I'm a devourer of
poker knowledge. If a well known pro comes out with a new book, I have it preordered on Amazon. When the box arrives I rip it open and lie on my bed reading straight through without a break. I TiVo every poker show on TV even if I've seen it before, I skim the internet everyday for new poker articles. I'm sure you know the feeling, because you're just like me. Every article online, every pros video you are there inhaling. Trying constantly to understand what it is that makes them better then you and how you can bring yourself to their level.
One of the most common questions that
beginning poker players have is: what is the most important skill a poker player can have? I've heard many pros answer this question with: patience, the ability to read an opponent, or the ability to put pressure on other players. I think the pros have heard this question so many times that they script their answers and give up on really providing a significant answer. Its not patience or reading ability that makes a player a top pro, because these are skills that can be learned by most of us. While patience is important, it is not a skill that really separates you or me from the best in the world. Most good players are willing to be patient in the right situations, and know its ok to continually fold hands in.
Hand reading skills are also learned. If you play thousands of hands it is virtually impossible not to gain the ability to read your opponents hand. The ability to read is just ingrained in you because you've been in the same situation many times before.
Being able to execute is what separates the top players from everyone else. This means constantly acting on your instincts and following through when you have a read or a plan for a play on a hand. It's easy to say "I have bottom two pair here and if he comes over the top he has me beat I'm going to fold". It's much more difficult to actually make that fold. It's easy to say "If I check to my opponent in this un-raised pot he's going to bet 90% of the time so I should try a check raise". It's harder to make that play continually in the right situations. You can constantly see this problem for players online. A player bets into them big on a later street, and they know they have the worst hand. The timer is ticking down and then they make the "I'm not a good enough player to make this fold" play. This play loses them tons of money in every session they play. This is a play that the great player doesn't even think about making. They aren't letting the timer tick down, because their hand is in the muck. They have the same instinct telling them to fold their big hand as you do; they just follow through with their reads when most others can't.
They can execute.
Executing:
A great example of this is concept occurred in a hand on the High Stakes Poker TV show on GSN (if you haven't seen this, I suggest torrenting it right now, just stop reading I'll forgive you). Barry Greenstein raises and Antonio Esfandairi calls in EMP with AA. The flop comes KQX and it checks to Antonio who makes a bet and is called by Greenstein. The turn is a blank and both players check. On the river Greenstein leads out for a pot sized bet. Antonio thinks for a minute and throws his hand into the muck, his opponent having KQ for two pair. Would you be able to make that read?....probably. I would definitely consider that I had the worst hand in that situation. But would you make that fold even with that read? Most people wouldn't.
They don't execute.
Not executing:
Here's a great example of my own failure to execute. I had reraised this player preflop multiple times prior to this hand. His play had been to call my repop before the flop and fold to my flop bet. Obviously he was looking to outflop my big preflop hand and then felt me.
***** Hand History for Game 3552629530 *****$100 NL Texas Hold'em - Tuesday, February 14, 07:57:32 EDT 2006Table Table 85428 (6 max) (Real Money)Seat 3 is the buttonTotal number of players : 6Seat 6: skihood ( $177.12 )Seat 2: TheJar3d ( $157.45 )Seat 1: Captain54173 ( $192.55 )Seat 5: KardPlayer1 ( $179.78 )Seat 3: AceManhattan ( $98.50 )Seat 4: cardiac777 ( $155.90 )cardiac777 posts small blind [$0.50].KardPlayer1 posts big blind [$1].** Dealing down cards **Dealt to TheJar3d [ Ah Ad ]skihood calls [$1].Captain54173 raises [$4].TheJar3d raises [$10].AceManhattan folds.cardiac777 folds.KardPlayer1 folds.skihood folds.Captain54173 calls [$6].** Dealing Flop ** [ 6h, 9s, Td ]Captain54173 checks.TheJar3d bets [$15].Captain54173 calls [$15].** Dealing Turn ** [ Qd ]Captain54173 checks.TheJar3d bets [$30].>You have options at Table 85464 (6 max) Table!.Captain54173 calls [$30].** Dealing River ** [ 3s ]Captain54173 bets [$50].>You have options at Table 85464 (6 max) Table!. TheJar3d calls [$50].Captain54173 shows [ 6s, 6d ] three of a kind, sixes.TheJar3d doesn't show [ Ah, Ad ] a pair of aces.Captain54173 wins $209.50 from the main pot with three of a kind, sixes.
On the river my opponent makes the obvious, lead in because I want my big hand paid off and I am out of position. I sat there and let the timer click down, my read saying I should fold and then I called. I didn't execute.
