The idea behind this game is that there are four computer-controlled hands, which you can bet for or lay at any point in the game, from betting blind (even before pre-flop) right up until the last stage of betting before the river. Odds are given for each hand at each stage, and the same Texas Hold ‘Em rules apply.

I decided in no time that a nice way to work it would be to take advantage of the “lay” feature. If I could place a bet on all the hands at different points in the game when their odds were anything over 4.0 (i hate decimalised odds, but still) the outcome would not matter, I would win something.

Sounds perfect in theory and surely anyone with a basic grasp of numbers should be able to take advantage of this system. But after small, consistent wins, I began to realise the disadvantage of the system. It rides on the need to have all hands reaching odds of 4.0 at some stage in the round, and you can bet Betfair have worked it out to make sure one just doesn’t. I think, though, that this game does have a consistent system in it somewhere, so if you play it and find one let us know! I’ll continue to post my own advances here myself…

Pocket Aces does not mean a winning hand in Texas Holdem poker.  Many new players always bet big and play the pocket pair.  However, a flush or straight or many other hands can easily beat pocket aces.  You have the highest pair.  Remember you’re playing a pair and not the other options with this hand.  Just think for a minute how often a pair is beat by better hands.

Keep high runners and not the low runners.  Usually a higher straight will be your low runner straight.  It is best to never keep runners that are less than 9.  What if they are suited?  Most likely if your highest card is a 5 suited, someone else is going to hit the higher card flush than you.  If it’s not at least a 9, don’t keep it. Go ahead and fold.

Naturally NL Texas Holdem is the most popular game going today, but there are many other games to choose from.  There is Stud, Stud 8 or Better, Omaha 8 or Better, PL Omaha, Razz, H.O.R.S.E, Lowball, and even Limit Holdem.  With so many games, some people get intimidated easily.   The first thing to do is evaluate your poker game.  What is your best game?  Is NL your best game, or are you perhaps a really fantastic Stud player who is forced to play NL due to lack of Stud games in your area.

The answer to this question is quite simple, play the event you have the best chance of doing well in.  Personally, my favorite poker game is Stud 8 or Better, but if you look at my history of professional events, my best results have come in Limit Holdem.  As a result, the last two years I have played in the $1500 Limit event.  I also cashed in both events so it ended up being the best decision.

Remember, whatever event you decide to play, you will be putting up a significant amount of money.  The cheapest buy-in at the WSOP other than the Employees event is $1000.  For most that is still a good chunk of change.  Most buy-ins average $1500.  In addition there are several $2000, $5000, and $10,000 buy-in events.  With so much money on the line, it only makes sense to play the event that gives you the best chance to win.  Regardless of the event you choose to play, enjoy the experience, and learn a lot.  Hopefully I will see you at the final table.

The first step of the process is to find out which gambling site is sponsoring the show.  Typically, you can sign up for the play money side of the site and play a bunch of games in hopes of getting noticed.  You can also write to the producers of the show and let them know why you think that you should be a contestant.

If you are selected be prepared to spend a lot of time and some of your own money to be involved.  You will need to be able to take time off of work to go on the show.  It is rigorous, demanding and a challenge.  But at the same time it can be a great deal of fun!

Generally the rule that I follow is I need a 9 kicker or higher when I will place a pre-flop bet with an Ace card.  A suited running Ace I will bet higher on than any other Ace combination.  Ace and King I bet higher on than pocket Ace’s because even though you have the highest pair you still have too many other hands that can beat one pair.

Pocket rockets is not always your strongest hand.  Remember that there is the chance that someone else has a lower pair in their hand and can catch the third card.  Another problem with pocket rockets is that someone else can have the straight.  You are essentially betting on a single pair and should treat it as such, especially with your pre-flop bet.  Many times new players think that pocket rockets is the best hand to have and will go all-in to be surprised when someone else takes all their chips or money.

Most online poker tournaments I play in have nine people at one table. One way is to play the odds. How many cards have been dealt? How many have been played and how many are left? If all nine people have called a twenty dollar blind that’s eighteen cards. Now, let’s say a pair comes down on the flop and one person goes all in. The odds of this being a 3 of a kind bluff are very low. Unless you have the three of a kind, fold.

On the other hand let’s say the first eight players all call the twenty dollar blind. Eighteen cards have been dealt again and the ninth player bets 300 chips. Everyone folds except for you with your pocket nine’s and a pair of threes and a six comes down on the flop. The player goes all-in to try to bluff his three of a kind. It’s a bluff because he would not of lead off with a 300 chip bet if he had a three in his hand odds are this person has two face cards; possibly an ace stuck in there somewhere which is worthless so far with this scenario. Call his bluff and send him packing. Your not going to be right 100% of the time but pay attention and you’ll be right most of the time.

I’m able to enter two or three Players Club tournaments weekly with my points, and in a good week I’ll actually win a bit of money.

The Players Club tourneys are pretty popular, so here are two suggestions if you’re thinking about playing in one:

1. Don’t register unless you literally have 5 hours to spare. If you plan to win (don’t we all?), that’s how long it’ll take. Half of the entrants will be knocked out during the first hour, then the knock-out rate seems to get geometrically lower every hour after that.

2. If possible, play at night: there are fewer entrants for the same sized prize pool. Fewer competitors is always a good thing. During the day, the tournament might have between 2,000 and 2,500 entrants — but at night, it’s more like between 1,000 and 1,500.

These three are nearly invincible. I like to slow-play them, then go all-in and knock out other players. What fun…

Also great hands. I play them strong and try to scare everyone away before that idiot with 2-7 suited catches a flush on the river…

These can be good hands depending on the flop. As pretty as they are, don’t be afraid to fold them when necessary…

I also think it’s very worthwhile to play lower pocket pairs (9-9, 8-8, 7-7) and things like AJ suited, QJ suited, and JT suited, depending on my position and chip stack. (…Can you tell I play tight?)

I really don’t think people under 21 need any more encouragement to play than the heavily edited displays of people winning millions of dollars in highstakes poker on TV.

What I find more discouraging is that I somehow managed to miss the Belmont Stakes. And while many thought this would be a head-to-head matchup between Afleet Alex and Giacomo, I knew better. Even though I didn’t have the sense to find a freaking OTB. Twice I’ve missed Afleet Alex, and now I’ll be paying for it until next year’s triple crown rolls around. Ah well, such is the life of a horseracing afficionado. You do much better if you actually bet.

Most places start the tables at $2/4 for Texas Hold ‘em – and some in the Seattle area are even as low as $1/3. $100 to buy into a $2/4 game is plenty, believe me. (For more on the bet structure and what exactly “$2/4″ and such means, see ‘But what does that mean?’) As long as you’re playing a proper strategy, that is. If you’re a hard-core bowler, for instance, you’ll easily spend that much a week trying to perfect your spin (plus beer). And don’t even get me started on the inanity and ridiculous costs involved with golf.

Not to mention how much cheaper (and usually better) the food is at a casino compared to a bowling alley or golf course (ok maybe the food’s better at a golf course, but come on, you can get practically free booze at the casino – golf courses sure don’t have that).

I’m not trying to get you to waste your money, or risk it unnecessarily. I’m just telling you that

1. It’s not as expensive as you think, and
2. Don’t ever think of it as anything but entertainment. You aren’t there to win, or to lose, you’re there for the fun.