This week started with a positive momentum as the auto industry bailout seemed to have a chance of passing, and President-elect Obama announced a huge stimulus plan, including infrastructure investment that could boost the weak job market.

For a few days, things seemed like they were almost back to normal. Until Thursday -- when the Senate failed to pass the bailout. This was aggravated by news of the ex-Nasdaq chair being accused of a massive $50 billion 'Ponzi scheme,' and economic indicators that actually were not as bad as expected.

Still, if the automakers manage to get assistance from somewhere else, we might see some sort of stabilization. If that happens, some investors may choose this time to return to the market. This week's theme among BloggingStocks contributors seemed to revolve not just around 'cheap' but also on yield. Competent management also plays a bigger role these days when picking stocks.

Here are some picks from this week:

Jim Cramer took a hard look at these high yielders: Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW), General Electric (NYSE: GE), Du Pont (NYSE: DD) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC). He cautions against jumping in without considering "which companies have gone into survival mode to get there? Which companies will even make you money if they cut the dividend?"

This week, I've been working on a list of penny stocks to buy. Given that any recovery is likely to be led by the small-cap space, I'm looking closely at the smallest of the small to drive my portfolio higher.

Not for the faint of heart, these so-called penny stocks can generate some really fat returns. I'm not talking about just doubling your money here. Stories abound of returns of 300% or much more on stocks that started out trading for less than $5 per share.

One of the stocks on my list is in the poker space, and to give you a bit of a preview, I want to visit one other player in the space that was worthy of consideration, but did not make the final list.

CryptoLogic (NASDAQ: CRYP) is a leading provider of software for the Internet gaming space for non-U.S. players. It is that last piece about non-U.S. players that has me quite excited about the stock.

The company has benefited from the explosion of online poker playing, but stagnated due to tough enforcement of rules and regulations against U.S. players. It is illegal to gamble online, and that is a huge problem for companies like CRYP.

My take on this stock is that regulations will change for a few reasons. At the top of the list is a new administration that claims to bring a non-lobby-based form of governing to Washington.

That means the Vegas lobby is out of luck when it comes to online gaming. Every other modern country allows it, why not ours?

Another big plus is the taxable revenue that would come from legalizing online gaming. Given the economy and massive debt loads, one would think this would make sense.

I think the space makes for a reasonable speculation, and CRYP looks like a strong play in my opinion.

With shares at $2 and change, off a 52-week high of $21.97, there is plenty of fuel here.

Of course, there is risk, but that's what penny stocks are all about.

I am merely suggesting that there is a legitimate trigger here for some serious upside. Sometimes that's all it takes for a penny stock like CRYP to take off.

And if you're interested in penny stocks, be sure to check out my Top 5 Penny Stocks to Buy Now.

Jamie Dlugosch is a contributor to InvestorPlace.com.

Poker fans rejoice! House Financial Services Committee Chairman, Barney Frank, introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow Americans to gamble online once again. The bill would allow online gambling companies to apply for licenses to accept bets from U.S. citizens. Frank referred to the ban on gambling as "an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans" and called internet gambling a victimless crime. The WTO has previously declared the U.S. ban illegal.

Congratulations to Mr. Frank for standing up on this issue. I will give a piece of pie to anyone who can make a compelling case as to why it isn't hypocritical for states to offer lotteries while simultaneously cracking down on people who play online poker. How can you muster up moral outrage when you're selling the same product? This is like Hostess accusing McDonald's of marketing unhealthy foods.

If you're a political junkie closely following this issue and counting probable votes, here are a couple stocks that could be affected:

Cryptologic (NASDAQ: CRYP) - This company provides the software platforms for numerous online gambling ventures. The stock took a beating when Americans were banned from internet gambling, but has since recovered and is close to its 52-week high.

World Poker Tour Enterprises (NASDAQ: WPTE) - This company produces the World Poker Tour Series on the Travel Channel (soon to be moving to the Game Show Network) and also operates an online gambling site. While the company hasn't targeted U.S. consumers in the past, that could possibly change.

Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) reiterated Overweight and target raised to $35 at Prudential. UBS reiterated Buy and raised target to $37 after beating earnings expectations; stock indicated up 4%. Here is the earnings reaction last night.

Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) noted positively by several bulge bracket firms this morning: Deutsche Bank reiterated Buy and raised target to $125; Merrill Lynch reiterated Buy and target raised to $112; UBS reiterated Buy and raised target to $118. These and others were expected after the company's strong move at MacWorld yesterday.

BP Plc (NYSE:BP) cut to Peer Perform at Bear Stearns.

Cryptologic (NASDAQ:CRYP) was raised to Accumulate at ThinkEquity after it acquired Poker Brand and based on valuation of overseas business in online gambling.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank, although Banc of America has cautious notes on the sector.

IBM (NYSE:IBM) rating cut to Hold at A.G.Edwards based on valuation; Doug's mid-year price target was set at $105 internally.

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