SmokePoker Magazine

Defending Blinds Doesn’t Mean A Blind Defense

Andrew — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:51:36 +0000

Regardless of how tight a player you are, in poker you are forced to put money in the middle twice every orbit (if we’re talking about community card games, but there are compulsory bets in each and every poker variant regardless of its exact rules). It is therefore quite natural that dropping your compulsory bets […]

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Bleak House: The State Of Online Poker Today

Andrew — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:14:01 +0000

There is no denying the fact that online poker in general has seen quite a bit of a downturn and that its problems started with the 2006 UIGEA, signed into law by then-President George W. Bush. There probably are online poker operators who will tell you that they’re doing better than ever, there are however […]

The post Bleak House: The State Of Online Poker Today first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

SmokePoker Exclusive: 15% Off Coupon For Online Poker Bot Version 4

Andrew — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 20:40:36 +0000

It’s not easy to find good online poker bot software. Let’s face it. Poker rooms aren’t thrilled with the idea of players setting up their bots to automate their turn at the table and watch over time as their cash starts to stack up! And while there are a ton of online poker bots, […]

The post SmokePoker Exclusive: 15% Off Coupon For Online Poker Bot Version 4 first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

USA vs. Online Poker

Andrew — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:47:59 +0000

Has the sun set on online poker in the US? The United States is still the largest and most prosperous online consumer base despite the rising fortunes of emerging markets. Yet, online poker – considered gambling and subject to similar restrictions and regulations – is having some major credibility issues in the good ol’ USofA. […]

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What To Do After A Big Win

Andrew — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:00:32 +0000

You would not think that winning a poker tournament or having a series of substantial wins at the cash game tables could have a negative effect on your game and psyche but often winning big can be worse for a poker player than losing, but only if they handle the big win in the incorrect […]

The post What To Do After A Big Win first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Playing Poker In Europe

Andrew — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:48:28 +0000

When the United States passed the UIGEA, limiting the ability of Americans to play online poker, some feared that the poker boom would go bust. However, fortunately for video poker online, tons of European players poured in to pick up the slack. While poker has been around in Europe for many years, its growth over […]

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Want To Win A Shoot Out? DON’T Play Poker!

Andrew — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:57:45 +0000

I’ve been playing some multi-stage Texas Hold’em shoot-out poker tournaments lately. More importantly, I’ve been winning many of them! It occurred to me that the reason I was doing so well at these tournaments was that I was employing different strategies and altering my game play accordingly to adjust to the new playing environment. I […]

The post Want To Win A Shoot Out? DON’T Play Poker! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Omaha Poker is a Challenging Game

Andrew — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:23:33 +0000

If you’re used to playing Texas Hold’em and have tried playing Omaha or Omaha High Low, you’ve found that you’ve had to adjust your thinking. Although Omaha is sometimes called Omaha Hold’em due to the fact that as in Texas Hold’em you are given hole cards and share five community cards, the games are really […]

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Interview With Poker Calculator Creator & CEO (& How To Get Your Free Poker Calculator!)

Andrew — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:14:43 +0000

23 x 12 = 276. How did I know the answer to that? I just popped it into my handy calculator and –POOF- out came the answer. Now imagine being able to so the same thing but for your pocket cards in your next Texas Hold’em game? I recently got a hold of an amazing […]

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Review: You Only KNOW Poker When You Can QUOTE It! Fun Poker Quotes Book

Andrew — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:19:31 +0000

You learn the game. You play the game. You play the game online. You watch it on television. You may even read instructional books or pro player biographies. But have you ever imagined being able to quote poker? Or rather dish out famous poker quotations and quips? I admit I never really considered anyone would […]

The post Review: You Only KNOW Poker When You Can QUOTE It! Fun Poker Quotes Book first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Review: The Poker Pen IS Mightier Than The Sword!

Andrew — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:27:23 +0000

I usually get a lot of digital products like poker bots, poker calculators, etc. that intrepid gaming programmers want me to test out and review. But occasionally, someone mails me a physical poker-related product to review. A few days ago, I received just such an item that really excited me. It’s not a poker-related product […]

The post Review: The Poker Pen IS Mightier Than The Sword! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Poker News! Zynga’s PokerBuddy, Full Tilt in France, & More

Andrew — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:48:27 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve done a News post at SmokePoker.com. So I thought I’d catch up with a few tidbits that have come my way that affect your online poker play world. Here’s what’s new! ZYNGA (Facebook) Poker The good folks over at EV-plus have spend the last 2 years developing what I […]

The post Poker News! Zynga’s PokerBuddy, Full Tilt in France, & More first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

SPECIAL DEAL: Free Poker Secrets Cheats E-Book Download! No strings Attached!

