Hitting the Poker Life Reset Button and Critical Future Planning Post Online Ban

Hitting the Poker Life Reset Button and Critical Future Planning Post Online Ban

So many industries are so secure and the gambling industry is without a doubt one of the most secure. Gambling and sex are in our life everywhere we go. They are sellers, big sellers, they are industries or parts of life that will never change. Life is a gamble and the population depends on sex. Both are almost like taxes and death, they are staying. Though there are clearly sectors of these industries that can be hurt badly. We all know where I am heading! The ban on online poker in Australia and as the blog article states, hitting that poker reset button in a way we just never expected. Or did we?

Black Friday in America was very hard for me. So many people do not realize just how hard. I am talking nervous breakdown hard here, not just a little hard, ridiculously hard. I wasn't alone, I remember people near suicidal losing their homes, cars, lifestyle, family - aka life! I didnt lose my kids, thy were always staying, I did lose all my sponsorship, my bank roll, my chances of playing (I was grinding $1/$2- $3/$6 cash tables on line and entering some big tourneys to say the least) and wasnt using my money, the joys of being backed! I lost my jobs pertaining to writing, marketing and well, clearly, the lot! Need I continue? There is another blog post to explain how I in Australia lost all of this while many just lost the funds they had online.

So, here I go again, this time the hit isn't as hard. I haven't been making ridiculously large amounts of money but rather working my way back up the poker food chain very carefully. I haven't been receiving any sponsorship benefits or large sums of money from being employed by a room to market or the like. With that said, there are Aussies that have! There are Australians that will lose money left right and center from this and when it comes to lifestyle and choices, we have all lost out there. I think that's the hardest part, this changes who we are, at this stage, indefinitely.

I am not writing this as a poor me / sob story, I am writing this in hope that I help. My insight into what people are losing is great, I have been one of the lucky Aussies to have already been here and gone through this reset. People overlook losses that we all face such as not being able to play online qualifiers for live tourneys such as Aussie Millions, VIC Champs and even WSOP. I can tell you that this is like quitting smoking, online poker is habitual, especially when its been such a big part of your life for a very long time. I am not saying habitual in a bad way, its been great for us all! Bored? Play some poker online! Want to qualify for $2 to a big game? Play some poker online! Want to study something unique and be the best you can at it? Study some online poker! This of course leads one to the thought of the loss when it comes to time & study. I know you have all put in countless hours, more than imaginable and many a dollar on literature and learning. It really is equivalent to becoming a heart surgeon only to be told you can never go near a patient again. The time investment is years, it hurts.

I hoped from my prior experience I can help you deal with the loss of something you put so much effort into learning & studying - something you have made a big part of your life, something that is life, something that is a lifestyle (all while I punch out my own thoughts and self help). I am afraid that the only advice I can really give this time is take up live poker at a more constant level or move countries if poker is your plan. Or, take up another in-depth technical hobby, Minecraft, anyone? Chess? Evelyn comes to mind! I used to play that game a lot between hands!

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Separating Poker From Social Life

Separating Poker From Social Life

Poker is a game of socialization. Whether you play online or live or even both, you are socializing and having fun. The game is far from boring, its something which entertains us all. This is what makes playing poker for a living an awesome job! The job has its ups and downs like any, mostly to do with bad swings and long hours. When using the word job in the previous sentence it is important to remember that those that play poker for a living or to supplement income must remember that this is far from a party, far from socialization. Playing poker is real work and must be separated from normal every day social life.

When we all first start playing poker we all do it for entertainment. I can not think of one person who walked into their first game of poker thinking “What a great job I have, shuffle up and deal and lets get this wage earned!” Simply it doesn’t seem to work like this. Every persons story I have heard on how they started playing poker starts differently but never that way. This means even the best and richest poker players in the world that have succumb poker as a hobby or fun time started the same as all of us. They played for fun and entertainment originally.

It isn’t always the case that any player should stop making poker a social game. Doing that is impossible regardless. Any poker player who is planning on making poker their main source of income or supplementary income needs to consider this article. They need to somewhat separate this new part time or full time job from their social life as much as possible.

