Lucky Fish Hopes for More Good Fortune in Saturday’s PlayersOnlyVIP.com Million Dollar Free Roll Tournament Monthly Final

This week, PlayersOnlyVIP.com players are winning their way to Saturday’s monthly final in the site’s richest poker tournament ever, the Million Dollar Free Roll series. A player that came close to taking it all last month hopes to win the $75,000 first prize this weekend.

“Just get this over with” moaned one of the other players at last month’s Final Table as the tournament’s eventual winner was dealt a pair of Queens. The hand began a series of winning hands that won “TylerC” the monthly championship and $75,000. But PlayersOnlyVIP.com player “Swancott21”, a college student from New York, didn’t give it up easy and held his own until the bitter end.

“I’d win a hand,” said the second place player who was happy with his $10,000 second place, “Then he’d win five hands. Then I’d win a nice pot – and he’d win the next three.”

The rookie player surprised some when he went all in on a 10-7. “What can I say,” he said later, “10-7 anything is my favourite hand.”

“Fastest final table I’ve ever seen“ said another player when “Swanscott21” was dealt 4h8s and forced to fold moments into the final hand.

As part of the fastest growing poker network, PlayersOnlyVIP attracts a healthy mix of new and inexperienced poker players.

“Some of the guys on the network are pretty hard core poker players. I’m just a little fish from PlayersOnlyVIP that got lucky and almost won last month,” said the surprised near-winner. “I’ve won my way to the final table again this month but let’s be realistic – let’s just say if I don’t get eliminated too quick I’ll be happy!”

“Free roll tournaments bring out all kinds of recreational players,” said David Anderson, manager of PlayersOnlyVIP.com. “All you’ve ever got to lose is your tournament entry fee so the pressure’s off. If you win your seat in a qualifier during the week, well, then you have nothing at all to lose!”

The first place player on Saturday will walk away with $75,000 but 29 others will also win cash prizes from $100 - $10,000 for a total of $100,000 this month and every month. The ten-month series will award a total of $1,000,000.

PlayersOnlyVIP.com Million Dollar Free Roll Tournament
Monthly Final #6: Saturday, March 1st at 4:00 pm ET
Daily Qualifiers: All this week

iGaming Portal Challenges Others to Support African Aid Project

Online-Gambling-Insider.com Donation Will Support Malawi School Built by Slotland.com

Leading gaming portal Online-Gambling-Insider.com has made a substantial donation to Slotland.com’s community development project in Malawi (Help-Malawi-Children-Charity.com) and challenged others in the online gambling industry to share their success in this way as well.

"When Slotland initially announced the building of the school we ran the story on our news network but we felt that a project such as this needs every little bit of support it can get," said Ryan D, Founding Editor at Online Gambling Insider. "To see the dedication of the Slotland team, and the amazing results they have achieved in what is a challenging environment deserves the utmost respect."

The Online Gambling Insider’s donation is already at work in Malawi since the PayPal donation processing puts the money directly into the Project Team’s hands.

Hoping to appeal to the competitive nature of people in the online gambling industry, the Editor has challenged gambling operators, affiliates and players to also make a donation.

Malawi is the 8th poorest nation on earth. Nowhere has AIDS had such a severe impact. Education is the key to ending the poverty so, two years ago, Slotland funded the construction of a school and community center in the remote village of Juma. They have since built a maize mill in a nearby Kantimbanye that provides a small income for the school and a much-needed service to area farmers. The school’s teachers have become a resource for teachers in surrounding villages, and farmers in the area have learned new sustainable agriculture methods in the center’s demonstration gardens.

From the torrential rains that hindered volunteers during construction to the opening ceremonies last fall, the story of how western philanthropy can make such a huge difference is told on a fundraising website launched this winter, Help-Malawi-Children-Charity.com.

“We got the idea to produce the website because so many of our players were asking how they could donate personally,” said Martin Smith of Slotland.com. “Food for the students. Gas for the jeep. Building materials. The project is becoming more and more self-sustaining, but they still need help. The beauty of this fundraising site is that donations go directly to the Team in Malawi.”

