Poker Test - Determine Your Actual Poker Skills Quickly and Objectively

For many years, poker players had no way to test their poker skills, other than engaging in actual poker play - and often risking significant sums of money only to discover they aren't winning, and then try to intuit over a long period of time where their game needs improvement.

It's now possible to test your actual Texas Hold'em poker skills using a free online poker test. There are several of these tests now available. The original test was first published at PokerTester.com.

The poker test consists of answering 25 multiple-choice questions, testing 8 different poker skills areas.

Everyone who learns to play poker climbs the "poker ladder" over a period of time, as they learn more and grow each poker skill.

Progressing up the poker ladder from a beginner toward becoming an advanced or expert player takes a combination of skills, time and experience.

In particular, the following skills areas are tested by PokerTester's Texas Holdem test:

• Starting Hands - which starting hands you select to play, from which positions and under which circumstances, has a big impact on how well you do in poker.
• Betting Strategy - how you choose to bet makes a huge difference in your winnings at poker. Choosing to bet or raise when you should've called or folded, for example, will make the difference between cashing out or making the final table in a tournament, or going home early with empty pockets.
• Playing the Odds - knowing how and when to play the odds is critical to making money and building your stack in poker. This includes quickly calculating outs, pot odds and determining whether your hand is a money-maker or loser (statistically). While you can't play strictly by the odds, it's an important factor of the game, since there's always an element of chance involved.
• Bluffing and Trapping - one of the most important skills in the game of poker is successful bluffing. The ability to bluff and trap successfully is so critical because in poker, you won't typically get that many super-strong hands, so knowing when and how to bluff and trap typically makes all the difference in how well a player does at poker.
• Reading Players - the ability to understand what a player is likely doing at any point in the game, as well as successfully reading their hand strength, is a critical skill. If you learn to do it successfully, you'll know when to fold when holding the second-best hands and when to raise or go all-in against a bluff the opponent is making.
• Heads Up Play - playing properly in a one-on-one situation is critical, since there are many occasions where you'll be pitted against just one opponent, either in a particular hand or at the end of a tournament. Winning heads up play is what separates the Champions from the rest.
• Advanced Play - knowing a number of advanced techniques will enable you to confuse your opponents, keeping them off balance and wondering what's going on, preventing them from easily reading you as a player, or gaining certainty about your hand strength.
• Tournament Play - as much of today's play is centered on tournaments, both large multi-table tournaments as well as satellite and sit and go tournaments, knowing and using proper tournament strategy is an important skill to develop.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to thoughtfully take the poker test. Upon completion, you receive a "report card" containing your overall score. The report includes a score for each of the 8 key poker skills areas, so you know your strengths and weaknesses exactly. In addition, tips are provided to indicate exactly what you need to brush up on (the questions you missed or scored weakly on).

By truly understanding one's skills, it's then possible to focus one's study on just those weaker areas, enabling a player to improve their overall poker game much more rapidly.

With these kind of innovations now available online, anyone can now quickly and easily discover their own poker skill level - objectively. By combining this skills information with proper study, it's now possible for players to quickly brush up on their game and become strong players much faster than ever before.

Rick

Rick Braddy's poker websites, books and software helps thousands around the world win more Texas Hold'em poker games. You can take his free Texas Hold'em poker test to measure your poker skills, read his sit and go poker tournament e-book, and watch his sit and go poker videos to learn how to win more poker tournaments.

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Calculating Poker Odds and Pot Odds Without a Poker Odds Calculator

The #1 most commonly asked question I receive from my subscribers has to do with calculating poker odds properly. When I look at how my students do on their Poker Test scores (overall) when taking my poker test, the area that people clearly struggle with the most is in calculating odds.

You calculate "pot odds" as the current size of the pot vs. the amount of chips you'd be required to bet in order to stay in the hand.

For example, let's say the pot has 1000 chips in it, and you can call a bet of 100. Your pots odds are 10 to 1, or 1000:100. These are the odds the pot is giving you to make that bet.

Another example. The pot has 150 chips in it, and the blind is currently 50, and you're first to act. What's your pot odds? Simple. They're 3 to 1. Once you put your bet in there, the next person's pot odds will be 4 to 1, and so on.

So, the more people there are to act after you, the more likely it is that you're going to end up with BETTER odds than you're seeing from the pot right now. Make sense?

OK then. Now you understand "implied odds" - what your pot odds are likely to be after everyone acting behind you place their bets into the pot, too.

Simple enough - right? Well, sort of. Pot odds by themselves are good to understand and easy enough to calculate. What you also need to know are the odds of improving your hand to WIN this pot!

These are called your "hand odds" - the odds of you improving your hand (or holding the best hand already) to win.

So, let's say you have a flush draw. You're holding two spades and there's two spades showing on the board. You need to draw one more spade, on either the Turn or the River - right? So, what are your "hand odds" now?

The easiest way is to calculate your number of outs. An "out" is how many cards remain that could make your hand. If it's the flop now, then there are four spades showing that you can see. This means there's nine more spades remaining (13 total - 4 showing = 9 left).

So, there's nine (9) outs available that will make your flush. You can calculate your hand odds (roughly) as:

(OUTS times 2) plus 1 = % chance you'll win

So, you have 9 outs. 9 times 2 is 18, plus 1 = 19%

You have a 19% chance of drawing your flush. Now, 19% is basically a 1 in 5 chance of drawing it.

So, should you stay in this hand?

Let's see what your "expectation" would be...

Your expectation is POSITIVE if the pot odds are greater (better) than your hand odds.

In our example, your pots odds are 3 to 1, and your hand odds are only 1 in 5. Fortunately, if two players behind you also call, then your pot odds rise to 5 to 1 - making this a "break-even" kind of expectation (not real good), and that's assuming the other players act as you'd hope they do...

Let's look further, though. Let's say you also have a straight draw, in additon to that flush draw. Now we need to add the additional outs for the straight.

Let's say you need a 9 to make a straight. There are 4 Nines in the deck. Therefore, your total outs are now 9 + 4 = 13.

Our chances of winning just improved:

13 times 2 = 26 + 1 = 27%

So, now you have better than a 1 in 4 chance of winning!

As long as those two people who act after you do call the bet, you'll have a positive expectation and should play this hand (something you generally can't count on).

If they do not act, you'll have "negative expectation", since your odds of winning are 1 in 4, and if you win, you'll get 3 to 1 on your money.

Statistically, if you play with a negative expectation long enough - you lose. All casino games (craps, blackjack, roulette, etc.) have a negative expectation - which is how they build those amazing, expensive casinos and keep them running day in and day out consistently.

To make money in poker consistently, you must learn how to think through these odds. If that's too hard (it is for most of us, so don't feel bad), then go ahead and get a good poker odds calculator:

Calculating outs, pot odds, hand odds and expectation is time-consuming, error-prone and hard to do without a computer. That's why it makes so many people now rely on poker odds calculators.

On the othe hand, you won't have that odds calculator the next time you're playing in a regular, offline game, so be careful to practice doing it the good old-fashioned way.

I'd wish you best of luck, but if you're playing poker odds properly, lady luck will naturally be with you.

Rick

Rick Braddy's poker websites, books and software helps thousands around the world win more Texas Hold'em poker games. You can take his free Texas Holdem poker test to measure your poker skills, read his sit and go poker tournament e-book, and watch his sit and go poker videos to learn how to win more poker tournaments.

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Poker Strategy - What Does "Chasing Cards" Mean

There's so much to learn about playing poker and to become a really good poker player you have to know as much about the game as possible. There's all kind of terminology you have to learn. "Bluffing", "Stealing", "Blinds", Double-Blinds", etc. It can all become pretty confusing. Before sitting down at a table to play, you'll need to be aware of all the terminology used or you may get eaten alive. A term you make hear come up pretty often is "Chasing Cards". Chasing cards hoping they arrive to make your hand is extremely dangerous. Don't do it! You'll waste chips chasing and you'll lose them with the odds against you.

Say you have T J again pre-flop. Limp in cheaply. Flop is 6, 7, 8. You think that's not bad for you because if a 9 shows on the turn or river you'll have a straight. Somebody throws out a tasty bet. You call. Turn card is a 3. Still your opponent bets. You think "oh well, another few chips to see if I can get the nine on the river." But it doesn't arrive. Your opponent shows it hand at the showdown and flips over 9 T. He'd got his straight on the flop and had you dead in the water all the way.

You've lost a huge portion of your chip stack chasing a dream, ruined your chances of that top three finish and a return on your tournament entry fee. Don't chase - I don't advice it at all. I is way too risky!

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Top Three Full Tilt Poker Professionals

There are pros and there are Pros. Prior to this time, Ultimate Bet was the leading poker room online and could boast of a tight teak o poker professionals. But ever since Full Tilt came online, it has gone ahead to gather the best. Full Tilt poker professionals are truly in a class of their own. There are about eleven of them. Comprising Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, John Juanda, Jennifer Harman, Phil Gordon, Eric Lindgren, Eric Seidel, Clonie Gowen. Let's take a quick look at profiles of the first three. Shall we?

1. Phil Ivey. He is currently referred to as the one of the best poker players if not the very best. Born in 1976, and taught by his grandfather, he started playing poker when he was very young. He's reputed to have an aggressive style, never complaining or grumbling at the tables. He started playing pro poker when he was 18 going by the fake name "No Home Jerome". His first big break came in the year 2000 when he became a player in World Series of Poker held in Las Vegas. Since then, there has been no looking back for this Full Tilt Poker professional. He's won 5 WSOP bracelets the last being in year 2005. Besides the nickname "No Home Jerome", he also goes by different monnikers like "The Phenom" and "The Tiger Woods of Poker". He is married to his High School Sweetheart. He has won almost $8million in total.

2. Howard Lederer. Popularly referred to as the Professor is one of he very best minds you can find in the game of poker. He's called he professor because of his professorial look - Piercing gaze and highly analytical at the tables. Before he became a pro or ever dabbled into poker, he used to be a professor of linguistics, an excellent chess and backgammon player. By 1990, this Full Tilt Poker Professional became one of the most fearsome poker players in the whole world. However, between 1994 and 2002, he seemed to focus more on cash winnings than the tournaments. Even then, he still won two World Series of Poker events. Thankfully, he became focused on tournaments in 2002, and since hen, there has been no looking back for him.

3. Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. He has a signature: black clothes, cowboy hats and has got brown hair and beards clinching him the nickname Jesus because of the looks. He is reputed to be the most calculating and analytical player in the game of high stakes poker. With a PhD in Computer Science, it is not surprising that he would be endowed with those two streaks. By the time he was 10, Chris has already started playing poker with his father. By 1994, this respected Full Tilt Poker professional was already winning poker games and events at local money tournaments. He never really played tournaments except just playing online until the year 2000 when he applied his poker theories winning; by T.J. Cloutier at the final table of the WSOP main event. He has won almost $5million in cash in poker.

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Bingo At Sea

Under the “G” for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take their passion for the game to new heights by enjoying play aboard most of the world’s finest cruise lines. Now a featured form of entertainment, Bingo is offered day and night in many of the show lounges aboard ship with prizes ranging from cash jackpots to complete cruise packages.

In addition to being a standard offering on board, many Bingo players get together and cruise together sharing their passion on Bingo specific cruises. As an example, the 17th Annual World Championship Bingo Tournament and Gaming Cruise takes place in September aboard Holland America Line's luxurious new "Vista" class cruise ship, the ms Oosterdam, as it sails the Alaska "Inside Passage" from Seattle! Other Bingo groups may choose the west coast and a 4-day Baja Bingo cruise. Not only do the ships offer you fabulous Bingo but much much more.

Some cruise guests have won enough money in on board casinos to pay for their next cruise vacation. Even if you are not the “gambling type”, you’ll enjoy the excitement of these glittering “ocean going” casinos. With all the bells and whistles of their Las Vegas cousins, they feature a fair number of traditional games of skill and chance - blackjack, electronic slot machines, video poker, craps, roulette and Caribbean stud poker. Cruise Ships even offer tournaments such as a “Festival of Slots” with large cash prizes and cruise raffles.

You get all the excitement of the land based gambling halls combined with fabulous food, fabulous ports of call and a world of colorful entertainment and nighttime enjoyment! And best of all, there is no cover charge, no tickets to buy or reserve, no waiting in line. Dazzling musical revues salute the very best of Hollywood and Broadway, with advanced lighting and sound systems and spectacular special effects.

Your entertainment aboard spotlights a variety of marquee performers, including musicians and singers, comedians and magicians. Cruise lines recruit professional performers from some of the best-known stages on land. The entertainers vary from ship to ship and line to line however don’t be surprised if Bill Cosby, or Bowser from Sha Na Na or jazz greats Manhattan Transfer is on your ship. The shows will easily rival anything you might see on land. Except that on-board your ship you don’t have to remember your tickets or struggle to find a parking space.

Not only will you enjoy Broadway style reviews, musicals, stand-up comics, movies and specialty acts, and guest talent shows, many cruise lines including Norwegian and Holland America offer “theme” cruises from Budd Friedmans famous Improv at Sea to a Bavarian style “Oktoberfest” where, in addition to daily beer tastings, the staff host a Bavarian Beer Garden Party and an authentic German/Bavarian dinner.

Prefer country music? No problem, you can join top-act headliners and other guest performers aboard foot-stomping, knee-slapping country music cruises. Learn the latest line dancing or try not to smile as you two step your way across the Caribbean.

How much would you pay back home to catch a Broadway show, enjoy the midnight buffet and then head for late night comedy before you hit the disco? It’s all included aboard your cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Lines treats you to extravagant, full-scale productions of classic Broadway musicals like Grease, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy for You, and George M! And again, you don’t pay for tickets! Just walk in to the beautiful theatre at sea, and enjoy the show.

Can theatres at sea rival those on land? A three-deck-high showroom, the Palladium, on Carnival Destiny, is home to two showstopping Vegas style productions that combine complex sets, laser technology and awesome talent that leave you spellbound. And there is not a bad seat in the house! After the show, visit one of the many lounges to enjoy a jazz ensemble, or 50’s and 60’s music or spend some fabulous times around the piano bar becoming a karaoke star.

Between your ports of call, you will be surprised how much there is to do on board your ship. When it comes to nighttime entertainment your choices are as diverse as you want to make them. From ballroom dancing to late night comedy, from first run movies to dazzling shows, all free and all with guaranteed seating.

Sid Kaplan

Cruise Vacations Guide

Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide which offers advice and tips to those looking to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided. Cruise, hotel, car rental and vacation adventure booking online.

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Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship

Every summer, millions of individuals take a cruise. The majority of those individuals have a memorable experience. Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports of missing persons and cruise ship crime. While it may seem like the cruise ship industry has a problem, the reality is that they do not. Cruise ship accidents are few and far in between.

Despite the fact that you are safe aboard a cruise ship, you should still take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your belongings. There are a number of steps that you can take. Most of these precautions are simple and can be done with little or no effort. Despite being simple, these precautions could keep you safe and your finances in check when you are on a cruise.

Many individuals believe that cruise ship safety should begin once they board the ship; however, it should begin well in advance. When traveling on a cruise ship, it is likely that you will visit foreign countries. In the event of a mistake or disaster, you are encouraged to have all of your important documents on hand. These documents should include your passport and driver’s license. Before boarding your cruise ship, you are encouraged to make copies of all of these documents. In addition to the originals, you should carry a copy with you and leave the other at home.

When you finally board your cruise ship, there are a number of steps that you should take to ensure your safety. These steps include familiarizing yourself with the cruise ship. Today’s most popular cruise ships are large in size. It may take some time to examine the ship, but you are still encouraged to do so. In addition to physically seeing the ship, it is advised that you request a map. This map should be carried with you at all times; it may come in handy if you lose your way.

Familiarizing yourself with your cruise ship is important, but so is familiarizing yourself with other passengers. You do not have to be outgoing or social to accomplish this. Simply keeping an eye out for individuals that appear to be shady or mysterious is a great way to protect yourself. If you were on land, it is likely that you would avoid individuals that make you feel uncomfortable. The same should apply aboard a cruise ship.

When walking around a cruise ship, you are advised not to travel alone. As with land, traveling with others is likely to reduce or eliminate your chances of becoming a crime victim. If you must move around the ship alone, you need to inform a number of individuals where you will be headed and when you expect to return. In the event that something does happen, a relative or friend should know exactly where to find you.

When on a cruise ship, your personal safety should be your first concern. In addition to personal safety, the safety of your belongings should also be important. If you are traveling with expensive luggage or large sums of money, you may want to take extra precautions. Before you leave home, you way want to consider leaving your expensive belongings behind. Most cruise ships will not reimburse their passengers for lost money or belongings; therefore, if you can’t afford to replace it, you might not want to bring it.

When it comes to theft, cash and credit cards are often the most sought after items. Instead of carrying a purse or a wallet, you are encouraged to carry a money pouch. To offer the utmost protection, you may want to obtain a money pouch that can be worn around your neck and tucked into your shirt. These pouches often make it impossible for thieves to strike.

In the event that you are unable to use a money pouch or you left yours at home, you are urged to divide up your money. Keeping your money in multiple locations may provide you with financial protection if a theft does occur. If you must use a purse, you are encouraged to keep it with you at all times. Women and men, with wallets, are urged to keep their wallets in their front pockets.

Cruise ships are exciting and, for the most part, safe. With a few simple precautions, you can safely enjoy your vacation aboard a cruise ship without fretting over the safety of yourself and your belongings.

Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money

You may have seen advertisements on the television, the radio, or online. Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them. The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise. Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the Untied States and all around the world. The question that many want answered is, are they worth the money?

Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines. Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies. The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians. For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols.

If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should first consider. One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise. A number of well-known musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance. While this may not have a direct impact your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know.

In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums. It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it.

Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why a number of well-know celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage. If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise. In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance.

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard. Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay onboard for the whole length of the cruise. To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money.

In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. These events should be established ahead of time. To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary. This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard.

It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with the cruise ship celebrity. If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family.

Finally, the cost of the celebrity cruise should be closely examined. The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises. This is because you are often paying to meet the person who is onboard. That is why it is important to take the above mentioned factors into consideration.

Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity is not the only reason why you should plan a vacation on a cruise ship. You can still enjoy a cruise, with or without a celebrity.

Texas Hold Em Poker Tips

Texas Hold Em is a particular variation of Poker and has fast become one of the most, if not the most popular, Poker game in the current tournament circuit.

Texas Hold Em can be played by a small group or even a group as large as 22 people. You would not even need a dealer since the role can be assigned and rotated among players with the use of a dealer button which serves as a mark on who the current dealer is for a particular game.

A great deal of strategy kicks in when you start with the opening hand of five cards with the available option of requesting for additional hits of up to two cards for a total hand of seven.

Some think that staying in the game is a function of pure luck, but most people will disagree. Holding your own and being able to manage other players by betting strategically is where you will see the true art and skill involved in the game of Poker.

When starting, consider the number of players on a given table, the table size so it's called. Never join a table which is too crowded since this will surely present tactical problems. Elbow room should be sufficient especially because you would not want other players getting peeks regarding the hand that you're playing!

Keep your focus on the main objective of Texas Hold Em which is getting the best card hand among other opponents or if not, trying to make them think that you have the best hand for them to fold and for you to stay in the game.

It is better to play with relatively fewer hand changes, betting strongly and occasionally raising the ante to increase the pot. This will show other players that you are playing with a relatively strong hand!

When the cards are dealt to players, the dealer leaves two face up cards and three face down cards in the middle of the Poker table. Initial bets are drawn from each player situated around the table. When the third card is placed face up, the next round of betting ensues. This will repeat until the fifth and final card in the middle of the table has already been revealed.

Players may decide to back down or fold soon after they receives their opening draw. If everyone else should draw, the remaining players will compete for the pot. Should everyone fold, the player to declare shall win the pot.

