RealDealPoker.com Set to Change the Face of Online Poker by Replacing RNGs with Real Cards

Automated system shuffles and deals real cards, has “cut” and “burn cards” functions

Gioia International Limited is and Red Planet Gaming Inc are launching a unique new poker site, RealDealPoker.com which, unlike all other online poker sites that use random number generators (RNGs) to deal their cards, uses an automated system developed by Gioia – "Cut N’ Shuffle" and "Game Check" -- that shuffles and deals real cards and has "cut" and "burn cards" functions.

The system is designed to replicate the actual game of poker a player may experience in a casino, home game or land based tournament, including the unique provision of a “cut function” and deployment of “burn cards”, something that no other online poker site currently provides. Gioia’s patented Cut N’ Shuffle system is a fully automated, real card dealing system that scrambles, shuffles and deals real decks of cards, digitizes the results and then translates them to its online poker table games. Gioia has also designed and built the first system capable of producing post-game audit results, Game Check.

Extensive research conducted through an independent research company, feedback from players both professional and amateur clearly showed a place in the market for an online poker site that deals actual cards instead of via an RNG. The passion of Gene Gioia, the founder of www.realdealpoker.com and his drive to create a fair game of poker has resulted in over four years of extensive development to reach this historic point in the company’s development.

The agreement between Gioia International Limited and Red Planet Gaming Inc sees Gioia acquiring software to provide an exceptional poker playing experience at www.RealDealPoker.com.

Real Deal Poker will launch in February 2010 once integration and testing are complete. Meanwhile players can find relevant information and sign up at the www.RealDealPoker.com site that is currently taking sign ups and enabling players to reserve their preferred screen names.

Gene Gioia, Founder and CEO of Gioia International Limited commented: “This is a unique moment in the company’s history. In addition to assembling a first rate management team, we have found in Red Planet Gaming Inc a partner who shares our passion for bringing a truly fair game of poker to players around the world and changing the face of poker online as we know it today.”

Vahe Baloulian, CEO of Red Planet Gaming Inc added: “I have never seen someone as committed as Gene Gioia to bringing a truly remarkable product to the market. His passion and understanding of what poker is about has resulted in a product that will make the poker world sit up and take note. I am delighted that Red Planet Gaming is partnering Gioia International Limited in this unique venture.”

bwin Adds GTECH G2’s Mini Aztec Keno Progressive to Games Portfolio

Mini and full-size game both tied to same €50K+ progressive jackpot

bwin has added the mini version of GTECH G2’s popular Aztec Keno progressive jackpot game to their already impressive portfolio of side games. The full size version of Aztec Keno launched on the sportsbetting site’s Games tab last month. 

“We have found that while they’re waiting for results, sports bettors like to play a quick, simple game. Our Mini Games are great for that,” said Kevin O’Neal, spokesperson for bwin.

Aztec Keno was developed by Dynamite Idea, one of the four software companies making up the GTECH igaming division. bwin has offered games from Dynamite Idea since 2006 and has featured casino games from Boss Media, also now part of GTECH G2.  They now have 12 full size Fortune games as well as 4 mini games including Triple Chance Hi Lo, Spin N Win and the new Casino Dice. These are small, fast games with sometimes massive winnings and all are also available in full size and mini game format.

The appeal of side games and mini games is simplicity and instant gratification. To play the new Aztec Keno progressive jackpot, players just pick 1 to 15 numbers and watch to see if the 20 lucky numbers drawn match their selection. The more numbers they match, the more they win, as well as the chance to win the progressive jackpot. The game plays quickly and it’s back to the sports book.

Both the full- and mini-size version of Aztec Keno are tied to the same progressive jackpot which was seeded at €10K in September and is currently over €50K.

“We’re a ‘House of Games’. We offer a wide selection of games from a variety of software providers,” said O’Neal. “Games from GTECH G2 have proven to be very popular with our customers, and products from GTECH G2 integrate well with our management systems.”

