Keep Your Stacks High with Slick Bluffs

Image via WikipediaFrom what have you probably seen in television, you might have noticed some great bluffs that made many doubt if their hands are strong enough (when it truly is), then throw it away out of fear. It is a skill that serious poker players have to incorporate into their game to be successful in poker and stack up the chip count in the long run.

There are basic bluffs that one really has to do especially in short-tables and ones that you only do sparingly that pave the way to the pot.

A Basic Bluff

Technically, this technique is a semi-bluff, but it is deceptive nonetheless. It makes your opponents believe that you have the top pair but in reality, you merely have a drawing hand. Let’s look an example:

You have J-6, both hearts, with four people in the table. The flop shows A-5-8 with the last two having hearts as suits. It’s an ugly flop for those holding face cards except ace and this is an opportunity to make a good-sized flop of around 2/3 of the pot. You seem to represent that you have a pair of eights or aces but you only have the flush draw. In the case that a suit other than a heart shows up on the turn card, don’t fold immediately to a bet. See first if you get sufficient pot odds for calling it. A good size is 3/5 or below as compared to the size of the pot. This way, not only do you have an opportunity to hit a flush, you make sure that it won’t eat up your stack substantially that it renders you soft and defenseless.

Advanced Bluffs

These kinds of bluffs usually appear in the latter stages of the betting round, done when the turn and/or the river card shows up. It may be a panicked all-in when you have the nuts or a soft-looking bet on the river that scares advanced players out their wits (I’ll explain why later).

First is the jumpy all-in bet. There is a specific sequence of circumstances that makes this bluff work. First is that you must raise pre-flop with medium to low suited connectors like 3-4 diamonds or 6-7 hearts. The raise, of course, represents something else like Queens or Jacks. When you hold 6-7 hearts and the flop shows 4-5-9, with the first two having hearts for a suit, put down the automatic continuation bet of around half the pot, showing that you have high face cards and you seem to believe that the flop didn’t hit your opponents either. Of course, they will call that bet. When 8-of-hearts is shown on the turn, then you have the nut straight flush, beating anyone who holds a straight. When this happens, don’t just shove your chips right there. Think for a long while and then go all-in. This gives off the impression that you have a set. If anyone has a straight, which is likely because he/she called a good-sized bet, he/she will call it given the seeming desperation of your bet.

The second bluff I’ll teach you is the Post-Oak Bluff. It is very simple; both are bold enough to bet until the river card shows up, when you make a smallish bet of around 1/3 of the pot. It seems as if you are begging him to call you, in an attempt to maximize your gain. But in truth you only have a weak hand, trying to outplay your opponent. This bluff only works for top players, who know the science behind poker betting.

There is an old adage that says large bets scare the beginner while small ones frighten the strong ones. Keep that in mind and you’ll have a good base for your bluffs, and you’ll win more pots in the long run.

Texas Hold'em And The Probabilities

Image via WikipediaWell, learning the basics of the game Texas Hold'em is pretty easy. The tough part is getting to master it. If you want to play the game well, you need to mix the ingredients of cunning, strategy and math and come with a winner. What you will also need to do is to keep a keen eye on the many probabilities that are likely to crop up during play. From there, you will have to figure out how to deal with these probabilities should you come up against them.

What does probability mean exactly when it is used with reference to Texas Hold'em? Well it's a term that is used very much in all games of poker including Texas Hold'em. It deals with how the players involved play their odds. The elements of probability include the various odds that could happen like getting an overcard, getting a hand off the flop, or finishing a straight or flush. All these odds are the determining factors when it comes to deciding who will win the game and who will walk home with the winnings. So you need to understand quite a lot about probability so it would help you to bet, call or fold.

Let's look at the terms used when it comes to Texas Hold'em probabilities. One of the terms that you will hear quite often in the game is ‘out'. This refers to the cards which could help you to get a hand. Say you have four spades with you, you know there are nine cards out so you need some of those ‘outs' to help you make a flush or a winning hand.

Yet another term that is used often is the one ‘pot odds'. These are the odds of getting a hand which is based on the current size of the pot as well as the call that you are going to make next. So if the pot's current size is $150 and you have a $10 bet coming, you can calculate that a winning hand could make it very profitable for you.

You also have ‘bet odds' where you have to look at the odds in relation to the bets the players make and how many call against a raise. You can say you have good bet odds if you have hand odds that are 1 to 5 and you are pretty certain that the ones you are playing against will call.

Then comes the term ‘implies odds' where you have the odds depending on whether you can predict the results of the betting round or not. Now this comes after you've had quite a bit of experience.

