What is the purpose of this blog?
On April 15th 2011 (Black Friday), the DOJ seized the domain names of the three largest poker sites and effectively blocked U.S. citizens from playing online poker in the U.S. This needlessly put roughly 50,000 Americans out of work and stripped millions of their favorite hobby. I am writing this blog to raise awareness for the events surrounding Black Friday and the online poker industry in general.
What is your background?
I am a 25 year old that grew up in the Chicago suburbs and went to the University of Notre Dame. I graduated in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology and a MBA in Corporate Finance. I am currently a CFA candidate and passed level I last June. I recently took level II and am praying that I somehow passed (not likely). I began playing poker with friends recreationally in high school and began playing online my freshman year of college. After graduation, I decided to pursue poker professionally and have had a very successful past two years. I play under the name "Bballjm" on PokerStars.
Outside of poker, I am obsessed with basketball (as evidenced by my PokerStars name) and have been known to talk about intramural basketball for hours on end. I am also very active and used to be a pretty good runner. Now I do CrossFit 4-5 times a week (at least when I'm not being lazy). I love food, have tried many of the best restaurants in Chicago, and am always up for trying new places.
What poker games do you play?
I specialize in 6-max NL Texas Hold'em and play stakes ranging from $2/$4 up to $25/$50. I play 12 tables at a time exclusively at PokerStars and achieved SuperNova Elite Status (SNE) in 2010. I am planning on getting SNE status again in 2011 and hopefully transitioning into a trading job after that.
What is Supernova Elite status?
Just like an airline rewards frequent travelers with different statuses and rewards, PokerStars rewards their players with VIP player points (VPPs) and frequent player points (FPPs) for playing a lot of poker hands. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, including cash. As you accumulate points, your status with the site improves. On PokerStars, there are 6 status levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Supernova, and Supernova Elite). If you earn enough VPPs (1 million), you achieve SNE status, which comes with quite a few perks.
What are you doing to support poker in the wake of Black Friday?
In addition to writing this blog, I am going to make donations to the Poker Players Alliance (PPA). This is the lobbying group for professional and recreational poker players alike. The PPA is dedicated to getting poker regulated, licensed, and taxed, particularly in the U.S. after Black Friday. More information can be found here:
http://theppa.org/about/
From now until regulatory changes are made in the U.S., I am going to donate:
1. 2% of my online poker winnings (including the value of FPPs, but not milestones): Capped at $4k
2. $1 for every person who likes my blog via this facebook page: Capped at $1k
3. $5 for every new person who joins the PPA and writes so on the wall of this facebook page (see above). Capped at $1k
The cost to join the PPA is a one time fee of $20. It is a great cause and one that means a whole lot to me. I think you also get a pretty sweet t-shirt.
My pledged donations will be settled at the end of each month and I will update on this blog after I have settled.
What can we do support poker?
1. The best way all of you can support our rights to play poker is to join the PPA. You can do this very easily (and relatively cheaply) on the PPA website found here:
http://theppa.org/
2. You can read this blog and like it on the facebook page listed.
http://theppa.org/about/
From now until regulatory changes are made in the U.S., I am going to donate:
1. 2% of my online poker winnings (including the value of FPPs, but not milestones): Capped at $4k
2. $1 for every person who likes my blog via this facebook page: Capped at $1k
3. $5 for every new person who joins the PPA and writes so on the wall of this facebook page (see above). Capped at $1k
The cost to join the PPA is a one time fee of $20. It is a great cause and one that means a whole lot to me. I think you also get a pretty sweet t-shirt.
My pledged donations will be settled at the end of each month and I will update on this blog after I have settled.
What can we do support poker?
1. The best way all of you can support our rights to play poker is to join the PPA. You can do this very easily (and relatively cheaply) on the PPA website found here:
http://theppa.org/
2. You can read this blog and like it on the facebook page listed.
3. Contact your local congressman via the link below and let him know you support legislation that will federally regulate online poker.
4. Follow any of these action list items from the PPA website:
http://theppa.org/takeaction/
4. Follow any of these action list items from the PPA website:
http://theppa.org/takeaction/
