Why No-limit Poker Is Better Than Poker

By Joshua Heilpern If you are a tight-aggressive player, you need to consider playing No-Limit Hold 'em if you aren't already. With proper play, not only can you expect to increase your hourly win rate, but you can make it much more difficult for your opponents to draw out on you.

First of all, let's explain the fundamental differences between Limit and No-Limit. In Limit Hold 'em, you can only raise the amount of the big blind and most cardrooms and online poker rooms will cap the betting at 3 raises. In No-Limit Hold 'em, the only betting rule is that the minimum be at least the size of the big blind. You can bet your whole stack if you want to.

Sure, it takes more knowledge, experience, and courage to play No-Limit (NL) well, but it will pay off for you if you play it right.

To get you started, the standard raise in NL is 3-4 times the big blind. After the flop, a good bet to make when you have a strong hand is about the size of the pot. If you're looking for information on the flop, you might consider a bet of 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the pot. You also might consider making only a small bet if you're holding a monster hand and want to get called. Or you could always check-raise in that situation. Also be aware that the value of drawing hands that play well in limit games like K-J suited goes way down in NL play. Better hands to have are big pocket pairs or suited connectors.

So, why is it better to play NL? Simple: It's much easier to make a lot more money. Playing NL, you can afford to play only your strong hands. For example, in a two hour poker session you can play only one good hand and still make good money. You can more than double your stack on any given hand. In Limit poker, you have to constantly be winning pots to come out ahead. The blinds come around too quickly to sit on

your hands. You have to work hard, play for a long time, and play your best game at all times to make good money at Limit poker.

Think about this: Most good poker authors will tell you that a good Limit player can expect to make about one big blind per hour. So, in other words, you can expect to make $10 an hour at a Limit $5/10 game if you play it right. On the other hand, if you buy-in for $500 at a $5/10 NL game, go all-in on your first hand with pocket Aces, get called by one opponent with pocket Kings and he doesn't improve, you've just won another $500 without breaking a sweat. That's an average of 50 hours of Limit gameplay.

Also, you can make your drawing opponents always go against the odds. In NL, you control the pot odds that your opponent is getting. If you see two suited or connecting cards on the board, betting the size of the pot into one opponent will make them go against the odds to draw. Sure, they're still going to hit their draws occasionally, but at least you made it a bad play for them to do so.

It takes the right personality to play at NL games. You can't be timid, and you have to know how much to bet at the right times. If you can't do that, then stick to Limit poker for now and come back to try NL if and when the time is right.

As a Limit player who converted to NL, I can tell you that it isn't too difficult to adapt your game. I can also tell you that after I learned to play NL, I never sat down at another Limit table. You can also tell you that after I learned to play NL, I never sat down at another Limit table.

About the Author

Joshua Heilpern is a contributor for several poker strategy websites. He also runs Online Poker Room Reviews - an original poker strategy and review site.

Top 5 Things To Look For When Buying Quality Poker Table

By Michael Russell

When one is ready to buy a quality table that will last for years, there are some things to consider; like what size, what style, quality vs. price, purchasing chairs with the table, and of course where to buy your table.

What size table should I buy?

Round tables usually come in 3 common sizes 48?, 52?, and 60?. A 48? table will comfortably accommodate 6 or less people although most say that size will seat 8. If you have a need to seat more players at a round table then I would advise purchasing and 52? or better.

What style should I buy?

Some players really want to put on a good tournament by purchasing an authentic Texas Hold?em table. These tables are best for tournament play and allow for more elbow room and possibly a dealer if one desires.These tables can also be equipped with a chip tray and a lock box to safely store cash.

What about Quality?

Quality tables will last a lifetime or more. Yes quality poker tables are expensive and require a healthy investment in some cases, but

the reward of having a piece of furniture that will get a lot of use out weighs the price in the long run.

What about the chairs?

