Poker Road Warrior

Improve our Poker Game in 2011

2011-04-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a few things I need to improve on for 2011 when I play real money poker, 1. Learn from Poker Tracker and fill in the holes in my game. 2. Just plan play smarter. 3. Win more money. 4. Build my bank roll. 5. Don't let the DONKS and bad beats get to me. 6. Have fun playing poker. 7. Learn one new poker game. How about Badugi. This is a short list. It could be a lot longer. Yo.

Poker Trip Report - One of My Faves

2011-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Been shooting in Atlanta for a week and then a business conference in Puerto Rico. I know, life is rough. I'll update my website about the shooting, I took 9th in the World event in Atlanta. I was third high American. I was in second place after my Thursday-Friday which I thought was good as I was only 4 targets behind 14 time world champion, 133/150 and top 6 went to a shootoff in the stadium. Other shooters could shoot Sat-Sun, so I was not assured of a shootoff berth. We had cold and rainy weather and so my showing was paticularily good. Fate would deal a cruel blow as the weather was perfect Sat-Sun and 5 brits advanced above me to the shootoff. Weather was the main difference as I missed the shootoff by two targets. Shooting was fun but I have to tell you about the poker, I mean what good is this post in a poker forum without some kind of report, right? The Conquistidor Hotel in Puerto Rice is a five star hotel and with my broker dealer picking up the tab...I'm living the high life this week. The hotel has a casino and the casino has ONE poker table. Yes, only one. The game starts at 9pm and breaks at 3am. It is a 5/10 limit game, $100 buyin minimum and full of people who make $500K a year so $100 means very lttle to most at this table. I should start by saying that I have played about 6 times at casinos and stuck to 2/4 and 3/6. I know I can play with most anyone but I specialize in tourney play so both the fact that it is a limit game and it is above my comfort level were concerning. I thought I'd buyin the fisrt night and see how it goes. My first table was a mix of playboys who thought they needed to show every hand...and so did everyone else. They were trying to get a read on what hole cards people were playing. I start off most tourneies playing loose and showing losers to expand the range of cards opponents will put me on later. This seemed to work as every pot was 4-5 handed. Play was loose and people were going to showdown with third and fourth pair but I just wasn't catching cards. After an three hours I had played three hands lost all and bought in for a total of $200. I had about $60 left and thought I should buyin again in case I get a big hand and want chips to get max value. I bought in for the third $100, swearing it was the last $100 for the night. Long story short, I had a run where three mid PP in a row caught the flop making a set and two boats winners and I was counting $400 in chips after three hands. One hand alone was a $250 pot as my pocket 8's hit the 578 flop and I drew a boat on the turn. Good thing as the guy that fed my pot flopped a straight and didn't seem to mind capping the bets after the boat was poss. I cashed out that night +$600. at 2:45am I made all the other progress when the table was short handed from 1:30 on. As the game was comming to an end people were playing crazy and I was catching cards, what a wonderful combination. Day two saw a signup list with me at 14 and so I didn't get on until about 11:30pm. While I missed the first hour and a half, I sat down with a good feel for who could play as there were 6 new faces at the table. I watched the action from a nearby Roulette table where I kept myself amused and played even for the 1 1/2 hour wait. One of the new guys had his WSOP hat that he spent $10,000 for last year. He continually complimented me on my play and would avoid any pot with me, so I got table cred from the one guy who actually knew how to play!! sweet. Table of fish, pockets of gold. +$500 I'll update ya on the third night after I play tonight... I can't thank my new friends here enough for the confidence and practice to play at the higher levels. I knew the money was more than I felt comfortable with but I knew that no one had my experience playing with a group as tough and cut-throught as the shark army. I know that if I can win here, I can win anywhere. You can too. Thanks Shark!! Beer, Chippie, NRG, TXDan, Sweetness, Born, Reel, Shark, Taj, Stewart, Carey Bear, and all my friends at the Shark Army.... I'm having a Bahama Mamma on you all!!

Another Great Post on Taking Notes - Poker

2011-03-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

This posted by HW a well respected from member from way back when. This is my first piece of advice for any new player coming into a new site for the first time and specifically, anyone just starting to play. Whenever I go to a new site I sit back and watch people play for a couple of days and make my notes on all of the screen names. All of the better sites have note taking ability, which is a huge plus, but even if they don't, I highly recommend that you grab a notebook and start making notes on every player you see. Keep it organized so you are not fumbling looking for names when you sit at a table and I guarantee you will be able handle the players much better having done this. A couple of examples of this are from my own experiences. I had quit playing on the net for quite some time as I was getting bad beat after bad beat and had just about had enough. One thing I had stopped doing though was taking notes on players. As a direct result, I was constantly sitting down with people and had no idea how they played and I was getting bumped out of pots and getting chased down, time and time again. I made it a point that when I came back, I would check out all the players again and get some notes on them and then look for them at the tables so I would be sitting with familiar styles of play. Since I have been back, I am averaging about a $350-500 profit per week. Not too shabby for someone who works about 85+ hours a week. Key is that I never get greedy, once I make my stash for the day I am gone. Taking these notes enables you to know the chasers and the aggressive players. You go in knowing some donk is going to bet down the hand regarless of his kicker or even if he has hit the board. If you can have someone else betting your made hand for you it is a guaranteed money maker. By the time you make your raise on the river, he is too committed to the pot to let it go and you get that extra nice pop. On the other hand, if you know he is a chaser and he comes over the top at you when that river card hits the str8 or flush, you can think twice about calling that raise. It also sets you up for a nice check raise or possibly a wall bet when the chase works out. You could be sitting on a monster boat from the get go or the nut flush and this donk is calling you down when the river makes their hand. You are pretty sure they are chasing so you check it over to them figuring that if they have hit, they are surely going to bet it and will have so much tunnel vision that they have hit their hand that when you come over them, they will come right back over you and you get to take it to the wall. Cha Ching! Take you notes guys and watch your bankroll grow.
There are still several US poker sites to play.

Forum Post Highlight - 3 Rules of Poker

2011-03-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey I am going to start posting some of my fave forum posts from way back when. Here is one I like:

The Rules of Poker

I like to say I’ve been playing poker for fifty years. I remember my father and my uncle teaching me to play when I was about six. I’ll be sixty next year so even taking into account the self inflected brain damage of the last, say forty-five years…it’s probably about right. Poker was very, very different thirty years ago. I’ve had to learn Hold’em in the last few years. I’d played it a couple times, but it was never the game of choice or my choice of games. The structure and the content of the game morphed. And in the last five years the growth has not been arithmetic – but geometric as I struggle to cope.

RULE NUMBER ONE. What my Dad and Uncle Ernie (and they were pretty fair players…I’ll always remember the Christmas I got a two electric trains, a pony AND a motor scooter because Dad had a good game or two) tried to teach me was “Don’t bet unless you have the best hand”.
I know “real simple and oblivious”. It is. BUT having the knowledge and patience to observe it in practice is like always doing the right thing in real life… The good news is, like real life, if your right more than half the time over the long haul you should finish ahead of the game…maybe. Let’s put it this way:
O.K., you’re playing Hold’em…you matched the BB on a QJ – OS…the flop…Just then Hoyle comes back from the grave and says “Folk’s the rules have changed. No more cards…games over…pay the winner”. Do you get paid? If so, bet and repeat the process twice.
Of course, the question is “What is the best hand?” So it’s time for:

RULE NUMBER TWO. Poker at it essence is about making good decisions. Kinda like that “real life” thing again, huh?
Back to our example, the flop is QQJ, three different suites. You have the best hand. Guess you know what to do now. Next card is a five on the turn. This time Attila the Hun comes in and says “Bush is out…I’m in, …this game is over, pay the winner”. You win, but if the turn and it’s evil redheaded, yard kid, step sister with a heart as cold as my third ex-wife…the river are both Kings and someone has KK in the hole…it could happen, stay alert.
But in our example, the last card, a 3 doesn’t matter. This kind of hand is a joy to play because “I got ‘em and you got ‘em to get”. It’s almost always a good decision to play them, but the “almost always” (like our KK – KK example above and can cost you next months electric bill or at least a mortgage payment. Which brings us to:

RULE NUMBER THREE. You never step in the same river twice. I like this one, it so Zen-like. It’s ambience, patterns (Read SHARKY on this), players, position, pot and stack size (maybe position in a tournament), the stats, history, patience, nerve, ego and whether Lady Luck is over that deal about you givin’ her V.D. It’s a lot to consider to reach the right decision in a few seconds. It’s not easy to be a real good poker player or everybody ‘d be doin’ it. And we all know that ain’t happening.

Well, I gotta go do business stuff. I don’t know if anybody reads these, if so, any suggestions for the next three rules? We gotta get a little more specific here (stuff like…how strong is a set on the turn in PL O8). I’ll try to add some, maybe.

The Basics of Texas Hold’em and Recommended Poker Sites

2010-10-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

Texas Hold’em is fast becoming one of the most popular poker games in the world. The televising of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour along with all of the online poker rooms have helped to increase the popularity of this game. There is a definite strategy to playing this game and if the basics are not known, new players can find themselves at a huge disadvantage.

I find the best poker site to get the maximum exposure to different games and levels is Full Tilt Poker. Other popular online poker sites are Party Poker and Poker stars. On my hunt for more poker sites I found pokersites.com which lists the majority of them. Check it out before playing online poker.

Here are a few thing to keep in mind:

• The Rules – The rules of this game are quite simple. The player gets two cards which are known as the hole cards. The dealer places five cards on the board which all players use to make the best poker hand. There are three cards placed on the board first which is called the flop. The other two cards are put on the board one at a time. The fourth card is called the turn and the fifth card is called the river.

• The Blinds – The betting begins with the big blind and the small blind placing their bets. The small blind is typically half of the big blind. Any player who wants to play their cards needs to either match the big blind or raise double or more the big blind. Those who want to play their hands need to meet or beat this raise and so on. All bets are based on the amount of the big blind.

• Betting – The players are dealt the hole cards and then a round of betting commences. After the flop, another round of betting and also after the turn and the river. This can lead to some really big pots and a lot of money can be made.

• Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit – These are the three basic playing styles for Texas Hold’em and relate to the betting that can occur. Limit means just what it implies, a limit to the betting, each round can only be raised the amount of the big blind and there can only be three raises per betting round. No limit means that there is no limit to the amount that can be raised, however, there can only be three raises per round and when a player goes “all in” this means that they are committing their entire stack to the hand. Pot limit means that only the amount that is in the pot can be raised. Players can still go all in as long as the pot covers the amount of chips that they are holding.

Shark Poker Tour Forum Offers Easy Way To Make Money in Post to Play Poker Tournaments

2010-09-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Shark Poker Tour is one of the best poker forums on the Internet for experienced as well as new poker players. They offer many great tournaments including the monthly post to play tournament where players can join in a freeroll to win a share of the $100 purse. This is a great tournament for those who are trying to build up a bankroll and who do not have a lot of money in their poker accounts to buy in to tournaments.

The post to play tournament is only open to those players who belong to the Shark Poker Tour forum and who are regular contributors to the discussions on the board. The requirements are not difficult to follow and signing up for the forum is free. There are many new and old members who are discussing poker and strategy for all of the popular online poker games that are offered including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha hi low, Razz and stud.

In order to qualify for this freeroll, members must post at least seven times during the prescribed period; usually they have at least three weeks to do this. There are guidelines to these posts. They must contribute something to the discussion at hand. For instance, if someone has posted a bad beat story, a reply of “I hate when that happens” does not contribute to the discussion. Posting a similar story or hand history would be a relevant contribution.

The field for this tournament tends to be very small and no trolls can gain entry into this tournament that is played on Ultimate Bet Poker. The list of names is sent directly to the site and there is no password that can be shared out. If you are a new player and would like to join in on this action, you only need to sign up to the Shark Poker Tour forum and start joining in on the discussion. Use your first post to introduce yourself to the community in the New Players area and you will be welcomed by all.

Shark Poker League Offers More Than Just Fun Tournaments

2010-09-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

When players join the Shark Poker Tour and become a member of the forum, they are in for more than just the opportunity to play with some of the best amateur players on the Internet. They also have the opportunity to play in the Shark Poker League that offers more than just poker play. There are tickets awarded to the top monthly players that can be used to buy into huge guaranteed tournaments.

The Shark Poker League is one of the best for amateur poker players who are trying to build up their bankrolls and get better at online poker. The tournaments are all played at Absolute Poker which is one of the premier poker rooms on the Internet and all players are welcome including the players form the United States. The tournaments are played on Thursdays and Saturdays each and every week.

You need to check the schedule at one OnlineShark.com or SharkPokerTour.com in order to get the passwords. Only members of the Shark Poker Tour are eligible to play in the league games and membership and sign up is free. For those who play in the tournaments, the player of the month and year are not the only benefits.

Each league tournament has an added bonus of $50 added to the prize money. Anyone who cashes in these tournaments can make a great addition to their bankrolls. There are not very many players to go through in order to get to the money and they play is a cut above the rest of the tournaments you can find around the Internet.

If you want to become a member of the Shark Poker Tour and have the chance to play in the Shark Poker League games, then you only need to create an account. Make sure you go to the Shark Poker Tour Forum and begin posting and getting to know all the players you will see at the tables each and every week. It is a great community of people and there is always someone who can help you answer your poker related questions.

This Weeks Events at Shark Poker Tour

2010-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Sched below

To sign up for our tour go here

Also:
Guaranteed Tourneys for League Winners:
Good Luck! You will be automatically
registered prior to game time.

Thursay 9/23/2010 21:20
$25 10K Guaranteed Freezeout

kardmania
Friday 9/24/2010 21:20
$25 10K Guaranteed Freezeout
yoteflonap
Lukyhearts
Darkralph
MR FRANK MO
Sunday 9/25/2010 21:00
$120 SNIPER 30K GUAR

MR FRANK MO

Events at Absolue Poker /Ultimate Bet, and PDC Poker.

League Play includes $80,000 in guaranteed tickets.

For the best possible sign up bonus for all poker sites go here:
www.sharkpokertour.com

If password is not posted here all passwords are available
at www.sharkpokertour.com scroll down to tourney section
and register.

Thurs, Sept 23 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker & UB - $5 buyin with $40 added-League
password - seven

Sat, Sept 25 - 3 EST – PDC poker - $50 freeroll

Sat Sept 25 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker & UB - $5 buyin with $40 added-League
password - eight

Reminder

September 26 - 9 EST – UB - $100 freeroll - Post to Play
23 players - this is a +EV that you should try and get in next month (:
Details here

Good Luck Everyone

Shark

Shark Poker Tour July Schedule

2010-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

The July Shark Poker Tour Schedule is up now in the forum. Just google sharkpokertour fourm and check out the July 2010 schedule. Poker league games are posted on the sharkpokertour website weekly
They include freerolls, added money events, and some other special events. This month we have added a Battle of the Sexes event. This looks to be a fun one.
Why play on our tour. For one the events are not huge fields and you actually have a chance of winning. Your alos playing wiht pretty much the same players every week and everyone gets to know each. There are alot more good games and thankyou than the crap trash talk so prevelant these days. You can actually play and relax knowing your playing with good people and players
This month we have over $500 in freerolls, added money of over $500, and tickets to league winners to $80,000 in guaranteed tourneys. Again with 40 to 50 players vyiing for these tickets your chances are pretty good. The league standings are updated weekly in the forum. So come open your poker account and using the shark bonus code and start playing. See ya at the tables.

Shark Poker Tour June Schedule

2010-06-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

Play in our poker league and and free poker tournaments.

-4 Poker Sties, 23 tournaments
-8 Tickets to $120,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com
scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$520 added and $120,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $30,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $100 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR. Cutoff deadlines posted below.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.

Power Poker

Use Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Use Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Use Signup Code UBSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 111% to $1,100

PDC/poker.com

Use Signup Code UPTO600
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $600

June 3 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June5 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 5 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added -League

June 6 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 10 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 11 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $50,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

June 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 12 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 13 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 13 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

June 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 18 - 9 EST – Poker.com /PDC poker - $50 freeroll

June 19 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 19 - 3 EST – Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 20 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

June 20 - 7 EST – Power Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 24 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $80 added-League

June 30 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

June 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added-League

June 27 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $100 freeroll
$40,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to June 21, 2010 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

June 27 - 7 EST – Power Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

June 27 - 9 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read and follow the rules in the sharkpokertour forum.

Fulltiltpoker.net - $8 becomes $1,200

2010-05-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

Fulltiltpoker.net is the second largest online poker site. Back in 2006 it was a relatively small or medium sized site but with partypoker.net leaving the US market in 2006 fulltiltpoker.net took full advantage. The site was started by several professional poker players and with their well known names and some great promoting they were able to build a great following and a great poker site. Many famous pros
like Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Chris Jesus Ferguson, the up and coming Durrr and many more still play their regularly. They play a lot of holdem and Omaha at the high stakes but you sometimes see them on the lower limit tables too. It would be great to even win one hand from the great Phil Ivey.

Fulltiltpoker.net is busy 24 hours a day and you can always find a Holdem, Omaha, Stud, or even a Razz game at almost any level from penny poker to thousands of dollars. They also have tons of tournaments.
The best feature of the tournaments that range from very low to very high buy ins is that you can play in low buyins (as low as $3) and get yourself in the major tournaments. Just last week I satellited my way into the Fulltiltpoker.net main event with a huge 3 million dollar prize pool and five hundred thousand
for first place. I started with 8 bucks and turned it in to 1,200 after finishing in the top 600 out of 4,500
entries. I played in an 8 bucker with 18 players and the top 5 advancing to a $24 tournament. I then took the $24 ticket and did the same. This now gave me a $75 ticket. I then played in one of the super turbos for $75 with 300 players and top 33 going to the big dance. Well I did well in that and now here I was playing in a 3 million tourney for 8 bucks and wining $1,200. Gotta love it.

You should give it a shot and maybe get that mortgage paid off. You never know. Check out my full fulltiltpoker.net review here and don’t forget to get your matching up to $600 deposit bonus when you sign up. Be sure to use referral code SHARKARMY when opening your fulltilt.net poker account.

Play Poker With our Fun and Friendly Crew

2010-05-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

So you wanna play poker. They make it easy at the sharkpokertour.
Tons of free money given away every month. There is a great league where winners each month play for tickets to over $100,000 in guaranteed tournaments. The nice thing is it is regular and friendly group that plays. Mot a bunch of no name dons and fishes. The tournaments have a friendly feel to them as most everyone is friendly and just have a good time playing poker and winning money.

The tour also offers lots of great deposit bonuses at both US and none US sites. By the way, American players are allowed to play and we have a ton of US players.
The freerolls are great as they don’t cost you to play and you can start to build a bankroll for free. The buyins are also a great way to make some coin as there is always money added to the buyins. The sharkpokertour has some great articles on its main website to help both beginners and seasoned players. The articles cover all poker games like texas holdem, Omaha, stud, badugi and razz.
The league and game schedules are posted every month on the homepage of www.sharkpokertour.com
And updated every week.

We love to have new players joining our fun filled forum. We have got lots of friendly members and we always welcome new people. We have one really fun tourney every month for active forum members. It is a freeroll that rewards active posters. We play this every month at UB and it is a great way to meet some great people online, play some poker, and make a little money. Which never hurts!
So we welcome you to come by and check out the sharkpokertour website and forum and get you on your way to making some real money playing poker.

Weekend Schedule and December League Winners

2010-01-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Full weekend schedule below including December league
winners playing for $50 and $90,000 in guaranteed tournament
tickets, January league games, and freerolls.

Featured Sites

Power Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Signup Here Using Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Sign up Here Using Signup Code UBSHARK
Bonus 110% up to $1,100

Shark League Play - All leuage info, stats, rules
etc are posted in the shark poker tour
forum here:
www.sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=98

All league games are added money events
and monthly league winners get:

Top 9 will play in a sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in a sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Power Poker Special - Must Read

Jan 31 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 (value $110) guaranteed ticket to winner

Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to January 25, 2010 open
Their Power Poker account using above link and
Bonus code SHARKTOUR - Bonus of
100% up to $600 available.

SCHEDULE - league games
and freerolls at AP, UB and
Power :

If password not posted here all passwords are available
at http://www.sharkpokertour.com/

League play and freeolls - Don't forget to support our tour

- All League games can be played
at Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet

Jan 14 - 9 EST - - $4 buyin with $80 added-League
password - three

Jan 15 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3
Registration is open - If you did not post your AP name in forum
then we are using you UB name and it may not work - You must
post your AP name in the forum

NADI26
PRINCE SHEBA
4SCGJ
1JSAW
TMAC681
DARKRALPH2
MAJOR_BUZZ
LDJ
THEACEMAGNET

Jan 16 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League
password is four

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3
Registration is open - If you did not post your AP name in forum
then we are using you UB name and it may not work - You must
post your AP name in the forum.

NADI26
PRINCE SHEBA
4SCGJ
1JSAW
TMAC681
DARKRALPH2
MAJOR_BUZZ
LDJ
THEACEMAGNET
HOTROD19477
JOSESHOWDOWN
MER_SOCAL
LEDZEP
SPECKLEDHIND
ANGELICUS
ARUBA224
Kesza
UIIIU

Shark Poker Tour Poker League

2010-01-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

Last year our poker league paid out over $18,000 in cash.
With all our other events we paid out approx. $25,000.
These are all low buyin or freeroll events with the buyin events
having small fields of 50 or less players. Great action, great money,
without having to play for hours in tournaments. 50 player tourneys are just the right size for me.

Come on and join the Shark Army.
We have a great website and forum.
Everyone welcome!

This month:

SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL SCHEDULE

-5 Poker Sties
-8 Tickets to $190,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to sharkpokertour.com scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$480 added and $90,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $250 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR. Cutoff deadlines posted below.

If you open a new poker account please do so on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.
______________________________________________________

Jan 7 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 9 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added -League

Jan 10 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Makeup for cancelled December event.
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to December 20, 2009 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

Jan 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 14 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 15 - 9 EST -Top 9 December League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Jan 16 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 16 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Jan 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 21 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 23 - 3 EST – Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 23 - 6 EST – Reefer Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 23 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 24 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 24 - 6 EST - Reefer Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added

Jan 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 28 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Jan 30 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 30 - 6 EST – Poker.com /PDC poker - $50 freeroll

Jan 30 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Jan 31 - 3 EST - Power Poker
Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner
Open to all Players who at any time
Prior to January 25, 2010 opened
Their Power Poker account using
Bonus code SHARKTOUR

Jan 31 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

Jan 31 - 9 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read this and follow the rules in the forum.

One reason why I do NOT play like Phil Ivey

2010-01-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

One our fourm members posted this today. I had to lol. Great post!

I was in a local card room just killing time and letting my vehicle defrost a while parked down in the heated parkade when the following hand occured.

The game is $3-$6 limit Holdem. There's a Kill button but it didn't come in to play for this story.

I'm in the small blind and see I have 8s-4s. A lot of players limp and with no raises I called. The flop comes:

Jd-Jc-6h

With no spades and no hope I simply check and get ready to fold. The rest of the table seems to be afraid of the two Jacks so everyone else checks and we get a free card.

Jd-Jc-6h-Ks

Everyone checks until the dealer button who bets $6. I'm ready to fold but ever since seeing Phil Ivey muck a winning hand on TV in the 2009 WSOP I've been looking at my cards one last time before I toss the cards.

THIS TIME when I look at my hand I see Js-8s!?! I don't know where I was looking when I thought it was a 4s early on. Maybe the cute waitress distracted me?

So I have to raise, right? I raised the bet to $12 everyone folds except the dealer button who accuses me of having a King. He's been easy to read ever since I sat down so I keep quiet and he announces he can beat my kicker and calls. The river comes:

Jd-Jc-6h-Ks-2d

I'm a bit embarrassed by having misread my cards so I decided to let the guy off the hook a bit and just check. He sees this as weakness I guess and bets out $6. Normally I wouldn't try to rub it in but I felt the need to point out that I gave him a chance to get out cheap by checking, and then I raised him to $12.

It would have been interesting if he re-raised but he just called and was very unhappy when he saw my trip Jacks.

So, thanks Phil Ivey for teaching me a lesson about what to do BEFORE you muck your cards.

Poker Stars - Outlast the Pros

2009-12-30T22:17:00.001-08:00

PokerStars has been having this promotion every Tuesday in December, but I just found out about it last weekend. Grrrr. A lot of pros playing a lot of tables, plus two tournaments (13:00 and 20:00 ET) for $11 with $1K added divided among ALL players who outlast the last pro standing. You can bet some sharks in these two Outlast the Pros tourneys today!

Thanks to Ed and g/l (:

Mini UBOC 4 Jan 20th - 31st 2010

2009-12-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

For those that do not have the money to play in the UBOC 4 here is the Mini UBOC 4 schedule

Dont have Ultimate Bet? Then support the Shark Poker Tour and download it HERE!!!!

Satellites to the events below are running now!!!

Date / Event / Buyin / Gtd $$ / Friend of UB Host

1/20/10 Sniper NLH $30+3 $20K SPIN31
1/20/10 8 Game Mix (HORSE+PLO, NLH, PLO8) $15+$1.50 $6K TRAMBOPOLINE
1/21/10 NLH 4 MAX $30+3 $10K GUIGUI_88
1/22/10 Sniper NLH $12+1.20 $3K AIRKID3
1/23/10 HEADS UP (2-day event) $10+1 $5,120 FLOATACHECK
1/23/10 NLH triple chance (3 rebuy max) $15+1.50 $15K Z06FANATIC
1/24/10 NLH $20+2 $20K NUTINSIDER
1/25/10 Limit Hold'em 6 MAX $10+1 $3K IWON2
1/25/10 PLH/PLO/PLO8 (Pot Limit Championship) $10+1 $3K PATIZZIE
1/26/10 PLO 1 rebuy+1 add on $20+2 $12K FOOLISHGOLF
1/26/10 HORSE $20+2 $8K BIGDOGPCKT5S
1/27/10 Omaha 8/b and Stud 8/b mix $15+1.50 $3K JDAWG217
1/27/10 Deepstack NLH 10+1 $10K CRUDEBAR25
1/28/10 PLO8 $30+3 $10K MAKE_IT_RAIN
1/29/10 Deepstack PLH 6 MAX $5+.50 $2K YELLOWDAWG
1/30/10 NLH Turbo Unlimited Rebuys $10+1 $15K 7TEMPEHEAT7
TBD Main Event Super Sattellite (turbo) TBD TBD TWOLIP69

Shark PokerTour December 2009 Schedule

2009-12-30T19:28:00.000-08:00

SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL SCHEDULE

-31 Events
-6 Poker Sties
-7 Tickets to $140,000 in guaranteed
tourneys. See Power Poker & League
below for details
-Tons of freerolls and added money

For passwords to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com
scroll down to tourney section, and register. This will be updated weekly.

League Prizes - 8 League games this month at UB/AP with
$480 added and $90,000 in guaranteed tourney tickets to winners

Top 9 will play in sng for:

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18 will play in sng for

$25
and
1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker Special $250 freeroll and $50,000 guaranteed
ticket to winner.

Open to players who at any time have opened their Power Poker
account using the SharkPokerTour link and deposit
code SHARKTOUR.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on
http://www.sharkpokertour.com website. Your support allows us to
continue carrying all these events.

Power Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARKTOUR
First Time Deposit Bonus 110% to $600

Absolute Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code APSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

UltimateBet

Sign Here Using Signup Code UBSHARK
First Time Deposit Bonus 111% to $1,100

Reefer Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code SHARK

First Time Deposit Bonus 150% to $1,420

PDC/poker.com

Sign Here Using Signup Code UPTO600
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $600

Titan Poker

Sign Here Using Signup Code shark
First Time Deposit Bonus 100% to $500

Dec 3 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 5 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added -League

Dec 5 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll
scroll down to Dec 20 to see a special Power Poker event
coming up.

Dec 6 - 5 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 8 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 10 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 11 - 9 EST -Top 9 November League Winners Freeroll
$25 freeroll and $60,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Dec 12 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 13 - 1 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 13 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 13 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - Top 18 League Winners
$25 freeroll and $30,000 in guaranteed tickets to top 3

Dec 15 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 17 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League

Dec 19 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 19 - 3 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 19 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 20 - 1 EST - UB - $100 Post to Play Freeroll
You must qualify for this event. To qualify
you need to read this and follow the rules.
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/vi ... =16&t=6466

Dec 20 - 3 EST - Power Poker - $250 freeroll
$50,000 guaranteed ticket to winner - Details above

Dec 20 - 6 EST - poker.com/PDC Poker - $2 buyin with $50 added

Dec 22 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Dec 26 - 3 EST - Reefer Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 26 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $3 buyin with $40 added-League

Dec 27 - 12:05 EST - Titan Poker - $50 freeroll

Dec 27 - 3 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Dec 27 - 9 EST - Reefer Poker - $5 buyin with $50 added

Dec 29 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $1 buyin with $10 added
Cheap Chippie Tuesdays

Jan 1 - 4 EST - Ultimate Bet - $50 freeroll

Jan 1 - 9 EST - Absolute Poker - $4 buyin with $80 added-League
This will count as a December League Game

Trip/Tournament Report: WSOP Circuit Event

2009-10-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

Trip/Tournament Report: WSOP Circuit Event -- Horseshoe Hammond

This from one of our long time and well respected forum Vets - lightning36.

