This article originally appeared in the October 26, 2009 issue of Poker Player, author:  Haley Hintze.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMBLING CHARGES DISMISSED

Gambling charges were officially dismissed against five South Carolina poker players who maintained that their game was predominantly skill, not luck, a sentiment upheld by the judge who threw out the case. The five had refused to pay a fine and accept a plea bargain offered following the raid of the 2006 game in Mount Pleasant, though 20 others accepted the same deal. Also put under scrutiny was an antiquated South Carolina law governing games of chance, under which such common board games as Monopoly (which includes dice) could be construed as illegal. The state’s legislature continues to consider modernization of its gambling laws.

WYDEN PULLS GAMING AMENDMENT FROM FRANK LEGISLATION

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) submitted, then quickly retracted, an amendment to the online-gambling regulatory legislation championed by Barney Frank that would have used funds raised from online regulation for upcoming health-care reform needs. Wyden’s quick reversal, according to a release, was to keep another controversial issue (online gambling) from becoming entangled in the heated battle over health-care reform. Meanwhile, Frank’s legislation continues in its holding pattern as economic issues of higher importance dominate the attention of Congress.

FULL TILT SUED BY NOT-BOTS

Online poker site Full Tilt Poker has been sued again, this time by a couple of Los Angeles-area players who claim the site has falsely accused them of being “bots” (automated programs set up to play unmonitored on computers). The two players, Lary “Poker Girl” Kennedy and Greg Omotoy, allege that the site has illegally withheld some $80,000 in winnings. The suit alleges fraud, libel and unjust enrichment, and names Full Tilt Poker and several prominent players alleged to hold ownership roles in the company. Full Tilt has been targeted by or connected to at least three other lawsuits in recent months, including two brought by former employees and endorsers.

HELLMUTH FIRES SALVO AT HARRAH’S, THREATENS SEPARATE POKER SERIES

11-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth Jr. recently lambasted WSOP corporate owner Harrah’s Entertainment, threatening that other entities might start their own, competing series. Hellmuth made the comment on an episode of the “Hardcore Poker Show” on Sirius Radio. At issue was Harrah’s use of Hellmuth’s image in WSOP promotional material at Harrah’s Entertainment properties, and the perceived higher juice charged by the WSOP for its events. Hellmuth also lambasted Harrah’s for not comping him a room at the Rio this past summer.

POKERSTARS SETS NEW ONLINE PLAYER MARK

Leading online poker site PokerStars has set another Guinness Book of World Records mark, this time for most ever players at the same time at an Internet-based poker room. The new mark, verified as occurring on September 6, 2009, saw 307,016 players in action simultaneously at the tables.

EUROPE CRUSHED AMERICAS IN “CAESARS CUP” PREMIERE

This made-for-TV event at the 2009 WSOP Europe featured competing teams of hand-picked players from Europe and the Americas, and in this one it was Europe in a rout. Europe’s team, captained by Annette Obrestad, romped to a 4-1 decision over several formats pitting the teams’ players against each other. Team Europe featured Obrestad, Peter Eastgate, Dario Minieri, Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier, Ilari Sahamies, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, and online qualifier John Harvey. Team Americas was captained by Daniel Negreanu and included Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Huck Seed, John Juanda, Jennifer Harman, and Barry Greenstein.

ERRATA: In the previous column the winner of the recent WPT Legends event was identified as Perry Friedman. Instead, the winner was Prahlad “Spirit Rock” Friedman.

Haley Hintze is a freelance journalist who closely follows all the doings in the world of poker.

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