Online Texas Hold Em - Play Great Online

This is one of the very best online poker articles I have ever come across.

2008-11-12T07:03:00.001-08:00

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A Featured Hold Em Article

ADVANTAGES OF TIGHT vs. LOOSE GAMES

The makeup of a no-limit hold�em game can vary greatly from table to table depending on the lineup of players in each setting. Oftentimes, only the addition of one reckless player can cause the entire game to change from a relatively tight and conservative match to one in which all the players begin to loosen up and the chips start flying in an attempt to win the money of the reckless player. Here are some characteristics of tight and loose games:

Tight

A raise often takes the blinds, or a continuation bet after the flop takes the pot if the pre-flop bet is called.
Players aren�t willing to put much money into the pot with even relatively strong hands such as A-Q or 10-10.
Big pots rarely develop due to the lack of contestants, and bluffs are usually effective because the pots aren�t worth fighting over.
Loose

Raises are usually called, as are significant re-raises.
Players are willing to put a lot of money into the pot with mediocre hands such as K-J or 5-5.
Big pots are commonplace, as are big bluffs, which are generally less successful than bluffs in loose games but are worth much more when they do work.
So what are the advantages of each type of game? First and foremost, you�d much rather be playing in a loose game because you can play very selectively and be more likely to get paid off on your big hands. But to be successful in a loose no-limit hold�em game, you must have a lot of heart because there are going to be some tricky situations when you are facing a big bet. If you can learn to figure out who�s bluffing and who�s not and have the courage to act on your convictions, you will do very well in loose games. And on the flip side, you�ll have to figure out when to pull your own well-timed bluff to rake in some pots yourself.

On the other hand, tight games also have their advantages. In these games, an aggressive player can steal a lot of small pots. This strategy is most effective in games with decent blinds. If you�re playing $1-$2 there�s not much in the pot to steal, but if it�s a tight $2-$5 or $5-$10 game, then there�s more worth going after. Make your standard raise of 2.5 to 3 times the big blind and you�ll take a lot of pots. Those not won pre-flop can usually be obtained on the flop with a standard continuation bet of half to two-third the pot size.

Players in tight games also tend to play more straightforward. You�ll face far fewer check-raise bluffs than you would in loose games. When someone pushes back with a check raise or re-raise in a tight game, it�s best to let your mediocre hands go.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=advantage-of-tight-vs-loose-games.html

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Winning strategies to improve your Texas Hold Em game.

2008-11-10T06:06:00.001-08:00

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A Online Poker Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

5 Tips To Use When Playing Low-Limit Poker

1. Find a way to make yourself really pay attention:

A strategy I used recently at a $1/$2 limit game was to convince myself that the bets were really $100/$200 and force myself to try and make optimal plays.

Notice i didn't say play it like everyone else was really playing like they would at $100/$200, but just pretend that each bet was worth that amount to me. IE, I'm playing very close attention to everything I can to try and make the absolute best decisions possible.

I remembered that the other players weren't thinking like that but just pretended they weren't very good (or that they weren't paying much attention).

It worked well and i nearly doubled my buyin. Another key factor was the table conditions (had a total sucker at the table and one other overly aggressive/stubborn guy when he got involved (couldn't lay it down).

2. Manage your Low Limit Table Bankroll

In a 1/2 limit game you can sit down with $50 although I like to sit with $100 (table reputation) and set my must leave level at the moment my roll gets to $50 or below.

If I lose down to $75 I make myself take an honest evalutation of the table and unless i've just gotten exceptionally unlucky. Find a new table or switch up to a small Sit-N-Go I play the $5 or $10 SNG's. Also take advantage of the free roll tournaments. Nearly all the sites offer them.

3. Use Sit-N-Go's to get your No-Limit Fix.
If you are itching to play no limit poker, and who isn't... play in sit-n-go's instead of the lower stakes NL cash tables. Sit N Go's are there to get that no limit enjoyment and your loss is limited to whatever the buyin was. Poker Stars has plenty of $1 buyin sit-n-go's that you can play in all day long. If you really have to play a low limit limit cash game, check out how to win at low stakes no limit cash game I get to play no-limit and can normally cash in around 6-7 of these for every 10 I play.

In low stakes sit-n-go's, people play so stupid early - they play way too loose and they love top pair and really love two pair. You can just fold all but premiums for the first two levels and just slightly loosen up in position at levels 3 and 4 (while being selectively aggressive) and then steal in position from the next few levels and you're in the money - often.

4. Maintain Discipline - find a new table if there are not there are not obvious fish handing out their cash.
The next day I played a bit more 1/2 limit and lost down to $75 (even after winning my first couple of hands) I got up and left as there were 2 solid players there and no real fish. Low limit takes discipline. I thought I could grind out a profit, but why bother... there are plenty of tables to choose from that will be much easier.

5. Short Handed - more action.
If the action seems to slow for you at the 10 person tables then sit at 6 handed... its got a lot of action.. and even at the .25/50c tables you can cut your teeth and grow your roll. You'll need to loosen up some, but just continue to play disciplined, aggressive poker.

To practice your low limit strategies, play online poker.

Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!

KAP

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/5-tips-to-use-when-playing-low-limit-poker.htm

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2008-11-08T10:07:00.001-08:00

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A Featured Texas Hold Em Article

You Have To Lose To Win

GOAT - �What the hell is Goat talking about? You have to lose to win?? Sounds like Goat has been munching on too much grass.�

You gotta lose to win. You have to risk chips, in the right situations, to win chips. Sometimes you will lose more chips than if you would have just folded when you didn�t hit the flop and someone bets before you. What are these plays then?

I guess my best answer is it depends on what you personally like to play aggressively. I don�t know that answer, I�m just a rook myself, but I want to learn how to play better.

Let�s say you�re a fan of Ah 10c (as I am in certain situations). 10 handed game online at Partypoker and you are 2 from the button. Not great position, but pretty good. UTG folds, 2nd folds, 3rd calls and 4th raises to you�. What do you do here? Lot�s of people would fold it and save in essence 1 big bet, or call 1 big bet to see how the old flop falls. If you�re comfortable folding here, go ahead and fold no problem. But if you would just like to call it, Instead, try risking 2 big bets for some �pot ownership� type displays. Raise it, make it 3-bets to go. Now if you are in a loose table, you could likely have 2 more callers behind you� or just as likely they could all fold. I would count on the Big Blind calling w/ a drawing hand, so watchout for him if he just calls to the river and there is a possible draw completed.

Anyway, right there you raise it and you find out where you stand. If you get a re-raise, someone probably has high pockets or A/Ks. Your raise puts you at a potential advantageous position after the flop. In more flops than not, you miss, right? So do I. Sometimes I hit great though. Regardless, you�ve just put yourself in the position to win the pot after the flop. Let�s say that the big blind calls along with 1st and 4th seats.

Flop: 4s 8s Qd

Ok, so that pretty much sucked. You�ve a 2 outer for a straight, it�s rainbow, board.
First position checks.
Seat 4 bets out into you.

Now I�d ask myself 2 questions. First, Is this guy for real or is he trying to take it from me? That depends on how he has been playing. I recommend taking notes (partypoker features a �notes� section available, USE IT). Poker is a game about feel� if this guy is a �Mouse� More or less if this guy never bets unless he has hit top pair, I�d probably fold right there� or the more likely story would that this guy is with 2nd pair or a draw.

So, what do you do here? Again, it�s feel, maybe raise it up. If the Bigblind didn�t hit something he will fold and my guess is first position will have the check/fold button already pressed. When it gets back around to 4th position, he could likely fold it right there giving you the pot as well. Not too bad, you just took down a nice little pot, and a little pot is always nice.

So you go ahead and raise, saying �No sir, you�re 9�s and your drawing hand are weak. My A/Q is much more powerful�.

The big blind folds his spade draw.

So now it�s up to 4th position to act. If he was totally bluffing he folds, if he was on a decent draw he folds or calls, if he has a strong hand he raises. If he raises you there, he�s probably got ladies with a high kicker. He�s re-raised you twice, I would in most situations fold unless I got a read on the player, then I try to go with it. Remember, this is about learning, if you don�t lose some chips you won�t win some.

Let�s assume for further discussion�s sake, that he calls your bet to see the turn

Turn: 5s

Current board: 4s 8s Qd 5h

Ok, if he was on a draw that card didn�t help. In a lot of the online passive (lower limit games, where rooks like me dwell) you will get a check here. Why? Because you�ve represented that you�ve got this hand, you�ve raised twice. He didn�t hit his draw he checks. He might even have a pair of 8�s and is leary of you having a Q, you�ve certainly represented that you have a strong hand. He might even a have a pair of jacks or lower in the pocket. If he checks to you, a bet is certainly in order. You are giving yourself the opportunity to win the pot right there. What if you checked it and an 8 comes on the river? What if you check it and an K comes up, did he just hit his K/8? Risk some chips to win some chips I think. Bet it and see. Again, you have the opportunity to win the entire pot for 1 bet right here. Lot�s of people will call in the lower limit games on the river because of �pot odds�. Try and win it there.

Well, this dude just won�t go away. No respect for you whatsoever. Quite likely on the old flush draw. He calls your bet again, deciding see the river.

Ok, so now it�s river time. You are still in the advantage here at this point. Regardless of how the river turns out, you get the last move.

River: 5d

Final board 4s 8s Qd 5h 5d

So, you�ve got a pair of 5�s with an A kicker. My guess is I�m up against a stronger pair, but he doesn�t know it. He�s got 8�s with a K or maybe a J. He checks to you and now its up to you. For one more bet you have a chance to win this pot right here, and it�s a pretty sizeable pot. On the other hand, will this guy really fold with the pot this size? You�ve played the hand aggressive so far, you�ve gotta bet it again at the river. Again, give yourself the chance to win it. A check leaves it up to the cards and I would have to think that I�m probably beat. So bet it again. Again, putting yourself in position to win. My guess is unless he has just been smooth calling you all along he will either call or fold. More times than not he will call. Yeah, but you only need to win a few of those pots to make it worth your wile to try it on occasion. Lose some, win some. My experience has shown me that by making aggressive plays similar to this is that I win the pots before we reach river. If I�m aggressive pre-flop and right after flop then when I make my bet/raise on the turn that I�ll win lots of pots right there.

Well, that�s all from this rook. Just play your game to learn what works for you, if this is the most idiotic advice you�ve read, well� at least you�re reading.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/you-have-to-lose-to-win.htm

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2008-11-06T10:59:00.001-08:00

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A Great Online Poker Article

Table Image - Part 2

by Gary Gates

There are two main ways to use table image to your advantage at the poker table; either by making decisions based on another players� perception of you, or making decisions based on your perception of your opponent. The latter is most commonly exploited by getting a clear idea of your opponents� style of play and then playing the opposite way.

For example, if you sit down at a table and find that the majority of your adversaries see a lot of flops and are constantly betting and raising, playing the role of a tight and somewhat passive player would prove profitable. As your opponents busy themselves with trying to outbet each other, you are patiently waiting for the most opportune moment to strike and fire back with a check raise on the river that takes them by surprise. You should also be aware that the more perceptive players may have already picked up on your tactics and will be hesitant to give you action when you do enter a pot. Therefore it might be a good idea to try and see a couple of cheap flops with marginal hands in order to disguise your strategy. Just don�t get too attached if you do end up catching a small piece of the flop.

You can also use table image to attack opponents individually. If you�ve pegged someone a tight passive player and find yourself heads-up against them, you may be able to steal the pot with an extra bet or raise if you sense the slightest bit of weakness. Be wary, however, if you do make this play and your opponent surprises you with a call or comes over the top of your raise � now he means business.

Being able to recognize your own table image is essential to making it work to your favor. Try to keep track of the number of flops you see, the frequency with which you raise, the kinds of hands your opponents have seen you expose and everything in between. You should also listen for clues directly from your opponents as to how they view your play. If you�re playing tight, you�ll often hear someone say �I�ll have to remember to get out of your way when you play a hand.� If you�ve been raising and being the aggressor, someone might say �imagine that, another raise.� All of these comments are clues that can help give you a better concept of your own table image.

Let�s assume you�re playing a loose aggressive style and your opponents have clearly picked up on it. Ideally, now you should change gears and wait for a premium hand while your opponents still have you pegged as a maniac. When you�re finally dealt a pair of aces or kings, play them exactly the same way you played to earn your reputation, by betting and raising, and you�re bound to get some extra action on the hand. Conversely, if you�ve been playing a tight game and haven�t seen many flops, use your conservative image to make a couple of bluffs. Opponents are much more likely to respect a bet from someone who�s played fewer pots than everyone else.

Remember, the minute you sit down at that table they�ll be watching you. Watch right back. Know your opponents, know your own table image, disguise your strategy and �play the man� accordingly.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=table-image-part-2.html

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2008-11-02T15:13:00.001-08:00

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A Featured Texas Hold Em Article

Playing with Bubbles

By Garry Gates

After three long hours of play, you find yourself down to the last two tables of a poker tournament that started with just under 200 players. There are twenty players left, but only the top eighteen are rewarded. Not wanting to get knocked out �on the bubble,� or just outside the money, you notice that almost everyone at your table has tightened up their game. The exception is a player to your left who seems to be taking down pot after pot without even seeing a flop. He makes a standard raise of three times the big blind to which everyone folds, each time earning him the blinds and dead ante money, a decent chunk of change at this stage of the tournament. Before play started, this player had an average sized chip stack and now he�s the tournament chip leader, in position to make a big run at the final table.

Switching to an aggressive playing style when nearing the bubble in a multi-table tournament is an extremely effective method of padding your chip stack, in preparation for the final table. Truth be told, most players do not want to risk getting knocked out of a tournament after playing for hours when they�re just a couple of spots away from cashing. The fear of a bad beat or the possibility of running into a superior hand causes even the loosest of players to fold practically everything except aces or kings during this unique stage of the tournament. Throughout a poker tournament, you will make decisions based on an array of situations, rather than your cards and opponents. The decisions you make when approaching the bubble can mean the difference between first place money and just getting your buy-in back.

Changing your playing style to aggressive at this stage of a tournament carries as much risk as it does reward. You should practice selective aggression with your raises, being careful not to get involved with the tournament�s big stacks, or players you feel might be willing to come over the top of your attempted blind steal. Continue to make standard sized raises in position and try to avoid stealing when one or more players has limped into the pot before you; a limper here is often trying to set a trap with a premium hand.

Focus your pressure on tight players whose stacks are big enough that they will be able to fold their way into the money, but not so big that they can afford to challenge one of your raises without putting their entire stack in harm�s way. If one of these players does come over the top of your raise, do not hesitate to throw your hand away immediately. The possibility exists that he may have picked up on your aggressive assault and is simply making a play, but it is more likely that this player walked into a big hand and is making a stand.

Often times, when the bubble has been �popped,� or the last player before the money is eliminated, play will return to normal. Players will return to their regular playing styles, which means it�s time to put the brakes on your relentless aggression and resume solid poker. Before you attempt to apply this technique in a big tournament, consider your goals. If you�re content with just making the money, then by all means, conform with the masses and fold away. But if you�ve got your eye on the big prize, raise it up!

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=on-the-bubble.html

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2008-09-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

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A Online Poker Article For Your Reading Enjoyment

5 Tips To Use When Playing Low-Limit Poker

1. Find a way to make yourself really pay attention:

A strategy I used recently at a $1/$2 limit game was to convince myself that the bets were really $100/$200 and force myself to try and make optimal plays.

Notice i didn't say play it like everyone else was really playing like they would at $100/$200, but just pretend that each bet was worth that amount to me. IE, I'm playing very close attention to everything I can to try and make the absolute best decisions possible.

I remembered that the other players weren't thinking like that but just pretended they weren't very good (or that they weren't paying much attention).

It worked well and i nearly doubled my buyin. Another key factor was the table conditions (had a total sucker at the table and one other overly aggressive/stubborn guy when he got involved (couldn't lay it down).

2. Manage your Low Limit Table Bankroll

In a 1/2 limit game you can sit down with $50 although I like to sit with $100 (table reputation) and set my must leave level at the moment my roll gets to $50 or below.

If I lose down to $75 I make myself take an honest evalutation of the table and unless i've just gotten exceptionally unlucky. Find a new table or switch up to a small Sit-N-Go I play the $5 or $10 SNG's. Also take advantage of the free roll tournaments. Nearly all the sites offer them.

3. Use Sit-N-Go's to get your No-Limit Fix.
If you are itching to play no limit poker, and who isn't... play in sit-n-go's instead of the lower stakes NL cash tables. Sit N Go's are there to get that no limit enjoyment and your loss is limited to whatever the buyin was. Poker Stars has plenty of $1 buyin sit-n-go's that you can play in all day long. If you really have to play a low limit limit cash game, check out how to win at low stakes no limit cash game I get to play no-limit and can normally cash in around 6-7 of these for every 10 I play.

In low stakes sit-n-go's, people play so stupid early - they play way too loose and they love top pair and really love two pair. You can just fold all but premiums for the first two levels and just slightly loosen up in position at levels 3 and 4 (while being selectively aggressive) and then steal in position from the next few levels and you're in the money - often.

4. Maintain Discipline - find a new table if there are not there are not obvious fish handing out their cash.
The next day I played a bit more 1/2 limit and lost down to $75 (even after winning my first couple of hands) I got up and left as there were 2 solid players there and no real fish. Low limit takes discipline. I thought I could grind out a profit, but why bother... there are plenty of tables to choose from that will be much easier.

5. Short Handed - more action.
If the action seems to slow for you at the 10 person tables then sit at 6 handed... its got a lot of action.. and even at the .25/50c tables you can cut your teeth and grow your roll. You'll need to loosen up some, but just continue to play disciplined, aggressive poker.

To practice your low limit strategies, play online poker.

Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!

KAP

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/5-tips-to-use-when-playing-low-limit-poker.htm

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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2008-09-03T05:19:00.001-07:00

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Another Great Hold Em Article

Communication Devices at the Table

By: Jameson Singer

You�re sitting at the desk in your bedroom playing a multi-table tournament on the computer. Hidden behind the virtual tournament table, a browser is showing your e-mail. Instant messenger is signed on with at least three different conversations taking place. These tend to consist of poker talk with a friend, a casual conversation with a relative, and in most cases you�re also trying to hit on that girl you met a couple nights back. The stereo is playing your favorite type of music or a beat that fits your mood(Heavy Metal for tilt and perhaps Enya if you have a big stack). A cell phone sits in your left hand as you await the arrival of a text message.

ESPN is cemented on the television, although during the 5-minute tournament breaks every hour, the �input� button on the remote is clicked, and you commence playing a video game(probably Halo, Madden, or Guitar Hero) that was on pause.

