26 Jan 12

Daily Rewind: Ferguson's Stash, Senate on Online Poker, Thor Hansen

Today's Rewind looks at information released by Subject:Poker surrounding the financial activities of Chris Ferguson. Confidence grows for US regulation and we hear sad news regarding the health of Norwegian poker legend Thor Hansen.

The Daily Rewind is your one-stop-shop for a sharp review of the day in poker. Join us here for a mix of the latest news and a more irreverent insight into the poker world. Today we discovered the following topics for you:

Ferguson's secret stash

Subject:Poker leaked some interesting information this morning surrounding the bank accounts and financial activity of Full Tilt Poker key figure and shareholder, Chris Ferguson.

According to the article, Ferguson and his lawyer, Ian Imrich, have also "threatened repeatedly to take steps that might impede the pending deal with the DOJ and Groupe Bernard Tapie."

The article alleges that "Imrich and Ferguson have threatened to file for, amongst other things, a constructive trust over the money seized on Black Friday and injunctive relief to delay the planned forfeiture of FTP's assets."

Mr Ferguson's threats seem to have emerged following the DOJ's objection to any previous FTP shareholders having any part of a newly formed FTP business. You can read the article in full over at Subject:Poker.

Ferguson regretting his "Jesus" nickname

Senate to revisit online poker

Following the DOJ's decision to re-evaluate their position on the Wire Act, the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will be addressing the future on online poker for the second time in less than three months when it meets on February 9th.

The meeting titled "The U.S. Department of Justice Opinion on Internet Gaming: What's at Stake for Tribes?" will be streamed live via the US Senate’s website next month.

Thor Hansen

Sad news reached us yesterday concerning the health of Norwegian poker legend Thor Hansen, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer following treatment at an LA hospital.

Hansen spoke to a Norwegian journalist from his sick bed, stoically announcing that the "disease is incurable, but I only fight on."

The news was met with great sadness from the poker community, with Annette Obrestad posting on 2+2 that she "cried when I read [about] this. I don't know anyone like him. He truly is one of a kind. All the best Thor, ur an inspiration for us all."

We wish you well Thor

High stakes corner

The online action over at PokerStars has been relentless this week, and yesterday was no exception.

It was a stunning 24 hours in the life of PokerStrategy.com Black Member mTw-DaviN, who banked a mighty $216,126 according to HSDB, making him the biggest winner on the day.

Viktor "Isildur1" Blom’s swingy week continued after he waved goodbye to another $144,059, while Ronny "1-ronnyr3" Kaiser's stock continued to rise after a crushing $200,000 winning day.

Meanwhile over at the Aussie Millions, the Million Dollar Cash Game is in full swing with Sam Trickett the big winner. According to reports Trickett left the game nearly $500,000 in profit, while Daniel Negreanu (+$160,000) and Jason Mercier (+$190,000) also fared well.

Daily Signoff

With news of former WSOP Main Event Champ Jamie Gold taking residence at the Tropicana Poker Room as their ambassador, today's Daily Signoff asks a question.

What's worse, the fact that Jamie Gold is charging $1000/hr for coaching poker, or the fact that a nine year old is in charge of his advertising?

Jamie Gold: Advocate for minimalist advertising