Hand Analysis: Using Your Image in High Risk Situations- Part I
I recently had someone e-mail me a question about a hand they were involved in; this hand really shows the importance of being aware of what your image is and what the other players on your table are doing. If you stay aware of the way that they play in hands you are not involved in, it can give you a lot of information about a hand you do tango with. The e-mail begins as follows:
I’m playing 5/10 NL Hold’em and the small blind is a professional player who is a regular at the casino I am playing at. He knows a lot of the players in the high limits, so it gives me the impression that he has been playing for a living for some time. He is tighter than most pros. I’ve seen him fold AQ suited, AQ off suit, and A10 suited in early position to a raise 2-2.5 times the BB. Middle Position is very loose. I’ve seen her raise 10 7 suited in early position and make similar loose plays.
In this hand middle position opens for $30, and I raise to $80 with 7s 7h. It folds around to the tight guy in the small blind and he makes it $180 to go. Middle position calls, I call. Flop is 5s 5c 2s. Small blind bets, middle position calls, what should I do?
The first clue on how to proceed with this hand is knowing that SB is a smart player who does not like to play hands out of position. This being the case, we can conclude that he has a big hand like a high pocket pair or AK which he is raising with in early position. The fact that he bets the flop lets us know he thinks he is ahead and/or he is trying to protect his hand from a flush draw. At this point, I would definitely put SB on an over pair. Since MP is known to play a big range of hands for a raise, and seems to like suited cards, it is important to make her pay for a flush draw, or to get information on what kind of hand she might be on.
High Stakes Poker Announces Lineup for New Season
I reported on here awhile ago that the new season of “High Stakes Pokerâ€, which for my money is the best poker TV show available anywhere, had made some changes leading up to their new season, including the minimum buy-in for the game being raised from $100,000 to $200,000. With the details finalized and out of the way, the producers have now announced some of the new faces that we can look forward to on the fifth season.
Some of the fresh meat taking a seat for the first time will include some pretty well known poker celebrities, such as WSOP 2008 Main Event winner Peter Eastgate and Dario Minieri, the quirky Italian professional poker player known for his ultra high-stakes online cash game play. Joining them at the table will be Hollywood TV and Film personalities Sam Simon (Co-creator of “The Simpsonâ€) and Nick Cassavestes (Director of “The Notebookâ€), both of who are known as avid poker players in their spare time.
Familiar faces making their way back to the felt include Doyle Brunson, Eli Elezra, Antonio Esfandiari, Barry Greenstein, and Daniel Negraneu, all of which have played in every season of “High Stakes Poker†thus far. Filming of season five has already wrapped at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino.
While you may not be as aware of names like Dario and Eastgate as you are names like Hellmuth and Ivey, the fast, aggressive play styles of these two is something that I am very excited to see added to the mix of the already huge cast of characters. As for the non-pros like Sam Simon, he carries the advantage of being so mega rich that the stakes themselves shouldn’t play into his decision making, and he is widely considered to be one of the best amateur players in Hollywood.
The first episode of “High Stakes Poker†will air on March 1st on the Game Show Network. Check your local listings for exact timings.
J Santos Muck It Cartoon Flashback
Is it OK to use regular hamburger helper with reindeer meat?
J. Santos' Muck It © 2005
Rio has highest poker comps in Las Vegas
photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Rio Poker Room
Rio Las Vegas is now offering the highest comps for poker players in Las Vegas, at $3 per hour.
The next highest is at Imperial Palace at $2 per hour.
We spoke with Danielle at Rio who was extremely chipper about the promotion, saying that $3 per hour applied to all cash game players between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day, then reverts to the regular $1 per hour the rest of the time.
In addition, the rake is capped at $3 between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. That's significant in itself.
Quads of 10s and above receive a guaranteed $300, though this will change next week when Rio switches to a bad beat jackpot.
The Night Before Christmas in the Poker Room
hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Sams Town indoor holiday park
The Night Before Christmas in the Poker Room
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the poker room,
Not much was moving, quiet as a tomb,
The chip racks were stacked on the side in a row,
Hoping some good luck would fill them with dough;
The players were sitting hunched in their seats,
Telling their tales of all the bad beats,
The dealer looked at me and asked,
Do you plan to bet or will you pass?
