Sunday, October 12, 2014

Anonymous Comments Are Closed

I am no longer allowing anonymous comments.  There is just too much vitriol on both sides.  I tried to let it go for a while as I do believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression.  But there are limits and those limits have been crossed multiple times.  My hope was people would be able to dialogue and debate without the nonsense.

Obviously, that is just not possible.  If you want to jawbone each other do it on your Facebook pages. I am no longer going to tolerate it here.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Chukchansi Casino Closed

From the Modesto Bee:

modbee.com Sheriff: Tribal infighting leads to abrupt Chukchansi casino closure

BY MARC BENJAMIN, RORY APPLETON AND JIM GUY
The Fresno Bee October 10, 2014

COARSEGOLD — Patrons of Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino were abruptly ushered out of the casino in mid-game Thursday night by armed guards, and the casino and hotel were shut down.

The property was closed Friday morning after a chaotic night fueled by a feud between factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, which owns the casino. The feud spilled over to the tribe’s biggest asset Thursday night after one side said the other used force to try and retrieve key documents in the battle for tribal leadership.

Friday morning, Madera County sheriff’s spokesman Erica Stuart said someone cut power to the resort for a time Thursday night and employees went home. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office found itself caught between the factions and angry customers. Stuart said about 500 patrons were at Chukchansi when the blackout hit, including 200 hotel guests. The guests could not get into their rooms and could not even get valets to retrieve their cars.

Read Full Article Here--> modbee.com Sheriff: Tribal infighting leads to abrupt Chukchansi casino closure

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Judge Says Phil Ivey Cheated

A London Judge ruled professional poker player Phil Ivey cheated in a baccarat tournament.  Phil Ivey is the brand ambassador for Pala Interactive.

Now it's not entirely clear to me that Phil Ivey cheated in the traditional sense. Ivey calls himself an advantage player meaning he will use odds and take advantage of casino mistakes in order to win.

Ivey used edge sorting to help identify cards and then apparently influenced the dealer to sort and deal the cards in such a way to give the players an advantage.  The Judge ruled Ivey was not allowed to collect his $12.4 million winnings and could not appeal the decision.

Some feel it was the casino's fault and that they should pay up.

Bloomberg News: Poker Pro Ivey Did Cheat to Win $12.4 Million, Judge Rules

By Jeremy Hodges

Excerpt:

Professional poker player Phil Ivey’s use of edge sorting to win 7.7 million pounds ($12.4 million) at a form of Baccarat was tantamount to cheating, a London judge ruled today.

Judge John Mitting, who said Ivey was an honest witness, ruled against the 38-year-old gambler’s bid to recoup money a Genting Bhd. (GENT) casino had withheld. While he might not have realized it was cheating, Mitting said Ivey and a companion influenced a croupier to deal the cards in certain ways.
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Both sides agreed at trial that Ivey was in the casino in August 2012 and that he won the money. “The issue is whether it amounted to cheating,” Christopher Pymont, Genting’s lawyer, said in documents filed at London’s High Court.

Edge sorting is a way a card player can gain an advantage by working out the value of a card by spotting flaws or particular patterns on the back of some cards.