Hi Guys,
I feel as though I’ve become a sucker for aces. Whenever I get one, it affects my judgement as I automatically assume I’m on the road to riches. I appreciate that this is incongruous behaviour, but is there a simple way of eradicating it from my game?
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Loading ...Lou Krieger is a prolific author whose name is now closely associated with poker thanks to books such as Hold’em Excellence and its follow-up, More Hold’em Excellence. Here, he has joined (once again) with Sheree Bykofsky to create a definitive guide to poker’s rules.
Players would be foolish to assume they know every one of poker’s rules and the beauty of this particular tome is it’s small enough to fit inside a jacket pocket. This means it may be produced with a flourish just as arguments are becoming heated. It helps enormously that many of the book’s examples are based upon real situations recreated by experienced players and dealers.
Any serious poker player should familiarise himself with the game’s minutiae – and this includes a number of rather archaic rules and procedures. Conduct and etiquette are well covered by Krieger, together with general card-room rules, all of which are useful to understand, especially when competing in tournaments.
Many readers will be familiar with most of these rules, but clarification comes on matters such as handling side pots or dealing with exposed cards with action pending. Krieger also explains the ‘English-only’ rule (a new one to your reviewer), why chips must be kept visible and the range of penalties that can be imposed for a variety of infractions. As befits an occasionally controversial soul, Krieger includes a section in which he and his co-author would prefer to see changed.
Unusually for a book dealing with poker, the authors have ensured theirs is comprehensively indexed, making it a useful, convenient, tome which should be carried around by poker players at all times.
They might protest that Euro 2008, which kicks off next Saturday, will be much poorer for the home nations’ absence, but are those crocodile tears being wept by the Germans, Croats, Portuguese and supporters of several other countries besides? One thing is certain: no-one appears prepared to give up their place in return for some British involvement in Austria and Switzerland.
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Las Vegas is famed for its virtually limitless supply of moderately-priced hotel rooms, but at this time of the year rates invariably surge as thousands of players, together with their families and sponsors, assemble for the WSOP*.
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With the 2008 WSOP* now under way, it comes as a shock to realise it is ten years since we saw the most exciting final table world championship finish ever – and witnessed perhaps the best line ever delivered at the poker table in the television age.
You will recall that back in 1998, Scotty Nguyen went heads-up with Kevin McBride who, as the final hand developed, ended up chasing a straight flush.
By the turn, Scotty had secured a full house, but matters really heated up when the river card created a full house on the board (Scotty’s hand was still better though) and Kevin was one card away from his straight flush. At this point, Scotty bet $310,000 in the knowledge that to bet, Kevin would have to go all-in.
“You call this and it’s all over baby,” came Scotty’s immortal line, which many believe pushed Kevin to do just that. McBride called and Nguyen collected $1 million.
It doesn’t seem like a decade ago does it? We’ve scoured the history books to throw some more “was it really ten years ago?” moments at you.
1998 was also the year when:
· The first Harry Potter book was published.
· Titanic broke all box office records, becoming the most successful movie ever.
· Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
· Frank Sinatra died.
· France beat Brazil in the World Cup final.
· Gerri Halliwell (the ginger one) left the Spice Girls.
· Three ex-Beatles performed together in public for the first time in 30 years.
· Dana International won the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham.
· George Michael was arrested for committing “a lewd act” in front of an American police officer.
· The Monica Lewinsky scandal reached its climax as Bill Clinton was impeached by the US House of Representatives.
Poker has come a long way since those heady days, but no-one has yet come up with a better line to utter at the final table than Scotty Nguyen.
*World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah’s License Company, LLC (”Harrah’s”). Harrah’s does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with Littlewoods Gaming or it’s products, services, promotions or tournaments.
I’m indebted to a company called PanPoker Consulting for forwarding details of public figures they have “assessed” (although I’m not quite sure how scientific this assessment actually is) who they believe would make ideal poker players. Of course it’s possible that several of them are already accomplished poker experts, but PP’s main criteria for making it onto their list are as follows:
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Observant poker players who happen also to be football fans (the vast majority in our experience) may have noticed something a little disconcerting during the recent ‘play-off weekend’ broadcasts.
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As poker has gone mainstream, so one of the game’s most rewarding aspects (apart from winning of course) is the constant opportunity it provides to meet people who have enjoyed a career at the very top of their chosen profession.
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It’s not quite the Arctic Monkeys, but news arrives of a debut single scheduled for release next week by a band called SitNGO. The song, entitled Flush Draw is described in a colourful press release as “a poker parody”.
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Next Wednesday, as part of a three year deal signed in 2006, the “Official beer of the WSOP*” will launch to coincide with the opening day of the first 2008 WSOP* event. In case you didn’t know, Milwaukee’s Best Light, Milwaukee’s Best, and Milwaukee’s Best Ice are the said beers, although there are no plans to have the company’s special poker cans on sale on this side of the Atlantic.
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