35W Bridge Collapse in minneapolis minnesota

35W Bridge Collapse in minneapolis minnesota during rush hour.
At about 6:15pm today. 50 cars dropped into the mississippi river. Cars are still dangling on the bridge.

The span that has split extends from East River Road NE minneapolis to the south side of the river where it connects with washington avenue in the downtown area. Situation described as grim: rescue crews on the scene; many casualties, 6 confirmed deaths so far. This bridge is about 10-15 stories (120ft) above ground and the river.

A school bus reportedly with about 30 children around the ages of 8-10 onboard was involved. This bus did not fall into the river. All children from this bus have been retrieved to safety.

This section of freeway has been under maintenance repairs lately. Built in 1967, the 35W Bridge spans 1987 feet 120 ft above the river, all of it, has now fallen. The unique design featured no pillars running down into the river . To save river traffic impedance the 1987 foot long bridge spanning 487 feet across the river connects to two long piers.

A federal study done in 2001 cites several stress indications...

latest information at WCCO TV mpls., mn.

Playing freeroll tournaments to familiarize and educate.

Playing online poker freeroll tournaments is both educational and will help you to familiarize yourself to a particular poker sites software and "feel of play experience". The education is in learning patience, persistance and perserverance. As well as pot odds, spotting player types, betting patterns and bluffing. Learning just these few tools will greatly propel your poker game skill level from novice to intermediate to contender status. Each poker site has it's own particular software -some sites are on shared networks with shared software. But, chances are that you will find a completely different playing experience with every poker room you try. I recommend playing at more than one site if you want to hone your game. Playing freerolls will help get a feel for that new poker site software.

Study pot odds and play by the mathmatical rules of pot odds, this takes some time to learn. But it is time well spent. It will take you from novice to intermediate status once this skill is mastered. Every poker site online has a tool for you to use to comment or categorize players. This tool is usually called players notes. This is where you should scribble any noticed play type characteristics. Such as loose play, tight play, trapper, blind stealer or bluffer. Bluffing is a skill that is really an art. The bluffer must carefully craft a plausible scenario that will induce at least one opponent with a better hand to fold. Sometimes the boldest of bluffers is seeking to scare the entire table off their hands. If you are seen as a regular bluffer your plan may not work so well.

Poker site software is carefully crafted toward the user experience. It is programmed to please the eyes and play smoothly for the user. It is always on a secure network so your money and identity is safe from the prying eyes of hackers. You can choose to play on downloaded software or web based java games. Either is fine. I prefer downloaded software as I run a windows computer. But if you use another operating system you may have to use java games. Especially if you run a linux based system. Mac systems are supported by all the large sites.

Nearly all online poker rooms offer freeroll tournaments to introduce you to their offerings. You should take advantage of these because they are letting you get a real money experience for no cost except maybe time. This time is essential to spend when learning how to play texas holdem. So why not play on their dime? You may even win some money. You may turn these winnings into more winnings. So, I say Play online poker freerolls. Learn the skills necessary to grow your game. And, hopefully I'll see you at the final table.

Neteller out, Nucharge.net (Bodog) and Add-Funds (Absolute) are now in.

Feb 08, 2007 rjovi Neteller out, Nucharge.net (Bodog) and Add-Funds (Absolute) are now in.
As online poker players are scrambling to find new e-money processing sources to add-funds and withdraw them safely from their favorite USA friendly online poker rooms. Two new players have entered the market, Nucharge (nucharge.net) and Add-Funds (add-funds.com).
Nucharge works in a similar manner to neteller or epassporte. Load funds with your credit card to Nucharge, then, withdraw to your merchant.
Add-Funds works exactly like Nucharge. Use your Visa or Mastercard to purchase phone cards in $100, $150, $200 and $300 denominations. No setup fee for lifelong membership. No banking information required. Add funds employs a sophisticated multilevel security concept that affords maximum protection.

US DOJ catches BetOnSports, Neteller: releases Party Poker.

02/03/07 by rjovi
US DOJ catches BetOnSports, Neteller: releases Party Poker. UIGEA causes "no-limit" jellyfish migration, shark bites and whale(ing).

