Monthly Archives: January 2014

Best Poker Sites for Canadians

When it comes for looking for something to do in order to pass the time, most people these days turn to online poker.  There are many places for people, specifically Canadians to play online poker.  If you think that you might like to give online poker a try, then here are the best poker sites for Canadians.  Take a look around at each site and see what you can find.

The first thing that you want to take into consideration is whether or not you want to play poker for real money or simply play money.  Most Canadians that are looking to pass their time simply play with fake money; therefore there is nothing to lose.  If you want to play for real money and see how good you actually are, then one of the best poker sites for Canadians is going to be Poker Stars.  Poker Stars is a poker site that can be utilized by all Canadians as well as the rest of the world.  Once you sign up and confirm your email address, you can start playing in play money tournaments or even a free roll tournament here and there.  In order to get started on Poker Stars all you need to do is go to www.pokerstars.com download and play from there!

If you have already played on Poker Stars or you are looking for a change of scenery then check out Party Poker.  This is another great site for Canadians to play poker and it is fairly easy to use if you are not familiar with the poker world.  You can play with all sorts of different people and you can even kick it up a notch and play for a little bit of money.  Most poker sites will have a minimum amount of cash to deposit as well as daily limits, but if you win a little you are free to deposit that cash into your account whenever you like. Excellent ideas for a rainy day, providing you are good at the game that is.

When it comes to the greatest poker sites for Canadians, you really just need to keep your eyes open and play at the best site that works for you.  If you choose Poker Stars, you will actually be downloading an application that you will have on your desktop.  From there you will be able to log in and play whenever you like!  Take a look around online and make sure that you find the poker site that is going to work best for you.

Is Online Poker Legal in Canada

On-line poker is legal in Canada until the judiciary rules otherwise. The crux of the interpretation exists in how the law is written in the Criminal Code of Canada – Part VII Disorderly Houses, Gaming and Betting. This article will walk through that law and allow the reader to make a judgment for themselves whether or not online poker is legal in Canada.

Before we try to interpret the legislature’s will on the matter, it is important to define exactly what is meant by playing online poker. For the purposes of this article on-line poker means a single individual in their residence playing on-line poker for money over a cable connection on a web site physically located outside Canada. If more people are playing or if the web site operates in Canada then on-line betting moves closer to the edge of illegality, although may not cross it.

Playing on-line poker in Canada is not operating in a “common betting house” because your computer and its connection to the gambling site do not “enable” the wagering; the on-line poker site enables the wagering activity. In other words, the computer and the internet connection alone would not be sufficient for the wagering activity to occur. The computer does enable the user to transmit and pay for bets and so technically on-line poker may be an infraction. The intent of the law, however seems not to criminalize poker playing but to criminalize poker rooms where the general public arrive to play poker and the house makes profit from the activity.

Betting outside of a common betting house still has criminal sanctions, so online poker in Canada may still be illegal by one clause stating a wager “by radio, telegraph, telephone, [or] mail” is an offense. A bet made through a cable connection is clearly not any of the devices specifically enumerated by the statute and so does not constitute an offense. When the legislature tried to change the language to “any form of communication”, the change was not passed.  The change was not passed because the legislators feared outlawing internet gaming and the private person wagering on-line. If the player uses a modem connected to a telephone then an infraction may exist, but one that will not likely be challenged by law enforcement officials.

So the intent of Canadian statutes against gaming clearly seems to be on unregulated betting parlors or casinos physically located in Canada. On-line poker played by an individual in their residence and over a cable connection will not attract scrutiny. If a Provence attempted prosecution, which they might, they would have an extremely hard time persuading a Judge much less a jury that On-line poker playing in Canada is illegal.  Since the legislature did not change the statute specifically for fear that it would criminalize online poker and other gaming, Canadian prosecutors would seem to have a very high fence to jump to convict a person under current law.

Carlos Poker Strategy

Welcome online poker lovers!  For anyone who has played a few hands or who would love to learn a few tips, this is the place to be.  Here’s how one devoted fan from Miami, FL got involved and stays involved.  Carlos recently spent time with us by phone to give us a little background on how and why he got involved, and why he loves to play.

Here’s Carlos’ story:

[Tell us how you got involved with online poker]

“I’ve always loved to gamble, but poker has always been my passion.  When I lived in Boston I would head to either Vegas or even Connecticut almost every weekend just to hit the casinos.  When I moved to Miami, though, it got to be pretty difficult because here in Florida, even though they have casinos, they’re nothing like Vegas.  I knew online poker existed so I found some good sites, started making a little money, and I was hooked.”