In any language and in any country, this has been typical for the online poker player since the game introduced itself to the computer screen. During this advanced technological age, however, these multi-tasking while multi-tabling ways have crossed the river, turn, and flop and landed in the live game.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- Distractibility to heightened distraction by irrelevant sights and sounds or carelessness and inability to carry simple tasks to completion.(Dictionary.com) Even on the internet, the early stages of a multi-table tournament can be excessively boring. In a live tournament where the play is twice as slow, the boredom tends to get twice as large. Walking by the poker tables at the Rio during this year�s WSOP, the attempts to counter ADHD are extremely palpable.

From books and magazines to video IPods and cell phones that do everything except help you use the bathroom, it�s all here. At first glance it almost reads like an ad for your local electronic store. In this day and age, however, these products are viewed as common items at the poker table. Players take varying approaches in order to stay occupied in between hands. For two-time bracelet winner Eric Froelich, texting is the way to go.

�I basically spend every tournament, all tournament, texting the entire time�if I try to focus too much on one thing, whether it was school work or now poker, my mind will start to drift.� Froelich says. The ideal thought of texting at the table is that its� poker related, but for many players that just isn�t the case. Often times the topic of poker is the last thing discussed. �Absolutely never about poker, except if I�m down to no chips and I�ll let my roommates know that I�m calling soon.� Froelich adamantly explains. This approach, however, changes for him later on in tournaments.

�I use an IPod from time to time when it gets real late�especially because everybody I hang out with lives on the east coast. When you play until 2 a.m. here, its already 5 a.m. there and everybody�s asleep.�

With many online players making the transition to the live game, it�s no surprise these devices are becoming more evident at the WSOP. Everybody who plays online is used to having access to various media outlets while playing and it�s something they�ve grown comfortable with. Chris �MarvinGarden� Birchby, a professional online player who has made the transition, is used to multi-tasking while playing.

� I�m either streaming music or I�ve got a television in my poker room that I�ll have on sometimes. I�ll even be playing on my laptop while I�m helping my wife cook�so this is a lot more concentration than I�m used to.� Birchby describes the online playing environment.

For a couple years now, use of the cell phone along with listening to music have been a common theme. As the technology continues to move forward, more aspects of entertainment have also been able to reach the poker rooms. Professional poker player Brett Jungblut, also known as �Gank� online, goes farther than just listening to music while in a tournament.

�I do have a video IPod that I use to watch some Aqua Teen Hunger Force.� Jungblut grins. The range of devices doesn�t stop at Frylock, Meatwad, and Master Shake(ATHF characters). Phil Laak has introduced video games to poker. During several WSOP tournaments in 2007, Laak has been seen playing Grand Theft Auto on his PlayStation Portable. In another case, a player was watching a past WSOP event on his IPod and one of the players was presently sitting at his table. With more and more players bringing different devices to the table, the question as to whether or not it takes away from the purity of the game has come into discussion.

One of the main aspects of live play that differs from online play is the ability to see the person you�re at the table with and interact with him or her. Listening to music, using the cell phone, and watching videos during tournaments can interfere with this interaction. Although Birchby says it�s harder to concentrate without the media outlets he�s used to, he still enjoys not having anything at the table because he�s able to talk to other players.

�I�ve made some great contacts and met a lot of nice people�right now, I enjoy that aspect of it.� Birchby attests.

Engaging a player at the table during play has always been an intricate part of live poker. Some players feel that without it, it can take away from the wholesomeness of the game. In some instances, a player with headphones on can be confused as to what an opponent says during a hand. If a player announces �Raise� but just throws the amount of the original bet in(which occasionally happens), controversy about the hand can ensue. More important than this, however, is the threat of cheating through these cell phones and other devices.

Two friends decide to play in the same online multi-table tournament. During the early stages of the tournament, each of them plays their own game and has little communication with the other. As the tournament progresses, both have been able to build decent stacks. The tournament pays 45 spots. Fortunately for the two friends, the number of tables is reduced to 6 and they find themselves at the same table. Let the cheating begin.

Not only are the friends telling each other their hole cards every hand, but they�ve been able to dump chips to each other when one of them is getting short-stacked. �Ok. Just raise me the minimum and I�ll push all-in. You can just fold and I�ll be able to cash in this tournament.� The friend with fewer chips explains the plan to his friend. The two of them continually communicate and sometimes dump chips until the money is finally reached. This causes somebody who�s playing the tournament straight up to miss out on a tournament cash.

This scenario is something that has the potential to translate to the live arena. Perhaps not in the sense of two friends sitting at the same table together, but a friend on the rail relaying information to a player is a distinct possibility. Although the WSOP has seen no incidents on record, tournament directors have unanimously agreed that they must prevent anything from happening.
Rules 82 and 83 of the 2007 WSOP clearly address this issue. Rule 82 regards the use of cell phones during play. �Any player on the cell phone or texting a message when the dealer delivers the first card from the deck will have a dead hand.� Although texting at the table is allowed between hands, talking on a cell phone must be done away from the table. Rule 83 states that once players enter the money of a tournament, no electronic devices are to be used. WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla discusses the restrictions.

�We don�t want to have to make it so draconian that players can�t enjoy music or can�t enjoy the tournament, however, when you reach the money, the decisions are more important so therefore, we put more restrictions in place.� Dalla explains.

The main goal of the WSOP is to safeguard the game, but not go overboard. Technology has forced poker to evolve and the WSOP understands this. It�s most important task, however, is protecting the honor of the game.
�While I think that most people are certainly honest, you never know what element might be out there.� Dalla continues. �Especially with so much money at stake, who knows what kind of technology could exist that would compromise the integrity of this game.�

Professional players and amateurs alike have split feelings about these rules. Some feel communication between players at the table is an aspect of poker that needs to stay and be included during play. Others feel that the rules are over the top and if somebody wants to listen to music while in the money, they should be allowed to do so. For the time being, the poker world doesn�t seem to be drifting to one side or the other.

Whether you�re for or against multi-tasking while multi-tabling, technology will continue to affect poker. Players will continue to keep themselves occupied no matter what method that may be. So for now, play your own game(this could mean Grand Theft Auto or poker) and try to adapt to this new generation of cards.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=Online-Poker-Pro-Magazine.html

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Ozzie Smith, Seth Joyner to Headline 'Par and Poker' Charity Event

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:32:00 -0700
It's the season for charity poker events, with major sports stars stepping up for good causes in a big way, and using poker as the fundraising tool. The second annual Par and Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity has been announced...

Sexton's Corner, Vol.60: Johnny Chan, Legend of Legends, Part 5 - Promos and Viewpoints

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:30:00 -0700
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APT Macau Final Table: Timoshenko Destroys Competition

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:01:00 -0700
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Are you ready to start winning at hold em? Im going to show you how.

2008-09-01T22:42:00.001-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of hold em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Online Poker Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

The Idiot Approach

MYSTIC - Playing online poker can differ greatly from playing poker on the pro circuit. While on the pro circuit you can get to know the opponents you encounter quite well, and can study and adapt to their personal methods of play.

In online poker, however, the players you encounter will often differ greatly from day to day as new players enter the game. Many of
these players will lack skill at the game of poker, backing up bad hands with good money, while still others will be lurking at tables waiting to take advantage of these weaker players. You can take advantage of this
phenomenon by taking the idiot approach.

The idiot approach can give you great results when you're playing against the weak player or the player who wants to prey upon the weak. It involves putting good money behind bad hands when starting play, then suddenly switching gears to play a much more conservative game - more conservative, perhaps, than even your normal style of play. Basically you want the good players to think that you are a weak player, and the weak players to gain confidence after they win a few beefy pots.

This gambit will lose you money in the short run, but the potential for strong gains in the long run will be increased. If you can throw in a bit of money on a weak hand and play it until the hand is over, then unless you've accidentally bluffed your way to a win, your opponents will see your pocket cards and will notice that you are playing money on weak hands.

This could potentially persuade stronger opponents to start putting chips behind weaker hands, thinking that they've got pretty good
bets against your hands considering that you are playing weak poker. Meanwhile, the weaker opponents will start playing bigger money, thinking that they are on a lucky streak or sitting at a good table due to taking some early wins. At this point, however, you will have tightened your game and will only be playing your better hands.

This strategy is weak if you're playing against excellent opponents who notice right away that you have switched gears, or against opponents who play based on their hands and not based on the actions of the other players at their table. It's also a bad idea to gamble away too much money up front using this tactic - don't throw away so much money that getting those initial losses back becomes an insurmountable chore.

But against a table full of random players, a few badly placed bets here and there in the early hands can win you some good money on later deals.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/the-idiot-approach.htm

Latest Online Poker News:

Ozzie Smith, Seth Joyner to Headline 'Par and Poker' Charity Event

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:32:00 -0700
It's the season for charity poker events, with major sports stars stepping up for good causes in a big way, and using poker as the fundraising tool. The second annual Par and Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity has been announced...

Sexton's Corner, Vol.60: Johnny Chan, Legend of Legends, Part 5 - Promos and Viewpoints

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:30:00 -0700
In Part 4 we learned how Johnny Chan is known for having the golden touch in poker tournaments and for his famous movie appearance in 'Rounders', where we trapped Erik Seidel to win the WSOP title. We also heard Johnny's analysis...

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Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:01:00 -0700
Out of 257 original entrants, only eight made the final table of the APT Macau Main Event at the StarWorld Galaxy Hotel and Casino. Of those eight, Casey Kastle held the lead in big tournament experience and chips, but it was 20-year-old...

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Here are some great hold em tips to bring immediate improvement to your game.

2008-08-30T12:19:00.001-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of hold em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Featured Online Poker Article

Avoiding Draw Poker

By Bill Ricardi

I�m going to be brief this week. This is a comment on sites bringing the wonder of draw poker into the realm of online play.

I frankly see no reason to play draw poker online. The entire point of draw poker is playing with a LACK of public information. All you have to determine your actions are the number of cards drawn and the bets being made. There are no community cards. There are no exposed cards.

Why would you want to play a game that is based mainly on tells online; where reads are difficult if not impossible? Without tells, after the basic odds tables are figured out, the game is somewhat boring on one hand, somewhat of a craps shoot on the other.

Some might claim that playing their own cards and analysis of betting patterns is enough to take online draw poker out of the realm of lottery play. Maybe. But why play a bad version of a good game, when there are so many good versions of good games already available to the online poker playing community?

I never play games just because they�re �good enough�. They have to give me an edge, and they have to be worth my time and effort. There will be very, very few people who will be able to get a significant edge playing draw poker online, and even fewer who will be properly rewarded for their time and effort.

In short: I won�t be jumping on the draw poker train, just to entertain the nostalgia of playing at the kitchen table with the family. I�d rather play Razz. And that�s saying a lot!

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=avoiding-draw-poker.html

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Bart Simpson Voice Nancy Cartwright to Host Third Annual Monte Carlo Charity Poker Event

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:58:00 -0700
Bart Simpson is not known for his charity and compassion, but the woman who has given him his voice for over twenty years is once again hosting a charity tournament this September benefiting a local youth program. Actress Nancy Cartwright...

Lineup Grows for Poker Battle Pre-launch

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Poker Battle, the brand new poker "social networking" and high-end poker fashion brand, has added several more new faces to its official brand pre-launch on the Partouche Poker Tour in Cannes, France, September 2-7, 2008. The Poker Battle...

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We cut through the fluff to bring you these hard-hitting hold em tips.

2008-08-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on hold em to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Another Great Hold Em Article

The Idiot Approach

MYSTIC - Playing online poker can differ greatly from playing poker on the pro circuit. While on the pro circuit you can get to know the opponents you encounter quite well, and can study and adapt to their personal methods of play.

In online poker, however, the players you encounter will often differ greatly from day to day as new players enter the game. Many of
these players will lack skill at the game of poker, backing up bad hands with good money, while still others will be lurking at tables waiting to take advantage of these weaker players. You can take advantage of this
phenomenon by taking the idiot approach.

The idiot approach can give you great results when you're playing against the weak player or the player who wants to prey upon the weak. It involves putting good money behind bad hands when starting play, then suddenly switching gears to play a much more conservative game - more conservative, perhaps, than even your normal style of play. Basically you want the good players to think that you are a weak player, and the weak players to gain confidence after they win a few beefy pots.

This gambit will lose you money in the short run, but the potential for strong gains in the long run will be increased. If you can throw in a bit of money on a weak hand and play it until the hand is over, then unless you've accidentally bluffed your way to a win, your opponents will see your pocket cards and will notice that you are playing money on weak hands.

This could potentially persuade stronger opponents to start putting chips behind weaker hands, thinking that they've got pretty good
bets against your hands considering that you are playing weak poker. Meanwhile, the weaker opponents will start playing bigger money, thinking that they are on a lucky streak or sitting at a good table due to taking some early wins. At this point, however, you will have tightened your game and will only be playing your better hands.

This strategy is weak if you're playing against excellent opponents who notice right away that you have switched gears, or against opponents who play based on their hands and not based on the actions of the other players at their table. It's also a bad idea to gamble away too much money up front using this tactic - don't throw away so much money that getting those initial losses back becomes an insurmountable chore.

But against a table full of random players, a few badly placed bets here and there in the early hands can win you some good money on later deals.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/the-idiot-approach.htm

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Online Poker Weekend: 'Ship Hamilton', 'NFrost_10' Big Winners

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Hold Em can be tricky. This article will help remove some of the guesswork.

2008-08-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on poker to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Featured Hold Em Article

Early Poker Memories

By Johnny Hughes

My only job from my mid-teens until I was twenty-six, was to play poker, gin, and bridge. There was a lot of gambling.

Here is a brief excerpt from my upcoming novel, Texas Poker Wisdom. In the late 1950s and the early 1960s, Maverick was a hit television series starring James Garner. He was a wise-cracking, comedic, and cowardly poker player who traveled all around the Old West. This TV series spawned a mini-boom in poker much like Rounders created a real boom in poker in the 1990s. Buddy and Matt realized it was like a weekly commercial for the poker games they ran. All the college crowd gave it a go at trying to be like Maverick, a devout anti-hero. Buddy and Matt often sang the theme song: Who is the tall dark stranger there? Maverick is his name. Riding the trail to who-knows-where. Luck is his companion. Gamblin' is his game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a lot of action, but also a lot of poor people. As a freshman at Texas Tech, I played cards every day and many nights. There was a 25 cent limit poker game in the Student Union where they kept the bets in marks on a pad. You had to pay up before you went to class or suffer severe blows about the head and body.

I remember the day, as a freshman, I got hooked on poker like a little movie in my head. Being broke, I headed for Tech to find someone to gamble with. I won a five spot from a guy playing gin who knew I could not pay until I won something. Someone told me about a poker game a block off campus that had been going all night. When I got there, people had nickels and dimes and bills in front of them. I wasted no time in getting my five bucks up there.

My first hand, playing seven-stud, high-low split, I had the nut high with three players in the pot and all the cards out. My full house could not be beaten when a guy bets $100. I said I was potted but no, these tough talking guys said call or you are out. Everyone was writing checks. There was a bank draft and I filled it out and made the cinch call. I didn't have a bank account. That game went on day and night for five days. On that first night, I played all night and won $300, like $3000, now in cash. Many times someone would bet you $10 when there was a $10 cash bill in the pot. I'd call with a $20 check expecting to lose to get my cash change.

I went to Brown's Varsity Shop and bought me a whole new outfit, including a green and black striped corduroy coat that I called my gambler's coat. This became my custom, buying lots of clothes when I had money. I'd go up and down frequently.

Once when we were running a game, we had a big slice of our bankroll on the table for me to play heads up with a guy named Maurice. We both caught wired Aces and moved in before the flop. Maurice would not split it. Jerry and I begged. He caught the flush and headed for Dallas. We hopped a plane he next morning to follow him, only he did not show up at the poker game. What we did find was a triple-draw low ball game. The gamblers were holding out. The suckers were drawing out. Our money was running out. I ran into this slick on the street that told me he had a college degree in colorology. He had a sport coat that was perfect for my ruddy face. He ended up selling me so many clothes, I had spent my half of the bankroll.

Bill Smith, the main event champ of 1985, opened a big game in an apartment house where we were running a little poker game. After a while, Jerry and I were playing with them. I was only twenty but I dressed like the older gamblers with fedoras, baggy pleated slacks, tasteful wool sports coats. When the money started rolling in, we'd get our nails manicured, get facials, get a shine, and have our hair styled. We'd see the other gamblers downtown, and this was a way of showing off. Bill used a cigarette holder, so I got a longer one. For twenty years old, I probably looked silly.

I'd run a pot-cut poker game and play in the larger games. The small game was no-limit, twenty dollar buy-in. I cut the pot 25 cents on the first five and another 25 cents when the pot got to ten dollars. Unfortunately, if I built a bankroll in the big games, I'd let the little game go until I got broke again and had to put down my spread. When the money was good, I'd blow it on travel, fancy living, and needless clothes. I can remember running good for a couple of years straight and then busto. "Broke man stinks," they say.

We could always get staked. I'd live in a fancy apartment, then a $25 a month room, then repeat the cycle. When I was broke, I was welcome in gambling houses all over to eat the great food for free. The dice games would have food delivered and call all the players for special menu items. Only one item per day: catfish, chicken, steak, stew.

I went by a big seven-five low-ball game broke and another college student on a roll staked me. We played with $5 the cheapest chip and a $5 ante. After many hours and wretched tiredness, I was off $2000 winner, like $20,000 today. However, my stake horse did not want me to pull up. My problem was $25 overdue rent, and $10 for laundry. They would not allow me to pull a lousy $35 from my stack and my stake horse was fresh out of cash money. Finally, somebody loaned me the money and I ran the two blocks to pay laundry and rent. Then I came back and the older guys broke me and my stake horse. Seven-five, Kansas City low-ball is the cheater's game.

Once in Ruidoso, playing low-ball, I knew these road gamblers were going to try to cheat in this huge game. There were several big bookies and loan sharks present, so I knew there would be no cheating until after they went home. One fellow had bandages on his fingers, which could conceal tiny mirrors. On one big pot, I blinded it for $40, the size of the pot, which gives me last action. The slick smooth called with 7,6,4,3,2. I drew four and hit a seven-five. I over bet the pot, $200, and he raised his last $900. I won almost $4000 and hopped back on the blacktop. I am sure they would have cheated sooner or later.

From the early sixties on, for over forty years, there was a big Hold 'em game at a place called the Shop, here in West Texas It was perfect for me because I could play when I wanted to. There were loan sharks present, which meant no one would bug me about loaning. That also meant a steady supply of money. There were a few arrests in the early days, but the Shop ran a very long time with no robberies and no arrests. Many of the big Vegas players would come play a while, but they did not like it. Bill Smith, Bobby Hoff, Sailor Roberts, Amarillo Slim. It was a tough game because of a couple of rocks that would only win one or two pots a day, but they seemed to always win.

