NTN Communications Announces the Release of Texas Hold 'Em Poker on the NTN iTV Network
New Interactive Game From NTN Is the World's First Fully Interactive, Multi-Player On-Premise Electronic Poker Game
NTN Hospitality Technologies, a division of NTN Communications, Inc., a leader in interactive communications and entertainment products for the hospitality industry, announced today the limited release of a fully interactive, electronic version of Texas Hold 'Em on its North American iTV network. Capitalizing on the game's widespread and unprecedented interest sweeping the country, NTN Hospitality Technologies is bringing the world's first fully interactive, skill-based electronic poker game to the hospitality industry.The new interactive NTN Texas Hold 'Em poker game allows up to 10 players to participate, using the company's hand-held, wireless game devices at a virtual table displayed on televisions and be ranked against other players at enabled sports bars and premiere casual dining restaurants.
The product is currently in limited release, with widespread deployment scheduled for the early part of 2005 throughout the company's new iTV2 dual channel interactive network. In addition to the game itself, consumer promotions are planned throughout 2005, subject to local and state legal compliance.
"As part of our commitment to bring fresh and interesting content to our interactive entertainment network, Texas Hold 'Em is the latest addition to our new NTN BLAST channel," commented Mark deGorter, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Leveraging the tremendous popularity of Texas Hold 'Em by creating an interactive, skill-based, on-site experience will allow us to drive new consumers into our subscribing sites, as well as appeal to an entirely new universe of locations interested in jumping on the Texas Hold 'Em phenomenon."
NTN Texas Hold 'Em was developed with insights from Phil Gordon, World Poker Tour Champion and host of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown. Mr. Gordon, a world-renowned poker expert and commentator, says: "The introduction of Texas Hold 'Em to the NTN iTV programming lineup marks an exciting time for poker fans nationwide, who will soon be able to participate in the first multi-site electronic poker tournaments of their kind. I'm pleased to be associated with NTN, both as a spokesperson as well as co-developer of the game, and am excited that fans now have a new venue in which to learn the game and test their skills."
The current limited release of NTN Texas Hold 'Em Poker is expected to lead to expansion to the over 800 NTN BLAST-enabled sites. The company is currently undertaking efforts to convert the balance of the over 3,600 sites located in North America to the new NTN BLAST platform allowing Texas Hold 'Em to be a part of the entire network programming line-up going forward. In addition, all new installations feature the NTN BLAST technology, allowing them to feature the new NTN BLAST content, including Texas Hold 'Em where permitted by state regulations.
About NTN Communications
Based in Carlsbad, CA, NTN Communications, Inc. is the parent corporation of the NTN Hospitality Technologies segment and Buzztime Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary. The NTN Hospitality Technologies segment, which focuses on integrated front-of-house solutions for the hospitality industry, is comprised of the NTN iTV Entertainment Network, NTN Wireless Communications, Inc., and NTN Software Solutions, Inc. NTN Hospitality Technologies provides services and products to leading restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory, Darden Restaurants, Domino's Pizza, Gaylord Entertainment, TGI Friday's and more.
Except for historical information contained herein, this release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management's current views of future events and operations, including, but not limited to, statements pertaining to the deployment of NTN Texas Hold 'Em, consumer acceptance of NTN BLAST, NTN's penetration into sports bars and casual dining restaurants, and NTN BLAST's ability to attract a broader demographic group to sports bars and casual dining restaurants, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties including the risks of changing economic conditions, product demand and market acceptance, and the impact of competitive products and pricing. Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are discussed in the "Risk Factors" section and other sections of NTN's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-33078), which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NTN does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if new information or future events show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.
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Poker face: How Hutter wins millions
BY VIJITH ASSAR VIJITH@READTHEHOOK.COM
"You have to be a good liar," says Temp Hutter, without a shred of apology. He can surely claim to be a pretty good one, but this time it's clear he's telling the truth. He's talking about his modus operandi at the poker table.
"You have to be able to sit there and keep the same expression and the same mannerisms no matter if you have a monster hand or you're bluffing," he continues. "That's not necessarily easy, especially when you're playing for a million dollars. I think that's one of my assets."
Formidable poker face notwithstanding, there's one thought in particular that must be dominating his head these days-- something roughly akin to "Yippee!"
That's because-- thanks to his poker skills-- Hutter can now also count a cool million bucks among his assets. On November 17, he walked away from the World Poker Finals tournament at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut with second place standing and a check for $973,256.
Somehow, though, he still doesn't consider himself a pro, despite the fact that his recent wins qualify him for the Professional Poker Tour, where sponsors provide the prize money so players don't have to ante up $10,000 to play.
"I don't think my wife is going to let me do it," he says. "It'd be hard to quit my day job."
Hutter, whose day job is chief financial officer of the Charlottesville-based Pro-Tax chain of tax-prep and refund centers, doesn't always seem to know quite how to handle his newfound success. That might be because it sort of took him by surprise.
