Poker: Dwan vs. Antonius update

It's been two months since Tom Dwan and Patrik Antonius last tangled in their epic 50 000 hand, million dollar online poker challenge, which is almost at the halfway mark. This week the two got it together again in a fast-moving multi-table clash that saw almost 800 more hands played...and Antonius generally had the better of it.

It all took place at Full Tilt Poker as expectant railbirds waited for the arrival of Martonas for another big-money session, but were disappointed - the mystery high-roller did not appear. Instead, Antonius challenged Dwan to another round of the Challenge, and found a willing opponent.

Two and a half hours later, almost 7.5 million dollars had crossed the four tables being played, and Antonius was up $400 000; not enough to unseat Dwan, who at $334 199 remains ahead overall in the Challenge, but certainly depressing for Dwan.

You can watch them play for free. Just open up a free player account here.

The cards were just not with the Internet poker ace, who managed to win only one of the large pots - for $224 000 - and really struggled in the session.

According to the independent stats site MarketPulse, the latest Challenge statistics are:

* Total amount wagered in the challenge so far: $165 553 853
* Amount durrrr is ahead: $334 199
* Total hands played so far: 21 442
* Percentage of challenge completed: 43%

Cryptologic 14 top games to be provided to Loto-Quebec - 02/08/2012 : The companies have signed a multi-year agreement that will see Cryptologic providing a portfolio of quality games to the Societe du jeu virtuel du Quebec, the online gaming division of the provincial state lottery corporation Loto-Quebec, known as Espacejeux.

Utah : Online Gambling : HB108 - 02/08/2012 : An intrastate attempt by Utah politician Stephen Sandstrom to introduce state legislation banning any legalisation of internet gambling has failed at the start gate.

MORE U.S. DISCUSSION ON INTERNET GAMBLING DUE THIS WEEK - 02/08/2012 : Interest in online gambling in the United States is set to continue on Thursday this week when the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs meets to hear the views of a wide cross section of interested parties on the possible impact of legalised internet gambling on tribal gaming.

Judge wont dismiss DoJ Black Friday charges - 02/08/2012 : Former Utah banker John Campos and e-processor Chad Elie, who face charges relating to the payment processing of online poker transactions, suffered a setback Tuesday when a Manhattan judge refused to allow their motion for dismissal of Black Friday indictments against them.

ANOTHER MAJOR INTERNET GAMBLING BUST IN MALAYSIA - 02/08/2012 : Police units in Malaysia raided a series of premises in a week long anti-online gambling operation, seizing 225 computers and detaining 47 men, according to reports from the Bernama news agency. All of the detained men were later released on bail.