Poker Celebrities : Anne Duke

 

Anne LaBarr Lederer-Duke better known as Annie Duke was born on September 13, 1965. Annie Duke is a professional poker player and also a book author. Annie won a bracelet in the 2004 World Series of Poker $2,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Event and was the winner of the 2004 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, where she earned the Winner-Take-All prize of $2,000,000. At the time, this victory was the most money paid in a single event to a female poker player. That record was broken by Annette Obrestad during the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event.

Annie holds the women's record for most "in the money" finishes at the WSOP. Duke has won more than three million dollars in tournament play. Nowadays she refuses to play in women's only tournaments . As of 2009 Annie Dukes total live tournament winnings exceeded $3,600,000. Her 37 cashes at the WSOP account for $1,136,846 of those winnings.

Annie Duke became the first poker player to appear on The Colbert Report. During the show, she talked about her book How I Raised, Folded, Bluffed, Flirted, Cursed, and Won Millions at The World Series of Poker; and what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated event. Annie Duke Takes on the World featuring Annie playing against amateur poker players was shown on Game Show Network (GSN) in 2006.

Other television appearances include Annie Dukes appearance as a member of the Mob (NBC) where she correctly answered every question and was the only celebrity who wasn't eliminated. She returned and was successful on another fe occasions before returning on February 9 2007 under "Last Man Standing" rules where the game continued until only one person remained. She survived to reach the final five of 100 contestants.

Annie Duke has appeared on NBC's Poker After Dark three times but has not won, Deal Or No Deal to support a contestant who, after taking a $341,000 deal from the bank with only two cases left, found her case number 13 had the $1,000,000.

Along with Phil Hellmuth Jr., Duke is a coach on Fox Sports Network's Best Damn Poker Show.

Lastly she appeared on the Donald Trump reality television show, Celebrity Apprentice. Throughout the season, each celebrity raised money for a charity of his or her choice. Duke raised more money for her charity (Refugees International) than any other contestant. Of the field of 16 competitors, Duke survived to compete in the finale against her primary rival throughout the show, Joan Rivers.

As for her poker game and cash play, it is assumed that Annie Duke is one hell of a money maker and probably the best female poker player the world has seen to date.

Horse Racing

Horse Racing is one of the most ancient sports, its roots date back to the prehistoric nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia who first domesticated the horse around about 4500 BC. Since then, Horse Racing flourished as the sport of kings and the nobility. In recent times it has become a novelty for many, both as a sport a well as a means of gaining revenue and rewards.

Horse racing was for centuries, a sport fit only for the Royals and the Elite classes of society, the Middle classes had neither the means nor the access to such luxuries. The recent booming economy coupled together with the growth of the middle class has brought Horse Racing to the so called ‘common man’.

With the extensive increase in fan following horse racing has found a place ‘in the hearts of many’ or rather in the ‘wallets of many’. The most recent developments in Horse Racing include the introduction of online betting. Along with the sport, the betting has also evolved with people wagering huge amounts in order to win big.

Horse racing is legal in almost all countries and must be held in accordance with the laws of the respective states. Most countries look to regulate the sport rather then ban it altogether as it serves as a vital means of revenue for the Government in terms of taxes and other receivables. Therefore Horse racing serves not only as a means of betting but also is a source of income to the governments as well.

Horse racing has become a truly global sport and the leading sportsbooks offer comprehensive racebooks. The horse racing betting market today is huge and is constantly getting bigger. Kentucky Derby, Epsom Derby, to name a few, attract record number of crowds.

So, if you are a first timer or a seasoned punter, the thrill of horse race betting will never cease to amaze you.