There’s so much out there today, I thought it best to get a jump on it.  I posted a ton of news from the weekend and more in yesterday’s gssp, so don’t forget to just scroll down and check that out. But since today looks to be a banner day, and in addition to all of the latest WSOP news (today’s recap from RISE Poker’s Change100), there’s SO MUCH out there today - here’s a special super sized edition GSSP to get you going.

It’s Tues. PKRGSSP!  (part 1?)

* Federated Sports and Gaming purchase the Heartland Poker Tour, interview with FS+G’s Jeffrey Pollack & HPT’s Todd Anderson.  PokerNews’ Chad Holloway gets to break the news that the Duke and Pollack “pro-centric” league just purchased the “everyman’s” poker tour. In this interview, both sides talk about the merger furthering both companies as well as poker entertainment as a whole.  What it didn’t mention is why FS+G would have any interest in HPT.  It’s not to create feeder satellites and it’s not for their charismatic spokesperson, Darvin Moon…maybe, it’s for the TV contract?? Now, I’m just guessing but in all other respects the Heartland Poker Tour is everything that FS+G was trying NOT to be.  It’s for anyone, it’s low buy-in and quite often “no-names” make it on TV, which is what FS+G think people DON’T want to see…but the fact is, HPT is on TV - as the article states in over 100 million homes and, now this is just a guess, this is a likely suspect to be the primary reason for the purchase.  Maybe FS+G’s original TV plans just didn’t work out, maybe Black Friday scared away their biggest of plans and sponsors bolted…not sure.  That said, there’s no hard journalism going on here, it’s really a press release in interview format, but there’s no big hardhitting story here either - unless FS+G see the HPT as competition and bought it to snuff it out, which I just couldn’t see as a valid reason.  No idea how much it was bought for yet, it wasn’t asked or answered. Read the PokerNews interview here.

* Subject Poker reports that Cereus has only roughly 10% of the cash they owe. Late last night, Noah S-D reported on Subject Poker that they have found that AP/UB owe $53.7mm to a variety of entities and have only about 5-6mm on hand.  Citing two anonymous sources from within the organization, Subject: Poker opted to publish and should their story be true, which as of yet there’s no reason to think they haven’t done their due dilligence, this only means bad things for the likes of Ike Haxton and every other US player who had…I mean “has”…money on AP/UB.  Here’s the findings of Subject: Poker.

CHECK IT: Speaking of Subject: Poker, I don’t know how I missed it but if you’ve read part one of Noah S-D’s interview with the PPA’s John Pappas then you should definately check out part two, which is now available here.

EVEN MORE: To accent the Black Friday story and if you are REALLY into it, here’s an online document that started floating around Twitter (I’m sorry, I’m not sure who to credit…if someone wants to let me know I’ll edit this) which shows SOME of the bank accounts seized and the amounts therein.  While it doesn’t say much to me…it’s an interesting view.

DON’T FORGET: PokerNews reaches out and asks those still serving the US: How safe are US funds on their sites? The vocal and open Chuck Kidd doesn’t mind answering, and his words are what you want to hear, but the PokerNews team is also met with a lot of silence and non-answers.  It’s worth a quick read if you are one of the few still putting your money at risk in the U.S.

News and Notes

Just tons of goodness out there today, let’s consume as much as we can…

 - Bellagio Biker Bandit pleads “guilty”.  Nothing really to see here, so no need to really click…but just know that Anthony Carleo, the MORON who robbed the Bellagio and then WENT ON 2+2 to try and fence the chips, did the first smart thing in his life and pled guilty.  Kid gets sentenced 8/23 and faces a polarized range of years in the pokey (pun intended! word.). 3-54 years. Here’s a link to what I just said.

 - EGaming Review Magazine reports the PokerNewsDaily.com is up for sale. It looks like PND, the affiliate site, as well as one other are on the block and if not purchased soon they are going up on the REAL auction block: ebay.com.  Note to anyone out there - if you are loaded and want to purchase PND and turn it into a REAL site, give me a call.  You front the cash, I’ll help with the compelling content and we’ll make a run at it.  No? No, takers? Oh well.  Maybe next time. Check it out as there’s more news than just this over at EGaming.

