Some Online Poker Suggestions
Your hand is your only strength.
Here is a general rule to upkeep this mantra. You should keep your vision set on the pot when you are in a late position. Even though you will be playing with an excellent hand you should always be aware of the ratio of pot: position. Play the big cards, but if you are in a later position than it’s a good idea to switch to the suited connectors. This especially holds weight if you have four or five players who see the flop with you.
Check in with the pot odds in order to excuse a call from you, more than this, a suited connector like a 4-5 pair can bring an interesting hand if you strike the right flop. Say you have been showing the other players a good card selection; it may now be wise to think of a raise. If so then your challengers will play you on by throwing big cards your way. This can be a huge payout if you hit two pairs or a sweet flop set to compliment your 4-5.
When you play a low card combo, there are several ways to take advantage of the game. Table situations such as low and mid size pocket duos like 3-3 through 10-10 are easily converted into winnings if you play your hand correctly.
Let’s say you are in a late position with at least four to five callers ahead of your turn. This is the time to unleash the potential of your pocket pairs. Another good opportunity to play the pairs is when you notice you are sitting with a group of non aggressive players.
You can recognize this style of play once you see there are a good amount of pre-flop raises. Here is a good time to consider using your pocket pair from late or middle position. However, you must remember that if you do not hold an overpair on the board, then join then don’t bet.
A bit more of a simple strategy to think of when playing online poker is to notice if you are sitting with good, fair or down right awful players. If your opponents are hitting good hangs with poor hands you might be lured into playing the same way: trashing cards to bring huge payouts. This however is the wrong way. Counter this strategy and sit until a good hand appears.
Sahamies and his Swinging Losses
Recently, a major loss of $1 million by Ilari Sahamies to Tom ‘durr’ Dwan brought the latest online competitions to new heights, especially as he faced DrugsOrMe this past Thursday on Full Tilt Poker.
Sahamies string of painful loses was compounded last week as he was taken for an enormous Big Blind Pot against DrugsOrMe. Narrowing in on these brutal defeats is a brief look at his losses.
It was an up and down slide for Sahamies at Full Tilt Poker as he settled into a sour session at a six max pot limit Omaha. Flagging his misfortune was a huge loss on a 768-big-blind pot in a face off against DrugsOrMe and Cadillac 1944.
Sahamies’ end raise went up to $1,400 from, following was DrugsOrMe who took the pot to a three-bet at $4,800. The final flop came in with 6 3 2 , 1944 went all in for the crisp $83,667. Next Sahamies called all in for $50,200, following was DrugsOrMe who called to place the two challengers on edge.
When the A came in to fall on the turn, DrugsOrMe was all sitting pretty on a set of aces that came to crush Sahamies’ chances. Once the 3 appeared on the river was secure with a full house. Taking home the $307,331 pot, DrugsOrMe succeeded not only in winning big but removing the unknown on his style and overall character.
Meanwhile, the USPC main event was being held by PokerStars, who have been running satellites to the 2010 United States Poker Championship (USPC) upcoming event on 11/19/10.
The lead finishers for the $5,250 buy-in on November 19th 2010 began as candidates with only light money, some only entering with several dollars. This of course was able to lend enthusiastic players with a more modest bankroll a real chance to win.
Slated for the Trump Taj Mahal resort in Atlantic City, the USPC is being billed as one of the most prestigious events to surface in sometime in the U.S. There are several promotions and other registration material available at the PokerStars lobby online.
Poker Downunder
How’s the poker down under in these days. Well this years ANZPT Melbourne, Australia action has led to a sward of Ozzy player all vying to put their country further on the poker map. With the latest boom in the U.K. why can’t Australia follow in the new trend as well.
The second year of PokerStars’ expedition deep into Australia and New Zealand has brought the sponsor into the limelight of each event they host. This year, the ANZPT hosted 310 main events
In its seventh stop of season 2, the PokerStars-sponsored Australia and New Zealand Poker Tour hosted 310 main event potential final table winners. The action went down at the Crown Poker Room in the lovely city of Melbourne. The most prized AU$2,700 buy-in organized the cash pool at $775,000 and left thirty-six players with cash in hand. One of the Ozzy stars was Kozlov, who managed to keep himself in with a weak stand of chips he would not come to raise the Australian flag and found himself in a series of grinds throughout his play.
