http://www.epicpoker.com/news/feeds/blogs-rss.aspx en-US Thu, 17 May 2012 13:16:00 GMT Thu, 17 May 2012 13:16:00 GMT Blogs Feed - Really Simple Syndicator 1.0 http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-17-2012.aspx With the poker world about to be focused on Las Vegas for the next two months, the Global Poker Index sees a calm week. With very few new results reporting, event aging creates some small changes to the Top Twenty and only one player makes their GPI Debut. Thu, 17 May 2012 13:16:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-17-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-10-2012.aspx With their difficult fields, dense with the Global Poker Index top-ranked players, High-Roller Events are a unique challenge for the best in the world. Among the rewards for outstanding performance in these events is a boost on the Global Poker Index. With two High-Roller events reporting this week from Monte Carlo, the Top Ten sees big changes and one of poker’s most iconic players returns to the rankings after an eight month absence. Thu, 10 May 2012 15:44:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-10-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-3-2012.aspx With final results reporting from EPT Berlin, seven high buy-in events finishing up at the EPT Grand Final, and the WPT Seminole Hardrock Main Event reporting this week, it is no surprise that the rankings get shaken up. Nine players in the Top Twenty scored new results, a new GPI#1 ends a record breaking streak and 21 players exit the Global Poker Index this week. Thu, 03 May 2012 17:58:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-update-may-3-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-poy-update-may-2-2012.aspx When the Global Poker Index Player of the Year race debuted in February, Jonathan Duhamel had a firm hold on the top of the standings and has not let go since. So great was his lead that at the beginning of April he had a whopping 253 point dominance over second place, Erik Cajelais. A month later, Duhamel continues to reign but the gap is closing. Wed, 02 May 2012 09:50:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/05/gpi-poy-update-may-2-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/04/gpi-update-april-25-2012.aspx Jason Mercier continues to hold on to the Number One Global Poker Index ranking this week. However, Bertrand “ELkY” Grospellier closes the gap after winning the EPT Berlin €10,000 8-Max Re-Entry Event. He now sits a mere twenty-four points behind Mercier. Joining them at the top of the Index this week is Sorel Mizzi. Mizzi reaches his highest rank to date after winning the WPT Vienna €9,700 NLHE High Roller Event. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:19:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/04/gpi-update-april-25-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/04/gpi-update-april-18-2012.aspx As results for the WSOP Europe age into Period 2, players who performed well at that festival are feeling the effects as three players fall out of the Top Twenty. While only four events reported new results this week, the Global Poker Index still gets shaken up by the Irish Open Main Event where twelve GPI ranked players cashed. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:12:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/04/gpi-update-april-18-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-april-11-2012.aspx With Easter and Passover comes a break in the busy spring tournament schedule. With the lull, new results were reported for a mere four Global Poker Index ranked players. But that does not mean the Index is without some big changes this week. Players felt the effects of several events aging this week, including the NAPT Mohegan Sun which proved particularly detrimental to a two time champion there. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:14:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-april-11-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-april-4-2012.aspx The EPT Campione €5,000 NLHE Main Event drew to a close over the weekend with Jannick Wrang finishing on top of the field of 570. Wrang has started 2012 strong, cashing in three Main Events in as many months. In January he cashed in the PCA Main Event followed by the WPT National Series Main Event in February and now adds his EPT Campione win for March. With the addition of the 484 points he earns for his win he makes his Global Poker Index debut at GPI#240 this week. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:59:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-april-4-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-poy-update-april-4-2012.aspx Jonathan Duhamel grabbed hold of the lead in the Global Poker Index Player of the Year race back in January and he hasn’t let go of it since. Duhamel’s lead remains so commanding that the 253 point gap between Duhamel and Erik Cajelais, currently 2nd in the standings, is larger than the 239 point gap between Cajelais and number 300 in the standings, Josh Barrett. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to catch Duhamel until at least the World Series, with its high concentration of high buy-in, large field events. As it stands now, Duhamel’s lead is large enough that Cajelais could win a $10,000 buy-in event with 400 runners and still not unseat Duhamel. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:37:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-poy-update-april-4-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-28-2012.aspx Spring break also brought a break in the tournament poker world with only two new events reporting results. That means a quiet week for the Index with event aging creating some minor turmoil for some big names. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:19:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-28-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-21-2012.aspx Jason Mercier, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier and Shawn Buchanan remain at the top of the Global Poker Index this week with Mercier still sitting comfortably at Number One. Joining them at the top is Eugene Katchalov who moves up two spots to GPI#4. Katchalov should feel right at home in the fourth spot having spent twenty-six of the past thirty-nine weeks in that position, including sixteen straight weeks beginning in November. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:50:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-21-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-14-2012.aspx Jason Mercier holds onto the Global Poker Index Number One ranking this week and in doing so sets a new record for the total number of weeks any player has held the top spot. The previous record of fifteen weeks was set by Erik Seidel on February 6th. Mercier took over the top spot the following week and has held it ever since, bypassing Seidel’s record this week with his sixteenth Number One ranking. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:58:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-14-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/will-failla-wins-hpt-100.aspx Walk into any poker room or tournament area and it's pretty easy to determine whether Will "The Thrill" Failla is sitting at a table. Rarely quiet, usually laughing, Failla has been one of the more well known players on the tournament circuit for years. Now the east coast grinder is in the midst of a big run to match his personality. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:17:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/will-failla-wins-hpt-100.