POKER PLAYER Vol. 13 Number 5 August 31, 2009 A Gambling Times Publication www.pokerplayernewspaper.com Copyright ©2009 Bi-Weekly $3.95
Jeremy ‘thechemist83’ Gaubert It’s Tea Time at Wins World Poker Open the 2009 Chris Moneymaker Legends Has a Good Look of Poker at the Title Vanna Tea but Falls Short
The man with the magicalsounding name, the guy responsible for much of today’s poker boom, Chris Moneymaker, held nearly 40 percent of the chips in play at the final table of the 2009 World Poker Open in Tunica, MS, but failed to deliver in the clutch and fin-
captures Event #11
ished third, winning $60,110. A nice payday, to be sure, but far short of the $192,953 first place payout taken by Jeremy Gaubert, who also walked away with a $10,000 seat into the WPT Southern Poker Championship in Biloxi, MS. Moneymaker was on a freeroll of sorts. When he won Event No. 9, the pot-
limit Omaha event and took $15,889 for first place, his win also included a seat in the $5,000 championship event. Victory here would have been his first major championship since parlaying a $40 buy-in online satellite win into victory at the WSOP’s main event in 2003, and creating a firestorm of interest in poker in the process. (Continued on page 9)
“I Got the Horse Right Here…” Commerce Casino Offers Off-Track Betting
When this event was fivehanded, WSOP bracelet winner Kevin Song raised, only to be reraised by Vanna Tea. Song called. The flop was 5-3-2. Tea moved all-in with 7-7 and Song called with A-Q. A ten and a nine on the
The third in a series of $33,000 Stimulus Summer Tournaments is underway at Jackson Rancheria Casino. Qualifying tournaments are held every Monday and
Racebook features eight self-serve kiosks that sell and cash tickets. A parimutuel clerk is also present. The Racebook, located in the southern region of (Continued on page 7)
Sunday at 7:30 p.m. through September 7. Qualifiers are $55 + $10 buy-in with no rebuys or add-ons. The finale will be held Wednesday, (Continued on page 6)
Mike Caro “MORE” Today’s word is...
Turn to page 4 for more
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became the first card casino in Southern California-Los Angeles/Orange Countymetropolitan region to offer off-track wagering as a mini-satellite facility. The casino’s new
(Continued on page 7)
Jackson Rancheria offers Stimulus Summer Tournament
Mini-Satellite Wagering at Self-Serve Pari-mutuel Betting Terminals Commerce Casino unveiled its new Racebook in mid-July, just in time for horseracing enthusiasts to place their bets on the thoroughbreds opening the season at Del Mar. Commerce
turn and the river were no help to him, and Kevin Song was eliminated in fifth place, winning $1,295. Andrew Malott was eliminated in fourth place by Roy Tran, who raised from the button with Q-10. Malott moved in with a pair
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Caro’s Word: “More”
POKER NEWS By Haley Hintze WORLD POKER TOUR ASSETS SOLD World Poker Tour Enterprises, Inc., owners of the long-running World Poker Tour, announced the sale of the show’s assets for $9.075 million, far off the market high for the venerable program, now in its eighth season. The buyers, Gamyria Ltd., obtained the tour’s television, licensing, distribution, and sponsorship divisions. Gamyria also announced plans to jump into the online-gaming market, bringing on Hardway Investments, Inc. to work with the WPT brand. Hardway has experience with rooms such as Titan Poker, mainstay of the non-US-facing iPoker network. The WPT plans to continue with its current season schedule, while founding company WPT Enterprises, led by Steve Lipscomb, will change its name, retain its employees and move forward with a non-poker-related venture. MENENDEZ INTRODUCES ONLINE REGULATION BILL IN SENATE Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Internet Skill Games Regulation Bill, S. 8309, which would provide a regulatory framework for online-based skill games, including poker, within the United States. The Menendez bill includes such features as a 10 percent tax required for online deposits. The Poker Players Alliance quickly announced its support for S. 8309. It’s the second such bill introduced by Menendez; the first died last year in committee, though the outlook for federal creation of an online-regulatory framework has increased in the interim. CANADIAN INDICTED ON ONLINEGAMBLING MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced an indictment against Canadian Douglas Rennick for funneling payouts from online sites to US citizens. The complaint alleges that the 34-year-old Rennick misrepresented his business when opening accounts with US banks, then used these accounts to direct payments to US players. More than $350 million was allegedly funneled through the accounts to players via an offshore, Cyprus-based account. The US also seeks to seize $568 million the prosecutor claims was Rennick’s proceeds for the operation.
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ast time, as we continued this series of self interviews, the word was “Something.” It meant there would be no focus to the questions I asked myself—they just needed to be about something related to poker. Well, I liked the way that interview went, so I decided I wanted more of it. And that’s why today’s word is “More.” Question 1: Do you think it’s necessary to advertise at poker? If you mean, “Is advertising necessary in order to win?” then no. But if you mean is it necessary in order to make more money, then often yes. I say often, instead of always, because there are some poker games in which opponents are fairly oblivious to what you say or do and play their cards like bingo. In those games, you don’t need to spend money on advertising. Question 2: What’s the theory behind poker advertising? The theory is that poker
POKERLISTINGS FOUNDER SLAIN ON OVERSEAS VACATION The poker business world was stunned to learn of the untimely death of PokerListings.com founder Andreas Oscarsson in early August. The Swede-born Oscarsson returned to his native country on vacation and was found slain in his room in a yet-unsolved case authorities described as murder. Oscarsson, 36, traveled to Sweden with his 2-year-old son, who is believed to have witnessed the crime. While details and motives for the killing remain unclear, Oscarsson was no longer involved with operations of the PokerListings site, having retired from day-to-day operations after the birth of his son. “FACE THE ACE” MAKES PRIME-TIME DEBUT While poker shows have become a staple of late-night fare, it’s uncommon in the last couple of years for a new poker offering to debut during prime-time hours on a major network. Face the Ace bucked the trend by debuting on NBC. Show qualifiers must face as many as three pros in head-to-head poker matchups, with well-known Full Tilt pros waiting behind closed doors for the contestants to choose. A lucky contestant who wins all three matchups could walk away with $1 million, but must risk his winnings from the lower rounds (1st $40,000; 2nd - $200,000) to get the opportunity.
is just like any other business. You want customers. I’ll define “customers,” so you know what I’m talking about. In poker, a customer is your opponent and your product is your strongest hands from which you’ll earn more profit from extra sales and higher prices. At the most skillful level, a big part of poker is the business of selling hands. In order to get more calls (sales) and higher prices, advertising is key. But you want to advertise cheaply, enjoying the most coverage for each dollar invested. Sometimes you can make a cheap advertising play and you’ll get “word of mouth” free advertising afterward, as your opponents (your customers) talk about it and often exaggerate its significance. This happens when you choose bizarre plays, rather than expensive ones for your advertising. Playing a hand that’s a little weak for the situation isn’t good advertising, (Continued on page 25)
POKER PLAYER A Gambling Times Publication 3883 West Century Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90303 Phone: (310) 674-3365 Fax: (310) 674-3205 www.pokerplayernewspaper.com
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Contributing Editors Ashley Adams Robert Arabella Richard Burke John Carlisle Nick Christenson Leo Cummins Barbara Connors Nolan Dalla George Epstein Mike Eikenberry Jan Fisher Russ Fox Tony Guerrera Sarah Hale Haley Hintze Tom Leonard Paul “Dr. Pauly” McGuire Diane McHaffie James McKenna Myles Mellor Sam Mudaro Jennifer Newell Jonathan Raab I. Nelson Rose Howard Schwartz Max Shapiro David Valley Michael Wiesenberg Poker Player will be published Bi-Weekly by Gambling Times Incorporated, Stanley R. Sludikoff, President. Volume 13 Number 5. Copyright ©August 2009 by Gambling Times Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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EPT MOVES RUSSIAN STOP TO KIEV A recent reversal by Russian authorities over poker’s legal definition resulted in the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour canceling its planned Moscow stop in September and scheduling an event in nearby Kiev, Ukraine, instead. Russia declared poker to be a “sport” in 2007, paving the way for the game being offered nationwide, but recently reversed itself. Under the new laws, poker and other forms of gambling were banished to four state-declared gambling zones within the country, none of which are near Russia’s major metropolitan areas. The chance caused the cancellation of the EPT Moscow event, but effectively put the Stars-sponsored Russian Poker Tour on indefinite hiatus.
PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
Haley Hintze is a freelance journalist who closely follows all the doings in the world of poker.
This notice will certify that 47,000 copies of Volume 13, Number 5 of Poker Player were printed at Valley Printers, 16230 Filbert Street, Sylmar, CA 91342. Distribution to newsstands, card clubs, poker rooms and other distribution points throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe.
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Backing Up, PART 2
Poker Zombie
LOU KRIEGER ON POKER By Lou Krieger© In Part 1 of this two-part series, we looked at problems one player had on the river—or thought he did. But the river wasn’t the key to any of his poker woes. It probably isn’t the key to any of yours either. In fact, whenever a mistake is made on the river there’s a good chance that it’s merely compounding mistakes made on earlier betting rounds. Remember our hero, the guy who’s calling and losing with regularity on the river? The river wasn’t his problem at all. Maybe it’s the turn, and if he looks back at many of the hands he’s played, he’ll probably see that he shouldn’t have played them on the turn either. And if he made an error on the turn, perhaps he shouldn’t have called a bet on the flop. And yes, he probably had a hand that didn’t warrant a play before the flop either. The answers can be as varied as the player and his cards, but if you’re finding yourself calling and losing too often on the river, you need to examine the way your hand played out and decide if you should have been involved with your hand on the turn and on the flop too. But don’t stop there. Go back and examine why you decided to play your first two cards before the flop was even revealed. My guess is that you’re making mistakes on one or more of these betting rounds that lead you down a wrong road. Then you find yourself at the river, confronted by an opponent’s wager, and you decide to call in order to avoid the catastrophic dilemma of calling with a hand you almost certainly know will be the lesser of the two, or you toss it away and never really know if you folded with the best of it. But the river is not your problem. It only seems to be the problem because the river is where the results are revealed, and there’s no where to go from there but on to the next hand, when the truth of the matter is that the river is only the last visible symptom of an issue that developed far earlier. It’s like a 40-year smoker dying from emphysema. Dealing with emphysema doesn’t leave you a lot of options. But if you could go back in time and stop smoking, you’d probably never get emphysema in the first place. Examine the hands you’re losing with and look backwards with an eye to deciding where and when you should have departed the train. Maybe you should have exited at the turn, or quite possibly a whole lot earlier than that. In poker the best starting hand becomes the winning hand more often than not, and calling with hands that build second or third pair, or low percentage hands like small gapped connectors can put you on the road to ruin. When you do win with them, no one usually suspects you have such beauties in your hand, but in limit hold’em they don’t win often enough to provide a long term positive expected value. Save those hands, if you must, for no-limit games, where you can see the flop for one bet with lots of opponents in the pot before you, and you’re getting nearly infinite implied odds. If you do that and can manage your impulses so you can release these hands whenever they don’t flop an absolutely miraculous hand for you—which will be the vast majority of the time— then you can play them. But if you’re losing too frequently at the river, just try backing up and you’ll probably find that your real error occurred a lot earlier in the hand. Visit Lou Krieger online and check out all his books at www.loukrieger.com. You can read his blog at http://loukrieger.blogspot.com and write directly to him at loukrieger@aol.com. 6
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A Joe & Hobby fiction by David J. Valley was pouring my morning cup of coffee when I heard the knock. It was Hobby. “What brings you here so early?” “Joe, I’ve got to get back in shape. I’ve been neglecting my training. It damned near killed me to run here when I used to do it without working up a sweat.” “I didn’t know you fell off the training wagon, but the other night when we went to Commerce Casino, I thought you acted strange.” “Whad’ya mean strange,” Hobby said defensively. “Well, aside from your normal strange, I thought you were distracted, a little spacey, not your usual sharp self.” “Yeah, you’re probably right, Joe. I don’t know what’s going on, except my poker game is down the crapper. When I play online sometimes a few hours will go by and I don’t even remember playing. It’s like I’m in a trance or something.” “That’s weird, but how are you doing. Are you winning or losing?” “I’m losing, pretty consistently.” “That’s not good. How often are you playing?” “I usually play a couple hours in the morning and then a couple hours in the evening. A few days ago I started playing after breakfast and the next thing I knew it was 2:30 in the afternoon, but it was a blank. I don’t remember playing, but I lost a few thou.” “Geez, Hobby, that’s serious. You’re playing like a zombie. I know you can afford to lose a few bucks, but your mind is getting screwed up. You can’t go on like this; it could get worse.” “Yeah, it scares the shit out of me, but what can I do?” “First, lay off the on-line poker for a while until you get some professional help.” “Like a shrink?” “Yes. I’m thinking of Leona Lindsey. You know her and she’s a poker player;
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she can probably help. Shall I call her?” “Go ahead.” I saw Hobby again a week later. “Did you meet with Leona?” “I’ve been to see her three times.” “So, how’s it going?” “I’m feeling better, but I’m not 100 percent. She’s says something is blocking my recovery. We’re working on it.” “Gee, I had hoped it might have worked out better.” “I’m making progress. I’m not discouraged. She’s going to try some hypnosistherapy next session. You remember my experience with the Marsha, the bogus life coach. I told Leona about it at the end of my last session.” “Did Marsha hypnotize you?” “Yes. Leona thinks Marsha may have implanted some post-hypnotic suggestions that might be screwing me up.” “I wouldn’t be surprised, Hobby. I think you’re onto something.” I’ve been playing a bit of on-line poker since Hobby got me interested a year ago. When I’m not busy writing, I find it’s fun and a good
way to relax and kill time … better than watching the boob tube, though I find I can play poker and watch TV at the same time. That’s because most TV is written for imbeciles—I should know, I write some of it— and it doesn’t require much attention. I hadn’t heard from Hobby for a few days, so I called. “What’s up, my man?” “Hi, Joe. I think I had a breakthrough with Leona.” “Under hypnosis she had me tell her what I was instructed to do by Marsha. Guess what? Marsha gave me a post-hypnotic suggestion to become confused when I play poker. I guess she thought if it succeeded I’d take more interest in her schemes.” “So what’s next?” “I’m ready to play again. I think Leona has chased out the demon. Let’s go to the Bike tonight.” We sat in on a $10-$20 no-limit hold’em game. I sat opposite Hobby so I could keep an eye on him, but I wasn’t there as a baby sitter. For me this was a pretty high staked table and I had to concentrate on my own game. It started poorly for me. I bought into flops when I had good position and midlin’ cards, like A-10, K-9, and Q-10, sometimes suited. At best I’d pair my second high card on the flop. When I paid for the turn I consistently failed to (Continued on page 17)
Jackson Rancheria September 9, at 10 a.m. Rounds are 30 minutes and all players start with $10,000 in tournament chips. There’s still time to get in on $20,000 in cash that’s available at Jackson Rancheria Casino during the poker room’s big Summer of Fun Giveaway. All qualifying hands (queens full or better) in a live raked game through August 28 receive one drawing ticket. Ticket can also be earned by placing in the money during any scheduled poker tournament through August 27. The last drawings will be held hourly from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, and Thursday, August 27, for $100. Grand prize drawings will
(Cont’d from page 1)
be held on Friday, August 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with prizes up to $5,000, plus a $300 Stack Attack. Jackson Rancheria’s 24 hour Poker Room features daily tournaments and is perfect for players of any level, featuring 11 tables with variations of Texas hold’em, Omaha, and 7-card stud. Enjoy low-limit, high-limit or no-limit games, dedicated beverage service, a realtime tournament board, and friendly dealers who want you to have a good time. The Super Bad Beat Jackpot is back after hitting at over $213,000 last year. Other table games are available on the main gaming floor and in the elegant (Continued on page 14)
Bike’s Legends of Poker of sixes and was called. A flop of 4-A-2 kept Malott in the lead, but he had to duck a spade to survive. He survived the turn but an ace of spades on the river KO’d him in fourth place, which was good for $1,650. Roy Tran raised with 7-7 a few hands later but was called by Vanna Tea who was holding Kd-Qd. The J-5-4 flop contained two diamonds. When Vanna checked, Tran pushed. Tea called with her big flush draw and two overcards. A diamond on the river sent Tran home in third place with $2,825. The two remaining players played “Let’s Make a Deal,” and Vanna Tea was declared the winner, earning $9,276 and a championship ring. Vanna Tea, who has been primarily a home-game player, took second to Paul Darden at the Bike’s Winnin ‘O’ the Green earlier this year. She plays a lot of single table satellites and put that skill to good use at the final table. In the earlier, no-limit hold’em Legends of Poker event center grand opening, Jeffrey Clayton of Glendale, CA took first place, winning $57,762, when he defeated second place finisher Edward Taggart of Blue Jay, CA who won $30,400, and Florentino Ornelas from Walla Walla, WA, who finished third to take home $17,890. Legends is an annual fixture in the Los Angeles area and one of the first major events after the World Series of Poker concludes its
annual six-week run in Las Vegas, Legends runs from July 30 through the entire month of August, and features the World Poker Tour’s $10,000 buy-in event on August 22. Legends finally winds down with a player appreciation tournament on August 30. If that’s not enough of a tournament fix for you, there’s just a very short break in the action before Commerce Casino’s Hold’em Series gets under way. It runs from September 10 – 27. Then the Bike takes center stage from September 24 – October 11 with its annual Big Poker Oktober, making for plenty of tournament poker this Fall in the Los Angeles area.
BICYCLE CASINO-LEGENDS OF POKER EVENT #16
8/13/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $500 +$45
$87,785
8/12/09
OMAHA HI-LO BUY-IN $500 +$45 PLAYERS 97 PRIZE POOL
$47,045
1. 2. 3. 4.
Thomas Jordan . . . . $18,540 Jeffrey Montgomery $10,810 Patrick Cullip . . . . . . $5,640 Michael Hassen . . . . . $3,290 EVENT #14
PLAYERS 263 REBUYS 363 PRIZE POOL
$184,000 Sam Teranie Sam Teranie . . . . . . $68,000 Marcel Sabag . . . . . $33,850 Robert Suer . . . . . . . $16,560 Phuoc Nguyen . . . . . $11,040 EVENT #12
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 358 PRIZE POOL
$94,178 Hosni Boudargham 1. Hosni Boudargham $30,000 2. Tong Le . . . . . . . . . . $16,900 3. Adam Weinraub . . . . $8,475 EVENT #11
8/6/09
POT LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 58 REBUYS 23 PRIZE POOL
8/5/09
8/11/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $500 +$45 PLAYERS 212 PRIZE POOL
$92,820
1. Thanh Luong . . . . . . $32,800 2. Andrew Malott . . . . $16,210 3. Mark Simmons . . . . . $8,320
BUY-IN $500 +$45 PLAYERS 258 PRIZE POOL
$115,130 Kenton Keiholtz 1. Kenton Keiholtz . . $42,675 2. Tho Nguyen . . . . . . . $20,500 3. Daniel Amouyal . . . $10,370 EVENT #9
to our existing customers. The new Commerce Racebook, along with our new Stakes Supper Club, continues to demonstrate that Commerce is the leading gaming establishment in Southern California.” In order to inject new revenue into the state’s horse racing industry and to increase awareness and popularity of the sport, the Legislature authorized 45 additional mini-satellite wagering sites statewide in 2007—with 15 of those
8/4/09
H.O.R.S.E. BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 155 PRIZE POOL
$45,105 Frankie O’Dell 1. Frankie O’Dell . . . . $16,610 (Continued on page 21)
Off-Track Betting at Commerce the casino near the buffet, has 15 TV screens showing races from around the nation. “This is an exciting new addition for Commerce Casino,” said John Griffo, Commerce Casino Director of Marketing and Advertising. “To date, the state only permitted card games in card rooms such as ours, and with this change in regulation, the Racebook allows us to reach new customers who are racing fans and to expand our offerings
8/9/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
James Berry . . . . . . $33,150 Antonio Abesamis . $16,140 Kwinsee Khoa Tran $8,280 Alvin Zeidenfeld . . . $5,240
EVENT #15
BUY-IN $500 +$45
1. 2. 3. 4.
By RICHARD G. BURKE
8/10/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
EVENT #10
James Berry 1. 2. 3. 4.