Waaaay back when, I used to delight in going to Opening Day when the baseball season began. Growing up outside Chicago, this usually meant sitting in 40 degree weather watching the Cubs or White Sox lose. So, when I saw that the 2009-2010 WSOP Circuit was going to start at the Horseshoe Hammond, it seemed like a natural for me to go to the opening event -- a $345 NL tournament on October 16.

Harrah's allowed a three-hour preregistration the night before. I heard that 500-600 people chose that option. I got to the casino about two hours before the opening hand. I was surprised to see that there were 200-300 people in line ahead of me. It took 75 minutes for me to get to the front of the line. After I registered, I saw at least another 200-300 still waiting in line. Last year's opening tournament attracted over 1,100 entrants. It would be interesting to see how Harrah's would handle this large crowd.

The tournament began on time at noon. Most of the tables were set up in The Venue -- the small second floor concert hall in the complex. My table was in the regular poker room on the main floor. Starting chip stack: 10,000. Levels: 45 minutes! This was one heck of a structure for an inexpensive tournament. No matter what, I expected to get in a lot of poker for my money.

The worst part of the tournament was that Harrah's allowed alternates to come in for several hours. I believe that over 300 alternates came in, bringing the total up to 1,412. First place paid almost $80,000 -- not bad for a $345 buy in!

My table had solid players. Too solid, in fact. We kept passing about 40,000 chips back and forth for several hours. I got some big hands the first hour or so (A-A, K-K), but couldn't drum up much action. However, I limped in with 2-2 and hit my set on the flop. The guy to my left didn't believe my check raise, so he reraised me. Two hearts on the flop kept me from flat calling, so I reraised his reraise. He reluctantly folded. Too bad he only had top pair, top kicker, or I might have busted him.

I took a big hit when I flopped top two in an almost family pot. There was a realistic straight possibility on the board, so I didn't want to push as hard as I would have liked. I got rid of everyone but one seemingly tight player who apparently chased a flush to the river -- and hit it.

We kept seeing the average stack size going up as players were felted, but we just kept passing the chips back and forth. After 6+ hours we had only lost two players. Soon we were moved upstairs.

The last two hours I played were very frustrating. Sensing the need to make a move since my M kept dipping lower, I kept seeing rag-rag, paint-rag, and rag-rag. Our table was finally broken and I was moved to a new table where half the people had decent stacks. A guy to my left was calling almost all the all-ins, so I knew I couldn't bluff. I was hoping to go all in before the dinner break and either double up or go home, but the cards did not come. And I wasn't even hungry.

Right after the break, I had A-9sooted and pushed. One guy thought long and hard, but folded. I stayed alive. Another orbit or two later I was praying for a good hand. I was dealt A-Jos. A raise came from under the gun, and I pushed all in. Everyone else folded. The original raiser called -- putting almost half his stack at risk -- with Q-10hearts! Of course, you know how the story ends. The flop brought a Queen and two hearts. He faded the few outs on the flop and river. It was over. Just before 9:00 pm.

They announced that a new Harrah's Circuit record had been set with the 1412 players. They also gave players interesting news -- that they should be prepared to play until 3 or 4 am to complete the day. Looks like letting all those alternates in so late screwed up the expected timetable.

Although I ended the tournament sooner than I would have liked, working with 10,000 chips and 45-minute blinds was great. The banter at the table picked up after a few hours and was pleasant. I had a good time and can't wait for my next chance to get in a quality tournament.

Shark Poker Tour League Play & Weekend Events

2009-10-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Poker Road and the
Shark Poker Tour

We are not on Poker Road Radio yet but
we are hoping we will be soon. (:

Full weekend schedule below.

Registration info posted at sharkpokertour.com

The top 9 (8 played) September League players played in a sit and
go last night for $50 and:

1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

For October top 18 will play for $90,000
in guar tickets at Absolute Poker.

The result of September League Winners:

1: JUSTIN749, payout $20.00, and $40,000 ticket
2: VPSADIEVP, payout $17.50 and $10,000 ticket
3: JEPULATOR2, payout $12.50 and $10,000 ticket
4: NADI26
5: MR FRANK MO
6: VEX44
7: TMAC681,
8: BUSTALOT6

October League Play - Game Tonight
You can play from Abolute Poker & Ultimate Bet
with everyone playing to win six tickets to
Guaranteed tournaments totalling $90,000. This in addition
to the added money already on the table. Still tons of time
to get in top 9 or top 18 for October and play for those
guaranteed tickets. All 6 tickets will be given away
including one to the $132 buyin $40,000 k sniper.

League stats are posted in the forum
and you need to post your AP/UB screen name in
the forum so we can track you properly.

If you do not have an account at any of the
Poker Sites where we hold our events please
open them at www.sharkpokertour.com
We offer the best bonuses possible and
there will be future benefits when
playing in our events. Your support is
Appreciated!

LEAGUE GAME:

Tonight- Saturday- League Game
Shark Poker Tour League Game- $3- $40 added -
10/17/2009. 9 pm EST. password – six

OTHER EVENTS – for registration and password go to
www.sharkpokertour.com

Sunday - SPT freeroll $100 Freeroll –
Titan Poker - Sorry No US players 10/18/2009. 4 pm EST

Sunday - Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll
Ultimate Bet
10/18/2009 6 pm EST

Good Luck Everyone

September 2009 League Winners

2009-10-15T17:43:00.001-07:00

Congrats to the September league winners
who will play for $50 cash and 3 tickets to guaranteed
$60,000 tournaments with the winner getting a ticket to
the Sniper $40,000 k on AP. Value of ticket for this
is $130. 2nd and 3rd get tickets to $10,000 guar tourneys
Value $27.50 per ticket.
Friday, Oct 16, 2009 @ 9pm est on Absolute Poker
Tickets will be issued next week to the winners.

Good Luck everyone:

NADI26
JEPULATOR2
JUSTIN749
VPSADIEVP
BUSTALOT6
TMAC68
MR FRANK MO
VEX44
RON1N

SharkPokerTour October Schedule

2009-09-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Ok Sharks pay attention! Some Important info so please read.

We have 31 events for October. All no limit holdem. League prizes will include $90,000 in guaranteed tickets. We have 6 poker sites on this month and at one you have the chance to win tickets to two $50,000 guaranteed events. I expect Sharks to take home about $5,000 in prizes this month. Could be more with some Shark prowess in the guaranteeds!

Full schedule is posted here in the forum

For registration to all events go to http://www.sharkpokertour.com/ , scroll down to tourney section, and register.

If you open a new poker account please do so here or on the http://www.sharkpokertour.com/ website. Your support allows us to continue carrying all these events.

So here we go.

1) League Play at Absolute/Ultimate Bet Poker

10 league events at Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet with $650 added. Also Top 9 will play for guaranteed tickets in a sng. Top 18 will play for guarranteed tickets in 2 table sng. Yep thats 2 tourneys for top 9 and the chance to win more than one ticket:

Top 9

1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

Top 18

1st - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
2nd- one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)

2) Power Poker - 2 $150 freerolls and a ticket to the $50,000
guaranteed (buyin $109) to the qualified winner of each.

To qualify for the $50,000 guaranteed ticket the winner must sign up a new Poker Poker account using the sharkpokertour Power Poker link above and use signup code SHARKTOUR (all caps)

3) Reefer Poker -5 freerolls and added totalling $350

4) Titan Poker - 2 freerolls totalling $150

5) Ultimate Bet - 5 freerolls totalling $300 including a Post to Play on Oct 25-
I will post the details soon but most of you know how this works.

6) Full Tilt Poker- 2 freerolls totalling $100.

7) September top 9 league winners will sit down for a $50 freeroll and:
1st - one ticket to $40,000k Sniper (Value $130)
2nd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
3rd - one ticket to $10,000k guar (Value $27.50)
at 9 pm eastern on Friday, October 16 on Absolute Poker.

Shark Poker Tour - New Webaite and $60,000 tickets

2009-09-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have a great suprise for eveyone. As you know,
the top 9 league winners will play in a $50 freeroll on AP.
I have just addd this:
The top 3 in the freeroll will also win additional prizes:
1st - Ticket to $40,000k guaranteed Sniper @ Absolute
2nd - Ticket to $10,000 guaranteed @ Absolute
3rd - Ticket to $10,000 guaranteed @ Absolute

This gives a chance for some of our Sharks to win some serious coin.
2 league events are left and they are posted below.
Look for an even bigger prize pool for October League.

Shark Poker Tour September 2009 Schedule

Have you checked out our newly "renovated" sharkpokertour website
yet.

All tournaments but freerolls can be played at
your choice of AP or UB
League winners freeroll will be played at AP.
All other freerolls will be played at UB.

Upcoming Events

1) Thursday - Shark's League Game $4-$80 added 09/24/2009 21:00
password - seven

2) Saturday -Shark Poker Tour League Game- $3- $40 added -
$1 BOUNTY -09/26/2009 21:00 password - eight

3) Sunday - Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - Ultimate Bet Only
everyone welcome 09/27/2009 15:00 est password
will be posted at www.sharkpokertour.com

4) A $100 Post to Play Freeroll - Registration ends tonight (Thursday)
at 11:59 pm eastern.
Details Here
Good Luck Everyone - Have Fun and Make Some Money!!!!

Limit Holdem

2009-09-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

Some great advice for limit holdem players from one of my forum's most respected vets:

The Question:

i find i've been losing alot on limit holdem to alot of suck outs, and even thou im beat i have a bad nerve of calling. i know i should stop playing but i keep going back and losing even more, i don't know what to do or should i just avoid the limit cause i do not have the control to play rite on this type of game??? or should i just keep trying and learn to accept the beats and fold......what do you all think?

The Answer:

I think it is pretty fair to say I am one of the better limit players on this site and have played in some pretty big games, both live and on the net. I prefer limit to no limit but you do have to learn to live with the suckouts because after the flop, there is no way to protect your hand and people are more likely to call you down with an inside straight than then would in NL because it is not going to cost them very much and the return could be huge.

The first thing you need to do is start with quality hands and play positionally as well. I only play 6 tabled hands on the net as lower hands have more of a premium but hand selection is still key.

In an early position, you ONLY play big cards. Forget the suited connectors and all the other junk. You play pockets of QQ or higher and AK. When you get to middle position, you can play pretty much any pocket pair for a limp and play a high A (10,j,q or k). When you get to late position and are in on a limp, you can pretty much play like you would in no limit but with restrictions. When you play suited connectors in limit, you want everyone and their mother in that pot. The more likely all the large cards are out and the better chance you have of hitting your hand but still don't fall in love with it. When a flush hits the board and someone is pounding it that was in early position and you are sitting with 45, you need to let the hand go.

If you are first man in, I don't care what two cards are in your hand, raise the pot. The whole point of limit is to pound people and make them pay for their cards, even if they suck out and catch you on the river, let them know when they are in a hand with you they are going to pay for it. It will make them think twice later before diving in with shit cards.

When you have it in limit, bet it. Check raise only with a monster and only when you know your opponent is going to bet. You can NEVER miss an opportunity to bet when you think you have the best. You also need to take notes on everyone you play (all internet sites have this feature online). If you don't have a tracking program, the one thing you need to pay particular attention to is how often they win with check raises and in what position. If you are going up against someone who wins 90% of their hands when they check raise the turn, you know to get out of the hand. On the other hand, maybe they are super aggresive and lose 70% of the time, that is the guy you come over top of. Some players like to play middle and bottom pair all the way down and hope to catch on the river. You need to watch all of this and take notes on every player on every hand. Trust me, it will make and save you a lot of money.

Finally, on calling on the river. Yes you should if you have been in the hand the whole way and you are heads up. Maybe he caught, maybe he didn't but you need to realize, that in most cases, all you have to do is win one of those hands every ten times and it pays for itself. If you called down a $10 river bet and won $100 in the pot, you are covered for the next $10 river bets you call down. Odds are, if you are playing solid cards, you are going to win 2 or 3 of those and it is the difference from a profitable session to a loser.

There of course is a lot more to it than what I have posted here but this gives you a jist of what to do. The best thing I have ever read on Limit as Jennifer Harmon's section in The Super System. It gives you rock solid advice on how to play the game and is a must read for anyone playing limit.

You will read a lot about people who don't like limit but I love it. To me, NL is more of a luck game than limit. A lot of people just push on a draw and win big hands that they would never get in limit and people think they are great poker players because they get lucky. I have probably lost about 80% of the hands I have played recently after being all in on the flop with far and away the best but someone else walked with the pot. They never would have gotten that much off of me in limit and eventually, I would have walked away a winner but not in NL.

You have to have a strong stomach to play limit as you will take some horrible beats but if you play solid cards, you can clean up on that game. When I play live, I play 5/10 and 10/20 limit and you should see some of these pots. There are donkeys playing at that level just like anything else and they just chase that one big pot. I will sacrifice one hand to beat them in 5 others. My stack grows and theirs just exists. Stick with the game, do some reading and play lower limits until you get the hang of it and eventually, you will come out on top.

Keeping Player Notes

2009-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting post on player notes by one of our fourm members. Any comments?

I've noticed a tag" feature on a couple of sites. I guess tags are a good, quick way to see a sort of short-hand note about a player. I'd like to have the feature on AP.

I make -and revise- notes all the time. Detailed notes can give lots of good info about who's likely to be bluffing, chasing, etc. -and in what situations.

The only problem I've run into is that old notes can be very misleading. I've made some pretty harsh notes about some players -who may have been just starting out in poker at the time. Then after a gap of a few months I've come up against these players again and discovered that during that time they've developed into much better players than they had been. When that happens my notes are worse than useless -they're dangerous

Mobile Poker Play

2009-09-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Are you the poker lovers who play day and night? On the way to work, at work and directly after work? Then it's probably time to try your luck on mobile poker. There are a number of sites that offer this service for those not able or want to wait to be near a computer. Severa sites are well advanced and offer customers the opportunity to play on their mobile. As long as you have coverage, you also have the option table, chatting and place your bets. It is best understood if you have a cell phone with really good picture, but if you are a real poker lover maybe things are going well anyway.

Just as online poker rooms offer the most as a mobile client to its customers to play for fun. Anyone who wants to play a bit casual for a while to play "for fun" where you can either play offline at any Cash-table or in a Sit & Go tournament against nine virtual players. If you after a while feel compelled to play for real, feel free to do it against anyone who is online, including those who sit at home and huddle in front of their computers.

Go Mobile Baby!

2009-09-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Shark Poker Tour September 2009 Schedule

Prize pool estimated to be over
$2,000.

Everyone welcome. Join the shark poker tour by going to our website
and registering to get tournament passwords : http://www.sharkpokertour.com/

NEW - All events except for freerolls can be played at both AP and UB.

If you do not have an account open it here:

For Absolute Poker: 100% up to $500 matching bonus click here

For Ultimate Bet: 200% up to $1,200 matching bonus click here

All games are No Limit Hold Em and include

1) A $100 Post to Play Freeroll
For the $100 Post to Play Freeroll be sure and read the sticky in the Shark Tour Forum here:
This is a $100 freeroll that had about 20 players last month. Great opportunity to start building a bankroll and have a good time! Don't miss it!

2) An exclusive $50 league winners freeroll.

3) Four $50 everyone welcome freerolls

4) Four Cheap Chippie Tuesdays $1 buyin

5) League Games - Check the EIGHT LEAGUE GAMES in green
Prize pool should be well over $2,000 this month.
As well as your winnings in these added league tournaments,
the top 9 finishers this month will play in a SNG for $50 and the monthly will win Shark swagola.

Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet Events

These events can be played at both poker sites with the exception of the league winners freeroll which will be at AP only.

Absolute Poker League Events - All league games are in Green below.

1. Shark's Home Game- $4 -$80 added 09/03/2009 21:

2. Shark Poker Tour-$3 -$40 added - 09/05/09 21:00

3. Shark's Home Game- $4 - $80 added 09/10/2009 21:00

4. Shark Poker Tour- $3- $40 added - $1 BOUNTY - 09/12/2009 21:00

5. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 09/17/2009 21:00

6. Shark Poker Tour- $3- $40 added - 09/19/2009 21:00

7. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 09/24/2009 21:00

8. Shark Poker Tour- $3- $40 added - $1 BOUNTY -09/26/2009 21:00

Other Absolute Poker Events

1. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 09/18/2009 21:00 no password needed- automatic registration - This event can only be played at
Absolute Poker -August top 9 League players - congrats

Cheap Chippie Tuesdays That can be played at AP and UB

1. Shark Poker Tour- $1- $10 added 09/01/2009 21:00

2. Shark Poker Tour- $1- $10 added - 09/8/2009 21:00

3. Shark Poker Tour- $1- $10 added- 09/15/2009 21:00

4. Shark Poker Tour- $1- $10 added - 09/22/2009 21:00

5. Shark Poker Tour- $1- $10 added - 09/29/2009 21:00

Ultimate Bet Events - These can only be played at UB

1. Shark's Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 09/06/2009 15:00 est

2. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 09/13/2009 15:00 est

3. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 09/20/2009 15:00 est

4. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 09/27/2009 15:00 est

5. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 09/27/2009 21:00
Read this Sticky in the sharkpokertour forum:

Good Luck Everyone.

Poker Stars Huge Bonus Check Out PokerStars Net

2009-08-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Poker Stars also known as pokerstars net and pokerstars com has just upped the ante by offering a new deposit bonus as of today. Its 100% up to $600. They used to offer 50% up to $50. If you do not havean account at Poker Stars it is time to get one. This is the largest Online Poker Site in the world and they have great events and a great reputation. I seriously adivse that you get your account now at PokerStars net. You do not have to make one deposit as you can make 3 deposits up to $600 total over 90 days and they will all be matched. Make sure you have maximized your bonus as much as possiblebefore you cash out as you will not get deposit bonuses after you cash out. No biggie.... just get as much as you can before cashing out. Bonus is paid out in increments of $10. This is a sweet deal!!! To open your Poker Stars account Click Here! use bonus code STARS600

Also:

Don't forget the Ultimate OFC. Two events with about $3,500 in added cash and prizes. Make sure you choose Shark Poker Tour as your forum of choice form the dropdown menu.
Click here to register . Registration ends at 3 eastern Wednesday.

Open your Ultimate Bet Poker account here and get deposit bonus of 110% up to $1,100.

Don't Forget Shark's Home/League Thursday night at Absolute Poker. $4 -$80 added 08/06/2009 21:00 password - one

Simply The Best Writing - Poker Articles and More

2009-07-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Well the Shark Poker Tour Forum members are a talented bunch. Not only do we have a ton of amazing long-term poker players but we have a ton of talent in other areas too.

One of our long time forum members has just started a new website. Its all about writing. This is something he does very well as illustrated by some of his great posts in our poker forum.

The service he provides is of value to anyone that has a website and is looking for content for marketing and SEO copy purposes. He does resumes, articles, business plans and much more. Take a look and I think you will like what you see at Simply The Best Writing

This has been a labour of love for one of our Shark Poker Tour vets and I wish him all the best.

A Friends Bonus Sites.

2009-07-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

So a friend of mine offers bonuses at a bunch of international websites and as a favour to him I thought I would let you know about them. There is a code bonus titan poker, another site for a everest poker code bonus The well known site party poker with a bonuscode partypoker and finally poker 700 with code bonus poker770 .

Check them out.

Playwinpoker

2009-07-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Live video cam and live chat. It might be worth checking out. Have you tried it? Something different

Anyways this is what they have to say:

Playwinpoker.com is part of the Online poker network game and is dedicated to providing players from around the world with a free online poker game experience that is second hand to play poker game. Players worldwide can access playwinpoker.com, It is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and experience the best free multi-player game online poker has to play offer. Playwinpoker.com is play with voice chat web cam. The first poker with web cam, Play online poker at playwinpoker.com, Playwinpoker is committed to remaining the most trusted and best online poker experience, created by online poker for play poker players.

Can We Expect a Repeat?

2009-07-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Can We Expect a Repeat?

As Chris Moneymaker pumped his fists high in the air after winning the 2003 WSOP, becoming the first legitimate online poker amateur to defeat a field overrun with professionals, the entire world took notice and asked a simple question: Will another professional ever win the poker tournament again? Of course, this was in no way a slight to the brilliant and oh-so dangerous pros of the world. It was just obvious that Moneymaker’s sudden shot to stardom and beyond would turn the world on its head.

People were not wrong. The year Chris won the Main Event the top prize was two-point-five million. The following year, the prize pool literally doubled to five million, meaning that the field had doubled, meaning that another extremely diverse and extremely large group of people wanted to follow in his footsteps. And to the people curious if another pro could ever win the tournament again, what about that? Well, since Chris’ victory, the field has been dominated by amateurs; Greg Raymer, Joseph Hachem, Jamie Gold, Jerry Yang and Peter Eastgate – all amateurs and all winners of the Main Event.

Poker, especially Texas Hold’em, has its fair share of wise sayings. One states that it’s better to be lucky than good. Another saying states that it takes more than luck to win. Which is true, or is it a combination of the two? Were these amateur players just luckier than everyone else, or, perhaps could it be that their online playing habits had honed their skills to a level above what professionals could handle? This is a question that only time will answer.

Most professional poker players have a way of getting their heads around the fact that a professional hasn’t won the world’s biggest poker tournament since 2001: Carlos Mortensen. They claim that it’s pure statistics, baby. The same principle that keeps every person from striking rich at land-based and online casinos has made it statistically improbable for a professional to go home with the bracelet: Odds.

With pros outnumbered 20 to 1, they’re automatically a 20:1 underdog to win. And if you think the odds are working against the poker pros on this one, wait until you hear the odds of any one individual winning. The year Jamie Gold won his title (2006), there were over 8,500 entrants. That means he went off—considering all things being equal—at 8500:1. But factor in that he was a staunch amateur, a blowhard, and a player that relied mostly on luck, taking the raw numbers out and playing oddsmaker, Gold was about 30000:1 to win in some circles! The odds of him repeating – you’d have no trouble finding a bookie to triple that number.

There are simply too many factors involved in a poker tournament to consider; too many probabilities. If you’re waiting on the edge of your seat for a professional to win, you can look for even money on that. However, if you’re waiting to see one of the recent amateur winners to take the bracelet again in the near future, I hope you aren’t holding your breath. No one’s that lucky. But we’ll see how it goes this summer when the 2009 edition of the WSOP is dealt out.

Full Tilt Poker 5th year Anniversary

2009-07-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

ok everyone here is whats going on at Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt Poker launched five years ago with one goal: Provide the best online poker experience in the world. Join us from July 9th through July 19th to celebrate FIVE years of Full Tilt Poker.

There has never been a better time to Learn, Chat and Play with the Pros. We’re giving away more than $1,000,000 in added prize money, extra Full Tilt Points and birthday-sized bonuses for pro knockouts.

Dont have Full Tilt Poker? Then support the Shark Poker Tour by downloading it Here!
Register for Free and Win Big
Celebrate FIVE years of Full Tilt Poker by turning a free tournament entry into cold hard cash. Take your seat in The $20K Freeroll at 17:05 ET on July 9th.

Don’t wait to join, this tournament will fill up fast. Click on the link below to go directly to The $20K Freeroll tournament lobby.

FIVE days of 5X Happy Hours
From July 14th through July 19th all of our regularly scheduled Happy Hour periods will award 5X Full Tilt Points.

Look for the symbol next to your favorite games in the Full Tilt Poker lobby and start earning 5X Full Tilt Points.

$5K Every 5 Hours
Turn your Full Tilt Points into cash. Play for your share of $5,000 in guaranteed prize money every five hours for just five Full Tilt Points.

$5K Every 5 Hours guaranteed tournaments run from Tuesday, July 14th at 00:05 ET through Sunday, July 19th at 20:05 ET.

5X Bust-Out Bounty
Knock out any Team Full Tilt member from a real-money scheduled tournament or Sit & Go with more than 30 players to receive FIVE times your tournament buy-in as a reward.

5X Bust-Out Bounties will be awarded from 00:00 ET on Tuesday, July 14th to 23:59 ET on Sunday, July 19th.

Tournaments with registered Team Full Tilt members will be highlighted red in the Tournaments Lobby

Birthday Money Sunday
To end FIVE with a bang, we’ve increased the guaranteed prize money in our July 19th Big Money Sunday tournaments by $700,000.

Three Tournaments – More than $2 Million Guaranteed
Play in our Birthday Money Sunday tournaments to win your share of more than $2 million in guaranteed prize money:

14:00 ET: Start your Sunday with The Sunday Brawl; we’ve punched up the guaranteed prize money from $350K to $500K
18:00 ET: Don’t miss the $1,000,000 Guarantee with birthday-sized guaranteed prize money – up from $1 million to $1.5 million!
19:05 ET: To top off Birthday Money Sunday we’ve increased the guaranteed prize pool in The Sunday Mulligan to $250K

Download Full Tilt Poker

Provided by forum member Ed - aka bpm2b

Full Tilt - Low Risk High Reward Poker Tournaments

2009-06-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

When I want a break for the grind of the cash tables do this:
This is a forum post form last year but I am just back doing it again.

Actually in March and April I am a busy guy and my job tends to burn me out a bit. That's a time, among other times, that I go for my low risk/low stress Full Tilt SNG strategy. Here is how it works.

At Full Tilt they have these 18 person $8 turbo sng's. Top 5 get a $24
tournament token and 6th gets 14 bucks. I play a bunch of these and then use the tokens to play in $24 18 man tourneys. Again top 5 players get a $75 token and 6th get around $55 bucks. Once I finish in the top 5 and get the $75 token its time to dance.

In the 45 player multi's I won about 1,180(1st) one night and 776(2nd) the next night. So i won about $2,500 in a week.

I like this strategy as you can play in fairly good tournaments for little investment. I figure most shark players are good enough to do very well in these 18 man tourney. Getting in the top 5 is not that tough and even if you are only doing it 50% of the time it you will get a $75 token for 24 bucks and maybe even less. Worst case scenario is your getting some reasonable action for a pretty good price.
I also find these 18 man tourneys quite relaxing after grinding the cash games for a while and if you go in the 45 man tourney the field is small enough that you have an ok chance to get in the money. Anyways try it out and let us know how you do.

If you look below there are quite a few firsts (and yes some losses)
because if you get in the top 6 you are in the "money" and all those players get a first. Not to bad for the confidence either. "oh look another first!"

Try this out at Full Tilt.

Shark Poker Tour League Play

2009-06-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Written by awesome forum member and da leauge stat man Ed - aka bpm2b

The hottest poker tour on the net, the Shark Poker Tour, has been around for a few years now. To remain the hottest tour on the net the SPT this year started its Player Of the Year race where members of the Tour can earn valuable POY points each month at select events.

This tour showcases some of the best players on the net, and some of the up and coming greats. We have had members qualify for WPT events, major online events and other live and online events.

The Shark Poker Tour POY race has only been running for just over four months. In that very short time the total prize pool from all POY events that has been paid out is just under $8300. That is about a average of $1800 a month going out to our members from buyins and money added to the prize pool. We are looking at in our first year of the Player Of the Year paying out over $23,000.

There have been over 130 members on the Tour who have earned POY points and many more that have not. We have had 25 different players score the almighty win that is so hard to do in Multi Table Tournaments. Some of those 25 winners have gone and won two events so far this year a few of them have done and won three. With the caliber of players on the Shark Poker Tour, winning just one event is hard enough.

In addition to the Player Of the Year race, the Shark Poker Tour also runs a Player Of the Month challenge. In those same events that players score those valuable POY points at the same time they earn POM points. Over a long period of time a consistent player will be in the top of the POY standings, but we also like to showcase who is the best for that one month.

So what are you waiting for? Join the hottest Poker Tour on the virtual felt, the Shark Poker Tour and show us that you can swim with the sharks or be the food for us chip tossing, Kool-Aid drinking sharks to eat.

2009-05-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hey Sharks

2 Events

Full Tilt Poker Online Forum Challenge -
Win your way to the WSOP.
Registration ends tommorrow for
Freeroll and buyin.

