Archive for the ‘Poker’ Category

There’s Nothing Wrong with Limit Texas Hold’Em!

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OK, we admit that sometimes we’re biased: we really love Hold’Em. However, not just any Hold’Em will do: we love no-limit Texas Hold’Em. That’s the best type around as far as we’re concerned, but we’re trying to turn over a new leaf. Develop new habits if you will. We want to make sure that you understand that there really is another world out there besides just no-limit. Pot limit poker is something that takes a bit of a different strategy but it’s still worth checking out if you really want to get things done in the world of poker.

What do we mean by “getting things done”? Well, it’s really straightforward — in order to jump in and become a truly great poker player, you will want to make sure that you actually get experience in many different variations of poker. The last thing that you want to do is just stick to one and think that that’s all you can expect from the poker world. Every variation will give your strategy a little something extra. When you start talking about high stakes poker tournaments like the WSOP, this varied background in poker will end up giving you the extra edge that you need in order to get all of your goals achieved. You want to make lots of money playing poker? Then adjusting your strategy and your thinking is definitely the best way to go.

The confines of pot-limit Hold’Em are actually pretty straightforward. You can bet the size of the pot, which includes the amount of the call at any time. You don’t have to bet that much, but that’s really the maximum. Notice the lack of all-in potential — you cannot dump all of your chips on the table as an intimidation factor. This also eliminates the super aggressive raises that no-limit Hold’Em is actually known for.

It can be harder to nudge the pot along in pot-limit poker, because you basically have to trick your opponents without giving them any advance warning that this is what you’re going to do. You never want to reveal your hand at any point. Remember that online poker can still reveal tells about your opponents as well as yourself. If you end up not being able to work around this it could end up costing you a lot in terms of poker play — and chips!

For you math poker fans, you have to realize that your implied odds as well as straight pot odds are going to change. But that’s okay — pot control is your friend.

You still want to push your opponents into making mistakes. In a way, a lot of poker players like to train with pot-limit because it focuses more on the psychological parts of the game more than a straight math problem. Hardcore limit-poker doesn’t really allow you to do this the way that pot-limit does.

Remember that small bets can really make the difference when you’re playing in this style. Let’s take an example for a spin, shall we?

On the flop, the pot is $10. You’re going against just one other poker player. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast.

Your first options here are to bet, or check. If you just go ahead and check, your opponent can only bet a max of $10 — that’s what’s in the pot at the moment. If you go ahead and bet $5 (which would be half the pot), your opponent can raise all the way up to $25 — yikes! Every time you bet, you’re basically increasing the amount that you have to pay in order to another card. If you don’t have a strong hand, this can get costly very quickly!

Of course, you aren’t always going to be heads up either — there will be other players, and they will all be betting and/or raising accordingly. This can make a pot skyrocket really fast in pot-limit poker, especially if you don’t take into account what pot-limit actually does to the betting.

Don’t think that just because you can’t go all in that you can’t intimidate a player across from you in terms of action. They are still going to be looking at the number of cards that you play and the number of cards that you fold. If you are rising heavy, they could get intimidated all the same. The key is to look at the timing and then strike while the iron is hot.

Naturally, you don’t want to think that you’ll be a pot-limit master in a short amount of time. You may have to play a lot of hands before you really understand the differences between strategies. It’s not the end of the world to be good at only no-limit and struggle with pot-limit — some poker players are just like that.

However, if you really do take the time to get good at both styles of poker, you’ll find small insights along the way that can really help you build a bigger bankroll over time!

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Poker Tournament Strategy

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There is one obvious reason why so many people have chosen to play texas hold em online….they can win thousands of dollars!  In fact, some players have even become millionaires just by playing online poker tournaments so it’s no wonder why poker has become so popular.

Unfortunately, for every millionaire made through poker, there are hundreds of players who’ve lost thousands of dollars because they don’t take the time to learn tournament strategy.  Obviously it’s better to be the millionaire rather than the degenerate gambler who’s constantly hoping that his 6-7 unsuited hand magically turns into a straight so let’s look at some no limit texas holdem strategy.

The first thing you should do is be very selective with your starting hands in the beginning of a tournament when you are gambling online.  This means that you should only be playing premium hands in the early going of a texas holdem tournament because there are so many maniac players at this stage.  And these maniacs go all-in with any solid hand in hopes of doubling-up.