EVENT #13
1. Vanna Tea . . . . . . . . . $9,276 2. Estrella Baltazar . . . . $5,350
PRIZE POOL
STRAIGHT SKINNY
BICYCLE CASINO-LEGENDS OF POKER
$23,571
PLAYERS 181
Pick 8
(Cont’d from page 1)
(Cont’d from page 1)
in Southern California. Commerce Casino applied to the California Horse Racing Board for one of these licenses and the application was granted in May. Commerce Casino partnered with Southern California Off Track Wagering, Inc. (“SCOTWINC”), to promote off-track wagering and equitably divide expenses associated with off-track betting. SCOTWINC operates and manages the Commerce Racebook.
Once upon a time a tourist stayed at our local resort and casino for a few days and played at our low-limit hold’em table every day. He bought in for 50 times the big blind, and only rarely met a hand he didn’t like. On those few occasions when he folded before the flop, he would compare the numbers on his Pick-8 Keno ticket with the ones on the Keno board displayed in the poker room. In our casino the Pick-8 ticket pays $25,000 for a $2 bet when the player hits all eight numbers. We can easily figure the odds from the probability, C(8,8)*C(72,12)/C(80,20), which equals 0.0000043, or odds against of 230,114-to-1. The casino also pays off when you hit fewer spots than 8. How great is that!? Not very. The table shows the payoffs, probabilities, and their expectations, i.e., Hit Payoff Probability Exp. the product of each 8 $25,000 0.0000043 $0.11 payoff times its proba7 2,960 0.0001605 0.47 bility. The expectations 6 180 0.0023667 0.43 sum to $1.34. 5 18 0.0183026 0.33 Our tourist bought TOTAL r $1.34 100 games, thus he should expect a return of $134 from his $200 “investment,” losing $66 on the average for a house hold of 33 percent. We pondered why anyone would play a game with a 33 percent hold. The answer smote us in the solar plexus: The tourist wasn’t behaving rationally, he was behaving emotionally. He wanted a big win and small losses didn’t bother him all that much. That also explained his behavior at our low-limit hold’em table. He knew that any two cards can win and maybe that hand was that miraculous time. Not only did raises not daunt him, but he usually re-raised, hoping to win a bigger pot. He wanted action and lots of it. Why didn’t he play Omaha/8, you ask? We don’t often dance with psychology in these columns, but here are our guesses. Omaha/8 at low limits has more action than hold’em, mainly because no hand is all that much of an underdog to any other. Winning both ways is relatively infrequent and players usually split the pot. Our tourist wouldn’t like that. Our tourist wouldn’t choose high-limit hold’em because of the downside risk. He wanted to win big or lose small. No-limit hold’em with a capped buy-in offers $2-$5 blinds with much upside potential, but it’s not an action game. Low-limit hold’em offered the action he craved, and he could stand the losses from playing way too many hands. If he ran well then he could really pile up the chips. Usually he ended up losing a buy-in or two and headed for the craps table. Keno players are not fundamentally stupid, they just don’t act rationally. They’re looking for the big score. We imagine they’re also likely to buy a Benjamin’s worth of lottery tickets every payday, hoping to win a pot full of gold. The Powerball? You bet. How do you play against a quasi-maniac? First, you adjust your mental attitude. Second, you wait for playable hands and then you just run him down. It’s best to isolate the action-oriented player. Sit as close to his immediate left as you can manage. When he raises before the flop, then re-raise, forcing your downstream opponents to call three or four bets cold, or fold. Then you’ll have position on the maniac and/or a smaller pot with fewer opponents, and usually the better hand. Of course the community cards may disappoint, but you’ve done your best to obtain the best results. We’ve changed our minds about Keno players: We bid you welcome to our parlor. Mr. Burke is the author of Flop: The Art of Winning at Low-Limit Hold ’Em, on sale at amazon & kokopellipress.com. E-mail your Hold ’Em questions to richardburke@comcast.net
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World Series Wipe Out
CARD SENSE By ASHLEY ADAMS I flew to Las Vegas and entered the World Series of Poker in pursuit of poker glory. I left utterly defeated, literally sick and tired of poker. Here’s the story. I arrived in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 27, scheduled to play in the WSOP’s $1,500 7-stud/8 event the following evening. I planned to stay two weeks and play in card rooms around the city. I knew that stud cash games were virtually extinct in Las Vegas. So I was looking forward to working on my no-limit hold’em. I entered a $65 no-limit hold’em tournament at the Golden Nugget the night I arrived—a promotional event for my friend Lou Krieger’s radio show. I embarrassed myself by getting knocked out nearly first. No excuses—just wildly aggressive, thoughtless play on my part. I then went on to the Silverton casino and booked a small win at this nicely furnished and relatively new room. The next morning I awoke unintentionally at 5 a.m. Rather than stay in bed and rest, I went for a long walk—ending up at the South Point casino for some no limit play. I lost a little, walked back to my motel, and again resisted rest in pursuit of more poker play. I ended up at the new, spectacularly beautiful M Casino where I lost $100 or so in a combination of limit and no limit hold’em play. I went shopping, buying bananas, dried fruit, and bottled water for my WSOP event, made my way to the Rio, bought in to the $1,500 event, and found my seat. Everyone at my table knew the basic strategy for 7-stud/8—play for scoops, discard three card starting hands that contain one high card, value the ace for its high and low potential, and exploit players in the middle by raising. There were three professional tournament players at my table including two well known ones: Marcel Luske of upside down sunglasses fame, and WSOP bracelet winner David Singer. Unfortunately, there were no clueless opponents to exploit. I did well right before the dinner break at 9 p.m. and then held my own for the remainder of the first day. At 3 a.m. the tournament director announced we would play three more hands and then quit for the day. Two thirds of the field had already busted out. I was in OK shape for Day 2. On the penultimate deal, I looked down and saw the seemingly ideal starting hand (2-2)2! Though I played as aggressively as I could early, I ended up getting busted by the starting hand (5-6)6 when he hit a six on fifth street and I didn’t improve. I could have laid it down when he hit his door card since I knew he made trips. But I would have had a tiny stack—hardly worth returning for the next day. I played out the string and was out—exhausted and dispirited. I drove back to my motel and crashed at 4 a.m. The remainder of my trip could have been triumphant. I could have played in many side games and tournaments to recover my buy-in or at least erode the loss somewhat. I did not. Though I had a few winning sessions, including one playing 7-stud/8 with a double qualifier, I managed to lose another $400 or so in low-limit and low stakes no-limit games and a couple of small buy-in tournaments. (For more details of this downward spiral of a trip please check out my blog at HYPERLINK “http://www.houseofcardsradio. com” www.houseofcardsradio.com) It all ended on the worst of notes when, early on Thursday, I got violently ill and had to drive myself to the hospital where I was treated for the flu and severe dehydration. They hooked me up to an IV until just a few hours before my flight home. Instead of returning rich and wrapped in poker glory, I arrived in Boston sick, wrapped in a blanket, and poorer. As I write this, I’m starting to feel better. But I’ll need to return to the great stud games at Foxwoods to truly get my mojo back. Ashley Adams is the author of Winning 7-Card Stud and Winning No Limit Low Limit Hold’em. He hosts the radio show House of Cards, broadcast Mondays at 5 – 6 p.m. in Boston, MA, on 1510 AM, and on the Internet at www.houseofcardsradio.com. Contact Ashley at asha34@aol.com. 8
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Any tennis or baseball batting coach will always emphasize the value of following through, as it’s essential to becoming a winning player. The same holds true in poker unless you just want to throw your chips into the net or plan on bunting.
down unless you hit your set. If the worst case scenario of being check raised occurs… well, that’s an easy fold. Now it is you who will need to find another pot to contest. Another example of following through occurs when you hold top pair on a flop
part 147, Following
Through IMPROVING PERFORMANCE By Tom “TIME” Leonard How do you follow through in poker? I can think of a number of ways and they are all designed to either take down the pot immediately or protect your hand, both of which will usually enhance the spoils you will be counting when the pot is awarded. Let’s imagine becoming involved in a limit hold’em hand with middle pair. You’re in late position with a pair of sevens and only one player has limped-in. You decide that the limper shows weakness and decide to raise. You’re hoping the blinds will fold and that by isolating the limper, you can play him heads up. OK… you have a plan and it seems reasonable. If the blinds fold, they will leave dead money and make it more likely that your middle pair is good. If they decide to play, you may or may not be ahead but you’ll probably need to improve to prevail. In our little scenario, one of the blinds does call as well as the original limper, leaving you to play against two villains instead of the hoped for heads-up duel. The good news is that you have position and have shown aggression pre-flop. The flop comes with two big cards and is two suited… Ad-Qs-6s. Both players check to you and since you raised before the flop, you should follow through with a continuation bet. Even though this is not exactly the flop you were hoping for, because you raised before the flop your continuation bet may convince your opponents to find another pot to contest. The value of following through is often rewarded because the flop more often than not does not connect with anyone. When that happens, the first player to bet stands a good chance of taking down the pot. If you happen to get called, you would hope to be able to check it
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that contains a draw and an opponent bets into you. Now you raise in the hopes of not giving out cheap cards and allowing the turn to complete another’s holding. In poker, the concept of following through is used for defense and offense. In the first case you’re being aggressive to steal the pot and in
the second case you’re trying to protect your hand. All in all, you can see there is much value to following through. Our goal for today’s time together is simple. Place following through at the top of your list of available options. Certainly there will be times when more passive play might be in order, either to set a trap or based upon some knowledge of an opponent’s tendencies. However, just as in tennis or being at bat in baseball, following through in poker will serve you well more often than not. See you next “TIME” Tom “Time” Leonard has played poker in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and California for more than 30 years and written about the game since 1994. Contact Tom at thleonard@msn.com.
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World Poker Open Moneymaker’s demise came when he was all-in with top pair, and favored against his opponent’s spade-flush draw. But a spade on the river ended Moneymaker’s title hopes. With Moneymaker gone, the heads up confrontation for the championship featured Chattanooga, TN’s Steve Hamontree, and Jeremy “thechemist83” Gaubert from Thibodaux, LA. Gaubert sealed the deal with pocket aces. Hamontree had a pair of tens. All the money went in, and Gaubert’s aces held up. He earned $192,953 and a $10,000 seat into the WPT Southern Poker Championship in Biloxi, MS. Steve Hamontree earned $109,400 for his second place finish. Well-known poker player/ actor Chad Brown finished fourth, winning $48,088.
1. Stephen Baker . . . . . . $9,219 2. Jay Jones . . . . . . . . . . $4,866 3. David Weinstein. . . . . $3,073 EVENT #27
PRIZE POOL
$129,680
PLAYERS 327
David Hong 1. David Hong . . . . . . . $17,017 2. Derrie Cavins . . . . . . . $8,743 3. Rodney Tapp . . . . . . . $5,246 8/8/09
POT LIMIT OMAHA WITH $1,000 REBUYS BUY-IN $1,000 + $70 PLAYERS 24
1. Dan Clemente . . . . . $18,524 2. Ronnie Green . . . . . $10,502 3. Jeffrey Roberson . . . $5,771
$129,680 Tommy Vedes
PLAYERS 24
Tommy Vedes . . . . . . $41,629 Samuel Driver . . . . . $23,602 Ki Kim . . . . . . . . . . . $12,968 Kyle Milam . . . . . . . $10,374
EVENT #24
8/5/09
OMAHA 8 OR BETTER BUY-IN $300 + $40 PLAYERS 83 PRIZE POOL
EVENT #23
Jordan Smith 1. Jordan Smith . . . . . . $28,613 2. Eli Bajayo . . . . . . . . . $17,167 3. Kenneth Aldridge . . $11,444
PRIZE POOL
$23,280 Jody Benfield 1. Jody Benfield . . . . . $11,640 2. Don Roark . . . . . . . . . $6,984 3. Robert Williamson III $4,656 EVENT #6
BUY-IN $500 + $50 PLAYERS 33 PRIZE POOL
$45,590
8/7/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 + $40
7/26/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $500 + $50 PLAYERS 262 PRIZE POOL
$121,920
8/5/09
POT LIMIT OMAHA WITH REBUYS
EVENT #22
8/3/09
BUY-IN $1,000 + $70
1. 2. 3. 4.
Scott Standridge Scott Standridge . . . $35,603 Mitch Vanover . . . . $18,288 Robert Wightman . $10,973 John Mioton . . . . . . . $8,534 EVENT #21
8/3/09
H.O.S.E. BUY-IN $300 + $40
1. Tim Burt. . . . . . . . . . $16,412 2. Galen Kester . . . . . . . $8,662 3. Steve Winkel . . . . . . . $5,471
$57,230
8/5/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM
PLAYERS 65 PRIZE POOL
$18,915 Greg Russell
BUY-IN $300 + $40 PLAYERS 70 PRIZE POOL
$20,370 Ted Transue
PRIZE POOL
Stephen Baker
Dan Clemente
TRIPLE DRAW
Tim Burt
$25,608
PRIZE POOL
$62,856
EVENT #20
PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 88
PLAYERS 216
1. Brian Rutland . . . . . . $8,694 2. Joseph Sylvester . . . . $4,590 3. Yuval Bronshtein . . . . $2,898
$58,288
EVENT #28
BUY-IN $300 + $40
8/6/09
BUY-IN $1,000 + $70
1. 2. 3. 4.
7/26/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
Brian Rutland . . . . . $22,371 Michael Schnieder . . $11,493 Randy Blake. . . . . . . . $6,896 Daniel Lowery . . . . . . $5,363
$24,153
PRIZE POOL
EVENT #29
EVENT #6
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM DEEPSTACK
BUY-IN $5,000 + $150
BUY-IN $200 + $30
Ryan Cox
Brian Rutland
PRIZE POOL
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
PRIZE POOL
$72,838 1. Ryan Cox . . . . . . . . . $21,263 2. Nguyet Lee . . . . . . . $10,926 3. Todd Bartley . . . . . . . $6,555
PLAYERS 281
PLAYERS 139
8/8/09
PLAYERS 268
8/7/09
BUY-IN $300 + $40
8/11/09
EVENT #32
BUY-IN $300 + $40
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM DEEPSTACK
EVENT #25
8/3/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
1. Jesse Rios . . . . . . . . . . $3,460 2. Douglas Saab . . . . . . . $1,823
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM CHAMPIONSHIP Jeremy Gaubert. . . $192,953 Steve Hamontree . . $109,400 Chris Moneymaker . $60,110 Chad Brown . . . . . . . $48,088 Thomas Creel. . . . . . $36,066 Gilbert George . . . . $30,055
$32,010
EVENT #20
Jesse Rios
WORLD POKER OPEN
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
PRIZE POOL
1. Nicholas Derke . . . . $11,523 2. Mark Gallo . . . . . . . . $6,402
$9,603
1. 2. 3. 4.
By Tony Guerrera
PLAYERS 33
Nicholas Derke
PRIZE POOL
1. Ted Transue . . . . . . . . $7,335 2. Mack “Daddy” Trelles$3,868 3. Dustin Graves . . . . . . $2,444
POKER TO THE NTH DEGREE
BUY-IN $1,000 + $70
BUY-IN $300 + $40
EVENT #26
8/3/09
H.O.R.S.E.
7-CARD STUD EIGHT OR BETTER
GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT EVENT #36
EVENT #21
8/6/09
PLAYERS 33
Drive The Bus Yourself
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1. Greg Russell . . . . . . . . $6,809 2. Paul Sandvick . . . . . . $3,783 (Continued on page 12)
ADVERTISE IN
POKER PLAYER IT WORKS!
After a $2,300 upswing, a player I coach experienced a $1,300 downswing. Following this downswing, he sent me the following email: “How do you handle running bad? I am down $1,000 on the cash game and I’m getting my money in really good. Someone just called 300 bucks with top pair and a straight draw when I flopped a set, and he got there. It’s been like this for 3 days now. I haven’t run this bad in a long time.” My response: I’m an emotionless robot ... don’t know what else to say. Hang in there! After a few days of this exchange and some more general thinking about life, I’ve come up with a deeper response: the article. My 29th birthday is approaching. Despite the amount of time I’ve been around to observe others, I’m always amazed at how even seemingly rational people can succumb to irrational thoughts and emotions. I’m not necessarily judging others through a good/bad filter. After all, amazement at something I see all the time could be considered irrational too. With poker the great microcosm of life that it is, the world of poker is filled with irrational thinking. Fortunately, the player I coach is in a pretty good mental state for the most part, and I know that he’s working hard on being less emotionally attached to his short-term results. Other players continually handicap themselves by succumbing to irrational thinking that they have no intention of changing. Some blame dealers for their poor results. Some become unraveled after taking a bad beat and begin throwing money around in a manner that’s highly unsound strategically. Some are superstitious. Instead of worrying about what you can’t control, you’re much better off worrying about what you can control. Are you honest with yourself about your results? Do you put money in with horrible odds just for the rush you get when you hit a miracle card? How do you react emotionally if someone calls a bluff with a bad (but winning) hand? How do you react emotionally when your opponent shows a bluff after you’ve folded a good hand? Do you think about tough situations after they’ve happened, to figure out how you could have best played them? Do you do your homework away from the tables so you can execute lines of play that are strategically sound? Do you conduct yourself with class? In the end, we can only control two things when playing poker: our emotions and our decisions. In the short term, being stable emotionally enables you to weather bad streaks and to evaluate whether poor short term results are the result of bad luck or bad play—even if the short term is too short to make any sort of judgment. Being stable emotionally also allows you to focus on what really counts: the decision-making process. Stripping everything away except the decision-making process can be scary because when you do, the only one you can blame for bad long-term results is yourself. Bad long-term results are then only a function of bad table selection and bad playing. We live in a world where many people are incapable of taking cold, hard looks in the mirror. By challenging yourself to a higher standard, you’ll be in control of your results. That, in turn, will motivate you to find ways to perform better. And by putting yourself in a position where you’re not the victim of random and indifference outside processes, you’ll achieve what very few players do: a lifetime of learning and true enjoyment of a great game-regardless of how good you currently are. May Your EV Always be Positive! Tony Guerrera is the author of Killer Poker by the Numbers and Killer Poker Shorthanded (with John Vorhaus). Visit him online at www.killerev.com, and check out his weekly show, Killer Poker Analysis, on Rounder’s Radio (www.roundersradio.com) Fridays from 5:00PM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.
