In 1975 the world saw Steven Spielberg’s box office smash hit Jaws terrifying the seas.

Meanwhile in as far away from the ocean as he could be Brian ‘Sailor’ Roberts was on smooth waters overcoming Bob Hooks at the final table in the 1975 WSOP at Binion’s Horseshoe.

And with only the first spotting paying out the prize of $210,000 Roberts made sure Bob wasn’t getting his Hooks into any of his cash!

Roberts was part of the legendary Texas Rounders alongside WSOP winners Amarillo Slim and Doyle Brunson.

Close Friends

It’s said that Brunson wrote about his friends: “Sailor, Slim and I stuck together for six years or so and we had some mighty fine times. Once in a while we were down, but mostly we managed to hold our own better than most. Our partnership finally broke up after our first big trip to Las Vegas. We lost our entire bankroll and believe me there’s nothing more cantankerous than three broke gamblers, but we have remained close friends to this day”.

Although he passed in 1995 Roberts was inducted into the WSOP Hall of Fame in 2012 hopefully cementing his place in poker history forever.

The WSOP 2013 Main Event

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I know that’s not really a sentence you need to read right now. If you’re already in Vegas, you KNOW that. And if you’re not in Vegas, then you’re probably cursing me for saying exactly what everyone who’s lucky enough to be here for the WSOP is saying, and that’s damned annoying.

Photo by Elizabeth Wolynski

Ready To Get In There And Crush It!

I’m sorry. But it’s so true. I got into Las Vegas a few days ago and have already played (and busted short of the money) in a 1500 NLHE event. I was pretty tired so the long day was a shock to the system but I’m feeling much more ready to get in there and crush now. I’m going to be playing 6 events this summer with my Party Poker patch on, before I start my Sideline Reporter work for ESPN on the Main Event, and I’m hoping for some moolah!

I Have No Clean Clothes Or A Hairbrush!

As per usual, the airline lost my baggage so I was able to spend a day doing my annual ‘I have no clean clothes or a hairbrush’ look. I swear, I don’t actually remember the last time that I arrived in Las Vegas with my luggage. It’s pretty funny now. Next year, I’m just going to bypass the luggage carousel altogether and go straight to lost property. It wouldn’t have bothered me at all except that faffing around trying to sort it all out meant that I missed out on both the Premiere for the “Bet, Raise, Fold” movie and its after party. I know some of the guys who made the film and they’ve worked their asses off to tell a really interesting story – the story of all of us, basically – and my friend Dani (@dmoongirl – go follow her on twitter because she is WAY cooler than me and probably you too) is actually one of the stars of the film so I wanted to be there to celebrate with her.

Ah well. I backed the project over on Kickstarter so I’ll be getting a downloadable version of the movie fairly soon and I can’t wait to watch it. In the meantime, I’ve got some poker to play!

Kara Scott

The WSOP 2013 Main Event

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Next up in our series of the World Series of Poker Champions we take a quick look at the life of Puggy “The Roving Gambler” Pearson:

“I’ll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount he can count…”

These were the immortal words displayed on the ‘Roving Gambler’ – the RV of the 1973 WSOP Champion, Puggy Pearson. While on the road if someone would challenge Puggy to a game that he wasn’t so fond of he would point to just below his famous phrase where it read, “…Providing I like it”. This was Puggy Pearson!

Every One…

At the age of 12 a school yard accident gave him a bashed-up nose as well as the nickname ‘Puggy’. When he turned 17 years old he enlisted into the United States Navy, it was here where he strengthened his skills at poker and gambling. An enormous fan of poker, Pearson is the only person to have been present at all WSOP Main Event tables be it as a player or spectator – until his death in 2006.

Mr Freeze

He’s also credited with the freezeout tournament concept, an idea that was suggested to Las Vegas club owner Benny Binion, who then adopted it for all tournaments and changed the face of poker. 1973 saw Pearson became WSOP Champion which stopped Johnny Moss in his tracks from winning his 3rd title in 4 years by calling Moss’s all-in bet with Ace-Seven, which beat Moss’s King-Jack. No matching cards were on the table for both players.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987, Pearson attended his final WSOP in 2005 before passing away in April 2006. He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of poker.

The WSOP 2013 Main Event

Stay up to date as we report from the The WSOP 2013 Main Event! Get all the latest PartyPoker updates from your favourite social media outlets. You can Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook and Google+

We’ve already got our eyes set on another super Sunday, that’s right our PartyPoker Social Media $50 Freeroll tournament! With a little bit of cash, a chunk of glory and a ton of fun all up for grabs. What more could you ask for?

Happening this Sunday at 15:00 EDT / 20:00 BST/ 21:00 CEST you’ll find the registration open right NOW! So skip all the lines and go sign right up! Of course and you’ll need the password which you can find out how to get below:

The Details

Name: $50 PartyPoker Blog Freeroll
Found Under: Freerolls
Date and Time: 16th June 2013 – 15:00 EDT / 20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST
Game Type: No Limit Holdem
Starting Chips: 3000
Blinds: 3 Mins
Password: Visit our Facebook page at : https://www.facebook.com/partypokerUK
Cost: $0

Will We See You At The Final Table?

