Duke’s Win Steals Attention From Rousso’s Rise

At least for now, Annie Duke is arguably a hotter lady player than Vanessa Rousso.

The former Celebrity Apprentice runner-up Annie Duke was out to redeem herself after her prior NHUPC 1-5 record.  Winning the NHUPC title, Duke takes home $500,000.  She becomes the first female winner in NHUPC history, while also reasserting herself as poker’s most prominent woman a year after GoDaddy poker babe Vanessa Rousso seemed poised to start staking such a claim with her second-place finish in the NHUPC. Duke demonstrated her respect of Rousso with some strong words of praise for despite Rousso’s early elimination this year.

“I got to play with Vanessa on Day 2 of the LAPC and boy, that girl can play poker,” said Duke. “She does some amazing things. She did some things I wish I could do. I learned a lot from playing with her during much of Day 2. Vanessa had one of the best years in poker last year and there’s not many players that can be on the same level as her.”

2010 NHUPC Features Rousso, Tilly, and Annette_15 Among Babes

Poker Babe Clonie Loses $40,000,000 Pot

Things Get Uglier for Clonie Gowan vs Full Tilt Poker

Clonie Gowen, who filed suit in November of 2008 after she was released from her contract, claims that she was offered a 1% stake in FTP, which would entitle her to a return of approximately $40 million. She must think she’s Michael Jordan.  FTP has sued Clonie requesting that she make a statement disavowing her claim of owning any stake in the company.

Clonie signed on with Team Full Tilt in May, 2004. Allegedly, the 1% offer came during a meeting in Phil Ivey’s Golden Nugget suite presided over by FTP big shot Howard Lederer. The 1% was offered as payment for future promotional services, including her representation of Full Tilt at live tournaments and events.  Again, she’s a good poker player and she’s hot, but she ain’t no Michael Jordan!

She may lose this fight since there is nothing on paper. In addition to suing Tiltware, LLC, she also sued the Full Tilters Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius.

So what lesson can be learned here? When signing on for a new position, always get the details in writing!