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Aug 31, 2007

Improve Your Google Page Rank and Technorati Ranking

If you are looking for ways to improve your GOOGLE PAGE RANKING and TECHNORATI RANKING, I recommend that you give Viral Linking or Viral Tagging a chance. All you need to do is follow these four simple instructions and you're on your way to increasing the number of links to your blog. (courtesy of Blogging Mix.)

==== Copy and Paste below this line ====

Instructions

1.) Copy and paste the entire matrix of “ViralTags” below.

2.) Substitute the Host Tag and one of the “ViralTags” in the matrix with your anchor text of choice containing your blog’s URL. Please keep anchor text to a maximum of 4 words to keep the matrix size manageable.

3.) When you get a ping back from someone that has your link in one of their “ViralTags”, practice good karma by copying his/her Host Tag’s anchor text (automatically the associated link will also be copied) and paste it over one of your “ViralTags” below.

4.) Encourage and invite your readers to do the same and soon this will grow virally.Host Tag: Ogre's Poker Pages; Everything Poker

Blogging Mix Blog About Interesting Stuff Internet Blog Branding Blogspot - Search Engine Optimization Blogging Tips, SEO Guide Blog Instructor Blog, Blogger and Blogging Blog About Networking Blog Monetization - Blogspot Blogger, Blog and Blogging Blogging and Marketing Blog For Bloggers The Bloggers Haven Business Logic Extension - Blogging Mix Content, Connection, Continuity Asian Women and Culture Ogre's Poker Pages Viral Tag Viral Tag Viral Tag

UPDATE: Please let me know through the comments when you've posted this on your blog so I can add your link. Please inform me of your preferred ANCHOR TEXT too. Thanks.

Free Blogger Template - Blog About Interesting Stuff - Internet Blog Branding - Blogspot - Search Engine Optimization - Blogging Tips, SEO Guide Blog Instructor - Blog, Blogger and Blogging - Blog About Networking - Blog Monetization - Blogspot - Blogger, Blog and Blogging - Blogging and Marketing - Blog For Bloggers - The Bloggers Haven - Business Logic - Extension - Blogging Mix - Content, Connection, Continuity - All About Blogs and Bloggers - Blog Specialist - SEO Blogging Tips - The World of Blogging - The Blog Addiction - Blogging Overdozed - Blog Directives - Bloglines For Bloggers - Profiting From Blog - Blogger and Blogging - The Blogger's Corner - The Blogspot Blogger - Asian Culture - Poker Advice

Poker Log/Diary

It is always a good idea to keep track of your peformance at the poker tables. One of the easiest ways I have found is using Microsoft Excel. If you know the basics of formulas in Excel, then you will be able to do something like this fairly easily. Sample:
Date_________Result____Total To Date___Stakes_____Where
May12,2007___$86.00____$86.00__________.25-.50___H.P.
May19,2007___$182.00___$268.00_________.25-.50___H.P.
May25,2007___$161.00___$429.00_________.25-.50___Tim's
May26,2007___$6.00_____$435.00_________.25-.50___H.P.
June1,2007____$524.00___$959.00_________1-2______Caesar's, IN
June2,2007____$307.00___$1,266.00_______.25-.50____H.P.
June9,2007____$533.00___$1,799.00_______.25-.50____H.P.

The "Result" being my profit/loss. I suggest using a seperate log for tournaments with a column for buy in and another for place finished out of how many.

Aug 30, 2007

Holdem "Outs" Card


This is for all you folks out there who insist on calling, no matter what the bet, in order to hit your draw. I've gone all in at times (2 to 5 times the pot size) to try and drive out those draws and have still been called. Have lost a few huge pots to donkeys but I have definitely profited more than I have lost. So keep calling - HEEHAW! You can copy this and print it out if you desire.

Four Important Poker Skills

Skill #1: Mathematics

• A solid poker player knows the general probabilities of the game. For example, they know that you have about 1 in 8.5 chance of hitting a set when holding a pocket pair, and that you have about a 1 in 3 chance of completing a flopped flush draw by the river.