Registration deadline is Wed. May 27 at 3:00 eastern for
The Fulltilt Online Forum challenge.

Dont have a Full Tilt Account? Then get yours Here and support
the Shark Army!

Sign up now for the OFC event Here
Make sure you select Shark Poker Tour from the drop down menu

Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll

Read this Sticky

This is a great event to start builing your bankroll as it pays 9 places and there
is generally a small turnout. You must read the sticky ASAP as qualification
ends this Thursday.
- Qualification is ending Thursday so Read the Sticky Now
if you want to get in on this.

Cheers

SHARKIE

Shark Poker Tour May 2009 Schedule

2009-05-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

May Schedule. A ton of events and cash up for grabs.

14 events with prize pool estimated to be over $2,700.
All games are n/l Holdem except one for the Omaha lovers.
We got one Bounty too per popular demand.
All times posted are eastern. Absolute Poker games are listed
first followed by the Ultimate Bet games.

***For the 2 $100 Post to Play Freerolls be sure and read the sticky here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466 -
These are $100 freerolls that had less than 20 players last month. Great opportunity to start building a bankroll and have a good time! Don't miss them!

***$50 league winners freeroll.

***2 $50 everyone welcome freerolls.

***Check the LEAGUE GAMES highlighted below – We are doing 8 this month.
Prize pool should be well over $2,000 this month.
As well as your winnings in these added league tournaments,
the top 9 finishers will play in a SNG for $50 and the top player will also win themselves Shark Swag!

All League play will be covered here:
viewforum.php?f=98
All league games are in highlighted below.

Absolute Poker Schedule

1. Shark's Home Game- $4 -$80 added 05/07/2009 21:00 password - one

2. Shark Poker Tour-$2 -$40 added - rebuy 05/09/2009 21:00 password - two

3. Shark's Home Game- $4 - $80 added 05/14/2009 21:00 password- three

4. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 05/16/2009 21:00 password -four
OMAHA HI

5. Shark Poker Tour[Bounty[/color]- $#- $40 added -05/19/2009 21:00 password - bounty
$1 of buyins go to bounty. This is not a league game. Maybe next time.

6. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 05/21/2009 21:00 password - five

7. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 05/23/2009 21:00 password - six

8. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 05/28/2009 21:00 password - seven

9. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 05/29/2009 21:00 no password – March top 9 League players listed here
viewtopic.php?f=98&t=7167&start=0

10. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 05/30/2009 21:00 password - eight
Ultimate Bet Schdeule

1. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 05/10/2009 15:00 est
password - to be announced -POSTPONED

2. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 05/17/2009 21:00 Read this Sticky: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

3. Shark's Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 05/24/2009 15:00 est
password - to be announced

4. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 05/31/2009 21:00 Read this Sticky: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

Shark Poker Yout April Schedule

2009-04-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

Time for the April Schedule which is listed below. A ton of events and cash up for grabs.

All information can be found in the sharkpokertour forum

14 events with prize pool estimated to be over $2,700 including
about $1,000 that I am throwing in.
All games are n/l Holdem except one for the Omaha lovers.
All times posted are eastern. Absolute Poker games are listed
first followed by the Ultimate Bet games.

***For the 2 $100 Post to Play Freerolls - Details in forum
These are 100 freerolls that had less than 20 players last month. Great opportunity to start building a bankroll and have a good time! Don't miss them!

1)***$50 league winners freeroll.

2) ***2 $50 everyone welcome freerolls.

3) ***Check the LEAGUE GAMES – We are doing 9 this month.
Prize pool should be well over $2,000 this month.
As well as your winnings in these added league tournaments,
the top 9 finishers will play in a SNG for $50 and the top 3 will
also win themselves Shark Swag!

Absolute Poker Schedule

1. Shark's Home Game- $4 -$80 added 04/02/2009 21:00 password - one

2. Shark Poker Tour-$2 -$40 added - rebuy 04/04/2009 21:00 password - two

3. Shark's Home Game- $4 - $80 added 04/09/2009 21:00 password- three

4. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 04/11/2009 21:00 password -four
OMAHA HI

5. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 04/16/2009 21:00 password - five

6. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 04/18/2009 21:00 password - six

7. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 04/23/2009 21:00 password - seven

8. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 04/25/2009 21:00 password - eight

9. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 04/25/2009 15:00 no password – March top 9 League players listed here

10. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 04/30/2009 21:00 password - nine

Ultimate Bet Schdeule

1. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 04/18/2009 15:00 est
password - jackhigh

2. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 04/19/2009 21:00
Check forum for details.

3. Shark's Poker Tour $50 Freeroll - everyone welcome 04/25/2009 15:00 est
password - to be announced

4. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 04/26/2009 21:00
Check forum for details.

Shark Poker League Play - Everyone Welcome

2009-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

Shark League - Player of the Year. Player of the month.

OVER $4,200 Paid out on February and March. Small buyins and low fieds with money added. Games twice a week.

Check it out in our forum here:

In addtion to the regular monthly added payouts etc.
this months POY(league) prize is a free entry in to a $50 9 player sit and go and great Shark Swag! More and more cash and swag prizes as we move on. Read on.....

Ok Sharks so as we told you that there were some new things coming to Shark Poker Tour and this is one that has been in the works for over a month now. It is finally here. The Shark Poker Tour Player Of the Year. So its time to see who is the best of the best. This is how it will work. Select events on the monthly Shark schedule will be worth POY points. Here is the break down of points

1st - 50 points
2nd - 46 points
and then a 2 point drop down to 18th place which will be 14 points. Now you take that and if there are 40 players or less you x1 which leaves the points as they stand. If there are 41 or more players then you use x1.25 which could mean you earn 62.5 POY points for a win. After each POY event we will post the standings which will look like the pic below. So bring your A or EH game to the tables.

If your screen name is not listed in THIS thread then you will get no points.

This months prizes and schedule and prizes are posted here.

Shark Poker Tour Events This Week -We win OFC!

2009-02-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

3 upcoming Events including $400 freeroll for winning the Fulltilt OFC - see
Event 3 below.

Event 1 Absolute Poker

$100 Post to Play Freeroll this weekend. Registration on the forum closes
Wednesday at midnight eastern. Be sure and read the sticky here:
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

Event 2 Absolute Poker

LEAGUE GAMES - click link to open your poker account at Absolute Poker

AP- Cereus Poker - Shark's Home Game- $4 - $80 added 02/12/2009 21:00 password- three

AP - Cereus Poker - Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 02/13/2009 21:00 password -four

The top 9 finishers in this month's league will
play in a SNG for $50 and the top 3 will also win
themselves Shark Swag! All League play will be covered here.
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/viewforum.php?f=98

Event 3 Absolute Poker

OFC - Fulltilt $400 free roll

Do you need a Full Tilt Poker Account and $600 bonus? Click Here

Well as you all remember we rocked in the Fulltilt OFC buyin with
Acefishing taking down 1st, Gar getting 5th and Tgeer getting 22nd
making us the #1 Forum.

For this great showing we won a $400 freeroll which is scheduled below. This tournament is for all those that registered under our banner for the OFC. .This is the second player win for us (Gar won the Absolute buyin)in the last few months and our second forum Freeroll win. So if your not playing under our banner for these I suggest you start with this month's Fulltilt OFC here: viewtopic.php?f=97&t=6897

Here are $400 freeroll details:

Tournament name: Shark Poker Tour OFC $400 Freeroll Tournament date: 02/15/09. Time: 15:00 eastern. Money added $400 nl holdem top 9 paid. The list of players that are eligible to register are those that registered for our foum for the Fulltilt OFC in January and are listed here: http://www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=7008

Poker Rocks!!! at the Shark Poker Tour

Shark Poker Tour League Has Begun

2009-02-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

So the Shark Poker Tour League started last night and continues again tonight. In addtion to the regular payouts there will be ongoing prizes for this league including monthly, quaterly , and of course Player of the Year awards. This month the top 9 will play in a $50 exclusive freeroll and the top 3 will win great Shark Swag ( as well of bragging rights) .

All league play is covered here.
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/viewforum.php?f=98
For this month you must post your Absolute Poker Screen name to be eligible for prizes.

So here is the weekend lineup

1. Shark Poker Tour-$2 -$40 added - rebuy 02/06/2009 21:00 password - two
This is a league game and counts for points.

2. Shark Poker Tour $50 freeroll 02/07/2009 15:00 password - sharks

Here is a recap of last night's league kindly provided by our individual leaguecoordinator forum member and all-round great guy (: bpm2b :

The 2009 Shark Poker Tour Player Of the Year race got underway last night at Absolute Poker and saw 49 entrants kicking things off. With only the top 18 players earning points towards POY standings and only the top 9 players cashing, the play at the tables was stepped up a notch. Once the points bubble was popped the play at the tables was fierce. Players were definitely bringing their A / EH game to the tables trying to earn as many points as they possibly could, and to let everyone know that they were gunning to be the top Shark in the waters.
The money bubble finally popped and the final table was set. Gar812 had a very dominate 3:1 chip lead over 2nd place in chips going into the final table and he continued to build on that chip lead. Short stacks started making moves but it seemed each time Gar812 was there to scoop the pot up playing a solid game. Down to four players left and Gar812 was still rolling along playing a great short handed big stack poker game. Reelcrazy11 was sitting quietly in 2nd in chips and making his moves and getting the money in the pot at the best possible times.
The final table was loaded with talent and some very tough vets were sitting there but in the end it came down to two Shark Poker Tour vets to fight it out for the win, Gar812 and Reelcrazy11. Gar812 had a pretty good chip lead but Reelcrazy11 was only two double ups away from taking that lead from Gar812, and that’s just what happened. Gar812 went on a run of cold cards and when it was all said and done, Reelcrazy11 scooped up the final pot and took the win, earning him 62.5 POY points and the top spot on the leader board.
The next stop on the Shark Poker Tour POY race is 6 February 2009 at Absolute Poker and has a $2.20 buy-in with $40 added to the prize pool.

See ya at the Tables

Shark Poker Tour February Events

2009-02-04T22:51:00.000-08:00

This month over $800 in tourneys including 6 freerolls
and a brand new LEAGUE (cash and other prizes)
that many of our games will count towards. First game
that counts for league is this Thursday's $80 added Home Game.

All games are listed below.

All games are n/l Holdem. All times posted are eastern.
Absolute Poker games are listed first followed by the
Ultimate Bet games.

Dont have Absolute Poker?

Then get your account and 100% deposit bonus HERE!

Dont have Ultimate Bet?

Then get your account and 100% deposit bonus HERE!

Two of the freerolls are $100 Post to Play Freerolls. Be sure and
read the sticky here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

New this month - LEAGUE GAMES - To start the league
we will do 6 league games this month at Absolute.
The top 9 finishers will play in a SNG for $50 and the
top 3 will also win themselves Shark Swag!

We will run ths league and a POY- Player of the Year will be crowned! All League play will be covered here. viewforum.php?f=98 All this months league games are in Green below.

Absolute Poker Schedule

1. Shark's Home Game- $4 -$80 added 02/05/2009 21:00
password - one

2. Shark Poker Tour-$2 -$40 added - rebuy 02/06/2009 21:00
password - two

3. Shark Poker Tour $50 freeroll 02/07/2009 15:00
password - sharks

4. Shark's Home Game- $4 - $80 added 02/12/2009 21:00
password- three

5. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 02/13/2009 21:00
password -four

6. Shark's Home Game- $4-$80 added 02/19/2009 21:00
password - five

7. Shark Poker Tour- $2- $40 added -rebuy 02/20/2009 21:00
password - six

8. Shark Poker Tour $50 freeroll 02/21/2009 15:00
password - TBA

9. Shark's Home Game- $4- $80 added 02/26/2009 21:00
password - vegas

Ultimate Bet Schedule

1. Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 14/02/2009 15:00
password - TBA

2. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 15/02/2009 21:00
Read this Sticky: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

3. Shark Poker Tour $100 Freeroll - Post to Play 22/02/2009 21:00
Read this Sticky: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6466

4. Shark's Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 28/02/2009 21:00
password - TBA

So there we have it. By the way our forum is rocking so drop by
and get involved. Great fun and great people.

Cheers

Shark

Shark Poker Tour - January 2009 events

2009-01-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks

There is a ton of action this month with the Shark Poker Tour.
Over $800 in freerolls and add-ons and a $5,000 OFC freeroll
this Saturday with registration ending Thursday, Jan 8 at
3:00 pm eastern.

OFC $5,000 Freeroll :
Ok this is a $5,000 freeroll and $2,000 in forum prizes at Reefer Poker
You must sign up by this Thurs January 8 at 3pm eastern and tourney is on Saturday January 10.
Lets have a good showing.
Don’t have Reefer Poker? Then get your account here. Go to OFC to signup. Click signup
for OFC Event #52 and choose Shark Poker Tour from drop down menu.

Shark Poker Tour Events
So here are the January 2009 events. Stay tuned as I may be adding more. 12 Events with over $800
in freerolls and added cash. Two events are Omahahahaha Hi/Lo.

You will notice two $100 Post To Play Freerolls for Forum Members
only. There is a sticky on these events here that is a Must Read

All tournament times are 9:00 eastern and all games are either at Absolute Poker or UltimateBet.
Support the Shark Tour and open your account here and take advantage of their generous deposit bonuses:

Dont have Absolute Poker? Then get your account and 100% deposit bonus HERE!

Dont have Ultimate Bet? Then get your account and 100% deposit bonus HERE!

Event #1. Absolute Shark's Home Game 01/08/09 9:00pm NLHE $4 buyin
$80 added - password – chips

2. Absolute Shark's $50 Added Game 01/10/09 9:00pm Omaha Hi/Lo $2 rebuy
$50 added - password – raise

3. Absolute Shark's Home Game 01/15/09 9:00pm NLHE $4 buyin
$80 added - password - fold

4. Ultimatebet Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 1/16/09 9:00pm NLHE
Go ahead and tell your friends. Everyone is welcome for this one.
$50 freeroll - password - sharkforum

5. Absolute Shark's $50 Added Game 01/17/09 9:00pm NLHE $2 rebuy –
$50 added -password - call

6. Ultimate NEW POST TO PLAY FREEROLL - Shark's Post To Play -
$100 freeroll NLHE - 01/18/09 -9:00pm Read This Sticky to Play

7. Absolute Shark's Home Game 01/22/09 9:00pm NLHE $4 buyin
$80 added - password - ante

8. Absolute Shark's $50 Added Game 01/24/09 9:00pm Omaha Hi/Lo $2 rebuy
$50 added - password - split

9. Ultimatebet Shark Poker Tour $50 Freeroll 1/25/09 9:00pm NLHE
$50 freeroll - Entry Details to Come Soon

10. Absolute Shark's Home Game 01/29/09 9:00pm NLHE $4 buyin
$80 added - password - minbet

11. Absolute Shark's $50 Added Game 01/30/09 9:00pm NLHE $2 rebuy
$50 added - password - pot

12. Ultimate NEW POST TO PLAY FREEROLL - Shark's Post To Play -
$100 freeroll NLHE - 01/31/09 -9:00pm Entry Details To Come

Shark League Play.

You must sign up in forum by this Friday. We have a lot of fun with this and
There is great swag and cash up for grabs.
Check out our league forum here
And signup here

That’s all for now. Good luck everyone!

Cheers

Shark

Shark Poker Tour Rakeback - Daily Cashouts

2008-12-23T15:35:00.000-08:00

I have not mentioned this for a while. Did you know that we offer the best rakeback program
on the net for online poker? Top rates and huge freerolls and rake races at all the major poker sites plus 24/7 support right on our fourm.

Remember we are not some fly-by-night operation (which you have to watch out for). We have been around since 2004!

This rakeback program stands out above the rest as your account is updated daily and you can cash out daily if you like directly to your poker account.

We offer Absolute Poker, Ultimatebet, Fulltilt, Cake and more. We even have a special VIP deal for Bodog!

On top of the daily cashouts, you get the usual signup bonuses and over $32,000 in freerolls and
$84,000 in rake races.

Everything is outlined in the Shark Poker Tour Forum . If you have any questions feel free to post them in the forum and we will get back to you straight away.

PokerStars - $500,000 guaranteed for $11

2008-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

So I have been a little slack in updating the Shark blog laltely and I will try and get more stuff on here more often. Things have been really hopping at Shark Poker Tour Forum. Hyppiechyck has been doing a great job on our monthly leauge play and we have been having a blast with this.
We always welcome new members so come check us out!

Do you want to start building a bankroll and be part of a great poker forum ... then come and see us for our Post to Play freerolls that we have started doing. Free money and lots of great poker!

We have now started a Major Online Poker Events forum and this is
being looked after by bpm2b (Ed) who has been doing a great job keeping us all up-to-date on some really excellent events. Here is one from PokerStars courtesy of bpm2p's post. Come check out the forum for this and tons of other awesome high-equity events!

Ok sharks get your game ready. I think this is going to be a mass shark involvement event at Pokerstars. will be loaded with donkfish.

Dont have a Pokerstars account? Then get one right now Here! and claim your $50 deposit bonus.

PokerStars will offer a $500,000 guarantee for an $11 tournament. It is touting that it will be the biggest cash tournament of all time in terms of field size — an argument that no one can sensibly argue with — and the site has contacted the good people at Guinness so that the achievement makes the Guinness Book of World Records.The site has capped the number of entrants it will accept for this tournament at 35,000, so even if it reaches maximum capacity, it will still add $150,000 to the prize pool to make the guarantee.The tournament will have 10-minute levels, with 10 players per table. Each player will start out with 3,000 in chips. The overall winner is expected to get $30,000, while the top 8,750 players will make the money.The normal Sunday $11 buyin $200K gtd event has satellites for $1.10 where the top 4 get the $11 seat and a $2.20 buyin where the top 6 get a seat. you can also satellite in for 70 FPP at a single table winner gets the seat. I would think that it will be like this for the $500K gtd as well. or you can try to satellite in for this sundays $200K and if you win a seat unreg from this sundays event and use the $11 tournament dollars to get into the $500KThe event is under the tourney special events tab and is named Guinness World Record Attempt $500K and registration is open and the event starts at 330pm est on Dec 28thDon’t have a Pokerstars account? Then get one right now Here! and claim your $50 deposit bonus!

The New Cereus Poker Network

2008-11-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

Well AbsolutePoker and UltimateBet will now begin sharing table under the Cereus Poker Network. I anticipate there might be some techie growing pains but in the long run it should be better for everyone to have a bigger selection etc.
Cereus Poker Network is the 3rd largest gaming network now and to be honest they
process deposits and withdrawls for US players and anyone else better and quicker than any sites out there.

Anyhow here is their announcement:

Online Poker Gets More Lucrative at UltimateBet and Absolute Poker with Launch of CEREUS Poker Network
Online poker players at UltimateBet and Absolute Poker now have access to bigger tournaments, an expanded player base, higher Bad Beat Jackpots and more features through CEREUS poker network
Miami, FL (PRWeb) November 25, 2008 – It’s being hailed as a totally new online poker platform, but for players at UltimateBet and Absolute Poker, there will be a lot of old familiar faces at the tables.
Leading online poker sites UltimateBet and Absolute Poker today announced that they have both completed their transitions to the CEREUS poker network, a new poker platform built from the ground up to provide players of both brands with more features, bigger tournaments and enhanced security.
Paul Leggett, Tokwiro’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “With the proud launch of the unified network CEREUS, our company is well placed to provide significantly better value and superior service to customers of both brands.
“We are dedicated to providing the ultimate online experience, and with CEREUS we offer real value for every dollar our players put on the tables, and our unwavering commitment to security and fair play as the foundation of the new network,” said Mr. Leggett.
With players from both online poker sites playing together at the same tables and in the same tournaments, CEREUS has instantly become one of the top three largest online poker communities.
As a direct result, online poker players at both sites will immediately notice larger tournaments with more players, frequent sky-high Bad Beat Jackpots, more impressive guarantees, and better promotions. Countless new features have also been added to the mix including: new table views; downloadable table skins; the ability to create private tournaments; final table deal making; a rabbit cam; a timebank; avatars and personalization tools; and more.
CEREUS, the culmination of more than 12 months of development, delivers a secure, responsive and flexible online poker gaming experience to members of the UB and AP communities. The new poker platform is backed by leading technology and a 24/7 Security Center to deliver a watertight gaming experience for everyone at the tables.
A complete rundown of CEREUS and the new features immediately available to all players through the expanded poker network can be found at UltimateBet.com and AbsolutePoker.com.
About UltimateBet Designed with the assistance of the best poker players in the world - Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke – UltimateBet provides the best poker games available on the net through the CEREUS poker network. Players can download the free poker software, play in free ring games and tournaments and get tips from these pros to learn the sport or to enhance their playing strategy.
About Absolute Poker
Absolute Poker is part of the CEREUS poker network and is dedicated to providing players from around the world with an online poker game experience that is second to none. Players worldwide can access Absolute Poker online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any PC or Mac and experience the best multi-player game online poker has to offer. Absolute Poker is committed to remaining the most trusted and best online poker experience, created by poker players for poker players.
About CEREUS
CEREUS is owned and operated by Tokwiro Enterprises ENRG (http://www.tokwiro.com/ ), and licensed and regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. CEREUS powers both Tokwiro-owned online poker rooms UltimateBet.com and AbsolutePoker.com. It aims to deliver industry-leading features, more action, increased player liquidity, plus the safest and most secure online poker environment for players worldwide to enjoy. Launched on November 25, 2008, it has instantly become the industry’s third largest online poker network.

US Poker Ban in the Works - ACT NOW!!!!!

2008-11-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

Here's the PPA http://pokerplayersalliance.org/ alert, to be sent to the entire membership tomorrow morning:Just one week after a historic election the Poker Players Alliance is pitted in a fight to keep anti-Internet poker regulations from being enacted and we NEED YOUR HELP!

The current Administration is hastily finalizing a number of “midnight rules” before they leave office and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is on the list. See the 11/06 story in Dow Jones. Just like UIGEA was snuck into legislation in the dark of night in 2006, our opponents are again trying an 11th hour sneak job. We need you to help us expose and stop this reckless rulemaking.Please call the U.S. Federal Reserve and tell them not to approve the UIGEA regulations -- Consumer Complaints, 888-851-1920 or Public Affairs, 202-452-2955.

Tell them:

* The federal agencies responsible for our nation’s economy should not be focused on Internet poker regulations.
* Finalization of the UIGEA rules will add additional burdens on our already crippled financial systems.
* Internet poker is a game of skill and form of recreation for millions of Americans; it should be exempted from the UIGEA.
* Please do not finalize the UIGEA regulations until their impact on our banking systems and average Americans has been fully studied.

Your call will make a huge difference and will add the public’s voice to these last minute policy decisions our government is poised to make. We can’t stand idly by while they make decisions that will impact our right to play America’s card game. PLEASE CALL TODAY!

Guest Post From Shark Poker Tour Pro - Desert Dog

2008-10-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

For more on Desert Dog After the warmest September ever in the Pacific NW the rain and leaves are fallin hard. Time to crank up the flatties and play sum pokers. No longer in the car biz (as of last week), i'm 6-8 tablin, 6 max at Full Tilt (80%) and playing live full time (20%). After a brutal 20K hand breakeven stretch online and a strong run live I find myself still preferring the online game. Playing 35 hands an hour live is f***** (rated E for Everyone) up. However, I am watching my hourly rate closely since i'm playing for the mortgages/bills/medical/dental/doggy bones/napa cab/boodles. Poker Charts is what I use to track all play. Its a great system. For the last 3 weeks i'm $80.79 an hour live (26 hours) and 8.69 an hour online (includes rakeback). ouchey. I'm runnin hot live and ice cold online so those numbers hopefully will change dramatically when i start logging massive hands online. I hope to do 40-60K per month online and 80 hours live (2800 hands). I'm playing the toughest site online so I might mix it up a little and try some easier (smaller, less pros) sites that have rakeback. I can play one or 2 levels up to compensate for less games running and the weaker tables. The games are much tougher than they use to be online, no doubt. Table selection (I use TableTracker/Pokertracker3/$20 a mo.) is the key to maximizing your winrate. Pretty simple. Stay away from the winning regulars (many 6-12 tablin NL pros) and watch as the table dynamics change. I can sit with 5 stiffs and look up 45 min later and there are 3 tight regulars sitting with me. Don't get comfy in that seat kids. Close it up and start looking for a new table. With 40-100 tables running at 100 to 200 NL there is no reason to play good players at these mid/low limits. Playing goals are now set and i'm ready to 3 barrel as required. I'm learning pot limit omaha, practicing heads up and will play sum trip draw deuce seven to stay fresh. I'm also watching 1 or 2 deucescracked videos each day to improve my game. I need to move up and make more monies so I won't have to get a real job again. I have a plan and its gonna happen. The warden and I are taking our first cruise in early November. Holland America has some great deals right now. Kinda jacked since it will be our first trip to Mexico also. Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerta Vallarta is the iternary I believe. Patti is always fun and it will be a nice break from cell phones, and grinding. As always, we are already worried about leaving our LAB Cody with a kennel or one of our daughters. He wants to cruise too! Now that summer is over, i'll be posting in the Shark Forum more and hope to see a few of my friends in there posting.....