From out in the casino I heard a shout,
I jumped from the two seat to see what was about,
And what to my surprise did appear,
A fat guy drinking a bottle of beer,
He came into the room all in a bustle,
No one guessed it might be a hustle,
He slid into the six seat and yelled for a rack,
Looked around and said, "I'll leave when I've filled my sack,"
Through the air the cards did fly,
Lady Luck loved this red suited guy,
He played every hand never folding a one,
The outcome was always the same, he won and won,
When he had taken most of our chips,
He said I'm going to give you some poker tips,
I've played them all, the good and the great,
And let me tell you I can relate,
I've sat across from Hellmuth, Brunson and Chan,
Hachem, Reese, even a guy called Fossilman,
They remind me of a boxer with a glass jaw,
They can't even play me to a draw,
Now please excuse me, I really must go,
I got to make a stop at the Bellagio,
I left my Mercedes in their valet,
Don't look so surprised, I traded that drafty sleigh,
I hope you all have a very prosperous year,
I'll be back next Christmas to play poker right here,
Maybe you should read a poker book or two,
The way you play you don't have a clue,
Under you're pillow tomorrow you must look,
That's where I'll leave your copy of Doyle Brunson's poker book,
And with that he turned, shouting as he walked away,
Have a Very Merry Christmas Day!
Happy Holidays!
hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Holiday spirits fill the Conservatory
Binion’s Updates Their Look
As the original host to the World Series of Poker and home to countless legendary poker players, the poker room inside Binon’s Horseshoe Casino is considered by practically everyone to be the most important card room in the world. They’ve even dubbed themselves “the place that made poker famousâ€, and it’s hard to argue that point, as the infamous Moneymaker WSOP victory that launched the poker boom was in fact held at Binion’s, which allowed the casino to enjoy much of the insane press that came after the rest of the world learned that a no-name accountant could win millions of dollars in a poker tournament.
Still, the poker room for a long time was considered old-school in both look and feel, a far cry away from the glitz and glamour poker rooms found on the main Vegas strip. While many old-timers enjoyed the classic nostalgia of the original poker room, it came across as too hardcore and unfriendly for new players, one of the reasons poker had trouble gaining popularity before the boom. Finally, Binion’s has decided to update with the times and has unveiled a gorgeous new room on par with any in Vegas.
The new 10-table poker room was built out an old lounge that resided within the Binion’s Casino, though according to poker room manager Brad Thomte, none of the original materials survived the update. “Everything in this room is brand new, built from scratch,†said Thomte. “It was built entirely based on the recommendations of our players.â€
Additional modernizing of the room included adding 11 plasma TV’s and a vastly updated look, meant to entice new and returning players to remember why poker legends for years choose Binion’s as their poker room of choice. Still, some of the old-school flavor exists, as a number of black and white photos adorn the walls all around the room, each photo capturing a different major moment in poker history.
I’ve already scheduled another poker trip to Vegas just for an opportunity to play in the new digs. The original Binion’s poker room was where I first sat down on my 21st birthday to play my opening legal hand of poker. If you haven’t had the chance to take in a few rounds of hold’em at the ultimate in classic poker destinations, you’re truly missing out.
Binion’s Updates Their Look
As the original host to the World Series of Poker and home to countless legendary poker players, the poker room inside Binon’s Horseshoe Casino is considered by practically everyone to be the most important card room in the world. They’ve even dubbed themselves “the place that made poker famousâ€, and it’s hard to argue that point, as the infamous Moneymaker WSOP victory that launched the poker boom was in fact held at Binion’s, which allowed the casino to enjoy much of the insane press that came after the rest of the world learned that a no-name accountant could win millions of dollars in a poker tournament.
Still, the poker room for a long time was considered old-school in both look and feel, a far cry away from the glitz and glamour poker rooms found on the main Vegas strip. While many old-timers enjoyed the classic nostalgia of the original poker room, it came across as too hardcore and unfriendly for new players, one of the reasons poker had trouble gaining popularity before the boom. Finally, Binion’s has decided to update with the times and has unveiled a gorgeous new room on par with any in Vegas.
The new 10-table poker room was built out an old lounge that resided within the Binion’s Casino, though according to poker room manager Brad Thomte, none of the original materials survived the update. “Everything in this room is brand new, built from scratch,†said Thomte. “It was built entirely based on the recommendations of our players.â€
Additional modernizing of the room included adding 11 plasma TV’s and a vastly updated look, meant to entice new and returning players to remember why poker legends for years choose Binion’s as their poker room of choice. Still, some of the old-school flavor exists, as a number of black and white photos adorn the walls all around the room, each photo capturing a different major moment in poker history.
I’ve already scheduled another poker trip to Vegas just for an opportunity to play in the new digs. The original Binion’s poker room was where I first sat down on my 21st birthday to play my opening legal hand of poker. If you haven’t had the chance to take in a few rounds of hold’em at the ultimate in classic poker destinations, you’re truly missing out.
