Maiden Voyage to a Live Poker Event.

The first time you ever play poker at a live event a card room or casino can be a pretty intimidating place and the last thing you want to do is give off the scent of being a newbie as the poker sharks are bound to circle sensing an easy meal. Here are a few hints and tips to make your first experience all the more enjoyable.

 

The Brush:
The “brush” is the nickname given to the employee responsible for managing the seating list of the poker tables within a card room or casino. You can usually find them towards the front of the poker room next to the board of available games. The brush is the person to ask should you have any lingering questions that you need answered before being seated at a table. Unless your father is Donald Trump ask for a seat at one of the lower limit tables which is usually $1/$2 blinds so that you can gain your confidence and become comfortable with the flow of the game before you decide to make your bid for the poker millions. Learn to walk before you can run!

Starting Out:
You are going to need to buy your chips before you can take your seat at the table and this is done at the cage where you will find a cashier happy to help you out. The maximum buy-in for a no-limit cash game is usually 100 big blinds as a guide for when you make your purchase. A tip is always remember to lay your money down at the cage as the cashier will not take the money from you as all transactions need to be logged by the security cameras.

Finally you are ready to take your seat at the poker table, remember to organize your chips don’t leave them in the rack it’s not allowed and you will be advertising you’re a card room virgin. Now you are ready to play so decide if you want to post and join the game straight away or wait for the blinds to come round so you can watch a little action before you enter the battle. 

 

Betting Etiquette:
Chances are this is the first time that you will have handled real chips and made an actual bet instead of using your mouse and relying on the computer to do it for you. There is no need to rush and be cautious as how you handle your chips and bets will give your competitors the biggest indication that you are not quite the live poker veteran. Most card rooms and casinos will have their own rules regarding what constitutes a bet but if you follow these 3 rules you shouldn’t have a problem no matter where you play poker.

1)    Placing chips past the betting line.
The betting line is clearly marked circling the interior of the poker table where the pot and community cards are placed. Any chips that are placed past the betting line and released are acknowledged as a bet.

2)    Placing chips past your cards.
This rule is often in place when the poker table does not have a clear betting line. Any chips that are moved forward of your cards are once again identified as a bet, however if you are unsure then don’t be afraid to ask the dealer as rules can vary.

3)    Verbal declaration.
In poker all verbal declarations are binding so to avoid confusion and making mistakes announce your bets before moving your chips into play. Calls are straight forward, however to raise make sure you are clear as to the size of your total bet.

Betting Rules:
Each card room or casino will have its own set of rules clearly stated covering etiquette and betting procedures, it is best to familiarize yourself with the rules prior to playing so once again you don’t advertise that you are a new player. As a rule though all raises must be equal to or greater than the size of the previous bet or raise. To give an example if the previous player makes a bet of $30, then the minimum raise would be $30 making your total bet $60.

Finally protect your cards and chips at all times so there can be no confusion or disagreements and if you are planning a long stint at the tables then it is useful to find out if mobile phones and other electronic items such as MP3 players are allowed before you start upsetting the other players.
So have fun as live poker is truly a completely different type of game from the world of online poker and most of all, good luck! Even better tell us how you got on and if you have any other tips to contribute.

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Posted in: Card Rooms,Cards,Casino,Free Poker,Hobbies,Interests,Money,Poker Etiquette,Poker Rules,Sport,Texas Holdem

Poker Lessons from the Professor, Howard Lederer, Part TWO.

Now that you have been practicing all that you have learnt in PART ONE it is time to watch the final 6 videos of the series to complete your lessons by ‘the poker professor,’ Howard Lederer.  Watch these informative videos to see how the professionals think and the moves they make to win a hand! As you will see it is not always about the cards that you are dealt and the best hand does not always win the pot, so learn from a real poker pro and improve your game.

Video SIX:

Hand selection, opponents tells and pot control.

Video SEVEN:

Poker tells and value betting.

Video EIGHT:

Examples of some great poker plays and how you can apply the skills you have learnt.

Video NINE:

Small pot play and when to go all in!

Video TEN:

Example of some poker plays to add to your armoury when playing the game.

Video ELEVEN:

The mental approach to poker and building your style of play.

 

Spend the time to watch and learn from 'the Poker Professor', improve your game and hopefully your chip stack. Let everyone know how your game is going, tell the world if you have won or lost. Here is your chance to join a poker community.