How does one do this? How do we separate poker from our social life? I myself am only beginning to find out! In studying a lot of poker players lifestyles though it really is simple and something I must take my own advice on.

• Set your times that you plan on playing and make sure they are uninterrupted alike you were working an office job. Make your part time hours or full time hours 100% dedicated to your game and nothing else.
• Don't take social habits such as drinking and smoking to your live or online table. Don't take chit chat with friends unless it is about the game to your “job” with you.
• Manage your poker bankroll completely separately. This includes the separation of “partying funds” at live tournaments. In saying that, there is always the case that a man may find a fling night at a strip club (lol) a way to ease tensions before a big game.
• If you are to play a game of poker socially with friends and or family, make it that way. Don't make it serious - have your drinks and your snack food all sorted for the time of your life. Make it as if it were a day at the pool.
• Turn off ALL social networks! No facebooking, yahooing, orkuting, msning or anything UNLESS it is in regard to the game at the time – in saying that unless you are whining about a bad beat or your current status rank wise, I can not think WHY you would have them on. (says she who always does – again I must follow my own advice.)

All in all unless poker is a social aspect of your life these things need considering and not for one second am I saying there is not more things to do such as open specific bank accounts, keep running tally’s and associated expenses etc separate. Again, I am just separating myself!

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Become A FeltStars Pro!

Become A FeltStars Pro!

Feltstars is looking for a new online pro each month. You can be our next pro by playing and winning our monthly qualifier tournaments, and fame and fortune will be yours!

Joining FeltStars is the first step!

jOIN HERE: FELTSTARS

Each month we will host 30 qualifier tournaments, in which only the winner receives entry into the Final Event. On Monday through Friday evenings we will have $2.20 tourneys with a $33 tourney entry added, Saturday a $5.50 with a $60 tourney coupon added, and on Sundays there will be a deep stack $11.00 with a $50K guaranteed tourney entry added.

Any player winning more than one of the qualifiers in the same promotion period will earn an additional $50K guaranteed tourney entry, plus eliminate one more competitor to compete against in the final event!

The winner of each of the qualifiers will play in the final tourney at the end of the promotion, and the first place finisher will be crowned our online tournament pro of the month. He or she will win over $4,000 in MTT tournament buyins on FeltStars for the following month, (and keep all their winnings), as well as having their name and picture featured on our site, and in our newsletter.

Do you have what it takes to be our next pro?

Tournament Schedule

Qualifying events begin January 14^th, 2011 and conclude February 12^th, 2011.

$4,000 FeltStars Pro Qualifiers

Monday – Friday - $2.20 buy in starting at 20:00 FeltStars Server Time.

1500 chips with 15 minute levels

Saturday $5.50 buy in starting at 17:00 FeltStars Server Time.

2000 chips with 15 minute levels

Sunday $11 buy in deep stack tournament starting at 20:00 FeltStars Server Time.

4000 chips with 20 minute levels

$4,000 FeltStars Pro Final

Final Event – Sunday February 13^th, 2011 starting at 17:00 FeltStars Server Time.

Entry only by qualifying winners and first place receives the $4,000 Package

5000 chips with 20 minute levels

Winners Terms & Conditions

1. Monthly Online Poker Pro winners must agree to have their names and likeness printed on the website and in our promotional materials.
2. All tourney entries awarded will be for regularly scheduled tournaments, and have no cash value.
3. The pro sponsorship expires at the end of the 1 month period.

$4,000 FeltStars Pro Package Details

Number Of Coupons	Value of Each Coupon	Total Value of Coupons
1	$460	$460
4	$109	$436
30	$60	$1,800
30	$33	$990
30	$11	$330
Total Coupons 95	FeltStars Pro Package Total Value $4,016

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Poker Business and Careers Are Tough Yet Looked Down At

Poker Business and Careers Are Tough Yet Looked Down At

Bank loans, housing applications, Private school entries for your children, master card applications, you name it! You have to place your career or business venture on it right? Mention the words "Poker Professional", "Poker Business Executive" or even "Poker Journalist" and certain people look down at you. Those people that do look down on people in poker related business and careers; I do hope you are reading this! Poker is a Business and Career That's Tough, but it's also profitable!