 - WSOP By The Numbers by Jess Welman. Undoubtedly, one of the media’s favorite reoccurring articles of the WSOP and it should be one of yours as well.  Poker nuts are probably number junkies and little factoids backed by stats always make for interesting trivia. Welman continues to hit it out of the park in her daily column.  One of my daily faves for sure.

 - A REAL Baller checks in to the WSOP. Paul Pierce, heard of him? Yea, kid’s got game on the basketball court and sure he’s got a fancy ring to go with his adoring fans but this ain’t Boston Garden and the green felt ain’t the hardwood.  Nevertheless the popular basketball star made an appearance at the 2011 WSOP and PokerListing’s Matthew Showell has him covered.  Check out pics of the gamer here and check out the article from the weekend right here.  Nothing earth shattering, but like John Hawkes yesterday, it’s always fun to see how far the reach of poker goes, and that’s the truth.

 - Victoria Coren continues to give out advice in her column for the Guardian.  Can you bluff in non-NLHE games?? Of course you can!  Victoria Coren’s poker column, a bit of a dear Vicci for beginning poker players, can tell you how.  Short, cute and British - it had been a while since I mentioned it.  So if you happen to be a beginner and like some short form advice, check out her column.

 - Barry Carter’s latest blog theorizes on how and why the Brits have up’d their bracelet game. The rap on the UK was that they were behind the US in, well, just about all things poker. With more and more poker hooliganism coming to the forefront in the U.S. it looks like the British are indeed coming on strong.  The Mental Game of Poker author ups his line on how many the UK will take home and why that number is only going up.  *Internal note: Insert either dentist or revolutionary war joke here - don’t bloody forget to take this out* 

 - Do you care how hands are reported? Shamus addresses a small Twitter war among poker media in his blog today.  I find myself checking in with Shamus almost everyday, and just about everyday, I recommend his blog as solid reading.  I’ve never met him, don’t know him, we’re not BFF’s or anything (not yet anyway) but I have a feeling we have some sensibilities in common.  He seems to be a level headed guy who enjoys himself some poker media. Unlike me though, he’s actually and factually a part of it having reported, let’s guess, hundreds upon hundreds of hand in his day.  Anyway, being honest here, today’s Hard-Boiled Poker may not appeal to the general audience because who really, truly cares HOW you read the flop in a hand breakdown so long as it IS the flop and not all 5 community cards in some random order.  But he always does such a good job of drawing an analogy to either literature or cinema which I find both endearing and compelling.  So, you know, if you’ve got the time go show Shamus some love.  You’ll never be sorry.

 - ABC News highlights Phil Ivey’s lawsuit in the midst of a potential record attendence for the WSOP.  Now if yr brand new and have the following questions: “What is the WSOP?”, “Who is Phil Ivey and who is he suing and why?”  Read this article.  If not, just know that poker, once again, clipped the big time newsies and got a spot on ABC News.  If you’d like to check it out, here you go.

 - PokerNews’ Rich Ryan maks 5 observations from week 2 of the WSOP.  While a few of these are comedic and lighthearted, Ryan flat out states that Hellmuth will “never win a non-Hold’em bracelet.”  “Never” is a mighty long time and with Phil planning on playing for the next X# of years, I think that’s a pretty bold statement.  But hey, it’s all in fun I don’t think he knows or cares too terribly much about what Phil’s future plans are in terms of what he wants to learn, play or buy-in to is…he’s just sayin’ for now, Hellmuth don’t got it.  Anyway, they also cite the Sam Grizzle video we highlighted yesterday and since it will take you literally 3 minutes to consume, you probably should. 

Wow. Right? It’s almost too much and if you weren’t reading it in this format, I’m going to guess you’d have missed something…hell, I bet I missed something.  If so, and you know it, hit me up.  I’d love to check it out.  If not, I’m still happy to have you hit me up with your overwhelming praise or polite, yet constructive, criticism.  It’s easy, just do one of the following:

email: pkrgssp@gmail.com or I’m a Twitter addict and would love to have you follow along during the day: @pkrgssp

It’s only Tues.? Seriously?  See you tomorrow.

