World Series of Poker Asia/Pacific Championship Event Day Four: Benny Spindler Holds Final Table Chip Lead, Daniel Negreanu Second - and my top selection of links

A lot of exciting stuff today, from people like Jake Cody and places like Europe.


Ok, why don't we get started. All the links:

- Former Full Tilt CEO Bitar Formally Pleads Guilty - "Ray Bitar, the former CEO of Full Tilt Poker, officially entered a guilty plea to criminal charges on Monday, forfeiting $40 million to the U.S. government, according to reports" - [www.parttimepoker.com]

- "Tom Hall, $115,000 In the battle for the Caesars Cup, Team Europe emerged victorious for the second time in the Cup's history after battling through Team Asia/Pacific and the defending champion Team Americas" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]


- "The inaugural UKIPT Series event was hosted over the weekend at the Hippodrome Casino in London, with PokerStars Pro Jake Cody claiming the 19,400 first prize Played the same as the UKIPT Main Event - but with a 250.00 + 25.00 buy-in and thirty minute levels - the new PokerStars-sponsored UKIPT Series counts as a UKIPT side event for players keen to find themselves on top of the UKIPT leaderboard and the winner of each Series event also gets invited to the UKIPT Champion of Champions tournament at the end of Season 4 to battle it out for a UKIPT Season 5 passport" - [www.pokernewsreport.com]


- World Series of Poker Asia/Pacific Championship Event Day Four: Benny Spindler Holds Final Table Chip Lead, Daniel Negreanu Second - "As expected, Day Four at the World Series of Poker Asia/Pacific (WSOP APAC) Championship Event was a quick one, but the final table that will be played out on Monday will feature some excellent talent overall" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]

Bitcoin Poker Room SealsWithClubs Suffers DDOS Attack - and more links for you

So let's not wait any more, here are all the links:

- PokerStars Planning $40m Capital Investment in AC Club, Eying Other Opportunities - "Pending regulatory approval, the capital investment is expected to be in the range of $20m in the first year and could exceed $40m over the next five years" - [pokerfuse.com]

- "Pre-BF, we almost got Vikki Blows a sponsorship to play in the WSOP. True story" - [wickedchopspoker.com]


- Bitcoin Poker Room SealsWithClubs Suffers DDOS Attack - "A tech team at bitcoin-fueled, US-facing SealsWithClubs is working to restore the site after an attack shut it down for nearly two days, according to Seals pro Bryan Micon" - [pokerfuse.com]

- Dan Shak Wins PartyPoker Premier League VI - "PartyPoker's popular live invitation event, the PartyPoker Premier League VI, wrapped up this weekend after several days of opening heats" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]

- Microgaming's New Format Bad Beat Jackpot Pays Out Three Times in Four Days - "The new BBJ at Microgaming looks to solve these problems while maintaining attractive jackpots" - [pokerfuse.com]

- "In addition to hosting the culmination of the PartyPoker Premier League over the weekend, Aspers Casino in London was also the venue for the latest stop on the popular Sky Poker Tour" - [www.bluffeurope.com]

Colombia Cracks Down on Online Gaming Ahead of Regulation - and my top selection of links

A lot of exciting stuff today, from people such as Joe Hachem, Sam Trickett and Jerry Yang (entrepreneur) and places like Colombia and London.


So without further ado, here are the links:

- New Poker Series To Introduce Live Betting - "A new poker series set to begin next month could be the next evolution of televised poker, offering not only the players but also the viewers of the events innovative ways to be involved with the proceedings" - [www.pokercast.tv]

- "Ivey, Trickett, Hachem Captain Caesars Cup Teams at WSOP APAC" - [www.parttimepoker.com]
- "In advance of the formulation of new laws that will permit online gaming, the Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has issued a strong warning to unlicensed operators offering online gambling in the South American country" - [pokerfuse.com]


- "Today I'll take a look at a number of stories including a new Ivey Poker pro, Jerry Yang (entrepreneur) Group A results from the Party Poker Premier League, and some March Madness talk" - [pokernewsboy.com]


- "Ruben Visser (left) and Talal Shakerchi (right) were the big winners at EPT London this week (Photos: PokerNews / Neil Stoddart) Both Ruben Visser and Talal Shakerchi enjoyed career-best cashes with their wins at EPT London" - [betting.betfair.com]

Ruben Visser Takes Down EPT London Championship - and my top collection of links

Lots of interesting stuff today, from people like Greg Raymer and Chris Moorman and places like London.