There are some Texas Hold Em players who prefer to take a more aggressive stance. This strategy involves frequent betting and successive rounds of raised antes. This is appealing to Poker fans since Texas Hold Em Poker does not have fixed betting limits so more action is expected compared to limit games. With higher stakes involved, expect more bluffing and betting!

Some Texas Hold Em players take a more passive and relaxed strategy approaching the game in a more conservative manner. This is best advised for beginners so as to prevent a major tap out early on in the game.

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What is Poker Bluffing

A Poker bluff can be defined as one of the useful tips to bet or raise inferior hand in order to bluff opponent and win the poker game pot. It is an effective way to be fooling others by raising a hand you want others to think is better than what it really is.

Bluffing is considered as a poker strategy and it maximizes a player's chances of winning. It increases your chances of winning the game and adds more fun and excitement into the game. Being a key moment in the online poker, bluffing is not used frequently as it is believed to be.

Besides adding a lot of fun and pleasure in the game, bluffing also increases your chance of getting the poker pot. If you don't bluff, your tricks would be considered highly predictable and our number of wins would be expected to be affected. A bluff can work wonderfully when there is less chance of your winning the game or when all the cards have been dealt and you want to steal the pot.

In order to put fruitful bluff, a player needs to determine the different situation in which bluffing can bring good results. Following factors may help you to determine your bluffing while playing online poker game:

Nature of opponent:

Do not use bluffing if your opponent is weak or not that smart. This is a common mistake people usually make mistakes.

Opponents in Number:

It is not a good bet, if you bluff against three or more other players. It is effectively when you play against a single person as in this case poker pot becomes smaller.

Image of the table:

The success of your bluffing is entirely depended upon the image of a player. If he pretends to be a good player then his chances of getting caught is less than in comparison with others.

The Pot Size:

If the pot size is small, the chances of winning increase. Conversely, if you bluff successfully when the pot is large, your reward is much larger. You simply have to use good judgment when these situations arise.

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Blackjack Psychology - Mind Over Money

We all know that gambling is the ultimate risk where nothing is promised. More often than not people leave the casino dead broke and mentally wrecked as they think of how it all went down the drain. Succeeding at any task requires a little of Lady Luck's magic. Truth be told, Blackjack is one game that calls on a player's skill as well. Many know the rules and feel that is enough to win, confident that they can walk into a casino and get by on the bases of their experience. Few understand the psychology of Blackjack which is why this game often produces so many losers. Mind over money is the key here.

Several essential factors make up the psychology of Blackjack. Similar to poker, emotions and facial expressions could work against you by exposing your level of inexperience to an opponent. In order to produce consistent, favorable results, one must train their mind and remain focused. While winning the prize money is the overall goal, players shouldn't jump into a game thinking too far into the future.

OVERCOMING FEAR

Blackjack psychology could be related to the laws of attraction in a sense. What you endure in your mind is often what you get whether good or bad. Many people are gambling for all the wrong reasons; to buy that new leather coat, pay the rent or maybe it's an addiction. If you're enduring financial struggles in your life, you have no business at the Blackjack table. Doubt runs freely through your mind; the fear of losing it all. This alone can place a tremendous strain on your decision making and place you in the negative at the Blackjack table.

ARROGANCE

Overconfidence could severely cripple a player in the game of Blackjack. Just because you've spanked your pals at home doesn't mean you'll have the same results in the casino. In this case, invincibility is usually in one's mind and will work against you. Extreme arrogance could falter judgment and lead to crucial errors. Confidence is never a bad thing but don't go overboard with it.

REALITY

Enduring a stream of bad luck could mentally destroy a player. When that negative streak occurs in Blackjack it's often difficult to snap out of it. Some have the misconception that one bad game leads to another and maneuver accordingly. A few will bet higher after consecutive losses, believing that they are bound to win a hand sooner or later. Play in real time and erase that last bad game from your memory. Put all of your efforts into the cards here and now. The best advice is to use your head and don't fall victim to the many Blackjack myths.

FINAL ANALYSIS

In conclusion, understanding the psychology of Blackjack isn't as complicated as it may seem. It's just another way of successfully training your mind. Applying these tactics could get any player on the path to a better winning percentage. Remember to step into the casino with confidence, realizing that too much could be your downfall. Most importantly, have fun and know your boundaries.

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Playing Pocket Pairs - How To Play Pocket Pairs The Right Way

Ok, so you're playing Texas holdem and you're not doing to badly, you have a look at your next hand and find you've got a small to medium pair. Great! Or is it? Just how strong are your pocket pairs?

Let's take for example a starting hand of a pocket pair of eights. Most people's reaction to getting these pocket cards would range from happy to extremely excited. But if you look at it logically with a detached emotional eye, this really isn't such a good hand after all.

Statistically, out of all the winning hands in Texas holdem poker, a pair or better wins roughly about 55% of the time. A high card wins about 45% of the time. A pair of eights without improving by getting a set on the flop, turn or river will only beat a high card or a lower pair. The lower down the pair scale you go, the worse it gets.

The disadvantages of holding pocket eights are that the only card that can improve your hand is another eight while you opponents may have two over cards, which could end up pairing the board for them and make them be ahead of your eights. Furthermore they could have a flush or straight draw possibility and with your pair this means you cannot unless you get extremely lucky.

So what is the best way to play pocket pairs?

Playing Pocket Pairs - The Strategies

There are two different strategies you can use with a medium to low pocket pair. The first is to raise the pot and try and force most of your opponents out of the hand. The less competition you have going into the flop the better and if you manage to get rid of all the opponents but one the better chance you have of winning the hand and taking down the pot.

Normally this only works in late position. If you raise in early position and get re-raised or get two or three callers, you could be in a lot of trouble and your middle pair is unlikely to come out on top.

The second strategy is probably the best way to play middle to small pocket pairs. What you do is to try and limp in and hope to hit a set (3 of a kind) on the flop.

Hitting three eights is a very strong hand and it offers the possibility of slow playing if the circumstances are right, i.e. if the pot has been raised by someone else. The great thing about this hand is that it's disguised, you opponents are unlikely to put you on triples and there is even a possibility of a pair on the board, which will give you an almost unbeatable full house.

So the moral of the story is to tread carefully with your small and medium pocket pairs. Remember the lower the pair the less chance it has of holding up and winning you the hand and remember always be prepared to fold your pair if needed.

James Irvin is a online poker professional who has developed a FREE Poker Report which details how you can cash-in and make a killing at Sit and Go poker tournaments.

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Anatomy of a Poker Cheater

One day, way back in the year 2001 (ancient times for online poker), a friend came to me with what was then a shocking revelation. I don't want to reveal his name, so I'll call him "Jed." My good buddy Jed had devised a way to cheat while playing poker on the Internet. By today's standards, he was using a crude system, but it actually did work. And over time, he got good at it.

I, myself, never did try Jed's system because my career was going extremely well and the online poker bug had not yet bitten me, but I did spend a lot of time with him in those days. Over the next few years, I was able to observe how everything played out in his life.

At first, Jed's life was like a walk through fairy-tale land. He was playing online poker every day, and his bankroll was growing at a phenomenal rate.

During the next few years, Jed was not shy about spending his newly acquired cash. He bought the home he always wanted, a 4-bedroom showcase on an acre and a half near a lake. He bought not one Jaguar, but two. He persuaded the woman he loved to marry him, and he threw an extravagant wedding. (I was there.) During the early days of their marriage, Jed and his wife took vacations to places like Thailand and Bali. He even bought his brother a plot of land on which to build his own house. Jed was a picture of success. It seemed as if the heavens had opened up and showered good fortune on him. And there was no end in sight to this dream life he was living.

Jump ahead four years. Trouble first became apparent in the fall of 2005. Jed still had money coming in from his online efforts, but the excitement had left him. He still had his beautiful home, even more beautiful than before, since he had twice remodeled. He still had his beautiful wife, now pregnant with their second child. And he still had his two Jags. On the surface, everything seemed super. But Jed was not the same man he used to be.

I knew Jed well, so I could see what many others could not: He was miserable. How could this be, you might ask? With all the money and excitement in his life, as well as all the satisfaction of beating online poker, how could he be unhappy? Well, I'll tell you how. I had many long talks with Jed, long into the nights during those days. In my opinion, what had taken its toll on him was simply the devastating nature of cheating itself. What I was witnessing was the inevitable result of a life based on (and dependent on) defrauding others.

One thing that all human beings need in order to find peace and contentment is self-esteem. There are no exceptions. Every one of us requires at least some sense of self-worth. Jed had lost his. He felt worthless. He felt he was contributing zilch to the betterment of society. And indeed, his assessment was correct.

In the early days, Jed was able to mentally handle the thought that he was a cheater. The immediate rewards of his lifestyle were so new and so overwhelming that he was able to justify his actions. Money and the admiration of others made it possible for him to tweak his mind in such a way that he ignored his inner feelings of self-loathing. If he needed to secretly be a low-life cheater in order to obtain all the wonderful assets he was enjoying, then so be it.

But as time went on, the deep-seated realization of what he was doing and the type of person he had become finally caught up with Jed. He could no longer fight off the cold hard fact that he was morally bankrupt. Regardless of the beautiful trappings with which he had surrounded himself, the undeniable truth at the core of his being was that he was nothing more than a lousy cheater. And that recognition, over time, had a devastating effect on Jed's peace of mind.

At one point, Jed confided in me that he wanted to stop his cheating ways. But he could not. He was stuck. The money was too good, the lifestyle too easy. He found himself trapped in a situation he had created for himself.

So, you may wonder, how is Jed today? Not good. He is getting divorced, suffering from depression and struggling with his sanity. I won't share with you all the gory details of exactly how his life degenerated during the past two years, but I will tell you that he was recently committed to a mental facility. The Jaguars are gone. The beautiful house sits empty. And Jed is miserable.

I wish I saw a bright future for Jed, who is fundamentally an intelligent and kindhearted guy, but quite honestly, I don't. They say that a person has to hit rock bottom before he or she can turn things around and climb back to a meaningful life. Jed has certainly bottomed out, so maybe he will yet pull his act together. We'll see.

I tell you this story not to cry a sad tune for Jed. I tell you so you will know that there are always two sides to every situation. And there are different ways to evaluate any potential behavior you might be considering. Sure, making a fast buck is alluring. If you can haul in money by cheating, the benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages, at least in the sort term. Many people feel that if they can get rich cheating and then later need to deal with some mental conflict as a result, that's actually a pretty good trade-off. They will just handle those negative feelings when they come up.

Big mistake. Cheating is not a good trade-off. Cheating may seem attractive, but don't be fooled. Hiding behind all the glamour and all the glory is a life of quiet discontent.

People find happiness by achieving. A purposeful life comes from doing things that contribute in some way to society. What has a poker cheater contributed? Nothing. What has a poker cheater achieved? Nothing. Worse than that, he has taken a portion of other people's livelihood by unfair means. The cheater has not even learned to play poker well. He can never receive fame or accolades for his playing skill, since all he knows how to do is cheat. He can never succeed at high-profile tournaments, because his cheating skills proffer him nothing when they cannot be used. Cheating is never admirable. A cheater is, at his core, a sad case of frustration and unfulfilled dreams.

Yes, you can cheat at online poker. (There are ways, even today, to accomplish this.) And yes, you can make money at the expense of well-meaning individuals. Although the rewards are inviting, do not be roped in. Like Satan's apple, it is a trick. You are wise to resist the temptation. The price you pay for cheating is always a cost that will eventually come due. A life of misery and low self-esteem is inevitable. As one who has witnessed his good friend go down that ill-fated path, I urge you not to fall for the false promises of cheating.

In a sense, me writing this article is ironic. In recent years, I have perfected a particular way to cheat at online poker, and I am now making the system available to those who want it. (I believe in freedom of speech, and I believe in people's right to information.) And yet, while I am making this cheating information available, I am simultaneously discouraging you from using it. Weird, huh?

The message of this article, if there is one, is simply this: do not cheat. In the long run, cheating is not worth the anguish it brings. Nothing beats the satisfaction of playing poker well and winning fair and square -- not a beautiful home, not an expensive automobile, nothing. You pay a dear price when you cheat. The devil must exact his due. And he will, one day.

Poker is a magnificent game. Whether online or in-person, it is the most perfect expression of competition ever devised. I implore you to play within the confines of the rules. Play the game as it was intended to be played, fairly. Play with honor and dignity. Appreciate the precious game of poker for the incredible blessing that it is. Love it, do not defile it.

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Learn Your Best Poker Style And Thrive

If you constantly struggle with playing Texas Holdem poker, then perhaps it is time to play one of the many varieties of different poker games to find the right game for you.

Although Texas Holdem is one of the most popular forms of online poker, there are plenty of alternative versions out there. One such version is stud poker. This comes in two main forms; five card and seven card. There is also a high/low version of this game which is two games in one, the best hand wins as usual but also the lowest hand wins. Stud poker is played by dealing out an initial three cards followed by the remaining cards one at a time. Two or three of these cards are shown face up depending upon the version. This allows other players to see part of your hand allowing you to bluff, knowing that they have seen some of your cards or to work out if a potential hand that you have is possible with the remaining cards.

Another version of poker played online is five card draw. This is perhaps the original form of poker dating back much further than texas holdem. This version is played by dealing out five cards to all the players and then each player has the option to throw away any number of cards from their hand and have them replaced from the deck.

Five Card draw usually produces slightly lower hands than Texas Holdem and draws are extremely unlikely. Although this version is nowhere near as popular as others it is still played and if you master this version it can be extremely profitable, especially if you play against the players who just want to try it out to make a change.

Omaha is another popular version of poker. In this version you have four cards in your hand and five community cards are dealt out. To make up your hand you need to use two cards from your hand and three from the community cards. Due to the number of cards used straights are a lot more common and this is usually the minimum hand to bet with. Anything lower than this and you should bet with extreme caution.

The advantage of playing Omaha is that you can get the best possible hand on the table without having to wait around for a long time as you would do with Texas Holdem. For the less patient players this can be a better game to play.

Our advice to you would be to read and practice all the different versions of poker because you may find you are more suited to some versions than others.

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Poker Odds - Ace King Off Suit in Texas Hold Em - What Are The Odds

Ace king is a great starting hand in Texas hold em. We will analyze the probability of AK winning a showdown against a number of other hands. This will allow us to see why this preflop hand is so highly regarded.

When up Against Pocket Pairs

The worst situation with this preflop hand is that you are up against pocket kings or pocket aces. In a heads up (2 player) situation, the probability of winning with AK off-suit against pocket aces are approximately:

As Kd vs. Ah Ac - As Kd winning at showdown: 6.67% or 12.7 to 1 (that is 12.7 lost hands to each won hand)

You have the worst of it against poker aces. However against pocket kings, the odds are:

As Kd vs. Kh Kc - As Kd winning at showdown: 29% or 2.4 to 1

As you may hit an ace, the situation is not as bad as with pocket aces, and while you would not want to be in the pot if you knew your opponent had KK, the odds below will show that your 29% chance of win makes this a situation acceptable considering the other starting hands your opposition may have.

To see the odds against an under pair, we will use pocket queens as a case study. The odds are approximately:

As Kd vs. Qh Qc - As Kd winning at showdown: 43.49% or 1.3 to 1

Your starting to approach even money on these odds. The thing about AK against pokets is that while you are an under dog, out of all the possible pre-flop hands (there are 1326 of them), there are only 6 possible preflop hands of any given rank that are pocket pairs (e.g. QcQd, QcQh, QcQs, QdQh, QdQs and QsQh). Over the 13 possible ranks (2 - A) this is only 78 out of 1326 possible preflop hands that you are in with the worst of it.

When up Against Hands that are not Pocket Pairs

Now, how does AK go against other hands that are not pocket pairs. Here we will see where this hand becomes so nice. Assuming you have put in a pre-flop raise and your opponent has called, the odds are good that they might have an ace, in which case you will have them dominated. Against AQ off the odds are approximately:

As Kd vs. Ah Qc - As Kd winning at showdown: 71.3% or 0.36 to 1

As shown here, this is where the odds really shines. Against a suited connector:

As Kd vs. 6h 7h - As Kd winning at showdown: 58.03% or 0.72 to 1

Here you are still a clear favorate, and when your opponent holds two under cards:

As Kd vs. Qh 10c - As Kd winning at showdown: 63.34% or 0.57 to 1

Things are looking good.

Against Varying Numbers of Randomly Dealt Hands

We now want to get some understanding of how AK performs against one verse multiple opponents. In order to do this we will look at AK off-suit against a different number of random hands, assuming all random hands see a showdown. Against one other randomly dealt hand, the odds are approximately:

As Kd vs. 1 random other hand - As Kd winning at showdown: 64.58% or 0.53 to 1

And against 3 randomly dealt hands the odds are approximately:

As Kd vs. 3 random other hands - As Kd winning at showdown: 37.42% or 1.59 to 1

Lets make a few assumptions to look at this: if you put say $10 in the pot pre flop and all random hands call and you are all in, against 1 random hand, you will take $20 with a $10 investment with a 64.58% chance and you will loose this pot with a 35.42% chance. This equates to giving you an expected pot of $12.92 (including your original investment). Under the same assumptions with all 3 opponents with randomly dealt cards who are all in pre-flop, you will take a pot of $40 with a probability of 37.42%, giving you an expected pot of $14.97. So you can see here that while many players like to end up in heads up with such an opening hand, under these assumptions, you are getting a better return against multiple opponents.

So we have just looked at the odds when holding AK off-suit as an starting hand in Texas hold em. As you can see from this study, when you are dealt this starting hand, you are in a very strong position.

Atricle written by B. Callen. This poker calculator was used to calculate these poker odds. Check out this poker odds calculator that attaches to the online poker rooms, or see this party poker deposit bonus code.

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Party Poker Bonus Codes

So you have decided to play some poker on the internet. I am sure you know that there are many first deposit bonuses going around at different online poker rooms. Party Poker is usually the first place poker players look to play online. Party Poker has several enticing bonus offers that are sure to draw you in.

What is the catch?

You usually have to play a few hundred raked hands to get your bonus. This goes for all online poker sites. The bonus codes you use to get that extra cash will require you to play hundreds of raked hands in order to receive the bonus. The bigger the bonus the higher the amount of raked hands. These poker rooms are really risking nothing by giving you a bonus because the only way you get the bonus is by playing enough hands to generate an equal or greater amount of profit for the poker room. Some poker rooms take the bonus money out of the affiliates check that referred you to the site. It is a win-win situation for the poker site.

What are raked hands?

Raked hands are hands in which the poker room takes a small portion of the pot. Some poker rooms only take rakes from certain sized pots. Other poker rooms may count seeing the flop as a raked hand, the turn as a raked hand, and the river as a raked hand. Not all hands are raked hands. Keep in mind that playing a few hundred raked hands with only $50 can be tough. Especially if you are getting bad cards.

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How The World Series of Poker Began

Though the World Series of Poker made its official debut in 1970, the idea of the Horseshoe's annual tournament was actually conceived more than two decades earlier.

In the summer of 1949, as the story goes, inveterate gambler Nicholas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos approached Benny Binion with an unusual request - to challenge the best in a high-stakes poker marathon. Binion agreed to set up a match between Dandolos and the legendary Johnny Moss, with the stipulation that the game would be played in public view.

During the course of the marathon, which lasted five months with breaks only for sleep, the two men played every form of poker imaginable. Moss ultimately won "the biggest game in town" and an estimated $2 million. When the Greek lost his last pot, he arose from his chair, bowed slightly, and uttered the now-famous words, " Mr. Moss, I have to let you go." Dandolos then went upstairs to bed.

Though significant in its own way as a chapter in poker history, the five-month marathon took on added importance to Benny Binion. It was not until 1970 that Binion decided to re-create the excitement and stage a battle of poker giants - dubbed the "World Series Of Poker" - to determine who would be worthy of the title "World Champion." Johnny Moss came out on top. The decision was democratic in that the champion of the World Series of Poker was decided by popular vote.

