29 Jan 12

Daily Rewind: Galfond's New Vlog, Kyl Joins Online Fight, APT in London

In today's Rewind we check out Phil Galfond's latest vlog, hear how Jon Kyl has joined the fight for online poker in the US and get the latest from the first Asian Poker Tour to be held in Europe. All that plus another high stakes round-up.

Galfond On Downswings, Slides and Everything Else

His video blogs, or vlogs, are quickly becoming the must watch releases in the poker community and in the past week Mr. Galfond has once again provided us with a candid insight into his world.

Following a recent downswing of $680,000 at $100/$200 PLO, Galfond describes how he manages to overcome such enormous losses whilst maintaining his A-game.

He then goes on to provide another 12 minutes and 6 seconds of logical and measured thought on the often crazy game of poker. Indeed, if ever there was a candidate for a wise old sage in the poker community, then Phil Galfond would be leading the running.

Finally, if you've got deep pockets and you're in the market for a two fancy apartments in New York, complete with indoor slide, then get in contact with Phil.

 

Kyl Joins Reid in Online Poker Fight

Poker Fuse has recently reported that one time enemy of online poker, Senator Jon Kyl, is now working with Harry Reid to push for regulation of online poker.

The pair are now officially in talks to federally regulate online poker, while strengthening the laws which oversee and prohibit various other online gambling. When asked by the National Journal whether online regulation would be pushed through this year, Kyl said: “Quite possibly something will be done.”

Kyl has previously worked on online gambling laws but he and Reid are remaining tight-lipped as to exactly how and when they will be making their move.

While Kyl has traditionally been opposed to internet gambling, the recent letter by the DOJ makes it possible for him to single out online poker as a separate niche whilst maintaining an opposition to other virtual gambling.

While we can’t be sure of the how or the when, it does seem that the fight for online regulation is entering a new more positive phase in 2012.

High Stakes Corner

With many high stakes pros still battling it out in Australia, the online action has seen a slight dip in six-figure profits.

However, that hasn’t stopped the likes of “The Liar”, “1Il|1Il|1il|” and “doncarignano” all scooping healthy profits of $40,000+. Indeed, topping the 24 high stakes charts with $56,987 in just 979 hands was “The Liar”.

Suffering a heavy loss in the last day was “mTw-DaviN” who saw $81,881 of their bankroll disappear over the course of 744 hands. Also taking a financial hit was “uri1013” and “kimokh” losing $42,804 and $35,702 respectively.

East Meets West

While the high rise metropolis of London might not be the first thing you think of when you talk about the Asian Poker Tour, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a cordial host to the popular poker tournament.

Indeed, with the Fox Poker Club situated just a stone’s throw from the city’s China Town, yesterday’s inaugural European leg of the APT went down a storm.

In total 125 players anted up in the main event for that at the first APT event to be help in Europe. Among the masses were UK veterans Barny Boatman, Surinder Sunar as well as some young guns in the form of WSOPE bracelet winner Scott Shelley.

The £500 + £50 event will resume today with 37 players left including Jerome Bradpiece (55,900), Priyan De Mel (75,600), Surinder Sunar (90,800) and chip leader Andy Kyprianou (183,900).

Of the returning players only 12 will walk away with some cash with the eventual winner taking home £20,930.

Daily Signoff

Continuing our look at Asian poker, we thought we'd signoff today with one of Tony G's softer moments.

After winning the APT Singapore event in 2006, Tony went on to donate half his $451,700 winnings to charity. He even managed a warm embrace for his defeated opponent, Ang Pan Leng.