The new online sensation: Badugi

2008-08-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

New : Play Badugi at Poker Stars

Badugi is an action game that originated in Asia and is quickly making its way through North America (and into online card rooms.) Badugi is a triple draw lowball game. You’re dealt four cards and you draw three times. Wagering takes place after the initial deal and after each of the three draws. You don't want high cards, you don't want pairs and you don't want matching suits. When you hold four cards of different rank and suit, then you’re holding a BADUGI!
Badugi Primer
Since Badugi is a lowball game, a good hand is one in which your 4 cards are low valued (with four different suits.) Aces are low, so the best possible Badugi hand is A-2-3-4 of all different suits (straights do not count against you.)
When there are no “Badugis” (rainbow hands) the best hand is deduced by removing the higher of any two suited cards and/or any paired cards from the four. This generates a hand of one to four cards. Any four card hand beats a three card hand. Three cards hands beat two card hands and two card hands beat a one card hand. Here’s a little more info:
Paired Hands: If your hand is Ah-2d-4c-4s this is known as a three-card hand (as you can only use one of the cards you have paired) and your hand value is really Ah-2d-4c. A full 4 card Badugi beats any three-card hand. Similarly, a hand such as A-2-2-2 would have a final value of A2 (a two-card hand) as the other two cards are counterfeited. A three-card hand beats any two-card hand. Another rare example would be when you hold four of a kind, e.g., 4-4-4-4 or 9-9-9-9 giving you a final hand value of either 4 or 9 respectively. This is known as a one-card hand and is the worst possible type of hand to hold.
Suited hands: Suited hands work like paired hands. If you hold a hand such as Ac-4d-5h-6h (where both the 5 and 6 are hearts) then, your best hand would be a three card hand: A-4-5
Suited and paired hands: Occasionally, you may be dealt a hand containing both paired and suited cards. (Ex: Kd-Kh-4d-4h So, your hand is K-4) This is bad situation and unless you’re in an unraised pot playing from the big blind, hands like this should be mucked before the wagering begins.
One Card Hands: On the rare occasion someone holds four of a kind: A-A-A-A, this is known as a one card hand (and should rarely, if ever, reach showdown.)
If at showdown there are two Badugis (or two 3-card hands or 2-card hands) the lowest one will win. Here are a few examples:Badugi vs Badugi: Ah-2s-3d-4c beats 3h-4d-5s-6c3 card vs 3 card: 3c-3s-7d-9c beats 3d-8d-8s-9h2 card vs 2 card: 4c-4d-6c-6d beats 5s-8s-8h-5h
Top 10 Badugi Hands*when all cards are different suits
1: 4-3-2-A2: 5-3-2-A3: 5-4-2-A4: 5-4-3-A5: 5-4-3-26: 6-3-2-A7: 6-4-2-A8: 6-4-3-A9: 6-4-3-210: 6-5-2-A
The worst Badugi you could hold would be K-Q-J-10(this is still a ‘decent’ hand with winning potential)
Badugi Game play
The game begins with a small blind and a big blind (just like in Texas Holdem, though, that’s where the similarities between the two games end.) Each player gets four cards; the cards are dealt one at a time in a clockwise direction starting with the player in the small blind. When everyone has their 4 cards the action begins with a round of betting.
In the first betting round, the initial player to act is the player to the left of the big blind. This player may fold, call, or raise in increments of the low stake (the value of the small blind.) Play continues clockwise with succeeding players choosing to bet, call, raise, or fold. Once everyone has had their turn and all bets have been made, you move on to the first draw.
In the first drawing round, players are offered the opportunity to draw zero to four cards. This action takes place clockwise from the first player to the left of the dealer button (the original small blind.) Drawing zero cards is called 'standing pat'.
Once players have completed their initial draws, the second betting round takes place. Again, the bet increment uses the low stakes. The second drawing round is the same as first (zero to four cards may be drawn, or a player may stand pat.)
The third drawing / betting round is the same as second, with one exception: In this round the high stake is used for the betting increment.*Note: a reshuffle of discards may take place as is necessary.
The fourth and final betting round follows the same rules and leads to a showdown if more than one player remains standing.
The Showdown: After the final betting remaining players show their hand to see who won. The winning player scoops the pot.
Badugi Wagering Variants
Badugi can be played Limit, No Limit, Pot Limit, or even Half Pot Limit
In Limit Badugi all bets are made in incremental units. During the first two rounds players bet the lower unit. So, in a $1/$2 game the bet for the first two rounds would be $1. On Rounds 3 and 4, players wager the higher level (in a $1/$2 game the bets would be $2.) Betting is capped at four bets per round as is standard in all limit games.
In Pot Limit Badugi players can bet/raise any amount ranging from the value of the big blind, up to how much is in the pot. All subsequent bettors can bet/raise the pot by the total value of the current pot.
Half Pot Limit Badugi is very interesting. Half Pot Limit plays just like Pot Limit. The only exception is: the maximum a player can raise is the value of half the current pot.
The half pot variant is a mega-action game. The structure tends to keep people in the hand. Even on the final round, action is often multiway (so the pots can get gigantic… even at lower limits.)
No Limit is just that… there are no limits on what a player may bet. If the money is in front of them, it can go into the pot (and often will.) Tread these waters carefully.
Badugi Tips and Strategy
Here some info that could/should help put a few extra chips in your stack
Badugi is new to the online poker world, so there are lots of players who don’t understand the game and will easily ship a great deal of money your way. Just knowing “the basics” and playing a straightforward, intelligent game will put a nice chunk of change in your pocket at the end of a Badugi session.
As a general rule of thumb: You have a playable hand if you have three cards to a seven low (ex: 7s-4c-2h-kh) and/or two cards to a five low (ex: 5h-2s-10s-Qh)
If you have a good hand (especially early in the betting rounds) you want to thin the field by betting &/or raising at every opportunity. Free cards/draws are a no-no.
If you are dealt three cards to a Badugi, you will only hit your will draw 48% of the time (after drawing three times.) Your chance of hitting your hand gets worse on each drawing round. Make sure the pot odds warrant drawing/chasing.
As in most poker games, position is important. The closer you are to the button, the looser you can be with your preflop starting hand standards.
Dealing with frustration is crucial in Badugi. Having three cards to a Badugi and missing the fourth card on all three draws can drive anyone bonkers. Emotional / Tilt control is key.
Badugi is a game that offers some great bluffing opportunities, especially when playing shorthanded. Note: the more people there are at the table, the more likely someone holds a Badugi. Bold bluffs are not advisable at a full table and/or in multiway pots. It’s best to reserve you bluff attempts for pots that are heads up.
Drawing on the last round against an opponent who is standing pat is generally a mistake. Cut your losses and move onto the next hand.
Anything worse than an eight low Badugi (e.g. 8c-7d-6h-4s) probably isn't worth paying off a big bet @ show down (especially against a player who understands the game.) Although, if you’re playing limit, you’ll usually want to call a single bet with most/any made Badugi hand.
Well, there ya go… that’s the bare-bones of Badugi. Note: I’ve just brushed the surface of this intriguing game. As with most poker games, the best way to learn is through experience. I highly suggest you give yourself the chance to experience Badugi. Try it, I think you’ll like it. And, the sooner ya try it, the sooner you’ll have a leg-up on the pool of players that are discovering/playing this game. Those numbers will be growing over the next few years. Get a head start on the craze and start developing your Badugi skills now!

Play Badugi at Poker Stars

Badui 101 was authored by Doug Conn

A Little Bit of Stud Anyone?

2008-08-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Seven card stud is a fun game that requires a little skill, a little strategy, a little memory and a little luck. Prior to the Texas Holdem boon, Seven Card Stud was the worlds most popular poker game. Seven card stud remains popular on the east coast (re: atlantic city) and throughout Europe. You'll usually find at least one stud game in live/B&M casino poker rooms and most online poker sites spread the game on the virtual felt.

If you're used to playing holdem, take note of these major differences: In seven card stud there are no "community" cards. The cards you're dealt are yours and yours alone. There are five betting rounds in 7-Stud as opposed to the four betting rounds used in Hold'em. Seven card stud is played with an antes and a bring-in (instead of blinds) and perhaps the most important difference: in seven card stud, the players' hands determine the order of action.

Game Play

Seven Card Stud is played with 2-8 players. Prior to the deal, each player posts an 'ante.'

Once everyone has antied up, each player is dealt three cards: two face down and one face up.

The player with the lowest ranked face-up card, begins the betting with a 'bring in' (a forced minimal bet.)

The initial round of betting proceeds from the bring-in, in clockwise order. Anyone who wishes to play their hand, must post the bring-in. *Note: players are also allowed to raise during this opening round.

After the first betting round, another upcard is dealt to each player, followed by another round of betting.

The second betting round begins with the player whose upcards make the best poker hand (unlike the bring-in who starts the wagering with the lowest hand.) Example: if someone is showing a pair of dueces and no-one else at the table is showing a pair... then the pair of dueces opens the second round of betting.

Stud Slang: each betting round is often refered to as a 'street.' The street you're on corresponds to the number of cards in your hand. For example, the prior betting round is usually called 4th street ( you have four cards in your hand.)

5th street - A fifth card is dealt face up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round, with the highest hand betting first. If you're playing a 'limit' stud game all bets and raises increase on 5th street & must be equal to the high limit bet size.

6th street - A sixth card is dealt face up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round (all bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet size.)

7th street - A seventh and final card is dealt face down to every player. After all the cards are out (2 down, 4 up, 1 down) a fifth betting round takes place; final bets/raises and/or calls are made and the remaining players showdown their hands. Upon showdown, each player makes the best five-card poker hand out of the seven cards he was dealt. Anyone who has not folded prior to and/or on the last round of betting will have the option of showing their hand in hopes of taking down the pot.

General Strategy:

Seven Card Stud is a high card game. More winning hands are decided by the highest pair of two pair or just the highest pair, than by straights, flushes and other big hands. Any time your high hand is beaten by what you see on the board (in other peoples hand) fold, unless you think you still have the best drawing hand. Fast play early high hands ( that could win without improvement) to thin out the competition.

When you start with a high pair, fast play to eliminate as many players as possible.

The first four cards are the major key to winning at Seven Card Stud . If your starting hands develop according to plan, you can be a strong favorite to win. If they don't, you get out early.

Slow play starting draw hands like three to a straight or a flush. You want to keep other players in to build the pot odds.

Don't play three to a low straight or a low flush.

Watch the board closely for key cards that can seriously diminish your chances of making a good hand and for opponents hands that look dangerous. Play cautiously and fold out early if it looks like the tide is turning against you.

The BEST way to learn/experience any poker game is to get in the ring and mix-it up. The beauty of online play is you can do that for free... or VERY cheap. We suggest avoiding the free tables, the gameplay is riduculous (and teaches bad habits.) If you want a 'real' poker experience with very little risk: you can play for as little as 2cents on many sites... These cheap tables offer a MUCH better poker experience.

Shark Poker Tour August Events

2008-08-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

I am proud to say August is good to go :

Join our forum and get on Board. Join us crazy chip tossin loonies and have a blast playing online poker. All this months events are money added or freerolls.

If you need an Absolute Poker account then sign up here so you are ensured to get 100% up to $500 signup bonus. Make sure you clear cookies before signing up. Get Absolute Poker account and join the SharkPokerTour.

1. Shark's Home Game 08/07/08 9:00pm E NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - hippy

2. Shark's Home Game 08/14/08 9:00pm E NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - dippy

3. Shark's OFC freeroll 08/19/08 8:30pm E NLHE buyin $50 added - password - only open to Shark's who play in the Online Forum Challenge under our banner. It would be really great if the home gamers joined us for this. Check it out here.viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5816

4. Shark's Home Game 08/21/08 9:00pm E NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - weather

5. $100 Shark's Freeroll Fest 08/23/08 1:00 pm E NLHE password - to be announced - Shark Army and Forum welcome. You will be emailed password if you sign up.

6. Shark's Home Game 08/28/08 9:00pm E NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - man

We are now running satellites for forum members only. Get into high cash tournaments through sng's as low as $5. Join the forum, make some posts and get on board. I would sure love to see more of the vets and home gamers get involved in these. We can have alot of fun with these tourneys and keep the forum buzzing. If you want to play poker any night at 9:00 eastern please join us for these sng's. Read up on the satellites under Shark Events. Also check out the satellite rules post.

Da Shark

www.SharksVegasStrip.com

www.OnlineShark.com

www.SharkPokertour.com

www.sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2

Major Tells in Online Texas Holdem

2008-07-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

The major tell at any Texas hold’em games has to do with bet speed, size and frequency. For example if your bet is followed by a quick call, it often means your opponent is on a draw. A way of strategy/psychology/reducing-your-own-tells" reducing tells is making a quick call to try to make you think he is eager to call any bet because he has a strong hand.

Sharkpokertour July 2008 events

2008-07-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well we continue to rock and roll at the sharkpokertour. 8 great events planned for July. Come join our forum and join the tour for lots of great poker action and a great group of poker junkies.

Here are our July events:

Absolutepoker (below this is a Reeferpoker freeroll that is on tonight)Absolute Poker 100% $500 bonus.

1. Shark's Home Game 07/03/08 9:00pm EDT NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - art

2. Shark's Home Game 07/10/08 9:00pm EDt NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - start

3. Shark's Home Game 07/17/08 9:00pm EDT NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - cart

4. $100 Shark's Freeroll Fest 07/20/08 9:00 pm EDT NLHE password - fog

5. Shark's Home Game 07/24/08 9:00pm EDT NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - red

6. Shark's Home Game 07/31/08 9:00pm EDT NLHE $5 buyin $100 added - password - blue

Reeferpoker-

7. Shark's Tour Freeroll- $100 7/12 9 PM EDT note on Reefer it states 20:00as they are an hour behind Eastern time.

This tournament has now been posted at Reefer Poker - US players welcome
password - spark
Reefer poker signup

If you use the bonus code FREEREEFER (all caps)you get 100% initial bonus up to $500 with 1K freeroll coupon and then 14 days of depositors freerolls.

8. Join the sharkpokertour for OFC event #37 with $$$$$10 free bucks$$$$ and over $5,000 in prizes. Detail at the sharkpokertour forum

Need some poker tourney tips before you suit up and run with sharks. Check out our great article section at http://www.sharkpokertour.com/

Shark Powered Network Adds Rakeback

2008-05-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

Great rakeback offers and $5,000 weekly freeroll.
Come visit our forum and read all about it!!!

Click here to visit our shark poker tour forum post.

Hot Players

2008-05-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

Hot Players to Watch in the 2008 WSOP

Each World Series of Poker brings with it new stories and new stars. Young internet poker players often use the WSOP as a stage to introduce their poker skills to the world, and old pros use the WSOP to cement their legend. Here are a couple of players to watch in the 2008 WSOP.

Gavin Griffin

Young Gavin Griffin – known as “Wsop2005” on various on various – is hardly new to tournament poker. He splashed onto the scene in 2004 by winning a pot-limit hold’em bracelet at the WSOP. Since then, he consistently cashed in event after event, including a cash in limit hold’em at the 2005 WSOP and two cashes at the 2006 WSOP.

Over the last year, Gavin has really heated up, and is poised to have his best WSOP performance ever. Gavin cashed in the 2007 L.A. Poker Classic and finished third at the WSOP Circuit event at Rincon. He followed that up with a win in the 2007 European Poker Tour Grand Final Championship, netting over $2 million. After another series of cashes, he won the World Poker Tour 2008 Borgata Winter Open for over $1.4 million.

David Pham

David “The Dragon” Pham is another player who is always a WSOP threat. He has geared up for the WSOP by first winning the $2,500 no-limit hold’em event of the Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas. He followed that up with a fourth place finish in the 2008 PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure and continued his roll with three cashes in the L.A. Poker Classic this year.

Freeroll This Saturday!

2008-04-30T07:36:00.001-07:00

Absolute Poker Freeroll, password is Free555

Join my crew every Thursday at Absolute for the Shark Home Game. This weeks password is Reeler, next week it is Gar

No Poker to report, buried deep at new job and still working on the FREE video training area on Sharks Vegas Strip. Hope everyone had a good month. For most of us the good weather is starting to arrive! I'll have a good post up soon.......

Jigdog Rules! Wombat destroys Freeroll!

2008-04-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Freeroll Password is Free999

I put a bounty on prolific Shark Forum poster "jigdog", for the rebuy at Bodog on Sunday knowing full well no one would take him out. Bodog put the early line at the Tiger Woods like even money he would take er down, and Jig did not disappoint me. The other 40 laggs left unsatisfied, however. I think Jiggy may be the next Phil Ivey. A budding superstar, he comes outa the south, a cinderella boy, unheralded, and until recently overlooked. This man is a playa, haters. The Chula Vista Express? He takes your T1500 then smack talks what little self esteem you have left. Short stacked? He goes into super stealth ninja warrior mode and sends you to the fridge, out in the 2nd level.

I'm sending him some Shark logo adult diapers and a case of cha cha cha chingas (dba David Crosby, CSNY) home brew (MGD, ickey) for the sweet win. Nice cash in a star studded field my brother. Hdub dba Headwaiter took out my weak sauce in 12th, 2 outa the cashish. He was drunk and talkin up a storm by that point. He didnt want the $20 transfer for my bounty so I got a pic of the vn vn missus waiter (hot) and she scored a small shark logo tee for the killshot on your tour flounder (me). He way over chicked, IMO. I had to promise I would not post lovely bikini pic of hdubs dolly on Al Gores interwebs or send to Jiggy. Sorry jiggs! Thx DuB!

TajMahal (Tim) dba @ Bodog as DaBears made the worst call I have seen in 3 years and sucked out when his A high call of an allin early saw the lovely Acer hit the turn. We all tortured him until he apologized to the whole table (fun).

Rebuys are definately a blast, especially when played with good friends. Our table was a riot. Jiggy had to apologize to PokerPadre at least 20 times, and PP had a few good comebacks, also.

No sign of Cardrack (cardluvr) at my tables so that was a nice relief. He owns me. Just a quick tip. If you don't know what the bad guy has and he always knows what you have, thats not good.

WOMBAT destroyed the 345 man Freeroll on Saturday and was very impressive at the final table. He then supported our TOUR by sooting up for the buyin the next day. Nice job, Wobster, very much appreciated. Hope to see you every thursday at AP. Pack a lunch and say yer prayers, for the Shark Home game every Thursday. Send the kids to your creepy neighbors home, then open the drapes and play nekkid with your shark logo hat on, like BadBob does.

Treebor, Hyppiechyk/Jiggy, Reeler and myself are all putting together videos that will be free to watch on Sharks Vegas Strip soon.

5 NEW Tourneys are up at our 2 tourney sites below;

Online Shark

Shark Poker Tour

Several nice cashes, funny anecdotes, horrible tilting and enough bad beat stories for a lifetime here: Shark Network Forum

Our recommended sites: #1 Tour Stop Available to all players worldwide Absolute Poker

Great software and great micro limit "no Limit" action Ultimate Bet

Long Time Shark Tour supporter, and more donkeys per capita Poker.com (build your roll against horrible players here)

BODOG Casino and Poker Another site housing thousands of weak players. Very few pro grinders play here. Bet MMA or boxing too! All Casino games. A virtual one stop gamblin mecca.

I'll be sootin up for the Shark Slug Fest Thursday Night. 54 Funny Cars, fire breathin, jet fuel burnin mayhem!! Shirley "chacha" Muldowney and Big Daddy Don Garlits will be there. Join me and my veteran players if you think you got skilz, donkeys.

Lets git er Rockin' at BIG Bad Bodog!

2008-04-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Big bad Bodoggie! Freeroll this Saturday! Passwords are at http://www.onlineshark.com/ I'm not available for the freeroll but will be sooted up in speedos and my jiggy fan boi hat will be represented or in da house or whatever cool term they use on MTV cribs.

Knock out, launch or slapp my weak sauce to the rail on Sunday at the DOG and I will transfer you $20 on AP (not sure Bodog has a transfer system).This is a rebuy so it must be the final launch, cause I gotta plenty a cheese to rebuy with and will be laying beats on all that dare to meander into my kill zone.

Oh yes. I like the rebuy action. I'll give the bad beat whiners a month of posts in our forum this Sunday. OMG...rigged! *&%#@+*^ "insert any poker site name here" is sooooooooooo rigged!!!

Theres a bounty on my main man JIGGY as well. Final launch gets you a shark logo bad to the bone and double live gonzo tee. Bring it, losers. Only 13 are entered! This is a $1 rebuy! Action junkies lets see yer weak skilz now. Don't wanna wait for the mortal NUTS like Shark studs cardluvr, reelcrazy or super tight GAR812? Play every hand like me Sunday and let the chips fall where they may. RELOAD! Tyvmtytyttyl. I have saved $50 for this $1 rebuy. Thats bad for you.

Launch me or highly skilled ninja warrior jiggeee for more swag and cashish. Chinga a $20 transfer will buy 2 cases of that piss water you call beer. MGD. weeee.

sign up here http://www.bodoglife.com/welcome/331445/poker/

Then go to private tourneys and sign up for the freeroll or better yet the buyin. Buyin password is rebuy222 $100 added, plus $20 to launch me, plus a shirt if you can whip my boy, jig.

Doyle Brunson and his Poker Room Screw Over Affiliates!

2008-03-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a sweet shot of Doyle taunting me at a recent event. He's saying "Thats 9 grand I saved by not paying you commission on your 400 USA players in the last year, Sharky!" Heres the readers digest version of how I got screwed by this "Poker legend" and his dump of a site, Doyles Room.

------------------------

I signed about 400-500 players up with pro grinder Scott Fischmans "Fish Tank" site. Scott played with us and a few of the old "CREW" that he had. It was fun. Then Scotts site struggled and basically made a deal with Doyles Room to take over all his players/accounts.

-----------------------

Doyles finally (after many emails) agreed to let me keep all my players that were transferred over. I never received credit for all (they get to keep 100% of the rake my players generate and not pay me my 25% commission if they end my link to those players) but decided I could have received nothing and dropped the issue, vowing to pretty much stop promoting this site that doesnt care about all the work I spent promoting Fish Tank and signing 400 players.

--------------------

Remember this is 25% commission for the rest of all players lives. So them snagging 100 players from me could be lotsa bucks long term.

--------------------

Doyle might not have a thing to do with shady site managers (hes probably just a "spokesman" as far as daily business goes), but his name is on the door, so he can kiss my big ass.

-------------------
It gets better. So then when the UIGEA laws hit Doyle is exposed. Hes got USA players and could be in trouble with jonny law, for promoting the site that invites USA players. They ceased letting USA players in and dumped all USA players that were already in.

-------------------

My players were 80% USA so I lose pretty much the rest of my signed players. Fun. I had lots of tourneys and promoted fish and doyles hard for 2 years.

-------------------

Thats fine, I understand they didnt want big trouble and were not gonna stand strong like FT, STARS, AP, etc. So after several months Doyle and crew decide, hey!! FT, AP and Stars are not incurring any wrath from Govt!! We can jump back in, and retain all the emails and player info from all those "affiliate signed" players AND NOT PAY THE 25% commish! Sweet, we rich, woohoo. They could have emailed me and other affiliates that worked so hard. They don't call or email. They ripped me and others off and I will never promote or recommend their weak act to anyone ever again. Doyle, if you know whats going on at your room you can fuck off to, your room screwed me and many other affiliates over. I hope you feel good about paying us nothing for years of hard work.

-----------------------

What comes around goes around. Myself and many other affiliates will spread the word about what you are, and how you do business.

----------------------

Free Poker Training Video #3 is up in the Forum now, Check it out players!

---------------------

Sorry about the weird spacing and dashes everywhere. The blogger software is not spacing correctly today.

_________________
http://www.onlineshark.com/
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/
http://sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/
http://www.sharksvegasstrip.com/
Coming Soon To Sharks Vegas Strip:
FREE Video Poker Training

Good Turnout At AP, TALOND takes it Down!

2008-03-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

You DO NOT WANT Shark Veteran Anthony "TALOND" heads up!

375 Shark runners sooted up and it came down to TALOND and your favorite blogger (all 12 of you). Heres a quik report I posted in the forum after strong and tight playa TALOND FINALLY smack talked me. I think he GooGled the word smack+poker to come up with a few jems, lol.

It was a good see-saw battle Talond. You smack talk good now but very weak passive smackagge at the table. I kept telling you to read the blog so you could earn sum rags/swag/free shit, lol.

It was a very weird tounrey for me so heres a quik report. I did nothing exciting for almost 4 hours. No cards (none!) but i was "hangggin around", and stayin out of trouble. With about 16 left I was 16th and sittin on 4K with blinds at about 800/1600. TALOND was already fat with chips at this point.

I won a race and doubled up, stacked another as a small favorite, then stacked GTech Mom on the only beat I layed down in 5 hours, I think. I pressured her blind on the button with the v v pretty J8clubs and she pushed back with A10o. I still only had about 20K and had her covered (15k maybe?) and figured I was behind but needed to get lucky to survive. popped a jackson and laid a small beat on mom (sorry darlin). As all knows she plays vn vn. But I figured 2 live cards and flush possibilities so a good gamboool.

Rolled from then on as I play pretty good when i have bully chippies. This is whats weird. For 5 hours. No sets, no flush, no str8s. NONE. My best hand that I remember was 82o when I rayzed in pos HU agin Talond and flopped 2 pr and got a lil action. So I guess in retrospect I played pretty good. Many, many new players and rooks (a good thing!! we need fresh blood/meat!)

I had support knock out my nemesis cardluvr early to lead the way to this HUGE cashish and BR enlarger. $4 an hour!! sweet baybee jesus how do you guys do it!! I play one or 2 freerolls a year so see ya next April kids.

Congrats Talond! I need your posts sir! Keep helpin us here. Share your knowledge with the newbs and BORN, you got serious game and mad skilz (way to tight short, I stole you blind, sir)

Freeroll Password, GAR and Reeler Cash!

2008-03-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Todays password for the AP is shark222 Go here to play today!
http://www.absolutepoker.com/main.asp?host=20775

Kick me to the rail then smack talk my weak, tired and painful act in chat, for a NEW red Hot Shark logo tee. Email me direct with size and address. You must smack talk me hard after you do the deed or you don't collect, monkeys.

Check out the 3 Freerolls, Private Sit n Go action and fun $1 rebuy upcoming at the doggie in our forum......

If you are not hangin in the forum you are missing lotsa good laughs and strong cashes by several of me veterans. Career Shark Vet and aptly named Shark Legend GAR won a $162 buyin at UB last night. cha cha cha chinga! 57 hundred bones ($5700.). Reeler cashed large last night as well. I'm proud of my boys. My lil Raisins fav player/person on Tour is GAR, She loves him and I get tired of hearing it. lol. Read about GAR's trip report and HUGE cash here:

http://sharkpokertour.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5301

Good report, TEE is on the way my bruddha. You get 2 tees reeler, hi Tammy!

Its Rigged! Another Beat! 2 outer! Only at AP, FT, Stars, etc.

2008-03-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Lots of good posts in our forum, this week. I selected this one and went on quite a rant. Thx for putting up with me Beverlee. Email me for a Shark logo tee for posting and supporting our forum. Free shipping and handling, size, address soc sec #, visa w/expiration and 3 digits on back to, and date of birth. tyvw i appreciate ttyl.

Lets help each other get real good playin poker and torture smelly old regulars and tourists. Post in the Shark Forum and get help from Shark Vets, now.

beverlee756 wrote:
i have watched a lot of the smaller buy ins as you mentioned and have noticed a lot of the bad beats,guess I will go back now and watch some of the higher buy ins and see how that goes.I dont play on the other sites that were mentioned,just AP and there are quite a lot of "suckouts"and bad beats,just sometimes it just seems that the site has to be rigged.

Good post Beverlee, Thanks for telling us how you feel.I could be wrong in your case but heres the deal, IMO. Newer players, bad players or maybe just players that don't understand the game make statements like this.

I'm NOT putting you down, just trying to add my 2 cents, and maybe help you or another newb (not sayin yer a newb, I don't know you). The sites have NO interest (ZERO, none nadda) in changing the RNG (random number generation). They are getting very wealthy (good established sites) by making the games fair.

Poker is a game of luck and skill. Thats just the way it is. How many times have you seen a horrible donk beat skilled pros on TV (wsop, wpt, whatever). They usually get it in bad, then suck out. I hate this saying but "thats poker". They probably sucked out 10-20 other times to make the TV table. Or won 10 coin flips str8. Seen that happen, although I can't win 3 in a row.

This "donk makes good" is a good thing!! When a horrible donk wins a big freeroll he thinks hes good. He then pays off all the good players until hes broke. wash rinse repeat. Same thing happens to semi pros or donks that win a big event. They re-distribute those "ill gotten gains".

Cash players follow them, stalk them and you want them all confident and rich at yer table, if yer good. Please read up on "variance+poker" and understand what happens when you continually get yer $$ in good. It means you will be a winning player.

I can get my ass kicked for 5 days str8 playin low limit NL and get it in good 75% of the time. Don't matter sometimes. I can also suckout and win, although it doesnt happen often cause I usually git it in good. Im not braggin, im getting to me point!!

You need to get it in good most of the time.THEN, it don't matter what happens for one day or one week. You will be a winning playa, and be able to buy mass bling like mister T and wink martindale (best game show host eva). Variance is MUCH higher in MTT. Its way more luck than cash games. I was becoming a decent $20-100 buyin MTT player. Then I found NL cash games. Way less variance, more instant gratification, and I can play when I want.

In tourneys you must sit for 5, 8 or 10 hours. Might be 12 hours a day for 4 days. Thats not fun to me. I like to sit when I want to sit, and play for as long as I feel like. I like my new friend zingbust (Paul) but i'm a poker player...getting up at 10am to play a Cearsars Palace MTT with him is too friggin early. I get up at 2pm, when in poker mode. CASH GAME! I'm in!

Online I can fire up 6 tables and play 550 hands in an hour and call it a night. Thats fun, all with less variance than all you tourney players. Of course, if I hit a big MTT win i will eat all my above words and become a MTT pro, lol. Sorry for the ramble, but it will make a good blog post.

If I do post it watch the blog for a free shark logo tee, beverlee. Keep posting and give me your thoughts if ya want. If this rant didnt help you maybe jiggy will get sumthin outa it.
------------------

Are you a Sharkette? Post in Hyppiechycks thread in the forum, "Tiltin w/Tina". Shes lookin to organize a ladies "sharkette" night freeroll and will get you jacked up about playin poker. Shes got a great "tude" , and is a strong mixed game playa.

------------------

Large Freerolls at Absolute Poker on 3/22 and 3/29 ($500 added!). Details in the forum.

Bodoggie Tourneys Upcoming!

Poker.com Events Upcoming!

Watch our Calendar. clik here 6 tourneys up now.

Private Shark sit n gos goin' off nitely. Wanna see how you stack up in a one table tourney with my best players? Go to the forum for details. Pack yer lunch, say yer prayers and then get drop kicked to the rail, out of the money, then back to play chips. Good times!

Sharkeeeeeeeeee

http://www.onlineshark.com/
http://www.sharkpokertour.com/
http://sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/
http://www.sharksvegasstrip.com/
Coming Soon To Sharks Vegas Strip:
FREE Video Poker Training

The Shark Tour Visits The Doggie!

2008-03-19T02:31:00.001-07:00

We need a HUGE turnout for both of these events to retain BODOG's support for future events. Depositing Shark players that play cash ring games can earn NEW Shark logo tees at Bodog now. Please email Shark NOW for a personalized plan to earn swag.
onlineshark @ msn. com (no spaces)

Enter Bodog NOW as a Shark player: clik here
http://www.bodoglife.com/welcome/331445/poker/

4/5 8:05 est. NLHE Freeroll
The Shark Tour Forum welcomes you to a $T200 added Freeroll! Launch Forum bigshot, "Tiltin' with Tina" dba Hyppiechyk for a Shark logo tee!
Pay top 10 finishers, registration will open 3 days prior to start. ALL Forum members will receive the password approx 4/1 by email.