It takes one hell of a person to work in the poker industry. It takes strength, stamina, charisma, hard work and a mind set that most office executives reading filled in forms could never keep. It does not matter at what level you work in the poker industry - player, journalist, business man, site owner or manager, tournament director, poker room manager, marketer and publicist the list of jobs is endless! Without a doubt with each and everyone of them you need a lot more strength mentally then most jobs people work.

I see poker somewhat like the stock exchange for a player, managing your bankroll and investing your money wisely is a must for success. You invest it correctly and put your money in the right poker stock and play the ups and downs right and your a winner! Regardless of the job you do beyond being a player you are a poker player, so playing the poker stock exchange is in your life!

When it comes to other poker positions and careers there are long winding hours and roads to get through. Most tournament directors and marketing managers spend up to 20 hours a day or more at peak times doing their jobs. This also applies to journalists and live bloggers, cameramen and television crews. I assume those reading our forms when we make applications for things as mentioned in paragraph one do not consider this.

Simply, it does not matter whether you earn even $250,000 a year, it isn't on payslips, it's from gambling and it can be highly frowned on and can go against you. I ask you the reader, what takes more effort? what is harder? what takes more smart? what takes patience and persistence for success and who is the stronger person mentally and physically? The likes of a rental property manager, school principal, bank loan analyst, administration clerk, accountant, business man, I.T. worker or someone in the poker industry? I say without a doubt poker industry workers win hands down. I can actually say this and say it with extensive knowledge based on my previous positions and roles. They are as follows:

• Business Owner Operator
• Business Analyst
• Business Accountant
• Personal Assistant
• 2IC
• I.T. Manager
• Admin Officer
• Property Manager (or resort manager rather)
• Teacher / Lecturer
  

You get the hint, there are a few, some I worked simultaneously. I have been there and done that! I have studied, worked and faced many a challenge where hundreds of thousands of dollars were in my hands and were on the line. It wasn't easy, but it was no where near as hard as working in the poker industry. I stay with the poker industry as it excites my brain and provides a challenge!

Anyway, to get back to the point: Poker Is a Business and a Career That is TOUGH! It's the toughest i have found, its mentally tougher then working high profile position for major corps and even in our defense force. If I am ever to change careers again (which I don't think I will) and happen to have a ton of applications lined up in front of me and one of them has a poker related career worker on them - this will win hands down. This person WILL be seen as a doer, a worker, a goer, a quality manager of finances.

I am hoping that as 2011 draws to an end that poker careers and businesses will be seen by the general public as what they are. That player's and professionals will be acceptable as "humans" and "eligible". People say the music industry and film industry are tough and indeed they are - so is the poker one and people should be adding it to the list too!

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Building Your Name Through Poker Publicist - My New Role!

Building Your Name Through Poker Publicist - My New Role!

I am so happy to announce that I have just joined the company Poker Publicist. I guess a quick copy and paste from the Poker Publicist website will indicate exactly what my new job role will be:

About Poker Publicist:

When it comes to publicity, exposure and buzz - there's no PR firm better than Poker Publicist!

Poker Publicist was founded by Per Hagen in 2010.

Per was also the founder of the leading poker agency Poker Icons, and BLUFF Magazine ranks Hagen as one of the 20 most influential people in the (poker) world.

Quote from the media:

"Included on his current roster are several world class and superstar poker players.
It seems as wherever you turn your head, Per Hagen has played a role in whatever is going on in the poker industry.
His network is enormous and he's the guy you want if you need anything done!"

Per and his team of experienced publicists design custom publicity campaigns to land clients national, local and international publicity.
We know both poker and mainstream news, we have the smarts and the connections to land publicity when and where you need it!

Poker Publicist understand that the hallmark of any good publicity campaign is consistent communication between the publicist and clients.
That's why they'll set appointments late at night or early in the morning if that's when a client is available to talk.

Inside Poker Publicist everybody work as a team for the clients - which means everyone works together to further the publicity needs of all and every clients.

If you need a publicist willing to work hard to push you to the top, then you've found the right firm!

Our team will help get you where you want to go and manage the media. Whether it's securing a big international interview or one on a local TV station, Per and his team will get the job done!

