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Free Online Games - Solving Puzzles Can Sharpen The Mind

5 January 2009

Online games have been under fire for some months now as addictive. The facts are different. Some games are surely addictive, but benefits far outweigh the negatives. For example there is a big range of puzzle games available free online. Can puzzles be addictive? Can puzzles spoil children? Let us look at the benefits of online puzzle games in detail.

Online puzzle games benefits- every puzzle that we solve needs application of mind. No puzzle can be solved without concentrating the mind on the problem. Ultimately puzzles lead the student improve his/her logical and analytical ability. Subjects such as operations research need these qualities in abundance. Higher mathematic involves lot of game playing. Those games are different, but once your mind sharpens solving online puzzles, you can proceed to higher levels of games in mathematics that can help solve many problems.

We have been solving puzzles since ages. The only difference now is that one need not search for a book or a magazine to look for puzzles. One can get them online for free. Puzzles that involve alphabets, and numbers are a fantastic method to sharpen the ability of children in thinking. Please encourage your children solve puzzles. By depriving them that, you may drive them to something bad. Better to give them the satisfaction of solving online puzzles and sharpening their mind. Sit down with them and make the selection with them. After that give them the freedom to play and solve puzzles. You will find out the results yourself after sometime.

The author, C.D.Mohatta writes fun quizzes and fun tests at http://www.funquizcards.com/ on topics like love, personality, dating, relationships, friendship, movies, tv, music, business, etc. The second site, the author writes for, is http://www.ecarduniverse.com/ which has free ecards on holidays, birthday, love, friendship, family, expressions, celebrations and all events and occasions. One more site associated with the author is http://www.yourfungames.com/ - it has free flash games which anyone can play online.

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World Series of Poker Mania

5 January 2009

The popularity of the World Series of Poker gained tremendous
momentum from The Travel Channel’s World Poker Tour showings.
Although the event had been showing for a number of years on
ESPN, when new technologies such as the table camera were used,
television watchers began getting involved in the hands as they
were being played.


Other advancements will also take place since the purchase of
the World Series of Poker (WSOP) from Binion’s in 2004 by
Harrah’s. They will need them because of the sheer increase in
the number of players entering the tournament. In 2003 when
Chris Moneymaker won the title and $2,500,000, there were 839
entrants. In 2004 Gregory Paul Raymer became champion after
defeating 2576 players and was rewarded with $5,000,000. For
2005, the WSOP will be estimated to have over 7500 players
hammering each other for a top prize of $6,000,000. And most
of these will come from Internet poker rooms. A significant
number of online poker rooms will host online tournaments to
sponsor seats to the WSOP main event with buy ins that are
far less than the $10,000 fee.


The Internet will be instrumental in tournament poker because of
the 24/7 availability to play large numbers of hands that would
take months in just a number of days. This will allow experience
in the game to be gained much more quickly than one could gain
say 5 years ago. With the numerous poker games that are played
at the annual WSOP, (in 2004 there were 32), anyone can learn
and practice any game over the Internet in order to compete
for a WSOP bracelet and title.


Players come from all walks of life to play at the WSOP, both
male and female. But the makeup of the top performers has
changed. Aggressive players who understand areas of mathematics
in analytical professions will come out on top more and more.
No longer will champions be made up of just those who have
played poker for 20 to 25 years in order to build up razor
sharp instincts. This is why so many younger players are
being seen winning championship events. A number of newer
champions will be current college students.


For those who do not possess such knowledge, that will not stop
them from playing the game from a competition standpoint. Expect
more satellite tournaments at land based casinos to sponsor
seats to the WSOP in order to cash in on the poker craze. They
admit they don’t make much from the tables, but what they make
on other sales and games from the players and the crowds they
attract, make poker something they will promote. Land based
casinos went from closing down poker rooms to opening them
up again and building new ones to handle the capacity.


You will still see familiar faces playing at the top of their
games like Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, T.J. Cloutier, Doyle
Brunson, Annie Duke and others. They are excited because even
though it is becoming tougher to win more tournament titles at
the World Series of Poker, overall they win more money because
of their level of expertise at the game. Players of this caliber
will stay contenders to be respected (and feared) at any final
table. The future of the World Series of Poker has an incredible
amount of potential with an estimated 50,000,000 poker players
in the United States alone. Keep your eyes open to see what
will happen next.

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 7 sites that relate to online gambling,
World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events and updates.

For more information, please visit
2005 World Series of Poker. He can be reached at webmaster@justgambleforfree.com for questions.

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Texas Hold’em Betting Strategy

4 January 2009

If you’re just learning to play one of the most important things you can spend time learning is basic Texas Hold’em betting Strategy. Some of the most important things to learn are basic to poker betting strategy in other poker games as well.

