The 2006 World Series of Poker is already going strong!  For the best live updates on the 2006 WSOP, read Pauly at Tao of Poker and Otis at Poker Stars blog.

As for me, I continue to dream about playing in the World Series of Poker as I grind away at low limit Texas Hold Em at Party Poker.

Posted by Jaxia as Gambling, Pimpin, Poker, Tournament Poker, WSOP at 10:26 AM PDT

1 Comment »

After scrambling to get PokerStars to agree with my firewall, I’m in, having missed the first hand.

Evidently, it was pretty eventful: Jax is already out.  Wha happun, Jax?

Edit: and basically, so am I.  The screen popped up and I accidentally clicked reraise with 10-8 offsuit.  But the flop came 10-8-2 and I had two pair.  But I couldn’t shake my opponent, and when the turn came a K his K-10 had made a bigger two pair.  I’m crushed.

Wonder if Beck’s in this.  The Steal The Blinds team is not doing so hot right now.

Edit: He’s not.  And my Q9 of diamonds goes down to A2 of diamonds.  Adios amigos.  IGHN, in like 8 billionth place.  But I did beat Jax. 

Posted by Mike as Poker at 3:09 PM PDT

2 Comments »

I was playing in a $1/$2 no-limit game at the Showboat in Atlantic City when the following hand came up.

The situation:

I had only been there about an hour, but had already nearly doubled up my initial $300 buy-in after breaking one player with a couple big hands. I was playing tight, and had only showed down strong cards. The player UTG (named Mike) had also been playing tight, and was the only person at the table with more chips than I. Earlier he had let slip that he usually played $2/$5 NL at the Taj, but had come to check out the then new poker room at Showboat.

The action:

Preflop:

Mike was UTG and raised to $10.
I looked down to see two red kings and re-raised to $30.
It folded around to Mike who thought about it for a bit then called.

The flop: Qs 8h 7s. $60 is in the pot.

Mike checked.
I bet $45.
Mike thought about it for a fair amount of time and then called.

The turn: Qd. There is $150 in the pot.
Mike checked.

Action’s on you sir.

The questions: What do you do here? If you check behind, what’s your strategy for the river assuming a King doesn’t come? If you bet, how much do you bet? What do you do if you’re raised?

UPDATE: The resolution of this hand is now posted in the comments.  If you haven’t already commented or decided how you would play this hand, be sure to make up your mind before reading the comments.  No peaking!

Posted by Beck as Poker, Poker Strategy at 3:34 PM PDT

13 Comments »

Poker and I aren’t really getting along lately.  My bankroll is bleeding profusely.  Variance is not my friend.

It’s a good thing we’re heading to California for a week on Saturday to celebrate our birthdays, or poker and I might just call it quits permanently.

Posted by Jaxia as Gambling, Life, Poker, Site News at 1:07 PM PDT

3 Comments »