Online Poker News

Online Poker powerhouse Pokerstars.com has announced a new VIP program geared toward novice players. The online poker room announced that starting January 1st 2011, the VPP system will switch to a “calculated share method” of awarding VIP Player Points (VPPs). This system will grant casual players with low VIP statuses greater opportunity to earn rewards points, while reducing VIP points for the die hard grinder crowd.

Pokerstars.com states that the modification is supposed to improve distribution of VIP Club points in a more well-balanced system that will increase the difficulty of obtaining the coveted Supernova status.

This change will undoubtedly prove to be unpopular for Pokerstars.com loyal players who invest significant time and effort to obtain the lofty status. The players claim that it is unfair that the new system penalizes its most loyal customers and is only a marketing ploy to attract new players.

The new system will only apply to cash ring games and will not affect Sit N Go, or MTT rewards.

Pokerstars.com has also announced a “quick paced ring games product” that will most likely be similar to the popular “Rush Poker” that Full Tilt offered prior to Black Friday and its eventual demise.

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An ex-girlfriend of Jonathan Duhamel is among 4 individuals who have been detained regarding the burglary of the 2010 WSOP poker champ last week outside Montreal.

3 individuals were detained earlier this week, the latest being a 20 year old man arrested Thursday A.M. by Longueuil PD.

A representative for Duhamel verified that this “female of interest” appeared to be someone that Duhamel previously dated and appeared to be the only suspect that his client actually knew.

In November of 2010, Duhamel became the 1st Canadian WSOP Main Event Champion taking the $8.9 million first prize.

Duhamel claims that on Dec. 21, the suspects rang his doorbell, and then forced entry to his Boucherville, Que home. Duhamel was assaulted and robbed of his WSOP bracelet as well as an undisclosed amount of cash and a Rolex watch given to him by Pokerstars.

This wrist watch has recently been recovered, but the rare bracelet and the cash have yet to be returned.

Longueuil police department released a statement revealing that investigators acquired a tip which led to the arrest of woman in her early twenties, This Woman has been charged with 5 criminal offenses including conspiracy.

On Monday December 26th, an additional 2 men in their 20′s were arrested in Pointe-Claire. They were arraigned Wednesday accused of breaking and entering, burglary, assault, and forcible confinement.

Police continue to questioning a cooperating 4th suspect to determine exactly who did what in this case.

Duhamel received treatment for non life threatening injuries from a local hospital following the robbery. He has stated that he was threatened and feared for his life during the break in.

The poker champion pledged a $10K reward for information leading to the return of items stolen during the heist. No news on if the reward has been claimed. Police stressed that the investigation remains open and are requesting that if you have any information to get in touch with the Longueuil police department.

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Phil Ivey’s ex-wife claimed a $1.2M handbag collection, along with another $1M in jewelry as part of her recent divorce settlement with her Poker Superstar exhusband. Luciaetta Ivey will also receive alimony payment of $180k per month from her High Roller ex-hubby according to documents released by the Nevada Courts.

Even after taking Phil to the cleaners, Luciaetta claims that the settlement was unfair and has petitioned the court disqualify Clark County Judge Bill Gonzalez on grounds that Phil donated $5000.00 to the Judges Election campaign a couple months after the divorce was finalized.

“Luciatta erased all debt and walked away with millions in property and a substantial alimony package.” Phil’s lawyer retorts to the allegations.

“The public is entitled to know that impartiality is the rule for the judiciary,” the complaint reads. “She is entitled to fairness and the appearance of fairness before this court and recusal is the only way that she can be sure to receive both.”

Based on the response, presented by attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, Luciaetta retained her car, life insurance policy, a minority portion of a joint stock account, a substantial deposit for a new home, half of the proceeds of the couples primary residence, and a 40% stake of all “business interests” excluding any income from Phil’s estranged employer, Tiltware (FullTilt Poker).

Included in the divorce agreement, Phil Ivey absorbed $170,000 in unsecured credit card debt along with over $15M in “other gambling debts.”

So much for happily ever after.

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A judgment from the U.S. DOJ might make internet lotteries and internet poker legal, experts claim.

The DOJ has adjusted its stance on the Wire Act of 1961, the agency determined the law’s prohibiting of betting through telecommunications that traverse state lines or foreign borders pertains only to sports betting wagers but not to lotto tickets purchased on the internet.

Even though the DOJ’s determination fails to expressly reference internet poker, industry experts claim it may be a step toward legalization of playing poker online.

Prior to this the agency has vigorously enforced the prohibition regarding internet poker citing the Wire Act, shutting down 3 of the largest on-line poker sites: Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet network, Full Tilt Poker and Pokerstars stating violation of the act by servicing US players.

“The U . S . DOJ has granted the internet poker community a huge present,” Prof. I. Nelson Rose of Whittier University of Law recently blogged.

“If the Wire Act is restricted to wagers on sporting events and races, how many federal anti-gambling laws remain?” Rose writes.

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