What is the main idea in Texas Hold'em's probabilities? It all boils down basically to division. Your denominator is the cards that you haven't seen yet and the cards or outs you have with you is your numerator. You need to divide your outs by 50 before the flop but after that it tends to drop to 47 and following the turn, you'll find it goes to 46.

Related articles

• Top #PokerTips for playing Texas Hold 'em #Poker (hectorjsanchezp.wordpress.com)
• Texas Hold 'em is NOT a game of chance (maaadddog.wordpress.com)

Why Stack Sizes Should Affect Your Play

Image via Wikipedia
Time and time again, I’ve seen too many players misplay their cards in situations that call for it. And they pay for it; they lose their chip strength or in the worst case, get kicked out of the tournament. Chip management is the single most important skill one must learn in poker. Bluffing pales in comparison to this important skill, and now, I’ll teach you how to manage it well.

Conservative at the Start

Early in the tournament, when the blinds are low and with a good number of weak poker players around, it is important that you stay tight rather than jeopardizing your tournament dream. The antes are low, so there is no rush to be the chip leader. Relax and take it slow, only playing the best-looking hands. Don’t be a rock though, because no one will call your bets when you finally have a hand. In a nutshell, mix up your play but be conservative around 80% of the time.

Faster at the Middle

In the middle of the tournament, where a third or half of the competition is gone, and the tables are becoming smaller, with only five to seven people around, it’s time to speed up your play. From here, you should start putting up continuation bets and eat up small pots. This is important because the blinds are now chasing you and will substantially take a part of your stack if you become the big or small blind. Your poker instincts become more important this time around, because you will have to read your opponents plays if they are retaining their conservative nature or beginning to show some courage.

A Freak at the End

Nothing’s more important in the end-game than your feel for the table and your aggressive technique. You should learn how to play cards like 9-4 and take it to the top. Top players like Doyle Brunson have won the World Series of Poker with cards like 10-2. And in fact, he has done it with the same card twice.

Since this has confused many, I’ll give you an example. If you are dealt 10-4 and at the small blind, just limp in and see if he/she calls. If your opponent puts up a reasonable raise, just call it because you have a high card in 10 and it is unlikely that he/she has an AJ given that there are only two players. Also, there are lesser combinations for the card deck to work with. If the flop shows 2-4-9, bet around half of the pot and it’s likely that your opponent will fold it. That’s the nature of heads-up play. A low pair is equivalent to a high pair in a full table and in my example, getting nines is a premium holding card. Keep that basic rules in mind and you’ll have an idea how play in a short table and more importantly, heads-up.

Conclusion

From what you may have noticed, the style you should follow early in the tournament is a conservative one and as the game marches on, you should adopt a more aggressive approach. That’s why one should be familiar to both styles as it will aid you in tournament play where millions are at stake. Poker’s reach has extended through farther regions of the globe and is gaining popularity in places like The Philippine Islands and in New Zealand. So to speak, a No Limit Hold ‘Em game may be ongoing a few blocks away. If you keep these rules in mind and you may win a tourney in those local casinos one day.

Related articles

• Duhamel, 23, wins World Series of Poker, $8.94M (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Montrealer Duhamel still in shock after winning World Series of Poker (thestar.com)
• 23-Year-Old Is First Canadian to Win World Series of Poker (nytimes.com)
• World poker title nets Quebecer $8.9M (cbc.ca)

Five Years!

Its crazy to think that I launched this blog five years ago last month. I really haven't done too much posting to it over the years but the one thing it has led me into is creating other blog sites... Mostly with Wordpress (sorry Google).

I assure you that I take care of these sites much better than I do this one. It has actually developed into a very big part of my online presence. I do not think that i would be anywhere near where I am today if it hadn't been from creating this one blog just over five years ago.

I actually now have a blog site that is devoted to blogging with Wordpress that I update quite frequently. Its a pretty active site with numerous devoted readers and I would appreciate having you as one of my readers if you have any interest in being a blogger, yourself.

So as I embark on my sixth year blogging, I pledge to try and update this site more often... Which probably means that I need to get out to the casinos more often and play some cards.

See You at the tables...

Raking it in at Video Poker

Fact, of all the hands dealt only 21% are winning hands. The rest, which is 79%, are losers. The difference between a winner and a loser is what he does with 79% of the hands dealt so that it becomes a winner. To increase the chance of making money at video poker is to understand, embrace and promise loyalty to these video poker tips.

Find a machine that pays 9 for a full house win and six for a flush win.