• Good players understand the importance of outs. Outs are simply the number of cards that will improve your hand. Count your outs, multiply them by two, and add one, and that's roughly the percentage shot you have at hitting.

• Good players can figure out the pot odds. Knowing outs is meaningless unless it's translated into rational, calculated betting. Knowing you have a 20% chance of hitting, what do you do then?

• Math skills are the most basic knowledge; it's day-one reading. Anyone who doesn't understand these concepts should not play in a game for real money until they do.

Skill #2: Discipline

• Good poker players demand an advantage. What separates a winning poker player from a fish is that a fish does not expect to win, while a poker player does. A fish is happy playing craps, roulette, or the slots; he just hopes to get lucky. A poker player does not hope to get lucky. He just hopes others don't get lucky.

• Good poker players understand that a different game requires a different discipline. A disciplined no-limit player can be a foolish limit player and vice versa. For example, a disciplined limit hold'em player has solid preflop skills. When there is not much action preflop, he or she only plays the better hands. When a lot of people are limping in, he or she will make a loose call with a suited connector or other speculative hand.

• A disciplined player knows when to play and when to quit. He recognizes when he is on tilt and is aware when a game is too juicy to just quit while ahead.

• A disciplined player knows that he is not perfect. When a disciplined player makes a mistake, he learns. He does not blame others. He does not cry. He learns from the mistake and moves on.

Skill #3: Psychology

• A good player is not a self-centered player. He may be the biggest SOB you know. He may not care about anyone but himself, and he may enjoy stealing food from the poor. However, when a poker pro walks into a poker room, he always empathizes with his opponents. He tries to think what they think and understand the decisions they make and why they make them. The poker pro always tries to have an answer to these questions:

1. What does my opponent have?
2. What does my opponent think I have?
3. What does my opponent think I think he has?

• Knowing the answer to these questions is the first step, manipulating the answers is the second and more important step. Suppose that you have a pair of kings and your opponent has a pair of aces. If you both know what the other has, and you both know that you know what the other has, then why play a game of poker? A poker pro manipulates the answers to questions #2 and #3 by slowplaying, fastplaying, and bluffing in order to throw his opponent off.

• Good poker players know that psychology is much more important in a no-limit game than in a limit game. Limit games often turn into math battles, while no-limit games carry a strong psychology component. Thus, poker tells are much more important in no-limit games.

Skill #4: Understanding Risk vs. Reward

• Pot odds and demanding an advantage fall into this category. Poker players are willing to take a long-shot risk if the reward is high enough, but only if the expected return is higher than the risk.

• More importantly, they understand the risk-vs.-reward nature of the game outside of the actual poker room. They know how much bank they need to play, and how much money they need in reserve to cover other expenses in life.

• Good poker players understand they need to be more risk-averse with their overall bankroll than their stack at the table.

When you play in an individual game, you must value every chip equally at the table. You should only care about making correct plays. If you buy in for $10, you should be okay with taking a 52% chance of doubling up to $20 if it means a 48% chance of losing your $10.

However, you should be risk-averse with your overall bankroll. You need to have enough money so that any day at the tables will not affect your bankroll too much. If you worry too much about losing, then you will make mistakes at the table. You need to leave yourself with the chance to fight another day.

From: http://www.pokertips.org/strategy/four-skills.php

Aug 29, 2007

Poker in Columbus, Mississippi?!

Are you looking for cash games/tournaments in the Columbus, MS area? I am. I play in a few, and run one, in the area, but I'm always looking for more. If you are looking for a game, or have a game that I can join, please let me know. You can respond to this post or email me at van_ogre@yahoo.com. I play No Limit Texas Holdem, Pot Limit Omaha Hi or Hi/Lo, and Razz. Hope to hear from you all out there...

Aug 28, 2007

Pocket Aces

AA aka: American Airlines, Bullets, Rockets, Spikes.

