Friday, April 3. 2009
Putting on the Brakes
In her article on beginner poker strategy, Catrina Rudd recommends taking it slowly instead of assuming you can handle a dozen open tables like the pros. This was the most helpful advice I found in her article.
Focus is a key that many people attempt to avoid by playing multiple tables. This does not just apply to people like Gus Hansen who may play as many as 10 or more tables at once, but also to the guy in his hotel room that thinks two tables would be slow enough to maintain an edge and double their money. The reality is that by playing more than one game at a time you are more likely to create reason to tilt. This will give you one opponent, one table, one hand to focus on. This facilitates creating opportunity to bring back the pot time and time again, instead of paying out the blind time and time again with no reprieve.
Thursday, August 28. 2008
Gulf Coast Poker Championship
The Gulf Coast Poker Championship is currently being held at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi. This is one of the newest stops on the World Poker Tour, and like the World Poker Open held annually in Tunica, this tournament happens in our own backyard.
While the event has already started, it's not too late to get in on the action. Single-table satellites are running constantly. For those who bust out early from the daily events or simply want a cheaper option, there are separate second-chance tournaments nightly for a modest $175 + $25.
While the event has already started, it's not too late to get in on the action. Single-table satellites are running constantly. For those who bust out early from the daily events or simply want a cheaper option, there are separate second-chance tournaments nightly for a modest $175 + $25.
| August 28 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $300 + $40 |
| August 29 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $500 + $50 |
| August 30 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $500 + $50 |
| August 31 | 11AM | LIPS Ladies Event | $300 + $40 |
| August 31 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $1000 + $70 |
| September 1 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $300 + $40 |
| September 2 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em | $500 + $50 |
| September 3 | 12PM | Mega Satellite | $500 + $50 |
| September 3 | 4PM | Mega Satellite | $500 + $50 |
| September 3 | 7PM | Mega Satellite | $500 + $50 |
| September 4 | 12PM | No Limit Hold 'Em Championship | $5000 + $150 |
Monday, May 5. 2008
Poker World Series Main Event Final Table Moved to November
Many thanks to PokerAdvisory for the article.
The Main Event will begin on July 3rd this year, and play as normal down to the nine gamblers at the final table.
Action will then break until November, at which point play will resume November 10th, with elimination continuing through the day and possibly into the 11th to reach the champion and final player.
The break in schedule is designed to allow ESPN to broadcast the final table as a same-day event, almost covering the intensity and pressure of the last hands live. ESPN has previously broadcast the tournament as a series of programs that concluded months after the action had finished.
Thursday, December 27. 2007
WTO Supports Online Gambling
Link.
The United States faces a token $21 million in annual trade sanctions as a result of its online betting ban, the World Trade Organization said Friday in awarding Antigua and Barbuda the right to target U.S. services, copyrights and trademarks.
The decision is a setback for the Caribbean island nation, which sought the right to impose $3.4 billion in retaliatory measures against U.S. commercial services and intellectual property.
Washington acknowledged its Internet gambling restrictions were ruled illegal by the WTO, but argued that Antigua should only be compensated for about $500,000 for lost annual revenue.
The case has drawn the attention of a number of U.S. industries, partly because of the ways Antigua has proposed retaliating against the much larger U.S. economy. Washington's attempt to escape its legal loss by proposing a revision of the WTO's key treaty on trade in services has also fueled interest.
Thursday, December 6. 2007
Poker Star Chip Reese Dies at 56
Link.
Reese was found by his son early Tuesday at his Las Vegas home after suffering from symptoms of pneumonia, said poker great Doyle Brunson, his longtime friend.
"Many consider Chip the greatest cash-game player who ever lived," Pollack said in a statement. "His victory in the inaugural $50,000 buy-in HORSE championship ... made him a part of WSOP lore forever."
In addition to his son, Reese is survived by a daughter and a stepdaughter, Brunson said. He was recently divorced from his wife.