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Playing Ace-Rag
SENIORS SCENE By George “The engineer” EPSTEIN Poker players love to see an ace in the hole. Any ace is good! Well, not really. The ace is the top card in the deck; no card is higher. So it’s understandable that a poker player gets a warm, fuzzy feeling when he turns up the corner of his first hole card and sees an ace. He tries not to show his excitement. Sure, he’s hoping the other card will be a second ace—or a picture card, but its just as likely to be a small card—a seven or lower, giving him ace-rag. A PokerPigeon will stay in with any ace, including ace-rag. A PokerShark is more likely to quickly fold the ace-rag if it’s unsuited. But what if the ace-rag is suited? Ace-Rag Unsuited is a Long-Term Loser. Betting with ace-rag unsuited is just asking to lose your chips. Aside from the fact it doesn’t meet the criteria of our hold’em algorithm (as described in Hold’em or Fold’em?—An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision), it is a “dominated” hand. The odds are 2-to-1 against pairing one of your hole cards on the flop. If you pair your rag on the flop, well you have a great kicker but almost anyone who has or makes a pair will beat you out of the pot. And if you catch an ace on the flop, any one else with an ace probably has a bigger kicker, so it will be a costly trip to the river. While you could pair your kicker and end up with the best hand, that’s a long shot. Perhaps no one else has an ace in the hole. That’s not a bad assumption if you are in a short-handed game with four or fewer opponents. But at a full table, it is just as likely that an opponent also has an ace. In fact, it’s almost even money. If he does have an ace, it’s more likely he has you out-kicked. So it’s best to avoid that dilemma by folding ace-rag unsuited. What if Your Ace-Rag is Suited? That’s a more attractive situation. If both the ace and the rag are the same suit, you do have a chance to make a flush. Since you hold the ace, it would be the nut flush. What’s more, if there are no pairs on the board, you would then have the nuts—assuming there is no possible straight flush out against you. Indeed, under the right circumstances acerag suited is a very playable starting hand—and one of the few exceptions to the hold’em algorithm. What is the right situation? Well, to start with, it’s best to be in a late betting position so you can see what your opponents do before you have to declare. Ideally, call to see the flop if it is a multi-way pot with three or more opponents calling the big blind and no one raising. If there is a raise before the betting gets to you, it isn’t worth the investment. The reason for a multi-way pot is for the implied pot odds to be sufficiently attractive to warrant your investment. Remember, we always want pot odds to be greater than the card odds. That way we have a positive expectation. If you are not in a late position, you might still call to see the flop in a loose-passive game, where there are lots of opponents staying to see the flop and no raises preflop. Of course, you are hoping to catch two more of your suit on the flop. The odds against that are about 8-to1. The odds against flopping a flush are over 100-to-1, so don’t even consider that possibility, though it would be wonderful if it happened! With four-to-the-flush on the flop, the odds now are only 1.86-to-1 against making the nut flush on the turn or on the river. You now have a great chance of winning that pot. George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! and Hold’em or Fold’em?—An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision and teaches poker at the Claude Pepper Sr. Citizen Center in Los Angeles. Contact George at geps222@msn.com. 10
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A Poker Player Murder Mystery by Robert Arabella
T HE B LAME G AME The devil made me do it the first time, and after that I did it on my own. —Robert Fulghum [This is a work of poker fiction set ten thousand hands in the future. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.] Ivan Jakes (aka Ivan the Terrible) was the poster child for poker’s lost generation, the not-ready-for-prime-time players who came of age after the suicide bombing of Las Vegas’ Crystal’s Poker Room had devastated poker’s elite ranks. Their lewd, rude, and crude poker table behavior earned them another nickname—Poker’s Bad Ass Boys. While many were simply obnoxious, it was Ivan Jakes who stood out from the rest with his infamous swearingand-shouting poker table temper tantrums that had more than once seen him ejected, kicking-and-screaming, from the poker room. While the mainstream poker press scorned Jakes as a disgrace to the game, PokerWeek called him The Toxic Tournament Player, and gossipy tabloids like PokerPeople named him Hold’em’s Hunkiest Hoodlum. Jakes soon began running with the young and fast Hollywood crowd, which is how he met America’s good girl, Mona Arizona. Unlike other TV teen pop idols turned Hollywood starlets who had preceded her, Mona Arizona, former star of Dizeny’s Good Girl, had no intention of following in their out-of-control celebrity footsteps. Rumor had it that America’s good girl, having refused the attentions of both in-out-of rehab rock stars and old-enough-to-be-her-father millionaires, was saving herself for Mr. Right. Killing time while waiting for Mr. Right, Mona Arizona watched endless hours of
televised poker. Coming of age in the lost generation era, she was a big fan of poker’s bad ass boys, especially Ivan Jakes. They met at Hollywood’s Trashy Trophy Awards and soon after they were the darlings of the celebrity rags. “Hold’em Tight,
Mona!� advised Girly Gossip Magazine. Only Mona couldn’t hold Jakes tight and their highly publicized onagain-off-again relationship, chronicled in all its excess by the paparazzi, ended a year later in Las Vegas with a 911 call which began, “I just strangled the good girl,� and went on with a full explanation as to why she deserved to be strangled. “Poker’s Bad Ass Boy Murders America’s Good Girl� shouted the headlines. Jakes’ high priced defense lawyer shouted back, “My client is innocent!� “How the hell can you say I’m innocent?� Jakes asked. “I’ve already confessed to her murder.
In response his lawyer explained the Twinkie defense. Hostess Twinkies, golden sponge cake with creamy filling, were central to the successful defense against double murder charges of Dan White who, after shooting both San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in cold blood, and then, just like Jakes, confessing to the crime, got away with both murders. “White’s lawyers successfully argued to the jury that an out-of-control junk food addiction had caused him to go into an altered state of ‘diminished capacity’ in which he couldn’t tell right from wrong.�
“I didn’t eat any Twinkies before I killed her,� said Jakes. “No. But you did play three days of no-limit hold’em before you killed her and tournament poker is a high stress game that could drive anyone into an altered state of ‘diminished capacity’ in which they couldn’t tell right from wrong.� “So what you’re saying is that ‘Poker is to blame?’� “Exactly. On the night Mona Arizona died, you were suffering from a very bad case of PTSS.� “PTSS? What’s that?� “Poker Traumatic Stress Syndrome.� (To be continued in the next issue of Poker Player)
B=C56 3<=C56 4=@ ;3< 0CB ;/23 4=@ E=;3<
4th
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Bicycle Casino’s New Event Center Hosts Star-Studded Charity Event to Kick Off Annual Legends of Poker Tournament Series
Poker Update from Blackhawk, Colorado THE EIKS’ VIEW BY Mike Eikenberry With the new $100 maximum bet and the 24/7 operating hours of the casinos, poker has changed in Colorado. To offer a version of hold’em that feels like no-limit, but conforms to the $100 max bet, casinos are offering small blind hold’em with a $100 bet at any time. Let’s take a tour of the games being offered and see where the action is. Isle of Capri—The biggest hotel and casino (33 floors) in Colorado is still looking for more dealers and other personnel. Thus they have put all tournaments on hold and deal mostly $3-$6 limit hold’em. Gilpin—Live action includes $3-$6 limit hold’em and their signature game of limit hold’em with 50 cents-$1 blinds and $100 bets anytime. Tournaments are really the focus at the Gilpin. Multi-table no-limit hold’em tournaments are conducted everyday at Noon, 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Monday thru Thursday at Noon each player gets $7,500 in chips for a $50 buy-in. Friday through Sunday players receive $7,000 in chips for $70. At 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday the Gilpin hosts $60 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournaments with players receiving $10,000 in chips. The Fan V is a special promotion sponsored by a Denver radio station. Every Monday - Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday - Sunday at 3 p.m. during August qualifying no-limit hold’em tournaments are conducted for a $100 buy-in for $10,000 in chips. For full details contact the Gilpin poker room. The only re-buy no-limit hold’em tournaments are on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. You get $15,000 in chip for $60 and two rebuys of $60. The $200 at Two and Wacky Wednesdays are special no-limit hold’em tournaments and details are available by calling the poker room at 303.582.2092. 3. The Lodge—No tournaments here, but great live action and big bad beat jackpots. As I write this the jackpot stands at $209,000 with two backups exceeding $100,000. The live action includes $1-$2, $4-$8, $10-$20, and $20-$40. The Lodge also runs a $2-$5 ($100 anytime) game. All the games are hold’em. Contact the net or poker room for details 4. The Lady Luck—Offers $3-$6 hold’em and occasional tournaments. This casino recently purchased the Colorado Station Casino which formerly had a lot of daily tournaments as well as two Heartland Poker Tour events annually. The most recent HPT event was very successful and saw two local players win over $250,000 for finishing first and second. The future of the HPT at the Lady Luck is questionable, but some casino will probably step in and run it if the Lady Luck decides not to. For full details contact the poker room at 303.582.3000. 5. Golden Gates—One of the few casinos offering $4-$8 limit Omaha as well as small $1-$2 and $3-$6 hold’em. No-limit hold’em tournaments are also conducted regularly. Call 303.582.1800 for full details. Nearby Central City as well as Cripple Creek (near Colorado Springs) casinos are offering a few small poker rooms, but Blackhawk is where the biggest games and action are. Five Costly Mistakes in Limit hold’em • Playing with too weak a hand before the flop, especially when the pot is raised. • Continuing to play on the flop with small pairs especially when the pot is small. • Checking or calling with the best hand on the turn. • Not value betting the river because of a scare card if there are several other losing hands that your opponents could reasonably be playing. • Playing on scared money or playing in too big a game for your bankroll. Mike Eikenberry got his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, where he played varsity tennis and basketball. Founder of one of the leading national tennis camps, Mike is an avid amateur who has played both tournaments and live games for over 25 years. He can be reached at theeiks@comcast.net 12
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By Jennifer Matiran The Legends of Poker took off with a starstudded celebrity event at the Bicycle’s brand new Event Center. Celebs included professional athletes, actors and some of poker pros including, Camryn Manheim, Suzanne Todd, Phillip Palmer, Ken Davitian, Budd Friedman, Willie Garson, Kelli Gates, Annie Duke, Jamie Gold, Joseph Reitman, Tony Denison, Mike Lansford, Steve Mittleman, Sara Rue, Men “The Master” Nguyen, Van Nguyen, J.K. Simmons, Phillip Palmer, Amir Vahedi, Karri Turner, Damion Marzett, Brett Faryniarz, and Dwight Stones, comedians Michael Colyar, Norby Walters and James Pickens Jr. of Grey’s Anatomy. “We’ve already had an amazing poker facility here for a long time,” said Bicycle Casino Director of Marketing and organizer of the Celebrity Event, Kelley O’Hara, “but with this newly-expanded and luxurious Event Center, we now step to the head of the class for not only Southern California, but the
WPO
country. This grand Event Center is now the home of our Legends of Poker tournament, our World Poker Tour televised events, and numerous other first-class, large-scale poker tournaments and special events
held here throughout the year. And what better way to launch this amazing facility than with the Legends of Poker 2009.” Professional poker player Annie Duke won this fabulous charity event!
Zaven “Z” Esmaili, Bike general manager with Annie Duke
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(Cont’d from page 9)
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Commerce Casino and its new tournament director Matt Savage might not have connected if Savage’s Plan A had worked. His thinking fizzled, so he looked around for a Plan B and what do you know, there it was. It’s a long story
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but the 40-year-old Savage cuts to the chase with this explanation: He was 14 when he started working as a porter in a 60-lane Southern California bowling alley. His goal then was to become a professional bowler. It would have been fun. Years later he still carries a 210 average. But … “There was not a lot of money in bowling.” When Savage turned 21, he walked into a poker room and discovered the opportunity to make good money doing something it turned out he was good at. He’s now 40 and it does not sound like there have been any regrets. He’s climbed steadily through the business, at one time or another running the biggest tournaments found anywhere. Yes, Savage plays the game but it is his skills as a manager of people and a supervisor of circumstances that brought him success as an executive. Savage’s goals at the Commerce, the world’s largest card club with 240 tables in one of the world’s largest poker markets are clear-cut enough—to build up its four major tournaments, the LA Poker Classic early in the year being the biggest, as he also schedules a series of smaller buy-in tournaments that promise big guarantees. “It amounts to changing up the schedule to make it a little more fun, a little more exciting for the players,” he Poker Player is pleased to welcome Phil Hevener back to its pages. Hevener was the Managing Editor of Poker Player from July 1983 to December 1985. Phil wanted to produce his own publication, which he did with Larry Hall. They called it, “Las Vegas Style.” A popular journalist who writes for many major publications, Phil was replaced in 1985 by Gary Thompson, who is now the spokesman for Harrahs Entertainment.
explains. Commerce customers are never more than a few hours away from a tournament of some size. On Fridays there is a $100 buy-in tournament with a $50,000 guarantee.
to expect when they put down their money to enter an event. Creating some order would be good for everyone, he reasoned. In 2001, Matt traveled to the world’s biggest poker stage, the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas hoping to get poker directors to work together to form
MATT
Savage There are also big guarantees for tournaments every Saturday and Sunday. No limit hold’em continues to be the most popular game but every variation and limit is available. A varied menu, Savage says, is the way to capture the attention of the pokerplaying public. Now is not the time, he continues, to do anything other than keep the spot light on the promise of big payoffs. There is a series of hold’em tournaments in September that will include a $200 buy-in event with a $500,000 guarantee. “Nothing like that has been done with such a small buyin.” The September schedule also includes what Savage calls an “Iron Man Tournament,” with no scheduled breaks and a $10,000 pay-off. Savage grins, “It will be interesting to see how people are playing after 24 hours or so.” Savage has handled most poker room jobs from selling chips to dealing. He’s been a floorman, and lead floorman, but it was not until 1998 that he became aware of his passion for orchestrating tournaments. Savage stepped in as a substitute tournament director and a short time later was asked to take the lead tournament position when a nearby casino opened its doors. It was a couple of years later that Savage became aware of the fact “there was a serious problem plaguing poker tournaments everywhere.” Savage saw a jungle of conflicting rules and decided something needed to be done… creating some order amid the chaos, was the way he saw it. Players did not know what
standardized rules. Out of that meeting the Tournament Directors Association was formed. The TDA has since become the worldwide standard for tournament rules and is now used in most major tournaments including the WSOP. A year later in 2003 he was back at the World Series, this time as its director. Over the next several World Series—he left after the 2004 event, the year when the World Series was bought by Harrah’s Entertainment—Savage watched the cash prizes in the main event grow from $6 million to more than $25 million in 2004. During his tenure at the WSOP, the transformation of both televised poker and the Internet boom was taking place. Call it being at the right place at the right time, or persistence and hard work, but Savage ascended to become the world’s top poker tournament director. In 2003, he was awarded the inaugural Benny Binion Award for outstanding service in the poker industry. Matt has currently appeared on more than 300 televised poker shows on ESPN, GSN, Fox Sports, Travel Channel, and numerous others. He was also the host of a nationally televised show called “Inside Poker,” and is an actor in the Warner Brothers movie “Lucky You,” in which he worked with actors Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall, and Eric Bana. He continues to play as much poker as circumstances allow… “I played in six events at this year’s World Series, cashed in two of them and made one final table.” But over-seeing some of the biggest tournaments in the world at far-flung locations around the globe is, well… it’s time consuming (Continued on page 26)
Chat Clowns
ONLINE POKER Paul “Dr. Pauly” McGuire Losing a big pot can be one of the worst experiences in poker, especially when you are beaten by overwhelming odds. Nothing boils the blood more than a vicious river suckout. In live games, most players are able to keep their cool (unless you’re Phil Hellmuth) and handle themselves in a professional manner. At online tables, people have the anonymity of playing at home so they often berate their opponents in the chat box. In short, they act like rude and disgusting pigs. You’ve seen it happen before ... where a verbal war erupts and two players fire barbs back and forth as their spat spills over into the next orbit. Some of skirmishes last for several hours. Yeah, some people take the game too seriously and can’t let things go. Sadly, bullying is one of the uglier aspects of the internet. Sometimes trolls get out of line in the chat box. You shouldn’t freak out if those chat clowns blow up against you after they lose a pot. They’re simply frustrated and career losing players. Some of them are emotionally disturbed degenerate gamblers, while others are plagued by a miserable home life. Still, others experienced horrendous upbringings or a nasty case of acne during their teenage formative years so they take out their inner rage by verbally accosting you in chat. There are thousands and thousands of excuses out there about why people are mean and outright nasty to others in public forums like the online poker tables, but that doesn’t justify it. If someone is using extremely offensive language at you, by all means, ignore their chat. Nothing gets a hothead angrier than when you do not dignify their existence. There are functions on all sites that allow you to turn off the chat. Take advantage of it. You should also contact the support staff if the problem persists. Major online sites are extremely vigilant about cleaning up filthy online chatter. If your comments are too raunchy or racy, you will get censored. I found out the hard way and received my fair share of stern emails from the support staff—the “chat police.” They monitored my potty mouth and decided that my salacious statements were below their moral standards. The chat police warned me to clean up my act; otherwise, my precious chat privileges would be revoked. Once in a while, if I’m feeling saucy, I’ll antagonize one of the clowns in the chat box. As Sun Tzu said, “If you enemy is angry, irritate him.” I like to goad them into senseless arguments. Several of my friends prepared witty responses when someone rants about their bad play. Here’s an example, after you suck out on your opponent and they spew, “nice catch @%#&*!” or “nc” into the chat, I’ll respond with, “Thanks. I have a large glove.” One of my poker buddies, BadBlood, came up with that gem which always gets lots of laughs from the peanut gallery. My number one response that is guaranteed to tilt a furious opponent? Type, “nonsense” into the chat. It works. One of my favorite bloggers, JuliusGoat, came up with that stunning response. He explained, “Whatever they say, just answer with ‘nonsense.’ This is the magic word. It’s the auto-tilter.” If your opponents routinely remind you about your atrocious play, then quickly type, “Nonsense.” If they call you a donkey or a fish, then respond with “Nonsense.” The best way to beat a bully? Bully them back. After a while, they’ll simply give up and hopefully, tilt their stack off your way. Paul ‘Dr. Pauly’ McGuire is the author of the upcoming book ‘Lost Vegas’. You can read his poker blog, Tao of Poker, over at www.taopoker.com.
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LESSON 155
Playing Speculative Hands Lessons from mike caro university of poker BY DIANE MC HAFFIE Speculative hands are often called “come hands,” because you’re betting “on the come.” That means you don’t have a complete hand or any real strength just yet, but you’re hopeful that this will soon change. Object. A speculative hand can’t stand on its own; it needs assistance from fate. When you play a speculative hand, you’re hoping to make a straight, flush, or maybe three of a kind or two pair if you already have a small pair after the flop. You’re not usually attempting to make a pair, especially if your cards are low—such as beginning with 8-7 suited. It’s a given that your opponent is enjoying a better hand than yours, but you have high hopes of perking up your hand to the extent that you will win the pot. These hopeful hands often connect to claim the largest pots, while affording a no-cost escape on the river when they fail to connect. If you decide to play K-Q suited, hoping to acquire a straight, flush, or straight-flush, you’ll occasionally win with a pair, two pair, three of a kind, a full house, and sometimes four of a kind. Even though your attempt at a totally different hand didn’t pan out to expectations, you were still the victor. Mike says that these “stumble into” results, when you don’t make a straight or flush, account for many of the wins for speculative hands which would otherwise lose money.” Second-best. Mike says that “second-best speculative hands tend to be unprofitable.” In games like seven-card stud and draw poker, you need to be trying for the best speculative hand among those competing. Then if you and another player both connect, you win. In hold’em, it’s usually unprofitable to pursue an openend straight draw if two suited cards flop. That’s because if you’re facing an opponent with a flush draw and you both connect simultaneously, your already thin profit margin is reduced. Mike advises against playing 7-6 suited and lower because it’s rarely lucrative. Too many players try in vain to play these cards, and get disappointed time and again, leaving them with smaller bankrolls. If there is a pair glaring at you from the board, you want to be careful about playing your speculative hand. The increased likelihood that your opponent will make a full house or four of a kind shaves enough from your profit margin to make speculative hands unplayable in this situation. Loose games. A good time to take advantage of speculative cards is when you’re involved in a loose game that provides you with more players who will happily, often recklessly, become involved in hands. This results in bigger pots, which equals a handsome profit for you when your speculative hand conquers your opponent’s. Correct decisions. It’s vital that you make correct decisions when attempting to play a speculative hand. Hands you play successfully are frequently speculative. But, the hands that are strong, impressive go-getters will reap more profits for you than your speculative hands. Always remember: Your rewards will be mightier from the hands that are not speculative, but are actually great from the beginning. If you suspect that your opponent has a speculative hand, don’t allow him a free ride. You should often bet, making it cost him for the attempt to make something. If you’re involved in a nolimit game, you want your opponent to pay dearly for the chance to play a speculative hand, so bet large. Mike writes that you’ll either immediately “win the pot or earn extra profit on average, because you’ve overpriced your opponent’s call and made a sale.” Gaining an understanding on which of the speculative hands can bring you a profit and which ones to steer clear of will be a key factor in your success as a poker player. Diane McHaffie is Director of Operations at Mike Caro University of Poker, Gaming, and Life Strategy. Her diverse career spans banking, promoting financial seminars and raising white-tailed deer. Contact her at diane@caro.com. 14
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For the past few years, coverage of the WSOP was provided by a number of media sites whose reporters blogged live updates from the tournament floor. But this year, if you wanted the most up-to-date information, virtually in real time,
the WSOP rules, players could use their cell phones or PDAs until the money bubble burst. Until then, for hours—and for days in some cases—you could follow most of the players whether or not they were at a covered
Twittering and Poker BY Shari Geller you checked out Twitter. From WSOP President Jeffrey Pollack to fans of Phil Ivey, it seemed everyone was tweeting about the WSOP. In a world where information is consumed faster and faster, those blogging from the Rio simply could not compete with those Twittering live. Before you could read about the final hand of Day 8 of the main event from the blogs, tweets were already flying with the details. A succinct “OMG,” from ESPN Poker was the first sign something was afoot. Their tweets continued in virtually real time, “We have an all in, 8-8 for Darvin Moon vs. A-A for Jordan Smith on an eight-high flop ... board is 8-2-4-5 ... 10 on the river. We have our November Nine. Jordan Smith eliminated in tenth.” Twitter opened up a new way to experience poker and report on tournament play. Anyone with an account and fast fingers can become a reporter who breaks news in 140 characters or fewer, including players. According to
or featured table. But reporting was many times secondary to venting. A tweeted bad beat was a recurring theme on Twitter. Whether it was cathartic or simply a form of being on tilt, bad beat stories abounded. Twitter followers everywhere heard tragic stories and suck outs. During the last event leading to the main event, Phil Hellmuth’s 20,000 followers were treated to the following tweet: “I put 231,000 in w A-A vs. their K-Q before the flop and lost the pot.” Do hands like that bother Phil or can he shake them off? Check the Twitter. Three hours later he tweeted “Keep thinking about 460,000 pot! my A-A all in pre vs. their K-Q off suit! Sick beat! K-Q-5-4-J! One flip in 15 hours, and lose...” Questions remain, of course, as to whether tweeting from the table might give your opponent an unintended advantage. If the other players are following your tweets, do they now have information that they otherwise would not
be privy to about your play or your emotions? Are your tweets the equivalent of a hole cam? Or can you use Twitter as a way to spread disinformation, pretending to be on tilt or falsely reporting hands in order to throw your opponents off? The possibilities are endless. However it is used, Twitter is here to stay. There are those who might decry this new trend in poker. What would Johnny Moss, Puggy Pearson or Jack “Treetop” Straus say about this? Well, sadly, we cannot ask them, but we can find out what one of their contemporaries, Doyle Brunson, would say, by going over to TexDolly at Twitter.com. On June 27th at 2:37: “I’m still in the HORSE with more than average chips. Todd has more than me and we have some big team bets that are looking good right now.” On June 20th at 10:14: “Fourteen left in 10K 8 or better. I’m in third place with 550,000. I can taste bracelet number 11.” Well, maybe not this year. But if Doyle wins bracelet No. 11 next year, you can be sure he will tell us all about it—in no more than 140 characters. Shari Geller is an attorney, journalist, reporter, blogger, poker player, and observer of the poker scene. You can write her at BurnThis2@aol.com, and read her blog at www. burnthistoo.blogspot.com.
