Wednesday, May 18. 2005
Review of Hellmuth's Poker Book
WAOI featured a review of Phil Hellmuth's poker instruction book Play Poker Like the Pros. It features tips, player profiles, and overall strategy. Here's a snippet of the review:
Another interesting angle in the book is learning the practice of figuring out who's at your table. Hellmuth uses five animal comparisons to track their play. For instance, a jackal is the crazy man who raises every hand regardless of what he has. You don't have to necessarily go so far as memorizing the animal types, but realizing the habits and actions of players at your table is so important. It helps you determine whether to respect their play. Categorizing the play also helps you determine your own perception. Are you playing tight, like a mouse? Or are you the "calling station," like the elephant? For example, I always prefer playing extremely tight when I sit down. I like that to be in people's minds. If I turn a hand over in the first hour or two at the table, I want it to be one of the Top Ten hands. That way, they respect my raises down the road and it allows me to steal some pots with less than stellar hands. Regardless, Hellmuth's analogies here work. He even breaks down specific hand play against the specific animal types. It's great insight for beginners on how to play certain situations. You have to know your surroundings.
Friday, January 7. 2005
Review of Super System
Like many poker books, it's a collection of essays by people who Brunson considered to be at the top of their profession. To be honest, most of the chapters can be skipped without any regret. The statistics (contributed by Michael Caro), although nice to have on paper all in once place, can easily be found on the internet for free. But it's two particular chapters that overcome the dead weight of the rest of the book to make it an absolute must-read: Chip Reese's chapter on Seven Card Stud and Brunson's own chapter on No Limit Hold 'Em.
What makes the Brunson's style, and this book, so worthwhile is that he teaches you how to make the most out of any situation. Unlike tighter, more controlled poker styles such as Cloutier and Sklansky, Doyle's is much more adaptive. Creativity, insight, and an ability to adapt to your situation are all necessary qualities for tournament play. Super System teaches you how to break the habit of waiting for good cards.
Read more.
What makes the Brunson's style, and this book, so worthwhile is that he teaches you how to make the most out of any situation. Unlike tighter, more controlled poker styles such as Cloutier and Sklansky, Doyle's is much more adaptive. Creativity, insight, and an ability to adapt to your situation are all necessary qualities for tournament play. Super System teaches you how to break the habit of waiting for good cards.
Read more.
Thursday, December 16. 2004
Poker Set a Hot Gift
Internet search engine Lycos lists poker items as its No. 1 researched topic on its annual list of "Top 10 Most-Researched Toys of 2004," upending video games from 2003. In issuing the list, Lycos cited, "The popularity of poker gifts has been fueled by the global phenomenon of the World Poker Tour, which continues to average a 'millionaire a month' in its 16-tournament season."
Among the chain retailers selling selected WPT products are Academy Sports & Outdoors, Albertson's, Associated Grocers, Costco, CVS/Pharmacy, Discovery Stores, Hallmark Stores, Kroger, Lewis Drug, Nordstrom, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, ShopRite, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. "We have stepped up our production in a major way to meet the demand of our retail partners," said Kling. "The World Poker Tour products are a class unto themselves and we are pleased that the market recognizes that these authentic branded items are the premium gifts for this holiday season."
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Among the chain retailers selling selected WPT products are Academy Sports & Outdoors, Albertson's, Associated Grocers, Costco, CVS/Pharmacy, Discovery Stores, Hallmark Stores, Kroger, Lewis Drug, Nordstrom, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, ShopRite, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. "We have stepped up our production in a major way to meet the demand of our retail partners," said Kling. "The World Poker Tour products are a class unto themselves and we are pleased that the market recognizes that these authentic branded items are the premium gifts for this holiday season."
View Extended Entry
Monday, December 6. 2004
Howard Lederer's World Championship Poker on the PS2
IGN Review of Howard Lederer's World Championship Poker on the PS2
Do not purchase World Championship Poker to hone fledgling hold 'em or crazy pineapple skills. It'd be better to wildly throw your money into the air hoping it lands in your pocket. While Howard "The Professor" Lederer, the most pleasantly serious and consistently professional player in the world, seems to be endorsing the product, his welcome insight is limited to ten minutes of instructional video that outlines a few basic tells. Howard teases us with this snippet of his own "Secrets Of" video set, but everything else about World Championship will make a man right stupid, right quick. Solo gameplay actually kills brain cells. It's as simple as that. It's one thing to misstep on your way up the mountain of poker stardom, especially on the first try, but to dive off the peak slamming your face into each and every boulder from summit to base... I mean... How? Why?
