Scotty Ngyuen Challenge Update

Sorry, folks. Just when I was starting to get this thing moving in the right direction, I get sick. I'll be back to give you more coverage of the poker scene here in Oklahoma tomorrow.

I plan on being at the Scotty Ngyuen Challenge IV for a couple of events, including the final table of the main event. According to my sources at the Cherokee Casino Resort, there are definitely some big-name pro players coming once again for this years events. Should be a great series whether you are going to play or just go and railbird your friends or favorite pro.

More from the Cherokee next week, plus many more exciting poker events coming up in the state of Oklahoma.

If you know of any big events coming up leave me a comment or hit me up on my gmail and I'll be sure and check it out.

Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge IV

The schedule is out for the Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge IV at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Tulsa. The dates are November 1-20, 2007. I know this is a bit of a short notice, but I have been neglecting my blog here for sometime. No more. I'll try to post something new everyday.

Buy-ins for the preliminary events range from $120 to $2080 with most being less than a grand. The main event entry is $5000 + $150. Click here for a complete schedule of events. Total payout for all events is expected to exceed two million dollars! You can even pre-register on-line by clicking here.

Kido Pham, who won $176,359 last year, is the defending main event champion and is expected to return. Some of the others who have played in past challenges include: Mike "the Mouth" Matusow, Bob "the Coach" Ciaffone, Todd Brunson, Kathy Leibert, Mike Sexton, David Levi, Morgan Machina, Tom Franklin and Mike "the Grinder" Mizrachi. Past WSOP main event champs T.J. Cloutier, Barry "Numbers" Johnston and, of course, Scotty Nguyen have also played in the event.

The main event winner, in addition to the cash prize, also receives a gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds and rubies valued at over $30.000 and designed by Scotty, himself. Everyone at the main event final table receives a Cherokee Casino varsity style leather jacket.

There are also several seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises being given away to the winners of some of the lower buy-in tournaments. These packages include airfare and accommodations for two and are valued at more than $3000.

If you don't want to pony up $5K, there are several single table satellites and super-satellites running from now until November 17th for entry into the main event. Buy-ins range from $230 to $550 for these events.

Check the Cherokee-Tulsa poker room for more information on all of the upcoming events there.

Comin' To Getcha

The government is not only trying to get on-line poker players and casinos; now they are passing new rules for brick and mortar casino poker tournaments, as well. The IRS will start requiring casinos and poker tournament sponsors to report the winner's earnings.

Beginning March 4, 2008 casinos and other tournament sponsors must report the earnings of any winner who's prize is more than $5000. Sponsors are not required to withhold any of the earnings; just to report them at the conclusion of the tourney.

If they do not report the earnings they can be held liable for up to 25% of the total earnings. All winners must provide their taxpayer ID or social security number to the sponsor. If a player fails to provide the number, the sponsor is required to withhold 28% of their winnings and send it to the IRS.

By law, you must already report your gambling profits on your taxes. Seems the IRS believes we have been under-reporting our earnings and wants to make sure that they get their share. Another way the government is trying to discourage us from playing poker.

Screw the UIGEA and the IRS. If I want to play poker; I'll find a place to play. At least its out in the open now and not in a back-room of a bar somewhere, like it was in my younger days.

This is Supposed to Be a Poker Blog

This is supposed to be a poker blog, but since I haven't been playing much poker lately, there haven't been too many recent posts. I have been posting regularly to my blog on Yuwie. I also recently started another non-poker blog at this link, HERE. I occasionally will still post to my Myspace blog and will try to post more regularly here.

Some topics for future discussion include the Scotty Ngyuen Open at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Tulsa this spring, the expansion of said Cherokee Casino, and other upcoming poker events here in the Sooner State.

I'm trying to get a list of weekly tournaments throughout the state to post here so that you can always find a game in your area. If you know of any or have links to their web page give me a shout and I'll be sure to include it and give you credit for the info in an upcoming post.

-Hammer