Jackson Rancheria
Eagle’s Nest gaming area via the birdcage elevator or stairs near the grand entrance. If you’re not certain how a particular table game is played, take advantage of the complimentary one-hour classes available at 11 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday in the Eagle’s Nest. The casino’s Dreamcatcher’s Club® includes everything smart players want—more
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rewards, more benefits, and more fun. Just show your card when you buy in to a poker game and you’ll earn 150 points per hour of play. Table games players earn points based on average bet and length of play. Slot players earn a point for every dollar played on reel and video slots, and a point for every $2 played on video poker or video keno. Dreamcatcher’s Club® members can earn their share
(Cont’d from page 6)
of over $400,000 in prizes, including gold and cash, during Gold Rush Bingo days through September 26. Stop by the Gold Town Tent outside the casino lobby for details, to see all the prizes, and to get your card. Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For more information, call 800.822.WINN or visit JacksonCasino.com.
MIDWEST SALES REPRESENTATIVE sought for Poker Player Newspaper. Must live in the Midwest, be familiar with the gaming industry in general, poker in particular, and be willing to travel. Previous sales experience desirable. Send resumes to ard@gamblingtimes.com
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What do insurance, commodities trading, and state lotteries all have in common? They were all originally outlawed as forms of gambling. The major fight today over whether poker should be legalized usually revolves around the question of whether it is predominantly skill or chance. But this unnecessarily gives up part of the political as well as legal battleground. Many activities that are indisputably gambling are now operated under state licenses, or by the state itself. And other activities, such as insurance and commodities, are today generally not even thought of as gambling. Although they are. Insurance is, after all, betting a small sum in the hope of winning a larger sum if a certain future event occurs. Of course, unlike traditional gambling, the buyer usually hopes the future event wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen. The industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest invention was changing the name of death insurance to life insurance, so that bettors would not be focusing on the fact that to win this wager they have to die. Insurance eventually overcame its gambling roots because it was seen as creating a benefit for the general public by efficiently spreading and lessening risk. Still, some anti-gambling prohibitions remain. You cannot take out a life insurance policy on someone you have no connection with. That would be too much like making a bet that another person would die. Plus, government is afraid that you might be tempted to do something to try to increase your chances of winning. Trading in stocks and commodities is still gambling. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 expressly preempts state anti-gambling statutes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No State law which prohibits or regulates the making or promoting of wagering or gaming contractsâ&#x20AC;? can apply to transactions on American exchanges. Congress had to add that provision, and others similar to it, to federal laws regulating stock and futures markets, because too many states still have laws on their books that had been used against trading. Prior to these federal laws, speculators had to concoct legal fictions, such as pretending that they actually planned to accept delivery of tons of pork bellies. Congress preempted state anti-gambling laws after becoming convinced that markets were an efficient way to raise money for businesses, and to allow farmers and food processors to shift the risk of changing prices of crops to speculators. Federal preemption does not apply to all trades. A boilerroom operation selling penny stocks and other risky ventures on unregulated or foreign exchanges is probably still today violating state anti-gambling laws. More conventional forms of gambling have been legalized because the public benefit was seen as outweighing the public harm. State lotteries raise money for education, casinos provide jobs and tax relief, even horseracing was seen as bettering the breed. Poker, where legal, certainly provides as much public benefit. In California, for example, most of the cities with licensed card clubs make significant percentages of their government revenue from their clubs. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough evidence yet, but I predict that studies will find that poker contributes in other ways. Poker players are probably smarter, happier, and more sociable. They certainly have to know at least a little about math, money management, and how to play by the rules. Maybe we should start thinking up ways to prove that poker should be made legal, even if it is gambling. Professor I Nelson Rose is recognized as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading experts on gambling law. His latest books, Gaming Law: Cases and Materials and Internet Gaming Law, are available through his website, www.gamblingandthelaw.com.
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15
Table Moods
POwer POKER PSYCHOLOGY By JAMES A. McKENNA, PH.D. Playing poker is a journey of discoveries. When you play a table you know that people will play differently and you are looking for subtle mood-behaviors to clue you in. But, when the whole table is moody, it means you’ve discovered something new—something that may insurmountable, even for a good player. I was recently playing a lower limit game while on the waiting list for my usual no-limit game. I was having a good time and the other players were responding to my invitations to be jovial. With this enjoyable table, I was also doing well in the game. Occasionally, I would run across a player who was non-responsive—that’s usually their style of playing poker. In the midst of this joyous occasion, as I was doing pretty well—as good as you can at a lower limit table—I was called to my no-limit game. What a vast difference! Players were very serious, sullen, and didn’t respond to any conversation or my invites to be less serious. What a drag? They were all there to compete and didn’t want to use poker as any kind of social outlet. I should have just gotten up and left the table. Instead, I went against my own standard. I guess because I had waited so long to get into the no-limit game. I remembered what I said in a previous article entitled, When Not to Play Poker. I actually advised against playing at this type of table: Playing when you are not having a good time. Not enjoying a table may mean that all the other players are moody and seem to be having a horrible time or they are not there to have fun and are too serious. It’s time to find another table. Perhaps all of them are chasing their losses and such down moods will eventually rub off on you. When you start not having fun and poker is more of a chore than recreation, move on! I noticed that my jovial mood had taken on the sullen table mood, and I became sullen, untalkative, and began to lose any of my spontaneity. Of course, I began to make mistakes and went all-in when the top card on the flop was a king and I had A-K as my hole cards. Of course this was a mistake, because my opponent raised with his pocket aces before the flop. When he called me, I knew it was too late. Luckily, it didn’t wipe me out and I managed to gradually come back. However, that move didn’t cheer me up and the rest of the time was boring. I wasn’t having much fun. I violated one of my own rules. I stayed in a game when I wasn’t having fun with the players around me. I know, I know... the way to get me off of a table would be to see that I am not having much fun. If you use this information against me, I will know it! The other times not to play at a table, even if it is loaded with cheerful players, is when 1) You are depressed and are playing the game to raise your spirits. 2) Playing when you can’t afford it. And 3) Playing when you are upset. What I discovered this time was that playing at a table like this will depress, rather than raise your spirits. I also realized that I was winning at the lower limit game and leaving that game meant that I really couldn’t afford to move to a higher stacks at the time. Finally, I discovered that somehow I was becoming more and more upset—particularly when I went all-in and lost. So, it’s a good idea to come to the game with certain standards and I discovered that I don’t always follow my own advice. Jim McKenna has been practicing psychotherapy for more than thirty-five years. His books include the acclaimed Beyond Tells: Power Poker Psychology, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, and Beyond Traps: The Anatomy of Poker Success, all published by Kensington Press. Write to Jim@Jimmckenna-PhD.com. 16
P O K E R P L AY E R
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
Sam Mudaro, BA, MBA, is a practicing tax accountant and financial executive with 35 years of analytical business expertise. He uses simulation software to analyze and develop strategies for Omaha/8 and other forms of poker. Reach Sam at: realguru2003@yahoo.com.
Y
ou are sitting in your favorite Omaha/8 game and raised the pot before the flop with Af-Ad-2f-3d in your hand. You have four callers and your starting hand has the highest win rate of all starting hands, 64 percent with an average net win of $44.06. The dealer delivers the flop and you see an awful 2-9-T. Should you play on, trying for runner-runner low? The answer depends on how the flop is suited. This chart shows the results based on how the flop is suited.
Chasing for runnerrunner low is unproductive as evidenced by the net loss when the flop is suited but not to your holdings. If there is any action after the flop, your pocket aces are probably beaten. Most low callers will probably fold, creating a smaller pot that reduces your pot odds. Your average net loss will be $7.57, a negative swing of $51.63 from the average. There is no reason to continue unless everyone checks and you are in the big blind. Remember, a king or queen high flush draw may check but raise if you bet, to ascertain where they stand. Changing the suit of just one card on the previous flop to that of another suit, even though it is still not one of yours, is enough to turn a profit of $4.28. This allows more callers to see the turn, since there may not be a flush at this point. If a low card of six or higher hits on the turn, the nut low draws will call, bet, or raise if they have the nut low and nut flush draw. Changing the flop to rainbow, which dictates that one card will be of
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Sam Mudaro is the...
A-A-2-3 When Flopping a Pair, PART 1
your suit, increases the win nearly five fold, (4.86 for you technical folks). You now have as much chance of hitting a runner-runner flush as anyone else. The fact that there is no flush draw increases the value of your pocket aces. Your net win increases by $6.39, or 31.8 percent when the same flop contains one card matching each of your suits. Although I am not advocating playing for runner, runner flush, when it does happen you will have the nut flush. What you have is protection against someone else beating you with a backdoor flush. Given the texture of the flop, most everyone has a drawing hand with the best hand possible being a set. If you are fortunate enough to flop two of your suit you are in great shape. You have actually improved your chances of winning over the basic starting hand in terms of both win percentage and average net win. You now have a hand with excellent scoop potential. Remember, you cannot flop three of your suit and also flop a pair. Does it make a difference which of our cards we pair? Obviously if we flopped an ace we would have a set. Instead of an ace let’s look at pairing our trey.
There is very little difference between pairing the deuce or trey. When holding the best starting hand, pairing either non ace has little effect. Both the win percentages and net win dollar amounts mirror each other. Pairing the trey does increase your net win slightly, but the net loss also increases when the flop is suited and not to
one of your suits. The next chart displays results when the flop contains an ace.
When flopping a set of aces instead of pairing either our deuce or trey there is a great improvement. A set of aces opens the door to a full house if the board pairs. Because a full house allows us to turn a profit even when the flop is all spades, however often we hit the full house, we win more than 76 percent of the time. It takes two low wins to count as a full win at best, because the high will always win half the pot. When we win the high and there is no low, it is counted as a full win. Regardless of how often we beat a made flush the size of the pots won are almost guaranteed to be large, especially when it is the river that pairs the board or give us quads. Someone holding the king-high flush is not going to give up if the turn is a low card or a card allowing a straight to be completed even when the river pairs the board. If first to act they may even bet out assuming there is a busted nut low or a straight. Once raised, they may fold or simply call out of disgust. Next time I will examine what happens when we replace the nine in the above flops with an eight, giving us two cards to a low. So what have we learned? When holding the best starting hand in Omaha/8 we would like to see at least one of our suits or an ace hit the flop. If we flop an ace we have an excellent raising hand with a win rate higher than 70 percent.
Time. Some events
C start after the hour ...........AM, PM O A,WkP................Week ..... Additional gameD &.times on this day. Call. E ........Hold’em
.No Limit Hold’em .Limit Hold’em N .............No Limit L ................... Limit .............Stud ..7-Card Stud ..5-Card Stud
MONDAY
LAS VEGAS & NEVADA SOUTH
•GOLD BAR DENOTES ADVERTISER
NEVADA NORTH
........ Omaha H/L .High/Low Split Pi...........Pineapple Po...........Pot Limit Pn.........Panginque Mx ..Mexican Poker DC .Dealer’s Choice
TIME 12P Al antee Stattion (3 Alia 3) 7P Aquarius Resort & Casino 8A Bally’s 11A& Bill’s Gambling Hall & Saloon 2P& Caesars Palace 9A& Cannery Casino-Eastside 10A& Circus Circus Cluub Fortune-H -Hen ennderson rs n Colorado Belle-Laughlin 10A& Edgewater-Laughlin Excalibur 9A Eu eka--Mes Eure esqu quitee 6P Fiesta, Henderson 5P Goldd Coast Go st (18 18)) 12P Golden Nugget 11A& 10A Greeen Va Gr Valley ey Ranch ch (3) 3) 7P Hard Rock 1P Harrah’s Las Vegas 11A& Imperial Palace 1P Jokers Wild 6P Luxor 10A M Resort-Las Vegas 10A Mandalay Bay 10A& MGM 11A& Mirage 7P Monte Carlo 9A& 11A Paalace Stati tion n ((3) 3) 6P 1P& Planet Hollywood Plaza Casino 12A& Poker Palace 6P Rampart 12P 10A Red Rock Re Rock Sta tatiion o (3) 6P Rio Suite Casino 12P& River Palms 10A& Riviera Poker Room 10A& Sahara 11A& Sam’s Town 7P& 12P Sant ntta Fe Staati t on (3) 7P 10A South Point Casino 7P Stratosphere 1P& 10A Sun n Cooastt (4 4) 7P Suns Su nsett Statioon (3) 3) 11A Teexass Sttatio ion (3) Treasure Island 11A& Tropicana Laughlin Tuscany 10A& Venetian 12P& Virgin River Casino 6P Wynn Las Vegas 12P& Atlantis Casino 11A Boomtown Cactus Petes-Jackpot 7P Carson Valley Inn 12P Circus Circus 11A Eldorado 11A Grand Sierra 6P Harrah’s Reno 10A& Harvey’s Tahoe
|
HH ...... Headhunter B ............ Bounties Sp .............. Spread Al .........Alternates Z........... Freezeout Cz ................ Crazy E..........Elimination TUESDAY
GAMES BUY-IN| TIME NH $40 12P NH $55 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A& NH $50 2P& NH $65 9A& NH $25 10A&
NH NH NH Lad N H NH NH NH L O H/L NH NHB NH NH NHZ NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
DAILY TOURNAMENTS NOW! Get Tournament Listings at our website:
www.pokerplayernewspaper.com Note: All tournaments are subject to change. Check with the Cardroom for any updates. Cardrooms— please send your schedules to Managing Editor A.R. Dyck, ard@gamblingtimes.com
| WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $40 12P Lad N H $40 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A& NH $50 2P& NH $65 9A& NH $25 10A&
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $40 12P NH $55 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A& NH $50 2P& NH $65 9A& NH $25 10A&
FRIDAY
$35 6P $25 10A
NH NH
$20+ 9A $25+ $25 $40+ 12P $55+ 11A& $40 10A $40 7P $45 1P $60+ 11A& $50+ 7P $25 6P $30 10A $55 10A $40 10A& $75 11A& $75 7P& $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P $40 12P $65 10A $65 6P $40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 7P $45 10A $65 7P $60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $40 11A 7P $60 11A&
NH
NH NH NH Lad N H NH NHB NH NH NHZ NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH O H/L B NH
$20+ 9A 6P 6P $40+ 12P $55+ 11A& $40 10A $40 7P $45 1P $60+ 11A& $50+ 1P $25 6P $30 10A $55 10A $40 10A& $75 6P $75 7P& $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P $40 12P $65 10A $65 6P $40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 7P $45 10A $75+ 7P $60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $50+ 11A $37+ $60 11A&
NH O H/L NH NH NH NH Horse NH NHB NH NH NHZ NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$20+ 9A $25+ 6P $25+ 7P $40+ 12P $55+ 11A& $40 10A $40 7P $45 1P $60+ 11A& $50+ 7P $25 6P $30 10A $55 10A $40 10A& $100 11A& $100 7P& $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P $40 12P $65 10A $65 6P $40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 7P $45 10A $65+ 7P $60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $40 11A
NH NH O NH NH NH NH NH NHB NH NH NHZ NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NHB
$20+ 9A $25+ $25+ $40+ 12P $55+ 11A& $40 10A $65 7P $45 1P $60+ 11A& $50+ 1P $25 6P $30 10A $55 10A $40 10A& $65 11A $150+ 12P $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P $40 12P $65 10A $65 $40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 6P $45 10A $100 $60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $50+ 11A
NH
$25 10A& $145 12P&
NH NH
$200+ 12P& $35 11A $22+ 7P NH $25+ 6P NH $17 11A NH $22+ NH $60 11A N H Deepstack $80 6P NH $25 10A H $25+
NH NH
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$60 11A& Var $25 10A& $145 12P& $35+ $200+ 12P& $35 11A 7P
NH
NH NH
$60 11A& 6P $25 10A& $145 12P& 6P $200+ 12P& $35 11A
NH NH NH
F+ $40+ 6P $17 11A
NH NH
$25+ 12P $17 11A
N H Sh NH
$20 12P $17 10A
NH N H Deepstack NH
$60 11A $80 6P $25 10A
NH N H Deepstack NH
$60 11A $80 $25 10A
NH N H Deepstack NH
$60 11A $80 6P $25 10A
NH NH
$35 $25 10A&
| SATURDAY |
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $40 12P NHB $65 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A NH $50 2P& NH $125 9A& NH $25 10A&
NH NH
NH NH NH
$35 6P $25 10A&
|
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $40 12P NH $55 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A NH $50 2P& NH $65 9A& NH $25 10A&
6P $25 10A&
$25 10A& $145 12P& $35+ $200+ 12P& $35 11A 7P Pi $15+ N H Sh $20 6P NH $17 11A 6P NH $60 11A N H Deepstack $80 6P NH $25 10A 6P NH NH NH NH NH
Q ............... Qualify Sh ...........Shootout SpL ... Spread Limit + ..Rebuys, Add-Ons OK F ............... Freeroll Lad ..... Ladies Only Men ........Men Only
NH
4P $25 10A
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $40 12P NHB $65 7P Z $17 8A NH $65 11A NH $50 2P& NH $65 9A& NH $25 10A& 12P NH $40 NH $25 10A& 12P NH $20+ 9A NH F 1P NH $25+ 11A NH $40+ 12P NH $55+ 11A& NH $40 10A NH $65 7P NH $45 1P N H B $60+ 11A& N H Z $50+ 1P NH $25+ 6P NHZ $30 10A NH $55 10A
NH NH NH NH NH NHB NHZ NH NHZ NH N HZ NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$20+ 9A 1P 10A $40+ 12P $55+ 11A& $40 10A $65 7P $45 1P $60+ 11A& 1P $25 6P $30 10A $55 10A $40 $65 $60+ 12P $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P $40 $105 10A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 6P $45 10A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
6P $60+ 5P $50 9A& $40 11A $40 6P $50+ 1P& $65+ 12A& $17+ 6P 12P $105 10A 6P $40+ 12P& $30+ 10A& $44+ 10A& $40+ 11A& $45+ 7P& $40+ 12P $40+ 7P $45 10A
NH NH NH NH
$60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $40 11A
NH NH NH NH
$60 1P& $40+ 10A $40+ 7P $50+ 11A
NH
NH NH
$60 11A& 2P $25 10A& $145 12P&
NH NH NH
$200+ 12P& $35 11A $22+
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$60 11A& Var $25 10A& $540 12P& 2P N H $300+ 12P& N H B $65+ 11A 7P 12P N H Sh $20 6P& NH $17 10A NH NH NH NH
$60 11A 6P $25 10A
NH NH
SUNDAY GAMES BUY-IN NH $40 NH $65 Z $17 NH $65 NH $50 NH $65 NH $25 NH F NH NH NH NH NH NH NH L O H/L 7 NH NHB NH NH NHZ NH
$25 $65 $20+ $65 $25+ $40+ $55+ $40 $40 $45 $60+ $50+ $25+ $30 $55
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$125 $125 $50 $40 $40 $50+ $65+ $17+ $40 $105 $65 $40+ $30+ $44+ $40+ $45+ $40+ $40+ $45
NH NH NH NH
$60 $40+ $40+ $50+
NH
$60
NH $25 NH $145 NH $35+ N H $200+ N H B $65+ NH $22+ H F+ N H Lad $30 NH $17 NH N H Deepstack NH
$60 $80 $25
DA I LY TO U R N A M E N T L I ST I N G S CO N T I N U E O N PAG E 1 9
Poker Zombie (Continued from page 6)
catch anything and had to muck. Hobby, however, was winning and seemed to be his natural self. A new player sat next to me, bringing a full rack of chips which he commenced
to stack. The next time I looked at Hobby he had a dull look in his eyes and his moves were robotic. Had he slipped back into his zombie state? I frequently folded my hands just so I could keep my eye on him. He was playing most hands, but often dropped out after the flop. I perceived a pattern,
though; Hobby played every hand that the new player was on. Then it happened, Hobby was heads-up with the new guy and the betting accelerated. Hobby had a few thou in chips in front of him when, after the river, he went all-in. The board was a mixed bag, but there was a pair
of fours showing, which smelled like a set. Hobby’s opponent didn’t hesitate to call and showed a straight filled with two small runners from his hand. I cringed for Hobby, but he had a pair in the hole with a mate on the board … a full boat! Later, I said to Hobby, “Did you go zombie?”