Do not purchase World Championship Poker to hone fledgling hold 'em or crazy pineapple skills. It'd be better to wildly throw your money into the air hoping it lands in your pocket. While Howard "The Professor" Lederer, the most pleasantly serious and consistently professional player in the world, seems to be endorsing the product, his welcome insight is limited to ten minutes of instructional video that outlines a few basic tells. Howard teases us with this snippet of his own "Secrets Of" video set, but everything else about World Championship will make a man right stupid, right quick. Solo gameplay actually kills brain cells. It's as simple as that. It's one thing to misstep on your way up the mountain of poker stardom, especially on the first try, but to dive off the peak slamming your face into each and every boulder from summit to base... I mean... How? Why?
Wednesday, November 17. 2004
Howard Lederer's New Poker Chip Set
Professional poker player Howard Lederer's new Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament set goes on sale just in time for Christmas. Known as the "Professor of Poker," and a member of Team Full Tilt, Howard Lederer gives you the tools of the trade in this deluxe, professional poker set. The winner of ten major poker titles including the World Series of Poker and The World Poker Tour championships, Howard Lederer is one of the best known and most successful poker players today.
Retailing elsewhere for $149.00, Howard's Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Set can be purchased for $94.99 online at www.costco.com from November 13, 2004 to November 30, 2004.
Howard's Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Set includes:
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Retailing elsewhere for $149.00, Howard's Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Set can be purchased for $94.99 online at www.costco.com from November 13, 2004 to November 30, 2004.
Howard's Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Set includes:
View Extended Entry
Wednesday, November 3. 2004
WPT Poker Chip Sets
WPT has licensed the creation of a poker chip set with the WPT logo on it.
They're 11.5 gram, so they're pretty substantial, but likely nothing more special than standard issue that you can buy from any average distributor of retailer. However, the finish seems somewhat smoother than average home-game chips.
They're made by the same company (U.S. Playing Card Company) that makes your run-of-the-mill Bicycle and Bee (Bee is my favorite) playing cards. But since this set is a little higher end, you can expect a little more attention to detail and a slightly higher quality chip.
And of course, you have the option to buy every add-on under the sun with the WPT logo attached. So knock yourself out if you're a big WPT fan. I personally don't care about sporting a logo on my purchases; it makes me feel like a poser instead of a person who has loved and played poker all her life.
Here's a press release of the products.
They're 11.5 gram, so they're pretty substantial, but likely nothing more special than standard issue that you can buy from any average distributor of retailer. However, the finish seems somewhat smoother than average home-game chips.
They're made by the same company (U.S. Playing Card Company) that makes your run-of-the-mill Bicycle and Bee (Bee is my favorite) playing cards. But since this set is a little higher end, you can expect a little more attention to detail and a slightly higher quality chip.
And of course, you have the option to buy every add-on under the sun with the WPT logo attached. So knock yourself out if you're a big WPT fan. I personally don't care about sporting a logo on my purchases; it makes me feel like a poser instead of a person who has loved and played poker all her life.
Here's a press release of the products.
Saturday, September 18. 2004
Knowing the Score: Protecting Yourself and Your Money in Online Poker
Back in online poker's Neolithic era, things were different.
When I arrived at PlanetPoker more than five years ago, we didn't have very much competition. That sure didn't last long. And money flowed easily in and out of the site on MasterCard, Visa, and other credit cards. That didn't last too long, either.
Largely out of fear of action by federal authorities (and also partly because of a high percentage of charge-backs), most U.S. credit card issuers no longer permit transactions for online poker (although not all banks are following the regulations). PayPal, the largest, and most trusted and respected Internet payment system also refuses to allow transactions to and from online poker sites.
The industry has responded with a system of "e-wallets," like NETELLER and FirePay. While some sites still take checks, Western Union, and the like, and most sites have some kind of system permitting EFTs directly to and from the bank accounts of established players, the e-wallet alternative is the predominant method of moving money into and out of online poker.
When I arrived at PlanetPoker more than five years ago, we didn't have very much competition. That sure didn't last long. And money flowed easily in and out of the site on MasterCard, Visa, and other credit cards. That didn't last too long, either.