Crazy weekend!  While I usually take it off and either play some locally or hang out with pals, this weekend it just semeed like there was so much action, even potentially historical results, that for a good chunk - I was glued to my computer.  That said, since the majority of you who come and read PKRGSSP are obsessionists like me, some of today’s links may be old news to you but I think there’s a few in here that, if you were watching the Mavs defeat the LeBrons or wifey had you on supreme lockdown, maybe you missed.  

Since there’s so much I’m going to try and catch you up rapid fire style - here’s my suggestion today and this is going to seem nuts but - check them all out.  Just spend a few moments on each and take it in and by the time you are done, like 30 minutes, you’re going to have every poker world talking point well in hand and be armed for your next homegame.

So let’s get to it, here’s your World Champion PKRGSSP!

All things WSOP.

If you hadn’t heard Phil Hellmuth was denied his 12th bracelet when he went HU vs. Team Full Tilt’er John Juanda in the 10k 2-7 and high stakes reg. Brian Rast, backed by Antonio Esfandari, took down a bracelet as well…here’s all of that action and more for you:

 - PokerNews’ Day 12 recap by James Guill aka @compncards.  When he’s not berating teenagers for acting like idiots in public, James Guill is the main man when it comes to officially recapping the events of the days events for PokerNews and he doesn’t miss a thing in this tidy summary of all things “bracelets” for Sat.  Hellmuth denied, Rast outlasting The Chainsaw and updates on all of the remaining in progress tournaments (although some, like the $1500 H.O.R.S.E. have come to a conclusion, here’s the update on the bracelet for that).  Also very noteworthy is Andrew Feldman’s Weekend Recap for ESPN, slightly more up-to-date as it was published just a few hours ago it also offers editorial by Feldman and a preview of what’s to come this week.

 - Speaking of Brian Rast the media went nuts for him after he captured his first bracelet win this weekend.  So, if you didn’t already know this rising superstar here’s a number of places you can watch/read all about him and his historic victory over Kessler.

Kristy Arnett interviews Brian Rast: I really enjoyed this interview, Rast is well-spoken, pretty charming and the production team for PokerNews put this one together very well, including a couple great shots of Rast celebrating as Kessler, in the foreground, presumably, watched the end of the tournament.  Well worth checking out.

Andrew Feldman’s profile of Rast for ESPN. Feldman captures the story of Rast. Determined NOT to play the $1500 PLHE event Rast plans on resting, until friend Esfandari hounds him into getting his ass to the Rio and into a seat. Complete with cashing results from the event, it’s a nice overall summary of Rast and his victory.

Bluff’s Live from the WSOP Recap video for the week ending the 12th also features Rast (among other stories). Rast is once again featured in Bluff’s headlines and highlights for the week in what’s a very nice package of video info getting you all caught up with just about everything thru Sunday.  Interviews with the bracelet winners, a Liv Boree profile and even a Doug Lee sighting makes this 7 min video well worth your time, even if you are way on top of your media game. Check it out right here!

CHECK IT: In Jess Welman’s midday report for Sunday, there’s a big non-WSOP announcement from one of poker’s “cutest couples” (aww) so if you haven’t heard click here to see what you should expect in the near future.  

* Speaking of what’s worth checking out.  Blogger Mark Gahagan rates the various media outlets for WSOP coverage. With a nod to yours truly (tyvm btw) the host of The Rabbit Hunt, Mark Gahagan, finds himself longing to be back in the halls of the Rio.  But with his nose to the grindstone the best he can do right now is to get the atmosphere from all of the various media outlets he can muster.  While I get you a broad spectrum of articles, podcasts and blogs and tell you what’s worth your time and what you should ignore - Gahagan rates his top of the pops in his latest blog.  Best part is he’s like 90% spot on with his choices…what’s the 10% he’s missing?  You take a guess.  Go check it out and see if I’ve left anything out.

CHECK IT: Looking for other ways to enjoy the coverage, check out Shamus’ recent Hard-Boilder Poker post and his, richly deserved, acknowledgement of Pauly’s Tao of Poker and more.

