Poker Blog

Attorney Lee Rousso, who is also the Washington state director of the Poker Players Alliance, went before a judge, the other day, to argue his stand that Washington State’s ban on Online Poker was unconstitutional.

According to reports, one of his arguments was that the law serves as a method to protect Washington’s casinos from the competition that Online Poker sites provide, and that as such, the law violates the Commerce Clause which reserves to Congress the right to regulate interstate and international commerce.Most state attempts to regulate the internet run afoul of the Commerce Clause, and Washington’s law, which was passed to protect the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos from otherwise legal out-of-state competition, should be no exception.

What is constitutional does not merit any objective tone anymore, it is replaced by a relative definition wherein state leaders are manipulators. If they feel that you are threatening them, they will find a way to punish you. But if they feel that you can be useful to them, you will be imposed an unreasonable amount of tax. Everything boils down to politics- how the personal interests of some have taken precedence over efficient administration.

The law should concentrate on punishing those who are guilty of possessing child pornography or grand theft auto and not on pursuing an Online Poker ban that couldn’t possibly as serious of a crime. If anything, the Online Poker boom has led to a rapid e-commerce growth. Not to mention, how it helped some less privileged students to send themselves to college.

Since the judge did not side with Rousso’s arguments, the ban that makes playing Online Poker a class c felony will remain.

Naturally, State Attorneys are thankful with the decision, but Rousso remains optimistic, as he said, “Even though it was a loss today, I still think some good things will come of it.”

A rally was organized by The Poker Players Alliance to support the cause of Rousso’s effort. An estimate of fifty people were present in the rally, including professional Poker players Barry Greenstein and Andy Bloch, as did a number of media outlets.

Lee Rousso may have lost this fight, but he will continue to fight for justice until Washington’s ban on Online Poker has been lifted.

Rousso knows that he will not be fighting alone. He has the support of the whole Online Poker community to fight for what is right and just.

Earlier reports said that Rousso recently dropped out of the governor’s race, partly because his legal case against Washington’s ban on Online Poker was starting to make headway.

Rousso announced his candidacy in January, stating that his sole goal was to get rid of Washington’s law banning Online Poker, a law which received support from Washington’s current governor, Chris Gregoire.

From a purely legal standpoint, Rousso believes he has a a 99% chance of winning on the Commerce Clause challenge.

“The State’s primary defense will likely be that I don’t have “standing” to bring the suit. I can cite numerous cases saying I should get my day in court. The State will no doubt cite cases suggesting the opposite conclusion. I think that will be the real battleground,” Rousso said.

Photo Courtesy of unitedpokergroup

Not all people know that the internet is a treasure trove of winnings. The Online Poker firm, PartyGaming, was floated on the London Stock Exchange for over £4 billion, valuing the 8-year-old company at more than British Airways.

SAFER BET

Will Online Poker prove to be a better investment that other dot.com opportunities? The answer is YES.

Party Poker is considered a market place where buyers or users come together to find what they are looking for- in this case, a chance to play Poker. According to Dai and Kaufman’s research on business models for electronic marketplaces, online markets would seek to replicate; aggregation, matching and facilitation.

According to them, aggregation is the provision of a wide range of goods and services that enables a buyer or user to be sure they will find exactly what they are looking for. As an example of aggregation, there’s the vast product ranges offered by online retailers. Matching is the ability to balance supply and demand and is illustrated online by auctions. Finally, facilitation refers to making the process of buying goods or using the service as easy as possible.

So how is Online Poker related to their research? Simple, Online Poker services address aggregation, matching, and facilitation.

Because there are 1.8 million estimated players of Online Poker each day, these services surely claim to aggregate players looking for a game. Party Poker alone has an average of 120,000 players per day. Due to this large number of users, the match of supply and demand becomes easier, as observed by one industry expert “you can always find the game you want, at the limit you want, at any time of day”. Lastly, observations proves that online game is convenient and less intimidating for beginners than playing in a casino, facilitating the appreciation of the game by many new players and allowing them to play whenever they want, day or night.

MULTI-CHANNEL APPROACH

Online Poker also emphasizes another possibility in the online world- the importance of a multi-channel approach. Though there are some businesses that thrived by only utilizing the e-commerce solution, most are finding that a combination of different communication and distribution channels are essential. Consider the case of Online Poker, the growth in the online game is both fueling, and riding on the back of, a boom in the game in the ‘real’ world. Much of this is led by the rise of the game on television. The Online Poker boom has also led to a resurgence of Poker Room at traditional casinos – and at a time when casinos in the UK are benefiting from the recent abolition of the 24 hours registration period and there is a huge expansion planned in the number of casinos in the UK.

BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RISKS

Even though Online Poker is a huge asset in e-commerce, many are still doubtful because of the possible security issues they might encounter. But what if the market size for Online Poker far outweighs the security risks you may have to take? What are you going to do? I suggest you take chances, because you will never know how far your business will go if you do not take the risk.