The Project Team in Africa – a small group of dedicated European and American aid workers -- has registered a non-profit organization called boNGO Worldwide to receive online donations. The organization is committed to assisting communities develop self-sustaining projects. boNGO is an acronym for “Based On Need-driven Grassroots Ownership”.

Cryptologic Earns Industry's Top Casino Software Honour for Third Consecutive Year

Top Casino Software Award based on votes from hundreds of thousands of players


For the third consecutive year, CryptoLogic Inc. has captured Gambling Online Magazine’s Top Casino Software Award for world-class software. The award, based on the votes of thousands of readers, players and website visitors, is widely recognized as the industry’s top honour. CryptoLogic was recognized for its innovative gaming software, revolutionary gaming concepts and spectacular graphics delivered through its wholly-owned subsidiary, WagerLogicâ Limited.

“CryptoLogic has always focused on delivering the ultimate online entertainment experience to players around the world, and to receive this kind of validation means our strategy is paying off,” said Javaid Aziz, CryptoLogic’s President and CEO. “With our ground-breaking innovation and partnerships with the world’s biggest gaming and entertainment brands, we’re exceeding the needs of today’s online players — this translates into more satisfied players on our customers’ sites.”

CryptoLogic has introduced some of the most popular games in the industry, including fan favourites Bejeweled, Jewel Quest, and the first-ever version of Multi-Hand Video Blackjack, a game that combines the excitement and action of Video Poker with the world’s most popular casino game. CryptoLogic also delivered the exclusive online slot version of Cubis, the award-winning, visually stunning 3D puzzle game, and its patented Millionaires Club, which boasts the highest jackpot payout in online history.

“CryptoLogic’s award-winning casino lineup delivers big-screen excitement, stunning graphics, amazing bonus rounds and impressive prize pots — in pounds, Euros or dollars,” added Justin Thouin, CryptoLogic’s Vice President, Product Management and Business Development.
With more than 280 games in its online casino suite — and more than 100 games launched since 2004 alone — CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino gaming suites on the Internet.

It’s 'Sloan’s Seat' For Bluff Europe Virgin Poker Festival Freeroll Winner

Qualification for the Virgin Poker Festival is in full swing, with Tony Sloan one of ten qualifiers set to take part at the next leg in Newcastle.

Tony Sloan, a 34 year-old from Blythe, Newcastle, was one of ten players from a field of 190 this week to win a spot at the Virgin Poker Festival in April. The £105 buy-in tournament held at Aspers Casino on the 12th and 13th April, and so will be a tournament on home soil for the online qualifier.

Commenting in an interview with Bluff Europe Sloan spoke of how impressed he was with the standard of play during the qualifier. “It was different from a lot of other freerolls where everybody is going all in. It was a better class, with proper raises and nobody just going all in really early on. That’s why I enjoyed the Bluff freeroll. It was a much better style of play from everybody.”

He also admitted to getting a helping hand early in the tournament from Lady Luck. “I got a few good hands, and the flops were just coming at the beginning! In the first four or five hands I had pocket aces and Ace-King, and I was up to 3,000 quite quickly.”

The trip to Aspers won’t be the first for Tony, who enjoyed success there in his debut tournament at the Newcastle casino. Speaking about his ambitions for the Virgin Poker Festival itself, Sloan fired out an early warning to the field.

“To get to the last two tables in Newcastle, with a lot of people who play from the Virgin website as well, it would be outstanding. If I do get to the final two tables though, I think that’s where I’ll push on. I think when it gets near the end I can play really good poker. Later on, the better players won’t risk the tournament on middle pair, and they’re going to have to make some really good decisions.”

Source: BluffEurope.com

PlayersOnly Extends Entry Deadline for $10K Video Contest on YouTube

Promo video featuring Playboy/FHM model Carrie Stroup popular with YouTube Viewers

PlayersOnly.com online casino and poker room is extending the entry deadline for their $10,000 video contest on YouTube.com. Video clips showing what it takes to be a “player” can now be uploaded until March 15 to YouTube.com/Group/UnleashThePlayer.

