Poker News

With the World Series of Poker (WSOP) wrapped up until November, poker players on Twitter returned to their normal routines. Much of their attention was focused on Annie Duke as she testified in front of a Congressional committee regarding online gaming regulation.

“I hope I did a good job for poker players today,” Duke Tweeted following her testimony in front of the committee. “I want to represent us well.” Eugene Todd gave Duke her props when he Tweeted, “Watching the meeting right now… even though I’m not a big Annie Duke fan she is real good and poised.” Fellow UB.com pro “Hollywood” Dave Stann stepped up to comment, “Thanks @AnnieDuke for fighting for all our civil liberties today on Capitol Hill. You rock!” Doyle Brunson took a moment away from his blonde jokes to recognize, “I know without being there you represented the poker world very well! Thanks.”

The kudos for Duke’s appearance in Washington, DC, continued for hours after the completion of the hearing. “You’re def someone I want to represent,” said Michele Lewis, who has testified in front of the Texas General Assembly regarding poker. “I’m sure you did a great job. Thanks for having the courage to do so.” Linda Johnson sounded off on Twitter, “I read some of the transcripts from today’s hearing and you did a great job! Thanks.” In giving his congratulations, noted tournament reporter/photographer BJ Nemeth pointed out why such regulation is necessary: “Regulation and licensing would have allowed prosecution of Russ Hamilton. I wish we had that now. Make him pay.”

For others in the poker community, a trip to England was in the cards. Three players – Juha Helppi, Greg Mueller, and Annette Obrestad – found themselves all at the same table for the first round of the Full Tilt Poker Lounge series. “Poker Lounge set looking pretty cool!,” Mueller remarked on Twitter. “My opponents r Juha Helpi, Annette, Jesus, Joe Beevers, and an online qualifier Joe Serock! Gd luck Me.” Helppi gave the details of the Cardiff battle when he Tweeted, “20,000 buy-in 6 handed, winner takes home the whole $120,000.”

Another player attending the Poker Lounge series is Mike Matusow, but he had other concerns on his mind. “Well I’m online on phone but it still don’t work,” “The Mouth” Tweeted before seeking help from Liv Boeree. “@liv_boeree my stupid phone don’t work here,” Matusow chirped. “I just found out that America’s number one phone the Droid is not global. What a joke.” For her part, Boeree offered a solution: “lol that sucks! Go find a dodgy corner shop in Cardiff and buy yourself a £20 unlocked one.”

Many remember Grant Hinkle’s run at the WSOP Championship Event and how he was not only sweating the cards, but also the pregnancy of his wife, Kim, back in Kansas. Due at any time, Hinkle was ready to leave the most prestigious tournament of the year to rush back for the birth of their son. This week brought the news that he and his family had been waiting for.

“We just checked into the hospital and Kim is at a 7 already,” Hinkle Tweeted from the hospital yesterday morning. “Looks like my unborn son Ben is being born today.” Just hours later, he was able to announce the good news to the world. “Benjamin Reed Hinkle is here. 9 lbs 3 oz. 20.5 inches long.” Fellow pro Devin Porter stepped up to offer a Tweet for the couple: “Congratulations!! That is one huge kid!”

On the lighter side of Poker In Twitter, Joe Sebok lamented heading back to the desert so soon following the WSOP. “Thought I had escaped Vegas, free and clear,” he Tweeted to his followers. “Alas, a bachelor party draws me back to Satan’s bosom for the weekend coming… burn, baby, burn.” Maria Ho took in a Rihanna concert and noted, “OMG Eminem made a surprise appearance+ joined Rihanna onstage for their song “I love the way you lie”!” Finally, Eric Mizrachi made an observation, playing off of the Las Vegas commercial byline: “Does whatever happen in Twitterland stay in Twitterland?”

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