So let’s not wait any more, here are all the links:

• “The European Gaming and Betting Association has welcomed an opinion from the EC criticizing changes to gambling laws by the German state. Last year, Schleswig-Holstein broke away from the other German states and created what EGBA called a sustainable and European-Union compliant licensing model for online gambling and poker operators” – [www.pokernewsreport.com]
  

• Blom bests Dwan in Heads Up Showdown – “It may not have reached the monetary heights of previous encounters but Sunday’s heads up match between Viktor Blom and Tom Dwan provided plenty for the rail to enjoy” – [www.bluffeurope.com]
• Sen. Reid Addresses Online Poker Bill in Press Conference – “Harry Reid discussed the status of a possible U.S. online poker bill in a press conference on Tuesday” – [www.parttimepoker.com]
• “Fox Poker Club Shuttered, to be Rebranded as Genting Casino” – [pokerfuse.com]
• “While it is always a good feeling to make the final table of a World Poker Tour (WPT) event, it had to be a little tough for Ravi Raghavan to feel too overjoyed entering play Saturday at the 2012 WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic” – [www.pokernewsdaily.com]
  

• Maria Ho Joins HPT’s Talk Team – “The Heartland Poker Tour might be the domain of Greg Raymer since he bagged four of their titles this year; however, it looks as though Maria Ho is set to make the popular event her own” – [www.bluffeurope.com]

See more Maria

“We did not want to go into it having people be intimidated by us or see us as a threat to them at all,” explained Maria.  “The more harmless we seem the better off it was for us, they would be more willing to help us.”

As best friends for years, Maria and Tiffany depended on each other during the race.  “At the end of the day that’s all you had, that person, and it was your entire support system,” Maria said.   “Ultimately it wasn’t conducive to wining this competition if we were fighting so we made sure to be nice to each other.”

One hurdle she struggled with was being cut off from the world while globe-trotting: “You don’t get any outside contact. That was hard in this day and age when you’re so reliant on cell phones and email, but it was kind of nice break but I definitely missed all my friends and family.”

Maria and Tiffany were spared elimination on the episode Sunday thanks to another team’s lost passport.

“I’m not the most physical person.  I’m pretty much a girly girl at heart and we knew we had to rough it and knew there was a physical part so I was a little weary of the fact that I was competing against the Harlem Globe Trotters,” she admitted. “I mentally psyched myself up to do things but I was fearful. “

Cheer the duo as they continue to battle the challenges on The Amazing Race airing Sundays at 8 pm on CBS.

Poker may be entering the mainstream even more thanks to Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho, two of the sport’s most visible female players, appearing in the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. Keep an eye out for these two poker babes on the show and see how they do on the show, they’ve got me rooting for them! We’ll see if their skills and knowledge in poker playing cards translates to the always competitive race that is the Amazing Race.

I am in Reno Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino to join my BFF Lacey Jones for the Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament. We flew in from Vegas yesterday courtesy of Greasie Wheels Productions. Lisa and Rob have been working overtime to bring in as many pros in support of this worthy cause. Jennifer Harman is best known for her skills on the poker felts but maybe you didn’t know that she has had two kidney transplants making this tournament something very close to her heart. In fact, her last donor Anne is here playing in the tournament as well. She’s Jennifer’s niece and did not hesitate to offer her kidney to Jennifer when the time came when Jennifer needed a new kidney. It was a heartfelt open to the tournament today and everyone was moved by the video Jennifer produced about her mission to raise money for The Kidney Foundation.

As of Monday, more than 320 people had registered for the $230 event, according to Lisa Wheeler, President of Greasie Wheels.  Many pros came out to show their support like my favourite girls Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho. Also joining them were Roy Winston, Howard Lederer, Jeff Madsen, Todd Brunson, and Harman’s husband Marco Traniello.

Besides the $230 entry fee, there were $50 rebuys during the first three 20-minute levels and a one-time add-on. The winner of the event receives a $5,000 World Poker Challenge championship entry, while second and third place will receive $3,000 WPC entries.

Proceeds from the tournament will go toward the National Kidney Foundation — specifically toward “free-of-charge” patient programs, camps for children on dialysis, patient and family assistance, and research, as requested by Harman.

On a more personal note, I have come to the realization of  a couple of things during my stay here so far and from observing the tournament all day. One, poker pros are a bunch of softies. Many of them are very generous and the comradeship amongst some of the players is very admirable. Certainly the personal support for Jennifer from her friends when she needed them most was very apparent and I commend them for that. The public came out to meet the pros and to see some tournament action at the Grand Sierra in Reno and everybody had a great day for a great cause.