Another great example:***** Hand History for Game 4239100812 *****$100 NL Texas Hold'em - Thursday, May 11, 01:46:49 ET 2006Table Surf Rider (No DP) (Real Money)Seat 4 is the buttonTotal number of players : 6Seat 1: elmerfuddpi ( $99.85 )Seat 3: Spazz233 ( $122.68 )Seat 5: Metygl ( $104.60 )Seat 6: BottledFly ( $110.70 )Seat 4: TheJar3d ( $146.40 )Seat 2: fzilco ( $106.95 )Metygl posts small blind [$0.50].BottledFly posts big blind [$1].** Dealing down cards **Dealt to TheJar3d [ 9c 9d ]elmerfuddpi calls [$1].fzilco raises [$4].Spazz233 calls [$4].TheJar3d calls [$4].Metygl folds.BottledFly folds.elmerfuddpi calls [$3].** Dealing Flop ** [ Qs, 9h, Ks ]elmerfuddpi checks.fzilco checks.Spazz233 bets [$4].TheJar3d raises [$20].elmerfuddpi folds.fzilco folds.Spazz233 calls [$16].** Dealing Turn ** [ 2c ]Spazz233 checks.TheJar3d bets [$40].Spazz233 calls [$40].** Dealing River ** [ Kc ]Spazz233 bets [$40].TheJar3d raises [$80].Spazz233 is all-In.TheJar3d shows [ 9c, 9d ] a full house, Nines full of kings.Spazz233 shows [ Kh, Qd ] a full house, Kings full of queens.TheJar3d wins $21.32 from side pot #1 with a full house, Nines full of kings. Spazz233 wins $251.86 from the main pot with a full house, Kings full of queens.
Sure I have a near nut hand here. There's a lot of money in the pot. But I had an exact read on his hand, I knew it was KQ. This is what I like to call the "fuck you! You outdrew me now here is the rest of my money play". I knew this was a situation where I should make the river fold, or at the worst just make the call. There is just no reason to give him the rest of my chips when I have the right read. As a great player you need to be able to execute on your instinct in every situation. The majority of players would just look at this situation and say "well you had a great hand and lost...it happens" These are solid players who don't realize how much money they are losing each session because they can't execute on their instincts.
The reads that really matter are the ones that let you fold a great second best hand. Folding that AA in the right situation makes you more money then folding ten high after the flop. Why? Because your opponents can't make the same fold. The money you make in poker is from situations that if they were reversed your opponent would lose more money then you. If you are going broke every time your opponent out flops your AA, then you aren't really making money when you out flop their AA. Folding a good hand that is beat or calling a bluff with a marginal hand is how you make money off other solid players. If you are making folds that they aren't capable of making you will come out on top. You need to be able to execute on this play, because it's your bank.
When you get down to the fundamentals, poker is just a game of comparing your hand strength to your opponents. All experienced poker players can read hands, and can compare hand strengths. The difference between the people who wins 5PTBB/100 hands versus the person who wins 10PTBB/100 hands is their ability to constantly execute on their reads and instincts. This is the most important poker skill out there. To guess what your opponent has in each situation then follow through, being able to execute on your read, make that big fold, or fire that second barrel when you know they are weak is what will make you a great poker player. It doesn't matter if you have all the poker knowledge is the world, or if you can make the great read in every hand if your chips aren't backing up your read.
You have seen all of the Poker shows on t.v., your husband or boyfriend plays poker every week and now you want to Host a Ladies Poker Night. A trend that is becoming more and more popular throughout the U.S. There are certain things that you need to Host a Poker Game, and I will go through them with you now.
Because their may be many different skill levels at your 1st Home Game, it is a good idea to let everyone know what the rules are, what hands beat what, and some basic betting strategy. The easiest thing to do is to hang up the poster titled: All In- A Quick Guide To Poker Poster. This is large enough that everyone will be able to see it from their spot at the table, and will help to move the game along
You will definitely need a set of quality poker chips. The best ones are made from clay, and the 2 top choices would be the Nexgen or Paulson Chips. The Paulson chips are used in casinos nation-wide. The most common type of chips are the composite material chips and these usually will say 11.5 gr. chip. Along with the chips, you should get some sort of carrying case...either aluminum, wood, or acrylic, and get some chip trays.
The next thing that you will need will be some cards. It is not a great idea to play poker with the cards that you get at a dollar store, or to use paper cards. The reason for this is that they will rip, tear, get bent out of shape, and if a drink spills on them, they are ruined. That is why you need to get cards made from PVC. The 2 top brands are Copag, and Kem. While the price is higher than the paper cards, you will be able to use the same decks week after week instead of replacing them thus making them the much better value.
