2004 World Series Of Poker

The sport of poker has taken off in recent years, becoming one of the most popular games being played at parties, gatherings and more. No longer just part of the casino, poker is more popular than ever, and nowhere was this more evident than at the 2004 World Series of Poker. There were a record number of entries in the 2004 World Series of Poker, with what was estimated at around 2,576 players.

The advent of online betting has fueled some of the popularity surrounding pok…

The sport of poker has taken off in recent years, becoming one of the most popular games being played at parties, gatherings and more. No longer just part of the casino, poker is more popular than ever, and nowhere was this more evident than at the 2004 World Series of Poker. There were a record number of entries in the 2004 World Series of Poker, with what was estimated at around 2,576 players.

The advent of online betting has fueled some of the popularity surrounding poker and the celebrity poker shows making rounds on primetime television are also part of the phenomenon. Many of the people who participated in the 2004 World Series of Poker qualified for the tournament online, after learning how to play in online poker rooms. The number of players who participated in the 2004 World Series of Poker had more than tripled in comparison to the 2003 WSOP, which hosted only 839 players.

Space was somewhat of an issue at the 2004 World Series of Poker, as there was only enough room and material to accommodate 1,200 players at the outset. However, they ended up stretching the 2004 World Series of Poker over two weekend days with half the players playing in the first part of the day, and half playing in the latter part. This added to the excitement and made it feel more than ever like an event instead of just a game.

After whittling down some of the players over the weekend, the 2004 World Series of Poker extended into the following Monday. About half of those players ended up being cut that day. However, the competition was fierce and fans of poker watched with bated breath to see what the next move would be.

The 2004 World Series of Poker also saw higher stakes than ever being wagered on the games. This had to do with the number of people who were able to pay the $10,000 entry fee. In fact, the 2004 World Series of Poker winner, Greg Raymer, won $5 million, which is a World Series of Poker record.

In addition to being broadcast on ESPN into homes worldwide, the 2004 World Series of Poker tournament saw many amateurs enter the professional poker realm. The popularity of the sport has never been higher and each year as the time for the World Series of Poker rolls around again, players (both professional and amateur) gear up for more high stakes and big fun.

40’s Night And A Friendly Game Of Poker

In my early post-college years a few select friends, Sam and Pete, shared the same interests that I did – older women and poker. We started going out on Thursday nights to a certain bar that would usually have women in their 40’s recently divorced or single for other reasons. We called it 40’s night. We would usually hit the bar around 8 pm, after the gym and after a few beers. Some nights were dead; others were a bit more exciting. On this one particular night we ran into th…

In my early post-college years a few select friends, Sam and Pete, shared the same interests that I did – older women and poker. We started going out on Thursday nights to a certain bar that would usually have women in their 40’s recently divorced or single for other reasons.

We called it 40’s night. We would usually hit the bar around 8 pm, after the gym and after a few beers. Some nights were dead; others were a bit more exciting. On this one particular night we ran into three other women, Dawn, Melissa and Kelly.

Melissa was sporting a t-shirt that said “Double D” scrawled on with a sharpie marker.

First instincts were, I guess she must want someone to ask. Thinking it had to do with her anatomy we headed over to strike up a conversation. Turns out the Double D, meant Delightfully Divorced, not what we were thinking.

Melissa and a few pals were out celebrating her recent divorce which happened to be finalized that day. After exchanging pleasantries and drinking until closing with them, they asked where we were headed too.

My on again – off again girlfriend was at our house (I was with Sam and Pete for moral support) and Sam was living with his Aunt so those two places were out of the picture. Pete’s girlfriend was out of town visiting her parents and was not due back until the next morning, so we headed there.

After bringing out the good stuff to drink and the poker case and chips, the suggestion of a friendly game of strip poker came up. All agreed it was just for fun.

Well after several hours of drinking and poker, we found ourselves down to our boxers and Melissa’s interesting Double D shirt draped over a chair. The girls were actually playing, while the rest of us did a lot of staring. At about 3:00 in the morning there was a jiggling at the front door, then a gasp, then a scream. Pete’s girlfriend had gotten in early and wanted to surprise him the next day. She was hoping to climb into bed and have him wake up to her smiling face.

