Kasino Online Poker

Online Poker Tip: 5 Worst Starting Hands For Texas Holdem Poker By: J Finney

Why Not Vegas — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:52:00 +0000

We cover the 10 best starting hands, or pairs of pocket cards, to be holding in your game of Texas Holdem so it is only fitting t cover the 5 worst starting hands you could be holding. The general rule of thumb if you are holding any of these 5 losing combinations? Fold and walk away!

1) 2-7 (offsuit)
By Far the worst start you could have for your game. You have no chance at a straight draw or flush draw and chances are you would be beaten with a pair of 7s. There is the remote chance at a full house with this hand but it is clearly not taking the risk waiting for this to occur. FOLD!

2) 2-8 (offsuit)
Only slightly better than the 2-7 draw, this combination cried out for you to fold from the start. Why is it slightly better? A pair of 8s will beat the poor soul with a pair of 7s! The straight draw or flush is once again out of the question with this combination and the cards are screaming at you to fold!

3) 3-8 (offsuit)
Once again you are left without the chance of a straight draw or flush draw and left with hoping for a pair of 8s. At this point you may be hoping for the chance at a full house, don’t do it! It is time to fold and wait on a better hand, like one of the 10 best outlined in another article.

4) 2-9 (offsuit)
A pair of 9s may beat out the 8s above but this is still a combination crying out to be folded.

5) 2-6 (offsuit)
You are left with a chance at the low straight draw and not much else with this combination. You are best served folding from the offset and waiting for a hand that will give you a fighting chance.

There are the five pairs of pocket cards that should have you folding as soon as you can. For those brave enough to continue on with your play after drawing any of these killer combinations, may luck be on your side! Being aware of the best and worst combinations will help strengthen your overall game and help make your stay at the table more successful. Long shots do come in on occasion but the disciplined player usually walks away from the table happy.

About the Author: Check our online poker room reviews, an online Party Poker bonus, and our Party Poker bonus codes.

Online Texas Holdem Poker Strategy: Maintain Focus At The Poker Table By: J Finney

Why Not Vegas — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 22:22:00 +0000

There’s no doubt about it, some people are just better at poker than others. They appear to win consistently and seemingly at will. So this leaves many with a few questions which linger on the mind.

Could it be that poker is only a game of chance with no other forces to play upon besides the fickle Lady Luck?

What makes a good poker player a great poker player?

Is there a way in which I can be a more successful poker player?

If these questions have been yours at one time or another, then you’re certainly not alone. Millions of average poker players would like to enhance their gaming skill, and there are tons of products out there selling every day which promise to make you a better poker player. Poker players and wannabe poker gurus spend hard earned cash every day to learn the one secret which will transform them into poker pros in twenty four hours or less.

Let’s face it, if skill came in a can, and Lady Luck in a bottle, we’d all be poker pros. Sadly, improving your poker game just isn’t as easy as opening a can or a bottle, but don’t lose hope, there is something you can do.

The main problem which plagues poker players is the lack of focus. Focus is the key which can turn mediocre poker players into successful poker players. When a player loses focus, they will most certainly lose the game to someone who has maintained theirs.

The main causes of loss of focus at the poker table are:

Focusing on talk rather than the poker game: Talking during play is without a doubt the toughest habit to kick, and is the biggest consumer of our poker time attention. Poker time chat is something that’s expected, especially among friends, so it’s tough to quit without appearing rude. Tone it down over time, and you’ll see your poker winning streak improve.

Focusing on food rather than the poker game: Food is essential to all human beings, that’s a fact we’re all familiar with. However, food shouldn’t be your focus while playing poker. Instead of munching during the actual game, grab something to eat before play begins, and during breaks in play. Focus off of food leaves more focus for poker.

Focusing on alcohol rather than on the poker game: Now here’s where I’ll lose some of you for sure. If you really want to improve your poker game, leave the drinking of alcoholic beverages for post game chatter. A clear mind places smarter bets, and also puts you at an advantage over your inebriated poker pals.

Focusing on a personal issue rather than on the poker game: We all have issues at one time or another in life. Bringing them to the poker table isn’t helping anyone but your opponents. If you have something pressing on your mind and can’t set it aside, then leave poker for another time. This may sound a little harsh, but it’s the truth.

Focusing on a local distraction: This could be anything from your friend’s bad toupee, the barking of a distant dog or the tv upstairs. Filter out the ambient non poker essentials. Forget the toupee, the dog and the tv. It’s poker time pal, let’s get down to it!

Focus in itself is a skill. Any skill can be developed over time if diligently practiced. The five focus stealers we discussed will kill your poker game if you let them. By developing a razor sharp focus, you can cut them off before they become a persistent problem.

About the Author:

Check out our online poker room reviews, online Party Poker bonus codes, and exclusive Party Poker bonus code.