Before the flop

Fancy - you take your hole cards and see this:

A of spades and A of diamonds

Wow! What a chance for you! Don't miss it. So if you have a pair like this - raise without any hesitation. Think - at that moment you're holding the best possible hand (or the nuts). Some people will "limp in" with this hand to try and trap, but if you don't hit a third ace on the flop, it can be disastrous.

Of course, you should involve as much money as possible. But be careful: all you want is to make your opponents reraise you - then you'll raise again. Though you can bet more than 3 or 4 times size of the Big Blind if someone had raised to this size before you: you should double his bet. It's very unlikely that he has a pair of aces in his hand. In any other case, as you understand, - he lose.

Pocket aces is a hand that allows you to go all in. What else can you do to get more money into the pot? If your opponent is an aggressive player then limp... he is LIABLE to bet.

On the flop

It's more difficult to decide what to do on the flop than before it. Your pocket cards are the same: two aces - AsAd. Now - the flop:

A of hearts, Q of diamonds, 7 of clubs

Don't show your excitement about the third ace! Check. Give your opponent an opportunity to act. Let them raise. The only danger for you is that someone can make a straight on fourth street.

Another flop:

Q of hearts, J of hearts, 3 of diamonds

If your see something like that - it's better to bet. Why? Because your opponent may be on a straight or a flush draw. Don't let him see the turn for free.

Now let's imagine that on the flop come:

7, 7, 7 (the suits are irrelevant at this point)

Full House! It's a 'nutty' day today, isn't it? Again - try to involve more money into the pot. There is a chance that someone has 7d in his hand... Try to remember your opponents actions before the flop. If you raised and they called you - I don't think that one of their cards could be 7.

And the last example:

10 of diamonds, 5 of diamonds, and 4 of diamonds

Nut flush draw... and best possible pair. You can check giving your opponent a spur to bet. He may have a flush but it is very unlikely. So you can even go all in this situation.

Aug 26, 2007

Why Play Poker For Money?

Why Play Poker?
The Reasons for Playing Poker
by Steve Badger

Aside from just enjoying the game, why should anyone play poker for money? The answer is a blank for most people, and in a nutshell that is the reason some other people should play the game. Poker is a game where study, deliberately trying to improve and hard work pay off. There is no poker equivalent of taking golf lessons that make some aspect of your game better but that screw up those few things you currently do well. The only close parallel in the cumulative learning process involved in poker is something like once you learn how to successfully bluff you have to still maintain patience and not try to bluff every single hand.

But beyond the most basic levels, improving as a poker player is usually quite difficult. Evidence of this can be found by observing the mass of players. It is really easy to say "going on tilt is bad, so don't do it." But not one player in ten manages to keep tilt to a trivial level. Somehow in the rest of their lives people are able to handle equally obvious concepts: don't lick frozen lampposts; don't put your hand on a stove burner; don't wear your clothes inside-out. But when it comes to poker, they simply can't prevent their anger, machismo and stubbornness from governing their play.

But more to the point, most players simply refuse to accept that poker is a difficult, complex game that requires much from them.

Believing in ghosts and fairies is easier than doing the hard work needed to win. Saying "change the deck" is easier than studying opponent's tendencies and adapting your play to their strengths and weaknesses. Crying, whining, blaming dealers, flinging cards or saying the game is rigged, these exist in the poker world because they are easier to do than studying and having patience.

Even among somewhat more thoughtful players, the lust for shortcuts overwhelms them. They crave easy answers to complex problems. They want to be told an answer rather than learn it -- despite the fact that phantom knowledge does not bring success.

One common question shortcut players ask about Texas Holdem or Omaha is: "what percentage of hands should I play before the flop?" This is akin to asking: "what should I wear?" Well, for what? Are you going to a wedding or a digging a ditch? Are you in the Amazon or the Antarctic? The question alone isn't just pointless, it's ridiculous.