You will need a place to play. A great starting point would be to use a table layout that will just sit on your table and look like a poker table. The next step up, and a great choice are the folding tables. Some of these will come with padded arm rests and cup holders. The obvious benefit of the folding table is that you have an authentic look and feel while you are playing but it will fold up for easy storage or for transport to next weeks Host Home. Finally if you want your Home Game to look and feel like an authentic casino experience then you Need to get the Full Size Casino Quality Poker Table.
There are some other things that you will need like a Dealer Kit. This will include a Dealer Button, Small and Big Blind Buttons as well as the missed blind button and the kill button. It also includes some chip spacers just like in the casino. You may also want to have a Tournament Timer to keep track of time between increasing blinds. Some people use a card cover/spinner to protect your cards. You need to let other players know that you are in the hand, and they should not take your cards. Some people use a coin, or a pre-fab cover/spinner while others use a bobblehead or something that is important to them.
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By : Ashish K Arora
In a poker game, there are many strategies which are used for winning a hand. A winning poker strategy is important because without it nobody can win any hand. Anyone can find poker a complicated game but it demands lifelong learning. We can take poker like a variable game that keeps on changing its nature from time to time. Poker is a mathematical game and the most import winning poker strategy is calculating the pot odds. Another important thing which is included in poker game is the psychological aspect which includes an exciting dimension of life experiences
Poker can be a profitable game if anyone implements the right winning poker strategy. It helps a lot in playing effective poker game and also finding the best poker room. Some more things can be beneficial such as choosing the right games and taking benefits of the most profitable freerolls. One should have complete knowledge of the rules of poker game. Then only they should start playing any poker game. In poker game, one can start following the high stakes poker games. If you want to have full action then you should play in fun money tables or freerolls. One should have enough experience before playing any poker games with high amount of money.
Bluffing is also an important poker strategy. Bluff is called when someone bet or rise with a hand to whom you believe inferior. The main aim of bluffing is to get the opponents to fold and pick up the pot. The best bluff is that in which when any players bet or rise with a hand and which has no chance to improve and also win a showdown. It is very much important to choose the right spot when anyone decides to bluff. There are two things which a player has to consider while bluffing. The first one to see how the opponents have acted up to this point and the second thing is the texture of the board. To do a successful bluff, it is very important to represent a specific hand. If anyone will follow all the poker strategies then surely he or she can win various hands.
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By : Chris Stanford
A deck has 52 cards and naturally the 2 jokers.
What are high up the order are the four face cards, namely Ace, King, Queen and Jack. Then follow the number cards from the highest number to the lowest, so ten, nine, eight, seven, six, 5, four, three and two. The card numbered two is a. K. A Deuce. The suits of Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds, and Spades are thought to be equals. The Ace of Hearts, for example, will be an equal of the Ace of Diamonds. We want to remember a poker hand always has 5 cards.
The highest hand ever possible is the ROYAL FLUSH. All five cards have equal suits. A player having a hand with Ace, Queen, Jack and ten of the same suit are flash is said to be in possession of a ROYAL FLUSH
Next is STRAIT FLUSH. This is when five cards of an identical suit come together in a progression. A STRAIT FLUSH can rank higher than the other depending on the initial card. For instance; 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 would rank higher than 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.
Four of a kind comes next.Here the 4 cards of the same number or face would come together in a hand. The four Aces together would rank highest and all of the twos together would take bottom ranking.
FULL HOUSE. This is a combination of three cards featuring one face or number and one pair of another. To illustrate, it would mean 3 Aces and 2 Queens or maybe 3 Jacks and 2 tens.
The next rank in the order of poker hands is the FLUSH. Five cards of one and the same suit is a FLUSH. The player with the highest ranked card is declared victorious. In case the highest card of two or more players is the same, go to the second-highest card.
STRAIT comes in as the next ranker and is explained in this step: This hand contains cards of dissimilar suits but in the order of rank. The top STRAIT would be Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten. The one ranking low down would be 5, 4, 3, 2 and Ace. The Ace plays a double role here as high card or would go as 1.
THREE OF A KIND holds next sway in the command structure. This is when a player has three cards of one kind. A good example of this would be Ace, Ace, Ace, 3 and 4. In case there is more than one three of a kind in this dealing, the highest one wins. Thus 6, 6, 6, 2, 4 is superior to 4, 4, 4, Ace and Jack.
Next in line is TWO PAIRS. Here it is the occurrence of two differently ranked pairs of cards. (Note that two pairs of the same number or face would actually mean four cards of the same kind.) When two players put TWO PAIRS on the table, the player with the maximum numbered pair wins. So Ace, Ace, 3 and 3 gets the better of King, King, Queen and Queen.