If you are wondering what runs in the mind of an Online Poker champion, this post is for you.

ACTING IS A PREREQUISITE IN POKER

To be a champion Poker player, means to know how to hide your anxieties and emotions. The best Poker players are actors. They cannot afford to be transparent, or else they will blow away their chances in winning. Pretending is part of a Poker player’s life. Poker is a game where emotional stability is a must. You cannot afford to be upset just because another player is winning. You cannot afford to be upset just because you are losing. You must take losing as a challenge. These are the things you have to consider if you want to have a successful Poker career.

Poker is not dependent on a single day. It is something you have to work hard for, just like a job. So long as you like playing the same game in a single day, the harder it is to win. The fact is when players achieve a position of being able to win, they are usually gambling on something else, something they like to do. Poker is all about money, if you like playing so much then it would not be a job.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Predation is something you have to expect in Poker world. You must know how to kill or you will be killed. Of course, you have the option to choose your unfortunate prey, the most common prey though are the fresh meats in the world of Online Poker. Hello, as if someone will dare to pass up on a fresh meat.

IT IS OKAY TO LOSE

The best players are those who have entered a losing streak at least once. When you are bound to lose, there is nothing that you can do that is right. Players are not judged on how they play when they are winning, but the other way around. You do not judge a person when he is winning since winning can easily deceive people. The right way to judge a person’s ability to play Poker is by seeing and knowing how he loses his money. If he is always getting sucked out, you know he is a winner even though he is losing. If he is always sucking out when he is winning, he will soon be on the rail.

Losing in playing professional poker are enormous to most people, including the professionals themselves. Obviously many of us have had losing streaks and decided to make sure it never happened again. Nothing beats studying Poker strategies and reading Poker Reviews in order for you to ensure that your losing chance will be minimal.

No one but yourself can ensure victory. Staying strong mentally and playing with a clear mind is a must in order to win consistently. Those who do not stay mentally focused will eventually lose. Though Poker today is seen as cash and fame. The days of real Poker, where it is about taking part and not really about cash, are over.

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

It is good to know that Doyles Poker Room is once again open to players from USA. Older players remember Doyles Poker Room as part of he Tribeca group, but now as a part of the Microgaming group of online poker rooms known as Prima Poker, you guys can be assured of a more fun and profitable gaming experience.\They have also added some new casino games with the merger into the Prima Poker network. Personally, playing here in Doyles Poker Room speaks of a calm atmosphere, you will not feel much of the tension, instead you will feel calm and confident that you will win.

SOFTWARE

If you were an older player who had been there since the opening of Doyles Poker Room in 2006, I am sure that you have taken notice of the transition from the older Tribeca platform to the new Micgrogaming Platform of Prima Poker. Although changes are not that apparent at first, it still took me some time to get used to the new setup. I like how they added casino games as well. Player notes, multi table gaming capability and mini table views are one of the many things the new software is offering. What i do not like about this new software is the long registration process which makes me feel like it took me a month just to sign up.- Kidding. They should modify the registration process though, most Poker players are not as patient as me.

BONUSES

And yes, the best part of course, the Poker Bonuses. Doyles Poker Room is actually giving out different kinds of Poker Bonuses. At present, the bonus is 10% up to $550. A free copy of Doyle Brunson’s Super System I and II is awaiting those who will deposit enough money to get the maximum bonus.

PROMOTIONS

Honestly, i think Doyles Poker Room is currently running very few interesting promotions. One is that they are offering players a chance to win a week long intensive Poker training program with the world’s best Poker players. According to some sources, Doyles Poker Room take player fidelity very seriously and its Player Rewards program is dependent upon the type of hospitality that Doyle has enjoyed and come to expect over the years. A system of ‘action points’ is what , Doyles Poker Room use to determine player fidelity rewards.

“The Action Points system automatically rewards you while you play! You accumulate Action Points by playing in real money games, including single- and multi-table tournaments.”

Also they offer opportunities for players to earn action points that can be converted to Poker chips and Poker packages.

PLAYERS

If you want competition but do not want to bump into the giants along the way, then Doyles Poker Room is for you. Though some players here are a little below the average, you can also see some very good players here. Texas Hold’em can give you the soft competition you are looking for. But what’s nice if you can find Doyle or his son Todd, or even Mike Caro playing at a table, even if the thing you can only see is the action.

VARIETY

Doyles Poker Room offer a good quality of Poker games. You can choose to play the normal games like Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, 5 card draw, and 7 card stud or you can play Badugi which is exclusive to Doyles Poker Room only.

OTHERS

Regarding customer service Doyles Poker Room offers chat, email support and telephone support. However, it is much faster to do the live chat or telephone support. A response from the email support can take several hours.One thing that needs to be improved in this Online Poker Room is the limited banking options being credit card, Neteller, FirePay and wire transfer, while your cashout methods are just Neteller and bank transfer.

