Post tagged with online poker
July
28
NY vs Online Poker
Quiet war between some US states and Online Poker rooms is escalating. Almost $30,000,000.00 is being seized from poker players by Southern District of New York, without any kind of warrant. Money belongs to over a million poker players that tried to withdraw their funds from online poker rooms.
To make things worse, money is being seized from two best-of-the best poker platforms: Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars players - rare platforms that are still accepting (and welcoming!) United States poker players, which can bring a huge question mark over players’ heads - Can we play or not?
Poker Player Alliance immediately stood in players’ defense with the claim that this kind of seizure is simply not a legal move. PPA Executive Director, John Pappas, demands a quick money release and states that “The PPA will pursue every legal course available to ensure that poker players funds are not seized and their right to play online poker is protected.” They are also asking player to actively participate in their defense.
Epilogue of this story is still far away, both Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars didn’t make any publin statement yet. All we can do at the moment is to wait and see the outcome.
One thing is for sure - without US players, online poker won’t be the same.
You can read more details here, a great article by Jennifer Newell.
June
26
When it comes to turning from No Limit Texas Hold’em to Pot Limit Omaha Hold’em, even experienced Poker Tournament players hit a brick wall. It’s a fact - even though game looks the same, you need to adjust your way of playing. These small differences can lead you from zero to hero and vice versa. Specially if you are used to the most powerful betting weapon you have in No Limit Hold’em games - the all in raise.
It is a common fact that it’s much easier to bet all in, and much more difficult to call it. So, the first player who raises has the significant advantage. This simply won’t work in Pot Limit, the first raiser has only the opportunity to raise the current pot.
In the made up situation, if pot is 4000 chips, and you decide to pot raise, you will be able to bet only additional 4000. However, the next raiser can now bet 8000 chips, which will boost the current pot to 16000. Now you’ll need to call his bet with additional 8000, which will round the pot on 24000. So, in this example with the follow up pot raise, pot is increased 6 times!
Which leads us to a conclusion that second raiser has the advantage in Omaha Poker Pot Limit Hold’em tournaments, equal to the all in in Texas Hold’em!
The sooner you adjust your game tactics, the better.
You can read a thorough analysis of this phenomenon in the great article by Rafe Furst, a Full Tilt Poker pro.
June
2
How to play it safe and not to lose money in first 10 minutes of play
Many poker players think Omaha Poker is either too easy or too complicated for play, which can’t be more far from the truth. Here are 9 easy to follow tips - sort of a short and simple guide that will give you a good head start in Omaha Poker.
1. Play at micro-stakes tables
No matter how much money you have in your bankroll - you’re an easy meat - specially if you’re playing Omaha Poker for the first time. There are great micro stakes tables on Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars with $0.01/0.02 blinds that are great for you to gain some experience.
2. Fold Quads and Trips
If you see 3 or 4 aces in your hand, and you think you rock, think again. You may use 2 of 4 hole cards only in Omaha, so if you see Three of a kind or Quads in your hands, just fold without any consideration.
3. Don’t bet pre-flop
You’ll learn, hard way or no way - Omaha hand starts after a flop. If somebody else is raising a dime or two, consider calling. If there are re-raises, just fold.
4. Limp in when it’s cheap
Even the great looking hands in Omaha have only 30% chances of winning (A-K-A-K double suited for example), so if it’s cheap (somebody raises not more then 2 big blinds), feel free to limp in and see the flop.
5. Fold if you miss a flop
Don’t expect your hand to improve on Turn or River. If you miss a flop, fold instantly. There are other players at the table that didn’t miss a flop and are waiting to rob newbies like you.
6. No straight - no go
Look it this way - Two Pair in Omaha is worth as Queen High in Texas Hold’em. Three of a Kind is strong as an Ace High. If you don’t have at least a straight after the flop, or need more than 1 card to complete straight or better, fold.
7. Don’t think they’re bluffing
Don’t get me wrong, people bluff all the time, but until you catch someone red-handed, consider they’re strong. Remember, you are playing against opponent that holds 6 Texas Hold’em hands each time!
8. Bet the nuts only
If at any point of the hand you figure out you’re holding nuts, bet like hell. Maybe they’ll think you’re bluffing.
9. Be patient!
This could be the first rule, or the zero rule, but you won’t believe me anyway. Patience is everything in Omaha Poker. Look carefully how others play and wait for a not good but great hole cards. Sometimes dealer button will pass you couple of times, but don’t get discouraged - be patient!
If you want to read more about our Omaha Poker experience, check out our omaha poker hands and poker wisdom.
If you think you’re ready, give it a go at Full Tilt Poker or Poker Stars! Good Luck!
At the end, I would really love to hear what you think and to discuss these tips with you, so feel free to comment!
May
14
Smiling Mac Poker Face
I love my Mac and I enjoy using it every day. When I discovered online poker I was pretty turned off by the fact that only a couple of poker playing platforms support Mac players. However, the ones that do are the best I’ve seen! For example, I have tried to play on Party Poker, but their “software” is browser based and the connection level I managed to maintain was poor. In general, playing was more a torture then a pleasure.
So, I kept my search going and discovered two platforms that are just brilliant - like the Mac itself. These are Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars. No wonder they are very popular among the players - they thought about everything. Both platforms are populated with all levels of players (from beginners to pros) and more importantly, the software is stable and regularly updated. There are tons of tournaments on both platforms, from freerolls, micro stake games, low stake games, to high stake tourneys and tables. Basically you can always try to reach Chris Ferguson’s success.
So, open Safari on your Mac and try to play Omaha poker on Full Tilt Poker or Poker Stars. You won’t regret a moment!
Good Luck!
