The 2008 Aruba Poker Classic, sponsored by Ultimate Bet, is in full swing from Aruba. In the background of the Main Event, which will crown a winner on Saturday, news spread across the island that one of UB’s former affiliate managers and consultants, Russ Hamilton, was named as the main perpetrator behind the scandal that rocked the online poker room to its foundation. While the rest of the industry reacts to the latest news, the mood remains light in Aruba, where a bevy of Ultimate Bet staff and players are focused on tonight’s Ante Up for Africa charity tournament.
In press release distributed on Monday, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), the licensor for Ultimate Bet, stated, “Between the approximate dates of May 2004 to January 2008, Russell Hamilton, an individual associated with Ultimate Bet’s affiliate program, was the main person responsible for and benefiting from the multiple cheating incidents.” A source in Aruba told Poker News Daily that Hamilton being named was now known throughout the Radisson Hotel and Casino, the site of the event. However, the revelation was not the central topic of discussion and the mood remained light.
Meanwhile, Poker News Daily has learned that players in Aruba have been signing up for cash games under the name NioNio, which was the most well-known account involved in the scandal. An unsuspecting person in the casino’s poker room would then say that a $5/$10 seat for NioNio was open, which would incite a round of laughter from the crowd. Other accounts cited as being part of the scandal included Sleepless, NoPaddles, nvtease, flatbroke33, ilike2win, UtakeIt2, FlipFlop2, erick456, WhackMe44, RockStarLA, stoned2nite, monizzle, FireNTexas, HeadKase01, LetsPatttty, NYMobser, and WhoWhereWhen.
The KGC has mandated that Tokwiro, which is the parent company of Ultimate Bet, remove all persons deemed to be “unsuitable” by November 3rd. Who those individuals will be is not currently known. In addition, the KGC has imposed a $1.5 million fine and demanded stricter control of the online poker room in the future. The KGC’s investigative team is led by former New Jersey gaming regulator Frank Catania, who also helped formulate the regulations that the organization uses today.
Tonight, a $200 rebuy Ante Up for Africa tournament will occur, with the proceeds benefiting that charity. Ultimate Bet has run benefits for Ante Up for Africa online, with “Ocean’s 11” and “Crash” actor Don Cheadle serving as its primary spokesperson. Cheadle and Ultimate Bet’s Annie Duke served as the faces behind an Ante Up for Africa tournament held as part of the 2008 World Series of Poker.
The Main Event of the Aruba Poker Classic drew 551 players to the sunny island. The final table is typically held outdoors and is a favorite stop for many of the tournament regulars. This year, it occurred simultaneously with the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event and European Poker Tour’s London stop. The tournament will pay $1 million to its winner and at the time of writing, the field is being led by Jason Smith. Here are the top ten stacks as play winds down for the afternoon in Aruba according to CardPlayer’s tournament coverage:
1. Jason Smith, 380,000
2. Steve Frasure, 307,000
3. Matt Brady, 275,000
3. Mark Standerfer, 275,000
5. Joseph Serock, 267,000
6. James Mordue, 265,000
7. Jamie Vigliarolo, 247,000
8. Cristiano Garmeni, 220,000
9. Johan Storakers, 216,000
10. Karl Stark, 215,000
The Main Event of the Aruba Poker Classic will dole out its million dollar prize on Saturday at the six-handed final table. Each person at the final table is guaranteed to pocket at least $83,120. The buy-in was $5,500.