GreasieWheels Blog

VernonDbacks Wins PokeroomUSA.com July 4th $10,000 Freeroll

PokeroomUSA.com declared “Poker Independence Day” for US online poker players on Monday, July 4th, celebrating its grand opening with a $10,000 freeroll. Steve “VernonDbacks” Daamen, a fortuitously patriotic British Columbia native, eliminated 135 participants, winning the $3,000 first place prize money.

A total of 18 participants were awarded cash prizes, including runner-up Howard “RUSH” Ballard of Las Vegas, Nevada, winning $2,000, and John “highlinerII” Culwell of Riverside, California earning $1,190 for his third place finish. All 135 freeroll qualifiers earned a complimentary one-month 2-Star PokeroomUSA.com subscription.

In conjunction with its official Fourth of July launch, PokeroomUSA.com gave a salute to US service members and their families with the announcement of an immediate and permanent 5% gross contribution for all new subscriptions, with the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) and USO (United Service Organizations) sharing the proceeds.

PokeroomUSA’s Marketing Director, David “The Maven” Chicotsky, has won millions of dollars playing online poker, and the 2008 Bluff Magazine “Online Poker Player of the Year” continues to be the industry leader in multi-table tournament play.

“Congratulations to Steve Daamon,” exclaimed Chicotsky. “Steve is living proof that poker players from around the world enjoy competing against other US players, and I look forward to seeing Steve and his fellow Canadians at the PokeroomUSA tables in the near future.”

Operations Director Matthew Kidd and PokeroomUSA.com’s highly-competent group of staff and developers worked around the clock to prepare for the July 4th event. “It's a pleasure to be able to offer PokeroomUSA to the thousands of those looking for a safe alternative to online gambling,” said Kidd. “With so many great minds making PokeroomUSA the most exciting new online poker venture, players can expect this team  to roll out even more exciting promotions very soon.” 

About PokeroomUSA.com
PokeroomUSA.com CMK Interactive Systems, Inc., a US based Wyoming Corporation does not require a buy-in or deposit, thus there is essentially no-risk. Additionally, PokeroomUSA.com members’ monthly fees simply translate into points that can turn into prizes, cash, or even seats to live tournaments. PokeroomUSA.com operates within the sweepstakes rules where they are legal and excludes people from joining who live in states or countries where it is not. For more information visit http://www.PokeroomUSA.com.

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Contact: Marketing@pokerroomusa.com

PokeroomUSA.com Celebrates Grand Opening With $10,000 Freeroll July 4th

On July 4th, PokeroomUSA.com is declaring “Poker Independence Day” for US online poker players, and celebrating its Grand Opening with a $10,000 freeroll at 8PM EST, hosted by Bluff Magazine’s 2008 Online Poker Player of the Year David “The Maven” Chicotsky.

Players only need to register for the $10,000 freeroll at PokeroomUSA.com, and no subscription is necessary. Additionally, PokeroomUSA.com does not require a buy-in or deposit, thus there is essentially no risk. PokeroomUSA.com members’ monthly fees simply translate into points that can turn into prizes, cash, or even seats to live tournaments.

In conjunction with its official Fourth of July launch, PokeroomUSA.com will celebrate US service members and their families with an immediate and permanent 5% gross contribution for all new subscriptions, with proceeds shared among the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) and USO (United Service Organizations).

Visit http://www.PokeroomUSA.com for more information.

About PokeroomUSA.com
PokeroomUSA.com does not require a buy-in or deposit, thus there is essentially no-risk. Additionally, PokeroomUSA.com members’ monthly fees simply translate into points that can turn into prizes, cash, or even seats to live tournaments. PokeroomUSA.com operates within the sweepstakes rules where they are legal and excludes people from joining who live in states or countries where it is not. For more information visit http://www.PokeroomUSA.com.


Contact: Marketing@pokerroomusa.com

New PokeroomUSA.com Celebrates Poker Independence Day on July 4th

PokeroomUSA.com - a subscription-based legal alternative for the online poker players - is declaring “Poker Independence Day” on July 4th, by hosting its Grand Opening $10,000 freeroll at 8PM EDT with registration beginning July 1st.

PokeroomUSA.com does not require a buy-in or deposit, thus there is essentially no-risk. Additionally, PokeroomUSA.com members’ monthly fees simply translate into points that can turn into prizes, cash, or even seats to live tournaments. To qualify for the “Poker Independence Day” $10,000 freeroll, participants merely need to register, and are not required to subscribe.