The next place in the pecking order belongs to A PAIR: Simply put it means two cards that are of equal ranking. If there are more than one PAIRS in a round, the highest number or face wins. In case two have the same face or number pair, Ace and Ace against Ace and Ace, then the trophy goes to the player holding the next highest card, not in the pair.
Right at the bottom of the hierarchy listing is the HIGH CARD. This simply is invoked when none of the above combinations can take effect. Here the player with the topmost individual card is declared winner. Again if there is a tie for the highest card, the next highest is considered.
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The Advantages of Online PokerTexas Holdem Strategy
By : Darren W Chow
With each passing day it seems that online poker is winning over more and more players. Whether you consider yourself a professional or a complete amateur there seems to be an infinite number of options available to you when it comes to playing poker online. Poker is a game for all ages, skill levels and personalities. With the growth of the internet it is now easier than ever to find a game that matches your ability and your budget. No matter the time of day or how much you are willing to put on the line there are always a number of options when you are searching for a venue or a poker game.
While many traditional venues for poker games can be quite intimidating, online poker makes the entire game a lot more comfortable. No longer do you have to sit down next to experience professionals in an intimidating atmosphere. You can sit in the comfort of your very own home, relax and play for as little or as long as you want. The traditional casinos always have so many rules and regulations that you need to understand and follow but with online poker you have the ability to just sit down and play. You can even get yourself used to poker by sitting in and watching games or even playing for free
The convenience factor when it comes to online poker is also quite substantial. You do not have to get ready to go out and drive all the way to an overpriced venue or casino. If you are feeling the itch to play, simply log on in your pajamas, make a cup of coffee and let the cards be dealt. The staggering rate of play also makes the online game more enjoyable. There is no need for the dealer to shuffle and deal the cards and players are set up with a time limit in which to make a decision. If you don't have much time in your day but want to get a little fun in, then you can easily play a few games of online poker in just a few minutes.
Try this. Walk into a casino and ask for some free bonus money or play money. I guarantee they will be showing you the door within just a few minutes. However in an online casino, especially when it comes to poker, this is often the norm. When you sign up to become a member for an online poker community you will often be rewarded with special prizes or bonuses. In many instances, the casino will match your deposit completely with their own money. For instance, imagine you are going to deposit $100 into your online account; the casino itself will give you $100 on top of that to play with. As if there were not already enough reasons to play and love online poker.
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Learn How to Win at Texas Hold'em Poker
By : Cyman Harrison
With the way Texas Hold'em is taking over card tables everywhere, it's a good idea to learn how to play and learn how to win if you want to impress your friends, have fun or make some money at a fun and interesting game.
To win Texas Hold'em, a person needs to know more than just how to play the game. He or she needs to know about strategy.
Many poker experts and players will tell you that a tight and aggressive strategy is the only way to play Texas Hold'em. This involves playing relatively few hands and betting and raising often when you do play
This strategy, however, will only work if you understand hand-ranking. There are 1,326 distinct possibilities when it comes to the two hole cards a player can be dealt in Texas Hold'em. However, since suits are only relevant for flushes, many of these possibilities are irrelevant. So, that reduced the number of possibilities a player needs to know about to 169 possibilities.
One type of hand to get to know is a pocket pair or a wired pair. This is when you are dealt two of any card. For instance, two jacks, two aces, or two nines.
The hands which are not pocket pairs are either suited hands or unsuited hands. Suited hands are two cards of the same suit and unsuited hands are two cards of different suits. For instance a suited pocket might be an ace and a seven of spaces and an unsuited pair might be an ace of hearts and a seven of diamonds.
Generally, the higher the cards in the pocket and whether they are paired or suited increases the hand ranking. However, sometimes even a highly ranked pocket can turn into nothing after the flop, turn or river.
Some professional players are successful using other strategies as well. While most experts insist on only playing premium starting hands, others suggest a looser betting strategy. Ultimately, this is up to the player.
While some experts disagree on betting strategy, most agree that position is an important element of the game. Players who act later in a hand, have more information than those who act earlier. As a result, players often play fewer hands from earlier positions and more from later positions. This does have a disadvantage since a person's opponents can gain clues to his or her hand based upon the bets made after the flop, the turn and the river.
Those who play no-limit or fixed limit version of hold'em, play different strategically, and many players who excel at one, do not excel at the other. For instance, because of the limit placed on betting in limit games, players cannot bluff as successfully. And in no-limit poker, new players often lack the courage to make the larger bets.
Strategy can also vary between games with lower stakes and games with higher stakes. Small stakes games usually have more players participating in each hand and can have very passive playing strategies or very aggressive raising strategies, compared to high stakes games, which are more stable.
