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You wouldn’t think that a cut-throat world such as online poker – where everyone is anonymous and out to get one another’s money – has anything resembling unwritten rules or protocols. At lower stakes, this is certainly true.

Players come and go, rarely encountering one another again, and have no incentive to be polite or help one another out. As the stakes get higher, unwritten rules and agreements between players are commonplace, and none more-so than the high stakes heads up tables.

At higher stakes, players can be loosely divided into two categories. The regulars (regs), who often play for a living and play a solid, mathematically sound game. The other group are the fish, who are recreational players, usually just playing for fun and excitement, with many holes and leaks in their game.

On any poker site, at the higher stakes heads up tables, you’ll often see one player sitting waiting at a table on his own. You can bet your bottom dollar this is a reg waiting in anticipation of a fish wandering in to relieve him of his money. Regs will avoid one another even if they think they have an edge over each other. This is because any edges that regs have over each other will be small, and games usually result in just passing money back and forward.

Because there are only a certain amount of heads-up tables on a site, some regs will sit at every table, refusing to play other regs. This results in him taking up every table and not allowing any other regs to get a game. If this happens, other regs will “block” his tables by sitting with him but refusing to play. This stops both players from getting a game, but there has to be a penalty for any player who thinks he can monopolise all empty tables waiting on a fish.

Most regs work out some agreement, however, where they all sit at a few tables each and take their chances who the fish sit with. Any reg thought to be taking more than their share will end up getting all their tables blocked.

Other unwritten rules are “don’t tap the aquarium” – ie, don’t scare the fish. Don’t berate a fish for his bad play and don’t abuse them in the chat box. All that does is humiliate them into leaving or improving their game, which hurts the regs bottom line. Just tell him he’s unlucky and allow him to let off steam in the chatbox if he wants to.

Ring games (6 seat or 9 seat tables) have their own unwritten rules, but if you ever open a poker site and see 20 high stakes heads-up tables with just one player sitting, that’s the reason.

Paul has been writing articles online for almost 3 years now, and specialises in relationships, information technology and gambling. You can check out his latest website on cat scratch posts which reviews the best selection of cat scratching posts for your feline friend.

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Rush Poker is not your ordinary online poker room. Developed by Full Tilt Poker, Rush Poker was designed for the most impatient poker players; those who would play the generally recommended tight poker game if only it did not mean waiting out hand after hand of loose players who waste time betting on virtually anything.

We will be offering a few invaluable Rush Poker tips that will help poker players improve their time-based win percentage at this innovative new online poker room.

Tip 1: Time is on Your Side

Rush Poker is so incredibly fast paced because every time a player folds a hand, they are instantly catapulted to a new table where they are dealt a new hand. There is no more waiting for your opponents to complete the previous hand before receiving new cards and getting right back into the action. No longer will you be enticed to play a less than worthy hand simply because you have been waiting so long to receive palpable cards. Conclusion? Keep folding those marginal hands! Time is on your side. You will receive a playable starting hand soon enough!

Tip 2: Play Tight

The first poker strategy we learn is a tight game. This is because it is the best strategy for an inexperienced player who cannot yet read their opponents effectively. Player reads are virtually useless at Rush Poker due to the constant changing of tables, and since the hands evolve exceedingly faster, you will not get bored folding 90% of those hands. Wait for a premium starting hand and make the most of it.

Tip 3: Value Betting

Value betting is extremely important at Rush Poker. Since your opponents cannot get a read on you, there is no need to mix things up, slow playing a monster hand, check-raising the next one then betting manically on another. In the same token, you cannot determine if you are being called/raised by a fish or another tight player. The whole idea behind value betting is to risk an amount that is worth losing, should that occur, but also brings a nice profit when you win.

Value bets are based on your odds of winning the pot, according to your own hand and the chances that your opponent has you beat. If you have a 40% chance of winning, bet 40% of the current pot.

Tip 4: Opponents Value Bets

Try to watch out for opponents who are value-betting the pot. A fishy player will not bother calculating a value bet. If you can oust a value bettor, you can label him a tight player in time to get out, should you suspect he has got you beat.

Tip5: Bluffing

Bluffing can be highly effective at Rush Poker, and for habitual bluffers, it is like pennies from heaven! You can not expect to win a normal poker game by bluffing consistently. You will eventually be called at every turn as your opponents label you a bluffer. The same cannot be said of Rush Poker, where opponent observation does not apply. We are not saying constant bluffing will be effective, but you certainly have a better chance of scooping pots in this manner at Rush Poker.

The ability to quick-fold often entices other players to simply get out early and receive a new hand. A substantial raise can easily scare everyone away from the pot. The only thing you have left to worry about is tight players who finally received that premium starting hand, and are not willing to give up on it. Should you get called on a big raise, beware!

