I've been tracking a promotion that has really piqued my interest: Bwin's Magic Moments of Poker tour.
The tour, bwin is debuting, will offer players seven different opportunities to travel around Europe in a travel laden package. Qualifiers, who will be winners of online poker tournaments get a prize package that includes a visit to a city in Europe such as Milan, Munich, and Madrid, a major sporting event in that city such as a Moto GP, or the Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid derby, and a seat at a televised poker table.
The first stop in this tour is a visit to Madrid, Spain. First the lucky (excuse me skilled) qualifiers will take in the sights, they'll get tickets to a game between two of the most illustrious soccer (er.. football) clubs in the country.
Next up is a generous helping of VIP accommodations, dining and nightlife. Finally, and perhaps most importantly is the televized final table with a chance to win a seat at the Grand Final in Vienna. There, first place wins a sponsorship deal with bwin.
The trip gives travelers four days to see the sights, take in the game, and play some poker.
Does it seem like a dream? A a pipe-dream maybe? Actually, bwin Poker is offering a series of online satellites to qualifier and the best part is they start at low stakes. Earn your entry for as little as $6.
Not that you'd be here, seeing as this is a poker blog, but if you want to travel but don't know much about poker. I've thought of everything, if you want to learn some Texas Hold'em rules, check out bwin's primer to help you out with that right here.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
European Poker Awards
Peter Eastgate and Bertrand "Elky" Grospelier were two of the big winners at the Aviation Club in Paris. The 2008 European Poker Awards last week recognized their achievements.
World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Peter Eastgate won the most notable Tournament Achievement. All he did was win the Main Event. He also became the youngest champion ever, and gets the added thrill of supplanting Phil Hellmuth from that perch.
"Elky" won the European Player of the Year award beating the other nominees that included David Benyamine and Neil Channing. Elky had the golden touch this year and ran as well as just about anybody in the world including John Phan the receipent of several non-European awards.
Peter Eastgate wasn't the only member of the November Nine getting recognition as Ivan Demidov won the Rookie of the Year award. How Eastgate wasn't nominated for that award (he wasn't) is suprising. Still, Demidov was a deserving champion. He came in second in the World Series Main Event as well as third in the WSOP Europe Main Event.
Marcel Luske, the singing Dutchman, recieved a Lifetime Achievement Award that noted not only his winnings on the felt but also his contributions to the game.
World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Peter Eastgate won the most notable Tournament Achievement. All he did was win the Main Event. He also became the youngest champion ever, and gets the added thrill of supplanting Phil Hellmuth from that perch.
"Elky" won the European Player of the Year award beating the other nominees that included David Benyamine and Neil Channing. Elky had the golden touch this year and ran as well as just about anybody in the world including John Phan the receipent of several non-European awards.
Peter Eastgate wasn't the only member of the November Nine getting recognition as Ivan Demidov won the Rookie of the Year award. How Eastgate wasn't nominated for that award (he wasn't) is suprising. Still, Demidov was a deserving champion. He came in second in the World Series Main Event as well as third in the WSOP Europe Main Event.
Marcel Luske, the singing Dutchman, recieved a Lifetime Achievement Award that noted not only his winnings on the felt but also his contributions to the game.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Champion Chip
Online poker site bwin just completed one of it's most popular and biggest tournaments no limit holdem tournaments. The ChampionChip commenced with over 1400 players enrolled to play poker online. Each had visions of winning the biggest chunk of the guaranteed $500,000 prize pool, with first place earning $112,500.
Bwin's coverage revealed this final table set up.
Seat Position/Player Name (Chip Count)
Seat 1: I_Play_Lotto ($301,428 in chips)
Seat 2: Big Al ($246,124 in chips)
Seat 3: floydiano ($134,576 in chips)
Seat 4: baddyrock ($1,259,586 in chips)
Seat 5: basturk ($294,764 in chips)
Seat 6: deevke ($221,362 in chips)
Seat 7: Indice68 ($810,484 in chips)
Seat 8: klimassvd ($210,116 in chips)
Seat 9: EnTapie ($710,054 in chips)
Seat 10: gnugni1 ($92,506 in chips)
Clearly gnugni1 and floydiano had the most work to do. Baddyrock and EnTapie had a little more room to breathe than the rest of the field with each having more than double the chips of their opponents. By virture of his seat floydiano probably wasn't enjoying rubbing virtual elbows with baddyrock.
