Posts Tagged ‘Andy Bloch’
2009 PPA National Poker Week
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
When I first began writing this post I had a disclaimer at the top stating that my non-US readers could probably go right by and ignore it. Then I realized that writing about the process of keeping access to online poker in the United States is important to players across the entire world.
While covering the 2009 World Series of Poker, there was an important press conference held by the Poker Players Alliance in the Rio prior to the Seniors Event. John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA, was joined by former Senator Alfonse D’Amato and U.S. Representative Shelley Berkely who spoke about the current developments in the U.S. Congress in the battle of online poker.
The PPA also announced the creation of National Poker Week in Washington, DC. It was scheduled to begin after the 2009 World Series of Poker November Nine formed, a time when the poker world is focused. The activities began yesterday with updates from PPA and today began the big push. People from across the country spent the afternoon meeting with their congressional representatives to lobby for the game they love and the freedom to play it online. They were joined by many big poker names including Andy Bloch, Greg Raymer, and Annie Duke.
They also launched an online petition which will be presented to U.S. President Obama on Wednesday, July22nd. Full Tilt encourage all players to sign the petition and contact their Senator/House Representative to voice your feelings. Full Tilt is also helping to encourage this participation by offering a $10,000 freeroll to any player who uses the PPA website to send their thoughts. Freeroll information can be found here on the PPA website.
Please click the links below, sign the petition, email Members of Congress, fight for your game. Also below is a video from Congressman Barney Frank concerning National Poker Week.
Poker Players Alliance
Poker is Not a Crime – Poker Petition
National Poker Week
Popularity: 22% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, PPA
2009 World Series of Poker – Interview with Andy Bloch
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Andy Bloch playing in the 2009 World Series of Poker $40,000 Event #2
Photo credit: Gene Bromberg
Andy Bloch is one of the top players on Full Tilt and a player everyone wants to engage in conversation. He is playing in the 2009 World Series of Poker trying to win his first bracelet, sporting his own congregation of railbirds and fans. He can be found supporting many charities with his time, money and participation.
Andy took time out to speak with Tuscaloosa Johnny prior to kicking off his WSOP campaign and answer some questions about his experiences, goals, and the success of Full Tilt Poker.
Andy Bloch Q & A
by Tuscaloosa Johnny Kampis
One of the founding members of Full Tilt Poker, Andy Bloch is a Harvard law school graduate and former player on the M.I.T. blackjack team. And in case you haven’t heard he’s also a heck of a poker player with more than $4 million in tournament winnings, with several World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour final table appearances.
I first met Andy in 2004 during my first trip to the WSOP. At the time the oldest poker tournament was still held at Binion’s Horseshoe and Full Tilt Poker was in beta testing. My how things have changed. I caught up with Andy on Sunday as he played the $750,000 Guaranteed and the Put a Bad Beat on Cancer charity event on Full Tilt Poker, and was preparing for the nearly two months long 2009 WSOP.
The World Series of Poker is starting this week. Are you looking forward to it?
“Of course, that’s what you look forward to throughout the whole year. Every year you have five or six weeks of work and the rest of the year you look forward to getting back to the World Series.”
So the World Series is like Christmas for poker players?
“Except it’s like five weeks so it’s 40 days of Christmas, and you get to come back in November – or at least you’re hoping to.”
Popularity: 13% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, WSOP
Mike Matusow and Andy Bloch video interviews
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
The last chance for a Full Tilt red letter pro to final table the WPT World Championship rested on the shoulders of Jennifer Harman. Unfortunately she busted before they halted play for the day in 11th place. Ross Boatman also ran deep for the Hendon Mod, Jeff Madsen made the final two tables but David Grey busted early in they day.
Poker legend Scotty Nguyen goes into the day with a chip lead. He is looking for his 7th WPT television table and second WPT victory.
While no big name Full Tilt pros will be sitting at the final table, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a few video interviews / snippets left for your enjoyment. After the jump you can see Mike Matusow all fired up and Andy Bloch going through nailing a straight flush.
After the jump.
Popularity: 35% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, Jennifer Harman, Mike Matusow, WPT
Kevin Smith takes on Andy Bloch
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Kevin Smith playing in the 2007 World Series of Poker
Photo credit: Getty Images
Sometimes acting as your correspondent for Poker FROM the Rail can get a little tedious waiting for long running bubbles to burst or dealing with the horrible chat-side of railbirds. Other times it’s a blast, this weekend had one of the good times.
I recently joined the 21st century and joined the anti-christ of social media, Twitter. While I was getting my feel for this micro-blogging tool I came across one of my favorite celebrities. Writer/director/actor/all-around-funnyman Kevin Smith has half of the world following along with his various updates throughout the day. Whether talking about his current project or his private life, always entertaining.
