Guy Laliberte spent an estimated $25 million to purchase some time on the international space station, and the photographs he took can now be viewed online. He calls himself a professional poker player and space tourist, and is worth roughly $3 billion. And truth be told, if you judge a “poker professional” by his ability to earn a living simply playing poker, the clinical term may not apply to Laliberte. But his love of poker both online and off is such that he created the Big One for One Drop tournament, with profits going to his non-profit organization devoted to global water equality and conservation.

Last July the eclectic Guy finished fifth in his very own Big One for One Drop tournament, raking $1,834,666. With winnings totaling approximately $2,607,986 in live tournaments, and more online, he has posted very pro-like numbers. Sales of his out of this world experience all go to benefit One Drop, and his journey into outer space definitely makes him the first online “professional” poker player to head into orbit. He has recently hinted to a return to outer space, stating that his musings about the heavens began when, as a child, he would lay on his back in an open field and see images in the clouds.

Laliberte said, “It’s ephemeral art in motion. You see something. You look at it. It lasts a few seconds, and you’ll probably never see it again.” He did not mention if he and his fellow space travelers took any time for a few hands of poker. Glancing out a small window, the billionaire CEO and online poker player captured photographs more than 30 miles above the surface of the earth using a Nikon D3X camera. 40 of those photographs were used to publish a book entitled “Gaia”.

Purported but never confirmed as the online player hitting the virtual felt under the name Esvedra, if that is actually Laliberte, he has shown online losses as high as $2.7 million on HighStakesDb. And professional poker players can have massive swings in their bankroll. Whether you consider Guy Laliberte a professional online poker player or not, his contributions to the sport on the World Wide Web and off are considerable, and he will always be remembered as the first “out of this world” online poker player.

What caused this generous surge in online poker play around the globe? One previous online poker giant has returned to the virtual felt, as Full Tilt Poker reopened their doors last week, with literally hundreds of thousands of former players returning to claim their previously frozen accounts. According to online poker analyst PokerScout, the majority of those returning players did not simply log into their account and cash out. They are staying and playing. The company uses different metrics to measure online gambling traffic globally, and they said that their research shows a full 400,000 former Full Tilt Poker customers were accepted back into the fold of online poker players immediately following the site relaunch. This single-handedly drove most of the 10% increase in global online poker traffic.

Sites like Lucky Red and Mona Casino have stepped in during Full Tilt’s absence, delivering a full slate of slots, video poker, table games and poker games to global players, as well as to US participants, but having a big name like Full Tilt Poker back in the online casino industry is positive for both players and other online casino operators. Thousands of account holders had their accounts frozen for more than 18 months after the Department of Justice in the United States shut down the Full Tilt Poker website in 2011. With players around the world now able to access their previously frozen accounts, the online casino community in general will receive an uptick as Full Tilt Poker players who still have a bad taste in their mouth from that experience move to other online casinos and poker rooms.

The proliferation and growth of massive deposit matching bonuses offered by online casinos and poker rooms ever since the Black Friday DOJ poker ruling in 2011 can also be accounted for the increased popularity of online casino gaming. Many smaller companies that did not run afoul of United States gambling and banking regulation are still up and running and have never closed down. These companies offer very attractive initial deposit welcome bonuses that double and even triple your initial bankroll.

This is a very effective way to attract eyeballs and mouse clicks away from larger casinos and poker rooms, and will no doubt drive the popularity of online gaming going forward. We here at Bonus Geek constantly scour the online gaming community for the best bonuses offered by the most reputable and dependable companies. We are always on the hunt for good news in the global online casino community, and would like to welcome back those 400,000 Full Tilt Poker account holders around the world, as well as the vaunted Full Tilt Poker brand. The recent 10% uptick in global online poker traffic is a great sign for the future of online casino gambling in the US and worldwide, and we look forward to seeing all of you on the virtual tables.

Homer was up to his regular escapades, and received $6,000 as a settlement after being burnt by hot fast food oil. Explaining that online poker websites are safer than banks, he opens an account at an online casino and deposits his money. Lisa soon discovers Homer’s windfall, and begins gambling with the intention of building up her college fund. But before Lisa Simpson begins her career as an online poker pro, she seeks advice from Jennifer Tilly, who also provides the voice for Mrs. Swanson on The Family Guy.

