Well it’s a new year.  Time for resolutions… and I resolve to play better poker, keep this website updated, and do what I can to help you improve your game.  So to make good on these resolutions I am posting this blog on the first day of the year and I’m asking for your help in keeping the website fresh and up-to-date.

While supplies last, I will be sending out copies of the book Poker for Dummies pocket edition to anyone who submits a question or comment that I use on this website.  You will note that I must use your question or comment in order to receive the free book.  So your comment or question should be thought-provoking, original, or at least interesting enough to post to the website.  This is the one time in poker that you don’t have to take a risk to get a reward.  The sooner you submit your question or comment, the more likely you are to receive the free book.  Since I’m footing the bill for the books and I am notoriously cheap, the quantities are extremely limited.  But don’t worry, I will not post your full name and address but I will need that information to mail you the book.  I will only post first name, city and state.

Look forward to hearing from you and wish you a very Happy New Year!

See you at the tables…

The Cincinnati Reds held their second annual Texas Hold’em tournament yesterday, with proceeds benefitting the Reds Community Fund charity.  On hand were several current and former Reds players, minor league prospects, and even local celebrities - such as Nick Lachey… and each poker table featured one such celebrity at the start of the event.

I managed to finish 25th out of 405 people in this year’s tournament, making it into the final three tables at the event.  That places me in the top 6% of the field for the event.  Normally I wouldn’t be the least bit happy about getting knocked out of the tournament so close to the final table (and of course, I’m still not happy), but considering the circumstances of how I was eliminated… I will survive and continue my poker playing style and strategy unfazed.

As with any one-day event, the blinds were increasing rapidly, doubling every 15 minutes toward the end.  When that wasn’t eliminating enough people, or not fast enough for the tournament director’s liking, they initiated an ante that had to be paid by each player in addition to the blinds. 

I was becoming the short stack quickly, in fact… I was down to just being able to cover the blinds.  I was dealt pocket Kings.  All-in pre-flop for… you guessed it, the big blind.  It’s hard to scare away other players when they only have to call the big blind. 

But the only person to call me was the big blind.  He didn’t even have a face card.  I thought I was going to more than double up (taking the small blind, the antes, and his big blind) and live to see at least the final two tables.  Nope.  He made a straight on the last card.  A hand that he normally wouldn’t have played except that he was the big blind and he had me all in for the smallest bet possible.  I had a great starting hand, second to only pocket Aces.  But I had no chips to bully him out of the hand after the flop or the turn.  Had I been able to push more chips into the pot, there’s no way this guy would have stuck around on a draw. 

 Just goes to show you the importance of chip management… having excellent pocket cards won’t help if you can’t scare people out of the pot every now and then.  That’s ok though.  There’s no way I could have folded that hand being the short stack at the table, I would do it again the exact same way in a heartbeat.  That’s how I know I played the tournament well despite not making it to the final table.  Here’s looking forward to next year. 

See you at the tables…

Like so many other people out there, I have my regular group of boys that I play cards with on a regular basis.  My particular group meets every other Wednesday at a group member’s house (which rotates), and it’s more a social event than a lesson in cards.  Sure we play Texas Hold’em for a few hours, have some food, shoot the BS, and there’s a little money involved… but I can honestly say I have done some things in this bi-weekly game that I would never do in a tournament or even a cash game where I didn’t know my opponents.

The family game as we often call it, is certainly more social than serious card play.  In fact, family is a perfect way to describe the regular game that I attend.  I think I am one of only two guys in the room that’s not related to someone.  But this game is also a great opportunity to try some new strategies. 

You wouldn’t want to test a new strategy at a casino or in a tournament, where you don’t know how the opponents might play in response to your style of play (aggressive, conservative, bluffs, slow playing, check raising, or whatever).  In your regular game though, you become accustomed to how people play and how they behave… and you therefore have a controlled environment that you can test new strategies.  Any scientist will tell you that to test a hypothesis you have to have a control group in place, a benchmark to compare your results with if you will.  Knowing how people play provides that benchmark.

So while many people use their regular game as a chance to unwind and socialize with friends (which I certainly do that too!) I am suggesting that you mix up your style of play every now and then, try to do things that you normally wouldn’t do in tournaments, even play some goofy hands that you wouldn’t dream of playing if a serious prize was on the line (say 9, 2 off suit). 

I think I will try something new this week in my regular group.  When I am the first to act after the dealer I am going to check in the dark (before seeing the flop) and make the person after me bet first.  If everyone checks it won’t change my chip stack and I’ll get to see another card for free.  If someone bets then it will have to come back around to me to decide if I want to call, raise, or fold.  Regardless what my decision is at that point, at least I have put the action on someone else first and they are left to guess whether or not I have a good hand.  I can’t do this everytime I’m first to act, but I will have to try it at least once.  Perhaps twice if it’s successful the first time!  Try it yourself and let me know how it goes for you!

See you at the tables.

I just received word that there will be a charity Texas Hold’em tournament on Saturday, December 1st in Ross, Ohio (just north of Cincinnati off of US 27).  The tournament will feature a $50 buy-in with no re-buys.  The price includes beer, chips, pop, and pretzels. 

Where: Wurzelbacher Park
When: December 1st
Time: Registration begins at 6:00pm, tournament starts at 7:00pm

There will be side games such as Blackjack and non-tournament Hold’em games for those that are not able to make it in time for the start or that could otherwise not participate. 

Tournament sponsor is the Morgan Ross Athletic Association.  Here are the details of why they are having the benefit:

To benefit the Chasteen Family.
Karson Chasteen was recently placed in ICU at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.  Karson is a third grader who enjoys playing football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling.  The family thanks you for the support in this difficult time.

Any questions should be directed to Chris House (513) 478-8409

See you at the tables.

Tammy is scared.  And that’s all I can say about that.  The cards and the play will speak for itself on November 30th.  You may not know Tammy yet but as I continue to blog more you will find out more about this mystery card player.

My good friend and colleague, Scott, is hosting a poker tournament at his house in Finneytown, a northern suburb of Cincinnati on November 30th.  Play will start at approximately 7:30pm with a $20 buy-in for $1,500 chips and $20 for a re-buy during the first hour if the player completely busts out.  Cash games will follow.  If anyone is interested in playing, feel free to contact me to RSVP and for directions.

See you at the tables.