* Sam Grizzle interviewed by Sarah Grant for PokerNews.  In this interview for PokerNews it’s the one and only Sam Grizzle taking a few seconds to oogle Sarah Grant and innocently calling Shannon Shore a nerd.  Short, sweet and with a couple laughs involved, if you don’t know Grizzle here’s a nice, softer side, intro to the man.

News and Notes

More quick hits of stuff you may have missed…

 - Eddie Blumenthal sits in the top 5 of the WSOP POY race. You may not know him yet but in his first two events he’s gone super deep in both for a total of roughly 600k.  Here’s a profile on the former standout wrestler from his hometown newspaper. 

- Actor John Hawkes, Oscar nominee & Deadwood cast member, goes to Vegas to live out his poker dream.  Pokerlisting’s Matthew Showell catches up with Hawkes who, as it turns out, is quite the degen!  When he’s not acting in Hollywood, he’s Hollywooding at the tables and he’s lurking around the Rio trying to “round up some gold”  (boo).  Check out the feature article here.

 - PokerNews’ Chad Holloway defends the greatness of Phil Hellmuth. Champ or chump, everyone’s got an opinion on Phil Hellmuth and it usually begins and ends with his tableside manner.  In this OP-ED for PokerNews Holloway (having freshly busted from the $1500 H.O.R.S.E. *needle*) decides to let the facts speak for him when he breaks down the recent history of the man that poker’s “passed by”.  With some compelling arguments and stats to back him up Holloway claims that the Poker Brat is still a Poker King…read his article and see what you think!

 - Jon Katkin addresses some of his peers in the poker media when it comes to objectivity. This too is an OP-ED piece, this time for Pokerati and if you are into the poker media at all, I suggest you check it out as it’s a solid read and one that, at least to those in the media, is going to garner a lot of both criticism and praise.  Click here to read Crossing The Line.

So much more out there from today and this weekend, but I think you’re going to find some stuff in here you really like. If I missed anything huge, let me know and I’ll check it out and amend my post - just for you (awww).  Otherwise, friends, let’s crush this work week by taking in all the media we can.

Tomorrow the podcasts start again, so our audio offerings should be plenty and the WSOP stops for no man (or woman) so we’ll find you the best in coverage there too.

Hit me up on the Twitter: @pkrgssp and I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

Another great week in the books, don’t you think?  Well, I just received some good…nay, GREAT… news - I’m going BACK TO THE WSOP!  I gotta be honest, I was missing it all week this week having just been there last weekend, and I was on the fence about whether I was going to be able to make it back out.  Well, word came down the answer is yes! So the countdown is on until I’m able to make it back to the Rio.  But, to be fair, it’s quite a ways off, as it’s not until the ME, that I’ll step foot on the Pavilion floor again. So I’ll remind everyone again once it gets closer.

Seeing as how we’re on the cusp of a weekend and I’ve been unloading mega gssps on you lately, we’ll do today in min-raise form - quick links and short comments to give you plenty to read, but still leave you with time to get some hours of grind in.

So here are your final instructions of the day: 1. (of course) follow me on the Twitter! @pkrgssp  2. have a great weekend, friends and finally 3. enjoy your Friday PKRGSSP!

- WSOP Day 10.  As we’ve talked about there’s a ton of ways get your WSOP recaps in.  Today we opt for Dr. Pauly’s smart and quick recap for the top notch RISE Poker blogging team.  With references to Mother Russia and Bill Chen’s brain as a crashing super computer, it’s a great way to catch up.

- Subject: Poker’s Noah S-D interviews PPA executive director John Pappas.  Subject: Poker has claimed that they are going to hold themselves to a bit of a higher standard when it comes to poker journalism and while not using those words specifically, writer Noah S-D essentially said so much on this week’s 2+2 Pokercast.  Well, if this interview with Pappas is any indication, this site is going to be quality, friends.  This is an excellent interview of Pappas by Noah and in “Part One” he touches on everything from the legal status of online poker at this moment, who is funding the PPA, where their interest lies, what’s being done to get the player’s money back from Full Tilt and what Pappas thinks the future of online poker is.  It’s an interesting back and forth and Noah knows his stuff.  Well done Subject: Poker and well done Noah - this is a must read in my opinion and it’s likely to change your opinion of the PPA, no matter what you think of them now.