We sure hope so! You can get all the latest PartyPoker updates from your favourite social media outlets, Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook and Plus us Google+

Next up in our series of the World Series of Poker Champions we take a quick look at the life of one of pokers more colorful characters that’s right Thomas Austin ‘Amarillo Slim’ Preston, Jr.

He became the 2nd person to win the World Series Of Poker Main Event in 1972, beating Walter “Puggy” Pearson and taking home $80,000 for his troubles.

The event was held again at the infamous Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas which was the very same venue founded by his best friend Benny Binion.

A Real Star On Both The Small And Big Screen

It’s noted that soon after the win, his now celebrity status transcended from the tables to television with guest appearances on shows like Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, and even a cameo in Hollywood Gambling Movies like Robert Altman’s ‘California Split’ alongside the likes of George Segal and Elliot Gould.

An Original Rounder

What we would call a true rounder back in the day, Amarillo Slim toured the United States seeking out gambling action with future WSOP winners Doyle Brunson and Sailor Roberts. All of this is of course very well documented in the books Brunson’s ‘Super System’ and Slim’s own autobiography.

Amarillo Slim won a total of 4 WSOP bracelets in his time, and it’s claimed that Slim also beat both country legend Willie Nelson at dominoes and Hustler boss Larry Flint in poker, taking home a massive $300,000 and $2 million respectively. Which you have to say was a long way from that 1972 WSOP payday!

Las Vegas is calling, Will You Answer?

We want you to get the most out of your time with us here at PokerPoker that’s why we created the best and in depth poker learning tools, articles and videos available. So get on your A game today and we could see you heading to Vegas this summer!

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We’re back with Episode 5 of the PartyPoker.com Premier League! Watch Group A battle it out again on the felt with – Daniel Negreanu, Scott Seiver, Jonathan Duhamel, Antonio Esfandiari, Sam Trickett, Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Jungleman Cates, Marvin Rettenmaier for a spot at the final table and of course that $450,000 prize!

Don’t worry if you missed anything:

Episode 1 is here
Episode 2 is here
Episode 3 is here
Episode 4 is here

Now sit back as it’s time for Episode 5:

Episode 5 – Part 1

And Phil Hellmuth is already trying to put people on tilt here…

Episode 5 – Part 2

Things are looking pretty serious on the table now…

Episode 5 – Part 3

Oh dear Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates leaves to goto the bathroom right before his big blind, what?…

Episode 5 – Part 4

Looks like some grudges are starting to show here now!

Make Sure You Get All The PartyPoker News

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Last week I managed to catch up with Brian Koppelman the producer and writer behind such great films as Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen and now of course Runner Runner to discuss his favorite gambling films:

@partypoker Hard Eight. The Sting. The Hustler. Cinci.

— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) June 7, 2013

Here’s my top 8 Gambling Films in no particular order that I’d recommend:

1 Rounders (1998)

First up let’s get the obvious one out of the way. Yeah yeah. Seriously though here’s some essential viewing for any budding poker player out there. Whilst it initially didn’t receive great reviews at the cinema later on due to the boom of Texas hold ‘em it became quite the cult classic.

A star studded cast with the hero Matt Damon, Edward Norton the friend in need and an all together nasty nasty piece of work John Malkovich make this one well worth studying if you want to go far in poker. Just remember those Oreo’s aint for you:

2 The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Another classic tale here and this time around we see Steve McQueen playing the role of Eric “The Kid” Stoner. He’s desperate to establish his reputation as being the best poker player the land has ever seen. We join him on his adventures and truly experience the highs and lows of the old poker road. Here’s the final scene:

3 Casino (1995)

Las Vegas, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone and directed by Martin Scorcese. Things are going to get bad, real bad.

4 The Hustler (1961)

Sure it isn’t poker but this one deserves to be up there. Staring Paul Newman as “Fast Eddie” Felson a small-time pool hustler with an unquenchable thirst to prove himself as the best player. Sometimes you feel you can’t miss and this is one of them:

5 Oceans 11 (2001)

I can already hear it “but it’s not as good as the original…” read below as I got you covered, actually I think my father is the only one who would make such a claim. No matter this is a two-for-one in my opinion, watch the original then this and you’ll see why.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, action packed right from the get go, Vegas Vegas Vegas Baby! and an A-List Hollywood cast as long as your arm staring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Elliott Gould make this one a ton of fun.

Bonus - The Original Soundtrack is by David Holmes and well worth a listen too.

6 Oceans 11 (1960)

The book was better than the film right? Not always too sure about that one, but the first Oceans 11 is well worth a watch if you’ve not had the chance.

Starring the original Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean, watch as he bands together his World War II buddies to pull off the ultimate Las Vegas heist. But dam you know what they say about the best laid plans?