This article is written by Tom. Tom has been a Casino and Poker player for over 10 years and enjoys the possibilities of online casino’s and especially casino bonuses. An estimated guess would bring his total bonus winnings at about $6,000.

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First of all, poker rooms do not offer any type of video poker or slot machines. This is true for internet poker rooms as well, though they are essentially one virtual video poker game anyway. Poker rooms are strictly for poker, so you won’t find other card games or casino related games in them. These rooms are designed for individuals to play against each other, instead of against the house. The house is usually the pit boss or workers that work for the casino or online game room.

Card rooms charge differently so that the “house” can still earn their profits. Sometimes an individual player will be charged by the half hour or hourly basis. In some cases there may be a monthly membership fee for unlimited plays against other players. However, most of the time the dealer will collect a rake from the pot when each hand is played during the entire game session to ensure the house still profits.

Poker rooms or card rooms can be found in most casinos, but some of them are stand alone. A large amount of these are in California, which is one of the most popular locations for poker playing. When referring to online card rooms, there are endless options and websites that offer private rooms for playing against a group of people from across the country or world.

Illegally hosted poker rooms also exist but are subject to shutdowns by the law. If you participate in these you put yourself at serious risk for getting into trouble with the police. Illegal rooms like these are discouraged and heavily frowned upon by real casino game players and by institutions that run legitimate ones. If you think a place that you joined is running illegally, you should leave and report it anonymously as soon as you possibly can.

When you play in poker rooms, use proper gaming etiquette when against other people. Being rude or inflammatory can cause you to forfeit your winnings and you will be forced to leave. This applies to online gaming as well as gaming in a physical casino location. Acting out against the team or dealer is strongly discouraged. Cheating devices for internet gameplay are also discouraged and illegal. Despite the poker rooms being online, you can still get into legal trouble for manipulating the system.

Poker is an excellent game and can be a fun way to spend extra time you may have. Who knows, you could even win big and leave with a good amount of extra cash. It still doesn’t change the importance of acting properly when in poker rooms, no matter where they are located.

More information about online poker, online casino and online sports betting at www.dirpoquer.com

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Sports Interaction’s Al Dannity breaks down Saturday’s College Basketball Final Four betting preview match-ups in the NCAA tournament.

The Mid-Majors have been the story of March Madness and that tale will continue on Saturday when Butler (-120) puts a stop to Michigan State’s (+100) own miracle run. All week long the …
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With the recent launch of Rush Poker on Full Tilt Poker, players are discovering that they can play hundreds of more hands per hour than in the traditional cash games. Even though, this is a big difference between Rush poker and standard games, there are also other differences that distinguish it from other the regular game.

Some players love the new game and are proudly boasting out loud that it is the future of poker. Others do not appreciate it as much because they say it reduces the real poker strategies. Choosing to play Rush Poker or not is now becoming a major issue for poker players online.

Pros of Rush Poker on Full Tilt Poker

One of the biggest advantages of playing Rush Poker on Full Tilt Poker is the characteristic “Quick Fold”. In short, you have the right to throw your hand away at any time during the hand. Even if it is not your turn to speak, you can click on the Quick Fold and go to the next hand. Of course, several players on Full Tilt were already making the decision to fold or to check before their turn.

However, with Rush Poker, you do not need to wait until the hand was ended to start a new one. When you click on Quick Fold, you’re sent to another table on the spot where a new hand begins. This new feature significantly reduces the time spent waiting between two hands or even during the actual hand.

Another advantage is that the small blinds and seat positions are assigned randomly. Moreover, the big blind is the player who has not paid a blind for the longest period of time. Consequently, the tight aggressive players will discover that their strategy is much more efficient since they do not pay the blinds as often. This is indeed favourable for players who play tight, and gives a tight aggressive strategy better chance of success.

Cons of Rush Poker on Full Tilt Poker

A major disadvantage that several players mentioned concerning the new game is that its speed strips the game from the classic poker strategy that made the game what it is. For some, it kills the strategy so often used by poker professionals. Other players feel that it is not the case. In fact, you still have the same amount of time to take a decision in each hand and all strategies are still applicable.

Of course, it can also be hard on the bankroll of players who do not pay attention. With the large number of hands a player can play per hour, especially if he takes advantage of the ability to play on multiple tables, his money can disappear very quickly. Still, if a player pays attention to his bankroll, playing within the limits he can and should play at, it will not be a bigger problem than with other type of poker games.

For more information, read this complete rush poker review.

RushPokerFTP.com is a site completely dedicated to playing rush poker online. It provides information in multiple languages, and articles about the new game, including a rush poker strategy article.

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Kara Scott, an up and coming poker player, has signed on to be a member of Team Party at Party Poker.