 - The WSOP By The Numbers.  Jess Welman’s popular column for Bluff Magazine is back with more facts and stats that gives you an inside look into the numbers behind the series.  Everything from number of first time bracelet winners, how many Brits are appearing at the FT and how many decks of cards need to be replaced.  It’s quickly becoming an industry favorite making it an easy recommend.

 - In a double dose of Dr. Pauly today, his post on his own Tao of Poker is a bit of an epic read as Pauly blasts the decision makers at the WSOP for banning beer in the stands, he doubles down on Dirk and the Mavs, reminisces about when the WSOP hallways were flush with titalation and he also declares that ”life is short and I don’t give a fuck about anything anymore.”  It’s a fear and loathing, Las Vegas style on the latest edition of Tao of Poker.  Solid, solid read for you.

- Eric Baldwin’s goes undercover to try to try to be just another donk.  OK, I’m reading into it but Baldy posted this pic on Twitter today and if I saw a guy who had this look, I’d probably think he’s a donk too.  Well played Eric, well played.

- Nevada’s Harry Reid and Texas’ Joe Barton team up to try and push through some “poker only” legislation.  Is this smoke and mirrors or a legit attempt to get something done this year?  I don’t know, but I can’t help but think it’s a good sign that people are talking and writing about the reinstatement of a world where online poker is readily available for my Friday nights!  Here, in the Las Vegas Sun, they talk about a bi-partisan “dream team” looking to take a bill thru the Energy and Commerce Committee…a different bill going a different route.  Legal eagles check this out (and if you know your stuff, let me know what I need to pass along!).

 - PokerNews’ Donnie Peters and Rich Ryan talk to the pros about the 10 level rule at the WSOP.  The WSOP has instituted a 10 level rule at the WSOP where no tournament would play for longer than 10 levels in one day and this has led to some, let’s say, interesting stoppage over the first 10 or so events.  Peters and Ryan caught up with pros Allen Bari, Jason Mercier and Mario Ho as well as WSOP TD Jack Effel to get their thoughts on the matter and frankly, it’s a pretty good read.  Just when you think the rule is pretty dumb, Effel’s got at least a logical explanation for it.  It does look like it needs addressing, but in the meantime, it doesn’t look like Effel and the WSOP are budging.  Check it out.

CHECK IT: The PokerNews Podcast features Gavin Griffin and Allen Bari on it…I wasn’t too keen on this episode, but maybe you will be.

Have a great weekend! See you on Monday.

Ugh…it’s late!  Believe it or not (and I know you’ll tend twords ‘not’) but I lead a pretty active life outside of PKRGSSP and today it just caught up with me.  So, seeing as how it’s late and you’re drunk I’m just going to unload some of the best of the day for you knowing you’ll find something you like.  

Thanks for swinging by, also...THANK YOU for the follows on Twitter (@pkrgssp)!  It’s fun to be able to pass along the best of the day for you so that if you, like me, are a fanatic for poker media, just about every day is action packed.

Sit back, relax and have a night cap with tonight’s PKRGSSP!

Article, Blogs, News…

 - Sorel Mizzi, in a bid to clean up his public image, establishes Poker Players Against Poverty.  Now, if you DID follow my tweets, you probably saw this on @pkrgssp first!  But, the good people over at Pokerati did a very nice job of writing it up and showing both sides of the Mizz.  You can’t wipe away a number of cheating allegations with a single 10k donation but, you don’t want to kick a kid in the face when he may be trying to set it straight.  Check out the article over at Pokerati.

CHECK IT: Pokerati Dan tag teams with Dr. Pauly for short and sweet audio casts called the The Tao of Pokerati.  In this latest 4 min ep, Pauly drops about 7 F bombs when talking about the suckers who get reeled in to the Oxygen Bar at the Rio. Also, there’s an Eskimo Clark sighting! It’s audio fast food from the floor of the Rio.