Nearly everyone was a professional gambler. It was a great hangout. Boosters a.k.a. thieves would come selling hot goods: clothes, boots, electric razors, steaks, large canned goods, watches. My favorites were these two old men who had a large variety of fruit for 15 cents a pound. They had a large scale on the back of their pickup.

Poker sure has gotten respectable. I sure miss it the way it was.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=My-Poker-Wisdom-Working-in-my-Youth.html

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

Visit the Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Section

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Winning at hold em is not difficult- here are some tips to improve your game.

2008-08-24T15:10:00.001-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of hold em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Another Great Texas Hold Em Article

Avoiding Draw Poker

By Bill Ricardi

I�m going to be brief this week. This is a comment on sites bringing the wonder of draw poker into the realm of online play.

I frankly see no reason to play draw poker online. The entire point of draw poker is playing with a LACK of public information. All you have to determine your actions are the number of cards drawn and the bets being made. There are no community cards. There are no exposed cards.

Why would you want to play a game that is based mainly on tells online; where reads are difficult if not impossible? Without tells, after the basic odds tables are figured out, the game is somewhat boring on one hand, somewhat of a craps shoot on the other.

Some might claim that playing their own cards and analysis of betting patterns is enough to take online draw poker out of the realm of lottery play. Maybe. But why play a bad version of a good game, when there are so many good versions of good games already available to the online poker playing community?

I never play games just because they�re �good enough�. They have to give me an edge, and they have to be worth my time and effort. There will be very, very few people who will be able to get a significant edge playing draw poker online, and even fewer who will be properly rewarded for their time and effort.

In short: I won�t be jumping on the draw poker train, just to entertain the nostalgia of playing at the kitchen table with the family. I�d rather play Razz. And that�s saying a lot!

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=avoiding-draw-poker.html

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2008-08-22T21:58:00.001-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of Texas Hold Em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Featured Poker Article

5 Tips To Use When Playing Low-Limit Poker

1. Find a way to make yourself really pay attention:

A strategy I used recently at a $1/$2 limit game was to convince myself that the bets were really $100/$200 and force myself to try and make optimal plays.

Notice i didn't say play it like everyone else was really playing like they would at $100/$200, but just pretend that each bet was worth that amount to me. IE, I'm playing very close attention to everything I can to try and make the absolute best decisions possible.

I remembered that the other players weren't thinking like that but just pretended they weren't very good (or that they weren't paying much attention).

It worked well and i nearly doubled my buyin. Another key factor was the table conditions (had a total sucker at the table and one other overly aggressive/stubborn guy when he got involved (couldn't lay it down).

2. Manage your Low Limit Table Bankroll

In a 1/2 limit game you can sit down with $50 although I like to sit with $100 (table reputation) and set my must leave level at the moment my roll gets to $50 or below.

If I lose down to $75 I make myself take an honest evalutation of the table and unless i've just gotten exceptionally unlucky. Find a new table or switch up to a small Sit-N-Go I play the $5 or $10 SNG's. Also take advantage of the free roll tournaments. Nearly all the sites offer them.

3. Use Sit-N-Go's to get your No-Limit Fix.
If you are itching to play no limit poker, and who isn't... play in sit-n-go's instead of the lower stakes NL cash tables. Sit N Go's are there to get that no limit enjoyment and your loss is limited to whatever the buyin was. Poker Stars has plenty of $1 buyin sit-n-go's that you can play in all day long. If you really have to play a low limit limit cash game, check out how to win at low stakes no limit cash game I get to play no-limit and can normally cash in around 6-7 of these for every 10 I play.

In low stakes sit-n-go's, people play so stupid early - they play way too loose and they love top pair and really love two pair. You can just fold all but premiums for the first two levels and just slightly loosen up in position at levels 3 and 4 (while being selectively aggressive) and then steal in position from the next few levels and you're in the money - often.

4. Maintain Discipline - find a new table if there are not there are not obvious fish handing out their cash.
The next day I played a bit more 1/2 limit and lost down to $75 (even after winning my first couple of hands) I got up and left as there were 2 solid players there and no real fish. Low limit takes discipline. I thought I could grind out a profit, but why bother... there are plenty of tables to choose from that will be much easier.

5. Short Handed - more action.
If the action seems to slow for you at the 10 person tables then sit at 6 handed... its got a lot of action.. and even at the .25/50c tables you can cut your teeth and grow your roll. You'll need to loosen up some, but just continue to play disciplined, aggressive poker.

To practice your low limit strategies, play online poker.

Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!

KAP

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/5-tips-to-use-when-playing-low-limit-poker.htm

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CryptoLogic Grinds Out Second Quarter

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:12:00 -0700
The fourth quarter of 2006 was a tough one for the online gaming software provider CryptoLogic. With the passage of the UIGEA and the loss of one its key poker licensees, Betfair, Cryptologic has worked hard to better position...

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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2008-08-20T05:57:00.001-07:00

A Featured Texas Hold Em Article

Texas Holdem Lesson - Five Tips!

1. Big Bets mean big hands, don't call them!

Do not call large bets without a very strong hand yourself. Unless you are against truly wild players (or extremely tough players), big bets will most of the time mean big hands! You have to have a bigger hand to beat a big hand.

So, unless you have a very strong hand (or a monster draw with good odds) you need to strongly lean towards folding a hand like top pair plus good kicker on scary boards like straight or flush draws, or even most semi-coordinated boards once all 5 cards are out. Especially on the river, don't call down big bets with medium strength hands!

A big bet is considered "big" by comparing it's size in relation to the current pot size. 2/3rds to 3/4th the size of the pot are generally considered large bets.

2. Bluff "less" Especially when playing poker online!

I say less but that depends on how often you bluff now. The real tip is to make yourself have a compelling reason to make a bluff. Yes, pulling off a successful bluff is an awesome feeling... winning a big pot on a bluff is fun, but overdoing it is one of the fastest way to donk off your bankroll. Slow it down unless you're playing with a bunch of rocks (tight guys who will fold unless they have a monster hand).

Good bluffs need to be set up, well timed and 'fit' into the holdem game. Just making some random bet during some point in the hand because you want to win the pot is a loosing play. Make sure you have a reason to bluff (you sense serious weakness, or have dead on reads). Don't bluff away your money, especially online! It is easy to 'call and see' online since you are not sitting there face to face and have to 'face the music' of making a donkey call.

Plus, many good players will check top pair good kicker on the river if you have called them down with a drawing hand that has obviously missed. (ie, 4 to the flush on the turn, and a blank on the river). They check to give you the chance to bluff your busted draw and pick you off with a hand like top pair or even 2nd pair, when you would have simply folded to their river value bet.

Good bluffs depend on opponents who are paying attention and have the capability of laying down a strong but vulnerable hand. Make sure you have seen something in a player that shows you that they are paying attention and can lay a hand down. Most online players call.

So - don't bluff so much, your bankroll will thank you! (mostly considering $$ games here, tourneys are more situational even than $$ games imo)

3. In general bet larger amounts.

Bet more when you are betting for value, they'll call you. Bet more when you have a strong but vulnerable hand so you end the hand there and take down the pot now. Bet more so you make they draws pay way to much to properly draw for their outs. When you bluff, bet the amount to 'get the job done', which is normally a larger amount (unless your opponent things large amounts mean bluff and smaller value bets mean monsters....

When in doubt, bet a little bit more. If there are flush draws or straight draws on the board, trying to value bet a hand like Ac Ad on a board of Js 10ds 8h with 1/4 or 1/3 pot sized bets on the flop or turn is way to small. This is a highly coordinated board, with straigt draws, flush draws, straight flush draws etc... you name it. Your hand is probably good, but you need to find out right now. You need to stick in a bet around the 3/4th's to pot sized bet to find out where you are at. You could already be behind. Strong re-raises should be respected, as well as smooth calls depending on the turn and the action.

Bet bigger and take it down or give the drawing hand very bad pot odds for calling! 3/4ths pot size to full pot size bets get it done!

4. Frequent continuation bets are fine if you are the initial aggressor pre-flop.

If you've raised pre-flop and gotten 1 or 2 callers it is fine to often make continuation bets on the flop. Continuation bets can be made when the action is checked to you on a non-threatening board.

A continuation bet is a bet that should be between 1/2 the pot up to the size of the pot, made on the flop after raising pre-flop (not calling a raise). If you make a lot of continuation bets, you also need to bet exactly the same when you make a hand.

To be a successful continuation bettor you must also bet the same when you hit your hand. Please notice I said 'frequent' and not 'constant.' Finding exactly where and when to make these takes practice, but if conditions are not bad, start firing away.

5. Don't go broke in an unraised pot - play cautiously when you and others limp on in!

In unraised pots players can literally have any two cards and if you do not have a seriously strong hand (nut or near nut), don't play a large pot. Two pair no good - fold it to serious aggression or resistance. Don't go broke by flopping two pair in an unraised pot!

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/texas-holdem-common-sense-tips.htm

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Here are some useful strategies to assist you in becomming a better poker player.

2008-08-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Please note this blog is meant to provide information on poker in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Todays Poker Article

Tournament Poker and Cash Game Poker: A Two-headed Monster - Part 2

by Gary Gates

�Should I fold and wait for a better spot to put all my chips at risk? With only 50 players left to the money, do I have enough chips to survive the blinds and antes? How long until the blinds go up? Which players at my table are susceptible to getting eaten up by the blinds? Which players can I steal blinds from?�

When we left part I, we began to consider the additional factors a tournament poker player must consider within his or her decision-making process. These �special� circumstances often call for special action. A player might make one play in a cash game that he would never even consider in a tournament, and vice versa.

The unique decision-making processes required of these two very different brands of poker are necessitated by the manner in which profit is earned in each type. Cash games reward players instantly, as every pot pushed your way comes in the form of legal tender that you can walk away with at any time. In other words, a player can sit down at a cash game, double up on the first hand, put his chips back in the rack and proceed to the cashier with his newfound wealth. Though I do not recommend this method, as it won�t earn you many friends at the table, no one is going to stop you. (Who needs friends at the poker table anyway, right?)

Tournaments, however, reward only the top few participants who are able to outlast the masses. Described by many as marathons that call for hours of intense boredom, speckled with a few moments of sheer terror, poker tournaments require a great amount of time and patience. In a tournament that pays the top ten players, 100th place pays exactly as much as eleventh: nothing. Therefore, major decisions within the game are heavily influenced by the size of players� chip stacks, the number of players remaining, and the size of your own stack relative to the blinds. Before you take tenth, you have to guarantee yourself eleventh, and that fact is what makes survival a tournament player�s number one priority.

Cash games, because of their static blinds and the option to buy more chips at any time, tend to suit more conservative poker players. The never-increasing blinds allow them to sit back and wait for big hands with which they hope to win massive pots. Tournament play forces aggression to some extent, as the blinds and antes are constantly on the rise. The track records of Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar and Johnny Chan are prime examples of the kind of success that can come from aggressive tournament play.

Which brand of poker should you play? First consider the style of poker that comes most naturally to you. Do you tend to play passive or aggressive? Are you the kind of player that can recognize the multitude of situations that will be presented to you throughout a poker tournament and adapt your play accordingly, or do you feel more comfortable playing the player rather than the cards and situation? Be sure to try your hand at both and know the differences between the two before you decide which is right for you.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=tournament-poker-cash-game-poker-part-2.html

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2008-08-16T19:09:00.001-07:00

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Another Great Online Poker Article

2008 World Series of Poker

By Scott 'The Deputy' Diamond

Poker players from all over are anxiously waiting for this year's World Series of Poker to begin. They have been honing their skills all year by playing in the various tournaments that are plentiful throughout the country and the world.

Some of us, including me, have had some very good coaching by some of the best in the business. (see photo)

I am very fortunate to have one of the first female inductee's into the Women's Hall of Fame, along with another women who has over 20 years of experience in the Poker Community and is a Instructor at the best Poker seminar available, give me advice and polish my game.

Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher are cornerstones in the Poker World.They not only teach at the WPT Boot Camp, they are constantly on the road volunteering their time at numerous Charitable Events.

With the economy here in the United States in a supposed recession,it will be interseting to see how many travel to Las Vegas and enter into one of the 55 events the WSOP is offering this year.

Several of the local casino's are counting on the huge numbers of visitor's by holding their own tournaments. the Venetian had a very successful tournament last year during the WSOP and will be offering the Deep Stack tournament again this year.

Caesar's has decided to have a Tournament Series as well as the Golden Nugget and of course, Binion's.

These tournaments have been designed for the average Poker player with smaller bank roll's and added play with more chips and longer levels.

The Rio will also be offering $330.00 NL tournaments nightly to compete with the other casino's.

If your dream is to play in a WSOP event, there will also be a variety of satellites held at the Rio for you to obtain your dream. These are an excellent way to gain entry into any WSOP event and if history repeats itself, there will be very long lines for satellites.

I would not be suprised if you are sitting at a table satellite with one or two professional player's this year. In the past, professionals felt there was not enough "equity", in playing satellites. However, the fields are very soft in the majority of the satellites during the WSOP and many are going to try and take advantage of the throng's of amateurs who are in town, trying to become the next Chris Moneymaker or Jerry Yang.

If you have never been to a WSOP you should plan on going. It is an electricfying experience and the atmosphere is just incredible. There is still plenty of time to make your reservations and to read a few books or attend a Boot Camp before this year's WSOP.

If you are one of those who will be in Las Vegas for this year's events and you see Linda or Jan,make sure you acknowledge them not only for their accomplishments in the Poker Community,but what they have given to thousands of player's and fan's,Their HEARTS

Scott Diamond AKA The Deputy

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=2008-World-Series-of-Poker.html

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Ready to improve your online poker game? Lets get started then.

2008-08-14T21:26:00.001-07:00

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A Poker Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

The Turn - Where The "Truth" Is Normally Told In No Limit Holdem

Nothing is 100% in poker, but there are certain �poker truths� that you need to pay attention to. When I refer to �poker truths� I�m talking about something that�s true more than it is false. That�s as close as you can get in this game.

The �poker truth� I want to discuss today is this: "When a player shows aggression on the turn, they usually have a strong hand."

What this means is, more often than not, against an average player, you�ll know where you stand on the turn.

Let�s look at couple of typical situations where your hand is disguised:

Example 1: You get a strong hand, AKs, in LP and put in a 3xBB raise. You get two callers. The flop misses you, Q93 rainbow, it�s checked around and you put in a continuation bet of � the pot. How does this bet look to your opponents?

Example 2: Now let�s say that the flop hit you, K93, it�s checked around and you put in a bet of � the pot. How does this bet look to your opponents?

The answer is; these two bets look exactly the same. It is hard for your opponents to know what they�re up against. Now take example 1 and replace the AK with another monster, 72 off. Even though you really only have 72o, to your opponents the bet looks exactly the same.

My point here is not to raise with any two cards (though you can in the right situation), but is to point out that it is on the flop that hands are most easily disguised. This is where deception can be very useful. This is where you can often �represent� a hand and get away with it.

The Turn:
The turn is where things get clearer. Fewer players are willing to continue, at the risk of losing more chips, their bluff on the turn. Therefore, more often than not, if they bet, they have a legitimate hand. So move forward cautiously when faced with a turn bet.

An even bigger risk is calling a raise on the turn. A lot of players wait until the turn to raise their monster hands, hoping to get extra chips on the flop with a slow play. If you run into a turn raise after a relatively quiet flop you should be very cautious moving forward, there�s an extremely good chance you�ll need better than top pair to win this hand.

That pattern of smooth calling a flop bet or raise and raising the turn is almost always going to be trouble. Very few players make this move without a big hand.

According to some statistics I found that were compiled from the poker-tracker stats of several on-line players (100,000+ hands). A turn raiser goes on to win the hand 63% of the time. Even more glaring than that is 71% of turn check-raisers go on to win the hand! The data also shows that turn check-raises are generally playing 2 pair or better. So think hard before calling with just top pair.

That doesn�t mean you should automatically fold your top pair to a raiser. If you�re heads up against a loose raiser or someone who regularly bets their draws, then your top pair may very well be good for a call or re-raise. But, if you�re against a tight raiser or if someone raised after multiple players have called bets, you�re top pair is not good, so dump it.

Another problem with calling raises on the turn is that you often end up calling the river. A good rule of thumb when deciding whether to call a turn bet is to include a river bet in your odds calculation. So if you need to call 2 bets into a 10 bet pot (giving you 5-1 odds) you should also add a couple bets for the river (2.5-1 odds) which suddenly makes a lot of calling situations folding situations.

Because the turn is where the �truth� is generally told, it�s a good place for you to make some advanced plays at the pot. A turn raise or check raise bluff is very powerful in the right situations, mostly heads up. Just make sure you have a good read on your opponent and don�t get carried away. These are great moves in moderation.

In my opinion, the turn is the toughest street to play in Texas Holdem. Making the right moves here is what will ultimately make you a winning player. So going forward, before quickly calling turn bets and raises, ask yourself a few questions that may help you define your opponent�s hand.

What types of hands would he have where he would smooth call the flop and raise the turn? Two pair? A set? Does the board complete a draw?

What types of hands would he need to bet the flop and continue on the turn? Top pair? A big draw? Overs?

First and foremost you should trust your reads and knowledge of your opponents, but when that�s not enough, trust the turn.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/playing-the-turn-where-the-truth-is-normally-told.htm

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2008-08-11T11:24:00.001-07:00

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A Great Texas Hold Em Article

Quick Tips for Beginning Holdem Players

Tips for Playing Your Starting Poker Hands:
There are a lot of starting hand guides available, this isn't one of them. These tips are quick helpers to get the foundation of a solid poker game underneath you. These are the concepts behind starting hands and ideas you should be thinking about while playing no limit holdem.

1. Small Pocket Pairs.
Play small pocket pairs against many opponents and try and see the flop as cheaply as possible. You typically want to play small pocket pairs against many other opponents. Especially in a cash game or in the early stages of a tournament. Criteria for playing small pocket pairs is that you can get in cheaply, simply by calling the blinds (limping) and hoping to see a flop.

With small pockets you're looking to hit a 3rd of your kind on the flop. This is called "flopping a set." If you flop your set you are almost certain to have the best hand right then, unless it is just a really unlucky flop for you. If you flop a set, bet or raise and work to get as many chips in the pot as you can.

Small pockets pairs are hands like pocket two's up through pocket 8's or 9's. The reason you want to play this hand against many opponents is because when you hit your hand, you hope that someone else has hit a hand as well and will pay you off. The more opponents still active in the hand, the more likely that one of them has hit a hand and will pay off some of your bets.

