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Poker is a Social Activity

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 29, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (1)

Poker is a Social Activity

People play poker for various reasons. I run into many different personality types at the poker table, both online and in the casino poker rooms. My observation is that most of the people I encounter are quite friendly and they seem to enjoy the social aspect afforded by poker. This is only one reason people gather around the felt. Other reasons include;

Competitiveness
Gambling to make money
Having fun
Compulsive gambling
Adrenaline rushes
Actively refining ones knowledge of the game

poker-is-social-12

It will serve you well to recognize these different personalities at the table. By understanding the other players personalities and motivations, you can adjust your play accordingly. I like to find a table where the players are sociable, having a good time, laughing and joking with each other. This is generally a profitable situation for a good player.

I tend to be good natured at the table. I like to joke with the other players and make them feel comfortable. When they lose to me they aren’t as mad. This is an important thing to realize about human nature at the poker table. We don’t mind losing to people we like. On the other hand, people will usually tighten up our game and play better if they lose to someone they don’t like. They will lay in wait and play better hands. You lose out on their looser play under friendly social conditions.

My advice is to keep things fun at the poker table. Look for a table that is having fun. This is where the profit is!

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Sit-n-Go Poker Video 2

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 26, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (0)

Sit-n-Go Poker Video 2

The following video was prepared by MrRockSolid who recorded as he played a nine handed sit-n-go tournament. The buy-in for this tournament was $22 + $2. His goal was to play a $6.50 game and turn it into as much money as possible. During this video MrRockSolid continues to explain his actions as he plays a tight, aggressive game which is very similar to the style I play. I believe tight, aggressive play is the only way to log consistent wins in the lower limit sit-n-go games. I do generally play a little looser with regard to starting hands than MrRockSolid, but I find no flaws in his game. This is an excellent video tutorial to explain basic winning strategy for the lower limit sit-n-go tournaments at Full Tilt Poker.

MrRockSolid will also do a private audio/video of your own SnG offering advice/tips for a small fee, contact Darren via email, toyboxuk@hotmail.com for further information.

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Sit-n-Go Poker Video 1

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 25, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (0)

Sit-n-Go Poker Video 1

The following video was prepared by MrRockSolid who recorded as he played a nine handed sit-n-go tournament. His goal was to play a $6 + .50 game and turn it into as much money as possible. MrRockSolid explains his actions as he plays a tight, aggressive game which is very similar to the style I play. I believe tight, aggressive play is the only way to log consistent wins in the lower limit sit-n-go games. This is an excellent video tutorial to explain basic winning strategy for the lower limit sit-n-go tournaments at Full Tilt Poker.

MrRockSolid will also do a private audio/video of your own SnG offering advice/tips for a small fee, contact Darren via email, toyboxuk@hotmail.com for further information.

>> Play Online Poker FREE with Play Money
>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Play Online Poker

Sit-n-Go Poker Tournaments

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 24, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (2)

Sit-n-Go Poker Tournaments

My poker game of choice is the sit-n-go tournament. I generally prefer the single table sit-n-go tourneys. At the lower limits (under $50 buy-in) the players are mostly fish with a lot of gamble in them. This makes for a profitable playing situation for the disciplined player. Most of my income from poker can be attributed to sit-n-go tournaments.

Single table sit-n-go games are the fastest growing games. Many good players are learning that you can win consistently by playing at these games. In fact, quite a number of players are making a living doing exactly that. That’s right – you can actually earn a living playing sit-n-go poker. I’m not there yet, but I’m a consistent winner. I believe I probably could earn a living playing sit-n-go poker and I may take the plunge soon. Sometimes I ask myself why I bother working when I could play poker for a living. I tend to be very cautious. I continue to work my real job which affords me a great standard of living. I also play poker daily and enjoy an additional income stream. This is a great place to be!

A typical sit-n-go tournament is a 9 or 10 player table with the final three players making the money. Another type of sit-n-go tourney is the shorthanded game where 5 or 6 players enter and the top 2 players make the money. I personally prefer the shorthanded games at Full Tilt Poker. There are satellite sit-n-go tournaments where you buy in for a certain amount of money and then the top finisher wins an entry into a bigger buy-in tournament. There are also step tournaments where players buy in at step 1 for a certain amount and the top finishers advance to step 2 where the buy in in s more. There may be 4 or 5 steps before the final tourney where the final prizes are won.

When the sit-n-go begins, each player is given the same amount of tournament chips. These aren’t real money. They are chips used to try to outlast your opponents in the tournament.  There are some distinct advantages of sit-n-go tournaments over other forms of poker;

Sit-n-go games are very fast. The blinds rise continously until the end of the game. I would point out, however, that there is generally plenty of time to select good starting hands and find your best spots to get your chips in the pot.

