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| Poker Utility Steals Logins Filed under: Odds & Ends, Online Games, Software  A utility distributed by checkraised.com contains a trojan that steals your logins and passwords, according to security firm F-Secure."RBCalc.exe, also known as Rakeback calculator, was actually a Trojan. When RBCalc.exe is run, it silently drops four executable files into the user's %SystemRoot%\system32 folder and executes them. The purpose of the dropped executables is to collect login information for various online poker websites from the user's computer and send them back to the malware author. In addition, the main malware component was protected by a rootkit driver that hid its process and launch point from registry" Checkraised.com appears to be as surprised as the affected users, and have posted an announcement on their site including step-by-step instructions to remove the rootkit from an infected system. They also add, "Although this software was infected, we have thoroughly examined our websites and have found that none of them were compromised. The person who programmed this file did not have access to any of our sites. He would send updates by way of email, we would virus scan it (what good that did!), and then we would upload it to our website. Any information stored on Rake Tracker, Your Poker Cash, and Check Raised remains secure and safe. We are deeply sorry for any trouble we may have caused. We hope that we have not ruined your trust and faith in us, but right now our highest priority is protecting any and all users and removing this potentially damaging software from all computers." If you've used Rakeback calculator, you should immediately scan your system, remove the rootkit if it's present, and change your passwords. In fact, it's just good security to change your passwords reglarly anyway, and this may be a great opportunity for anyone with a "stale" password to update it. (Thanks, Roger!)Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Stacked DVD Available with Pre-Order Filed under: Professionals, Odds & Ends, Software, Video Games
Bonus Alert: If you are planning to pick up a copy of the video game Stacked with Daniel Negreanu, you may want to pre-order it through any GameStop or EB Games location across Canada or the US to get a free bonus DVD. According to PSP Updates, the DVD "Inside Stacked" features interviews with professional poker players Carlos Mortensen, David Williams, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng, Josh Arieh, Jennifer Harman and of course, Daniel Negreanu. You will also see some behind-the-scenes footage of the development and production of the game itself, including the Poki Artificial Intelligence system used which adapts to the user's playing style. The game will be available for Xbox, PS2, PSP and your PC for a suggested retail price of $29.95. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker News: Phil Ivey, California Hold'em and Video Games Filed under: Professionals, Tournaments, Odds & Ends, Online Games, Software  PaddyPower has released the betting lines for three upcoming poker tournaments
and Phil Ivey is the favorite to win two of them. Ivey is an 80 to 1 favorite at the World Poker Open and a 50 to 1 favorite at the WPT Borgata Winter Open. Dave Colclough is a 50 to 1 favorite at EPT Copenhagen. Check out Card Player Magazine for more details. ***** It looks like a new poker game has emerged. It's called California Hold'em. It's similar to Texas Hold'em but there's a few changes to the deck. Eight more cards are added to the deck to give you 60 cards. The new cards are 11's and 12's. Click on this link for more details from Card Player Magazine. ***** The World Poker Tour video game is currently available for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameBoy Advance. A new system can be added to that list. On March 15th, the WPT video game will be released for Sony's PSP portable gaming system.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker News: Full Tilt, the Bellagio, and Joe Hachem Filed under: International, Professionals, Tournaments, Legal Issues, Casinos & Card Rooms, Online Games, Software  Full Tilt Poker has released a version of their software that
allows Apple/Mac users to play poker online. This is great news! Check out these links for more details.**** The Bellagio in Las Vegas is now spreading their $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournaments on a daily basis at 5pm. You get $5,000 in chips to start the tournament. They also have $240 satellites for this event that run all day starting at 9am. **** Joe Hachem has lucked out. He doesn't have to pay as much tax as he originally thought on his WSOP winnings. Australian tax law says the government was supposed to claim 40% of his total winnings. Joe was cleared by the Australian government's tax division because he was "pursuing poker as a hobby" at the time he won the Main Event. Since he wasn't a professional, he's exempt and doesn't have to pay the high tax. Lucky Joe! Click on the below link for more details.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Welcome WoW Insider! Filed under: Odds & Ends, Online Games, Software
It's amazing how many people I have talked to in the poker blogging community who aren't just fans of poker, but are true gamers as well. If you are a World of Warcraft fanatic, then you may want to check out the latest Weblogs, Inc. site: WoW Insider. They are dedicated to bringing you everything WoW - all the latest news, interviews, and game information they can get their hands on. If you are interersted in, or are already an active participant of this game, feel free to send them some feedback or tips of your own. The Wow Insider team of bloggers includes; Mark Asher, Josh Owens, Damien Barrett, Jennie Lees, and resident uber blogger, Mr. C.K. Sample III himself. Take a minute to stop by and say hi. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker Video Games - Which is the Best? Filed under: Professionals, Odds & Ends, Software