Instead she was treated to several half naked women along with her almost naked boyfriend. After that night, my on again – off again girlfriend got a call and became my never again girlfriend. And Pete, well, Pete ended up having to go to the emergency room to get some reconstructive work done on his little Pete.

10 Ultimate Texas Hold’em Tells – part 1

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Being Able to distinguish the Cards of a player would help you to save you’re money when you have a bad hand and win you the pot when you have a good hand. Of course, you can’t see what cards you’re opponents have. The only thing you have is there facial and body expressions. In this 2 part guide, I will teach 10 of the best tips on the net. These are amazing secrets that will help you win every dollar on the table you are playing at.

The tells of a player range from what they do to how they act. You have to look at what you’re opponents are doing AT ALL TIMES. Pay attention to there every move and look for the following signs which will help you win every Texas hold’em game. Read the following 5 tips very carefully and please print it out as a reference.

1. The way the a player arranges his chips is one of the main signs you have to look for.

This is a tell that can help you identify and classify you’re opponents before the game begins.
Now the secret is whether or not the player keeps there pile of chips neat or messy. If the player keeps there pile neat, 9 times out of 10 that is a tight player. This means that they will not bluff often and you have to expect that they call with strong hands. If they have a messy pile of chips, you know that they that is a loose player and you can be sure that they will be bluffing and playing rambunctiously.

2. The way a player places the chips from his stack to the pot is a sure tell.

If the player throws his chips in nervously, they spill over, and he cleans them up he is bluffing. The fact that he cleans them up means that he is trying to cover it up. He wants to make sure you wont call so that he can win the pot. This means that you should call because you are competing against a weak hand.

3. Another tell hat is amazingly obvious but not understood by many as the way someone will pay is the way they buy chips.

If a person yells to the dealer that he wants chips and he openly waves his money and is very showy with his money, he is a loose aggressive player.
If the player is quiet and asks for chips politely, you have a conservative tight player.

4. This is an audible tell. This one you have to listen to carefully because it is not easy to spot since it’s a noise a player makes.

When a player makes a sad sound like a sigh or a tisk sound, they are obviously bluffing.

Make sure not to bet because they, most likely, have a strong hand. When a player sees the flop and makes that sad “tisk” sound, it means they completed a good hand, they are trying to cover up there happiness.

5. The final tip of the day has to do with the flop.

This is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP;
DON’T LOOK AT THE FLOP WHEN IT COMES! What you want to do is look at the players reactions to the flop. If a player looks away from the flop, they have a good hand because they are trying to keep from looking like they have a good hand. They want to seem uninterested. The players who stare at the flop have a weak hand.

These are top secret poker tells that you can use to help you win money in any casino. You can probably take these 5 tips and win at table with an advanced skill playing level right now.

I hope you enjoyed these tips and I hope you will read the other 5 tips because those are the better of the 10.

10 rules to observe when playing poker online

SELECT A CASINO. Rule number one. Be a member of no less than six online casinos so you can rotate and move around from casino to casino during play. Select only well~known casinos with excellent reputations for paying quickly and maintaining industry~ accepted randomizing algorithms (more on this later).

SELECT A BETTING LIMIT. But only if it’s $1/2, $2/4 or $5/10 blinds. This section will discuss the research, the math, and the studies on human nature that prove conclusively that high~stake limit tables are not the place to make money. They are however an excellent place to lose large amounts of cash in a big hurry. The return on investment (ROI) is best at medium limit tables.

SELECT YOUR STAKE. No decision here if your smart. You must have 50 to 100 times the Big Blind. Any less and your chances of making money nose dive. More will only improve your table ‘cred’and help to intimidate weaker players.

SELECT A TABLE. Spend at least 15 minutes watching the play at each table. Review your notes if recognized players are present. Check out at least three tables before you start. Then select the loosest table. To win at Texas Hold’em Poker you must play tight in loose games and play in loose games only. If all the tables are tight, run. Go back to Step 1.

