Thank you for writing to me regarding Internet gambling. I appreciate you taking the time to contact me on this important topic, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

There is no doubt that the Internet and related technologies have had a remarkable effect on the U.S. economy in recent years. The flow of commerce on the Internet has enhanced American industry’s ability to distribute goods economically and efficiently. The continuing development of this technology in California has provided hundreds of thousands of new, well-paying jobs, and I am committed to strengthening online commerce and preserving and expanding this vital job base.

While the advent of the Internet has its benefits, I believe the same cannot be said for Internet-based gambling. Internet gambling has become too easily accessible to minors, subject to fraud and criminal misuse, and too easily used as a tool to evade state gambling laws.

I understand your thoughts on internet gambling, and as you may be aware, I have supported legislation aimed at curbing Internet gambling during my tenure in the Senate. For example, I supported the SAFE Port Act, passed into law as Public Law 109-347, which included the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Please know that I have read your letter with interest and value your thoughts. While we do not necessarily agree on this particular topic, be assured that I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind should this issue come before me during the 111th Congress.

Again, thank you for your letter. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on issues of importance to you. If you should have any additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually voted for her. Instead I’d skip the Senate race and fill out the rest of the ballot. Unfortunately, her position on this issue isn’t likely to lose her enough votes among the indifferent majority in this State.

• I stake her and she keeps her winnings
• I split my winnings 50% up to the first $80, 70% beyond that

The night started rough with both of us having to reload in the first hour or so, but we managed to felt three people between us (two of them twice) and ended up with a tidy profit for the night. I was up $110, she was up $50. After we did the profit maths, I ended up $50, and she pocketed $110. I’m apparently better at poker than deal-making.

Me: I’ll give you half of my winnings.

Her: I want 70%.

Me: How about 51%?

Her: You’re not a nice husband!

Me: Okay, if I make $80 you can have 70%, otherwise just 50.

Her: Ok.

$80 would mean quintupling up, so I figured it was unlikely. Then one of the guys poked his head out and asked if I was okay with doubling the stakes. Oops.

I ended the night with about 4.5x the buyin and texted my wife the results.

Me: On my way. Up 143.50

Her: Thank you!! I will get 100.45 from you!!

The problem with this structure, of course, is that once I triple my buy-in, I’m now playing to either lose a few bucks or make over four and a third times the buy-in. Anything in-between loses me money.

I think I’ll take a page from the IRS and introduce brackets to my next deal.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold’em Tournament, 3000/6000 Blinds 750 Ante (6 handed) – PokerStars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB (t166474)
Hero (BB) (t153732)
UTG (t125090)
MP (t72535)
CO (t220332)
Button (t80304)

Hero’s M: 11.39

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, Q
3 folds, Button raises to t24000, 1 fold, Hero calls t18000

Flop: (t55500) 5, 7, Q (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets t30000, Hero raises to t60000, Button calls t25554 (All-In)

Turn: (t166608) 4 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: (t166608) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: t166608

Results:
Button had 7, 5 (two pair, sevens and fives).
Hero had K, Q (one pair, Queens).
Outcome: Button won t166608

Ayah… see you tomorrow.

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 2658687

To the Honorable Henry Waxman,

As a voter in your district, I am writing to ask you to support and co-sponsor HR 2046 – the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was introduced at the 11th hour as an amendment to the SAFE Port Act without debate on its merits. As no Congressional representative worth his or her political salt would vote against the SAFE Port Act, the UIGEA slipped through and was signed into law by Mr. Bush, effectively gutting the online gaming industry’s presence here in the United States. The methodology of the Republican leadership, and the blatant attempt to appeal to the conservative right-wing of its party, disgusted me and much of poker-playing America, regardless of political affiliation. It was seen as an assault on personal liberties by a minority’s definition of morality.

Now that the Democrats have gained control of both houses, there is an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the previous majority party in the form of HR 2046. If HR 2046 passes into law, online poker and other forms of gaming would become safe, secure, and regulated. The bill creates stringent licensing regulations for operators, so it will protect players from fraud and other risks.

The bill also has rigorous protections against illegal gambling, underage gambling, and compulsive gambling. However, the bill does not force any state to accept online gaming – it will simply allow any currently legal gaming to take place online. States and sports leagues can opt out completely if they wish.

Bringing online gaming under the supervision and regulation of the US government also creates great financial opportunties in terms of both tax revenues and licensing fees. As it is, the United States receives nothing of online gaming revenues. In fact, gaming revenues from Americans are going overseas to countries like Gibraltar, Antigua, and Bermuda.

Tax revenues and global trade issues aside, online gaming represents high growth, high-paying jobs. As a leader in technology, California would benefit disproportionately from the legalization and regulation of online gaming. This $13b high-tech, cutting edge industry needs software developers, network engineers, marketing managers, sales representatives–the whole gamut. It is a fact that one such software development house moved its Westwood headquarters overseas due to the uncertain and increasingly risky business climate within our borders. We need those jobs and the money they inject into the local economy.

I hope you will agree with me on the importance of passing HR 2046 into law and help Rep. Frank by co-sponsoring and supporting this bill. I look forward to your actions on this matter.

Sincerely,
glyphic

I also sent him my affiliate links for PokerStars and FullTilt. Sorry, Mr. Waxman, but no rakeback for you.

Dear Fellow PPA Member:

I have wonderful news to report! On Thursday, April 26, Rep. Barney Frank introduced HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007. HR 2046 will lift the prohibition on playing poker online. Your efforts are making a difference!

Representative Frank is the Chairman of the important House Financial Services Committee. And he understands the injustice that we have suffered. When he introduced the bill, he told reporters that “The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone”.

But he can’t do this job alone. Now, we need to help Congressman Frank build support for his bill.

You can regain your right to enjoy safe, secure online poker – but only if you stand up for your rights. And PPA is here to help you do just that.

This is a landmark day for freedom. But it is only the first step of the process. Join me in celebrating this milestone – and take action to build support for HR 2046.

Click here or below to make your voice heard in our nation’s Capitol.

Sincerely,
Michael Bolcerek
President
Poker Players Alliance

Please take a few minutes to write your Congressman using the form provided by the PPA above. Even a douchebag Congressman will do the right thing if he knows his constituents are watching.