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Would You Like to Work for PokerPages.com?
PokerPages.com are looking for customer support staff to work out of their European office. If you have good poker knowledge, computer experience, customer skills, are self-motivated and willing to learn, and are interested to relocate to the sunshine, then we may have the job for you. Please send your details and reasons why you would want to work for PokerPages to Tina@PokerPages.com
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PokerSchool Online
Join PokerSchool and become a winner!
PokerSchool membership is only $14.95 per month or $149.95 annually.
We are very proud of the recent achievements of 2 PokerSchool members, both of whom became winners at the recent World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, taking home over $70,000 between them. Hukilau won a super satellite which provided entry into the $10,000 main event, and then played against some of the top names in the world and finished 9th. What an achievement! Depraved entered the $500 + $65 NLHE Event, beating a field of 246 players to finish first. Way to go guys!
 Lederer Wins At Foxwoods!
We would also like to congratulate Howard Lederer of Nevada for his huge win at Foxwoods in the WPF $10,000 No Limit Hold'em event. This big winner took home $320,400. Additionally, he won a $25,000 WPT seat for the final event in the World Poker Finals. An incredible victory!
Lou Krieger Becomes Dean of PokerSchool - PokerSchool Online Inc. announces that noted Poker author and columnist, Lou Krieger, became Dean of PokerSchoolOnline.com on November 15, 2002. Lou will take an active role in the school and will continue to build upon the vision established by School founders Mark and Tina Napolitano...Read More
The Pokerschool Online Tutorial Team
PSO Convention
We are delighted to announce the first ever PokerSchoolOnline Convention will take place during the World Poker Open at Tunica. There will be a $100 Buy-in No Limit Hold'em Tournament on the 9th January starting at 6pm, a day of golf also on the 9th (organised by the members) for the DJ Express Fund, and a day of eating and seminars on the 11th. We have catered for 100 members only and right now we have 65 committed to attending.
We will be holding an online poker tournament in PokerSchool to give away a block of 20 rooms at a lower rate. This will be a wonderful gathering of the school members, and Mark and I are really looking forward to meeting everyone in person. If you are a school member you can submit your registration here. If you are not a school member, then join now. Don't delay, register today as limited places are available.
Poker In America
Tim Kopp of PokerPages writes about Poker in America
Welcome back to Poker in the USA. I'm both pleased and honored to be taking over this section of the PokerPages newsletter and giving Kevin Pratt a bit of much needed help. Deadlines are deadlines however, so rather than boring you with introductions (there'll be time for that later), lets get right to it.
In our last edition, the popular World Poker Finals at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino was in full swing and the action didn't let up. Our continuing coverage of the World Poker Finals brings us to event #11, the $1,000 buy in No limit Hold 'Em event. With $5,000 added to the prize pool players were anxious to get to work, and get to work they did. Chip Jett led the charge and worked his way through the other 100 players to win his second final table and claim the first place prize of $35,700.
Event #12 7-Card Stud saw 83 players and an $88,000 prize pool. First place honors went to Curt Kohlberg, who collected $32,560 for his efforts. Next up, Event 13. Vincent Curry, a strong player from Connecticut took home first place and beat 81 other players to collect $30,960. Event 14, No Limit Hold 'Em saw first place go to a Former World Champion who is no stranger to final table action. Carlos Mortensen took First place and $53,280 proving once again he's a force to be reckoned with when it comes to no limit.
Event #15 saw the colorful Spiro Mitrokostas take first place prize of $35,880 in the $2,000 limit Hold 'Em Event. Spiro was back at it the next day making it to the final table of Event 16, 7-Card Stud. With $116,000 up for grabs in the prize pool Spiro had to settle for 5th place. 1st place went to Andy Bloch who collected $42,920 in a fine effort.
The next two Events before the Championship was set to start, events 17 and 18, saw drastically reduced buy-in amounts ($300) and the players responded by showing up in force. 222 players showed up for event 18 ½ Stud - ½ Hold 'Em. The $68,600 prize pool was heavily contested, but it was Nick Frangos who ended up taking 1st place and the $23,324 that went along with it.
