If you’re looking for a last-ditch effort to play in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, we’ve got a unique solution for you. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the one million member strong lobbying group for the poker industry, is offering one lucky player the chance to compete in what promises to be one of the largest tournaments ever held. Last year, Danish poker pro Peter Eastgate pocketed $9.1 million by virtue of taking down the title and besting Russian player Ivan Demidov heads-up. New Premium Members of the PPA and those who renew their year-long memberships will be entered into a drawing for a $10,000 Main Event seat. The cost of the upgrade is an affordable $20.That’s not a typo. For $20, you have a legitimate chance to take home a seat in the 2009 WSOP Main Event. The PPA’s offer only covers the seat, so you’ll need to make your way to Sin City and front the cost for hotel while you’re there. The offer is good for both no-cost members who upgrade to the Premium version and Premium Members who extend for one year prior to June 15th. Only players over the age of 21 are eligible to enter and the winner will be announced on June 16th at Noon ET. An e-mail sent to PPA members encouraged those on the fence to donate $20 and further the game in the United States: “By supporting the PPA, you are not only dealing yourself into a seat at the Main Event, you are also contributing to the fight to defend and promote the game of poker.”
In addition to the possibility of winning a $10,000 seat into the Main Event, Premium Members also have access to PPA Advantages, a program that provides discounts at major retailers like Meineke, Target, Quiznos, Buy.com, Blockbuster, and Cinemark movie theaters. Over $2,000 in savings annually is on the line at a total of 600 merchants. This isn’t like a rewards card where you have to earn points in order to receive discounts. Instead, the savings are instantaneous, meaning more money in your pocket. Of course, if you win the multi-million dollar first place prize at the WSOP, you can probably just open your own Quiznos.
Premium PPA members also receive a window decal, card protector, and discounts on gear. Paying members have access to the PPA’s Litigation Network, which connects poker players in need of legal counsel with local pre-qualified lawyers. The Litigation Network has helped defend poker players in Colorado and South Carolina. Cases in both states are currently in appeal. The PPA fronted the cost for Professor Robert Hannum from the University of Denver to appear in Colorado and South Carolina to present the results of a study by Cigital and PokerStars revealing that poker is a game of skill. The PPA also dispatched World Poker Tour (WPT) Host Mike Sexton to South Carolina to show how the process of betting and bluffing won pots in the tournament series’ events, not just the cards that the players held.
The PPA is based in Washington, D.C. and broke the one million member mark just over one year ago. It is Chaired by former three-term Republican Senator from New York, Alfonse D’Amato (pictured at left) who joined the organization in March of 2007. Recently, the PPA was intricately involved in the introduction of Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA) Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, which establishes a framework for legalized and regulated internet gambling (and online poker) in the United States. The bill is numbered HR 2267 and currently has 23 co-sponsors from 14 states. On the same day that HR 2267 was unveiled to the world, Frank also introduced HR 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act. The bill would delay the implementation of the regulations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) for one year. As is stands now, the financial services industry must fall into line by December 1st.Free memberships to the PPA are available and include e-mail action alerts delivered to your inbox, newsletters featuring sound strategy advice from Team PokerStars Pro member Daniel Negreanu, and the ability to post on the site’s forums. The PPA has members in all 50 states. Visit PokerPlayersAlliance.org. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see you in Las Vegas!
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