So, if you are dealt a small pocket pair it is usually a good idea to simply limp in and hope to hit your 3 of a kind on the flop. If you miss, which you will most of the time, then it is fine to check and fold to any bet. It is almost always a bad idea to call any substantial bet on the flop hoping to hit your set on the turn, just fold and save your money.

Small Pocket Pair Quick Tip: You will flop a set roughly once out of every 7.5 times you get a pocket pair. click here for a poker odds chart.

2. Suited Connectors
Suited connectors are hands that play well against many opponents, but poorly against 1 or 2 others. Suited connectors are a bit more difficult to play than small pocket pairs... with small pockets you know pretty much exactly where you stand after the flop. You either hit your set or you didn't. Suited connectors typically do not make a monster hand on the flop, but they will often flop monster draws (draws means that you need 1 more card to complete your hand, typically with a straight or flush).

Suited connectors are hands that are of the same suit, and next to one another, such as 7c 8c, 10d, 9d, or my favorite, Js Ts.

These hands play well in multi-way confrontations, against many opponents. When these hands hit, you typically have a very strong hand, strong enough to beat most everyone else. With suited connectors you are hoping to flop a strong draw, such as an open-ended straight flush draw, a flush draw or a straight draw.

Pre-flop, these hands are weak hands, and even if you hit the top pair these are still a fairly weak and vunerable hand. Suited connectors have a lot of potential to turn into very strong hands. See flops cheaply and late in position with these cards, especially if there are already a lot of players calling the blind to see the flop. Look to flop strong draws or two pair to continue against any heavy action before you.

Look to flop straights, flushes and draws to both. Do not overvalue flopping top pair with small or medium sized suited connectors. Two pair is normally good, but that means that someone else very well may have a straight draw while you have two pair with suited connectors.

Suited Connector Quick Tip: One of the best hands to hold against pocket aces is suited connector, such as 7h8h.

3. Two Big Face Cards
Do not slow play your big face cards. If you are going to play these cards, you need to come in for a raise pre-flop. Big face cards start out very strong, pre-flop, and that means that normally you should make the others pay to stick around for the flop.

Pre-flop these hands are probably some of the strongest at the table, out ranking most of the other hands out there. For this reason, these hands you want to play against as FEW players as possible. To make sure you are playing against few players, you should RAISE pre-flop when it is your turn to act instead of just calling the blind.

A hand like AQ is a strong hand, but it doesn't play well against 3+ players on average. Ideally you will be playing this hand against 1 other opponent, and you ban bet the flop virtually regardless of what comes down.

Avoid calling raises with hands like KJ, QJ, AT, even AJ and KQo. You are often times dominated by everyones 'favorite' hand, big slick (AK). There is no shame in folding KJ pre-flop.

Big Face Card Quick Tip:

Raise pre-flop to limit the field to just one other player whenever possible.

For more poker tips, be sure and check out our listing of poker strategy articles and the absolute best way to improve your play is by finding an online poker room that has SERIOUS 'play money' poker (if you don't want to deposit)..

The best way to practice these no limit holdem tips is to download free online poker software. I recommend PokerStars or Bodog Poker for new players. You can play with free chips and practice these strategies. I do recommend that you also play for extremely small stakes to get a real feel for poker. Free money poker is played differently as poker is for anything of value, even if the value is very small.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/no-limit-holdem-tips.htm

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EPT Adds Hungary Stop; Hotel Booking Service, London High-Roller Tourney Also Announced

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:34:00 -0700
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FREE : 'Harrington on Cash Games: I & II' NEW!
by: Dan Harrington & Bill Robertie

Get Harrington's must read books on no-limit texas holdem cash games & other free poker stuff with our Free Gift Offer....

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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With these Texas Hold Em techniques you will improve your game dramatically.

2008-08-09T18:16:00.001-07:00

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Another Great Texas Hold Em Article

Avoiding Draw Poker

By Bill Ricardi

I�m going to be brief this week. This is a comment on sites bringing the wonder of draw poker into the realm of online play.

I frankly see no reason to play draw poker online. The entire point of draw poker is playing with a LACK of public information. All you have to determine your actions are the number of cards drawn and the bets being made. There are no community cards. There are no exposed cards.

Why would you want to play a game that is based mainly on tells online; where reads are difficult if not impossible? Without tells, after the basic odds tables are figured out, the game is somewhat boring on one hand, somewhat of a craps shoot on the other.

Some might claim that playing their own cards and analysis of betting patterns is enough to take online draw poker out of the realm of lottery play. Maybe. But why play a bad version of a good game, when there are so many good versions of good games already available to the online poker playing community?

I never play games just because they�re �good enough�. They have to give me an edge, and they have to be worth my time and effort. There will be very, very few people who will be able to get a significant edge playing draw poker online, and even fewer who will be properly rewarded for their time and effort.

In short: I won�t be jumping on the draw poker train, just to entertain the nostalgia of playing at the kitchen table with the family. I�d rather play Razz. And that�s saying a lot!

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=avoiding-draw-poker.html

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2008-08-07T02:44:00.001-07:00

A Featured Texas Hold Em Article

To go or not to go all in ? that is the question

By Johnny Kampis

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So goes a Chinese proverb that is also an apt description of the beginning of a poker tournament.

Consider starting with 1,500 chips in a tournament with 100 people. In order to win the tournament, you must have 150,000 chips in the end. When you think about it like that it seems almost an unfathomable task, an attempt to climb Mt. Everest. But somebody?s got to do it.

I?ve found over time that I tend to do better at live tournaments than those I play online. At first, I thought it was maybe because I was good at reading people, which is impossible to do online, but then I realized it was something else. When you play online, it?s always easy to see what the average chip count is among the players remaining in the tournament and it can be easy to panic if you are far below the average. I tend to start pushing all in with hands I shouldn?t play or in situations in which I should probably fold.

But when you?re playing live, there is no screen to tell you where you stand against the rest of the field. You can do some calculations in your head to figure out about where you stand, but there?s no number constantly in front of you telling you that.

Just as patience is key in a regular ring game of poker, it?s also key when you have a below average stack in a tournament. Consider that the average stack in a tournament you are playing is 10,000. You have 5,000 and the blinds are 200 and 400. You are well below average, but you aren?t a short stack yet. You don?t have to push all in when you raise. It gives you time to wait on a quality hand before making a move, and if you can double up once you are back to average.

I played a tournament at Binion?s in Las Vegas this summer in which I was a below average stack nearly the entire event, but I stayed patient and was able to get good hands on which to double up on. Finally, when I got to the final table I caught hand after hand and ended up winning the tournament. Had I hurriedly pushed all in earlier in the affair with a less than premium hand and lost I wouldn?t have given myself a chance to catch the hands I was dealt later.

It?s better to pass up a so-so opportunity now in order to get a much better opportunity later. Otherwise, you?ll never get to climb Mt. Everest.

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Texas Hold Em can be tricky. This article will help remove some of the guesswork.

2008-08-05T05:54:00.001-07:00

A Texas Hold Em Article For Your Reading Enjoyment

What I Like About Poker

GOAT - Where do I begin? What do I like about poker? Many things come to mind, first I enjoy winning money, as everyone probably does, but poker is more than that to me. I enjoy the competition, I enjoy the psychological aspect of the game.

It is almost primal in a sense.

I was watching the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel and they were interviewing Howard Lederer, an excellent player and he said that there is something primitively appealing about taking your opponents� chips. Your opponent has a stack of chips, and you would like to take ownership away from him. He wants to take your chips away from you and how you play your hand determines who ends up with the chips.

Poker is not a game of luck. Luck is certainly involved (ever lose to a runner runner flush? Ever win with it?). Poker is a game of skill, if you are counting on catching lucky cards to win, over the long run you will probably lose more money than you win.

Some friends and I just recently took a trip to Biloxi to play some poker. It was only my 2nd time playing poker in a casino, it was a great experience. I lost money overall, but I didn�t do horribly in my opinion. I believe that I improved my game. I know I made the wrong plays in certain situations, and I know that I made the right play in certain situations. I came back from Biloxi a much better Poker player than when I left.

My bankroll from my online game also reflects that fact. I was down to my last $30 the day I left, and today I�m currently up to nearly $200. Yeah, I can�t quit my day-job yet but it�s a step in the right direction. Don�t get me wrong, if I would have won I would have been happier, but I have no problem loosing as long as I teach myself, or get �taught� by others.

My worst hand was the very last one I was going to play. If I had won this hand I would have finished the trip with a slightly larger bankroll than I brought down. I had been playing from about 11pm on Saturday night until around 9am Sunday morning.

My buddy came down from the room and asked was I nearing a decent place to leave the game, and I agreed to leave when the blinds got back to me. Well, wouldn�t you know it, I�m Under the Gun and I get dealt QQ�

Like any good poker player I raise it up. A very loose and aggressive player 2 positions behind me raises it again and we have 2 callers. I probably should have re-raised right there, but I only called. Flop comes down K 10 x. I bet, the loose player raises and the other 2 callers fold. I re-raise and am called.

Turn comes Q� BAM, I figure I�m up against A/K and I just hit my set. I bet out again and am once again Raised. I�m still fairly confident that I�ve got the best hand so I re-raise and am called.

River is rags so I bet out again, and once again I am raised. Now I start to question the strength of my hand, but there was no way I�m folding. I call and say �Got the straight?� Sure enough, he flips over J/9 offsuit for a K high straight. I think most people would fold J/9 offsuit when I�m aggressively betting, I�d like to think that if I would have re-raised after the flop that I might have one it, but the way this guy was playing he wasn�t folding anything.

It really sucks to have your very last hand be one where you get totally owned. That one bothered me for a while. This guy was a �Jackal� and I didn�t think he would fold to anything, but I still probably should have raised him instead of just calling. Flopping the Set was actually worse for me in this situation, my Q�s would have held up if not for the 3rd Q on the board. Live and learn.

I like Poker because it really is a sport. It is a sport that you can play as long as you are mentally capable. As I�m sitting at the table in the casino an older gentleman sat down, my first instinct was that this guy is a farmer. I don�t know what that means in regards to his poker skills, but if I was to guess his profession, I would have picked farmer, either that or professional online poker player over at poker stars.net, but i knew that was unlikely.

Anyway, he was probably in his mid 60�s, and was by far the best player at the table. He completely confused me in hands and I lost a decent amount of chips to him. At the time I was pretty disgusted that I was outplayed by someone who on the outside looked like I should be able to beat no problem. The more I thought about it, the less disgusted I became.

First I know I�m a rookie, through and through. Second, it�s kind of cool to know that when I�m his age, I�ll be taking young punks money at the table. The more I thought about it, the more I respected him and his style of play. He was excellent at hiding his hands and I rarely see him enter pots that he did not win (or at least go down swinging). I liked his strategy, he didn�t get involved in pots where he didn�t have a decent chance to win, and he didn�t let you chase your cards cheaply. I mimicked his play (as best I could) online when I got home and have done pretty well.

So, for all you up and coming poker players out there, if you take any advice from a rookie like me is, always learn. Poker isn�t just about the cards that land in your hand, it�s about how you play. I'm mostly playing online poker now with a live tournament every now and then, but I can't wait to get back to the casino and try my hand, err hooves again.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/what-I-like-about-poker.htm

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Leicester Square Designated Exclusive Site for WSOPE Events

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Are you ready to start winning at online poker? Im going to show you how.

2008-08-03T08:46:00.001-07:00

Please note this blog is meant to provide information on online poker in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Todays Texas Hold Em Article

Tournament Poker and Cash Game Poker: A Two-headed Monster - Part 2

by Gary Gates

�Should I fold and wait for a better spot to put all my chips at risk? With only 50 players left to the money, do I have enough chips to survive the blinds and antes? How long until the blinds go up? Which players at my table are susceptible to getting eaten up by the blinds? Which players can I steal blinds from?�

When we left part I, we began to consider the additional factors a tournament poker player must consider within his or her decision-making process. These �special� circumstances often call for special action. A player might make one play in a cash game that he would never even consider in a tournament, and vice versa.

The unique decision-making processes required of these two very different brands of poker are necessitated by the manner in which profit is earned in each type. Cash games reward players instantly, as every pot pushed your way comes in the form of legal tender that you can walk away with at any time. In other words, a player can sit down at a cash game, double up on the first hand, put his chips back in the rack and proceed to the cashier with his newfound wealth. Though I do not recommend this method, as it won�t earn you many friends at the table, no one is going to stop you. (Who needs friends at the poker table anyway, right?)

Tournaments, however, reward only the top few participants who are able to outlast the masses. Described by many as marathons that call for hours of intense boredom, speckled with a few moments of sheer terror, poker tournaments require a great amount of time and patience. In a tournament that pays the top ten players, 100th place pays exactly as much as eleventh: nothing. Therefore, major decisions within the game are heavily influenced by the size of players� chip stacks, the number of players remaining, and the size of your own stack relative to the blinds. Before you take tenth, you have to guarantee yourself eleventh, and that fact is what makes survival a tournament player�s number one priority.

Cash games, because of their static blinds and the option to buy more chips at any time, tend to suit more conservative poker players. The never-increasing blinds allow them to sit back and wait for big hands with which they hope to win massive pots. Tournament play forces aggression to some extent, as the blinds and antes are constantly on the rise. The track records of Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar and Johnny Chan are prime examples of the kind of success that can come from aggressive tournament play.

Which brand of poker should you play? First consider the style of poker that comes most naturally to you. Do you tend to play passive or aggressive? Are you the kind of player that can recognize the multitude of situations that will be presented to you throughout a poker tournament and adapt your play accordingly, or do you feel more comfortable playing the player rather than the cards and situation? Be sure to try your hand at both and know the differences between the two before you decide which is right for you.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=tournament-poker-cash-game-poker-part-2.html

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This great article contains great hold em tips as well as news items.

2008-07-22T11:40:00.001-07:00

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This Texas Hold Em Article Will Make You A Better Player

When playing poker, keep your attention at the table

By Johnny Kampis

If you?re playing poker the patient and correct way, folding most of your hands, you?ll be left with a lot of downtime where you?re not involved in the action. That doesn?t mean you should just rest on your laurels, or turn your attention to the baseball game on the television.

To become a better poker player, you should pay attention at all times when at the table, learning your opponents? tendencies. Who is aggressive? Who is timid? Who raises with only strong cards? Who bluffs a lot? All of these questions can be answered if you just pay attention.

Over the years, I?ve developed a couple of mental exercises to help me focus on the action while playing Texas hold?em. These exercises can also increase your decision making and problem solving abilities at the poker table.

The first one is to guess what each of your opponents is holding based on how he plays the hand. Say the flop comes J-10-2 with two spades. There is a bet, a call and a raise. What sorts of hands could these players have? Perhaps the better has something like J-K for top pair and the caller has a straight or flush draw and the raiser has two pair or a set. The more you study your opponents, the better you will be able to guess their holdings, and that ability will only help you in the long run.

During a recent friendly game, one player bet out on a board of A-A-10-2 and Steve called. A third player raised, the initial bettor called and Steve re-raised. Before Steve turned his cards over on the river, I called out ?Ace-Ten,? and that?s precisely what he had. How was I able to guess this? Steve had a monster hand and didn?t want to chase out the other players on the turn so he just called the initial bet, but after there was a raise behind him he could go ahead and re-raise and get more money in the pot. If Steve held three aces, without a full house, he most likely would have raised on the turn initially to try and eliminate any flush and straight draws. You can only learn these kinds of tendencies by paying attention.

A second exercise I like to employ while playing hold?em is to think up a hand and visualize how I would play it. Let?s pretend the flop is 8-J-3. Now, I may have folded a 5-2 or some other junk hand, but I?m going to now pretend I have a 9-10 in my hand and the action is to me. Do I bet, check, raise or fold? Or I could pretend I have flopped a set of threes. Now what do I do? This exercise allows you to continually think about how you would play certain hands, which will only help you when you actually hold those cards.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=be-attentive.html

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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Here are some great poker tips to bring immediate improvement to your game.

2008-07-20T17:36:00.001-07:00

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A Hold Em Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

Two Important Rules To Always Keep In Mind

Rule #1: Apply pressure.

Your bets MUST apply pressure to those acting after you. This is the first thing I tell struggling / timid players and the first thing I remind myself of when I�m running bad. You have to make sure that your bets cause the other players to have to make difficult decisions. How often do you see players opening with a minimum bet, or raising the minimum from late position? These bets don�t apply pressure, they merely build the pot.

Here�s a typical example:

Blinds are 50/100, early in a live multi-table tournament; assume everyone has 1800 in chips. You have AKo (Big Slick) in late position.

2 players call before it gets to you in the cutoff seat (one before the button). You like your hand and decide to raise. You raise to 200. While it is a fantastic idea to raise with Big Slick, you need to raise a larger amount... you need to apply pressure!

This is a very common example of a no-pressure bet that is very common by new players and bad players! If you are going to raise, you need to make a hefty sized raise to make most everyone fold!

Think about this, You have two callers who already have 100 invested plus the button, SB and BB left to act. Your raise didn�t cause anyone a second of anxiety. The button now has odds to call with many drawing hands, the BB only has to put one bet in to see the flop and there�s no way the initial limpers are going to fold for one more bet each.

What have you accomplished here? The answer is nothing good. Not only have you not isolated against a single player, which should be your goal with this hand, you have built the pot to an amount that gives the chasers a great reason to stick around!

The right move here would be to raise a minimum of 3xBB. But I think in this situation, with 2 limpers and 3 players to follow that�s amount is still probably too small. I think a bet of 4-5xBB is the better move.

This bet will apply enough pressure that you may actually win the hand right there.

But in this situation, you've bet $200 pre-flop (the minimum raise).
The SB folds and everyone else calls. The pot has 850.

The Flop comes 78K with two hearts, it�s checked to you.

You've hit Top Pair, Top Kicker which is a strong hand. You are most likely in the lead right now but there are 2 hearts on the board (you don't hold the King of Hearts, either).

You bet 200.

This was a great flop for you, but it is dangerous. There�s a possible 4 flush and 4 straight. You�ve got to bet an amount that will put pressure on the drawing hands and 200 just won�t cut it. No one is going to fold their flush draw to a 200 bet when they can win a 1000+ pot.

You need to size your bet accordingly. So, what sized bet would be good enough to put pressure on the flush draw? A bet of about � of the pot should do it.

If you put 600 in the pot, the flush draw now has a big decision to make. That bet will put more than half of their stack in the pot, if they call they�re basically committing to play for the rest of their chips. (This is a very important point. Pay attention to your opponent�s chip stack. A bet that commits their stack is a pressure bet.) If they know what they�re doing, they�ll fold right there, if not you�re about a 3:2 favorite to win the hand and more than double your stack.

