Crash Landing Thurs, 08 May 2008 11:51 GMT

The dollar might be at an all time low, which makes Europeans collectively salivate, but it is spelling disaster on a number of levels in America. Particularly in the wild world of casinos. You would think that the powerhouses of Vegas would be relatively immune from the landslide but profits are literally being driven into the ground. Yes people, the economy is that bad. MGM Mirage Inc. just released their first-quarter numbers and eyeballs in boardrooms across the Strip popped in miraculous fashion. If those diminished figures are any indication, the casino industry could be in trouble. Put another way, despite the untold millions who pour through Vegas every year, profits fell 30 percent in the first quarter. Earnings were at 118.3 million dollars, compared to 168.2 million dollars from the same quarter last year. This quarter was challenging, understated MGM chief executive Terry Lanni to investors on a recent conference call, and it was clearly impacted by the economy. Our job is to manage within the context to maximise profitability in what will surely be a challenging year. A healthy dose of sugar-coating was all he could muster to keep people hitting the roof. On the front line to turn things around is a beefed up marketing strategy to get people who can afford to go on vacation to open their wallets. Do it without thinking is one catch phrase already being tested on frugal Americans. But the damage is already taking its toll. Four-hundred MGM employees have already been laid off but they claim they won’t make any more cuts, as long as profits start making the long climb back up to normal, whatever that is in Vegas.

Dutch Master Weds, 07 May 2008 16:04 GMT

Poker Stars Latin America Poker Tour (the LAPT) always seemed like a great idea and we are wondering why it took so long to finally come to fruition. Either way, it has been worth the wait, especially for final-table chip leader and eventual champ, Hollands Julien Nuijten. Held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, the distractions were par for the course, but once inside, it was all business, but unfortunately for the only Brazilian at the final table, it wasn’t the result he was looking for. Eduardo Henriques re-raised all-in against Julien, showing only 7 club and 8 spade against Juliens Ace Heart and 5 Club. The flop gave hope to Brazilian fans with 8 heart, 4 diamond, 4 club, but an ace club came on the river, making local favourite the 5th place finisher. Alex Brenes, brother of the delightful Humberto who was cheering him on in the audience, was the next one to go. When heads up began, 47 year old Russian native Vitaly Kovyazin was sitting on 1,740,000 chips against 19-year-old Nuijtens 1,400,000. It was a wild ride, with chip leads exchanging hands and Kovyazin was given a lifeline on the river at least once. But Nuijten was the more aggressive player and in the end, Kovyazin took 117,750 dollars and a second-place finish. Nuijten took home 222,940 dollars and will always be remembered as the first LAPT final table winner.

Living for Today Tues, 06 May 2008 16:00 GMT

Gambling Online Magazine cover girl Liv Boeree still has hopes of becoming a rock star but taking priority right now is her rocketing success as a poker player, especially after she just scooped 30,000 dollars at the third annual Ladbrokes Poker European Ladies Championship. Over the bank holiday, Liv, along with 52 other runners including Purple Lounges Michelle Orpe, Abi Titmuss and WSOPE reigning champ Annette Obrestad, all assembled in London for the big event. Having just signed up to Absolute Poker, Liv has the support she needs to make a commanding name for herself in the professional poker ranks. Good timing too as the WSOP in Las Vegas looms and in addition to her monetary win, she won a seat to the Main Event. Regardless of your gender, this win gives all aspiring poker players inspiration as just a couple of years ago you would have seen a very unsure Liv learning to play poker on a Channel 5 reality show. Now she is calling some serious shots. I’m over the moon with my win, she said afterward. Coincidentally, I was recently in a debate about female only tournaments and although I did say I thought they were unnecessary this tourney has exceeded my expectations. The standard of play, the sense of camaraderie, community over the last couple of days has made this an event to remember! The tournament is going to be aired on Sky Sports in July and August.

Latin Poker Extravaganza Fri, 02 May 2008 14:44 GMT

PokerStars Latin American Poker Tour kicks off tomorrow. With stops in Brazil, Costa Rica and Uruguay, the tour is set to bring world-class poker action to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The tour kicks off in the beautiful beach city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May 3rd to May 5th. This three-day 2,500 dollars tournament will be the largest poker tournament ever held in Brazil, with players competing for a total prize pool of over 600,000 dollars. Among the players will be Team PokerStars Pros and international poker stars Andre Akkari from Brazil and Humberto Brenes from Costa Rica. The tour continues with the LAPT San Jose in Costa Rica from May 22nd to the 24th, and then moves on to Uruguay for the LAPT Punta del Este from August 7th to the 9th. LAPT President Glenn Cademartori said: Poker is exploding in Latin America and the game is more than ready for its own major poker tour. It is one of the fastest-growing poker regions, and there are thousands upon thousands of players in countries like Brazil and Argentina who will love the chance to take part in events of this kind. In every regard, the LAPT is going to put Latin America on the map as the newest hotspot to play high-stakes international poker.

WSOP Final Table Moving to November? Thurs, 01 May 2008 15:47 GMT

If rumours coming out of the American press are accurate, then the lucky nine players who make it to the final table of this years World Series of Poker could have to wait an agonising 117 days for the next hand to be dealt—with the final table moving to November for television broadcast. It is expected that the WSOP will make an announcement on the change over the course of today. The decision would allow ESPN to broadcast coverage on the day of the event, as well as running shows documenting how players got there, how they have used the time to prepare, and so on. Interested parties hope that the added time will build anticipation and knowledge of the players. The champion will be crowned on the day of air. We are very excited about this change, ESPNs senior producer Jamie Horowitz told USA Today.

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