New Jersey legalizes online poker

Gov. Chris Christie signed the re-configured online poker bill Tuesday, making New Jersey the third state to legalize online poker.

It's a slow comeback, but at least it's something.

Read the PokerNews story on the issue here.

The state senator that pushed the legislation hopes to have games up and running this fall.

World Series of Poker schedule released with some interesting tidbits...

The dynamic combo of Al Can't Hand and Dan Michalski's Pokerati offered some of the down and dirty details of the 2013 World Series of Poker schedule, which was released a few days ago.

A few notes:

Does it surprise anyone that Harrah's (or whatever they calls themselves these days...Caesars Entertainment?) offers a $1 million guarantee tournament that fudges on the numbers? The so-called Millionaire Maker to kick-off things in May will have a buy-in of $1,500 with two starting flights on the same day to allow re-entries. Al notes that the payout structure will be adjusted to award the seven-figure top prize so there won't be any overlays on this thing. You'd figure selling some $10 burgers in the Poker Kitchen would cover any unexpected losses for CE in this thing, but I digress...

On the positive side, the brass figured out how to dissuade men from entering the Ladies Championship. The official buy-in is $10,000, but women get a 90 percent discount, ahem, paying $1,000 to enter. Exactly the same as years past! What are the odds?

Lastly, although it's not a bracelet event, the $5,000 Open Face Chinese poker tournament is getting plenty of buzz. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the link to my FTP Poker from the Rail blog post in which I gave Chinese poker a very good chance of returning to the WSOP. Just take my word that I prophesied it!

Will these guys be planning the Chinese poker tournament? Count on it.

New Jersey Online Poker?

It appears New Jersey may agree to legalize online poker. Gov. Chris Christie seems on board as long as the state's lawmakers can agree to some of his wishes, which include: -- Increasing the tax rate on online poker operators from the proposed 10 percent to 15 percent -- Putting more of the state's revenue into a program to combat problem gambling -- Adding a sunset provision that would make the law expire in 10 years if it's not renewed by the legislature. It would seem that online poker is likely a go in New Jersey if lawmakers can agree to those amendments to the bill. Read more at PokerFuse.

A Harry Reid bombshell

If you haven't heard the recent news about the alleged $1 million bribe given to Nevada Sen. Harry Reid to push online poker regulation, read this link.

Of course, Reid's staff is denying the claims, but I think we have all heard enough politician lies to have our doubts. And since I'm neck deep in politician shenanigans at Missouri Watchdog you'll have to forgive my overt cynicism here.

That'd be another nasty black eye for our beloved game if one of the few lawmakers pushing hard for online poker regulation was on the take. It would seem to only hurt our chances.

Meanwhile, a Justice Department spokesperson told Card Player that an announcement on the funds remission process for us left holding the bag at Full Tilt is coming "soon," whatever that means. Could be weeks, could be months. But after nearly two years of waiting, what's a little more patience worth?

Since I don't have a 'roll to speak of, it'd be nice to collect my ~$1,500 from FTP, however.