Poker Road Warrior

Improve our Poker Game in 2011

2011-04-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a few things I need to improve on for 2011 when I play real money poker, 1. Learn from Poker Tracker and fill in the holes in my game. 2. Just plan play smarter. 3. Win more money. 4. Build my bank roll. 5. Don't let the DONKS and bad beats get to me. 6. Have fun playing poker. 7. Learn one new poker game. How about Badugi. This is a short list. It could be a lot longer. Yo.

Poker Trip Report - One of My Faves

2011-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Been shooting in Atlanta for a week and then a business conference in Puerto Rico. I know, life is rough. I'll update my website about the shooting, I took 9th in the World event in Atlanta. I was third high American. I was in second place after my Thursday-Friday which I thought was good as I was only 4 targets behind 14 time world champion, 133/150 and top 6 went to a shootoff in the stadium. Other shooters could shoot Sat-Sun, so I was not assured of a shootoff berth. We had cold and rainy weather and so my showing was paticularily good. Fate would deal a cruel blow as the weather was perfect Sat-Sun and 5 brits advanced above me to the shootoff. Weather was the main difference as I missed the shootoff by two targets. Shooting was fun but I have to tell you about the poker, I mean what good is this post in a poker forum without some kind of report, right? The Conquistidor Hotel in Puerto Rice is a five star hotel and with my broker dealer picking up the tab...I'm living the high life this week. The hotel has a casino and the casino has ONE poker table. Yes, only one. The game starts at 9pm and breaks at 3am. It is a 5/10 limit game, $100 buyin minimum and full of people who make $500K a year so $100 means very lttle to most at this table. I should start by saying that I have played about 6 times at casinos and stuck to 2/4 and 3/6. I know I can play with most anyone but I specialize in tourney play so both the fact that it is a limit game and it is above my comfort level were concerning. I thought I'd buyin the fisrt night and see how it goes. My first table was a mix of playboys who thought they needed to show every hand...and so did everyone else. They were trying to get a read on what hole cards people were playing. I start off most tourneies playing loose and showing losers to expand the range of cards opponents will put me on later. This seemed to work as every pot was 4-5 handed. Play was loose and people were going to showdown with third and fourth pair but I just wasn't catching cards. After an three hours I had played three hands lost all and bought in for a total of $200. I had about $60 left and thought I should buyin again in case I get a big hand and want chips to get max value. I bought in for the third $100, swearing it was the last $100 for the night. Long story short, I had a run where three mid PP in a row caught the flop making a set and two boats winners and I was counting $400 in chips after three hands. One hand alone was a $250 pot as my pocket 8's hit the 578 flop and I drew a boat on the turn. Good thing as the guy that fed my pot flopped a straight and didn't seem to mind capping the bets after the boat was poss. I cashed out that night +$600. at 2:45am I made all the other progress when the table was short handed from 1:30 on. As the game was comming to an end people were playing crazy and I was catching cards, what a wonderful combination. Day two saw a signup list with me at 14 and so I didn't get on until about 11:30pm. While I missed the first hour and a half, I sat down with a good feel for who could play as there were 6 new faces at the table. I watched the action from a nearby Roulette table where I kept myself amused and played even for the 1 1/2 hour wait. One of the new guys had his WSOP hat that he spent $10,000 for last year. He continually complimented me on my play and would avoid any pot with me, so I got table cred from the one guy who actually knew how to play!! sweet. Table of fish, pockets of gold. +$500 I'll update ya on the third night after I play tonight... I can't thank my new friends here enough for the confidence and practice to play at the higher levels. I knew the money was more than I felt comfortable with but I knew that no one had my experience playing with a group as tough and cut-throught as the shark army. I know that if I can win here, I can win anywhere. You can too. Thanks Shark!! Beer, Chippie, NRG, TXDan, Sweetness, Born, Reel, Shark, Taj, Stewart, Carey Bear, and all my friends at the Shark Army.... I'm having a Bahama Mamma on you all!!

Another Great Post on Taking Notes - Poker

2011-03-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

This posted by HW a well respected from member from way back when. This is my first piece of advice for any new player coming into a new site for the first time and specifically, anyone just starting to play. Whenever I go to a new site I sit back and watch people play for a couple of days and make my notes on all of the screen names. All of the better sites have note taking ability, which is a huge plus, but even if they don't, I highly recommend that you grab a notebook and start making notes on every player you see. Keep it organized so you are not fumbling looking for names when you sit at a table and I guarantee you will be able handle the players much better having done this. A couple of examples of this are from my own experiences. I had quit playing on the net for quite some time as I was getting bad beat after bad beat and had just about had enough. One thing I had stopped doing though was taking notes on players. As a direct result, I was constantly sitting down with people and had no idea how they played and I was getting bumped out of pots and getting chased down, time and time again. I made it a point that when I came back, I would check out all the players again and get some notes on them and then look for them at the tables so I would be sitting with familiar styles of play. Since I have been back, I am averaging about a $350-500 profit per week. Not too shabby for someone who works about 85+ hours a week. Key is that I never get greedy, once I make my stash for the day I am gone. Taking these notes enables you to know the chasers and the aggressive players. You go in knowing some donk is going to bet down the hand regarless of his kicker or even if he has hit the board. If you can have someone else betting your made hand for you it is a guaranteed money maker. By the time you make your raise on the river, he is too committed to the pot to let it go and you get that extra nice pop. On the other hand, if you know he is a chaser and he comes over the top at you when that river card hits the str8 or flush, you can think twice about calling that raise. It also sets you up for a nice check raise or possibly a wall bet when the chase works out. You could be sitting on a monster boat from the get go or the nut flush and this donk is calling you down when the river makes their hand. You are pretty sure they are chasing so you check it over to them figuring that if they have hit, they are surely going to bet it and will have so much tunnel vision that they have hit their hand that when you come over them, they will come right back over you and you get to take it to the wall. Cha Ching! Take you notes guys and watch your bankroll grow.
There are still several US poker sites to play.

