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WELCOME TO THE SHARK POOL |
 | WELCOME TO THE SHARK POOL:
WEEKLY POKER NEWS: 07/11/2008: 09:00
Poker Guru, Peter Sharkey, keeps you up to date with what's been happening in the Poker World each week
Full Story Below >>>>> |
It’s been all about the USA this week. Was the US election outcome ever really in doubt? America’s latest poker-playing President will not be officially inaugurated into office until January, but it looks as though he’ll have little time for playing beforehand and once inside the White House, President Obama will face a pretty full agenda.
But the US election was not simply about Obama v McCain; Congressional seats too were up for grabs and, as anticipated, the world’s most powerful democracy experienced a shift to the left.
A number of poker industry figures are suggesting that once the dust settles, this should assist the campaign to re-introduce online poker in the US by regulating and taxing firms that operate there. In truth, however, this matter is nearer the bottom of a long list of problems that the new President must address rather than close to the top.
Nonetheless, online poker does have several influential exponents who have presented bills that would exempt online poker from the notorious Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) by officially declaring poker as a game of skill. Many of the game’s allies believe that people should be able to do what they want to do with their money in their home, provided it’s not harming anyone. As a poker player himself, President Obama undoubtedly acknowledges this and one suspects that he will review existing legislation at the earliest opportunity.
It’s also the weekend when we witness the return of the November Nine, back in town, interviewed out and just about raring to go to claim the world title and a little matter of a $9 million first prize.
Opinion is divided about whether the three month delay before the final table has been successful. Supporters of the move consider it a stroke of marketing genius, for the final table has morphed into a major televised event; there is now an element of genuine interest in which of these relatively unknown players will walk away with the world title.
Opponents argue that the self-enforced delay means the tournament has lost all momentum, that players will not be performing in the heat of battle, overcoming physical and mental exhaustion as previous winners have. The three month gap has allowed players to prepare, to be refreshed, to have spent time with coaches.
There’s little doubt that as the countdown to the final table showdown has continued, excitement has built; there is a sense that a genuinely sizeable poker ‘event’ is scheduled to take place. Purists would disagree, although in the absence of any really big names, there is a feeling amongst regular players of “that could be me”. Admittedly, there’s no Hellmuth or Negreanu, but as guys such as Moneymaker and Raymer have proved in recent years, you do not need to be a big name to become world champion, although after Monday, poker will have another big star.
Finally, prior to Sunday’s resumption of play in Vegas, this year’s inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame will be honoured with a special ceremony. Duane “Dewey” Tomko and Henry Orenstien will join some of poker’s most illustrious characters including Johnny Moss and Chip Reese.
Both men have enjoyed remarkable careers. Tomko, a former school teacher, is a WSOP veteran who boasts three bracelets and two main event runner-up finishes. After 35 consecutive years, he also holds the record for an amazing unbroken period of participation in the main event.
Henry Orenstein became famous for advocating the use of the ‘hole cam’, a tiny camera which allowed television viewers to see each player’s hole cards. The idea, for which Orenstein received a US patent, is widely credited with driving poker’s popularity over the past decade, although initially, many players were reluctant when told their cards would be seen on screen.
It should be no surprise that Orenstein came up with the idea. He is an inventor credited with more than one hundred patents and more poignantly, a Holocaust survivor who also won one WSOP bracelet of his own, in 1996 $5,000 Seven-Card Stud.
While poker players’ opinion was divided from a political respect, there’s no doubt that this pair will receive whole-hearted support.
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