The following year, Moss again was declared the World Series of Poker Champion. In 1972, when Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston won the title and went on the talk-show circuit, the World Series of Poker began to gain a wider following.

It was only a year later that Binion participated in the Oral History Project at the University of Nevada-Reno and discussed the World Series of Poker with interviewer Mary Ellen Glass. "This poker game here gets us a lot of attention," he told Glass. "We had seven players last year, and this year we had 13. I look to have better than 20 next year. It's even liable to get up to be 50, might get up to be more than that." Binion then paused, and as if gazing into the future, prophesied, "It will eventually."

In the early 1980s, Binion's prophesy came to fruition and the popularity of the World Series of Poker soared.

Today, the legacy Benny Binion left the poker community ranks as the oldest, most prestigious, and most media-hyped gaming in the world. The World Series of Poker has touched thousands of lives over the years.

Five world series of poker rules

1. Hold 'em
-Each player is first dealt two cards down.
-A round of betting occurs as players decide for the first time if they are in or they are out.
-Then five community cards follow with betting after the flop, the turn, and the river.
-In the end, the best five card combination wins the hand and takes the pot.

2. Omaha
-Instead of being dealt two cards, each player receives four down cards.
-A round of betting occurs as players decide for the first time if they are in or they are out.
-Then five community cards follow with betting after the flop, the turn, and the river.
-Those still in reveal their cards. But here is the catch... A player must use two and only two of heir down cards along with three of the community cards. And as always, the best five card hand wins the pot.

3. Seven card stud
-Each player is dealt three cards. The first two are down and the third is up for everyone to see.
-Players must then decide for the first time whether they are in, or out.
-The next three cards are all dealt face up, with more rounds of betting after each card.
-The seventh and final card is dealt face down.
-After one last round of betting, players still in will reveal what they have. As always, the best five card hand wins the hand and takes the pot.

4. Razz
-This game is a lot like seven card stud except of course the low hand wins.
-To begin, three cards are dealt to each player.
-The first two are down cards the third is up for everyone to see.
-A round of betting follows, as it does after each of the next three up cards are dealt.
-The seventh and last card is dealt face down.
-One more round of betting before players still in will reveal what they have.
-Now remember the low hand is the winner and flushes and straights do not count as high hands so ace to five is a good as it gets.

5. Lowball
-Basically, it is five card draw and the low hand wins
-The point of the game is to have the lowest hand possible.
-But unlike razz, straights and flushes count as high hands.
-So the best possible hand a player could have is 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7.
-Each player receives five cards face down.
-After a round of betting a player is allowed to draw up to five new cards.
-Once a player receives their new cards, a final round of betting follows.
-Players then reveal their cards and since the lowest hand is the best-2,3,4,5 and 7 off suit is as good as it gets.

Good Luck!

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Poker Strategies

Like any realistic card games in the society today, poker is indeed the most multifaceted conglomeration of skill, luck, strategy, scheme, and personality. The theories involved in the playing of the game may not be applicable to everybody. There are instances that things might have worked for a certain group of people but may have undeniably failed with the others. However, most poker experts still contend that feasible poker strategies and tips are still critical elements of winning the game.

Most poker players assert that they face a lot of strenuous choices on many situations. Normally, they have to deal with checking, betting, raising, or folding. Because of these, most players believe that they need to equip themselves with practical poker strategy and tips so as to establish the appropriate expectation for every probable move of the players. By doing so, they will know how to act correctly in return.

Generally, psychological poker strategy is a decisive move basically because playing poker involves more psychological activities. A player should know how to read cards of the other players and must be well adept in reading the actions and reactions of his playmates. The best way is to know how to interpret body language and talk of the players. Both of these things can divulge a lot of the strengths and weaknesses of the hands.

A good poker strategy also requires a player to vary his poker approach. This means that there should be times that you know how to tactically bluff a game. This, in turn, will make other players have a hard time reading your cards or predict your next moves.

However, bluffing should never be a permanent strategy. This should only be used when the need arises. Constant and consistent bluffing may eventually lead to large losses. This is also about considering the hand strength. A player must not only master the rank of hands but also their relative strength during a poker game. For example, a full house may be a good hand that will be far more likely to be the best hand compared to a 7 high or the lowest possible hand.

Consequently, certain poker strategy may vary depending on the poker variant being played.

Like in a stud poker game, it is advisable to choose a seven-card-stud poker instead of a five-card poker. Here, five-card can give you limited opportunity to use your skill as it is significant if you have a strong first hand.

In a Caribbean Stud Poker, a nice one deals with when to bet timely and appropriately. A good poker strategy will require you to maintain a pair or better. In the event that the dealer showed 10 or less and matches one of yours and you have and Ace-King or better, don't hesitate to bet. You can also bet confidently whenever the dealer's card is less than your fourth highest card and you have an Ace-King or better; or if the dealer's card is an Ace-King and you have a pair of six or better.

Bear in mind to calculate the odds against you such that if the profit is greater than the odds, make the bet. So to speak, when the odds are in your favor, bet as heavily as you can.

But the most important poker strategy of all is: never form a pattern of play. Being able to disguise your play may be the most valuable ones you could have but then you must remember to apply them as varied as possible. This way, you avoid being known to your opponents thereby lessening the chances of losing big bets.

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Poker Lingo

It is always important to conduct yourself in a professional manner when playing the game of Poker. And to be able to do just this, you have to be familiar with the rules and equally important is that you are familiar with the Poker lingo. Talking the talk will help make you look more like a professional!

Remember that playing Poker is indeed a form of gambling since you are playing for money. When you have "tapped out" or being "tapped out" simply means that you have managed to loose everything after betting all that you have.

The game of poker is usually played with 52 cards where each card belongs to one of four different suits, namely the hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades. Some Poker variations will make use of the Joker as a "wild card." Wild cards can be played as if they were any of the 52 cards in the standard card deck used for Poker. There is no need to be worried and confused about these house rules since they should all be determined and explained before the actual game begins.

When playing on a Poker table one would think that Poker players have their own set of codes to describe the hand that they are playing. Poker usually involves words used by players to declare betting status and these words are most often used to describe their "hand." The "hand" pertains to the combination formed by the set of cards that a Poker player holds during game play.

Starting with an Ace, combinations can be called "Ace high" or "Ace low." Players state this phrase depending on how the Ace will be used in the hand. When you declare an "Ace full", it means that you have a full house containing Aces. This is one of the better hands that you should expect during game play.

A game is "in action" when the pace is relatively more aggressive than usual where there is a lot of activity on the Poker table. This may include "betting", "raising" and of course "checking". When you decide to "check", it only means that you are betting but you are not increasing the pot amount.

When you say you are "betting everything" it means that you are very comfortable with your hand and you will add it to the pot for a bigger payout. Be careful when you say "bet everything" since meaning what you say is one of the major Poker guidelines.

When you say "up the ante" you are referring to putting additional money to further fill up the winning pot. "Raising" an opponent means that you are responding to a previously declared bet by the particular opponent and that you would like to increase the pot.

A broke player on a poker table is usually called a "broomcorn uncle". "Broomcorn uncles" happen when a particular player overplays his or her hand.

Playing Poker in casinos usually involves "a buy" which only pertains to the amount of money that you need to carry in order to get into the game. It is up to you to make sure that your betting total does not exceed the amount required in the buy.

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Top Ten Online Casino Tips

Online casino gaming is extremely popular, and although most games cannot be beaten over the long term because of the house edge, there are ten tips that players can use to increase their chances of ending a gaming session in profit...

1 - Watch your cash

Money management is essential for online players, and you should always avoid putting all of your available cash at risk in any given session. A much better idea is to divide your total bank into smaller session banks and to stop playing for the day as soon as you lose one session bank. For example, if you have £/$500 cash available, you could divide this into ten session banks of £/$50 or five session banks of £/$100, depending on how much risk you are comfortable with.

2 - Bet sensibly

Online casino games are very entertaining, but they can also cost you a lot of money if you don't bet sensibly. A good way to learn to bet sensibly is to be just as cautious when playing at an online casino as you would in an off-line casino. Avoid putting large amounts of money on long-shots and focus instead on the bets that give you the best chance of winning.

3 - Play strategically

In some games (for example, Blackjack) playing strategically can help your reduce the house edge to the point where it is largely irrelevant. Even in online casino games that are determined solely by chance (such as roulette or craps) having a specific strategy will help you to play consistently. My third tip is therefore to find a strategy that you like for your favourite game and to use it whenever possible.

4 - Quit when you're winning

When you are winning it is easy to think that the success will never end - that Lady Luck is on your side and that you will end up breaking the bank at the online casino you are using. All of this is nonsense. The odds are generally stacked in the favour of the casino, so the longer you play, the more likely it is that your winning streak will come to an end. The sensible course of action is to quit when you are winning. If Lady luck is on your side then the winning streak will continue in the next session, but if she isn't you will still have walked away with a nice profit.

5 - Specialise

If you are playing with very tiny stakes then there is no reason why you cannot have fun playing a wide variety of games, but when you want to increase the stakes it makes more sense to specialise. The more you know about a game, the easier it will be for you to identify the type of bets that give you the best chance of winning, and the more effectively you will be able to make strategic gaming decisions.

6 - Study your speciality

When you have chosen a particular type of game as your own speciality (my personal favourite is baccarat), spend time studying that game closely. Read books and online articles about it, play it regularly and always learn something from both your mistakes and your successes. Aim to become a master in your field and you will find that your gaming become far more satisfying and rewarding than most people ever imagine possible.

7 - Consider value

The majority of online casino players think that the higher the potential prize is in a game, the better value it offers, but this conclusion is simply the result of faulty reasoning. To determine true value you need to look at both the potential prize and the odds of you winning it. If one progressive jackpot stands at $5,000 and another at $50,000, and the chances of you winning are 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 200,000 respectively, the $5,000 jackpot game would be offering more value for money. You should also look at the house edge of different wagers, as the ones with the lowest house edge are generally better value for the player.

8 - Control your play

Although online casinos allow you to play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, such unlimited access to games can work against you, because it can encourage you to play for long sessions that make you tired. Fatigue, in turn, leads to one making poor gaming decisions and - as a result - losing money. To avoid all of this, control the length of your playing sessions so that you are never playing for longer than an hour or two. You will play better by following this tip, and you could end up winning more money to boot.

9 - Collect free money

Online casinos are constantly competing with each other for your patronage, and one way they try to attract new players is by offering bonus cash when someone signs up for a new account. You can have a lot of fun opening accounts with several online casinos and playing long enough to collect this free cash before moving on.

10 - Use simulations

If you want to try different strategies or learn to play new games that you aren't yet familiar with, use simulations. There are plenty of blackjack, video poker and other simulations available for personal computers, and these enable you to play for as long as you want without risk. Alternatively, you can play at "fun money" tables if your online casino offers these.

The ten tips given here won't guarantee that you will make money when playing at online casinos, but they will certainly help you to avoid many of the mistakes that tend to lead to more losses. Be wise, adhere to these top ten tips and have fun.

Jack Noble is a 47 year old casino enthusiast who specialises in baccarat and is now a full time casino reviewer. Find more articles by Jack at http://www.gamble.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Noble

Georgia Casinos

Georgia casinos consist of two cruise ships, one that docks in Savannah and the other in Brunswick. The Georgia casino boats sail three miles into International waters where casino gambling is allowed. Cruises aboard Georgia casinos are available during the day with some cruise lines offering an evening cruise. Aside from the Georgia casinos, the state has a lottery and several poker/card clubs for those looking to try their luck.

The Millionaire’s Casino Boat is located in Savannah and has everything to make a day of gambling enjoyable. The boat has a full kitchen and a hospitality staff that waits to serve guests. A variety of gambling games are offered as well, including craps, roulette, and blackjack. A number of slot machines also reside on the Millionaire’s Casino Boat. The casino ship is open from 8am to 2pm, giving vacationers to Georgia plenty of time to take in all the other attractions of Savannah.

While in Savannah visit one of the tour companies to make sure you don’t miss any of Savannah’s most popular destinations. One must-see spot is the Tybee Lighthouse that has been lighting the way into the Savannah River for mariners for over 250 years. A night out on the town holds many options as well, from jazz clubs to piano bars.

Another Georgia casino is the Emerald Princess cruise ship located in Brunswick. The Emerald Princess has both day and evening cruises. There are several gambling tables like roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, and blackjack. Try winning the jackpot on one of the ship’s several slot machines. Both lunch and dinner are served on the ship, featuring delicious dishes prepared daily on the boat. Guests are also treated to live entertainment shows during the cruise. Once aboard, guests are greeted by the ship’s cruise director who will assist in planning your stay. The cruise director also plans Bingo and Bingo Bonanza for large groups. Reservations are required for a day cruise on the ship, and you can even receive group rates or discounts during certain times of the year.

Georgia casinos are located in places that have beautiful landscapes and a rich history. There is a lot to see and do in Georgia, from the foothills of the mountains to the sandy beaches. Both Savannah and Brunswick offer guests of their cities great dining experiences, plenty of entertainment, and a good time for all.

This article is the property of Georgia Casinos Before you use my article(s), you must agree to my Terms of Service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adel_Awwad

Cruise Gambling Basics

Going on a cruise and gambling both are a form of enjoying the extreme luxuries of life. When joined together they can create an atmosphere of ultimate amusement. The waves in water always enhance the excitement of any journey and the atmosphere of any cruise enhances delightful experiences of touring. Added to that the enjoyment created by playing games at casino while on a journey to some port provides an experience of lifetime. People usually have ample free time while on any cruise they can do not more than watch the scenic beauties around the waters or just wait for the destination to arrive. Well, all this is fine as long as the trip is short but with the increase in time span of the journey there’s a need for some time pass. What better way than having a casino on the cruise to have an enjoyable journey.

One of the most popular games Poker was invented on the waters of Mississippi river. Boatmen while on their way towards the destination developed a card game that later became the most favorite among all other games in the casino. While governments of most countries and states have their own governing the existence of casinos on board yet most governments now legally allow having gambling centers floating on water. Well this is far from truth that only long journey luxury cruises have casinos on them also short trips of about four to five hours and a day long trip are also dedicated to casino lovers. At many times people board on ships just to enjoy the game while on water and they come back after having an experience of a pleasurable journey.

Some of the short boat trips having casinos in them also offer free service to its passengers as the revenue earned by the cruise from the gambling games makes for the cost of ferrying. This is a preferred choice for many as it solves dual purpose of traveling and enjoyment together. The desire of winning games and making lots of instant cash may not be the only motive for having casinos on cruises. Here the major motivation is of having a fun filled journey. People are not in the cruise casino to hit a jackpot but yet the money involved in the game is of considerable amount.

Apart from the gambling games in the casinos there is also variety food for the travelers. Other than the most popular games of poker and Blackjet several additional playoffs like that of slot machines and roulette are also available. One does not need very high amounts of cash when inside a cruise or riverboat casino as contradicted to while playing on land. Many travel agencies also provide a day trip of cruise with a casino as an included activity in their travel plan. Cruises in the Mississippi waters are world famous for their hospitality and excellent facilities they provide. If anyone is willing to enjoy gambling for fun or go for a cruise on vacation they can choose either of the two from the numerous options available. And the best option may well be to enjoy the best of both events by going on a cruise that has a casino in it.

Mansi aggarwal writes about cruise gambling. Learn more at http://www.cruiseandgamble.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal

How To calculate Odds For Poker - Will The Use Of Poker Calculator Help You

Learning how to calculate poker odds is an elementary requirement of Texas Hold'em. Why are poker odds so important anyway? If you know the odds it gives you an idea when you are in a good or bad situation. This means that you will be able to make more money from your game, and that is the main reason for most poker players - to win money. Maybe you have tried to make some minor calculation, like counting the outs or something like that. Calculate the correct odds in real time are difficult and only few people are able to calculate the exact odds in the middle of a Poker game. If you play more than one table at the same time it will not be easier.

One way around this problem is to memorize the odds for the most common situations and draws. Learning the odds of different starting hands is useful. If you are a newbie in calculation this could be an appropriate start in your calculation career. Do you want to win more than coffee money you have to aim higher? You must be able to handle all kinds of situations that appear around the poker table. Instant decisions when to push, fold or call are important. It doesn't just decrease your mistakes; it will also increase your incomes.

Counting the outs is another good method you can use. I think you know how to do it, but the question is, are you able to do it in real time and when you multi table. I you are not capable to do it, it will make your poker play expensive; you will call when you should fold and vice versa. The understanding of odds makes the game easier, you will know when to play loose and if you should call with "the gutshot draw".

Let's calculate the odds for a special hand you know well. This is a hand most people play - the flushdraw hand. Tell me, how often do you got beaten by a flush, and you scream that he was lucky. Maybe he wasn't lucky; maybe he just calculated the odds and made a great play.

Let's calculate:

If you have suited hole cards and the flop makes you a drawhand with 4 of the same suit. There are 13 cards of each suit in the deck; you can see 4, your holecards and 2 on the flop. That makes 9 outs for you (13-4=9). There are 47 unseen cards of 52 which means that you have 9/47 chance of getting your flush on the turn. That is 19%. Ok, easy so far. But you can also hit your draw on the river. Now there are 46 unseen cards which mean 9/46. Another way of looking on odds is look at those cards that NOT will make your hand. 38 cards on the turn don't give us our hand and 37 cards on the river don't give us our hand 37/46. If we convert this into decimals it is like: 0.80x0.80=0.64 and in percentage it is 64%. 64% of the time we won't catch our flush. 36% of the time we do.

Does it sound complicated? Keep in mind that this is only one scenario. Other types of hands desires more complicated calculations.

My last word to you is - if you want to become successful around the poker tables you have learn to calculate.

I am not a math genius. Making instant calculations made me insane. I searched for a software that could help me with the calculations. I found software called "poker calculators". These software helped my incomes increase and I could throw my pen and paper away - No more calculations. You can read more about them here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Orvel_Jones

Poker Psychology - The Secret Of Winning Big

Poker psychology is important because it separates average players from truly the great ones.

The person, who wins big simpy has a better psychology than his or her opponents and getting it right can make you huge money.

In poker (unlike other casino games) you don’t have to have the best hand to win, all you need to do is make people think you have the best hand!

Let’s look at what it takes to develop the right mindset to win big in online poker and how to develop the correct psychology for poker.

1. Desire

To win big at poker the first step is to want to win big. If you have the desire, you are likely to put in the hard work (and like anything in life that can make big money you need to put in the hours) that is required to become a really top poker player.

2. Learn from others

Once you know all the basic strategies and odds its time to read some books written by great poker players. They all have different approaches but they will all focus on poker psychology and you can learn from them.

In poker you never stop learning and it is good practice to read and study at least one book a month. Not only will you learn something new, but you will also get great motivation to purse your goal of winning at poker.

3. Check Your Opponents

Your opponent is studying you and you need to study him. You can then see the way he plays, spot potential weaknesses and exploit them. As we said earlier, the best hand doesn’t win at poker, the player with the best psychology and strategy does.

4. Have Courage

To win big pots in poker you need to have courage to take risks at the right time. This is not rashness, it’s an essential part of poker psychology and is the only way to win big money.

If you have done your homework and the circumstances are right you need to take the plunge and go for the pot!

5. Patience

It’s hard to keep folding one hand after another at times, but it’s what you have to do. If the circumstances are not right and you have no chance of winning the pot, don’t waste money wait. All great players know that it’s the hands you choose not to play that can be as important as the ones you do. So, be patient and your time will come.

6. Focus & Commitment

When you sit to down to play a game you need to be fully focused on the game. So, no drinking, drugs or feeling anything less than 100% focused and committed and all the former will impair your judgment.

If you don’t feel right don’t play, it’s as simple as that.

7. Practice

You can only learn so much from books. When you play money is at stake sometimes big money and this can and does affect peoples judgments

It takes a lot of playing experience to become a great poker player and it can’t be rushed. Take it slowly, moving up to more difficult tables and potential pots as you gain experience.