A lot of people ask themselves ?Should I buy matching chairs with this table?? The best route to go due to the inequalities that you will encounter in trying to match furniture from different manufacturers. Quality poker chairs are generally expensive because of the time and energy put in to each and every one. chairs are made to last and to provide a comfortable seat for the players that do make it to the final round.

Where should I purchase the table?

The best place to purchase a table is on the internet. Most sites will have free shipping for items like tables and supplies. And you will be able to find the best deals online due to the competition. Plus, having an item of this size shipped to your front door is very convenient.

About the Author

Michael Russell is the Chief Marketing Officer at http://www.pokertablesexpress.com>http://www.pokertablesexpress.com

Simple Online Poker Tells

By Joshua Heilpern, Tue Jan 10th

Until you become a consistent winning online poker player, your main concern should be developing a strong set of starting hand standards and learning how to play those cards properly.However, once you reach the next level of your poker game you should begin to look beyond your own cards and try to find additional methods of extracting the most profit out of your opponents. Of course, you won't have the advantage of picking up physical tells when playing on the internet, but there are a few simple online poker tells that you can pick up on if you know what to look for. You can also give off tells to confuse observant opponents.

The first, and most obvious, online poker tell is the use of pre-selected actions in the poker software. These usually exist in the form of "check/fold", "check any", "call any","call/raise any", and "raise any". Some software has more options than others but the check/fold button is pretty universal. Watch for players that use this - especially out of the big blind. You'll know when a player uses it by seeing an instant check when it gets to their turn. This usually indicates a very weak hand.

Since the big blind had to put it money regardless of his hand,he'll usually be holding trash. If you see an instant check preflop and a quick check on the flop, go ahead and bet out regardless of the board. Much more often than not you'll pick up the small pot right there. This works especially well when there's a face card on the board. Of course, you can manipulate this by occasionally clicking the "check any" from the big blind when you have a strong hand. Your opponents will believe that you clicked "check/fold" and you can set them up for a check-raise on the flop.

On the other hand, you might occasionally see someone put in an immediate raise. This happens most often in limit hold'em, and you should be wary when you see this at your table as it usually indicates a strong hand. This can be also be used as a bluff if you don't overdo it. Some of your opponents are also savvy enough to use this as a bluff so think about fighting back if you see this move from a frequent bluffer.

Another important tell in online poker is the time it takes for your opponent to take an action. If your opponent always acts quickly on his turn and then suddenly hesitates when you bet into him he's giving you a huge tell. He's letting you know that he doesn't have a simple decision. Use this information along with any notes you have taken on the player to help you make a decision. A long pause and then a check usually indicates weakness whereas a long pause and then a bet/raise usually indicates strength. My favorite way to manipulate this is by hesitating and then just calling when I'm in position on the flop or turn. This conveys that I'm probably on a draw and usually elicits another bet when they think that I missed or still drawing. At this point, you can throw in a raise. Of course, you should realize that better opponents will also do the same thing.

You can also find out if your opponents are playing at multiple tables. If your particular poker room software doesn't have a Find Player feature, just look around at tables of similar limits. If you find them at 3 or 4 other games, this can affect your strategy. Multi-table players are usually a bit more distracted and don't have time to make sophisticated plays. They usually play more of a straightforward game so you can get a fairly quick read on their style. Remember to take notes and try playing more aggressively against them to take advantage of their distraction.

The chat box may also give you insights on your opponents. If a player is constantly chatting it up he probably isn't paying as much attention to his game. Another common occurrence you'll see is a player steaming about a bad beat, swearing, and being an overall nuisance so you can obviously peg him for being on tilt.Opponents who like to downplay the strength of their hand are usually holding a strong hand. I don't recommend trying to fool the table using the chat since it's just downright childish and players can easily mute your commentary. On a side note, I find that disabling the chat altogether helps cut the annoyance factor in half.

Finally, and this is the least credible tell you can pick up, is the player name/avatar chosen by an opponent. Players with the word "TILT", a picture of a fish, a wacky face, or similarly loose-seeming characteristics are often tight and conservative players. As I said, this isn't completely reliable but these visuals tend to somehow dig their way into poor players'subconscious. Occasionally, you can elicit that extra call or two when you have the nuts just by portraying a loose style visually.