“As word of the contest has spread, we’ve been getting lots of inquiries in the last few days,” said PlayersOnly.com manager Dave Anderson. “We think it will be worth the wait to give these guys a couple more weeks to get their video clips uploaded.”

The promo video for the contest, featuring PlayersOnly.com hostess and Playboy/FHM model Carrie Stroup, has been online at YouTube for a few weeks and is becoming a popular clip. Stroup, whose animated image welcomes players to the video-rich PlayersOnly.com casino lobby, is already a favourite with YouTube viewers for her Benchwarmer Girls and RipeTV appearances. She shot the promotional video for the contest at Venice Beach several weeks ago.

“I love fooling around with a video camera,” said Stroup. “I hope the guys have a lot of fun putting their entries together!”



PlayersOnly.com invites contestants to submit video clips showing themselves and their friends demonstrating what it takes to be a “player”. Or, for perhaps a bigger laugh, showing the exact opposite. Pay tribute to successful, confident players you admire, or parody wannabe players that just don’t get it. Secrets for success, sleezy pick-up lines, tongue-in-cheek dress-to-impress wardrobe tips – anything goes. The winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a night out with the site’s sexy hostess, Playboy/FHM model Carrie Stroup.

Anyone American over 18 with a video camera, an idea and a sense of humor can enter the free contest at the “PlayersOnly Unleash the Player In You Video Contest” page on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/groupUnleashThePlayer. Contest entries are available for viewing there and viewers are invited to assist the judging by commenting.

The winner of the contest, to be announced on March 15th, will receive a $10,000 deposit in their PlayersOnly.com account. PlayersOnly.com will also pick up the tab for a night out with their sexy and charismatic hostess, Carrie Stroup.

Carrie Stroup is the video hostess of PlayersOnly.com’s recently re-designed poker, casino and sportsbook site. She appeared in Playboy Magazine in September and in FHM in October of this year and had a whole room full of players drooling when she hosted PO’s WSOP party in Las Vegas last July. (Video clip from that event here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=12494914). Carrie has also appeared in NBC’s “Scrubs” and movies “Cellular”, “Starsky and Hutch”, “The Girl Next Door”, and “Redline”. She was in the MTV pilot “Living the Dream” and hosted “VIP Parties Uncensored”.

PlayersOnly.com presents

Unleash the Player In You $10K Video Contest

Voting ends and winner announced March 15, 2008

To enter or to view entries: www.YouTube.com/group/UnleashThePlayer

Contest details: www.PlayersOnly.com/videocontest

India Poker Tour Offers Million Dollar Pot

Major series of poker tournaments set to take place across India this fall

If you wanted any further evidence of poker’s continuing growth around the world, look no further than the announcement of the India Poker Tour (IPT). This is a major event that will take place in Autumn 2008 and comprises four fabulous poker tournaments that will attract some of India’s and the world’s best players to do battle for their share of an expected $1 million.

This is the first-ever poker tour to be staged in India and promises to make the game a phenomenon in the world’s second most populous nation. With the success of Indian players in last year’s Asian Poker Classic, the India Poker Tour (IPT) has been launched to ensure the development of poker in India is carried out in a professional and responsible manner.

The tour kicks off in Mumbai in September and moves on to Bangalore. The third event will take place in Delhi before the Grand Final is held in the beautiful coastal state of Goa.

“Our goal is to add poker to the pastimes of the card and sport-crazed fans of India,” says Imran Hassan, Director of Operations. “India traditionally has had a long history of being a card-loving nation. So we hope the launch of the India Poker Tour (IPT) will now help to satisfy India’s craving for skill based card games.”

Players will be able to quality for the event via live and online satellites, with the online satellites starting in June 2008. Dates and online partner sites will be announced as soon as players get ready to compete for seats and prizes, including the possibility to compete in our first ever TV Special. As part of the IPT program, we will be launching our India Poker Schools, for those interested in learning or developing the game.

For more information on the India Poker Tour, visit: http://www.indiapokertour.com/

Bluff Europe Launches Virgin Poker Festival Freeroll

The Virgin Poker Festival is gathering momentum and could be coming to a town near you very soon, and to celebrate Bluff Europe is running a freeroll for the next event.