There are lots of sit-n-go games available. Most poker sites have sit-n-go tournaments running around the clock. Full Tilt Poker has a wide selection of sit-n-go tournaments at various buy in levels.

Your losses are limited. At a cash game you might lose all your money, buy in again and then lose that. At a sit-n-go tournament you can only lose the money you have invested in the buy in. This reduces bankroll variance for sit-n-go players. Cash players and especially large field tournament players generally experience much greater bankroll variances than sit-n-go players.

Proper strategy can lead to consistent wins. Most of the players at lower level sit-n-go games are fish. They love to gamble and they’re looking for a fast win. They may enter many sit-n-go tournaments looking to get lucky and make the money. These weaker players are thrilled to get a lucky draw (to suck out) and make the big score. You can take advantage of these players by playing a proper strategy consistently.

Consider this possibility if you’re serious about playing online poker. You buy in at Full Tilt Poker for $600.  Then you get their $600 cash bonus. Follow this link to sign up and get your 100% Cash Bonus, up to $600.00!  www.fulltiltpoker.com

I must confess that I didn’t follow this path. I bought in for $200 at Full Tilt Poker, failing to take advantage of their full bonus offer. I played poker for years before I learned of solid sit-n-go strategies. I was already a decent player and I had somehow instinctively gravitated toward the sit-n-go games. After I started learning the new strategies, I discovered that much of my learning through the school of hard knocks was right on the mark. There were also some new concepts that helped move my game to an entirely new level.

If you’re going to play poker online you should consider taking advantage of Full Tilt’s generous buy-in offer and then you should read my sit-n-go articles and watch all the videos. This may be what you need to swing your game to a consistent profit.

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>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
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* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Poker is Like Shooting at Targets

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 21, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (4)

Poker is Like Shooting at Targets

Poker is a lot like shooting at targets that shoot back at you.Poker can be a lot like shooting at targets.  You wait until the perfect moment, get your target carefully lined up in the sights and then you pull the trigger. The only problem is that the targets can, and often do, start shooting back at you!

We hear the poker experts talking about being aggressive. I agree, but I think a lot of the newer players mistakenly believe that means being aggressive all the time. They become what I call “gunslingers.”

The optimum tactic I believe, is to be selectively aggressive. I do not generally play Ace Ace pocket pairs the same as I play speculative hands such as 8 9 suited. There are lots of factors that may change my play and cause me to slow down or speed up, but in general I will be much more aggressive with wired pairs than when I have hole cards that depend on the flop.

When I run up against a gunslinger who pulls the trigger on me a little too often I make mental notes. Nobody gets great cards all the time. I select my spot and me and the gunslinger are gonna tangle. But, we’re gonna tangle when the time is right for me. Making mental notes of their betting patterns allows me to set the perfect trap when the odds are in my favor. I will sometimes bet into them in an amount likely to give them a false sense of security. When they fire in a healthy raise I go over the top in a big way. Many of the online knucks will call (figuring they’re pot committed) and pay you off.  At other times I simply lay back calling or checking until the shooter fires at me and then I go over the top.

There are many different styles of poker players. I actually have a preference for aggressive opponents. It is these shooters that I have probably won most of the largest pots from. They get in so far and then they don’t seem to know when to back off.

When a gunslinger starts shooting at you make your mental notes and when the time is right shoot right back at them. These gunslingers will pay off more often than you might expect.

>> Play Online Poker FREE with Play Money
>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
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* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Starting Hands in Texas Hold ‘Em

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 18, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (0)

Starting Hands in Texas Hold ‘Em

No other casino game offers similar advantages to those we enjoy in the poker room. The other games don’t even come close. What other game allows you to view your cards and then decide whether you will play or not, even before you have placed a bet?

The importance of selecting good starting hands can’t be overstated. Some players seem to believe any two cards may end up getting “hit in the mouth” on the flop. In the short term one might see profits from playing low quality starting hands.  Over a period of time, however, the profit derived from low quality starting hands will invariably turn into a loss.

There are many considerations regarding starting hands including but not limited to;

The quality of your hole cards
Your chip stack
Your opponents chip stacks
Your position at the table
The size of the pot
The aggressiveness or passiveness of players yet to act
In tournament play you will also want to consider the stage of the tourney

If you try to start out with an inferior hand (hoping it will hit on the board) then you place yourself in a position of having to play catch-up time after time. Over the course of time this will have a negative effect on your bankroll. All other things being equal, over time the player who generally plays better starting hands will emerge as the more profitable player.