As often is the case the two shortest stacks weren't the first two players out. Basturk took that honor and the 5.5k that went with it. Then the gunugi1 and floydiano fell going out 9th (7k) and 8th (8.5k) respectively. Big Al and klimassvd took home 10k and 15k. So far, the final table played out to form as each player who started in the bottom five finished there with the exception of deevke who leptfrogged basturk and Big Al into the final five.
At 5 handed, the ChampionChip online poker battle was just starting to heat up. The chips had moved around a little bit. Indice68 at 1.7 million was the chip leader. Baddyrock close behind with 1.2 million, followed by EnTapie (606k), deevke ($427k) and I_Play_Lotto hanging around with just 242k.
The ascension of deevke was short-lived as he exited in 5th winning 20k. Baddyrock was the beneficiary when he won deevke's stack in a coin toss with pocket 9s vs. two overcards.
Later baddyrock got his money in better, with pocket 9s vs. EnTapie's pocket 7s. A seven on the flop meant that baddyrock started as big favorite but ended as the next player going to the rail. The 30k for 4th place wasn't too bad of a consolation prize.
I_Play_Lotto's luck ran out, or maybe the fingernails he was hanging onto gave way. He got his chips in with a small pair... Kings preflop. EnTapie ran hot at the end and his QsTs caught a runner-runner flush. I_Play_Lotto who plays poker online won 40k for third.
EnTapie had Idice68 dwarfed in chips with a 5 to 1 advantage. After four hearts faced each other A6 for EnTapie and 49 for Indice68, the match was settled with the superior hand taking it. EnTapie envisioned a juicy payday and as it got closer and closer it felt more and more real. At the end it was, Entapie took home another $112,500. Indice68 got 62k for second.
Bwin's coverage revealed this final table set up.
Seat Position/Player Name (Chip Count)
Seat 1: I_Play_Lotto ($301,428 in chips)
Seat 2: Big Al ($246,124 in chips)
Seat 3: floydiano ($134,576 in chips)
Seat 4: baddyrock ($1,259,586 in chips)
Seat 5: basturk ($294,764 in chips)
Seat 6: deevke ($221,362 in chips)
Seat 7: Indice68 ($810,484 in chips)
Seat 8: klimassvd ($210,116 in chips)
Seat 9: EnTapie ($710,054 in chips)
Seat 10: gnugni1 ($92,506 in chips)
Clearly gnugni1 and floydiano had the most work to do. Baddyrock and EnTapie had a little more room to breathe than the rest of the field with each having more than double the chips of their opponents. By virture of his seat floydiano probably wasn't enjoying rubbing virtual elbows with baddyrock.
As often is the case the two shortest stacks weren't the first two players out. Basturk took that honor and the 5.5k that went with it. Then the gunugi1 and floydiano fell going out 9th (7k) and 8th (8.5k) respectively. Big Al and klimassvd took home 10k and 15k. So far, the final table played out to form as each player who started in the bottom five finished there with the exception of deevke who leptfrogged basturk and Big Al into the final five.
At 5 handed, the ChampionChip online poker battle was just starting to heat up. The chips had moved around a little bit. Indice68 at 1.7 million was the chip leader. Baddyrock close behind with 1.2 million, followed by EnTapie (606k), deevke ($427k) and I_Play_Lotto hanging around with just 242k.
The ascension of deevke was short-lived as he exited in 5th winning 20k. Baddyrock was the beneficiary when he won deevke's stack in a coin toss with pocket 9s vs. two overcards.
Later baddyrock got his money in better, with pocket 9s vs. EnTapie's pocket 7s. A seven on the flop meant that baddyrock started as big favorite but ended as the next player going to the rail. The 30k for 4th place wasn't too bad of a consolation prize.
