On this page we've listed summaries of the most important news events of October 2005
Betfair may extend Cryptologic poker license to January 2007
October 30, 2005 - The Canadian Press reports that Betfair provides as much as a tenth of the Toronto software company's revenue but that, "It is expected there will be no material effect on CryptoLogic's 2005 and 2006 results" as a result of Betfair's previously announced plan to develop its own poker software and cancel its arrangement with CryptoLogic's WagerLogic licensing subsidiary. CryptoLogic shares fell 17 per cent in one day in August after the company disclosed it could lose Betfair as a customer in early 2006.
Crown Australian Poker Championship gets bigger
October 30, 2005 - CelebPoker.com says that when the current World Series of Poker replays have ended the world will look to Australia in January 2006 for the most exciting poker event to ever take place outside the US.
2006 World Series of Poker starts June 25, 2006 at the Rio
October 30, 2005 - Players can expect more publicity buildup ahead following this week's announcement from Harrah's Entertainment on the details for the 2006 World Series of Poker event.
Poker Zone moves to SKY 843
October 30, 2005 - Pokerzone is about to move to SKY Channel 843 to become part of the new Gaming and Dating section of the SKY programme guide.
CIRSA to host WSoP satellites in Latin America
October 30, 2005 - The giant CIRSA leisure and entertainment empire will be helping spread the word, and the WSOP satellite tournaments action, in Latin America this year following an agreement signed this week with the World Series of Poker owners, Harrah's Entertainment.
Pacific Poker introduces new turbo poker games
October 23, 2005 - Introduced earlier this month, the new turbo poker tables at Pacific Poker.com are proving popular, judging by posts on several fora and general player comments.
Howard Lederer to coach mobile phone users in Texas Hold'em
October 23, 2005 - A major US wireless company and a mobile media technology specialist have joined forces with one of the top personalities in poker, Howard "The Professor" Lederer to coach mobile phone users in Texas Hold'em.
WSOP, Harrah's and AOL to create major cyberspace poker venue
October 23, 2005 - US gambling whale Harrahs Entertainment joined forces this week with AOL to build a co-branded cyberspace home for the popular World Series of Poker tournament and its associated interest groups.
Poker Academy sponsors Fantasy Poker League
October 23, 2005 - Although only launched earlier this month, Poker Academy's Texas Hold 'Em 2 training software has been recognized as the exclusive training software sponsor for the Fantasy Poker League.
Caesars Palace to host National Heads-Up Poker Championship
October 23, 2005 - Harrah's Entertainment has announced that the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, which brings together 64 of the world's best players competing in a unique one-on-one, single-elimination, bracket-style format, will move to Caesars Palace starting in 2006.
World Poker Tour plans to expand internationally
October 15, 2005 - Can the sensational success of the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) be duplicated around the world -- with local nuances, in languages as diverse as Chinese, Russian and Arabic?
PartyGaming CEO says growth of poker market is moderating
October 15, 2005 - Party Gaming has released its first interim report this week, covering the six months to end June 2005 - its first since listing on the London Exchange earlier this year.
Poker Network rebranded as Ongame Network
October 15, 2005 - Top Swedish gambling software provider Ongame has announced that it is introducing a new name and greater gaming diversity to its global poker network. Formerly titled Poker Network, the operation hosts almost 4 million regular poker players, mainly under Ongame subsidiary Poker Room.com.
PartyGaming skins in trouble?
October 15, 2005 - Speculation on the Internet was rife this week at the news that PartyGaming subsidiary PartyPoker was to shed it's client "skins" as part of a strategy to build a new, fully integrated PartyGaming site.
Noble Poker offers $100 Million for a Royal Flush
October 15, 2005 - Recent publicity from Noble Poker.com has raised the eyebrows of industry observers with its eyecatching claim that it can fund a reward of $100 million in an upcoming tournament.
DB Dealer combines dealer button and blind timer
October 15, 2005 - The phenomenal rise in the popularity of poker has spawned the development of some easy-to-use new inventions, including the DB Dealer.
Exclusive Fox Poker Club to Open in Mayfair, London
October 9, 2005 - An up market, member's only poker club is set to open its doors in Mayfair, central London, in early 2006. The Fox Poker Club, as it will be called, has applied to the Gaming Board of Great Britain for a Casino License which will make it London's first fully licensed card room.
William Hill Grandprix features Antonio Esfandiari
October 9, 2005 - Antonio Esfandiari, aka "The Magician" headlines a world class line-up in the inaugural William Hill Grand Prix, as the American poker Ace looks set to weave his spell over Europes best players in the £450,000 ($800,000) tournament.
Charity event: 65 Roses Texas Hold'em Poker Challenge
October 9, 2005 - The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced their upcoming 65 Roses Texas Holdem Poker Challenge, a three-day, celebrity-studded poker tournament and fundraising event November 1-3, 2005 at the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa in Cabazon, CA.
InterPoker announces Caribbean Poker Classic
October 9, 2005 - Win a seat at the Caribbean Poker Classic 2005 with InterPoker worth $10,000. The coveted prize package includes nine-nights in the charming and tropical island of St. Kitts at the five-star St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino from November 25-December 4th. This year, the estimated prize pool is $2,500,000!
New US poker show PokerBeat to air soon
October 9, 2005 - Pokerbeat, a fresh new U.S. television show, is in the final stages of production in Las Vegas according to an announcement this week.
Mobile poker updates
October 9, 2005 - Mobile Poker from Diamond I Mobile gaming has another contender, it would appear from business media reports this week.
Superior poker sets up charity tournament site
October 9, 2005 - Look out for Poker Fundraiser.org, a new site designed to assist in fund-raising for the needy which has been put together by Superior Poker.com.
Poker is the new Golf
October 9, 2005 - The popularity of poker as an exciting social game has been identified by an American executive entertainment company as a great platform for some CEO promotions.
Brit Chef wins $1 Million at Paradise Poker Freeroll Tourney
October 2, 2005 - Lee Biddulph, a 28 year-old british chef from Blackpool, took home one million dollars after battling with 3,900 other players in Paradise Poker's first Million Dollar Freeroll tournament this week. According to Paradise Poker the online tournament was the largest online ever, and even better, entry into the tourney was absolutely free.
Bluff Magazine to feature on Jim Feist's Proline TV show
October 2, 2005 - Bluff Magazine has added two well-known poker experts to it's growing staff of columnists: Mike Caro and Phil "Unabomber" Laak. It also signed a content partnership deal with Jim Feist's Proline, America's longest running sports handicapping TV show.
BetOnSports joins the Tribeca Tables Network
October 2, 2005 - BetonSports plc, one of the world's largest gaming companies employing more than 2,500 people, re-launched it's poker rooms, BOSPoker.com and Millpoker.com, on the Tribeca Tables Network. Following the launch it reported an immediate 60 percent rise in poker revenues.