If you CASH, we need you to register for the $1.10 rebuy the next day (Sunday 4/6 8:05 est). See below. Support our Tour and sponsors so we can continue to add more events and mo money.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
4/6 8:05 est NLHE $1.10 rebuy (unlim. rebuys first hour, 2,000 add-on at hr break, must have less than 1000 chips to rebuy)
$100 added!

Enter Bodog NOW as a Shark player: clik here and enter NOW
http://www.bodoglife.com/welcome/331445/poker/

password is rebuy222

Pay top 10 finishers, registration open now! Launch Tour flounder Shark "steamrayz" for a bad ass, highly coveted, new shark vegas strip logo tee.

Launch Forum head loon and loose cannon, "jigdog" for a Shark logo Tee!
Launch bonuses are not paid if jig or shark rebuys. Only when they are drop kicked to the rail. Pack yer lunch and say yer prayers kids. We won't go down easy.

We always pay all shipping and handling on all swag deliveries.

Inappropriate behavior.

Improve Your Game Now!

2008-03-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

The forum is really rockin'. We are holding a $500 Freeroll for all players that put in 5 posts by 3/28 so thats helping a bit. But many vets have stepped up their forum presence to help out the Shark cause. It's much appreciated.

I don't want to make too many predictions on what continued FORUM growth could lead to for our Shark Army but it will be huge for our members. The problem with regular poker websites (like www.onlineshark.com and www.sharkpokertour.com ) is that once you all have read the info on the sites they become stale and I don't have the time to continually refresh the info. So you go there to quickly grab your passwords now and you are done there.

The forum is different. I have a hundred or more contributing writers. We don't need to just talk poker. We are making friends, working on meeting "online friends" in live situations (Hi Paul and Nancy!), and finding out where the best place to eat is in a strange city we will be visiting.

As the forum grows I can sell advertising on the forum on a large scale (we are already doing this a lil) and not relie on commision based links like we have with Absolute, Full Tilt etc. The banner at the top of our forum can rotate 6 times and be 1000. a month eventually for each of the 6 ads (or more). I'll put a nice % of that income into added money and premium shark swag, for you, my donkelicious members.

Good post in the forum this mornin' from one of our best players "lightning36" PM me in the forum for your NEW Shark tee "lighter", address and size please. Randomly selected posts score Shark hi-end swag. This new shirt will blow you away sir! Shipping and handling $35. (j/k)

Lighter (partial qoute from post):

The whole online poker world really changed 14 months ago when the US government started getting involved and Neteller was frozen for US players. So many sites were closed to US players and so many really bad players were chased away. With some of the terrible players that used to play, making money at ring tables was so much easier. I find that now, even though I am a much better player, I have a hard time winning consistently.

Shark post:

Good post lighter. The games are tougher at every level, IMO. I still see newbs coming back now just not as many. I'd like to add a few things to your info that I mostly agree with.

Nows the time to work harder on your game, add pokertracker/HUD if you don't have it. Learn it and use it. Plug your leaks, identify good/bad players. Data mine every nite. I have been winning very consistently but I don't sit with many 12 tablin animals, players with strong stats or known regulars.

I don't play sites I can't datamine, or use PT with (Stars for one). I also quit if the nite is bringing lotsa beats and my "tude" starts going downhill. I got plenty a honeydews and shark shit to do if I need to shut er down.

I don't agree with certain sites giving more beats. I believe in random shuffling that the sites use. We see unreal hands, miracle beats , etc, etc because we see so many hands. I play 600 hands an hour at home and 33 per hour at the Flamingo. The chances for weird, crazy beats and runner runner bullshit is gonna happen at home way more. And its gonna happen at all sites.

I pick my sites by how bad the players are, and table select carefully. If you players are doing all of the above and still not winning consistently then you gotta drop down a level or 2. Crush the level you are playing before you move up. I 100% believe and know I can beat the next level up. But i'm in no hurry to get there. Winning most nights is fun. The next level is tougher and has less tables to select from.

Check out our forum! Nice people, helpful veterans and no drama or soap opera bullshit. Get your 5 posts in this month to secure your spot in our AP $500 added roll on 3/29. Should be a great event with a small field.

http://sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/index.php

This week lotsa fun in "Shark Members Success Stories" Huge cash from TajMahal, multiple wins (again!) from Cardluvr, Mixed game animal Hyppiechyck notches a HO win, jiggster battles heads up for the Shark Home game WIN last week (one of the toughest 50 man events on the net), and several other nice cashes (shammy, superdad/bustalot).

Vegas trip report from badbob coming in about a week. Have a great time mister and missus bad1!

Shark Forum on a Roll!

2008-02-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Good posting, great success stories, new posters, nice upgrade. We rollin, ladies.

One of our longtime aging (lol) vets "CPGoldaddict" posted an excellent question this week. I had just finished reading Cardplayer CEO Barry Schulmans interview on his newest business, "SpadeClub", when CP wrote this:

Whadya all think of the way SpadeClub intends to handle their poker in the US? https://www.spadeclub.com/ Pay by the month to enter into "sweepstakes" that happen to be poker. No ring games for $, but tourneys where you can win cash.

My reply:

I think its a great marketing plan to gather millions of poker players info (emails mostly) so Cardplayer CEO Barry Schulman can make billions.I don't like freerolls with 12,847 entries, but thats just me.I have read an interview with him and thats basically what they are doing. Once they have this HUGE list of emails they can bombard you 24/7 with offers and links (kinda like I do but on a lil bigger scale, lol).

Tina dba hippiechick added this strong post:

UB has already set up a sweepstakes site, i thinks it's club ubt or something like that.... I tried the free trial period.. they were giving away big screen tvs and the like... you collect points by playin freerolls and then they have "points buyins" to win the bigger prizes. I suppose it's ok if you don't mind playin poker like bingo. Most of the ppl I got on tables were not even up to par to the usual freerollers you see on other sites and "points" were easy to collect. However, having said that... I decided not continue my subscription... When I final table, I'd like to see a bit o cash in my account, not more points that I can't really use for anything but another tourney where a great bingo player will hit....LOLTina

shark added:

I agree with everything you said Tina. One thing that is great about that BINGO, Playchip, Play for points, player:If they switch to cash games after playing the above games for a while they are pretty much donks for life. They have created horrible habits that are really tough to change. I'm not saying a few select indivuals couldnt do it, but most just end up dead money for players that have honed their game with real money play, practice, and study.

Winners need this constant flow of fresh meat (sorry, best term I could muster) to keep our games good. These FREE sites/events are building the fish that we will gobble up in a few months, years, whatever. So i'm not "anti-spade club" or anti play chip player. I just wouldnt recommend it for my members/players/friends.

I want players that strive to be winners so they can play more and have more fun. Anyone can deposit $20, study a little, watch a video, start at .05/.10 and probably go up 1 level a month for 6 months. I know I could teach a complete rook to do this in 1-3 hours. I would be surprised if they needed to deposit more than once or twice on their way up. I think this challenge would be way more fun than playing 12,000 man freerolls for UB PTS or spadeclub tee-shirts.

There are more good posts on this subject here:
http://sharkpokertour.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5054

Add your take to this interesting subject or find another topic that catches your eye.

Lots of nice people in my Shark crew that will help guide you if ya need help posting. Just ask!

See you tonight at Poker.com 8pm est, another Shark Pool Par-tay. $5.50 to swim, bring yer arm floaties and speedos or play nekkid. It's a personal choice. $20 transfer if you launch me tonight (steamrayz at poker.com i think?). I'm about 80% that I will be able to play (workin real job today) so buyer beware.

I'm working on poker video #2 which I must say is pretty good. I got in several sticky situations you might enjoy. 73 min long so i'm working on condensing the file for all to watch this week. I ended up a little but got red hot after I turned off the video (rats). Had a +550 day in about 1400 hands.

Runnin good, and sending shorties back to spadeclub or UB points.

Off to Vegas with the warden "raisin" and "theStamper" (Dad) on 3/3. I have not had a 3 day weekend (and no vacations) in 7 months, bring it.
.

Free Poker Training Video, Freeroll Password

2008-02-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

Shark Vid #1 The audio got out of sync about 3/4 of the way thru here. I'll get that corrected on the next video. 53 minutes running time. Hit this link, add the 3 initials into the box and hit send. Then wait 45 seconds and hit Free Download. Then click "open file" and it will play in Windows Media Viewer (wmv). I'm still working on file sizes and video quality so look for improved video next week.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C35NH7IF <------------Best Quality Link

The password for our Freeroll at Poker.com this Saturday at 8pm EST is 3shark3

4 Freerolls and 8, $5 buyins have been loaded. Watch here for more announcements.

Heat Continues

2008-02-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

Played 330 hands this mornin before work. All week have been averaging about $1 per hand and made $328 to keep the sweet average going. 4 tablin, 6 max this was a 50 min session for a rather large $396 hourly rate. cha cha ching.

Just wish I had time to put in some long sessions. I have been working on my aggression (mostly 3 and 4 betting preflop) and my stats are looking pretty good. This week in 1600 hands played, stats are 24/15/4.2. (see flop/rayzpre/total aggression). I can always tell by one stat when the cards are being kind. My river aggression goes thru the roof. Clean/dry board, value town the chasers.

I'm happy with aggress. anywhere between 3.4-5 at these lower limits. Might have to tone it down a little when I move up a couple levels. Several of the high limit/nl/ short/ pros are 2-3 in total aggression. We'll see how it goes.

I'll post a few fun hands tommorrow (at work PC now). I made a few really nice plays that you might like to check out/try.

My Pops made another nice "Let it Ride" cash in Vegas last week. Came back with a large chunk a change so hes going down on 3/3 with me and the warden. He got the rooms (comped baybee) and we got the air. Should be a good trip. Hope it gets close to 80 for sum pool tyme.

Shout out to my forum buds! Jiggydog, BadBob, HippyChick, tgreer, reel, GTMom, cardluvr, shammy, and of course treebor! I appreciate all the good/funny/strong/informative/perverted posts lately. If you are a shark army supporter playing nekkid, with the drapes open during our Thursday Home game is not enough. No. We NEED your posts. Lets get this forum rockin and i'll schedule more tourneys with more cashish added if we get more shark vets contributing.

Cardluvr appears to be the hottest Shark currently. 2 nice cashes including a $2 buyin WIN (729 runners!). This win paid close to $800 bones. Not bad for a $2 buyin. Post your success stories in the forum NOW. Keep it rollin Norman!

I am having some success selling advertising (paid/guaranteed monthly, instead of commission) and it will increase if we get the forum hot. I'll put some of that cash into added money at sites that have discontinued their support post UIGEA.

I just requested 12 Tourneys (4 freeroll, 8 buyin) at Absolute and Poker.com. Watch the forum for dates and password help.

Nice Heater!

2008-02-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

I got deck slapped in a short session yesterday at NL200 & NL400. Made $590 in only about 500 hands then pored a few drinks down the warden and talked her into going to play live at the local 2-8 spread game (Club Casino). As mentioned previous this game is donkelicious.

I again got nice hole cards and hit some sweet flushies in large pots. We played about 2.5 hours, +220. The warden has struggled here and again got beat up a little so went to blackjack so she could add to the small loss. I hate BJ.

You might wanna try this trick. Early in the session here I always pull off 1 or 2 huge bluffs with complete air. 84o, 72o, whatever. Make your hole cards really bad cause that tilts bad players more. Scoop a big pot, show the table you rayzed to 10 pre, and bet/rayzed all the way till all fold. Then quietly flip your 7 hi over. Most of your new friends will now chase you to the riv with crap. That tends to get expensive for your new buds, plus its fun.

Off to Vegas with wifey and Dad on 3/3-3/6. Probably stayin at the RIO this trip. I'll post a report when I get back.

The car dealership I manage is getting busier and I have a fun group of sales guys. They only work 34 hours a week and have every other weekend off, so they like the gig.

I'll try to update more this month.

The Shark Powered Network is now offering advertising spots on all 5 sites. Welcome new advertisers, PartyPoker Germany and Cardschat.

BadBob and Random Pummeling at AP

2008-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Bad Bob in the forum is heating up as the temperatures dip. This funny rant was worthy of bloggage here. I lol'ed.

Ok kids its two days untill I cash in again, out of the last four weeks I have cashed three times with one win, so come one come all, come get some if you can, the Bad One is Rocking and Ready so lets do this thing, if you dare, fix up a new batch of kool aid, whisky, beer, or your drink of choice, it don't matter, I am the Bad One, Dr. Bob, the badest man online right now, ha ha ha, oh lordy, my my, chasing flushes, women, whisky, and most anything, can you step up, I don't think so, just remember You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffulo Herd, You Put the Lime in the Cocanut, and play naked, send the kids off to whoever and pull up your PC and play with the Badest Man on the net, that be me Bad Bob!!!!

As Bobby heats up I cooled off at AP. A nice easy 1K upswing this week was followed by a -280 light pummeling 2 nights ago. As you all know, this is a hi variance game and its definately a marathon not a sprint. When you are rolling everything works. When you are gettin pummeled hands like this come up too often, it seems.

6 max cash game, NL200.

I have 87o and call a small rayz outa the big blind. I have about $160, villain has me covered. Flop comes 779, I bet, he MIN rayzes I call. Turn a sweet and fun filled 8. I check he bets 3/4 pot I rayz, he calls. River blank and I fire out a small bet he pushes, I call. He shows 79 for the flopped boat and I reload.

Shit happens. A year or 2 ago I would have not played for 2 days after a shitty day like this. Now I want to play more because I know there is easy money out there and I also know that some days its a fight to lose 200 or 5 hundred. I didnt play very well and had several knarly coolers. I gotta learn from my bad days and play better, or I can't reach my goals.

I read many poker blogs and really enjoy the ones that feel "real". I want to read about the struggles not just the huge days where everything goes right. You might notice many poker blogs have 4 or 5 posts that are all about how they are killing their game or final tabling some big event. Then nothing for 2 or 3 months (some never post again, lol). Can you say DOWNSWING? They hit the skids when their heater cools down and its harder to write when you are bummed. Shouldnt that be part of your blog also? I hope I have succeeded in posting bad shit, along with the good. Many can't handle the swings in this game. Others don't manage their roll wisely. Its not just about being a good player, to survive.

Check out Touring Pro, Shannon Shorrs blog. Its real.

------------------------

Plan for the next 2 days.

A nice 90 minute massage today and another 60 min massagey tommorrow followed by a chiropractor adjust. I'm really jacked about having 2 days off this week. Now I will dive into logging a bunch of new shark events, teaching badbob PT and doing some shark maintenance on all the sites. I outline what I need and our great webmaster Shailen from India puts it all together. The forum will be getting a much need upgrade and some new advertisers will be added this week.

I'm going to knock out 2000 hands at AP tonight and maybe 3000 tommorrow if I get all my chores around the house done. It snowed 2 inches this mornin so I got out of scoopin doggie poopoo and yard work today! I'm pretty sure the 308 piles of dog shit won't disappear with the snow so i'll be scoopin soon.

I'm looking for a fixer upper home in Vegas if anyone has any connections in Lost Wages. Small home (1000-1500 sq ft) small yard (big enough for a small pool though), in need of interior/exterior work would be ideal. Give me a buzz if you know any real estate peops in Vegas.

Back in the Game at AP

2008-01-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Been playing AP this week (200NL and 400NL) and serious donk action was discovered at many tables. I'm gonna log 20K hands this month if the games are this soft all month.

Up $700 online and $330 live in the last 4 days and only about 1600 hands (90 live).

We have a 2-8 spread game close to our home that is so weak its funny. Me and lil Raisin went there for New Years. Often the action goes like this. Blinds are 1/2. UTG bets 4 (std MIN bet) folds to me on button I rayz to 12 (max rayz is 8 on all streets) SB calls BB calls UTG calls. I flop a set of 4's and bet 8 on every street and get call stationed by 2 of the table sheriffs all the way to riv. Nice pot, push it to me tyvmywyw.

This monster hand sets up a few sweet bluffs in the next hour when I have nuttin. I rayz PRE, Bad playin 50ish asian calls all the way to the turn again on a AJ8 23 board, I bet RIV and he tanks for 3 minutes then FOLDs for the last 8 bucks in a $50 pot. I show Q4 off, and hes not happy. I always throw in a few funny comments also like "good calling" or "i'm betting sheriff" along the way.

I love call stations and enjoy punishing them for their weak play. Of course they will make sum funky str8s and river a flush or two. They are playing crap hands and calling with bottom pair or shit draws, punish them every chance you get. They are bound to hit a few. Thats what they play for. Its usually the only time they bet or rayz so often its an easy fold when they make this bold move to get aggressive.

Stations almost always go busto. Up +330 in less than 3 hrs (about 90 hands). This game has been my personal ATM for about the last year. I don't really enjoy live that much but this game is just to sweet to pass up.

If you are not playing with my crew on Thursdays at AP you need to get down there and soot up. Its a blast. Results are posted every week in the forum by good ole cardluvr (Norman).

Quick Update

2007-12-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

I 4 tabled Full Tilt NL100 last night. I had taken a break from there because it was getting tough finding good tables at NL100 and NL200 @ FT. Man, a ton of new players and HUGE amounts of tables avail. at 6 max. I didnt count but I think maybe 40 tables at each limit.
I data mined 16 tables and found 5 or 6 tables with serious donk action. I made $198 in about 460 hands and shut er down.

Might be a good time to soot up at FT. Before all the regulars empty the newcomers bank accts.
Table selection is key at FT. Many regulars and guys making a good living at these low stakes. If you don't have Pokertracker do a player search for guys you suspect as regular grinders. This search will show all the tables they are playing. Many 6-16 tablers. The rakeback alone playing 12 tables or more can be a good living.

I look for the one or 2 tablin 30-50% see floppers with weak passive stats or over the top aggro stats. If you can get 2 or 3 at one table it can be very easy monies. Always check their stack sizes (not just stats). If they have 30-60 bucks left they will probably be gone very soon.

I also watch my tables i'm playing. The table dynamics will change quickly as the weak get felted and don't reload. Last night i had to leave a nice stack as all of a sudden I was sitting with 4 grinders.

With so many tables avail. put in the time/effort to find weak tables.

Shark

Load "o" Iron and a Freeroll

2007-11-16T05:17:00.000-08:00

No time to write this month. My boss bought about 80 vehicles in the last 10 days and i'm buried in inventory and the sweet paperwork that follows a 2 million dollar purchase. I now have 185 beautiful used cars & trucks for me and our 12 peddlers to sell (both stores).

Here is the INFO on this Saturdays Freeroll. Have a good time and be careful out there on the virtual felt.

AP continues to be our #1 site and we broke the previous record for earnings at AP in October! Thx to all that played real money tourneys or cash ring games.

Clik one of my Absolute Poker banners to register and play:

Type of Tournament (Buyin or Freeroll):Freeroll

Name of Tournament (lobby info):Shark Tour

Tourney page info: Road Warrior Blog, Shark Poker Tour

Date: 11/17/2007

TIME (EST) 9PM

Registration time (EST):72 hrs prior

Password: shark33

Buyin: free

Sittin with the ATM's, Sippin the Bourbon and "Entertainers"

2007-11-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

I know I preach Pokertracker, Poker Asst Heads up Display and other poker software here (try The Absolute Solution, for AP!) to often. Its not cause I like to repeat myself over and over.

Its simple. I want all my Shark members to use something that will help you profit and plug the leaks that we all have. Some need journeyman plumbers, duct tape and silly putty to plug all the holes in their games.....no names will be mentioned here......matt, tgreer, badbob, shant (38 vpip! rigged, superacct, donk acct, hahaha!).

EVERY player I have directed, setup, guided or taught these software apps are a much better player than they were. Many dismantle and rape the games they play. They know when 2 skilled animals with big stacks are to their left, BEFORE they take that seat that is doomed for a bad session. Am I better than those guys to my left? Who fuckin cares. I'm sitting to pay bills and buy the best Bourbon I can find (currently Blantons single barrel, Kentucky, USA) Get it here, best price avail. Shipping from the distributor in NY is less than the shitty taxes where I live. http://www.arlingtonwine.net/

If you like good bourbon you will get wood when you drink this stuff. If yer a grrrl well....uh...you will like it a bunch and it will make ya wanna go shoppin.

oops. Got sidetracked. Killer Bourbon or talk of Belvedere dry Martinis with an olive will always trump talk of software...sorry.

The readers digest version? Sit with ATM's. Its easier and more profitable. Use this shit/links below to make it happen. Or continue to get pounded by the RAKE and players that use software against you. Then get drunkey and go shoppin'.

Any questions? Good...... I didnt think so.

PokerTracker http://www.SellShareware.com/ProgramInfo.asp?AfID=22102&PrID=66156

HU Display http://www.pokeracesoftware.com/

Download (top left) "autohotkey"

This works in conjuction with "absolute solution" below http://www.autohotkey.com/

Download "Absolute solution" (clik download source code) This grabs the hands off the tables (only at AP) so PT can load them (PT = Pokertracker) http://www.visitthesaint.com/software/the-absolute-solution/

------------------------------------

Bet on sum FOOTBALL this weekend my lovely and talented lil poker monkeys

I recommend "the DOG" bodoggie for all Sportsbetting!
Enter here to WIN, Bodog Sportsbook http://www.bodoglife.com/welcome/331445/sportsbook/

------------------------------------

If you live in Newfoundland (Canada) like my good bruddha Trevor you can't enter the doggie. But everyone else can. This is due to the extreme number of strip clubs and hockey action in Canada. Bodog is attempting to keep Canadians focused on whats important. Hockey, "entertainers", and keeping the USA safe from foreign superpowers (sorry, couldnt let that one go my canuck friends).

I highly recommend Cecils on Granville in Vancouver BC. My Pops took me there for TWINS night my first time (1982?). I can't describe all the action but lets just say this: Twin sisters giving each other a nude sponge bath on stage in a giant champagne glass is the mortal nutz. i love me sum oh oh oh Canada! Big beers and 4 sets of twins and 8 sponges and me and dad and 2 bros and cousin Phil with our chins resting on the stage. I felt like a piece of meat in there. Some say me dad was a bad influence on Me, 2 bros and cousin Phil. I say to that......ROADTRIP to Ceeeeeeeeeecils! I'm gonna be late RAISIN! Don't wait up!

Hi Trev/Treebor! His son Jamie just got back from Vegas, I need a trip report in the forum please/thx. Jamie was the leader of Canadas Gold Medal curlin team and im 99% sure hes been at Cecils more than once. Pick me up on the way next time kids! Jamie use to play with my Army before he became a big shot and started doing corporate outings.

I'm off to my real job now and gotta move some iron. I have 5 good IRON Merchants (reps) now and things are looking good, even though Nov and Dec can be ruff months in our biz. After 17 years of our shitty winters its just something you get thru as you dream about Maui or "Precious" at Cecils.

Play sum pokers today and email me if you need a great used car/truck or a new Volvo. I have many friends that run dealerships so if you have a specific hard to find rig you are searching for drop me an email and i'll go to work for you. sundog95@hotmail.com I can ship it to anywhere in the world by container or truck. I'll send you a bunch of pics, a clean CARFAX, and have a mechanics inspection for you before you make a decision. If you want to pay for an EXTENSIVE mechanics check (compression, 200 point check, whatever) let me know and i'll schedule that before you make a decision.

My customers are taken care of, and will be happy with their purchase.

Have a good weekend,

Shark

Good Action at AP!

2007-11-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

Last night my Army sooted up and played Absolute Poker with our $5 buyin Home Game. $130 was added and 47 runners saw the first flop.

I hadnt been able to play with me crew in a while so I must note a very impressive display of poker from sum new Army chipslingers. Chatoman (3rd last night) appears to be the real deal and is killing my fat ass on avatar final table bonuses.

The unknown 1 "UkP' was witnessed trying wild bluffs on several occasions and came up dry and chipless early. I was stuck at a very tuff table with Treebor, reelcrazy wifey/hottie Tammy and other known entities that can play the pokers.

http://sharkpokertour.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=21725#21725

Above is Normans screenshot of the final table cashers. Thx again mister cardluvr.

---------------------------

Launch report by the Bad1, Dr Bob bc5457:

Bounties will be paid to Clasik25 ($20 2 bounties) and xxMRHxx ($10) nice work!

Clasik25 took out Cardluver, xxMRHxx took out the Bad One, then Clasik25 (Dave the Donk)took out Sharky, good game, till next week this is the Bad One, Bob.

---------------------------

Good sportsmanship and strong aggro play was watched by yours truly as NL animal FQ_330 took it down, Supervago cashed large in second and FORUM poster! Chatoman pounded my army early for a sweet cash in third. I have this event locked and loaded for the next 4 weeks.

See ya next thursday kids.

Shark

Chip Spewagge continues, but then..... A SweeT Comeback!

2007-10-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Can't catch a break. This is my second flush in 1600 hands today. I'm getting AA every 470 hands the last 4 days and i'm 14.fukkin3 to 1 to make a set. What does this guy think I have when I push on the turn? Maybe a str8 or a flush? Boom, 4 outer and he is still sitting. Just horrible players at AP so i'm not going anywhere. Its a weak passive call station convention. Back to it!

-300 today

At the top of one of my monitors I have a small sign that says ITS ONLY 2 PAIR and ITS ONLY 1 PAIR. This sign is appropriate for any of the 3 dudes that got it all in the middle as heavy dogs below. Many of the NITS in these games are just waiting for sets. Don't gift them yer stack with 1 or 2 pair unless you are confident you are ahead. Better to lay it down and pick a better spot. These signs help me improve. I have another that says RE-POP Pre. I need to be more aggressive preflop. Find your leaks and plugg-em, neighbor.

Trapped donkey #1

STAGE #805878897: HOLDEM NO LIMIT $1 - 2007-11-01 00:46:44 (ET)
Table: PREUSS AVE (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 6 - DARKSTAR2503 ($106.95 in chips)
Seat 1 - MLTABX ($65.50 in chips)
Seat 2 - RAISINHAVOC ($144.84 in chips)
Seat 4 - JMC10381 ($51.01 in chips)
Seat 5 - SELF_MADE ($99.50 in chips)
MLTABX - Posts small blind $0.50
RAISINHAVOC - Posts big blind $1
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to RAISINHAVOC [10h Jh]
JMC10381 - Calls $1
SELF_MADE - Folds
DARKSTAR2503 - Folds
MLTABX - Raises $3 to $3.50
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $2.50
JMC10381 - Calls $2.50
*** FLOP *** [Ah 9h Jd]
MLTABX - Checks
RAISINHAVOC - Bets $8
JMC10381 - Folds
MLTABX - Raises $16 to $16
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $8
*** TURN *** [Ah 9h Jd] [Qh]
MLTABX - Bets $10
RAISINHAVOC - All-In(Raise) $125.34 to $125.34
MLTABX - All-In $36
RAISINHAVOC - returned ($79.34) : not called
*** RIVER *** [Ah 9h Jd Qh] [Qs]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MLTABX - Shows [Ad Qd] (Full house, queens full of aces)
RAISINHAVOC - Shows [10h Jh] (Flush, ace high)
MLTABX Collects $131.50 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($134.50) Rake ($3)
Board [Ah 9h Jd Qh Qs]
Seat 1: MLTABX (small blind) won Total ($131.50) All-In HI:($131.50) with Full house, queens full of aces [Ad Qd - B:Qs,B:Qh,P:Qd,B:Ah,P:Ad]
Seat 2: RAISINHAVOC (big blind) HI:lost with Flush, ace high [10h Jh - B:Ah,B:Qh,P:Jh,P:10h,B:9h]
Seat 4: JMC10381 Folded on the FLOP
Seat 5: SELF_MADE Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 6: DARKSTAR2503 (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS

It will turn around, it always does...................................

45 minutes later I trap 2 of me new friends at once. Easy game.

Trapped Donkeys #2 and 3. The sequel. This time there is no escape.
$255 pot, ship it ladies.

