An Observation About Poker

Written by Nigel

I was at my friend’s place last night again and I decided to bring my poker chip set just in case some guys wanted to play.  It turned out to be a slow night at the beginning since everyone just wanted to sit around and chat and drink.  After an hour or so, I decided to give it a try and suggested that we play poker.  The moment everyone saw my shiny metal case and the colorful chips, I got their attention real good. (Remember these people were the same ones I taught poker some time ago).

So anyway, there we were.  We began setting up and talking about the rules.  Now I really wanted to play for money, even if for just a very small amount.  Unfortunately, these guys did not have money on them or they just did not want to play for money.  The end result was that we played but there was no money involved.

The one thing that I observed with home games is that I really prefer cash games, no matter how small the buy in and the antes are.  Why?  Because people tend to take the game more seriously.  Even beginners will not try to bluff their way out of every single situation (even if they have the worst hand in poker).  More so, anyone can join in at any point with real cash games just by buying in.

We were able to deal with the little things of course.  Even the crazy bluffing made it funnier at times.  It was a good night.  I still wish it was a cash game though.

Cashless Poker Machines?

Written by Nigel

A news headline for today really caught my attention as it read “NSW To Introduce Cashless Poker Machines.”  Well, yeah, I know – the other day I was just talking about poker being fun even without having cash at the table.  However, I was talking about a group of people coming together to play.  When it comes to poker machines, though, it just seems a bit silly not having to play for cash, doesn’t it?

The rest of the news item gave me a clearer picture – the poker machines (cashless, mind you) does not mean that the player will not get any winnings.  It is just that with the new system, NSW poker players will get their winnings in the form of a ticket and then redeem that for cash at a booth or counter.

So what is the point in this system?  One, authorities say that having to stand up from the machine to collect winnings will force gamblers to take a break.  According to Peter Newell (Chairman of Clubs New South Wales), “the new system will force gamblers to take a break and, while not a cure for problem gambling, is a step in the right direction.”  More so, he says that “It also removes a level of cash out of the system so it makes clubs less of a target for armed robberies which is an ongoing problem as well.”

Point taken.  Then again, I wonder how NSW poker machine fans will react to this?

Looser Poker Laws in Florida

Written by Nigel

For those of you living in this part of the world, there’s more good news:

The maximum betting limits at a poker table in the state of Florida has been $2, with players being able to raise three times in a given playing round, but that will soon all change as a bill has passed through both the Senate and the House, leaving only the Governor, Charlie Crist to veto the bill.

It is not expected that the Governor would take the veto action, which would mean the new law would go into affect the first day of July, 2007.

The new law seems to coincide with a progressive movement being made in the state towards building a mecca for gamblers, much like in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Many believe this law is just the next step toward the ultimate goal of having complete gambling freedom, with full access to table games such as craps, blackjack, and roulette, which are currently still illegal in the state.

This latest law will have current casinos scrambling to provide table games with these new maximum limits at their poker tables. The most likely scenario is having many $1-$2 no limit tables, in addition to $5 buy in and $5 betting max limit games. Although that does not sound like much, a player could conceivably have $20 around in per round per hand, which means players could be in for $65 a hand(including their buy-in).

Again, nothing is set in stone but it seems to me that this is quite promising.  What do you think?

A Note For Beginners

Written by Nigel

I was thinking about that other night when I taught Texas Hold Em to some guys.  I think I shared that story with you already.  Anyhow, I was thinking about how beginners can make their share of mistakes if not guided properly.  One major thing I was thinking about is how beginners should wait more than their share at the table.  What do I mean by this?

That night I was playing with all newbies, I noticed that they rarely folded – if they did at all.  Even if they had bad cards, they just went ahead and tried to bluff their way through it.  They won sometimes but they lost as well.  It might have worked for that night but I doubt that it would work if they start to play poker in the long run.