If you want to play on a progressive machine that pays 8 for a full house win and 5 for a flush win, be sure that the nickel machine pays a jackpot of $250 or better, the quarter machine pays $2,500 or better or $10,000 on a dollar video poker machine. To collect on the royal flush bonus for a progressive machine, be sure to bet the maximum number of coins

Play on the machine with the lowest denomination if you are a new player. Wait until you get better before playing on the higher denomination video poker machines.

Use slot card to get credit for playing, if the casino offers one. First ask the point equivalent for each dollar played. Then learn what those earned points are worth.

Take time to read every hand you get. Remember you’re not playing against another person, it will not intimidate you for playing too slowly.

Players don't recognize that the jack is the most important card in the deck, not the Ace. A Jack gives you a lot more lucrative hands than an ace.

The variety of video poker you can play is almost endless, but all have their own pay tables that need specific strategies. The best way to start learning is to limit your choices to two.

Improve your game by playing on a computer or a portable video poker game. If you train this way, you get to test your skills with zero risk.

Here are playing tips:

1. Don’t ever hold a kicker with your pair. This reduces your payoff by 5%


2. Don’t draw four cards, if you can get a royal flush drawing three.


3. Always stay on a winning five-card hand except when drawing a royal flush with one card.


4. Never break a flush to draw a straight flush even with one draw.


5. Always break your flush to draw a royal flush.


6. Don’t break your straight to draw for a straight flush.


7. Don’t draw five, if you’re holding Jacks or better.


8. Never leave a ten on a four card draw.

Texas Hold'em Poker Tips

When people speak of poker, there is one name that cuts above the rest of the poker classification—the Texas Hold ‘em poker. This type of poker is considered to be the most popular type being played in the casinos today, whether online or in real casinos.

Generally, Texas Hold ‘Em Poker starts with a batch of two players situated at the left of the “dealer button.” This dealer buttons refers to the round disc being passed on clockwise on each player. It signifies who will be dealer in the event that the deal was move forward from one player to another.

The betting starts on the first part of the game where the money is placed into the pot before dealing the cards. Normally, the first blind is the one that places half of the required minimum stake. The first blind refers to the player situated at the left of the dealer. The second blind, on the other hand, is the one responsible in placing the full minimum required bet.

Since the very object of the game is to win whatever is in the pot, it is best to know some rules or strategies so as to get an edge over the other players. Here’s how:

1. The table.

When a player is playing Texas hold ‘em poker, the best thing that he or she should consider is selecting the table. This is because players, regardless of their skills in playing the game, will be constrained to give their best shots if the table is too assertive, too rigid or too loose, or if it consists of players that are more skillful.

The bottom line: Even if the essence of winning the game is directly affected by the skills of the player, it is still best to play on a table that has few raisers but many callers.

The logic behind this concept is based on the fact that the more raisers there are in a table, the lesser the chances of winning the game.

2. When a player is in the early position, it is best to raise with K-K, A-K, and A-As, then, with A-Qs, Q-Q, J-J, A-K, T-T, have a call and then fold everything else.

3. For players who already have a remarkable hand starters, especially when he or she has a high pair, say JJ or even higher, it is best not to hesitate raising it before the flop.

Indeed, playing Texas hold ‘em poker requires skills also. It is not all based on gambling. This just goes to show that games like this requires both luck and skill to win the pot.

HOW TO WIN AT POKER...Is there a sure way?

As poker is very popular today and a favorite game to play among Americans, one may ask, if there really is a sure way to win at poker.

The answer is simple. Study and check out these guidelines, try them at poker time and see for yourself.

Before starting to play the game, keep in mind these simple suggestions:

*Inspect the site. Make sure that it is authentic.

*Read the terms and conditions of the site. Check the maximum payouts and the minimum bets.

*Allocate a budget for the day. That budget will determine how much you are willing to lose or to win in the game. Stick to the limit.

*Do not gamble if you can not afford to lose.

*Practice playing the game. Familiarize yourself with the game first before you play for real money.

At the table, here are some warnings that you should always remember:

*If you do make a big win, do not be greedy, stop. Making a big win and gambling it all over again is a big sign of greediness.

*In poker, overall winnings are what count most. If you are losing, or have already lost your allotted money for the day, don’t try to win your losses back. You won't. Stop. Tomorrow is another day.

*Drinking alcohol is a big no no at poker time. It can serious affect your judgment. So stay away from it while on the game.

*Never take side bets. Usually these are just gimmicks, so that more money will go to the casino.

*Never gamble your hard earned money unless you are very much ready to lose it.

While in the game, here are some important ideas to think about:

*Gaze at your opponent's eye. Survey all their moves. Observe them, to better know them. This way, you will fear them less. This way, you will know when they are bluffing or not.