The other small buy-in event, event 18 H.O.S.E, saw another high turn out with 186 players. Jeff King would not be pushed around however and took 1st and the $20,230 that went along with it.
Next up was the 3 day WPT Championship No Limit Hold' Em event. 89 players were able to inflate the prize pool to just under a million dollars ($915,000). Whoever took first would not only win a $25,000 seat to the WPT finals but they would also haul in a hefty $320,000. With that sort of money at stake, you knew that the biggest names in poker would be in attendance.
You might not recognize his name, but at the end of the second day Eric Holum, no stranger to these sorts of stakes held almost a 9K-chip lead over the rest of the field. Though I'm sure he was happy, he couldn't have felt too comfortable with 45 players still remaining, many of them world class players. In fact, right behind him in chip count were Chris Tspiraildis, Phil Ivey, Layne Flack and Daniel Negreanu respectively. Surely, this was no time to feel cozy at the top.
Unfortunately, Eric was nowhere to be found when the dust settled and final table was ready to start. Final table play was heated with such a great prize up for grabs, but it was top Pro Howard Lederer, who incidentally was in 21st place at the end of day 2, came charging back to secure the 1st place prize money and the seat in the WPT finals. Well done Howard! What a fantastic event. Hats off to Poker Director Kathy Raymond, Tournament Director Mike Ward and the rest of the Foxwoods staff for putting together one of best events the East Coast saw in 2002.
Some other events of note since our last newsletter:
- Hollywood Park's Popular "Back 9" series for November is just wrapping up (Nov. 11 to 13 & Nov. 18 to 20). If you're a fan of re-buys and were not able to attend these events, you missed out. In the three days there were a whooping 1,651 rebuys with the prize pool for each event averaging just over $10,000. As I'm writing this I'm still waiting for the results for the final day of the event, but it was much of the same for the second half of the Back 9. Billy Alicante won the event's biggest 1st place prize with $6230 in the 1st event, Limit Hold 'Em. Let's do it again next year!
- In Ladies News, The Bicycle Casino held its "Queen of Queens" Ladies Free Roll. Los Angeles local Lilly Lai (how's that for alliteration) would not be denied and took home 1st place honors and $1,500. This was the last of the Bike's Ladies Free Roll events for 2002. I hope that the Bicycle brings this series back for '03 and keeps woman's poker in the spotlight.
- Next we go north of the border to Saskatchewan, Canada for Casino Regina's 6th Annual Harvest Classic. The Harvest Classic is becoming a very popular event, even attracting many well-known players. There were 4 events in all. In event 1, 7-Card Stud, Jerry Carter won 1st place and $11,725. Event #2 saw Wes Gronhovd take home $14,440 with his first place finish in Omaha Hi/lo.
Dave Schraff won the Championship Limit Hold 'Em event making his way through 173 other players and collecting $28,873 for his troubles. And Finally in the final event, Event 4-No limit Hold 'Em, Doug Kohli took 1st place and $23,742. Grab a jacket and head up to the great white north for next year's Harvest Classic, as the word on the street is Casino Regina's tournaments keep getting better and better.
Looking ahead to the rest of this month and into December we have the following events ready to go:
In Keeping With Kevin Pratt's fine tradition of "Who's Hot" in the US for this issue, I have to nominate heavy weight Chip Jett. Chip won 2 final tables during his stint at the Foxwoods World Poker Finals. His first place finish in events 9 and 11 netted him $54,570. Not too shabby for a couple days of work!
That's it for this issue of Poker in America, I hope you enjoyed it and I also look forward to seeing you again in December. If you have questions, comments, input or hate mail, please feel free to write me.
Tim Kopp
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The Big One II
You must be a member of PokerSchool Online in order to participate! PokerSchool membership is only $14.95 per month or $149.95 annually. Click here to join now!