So let's not wait any more, here are the links:

• "It started out as your normal run of the mill poker week, with the EPT London taking place, some software announcements from various online poker rooms, and 256 new sponsored pros joining Ivey Poker, like I said a typical week (ok, I made up the last bit, but it could happen)" - [pokernewsboy.com]
  
  
  
• Greg Raymer Owed Public Apology From Several Media Members - "Like most in the online poker industry, I read several stories about an unfortunate incident involving Greg Raymer on Friday" - [www.pokeraddict.net]
  
• Dutch Boyd Looks To Use Kickstarter To Fund Book Project - "Two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Dutch Boyd has taken to the online fundraising site Kickstarter to garner the funding to get his book into print" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  
• Moorman and O'Dwyer headline EPT London final table - "Headlining the final table are Steve O'Dwyer (who finished second in this event last year), Lock Poker pro and online legend Chris Moorman, and Team PokerStars pro Theo Jorgensen" - [pokernewsboy.com]
  
• Ruben Visser Takes Down EPT London Championship - "A week of exciting poker wrapped up in London, the United Kingdom on Saturday night with Ruben Visser capturing his first major championship victory at the European Poker Tour Main Event at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  

Antigua and US Return to Negotiating Table in WTO Dispute - and more links for you

We're speaking about people (Chris Ferguson and Mike Caro), places (London, New York, Illinois and Antigua) and everything else in the middle.


Okay, the links are:

- "Chick Wins Poker Tournament" - [wickedchopspoker.com]
- "Poker's best come out for PokerStars EPT London" - [pokernewsboy.com]
- New York Legislators Add Online Poker to State Budget Proposal - "A New York Senate budget proposal championed by the state's Senate Majority Coalition includes language calling for the introduction of state-authorized online poker in New York" - [pokerfuse.com]

- Who Would Make the Cut to Offer Online Poker in Illinois? - "Proposed legislation designed to bring online poker-along with expanded gambling-to Illinois carries heavy restrictions that could block many current industry leaders" - [pokerfuse.com]

- "The tiny Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda's ongoing World Trade Organization dispute with the United States over online gambling may see the two parties make one more attempt to return to the bargaining table" - [pokerfuse.com]


- "Poll: Should Ferguson and Lederer's Punishment Been More Harsh?" - [wickedchopspoker.com]
- "In a deepening of its existing relationship with Playtech, Ladbrokes has announced that it will "in due course" move its online poker operation off Microgaming (MPN) and onto Playtech's iPoker network" - [pokerfuse.com]


- Mike Caro: Today's word is... VARIOUS - "Mike Caro is widely regarded as the world's foremost authority on poker strategy, psychology, and statistics" - [www.pokerplayernewspaper.com]

Bitcoin Deposits and Withdrawals come to iPoker - plus my links selection

I have got a lot of online poker related links to take a look at and various topics covering Mike Caro, London, Delaware, Hollywood, Bitcoin and Chris Ferguson.


So, the links are:

• "Mike Caro is widely regarded as the world's foremost authority on poker strategy, psychology, and statistics" - [www.pokerplayernewspaper.com]
  
  
  
• EPT London Day 1B: Sergio Aido Continues London Run, Outdistances Pack - "Day 1B of the European Poker Tour (EPT) London Main Event wrapped up Monday and, as expected the tournament room swelled as almost twice as many players were seated for the second starting flight as were in the first. After 236 players registered for Day 1A, 411 signed up for Day 1B, bringing the two-day total to 647 runners" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  
• Ready, Set It's The Delaware Park Poker Classic! - "Delaware Park's 3rd annual Poker Classic will be happening this May 8-28!" - [www.pokerplayernewspaper.com]
  
• Almost Heaven, Blue Ridge Mountains Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia - "Treat yourself to the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and play in the highly anticipated Hollywood Poker Open" - [www.pokerplayernewspaper.com]
  
• ""Because of our reduced fraud risk, we can take very large Bitcoin deposits from players that wish to play high-stakes immediately, and don't wish to wait for a bank wire" WinPoker.com, on the iPoker network, is adding Bitcoin support for deposits and withdrawals, pokerfuse can exclusively reveal" - [pokerfuse.com]
  
  
  
• Poll: Should Ferguson and Lederer's Punishment Been More Harsh? - "And that begs the question: did Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson get off easy?" - [wickedchopspoker.com]
  

Full Tilt Poker Announces FTOPS XXII Schedule - and more links to check out

I have got a lot of online poker related links to look over and a number of topics covering London, Christmas, Full Tilt Poker, Microgaming, Mike Caro, Saved by the Bell, Madrid and Poker tournament.


