Happy New Year, everybody. I hope 2006 was good to you, and that 2007 will be even better.It's said that the First Age of life is childhood, the Second Age is family and career, and the Third Age is the rest of your life. I've vowed to make my Third Age the most excellent of all. And in 2007, that means lots of poker.The year 2006 was a momentous one for the game. Poker is more popular than ever before. Search engine Lycos reports that its No. 1 most searched word is POKER (way ahead of Pamela Anderson and MySpace!). The World Series of Poker's Main Event attracted a record field of 8,773 players, with champion Jamie Gold winning $12 million. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed a lame-duck Congress, and some believe that longtime Congressman Jim Leach of Iowa suffered an upset defeat because of his sponsorship of the bill.In any case, PokerStars is still humming merrily along, and many think that the newly elected Congress will not enforce the ban.It was a great year for our local poker scene. Tournaments here delivered bigger payouts to more entrants. All of the card rooms now feature no-limit games, along with the standard limit variety. Sit-n-go tournaments and league play are gaining in popularity, and new players are streaming onto the scene every day.As for me, I compiled a strong record of wins in '06, my first full year of tournament play. I blew it at the World Series, but did garner three first places, two ninth places and an 11th place in tournaments of note. It's a record that I'm happy with, even though I'm not yet the player I hope to become.I'll certainly be testing my skills in '07. To kick off the year, I've already won entries to the Coachella Valley Poker Championship at Spotlight 29 in January, and the L.A. Poker Classic at the Commerce Casino in February. Both offer big money prizes and prestigious titles.I'll continue thinking, dreaming, and writing about poker. Now if I just keep racking up wins, my Third Age will be the best yet.
By Jill Cohen
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Poker Tips From Roy Rounder
Here is an Article that I have found to Very helpful when used at the tables.
“Here Are The Ten Most Expensive Mistakes Most Poker Players Make— And How You Can Avoid Them...”
MISTAKE #1: Playing Too Many Hands
Most poker players are too loose with their starting hand selection. You’ve got to stick with PREMIUM hands... especially when you’re at a 8-man or 10-man table.
Quit limping in with bad cards in hopes of hitting something on the flop. All those blinds add up... and it’s not worth it.
At an 8-player table, focus on playing hands like pocket pairs, suited connectors, A-X suited, or two face cards.
Leave hands like K-3, J-8, Q-2, and 10-7 alone. Just fold them pre-flop.
The REASON most people play too many hands is because they want ACTION. They don’t want to just sit and there and wait forever until they get good cards.
But if you want to win, you must be patient.
In fact... if you’re playing good poker, you should often be bored. That’s right: BORED.
MISTAKE #2: Playing Your Position Wrong
Positioning is EVERYTHING in Texas Holdem poker.
Good positioning means you get to see what your opponents do FIRST before you have to act. Based on their behavior and betting, you can make an informed decision about what YOU want to do.
Good positioning is LATE positioning. That means you’re one of the last to act after the flop. The most IDEAL position is the dealer (or button).
The mistake most players make is playing the CARDS without considering their positioning. For instance, the way to play pocket Aces in the bigblind is totally different than the way to play it in the dealer position.
And that goes for all starting hands... and all positions.
The basic strategy you need to know is that you want to play MORE starting hands from a later position. And you want to play these hands more aggressively.
Most of your bluffs should come with good positioning too... because that’s when you’ll have the best read on the players at the table.
In early positioning you want to play FEWER hands.Especially when you’re immediately to the left of the big blind (also known as “under the gun”).
MISTAKE #3: Thinking You’re A “Natural”
It’s amazing how often I hear someone say, “I’m a natural poker player...”
What IS a “natural” poker player anyway?
The truth is, poker is an extremely complex and multi-faceted game. It involves math, psychology, body language skills, self control, performing under pressure, and a ton of other things.
The problem with thinking you’re a “natural”-- just because you’re good at reading people’s faces or something-- is that it LIMITS your ability to improve.
No matter how good you are at poker, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. And in each respective area of the game, there’s ALWAYS more to learn.
Not only that, but poker has been around for a LONG time... way before it started appearing on every TV station.
A lot of poker strategy has been DEVELOPED. There are step-by-step techniques, tricks, and “plays” that you can use to win more money at the tables.
These strategies won’t just “come to you” like a little light bulb over your head.
Not a chance.
Instead, you’ve got to STUDY the game, talk to other players, and be constantly LEARNING more in order to push yourself to the next level.
MISTAKE #4: Getting Too Emotional
Emotional control is a big part of Holdem. You’ve got to be able to “let go” and become unattached from the outcome of the game.