My second observation is that women in poker have it tough. Look at Jennifer for example. That woman has accomplished a lot in her poker career. More than most women will see in their lifetime. I’m sure she’s been enjoying the millions she’s been winning over the years. But Jennifer is a combination of many things. She has respect from her fans and her peers. It took brains and skills and it didn’t hurt that she’s not so bad to look at. That’s my point I guess. Men have it so easy. They just need to prove they can play. Never is there an expectation for them to look a certain way. I have to commend Lacey as well as Tiffany and Maria. They too have the respect from their fans and peers AND they always look their best when they’re playing. I know the men are not complaining if they draw a seat next to these beauties. Anyone who knows what a tournament floor smells like after a long day can agree that it’s not pretty. My hat goes off to these female pros who breathes an element of class into a male dominated sport. It’s not easy. I’ve seen that first hand.

I also had a chance to meet and spend time with Jeff Madsen this trip. Had heard so much about him from Tiffany, Lacey and Maria and enjoyed his company immensely. He’s a smart kid. I say kid because he’s ridiculously good at poker and he’s still in his early 20s. As of this year his total winnings are over $2 million. What were you making at 24? I know alot of young players look up to him and he’s a good guy all around.

I also had the pleasure of meeting David Farahi, Director of Slots at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in Reno. His family has owned Atlantis for the last three decades and he was genuinely interested in what I had to say about casino operations. I’ve been know to have an opinion about a few things in that department. The meeting was actually just by chance as he was sitting next to me at the 1/2 table where we spent a few hours playing with the girls. After some fun banter amongst the table it’s pretty clear that Tiffany, Lacey and Maria can command the attention of any room. The energy was good and people were having fun playing. And isn’t that was casinos are all about. It was an easy sell to David to see the potential in bringing these girls in to beef up customer relations at his own hotel. Maybe he’ll continue to remain keen as they stay in touch. Reno connections by chance.. I love it.

One more night in Reno before I head back to reality at home. It’s been a great trip and the hospitality has been outstanding. I just got the update that the tournament raised over $115, 000 for the Kidney Foundation. I’m sure Jennifer is pleased with that.

Above all I had the best time with Lacey and this trip is just one of many so stay tuned!

Until my next poker adventure……

Here are some of my photos from our trip. Visit my flickr page for all of them.

Lacey, Maria and Tiffany and Me at Charlie Palmer Steak House

Lacey with Pro Hoyt Corkins

The girls with Madsen hamming it up on the red carpet

On a side note here’s a cute video from the throw down party the night before the tournament on Card Player

]]> http://lizlieu.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/the-revival-of-the-poker-diva/ Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:22:11 +0000 Liz Lieu http://lizlieu.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/the-revival-of-the-poker-diva/ I’m Changing…

My blog to make it more personal. Here I will share with everyone my everyday life, new adventures, random thoughts and feelings. I hope you all will enjoy as I take you along with me on my journey through life. I will try and treat this new blog more like a journal. Making several entries throughout the week. I will keep you posted on the latest and greatest.

Welcome to the Diary of a Poker Diva! Why the change? Because I’ve changed as a person in this past year. So much has happened in my life in 2008, having to encounter some very painful experiences off the felt. In many ways this has been a transforming year for me. A year of growth despite the many personal setbacks. I wanted to share those experiences on a more intimate level with my family, fans, and friends who stuck with me through thick and thin. I hope you enjoy this new format and provide feedback.

10-26-08

Well this is a great starting point for this new blog. It was a very interesting weekend. I was able to get out of my condo in Las Vegas and hang out with so many of my close friends. On Friday, I met up with some good friends for dinner. My girlfriend Lacey Jones called me and told me we were having dinner with Michael Phelps at Simons restaurant at The Palms. Yes, that Michael Phelps. He is in town for the Festa Al Lago Classic (WPT) at the Bellagio. I arrived late but my friends Lacey Jones, Maria Ho, and Jeff Madsen were already there to greet me along with Michael and one of his poker friends Scott Freeman. After meeting Michael I thought he was a cool guy, very laid back and down to earth.

After dinner, we all hopped in a limo and headed over to TAO Night Club where Michael had a table on the dance floor under the catwalk. The MC made an announcement that Michael Phelps was in the house at the beginning of the night and everyone applauded. So many other poker players showed up as well including David Williams, Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth, Roland De Wolfe, and Antonio Esfandiari, to name just a few. It turned out to be a really fun night and since I haven’t gone out to the clubs much at all in 2008, it was a good change of pace for me and everyone was having so much fun.

I had so much fun on Friday I thought I would roll the dice on Saturday too. I met up with Lacey and Maria again. Our plan was to go to the Cathouse at the Luxor but when we arrived, we were waiting around for a few people that we agreed to meet. I’m not a very patient person, hehe, so after awhile I decided lets do something else. Turns out a bunch of poker players had a table at the Bank. So, we decided to go there. We turned around and lost Lacey. We had some other people in our group too so me and Maria decided to head to the Bank and we knew Lacey was safe. When we arrived at The Bank, the club was packed with poker pros partying like rockstars. We partied with them for awhile and eventually I got tired and went home.

All in all it was a pretty eventful weekend. I was glad I came out and I am really excited about what is coming down the road as well.

Cheers!