Got a tip for a future edition of the 3-Bet? Tell us where to find it in the comments. But today in the 3-Bet, we find a few WPT Bay 101 bad guys. Plus, a new Hawaiian poker bill and some new cats for the 2017 American Poker Awards.
1) Brunson, Kassouf Bad Guys
If you haven't played the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star before we can tell you first hand it's 'different' from other stops on the poker circuit. Story checks out. It's still peppered with the game's best and major money up top but there are also $2,500 bounties on each of the 50+ 'Shooting Stars' in the tournament.
Knock one out and you get the money on the spot and a commemorative signed t-shirt to remember the moment long after the money is spent. It's a nice touch and a difference that makes for a remarkably fun and jovial vibe compared to other major events. And it makes for a lot more interaction between the amateurs and the pros.
The 50+ Shooting Stars named each year are also an eclectic mix or personality and poker chops and this year is no different with Will Kassouf and former NFLer Richard Seymour among the Stars for 2017. Some (cough, Kathy Liebert) have questioned whether Kassouf might qualify as a "star" (he does). But as TD Matt Savage joked on Twitter, some have to be 'villains' anyway right?
Some have to be "Villains" @WPT @Bay101Casino so that's why @ToddBrunson, @WilliamKassouf, & @dude904 are Shooting Stars. 4th P = Punchable— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) January 21, 2017
The latest @WPT @Bay101Casino Shooting Star poster with newest selections. #3Ps pic.twitter.com/FLa5LLd227— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) January 21, 2017
More Shooting Stars are still to be named before the Mar 6-10 event, but regardless of who's there it's worth taking a jaunt to go play.
2) Hawaii Files Surprising Online Poker Bill
The island of Hawaii has zero brick-and-mortar casinos and no officially regulated gambling. This PLUS real money online poker? It does however have tens of thousands of people among its population who like to have a bit of a punt online - currently on unregulated poker and/or gambling sites.
Not considered one of the prime contenders to pass online poker legislation in 2017 Hawaii surprisingly jumped into the mix on Jan. 20 when SB 677 was filed to establish a “Hawaii internet lottery and gaming corporation" and offer casino games and online poker.
Even better, revenue from poker would go to public schools and the University of Hawaii among other recipients. Somewhere in Hawaii, Willie Nelson lit up a big Kahuna in celebration. There's a long way to go - and apparently Hawaii has tried to legalize online poker before - but the more States pushing for online poker, the merrier.
3) Best Twitcher, Podcaster Added to American Poker Awards
The Global Poker Index/PokerStars American Poker Awards return next month to the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills with a slew of new awards on the podium to be won. GPI Female Player of the Year Cate Hall. The annual GPI POY (David Peters), Female POY (Cate Hall) and WSOP POY (Jason Mercier) awards all return as do:
- Breakout Performance of the Year
- Industry Person of the Year
- Media Content of the Year
- Media Person of the Year
- Moment of the Year
- Tournament Performance of the Year
- Charitable Initiative of the Year
Joining them this year are new categories:
- Event of the Year
- Mid-Major Circuit of the Year
- Twitch Streamer of the Year
- Podcast of the Year
- PocketFives Legacy Award
- Hendon Mob Award
That's a nice pile of poker awards and over 150 of poker's best and brightest are expected in attendance. In the interim, some winners will need to be picked and the Nomination Panel, consisting of over 50 "members of the poker world" will start casting votes this week. The final list of Nominees will be released next week and the "Official GPI APA Jury," consisting of seven members of the poker community, will pick the final winners on the day of the ceremony.
If you want to be one of those decision makers, email [email protected] to let them know. If you're trying to think of potential nominees in the Media Content of the Year category, we're not going to say no if you think our Stu Ungar Mini-Documentary below measures up. To attend the ceremony, register online at www.americanpokerawards.com/register.
