Phil Ivey Divorces Wife

The poker world was in shock yesterday as news was leaked that Phil Ivey had divorced his wife of seven years, Luciaetta.

Ivey, dubbed “the Tiger Woods of Poker” by many, has enjoyed a successful 2009 both in online poker at Full Tilt and in live events. Two WSOP bracelets and a WSOP main event final table added more notable results to Ivey’s ever increasing list of honours in the last year. Financially, the tournament successes were eclipsed by his superb run online as several million dollars were banked from his high stakes play.

Brian Townsend Suspended by Full Tilt Poker

The Isildur1 saga took another twist this week with the news that Full Tilt Poker have suspended the account of Brian Townsend following allegations of “sharing hands and information on opposing players”. Full Tilt Poker’s terms and conditions state the practice isn’t allowed, leaving Isildur’s huge $4.2 million loss to Townsend’s pal Brian Hastings very much up in the air!

Isildur1 told PokerNews.com that; “I played with Brian Townsend and Cole South a lot. They were always waiting for me. The last session where Hastings won all the money, it just felt like something was wrong…”

Full Tilt Poker set to Remove Shortstackers

Shortstackers (players who buy-in for much less than the maximum allowed in online cash games) at Full Tilt Poker will be looking for a new home in 2010 as the online poker giant is set to change their buy-in rules in the New Year.

Earlier this year PokerStars changed their cash game buy-in rules to a 50BB minimum. Their rivals at Full Tilt will soon follow suit leaving many shortstackers, especially those from America where finding an online poker room is difficult enough already, struggling for a home from 2010.

Everest Poker Sold to Mangas Gaming

GigaMedia LTD (GIGM) is to sell popular European online poker room, Everest Poker, alongside 60% of their online gaming business to rivals Mangas Gaming for over $100 million.

Shares in GigaMedia rose by 11% as the market reacted positively to the news. The price increase was a welcome boost to GIGM shareholders who have suffered a 33% drop in price since the start of 2009.

GigaMedia will have the option of requiring Mangas to buy the remaining stake as soon as 2013. Mangas gets the option to force a sale starting in 2015.

Padraig Parkinson Wins PokerStars.com UKIPT Galway

Irish poker legend Padraig Parkinson has won the Irish Poker Championships and is the first PokerStars UKIPT Galway champion. Parkinson takes home the €125,000 first prize and receives an entry into the £5,250 PokerStars.com EPT London event which is the season finale to the UK & Ireland Poker Tour. In addition to that he will also initially top the Season 1 UKIPT leader board which awards over £60,000 worth of added prizes to the top 100 players over all of the events from Season 1 with the top placed finisher receiving all of their buy-in and hotel accommodation for Season 2.

Parkinson originally from Galway and who now resides in Paris, France is best known for his third place finish in the 1999 WSOP Main Event and his victory in series five of the Late Night Poker Show in 2002.

Christmas Day Rake Race for Poker News Headlines Readers

Christmas is on the horizon and if you think you might get a little tired of family, turkey and presents on the big day then why not take part in our our special Christmas Day Rake Race!

It might be the time for giving on December 25 but it’s always a time for taking when you’re a poker player! Put down that turkey sandwich this Christmas and play in our one day only (00:01 on Dec 25 to 00:01 on Dec 26). The prize? a chunky $500! There are no leaderboards, no jockeying for position. The winner takes all!

Want to unwrap a $500 cash prize this Christmas then read on and learn how to be eligible.

Lady Gaga’s Poker Face to Appear in Palms Ads

The Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas are to use the famous “Poker Face” song by Lady Gaga in their latest ad’ campaign.

The ad, which finishes with the slogan “Show Us Your Poker Face”, focuses on the best features Palms has to offer customers including the Playboy Club and Fantasy Towers alongside the popular nightlife scene in Palms.

Palms owner George Maloof said; “We feel that this is a special and unique opportunity to connect the Palms brand with one of the most respected and talented artists of our time.”

Isildur1 Loses Cool as Hastings Hammers the Swede

Things are starting to look pretty ugly for Swedish high-stakes junkie Isildur1 over at Full Tilt Poker. Brian Hastings has taken the mysterious player for a figure in the region of $4 million after the latest nose-bleed stakes session.

Hastings is usually a regular at the $25/$50 NL tables. His step up to $500/$1000 NL is a mighty leap but one which proved to be incredibly successful for him. A mammoth five hour session left Hastings exhausted (yet probably very happy) and Isildur1 seemingly hitting his keyboard in frustration at Hastings’ “luck”.

Sun Poker Launch New Software

Our good friends at Sun Poker have launched their brand new software today. Poker software 9.3 is now available at the popular iPoker network room and, if you’ve never tried Sun Poker before, there has never been a better time to join from a Poker News Headlines link.

Sun said on their website; “Our new upgrades are guaranteed to make your online poker entertainment a much more enjoyable one, thanks to the feed back of real players we’re able to provide you with a poker room designed by you for you!”