In online poker, psychology doesn't factor in nearly as much as at a brick and mortar cardroom but there are certain tells you can still pick up on and manipulate. Remember that the instantaneous check usually means weakness so try it sometime when you've got pocket Aces. Watch betting time such as the slowcheck (weak) and slow raise (strong). Keep an eye out for multi-tablers, and go for the throat on chat box tilters.Finally, "FishyFred" could be a better screen name choice if you want the occasional extra call. Remember, master your onlinepoker game first and then take your game to the next level by spotting weaknesses and tells around the virtual table.

About the Author Joshua Heilpern is an experienced online pokerplayer and writer. He also runs Online Poker Reviews and The Most Haunted OnlinePoker Rooms.

Insider Tips For Finding A Great Online Poker Room

By David Olsen Even though they look pretty much the same and they're all selling essentially the same few games, all Online Poker Rooms are NOT created equal! The differences can go far beyond the look and feel of the software. After you've played at several different rooms, you'll start to see the tell-tale signs of a quality room as opposed to the "back alley" type.

Here's a few things to consider before you plunk down your money.

The Number Of Players

It simply doesn't matter how great the software is or how many game variations Are Offered. If you're sitting alone, staring at the virtual walls ...What Good Is The Poker Room? The great pokerrooms always have lots of real money players --- Playing!

Cash Outs

Don't let a big bonus or huge game selection be the only criteria you use when selecting a Pokerroom. Make sure you understand how to cash out, where your money will go and how quickly you'll get paid. Remember, what good is your bankroll if you don?t have access to it?

Customer Service

Before you purchase, know the customer service options. Is there a toll free phone number? Is there Online Chat (my personal favorite)? Or is email your only option? Make sure you can contact a rep when you need one. Here's A Tip: Before You Purchase, Contact Support and Ask a few questions, Just to see how responsive and knowledgeable the staff is. Great Pokerrooms know how important Customer Service is and will make sure their reps are well trained!

Bonus/Comps

Free Money at sign-up is always nice! But, it's really not very important. Remember, there are always play through requirements and the more "Free Money" you get the more you'll have to play before you can actually cash it out.

More important then a sign-up bonus is the ongoing comps that are offered. Poker can be a very exciting game, where you have a pretty good chance of consistently winning. Once you find a poker room that you like, chances are you'll be playing there frequently. A good comp program can directly add to your bottom line!

Ease of Use

I'm including the entire poker room experience in this category. Starting with the first time you visit the site, through the download and sign up process, making a deposit, choosing a table and of course, the actual game-play. The easier it is to get all of this done the better. A clean, simple homepage and intuitive, easily installed software are important factors that shouldn't be overlooked.

And Finally...

I've outlined what I think are the most important factors in any Pokerroom. Of course, you'll need to consider your own factors also...

For Example:

* Do You Like Frequent Tournaments?

* What Table Limits Are You Comfortable With?

* Are You Interested In Multi-Table Play?

An hour or so of research before you actually make your first deposit can go a long way toward improving your online playing experience.

About the Author

David Olsen has spent entirely too much time writing about Online Gambling. His latest site gambling site http://www.playvideopoker.us/poker_rooms/'>Online Poker Rooms is dedicated to finding and testing the webs video poker and poker rooms.

2005 World Series Of Poker Complete Report

By By Tom Howze

Over 29,000 poker players came to Las Vegas from 40 different countries all over the earth to play in the 2005 World Series of Poker tournament events. This generated a total net prize pool of over $103,000,000 dollars, more than twice the total prize pool amount in 2004. New records were being made and old ones being broken so fast the challenge was to keep up with them all. Here is a "complete report" of what went on at this years World Series of Poker. It is complete because it covers tournament events #1 to #45.