Unlawful internet gaming enforcement act resulted in the arrest of Bet On Sports owners for illegally taking bets from US citizens. 100 days later, Neteller executives are arrested for money laundering; quickly shuts it's doors to US players. How will these actions affect online gaming, it's players and funding options?

Funding options became noticeably scarcer this week as several internet payment processors pulled out of the US fearing action from the US department of justice. Although, these few have remained: Epassporte, Instacash, ewalleteXpress, ATM online, Ecocard and Nucharge. Trying to enroll at these sites can be slow due to an unusual volume of traffic. New payments processors are preparing to enter the US market such as YouTeller (expecting a march '07 launch).

More gaming sites pulled out of the US since the recent Neteller bust. All-In Poker and Mansion have migrated to friendlier waters. Microgaming is an online gaming giant rumored to be leaving soon, possibly.

Affiliates those who promote these gaming sites are worried about being paid their commissions. This has not been a problem yet.

US Players whom have been using Neteller, FirePay, Citadel, Central Coin, Moneybookers, Payspark, Instadebit, and Click2Pay are seeing delays in gaming funds cash-outs. However, all gaming sites report funding to be safe and secure in offshore accounts. These sites may need to issue checks themselves to their players even if this wasn't an option in the past.

You will find more information here as it becomes available...stay tuned.

Here is a listing of financial processors still available to USA players for the major poker rooms.

Here is a listing of financial processors still available to USA players for the major poker rooms.
USA e-wallet options updated 01/24/07
PaySpark and EcoCard **CLICK2PAY.com **ePassporte.com
FTP, UB, Doyle's Room, Poker Stars
InstaCash Doyle's Room, FCP, poker stars
ewalleteXpress.com
Nucharge Bodog,
FCPPoker Stars – ePassporte, InstaCash
Full Tilt Poker - **CLICK2PAY, ePassporte
Ultimate Bet - **CLICK2PAY, ePassporte,
Bodog - Nucharge **CLICK2PAY, ewalleteXpress.com
Doyle's Room – ePassporte, InstaCash
Full Contact Poker – InstaCash, ewalleteXpress.com
Roxy Palace Casino - **CLICK2PAY
River Belle Casino - **CLICK2PAY
VIP.com Casino - **CLICK2PAY
**CLICK2PAY :They are not accepting new U.S. customers. Existing U.S. customers can still use their accounts for gambling-related transactions.

Bodog Refer a Friend

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65 Sites Awarded GPWA Approved Portal Seal

Congratulations to the following 30 newly approved sites (and their associated webmasters).www.freecasinoslots.info (Amateur)www.slotsgallery.co.uk (AussieDave)www.s-lots.com (AussieDave)www.slot-machines.name (Badlands)www.bonustreak.com (Bonustreak)www.casinobonusstreak.com (Bonustreak)www.microgamingbonusstreak.com (Bonustreak)www.slotsjam.com (CasinoGod)www.pokerfaces.net (CasinoMan)www.reviewed-casinos.net (CasinoMan)www.jackpotcasinoguide.com (JackpotCasinoGuide) www.casinobonusfarm.com (Kwblue)www.casinogoldpages.com (LittleLuLu)www.playitsafecasinos.com (LittleLuLu)www.bingobonussnoop.com (Nautikitten)www.taketimeout.net (Ntaus)www.lucky-gambler.com (Ntaus)www.mobile-gamblers.com (Ntaus)www.casinoimpact.com (Paolino)www.sportsbookie.com (SportsBookie)www.practicalgambling.com (Squigley)www.fbnpoker.com (Squigley)www.wagering-sports.com (Matted)www.gamblingsmarts.com (Matted)www.flushfever.co.za (Topboss)www.topbossgroup.com (Topboss)www.topboss.co.uk (Topboss)www.topboss.com (Topboss)www.topboss.co.za (Topboss)www.topbosscasinos.com (Topboss)Information about how to install the seal on your site can be found on the following thread: www.gpwa.net/forum/showthread.php?t=168814If you are a current GPWA private member, and would like to be a participant in this new program, please pm CityGuard with the URLs of the websites on which you would like to use the seal.If you are not currently a private GPWA member, and would like to become one so that you can participate in the new GPWA Seal of Approval program, please register to become a private member - just click on the "register" navigation item on the top navigation bar, and follow the directions for applying to becoming a private member.Congratulations again to all of the webmasters of our first 65 approved sites!Michael
__________________Executive Director, www.GPWA.netCasinoCity.comOnline.CasinoCity.comCasinoCityPress.com