*Play in silence. Have that conversation with your self as well as think deep to your opponents actions. Concentrate.

*Base your decisions on what the reality is. See all movements as they are. Do not fear, instead, be calm and assess their moves accordingly.

*Don't take it personally. At the poker table, it is always unavoidable that your opponent can irritate you. Never give in to such responses. Stay within the good game. Be cool and objective. This is a bluffing game. But do keep in mind that just because your opponent has bluffed earlier, it does not mean that he does all the time. Think tight. Review each move.

*Think about what your opponents have. Create a situation. So when deciding, you'll have a better chance to be right.

*Know when to stop. Is the hand that you are raising now the hand you folded a while ago? This is a sign that you should go home.

*Play to enjoy. Do not play if you are sad, bored or tired. If you can't play having enjoyment as your goal, then don't play at all!

My Bad-Beat Story for This Year...

Let me preface this post with: I am not a very good loser! Especially when its to an inferior player...

I ventured out to the Hard Rock Casino - Tulsa to participate in one of the nightly $120 buy-in NL hold'em tournaments. I had a great start with six limpers to me in the big blind with 10 - 4 off suit. The flop came 10 - 4 - 4... The small blind checked and I made a small bet. Five folds and a call by the small blind. Turn was a 7 and again the SB checked to me and I laid out a bet for roughly half of the pot and he called. The river was a 2 and he checked and I again bet half of the pot and he folded... I was off and running.

Our table was the first to be broken and I moved to a new table after about 45 minutes of play and around 9K in chips (starting stack was 6K). I immediately went card dead for the next half hour. I finally woke up with A-K diamonds under the gun and made a raise and everyone folded back to me. I guess I had a pretty tight image at the table.

Finally the cards started coming around... or maybe I just got a bit more aggressive, and took down a few more pots, most without a showdown.

I went into the first break in the top 10 overall in chips and easily had the lead at our table.

I've always told my wife thats she's the biggest cooler in the world. I can be on the biggest roll evr and she calls me or stops by to talk and everything goes south from there. So why in the name of all that is good did I call her during the break???

After the break, I was once again pretty card dead, but I did manage to take a couple of short stacks out and win a couple of other rounds of blinds just by betting and watching everyone fold. The guy to my left, on the other hand, went on a big heater.

He had been down to around 3K in chips and ended up with it all in and sucked out on the river to double up through another player. When its your time, I guess its your time... And it was definitely this dude's time as he continued to catch cards and come from behind to win pots. He soon had taken the chip lead at our table.

Then things seemed to change as he lost a couple of pots, but still had a small chip lead over me. I limped into a pot with A - 8 spades as did he, the small blind and the big blind checked his option. The flop came down A clubs, 8 diamonds, 10 diamonds. Both blinds checked and I bet 3K into a pot of about 4K and he raises to 9K!

I had been at the table with him for a few hours so I knew he was pretty reckless at times. I thought about it and figured him to have A - small of diamonds. Both blinds folded and I called, leaving me around 12K in chips.

The turn was a Q spades and I laid out a bet of 3K and he again raised, this time to only 6K... If I call, then I would only have around 6K left for the river and I pushed it all in. He stopped and thought about it for a while... counted his chips... he had me covered by 800 chips. If he calls and loses, he's done... He calls!!!

I throw out my A - 8 for two pair and he turns over A - 2 diamonds... The only thing that will win it for him is a diamond... Then comes the river and its a 6 diamonds and my night is over.

I was right in the way I played it and would have loved it if we would have been in a cash game, because chasing a draw is sure way to lose over the long haul.

I stood up from the table and he reached to shake my hand... I reached out and shook it and as I walked away couldn't help myself but to do my best Helmuth impression: "How many times can one person suck out?" I said.

He was out of the tournament less than thirty minutes later after having climbed to 4th overall in chips after taking my stack.

Sorry for the bad-beat story... It won't happen again... hopefully.

2010 Oklahoma State Poker Championships February 11 - 22

Its that time of year again! The Hard Rock Casino, Tulsa is once again set to host the Oklahoma State poker championships. Beginning on February 11th at 7:00pm with a $120 buy-in Jack-n-Jill Tournament, there will be state champions crowned in Omaha 8 or better, PLO/8, Seniors No-Limit Hold'em, 6 handed NLHE, Limit Hold'em, Stud 8 or better, Ladies NLHE, Head's Up hold'em, Pot limit hold'em, Triple Draw and H.O.R.S.E..