[Why do you like playing online poker?]

“It’s great because I can do it anytime, anywhere I am near a computer.  It’s almost too convenient.  My wife keeps telling my I’m addicted because if I’m in the middle of a game when dinner is ready I will take my laptop to the dinner table with me.  She sees this as a game, yet I see this as an opportunity to make money.   And I do make money, which I have to keep reminding her of.”

[Tell us your opinion of the online poker world overall.]

“Everything has its pros and cons.  I was a little hesitant at first because I’m playing with a computer, which really takes a little getting used to.  If you’re used to playing face to face with people, even if it’s in someone’s house, it’s an entirely different feel.  You can hear the people, talk to them, see their faces when they bet, and all that.   Online, however, there’s dead silence and you have no idea who you’re playing with.  All you see is a bunch of screen names.  You have to get used to this virtual world.  For the most part, though, it’s all legit.  When I win, I do get paid.  I talk to some of my online poker buddies off line sometimes and they say the same thing – they win, they get paid.  So you don’t need to worry about anything like that.”

[What poker websites do you currently play on? What ones have you enjoyed in the past?]

“Right now I’m pretty loyal to PurePlay.com and one reason is because of the laws here in Florida – we are only allowed to play for points and win prize money in return.  We can’t bet with real money.  Pure Play is, I personally believe, the best “free” site around.  By free I mean you can actually play without buying a membership, and you can still win money.

PurePlay has a lot of tournaments almost around the clock.  Some other sites are fairly limited.  Depending on the type of membership you have will depend on how many tournaments you can register for and what the prize money is.

I’ve also tried a site called Ultimate Bet.  You need to download software.  The play was great.  Their graphics are superior to some of the other sites and they have round the clock support.  The only problem I had was that I frequently got error messages saying I didn’t have a certain module installed and no one could figure out what the problem was, so I gave up.  I was getting disconnected too often. 

A few years ago I played a lot at Players Only Poker and Ultimate Bet.   I did win some good money but when I moved here to Florida I couldn’t play any more because they are sites that only allow “real” money play.   How do they know?  They go by the billing address of the credit card you use.  If I ever leave Florida I’d sign up with them again right away.  What I liked was if you won you can get your money in a variety of ways, and get it quickly.”

[Can people really win at online poker?]

“Absolutely!  You won’t get rich.  I want to make that very clear.  But it really depends on where you live, too.  Here in Florida it’s illegal to actually place bets online with real money.  In other words, you can buy a membership to a poker site but you are really playing with “play money”.  And instead of winning the pot like you would in a real casino poker game, you are winning a predetermined amount of prize money.  There are, however, many many other places where you are allowed to use real money to place real bets and you win much larger prizes.  In these cases, yes, you could easily have a significant income if you play well.  I believe the U.S. has about five states with the same restrictive laws as Florida, but as far as I know Canada has no restrictions, and most of Europe is regulated, but it’s legal.  How much can you win? Here in Florida I’ve won as little as $10 and on a good day I can win $500 or a few thousand dollars. Back in Boston I won over $15,000 a few times in various tournaments.”

[Tell us one of your favorite stories regarding a time where you won at online poker?  Did you win any money?]

“Every time my wife accuses me of being addicted, I remind her of this story.  She had planned a nice birthday party for me a few years ago.  Guests were due to start to arrive at 3:00 PM I remember, and I was looking for something to do in the meantime.  So I logged into my poker site and found out a tournament was just starting, so I signed up.  Usually I can finish in the top 100 or so, and I figured time-wise I’d be kicked out just about the time people started to arrive.  Well, as luck would have it, I was doing great!  3:00 came and the guests started arriving.  My wife told me to put the computer away and join the party.  I kept saying, “Just one more hand”, figuring I’d be eliminated any minute now.  Nope.  Finally my brothers and some neighbors joined me in the living room where I was sitting with my laptop, and I had my own cheering section!  I made it to the final table.  At this point my wife wasn’t talking to me and gave me one of those looks that said it no longer mattered if I won.  I was in trouble no matter what.   But – I did win!   And I won $2,000!  And when I won I had almost everyone at the party clapping and cheering me on.  Of course, when the check came I had to run to the local jewelry store to get my wife something to try to appease her.  She didn’t get over that one too fast.”