Andrew — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:06:31 +0000

I had the good fortune of falling upon a source for this free e-book entitled Online Texas Holedem Secrets Cheats Revealed. In the pantheon of online poker e-books, there are really just a few worth mentioning. This is one of them. It’s a great read with a lot of interesting insights, tips, and strategies specifically […]

The post SPECIAL DEAL: Free Poker Secrets Cheats E-Book Download! No strings Attached! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

WSOP Update: From The Euro Partners Team

Andrew — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:31:11 +0000

I got this in my inbox. I thought I would share with you all. Titan Poker is looking good after their facelift. I like to see amateurs from the online poker playing world doing well in the WSOP and this is no exception… _____________ Day 5 of WSOP Main Event and Titan Poker Delegation Still […]

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SPECIAL DEAL: Slotland Announces Brand New Game + Promos

Andrew — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:47:16 +0000

I don’t often promote non-poker related deals. But I’ve always found Slotland lucky for me. I think their simple interface and lots of video slot machine options is part of the reason. I’ve also always had good luck here compared to other video slots sites (yes, it’s possible to win money on video slots… sometimes […]

The post SPECIAL DEAL: Slotland Announces Brand New Game + Promos first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

What’s the Best Deal on a Poker Chip Set?

Andrew — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:04:04 +0000

So you’re looking for a good poker chip set but are a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there? For starters, you’re likely looking to have a decent set for your home game and not likely looking at starting a casino or anything. That’s a good thing. Poker chips can vary from pennies per […]

The post What’s the Best Deal on a Poker Chip Set? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Playing Online Poker… To Make Money!

Andrew — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:54:57 +0000

When I started playing poker online, I never really gave much thought to making serious money through it. I enjoyed the fact that I could play the game I love any time of day, any day of the week and always find active players to play against. It sure beat playing poker on my old […]

The post Playing Online Poker… To Make Money! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Do you know the WORST Starting Hands in Online Poker?

Andrew — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:06:41 +0000

I see so many articles and sources showing off the best starting hands in poker (Texas Hold’Em). There isn’t a poker place you can go to online or offline that will showcase the pocket cards that you can safely play. And I’ll admit it. I’ve certainly contributed my fair share of articles regarding this area […]

The post Do you know the WORST Starting Hands in Online Poker? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Forget No-Limit Hold’Em! Learn The Secret to Dominating “Limit” Poker

Andrew — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:17:24 +0000

There are many differences between limit and no-limit poker. Many no-limit players have difficulty gearing down for limit play, and limit players lack the courage and feel needed for no-limit games.. Many of the high-powered strategies that are available to the aggressive no-limit player can’t be used to great advantage in limit. Specifically bluffing and […]

The post Forget No-Limit Hold’Em! Learn The Secret to Dominating “Limit” Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Review: Plenty O’Fish in the Mansion Poker Sea!

Andrew — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:04:48 +0000

If you’re looking to make some serious money playing online poker, there is no doubt you’ll want to check out Mansion Poker. Why Mansion Poker? Mansion Poker probably one of the most popular and fastest growing online poker sites that is part of the iPoker network. It started out as a title sponsor for the […]

The post Review: Plenty O’Fish in the Mansion Poker Sea! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Do You Play Online Poker In The Evening? If So, Read This!

Andrew — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:36:05 +0000

Tick-tock-tick-tock… Do you ever think about WHEN you play online poker? What if I told you there’s a lot more money to be made (or lost) simply because of the time of day you play online poker? There’s definitely evidence to support this – and the pros know it! The time of day you play […]

The post Do You Play Online Poker In The Evening? If So, Read This! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Review: Is MagicHoldem Poker Odds Calculator really magic?

Andrew — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:20:43 +0000

When online poker first became popular, I played… and lost… and play again… and lost again. I admit I wasn’t very good. I mean, sure, I knew how to play as far as the basics go but I just never seemed to have any luck so I stuck to the free tables – until I […]

The post Review: Is MagicHoldem Poker Odds Calculator really magic? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

SPECIAL DEAL: Do the Easter Hop! April Bonus at Slotland/Win-A-Day!