The REASON emotions run strong in poker is because your mixing MONEY, EGO, and CHANCE... all together.
It’s DEFINITELY a recipe for some strong emotions.
The key is to EXPECT IN ADVANCE that things will get stressful and intense. EXPECT that you’re going to get “rivered” and “sucked out”.
The reason it’s important is because if you let go of your logic and start playing based on EMOTION, you’ll never, EVER win.
Avoid TILT at all costs. It causes more poker players to go broke than any other phenomenon.
Stay in control of yourself and be “unattached” to the game. Don’t let anything affect you... just remain focused on winning.
Period.
MISTAKE #5 Playing The Wrong Stakes
The stakes you play is what determines the SKILL you play against.
And if you’re outmatched, nothing else matters... because ultimately you’re going to lose.
But if you’re way better than everyone at your current level, then maybe it’s time to “step it up a notch”.
Playing the RIGHT stakes is a delicate balance.
I’ve found the most effective way to determine the RIGHT stakes is to calculate your profit per hour over time.
The difference in your “profit per hour” at a $5 Sit and Go versus a $10 Sit and Go can be DRAMATIC.
But you may get WHOMPED at the $20 Sit and Go... and lose your bankroll in a snap.
Here’s an important tip...
When you try to move UP in stakes, don’t be afraid to move BACK DOWN if it isn’t working.
The action plan I recommend is to build your bankroll where you KNOW you can win... then move up. If you lose your bankroll, move back down and build it up again. Then move up in stakes and try it again.
Repeat this process over and over and you’ll be continually improving... moving up to bigger games and more money.
This process also LOWERS YOUR RISK. Follow those steps and you won’t be gambling with next month’s rent.
MISTAKE #6: Focusing Too Much On The Cards
Always remember this principle:
PLAY THE PLAYER, NOT THE CARDS.
Ultimately, the cards determine who’s the winner for a hand... but that’s only when a hand plays out until the VERY END and all cards are flipped over.
GOOD poker players hardly ever make it to that level in a hand. Because they either force their opponents to fold or fold because they pick up a read on their opponents.
The only times you should be flipping your cards up at the end is when you KNOW you have the best hand and you’ve just milked some sucker for a huge pot.
Get it?
The PLAYER you’re up against is what you need to focus on. Not your cards.
Figure out his betting patterns, his habits, his tells, his movements... EVERYTHING. And then play him like a fiddle for all his chips.
MISTAKE #7: Being Too Predictable
Just as you should be studying your opponents, your opponents should be studying YOU.
The biggest mistake you can make is become PREDICTABLE. When you’re predictable, you can’t win at poker.
Because every time you get good cards, everyone will fold. And every time you get bad cards, everyone will bet.
The key is to BE AWARE OF YOUR BETTING PATTERNS.
Bet strong hands a certain way for awhile... then mix it up a bit. Do crazy things... bet odd amounts... make the same pre-flop raise for both 8-7 suited and pocket 10’s. Whatever.
MIX IT UP and kill any consistencies that appear in your game.
Mistake #8: Not Knowing When To Quit
Know when to get up from a table... it will save you a LOT of money over the long term.
This is crucial when you’ve either just WON a ton of money or just LOST a ton of money.
Because in either case, the tendency from that point forward is going to be to LOSE. You’ll either lose your profits or dig yourself in a hole deeper... but either way, it’s not good.
Losing streaks suck... because they take hold of some weird part of your brain that virtually always PREVENTS you from making a comeback.
No matter how determined you are... no matter how SURE you are that your “luck” will change... it’s not going to happen. You’ll lose more. So just STOP.
With winning streaks, it’s the same way. Having a lot of “new money” makes it less REAL... and there’s a tendency to lose it quickly on stupidmoves.
So if you’re WAY UP or WAY DOWN in a game, just stop playing for the day. Go back at it tomorrow, it’s no big deal.
MISTAKE #9: Not Knowing The Odds
Knowing the ODDS and PROBABILITY in poker is a standard ingredient for success.
You can win some games just by being able to read your opponents and “guess” at what types of betting decisions to make...
But ultimately, knowing the odds is what it takes to be a REAL Texas Holdem poker player.
The good news is, you don’t have to be a “math genius” to know the odds of a hand. There are a lot of shortcuts and tricks you can use to calculate pot odds, hand percentages, outs, and other important numbers.
MISTAKE #10: Not Getting Help
Like I said before, you weren't BORN knowing how to play poker.
You had to LEARN it.
