Party Poker Blog

One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
Which road do I take? she asked.
Where do you want to go? was his response.
I don't know, Alice answered.
Then, said the cat, it doesn't matter.
Lewis Carroll

Bonus Code IGGY on Party Poker, damnit.

Thanks again to everyone who played in the tournament. We should do that more often, methinks.

The above quote reminds me of my current work/career situation. And it's all good. A few folks have been encouraging me to go to culinary school, especially my sister. She seems to think that writing about food would be superior to poker.

But isn't that the way it always is? You take a great hobby like poker or cooking, turn it into your full-time job and suddenly it's not quite the passionate undertaking it once was.

Ah-hah, but that's not quite true for me with poker now.

My past weekend of B&M poker was just what I needed to re-charge my batteries. In fact, in truly disturbing fashion, I'm fantasizing about setting up a tent along the scenic Ohio river, cooking franks and beans over an open fire ala hobo style, and walking down to the Caesars Palace card room every afternoon.

I kinda like the idea of being a cardroom regular, even if for just a few weeks, in the tiny town of New Albany, Indiana. At the least, it should provide some interesting blog fodder, if not more. I always enjoyed the anthropological study of poker rooms in David Hayano's book, Poker Faces.

I'm still working through the logistics. The wife gave me permission - what else do I need? The biggest hindrance right now is my physical therapy, as I still have four more weeks of hell to endure.

But there is a little shack-like place renting rooms for $100 a week not 500 yards away from the boat. And I'm #1 on the waiting list. When I get that call, I'm packing up and leaving.

Anyway, who the hell cares. I'm banging away at Party Poker (and still begging for a Bonus Code IGGY signup here!!! Not one fucking signup in March - kill me now) and enjoying the ride.

K, let's give ya something better to read than my drunken blatherings. Honestly, there are so many great posts over there on the right, I could spend an entire post pointing them out. Maybe I'll do that in a future post. Make sure to spend some time surfing from the blogroll the next time you are clicking and folding on Party Poker.

You want some random poker ramblings? I got ramblings in spades....
Please continue.

I'll be dipped. Golden Palace bought the Pink Bunny auction on eBay for 15 grand.

Two Plus Two just announced the new issue of their online poker magazine.
Fourteen new articles to chew on.
April 2005 Issue

Interesting poker article on the founders of Pacific Poker.
Apparently the Israelies don't mind the profits but don't want their citizens contributing.

Yahoo Biz wrote about Pokerstars throwing a big birthday party for Shaq earlier in the month. They gave him a year's worth of private lessons from Greg Raymer plus an entry into the main event. I'd love to see him playing at a table with Tony G.

Didcha know Tony G has a poker blog? Now you do.
Tony G Poker

Also, Annie Duke did a website redesign. There's some good articles in there.

Favorite confession from today's Grouphug "Today I drank, smoked weed, and watch people rail morphine, all while sitting in the break room at a Staples, and I don't even work there. "

Allow me to float a weird drunken idea. Any interest in setting up a WSOP Qualifier for us? Set it up for month from now... 100 + 10 buy in. Would need about 110 people to register for tournament to happen and have one seat awarded, plus 1,000 in travel money. Prolly a silly idea but I'd sure love to send someone from the blogging community in our name....

Just when I was feeling sorry for ol Dutch Boyd, he had to go and ruin it. Check out this post from his blog about 2005 WSOP Champ, Greg Raymer.

I gotta say it.
Dutch, you're truly a Buttnut.

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Read a post that Paul Phillips made about me where he says that I'm not totally irredeemable. Thanks Paul... if I ever redeem myself we'll have to play some Scrabble sometime... speaking of people who think I'm a POS, I had a pretty lame interaction with Greg Raymer at the Copenhagen tournament.

I'll tell you all about it in another post. Suffice it to say that there are plenty of people out there who don't like me that I like, respect, and sometimes even admire. Greg Raymer isn't on that list... he's a great player I'm sure, but personality-wise I pretty much think he's an ass. I'll go even one step further than that and say that I don't believe that Greg is happy with life, I definitely don't believe his WIFE is happy with life, and I don't think that he's a very esteemable person in real life. Like I said, I could be wrong.

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And I loved Mister Raymer's reply to said post:

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Pot, black, etc.

I guess he wishes that instead of blowing him off, I'd told him off for his thievery.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

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Typically, some fucktard tried to defend Dutch a bit (per the PokerSpot fiasco) and Greg thankfully responded again.
(My definitive Russ Boyd post)


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Dutch took the player's money and used it to run the site. When he still failed to turn a profit, he lost his money, his investor's money, AND the player's money.

It is quite clear that the player's money should have been kept in a separate account, and never touched other than for taking out the money that belonged to the house (i.e., the rake). Instead, Dutch raided this money to keep himself afloat longer before going under. The player's were made unwilling investors, with no upside in that investment.

Using money that you're holding in trust is the same as stealing it.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

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I gotta say that Dutch commenting on Greg's wife is completely out of the bounds of decent behavior. But that's just me.