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Posted in: Cards,Casino,Free Poker,Howard Lederer,Online Gambling,Online Poker,Poker Lessons,Texas Holdem

Poker Lessons from the Professor, Howard Lederer, Part ONE.

Known as ‘the professor of poker’ Howard Lederer’s knowledge of the game of poker is well known throughout the poker circuit as he uses a logical and mathematical approach to poker that has brought him 2 World Series of Poker bracelets, 2 World Poker Tour titles and numerous other titles from around the world.

If you are serious about the game of poker then you want to learn from the best. So let ‘the poker professor’ be your guide as he explains his way through the basics for beginners to the more complex sides of the game like pot stealing, strategies and plays that the professionals employ on their way to winning the biggest of titles.

Watch the first 5 videos of this 11 part series. Understand the basic concepts of the game, rules and table etiquette as Howard develops your game and with practice makes you into a proficient poker player that could challenge anyone. There is no formula to becoming a successful poker player however the more knowledge you have the better equipped you are to make the right decision.

Video ONE:
Beyond the basics, an introduction to preflop strategies and preflop blind play. All useful for the intermediate player looking to improve his game and become a more complete player.

Video TWO:
Expanding your preflop hands.

Video THREE:
Preflop raises and re-raises as well as betting strategies preflop.

Video FOUR:
Play on the flop, hands to call raise and fold on.

Video FIVE:
The flop, what hands to play and just what are the odds. Disguising your hand to build a pot. Considering your opponents hand.

There are no special effects in these videos just good advice for poker players wanting to develop their game through learning from a true poker professional. Put your books down with complicated diagrams and watch Howard guide through specific plays and situations to give you the confidence to go out there and make plays like the professionals.

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Posted in: Card Rooms,Cards,Flop,Free Poker,Howard Lederer,Poker Lessons,Texas Holdem

Learning to Play Poker with Daniel Negreanu.

It is well known that poker strategy books are not the easiest of bedtime reading, with many being heavy going and difficult to absorb and understand. Here are three video clips featuring Daniel Negreanu one of the most recognized players on the world poker circuit today. With 4 World Series of Poker titles to his name it would be difficult to find a better teacher so sit back and learn from one of the best!

So you have watched a little late night poker and played a few games online or between friends. Only now can you start to appreciate the complexities of a game that looks so simple to play yet it is so difficult to master!

In these clips learn or better understand about pot odds and implied odds. Find tips on ‘small ball’ poker, betting size and frequencies, as well as tips on blind stealing and hand position. With no reading you have invaluable information on how to become a better poker player and improve your chances of making the right moves at the right time.

Video ONE:

Introduction to ‘small ball’ poker, blind stealing and hand position.

Video TWO:

Introduction to pot odds, implied odds with bet size and frequency.

Video THREE:

Practice makes perfect, see that what you have learnt works.

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Posted in: Casino,Daniel Negreanu,Free Poker,Online Poker,Poker Hints,Poker Strategies,Texas Holdem

Featured Player: Phil Ivey, Tiger on the Tables.

At 35 Phil Ivey is regarded by many of his contemporaries as the best all-round poker player in the world today. Cool calm and collected Phil has gone on to claim 8 World Series of Poker bracelets, a Poker Tour title and numerous other wins and money finishes at some of the most exclusive poker tournaments to be held around the world. These many victories have contributed to his career earnings which stand at approximately $13,000,000.

Phil Ivey developed his poker skills while playing with friends and colleagues and from these quite normal beginnings finds himself playing in the casinos of the Las Vegas strip surrounded by fellow professionals and brave millionaires. No matter what variation on the game of poker Phil Ivey is an accomplished player and has more titles that most people could ever hope to accomplish in a lifetime, yet with certainty I am sure that he will continue to add to his tournament victories and his ever swelling career earnings.

Providing a welcome distraction way from the tables Phil has gone on to create the Budding Ivey Foundation raising substantial funds to help underprivileged children and those less fortunate through his non-profit organization. 

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Posted in: Cards,Casino,Free Poker,Full Tilt Poker,Gambling,Online Poker,Phil Ivey,Texas Holdem

Featured Player: Liv Boeree Making Poker Look Glamorous.

