Monday, April 30, 2012

I'm Not Nagging, But...Gimme a Review, PLEASE!

If you've purchased any one of my three eBooks, first, thank you!  Second...if you have a moment, get on over to Amazon and give the book a review.  Now, be honest...don't just be sloppy-gooshy and lie and say it's the greatest book ever.  If you liked it (and I assume you did or you'd tell me, right?), give it some stars and say a few words nice-nice.
 
Regarding the poker book:  One fear I had in writing it was that since it was geared to beginners, those players who had some experience would think it was dumbed down (or just dumb).  You have to remember what it was like to be a donk, and playing with donks...and dinks.  It's different.  That was the whole point of the book - it's for true beginners (and the clueless who have been playing a while and finally decided to smarten up).

As for the gambling short stories book - it's fun!  And the Blackjack book - it's helpful!  And fun!

And I could sure use some reviews.

Thanks!!!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

PokerStars buying Full Tilt - rumors, yes, but is this a good thing?


So, the rumor is that PokerStars is planning to buy the assets of Full Tilt Poker for about $70 million or so, and much of that $$$ is to go to repayment for the ex-players.  The rumor is not being confirmed in a way that makes many think it’s true, but that’s not the purpose of this post.

Is this a good thing?  For the world’s largest poker site to buy what used to be the second-largest?  For PS, yes, a good thing….talk about killing the competition!  Of course, it still doesn’t get them into the door in the USA…or does it?

Here’s the PokerStarsBlog, Corporate Division, in the form of Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for PokerStars

We've had a lot of enquiries and there's lots of speculation on the forums, so I wanted to address the PokerStars chatter. As you know, PokerStars is in settlement discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice. As such settlement discussions are always confidential, we are unable to comment on rumors.

Wait…the rumor is about you buying FT.  What does the DOJ have to do with it?

Ohhhhhh…of course…the repayment for the ex-players!  If PokerStars “makes nice” and gets the money back in the hands of US players from Full Tilt (which would not have happened in the first place if the DOJ had let Black Friday come and go), they just might, JUST MIGHT, get back in good graces with the USA government, and, if the USA government ever gets off its ass and re-legalizes online poker, guess who stands a good chance of getting some sort of foot in that door?

So now it does make some sense, and yes, I see it as a good thing, as I have been a long-time PokerStars fan and player.  Remember, I’m a small-stakes guy, so it’s bit for the SuperNova status or any of that payback crap.  Best software, great customer service…and oh yeah, THEY paid their US players off after Black Friday.

So let’s hope the rumors are true, and, for my support, they can make me a PS small-stakes pro when the time comes.

Soon?

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Light blogging is my fault...but there's a reason (there always is).

I realize that I haven't blogged as much as I thought I might of late.  Two excuses - spring break at the store (we were open 7 days a week for 2 1/2 weeks, and we were busy, thank you), and the new Blackjack book.  There's some stuff I wanted to say about Black Friday, Zynga (yes, even more), and some other poker stuff, but with new hires at the store, dentist visits, and some other stuff, it looks like it'll have to wait. 

One thing I'll say - the recent move by states to either (a) legalize online poker (Nevada, Iowa, NJ, etc), or (b) Criminalize it (Utah, and more coming) just proves that the Feds need to step up and FINALIZE what is/isn't gambling/legal/illegal etc.  It shouldn't be about politics, but it is.  Which means we're all doomed...

Banner gone? Seems so...

Apparently the PPA Black Friday banner only works until...Black Friday.  It's not there now, so...I guess I'll erase the whole "block" from the page (which is only a black block now).  Still getting the hang of this blogging stuff.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Another book? Yes!

I held off announcing the newest addition to the Exinger library for a couple of reasons, which now seem kinda silly, so...here it is.  ABC's of 21 is mostly "Chapter 16" from my ill-fated gambling guide of a few years ago (OK, almost 20).  I've given it out for free so often that I knew that I could add some extras and make it a short, easy to read eBook...and I held off announcing it be cause I didn't think it was any big deal (only $2.99) but...it's already #4 in the blackjack section for Kindle, so WTF, here it is.  Enjoy!

Monday, April 9, 2012

New Black Friday banner added

The good folks at PPA have created a new campaign to "commemorate" last year's Black Friday debacle.  I am happy to add their banner to the site.  We will never fold, indeed.