Stage #805908089: Holdem No Limit $1 - 2007-11-01 01:28:58 (ET)
Table: HIGHLAND AVE (Real Money) Seat #1 is the dealer
Seat 1 - GAANDUS85 ($111.52 in chips)
Seat 2 - RAISINHAVOC ($264.80 in chips)
Seat 6 - JAVY200 ($25.15 in chips)
RAISINHAVOC - Posts small blind $0.50
JAVY200 - Posts big blind $1
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to RAISINHAVOC [6s 7s]
GAANDUS85 - Raises $4 to $4
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $3.50
JAVY200 - Calls $3
*** FLOP *** [7c 7d Qc]
RAISINHAVOC - Checks
JAVY200 - Bets $10
GAANDUS85 - Calls $10
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $10
*** TURN *** [7c 7d Qc] [Jd]
RAISINHAVOC - Checks
JAVY200 - All-In $11.15
GAANDUS85 - Calls $11.15
RAISINHAVOC - Raises $63.30 to $63.30
GAANDUS85 - All-In(Raise) $86.37 to $97.52
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $34.22
*** RIVER *** [7c 7d Qc Jd] [Ks]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GAANDUS85 - Shows [Ah Ad] (Two Pair, aces and sevens)
RAISINHAVOC - Shows [6s 7s] (Three of a kind, sevens)
JAVY200 - Shows [Qs Jc] (Two Pair, queens and jacks)
RAISINHAVOC Collects $171.35 from side pot-1
RAISINHAVOC Collects $74.84 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($248.19:$75.45,$172.74) Rake ($2:$0.61,$1.39)
Board [7c 7d Qc Jd Ks]
Seat 1: GAANDUS85 (dealer) HI:lost with Two Pair, aces and sevens [Ah Ad - P:Ah,P:Ad,B:7d,B:7c,B:Ks]
Seat 2: RAISINHAVOC (small blind) won Total ($246.19) HI:($246.19) with Three of a kind, sevens [6s 7s - P:7s,B:7d,B:7c,B:Ks,B:Qc]
Seat 6: JAVY200 (big blind) HI:lost with Two Pair, queens and jacks [Qs Jc - P:Qs,B:Qc,B:Jd,P:Jc,B:Ks]

Now down 180. I'm gettin warm and the bad players continue to arrive on the short bus. Trap 1 or 2 more then I can go to bed even. I have the whole table double covered at Highland table, might get fun...............................

30 min. later;

Nice run and I shut er down only -40 which is a small win after rakeback and bonus money. I hope you enjoy the ups and down of my quest to become a great NL player. I have a long way to go, but i'm gonna get there. This is a frustrating, exciting, competitive and profitable game if you can handle the swings.

Very funny posts by Bad Bob and Cardluvr in the forum the last few days. I bout spewed me milk of magnesia with the geratol chaser when I read the Bad1's post about his lil buddy the unknownpro (UkP). Apparently UkP is joining us at AP tommorrow. First time that coward has played I think. Check it out in the forum.

Hope to see you all at our HOME GAME tommorrow at AP. Password is in the post below.

Quick Update w/Poker Action

2007-10-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

The password for our Shark Home Game at Absolute Poker this Thursday, (11/1 @ 9pm EST) is

razydazy $100 added and 3 launch bonuses below

Money added> 5 buck buyins>> every Thursday at>>> AP!

This Thursday only:

$10 knockout bonuses slapped on _SHARKY_ (uhh me), Bad Bob playing as bc234823 or tough NL guru and tour comedian "cardluvr" (Norman!)

2 Freerolls loaded for November. Come and get it donkeys. My veterans will be ready to re-pop your weak MIN raises and bet the riv with AIR so you can quickly fold gettin 7 to 1. Come and get yer medicine, newbs. Link to AP

http://www.absolutepoker.com/main.asp?host=a_77a_6430b_2485

------------------------------------------------------------------------

My research is looking good on the players that call Absolute Poker home at the NL200 and NL400 levels. I'm still mining, but the games look unreal so time to jump in and start grindin sum serious hands out. I'll make a goal to knock out 3000 hands on my day off this week (Wed.). I feel a large day coming up after my first rough day in a while. The goal is +$800 (including bonus and rake) and imma gonna git her dun. Grind report will follow.

Target stats for this session are 22-24 VPIP, 16% prerayz, 3.8 aggress factor, 35% att to steal and 23% went to showdown. I'm also going to really work hard to continuation bet based on my opponents stats not just fire at every pot like my big fat ass likes to do when i'm playin 4-6 tables. Who folds to continuation bets? Who plays back? Typically bad players cold call C-bets, but so do do tricky taggs (tight aggressive playas). Weed thru yer info and make a good decision.

Made a lil cheese this mornin before work, as I write im up about $75 , 2 tablin NL400. The tables both were so soft I decided to not feed the mutt, let the cats out to pee, didnt tie my shoes or shave or put on a belt or brush my toof so I could play a few extra hands. After battling the extremely tuff Full Tilt 8 tablin pros for the last few months i'm jacked up about the weak stats and horrible play I see so far. So hygiene and proper dress are not priorities right now. The LAB can poop in the hallway and the cats have a litter box nicer then sum condos. Lets play sum pokers neighbor!

I appear homeless and disoriented but I feel great so who gives a rats ass.

The play at NL400 seems to be worse than NL200 but it could be too small of a sample. Jump in and check it out if ya can. I have no idea where all the bad players arrived from but as Super Fly Jimmy Snuka would say: "hallelujah bruddha".

If you are not ROLLED for a $400 buyin game shut a few tables down and just play 1 or 2 if ya see a great table. Or take a shot with a short stack. You might find yer fat ass with a Gus Hansen sized stackola if you pick the table with 2-3 ATM's. I figured out a while ago that you can often find weaker games 1 level up. Cha cha cHing! oh boy.

No excitin hands this mornin except one. I twisted me cards back and saw 2 NINERS then showed the hole cam. I raiseydazy, 1 call, Flop came KKA . I c-bet the flop 3/4 pot and "badmoonrisin" who i'm pretty sure is former all pro end Andre Risen just calls. Ooops. Turn goes check check. Riv is a vn NINER which in poker terms makes my holdings a boat, or full boat or full house, and also brings the heart flush which could be his hand. Normally in NL holdthem the boat dominates the flushie.

He bets $5 into 25, so I gotta raise his weak ass (note to self, just call next time) to 20 and he repops another 40. I'm now regretting my decision to boost my aggression river stats and gotta call cause pot is big and many would play a flush like that.

What he got hard core playas?

Ya........ you already know. The AK baybee. Nice floppeegge, better riv. I 2 outered meself, hahahahha. That left a mark. I think I can lay it down if the flush didnt come but I think I played it okay? Any comments?

Later kids,

Sharkey

Note: If you would like to become a Shark player at Absolute and/or its sister site Vegas Poker 24/7 (skin of AP) you might qualify for rakeback on your play. At the donk laden game I mentioned above you would receive an extra $70 a day (approx) back from me for every 1000 hands you play. At 6 max this would be 2 tables for about 5 hours or 4 tables for 2.5 hours. If you don't have a job (unlike yers truly) and can pump out sum serious hands many players make $2-5,000 buckers a month (if they break even playing). You pay a ton of rake, get a kickback from me. Maybe you can win $1000, get 2000 back from me and make another 400 in bonuses. Then you can quit yer shitty job, move without leaving a forwarding addie for yer weak/passive/grumpy teens and move to Vegas like I wanna do.

Post in our Shark Forum in my "Rayz-it UP" column for more info or PM (private message) me in the forum, for more details.

Runnin bad, I shut er doooown!

2007-10-28T03:46:00.000-07:00

Clik on above image to enter Sharkeys world.

In the interest of fair and accurate blogging I have to post when I get murdered as well as the nites when the donkelicious Absolute players payoff like the ATM's that they are. AP is so much easier at NL100 and NL200 than Full Tilt. I decided to leave FT for a while. I'm not saying FT is not beatable but when I datamine 16 tables for 6 hours and can only find 2 SOFT tables that ain't good ladies.

vpip 22%, rayz pre 16%, total aggression factor avg 3.5, these kind of stats are not what i'm looking to sit next to. VPIP =Voluntarily put cashish into pot. There are a ton of 8 tablers making a good living on FT at these limits. Their stats are excellent, they know when to lay down big hands and are very good at staying away from big pots without the goods. I don't mind having 1 or 2 of these bots at me table but 3 or 4 is no good my friend.

I usually play as RAISINHAVOC at AP (i play 4 different names at AP, 2 at AP and 2 at Vegas Poker 24/7 an AP skin). Wife plays the same accounts so if ya see me cold calling or limping preflop or playing MIN bet (fukkin limit) its not me its the warden so say hi to her. She loves to be called missus sharkey. And shes a good limit player beating AP up to 3/6 6 max, 2 tablin.

I prefer to play these guys. Whatup playa:

STAGE #799673013: HOLDEM NO LIMIT $1 - 2007-10-25 07:09:11 (ET)
Table: HOBBS DR (Real Money) Seat #2 is the dealer
Seat 2 - JINGBAO510 ($160.37 in chips)
Seat 3 - WOOTINI ($65.10 in chips)
Seat 4 - RAISINHAVOC ($140.55 in chips)
Seat 6 - SPCICEMAN ($54.85 in chips)
Seat 1 - TOKUAN ($197 in chips)
WOOTINI - Posts small blind $0.50
RAISINHAVOC - Posts big blind $1
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to RAISINHAVOC [2c 2d]
SPCICEMAN - Raises $3 to $3
TOKUAN - Folds
JINGBAO510 - Calls $3
WOOTINI - Folds
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $2
*** FLOP *** [3s 3c 2h]
RAISINHAVOC - Checks
SPCICEMAN - Bets $4
JINGBAO510 - Calls $4
RAISINHAVOC - Raises $15 to $15
SPCICEMAN - Calls $11
JINGBAO510 - Folds
*** TURN *** [3s 3c 2h] [10h]
RAISINHAVOC - Bets $17
SPCICEMAN - All-In(Raise) $36.85 to $36.85
RAISINHAVOC - Calls $19.85
*** RIVER *** [3s 3c 2h 10h] [10s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RAISINHAVOC - Shows [2c 2d] (Full house, twos full of tens)
SPCICEMAN - Shows [10d Ad] (Full house, tens full of threes)
SPCICEMAN Collects $114.20 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($117.20) Rake ($3)
Board [3s 3c 2h 10h 10s]
Seat 1: TOKUAN Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: JINGBAO510 (dealer) Folded on the FLOP
Seat 3: WOOTINI (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: RAISINHAVOC (big blind) HI:lost with Full house, twos full of tens [2c 2d - B:2h,P:2d,P:2c,B:10s,B:10h]
Seat 6: SPCICEMAN won Total ($114.20) All-In HI:($114.20) with Full house, tens full of threes [10d Ad - B:10s,B:10h,P:10d,B:3s,B:3c]

Shit happens. Always glad these short stackers don't have more cashish when they push the turn with no clue after I repped the trip 3's on 2 streets and they hit the miracle.

I shut er doooown after this sweet 2 outer, by my new personal ATM card "Spiceboy". Note to self: Sum nites you can't win sucka.

This hand usually wouldnt tilt me but i had just spent 2 hours playing great and fighting my way back to only -280 after being down -440 2 hours prior. I'm in control of 4 tables and know its gonna be a winning session when this hand put me back in the deep hole of -340 instead of putting me to only minus 160.

Being 4am when I gotta be at workey at 10am mighta been part of the "shut er down" plan also.

I'm not whining here, just don't want to be a fair weather blogger. I can play great and get my fat ass creamed just like you, neighbor.

-----------------------------

More tourneys coming including 4 events in a row at AP. Our Thursday night "Sharks Home Game" is back, hard core chip slingin playas.

I'll be adding sum bounties soon if ya wanna knock me or one-a me henchmen out in the NL pokers (born, tree, bad bob, CB, shark legend GAR, HU animal tgreer or maybe even Larry "lazrus" if we can find him). Are you okay bruddha? Many other vets I will not mention because of that witness protection dealo.

Next time I send you a shark email please go to the bottom and "forward to an ATM" so your friends that play bad can join our group. Thats mo money for all of us. cha cha cha ching!

---------------------------

Mad props to newest shark animal "chatoman". He scored a sweet final table at "the dog" bodoggie and cashed twice. Once for that event and a $20 transfer from yers truly for sportin our shark avatar (contest in our forum, check it out). Go to the forum to read more about this dashing world traveler, former porn star and chip slingin poker savant CHATOMAN.

Get sum.

Hope ya flop top set on a dry board and get heavy 3 way action,

Shark

Prince Sheba & Gary812 Go HU!

2007-10-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

I missed the Thursday night Shark Showdown at Absolute but Shark legend GAR wrote this nice tourney report about his battle with tough NL animal "Prince Sheba". These 2 guys were in my Shark Army before I knew I had an Army (4 years ago?). Thx for your continued support fellers! 59 runners flung chippies for a vn turnout. I'll get sum more AP thursdays scheduled ASAP. Check out the $350 added OnlineShark FREEROLL at AP on Saturday. Password is shark99 be ready to play at 7PM EST tommorrow (Saturday).

Gary812 wrote:

Repost from our Forum:

My new nemesis Prince Sheeba spanked me heads up yet once again No thanks to the non-stop rain this last week, I had the night off from my annual part-time job and was able to catch some sweeet money add. Thank you Sharky & Absolute Poker.

I was catching cards and hitting flops nearly all night long - Chip leader most the game, and never out of top 5 after the 1st break. Cruised to the final table with chip lead only to look 2 seats to my left and see Sheeba sitting on a pretty nice stack himself. Many other good players with decent stacks, but I had this eerie feeling the Prince and I might dance yet once again. After going a bit card dead and losing a few races late at the final table, I was left as the short stack with 4 remaining and Sheeba with 1/2 the chips in play. But a few nice hands later and a crucial suckout of my A-10 shortstack against A-K allowed me to move into head-ups against Sheeba dead even in chips.

I think we played 1 hand, and then the tournament went to break (note to all other poker sites other than Full Tilt - When only one table is in play and you go on a scheduled break, please add button that allows game to continue right away if both players click the 'I'm Ready' button). Once back going, I made a crucial mis-read and reraised Sheeba thinking he was on a draw. When he pushed all-in, I had to fold leaving him with about a 2-1 chip lead.

Not many hands later, a bit of a cooler hand finished me off. I limp with 10s 3s in the sb. *** FLOP *** [4c 5s Js] and Sheeba leads out betting. I re-raised 3 times his bet and he calls. *** TURN *** [4c 5s Js] [2s] making my flush. Sheeba bets and I re-raise 3 times his bet again (nearly all my chips). Again he flat calls. *** RIVER *** [4c 5s Js 2s] [Ac]. Figured for sure he had the Ace of spades and had made Aces up, so I go all in for my last few chips. Turns out I was half right - he calls and turns over As 6s for the Ace high nut flush. 2 cards in my hand, 2 cards in his hand, and 5 on the board. 9 cards in play and 7 of them have to be frickin spades. Still can't complain as I had more than my fair share of hands.

$5 bucker returns over $90 for a very nice return on investment. If you are not playing these games, you are missing the boat. Deposit today and start taking advantage of the sweet money added by Sharky and AP. Great game Sheeba - until next time...

TOURNEY_RESULTS_START Absolute Poker Tournament #1908601 Start Time: 2007-10-18 21:00:00 (ET) 1: PRINCE SHEBA, payout $140.53, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 2: GARY812, payout $93.69, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 3: RUMOR73072, payout $56.21, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 4: SJ709, payout $46.84, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 5: OLDMANRIVER1, payout $37.47, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 6: KRISM1, payout $30.44, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 7: TALOND1, payout $25.76, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 8: MTD123, payout $21.08, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 9: SHARKTOMAN, payout $16.39, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 10: KARDMANIA, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 11: SEMPAI JOANN, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 12: NATAL1A, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 13: TGREER61, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 14: MIKESBOAT, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00) 15: BC5457, payout $0.00, rebuys (0-$0.00), addons(0-$0.00)_________________

GAR

Thx for the sweet report GAR.

Lots of familiar AVATARS were witnessed in this pack of misfits, gamblin degenerates and uncharged felons (haha). Thanks everyone for hangin in there while I took another much needed break from runnin sharkville.

I'll be trying to play more this winter and will put up some nice bounties when I know I can play for sure.

Hope to see some of you posting in the forum soon. Its a great way to meet new friends and smack talk newbs. Check out the gamblin fool :Bad Bobs: new column. BC2635428 has an opinion on most anything and hes got game too.

Manly hugs and flopped trips,

Shark

Head Up Pokers Baybee

2007-10-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

Shark player Tim Williams draggin pots at the MGM Grand in Lost Wages above. Nice Shark tee Timster.

Yup. I get home and the warden says "get yer work clothes on, you got pwr washin to do mister". Livin in the Pac NW means you have to spend most of your time power washin all the mold, moss and mildew off everything you own out doors. I'm makin 90 bucks an hour playin heads up this week and i'm powerwashin a deck which I could hire someone to do @ about 12 bucks an hour. Whats wrong wit this pic?

OK. I fuckin. Powerwashed> Like a mofo.

Heads up. I have always done well playin heads up but it appears there is a whole bunch of new HU players out there. They are very aggressive. I decided to just play head up this week online and although I had limited time it was very fun and profitable. I played Full Tilt, then UB and a lil absolute poker this afternoon. +270 in about 3 hours of single table play.

Heres what I witnessed in HU NL action. Extreme aggession at 1/2 and .50/1.00. The 5 or 6 guys I played tried to run me over. If you encounter I weak/passive HU opponent I think this is a great strategy. Heres what I did, and it worked well. Fold, Fold, Fold. I'm weak and your aggression is overwhelming sir. Let them think you are just another scared player.

I'm gonna limp with monsters and trap when villain smells weakness. I have QQ and limp, aggro mofo raise 1/2 blinds to 6, I reraise to 18 and he insta calls cause thats what bad players do. Flop A 8 2, I bet 3/4 pot, he foldo.

This passive weak image opens up bluff avenues also. 10 hands later, I limp with 34h, aggro boy raises to 6 I reraise to 18 he calls flop is Ks Qs 2h. I bet pot he insta folds. Aggro boy rarely has a hand and does not want to play big pots with passive limpers that rerayz his weak ass. haha.

When you start to have them twisted up (tilt) they will show a bluff or 2. I don't show them anything. Let them tilt. They will usually reload and play worse after the reload.

HU is a fun, trapping game. If you think you are beat, FOLD and find a better spot. This was the last hand of the day. I peek @ 99 and raise 1/2 to 6 buckers. AP aggro boy calls. Floppage came 8 2 J no soots. I check (cause he always bets if I check) he bets 9 and I raise to 30 and he calls. Turn is a Jack. I bet 3/4 pot and he calls. Riv is a pretty Jack. I put him on an 8. K8, A8, 28 whatever. I value bet riv he goes allin and I re-evaluate this hand.

I still can't put him on a jackson and put him on life tilt at this point and called. He had AIR. Nuttin. Squadosh. Ship sharky his monies. "Player badmoonrisin has left the table"

Try HU this week. Fold your rags and punish with monsters.

The top 2 Shark players online this week were Clairvoyance (animal from So Cal) and HANTEN from parts unknown. Hanten has been killing AP. Please email me for sum Shark swag Mr Hanten. Shout out to Trip20Bep as well. Bonnie is playing great and will be playin with sharky in vegas soon (I hope).

Swag going out this week to me bruddha Travis in NewFoundland, Bonnie, Carey Bear in UK and Bad Bob. Bob was recently deported to Canada, and Canada refused to accept him. Thx for your support and porn downloads kids!

Freeroll Strategies

2007-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Freeroll Strategies for Huge Fields - Online Texas Holdem Poker Tournaments
By Keith Alberts, Shark Vet “Gumby”

Playing online poker usually begins the same for every beginning rounder, the massive online poker freeroll. Sitting at that virtual poker table is where I got my first taste of victory and defeat, competition and a lack thereof, and jubilation and frustration. Anybody that has played in an online freeroll can tell you the horrible calls, over the top all in bluffs, and insane bad beats that they have faced. What I will try to accomplish with this strategy session is ways to play online freerolls to minimize frustration and maximize potential winnings.

When you first eye up and download the online poker room of your choice, there are many to choose from, most of them usually have freeroll tournaments that give away prizes. These prizes range from cash, usually small amounts, to a satellite seat to larger buy-in tournaments, to poker shirts, hats, books, and even bobbleheads. Some online poker freerolls have steps where the money doesn’t come until a later tournament that you qualify for in the freeroll. Freeroll satellites for the World Series of Poker can be played to get yourself a $10,000 buy-in for the big show.

Television freerolls have become a new phenomenon that online poker sites are using to drive players to their website. With so many poker sites out there today, sites are offering poker players more money and benefits than ever before. These freerolls can be extremely lucrative tournaments if you have the patience and ability to outlast large landmine fields of donkey players. This is where I come in. I am going to give you some strategies for huge online freerolls that you can use. One may be better than the other for you and your style of play, but all might be successful and fun to try once.

I would recommend playing in freeroll tournaments that have a prize pool of at least $100 or a satellite seat to a larger buy-in tourney. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time to win a top prize of $10. Even making the final table will only yield you a dollar or two. With these larger field tournaments, they will run a long time. So be prepared to spend four or more hours if you make it to the final table.

How to Outlast the All-In Fest
Beginning of a Freeroll

Massive online no limit hold’em freeroll tournaments are jam-packed with bad players. They are mostly beginning poker players that do not really know how to play the game, while others do not care to learn the game so they play fast and furious. I began playing in freeroll tournaments and actually began my bankroll this way. I had put in absolutely nothing and was able to begin playing in real money micro-limit tables by winning a few freerolls. If you are skeptical about depositing your own hard earned money into an online poker site, this is where you may want to begin.

The first few minutes of an online freeroll is the most ridiculous and important time of the tournament. Although you will see some awful plays later, the worst play occurs during the beginning. Usually, there are a couple players at each table that decide they want a massive stack of chips or they don’t want to play at all. These are players that push all-in from the very first hand and don’t stop until they have a mountain of chips or are busted out. I recommend against playing in this fashion, but this is definitely something you could try and must be aware of.

If you decide to play like this, I would recommend playing solid starting values, such as high pocket pairs and high suited connectors. The low pairs will not win unless you catch a set or get lucky, especially against more than one opponent which you will face almost every hand.

A Better Way to Play It

If you want to double up fast, which a lot of players do, you should raise starting hands that you normally do and be prepared to call or move all-in on the flop, where the second most action takes place. Identify opponents that will go all-in with nothing early on and hope that your best pre-flop starting hand holds up at showdown. There’s always another freeroll right around the corner. Many players will try to bluff at pots on the flop, hoping to take it down right there. They also lack the patience that it takes to be a true no limit hold’em tournament player. In most of these tournaments, a quarter of the field is eliminated within the first 20 minutes and half of the field is gone before the first break.

I believe that the best strategy for freeroll tournaments is to see as many flops as possible in the early levels with decent starting hands. With this strategy, I hope to see flops for the minimum bet with suited connectors, 7-8 and higher, and small pocket pairs. I would fold to raises out of position and especially if there can possibly be a re-raise pre-flop. I don’t want to put my chips at risk early on a draw pre-flop. My usual raise with big pocket pairs and large starting hands will apply here also.

Now, if the flop misses me completely, I fold with very little invested. On the other hand, if I flop a monster or a monster draw, I try to get some value out of my hand. I would slow-play any monster straight, flush, or trips to gain maximum value from the remaining players in the hand and once again identify players who will be willing to get all their chips in the middle with top pair. If I am drawing at a monster, then I would tread a little lighter trying to see cards cheap. In a normal tournament, I may bet depending on 1) my reads of opponents 2) the amount of money in the pot and 3) how strong the betting is. Like I’ve said before, in a freeroll, players make some wicked plays early on. If I bet at my draw, I may get pushed out of the pot with a huge overbet from one of the loose aggressive goons that riddle these tournaments.

When I make my monster and there is no betting on the flop, I would make a small bet on the turn, hoping that someone check-raises me for all I’ve got. This can be the best way to double up early in a tourney.

When and if you make it past the all-in fest early and have a decent stack of chips, then you can start playing your real game. Tight aggressive seems to be a winner and is what Dan Harrington teaches. Read his books if you actually take tournament poker seriously (Harrington on Hold’Em Volume I & Harrington of Hold’Em Volume II). I have not read the third volume yet, the workbook, but hear that there are plenty of hand examples from various tournaments that are discussed in detail. I’ll have to pick it up. Loose play can still be seen, but the field tends to tighten up after the first break. Just play your “A” game and try to amass a mountain of chips.
If you have another style that you enjoy and suits you, then play that way. There is no right or wrong way to play poker. There are better ways to winning poker and some players that never win may have the worst strategy out there. The poker world needs these players also or most players would just break even. Don’t be like one of these players and learn how to play better. Learn from asking questions of other seasoned poker players. I’m not talking dinner either. Many poker forums are available for questions and discussions, including the Shark Poker Tour forum. http://sharkpokertour.com/phpBB2/index.php There are many good poker players that are more than willing to help with any questions or hand examples that you want to post. I post there as GUMBY.

I know that these strategies work. Whether they work the first time is all depending on the cards. We all take bad beats. It’s what makes poker what it is. During freerolls, take your time and be patient. You can play for free, have a decent payday and build a beginner’s bankroll that may lead you to millions of dollars down the road.

Good luck at the tables!
Keith

Keith Alberts likes to write, play poker and compete against the chip tossin’ loons on the Shark Poker Tour.

Maui. You gotta go!

2007-09-21T04:15:00.000-07:00

I use to go often. Never a bad day on Maui. This pic was shot about 10 years ago as I was cruisin' the backside of Maui with my girlfriend at the time. We were in a Sebring Convertible and were surrounded by wild horses as we toured the desolate side of Maui that most never see. The rental car companies forbid you to go back here cause the road is horrible. Its a great trip and highly recommended. "Up Country" is beautiful farm country and concludes your trip around the island before you come back to civilization.

Get a 2 wheel drive jeep or tracker type rig for best results on this rough, unpaved pot filled road. You cannot get 4 wheel drive rentals in Hawaii since they want you staying "on road" with their rigs. If you ever see a 2 wheel drive jeep or tracker for sale in the USA there is a good chance its an Hawaiian rental. DO NOT stop to talk or barter with the ganja farmers. They often carry weapons and look rougher then the road. No legal Casinos in Hawaii. They seem to be okay with hundreds of hookers walkin the streets in Oahu though. Lots of home games if you ask around.

Exploring The Mind of the MIN rayzor

2007-09-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Pictured above me bud, crazy, chip launchin' madman Matt "BornSupreme". We had a nice chat on IM last night and he promised to play a donkament or 3 with me this Sunday night at UB. I also had a fun phone speak with 2 of my veteran sharkees today. Guy "pokerpadre" and Joanne "sempaijo" from So Carolina are doing fine and will be playing in a few October events with us. Look for a few forum posts from them this week and drop a post on them and say hi.

MM's

I'm intrigued by MIN rayzors in NL poker. Why would you want to play poker non-aggressive and weak? We all know the aggressive players have a substantial edge. Maybe for many it's just convenient. Nothing is easier then hitting the bet button when the MIN rayz is already posted on your screen. Or maybe they still think they are playing LIMIT and thats the max rayz.

Maybe I rode the short bus, but I like to think about what i'm doing and then bet accordingly. I mix up my bets but I never, ever MIN bet. I'd love to hear some different theories on MINny mouses. Don't be shy, if you are a MM lets us know what your strategy is. Maybe i'm goofy and it has a place in NL poker.

I think most of the time they have a strong hand. Especially if they have weak tight stats. Any see % under 23% with very weak aggro stats (under 2.0 or so) would qualify. Look up their check rayz stats and "rayzes continuation" bet stats also. If the trend is they are a weak player in these areas I usually fold if MIN boy MIN rayzes or MIN check rayzes. Of course you pound them back with a real rayz if ya got da goods or are drawin strong.

3 day weekend for me this week! Friday i'm barbecue grill shoppin, and a costco run is scheduled. Then maybe a little NL at Tulalip Casino.

I have noticed a HUGE upswing in hands played by Shark members at all our sites the last 5 days or so. Summers over in the USA, its getting dark earlier and peops are playin da pokers. If you are a real money shark player I appreciate your support. If you are a medium to large volume player email me for a kickback plan so I can pad yer roll each month.

We have the best PHO (pronounced "fuh") restaurant in town near my work. If you have not tried this tradional vietnamese noodle soup you need to git er dun.

I'll post my table selection blog I mentioned ASAP. I'm hangin out on IM more the last few days, drop in and say howdy ya laggs.

MINny Mouse, Table Selection and Bourbon Samplin'

2007-09-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

I hope all my USA friends had a great summer. If you live in Australia (howdy Matt) or Surinhammar Sweden (Hi, Goran and family) I hope you had a good winter or fall?

Here's an update on what me and my lovely check rayzin bride have been up to.

Its been a crazy, busy summer and it's been hard to find time to blog, play or run any tourneys. I'm sorry I have not been a better tourney host and leader of the feared “Shark Army”. A loose band of poker degenerates whos sole purpose in life is to empty the online accounts of everyone they meet at their respective tables.

