Issue 274
December 12 - December 18, 2005
Volume 5
page 2
 

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE DANIEL NEGREANU’S PROTÉGÉ?
Press Release

TORONTO - Have you ever dreamed of learning directly from a poker legend, being bankrolled into several poker tournaments, and truly experiencing the poker lifestyle? Well, dream no more. Last night, Daniel Negreanu, in conjunction with www.fullcontactpoker.com, announced the launch of Daniel Negreanu's Protégé Program.

A rolling four-month, online qualifying tournament will provide the contest winner with a rare opportunity to be mentored by Daniel Negreanu. To sweeten the pot, the protégé will also win four $10,000 buy-ins into major poker tournaments, personal e-mail access to Daniel for tips and strategy, invitations to exclusive poker parties, and more. The rolling program will run every four months, eventually naming a new protégé every 4 to 5 months – each of whom will be given the opportunity to study under Daniel.

Fullcontactpoker.com is a destination web site for poker enthusiasts around the world. Daniel, an endorser of fullcontactpoker.com, has been actively involved in shaping the site’s content to deliver the most authentic poker experience possible. From the development of the Daniel Negreanu Protégé Program, to forums, to the online poker room, to Daniel’s blog, trophy room and photo gallery, the goal is to provide a community environment based on quality content.

The Daniel Negreanu Protégé Contest, which runs through to April 2nd, 2006, will see 10 players compete at the Grand Prize Final Table (GPFT) in mid-April with the winner crowned Daniel Negreanu's Protégé. To be eligible to compete for a seat at the GPFT, aspiring protégés must either be active members of the fullcontactpoker.com online community, one of the first 2000 real money players on the site, savvy in multi-table tournaments and/or play in a number of ring games with a number of pots. Finally, the ultimate winner of the Protégé title will emerge victorious in a live 10-person freeze-out poker tournament. To learn about the 10 ways to qualify for the 10 seats, visit www.fullcontactpoker.com.

“The protégé program, which has been months in the making, allows me to give back to poker fans and to elevate the poker experience to a new level for amateur players,” said Daniel Negreanu, poker champion. “Although players have a multitude of poker resources to help them learn and accelerate their skill level at a much faster pace than when I began, I wanted to take amateurs to a new level. The protégé program will give the amateur player a learning experience like no other."

Negreanu added: “Through my association with Fullcontactpoker.com and the Protégé Contest, I feel that I’m doing my part to advance a new generation of pro poker players.”

The announcement made last night at a private event hosted by Daniel and Fullcontactpoker.com was held in Toronto, Daniel’s hometown. More than 4,000 online registrants tried to win one of only two hundred and fifty coveted invitations to the private party for an evening of mingling with Daniel, learning about the contest, Vegas-style showgirls, and an impromptu table tournament for a lucky 50 guests and a chance to play with Daniel at the final table.

“Negreanu’s four-month mentorship for the protégé is invaluable, given his position as one of the world’s most accomplished and popular professional poker players to date,” said Todd Corrigal, Director of Media Relations, Fullcontactpoker.com. “In 2004, he won the title of Player of the Year from ESPN, Card Player Magazine and Champion, and remains the World Poker Tour Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005. He has earned a very impressive list of accolades among his peers in the growing poker community—he’s truly a champion among champions.”

ABOUT FULLCONTACTPOKER.COM
Fullcontactpoker.com is the Internet’s premier online poker community for poker players and is owned and operated by Big Stack Enterprises, a private company based in Curacao. The company hired Daniel Negreanu to become its Poker Ambassador and provide consulting services with respect to its offerings of software, promotions, customer service and all things relevant to the enjoyment and servicing of the Fullcontactpoker.com community.

 

 

 


Golden Nugget deadline draws near

As reported by The Sun Herald

BILOXI, Mississippi - Some Point Cadet property owners are worried that drawn-out negotiations between the city of Biloxi and a casino developer may kill the deal for the Golden Nugget.

Landry's Restaurants Inc., which owns the Golden Nugget casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada and the brand name, has an option to buy several privately owned parcels on Point Cadet, but the company also needs waterfront property owned by the city. George Sekul, one of the private property owners, told the Biloxi City Council on Tuesday that Landry's needs to know by December 15 if the city wants to do business with the company.

"This morning I got word from them that they needed to know from the city by December 15 one way or the other whether they were going to have a deal," Sekul said.

