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Today in the 3-Bet we find IveyPoker pulled off the shelves for an overhaul, Phil Hellmuth makes his presence felt across America and Maria Ho, as always, shines a light on poker.
1) IveyPoker Down Until 2015
Enjoy playing the Ivey Poker Facebook poker game? You'll have to wait until 2015 to get another shot at it.
The game was pulled out of circulation over the weekend for what the IveyPoker team calls "the first step in our evolution:"
Working on multiple product extensions and new categories for Ivey Poker expansion in 2015. pic.twitter.com/uERVyuq04y
— Phil Ivey (@philivey) October 25, 20142) Hellmuth Gets Busy Before Nov. 9
Are we in for a heavy dose of Phil Hellmuth at the 2014 WSOP November Nine?
All signs point to yes as the always visible Hellmuth has been even more front and center over the last few weeks in the lead-up to the final playdown.
Hellmuth made the long trip to WSOP APAC to try for bracelet #14 (unsuccessfully, unfortunately) but he hasn't let that epic journey keep him off the road, getting the Hellmuth brand out there.
Most notably Phil popped up behind the plate at Game 4 of the World Series between San Francisco and Kansas City over the weekend:
PIC: me behind the Giants! RT @GeeNiko @phil_hellmuth Enjoying the game Phil #couldyoubeanyclosertotheaction pic.twitter.com/1dFHPWCwri
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) October 26, 2014He's now criss-crossing America until, we expect, he'll be in the ESPN booth for the final table:
Back on the road after being home only 1 week. On Flt to North Carolina, Monday Manhattan, next Sunday Chicago, then Vegas for November 9
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) October 26, 2014Flying to Manhattan today, but thinking of scrambling to Charleston SC to drink w @JasonWhite23 & @DennyHamlin and catch Hootie Concert
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) October 27, 2014Which begs the question of course: Hootie and the Blowfish is still a thing? Keep an eye on the Traveling Philbury right here.
3) Maria Brings Grace to St. Louis
It's a tough ask for a poker player to go into a mainstream televison studio and talk poker in a way both the host and viewers can understand.
Daniel Negreanu does it expertly. Antonio Esfandiari does it well. Mike Sexton, too.
Add Maria Ho to that list.
Not only is she a truly great poker player (as her WSOP runner-up and two Last Woman Standing titles attest) she's a glowing ambassador for the game with a real ability to make poker (and poker players) seem accessible to the average joe.
Along with making amateurs feel welcome at her tables she's also really expanded her range as a face of poker in her role as strategic commentator for the Heartand Poker Tour.
We're onboard all the way, too, as she's the hand-picked host for our own PokerListings Battle of Malta so it was no surprise to see her drop into FOX St. Louis last week and handle herself with grace and charm in a potentially awkward interview situation:
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