World Team Poker’s Inaugural Event to be Held May 19, 2010 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas
World Team Poker features the thrill of international competition as eight countries’ top professional poker players battle for “Pride, Passion, Country.” (PRWeb Mar 15, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3716864.htm
World Team Poker’s Inaugural Event to be Held May 19, 2010 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas
World Team Poker features the thrill of international competition as eight countries’ top professional poker players battle for “Pride, Passion, Country.”
If you want to master Texas Holdem poker playing, understand this: not all poker hand odds are equal. Sounds simple, right? Sure, you already knew that. Okay, so do you know how to accurately determine if the odds are in your favor or not? That’s not as simple, now is it? One technique that you can make use of to help you with figuring this out is the 4/2 rule.
Now, poker hand odds–or, that is, the odds of you winning the pot given the hand you currently have, and then given the hand you have and the cards that are subsequently laid on the table by the dealer–are very important for you to determine accurately. It’s more than just thrilling yourself with how much you can potentially win. It’s vital to know if you should Texas hold’em or Texas fold’em. Are you going to take the risk of staying in the game longer, or are you going to cut your losses, realizing that the odds are just too slim-to-none that you’ll be playing the winning hand in the end? Poker players who have problems with knowing the odds have problems losing money and decimating their bankroll.
The 4/2 rule in poker has been figured out so that players can quickly calculate accurate odds of their winning the jackpot. Not all bets are equal in poker. Depending on circumstances, you might need to bet an amount that is fairly large–perhaps half the pot or more–while other times you only need to be a relatively small amount, perhaps like 10% of the pot. Is this a good value for you? Given the cards, it too risky or should you take a chance on winning your money back–along with everyone else’s? The 4/2 rule can be your poker spirit guide in this matter and help you determine whether or not a winning hand is more or less probably in the cards.
First, you need to have in mind the hand you are going for after the flop is revealed. Some hands are stronger than others, but some hands are also easier to go for because they have more “outs”. To remind you, an “out” is a card that is potentially still out there to be dealt that you can use to make your hand. Let’s say that you have a 7 and a Jack in your hole, and the flop reveals 2-8-10. This gives you the potential for an straight, and in this case you would be going for an inside straight–because what you need is the 9, and that is on the “inside” of the 8 and Jack. What are the odds that on the turn you’ll get that 9?
The 4/2 rule says that first you figure out how many outs are potentially out there for you–in this case, then number is four (there are four 9s in the deck, none are as yet seen or known to be held). Now take that four and multiply it by four (the 4 in 4/2). You get 16. Now turn that into a percentage. Your chance of getting that card on the turn is 16%–which is not too bad (you want to be around 20% if not higher). So you stay in.
Alas, the turn reveals a 5 card. Not at all what you need. Now, what are the odds you’ll get that 9 on the river? The 4/2 rule says that now, you multiply your outs by two instead of four (the 2 in the 4/2 rule). Thus, you get eight. Now your odds are just 8% of getting that straight. Sure, you still might get another potential winning hand, like a pair of Jacks, but it’s not as strong as the straight and 8% odds are not too good. Are other players acting like they could beat a pair of Jacks? Do you want to risk it? Do you want to go for the straight still?
Whether or not you stay in or fold at this point is up to you, but with the 4/2 rule at least you have accurately determined your poker hand odds of winning this round.
For those who play online poker I recommend you download and use an “poker hand odds calculator” when you play. Calculators will AUTOMATICALLY show you the odds of every situation you’re in… no effort or manual work required.
For further reading on poker hand odds read our calculating poker pot odds section, or you can read further reviews on pot odds calculators at our best poker software section at Learn to Win Holdem.com.
Every version of the game of poker has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to profitability. Limit hold’em was once the most popular online game and there remain lots of low and medium limit games and even some with limits as high as $100/$200. Limit hold’em is still the easiest game to find and will undoubtedly retain its top spot because of its profit potential.
If your goal is to find the most profitable game out there, limit hold’em is for you. It has a profitable history, is currently remaining profitable, and there are no signs of diminishing profits for the future. It’s popularity means that there are many novices to make a nice profit from if you took the time to learn and practice the nuances of the game as well as your opponents. Read the rest of this entry »
www.expertinsight.com Phil Gordon explains the basics of Texas Holdem in this Expert Insight presentation. You can hear Phil’s WSOP Podcasts, read his poker articles and get his DVD, Final Table Poker at http Also available: Beating Blackjack with Andy Bloch -MIT Team Manager teaches you the secrets of card counting and more. Short Game Golf with Jim Furyk & Fred Funk The #2 Golfer in the world teaches you his short game techniques.
Playing online poker is not the same as playing in person, as you cannot watch body language, which is a great advantage if you want to win. However, there are ways you can read the action of other poker players if you know what to look for in an online poker game.
The first thing you should pay attention to is how long it takes the person to place a bet. This is known as the stall. However, many experienced players are now using this method to try to fool other players. The best way for the stall method to work is that you must know the players in the room. After you play a room awhile, you will get to know the regulars and learn who is an expert. Once you know this, then the stall method will help you know which players are new. Inexperienced players often stall due to the fact they are not sure how much to bet even if they have a great hand. Just watch your step, remember pros are now using the same method to side track you.
Watch for players that have been playing rather quickly and then all of a sudden stall or vice versa one that has been thinking a bit before betting and then bets quickly after being dealt a hand. Either one of these could mean they have something good in their hand. No matter whether you are playing online or offline, you can learn behavior patterns of other poker players and get the edge.