Andrew — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 07:21:35 +0000

The Easter Bunny has dropped some lovely goodies courtesy of Slotland/Win A Day! If you want a break from the poker tables, now is the best time to get some good deals on the virtual slot machines at Slotland and Win A Day. Come play at Win A Day Casino, where there are truly winners […]

The post SPECIAL DEAL: Do the Easter Hop! April Bonus at Slotland/Win-A-Day! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

You Got To Know When To Hold ’em, Know When To Fold ’em…

Andrew — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:41:47 +0000

Ah… the timeless country sounds of singer Kenny Rogers. He was right. You do have to know when to hold your hand and definitely when to fold it. I’m dedicating this post to the art of the fold. Yup, it’s one of those things that good poker players do routinely. And the best poker players […]

The post You Got To Know When To Hold ’em, Know When To Fold ’em… first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

SMOKEPOKER SPECIAL: WOW! HOT! Titan Poker + Free Gift!

Andrew — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:47:20 +0000

I’ve arm-twisted my good friends at Titan Poker to offer me something truly special for my valued SmokePoker.com members and visitors! If you type titanpoker.com in your address bar you’ll get their usual deal of a 50% bonus on up to $200 first time deposit. But that’s not good enough for me! So I got […]

The post SMOKEPOKER SPECIAL: WOW! HOT! Titan Poker + Free Gift! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

SPECIAL DEAL: Win-A-Day Casino! 30% BONUS BLITZ March 26-27!

Andrew — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:18:17 +0000

Listen up SmokePoker.com fans! You no longer have to beware the Ides of March!” The Win-A-Day Bonus Blitz is here! … Okay, that was a bit cheezy. Not withstanding a bad historical reference to promote casinos, Slotland’s “Win-A-Day Bonus Blitz” is a pretty awesome way to add some big bucks to your game play. […]

The post SPECIAL DEAL: Win-A-Day Casino! 30% BONUS BLITZ March 26-27! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Review: MUST-HAVE – “The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition”

Andrew — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:59:55 +0000

Okay, if I’m going to start reviewing products, I want to make sure I start with a good one. No, the best one. It’s a book. Plain and simple. An yes, it’s a real book. I like certain eBooks, but a lot of them are garbage. This is the real deal. Published in 2007, it […]

The post Review: MUST-HAVE – “The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition” first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Watch For Exciting Poker Product Reviews!

Andrew — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:32:24 +0000

10,000 And that’s probably a conservative estimate! There are literally thousands of Poker Products, eBooks, Calculators, Bots, Software, Tables, Services, banks, chips and more. Whether you’re a pro, beginner, amateur, online player, offline play, even an antique poker memmorobilia collector, the possibities can be overwhelming! I plan to begin regular reviews of online and offline […]

The post Watch For Exciting Poker Product Reviews! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Top 5 Online Poker Tells From The Pros!

Andrew — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:04:21 +0000

Everyone knows that about poker “tells”. You know, the scratch to the nose, the clearing of the throat, or lean back in the chair that may give away the strength (or lack thereof) of your hand at play. But when you’re playing online, that aspect of the beautiful game of Poker is lost… or is […]

The post Top 5 Online Poker Tells From The Pros! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (still sucks!)

Andrew — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:02:20 +0000

Years after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act was first introduced to the public, there is still a general pervading sense of hope within the poker community in the United States. Despite the events that have been happening which testify to the strictness and seeming effectiveness of the Gambling Act, poker players – especially the online […]

The post The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (still sucks!) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Texas Hold ’em Starting Hands

Andrew — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:08:20 +0000

Despite the waves that the US Congress Bill has been making, online gamblers all over are still feeling hopeful that somehow this mess will be sorted out. As the saying goes, life goes on… A friend of mine recently bought a 500 piece poker chip set and we had a good old game of Texas […]

The post Texas Hold ’em Starting Hands first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Video Poker Tips – Getting Started

Andrew — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:36:04 +0000

Video poker is admittedly one of the most attractive features in many casinos – both online and offline. Who can easily resist all those brightly colored flashing lights and the large signs predicting a WIN? Yet for those of us who have actually given in to the video poker machine’s allure, we know that the […]

The post Video Poker Tips – Getting Started first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Playing Shorthanded In Texas Hold ’em Poker

Andrew — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:34:35 +0000

When you watch poker games on TV, such as the World Series of Poker, you normally see them starting out with ten players. However, as the game progresses, players get eliminated and the numbers around the table start to dwindle. The starting number – ten players – is what is called a full table. When […]

The post Playing Shorthanded In Texas Hold ’em Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

What Are Sit And Go Poker Tournaments?