The festival was launched by Virgin as a way for those of slender means to play affordable, competitive and above all social poker. As well as the NL Hold’em Main Event, with £5,000 added to the prize pool and another $1,000 in “bounty” prizes, Virgin promises value-added side events, a heads-up challenge against the Virgin Poker Team, not to mention bar promos and a Wii bowling competition. There’s even a bad beat jackpot of a return trip to Vegas!

The next stop is Aspers Casino in Newcastle on the 12th and 13th April and Bluff Europe readers can get there for free. Simply visit virginpoker.com on 12th February and enter the password “virginbluffer” (not case sensitive) to play for 10 Main Event seats, worth $105 each.

If you don’t already have a Virgin Poker account, download the free software from www.virginpoker.com and set up a real money account. You don’t need to deposit any money to play in the freerolls.

“Not only is the Main Event affordable and injected with juice, but you can sit at the side games all night for stakes that won’t break the bank, says Michael Caselli, Editor-in-chief of Bluff Europe. “Plus, it raises money for charity. It’s player-friendly poker at its best.”

Signature Verification System Provides VIP Benefits

Backgammon Masters Blackjack Operator Integrates Signature Verification System

Online game provider BackgammonMasters, which features 21 Blackjack, Poker, Perudo and Backgammon gaming software, has fully integrated a new signature verification system for VIP players. Using the patent pending Signature Link system, players can now register with Backgammonmasters.com and sign their name with the ease and convenience of a few movements of the mouse.

Previously, this technology was used exclusively by banks and stores requiring a signature which could only be made in person using a special electronic device.

“With a huge volume of player traffic coming from many countries around the world, the demand for VIP application forms has increased tenfold. The new Signature Link system is designed to offer the player a faster response time and better overall service. The first phase of implementation will be to service the VIP players and in the second phase normal transactions will be processed using this technology. We plan to first collect feedback from our user-base before adding this feature to our cashier service” he added.

The reason for this new signature verification system is to better protect both the player and the company as well. By identifying themselves, VIP players can gain large rewards, unlike the unidentified players. Currently, an unidentified player that wants to make a large cashier transaction can only do so once they sign and agree to the BackgammonMasters terms and conditions statement electronically. This is done online using email and the website in an automated manner.

BackgammonMasters has added this latest feature in an ongoing effort to maintain the highest standards of monitoring and control systems for the player’s benefit.

To find out more about the BackgammonMasters.com signature link verification system and BGM Blackjack Software visit: http://www.BackgammonMasters.com/blackjack.html

Source: OnlineCasinoNews.com

Thousands of iGaming Pros Descend on London for Annual Party Week

I’m just back from a wild week in London for the annual gathering of the igaming industry and I gotta tell ya – the people behind the casino and poker sites where you have so much fun are really a fun crowd – and notorious partiers! I suppose it’s because most of them spend most of their time by themselves, at their computers, that these guys were so ready to let their hair down.

I attended some interesting seminar presentations at the Mobile Gambling Summit, ICEi and CAP Euro but, as always, the highlights of the week were the endless parties!

The most extravagant was Lyceum’s Fire&ICE Cabaret. What started seven years ago as a small gathering of internet gambling professionals has grown to the largest igaming social event anywhere. Lyceum keeps getting bigger and bigger venues to accommodate more and more people. This year they booked the ultimate party venue – London’s famous Hippodrome on Leicester Square where live entertainment, a cool venue and amazing burlesque atmospherics were enjoyed by nearly two thousand igaming operators, media and affiliates. Thanks to sponsors Gambling.com, NextGen Gaming and ESL there was amazing live burlesque entertainment and an open bar.

Photos from the party are now posted here on Lyceum Media’s new website.

I was also lucky enough to score a ticket to the second most talked about event of the week, the 1st Annual CAP Awards honouring affiliate webmasters. I don’t think there’s ever been a formal dinner event at an igaming conference but I hope this is the start of a trend! I can confirm that this crowd cleans up real well! I have to put on a tux more often – felt great!

