From Scottsdale, Arizona It's...

"DubsPoke's Bankroll Building Experience".  This is today's pimped blog.  Go read and see  if you like it.  Then come back here and read stuff you know you won't like.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Gone Fishin'

I finished reading Jay Greenspan's book, "Hunting Fish: A Cross-Country Search for America's Worst Poker Players" published in 2006 by St. Martin's Press.  I remember the buzz in the poker blogging community at the time.  Just about everyone thought it was a +ev idea.  I also remember the ribbing going on between the Author and the fine folks at Pokerati.

I would have picked up the book earlier, but at the time I was unemployed (I have since been employed and am now unemployed again.  Hire me.) and could not scrape up enough money for such luxuries. When I had my job, I needed my paychecks to cover necessities.

I broke down and went to the Library.  Sorry Jay, no royalty from me.  I owe you.  The book, while vaguely informative, was thoroughly entertaining.  And in some places it is scary how much alike a guy from New York and a guy from West Virginia think alike.  Heh.  Take that however you wish.

So give Jay some love, go buy his book.  I know I will once I get a job and my finances have stabilized.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Eureka!

Andrew Ferguson lives in Melbourne, Australia.  He not only plays poker, but he plays football (soccer) and cricket as well.  He also sets monthly goals for himself.  Go read his blog, "Eureka Kid", to find out more about him.


Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Technical Help Needed!

The owner of this Blog needs help!  He can't connect to FTP with is laptop running Window 7 Pro 64bit.  Having been through the FTP technical support nightmare last year, I can sympathize.  Maybe someone from FTP still reads this blog.  Go read and see if you can help.

I know he would like to be Enjoying the Pokery Goodness.

Secrets of Sit'n'gos

I just finished reading "Secrets of Sit 'n' Gos" by Phil Shaw.  So far I think it has been a helpful book for me.  Some of it I had picked up intuitively just by playing a lot of play money SnG's and it was nice to know there was some math behind it.  There were a lot of things I did not know and judging from the small sample of SnG's I have played since reading the book, they are important concepts.

I haven't committed the tables to memory yet, maybe the next time I read it.  I want to let these ideas sink in a bit before going back.  Who knows, maybe I will start playing these things for real money at some point.

If you haven't read it and you like playing SnG's, you should go and buy it.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

You Requested it James, Here It Is

A couple of days ago, I posted on what kinds of comments I allow on this blog.  I got two comments.  One I had to delete because it featured what I consider to be a spam site.  The other was a request from a blogger, asking if I would put up a link to his blog.  Rather than just stick up a link on my blogroll, I am featuring it in this post.  So without further ado, I give you...

James Atkin's Poker Blog!

James has been blogging since 2007 and currently lives in Lincoln, UK.  He is in the middle of working through his PokerStars SuperNova Quest.  According to his profile he has been playing professionally since 2006.  (This means he is a much better player than I am and reading his blog will make you a better player than me.  Of course, flipping a coin before deciding to play a hand would make you a better player than me.)

So go read and Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Ahhhhh! I Needed Those Brain Cells

If you are serious about learning to play poker, crushing your opponents, and frying up the fish, do NOT read this book:  Teach Yourself How to Win at Poker.

It is written in a way that is easy to understand, with nice illustrations, but it has, in my view very little substance.  It only talks about poker in vague terms.  One of it's pieces of advice was to deal yourself lots of hands and figure out for yourself what starting hands are worth playing.  Pre-Internet poker, this might be reasonable, but with so many sites, you would do just as well playing every starting hand until you figured it out.  Play chips are cheap.

I want my brain cells back, please?

Someone actually wrote a much better review of this book on Amazon.  If you want to read it, click the above link.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness (you just won't find it in this book!)!

Vegas one day baby...

is the name of the blog being pimped today.  Be warned, there are some images that would not be deemed safe for work and probably not to be viewed with small children around.  Because of that In spite of that, it is a pretty good blog.  Go read it here.  And it even has a link to Liverpool FC results.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Samuel Taylor Coleridge?

No it isn't poetry time.  Go read "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by dD.  Yet another fine blog from Scotland.  I don't know why I have found so many from this region lately, but I am going with it.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Yet Another Poker Blog

Does this Poker Blog need to be pimped?  Probably not.  But anyway, go and read "Daniel - Poker Journal" and get inside the mind of a poker great.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Comments To This Blog

Once I get the blog updated there will be a link to the comments policy.  I have recently gotten comments from someone who was commenting to highlight what I would consider to be a spam site.  I deleted the comments.  If it was you who provided the comments and feel I deleted them unfairly, please let me know.