Andrew — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:47:25 +0000

Sit and Go tournaments have become one of the most popular ways of playing Texas Hold ‘Em Poker today. Both offline and online, Sit and Go tournaments are played by countless players. So what exactly is a Sit and Go poker tournament? It’s basically just the same as any other poker tournament except that it’s […]

The post What Are Sit And Go Poker Tournaments? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

ORAC – The World’s First Poker Bot

Andrew — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:23:54 +0000

Anyone who is into poker bots will probably know exactly what I’m talking about here, because ORAC was the first ever attempt at a poker bot. Created by Mike “Mad Genius” Caro in 1984, this poker bot could actually be dubbed as the father of all poker bots. So who is Mike Caro? Well, his […]

The post ORAC – The World’s First Poker Bot first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

How To Play Video Poker

Andrew — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:30:32 +0000

Though Texas Hold ‘Em undoubtedly holds the top position when it comes to popularity these days (thanks to the World Series of Poker mainly), there is no doubt that video poker is one of the most loved versions of poker there is. When you first look at a video poker machine, you may mistake it […]

The post How To Play Video Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Poker Pros Speak Out About The Gambling Ban

Andrew — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:06:54 +0000

Soon after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act was signed, professional poker players from the US and Canada started to make their feelings known. Their reactions ranged from disbelief, to defiant, to downright angry. Personally, it doesn’t surprise me that these poker pros reacted in the way they did. I’m sure that many of them cannot […]

The post Poker Pros Speak Out About The Gambling Ban first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Mistakes Even Advanced Poker Players Make

Andrew — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:27:01 +0000

Just because you’re an advanced poker player doesn’t mean that you’re not bound to make mistakes once in a while. Poker players are human after all. Yet knowing what possible mistakes you can make will definitely help you avoid them, so here are some of the most common errors that you can make in a […]

The post Mistakes Even Advanced Poker Players Make first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Worst Starting Hands In Texas Hold’em

Andrew — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:02:38 +0000

In my last few articles I’ve taken a break from hands, raising, and other poker terminology. It’s high time that we get back on track. I just realized that after I posted my previous article on choosing starting hands for Texas Hold’em, I didn’t do any follow up. Quite logically, if you can get good […]

The post The Worst Starting Hands In Texas Hold’em first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

My Baddest Poker Beat Ever!

Andrew — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:22:07 +0000

We’ve all been there – having that one hand that you’re sure you’re going to win with so you say the three words every person at the table chasing hates to hear, “I’M ALL IN!”. Well I’m sure you all know what happens next so I am not going to dwell on that part. I […]

The post My Baddest Poker Beat Ever! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

How To Find The Right Poker Room

Andrew — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:03:01 +0000

So you’ve decided to try out your career in online poker. Before you actually embark on your journey, you should think about where to start it. There are a multitude of online casinos and online poker rooms to choose from. The bad thing is, not all of them are good places to patronize. As with […]

The post How To Find The Right Poker Room first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 3)

Andrew — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:31:23 +0000

Stu Ungar was a gambling prodigy: breaking records, defeating champions, and becoming the best at every card game he ever played. However, his private life was in shambles. His father died when he was a young boy, he grew up mean and tough on the streets, and in 1986, even his marriage to long-time love […]

The post The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 3) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 2)

Andrew — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:13:43 +0000

Stuey the Kid (also called Stu Ungar) was one of the best poker players in history. However, his interest in poker was actually prompted by his genius in gin rummy. He was so good that casinos banned him from playing, because nobody wanted to join a table where he was seated. This led him to […]

The post The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 2) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 1)

Andrew — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:56:40 +0000

He was called “Stuey the Kid”, and was one of the best poker and gin rummy players in history. Unfortunately, his skill at the tables was matched only by a string of poor personal decisions that left him in debt. When he was found dead in 1998, at just 45 years old, he had lost […]

The post The Life Of Stu Ungar (Part 1) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Poker – It’s All About The Attitude!

Andrew — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:27:04 +0000

…and learning to adapt to the situation. Those who hold the idea that poker is all about luck could not be more wrong. Neither are those who say that it’s all about skill. Playing poker is a mixture of these two plus the big one – attitude. Ask the experts and they will all tell […]

The post Poker – It’s All About The Attitude! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

How To Build Your Own Poker Table

Andrew — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:41:49 +0000

Earlier on I was talking about different kinds of poker tables. For those of you who are quite handy with a hammer, a saw, nails and that sort of stuff, you’d probably like it better if you had to make your own poker table. This option gives your more control as to exactly how you […]

The post How To Build Your Own Poker Table first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Poker Tables – What Do You Do?