Some games are loose and aggressive; others are tight and passive. Some games feature seven solid opponents and one looney-tune donator. Then you get to more specific circumstances. The percentage of hands you play third under the gun with a super-tight rock in the big blind will be different that the percentage of hands you play when an outstanding loose-aggressive player is in the big blind.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about "it depends." I'm talking about the process of poker. Each circumstance and judgment you face in a poker game is an opportunity to exercise thoughtful decisionmaking and data processing.

And so, you should play poker for money if you like to do that!

Players who want to follow the rules or thought-processes set out by others, even outstanding players, are not playing poker so much as pretending to play poker. Poker is a battle of wits, intellects, of nerve. In short, winning poker is a challenge. Play poker to win if you like a challenge (and not coincidentally, money).

Players who seek to avoid challenge do not succeed. Sir Edmund Hillary did not take a helicopter to the top of Mount Everest. Great explorers explore, and so do great poker players.

Aug 25, 2007

Luck vs. Skill

How Much Luck? How Much Skill?
Ben Roberts
March 30th, 2007


If you've ever sat at a poker table, you've invariably heard the questions asked in the title of this article. While all serious players believe poker is a game of skill, they don't always agree on how skilful a game it really is. Some people believe the skill to luck ratio falls at somewhere around 70% - 30%, while others argue that the ratio is closer to 90% - 10%. If you ask me, however, I'll tell you something you won't hear from almost anybody else. Poker is 100% skilful.

Now, I know many of you are already skeptical about how I can make this kind of claim. What about bad beats? Or the times you're out-drawn on the river? How can I not figure these kinds of situations into my thinking? The fact is, I already have. Variance is part of poker and it would be highly unusual if bad beats didn't occasionally happen or if two-outers didn't sometimes hit on the river, as this would defy the laws of probability. The fact is, these kinds of events should have less of an impact on your overall results the more you play.

If you only play a few hands or a few hours of poker at a time, luck will undoubtedly play a bigger factor in your results than if you play regularly. For example, let's look at a player who puts in eight hours a day, five days a week, for 50 weeks per year, which is equivalent to 2,000 hours at the table. Assuming this is a solid, smart player who doesn't vary his or her stakes throughout the course of the year, I believe their talent will outweigh the effect of luck to ensure that they produce positive results year after year. That's not to say this player won't run into the occasional rough patch or have losing sessions, but by sticking to their game plan, these occasional down-turns shouldn't adversely affect their bottom line.

In effect, all players get paid for every good decision that they make and penalized for their bad ones. By continuously making high-quality decisions over the course of so many hours, skilful players should make more good decisions than bad, and see their bankrolls grow as a result. I have done this for more than 33 years, and know many other professional players who have produced similar results for many years. What this shows me is that, over the long haul, luck is not only insignificant when it comes to your results - it's non-existent.


Ben Roberts

From: http://www.thepokerwarehouse.net/ © Copyright 2004 - 2007 FullTiltPoker.com.

Checking It Down

OK, so here is the situation. We were playing Texas Holdem the other night at work (shhhh- don't tell). 9-person tournament that was down to 3 players. Button (Ac/Kh and very short stack) moves all-in. SB(Ad/8d) & BB(3s/5s) both call with about equal big stacks. Flop comes 7c 8c 9h. SB moves all-in. BB forced to fold. Turn is 6h. River is Kd. Anyone else see a problem with what the SB did? By the way, I was BB. Even the Button agreed that was a really bad move on the the SBs part. We just couldn't make him realize that was a terrible play. Anyway, here is an article I found at rgpfaq.com. Let's hear what you all have to say....

Thanks,
Ogre

Aug 24, 2007

Top Ten Poker Mistakes

MISTAKE #1: Playing Too Many Hands

Most poker players are too loose with their starting hand
selection. You've got to stick with PREMIUM hands...
especially when you're at a 8-man or 10-man table.

Quit limping in with bad cards in hopes of hitting something
on the flop. All those blinds add up... and it's not worth
it.