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By : Rick Braddy
Looking for a great place to play online Texas Holdem poker? Well, Party Poker and its affiliate sites are a great place to play. You’ll find it all - Texas Holdem poker, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Hi/Lo games, including a wide range of games such as play-money tables, regular “ring games” (regular poker game with up to 9 players, limit, no limit, pot limit, tournaments, and more.
Party Poker is the most popular online poker room today, according to actual real-time, online measurements published by PokerPulse.com statistics. You’ll see that they generally have the most online poker games running at any given point in time, with many thousands of games of all kinds available around the clock.
Looking for a bonus code for making your initial deposit? There are a number of bonus codes that will provide you with an extra bonus for making a deposit at their site. Just search on Google or Yahoo using the keywords “party poker bonus code” and you’ll find all kinds of bonus offers – such as an additional $100 bonus or 20% matching bonus for your first deposit. If you’re considering making a deposit for real-money play, note that you should take advantage of that initial deposit bonus, since your first deposit will generally yield you the biggest bonus.
If you’re just interested in learning to play and enjoy having fun, then you’ll find thousands of players online around the clock. If you’re into Sit and Go tournaments, then you’ll definitely find a wide range of these final table style tournaments running all the time.
If you're looking for some great competition to hone your game, then you'll definitely find that, too. I've played against some very respectable players there. HINT: The best poker players are typically online in the evenings and during the weekends, so whenever you play keep in mind the time of day. If you're looking for less fierce competition, then you'll often find that during the morning and afternoon...at least that's been my experience.
I've been playing on Party Poker for many years and it's definitely one of my favorite place to play online Texas Holdem poker. You'll find everything you'll need to tune up your game and keep it sharp.
So, if you’re into Texas Holdem poker, and ready to have some fun, then you need to check out Party Poker. It’s free to join up and try it out on the play money tables, and it’s a lot of fun.
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By : James Jenson
A lot of professional poker players believe that position is one of the most important aspects of playing winning poker. Position refers to where you are sitting at the poker table. There are 3 main positions:
1. Early
2. Middle
3. Late
Early position refers to the first two or three seats that have to act at the start of each round of betting. This is the weakest position in poker and you should be careful about playing any weak hands from here. Early position is so weak because there are still so many players yet to act behind you . If you are first to act and decide to limp in with a weak hand, the chances are that someone behind you will raise the pot with a much stronger hand than yours. You are much better off waiting for better position before you decide to limp into a pot.
Middle position is the next 3 seats after early position. This is a slightly better position than early, but still not fantastic. You can afford open up your hand selection here because there are less players to act after you.
Late position is the strongest position at the table - especially when you are "on the button". Being on the button means that you are last to act in every round of betting and you get to see what everyone else does before you have to commit any chips to the pot. In late position you can afford to really open up your hand selection and play all those suited connectors and face cards.
Make sure that you pay attention to your position at the poker table. As a general rule of thumb - the later your position, the better off you are. Play tight in early position and loose in late position. Playing by these simple rules should be enough to lift your game slightly.
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By : Brian Garvin
If you play poker, visit casinos frequently, or collect poker chips, it is important to know how to understand casino poker chips weight. There are numerous weights available on the market today when it comes to casino poker chips; however most of the casinos in the world have standardized weights that are 8.5 grams. Many will even specialize in chips that are up to 10 grams. In this how-to guide, you will learn how to understand different casino poker chips weight and a little bit of valuable information about each.
Step 1:
When researching casino poker chips weight, you will discover that the weight is measured in grams. If you visit your local department store in order to pick up a pack of plastic poker chips, such as those offered by Bicycle, you will find that they only weigh about 2 to 3 grams a piece. However, if you visit casinos and play around with clay chips, you may find that they are as much as 10 grams a piece. Ultimately, the weight of a poker chip will be dependent upon the materials that were used to construct the product.
Step 2:
When you come across a poker chip that is heavy, you can bet that this is a highly durable chip! Many who play poker, play in casinos, or are considered to be professionals in the gaming industry agree that when a chip has more weight to it, it is more durable than the lighter chips. This means that the sound produced by the chip will be more prominent, and the chip itself will typically last longer. If you are looking for a high quality set, try for those that are considered to be 9 grams or higher.
Step 3:
Handling is a very important consideration when it comes to casino poker chips weight. Players and dealers alike want to ensure that it is easy to handle the chips that are used in various casino games. Light weight chips tend to be slippery and more difficult to handle than the heavier chips on the market today, so this is the choice among most casinos. If you are opting for high quality chips that have excellent handling, it is important to go for weights that are heavier. 10 grams and 11.5 grams seem to remain consistently popular in the gaming community.