Erica Schoenberg Invites All to Play in OFC Wolf Mountain Sanctuary Charity Tournament

WSOP Main Event Package, and CardPlayer Cruise To Be Won In World Series Of Online Forums

Erica Schoenberg will be playing in the OFC Wolf Mountain Sanctuary Charity Tournament to be held at Full Tilt Poker on Saturday, December 5^th, 2009 at 3pm EST (GMT -5).  The winner of this tournament will receive a bonus prize of a Mexican Riviera Poker Cruise, courtesy of CardPlayer Cruises. The $1 + $10 tournament aims to raise money and bring awareness to Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, a non-profit animal rescue organization.

Top players will also be awarded gift certificates courtesy of ALL IN Clothing Company. The player who eliminates Erica Shoenberg will win a one year PPA Online Premium Membership to the Poker Players Alliance.  Full Tilt Poker will be providing additional prizes.

“We are grateful to be working with the entire Full Tilt Poker Team, CardPlayer Cruises and the ALL IN Clothing Company. They have all been so supportive in our efforts to bring attention to this very special cause,” commented Global Gaming Events (GGE) President, Jason “Wolf” Rosenberg. GGE is the parent company that owns and operates Online Forum Challenge. “I have been a volunteer at Wolf Mountain Sanctuary for ten years now, and this cause is very dear to my heart. We wish to thank everyone in advance for participating in this event.” 

The charity event kicks off Online Forum Challenge’s 3^rd Annual World Series Of Online Forums, in which one player is guaranteed to win a $12,000 WSOP Main Event Package. Full details for the Wolf Mountain Sanctuary Charity Tournament and the entire World Series Of Online Forums are available at www.wsoof.com.

Another Slotland Jackpot Winner in Less Than a Month

Slotland’s progressive jackpot looser than usual

The reels have barely quit spinning from the last big progressive jackpot win at Slotland and it’s been hit again already. A player known as “JJJUNIPERJJJ” has just won $85,873 playing the new Reel Riot slot machine.
The last big jackpot winner was less than a month ago when a retired grandmother won $175K playing video poker.

“I was just relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying my favourite games,” said the most recent jackpot winner. “Then suddenly I hit the jackpot! I thought I must have dozed off and was dreaming but it really was my lucky day!”

“We always keep our cheque book handy because you never know when someone will hit the jackpot,” said Ondrej Tuma of Slotland. “But we weren’t expecting this one to be hit again so soon – we thought the next big win would be at WinADay.com!”

Slotland’s 3D casino, WinADay.com, has a separate progressive jackpot of its own. The jackpot there, where the new video poker game Deuces Wild was just launched, is currently nearing a record-breaking $180,000.

The Reel Riot is a single payline slot machine with fantastic retro graphics that Slotland launched last summer. It has a “Double Wild” bonus symbol and a special “hold” feature for keeping any symbol for the next spin.

Slotland.com has fifteen one-of-a-kind slot machines and video poker games. They are all instant play casino games so there is nothing to download or install. Six of the most popular games are also available on mobile phones and PDAs. All of Slotland’s slot machines, including the mobile versions, are tied to one progressive jackpot which was reset to $50,000 after this win and is now over $60,000.

BetClic Licences GTECH G2’s Casino & Games Suite and New Gaming Management System

BetClic Poker Renews Commitment to International Poker Network

One of Europe’s fastest growing igaming operators, BetClic.com, is renewing its poker license and integrating GTECH G2’s download and flash casino, Games Room and new player-centric Gaming Management System (GMS).

As a customer of GTECH G2’s International Poker Network (IPN) since 2006, this product extension offers BetClic the opportunity to augment its casino and games portfolio with access to over 300 flash and download casino games from G2.  BetClic’s poker players will also be able to access casino games directly from the poker table too. 

“We are happy to develop our partnership with GTECH G2.Thanks to this successful collaboration, we keep on perfecting our services to provide the best offer to all of our customers,” said Nicolas Béraud, founder and CEO of BetClic.

