Another Harvard Blog

In the world of poker, Rail is a line which divides the players from audience. The audience are not allowed to cross this line until they are legally permitted to do so. Railbird is also a very common term in the poker world. The poker table owners usually place their tables in high traffic areas so they can attract more and more tourists to watch the game. Tournaments are one of the biggest things in gambling world which are able to attract thousands of railbirds. The recent world poker tournament was also able to attract many railbirds but there was only one tournament in the whole poker history which attracted hundreds of thousands of railbirds.
This tournament was the WPT Championship 2004 in which every best poker player of the world tool part. The same case is with World Series of Poker main event which is just like a delicious food for the tourists and they were want to miss this. Poker has attracted many tourists from all over the world and that is the reason why every country wants the poker world tournament in its country as it is a big income for few months for that country.
The railbird thing is always happening all around the world at different poker tables but you won’t be able to see thousands of tourists all at one place. To gather them, the poker game must be interesting and the good player must be participating in the game, because no one likes to see a game which is empty of good poker players. It is said the the upcoming poker event in US will attract many tourists and will surely increase the profit of the game.
If you are still unsure that what exactly railbird means then you can search for it over the Internet as it is very common term for poker players but others might find it new. It is said that the next world poker series event will attract break the history record and will be able to attract the most tourists from major countries like Russia, France and US. Most of them will be from Europe.

Ilari “Ziigmund” Sahamies faced some big losses this month in the online poker.  The high-stakes cash games faced some changes this month. There were $500,000 pots, $400,000 “flips” and some heavy losses just for one person. On the other hand other persons like Ashton and David were able to collect huge money in their bank account.

Ilari was not playing very well from the start when David and him sat on the table for a session of mixed limit hold’em. Although at the start both of them were able to make more than $200,00 from the no limit hold’em. But later the game went in the favor of Dabid and Ilari was left behind.

There are many other interesting things happening in this game as the 20 year old Ashton was able to collect more than $3.5 in his bank account within two months. He is considered the best player of the whole summer of 2009. Later during the game Ilari again started facing some major problems and he had to return some chips claimed by Griffin. Ilari is considered the most intelligent player when he is about to loose. Before loosing he shows some simply tricks to make other players all-in and the flip the cards. This trick is of a very little benefit to him but it surely affects other people a lot.

At the end of the day the stats were really shocking as some good players were also facing the negative numbers. Ilari, despite of playing good at many times earned -$339,000. Tom Dwan was also unable to make the money and went home with -$260,000. Other players who sucussfully won hundreds of thousands of dollars were:

Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin (+$609,000), David Benyamine (+$431,000), Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond (+$334,000). These players were the only ones who earned something in positive.

This online full-tilt poker is gaining importance day by day and more and more people are joining. The reason for it being so famous is that it is easy to play and you have much to win and less to loose. So people prefer it over other poker games. This game can be played both online and offline. Ilari was really unhappy with what happened with him because everything was so much unexpected in this game. Ashton was the player who won the most of the money.

The state investigators of Philadelphia started the mission to seize the illegal video-poker machine distribution network. The Philadelphia investigators were successful to some extent as they were able to seize hundreds of poker machines from different areas like warehouses. The person who placed the video poker machines in the warehouses was found guilty for his crime but wasn’t arrested. His name was Curtis Arbitman. Curtis Arbitman spoke to the investigators through his lawyer Arnold Silverstein. After seizing the machines in warehouses, the investigators also seized all the remaining video-poker machines which belonged to Curtis Arbitman.

Most of the investigators were also on the team which built loan-sharking case. All the video poker machines owned by Curtis Arbitman were not licensed and were seized because they were considered illegal. The involvement of mob in the distribution of video-poker machines couldn’t be determined. Video-poker machines are being used from last several years as money makers from criminals. The major bars like Colanzi’s and Quattro were also raided yesterday by FBI and investigators, many of the illegal poker machines were found there too. Many of the machines found in the warehouses and bars which were marked as illegal were having a sticker on them “For Amusement Only” however, the sticker was removed by the investigators before presenting the machines to the court. The investigators pasted the “Evidence” sticker over the amusement sticker.

Keeping poker machines in family areas in considered illegal in Philadelphia and that was the reason for seizing the machine that were found in Quattro because Quattro advertises itself as an area for Food, Fun and Family. After being seized, the poker machines were placed on the sidewalks for the trucks to pick them up and deliver to the station. One of the major bosses of the mob Ralph Natale admitted that he was involved in this poker business; it was a huge revenue source for him. Many other Bosses like Jospeh were also found guilty. This act of the law of seizing the video poker machines have made a lot of changes in the gambling world as many other poker businessmen have been warned to stop illegal activates or action will be taken against them. The few hours spent by the investigators from 9:00 am in the morning till the evening turned very fruitful and they were successful in controlling the illegal usage of video-poker machines.

