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Changes To WPT In Season X
The Bicycle Casino is hosting the first step of the 10th season of the World Poker Tour. Several new stops have been announced in the United States and Europe. The poker community discusses some of the announced changes for the upcoming season, including the live broadcast of event final tables.

Tax Changes
The forum community discusses tax changes that they believe should be included in any potential United States online poker legislation.

EPL Puts Rheem On Probation
The Epic Poker League has announced that David Rheem is on probation with the League following the accusations that he had unpaid debts with other players. Following the victory of the inaugural event at the Epic Poker League Main Event, Rheem paid back several stakers, but appears to have been unable to repay all of his debts.

Mercier Tops Global Index
Jason Mercier’s score on the Global Poker Index has placed the poker professional on top of the list, taking over the No. 1 spot from Bertrand Grospellier. Bertrand Grospellier is now ranked 3rd, just below Eric Seidel.

Pros And Cons Of The EPL
In the second part of a two part series, Steve Ruddock looks at the pros and cons of the Epic Poker League from the perspective of the player

Past, Present And Future Of Playtech
A writer examines the past, present and future prospects of Playtech.

Country With The Best Players
PocketFives has introduced a new feature which tracks the countries with the best online poker players.

Owed Site Money
A player owed one of the major poker sites $3,000 and had not yet repaid them when ‘Black Friday’ made it impossible for him to do. He wonders what effect this could have on him if he does not find a way to settle that debt.

2011 Americas Cup of Poker
For the second consecutive year Canada has won the Americas Cup of Poker which was held at the Mantra Resort, Spa and Casino in Uruguay.

Online Poker Watchdog Reports
The ‘Online Poker Watchdog’ is an independent organization which monitors millions of online poker hands to determine if online poker sites are being run fairly and securely or if they are rigged. Thus far, they have provided their results from the Entraction Network, Merge Network, PartyPoker and PokerStars. They have determined that there is no suspicious activity on any of these sites.

Political Support For Online Gambling
The potential for a new revenue source has caught the interest of many politically conservative groups. The debate that millions of dollars are being sent overseas where online gambling is still running may have swayed several politicians concerned with ways to avoid raising taxes.

Trusting The Other Guys
Considering the exodus of poker sites from the United States after the UIGEA was passed, followed by the more recent events of ‘Black Friday’, this forum user questions the trust players are putting in Bodog Poker, the Merge Gaming Network, Everleaf Network and the Cake Poker Network.

Merge Network And U.S. Players
Members of the online poker community wonder why the Merge Gaming Network has not yet reopened to new American player signups, as they earlier indicated they would.

Home Games Come To iPoker
The iPoker Network has launched its Home Game Product, allowing players to create private online tournaments. The service has launched first with Genting Poker.

Verify Before Deposit, Money Play
In order to combat scammers and poker bots, a forum writer suggests that online poker sites should verify players’ identities before they are permitted to deposit or play in any freeroll tournaments for real money payouts.

Brunson Backs Down To US
A writer talks about how Doyle Brunson has not stood up against the US Department of Justice. He points out that Brunson previously believed he was operating ‘in the clear’ before the online poker crackdown, but has now turned about following the shutdown of the site bearing his namesake.

Rose Disputes Online Gambling Figures
Professor I. Nelson Rose warns that the use of statistics can be problematic by both those for or against online gambling. He points out some situations where figures were misused or fabricated to defend a point of view. The actions are a result of bias from each side and that a reasoned debate is needed to manage online gambling properly.

Full Tilt May See Changeup
Full Tilt Poker may face a change in management following any bailout from an investor. Several investors are allegedly in talks with the gambling operator for its assets, with the hope that a resolution can be made before September 15th, when the company must face a hearing with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

Fewer Fish, More Skill?
Alex Rousso attempts to debunk the idea that with fewer ‘fish’, as a result of ‘Black Friday’, poker will become more skill oriented. He believes that it is actually the opposite.

Lock Legal Action Against ‘Girah’
Blogger Steven Ruddock discusses the news that Lock Poker was filing a legal suit against Jose ‘Girah’ Macedo for his part in the recent cheating scandal.

Merge Flirts With US Players
The Merge Poker Network appears to be facing challenges as it is expected to begin re-accepting new US players again. One of its sites, Sportsbook.com, temporarily resumed new registrations, but then shut its doors again.

US Politics And Poker
A writer looks into the political landscape as it relates to online poker. He believes that the efforts by the online poker community to differentiate itself from the rest of the online gambling industry have failed. He further states his opinion that there are certain key players crucial to making online poker a reality, and even with the right support, it will take a while to come to fruition.