Forum Post Highlight - 3 Rules of Poker

2011-03-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey I am going to start posting some of my fave forum posts from way back when. Here is one I like:

The Rules of Poker

I like to say I’ve been playing poker for fifty years. I remember my father and my uncle teaching me to play when I was about six. I’ll be sixty next year so even taking into account the self inflected brain damage of the last, say forty-five years…it’s probably about right. Poker was very, very different thirty years ago. I’ve had to learn Hold’em in the last few years. I’d played it a couple times, but it was never the game of choice or my choice of games. The structure and the content of the game morphed. And in the last five years the growth has not been arithmetic – but geometric as I struggle to cope.

RULE NUMBER ONE. What my Dad and Uncle Ernie (and they were pretty fair players…I’ll always remember the Christmas I got a two electric trains, a pony AND a motor scooter because Dad had a good game or two) tried to teach me was “Don’t bet unless you have the best hand”.
I know “real simple and oblivious”. It is. BUT having the knowledge and patience to observe it in practice is like always doing the right thing in real life… The good news is, like real life, if your right more than half the time over the long haul you should finish ahead of the game…maybe. Let’s put it this way:
O.K., you’re playing Hold’em…you matched the BB on a QJ – OS…the flop…Just then Hoyle comes back from the grave and says “Folk’s the rules have changed. No more cards…games over…pay the winner”. Do you get paid? If so, bet and repeat the process twice.
Of course, the question is “What is the best hand?” So it’s time for:

RULE NUMBER TWO. Poker at it essence is about making good decisions. Kinda like that “real life” thing again, huh?
Back to our example, the flop is QQJ, three different suites. You have the best hand. Guess you know what to do now. Next card is a five on the turn. This time Attila the Hun comes in and says “Bush is out…I’m in, …this game is over, pay the winner”. You win, but if the turn and it’s evil redheaded, yard kid, step sister with a heart as cold as my third ex-wife…the river are both Kings and someone has KK in the hole…it could happen, stay alert.
But in our example, the last card, a 3 doesn’t matter. This kind of hand is a joy to play because “I got ‘em and you got ‘em to get”. It’s almost always a good decision to play them, but the “almost always” (like our KK – KK example above and can cost you next months electric bill or at least a mortgage payment. Which brings us to:

RULE NUMBER THREE. You never step in the same river twice. I like this one, it so Zen-like. It’s ambience, patterns (Read SHARKY on this), players, position, pot and stack size (maybe position in a tournament), the stats, history, patience, nerve, ego and whether Lady Luck is over that deal about you givin’ her V.D. It’s a lot to consider to reach the right decision in a few seconds. It’s not easy to be a real good poker player or everybody ‘d be doin’ it. And we all know that ain’t happening.

Well, I gotta go do business stuff. I don’t know if anybody reads these, if so, any suggestions for the next three rules? We gotta get a little more specific here (stuff like…how strong is a set on the turn in PL O8). I’ll try to add some, maybe.

The Basics of Texas Hold’em and Recommended Poker Sites

2010-10-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

Texas Hold’em is fast becoming one of the most popular poker games in the world. The televising of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour along with all of the online poker rooms have helped to increase the popularity of this game. There is a definite strategy to playing this game and if the basics are not known, new players can find themselves at a huge disadvantage.

I find the best poker site to get the maximum exposure to different games and levels is Full Tilt Poker. Other popular online poker sites are Party Poker and Poker stars. On my hunt for more poker sites I found pokersites.com which lists the majority of them. Check it out before playing online poker.

Here are a few thing to keep in mind:

• The Rules – The rules of this game are quite simple. The player gets two cards which are known as the hole cards. The dealer places five cards on the board which all players use to make the best poker hand. There are three cards placed on the board first which is called the flop. The other two cards are put on the board one at a time. The fourth card is called the turn and the fifth card is called the river.

• The Blinds – The betting begins with the big blind and the small blind placing their bets. The small blind is typically half of the big blind. Any player who wants to play their cards needs to either match the big blind or raise double or more the big blind. Those who want to play their hands need to meet or beat this raise and so on. All bets are based on the amount of the big blind.

• Betting – The players are dealt the hole cards and then a round of betting commences. After the flop, another round of betting and also after the turn and the river. This can lead to some really big pots and a lot of money can be made.

• Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit – These are the three basic playing styles for Texas Hold’em and relate to the betting that can occur. Limit means just what it implies, a limit to the betting, each round can only be raised the amount of the big blind and there can only be three raises per betting round. No limit means that there is no limit to the amount that can be raised, however, there can only be three raises per round and when a player goes “all in” this means that they are committing their entire stack to the hand. Pot limit means that only the amount that is in the pot can be raised. Players can still go all in as long as the pot covers the amount of chips that they are holding.