Monday, October 8. 2007
Richard Henry Lee Loses Most of WSOP Winnings
Link.
Now, he will be known for another reason after he is close to striking a plea agreement with the state over an illegal gambling scheme.
The scheme was that Lee used a website for players to make wagers on various sporting events. The website claimed to be overseas, but the reality was that the operation was being run out of Lee's house.
Lee claims that he won $2.7 in the World Series and that is the number that police seized from him when they raided his house.
Monday, September 10. 2007
Book Review: The Mathematics of Poker
An excellent review. Link.
Let me spoil the ending of my review right up front. I believe that "The Mathematics of Poker" is the most important book on poker written in the last decade, arguably the most important poker book of the last 25 years. Despite this, I believe that this book will help relatively few poker players, and as such, its impact on the games played in most card rooms will be relatively minor.
"The Mathematics of Poker" is not a poker book with a mathematical focus; it is a college-level math text whose subject matter is game theory as it applies to the game of poker. It is not an easy read. This reviewer has a degree in mathematics, yet at several points I found the book tough to follow. I expect that most readers who have not taken college math courses will struggle to digest what lies between its covers.
Friday, September 7. 2007
Arkansas Poker Lounge to Open
This is exciting news for many of us who live and play poker in the mid southeast. I play mostly at the Gold Strike and the Horseshoe in Tunica, Mississippi, which means that the new Arkansas poker lounge will be well within driving distance. However, we may be able to expect some legal battles ahead.
Link - The state's first ever dedicated poker lounge is set to open this weekend even though the Little Rock city attorney says it's illegal.
An organization called National Poker Challenge is opening a franchise on Rodney Parham Road. The organization, based in Memphis, will open its Little Rock location officially on Saturday.
They say it’s legal because they don't charge people to play poker. But they do charge if you want your wins and losses tracked and recorded. The city attorney says that makes it gambling.
Wednesday, April 4. 2007
Poker Enthusiasts Seek to Legalize Public Wagering in Texas
If you live in Texas and want to improve your gambling rights, you should call your local representative and encourage their support of this bill.
The bill by Rep. Jose Menendez, a San Antonio Democrat, would allow live or electronic poker gambling at certain establishments as well as charitable poker for qualified groups.Link.
Poker enthusiasts, including some leading national players, are expected at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday for a hearing on the proposal before the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee.
If enacted into law, the measure would put Texas alongside several other states such as California and Montana that created a safe, regulated environment for poker wagering, said Michael Bolcerek, president of the National Poker Players Alliance.
Tuesday, January 23. 2007
Limit Hold'em: How to Control the Pot
You surely know by now playing Texas Holdem well involves a lot more than knowing the Texas Holdem rules or waiting to have the best hand and betting a lot of money.
Not necessarily a bad idea sometimes, but you know there's a lot more that goes into the game than just that. And you know there are a lot of reasons for making a bet: In Texas Hold em poker, we bet to build a pot we think we've got the best of, or to make someone fold if we're afraid they have us beat, just to name two.
Certainly not the least of those many reasons to bet is to control the pot, because if you're not in control of it, someone else will be. And that's not the best case scenario for you to come out on top.
What it is
Controlling the pot should be a vital part of your Texas Holdem strategy. Essentially, it means managing its size to make it more or less desirable for players to try and win it. In other words, if the pot is really big, opponents will likely call bets with weaker hands because of the larger possible payoff. If the pot is small, it's easier for players to get away from a hand that may be beaten.
How do you do it?
The only way to control the pot is with your betting. This is much, much more difficult in Limit Texas Hold'em than in No-Limit, simply because of the fixed bets. But, however, there are still ways to work the pot in a Limit Hold'em game:
Keeping the Pot Small
If you have a big hand not likely to improve, you may want to keep the pot small to protect yourself if things go bad.