Step 4:
Believe it or not, there is a price tag attached to weight. Naturally, if a poker chip is light it is going to be cheaper than one that is heavy. This is because of the fact that most light weight poker chips are constructed with cheap plastic. Higher priced materials such as clay composite, ceramic, and wood are used to create chips that are heavier. Therefore, the price will be a bit higher. If you are purchasing casino poker chips on a budget, it is important to pay special attention to the weight that you are purchasing.
Step 5:
As you can see, there are many considerations to be made when it comes to casino poker chips weight. When deciding which is right for you, it is vital to consider all of the above mentioned areas of concern, so that you may have a better understanding of the impact that weight has on your purchase.
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The terms "Casino Grade Chips" and "Poker Chips" have different meanings in the Gaming Industry. Essentially, there are two classes of chips to be considered. The premier chip is the true casino grade chip and the other alternative is the low cost 'home game' chip.
Casino Grade chips are further divided into 2 categories; clay and clay composite. Both generally weigh between 9 and 10.5 grams.
The discerning or professional player considers clay chips the most desirous chips. These compression-molded chips are the standard for the vast majority of casinos worldwide. Both the composition of clay chips and their manufacturing process are highly guarded industry secrets. In addition, they are a very labor-intensive product. Both of these factors contribute to their higher cost. Clay chips are generally priced in excess of $1 per chip.
Poker Chips
Home Poker Chips - From Left to Right - Full Clay Poker Chip, A Clay Composite Chip, 13 Gram 'Casino' Chip, 11.5 Gram 'Dice' Chip
The second casino grade chip is the clay composite chip. These chips are injection molded. Chipco and Kardwell are the two primary manufactures of this style chip and both firms manufacture their chips in the USA. NJ utilizes a 'natural' feeling substance, giving their chip a clay sound and feel while Chipco's chip is a more 'cold' ceramic material. The major advantage these chips have over their clay counterpart is their ability to accept full-face graphics.
Although the clay chip has been the industry standard for decades, the composite chip's popularity and use has grown significantly in the past few years. While there is no tangible difference in the quality of a clay chip versus a casino grade composite chip, the lower cost and graphic capability of the composite chip has seen its popularity grow within the casinos worldwide. NJ offers a "production line" chip to the public for the purpose of creating an affordable quality chip for the home user and is releasing a second more traditional "casino line" soon.
There is a third type of chip available for the home user. This is a composite chip manufactured in China. These low cost, multi-colored chips are made of PVC injected plastic over a metal slug and are produced specifically for the inexperienced and novice market. Cleverly marketed as "the heaviest (11.5 - 13 gram) casino chips on the market", these chips are not casino grade.
It is their metal core that makes them heavier than a casino grade product. Their mass production makes them widely available throughout the world at sometimes extremely low prices. This doesn't make them better. just heavier and cheaper and therefore not casino grade. This type of chip, although never recommended over a casino grade product, may be appropriate for the occasional player.
Whilst the clay chips and clay composite chips are generally more expensive (often 3 to 4 times more) I would suggest any regular poker player invest in a quality set as acquiring poker chips should be a once in a lifetime purchase. The cheaper Chinese chips are quite slippery, making them difficult to create high stacks and perform some chip tricks. From our experience casino grade quality (clay or clay composite) is the way to go! The usual set makeup is from 300-500 chips and are available from the following retailers.
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Basic Poker Rules
What Poker Is All About
Like most games, the aim of poker is to win. Whether you're playing for fun or for money, poker will test your skills and strategic abilities.
There are many varieties of poker games but they all follow the same basic format:
* Players contribute toward a central 'pot' that contains play chips or chips representing actual money
* Players are dealt cards (a 'hand'), some or all of which are concealed
* Wagers are made on the strength of the cards in rounds of betting
* After the betting rounds are over, the player with the strongest hand - or the last player left standing after the others have folded - wins!
No matter which type of poker you want to play, it's crucial that you understand the deck and that you know the rank of hands.
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Betting RulesLimit Poker
In a game of limit poker, the amount you are allowed to bet is limited to a specific size. This limit is in the name of the poker game ($3/6, $20/40, etc.).
So, for example, if you're playing in a '$1/2 limit' game, the minimum sizes of the bets would be:
* Pre-flop (before the flop): $1
* On the flop (when the three first community cards have been dealt): $1
* On the turn (when the fourth community card has been dealt): $2
* On the river (when the fifth and last community card has been dealt): $2
Note that you can't make a smaller bet than the big blind. Furthermore, all raises must be done in increments of the betting amounts.