[Is Poker all luck, or can you really share some poker strategies that you think can help people win at online poker?]

“There’s really no magic strategies anyone can use at online poker.  Luck does have a lot to do with it.  Remember, when you’re playing online you have completely lost the ability to see the other players and learn what their “tells” are.  In a casino you might find out that one guy scratches his nose each time he has a good hand and someone else might tap his foot.  But it takes a while to figure this out.  In online poker, you don’t get this opportunity to learn about your opponents.  You’re flying blind – or playing blind, really.  It’s tough to really formulate a strategy for playing overall, in this type of environment.  When you think about it, each time you play and bet on a hand it’s really not much different than playing a slot machine. 

A good rule of thumb is to:   Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.  If you aren’t getting good cards, and the other players at the table are making just plain stupid bets (especially if they are playing with fake money as opposed to their own money), you need to quit.  Walk away.  Sign out.  Find another game.  Don’t play like it means nothing.  Too many people play like they know its fake money and they make bets no one would ever make if they were using real cash. 

Here’s something I do see a lot of players doing although I don’t necessarily recommend this and I rarely pull this stunt myself.  But, it’s one strategy that seems to be pretty common, and here goes:  once you get your cards, go “all in” on the first round.  The logic here is supposed to make the other players think you have maybe four of a kind or even better, so the other players get scared and usually break into two groups.   They either fold right away, or they stay until they get a better feel for the action.  Most of the time, from what I’ve seen, if that player is called at the end of the game, he has nothing.   A really experienced player typically will never do this because there’s no reason to.  You don’t want people leaving the table if you do have a good hand, and if you’re just bluffing, betting everything right away serves little purpose in the long run.

In one sentence, a good strategy is play like it’s your money (and it might be!), think before you bet, and don’t be afraid to quit while you’re ahead.”

The Battle of the Giants – Poker Stars vs. Full Tilt Poker

Poker Stars (pokerstars.com) and Full Tilt Poker (fulltiltpoker.com) are the top two online poker sites. As with any competitors, there are some similarities and differences; this article will concentrate on both of these aspects and hopefully help you in you choose the perfect site in relation to your individual requirements!

The differences in both sites include the games you can choose from, the bonuses on offer and the actual game-play software. Without having to sign up for both, spend hours comparing and probably spending a lot of your hard earned cash, you can read through this article and decide for yourself which you would prefer.

Both Poker Stars and Full Tilt offer an extremely large choice of cash games, with Poker Stars just edging it in terms of numbers, but Full Tilt does have some slightly different games available. The one thing you need to realize is that no matter which site you choose to play on, you will not be short of people to play with. It is said that on Full Tilt there are over 60,000 players online simultaneously, whilst on Poker Stars there are over 130,000.

The tournaments and ‘Sit N Goes’ are what might interest you, especially if you are new to online poker. Both sites have some advantages, with Full Tilt offering a $750k guaranteed prize every week and Poker Stars has a weekly game called the ‘Sunday Million’.

If you’re new to the online poker scene, you may find Full Tilt slightly easier to navigate, and because it’s in second place behind Poker Stars you may find there are slightly more frequent bonuses in order to keep you as a customer. The bonuses on offer differ quite a bit, with Poker Stars offering a 100% match on your initial deposit up to $50, and Full Tilt doing the same but up to $600.

The software for both sites have a reputation for being the best available, in the entire online poker industry. As you would expect, they both offer different interfaces which appeal to different markets. Full Tilt Poker has a slightly ‘cartoon-ish’ look and feel to their tables, but because of this choice the game play is extremely fast and easy to navigate.

Poker Stars is the number one, and because it’s the best in terms of traffic volume it goes that extra mile in terms of the software capabilities. When playing online, you are able to upload your own picture or icon for other players to see, as well as other similar customizable features.

The similarities when it comes to software between these two sites are that they both have lobbies that can be navigated by anyone, whether you are new to online poker or not – and they offer you the option of playing several games at the same time! Another handy design feature is that both offer you the ability to re-size the tables, leaving space for you to fit other things on your desktop whilst you play!

The summary is where I would usually tell you which site to choose, but in honesty, this really is a tough one – it all depends on your individual preferences and requirements. If you’re after a really high bonus to sign up then you should go with Full Tilt, but if you’re more interested in the number of players online at any one time then Poker Stars is the only option. The overall look of both websites may help you decide which to choose, with Poker Stars offering a more refined, sleek design, and Full Tilt offering a flashy, ‘fun’ site. Whichever site you choose to play with, I wish you luck and remember where you got this information when you win the jackpot!