At an 8-player table, focus on playing hands like pocket
pairs, suited connectors, A-X suited, or two face cards.

Leave hands like K-3, J-8, Q-2, and 10-7 alone. Just fold
them pre-flop.

The REASON most people play too many hands is because they
want ACTION. They don't want to just sit and there and wait
forever until they get good cards.

But if you want to win, you must be patient.

In fact... if you're playing good poker, you should often be
bored. That's right: BORED.


MISTAKE #2: Playing Your Position Wrong

Positioning is EVERYTHING in Texas Holdem poker.

Good positioning means you get to see what your opponents do
FIRST before you have to act. Based on their behavior and
betting, you can make an informed decision about what YOU
want to do.

Good positioning is LATE positioning. That means you're one
of the last to act after the flop. The most IDEAL position
is the dealer (or button).

The mistake most players make is playing the CARDS without
considering their positioning. For instance, the way to play
pocket Aces in the big blind is totally different than the
way to play it in the dealer position.

And that goes for all starting hands... and all positions.

The basic strategy you need to know is that you want to play
MORE starting hands from a later position. And you want to
play these hands more aggressively.

Most of your bluffs should come with good positioning too...
because that's when you'll have the best read on the players
at the table.

In early positioning you want to play FEWER hands.
Especially when you're immediately to the left of the big
blind (also known as "under the gun").


MISTAKE #3: Thinking You're A "Natural"

It's amazing how often I hear someone say, "I'm a natural
poker player..."

What IS a "natural" poker player anyway?

The truth is, poker is an extremely complex and
multi-faceted game. It involves math, psychology, body
language skills, self control, performing under pressure,
and a ton of other things.

The problem with thinking you're a "natural"-- just because
you're good at reading people's faces or something-- is that
it LIMITS your ability to improve.

No matter how good you are at poker, there is ALWAYS room
for improvement. And in each respective area of the game,
there's ALWAYS more to learn.

Not only that, but poker has been around for a LONG time...
way before it started appearing on every TV station.

A lot of poker strategy has been DEVELOPED. There are
step-by-step techniques, tricks, and "plays" that you can
use to win more money at the tables.

These strategies won't just "come to you" like a little
light bulb over your head.

Not a chance.

Instead, you've got to STUDY the game, talk to other
players, and be constantly LEARNING more in order to push
yourself to the next level.


MISTAKE #4: Getting Too Emotional

Emotional control is a big part of Holdem. You've got to be
able to "let go" and become unattached from the outcome of
the game.

The REASON emotions run strong in poker is because your
mixing MONEY, EGO, and CHANCE... all together.

It's DEFINITELY a recipe for some strong emotions.

The key is to EXPECT IN ADVANCE that things will get
stressful and intense. EXPECT that you're going to get
"rivered" and "sucked out".

The reason it's important is because if you let go of your
logic and start playing based on EMOTION, you'll never, EVER
win.

Avoid TILT at all costs. It causes more poker players to go
broke than any other phenomenon.

Stay in control of yourself and be "unattached" to the game.
Don't let anything affect you... just remain focused on
winning.

Period.


MISTAKE #5 Playing The Wrong Stakes

The stakes you play is what determines the SKILL you play
against.

And if you're outmatched, nothing else matters... because
ultimately you're going to lose.

But if you're way better than everyone at your current
level, then maybe it's time to "step it up a notch".

Playing the RIGHT stakes is a delicate balance.

I've found the most effective way to determine the RIGHT
stakes is to calculate your profit per hour over time.

The difference in your "profit per hour" at a $5 Sit and Go
versus a $10 Sit and Go can be DRAMATIC.

But you may get WHOMPED at the $20 Sit and Go... and lose
your bankroll in a snap.

Here's an important tip...

When you try to move UP in stakes, don't be afraid to move
BACK DOWN if it isn't working.