The Big One II offers over $100,000 worth of Sponsorship points that can be redeemed for a sponsorship in a major poker tournament anywhere in the world. If you would like to read more about sponsorship points, click here.
If you don't know already, the Big One II is a simple concept with a million details. But here's the summary:
Play in a certain number of PokerSchool Tournaments and Satellites and be automatically placed in two different sets of leagues. One league set is for satellites and one for tournaments. Click here to read more about leagues. If you are a top ranking player in one or both leagues at the end of the month, you'll be qualified to play in a Round Two event. These events occur once a month. Top players in Round Two events are eligible to play in the Final Big One Event on Dec 21 2002. Of course, there is a lot more information you need to know than that. You can read more about the Big One II here.
Watch this space for more information about the Big One II!
Poker In Europe
Kevin Pratt of PokerPages writes about Poker in Europe
We left the Masterclassics in Holland at the Main Event stage the 3,000 Lido No Limit Hold'em in the last newsletter. There were 198 entries for a record Lido prize pool of 630,000. Entry number 198 came from Angelo Yu Zuoping an unlikely sounding Italian who went on to win the event and 235,224. Angelo had no intention of playing in this expensive event but decided to go for it only 5 minutes before the start.
Actually Angelo was born in China plays in Austria but lives in Italy. I'm not sure if this is the biggest tournament win in Europe outside the PokerMillion but I think that it is. The Lido Main Event was also noted for producing one of the greatest hands seen in poker and I thank Rolf Slotboom for providing us with this report of it:
"With about nine tables left, an aggressive player made a big raise from early position, holding the relatively weak 98 of clubs. He probably thought there was a decent chance to steal the blind and ante money, and of course hoped no one was able to call. He was in for a rude surprise: the guy to his left went all-in, as did the next
and the next
and the next! Five players were all-in before the flop, holding 98 of clubs, two red jacks, two tens, two black kings, and two black aces, or four big pairs and a nice snap-off hand.
The flop came ten-eight-seven with two diamonds, giving the wired tens top set and leaving the others only a tad of hope to improve to the winner. Turn: ace of diamonds, with the best hand on the flop now suddenly drawing to one out, and giving the rockets a huge hand: top set, three aces. But when the river came a fourth diamond, a red jack was enough to claim this amazing pot, with the three aces having to settle for the side pot. Five people all-in before the flop in a big freeze-out tournament, with an incredible match-up of hands, and a ditto board; no-limit hold'em, what a game!"
Event 5 at the Masterclassics saw another field hit the maximum 220 with Koray Saka of Sweden taking first prize of 107,395 in the 220 No Limit Hold'em. This was Koray's second win at the Masterclassics this year as he previously won the 200 No Limit Hold'em.
Isabelle Mercier the card room manager at the Aviation proved that she could play poker with the big guns as well by finishing second. The final event the 220 Pot Limit Omaha was won by Joseph Noujeim of Germany 68,191.
Congratulations to Adele Bruijn and all the staff at Holland Casino for putting on a first class festival. All the tournaments with the exception of the Main Event had the maximum number of entries. The Masterclassics is surely the premier event in the European calendar.
The Winter Tournament at the Aviation Club in France got underway on the 13th November with the first 2 events going to local player Claude Cohen. Claude received 3,490 for winning the 50 No Limit Hold'em and 2,100 for winning the 50 Pot Limit Dealers Choice.
The 500 Pot Limit Omaha/Hold'em saw 44 players contest a first prize of 14,000 and it was left to Angelo Besnainou to take the spoils.
Frederic Hagege from France won the 500 No Limit Hold'em from a disappointing field of only 26 entries 6,040 and if you look at his photo you will see that it was a bruising battle.
Another Frenchman Martin Ceccaldi won the 100 Pot Limit Double Flop Hold'em and 2,520. The Aviation continues until Sunday 24th November with the Main Event being the 2,000 No Limit Hold'em on the 23rd November. Check out the PokerPages website for daily updates.
