Poker News from Around the Horn

A lot has been going on in the poker world this week.  A former NFL running back is now a sponsored poker player, the Bike in LA has lost sponsorship for an event, and Atlantic City’s oldest poker player is still alive and kicking.  Here’s more about these stories.

102 and Still Check-raising Sixth Street

The Bike No Longer Sponsored by the NAPT

The North American Poker Tour has been in talks with gaming officials in California and it has been determined that the North American Poker Tour should not be allowed to sponsor the upcoming event at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, CA.  Formerly known as the North American Poker Tour LA, the event will now be called the “Big Event.”  The main reason behind the NAPT being forced to drop its name was due to their affiliation with online poker site PokerStars.  In addition, ESPN has decided not to film the Main Event as was planned prior.

Emmitt Smith – Sponsored Poker Player

Emmitt Smith will be taking part in the upcoming NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship as a celebrity player.  It now appears that he will be sporting a patch as well as he has signed with online poker site Full Tilt.  He is officially a “friend” of the company and will represent the company in live events throughout the US.

Andrew Amatrudo Going Strong at 102

For those that play at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, you probably have seen, or even played with, Andrew Amatrudo.  Andrew just turned 102 years old and is a daily regular in the poker room at the Taj.  Solely a Seven Card Stud player, Amatrudo has been playing poker since he was a little boy.  He says that    I’m not going to sit home. If I sit home, I’ll go berserk. I love to play poker. That’s all I live for anymore.”  The Taj celebrated Andrew’s birthday last Monday by providing him a chocolate cake at the table.