Poker Domination Strategy and Use

Poker Domination Strategy and Use

I recently sat back and watched one of the world’s best professional poker players on another table during the MTT (Multi-Table Tournament) we had entered.

Watching him play brought to my attention his ability to take charge of the table. His natural ability to lead and dominate stood out to me, more than anything, going on – even my own game.

Through the initial tournament stages he pushed and shoved, he dominated to the point he had table ownership. Respect came from this table ownership! Such respect that if he raised the opponents in the poker tournament folded. When he was called, he didn’t back down unless an obvious firing gun was pointed at his head.

This made me realise that even in an online poker tournament; taking charge of your table and dominating is by far the best method to achieve brilliant results.

His leadership role continued from table to table, there was never a chance he was going to be beaten. It appeared by taking leadership of his table, and taking the chip lead of the entire poker tournament, the tournament was also under his control! Domination from the start works, taking the leadership role on the table and for the entire tournament is something we all should try and do.

Admittedly I was busted out in 40^th place after attempting some stupid aggression to take the lead and try and dominate my table. I learnt from this mistake though, I did it too late! Once the table was owned it was too late! The only way I could have altered this is attack the dominator, make him look foolish and me the one in table control. Next time, leadership and domination from the start or at the right point!

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Are You Out Already?! The Poker Question that Annoys Us All!

Are You Out Already?! The Poker Question that Annoys Us All!

There is nothing worse than being knocked out of a poker tournament, heading to the toilet then to the bar to be asked by person after person “Are you out already?” It is like these people do it to annoy the living shit out of you! As if it isn’t bad enough you have lost a little form or had your ass whooped by a donkey player and been sent to the rail – these questioners want to annoy you even further!

Not only are they annoying you and making you even madder about being knocked out but they are making you re-live the hand that just ruined your tournament life and your night. The last thing you want to be doing is remembering that bad beat and repeating the story over and over again. Regardless, we all know it happens and we do.

Is it actually the case though that these people are deliberately annoying you or even mocking your play? It’s a really simple one to answer. Not every player is asked this question “Are you out already?” when their poker tournament is history and they are back to being a railing snoop. Some people are knocked out and it isn’t noticed as they head to the rail line up or – the bar!

Before getting annoyed and wanting to slap them in the head for the further insult on your nights play; have a good hard think. Why are they asking me this?
I personally take this question as a compliment! They actually expect you to still be playing! I have asked the best pros in the world this question! My words: “Oh my god! Are you out already?” I don’t ask as an annoyer or insulter but because I am shocked!

Use the askers to air your annoyance, head to the rail and watch Mr or Mrs Donkey who knocked you out give your chips away to the lucky recipient and enjoy your night! Alternatively – go home and play some internet poker and be prepared for your online mates to repeat the question "Are you out already?"

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Senior Citizens in Poker

Senior Citizens in Poker

I have previously covered the topic of underage poker players. This blog I thought it to be necessary to give a mention to the other end of the age scale; The Senior Citizens in Poker. The senior citizens have a lot going for them at the poker table. Most are experienced players and have been around the block quite a few times. They are sometimes very much wiser when it comes to life also; they have been alive longer and this is expected. Life skills are definitely something we use in our little world of poker also.

Senior Citizens in poker are usually very good bankroll managers and have a load more cash than the young guns to invest into their hobby, career or lifestyle; whichever you may call poker. Remember senior citizens have had a life time of learning, saving and building their bankroll. As poker players say; “Poker takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master”. Senior citizens are well on their way to being masters of the game.

It can be very hard for the senior citizens though; many of us just don’t realize! There are players that are almost 90 years of age. I know from my personal experiences with close relatives that at this age we humans like to have what I call “nanny naps” in the middle of the day; senior citizens do tire a lot easier. Tiring can make tournament play very difficult in particular. Some tournaments such as the Aussie Millions Poker Championship you are playing 13 to 16 hours a day to make the final table. The thought is enough to tire me without adding on another 40 years to my life. I feel tired playing 7 and 8 hours of tournaments and I ‘think’ I am at peak age for sports.

On a very bright note the senior citizens in poker are keeping an active brain. Active minds equate to wonderful outcomes for our health and well being. As we age we tend to slow down our thinking processes. We retire and lay back a little. Sure we may read some books and do jigsaw puzzles but is that really keeping an active mind? By active I mean ACTIVE! I mean thinking as hard as you can to sum up a situation, to count, read, act, watch and be alert nonstop. All of this is in the game of poker.