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“I was faking it. The guy that sat next to you cleaned me out one night when I was screwed up. I wanted him to think I was still a dummy and I sucked him in.” “You sure did. I’m proud of you, buddy.” Write to author David Valley at: dvalley1@san.rr.com
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
P O K E R P L AY E R
17
The Stars Must Shine
POKER COUNSELOR By John Carlisle, MA, NCC With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers still alive deep in the NBA playoffs this past season, NBA and ABC television executives were thrilled at the potential ratings juggernaut of a Kobe vs. Lebron finals. The Orlando Magic bested the Cavs, though, and many NBA fans and executives grumbled about what might have been. Efforts were make to pump up the Dwight Howard vs. Kobe Bryant angle, but those efforts flat lined. The fact that the game is a team sport is not a huge concern for those watching the bottom line because it’s clear that individual star power is the engine that drives ratings and sales. When Tiger Woods is competing on Sunday for a major championship, the entire planet seems to take notice and television ratings skyrocket. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in the lead at Daytona, folks make sure that their remote control is locked onto the race. When Kobe Bryant faces off against Lebron James, the anticipation and viewership is sure to be remarkable. Poker is no different that NASCAR, golf, and the NBA. Poker gets the most attention and buzz when its biggest stars shine on its biggest stage. That is why we have to assume that Jeffrey Pollack, the Commissioner of the WSOP, will probably sleep with a large smile on his face from now until November’s cards are in the air. Phil Ivey, one of the most popular players on the planet, will instantly provide a glut of media buzz and fan interest for ESPN’s coverage of this year’s main event and final table. For poker to continue gaining a foothold as a mainstream sport, this sort of success by big-name stars has to continue. Marketing gurus at all of the major sports work tirelessly to find niches for their star participants. In its best form, sports are like a well-crafted novel. Underdogs, heroes, villains, scapegoats, David or Goliath ... no matter the sport, the story is often scripted similarly. Unlike most movies and books, we have to wait with great anticipation to see if the good guys always do come out on top. The story of the completely unknown amateur coming from nowhere to win poker’s most elite crown—and biggest paycheck—has been seen and re-played with names like Varkonyi, Moneymaker, Raymer, Hachem, Gold, and Yang. It seems that the fickle viewing public desires a new storyline. They’ve read that book before. Perhaps this year will write a new script, when a giant of poker makes a run to reclaim the crown for the superstars. Will poker ever get to the point where highlights and scores will be on your local news broadcast at 11 p.m.? Will poker world rankings ever be as commonplace in the newspaper’s sports section as the division standings in Major League Baseball? Will kids on the playground ever wear Negreanu or Brunson garb as proudly as they do a Shaq or Tom Brady jersey? If poker, and the executives that help promote it on television, find a way to groom and present their biggest stars in the correct manner, perhaps those improbable lofty goals are possible. For televised poker to reach its apex on major networks and pull in viewers who are not serious players themselves, the stars must shine brightly. Folks need to fall in love with Ivey and Brunson, and love to hate Hellmuth They’ll tune in for the story and the drama, even if they only barely understand poker. Now go make it happen. John Carlisle is a National Certified Counselor with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from West Virginia University. Contact John at carlisle14@hotmail.com. 18
P O K E R P L AY E R
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Have you ever looked at your stack during a Poker tournament and thought, “Gee, I’d love to just cash this out right now!” Well, 103 brave souls recently faced down torrential thunder storms and active tornado warnings for that very opportunity!
mat that allows just that! After resolving legal issues, state gaming concerns, and copyrighting the entire format, they approached the Horseshoe Casino. The poker room management immediately saw the potential and jumped on the offer to present the first
New Tourney Format Tests Out Successfully in Tunica Focus on FLORIDA By Donna Marks The inaugural Badhat— White Tiger Cash Blast No-Limit Hold’em Poker Tournament is complete, and officially declared a raging success! On July 30, Tunica’s Horseshoe Casino presented the tournament that was hosted by the creators and licensed owners of the new format, Kenny “Badhat” Piel, and Mike “White Tiger” Woods, two local poker pros.
Badhat— White Tiger Cash Blast No Limit Hold’em Poker Tournament. Players bought into the event for $339, with $9 going to the dealers, $30 to the house, and $300 in tournament chips as their starting stack. The Horseshoe added $2,500 to first place. The blinds, antes, and varying length of the levels were carefully designed by Piel and Woods to
great fun.” Kathy turned her $300 buy in into a cool $1,670. The final five players finished in the following order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
J.C. Lero . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4,220 Ben Mints . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,280 William Totolos . . . . . . . .$2,270 Scotty Branch . . . . . . . . . .$2,045 Joe Sylvester . . . . . . . . . . .$1,600
There was no prize pool, Woods said. “All the chips on the tables ($30,900) were in play at a dollar for dollar exchange rate when a player opted to leave.” The house money was added at the end for the remaining players when the event concluded and the remaining players agreed to chop the house money by percentage according to their chip count! When the house money was divided up by chip count, here’s how much each player made additionally: 1. $763, 2. $593, 3. $410, 4. $390 and 5. $298 Piel and Woods plan to take their tournament to casino poker rooms across the country. If you hold poker tournaments and are looking for something new and exciting for your players, contact them at RealBadhat@ badhatpoker.com, or by phone at 928.925.5641 for more information.
(left to right) Mike “WhiteTiger” Woods, J. C. Leroy and Kenny “Badhat” Piel allow a cash game feel during Their format adds a new and exciting twist to a hold’em the beginning stages, which morphed into a tournament event. Once the tournament is Donna Marks has worked underway, players can cash out feel toward the end. in the poker industry on One of the first people to their chips at full face value, both coasts, as a dealer, opt for a cash-out was Kathy and leave the event any time in management, and as a Rider from Flippin, Arkansas. they choose. player. She is Poker Player Kathy remarked, “It was so Once a player declares to Newspaper’s sales rep in the unique and different, I was the dealer that he wants to Florida area. Reach Donna excited to try it. It was just cash out, the floor is notified at Pokerdonna@aol.com. and that player’s chips are no longer in play. The departing player may not re-enter the tournament, effectively surrendering any claim to the $2,500 that was added to first place by ANNOUNCING OUR NEW the Horseshoe. Poker room tournament director Dale Carden was delighted with player reaction to this new and exciting FOUR OF A KIND FRENZY format. “We couldn’t have 24 Hours a Day • 7 Days a Week scripted a better response to WIN AN ADDITIONAL $500 this,” he said. “They just loved OVER THE POSTED METER AMOUNT it; I didn’t hear a negative See Poker Room for Complete Details comment from anyone!” When asked how they DAILY TEXAS HOLD’EM developed the format, Piel said W TOURNAMENT NE it came about after he witTIME 12 Noon • $40 Buy-In nessed a young, inexperienced $2,500 Tournament Chips player attempt to cash out $ 5 More Gets $1,000 Additional Tournament Chips $62,000 in tournament chips EARLY BIRD SPECIAL during a traditional no-limit Sign-Up 9am-10am and Receive an Additional $500 in Tournament Chips hold’em event. Everyone got a good laugh out of it, but in later discussions, Piel and GOLD COAST GoldCoastCasino.com Woods decided to design a for-
w w w. p o ke r p l a y e r n e w s p a p e r. c o m
TEXAS HOLD’EM “BAD BEAT” JACKPOT
DA I LY TO U R N A M E N T L I ST I N G S (CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 1 7 )
MONDAY
CALIFORNIANORTH
CALIF.—SAN DIEGO & INLAND EMPIRE
CALIFORNIA- NEVADA LOS ANGELES NORTH
•GOLD BAR DENOTES ADVERTISER
|
TUESDAY
| WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
7P 7P
Casino Morongo g Casino Pauma Fantasyy Springs, p g Indio Harrah’s Rincon Lake Elsinore Luckyy Ladyy Oceans Eleven Pechanga g Santa Ysabel Casino Soboba p g 29, Coachella Spotlight Sycuan y Valleyy View Casino Viejas j Village g Club Angie’s g Poker Club, Chico
10A 6P 7P& 7P& 10A
5O NH NH NH NHB
$30+ 7P& $10+ 6P $60+ 1P $40 7P& $20+ 10A&
NH NH NH NH NHB
$50+ 10A $10+ 7P $30+ 7P& $40 7P& $20+ 10A&
NH NH NH NHB NHB
$30 7P& $15+ 7P $60+ 7P& $40 7P& $20+ 10A
H NH NH NH NHB
7P 10A&
NH NH
$50+ 7P $15 10A&
NH NH
$50+ 7P $25 10A&
NH NH
10A 11A& 10A& 11A& 10A 10A 11A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$25 10A& $30 11A& $16+ 10A& $25 11A& $12+ 10A& $25 10A $20 11A
NH NH NH NH O H/L NH NH
$30 10A& $30 11A& $16+ 10A& $25 11A& $12+ 10A& $25 10A $20 11A
NH NH NH NHB NH NH NH O NH NH
Artichoke Joe’s
11A
LH
$28+ 11A
LH
$25 6P
$50+ 11A
LH
$48
Bayy 101 Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne Black Sheepp Inn, Cameron Park Cache Creek California Grand Cameo Club, Stockton Casino Club-Reddingg Casino Marysville y Casino Real Cardroom y Casino Royale Central Coast Casino, Grover Beach Central Coast Casino, Paso Robles
9A 11A
LH NH
$120 9A $25 11A
LH NH
$120 9A $25 11A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH L H/L O H/L LH NH
$50+ 10A $25 10A 7P $25 10A $30 11A& $16+ 10A& $25 11A& $12+ 10A& $25 10A $20 11A $60+ 9A $25 11A
LH NH
$80+ 9A $25 11A
H
$25+ 12P
O H/L
$55 6P
H
$10
6P $17 11A 6P $20 10A $15+ 11A F 10A
NH NH O/8 NH NH
$40+ $17 11A $25+ $20 10A $15+ 11A 10A $25
Hustler Casino Norrmandiee Ca C sin no (1)) no
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $25 1P& NH $25+ NHB $25 10A& N H Turbo $18+ 6P NH $40 1P NH $60 7P
NHB N H Turbo NH NH
$25 10A& $18+ 6P $40 1P $60 7P
NH $65+ 6P NH $30+ 7P LH $20+ 6P O H/L $65 1P NH $55+ 6P NH $30+ 11A N H Deepstack p $75 7P NH $125+ 7P
NH NH Lad L H NH NH NH N H Deepstack p NH
$65+ 6P $30+ 7P $25 $55+ 1P $55+ 6P $30+ 11A $75 7P $230 7P 7P
12P 6P 11A
NH NH
$40+ $17 11A
10A 11A
NH NH
10A
NH
$20 10A $15+ 11A 10A $5
NH NH NH NH
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $25 7P
|
GAMES BUY-IN| TIME NH $25 1P NH $25+ 8P NHB $25 10A& NH $30+ 6P NH $40 1P NH $60 7P NH $10+ NH $65+ 6P NH $30+ 7P O Pi H $25+ 6P NH $30+ 1P NH $65+ 6P NH $30+ 11A 7P N H $125+ 7P NH $10+
TIME Peppermill pp 1P& Rainbow Cas. W Wendover 8P g y Reno 10A& Sands Regency, Winners Hotel/Casino-Winnemucca 6P 1P Bi yclee Club Bicy Cl b (27 27)) 7P Club Caribe 8P Comm Co mm merce ce Club lub (2 (28) 8) 6P Crystal y Casino 7P Diamond Jim’s 6P 1P Hawa waiian a Garddenss (2 2) 6P. 11A Hollyw ywoo oodd Paarkk (5 5)
NH
FRIDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $115+ 6P 8P NHB $25 10A& NHZ $12+ 6P NH $40 1P NH $60 $65+ 1P $50+ 7P
NH NH
NH $30+ 4A NH $65+ 4P NH $30+ 11A N H Deepstack p $75 7P NH $125+ NH $10+ 7P
| SATURDAY |
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $110 NH $50 2P NHB $25 10A& O Po $30+ 4P NH $40
2P $120+ 1P $30+ 7P $25+ 1P& $340 4A $20+ 1P $70 11A $120 4P 3P $10+ 1P 7P $55 11A $20+ 4P $40+ 12P $40 5P $20+ 12P $22+ 10A $75 11A $25 $40 2P $40 1P& $30 11A& $36 10A& $20 12P $12+ 10A $25 10A $32 11A&
Mx $33 NH $65+ NH $50+ NH $50 NH $65+ NH $30+ NH $35+ N H Deepstack p $95 Pai Gow F $5 NHF $5 NH $10+ H $5 NH $20+ NH $40+ N H $50-$3Kguar g NH $7+ H $22+ N H $100+
$120+ 1P NH $30+ 7P NH 1P LH NH $65+ 4P Wk1&3 N H NH $155 6P Mx NH $30+ 11A NH N H Deepstack p $225 3P N H Sh NH
$10+ 7P
NH
$60 10A $15+ 4P $60+ 7P& $40 12P $20+ 10A
NH NH NH NH NHB
$40 10A $25 10A& $20 7P $30 10A& $30 11A& $16+ 10A& $25 11A& $12+ 10A& $25 10A $20 11A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$45 11A $20+ 4P $110 12P $40 11A& $20+ 10A 10A $40 10A $25 10A $50 2P $25 11A $30 11A& $26+ 10A& $25 12P $12+ 10A $25 10A $57 11A&
NH NH NH NH NH O H/L NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
LH NH
$120 9A $25 11A
LH NH
$20 10A $15+ 11A $5 10A
NH NH NH
GAMES BUY-IN NH $35+ NHB $130 NHB $130 NH $30+ NH $60
NH NH
$17
NH
NH NH NH
SUNDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME 2P NH $50+ 3P NHB $25 10A& NH $55+ 6P 7P
3P
NH
$20 10A $30+ 10A $5
NH NH
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$25 $45 $30 $16+ $20 $12+ $25 $20
6P
NH
$49+
$200 9A $25 11A 2P
LH NH NH
$80 $25 $55
10A 10A $37 3P 11A $20 10A 11A $10
LH NH NH NH NH
$55 $30+ $37 $65 $20 $60
DA I LY TO U R N A M E N T L I ST I N G S CO N T I N U E O N PAG E 2 1
Results: World Poker Open at Gold Strike-Tunica GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT
WORLD POKER OPEN EVENT #6
7/26/09
3. David Diaz . . . . . . . . . $8,284 4. Larry Ramsey . . . . . . $6,443 EVENT #24
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM— SHOOTOUT
OMAHA HI-LO 8 OR BETTER
BUY-IN $300 + $40
PRIZE POOL
1. Timothy Burt . . . . . . $15,785 2. Ky MacPhearson . . . $8,952 3. Joseph Sylvester Jr . $4,918
Michael Sica 1. Michael Sica . . . . . . . $11,455 2. Chuck Barker . . . . . . $6,526 3. BJ McBrayer . . . . . . . $3,654
EVENT #23
$20,400
1. David Grubb . . . . . . . $5,132 2. Brian Buchanan. . . . . $2,853 7/26/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 + $40
EVENT #6
1. 2. 3. 4.
PLAYERS 267 PRIZE POOL
EVENT #6
7/26/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 + $40 PLAYERS 126
$80,100 Michael Scott . . . . . $21,184 Timothy Myers . . . . $10,882 Nathan Willis . . . . . . $6,529 Stephen Hamontree . $5,078 EVENT #5
PRIZE POOL
PRIZE POOL
$36,666
$94,070
Michael Hogan
Danny Doucet 1. Danny Doucet . . . . . $26,879 2. Scott Makintubee . . $13,807
1. Michael Hogan . . . . $11,772 2. Hyechyn Murphy . . . $6,671 3. Terry Harden . . . . . . $3,667
PRIZE POOL
PRIZE POOL
John Kelsey
BJ McBrayer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
BJ McBrayer . . . . . $40,273 Galen Kester . . . . . . $20,689 Neil Fisher . . . . . . . . $12,413 Zach Shelnutt . . . . . . $9,655 Jerry Deckard . . . . . . $8,276 Johnny Sanders . . . . $6,896
Lauren Pottmeyer 1. Lauren Pottmeyer . . $8,121
Kim Francisco 1. Kim Francisco . . . . . $7,178 2. Cheryl McCoy . . . . . $3,789 3. Nelda Hopper . . . . . . $2,393
7/23/09
BUY-IN $200 + $30 PLAYERS 408 PRIZE POOL
$81,600
PLAYERS 105
$21,000
PRIZE POOL
EVENT #1
BUY-IN $200 + $30
LADIES— NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
$23,700
John Kelsey . . . . . . . $27,255 Ronnie Furr . . . . . . $14,680 Larry Townsend . . . . $8,913 Eric Hutchins . . . . . . $6,815 Charles C Townsend $5,767 Yousri Ali . . . . . . . . . . $4,928
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
LADIES— NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 79
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7/24/09
7/25/09
BUY-IN $300 + $40 PLAYERS 334
PLAYERS 378
$147,500
EVENT #3
Michael Scott 1. 2. 3. 4.