For instance: you get pocket queens in early position. You raise and get one caller. The flop is Ah Ts 9s. In a No-Limit game, you might be tempted to put in a continuation bet to see where you stand. In a Limit game, though, your bet will often be called by a player with a flush draw, straight draw, or any pair. If you bet and are raised, you're going to have to throw your hand away. Or, call and risk being strung along for more bets on the turn or river, which will be particularly difficult if a spade or a straight card comes.
If you check, you leave yourself more options. If your opponent bets, you can call and see a turn card for only one bet. Once that card comes you can determine where you stand in the hand, and if you decide to fold, you'll have forfeited a relatively small pot. If your opponent checks, you can bet on the turn and still have only lost a fairly small pot if you are check-raised. If you're not check-raised, you should be able to get to a showdown with a hand that will often win, but wouldn't hold up to the kind of heavy betting that would go on if the pot got large quickly.
Building a Big Pot
If you want to build a big pot in Limit Texas Holdem, you've got to make sure multiple bets get in the pot on each street, all the way to the river. For example: You have Js Ts in middle position. You limp in, the next player raises, and the button, small blind, and big blind all call. The flop comes 3s 9s Qh.
This is a great drawing flop for you, and you'll likely be tempted to bet when the action gets to you. Instead, this could be a good time to build a big pot. If you bet right away, the player who raised initially may raise again. This will make it two bets to the other three players, meaning they'll be getting 6.5-to-1 (two bets to win 13) for the first caller, and slightly more for the second and third callers.
These are good odds. But if anybody folds, subsequent players may decide their odds are not good enough. If they all fold, you'll be heads-up against one player who clearly has a better hand than you right now. And that's the last thing you want. On the other hand, say you check in this situation instead. Now if the pre-flop raiser bets, each player will be getting at least 11-to-1. These odds may be too good to resist. Once the action gets back to you, you can now raise. Even if the pre-flop raiser raises again, the other players will be hard pressed to throw away a chance at 18 or more bets in the pot for only two more bets.
If the pre-flop raiser gets scared of you and just calls, subsequent players will be almost forced to call at 17-to-1. Now you've built the perfect pot. Even if a spade or a straight card comes, multiple players will probably feel compelled to pay you off for a shot at the 20 or more bets in the pot.
And there you have it: you've worked a big pot in Limit Texas Hold'em.
Not necessarily a bad idea sometimes, but you know there's a lot more that goes into the game than just that. And you know there are a lot of reasons for making a bet: In Texas Hold em poker, we bet to build a pot we think we've got the best of, or to make someone fold if we're afraid they have us beat, just to name two.
Certainly not the least of those many reasons to bet is to control the pot, because if you're not in control of it, someone else will be. And that's not the best case scenario for you to come out on top.
What it is
Controlling the pot should be a vital part of your Texas Holdem strategy. Essentially, it means managing its size to make it more or less desirable for players to try and win it. In other words, if the pot is really big, opponents will likely call bets with weaker hands because of the larger possible payoff. If the pot is small, it's easier for players to get away from a hand that may be beaten.
How do you do it?
The only way to control the pot is with your betting. This is much, much more difficult in Limit Texas Hold'em than in No-Limit, simply because of the fixed bets. But, however, there are still ways to work the pot in a Limit Hold'em game:
Keeping the Pot Small
If you have a big hand not likely to improve, you may want to keep the pot small to protect yourself if things go bad.
For instance: you get pocket queens in early position. You raise and get one caller. The flop is Ah Ts 9s. In a No-Limit game, you might be tempted to put in a continuation bet to see where you stand. In a Limit game, though, your bet will often be called by a player with a flush draw, straight draw, or any pair. If you bet and are raised, you're going to have to throw your hand away. Or, call and risk being strung along for more bets on the turn or river, which will be particularly difficult if a spade or a straight card comes.