Many senior citizens I know enjoy walks in the park, bingo, gardening, home bridge games, lawn bowels – I may be biased but I will be a poker player at age 80. It takes more cunning, whit and skill on a mental note than anything else I can think of I would participate in as a hobby after retirement from my day job. It also takes extreme physical effort when you consider the statement above about playing 13-16 hour tournaments. Stewart Scott as an example lost 6 kilograms when he took down the Aussie Millions in 2008 and he is not a big man! It is no easy feat to play these games and any poker player will know it. At the end of each day you have the life drawn out of you. Our Senior Citizens in Poker are indeed TOUGH!

Many of the friends I have that play poker are almost if not over retirement age. To all of you reading this you all rock! Senior Citizens in Poker such as these friends have a load of knowledge to give; to pass down. As the years roll on we all will be passing down our knowledge. I am passing mine to my 12 year old son during home games already. In fact; my 5 year old daughter knows the hand rankings in poker also and at an early age! My point is that senior citizens in poker have wisdom and knowledge that just shouldn’t be over looked. Next time a senior citizen is talking poker to you; don’t laugh or giggle as I have seen some younger poker players do -> LISTEN. You may just learn a trick or two. They are indeed very good on picking up on game and play faults.

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3 Stage NL Texas Hold’em Tournament Play (2 – Second Stage)

3 Stage NL Texas Hold’em Tournament Play (2 – Second Stage)

It has always been certain in my mind that tournament play must be split into 3 stages, the start, middle and final stage. The middle stage of a poker tournament is a very important stage. This stage is where we must really start making our moves and playing hard, strong and solid poker to ensure we are ready for stage 3!

Stage 1 is all about chip gathering. Depending on your position there are no 2 cards that are not worth looking at in a poker tournament. I read a book by a major poker tournament winner not so long ago; of over 350 hands of poker tournament play he only played 22 premium hands. Players who sat back in the middle phase of their tournament and didn’t “make enough moves” and chip gather were mince meat by stage 3; with antes and blinds eating their chip stack alive.

Never sit back and wait until you have a premium hand in the middle stage of your tournament play. Watch your opponents, pick on their weaknesses and treat them as customers. Be your poker table’s cash till! Alike the initial tournament stage; steal, feel out weaknesses and like a chip monk gather chips! Make sure that when stage 3 of your poker tournament arrives you are not in a position where a double up is necessary. I am always out in front come the final poker tournament stages because I chip gathered and did not sit waiting for pocket aces.

If you are in your “zone” alike the kings of poker – you can take down a pot from any unexpected player with 7 and 2 in your hand! Be careful though – know when to back off! Alike the first stage of poker tournament play small suited connectors, A 10 off suit, you can even play junk hands in position assuring to pick the smaller stacks. Do not try blind thieving every orbit as players will pick up on this. Move your game around and be a non predictable. My number 1 piece of advice above all this is never rack up against the chip leader in a big hand unless you have the Nutz!

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3 Stage NL Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament Play (1 – First Stage)

3 Stage NL Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament Play (1 – First Stage)

It has always been a certainty in my mind that tournament play must be split into 3 stages, the start, middle and final stages. I have had many people tell me that it is the first stages of a poker tournament that they find very relaxing. Play safe, play tight, sit back and relax is their theory.

The survival stages of a tournament are seen as phase 1 and 2 by most of these players. The final stage: cashing!

I tend to think a little differently, especially seeing these people who find “the first stages of a tournament very relaxing (that according to them is merely a “survival stage”) come to me for advice on the final stage of their poker tournament. Usually I direct them to look closely at their initial tournament phase, as I know this is where the actual issue is. They haven’t played enough hands! They have played the “safe, survival” theory!

Surviving is a must in a poker tournament, especially in the first stage; but survival does not mean playing completely safe and taking no risks, in my opinion. I have been cashing non-stop lately during online poker tournament play. In fact, not just cashing, but winning. I am taking down a lot of tourneys! I shall discuss my tournament play strategy as compared to most.

I don’t just play premium hands in the first stages of a poker tournament. I play position; I steal, and like a chipmunk I gather chips! I don’t fold every hand that isn’t premium. I play what people see as “risky” but it is all worthwhile! I am always out in front come middle and final poker tournament stages because I chip gathered and did not sit waiting for pocket aces.