In conjunction with its official Fourth of July launch, PokeroomUSA.com will appropriately celebrate US service members and their families with an immediate and permanent 5% gross contribution for all new subscriptions to two deserving charities. Those programs chopping the proverbial pot are the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) and USO (United Service Organizations).

Bluff Magazine’s 2008 “Online Poker Player of the Year” David Chicotsky recently joined PokerRoomUSA.com and will serve as its Marketing Director. Known as “The Maven” in the poker industry, Chicotsky is one of the highest-volume online poker players famous for stringing together multiple appearances at high-stakes tournament final tables in a single day.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to legally play poker online again,” says Chicotsky. “I also look forward to chatting with fellow online gamers, and welcome all of my friends to join me on PokeroomUSA in multi-table and various single-table competitions.”

Matthew Kidd will serve as President of CMK Interactive Systems, Inc., a US-based Wyoming Corporation. Kidd who will be in charge of PokeroomUSA.com operations had the following comments:

“On April 15th, the FBI declared ‘game over’ for cash-depositing online poker players in America. As Americans continue to pine from the rail, it's a pleasure to be able to offer PokeroomUSA to the thousands of poker players looking for a safe alternative to online gambling. Players can still experience the thrill of competition and winning prizes without risking their money. 

“Working with David Chicotsky and raising money for two great organizations to help our troops makes PokeroomUSA a worthwhile and exciting venture.”

About PokeroomUSA.com

PokeroomUSA.com does not require a buy-in or deposit, thus there is essentially no-risk. Additionally, PokeroomUSA.com members’ monthly fees simply translate into points that can turn into prizes, cash, or even seats to live tournaments. PokeroomUSA.com operates within the sweepstakes rules where they are legal and excludes people from joining who live in states or countries where it is not. For more information visit http://www.PokeroomUSA.com.

Contact: Marketing@pokerroomusa.com

Peppermill’s NSPC Becomes Final Fling before WSOP Nationally-Televised Event Attracts Poker’s Biggest Stars

By Jen Mastrud

The nationally-televised Nevada State Poker Championship (NSPC) at Reno’s famed Peppermill Casino  was the last stop for many players on their way to the World Series of Poker, attracting established pros such as Antonio Esfandiari, Men “the Master” Nguyen, Kathy Liebert, Dennis Phillips, Darvin Moon, Bryan Devonshire, Jerry Yang, and JJ Liu.  After two days of play, the title and $94,140 went to 39-year-old Gary “Debo” DeBernardi of Bend, Oregon.  Holding the cash on the set of Heartland Poker Tour after just two hands heads up, Debo said he will take some of his winnings to the World Series of Poker in addition to paying off bills. 

For the past five years, DeBernardi has been living the dream as a professional poker player sponsored by one of the top online poker sites.  His world changed April 15th when the U.S. Department of Justice seized the top three sites and DeBernardi’s endorsement deal vanished.  Taking down the Nevada State Poker Championship means he will once again bring home the bacon.  “$94,140 will pay the bills for quite some time,” he said while HPT cameras rolled.

NSPC runner-up Darrel Dier of Sacramento, CA, planned to build his WSOP bankroll with low-limit cash games at Peppermill.  Coerced by friends to take the last seat in a $125 satellite, he won his way into the HPT main event and ultimately earned $47,070. En route to Las Vegas with a bigger bankroll than expected, Dier’s true ROI won’t be known until after the 24-year-old’s run at the WSOP. 

Poker enthusiasts were treated to a “Who’s Who” of celebrity players at Peppermill throughout the weekend.  As part of the Nevada State Poker Championship festivities, Jennifer Harman hosted her fifth annual charity poker tournament to benefit The Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a no-kill sanctuary.  The weekend’s events kicked off when dozens of poker icons and industry VIPs applauded the unveiling of Peppermill’s newly renovated 30-table poker room.  The entire weekend was filmed for two upcoming episodes of the nationally-syndicated Heartland Poker Tour airing in mid-July.  For station information in your area, visit HPTpoker.com.    

HPT’s television production crew captured several Hollywood stars and celebrated athletes enjoying Peppermill’s poker room and other amenities, including actors Julie Benz, Mekhi Phifer, AJ Lamas, and Dennis Haskins.  Before players got down to business in the Nevada State Poker Championship, socializing crept into the early morning hours at Peppermill’s Tuscany Lounge where Lou Diamond Phillips joined the house band for an impromptu song while Daniel Negreanu took over the dance floor. 