For example, in a $1/2 limit game, the raises will be as follows, limited to four times the first bet that was made:
* Pre-flop: $1, $2, $3 up to $4
* On the flop: $1, $2, $3 up to $4
* On the turn: $2, $4, $6 up to $8
* On the river: $2, $4, $6 up to $8
No-Limit Poker
In this type of game, there is no limit to the maximum bet that you can make in any betting round. However, there is a minimum bet that is equivalent to the big blind.
The minimum raise amount must be at least as much as the previous bet or raise in the same round. For example, if the first player to act bets $10 then the second player must raise a minimum of $10 (total bet of $20). There is no maximum raise - you can raise as much as you want. However, if you wish to call a bet but don't have the chips to cover it, you'll be 'all-in'. At this point, you can only win the portion of the pot covered by your chips.
Pot-Limit Poker
Pot-limit is the most popular variety of poker game in Europe. It is quite similar to no-limit poker but there are certain key differences.
In pot-limit poker, players may bet any amount from the size of the blind to the size of the pot. The pot includes the sum of all bets and raises made during the current round.
Here's an example: The pot in the center of the table contains $100. On a subsequent round, one player bets $20, and two following players each call this $20 bet. The fourth player could call the $20 bet and then raise by a maximum of $180. This raise matches the $100 in the pot, the first $20 bet, the two additional $20 calls and the player’s own $20 call, which together add up to a $180 raise. Play a few practice games and you'll soon get the hang of the math!
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Poker TipsThis collection of poker tips was put together by Mike Sexton party poker and commentator for the World Poker Tour), and Linda Johnson (a noted poker player and personality).
- Pay attention
- Watch who's playing in an aggressive or loose way and who's playing tight, try to play the loose players and avoid the tight players, unless you've got a strong hand.
- Watch the chips
- Always be aware of everyone's chip count. Know who has more chips than you and play more carefully against them - a mistake could knock you out. It's usually better to play pots with players who have fewer chips than you do.
- No match
- If your cards don't match any of the community cards, throw your hand away when someone else bets.
- Ace in the hand
- Don't play every time you have an ace in your hand. However, play an ace if it's accompanied by a card of the same suit or by a 10 or higher.
- Hands to stay with before the flop
- Play with pairs (7-7, 9-9), two face cards (K-Q, Q-J), or hands that can make both a straight and a flush (8-9, 6-7 of the same suit). Be patient and fold other hands, unless you're in the blind.
- Good hand? Bet strong
- In no-limit Texas Hold'em, players can bet all of their chips at any time, so bet aggressively when you have a good hand.
- Watch and wait
- Play fewer hands when you're one of the first players to act, because you'll be 'out of position' and vulnerable to raises from the remaining players.
- Wait your turn
- Do not act until it is your turn; play proceeds clockwise at the poker table.
- Be a 'bettor,' not a 'caller'
- Being aggressive is good.
- Call their bluff
- If someone raises in a late position (near or on the button), re-raise them a good amount if you are on the blind. Chances are, they don't have a big hand and they're just trying to steal your blinds. (This style of play, known as going 'over the top', is probably the strongest play one can make in no-limit Texas Hold'em.)
- Be patient
- The biggest mistake most players make is to act too quickly. When you're making an important decision pause to think about how the betting has gone and what your opponent might have. Take your time.
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Multi TablingThere’s one thing that even the biggest sharks can’t do in an offline poker room: Play at more than one table at a time.
At PartyPoker.com, you can take a seat at up to 18 tables, meaning more great action and even more chances to win. We call this ‘multi-tabling’. It can be a little daunting at first, so here are a few short tips to get you started:
- If you’ve found a table you feel comfortable playing at, opening more tables of the same level could really pay off
- Start by playing a second table as close as possible to your favorite game to help you learn at a level you’re comfortable with – you could even play at a lower level to make sure you take fewer risks
- When you open a second, take a second before you start playing to arrange the windows to give you the best view of the tables on your screen; it’s also a good idea to watch a couple of hands at both tables to get used to seeing two games at once
- When you have lots of tables open, it’s important that you make sure they’re arranged to give you the best possible view of all the action: To do this, use the tiling and cascading features, or manually resize the tables (we recommend you tile your tables to give you the best view, but take a look at the other options to see which one suits you best)
- Turn on the ‘Hand strength’ feature to see your own hand’s strength at each table; this will help you stay on top of the action and will assist in the decision-making process
- Use the alert features, which will let you know when you have a great hand at a table and can assist you in big-pot situations
- If you find the flow of your games is going more slowly than normal, you probably have too many tables open and should consider closing one or more.
Related Link :
About Poker ChipsHow to Understand Casino Poker Chips' WeightTable Position in Poker
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You can play free online poker on as many sites as you wish, which gives you a great head start on other players. It allows you to get used to the games and find the one that you are best at, and even make a few friends along the way. Many of the sites offering free poker online offer a variety of games to choose from, including Texas Hold 'Em and 7 Card Stud, so you can always chose the game that you are best at. Or, if you need to brush up your skills, free online sites can help you develop your game before you take on the professionals.