Records were being made from the start as 662 casino employees entered Event #1 which was the "Casino Employee No-limit Hold'Em" tournament. The number broke the record set last year, which was 279 entrants. Andy Nguyen, a poker dealer from Binion?s in Las Vegas, won this event earning a payday of $83,390. Things really picked up as Event #2 "No-Limit Texas Hold'Em" began with an astounding 2,305 players signing up to play. For comparison, the 2004 WSOP Main Event had 2,576 players in it. Allen Cunningham was the recipient of a WSOP gold bracelet and $725,405 for winning this one. Event #3 "Pot-Limit Hold'Em" had Thom Werthmann pocketing $369,535 by overcoming tough play from Layne Flack in the heads up match at the final table. Another WSOP record was set when 21 year old Eric Froehlich became the youngest person to earn a WSOP championship bracelet by winning Event #4 "Limit Hold'Em" and an additional $361,910 for his efforts. Pat Poels who quit his full time job to become a professional poker player won ev ent #5 "Omaha Hi-Low Split". His paycheck that day was $270,100. Isaac Galazan won Event #6 "No-limit Hold'Em" a shootout tournament by defeating a determined Harry Demetriou and took home $315,125 for becoming champion.

Event #7 "No-Limit Hold'Em with Rebuys" was won by 24 year old poker tournament millionaire Michael Gracz, picking up an additional $594,460 for the win. But Michael said he would give up all the winnings just to have the WSOP bracelet, that's how much it meant to him. Event #8 "Seven Card Stud" had online qualifier Cliff Josephy claim the victory and $192,100. Erik Seidel picked up his 6th WSOP bracelet and $611,795 after winning the Event #9 "No-Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Reza Payvar who saw a marathon 13 hour heads up match to the end, won Event #10 "Limit Hold'Em". Reza, who received $303,610 and a WSOP bracelet, stated he dedicated the win to his father who passed away last year. Reza missed the 2004 WSOP to be with his father who had cancer. Online qualifier Edward Moncada won Event #11 "Pot-Limit Hold'Em" receiving his first WSOP bracelet and $298,070. The winner of Event #12 "Pot Limit Omaha" was Josh Arieh who earned his 2nd gold WSOP bracelet along with a $381,600 payday.

In his 58th major tournament win, T.J. Cloutier picked up his 6th WSOP bracelet by winning the Event #13 "No Limit Hold'Em" event and pocketing $657,100 in the process. Event #14 "Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split" lasted 36 hours, but in the end Steve Hohn picked up his bracelet and $156,985. Steve even endured a 4 1/2 hour heads up battle with Mike Wattel at the final table to capture this tournament victory! Mark Seif was able to place a desired crown on his poker resume by winning Event #15 "Limit Hold'Em Shootout" and $181,330 in his wallet. The champion for the Event #16 "No-Limit Hold'Em Shootout" tournament was Anthony Reategui, proving himself the best of 780 players for the title of champion and $269,100. Quinn Do ended up with $265,975 for winning Event #17's "Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Denis Ethier came from behind as the final table's short stack to win Event #18 "Seven Card Stud High-Low Split". Denis was rewarded with $160,682 for his effort. And Barry Greenstein became the champion of the Event # 19 "Pot Limit Omaha" tournament gaining another $423,405 and a bracelet. Barry in his true humanitarian form dedicated his win to a terminally ill cancer patient named Charlie Tuttle. For Event #20 which was "Pot Limit Hold'Em", Brian Wilson won $370,685 for his efforts at the WSOP.

Todd Brunson, son of Doyle Brunson was the winner of the Event #21 "Omaha High-Low Split" tournament. Todd won $255,945 and entered World Series of Poker history, as he and his father became the only father and son to win championship bracelets. And Mark Seif captured his 2nd WSOP bracelet in a week plus $611,145 to boot by winning the Event #22 "No-Limit Hold'Em" tournament.