Some four-legged friends got the star treatment when Nevada SPCA companion animals escorted stars on the red carpet just before the charity tournament kicked off.  Some of poker’s most-recognizable personalities including Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, and Lon McEachern spent the afternoon calling, raising, and folding for the cause.  Other notable poker A-listers included Layne Flack, Jamie Gold, Tom Marchese, David Chicotsky, Jeff Madsen, Mark Kroon, Lee Markholt, James Van Alstyne, Jon Friedberg, Dan Michalski, Chris Hanson, Jaymz Larson, Lizzy Harrison, Anjela Brunson, Kevin Mathers, Linda Johnson, and Jan Fisher. 

Matt Vinks of Martinez, California emerged as the overall champion from a field of 568 participants in the charity tournament, earning an enviable prize package exceeding $10,000 in value.  A handful of sponsors gifted the champ coveted prizes such as a $1,650 HPT main event seat, a Grrrinders.com diamond membership, a $3500 Rockwell Time watch, a custom-designed Lord Griffon bracelet, a $3,000 L.A. Racing VIP experience for six people, a $1,200 sculpture courtesy of Black Tai Salt Co., and Lou Gehrig limited edition art valued at $800.

DeBernardi and Vinks aside, the biggest winners of the weekend were the animals in need.  The charity event, a GreasieWheels production, raised over $100,000 for the Nevada SPCA.  Fundraising got a boost from the Pacific Auction Company which coordinated a massive silent auction on property.  Additionally, Robert Williamson III led a live auction featuring an autographed guitar donated by Sir Elton John.  While all participants opened their wallets, some opened their hearts and homes.  All available animals were adopted on site with the exception of a goat.  HPT’s commentator Fred Bevill joked on Twitter, “Per usual, my Sunday morning is spent nursing a hangover and wondering how a goat got in my room. Just another weekend with @HPTpokertour.” 

To adopt a lonely goat or make a donation to the Nevada SPCA, please visit http://www.nevadaspca.org

-Jen Mastrud is the General Manager and Director of Public Relations for HPT.  Follow HPTJen on Twitter.

HPT Televised Jennifer Harman CPT Poker Throw Down at Reno Peppermill Raises More Than $100,000 for Nevada SPCA

LIPS Lord Griffon of Las Vegas wins team Poker Throw Down competition, with Matt Vinks of Martinez, California taking home overall individual prize.

On Saturday, 21 May, HPT filmed the most exciting team and individual poker competition for television.  Poker pros, Hollywood celebrities, Olympic and MMA athletes, and industry VIPs made the trek to Reno, descending on the Peppermill Resort Hotel & Casino for the fifth annual Jennifer Harman Charity Poker
Tournament (JHCPT) benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Nevada SPCA). The  tournament featuring the Poker Throw Down team and individual format was sponsored by Reno Peppermill, Rockwell Time, Grrrinders.com, Konami, IGT, Nike, ProSource, and Lord Griffon, and raised more than $100,000 for the charity.

Notable poker pro participants included Jennifer Harman, Daniel Negreanu, Annie Duke, Andy Bloch, Layne Flack, Jamie Gold, Tom Marchese, David Chicotsky, Jerry Yang, Jeff Madsen, Men Nguyen, Mark Kroon, Gary DeBarnardi, Dennis Phillips,  Darvin Moon, Antonio Esfandiari, Lee Markholt, Kathy Liebert, Joanne “JJ” Liu, Bryan Devonshire, James Van Alstyne, and Jon Friedberg. Notable celebrities included Julie Benz, Lou Diamond Phillips, Robert Jayne, Chauncey Leopardi, Yancey Arias, Christopher Ashworth, Adrian Paul,
Mekhi Phifer, Jason Chambers, Jennifer Elise Cox, Dori Rosenthal, AJ Lamas, Dennis Haskins, Samantha Ryan, Liz Friedman, Paulo Benedetti, and Nicholas Gonzalez. Industry VIPs included “AlCantHang,” HPT’s Chris Hanson, HPT’s Fred Bevill and Jaymz Larson, Lizzy Harrison, Anjela Brunson, Kevin “Kevmath” Mathers, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and 2008 JHCPT Champion Seth Dupree. Notable athletes included Ross Powers, Nate Holland, and Mason Aguirre.

Sporting custom branded jerseys, 25 spirited teams from all across the southwest entered Peppermill’s 
  Tuscany Event Center and walked the red carpet directed by Miller/Brown Productions and hosted by poker media personalities Melissa Castello and Eddy Sebat. Escorted by celebrity captains and companion animals, teams posed for complimentary photos courtesy Rob Gracie of GreasieWheels. Pacific Auction Company hosted a giant silent auction and the Nevada SPCA raised additional funds through its retail center.