She will join other members of the team in representing Party Poker at poker-related events and tournaments throughout the world. Other members of the team are Felipe Ramos, Ian Frazier, …
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If you have ever sat down at a poker table, one fact must have been abundantly clear – everyone at the table is trying to abscond with your money, and to do so they are trying to trick you. Poker is, as many would attest, a game of skill. In order to be a top earner, or even sufficient, you will have to adapt to the psychology behind the game of poker. Simply knowing which hands win, which hands lose, and how the game flows is simply not enough. You will need to know when and how to psych out your opponents – as well as avoiding them doing the same to you.

For all intents and purposes, we will focus primarily on Texas Hold ‘em. As one of the most commonly played types of poker, and indeed the most televised, Texas Hold ‘em is the game that many poker fans have turned to. Since Hold ‘em is broken down into four rounds of betting, you will have sufficient opportunities to be the puppet master over your opponents, or have the tides turned against you.

Assuming you already understand the basics, let us begin with the pre-flop betting round. Folding weak hands is almost always advisable, depending on your play style. A well rounded, adaptable play style is suggested, though when you first sit at a table it is best to establish one type of play and stick to it religiously. This will allow you to ultimately throw your opponents off guard when you play in a wildly different manner. If you convince your opposition that you only play the best and the brightest hands, they may be more willing to fold under your pressure – even if you have nothing.

In order to sufficiently set a stage, you will have to play the part. If you are a bad liar, you may want to reconsider anything found here in. Bluffing is essential, but only when the time is right. Many top players will say that tight aggressive is the best way to play, and after some experience with this style, you may agree. By playing tight aggressive, you will not be in on many hands, but those in which you are active, you will be playing hard and fast. Pre-flop raises, continuation bets, and similar tactics are common with the tight aggressive player.

This strategy works well against most play types, and can even crush the infamous poker bully if played properly. Once you have established yourself as this sort of player, you can then turn the tides and abuse the psyche of your opposition. If you can thoroughly convince your opposition, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are set in your ways, you can abuse their trust and begin to take down more pots. You will not want to bluff on every hand, as they will soon learn that you are being fake, thus making your sound strategy turn trite.

Knowing When to Hold and When to Fold

If you do begin to use a bluffing strategy, you will have to remember that not every hand can be a winner. If you are trying to bluff, the amount you bet can make or break your return on investment. You will need to spend some chips in order to successfully put off your opponent, but always be wary of the check raise, or indeed any raise. If you are trying to bluff, three to five times the blinds would be a wise bet. If your opponent calls, you may want to fold – especially if you carry no weight, before or after the flop. Knowing when you are beaten is essential, so keep in mind that folding is not always a bad thing. Conversely, you will usually let your opponent know that you were bluffing if you fail to meet their raise. Maintaining an air of carefree arrogance can help, but you will not want to throw away your fortune simply because your pride or fear got the better of you – especially if they are counter bluffing.

Avoiding A Bluff

Since you want to be the puppet master and not the puppet, you will have to learn your opponents. Sitting at the table is simply not enough to learn about the enemy. You must watch your opponent’s every move, learning their habits and their flaws. If you can pick up on their distinguishing features, you should be able to avoid the lies they wish to tell at the tables. Over raising and shoving all in are two signs that they either have nothing or a powerful hand, and it can easily be determined which. A high raise from under the gun is typically a solid hand, though the big blind raising after everyone has limped into the pot is a sure sign of a stolen pot. An all in shove with no possibility of a straight or better on the table is also a good sign of a bluff, but as is the converse. If a flush or straight draw is showing, provided it is a middle straight, then there is a good chance your enemy is bluffing.

Misreads To Avoid

If you think your opponent is working his or her way into your psych, you will have to tread lightly. As a rule of thumb, always calculate the possibilities in the community cards. If the board is showing a flush, you may want to fold that set or two pair you are holding. Pocket aces may be a solid starting hand, but they can be cracked. Your worst enemy? The check raise. Check raising is a tactic that can easily turn the tables against you, and you can always be assured that the cocky grin and the large raise is a sure sign of a solid hand. If you are attempting to bluff it out, you may want to consider folding to the check raise. If your enemy happens to bet pre-flop then fails to make any continuation bets, you may also want to apply pressure.

The fact of the matter is, you can never be certain. Poker psychology is completely dependent on a number of variables, not the least of which is the cards, both apparent or otherwise, as well as the players involved. No tactic will always work, no players will always be the same. Poker is a game of adaptation as much as it is deception, so make yourself flexible. The moment you become a static player is the moment you start to lose.

Get additional poker help with the online poker strategies located at USAPlayers.com Poker players can learn about different types of poker games such as Texas Hold ‘Em as well as receive dead on poker strategy advice.

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