Poker News Bits for W/E 9-19
A lot has been going on this week in the world of poker. Let’s take a look at some of the smaller news bits:
No Mercy Leaves PokerStars – Joins BetClick
Isabelle Mercier is no longer a PokerStars pro. The reason given was that she wanted to pursue other interests. She joined the website back in 2004 after winning the World Poker Tour’s “Ladies Night II” event. She earned the nickname “No Mercy” Mercier and became a part of the world’s largest poker room. At the time, many didn’t know whether she would focus on her company of No Mercy Productions or whether she would sign with another room.
It didn’t take long for her to sign another deal as BetClick announced a couple of days later that Mercier had singed with their website. BetClick is know primarily for its sports-betting, but does offer poker on its site. The addition of Mercier is seen as the beginning of an aggressive push to market the site.
Poker PROductions Facing Suits over Alleged Concept Theft
Brandon McSmith is claiming that Poker PROductions stole the idea for the struggling poker show “Face the Ace” from him. He claimed that he pitched the idea a couple of years ago to them and was surprised when the concept was allegedly stolen from him for Face the Ace.
McSmith is suing for $85 Million in damages. NBC is also named in the suit. Brandon McSmith posted the following in comments about his story on Pokernewsboy.com, “Everyone thinks it’s just Poker PROductions I’m suing. NBC is also named in the suit as well. I’m going to hit NBC hard!” He also commented that in his concept, experience broadcasters were to be used. He also stated. ” It hurts that the show I created is doing so bad but the fact is I had no input on how the finished show came out. Now I know how Wesley Snipes felt with his lawsuit over Blade Trinity!”
Full Tilt Poker Faces Another Lawsuit
Jason Newitt, a former Full Tilt employee has filed a lawsuit against Full Tilt Poker, Tiltware, Pocket Kings Consulting, Howard Lederer, and Raymond Bitar. He stated that “he was unfairly fired and that his distribution payments were unfairly eased. Defendants then took control of his ownership.”
Newitt was fired after accidentally forwarding a letter from Howard Lederer that described Jimmy “gobboboy” Fricke as “kind of a weird dude” and a “freak.” Lederer later apologized for the comments, but not after Fricke has posted the letter on TwoPlusTwo forums for the entire world to see.
Newitt is being represented by the same firm, Howard & Howard, that represented Clonie Gowan in her case against Full Tilt.
Borgata Poker Open Ladies Event Won By a Man
A typical ladies event does not usually stir up any controversy unless a man decides to play in the event. That is exactly what happened at the Borgata Poker Open when Abraham Korotki decided to play in the event. Usually this type of story only gets a nod by most media, but Korotki did the one thing that many had feared, and that is win the Women’s event.
The top prize for the event was $20,982, but for many, it was the principle of the matter at hand. According to Alyson Parker, a player at the event, “Any gentleman that comes to play, on the face of it, is doing it with disrespectful intent.” Korotki did give a portion of his winning to charity for breast cancer research, but this didn’t deflect much of the negative criticism for the win.
Nevada Revenues Down 12.48% in July
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has reported that the revenues, also know as “win”, for the Nevada casino’s in July was $872 Million, which is a 12.48% drop over last year. Gaming revenues continue to stay at near double digit number since September of last year. The only exception was May where only a 8.34% drop was seen. Even the World Series of Poker could not save revenues as in June, they dropped by 13.82%. Revenues only dropped 1.11% in June last year.
Lake Tahoe is the hardest hit area in the state with North Lake Tahoe dropping by 23.18% in July year over year and South Lake Tahoe having the largest drop in the state at 33.17% year over year. Amazingly, North Las Vegas revenue grew 7.41% year over year. It was the only part of Vegas to show growth as the Strip showed drops of 11.14% and downtown saw a 11.54% drop.
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