News and notes

Just thought I'd share a few bits of interesting information I've stumbled across. First up, we have another way to follow the action at WSOP main event:

CardPlayer.com to host streaming audio from WSOP final table

CardPlayer.com, the go-to source for comprehensive World Series of Poker event coverage and analysis, announces its most exciting feature yet: live streaming audio with top poker pros.

Poker superstars including Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Erick Lindgren and Jennifer Harman will provide hand by hand coverage at http://www.cardplayer.com/audio from the World Series of Poker final table. Live audio coverage begins Friday, July 15th at 2 p.m.

Then we have this, as if there aren't enough poker instructional products flooding the market already:

Phil Gordon releases poker instructional DVD

Phil Gordon, a professional poker player who has won in excess of $1.3 million in tournament play and is one of only four multi-time winners on the World Poker Tour, announced this week the release of his instructional DVD, "Final Table Poker with Phil Gordon." Released by EXPERT INSIGHT, and available exclusively online (http://expertinsight.com/), the DVD is designed as the first in a series of titles where leading experts -- from chess to NASCAR -- share their thoughts on winning strategies in sports.

"My impression of the titles currently available on the subject of poker is that they are dry, visually uninteresting and often even torturous to watch by even the most diehard of fans," said Gordon in making the announcement. "My goal with this project was to take an entirely different approach to instructional videos by bringing an inventive, entertaining and theatrical-quality approach to teaching the winning ways of Texas Hold'em. In the process, I've realized that the Expert Insight approach can transfer perfectly to almost any category. We see this as the first of many titles to come."

Imagine yourself at the final table of a high stakes game of Texas Hold'em. Seated around you are some of the best players in the world. "Final Table Poker with Phil Gordon" allows the viewer to go inside the mind of a top professional as you play along with Phil Gordon, feel the pressure and excitement of tournament play, and see and hear how winning decisions are made. From preflop play, flop, turn, river, bluffs, pot odds and tells, all aspects of winning strategy are covered in the groundbreaking instructional DVD.

Added Executive Producer Rafe Furst: "Working on the production of the 'Final Table Poker with Phil Gordon,' I had the opportunity to reinforce Phil's concepts through repeatedly watching the material from production to completion. As a result, it immediately elevated my game. I finished in the money three times at this year's World Series of Poker -- a first for me -- and I recently won a nationally televised 'Ultimate Poker Challenge' tournament. I can think of no better endorsement."

BONUS WHORE ALERT: Actually, this is a few days old and I don't know how anyone could have escaped seeing it already, but just in case you missed it, here's the biggest signup bonus I've seen yet:

For all the Hollywood hopefuls and promising poker players dreaming of their big breaks, Hollywood Poker is offering a 500 percent bonus, up to $1,000 on a player's first deposit. In order to qualify, players must create a Hollywood Poker account using the promotional code "HP1000" and make their first Real Money deposit up to $200.

Hollywood Poker is offering this bonus as a reward for new players signing up to truly make them feel like a star. The bonus is ideal for mid-to-high stakes players, as this bonus is released in $50 increments as they play on the site. This is just one way of thanking players for their ongoing support of Hollywood Poker as the site continues to grow.

In order to acquire the bonus money, players need to play for Real Money at Hollywood Poker and start earning Poker Points. The release of the bonus is directly based on the number of Poker Points earned over 60 days. In addition to the cash bonus you will receive a free Red Carpet Tournament ticket just for making a deposit.