To kick off the CAP Euro conference, Hollywood Poker hosted a party at one of my all time favourite London clubs, the historic Café de Paris just off Piccadilly Circus. CAP Euro wrapped up with a party hosted by Rushmore Casino at posh, modern club in the Westend called Floridita. Both of these parties were organized by Lyceum Media and there will be lots of pics from these events on their site next week.

Backgammon Masters Blackjack Operator Integrates Signature Verification System

Online game provider BackgammonMasters, which features 21 Blackjack, Poker, Perudo and Backgammon gaming software, has fully integrated a new signature verification system for VIP players. Using the patent pending Signature Link system, players can now register with Backgammonmasters.com and sign their name with the ease and convenience of a few movements of the mouse.

Previously, this technology was used exclusively by banks and stores requiring a signature which could only be made in person using a special electronic device. BackgammonMasters has set up the same technological innovation so that new members can easily sign the terms and conditions of the software agreement remotely from the convenience of their own home PC. This method will replace the standard checking of an agreement box.

The recently integrated Signature Link technology will do away with cumbersome paperwork while allowing all the pertinent member information to be organized in one place. This new method of organization is sure to cut back on bureaucratic and unnecessary delays. A BackgammonMasters spokesperson recently commented, “With a huge volume of player traffic coming from many countries around the world, the demand for VIP application forms has increased tenfold. The new Signature Link system is designed to offer the player a faster response time and better overall service. The first phase of implementation will be to service the VIP players and in the second phase normal transactions will be processed using this technology. We plan to first collect feedback from our user-base before adding this feature to our cashier service” he added.

The reason for this new signature verification system is to better protect both the player and the company as well. By identifying themselves, VIP players can gain large rewards, unlike the unidentified players. Currently, an unidentified player that wants to make a large cashier transaction can only do so once they sign and agree to the BackgammonMasters terms and conditions statement electronically. This is done online using email and the website in an automated manner.

BackgammonMasters has added this latest feature in an ongoing effort to maintain the highest standards of monitoring and control systems for the player’s benefit.

Source: OnlineCasinoNews.com

Peers Vote BingoProgram.com ‘Best Bingo Affiliate Program’

CAP Awards 2008 Honours BingoProgram - Frank Tornatore receives the prize on behalf of the affiliate program

BingoProgram.com received the CAP Award for “Best Bingo Affiliate Program” at the black-tie awards ceremony in London last week during the CAP Euro affiliates conference. The award was received by Frank Tornatore - the dynamic personality behind Bingo Program for the ongoing support and expert advice that he gives to the webmasters in his program.

“Affiliates trust Frank’s advice,” said CAP Awards organizer Alex Pratt. “He’s got the inside scoop on the best bingo and gaming sites, and he’s happy to share his knowledge.”

A veteran in the business and a successful affiliate operator himself for many years, Tornatore guides affiliates to the best gaming and bingo sites through one-on-one consultation and through his widely read blog, franktornatore.com.

“The secret in this business is knowing who to partner with,” said Tornatore. “The bingo sites we represent are the best in the business – best games software, best stats and reporting, best conversion rates. I don’t know that I deserve an award just for introducing affiliates to someone they can trust but I certainly appreciate the recognitionon behalf of BingoProgram!”

One of the market leaders in converting visitors to players, Bingo Program is the Affiliate Program for Bingos.co.uk, BingoFriends.com, CasinoJoker.com, EuroBingo.com, ElBingo.com. Tornatore has partnered with thousands of webmasters from all around the world, providing unparalleled management systems, marketing tools and advanced affiliate programs. The Bingo Program team is integrated by several qualified work groups including designers, programmers, marketing and affiliate managers, and customer service agents, all working to help webmasters get the most from their traffic.

Winners of the first annual CAP Awards were nominated and voted on by fellow affiliates. Awards were also presented to the Best Poker, Casino, Sportsbetting and Skill Gaming Affiliates and Affiliate Programs as well as the Best Payment System and Best Overall Affiliate and Best Overall Affiliate Program.

Source: OnlineCasinoNews.com