MEET A WINNER AT ONLINE POKER – AND LEARN SOME OF HIS SECRETS AND TIPS!

I recently spoke with Andy, from Michigan, who wins frequently at online poker, and substantially as well, or so I’ve been told!  Andy agreed to share some of his tips and strategies for winning at online poker with us.  The following is the actual interview I conducted with Andy, complete with both the actual questions asked and answers given.

Q:   “Andy, tell us about your involvement with online poker.”

A:   “Sure.  I’ve been playing online poker fairly regularly for about five years.  I play cash games, tournaments, and sit and go tournaments.”

Q:   “Why do you like playing online poker?”

A:   “I like online poker because it’s hassle free.  Don’t have to drive to a casino.  I can play from the comfort of my own home.  I can play in my pajamas if I want.  It’s much easier to concentrate when you don’t have all the table noise and background noise that comes with a live cardroom.  I can play any time of the day or night and can always find a full game, unlike the casino which tends to have less games and good action late at night/early in the morning, or during weekdays.”

Q:   “Tell us your opinion on the online poker world overall.”

A:   “I have found that it’s been easy to deposit and cash out money on the sites where I play.  I have had a decent win rate overall.  I’ve never seen any collusion at the tables I’ve played at, so overall I’ve found my experience to be pleasant and my money to be secure.”

Q:   “What poker websites do you currently play on?  What ones have you enjoyed in the past?

A:   “I currently play on Pokerstars.  Once in a while I play on FullTilt.  In the past I’ve played on Party Poker, Ultimate Bet, True Poker and Paradise Poker.”

Q:   “Can people really win at online poker?”

A:   “I absolutely believe you can win at online poker.  Of course there are fluctuations, but in the long run if you are a good player you should win.  To me there is no difference as far as winning goes in online poker then there is in a casino.”

Q:   “Tell us one of your favorite stories about you winning at online poker.”

A:    “ I used to play on a site called Party Poker.  At the time, this site offered a bad beat jackpot.  Basically, if a player beat a different player with a monster hand (like four of a kind) and the other player had a monster hand (say a lesser four of a kind), this would trigger the bad beat jackpot.  The winner of the hand would get a percentage, the loser of the hand would get an even larger percentage and the rest of the people sitting at the table would get a small percentage, called a table share.  The bad beat jackpots were pretty large, over a hundred thousand wasn’t uncommon.  Well, one evening, I was playing a low fixed limit hold em game and watching the news.  I folded my hand before the flop, and turned back to the tv to watch something that had caught my interest.  When I looked back at my computer screen, a window had popped up which said, “Congratulations!”  You have won a table share of the bad beat jackpot!  Apparently, while I was otherwise engaged, 2 players at my table had hit the bad beat jackpot without me even being aware!  My table share?  $3,500!”

Q:   “Is poker all luck, or can you really share some poker strategies that you think can help people win at online poker?”

A:   “The great thing about the game of poker is that it by no means is all about luck.  Strategy and good play really do greatly improve your chances of winning.  Unlike casino games like blackjack or roulette, where the house builds in an edge for itself, when you play poker, you play against other individuals with the edge being your own skill.  There are many advantages a player can have and learn in order to beat others in a game of poker.  Hand selection, position, watching how others bet and raise, knowing when to bluff and when to fold, these are all things that can be learned by anyone and incorporated into their game in order give them a winning edge.  One of the great features of online poker is the software on some sites that allow you to take notes on players so that you can be reminded of how that person plays when you encounter them in a game.  Like chess, bridge or even euchre, poker is a game of skill, and while luck can certainly factor in to any game of chance, overall, you can greatly improve your odds of winning by learning different strategies.”

Q:   “Andy, would you feel comfortable sharing some of your poker strategies that you think can help people win at online poker?”