Here is where we need your help. If anyone has played them, send us some feedback in the comments section. Are they worth the money? How are the graphics? Can you beat the game on the first attempt, or do you find any of them challenging? The list, to the best of my knowledge, includes: WPT Video Game - This game is based on the World Poker Tour (obviously) and features Antonio Esfandiari, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng, Lyle Berman, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, and Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Stacked with Daniel Negreanu - This MTV-themed game features Negreanu, Evelyn Ng, David Williams, Josh Arieh, Jen Harman, Erick Lindgren and Carlos Mortensen World Series of Poker - The game captures the likeness and play styles of fifteen professional poker players including Chris Ferguson, and replicates the room in the Rio down to the wallpaper and carpet. World Championship Poker 2 - Howard Lederer, Clonie Gowen, Paul Darden, Robert Williamson III, Greg Raymer, Amir Vahedi and tournament director Matt Savage. This game requires you to work your way up from very humble beginnings - your mother's basement. You can spend winnings on furnishings and better places to live, though if you go on a losing streak you may have to sell off your belongings. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| World Championship Poker 2 Released Filed under: Professionals, Software
Many poker personalities are featured in the game, including Howard Lederer, Clonie Gowen, Paul Darden, Robert Williamson III, Greg Raymer, Amir Vahedi and tournament director Matt Savage.
The game requires you to work your way up from very humble beginnings - your mother's basement. You can spend winnings on furnishings and better places to live, though if you go on a losing streak you may have to sell off your belongings.
Players will be able to improve themselves through a variety of skills, and will play in locations such as apartments, mansions, Vegas poker rooms and boxing rings.
For more information, click on the 'read' link below. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| WPT Video Game Filed under: Software  The World Poker Tour video game is finally available for consumers. Take Two Interactive Software created this game. This video game can be played on PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox, and Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.The game was recently shipped to all major retailers and they expect big sales. The video game features real poker players and real casinos. You can play at The Bicycle Casino, Commerce Casino, Bay 101, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and The Aviation Club de France. The game even has commentary from the WPT announcers. There are several pros in the game including Antonio Esfandiari, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng, Lyle Berman, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, and Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker Home Games - Tournament Software Filed under: Tournaments, Odds & Ends, Software
There are many versions available online, and I had a reader tip us off about one in particular. Poker Tournament Hero has a trial version available, and the full version is $29.95. I downloaded the shareware version to check it out, and it runs quite well. The elapsed time and remaining time is displayed largely on the screen, as are the blind amounts, so it is easy for all players to keep track. The full version includes many essential features, including your own customizations to blind structures, as well as calculates payouts for you based on the data you feed it.
If anyone has the full version of this or any other tournament software, please let us know what you think of it.
(Thanks, Ed) Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Stacked Video Game with Daniel Negreanu Filed under: Professionals, Software
The game features multiple poker bots, each with its own strategy and play style. As your level of play increases, the bots adjust and also improve, eventually placing you against the bots that were modeled after the professional players. Stacked also features multi-player tournaments, and in the Stacked Masters Tournament you may get a chance to play against the pros themselves.
Stacked will be released October 25 for your PC, PS2 and Xbox, the PSP console version will be released in November. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| TJ Cloutier's World Class Poker Filed under: Professionals, Software  TJ Cloutier has entered the video game market with the release of "World Class Poker." This game will be released by Masque Publishing for $24.99 so check your local computer stores if you're interested. These guys are the same publishing company that released the World Series of Poker computer programs from 1993-2005 so they have some pretty good experience creating casino games. The game is supposed to be very realistic. They're also marketing the game as a useful training tool to improve your game. This new casino game gives you the opportunity to play Hold'em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud and Five Card Stud. There is also options to play limit, pot limit and no limit. Game selection also includes ring games, tournaments, and heads up action. There is even a Main Event championship but you have to build your bankroll up to buy into it. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| World Series of Poker Video Game Filed under: Software
The action is set around the main table at the Rio Casino in Vegas. The game captures the likeness and play styles of fifteen professional poker players including Chris Ferguson, and replicates the room in the Rio down to the wallpaper and carpet. The game offers seven variations of poker, including Razz, Omaha, 7-Card Stud and of course, Texas Hold'em.