Bodog Poker Review

Bodog poker flaunts their own bellwether proprietary software, it's design is sleek and packed with features. Bodog's poker software gives the player a sophisticated look and feel with the smoothest game interface to ensure a fast-paced and exciting "Pedal-to-the-medal Play" experience. The network is secure, encrypted and certified by gaming associates.

Bodog averages 1816 real money players on any given day and well over 3000 real money players at peak times. see - pokersitescout.com

Pro players found here are part of "Team Bodog" include: Jamie Gold 2006 WSOP Champion; Josh Arieh; Evelyn Ng; and WSOP 2006 Stud Champion David Williams.

Founded in 1994, Bodog.com Entertainment, with its head office located in the Caribbean nation of Antigua, is one of the world's fastest growing media and digital entertainment giants.

Bodog Poker offers the usual games: Texas Holdem, Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Stud, Stud High/Low and 5 Card Stud. You can learn online at the free tables provided by Bodog. The Bodog Cheat sheet will lend you a peak at the best starting hands to play and lingo you will need in order to communicate in online poker chat. Click into Bodog poker school to sharpen up your game skills.

Guaranteed Prize Pool MTTS: Sunday's $100K $100 + $9 buyin -Win your buy-in for as little as $1 or 250 Bodog Poker Points.

Tournament links: Tournament Leader Board World Poker Tour World Series of Poker $100K Guaranteed Daily Tournaments Beginner Tournaments Tournament Types Tournament Rules Tournament Schedule Tournament Structures Live Event Agreement Qualifier Agreement

RING GAMES offered range from limit - no limit, .05/.10 - $30/$60 blinds.

FREEROLLS: 2 Daily $1500 and $500 each...

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"GPWA Approved Portal" seal of approval program is now officially launched and fully operational!

Congratulations to the following sites (and their associated webmasters). www.777-online-gambling.net (Aksana)www.theapage.com (Amateur)www.madjackslots.com (Amateur)www.slotsgallery.com (AussieDave)www.onlinecasinoconditions.com (Big Fish)www.gamblingphd.com (Big Fish)www.cash2c.com (Cash2C)www.gamblersgossip.com (CasinoMan)www.absoluteaccents.com (Dbartrop)www.absolutebet.net (Dbartrop)www.fortunateclick.com (Deaddog)www.linstreasurebox.com (Deaddog)www.free-online-casinos.com (Diceman)www.doolallys.com (Doolally)www.onlinegambling7.com (Greek39)www.progressive-watch.com (Kwblue)www.progressive-slots-watch.com (Kwblue)www.slotsonfire.com (Kwblue)www.casinocity.com (MichaelCorfman)online.casinocity.com (MichaelCorfman)www.gpwa.net (MichaelCorfman)www.casinocitytimes.com (MichaelCorfman)www.rgtonline.com (MichaelCorfman)www.pokerzone.com (MichaelCorfman)www.audiovegas.com (MichaelCorfman)www.gamblingmojo.com (Mojo)www.nodepositmojo.com (Mojo)www.casinocashcloset.com (Nautikitten)www.casinobonussnoop.com (Nautikitten)www.pokerbonussnoop.com (Nautikitten)www.onestopgamblingguide.com (OneStopGamblingGuide)www.videopokerjunkie.com (SlyCin56)www.freerollinsider.com (Rjovi)www.gamble4u.com (Ziggy)www.football-live-bets.com (Ziggy)

Information about how to install the seal on your site can be found on the following thread: www.gpwa.net/forum/showthread.php?t=168814If you are a current GPWA private member, and would like to be a participant in this new program, please pm CityGuard with the URLs of the websites on which you would like to use the seal.If you are not currently a private GPWA member, and would like to become one so that you can participate in the new GPWA Seal of Approval program, please register to become a private member - just click on the "register" navigation item on the top navigation bar, and follow the directions for applying to becoming a private member.Congratulations again to the webmasters of our first 35 approved sites!