 Consider this – In each hand of poker that is dealt, there are likely to be two or three players who are dealt good cards. If you decide to play with inferior cards you have to beat all the people who have been dealt good cards.  Over time the results of playing inferior starting hands against good hands will create a negative expected income from your poker play.

Obviously the blinds and the player on the button will enjoy greater latitude to play weaker starting hands, but don’t get crazy. If you’re in good position and can limp in then go ahead and you may get lucky. If you don’t get lucky then you should get out of the betting before any more of your chips go into the pot.

Until next time, good luck on the felt.

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>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Predictability of Lucky Streaks

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 16, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (3)

Lucky Streaks in Poker

Still stinging from several bad beats today, I started thinking about the predictability of luck coming in streaks.  I’ll spare you the details of my bad beats. We all have these lucky and not-so-lucky streaks.

It occurs to me that this would be the normal or expected fluctuation of probably occurrences in poker.  You can play all your cards perfectly one day and your pocket rockets (aces) will lose out to an improbable straight draw. On another day you can play everything wrong and your luck will hold up as you draw out on your opponents time after time.  All experienced poker players know how this goes.

Good cards and bad cards can tend to come in streaks. This is a predictable outcome in the game of poker. It is to be expected. I believe it’s important to understand this concept. Otherwise, we may fall into the trap of thinking that we are unlucky, or the poker gods have it out for us, or some other self-defeating beliefs.  These streaks are a part of the game we love – or as I sometimes say, “the game I have the love-hate relationship with.”

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>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Royal Flush @ World Series of Poker

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 16, 2008 | Posted in: Rants & Raves | Comments (1)

Royal Flush at World Series of Poker

Check This Out!

I have gotten two Royal Flushes while playing online but never in a live game.  And, I have played hundreds of thousands of hands of poker.  This makes sense because I play multiple rooms at a time online. The games move much faster and you get in many more hands per hour online than you would in a live poker game.

For those of you who are wondering… Here are the odds for various hands in Texas Hold ‘Em.

Percentage Odds
Royal Flush 0.0002% 1 in 649,740.00
Straight Flush 0.0012% 1 in 72,193.33
Four of a kind 0.0240% 1 in 4,165.00
Full House 0.1441% 1 in 694.16
Flush 0.1967% 1 in 508.80
Straight 0.3532% 1 in 254.80
Three of a kind 2.1128% 1 in 47.32
Two Pair 4.7539% 1 in 21.03
One Pair 42.2569% 1 in 2.36
Nothing 50.1570% 1 in 1.99

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>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

Play Online Poker
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Oregon Coast Championship Poker Tournament

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 16, 2008 | Posted in: Rants & Raves | Comments (0)

Oregon Coast Championship Poker Tournament 

This is a post from my old site about a recent poker tournament where I placed 7th.

MY FINAL TABLE NEWS

I finished seventh place in the Chinook Winds Casino Oregon Coast Championship Poker Tournament which was held on Friday, January 25, 2008.

We started this Texas Hold ‘Em tournament with 120 women. I recognized some great players in the field. The blind structure was aggressive and the game was tough among this group of competitive players.

I felt quite happy about placing 7th place and taking the $935.00 prize. I keep feeling that I’m due for another top finish so stay tuned!

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>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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Poker: A Metaphor for Life

Posted by DrunkBlonde | February 15, 2008 | Posted in: Poker Tips | Comments (2)

Poker: A Metaphor for Life

I have heard it suggested that poker is very much like life. In fact, poker is an excellent metaphor for life. We’re all dealt a hand. Some of us are dealt a good hand, others not so good. The way we play our hand makes all the difference.

 In poker and in life we are dealt hands and we must make decisions as to how to play our hands. These decisions aren’t made in a vacuum, so there are risks and rewards that become obvous.  Sometimes we choose to become aggressive and at other times we are more reserved, holding back to see how things unfold.  We face many struggles where we’re sometimes well equipped and at other times we’re not so well equipped. There is always an air of uncertainty. The best we can do is make the best possible decisions based on the available facts.  We are rewarded or punished according to the decisions we make.

 We all should strive to make more good decisions than bad decisions. As in life, so it is in poker.

 “You play the hand you’re dealt. I think the game’s worthwhile.”   C.S. Lewis

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>>>> Play Online to Win with Real Money
>>>>>> Download Full Tilt Software
>>>>>>>> * Double Your Initial Deposit!

* Double your money requires an initial deposit. Full Tilt Poker will give you an initial deposit bonus up to $600. When prompted, enter code DOUBLEDEPOSIT

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