Even if you have the advantage over these players, it’s still not smart to constantly be risking your tournament life just to double-up in the beginning.  So stick to premium hands like A-A through J-J and possibly some good drawing hands like A-K and A-Q.  If you’re sitting in later position in a hand (the dealer spot and the two seats before it), you can open up your range of hands to include 10’s, 9’s, 8’s, A-J, A-10, K-Q, K-J, and Q-J.  However, don’t get too carried away with these hands.

As the casinos tournament progresses to the middle stages, you’ll need to open up your starting hand requirements and get more aggressive.  This means trying to steal pots and blinds against non-aggressive players while avoiding the temptation to limp into hands (calling the blinds just to see the flop).  The only way you should enter a hand is with a raise at this point.

When the tournament gets towards the money, you should be as aggressive as possible.  Now some players tighten up before the money in hopes that they’ll sneak into the cash.  However, you won’t earn much by simply making the money since the amount is only a little more than your buy-in.  On top of this, the end of a tournament is the best time to take advantage of non-aggressive players who are hoping to sneak into the money.

There are lots more tips you should know to become an excellent tournament player, but these basics should help you be fairly successful.

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Why Swap Hold’em for 3 Card Poker?

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Texas Hold’em poker may be all the rage and everyone can see it is a game that’s hard to beat. With its mix of luck and skill and all the options available to play your hand a million different ways, it is clearly a King among poker games. However, have you ever thought about the other poker games available? There are games like Omaha, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, Seven Card Stud, Draw poker and hundreds of other variants. But what about casino table game poker – the kind where you play against the dealer?

Casino poker, whether it is three card poker – hugely popular right now in the UK – or Caribbean stud poker can be a great way to have a break from your regular poker night whether at a casino, a card club or at home. Instead of focusing on the other players that have annoyed you, all your attention can go towards the dealer.

texasholdem

But before you start getting angry at the cards he is pulling – remember he can only play as the rule book dictates, that is, he cannot make any decision himself. This means that there is no one to blame. You can therefore focus on the cards and, of course, the fun rather than someone else’s method of play. This creates a more relaxed game of poker – a game where fun and entertainment counts.

Playing your poker at an online casino is a great way to try out these different styles of poker without committing yourself to a whole evening of a game you could find out that you don’t enjoy. All online casinos offer Three Card poker as a matter of course. You can also find other classics such as Caribbean Stud, Pai Gow and even Video poker.

As the name suggests, Three Card Poker plays with three cards for the player and three cards for the dealer. The game itself consists of two mini games – the ante bet and the pair plus. To play the game, you must either put money on your ante, your pair plus, or both – depending on the mini-game selection you are playing. Ante plays against the dealer, whereas pair plus only pays out if your hand consists of a pair or better.

If you like the look of your cards, place the same as your ante bet on the play box – and we’re off. If you beat the dealer’s hand you automatically get paid the play box and the ante. Then the pair plus pays whatever the odds are for your hand, irrespective of the dealer’s hand.

The dealer only qualifies if he gets a Queen or better and you always get paid on your play and ante boxes if the dealer doesn’t qualify. One thing to remember about Three Card poker is that a straight beats a flush – a weird discovery if you are used to playing regular five card poker or have come straight from the Hold’em tables. This is simply because it is easier to make a flush than a straight with only three cards.

So, give Three Card poker a shot – with the fun and carefree attitude at the casino poker tables and none of the aggravation of the other players to contend with – you might just be glad you did!

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Poker – the Myth of the Sure Fire Win

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Poker has never been more popular than it is today, it is the modern gentleman’s game, but the appeal far outstretches one cliché.  There are thousands of poker players online at this very second.  Poker players are a group of individuals who tend to separate themselves from the normal gambling community. They see poker as a blend of chance and skill, but more as a game where you can actually influence your chances of winning and remain a clear winner no matter what the odds are; for and against you.  This could be labeled as a misconception and that it is the typical gamblers way of justifying their playing. However, there is some truth there which needs to be addressed.

As when any game becomes popular, there are a thousand people leaping from behind the trees and advocating that they have a method that will produce those sure fire wins.  Is this truth, is there a way to guarantee that you will win, even just a degree more than you lose?  You do not need to be a member of mensa to work that one out, it’s more about using common sense.  Poker is a game that must be played in a certain spirit, it takes a mental edge to be able to work the table in your favor, this is about as good as it gets.  Just remember that when you are in a game that relates so much to what other people are doing, then there really is no way of controlling it; there are simply far too many variables.  Play your own cards; leave the others to the guessing.