“After 4 years of working together successfully, I’m delighted that we’re extending our relationship with BetClic.” said Leigh Nissim, Commercial Director of GTECH G2. “They’re a great company with a strong team – the decision to licence our casino will be great for their players who will have access to fantastic content and progressives from G2.”

The Games section available on BetClic.com already features a wide selection of instant-win side games developed by Dynamite Idea, one of the games software development units within GTECH G2. The Games menu currently features Triple Chance HiLo, Top Trumps Football Stars, Virtual Football, Bar X 125, Roulette, Blackjack, Casino Dice, Poker Dice, Keno and Bingo Keno Extreme but when the new GMS is in place, new games will be easily added.

BetClic, sponsors of the Olympic Lyon in France and Juventus Club in Italy, is part of the Mangas Gaming Group which also operates Expekt.com and Bet-at-home.com. This agreement includes the option to feature GTECH G2 casino, poker and games on these sites as well.

JackpotCapital.com Improves VIP Program

US-friendly online casino known for million dollar jackpots rolls out the red carpet for all levels of VIP players

JackpotCapital.com has made it easier to join their VIP club and has added to the benefits for members.  A new VIP Customer Support Team will attend to the needs of regular players looking for higher table and wagering limits and more generous comp points.

“I’m very proud of the VIP support team that we’ve assembled,” said Oliver Smith of JackpotCapital.com.  “We are generous with comp points and bonuses, of course, but we also know that sometimes it’s the little personal touches that make all the difference to players, and that’s what our staff is here for.”

There are various VIP entry levels at Jackpot Capital, with corresponding benefits. The new “VIP Silver” offers VIP benefits to players when they accumulate just 1500 Comp Points in a 90-day period. VIPs earn comp points at a faster rate than regular players. They also receive extra non-deposit bonuses from $50 - $400 plus a monthly 100% deposit match bonus.

The US-friendly online casino is well-known for having some of the best games and biggest jackpots available to US players. Jackpot Pinatas is currently over $1.5 million and begging to be won. Aztec’s Riches is just over a million and Midlife Crisis/Shopping Spree is almost a million.

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JackpotCapital.com will fly the winner of their current affiliate contest to London in January. Interested online casino affiliates should contact affiliates@jackpotcapital.com.

All New Re-Design Gives InterCasino the WOW! Factor, Makes Games Easier to Browse

With the completely re-designed casino that launched this week, InterCasino has raised the bar once again!  One of the oldest and most popular online casinos, InterCasino features games from Cryptologic and, in fact, is about the best Cryptologic-powered casino out there.

The new casino design definitely has the “wow” factor! The next time you launch InterCasino you may think you’ve accidently opened your iTunes or Windows Media player but you’re not browsing music you’re choosing a casino game!

The old lobby was cool – a big illustration of a casino where, to play a game, you could click on one of the tables in the foreground or one of the popular branded slot machines against the back wall. The new lobby doesn’t try simulate a Las Vegas hotel casino anymore, but it does make it a lot easier to notice new and featured games, to return to your favourites, to join tournaments, and to find the highest progressive jackpot games.

There is one feature from the old design that has wisely been retained. As in the old design, the new InterCasino lobby gives you a choice of views. One is very graphic, the other lists more detailed information on each game.

The Tournaments tab in the new lobby is much more prominent than in the old casino, so that will likely mean more players will find their way to the many blackjack and slots tournaments that InterCasino hosts every day.

One thing that hasn’t changed at InterCasino is their fantastic games selection including Marvel Comics superhero slots like Fantastic Four as well as Spiderman Revelations, Batman and King Kong.

Source: GuideToCasinos.co.uk

Viva Elvis, the Cirque du Soleil Tribute to Elvis, Opens in Las Vegas Next Month

Cirque du Soleil will open their tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, Viva Elvis, at the brand new City Center in Las Vegas next month. The much-awaited show is inspired by Presley’s 1965 film Viva Las Vegas.