USA Friendly Poker rooms.

Internet poker is alive and well in the US. Only a dozen medium to large poker rooms have stopped taking American players due to the signing of the internet gaming law by our beloved President Bush. Obviously, the largest being Party Poker followed by Poker Room, Hollwood, Titan, Noble, CD Poker, Pacific/888, Empire, Poker Champs and a few others.

Personally, I rarely played at Party Poker, therefore, I have missed Poker Champs, CD Poker and Hollywood the most. However my overall poker experience remains nearly the same. I love to play at these USA friendly poker rooms: Bodog, The Gaming Club Poker, Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars, Poker.com, Absolute and Doyle's Room. Some of the little guys include: Bugsy's Club, Wingows, Mansion, Gamesgrid, Poker World and many more listed on my site.

USA Friendley Poker rooms - freeroll poker

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InterChamps

Pyramid Casino

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To add to their great popularity, all players who open an account with Bet on USA Sportsbook and make a deposit are automatically entered into a draw to win $50,000.00. Don’t forget their 100% Match Bonus and their unique Half Dime Fridays. They have all the necessary tools to satisfy your players.
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InterChamps

Inter Champs Sportsbook & Casino is based in Curacao and is owned and operated by IEE (Internet Empire Entertainment Inc.). Gaming operations function under an Internet gaming license issued by the government of Curacao. The company works with a variety of leaders in the financial and technology sector to provide secure online transactions and the best quality systems and software.
They provide the highest quality entertainment to your players through a wide variety of Sportsbook betting, Casino games and a Club Cash reward program. Inter Champs friendly and courteous support staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Inter Champs fantastic promotions! When the players open an account and deposits any amount, they automatically receive a 20% Welcome Bonus and are entered into a draw to win one of the following 3 prizes:
$25,000 check
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Inter Champs customers can also collect FREE bonus points based on the amount of their wagering activity quite similar to the "comp" programs found in major land based casinos. Accumulated points may then be redeemed towards any of the listed rewards and prizes. On the customer’s birthday, InterChamps will send the customer $1,000 in the Club Cash system.
The Interchamps Poker Room is part of the very popular Poker Network.

Pyramid Casino

Operating out of the Island of St. Johns, Antigua, in the West Indies, Pyramid Casino is one of the most reputable gaming sites online today. They offer the largest selection of online games available in full 3D graphics and digital sound.
Pyramid Sportswager has been featured in these renowned Magazines and Radio Shows:
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Casino Player Magazine
Chance Magazine
Major Wager Website
With their great 20% welcome bonus and their amazing Half Price Fridays, no wonder why they have one of the highest acquisition and retention levels in the gambling industry.

Please Use BODOG Code P4353CE when signing up
Enter a Bodog Poker Tournament, get to the top of the leader board, and play heads up against David Wiliams or Josh Arieh for $1000.
The Bodog Guide to Poker the best way to start playing online. Our friendly guide will walk you through the basics and prepare you for the next step, Bodog's free poker tables.
Jamie Gold - 2006 WSOP Champion

Allen Cunningham Joins Team Full Tilt

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This is the most generous sign-up bonus anywhere online. Simply start playing at any of our real-money games, Sit & Gos, or tournaments, and you'll start earning Full Tilt Points right away. As your points total grows, we'll put cash in your account. It's that simple. Plus, you get to keep the points!
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find all of the best USA friendley freerolls poker rooms here

http://www.freerollinsider.com

Poker players from the US adjust to internet gamings laws

Poker players from the US adjust to internet gamings laws
Poker players from the US adjust to internet gamings laws and the affective change of well established habit. The signing of new gaming laws have coerced a baker's dozen of my favorite poker rooms to close their businesses to most if not all US customers. To them I say cowards. These fine folks have effectively passed billions of dollars unto the competion out of fear for the heavy hand of the US government. I don't blame them. However, I do applaud heartily the fortitude of the remaining online poker sites who remain open to us poker crazy americans. We will reward you greatly.
For the the kind players whom are from outside the US poker ring of fire. I hope you enjoy playing amongst yourselves for a bit and develop a unique style that can become more competitive for us damn yankees. Does my jealousy show?
As a webmaster and affiliate to many of these affected poker rooms I am seeing lots of movement in peoples habits. They are changing poker rooms alot. For me this good. I have gained 200 new players this past week alone. Thank You! Myself, I have changed poker rooms frequently too. Trying to find the best fit for moi is not easy. I need good freerolls, big bonuses and decent play in the rings and mtts. I find something unique in each poker room. I would tell you which rooms I'm favoring right now, except my choices are fairly clear perusing my site.
freerollinsider.com