BUY-IN $300 + $40
$113,400
7/26/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
$44,135
PRIZE POOL
David Grubb
1. John Womack . . . . . . $7,124 2. Howard Bernard . . . $3,958 3. Alan Scherner . . . . . . $2,572
7/24/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
7/25/09
PLAYERS 295
BUY-IN $300 + $40
Chris Moneymaker Chris Moneymaker $15,889 Mark Pharo . . . . . . . $8,386 Derek McClinton . . . $5,296 Eli Bajayo . . . . . . . . . $3,531
EVENT #2
BUY-IN $500 + $50
John Womack
PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 49
4. Carol Tomlinson . . . . $1,595 5. Barbara Skinner . . . . $1,396 6. Renea Mahaffey . . . . $1,196
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 91
7-CARD STUD
Marcia Holland . . . . $4,286 Melissa Landry . . . . . $2,707 Laura Walters . . . . . . $1,805 Sally White . . . . . . . . $1,579 Theresa Holder . . . . . $1,354 EVENT #4
BUY-IN $500 + $50
7/26/09
$14,259
8/5/09
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
PLAYERS 68
POT LIMIT OMAHA
BUY-IN $300 + $40
EVENT #6
BUY-IN $300 + $40
$49,179
$32,680
7/26/09
7-CARD STUD HI/LO 8 OR BETTER
BUY-IN $300 + $40 PLAYERS 169 PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 130
EVENT #7
8/5/09
EVENT #7
Robert Wayman 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Robert Wayman . . . $19,240 John Olsen . . . . . . . $10,361 Devin Jarreau . . . . . . $6,291 David Holland . . . . . . $4,810 Gregory Marshall . . . $4,070 Mike Ellis . . . . . . . . . $3,478
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AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
P O K E R P L AY E R
19
ASINO
GANZA
’EM
30
88
Deducing the Hands
X X X X
Poker Player
THE FOX’s DEN BY Russ Fox I’m a fan of a good mystery. Blood and gore isn’t my cup of tea but give me a psychological thriller and I’ll be up all hours of the night. Mystery readers are always trying to solve the crime before the author lets you know who the real villain is. Recently I was re-reading Rex Stout’s And Be A Villain. Stout’s protagonists, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, attempt to solve three murders. All the clues are laid out for you but it’s likely you won’t spot the solution until Stout tells you who the killer is. In poker, we need to go through a similar set of deductions in order to determine what hand, or range of hands, our opponent holds. Consider a relatively simple case. You’re under-the-gun (UTG) with 7d-2a and fold in a $2-$5 no-limit hold’em game. Hopefully you will avoid the mistake that most players make: They lose interest in the hand and start watching TV or reading their newspaper. You need to know how and why your opponents act and the way to learn this is by paying attention to the game, especially during hands you’re not playing. Anyway, Joe raised in middle position to $20, with only Lou on the button and Cindy in the big blind calling. Let’s focus on Joe; what hand or range of hands do you put him on based on his raise? We have almost no knowledge of Joe. Maybe he’s a tight player and so he’s on a pair of tens or better or A-Q or A-K. Maybe he’s a loose player and he has any pair, any connected cards, or two Broadway cards. Or perhaps he’s a maniac and Joe’s bet signifies he has two cards. We don’t know yet. The flop is As-7a-4d. Cindy checks. Joe bets $35 with only Lou calling. Can we draw any other conclusions about Joe’s hand? Joe didn’t act scared when the ace flopped, so he either routinely makes continuation bets or he likes the ace. Many players, particularly loose ones, will automatically make a continuation bet so this bet isn’t that meaningful. But if Joe is a tight player he probably has an ace. The turn is the 7f. Joe bets $70; Lou quickly calls the bet. Can you pinpoint Joe’s hand? Joe’s fired again at this pot. Remember, he’s out of position and is definitely representing strength. He’s acting like he has an ace with at least a good kicker. Meanwhile, Lou is also showing strength. The board is quite dry. Sure, Lou could have pocket fours and be slowplaying or pocket sevens but it looks like he also has an ace. The river is the 7d. Joe bets $100 and Lou calls. Joe shows Ad-Kd while Lou shows Aa-5a. Joe and Lou chop the pot. There’s not much to say about Joe’s play. He had a strong hand, and he bet and played it accordingly. He was unlucky at the end and had to chop, but his betting was reasonable. Lou’s play left a bit to be desired. He called in position before the flop with a speculative hand. His call on the flop isn’t necessarily bad; after all, it’s possible that Joe was just representing an ace. But his call on the turn was poor. Lou could not beat anything but a bluff. Perhaps Lou is a calling station; additional hands will tell. We may have learned something important from this hand. By watching further play at the table we should be able to learn important clues that will help us when we’re involved in a pot. Russell Fox is the co-author of “Mastering No-Limit Hold’em,” “Why You Lose at Poker,” and “Winning Strategies for No-Limit Hold’em.” He’s a federally licensed tax preparer specializing in gambling, with a blog at taxabletalk.com. E-mail Russ at rcfox@claytontax.com 20
P O K E R P L AY E R
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
Pokery Potpourri ACROSS 1. Outbreak 5. Called or raised, e.g. 10. Take ___ (respond to applause) 14. See 9-DOWN
Word
Crossword by Michael Wiesenberg.
36. LA County city whose name came from a 1920s refreshment stand that was decorated with palm fronds and bamboo and which now features a large cardroom of the same name
1. Tight player
40. Grandson of Adam who reputedly lived to 905
4. “Deadman” Kant
DOWN 2. One ___: vitamin dosage 3. Broker’s advice, maybe
41. Rapa ___: Easter Island
5. In ___ (really out of it)
42. Stranger
6. Enter a pot
43. Penalty caller
7. Fierce dinosaur, familiarly
17. See an opponent’s bets to the river
44. Descriptive word for a very large bet
8. “___ Beso”
20. Senator John who sneaked UIGEA through
46. ___ Nova
15. Beat poet Gregory 16. What an amateur says instead of “burn”
21. Visa or MC competitor 22. What sometimes seems to be the most common tournament player surname 23. “Bridge Over the River ___” 24. British lockup 25. Where to find maps
47. “Gateway” Hugo-winning novelist Frederik
10. Paula of pop
48. Final word 50. Stick on a stake
12. “Say as he says, ___ shall never go”: “The Taming of the Shrew”
53. Perjurer
13. Mirage owner
54. Schuss or wedel
18. $10 bill, slangily
57. WSOP and WPT are stops on this
19. Some tournament players have large ones
60. Something bad to put in a wound
28. DEA agents
61. Angry
30. Sat. for Seventh Day Adventists or Sun. for Protestants
62. Cans
33. Poker predator
9. With 14-ACROSS, perennial Irish competitor
63. Nothing but
34. Letters after Sen. George Voinovich of Cleveland
64. Laundry soap introduced in 1918 and sponsor of “The Amos ‘n’ Andy Show”
35. Bit of aquarium growth
65. What a good player has
11. Channel marker
23. Greek player Archie 24. Sailor’s rum drink 25. Derei of tournaments 26. “Hail to thee, ___ of Cawdor”: Macbeth 27. ___ of gravity: what keeps things on the ground 29. Golfer Palmer, to friends 30. Winter conveyances 31. Mother Teresa’s real first name 32. Iraqi seaport 35. Last tourney buy-in 37. What the cards are at the start of a tournament 38. Author of “The Clan of the Cave Bear” 39. WSOP champ Varkonyi 44. Ans. (to a math problem, say) 45. Face cards 47. Throw a ___: lose heavily 49. San ___: California city north of Belmont 50. “Make ___”: “Star Trek: TNG” catchphrase 51. Haunted house noise 52. What a VIP has 53. Director David of “Dr. Zhivago” 54. Uttered 55. Poker cowboy
Copyright © 2009 Michael Wiesenberg
The correct solution to the puzzle will be found only at: www.pokerplayernewspaper.com. It will be posted on the cover date. Visit www.pokerplayernewspaper. com, click the “25 YEARS AGO” archive tab to read all about the poker world back then. Expert advice and relevant news makes it
25 Years Ago in Poker Player Newspaper Volume 2, Number 23—see it at www.pokerplayernewspaper.com truly a worthwhile read! What were you doing 25 years ago? Well we were doing what we NOTEWORTHY PHOTOS: Terry do best—reporting poker news.
56. Asteroid named for the legendary German princess of the Harz Mountains 58. CAT scan alternative 59. Fwy.
Rogers, Jim Heffernan, Frank Curtona, Jackie Gaughan, Kitty Anderson, Frank Campitelli, Bob Stupak, Cyndy Violette, Artie Cobb, Linda Lou Peterson, Seymour Leibowitz, Jack Keller, Kathy Hudson, Berry Johnston, David Baxter, Ralph Hoots, “Oklahoma Bob” Ensley, Mike Lowman, Frank Wiley, Mindy Ramos, Gus Palma, Chuck Sharp and Ken Flaton.
POWERFUL ADVERTISING REACH—USE IT!
poker player
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Time. Some events &. ........ Additional Limit Hold’em start after the hour gametimes. Call. N ..........No Limit A, P ....... AM, PM ..... Hold’em L ................ Limit Wk .............Week .No Limit Hold’em ..........Stud MONDAY
•GOLD BAR DENOTES ADVERTISER Club One Casino, Fresno Colusa Casino Comstock Card Room, Tracyy Del Rio Casino, Isleton Feather Falls Cas., Oroville The 500 Club, Clovis Folsom Lake Bowl Garden Cityy Gold Countryy Cas.-Oroville Gold Rush Golden West-Bakersfield
SOUTHWEST
CALIFORNIANORTH
Ja kson Ra Jack Ranc nche heriaa
AZ
CO NM
Kelly’s y Cardroom Limelight g Cardroom-Sac’to Livermore Casino Luckyy Buck Cardroom, Livermore Luckyy Chances Luckyy Derbyy Casino Merced Poker Room Mike’s Card Casino. Oakdale Napa p Valleyy Casino Oaks Card Club-Emeryville y 101 Club-Petaluma Pastime Cardroom, Benicia Pete’s 881 Club Phoenix Casino Poker Flats, Merced River Rock Casino-Geyserville y y Casino San Pablo Lytton Sho Ka Wah, Hopland p Tachi Palace Casino Thunder Valleyy Casino, Lincoln Turlock Poker Room Wine Countryy Casino Win-River Casino, Reddingg Apache p Gold Bluee W Blue Wat aterr Casin i o (22) 2)) y Casino Bucky’s C si Ca sinoo Ari riz.-S -Sco coottssdal sd le (1 (11) Casino Del Sol Cliff Castle Fort McDowell
B ......... Bounties T ............... Turbo .7-Card Stud ..... Omaha Pi........Pineapple Pn......Panginque DCDealer’s Choice Sp L ...Spread Limit .5-Card Stud H/LHigh/Low Split Po........Pot Limit Mx .Mexican Poker HH ...Headhunter Al ......Alternates
DAILY TOURNAMENTS (CONT’D FROM PAGE 19) |
TUESDAY
GAMES BUY-IN| TIME NH $75 7P&
TIME 7P&
| WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35+ 7P&
6P
LH
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $55 7P& 6P
$15
6P
NH
$15+
10A& 10A 7P
NH Spp L NH
7P $40 10A& $150 10A $25+ 7P
NH NH Spp L NH
10A 3P&
NH NH
6P $30+ 10A $10+ 3P&
NH NH NH
$66 $40 10A& $120 10A $50 7P $20+ 6P $30+ 10A $10+ 3P&
10A& 11A 9A 9A 9A 11A& 10A 6P
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$25 10A& $25+ 11A $25+ 9A $175 9A $14 9A $7 11A& 0+ 10A $60 6P 65+ 6P $50 F
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
NH NH
$30+ 11A $15 11A& 7P
NH NH NH
6P
NH NH Spp L NH NH NH NH
$40 10A& $120 10A 7P $20+ $58 $30+ 10A $10+ 3P&
NH Spp L NH
$40 10A& $120 9A $50 12P
NH Spp L NH
NH NH
$30+ 10A $10+ 3P&
NH NH
$25 10A& $25+ 11A $25+ 9A $65+ 9A $14 9A $7 11A& 0+ 10A $60 $80+ 7P 7P
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$25 10A& $25+ 11A $25+ 9A $120 $14 9A $7 11A& 0+ 10A
NH NH NH
$30+ 11A $15 11A& $55
NH NH
NH NH NH
5P
NH
$55+
1P& 10A& 10A 6P
NH NH NH NH
7P $22 1P& $12 10A& $20 10A $20+ 6P
NH NH NH NH NH
$65 7P $22 1P& $12 10A& $20 10A $20+ 6P 6P
NH NH NH NH NH H
$55 $22 1P& $12 10A& $20 10A $30 6P $25+ 7P 7P
11A 10A 10A 12P&
NH HZ N H Sh NH
12P $60 7P $10+ 10A $25 10A $13+ 12P&
H NH O H/L Z L H Sh NH
$25+ $130 7P $10+ 10A $25 10A& $13+ 12P&
NH Cz Pi Z N H Sh NH
$130 11A $10+ 10A $25 10A $13+ 12P&
$20 11A $30+ 1P& F 6P
HB NH H
NH
$25+
11A 1P& 6P
7B NH Flopp
$20 11A $30+ 1P& $10 6P
HB NH H Sh
12P& 8P 12P 6P 6P 2P 11A
N H Sh NH NH H NH NH NH
$10+ 12P& $60 7P $20 12P $20+ $60 6P $10+ 2P $25 11A 7P
NHZ NH NH NH NH NH Var
$60 6P $20+ 2P $25 11A $35
NH NH
O NH NH
$40 10A& $200 9A $35 12P 12P 2P $30+ 10A F+ 1PWk2 $25 10A& $25+ 11A $25+ 1P $25 9A $7 11A& 0+ 10A 9A&
$50 F $30+ 11A $15 11A&
5P 11A
NH NH
NH NH
$12 10A& $20 10A 11A
NH NH NH
12P $60 10AWk4 $10+ $25 11A $13+ 12P&
H NH
$55+ 6P 11A $40 $55 $65 9P $75 5P $40 3P $12 10A& $20+ 4P $20 4P 3P 2P $25+ 1P $150
NH NH
$22 $12 10A& $20 10A $30 $20 $25 $60 11A $10+ 10A $25 10A $13+ 12P&
$20 11A $30+ 1P& $10 6P
NH NHZ L H Sh NH Men H NAI HB NH O H/L
$20 $30+ 1P& $25
N H Sh NH NH
$10+ 12P& $35 7P $20 12P
NHZ NH NH
$24 12P& $55+ 2P $20 12P
NH
$30+ 12P& 3P 1P $10+ 12P& F 12P $20 11A
NH NH NH
$60 6P $5+ 2P $25 11A
NH NH NH
$60 6P $20+ 2P $25 11A
NH NH NH
$110 $20+ 2P $25 7P
NH NH
NH Pi N H Sh NH
$25+
SUNDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME GAMES BUY-IN O $14+ 12P& NH $50 NH $30+ 2P Wk2 N H $170 NH $40+ 12P NH $40+ LH $15 NH $40 2P NH F NH $40 10A& NH $40 Spp L $250 10A Spp L $250 NH $30+ 12P NH $30+ NH $20 7P NH $20+ NH $5+ 2P NH $15+ NH $30+ 10A NH $30+ 7P NH $65+ N H $100+ NH $25 1P NH $50 NH $25+ 7P NH $60 NH $45+ 5P NH $60+ 9A NH $225 NH $60 11A Lad N H $30 NH $7 11A& NH $7 NH 0+ 10A NH 0+ NH $40 9A& NH $40 1P NH $125 5P NH $20+
12P $75 $15 5P 10A 9P $55+ 5P $40 11A
NH NH NH NH O H/L HB
12P
$24 12P& $45 7P $20 12P
$30+ 6P $60 6P
| SATURDAY |
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME 10P NH $30+ 4P 12P LH $15 6P NH $50 6P
NH NH
6P 11A 11A&
Gila River-Vee Quiva Harrah’s Ak Chin Hon-Dah Casino Paradise Casino Gilpin p Hotel & Casino Midnight g Rose-Cripple pp Crk Skyy Ute-Ignacio g Ute Mountain Buffalo Thunder Isleta Casino & Resort Route 66 Casino Sand n ia Cassinoo (115)
FRIDAY
6P $40 6P
$25 10A& $25+ 11A $25+ 9A $65+ 9A $14 9A $7 11A& 0+ 10A $60 6P 10A 7P 7P $80+ $30+ 11A $15 11A&
Gila River/Wild Horse Pass 12P
|
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $85 NH $15+ 6P
Z........ Freezeout Sh ........Shootout Cz ............. Crazy + Re-buys and/or E...... Elimination Add-ons allowed Q ............Qualify F ............Freeroll
NH NH NH NH NH NH
O/8 NH
$45+ $50
NH NH
$65 $15
NH NH NH NH H O H/L 7F
$55 $12 $65 $40 $20+ $25
$80+ 10A $13+ 12P&
O Sh NH
$25 $13+
11A $60 12P& $10 $13 1P $20+ 12P& $60 12P $100 12P 6P $5+ 2P $18 11A 12P
HB NH
$20 $60
H NH NH
$13 $20+ $55
7 NH NH NH Var
$15 $110 $5+ $25 $35
12P NH
NH H O H/L NH NH NH
NH NH
DA I LY TO U R N A M E N T L I ST I N G S CO N T I N U E O N PAG E 23
Bike’s Legends 2. Charlie Ng . . . . . . . . $8,345
EVENT #6
8/2/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
BICYCLE CASINO-LEGENDS OF POKER EVENT #8
(Cont’d from page 7)
BUY-IN $300 +$40
8/3/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM
PLAYERS 75
BUY-IN $300 +$35 PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 262
$21,495
PRIZE POOL
Lorri Broda
$76,242
1. Lorri Broda . . . . . . . $8,600 2. Julie Dang . . . . . . . . $4,940
Tony Le 1. Tony Le . . . . . . . . . . $28,172 2. Cullen Shearburn . . $14,025 3. Tuyen Luong . . . . . . . $6,860 EVENT #7
BICYCLE CASINO-LEGENDS OF POKER EVENT #5
8/2/09
LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 147
BUY-IN $300 +$30 PLAYERS 1,502 PRIZE POOL
$427,082
PRIZE POOL
1. Roberto Flood . . . . . $16,042 2. Dale Burner . . . . . . . $7,910 3. Bill Williams . . . . . . . $4,140
DAILY TOURNAMENTS
$35 Tournaments 10:15 am $20 “live” play coupon
MONDAY NDAY Knockout Bounty Tournament Tournament, 7 pm $40 Buy-in. $7 SService i FFee. R Receive i $10 “live” play coupon. The Poker Room will place a $7 bounty on each player. To take a player’s bounty, simply win the hand that eliminates them from the tournament. TUESDAY & THURSDAY 7 pm $60 Buy-in. $10 Service Fee and $60 for $40 “live” play coupon. No Re-buys. $3,500 guaranteed. WEDNESDAY 7 pm $35 Buy-in. $1,500 guaranteed. Earn additional chips by playing 2 hours before tournament start. Visit chumashcasino.com for the new Battle of the Sexes tournament. SATURDAY Free $5,000 Guaranteed No-Limit Hold’em, 10:15 am $10 Service Fee. Multiple $10 Re-buys and a $20 Add-on. SUNDAY $8,000 Guaranteed No-Limit Hold’em, 10:15 am. $70 Buy-in includes $20 “live” play coupon. Earn additional chips by playing in the 2 ½ hours before tournament start.
Andy Lambo
$42,777 Roberto Flood
8/2/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
ANTE UP!
monday – friday
1. 2. 3. 4.
Andy Lambo . . . . $107,602 Ira Friedman . . . . . $51,250 Steve Duong . . . . . . $29,625 Kataneh Hamidi . . $25,625 (Continued on page 25)
3400 E Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA
1-800-chumash • chumashcasino.com Must be 18 or older. Chumash Casino Resort reserves the right to cancel or change promotions.
w w w. p o ke r p l a y e r n e w s p a p e r. c o m
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
P O K E R P L AY E R
21
Deadliest Catch
CONNORS’ CORNER By BARBARA CONNORS It’s a peculiar kind of poker tragedy. You’re drawing to a big hand when precisely the card you were hoping for appears on the river. It’s such a wonderful feeling, a glorious rush. So now you throw chips into the middle of the table with abandon, confident this pot will soon be yours—only to discover at the showdown that another player already held a better hand than the one you were drawing to. You were drawing dead all along. Hitting your card was the worst thing that could have happened. That beautiful river card has cost you a big chunk of chips. It’s amazing how often some players, especially at the lower limits, refuse to even consider the possibility that they might be drawing dead. While you certainly don’t want to play in a “monsters under the bed” frame of mind—always fearful that some opponent has the nuts against you—in some cases it should be obvious that one or more of your opponents has already made a hand that beats whatever you’re hoping to make. Of course the likelihood of drawing dead is greater in a multiway pot than it is shorthanded. And when reasonably conservative opponents suddenly switch gears and start aggressively pushing chips into the pot, you should at least consider the possibility that the hand you’re drawing to has already bought the farm. For example, you’re playing hold’em and have Ah-Qh, and the flop is Ad-Th-8h. You have an excellent hand: top pair with a strong kicker as well as the nut flush draw. If the turn card pairs the board, let’s say it’s the ten of spades, one of your opponents could now have a full house, or at least be drawing to one. That doesn’t necessarily mean your flush draw is DOA. You’d probably stay in the hand, but you might want to play more conservatively even if you do hit your flush. On the other hand, if you’re playing Omaha and start with Ah-Qh-Jc-9d, and you have that same board of Ad-Th8h-Ts, it now becomes much more probable that you’re drawing dead—especially if the pot is multiway. When the board pairs in Omaha and there are several players still in the hand, a full house becomes not only possible but very likely. And in this case, your hand has no redraws to make a full house or better. Another heart on the river will probably cost you now. Because as soon as that ten of spades hit the felt, your heart draw started to flatline. Anytime you’re on a draw and computing the pot odds, you must consider not only the odds of making your hand, but the odds that your hand, if it does indeed get there, will actually drag the pot. If the hand you are attempting to make is not the nuts for the community board, those odds go down and you’ll need a bigger pot to stay in and keep drawing. In some cases, such as drawing to a straight when the board is paired or three-flushed, the odds of your hand being the probable winner decrease dramatically. And in a few cases—drawing to a straight or flush when the board is double-paired, drawing to a straight when the board is fourflushed, or drawing to a one-card flush with a medium card of that suit—the odds of ending up with the winning hand plummet so far below the equator that it’s almost suicidal to continue. It’s easy to fall in love with a drawing hand. They’re seductive, full of hope and the promise of riches to come if they hit. But when your draw tragically bites the dust before that promise has a chance to be fulfilled, you need to let go and move on. The cost of hanging on and hoping is just too high.