The pattern of poker players is probably the most important factor with online poker. Since you cannot watch their faces, you can still watch the patterns that are there from betting, to calling, to raising. You should pay attention to the way in which each player bets compared to the size of the pot as well. Online players are normally those that play all the time, they have their own routine and patterns, just as in real life. These are things you must learn if you want to win at any online poker game.
Watch those chat boxes. Yes, it can be fun to chat with your friends; however, you can also be heckled just like in real life. A matter of fact, the chat box might be your worst enemy. They can yell at you with all capitals, use rolling smiley faces, and more to distract you from your main goal. You will hear all kinds of insults such as “newbie”, the “game room cheats”, and so on and so forth. Anything to get your mind off the game and watching the other players.
Of course, you cannot watch the other players in your poker room, but you can watch the way they play and learn from experience how to read online poker players.
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The meteoric rise in popularity of online poker play might be heavily attributed to the convenience of playing from the comfort of home, but in fact there are a number of other advantages to choosing online play. In addition to the complete absence of a dress code, online players have access to a wider variety of game play and the ability to join a table at just about any time they like. The continually growing number of online establishments offer poker rooms 24/7, all inclusive game selection and a wider range of wager options to fit every budget.
Since online poker rooms lack the same exorbitant operating costs as their land based counterparts, the result is lowered betting minimums and smaller rake fees for the player so that the range of wager is enormously widened to include all types of bettors. Coupled with the vast amount of games readily available at all times, online players have no trouble finding the right game, at the right wager limit at all times. All kinds of tournament play, including the popular Sit and Go tournaments, are constantly available with all stakes and sizes. Multiple-tabling is another feature that allows the player to sit in on several games at once. Players are to get in many more hands in the same amount of time by moving from screen to screen. Keeping focus on each game is key, however, as this option can become a liability if you don´t.
Ease and Availability aside, the benefits of online poker expand to encompass the game play itself. Players are able to sharpen their skills in practice mode, or by using a free promotional balance supplied by many online poker sites. This is an especially attractive feature for those who are new to the game, but even seasoned pros need to practice or test out strategies sometime. With this option, all players stand to gain invaluable knowledge and experience, while risking little or no real money wagers.
In an online poker room, physical actions and emotions are not going to betray you as they might in a live game, and intimidation is a considerably lesser factor. The anonymous play is particularly advantageous to the novice, and can be very important when playing with a with a card shark who has a sharply honed ability to read other players´ tells (behavior). While there are subtle telling actions in online poker that can be picked up on, these are much more easily controlled and circumvented. With a little effort, they can be learned and used instead against your opponent. Detailed notes regarding your opponent’s style and previous play can be kept close at hand in a notebook – something you cannot do in a live game, and can be referenced and utilized at any time. Online players also have access to their own securely stored history, making it easy to examine and continually improve upon their game from past experience. Other tools at the online poker players´ disposal include easily accessible odds information and statistics, and the ability to use charts and calculators during game play.
Money matters, so it bears mentioning that online players save money (and time and effort) on what could be considered unnecessary extras – like travel, hotel accommodations, etc., when they opt to play the massive selection of online poker games from home. In addition, while playing online, it´s never necessary to tip the dealer – whereas in a live game, it is customary, even expected, that you tip the dealer when you win, in addition to the rake. If you spend much time at all playing poker, this small amount can really add up.
There are a few disadvantages to playing online poker as well, but for many the advantages far outweigh them. Ease, Availability, Game play, and Money saved are consistent factors, but online play can´t provide the thrill of face to face action or the buxom waitress supplying complimentary drinks. Fortunately, online poker play doesn´t preclude live play and many poker enthusiasts are able to find a balance that satisfies both their gaming preferences and entertainment needs.
The midnight madness no-limit hold’em tournament at Full Tilt Poker is one of the most consistently high turn out tournaments in the online poker world. Every night, at twelve midnight eastern standard time, you can get in this tournament for only ten bucks plus the one buck administration fee (rake). But what’s so good about it? A few things make this tournament a profitable venture including the time of day, the buy in, and the attrition rate.
The time of day is significant here because the majority of would-be participants should really be in bed sleeping and getting proper rest for work the next day. However, it is also private poker time for a lot of those same players and staying up late is just a small cost for some enjoyment and privacy. On the other hand they may be heading into this tournament with the expectation of doubling up quickly or getting out and going to bed. If they do double up then they can bear down and play solid, and hopefully make the money or substantially more. – first place in this tournament is usually over $2,000US.
At ten plus one dollar entry fee, most players at Full Tilt can afford this tournament, even some of the poorest players ever to click the all in button. And they do show up in droves here, again partially because of the time and the low buy-in and potential a potential bankroll explosion for the average low limit player. Full Tilt also encourages some if the resident professionals to participate as well, like Michael Craig, Lee Watkinson, Lynette Chan and others. That actually sells the tournament better because all amateurs want to sit beside a pro at least once.
The best part of this tournament for those who think at least somewhat strategically is the outrageous attrition rate of the participants. The paid entrants deplete so fast that after the first hour, if you survive, you will be among the remaining third of the players eagerly waiting to divide up the dead money left by high risk – low blinds players. Several nights this week the tournament started with over 1,500 entrants and by the end of the first break was between 500 and 600.
With an attrition rate that quick, playing tight has more inherent value as a style of play and strategy because the eliminated players are simply building the prize pot for the remaining contenders. I mean that is how all poker tournaments work actually, but an expeditious exit rate certainly adds to your expected value in terms of deciding which tournament to play.
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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I know that in the UK and the USA you have to be at least 18 to play poker online but is this is the case worldwide? Is there anywhere that allows 16 year olds to play online poker
And what about private home games. Is it legal to hold a small cash game consisiting of players under 18 if its done in the privacy of someones own home?