If you check, you leave yourself more options. If your opponent bets, you can call and see a turn card for only one bet. Once that card comes you can determine where you stand in the hand, and if you decide to fold, you'll have forfeited a relatively small pot. If your opponent checks, you can bet on the turn and still have only lost a fairly small pot if you are check-raised. If you're not check-raised, you should be able to get to a showdown with a hand that will often win, but wouldn't hold up to the kind of heavy betting that would go on if the pot got large quickly.
Building a Big Pot
If you want to build a big pot in Limit Texas Holdem, you've got to make sure multiple bets get in the pot on each street, all the way to the river. For example: You have Js Ts in middle position. You limp in, the next player raises, and the button, small blind, and big blind all call. The flop comes 3s 9s Qh.
This is a great drawing flop for you, and you'll likely be tempted to bet when the action gets to you. Instead, this could be a good time to build a big pot. If you bet right away, the player who raised initially may raise again. This will make it two bets to the other three players, meaning they'll be getting 6.5-to-1 (two bets to win 13) for the first caller, and slightly more for the second and third callers.
These are good odds. But if anybody folds, subsequent players may decide their odds are not good enough. If they all fold, you'll be heads-up against one player who clearly has a better hand than you right now. And that's the last thing you want. On the other hand, say you check in this situation instead. Now if the pre-flop raiser bets, each player will be getting at least 11-to-1. These odds may be too good to resist. Once the action gets back to you, you can now raise. Even if the pre-flop raiser raises again, the other players will be hard pressed to throw away a chance at 18 or more bets in the pot for only two more bets.
If the pre-flop raiser gets scared of you and just calls, subsequent players will be almost forced to call at 17-to-1. Now you've built the perfect pot. Even if a spade or a straight card comes, multiple players will probably feel compelled to pay you off for a shot at the 20 or more bets in the pot.
And there you have it: you've worked a big pot in Limit Texas Hold'em.
Friday, January 12. 2007
Online Multi-Tabling
Online poker has caused a revolution in the poker world. Individuals who would never think about a foray into the world of professional poker due to considerations including expenses and travel now make a healthy poker income without ever having to leave their homes. Recreational players who used to have to wait for a semi annual trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City for their poker fix can now play at their leisure. One of the many advantages that online poker has over its brick-and-mortar counterpart is the ability to multi table.
What is Online Multi Tabling?
Online multi tabling simply means playing more than one table at the same time. Most online poker sites now have poker software which enables you to play two, three or four games at one time. You can position the poker tables on your monitor so each one takes up one fourth of the screen, and if you like, enlarge the table where you currently have action.
Why Multi Tabling?
Some poker players feel that it is very difficult to maintain focus while playing internet poker. Without the advantage of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of poker as you are in a live casino, it is easy for your attention to wander. With just a computer screen to interact with, players can become distracted by the television, Internet, or myriad other activities available in one's home. When you are multi tabling, you are in action four times as often, so it is more difficult for your focus to wander to anything other than poker. In addition, if you are a winning player and dividing your focus over multiple games does not interfere with your skills, you will multiply your win rate by as many games as you can play at once.
Why Not Multi Tabling?
More poker tables means the action is coming fast and furious. This can be stressful for those not prepared for it. You are much more prone to mistakes, especially if you are playing different games, limits, or structures at once. In addition, if you are an overall losing player, you will multiply your loss rate by playing multiple tables. Finally, poker is a game of observation, and although there is less to observe online than in a live game, it is possible you could miss key information about an opponent while you are involved at another table.
How to Get Started Multi Tabling:
You should begin by playing two games at once. If you find there is no noticeable depreciation in skill caused by adding the second game, you may continue to add games. Try to play at one level for awhile until you get comfortable with the idea of switching back and forth between games. You should not attempt to play different types of games, such as Texas hold'em and Omaha at the same time, until you are confident you have mastered multi tabling. Even if you do decide to do this, you should always set up your screen the same way, for example, Omaha games on the left, no limit games on top, etc., to avoid confusion. You definitely avoid playing other online casino games, such as video poker. Poker should be your only focus when multi tabling.
What is Online Multi Tabling?