A:   “Sure, I’d love to!  I never have any problem sharing what I know, what works for me, or doesn’t; or what things I’ve tried and what things I haven’t.  Overall, I’ve found online poker to be a great experience.  I like to play when I want, from the convenience of my own home.  There are always a ton of games to choose from, with statistics of each table showing so you’re always assured of getting in a good game, unlike casinos where there usually isn’t the great selection of online games and you’re often in danger of getting in a “bad” game.  There are many strategies that can be applied to online play in order to better your game and help you win.  I’ve mentioned things like betting your position, taking notes, knowing when to bluff or fold and hand selection.  There are little tricks like raising 2 1/2 times the bet in order to scare people out of a hand, but also to protect you if someone re-raises you.  There are many more tricks and strategies to help your game and make you a winning online poker player.”

And that concludes the interview I had with Andy, from Michigan.  I certainly hope you’ve enjoyed it, and even more importantly, hope that you are able to employ some of the strategies Andy briefly commented on during the article, and that they help you win!  Andy sounded like he’d be willing to take the time to talk to me again, and give me some more secrets if our “audience” enjoys his tips, and if they want to improve their chances to win!

Tips on Heads Up Poker Strategy

There are only three parts to a great Heads Up Poker strategy:

1) Luck
2) Winning (This sounds obvious but there is a difference between you winning and your opponent losing)
3) Making your opponent lose

You have no influence over the first method but you can master the second and third.

Conventional wisdom encourages a loose-aggressive style of play for winning Heads Up (if you are not familiar with the four styles of poker play, see the explanation at the end of this article) but this is not always the wisest decision.

When a game has reached the Heads Up or Short Table stage, all bets are off. It is the time when 99% of players throw caution to the wind and bravado becomes the key difference between players.

A smart poker player will not totally abandon their own natural style of play at the Heads Up stage. Rather, they will combine their own style with a combination of the other three to confuse and unnerve their opponent. A confused opponent is a losing opponent and all that is left for you to do is cement your win.

This is an (almost) foolproof way to win. Add in a little luck and you can walk away from the table smiling every time.

A few tips to remember

  • There are only two of you left at the table which means you are playing against only two whole cards instead of twelve or more. This gives you much better odds of holding the best hand. Unfortunately, it also gives your opponent the same great odds. If you incorporate a certain amount of aggression into your normal style, while still retaining the more passive elements like minimizing the number of bluffs you make, your chances of winning increase.
  • The blinds are big. This means that if your normal playing style is tight or passive, you will lose your bankroll if you constantly fold, waiting for the high pairs or strong face combinations. Again, the best way to combat this is to throw a few bluffs in (unless luck is on your side and you are dealt hand after hand of high pairs or face cards). Don´t allow bluffing to become predictable though. Bluffing – and other aggressive play – will become as predictable as constantly folding. Try to bluff around one in four hands to throw your opponent off your game.
  • Good Heads Up poker strategy allows your own natural style to be adapted. If you are a tight or passive player, begin to consider the cards differently. If you would normally fold on a pair of tens or lower, try only folding on a pair of fives or lower. Remember that you are only facing down two cards and Heads Up is not a game for the faint of heart. If you are normally an aggressive player, try a more passive style for around a third of all hands. Fold on any pair below nines. Make it obvious to your opponent what you are doing. Your change in playing style is likely to occupy enough of their attention for them to become distracted from their own game, giving you a better chance of identifying their strategy as their play becomes sloppier.
  • When you are playing a full table, it is often easy to pass the time watching TV or surfing the net while you wait for other players to make their move. Under NO circumstances should you allow this to happen when you are in the middle of a Heads Up game. This is a really easy mistake to make and is the kind of thing you should let your opponent do. Taking as much time as you can in between plays will make an opponent bored and their attention will hopefully wander. Giving them enough rope to hang themselves with is a sneaky way to win your game, but all’s fair in love and poker.
  • Always fold a 2-7 hole deal. No matter what style of player you are, unless you are going for the mother of all bluffs, stay away from this hand. It is the lowest possible combination you can be dealt that doesn’t give you a shot at a straight on the flop.
  • Expect less of your opponent. Heads Up poker strategy is like exam strategy: This work will never be anyone’s best, so don’t look for perfection. It’s amazing how many good players lose it in a Heads Up situation, so don’t think it’s an amazing bluff when your opponent begins to be so obvious in their play that they are practically sending you a letter. The chances are that they really are that stressed and you really can take an advantage. It’s like fishing with dynamite. Too easy.

Your best Heads Up poker strategy always begins with keeping a cool head. This might be the first time you have made it this far, probably after hours days and weeks of being picked off the tables, but try to treat it as if it the first table you have sat at all day. Be calm and enjoy. There’s nothing like a Heads Up win.

