As the final month of 2007 began, the poker world was reminded of its own mortality when one of the greats of the game passed away.
On Dec. 5, the poker community was stunned to wake to the news that Poker Hall of Famer Chip Reese had passed away the night before. Reese, the inaugural winner of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2006 World Series of Poker, apparently was feeling ill and called his doctor for medical advice and, after the consultation, went to sleep.
During the evening, he quietly passed away and was found by his son the next morning. Reese was only 56 years old.
The poker world responded with words that often aren't heard when poker players talk about their own. Doyle Brunson, who had a long friendship with Reese, reflected on his life and the loss he felt without his compatriot.
He was joined by many in the poker world, including Barry Greenstein, Mike Sexton and T. J. Cloutier (among others) who reflected on the professionalism and the skills of a man they called the greatest cash game player in the history of the game.
Reese was laid to rest, with estimates of 3,000 people in attendance, Dec. 7 as tournaments in New Orleans and Las Vegas paused to remember him as well.
Perhaps the finest tribute to Reese's memory was announced by the World Series of Poker. In the future, the winners of the $50,000 event at the WSOP will be awarded the David "Chip" Reese Award in addition to the bracelet for their victory.
Despite the loss of a legend, the games would go on and so would the news in the poker world. Annette Obrestad grabbed one of the most prestigious prizes in poker when she was awarded the European Poker Awards Tournament Performance of the Year trophy for her performance at the WSOP-Europe and the EPT Dublin.
Annette_15 was proud of her achievement noting, "I am so happy to win this award. I prefer this one (much more) than Rookie of The Year because I was up against such great players."
Canada made noises regarding the online game during December, even to the point of nearly outlawing it. Cyber World Group, the managing outlet of GoldenPalace.com, pled guilty to illegal gaming charges in Quebec and paid a $2 million fine from their plea.
Later during the month, the Canadian House of Commons almost passed a bill that would have outlawed online gaming and poker in the country, which would have impacted the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada.
Senator George Baker noticed the provisions that would have enacted the ban before it could be passed and narrowly averted a potential problem for online players.
The continued debate over the disagreements in the World Trade Organization dispute between the U. S. and many nations continued to boil as well. After $21 million per year in sanctions for Antigua were announced against the U. S. and the deal between the U. S. and the European Union, debate raged as to the legality of the administration enacting these deals.
Per the U.S. Constitution, any changes in trade obligations must come before the Congress and be approved before they can be entered. As the year came to a close, there was still much debate regarding the several years long journey of the WTO case.
The tournament season came to a close with the top circuits having some of their largest events. Eugene Katchalov overcame one of the most difficult fields in 2007 when he outlasted 664 players, including David "DevilFish" Ulliot and 2007 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure champion Ryan Daut at the final table, to capture the WPT's Doyle Brunson Championship at the Five Diamond Poker Classic at the Bellagio.
Longtime player John Racener achieved his first significant poker championship by winning the WSOP Circuit event in Atlantic City and Arnaud Matten won the first ever stop by the European Poker Tour in Prague.
As the champagne pops, the memories of 2007 recede, the 2007 Year in Review comes to a close and the promise and optimism of the New Year are at hand. PokerListings.com will be on the pulse of the poker world and will be ready as 2008 starts with a bang. |
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