Shark Poker Tour Forum Offers Easy Way To Make Money in Post to Play Poker Tournaments

2010-09-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Shark Poker Tour is one of the best poker forums on the Internet for experienced as well as new poker players. They offer many great tournaments including the monthly post to play tournament where players can join in a freeroll to win a share of the $100 purse. This is a great tournament for those who are trying to build up a bankroll and who do not have a lot of money in their poker accounts to buy in to tournaments.

The post to play tournament is only open to those players who belong to the Shark Poker Tour forum and who are regular contributors to the discussions on the board. The requirements are not difficult to follow and signing up for the forum is free. There are many new and old members who are discussing poker and strategy for all of the popular online poker games that are offered including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha hi low, Razz and stud.

In order to qualify for this freeroll, members must post at least seven times during the prescribed period; usually they have at least three weeks to do this. There are guidelines to these posts. They must contribute something to the discussion at hand. For instance, if someone has posted a bad beat story, a reply of “I hate when that happens” does not contribute to the discussion. Posting a similar story or hand history would be a relevant contribution.

The field for this tournament tends to be very small and no trolls can gain entry into this tournament that is played on Ultimate Bet Poker. The list of names is sent directly to the site and there is no password that can be shared out. If you are a new player and would like to join in on this action, you only need to sign up to the Shark Poker Tour forum and start joining in on the discussion. Use your first post to introduce yourself to the community in the New Players area and you will be welcomed by all.

Shark Poker League Offers More Than Just Fun Tournaments

2010-09-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

When players join the Shark Poker Tour and become a member of the forum, they are in for more than just the opportunity to play with some of the best amateur players on the Internet. They also have the opportunity to play in the Shark Poker League that offers more than just poker play. There are tickets awarded to the top monthly players that can be used to buy into huge guaranteed tournaments.

The Shark Poker League is one of the best for amateur poker players who are trying to build up their bankrolls and get better at online poker. The tournaments are all played at Absolute Poker which is one of the premier poker rooms on the Internet and all players are welcome including the players form the United States. The tournaments are played on Thursdays and Saturdays each and every week.

You need to check the schedule at one OnlineShark.com or SharkPokerTour.com in order to get the passwords. Only members of the Shark Poker Tour are eligible to play in the league games and membership and sign up is free. For those who play in the tournaments, the player of the month and year are not the only benefits.

Each league tournament has an added bonus of $50 added to the prize money. Anyone who cashes in these tournaments can make a great addition to their bankrolls. There are not very many players to go through in order to get to the money and they play is a cut above the rest of the tournaments you can find around the Internet.

If you want to become a member of the Shark Poker Tour and have the chance to play in the Shark Poker League games, then you only need to create an account. Make sure you go to the Shark Poker Tour Forum and begin posting and getting to know all the players you will see at the tables each and every week. It is a great community of people and there is always someone who can help you answer your poker related questions.

This Weeks Events at Shark Poker Tour

2010-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Sched below

To sign up for our tour go here

Also:
Guaranteed Tourneys for League Winners:
Good Luck! You will be automatically
registered prior to game time.

Thursay 9/23/2010 21:20
$25 10K Guaranteed Freezeout

kardmania
Friday 9/24/2010 21:20
$25 10K Guaranteed Freezeout
yoteflonap
Lukyhearts
Darkralph
MR FRANK MO
Sunday 9/25/2010 21:00
$120 SNIPER 30K GUAR

MR FRANK MO

Events at Absolue Poker /Ultimate Bet, and PDC Poker.

League Play includes $80,000 in guaranteed tickets.

For the best possible sign up bonus for all poker sites go here:
www.sharkpokertour.com

If password is not posted here all passwords are available
at www.sharkpokertour.com scroll down to tourney section
and register.

Thurs, Sept 23 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker & UB - $5 buyin with $40 added-League
password - seven

Sat, Sept 25 - 3 EST – PDC poker - $50 freeroll

Sat Sept 25 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker & UB - $5 buyin with $40 added-League
password - eight

Reminder

September 26 - 9 EST – UB - $100 freeroll - Post to Play
23 players - this is a +EV that you should try and get in next month (:
Details here

Good Luck Everyone

Shark

Shark Poker Tour July Schedule

2010-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

The July Shark Poker Tour Schedule is up now in the forum. Just google sharkpokertour fourm and check out the July 2010 schedule. Poker league games are posted on the sharkpokertour website weekly
They include freerolls, added money events, and some other special events. This month we have added a Battle of the Sexes event. This looks to be a fun one.
Why play on our tour. For one the events are not huge fields and you actually have a chance of winning. Your alos playing wiht pretty much the same players every week and everyone gets to know each. There are alot more good games and thankyou than the crap trash talk so prevelant these days. You can actually play and relax knowing your playing with good people and players
This month we have over $500 in freerolls, added money of over $500, and tickets to league winners to $80,000 in guaranteed tourneys. Again with 40 to 50 players vyiing for these tickets your chances are pretty good. The league standings are updated weekly in the forum. So come open your poker account and using the shark bonus code and start playing. See ya at the tables.

