Fri, 04/22/2011 – 01:13 – PokerPages Staff

Former World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jamie Gold has joined online poker site PPN Poker.

Gold, who won $12 million for taking down the biggest tournament in poker in 2006, has represented poker rooms Aced and Bodog during the five years since his famous victory.

“I have finally found a site I trust that accepts and supports both international U.S players,” Gold said a press release circulated on Tuesday.

“It has been years since I have been confident to play online and I’m very excited to finally have a home.”

The California resident has not won a live tournament since his record win but his association with the WSOP crown still makes him one of the most sought after free agents on the scene.

PPNPoker CEO Chuck Kidd revealed that Jamie Gold was the flagship signing they had been aiming to make for some time.

“We’ve been careful and patient in waiting for the right person to captain our team of professional poker players. Now that leader is on board we are strategically planning the next group of professionals that will include high profile celebrity friends of Gold.”

PPNPoker, which makes it home on the Poker Pros Network, currently has the likes of T.J Cloutier, Kevin Vandersmissen and Young Phan on its roster of Team Professionals.

Tue, 04/12/2011 – 01:20 – PokerPages Staff

Team PokerStars Pros Jonathan Duhamel and Jason Mercier featured in the latest episode of High Stakes Poker which aired on GSN on Saturday.

Duhamel, who booked a $100,000 profit during the first session, was involved in the first notable hand of the evening after meeting Phil Laak’s $4,200 raise with pocket queens. Bill Perkins also came along for the ride.

Perkins’ 6-5 hole cards had post flop potential and he hit a gut-shot straight draw on the 2-3-9 board.

Duhamel fired a $7,000 bullet with his overpair only for Perkins to make it $27,000 to go. Laak managed to lay down pocket rockets and Duhamel also surrendered as Perkins dragged down the pot.

Perkins was becoming increasingly active during the early exchanges and he met a check-raise all-in call from Julian Movsesian post flop.

Perkins (A-Q) was in bad shape with top pair to Movsesian’s (A-7) top two pair and the turn and river failed to help him as the $180,000 pot went Movsesian’s way.

Perkins would go on to lose $353,000 after Haralabos Voulgaris shipped a $253,000 pot with an overpair of aces.

2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champion, Duhamel then finally locked horns with Mercier.

Mercier three bet Duhamel pre flop with J-9 and led out for $14,800 on a 10-8-2 board.

Duhamel (T-9) called with top pair before Mercier fired another $36,300 bullet when a 3 hit the felt on the turn.

Duhamel obliged for the second time but was forced to muck his hand after another $71,000 bet from Mercier on the river.