Cop Bakes Marijuana Brownies

A Michigan police officer stole marijuana from criminals than took it home slipped it into his wife's brownies, baked it and than the two later ate them. Cpl. Edward Sanchez resigned last year, however the department is not pursuing charges against him or his wife. The investigation began when Sanchez phone 911 reporting what he and his wife had done and that he believed the two of them could be dying from an overdose of marijuana. He was quoted saying

“I think we’re dying,” he said. “We made brownies and I think we’re dead, I really do.”

One City official is going to investigate further as to why the police department will not press charges.

These are things that irritate people to an enormous extent. Here you have a police officer who has broke the law, not just broke it but in the worst possible way. He is crooked and yet nothing happens, no charges no repercussions for his actions, nothing but his own choice to resign. Yet the restrictions that are now placed on US players and the ability to play poker. If these players break the law they will be arrested, and as we have all seen in the news without any hesitations. It does not matter if it's the 20 year old college student or the 70 year old granny playing a game of cards, they will be charged.

Look at the way the government has went after some of the bigger names in online poker and gambling. There was no leniency. A person who is supposed to protect and uphold the law in the utmost manner is able to break it. Why is that there is always a double standard when it comes to the law and how it is enforced? I know this story does not directly relate to poker, but indirectly it does and I think it's about time people start questioning their officials on how thing slike this can happen. It's ironic how something like online gambling can be restricted for whatever reasons and yet someone who intentionally breaks the law and abuses the judicial sysyem can just walk.

More Money Up For Grabs At WSOP!!

Less than a month away Harrah's has announced a new payout structure for this year's WSOP. Surprisingly payouts are increasing meaning those who have outplayed, outlasted their opponents will see an increase in winnings.

Of course payouts are based upon the number of registrants, this is still going to be a significant increase comparing to last year's events. It has been reported that most of last years main event players who cashed would receive under the new set out schedule almost double their winnings.
For example, the 2006 Main Event would have paid $22,266 for 873rd through 775th places, up from $14,605 or $15,512. Places 82 through 73 would have paid $126,173, up from $66,010. First place would have paid $10,028,715, down from $12 million, while second place would have been worth $5,442,769, compared with $6,105,900.

WSOP officials commented

"We are increasing the return to players who, after hours or days of grueling competition, are able to reach the money," said Howard Greenbaum, regional vice president of specialty gaming for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET). "Our goal is to keep more money circulating among more people in the poker community."We discussed this concept with our poker operations team and with members of the WSOP Players Advisory Council and the consensus was that spreading the wealth is the right thing to do," said Greenbaum. "The new schedules are designed to increase the rewards to players who finish in the money but don't reach the final table."

Between the already excitement and growing anticipation from players all over the world, this is guaranteed to get more people talking and playing for their spot in the WSOP.

Qualifiers are still going on right now where you can win your way to these events through rooms like Pokerstars, FullTilt, and even Carbon Poker.

You can find the new schedule of payouts at http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/ .

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Women In Poker

I know there has been much publicity revolving about Isabelle "No Mercy" Mercier these days and rightfully so. Endorsed by Pokerstars and also representing Team Canada in the WSOP, people are going to be talking. What I am most impressed about with this women is the respect she retains at the tables. Way to many times poker rooms endorse a woman based on sexual appearance. Don't get me wrong I am not saying that this is wrong and believe me sex has always been a contributing factor when it comes to advertising but what bothers me is the attitude this portrays about women.

Poker in my opinion, winning poker takes alot of skill, thought and knowledge. It's a remarkable game and to be able to m,aster it is an achievement, but...and here come the buts. To hire a person who you are going to have represent your site or business for a game, would you not rather have that person be respected because of the solid game they play or because their boobs are popping out their shirt (if they are in fact wearing one)

We had this topic come up on a forum I participate in and it is typical men are from Mars women are from Venus attitude. I enjoy reading about players who are able to out think their opponents, annihilate them and are strategic. Ones who are more concerned about the game and taking it seriously vs those who play the game and are there for looks. Women who don't bring their sex appeal to their game, women like Isabelle or Annie, who can use it without having to go over board. These are strong players, and strong women.

I think it's about time some publicity swings Isabelle's way and all the other women who are amazing poker players instead of weekly gossip column over who did what at what event. I am tired of seeing half naked endorsed sponsors who really don't deserve all the attention they receive. Not when you have others out there who bring with them as much game as the men.

But sex sells right!

Mixing Up The Home Games

Alright so we play alot with friends at least 4 times a week. After a while I find playing holdem gets kind of boring. I love poker, don't get me wrong it but you can only play so much of it with friends before you find yourself not enjoying it like you use to. Anyway we mix our games up every now and than to wild card poker. There is nothing better than everyone betting into a pot and than dropping out of the race because they hit a kill card or someone ended up with 5 Q's lol. It makes for a really good night of fun, huge pots even for those players who play small limits and just a great game.