7 The Color of Money (1986)

They just don’t make trailers like this anymore do they? “PAUL NEWMAN….TOM CRUISE….IN A MARTIN SCORSESE PICTURE….” sit back and enjoy the slick moves by Tom:

8 The Sting (1973)

Ending on a real high note pardon the pun “The Sting” featuring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and that god dam highly infectious Scott Joplin ragtime ‘Entertainer’ composition proved to be hugely successful and ended up being nominated for 10 Oscars and winning 7. Here’s why:

So What Did I Miss?

How many have you seen? and which did I miss? Let’s hear it! Get it off your chest you’ll feel better. Just like the time I wrote Top 50 Poker Twitter Handles That You Need To Be Following I’d love to hear “WHAT those films suck you dumb a** I can’t believe you missed [insert your favorite film]!!!” Thanks, no really thanks!

With the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event less than a month a way I thought it’d be fun to take a trip down the memory lane of poker. In 1970 Benny Binion invited who he considered to be the world’s seven best poker players to his legendary Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas to determine which of them should be considered the greatest living poker player. The strange thing about the first WSOP championship was that it was awarded without a single hand of poker being played.

So The Story Goes…

All of the seven assembled players were simply asked by Benny to cast a vote on who they thought was the best poker player. Poker players naturally tend to believe they are the best and so the first ballot proved inconclusive as each man voted for himself. With a bit of head scratching later Benny decided the players should cast a new ballot. With each of the players asked to now vote for who they thought was the world’s second best poker player, so who won? That’s right Johnny Moss.

The Grand Old Man of Poker

Born in 1907, Johnny was introduced to poker as a teenager when he got a job observing poker games in a Dallas saloon. Johnny Moss probably had one of the strangest jobs you’ll ever hear of, he was actually employed to spot the cheats, however he used his time well to develop his own skills as a poker player. Shortly after Johnny hit the road becoming what’s known as a ’rounder’ and never looked back.

Have To Let You Go

Much of Johnny’s reputation prior to the advent of the WSOP is staked on a legendary high stakes poker game that he played with Nick ‘The Greek’ Dandalos in 1949. The marathon game lasted around five months during which time Johnny and ‘The Greek’ played their way through a wide range of poker games. Johnny took around an estimated $4 million before the ‘The Greek’ uttered the famous phrase, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.”

No Doubt

If anyone doubted Johnny’s abilities after the first WSOP title was awarded by ballot, those doubts were laid well to rest one year later in 1971 when Johnny won the first competitive WSOP Main Event where he beat ‘Puggy’ Pearson heads up. And he didnt stop there Johnny went on to win again in 1974 to become one of only two people to have won the Main Event three times. Can you name the other?

Las Vegas is calling, Will You Answer?

We want you to get the most out of your time with us here at PokerPoker that’s why we created the best and in depth poker learning tools, articles and videos available. So get on your A game today and we could see you heading to Vegas this summer!

Get all the latest PartyPoker updates from your favourite social media outlets. You can Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook and Google+

This weekend I attended the wedding of some friends of mine in the South of Italy. It was my first Italian wedding and wow, what an occasion! It was happy and loud and full of smiles, hugging, singing and food. It felt like I was in an old Italian film!

Also, I have to say it again: So. Much. Food.

Talk quickly turned to the WSOP

The groom is an Italian poker pro so you can imagine that there were lots of players at the festivities and talk turned quickly to Vegas and the upcoming WSOP. The amount of enthusiasm and excitement that the WSOP brings every year is incredible. There’s just something so special about that event. The possibility of a huge payday and a prestigious bracelet, the fact that poker friends from all over the world congregate in that one place for a month or two, the Vegas sunshine and the ‘carnival’ feeling of the whole thing – it’s intoxicating!

Hope To See You There!

I’ll be heading there myself in just over a week and I can’t wait. PartyPoker will of course be running some day excursions and having get togethers for qualifiers. If you’ve managed to get a seat at the WSOP through Party Poker, CONGRATULATIONS and I’ll see you there!

Stay Up To Date

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Once again we’re back with another super Sunday, that’s right our PartyPoker Blog $50 Freeroll tournament! There’s a little bit of cash, some glory for winning this tournament and a LOT of fun all up for grabs. What more could you ask for?

Happening this Sunday at 14:00 EDT / 19:00 GMT / 20:00CEST you’ll find the registration open right NOW! So skip all the lines and go sign right up! Of course and you’ll need the password which you can find right here:

The Details

Name: $50 PartyPoker Blog Freeroll
Found Under: Freerolls
Date and Time: 9th June 2013 – 14:00 EDT / 19:00 GMT / 20:00 CEST
Game Type: No Limit Holdem
Starting Chips: 3000
Blinds: 3 Mins
Password: Superstardjs
Cost: $0

Will We See You At The Final Table?

We sure hope so! You can get all the latest PartyPoker updates from your favourite social media outlets, Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook and Plus us Google+