Attention Football Enthusiasts: The Fitz ‘Pick the Pros’ Football Contest Promotion (FCP) will run 17 weeks and one weekly contest selection card will be issued per member. Two pre-qualification weeks will
DEBBIE DOES POKER By DEBBIE BURKHEAD be run in advance of the regular NFL season. Ten hours of live poker in one week’s time are required to earn a weekly selection card. There are no point spreads, just select the winning team. A bonus event will be held on September 3, 2009 for pre-season NFL football games played Thursday, September 3. Any FCP member accumulating 10 hours of live-action play during the previous week for Aug 25 11 a.m. through September 2 will automatically qualify for the NFL’s Week No. 1 and for the bonus event September 3. A signed and numbered membership card must be displayed and remain on the poker table in plain view during all qualified live-action play to receive credit. Qualified contestants may play only one selection card per week. A player’s weekly selection card may be submitted each Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing through Friday at 6 p.m. The entire $3,000 weekly
Barbara Connors is a sucker for classic old movies, science fiction, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Her life’s ambition is to figure out the unusual behavior patterns of that unique breed of humans who call themselves poker players. Contact her at fyreflye222@yahoo.com. 22
P O K E R P L AY E R
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
prize pool varies based on the number of entries and will be awarded each week to the contestant selecting the highest number of FCP winning NFL football
w w w. p o ke r p l a y e r n e w s p a p e r. c o m
team choices. Please visit the Fitz poker room and consult the FCP rules, regulations and conditions for complete details. For more information see their ad in this issue of Poker Player Newspaper. Flop Quads at Green Valley Ranch and Win $1,000: Any player flopping quads on any Sunday in August will pocket $1,000. Play 25 hours of live poker in August and receive a free entry into Green Valley Ranch’s $25,000 freeroll tournament scheduled for September. Green Valley Ranch has a new, exciting tournament schedule. A nolimit hold’em event is held seven days a week with a $55 buy-in and players may re-enter for only $40 during the first hour of play. Each event has a $1,500 guaranteed prize pool. On Mondays at 7 p.m. the event is Omaha/8 with a $40 buy-in and a $5 add-on. Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday at 6 p.m. is reserved for no-limit with a $65 buy-in. Players may re-enter for
$50 in the first hour. Each event also has a $1,500 guaranteed prize pool. On Wednesday at 7 p.m. it’s HORSE with a $40 buyin and a $5 add-on. On Thursday a 1 p.m. a special no-limit event is scheduled with a $150 buy-in and a full re-entry offered for $140 during the first hour. All no-limit tournament players receive $3,000 in tournament chips with 30 minute levels. Players may buy-in two hours before the start of the event up until one hour after it starts. For more information contact the poker room or see Station’s ad in this issue of Poker Player Newspaper. Aliante Station is Giving Away Cash: Earn entries now. Ten drawings will be held every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. through September 1, with the first winner receiving $500. Second will pocket $200, and the remaining eight winners will take home $50 each. A final bonus cash drawing will be held September 1 with an added $600 winner. All earned entries will be included in the final bonus drawing. For more information contact the poker room or see Station’s ad in this issue of Poker Player Newspaper. Debbie Burkhead is a long time poker player, writer and sales rep for Poker Player. You may contact Debbie at PokerMs@aol.com.
DA I LY TO U R N A M E N T L I ST I N G S (CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 2 1 )
MONDAY
SOUTHWEST
•GOLD BAR DENOTES ADVERTISER
OK
|
TUESDAY
TIME GAMES BUY-IN| TIME 10A 10A NH $35 10A 10A Ch herokeee-Cat atooosa at 5P Srs N H $25 7P Cherok okeee-R -Rol ollandd 10A NH $20 10A Cher erokee ee-W ee -W W. Si Silooam am 10A NH $20+ 7P Comanche Red River Cas. 6P NH $25+ 6P Firelake Grand Casino 11A NH $30 11A& Gold River Casino-Anadarko 6P Wk1 NH F 6P WinS nSta tar Worl rldd Casin Ca no 7P NH $115 7P Astoria Bar & Poker Room, Eugene g 7P NHB $30 7P Chinook Winds Casino
4P
H
$25+ 4P
O H/L
NORTHWEST
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
OR Full House Poker
WA
MT
ND Dakota Magic
NE Rosebud Casino SD CT
NORTHEAST
Seven Feathers-Canyonville y Willdhoorse Ca Wi Casino noo R Res esortt es Blue Mountain Casino Chips p Bremerton Chips p La Center p Lakewood Chips Chips p Tukwila Drift-On-Inn Final Table Cas., Everett Goldie’s Little Creek Casino Muck ckle l sh shooot Ca Casi sinoo (8)) Northern Quest Point Defiance Cafe & Cas., Tacoma Silver Dollar Casino Snoqualmie q Casino Suquamash q Clearwater Wild Grizzlyy Black Jack’s Casino 4 Bears Casino
NH NJ
NY
Dakota Sioux Gold Dust Cas., Deadwood Rosebud Casino Silverado Casino Deadwood Foxwoods Mohe hega gan Su Sun Poker Room at Nashua Elks Rockingham g Park, Salem The Lodge g at Belmont Seabrook Greyhound y Park Caesars Atlantic Cityy Harrah’s Atlantic Cityy Tropicana p Trumpp Tajj Mahal Akwesasne Mohawk j y Casino Boar Majesty Seneca Allegany Seneca Niagara
Turningg Stone Catfish Bend Diamond Jo’s “Worth” Isle of Capri p g Winna Vegas Hollywood Casino-Aurora Belterra (Florence) Horseshoe Hammond Horseshoe Southern Indiana Majestic j Star Chip-In’s p Island The Island Resort, Harris Lac Vieux Desert Cas., Watersmeet Cant nterrbury bury y Paark (5 (5)) Fortune Bayy Casino Northern Light g Casino Shootingg Star Casino Harrah’s St Louis Lumiere Place Menominee Casino Oneida Casino, Green Bayy Pottawa Po wato tommi Norrth ther ernn Li Liggght hts,, Carterr St Croix Casino, Turtle Lake Grand Coushatta Horseshoe CasinoShreveport p Paragon g Casino Resort Go d Str Gold triike ik Casino Ca o (Tunica) Harrah’s Tunica Horseshoe Casino (Tunica) Pearl River Resort Dania Jai-Alai Derbyy Lane Gulfstream Park Racingg & Casino Hard Rock Mardi Gras Gamingg Ctr, Hollywd y Palm Beach Kennel Club Palm Beach Princess Seminole Casino Brighton g Seminole Hollywood y Cas. The Isle at Pompano p Park CANADA Casino Regina
IA
MIDWEST
MO
LA
MS
FLORIDA
GULF COAST
WI
$25+ 4P
NH
7P 6P
NH NH
N O H/L NH NH NH NH H NH NH LO NH NH NH
6P $20+ 1P $20 9A $35 12P $20 9A $20 4P $35 11A $30+ 12P $13+ 11A $15+ 7P $65+ 7P $35 10A $40 7P
H NH NH NH NH NH H NH NH L/N H NH NH NH
$18+ $20+ 1P $20 9A $35 12P $20 9A $20 4P $35 11A $30+ 12P $13+ 11A $25 $65 7P $35 10A $115 10P
NHB NH NH
10A 11A 5P
NH NH NH
$30 10A $20 11A $13+ 5P
NH NH NH
$30 10A $20 11A $13+ 5P
NH NH NH
7P
S
F+ 7P
NH
$30+ 7P
7P 6P
NH 7 H/L
NH NH NH NH NH H NH NH
7P
H
7P 6P 6P 9A& 6P&
NH NH NH NH NH
$30+ $44 $230 6P $60+ 9A& $75 6P& 6P
NH NH NH NH
5P& 3P 10A& 7P 6P 7P
NH NH NH NH NH NHZ
$50 5P& $80+ 3P $50 10A& $30+ 7P $120 6P $67 7P
NH NH NH 7 NH NHZ
11A 7P 10A 7P 12P& 7P 6P 10A
NHB NHB NH NH NH NH O H/L NH
$55 11A $55 7P $60 10A $60 7P $70 12P& $20+ 7P $30+ 6P $15 6P 7P
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NHB NH NH
12P&
NH
11A 7P
NH NH
$30+ 12P& 12P $45+ $100+ 12P&
10A 6P
N H Sh NH
$62 $55+ 6P
12P 1P& 12P& 7P 7P
NH NH NH NH NH
6P Wk3
NH
$25 12P $25 1P& $35 12P& $25+ $35+ 6P $120+ 6P
7P 4A& 1P 7P 7P 6P& 1P& 6P& 12P 12P& 12P& 6P 7P 12P& 2P&
NH
6P $20+ 1P $20 9A $35 12P $20 9A $20 4P $35 11A $30+ 7P& $13+ 11A 7P $65 7P $35+ 10A $40 7P
7
$30 10A $20 11A $13+ 5P 7P $10+ 7P
S H/L
F+ 7P
FRIDAY
NH $65+ 2P NH $30 11A& Po O $100-300 6P NH $115 11A NH $45 7P Tahoe $25+ 4P H/L 7P 6P NH $33+ N O H/L $20+ 1P NH $20 9A NH $35 12P NH $20 9A NH $20 4P H $35 11A Lad N H $25+ 12P NH $13+ 11A NH $45 NH $65 11A NH $40 10A $65 10P NH NH NH N O H/L H/L Spp Z
$30 10A $20 11A $13+ F $100 $10+ 7P $25 7P 7P 6P
7P
6P
$25+ 4P $100+ $0+
|
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35 10A 10A NH $60 NH $20 10A
$30+ $10+
NH
MI
MN
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35 10A 10A Po O $60 7P NH $20 10A NH $20+ NH $25+ 6P NH $30 11A& NHZ $50 6P NH $60 1P NHB $35 7P
1P 9A 12P 9A 4P 11A 12P 11A 7P 7P 10A 10P
IL
IN
| WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35 10A 10A NH $60 7P NH $20 10A Lad N H $20+ 10A& NH $65+ 6P NH $30 11A& Sit and Go $25 7P NH $60 1P NH $30+ 7P
7 NHZ NH NH
H
$75+
NH 20+ NH $65 5P& NH $80 1P NH $65+ NH $20+ 7P NHB $25 6P& NH $25+ 1P& NH $60 6P& NH $100 12P Sit N Go $45 12P& NH $65 12P& NH $55+ 6P NH $125 7P NH $150 12P& NH $60+ 2P& 8P
$35 7PWk1
H
$110 7P
7P $150+ 6P $50 9A& $75 6P& $40 6P 7P $50 5P& $80+ 3P $50 10A& $30+ 7P $65 6P $57 7P 7P $40 11A $40 7P $60 10A $60 7P $50 12P& $60 7P $45 $15 6P $60 7P 1P $30+ 12P& $100+ 6P $50 1P& 6P 6P
BNH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$65 7P $230 6P $50 9A& $75 6P& $40 6P $20+ 7P $50 5P& $80+ 3P $50 10A& $40+ 7P $65 6P $27+ 7P $65 7P $60 6P $40 $60 10A $60 7P $50 12P& $20+ 7P 6P $50 $25+ $160 $30+ 12P& 12P $85+ 12A $100+ 12P& $10+ 6P $10+ 6P
12P $25+ 6P
NH NH
$25 12P $25 1P& $35 12P& 7P 7P $30+ 6P Wk2 F+
NH NH NH NH NH
11A NH NH NH NH NH NH NH Sit N Go NHB NH NH NHB NHB Var
$90+ 11A& $80 1P 7P $20+ $100 6P& $45 1P& $60 6P& $100 12P $42 12P& $90 12P& $200 6P $35+ 7P $120 12P& $55 2P& $25+
NH NH NH NH NH NH Pi Pi
H
$95 10A $95 $70 12P& $60 7P $65 7P
NH NH LH NH NH NH
$30+ 12P& $100+ $65+ $80 10A $30+ 6P $35+ 6P
$40 $25+ $25+ 12P $25 1P& $35 12P& $40+ 6P& $65+ 6P $120+ 6P
NH
$75+
NH NH NH
7P $35+ 5P& $65 1P& $130B 7P
NHB $25 6P& N H DeepStack p $600 1P& NH $60 6P& NH $100 12P Sit N Go $45 12P& NH $30+ 12P& NHZ $120 6P NH $20+ NHB $150 12P& NH $100 7P
10A
NHZ NH NH N H Sat
NH
NH NH NH NH NH H
$65+ 2P $30 2P $50-200 4P $165 $30 3P $50+ 7P $0+ 3PWk1&3
NH NH NH NH NH H NH NH
$20+ 1P $20 9A $35 12P $20 9A $20 4P $35 11A $30+ 12P $13+ 11A 5P $65 11A $35 $40 10P 10A $30 $20 11A 2P
NH NH
H NH NH O H/L
$10+ 2P
12P $25 2P $140 1P& $35 12P $30 7P $55+ $60
20+ 7P $120 5P& $55 1P& $65+ 4P 2P NHB $50 6P& N H DeepStack p $600 2P& NH $60 6P& NH $100 12P Sit N Go $42 12P& NH $100 1P& NH $200 6P 7P NHB $150 12P& NHB $150 7P NHB NHZ NH NH
w w w. p o ke r p l a y e r n e w s p a p e r. c o m
SUNDAY GAMES BUY-IN NH $35 NH $60
NH NHZ Deepstack p NH
$60+ $100 2P $15+ 2P
NH Deepstack p NH
$120 $25
NHB Deepstack p
$50 3P
N H Deepstack p
$110
4P
NH
$25+
Z NH
NH
$75
H NH NH NH NH NH H NH NH
$18+ $20+ $20 $35 $20 $20 $35 $50+ $28+
O/8
$25 7P $25+ 1P $20+ 1P $20 9A $100 12P $20 9A $20 4P $35 11A $30+ 12P $13+ 11A $35 $65 11A 10A $40 7P $65 10A
O H/L NH NH NH
$65 $35 $115 $45+
NH NH
$20 $25+
H
$20+
$25+
NH NH
NH NH
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35 10A 10A NH Deepstack p $120 6P
N O H/L NH NH NH NH H NH NH NB NH NH
2P
NH
$30+ 3P
H
$30+ 7P $10+ 4P
NH NH
7P
NH
$30+ $25+ 4P 2P $30+ 6P 3P $560 12P $75 9A& $60+ 2P& $60 2P $75 1P& $50+ 1P& $100+ 7P $50 10A& $65+ 12P $340 6P $87 7P $65 7P $120 12P
NHZ H NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH
$60 $40 $30+ $88 $340 $100 $60+ $60 $50 $50+ $85+ $50 $55+ $120 $58 $65 $60
$120 10A 6P $90 11A& $20+ 3P Var 12P
NH Deepstack p NH NH NH
$50 $120 $125 $60 $25+
NH NH NH NH
$25+ $90 $30+ Varies
NH NH NHB NH NH NH 7
$80 $25+ $25+ $30+ Varies $15+ $10+ $30+ $25 $35
$50
NH $11+ NH $180 6P NH $50 9A& NH $75 6P& NH $40 6P N H League g $40 7P NH $50 5P& NH $80+ 3P NH $50 10A& LH $30+ 4P NH $120 6P NHZ $57 7P NH $65 7P N H Deepstack p $90 11A Poker League g Poker League g N H Sh NH NH
| SATURDAY |
GAMES BUY-IN|TIME NH $35 10A 10A 4P NH $20
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH Terminator
$340 12P $75 9A& $75 2P& $60 2P $20+ 5P& $50 1P& $80+ 1P $50 10A& $60+ 12P $225 6P& $37+ 12P $65 7P $60 10A
NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NHZ NH NH
NH
$60 10A
Deepstack p
NH Lad N H
$70 11A& $15+ 3P Var
NH NH NH
NH
$15+ 12P
NH
NH
NH NH NH
$30+ 12P& 12P 12P $50 12P& $40+ 1P $35+ 1P
NH NH NH NH NH NH
NH
$40 10A
NH
LH F$5+ 12P NHZ $25 12P NH $40 2P NH $55 4P N H Sat $40 + 12P
NH NH NH NH NH
$25+ 12P 11A $50+ 11A& $500+ 12P $200+ $200 8A& $60 3P $35+ 6P 2P $175 12P 5P $10+ 12P $50+ 12P $110 12P $55 12P& $60
12P 12P
NH Var
$115 Var
NH 60+ 4P NH $120+ 11A& NH $100 1P& NH $65+ 2P N H Sh $35 NH $100 6P& N H DeepStack p $600 2P& NH $60 6P& NH $100 10A Sit N Go $45 12P& NH $100 1P& NH $200 6P NH $150 7P NH $100 12P& NH $150 2P&
N H Lad 20+ NH $35+ 1P& NH $100 1P& NH $130+ 4P NHB NH NH NH Sit N Go NH NH NH NH NH
AU G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 0 9
$100 5P& $60 1P $120 6P& $100 12P $45 12P& $200 12P& $200 6P $130 $65 12P& $200 2P&
NH NH
BNH NH
F+
$65+ $70 $130+
NHB $50 N H DeepStack p $600 NH $60 N H Deepstack p Varies Sit N Go $45 N H Deepstack p $100 NH $200 NHB NH
P O K E R P L AY E R
$150 $120 23
Entertainment Listings
Entertainment RePORT By LEN BUTCHER The first two items of my column will be appreciated, I believe, more for those folks over 40 as they deal with entertainers who have been around for a number of years but still can perform with the best of them. The first is the Osmond Family whose members, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and Jimmy, take the stage at The Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas, August 28 - 30. Sister Marie and brother Donny are headlining on the Strip at the Flamingo and have just had their contract extended for another few years. For the Osmond family, they are celebrating fifty years in show business, a milestone very few performers reach. Their harmonies have resulted in the sale of millions of albums over the years, beginning when they first appeared on The Andy Williams Show. That was 50 years ago and was supposed to be a one-time shot. They ended up as regulars for the next seven years. The Osmond boys moved into the role of executive producers in 1976 with the debut of The Donny and Marie show. In the ‘80s, the group made the successful switch from pop to country music and ended by buying a theater in Branson, MO ten years later. A highlight to their career was receiving a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. If you‘re already a fan, I don‘t have to sell you on them. If you‘ve never heard them before, grab a ticket if you‘re in town end of August. Tickets start at $34.95, plus tax and you can get them by calling the box office at 702.365.7075 or visiting www. orleanscasino.com. Here’s a woman who also has been performing for more than 50 years, still looks and sings great. She’s two-time Grammy Award winner Petula Clark and she will be performing at the JW Marriott’s Grand Ballroom and Marriott Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, August 30 at 4 p.m. Petula actually began singing publicly as a child during World War II where she entertained troops both on the radio and in concert. During her 50 plus years performing, she has sold more than 68 million records. Her breakout hit “Downtown” launched her American career by going straight to number one on the charts and earning her a Grammy Award in 1964. Petula followed that the following year with “I Know a Place,” which earned her a second Grammy Award. Her record speaks for itself: Fifteen top 40 hits and two number one hits in the United States and 159 top 40 hits internationally. Not too shabby. Get to see her if you can. Not only does your $40 ticket get you into the showroom, but also includes the Rampart buffet and taxes and fees. Now that’s a deal. You can buy your tickets at the Rampart Casino cage any day of the week. This is for all you country music fans and I know there’s a ton of you out there. On Saturday, August 29, Coyote Country is teaming up with the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to bring the inaugural Coyote CountryFest—featuring Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Byrd, Love and Theft, Bomshel and Chris Young—to The Orleans. This is a star-studded lineup you won’t want to miss and it all starts at 6:30 p.m. Heading it all is award-winning Tracy Lawrence who signed his first record deal in 1992, and since then has become one of country music’s core artists. This Texas-born traditionalist gained a lot of country music fans with hits like “Watermelon Crawl” and “The Truth About Men” as well as more poignant ballads like his signature song “Keeper of the Stars,” which was voted the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year in 1996. There’s a lot of great talent in this show and you can hear it all for only $10 for general admission and $35 for reserved seating, inclusive of taxes and fees. You can get your tickets at all Coast Casino box offices, by calling 702.284.7777 or by visiting www.orleansarena.com. Len Butcher, a 25-year resident of Las Vegas, is an online columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and a former Managing Editor of the Las Vegas Sun and of Gaming Today. Reach him at lennylv@netzero.net 24
P O K E R P L AY E R
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Poker Player Advertisers are shown in RED along with their ad’s page number To list your event, contact Len Butcher, Entertainment Editor at lennylv@netzero.net
ARIZONA Showstoppers LIVE! Every night except Mondays, 7 p.m. Casino Arizona (11) CALIFORNIA Chumash Casino Resort (21) Al Green Sept 3, 8 p.m. Comedian Rudy Morena Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Commerce Casino (28) Finish Line Lounge Hollywood Park Casino (5) Live Jazz, Tues. 8 p.m. Latin Legends Pechanga Resort & Casino Aug 28, 8 p.m. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Lynyrd Skynyrd Sept 17, 8 p.m. MISSISSIPPI B.B. King Beau Rivage Sept 4, 8 p.m. NEVADA-LAS VEGAS Hal Ketchum Boulder Station (3) Sept 4, 8 p.m. Bette Midler Caesars Palace Aug 29-Sept 6, 7:30 p.m. Gary Sinise Cannery Hotel & Casino Sept 6, 8 p.m. Country Superstars Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino Tribute Ongoing, 8 p.m. Nashville Unplugged Sept 18, 8 p.m. Green Valley Ranch (3) Rita Rudner Harrah’s Hotel & Casino Ongoing (dark Sundays), 8 p.m. Troubador Lounge-Live Joker’s Wild Fri & Sat, 9 p.m. Entertainment Gino Vanelli Sept 27, 7 p.m. Las Vegas Hilton Sin City Bad Girls Nightly (dark Sunday), 9 p.m. Carrot Top Luxor Resort & Casino Sun-Fri 8 p.m. & Sat, 7 & 9 p.m. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Julianne Hough Sept 5, 9:30 p.m. Def Leppard with Sept 5, 8 p.m. MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Poison KA. Fri thru Tue, 8 p.m. The Beatles LOVE The Mirage Hotel & Casino Thu thru Mon, 7 & 10 p.m. Monte Carlo Resort & Casino Magician Lance Burton Tuesdays thru Saturdays, 7pm; Tuesdays & Saturdays. 7 & 10 p.m. Air Supply The Orleans Sept 3-6, 8 p.m. Crazy Girls Wed thru Mon, 9:30 p.m. Riviera Hotel & Casino Neil Diamond Tribute Sun thru Thu, 7 p.m. The Platters, Coasters Sahara Hotel & Casino 8 p.m. nightly and Drifters Santa Fe Hotel & Casino (3) Las Vegas MMA Sept 4, 8 p.m. Suncoast Hotel & Casino (12) Frank Sinatra Jr. Sept 5-6, 8 p.m. Sunset Station Hotel & Casino (3) James Otto Sept 26, 8 p.m. Mystere Treasure Island Ongoing, Wed thru Sat 7:30 p.m. Joan Rivers Aug 27, 9 p.m. & Sept 3-5, 8 p.m. Phantom of the Opera Nightly, 7 p.m. Venetian Hotel & Casino Blue Man Group Nightly, 7:30 p.m. Wayne Brady Ongoing, 9 p.m. Le Reve Wynn Las Vegas Nightly, 7 & 8:30 p.m. NEVADA-RENO Brett Michaels Peppermill Hotel-Casino Sept 26, 8 p.m. NEW JERSEY Dane Cook Trump Taj Mahal Sept 4-6, 8 p.m.