Info Box – The four styles of poker player
Tight-agressive:
Will wait for big hands and then bets wildly. Dangerous when skilled and also one to emulate if you are new to Texas Hold Em
Loose-agressive: Possibly the most dangerous style of player. The kind who will raise pre-flop (sometimes without checking their hole cards)
Tight passive: Almost never bluffs and will wait for the killer hands. If a large raise is seen from this player, other players wisely fold.
Loose passive:
Usually a new player. Undefined playing style without courage or understanding.

Online Poker Strategy

Online Poker for Fun and Profit

Learning the Game

If hopping into your car and driving to your local casino for a few friendly hands of poker is not an option, heading to your computer is a very satisfactory alternative nowadays for millions of poker junkies all over the world.

If you have never played a hand of poker in your life, this is the perfect way to learn.  You can find many online Beginner Guides to give you the basics and you can jump right in without worrying about embarrassing yourself in front of strangers if you make a mistake.   The most difficult part of the entire process is learning how to bet, when to bluff, and last but not least –  “know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em” – a valuable tidbit given to us by Kenny Rogers in his immortal song, “The Gambler”.

Selecting Sites

Novices to pros are all discovering this competitive virtual arena, and loving it!  A simple search on Google for “play online poker” will result in viable online options no matter where you live, no matter what your experience level, no matter what your preferred game might be.

If you’re new to this and perhaps don’t have friends or neighbors who have online poker experience and could make recommendations for you, don’t worry.  Here’s a great tip:  if you search on Google you are pretty safe going with any of the sites that come up on the first page.

You can also do a search on “online poker blogs”.   This will give you some useful information posted by current players who are more than liberal in their critiques of the sites they use and the results they see.  Many of these blogs also offer tips on how to play and bet.

Soak up all the knowledge you can.  There’s plenty out there just for the asking.

Types of Memberships

For the purpose of this article let’s focus on the sites where you can play for free or at least get a free trial membership.  Most sites will allow at least a free membership of a week or more.   Some require a credit card number and you’ll be charged a fee if you don’t cancel on time.  Others will let you join and play for free forever, but you might be limited to certain games at certain times with limited prize levels.

Please note:  some of these sites do require a paid membership in order to play at all.  Membership fees for some sites average between $10 and $20 a month.   If you are a beginner, however, I’d suggest sticking with anything you can do for free.  Once you feel confident about your capabilities then I’d say get yourself a paid membership simply because these typically allow you to play in more tournaments that pay more money.  Of course, if after a few months of having a paid membership you find that you aren’t even winning enough to cover your overhead, cancel and revert back to the free play.

How Much Can You Make?

If your goal is to actually make some considerable money, it’s quite possible but very unlikely.  In other words: don’t quit the day job.   You will be using “play money” or points, not money drawn from your personal online account.   You will usually get a certain amount to begin with and then you will continue to earn points (each equals a dollar) throughout each game.   If you happen to lose it all your account will be replenished before you play another game.

What you win is actually prize money as opposed to being at a brick and mortar establishment where you win the table winnings.  Most sites have prizes averaging between $10 to $500 for the winner in each game, or tournament.

Depending on the site, there are usually multiple games going on almost all day and night.  (I know this all too well because my husband can find a poker game going on any time no matter what.   I made the mistake last year of installing a wireless network in our home and now when dinner is ready, he comes to the table with his laptop so his current game won’t be interrupted.  Of course, the problem is not that he plays, but he wins!  So I can’t complain.  He is addicted to the game, and I am addicted to the checks that keep coming in the mail.)

Your average winnings will of course depend on how many games you play.  It is truly a numbers game in every sense of the word.   If you plan on playing only occasionally then you could plan on perhaps winnings of about $1,000 for the year.

Now, if you are anything like my husband, this is not the case, nor is it your goal.  You want to play as often as possible.  After a few weeks you actually stop going out to lunch and brown bag it so you can play at your desk.  You find yourself almost speeding home after work just to make a 7:00 PM tournament.   And good grief…the wife went to bed with a headache?  Why not enter the 11:00 PM one as well.

Once you learn the ropes you will start to see money coming in.   First there will be a few $10 checks.   Then a few $100 checks.   Maybe not often, but once or twice a month.  Then it does become more often.  You now have a spreadsheet to keep track of your winnings.  You can’t wait to see the mail each day to see if there’s a check.   You start planning extravagant purchases with future winnings.   “Yup, that 60” plasma TV over there came from my poker winnings.”   Could this be true?  YES!