Don’t try a level above your capabilities to quickly. If there are big wiiings to be made at a table competition will be stiff.

The proper poker psychology as you can see is critical if you want to become a great player.

For more poker information

For more poker tips, strategies and reports and all major casino games visit:

http://www.net-planet.org/gaming.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sacha_Tarkovsky

Typical Poker Mistakes

I will discuss some of the common mistakes by beginners in this article
Patience – The first and foremost thing a new player needs, stick to the starting hand chart and pre flop strategy, if you don't your chances of keeping your money are slim to none
Over playing overcards – When you miss the flop with your AK and there is a bet and a raise ahead of you there is no reason to stay in the hand, even if an ace or king hit there is a good chance someone already has one pair beat and if not and someone has just one pair with ace or king kicker and you are in some serious trouble, if you didn't hit on the flop , let go.

Small pocket pairs – Another common tendency is to overplay small pocket pairs 22 33 and 44 are all marginal hands any way you look at it , and any pocket pair which the flop has two overcards to is pretty much drawing very slim, the odds for catching a set on the turn is 25-1 , not exactly what we are looking for.

Playing out of your bankroll – a sure fire way to go broke, even the most talented player cannot withstand the variance if the limits are to big , play according to your bankroll and you'll be able to keep playing

Being over emotional – Yes, your pocket aces might have just lost to 7-3off who caught a gutshot straight on the river, that is a part of poker , the best strategy is to write nh in the chat window and move on, the guy who made the ridiculous suckout is no doubt a losing player , keep in my mind that playing correctly wins in the long run, and that is what matters, so after your aces got cracked just go back to business and keep playing the same , correct, game.

Playing only your cards – Especially in low limit Hold'em you will often encounter complete maniacs at the table, these people like to raise and re raise and play every pot, identifying them is critical , as they are the ones pumping money into the table. It is also almost as important to notice the better players at the table and try and avoid playing marginal situations with them.
Visit http://www.epokerschool.com and recieve a free $150 bankroll , no deposit required.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Wiener

Poker: Luck Or Skill

Ahhh, it's Wednesday night, time to tune in the Travel Channel. Why? Poker tournaments, my friends and the game they play is called Texas Hold ‘Em. But can anyone learn how to play like the pro's on T.V.? Is it so effortless and easy as it appears? Let's take a look at some of the little things that can make or break you at the poker table.

Does poker require luck or skill? Some play the game and seem to hit every card needed for the winning hand. Others, with a hand that could not beat any hand on the table, slyly walk away with the pot and a wink and a smile.

So the answer to the question it would seem would be that it is a little bit of both; luck and skill are needed to be a successful poker player. After all, gambling is a game of chance.

But consider this: some mathematicians contend that the odds of getting a royal flush are 1 in 649,739. So, given those odds, chances are if you rely on the luck of the draw you will definitely lose more than you will win. So how do you become an experienced poker player and win all the time? Well you can become an experienced poker player but, alas; you won't win all the time. Poker does require skill and the old adage, know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em certainly has a ring of truth to it.

Furthermore, you must factor in the skill level of the players at the table, your bluffing and betting skills, the stakes involved and of course, luck. Here are some important tips for the successful poker player: Do not gamble if you cannot afford to lose. People lose a lot of money due to lack of planning and some gamble way over their heads because they don't know when to stop. Pick an amount to play with and stick to it.

Additionally, do not borrow money to gamble, you just add more pressure upon yourself having to bet with borrowed funds. Allocate a budget and stick to it! If you are serious about winning, avoid alcohol. You may make bets that you would not normally make. Play with a clear head. Don't play if you are stressed out or emotional because not being in the right frame of mind can cost you big at the poker table. Play with focus. If your mind is preoccupied with other problems, your judgment will suffer and you open yourself up for critical mistakes. Study your opponents and define who they are and how they play the game. You may have to adjust to their style of play.

Do not be intimidated by the aggressive nature of a particular player or the passiveness of another. Don't wait on cards, they usually don't come. Don't be afraid to fold the poor hand. Poker is a time consuming game and you aren't dealt a winner every time. Display a "poker face". Your expressions and mannerisms can tell a lot about your hand, even to the most inexperienced players. Whether you have good cards or a terrible hand, it is best to display the same emotion and not convey any clues to the other players.

Conversely, if you are a seasoned player, you can use this "poker face" style to your advantage to project false "tells" to other players and force false reads on their part. You could pretend to have a powerful hand by aggressive betting, table antics or talk and pull off a successful bluff. Patience is the key and you have to know when to bet. Be knowledgeable as to when to bet and get a feel for the game. Bet wisely and in control. Bear in mind that bluffing will not work if you are a poor player and expert players will eventually sense this and pick you apart, making your night a short one.

Practice! Practice with low stakes games, hand held games or play for fun as you refine your game and skills. Read articles, books and ask other players about the game and different situations that might occur. There are thousands of poker books written with tips, guidelines, rules and regulations but the important aspect to remember is your poker strategy and your game. Practice, refine and define who you are as a poker player. Know your limits, play the odds and odds are you will come up a winner!

About The Author
Robert Benson has written articles on many subjects and operates two web sites. Learn about the hobby of vinyl record collecting and shop for your poker supplies at one of the shopping malls at these sites: http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com http://www.ezshoppinghere.com

Poker Instruction - The 9 Most Common Pitfalls

I will briefly go through the most common pitfalls I see people falling into––nothing really in-depth, just a list of things to watch out for:

1. Playing too loose
1. Disregarding the basics (fundamental strategy, among others)
2. Disregarding position
3. Disregarding game selection
4. Disregarding discipline (tilt)
5. Disregarding money management (playing too high with too little)
6. Disregarding resources to improve (Forums, Coaching, Analyzing etc.)
7. Blocking out great advice because it doesn’t fit into your world.
8. Giving in to the Fancy Monster (FPS)
9. Failing to realize that it is all pretty simple, but it takes some work!

These are just a few I pulled off the top of my head. It’s easy to jump around, but it’s harder to take the longer road, which takes a bit longer, but has bigger rewards. Now here is a list on what to do to prevent the above points:

1. Play Tight & Aggressive Poker
2. Master the fundamentals
3. Worship position
4. Have sound game selection rules
5. Have rules that minimize tilt
6. Have sound & specific money management rules
7. Use all the resources you can find to improve your game
8. Welcome all criticism with an open-mind
9. Be mindful of yourself and notice bad habits
10. Love what you do!

It’s as easy as you make it, but it takes time. If you have all the steps in front of you and you know what to do, then it’s a lot more simple. Don’t worry if you get stuck, you’ll get through it if you keep working at it, and solutions will tend to appear out of nowhere. And if it doesn’t work out right away, take a break and tell your brain to work out a new strategy. What usually works for me is to go take a nap, wash the dishes, make some food or go to sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed and much clearer on the subject.

A big roadblock for me is that I want things to work immediately, and I want to learn everything instantly. This has been a big obstacle, but also a blessing in disguise.

Every time I became frustrated with something I couldn’t understand, I would become very determined to overcome it, but only after some initial frustration. I wouldn’t stop for anything, while I attempted to overcome it. And it has worked up until this day, although I have refined my strategy a bit, and my methods have evolved.

Learn to work with your weaknesses, as they might be blessings in disguise, much like my frustrations often are.

Henri Junttila is a Professional Poker Player and has been for over 3 years now. He has made over $300,000 playing online poker to date. He uses his website to help poker players improve their game for free! For more information visit Learn to Play Poker With All Poker No Limits

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henri_Junttila

Discover the Excitement of Alaskan Cruises

Looking for an exotic travel location that is thrilling and luxurious? Alaskan cruises have surged in popularity in recent years, and demand to see America's last unspoiled frontier continues to grow. Alaskan Cruises only operate between the months of May and September or early October and tend to follow one of two principal routes; the Gulf of Alaska or the Inside Passage.

Anchorage is the starting (or ending) point for many Alaskan cruises, but most passengers actually board or disemabark their ships from Seward (125 miles sounth on Resurrection Bay). Alaskan cruises may also start in the town of Vancouver BC.

Alaskan cruises enable you to see the wealth of arctic wildlife and the many national parks and preserves at a comfortable distance, yet close enough to appreciate the splendour of the glaciers. Alaska has a great deal to offer along its many miles of coastline. Alaska's amazing wilderness should be experienced rather then merely passed through.

Ships cruise between massive glaciers and weave among the thousands of islands to offer stunning views. Lucky passengers may even glimpse whales providing an unofficial escort, making "days at sea" a completely different experience than on tropical voyages. And on board one of the modern cruise ships there are a mind-boggling array of spectacular activities and sights. Cruise lines are always willing to help you celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, promotions, retirements, or other momentous events, making your cruise a truly personal one.

Small ships provide more adventure and offshore activities than bigger ships. Big ships are designed for people who are looking for more luxury and comfort, while small ships are designed for adventure seekers. One of the most popular adventures is riding in a helicopter to the top of a glacier. If adventure is more to your liking, there are a number of "sporting" type boats that have kayaks and zodiacs available for use throughout the cruise.

A far cry from tropical vacations featuring snorkeling and sunbathing, Alaskan cruises are perfect summer getaways to experience truly adventurous tours and destinations. Although most Alaskan cruise companies travel to similar destinations, the smaller lines may include more wilderness oriented cruises.

Alaska is like nowhere else on earth; an unspoilt wilderness that will take your breath away. Resplendent with natural beauty and steeped in adventure, Alaskan cruises are popular summer destinations. While the main attraction for Alaskan cruises is the stunning natural beauty found simply by cruising through the region, there are a number of interesting ports of call. With rustic historical attractions combined with incredible natural wonders, Alaskan cruises visit a number of unique ports of call.

To discover the complete guide to Alaskan Cruises, I suggest the following as further reading. Ocean Cruise Guides - Alaska By Cruise Ship (Alaska By Cruise Ship) (Paperback) It will tell you everything you need to know.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Everett

Texas Holdem Poker Tournament Strategy - Starting Hands

Welcome to the fifth in my Texas Holdem Poker Strategy Series, focusing on no limit Texas Holdem poker tournament play and associated strategies. In this article, we’ll examine starting hand decisions.

It may seem obvious, but deciding which starting hands to play, and which ones to skip playing, is one of the most important Texas Holdem poker decisions you'll make. Deciding which starting hands to play begins by accounting for several factors:

* Starting Hand "groups" (Sklansky made some good suggestions in his classic "Theory of Poker" book by David Sklansky)

* Your table position

* Number of players at the table

* Chip position

Sklansky originally proposed some Texas Holdem poker starting hand groups, which turned out to be very useful as general guidelines. Below you'll find a "modified" (enhanced) version of the Sklansky starting hands table. I adapted the original Sklansky tables, which were "too tight" and rigid for my liking, into a more playable approach that are used in the Poker Sidekick poker odds calculator. Here's the key to these starting hands:

Groups 1 to 8: These are essentially the same scale as Sklansky originally proposed, although some hands have been shifted around to improve playability and there is no group 9.

Group 30: These are now "questionable" hands, hands that should be played rarely, but can be reasonably played occasionally in order to mix things up and keep your opponents off balance. Loose players will play these a bit more often, tight players will rarely play them, experienced players will open with them only occasionally and randomly.

The table below is the exact set of starting hands that Poker Sidekick uses when it calculates starting poker hands. If you use Poker Sidekick, it will tell you which group each starting hand is in (if you can't remember them), along with estimating the "relative strength" of each starting hand. You can just print this article and use it as a starting hand reference.

Group 1: AA, KK, AKs

Group 2: QQ, JJ, AK, AQs, AJs, KQs

Group 3: TT, AQ, ATs, KJs, QJs, JTs

Group 4: 99, 88, AJ, AT, KQ, KTs, QTs, J9s, T9s, 98s

Group 5: 77, 66, A9s, A5s-A2s, K9s, KJ, KT, QJ, QT, Q9s, JT, QJ, T8s, 97s, 87s, 76s, 65s

Group 6: 55, 44, 33, 22, K9, J9, 86s

Group 7: T9, 98, 85s

Group 8: Q9, J8, T8, 87, 76, 65

Group 30: A9s-A6s, A8-A2, K8-K2, K8-K2s, J8s, J7s, T7, 96s, 75s, 74s, 64s, 54s, 53s, 43s, 42s, 32s, 32

All other hands not shown (virtually unplayable).

So, those are the enhanced Sklasky Texas Holdem poker starting hand tables.

The later your position at the table (dealer is latest position, small blind is earliest), the more starting hands you should play. If you're on the dealer button, with a full table, play groups 1 thru 6. If you're in middle position, reduce play to groups 1 thru 3 (tight) and 4 (loose). In early position, reduce play to groups 1 (tight) or 1 thru 2 (loose). Of course, in the big blind, you get what you get.

As the number of players drops into the 5 to 7 range, I recommend tightening up overall and playing far fewer, premium hands from the better positions (groups 1 - 2). This is a great time to forget about chasing flush and straight draws, which puts you at risk and wastes chips.

As the number of players drops to 4, it's time to open up and play far more hands (groups 1 - 5), but carefully. At this stage, you're close to being in the money in a Texas Holdem poker tournament, so be extra careful. I'll often just protect my blinds, steal occasionally, and try to let the smaller stacks get blinded or knocked out (putting me into the money). If I'm one of the small stacks, well, then I'm forced to pick the best hand I can get and go all-in and hope to double-up.

When the play is down to 3, it's time to avoid engaging with big stacks and hang on to see if we can land 2nd place, heads-up. I tend to tighten up a bit here, playing very similar to when there's just 3 players (avoiding confrontation unless I'm holding a pair or an Ace or a King, if possible).

Once you're heads-up, well, that's a topic for a completely different article, but in general, it's time to become extraordinarily aggressive, raise a lot, and become "pushy".

In tournaments, it's always important to keep track of your chips stack size relative to the blinds and everyone else's stacks. If you're short on chips, then play far fewer hands (tigher), and when you do get a good hand, extract as many chips as you can with it. If you're the big stack, well, you should avoid unnecessary confrontation, but use your big stack position to push everyone around and steal blinds occasionally as well - without risking too many chips in the process (the other players will be trying to use you to double-up, so be careful).

Well, that's a quick overview of an improved set of starting hands and some general rules for adjusting starting hand play based upon game conditions throughout the tournament.

Until next time, best of luck to you at the Texas Holdem poker tables!

Rick

Rick Braddy is an avid writer, Texas Holdem player and professional software developer and marketer for over 25 years. His websites and Texas Holdem poker software helps people become better Texas Holdem players. If you're a poker player, be sure to visit his Texas Holdem poker poker today and learn how you can play better Texas Holdem poker, too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Braddy

The Perfect Poker Gift

If you find that you need the perfect poker gift for that special fan or poker enthusiast, let’s explore the possibilities. If someone you know is new to the game, these items will help outfit their poker game room.

If you think playing cards would be appropriate then 100% Plastic playing cards are probably the best in the business. These cards are so durable you can play with them for years without needing to replace them. They're even washable, so if they get dirty you can wipe 'em off and they'll be good as new.

Another suggestion would be authentic Vegas Casino Playing Cards. These are simply Bee Brand playing cards that have been used in play in real casinos from the Bellagio to Caesar's Palace. The casinos round the corners so you can't slip them back into play, but it won't affect the play in your game. A good, cheap option that adds some real authentic flair to any poker table.

If your looking to buy a nice set of poker chip as that perfect poker gift, then there are several choices for that player who wants to give their home game some class and style without busting your bankroll. Clay Poker Chips that you can carry around in its aluminum case is one good option. The clay chips are a nice weight and with the two decks of cards and dealer button that usually come with it, it's got everything you need for a 6-8 player game. These are simple and plain, with no numbers printed on them so you can decide what each color chip is worth each game.

There are also Metal-Core Poker Chips that have a metal-core composite. Though clay is the most popular chip variety these days, the feel of these durable chips tend to make it easier to shuffle and play with them than clay chips. These sets usually includes 2 decks of plastic playing cards, 5 dice, a dealer button, and comes in an aluminum poker chip case. The 5 color chips aren't printed with a value, so each can stand for whatever amount you choose each time you play.

If you’ve ever tried to select a poker gift you’ve probably already found that the options for upscale poker gifts are limited. Of course you can buy the decks of cards or the tee shirts that have poker related sayings, but if you’re looking for that special poker gift for the discriminating player it can be very hard to find.

One possible higher end Poker Gift would be a work of art. There are many talented artists that offer a wide variety of original and limited edition prints. There are poker paintings that depict scenes from old poker movies to abstract works of art that feature modern day poker celebrities.

During the recent surge in pokers popularity the number of artists offering poker art has exploded to the point that it is hard to decide upon which artist’s work to buy. Art as a poker gift can range in price from fifty dollars for one of the lesser-known artists, to tens of thousands of dollars for an original Leroy Neiman. Depending upon your budget, you’re sure to find a piece of art that may qualify as the perfect poker gift.

Dennis B. is a writer for Nostalgia Art . com where you can find accurate information about a Poker Gift and other related information.

Poker and the Stock Market

I was out of town this weekend in Southern NJ, Atlantic City to be exact. After finishing my business at the convention center, I traveled back to the newest casino, the Borgata where I was staying for the night. I don’t consider myself a gambler and have never enjoyed losing money at the tables. When I do gamble, my preferred games have always been craps and blackjack. Until recently, I had never played at a poker table in a casino environment but I enjoy the game of poker and have only played in backyard and basement games with old buddies. Many people consider the game of poker pure luck but this is not an accurate observation. Many factors run parallel with the game of poker and the game of stock market investing. Luck may play a part but rules, odds and money management are the largest components of the two entities.

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When investing in the stock market, it is essential to have a sound set of rules or a system that has been tested in real time, no back testing or historical testing needed. After the system has been tested, the investor needs to follow rules in order to preserve capital and cut losses. The investor must also consider the odds of his/her stock making a gain or making a loss. Price objectives and targets should be a large part of every investor’s system. With proper money management and calculated expectancy, the investor should aim to trade only in situations where the odds are in his/her favor. In a strong bull market, it may not be wise to start shorting many stocks; the odds of making a big gain with this strategy could be very low. Another major component that works its way into investing is psychology and/or human emotion. Stocks are made up of human character traits, similar to the type of people that own them. Some stocks are risky and volatile while other stocks are conservative and predictable. The market repeats cycles and specific chart patterns because humans repeat their actions and character tendencies.

Now, back to the poker table; as I sat down and started to play, my first goal was to become familiar with the character traits of the players around me. With 10 players at the table, I had plenty of time to evaluate the people I was playing with, without risking a great deal of money. After several rounds of play, I was aware that the gentleman to my right would only bet high odd hands and would fold every other hand. He was very edgy and nervous and folded his cards with force when he was angry. The gentleman to the left would also play hands with high odds but I did see him call bets with some hands that were risky with lower odds. One gentleman across the table was the bluffer and always had a smirk on his face with a pair of dark glasses. I challenged this man on several occasions and paid to see his cards because I felt he had nothing. More times than not, I was right and still beat him with an average hand. I could go on but you understand the point I am trying to make: all poker players and investors bring their emotions to the table.

I won’t get into the exact rules of playing poker but I can tell you that only two players are required to bet per round while the other eight can view their first two cards without risking a cent. My game of choice is Texas Hold’em, the current craze across the country and one that excites me when I am in the environment. The two players required to bet represent the big and small blinds. If you are the dealer or anoy other players at the table, you can view your first two cards for free without an bet. If the hand is weak, you can fold and keep your gambling stake.