usa ok poker freerolls

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Time
Event
00:00
Wingows $100 Freeroll
01:30
Wingows $250 Guaranteed
02:00
Wingows $10 Freeroll
04:00
Wingows $10 Freeroll
06:00
Wingows $10 Freeroll
07:30
Wingows $10 Freeroll
08:00
Freeroll to 16:30 Wingows $500 Guaranteed
09:00
Wingows $10 Freeroll
10:00
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10:30
Wingows $10 Freeroll
12:00
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12:30
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13:00
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13:45
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15:45
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22:00
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President Bush is expected to sign the bill banning financial transactions

Friday 10/13/2006 President Bush is expected to sign the bill banning financial transactions to/from online gaming entities and their respective sources of such monetary movements. Therefore, we all will have a clearer picture of the gaming industry's reaction over this coming weekend and followings days/weeks and months. Friday afternoon I'll have a comprehensive report on the action once it is set in place, including frequent updates.
The companies who have made statements regarding removal of the US market segment are: River Belle-Gaming Club (confirmed)CD Poker (confirmed) PartyPoker, PartyCasino, PartyGammon (Confirmed) Pacific Poker, 888.com, Reef Club Casino (Confirmed) Paradise Poker (Desicion Pending) Titan Poker (Confirmed) Poker Ocean (Confirmed) Betfred Poker (Confirmed) CelebPoker (Confirmed) PokerPlex.com (Confirmed) VIP Poker (Confirmed)
for more see...http://www.pokerlistings.com/bush-to-sign-security-bill-gambling-act-next-friday
---250,000 freeroll hands since nov. 2005---http://www.freerollinsider.comRon

Site Contents: freerollinsider

Site Contents: freerollinsider pages in red

Freerollinsider Home page content highlights special offers, site votes, page ranks and PR poker links. Poker freeroll listings page features 80 freerolls listings, scheduled round the clock for your convenience with over $10,000 in daily prize pools. Front seat poker rooms features poker sites to which I'm affiliated. Sign up here, play good poker, let's make money! Tournament monitor feeds search by Poker room, Game type, Limit type, Min. buyin / Max. buyin for freeroll tournaments or any dollar amount in real time. Dealer's Choice Poker links page links to 90 poker, gambling, blogs, freerolls and general sites that I wholly endorse. Poker news takes feeds from Poker Source Online and GoArticles Gambling Category to keep you well informed. I am a member at the PI network and enjoy the benefits there: ongoing sponsorships, signup players for cash and private freeroll tournaments. How's about some poker fun? Here you will find 93x hot chick of the day, hollywood poker girls, poker stories, famous quotations and more.

Quick strategy for playing freeroll tournaments.

-patience, patience, patience.

First hour, play only premium hands out of position A-A to 9-9, AK suited to 10-J suited, AK unsuited to 10-J unsuited. The latter hands play with great caution. On the button, play all premium hands aggressively, middle hands carefully. In the blinds you can play a little looser with hand selection if nobody raises. Keep your flops seen percentage under 12-13 if possible on the average. If your cards a rushing good then play them. Otherwise you may not have a good hand to play for an entire hour. Don't worry be patient!

-selective aggression.

Second hour, loosen up a bit and take a chance once in a while. Never go all in when you don't have the nuts. Have a goal in mind of playing into the top 10 or 20 places. So, be selectively aggressive. If you have a good hand then be aggressive with it! Keep your flops seen percentage under 15 if possible on the average. Try to get your chip stack 20-40 times the big blinds so as you don't become short stacked. Take as many small pots as possible.