Kozlov remained in with the nasty nine in the final table and set in to show what a 23 year old was worth from down under. His weak chip count didn’t deter from aggressive and rather lucky play; In a deciding moment Kozlov’s pocket queens showed as a mismatch for the pocket aces of James “Andy McLeod”, lucky for Kozlov a third queen touched down and Kozlov was able to keep hope alive.
The tourney was quite a spectacle as the young Austrlian was able to defeat his own hurdles as well as dodge offsetting flops and a steady stack of short chips. The major shortcomings throughout the 2010 ANZPT main event proved minor for the 23 year old.
Kozlov was able to claim the 2010 ANZPT Melbourne main event title by defeating a thick selection of poker starts and seasoned players. The young stud’s determination over his odds gave a good cheer for Australian poker and should be able to continue the push to expand poker throughout the country.
And the online Poker champion is…
The PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker set sail on September 5th and was marked by two massive events, both of which brought an unprecedented number of players and payouts. The WCOOP kicked off with Event 1 – $215 No Limit Hold’em 6-max tournament. The epic match set a $1.25 million prize pool, which was dramatically increased when 9,001 players ramped up the potential winnings to $1.8 million.
The most represented online poker site was PokerStars, who came in with 56 pro players. In the end, eleven of the PokerStars players cashed out. In the lead for the giant online poker room was Randy “nanonoko” Lew – 33rd, Noah “Exclusive” Boeken – 87th and Barry “barryg1? Greenstein coming – 110th.
Blowing everything out of proportion was AlexKP, who held an enormous advantage over the others (71.5 million to 18.5 million). He entered the tourney with “Tutanharmon1”, which made for some interesting poker jockeying. In the end, AlexKP declined to chop and instead said to his challenging opponent shrewdly, “If you get to 30 million we can talk.”
Tutanharmon1 eventually reached 30 million plus, and again he floated the idea of a chop, this time however AlexKP went for it and agreed for an uneven chop, which left $25,000 to be handed to the victor. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, AlexKP tore into his opponent’s chips, added the $25K and tallied his total earnings into a gigantic $257,000 prize. Meanwhile, Tutanharmon1 completed play with a respectable $198,274.48.
The second Event (2) saw “CrabMaki” hit the $10,300 No Limit Hold’em High Roller tournament with a vengeance. He crushed the 313-player field and stood as a major wrecking force throughout. A nut flush during the final hand secured the championship for CrabMaki against Ville Wahlbeck. The $605,655 top prize ended up on CrabMaki’s table side, thus concluding a stunning first day of at the 9th WCOOP. Out of the 313 active players, 21 of them were from PokerStars pros.
A Triple Threat – Jake Cody
Twenty two years old and narrowing in on a poker triple crowd defines the rising UK star, Jake Cody. Cody has recently been anointed as champion to the first ever WPT London Poker Classic Main Event, held this past week. Hailing from Rochdale, UK, the young Jedi reigned in his first WPT title with a cheque for GBP 273,783. As a result he is considered two thirds closer to locking in a triple crown – his win at EPT Deauville earlier this year kick started the triple crown threat.
In a strange twist of poker politics, Cody’s victory not only earned him respect and cash but also ended up saving Party Poker $1 million in a bonus promised to 21-year-old Swedish online qualifier Kristoffer Thorsson. The young Swede was slated to take home this massive bonus by finishing first in the tournament. Thorsson finished fourth, while fellow Swede Nichlas Mattsson ended the action as the runner-up.
Thorsson’s command over most of the players was completed at the final table when Cody pulled the trigger and demolished the competition. The large crowd of spectators watched with fervor from the Palm Beach Casino in Mayfair.
Cody said, “This is crazy – I am so happy to win my first WPT title… I was totally aware there was huge pressure on Kristoffer because of the extra $1 million bonus. I thought he did well and actually believe he was the best player at the table.”
Coby’s moniker as “The Grim Reaper” is proving to be an accurate description of how other poker players view him, especially now after this massive win in the first ever World Poker Tour London Poker Classic. This accomplishment is linked to Coby’s victory at the European Poker Tour Deauville last January.
Now all what is awaiting Coby is the World Series of Poker title and he will have accomplished a remarkable feat.
Why Phil Ivey deserves the Hall of Fame nod
Out of all of the potential players who may be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame for 2010 one player who overshadows the rest. Phil Ivey is without a doubt the best poker player of the day. His weight is felt heavily in each poker vertical, including Omaha and Stud. His across the board domination has earned him over $40,000,000. Ivey will either be placed in the hall of fame this year or next.