I_Play_Lotto's luck ran out, or maybe the fingernails he was hanging onto gave way. He got his chips in with a small pair... Kings preflop. EnTapie ran hot at the end and his QsTs caught a runner-runner flush. I_Play_Lotto who plays poker online won 40k for third.
EnTapie had Idice68 dwarfed in chips with a 5 to 1 advantage. After four hearts faced each other A6 for EnTapie and 49 for Indice68, the match was settled with the superior hand taking it. EnTapie envisioned a juicy payday and as it got closer and closer it felt more and more real. At the end it was, Entapie took home another $112,500. Indice68 got 62k for second.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Amazon Adventure
I haven't been too much a fan of slots in the past. Recently I discovered that popular play online casino bwin debuted a new game. When I have played I liked the themed slots and have tried my hand, with some success on a few of them in real life. This new one has tempted me to play slots more often. It is an Indiana Jones type style quest in South America, where you win while cruising down the Amazon. I've been spinning and winning on bwin's Amazon Adventure.
The Amazon Adventure shows you waterfalls and volcanos as you spin the wheel. It is a 16-reel slot game. You play up to 10 lines to win. In the spirit of an Amazon Adventure the bonuses are awarded after waterfalls and volcanos symbols are collected. So far no natives have jumped out of my computer screen... but maybe I haven't won enough. As long as they aren't cannibals it'll still be fun.
In terms of gameplay, there is also a generous scatter bonus on Amazon Advenure where you can win if you get a random set of 7s even if the lines aren't used. If you get a minimum of 5 7s on one spin the bonus is credited automatically.
The casino online jackpot is now up to almost 5 million Euros so there is incentive to play.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Obama-nation a Poker Nation?
Is poker a game of chance?
A game of skill?
Both?
Politicians in the United States seem to think it is solely a game of chance. They ignore the elements of skill that put the same players atop moneylist after moneylist, tournament after tournament. They focus on the turn of a single card affecting a single outcome and ignore the reality that skill wins over the longterm.
It’s an odd spot of blindness as Football players, Pool players, Scrabble players, Basketball players, all will tell you an element of chance can sometimes shape or determine an outcome. A crazy bounce, a random gust of wind, or a bird making an ill-fated flight path can all alter these games of skill. Sure, the element of chance may have less of an impact in sports but it can determine a winner.
Right now, there is a new man in the White House. Barack Obama has started a website seeking to solicit input on how his administration will shape the United States. Do your part to get poker recognized as a legal game of skill.
http://pokerplayersalliance.org/action-alert/ppavote/
The benefits of recognizing the legality of poker and regulating the industry in the United States far outweigh any misguided notions about the game. Regulation can ensure measures are properly in place to reduce the scandals of unregulated companies set up in the tropics, they can better monitor the age of players logging in and trying poker for the first time, and they can tax the industry. Potential tax revenues exceed 1 to 3 billion dollars per anum.
Preaching to the choir here. Anyone playing and reading about poker understands the game well enough to realize just how far the U.S. is behind the rest of the western wold. Why an American can’t sit at his desktop and do the same thing he does when he drives to casino is perplexing to say the least. Still, it’s important for poker players in general to advocate the expansion of the game worldwide. Do your part by visiting the linked website and get poker on Obama’s agenda
A game of skill?
Both?
Politicians in the United States seem to think it is solely a game of chance. They ignore the elements of skill that put the same players atop moneylist after moneylist, tournament after tournament. They focus on the turn of a single card affecting a single outcome and ignore the reality that skill wins over the longterm.
It’s an odd spot of blindness as Football players, Pool players, Scrabble players, Basketball players, all will tell you an element of chance can sometimes shape or determine an outcome. A crazy bounce, a random gust of wind, or a bird making an ill-fated flight path can all alter these games of skill. Sure, the element of chance may have less of an impact in sports but it can determine a winner.