I figured I would share a game we play and it adds a nice element of surprise at the end.


"Burn The Biffell"

Each player gets dealt 3 or 4 cards (up to the dealer as to how difficult the game will be)After which you deal another 10 cards down on the table in two rows. Top row is your good cards and bottom row is your bad cards.Than everyone bets or checks their hole cards (normally check it)You flip over first good card than you flip over first bad card, players who have this card in their whole cards must now show them and they become dead cards, meaning you throw them in.

Betting rounds take place again and usually when someone has to lose a whole card there is betting. You repeat this process till all cards are flipped except for the last bad card. Betting takes place and the best part of this is the last card has yet to be turned over so people are betting on what seems to be a live hand. Than the last bad card is flipped, usually once this happens a couple people end up losing their hands. Than betting again after which whoever has the best 5 card hand wins.

Pots can become a nice size so I usually cap betting till the last bad card is flipped. This is a great game cause people are usually betting there hands from the first round and when that last bad card is flipped it can determine if you are still winning or if your hand has now been declared dead.

12 Month Study Into Online Gambling

Another bill has been introduced to the house regarding the state of online gambling. However this one is to properly study and assess the current trends.It will look into regulations through various countries and what the government bodies of these countries have done to ensure that these have been met. It has been reported that The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences perform this task over a twelve month period in order to get a proper conclusion and to determine what steps may be necessary for online gambling.

The bill HR2140, was introduced by representative Shelley Berkley who was quoted saying "One of the advantages of this legislation is that it doesn't take a side. It doesn't say online gambling is good or bad. It says, 'Let's study the issue.' "

HR 2140 has come up two weeks after Barney Franks' Internet Gambling Regulation Enforcement Act which was presented to regulate online gambling.

The irony in this is back in 2003 John Conyers who is the Judiciary Judiciary Committee Chairman and a co-sponsor of the forth coming bill also presented one similar to it, wanting a study to legalization of online gaming. Quite possibly had this bill passed back than we may not be in the situation we all are in. Who knows, I don't think the US government ever expected online gaming or even online poker for that matter to be such a huge success.

Seeking Relief In Bill To Stop Police Raids

Since the UIEGA took place almost a year ago there have been multiple police raids and indictments taking place throughout the United States. People have been charged with misdemeanors while others are being prosecuted to the fullest extent. It seems as though the US government has gone on a witch hunt to find every gambling card player out there and persecute even if it means arresting a veteran.

Last week the Dallas police raided yet another "illegal" poker room, Audie Murphey Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1837 due to complaints of surrounding neighbours. The room was allegedly taking in a rake which is deemed illegal however VWF lawyer Mr. Hinton said his clients "don't take a rake. They are given donations. The rest goes to charity. The post members busted in the raid "are harmless people trying to do something for a good cause." He said he seriously doubts that residents are in an uproar over illegal poker rooms in Dallas.

So far this year there have been 79 people cited for playing or operating games in four poker rooms. These numbers have already reached what was the grand total for 2006 and well above 2005's stats.

Deputy Chief Julian Bernal, commander of Dallas' vice and narcotics detectives commented that the police department can not ignore complaints regarding illegal gambling."I'd much rather go after people who are running prostitution and narcotics.The more gambling operations I have to contend with, the less resources I have to deal with our higher-priority operations." he said, adding that he hopes these raids will further deter players from breaking the law and all legal issues that may arise from it.

Other towns members claim that the VWF games are no different than those in the area who are benefiting local charities. Chief Bernel disputes that stating that "The issue is that in those games you make a donation to the charity and they give you chips," "You cannot cash your chips in and get anything back – win, lose or draw. The VFW had cash games, and they knew they were illegal."

It seems as though there is a mix of reactions in this community, as neighbours say they are fearful for what goes on in the VWF, while others say it's a group of veterans and shouldn't be bothered.

Whether the VWF is guilty or not, this is another case that is directly related to the UIGEA and it's after effects. Police are continually performing raids across the country even if it;s a group of seniors, and people have now become criminals. While some continue to try and keep their games and poker clubs underground, other players are now taking long trips to casinos where they won;t have to worry about legal problems

This may not last forever, now that House Bill 3186 was introduced last week by Senator Barney Franks.Currently it is being considered for vote by the full House and if passes would regulate online poker and lighten up some of the restrictions American players are currently facing. Hundreds upon thousands of people are pushing for this bill and what it will do, not just to have the ability to play poker. They want to be able to retain the right to choose what they do in their own homes without fear of persecution.