08 Jan 12

Daily Rewind - Blom Interview, Macau Slump, Facebook Poker Opposition

In today's Daily Rewind we see a rare interview with PCA Super High Roller Champion Viktor Blom and get Phil Galfond's Twitter reaction to his win. We also see why the Macau Big Game could suffer in the future and why an Australian MP is opposing real money poker on Facebook. All that plus a look at the online world's high stakes action and another quirky Daily Sign Off.

Galfond’s Glee at Blom’s Win

When one of the most enigmatic players in the world wins one of the largest buy-in tournaments ever held it’s bound to get the poker world talking. Indeed, while the poker media were hurriedly collating the facts to deliver a newsworthy story, one high stakes player was busy looking forward to Blom’s return to the virtual felt.

Just a few hours after Blom lifted the trophy, Phil Galfond took to his Twitter account to congratulate the Swede, albeit with an ulterior motive: “Congratulations to @RealIsildur1 for winning the #PCA Highroller! Take a couple of days off and enjoy your victory. We can play anytime :)”

As predicted the poker community quickly suspected a grudge match, however, Galfond moved to allay any notion that his comment was a barbed one, tweeting: “@ All: @RealIsildur1 is actually the toughest I've played w/. I only play him so much bc I love multitabling HU PLO & no one else plays me.”

However, it seems we won’t be treated to a HU4ROLLZ epic anytime soon, indeed, in a rare video interview on PokerStars blog, “Isildur1” said he’d be taking a few vacations before heading back to the felt.

Macau Heading into the Muck?

It’s become the hottest place to play high stakes live poker over the last few years but a recent dip in growth combined with the introduction of table caps could end Macau’s time at the top.

This year the industry is expected to grow by only 20% compared to 42% in 2011, and 58% in 2010. This decrease would likely put pressure on the casinos to draw more revenue from popular table games such as baccarat; subsequently squeezing their provisions for poker.

How this will affect the Macau Big Game in the near future is uncertain, but what’s becoming apparent is that poker in Macau might not be freerolling for very much longer.

Australian MP Opposes Facebook Gamble

Accoring the Australia's Daily Telegraph, Senator Nick Xenophon has written a direct letter to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg asking for clarification on his plans for opening up the social network to real money gambling; something which could impact on any aspirations Zynga Poker may have reagrding real money games.

The UK is set to be the testing ground for the venture, but Xenophon fears that legal loopholes in Australia mean the authorities couldn’t stop Zuckerberg’s plans if he found opposition in the UK.

Commenting on the situation, Xenophon said: "Facebook is an iconic brand and by lending its credibility to online gambling we will see online gambling skyrocket and I don't think the authorities will be able to enforce it."

Xenophon’s concern is just one in a likely barrage of opposing viewpoints that will surface in Facebook's countdown to real money gambling.

Live Stream Alert

Don’t forget you can catch all the action from the WPT Ireland through their live stream.

You can also cast your votes for your favourite players of 2011 in the WPT Magazine Readers’ Awards.

High Stakes Corner

With many of the poker world’s high rollers contesting the PCA, the action at the virtual felt has been a little more tame than usual. Indeed, the lull in action has allowed some less prominent figures to top the cash charts.

Raking in the most money yesterday was "The Liar" with $57,847, closely followed by "Prague1" who added $53,748 to their bankroll.

Faltering at the felt in the last 24 hours was "ocropTi" and "sildur1" who managed to lose $34,156 in just 232 hands following his PCA Super High Roller win.

Daily Sign Off

It’s the game that adds a touch of spice to every poker player’s meal, but credit card roulette could soon be a gastric inflaming activity of the past.

Tweeted by Kevmath, “phone stackem” could become the latest way to decide who gets rivered for the entire food bill. The premise is simple, stack your phones in the middle of the table and the first person to crack and check their screen pays for everything.