The fact that the producers of the Simpsons decided to create an episode about online gambling just shows how popular the pastime has become in America. The show is now in its 24th season, and the episode does a good job explaining the online poker attraction. Responsible adult wagering at an online casino, poker room or sportsbook provides exciting Las Vegas style entertainment any time night or day from a computer or mobile PC with an Internet connection, and seeking advice from poker playing professionals is always a good strategy.

And like any successful online poker player, as Lisa’s confidence grows, her gameplay becomes better. Her winnings are mirrored in the stylish college outfits she purchases, and the early word among poker forums online is that this was one of the more popular episodes for online poker players. One forum poster on TwoPlusTwo pointed out that Lisa’s bankroll management was “atrocious” even though she built $5,000 into more than $300,000 in imaginary money.

The Simpson’s is an iconic part of the American way of life, and has been around a lot longer than online casinos, but the recent explosion in popularity of online poker rooms, sportsbooks, race books and Las Vegas style casinos made for an enjoyable, animated episode. If you happened to see the Lisa Simpson online poker episode, drop us a line and tell us what you thought of it. We here at Bonus Geek enjoyed it immensely, and could not wait until it was over, so we could belly up to the virtual tables and play a little online poker ourselves.

PokerStars purchased Full Tilt Poker as part of an agreement with the United States Department of Justice, and also paid back all those non-US players which were owed money by Full Tilt. Shyam Markus is the Full Tilt Poker poker room manager, and Wednesday he was found on the popular 2 + 2 poker forums inviting online poker players to his site for some play money enjoyment. It may be some time before PokerStars provides pay for play poker online, but the return of what was once a vaunted online poker company is good for the entire industry overall.

When the site was shut down in 2011 by the US DOJ, player account money was frozen while the charges by the federal regulators were investigated. And cosmetically, the site looks nearly the same as it did when it was shut down on Black Friday with other major online poker sites in the United States. One of the major differences is the “transfer to PokerStars” button offered in the cashier tab. It is certainly a welcome ability to be able to view and access cash balances that have been tied up for 16 months, with some poker players having had significantly large balances frozen until now.

Gus Hansen, Tom Dwan and Viktor Blom have had their images added to the website, as they have joined as Full Tilt representatives since after the site was originally closed down. Markus made it clear for any online players checking out the beta version of their site that this was just a test run. New heads-up cash game and sit and go player options have been made available to make it easier to find and play against the same opponent on multiple tables, and there are new ring game and preferred seat features as well.

Even so, with USA online poker predicted to be less than three months away in Nevada, and Delaware also legalizing online gambling, the United States poker community familiar with the Full Tilt Poker brand should not be in too big of a hurry for that company to launch pay for play poker in the United States. Online poker players from the United States are still waiting for the Department of Justice to handle the repayment of their account balances, and after the injunctions that almost bankrupted the company, Full Tilt will be in no hurry to rush out anything less than a sterling customer experience that clears all regulatory hurdles. But it is nice to have Full Tilt back, even as a free play site, and we have PokerStars to thank for that. As an alternative, there are currently several alternate online poker sites that offer online poker for money legally to US players.

PokerStars is currently in the process of verifying previous FTP player claims, to the tune of $184 million owed to players outside the United States. You may recall FTP was shut down in 2011 when the United States Department of Justice conducted a nationwide crackdown in the United States which online poker players refer to as Black Friday. But last December that same DOJ allowed for each individual state in the US to decide their own online poker destiny, and both Nevada and Delaware have passed online poker legislation since.

PokerStars has a current plan to relaunch the Full Tilt Poker website this November, hoping to reattract players to the superior software that FTP offered. And, purchasing FTP more than doubles the player database for PokerStars, and they also benefit from the White Knight image they earn in the online poker community by repaying FTP players. PokerStars made it through the DOJ online poker purge in 2011 by immediately paying all funds owed their players when their accounts were frozen. The overall purchase price paid by PokerStars for FTP through the DOJ agreement is a whopping $731 million.

Over $500 million of that will be delivered to jilted American players through the Department of Justice, and funded by PokerStars. Early details on the repayment process if you are an American player that suffered at the hands of FTP is still sketchy at best. However, former FTP players in France, Estonia, Denmark, Spain and Belgium will be required to open a PokerStars account that will immediately receive an infusion of the money owed them. Italy is still working out details with the Italian government for their players, and all other non-US countries will be able to access the funds owed them when FTP relaunches.