Right now, there is a new man in the White House. Barack Obama has started a website seeking to solicit input on how his administration will shape the United States. Do your part to get poker recognized as a legal game of skill.
http://pokerplayersalliance.org/action-alert/ppavote/
The benefits of recognizing the legality of poker and regulating the industry in the United States far outweigh any misguided notions about the game. Regulation can ensure measures are properly in place to reduce the scandals of unregulated companies set up in the tropics, they can better monitor the age of players logging in and trying poker for the first time, and they can tax the industry. Potential tax revenues exceed 1 to 3 billion dollars per anum.
Preaching to the choir here. Anyone playing and reading about poker understands the game well enough to realize just how far the U.S. is behind the rest of the western wold. Why an American can’t sit at his desktop and do the same thing he does when he drives to casino is perplexing to say the least. Still, it’s important for poker players in general to advocate the expansion of the game worldwide. Do your part by visiting the linked website and get poker on Obama’s agenda
Monday, January 12, 2009
Am I the Knucklehead or is he?
HAND I played recently on bwin.
Seat 2: (8,240)
Seat 3: (2,065)
Seat 4: (17,300)
Seat 5: (12,560)
Seat 6: (9,400)
Seat 7: (5,555)
Seat 8: (5,415)
Seat 9: (16,880)
9 posts the small blind of 250
2 posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ME [Qd Jd]
3 calls 500
4 folds
ME... 5 calls 500
6 folds
7 folds
8 calls 500
9 calls 250
2 checks
*** FLOP *** [Kd 9d 9c]
9 bets 2,500
2 folds
3 calls 1,565, and is all in
ME... 5 calls 2,500
8 calls 2,500
*** TURN *** [Kd 9d 9c] [Kc]
9 bets 500
ME... 5 calls 500
8 has 15 seconds left to act
8 raises to 2,415, and is all in
9 folds
ME... 5 has 15 seconds left to act
5 folds
8 shows [2d 6d]
3 shows [Qc Ks]
Uncalled bet of 1,915 returned to 8
*** RIVER *** [Kd 9d 9c Kc] [3d]
8 wins the side pot (4,305)
8 shows a flush, King high
3 shows a full house, Kings full of Nines
3 wins the main pot (8,760) with a full house, Kings full of Nines
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13,065 Main pot 8,760. Side pot 4,305. Rake 0
Board: [Kd 9d 9c Kc 3d]
Seat 2: (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: [Qc Ks] and won (8,760) with a full house, Kings full of Nines
Seat 4: (folded)
Seat 5: folded on the Turn
Seat 6: didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: (button) showed [2d 6d] and won (4,305) with a flush, King high
Seat 9: (small blind) folded on the Turn
Not sure I get this guy. Was he smart enough to try and get a higher flush off his hand?
Was I an idiot for not winning this hand and calling when the board was double paired with just a flush draw? 2nd nut at that.
Opinions welcome...
Seat 2: (8,240)
Seat 3: (2,065)
Seat 4: (17,300)
Seat 5: (12,560)
Seat 6: (9,400)
Seat 7: (5,555)
Seat 8: (5,415)
Seat 9: (16,880)
9 posts the small blind of 250
2 posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ME [Qd Jd]
3 calls 500
4 folds
ME... 5 calls 500
6 folds
7 folds
8 calls 500
9 calls 250
2 checks
*** FLOP *** [Kd 9d 9c]
9 bets 2,500
2 folds
3 calls 1,565, and is all in
ME... 5 calls 2,500
8 calls 2,500
*** TURN *** [Kd 9d 9c] [Kc]
9 bets 500
ME... 5 calls 500
8 has 15 seconds left to act
8 raises to 2,415, and is all in
9 folds
ME... 5 has 15 seconds left to act
5 folds
8 shows [2d 6d]
3 shows [Qc Ks]
Uncalled bet of 1,915 returned to 8
*** RIVER *** [Kd 9d 9c Kc] [3d]
8 wins the side pot (4,305)
8 shows a flush, King high
3 shows a full house, Kings full of Nines
3 wins the main pot (8,760) with a full house, Kings full of Nines
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13,065 Main pot 8,760. Side pot 4,305. Rake 0
Board: [Kd 9d 9c Kc 3d]
Seat 2: (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: [Qc Ks] and won (8,760) with a full house, Kings full of Nines
Seat 4: (folded)
Seat 5: folded on the Turn
Seat 6: didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: (button) showed [2d 6d] and won (4,305) with a flush, King high
Seat 9: (small blind) folded on the Turn
Not sure I get this guy. Was he smart enough to try and get a higher flush off his hand?