OK, the links are:

- "Sky Poker Tour set for London" - [www.bluffeurope.com]
- 5,000 in Prizes Plus 5,000 in Cash Awaits You During the Aspers Christmas Cracker - "During the holiday season Aspers Casino is Westfield Stratford City will be hosting a very special poker event - the Christmas Cracker in association with Paddy Power Poker and iFindPoker" - [www.pokershark.com]

- "The Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS) is back for the second time at the resurrected Full Tilt Poker" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]


- Microgaming Restructures Bad Beat Jackpot, Moves to Opt-In System - "MPN, formerly Microgaming poker network, has announced a restructuring of its Bad Beat Jackpot (BBJ) from March 19" - [pokerfuse.com]

- "Mike Caro: Today's word is... WIN" - [www.pokerplayernewspaper.com]
- "Wicked Chops Podcast: Fred Bevill on Saved by the Bell, Federated/Epic, and HPT" - [wickedchopspoker.com]
- "PokerStars Spain is launching its first series of online satellites to qualify for a regular live tournament in its new poker room in Casino Gran Madrid" - [pokerfuse.com]


- Nevada Proposes Bill to Tax Online Poker Tournaments - "Burnett, seeks to add online poker tournament entry fees to the list of activities for which online poker operators are required to pay tax" - [pokerfuse.com]

The Brunson 10 Gets Another Member - and my top selection of links

We have got a lot of online poker related links to look through and a variety of topics covering Ohio, Doyle Brunson, London, Poker, Chris Christie and Deauville.


Right, why don't we get started. All the links:

- "In the new casinos in Ohio, there are moves being made that are bucking that normal trend" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]


- "The Brunson 10 Gets Another Member" - [www.pokernewsteam.com]
- EPT London Set to be Biggest Yet - ""I am very excited that EPT London is returning to the Vic, where it began" - [www.bluffeurope.com]

- PokerStars, PPA Pleased With Online Gaming Progress in New Jersey - "Both PokerStars and the Poker Players Alliance issued statements saying they were pleased with recent events in New Jersey regarding online poker and gaming" - [www.parttimepoker.com]

- "After what was an agonizing 45 day wait for its proponents, Governor Chris Christie of the state of New Jersey has conditionally vetoed legislation that would have made the state only the third in the U" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]


- EPT Deauville, Day Four: Tough Day For Leaders As Field Down To 23 Players - "It was not a good Thursday to be one of the leaders of the European Poker Tour stop in Deauville, France, as those at the top of the pack at the start of play yesterday found themselves outside looking in for today's action" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]

PartyPoker Premier League IV: Negreanu Wins Heat 6 - and more links to check out

So let's not wait any more, here are all the links:

• PokerStars Launched Play Money Facebook App - "PokerStars launched a play money poker app on Facebook this week, a move which many speculate is a precursor to an eventual real money companion site to its standard, downloadable poker client" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  
• "PokerStars' new poker room inside the Hippodrome Casino in London will open on March 4th" - [www.bluffeurope.com]
  
  
  
• "I went to Rapid City to watch the Super Bowl with my old coworkers that were a part of the company that I moved to the Black Hills to work for" - [www.pokeraddict.net]
  
  
  
• "The Delaware State Lottery is accepting bids for service providers for its online gambling regime and hopes to have sites operational by Sept. 30. State officials issued a request for proposal that permits gaming companies to place bids on providing services to facilitate the operation of Internet gambling sites" - [www.pokernewsreport.com]
  
  
  
• "Collusion Alleged at 2009 Partouche Poker Tour Main Event Final Table" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  
• Shared Poker Player Pools on Spain 2013 Action Plan - "La Direccin General del Ordenacin del Juego (DGOJ), regulator of online gambling in Spain, has produced its proposed strategy for 2013" - [pokerfuse.com]
  
• "PartyPoker Premier League IV: Negreanu Wins Heat 6" - [www.pokernewsteam.com]
  

William Hill, Gibraltar Regulator Slam UK Legislative Plans - plus my links selection

A lot of exciting stuff today, from people like Chris Moneymaker, Chris Ferguson and Patrik Antonius and places like Gibraltar.