Prior to this year, he had no tournament experience whatsoever. Now Cardplayer.com ranks Hutter #16 in the world with two tournament victories and year-to-date winnings of $1,242,255.
While he declined the Hook's entreaties for a photograph, his shyness won't stop him from hitting the poker circuit with everything he's got.
"I've already got a plane ticket and a hotel room for the World Series [of Poker] this year," he says.
At the World Series-- slated for June and July at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas-- the usual game is No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em. That's fine with Hutter: It's his favorite variant.
"I'm more practiced at it," he says. "With no limit, you can bet all your chips at any one time. That element of the game really changes everything up."
Of his recent haul, he says, "That whole day at Foxwoods, I never really got very good cards. I was having to play with my chips rather than my cards."
Yikes. If you had assumed that a terrible hand could keep this guy down, go fish.
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Poker handheld to be launched
A handheld poker game is to be launched this week, cashing in on the gambling game’s growing trend. No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em has been created by Saitek Industries, allowing users to experience the popular poker version through a portable device. A favourite with veterans and beginners, Texas hold ‘em offers the perfect balance of chance and strategy that was considered perfect for the new game. 'We have been closely watching the poker craze and especially the popularity of Texas hold 'em,' said Saitek executive Bill McMahon. Mr. McMahon also drew attention to the unit’s unique features, including a poker table-shaped screen and a variety of realistic sound effects. Retailing at $50, the game will be released in the new year.
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Poker going legit?
Chapel Hill's Mike Matsinger likes to play poker with his son, Michael.
"We played 13 hands," Mike said. "And my son won 12 of them. He's played in four on-line tournaments and won two."
Poker whiz Michael is 4.
"Poker has come out of the basement," says daddy Mike.
Has it ever. A deceptively simple game called Texas Hold 'Em has become the next Big Thing. Two years ago, most Las Vegas casinos didn't even offer poker because there was no way to rig the game so the house always won. Now casinos take a cut of each pot, and poker is exploding across the country.
In Durham, a businessman has filed suit to get poker declared a game of skill rather than luck, which could make it legal to operate the state's first poker parlor. The Cherokee-owned casino in the mountains is looking to put in 24 poker tables next year. Poker is on television almost every night.
Pat Diamond, manager at Raleigh's Ri Ra Irish pub, is a busy man on the Monday night before Thanksgiving. It's time for the weekly Texas Hold 'Em tournament, and things are hectic on what was once the bar's slowest night of the week.
"We've got 80 people signed up for a 7 o'clock tournament and 70 for 10 o'clock," he says, scanning the makeshift poker tables crammed into every nook and cranny. "That's at least twice what we expected."
Technically, there's no gambling in the poker tournaments taking the Triangle by storm. Players neither bet nor win real money. They play with chips for points and prestige only, sort of like playing backyard marbles for funsies. That keeps it legal.
"It's the challenge," says player Steve Ransom, who last week was points leader in both the local and national standings. "I just like the competition."
Matsinger, owner of a software company, is making a business out of tournament poker. For a fee, local taverns can put on games as part of his "World Tavern Poker Tournament." Bars in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham and Wilmington have signed on, as have clubs in New Jersey and Kentucky.
Tournament poker is a different world from the musty basements and cluttered garages where guys have long gathered for their tribal rituals. Two of three finalists at Ri Ra on Monday night were women, as was the eventual winner.
That's part of poker's allure. I could practice a jump shot for 10 years and never be good enough to compete against a high school point guard. But as long as I have a chip, a chair, a little skill and some luck, I've got a shot at winning. In 2003, a rank amateur beat the best professional poker players in the world and took home the $2.5 million championship at the World Series of Poker.
Who knows how long the poker fad will last. Twenty years ago, you couldn't walk into a North Raleigh bar without somebody shoving a backgammon board in your face. Then came Trivial Pursuit as a way to pack the house on slow nights. Now its poker. So this, too, shall pass.
Meanwhile, I wouldn't want to be the judge who has to decide whether poker in North Carolina is a game of luck or skill. Anyone who plays it already knows the true answer.
When you win, it's skill.
When you lose, it's luck.
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2004 Toys for Tots Poker Fun Run to be held Dec. 5
The 2004 Toys for Tots Poker Fun Run will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 12 noon to mid-afternoon at DeLoach's Tires in Lamar, CO.
Motorcycles, classic, cool and antique cars and others are all welcome to participate. The Poker Run will cost $5 per hand, and half of the profit from the run goes to the winner of the Poker Run, while the other half goes to Toys for Tots. Those attending are encouraged to bring a new or clean used toy as well.
Donations will be accepted and the profit will go to Toys for Tots.
Chili will be served, and other activities will be held.
For more information call Ron Cook at 336-3205 or 336-2009.