Was I an idiot for not winning this hand and calling when the board was double paired with just a flush draw? 2nd nut at that.
Opinions welcome...
Caesars Palace to Go Head to Head With Venetian Again
This is an online blog and for the second post in a row, I'm discussing live action in Vegas. I'll always looking for a trip away from the computer and I'm considering these events. Back to the online action soon enough.
The schedules are out. Last November players flocked to one of two Vegas landmarks for some No Limit Deep Stack action. This go around players will again be divided between the two hotels. Why?
Because in the stack war, Deep Stack (The Venetian's Event) vs. Mega Stack (Caesers) the stacks get deeper and more mega. The Venetian is offering 12,000 chips. The edge this go round goes to Caesers whose stacks are 12,500. Clearly Mega is deeper, but only slightly so, than Deep.
Caesers slightly deeper Mega Stacks will have 16 $225 buy-in events. So you get a bigger stack for a cost affordable price. Generally the Venetians are a higher buy-in: $330 (17 events). In November the Mega Stack drew 90-100 players while the more expensive and slightly fewer chips of the Deep Stack had fields of 250-450.
Most of the game play is No Limit Hold em. Caesars exclusively so. The higher buy-ins range up to their main event at $1070. The Venetian doubles the main event cost at $2,500. The Venetian is also offering a wider variety of games including Omaha 8 or Better, Pot Limit Omaha, and H.O.R.S.E.
For those looking to play the Caesers event runs Feb. 1-26 and the Venetian a slightly shorter event runs Feb. 2-25.
The schedules are out. Last November players flocked to one of two Vegas landmarks for some No Limit Deep Stack action. This go around players will again be divided between the two hotels. Why?
Because in the stack war, Deep Stack (The Venetian's Event) vs. Mega Stack (Caesers) the stacks get deeper and more mega. The Venetian is offering 12,000 chips. The edge this go round goes to Caesers whose stacks are 12,500. Clearly Mega is deeper, but only slightly so, than Deep.
Caesers slightly deeper Mega Stacks will have 16 $225 buy-in events. So you get a bigger stack for a cost affordable price. Generally the Venetians are a higher buy-in: $330 (17 events). In November the Mega Stack drew 90-100 players while the more expensive and slightly fewer chips of the Deep Stack had fields of 250-450.
Most of the game play is No Limit Hold em. Caesars exclusively so. The higher buy-ins range up to their main event at $1070. The Venetian doubles the main event cost at $2,500. The Venetian is also offering a wider variety of games including Omaha 8 or Better, Pot Limit Omaha, and H.O.R.S.E.
For those looking to play the Caesers event runs Feb. 1-26 and the Venetian a slightly shorter event runs Feb. 2-25.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Binions
The birthplace of modern poker, the start of the Chris Moneymaker effect, the cramped World Series of Poker venue before the massive Rio became the cramped WSOP venue, the staple of the Old Strip, Binions is turning a new leaf. You want to play poker in the spot legends were created? Now you can.
Not that you couldn’t a year ago, but then it was a dingy, crowded, weathered antique. Back then, if you wanted to play texas Holdem on the table that Texas Dolly won his early bracelets, it was a distinct possibility you’d play on the very same table he played on with no renovations to the chairs, faded felt, or steam driven shuffle machines. The fact their 80 year old dealers were Doyle’s dealers 30 years ago just added to the ambiance.
Granted, I prefer to play online texas hold ‘em at http://www.pokerroom.com/poker/ or at https://poker.bwin.com/poker.aspx but when I do venture out into live play or land in Vegas, I always liked the opportunity to play under the black and white photos of past world series of poker champions. What’s changed? Now, I can do it in style. Binions has been given a facelift, Madonna would die for, and is now a polished jewel on the old strip.