- Matt Damon and Harvey Weinstein meet to talk Rounders 2. Yea, you read that right.  Some page six-esque article claims that Damon, Harvey and both the original Rounders scribes met in Manhattan to talk Rounders 2, Edward Norton may join the cast as well!  Don’t believe me?  Read it here.  If you DO believe me, no need to click.  (Side note, I tweeted this in the morning…it has 52 official retweets at publishing time…I guess people are into it!)

 -  Jesse May responds to Brandon Adams blog.  I said what I needed to say in yesterday’s gssp, but Jesse May’s reply, I think, carries a ton of weight.  Making perfect sense, he just wants to know where are the people and the voices of the Full Tilt guys that Adams is so loyal to?  It’s not an attack blog, it’s very respectful, but direct.  Well said by Jesse and a very recommended read. If you didn’t read Brandon Adams’ blog, see my post yesterday for the link.

CHECK IT: What’s that?! Who’s Jesse May?!! People come in to poker ALL the time and so it’s not a given you know the man known as “the voice of poker”.  Barry Carter, co-author of the Mental Game of Poker, wrote a little homage piece to May today which you can certainly check out. 

 - Ring games, Mega Sattys and Deepstack events keep the Rio is action outside of the WSOP, article on Bluff Magazine by Tim Fiorvanti.  Now I know I’m biased, as I was just at the WSOP, but this article really got me pumped up for going back.  It just goes to show that even if the buy-ins for the WSOP bracelet events are outside of your bankroll there’s still a ton of value to making the trip to poker’s summer camp.  A $235 buy-in can fetch you $25k kids! That sounds like value and fun to me! This very well done piece which captures a Final Table at 4:30 am PST, should make your heart race a little faster as well.

 - Bill Chen, good sport, gets ANOTHER 2+2 Photoshop thread. Look, sometimes it’s fun just to be silly and the choppers at 2p2 took an ill fated photo of Chen and run away with it.  No need to invest a ton of time, just change your settings to 100 posts per page and scroll away on this 5 star thread.

Daily A/V

 - ESPN doubles down today with both a new Inside Deal and Poker Edge.  The Inside Deal spends most of it’s time loving on Bernard Lee and recapping the week that was the WSOP. It’s tough not to like Lee and if you’ve missed any the week that was, I recommend this short 10 minute broadcast tonight.  The Poker Edge finds Andrew delving a little deeper with Bernard Lee as Lee recalls his back to back cashes at the WSOP, including his FT in the 2-7.  The pair get you caught up on all of the tourney action of the week and then they are joined by Maria Ho.  Fresh off her appearance with the 2+2 Pokercast, one of poker’s biggest female (and overall) stars sits in for a feature interview.  Clocking in at just over 40 min, it’s a great way to catch up.

 - The PokerNews Podcast recaps the day that was and is joined by guest Marco from QuadJacks.  I’ve made no bones about it, I like Marco (not sure if he likes me) and I also like Matthew Parvis (pretty sure he does NOT like me) so that said, this was a pretty fun listen.  The script is flipped on Marco as he’s subject to questioning rather than digging for the info.  He’s always candid and oft times witty and so the ease of conversation makes the latter half of the podcast really interesting.  If you need to be caught up on the day that was (it”s pretty late, you probably know what’s what) then check out the whole thing.  The interview between Parvis and Marco starts right around halfway.

Since it’s late, I’m going to skip a few others that I really liked today but I’ll link them up:

Kim over at Infinite Edge hates the idea of a 1MM tourney.

PokerNews’ Sarah Grant takes you on a tour of the ESPN Final Table Set.

Shamus comments on the May/Adams blogs.

OK friends, it looks like, for the time being, we’ve gotten to 1k followers which is a testament to those of you who check out the blog everyday…now, who know if there’s a bunch of bots or people who think every day is going to be filled with Rounders 2 news, but as I sleep tonight, we’re building something good.

Hit me up!  Email: pkrgssp@gmail.com or Twitter: @pkrgssp

Nite all! Let’s do this again tomorrow!