Inside Straight -- News

Ivey and Antonius Accept 'Durrrr's' Million-Dollar Challenge
Two live-action pros will face the online pro on his turf
By Bob Pajich

Tom Dwan, more commonly known online as "Durrrr," stunned the poker community when he told Card Player that he was offering an extreme high-stakes heads-up challenge to anyone in the world (with the exception of his good friend and fellow online player Phil Galfond).

The online phenom offered a 3-1 side bet to anyone over 50,000 hands at $200-$400 blinds on at least four different online tables in either no-limit hold'em or pot-limit Omaha. If Dwan was ahead at the end of the challenge, he would win an additional $500,000. If he was down, he would pay his opponent an additional $1.5 million.

"I don't get enough people to play me heads up. Even though there is more money to be made in other games, instead of playing heads up at one or two tables, it's so interesting, and you learn a lot," said Dwan. "I think I might have an edge here, but it's more to have fun and gamble a bit. That's why I'm making this challenge."

The bold offer created a whirlwind of speculation in the poker blogs and forums, with everyone wondering who might take Dwan up on his challenge. That answer would come soon enough.

Both Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius, celebrated live-action pros who also play their fair share online, have accepted the challenge. French pro David Benyamine and a host of other players are also reportedly considering it. Dwan said he would try to play everyone, but as of press time, it was not clear whom he would face first and when the challenge would start.

"It sounded too good to be true," said Antonius. "It's going to be fun."

Ivey admitted that he thought Dwan might have a slight edge on him in the beginning of the challenge, since the 22-year-old had so much more experience multitabling heads-up games.

"The funny thing is, he probably does have an edge," said Ivey. "There's something tempting about that million and a half to $500,000."

While the side bet might seem like a lot of money, it is nothing compared to the amount of money that can change hands over 50,000 hands at that level. Based on the terms set for the match, it would not be unreasonable for someone to lose between $5 million and $10 million during the challenge.

"Somebody's probably going to go broke," Ivey said, ominously. "That's a lot of money, and a lot of time."

Citizens Tell Obama to Let People Play Online Poker
A Suggestion on Barack Obama's Website is Gaining Massive Support
By Bob Pajich

A suggestion to Barack Obama to "let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution," which appeared on his "Citizen's Briefing Book" website, has quickly been voted the second-most-popular idea and is promised to be seen by the president.

The site was set up by Obama's transition team, and is designed to allow citizens to submit and promote suggestions about what issues the president needs to tackle during his term.

It's set up in such a way that the more people who vote on a suggestion, the more likely it will rise to the top and be given thought by Obama's transition team. A citizen with the username of AAHue posted the following suggestion on Jan. 12:

Boost America's Economy With Legal Online Poker

Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. Boost the economy by letting American companies and Ameican [sic] players make money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker businesses offshore. Protect online poker players by regulating the industry to ensure that no one is ever cheated.

It quickly became the second-most-popular suggestion on the site, just behind an entry titled "Bullet Trains and Light Rail." Nearly 10,000 people have voted on AAHue's post.

The post can be found at citizensbriefingbook.change.gov by searching for "poker." People must be registered to vote and comment on posts, but the entire process takes less than a minute.

On the video introducing the page, Obama's transition co-chair Valerie Jarrett explained that the site was created to bring the ideas and suggestions from normal citizens directly to the president. So far, nearly 5,000 ideas and suggestions have been submitted.

Wynn Classic Giving Away 13 Free Poker Entries
Just One Hour of Play Can Get You Into the Main Event
By Stephen A. Murphy

Most casinos' promotions require you to play anywhere from 40 to 80 hours of poker over a month or two to become eligible for a freeroll tournament, which you then need to win to get any substantial amount of money. Wynn Las Vegas has decided to do something a little different.

In an effort to promote its annual Wynn Classic, it will award 13 free entries to a variety of its events, including a seat in the $10,200 main event.

For every hour of play that a player logs in the Wynn poker room, he earns an electronic ticket for 13 drawings that will take place Feb. 16-19. It's a system that rewards the loyal player - as he gets more chances to win, the more hours he puts in - but it's one that also appeals to the casual player who doesn't have as much time to offer.

There will be four drawings a day on Feb. 16, 17, and 18 - at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m. Nine seats to one of the $1,060 events will be given away, and three seats to the $2,080 event on March 13 will be awarded. The final drawing, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 19, will be for a $10,200 seat in the main event, scheduled to begin on March 16.

You must be present for the drawing to collect your prize.

The Wynn Classic kicks off on Feb. 26 and concludes on March 19. There are four $545 events, nine $1,060 events, one $1,575 event, and one $3,100 event, in addition to the main event. The majority of the tournaments are no-limit hold'em, but there will be two events in Omaha eight-or-better and one pot-limit Omaha rebuy event. Check out the complete schedule of the 2009 Wynn Classic.

Last year, about half of the events in the Wynn Classic saw more than 100 players compete, with the Classic's largest tournament field coming on Feb. 28 with 621 players. Chris Moore outlasted 182 other players to win nearly $700,000 in the 2008 Wynn Classic main event.

New Poker Software Aims to Help Beginners
Players Can Get Advice as They Play
By Stephen A. Murphy

Wilson Software's No-Limit Hold'em Cash Game V1 aims to help the beginning player learn the game while getting him acquainted with slightly more advanced poker concepts like equity and deception.

With the software, a player can set up a specific kind of cash game, such as a tight-aggressive game or a very loose-passive game. There are 17 options in all, with the ability to customize your game (giving some players different attributes than other players).

At any point in the game, a player can ask for advice as to whether he should raise, call, or fold. There is no time maximum per move, as the game is used as a teaching tool more than a quick form of entertainment.

The game also comments on bet-sizing, preflop and post-flop actions, and how to disguise your hand.

Much of the focus is also on statistics and probability, giving players a chance to see their exact odds of making specific hands on each street.

The product costs $59.95 (plus $5 for shipping). To order, call toll free (800) 735-4430, or go to www.wilsonsoftware.com.