I have been looking at the numbers of players at the Aviation Winter Tournament this year compared to the numbers in 2000 and it appears that there are only about half as many entries this year. With all the results going to French players I am assuming that most of the travelling European players are now giving the Aviation a miss. If you look at the numbers at the Masterclassics a week earlier then you will see that all the players are preferring Holland to France as Holland had the maximum entries for nearly every event. Perhaps Isabelle from the Aviation would like to comment with regards to why this is? The Aviation is in the spotlight next year as it's the only European Casino that is holding a World Poker Tour Event so they need to do something to attract the travelling players.
Barcelona in Spain hosts their first festival the Barcelona Open from 21st November to the 24th November with the Main Event being the 1,000 No Limit Hold'em which is a double chance tournament. Good luck to the staff at Gran Casino as it's always great to see new countries putting on poker festivals. Anyone wishing to play in Barcelona is advised to book early as they have limited numbers.
The player who is 'HOT' in Europe right now is Koray Saka from Sweden who won 2 events at the Masterclassics and a total of 147,391.
Next time it might be you who is the 'HOT' player in the next newsletter
By Kevin Pratt
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FREEROLL
Win a $10,000 Seat at the World Poker Open
PokerPages does it again with another exciting Warm Up opportunity - your chance to go and play at the main event at the World Poker Open in Tunica in January 2003, where there is a guarantee of $1,000,000.
Warm-Up Started September 23 - Don't delay download the software today !!!!
Even non-poker players have to agree, this is the experience of a lifetime! It costs you nothing to participate in this warm up and you could earn the chance to play against world class poker players, as well as take home part of a huge prize pool at the World Poker Open. The WPO is an internationally acclaimed poker event, famous for its players and action. Last January at the 2002 WPO main event, the prize pool was over $1,000,000! The big winner, Costa Rica's Humberto Brenes won $502,460!
So now it's your turn to get in on that action...for free! PokerPages is holding the first ever WPO Warm-Up on their exclusive software. Starting September 23rd, you will be able to play Round 1 WPO Warm-Up tournaments on the PokerPages Software. You can download it here. If you finish as one of the 15 top players of a Round 1 event tournament, then you will qualify to play in a Round 2. Be one of the top 20 to place in a Round 2 event, and you will qualify for the Final Event on Wed Jan. 1, 3pm CST. The 1st place prize is a $10,000 seat in the WPO 2003. See our schedules here.
Round 2 and Final Event Qualifications
Round Two Qualifiers List To get on this list, you must play in one of our WPO Round 1 Warm-Up Tournaments and be one of the top fifteen winners. These winners will be qualified to play in the coming weekend's Round 2 events. Each Round 2 event will have approximately 300 players. Be one of the top 20 to place in a Round 2 event, and you will qualify for the Final Event on Wed Jan. 1, 3pm CST. Go to the Round 2 qualifier list to see who has qualified so far, or click here to view the schedule.
The Final Event Qualifiers List To get on this list, you must place at least 20th in a Round 2 event. Final Event qualifiers are then qualified to play in the Final Event. The first place prize is a $10,000 seat at the World Poker Open! Go to the Final Event qualifier list to see who has qualified so far or click here to view the schedule.
Rules and conditions of Play
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Atlantis World is proud to invite you to the first international poker tournament in St Maarten, a superb Caribbean island. This event takes place from December 1st to December 10th, 2002.
The casino offers $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool in four tournaments and the best side cash game action (poker high roller from all over the world)...read more
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Player Article
Poem by Keith Wilkinson
If you can keep your chips, when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust the odds when all men doubt you;
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,
Or, being drawn out on, don't go on tilt,
Or, running dry, don't start over-creating,
And keep on winning money without guilt...Read more
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Poker in the U.K.
Kevin Pratt of the PokerPages Team writes about poker in the UK.