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By : Chris Stanford
Confusion reigns ultimate as to the legal standing of poker in NY.The up to date raids have only helped confound the situation further.It might be beneficial for players to notice why, though, they have a reason to fear the law or police raids against poker clubs.
We could take a quick peep at the relevant law. The anxious article is Article one, Section nine of the Manhattan State Constitution that obviously states:. One may disagree : "No lottery or the sale of lottery tickets, pool-selling, book-making or any other kind of gambling [except state-run lotteries and state-sponsored pari-mutuel betting on horse races] shall hereafter be authorized or allowed within this state; and the legislature shall pass appropriate laws to prevent offenses against any of the provisions of this section." "Poker is no form of betting. It is most definitely a game of talent, certainly not of luck." Hold your breath though, the state of NY and its constitution does not consider talent or luck as something to do or not to do with "gambling" New York Penal Law.
By hazarding something with value ( in the case of betting money, Section 225.00 ( 6 ) ) on the result of a future group event not under their control or influence ( the cards that may come by, in whatever game ), on an agreement that one of them will receive something with value ( all of the money in the stakes ) in the event of a certain outcome ( that his hand is the best and the other players have no option but to double ). Poker might be classified as "gambling" in the state of NY, but it doesn't prevent you from joining in at one of the card rooms and playing poker. Article one, Section nine of the Constitution states obviously that only betting is unapproved ; the recording of state crimes is left to the discretion of the state legislature. Thus we want to look into more depth at the Penal Law and the crimes considered by the statute to ascertain what kind of betting activity is alleged to be criminal.
Chris Stanford, the author of this article, has been an avid poker player for many years and has acquired a lot of interesting facts on the subject. He hosts this info on his blog Poker Rules
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By : Szury Robert
Have you ever wondered if there is free money on the internet? There sure are free poker bankrolls.
Many people say that there is no such thing as free money, because nobody is stupid enough to give away his money for nothing. And yes they are right. But there is free money for just a single sign up.
It is in the marketing strategy of online poker rooms to give away free poker bankrolls (free money) to new players. This means that you simply have to sign up to these poker rooms and you get a starting bankroll to play poker. Of course you can't withdraw your money instantly. You have to play with it. This is a win-win situation because you get free money for almost nothing and the poker room gets new active players. Don't worry; if you loose the money you don't have to give it back. Although there are several other poker promotions. A few websites only give you a free bankroll if you pass a poker quiz (this way they can see if you are an advanced poker player) or you have to send your ID copy to them so that they see that you are not making double accounts. This is only to reduce fraud.
This is a nice way to make money online, and poker isn't that hard to learn. And the most important point is that poker is fun. Many websites also offer free poker schools with a lot of poker articles where you can extend your knowledge.
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By: Darren W Chow
Online poker, and especially Texas Hold 'Em, has taken the world by storm in recent years. The game has captured the imagination and interest of millions of people all across the globe. Through the popularity of the World Series of Poker right through to the easy accessibility that online casinos offer, poker has become one of, if not the most popular card games on the planet.
One of the reasons that Texas Hold 'Em poker has become so popular is its relative ease when it comes to learning the rules. Beginners can grasp the main concepts of the game in just a few minutes. Don't get too ahead of yourself now. It will take years of playing, and researching strategy to become a master of poker. However, if you are looking to get started and are just getting used to playing online poker here is a simple break down of the rules and concepts involved.
Texas Hold 'Em is a community based card game where you will given cards and share some communal cards with the other players. To start the game every player at the table is deal two cards that are face down. Right away the betting and the action start. Each player is given the option to call the bet, raise the bet or fold their cards and quite on the hand. This betting style can go around the table until all players have agreed on the bet or folded their cards.
Once the first round of betting is done, three cards are dealt face up into the middle of the table. These are the cards that everyone will be sharing. It is your job to use the two cards in your possession that no one else can see and any three community cards to make the best five card hand.
After the three community cards are displayed, another round of betting continues. After that round, one more card is dealt face up to the community card and this process continues until there are five cards in the communal area.
Now that all five communal cards on the table, there is a final round of betting and players all show their cards to determine who has the best ranking hand. This player will cash in and win all the money that has been put in the middle of the table during the course of each round of betting.
Of course in order to become successful in the world of online poker you are going to have to practice, strategize and learn some much more important details such as card rankings and blinds just to name a few. With that being, in just a few short minutes you have learnt the basic rules of Texas Hold 'Em poker and are ready to get online and start practicing.
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