Beyond my personal game of poker and working as a FeltStars pro and columnist for various media outlets I am really happy to be working in this field of the poker industry - it perfectly compliments my marketing and ability to relate and help other players. If you know me personally, you would know I sometimes work 20 hour days to do just that: Help other players with their name and game as I perform my duties writing, on radio and what not.


I think mostly the thing that excites me about this venture in my poker career is I will be working along side Per Hagen and Joe Wass who I am sure to get a lot more experience from in this sector of poker management and marketing. Per and Joe are very skilled; I am not saying that I am not skilled as I am highly skilled however their level of expertise in their fields are second to none!


Anyway, I just thought I would keep everyone updated on what I am doing and of course point you to the fact that there are services alike Poker Publicist ready to "Create Buzz and Exposure about YOU!" Do let me know if you are wanting any assistance in this area and I shall get with my fellow team mates and we shall put our heads together!

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How to Make Money From Poker For a Living

How to Make Money From Poker For a Living

I hear these song words intruding on my brain as I write this blog “Love the One Your With, Love the One Your With!” Obviously this song has nothing to with poker but this is my writing here and when I write EVERYTHING has to do with NL Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud or online poker! In this case loving poker and how to make money from it, the obvious is of course win!

“Love the one your with” is something every single one of us should do both on and off the poker tables. I went through an online poker “fad” of playing only heads up. I was really, really worried. I was thinking over and over that this could affect my other games such as poker tournaments and cash play. I was however making money.

Poker is like riding a bike; we never forget how to play. Once we learn certain skills they may need a touch up now and again, but they are there forever! Mastering skills is the issue. We can play poker for a life time and will never actually master the game. Back to the point >

For weeks I am playing only heads up poker and had the thought this would affect my other games. I consulted friends and associates with great knowledge on the game whom I have the utter most respect for. They told me it would make no difference to my other games, while you are having fun, making money and loving it – stick with it!

I did just that, I loved heads up and continued loving the game (one) I was with at the time. This actually improved my other games. When I am heads up at the end of a tournament, I rarely lose. When I am playing against only one other opponent in a Texas Hold’em cash game (as everyone else has folded), I usually take down the pot.

Many people that play poker overlook the fact that they are there to make money. It is a job that so many of us enjoy but it can also be monotonous. Let me ask you something, would you rather play poker and make money or work a monotonous factory job? Some players grind $3.30 Sng’s all day. These players play poker for a living and make a truck load of cash.

Playing poker can be a very boring task when you do it as a daily grind. Gotta love it though; love it a lot more then stacking boxes or magazines or watching tins go past in a dead end job right? Again love the one your with. Playing poker to make money isn’t all about the thrill of winning a big tourney. It isn’t all about playing deep stacks and gloating that you took it down. Poker as a career means playing a lot of boring stuff. Again though if you are making money, say $100 an hour. Why would you choose anything else? Yes you CAN do it!

If you sit and play double ups (I suggest 10 seater) all day long you are going to make a mint. Have 5 of these running at once (Do not need much attention paid in double ups) and at $10 a hit and you are making at least $100 and hour. Not many people make that much. Again, it is not about the gloating and rubbing big wins in peoples faces, its about making money from poker as a living. May the grind begin and time it like a job and LOVE the work you do!

“Love the one your with” and stick with it for as long as you love it. That’s my motto anyway!

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The Funniest Poker Book On Earth! WARNING PLAYERS!

The Funniest Poker Book On Earth! WARNING PLAYERS!

This Book Review Was Originally Published in Australian Poker Weekly

Random Thought

"Writing this book review is probably going to be one of the funniest things I ever do, simply because the book is a crack up. By crack up I don't by any means think the book is worthless. I mean it is by far the funniest piece of literature I have ever read!".

Crazily I started my book review article with a "random thought". I thought (randomly of course) that starting the review like this was quite suitable as all throughout the book Texas Hold'em; Tony Korfman gives his random thoughts (I feel sorry for his wife). This book and reading this funny man of pokers "random thoughts" is strangely addictive. Be warned though so is his behaviour!