Andrew — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:05:47 +0000

So you got yourself a nice set of poker chips. Now what, do you think you’re ready for your home game? Before you can actually start your home game, you need another vital piece of equipment – the poker table. In this respect, you have more flexibility than with the poker chips. In deciding to […]

The post Poker Tables – What Do You Do? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Could You Play Online Poker For A Living?

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:44:29 +0000

If you’re that much of a poker enthusiast, you have to admit it, one of your lifelong dreams is surely to play poker for a living. Come to think of it, almost everyone in this entire world has a similar dream. Find a job that will pay you for doing the thing that you love […]

The post Could You Play Online Poker For A Living? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Do Online Poker Tells Really Exist?

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:49:39 +0000

You’ve got the skills, you’ve chosen your poker room, and you’ve got the best attitude ever. Now what? You’re definitely ready to play online poker, but what if the other more experienced players can sense you’re a newbie? In offline poker, “tells” are one of the most important aspects of the game. In this context, […]

The post Do Online Poker Tells Really Exist? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Art Of Bluffing In Poker

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:12:57 +0000

If there is one thing that the general public knows about poker, it probably is bluffing. Even the uninitiated have heard tales of great bluffing feats to win a game – how a player keeps his emotions in total control, without showing any hint in his body language. Where do you think the widely used […]

The post The Art Of Bluffing In Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Tournament Poker Basics and Advanced Strategies (cont)

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:51:27 +0000

Another advanced strategy that most experienced tournament participants understand is the gap concept. The basic principle with this strategy is that it usually takes a much stronger hand to call a raise than it does to make the initial raise. This adage holds true no matter what kind of poker game the player is participating […]

The post Tournament Poker Basics and Advanced Strategies (cont) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Raising Your Expectations In Poker

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:12:28 +0000

Without our being conscious of it, many of us tend to define our hands by what we think our opponents’ cards are. You can see this from the betting process, particularly the raises and reraises. Here’s one example… Let’s say you’re in one of the last positions. You have kings, and you reraised a very […]

The post Raising Your Expectations In Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Understanding Video Poker Machines

Andrew — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:09:09 +0000

Gambling and card games may be one of the oldest pastimes in human history, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be touched by technology in some way. In fact, technology is changing the face of gambling and of casinos even as we speak. More and more aspects of gambling are being reimagined with various gizmos […]

The post Understanding Video Poker Machines first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Understanding the Net Present Value in Poker

Andrew — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:20:46 +0000

It may come as a surprise but many poker concepts can actually be learned by studying other disciplines. For example, there are so many parallelisms between poker concepts and business. Various companies must make crucial decisions based on the net present value of money. In the simplest terms, this means that you would assign a […]

The post Understanding the Net Present Value in Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Ricky Jay Plays Poker – a Poker DVD!

Andrew — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:12:06 +0000

Have you ever thought about what kind of music you like listening to when playing poker? For that matter, have you ever associated poker with music? To be honest, I’ve never thought about this before until I came across an album about poker. You got that right, someone came up with an album with songs […]

The post Ricky Jay Plays Poker – a Poker DVD! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Pre-Flop Re-Steal – No Limit Texas Holdem

Andrew — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:06:00 +0000

I suppose there is a library of advice that can be offered in regards to every poker play; however, stealing the blinds is a necessity in tournament play if you hope to build your stack towards the leader, and maintain a workable stack as the blinds increase and players decrease. The pre-flop re-steal is simply […]

The post The Pre-Flop Re-Steal – No Limit Texas Holdem first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Women and Poker – Some Interesting Stats

Andrew — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:21:18 +0000

We have to admit it, poker is generally seen as a man’s game. Yet as other things change in our society, so does this general perception. I came across this really interesting article which talked about a study that was done on the subject. Let me share it with you… A new study by eCOGRA, […]

The post Women and Poker – Some Interesting Stats first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Is Poker a Sport, or Not?

