Wishing you a Fabulous Christmas!!

-May you all have a wonderfully blessed day!!

**Keep in your hearts, the true spirit of the season**

Have you thought about the 2007 version of Nintendo WII’s World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions as a stocking stuffer?

Several poker blogs/sites are reporting that this WII poker game has “just been released” or have given the impression that it’s a brand new version.  However, this version has actually been around for quite a few months.

Anyways, the 2007 version expands on the 2006 version in that it has a “storyline-based career mode”.  The premise of the game has players competing in a virtual World Series of Poker Circuit. Players will be qualifying for an opportunity to play in the virtual Tournament of Championship at the Rio in Las Vegas.

WSOP 5 time bracelet winner Chris “Jesus” Ferguson will act as the players’ mentor.  And what a mentor he is at that - he has won more WSOP bracelets, tables with money finishes compared to any other player. Not mentioning other live events; only that of the WSOP and WSOP Circuit events, Ferguson has won more than $4 Million dollars.

Perhaps the graphics quality isn’t that great (afterall, it’s not Xbox360!), but if you’re a WII fan, then you already know this from other games.  The 2007 version features “first-ever unlockable poker tools – odds of   hitting hand, ranking of your hand, even stats on your opponent’s style of play”.  Players will have the chance to challenge several poker pros (25 pros as compared to 12), such as Joe Hachem; former WSOP Champion and WPT Champion (a honor currently only bestowed to four players), the ever-controversial Scotty Nguyen, Antonio Esfandiari, TJ Cloutier and; women poker players, Clonie Gowen, Kristy Gazes and Jennifer Tilly.

The median price point for the game is $29.99.

Does it really get any more simpler than that?

P.F.F. gives its visitors a unique and easy-to-navigate experience when they come check out their popular poker portal. Aside from offering in-depth internet poker room reviews on some of the top sites around the world, but Poker For Free also provides information on freerolls, bonus codes, and very detailed strategy for Texas Holdem and other popular games.

The website gives the newbie or average player a fantastic place to find the best poker sites to play Free Online Poker at. Poker rooms like Full Tilt Poker, Titan Poker, and Poker Nordica are just some of the places PokerForFree promote frequently on the site – and for good reason of course; they are 3 of the top spots to build a bankroll without even depositing. The freeroll tournaments and other promotions P.F.F. relentlessly advertises on the site will ensure you that there will always be a resource with up-to-date information for your free poker needs.

PokerForFree.org screenshot:

The person at the center of the legal drama is none other than Clonie Gowen, a now-former (she was released on November 11th, 2008) Team Full Tilt Poker member who is suing the Online Poker superpower for apparently not paying her the amount promised to her during a 2004 phone conversation with the execs that run the poker site.  During this conversation, she was guaranteed a 1% ownership stake in the company, but only through what she believes was an orally binding agreement.  Mind you, this poor girl didn’t even get that big of a deal put in writing!

Well, after tirelessly promoting Full Tilt at various tournaments around the world and then doing print and television ads thereafter, the time to receive her “distribution” check finally came in 2007.  Well, she was a bit surprised when co-founder Howard Lederer offered her up $250,000 as her “share” dividend from the company.  For what ever reason, Clonie refused the check (I still have no idea why, and no other media sources have dished out any other reasoning behind such a crazy move) but STILL went on promoting the brand for no other compensation!

Anyways, to sum it all up, Clonie is bringing new definition to the term “hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn” after being recently let go of Full Tilt as one of their premier Team members.  She has since filed a lawsuit implicating not only FTP’s software provider Tiltware LLC, but also Pocket Kings LTD, and every major member on Team Full Tilt!  Yea, you heard that right…people like Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, and Patrik Antonius have all been named in Clonie’s suit!

I mean right now, I guess I can see why she’s kind of pissed off.  No person likes being shafted for promoting a brand all those years for nothing and then all of a sudden be let go after dedicating so much loyal service.  But honestly, even as a woman who loves the game of poker so much, I just don’t see this going well for Clonie.  I just hope they settle it out of court and she gets some type of retribution. In all reality, the notion of her actually thinking she might get $40,000,000 out of it is a bit absurd, especially since the lack of a written contract is pretty key to ANY breach of contract lawsuit.

In either case, good luck Clonie…I’m thinking you’re gonna need it if it actually goes to trial.