So there. I hope was of help to those who are considering Doyles Poker Room.

Aside from the thrill Poker players get in playing Online Poker, it also helps the young to continue their education.

Hunter Fritz, a college sophomore is fund of playing Online Poker and is part of an Online Poker community that has grown significantly in the last few years, making more and more Online Poker enthusiasts grab a chance to cash win huge dollars.

According to a research done by Pokerpulse.com, in early 2003 Online Poker was virtually nonexistent, but by 2007 had grown into a $2 billion industry. Pokerpulse.com also found out that , almost 120,000 players were online at any given time through April of last year, with combined daily pots totaling up to $200 million.

Just like anyone who tried Online Poker and eventually got the hang of it, Fritz said he got into Poker for fun, but as he became more successful, his interest in the game grew.

It is said that he started playing at practice tables and others that required a small monetary buy-in to play. Since then, he’s worked his way up. Fritz knew that Online Poker is for him when he bagged the $160,000 last year at a Poker Tournament. Fritz said that he makes it a point that he plays Online Poker three hours a day and consider playing as his job. How awesome right? You get to do the thing you love to do, and you gain huge dollars because of it.

Fritz said he’d rather play Online Poker than at a physical table Poker because he enjoys the comfort of his own home, prefers to play up to six tables at once and thinks non-online games progress slowly.

I wonder how Fritz balances school and playing Online Poker. Isn’t that hard? And is he really using the money to send himself to school?
Well, if it’s true, then i think he’s really dedicated to get a good education. Anyway, if Fritz can do it, i am sure everyone can do it too, especially those who are older than Fritz.

If you wanna be like Fritz, you have to read and study every possible Poker Review so you can maximize your chances in winning. You have to start on finding the right Poker Room that will best suit you. But in order for you to determine which Poker Room is the best, you still have to determine which Poker site is the best.

There are many Poker sites out there who prey on the less experienced-added to the fact that they are breeding grounds for viruses. You need to protect yourself from these sites and what better way to start protecting your interests than to read honest and unbiased Poker Reviews right? From there, you will know which Poker Rooms are trusted by people from all over the world.

Becoming an Online Poker champion doesn’t happen overnight, you have to invest time and efforts to study Online Poker strategies that will make you rise above the rest through reliable and honest sites.

Just because you’re new to poker doesn’t mean you have absolutely no chances of winning in online poker. You certainly have as good a chance as any other player, but only if you know how to choose the right tournaments to join.

Understanding the Types of Online Poker Tournaments.
This is the first thing you have to understand. Knowing the difference between freezeout and satellite tournaments can only improve your chances of winning because you know what to expect once you join a table.

Double stack tournaments are arguably one of the best types of tournaments for beginners. They start out slow, and the game only gets risky after the flop. Amounts for blind rise gradually, and players are given more chips to start with.

Freezeout tournaments are the standard type of tournament. Players can’t enter the game at any time. There’s a fixed schedule to follow and all players are given a specified stack of chips. Once you run out of chips, you’re out of the game permanently.

Rebuy tournaments work just like freezeout tournaments but with a twist: players are offered the rebuy option to replenish their stacks and have the chance to play longer. In most tournaments, the option to rebuy can only be exercised at the first hour of play. At times, there may be another rebuy option offered at the end of the first hour and players may buy more chips for an additional charge.

Satellite tournaments have numerous formats, and rewards or prizes are mostly composed of buy-ins to yet another tournament. As such, it’s unavoidable for players with winning streaks to continuously meet each other in succeeding tournaments while losing players get nothing in return.

Sit and go tournaments can operate with just one table, but it can also include less than two hundred players. It has a very flexible structure, with games starting the moment all available seats in the tournament are availed.

Turbo tournaments, on the other hand, are distinguished from other tournaments types by their blind levels. Amounts for blinds rise very quickly, which certainly induce players to adjust or change their gaming styles when they are in the position to post the blinds.

Factors Affecting Your Chances of Winning in Online Poker Tournaments
Now that you know the different types of online poker tournaments, you should then consider next factors directly and indirectly related to the tournament that could help you win.

Time
Consider joining online poker tournaments that are not held in peak hours. There are fewer players to contend with, and certainly a smaller percentage of experienced poker players to expect, both of which consequently improve your chances of winning.

Online Poker Rooms
Most poker players, if not all, would love to be known as the best in the game. That’s why online poker tournaments that receive excellent media coverage are frequented by the experts and veterans. If you want to win, you should try your luck at the lesser-known poker tournaments online. Focus on winning prizes now. Fame can always come later.

Chip Stack
Finally, it’s best to stick with poker games that allow you the greatest amount of chips to start playing with. The more stacks you have, the more chances you have of finding the best strategy to play your way to the top.