In every aspect of the game, you've got to continually ask yourself the question, "Is this EXACTLY what I should be doing in this situation?"
There are two main ways to improve your Texas Holdem poker skills:
1. Learn from experience.
2. Learn from someone who has mastered the game.
The problem with experience is that it takes YEARS and YEARS-- even DECADES-- of playing Texas Holdem again and again...
It's a great way to learn... but just plain inefficient.
On the other hand, learning from proven strategies and "field-tested" techniques is the absolute FASTEST way to pick up the game.
You can SKYROCKET your skills... OVERNIGHT... if you study the techniques and concepts developed by other players.
If you're serious about the game and want to learn more, then I encourage you to read my eBook"No Limit Holdem Secrets".
It's jam-packed with poker shortcuts, step-by-step tips, and everything you NEED to know in order to win at Texas Holdem.
Cash games, tournaments, heads-up play, online, offline... odds, tells, starting hands, bluffs... EVERYTHING. It's all in my eBook.
To learn more, click this link now:
CLICK HERE
Talk to you soon.
Your Friend,
Roy Rounder(Who Is Roy Rounder?)
“Here Are The Ten Most Expensive Mistakes Most Poker Players Make— And How You Can Avoid Them...”
MISTAKE #1: Playing Too Many Hands
Most poker players are too loose with their starting hand selection. You’ve got to stick with PREMIUM hands... especially when you’re at a 8-man or 10-man table.
Quit limping in with bad cards in hopes of hitting something on the flop. All those blinds add up... and it’s not worth it.
At an 8-player table, focus on playing hands like pocket pairs, suited connectors, A-X suited, or two face cards.
Leave hands like K-3, J-8, Q-2, and 10-7 alone. Just fold them pre-flop.
The REASON most people play too many hands is because they want ACTION. They don’t want to just sit and there and wait forever until they get good cards.
But if you want to win, you must be patient.
In fact... if you’re playing good poker, you should often be bored. That’s right: BORED.
MISTAKE #2: Playing Your Position Wrong
Positioning is EVERYTHING in Texas Holdem poker.
Good positioning means you get to see what your opponents do FIRST before you have to act. Based on their behavior and betting, you can make an informed decision about what YOU want to do.
Good positioning is LATE positioning. That means you’re one of the last to act after the flop. The most IDEAL position is the dealer (or button).
The mistake most players make is playing the CARDS without considering their positioning. For instance, the way to play pocket Aces in the bigblind is totally different than the way to play it in the dealer position.
And that goes for all starting hands... and all positions.
The basic strategy you need to know is that you want to play MORE starting hands from a later position. And you want to play these hands more aggressively.
Most of your bluffs should come with good positioning too... because that’s when you’ll have the best read on the players at the table.
In early positioning you want to play FEWER hands.Especially when you’re immediately to the left of the big blind (also known as “under the gun”).
MISTAKE #3: Thinking You’re A “Natural”
It’s amazing how often I hear someone say, “I’m a natural poker player...”
What IS a “natural” poker player anyway?
The truth is, poker is an extremely complex and multi-faceted game. It involves math, psychology, body language skills, self control, performing under pressure, and a ton of other things.
The problem with thinking you’re a “natural”-- just because you’re good at reading people’s faces or something-- is that it LIMITS your ability to improve.
No matter how good you are at poker, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. And in each respective area of the game, there’s ALWAYS more to learn.
Not only that, but poker has been around for a LONG time... way before it started appearing on every TV station.
A lot of poker strategy has been DEVELOPED. There are step-by-step techniques, tricks, and “plays” that you can use to win more money at the tables.
These strategies won’t just “come to you” like a little light bulb over your head.
Not a chance.
Instead, you’ve got to STUDY the game, talk to other players, and be constantly LEARNING more in order to push yourself to the next level.
MISTAKE #4: Getting Too Emotional
Emotional control is a big part of Holdem. You’ve got to be able to “let go” and become unattached from the outcome of the game.
The REASON emotions run strong in poker is because your mixing MONEY, EGO, and CHANCE... all together.
It’s DEFINITELY a recipe for some strong emotions.
The key is to EXPECT IN ADVANCE that things will get stressful and intense. EXPECT that you’re going to get “rivered” and “sucked out”.
The reason it’s important is because if you let go of your logic and start playing based on EMOTION, you’ll never, EVER win.
Avoid TILT at all costs. It causes more poker players to go broke than any other phenomenon.
Stay in control of yourself and be “unattached” to the game. Don’t let anything affect you... just remain focused on winning.
Period.
MISTAKE #5 Playing The Wrong Stakes
The stakes you play is what determines the SKILL you play against.