Here is where it gets interesting; if I have a decent hand, I can decide to call the larger blind and see the next three cards on the flop, which is still a low risk investment. If the flop doesn’t provide me with the cards I need, I can immediately cut my losses short by folding and wait for the next game. The same is true in investing; I can cut a loss short and wait for the next opportunity without risking the farm if I realize an immediate loss. If the cards are good and my probabilities of winning the hand are high, I can call the bet or raise the bet. A fourth and fifth card (the turn and the river) are placed on the table after the flop and betting continues with each round. Again, I can decide if I would like to call, raise or cut my losses short. The connection I am trying to make with investing in the stock market and playing poker relates directly to cutting losses short (capital preservation and money management) and my odds of winning the game (in the stock market this could be called expectancy).

In my opinion, the best game to play at the casino is $1-$2 no limit style. This means that the blinds are held to a minimum and it will only cost you a couple of dollars to see the flop in many cases. The “no-limit” aspect allows your upside potential to be unlimited which carries through to investing. If you cut losses short and ride your winner, the up-side potential in investing can also be unlimited, especially when using options (but that is for another discussion). Last night, I could see my first two cards for free, eight out of every ten hands and I could fold if they were no good. If they were good, I put money on the table after my idea. In the real world, the world of stock investing, you should always put money after your best ideas. The ensuing gain or loss will tell you if you are right. Again, for the umpteenth time in this article, the most important part of both games is cutting losses short and moving on without mixing emotions into the decisions.

All investors and poker players bring emotions to the table, some people control them better while other people employ better systems and understand the odds on a higher level. The bottom line is to understand the situation around you and to use a sound system to raise your odds. Never bet a hand that represents a low chance of winning and never ride a loss that could multiply overnight. Cut losses short and get out of the game and wait for the next opportunity because they are always around the corner.

Chris Perruna - http://www.marketstockwatch.com

Chris is the founder and president of MarketStockWatch.com, an internet community that teaches you how to invest your money with solid rules. We don't stop at just showing you our daily and weekly screens, we teach you how to make you own screens through education. Through our philosophy, you will be able to create your own methods and styles to become successful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Perruna

Baby Boomers Discover Cruises

Are Baby Boomers that much different from other cruise passengers? According to many cruise line executives this one group of guests has probably created more changes in cruise ship programming than any other travelers since Noah's Ark. The same group that made cell phones, BMW's and flat screen TV's a cultural phenomena is having a strong impact of how cruise lines go to market.

At a recent industry conference sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association, Marketing Chairman Dan Hanrahan (who is also president of Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises) pointed out that the lifestyle and interests of baby boomers has led to some unique new experiences on board for all passengers.

Baby Boomers, he said, tend to collect experiences as they get older versus physical possessions. So computer classes are often more popular than Bingo.


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While at home, busy boomers dine out more often and therefore seek a wider variety of dining experiences on board a cruise ship. This has led to a movement from one or two main dining rooms with fixed seating times to more flexible alternative restaurants approximating the feel of a good bistro at home. Flexibility of dining times has led to a change in the old first and second seating system that has been around for 40 years. One cruise line, NCL threw out the concept completely when it introduced Freestyle Cruising a few years back and its new ships boast up to 10 restaurants touting an eat-when-and with-whom-you-choose option. Most other contemporary cruise lines offer a more limited version of this concept ranging from Princess Cruises Anytime Dining to Holland America' recently announced As You Wish open seating program in a section of their main dining rooms. Along with the dining hours and options, healthy lifestyle selections on cruise ship menus including spa cuisine has been a steadily growing trend.

Speaking of spas, cruise ships have witnessed a transformation from a small sauna and one massage table to elaborate complexes that offer everything from Thalassotherapy pools to hot stone massages. On board gyms have followed that trend with most ships now dedicating thousands of square feet and coveted ocean view space to their exercise facilities.

Ashore, Boomers seek excursions that are more action-oriented although soft adventure is the key here. They want adventure but in a comfortable environment. Cruise lines call it Culture in Comfort. Forget the tours buses, today's cruisers are more likely to be found river rafting in a cave or cycling down a volcano than buying t-shirts at a local shop.

Cruise ship casinos have evolved from afterthoughts to carefully planned and important centers of revenue. The rule of thumb is the larger the ship, the more extensive the casino. The notable exceptions are Disney Cruise lines (a corporate choice) and NCL America (Hawaiian law) ships that offer no casinos at all. But on the rest, you can find everything from the most popular slots to Texas Hold em poker.

Of course, Boomers need to stay connected, so internet cafes on the ships are an important asset to them. And while some of us don't especially like this idea, cell phones are beginning to work at sea as well as in ports where there is service. Busy boomers are used to instant gratification in their communications world and expect this to carry over to cruise vacations.

And last but not least are the musical proclivities of the boomer generation. They grew up on jazz, blue grass and rock and roll. The cruise lines keep this in mind when planning and selecting musical groups and live shows. In the mind of these travelers the only rap they are interested in is probably a sea weed wrap at the spa!

See you on board.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/baby-boomers-discover-cruises-190534.html

Strategies Casinos Use To Keep A Person Playing

When entering a casino, you are usually overcome by the lights and the noises of tokens dropping into the bottom of the slot machine; tokens for the latest winner to scoop up into their bucket. Did you ever stop to notice that there are no clocks or windows? Once you enter a casino, you are on casino time and their goal is to make you loose track of time. Casinos are hoping that the less you worry about the outside world, the longer you will put your tokens into their slots.

Have you noticed that casinos are quick to change your money into tokens or chips as soon as possible? Once you are no longer looking at the actual money, the chips, tokens or credits seem to lose their monetary value. The less you have to dig into your wallet for the cold hard cash, the less likely you are to associate the excitement that casino play offers with the expenses that can be incurred in a loss.


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When you enter a casino, have you ever felt like you were getting a good buzz or a sudden burst of energy? Don't just chalk it up to the bustle of the environment or the kind gesture you think you are getting from a free drink. It could be that the casino is actually piping in oxygen. Some casinos use the oxygen to keep you from getting weary therefore enabling you to play the tables or slots longer. The casinos are hoping that the longer your stay at a black jack table or a slot machine, the more chance of a profit for them.

One of the biggest strategies that the casinos use that should be avoided at all costs is the complimentary beverages that are offered to you. Of course, it is hard to turn down a free drink especially when it is being they are free, but those free drinks could end up costing you much more in the long run. We all know that the more we drink, the less inhibited we become and sometimes loose our sense of judgment. When the drinks are flowing freely, the casinos are hoping that your money will be as well. Be it a lack of clocks or the free drinks, the casinos job is to keep you there spending your money and these are just a few of the strategies that casinos are using to keep you playing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adel_Awwad

Poker Strategy - Pocket Jacks in Texas Hold'em Poker - A tight situation

When I say pocket jacks, I'm referring to two Jacks, pre-flop, in Texas Hold'em. This is the fifth best hand in Texas Hold'em and in general, I would say you should never fold this hand (especially in limit hold'em). But it is definitely one of those hands to be careful with.

Pocket Jacks is especially tricky for one main reason. The most important thing to realize about this hand is that if you raise too big with this hand, normally the only people who will call you are people who can beat you. Therefore, I would suggest a small raise or possibly a reraise preflop with this hand.

Before the flop, successful Texas Hold'em strategy is pretty straightforward using your top ten hand strategy. In general, you should raise every time you have a top ten hand and you should fold the rest of your hands to any raise. It is because of this basic strategy of Texas Hold'em, that this raise with pocket jacks is especially important.

Raise too big and get a caller, then you are starting out way behind. Don't raise big enough and someone with a lesser hand will catch up with you on the flop and then you will have no choice but to fold.

Consider this scenario. You raise a small amount on the button with pocket jacks and you get two callers. The flop comes and brings an Ace (and no jacks), the person in the first position bets half the pot. How can you consider calling a bet of this size with only an under-pair? The fact is, you can't.

A larger bet would have scared away someone with say, Ace-Six as their pocket cards.

Probably the best way to avoid misplaying this hand is to have a good read on your opponents. This read will enable you to place an appropriate bet, ensuring successful play of pocket jacks.
http://www.articlesbase.com/online-gambling-articles/pocket-jacks-in-texas-holdem-poker-a-tight-situation-14111.html


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Online Poker – a Safe Game

If you need to combine a form of entertainment with an opportunity of making money, the means are now widely available. If you have a PC and a connection to the Internet, you will find one such great source of entertainment with online poker.

All over the world, the frequency with which casinos are created increases, so why not move to a bigger field of play, i.e. the online virtual space? Online poker is exceptionally popular both among professionals and among amateur poker players. Free online poker sites give players the chance to play day and night.

The number of websites where you can play free online poker is impressive. However, not all of them are safe and you need to make sure that you do not leave personal details, such as bank account details, before you make sure the site is safe. This doesn’t mean that all of them are dangerous. Most of the online poker websites are licensed and regulated.



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How do you play? Usually, this type of websites displays complete information on how you can play free online poker, and you can even find about the rules of the game in general. There is also an age limit, which can be 18 years old or the legal maturity age in your jurisdiction.

After you register, you start playing the game with other online poker players. The winner of each hand is the player with the strongest combination of cards, using both community cards and pocket cards. The game is played on most sites in the Texan version, where the order of power of the combination is this, with the strongest one first: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, Highest Card.

Poker, like many other professions and pass-times has developed its own terminology, terms which are separate from common poker terms and are specific for online poker. For example, Away-from-table, which means that in tournaments you don’t “sit out”, but rather you may be away-from-table, or even though you are dealt into every hand, you post blinds when it’s your turn, and when there is a raise before the flop, or a bet after the flop you fold.

When you want to play free online poker, your operating system needs also to comply with several requirements in order to be able to download the software necessary to play. An online game will develop without interruptions if you have at least Windows 98, a fast processor, starting at 400 MHz, with a memory of 128 RAM; the screen resolution must be set at 800 by 600 pixels or more with 16 bit and at least 30 Mb of free space on your disk.

What makes this game more attractive is the possibility of winning a prize, even if you don’t have to put in a starting amount. At Single table tournament, you have to buy your place at the table, but the money goes to the prize, so if you consider that you have the necessary skills to beat other players, maybe as good as or even better than you, you can take the chance and win easy money and have fun in the same time.
http://www.articlesbase.com/card-games-articles/online-poker-a-safe-game-110510.html

Poker Cruise - North Up the Pacific Coast - Vision of the Seas Review

So call me a Negative Nelly or whatever they call someone who sees the negative in things, but I cannot ignore the negatives, and to be fair, I shouldn’t. So Let me state up front that this review will have some negative points in it, but let me also state that we did enjoy our cruise and would do it again.

Our first cruises were on the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas and the Carnival Paradise. Both of these ships did cruises out of Los Angeles (Long Beach) to Catalina and Ensenada. Both are smaller ships of their respective lines and are the basis of any comparisons that I made when looking at this cruise. Of course that could be like comparing a SUV to a VW Bug, albeit in the case of the Monarch a classy Bug and in the case of the Paradise a Party Bug!

When we booked this cruise our expectations were a little lower then if we were booking a regular itinerary for a ship because it was a repositioning cruise. It turns out that we should not have had lowered our expectations that much, the cruise ship had its full crew and the entertainment scheduled was for a 7 night cruise while we were on a 5 night cruise, this gave us more entertainment choices not that we needed entertaining since we found ways to entertain ourselves, boy that "Do Not Disturb" sign came in handy.


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We arrived for check-in around noon (we wanted to get to the room early, we had not seen each other in a week), which appeared to be a good time as we were able to walk right up to the check-in desk and were promptly handled by one of the agents. A few minutes of verifying paperwork, viewing passports, taking blood (not really) and swiping a credit card (They wanted to keep it but I wouldn’t let them) and we were directed to board the ship. We learned something new on this cruise that we suspected earlier. Arriving early for check-in works to our favor and gets us aboard quickly. Score!

We boarded the ship and headed to the Windjammer Restaurant for the lunch buffet. This was the first of a few disappointments for the cruise. The food for the boarding lunch was dry and bland, kind of like the foods the kids cook at home when it is their turn to cook; compared to the Monarch we were greatly disappointed and hoped that it was not the norm for this Windjammer. Unfortunately this did prove to be the norm for the Windjammer on this cruise but a glass of lemonade improved things some and gave it a tangy taste. Every time we ate in the Windjammer we found the food to be dry and relatively bland, I looked around the restaurant and peeked into the kitchen but I didn’t see my kids working, there were a few dishes that broke the pattern but not many.

When the staterooms were available we visited our stateroom and while we had an interior cabin the layout of the room made it feel larger then our previous visits to the Monarch (They say that shaving makes things appear bigger). Our stateroom was set up with the beds together in the queen configuration, which pleased us since we did not need to request it. Additionally our Crown and Anchor books and the Terry Robes that were part of our reservation bonus were in the room waiting for us. One disappointment here was that we did not see our stateroom attendant until the 3rd day of the cruise, it could have been because of the "Do Not Disturb" sign, but we were careful to not have that out during the bulk of the times that they are supposed to be attending to the rooms. While he was taking care of our cabin he really did not seem interested in addressing any personal cares we may have had. Fortunately we didn’t have any. The only other time we saw our attendant was when he gave us the customer satisfaction survey and pointed out his section. I will give him credit, he did take care of the room, but there was no personal touch and it felt like he had his hand out.

We loved the layout of the ship and how easy it was to get from one area to another. We were in the Centrum quite a bit and enjoyed the music that was often played in that area. We also enjoyed playing tag and hide and seek in the ship. Problem was we hid together and no one came seeking us, so we got a little preoccupied at times. It was on one of these trips that we met a delightful young woman named Sandie who was enjoying her first Solo cruise. What a sweetheart, she was delightful and always had a few wolves following around her. She always had a drink in her hands due to the diligence of the wait staff. Proof that a single person can enjoy a cruise without having a wingman. I would just hate to see her bill at the end.

The mandatory muster drill went rather quickly and our muster leader had a great attitude and did what he could to make the whole muster drill more enjoyable then it could have been. It may have been a bit much for him to be doing the shuffle and the twist and the dive but it was interesting to watch him enjoying himself. He also did a fair imitation of the cruise director and the captain. I think I saw him floating off the side of the ship at one point, but that may have been a trick of my eyes.

Dinner in the Aquarius Dining Room was fantastic; we were not disappointed once by the quality of the food or the service that we received there. We ate dinner in the Aquarius every night, breakfast every morning but one, and lunch twice. Our waiter and assistant waiter were very attentive, after the first night (Well, second night, Sandie was a bad influence on Karla, got her drunk and she couldn’t find her way to the dining room with me trying to guide her. She kept insisting that it was out the aft door of the ship, which would have led us into the wake behind the ship. Karla doesn’t drink much and in that one night she drank more then she had in months, Sandie still drank her under the table and I suspect that Sandie might have drank a platoon of Marines under the table.) the waiters called us by name as we were arriving, had our preferred drinks waiting for us and made us feel at home (Unlike our kids who make us feel like we shouldn’t be home.) Where the Windjammer disappointed the Aquarius made up for.

The shows put on in the main theater were enjoyable, however once again we were disappointed by the shortsightedness of some of the staff. There was a large group on the cruise that needed use of the main theatre and the staff changed the show time for the second night’s second show without notifying the guests. From what I understand when the curtain raised there were around 25 people in the audience because most of the audience showed up 15-30 minutes after the show started because they expected the show at 10:45 and it started at 10:15. This portion of the show was supposed to have been incredible with man-eating tigers (It actually ate a man) and an act where the dancers all melded into one writhing pile, that would have been a sight. *wink*

On the last night of the cruise the main entertainment was a pair of comedian jugglers, as far as comedian jugglers go they were good. But the highlight of the show was not the jugglers themselves but their "victim" for one of their acts. The jugglers looked for a kid to join them onstage and had him lay on the stage, they were going to juggle bowling balls over him. As part of the comedy of the act the juggler dropped one of the bowling balls. The boy they picked up sat up, looked at the jugglers, got up, and promptly walked off stage back to his parents. They apparently did not expect this response because they then proceeded to try and convince the boy to rejoin them on stage. This cruise did not have a lot of kids on it and this boy was the only kid in the audience, so they proceeded to bribe him to return to stage. They finally bought him with a bribe of $10. He rejoined them on stage and they had him lay down again and the second juggler told him he would lay down with him. When he laid down he was on the other side of the boy from the other juggler. As soon as he got settled the boy sat up again, they started asking him not to leave, but the boy apparently was not leaving without his money, he got up and laid back down on the other side of the juggler that laid down, putting him next to the juggler with the bowling balls. This caught the jugglers off guard again because they both started laughing and the act couldn’t continue for a good 30 seconds while they got control of themselves. They then performed the juggling bit. When they gave the boy his money they were short a dollar, and the kid had counted it, out loud, then turned to the jugglers and demanded the rest of his money. We know (or at least strongly suspect) that this was not staged because the boy in question ate dinner at the table next to us each night and so at dinner we asked them about it and they were all excited about what had happened and his brother was asked to go to the late show and recreate the performance.

I took advantage of snacks in the Solarium diner a few times and was greatly disappointed by the quality of the food and the attitude of the staff, I think my kids were hiding in the back room again and coaching the staff here. When I asked for something from the Solarium Staff I was made to feel as if my request was an imposition or annoyance, they much preferred to continue chatting with their crewmates rather than serve the guests, just like my kids.

The wait staff & bartender in the Schooner Lounge was attentive of us as guests and we were impressed with how much they seemed to care about our trip. The best bartenders on the ship are Rommel, Dordi, Diego, Orlando, Nestor, Tishar, and Karl. They did a real good job of helping Sandie corrupt my bride of 23 years. The bartenders, waiters, and waitresses live on tips and this group was earning every additional tip they got, some of the other departments on the ship could take lessons from there folk.

The Casino table game staff did not seem to know what they were doing, it seemed as if I constantly had to remind them that they did not pay a bet, did not remove a lost bet, paid my winnings to another player, or they just did not seem to understand their games themselves. My biggest disappointment in the Casino came from the Texas Hold-Em table, which was only opened once during the cruise, was dealt by a dealer that did not seem to understand the game, and had an outrageous rake of 10% to $10 per hand, most poker rooms, including the poker table on Carnival Paradise, only rake $3-$4 per hand and lower that rake when they don’t have a full game this casino seemed to figure that they could take the players for all they could.

Internet Access, both on the ship terminals and wireless was sporadic at best. I often had 5 bars when I was wireless and could not even connect to the ships server to sign in. When using the ships terminals I rarely was able to get past the login screen and was signed out several times when I attempted to go to Gmail or the other forums. This could be viewed as a positive as it limited my time online and I didn’t get to go to any girlies sites. *wink*

Our stop in San Francisco, CA was great. We crossed under the Golden Gate Bridge around 6:15 in the morning and the lighting was great. We have been on that bridge before and it seemed small, but crossing under it is magnificent and a view that many people don’t get. We docked at pier 35, which is one of the older cruise terminals on the west coast. Unfortunately this terminal is more of a warehouse then a processing facility but it did serve sufficiently as a gateway to the city for us. We did not take any excursions but we did disembark and wander along the waterfront to Fisherman’s Wharf and then over to Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory (A must-do stop in San Francisco). We then paid for a Metro Day Pass and took the cable car over to Chinatown, which proved to be an interesting walk. We then took the cable car back to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Streetcar back to the ship.

Disembarking the ship in Victoria, BC was a chaotic mess, on previous trips the elevators to the gangway were disabled for the gangway deck so that guests could line up from the upper deck and not be dropped by the elevator in the beginning of the crowd allowing late comers to move in front of other guests that had been waiting patiently for the gangway to be placed and opened for disembarking. Instead guests that did not feel the need to wait in line were allowed to move in front of other guests and were being directed into place by the activities director, this really hit a sore spot for me.

When we arrived at our final port in Vancouver, BC things moved extremely well. While we had to wait for out group to be called we waited in one of the lounges and enjoyed some Seattles Best Coffee served by a delightful young lady who gave me the news that the Vision of the Seas will be taking over the 3-Night/4-Night Baja Itineraries that the Monarch of the Seas currently handles in the next year or so, this means I will get several more visits to the Vision as L.A. makes the best spot for a weekend getaway right now.