What have the warden, shark and lab Cody been up to? We almost got a deevorce but she decided on just giving me a few weeks off in a nice (haha, 39.99 a night) motel. We almost moved to Vegas but thats gonna have to wait till later. The 18 yr old (Sam) still needs us in the vicinity so I took one for the team and we didnt move.

I found a nice dealership to sell cars at (Volvo) close to home (traffic is so bad around here job location is key). After selling there for 2 weeks they promoted me to run their used car satellite lot which is still nice and close to home (10 min.) . Its a “project store” which means I have a big job here to make it profitable. I have 5 good sales dudes and another 9 at our main store selling off our lot so it should be doable.

The warden (Patti) has been remodeling like crazy at our home. New tile in the laundry room, new baseboard trim, new paint everywhere, carpet coming this week, and many other plans to get our 20 year old home up to date. She does beautiful work. I'm jealous since I can barely change lightbulbs.

I'm powerwashing the deck and getting ready to prune the whole yard for winter this week. As long as I have the garage fridge full of Pacificos, Kirin or Sapporro, i'm good to go with the yard work.

Our goal is to keep this house (for the great summers here) and get a small townhouse in Vegas. We'll see if we can swing it in about a year or so. My mutt Codyster has been a lil grumpy since I have not had time to take him to the beach much the last few months. He's pretty busy keeping the cats in line and sniffin their butts though. Does your dog love the alluring aroma of cat sphincter as well? I did not teach him that. I did teach him to hump legs though and hes a riot at dinner parties. The UPS guy doesn't wear shorts anymore either.

Some guys teach their labs to hunt. Unfortunately, I don't hunt.

Okay, a little POKER update. I'm having a blast just playing when I want, with no pressure to pay bills with the proceeds of a 4000 hand allnighter grind. Thats the great thing about working a “real” job again. My Poker BR doesnt have to go anywhere. I can build it and move up when i'm rolled for the next level.

I love this game but the computer headaches, sore wrists and back full of knots can be tough on an old dude. You 20 somethings might not have back problems yet, but let me know how yer doin' at 47 like me. I want to play shorter sessions and less tables now. So my tude is good and i'm playing great right now.

I'm off to bed. Tommorrow:

MINny Mouse!

This is the weak player that doesn't have a brain. All he knows is hit the MIN button to raise. Usually this means a weak player has a monster. They have been waiting to trap you and now they go to MINI mode. I love to repop this player but ya better have the goods if ya don't have a ton of stats on the villain.

Table Selection:

Players are improving. Many weak USA players have decided its best to stick to blackjack. This is a good plan if ya don't have strong skilz. Online poker is not easy to beat. BJ is a better way to blow a few bucks for many.

This is funny to me but some are actually scared to deposit and play. Its always the same story. I say "do you know that NO ONE in the USA has been charged with a crime for playing online poker?" They always say something weak-tight like, "ahh I enjoy just playing playchips now or I never really played much anyways". Huh? IMHO, these players needed a reason to quit. They were gettin their asses handed to them. It got old. No winning player is going to quit.

More are playing 6, 8 or 12 tables and making a living at low limits (NL200 and under, 4/8 limit and lower). Many are just ultra tight non-thinking grinders that can break even and make 3K in rakeback (or more) in a month grinding long sessions. I have a good plan to help you against these guys. Look for a long post tommorrow.

Bourbon Slurpin':

I found a superb Bourbon that is not to spendy. I'll post a review tommorrow and tell you where you can buy it for 30% off with no tax.

I appreciate all 3 of you sticking around to see whats up with the sharkee family. I'll get some tourneys fired up soon and a new newsletter and we'll play da pokers this October!

I'll put the IM on more in the upcoming months so if you are one of my many pals let me know how yer doing. Suggestions on upcoming events would be great also.

Good Luck at the tables this week!

Shark

Shark Press Release

2007-06-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Shark train has left the station! Get ready for a jam packed month, ladies n' gents. Heads up tourney @ Pokerstars, Omaha 8/b, Elimination Blackjack and other shit i'm not at liberty to mention (cwwned is your conductor, i'm now just a brakeman).

I was considering hiring a press release writer but then decided to give it a shot myself. This is only my 5th or 6th try at writing a PR.

I think I did pretty well. Check er out ya laggs:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/06/prweb530379.htm

I have not played any poker in about 3 weeks. To busy with life stuff and packing to move. Moving sucks since my big ass has been planted in one home for 9 years. I'm still deciding on where i'll move but right now i'm leaning towards Vegas. Our home is listed for sale and decent action so far. We are dropping the price 10K today to 449K to hopefully snag an offer or 2.

My lab hates it when we pack just one bag or 2 cause he knows that means we are leaving him for a few days. You can imagine how he feels when we start packing the whole house. Man labs are sensitive. Hes bummed, so i'm giving him extra ocean swims to take his mind off the scary packing action.

This morning i'm driving to nearby Marysville to get a wheel "turned" on my M35. I curbed one wheel in a parking lot and scarred the wheel a lil. I had never done that in 30 yrs of driving. So this guy will put it on a lathe kinda dealo and fix it for fiddy bones. I'm gonna blame my error on rear wheel drive since i'm use to front wheel. A cell phone conversation was the real culprit.

Just 3 weeks now until the Babbitt Bros head to Vegas (Doug "cwwnwd" and me) . After checking poker rates at the Venetian (omg, 350 a nt) I put me tail between legs and called TI (Treasure Island). Several of the "Sirens of TI" still call me and I always ask them to tone down the durty talk. The TI has killer poker rates, we will be around 70-80 a night after we each play 6 hrs per day (easy). Plus ya got the nice tram to the Mirage.

I'd love to start staying at the nicer hotels but when it gets right down to it, i'm never in my room. They all have nice pools so i'm happy with the TI. This is an R and R trip for me. I know where i'll find Dougs pasty white legs, at the tables, raping tourists and cali frat boys.

Check out the Shark Forum, its rockin' http://sharkpokertour.com/phpBB2/index.php
Doug is offering Freeroll entries to posters in the UB Elimination BJ event. The Shark Tour is paying your small entry since they can't do Freerolls on BJ yet. I'm entered, come to our forum, post and we'll play a fun new game together. There is a MAX of 49 players so hurry or you will have to play the next one.

I hope you all have a great summer! If it's not summer where you live I hope you have a great _______!

shark!

2007-05-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Absolute Poker

TONIGHT! 5/31 @ 9pm ET

"Shark Home Game"
$5 buy-in with $200 added to the prize pool

Cha-Ching!

BTW: password
is aphomegame

Do yourself a favor... Join us at Absolute Poker

Passwords For Upcoming Events Will Be Posted Here! Stay Tuned.

2007-05-05T04:31:00.000-07:00

Shark and Conn do the Venetian in June.

Huge NEW Shark Events posted in the Calendar now! Click link above, stay tuned for more!

Poker Journeyman Phil Iveys bad ass Mercedes above.

I want to hear your favorite one liner from "Borat" in my comments section. Winner will get a sweet Shark logo ball hat. My contribution: "You bastard.....me mustache still smells like yer testes!" As always yer ole buddeee Sharkee will pay postage and talk durty to yer mom if ya give me her cell #. nuff said.

There is a new forum poster creating a stir in my Shark forum. Go there now and ask UkP (unknownpro) a question in our Players Lounge. I met this fuckstick at the RIO (we both killed 2/5 NL that night) and thought he might add a little edge to the forum. I promised him a buncha swag if he would go there and be his rude self. He delivers in triplicate and will get a nice truckload of shark shyt asap. What a toolio. I have not seen this big of a sphincter since I first met former Paradise Poker affiliate Mgr. Stephen (forgot last name but will drop him at next convention). Stephen was mean and very hurtful with his words to your fearless leader.

I'll ban UkP and kick his his aggro a$$ to the curb if he picks on my players but torture him a few times first. I think he can give it out but can't take it.

He seems to have it out for Doug. Maybe he wants Dougs new Shark GM job. Whatever, play him head-up and shut his mouth please. I'll pay FIDDY if someone beats him in a HU match. transfer at AP only, please, you call station bots. I'll impose a 1 month ban on UkP if anyone beats him HU. Tgreer? Shark Legend GAR? Where are you sweetness812 (stone killer HU). If he was as good as he says he is Ivey (still worst swing in poker/golf and best car in poker/golf)) and Antonius (soooo hot I may go bi) would be looking for work at the food court at Red Rock.

Shark and Conn do lost wages; June 25-28

I'm in Vegas with recent multiple Omaha MTT final table terrorist Doug Conn (new Shark GM). We will be playing Satellites and Doug will soot up for the WSOP Omaha split game. His best game IMO. The pros won't know him and i'm gettin' a big piece of him in that $2000 buyin. I'm gonna rest more than play this trip. Sure i'll do the "Roy Cooke" recommended late night, drunk cali frat boi, donkey fest to pay for trip once or twice, but its pool time and patron silver/boodles/bakers bourbon/killer cigars/daily massagey/sashimi gorging for Shark this trip. Stayin at the lovely Venetian so Doug will share a room with me (Suites are huge and so nice). Babbit Bros are doin Vegas! Wapner at 4:30! Wapner. yaya.

---------------------------------------

My Dad continues to RUN mega en fuego at "Let it Ride" in Vegas. Hes going down about once a month and will join the shark/conn fest in June i'm sure. I think hes up around 12-14K in last 5 trips! Ballys has offered him hookers and blow besides all the reg. comps. yes baybee. My Dads only 66 but appears to be in his late 80's. Vegas is rough if you a frequent visitor. I don't wanna see his "Let it Ride" dance. I hate it when they play that shitty song after some drunk clown drinkin bud lite (icky) in a walmart soot hits a set.

Check out the Shark tank at the Nugget downtown if you head to Vegas. Holy mackeral, what a cool idea. Huge sharks in a tank as you ride a big tube thru the tank. I love sharks. So bad ass when they slowly swim thru that tank. I watched it for 45 minutes late one night. So check that out for sure, or stay there and swim in the nice new pool or ride the tube.

Another thx to Doug for really going crazy putting my sites back in tip top shape. More events, more money, nekkid events scheduled (drapes open), Omaha, Blackjack tourneys and who the fuck knows what else Doug might do. His ideas are always good so i'm lettin him run with it. Tell him you appreciate the love (and added cashish) in his "Conned" thread.

Trip report to follow on Vegas, me in speedos from pool and primo steak house Delmonicos, Doug from the tables.

Heres a sampler from me RIO buddee UkP "unknownpro" He seems to have a problem with me using the great Ric "whooooo" Flair as an avatar in the forum. Major tiltorama spewage from UkP:

Flairs a pussy and has a boil on his back the size of Rhode Is. He now works at a Pizza Hut in Des Moines Iowa. He enjoys leering at the paper girl and ridin durty with Ethel at the senior center.

Shark get a new avatar or i'll bitch slap ya at the Rio in June. Whooooooooooooooooooooo nuff said. UkP rules, skis blk diamonds only, and is makin friends all over the country (with your mama). UkP is averaging 241 on the bowling tour, uses a "house ball" and don't practice.

You can't even hold my jock strap much less wear it shark, you one toofed weak passive call bot.
Your sauce is weak. please ban me so I can go to a real forum. That Micon fuker is funny as shit plus hes good wit da ladies. whoooooooooooooooooooooo. I heard Bellagio diva "satellite entry for da anals" Brandi Hawbaker strapped one on and got him handled. whoooooooooooooooo.

Doug: Please keep playing your GROUP 1's and foldin the rest, even in position. You post alot cause you rarely play a hand. Change your depends and bluff with clean diapers onetyme big boi.

"If a man wishes to rid himself of a feeling of unbearable oppression, he may have to take the hashish" Friedrich Nietzsche

UnKnownPro

----------------------------------

Thanks for reading, my donkelicious Shark members.

Shark

Guest Post, Red Hot Doug "Conn"

2007-04-27T05:22:00.001-07:00

This is the best dog I have ever had. Cody, age 5. He enjoys body surfing (really) in 3-4 foot seas and power naps. His best friend is our cat Easley and he hates the UPS guy almost as much as the fedex dude. I don't like those fruity shorts they wear all winter either. He also enjoys Costco Rawhides, watching anyone pee and peeing on anything green.. His fav drink (besides water) is Mannys unfiltered Pale Ale. I can't find it in bottles (only tap) so if anyone knows where to get it in stores let me know. Absolute Poker "Grinder" hat if you can direct me to a store in WA STATE near Seattle. (google it, easy hat deal). As always sharkmaster pays da postage too. Did you get your care package Roanan, Carl and Pokerbrokers?? I loaded ya up. Dam Canadians, twice the postage and hes only 2 hrs from my work. Let play red rock soon roanan. You can stake me so you will have a chance to add to your dwindling BR. haha!

One of my best buds world class sleight of hand artist and shark charter member Doug Conns guest post below after a quick shark update (great read, he is final tabling daily and punishing the pokers):

I'm back kids! My poker was sidetracked recently by personal problems (i'm not gonna give details.....uh...ahhh...hmmm. cause its personal. In the interest of not being too serious (or a downer) lets just say yer old buddee sharkmasta is livin in a $30 motel (free WIRELess!) and not taking his normal afternoon nappy with main man and body surfing legend Cody (lab age 5).

I never forgave the warden for fixing him without asking me. Sure, he ruined 3 nice pillows and tried to mount our 13 year old but I wanna be involved in decisions relating to MY DOGS private area, nether regions, manly parts, gonads, jonson, shlonger, man hammer, diamond cutter, etc. I don't care if hes so hornee baybee that the cat won't scratch it, I need to be consulted. He was 1 year old fer fucks sake. Never had the sexy time. He had his eye on next door neighbors beagle and I was gonna let him loose when they went away for weekend "sure, sure, i'll get yer paper this weekend" !! At least let him go to work on sum mutt one time. Let him have a great memory and buy more pillows. Dammit. Pillows are cheap. Get a goddamn crayon, draw a fukkin picture of a beagle on one, put said pillow and doggie in garage, let him jerk his smokewagon and go to work....(tombstone, great flick). Sorry, I miss my boy and it helps to write about him.

My new job is good and I will be ruining many retirements (j/k) in my new position of internet sales manager in a nice small town (Cadillac, GMC dealer, we have 3 lots I can sell iron out of). Call if you would like a great deal on a new or used car or truck. 425.879.7169 is my direct line. I ship to Alaska, Hawaii, East Coast, whatever. My prices are rarely beat and shipping is fairly inexpensive for us since we move cars all over the USA. I can buy your trade un -seen also. We'll do it with pics and a local safety check. Our dealer is very "customer friendly" and we don't play the "big city" games. After years in the big city I really like this gig.

I recently decided that I was not doing a good job for my loyal Shark members. I was tired of all the errors that our sites make setting up events (I made a few also) and after 300 tourneys needed a break. Of course, the new legislation (punish poker professionals and players since we are not receiving tax money from the offshore sites) made this business much harder to make work. I didnt quit playing but many did.

No Taxes? I pay mine? Many other poker pros (affiliates/players) do. I respect our country, taxes that pay for our great roads, bridges and tribal liquor stores and killer cigar rooms. ha!

Things will change. These new state and federal laws will be dumped or they will figure out how to collect taxes on every buck. Fine do it. Give our troops better body armor! Im down with that. One of me best buds is a Lt Col. A proud 27 year vet marine that has fought for me and my country. I love our soldiers and we need to finish the job and get them back so they can play more pokers and have rough sexy tyme with their wardens.

Can I have an amen! amen bruddha....

Doug "Conned" "Connjure" Conn is on another tear. I asked him to write this BRAG post so its not really a brag if I requested it. He knows all the best poker sites and has recently been hired as my NEW Tour GM and Tourney Director. He is going to give our TOUR fresh blood and give you players what you want. More events, more adds, and sum sweet Satellite seats will be won soon.

www.sharkpokertour.com is back up and will have events posted by next week. www.onlineshark.com is being refreshed and knarly freerolls and seats will be WON by my weak/passive donkelicious viewers this summer.

New sites will be tried, Doug will be negotiating for great deals for you....my loyal Shartk player.

He's excited and getting paid well to get us rockin'. Support Doug by posting a "congrats" in his "conned" thread in the shark forum now. We need posts. Complain, ask questions of me or Doug, tell a story or post 30 wrasslin vids like Born. I don't care. Help us by being an active member. Don't just play our freerolls and run. We are a team. I love you all deeply. You 20,000 complete me. I will hug all of you, and kiss the sweaty men....ok. off to work, heres New Orleans bad a$$ Dougie post;

Wisdom, Bragging and a Few Suggestions on PWNing!

A teacher of mine once said:
"Your greatest accomplishments will be in 'leaps and bounds' ...
after taking the right baby steps."

I've considered myself an 'artist' for the better part of 30 years (I've pursued the art of "Sleight of Hand" magic since childhood.) I've found my growth as an entertainer, creator and student have occurred in "leaps and bounds." Connect the dots & things start to click. Read the right books, practice/perform every chance you get, etc etc... When pursued intelligently, diligently and patiently (the "ly" trifecta) your growth spurts... spurt. IMO: Poker is much the same: Study, Study, Study, Play, Play, Play, Win, Win, Win.

Anyway, I'm not here to wax poetic... I'm here to.brag ;) I had some nice "leaps and bounds" this week. The last three days, I've enjoyed playing some of the best poker of my life... Heck, actually, I'm pretty proud of the last 3 months! (months, of course.... that were built upon the last three years.)

Check out my latest / 120 day stats from www.officialpokerrankings.com (a GREAT site) Pic/Link below

Note: click on the pic for a full size shot... 330% ROI! 23% ITM Almost 3k profit (not bad for a low limit / semi-grinder) In the last few months, I've had over a dozen final tables, a few 3rds, a few 2nds and a few WINS!

BTW: there are several online sites that will give you stats like the stuff above. Bluff Magazine now hosts the PokerDB (in its new/advanced form) http://www.bluffmagazine.com/thepokerdb/index.asp If you're a SNG player, you'll wanna look @ www.sharkscope.com

I HIGHLY recommend using these sites... Not just to track your results, but also the results of your opponents. Next time you make a final table, or simply find yourself curious about an opponent, log onto one of the info sites and check out their stats. Within a minute or two, you can know exactly the caliber of competition @ your table. Of course, Pokertracker is another great piece of software that will give you that extra edge.

FYI: As usual, I document my accomplishments on the Shark Forums: www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/ Check the 'sweat and success' forums for my (hopefully daily) updates. BTW: I look forward to seeing more "Online Sharks" posting some sweat and success. There's plenty of juicy games to jump into... go get em and post your victories! And/or let us know when/where to apply the shark sweat

Take note: The Omaha games continue to be my gravy (as well as my favorite games to play.) I find the game MUCH more 'stimulating' than Holdem:& my tourney results reflect that (note to self: try a lil harder when playin Holdem!) If you're finding the No-Limit grind to be just that "grinding" I suggest taking a look at Omaha.

FYI: My "Omahalic" article (a 12 step primer on the game) can also be found on the Shark Forums: http://www.sharkpokertour.com/PHPbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2474

Well, thats nuff typing... My 3^rd tourney just opened (4k guar $20 PLO) and I'm sucking azz in the other two ($20 deepstack PLO8/b and the 25K $5 rebuy) Time to go focus, and make some leaps & bounds.

GL on the felt, Conn.

Do you wanna receive a FREE Shark hat, shirt or shark home brew everclear? Write me a funny or strong guest post. Doug has so much shark gear hes a walkin billboard and chicks dig shark gear (not actually true). I love him longtyme GI. If I like your post (it won't take much) you get swag (shark swaggage, gear, stuff, items, units)

2007-04-17T02:36:00.000-07:00

Cooler du Jour. Down 4 hundy so far tonight, again. Heres my favorite hand. No tiltin, just massive coolios. It will turn.

We got it all in on the turn. This is about as lucky as you can get holdin AA.

My stats are showng massive newbies/bad players at Full Tilt. Deposit and punish them now! Same report outa Absolute.

Rollercoaster Ride at Full Tilt

2007-04-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

I was due for a bad session after 6 or seven winners in a row and then jinxed myself by mentioning to the warden I had not had a losing session in a while. I got home from work about 7PM and took 6 seats in the 100nl buyin at 8pm. 13.5 hours later the roughest poker session ever was over. Check out this one outer in the thumbnail above. We got all the cashish in on the turn. I saw a few 2 outers hit as well, but 1 outers always get mention in me blog.

I'm not complainin' bout the beats. I was due for this since the cards were good all week. I was down $500/5 buyins about 6 hours in and staring at a large hit to my bankroll. I dug in and posted a sweet $94 win after 4788 hands which will also pay me $104 buckers in rakeback, a $198 win! Not a good hourly rate but i'll take it.

As always I played a few hands too aggressively. Note to self: When you have notes that bad guys "call all bets" don't bluff nimrod. But something different occurred in this session. Usually I enjoy all the "shorties". These guys buy in for 20 or 30 bucks and just push n pray. The idea is, they can't get outplayed post flop. Push it in early and hope for the best. I have always done well against these "non-players" and enjoy when they sit down to play that "allin game". Do you have NO skilz? Sit down with me sum night, wait for AK, AQ or a pair and push pre. I will welcome you sir/miss since you are weak, talentless, scared of playing a flop or maximizing your big pairs. You win 30 bucks when KK arrives, a real player makes 5 times that often.

I couldn't beat them this session. I was usually ahead after their daring push but it didnt matter. Ahead? Behind? Coin flippage? IT DIDN"T fukkin matter. I was a shortie ATM for 8 hours. I got a lil tilty between 4 and 6am but after 3000 hands I get grumpy even if i'm winnin. 6 tablin for that long is really tough. My 47 yr old back hurts and starts crampin' up so I spray biofreeze on it and start icing it. I could quit but i'm stuck 5 hundo. Party on Garth.

Intermission from rant:

So i'm getting pummeled by no skilz shorties and my lab decides to lay at my feet and fart for a few hours. Good times. I finally went to bed at about 10am slept, 5 hours (sounds like my vegas sleep schedule), wrote this rant and now i'm takin the missus out for the vn Keg appertizers. I recommend the sliders. They make these lil burgets out of ground prime rib. oh boy.

I'm proud of my 14 hr session where I got my ass kicked for 10 hours. The last 4 hours I made about $600. The old Sharky couldn't have done that. I kept a good attitude, changed seats many times and dug out a win. Most of the players are bad. Some nights, good things happen to bad players. Hang in there, think about how you have made a huge comeback before, jerk that smoke wagon and go to work mister (or missy, as always I am politically correct).

I'm going to 8 table about 3K hands tonight and will torture the shorties from the outset. Report to follow.

A shout out to 2 of me best buds, Bornsupreme (Matt) and Conn (Doug). Lets meet up in Vegas soon boys.

See you soon, my donkelicious readers.....

Sharkeeeeeee

Poker Action and a lil Roadhead

2007-04-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies and Gents

I'm married so you will have to settle for a poker post. Sorry for the teaser. Finally watched Borat this week. good stuff, The nude men wrestling scene followed up 3 days later by Borat running into his buddy and saying "you bastard, my mustache still smells like your testes" was comic genius. I lol'ed.

Are you like me and get tired of many blogs starting out "Sorry I haven't posted in so long" I 1) have nothing to report 2) have lost so much money playing the pokers I can't write about it cause I don't wanna cry.....again. 3) I'm a world traveler and I rarely can find a PC 4) my doggie peed on me laptop, etc. etc.

I don't think I have ever said sorry for lack of posting. I'm not. No one seems disappointed if I post at all so the feeling is mutual. ha!

I gave up on my new career in mortgage sales 3 weeks ago. I was at a good firm and was doing okay, but I realized I was going to make very little monies for the first 4-6 months. I was told that by several people, but of course, said I would be the exception. Apparently i'm not that exceptional since i'm back in the car biz. With the internet poker business currently floundering I need to work full time now to pay the mortgage and keep the warden from killing me whilst I sleep.

Oh well, its what I know and it pays the bills. I'm the Internet Sales Mgr for a small Caddy/GMC dealer for the last 3 weeks. Nice dealership and friendly staff. Call me if you need a nice used vehicle (we have 3 lots) or a new Cadillac or GMC. I can offer my friends/readers, clergy, parole officer and retarded neighbor boy special internet deals. Shipping to other states is not that expensive and sometimes I can pay shipping or I will meet you in Vegas for the noon tourney at Caesars and you can take delivery there. Email me at onlineshark@msn.com if you have car questions or need help on a purchase or would like a list of my inventory. 17 years in iron sales here so I can help with anything car related.

Okay, I got 2 margaritas down me so I better get to the poker. After settling in at the new jobke I finally got back to a little poker about a week ago. Full Tilt has apparently located a fresh new batch of donkelicious NL100 and NL 200 playas. Yes baybeee. I started the week datamining with Pokertracker at both levels and 3 hours later I take a gander at my new friends stats. Holy Shit. NL200 is full of 55% see, 5% pre raise, no stealin, 1.4 aggress factor MIN bettin, MIN raisin, pussies. NL100 has many more grinders with great stats but still plenty of non-skilled monkees.

Now that i'm earning an honest living selling cars my BR will not be going towards bills (thats what I told lil raisin anyhoo). This is good. I started with $220 a week ago and we are now sitting on $1240, 7 days later. A good start since I have only played 3455 hands in 5 sessions. Last night was my best night of the week. Made $360 in only 342 hands playing mostly NL200. I great nite especially after making a horrible push early in the session.

One of my tables is 6 max nl200 blinds 1/2 and this hand arrives. I'm in MP with 87clubs, a very aggressive table with 3 bad players that will raise everything and call anything. VN. Its raised pre, I just call the 10 bucks and BB calls. Floppage came 10 8 8, early position bets 30, I bought in short for 100 and decide to push my last 80 (oops) BB does a long drama pause and pushes 150 and then early position insta-pushes (easily worst player on the site, "Aesop Fable" if ya wanna buddy list him). BB is a concern and when they flipped them up I was a distant second to 10 10. yikers. Aesop is in third place with KK but has 1 more out than yer ole buddee sharkee. I need the case-eight-ball and Mister "I don't have a fuckin' clue" needs a 2 outer and BB flopped boat is countin the 280 pot until the sweeeet K comes on the turn.

Not really a horrible result since this guy ain't goin home with any monies. He disperses it in short order and all is well at our table. Horrible push by me although it mighta all got in anyhoo. Good time to have a small stack. Heres what I like about this hand. I played it shitty, it was early in the session and it didnt bother me. I know I can kill this limit so I buckled down and played harder. I made several vn bluffs, caught a few cards and quickly was back up and rollin.

My stats this week. +1020 plus rakeback (about $80) see % 22.75, pre raise % 12.88 (trying to get to 15-16) att to steal 26% (want 30-32) and i'm very happy with my aggression. flop 3.43 turn 3.96 riv 3.00 total 3.52. Solid there I think. BB/100 hands profit 9.75.

I'll try to get more hands in this week and will play NL200 only when the BR gets to 2000. Thats only 10 buyins but I really think the play is weaker although it is more aggressive. I like playing aggro players, especially when I have a ton of stats on them, which I usually do.

A couple of keys to this game:

Stay outa dicey situations. If a good player (or a player with weak/passive aggression stats) represents a monster don't fall in love with top pr top kick or even 2 pr. Especially when you are multi-tablin. You will have better spots very soon. If you think its a coin flip or you are behind fold. Stats can identify clueless players. I like top pr against them usually. You often will have them outkicked.

Value bet the riv like a mofo. I missed a few last night but made some great riv bets also.

If you are playing poker for money online and don't have pokertracker you are nuts. Check out our forum for more on this great software.

Print out all your starting hands in PT. KJo, A10o, A9 have been getting me in trouble lately so I have been mucking them outa position. I'm gonna either play them strong in position or dump'em.

I don't like to risk even a smallish stack allin with AKo or AKs (in most cases, uber shorties are often the exception). Its usually a flip against a good pair. Pass. Sure some tilt monkeys will have AJ or AQ but i'll get their cashish later without flippin coins.

Play as many tables as you can. Work on adding tables. I don't know how many times a 1 table heater has made up for the other 4 tables that are struggling. Last night 280 of my 360 profit was on 1 table.

Table Selection! If you don't know what to look for post in our forum. We have a PT thread already started. There are great players at these lower limits. Many are paying bills with the winnings so are not able to move up (this sounds eerily familiar). There are many more mediocre or horrible players. Sit with them. If new players come to your table make a decision to stay or go based on who sits. Don't fall in love with a chair. A tough player to your left really sucks. Sure, its fun to challenge him and maybe you can beat him/her. Don't do it. It's about building your roll. Get donkey boy to your left, right and center. Soon you will have their lunch monies.