-when opportunity knocks.

Last hour, pay more attention to loose and tight players. The big stack is trying to get bigger and the small stack is trying not to bust out. Look for opportunities to take blinds and try to finish slower than the others risk less than your opponents until you get to the goal of top 10 or 20. Then, get aggressive. Play all premium hands a fast as you possibly can, bet strong. play middle hands strong. And be very careful of potential traps. Traps will get you busted just a bit quicker. So play hard and fast but be wary. Flops seen percentage should still be under 20 if you get good cards often,under 16-17 if your cards are junk.
Good luck at the freeroll tables...

Ron@freerollinsider.com -240,000 hands played since nov. 2005- http://www.freerollinsider.com

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PokerChamps Disallows US, China and Japan. Players accounts closed!!!

PokerChamps | Important notice

Dear Customer,


As part of a recent upgrade, PokerChamps has performed a system change that begins the process of moving to a new platform. We have also incorporated geo-location software which enables us to implement a long standing and consistent Group Company policy of not permitting access to individuals in specific target countries. This applies to individuals from the United States, China and Japan.

You have been identified as residing in one of those countries. However if you believe we are mistaken as to your country of residence, please contact us on support@pokerchamps.com

Unfortunately this means you are no longer able to use your pokerchamps account or open a new pokerchamps account. Pokerchamps is sorry for the inconvenience this may cause, and will endeavour to make the process of account closure and funds withdrawal as painless as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact our support team on support@pokerchamps.com



Kind regards,
The PokerChamps Team

Thanks Gus!!!

Poker isn't a team sport

Poker isn't a team sport
Soft playing your friends is a form of collusion
Home News Tribune Online 07/21/06
If you want to do your friends a favor, don't do it at the poker table. Take them out for a beer if you win the tournament. In fact, buy them dinner. What you can't do, though, is give anybody a break — ever.

Yes, it's true. I would check-raise my own mother if it meant that I could beat her for all of her chips. The same holds true for my brother, my wife, and any professional poker player friends of mine.


Frankly, that's the only way to act at the poker table.

At the World Series of Poker, players are randomly seated at one of many tables. In past years, though, exceptions were made in special circumstances. For example, if a husband and wife were seated at the same table, one of the two would be moved to another table.

However, if both players happened to make the final table, then obviously they'd have to play there, which can make for an unpleasant situation. Along these lines, there is one form of cheating that you may not be aware of. In fact, you might be doing it yourself.

Have you ever been in a poker tournament and decided to take it easy on a buddy who was down on his luck? Let's say, you had the absolute nut hand, but checked to him because you didn't want to beat him. That's cheating. That may sound harsh, but it's the truth. Even though you might not see any harm in it, and your intentions are all well and good, soft playing your friends is a form of collusion. It's called team play.

Soft playing really is a big deal. If you're caught doing it in a tournament, whether it was intentional or not, you might receive a penalty. Tournament officials can put you in the penalty box for an allotted amount time or even disqualify you from the tournament. More often than not, the offending player doesn't feel like he's cheating. He just doesn't understand why it's wrong to take it easy on somebody.

Tournaments generally pay 10 percent of the field. Survival is critical; the longer you're alive in a tournament, the closer you get to cashing in on a payday. By slow playing and not betting your strong hands against a friend, you're hurting every remaining player's chance of cashing in.

Let's look at an extreme example to help illustrate why this practice has no place in poker.

It's a No Limit Hold'em tournament where the top 27 players are in the money; there are currently 28 remaining. The next player eliminated gets nothing at all — the infamous bubble. Now, suppose you're the chip leader, in the big blind, and have a huge stack. The blinds are at $500 to $1,000. Your buddy, conversely, is the shortest stack with just $1,500 in chips. He decides to go all-in, raising you a measly $500 more. You look down at your cards and see A-K.

With your big slick, it's very likely you'll eliminate your buddy if you call. In fact, even if you were dealt 2-7 offsuit, it would still be correct to call, based on pot odds.

However, let's say you decide to be a nice guy and let him have the $1,500 in blinds, allowing him to double his chips to 3,000. Well, you've just cheated all the other players in the tournament.