Women poker pro Maria “Chili” Demetriou took first place in Event One of the The Sky Poker UK Tour and a seat into the Grande Finale Event. The inaugural Sky UK Poker Tour began last Saturday at the UK’s grandest card room, Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham. Demetriou was among 120 players who qualified through online Satellites at SkyPoker.com as well as live Satellites held at Dusk Till Dawn.

A ton of action was seen by a large turnout of women poker players who showed their poker savoir-faire on the felt.

Maria told interviewers, “There were at least two women on each table which is something I have never seen before.” The UK native went on to say, “To have Sky Poker do a live event and have so many ladies come and play in it is a really great thing to see.”

The six venue tour will culminate with a televised event of The Grande Finale in June, 2009 with a £25,000.00 ($45,455,000 US dollars) Guaranteed Prize Pool.

Maria is slowly but surely making a name for herself on the poker circuit. Her main goal is to win a poker biggie like the European Poker Tour but also admits she “Can’t be too choosy.” She began playing poker professionally in 1997 and prefers playing No Limit and Pot Limit Hold’em.

At first glance, PokerCodeReview really caught my attention because of the cool blue graphical background; not just because this shade of blue is my favorite color, but it’s also really easy on the eyes. What can I say, I like pretty things!

As I began to look around, I found this poker resource site to be more than just skin deep as it is jam packed with Poker Bonus Codes. I think PokerCodeReview is a great resource for new women poker players on the scene.

The fact this site isn’t overly inundated with miscellaneous things is appealing.  It functions like the name implies, as a review for poker codes. PokerCodeReview provides readers with reviews for eight of the top online poker rooms; Bodog Poker, Pokerstars, CakePoker, Titan Poker, CardSpike Poker, Party Poker, PKR Poker and Full Tilt Poker. You will find an overall rating of the rooms as well as a room review summary which includes software, gameplay and tournaments and promotions.

Another section of the site focuses primarily on bonuses of the top poker rooms. Take for example Bodog, the bonus review goes into detail about the Bodog Poker Referral Number. First time depositors receive 10% instant cash on deposit as well as a 100% match bonus up to $500.  PokerCodeReview also goes on to explain how the referral number actually works.  Information is given on how to clear your bonus and how you can earn Bodog points. They tell you what you need to do when you click on their link to the poker room.

Keep your eye out for a up and coming new online poker room. It will run on the Cake Poker Network and it is called - CardSpike.com. It will offer the same great poker skin and have the same type of feel to it. A screenshot of the poker table is available for view in the meantime.  PokerCodeReview is offering its readers an exclusive CardSpike Sign Up Code for new players. This will be a great benefit to all you poker women out there (and of course men too!).

While still in its youth, the poker news section at PokerCodeReview.com isn’t fully stacked yet, but that is to be expected in its newness.  As a whole, new readers will find this online poker resource site to be quite handy.

From the founder of the High Heels Poker Tour, Lauren Failla, will soon come the Women’s Ultimate Poker Academy. Failla recently played in the 2008 World Series of Poker and placed 63rd in the WSOP Ladies No Limit Hold’em Event.  The event had 1,060 entrants and became the second largest poker event to date featuring women only.  Several top women poker pros will be joining Failla to help manage the poker school. This newest school is sure to provide a beneficial learning environment for aspiring women poker players and veterans alike.

The pre-opening if you will, kicks off before the start of the December 7th World Series of Poker Ladies Circuit Event, at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans.  The legendary Barbara Enright will serve as hostess and showcase the Women’s Ultimate Poker Academy.   Though not set in stone, the official opening of the poker school will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, California, in early 2009.

More details will be posted as soon as they become available!

The whirling rumors have come true with today’s announcement of CardRunners‘ and Stoxpoker’s new partnership. Separately, both these sites operate online training libraries run by several of the world’s top poker instructors.  Combined, these two will provide players with the largest online educational poker resource while still continuing to operate as individual websites.

Taylor Caby, CardRunner’s Co-Founder, said in a recent interview, “We’re delighted to add breadth and depth to our poker training resources while delivering a decisive competitive advantage to more than 14,000 members.  Members now have two separate platforms to choose from as well as a no-sign-up fee option which many customers have requested.”

Stoxpoker’s Founder, Nick “StoxTrader” Grudzien states, “Stoxpoker coaches and customers now have more resources behind them than ever before.  Our merger with CardRunners will deliver more value to our customers and allow our coaches to do what they do best.”