Thanks for reading! Kick assholios at the tables this week........

Shark

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sumtymes!

2007-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I had an affiliate Freeroll MTT to play at 2PM EST and woke up 6 min. before. Ultimate Bet kicks out non sitters pretty quick so I made it just in time. 9 hours sleep, mama made sum waffles, 7 cups of baileys/java and i'm feelin' stronger than battery acid.

Shark Vet Roanan from Chilliwack BC provided strong sweat, emailed support requesting I get better hole cards and recommended several tunes from his playlist of 6500 tunes. I'm a itunes junky and have 180. 6500? Thats nutz. Its a helluva good list, check it out TUNEAGGE

Right now i'm enjoying the new Tragically Hip (Lovesic is best track but several are great). Sounds like the HIP are finally back after several weak albums. If you like ROCK get the "yer favourites" album from the HIP. Not a bad tune on there. Its only $20 on itunes (19 tunes).

The new Who album is disappointing except the rocker "Its Not Enough" which sounds like it would fit in perfectly slid into the rock classic WHOS NEXT.

Roanan mentioned RUSH will release their new album next week. He said the new single sounds like old RUSH (finally) and can be heard on da webs at RUSH This RUSH DVD features the best rock drummer of all time IMO (Neil Peart). The overhead shots of him at work make this worth the price of admission.

Pearl Jams new version of the WHOS "Love Reign O'er Me" is a must buy, IMO.

Check out Roanans list, he even has a few early Hasselhoff tracks.

<>

I just got some new headphones so i'm really enjoying the rocknroll. Highly recommended are SennheiserHD595. Incredible Headphones. Okay, back to the tourney.

I played well, got really short when my 88 couldnt beat j6o against the shorty when we were down to 6. Finally got it heads up which was nice cause...... I don't lose HU. Cashed $750 for 2.5 hours. Changed my depends, knocked back a quart of ensure and ate 3 metamucils. Life is good.

Roanan gave nice running commentary in our forum if ya wanna check out the details.

I'm going to see the new flick ZODIAC tonight. Heard its vn. I'll give a review tommorrow.

Blogs I like

Mid Limit Pro Jerry

MTT Prodigy and prop bettin madman Shannon Shorr

Pro Circuit Player Shaniac

Thanks for reading.

Vegas Run with the Sharkettes

2007-03-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

We did Vegas last month. Was for daughters 21st birffday.

Since the warden and stepdaughter had plans for chippendales and shopping I decided to play sum long sessions. Played well except last nite got 2 drunky and lost 4 hundo. +700 in about 30 hours in 3 days was the final tally. All NL now. I had not been that drunk in 20 years and would like to apologize to all I played with at Imperial Palace on our last night. I partook in several of the fremont street crown royal shooters and with about 10 hrs sleep in 3 days I was plastered.

One fun hand I do remember. Wifey decides to play NL for the first time. I bet pre, she raises, 2 callers and I reraise with A3o. We lose one and 3 of us see floppage of 7 8 2. I say "if I check will you bet?" She says yes so I check, she bets pot, other lagg folds and I reraise again. She folds JJ face up and I show the bluff. Now I never show except this night i'm really drunk and want to test the strength of our marriage. I also want to show her that NL is different then limit and guys will sense scared players and will bet them outa the pot. She was a lil hot here but I apologized and reminded her that i'm drunky. The guys at the table really enjoyed this bluff, hi 5's all around (after she left the table). She says I scarred her for life and won't play NL again. I think she should stick to Limit for now so I won't argue.

Played sum 2/5 mostly 1/2. Much less variance and game is improving. I told the grrrls I would definately go to "Thunder Down Under" but Chippendales was a stretch. The warden caught a ripped Chippendales man beater tee so shes got that framed now in our den.

Games in Vegas are incredibly good, especially late at nite.

Played 16 hours on arrival, Mirage 1/2 NL. Dead even. Brutal. Earned a buffet, lol. The Mirage Buffet (Cravings I think?) is weak IMO. No King Crab, very limited desserts. Free always works though. Eat at the back in the bar, cool barkeep (forgot name, hispanic guy) and great service. Gave him large tippage. Had not ate or slept in over 24 hours so I walked back to Ballys and crashed hard. I hate Ballys and won't stay there again. To long of a walk to the street and grumpy employees everywhere. At check in we had requested (2 months prior) 2 queen beds/non smoking and got 1 queen a rollaway and a stinky smokers room. The guy at the desk basically said tuff shit and his manager said the same only way nicer. I said no problem, lots of good hotels in this town, we won't be back.

Nite 2 I trapped a donk at the 2/5 Rio. I knew he was my huckleberry after a few hands. Set trap and felted him for about $400 1/2 hr in. poker fun.

Best dinner was at the Sushi Bar at Treasure Island. Its called "Social House." Again ate at the bar with great service from a fun and cool barkeep. Try the filet mignon sliders and sashimi plate. Ohh boy....Dinner for 3 with 6 drinks about $170 with tippage. Very fast service and the bait was excellent. I had a few Belvedere/tonics and they were stiffies.

If anyone is still reading this blog help yer ole buddy Sharkee out and post a lil in our forum. I'd like to keep it alive if possible.

I'm still looking for some guest blog posters. If you have a good story, strategy article or trip report let me know. I'll send sum nice shark gear your way.

This week i'm working with Pokerstars, Poker.com and AP for some new tourneys. Check back for more on that next week.

Norman dba "Cardluvr" MTT Tips

2007-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

One of the best online MTT players that I know was kind enough to ship this sweet guest blog (at my request).

MTT Strategies

The first thing I want to say is---there is no one guaranteed foolproof way to play winning hold'em. There are several things that come into play to be successful, beginning with luck. If you never get any decent cards, eventually you will lose. If you always get great cards and hit all your draws, you can win even if you are a donkey! For the 99% of players who fall somewhere in between, there are some things to remember that will help you win more than your share. It is important to be able to play more than one style, meaning, if you are always aggressive, or always tight, other players will see that and eventually use that against you.

You must be able to change gears. You should come out early in a tournament showing a certain style of play, and then when your opponents think they have you measured, change pace. By the time they figure out what you are doing, you might have won several big pots. You have to be willing to lose a few chips to sell your style. If you want to be seen as a calling station, you have to call to the river with nothing and then fold a few times. Trust me, many players will make note of this, and later when you flop the nuts, they will bet out and build the pot for you, because they think you will fold on the river. I like the trap play, because it is possible to win large pots by trapping. (This probably follows because my biggest weakness is impatience----I can't wait to win all those chips!).

In order to use the trap play successfully, you have to be able to read the style of play of your opponents. It is easier to trap aggressive players, because they bet out more often, with any kind of hand. If you have established yourself as a calling station, when you flop a monster they will do most of the betting for you, and you can raise them out of the pot, or take down a big payoff if they don't believe you.

Tight players are more difficult to trap, but it can be done, using a lot of patience and good reads. It is important to learn (and remember) what tight players' tendencies are. Do they only play with pocket pairs? Will they only enter a pot with an Ace in their hand? If you have a good read on a player, you will know when he hits a flop, and if you hit it too, you can bet out, feeling confident he will call. Don't forget, though-----a tight player is more likely to call an all in when he hits the flop, so don't push unless you have the absolute nuts. Obviously, you aren't going to win every time you try to trap. Don't be afraid to fold a hand if you aren't sure your hand is best. It's better to throw in a winning hand once in a while, than to push with a loser.

In a tournament, if you go all in and lose, your tournament is over. I have read many books on poker, and I try not to pattern myself after any particular player, but rather I try to use a little bit from all of them. People are not all alike, so I believe everyone has to establish their own game that suits them best. I think the important things to remember are being able to vary your style of play, being able to read your opponent's style of play, and to exercise patience! You also have to have confidence in your ability, because if you go into a tournament thinking the other players are better than you, you quite likely will lose.

You won't win every time you play, so don't waste time complaining to yourself (or others) about how unlucky you were. Remember where you made mistakes, or bad reads, and use that knowledge to do better the next time out. See you at the tables!
_________________
Take care. Norman

Shark Tour Announcement, Updates

2007-01-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

After 4 years and about 800 tourneys I took a much needed break in January, 2007. I entertained a few nice offers to purchase our sites but decided to keep the business and continue onward with a few changes. The Shark Tour is back in February. Post in our forum if you have questions or ideas to improve our Tour!

This is my current plan. It may need tweaking but here goes.

Less Tourneys. I think we had too many going and its hard on me doing that many, plus blog, forum etc. I'll do a better job in other areas if I host less tourneys and don't have set dates where I have to set one up (ie, every thurs, every sunday, etc.). I can get better adds and prizes with less events also.

Keep the forum up. I'm not going to get disappointed anymore with the players that don't support us there. I'll continue to ask for support and if they come great. I would miss all the great contact (and jokes) from my many friends there if we closed up.

BLOG. The blog is a great way to communicate tourney problems and upcoming events. But I quickly got tired of talking about myself. It gets old and I really don't think i'm that exciting, i'm not a high limit player and have not traveled much in the last few years so it seems boring talking about my life. Maybe when we move to Vegas I will be able to report on more live tournys which is interesting. Where I live now the structures are horrible and they are mostly allin fests.

So i'm going to work hard to get my VETS to post guest blogs to keep the blog going. I have some nice SWAG stored up and will do poker site CASHISH transfers also for good guest blog posts. I wanna hear about anything interesting. Trips, Poker, Mustang Ranch reports, Norms endless supply of good jokes, your neighbor getting arrested, a BORN street brawl, a final table WIN, basically anything and everything.

Here is a great example of what I want to do with the blog. Death Donkey (fellow 2+2 poster and high limit player) has a blog and several of his friends post on it. So its not all about one guy. I think a blog with several interesting people posting would be much more fun for the readers. And that takes the pressure off me to find something to write about all the time. Maybe I can get a few of you to commit to 1 post a month or something like that. I bet I could get 2 a month outta the jippster. Guys with web sites (Gumbee, Headwaiter, etc) can promote their dealo's when they post also so maybe I can help you out a lil also. If you have a home biz or something to promote go for it on my blog when you make a good post. Lets all network and help fellow shark members.

Check out this bloggage for an example: http://deathdonkey.com/

I would love comments, ideas and requests in our forum! If you can help out with more forum posts, write a blog or would be willing to help out by encouraging more forum posters or buyin players you will help our TOUR survive and we will get stronger. If you are a sharkette (lady shark playa) we need you to tell your friends and help promote the ladies freeroll to make it work. Posting in the Ladies Threads in the forum also is a big help. If I can see improvement and interest in special events (ladies, Omaha, etc) then the sites will let us continue.

Okay, thats enough for now. I'll get a few good tourneys up next month. Short handed, Omaha, Ladies event and some freerolls.

Fire some questions at me or make suggestions NOW! There are NO bad ideas.....Whats on your mind donkey boy/girl?

Your once feared short handed, limit leader (in training now, NL donk),

Sharkee

NOTE: I'm looking into setting up a fundraiser Tournament for 2 of my good friends (Guy and Joanne, Sempaii Jo and PokerPadre). Jo has been very sick and they need our help. Ideas for this February event in the forum please. If we could raise a thousand or 2 it would be a huge help to a great couple.
_________________
www.onlineshark.com

Videos, NL Update and More Tourneys!

2006-11-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

12 tables no overlap. My setup above. I'm not playing more than 6 yet but nice to have extra room to preview Borns hockey fighting vids or Headwaiters S & M archives. I need NL Bad Ass and Portland native Joey Wong to send sum wrestlin vids and i'm set.

So 15 days into my switch from LIMIT to No Limit i'm 10-1-1. The BR is healthy and the tude is good. I have stats on 24,000 Tilters at NL100 and am starting to play NL200 as I datamine players at that level. It seems that there are more bad "stat" players at that level so big fun should be had as I move up. Hopefully 1 month there and then NL400. I like 25 buyins for each level before deserting my previous level but will take shots and datamine before I have the full 25.

The Shark Network signed 2 NEW Poker sites today. Big Freerolls and buyins will be added for December at Crazy Poker and Vegas Poker 24/7 next month. Check out our forum for updates and info.

I'm going to do a video to promote the new Sharks Vegas Strip site. It will be a NL100 video on what I do to prepare for a session, then i'll play. I'll show how I use Pokertracker, Poker Ace HU display, identify donkelicous (I hate the word juicy) tables and players, datamining, the use of gametime (if you don't have PokerAceHUD), I'm not professing to be a great NL player or a great teacher here. Hopefully my low limit players will get some ideas and maybe it will inspire a few to finally get PT.
One thing I don't see on Cardrunners, PokerXFactor or Stox Poker is playing based on reads I get from villains tendencies. I know who is a stealer and whos weak based on a huge database. You can steal super tight/agg "TAGS" blind. Good players with great stats often are playing 12 tables and are just playing ABC poker. Exploit this, its easy and fun. I'll show how I do this in the video.

I think the key to my early success in NL is due to PT and table selection. There are many real good players at this low limit. Great stats, aggressive and huge winrates. I don't play those guys much. I'm running good and adding to my roll daily against bad players and making plans to move up to bigger buyins.

This video will answer many questions I have been receiving lately on multi tablin and using stats to clobber your unsuspecting foes.

If you have anything you would like me to address in this video or have any ideas please post them in our Pokertracker Forum. Your ideas would be appreciated.

I hope to have guest videos by Connjure (Omaha sit n gos) and other top Shark players. These will be free to all members. We'll take requests too. Limit? Multi Table Tourneys? Shoot me some ideas in the forum.

Had a nice turnout at Poker.com for the VET Series last night. I took 2nd for a small cash. Several cry baybees couldnt understand why big stacks put them allin with mediocre holdings. Hey, if ya don't have a big enough stack to protect yer hand don't cry when ya get launched. You didnt chip up early like your opponent did. So you had to hope you win races allin as a small (or big favorite). To these whiners I say.......Buh Bye.

Shoot me some video requests in the forum NOW! So far Born suggested I tape me an Raisin playin' "lucky burglar". Lets keep it Poker related ya pervs. Jiggy...don't you start!

Participate in our FORUM now. Huge lineup of Tourneys upcoming in December. More MONEY added!! Omaha, and maybe a ladies event.

Win Streak Ends, Lets Start a New One!

2006-11-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

Played a 22 hour str8 session starting at 4pm Monday and ending 2 pm Tues. 4700 hands were played. As expected I was due for a bad night (I try not to think about the inevitable, but dark thoughts creep in)and the beats and coolers arrived early and often in this crazy day. Heres a fun hand I played. My lil buddee with the 3 4o got very aggressive on the flop and decided the turn made it time to go to that happy place on the turn, ALLIN baaaaybeee. I like that part at da bottom that says"Raisin" wins $247.

Appears i'm rollin huh? haha!

So i'm stuck 600 about 8 hours in and can't stop now. The PT was saying all tables were donkelicious and hey, I gotta increase me streak to 6 wins. 14 hours later I got it back to -300 and SED (shut er down). My kickback ate up almost 1/2 of the loss so certainly not a bad outcome when AA is only +60 (24 times) and KK again comes sparingly (14 times). Average would be 21 times. I am adjusting my play with AA and reading 2+2 strategy on the play of AA. I'm fine tuning that part of my new game. No doubt I have not played it optimally at times.

Wednesday night i'm back in the saddle, datamined 16 tables and sit in the 4 best seats. The plan for tonight is to reraise pre more to 1) disguise monsters. AA and KK will get more action if you rerayz with 87s, 99, AK, etc. 2) the 12 tablin tight regulars will often fold to this play 3) rerayz outa blinds. this will keep stealers honest. Play back hard at guys that are hi % stealers.

1300 hands later its a small win and learned some new tricks. The rerayz outa the blinds worked great especially against a 52% steal artist that pounded my BB even after I made him pay several times. This was the action several times. folded around to cutoff, stealer boy raises 4XBB fold fold sharkee pops it 12Xbb stealer calls. I bet flop, buh bye. Most guys think this move is a big pair. I did it mostly with hands I would normally fold to a raise. Fun.

I did get more action pre on my monsters since I rerayzed about 30% more this session. That will continue. I think I played AA better. I'll continue to work on how I play the most powerful hand in pokah. Its fun to play long sessions since you get many opportunities to work on different situations. I replay key hands in PT and try to improve each time I sit.

I continue to play back at any player that bets $1 (several bet this strange amount into $8, &$12 or $20 pots). It doesnt always work. Apparently thats a tricky move to show weakness for many of these highly skilled bots, I lol'ed. They bet 1, I rayz to 5 they call with monsters and fold anything else. A ton of MIN rayzors also. Just horrible weak play. 6 max is about aggression and 3/4 to 1 pot size bets, IMO. Don't play weak and bet $1 or 1/2 pot. Don't ever limp first in at 6 max. Come in for a rayz or fold. I won several hands with 22 or 33 UTG with a rayz and CBET (continuation bet).

Sharks in the News!

Zacaroni makes another big score. This time at Absolute. Sweet win and $3300. Cha cha ching. Read about it in the Shark Forum

One of our top posters and all around fun lady "HyppieChyck" made it thru 487 donkeys to score another big cash for 2nd ($823) at our top site Absolute. 6 hours and lotsa shark member sweat helped her torture the final table. Read about her play in our "Success Stories" thread in the forum. Proud Shark! Way to go HC!

My right hand girl ChipTricks will be making the big move from Florida to Vegas soon. Big move for a young family. Best wishes and looking forward to having you back playing soon. Great lady, player and mom.

Texas Dan. Long time Shark aggressive Vet picked up another reader for $800 in a Bugsys (Bugsys? lol) $55 buyin. Great 4th place finish and more cashish for a great MTT player. VN Dan! More on this in Success stories. Whos Next?

Please no MIN raisin or MIN reraisin! All Shark vets use the same policy. You will be re-popped on principle with or without a hand. Bet, raise or fold. Your bets should make a statement.

Thank you, Shark.

2600 hands, Tunnel Vision & Carpal Tunnel

2006-11-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

The NL experiment continued with my 4th and 5th sessions. Winner! 5 for 5 and it appears i'm ready to move up. NL100 is fun bois, grrrls and mental deficients.

I'm always mentioning that I wouldnt complain EVER if just a few bad beats went for me instead of against me. I understand that if yer money is going in good most of the time that you need to expect more bad beats then good. Check out this lil diddy I pulled on a super nice villain "reming" I believe. He didnt whine and it was a huge pot. The money got all in on the flop. We chatted about this sick cooler that went against me, then against him to take his stack. We agreed all the money was getting in on the flop no matter what the turn/riv brought. He made a nice comeback after this beat and didnt give up.

The short stack was a distant third, I was second until the purdy ACE hit the turn and wiped out that yung mans hopes and dreams.

This hand above almost got me even after 2000 hands today. Then this set below arrived about 15 min later. The villain was smack talkin the whole table, callin us idiots and bad words that I had never heard or seen typed before. I made a note to self "trap loser boy ASAP" and this hand came up shortly thereafter. Poor bastard. ChaChing!

This is the PERFECT flop in this low limit game. They think AK is the nutz before the flop and when an A or K hits it is the nutz. I lol'ed. nh sir! Its only a PAIR sphincter boy.

We got it all in on the flop. Loser boy was quiet and outa smack talk in the aftermath. Poker is lotsa fun sumtymes.

Still having trouble with AA/ 11 times today and -21 including two runnins with KK allin preflop. Lost both to riv cowboys. So a struggle for 8 hrs and a great last hr (9 hrs str8 session) at the puter to pull off a nice +200 day. Had KK a VN 16 times but only +100, Ran into AA twice and went down both times hard. Thats 6 max. Lotsa hands, good action and weak passive limpers at every table.

The amount of blinds and limps you steal from these guys blows me away. I saw this action at least 20 times today. Is anyone watching what i'm doing? Limp,limp,limp, I raise 5X on the button SB folds BB fold, all limpers fold and I steal their lunch monies. You don't need a hand. If one calls and an Ace or King flops you bet they go buh bye. I don't anticipate NL200 being like this, so i'll enjoy for now.

NL Newb Adventure Continues

2006-11-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

3rd night in the books and still have not had a losing session. Last night I had weak starters but ran over the passive limping call monkeys. I didnt see world class "sweater" Matt "Bornsupreme" my cleaner last night so was surprised to do so well. I made +575 in the 2 hours he watched me (first NL night) when the deck hit me like no bodies bidness. Then he left and I gave much of it back. I might have to pay him in tourney chips to sweat me late night when the worst players come out and I fire up the mister lappy.

My pre raise was lower than normal (last night, see PT stat link below), and steal is 10% lower so i'll make sure I crank those up tonight. My river aggress is also weak. Just a small sample problem there I think. I want 24-26 see flop (VPIP) 17-18 pre rayz 35% steal and 3.4 to 3.8 total aggress.

PT stats for last night

+512. Had ACES only 4 times and was -2 for the session. AA is a great opportunity to stack these low limit guys. They really love TPTK and make ego calls when rerayzed when their AK hits the K28 floppage.

Making less mistakes each night but still a total newb at this game. I'm never going back to limit. The chasers pay to see all seven now.

Done with limit. No Limit Baybeee!

2006-11-16T13:39:00.000-08:00

2 long sessions in the books (NL 100 buyin). about 4000 hands. Made many mistakes but overall played well. Was up $520 in first 3 hrs then got pounded by mini monsters beatin by lge monsters.

Had AJs and flop came AJ6. We got it all in on turn when a blank hit. He had 66. ty dealer!

Booked two small wins. Thx for sweat Born! I caught a nice heater when he showed and stacked 3-5 guys.

4 tables are easy and when I get proficient 6-8 should be fine. (6 max).

I dialed in my stats last night. They are close to what I want after reading and datamining hard the last 10 days or so.

VPIP 23
Pre rayz 16.5
Steal 33
total aggro 3.4

Pulled off many bluffs, value bet the river hard, and punished the weak/passive/limpers. Need to work on not pushing overpairs so hard. That cost me $200 when my 10 10 met AA on flop of 2 8 7 (flush draw flop) and 99 met AA again on a board of 2 6 7 (flush draw flop). ITS ONLY A PR! I was rollin and cocky and pushed when the flop betting got heavy. Newb mistakes that I will no doubt do often for first month or 2. Its easy to think you are ahead with overpairs because many of these monkeys will go allin with a flush draw. They often have only 30-60 in front of them and when I see a flush draw flop I think they wanna play for it all with da draw. Thats not always the case as I learned when I shipped $200 across the table.

Today I am data mining for tonights session. Tilt allows 15 tables to open which is vn for massive mining. I purged all my LIMIT hands (and raisins) from the data base. I'm serious about not going back to limit. Now PT runs much faster.

Had a blast. Nice to use your brain instead of brainless limit. Gonna try to get in 3000 hands tonight. In the last month I have earned 2 full tilt hoodies, 2 tilt "page & tuttle micro fiber full zip" jackets (these are very nice but run huge). Go 1 size smaller than normal. And 2 long sleeve mock tees (run reg on size). These are very nice quality also. This is all at lower limits so you can score even better swag as you move up.

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An excellent thread was started by me buddee Troutkiller (Dan) in the Shark Forum. Here is my response to his problem of being shortstacked
often in Tourneys. There are many more great responses in there. ReelCrazy (Steve) always has good input.

Tournament Short Stackers Thread

From above thread, Shark wrote:

Watch the Prof Players Poker Tour. There is an episode that Fischman goes in hyper mode early much like Arieh, Phan and others do 24/7.

Its a clinic. They call call call when he has monsters and he pushes them off their hands with draws or nadda. Try this a little at a time until you feel comfy. I'm still not great or even good at it but you gotta do it a ton to get it down.

Open for a raise, bet yer draws (or nuttin) like its the nuts, especially heads up. Or Reraise a pre flop rayzor with 98s or 66. When the flop comes A 10 2 or K 10 2 continuation bet 3/4 pot and take it down You created a nice pot with aggro play.

This is sometimes difficult against calling stations. You need to identify them early. Usually lower limit players or freerolls. Identify the stations early. They are gonna chase any draw, don't respect position and wanna see all 7 cards. I think it works way better in $30-$100 buyins then our $5 buyins. Better players have seen what happens when they raise, get rerayzed and call. Low buyin players often just call. Hey, I got money in there I can't laydown. These are the guys you wanna trap with yer monsters. Get them outa there so you can get the weak passive guy in that chair.

Many are playing to survive or make the money. This use to be me.

These players think all reraises are monsters especially pre. Imagine what you would do with KK or AA pre then bet 98s like that. Its still a helluva hand if ya get called. And man, when the flop comes 7 10 J or with a low flush draw you might get all da dough in da middle against AA KK QQ.

This play works great in NLring also. I did it about 10 times in 1800 hands last night. It worked everytime. (thx for excellent sweat bornholio!). I did it with nadda against very aggro pre flop rayzors mostly. They like to bully the table with big raises with like A10o or QJs. They fold meekly when I rerayz pre (playing .50/1.0, they std rayz usually to 3.5, I re to 10 bucks, continuation bet flop and they usually just fold. Can they even continue if an ACE hits with A10s? Its dangerous. They might get stacked by AK. This is the power of aggro play. You pick up pots that many are just spectators in. Plus you set an image that you are the wrong guy to bully or steal from. They'll find a different huckleberry.

Chip accumulation. I can't wait to start playing every day, good structure, medium buyins in Vegas. Repetition, practice, try different moves. I wanna be the guy at the table that you can't read and don't wanna play against.

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Are you a fan of the WHO? I just watched the DVD "Quadra, Live, Tommy" that came out last yr. What a great DVD. Billy Idol plays the drunken bellboy (very funny) and Pete Townsends brother Simon is great also.
This and REM's Perfect Square (best dvd all time) are my favorite DVD's. Anyone have any suggestions on other rock DVD's? I have the RUSH one (came out last yr, so-so) and Bad Company live merchants of cool (good).

If you enjoy watching great drummers check out Neil Peart of RUSH in their DVD released last year "R30". From the overhead shot of him it shows him surrounded by 18 drums and about 16 cymbals. Completely surrounded. I counted the drums but got bored counting cymbals so rounded that off to approx.

If you think there is a better rock drummer I call bullshyt. I heard he recently lost his wife to cancer and daughter to a car wreck.

Paul Rodgers voice blows me away on the Bad Company DVD..

Bloodbath for Sharky

2006-11-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

I dropped 1K this weekend to sick beats and bad image since I never hit the flop. 8700 hands. $400 in rakeback makes it sting a lil less. A horrible -600 weekend, stiff back and puter headache.

Typical hand. Capped pre I have AQs. Flop 629 I bet get raised, I reraise turn is a Jack, I bet, call. riv blank, I bet, call. bad guy shows QJ. I saw a version of this at least 10 times.

I play this hand above so good and just can't win.

Over and over and over. 4 tablin I get my first set in an hour. Chased down by 24s flush. Capped pre of course.

AA loses to 73 and K2 in span of 10 min. QQ goes down three outa 4 times in 1 hr.. PT shows for the last month I have received KK only 64 times. Average would be 90.

Every time I have AK/AQ the flop is 284 with 4 callers. lol. Flush draws are converting 15% of the time. You know the drill. Back to sits and MTT for me. I'm even this month only because of rakeback and sits/mtt/

Can't beat 2/4 to 3/6 what a fukkin joke.

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Well I changed my mind after a good nites sleep. I'm playin $100 buyin NL today.

After getting turned and rivered till I puked this weekend I decided to play NL Ring, newb stakes $100 buyin. I'm a newb at ring so thats a good spot fer me.

Holy table selection batman! I had no idea. Over 50 NL100 tables going at Full Tilt. I was having trouble finding one good limit table at 2/4 to 5/10 limit. Ton of 6 tablin pros at that game now.

I can't seem to find a bad one at NL.

I hate to say never but I don't think I will over go back to limit. +280 in the first 2 hrs, 2 tablin. I think I will go to 4 tonight.

Playin 6 max. These donks are not seein the river cheap.
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Before I understood variance (especially limit short) I would have shut my puter off for a few days and reevaluated my game after taking a beating like this. But now I know when i'm playin good. I have stats to back it up to. My riv aggression sucked all weekend. That means time after time I didnt make my draw. If I have a so-so hand i'm bettin for value.

I'm jacked about the new game and runnin great so far. I'll play it all week and give you a new post in a few days. Hopefully the NL donks will be gettin the bloodbath. As I was writing this sentence another guy went all in against sharkees nutz. Stacked him. Yes baybeeee! He had second pr weak kicker. GG nh.