Shark Poker Tour June Schedule

2010-06-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

Play in our poker league and and free poker tournaments.

-4 Poker Sties, 23 tournaments
-8 Tickets to $120,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com
scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$520 added and $120,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $30,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $100 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR. Cutoff deadlines posted below.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.

Power Poker

Use Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Use Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Use Signup Code UBSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 111% to $1,100

PDC/poker.com

Use Signup Code UPTO600
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $600

June 3 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June5 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 5 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added -League

June 6 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 10 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 11 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $50,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

June 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 12 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 13 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 13 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

June 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 18 - 9 EST – Poker.com /PDC poker - $50 freeroll

June 19 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 19 - 3 EST – Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 20 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 20 - 7 EST – Power Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 24 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 30 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 27 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $100 freeroll
$40,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to June 21, 2010 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

June 27 - 7 EST – Power Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 27 - 9 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read and follow the rules in the sharkpokertour forum.

Fulltiltpoker.net - $8 becomes $1,200

2010-05-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

Fulltiltpoker.net is the second largest online poker site. Back in 2006 it was a relatively small or medium sized site but with partypoker.net leaving the US market in 2006 fulltiltpoker.net took full advantage. The site was started by several professional poker players and with their well known names and some great promoting they were able to build a great following and a great poker site. Many famous pros
like Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Chris Jesus Ferguson, the up and coming Durrr and many more still play their regularly. They play a lot of holdem and Omaha at the high stakes but you sometimes see them on the lower limit tables too. It would be great to even win one hand from the great Phil Ivey.

Fulltiltpoker.net is busy 24 hours a day and you can always find a Holdem, Omaha, Stud, or even a Razz game at almost any level from penny poker to thousands of dollars. They also have tons of tournaments.
The best feature of the tournaments that range from very low to very high buy ins is that you can play in low buyins (as low as $3) and get yourself in the major tournaments. Just last week I satellited my way into the Fulltiltpoker.net main event with a huge 3 million dollar prize pool and five hundred thousand
for first place. I started with 8 bucks and turned it in to 1,200 after finishing in the top 600 out of 4,500
entries. I played in an 8 bucker with 18 players and the top 5 advancing to a $24 tournament. I then took the $24 ticket and did the same. This now gave me a $75 ticket. I then played in one of the super turbos for $75 with 300 players and top 33 going to the big dance. Well I did well in that and now here I was playing in a 3 million tourney for 8 bucks and wining $1,200. Gotta love it.

You should give it a shot and maybe get that mortgage paid off. You never know. Check out my full fulltiltpoker.net review here and don’t forget to get your matching up to $600 deposit bonus when you sign up. Be sure to use referral code SHARKARMY when opening your fulltilt.net poker account.

Play Poker With our Fun and Friendly Crew

2010-05-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

So you wanna play poker. They make it easy at the sharkpokertour.
Tons of free money given away every month. There is a great league where winners each month play for tickets to over $100,000 in guaranteed tournaments. The nice thing is it is regular and friendly group that plays. Mot a bunch of no name dons and fishes. The tournaments have a friendly feel to them as most everyone is friendly and just have a good time playing poker and winning money.

The tour also offers lots of great deposit bonuses at both US and none US sites. By the way, American players are allowed to play and we have a ton of US players.
The freerolls are great as they don’t cost you to play and you can start to build a bankroll for free. The buyins are also a great way to make some coin as there is always money added to the buyins. The sharkpokertour has some great articles on its main website to help both beginners and seasoned players. The articles cover all poker games like texas holdem, Omaha, stud, badugi and razz.
The league and game schedules are posted every month on the homepage of www.sharkpokertour.com
And updated every week.

We love to have new players joining our fun filled forum. We have got lots of friendly members and we always welcome new people. We have one really fun tourney every month for active forum members. It is a freeroll that rewards active posters. We play this every month at UB and it is a great way to meet some great people online, play some poker, and make a little money. Which never hurts!
So we welcome you to come by and check out the sharkpokertour website and forum and get you on your way to making some real money playing poker.

Weekend Schedule and December League Winners

2010-01-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Full weekend schedule below including December league
winners playing for $50 and $90,000 in guaranteed tournament
tickets, January league games, and freerolls.

Featured Sites

Power Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Signup Here Using Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Sign up Here Using Signup Code UBSHARK
Bonus 110% up to $1,100

Shark League Play - All leuage info, stats, rules
etc are posted in the shark poker tour
forum here:
www.sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=98

All league games are added money events
and monthly league winners get:

Top 9 will play in a sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in a sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Power Poker Special - Must Read

Jan 31 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 (value $110) guaranteed ticket to winner

Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to January 25, 2010 open
Their Power Poker account using above link and
Bonus code SHARKTOUR - Bonus of
100% up to $600 available.

SCHEDULE - league games
and freerolls at AP, UB and
Power :

If password not posted here all passwords are available
at http://www.sharkpokertour.com/

League play and freeolls - Don't forget to support our tour

- All League games can be played
at Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet

Jan 14 - 9 EST - - $4 buyin with $80 added-League
password - three

Jan 15 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3
Registration is open - If you did not post your AP name in forum
then we are using you UB name and it may not work - You must
post your AP name in the forum

NADI26
PRINCE SHEBA
4SCGJ
1JSAW
TMAC681
DARKRALPH2
MAJOR_BUZZ
LDJ
THEACEMAGNET

Jan 16 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League
password is four

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3
Registration is open - If you did not post your AP name in forum
then we are using you UB name and it may not work - You must
post your AP name in the forum.