A brand new poker room is being unveiled where everything is brand spanking new. Built in the spot once occupied by an old longue the new room has 10 tables and 11 plasma TV screens. The words spacious and comfortable come to mind, when a few short months ago the room was exactly the opposite.
Next time when you play online texas holdem and you are ready to take a breather or get out of the house, or if you are planning a trip to Vegas check out Binions. Now, instead of being part of the museum if you decide to play texas hold ‘em on the old strip at the birthplace of poker, you’ll be playing in style.
Not that you couldn’t a year ago, but then it was a dingy, crowded, weathered antique. Back then, if you wanted to play texas Holdem on the table that Texas Dolly won his early bracelets, it was a distinct possibility you’d play on the very same table he played on with no renovations to the chairs, faded felt, or steam driven shuffle machines. The fact their 80 year old dealers were Doyle’s dealers 30 years ago just added to the ambiance.
Granted, I prefer to play online texas hold ‘em at http://www.pokerroom.com/poker/ or at https://poker.bwin.com/poker.aspx but when I do venture out into live play or land in Vegas, I always liked the opportunity to play under the black and white photos of past world series of poker champions. What’s changed? Now, I can do it in style. Binions has been given a facelift, Madonna would die for, and is now a polished jewel on the old strip.
A brand new poker room is being unveiled where everything is brand spanking new. Built in the spot once occupied by an old longue the new room has 10 tables and 11 plasma TV screens. The words spacious and comfortable come to mind, when a few short months ago the room was exactly the opposite.
Next time when you play online texas holdem and you are ready to take a breather or get out of the house, or if you are planning a trip to Vegas check out Binions. Now, instead of being part of the museum if you decide to play texas hold ‘em on the old strip at the birthplace of poker, you’ll be playing in style.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Bruttle
Bruttle
Sit & Go Table 2 - 300/600 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:16:59 ET - 2009/01/03
Seat 3: PSTONIAN (7,900)
Seat 5: ME (19,100)
ME posts the small blind of 300
PSTONIAN posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ME [3h Ks]
ME raises to 1,200
PSTONIAN calls 600
*** FLOP *** [Kh 3d 7c]
PSTONIAN bets 1,200
ME has 15 seconds left to act
ME raises to 5,400
PSTONIAN has 15 seconds left to act
PSTONIAN raises to 6,700, and is all in
ME calls 1,300
PSTONIAN shows [5d 4h]
ME shows [3h Ks]
*** TURN *** [Kh 3d 7c] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 3d 7c 6d] [As]
PSTONIAN shows a straight, Seven high
ME shows two pair, Kings and Threes
PSTONIAN wins the pot (15,800) with a straight, Seven high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15,800 Rake 0
Board: [Kh 3d 7c 6d As]
Seat 3: PSTONIAN (big blind) showed [5d 4h] and won (15,800) with a straight, Seven high
Seat 5: ME (small blind) showed [3h Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Threes
Sit & Go Table 2 - 300/600 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:16:59 ET - 2009/01/03
Seat 3: PSTONIAN (7,900)
Seat 5: ME (19,100)
ME posts the small blind of 300
PSTONIAN posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ME [3h Ks]
ME raises to 1,200
PSTONIAN calls 600
*** FLOP *** [Kh 3d 7c]
PSTONIAN bets 1,200
ME has 15 seconds left to act
ME raises to 5,400
PSTONIAN has 15 seconds left to act
PSTONIAN raises to 6,700, and is all in
ME calls 1,300
PSTONIAN shows [5d 4h]
ME shows [3h Ks]
*** TURN *** [Kh 3d 7c] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 3d 7c 6d] [As]
PSTONIAN shows a straight, Seven high
ME shows two pair, Kings and Threes
PSTONIAN wins the pot (15,800) with a straight, Seven high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15,800 Rake 0
Board: [Kh 3d 7c 6d As]
Seat 3: PSTONIAN (big blind) showed [5d 4h] and won (15,800) with a straight, Seven high
Seat 5: ME (small blind) showed [3h Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Threes
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