Phil Ivey, at 34, is listed in 2010 as first in the world among all-time money winners in tournament poker. He is revered by his opponents and poker enthusiasts and is known as the best all-around player in the world today. Ivey has appeared at eight World Poker Tour final tables, won eight World Series of Poker bracelets and one World Poker Tour title. He’s fearless, enjoys a wealthy lifestyle, and wins big at his favorite sport.
At the 2010 WSOP, Ivey won his eighth bracelet in H.O.R.S.E. which got him $329,840. He has been called ‘the Tiger Woods of Poker’. Ivey is the youngest player to win eight (Phil Hellmuth was 39). In addition, no other player has accumulated eight bracelets more quickly; it took Ivey only ten years from the time of his first bracelet to his eighth, (it took Johnny Moss 11 years).
Ivey is first on the all-time money list with over $14 million in tournament earnings. Ivey lives in Las Vegas and is a regular participant in the $4,000-$8,000 mixed cash game at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. In February 2006, he played heads-up Limit Texas Hold’em against Texas billionaire Andy Beal. With stakes at $25,000/$50,000, Ivey won over $16,000,000 over the course of three days. A group of poker professionals joined Ivey, called themselves “The Corporation”, pooled their money and took turns playing against Beal. Earlier in the month, Beal beat the Corporation out of $10,000,000. After losing to Ivey, Beal claimed that he was giving up poker. But he had said that before.
Ivey was taught poker by his grandfather at a young age in New Jersey where he grow up. He was hooked immediately. He is known for his intense and intimidating look when he plays poker. His eyes dart back and forth and he’s been called cold hearted. Ivey has a generous side and has started a charity and given money to a number of charitable causes. He is the one to watch.
And the Poker Hall of Fame Winner is…
All votes are in! The judges for the 2010 Poker Hall of Fame have now collected their ballots and are slated to vote on a short line of ten players in order to determine the next hall of fame poker player.
On this year’s panel are Doyle Brunson, a ten time WSOP bracelet winner; eleven time WSOP bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth, and 2009 hall of fame inductee Mike Sexton. These men will link with seventeen other industry leaders to determine the next legend of poker.
The top two poker stars who will enter the hall of fame will be selected be selected by a point system. Based on a ten point rating system between the candidates the leading two players will allowed induction before beginning of the final table at the World Series of Poker 10,000 Main Event in November. A cool $9 million will be awarded to the crowned king of the World Series final table.
Some of the contestants for this years vote are: Erik Seidel, Dan Harrington, Phil Ivey, Tom McEvoy, Barry Greenstein and Daniel Negreanu. One or two players selected from a publically voted shortlist will make it in. Here is a quick look at two of the more intriguing potentials:
Chris Ferguson, or better known by his moniker “Jesus” is leveraging his 2001 World Series of Poker Main Event championship and partial ownership of Full Tilt Poker to reign in the hall of fame nod. Despite his semi-impressive accolades he has not been in many high stakes games recently and has not really reached the level of a hall of famer.
Barry Greenstein, also know by his nick-name, the ‘Robin Hood of Poker’ is well known for charitable donations, two WPT titles, and three WSOP bracelets. His induction would not be surprising, especially after his popular book, Ace on the River.
World Series of Poker Europe part III
Three is the magic number as the third World Series of Poker Europe launches September, 14, 2010, at The Empire Casino in Leicester Square in London.
If you have never been to a World Series of Poker event this is the one to check out. Aside from the guest list of poker celebrities and charming events you will have history unfolding in front of your eyes.
One of the new and more exciting events to begin is a back to back day of £2,500 No-Limit Holdem. This 6-max tournament will be followed by the £5,000 PLO event; the £1,000 No-Limit Holdem event and the £10,000 Main Event. Meanwhile, the £10,000 heads-up High Roller tournament is slated to start up on Tuesday, September 21st.
One interesting angle to pay attention to here is the politics behind potential wins. Certain bracelet bets have been made by some of the more esteemed leaders in the game. If Tom Dwan receives a bracelet he will then break even with Phil Ivey and in effect win the other bets; however, if Ivey wins a bracelet he will successfully draw a ridiculous sum of $5,000,000 from the Full Tilt Poker boss himself, Mr. Howard Lederer.
For all of us who wait for showdowns like this, the details coming out of London now are extremely interesting and exciting. Stay tuned for more news but for now check out the WSOE schedule to stay with the action.