NADI26
PRINCE SHEBA
4SCGJ
1JSAW
TMAC681
DARKRALPH2
MAJOR_BUZZ
LDJ
THEACEMAGNET
HOTROD19477
JOSESHOWDOWN
MER_SOCAL
LEDZEP
SPECKLEDHIND
ANGELICUS
ARUBA224
Kesza
UIIIU

Shark Poker Tour Poker League

2010-01-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

Last year our poker league paid out over $18,000 in cash.
With all our other events we paid out approx. $25,000.
These are all low buyin or freeroll events with the buyin events
having small fields of 50 or less players. Great action, great money,
without having to play for hours in tournaments. 50 player tourneys are just the right size for me.

Come on and join the Shark Army.
We have a great website and forum.
Everyone welcome!

This month:

SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL SCHEDULE

-5 Poker Sties
-8 Tickets to $190,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to sharkpokertour.com scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$480 added and $90,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $250 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR. Cutoff deadlines posted below.

If you open a new poker account please do so on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.
______________________________________________________

Jan 7 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 9 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added -League

Jan 10 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Makeup for cancelled December event.
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to December 20, 2009 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

Jan 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 14 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 15 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Jan 16 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Jan 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 21 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 23 - 3 EST – Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 23 - 6 EST – Reefer Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 23 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 24 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 24 - 6 EST - Reefer Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added

Jan 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 28 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 30 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 30 - 6 EST – Poker.com /PDC poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 30 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 31 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to January 25, 2010 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

Jan 31 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

Jan 31 - 9 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read this and follow the rules in the forum.

One reason why I do NOT play like Phil Ivey

2010-01-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

One our fourm members posted this today. I had to lol. Great post!

I was in a local card room just killing time and letting my vehicle defrost a while parked down in the heated parkade when the following hand occured.

The game is $3-$6 limit Holdem. There's a Kill button but it didn't come in to play for this story.

I'm in the small blind and see I have 8s-4s. A lot of players limp and with no raises I called. The flop comes:

Jd-Jc-6h

With no spades and no hope I simply check and get ready to fold. The rest of the table seems to be afraid of the two Jacks so everyone else checks and we get a free card.

Jd-Jc-6h-Ks

Everyone checks until the dealer button who bets $6. I'm ready to fold but ever since seeing Phil Ivey muck a winning hand on TV in the 2009 WSOP I've been looking at my cards one last time before I toss the cards.

THIS TIME when I look at my hand I see Js-8s!?! I don't know where I was looking when I thought it was a 4s early on. Maybe the cute waitress distracted me?

So I have to raise, right? I raised the bet to $12 everyone folds except the dealer button who accuses me of having a King. He's been easy to read ever since I sat down so I keep quiet and he announces he can beat my kicker and calls. The river comes:

Jd-Jc-6h-Ks-2d

I'm a bit embarrassed by having misread my cards so I decided to let the guy off the hook a bit and just check. He sees this as weakness I guess and bets out $6. Normally I wouldn't try to rub it in but I felt the need to point out that I gave him a chance to get out cheap by checking, and then I raised him to $12.

It would have been interesting if he re-raised but he just called and was very unhappy when he saw my trip Jacks.

So, thanks Phil Ivey for teaching me a lesson about what to do BEFORE you muck your cards.

Poker Stars - Outlast the Pros

2009-12-30T22:17:00.001-08:00

PokerStars has been having this promotion every Tuesday in December, but I just found out about it last weekend. Grrrr. A lot of pros playing a lot of tables, plus two tournaments (13:00 and 20:00 ET) for $11 with $1K added divided among ALL players who outlast the last pro standing. You can bet some sharks in these two Outlast the Pros tourneys today!

Thanks to Ed and g/l (:

Mini UBOC 4 Jan 20th - 31st 2010

2009-12-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

For those that do not have the money to play in the UBOC 4 here is the Mini UBOC 4 schedule

Dont have Ultimate Bet? Then support the Shark Poker Tour and download it HERE!!!!

Satellites to the events below are running now!!!

Date / Event / Buyin / Gtd $$ / Friend of UB Host

1/20/10 Sniper NLH $30+3 $20K SPIN31
1/20/10 8 Game Mix (HORSE+PLO, NLH, PLO8) $15+$1.50 $6K TRAMBOPOLINE
1/21/10 NLH 4 MAX $30+3 $10K GUIGUI_88
1/22/10 Sniper NLH $12+1.20 $3K AIRKID3
1/23/10 HEADS UP (2-day event) $10+1 $5,120 FLOATACHECK
1/23/10 NLH triple chance (3 rebuy max) $15+1.50 $15K Z06FANATIC
1/24/10 NLH $20+2 $20K NUTINSIDER
1/25/10 Limit Hold'em 6 MAX $10+1 $3K IWON2
1/25/10 PLH/PLO/PLO8 (Pot Limit Championship) $10+1 $3K PATIZZIE
1/26/10 PLO 1 rebuy+1 add on $20+2 $12K FOOLISHGOLF
1/26/10 HORSE $20+2 $8K BIGDOGPCKT5S
1/27/10 Omaha 8/b and Stud 8/b mix $15+1.50 $3K JDAWG217
1/27/10 Deepstack NLH 10+1 $10K CRUDEBAR25
1/28/10 PLO8 $30+3 $10K MAKE_IT_RAIN
1/29/10 Deepstack PLH 6 MAX $5+.50 $2K YELLOWDAWG
1/30/10 NLH Turbo Unlimited Rebuys $10+1 $15K 7TEMPEHEAT7
TBD Main Event Super Sattellite (turbo) TBD TBD TWOLIP69

