The Water Cooler: Poker News for November 28, 2011
by Deke Marston | Nov 28 2011
The States may have had a holiday weekend, but poker news kept being made around the world!North Africa Moroccan native Mohamed Ali Houssam beat a field that included names like Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier and Jonathan Duhamel to take the top spot in the grueling four-day World Poker Tour Marrakech Main Event. It was late in the final day when Houssam finally broke fellow local player Toufik Ourini to win almost €200,000 for his play in the €3,000 event. In addition to the cash for his victory, Houssam now also has a seat in the $25,000 WPT World Championship, held at the Bellagio next May.
Play in Bodog's King of the Felt online poker promotion and get your shot at a seat in the 2012 WSOP Main Event!Houssam stayed strong throughout the event, leading the 149 players from Day 1 and staying close to the leaderboard throughout. However, even great players can get a bit shaky when facing down the likes of Duhamel and Grospellier at the final table, but Houssam handled it with aplomb and, along with Ourini outplayed and outfought the rest of the players. Houssam's final payout for the event is €199,825 while second-placer Ourini still gets a very tidy €137,657.
Maine, USAWhile slot machines have been a part of the state's casinos for the last few years, table games such as craps, blackjack and poker have been off the docket — until now, at least. Hollywood Slots in Bangor is going to be adding 14 table games in the spring: six for blackjack and four for Texas Hold 'Em poker and one each for assorted other games. In addition to this, a casino under construction in Oxford is going to have at least ten table games, even if the type has yet to be determined.
Locals are, understandably, excited about the arrival of "real" gaming in casinos in the state, as they're likely to entice players from the ultra-popular Foxwoods in Connecticut, which currently hosts events for the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker alike.
The games may be available to players as early as next March, and the boost to business at Hollywood Slots will have a real impact on the local economy: 14 table games mean 89 new jobs adding $4,000,000 in salary and benefits to the local economy.
New York, USAThe New York Times reported that the slot vacated by Poker After Dark has been filled recently with an unusual repeat. No, it's not The Tonight Show or even old reruns of The A-Team: it's the inexplicably insane fourth hour of the Today morning news program. The fourth hour of the show, which features Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, is known to feature the two hosts drinking wine and yakking about celebrities. "You need a lot of laughter if you are watching TV at that hour, and that is something Kathie Lee and Hoda can deliver," said Tammy Filler, a senior producer for the show.
Up late? Play online poker at Bodog instead of watching repeats of Today!(Personally, I'd love to have Poker After Dark back: at least then I feel that players have earned their million-dollar paydays.)