Cardrunners was founded by cash game specialists who together have won millions of dollars.  Their extensive video poker library includes videos on Hold’em, Omaha games, Razz, Stud, and Triple Draw. Learn how to build your bankroll and read other players in Sit & Go’s and Tournament strategies. Also available to customers are active poker forums, informative blogs and top of the line poker tools.

Several of the Stoxpoker’s instructors are not only accomplished poker players but published book authors have well.  They provide a classroom like atmosphere with their unique online university called ‘Poker U’.  The website releases about ten new videos a week with the goal of providing the highest level of teaching to their customers.  Stoxpoker’s video collection provides players with all the essential elements including poker concepts, decision making, hand analysis and the right mindset.

Poker education is brought to a whole new level with the merger of these successful online poker resources.  Customers can look forward to additional enhancements added to both CardRunner and StoxPoker. Expansion of their instructional staffs as well as their video libraries will no doubt bring a tremendous amount of new customers to both of their websites.

It seems I’m on a roll lately with what some might call my obsession in finding new online poker bonus sites that appeal to me. Anyways, I just rolled on over to PokerBonusRoll.com. Detailed reviews and sweet bonuses are given for several of the top online poker rooms that cater to specific markets like the US and the UK, along with niche-specific rooms like 3D poker sites, small poker sites and the best beginner sites.

Right now, PokerBonusRoll offers a terrific bonus for Titan Poker where new players will receive a 100% up to $500 plus a $25 upfront bonus.  The example which is given on their site is “Deposit $500 plus their bonus code and you will receive $1,025.” Their review of Titan Poker.com has pretty much everything a new player would want to know about the poker room and online poker bonuses.  This includes information on player traffic as well as the skill levels of the players at the room.

Another room PokerBonusRoll offers a great bonus on is for PKR.com.  With their PKR Bonus Code players will enjoy a 100% up to $600 match bonus on all opening deposits.  The realistic gameplay and interactive software make it one of the fastest-rising online poker rooms in the industry.

On top of the aforementioned bonus offers, I think you’ll also enjoy what PokerBonusRoll.com has to offer in their Poker Strategy section.  With articles on Texas Hold’em, 5 Card Stud, Omaha Poker and Draw Poker, you will be able to safely learn and study up on the game before you put your skills to the test on the actual poker site.  These articles focus on how to play the games, the betting process and basic game strategies.  You will find that their section on Poker Pro Strategy provides several articles on the components of a poker player’s lifestyle.  The articles detail aspects of poker regarding emotional control, hurdles, theory and aggression.  Insights are also given on the difference between being an amateur and professional poker player and the difference in playing online versus playing live.

The website contains up-to-date information except for the now-defunct Chan Poker.  The fun little poker room recently ceased operations much to the dismay of many players. I’m sure it will be just a matter of time before they are removed from the site.  Overall, PokerBonusRoll.com definitely delivers in the area of bonuses and information.

Poker Battle, an elite poker social networking community that touts a triple effect of retail, gaming and lifestyle is pre-launching their upscale fashion line this week.

The man behind the concept of Poker Battle is French poker player, Phillippe Rouas.  With the help of Creative Director and Visionary Kevin Watson, Rouas’ vision of Poker Battle has come full circle. Kevin “T-Weed” Watson owns the company MP3NY.com and provides a branding and marketing service to clients and corporations.  In addition to Poker Battle, Watson has also worked with Ed Hardy Designs.

The pre-launch of Poker Battle will take place during the Partouche Poker Tour in Cannes, France from September 2^nd through September 7^th.   The line will feature items such as shirts, jackets and jeans for men and women.  The premise of the brand - the tagline if you will is, “It’s not just a game, It’s a lifestyle”.

A plethora of poker pros will be on hand at the event representing the new clothing line including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Nenad Medic, Johnny Chan, Johnny Chan, Glen Chorny and David Benyamine and women poker players, Vanessa Rousso, Evelyn Ng and Tiffany Michelle.  The official full brand Poker Battle fashion line launch will occur during the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) on September 27^th.

In 2009, Poker Battle will offer its own poker tournament called the Poker Battle Pro Tour in Las Vegas.  The tournament will boast a $5 Million Guaranteed as well as a handcrafted platinum and precious stones necklace.