Shark PokerTour December 2009 Schedule

2009-12-30T19:28:00.000-08:00

SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL SCHEDULE

-31 Events
-6 Poker Sties
-7 Tickets to $140,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com
scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$480 added and $90,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $250 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who at any time have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.

Power Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Sign Here Using Signup Code UBSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 111% to $1,100

Reefer Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARK

First Time Deposit Bonus 150% to $1,420

PDC/poker.com

Sign Here Using Signup Code UPTO600
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $600

Titan Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code shark
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

Dec 3 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 5 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added -League

Dec 5 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll
scroll down to Dec 20 to see a special Power Poker event
coming up.

Dec 6 - 5 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 8 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 10 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 11 - 9 EST -Top 9 November League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Dec 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 13 - 1 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 13 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 13 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Dec 15 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 19 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 19 - 3 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 20 - 1 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read this and follow the rules.
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/vi ... =16&t=6466

Dec 20 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner - Details above

Dec 20 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

Dec 22 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 26 - 3 EST - Reefer Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 27 - 12:05 EST - Titan Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 27 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 27 - 9 EST - Reefer Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added

Dec 29 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 1 - 4 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 1 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League
This will count as a December League Game

Trip/Tournament Report: WSOP Circuit Event

2009-10-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

Trip/Tournament Report: WSOP Circuit Event -- Horseshoe Hammond

This from one of our long time and well respected forum Vets - lightning36.

Waaaay back when, I used to delight in going to Opening Day when the baseball season began. Growing up outside Chicago, this usually meant sitting in 40 degree weather watching the Cubs or White Sox lose. So, when I saw that the 2009-2010 WSOP Circuit was going to start at the Horseshoe Hammond, it seemed like a natural for me to go to the opening event -- a $345 NL tournament on October 16.

Harrah's allowed a three-hour preregistration the night before. I heard that 500-600 people chose that option. I got to the casino about two hours before the opening hand. I was surprised to see that there were 200-300 people in line ahead of me. It took 75 minutes for me to get to the front of the line. After I registered, I saw at least another 200-300 still waiting in line. Last year's opening tournament attracted over 1,100 entrants. It would be interesting to see how Harrah's would handle this large crowd.

The tournament began on time at noon. Most of the tables were set up in The Venue -- the small second floor concert hall in the complex. My table was in the regular poker room on the main floor. Starting chip stack: 10,000. Levels: 45 minutes! This was one heck of a structure for an inexpensive tournament. No matter what, I expected to get in a lot of poker for my money.

The worst part of the tournament was that Harrah's allowed alternates to come in for several hours. I believe that over 300 alternates came in, bringing the total up to 1,412. First place paid almost $80,000 -- not bad for a $345 buy in!

My table had solid players. Too solid, in fact. We kept passing about 40,000 chips back and forth for several hours. I got some big hands the first hour or so (A-A, K-K), but couldn't drum up much action. However, I limped in with 2-2 and hit my set on the flop. The guy to my left didn't believe my check raise, so he reraised me. Two hearts on the flop kept me from flat calling, so I reraised his reraise. He reluctantly folded. Too bad he only had top pair, top kicker, or I might have busted him.

I took a big hit when I flopped top two in an almost family pot. There was a realistic straight possibility on the board, so I didn't want to push as hard as I would have liked. I got rid of everyone but one seemingly tight player who apparently chased a flush to the river -- and hit it.

We kept seeing the average stack size going up as players were felted, but we just kept passing the chips back and forth. After 6+ hours we had only lost two players. Soon we were moved upstairs.

The last two hours I played were very frustrating. Sensing the need to make a move since my M kept dipping lower, I kept seeing rag-rag, paint-rag, and rag-rag. Our table was finally broken and I was moved to a new table where half the people had decent stacks. A guy to my left was calling almost all the all-ins, so I knew I couldn't bluff. I was hoping to go all in before the dinner break and either double up or go home, but the cards did not come. And I wasn't even hungry.

Right after the break, I had A-9sooted and pushed. One guy thought long and hard, but folded. I stayed alive. Another orbit or two later I was praying for a good hand. I was dealt A-Jos. A raise came from under the gun, and I pushed all in. Everyone else folded. The original raiser called -- putting almost half his stack at risk -- with Q-10hearts! Of course, you know how the story ends. The flop brought a Queen and two hearts. He faded the few outs on the flop and river. It was over. Just before 9:00 pm.

They announced that a new Harrah's Circuit record had been set with the 1412 players. They also gave players interesting news -- that they should be prepared to play until 3 or 4 am to complete the day. Looks like letting all those alternates in so late screwed up the expected timetable.