SELECT A POSITION AT THE TABLE. Watch for the tightest player at the table. Pick a spot to that players left. We have dedicated an entire chapter later on to table position strategy.

TAKE NOTES ON PLAYERS. Record playing styles. Do they raise before the flop? Do they fold before the flop? What’s the size of their stake? Do they react quickly or slowly when their turn
1. comes up? What kind of cards did they play on? Everyone should take player notes at casinos like Party Poker where they offer the feature. Don~t know how to take notes? Just right~click on the avatar (picture) of the target player and click ~Player Notes~. That feature is there for a very good reason -use it.

TURN OFF CHAT. It’s distracting and rarely valuable. If you want to chat, use MSN -but never while you’re playing for money.

TURN OFF TV’s, MUSIC, OTHER DISTRACTIONS. Now is not the time to catch the score on your favorite game or consume a bucket of chicken. If anyone’s going to be distracted, it should be your opponents. Let them miss cues, watch their stack disappear and wonder what happened.

PLAY TIGHT. Follow the Food Chain Theory. Learn the rules. Understand the odds. Bet like a’shark’, not a’fish’.

PLAY FOR ONE HOUR -then take a break, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. This will keep you sharper than the other players who are hanging on for that one last win.

And there you are. Ten steps that will make you thousands, maybe a lot more over time.

9 Reasons Why Online Poker is Better Than the Real Thing

Online poker has become one of the most popular pastimes. Millions of people have discovered how much fun it is playing their favorite card game against fellow poker players from all over the world. The beauty of online poker is that you aren’t playing against a machine, you’re playing against a living, breathing, and, most importantly, THINKING opponent.

9. You get to play in your pajamas.

Unless you’re a sexy devil a blue dress, playing in your underwear in Vegas is frowned upon. However, online poker lets you start gambling away with talented opponents looking as poorly or as glamorous as you please. Being comfortable certainly helps you relax and concentrate on the game at hand.

8. You never have to leave the casino.

While it is a good idea to get up for eating and sleeping breaks, there is no time obligation on online poker. You can play against real opponents any time, night or day and never have to worry about time running out. You also save money on gas, food and that fancy tuxedo rental.

7. it’s your game now.

You call the shots with online poker and get to choose your own game. Some casinos only have certain card games, as determined by overall popularity. Online poker lets you play anything from Omaha Hi Lo to Horse or Badugi.

6. Play faster.

The PC age allows everything to be faster. Now you can play poker faster and thus treat yourself to up to 50% more hands per hour than you would in a live casino.

5. You get to be anonymous.

This can work to your advantage as you no longer give away “tells” about yourself, and you can mold a fictional ID to lure your opponents into overconfidence.

4. You can use cyber tools and toys.

Online poker lets you have as many toys and tools as you want, as you can upload hand histories, install tools for tracking an hourly rate, find out what hands are winning the most money, and even customize your own sound effects, avatars and victory dances. Try bringing electronic toys into a Vegas casino and you will probably need a lawyer.

3. Online poker is cheaper.

Not only do you save money on a physical trip to the casino, but you also pay less rake (most online casinos have a cap of $3.00) and get to snub the dealer of a tip. Thankfully, the computer dealer doesn’t care—he’s loaded on virtual drinks anyway.

2. More tables and more chances to play!

If you have ever visited a real casino then you know how crowded the property can get. With online poker there is no long waiting periods for tables to open. Additionally, you can take part in “multi tabling” and play several games at once. Some experienced online players can handle up to 10 or more games at the same time. Don’t try this in Vegas unless you’ve mastered human cloning.

1. Escape with your life.

Casino security heads aren’t very friendly, whether you’re cheating or bending the rules a bit by card counting. You don’t necessarily have a better chance of cheating an online dealer out of a fortune but you do have a much better opportunity to get out with your ribs still in tact.

Online poker gives you real gambling action and real money but in a life simulation that’s just a little bit better than reality.

