As you know if you follow my blog on a regular basis, I am a strong supporter of the PPA because it is the only organization that is active in fighting for the right of internet poker players. Not only is it the only one, it has been growing by leaps and bounds and had been extremely effective in the last couple of years as we press towards ultimately legalizing internet poker. The co-chair of the PPA is former US Senator Alfonse D'Amato himself an avid poker player, and probably one of the strongest names in government circles to come out in support of online poker. In any case, this is a reprint of the latest newsletter from the PPA to help raise awareness of this orgainzation and to encourage you to join up if you have not already.

"By all accounts, 2009 saw amazing progress for the rights of Internet poker players in the US.  The delay of the UIGEA, the introductions of three bills in the US House of Representatives, as well as a bill in the US Senate, all supporting your right to play in a safe, free market here in the US.  Now is the time for a push to victory in 2010, but we desperately need your help. 

The PPA is pleased to announce that its current members will be receiving a new benefit! Any current or new PPA Premium member will now get $50 off a Card Player Cruises vacation of a lifetime (promotional code will be emailed to qualifying members). Card Players Cruises is the premier provider of poker style cruises in the world. AND if you become a new premium member of the PPA or renew your PPA premium membership by January 15th 2010, you will be eligible to be the lucky winner of a Card Player Cruises trip for two in March 2010 to the Caribbean worth over $1,600!

* to qualify for this promotion you must have become a PPA Premium Member between 12/15/09 and 1/15/2010.

What is a Card Player Cruises vacation ?

A cruise with Card Player Cruises is the same as any regular cruise, except that there is an opportunity to play poker while at sea. The poker room closes in port. You can play as much or as little poker in their Las Vegas style cardroom as you want. Card Player Cruises' passengers usually make up 25-40% of the total number of passengers on the ship, so all of the regular shipboard activities are scheduled for your pleasure.

You can find out more information or book your Card Player Cruises vacation today at www.cardplayercruises.com 

 If you are a poker fan, you may find this rather funny.

We have been advised that Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott's hair may have gone AWOL. Aided (and abetted) by the renowned poker commentator and songwriter Matt Broughton and his Devilfish hair song we can bring you exclusive insight into this "natural" catastrophe. Help identify the whereabouts of the celebrity tresses by submitting hot leads immediately. To win the reward, your "evidence" must be submitted by Friday 26 February 2010. See site for more details.

Check out this link for the video

www.raketherake.com:PokerDevilfish.html.webloc

   If you are still recovering from New Years (I know, it takes a few days when you get older!) and playing some poker today, Full Tilt's first of the BLT's (big little tournament) is taking place in less than 3 hours.

    Yes, it is a long shot, but for $5.50 you have a shot at 1st place prize of $22.5k! That is a lot of money for a $5 entry fee. There are over 30,000 players signed up right now and it is capped at 50,000 entrants, so get entered now if you want to play. The top 7,500 players will be paid and the further you get, the more you make, so get signed up, get a beer, watch some football and play the BLT!

    For those of you who like low dollar buy in tournaments with a big upside, don't forget the series of Big Little Tournaments starting on Full Tilt January 3rd. These are the $5.50 buy in NL Hold'em tournaments that will take place every Sunday starting the 3rd at 13:45 ET with a $250k prize pool guarantee. There will be 40,000 or 50,000 entrants, so it will be a long haul to win it, but nowhere else can you get that kind of a prize pool for only a $5.50 investment. There are $1.10 satellites going for the BLT's as well for those of you who are really cheap, but otherwise make sure you sign up early before the field fills up.