WSOPE Schedule
Event #1: £2,500 Six Handed No Limit Hold’em Tue 14 Sep – Thu 16 Sep
Event #2: £5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Thu 16 Sep – Sat 18 Sep
Event #3: £1,000 No Limit Hold’em Fri 17 Sep – Tue 21 Sep
Event #4: £10,000 No Limit Hold’em High Roller Heads-Up Tue 21 Sep – Thu 23 Sep
Event #5: £10,000 WSOPE Championship No Limit Hold’em Thu 23 Sep – Tue 28 Sep
The 2010 European Poker Tour main event
Vilamoura, Portugal is the home to the 2010 European Poker Tour main event, but so far this year’s European Poker Tour is being owned by the U.K. Similar to the shocking win by Liv Boeree at EPT 2010 in San Remo and James Mitchell at the Irish Open, Vilamoura is seeing U.K. players carrying the top three spots at the final table. Now let’s take a closer look at these U.K. players who are putting British poker even further into the limelight.
The current leader, as of September 1, 2010, is Toby Lewis (3,322,000). This young man is one the more successful online poker players in the game, at the same time he is new to poker tournaments where you’re not clicking away. Lewis is classified as number eight on online poker play in the UK (source: PocketFives).
He started his online poker career with a victory from a Brighton £200 buy-in tourney in 2009. From this point on Lewis amassed an impressive $171,669 through various live tournament prizes. His quick and relentless climb has claimed two EPT cashes. Regardless of the outcome of the European Poker Tour Lewis has already won the largest live play prize of his young career.
The U.K. runner up, so far, is Sam Trickett (3,365,000 in chips). Trickett blows away Lewis in terms of experience and earnings; in three years he has won close to $1.33 million. At the conclusion of the 2008 WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event Trickett placed fourth and was then worth only $245,927.
This time around he has made his greatest mark through six cashes ($505,725), all of which came from a tier two placement during the same event. A final win at the European Poker Tour would mean that Trickett has won his seventh tournament in only three years.
Trailing these two Brits is Teddy Sheringham (1,783,000). Without mentioning too many of his football accolades, it should be clear that Sheringham has appeared in over 51 international appearances for the English national team. As a hobby, Sheringham broke into poker in 2009 at the WSOP Europe Main Event. He finished 14th out of 334 and left with a $66,738 prize. Placing better than seventh or higher at Vilamoura will award him the largest cash out of his short career.
The British Poker Awards
There are eight of eleven categories, which are listed in full below, and the British Poker Awards will announce the winners to all of the categories on September 13th at the brand new Fox Poker Club in London. The admission price to the actual event is £100; meanwhile a £50 NLHE tournament will proceed after the ceremony. This tournament is a warm up, or teaser if you will, for the highly anticipated World Series of Poker Europe scheduled for the day after.
This is a very exciting opportunity for both the players themselves and their fans. It is a great day when fans can communicate and show support for players which they only hear about or watch from afar. The British Poker Awards will set a precedent for future players. After this U.K. national vote, players will recognize the importance of the fan and will work even harder to gain their favor.
Below is a list of nominees:
Cash Best Player:
Neil Channing
Richard Ashby
Luke Schwartz
Ben Grundy
Ben Roberts
Bambos Charalambos
Tournament Most Valuable Player:
James Akenhead
Sam Trickett
Chris Moorman
Praz Bansi
James Dempsey
JP Kelly
Best Player Online:
Chris “Moorman1? Moorman
Richard “Chufty” Ashby
Lawrence Rivermanl “Houghton
Luke “__FullFlush1__” Schwartz
Ben “milkybarkid” Grundy
Best International Player:
Phil Ivey
Tom Dwan
Patrik Antonius
Michael Mizrachi
Sorel Mizzi
Isildur1
Best Poker Legue:
Poker Tree
Redtooth poker
Masters Poker League
APAT
Champions Poker League
Poker in the Pubs
Live Poker League
Get Noticed Poker League
Nuts Poker League
Best Card Room UK:
Victoria Casino
The International Club
Dusk Till Dawn
Casino at the Empire
The G Casino chain
The Palm Beach
Bluff at the Mint
Best Contribution to the Game:
Anthony Holden
Simon Trumper
Tony Kendall
Marty Wilson
Jesse May
Victoria Coren
Best UK Poker Forum:
BlondePoker
The Hendon Mob
Aworldofpoker
SkyPoker
Gutshot