Since finalising this awesome book I now swear more, curse more, tease more, laugh more and write down my thoughts randomly like a crazy lunatic. Ok, really i don't! But thats what Tony Korfman would say, well at least I think he would. If he wouldn't say that then he is an idiot when it comes to writing book reviews about his own book!

Random Thought

"I just got caught out by 40,000 readers telling tales and calling someone an idiot like Phil Hellmuth would (or Tony Korfman). I am suing Tony Korfman for this, he has caused the ruin of my reputation!"

Readers; as wonderful as the blog you are reading is (for those who have forgotten due to age it is called Poker Down Under and Every Where Else or HotAussieChick blogspot), Tony Korfman's Texas Hold'em is all of the above plus more. Damn! I have lied again, it isnt all of the above, thats my rattling. It is however hillarious, entertaining, low cost (thats the best part) stupid, good, and at times has some good strategy. Don't get me wrong though the book doesnt appear in any way to be a strategy book. Actually, it does in some ways; a lot of ways. Tony Korfman tells it how it is. If that includes calling someone a Pri_k or saying the word F_ck, then he does. In saying that; if you do happen to be in that very old age category and have a pace maker (I have nothing against old people for the record) then I give you a WARNING -

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK IT WILL KILL YOU!

For anyone that isnt in that category and wishes the read a poker book that isnt going to send them to sleep. But this book now! It is USD$20 available at www.pokergas.com (where you will get a taste of whats in it) and comes with a DVD set so you dont actually have to read it.

Random Thought

"The best $20 you could spend this week is purchasing from Tony Korfman! You get a 389 page book, 12 CD's and the poker laugh of your life! This purchase is specifically suited to those who have lost all thier money playing poker and have had thier electrcity turned off - you can hear on the CD's rather then try reading this book in the dark. Oh My Goodness! I have mucked this review up again! For those who are as silly as me you need power to listen to CD's too!

No more random thoughts from me, my book review is over. Buy the damn thing for crying out loud you wont be dissapointed!

One more random thought before I go.......

"The more people that purchase this book the better off I will be when I sue Tony Korfman so I hope I have convinced you all to buy it. Of course, I could be a marvellous writer and have just written the review this way to make you buy the book and sue Tony Korfman for ruining my reputation. Untill you buy it though you will not know."

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Poker Journalism, Reporting and Interviews – Is it for You?

Poker Journalism, Reporting and Interviews – Is it for You?

As mentioned in my blog post “Your Poker Career”, there are many different career bases in the poker industry besides the obvious; being a player. One of these bases is the journalism side. For those of you who know me, journalism has been a big part of my poker career.

Without journalists poker wouldn’t be as big as it is today! For the record, the job of a journo is NOT an easy one either! Players think it is a marathon to sit and play poker for 12 hours, indeed they are correct. Let’s think of the marathon the journalists run though! Oh my! For that entire 12 hours, the journalists are also using both their mind and body.

I covered two tournaments at Star City Casino once, with the aid of an assistant / photographer only. We had both poker tournaments running at once and although the players were exhausted I was almost dead! Chip counting, all in reports, knock out reports, photography. In reality I and my assistant indeed ran a marathon. I wish I had a step counter on that day! I think I walked around 20kms – probably more!

Remember that there are post tourney reports to do so the tournament doesnt end for a journalist with the last person standing. There are also things such as interviews to take care of!

If you broadcast on radio or TV alike myself you also have that to arrange. Giving results and run downs via voice recording is not as easy as it sounds. It can be very stressful and let's face it; remembering it all off the top of your head can be more then difficult. Some journalists prefer to do this and this only while others avoid this type of work at all costs.

Anyway, journalism is another area in the poker world that people can step into. Remember there are many areas of journalism, from the basic chip counting positions to the live broadcasting and publication writing. Regardless of your schooling level, if you know poker, are good at English and maths – you can fit into the poker journalism base somewhere.

There are some great venues, parties and functions that journalists get to attend which is the bright side of the job, on the other hand - partying is kept to a minimum if you are working and reporting the function.

If you are interested in a position in poker journalism of any kind check around the big online news sites to see what’s happening from time to time, they sometimes need chip counters (as an example) for tourneys which may be in your area and this is one way for you to get a foot in the door!

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