All of the state championship events have a $340 buy-in with a $10 dealer fee for double starting chips. The main event starts on February 21st and concludes the following day. The $3150 buy-in will get you 15K starting chips and with starting blinds of 25-50 and 60 minute levels should give everyone a lot of playing time.

If you don't have the cash for the main event, there are multiple satellites with buy-ins from $120 to $340 running at different times. Plus, any tournament with a prize pool that exceeds $30K will also earn the winner a free seat in the main event.

In addition to the state championships,satellites and the main event, there are daily No limit Hold'em tournaments with a $120 buy-in.

Each tournament you play in earns you points towards the best all around player award. The best all around wins $15K! You can view the complete schedule for all of the events, here.

If you're a poker player and can get to Tulsa next month, there is really no reason to pass this one up. The buy-ins are low and the action will be hot. See you there!

Creek Casino - Muskogee Daily Poker Tournament Schedule

I've been trying to get more local casino info on here. I guess since its "Okie Poker" it should have more Oklahoma Casino info...

Here is the schedule for Creek Casino - Muskogee.

Sundays 4pm

$40 Bounty NL Hold'em Tournament

Tuesdays 7pm

$20 -- $1000 guaranteed NL Hold'em

Wednesdays

2pm $20 NL Hold'em

7pm $20 Managers Choice Tournament

Thursdays

2pm $20 NL Hold'em

7pm $20 NL Hold'em -- $1000 guaranteed

Fridays 7pm

$25 NL Hold'em Bounty Tournament

Saturdays 7pm

$40 NL Hold'em

Naturally there are ongoing cash games with bad beat jackpots and other promos. Right off US Highway 69 just South of Muskogee, OK. Stop by and check out the action!

Firelake Grand Casino April Poker Schedule

Here's the April Poker schedule for Firelake Grand in Shawnee, OK. If you don't know where it is... Its about 25 miles East of OKC right off I-40. Huge sign with LCD screens... Kinda hard to miss...On with the schedule!

Sundays

2pm NL Texas Hold'em Deep Stack Bounty Tournament

$100 + $20
$20 Applied towards bounty

Mondays

11am NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$25 + $5

7pm NL Texas Hold'em Tournament with $10 rebuys and add-ons
$20 + $10

Tuesdays

11am NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$20 = $5

7pm NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$40 = $10

Wednesdays

11am NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$40 + $10

6pm NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$40 + $10

7pm Ladies NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$30 + $10

Thursdays

11am NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$20 + $5

7pm Jack & Jill NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$40 + $10

Fridays

11am NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$20 + $5

6pm NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
$40 + $10

Saturdays

12pm Last Sturday of the Month Ladies NL Texas Hold'em
$60 + $10

2pm NL Texas Hold'em Deep Stack Freeze Out Tournament
$80 + $20

Of course there are cash games constantly going on, so you are not limited to tournament play. Stop by there sometime and maybe you'll get lucky enough to lose your money to me... ;-)

Special this month! Domestic longnecks only a buck all month long!

See you at the tables!

Cherokee Casino Resort Daily Poker Schedule + Mid-South Poker Classic Dates Released

Here's the schedule for the regular poker tournaments held at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa (Tulsa)...Soon to be the Hard Rock Casino - Tulsa.

10:00am Daily Shootout

$35 buy-in
15 minute levels
4000 starting chips
Optional $10 re-buy, $10 add-on
Mon-Fri $1500 guaranteed
Sat-Sun $3000 guaranteed


1:00pm Daily Turbo Shootout

$25 buy-in
10 minute levels
4000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
Monday thru Friday


Monday's 5:00pm Seniors No Limit Hold'em

$25 buy-in
15 minute levels
4000 starting chips
Optional $10 re-buy, $10 add-on
4pm registration


Tuesday's 7:00pm No Limit Hold'em

$60 buy-in
20 minute levels
4000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
$3000 guaranteed


Wednesday's 7:00pm Pot Limit Omaha

$60 buy-in
20 minute levels
4000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
$10 optional staff appreciation for 2000 more in starting chips
$3000 guaranteed


Thursday's 7:00pm No Limit Hold'em

$60 buy-in
20 minute levels
4000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
$3000 guaranteed


4:00pm Saturday No Limit Hold'em

$120 buy-in
40 minute levels
5000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
$4000 guaranteed


6:00pm Sunday No Limit Hold'em

$60 buy-in
20 minute levels
4000 starting chips
No re-buys or add-ons
$3000 guaranteed


The daily 10:00am tournament game varies...Limit, No Limit, Omaha, Stud, etc. You can call the poker kiosk at (918)384-6648 for more information.