Viva Elvis will be one of the opening acts in the Las Vegas Casino’s new theatre at the Aria Casino and Resort in MGM Mirage’s CityCenter complex that opens on 16 December.

The show is created in the image of The King of Rock n Roll -- powerful, sexy, whimsical, truly unique and larger than life-the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music.

Incredible Cirque acrobatics combine in scenes and music in one of the most untraditional tributes to Presley ever made. Rumour on the Strip is that, in one scene, an Elvis impressionist is crushed by a giant blue suede shoe.

Cirque de Soleil sources say the performers traveled to Graceland to “conduct research for the show”.

The Los Angeles Times reported that choreographer Vincent Paterson, who is directing the show, said it is an abstract biography of Elvis Presley that will incorporate some acting moments spoken in English.

Tickets are not yet on sale.

Source: GuideToCasinos.co.uk

Virgin Poker Renews Contract with GTECH G2’s International Poker Network

British Poker site has been part of IPN since 2005 – signs up for another 3 years

GTECH G2 has renewed its contract with VirginPoker.com to supply the online poker site with its games software and player management system. VirginPoker.com is part of the Virgin Group and has been one of the most popular poker rooms in the International Poker Network (IPN) since it joined 2005.

With well over three million poker players, the International Poker Network is the world’s largest independent poker network. It is operated by GTECH G2 and managed by GTECH G2 St Minver, one of the four igaming companies acquired by lottery industry giant GTECH to form its
interactive gaming division.

One of the world’s most recognized brands, Virgin Poker has been part of the IPN since 2005. Attracting players from around the world, Virgin Poker offers seven different poker games including multi-table and Sit&Go tournaments and is also the host of the annual Virgin Poker Festival.

"Having a blue-chip client like Virgin renew their commitment with us is a terrific endorsement of the investment we have made in our product and, together with our partners, our success in building further liquidity on the IPN," said Atul Bali, CEO, GTECH G2.

Simon Burridge, Chief Executive of Virgin Games, says “Virgin Games is very happy to extend our partnership. Since our launch in 2005 we have seen good growth in the UK poker market and we look forward to continued progress, moving forward with GTECH G2 and the IPN´”

The IPN recently awarded a Bad Beat jackpot of nearly half a million dollars and hosts a €100,000 Guaranteed Freeroll Tournament every Sunday. At any given time there are nearly 10,000 players on the network playing at more than 1500 tables.

“There are many advantages in a large network like ours,” said Tony Ure, Head of IPN, GTECH G2.  “With so many players, there’s a table for every kind of player and they’re always busy.  Our liquidity allows us to provide big jackpots and to host €10,000, €100,000 and even €1,000,000 guaranteed free rolls.”

GTECH G2 IPN Poker Network Player Wins €210,000 Bad Beat Jackpot

Europe’s largest independent poker network takes the sting out of losing with a good hand

The International Poker Network (IPN) Bad Beat Jackpot has hit at an amazing €601,370 (almost $900,000), meaning a fortunate player won over €210,000. The hand in question was Quad 8’s beaten by Quad Queens, on a €0.50/€1 No Limit Table. “Roger2010”, the loser of the hand but winner of the Bad Beat Jackpot, won €210,508.50, whilst “(o1nfl1p”, the winner of the hand, won €105,254.25. The other players at the table each got €15,036.32. With a Jackpot requirement starting at Quad 6's, this is the easiest Progressive BBJ to hit on any poker site. The new Jackpot is already over €120,000.

“We boosted the Jackpot last week so that the next winner would get at least €100,000,” said Per Karlsson, Head of Poker GTECH G2. “As the total Jackpot went over €600K we had a feeling it was about to be hit!”