Seasoned poker players would know that there is always a time to fold.  I think this is one of the hardest things to learn in this game.  Deep down inside, we think that folding is the cowardly way out.  The truth is, however, folding is something that we use to win in the long run.  We do not always get good cards –that is for sure.  The only thing that we can do during the times that we get bad cards is to fold and wait for good cards.

This is where patience comes in – the “P” word that is used a lot when it comes to poker.  This is what beginners should learn on the outset.

Poker for PS3

Written by Nigel

Here’s more for us poker lovers.  It seems to me that this is an exciting year for poker!

Sony Online Entertainment is developing High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition for the PlayStation 3. The game is anticipated to be available for digital download through the PlayStation Network this Winter for US$10.

High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition will give players a chance to show off their skills in Texas Hold’em, Super Hold’em, Billabong, Tahoe and Shanghai. Each of the five different styles of poker can be played as limit, pot limit or no limit poker. Multiplayer is available for all games, and will allow up to six people to play together on one table at a time, in high definition up to 1080p.

“Being among the first PlayStation Network publishers to release a game that takes advantage of the EyeToy USB Camera (for PlayStation 2) and other PC compatible USB cameras is not only exciting, but also puts the player into a realistic game play setting featuring live audio and video feed,” said Michael Lustenberger, VP of Marketing for Sony Online Entertainment.

Players have the option to log in for a quick match or play through a whole season. The game also offers a Turbo Mode to power through the tournament circuit to advance a player’s career. In addition, players can track their stats and see how they compare to others through online leader boards, and used points earned to unlock items for their customisable character.

For those who have PS3s (who doesn’t want one???) then this should be something to look forward to!

Poker Players Alliance

Written by Nigel

Good news to poker players in the United States.  We all have heard about the Internet Gambling Act which has limited – if not cut off – playing for money online.  After the first few months, the outcry seemed to have died down.  However, here is something that will give heart to those who have been affected by the ban.

The Poker Players Alliance has revealed that its grassroots organization, headed by the honorable former Senator of New York State Alfonse D’Amato, has ballooned to 500,000.
Over the weekend, D’Amato expressed how prohibition has failed repeatedly throughout United States history and will fail again with certain politicians attempts to quash online poker (a la Senator Jon Kyl out of Arizona).

An animated D’Amato predicted just as the prohibition of the 1920s failed, so too will today’s restrictions of Internet poker. “Only meaningful regulation of online poker, like the Frank plan, will produce positive outcomes for the players, children, the economy, the taxpayer, and society in general.”

Amato expressed his views in the Boston Herald.  “Perhaps the biggest government blunders in U.S. history have been prohibitions,” wrote D’Amato in the Herald. “The prohibition against alcohol led to black market smuggling and speakeasies, and reaped huge profits for organized crime. Today, the prohibition on Internet gambling promises to funnel players underground, diminishing society’s ability to deal with serious challenges such as underage and problem gambling, and, more importantly, interferes with the right to individual liberty and privacy.”

It is nothing concrete but it is better than nothing.

Sharing Texas Hold ‘Em

Written by Nigel

The other night I went with some friends to their home town in the outskirts of the city.  Not really knowing anyone there, I was quite apprehensive that I would be bored or feel out of place.  Anyway, I went down there not expecting much.  It turned out to be an unfounded fear as the people were very friendly and accommodating.  More than that, they loved to play cards.

Unfortunately, the kind of card game they were playing was alien to me.  After a few hands, they asked me to join in so I took the chance and asked them if they have ever played Texas Hold ‘Em.  Believe it or not, they had never heard of it!  So I got pretty excited and asked them if they would like to learn.  It all began there…

We started off a bit awkwardly, with me having to explain every little thing to each of them (there were four of us initially).  After several hands, though, they got the concept well.  We did not really play for money but we used coins as chips.  As a testament to the “funness” of this game, after an hour or so, we had about 6 players at the table!  The funny thing is that I found myself losing quite more than I normally do.  Call it beginner’s luck or whatever but I had fun anyway.