Sekul and others organized Gulf Star Inc. so several small parcels of property could be assembled and marketed to a potential casino developer. Landry's has agreed to purchase the 5.4 acres of private property for $11.25 million, Sekul said, and the money would be distributed by a square-foot assessment. Landry's option with Gulf Star expires December 23.

Landry's has already extended its option twice, Sekul said. Landry's first approached Mayor A.J. Holloway about the proposed Golden Nugget and Biloxi Boardwalk in August. Landry's officials presented the plans to the City Council last month.

Mayor Holloway did not respond to Sekul's comments and did not return a telephone call from the Sun Herald. Jeff Cantwell, senior vice president of development for Landry's, also did not return a call from the newspaper.

Another casino company, Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., has a right of first refusal to the city land Landry's wants for its boardwalk development. Holloway has said the city will do business with whichever company presents the better deal.

The Isle of Capri has made no public presentation on what it would do with the property. Landry's presented plans for a $400 million waterfront attraction that would employ 3,000 people, 1,800 of them in the casino and accompanying hotel. The development would be similar to the Kemah Boardwalk near Houston.

The Biloxi project would have a 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel, thrill rides, dancing fountains and restaurants.

Senecas begin work at third casino site
As reported by timesunion.com

BUFFALO, New York - The Seneca Indian Nation broke ground last Thursday on its third western New York casino, promising a world-class resort that will strengthen not only the tribe but the entire region.

A wrecking ball crashed into a vacant brick warehouse as the Senecas began clearing their newly purchased -- and newly sovereign -- nine-acre parcel on the city's western edge.

Seneca leaders hailed it as a reclaiming of land lost centuries ago from their Buffalo Creek territory.

"Today is really a truly wonderful homecoming for the Seneca Nation and its people," Seneca President Barry Snyder said.

Under a 2002 agreement with the state, the Senecas had to begin construction by Friday or risk losing exclusive building rights to another tribe. The Senecas have until Dec. 9, 2007, to have the casino up and running.

The Buffalo casino faces opposition, and probable legal challenges, on two fronts: from gambling opponents who fear it could increase bankruptcy, divorce and crime, and preservationists, who want to save a 1914 out-of-service grain elevator, a remnant of Buffalo's milling past, from being demolished.

The casino "is not a done deal," said Joel Rose, co-chairman of Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County, who was surrounded at the groundbreaking by fellow protesters with signs reading "Don't gamble with our future" and "Build business, not casinos."

"Obviously, sometimes there's a price to pay for progress," said Mayor Anthony Masiello, who fought for the casino based on its potential for jobs and revenue.

The 100,000-square-foot casino is expected to employ 1,000 people with an annual payroll of about $50 million. Seneca officials expect to give Buffalo $5 million to $7 million out of the casino's slot machine revenues the first year.

"What's good for the Seneca Nation is good for western New York and vice versa," said Richard Nephew, chairman of the Seneca legislative council. "As we revitalize our own nation, we cannot help but revitalize western New York.

A national search for a casino design will begin in the next few weeks, said John Pasqualoni, president and chief executive of Seneca Gaming Corp. The Senecas envision a "signature destination," Pasqualoni said, with 2,200 slot machines, 50 gaming tables, restaurants and parking for 2,500 cars.

With the Buffalo casino, the Senecas hope to build off the success of their 3-year-old Niagara Falls casino and year-old Salamanca casino, which both enjoy steady business.

Under the compact, the state and host cities receive 18 percent of the casinos' slot machine revenues through 2006, with the state getting three-quarters of the money and the host community one-quarter. The state and local share increases to 22 percent after that, eventually reaching 25 percent in 2010.

The Seneca casinos have turned over more than $100 million to New York State so far, Snyder said.

James Brown

Harrah's House of Blues at Showboat Atlantic City: Singing legend James Brown will perform live at Harrah's House of Blues Thursday December 29th at 9pm. Mr. Brown's status as "The Godfather Of Soul" remains undiminished, picking up a new generation of fans who have become familiar with his funk grooves through their frequent use as samples on rap records. A charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, James Brown added to his collections of accolades when he received a special lifetime achievement Grammy Award in 1992.

Date: December 29

Time: 9 p.m. Age 21+

Ticket Price: $43 general admission, $48 balcony general admission, $58 balcony seating, $68 reserved seating.

For more information: (609) 236-BLUE

 
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