Online multi tabling simply means playing more than one table at the same time. Most online poker sites now have poker software which enables you to play two, three or four games at one time. You can position the poker tables on your monitor so each one takes up one fourth of the screen, and if you like, enlarge the table where you currently have action.
Why Multi Tabling?
Some poker players feel that it is very difficult to maintain focus while playing internet poker. Without the advantage of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of poker as you are in a live casino, it is easy for your attention to wander. With just a computer screen to interact with, players can become distracted by the television, Internet, or myriad other activities available in one's home. When you are multi tabling, you are in action four times as often, so it is more difficult for your focus to wander to anything other than poker. In addition, if you are a winning player and dividing your focus over multiple games does not interfere with your skills, you will multiply your win rate by as many games as you can play at once.
Why Not Multi Tabling?
More poker tables means the action is coming fast and furious. This can be stressful for those not prepared for it. You are much more prone to mistakes, especially if you are playing different games, limits, or structures at once. In addition, if you are an overall losing player, you will multiply your loss rate by playing multiple tables. Finally, poker is a game of observation, and although there is less to observe online than in a live game, it is possible you could miss key information about an opponent while you are involved at another table.
How to Get Started Multi Tabling:
You should begin by playing two games at once. If you find there is no noticeable depreciation in skill caused by adding the second game, you may continue to add games. Try to play at one level for awhile until you get comfortable with the idea of switching back and forth between games. You should not attempt to play different types of games, such as Texas hold'em and Omaha at the same time, until you are confident you have mastered multi tabling. Even if you do decide to do this, you should always set up your screen the same way, for example, Omaha games on the left, no limit games on top, etc., to avoid confusion. You definitely avoid playing other online casino games, such as video poker. Poker should be your only focus when multi tabling.
Monday, January 8. 2007
Poker Reform in South Carolina?
Link.
A longtime ban on poker playing in the state of South Carolina will soon be under the legislative microscope if state Representative Wallace Scarborough of Charleston has his way.
The state lawmaker wants to revamp South Carolina's gambling laws to legalise in-house poker games, and is busy drafting legislation to permit the games as long as they are done under the heading of "recreational activity."
Scarborough also said the key to the proposal is making sure that the law would not open the door to organised gambling houses. "That is not my goal and not my intent," he said.
The West Virginia Legislature also has gaming on its agenda, and will be considering whether or not to have a statewide vote to legalise table games at racetracks. The current bill under consideration only requires the four counties that have racetracks to vote, but others want to make it a statewide issue.
Friday, January 5. 2007
World Poker Open
I'm headed to the World Poker Open held annually at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, MS. I consider January to be a huge poker fest in Mississippi with both the World Poker Open and the World Series of Poker Circuit Event at the Grand Casino also in Tunica.
Best of luck to anyone traveling to the events!
Best of luck to anyone traveling to the events!
Thursday, January 4. 2007
Woman Poker Player
Link.
While Woman Poker Player is not one of the classic poker publications, it is ever-increasing in popularity, and may one day be listed with the greatest poker magazines of all time.
Of course, with a name like Woman Poker Player, it goes without saying that the magazine is targeted at a specific audience. This bi-monthly publication seeks to enrich the life of female poker players, and not simply by giving them tips on the game. The magazine also has articles about well-being, fashion and other aspects of life important to all women, not just the poker-playing variety.
Thursday, December 14. 2006
High Stakes Poker 3 Airs in January
Link.
Game Show Network has informed viewers that its top poker show "High Stakes Poker" will screen on January 15 with some exciting new talent at the table.
High profile regulars such as Doyle Brunson and Barry Greenstein will be making room for newcomers such as 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jamie Gold and the formidable ace player Phil Ivey.
14 new players have been added to the 14 big names on the roster who played in the first two seasons of the popular show. The players buy in to the cash games with their own money, fronting anywhere from $100 000 to $1 million to play No-Limit Texas Hold'em.
