Saturday, February 23, 2008

Poker Stars - Lee Russo vs Washington’s online gambling ban: Court date set

Lee Russo vs Washington’s online gambling ban: Court date set
Lee Russo, the Washington State lawyer who challenged the constitutionality of the Washington law that effectively criminalized the act of placing a wager online, will have his day in court sooner than later. Russo, who is also the WA State Rep for the Poker ��...full article

WA flagLee Russo, the Washington State lawyer who challenged the constitutionality of the Washington law that effectively criminalized the act of placing a wager online, will have his day in court sooner than later.

Russo, who is also the WA State Rep for the Poker Player’s Alliance, announced on the PPA website that the hearing for his challenge has been scheduled for April 25th. Below is the text of his announcement on the PPA website:

I have obtained a hearing date of April 25 at 11:00 a.m., Kent courthouse, for my constitutional challenge to Washington’s law governing internet gambling. I will be filing my brief on or before March 28 and will provide a copy to post on the PPA website.

I hope Washington state poker players will come to the hearing and show their support.

Lee Rousso

Here’s the PPA page tracking Russo’s efforts.

The case has several potentially significant impacts, chief among them the role it might play in determining whether or not states have the jurisdiction to regulate online gambling.

We’ll update as the date draws nearer.



Proposed California Bill to Determine Online Poker Legality
Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, has introduced a bill in California that will study the legality of intrastate online poker in California. The bill is designed to evaluate the potential for California to establish and...

Speculation continues regarding the identity of seda1
Seda1, the mysterious online poker player who has been battling it out with Phil Ivey in the largest cash games online lately at Full Tilt Poker, has finally been identified - at least that’s the speculation coming out of Poker King and 2+2 recently. PK ran ��...full article

AKSeda1, the mysterious online poker player who has been battling it out with Phil Ivey in the largest cash games online lately at Full Tilt Poker, has finally been identified - at least that’s the speculation coming out of Poker King and 2+2 recently.

PK ran a story yesterday based largely on a 2+2 thread that identified seda1 as Shawn Sedaghat. Excerpt:

It seems as though the true identity of “seda1″ is likely to be Shawn Sedaghat.

Sedaghat is a wealthy businessman who has been known to play in some high-stakes poker games. He reportedly took millions of dollars off of Ron Meyer, long-time head of Universal Studios, according to this article.

Sedaghat won $29,925 at the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event, which is the only cash that I can find to his name.

Sedaghat was formerly the President and Chief Executive Officer of Seda Specialty Packaging until the company was purchased by CCL Industries, Inc. on June 16, 1997. SEC Document here

Whole thing here.

2+2 thread here.



PokerStars EPT Copenhagen, Day 3: Vance Heads Final Table
39 players returned to compete on Day 3 of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Copenhagen championship, with Rasmus Hede Nielsen leading the pack as the day began. Notable players still alive included 2007 WSOP bracelet winner Alex...

Stud Poker Strategy: Problems to Ponder
I have some problems for you to ponder until next week when I'll fill you in on my answers. For now, take out a piece of paper and jot down what you think the best answers are to the following questions. Don't sweat...

Antonio Esfandiari hired by the WPT to do something or other
The WPT has apparently decided that their model for success relies on fewer tournaments and more hype - at least that’s one conclusion you could draw from today’s announcement that the World Poker Tour has hired Antonio Esfandiari to be the ‘face of the WPT ��...full article

WPTThe WPT has apparently decided that their model for success relies on fewer tournaments and more hype - at least that’s one conclusion you could draw from today’s announcement that the World Poker Tour has hired Antonio Esfandiari to be the ‘face of the WPT Poker-Made Millionaire’.

CardPlayer ran a story on the announcement. Excerpt:

According to the WPTE, Esfandiari will leverage his experience to provide poker tips, tools and tricks for fans and players while delivering updates and information from tournament stops via WPT Live Updates, web videos and online blogs. He will also represent WPT in tournaments and events across the world, including the upcoming WPT tournament at Casino Barcelona in May, which is the first of many regional events WPT will implement in various markets worldwide.

“Antonio embodies the excitement that has become the WPT journey,” said Lipscomb. ”This is the only sport in the history of televised sports that allows you to watch it, dream it and be it. Now, WPT fans and poker enthusiasts can take the journey with Antonio as he leads the way for the next WPT Poker-Made Millionaire.”

Whole thing here.

Pokerati ran a bit on the story here.

Wicked Chops hasn’t run anything on it yet, but they probably will soon. You should go there regardless.



Fallen Heroes Poker Benefit Set for Sunday at Bicycle Casino
In his 20-plus years of police work, Scott Diamond has witnessed first-hand the devastation faced by families of officers who die in the line of duty. Those families often struggle to make ends meet. Diamond decided that he needed...

Lunch with Jack Effel: Changes to the 2008 WSOP, Part 2
Event Structure: Since the inception of the WSOP in 1970, the tournaments have always been dollar for dollar. In 2007, WSOP management decided that they would follow what many of the other tournaments have done and give double...

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