I could easily insert a 'your momma' joke here for Dutch, but I won't. It's a kinder, gentler Iggy, damnit.

I've read alot of strange poker claims over the years but I chuckled when I read this
at ESPN.com's poker lounge:
Allen Hanley knew he was going to win

From the article:

"It was an amazing end to the tournament, but believe it or not, a straight flush is something ordinary to Allen, who once held five royal flushes within the span of one hour at a local casino."

ESPN might wanna hire some fact-checkers....

Hrmmm, a quick jaunt thru the psychology forum in 2+2 offered these threads:

The most difficult thing about poker?
Why are some people introverts?
Best technique for going All In?
Personality types (again - but with a twist)
I Didn't Check Poker Tracker Today.....Am I a Stud?
Where can I find hookers in vegas?
Profession Least Likely To Enjoy/Play Poker

No surprise, but I ignored them all. On the other hand, I did find some crazy posts by David Sklansky which I'll be posting soon. I'm worried about the man.

Mr. Beale asks the burning question:

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Subject: Are there any female maniacs?

Playing poker, that is. Be nice.

The women I've played against fit every player categorization except *maniac*. Try as I might I can't recall a single one, even the drunk ones. I've been thinking about maniacs since playing against the absolutely unbeatable one last night and realized that I've never seen a female one.

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Here's an amusing poker article from Money Central at MSN.
Which online poker sites are safe bets?

I just popped on Party Poker and saw 76,000 freaking players online. I still shake my head every time I see that. It's the golden age of online poker, boys and girls. Push yer game NOW or forever regret it.

I have no regrets. The fish on Party Poker have allowed me to quit my job and sit on my butt, clicking and folding for a living. By Gawd, for everyone else, it's an easy way to pick up some additional income with some study and effort. It ain't that damn hard. I'm not an expert player, by any stretch. I'm just a slightly above average player playing with players worse than me every day. That's Party Poker in a nutshell.

Food for thought:

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The "lifespan" of Online Poker

I have noticed some replies in certain post that are claiming that online poker will die out. I'd like to get some more discussion on this as I think it is ridiculous.

My reasons why I think Online-poker will not die out anytime soon (if ever) are as follows:

-- It is GAMBLING, people love to gamble.

-- It is so easily accessible. you can do it in your own home.

-- New generations are growing up and entering the poker world everyday.

Do you agree? Disagree?

Now I'm sure the popularity of poker on TV and such will die off a little eventually, but I can hardly see how the millions of online players will just go away. I just think there will always be fish in the water so why stop fishing?

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This response gave me a woody. I'm not kidding.

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Do you think Las Vegas casino owners in the 1950's were saying to themselves "Gee, these players keep playing blackjack, craps, roulette, and the slot machines and losing their money. I guess it'll all be over in a couple years."

Online poker isn't going anywhere. It's here to stay and will be much more popular 10 years from now than it is today.

The fish don't run out of money. They have jobs and redeposit another $200 when they feel like playing again.

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Poker Updates has a new show up.

Damn, someone took the time to TIVO all the upcoming poker related TV shows for the next few days. Allow me to post them for your edification.

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Poker tonight through Sunday 4/2/05

EST times

Thursday, 31 7:30 PM Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament 32 CSN
[ Repeat, or new show?]
Thursday, 31 10:00 PM Poker 29 ESPN2
Replay of the 2004 Taj US Championship- don't know what episode
Thursday, 31 11:00 PM Poker 29 ESPN2
Another episode?

Friday, 1 1:00 AM E! Hollywood Hold 'Em
Poker night with Zach Levi
Friday, 1 1:30 AM Casino Diaries: The Big Poker Game DTIMES
One of the players comments on the TOC?
Friday, 1 2:00 AM Celebrity Poker Showdown BRAVO
Brandi Chastain, Camryn Manheim, Colin Quinn, Tom Verica, Kevin Weisman
Friday, 1 9:30 AM Casino Diaries: The Big Poker Game DTIMES
Friday, 1 5:30 PM Casino Diaries: The Big Poker Game DTIMES
Friday, 1 9:00 PM Poker Royale 2: Battle of the Sexes GSN
Friday, 1 10:50 PM The Cooler

5STMAX
Saturday, 2 12:00 AM Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament FOXW2
Saturday, 2 12:00 AM Poker Royale: The WPPA Championship GSN
Saturday, 2 9:00 AM Beverly Hills, 90210: Anaconda SOAP
Poker game is followed by a burglary
Saturday, 2 12:00 PM World Poker Tour: Foxwoods World Poker Finals

TRAVEL
2004 repeat
Saturday, 2 4:00 PM E! Hollywood Hold 'Em
Saturday, 2 6:00 PM 2004 US Championship ESPN
[They may be showing all the episodes in order]
Saturday, 2 6:00 PM World Poker Tour: Doyle Brunson North American
Poker Championship
TRAVEL
Repeat of Wednesday's new show
Saturday, 2 7:00 PM 2004 US Championship ESPN
Saturday, 2 8:00 PM 2004 US Championship ESPN
Saturday, 2 9:00 PM 2004 US Championship ESPN
Saturday, 2 10:00 PM E! Hollywood Hold 'Em
Saturday, 2 10:00 PM 2004 US Championship ESPN
Saturday, 2 11:00 PM Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament CSN
Saturday, 2 11:00 PM World Series of Poker ESPNC
#4 episode from 2003 WSOP


