Poker News Round-Up for Sept. 17
by Bodog Poker | Sep 17 2010
Fabian Quoss took home over £220,000 after winning the English Poker Open, a £3,500 buy-in Texas Hold ‘Em tournament. A relative newcomer, the Nuremberg resident has been already cut quite a swath across major events like the World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker and European Poker Tour. The English Poker Open victory is actually the second-largest cash the German pro has experienced; he took second in a $5,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em event at the 2009 World Series of Poker and got $427,911. The final table at the English Poker Open included Sebastian Crul, Mathew Frankland, Felipe Ramos and Andrew Brennan among others.
The Internet
PokerScout.com estimated that online poker traffic has increased by over 5% in the past few weeks. The site monitors real money cash games at the top online poker sites. Some of the growth can be attributed to promotions and tie-ins to events like the World Series of Poker. Bodog Poker has experienced a significant increase with the beginning of satellites that lead into the Bodog Poker Open V, our largest annual event.
New Zealand
Over 200 players are visiting the SkyCity casino in Auckland this weekend for the 2010 SkyCity Festival of Poker. While the prize pool may be modest compared to events like the World Series of Poker, the $650,000 up for grabs has brought in pros from over 20 different countries. SkyCity reports that players from New Zealand and Australia are represented, of course, but Americans, Brits and even Russians have been spotted. Early rounds were held on Wednesday and Thursday and the final table should take place on Sunday.
SkyCity has become known as a bit of a destination for players,, hosting regular tournaments and charity events centered around Texas Hold ‘Em and other poker games. Last week saw a Battle Of The Codes event, in which players from the Auckland Blues and the Warriors played against each other for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.
London
Phil Laak finally won his long-coveted World Series of Poker bracelet; he just had to fly across an ocean to make it happen. The Unabomber, who has been on a poker tour of England this month, first participating in the English Poker Open, and then the WSOP Europe's first event, winning over £170,000 and getting a piece of jewelry he's been chasing for quite a few years now.
Texas
Edward Donnell Hendricks, 38, was convicted for an armed poker heist that took place in 2009 and has been ordered to serve three 99-year sentences for the crime. Hendricks, who was on parole for attempted murder, participated in a raid on a poker game in San Antonio. He and two other men were arrested as they left a Northwest Side residence in April of last year. The homeowner had called 911 and left his phone on as the robbery took place as the robbers, who were wielding a shotgun and revolver, held each player at gunpoint and demanded their valuables. No one was hurt in the robbery and their property was returned, but the fact that the he was on parole only exacerbated the jury's decision based on the prosecutor's statements.