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Celebrities will compete in Monte Carlo Poker Championship
Ben Affleck and British singer Robbie Williams are going head-to-head in a star-studded $1.3m poker competition.
Celebrity poker players from around the world will go to Monte Carlo next March to scoop the big money jackpot in a competition which has been described as the European version of the World Poker Series.
The Daredevil actor and Angels singer are first to sign for the big game, but The Bourne Identity star Matt Damon and Moulin Rouge! beauty Nicole Kidman are also tipped to take part.
The stars will join other famous names from the world of sport, music and film and seasoned poker professionals and amateurs. Heartthrob Affleck is a strong contender after scooping a $360,000 (€271,560) prize by winning the California State Poker Championship in June.
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Highschool football season over. Teens to play Poker as passtime!
Many young people have become avid players of Texas Hold 'Em and other poker games.It's a trend sparked by celebrities and professionals playing poker on T-V.
But gambling opponents wonder if some teens -- and the adults who let them play -- are taking it too far. Some parents have heeded the warning, cutting back on casino nights at after-prom parties and other events.
Now that his high school football season is over, 18-year-old Zak Coppinger of Austin has been playing poker every chance he can get.
With his mom's blessing, he's turned the family dining room, complete with green walls and a chandelier, into a poker parlor for himself and his buddies. He also keeps a deck of cards at school so he can play impromptu games during class or lunch.
Zak says -- "It's better than homework, I can tell you that." University of Pennsylvania researcher Dan Romer worries about kids who take gambling too far.
Romer directs research at the Adolescent Risk Communications Institute at Penn's Annenberg Public Policy Center. He says teen gambling should be monitored, at least.
He oversaw the 2003 Annenberg National Risk Survey of Youth. That found about eight percent of the young people surveyed showed signs of having a gambling problem.Update: Yes, if you or one of your family-members or a friend has problems with playing games like casino-games, use the Link to get information from the Institute. Best help is talking with kids, using the offered securities of the Browsers (but if they play elsewhere?), strict planning of "online and offline" - time. And what about the violent computer-games, violence in TV? Can playing Poker "for free" be a better solution, online with friends in an own poker-room? Think about, and thanks for the comments.
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Negreanu Joins Cast of Poker Updates Streaming TV Show
Celebrity poker player Daniel Negreanu has joined the cast of the streaming TV Show "Poker Updates," located at http://www.pokerupdates.com/.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) November 29, 2004 -- Poker Updates, the Internet's first and only magazine style streaming poker TV show, has added poker celebrity Daniel Negreanu to its cast. The announcement was made by Poker Updates executives earlier today.Negreanu, who is estimated to have won over three million dollars at the poker tables this year, will offer his tips to the poker world during Poker Updates broadcasts in a segment called "Daniel's Corner."
"What makes Daniel's Corner unique is that Daniel will not be offering the typical how to play better poker information. Instead, he will be offering tips on how to lead a better poker lifestyle," said the show's producer Eric Rosenberg. Some of Negreanu's segments will include his insight on drinking while playing, maintaning a social life, and borrowing money. About Daniel Negreanu Daniel is considered to be one of the top tournament and cash game players in the world. He has won more major tournaments than any other player in the circuit since 1997 with 25 first place finishes.About Poker UpdatesPoker Updates is the Internet's first and only streaming poker TV show. Each episode takes you into the world of poker by diving into the most newsworthy and entertaining aspects of the game. The current episode has been the subject of several news articles due to the controversial feature story that deals with online poker and the law. Poker Updates can be seen in its entirety at http://www.pokerupdates.com/. For more information, contact Bob Van Court at (228) 365-7084 .
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Poker Games win young fans
Poker, for good or evil, wins young fans The same name kept popping up in conversations. "Talk to Jason," they would say. "He's the best." That would be Jason Modar. College student. Pizza delivery guy. Dedicated boyfriend. Christian. Gambler ... There you come to a screeching halt. Did you say Christian? Gambler?
Ky Dally did. A senior at Vacaville's Will C. Wood High School, he gathers once a week, either on Friday or Saturday night, with about 10 young men to play poker. Usually Texas Hold'em. And Modar is the star. Modar's a relative novice to the game, like most of his friends. He started playing in February after watching a rerun of ESPN's broadcast of the "World Series of Poker" from Las Vegas. He wasn't the only one watching. Ask any of his playing partners if they know who Chris Moneymaker is, and they will tell he's the 2003 World Series of Poker champion. They will also tell you what his winning hand was - a full house. Poker, Texas Hold'em particularly, is hot among teens and young male adults. So hot that many teens play weekly tournaments. And usually, cash betting is part of the game. Bed Bath & Beyond recently dedicated the first four pages of an advertising supplement to gambling gifts, mainly for poker players. It isn't the only retail store cashing in on the craze. Most of the teens playing poker own their own poker tables, professional chips and cards. Your own Poker Room? Click here. More: thereporter.comBy Greg Trott/Features Writer
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