The IPN Bad Beat Jackpot was last hit in August for $412,000. That winner wasn’t even aware he’d won it until someone else at the table pointed it out to him. He thought he’d just lost the pot despite having a great hand, which is frustrating for any poker player.

To qualify for the Bad Beat at IPN poker rooms, players must be at a designated Bad Beat table and use both pocket cards in their winning or losing hand. The losing hand must be four-of-a-kind sixes or better, the lowest qualifying requirement of any poker network. Four or more players must be dealt into the hand.

GTECH G2 is the igaming division of lottery industry giant, GTECH. It combines the software development and customer management expertise of Boss Media, Finsoft, Dynamite Idea and St Minver and operates the International Poker Network and International Bingo Network.

IPN Bad Beat Jackpot Boosted Again, Now Over €500K

Paradise Poker, Poker Heaven, Virgin Poker Among Poker Rooms Offering Staggering Jackpot for Hands That Really Should Have Won

Last week GTECH G2 announced that the Bad Beat Jackpot on its International Poker Network (IPN) was approaching €400,000 thanks to a couple of boosts they'd given it. They've just boosted it again today to push it to €500,000.

Paradise Poker, Poker Heaven and Virgin Poker are all on the IPN, the largest independent poker network in Europe.

“A Bad Beat Jackpot takes the pain out of losing even when you’re dealt great cards,” said Per Karlsson, Head of Poker GTECH G2. “Ours only requires a Quad 6s to win.”

To qualify for the Bad Beat at IPN poker rooms, players must be at a designated Bad Beat table and use both pocket cards in their winning or losing hand. The losing hand must be four-of-a-kind sixes or better. Four or more players must be dealt into the hand.

The IPN Bad Beat Jackpot was last hit in August for €412,000. That winner wasn’t even aware he’d won it until someone else at the table pointed it out to him. He thought he’d just lost the pot despite having a great hand, which is frustrating for any poker player.

To qualify for the Bad Beat at IPN poker rooms, players must be at a designated Bad Beat table and use both pocket cards in their winning or losing hand. The losing hand must be four-of-a-kind sixes or better. Four or more players must be dealt into the hand.

GTECH G2 is the igaming division of lottery industry giant, GTECH. It combines the software development and customer management expertise of Boss Media, Finsoft, Dynamite Idea and St Minver and operates the International Poker Network and International Bingo Network.

Ladbrokes Player Wins Top Prize in €1,000,000 Grand Slam of Slots Tournament

A Ladbrokes Casino player from South London has won the biggest online slots tournament ever. The player, known as Stefan, qualified for the tournament in July after placing a bet of just €2. Stefan is the second player this year that Ladbrokes has made a millionaire. “Mr C” won £1,031,985 on the King Cashalot progressive jackpot slot machine earlier this year.

Thousands of players entered qualifying games and competitions between July and October 2009 to win the chance to play in the final round of the Grand Slam of Slots which was held last week. The tournament was played on the extremely popular Lara Croft Tomb Raider slot machine. Over 8000 players competed for the €1.4 million prize pool so it took 10 days of spinning reels for the final jackpot to be won.

“This tournament was always going to be exciting  with one million Euros up for grabs and it is a great honour to be involved in creating the first online slot tournament millionaire,” said Charlie Goodenough of Ladbrokes Casino.  “The Tomb Raider game is one of our most popular games because it is simple yet fun to play. It is part of a portfolio of over 450 thrilling games including numerous variants of roulette, blackjack and Slots.”

The Grand Slam of Slots tournament had a prize pot of 1.3 million Euros and along with Stefan, 482 players overall walking away with winnings.   Ladbrokescasino.com managed to rank a further 83 players into these paid places, with the total payout from the casino reaching €1,039,400. Players under the aliases of Embalu and Gundam00 were other sizeable winners picking up a healthy €5k each.

The Grand Slam of Slots wasn’t your last chance to become a millionaire at Ladbrokes Casino. Their Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot currently stands at £1,072,000!  

Source: GuideToCasinos.co.uk