Click the banner below for more info on the Mid-South Classic. Another great poker tournament from the premier tournament venue in Oklahoma. Twenty-five events with buy-ins from $120 to $1590. There are also mega satellites running to get into the main event on the cheap throughout the schedule.

I don't make any money promoting the Cherokee, but do like to pimp-out my home casino when I get the chance. See you at the tables.

Big Changes Coming to Cripple Creek, CO Casinos

I know this is "Okie Poker", but I feel compelled to write occasionally about my second home in Colorado.

I love Cripple Creek. Old mining town of around 1000 people way up in the Rockies...Oh! They also have 20 or so casinos! The problem has always been that the maximum bet allowed on any game was $5. Thats all changing come July 2nd.

Here's the notice from Cripple Creek's Chamber website:

"With the passing of a resolution to expand gambling in the state of Colorado, Cripple Creek gaming will see some exciting changes this summer. As of July 2009, the stakes will rise in Colorado casinos from the current maximum bet limit of $5, to the new limit of $100. This is for slots, blackjack and poker as well as new games coming to Cripple Creek: craps and roulette. Cripple Creek casinos will also see extended hours, meaning more fun and more chances to win for you and your friends! Anticipation is mounting as craps and roulette will be added to the Cripple Creek, Colorado gaming lineup."

Looks like I may be spending a lot more time in the Mountains this Summer...At least I hope so!

If you are in need of a job and think the casino industry may be for you, the casinos in Cripple Creek are expected to add 500+ positions before July 2nd. Many are taking applications now. A dealer makes an average of $40K/year there now. With the increased stakes coming, the tips should even be better and drive that number on up!

BTW, the Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, OK is having its 2009 Firelake Grand Poker Championship on March 7th beginning at noon. $50K guaranteed money for this event. Not sure of the buy-in...I seem to have misplaced my invite, and their website doesn't give the amount...sorry.

Check Out These Cool Online Poker Videos!

I have just seen a kick ass Poker Training School that's taking the poker market by storm! Tim, Errol and the rest of the team are the real deal..

Heck, you can even watch them put their strategies to work.

They have recorded their success on Video and now you can take a peek at every hand and understand why they win the way they do. The only way to successfully learn how to make money off of playing poker online is by actually sitting down and watching videos of online professional poker players. Imagine if you could watch and listen to online poker pros while seeing their hole cards.

Check out the videos below:








Want more videos and training tools like this? Just Click the banner below:

Wow!!! The Hard Rock Comes to Oklahoma...finally

The Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa (Tulsa) has just announced that when their expansion is completed in the spring that the casino will be rebranded 'The Hard Rock Casino - Tulsa'.

Already Oklahoma's premier poker destination, the addition of the Hard Rock name is sure to bring in more people to play my game...For full details you can click the title and it will take you to the full press release from the Cherokee Nation...

The new casino floor will be opening in December with 110,000 square feet of gambling. The Cherokee Resort has the largest poker room in Oklahoma and regularly hosts tournaments that draw players from throughout the US and the world.

The Scotty Nguyen Challenge V just wrapped up. Look for a new post coming soon with results from the main event final table and winners of other events.

The new 19 story hotel tower opens in the Spring of 2009 and the 'Hard Rock' branding is scheduled to coincide with that opening.

I am a degenerate gambler....

And I like it!

My friends and I will make a wager on just about anything. One vice I was never really into at the casino has been keeping me out into the wee hours recently.

I've never really played slot machines much until recently. They are a fun distraction while waiting for a seat to open up at the poker table or two deck pitch blackjack game, but I know the odds and other than the odd twenty or so every few months, never really played them.

My recent binge into the spinning wheels and multi-line payouts started a couple of weeks ago. A friend and I were at our favorite watering holes playing pool and darts (I lost at pool, but kicked ass, as usual, at darts) for beers. The place was dead that night and around 11pm we decided to roll up the highway to one of the many casinos within an hour of my house.

We played there for a bit then decided to try out another place for a while. After what seemed to be an hour or so there we decided to cash out and leave. Glancing at my watch as we walked towards my truck, I noticed it was 5am! Where had the time gone?

A few days later we were back at it. This time was even more extreme. Between time spent at the casinos and getting my online work semi-done, I was up for 51 hours straight! When I was younger and partying all night and working/going to school all day this would not have been that big of a deal...But hell, I'm 44 years old now! I'm not 21 any more...

After another couple late nights this week, I firmly believe that I am a degenerate gambler. Staying up all night playing cards is one thing (because I thoroughly enjoy playing poker and blackjack and almost always come out ahead), but machines...I know that I am pissing money away! Sure I may win $430 on a quarter bet, but eventually the slot Gods are going to take all of that and more back.