5 Tips to Improve Your Heads Up Poker Play

You’ve finally made it! You’ve played Texas Hold’em for hours and hours, dodged some scary all ins, caught a couple of breaks and now you are sitting at the final table playing heads up poker. Here are some tips to help you improve your heads up Texas Hold’em poker strategy.

You’ve finally made it! You’ve played Texas Hold’em for hours and hours, dodged some scary all ins, caught a couple of breaks and now you are sitting at the final table playing heads up poker. Once the joy of making the final table has subsided you will have to get down to business and stake out your opponent.

Hopefully by now you have got a good read on the player, their tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. However, it may be important to know that poker players often switch modes when it comes down to heads up play. A poker players heads up play may be completely different than their regular play. Here are some tips to help you improve your heads up Texas Hold’em poker strategy.

Tip#1 – An Ace in the Hole

The #1 rule of heads up poker play is that when you have an ace as a hole card you will usually be in a dominant position pre flop. You should then raise/re-raise strong to see what the opponent’s reaction will be.

Often times an opponent will fold (depending on the specific style of the poker player) for fear of the ace or a pocket pair. Sometimes you may get called but remember, in heads up poker players have a tendency to make loose calls. Odds are you will still be in a dominant position.

Tip #2 – Lower Your Expectations

While playing heads up Texas Hold’em poker, chances are that you cannot afford to wait on a good hand. A quality hand in heads up poker is not the same as when playing with a bigger group. You may have to settle with J-6 offsuit and just see what happens. The odds are that many times your opponent will have a bad looking hand as well.

Tip #3 – Try To Pick Up A Betting Pattern

Many poker players have an extremely difficult time playing heads up. Some collapse under the pressure and others become painstakingly obvious in how they bet in heads up.

Make sure you keep an eye on your opponents betting habits. Every now and then you may want to call a hand that you know your probably beat in just to see what the opponent has. If you can pick up an opponents betting habits it’s almost as if they are showing you their hands.

Tip #4 – Mix Up Your Play

Even if you are not getting the best of cards you must always try to mix up your play to throw your opponent off your scent. Raise with 9-4 suited. Call with A-3 offsuit. This way your opponent cannot pick up a good betting pattern from you.

Many poker players are not great when it comes to heads up play. By throwing your opponent off your scent it possible that he/she will be enticed into making a careless all-in call. All it takes is one big mistake in heads up play and you’ll have your opponent right where you want them.

Tip #5 – Don’t Over Do the “All-In” Call

Please do not go over board going all-in. This is like leaving your hand up to fate. There is some luck involved in poker but you don’t want to just get by on being lucky. Besides, doing this is a clear give away that you may be less advanced and a veteran will wait for their chance and BURRY you. Mix up your play, raises, calls and folds, and in the end the better player usually wins out.

5 Tips For Winning At Video Poker

Video Poker combines both Luck and skill. The luck part is the cards that are randomly dealt to the player. The skill part encompasses much more then simply knowing what to hold and what to fold. In this article we’ll discuss some of the things every video poker player should be doing, regardless of their game play strategy.

Video Poker combines both Luck and skill. The luck part is the cards that are randomly dealt to the player. The skill part encompasses much more then simply knowing what to hold and what to fold. In this article we’ll discuss some of the things every video poker player should be doing, regardless of their game play strategy.

1. Only Play At Full Pay Machines

One of the smartest things any potential video poker player can do is to check the payout schedule before he or she starts playing. The payout schedule tells you how much you’ll be paid for each winning hand. In a Jacks or Better Video Poker game 9/6 is considered full pay. That simply means that 9 coins are paid out for a Full House and 6 coins are paid out for a Flush. Many casinos pay out less then 9/6, meaning that in the long run, you’ll simply win less money.

2. Always Play Max Coins

A Mistake many novice players make is to play fewer coins, thinking this will keep them in the game longer. The problem with that theory is many machines will give you proportionately more coins for hitting a Royal Flush with max coins then they will for hitting with less then the max. If you’re worried about going through your bankroll too quickly, play at a low coin size. Or, if you’re really not sure how to play, us a play for free version of the game until you’ve gotten your feet wet.