In this situation you bet 200 on the flop. The BB & first limper call. The pot has 1450.

The turn is a 2 of spades. You bet 400.

The turn was great for you, it didn�t help the straight or flush draws, but your bet was again too small. A flush or straight draw only has to pay 400 for a chance at 1850. The pot is giving almost 5:1 on a 4:1(approximately) draw. A � pot bet would have put the necessary pressure on the chaser, while 400 is an easy call.

The BB calls.

The river is a T of clubs. You check, the BB bets 500 and you call. The BB shows 96s for the straight.

This is where you glare at the BB and storm off to tell your friends how your AK got cracked by 96. But this wasn�t a matter of the BB getting lucky. He played it right on every street. You made his decisions easy by not applying pressure with your bets.

The next time you�re ready to throw your chips in the pot ask yourself this question; �Is this bet going to be easy to call?� If the answer is yes, then grab some more chips and put some pressure on your opponents

Rule #2:

Don�t swim with the sharks. This is the newest addition to my rule book and it has helped me increase my winnings over the last 6 months more than anything else.

The basic rule is this. Avoid playing heads up against players who are as good as or better than you.

Get your chips from those players that are less skilled / knowledgeable than you.

There are a number of quality players that I play against every week with whom I have never been involved in a big hand. If a typical table has 4 good players and 5 poor players, why would you bang heads with the good players? Get your chips from the ones you know you can outplay.

This is really very easy to do. If a player that you believe to be better than you raises, fold. Simple. Unless you have a premium hand (AA,KK,QQ,AK), why get involved? Just wait for an opportunity against a fishy player.

That means you�ll be folding hands you might normally play, like AJ or KQs, etc. If you do have a premium hand, then don�t just call, re-raise instead. You want to try to win the hand pre-flop so you won�t be out played post flop.

Of course, you won�t always be able to avoid confrontation with a good player, but you can definitely limit it.

As an example, I recently took a trip to Tunica with a friend of mine who is a very good player. Over two days, we played at the same table for about 16 hours. In all of that time we only played one hand heads up and that one was for small dollars. I�m sure over there were several hands over those 16 hours where we could have done battle, but why would we when there was a super fish at the table giving away enough for all of the good players to share?

There are plenty of fish to get chips from, so save the sharks for the final table. Recognize who the quality players are and adjust accordingly.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/2-poker-rules-to-live-by.htm

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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With so much fluff out there- we cut through the nonsense to bring you only the best online poker information.

2008-07-18T08:13:00.001-07:00

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A Great Texas Hold Em Article

What I Like About Poker

GOAT - Where do I begin? What do I like about poker? Many things come to mind, first I enjoy winning money, as everyone probably does, but poker is more than that to me. I enjoy the competition, I enjoy the psychological aspect of the game.

It is almost primal in a sense.

I was watching the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel and they were interviewing Howard Lederer, an excellent player and he said that there is something primitively appealing about taking your opponents� chips. Your opponent has a stack of chips, and you would like to take ownership away from him. He wants to take your chips away from you and how you play your hand determines who ends up with the chips.

Poker is not a game of luck. Luck is certainly involved (ever lose to a runner runner flush? Ever win with it?). Poker is a game of skill, if you are counting on catching lucky cards to win, over the long run you will probably lose more money than you win.

Some friends and I just recently took a trip to Biloxi to play some poker. It was only my 2nd time playing poker in a casino, it was a great experience. I lost money overall, but I didn�t do horribly in my opinion. I believe that I improved my game. I know I made the wrong plays in certain situations, and I know that I made the right play in certain situations. I came back from Biloxi a much better Poker player than when I left.

My bankroll from my online game also reflects that fact. I was down to my last $30 the day I left, and today I�m currently up to nearly $200. Yeah, I can�t quit my day-job yet but it�s a step in the right direction. Don�t get me wrong, if I would have won I would have been happier, but I have no problem loosing as long as I teach myself, or get �taught� by others.

My worst hand was the very last one I was going to play. If I had won this hand I would have finished the trip with a slightly larger bankroll than I brought down. I had been playing from about 11pm on Saturday night until around 9am Sunday morning.

My buddy came down from the room and asked was I nearing a decent place to leave the game, and I agreed to leave when the blinds got back to me. Well, wouldn�t you know it, I�m Under the Gun and I get dealt QQ�

Like any good poker player I raise it up. A very loose and aggressive player 2 positions behind me raises it again and we have 2 callers. I probably should have re-raised right there, but I only called. Flop comes down K 10 x. I bet, the loose player raises and the other 2 callers fold. I re-raise and am called.

Turn comes Q� BAM, I figure I�m up against A/K and I just hit my set. I bet out again and am once again Raised. I�m still fairly confident that I�ve got the best hand so I re-raise and am called.

River is rags so I bet out again, and once again I am raised. Now I start to question the strength of my hand, but there was no way I�m folding. I call and say �Got the straight?� Sure enough, he flips over J/9 offsuit for a K high straight. I think most people would fold J/9 offsuit when I�m aggressively betting, I�d like to think that if I would have re-raised after the flop that I might have one it, but the way this guy was playing he wasn�t folding anything.

It really sucks to have your very last hand be one where you get totally owned. That one bothered me for a while. This guy was a �Jackal� and I didn�t think he would fold to anything, but I still probably should have raised him instead of just calling. Flopping the Set was actually worse for me in this situation, my Q�s would have held up if not for the 3rd Q on the board. Live and learn.

I like Poker because it really is a sport. It is a sport that you can play as long as you are mentally capable. As I�m sitting at the table in the casino an older gentleman sat down, my first instinct was that this guy is a farmer. I don�t know what that means in regards to his poker skills, but if I was to guess his profession, I would have picked farmer, either that or professional online poker player over at poker stars.net, but i knew that was unlikely.

Anyway, he was probably in his mid 60�s, and was by far the best player at the table. He completely confused me in hands and I lost a decent amount of chips to him. At the time I was pretty disgusted that I was outplayed by someone who on the outside looked like I should be able to beat no problem. The more I thought about it, the less disgusted I became.

First I know I�m a rookie, through and through. Second, it�s kind of cool to know that when I�m his age, I�ll be taking young punks money at the table. The more I thought about it, the more I respected him and his style of play. He was excellent at hiding his hands and I rarely see him enter pots that he did not win (or at least go down swinging). I liked his strategy, he didn�t get involved in pots where he didn�t have a decent chance to win, and he didn�t let you chase your cards cheaply. I mimicked his play (as best I could) online when I got home and have done pretty well.

So, for all you up and coming poker players out there, if you take any advice from a rookie like me is, always learn. Poker isn�t just about the cards that land in your hand, it�s about how you play. I'm mostly playing online poker now with a live tournament every now and then, but I can't wait to get back to the casino and try my hand, err hooves again.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/what-I-like-about-poker.htm

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McDermott Introduces Bill to Raise $40B via Online-Gambling Taxation

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:34:00 -0700
Congressman James McDermott (D-WA) has taken a second stab at creating a federal revenue/tax-generating mechanism for online gambling with the introduction of his 'Investing in our Human Resources Act of 2008.' Formally designated as HR 6061...

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Anyone from beginner to expert poker players can benefit from these Texas Hold Em strategies.

2008-07-16T22:06:00.001-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of Texas Hold Em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

This Hold Em Article Will Make You A Better Player

Value Betting and Protection Betting in No Limit Texas Holdem

There is a balance to betting that must be reached in order to receive maximum value for your hands. This balance is the struggle between Value and Protection Betting.

On the Value side, you want to extract the maximum amount of money from your opponent. And on the Protection side, you want to prevent losing the amount of money you have invested in a pot.

I have seen on many occasions inexperienced players over and under bet their hands accordingly. Following are two examples I personally played that illustrate improperly applied Value and Protection Betting.

The first hand example is from the 2005 WSOP.
I was in middle position and looked down at JJ. I raised three times the big blind and was called only by the big blind yielding a pot of 6.5 big bets. The call of the big blind could have simply been defensive, but an otherwise chatty opponent was suddenly quiet. I assumed a range of hands he could hold to be big paint, big slick or a middle pair.

The flop delivered K93 rainbow. My opponent bet the minimum bringing the pot to 7.5 big bets. At this point I was convinced he had a king and his Value bet would force me to call.

The turn card was another K. My opponent quickly checked raising the ire of suspicion. So I promptly checked behind him as I was willing to show this hand down for nothing.

The river delivered an 8. My opponent declared assertively that he was �all-in�. Now, I originally placed my opponent on a king. With two kings on the board, the likelihood of him holding a K was small. However, I was not willing to risk my entire tournament on a pair of Js when my gut instinct told me he had a K. I decided to try getting him to expose his cards by declaring that I was folding the winner and showing him my Jacks as they were mucked. He triumphantly flipped his hand over showing pocket kings for quad-kings.

How does this apply to value betting?
Proper use of value betting in light of what your opponent may be holding would have given this opponent more chips with his monster hand. Obviously I was willing to call the one bet on the flop. At minimum I would have called one bet on the turn and one on the river. He left at least two bets on the table by improper betting.

Where does the balance come into play? I believe my opponent had an opportunity to make more than the two bets he left on the table. The flop minimum bet was crazy. No cards should be folded when the pot is offering 7.5 to 1 odds. With my opponent flopping a set of Ks and an uncoordinated board, a flop bet of two or three bets would have been about the maximum an opponent could call with an underpair.

The turn check is not a bad play in trying to induce a bluff. But in order for this attempt at weakness to work, he would have had to represent strength on the flop. His flop bet did not do this. Now in the scenario where I called a flop bet of two or three big bets, at minimum I should be willing to risk two or three more bets as the pot would again be offering remarkable odds to stick around. Finally, the all-in bet on the river gave no consideration to my hand or chip stacks. What hand would possibly call the all-in? A full-house or set of kings only. This was a missed opportunity to extract more chips from an opponent. His hand was so strong that a small bet is the best he could have hoped to recover. In the alternate flop/turn scenario presented, a river bet of three to five bets would have likely been paid off.

The second hand reflects on Protection Betting.
This hand was played in Las Vegas in a cash game.

Four limpers to seat 7 who makes a minimum raise.

I was in seat 9 with 68 spades and cold called the two bets. The small blind, big blind and previous limpers all called as well yielding a pot of 16 big bets.

The flop delivered 3c5h7c.

All checked to seat 7 who minimum bet again and all players involved called bringing the pot to 24 big bets. The turn card was the Q of diamonds.

Again, all checked to seat 7 who bet two big bets. I called, along with the big blind bringing the pot to 30 big bets.

The river was the 9 of diamonds. Big blind checked and seat 7 went all-in. I called and the big blind folded. Seat 7 turned over red Aces and lost a huge pot to my rivered straight.

How does this apply to Protection Betting?
With hands that are vulnerable (such as one pair in the above example), it is absolutely important to protect the money that is invested in the pot BEFORE it is too late to do so.

Where is the balance? This guy had aces, and this is obviously a monster hand pre-flop, but the hand progressively gets worse on the flop, turn and river unless helped by the board. Aces are only one pair.

The minimum raise pre-flop was a huge mistake given all of the limpers. Aces in an 8-way pot are destined to be cracked. There was no Protection Bet pre-flop providing security for the aces. Mistake.

Instead of the minimum raise, a pre-flop raise of about 4 to 6 big bets would have thinned the field significantly putting the aces in far better position from the flop on. Now assuming the filed was thinned and it was three-way action after 4 to 6 bet pre-flop raise, a respectable continuation bet on the flop is required. You cannot lay proper odds for the flush or straight draws to continue with the hand without making a negative EV play. *a negative EV play is one that will lose money over the long haul.

In order to protect against the flush, your bet would need to lay insufficient odds for the opponent to continue. This means it has to be big enough to force them to fold or make an improper call based on the odds. Some opponents will call regardless of the bet, but you must make an attempt at betting that forces people out of the hand. A solid � to pot size bet would lay odds such that an opponent is making a mistake in calling.

The point is that seat 7 in the above scenario failed to bet in a manner that would push anyone out of the hand until it was too late. With a coordinated board such as the one in this example, aces are useless and serious consideration should be given to sending them to the muck.

You may be able to think of many examples yourself where you made too large of a bet on the river with the nuts that didn�t get a call; or you may remember not betting enough with a hand that was vulnerable.

There is a definite balance between Value Betting and Protection Betting that is often overlooked. Oftentimes players will find that they have all throttle but no gears to shift.

The art in Value Betting keeps customers paying off your premium hands by turning down the throttle to a point palatable to your opponents. Oftentimes players find themselves complaining about the suck-out artists who cracked their (fill in the big pair here).

The art in Protection Betting keeps these thieves from stealing the smaller pots from under you. For all players, the threshold required for both Value and Protection changes. While subtle in difference, strong focus on this balance can yield huge dividends to your bankroll.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/value-betting-and-protection-betting-in-no-limit-texas-holdem.htm

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2008-07-14T08:16:00.001-07:00

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A Poker Article For Your Reading Enjoyment

Table Image - Part 1

by Gary Gates

As a serious player, student or casual poker enthusiast, I�d be willing to bet you�ve come across some variation of the saying �play the man, not the cards.� Its meaning has been interpreted hundreds of ways by various poker authors, pros, and even movie directors; perhaps most famously immortalized by Matt Damon�s character in Rounders, who insists he can �play it blind� when pitted against less formidable opponents. �The cards themselves hardly matter,� he tells the judge.

Though it might work in the movies, I don�t advise that you play too many hands blind. On the contrary, you should play every hand, even the ones you�re not in, with wide open eyes. Though �play the man, not the cards� typically pertains to physical tells, or visible mannerisms that can tip off a player�s hand, I would argue that in order to best �play the man� you have to observe how he plays his cards, which in turn means the cards matter a whole lot.

From the minute you sit down at a poker table, your attitude, your outfit, your betting habits, the frequency with which you call, raise or fold and the quality of the hands you expose all combine to create a snapshot of your playing style in the eyes of the other nine people at the table trying to separate you from your money. Your opponents� perception of your playing style, also known as your �table image,� often determines how an observant player chooses to play against you and you against them. So what if we could control how other players perceive us at the poker table and use it to our advantage?

Fortunately, we can! Being aware of your table image and knowing how to take advantage of it is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. Before you decide to be creative and make a play based on image alone, it is important to consider which of your opponents is capable of recognizing and applying the concept of table image. Assuming that everyone at the table has been watching and keeping track of your every move can be a costly mistake. You�ll often find more opponents than not who will be too preoccupied with a game on TV or a conversation with their neighbor to notice that you haven�t played a hand in an hour, so be sure that the target you attempt to exploit has been watching.

Most poker texts categorize playing styles into four major groups: tight, passive, loose and aggressive. The terms �tight� and �loose� are typically used to describe the range of hands a player is likely to play. A tight player folds most hands before the flop and only plays the upper echelon of starting hands, such as pocket aces, kings, queens, AK, etc. A loose player will get involved with a much wider variety of starting hands, including small pairs and small suited connectors. �Passive� and �aggressive� are terms used to characterize players� betting habits. A passive player does a lot of checking and calling, while an aggressive player makes a lot of bets and raises.

Part II will discuss ways to exploit table image, both projected and perceived.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=table-image-part-1.html

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2008-07-12T04:26:00.001-07:00

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Value Betting and Protection Betting in No Limit Texas Holdem

There is a balance to betting that must be reached in order to receive maximum value for your hands. This balance is the struggle between Value and Protection Betting.

On the Value side, you want to extract the maximum amount of money from your opponent. And on the Protection side, you want to prevent losing the amount of money you have invested in a pot.

I have seen on many occasions inexperienced players over and under bet their hands accordingly. Following are two examples I personally played that illustrate improperly applied Value and Protection Betting.

The first hand example is from the 2005 WSOP.
I was in middle position and looked down at JJ. I raised three times the big blind and was called only by the big blind yielding a pot of 6.5 big bets. The call of the big blind could have simply been defensive, but an otherwise chatty opponent was suddenly quiet. I assumed a range of hands he could hold to be big paint, big slick or a middle pair.

The flop delivered K93 rainbow. My opponent bet the minimum bringing the pot to 7.5 big bets. At this point I was convinced he had a king and his Value bet would force me to call.

The turn card was another K. My opponent quickly checked raising the ire of suspicion. So I promptly checked behind him as I was willing to show this hand down for nothing.

The river delivered an 8. My opponent declared assertively that he was �all-in�. Now, I originally placed my opponent on a king. With two kings on the board, the likelihood of him holding a K was small. However, I was not willing to risk my entire tournament on a pair of Js when my gut instinct told me he had a K. I decided to try getting him to expose his cards by declaring that I was folding the winner and showing him my Jacks as they were mucked. He triumphantly flipped his hand over showing pocket kings for quad-kings.

How does this apply to value betting?
Proper use of value betting in light of what your opponent may be holding would have given this opponent more chips with his monster hand. Obviously I was willing to call the one bet on the flop. At minimum I would have called one bet on the turn and one on the river. He left at least two bets on the table by improper betting.

Where does the balance come into play? I believe my opponent had an opportunity to make more than the two bets he left on the table. The flop minimum bet was crazy. No cards should be folded when the pot is offering 7.5 to 1 odds. With my opponent flopping a set of Ks and an uncoordinated board, a flop bet of two or three bets would have been about the maximum an opponent could call with an underpair.

The turn check is not a bad play in trying to induce a bluff. But in order for this attempt at weakness to work, he would have had to represent strength on the flop. His flop bet did not do this. Now in the scenario where I called a flop bet of two or three big bets, at minimum I should be willing to risk two or three more bets as the pot would again be offering remarkable odds to stick around. Finally, the all-in bet on the river gave no consideration to my hand or chip stacks. What hand would possibly call the all-in? A full-house or set of kings only. This was a missed opportunity to extract more chips from an opponent. His hand was so strong that a small bet is the best he could have hoped to recover. In the alternate flop/turn scenario presented, a river bet of three to five bets would have likely been paid off.

The second hand reflects on Protection Betting.
This hand was played in Las Vegas in a cash game.

Four limpers to seat 7 who makes a minimum raise.

I was in seat 9 with 68 spades and cold called the two bets. The small blind, big blind and previous limpers all called as well yielding a pot of 16 big bets.

The flop delivered 3c5h7c.

All checked to seat 7 who minimum bet again and all players involved called bringing the pot to 24 big bets. The turn card was the Q of diamonds.

Again, all checked to seat 7 who bet two big bets. I called, along with the big blind bringing the pot to 30 big bets.

