How to play poker
Welcome to How to play poker. If you are a poker player who wants other poker players to get to know you, our free blogs are what you've been looking for.
Welcome to How to play poker. If you are a poker player who wants other poker players to get to know you, our free blogs are what you've been looking for.
We'll provide you with your very own space, and all the tools you need to tell other poker players who you are, in a way that suits you. Shere your tips, poker experiences and favorite sites, right here!
News
WSOP H.O.R.S.E. FINAL TABLE IS SET (Update)
2008-07-04
End of Day 4 sees a table of poker stars
Taking second place only to the World Series of Poker Main Event itself, Event 45 has attracted a huge amount of interest this week as a galaxy of international poker stars battled it out for a seat at the final table, and a crack at a serious multi-million dollar main prize.
The start of Day 4 of the multi-style $50 000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E.competition saw a field whittled down to 24 top players, with the chip lead held by Michael DeMichele, only just ahead of Daniel Negreanu and Barry Greenstein. Sixteen of the 24 would be history by the end of the day, and everyone was clearly determined not to be one of those headed for the exit. Consequently, the eliminations started almost immediately in a fiercely competitive game that featured a slew of bracelet-holding land and Internet poker stars who's names have become legend in the modern game.
Chad Brown was the first to head for the rail, with his nemesis, Gabe Kaplan not long behind him. 22-year-old Missouri whiz kid James Mackey was next to see his dreams of another bracelet and big money dashed, bundled out by Farzad Bonyadi in 22nd place, and he was followed by Mike Wattel, who fell victim to Barry Greenstein.
Now down to 16 finalists, the tables were reset, with top chip holders at that stage Ralph Perry (1 635 000); Daniel Negreanu (1 480 000); Matt Glantz (1 460 000) and Barry Greenstein (1 300 000)
Very much in contention were Scotty Nguyen, Ray Davis, Michael DeMichele and Lyle Berman, and the field still contained real threats of the calibre of Andy Bloch, Erick Lindgren, Phil Ivey, Huck Seed, Doyle Brunson and Patrick Bueno.
Veteran Doyle Brunson's ambitions for an eleventh WSOP bracelet came to nothing, but a cash reward of $124 320, when he was sent to the rail in the 16th spot by Phil Ivey. Matt Glanz ended the hopes of Andy Bloch, showing him the exit door after a hand of stud, and David Bach despatched Joseph Michael in similar style.
Down to 13 survivors, Daniel Negreanu was the next casualty, taken out in a hand of stud hi-lo by Lyle Berman and sent home with a 13th place check for $142 080 in his pocket. Phil Ivey then crashed out in 12th place after a confrontation with an aggressive Scotty Nguyen, who went on to eliminate David Bach in 11th place.
10th position went to Ray Davis, who fell to Patrick Bueno after losing a slew of chips to Erick Lindgren in a Omaha hi-lo exchange.
Ralph Perry had the frustration of being the ninth place bust, just missing the final table when he was removed by Huck Seed to set the final table, which was headed by Erick Lindgren with 3 680 000 in chips, followed by Scotty Nguyen (3 535 000), with a comfortable gap between them and the remaining players: Barry Greenstein, Matt Glanz, Lyle Berman, Huck Seed, Michael DeMichele and Patrick Bueno.
In other WSOP events, Las Vegas poker pro Joe Commisso won Event 46 the $5 000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed contest in the third day of play, collecting a massive $911 855 main prize and his first bracelet after a marathon six hour heads up with Richard Lyndaker.
A former day trader, Commisso prefers Internet action to live tournament play, mainly because he says he can play more hands online in the same timeframe, and there is less distracting interaction around the players.
Commisso took the honours after a long and wearing heads up with Lyndaker, who's second placing was worth $570 551. Going into the final table the two were the chip leaders and dominated the game.
In Event 47 - the $1 500 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo Eight-or-Better event, a field of 544 entries was bested by winner Ryan Hughes who became the first WSOP player ever to win two bracelets in 7 Card Stud competitions - his last was in 2007.
Hughes started the heads up with a million chip lead and quickly ended the game with Ron Long to pocket the bracelet and a check for $183 368.
Big name players Men "The Man" Nguyen, Chris Bjorin, Marco Traniello, Phil Hellmuth and Dave Sklansy were among the starters in this event.
POKER MUSICAL PUTS A SONG INTO WSOP (Update)
2008-07-04
"All In: The Poker Musical" to star Phil Hellmuth
The start of this year's World Series of Poker Main Event on July 3 will see a brand new and unique poker event....but it will be offering fun and entertainment instead of tension, big money prizes or a bracelet. The occasion will be a special preview and world debut of a WSOP Main Event-themed new musical production entitled "All In: The Poker Musical".
In the days following the preview, the production will be staged as a one hour concert over two days, again at the Rio in Las Vegas, where the 39th World Series of Poker is currently in progress.
11-WSOP bracelet winner and high profile poker pro Phil Hellmuth assisted the creator of the musical, Tim Molyneux with the project and will appear in the production as himself. The World Series of Poker, which is also involved in the production, claims it is not only the first poker-themed musical, but is also breaking new ground as a musical sponsored by a top global sports brand.
Advance publicity on "All In: The Poker Musical" reveals that the plot features a final table with nine survivors in a WSOP Main Event - poker's biggest game. In a case of art imitating life, the final tablers come from all walks of life, and the spirit of the game is captured by songs that convey the fun and excitement of poker situations and anecdotes.
The show features a live orchestra, showgirls and several Broadway show veterans, with a mix of musical styles that includes pop, country, rock, blues, jazz and musical theatre.
"Through the lyrics of the songs and style of music, we see not only who these final nine players are, but we are able to see ourselves, our families, and our world," comments Hellmuth. "Tim [Molyneux] is known for writing very commercial material that is not only creative but sexy, hip and attainable for the masses. His poker musical sings loudly that poker is for everyone and we are all in this special game and this world together."
The talented Molyneux has an impressive track record, having created large productions such as "Bite", currently celebrating four years on the Las Vegas Strip. He has worked on productions for Dolly Parton, Playboy and the luxury cruise line Royal Caribbean.
World Series of Poker commissioner Jeffrey Pollack says that one of the songs from the show will feature in the real Main Event for 2008, where the final table plays out later in the year due to television scheduling.
"The game of poker is a metaphor for the game of life," Pollack said. "Now one man's vision and creativity will show us just how close they really are in this special concert."
SVENSKE SPEL POKER CONTROLS TO BE TIGHTENED
2008-07-03
Finance Minister Borg vetoes plans for an international online poker network with other state controlled bodies.
The Swedish government gambling monopoly Svenske Spel was under futher pressure this week as Finance Minister Andrea Borg called for tighter regulation of the online poker games operated by the company.
Borg not only wants tighter controls; he has also vetoed Svenske Spel's global ambitions planned in collaboration with other state controlled gambling entities to form an international Internet poker network, reports Sveriges Radio.
Among other requirements, the minister has called for measures that clearly and regularly inform [Swedish] players of their total winnings and losses.