Andrew — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:05:36 +0000

While the argument of whether poker is a game of chance or skill has been debated for as long as one can remember, it is not quite everyday that you will hear people debating whether poker is a sport or not. I came across a British guy’s perspective on this topic. Let’s follow his series […]

The post Is Poker a Sport, or Not? first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

How To Play Chinese Poker

Andrew — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:30:09 +0000

It seems that there is an emerging (though quite not prominent yet) poker variant in existence today. According to Nicole Gordon of PokerNews, well known names in poker have shown quite a propensity for this type of poker. What am I talking about? Chinese poker, or 13 Card poker as it is also known, seems […]

The post How To Play Chinese Poker first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

I Bet My Wife in a Poker Game and Lost!

Andrew — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:44:05 +0000

I’m sure you’ll have heard poker stories like this before… A gambler is so much into a game but ends up having a bad streak. He loses his cool and is desperate to make a comeback, convinced that the next hand will be THE hand to make him. So there he is, with no more […]

The post I Bet My Wife in a Poker Game and Lost! first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Poker Bots (and how to get your’s FREE!)

Andrew — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:32:38 +0000

(NOTE: The “Free Poker Bot” is no longer available. However, we recommend using the Online Poker Bot v. 4. We’ve negotiated a deal exclusive to SmokePoker members who are looking for a superior and reliable, undetectable poker bot that is compatible in over 22 rooms. Use COUPON CODE: SP15OFF to save 15% off your purchase) […]

The post Poker Bots (and how to get your’s FREE!) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Understanding Poker Player Types

Andrew — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:54:52 +0000

More than the starting hands that you are dealt with in a poker game, there are other factors that you need to consider when playing poker. If you remember my article with quotes from famous poker players, you will remember one that described poker as being a card game played with people – or something […]

The post Understanding Poker Player Types first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

The Poker Bully (and how to be one!)

Andrew — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:02:43 +0000

We’ve all been taught that bullying is not a good thing. In school, bullies were always seen to be bad – and they were. However, I’m sure that you also know that bullies pounce on the slightest sign of weakness and if you display even a hint of that, you are dead meat. That is […]

The post The Poker Bully (and how to be one!) first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Doyle Brunson: “It’s A State of Mind”

Andrew — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:12:02 +0000

Of course you have all heard about Doyle Brunson, right? One or two of you guys out there probably even idolize this poker great – I sure do. Well, I ran across something he wrote just the other day at Poker Player. Coming from a man of his great experience, the thoughts expressed in the […]

The post Doyle Brunson: “It’s A State of Mind” first appeared on SmokePoker Magazine.

Watch Poker Live 24/7 At RawVegas.tv

Andrew — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:34:57 +0000

As time goes by, just when we thought we have seen and heard of everything, technology and its applications never cease to amaze us. I bet that when the TV was introduced ages ago, people’s eyes just popped out of their head. Now, it is just part and parcel of our daily lives. Now, another […]

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Famous (Often Amusing) Poker Quotes

Andrew — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:16:20 +0000

We all have our heroes and people we look up to. Whether it be in “real life” or on the game floor, there are people we consider our role models. Poker is not an exception, and when we look up to people we watch their every move and look out for their every word. Just […]

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Some Mistakes Poker Beginners Make (Part 2)

Andrew — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:36:01 +0000

In my last article I talked about some of the most common boo boos that newbies at the poker table commit. This was done with the hope that potential poker players or even those who are already playing but are relatively new to the game will be made aware of these practices that should be […]

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Some Mistakes Poker Beginners Make (Part 1)

Andrew — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:28:16 +0000

Admit it, any beginner at any game is bound to make mistakes. The key is to know what they are to try to avoid them as much as possible. Texas Hold ’em – or any poker variant for that matter – is not exempt from beginner boo boos at the table. They can be funny […]

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Knowing When To Quit At Poker

Andrew — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Quitters never win, or so they say. Our society has had this notion of never quitting in any endeavor one gets involved in. The never say die attitude has a strong solid place in most any culture. Yet does it have a place in poker? Perhaps it does have its own merits in specific situations. […]

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Casinos Help Out Gambling Addicts

Andrew — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:45:32 +0000

That last word is not usually mentioned in gambling circles, to be honest. It is one of those tags that society in general uses to label some people and to be frank, sometimes it is overused, giving card games such as poker a bad name. Yet the reality remains. There are people who get hooked […]

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Duplicate Poker – Hope For Poker Enthusiasts?

