Poker News and Poker Gossip

Ok, I know this isn’t poker related, but I came accross this on Digg. Apparently this guy’s name is Batman Bin Suparman. Is it just me or is this possibly the world’s best name? He’s 2 parts super hero, and one part terrorist! Either his parent’s thought this would be hilarious, or they have no idea what they created.. either way, this is solid gold IMO.

The news of scammers posing as online poker room security reps to phish for passwords to gain access to player’s accounts is nothing new, but a friendly reminder is always in order.

It looks as if they are at it again, as a poster at 2plus2 posted a warning that he had been hit recently, by a scammer claiming to represent Full Tilt Poker. The email stated that blacklisted IP addresses had tried to access his account and he needed to update his account security settings. This email followed an unrequested password change email that was the “set-up” for this phishing scam.

Unfortunately, he downloaded this “important update”, but his politeness in thanking the security team at Full Tilt may have saved him from financial harm. Full Tilt acted quickly in locking down his account to protect his funding and information and asked him to warn other players that the scam is back in town.

If you happen to receive an email from any poker site that you belong to, asking you to change a password or download an update that just doesn’t quite sit right with you, email support before acting on anything in the email. In most cases, software and security updates are done at site level and are automatic; players rarely have to do anything to update their own copies of the software. Remember this and take it as a red flag if you are asked by email to do so.

While finding the fish at the poker tables is always a good thing, being phished by a scammer can create havoc on your finances and credit, so be very aware.

The lure of online poker is one many cannot resist. It offers the opportunity to play whenever they wish against a wide variety of competitors from around the world. It gives them unlimited gaming options, and can be an intensely profitable pastime. However, this is only true if the player knows how to play. If he doesn’t, online poker is, to put it mildly, not fun. It is instead a fast way to lose a considerable amount of money.

Fortunately, Pocketfives.com has devised a way to prevent the impending loss from happening: free training. All a player has to do is sign up with one of the sponsored sites and he will be granted access to training through Leggo Poker, Stox Poker, Real Poker Training or all three. For six months, a player can take the classes on a variety of styles, strategy and methods, improving their poker game in the variation of choice and many more.

The list of possible online poker rooms is ever growing and changing, included is Doyle’s Room, a site for U.S. players who want to gamble with real money and real competition. So there’s no doubt that any player will be unable to find a place to play that suits their poker style and a place to learn that teaches the game as well. If more help is needed, wanted or sought, Pocketfives.com has created a free training forum where questions can be posed and answered. Poker lovers with thoughts and advice can find support and aid almost as easily as they will be able to ante up and rake in the money once their training sessions are complete.

Sit down, log in and play the game until you have become an expert.

The Pocket Five’s forum is abuzz with players who are wondering if change is about to come within the US online poker industry. Many hold out hope that within the upcoming elections, our newly elected leaders will see the unconstitutionality of the UIGEA and make some long overdue changes. While this would be a huge win for US poker players, whether the outcome of the election will affect the legalities and formalities that complicate the current online poker situation in this country, only time will tell.As the document stands, the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) has very strategically worded clauses that seem to unfairly target the online poker industry within this country. Should the wording be only slightly altered or amended, it would be fairly simple to establish a US-based online poker room, completely in line with all federal guidelines. However, the individual laws of the states are where the real issues come into play. Some of these laws are subject to excessive fines and even felony charges.

Some of the wording that leaves poker players so exasperated is the references to the legality of entry and other fees on a game of skills, rather than a game of chance. As the current classification stands, the UIGEA considers poker to be in the latter category. However, other card games, such as Spades or Hearts, are considered games of skill. How is the deal of cards a chance within poker, yet a skill in other card games? Why would it be legal to pay to play in a Spades tournament, but illegal to pay to play in a poker tournament? Seems to be a bit unfair in the reasoning and biased against the poker world.

After spending the evening catching up on some poker talk in the popular online poker community, Pocket 5’s, I went into the Off Topic section and found a lot of interest in the US Presidential Race. Many of the treads that caught my attention had titles like: “Why Obama will win the primary easily” and “Barack Obama will fight for you” and “So I signed up on Obama’s Website” There were many more along those lines posted just today.

The threads discuss everything from spam generated from email lists being sold associated with the candidate’s site to how he is taking the steam out of the Clinton Machine. It is obvious that the Poker Players are watching this election very closely.

The most impressive line of discussion includes one players fund raising efforts for Barack Obama. Jon Wiesman, aka Underdog, has organized some online poker tournaments specifically for Pocket 5’s players. Each one is a 50/50 win. The tournament champ will donate 50% of the cash pot to the Obama camaign for President of the United States. This movement has successfully raised more than 100 dollars for the first tournament with double that for tomorrow’s event. As part of the tournament promotions, he is also accepting straight donations for the campaign. With the second Poker Stars Tournament for Obama set to get underway tomorrow, he has already raised 150 USD in straight donations.

Donations can be made here.

It appears that the poker player’s canididate is Barack Obama.

The following is an excerpt from the Pocket 5’s Poker Forum. It applies directly to one of the candidates running for President of the United States of America. This man, Barack Obama, has been known to organize a poker game or two of his own, and below is a copy of a eye witness testimonial along with pictures of the candidate, supporting some of those who doubt him.

This poker player is in a position to run the government who authored the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. This is the opportunity for many to take a stand for some one who is for personal freedoms and liberties.