Gone are the days when poker is the reserve of fat rich men smoking cigars while huddled around the green felt of a poker table. The invention of online poker and live TV games has seen poker mushroom to unrivaled levels of popularity with thousands of players logging online or visiting their local casino to play the game. Successful poker players are fast becoming celebrities and enjoying the jet set lifestyle of the rich and famous as they play in grand venues around the world for sums of money most people can only dream of.

As part of this new breed of poker player the British Queen of cards Liv Boeree, a bright and intelligent woman has gone from TV presenter to card shark in no time at all. Born in Kent, England Liv was first introduced to the game of poker through the reality TV show “Ultimatepoker.com Showdown” were she was coached by the poker pro’s Phil Hellmuth and Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott on the subtleties of the game. Learning fast Liv went on to present live coverage from the World Series of Poker as well as European Poker Tour while playing a few hands of poker along the way. Liv began to register her first playing successes back in 2007, racking up wins at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas and being crowned 2008 Ladbrokes European  Ladies Champion.  As her confidence has grown so has her stature within the game, and Liv has become a regular on the international poker circuit. In April 2010, Liv went on to become only the third women to claim a European Poker Tour title winning 1.25 million Euros at the San Remo event making her someone truly to be feared at the poker table.

Intelligent and well-spoken Liv is clearly a marketers dream and since her win in San Remo Pokerstars has quickly recognized her potential and made her a Pokerstars Pro to represent the Pokerstars team in live events and promote this huge poker behemoth.

So look out for one of the new faces of poker Liv Boeree you can’t fail to miss her face on all the endorsements and photo shoots of the poker tour, and if she is sat at your poker table beware of the pretty lady taking your chips!

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Posted in: Cards,Free Poker,Gambling,Gaming,Liv Boeree,Poker,Poker Players,Pokerstars,Texas Holdem

The Great Poker Challenge!

The laws of physics state that something cannot be created from nothing. Well in poker the laws of physics are there to be broken. The challenge is to take a poker account with no deposit and like a plant see how far with nurture and care you can grow it. Skill and knowledge of the game are your food and water, so can you grow as a player while growing your chip stack?

Intelligent play, a read on the game and a little luck along the way could allow you to start your poker career online for the initial investment of NOTHING. Most of the large recognised online poker rooms now offer free to enter tournaments where players can join to learn the game with a chance of winning real money! What’s more 888 Poker now offers new members $8 when they first sign up plus the usual introductory bonuses, a great offer to join real money games straight away. So if you have played a little poker or perhaps see the stars on play on TV then now is your chance to have a go for free!

Log on and leave messages to tell me of your biggest pot win or loss. This is your chance to get some recognition showing new players what can be done. Join this blog and the 'Great Poker Challenge' to find out who has flopped at the first hurdle or taken their first tournament win. Join BlueiPoker and receive hints and tips from other players while catching up on news from the world of poker and which poker rooms you should be playing at!

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Posted in: 888 Poker,Cards,Free Poker,Gambling,Online Gambling,Online Poker,Poker,Poker Strategies,Texas Holdem

Call Fold or Raise: Poker Preflop Hand Position.

Position in a hand of poker is one of the most important concepts to understanding the game. Playing tight with a limited number of hands in early positions stops bad plays and the depletion of your chip stack. Playing from a weak position will only get worse as the betting rounds progress and you find yourself putting more chips into the pot that you are destined to lose. Playing from positions closer to the button allows you to see your opponent’s plays and gain insight before committing your chips to the game therefore increasing your chance of making the right play and claiming the pot.

There are many strategies and tactics that different poker players employ in an attempt to become the best and while it is true that there is no winning formula to becoming a great poker player, speak to any pro and they will agree that hand position is key. A player needs to understand that the strength of their cards varies depending on their position within a hand of poker, and while this is only one concept to consider when playing it remains a vital one.

Below is a basic grid and guide of preflop hands that provide tight play in early hand positions and more variety as a player gets closer to the button. This is a good starting guide for players wanting to learn the game who don’t wish to declare bankruptcy from ambitious play. Every player goes on to develop their own style of play and cards they like to play with, however these hands are proven to provide a relative balance of risk versus reward depending on how the game plays out.

The table shows the relatively few hands that should be played from an early position with additional hands being added as a player moves closer to the button. So consider your position when making your next move on the poker table because if you don’t I am pretty sure that someone else will be!

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Posted in: Cards,Free Poker,Gambling,Gaming,Hand Positions,Online Poker,Poker,Poker Strategies,Texas Holdem