We have had one tournament since the last newsletter and that was the Winter Festival at the Gala Casino, Dundee, Scotland. Mick 'The Clock' Cook had a great week by winning the £500 Pot Limit Hold'em from a field of 52. Mick took £8,000 for first place from the £26,000 prize pool. He followed this result up with second place in the Main Event £200 Pot Limit Hold'em securing at least £7,000. W. Poon was the overall winner and collected £11,000.
The £100 No Limit Holdem saw Keith Hawkins in the winners enclosure again collecting £7,000. Keith won the main event at Luton back in the summer. Roy Brindley proved himself yet again by taking the £100 Pot Limit Omaha and £5,000 and M. Frisby won the £50 Pot Limit Hold'em £4,300. This was another successful festival run by Gala who are proving, that they along with Grosvenor are committed to promoting Poker throughout the UK.
The Rendezvous Casino in Brighton, another Gala Casino, have announced that they are putting no less that 5 festivals on next year.
I have recently added the schedule for the Christmas Cracker festival at Grosvenor Casino, Luton on the website and that just about covers the full schedules in the UK for the year with the exception of the Southampton Poker Championships. For some reason the Championships are less than 2 weeks away and on ringing Southampton I was told that they haven't decided what the games are yet. If anyone knows then please let me know.
Next tournament up in the UK is the Midland Masters in Walsall which culminates in the 2nd running of the Quartermillion a £2,500 No Limit Hold'em Freezout. This is a 2 day event starting on the 30th November which was last year won by David Holmes who took home £141,000, the biggest first prize in the UK last year.
The player who is 'HOT' since the last newsletter has to be Mick Cook for his first and second at Dundee. Congratulations to Mick one of the best players in the UK.
Finally one of my best friends Garry Bush gets married on the 30th November and true to his poker addiction the reception is being cut short because it is day one of the Quatermillion. Garry is currently ranked No.1 in Europe at the moment and his wife to be has the possibility of a fun packed night listening to his bad beat from the tournament.
You can e-mail me with any thoughts, views, or general information at kevin@pokerpages.com
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Poker Down Under
Reported by David Parlor
Crown Casino's last tournament before The 2003 Australasian Poker Championships will begin next week with their Special Weekend of Poker. The weekend will include Satellite's for The New Zealand Championships as well as two satellites for the 10K Main Event in January. Around AUD $500,000 in entry fees is already being held by Crown for the Main Event which I believe will easily exceed the projected $1 million prize pool.
For those that are not interested in satellites or have not qualified for the final from the weekly tournaments, Saturday 29th is your day to enjoy some great tournament action. A Costa Rican Style Rebuy & Terminator No Limit Holdem Tournament has been planned for this day and is sure to generate a lot of action. This tournament will allow rebuys for the first four levels, increasing in cost and number of chips as the levels increase. At the end of the first four levels, an add-on will be allowed. Prize money for this event will be split 75% as a standard prize pool and 25% for eliminating players. The more players you knockout the more money you receive. Still confused? Stop into the Crown Room and ask any of the staff for details.
While many of Melbourne's tournament junkies will be playing in the Special Poker Weekend some new players will get their first taste of tournament action early in December. The Learn To Play Poker program at Crown will culminate in a Beginners Only Tournament to be held early at this time. To be a part of this ask about a free lesson from Thursday to Sunday at The Crown Poker Room.
For any other questions about Poker in Australia please email me.
-David Parlor
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PokerDollars
Play for free on our PokerPages software and win a chance to join PokerSchool Online! Just download the PokerPages software here!
If you have registered and downloaded our software and play in the fun play cardroom of PokerPages you can Win Poker Dollars. The Top 3 players on the ranking system at the end of the month win, 3 months, 2 months and 1 month respectively in PokerSchool Online. You must play in at least 20 freeroll tournaments during this month in order to win. To see our winners so far, click here!
If you are an existing school member you can still play in the Fun Play cardroom and win Poker Dollars towards your existing school membership.
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Signing Off
We hope you enjoyed our twice-monthly newsletter. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter or have any suggestions, please email tina@pokerpages.com. So until next time, be lucky!
Sincerely,
The PokerPages Staff.
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