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Caro’s Word: “More” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
because your opponents make weak plays like that themselves. Great poker advertising tends toward the outrageous. You need to realize that every player faces borderline decisions and can either decide to make a call or not. Even the loosest players will call even more often against some players than against others. Advertising is really a method of shouting “Play me; choose me!” As an example, in draw poker, I sometimes call the opener with a complete garbage hand. He’ll draw three cards. I’ll stand pat, taking none. He’ll check. I’ll check and just show down my worthless hand, giggling and losing. “Why didn’t you bet?” someone invariably asks. I reply with something like, “I didn’t think it was the best hand,” or “I wasn’t trying to bluff.” This leaves the table scratching heads and talking about the play long after it happened. That advertising play only cost me a single bet! Another example: I’ll sometimes overcall in a “family pot” behind a string of callers, declaring the often heard words, “The pot’s too big not to call.” Then I’ll throw my hand away immediately after calling. When questioned, I’ll just say, “Everyone says you’re supposed to call, but I didn’t realize you were supposed to play the hand, too.” Some opponents will be amused, but all will notice the advertising. In general, you’ll get more calls in the future, and you’ve spent very little on this noticeable advertisement. It may seem silly, but you’ve drawn attention to yourself—and that’s what advertising is supposed to do. Here’s another example. I’ll bet a missed flush on the river against a single opponent and, before the opponent decides what to do, I’ll turn my cards face up, announcing, “See, I’m bluffing.” This usually costs me a single bet—a small one, if it’s no-limit. Or, sometimes, it even turns into a profit if the opponent raises. I’ve discovered that most opponents don’t raise in this situation when they have me beat.
They just call out of amusement or compassion. When I’m raised—especially if I hold an ace—there’s a high probability of a bluff, meaning the opponent couldn’t even beat my high cards. So, I study the opponent and sometimes call. However it turns out, it’s cheap advertising, the kind opponents will remember and talk about. Some people tell me that opponents aren’t influenced by such ploys. But that’s completely wrong. Advertising is proven to increase profit when its costs are correctly weighed against its benefits. And poker is no exception. Question 3: Should I bet all my money with aceking in hold’em? The key to remember with A-K in no-limit hold’em is that you can move all-in with it, but you usually shouldn’t call someone else’s all-in bet. When you move all-in, opponents holding slightly superior hands, such as a high pair like queens, jacks, or tens, are worried that you have a higher pair. You’re likely to win the pot immediately, but even if you’re called, you’ll still have an excellent shot at winning by pairing. But if you call all-in with A-K, you can’t win the pot immediately. You’ve got to hope the opponent moved all-in with an ace and a weaker kicker, a bluff, or a pair that you can then outdraw. This doesn’t usually compute. Calling a large allin raise with A-K is almost always wrong. Moving all-in with Big Slick is usually okay. Question 4: Do you have any guidelines for value betting into the player to your left? Yes. Tend not to do it. You really don’t want to make aggressive bets into players to your left, because they have a positional advantage by acting last on future deals. You don’t want to engage them in a war of aggression. So it’s best not to press small advantages which might motivate them to take advantage of their superior position. If there are just two of you in the pot and the oppo-
nent is across the table, it’s more reasonable to make an aggressive value bet. You need to play much more timidly against opponents to your left. Don’t declare war. Don’t check-raise. Don’t value bet. Don’t agitate. No more questions, please. Let’s meet again in two weeks. Mike Caro is widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on poker strategy, psychology, and statistics. A renowned player and founder of Mike Caro University of Poker, Gaming, and Life Strategy, he is known as “the Mad Genius of Poker,” because of his lively delivery of concepts and latest research. You can visit him at www.poker1.com or e-mail him at mike@caro.com.
Bike’s Legends EVENT #4
7/30/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 184
(Cont’d from page 21)
EVENT #2
7/29/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM CELEBRITY EVENT CENTER OPENING BUY-IN $0
PRIZE POOL
$53,544
PLAYERS 113
Garrett Levrini
PRIZE POOL
$5,000
1. Garrett Levrini . . . $19,804 2. Haytham Shamaoun $9,990 EVENT #3
7/29/09
NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BUY-IN $300 +$35 PLAYERS 802
Annie Duke 1. Annie Duke . . . . . . . . $5,000 EVENT #1
BUY-IN $100 +$20
PRIZE POOL
PLAYERS 84
$233,382
PRIZE POOL
Jeffrey Clayton 1. 2. 3. 4.
Jeffrey Clayton . . . . $57,762 Edward Taggart . . . $30,400 Florentino Ornelas . $17,890 J. Tanntyng Lu . . . . $15,655
7/28/09
EMPLOYEE EVENT— NO LIMIT HOLD’EM
$8,148 Jodie Sanders 1. Jodie Sanders . . . . . . . $3,258 2. Benjamin Valdez . . . . $1,875
POWERFUL ADVERTISING REACH—USE IT!
poker player
Fall Poker CLASSIC
YEAR THISTURING ! FEA HIPS
EC R O M DATE
Oct. 10 Oct. 11 Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 15 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 15
October 10 – 23, 2009
DAY
GAME
BUY-IN + ENTRY FEE
Saturday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $300 + $40 Sunday, Noon Limit Hold’em $300 + $40 Monday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $200 + $30 Tuesday, Noon Limit Hold’em $200 + $30 Wednesday, Noon Omaha 8 or Better $200 + $30 Thursday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $200 + $30 Friday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $300 + $40 Saturday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $500 + $50 Sunday, Noon Ladies No-Limit Hold’em $100 + $25 Sunday, 4 PM 7 Card Stud $200 + $30 Monday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $200 + $30 Tuesday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $300 + $40 Wednesday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $500 + $50 Thursday, Noon No-Limit Hold’em $1,000 + $80 2–DAY CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT Friday, Noon Last Chance No-Limit Hold’em $200 + $30 NO LIMIT HOLD’EM BATTLE OF THE GENERATIONS Tuesday, 6 PM Generation Y (1980–1991) $150 + $25 Wednesday, 6 PM Generation X (1964–1979) $150 + $25 Thursday, 6 PM Baby Boomers/Seniors (1963 & Prior) $150 + $25 October 16–21 SUPER SATELLITE NIGHTLY $100+ $20
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For all tournament or lodging information: 952-445-6870, 1-866-MN-POKER or tournaments@canterburypark.com Must be 18 to play at Canterbury Park. Schedule subject to change. 3% of Prize Pool withheld for tournament dealers. 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379 | www. canterburypark.com | Playing responsibly is always your best bet. w w w. p o ke r p l a y e r n e w s p a p e r. c o m
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PokerStars and Full Tilt Fight for 2009-2010 WORLDWIDE Guinness World Record POKER TOURNAMENTS
Online Poker Perspective
NOW! Get Tournament Listings at our website: www.pokerplayernewspaper.com >Denotes Advertiser; Poker Association Events also denoted: t=World Poker Tour, s=World Series of Poker and e=European Poker Tour.
BY Jennifer Newell It started in December of 2008 when PokerStars claimed the world record, as the online poker site organized a tournament that drew 35,000 players to it, the most ever to play in one event at one time on the internet. Since that time, not only has PokerStars had its eye on breaking its own record, but Full Tilt Poker had the same idea too. Healthy competition between two of the biggest and most popular poker sites in the world, some might say. Just after the wrap of the 2009 World Series of Poker—with the exception of the November Nine—Full Tilt Poker began advertising its Record Breaker tournament scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 19. For only $5 or 1,000 Full Tilt Points, players could participate in the tournament that planned to break the Guinness World Record by registering more than 35,000 players. The site also put up a $500,000 guarantee on the tournament as an in-advance sign of gratitude to its players. High hopes were that Full Tilt would break the record and see its name in the books for some time. The tournament garnered 50,000 player registrations, which set a record, and breo40 was the player who won the ninehour event and the $45,000 first place prize. Full Tilt Poker would have found its way into the record books ... if PokerStars hadn’t set up a fairly impromptu tournament to outdo its competitor. The PokerStars event was set for the same day and was announced just days after the Full Tilt effort, and the Guinness World Record tournament on PokerStars had a higher maximum number of players and lower buy-in. For only $1, players could get in on the action for a $130,000 guarantee and a cut-off of 65,000 players. They achieved their goal, as players clamored to get into the tournament. Despite the prize pool being more lucrative than the Full Tilt tournament, PokerStars offered a cheaper entry fee and the notion that they would still own the record, which brought the masses to Stars. In the end, it was 004 license who won the tournament and $13,000 first prize, and PokerStars that retained ownership of the new world record. Why such an interest from both sites in breaking the record? There may have been an element of notoriety, as a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records can only further the company name and bring more players to the site. But the battle between the two largest sites seemed to be more of a competition, a besting of the other. Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars constantly spar via well-known sponsored pros and major tournaments with stellar guarantees to outdo the other and draw more site traffic, and though most of the back-and-forth seems good natured and not directed specifically at the other, there is a competition to be the best and most popular site. It is the nature of business, and competition is the pinnacle of the online poker world. Some players do have a preference and play solely on one of those two sites. But the overwhelming majority of players likely claim accounts on PokerStars and Full Tilt, so in the end it comes down to customer service, game options, and ease of play as to where the people will choose to spend most of their money. But if the UIGEA is overturned and new legislation is passed in the United States to regulate and license online poker, a new group of companies will be entering the American market and challenging the two sites to step up their games even more. For now, the two rule the US market, but they both understand that gaining the trust of customers now may be their keys to long-term success in the world’s biggest market. Jennifer Newell is a compulsive writer. In addition to Poker Player Newspaper, she writes for numerous publications and blogs at Pokerati.com as California Jen. In her little bit of spare time, she plays poker, too. Contact her at jen3351@msn.com. 26
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To list your 3-day events contact: A.R. Dyck, Managing Editor, at: ard@gamblingtimes.com DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
Aug 7-24 Aug 12-23 Aug 14-23 >Aug 15-17 >Aug 18-23 >Aug 19-23 >Aug 24-30 Aug 24-31 Aug 26-30 >Sep 3-14 Sep 4-9 >Sep 10-27 Sep 18-Oct 1 Sep 19-24 Sep 23-Oct 5 >Sep 24-Oct 11 Oct 1-18 Oct 7-11 >Oct 10-23 Oct 16-25 >Oct 11-19 >Oct 21-Nov 1 Oct 23-Nov 2 >Oct 30-Nov 17 Nov 1-25 Nov 5-10 Nov 5-15 >Nov 6-22 >Nov 26-Dec 13 Dec 3-10 Dec 4-20 >Jan 6-27 Jan 14-31 Jan 20-Feb 11 Feb 18-Mar 2 >Feb 20-25 >Feb 27-Mar 1 Mar 3-14 Mar 8-12 Mar 18-31 Mar 20-24 Apr 1-14 Apr 14-30 May 7-19
Mega Stack Showdown Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV Asian Poker Tour Macau StarWorld Hotel & Casino, Macau, China Empire State Hold’Em Ch’ship Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, NY Arizona State Poker Ch’ship Casino Arizona (Ad Pg 11), Scottsdale, AZ Megastack Challenge XIII Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard, CT Twin Cities Poker Open Canterbury Park (Ad Pg 25), Shakopee, MN WinStar World Ch’ship Series Tourn. WinStar Casino, Thackerville, OK Bay 101 Open Bay 101, San Jose, CA Edmonton Poker Classic Casino Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Gulf Coast Poker Championship Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, MS EPT Barcelona eCasino Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Commerce Hold’Em Series Commerce Casino (Ad Pg 28), Commerce, CA WSOP Europe Casino at the Empire, London, UK Borgata Open tBorgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, NJ Midwest Poker Classic Running Aces Card Room, Columbus, MN Big Poker Oktober The Bicycle Casino (Ad Pg 3), Bell Gardens, CA Fall Pot of Gold Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, NV Canadian Poker Championship Casino Yellowhead, Edmonton, AB, Canada Fall Poker Classic Canterbury Park (Ad Pg 25), Shakopee, MN Circuit Event sHorseshoe Casino, Hammond, IN Heartland Poker Tour Event Downstream Casino Resort, Quapaw, OK National Championship of Poker Hollywood Park Casino (Ad Pg 5), Inglewood, CA Circuit Event sHorseshoe Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN Cherokee Open Cherokee Casino, Tulsa, OK Deep Stack Extravaganza IV The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV World Poker Finals tFoxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT Circuit Event sHarveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV The Open at Commerce Commerce Casino (Ad Pg 28), Commerce, CA Turkey Shoot/Ho-Ho Hold’em The Bicycle Casino (Ad Pg 27), Bell Gardens, CA Winter Pot of Gold Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, NV Circuit Event sHarrah’s Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ Southern Poker Championship Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, MS Aussie Millions Crown Casino, Melbourne, Australia Circuit Event sHarrah’s Tunica, Tunica Resorts, MS Circuit Event sHorseshoe Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs, IA LA Poker Classic tCommerce Casino (Ad Pg 28), Commerce, CA WPT Celebrity Invitational tCommerce Casino (Ad Pg 28), Commerce, CA Circuit Event sCaesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ Bay 101 Shooting Star tBay 101, San Jose, CA Circuit Event sHarrah’s Rincon, San Diego, CA Hollywood Poker Open tHollywood Casino, Lawrenceburg, IN Circuit Event sHarrah’s St. Louis, St. Louis, MO Circuit Event sCaesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV Circuit Event sHarrah’s New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
POKER High Stakes Poker. Mondays 12 & ON 1 AM, Sundays 7, 8 & 9 PM. GSN.
TV
Poker After Dark. TuesdaysSaturdays 2:05 AM, Sundays 2 AM. All Times EDT NBC.
World Poker Tour. Tuesdays 3 AM, Saturdays 3 AM. FSN. Saturdays 5 PM. Travel. Sundays 10 PM. FSN. World Series of Poker. (Check local listings for times). ESPNC & ESPN2.
Poker Profile: Matt Savage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
and it is his executive talents that have taken Savage to the highest levels of the poker world. Over the next few months he will be in Macau for the Asian Poker Tour, Aruba and Marrakech as he also maintains a sharp focus on the interests of the Commerce. What does he think of the people who play poker at the highest levels? Who are the best? Having had a chance
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to watch the best players in the world over a number of years he takes the politically correct view of an administrator who works with everyone. “I have the greatest respect for all the people who stay busy with the biggest tournaments on a regular basis.” He is willing to offer his view of the traits that all the best players exhibit:
“Patience and certainly stamina and endurance are important. And there is no question that you have to be able to read your opponent.” Savage is intrigued by the successful players who scarcely need to look at their cards. “They’re just playing their opponents.” Like a good tournament director, taking in the big picture and doing what’s necessary.
WPT NO Limit Hold’em Championship August 22 3:00 pm $9,800 + $200 = $10,000 ($30,000 in Starting Chips) Filming is on August 26 at 4:00pm Limited seats available
bankroll rebuilder tournaments August 27 - 28
August 29
no limit hold’em $100+ $20 = $120 7:00PM
no limit hold’em $100+ $20 = $120 3:00PM
($5,000 in starting chips, $5 for $1,000 bonus chips)
($5,000 in starting chips, $5 for $1,000 bonus chips)
$50,000
$25,000
Guaranteed!
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R E WA R D S C A R D
All players must have a Bicycle Casino Rewards Card to participate.
7301 Eastern Ave., Bell Gardens, CA 90201 ♦ (562) 806-4646 ♦ www.thebike.com Monies collected for bonus chips will be applied to admin fee. Players must purchase their bonus chips before they begin playing. $3 from every $100 in prize money will be withheld as a service charge. All events with 100 or more players will be 2 day events. In all events that have a prize pool greater than $100,000, the first place winner will receive a $9,800 + $200 entry (non-negotiable, non-refundable and non-transferable) into 2009 LOP/WPT event as part of their prize. The Bicycle Casino reserves the right to revise, cancel, suspend or modify tournament events at its sole discretion and without prior notice. See Official Rules at the Welcome Center. PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY. 1-800-GAMBLER. GEGA-000451
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