Eric Hollreiser is a PokerStars spokesman who recently commented on the $731 million which his company is investing to take over FTP. He stated that it is his company’s belief that they come out as the winner, and they also believe that it will help grow the overall online poker market. Obviously, with two US states almost prepared to shuffle up and deal virtually, the timing by PokerStars could not be better. And by having two well-known portals which carry such high name recognition, PokerStars has twice the opportunity of cashing in on what appears to be a multibillion dollar online poker experience in the United States.

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Vintage Vegas Gaming (VVG) now controls what was formerly Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, and has applied for a Nevada Internet gaming license. The Nevada Gaming Control Board recently announced the application, as they do all applicants for Internet gaming licenses. Binion’s sold the World Series of Poker brand and the Binion’s Horseshoe in 2004 to Harrah’s Entertainment, and in 2005 the WSOP tournament was oved to the Rio Hotel and Casino just off the Vegas strip.

One of approximately 3 dozen license applicants so far in Nevada since that state legalized online poker for its residents and visitors, Vintage Vegas Gaming has applied for operator, service provider and manufacturer licenses. Their plans are to operate as an in-house web poker provider. The storied Binion brand was established over 60 years ago by famous gambler Benny Binion, and VVG hopes to be as successful with this online version of one of America’s favorite pastimes as Mr. Binion was in his long infamous Las Vegas career that included stints as casino owner, mobster, poker enthusiast, cutting horse owner and convicted felon.

Both Nevada and Delaware have authorized state legislators to allow for legal online poker play inside their state boundaries. This came about after the United States Department of Justice flip-flopped their previous position on their online poker stance as illegal. And it appears that the Silver State will shuffle up and deal virtually before any other, probably first with web poker licensee South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa sometime near the end of September or in early October of this year.

Born in 1904 and first involved with the Las Vegas, Nevada casino scene in 1950, Benny Binion was influential in the Nevada gaming community for decades, right up until his death in 1989, amassing a fortune. Vintage Vegas Gaming hopes to be at least as successful financially, and have as long lasting an effect on the Nevada online poker entity which is currently growing rapidly in its infancy in the state known for legalized gambling. What VVG hopes to avoid in their foray into the online poker world is the criminal history which started in 1924 for Benny Binion, and which is as big a part of his legend as is his development of the globally popular World Series of Poker tournament.

The idea for the ISPT is unique. Somewhere between an online and live tournament, the more than 30,000 players will begin play on their laptops or other wireless devices while seated in Wembley Stadium where spectators generally sit and view the action on the field. Once play has been trimmed to 3,000 participants, those finalists move to the stadium field where they play on traditional poker tables with professional dealers. The ISPT has been gaining steam this second part of 2012, and in that vein recently added poker pro and fellow Frenchman David Benyamine as an ambassador for the tour. Pros Patrik Atonius, Liz Lieu and Sam Trickett have already been signed on as ISPT ambassadors. Current plans hold for one single huge tournament held in a major stadium each year, but ISPT spokesmen said they are open to talks of multiple tournaments each year as well.

In the press release announcing Benyamine’s ambassadorship, ISPT stated that they are ecstatic to have a player of his caliber on board. Currently the estimated prize pool stands at €20 million ($25.8 million), and 30,000 players are anticipated, but with such a large stadium that number could grow. Bernard and Laurent Tapie attempted to buy out beleaguered Full Tilt Poker earlier this year, but that deal fell through and PokerStars scooped up the Full Tilt franchise. As online poker legislation moves forward in the United States and other countries around the world, such a massive online/live tournament could certainly draw the attention of cash hungry states and municipalities with large stadiums.

With such a huge prize pool and a storied venue like Wembley Stadium, the ISPT has only strengthened their hand by adding such respected professionals as ambassadors. And in case you would like to plan a trip to London for the tournament, all players are welcome. The buy-in is €600 ($774) and both professionals and amateurs are invited to play. Wembley Stadium has a retractable roof, and the schedule currently provides for open air play. However, in the case of inclement weather, 12,000 square meters of indoor rooms have already been reserved in the stadium. The online game at the beginning of the tournament will begin with 20 minute levels. All players will start out the Texas Hold ‘Em event with €5,000 ($6,454) in poker chips with the blinds beginning at 10/20.