Things I will not be doing.

1. Replacing card games with slots as my favorite thing to do in a casino
2. Pissing my poker bankroll away on slot machines
3. Putting my mortgage payment, electric bill, grocery or any other necessity money on a slot machine spin (But I probably would on poker or blackjack).
4. Using artificial stimulants (other than caffeine and sugar) to keep me awake during one of my binges

Well, its off to the Creek Nation Muscogee casino for a little bounty poker tournament tonight. I have been intending to go and play over there for a while but have never found the time. Seems something was always getting in the way. I know many of the players there, so it shouldn't be too much of an adjustment to get control of whatever table I'm at.

More soon...

A Matter of Winning and Losing: Tips on Playing Blackjack

Today, blackjack seems to be one of the most popular card games. This is because playing blackjack is so easy to learn and play. Unlike poker, blackjack does not have any combinations to remember.

In blackjack, the object of the game is to get the sum of the two cards close to 21. When a person gets cards that are over 21, he or she loses the game.

Normally, a player receives two cards. After the players see their cards, they have to decide whether they would hit or stand. When a person says “stand,” this means the player thinks he or she is closer to 21 already. When a player says “hit,” this means that he or she still needs additional cards just to get close to 21.

Players can draw as many cards as they want until they feel they are close to 21 already. A player who is nearer to 21 wins.

However, there are people who have devised some tips and strategies to get an edge over the other players. There are times that these tips really can help some people win.

Here’s a list of some tips that players may choose to use them so as to win the game.

1. If a player gets 17 or higher, it is always better to stand, and if the player has any number from 13 to 16 and the dealer’s card is 6 or lower, it would be better to stand. But if the dealer has 7 or more, it would be better for a player to hit.

The theory here is that, if the dealer is showing a card of six or lower, the dealer may take a card, assuming that the dealer’s card facing down is a ten. The players, then, assume that the dealer is banking on a bust hand, so the other players have the tendency to maintain a lower card number.

The rule of thumb: players should always assume that the dealer’s down cards is 10.

2. If a player has aces or 8’s, it would be better to split them regardless of the dealer’s showing card.

3. A player should remember not to split 10’s. Chances are, they might end up getting busted.

4. If the dealer is showing 4, 5, or 6, it would be better for a player to stand on hard 12, or hit hard if the dealer is showing 2, 3, 7, or higher.

5. In order to win, players should always remember not to split fours, face cards, and fives.

Indeed, gambling is a game of chance, but with keen observation, winning is possible.

AN OVERVIEW OF ONLINE GAMBLING

Now online: online gambling.

Just like any commercial market today, gambling also took its chance of having to saturate a broader area of gaming through the Internet.

Nowadays, there are as many online gambling games as there are gambling games. Every kind of gambling game has their online counter parts in the Web. From poker to sports betting, every gambling activity seems to be online.

Most proponents of online gambling assert that online gambling is just as safe as gambling in known casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Just like the usual casino, online casinos are also required to have their licenses and permits before engaging into online gambling.

By doing so, online casinos are systematically regulated and audited by professional firms. All online casinos use the secure e-cash facilities, in cooperation with the credit card companies, so that the customers are being protected from unauthorized use of credit cards or from cases of identity theft.

Generally, online gambling in an online casino will entice new players by requiring them to deposit an amount by offering bonuses. An online casino that will offer you a free $100 for a $50 deposit is a good example. In this manner, more people believe that online gambling offers better chances than real-life gambling. However, this poses more risk in getting addicted to the game.

For people who want to play online gambling, deposits can be made through credit cards, fire pay, or 900 pay. Fire pay works like an ordinary online debit card. Normally, the player places money into the account and can be spent to any online merchants. Funds can be deposited through wire transfers. 900 pay, on the other hand, is another way of depositing money by calling a 900 number and the amount that is to be deposited is charged to the player's phone bill.

What's more, online casinos are further classified into two groups based on their interface. Online casinos could either be web-based or download-based.

Web-based casinos are forms of online gambling wherein users may directly play online casino games without having to load any software to the local computer. Online gambling is mainly presented in the browser plugins like Macromedia Flash, Shockwave, or Java.

On the other hand, download-based online casinos are the most common online gambling sites in the Web. Here, online gambling users have to download certain software in order to play the casino games. And because it has pre-downloaded software, it is faster to initiate casino games on it compared to web-based casinos.

All the same, and due to the basic nature of online gambling, any transactions with it are vulnerable to fraud. There are online gambling known as rogue casinos wherein these sites refuse to pay the customers or contains a cheating software.

