that the losses must now be reimbursed."

According to Casinonieuws, PokerStars will have to repay 230,705 in losses as well as interest, legal and judicial costs. Meanwhile, Bwin must repay 187,622 along with interest and legal costs.

This isn't the first time poker has been the subject of Dutch courts, with a judge ruling against player refunds in 2015 and a seven-year trial in 2014 ruling that poker was a game of skill, not chance.

However, the Amsterdam Court of Appeals later overturned this ruling in 2016.

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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"Groundbreaking Ruling" Sees Poker Sites Ordered to Refund Losses to Players - PokerNews.com

Fifteen-time Circuit ring winner Josh Reichard is hungry to add a World Poker Tour (WPT) title to his poker resume, and he's in great shape to do so after bagging a massive chip lead with 16 players left in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship.

The Wisconsin crusher ended Day 3 with a stack of over 200 big blinds after also bagging the Day 2 chip lead. If the momentum keeps up, he will have his name on the Mike Sexton WPT Championship Cup and will earn the top prize of $839,300.

Though he has heaps, Reichard will have to get through a field that includes poker prodigies Landon Tice and Jesse Lonis, the latter of whom hasn't busted a Main Event in this venue in eight tournament days as he chopped the Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship in January three ways for $404,267.

The field also includes 2018 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic winner Dylan Linde, the only WPT Champions Club member remaining in the field. The poker author's deep run comes just weeks after he won a $10,000 High Roller on the WPT Voyage for $230,467.

Read About Day 2 of the WPT SHRPS!

There were 101 players who returned for Day 3 after an eventful Day 2 that included the bursting of the money bubble, and Reichard led the way with a stack 3,100,000. He only further amassed chips from there as the field shrunk by more than three-quarters and ended up putting 22,200,000 in the bag.

He's far in front of the next closest in chips, Alex Queen with 14,250,000, who himself is far in front of Wasim Assaf with 6,750,000.

Tice sits fifth in the chip counts while Lonis is further down the list, though both should be counting themselves lucky to advance. During Level 27, the two played a dramatic hand where Lonis was all in with pocket sixes against the ace-nine of Tice.

Lonis flopped a set to take a decent lead ahead of the gutshot of Tice, who hit his straight on the turn before the river put the same straight on the board to result in a chop.

"What a f***in' game, huh?" Tice said with a smile as the dealer divided the pot.

Ace-nine was also lucky for Mukul Pahuja, who doubled through Reichard despite being dominated by ace-queen. It was but a small setback for Reichard as he went on to eliminate Pahuja, Danny Panagatos and Chad Trentacosta to the end Day 3.

Day 4 will get underway on Tuesday, April 23 at noon local time with blinds at the same 50,000/100,000/100,000 as when play concluded on Day 3. The event will play down to six players, who will bag up before heading to Las Vegas for the televised final table on May 29.

PokerNews will be back on-site tomorrow for more coverage of the SHRPS action, and live updates from the event can be found on the WPT site in the meantime.

*Images courtesy Joe Giron & WPT

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Josh Reichard Leads Final 16 in WPT SHRPS; Lonis, Linde & Tice in Contention - PokerNews.com