Absolute Poker Book, Majestic HPT Stop, Selbst in Advocate

Absolute Poker Book Release Set for May

Ben Mezrich is the author of famed books like “Bringing Down the House” and “The Accidental Billionaires,” both of which became films. His latest book is called “Straight Flush” and is due out in May.

“Straight Flush” is about the rise and fall of Absolute Poker as told in the story of the two University of Montana friends who built a business that eventually earned more than $1 million per day. Many in the poker community asked Mezrich to include the story of the AP/Ultimate Poker scandal, but the official description of the book doesn’t mention it. Readers will have to wait until the May 28 release to find out.

Majestic Star Return Added to HPT Schedule

The Heartland Poker Tour announced its return to the Majestic Star Casino & Hotel in August 2013. The popular stop has hosted the HPT 12 times thus far, and Director of Operations claims the Gary, Indiana, casino has been integral in building the HPT.

With previous stops at Majestic Star having offered prize pools of more than $800K, HPT looks for another grand turnout when it returns on August 9 for ten days of satellite and Main Event action.

Selbst Featured in “The Advocate”

“The Advocate” is a well-respected print and online publication that covers the LGBT community, and it recently published its “40 Under 40” section to highlight people who are accomplished leaders in their fields and the “architects of the next decade.” Vanessa Selbst was chosen as one of them.

Listed as a professional poker player, Selbst is described as the game’s top-earning woman with over $7 million in earnings thus far. The article notes, “Selbst is proud to be the first out LGBT poker player, but she says gender and sexuality matter little at the table. The Yale Law School grad began working with clinics devoted to LGBT rights, which she plans to soon take up full-time.”