Event #23 "Seven Card Stud" had a happy Jan Sorensen from Denmark ready to take home $293,275 and a

bracelet for winning this tournament. Event #24 "No Limit Hold'Em" was won by the very serious, solid playing Farzad Bonyadi who earned $594,960 for the effort. In Event #25 "Pot-Limit Hold'Em", Johnny Chan won his 10th WSOP bracelet breaking a 3-way tie with him, Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth Jr., setting a record in the process. Johnny picked up a hefty $303,025 as well. Actress Jennifer Tilly turned heads again by winning Event #26 "Ladies No-Limit Hold'Em". She actually dominated final table play against top women poker players in the world to win $158,335 and a bracelet you can't buy in a store anywhere. Expect no less from the girlfriend of Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Phil Ivey overcame a determined Robert Williamson III to win Event #27 "Pot Limit Omaha with Rebuys" earning his 5th gold WSOP bracelet and $630,685. Dan Schmiech won $404,585 by winning against actor Gabe Kaplan in the Event #28 "Limit Hold'em" tournament. Event #29 "No Limit Hold'Em" has Lawrence Gosney as this years champion pocketing $483 ,195 for the win. Now Event #30 "Seven Card Razz" is actually a little tough to understand and play, but O'Neil Longson proved he could do it and took home $125,690 as proof.

The 3-way tie Johnny Chan broke earlier became a tie again as Doyle Brunson won the Event #31 "No-limit Hold'Em (Short Handed 6/table)" tournament earning his 10th WSOP bracelet and $367,800 once again showing how his legendary reputation was earned. Event #32 "Omaha High-Low Split" was won by David Chiu taking home his 4th bracelet and $347,410. Andre Boyer, a poker analyst for TV station Le R?seau des Sports in Quebec won Event #33 "No Limit Hold'Em" who's skill was rewarded with a $682,810 payday. Event #34 "Seniors No Limit Hold'Em" has a new champion who's name is Paul McKinney. Paul, who is 80 years old, can relax in the sun after depositing $202,725 in his bank account. Rafi Amit won Event #35 "Pot Limit Omaha" and $511,835 after becoming victorious in a heads up battle with Vinny Vinh.

A dominate Todd Witteles won Event #36 "Limit Hold'em" knocking out opponents left and right to take home the bracelet and $347,385. Event #37 "No Limit Hold'Em with Rebuys" was won by Jon Heneghan taking home $611,015 in the process. Event #38 was a super satellite tournament for seats to the Main Event, so no prize pool or list of winners was produced. Event #39 "No Limit 2 to 7 Draw Lowball with Rebuys" had David Grey as the champion who was heralded with $365,135. Event #40 was also a super satellite like #38 so there is nothing to report unfortunately. When it came time for raising money for charity, the media and celebrities in Event #41 showed up at the tables. Randy Bowman of the media won $10,000 for the Noblesville Boys and Girls Club.

Event #42 is the WSOP Main Event, the big tournament where millionaires are born. This year the first place prize was $7,500,000 and every person who made the final table became a millionaire guaranteed. 5,619 entrants competed in the tournament making it the largest in WSOP history. In fact it was so large that it had to be spread out over 9 days. 2004 champion Greg Raymer made it up to 25th place before elimination, receiving $304,680 for his efforts. But it was Joseph Hachem who became champion for this year, pocketing the $7.5 million and a beautiful diamond bracelet that can only be earned by winning the Main Event.

For those who were busted out of the Main Event, they found additional tournaments for play in Events #43, #44 and #45 which were 1 day events. Ron Kirk beat out players like Erik Seidel and Marcel Luske to take home $321,520 for winning the Event #43 "No Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Event #44 "No Limit Hold'Em" was won by John Pires who received $220,935 for his victory. And the Event #45 "No Limit Hold'Em" winner was Willie Tann who happily received his bracelet and $188,335 for 1 day's work! Not bad at all.

With the sheer size of this event and a total number of staff and players that could make up a small city, it is hard to think of anything the poker world could do to surpass it. But Harrah's has already released the 2006 World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit schedule and it is expanded from 2005's five tournaments to twelve, so we'll have to wait and see. Poker on TV will keep us all happy until then.

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, updates and information.