There are some general tips to allow for a better poker game whether you are online or at the table check the playing rules as they can vary according to each venue. If there is a certain way that you like to play, it would be wise to make sure that the venue caters to your playing style.  As poker can be a game of nerve you need to make sure that you have checked all emotional baggage at the door. If you cannot concentrate, then you should not be playing.  Most importantly, watch your budget.  Do not set yourself unrealistic targets; give yourself a minimum and affordable financial plan. When you have played until all your money is gone, leave the game. After all, it is much better to fight another day then to take the risk of losing money that you cannot afford to lose.

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Poker, Science, Skill or Art

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Pai gow gambling online? Telecharger black jack? 888 poker blitz? Find out everything you wanted to know and were too afraid to ask at 888.com casinos on net. More reasons to enjoy free online gambling .

Is Online Gambling, playing poker online or online casino an art, a skill or a science? Actually it is all three.

Playing in online casinos and winning poker online is much like playing and winning poker in the real world. It is an art and a skill that takes a lifetime to master. Nobody, not even the best poker players in the world, can know everything about poker.

The secret is that the good poker or casino players learn from their mistakes; they carefully analyze every game and the hand they play. They then apply the lessons that they learn to their next hand, that’s how they’re able to stay several moves ahead of their opponents.

You should do the same thing every time you play poker whether online or at a live game. Stop and think about your game and how you played. What did you do you right and what did you wrong? Why did I place the bets that I did? Why did I fold, and why did I call? Think about what the other players did, do they have a tell that you can spot?

The best way to improve your online poker skills is to play a lot of it. If you can’t afford money games, play the mock games at online poker sites or get yourself a poker game for your computer. Then, try and play everyday or at least a few times a week. One suggestion is to regularly play low money games to test your skill. Even top players like Phil Hellmuth do this to sharpen their skills.

Varying your play is another way to test and sharpen your skills. Don’t just play Texas Hold Em, regularly try other games like Razz, Seven Card Stud, Five Card Stud, and Omaha Hi Low. A great thing about being online is that all of these games are available. Try them even if you want to concentrate on Texas Hold Em.

Visit a few different online poker sites until you find one that you like. Then start visiting it on a regular basis.

One thing to remember here is: don’t play if you’re feeling sick or tired. If you don’t feel your best, you won’t play well and you’ll lose. So don’t play for hours on end instead of sleeping at night. Additionally, don’t play if you’ve got the flu or a cold and get some rest occasionally.

When you do play online, take an occasional break; get up, go out and take a walk or exercise. Watch some TV or do some reading then return to your play, this way, you can get refreshed.

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The different kinds of poker bluffing

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Poker is definitely a game of odds, but bluffing can help to give you an increase in your chances if you do it right. For example, say that there are two aces out on the table, and it is just you and one other person left. If one of you had an ace in the hole, then it would be your game. Odds are the same for both you and your opponent, so obviously, you are both wondering if the other has the ace. Making your opponent think you have the ace by acting confident and also by strengthening the act with strong bets may make them believe that you do and you may bluff them into folding.

There are different types of bluffing though, and there are certain situations for all of them. The example above is called bluffing. When you bluff, you try to make the other players believe that you have a better hand then you do.

The next type of bluff that you should know is the semi-bluff. When you semi-bluff, it means that you are working on a hand that may be good, but that you are playing like you already have it. For example, there are two spades on the table, and two in your hand. There is good chance that you will get another spade on the final card, but you may bluff anyway. If you don’t get it, then perhaps your opponents will think that you already have something great. If you do get it, then you just have a strong hand to back it up!

Another type of bluffing is called slow playing. When you slow play, you actually get a fantastic hand coming out of the gate, but you lay low so that people are not scared off. This way, more people will stay in, and in theory, there will be more money in the pot at the end of the game.

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What does luck have to do with poker?

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A lot of people associate poker with luck. In other words, the luckier you are, the more money you will end up winning. This is something that is not true, at all! Luck tends to even itself out over time, and to demonstrate this, you can use a set of percentile dice and perform a small experiment.

First of all, roll the percentile dice once (dice that read 0 to 99)and write down the number. Then, give the dice to someone else, and have them roll once. One of you will roll higher, but does this mean that this person is luckier? Lets see. The next part of the experiment is for each of you to roll the dice 20 times, and write down all of the numbers you get. Now, average those numbers by adding them all together and dividing the number you get by the number of times you rolled the dice. While one of you will definitely average higher, it will probably only be by a few numbers. What you will also realize is that you will both be VERY close to 50. One of you might average 54, and the other one might average 45. Either way, that is pretty close to the middle, which is 50. Now, perform the same experiment, but each of you roll 50 times. You will probably notice that you are both even closer to 50 than you were the first time! Read more »

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Why do people play poker?