Here’s some very basic terminology, relating to Texas Hold’em betting strategy. The most common type of betting in Texas Hold’em is a fixed limit. In a fixed limit game, there are two betting amounts. The low and the high. We’ll use a $5-$10 Texas Hold’em table as an example. For the first few rounds each bet must be in increments of $5.00. For example if the bet is at $10, you can only call or raise it to $15.00. Then depending on the game, at some point, the betting limit doubles, all bets would then be made at $10.00 increments.

The basic Texas Hold’em betting strategy in this game is to concentrate on what you think the other players hand are based upon any clues you have. Remember, in betting the most important is to understand your opponents and bet accordingly without the other players at your table being able to predict your next Texas Hold’em betting strategy.

In the above scenario, most casinos will limit the number of raises in a single round to three or four. The number of raises in a single betting round should also be carefully evaluated into establishing your Texas Hold’em betting strategy.

As you probably already know a check is as bet of nothing. It allows you to stay in the game without increasing your bet. If no bets have been made during the round and it is your turn to bet you can check (bet nothing) and pass to the next player. Once you become more comfortable playing, a round including checks can be a golden opportunity to employ Texas Hold’em betting strategy. Of course you’ll need to evaluate the likelihood of your hand carefully and your opponenets. But this can be a winning opportunity.

In the instance above, the opportunity to bluff may enter your mind. A word of caution about using a bluff - A bluff works best when no one is expecting it. If your play is conservative, most people won’t expect you to bluff. Using a bluff occasionally, when it’s least expected is a good Texas Hold’em betting strategy. Another consideration in learning Texas Hold’em betting strategy is that if you never bluff your opponents will know you have a good hand when your bets are aggressive, thus they will fold.

Texas Hold’em is a game of chance, but learning effective Texas Hold’em, betting strategy can improve your chances greatly. The more experience you get, the better your strategy should become. Don’t allow yourself to ever get into a predictable routine during games. You’re setting yourself up for loss if you do.

For more wins and lots of fun, take some time to learn effective Texas Hold’em betting strategy.

David Olsen has been writing about online casinos and casino strategy for over five years and is considered an authority in the online gambling world. His latest website is all about video Poker and Online Poker. Visit His site to learn more www.playvideopoker.us/poker_rooms/
Mr. Olsen is married with a young son.

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The PS3 Rumor Mill: Upcoming Games and Rumors

2 January 2009

The system looks amazing. Though the need to fix a few minor bugs resulted in the PlayStation 3’s release date being pushed back, this has not diminished the excitement over the console’s impending release. Even though the Sony PS3 is designed to be more than a video game system, but to be an entirely new leap in multi-media in general, that does not change the fact that everything starts with the gaming system, and the gamers need to be satisfied if Sony is going to keep its strong showing in the video game market place. So it is no surprise that the rumor mills are full of speculations, thought, fact, and hope on what series of games the new PS3 system is going to bring with it.

It is all but certain that the release of the PS3 will coincide with the release of the latest Grand Theft Auto game. This extremely controversial video game series may get protests and angry letters, but nevertheless it will also sell over a million copies because it has grown to include a huge following. Anytime a video game can create its own franchise, you can bet that a company is going to ride that as far as it will go. It’s simply supply and demand: as long as the demand exists a company will always rather invest in a game with a following than go out on a limb with a new title.

Along the same lines, rumor has it that the PS3 will also be releasing several other games that belong to their own series. Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of the Patriots will be the newest, and final, game in the Metal Gear Solid series. Plans are also set up for the release of Resident Evil 5, Unreal Tournament 2007, and Devil May Cry 4. By releasing a series of games like this, Sony is guaranteeing that fans of some very different types of video game sagas will all still have a reason to purchase this system. One of the most popular rumors, though this one has yet to show any proof, is that Sony is looking to re-make Final Fantasy 7, one of the most popular installments of maybe the most popular video game series in history, and write the programming to work on a PS3 with all new and more advanced graphics. If this rumor pans out, it would be a dream come true for many an RPG fan.

Dave is the owner of playstation-3-news.info and playstation-3-games.info websites providing information on the playstation 3.

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Review - Sony PSP

2 January 2009

I’m fairly certain there are folks at Nintendo feeling some serious self-loathing right about now. You see, back in the mid-90’s Nintendo contracted Sony to develop a CD-ROM drive for the Super Nintendo. As the project progressed, a number of factors (one of them being the spectacular failure of the Sega CD and its’ followup the 32X) led Nintendo to can the project. Sony was left holding the bag, with a CD-based gaming system but no one to sell it to.