The action plan I recommend is to build your bankroll where
you KNOW you can win... then move up. If you lose your
bankroll, move back down and build it up again. Then move up
in stakes and try it again.

Repeat this process over and over and you'll be continually
improving... moving up to bigger games and more money.

This process also LOWERS YOUR RISK. Follow those steps and
you won't be gambling with next month's rent.


MISTAKE #6: Focusing Too Much On The Cards

Always remember this principle:

PLAY THE PLAYER, NOT THE CARDS.

Ultimately, the cards determine who's the winner for a
hand... but that's only when a hand plays out until the VERY
END and all cards are flipped over.

GOOD poker players hardly ever make it to that level in a
hand. Because they either force their opponents to fold or
fold because they pick up a read on their opponents.

The only times you should be flipping your cards up at the
end is when you KNOW you have the best hand and you've just
milked some sucker for a huge pot.

Get it?

The PLAYER you're up against is what you need to focus on.
Not your cards.

Figure out his betting patterns, his habits, his tells, his
movements... EVERYTHING. And then play him like a fiddle for
all his chips.


MISTAKE #7: Being Too Predictable

Just as you should be studying your opponents, your
opponents should be studying YOU.

The biggest mistake you can make is become PREDICTABLE. When
you're predictable, you can't win at poker.

Because every time you get good cards, everyone will fold.
And every time you get bad cards, everyone will bet.

The key is to BE AWARE OF YOUR BETTING PATTERNS.

Bet strong hands a certain way for awhile... then mix it up
a bit. Do crazy things... bet odd amounts... make the same
pre-flop raise for both 8-7 suited and pocket 10's.
Whatever.

MIX IT UP and kill any consistencies that appear in your
game.


Mistake #8: Not Knowing When To Quit

Know when to get up from a table... it will save you a LOT
of money over the long term.

This is crucial when you've either just WON a ton of money
or just LOST a ton of money.

Because in either case, the tendency from that point forward
is going to be to LOSE. You'll either lose your profits or
dig yourself in a hole deeper... but either way, it's not
good.

Losing streaks suck... because they take hold of some weird
part of your brain that virtually always PREVENTS you from
making a comeback.

No matter how determined you are... no matter how SURE you
are that your "luck" will change... it's not going to
happen. You'll lose more. So just STOP.

With winning streaks, it's the same way. Having a lot of
"new money" makes it less REAL... and there's a tendency to
lose it quickly on stupid moves.

So if you're WAY UP or WAY DOWN in a game, just stop playing
for the day. Go back at it tomorrow, it's no big deal.


MISTAKE #9: Not Knowing The Odds

Knowing the ODDS and PROBABILITY in poker is a standard
ingredient for success.

You can win some games just by being able to read your
opponents and "guess" at what types of betting decisions to
make...

But ultimately, knowing the odds is what it takes to be a
REAL Texas Holdem poker player.

The good news is, you don't have to be a "math genius" to
know the odds of a hand. There are a lot of shortcuts and
tricks you can use to calculate pot odds, hand percentages,
outs, and other important numbers.


MISTAKE #10: Not Getting Help

Like I said before, you weren't BORN knowing how to play
poker.

You had to LEARN it.

In every aspect of the game, you've got to continually ask
yourself the question, "Is this EXACTLY what I should be
doing in this situation?"

There are two main ways to improve your Texas Holdem poker
skills:

1. Learn from experience.

2. Learn from someone who has mastered the game.

The problem with experience is that it takes YEARS and
YEARS-- even DECADES-- of playing Texas Holdem again and
again...