Largely out of fear of action by federal authorities (and also partly because of a high percentage of charge-backs), most U.S. credit card issuers no longer permit transactions for online poker (although not all banks are following the regulations). PayPal, the largest, and most trusted and respected Internet payment system also refuses to allow transactions to and from online poker sites.
The industry has responded with a system of "e-wallets," like NETELLER and FirePay. While some sites still take checks, Western Union, and the like, and most sites have some kind of system permitting EFTs directly to and from the bank accounts of established players, the e-wallet alternative is the predominant method of moving money into and out of online poker.
Friday, September 17. 2004
Can't Play for Money? Play for Charity.
If you can't legally play poker in your neighborhood (or can't get enough friends together for a regular home game), and it's too far to drive to the nearest casino, then start a poker tournament for charity. If you live near a college campus, you'll have plenty of access to potential players and nearly free advertising since it's for charity.
The Celebrity Poker Showdown already does it, just on a much larger scale. Why not start your own and benefit some local organizations that help your community?
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The Celebrity Poker Showdown already does it, just on a much larger scale. Why not start your own and benefit some local organizations that help your community?
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Wednesday, September 15. 2004
Why has Tournament Poker Gotten So Popular? An article by Hellmuth.
I must also give the prize structure very high importance in the growth of tournament poker. I believe paying more places so that some players can win “twice their buy-in” is a mistake. Players don’t come to these tourneys in order to get twice their buy-in back; they come for a shot at the big money. I believe (and so do many of the players I know) that a big first prize lures a lot more players to an event than more players receiving twice their buy-in back. In my opinion, some events have lost players and prestige because of the smaller amounts of money that are paid for first place.
Wednesday, August 25. 2004
Learn to Deal and Handle Poker Chips
Seneca Allegany Casino held summer classes to teach prospective poker dealers the nuances of high stakes poker dealing. They are taught how to handle the cards and deal. The proper way to count poker chips and stack poker chips. Well today is graduation day. "We're going to let you loose on the unsuspecting public next Friday, so I would hope and request that you go easy on them," said the poker school instructor.
Sunday, August 22. 2004
What Kind Of Poker Chips Should I Buy - Part II
In Part I of this article, What Kind Of Poker Chips Should I Buy, we discussed mainly the types of poker chips that are available. We primarily focused on clay poker chips and clay poker chip variations. We decided that in this part we should discuss how many chips and of what denominations should be purchased.
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Thursday, August 19. 2004
What Kind Of Poker Chips Should I Buy - Part I
Today we start our series on which poker chips are best and to start this discussion we discribe the various types of poker chips that are available.
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- Plastic Poker Chips
- Composite Poker Chips
- Clay Poker Chips
- Ceramic Poker Chips
- Metalic Poker Chips
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Sunday, August 1. 2004
Poker Stars and Movie Stars
Doyle Brunson, Ben Affleck and Toby McGuire have about the same celebrity status. How strange is it that the guy who wrote one of the bibles of the poker world is now considered one of the celebrity elites. I knew who Brunson was a long time ago, "Super System" was a book I first read in 1984 when I was 13. I cannot say that I actually read the book cover to cover, but I read most of the highlights.
Now two out of every three people you speak with has not only read the book, but claim to be experts. Many of these new fans remind me and other older players as gnats that are hovering around the newest smoldering heap that is poker.
Now two out of every three people you speak with has not only read the book, but claim to be experts. Many of these new fans remind me and other older players as gnats that are hovering around the newest smoldering heap that is poker.
Thursday, July 15. 2004
Poker Kings Documentary
The documentary follows the high stakes journey of five players over 12 months in their quest to win poker’s Holy Grail, the World Series of Poker. Along the way, they attempt to weave their personal lives with their obsession, competing with each other, and their own frailties, in a quest to win the big one, $7.8 million in prize money. Every May in glittering, cacophonous Las Vegas, the world's best poker players pay up to $10 000 of their own money to compete for the $2.5 million first prize in the ultimate card game . . . the World Series of Poker.
Tuesday, July 13. 2004
Poker For Dummies Review
Poker is pretty hot these days, so the popular "Dummies" series of books is now branching into the DVD realm with this brief tutorial designed to supposedly teach you how to play, bet and bluff your way to card-winning success. Hosted by the aptly named Chris Moneymaker (2003 Poker World Championship winner), Poker For Dummies claims it is geared primarily towards either the novice, the home player or the casino/card room player.