Tools of the Trade

Ready to start?  Here are a few quick tips on some items that you’ll find useful if not absolutely necessary:

  • Get yourself a cable internet connection if at all possible.  Even DSL can hiccup at the worst possible minute.  A dial up connection just won’t cut it.
  • A large monitor gives you a much better viewing area.
  • If you are using a laptop, a wireless mouse gives you more fluidity in your moves.

Pros and Cons of Online Poker

PROS:

  • Quick and easy way to learn the game
  • You can play virtually anytime, anywhere at your convenience
  • Low cost
  • Play in total anonymity
  • You can control your environment
  • You have a much better view of what your opponents have because it’s all on one small screen in front of you.
  • Accomplished players can actually enter and play in multiple tournaments at the same time.
  • You play with play money … the perfect way to learn without going broke

CONS:

  • You can lose your internet connection at the worst possible time even with cable.
  • If you are using a free site, you may be very limited to the number of games you can play and the prize winnings.
  • You can be moved to another table without notice.
  • It can become an addiction.
  • Chances are you won’t get rich although you might make enough to buy a few things you couldn’t have otherwise afforded.
  • Your opponents play with play money … and will make some downright stupid moves, possibly costing you the game.

Summary

Poker has become a close rival to sports when it comes to spectator and participant leisure activities.   Online poker enthusiasts burn out as many computer monitors as their teenagers playing video games.   Is this a passing fad?  I doubt it.  When video games first came out they were said to be nothing more than a passing fad.  That was twenty years ago.  What is in store for the poker junkies?  I can envision online games using webcams instead of screen names.  I see Cyber cafes that specialize in only online poker play and are decorated much like a brick and mortar casino complete with flowered carpeting, green felt table tops, and waitresses to serve you drinks and snacks.  We are only in the beginning of the online poker frenzy, and it can only get better.

My friends, this is no fad.  This is a way of life.   Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go sign in to my next tournament.    Good luck!

Poker Tournament Strategy

An old game with a new life: Poker!  Each hand is different than any hand ever played before or any hand that will take place in the future; however, players do not always use the most simplistic, easiest tricks to win against their opponents. Time and luck can be on your side, if you use them wisely. Although luck plays a huge factor in games like poker, many poker tournament strategies will help with a victory.

Accept luck in your game…With every game, a bit of luck is required; however, the key to luck is accepting that you need it to be victorious. Especially in card games, luck plays a key role for every player. Simply relying on your mad skills will not guarantee a win.  Instead, realizing that you can be defeated no matter what hand you have or history you have made will make you a better player. Realizing that you need luck to win is not a weakness, but acceptance is a vital. To win, you must accept luck in your game.

Make a timeframe for yourself… When playing in a tournament (either online or in person), one of the best ways to strategize for a win is to manage your time. If you play each game as a vital piece of your conquering, you will see that a timeframe emerges. Do not think about every player you must defeat along the way; instead, create a timeframe. Say to yourself that you must gain so many chips in one game to advance to another. Say to yourself that you must outdo this opponent to come to the next. Say to yourself that you will not accept defeat because you will take your time and follow your plan. To give yourself ample time and less stress while playing poker, make a timeframe for yourself.

Use the small chips first… Many people neglect to keep track of their chips while playing. A good poker tournament strategy is to use the small chips first. The best way to do this is to cash half of your larger chips into smaller denominations.  To ensure that you keep as much money as you can, place the smaller chips farther away from you; this will put the smaller chips in a better position to bet with. The goal is similar to checkers and chess, use the first set of chips to protect the royalty (or larger chips).  To ensure that you always exit a game with chips (and a standing), use small chips first.

Set a great reputation…Poker is not the place to make friends. It is not the place to play games. Players who are in poker tournaments are there for two reasons: the money and the pride of winning.  Be a player that will not settle for less than an overall victory. Settle for nothing less than the title everyone wants and is playing for. Make a reputation for yourself no matter what you want it to be. In poker, you want to be the player no one can win against. Start that reputation off early. Do not go lightly on your opponents, but do not be foolish. To gain respect and credibility, set a great reputation.