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You may enjoy the occasional social game of Texas Hold’em, or you may visit the Casino once a month with a considerable bankroll with an all-or-nothing attitude that has sometimes made you and broke you, depending on what your luck was. Well, these are two extremes. There are a lot of people who play poker on many different levels, and these people play poker for many different reasons. But what are these reasons? Why would someone actually play a game like poker? Well, there are a few reasons, and here are some of the most popular reasons as to why people do it.

First of all, some people play poker for the social outlet of it. Many friends have been made over low-stakes poker tables where they played for fun, not really being concerned about the money. This is probably one of the most common reasons for people playing poker. Read more »

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Worst Poker habits and how to break them

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Ok, here are some of the most common, most destructive habits that poker players can have, and how to cure yourself of them if you have them.

#1. One of the worst traits that a player can have is to blame everyone but themselves when they lose. Not only is this annoying, but it will keep them from learning about the game. It is always that someone is cheating, that the game is rigged, or that their luck is just “too bad”.

To counter this terrible habit, try writing about your poker games in a blog. Writing about your poker games will help you to analyze them, and when you do, you will probably notice that there are a lot of holes in your game that you could improve on.

#2. Another popularly destructive poker habit is the habit to gamble wildly. If you have ever gone all in, pre-flop, with two tens in the hole, then you may have the “wild gambling” syndrome. You need to take your time, use strategy, calculate odds, and act decisively when it is time. Playing successful poker is not gambling, it is manipulating your odds with common sense to give you more chance at winning! Read more »

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Paper Checks and Electronic Checks (ACH) as Money Transfer Options for Online Poker

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The postal service is the most archaic and primitive way you can move your cash. Get a money order or a cashier’s check and post it through the manual postal service to the virtual poker room of your choice. Live mail is also a slower method due to the ordinary postal and check clearing bureaucracy (it is not the slowest because the Pony Express is no longer usable as a postal delivery technique). Virtual casinos are growing tired of this method due to the real-world processing complexities, and this option may soon join the ponies off into the fading sunset. Read more »

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Nine Things To Consider When Looking For High Quality Poker Sites

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If you are looking for high quality poker sites, these are the factors you will have to take into consideration before deciding to deposit your money and play:

1. Server location. Because of the way gaming limitations work in the US. Every server must be installed outside the US borders. Many quality sites are established in Costa Rica.

2. Approval badges. Handed by establishments that provide safe auditing and/or transactions like the Price Waterhouse Coopers. It does not imply that the site is outstanding, but it does tell you that a reputable third party has checked into its software.

3. Activity level. A great way to check the top sites in raw quantity of players is to visit the PokerPulse. Be cautious of some sites that fall quiet after a period of inactivity.

4. 3rd party involvement in fund transaction. If a poker web site uses 3rd parties for its fund dealings (like, NETeller or WU), that site need to be in conformity with the 3rd party’s rules.

5. Complimentary plays. All high quality sites grant you complimentary chips if you wish to try the web site for virtually nothing.

6. Intuition. Quality also signifies how the web site feels to you. Although you’ve the most relied poker web site on the Earth and all your buddies dig it twice, if something actually bugs you when you play in that site, you need to go someplace else.

7. Software bugs. You cannot find a piece of complex software package on the planet that does not have glitches in it, but if you discover something conspicuous during complimentary plays (for example, the poker client software makes your PC to stop dead and freeze), keep searching until you see something better.

8. Connectivity issues. If you keep getting kicked out from a web site, the site may be undergoing connectivity troubles. You need to make sure you are not having ISP troubles by surfing around a few non-related sites. If you are still connected to the cyberspace but you are not getting poker plays from the site, the poker host can be causing the trouble.

9. Clone sites. If you come across a web site that appears and behaves perfectly identical to other poker site, you may have just discovered a site that bought its software package from another. Dig around a bit to check who the imitator is. A web site that licenses software system has far worse ability to fix glitches or apply brand-new features since it does not have any computer programmer working on staff. Besides, a web site that licenses software package often has fewer funds to use for advertising and marketing. A web site with its own software package not only provides fresh features at faster rate, but it also has a bigger opportunity of sticking around in business a couple of years from now.

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