And if you’re outmatched, nothing else matters... because ultimately you’re going to lose.
But if you’re way better than everyone at your current level, then maybe it’s time to “step it up a notch”.
Playing the RIGHT stakes is a delicate balance.
I’ve found the most effective way to determine the RIGHT stakes is to calculate your profit per hour over time.
The difference in your “profit per hour” at a $5 Sit and Go versus a $10 Sit and Go can be DRAMATIC.
But you may get WHOMPED at the $20 Sit and Go... and lose your bankroll in a snap.
Here’s an important tip...
When you try to move UP in stakes, don’t be afraid to move BACK DOWN if it isn’t working.
The action plan I recommend is to build your bankroll where you KNOW you can win... then move up. If you lose your bankroll, move back down and build it up again. Then move up in stakes and try it again.
Repeat this process over and over and you’ll be continually improving... moving up to bigger games and more money.
This process also LOWERS YOUR RISK. Follow those steps and you won’t be gambling with next month’s rent.
MISTAKE #6: Focusing Too Much On The Cards
Always remember this principle:
PLAY THE PLAYER, NOT THE CARDS.
Ultimately, the cards determine who’s the winner for a hand... but that’s only when a hand plays out until the VERY END and all cards are flipped over.
GOOD poker players hardly ever make it to that level in a hand. Because they either force their opponents to fold or fold because they pick up a read on their opponents.
The only times you should be flipping your cards up at the end is when you KNOW you have the best hand and you’ve just milked some sucker for a huge pot.
Get it?
The PLAYER you’re up against is what you need to focus on. Not your cards.
Figure out his betting patterns, his habits, his tells, his movements... EVERYTHING. And then play him like a fiddle for all his chips.
MISTAKE #7: Being Too Predictable
Just as you should be studying your opponents, your opponents should be studying YOU.
The biggest mistake you can make is become PREDICTABLE. When you’re predictable, you can’t win at poker.
Because every time you get good cards, everyone will fold. And every time you get bad cards, everyone will bet.
The key is to BE AWARE OF YOUR BETTING PATTERNS.
Bet strong hands a certain way for awhile... then mix it up a bit. Do crazy things... bet odd amounts... make the same pre-flop raise for both 8-7 suited and pocket 10’s. Whatever.
MIX IT UP and kill any consistencies that appear in your game.
Mistake #8: Not Knowing When To Quit
Know when to get up from a table... it will save you a LOT of money over the long term.
This is crucial when you’ve either just WON a ton of money or just LOST a ton of money.
Because in either case, the tendency from that point forward is going to be to LOSE. You’ll either lose your profits or dig yourself in a hole deeper... but either way, it’s not good.
Losing streaks suck... because they take hold of some weird part of your brain that virtually always PREVENTS you from making a comeback.
No matter how determined you are... no matter how SURE you are that your “luck” will change... it’s not going to happen. You’ll lose more. So just STOP.
With winning streaks, it’s the same way. Having a lot of “new money” makes it less REAL... and there’s a tendency to lose it quickly on stupidmoves.
So if you’re WAY UP or WAY DOWN in a game, just stop playing for the day. Go back at it tomorrow, it’s no big deal.
MISTAKE #9: Not Knowing The Odds
Knowing the ODDS and PROBABILITY in poker is a standard ingredient for success.
You can win some games just by being able to read your opponents and “guess” at what types of betting decisions to make...
But ultimately, knowing the odds is what it takes to be a REAL Texas Holdem poker player.
The good news is, you don’t have to be a “math genius” to know the odds of a hand. There are a lot of shortcuts and tricks you can use to calculate pot odds, hand percentages, outs, and other important numbers.
MISTAKE #10: Not Getting Help
Like I said before, you weren't BORN knowing how to play poker.
You had to LEARN it.
In every aspect of the game, you've got to continually ask yourself the question, "Is this EXACTLY what I should be doing in this situation?"
There are two main ways to improve your Texas Holdem poker skills:
1. Learn from experience.
2. Learn from someone who has mastered the game.
The problem with experience is that it takes YEARS and YEARS-- even DECADES-- of playing Texas Holdem again and again...
It's a great way to learn... but just plain inefficient.
On the other hand, learning from proven strategies and "field-tested" techniques is the absolute FASTEST way to pick up the game.
You can SKYROCKET your skills... OVERNIGHT... if you study the techniques and concepts developed by other players.
If you're serious about the game and want to learn more, then I encourage you to read my eBook"No Limit Holdem Secrets".
