Free Republic

Texas Congressman Joe Barton sent nudes and illicit text messages to a woman, and he's apologizing for the graphic image first revealed by a Twitter user. Barton, a Republican, sent the nude photo showing his penis. The Twitter user censored the image, and also revealed a sext that reads, "I want u soo bad. Right now."

Humans won in the competition because of Douglas Polk and Bjorn Li, who are the world's top players. Polk said that they managed to win and beat the computers and it's a victory of humans. Polk said, "We really managed to find some weaknesses in some of the ways it liked to play its hands, and we exploited some of those to build our lead". The lion's share of the $100,000 prize money was won by individual winner Bjorn Li of Hong Kong.

A 24-year-old poker professional from Laurel won the World Series of Poker main event, outlasting his final opponents in a marathon card session of nearly 12 hours for the $8.53 million title on Wednesday. Greg Merson emerged with the title before dawn in Las Vegas after a session that proved a showcase for his skills amid the unpredictability of tournament no-limit Texas Hold ‘em. On the last hand, Mr. Merson put Las Vegas card pro Jesse Sylvia all-in with a king high. Mr. Sylvia thought hard, then called with a suited queen-jack.

In this article, the author makes "possibly desperate, and most definitely futile" attempt to save Internet gambling. He calls Internet gaming an "inalienable freedom" protected by the US Constitution. He also claims that regulation is the best way to keep tabs on minors, money launderers and compulsive gamblers. A good little read.

A House committee Wednesday challenged Gov. Kathleen Blanco by unanimously passing legislation she opposes. “It’s personal now that the governor has tried to force the issue,” said Rep. Warren Triche of his House Bill 1149, which would make clear that “Texas Hold ‘Em” poker tournaments, popular with some bars, are legal gambling. The committee unanimously approved the measure. Triche said the governor should wait until legislation reaches her desk and not interfere with the legislative process. “She’s trying to intimidate us,” Triche said. “She’s overstepping her bounds.” Blanco said during a Wednesday interview that Triche’s legislation “feels like an expansion...

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Bush says the deal allowing an Arab company to take over six major U.S. seaports should go forward and he will veto any bill that would stop it.

Some poker players netted in a police raid of a popular South Baltimore gambling club complained bitterly yesterday about state and local laws that outlaw betting on a wildly popular card game, and railed against what they called "overzealous" law enforcement officials. Illustrating the confusion over gambling laws, police and prosecutors bickered last night over whether and how to proceed with charges against 80 people who were caught up in the raid at the Owl's Nest on Wednesday. Baltimore police rarely pursue charges involving illegal poker, and the city state's attorney's office questioned whether police had followed proper procedures in...

The Caprock Dive Club held it's 2nd Annual Texas Hold'em Underwater Poker Tournament. The tourney was held at the Texas Tech Aquatic Center and benefits the Coral Reef Alliance; which helps save coral reefs around the world.

State tells taverns it's time to fold 'em, not hold 'em Sunday, February 27, 2005 By Josh Grosteffon Times Writer With a surge of popularity sparked by television coverage, Texas hold 'em is returning to bars where the card game once prospered. However, hosting poker games or even condoning gambling can cost bar owners hundreds of dollars in fines or even their liquor license. In November, the Hooters at 966 E. Midland St. hosted a Texas hold 'em tournament, a four-week event played for an electric scooter donated by an area business. After a few successful nights, drawing anywhere from...