While I identified a lot of negatives in this review overall we did enjoy ourselves, but we can see several areas where the crew of the Vision of the Seas could improve if this is reflective of their normal attitude. Hopefully we can schedule a trip on the Vision when it is on a regular itinerary and we can see what a trip then would be like.

Our adventure for this vacation continues with a one night cruise on the Norwegian Star and a trip home on Amtrak’s Cascades, so watch for reviews of these trips.
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/north-up-the-pacific-coast-vision-of-the-seas-review-169300.html

Yang wins WSOP bracelet, $8.25 million

LAS VEGAS -- California psychologist Jerry Yang attacked when he sensed weakness, and when he needed a miracle, his prayers were answered.


Yang began playing poker only two years ago, but he quickly jumped from eighth to first in chips at the final table of the World Series of Poker's main event.


Then he used his dominant position to knock out seven of eight challengers to take home a $8.25 million payday and poker's most coveted bracelet early Wednesday morning.


"I study my opponents very carefully, and when I sensed something, when I sensed some weakness, I took a chance," said Yang, 39. "Even if I had nothing, I decided to raise, reraise, push all-in or make a call."




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Yang and a huge mountain of cash were all that was left after plowing through a field of 6,358 players that began to play in stages July 6. Everyone paid or won $10,000 to enter the no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event, the biggest poker tournament of the year.


The ethnic Hmong immigrant from Laos had nearly the shortest stack of chips when nine finalists began play at about noon Tuesday and was surely the shortest statured at 5-foot-3.


But the married father of six was an intimidating force at the table from the beginning whenever he stood up to stare down an opponent or to reach for his chips.


In what surely will be one of the most talked-about face-offs this year, Yang quickly declared an all-in reraise on the ninth hand of play, and Lee Childs, a 35-year-old software engineer from Reston, Va., folded pocket queens, face up, on a board with a seven, four and deuce.

"I raised when I had even deuce-four. You know, nine-10; seven-deuce even," Yang said later. "And fortunately they folded."


Later, when players fought back, they were quickly mowed down.


Philip Hilm, a 31-year-old Dane making a living from poker in England, busted out after pushing all-in against Yang with a pair of fives after the flop and the chance for a flush.


Yang made the call holding an ace and king for a pair of kings and Hilm never improved, finishing ninth for $525,934.


"I couldn't just sit and let him dominate the table like that," Hilm said. "I don't know if he was really catching lots of cards or if he was just lucky at the right moments. I guess we'll know when we watch the TV."


Lee Watkinson, a 40-year-old poker pro from Cheney, Wash., pushed all-in before the flop with an ace and seven, but Yang read through the show of strength by calling with an ace and nine and Watkinson fell in eighth for a $585,699 payday.

"I was playing for the bracelet," Watkinson said. "I wasn't going for third, fourth or even second. I wanted to make a play and be a contender."


Childs, who quit his job a month ago to play poker for a living, finished seventh with $705,229 when he went all-in with a king and jack against Yang, with a jack and eight. Childs lost when an eight came on the turn.


"My goal when I came in to the tournament was to trust my instincts, make the right decision and hopefully not get unlucky," Childs said. "I was that close to doubling up."


Hevad Khan, an Internet poker pro from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., finished in sixth when his ace and queen of spades couldn't top a pair of jacks belonging to a surging Yang. Khan didn't seem disappointed with sixth place and his $956,243 payday as he celebrated with friends in the audience.


Jon Kalmar, a 34-year-old poker pro from Chorley, England, was the only player to bust out against someone other than Yang. He lost a head-to-head bet against South African retiree Raymond Rahme when his ace and king failed to improve against Rahme's pocket jacks.


Kalmar proclaimed himself "thrilled" with his prize and said he intended to use his $1.25 million in winnings for finishing fifth to pay bills and perhaps buy a car back home.

Alex Kravchenko, 36, was Yang's next victim, when he was all-in before the flop with an ace and king but Yang nailed three of a kind, holding a pocket pair of eights. Kravchenko finished in fourth with $1.85 million.


Rahme went down when he pushed all-in with pocket kings on a board with an ace. After several minutes of pacing and a stare down, Yang made the call holding an ace and a five, for two aces, and Rahme shook his head in resignation.


"That was the only mistake I made in the whole tournament," Rahme said.


When play got down to heads-up, Yang face another refugee from South Asia, Tuan Lam, a 40-year-old Vietnamese Canadian online poker pro from Mississauga, Ontario.


Yang had 104.5 million in chips to Lam's 23 million and it took several hands for both players to get into an all-in confrontation.


Lam made his move with an ace and queen of diamonds and Yang called with pocket eights.


When a queen, five and nine came on the flop, it looked like Lam, waving a Canadian flag, would be on the verge of a miracle comeback.


But a seven on the turn and a six on the river gave Yang a straight, sealing a win.


Lam earned $4.84 million for his second-place finish.


"I was patient and waited for the big hand, but the cards came out different," Lam said. "I have been through a hard life. And I will be going back to Vietnam and giving back."


The finalists ranged in age from 22 to 62, and hailed from five nations: the U.S., Canada, Russia, England and South Africa. By birthplace, players also were from Laos, Vietnam and Denmark.


Each had their section of fans in the audience, and the arena took on the air of an Olympic event as supporters broke out into national songs every time their player won a big hand.


From the time he made it into the money with a guaranteed $20,320 a week ago, Yang vowed to give 10 percent to charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Feed the Children, and the Ronald McDonald House.


After making $8.25 million, Yang said he planned to put his children through college, allow his wife to quit working and give back to the community.


"I had a strategy last night. The only way that I could win this tournament was by being aggressive from the very beginning and that's exactly what I did," he said. "And thank God I was also able to pick up some good cards at the same time."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

WSOP Champions - Day 5

At 11:35 a.m. the morning before Day 5, I walked outside to the smoking section of the Rio. I'd seen Scotty Nguyen walking out there and I didn't need any other excuse. When I found him, he was talking with Huck Seed.

You'd be hard-pressed to find two more different characters. Scotty stands 5-foot-7, and Huck is 6-7. Scotty wears gaudy jewelry and a greased up prototype mullet of power. Huck's hair is short and dries the old-fashioned way. He wears a T-shirt, shorts and sandals. Huck comes from an upper-middle class American background. Scotty comes from as far away from that as is humanly possible.


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Nguyen's tale is the American dream. Born in Vietnam, he floated out to sea in the search for liberty at just 13 years old. The gas ran out and the boat was adrift for more than a day before being discovered and taken to Hong Kong. "When I was out there on that boat … I was too young to think about it. We were all out there, together. The adults knew we were in trouble, but I was too young to know any better."

Scott Nguyen

Gail Oskin/WireImage.com

Nguyen is ready to make another run at the title.

Death never entered his mind, a befitting fact for a man who chooses to live life to its fullest every day.

From Hong Kong, Scotty made his way to America, became a poker dealer, learned from the beats of others and then went pro himself. He earned his happy ending in 1998, when he won the World Series of Poker championship, goading his final opponent, Kevin McBride, "You call this one, it's all over, baby." He did and it was.

Seed's story begins on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. That's where Mark Twain set his now famous tales that brought to popularity one Huckleberry Finn. It was that famous rascal that Huck's father fell in love with, ultimately leading to his son's name. It's hard to believe Seed, the son of intellectual Californians, has been caught up in this world for almost 20 years now, since he barely looks a day over 30. Still, it was he who backed Brad Daugherty's 1991 WSOP victory, and his has been an important presence since.

Seed is a tough nut to crack (groan). I interviewed him on camera before the penultimate day of play in the $50,000 HORSE, asking him "What does winning this event mean?" He answered, "It means the winner has all the chips," then smiled as I disintegrated, speechless under the lights. That's his sense of humor. He's a quiet man, often lost in the lack of expression he exhibits at the tables. He shouldn't be.

Beneath that exterior is one of the more fascinating characters in poker lore. A boy champion whose skill is only transcended by his will to gamble. This is a man who once won a bet by playing five rounds of golf in one day, and who had the fortitude to shoot a better score in each round. He possesses all of the qualities of the classic gambler. Ready and waiting for the right bet to come along, always looking for those few percentage points for an advantage and willing to put everything he has on the right bet at the right time. Televised poker displays excitement in the form of yelling, self-admitted buffoons capturing the camera's interest. The expressions they exhibit sum up the craziness of Seed's life.

Seed and Scotty. They're the last two world champions standing as of the start of Day 5, and with those titles, our greatest hopes for a champion with pedigree. We need one. The succession of Varkyoni, Moneymaker, Raymer, Hachem and Gold has done its job. It's shown the world you don't need to be a TV pro to win the big one, and in doing so inspired the folks at home to throw down their stack of high society to play in the "Big One." Now's the time, though. We need a name champion.

Why now? Here are a few reasons:

• Renewed interest in televised poker. Having a guy who the world already knows win this thing will give the fans a reason to go back to their TV sets.

• Proof of skill. With so many anti-poker arguments being based on the luck element, it sure would be nice to be able to point a finger at the world champion and yell "See?!?!?"

• A new story. Even though Raymer and Hachem were not in fact amateurs, their lack of familiarity to the public has led to the same story being told for five years. We need a new story to tell when talking about the champion.

• An old story. A win by a familiar face will remind us of the times that made them familiar. Revisiting our past revisits our foundation and celebrates our evolution. (I know, I'm a broken record on this one.)

Of course, it doesn't need to be Scotty or Seed. There are plenty of names left who'd make the old-schoolers happy with a championship run. Guys like Humberto Brenes, Lee Watkinson and Kirk Morrison. Even young balla Daniel Alaei, who represent the days of old either by virtue of having been there or carrying on the traditions. Those guys, though, don't bring the magic that a repeat champion would.

When I saw the two champions talking as Scotty pulled on a cigarette, I asked them if there was any kind of fraternity amongst the former champions. Scotty, who calls everyone "baby" in part because he can't remember their names, told me "I don't even know who they all are. Huck and I are friends, though. I see him, and I call him Huck, baby."

The baby was for me. He doesn't know my name. Neither one was feeling any additional pressure because of their past titles, but the similarities in approach ended there.

"I can feel it, baby," Scotty told me, head held high, walking slowly, with confidence, every bit his cool self. If the first few hours of play were any indication, he really was. By 3 p.m., he'd moved into sixth place on the leader board.

For Huck, it was just another day at the tables. "I've been playing really badly, but I feel pretty good today. I think I'm going to play well." If he'd been playing so badly, how was he still around? "Well, the rest have played worse." Everyone's a critic.

These two represent the past with their accomplishments and the game with the way they carry themselves. Poker isn't just a deck of cards. It's a lifestyle, an escape from the mundane, and an existence of ups and downs more exciting than the biggest Hollywood blockbuster. They may both come from completely different worlds, but Huck Seed and Scotty Nguyen both represent that, while also happening to be owners of the single most sought-after trinket in the industry: a main event bracelet. Personally, I hope in the end it comes down to them playing for another one. It's time for a champions' champion.

WSOP 2007 - Day 3

WSO … WT? by: Andrew Feldman
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Welcome to the 2007 World Series of … Who's That?

In a shortened Day 2A yesterday, 983 players were eliminated, leaving 350 players from Days 1A and 1B still alive.

Out of those 350 players, I think the press core knows about 10, maybe 15 of them, most notably Huckleberry Seed, Kenny Tran, Kirk Morrison, Scotty Nguyen, Minh Ly, Robert Mizrachi and Jared Hamby. Actor Tobey Maguire and poker/mom Shirley Williams also made it through.

Which brings me back to the most common saying among the press and tournament staff yesterday as we walked around trying to gauge the chip leaders: "Who is that?"



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The limited number of name players is shocking, but it probably shouldn't be. When I wrote my first blog about Day 1A, I asked where the pros were. Well, those same names that didn't show on Day 1A didn't make it through for Day 2.

Today's crop of 1,313 players should prove to be a little different because there are more big names entering play. Daniel Negreanu ($47,100), Carlos Mortensen ($86,800), Chris Ferguson ($55,000), Daniel Alaei ($187,800), Gavin Smith ($50,000), Gus Hansen ($100,000) and JC Tran ($100,200) highlight the field which many pros view as a second Day 1. With so many no-names out there, it's just another mine-filled day.

One of the chip leaders is Kenny Tran, who is stacked near $500,000. How does he credit his accumulation?

"I'm really surprised," Tran said. "The play, even this deep into Day 2 is just bad. It's really bad."

However, bad play does get rewarded from time to time &133; a little too often.

In Level 2 yesterday with the blinds $600/$1,200, antes $100, a player second to act raised to $4,000. Three callers later it was up to Mark Seif in the big blind. Seif pushed all-in for $35,000 and immediately the initial raiser reraised again. Seif turns to me, tells me he has kings and says he's up against aces. After some deliberation, the other callers fold and the cards are turned up.

Seif's worries aren't validated as his opponent turns up pocket 10s. Seif is amazed by his opponent's actions, along with everyone else at the table, and is even more amazed when the river is a 10, sending Seif to the rail.

But what happened next was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

"Nice call man. Good pot."

Now, this wasn't said sarcastically in any way. It was a genuine compliment and even the player that had won the pot was sort of wondering if he was being mocked. He wasn't.

This player genuinely complimented his opponent, thinking that making the call with 10s was the right move. Who cares that he was a 4-to-1 dog? Apparently, going in with the best of it doesn't really apply in the 2007 WSOP.

One last note about yesterday's play: The chip leader, Jon Moonves, is stacked at $570,000 and seemed truly excited to be in his position. He admitted to ESPN.com's video crew that he wasn't the best player in the tournament, but knew that everything is working out in his favor so far. Although you might not know Jon, you may have heard of his brother Les, who is the CEO of CBS. Moonves was sporting a hat with the logo for ClubUBT.com, the blackjack tour broadcast on CBS.

So who will make it through today's play? Since the players will need to play through 4½ levels, I'm looking at around 400-450 players remaining for a total of around 800 players coming back to Day 3, when the money bubble will be burst.

Vinny Vinh: In and out

The Vinny Vinh saga continued today as players return back for their second day of action. Vinh did indeed show up to play his extremely short stack and he pushed his $3,200 forward on the second hand of the day to be eliminated.

After Gary Wise reported on his problems in two earlier columns, Vinh's issues continued on Day 1A, when his stack was taken out of play by tournament director Jack Effel. Everyone thought Vinh wasn't playing, but then on Day 1D, Vinh showed up and amassed $32,000 by the dinner break. However, after dinner, all that was left was Vinh's chip stack and chair. For a third time during this WSOP, Vinh left in the middle of a tournament.

Dealer problems are back:

During dinner last night, ESPN Poker Club winner Leroy Martin spoke about his experience here at the WSOP. Although he noted that the blinds went up too quickly, his main problem centered on the dealers he's seen at the event.

"In one hand, a dealer flipped over one of the player's cards and immediately collected the cards that were already dealt to reshuffle," Martin said. "What happened to using the card as the burn card and continuing to deal?"

Martin continued to mention how at one point they didn't have a dealer because one of their dealers pushed and was never replaced for a couple of minutes.

Other players mentioned to me that dealers weren't pushing late on Day 2A/B because the floor people didn't know when play would end. Imagine having a dealer who had given you nothing for his shift at the table, and he won't leave. It's probably more frustrating than anything else when you're as superstitious as most poker players can be.


Small blinds: Minh Ly told me that after his second day ended, he was going to play in the big game to make some "real money." … Numerous players are mad there is not enough play in this event and the blinds go up too fast. … Kenny Tran told me right as play was ending last night that, "This should not be the structure of the main event. There's not enough play with these levels." … Some players who are playing Day 2C/D are anxious to see just how fast the blinds increase. "I've heard it gets rough at the end of the day,'' Shawn Chaconas said. "But I guess I'll have to wait and see." … Quote of the day: "He has like $200,000! Table change!!" -- Unknown player. … Mr. Peanut walking around throughout the day, shaking hands and hugging people, is hysterical. OK, it's more strange than hysterical, but that's what you get for being an official sponsor. … Another official sponsor is PokerWater, which is supposed to keep you healthy at the table -- drink it if you can. … Sam Simon, the co-creator of "The Simpsons," is still alive and Homer references are flying everywhere.

WSOP 2007 - DAY 1 AND DAY 2 UPDATE

by: Andrew Feldman
posted: Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Finally, the players showed up, and even though we're looking at a 25 percent decrease in the size of the field from last year, the fact that this is the second-largest turnout in poker tournament history with 6,358 players shows that poker is indeed alive and well.

I'm going to avoid going into the reasons of the decrease because I've mentioned them earlier, so I'll jump right into the play that I've noticed over the four starting days. As I noted in yesterday's small blinds, I thought the play was getting better. I think that may still hold true, except for Day 1D. I have no idea what some of these players were doing yesterday. Seriously.



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I must have missed the poker strategy session in which top pair became the stone cold nuts. I honestly started laughing yesterday when watching this hand:

The player third to act raises three times the big blind. Now, I have no prior information on any of these players; I'm simply walking by. The player in the big blind calls the raise and we're off to the flop. The flop is 8-3-2 and the big blind leads out for half the pot. Instantly the preflop raiser moves all-in and is insta-called by … A-8 for the big blind's tournament's life. Does it matter that the initial raiser had aces? What happened here? Wow.

I wasn't the only one laughing. The rest of the table looked incredulously at the call. The dealer even cracked a smile as he said, "Seat open!"

OK, so it's just one player right? Wrong.

How about another table where a player had A-10 and moved all-in on a flop of 10-5-4 only to run into pocket jacks, or a player pushing with A-Q on a board of Q-9-6, only to run into a set of sixes. Top pair, top kicker is not the nuts. Someone should really let the field know.

After speaking to Joseph Hachem during one of the breaks on his starting day, he thought the play was better. He was at the TV table and noted how much tighter the players were.

"They just want more time on TV, so they keep on folding down to me," Hachem said. "I can really walk all over the table. They don't want to get involved."

Hachem's experience may have been the exception, a theory 2003 champ Chris Moneymaker fully endorsed at a PokerStars media gathering Monday.

"The play is much worse than last year," Moneymaker said. "I'd raise, they'd call. They'd call me all the way down, betting on every flop, and finally they'd show me pocket twos."

Apparently the feature table brought out something different in Moneymaker's experience than Hachem's. He had to adjust to the calling stations and finally raked most of his chips in during the last level of the night. Hachem just had to take advantage.

I wish I could say that it was just the amateurs that were making moves at the wrong times, but unfortunately, I can't. What's the No. 1 rule in poker? Don't bluff a calling station.

It seems as if the pros haven't gotten it out of their heads that the field this year doesn't like to lay hands down. Raising on a semi-bluff led to the end of Phil Ivey's main event in the early levels. Mike Matusow tried to buy a pot and paid for it. Over and over again, hands have been caught going in the cookie jar and seen exiting the Amazon room quickly afterward.

The pros seem to have an "accumulate or die" attitude, and pushing on draws has been a common strategy … which has failed. The only problem is, even if the amateurs the pros are facing have middle pair, they won't let it go on the draw. The pros are essentially putting their tournament life on the line, trying to get their opponents off their hands, only to realize it's impossible. Laying down any kind of hand is rare so far this year, and I think the pros that were eliminated early didn't adjust to the new type of play out there … or they may have felt it wasn't worth their time.

***************************************

In an extremely strange experience, I watched Phil Hellmuth bust out yesterday. I'm not saying it was strange to watch him bust out, but it was the style in which he busted which shocked me.

Unfortunately, I missed the three back-to-back hands in which Hellmuth went on tilt and lost most of his chips, but when I went back to his table, he had $1,800 in chips left … before the dinner break.

Then I started to shake my head at the greatest tournament no-limit hold 'em player in the world. Hellmuth then blinded himself out, but not before limping into pots over and over again. No preflop raises -- just limps or calls. I'd never seen anything like it, and the spectators standing nearby agreed. It was, for lack of a better word, strange.