As nowadays many write about leadership and its qualities, Dr. Mintzberg who is the professor of management studies at McGill University has interest in writing about managers as he is studying about that seriously and of course he is a well known management scholar.

Dr. Mintzberg did his work of study on managers in his early age itself. In 1973, a book called “The Nature of Managerial Works” was published by him, based on his doctoral dissertation at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Recently he came up with a book called “Managing” which deals with the subject in a more efficient manner. This book is due to release on this September and for this book he studied the managers in action. That is by observing 29 persons from the CEO of a bank to managers in a refugee camp. Each persons work and the routine are being interrupted by many other activities and it varies depending on the organization this is what he observed while he spent his days with them.

In his recent interview to Business Insight he spoke about many things and here are some of the excerpts from the interview.

Business Insight question is you deal with several misconceptions in management in your book, can you explain about it?

Dr. Mintzberg replied that Myth is the manager as orchestra conductor. He said that any management is like an orchestra in rehearsal as everything is being done in a wrong manner.  According to Peter Drucker the manager is the one who conducts and as well as compose. That will be very grand and glorious to see and he says that this is so called myth.

The next question is that what is another aspect of management that your research deals with that of other researches, about degree of interruptions that managers face?
Dr. Mintzberg said through his thesis that interruptions are the primary things that grow up with management and because of having this blackberry in their pocket the interruptions are increasing in number.

Business Insight next question is that you deal with three planes, explain to us about that?

Dr. Mintzberg said basically managing is just about the influence of your action. Managing also helps organizations and units to get everything done in right manner. In some case managers try to manage the situation directly. Also they fight with fires, manage projects and negotiate contracts.
Also he said in his interview that in today’s world many manages through information i.e., so called “deeming”. Mostly all thinks that they were very clever and orders by sitting in the office and orders to increase the sales by 10% and if not go out. This kind of work is possible to do even by small kids. Hence this kind of managing through information is the worst one. Also he gives an alternative to this in his next answer as the question is what is the alternative and the best alternative is to just concentrate on people plane and the action plane. This will help in managing in a better way than managing through information.

The people have become used to throw the cans, papers and plastic without even worrying about its recycling. Now the government is stepping forward to take steps to tackle this critical issue. State’s Integrated Waste Management Board is issuing directives to apartments, commercial establishments, public areas and business organizations to work for the same. It is planning to launch a program to fight against this issue by setting some short term and long term goals and acting according to them. The board is aiming at the flexibility of the program in order to invite suggestions in the future.

Selecting a site for the execution of this plan is a significant part. It entirely depends on the type of the recycling equipment and the planned capacity of that particular recycling plant. A draft is expected to be issued during this year and the board expects the execution of the plan by the beginning of 2012. Although the proposed project might not bring drastic changes into the city of San Diego as it is already facilitated with many such recycling plants. This prompted San Diego’s waste reduction manager, Stephen Grealy to state that he would be stormed if he finds the government coming up with an act to affirm this proposal.

The proposed idea requires a high level of commitment from the people of San Diego to make it a success. The people should be willing to provide their bins to facilitate the recycling program. Board would form few volunteered communities to help the work move without any check. And fortunately, the people of San Diego are very receptive regarding all the recycling work.

Many agencies are already working for the tasks of collection of waste and dumping it at the plant. This encourages the Integrated Waste Management Board to start few more similar projects. Acquiring ample funds is the most difficult part of this project. Its success requires educating people, which is an expensive endeavor.

The Integrated Waste Management Board has estimated that the apartments, commercial establishments, large businesses and other sources of San Diego dump about 5.5 million tons of recyclable waste every year. And even half of it made to recycle, and then the reduction in greenhouse gas discharges will be tantamount to scraping off about 1 million vehicles from the road.

With the increase in the waste gathered by all the parts of the society, it has become very important to increase the city’s recycling capacity to further extent.

On the occasion of 15th anniversary of the National Community Service Award program initiated in Macon, The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is declaring a grant of $10,000. Under this program, about $3 million have been donated so far to some hundreds of non-profitable organizations of the country. The program organization is planning to invest the acclaimed grant in the comprehensive redevelopment of its dining facilities. It wants to provide 1000 meals every week to the people in need. Through this program, Macon has planned to donate about $275,000 to some worthy non-profitable organizations.