Remember: one game and one table at a time… While setting a timeframe and goal is not a bad thing, playing something other than the game or table at hand is a risky, reckless way to play anything especially poker. For each game, you think about each player and the hand at your current table. You do not worry about the previous hands or the future opponents you must face. Over analyzing and stressing about the past or future will only lead to the downfall of a poker player. The last thing that you want to do is compromise your current hand. Even if you are holding a pair of Aces and eights, you cannot afford to be reckless. Remember: one game and one table at a time.

Change your patterns (don’t let other players read you too deeply)… Changing your patterns is the best poker tournament strategy that I recommend. Sunglasses, smooth conversation, eye contact, and body language all are a part of a player’s playing pattern. For anyone who has watched a tournament (no matter if it is in person, online, or on television), many players tend to repeat the same playing patterns over and over again. This can often be their downfall because smart, knowledgeable players pick up on the mannerisms of their opponents.  Do not stick to the same patterns. Your goal here is to trick your opponents into giving you their treasured chips. By changing your playing patterns, your opponents may think that you are bluffing and bid even more money just to find that you had a straight all along while they had a pair of tens.  Change your patterns.

No matter what your skill level, remembering and using the skills outlined will improve your game, your respectability, your credibility, and, most importantly, your chip count.  While luck is a major factor, you can easily out think and out play your opponents with the skills that they lack, such as timing, acceptance, and planning.

Texas Holdem Poker Strategy

ONLINE POKER TIPS

So you have been playing poker online for a while, and now you want to know how to start winning. Here are a few texas holdem poker strategies that will help even the newest poker player steadily win some cash in the online poker world.

Most sites do have free poker play where you can go and learn the actual game of poker before putting any money at risk. However, if you already know the basics of poker, I would not recommend playing for free to try and learn strategy. People that are playing for free have nothing at risk, and they play just as such. They will make calls they would never make if money was at stake. They bluff more because if they are caught they have nothing to lose.

WHICH GAMES TO PLAY

First, I would suggest playing in low limit sit-n-go tournaments. These put very little money at risk. While you may not win a lot right away, the objective here is to learn the ins and outs of online poker, and then work on winning some extra cash. Ultimate Bet is one of the best sites, I think, to get started with, simply because they have the lowest limit sit-n-go tournaments that I have found. You can play a $1 sit-n-go there with 6 or 9 people. This will give you hours of practice play, for hardly any money at all.

Once you are steadily winning the $1 tournaments, I would move to the $5 tournaments. These will be a little more challenging, but still cost a relatively small amount of money. If you play in the $5 9 person sit-n-go, you would only need to win 1 in 4 games in order get your money back, and even a little profit. If you were consistently winning at the $1 tournaments, then this should not be a hard accomplishment. Once you are steadily winning at these tournaments, I would suggest going to a low limit live game. They have games that you can buy in for $20 and the blinds are $0.25 and $0.50. There are much lower limits than this, but just like with free poker, people tend to play much looser within these extreme low limits.

WINNING STRATEGY

Alright, now that you know which games to get into, let’s talk about some texas holdem poker strategies that can make you a better player, no matter what limit you decide to play.

If you have played live poker for many years and are thinking of switching to online poker, for whatever reason, then there are many differences that you will need to be aware of. The biggest one, of course, is being able to read people. Online you have no expressions to read, no obvious tells, like when a player looks at their hand 6 times in a row when there is a possible flush on the table. You have to really look hard for tells in the online gaming industry. Some tells are easier to see. If you are the first to bet and everyone checks very quickly around the table, then they more then likely chose the auto check button, which means that their hands are not very good. If a player is taking a long time on a particular hand, and then raises, chances are his hand is a good one. Make sure to note his cards at the end of the hand so you can get an idea of what kind of player he is. On most sites you are able to take notes on players. Use this option. Though it may be tedious, it will make you a better player in the long run.

A lot of players like to play a lot more loose online because they are just clicking a button. There are certain times when loose play is better online, just as in live poker. A lot of players will call the first bet just to see the flop. I usually spend some time while I am playing using the following texas holdem poker strategy. Look at your hand. You can only fold or raise. There is no call or check available. This forces you to only play hands that you would keep all the way to the end. I don’t feel there are many hands in this category, and you have to be a very tight player to be able to do this. Doing this for about 30 minutes each session has a good chance of earning you a return on your money. It will also aid in making you a better poker player.

The preceding are only a few of the ways I have made a steady income in the online poker environment. Use these tips, and as you learn, you will come up with tips of your own. Then you will have your own individual style of play, the one that works the best for you. Good luck!