November 7th is a date many pokerheads have outlined in red on their calendars; after weeks of anticipation it marks the start - or re-start - of the World Series of Poker action, specifically the final table climax in which nine finalists battle it out.

In an interesting parallel story to the Kentucky hearings, LexisNexis Butterworths reported on a legal preemptive strike through its domain name registrar but clearly aimed at the state of Kentucky - before a British court!

The Poker Players Alliance has issued a statement applauding the latest developments in a case in which five South Carolina poker players appear to have won the skill vs. luck argument, ultimately defeating charges of unlawful gambling.

The respected Wall Street Journal reports that political and legislative moves are afoot in Hungary to legalise and tax online and land poker, with plans to initially raise some €1 million in tax revenues from live poker alone.

The rumours flying around the online gambling industry recently that Party Gaming plc was about to make an offer for World Poker Tour Enterprises have been confirmed by a company announcement that a deal is in progress.

Online poker giant Ultimatebet recently paid out some $22 million in compensation to players prejudiced by the shocking hole card cheating scandal at the site allegedly led by former WSOP champ Russ Hamilton.

65-year-old Abraham Korotki has a thicker skin - or more courage - than most, entering the $300 buy-in Ladies Event at Borgata in Atlantic City and going on to win the $20,892 main prize despite the cool reception he received.

Like most other media and analyst estimations, InfoPowa underestimated the value of the Italian gambling group Gioco Digitale earlier this month in reports on its acquisition by Bwin. Reuters has released the real numbers this week, and they make interesting reading.

Tokwiro Enterprises, parent company of the Absolute Poker and UltimateBet online poker operations, has commented on the final report on cheating scandals involving the sites issued last Friday by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

In Denmark, earning a living from playing poker is illegal, even if online poker games are offered from outside the Scandinavian country, a Supreme Court ruling found this week.