In the meantime, here are some types of comments I will delete:

• Comments which contain links to gambling sites. (If your site is a Poker site, let me know and I may review it.)
• Comments which are incoherent.
• Comments which are off topic.
• Comments discussing alien conspiracy theories.

Comments which are always welcome:

• Comments about Poker.
• Comments which civilly point out what a donkey I am.
• Comments which are actually about the topic of the post.
• Comments offering me a job.

Yes I have covered this topic before.  Here and here for sure, but there may be others.


Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Half of Take 2 = Take1?

I am five days into the 10 day Take 2 promotion at FTP.  So far I have met the requirements for the first level.  That means $5.00 will go into my account on Monday.  If I meet the requirements for four of the five next days they will add another $20.

At this point is seems like taking candy from babies.  I have been playing on the micro-limit Rush Poker tables.  (I had a little cash in my FTP account.)  Who knows, this could be the start of my online bankroll without having to run afoul of any UIGEA regulations.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Best Blogger in the World?

Yet more blog pimpage.  This blogger states, under his ID and location that this is "The best poker blog in the world."

Go check out "Daleroxxu's Blogaments" and find out for yourself.  Then come back here to the worst poker blog in the world.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

It's Donkey Thrashing Time!

Yes, this is another blog pimp.  Today's featured blog is "Donkey Thrasher".  Another player from the UK and right now he seems to be going through a bad patch.  I don't know if he is open to suggestions.  Be gentle and...

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Small Stakes Cash Game?

No this isn't a post of me playing in a small stakes cash game.  Actually "small stakes cash" is part of the description for "Brenos Poker".  And he seems to be a pretty good tournament player as well.  Go check out his blog here.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Note:  If you have a Poker Blog and I have not mentioned you (or mentioned you in a while), let me know.

Hollywood Casino Poker Room

Pardon me, but I did not have time to stick around long.  I had to pick up my wife.  But here goes.

The first thing that struck me when I entered Hollywood Casino was that they still have their ton of slot machines.  And there were some areas blocked off for construction.  My guess is that they eventually are going to have the table games toward the center of the casino where the construction is.  In the mean time the table games are located on the higher priced slot end of the main floor. 

I was there at 2:00 pm on a Wednesday afternoon and there were more people playing slots than at any other time I visited.  At that time they only had about 15 to 20 percent of the tables games open.  Mostly Black Jack, and Pai Gow.  No roulette, baccarat, or craps open at that point.

In my wandering, I found about 3 or 4 signs pointing (not very well) to the Poker Room.  I finally found it after going toward the race track side of the casino and finding a glass door with Poker Room stenciled on it.  From there it was up a stairwell (there is also an elevator) to the "under the grandstand" area.  I walked past the betting counters and there, roped off, was the poker room.  It looked like about 20 of the 27 tables in use at that time.

Above the roped off entrance area was a screen with the waiting lists displayed.  There were about 6 different kinds of poker being spread and interest lists for a couple of others.  What I saw listed ranged from 1/2 Limit Holdem to at least one table of 7 Stud, and one table of Omaha.   The tables looked clean, the chairs looked comfortable, and even the chips looked new.

Like I said, I did not have too much time to spend.  Hopefully next time I will be to give you more details.  Since as of today, the Poker Room is open 24/7, I may be able to go at a more convenient time and bring back a better report. 

If you have any questions, let me know.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Note:  I not being paid to mention Hollywood Casino, nor am I employed by Hollywood Casino.

Milkybarkid's Poker Blog

The pimpage continues...

"Milkybarkid's Poker Blog" is online poker pro Ben Grundy's blog.  He lives in London and posts about once a month now, but his archives go back to 2004.  Lots of reading for you poker readers out there.  Go forth, read, enjoy, and come back. 


Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

We Know What is Best For You

This is just wrong!

Washington Supreme Court upholds the State's Internet Gambling Ban.  (Thank you Congress for not passing a regulation and taxation bill on Online Poker! Grrrrrrr!)  You knew it had to happen.  We can now look forward to every state making their own laws concerning online poker.  And if you live in a state that allows poker to be played, expect online poker to be banned from your state.  I live in West Virginia where Poker just became legal at the racetracks and one resort.  I expect the State Legislature to pass a law in the next year or two to ban online poker (and gambling).  Why?  To protect their stream of revenue.  I think this is short sighted.  If they would regulate and tax internet poker (and gambling) they would have two streams of revenue instead of one.