This weekend popped up a completely different surprise. He twittered (tweeted? twetter?) that he had some time on his hands and was hopping on Full Tilt Poker to play some turbo Sit n Go’s for a few hours, even throwing his FTP username in the update. I knew that Smith was prone to sling some chips during his down time but did not realize he spent time playing online.
I punched the clock and got to work hitting the rail. The very first SnG I see him playing gets even more interesting when I see Full Tilt pro Andy Bloch sitting to his left. (Later confirmed that Andy Bloch is following Kevin Smith on twitter, just not sure whether it was before or after this session). Smith pushed his way out early in the first SnG but won his next one.
SilentBob had himself a nice little weekend finishing up around $250 playing everything from $24 to $119 6-max turbo SnGs.
This twitter phenomenom has some interesting effects and consequences. Look for a post later in the week where we take a look at how this new “media” can be a plus and minus for poker players.
Photo credit: ViewAskew.com
Popularity: 47% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, Kevin Smith
Friday Night Fights
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Always looking to push the envelope, Full Tilt Poker is now adding an extra twist to your Friday nights. The Friday Night Fights. There are three new guarantee tournaments as well the chance to rail a Heads-Up match between two of your favorite Full Tilt pros. This week’s battle will take place between Gus Hansen and Andy Bloch.
Their match will kick off at 21:00ET but you can get in on the action an hour earlier by joining one of the $5,000 Sweat Tournaments. For $11 you can enter a $5,000 guarantee tournament with a chance at bigger prizes. You have an option to choose between a Gus Hansen or Andy Bloch tournaments, if you win the Sweat Tournament and your players wins his match, you will automatically win an entry into the $75,000 guarantee Friday Night Fights Knockout Tournament.
The Friday Night Fights Knockout Tournament is the final event of the night with a $500+35 entry fee and plenty of chances for some KO dollars. The tournament kicks off at 21:00ET along with the Gus Hansen/Andy Bloch Main Event.
More after the jump
Popularity: 83% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, Friday Night Fights, Gus Hansen
Full Tilt Poker Academy – A first look
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail, Full Tilt Poker Academy
I heard awhile ago that we were about to see the launch of the Full Tilt Poker Academy and I was pretty excited. I know the principle people involved in the project, leaving little doubt that the new site would be impressive and educational. The roster of players involved alone guarantees an increase in poker understanding in just a few sessions.
At first glance you can find four short lessons that will kick start your game:
Chris Ferguson – Bankroll Managment
Andy Bloch – Math Made Easy
Howard Lederer – Betting Basics
Phil Gordon – 5 Common Hold’em Leaks
There are other lessons, sessions with the pros where they walk you through their actions in specific hands, podcasts with various players, and different challenges to test your new skills on the Full Tilt Poker tables.
I’ve only spent a few hours digging deep into the Academy to get my initial response. I will spend the next few days really getting into the material and bring you my thoughts in my next post. I am also looking for other players/bloggers interested in sharing their thoughts. If you would like to contribute, you can leave a comment on the blog or send an email to battleofthebloggers@fulltiltpoker.com.
Other posts about the Full Tilt Poker Academy and challenges:
Full Tilt Poker Academy – First Challenge
Full Tilt Poker Academy – Bankroll Management Challenge
Full Tilt Poker Academy – Pre-flop Play Challenge
Popularity: 97% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, Chris Ferguson, Full Tilt Poker Academy, Howard Lederer, Phil Gordon
2008 World Series of Poker Europe – Full Tilt pros making noise
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Andy Bloch begins WSoP-E Day 3 atop the leaderboard
Popularity: 4% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Andy Bloch, Bloggers on the Rail, WSoP-E
Heads Up: Andy Bloch Versus JJ Liu
Posted by One Angry Monkey | Filed under Heads Up
Not all single elimination tournaments are created equal – welcome to the best. The Full Tilt Poker Heads-Up Challenge takes 64 of our top pros and pits them against one another in a Mortal Kombat style showdown to the death. OK, well not to the death, but you get the idea. There will not be blood, but there will be poker. Oh yes, there will. This week’s match is the last of our three seed versus 14 seed face-offs, with Andy “I’m a hell of a lot smarter than you” Bloch taking on JJ “Supreme fashion sense” Liu. Check out the full bracket below − on to the fight:
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags: Andy Bloch, JJ Liu
The Pros Speak: Andy Bloch
Posted by The Captain | Filed under The Pros Speak
Welcome back to The Pros Speak. This week we have Andy Bloch – truly a man of many talents. In addition to being a world-class poker player, he holds degrees in electrical engineering and law, was a member of the MIT Blackjack Team, and runs the (Unofficial) World Poker Tour Fan Site. Clearly, he’s got a lot going on.
In spite of his busy schedule, Andy was good enough to give us a few minutes of his time and share his thoughts on a few things. Here’s what he had to say:
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags: Andy Bloch, WSOP