Of course, I didn't know what he was playing, but his body language said it all. He was frustrated, angry, maybe even a little sad, and he couldn't do anything about it. To cap it all off, Hellmuth was all-in when he was in the big blind. That's it. No under-the-gun push. He folded down until he was in the big blind and went into the hand hoping to pick up a monster big blind and double up. He didn't, was eliminated, and went out without even a good rant or chair throw. It just wasn't the Phil we know.

Was he still shaking off the cobwebs from his car accident or was there another reason for his lethargy yesterday? I'll see if I can find out what happened if he shows up around here during the remainder of the main event.

The numbers

You've been waiting for it, so here are the payouts for the final table:

First: $8.25 million
Second: $4.8 million
Third: $3 million
Fourth: $1.85 million
Fifth: $1.25 million
Sixth: $956,243
Seventh: $705,229
Eighth: $585,699
Ninth: $525,934

The good thing is that with the new payout structure, even if you make the lowest level of the payouts (550th-621st place), you'll make $20,320, more than double your entry.

Day 2A/B

Today marks the first of the Day 2s, and with 1,037 players coming back, tournament director Jack Effel said they'll play five levels. The question is, with 300 more players coming back for Day 2C/D (more players turned out on those two starting days), how many players will remain from each day, and will it be fair? When asked what will happen if after four levels they're down to 200 players, he said, "That's the decision I'll have to make."

Look for probably around 400 players leaving today's action. Some of the notable names (and their chip counts) coming back for their second day: Barry Greenstein ($93,600), Brandon Adams (120,400), Brad Garrett ($69,400), Cliff Josephy ($117,700), Dan Harrington ($43,600), Farzad Bonyadi ($92,900), Hoyt Corkins ($42,000), James Van Alstyne ($91,200), Joe Hachem ($35,300), Jeff Madsen (76,100), Julian Gardner ($120,900), Paul Wasicka ($22,200), Robert Mizrachi ($80,900), Mark Seif ($72,100), Scotty Nguyen ($129,00), Scott Bohlman ($120,800) and Tobey Maguire ($24,200).

Jamie Gold will not be making a run at back-to-back bracelets -- he was eliminated after dinner on Monday. Gold admitted he didn't play too well, but this won't be the last we heard from the 2006 champ. Other names eliminated Monday include Freddy Deeb, David Benyamine, Erick Lindgren, Brad Booth and Chip Reese.

Small blinds: The Amazon room may be 50 degrees to start Day 2A/B. Players are bundling up. … Peter Feldman was called Andrew Feldman on the golf course by a poker fan and now Gavin Smith refers to him as Andrew. Talk about insulting … for Peter! The man has two circuit wins! … Harrah's takes nearly $4 million in rake to pay the dealers, tournament staff, etc. However, they put up $19,000 to make the first-place prize an even $8.25 million … The round of applause that Hellmuth received as he walked out was interesting. I'm not sure if it was a mocking, "Yay, he's gone." Or a respectful, "Well done, sir." … Benyamine and Erica Schoenberg sat in adjacent tables yesterday. The dating duo unfortunately had their tables broken and both were eliminated.

WSOP Day 1 Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d8n8B8jozlM

WSOP 2007 - WSOP entrants down as play begins in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- The main event of the World Series of Poker is on pace to undershoot last year's total significantly and trim several million dollars off the top place prize. Organizers said the event kicked off the first of four opening days with 1,287 players. If the same number register over each of the four opening days, the 5,150 total would be far fewer than the 8,773 who participated last year.


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Fewer entrants means the prize pool will likely be smaller. According to the payout structure sheet, this year's winner is likely to take home $7.6 million, less than the $12 million awarded to last year's winner, Jamie Gold.


It would mark the first decrease in the number of entrants at the $10,000 buy-in main event since 1992 and was widely blamed on a U.S. law signed by President Bush in October that cracks down on online gambling.


The law prohibits banks and other payment processors from handling cash transactions from U.S.-based players to and from online poker sites, which prevented many online qualifiers from lining up to play.


"Last year you had PartyPoker.com sending a ton of people. You had ParadisePoker.com sending quite a few, you had SunPoker.com and all the other smaller sites," Bluff magazine publisher Eric Morris said. "And they're not filling the seats this year."
Tournament commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said organizers were focused on making the tournament better, not necessarily bigger.


"Whether it's 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, or 10,000, this will still be the biggest, richest, most prestigious poker tournament in the world," Pollack said. "Whoever wins will walk away a multimillionaire, lives will be changed and some great poker will be played."
The tournament had set up a high-tech tent area for several tables of play outside the host site Rio hotel-casino -- giving it a capacity for 12,000 players over the first four days -- but abandoned it after temperatures soared above 110 degrees and it was difficult to keep cool. Players also lined up nine to a table instead of 10 last year.


But the odds against making it through the large field were still colossal. As usual, play began in a circus-like atmosphere. Las Vegas entertainer George Wallace announced the traditional "shuffle up and deal!" Comedians Ray Romano and Brad Garrett, from the TV series "Everybody Loves Raymond," yucked it up as ESPN camera crews rolled. "Are you able to get his entire nose in the shot?" Garrett quipped.


Jeff Madsen, a 22-year-old who became the youngest player to win an event bracelet last year, then followed up with a second, appeared in a black and red jester suit after losing a bet with pros Gavin Smith and Joe Sebok. Smith was also to appear as a clown on his starting day.
"Maybe people will play different against me because they think I'm a joke," Madsen said.
And in World Series tradition, the first player got knocked out, losing their $10,000 buy-in, within the first 10 minutes of play.


Luke Staudenmaier, a 21-year-old online poker player from Pittsburgh, called an all-in raise before the flop with pocket aces. When his opponent showed an ace and king of clubs, Staudenmaier said he was "elated," because he was a huge favorite to double up his chip stack. But his opponent made a flush, and Staudenmaier's million-dollar dream ended.
"I'm sure I'll never live it down although I couldn't do anything to change it," he said. "I guess it just wasn't meant to be."


Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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High Stakes Poker - How to To Play Three-Card Poker

Introduction

Three-card poker, sometimes called tricard poker, involves using three cards to make a winning poker hand to beat the dealer. Three-card poker actually consists of two separate games, ante and pairplus. The ante game is strictly your hand against the dealer. The pairplus game offers a payout for all hands of a pair or better. Three-card poker can provide hours of entertainment if you follow these steps to refine your strategy.



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1Step One
Sit down at a three-card table, noticing the two circles and a square on the felt in front of you. The top circle is for your pairplus bet, the lower circle is for your ante bet, and the square is for your cards and your bet to play. Decide whether you're going to play an ante bet, a pairplus bet, or both. Place your bet by putting chips on the designated spots.

2Step Two
Take the three cards dealt to you by the dealer from an automatic shuffler. Don't touch the cards until the dealer tells you to. Then pick up your hand and look at your cards. If you have a pair or better, your best strategy is to keep the hand. Put the cards face down in the square and place a chip or chips on top of it to stay in the game. Your bet to stay in the game must equal your ante bet. If you are just playing the pairplus, just set the cards face down.

3Step Three
Check your cards to see if you have a queen or higher if you do not have a pair. Stay in with this hand. The dealer must have a queen or higher or a pair or better to play the game. If the dealer doesn't, you get your money back. If the dealer has a queen and you have something higher, you win. If you and the dealer both have queens, the person with the next highest card wins.

4Step Four
Fold if you do not have a queen or a pair or better. Toss the cards face down over your ante or pairplus bet, signaling that you fold. The dealer will collect your money and you will be out until the next hand.

5Step Five
Set your cards down if you are staying in. Don't touch them. The dealer will turn over his cards first, then the cards of each of the players. If you bet the ante bet and have a higher hand than the dealer, you win even money on the ante. If you have a pair or higher, and bet the pairplus, you win a multiplier of your bet. These multipliers are printed on the felt in front of you. There are also ante multipliers for certain hands.

6Step SixThe dealer will pay your money or take your money after looking at your hand. Then you can either collect your winnings or place your bet for the next game.

Tips & Warnings

Some players like to "play blind" without looking at their cards. This strategy can help you win even money if the dealer doesn't qualify, instead of losing money by folding too early. It can also make the game more exciting.

The more money you wager on the pairplus, the more money you're going to win. However, you also risk losing that money quickly.

The goal is to hit a pairplus bet. As in all poker games, a straight flush—three cards of the same suit in sequence—has the highest payout. Three-of-a-kind has the second highest payout.

Straights, flushes and pairs also have payouts. While you can win a lot of money in three-card poker, you can also lose a lot of money quickly. Be sure to watch your stack and use thoughtful strategy to place your bets.

Poker Strategy - How to Bluff While Playing Poker

Steps
1Step One
Bluff sparingly. The quickest way to give away your bluff is by doing it on every hand. Don't be the guy who bluffs just to bluff. Not only does it tick off everyone else at the table, but you'll lose your money pretty quickly. While bluffing can be effective, "if you don't have the hand, a chance you do not stand!"



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2Step Two
Do the math. This is called gaming the odds. Check out poker books by Doyle Brunson to learn even more about this as well as poker overall. But take a moment to look at what's on the table and what you are holding. Try and figure out other hands people might have. If the board is showing the possibility of an open ended straight, there are a lot of people who can beat your hand. And if they're looking down at the straight holding a very high card, they're going to know you are full of it. However, if the board is a rainbow of suits, and none of the others seem as if they could really add up to something, now you've got something, because the other players at the table won't be so interested in sticking around. If the odds are in your favor, you may just have something.

3Step Three
Play consistent. If it's a loose game and people are telling jokes, keep telling jokes. If people are serious and focused, mirror their action. Never get too excited, never seem too upset. This will give you an overall manner at the table that keeps them guessing. Also habitualize your movements, meaning repeat them every time. If you "sigh" every time you look at your cards, sigh every time you look at your cards. You get the idea.

4Step Four
Bet aggressively. One way to begin a bluff is to bet aggressively from the outset of the hand. (This doesn't mean stupidly or on every hand.) But every game of poker has several rounds of betting. By betting aggressively, you will immediately intimidate your opponent and make them think that you've "got something." Also, if a great card is suddenly laid on the board, the ace of spades for instance, next time it is your turn to bet, bet aggressively. This will make your opponent think that you've suddenly caught a card that enhances your hand in a big way.

5Step Five
Keep your cards to yourself after a bluff. Different people have different house rules on this. But in theory, it should be up to you to show whether or not you show your hand after the round is completed. You do not want the other players to see if you had a good or bad hand. (Of course this step assumes that your bluff has worked and the other players have folded to you. If someone called you out all the way through the last round of betting, you obviously have to show your cards to see who won.)

6Step Six
Have a story. If your bluff fails, be sure to be able to explain what you were trying to do. Don't just say "I was bluffing." Make something up, "I thought I was going to catch an ace." Or "I shouldn't have done it, but I was going for the open ended straight." Even if it makes you sound like a moron, at least it will cover your bluff so that you can try it again later in the game!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2050992_bluff-playing-poker.html

Video Poker - Western North Carolina businesses raided in video poker investigation

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Associated Press - June 29, 2007 7:45 AM ET

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A big video poker bust in the mountains.

Federal agents yesterday raided at least eight businesses in Buncombe and Madison counties, where they seized records and video gambling machines.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports a wide-ranging investigation into illegal video gambling operations in western North Carolina has already resulted in nearly two million dollars stashed in a man's house. It's also closed what one sheriff called an "underground casino."

Current law allows players to win up to $10 in merchandise. Cash payouts are illegal.

The investigation has found gambling operations illegally paying cash prizes typically of 60 and $90.

North Carolina will ban all video gambling machines and make it a misdemeanor to possess one starting Sunday.

Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

Poker Stars.net -Poker Stars.com - PokerStars launches Asia Pacific Poker Tour

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PokerStars launches Asia Pacific Poker Tour
BY: editor@pokerpapers.com
PUBLISHED: Friday Jun 29, 2007 05:19 AM

Over the past several years, PokerStars has sent players far and wide to play in some of the world's richest poker events. From Las Vegas to the Bahamas to Monte Carlo, PokerStars players have won millions upon millions of dollars on all of the world's biggest poker tournament series. Now, PokerStars is getting ready to offer satellites to a brand new poker circuit, The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT).



Sponsored by PokerStars, the APPT already has stops scheduled in the Philippines, Korea, and Australia, with more dates to be confirmed. The APPT has set these events up in some of the world's greatest casinos and plans to televise the tournaments around the world.

Manila, Philippines
August 24 - 26, 2007
Buy-in: $2,500

Seoul, Korea
September 28 - 30, 2007
Buy-in: $2,500

Sydney, Australia
December
Buy-in: $5,000

I'm not sure how many countries I've seen while following PokerStars satellite winners around the globe. Regardless, no matter where I go, I never fail to be impressed by how much the winners enjoy their trips. For many of them, the chance to see the world is as important as the chance of winning millions in a poker tournament. I suspect the APPT will be much the same way. There aren't many people, or many poker players, who get a chance to see the parts of the world that will be visited by the APPT.

Satellites for a $5,000 prize package to the Philippines event begin on PokerStars on July 1. Qualifying tournaments will run daily and start at $22. For more information on how you can qualify online for the APPT, visit the PokerStars APPT Satellites page.

This EPT Blog is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events Europe has to offer at PokerStars.com.

World Series of Poker - Deeb nabs $2.3 million in 5th biggest World Series of Poker prize

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Deeb nabs $2.3 million in 5th biggest World Series of Poker prize
By RYAN NAKASHIMA
Associated Press Writer

Deeb nabs $2.3 million in 5th biggest World Series of Poker prize

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas poker pro Freddy Deeb won $2.3 million early Friday morning, beating out a field of 148 players in what is considered one of the most coveted bracelets in the World Series of Poker.

Deeb won the $50,000 buy-in HORSE event after a grueling 15-hour final table match that began play at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Joking throughout the match, Deeb kept up the humor until the 5 a.m. finish.

"You know what did it? The lucky shirt," he said.

The winner's purse was the fifth biggest in World Series history, falling just short of the $2.5 million that Chris Moneymaker won when he emerged from an Internet qualifier to beat a field of 839 in 2003.

There were five more players than last year's HORSE event, which contributed an extra quarter of a million dollars to the prize pool. Organizers also skewed the payouts to favor the final winner, a top-heavy format aimed to please the many players for whom the $50,000 buy-in is mere pocket change.

"These are all accomplished players," said tournament media director Nolan Dalla. "If they're going to play five days, they want the big money at the end."

Top names including Phil Hellmuth, Barry Greenstein and Annie Duke sat down to play the marathon event Sunday in a field that had more World Series bracelet winners than not. The $10,000 main event begins next Friday.

It marked the second bracelet for Deeb, who won his first in a deuce-to-seven lowball event in 1996.

Second place finisher, French poker pro Bruno Fitoussi, left with a $1,278,720 payday. Fitoussi said afterward he had played many high-limit poker games in Las Vegas and Paris with Deeb, with whom he had become good friends.

"To lose to Freddy, it's a lot easier," he said. "I'm happy, not 100 percent happy, but I'm happy, absolutely."

Third place and $852,480 went to John Hanson, a New York stock options trader, who said he was drawn to the pro-filled event by the challenge of trying to "beat them at their own game."

He said his trading experience helped him to the biggest tournament win of his life.

"There's a lot of similarities between trading and playing poker. I think both are governed by fear and greed and you have to balance the two to do well," he said.

HORSE, which stands for five games of poker played in rotation - Hold'Em, Omaha, Razz, Stud and Eight or Better - tests the all-around player more than the No Limit Hold'Em game, which was born in Texas and has become the most popular poker game worldwide.

The event was also played with betting limits, meaning dramatic "all-ins" were eliminated in favor of skills demonstrated over longer sessions of play.

At the final table of the HORSE event a year ago, organizers did away with the five games from earlier rounds in favor of TV-friendly No Limit Hold'Em.

This year's format proved the difference maker in his win, said Deeb, who at one point in the final table was down to 300,000 in chips with 15 million in play.

"I was lucky enough to take a few bad beats and have enough money to come back," he said. "If somebody played bad against you and they put a bad beat on you, it's only a setback, it's not a knockout."

In the crucial second last hand of Eight or Better, a seven card stud game in which the pot is split between high and low hands, Deeb led the betting until he had a five, six, seven and jack showing, while Fitoussi had a pair of twos, a six and a nine.

Fitoussi folded when his three hole cards didn't improve his twos and gave him no low hand. Afterward Deeb revealed he held a five and seven in the hole, giving him two pair.

Fitoussi was left with only enough chips to go all in on the next hand, which he ended up losing with an ace high and no low hand, to Deeb's pair of fives and a low hand to the eight.


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Online Poker - Poker Rooms

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Poker Stars Review

Rating Summary
Player Traffic 10 / 10
Player Quality 7.5 / 10
Software 9.5 / 10
Bonuses and Promotions 8 / 10
Customer Support 9 / 10


Overall Rating: 88%


1st Deposit Bonus: 100% up to $50
Bonus Code: First2007
Valid until 31st Dec 2007

History

Poker Stars opened for play money beta testing September 12th 2001 (FPP first offered - see announcement) and began offering real money games in December 2001. As the leading tournament online poker room it has produced players who won their way to become the 2003 (Chris Moneymaker) and 2004 (Greg Raymer) World Series of Poker Main Event Champions.

Player Traffic 10/10

Up to 10000 cash money players and 75000 tournament players can be found at the Poker Stars tables during peak periods. This makes Poker Stars on a par with Party Poker, for a long time by far the largest online poker room, in terms of player traffic.
Quality of Players 7.5/10

In previous years, Poker Stars has had a reputation of having very tough players at any games or limits. As the player numbers has grown the competition has decreased to a level that is average compared to other rooms as a whole.

Games Offered

Limit

Pot Limit

No Limit

Scheduled
Tournaments

Sit'n'go Tournaments

Hold'em

Omaha

Omaha Hi/Lo

7 Card Stud

7 Card Stud Hi/Lo

Software 9.5/10

Since opening with an extended beta testing stage, Poker Stars has had the most stable and functional software of all the online poker rooms. Even with tournament sizes of more than a thousand people the software runs quickly and smoothly.

The statistics provided to players are comprehensive. The lobby lists tables with average pot size, players per flop and hands per hour. Statistics offered to seated players include flop seen by position, pots won with showdown and pots won without showdown. In tournaments players can also see their current position and the average chip stack sizes of the players remaining.
Bonuses and Promotions 8/10

Poker Stars does not offer a regular first deposit bonus, although on occasions they are offered. There are frequent re-load bonuses, typically 20% up to $120.

Players are able to earn Frequent Player Points (FPP) by playing real money games that can used to enter tournaments or make purchases in the FPP Store. A VIP Club is offered to all players with a variety of membership levels based on the amount of Frequent Player Points earned every month.
Customer Support 9/10

Customer support is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by e-mail only. Responses are received in minutes for the majority of enquiries and the quality of responses is excellent. Poker Stars has some of the most competent customer support representatives in the business.

Poker Hand Ranking - poker cruises

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There are many different variants of poker, but nearly all of them use the same ranking system to decide which hand wins. Therefore whichever type of game you prefer, it's vitally important that you memorise the rankings of all the possible poker hands listed in this article, in order to make calculated betting decisions.

1. Royal Flush

The best hand you can possibly have. It's very rare and you generally only ever see them in TV programs or Hollywood movies. It consists of 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, all of the same suit.

2. Straight Flush

This is the next strongest hand and similarly consists of five cards in numerical order, all of the same suit. The only difference is that the cards are of lower value than a royal flush, eg 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack.

3. Four Of A Kind

As you can imagine, this is where you have four cards of the same number, with the higher set of four winning if two or more players both have four of a kind. For example four 6's would beat four 5's.

4. Full House

This is where you have five cards in your hand and three are of one number and two are of another number. For example Jack, Jack, Jack, 8, 8 or 7, 7, 7, 3, 3. The higher card of the set of three will prevail in the case of two or more players both having a full house.