If your pal now happens to make it into the money, he'll be taking a spot that likely should have been someone else's. Sure, giving the pot away didn't hurt you much, but by letting your buddy have it, you've made a world of difference to his stack, and to the integrity of the game.

Poker isn't a team sport. It's every player for himself, and it simply has to be that way. I realize that it can be uncomfortable to knock out your friends, but the alternative is flat out cheating. It's your responsibility to play hard against all of your opponents, even if you have a relationship with them.

If you want to do your friends a favor, don't do it at the poker table. Take them out for a beer if you win the tournament. In fact, buy them dinner. What you can't do, though, is give anybody a break — ever.

Visit www.fullcontactpoker.com/news to submit your questions and comments to poker champion Daniel Negreanu.

House passes bill to limit online gambling

Updated: 2:32 p.m. CT July 11, 2006
WASHINGTON - The House passed legislation Tuesday that would prevent gamblers from using credit cards to bet online and could block access to gambling Web sites.

The legislation would clarify and update current law to spell out that most gambling is illegal online. But there would be exceptions — for state-run lotteries and horse racing — and passage isn’t a safe bet in the Senate, where Republican leaders have not considered the measure a high priority.

The House voted 317-93 for the bill, which would allow authorities to work with Internet providers to block access to gambling Web sites.

To enforce that ban, the bill would prohibit credit cards and other payment forms, such as electronic transfers, from being used to settle online wagers. It also would give law enforcement officials the authority to work with Internet providers to block access to gambling Web sites.

Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Jim Leach, R-Iowa sponsored the bill. They successfully beat back an amendment to strip out exemptions in the legislation for the horse racing industry and state lotteries.

Goodlatte called that “a poison pill amendment,” aimed at defeating the larger bill.


Critics argued that regulating the $12 billion industry would be better than outlawing it. The Internet gambling industry is headquartered almost entirely outside the United States, though about half its customers live in the U.S.

Other critics complain that the bill doesn’t cover all forms of gambling. They point to exemptions they say would allow online lotteries and Internet betting on horse racing to flourish while cracking down on other kinds of sports betting, casino games and card games like poker.

“If you’re going to support legislation that is supposed to ’prohibit gambling,’ you should not have carve-outs,” said Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the conservative Traditional Values Coalition.

Other conservative and antigambling groups are supporting the legislation, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Jim Leach, R-Iowa.


John Kindt, a business professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who has studied the issue, calls the Internet “the crack cocaine” of gambling.

“There are no needle marks. There’s no alcohol on the breath. You just click the mouse and lose your house,” he said.

Congress has considered similar bills several times before. In 2000, disgraced lobbyist Jack Ambramoff led a fierce campaign against it on behalf of an online lottery company.

Online lotteries are allowed in the bill passed today, largely at the behest of states that increasingly rely on lotteries to augment tax revenues.

Pro-sports leagues also like the bill, arguing that Web wagering could hurt the integrity of their sports.

The horse racing industry also supported the bill because of the exemption it would get. Betting operators would not be prohibited from any activity allowed under the Interstate Horseracing Act. That law written in the 1970s set up rules for interstate betting on racing. It was updated a few years ago to clarify that betting on horse racing over the Internet is allowed.

Greg Avioli, chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said the mention of horse racing in the bill is “a recognition of existing federal law,” not a new carve-out.

He said the racing industry has a strong future in the digital age and acknowledged the bill would send Internet gamblers to racing sites. “They’d return to the one place they can bet legally,” Avioli said.

That’s what some critics say is unfair.

“Somehow we find ourselves in a situation where Congress has gotten in the business of cherry-picking types of gambling,” complained Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla. Wexler had tried unsuccessfully to include exemptions for dog racing and jai alai, both popular in Florida.

The Justice Department has taken a different view on the legality of Internet betting on horse races. In a World Trade Organization case involving Antigua, the department said online betting on horse racing remains illegal under the 1961 Wire Act despite the existence of the more recently passed Interstate Horseracing Act.

The department hasn’t actively enforced its stance, but observers say it is possible the agency and the racing industry could face off in court in the future.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is leading support for the ban in the Senate. The issue has so far not been debated in that chamber this year.