Sunday, 3 12:00 AM Poker Royale 2: Battle of the Sexes GSN
Sunday, 3 10:00 AM World Series of Poker ESPNC
#4 episode from 2003 WSOP again?
Sunday, 3 8:00 PM Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament CSN
[ Should be a new one?]
Sunday, 3 8:00 PM Celebrity Poker Showdown: Game 4 BRAVO
2003 repeat with Coolio
Sunday, 3 11:30 PM PrimeTime
WPVINW
"also, women's high-stakes poker"
Monday, 4 1:00 AM Ultimate Poker Challenge WPSG
[not sure what exactly the episode is going to be]

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I'm a cable-less loser, but I'm sure the above might be helpful for some of you non-luddites out there.



It's that time again. Yup, let's pimp the new poker bloggers. Please take some time and check out the new folks. I'm sure they'd appreciate some links and readers, as would we all.

Aces Full Poker
Forget about a chip and a chair, give me a hand and I'll stand

I enjoyed playing with John last evening in the tourney.
Life and Times of a Poker Addict
The mundane musings of a slightly-better-than average poker player...

The Poker Game of Life
Poker and scotch on the rocks. Below are my reflections on life and poker. My journey from $4-8 as a past time to $15-30 for serious money and my life experiences in between.
Please go read his last post:
Women are like Ace something

I'm long overdue in pimping Matt Matros's blog. Buy his book while you're at it.
Matt Matros

Poker Blog by Max Pescatori

Everything in Moderation - Including Moderation
Because sometimes, a little bit of excess is a good thing.

Terrence Chan
Well known RGP poster and Poker Stars illumanti.

Murph's Musings
A Las vegas dealers poker blog

playing poker and teaching science
i'm an 8th grade science teacher, high school wrestling coach, poker player, scuba diver, aikido black belt, amateur writer, and a student of life.

Christian Poker Pro

PPlayer.com
Part of a pro blog network which means they get paid to blog.
Yes, I'm bitter that I write this all up for free.

Bonus Fucking Code IGGY. Please.

Poker Profits

See For Yourself
Resplendent feats of exalted irrelevance: pretentious musings, trivial concerns, and a bit too much poker.

Withnail.net
The comments and thoughts of a cynical melancholy London based Poker Player, United supporter and general laggard. Who when fails to recoup, well maybe: I just haven't earned it yet baby...

Big Syd's Poker Blog

OnTilt
My mission to avoid tilt in poker and life, but mostly poker...

High Poker
Playing for a living.

Gotta love the new blogs.

Helpful tip to readers: When you're a kid, humming or singing into a fan is a lot of fun and entertaining, but please don't let anyone catch you doing it when you're 39 years old.

And with that, I'm done for the evening. Thanks for anyone reading - I'm off to the tables.

In closing, some words of advice from Lou.

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When it comes down to starting hands, there's a lot more that ought to be factored into the analysis:

1. How's your bankroll? Do you have enough money to play optimally, or are you on a short bankroll and feel the need to sacrafice some EV in order to offset a whole lot of variance. You can earn just as much money that way, but it will take a few more hours at the table to get there.

2. How well do you play compared to the skill of your opponents? If you can outplay them after the flop, or if your opponents are very predictable players, you can see a few more flops -- don't carry this to extremes, however -- than you can against tougher opposition.

3. How good are your opponents at reading you? If they are clueless, there's no point in disguising your hands of varying your play. If they are aware of what you seem to be doing, then you can make a play every now and then.

There's just so much about deciding what hands to play and under what circumstances to play them that if you spend some time thinking about it you can probably come up with a long list of factors that should be brought to bear on the "play/no play" decision.

After all, if all there was to playing your first two cards was rote memorization, anyone could be expert at this phase of the game.

Having said that, I recognize that my books have suggested starting hands for early, mid, and late position. But those suggestions are are GUIDE, and as soon as the beginning player learns what hands are good starters, and garners sufficient experience playing hold'em, he's free to move off that list and begin to interpolate his play based on a wide variety of factors.

New players, obviously, need guideposts. But as soon as they get their chops down, they can improvise a bit. But if they are grounded in some sort of hand selection theory, the very guidelines they are deviating from will serve as a basis for understanding what they are doing and why they are doing it.

The analogy to music is easy and obvious. Until a musician has his chops down, can handle his instrument, and knows melody, theory, and harmony he probably shouldn't do a whole lot of improvising. But once he's got his chops down cold, then he's free to become another Miles, Mingus, Monk, or Rollins -- or try to.

Keep flopping aces,

Lou Krieger

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Link of the Day:
Ride the Freakin Hooers
If Bill O'Reilly's sex talk made you hotter than a falafel, wait until you hear the voicemail messages left by former CBS Sports host Pat O'Brien before he entered rehab.