Online Poker- Get Ready For Challenge, Fun And Excitement By: David Olsen

Why Not Vegas — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 23:11:00 +0000

You love to play poker. You’ve tried to find your friends for a late-night game. Everyone seems to have plans. Don’t worry, you’re still going to have a great time playing online poker.

Just as in every other aspect of life, the Internet has opened up wonderful great new opportunities in the world of poker. Site that offer online poker are some of the most visited sites. They’re very popular for the more experienced poker players as well as the “newbies.” Online poker is a non-threatening way for those that have never played the game to learn and have lots of fun.

Traditionally, when you thought of poker, you would envision a bar room full of the questionable types, or a back room filled with smoke, where betting and danger evolved. All that has changed. Playing online poker you’re just as likely to be playing against the stay-at home mom or the office professional, as you are the average Joe who likes to play poker.

Online poker brings the game to every corner of the world, and allows everyone to enjoy the challenge and the excitement of winning. Don’t worry about gambling away the kid’s college money. Online poker offers you the chance to bet with free money as well as real money. So, whatever your cup of tea you’re sure to find an online poker site that will suit your desires.

You’ll find your favorite poker games online, everything from Texas Hold’em to Caribbean Stud Poker. If you’ve played it offline, more than likely you’ll find a version of the game when you search for poker online.

For many, poker online is more fun than playing offline. There’s many reasons online poker is so popular. Mainly it’s fun and exciting. Also, you don’t have to go anywhere except to your computer to play. Online poker is available anytime of day or night. If you’re not one of “the guys”, you can play online poker and no one will know the difference. Poker online is also a great way to learn and become skilled in a variety of poker games. That way when you do get the chance to play offline you’ll be ready.

After a few rounds of poker online, you may not even want to play offline. The excitement online is just as real, and the fun is great. It will liven up your day no matter what’s happening in the real world. Give online poker a try.

About the Author:

David Olsen has been writing about online casinos and casino strategy for over five years and is considered an authority in the online gambling world. His latest website is all about the many video Poker with special attention paid to Online Poker. Visit His site to learn more http://www.playvideopoker.us/poker_rooms/

Poker Tells - Signals you should read whenever you play Texas Holdem Poker online by Graham Easton

Why Not Vegas — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:46:00 +0000

When you play Texas Holdem Poker online there are signals you can pick up on that will give you the edge over your opponents and increase your profits.

I've lost count of the number of times I've heard newcomers to the game of Texas Holdem say to me "how can you have a poker tell online?" Many believe success is due to the cards alone because you can't see you opponents across the other side of the table. Such attitudes, combined with the speed of play (online poker is much faster than the land based poker game) make it a more profitable place for those that have taken the time to learn the signals.

Here's my top 10 poker tells that you need to pick up on:

1) Weak is strong - The most common of all poker tells and one you'll have heard many times before. If you have a hand you are betting and your opponent is simply calling you down then you are probably in trouble. Calling down large bets is more commonly an indication of over-cards or a hidden set.

2) Timing - A lot can be read into timing. I would actually be more accurate in naming this tell "false timing" to give the impression of thought, or indecision. In its most common form you find this poker tell combining with the first point. Players who wait for a period, often going into their online time bank to send out the required impression before calling. This action hardly ever indicates indecision - your opponent has you beaten, you just don't realise it yet.

3) Players that use the instant call button - You often see this in online poker play and, more often than not, it indicates players who have no hand but who are looking to catch cards. They are impatient to get on to the next set of hands. Raise it up and watch them fold.

4) Frequent aggressive betting pre-flop - Usually this indicates a quality player who recognises that aggression is the way to go. The exception are players who act in this way at the start of large No Limit Texas Holdem Tournaments where this signifies a player who does not have the requisite 5-6 hours required to make it to the end of the game. If you are fortunate to receive large starting cards put them out of their misery early. Returning to the players who re-raise by decent amounts each hand. It is likely that you need to be prepared to go all-in with whichever hand you chose to call a flop (at some expense) and top pair would be my recommendation for proceeding. The biggest and common mistake people make against these players is to call down bets while attempting to catch cards. You will pay dearly for those extra cards. Don't be intimidated by this playing style (it is unusual), simply wait for the big starting hand and slow play it to maximise value.

5) Players that are multi-tabling - You can't do this in a land based card room, but it is more common than you may expect online. If you play for any duration at the same poker room you'll see player names time and again and realise they are playing up to six Texas Holdem tables at once. Amateur poker players do not multi-table so you need to avoid these players at all cost. They often operate under names that are difficult to remember such as "cra5313t"

6) Players who are using "Table Position." Table position is arguably the most important concept in Texas Holdem Poker. It is surprising to me that most people playing today know little or nothing about it. It won't take long however to see betting based on table position alone (2 or more bets from late position usually being all you need to confirm it). This tells you that the player making the move is an accomplished poker player and should be treated as such.