The river was the 9 of diamonds. Big blind checked and seat 7 went all-in. I called and the big blind folded. Seat 7 turned over red Aces and lost a huge pot to my rivered straight.

How does this apply to Protection Betting?
With hands that are vulnerable (such as one pair in the above example), it is absolutely important to protect the money that is invested in the pot BEFORE it is too late to do so.

Where is the balance? This guy had aces, and this is obviously a monster hand pre-flop, but the hand progressively gets worse on the flop, turn and river unless helped by the board. Aces are only one pair.

The minimum raise pre-flop was a huge mistake given all of the limpers. Aces in an 8-way pot are destined to be cracked. There was no Protection Bet pre-flop providing security for the aces. Mistake.

Instead of the minimum raise, a pre-flop raise of about 4 to 6 big bets would have thinned the field significantly putting the aces in far better position from the flop on. Now assuming the filed was thinned and it was three-way action after 4 to 6 bet pre-flop raise, a respectable continuation bet on the flop is required. You cannot lay proper odds for the flush or straight draws to continue with the hand without making a negative EV play. *a negative EV play is one that will lose money over the long haul.

In order to protect against the flush, your bet would need to lay insufficient odds for the opponent to continue. This means it has to be big enough to force them to fold or make an improper call based on the odds. Some opponents will call regardless of the bet, but you must make an attempt at betting that forces people out of the hand. A solid � to pot size bet would lay odds such that an opponent is making a mistake in calling.

The point is that seat 7 in the above scenario failed to bet in a manner that would push anyone out of the hand until it was too late. With a coordinated board such as the one in this example, aces are useless and serious consideration should be given to sending them to the muck.

You may be able to think of many examples yourself where you made too large of a bet on the river with the nuts that didn�t get a call; or you may remember not betting enough with a hand that was vulnerable.

There is a definite balance between Value Betting and Protection Betting that is often overlooked. Oftentimes players will find that they have all throttle but no gears to shift.

The art in Value Betting keeps customers paying off your premium hands by turning down the throttle to a point palatable to your opponents. Oftentimes players find themselves complaining about the suck-out artists who cracked their (fill in the big pair here).

The art in Protection Betting keeps these thieves from stealing the smaller pots from under you. For all players, the threshold required for both Value and Protection changes. While subtle in difference, strong focus on this balance can yield huge dividends to your bankroll.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/value-betting-and-protection-betting-in-no-limit-texas-holdem.htm

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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2008-07-08T07:06:00.001-07:00

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A Featured Online Poker Article

Phil Hellmuth's rap and hip hop

By Adam Johnson

His head was buried in the sleeve of his black jacket, his left arm extending toward the middle of the table. Listening to music from his Ipod, he decided to have some connection to the outside world, however disconnected to his present world it may have been.

Yet there was Phil Hellmuth, the self-proclaimed best hold-em player in the world, struggling with his short stack in the $1500 Pot-Limit tournament at the World Series of Poker.

If someone who couldn�t spell poker walked up to the table, they probably would have guessed this downtrodden man wasn�t much in the poker world.

How deceiving their deductions would have been.

Suddenly he sprouted to life and sought out myself, one of many media members in the Amazon Room near his table, to be his much needed set of ears.

�You want to hear about some hands, I�ll tell you about some hands,� said Hellmuth, the then ten time bracelet winner with an eagerness that made me wonder if I asked him a question.

After hearing how his A-A couldn�t beat seat 10�s A-6 and how his late position pre-flop raise was defended by a guy out of the blind with 6-high, it was quite clear that he felt like Peter Weber in a prestigious bowling tournament with bumper lanes. His skills just didn�t seem to translate and his frustration was visible if not tangible to those present.

Such is the life of a gifted tournament poker player on most days, when failure can last for months and someone with little experience can win a major tournament.

Seated to Hellmuth�s left was another short-chipped professional and good friend of Hellmuth�s, Gavin Smith.

Known as one of the most gregarious players on the tournament circuit, Smith was up to his usual antics at the table, taking a completely different route than Hellmuth.

Upon a request from the aforementioned seat 10, the main subject of Hellmuth�s diatribes, Smith grabbed Hellmuth�s Ipod and read the display, �Bad Boys for Life, P Diddy,� he said.

A poll wasn�t conducted at the time, but P Diddy didn�t exactly seem to be in Hellmuth�s �range� from reading the table�s body language. Seat 10 and a few other players chuckled and Smith told them that Phil is actually a big fan of rap and hip hop music.

Wearing black designer shoes that likely cost as much as the tournament entry and a black and yellow Ultimate Bet Hockey jersey, nothing about Hellmuth�s style screams hip-hop.

Perhaps in a giving mood after sending Hellmuth into a momentary tailspin, seat 10 sent his Ipod to Smith, who hooked it up to Hellmuth�s while his head was buried.

Hellmuth continued on as if nothing happened, and listened to a Kanye West song seat 10 doctored up for him.

Completely amused by the situation, Smith asked for my phone and took a picture of Hellmuth listening to the man�s Ipod. Smith organized that I send the picture to the man so his friends and kids could see Hellmuth listening to his Ipod.

A conversation about rap ensued between the two, exchanging similar tastes in music. Much like Hellmuth, Smith�s gears were stuck in neutral as well.

�If I get up to 20,000 chips, I�ll be dangerous,� he said, with a stack that was probably a third of that number.

After sheriffing (not a real word) a player who bet K-J on the turn and went all-in on the river on a paired board with all baby cards, Smith check called on both streets after betting the flop, revealing the best hand with a measly two-pair.

The busted player seemed shocked as did others at the table, that Smith knew his hand was good. To those familiar with Smith�s ability, the result seemed pretty standard.

Hellmuth busted within the next hour and Smith held true to his prediction, finishing 2nd in a field of 781 players.

They provided a contrast of playing styles and personalities in a time when chips were hard to come by for both, but as always, they are never short on entertainment value no matter what.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=phil-hellmuth-rap-and-hip-hop.html

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2008-07-06T07:01:00.001-07:00

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Another Great Texas Hold Em Article

To go or not to go all in ? that is the question

By Johnny Kampis

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So goes a Chinese proverb that is also an apt description of the beginning of a poker tournament.

Consider starting with 1,500 chips in a tournament with 100 people. In order to win the tournament, you must have 150,000 chips in the end. When you think about it like that it seems almost an unfathomable task, an attempt to climb Mt. Everest. But somebody?s got to do it.

I?ve found over time that I tend to do better at live tournaments than those I play online. At first, I thought it was maybe because I was good at reading people, which is impossible to do online, but then I realized it was something else. When you play online, it?s always easy to see what the average chip count is among the players remaining in the tournament and it can be easy to panic if you are far below the average. I tend to start pushing all in with hands I shouldn?t play or in situations in which I should probably fold.

But when you?re playing live, there is no screen to tell you where you stand against the rest of the field. You can do some calculations in your head to figure out about where you stand, but there?s no number constantly in front of you telling you that.

Just as patience is key in a regular ring game of poker, it?s also key when you have a below average stack in a tournament. Consider that the average stack in a tournament you are playing is 10,000. You have 5,000 and the blinds are 200 and 400. You are well below average, but you aren?t a short stack yet. You don?t have to push all in when you raise. It gives you time to wait on a quality hand before making a move, and if you can double up once you are back to average.

I played a tournament at Binion?s in Las Vegas this summer in which I was a below average stack nearly the entire event, but I stayed patient and was able to get good hands on which to double up on. Finally, when I got to the final table I caught hand after hand and ended up winning the tournament. Had I hurriedly pushed all in earlier in the affair with a less than premium hand and lost I wouldn?t have given myself a chance to catch the hands I was dealt later.

It?s better to pass up a so-so opportunity now in order to get a much better opportunity later. Otherwise, you?ll never get to climb Mt. Everest.

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2008-07-04T21:32:00.001-07:00

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5 Tips for Small Stakes No-Limit Texas Holdem Cash Game

Tip #1

You make your money when you hit a big hand and get paid off.

This is important - You're not going to win a lot of money by stealing the blinds. At the $25 max buyin games the small blind is .10 and the big blind is .25. Why steal 35 cents?

For the most part it is a waste of time to try to steal it, other than mixing up your game some but no one notices at low limits anyway really.

It's ok to fold from late position if you have garbage. Why raise a $1.50 to steal $ .35 when you are holding Eight Three offsuit? Just muck it.

Don�t try and make your money winning lots of small blinds� you want to get called when you have a strong hand and steal the medium sized pots when you see an opportunity to bluff (more on that below).

Tip #2.

Pick a table that will let you limp cheaply - play flops for big hands.

What you want is a table that is first loose and second mostly passive.

You want to see most of the players limping in with any two cards and especially if they are calling raises out of position with dominated hands like KJ, KQ, AJ, AT... Avoid tables that have 3 or more pre-flop raisers unless there is a compelling reason to play there. Here is a more detailed article on No Limit Holdem Table Selection. Sites with good low limit traffic are Bodog Poker and Poker Stars

You want to see flops cheaply with YOUR drawing hands and make the others PAY with theirs (by raising/playing aggressive with your strong cards). If the table is also loose (which most are) I like playing most pairs if I can get in cheaply. If it is more common for the pot not to be raised pre-flop you can limp in with all small pairs and suited connectors down to around 78.

If there has been much raising at your table then I'd muck the smaller suited connectors unless it is a loose table and then it is fine to make a loose call in position. If raising is fairly common at your table then get up and find a different table unless there is an overly compelling reason to stay. At most major sites there is plenty of table selection at the low stakes no limit tables.

One thing I have noticed is that in general you want to find a table that doesn't have quite the highest average pot, but just a couple of notches below average. On the $25 buyin tables the larger pots are around $13 dollars, so I look for a table with between $8 and $10.

Don't bother with the tables with very low average pots, these normally indicate a table full of rocks that won't give you the action you want when you hit your hand.

Tip #3.

Bluff when you miss completely and you see no aggression, not when you have draws.

Don't be inclined to bluff if you have a draw to a strong hand if the pot is relatively small. If the pot is larger and worth taking down right now then a semi-bluff could be correct, but in the small pots it is ok to let them stay small if you are drawing.

Playing no limit, you can build a pot all at once. If you're drawing to a straight and can take a free card, be inclined to take it. I know this seems contrary to the idea of the semi-bluff, but this is low limit, no limit.

Someone might be slowplaying top two pair and they want to check raise you. Plus, they will pay you off with all sorts of garbage hands. So instead of betting out on a semi bluff and either getting called, raised or winning a small pot� consider checking and seeing if you hit your hand.

If you hit your hand and your opponent was planning on check raising you�re going to now get paid off� and get paid off much more than you would with one hand than you would if you took down a number of these small pots by successfully semi bluffing. Only if the pot is somewhat large and you have a very strong draw, and you think your opponent will fold to a hefty raise should you put out the semi-bluff, and if you do, make it stick.

For example, in a small stakes game if it is checked to you�ve got an open ended straight draw. You can check and take a free card or you can make a semi-bluff. You decide to semi-bluff with a pot sized bet of $1.75. What are you going to do when you get re-raised to $7.75? You've got a draw that if hits will most likely win, but you've got to call that is too expensive based on the odds of you hitting it.

If you would have checked, you would have saved the $4 flop bet and pretty much regardless what comes on the turn you are going to be bet into by the player who was hoping to check raise. If you hit do hit your straight, BINGO $$. A player who was planning on check raising but doesn�t get the chance (because you and everyone else checks behind him) will bet out on the turn nearly every time.

You're probably going to get paid off for a decent sum of money because people who wanted to check raise on the flop are simply unprepared to lay down to a raise on the turn and they will most likely call the river unless the board is just super scary. On the other hand, if you miss your draw and are bet out into on the turn you can lay your hand down and it costs you very little of your stack.

So instead of putting yourself into a sticky situation with a difficult decision on calling/folding, don't bet here. Instead take your free card and be willing to give up the small pot.

On the other hand - if you totally miss the flop and don't see much aggression, go ahead and make a bluff at the pot. Now if you get check-raised you can lay your hand down without much deliberation.

Tip #4.

Tighten up when it comes to calling a raise.

Avoid playing attractive looking, but dangerous hands like KJ, QT, ATo.

If the pot is raised by a typical player they will be raising with AK, AQ, and many pairs. Fold these hands even if you are a blind. Sure it might only be .75 cents to call, but what are you going to do when you call a raise with Queen Jack and the flop comes Queen, Ace, Eight and your opponent bets into for the size of the pot?
This puts you in a difficult situation. - Avoid these and play TIGHT when dealing with a raise.

Tip # 5.

It's ok to limp in cheaply with drawing hands if you have the discipline to get away from the hand after the flop.

I�m not advocating �Any Two will Do.� But the strong drawing hands can be played profitably if you have the discipline to get away from the hand when you are beaten.

Nut flush draws are the best example. If the table is full of loose limpers then I�m playing these hands often, and using pot sweetening bets when I have position. Even if you have to call a modest sized raise from someone, it is ok as long as they have a relatively large chip stack. (if you hit your hand you want to take their stack). Having numerous opponents with drawing hands isn't as important in No Limit as in Limit, since you can win a huge pot against just 1 other player playing No Limit as compared to only being able to take a set amount form , but drawing hands always love company.

If you miss this flop and it doesn't look very coordinated with a lot of connectors or scary, this can be a decent time to bluff. Stick in a 3/4 pot sized bet, even from early position if you only have two players to act behind you. Steal these pots unless you see resistance.

Don't call a raise and be leary of anyone who calls your flop bet. If the turn is another blank then you can fire another shot, but be sure you bet a healthy size (1/2 the pot at least) and try and make sure you're not walking into a huge trap. Most players don't have the imagination to stick in a raise on the flop (or especially the turn) without a hand. Sets can easily be hidden so tread cautiously if you get called on the flop. Checking and folding is ok, you can't successfully bluff every time.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/5-tips-for-small-stakes-no-limit-texas-holdem-cash-game.htm

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Enough beating around the bush- time to start winning at Texas Hold Em.

2008-07-02T06:14:00.001-07:00

This blog is for information and education only. It is meant to improve your Texas Hold Em game in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Todays Texas Hold Em Article

What I Like About Poker

GOAT - Where do I begin? What do I like about poker? Many things come to mind, first I enjoy winning money, as everyone probably does, but poker is more than that to me. I enjoy the competition, I enjoy the psychological aspect of the game.

It is almost primal in a sense.

I was watching the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel and they were interviewing Howard Lederer, an excellent player and he said that there is something primitively appealing about taking your opponents� chips. Your opponent has a stack of chips, and you would like to take ownership away from him. He wants to take your chips away from you and how you play your hand determines who ends up with the chips.

Poker is not a game of luck. Luck is certainly involved (ever lose to a runner runner flush? Ever win with it?). Poker is a game of skill, if you are counting on catching lucky cards to win, over the long run you will probably lose more money than you win.

Some friends and I just recently took a trip to Biloxi to play some poker. It was only my 2nd time playing poker in a casino, it was a great experience. I lost money overall, but I didn�t do horribly in my opinion. I believe that I improved my game. I know I made the wrong plays in certain situations, and I know that I made the right play in certain situations. I came back from Biloxi a much better Poker player than when I left.

My bankroll from my online game also reflects that fact. I was down to my last $30 the day I left, and today I�m currently up to nearly $200. Yeah, I can�t quit my day-job yet but it�s a step in the right direction. Don�t get me wrong, if I would have won I would have been happier, but I have no problem loosing as long as I teach myself, or get �taught� by others.

My worst hand was the very last one I was going to play. If I had won this hand I would have finished the trip with a slightly larger bankroll than I brought down. I had been playing from about 11pm on Saturday night until around 9am Sunday morning.

My buddy came down from the room and asked was I nearing a decent place to leave the game, and I agreed to leave when the blinds got back to me. Well, wouldn�t you know it, I�m Under the Gun and I get dealt QQ�

Like any good poker player I raise it up. A very loose and aggressive player 2 positions behind me raises it again and we have 2 callers. I probably should have re-raised right there, but I only called. Flop comes down K 10 x. I bet, the loose player raises and the other 2 callers fold. I re-raise and am called.

Turn comes Q� BAM, I figure I�m up against A/K and I just hit my set. I bet out again and am once again Raised. I�m still fairly confident that I�ve got the best hand so I re-raise and am called.

River is rags so I bet out again, and once again I am raised. Now I start to question the strength of my hand, but there was no way I�m folding. I call and say �Got the straight?� Sure enough, he flips over J/9 offsuit for a K high straight. I think most people would fold J/9 offsuit when I�m aggressively betting, I�d like to think that if I would have re-raised after the flop that I might have one it, but the way this guy was playing he wasn�t folding anything.

It really sucks to have your very last hand be one where you get totally owned. That one bothered me for a while. This guy was a �Jackal� and I didn�t think he would fold to anything, but I still probably should have raised him instead of just calling. Flopping the Set was actually worse for me in this situation, my Q�s would have held up if not for the 3rd Q on the board. Live and learn.

I like Poker because it really is a sport. It is a sport that you can play as long as you are mentally capable. As I�m sitting at the table in the casino an older gentleman sat down, my first instinct was that this guy is a farmer. I don�t know what that means in regards to his poker skills, but if I was to guess his profession, I would have picked farmer, either that or professional online poker player over at poker stars.net, but i knew that was unlikely.

Anyway, he was probably in his mid 60�s, and was by far the best player at the table. He completely confused me in hands and I lost a decent amount of chips to him. At the time I was pretty disgusted that I was outplayed by someone who on the outside looked like I should be able to beat no problem. The more I thought about it, the less disgusted I became.

First I know I�m a rookie, through and through. Second, it�s kind of cool to know that when I�m his age, I�ll be taking young punks money at the table. The more I thought about it, the more I respected him and his style of play. He was excellent at hiding his hands and I rarely see him enter pots that he did not win (or at least go down swinging). I liked his strategy, he didn�t get involved in pots where he didn�t have a decent chance to win, and he didn�t let you chase your cards cheaply. I mimicked his play (as best I could) online when I got home and have done pretty well.

So, for all you up and coming poker players out there, if you take any advice from a rookie like me is, always learn. Poker isn�t just about the cards that land in your hand, it�s about how you play. I'm mostly playing online poker now with a live tournament every now and then, but I can't wait to get back to the casino and try my hand, err hooves again.

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/what-I-like-about-poker.htm

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2008 WSOP Event #50, $10,000 PLO Championship: Marty Smyth Wins Gold

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2008-06-30T13:40:00.001-07:00

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Playing with Bubbles

By Garry Gates

After three long hours of play, you find yourself down to the last two tables of a poker tournament that started with just under 200 players. There are twenty players left, but only the top eighteen are rewarded. Not wanting to get knocked out �on the bubble,� or just outside the money, you notice that almost everyone at your table has tightened up their game. The exception is a player to your left who seems to be taking down pot after pot without even seeing a flop. He makes a standard raise of three times the big blind to which everyone folds, each time earning him the blinds and dead ante money, a decent chunk of change at this stage of the tournament. Before play started, this player had an average sized chip stack and now he�s the tournament chip leader, in position to make a big run at the final table.