WSOP Announces Cash Game Themed Poker Academies
I’ve mentioned it before but it definitely bears repeating, and that’s the fact that when it comes to instructional poker, there’s really nothing that can stand up against learning from the pros in person, such as at a poker clinic. Words from a book can be misinterpreted and most poker DVD’s focus on the basic fundamentals of poker, leaving more experienced players unsatisfied. And when it comes to cash games, the list of good non-clinic methods of learning drops to almost non-existent levels. Worry not however, as the WSOP has just recently announced a new series of cash game based academies for 2009 designed to help those that don’t put 100% of their time and effort into tournament play.
The Cash Game Academies will include live-play workshops, seminars, hands-on instruction, and will end with cash game competition. Topics taught at the event will cover different aspects of the game such as making the transition from tournament play to cash games, bankroll management, and ID’ing opponent hand ranges. Students will even be treated to video analyses of cash games, with instructors breaking down hands at each stage and discussing different strategies.
The first WSOP Cash Game Academy will be held at Harrah’s in Atlantic City from January 24th-25th, with a stop at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas just two weeks later on February 7th-8th. Professional poker players Mark Seif, Paul Wasicka and Alex Outhred are among those scheduled to teach at the Atlantic City event, with Seif and Outhred meeting up with Michael Gracz two weeks later to instruct students at the 2nd stop at Caesars Palace.
Entry fee, as is the case with many high-end poker schools, is fairly expensive for the casual player, with each event carrying a price tag of $1,899. Still, for those who make their living at the tables, the benefits of such a course could in return bring a substantial gain in money made during further sessions.
I wouldn’t recommend such an intense course for a hobbyist poker player, but those that view poker as more of a lifestyle and profit center should strongly consider sitting down at a WSOP Cash Game Academy. You can find more info at www.wsopacademy.com
Sahara Las Vegas Poker Room Robbed
photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Sahara Hotel & Casino Poker Room
An armed robbery took place at the Sahara Hotel & Casino last Friday.
Around 6 p.m. on Dec. 19, someone held up the poker room cashier and walked away with an undisclosed amount of money.
To get to the poker room cashier, you have to walk through a row of about eight poker tables on either side. And then back out.
No poker player was robbed, and no one was harmed.
Metro is investigating.
If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.
Knowing When to Keep Your Mouth Shut
I was recently sitting say anything in the event that the players didn’t catch it. After another minute of consideration the opponent called the $500, and after a weak bet from Tim on the river, went all in to take the pot down. Tim was fuming and proceeded to at a 5/10 live game in Las Vegas. For the sake of this story, I have given some of the players fake names to make it easier to understand. Player Tim had gotten into a bit of an argument with Jill and her boyfriend about the mandatory straddle that was in place when the couple sat down. Jill didn’t want to do it, but the couple wouldn’t take the open seats on the other tables. A few hands later Tim was involved in a hand with someone across the table. Tim was a pretty aggressive player who was known to raise with any two cards. Preflop Tim raised $50. He had one caller to the flop. The flop came out 6s 7d 6h. Tim bets $100 and his opponent says, “You don’t want to lose all of your money on this hand. I call.†The turn comes a 7c. Tim bets $500, and his opponent goes into the think tank. It seemed pretty obvious to me that Tim was bluffing, but his opponent was really struggling with the decision. He began to run through the hand out loud and then stated, “I shouldn’t call this because I really think you have a 7.†From this Jill, who was not in the hand said, “Well there is only one way to find out.†EEeeeks! I immediately knew her comment was out of line, but didn’t chew Jill out for opening her mouth and influencing his opponent in the hand.
Of course, Tim was right to be upset because in the end Tim’s opponent confessed that he was thinking of folding on the turn. Jill’s comment influenced Tim’s opponent to make a decision that he probably wouldn’t have made on his own. Jill’s comment also influenced Tim’s play. Had Jill not said anything, Tim could have made a better betting decision on the river. However, the comment put Tim on tilt and caused him to be distracted from the hand. The moral of the story is: If you are not in a hand and there is one in progress don’t say anything regarding the hand or its players until the hand is over. I regularly run into the situation where a flop comes out 6 6 2 and someone says, “Oh man! I threw away a 6.†As disappointing as that might be, it is not ok to announce this to the table because it inhibits an involved player’s ability to bluff at the pot. It could also induce someone to call a bet, knowing the chances of a 6 in hand is slimmer, though in actuality they are calling into a set. For this reason, it is bad etiquette to comment on a hand when you are not involved and/or if it is a multi-way pot. When the chips are being pushed to the winner, it might be ok to open up about your hand or add commentary. Just remember that comments that you make about a hand might influence someone’s decision in the end, and you wouldn’t like it if you lost money because another player influenced your opponent.
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WSOP Info is your source to online poker news and information regarding the WSOP 2008. The World Series Of Poker is the largest Poker event in the world.
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