With gambling laws being left to the individual states, I am sure more of this will happen in the future, unless Congress acts.  And Congress is highly unlikely to act anytime soon.  Right now the Democrats (who favor regulation and taxation) will be too scared to bring up legislation on this "hot button" issue before the election.  They do not want to be pilloried by the Teapublicans, er, I mean the Republicans.  The Republicans don't want to touch the issue because: One, they are afraid of the Tea Party, and Two, they feel they have dealt with the issue several years ago when they snuck through UIGEA.

PokerStars has now banned citizens of Washington State from playing real money on their site.  If you are from Washington and have not yet read about it, PokerStars has information here and here.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness while you can!

Play Like an Animal

Yes, more Blog Pimpage.

Today it is: "ANIMALPOKER"  presented by Robert "Animal" Price from Cornwall UK.  He has been blogging about poker since 2006.  Most of his posts seem to be about grinding out a living online.  Give him a click here and read for yourself.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

From Littleacorns...

Caution, Blog Pimpage ahead!  From time to time in the past (and hopefully more frequently in the future) I have featured a poker blog in a post.  The blog doesn't have to be big, or popular, or well written (see my blog) to get a plug here.  All it takes is that you blog about poker and are doing it on a fairly regular basis.

The blog featured today is a blog called "Littleacornman's poker n life blog".  The blogger is from Scotland and apparently plays SnGs on Party and Stars.  Haven't seen a bad beat story yet, but I haven't read a lot of his posts yet.


Go read, then Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Hollywood Casino changes Poker Room hours

By popular demand Hollywood Casino has changed their Poker Room hours.  According to their official twitter account, on Wednesday October 13th 2010, they will open at 1pm as usual but will remain open 24 hours a day seven days a week!

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Update on Hollywood Casino Rakes

A couple of days ago, I reported on Hollywood Casino's Poker Game rake here.  I emailed back asking for clarification and specifics and this was the reply:

"There are too many to list. What game do you like to play??"

I am guessing what he means is that they haven't put them in a list accessible by computer.  I guess I will go over there soon and write them down myself.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Now with more Readers

Just a short note as I need to get to my Son's school for an award luncheon.

mortal_one's Poker Journey: Now read in 12 states and the District of Columbia! (Plus a few other places around the world.)

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Hollywood Rake

I received and answer to my question.  Earlier this week I sent a message to Hollywood Casino (at Charles Town Races.  That question was:  What is the rake on your Texas Hold'em, 7 Card Stud, and Omaha games.  I was expecting a breakdown by game and by limits of what the rake is.  Instead I got:

"Some of our games are raked at 10% up to $6 and others are time raked at $12 an hour per player or above. Hope this helps.

Have a great day,"

Only slightly helpful. Seriously 10% rake?  I am not sure, having not played in a brick & mortar poker room but I think that is a bit high.  Can I get a confirmation from someone?  The most puzzling part of the answer (or maybe the most ominous is "... and others are time raked at $12 an hour per player or above"  What?  Again I have nothing to compare this to, but it seems a bit high.  Does this mean that at some tables they charge more that $12 per hour per player?

Again I don't know if the rake here is good or bad.  Please let me know.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

New Look?

I am thinking about updating the look of this blog.  (My two or three reader are shouting "It's about time!" at their screens.)  Look for some changes in the next week or so.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Book Learnin'

I am doing what any sane poker player does when they find out they are not playing well.  I looked for a book.  As I am currently unemployed (hire me), I loaded the Little _ones in the car and headed to the library.  Not many poker books there and about a third of the ones they do have were checked out.

I settled on Phil Gordon's Little Black Book by Phil Gordon and Jonathan Grotenstein.  So far it seems like a good read.  I haven't had and "AHA" moments yet. But there is still hope.  I think I have a pretty good idea what my problem is, but I am not going to broadcast it here.  I don't want the 2 or 3 people reading this to get any ideas of separating me from my microlimit bankroll.

I will probably be re-reading Skalansky's The Theory of Poker next.  The answer to my problem is probably there.  Oh, well...

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Running Bad?

I think I am running bad.  Either that or my recent hot streak was just a fluke.  I have not yet determined whether it is me or variance.  I am leaning toward me.  I guess I will have to break out the 5 Poker books I own.  Three of which are instructional, and two that aren't.  (Note to self:  Once your lazy ass gets a job, pick up a couple of new books.)