Try my method in your next tourney. Forget about the common theories! See how you go using my theory and see if it works for you. The main points of my first stage theory are; thieve blinds, play small suited connectors, A 10 off suit, the unexpected hands, do it while everyone else plays SAFE - but back off when you smell danger. Remember the blinds are small and you can take advantage of playing these types of poker hands cheaply!

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Attacking Multi-Table Players

Attacking Multi-Table Players

There are many online poker players multi-tabling (playing on multiple poker tables) each time they are online gaming. Some players play 6-10 tables, even more! Although these people see themselves as money making sharks I see them as fish. Multi-Table internet poker players pay no attention to the players around them, merely the hands in front of them. Multi- table players are easy to pin point, they take a long time to make their moves, at times using all their time clock to the point they are sitting out. Checking they are actually multi – tabling is easy, search for them with the search tab and see how many tables they are actually playing on. Unless they have internet connection related issues (which could be the cause of slow play) you will see a list of poker tables they are currently playing poker on.

If someone is multi-tabling more than 3-4 tables they can be an online gaming player’s feast. They can be attacked and attacked, again. They have no idea as to really what’s going on at their table. They pay no attention to their surrounding playing patterns and half of the time have no idea how many players are left in their poker tournament or sitting at the table! In general, these players play “A grade” starting hands only. They are what I call auto players. They have automatic fold and call responses. Raising them with ANY two cards pre-flop with no one else in the hand time; and time again can increase your chip stack like no tomorrow! If they bite back a little, you know they have one of their A grade hands. If you multi-table, ask yourself – are you really a shark?

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Auto Select Feature Can Be the Devil!

Auto Select Feature Can Be the Devil!

The auto select feature on an online poker tables can be a handy little tool, especially when multi-tabling (playing on multiple tables). This tool can also be the devil though. I learnt a hard lesson the other day, one I will not forget while using this feature. Don’t get me wrong! Again, I say that this internet poker tool can be a highly handy one indeed. Forever will I use it for FOLDING, auto call/check though I am now not so certain! ;)

Here’s why: I was deep into a tournament only 2 days ago and leading by a mile. Blinds were 800/400; antes had kicked in. I was sitting in the 1st place with 29k+ in chips; the 2nd player was on 25k chips. Third place was on 7k chips and from third down, the chip stack obviously was lower. A massive 22k lay in front of everyone in the pot. I thought I had another tourney wrapped up! BUT! I used the auto call button!

In online gaming; bad beats are quite common; though not usually inflicted upon you by yourself! I had 4, 5 of clubs for the 3rd time in a row, this time in the big blind and in an emotional burst I decided that I would play it this time! There was a raise of only $800 (minimum raise) till then. As I clicked “CALL”, 2nd in chips went all in with their 25k – since I was multi-tabling I could not change the option to fold quick enough, the other online poker players following this person had “auto fold” already clicked. And there I was! Up against pocket aces, my little 4 and 5 of clubs stood no chance. My stack was all but gone.

From now on I will use the auto feature to FOLD ONLY! This is a choice we can make and always a personal choice for each of us. So here is a wise lesson learnt through the loss of big money. A nice weekly wage down the drain and me final table bubble girl!

Though this won’t classify as a classical example of a bad beat, it is said that “bad beats happen and that’s poker!”

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Play Texas Hold’em Cash and Pay for Your Poker Tournaments

Play Texas Hold’em Cash and Pay for Your Poker Tournaments

Many people have a preference to play either cash or tournaments. When we take a good hard look, personally we all have a preference between cash and tournament play. Our preference cannot come into consideration though. To keep our bank roll balanced we must play cash games to play poker tournaments. Let me explain!

When a poker player only plays poker tournaments it becomes quite expensive. Most poker professionals only make final table in a major tournament once per year. Poker professionals cash in tournaments maybe 23% of the time – depending on who they are and how they play. With the cost of major poker tournaments more than $10,000.00 entry we need a big bank roll and it needs to come from somewhere! CASH TABLES!

Most poker professionals that I have spoken to (poker professionals who are NOT sponsored) play Texas Hold’em cash tables regularly to fund their poker tournament play. Their poker tournament entry is a lot higher than most of ours but we need to use the same concept regardless of the stakes we play. Play online poker cash tables and build your bank roll for online poker tournament play. Play cash tables at the casino to fund casino tournament play. Your bank roll needs to come from somewhere and that’s cash tables! Get on those cash tables now! Learn the difference between cash and tournament play. Play free poker games and see how you go! Good Luck!

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