Although I ended the tournament sooner than I would have liked, working with 10,000 chips and 45-minute blinds was great. The banter at the table picked up after a few hours and was pleasant. I had a good time and can't wait for my next chance to get in a quality tournament.

Shark Poker Tour League Play & Weekend Events

2009-10-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Poker Road and the
Shark Poker Tour

We are not on Poker Road Radio yet but
we are hoping we will be soon. (:

Full weekend schedule below.

Registration info posted at sharkpokertour.com

The top 9 (8 played) September League players played in a sit and
go last night for $50 and:

1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

For October top 18 will play for $90,000
in guar tickets at Absolute Poker.

The result of September League Winners:

1: JUSTIN749, payout $20.00, and $40,000 ticket
2: VPSADIEVP, payout $17.50 and $10,000 ticket
3: JEPULATOR2, payout $12.50 and $10,000 ticket
4: NADI26
5: MR FRANK MO
6: VEX44
7: TMAC681,
8: BUSTALOT6

October League Play - Game Tonight
You can play from Abolute Poker & Ultimate Bet
with everyone playing to win six tickets to
Guaranteed tournaments totalling $90,000. This in addition
to the added money already on the table. Still tons of time
to get in top 9 or top 18 for October and play for those
guaranteed tickets. All 6 tickets will be given away
including one to the $132 buyin $40,000 k sniper.

League stats are posted in the forum
and you need to post your AP/UB screen name in
the forum so we can track you properly.

If you do not have an account at any of the
Poker Sites where we hold our events please
open them at www.sharkpokertour.com
We offer the best bonuses possible and
there will be future benefits when
playing in our events. Your support is
Appreciated!

LEAGUE GAME:

Tonight- Saturday- League Game
Shark Poker Tour League Game- $3- $40 added -
10/17/2009. 9 pm EST. password – six

OTHER EVENTS – for registration and password go to
www.sharkpokertour.com

Sunday - SPT freeroll $100 Freeroll –
Titan Poker - Sorry No US players 10/18/2009. 4 pm EST

Sunday - Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll
Ultimate Bet
10/18/2009 6 pm EST

Good Luck Everyone

September 2009 League Winners

2009-10-15T17:43:00.001-07:00

Congrats to the September league winners
who will play for $50 cash and 3 tickets to guaranteed
$60,000 tournaments with the winner getting a ticket to
the Sniper $40,000 k on AP. Value of ticket for this
is $130. 2nd and 3rd get tickets to $10,000 guar tourneys
Value $27.50 per ticket.
Friday, Oct 16, 2009 @ 9pm est on Absolute Poker
Tickets will be issued next week to the winners.

Good Luck everyone:

NADI26
JEPULATOR2
JUSTIN749
VPSADIEVP
BUSTALOT6
TMAC68
MR FRANK MO
VEX44
RON1N

SharkPokerTour October Schedule

2009-09-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Ok Sharks pay attention! Some Important info so please read.

We have 31 events for October. All no limit holdem. League prizes will include $90,000 in guaranteed tickets. We have 6 poker sites on this month and at one you have the chance to win tickets to two $50,000 guaranteed events. I expect Sharks to take home about $5,000 in prizes this month. Could be more with some Shark prowess in the guaranteeds!

Full schedule is posted here in the forum

For registration to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com/ , scroll down to tourney section, and register.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on the http://www.sharkpokertour.com/ website. Your support allows us to continue carrying all these events.

So here we go.

1) League Play at Absolute/Ultimate Bet Poker

10 league events at Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet with $650 added. Also Top 9 will play for guaranteed tickets in a sng. Top 18 will play for guarranteed tickets in 2 table sng. Yep thats 2 tourneys for top 9 and the chance to win more than one ticket:

Top 9

1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18

1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker - 2 $150 freerolls and a ticket to the $50,000
guaranteed (buyin $109) to the qualified winner of each.

To qualify for the $50,000 guaranteed ticket the winner must sign up a new Poker Poker account using the sharkpokertour Power Poker link above and use signup code SHARKTOUR (all caps)

3) Reefer Poker -5 freerolls and added totalling $350

4) Titan Poker - 2 freerolls totalling $150

5) Ultimate Bet - 5 freerolls totalling $300 including a Post to Play on Oct 25-
I will post the details soon but most of you know how this works.

6) Full Tilt Poker- 2 freerolls totalling $100.

7) September top 9 league winners will sit down for a $50 freeroll and:
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
at 9 pm eastern on Friday, October 16 on Absolute Poker.

Shark Poker Tour - New Webaite and $60,000 tickets

2009-09-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have a great suprise for eveyone. As you know,
the top 9 league winners will play in a $50 freeroll on AP.
I have just addd this:
The top 3 in the freeroll will also win additional prizes:
1st - Ticket to $40,000k guaranteed Sniper @ Absolute
2nd - Ticket to $10,000 guaranteed @ Absolute
3rd - Ticket to $10,000 guaranteed @ Absolute

This gives a chance for some of our Sharks to win some serious coin.
2 league events are left and they are posted below.
Look for an even bigger prize pool for October League.

Shark Poker Tour September 2009 Schedule

Have you checked out our newly "renovated" sharkpokertour website
yet.