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:28:05 +0000

It seems that though the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 has been in place for some time now, the hoopla surrounding it has not died down yet. This is not surprising as poker remains one of the most popular online games. A sharp increase in the number of players in online poker rooms […]

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Introduction to Stud Poker and Caribbean Stud

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:06:22 +0000

There are hundreds of poker variations played in homes, backrooms, and casinos. Most of the poker variants however fall under the three main types of poker – draw poker, stud poker, and community poker. Last time I wrote about draw poker and its most common variant – Five-Card Draw. This time I’ll be focusing on […]

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Introduction to Draw Poker and Five-Card Draw

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:41:58 +0000

There are many variations of poker. One of them is draw poker. Draw poker is usually considered to be the standard poker form and is the kind of poker beginners usually learn. The number of players involved in the game varies from 3 to 7 persons. Draw poker doesn’t refer to one specific poker game […]

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3 Tips To Give You An Edge In Poker

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:29:30 +0000

Everyone acknowledges that poker is a game which combines both luck and skill. The idea is that each and every poker player at the table has an equal chance of winning based on the cards dealt. It is their skill that gives them the edge to win. Of course, this is all in view of […]

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Does Superstition Have A Place In Poker?

Andrew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:17:27 +0000

Superstition has been part of man’s life for as long as anyone can remember. If you read history books and historical novels, you will see that life has always been rife with beliefs that are not necessarily based on anything logical. That is the exact definition of a superstition – an illogical belief. You would […]

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Poker Movies: Casino Royale

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:00:22 +0000

I’ve always been a firm believer in the saying “save the best for last.” No matter what aspect of my life you observe, you will probably notice that this maxim reigns supreme. Heck, even when I eat, I do not eat all the food on my plate at the same time! Yup, I save the […]

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Poker Movies: Rounders

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:31:27 +0000

Released in 1998, Rounders is perhaps the best poker movie in the last 20 years. With Matt Damon and Edward Norton as the protagonists and John Malkovich as the antagonist, you cannot go wrong. If you are an avid poker player, there is really no need to explain what a rounder is. However, for the […]

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Poker Movies: Maverick

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:10:27 +0000

Though not exactly about tips on playing poker, Maverick shows the whole picture of the adventurous life of a gambler in the old days in the West. This movie was released in the mid 90s, 1994 to be exact. As opposed to the past two movies we have featured, this one is not all that […]

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Poker Movies: The Sting

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:37:02 +0000

I remember watching The Sting when I wasn’t much into poker yet. In fact, I think when I saw it (simply because my dad had a video and wanted to watch it, so everyone else had to) I didn’t even know how to play poker. Despite that fact, the movie captured the interest of everyone […]

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Poker Movies: The Cincinnati Kid

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:23:40 +0000

Though movies are not exactly an accurate reflection of reality, we have to admit that we can pick up a thing or two from them. More so, we can have a good time while we are it. The same thing goes for poker movies. We see the exceptional highs and lows of a poker game […]

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The Art Of Raising In Poker

Andrew — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:10:21 +0000

Any self respecting poker player should have a good strategy on raising. Note that we said strategy. This is not something to be done in whim, when you’re “feeling lucky.” Nor should you be driven by misplaced ego to enter a race of who bets more—even when your competitor calls you a wimp—or be so […]

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What Is The Appeal Of Poker?

Andrew — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:07:57 +0000

Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. Like other “vying” games, players make bets which are combined into a central pot. This money is then given to the player with the best hand (or, as is often the case, the player who manages to bluff everyone despite having a lousy […]

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How To Play Caribbean Stud Poker

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:59:37 +0000

There are many poker variants being played in casinos all over the world. Although these poker games follow a fundamental set of universal rules there are certain rule variations made that make it distinct from each other. One popular poker variant played in most casinos is called Caribbean Stud Poker. As a way of distinguishing […]

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How To Vary Your Playing Pace In Poker

Andrew — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:25:56 +0000

Since playing styles are so crucial in poker, you really have to vary your playing pace and occasionally throw a wrench into your opponents’ expectations of you by suddenly shifting your strategy. Here are some ways to avoid being boxed in and categorized… First of all, pay attention to where you bluff. Let’s say you […]

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Reading Your Opponents In No Limit Hold ‘Em

Andrew — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:09:28 +0000

In No Limit Hold ‘Em, your ability to play your hand right also includes the ability to play your opponents. This means that you need to know the psychological and bluffing skills than any other popular poker game. This is particularly true when the stakes are high. In low stake No Limit Games, it’s actually […]

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Raising The “Limits” In Texas Hold ‘Em