It's jam-packed with poker shortcuts, step-by-step tips, and everything you NEED to know in order to win at Texas Holdem.
Cash games, tournaments, heads-up play, online, offline... odds, tells, starting hands, bluffs... EVERYTHING. It's all in my eBook.
To learn more, click this link now:
CLICK HERE
Talk to you soon.
Your Friend,
Roy Rounder(Who Is Roy Rounder?)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The New Year Is Upon Us
Hello Everyone,
Yes, the new year is upon us and I have one question....ARE YOU READY?
There is gonna be some great things comming this new year and I am getting ready.
Great poker leagues at theopu.com sponsored by poker.com. With more to come !
Also Freakyways.com is a New and Exploding Forum site, with the same poker activities.... makes this a great 2 for 1 deal. As well as different chat aspects, Both sites offer more than just online gaming, so please check us out.
And to you and yours I wish you a very happy new year and may the gaming gods be with you !!
Yes, the new year is upon us and I have one question....ARE YOU READY?
There is gonna be some great things comming this new year and I am getting ready.
Great poker leagues at theopu.com sponsored by poker.com. With more to come !
Also Freakyways.com is a New and Exploding Forum site, with the same poker activities.... makes this a great 2 for 1 deal. As well as different chat aspects, Both sites offer more than just online gaming, so please check us out.
And to you and yours I wish you a very happy new year and may the gaming gods be with you !!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Charity Ball for Make A Wish Foundation
We need all the help we can get for "the Make a Wish Foundation" . This is from The 5th Street Forum.....
We hold a monthly game at poker.com for this worthy charity and it's called "The 5th Street Charity Ball". The game is every month on the first and it's just a 2.20 entry fee , with half of all proceeds going to the children . Also you can rebuy 3 times and there's one add-on. Poker.com also awards the winner of this game each month an accolade ! Game will be at poker.com > tourney > private > filtered > 5thstreet charity ball .So come on out and help to put a smile on a child . Be sure to tell all your friends about this one , hell , tell ya enemies too ! All are welcome to play .
We hold a monthly game at poker.com for this worthy charity and it's called "The 5th Street Charity Ball". The game is every month on the first and it's just a 2.20 entry fee , with half of all proceeds going to the children . Also you can rebuy 3 times and there's one add-on. Poker.com also awards the winner of this game each month an accolade ! Game will be at poker.com > tourney > private > filtered > 5thstreet charity ball .So come on out and help to put a smile on a child . Be sure to tell all your friends about this one , hell , tell ya enemies too ! All are welcome to play .
OPU/Vegas 357 Freeroll League
Here is a great opportunity, TheOPU.com and Vegas 357 have come up with a FREE poker League...Anyone can play at any time ! Starting Jan. 5th 2007 we will be running a 6 month league played on a weekly basis. Each game is a $50.00 freeroll, The Top 5 players will earn points towards the final goal.... The Final 25th week Table...the top 5 players in the league will share a $1200.00 prize pool !!! As well as be deemed THE FREEROLL CHAMPION on both theopu.com and Freakyways.com Sites !
So come check out this great offer. and Good Luck shall you play !!
So come check out this great offer. and Good Luck shall you play !!
Freakyways.com
Here is another site in which I participate in and are on staff of, Freakyways.com, This is a forum of adult nature and is very fun. There is another poker link on Freakyways.com as well called Vegas 357. So If you like to look at pretty women or handsome men (for all you ladies) come check out Freakyways.com
Theopu.com
Hello all,
Theopu.com is where you will most always find me. I am Poker Moderator and Administrator for the OPU, short for OnlinePlayersUnion.com Damian Dunlap brought me in about 3 years ago and I'm still at it. Visit me at theopu.com, it's a great gaming forum with plenty of entertainment and things to do. We are over 3000 members strong, we also offer the best advise on what gaming sites to play or NOT to play. We also help those that get "stiffed" by a gaming site. Theopu.com also offers insurance to players that play OPU Approved gaming sites. So Come On, check it out....theopu.com
And Good Luck to all of you !
Theopu.com is where you will most always find me. I am Poker Moderator and Administrator for the OPU, short for OnlinePlayersUnion.com Damian Dunlap brought me in about 3 years ago and I'm still at it. Visit me at theopu.com, it's a great gaming forum with plenty of entertainment and things to do. We are over 3000 members strong, we also offer the best advise on what gaming sites to play or NOT to play. We also help those that get "stiffed" by a gaming site. Theopu.com also offers insurance to players that play OPU Approved gaming sites. So Come On, check it out....theopu.com
And Good Luck to all of you !
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