The tournament, emceed by Alex Outhred and George Kozel, commenced at 1PM
and was directed by David Lamb. Following three re-buy and add-on periods, Robert “Mr. Omaha” Williamson III led a live auction featuring an autographed guitar donated by Sir Elton John and his band. A total of 568 tournament participants competed for individual prizes, along with more than 500 pot sweeteners, bounties, and giveaways courtesy Grrrinders.com, Frends, FullTilt,  NIke, Lakeside Inn, and Lucky’s Barbershop. All participants received a Nike backpack tote. 

By 8:15PM, play had reached the final table. The top ten finishers were Matt Vinks from Martinez, Joe Tehan of Las Vegas, Debbie Espe of Dallas, Jim Bradley and Lance Donnel of Reno, Kathy Stahl of  San Ramon, Rob Arcania, Andrew Barber, and Emilio Porcalla of Sacramento, Mike LaBarbera of San Jose, Jerry Yang of Madera, and Paris Justice.   
Each were awarded $1,650 Nevada State Championship HPT televised Main Event seats, Grrrinders.com Gold subscriptions, and sports watches courtesy Rockwell Time. The total value of final table product and service prizes exceeded $61,000.

 Barber, Yang, LaBarbera, Arcania, Stahl, Donnel, 
and Bradley went out in tenth through fourth places respectfully. Debbie Espe was the next to be eliminated, winning “Last Woman Standing”  prizes, including a silver and gemstone necklace courtesy Lord Griffon Jewelry and a Ladies of Poker Wear gift basket. In heads up action, Matt Vinks of Martinez   eliminated poker pro Joe Tehan of Las Vegas for the win. In addition to Rockwell Time watches valued at  $3,500 apiece and HPT Main Event Seats, Tehan and Vick were each awarded silver and gemstone custom designed Lord Griffon bracelets. Vick’s individual participant grand prize included a Grrrinders.com Diamond membership, a $3,000 L.A. Racing VIP Experience  for six persons, a giant illuminated sculpture courtesy Black Tai Salt Co., and Lou Gehrig limited edition art valued at $800.

 Following the tournament, players, teams, and celebrities gathered for the third annual Poker Throw Down party inside Peppermill’s Terrace Lounge featuring live entertainment and complimentary cocktails. Casino General Manager George Kisler was master of ceremonies. Overall individual winner Matt Vinks posed before a packed crowd with his crystal trophy created by Seaena.

Bronze medals and the third place crystal team trophy went to Players Club Casino of Ventura, California, owned by Bill Kracht and led by celebrity team captain Joe Tehan. Silver team medals and the second place crystal team trophy went to Lucky’s Mens Club & Barber  Shop owned by Aaron  Ralls and led by an elated Jennifer Elise Cox. LIPS Lord Griffon Two owned by Lupe Soto and led by celebrity captain Joanne “JJ” Liu was crowned the 2011 Poker Throw Down team champions, receiving gold medals and the first place crystal team trophy. Members of all three winning teams will receive Grrrinders.com memberships and FullTilt duffles. The LIPS Lord Griffon Two team champions will receive the “Pro For A Day” grand prize and have its team photo published in the next issue of Ante Up Magazine.

This fall, selected segments of the JHCPT Poker Throw Down will be  included in HPT’s national television programming, available in over 100 million homes across America, on a syndicated network including DIRECTV and Dish Network stations. 

Additional JHCPT in-kind donators included Rockwell Time, Lord Griffon, www.ProSourcePromos.com, www.Grrrinders.com, Guice Energy Gum, Custom Jewelry by Nancy Humphrey, Scentsy, Buddha Balm, Body Essentials, Calico Dragon, EatStrong, Quad Queens, Happy House, World Series of Barbecue, Poker Players Alliance (PPA), MyExpressFreight.com, Frends, ProSource, Players Club Casino, Lakeside Inn, Lucky’s Mens Club & Barbershop, and GreasieWheels. All proceeds benefited the Nevada SPCA.

The 2011 Poker Throw Down is  a GreasieWheels production. Complimentary photos are available for viewing and download by visiting www.GWphotostore.com.

For more information, ways you can help, or to make a donation, visit http://www.nevadaspca.org.

Read AlCantHang and Lizzy Harrison's entertaining account of events by clicking here.