Christopher N. Smith is the legal advisor of Macon and practiced law there since the year 1991. His practice of law was primarily specialized on auto accidents, business law and wrongful deaths. He is also the receiver of  2007 Governor’s International Award for Individual Contribution and renders his services as a diplomat of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Debra Riley serves as the director at 6 Main of The Medical Center of Central Georgia. She was awarded by the Patriot Award for her employment practices and policies. She organized the campaigns meant to send Christmas presents for the troops deployed in Iraq, which were actually initiated by the staff to 6 main. Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLP felicitated two Macon lawyers for being recognized as the Best Lawyers of 2010. The two Macon affiliates were promoted to the esteemed position of community banking officer by Capital City Bank.

William L. Lanier Sr. is a living legend in Georgia who is the recipient of the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Award for his unmatched service to agriculture in Georgia. Lanier served as the chairman of Agriculture Committee and also rendered his services as the President of the Candler County Farm Bureau. During his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, he facilitated the authorizing of number of legislations regarding framing and agriculture. He was also honored by the award of The Progressive Farmer Man of the Year.

United Way of Central Georgia was rewarded by AT&T Georgia for its noble work of uniting people of different communities. It was gifted $15,000 by AT&T Georgia. Apart from this, the AT&T employees promise to donate some part of their earnings to the United Way of Central Georgia.

Robins Federal Credit Union has recognized the 19 years of honest services rendered by Amanda McKleroy by promoting her to the respected position of the assistant card services manager.

USA, United States of America developing as a nation with great income inequality as the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. This is because of “plutocracy” that is the government which is wealthier rules and makes them wealthier more powerful. The US once it was a republican nation is getting worse and losing its republic as a plutocracy or oligarchy is heading in more number. The best example of this kind is the bail-out policy which is basically meant for wealthy people i.e., a policy of the wealthy for the wealthy.

The policy which is meant for public would deal with the public by hearing their comments and then have to analyze what is the real situation. Recently bail-out refused hearings from treasury secretary Hank Paulson former CEO of Goldman Sachs because of threat under material law. Any public policy would fight to protect their deposits by filing case under bankruptcy or allows nationalizing the bank. The bailout for this case allows the banksters to own trillions of dollars. In general if that is the policy for public then it would have to criminally investigate the Fed and Congress for allowing those banks to operate and their assets. But what does US government investigation about that S&L crisis by William Black says in his book is “The best way to rob a bank is to own one” who is the man investigated that case for government. To more about that investigation and US government policy for wealthy people you can go through the interview by Bill Moyer

Other than all in this republic country separation of wealth to poor children’s for eliminating their poverty is a symptom of plutocratic evil. This kind of funding money for poor people to eliminate poverty is not at all developing in this plutocracy and not putting end to poverty. Instead they are making to die more children because of poverty by spending less money to alleviate property and that in turn helps in reducing their population increase. All these things are irresponsibility of public and still believing the plutocrats even though having lot of facts to disprove them.

After reading these entire if you still believing those policies and other things are for public and not only for wealthier people then it is up to you. But it is our rights to fight for our life and each has equal rights so contribute in political and economical expressions and make it clear that everyone is equal.

In the year 2005, about 38.6 million people visited Las Vegas, spending about $33 billion during that year. Las Vegas is furnished with more than 133,000 hotel rooms with 90 percent occupancy throughout the year. These mammoth figures are evident to the fact that the majority of the people of United States of America are addicted to gambling and these numbers are increasing to further extent.

According to the survey conducted by www.family.org, wealth spent by the Americans in gambling is far more than their expenses on amusement parks, video games, sports and movies all together. Except for Utah and Hawaii all other states in the United States of America have legalized gambling.

Apart from United States of America few other countries are also involved in gambling business. Likewise America, British population is also expending approximately the same amount on gambling activities. The gambling business flourished in Britain at a gigantic rate of 566 percent. United Kingdom is the base for world’s largest online gambling companies. Australians are the ones who are heavily addicted to gambling. 8 of every 10 adults in Australia gamble leastwise once a week.

Although gambling brings loads of revenue to the tourism and hospitality industry but impacts the society severely. A seriously obsessed gambler tends to disregard his job and other interests to an extent that it hinders and breaks apart his family. Gambling magnifies the crime rate. Gamblers go bankrupt and in order to feed their undying addiction to gambling and to pay debts, they start committing crimes in search of easy and quick money. Gambling is considered as a big crime in many religious contexts. Gambling is the aftermath of extreme greed, which is nothing less than a deadly sin.