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-7-2012.aspx The LAPC continues to have a big impact on the GPI rankings this week with the conclusion of the $10,000 NLHE Championship. David Sands’ near win gives him the largest gain in score this week, a whopping 488 points, and moves him up 22 spots to GPI#6 for his first appearance in the Top Ten. Just above Sands at GPI#5 this week is Sorel Mizzi who has the 2nd largest score gain of the week. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:53:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-update-march-7-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-poy-update-march-7-2012.aspx Last month began with Jonathan Duhamel firmly leading the Global Poker Index Player of the Year standings on the heels of four top five finishes in January at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, including a win in the PCA $5,000 NLHE 6-Max event. With a strong finish at EPT Deauville at the beginning of February and his 2nd place finish in the LAPC $5,100 NLHE event, February was another strong month for the 2010 Main Event Champion. Duhamel began February with a 182 point lead over second place and exits the month even stronger, extending his lead to 226 points over the number two man in the PoY standings. How big is that lead? Second place Noah Schwartz only leads 20th place John Dibella by 122 points total. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:21:00 GMT Annie Duke http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/gpi-poy-update-march-7-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/player-to-watch-ylon-schwartz.aspx It was no secret that Ylon Schwartz wanted to take his 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event winnings and disappear. He told interviewers just that prior to the November Nine final table, as the quiet, reserved chess and poker player had no desire for much spotlight. He didn’t exactly vanish after his $3.8 million fourth place finish, but he does relish in his ability to come and go from the poker world through the years. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:44:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/player-to-watch-ylon-schwartz.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/heartland-poker-tour-odyssey-to-event-100.aspx The Heartland Poker Tour will hold its 100th poker tournament in St. Louis starting March 8th, 2012. Find out how they went from a small idea to one of the most respected tours on the planet. Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:16:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/heartland-poker-tour-odyssey-to-event-100.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/steve-odwyer-conquering-europe.aspx Steve O'Dwyer made the decision to move away from the United States so he could continue his poker career, both live and online, so he was soon off to Europe. It would be an understatement to say the move has been successful with a series of deep runs which culminated this weekend when he captured the WPT National Denmark Main Event title fo Dkr893,960 (~$160,000). Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:58:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/03/steve-odwyer-conquering-europe.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/gpi-update-february-29-2012.aspx The lull in the poker world last week came to an end as results from the L.A. Poker Classic and EPT Copenhagen started rolling in, resulting in a lot of movement at all levels of the Global Poker Index. Jason Mercier holds on to GPI#1. Eugene Katchalov falls out of the Top Four for the first time since the Index premiered while Vanessa Selbst makes her first Top Five appearance. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:17:00 GMT Eric Faulkner http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/gpi-update-february-29-2012.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/poker-message-from-jeffrey-pollack.aspx There is no easy way to say this, but, at the end of the day yesterday, Federated Sports + Gaming filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Our company needs a new start. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:10:00 GMT Jeffrey Pollack http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/poker-message-from-jeffrey-pollack.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/this-week-in-poker-poker-comes-to-california.aspx Is the concept of “focus” in poker overrated? Last week, I suggested that Daniel Negreanu plays his best poker when he focuses on poker instead of writing and talking. But if other poker pros can overcome distractions, perhaps Daniel, too, can have it all: winning tournaments like he did several years ago, while encouraging threats of violence against other players, demonstrating lack of respect for law, and trying to undermine a deal involving PokerStars former biggest competitor. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:40:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/this-week-in-poker-poker-comes-to-california.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/community-cards-jeremey-lin-poker.aspx Poker has a seemingly endless capacity to surprise, astonish, and amaze. Indeed, a great part of poker’s appeal is how unpredictable the game can be. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:28:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/community-cards-jeremey-lin-poker.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/law-blog-bodog-seized-calvin-ayre-indicted.aspx News broke on Monday, February 28, that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seized the Bodog.com domain. The order came down from the U.S. District Court in Maryland, and Bodog.com was then decorated with a message from the Department of Justice, similar to that which adorned PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, UB, and Absolute Poker on Black Friday. The Bodog message stated that the domain was seized by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, part of Homeland Security Investigations. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:53:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/law-blog-bodog-seized-calvin-ayre-indicted.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/winners-losers-more-states-online-poker.aspx The end of February will have to wait another day with 2012 being a leap year, but that’s pretty much the only thing that will get delayed as the poker tournament calendar picks back up again. The WPT LAPC event will actually wrap up on the 29th, and with the Bay 101 Shooting Star not far behind, the California leg of the World Poker Tour is looking to be an exciting couple weeks. Of course, the World Poker Tour isn’t the only place we need to look for poker news. NBC is looking to, at least partially, revive a poker television series, there are now quite a few states lining up to take a look at online poker legalization, and prominent pros try to figure out just how much we should be blaming the Full Tilt board for all that has happened (again). Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:48:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/winners-losers-more-states-online-poker.aspx http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/know-the-pro-amit-makhija.aspx Nearly one year since Black Friday changed the world for online poker players, many are still reeling from the effects. Some physically left the United States, while others never recovered from the loss of bankroll and inability to adjust to live poker. And then there are the true grinders like Amit Makhija, who simply look for the best in the situation, adjust, and thrive. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:41:00 GMT http://www.epicpoker.com/news/blog-pages/2012/02/know-the-pro-amit-makhija.aspx