Andrew — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:50:30 +0000

No Limit Poker has become increasingly popular, not only for its exciting popularity but the large pots that are offered in the various No Limit Poker tournaments. It’s also been highly publicized because of the World Poker Tour and ESPN. However, there are fundamental differences between No Limit and standard Hold ‘Em. It’s important to […]

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Phil Ivey – The Tiger Woods Of Poker

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:17:18 +0000

If Taylor Caby is the Harry Potter of Poker, then Phil Ivey is the Tiger Woods of this game. This young man earned this moniker because of the classy way he plays. At a very young age of 8, Phil Ivey learned the basics of poker from his grandfather who would deal him hands of […]

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Kirill Gerasimov – Russia’s Top Poker Player

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:00:09 +0000

At a young age of 35, Kirill Gerasimov has reached a level of popularity that many aspiring poker players have dreamed of. This young poker player was born in Moscow and used to be an insurance salesman. Whether or not that day job had any bearings on his poker skills, it is clear that Gerasimov […]

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Julian Gardner – The Wriggler

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:44:20 +0000

Poker has been around for as long as almost anyone can remember. As such, there are many poker players that have made the ranks of the “greats.” I wrote about some of them a month or so ago. Last post, though, I featured a young poker player who has made his name in the world […]

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Taylor Caby (Green Plastic) – Online Poker Pro

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:16:59 +0000

So far the players I’ve featured were offline pros. Let’s take a look at a very young man who is well known in the online poker world as Green Plastic. So what do we know about Taylor Caby? He was born in 1983, studied Finance at the University of Illinois, and is known to be […]

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Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:54:59 +0000

One of the members of the Texas Rounders, Doyle Brunson is a name legendary in the world of poker. Anyone who is really into the game will certainly know who he is. Also known as Texas Dolly, Doyle Brunson was born on August 10, 1933 in Longworth, Texas. It seemed at first that Doyle Brunson […]

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Amarillo Slim – The First Poker TV Star

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:32:16 +0000

Amarillo Slim wasn’t always known by this name. Born Thomas Austin Preston, Jr. in December 21, 1938 in Johnson, Arkansas, the first time he won the Main Event of the World Series of Poker was in 1972. Yet before he became famous for his tournament poker skills, Amarillo Slim was already quite well known in […]

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Stu Ungar – Gambler, Addict, Loser, Legend

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:11:21 +0000

If you chance upon a cluster of people at a party chitchatting about great poker players, there would be no doubt that you would hear the name Stu Ungar come up at least once. There are a lot of people in the poker world who actually consider Stu Ungar the greatest poker player of all […]

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Scotty Nguyen – A Poker Legend

Andrew — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:46:48 +0000

Born as Thuan Nguyen in October 28, 1962 in Nha Trang Vietnam, Scotty’s life is reminiscent of thousands of other young children in the 70s. This was the time when the communists had a firm foothold on Vietnam and refugees from this country were spread all over the world – from other Asian countries to […]

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Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:26:05 +0000

The tournament structure of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker has caught the attention of people all over the world. Once again, we have the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour to testify to this fact. But, what exactly is a poker tournament? As you would have seen while watching the WSOP or WPT, […]

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Poker House Games Become More Popular

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:30:19 +0000

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it one more time – home games are the in thing right now. We can attribute this fact to many factors, of course one of which is the widespread popularity of the World Series of Poker. Most everyone who watches TV would know about the WSOP. Even those […]

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An Introduction To Community Poker

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:17:33 +0000

Community poker is perhaps one of the most played groups of poker games today. The name community poker is derived from the fact that some cards are shared by all the players. Quite obviously, these are the community cards. Though there are many different kinds of community poker games, the basic idea behind them is […]

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Poker Terms – A Basic Poker Glossary

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:33:18 +0000

I was looking through the posts the other day and I realized, albeit belatedly, that I should have started out with a list of poker terms. I have been harping on how players new to poker should know about the lingo used in poker before jumping into the fray yet I never really focused on […]

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Poker Strategy: Why Not To Call By Default

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:00:43 +0000

A lot of poker players call by default—meaning, it’s not a strategic decision, but a gut reaction, an easy response, a habit. You see a spread, and unless some very big red flags force you to do otherwise, you call. Calling is a cautious reaction, the “happy medium” that lets you save money that might […]

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The History Of Poker Chips

Andrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:26:51 +0000

In a recent post, I talked about how you can start your own home game. One of the requisites of doing this however, is having the right equipment and what is the most vital piece of equipment for poker? Chips, poker chips that is. For the uninitiated, once you’ve seen poker chips (even on TV), […]

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