Thanks for tuning in once again to the Poker News Daily Weekly Update! I’m your host, Sean Gibson, and I’ll be recapping the biggest headlines in the world of poker. Let’s get right to it.
Our first story rocks the world of internet poker as Doyle Brunson’s sponsored site Doyles Room announced they are leaving the Cake Poker Network and joining … the Yatahay Poker Network. Chances are, like me, before this story broke you’ve never even heard of the Yatahay Poker Network. Well, according to PokerScout.com, it’s the 38th largest worldwide poker network with a seven day running average of …. 73 real money ring game players. By contrast, the Cake Network has over ten times that very modest amount. Doyle Brunson stated in a press release:
“With our new software, we’re able to do our own thing in terms of promotions, software features, and customer service. For our players, that means a tailored poker experience with more rewarding promotions and incentives. I’m personally excited about what’s ahead.”
The Yatahay Poker Network takes action from the United States so existing players will be able to keep their accounts.
The next SuperStar Showdown match is booked for Viktor Blom, better known as isildur1, for this coming Sunday against Dan “jungleman12” Cates. You might recognize Cates as the man who has the big lead in the Durrrr Challenge over at Full Tilt Poker. The two will play four tables of $50-$100 No Limit Holdem over twenty five hundred hands on PokerStars. The match starts at 5:30pm Eastern time and you are welcome to rail the action.
Full Tilt Poker has doubled the guarantees on their tournaments this week to the tune of $30 million. This resulted in a ridiculous $1k Monday tournament which normally features a $300,000 dollar prize pool. As a result of the promotion there were enough entries to balloon the field to boast a prize pool of one point four MILLION dollars. Poker pro Shaun Deeb, a recent guest of The Showndown here on Poker News Daily booked the win in that huge event and won a first place prize worth a little more than three hundred and twelve thousand dollars. Be sure to check out the rest of Full Tilt Poker’s action this weekend as Double Guarantees week concludes on Sunday with a $1.5 Million guarantee at 5pm Eastern time.
Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel won the largest buy-in tournament in poker history late Thursday night at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. For his heroic efforts, Seidel took the first prize of 2.5 million Australian dollars and the title of champion of the Aussie Millions Super High Roller event. The tournament had twenty participants who each paid in a quarter of a million Australian dollars to enter. Some of the names included Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Dan Cates and Chris Ferguson.
In more news coming out of Australia, poker pro David “zanderfish” Saab was arrested due to his alleged involvement in attempting to smuggle 46 pounds of cocaine into his native country. The estimated street value of the drugs is around four million Australian dollars. Three men in total have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine and attempting to possess a commercial quality of cocaine. If convicted, Saab could face up to 25 years in prison. You might remember Saab from a deep run in the WSOP Main Event where he finished in 46th place and was featured on ESPN during the broadcast.
Finally, in more live tournament news, Russian Alexander Kuzmin won the World Poker Tour’s Southern Poker Championship. Kuzmin was the chip leader heading into the final table and outmaneuvered the tough competition for the win. Battling heads up against Lief Force, Kuzmin’s king four offsuit held up against Force’s jack nine suited. Kuzmin takes home over six hundred thousand dollars. Here’s the results and payouts of the final table from the WPT Southern Poker Championship.
1st: Alexander Kuzmin – $601,469
2nd: Leif Force – $315,790
3rd: Allen Carter – $218,471
4th: Shannon Shorr – $144,985
5th: Pat Mahoney – $113,208
6th: Ryan Hughes – $89,375
Well that does it for this week’s Weekly News Update and we appreciate you tuning in. Be sure to check back with us here at Poker News Daily for the latest poker news and be sure to follow us at twitter as well at www.twitter.com/pokernewsdaily. I’m Sean Gibson wishing you an outstanding weekend at the tables!