If you have played this game, leave a comment and let us know how you liked it. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| World Championship Poker 2 - the Video Game Filed under: Professionals, Odds & Ends, Software  Crave Entertainment announced today that they have signed seven of poker's top players and personalities to exclusive agreements, using their personality traits, likenesses, and play styles to be incorporated into World Championship Poker 2 for Playstation 2(R), Xbox(R), and the PSP(TM) System.
Howard Lederer, Clonie Gowen, Paul Darden, Robert Williamson III, Greg Raymer, Amir Vahedi and tournament director Matt Savage will be featured in WCP2. According to the press release, the game requires you to work your way up from very humble beginnings - your mother's basement. You can spend winnings on furnishings and better places to live, though if you go on a losing streak you may have to sell off your belongings. Crave Entertainment is a privately held publisher of videogame entertainment products based in Los Angeles, California. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker on Cell Phones Filed under: Online Games, Software, Texas Holdem, Business  Not too long ago, the only way you could play poker was to walk into a casino or get a home game going. Nowadays, technology has changed that. You don't need to go to a card room anymore. First it was online poker and now it's cell phones. Poker has officially invaded the cell phone industry. As Phil Hellmuth said, "it will be the future of poker...with cell phones, you can play from anywhere and for any length of time." Texas Hold 'em by Phil Hellmuth is one of these new cell phone games. There are other cell phone poker games available on the market and the World Poker Tour sells one of them. The World Poker Tour's Texas Hold 'em game gives Phil's game its biggest competition. The fee is usually $5.99 a month and can be charged to your phone bill. These game are available through most major carriers. I'm hoping to test both games out and let you know what I think at a later date. Click on the below article for more details. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker Bots Filed under: Odds & Ends, Online Games, Software  The next time you play online poker, beware of the player sitting next to you on your left. That "he" or "she" might be an "it." And that "it" might be a poker bot. According to a recent article on Wired.com, over the last few years poker bots have been making their way onto online gambling sites. A player can run computer software and a "poker bot" will make all the correct decisions for you. Some people leave the "bots" on while they go to sleep. A cat and mouse game has been going on between computer programmers and the security teams at online poker sites like Party Poker. Many players feel that running a bot is cheating and unethical. Programmers like Ray Bonert, creator of http://www.winholdem.net/ disagree. He feels that he's just shedding a light on the hypocrisy of online gambling sites. Party Poker insists that they are doing the best job that they can to weed out computer enhancement software like poker bots. In the meantime, just watch out for the quiet players at your table. The silent ones folding alot of hands and raking in huge pots might be poker bots!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Poker Clock Filed under: Home Games, Software
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| Crave Signs Faces for WCP 2 Filed under: Software
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| Chris Moneymaker's World Poker Championship Filed under: Software
ValuSoft, a division of THQ, today announced the release of their new PC video game, Chris Moneymaker's World Poker Championship. The game is actually a new version of ValuSoft's World Poker Championship line rebranded with Moneymaker's name. It features Texas Hold'em, Seven Card Stud, Five Card Draw, and Omaha - all dressed up with Moneymaker's personal poker tips and strategies along the way. Online play is also supported. Now back to working on my new name... Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Yahoo! for Poker Downloads Filed under: Software
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| A Peek at 'Stacked' Filed under: Software
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It is late Tuesday afternoon, cold and snowing, and all I want to do is relax on my couch and play some games. That got me thinking - there has been an influx of poker video games and software on the market recently, but I have somehow neglected to pick any of them up and don't know which are actually worth trying out. 
Crave Entertainment
One of the benefits of playing tournament poker at home in the 21st century is the ability to use your computer. No, I don't mean for cheating. Tournament software is available which keeps track of blind increases for you, enabling the players and the host to concentrate on what is important: their hands, chips, and beer - if it is that kind of game. 
Stacked
Face off against your favorite pros and compete for virtual millions in World Series of Poker, the official video game now available 
I played in a 20-player home tournament this past weekend. It was my first time in a home game that big and it was a lot of fun. You gotta enjoy flopping quads with the money looming. My buddy Joe did a great job running it, particularlay since it was his first time managing multiple tables. The main takeaway was the usefulness of a good tournament clock. Without the monitor indicating time left and the blinds and antes for each level, I think the task of balancing tables, coloring up chips, and keeping the players informed would've become pretty overwhelming. Luckily, before the tourney Joe had downloaded 
Via press-release carrier pigeon comes the 
Chris Moneymaker has one massive thing going for him that most of us can't really compete with - a great, highly-marketable name. Well, I guess we could just change our names if we really wanted to. Hmm...I'm thinking about maybe...Dave Rakepotalot or something. I don't know. I'll get back to you on that.
Everyone's favorite web portal is now offering a free trial version of 
Over at