People has to understand that gambler always losses. Even if he wins millions in the gambling activities, but a gambler tends to loose his family, morals and peace of mind. If he looses, he gambles to compensate his losses and if he wins, he still gambles to win more. This addiction spreads so viciously leaving him alone and unsatisfied with this life.

One must have an addiction to spread peace and serenity. This would lead him fully gratified with his life. Places like Las Vegas are not the actual Cities of Lights. City Of Lights is termed to the place where love and joy flourishes. It has to understand that this life is not to fulfill their ugly desire of money, but it is meant to spread the God’s message.

So I just got back from my vacation to Maui for a week. It ranks as one of the top 5 best tropical vacations that I’ve experienced.

Day 1

We got into Maui via direct flight from LA. We checked into the Westin around 3pm, walked along to the beach to a beach cafe, and ate some burgers. Then we hit the beach and laid out for a while. It got too hot and windy so we headed over to the pool to relax in the shade and took a dip in the pool. For dinner, we ate sushi at the Hyatt, which was suprisingly good for hotel sushi.

Day 2

I met up with 2 guy friends and our surf instructor and hit Lahaina for some surfing action. There was hardly a swell so the waves were 1-2 feet on average but nicely breaking rights. We caught a bunch of small waves all morning long.  By noon, we were all tired out so we called it quits and headed back to the hotel. Later that afternoon, another couple arrived from LA and my gf and I decided to check out Lahaina. We took our hotel shuttle down the coast and walked to front st. Front st is a great little tourist trap of beachfront restaurants, galleries, and souvenir shops. We leisurely walked down the street, ate happy hr at kimo’s, bought some flip flops, then discovered the best shaved ice shop in the city called Ululani’s Hawaiin shaved ice. We had the Haleakala flavor, which is the house specialty and made of half coconut, halfe leche, with some condensed milk and creme. OMG it was sooo good that we went back 3 days in a row, and even had 2 servings in 1 day! I would say it was the most memorable culinary experience in Maui, even better than Mama’s Fish house. Lahaina city is a small town that’s worth checking out for 1 whole day. By the end of the evening, we were exhausted from all the walking in the sun.

Day 3

All 3 couples had arrived so we woke up early to go Zip lining. No one had gond zip lining before so everyone was stoked! It’s pretty much what you see on TV and the first few zip lines are not all that exciting, but more so you can work your way up to the finale. The final zip line was about 4 hundred feet long with about a 50 ft vertical elevation change where you can reach speeds up to 30 mph zipping along the rope through an open canyon. Needless to say, that got the adrenaline pumping and made the experience worth it. Is zip lining something I would do again? Probably not because it’s excitement comes more from the novelty factor. But I’d defininitly say it’s worth trying if you get the opportunity to do so, especially with a group of friends and if you’re afraid of heights.

I have to run so TBC….

Last week, the White House announced that former U.S. Trade Representative and Goldman Sachs executive Robert Zoellick has been chosen to succeed Paul Wolfowitz as World Bank Group president, officially putting to rest speculation that former Senate majority leader Bill Frist might be tapped for the position.

Frist’s return to the public eye caught the attention of the poker world, for whom the conservative Republican will always be remembered for having successfully appended the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to must-pass legislation on national security last fall. It is possible Frist’s pro-UIGEA stance could have negatively affected his candidacy to head the World Bank.

Frist’s endorsement of the UIGEA might have factored into officials’ thinking regarding his suitability to serve as World Bank president. In a dispute brought against the U.S. by the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, the World Trade Organization ruled earlier this month that the UIGEA in fact placed the U.S. in violation of preexisting trade agreements. The U.S. responded to the WTO ruling by announcing its intention to redefine its international trade commitments to exclude offshore gambling. As the WTO dispute continues, Antigua and Barbuda are meanwhile planning a claim for financial compensation from the U.S. in exchange for their compliance with a ban on online gambling.

Over the past decade, online gambling has emerged as an important boost to the Antigua and Barbuda’s economy, representing as much as one-sixth of the country’s annual revenue. Since the UIGEA became law, some reports have estimated Antigua and Barbuda to have lost over $100 million in expected revenue, a direct consequence of several online gambling sites’ decision to pull out of the American market.

Antigua and Barbuda is part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, a group of islands with limited natural resources and a high vulnerability to natural disasters. As such, the World Bank frequently oversees the granting of aid to countries of the OECS, including Antigua and Barbuda. Naming Frist to head the World Bank would therefore have created a curious, perhaps untenable situation — the man largely held responsible for legislation damaging to the economy of countries like Antigua and Barbuda would have been placed in charge of overseeing developmental assistance for those same countries.