3. Plan How Much You’re Willing To Lose –And Stick To It.

There is a lot of luck involved in winning Video Poker. Unfortunately, too many players keep pumping coins into the machine, thinking their luck is bound to change. Successful players know that some days you have it and some you don’t. Before you start playing, have a set amount that you’re willing to lose, once that money is gone quit playing.

4. Take Your Time

Video poker is a game of man against machine. Always remember that there is no time limit. Make sure that you carefully review your cards, with each hand. Take as much time as you need, no one is waiting for you so don’t feel pressured to make your move. Don’t hit that draw button until you’re ready.

5. Take advantage of the “Play for Free” Games

Novice players need experience; obviously the best way to gain experience is to play. Fortunately, many online casinos offer “Play for free” versions of some maybe even all of their video poker versions. Take advantage of these and develop your strategy before you plunk down your money.

Card Stud Internet Poker Explained

To begin the game an ante is first placed on the table by every player. Remember, usually the amount is only a fraction of a bet that is set by the card room.

The dealer then deals 2 cards – 1 hole card and 1 door card – starting with the player on their left and continuing clockwise round the table. The player who has the lowest card showing on the table must place the bring-in bet, which is equal to half of the lower level bet.

In the first betting round each player, with the possible exception of the bring-in player who has already contributed the bring-in amount, may either choose to fold (quit the game), call (meet the bet) or raise, increasing the bring-in to a full bet.

If players still left in the round choose to only call the bring-in amount, then the player who originally contributed the bring-in is the only player who has the option to check their own amount.

During the second betting round, the game really starts to take shape as each player is dealt one more door card. Now with 2 cards showing, players have a better idea of not only the potential of their own hand, but also what winning advantages their other opponents have.

Strategies begin taking effect as the player with the highest card value begins the round of betting. The highest card value includes all cards exposed, and could consist of the highest card, pair and so on.

If in the event two hands prove to be of equal value, the betting is then commenced by the player who is the closet to the dealer’s left.

The player with the highest showing hand begins the betting round, and they may either check, fold or raise. If this player chooses to check or fold, the remaining players, following clockwise from that players left may check until a raise has been made.

The dealer deals a 3rd door card to each player, and the excitement continues its climb, as each players exposed hand reveals more details to their opponents at what potential their hidden card could have.

Then the final round of betting where the last door card is dealt by the dealer, giving players a pretty good idea if luck has run out for them or their opponents, or if they have instead hit the jackpot, is performed.

Finally, the single hole card and 4 door cards of the remaining players are revealed as each player left in the hand show their cards, beginning with the last player to bet and continuing in that pattern. During the showdown players may also choose to “muck” (fold out of the game, without showing their cards) their hand. The winner naturally takes the pot.

If in the event, a player wins by default, which means that every other player in the hand folded, no showdown will occur.

5 Card Poker Shots

There is nothing like being young. And there is nothing like being young and bored on a Saturday night. Especially when you are in college, and get together with your buddies who are also bored on a Saturday night. That is usually a formula for life long memories that will be anything but boring!

When you are in college, it is pretty inevitable that you will find yourself strapped for cash. That’s not to say that you won’t still find yourself drinking, playing poker, or bo…

There is nothing like being young. And there is nothing like being young and bored on a Saturday night. Especially when you are in college, and get together with your buddies who are also bored on a Saturday night. That is usually a formula for life long memories that will be anything but boring!

When you are in college, it is pretty inevitable that you will find yourself strapped for cash.

That’s not to say that you won’t still find yourself drinking, playing poker, or both! It’s funny how it works out that you will not have money to eat or play in a real cash poker game, but you will always find some liquor in the house. (Or will somehow scrape together enough money for a 12 pack of beer.)

During times of strife like this, my friends and I would play a game called 5 Card Poker Shots. The game involved no money, but did include shot glasses for each person.