Rebuy and double add-on purchases will be provided throughout the first day, and poker players wishing to advance immediately to the finals held on the field without participating in the early stages of the tournament may purchase a direct buy-in, for which 1,000 spots have already been reserved. The direct buy-in price tag has not yet been announced, and those players will enter the live finals play with the average amount of chips of all the poker players who qualified from the initial in-stadium online level. The stadium floor live portion of the event will be run by Groupe Partouche, the leading online poker tournament organizer in Europe and manager of 55 casinos in France and around the world.

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No one is sure who developed the fast-forward name, but it fits this new online poker feature extremely well. It is just as difficult to find out where fast-forward poker first developed, but it is catching on in online poker rooms across the World Wide Web. Basically, it allows you to hit a fast-forward fold button at any time during the progress of a hand. You will be instantly removed from the table and seated at another, and there is no limit to the number of times you can fast fold out of a hand and rocket off to another table.

This option gives you the opportunity to see literally hundreds more hands per hour than you typically would. When you are in a player pool of hundreds or even thousands, you are never stuck at the same table if you do not want to be. Your hand is instantly folded, no matter whether you are in or out of the big blinds, acting early or late, have just raised, checked or called the previous play, and no matter what your particular reasons or circumstances are. The first concern we had when we heard of this new feature was that the other players could see you fold in the middle of a hand. But steps have been taken to ensure that your fast-forward fold is invisible.

When you hit the fast-forward fold button, fast fold button on some sites, your opponents simply see you fold and leave the table at the correct time, when it is your turn. So you are not giving away any gameplay “tells” that players can use against you in the future. The online poker community is much wiser and more savvy than when online poker first came to the World Wide Web years ago. Players demand better features, newer technology and more options when they wager responsibly with their hard-earned money, and the new fast fold feature just gives intelligent players another possible weapon in their arsenal of online poker play options.

The fast-forward fold poker play option will not appeal to all online poker players. Players like myself who enjoy the entire online poker experience with other players, especially the chat feature, and winning an occasional hand, may never have cause for this innovative new online poker option. However, if you are seated at a table where your cards are cold, your fellow players are taking forever to act, or you have one of those clods who is all in on every hand at your table, the fast-forward fold feature is very attractive indeed.

The United States Department of Justice has been working with online poker site PokerStars and those Full Tilt Poker executives not in jail, CEO Ray Bitar notwithstanding, to provide a solution that would end Full Tilt’s financial and legal problems, pay back account holders who have still been unpaid to date, and make for a smooth purchase by PokerStars of the Full Tilt franchise. Friday, July 27 a reporter from the Poker Player Newspaper, Wendeen Eolis, reported that an “impeccable resource” revealed to her that the US DOJ and PokerStars buyout agreement has reached a satisfactory completion.

As you can imagine only hours, if not minutes, after the release of the announcement online, poker forums and chat rooms exploded with discussions centering around this very intriguing possibility. Many of those chitchatting were hopeful that the agreement goes through quickly, because those very forum members and poker chat room chatterboxes stand to receive substantial amounts of money if and when their dormant and frozen accounts are returned to them.

It has been a central point of negotiations between CEO Bitar of Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars executives that a part of the buyout agreement guarantees all former Full Tilt Poker players with virtual balances in their account are paid off when an agreement is reached. How trustworthy is this supposed mystery source that is saying just what online poker players in the US and around the world have been waiting to hear? Without naming names, Eolis called the source of the information “a consistently impeccable resource.” And in probably the sexiest part of her declaration, she went as far as to say that she believes Full Tilt Poker account holders will see their money “well in time for Christmas shopping.”

Obviously, until official word comes from PokerStars representatives and the federal authorities involved, no wise online poker players are counting their chips. A devastating River card could drop and negate all of the wonderful feelings which were delivered with this announcement last Friday. And with a full $390 million to be paid back to Full Tilt players, you would have to believe some type of staggered payout would take place. But more substantiation of Eolis’ brave prediction has evidenced itself from both Gambling911 Publisher Chris Costigan and freelance writer Jennifer Newell, who both independently confirmed the main points of Eolis’ proclamation. Certainly, rumors are just that, but Full Tilt Poker players and those in the online poker community at large now have more reason to be hopeful that this sad chapter in US online poker may finally be nearing an end.