By: Roy Rounder Aug 23, 2007

Aug 23, 2007

Reasons To Raise

Unlike calling, raising has an extra way to win: opponents may fold. An opening bet may be considered a raise from a strategy perspective. David Sklansky gives seven reasons for raising, summarized below.[1]

*To get more money in the pot when a player has the best hand: If a player has the best hand, raising for value enables him to win a bigger pot.
*To drive out opponents when a player has the best hand: If a player has a made hand, raising may protect his hand by driving out opponents with drawing hands who may otherwise improve to a better hand.
*To bluff or semi-bluff: If a player raises with an inferior or drawing hand, the player may induce a better hand to fold. In the case of semi-bluff, if the player is called, he still has a chance to improve to a better hand (and also win a larger pot).
*To get a free card: If a player raises with a drawing hand, his opponent may check to him on the next betting round, giving him a chance to get a free card to improve his hand.
*To gain information: If a player raises with an uncertain hand, he gains information about the strength of his opponent's hand if he is called. Players may use an opening bet on a later betting round (probe or continuation bets) to gain information by being called or raised (or may win the pot immediately).
*To drive out worse hands when a player's own hand may be second best: Sometimes, if a player raises with the second best hand with cards to come, raising to drive out opponents with worse hands (but who might improve) may increase the expected value of his hand by giving him a higher probability of winning in the event his hand improves.
*To drive out better hands when a come hand bets: If an opponent with an apparent come hand (drawing hand) bets before a player, if the player raises, opponents behind him who may have a better hand may fold rather than call a bet and raise. This is a form of isolation play.
[1] David Sklansky (1987). The Theory of Poker. Two Plus Two Publications.

Position

Position refers to the order in which players are seated around the table and the strategic consequences of this. Generally, players in earlier position (who have to act first) need stronger hands to bet or raise than players in later position. For example, if there are five opponents yet to act behind a player, there is a greater chance one of the opponents will have a better hand than if there was only one opponent yet to act. Being in late position is an advantage because a player gets to see how his opponents in earlier position act (which provides the player more information about their hands than they have about his). Position is one of the most vital elements to understand in order to be a long-term winning player. As a player's position improves, so too does the range of cards with which he can profitably enter a hand. Conversely this commonly held knowledge can be used to an intelligent poker player's advantage. If playing against observant opponents in tournament style play (when the amount of chips one has is finite, which is to say there are no 'rebuys') then a raise with any two cards can 'steal the blinds,' if executed against passive players at an opportune time.

Aug 22, 2007

Online Poker Shopping

One of the best sites I have come across for poker supplies is pokeroutlet.com. They have some of the best prices and provide fast free shipping within the U.S. The downside is that many other people have found this site and many items are temporarily "Sold Out." I make nothing by refering you to this site, I just wanted to let you know this is one of the best.

Pot Odds

The relationship between pot odds and odds of winning is ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT concepts in poker strategy. Pot odds are the ratio of the size of the pot to the size of the bet required to stay in the pot. For example, if a player must call a $10 bet for a chance to win a $40 pot(NOT including his $10 call), his pot odds are 4-to-1 (20% probability). To have a positive expectation, a player's odds of winning must be better than his pot odds. If the player's odds of winning are also 4-to-1, and if he plays the pot five times, his expected return is to break even (losing 4 times and winning once). So, if you happen to be "chasing", you should only be calling if your odds of winning are better than the pot odds you are facing. This will make you much more $$$ in the long run.

Aug 21, 2007

Chips, Tips, and Quips

Hi all! My name is Steve Oversen. I have created this blog to help people of all levels with their poker games. I will answer questions about everything poker, from online play to live cash games. I will include links to the best of everything poker that I have found. I am not a pro, but I am quite experienced. I have been playing Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi and Hi/Lo, Triple Draw, Razz, Stud, and Horse for several years. I've played online at Ultimate Bet, Poker Stars, Party Poker, and Titan (no longer available in the U.S.). I've also played at Casino's in Mississippi, Indiana, and Missouri. I also run a weekly $.25-$.50 N/L Texas Holdem Cash Game. I have played stakes from $.01-$.02 Limit to $5-$10 No Limit. I will provide links to buy anything you may need to play from chips to tables. A very useful link to help set up a home tournament blind schedule can be found here. Tip of the week - Always buy in for the maximum allowed at any cash game! When you have the nuts, you want to make the most $ possible!

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