Bachmann Bad For Online Poker
An examination of Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann’s stance on online poker reveals that she would be a bad choice for online gambling proponents. Bachmann has been seen opposing various online poker bills, including HR 2267, which with amendments she suggested, would essentially ban online gambling from US shores.

California Online Poker Hot Topic
An increasing amount of press is raising the issue of online intrastate poker in California. Some articles consider the cost of introducing online gambling into the state and believe that while revenues could be generated, it would be offset by the cost to the public and problem gambling. The issue of tribes competing for favourable legislation has also been raised, with different tribal groups trying to sway public opinion through advertising campaigns.

Problem With Poker Podcasts
Blogger Steve Ruddock discusses the issue of how many podcast broadcasters do not properly researching the topics they are discussing and relay inaccurate information.

Site Claims Land-Based Invasion
Canadian-poker.ca is reporting that land-based casino corporations are seeking their entry into online poker and dominate the US market. He points out that several companies have relationships with online operators which would ease their ability to create a large online presence.

Bet365 Poker Shuts Out Australia
Bet365 has shut down its online poker operations facing Australia. The move is intended to help the operator obtain an online sports book license.

US Players Might Avoid Taxes
An article talks about the recent concerns over Full Tilt Players having to pay taxes on their winnings. A possible loophole, owing to the fact that Full Tilt has been unable to pay player’s funds, may allow these players to avoid the possible taxes due.

Florida Poker Growing
The Florida Department of Business has approved a new poker room to be run by the Jacksonville Kennel Club. The room will hold an estimated 40 tables and join the growing list of successful poker rooms operating within the state.

Caesars Wants 30-Somethings
An article posits the idea that Caesars Entertainment is targeting the 30-something age group. The writer notes that Caesars estimates that by 2015, over half of its revenues will come from customers aged 20-40 and is hoping to make loyal customers to replace income sources it will lose as the baby boomers continue to retire.

All Bellagio Aces Of Spades Marked
The forum community discusses claims by Jimmy Fricke on Twitter that every Ace of Spades at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is marked. He also contends that despite his attempts at informing casino staff, nothing is being done

A.C. Gets $10 Million Face Lift
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has approved $10 million in funds to be spent on revitalizing downtown. The project hopes to build onto existing facilities, such as Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center, to boost local businesses, provide mixed-income housing and new attractions.

The Case Against New York Casinos
An editorial writer believes that the claim that casinos help the economy is false. The writer warns that profiting from problem gamblers is immoral and that money from regular gamblers is just money that would have been spent elsewhere in New York.

Kerkorian Sale Prompts MGM Stock Drop
Kirk Kerkorian has sold off a large portion of his stock in MGM Resorts, reducing his stake in the company from 54% to 22.8%. MGM saw its stock fall to a Wednesday closing price of $10.74.

MGM To Demolish Harmon Tower
MGM Resorts International has announced that the flawed 27-story Harmon Tower cannot be fixed and that the only solution remaining is to demolish the unfinished structure.

The Importance Of Preparation
A writer talks about the preparations he takes in order to play poker. He notes that with the experience that many players have, especially with online poker players, preparation is one of the most important aspects of the game.

Living Like A Refugee
ESPN blogger Andrew Feldman discusses the concept of relocation from the United States for online poker players.

Haseeb Qureshi Innocent
Despite his own admission of guilt, a forum poster suggests that Haseeb ‘DogIsHead’ Qureshi is actually innocent of wrongdoing in the recent scandals surrounding Jose Macedo. He believes that it was Macedo who manipulated Qureshi.

PokerClock Web Tournament Clock
PokerClock.com has announced the launch of their new web-based poker tournament clock.

Confidence In Online Operators Shaken
Online gambling companies are putting every effort to assure players and potential players that their operations are safe and secure. Worries over funding and security have become top priority when the US Department of Justice cracked down on the top three online poker companies.

A Case Against President Perry
Gambling911.com has published an opinion that voting for candidate Rick Perry would be bad for the online gambling industry. Despite being supported by Doyle Brunson, he article contends that Perry has shown a track record of being opposed to gambling and would likely carry that attitude to the federal level.

Making US Online Poker Happen
The US Debt Super Committee could be crucial to introducing regulated online poker in the United States. The committee could add clauses related to regulating online poker and remain untouched owing to the status of the bill.

Perspectives Weekly
On this week’s Perspectives Weekly, J. Todd discusses the news that Full Tilt Poker paid the Alderney Gambling Control Commission money they were owed, but the poker site has yet to start refunding their players.