Now I am not one to dwell much on things but that night reminded me of something.  Playing poker can be fun with out having to put real money at stake.

Lucky You

Written by Nigel

As a poker nut, I am fascinated by anything related to this card game.  That is perhaps one reason I really liked Casino Royale.  Being the movie lover that I am, having a movie with lots of poker action in it just made my day.  Of course, not to mention the awesome cars in that movie – and the fact that it was a James  Bond flick.  In any case, there is a new movie coming out and it is all about poker!

Lucky You is a movie by Curtis Hanson who is clearly a poker nut just like the rest of us.  I honestly haven’t seen the movie but the reviews and write ups I have read so far make me want to see it.  Starring Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana, Lucky You is all about a veteran Las Vegas poker player and his singer girlfriend.  Though the plot of course has more than poker to it, it unmistakable that poker is the theme of this movie.  That in itself tells me that it is worth watching.  Then again, if you are not into poker that much (then why are you reading this blog, may I ask?) you probably wouldn’t like the movie.

Still, some write ups are skeptical about the movie mainly because of its topic being too specific – poker.  I do not know what to say to that, being too involved in the subject.  However, I do believe that despite the specific topic, there should be quite a lot of interested viewers.  After all, poker is quite popular these days, isn’t it?

Yahoo and Poker

Written by Nigel

Are you a fan of Yahoo?  Well I use their e-mail and play their games but when it comes to search engines it’s another story.  The good thing is, this post is about poker and Yahoo has entered the picture!  Poker nut that I am, I was quite excited by the news item I ran across just a few minutes ago.  Here, read for yourself:

Search engine giant Yahoo! is expanding its online gaming presence with a partnership with St Minver and Boss Media AB to launch Yahoo! Poker.  The new portal will offer an innovative and user-friendly experience that requires no download through a flash-only browser based design.  The new poker site was designed and built by St Minver and uses poker software from Boss Media AB.  Yahoo! UK has also partnered with Endemol Gaming, to create exclusive video tutorials and interactive guides to help player develop their skills.   Jim Ryan, CEO of St Minver, said: “We are delighted to welcome Yahoo! UK into Boss Media AB and St Minver’s partner-based International Poker Network. We have created a simple, safe and entertaining online poker offering that will be engaging for Yahoo! customers. Poker continues to be one of the most popular online card games and the introduction of Yahoo! UK in to the sector is definitely going to broaden its appeal.”
St Minver is Europe’s largest online games network operator and already runs Yahoo!’s bingo website.  Yesterday it was announced that Yahoo! acquired online advertising arm Right Media for $680 million (£342 million), subject to approval.   The purchase follows Yahoo’s purchase of a 20 per cent stake in the company last October.

My Poker Journal

Written by Nigel

Have you ever kept a journal or diary when you were younger?  I suppose this activity (in its traditional sense) is fast disappearing, largely due to the existence of blogs.  I myself remember fondly those days when I wrote on actual paper.  Anyhow, the reason I asked is that I realized that keeping a journal is actually something that can help in my quest to take my poker game to the next level.  How so?

In keeping a poker diary, I can target three things:  I can keep track of my progress (or lack of it for that matter), I can take down new experiences, and I can do something about my observations.  First, keeping track of progress is an important thing in any endeavor.  Knowing where you stand lets you know how far you are from your goal.  It allows you to look back and measure how much you have improved.  At the same time if you do not see improvement, you have it on paper and you can do something about it.

Next, experience is one of the best teachers.  Yet human as we are, we may not remember every little detail that is important to the learning process.  With a poker diary or journal, we can revisit those new experiences and learn from them all over again.

Last, keeping a poker journal is not about just taking down notes.  It is for a specific goal.  It is merely a guide and a reminder to help you reach that goal.  Next time, let’s take a look at some specifics that I write down in my journal.

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