I have been doing my online playing at Full Tilt Poker lately.  Ultimate Bet used to be a favorite, but they have pretty much abandoned the lowly dial-up speed at which I can connect.  (Another Note to self:  When you get a job, spring for a cable modem.)  I have a feeling that PokerStars will be the same as UB, but I will try later anyway. 

Anyone have any site suggestions?  Are there any sites that have a shortage of fish like me?  Let me know.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Dead Money Again

Once again I find myself qualified for Full Tilt Poker's $1000 Weekly Freeroll Sunday October 3rd at 3:40 pm eastern time.  Who knows where I will finish this time.  Two weeks ago I outlasted more than 90% of the field and still did not make the money.

If you want to see some truly awful poker playing, drop by and sweat me.  My FTP ID is "the mortal 1".  Of course my 3 or 4 readers probably have better things to do on Sunday...

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness.  I know I will tomorrow.

Another Year Older

Yes my 3 readers, I have been blogging for 6 years as of today.  Considering the content and the look, that is kind of a dubious distinction.

Do I still have the same hunger for the game?  Yes.  In fact in the past couple of weeks I have been playing more and playing better than I have in a couple of years.  But again, that is not saying much.  At least I enjoy the hell out of it.

I am not going to bore you with links to my "best of" posts.  I don't think there are many.

A lot has happened in six years.  Poker in the US has waxed mightily and is now waning.  Casinos were illegal in West Virginia, and now there are five of them.  Poker for money on the internet was once "legal" and now it is "illegal" (at least funding your account with funds from US banks).  I have held two widely diverse jobs.  I quit one and was unceremoniously let go from the other.  In between them I was out of work for 11 months.  And currently I am unemployed.  If you have been waiting to offer me a job, now would be the perfect time to offer.

I will give you an article I found in "The Charleston Gazette" online.  I find it amazing that the new Hollywood Casino, not 20 minutes from my house, is doing so well.  If you are like me and too lazy to click the link, here is the article:

September 29, 2010 

 

Charles Town table games offset Lottery problems elsewhere

 

By Phil Kabler

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A second gangbusters month for table games at the Charles Town casino/racetrack bolstered an otherwise dismal August revenue report, members of the state Lottery Commission learned Wednesday.

In their first full month of operations, table games at Charles Town's Hollywood Casino raked in $9.75 million in August -- far more than the state's four other casinos combined.
Charles Town accounted for 58 percent of all table games revenue in the state, followed by $3 million at Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino, $1.8 million at Nitro's Mardi Gras Casino, $1.46 million at Wheeling Island, and $776,318 at The Greenbrier resort casino.

Blackjack alone brought in $2.23 million at Charles Town -- more than the entire table games revenue for Wheeling Island and The Greenbrier combined.
Dean Patrick, Lottery deputy director for table games, told Lottery commissioners that these figures could be just the tip of the iceberg for Charles Town.
He said Charles Town is set up for 85 gaming tables, but is operating about half the tables at any given time because the casino doesn't have enough licensed dealers.
Because of high demand and limited spaces, the tables at Charles Town have minimum bets of $25 or higher, he said.

Charles Town also accounted for more than half of the state's share of table game profits in August, paying accounting for $3.4 million of the state's total $5.88 million in table games "privilege taxes" for the month.

Charles Town's success was the bright spot in another dismal month for state Lottery revenues overall.

In August, total state Lottery revenues were $118.3 million, down 4 percent from $123.2 million in August 2009.
Racetrack video lottery was down about 9 percent, at $64.5 million, and traditional on-line and scratch-off games were also down about 9 percent, at $15.86 million.
Limited video lottery, at 1,594 bars and clubs around the state, was off 2 percent, at $31.7 million.

Spurred by Charles Town, table game revenues were up 205 percent over August 2009.
Conversely, the new casino at The Greenbrier has failed to meet Lottery revenue projections since its opening, providing the state with a total of about $974,000 in table games and video slots revenue since July 1, about 16 percent below projections.
But Jim Toney, the Lottery's deputy director for revenue, noted that The Greenbrier saw improvement in August, with the state's share of revenue coming in at $591,000.
The Greenbrier opened its permanent, $80 million casino July 2.

A second gangbusters month for table games at the Charles Town casino/racetrack bolstered an otherwise dismal August revenue report, members of the state Lottery Commission learned Wednesday.

So until I get a job and a bankroll, Enjoy the Pokery Goodness for me.

P.S.: Thank you for reading what for me is an "uber-post".  Sorry Iggy, I could not resist.  I miss your posts, but I guess the time for them is over.