Making proverbial lemonade from lemons, Sony turned around and produced what is perhaps the most successful game console in history, the Sony Playstation. The result? For the first time in history, Nintendo took second place in the video game console market, while fellow rival Sega got out of the console business altogether.

One segment of the gaming market Nintendo still has a stranglehold on, however, is the handheld sector. Beginning with the original Gameboy, the name Nintendo has been a veritable synonym for handheld gaming. This dominant streak has held sway through several subsequent iterations of the Gameboy. Some have claimed Nintendo’s dual screen DS handheld system to be a revolutionary step forward in portable gaming. Others have decried it as gimmicky. Whichever side you fall on, there’s no doubt Nintendo execs are fingering their collars as Sony prepares to rain on their parade with their new Playstation Portable - aka the PSP.

Comparing the two systems, I’d say there’s a real chance Nintendo may finally have a serious challenger to the portable gaming throne. Most assuredly, Nintendo will claim that they are pursuing a different demographic than Sony (read ‘kids’), and to their credit the pre-teen crowd will probably favor the DS over the PSP. But for anyone over the age of 12, the PSP is definitely a serious contender for your pocket change.

Okay, so enough Nintendo-bashing. Review the damn thing already.

The first impression one gets from the PSP (once you’ve ravenously clawed your way through the packaging) is just how sleek the system is. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the PSP is one seriously sexy piece of cutting-edge tech. The system’s faceplate is fashioned of one glassy piece, interrupted only by the protrusion of the various buttons. The backside is just as nice, with the UMD disc door featuring a prominent PSP logo inside a silver metal ring set flush against the backplate. The two shoulder buttons are clear plastic, and the perimeter edge is accented in silver giving the whole thing a very streamlined look.

Of course, looks are one thing, but how does it actually play? I’m happy to report that the PSP delivers very well in this regard. For a portable system, weight is an important factor, as it is by nature handheld. The PSP is fairly lightweight, especially considering all the hi-tech goodness crammed into it’s slim chassis. In fact, it weighs just about the same as the Nintendo DS, if you need the comparison. You could easily play this thing for hours straight without feeling weighed down.

One thing that takes a little getting used to is the somewhat cramped form-factor. While the PSP’s controls may be perfect for Japanese gamers, most Westerners will find that having a go with the PSP will involve a short learning curve while hunting for a comfortable grip. Really, though, it’s no worse than any handheld system before it, and there’s no denying that Sony designed the PSP with ergonomics in mind. The back of the PSP has a very subtle curvature on each side, creating a natural shallow channel for placing one’s fingertips…it’s a small detail, but it counts.

Sony smartly modeled the PSP’s controls on the PS2’s Dualshock controllers, minus two of the front triggers and the right control stick. Replacing the left stick is an analog ‘nub’, which works much better than it sounds. Rather than tilt on an axis, the nub moves gently in a horizontal direction, giving you the same control as a stick but without the height a stick would require. It’s actually a small bit of genius, and works great in action.

As you’ve probably heard, the PSP’s main selling point is its’ 4.3-inch hi-def screen. While 4.3 inches doesn’t sound like much on paper, the PSP’s screen really must be seen to be appreciated. Both games and feature films look absolutely fantastic, and since the screen is formatted to a 16:9 ratio both applications can be appreciated in full widescreen, high-definition glory. Watching Spiderman 2 (which was included in the first million units sold in the US) is a remarkable experience; when I first booted it up, I laughed at the game store manager and proclaimed ‘It looks better than my television!’. And sure enough, it does. The screen is bright and crisp, and you may find yourself picking details out of the image that you might not have noticed the first time around.

Of course, movies are one thing, but the PSP is primarily a game platform. You wouldn’t think so, but games benefit from the PSP’s hi-def screen moreso than films. Watching something like Wipeout Pure in motion is amazing; not only is the image in razor-sharp hi-definition, it’s also widescreen, allowing a larger view of the playfield than ever before. Again, you’d think a 4.3-inch screen wouldn’t capable of very much, but it just isn’t so. Without a doubt, the PSP’s screen is one of the greatest single innovations the handheld gaming world has ever seen.

Powering the PSP is a single 333mhz processor, which may not sound too impressive up front, but visually, the PSP stacks up favorably with it’s bigger sibling, the PS2. All the flourishes you’ve come to expect from the full-size gaming platforms, sharp textures, lens flares, hi-poly models, can be found on a device roughly the size of a scientific calculator. Pick up Ridge Racer, perhaps the most visually impressive title in the PSP’s launch lineup, and you won’t miss the PS2 iterations one bit. Ditto for the aforementioned Wipeout Pure, which actually manages to overtake the PS2’s Wipeout Fusion by a fair mile…and not merely by virtue of it’s portability. It’s actually a better game…if that doesn’t say anything to you about the power of the PSP, nothing will.