Plus, there are other ways of frauds in online gambling. Most of these cases are player-based. Players who want to cheat usually uses Adobe Photoshop or a comparable tool to maneuver the graphics of a slot machine screenshot in order to deceive the casino into thinking that the player just hit a jackpot.

Whatever forms of deception, it is evident that frauds are more likely to happen in online gambling. And if in any case, players get to be addicted in playing online gambling, they must remember that their obsession did not happen by mistake.

Online gambling is a highly interactive game, meaning whatever choices players make are based on their own prerogatives. So, however enticing online gambling can be it is a must that players must know their own dispositions so as not to be deceived.

The Games Gamblers Play: Casino Gambling 101

Casino gambling. The first thing that enters our mind is Vegas, slot machines, bright lights and chips. If you’re not a gambling person and you don’t know a lot about casino gambling, then read on...

According to the Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia, a casino is a building that accommodates casino gambling. Customers may gamble by playing slot machines or other games of chance and some skill. Casino gambling games usually have mathematically determined odds built in that ensure the house retains an advantage over the players. This advantage is called the “edge”. “Payout” is the percentage given to players. Some statistically even games may take a commission or tax, a "rake" on bets customers make against each other.

There are a lot of casino gambling games which can get you hooked in no time. First of all, you have the classic slot machine. A slot machine is a coin-operated casino gambling machine with three or more reels that rotate when a lever on the side of the machine is pulled. It includes a currency detector that validates the coin or money inserted to play. The machine typically pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops.

Sadly, casino gambling games often offer the player the illusion of control in which the player is given choices, but these choices do not eliminate the player's long-term disadvantage. This disadvantage is caused by the casino not paying the full amount that would be expected for the odds wagered. For example, if one game was played by betting what number a roll of a die would give, instead of paying 6 times the amount bet for winning, the casino only pays 5 times the amount bet.

This system is often found in famous casino gambling games like Poker, Craps, Roulette or Blackjack.

Poker is a very popular casino gambling card game. The players, with fully or partially concealed cards make wagers into a central pot, after which the pot is awarded to the remaining player or players with the best combination of cards.

Like Poker, Blackjack is also a very popular casino gambling card game. Much of its popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill and decision making, and a practice called card counting. It is a skill in which players can turn the odds of the game in their favor by making betting and strategy decisions based on the cards that have been dealt. Players suspected of card counting are usually banned and blacklisted by casinos.

Craps is a famous casino gambling game using dice. Players wager money against the casino on the outcome of one roll, or of a series of rolls of two dice. The rules vary slightly from one casino to another, but the expected value of most bets is only slightly negative. All bets have a negative expectation, except the "free odds" bet with an expectation of 0, that the player is allowed to make after a point is established on a flat bet. Unlike in Blackjack, there is no possible winning strategy over any given period of time.

Roulette is a signature casino gambling game. A croupier turns a round roulette wheel which has 37 or 38 separately numbered pockets in which a ball must land. The main pockets are numbered from 1 to 36 and change between red and black, with number 1 being red. In addition there is a pocket numbered 0 of green color. In most roulette wheels in the United States but not in Europe, there is a second zero compartment marked 00, also colored green. If a player bets on a single number and wins, the payout is 35 to 1. The bet itself is returned, so in total it is multiplied by 36.

Be very wary though, these casino gambling games are highly addictive (as they are intended to be). A lot of lives have been ruined by casino gambling and although it might be fun, please do try to regulate yourself.

Ten Things to Know Me Better

10: I wear shorts, year round. If its above freezing; I'm usually wearing a pair of shorts.

9: I rarely wear a tie; but at one point in my life had a collection of over 100 fine silk ties in my closet.

8: If I'm not wearing shorts; I'm in blue jeans. I am very anal about my jeans. I only wear Levis 501's. No Wrangler, Bugle Boy or whatever. Only Levis. Only 501's.

7: I'm a gambler who will bet on the outcome of most anything; but I do not play slot machines or the lottery.

6: I'm a very spontaneous person. I've been known to wake up and drive halfway across the country to see something or someone, on a whim.

5: I was personally invited to both of the Bush/Cheney Inaugural Balls. Why is this strange? I am not a registered Republican and I made no donations to either campaign.

4: I have a degree in political science, but hate discussing politics. My views are extreme enough in both directions, depending on the issue, to make members of both parties squirm.

3: I hate funerals, but have my own planned.

2: I am very much into freedom of expression; but run a very disciplined household. My boys have been given the freedom to explore their own ideals and beliefs; but are amongst the most polite, well-behaved young men you'll ever meet.

1: I go commando in public.