All tournaments but freerolls can be played at
your choice of AP or UB
League winners freeroll will be played at AP.
All other freerolls will be played at UB.

Upcoming Events

1) Thursday - Shark's League Game $4-$80 added 09/24/2009 21:00
password - seven

2) Saturday -Shark Poker Tour League Game- $3- $40 added -
$1 BOUNTY -09/26/2009 21:00 password - eight

3) Sunday - Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - Ultimate Bet Only
everyone welcome 09/27/2009 15:00 est password
will be posted at www.sharkpokertour.com

4) A $100 Post to Play Freeroll - Registration ends tonight (Thursday)
at 11:59 pm eastern.
Details Here
Good Luck Everyone - Have Fun and Make Some Money!!!!

Limit Holdem

2009-09-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

Some great advice for limit holdem players from one of my forum's most respected vets:

The Question:

i find i've been losing alot on limit holdem to alot of suck outs, and even thou im beat i have a bad nerve of calling. i know i should stop playing but i keep going back and losing even more, i don't know what to do or should i just avoid the limit cause i do not have the control to play rite on this type of game??? or should i just keep trying and learn to accept the beats and fold......what do you all think?

The Answer:

I think it is pretty fair to say I am one of the better limit players on this site and have played in some pretty big games, both live and on the net. I prefer limit to no limit but you do have to learn to live with the suckouts because after the flop, there is no way to protect your hand and people are more likely to call you down with an inside straight than then would in NL because it is not going to cost them very much and the return could be huge.

The first thing you need to do is start with quality hands and play positionally as well. I only play 6 tabled hands on the net as lower hands have more of a premium but hand selection is still key.

In an early position, you ONLY play big cards. Forget the suited connectors and all the other junk. You play pockets of QQ or higher and AK. When you get to middle position, you can play pretty much any pocket pair for a limp and play a high A (10,j,q or k). When you get to late position and are in on a limp, you can pretty much play like you would in no limit but with restrictions. When you play suited connectors in limit, you want everyone and their mother in that pot. The more likely all the large cards are out and the better chance you have of hitting your hand but still don't fall in love with it. When a flush hits the board and someone is pounding it that was in early position and you are sitting with 45, you need to let the hand go.

If you are first man in, I don't care what two cards are in your hand, raise the pot. The whole point of limit is to pound people and make them pay for their cards, even if they suck out and catch you on the river, let them know when they are in a hand with you they are going to pay for it. It will make them think twice later before diving in with shit cards.

When you have it in limit, bet it. Check raise only with a monster and only when you know your opponent is going to bet. You can NEVER miss an opportunity to bet when you think you have the best. You also need to take notes on everyone you play (all internet sites have this feature online). If you don't have a tracking program, the one thing you need to pay particular attention to is how often they win with check raises and in what position. If you are going up against someone who wins 90% of their hands when they check raise the turn, you know to get out of the hand. On the other hand, maybe they are super aggresive and lose 70% of the time, that is the guy you come over top of. Some players like to play middle and bottom pair all the way down and hope to catch on the river. You need to watch all of this and take notes on every player on every hand. Trust me, it will make and save you a lot of money.

Finally, on calling on the river. Yes you should if you have been in the hand the whole way and you are heads up. Maybe he caught, maybe he didn't but you need to realize, that in most cases, all you have to do is win one of those hands every ten times and it pays for itself. If you called down a $10 river bet and won $100 in the pot, you are covered for the next $10 river bets you call down. Odds are, if you are playing solid cards, you are going to win 2 or 3 of those and it is the difference from a profitable session to a loser.

There of course is a lot more to it than what I have posted here but this gives you a jist of what to do. The best thing I have ever read on Limit as Jennifer Harmon's section in The Super System. It gives you rock solid advice on how to play the game and is a must read for anyone playing limit.

You will read a lot about people who don't like limit but I love it. To me, NL is more of a luck game than limit. A lot of people just push on a draw and win big hands that they would never get in limit and people think they are great poker players because they get lucky. I have probably lost about 80% of the hands I have played recently after being all in on the flop with far and away the best but someone else walked with the pot. They never would have gotten that much off of me in limit and eventually, I would have walked away a winner but not in NL.

You have to have a strong stomach to play limit as you will take some horrible beats but if you play solid cards, you can clean up on that game. When I play live, I play 5/10 and 10/20 limit and you should see some of these pots. There are donkeys playing at that level just like anything else and they just chase that one big pot. I will sacrifice one hand to beat them in 5 others. My stack grows and theirs just exists. Stick with the game, do some reading and play lower limits until you get the hang of it and eventually, you will come out on top.

Keeping Player Notes

2009-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting post on player notes by one of our fourm members. Any comments?

I've noticed a tag" feature on a couple of sites. I guess tags are a good, quick way to see a sort of short-hand note about a player. I'd like to have the feature on AP.

I make -and revise- notes all the time. Detailed notes can give lots of good info about who's likely to be bluffing, chasing, etc. -and in what situations.

The only problem I've run into is that old notes can be very misleading. I've made some pretty harsh notes about some players -who may have been just starting out in poker at the time. Then after a gap of a few months I've come up against these players again and discovered that during that time they've developed into much better players than they had been. When that happens my notes are worse than useless -they're dangerous