So let's not wait any more, here are the links:

- William Hill, Gibraltar Regulator Slam UK Legislative Plans - "In this they are supported by William Hill Online's regulator in Gibraltar" - [pokerfuse.com]

- PPA Asks NJ Residents to Urge Gov. Christie to Sign Bill - "Poker's popularity, both online and live, increased greatly in 2003 when an unknown named Chris Moneymaker was victorious in an online satellite tournament that offered an entry to the Main Event of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas" - [www.pokernewsreport.com]

- "Zokay Entertainment announced Thursday the launch of Fantasy Poker Manager, a free-play fantasy game on the Facebook platform" - [pokerfuse.com]


- Tournament Poker Heads to Hippodrome - "London's newest poker venue, The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, will be dipping its toes into the tournament poker waters next week by hosting its first ever MTT" - [www.bluffeurope.com]

- Ferguson Civil Chat with DOJ - "Chris Ferguson has been in extensive talks with the US United States Department of Justice over the last few weeks according to recent reports" - [www.bluffeurope.com]

- "Patrik Antonius (Image: PokerNews.com) Despite being better known as a high stakes cash game specialist, Antonius also has some impressive results in the tournament world" - [betting.betfair.com]

Mike Matusow Wins NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship - and top links

We're talking about people (Mike Matusow), places (Antigua and Madrid) and everything in between.


Right, let's get started. All the links:

• Mike Matusow Wins NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship - "All that may have changed this weekend, though, as Mike Matusow defeated Phil Hellmuth in the finals of the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHUPC) and pocketed $750,000" - [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  
• "Aspers Casino in London is giving players the chance to celebrate the Chinese New Year in style with a bumper cash giveaway" - [www.bluffeurope.com]
  
  
  
• "However, if you've haven't been within earshot of the poker community this weekend you'll not know about Mike Matusow's victory in this year's NBC Heads-Up Championship title" - [www.bluffeurope.com]
  
  
  
• WTO Issues Final Approval for Antigua to Retaliate in US Online Gambling Dispute - "The World Trade Organization (WTO) granted Antigua final approval on Monday to proceed with the sale of items protected under US copyright law as a means of compensation for what Antigua describes as unfair trade practices that "devastated" its economy" - [pokerfuse.com]
  
• Diaz Dominates Estrellas Madrid - "Numbers may have been down in the French capital for the Euro Finals of Poker but there were no such concerns in Spain's largest city with a bumber field of 632 runners on hand for the Madrid leg of the PokerStars Estrellas Poker Tour" - [www.bluffeurope.com]
  

Schleswig-Holstein Repeals Gaming Law, Votes to Join State Treaty - and top links

Right, why don't we get going. All the links:

- "A pitted legal battle over the introduction of sports betting in New Jersey was kicked up a notch this week with the United States Department of Justice's filing of papers to join an action designed to stop New Jersey's plans" - [pokerfuse.com]


- "In a scenario which could never have been forecast two years ago, Full Tilt Poker is to host satellites to the PokerStars sponsored EPT Main Event in London. Full Tilt Poker has announced that it will be hosting online satellites to the EPT London Main Event from this weekend (January 27th), with winners of the $640.00 buy-in tournaments receiving a prize package worth approximately $12,000" - [www.pokernewsreport.com]


- Schleswig-Holstein Repeals Gaming Law, Votes to Join State Treaty - "Land" - [pokerfuse.com]

- 2012 Shows Online Poker Decline in France and Italy - "The steep decline in online poker revenue in both Italy and France in 2012 seems to be linked to the lack of shared poker player pools" - [www.pokernewsreport.com]

- "Mark Hillary, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License The German Federal Court ruled to suspend its decision on the legality of its State Treaty on Gaming, Thursday, with questions submitted to the Court of Justice for the European Union (CJEU) regarding the consistency of its gambling framework" - [pokerfuse.com]