The rules of the game were very simple. Every one gets dealt 5 cards. You are allowed to trade up to 3 cards when it is your turn. Every one except the person with the winning hand has to do a shot.

I recall one night where vodka was the drink of choice as host Tommy had 2 bottles of it in his kitchen (or so we thought). My roommate Jimmy was with me that night, which always makes for an entertaining evening.

Jimmy loves to play poker, but loves even more to drink. He is always the guy that you can find doing a keg stand or doing a beer bong. He is also the instigator of the group, known for calling you a pansy (along with all sorts of other names I will refrain from), if you can’t hold your liquor.

On this night, Tommy sat right next to Jimmy and said he would be pouring the drinks if someone else would deal. Little did I know that Jimmy was about to be taken for a ride.

On the ensuing hand, the glasses were filled as Jimmy said “Drink up losers” and downed his shot. As everyone else drank, they all had a puzzled look on their face while Tommy made a face to all at the table except Jimmy. Jimmy also began blurting “I wonder which one of you pansies is going to puke first, sure won’t be me,” as he laughed and checked his cards.

Understanding the look that Tommy had secretly given us, everyone kept drinking and playing cards making small talk as the bottles began to empty. After an hour or so, Jimmy started to rock back in his chair making odd breathing noises as well as spitting.

Halfway through his 15th shot or so he began to vomit all over himself complaining that he did not feel well. Stumbling over to the couch he passed out while Tommy got out a couple of pens and his digital camera.

You can pretty much put together what happened. Turns out Tommy had filled one of the bottles with water and had been pouring the vodka only in Jimmy’s glass. This night everyone knew which pansy was puking first.

4 Gambling Mistakes New Poker Players Make

Poker is a game of chance, but there is still a large amount of skill involved when playing. Many new poker players make gambling mistakes that cost them a lot of money and get them out of tournaments.

Some novices play free poker online and never win because of terrible gambling techniques. However, by knowing four common gambling mistakes that are made by new players, you can greatly increase your chances of winning games and tournaments.

1. Going all-in too often or in obvious desperation. In many tournaments with play money, some players go all-in the first hand. It may work for a few times, but after a while, someone will call you. In that case, you better hope that you have actually good cards.

All-in can be used to get players to fold, but it should really only be used if you have a solid hand and could possibly double your stack. People should bluff very infrequently with an all-in. Going all-in with a bad hand is what many people call “bad poker.” Sometimes you can get lucky, but the best players bet carefully.

2. Under betting. If you have a good starting hand, don’t be afraid to raise pre-flop, or bet high after the flop. If you have a great hand, then slow playing can work very well. However, when you do start placing bets in a no-limit game, they should not be too small.

One reason is that you won’t end up winning as much money if you bet small. Another reason is that you are giving incentives for many other players to stay in the hand. Therefore, you are giving other players chances to hit a hand that is better than yours. The best players bet just the right amount to get it where only one or two players call. In that case, your odds for winning are a lot better.

3. Over betting. Some players get very excited when they have a good hand. They may go all-in, or lay down outrageous bets. Not only is it a waste of a good hand, but also people can start to read you.

If you constantly over bet only when you have something, then people will always fold and you won’t win money. However, if you don’t have anything, then people will also know because you aren’t laying down monstrous bets.

4. Finally, it is important to know when to fold. The best poker players are constantly watching other players, and guessing who could have better hands than they have. If someone bets high, and you know you have the best possible hand (which occurs rarely), then you can call.

However, you need to know the odds of the other person having a better hand. Additionally, many new poker players call large bets when they don’t have anything, they just need a draw card. This is the worst type of gamble. Seldom will a person get that final card they need for a straight or a three-of-a-kind. Knowing the odds is key to playing good poker.

New poker players are often very easy targets for experienced players. Many new poker players make gambling mistakes that can be capitalized on. In order to avoid those mistakes, it is important to study the odds in poker, analyze what other players could have, and bet intelligently. If you do that, then you will have a fairly successful poker playing experience.