7) The check then re-raise: One of the most clear tells you'll ever see, especially when employed after the turn card. A check then re-raise is the clearest signal of hand strength that you can give online. When this happens to you then it is important you realise that your opponent is maximising the value of his hand. The fact that this strategy is such a clear Texas Holdem Tell means it can be employed as an effective bluffing strategy (although I've only ever seen it deployed against me as a person with a genuinely strong hand telling me what he has). The check re-raise used as a bluff works best where the Turn Card makes 3 suited cards to a flush. If you check then go for a medium to large re-raise you'll probably steal the pot. If your re-raise is called then unfortunately for you your opponent has already made the flush you are pretending to hold!

8) People who do not post blinds immediately upon arriving at a table. You won't often see players joining a table in this way (joining but not immediately entering the action). Where you do notice it you should have respect for the player as it is a sign of a) good bankroll management, b) a multi-tabling player who is occupied elsewhere, or c) someone quietly observing the play before joining. This Poker Tell shows intelligence which you need to associate with a high quality player.

9) Date in Name - Quite often you will see players who've chosen a name like "Jack1983". Usually these players tried to play as "Jack" at the point of signing up and having been rejected for that name they couldn't think of an alternative. The date of birth gives you information you shouldn't have. In this case your opponent is 23 years old and certainly won't have the experience to play like Doyle Brunson.

10) Table chat - My final Poker Tell is a lucrative source of information in the online poker world. A surprising number of people want to coach each others play based on the observation of a single hand they just won. The best form of table chat is observing the people that swear (software often cuts out such chat with **** or other marks). The people clearly lack etiquette but also intelligence. If you don't mind the comments they are easily put on tilt with a few choice observations about their vocabulary skills. Players on tilt almost always lose to a slow played large starting hand against an enemy they are desperate to prove a point against. Enjoy!

About the Author
Graham Easton is the author of this article and the webmaster at www.texashold-empoker.com . He has a track record in No Limit Texas Holdem Tournament play of 1 win and 4 second places out of the last 15 major tournaments entered (tournament fields ranging from 400-1600).

One Million-Dollar Texas Holdem Poker Tournament - How a Brit Beat the Yanks at their Own Game! by Stephen Todd

Why Not Vegas — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 23:58:00 +0000

One Million-Dollar Texas Holdem Poker Tournament - How a Brit Beat the Yanks at their Own Game!

Lee Biddulph a chef from Thornton Cleveleys near Blackpool, a resort town on the north west coast of England, returned to Manchester Airport from an amateur poker tournament in Costa Rica almost $1m (£567,420) richer after beating nearly 4,000 other players in an amateur poker tournament.

Lee's biggest win was only £28 before the tournament!

This is a striking example of how lucrative poker tournaments can be for the huge number of players that have been created by the online gaming revolution.

Poker Tournaments First 1 Million Win

Lee Biddulph has been playing Texas Holdem for three years, and was one of 3,900 to enter an online contest.

Players were reduced during heats until nine remained who took a seat at the $1m final.

Brit Lee Biddulph faced eight American players in the final.

He won the tournament when he beat Mike Darweesh, a software engineer from Arizona for the main prize and won convincingly.

His success was even sweeter because he started the final with fewer chips - $1.58m to Mike's $2.72m.

Both players had a flush i.e five cards of the same suit, on their final hand, but Lee took the pot with a higher card among his five.

So, What do you need to Win Big Prize Money at Poker Tournaments?

As the above example has shown, anyone can win a poker tournament so long as they have the right knowledge and attitude and here are some tips to win big:

Tip 1. Get the Right Mindset:

Players who win at poker think they are going to win before they start playing. They are prepared to put in whatever work is necessary to achieve their goal, their attitude is - if you think you can win, you will win, and you need the same attitude.

Tip 2. You Never Stop Learning:

Professional poker players know that they need to know the basics of the game, but they also take the attitude that they never stop learning and are constantly trying to sharpen their playing skills.

You need to do the same, read a book a month and you will find you pick up tips on playing you had never thought of before.

Tip 3. Poker Is a Game Of Psychology:

You need to understand that you are competing with other players and need to have the right psychology to beat them. This includes being cool, calm, and playing non-emotionally.

You need to play with courage when you have a good hand and you should only play hands against opponents you think you can beat.

Never play hands for the sake of it, or because you're chasing losses.

Sometimes the cards just wont deal for you and you need to be able to take short-term losses, to make long-term profits.

Tip 4. Practice Makes Perfect:

You won't become a great poker player overnight.

You need to gain experience and this involves practice.

Most of the top poker players have been working on their skills for years and their success is down to hard work and practice.

Start out playing at tables where you feel comfortable and gradually take on harder opponents, as your skills increase.

Poker Tournaments - Getting Started

Not everyone can of course win a million, but the opportunity is there for all, and even if you don't win a million at poker tournaments, there are still plenty of poker players out their who make a living from the game and you can too!