Switching to an aggressive playing style when nearing the bubble in a multi-table tournament is an extremely effective method of padding your chip stack, in preparation for the final table. Truth be told, most players do not want to risk getting knocked out of a tournament after playing for hours when they�re just a couple of spots away from cashing. The fear of a bad beat or the possibility of running into a superior hand causes even the loosest of players to fold practically everything except aces or kings during this unique stage of the tournament. Throughout a poker tournament, you will make decisions based on an array of situations, rather than your cards and opponents. The decisions you make when approaching the bubble can mean the difference between first place money and just getting your buy-in back.

Changing your playing style to aggressive at this stage of a tournament carries as much risk as it does reward. You should practice selective aggression with your raises, being careful not to get involved with the tournament�s big stacks, or players you feel might be willing to come over the top of your attempted blind steal. Continue to make standard sized raises in position and try to avoid stealing when one or more players has limped into the pot before you; a limper here is often trying to set a trap with a premium hand.

Focus your pressure on tight players whose stacks are big enough that they will be able to fold their way into the money, but not so big that they can afford to challenge one of your raises without putting their entire stack in harm�s way. If one of these players does come over the top of your raise, do not hesitate to throw your hand away immediately. The possibility exists that he may have picked up on your aggressive assault and is simply making a play, but it is more likely that this player walked into a big hand and is making a stand.

Often times, when the bubble has been �popped,� or the last player before the money is eliminated, play will return to normal. Players will return to their regular playing styles, which means it�s time to put the brakes on your relentless aggression and resume solid poker. Before you attempt to apply this technique in a big tournament, consider your goals. If you�re content with just making the money, then by all means, conform with the masses and fold away. But if you�ve got your eye on the big prize, raise it up!

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=on-the-bubble.html

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Are you ready to start winning at hold em? Im going to show you how.

2008-06-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of hold em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Hold Em Article For Your Reading Enjoyment

Online Poker can be profitable, but be sure to choose the right table!

1. PLAYERS & POT SIZES...

As a general rule, 6-8 players with a fairly large average pot size.

With most online poker sites you can see the average pot size and how many players are seeing the flop. Large pots are better as this generally means more loose players, playing no limit I'm looking to win big hands when I've got the nuts, not to grind down opponents by blind stealing and small pot stealing. I avoid most really tight games, rocks are boring and unprofitable typically. No limit is about getting paid off when you hit your monster, not stealing blinds all day.

A good table for me is one that is loose, but that is also not overly aggressive. I'm looking for a lot of players limping or calling small raises pre-flop.

2. The average number of players seeing the flop...

If you can see the average # of players seeing the flop, this is a hugely vital stat to use. Lower limits you can easily find something around 35-40%, which is pretty darn loose. Find this stat and then get one with a higher than average pot.

Sites like Bodog and Sportsbook.com will show you how many players are seeing the flop on average. I look for games with high averages seeing the flop, anything over 40% is usually good and very easy to find online.

The majority of times this makes for a good table as a tight aggressive player will play between 20% and 35% of any given hands on average, and in my opinion 35% is loooooose.

3. Watch the Button go around the table at least once - and pay attention!

Now that you've found a table with numbers that look pretty good its time to actually take a quick overhead view of the table and see what happens. Open up the table but do not sit down, or if you want you can sit down but not take your cards yet. If you are playing at Poker Stars, here is a screen shot of the table.

Take an open seat and pay attention! Watch the button go all the way around the table and take an initial assement of the table. Here are the things to look for:

A. Players limping and then calling a late position raise with weak holdings (hands like KQo, KJo, KTo, and other dominated hands like QJ (this is a good sign)

B. Look around the table at the current stack sizes - normally avoid tables where more than 3 players have 3 to 4 times the maximum buy in amount. These players can easily push me out of pots or have me committed early. They also might be solid players. (bad sign)

C. Take notice of the cards people are showing down. Look for weak holdings outside of the blinds offsuit small one gappers, Ace rag unsuited, and the plethora of other bad cards people play with. (more junk the better)

D. Take notice of who raises and who calls raises - are premium hands raised huge or limped with and are other players calling raises with weak holdings (good)

E. Any Maniacs at the table? - is there a crazy bettor or people who seem to be out to hit miracle cards by calling big bets? (good depending on seat) If you can get position on them (acting afterwards) you can get paid off when you hit a monster against them. The only problem is that you almost have to hit your hand to beat this player so you need to also feel confident that they will also pay you off when you do.

F. Who are the two worst players at the table? (can't tell? BAD) Pick out two players that are playing weak and have made mistakes. See who is playing really loose, who is playing really tight.

G. Look for players making small raises (1-2x the BB) with premium hands or even slow playing. (good, probably inexperienced players)

4. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD SEAT RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE TABLE...

A. This means sitting directly to the left of the Maniacs and the other Big Stacks so you always act after them. If you have a big hand you have the option to disguise it by letting them bet it for you. If you have a weak hand you can let it go fairly easily.

B. Give up position to short stacks/tight players - no problem letting the act after you if they are only going to play strong hands or not get involved often.

If you find the right combination of table factors and good relative seat then snag it! Since you've been watching the action already you can post as soon as you sit down if you want. This helps portray a loose image. If the big blind is 4 seats or less away from me I'll wait and post as soon as I sit down, although I sometimes post right away to make people think I'm loose.

5. IF THE TABLE TURNS COLD, GET UP AND MOVE...

Nothing is worse than staying at a bad table. Many times you'll find yourself sitting at a table with a bunch of tight and aggressive players. Unless you are wanting to work on your game, get up and move and go make money. Don't think that you've got something to prove.

6. TAKE NOTES...

I logged on to Party Poker yesterday to play a tourney with some friends and there were over 70,000 players playing right then. You'll probably never see a player again but if you find anyone who is horrible, take a note and especially when you find the good players, make a note. It could save you your stack later.

I recommend reading through Full Tilt Poker Download Guide for a step by step tutorial on setting a your online poker account. This is a great resource for new players.

Thanks and we'll see you at the tables!

Source: http://www.kickasspoker.com/poker-strategy/articles/no-limit-holdem-table-selection-tips.htm

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2008-06-26T05:28:00.001-07:00

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A Hold Em Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

Communication Devices at the Table

By: Jameson Singer

You�re sitting at the desk in your bedroom playing a multi-table tournament on the computer. Hidden behind the virtual tournament table, a browser is showing your e-mail. Instant messenger is signed on with at least three different conversations taking place. These tend to consist of poker talk with a friend, a casual conversation with a relative, and in most cases you�re also trying to hit on that girl you met a couple nights back. The stereo is playing your favorite type of music or a beat that fits your mood(Heavy Metal for tilt and perhaps Enya if you have a big stack). A cell phone sits in your left hand as you await the arrival of a text message.

ESPN is cemented on the television, although during the 5-minute tournament breaks every hour, the �input� button on the remote is clicked, and you commence playing a video game(probably Halo, Madden, or Guitar Hero) that was on pause.

In any language and in any country, this has been typical for the online poker player since the game introduced itself to the computer screen. During this advanced technological age, however, these multi-tasking while multi-tabling ways have crossed the river, turn, and flop and landed in the live game.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- Distractibility to heightened distraction by irrelevant sights and sounds or carelessness and inability to carry simple tasks to completion.(Dictionary.com) Even on the internet, the early stages of a multi-table tournament can be excessively boring. In a live tournament where the play is twice as slow, the boredom tends to get twice as large. Walking by the poker tables at the Rio during this year�s WSOP, the attempts to counter ADHD are extremely palpable.

From books and magazines to video IPods and cell phones that do everything except help you use the bathroom, it�s all here. At first glance it almost reads like an ad for your local electronic store. In this day and age, however, these products are viewed as common items at the poker table. Players take varying approaches in order to stay occupied in between hands. For two-time bracelet winner Eric Froelich, texting is the way to go.

�I basically spend every tournament, all tournament, texting the entire time�if I try to focus too much on one thing, whether it was school work or now poker, my mind will start to drift.� Froelich says. The ideal thought of texting at the table is that its� poker related, but for many players that just isn�t the case. Often times the topic of poker is the last thing discussed. �Absolutely never about poker, except if I�m down to no chips and I�ll let my roommates know that I�m calling soon.� Froelich adamantly explains. This approach, however, changes for him later on in tournaments.

�I use an IPod from time to time when it gets real late�especially because everybody I hang out with lives on the east coast. When you play until 2 a.m. here, its already 5 a.m. there and everybody�s asleep.�

With many online players making the transition to the live game, it�s no surprise these devices are becoming more evident at the WSOP. Everybody who plays online is used to having access to various media outlets while playing and it�s something they�ve grown comfortable with. Chris �MarvinGarden� Birchby, a professional online player who has made the transition, is used to multi-tasking while playing.

� I�m either streaming music or I�ve got a television in my poker room that I�ll have on sometimes. I�ll even be playing on my laptop while I�m helping my wife cook�so this is a lot more concentration than I�m used to.� Birchby describes the online playing environment.

For a couple years now, use of the cell phone along with listening to music have been a common theme. As the technology continues to move forward, more aspects of entertainment have also been able to reach the poker rooms. Professional poker player Brett Jungblut, also known as �Gank� online, goes farther than just listening to music while in a tournament.

�I do have a video IPod that I use to watch some Aqua Teen Hunger Force.� Jungblut grins. The range of devices doesn�t stop at Frylock, Meatwad, and Master Shake(ATHF characters). Phil Laak has introduced video games to poker. During several WSOP tournaments in 2007, Laak has been seen playing Grand Theft Auto on his PlayStation Portable. In another case, a player was watching a past WSOP event on his IPod and one of the players was presently sitting at his table. With more and more players bringing different devices to the table, the question as to whether or not it takes away from the purity of the game has come into discussion.

One of the main aspects of live play that differs from online play is the ability to see the person you�re at the table with and interact with him or her. Listening to music, using the cell phone, and watching videos during tournaments can interfere with this interaction. Although Birchby says it�s harder to concentrate without the media outlets he�s used to, he still enjoys not having anything at the table because he�s able to talk to other players.

�I�ve made some great contacts and met a lot of nice people�right now, I enjoy that aspect of it.� Birchby attests.

Engaging a player at the table during play has always been an intricate part of live poker. Some players feel that without it, it can take away from the wholesomeness of the game. In some instances, a player with headphones on can be confused as to what an opponent says during a hand. If a player announces �Raise� but just throws the amount of the original bet in(which occasionally happens), controversy about the hand can ensue. More important than this, however, is the threat of cheating through these cell phones and other devices.

Two friends decide to play in the same online multi-table tournament. During the early stages of the tournament, each of them plays their own game and has little communication with the other. As the tournament progresses, both have been able to build decent stacks. The tournament pays 45 spots. Fortunately for the two friends, the number of tables is reduced to 6 and they find themselves at the same table. Let the cheating begin.

Not only are the friends telling each other their hole cards every hand, but they�ve been able to dump chips to each other when one of them is getting short-stacked. �Ok. Just raise me the minimum and I�ll push all-in. You can just fold and I�ll be able to cash in this tournament.� The friend with fewer chips explains the plan to his friend. The two of them continually communicate and sometimes dump chips until the money is finally reached. This causes somebody who�s playing the tournament straight up to miss out on a tournament cash.

This scenario is something that has the potential to translate to the live arena. Perhaps not in the sense of two friends sitting at the same table together, but a friend on the rail relaying information to a player is a distinct possibility. Although the WSOP has seen no incidents on record, tournament directors have unanimously agreed that they must prevent anything from happening.
Rules 82 and 83 of the 2007 WSOP clearly address this issue. Rule 82 regards the use of cell phones during play. �Any player on the cell phone or texting a message when the dealer delivers the first card from the deck will have a dead hand.� Although texting at the table is allowed between hands, talking on a cell phone must be done away from the table. Rule 83 states that once players enter the money of a tournament, no electronic devices are to be used. WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla discusses the restrictions.

�We don�t want to have to make it so draconian that players can�t enjoy music or can�t enjoy the tournament, however, when you reach the money, the decisions are more important so therefore, we put more restrictions in place.� Dalla explains.

The main goal of the WSOP is to safeguard the game, but not go overboard. Technology has forced poker to evolve and the WSOP understands this. It�s most important task, however, is protecting the honor of the game.
�While I think that most people are certainly honest, you never know what element might be out there.� Dalla continues. �Especially with so much money at stake, who knows what kind of technology could exist that would compromise the integrity of this game.�

Professional players and amateurs alike have split feelings about these rules. Some feel communication between players at the table is an aspect of poker that needs to stay and be included during play. Others feel that the rules are over the top and if somebody wants to listen to music while in the money, they should be allowed to do so. For the time being, the poker world doesn�t seem to be drifting to one side or the other.

Whether you�re for or against multi-tasking while multi-tabling, technology will continue to affect poker. Players will continue to keep themselves occupied no matter what method that may be. So for now, play your own game(this could mean Grand Theft Auto or poker) and try to adapt to this new generation of cards.

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=Online-Poker-Pro-Magazine.html

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

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Texas Hold Em can be intimidating. Here are some strategies to improve your overall game.

2008-06-24T00:09:00.001-07:00

This blog is for information and education only. It is meant to improve your Texas Hold Em game in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Featured Texas Hold Em Article

Keeping Things in Their Proper Perspective

Recently I went to Las Vegas to play in my first WSOP Circuit Events. My family took the trip with me, so I had to spend some quality time with them and I wasn�t able to play any satellites.

Already at four and three my twin girls think they own Vegas. Every where we go, people are always asking us if they are quads, because they are only 14 months apart and all have a similar look.

They pose for pictures several times a day with not only the poker players I run into, but with tourists from all over the world who are in Las Vegas on vacation. The girls put their arms on each others shoulder and give out a big "Cheese" for everyone and anyone with a camera. They truly are adorable and are the lights of my life.

They are the reason behind my article today. They are the reason I am proud to be a father of seven. They are the reason I get up every morning and have the motivation and desire to succeed in my daily activities. Whether it�s at my job, or if I am going to the Golf course or if I am hitting the felt today. I have been blessed by the birth of these girls and they have made me a better person because of them coming into my life.

I was playing very smart and I was really focused in my first ever Circuit Event. Although it was a second chance event with a buy in of two hundred dollars, I was thrilled to be playing at Caesars in a tournament that had several professional players and a WPT champion participating.

The tournament started with about 200 players. Within the first hour 90 of those players had busted out and I was actually up to 6400 chips after starting with only 1500. I made a couple of good reads on some of the players at my table and when ever I had a showdown with a player I was always ahead and ended up winning the hand. I used those showdowns to make a couple of bluffs and by the time we were down to 50 players I had close to 28k in chips.

It was an above average stack. During the break, I walked around looking at the other tables to see some of the other stacks. I have always done this at tournaments for some unknown reason.

Right after the break I was in seat 7 and had won about 1400 from the player in seat 5. I had pocket 10's and he had pocket 9's as we both checked the jack on the river.

The very next hand I am the big blind and I look down at KK. Seat 5 on the button raises to 3600 when the blinds were at 1200. I decided to see where I was at as seat 6 folded. I tossed in a third of my stack 7200 chips.

Seat 5 just called my raise and the flop of J-4-8 rainbow hit the table. Seat 5 immediately went all in. Well I knew he didn�t have jacks because he would of checked raised me. I put him on AJ or pocket 10's. I called his all in and he turned over Queens. I felt good, but nervous. Then seat 6 told me he folded Q-10 of diamonds and I felt a sense of relief come over me until the river hit a queen and left me with 2 chips.

I was very upset with the poker gods. I had played so well and I know its poker but I have been hit so hard on the river lately it made me almost sick to my stomach.

I went back to the hotel and was telling my wife what had happened to vent some. I called a couple of friends to talk with them about it, but as you all know poker players do not want to hear bad beat stories. But I needed to get it off my chest. Maybe because this was Caesars and my first Circuit event, I don�t know, but I was truly bothered by that river card more so then ever.

Well as we arrived home late Friday night I sat down to unwind and watched the evening news. There was a breaking news story out of Mission Viejo California on the 5 freeway. A family of 5 had just been rear ended by a semi truck and all perished in the accident. A mother, father a 6 or 7 year old boy and a set of 3-year-old twin girls.

I just leaned back in my chair and called my girls over. I put them all on my lap and gave them big hugs and kisses. I had a huge lump in my throat and it was partly due to my sadness for the family who died, but it was also for the guilt I felt about complaining that my Kings got beat on the river.

Where in the world was my Perspective on life. They were right here sitting on my lap! Never again will I feel like I did after losing. I have so much to be thankful for and I let a game make me forget about what is really important in life.

We take so many things for granted day in and day out. I cannot imagine how life would be if a tragedy such as this was to happen in my life. I have lost both of my parents, a godmother who raised a foster brother and me. Several Aunts, Uncles and the only Grandparent I ever knew.

I have been to way too many funerals for my friends and peers and I am sure with the line of work I am in I will unfortunately have to attend more in the future.

I have been given the authority by the State of California to serve and protect. I thought I could save the world when I took my job like my heroes of my childhood did every Saturday morning when I watched them on television.

Being able to put on a uniform and at a split seconds decision have the authority to take someone�s life is a huge responsibility. Only the good Lord has the ability too be able to do that.

PERSPECTIVE, so my Kings got busted on the river. I will never let the game of poker or any other game get in the way what is really important in life.

I have been to so many tragic scenes in my twenty years of being a Deputy, however this hit home and it has changed me as a person as well as a poker player.

Take care and please be safe.

Scott Diamond AKA The Deputy

Source: http://www.wisehandpoker.com/articles/index.php?article=Keeping-Things-in-Their-Proper-Perspective.html

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World Series of Poker Daily Summary for June 22nd, 2008

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:02:00 -0700
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Sexton's Corner, Vol. 50: One Year, 50 Stories…

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Anyone from beginner to expert poker players can benefit from these Texas Hold Em strategies.

2008-06-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of Texas Hold Em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Texas Hold Em Article For Your Reading Enjoyment

Focus on the Basics

I have had a lot of emails lately from people learning to play the game who get confused by terminology when playing with more experienced players. For this post lets get back to the basics and go over some common poker terms. This article comes from http://www.pokertips.org/.