5. Flush

This is where you hold five cards all of the same suit regardless of their number or ranking. So for example, King, Jack, 6, 4, 3, all of the same suit. The value of the highest card determines who wins in the case of two or more players also making a flush.

6. Straight

This is where you have five cards in numerical order (not of the same suit). As always, the value of the higher card will determine who wins in the case a tie. For example, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen would beat 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

7. Three Of A Kind

This is simply where you have three cards of the same number (and two random cards), with the higher card prevailing in the case of a tie.

8. Two Pair

This is where you have two sets of cards of the same numerical value. For example, 8, 8, 10, 10, King. The highest ranked pair wins in the case of two or more players having two pair.

9. One Pair

A pair is obviously where you simply have a pair of the same number (and three random cards) with the higher pair winning in the case of a tie. For example, Ace, Ace, 8, 5, 3, would beat King, King, 8, 5, 3.

10. High Card

If you don't make any kind of hand listed above, then all you're left relying on is your high card. This only generally comes into play in heads up play, and is simply determined by who has the highest card if neither has made a hand.

If you're serious about becoming a profitable poker player, then the very first thing I suggest you do is to learn these rankings off by heart. You have to know how strong your hand is, and determine how strong your opponents hands could be, and how likely they are to hold a better hand than you.

This is particularly true in online poker where you have a time limit and therefore less time to think than in offline games. In my experience, the hardest thing to remember is whether a full house beats a flush or vice versa, so make sure you've memorised the complete rankings before you go anywhere near a poker table.

How to Save Money on Cruises: Three Simple Strategies

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Learning how to save money on cruises may seem like navigating a maze. After all, you may hear dozens of different prices quoted -- all for the same cruise!

But if you pursue three simple strategies -- from the initial planning stages to the day you disembark from your ship -- you can cruise like royalty and still keep your wallet fat with cash.

First, you want to focus on booking the best deal.

Timing is crucial. The best deals are available either by booking early -- a year or so before a cruise departs -- or by booking late, within two or three months of a ship's departure.

Early booking deals are usually available through travel agents or cruise lines themselves. Late booking deals are typically offered online by huge Internet discounters. If you have plenty of flexibility in your travel plans, late bookings are usually the hottest deals going.

The choice of stateroom is another key. If you plan to spend most of your time on deck or in the ship's public rooms, you can forego pricey extras such as verandahs or even windows -- both of which can add hundreds of dollars to your fare.

Smaller cabins, too, can cost thousands of dollars less than elaborate suites. Yet you might be surprised at how roomy the cabins can be on modern cruise ships.

Second, you'll want to concentrate on tracking down discounts.

You are most likely eligible for discounts on your next cruise:

**If you're traveling as part of a group of friends or family,

**are past age 55,

**have served in the military,

or have sailed with a particular cruise line in the past.

Policies differ by each cruise line, though, so be sure to ask.

You can also find big discounts by choosing off-season sailings or special "repositioning" cruises, in which ships travel from one region to another, such as Alaska to the Caribbean or South America to the Mediterranean.

Third, you'll want to be alert to saving money onboard.

Many cruise lines offer low upfront fares to fill cabins that would otherwise go empty, figuring they'll make up any deficits by charging for lots of extras once you board.

These may include alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, casino gambling, "premium" restaurants, souvenir photographs, and, most expensive of all, organized shore excursions -- which can cost hundreds of dollars apiece.

Remember, though, that all these pricey extras are optional. By carefully establishing an onboard budget -- and sticking to it -- you can keep spending way down.

Once you know how to save money on cruises, you're in for smooth sailing all the way!

Looking for a Bargain? Try Last-minute Cruises

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by Roy Witman

The thought of a last-minute cruise causes most people to think of booking a cruise that departs in the next two or three days. In all actuality, "last-minute cruises" are not really so last minute. Travel professionals define a "last-minute cruise" as one booked between sixty days and six months in advance. That gives plenty of time to find someone to water your plants and feed the dog before leaving.

The primary difference between booking a full-priced cruise and a last-minute cruise is choice. When paying full price, you - obviously - can select when and where you want to go and which type of cabin you'll occupy. With last-minute cruises, there's a tradeoff: a much lower price in exchange for more limited options. When shopping for last-minute cruises, you'll need to be flexible.

Be Flexible with…

Dates

Usually January, February, April, September and October are the best times to cruise. Families tend to stay home while kids are in school, making it less crowded during these months. Spring break (March), summer break (May, June, July and August) and holidays (November and December) will offer few last-minute deals.

Sixty days prior to sailing is when some amazing deals can be found. Most cruise lines allow cancellations without penalty up until sixty days before sailing. In order to recoup lost revenue from these cancellations, the cruise lines resell passages at tremendous bargains. If you have the ability to be flexible with your vacation time, you'll be in a much better position to get fabulously discounted tours.

Destinations

You might expect that only the lesser desirable locations become available for last-minute purchases. Not so! People cancel cruises to destinations all around the world every day for a variety of reasons. This means you can find last-minute cruises to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Mexico and other popular spots.

Accommodations

Lastly, be flexible when it comes to accommodations. Although you may have wanted a balcony suite, you may be just as happy with an ocean-view room if that room is available at 30% to 40% off. There are also numerous instances when you will get a better cabin than you originally planned.

How much can actually be saved? Up to 75%! The key to finding and booking a successful and fun last-minute cruise is to have an open mind. Rather than deciding where you want to go then looking for cruises that match, be surprised! Decide you want to go on vacation, and let the available itineraries make the other decisions for you.

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So you want to go on cruise, but you’re not sure if you can afford it? We’ve put together a list of 5 ways you can save money on your next cruise. Pack your bags, it’s time to set sail on a stellar cruise!


# “Drive-Up Ports” Instead of flying, try driving to a port and parking there. The average price for parking is $12 a day, which is a tremendous savings over flying if you have more than one person on the trip. Many port parking lots offer prepaid parking, which secures your spot.


# Frequent Cruiser Program Joining a benefits program offered by a cruise line may help you get a discount on cruises in the future. Additionally, there are added perks such as priority seating for shows and even chocolate-covered strawberries! The best part is these perks are FREE!


# Spa Discounts on Port Days Many cruise lines offer lower prices for access to their spas on days when the ship is at port.


# Group Cruises Whether your group is a large family, a wedding party, a corporate gathering, or a school group, booking as a group is a great deal. If you’re the one to organize the group, you might even get your cruise for free!


# Military, Teachers, and Senior Citizens, Oh My! If you’re an active military member, a teacher or a senior citizen, be prepared to save on your next cruise. Special cruise deals abound just for you. And sometimes those savings extend to family members who join you for the cruise.


# Book Early It is best if you book early to get the lowest price instead of booking last minute. Cruise lines also honor price drops, so you can receive the lower price of the cruise package.


# Stay tuned If you can’t be flexible with your dates, stay up to date with your scheduled cruise. If the ship is not booking, you might be able to take advantage of a free upgrade or other promotions.


# Find a cruise specialist Going through travel web sites or generalists might end up costing you more money. Only a travel agent who specializes in cruises will be able to get you the best rates.


# Resident Specials Ask for the lower rates that apply to certain state residency, you may be pleasantly surprised!


# Off Peak Travel Plan your trip for off peak travel months and you will get a better deal. Cruises easily fill up during the popular summer travel months and cruise lines have little to no incentive to offer lower prices. Off peak months may depend on what area of the world you wish to travel.

College student wins $1 million on poker cruise - Poker Cruise 6

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Wealth in the cards for U student who won big in poker tourney
The 22-year-old senior won $1 million in a tournament aboard a cruise ship Friday.

By Vadim Lavrusik


Who wants to be a millionaire?
Journalism senior Mike Schneider did.

Although almost everyone has aspirations of becoming a millionaire, for most people it will remain only a dream. But after going on a spring break cruise, 22-year-old Schneider made the dream come true.



Charlie Knutson
University journalism student Mike Schneider won top prize - $1 million - in the Limit Hold'em PartyPoker.com Million V tournament Friday. Schneider won $1 million after competing in the Limit Hold'em PartyPoker.com Million V tournament Friday, which was aboard the MS Westerdam in the Caribbean Sea.
"It is really shocking for me to even think about being a millionaire," Schneider said. "I try not to think about the money too much, because it has never been a priority in my life."

Schneider, who first learned how to play poker four years ago and is now a professional poker player, joined a group of his friends for a spring break cruise. He had no intentions of playing in the fifth-annual million-dollar tournament.

"Mike didn't decide to play in the tournament until the night before," said Brian Clark, a computer science alumnus of the University's Morris campus who organized the trip after receiving a seed in the tournament.

Clark, who also played in the tournament, said it doesn't surprise him and his friends that Schneider won the tournament because he is such a good player.

Schneider said he got off to a rough start in the first day, and at one point had only 5,500 chips, but rallied back to compete in the final table with five other opponents, two being veteran tournament players.

It took a lot of luck to get to the final table and a couple of breaks, Schneider said. He won with a queen and a 10, beating veteran Kenna James, 42, who had a jack and six. James took second, collecting $700,000.

The tournament was Schneider's second high-stakes tournament and he is the youngest person to win the tournament in its five-year history.

"Not many young players win this big, but more now than ever," said Jerry Fuller, vice president of operations at the Canterbury Card Club, where Schneider plays about four times a month.

Fuller said four years ago there was one $1 million tournament and that now there are four a month with an increase of young players because the games are televised.

This also has caused concern of addiction in the college community, he said.

David Koeplin, director of the compulsive gambling treatment program at University Medical Center, Fairview, said that even those who are professional card players can cross the line and become pathological gamblers.

"I think it is a terrible thing when a person has a huge win like that because it will negatively affect him and others just to think and be deluded that they can win that amount again and that somehow that they are lucky or skilled," Koeplin said.

University alumnus Joe Lang, who is also a professional poker player and Schneider's friend, said Schneider's biggest skill is money management and he always has been realistic and level-headed about the game.

Schneider said he will not do anything "too special" with the money and plans to put a lot of into his bank account and divide it accordingly to eight of his friends who provided money for his $10,500 buy-in for the tournament.

"My goal in life right now is to play poker and be kind of a businessman and do investments," Schneider said. "I guess for me I'm still just a college kid that has had some success in playing poker."

Schneider plans to graduate from the University with a journalism degree this fall and continue to play poker as a professional.

How To Earn a Living From Online Poker? - Poker Cruise

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For somebody to start playing online poker for a living there are a few things required like talent, dedication, patience, discipline and disposition in order to succeed. Creating a successful combination from these things, your goal in earning income from online poker is almost achieved. The skills of being an online poker player cannot develop over night or by reading a poker player guidelines book once. If you choose to use the information in a certain book then you must read it over and over again, constantly study and learn all the aspects of the game. The game should always be taken seriously, maintaining your focus and learn at the table and away from it and working constantly to improve the weak parts of your game.

For professional online poker players the number one secret is to know where and at what times the loosest games with middle and upper limit are played. Professionals that play poker online make most of their money from weak players, also called fishes; therefore, the key to succeeding in this game is to find a table that has two or three fishes on it. Players that play conservative, only playing good hands, are called tight and they are the most difficult to play against and most of the time unprofitable, even for professionals.

The right table to play on may be quite hard to find, but if you find it, it will be worth all the time spent in finding it and it will be the first step you make in earning a living from playing poker online. Some benefits from playing poker online are that you are not intimidated by other players, you can play the game wearing casual clothes in the intimacy of your own home; there are no traveling expenses; there is no need to pay the dealer tips and the rake is much lower.

There are a few things that you should take under consideration if you want to be a successful online poker player and improve your game consistently. If you play poker online often there are chances that you will play against players you have met before. To avoid being predictable in your betting patterns you should constantly change your style of play, even during games at the same table. Documentation is also a big part in becoming a good poker player, so keep reading and try to practice the game as often as you can. You should always remember the biggest source of income for you, the fishes.

Keeping tabs on how much you win or lose is a very important technique of a successful poker player, because it shows you when you are over betting, thus determining you to be more conscious about the way you bet and to always play with money you can afford to lose. You always have to give the game your full attention, because if you miss one hand you might have won it is as if you lost all the money in that pot. When you start losing, it is always best to take some time away from the table, usually after three consecutive loses, in order to rebuild your confidence and rejoin the table with a positive attitude. You should also keep in mind that if you engage in every hand, it is most likely you will lose more than you win. Therefore consider winning more money by playing fewer hands, because a bet that is saved is the same as a bet won. Play only good quality hands and fold junk hands and by doing this you will find that you have an increasing bank-roll.

When you choose a poker room to play in, consider choosing one that offers you something to start with. For instance, if you choose hansapoker.com you benefit of $40 free, bankroll builder. You can benefit from this offer of $40 free, bankroll builder just by signing up for a real money account and filling in the bonus claim form. However the $40 free, bankroll builder doesn’t come all at once, but you are guaranteed to benefit from the whole amount. Be sure to check out hansapoker.com because it has a lot more offers for poker players that sign up for the first time, other than the $40 free, bankroll builder.

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1. Value: Nothing beats a cruise for incredible vacation savings – you'll visit multiple destinations and so much is included, from dining to entertainment, that you may be tempted to make every vacation a cruise.

2. Convenience: Set sail from 23 close-to-home U.S. ports, and no matter how many places you visit, you'll only unpack once. And while onboard, wallets and purses aren't required!

3. Variety: Thousands of itineraries to hundreds of ports across all seven continents. And there are endless activities for every taste, onboard and ashore.

4. Choice: Dine in shorts or dress to the nines – today's cruising can be as casual or luxurious as you like. Choose an action-packed adventure or a poolside retreat – it's your cruise, it's your choice!

5. Comfort: More oceanview and balcony staterooms, more luxurious bedding, and expanded spa and sports facilities are just a few of the many ways today's fleets will pamper you in style.

6. Adventure: You define what adventure means to you, we'll help find the perfect cruise to make it a reality. Ice climbing in Alaska, surfing in Hawaii, exploring unique wildlife in the Galapagos, finding the very best Caribbean beach – you name it, we've got it!

7. Sharing your experiences: Cruising offers unique opportunities to meet other travelers – and you'll share new experiences that you won't find with other types of vacations. With plenty of fun group activities, get ready to create unforgettable memories and make friendships that last a lifetime.

8. Become an expert – or meet one: Many cruise lines offer special onboard enrichment programs that immerse you in the things you love most – poetry and prose, fine wine, regional cooking, antiques, wildlife, and music are just a few of the many choices.

9. Experience more: Waking up in a brand new port of call is part of the unique thrill of cruising. And with nearly every new port, you'll have unique opportunities ashore. Jungle safaris, historic city tours, and dolphin encounters are just a few of the exciting shore excursions you can add to your package.

10. Togetherness: There's no better way to travel for large groups of friends and family than a cruise. Planning group reservations is more affordable and convenient at sea. You can pick your staterooms all on the same deck, dine at the same restaurants onboard, enjoy a Broadway-style show together, and so much more. And best of all, there's something fun for everyone. When you travel as a group, the incredible experiences you share will strengthen the bonds of friendship and family forever.

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POKER CRUISES
By William Coit Travel
678-508-9798 – William Coit

2007 Sail Dates: Book now for best rate.


7 Day Aug. 12 - Aug. 19
Carnival Conquest - Carnival's Largest Ship
Starting at $669.60 Per Person
Ports: Jamaica - Grand Caymans - Cozumel

7 Day Sept. 30 - Oct. 7
Carnival Conquest - Carnival's Largest Ship
Starting at $522.60 Per Person
Ports: Jamaica - Grand Caymans - Cozumel

4 Day Oct. 11 - Oct. 15
Carnival Ecstasy
Starting at $381.80 Per Person
Port: Cozumel, Mexico

7 Day Nov. 11 - Nov. 18 Golf/Poker Cruise Carnival Conquest - Carnival's Largest Ship
Starting at $542.60 Per Person
Ports: Jamaica - Grand Caymans - Cozumel

Rates: All rates are subject to change
All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
All meals, shows, port charges, & taxes are already Included in price. All cruises are sailing out of
Galveston, Texas.

What is a Poker Cruise?
All the amenities of a Carnival cruise with a
24hr poker room. We provide professional
dealers, game hosts, & tournament directors,
just like your favorite casino.

Bring Your Whole Family!!
They will all have plenty to do while you are
grinding away at the poker table. This is a
normal cruise, that just happens to have poker
room on it. All of the normal amenities are
available to your family.

Game Hours:
We will be open 24hrs while we are at sea.


William Coit Travel
http://www.wcoit.joystar.com/


William Coit
678-508-9798
http://www.wcoit.joystar.com/

Poker Events and Limits:
We will have plenty of tournaments and cash games to suit your poker needs.
Daily multi table, and Sit&Go tournaments, with a final Players Championship Freeroll.
Most tournaments will be $50 & $100. No Rebuys!
$1/$3, $2/$5, $5/$10 NL & PL Hold Em & Omaha Cash Games.
$2/$4, $3/$6/$12 & $10/$20 Limit Hold Em & Omaha Cash Games.
Daily $20, $40, and $100 Sit&Go (Single Table) Holdem Tournaments.
Other Games and Limits available by request.

2-3 weeks before we sail, you will be sent a survey asking what games
you are interested in. We will build our final schedule based on your needs.

Free Lessons:
Daily group table lessons, & low limit learning tournaments.

Poker Cruise 2

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Monte Carlo Tournaments




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High Stakes Poker




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Best Call of the Decade Beaten by Worst Bad Beat of WPT




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Poker




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Incredible Cut




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Poker Lesson #1 - Never let avatars push you around



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Phil Ivey vs Brad Booth on High Stakes Poker Season 3

What is a Poker Cruise Vacation?

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From time to time, we all deserve a break from our every day routine, a vacation that is supposed to recharge our batteries, give us a bright perspective on life and on gambling and create memories which are worth to cherish throughout our lives.

The best way to combine playing poker, the most popular card game and traveling to the most exciting places in the world is definitely a poker cruise. The prizes for such cruises start from about $100 /day, including accommodation, meals, irreproachable room service and tons of entertainment.

No matter what destination you may choose, fun is guaranteed to be the main part of your vacation. You will be taken to places where you're going to enjoy playing in those poker rooms. With the professional dealers, excellent personnel, a wide variety of games and game limits and many people who will be anxious to play you'll feel better than in any casino you will have ever played at.

You will experience everything you have experienced before, but at a higher level. You will have the chance to take part in the tournaments you love so much and be rewarded with trophies you will be proud of for as long as you live. You can enjoy all the benefits of this great game even if you're not a professional gambler yet. In most cruises you are offered the opportunity to learn how to play poker for free and practice it in friendly games until you are ready to compete in professional tournaments with professional gamblers and win great prizes.

No matter if you're a relaxing person who likes to enjoy all the advantages of an inexpensive, yet luxurious cruise, or if you're the active type who wants to enjoy every moment of such an opportunity and get involved in all activities, these vacations are ideal for all kinds of people. It's up to you to decide if you prefer to play poker or just simply relax. Whatever your idea of fun is, it will be achieved in the cruises the gaming companies have scheduled for this year. There will be magnificent sailing, amazing ports you can see without even having to unpack or doing anything, wonderful ships, excellent food, superlative poker, sea, sun and lots of fun.

Summer is coming and we are sure that a tropical poker vacation has been on your list of wishes for a long time. So, why put off a cruise in the Caribbean, for instance, with scuba diving, water rafting, snorkeling, relaxing walks along the shore or playing poker while at sea? And at night enjoy live music, lounges, game shows, comedy and magic shows for all ages.

This is only a small part of what you can enjoy in such an exotic cruise and you can only understand the advantages and the real fun involved when you book and leave for such a destination. You will have many other fun aspects to share with us and with your friends and not until then will you realize how much your idea about vacations will have changed and what high expectations you will have for your future holidays.