Poker Jargon
This is a shortened glossary that explains the basic poker terms that are frequently used in the strategy articles at this site. It is assumed that you know the basic rules of Texas Hold'em. For a more complete glossary, visit our Full Glossary Page.

Blinds: The forced bets that take the place of an ante. The person to the left of the dealer must pay the small blind, and the person after him must pay the big blind.

Board Cards: The cards in the middle of the table that are shared by everyone.

Draw: Drawing means hoping to improve your hand with the cards that will come on the board. You are on a draw when you want other cards to come out on the board to complete your hand. If you have 10 9 and the flop is Q J 2, you are trying to draw an eight or a king on the turn or river.

Flop: The first three board cards in Hold'em.

Implied Odds: The same as pot odds, but taking into account making bets in the future. Thus, you may call a bet at the flop, but have implied odds of making bigger bets on later rounds if you hit your draw. So, if you have A K and the flop comes Q 7 6, your implied odds are what you have to call at the flop compared to how large the pot will be at the end of the hand.

Limit Poker: Poker with fixed-size bets. In a $2-4 limit game, all bets and raises are $2 in the first two rounds (preflop and flop), and all bets and raises are $4 in the last two rounds (turn and river).

Longhand: A poker game with seven or more people.

Outs: Cards that can improve your hand. If the flop is Q J 2 and you have 10 9, you want a king or an eight to complete your straight. There are four kings and four eights in the deck, so you have eight total outs.

Position: Where you sit at the poker table. The dealer has the best position because he bets last and therefore has a better understanding of what other people have in their hand. The small blind has the worst position because he acts first.

Pot Odds: The odds you are getting when you are drawing. For example, say you have A 2 and the board is K 7 6. You are sure that someone else has the king. There are nine more diamonds out there (thirteen total minus two from your hand and the two on the board), so you have a roughly 18% chance of hitting a flush on the next card. Thus, if the pot is $100, and the bet is $10, even though you are losing, you have odds with your flush draw. However, let's say the pot is $100 on the turn (there is one card left) and your opponent bets $300. The pot is $400 and you must put in $300 to see the river. You are getting pot odds of 4:3 which is not enough, because the odds are about 4:1 (12:3) against hitting your flush. Another way to look at it is that you have only a 1 in 5 chance of hitting your flush, but you have to put in 3 of 7 dollars in the total pot.

Preflop: The betting round after you are dealt your two hole cards and there are no cards on the board yet.

River: The fifth and final card that comes on the board in Hold'em, after the turn.Shorthand: A poker game with six or fewer people.

Turn: The fourth board card that comes out in Hold'em, the card after the flop.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/jargon.php

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This is one of the very best Texas Hold Em articles I have ever come across.

2008-06-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

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A Texas Hold Em Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

Beginner Mistakes

Mistake #1: Playing too many hands
When people sit down in a game, they want to play. Often, this means they even will play hands like J 4. This is a cardinal mistake. Hopefully, the articles on this site will help improve your starting hand selection.

Mistake #2: Playing above your bankroll
This goes without saying. Sometimes the gambling and money aspect of poker gets to people too much. They become greedy and play in games they cannot afford or games where the competition is simply too stiff.At first, stick to a consistent, low limit. Learn how to play and beat the game before you play in higher-stakes games.

Mistake #3: Becoming too emotional at the table
Bad beats will happen. Losing sessions will happen. Annoying opponents will happen. Live with it and do not let your emotions sway your judgment at the table.

Mistake #4: Not using pot odds
If your hand needs improvement, the concept of pot odds can help you determine if you should call to see the next card on the board. Few beginning players understand pot odds, and they often call too much. This site has an article about pot odds, as well as a pot odds calculator to help you better understand this concept.

Mistake #5: Using a two-color deck
When most people think of cards, they think of two colors, red and black. The suits are displayed like this: Well, I have news for you. Some online poker rooms give you two display choices: the traditional two-color deck and a four-color deck. A four-color deck has a unique color for each suit, like this: While this may seem unusual at first, it will make things much easier on you with time.Believe me, if you use a two-color deck, there is a good chance that, at some point, you will misread your hand. You might think you have a flush when in fact you do not. Using a four-color deck is a simple way to prevent yourself from making stupid mistakes.

Mistake #6: Not following etiquette
This is a mistake that brick-and-mortar beginners make. When you want to make a raise, you should not say, "I call your bet and raise you $X." Your initial action is considered your final action. So if you say, "I call ..." it means you just want to call. If you want to raise, say "raise" and state the amount you want to raise, if it is a no-limit game (the amount of the raise is obvious in fixed-limit games).

Mistake #7: Imitating other players
A lot of people learn how to play poker by playing in a fashion similar to other people. They may just imitate others at the table, or they may try to play like a professional they saw on television. This is the wrong way to go about playing poker.Many people who play poker are simply bad at it. Imitating a poor player means copying a lot of their bad habits. Furthermore, trying to imitate what one saw on television is also a recipe for disaster. What is shown on television is almost always a tournament, and their hands are highly situational. The reasons for the professional's decision probably has little applicability to your own game.It is important to understand how to make decisions at poker. Succeeding at poker is not done through imitation; rather, it is done through understanding the complexities of the game.

Mistake #8: Superstitions
All gambling involves luck. While luck tends to even itself out over the long run, people naturally focus on the short run and on their fluctuations.Because gambling involves randomness, people will often blame or chalk up their luck to some random event that coincided with how they fared at a certain gambling session. This may be as innocent as believing in a lucky shirt. However, some people take these superstitions too far. They start to believe that if they constantly move seats or change their socks that they will somehow become the next WSOP winner.You cannot affect the "luck" factor of gambling. Luck evens itself out over the long run. The only thing you should concern yourself with at the poker table is playing well. If you play very well at poker, you will win over the long run. If you do not play well, you will lose. It's as simple as that.

Mistake #9: Overvaluing Suited Hands
Having a suited hand is a plus. However, you should not play a hand just because it is suited. The first two things to consider about a starting hand are the ranks of the cards and whether the cards are paired. These are by far the most important factors in the value of a hand. After this, you should consider if they are suited or connecting.A hand like A K is much, much more valuable than a hand like 10 3. A K is a top starting hand, whereas 10 3 should be thrown in the muck.This may sound obvious, but many beginners make the mistake of calling to see the flop with any two suited cards. The probability of flopping a flush or a flush draw with two suited cards is just under 12%. This is fairly low; you need other reasons to play a starting hand besides suitedness.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/beginner-mistakes.php

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Golden Nugget to Host July 1st Budding Ivey Foundation Charity Event

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:09:00 -0700
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Consider this article on Texas Hold Em. The techniques will make you a better player.

2008-06-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Please note this blog is meant to provide information on Texas Hold Em in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Another Great Texas Hold Em Article

WSOP Main Event Will Last Four Months

WSOP, 2008-05-01, by Ozone
The lucky nine players who reach the final table in the 2008 WSOP Main Event will have to wait four grueling months before playing the final table. WSOP officials announced that play will be suspended when nine players remain. On November 9th, they will resume play after a 117 day hiatus. ESPN will air a two-hour special covering the final table on November 11th. ESPN will also air a special on November 4th that documents what the nine players have done since the tournament was paused. If something happens to a finalist that precludes them from November participation, their chip stack will be blinded off. This schedule change has sparked a heated debate in the poker world. Critics point out the potential for collusion, coaching, and ample time to study opponents on film. However, the rule change also gives players more time to negotaite sponsorship deals.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/news/articles/3049.php

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

Visit the Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Section

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With so much fluff out there- we cut through the nonsense to bring you only the best poker information.

2008-06-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of poker in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Online Poker Article to Instantly Improve Your Game

Utilizing Promotions

We decided to outline a few of the poker promotions that often go overlooked by beginning poker players. Although some promotions are indeed too good to be true, if you go in with your eyes open it can be a great way to get more for your poker dollar. Lets start with deposit bonuses and freerolls.

Utilizing Promotions

Poker rooms often have promotions to increase traffic to their poker room. The most common type is a cash bonus, but there are other promotions poker rooms offer as well. It is sometimes difficult to discern the quality of the promotion, and many are just gimmicks that entice players to pay extra rake. This article will go over the common types of promotions, and how to evaluate and utilize these promotions.

Deposit Bonuses
Almost all online poker rooms offer deposit bonuses to their players. There are two types of deposit bonuses: signup bonuses and reload bonuses.

A signup bonus is a bonus for a new player at the poker room that makes his or her first deposit. The poker room's goal with the signup bonus is to entice new customers to try out their poker room.A reload bonus is intended for existing players at the poker room.

The poker room's aim is to keep its existing players loyal, or to encourage its dormant players to come back to the poker room. Certain poker sites, such as Party Poker, have reload bonuses monthly, whereas other poker rooms have deposit bonuses intermittently, such as Poker Room.

The quality of a bonus is judged primarily by three factors. The first is the maximum amount of the bonus. Obviously, the more money you can get the better. The second factor is how much money you need to deposit to get the bonus. For example, if you can only deposit $100, a 100% up to $100 is preferable to a 25% up to $100 bonus. In this case, you are able to max out the first bonus, but you are only able to receive $25 from the second bonus.

The third factor is how quickly the bonus clears. Even if you are awarded a $1,000 bonus, the bonus is useless if it takes 1 million hands to clear that bonus. The quicker and easier that you can work off your bonus, the sooner you will receive your extra money. Our bonus reviews give approximations as to how quickly one can expect to clear the varying signup bonuses at several online poker rooms.

Freerolls
A very common promotional method is the freeroll. For this type of tournament, there is no buy-in or entry fee. The poker room simply puts up a certain amount of money, and the invited players compete for it.

The quality of the freeroll is judged by how much of an overlay there is. Essentially, this means how much money the poker room is putting up per player. For example, if there is a $5,000 freeroll and 500 players enter, the overlay is $10. Assuming a player is of average skill, the EV of this freeroll is +$10.

Some freerolls are not truly "free"; poker rooms often limit freerolls to their more active players that play a lot of raked hands at the poker room. If someone was going to play this amount of poker at that poker room anyway, then this is not a big deal.

However, qualifying for this type of freeroll might mean playing at this poker room instead of at a different poker room. For example, you may choose to play a lot at a certain poker room in order to qualify for a freeroll but at the cost of not having the time to work off a bonus at another site. In this case, one would have to take into account the quality of the freeroll compared to the quality of the other bonus when making a decision of where to play.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/utilizing-promotions.php (abbreviated)

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Matthew Hilger is generally recognized as one of the best authors on the subject of internet poker. He and some of the most knowledgeable players and writers in the poker industry have joined to contribute columns on every aspect of poker. Contributors range from Tournament Pros like the Hendon Mob� to Internet Poker Pros from the Internet Texas Holdem community. Beyond Texas Holdem Strategy, this section covers Omaha, Backgammon, Sit 'n Go tournaments, multitable tournaments, cash games, poker psychology, mind sets and general revelry.

Visit the Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Section

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MORE INFO ! | ORDER | FREE COPIES!

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Are you ready to improve your hold em game? Its time to get started...

2008-06-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on hold em to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Featured Hold Em Article

Utilizing Promotions

We decided to outline a few of the poker promotions that often go overlooked by beginning poker players. Although some promotions are indeed too good to be true, if you go in with your eyes open it can be a great way to get more for your poker dollar. Lets start with deposit bonuses and freerolls.

Utilizing Promotions

Poker rooms often have promotions to increase traffic to their poker room. The most common type is a cash bonus, but there are other promotions poker rooms offer as well. It is sometimes difficult to discern the quality of the promotion, and many are just gimmicks that entice players to pay extra rake. This article will go over the common types of promotions, and how to evaluate and utilize these promotions.

Deposit Bonuses
Almost all online poker rooms offer deposit bonuses to their players. There are two types of deposit bonuses: signup bonuses and reload bonuses.

A signup bonus is a bonus for a new player at the poker room that makes his or her first deposit. The poker room's goal with the signup bonus is to entice new customers to try out their poker room.A reload bonus is intended for existing players at the poker room.

The poker room's aim is to keep its existing players loyal, or to encourage its dormant players to come back to the poker room. Certain poker sites, such as Party Poker, have reload bonuses monthly, whereas other poker rooms have deposit bonuses intermittently, such as Poker Room.

The quality of a bonus is judged primarily by three factors. The first is the maximum amount of the bonus. Obviously, the more money you can get the better. The second factor is how much money you need to deposit to get the bonus. For example, if you can only deposit $100, a 100% up to $100 is preferable to a 25% up to $100 bonus. In this case, you are able to max out the first bonus, but you are only able to receive $25 from the second bonus.

The third factor is how quickly the bonus clears. Even if you are awarded a $1,000 bonus, the bonus is useless if it takes 1 million hands to clear that bonus. The quicker and easier that you can work off your bonus, the sooner you will receive your extra money. Our bonus reviews give approximations as to how quickly one can expect to clear the varying signup bonuses at several online poker rooms.

Freerolls
A very common promotional method is the freeroll. For this type of tournament, there is no buy-in or entry fee. The poker room simply puts up a certain amount of money, and the invited players compete for it.

The quality of the freeroll is judged by how much of an overlay there is. Essentially, this means how much money the poker room is putting up per player. For example, if there is a $5,000 freeroll and 500 players enter, the overlay is $10. Assuming a player is of average skill, the EV of this freeroll is +$10.

Some freerolls are not truly "free"; poker rooms often limit freerolls to their more active players that play a lot of raked hands at the poker room. If someone was going to play this amount of poker at that poker room anyway, then this is not a big deal.

However, qualifying for this type of freeroll might mean playing at this poker room instead of at a different poker room. For example, you may choose to play a lot at a certain poker room in order to qualify for a freeroll but at the cost of not having the time to work off a bonus at another site. In this case, one would have to take into account the quality of the freeroll compared to the quality of the other bonus when making a decision of where to play.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/utilizing-promotions.php (abbreviated)

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2008 WSOP Event #18 2-7 Draw w/ Rebuys Day 2: Lindgren Chases Second Bracelet

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:05:00 -0700
There may not have been as many entrants in Event #18, $5,000 No Limit 2-7 Draw w/ Rebuys, as some other events, but the 85 players that showed up built a prize pool of well over $1 million. 39 of those players returned...

Two weeks into the Series and we've still got packages to give away!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:04:00 -0700
PokerNews give away two more $12,500 WSOP packages – both exclusive to our players, of course!

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We have compiled the very best online poker strategies in this great article.

2008-06-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on online poker to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.

Todays Poker Article

When to Quit for the Day- Poker Tips

Quitting For the Day

Even if you are the best poker player in the world, you will have some losing days. Knowing when to just call it quits for the session will do you a world of good for your bankroll. If you play limit poker, it is wise to quit if you have a swing of 40 big bets or more either way. Forty big bets at limit is a lot (especially longhand), so having swings more than this may drive you insane. The only reason to break the 40-big-bet rule is if the game you are in is really good.

Fundamentally though, you should quit because you are tilting, you have played a lot already and risk being tired, or you just have other things to do.

Here are some signs that you may be tilting:

1. You always think your opponents are bluffing.
2. You really want to break even for the day.
3. You want to get back into the action as soon as possible.

Here are some signs that you may have just played too much poker:

1. You are falling asleep at the table.
2. You have played more than ten hours for the day. (Never play more than ten hours at any one time. It is better to play many short or medium sessions than a few long ones.)
3. You find it harder to pay attention to your opponents.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/quitting.php

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Dr. Pauly at the 2008 WSOP: The Most Underrated Man in Poker — Erik Seidel

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:33:00 -0700
It was twenty years ago last May when Erik Seidel lost to Johnny Chan heads up for the 1988 World Series of Poker Main Event title. Chan was the reigning world champion and the most feared poker player in Las Vegas. Seidel was...

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No matter what your level of play, these online poker strategies will make you better.

2008-06-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

The information in this blog is in no way meant to promote gambling. It provides information on online poker to be used in its legal and non-gambling applications.

A Great Poker Article

Utilizing Promotions

We decided to outline a few of the poker promotions that often go overlooked by beginning poker players. Although some promotions are indeed too good to be true, if you go in with your eyes open it can be a great way to get more for your poker dollar. Lets start with deposit bonuses and freerolls.

Utilizing Promotions

Poker rooms often have promotions to increase traffic to their poker room. The most common type is a cash bonus, but there are other promotions poker rooms offer as well. It is sometimes difficult to discern the quality of the promotion, and many are just gimmicks that entice players to pay extra rake. This article will go over the common types of promotions, and how to evaluate and utilize these promotions.

Deposit Bonuses
Almost all online poker rooms offer deposit bonuses to their players. There are two types of deposit bonuses: signup bonuses and reload bonuses.

A signup bonus is a bonus for a new player at the poker room that makes his or her first deposit. The poker room's goal with the signup bonus is to entice new customers to try out their poker room.A reload bonus is intended for existing players at the poker room.

The poker room's aim is to keep its existing players loyal, or to encourage its dormant players to come back to the poker room. Certain poker sites, such as Party Poker, have reload bonuses monthly, whereas other poker rooms have deposit bonuses intermittently, such as Poker Room.

The quality of a bonus is judged primarily by three factors. The first is the maximum amount of the bonus. Obviously, the more money you can get the better. The second factor is how much money you need to deposit to get the bonus. For example, if you can only deposit $100, a 100% up to $100 is preferable to a 25% up to $100 bonus. In this case, you are able to max out the first bonus, but you are only able to receive $25 from the second bonus.

The third factor is how quickly the bonus clears. Even if you are awarded a $1,000 bonus, the bonus is useless if it takes 1 million hands to clear that bonus. The quicker and easier that you can work off your bonus, the sooner you will receive your extra money. Our bonus reviews give approximations as to how quickly one can expect to clear the varying signup bonuses at several online poker rooms.

Freerolls
A very common promotional method is the freeroll. For this type of tournament, there is no buy-in or entry fee. The poker room simply puts up a certain amount of money, and the invited players compete for it.

The quality of the freeroll is judged by how much of an overlay there is. Essentially, this means how much money the poker room is putting up per player. For example, if there is a $5,000 freeroll and 500 players enter, the overlay is $10. Assuming a player is of average skill, the EV of this freeroll is +$10.

Some freerolls are not truly "free"; poker rooms often limit freerolls to their more active players that play a lot of raked hands at the poker room. If someone was going to play this amount of poker at that poker room anyway, then this is not a big deal.

However, qualifying for this type of freeroll might mean playing at this poker room instead of at a different poker room. For example, you may choose to play a lot at a certain poker room in order to qualify for a freeroll but at the cost of not having the time to work off a bonus at another site. In this case, one would have to take into account the quality of the freeroll compared to the quality of the other bonus when making a decision of where to play.

Source: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/utilizing-promotions.php (abbreviated)

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