The PSP also lends itself to other applications, such as viewing photos, watching videos, and playing music. Though these are definitely secondary uses for the PSP, they are no less good selling points, as the PSP handles them well enough to be a serious consideration for anyone looking for a secondary media display device. In each instance, simply connecting the PSP to your PC with a 5-pin USB cord will let you drag files from your hard drive onto the PSP’s Memory Stick. Pictures and music are fairly straightforward, while video is less so, requiring you to convert it to .mp4 format and set up a separate folder on the Memory Stick.

Picture viewing is a breeze. The PSP interface is set up in a horizontal heirarchy displaying each function; you simply navigate left or right to choose the application and then vertically to choose the source. Selecting ‘Pictures’ and then ‘Memory Stick’ will let you browse whatever images you have stored on your Memory Stick. Since the PSP uses standard Memory Stick Duo format chips, if you have a digital camera that uses MS Duo sticks, you can simply slap the stick from your digican into the PSP and browse to your heart’s content. The PSP allows you to zoom in or out and pan the photos in any direction using the nub.

Music is just as easy…you just drag your ATRAC (ech!) or .mp3 (yay!) music files onto the Memory Stick, and then navigate to them the same way you did the photos. One thing the PSP is not, however, is an iPod…you have to set up folders for each group of tunes you want, though you can assign tracks to song groups and play them back at will. That said, the PSP’s music playback functionality is great. The PSP comes with a decent set of earbuds and a remote extension allowing you to control the PSP’s music functions without having to dig the unit out of your pocket. More importantly, it sounds great. If you know how to edit .wmu playlists, you can even assign thumbnail images to the tracks which will appear when you play back the tune on your PSP.

Videos are the biggest pain in the arse, mainly because you have to do the most fiddling. Luckily, homebrew PSP programmers have already jumped to action, and there are already a number of freeware apps available online which will let you drag ‘n drop video onto your PSP with little or no trouble.

The biggest drawback to all this media fun is the fact that the PSP ships with a measly 32mb Memory Stick. By the time you start messing around with music and video files, you’ll be sorely aching for a big ‘ole 1GB Memory Stick.

So okay, I’m sure you’re wondering whether or not any of the horror stories you’ve heard about the PSP are true. One of the bigger points of contention that’s hounded the PSP is the dreaded ‘dead pixels’ issue. Reports have circulated widely that a number of PSP units have been plagued by ‘dead pixels’, pixels which are either permanently light or dark, depending on how they’re stuck. My unit does indeed have a handful of these dreaded dead pixels, but seriously…I think you’d have to be a real anal-retentive type for it to be considered truly bothersome. I’m certain that a handful of PSP’s have some serious issues, and Sony has agreed to repair or replace these units at no cost. However, seeing the problem first-hand, I can honestly say that it doesn’t seem to be that big an issue. In fact, over the last week or so, some of the ‘dead pixels’ seem to have disappeared, leaving only two barely noticeable spots. The other standout problem with the PSP’s screen is that it is a veritable magnet for smudges and fingerprints. Sony thoughtfully includes a microfiber cleaning cloth with the unit, and believe me, you’ll get a lot of use out of it. If this really bothers you, be aware that for less than $5 you can buy a number of PSP ’skins’ which protect the screen from smudges or (gasp!) scratches.

The second biggest concern about the PSP has been the battery life. So far, in my experience, the power supply is adequate for what the PSP is…a portable gaming system. With average use, you should expect to get between 4-5 hours of use between recharges. I generally use the PSP to while away lunch breaks or spare moments in the evening when I’ve got nothing better to do, and I have yet to encounter a situation when I’ve been left with a fully discharged PSP. If you really expect to put some time into the PSP, you will probably want to get into the habit of carrying around the included 5v power supply or invest in a secondary power source (Pelican currently sells a ‘power brick’ which will recharge your PSP twice on a single charge for a mere $10). Other reports, from UMD’s ejecting from the unit when its’ twisted, to poorly fabricated ’square’ buttons, have really been overblown. I’m sure you can find faults with the system, but overall, it’s very well manufactured and should withstand years of use provided you take care of it.

A minor issue of mine lies with the UMD movie lineup. While I’m all for enjoying fan-favorite fare like Hellboy and Kill Bill, I wonder if film studios will truly embrace the format. Will we ever be able to enjoy Citizen Kane or the works of Jean Cocteau on the PSP? I think not. Considering the highly proprietary nature of the UMD format, I can’t imagine the studios taking a risk on less bankable material for consideration for UMD release. I suppose those of us who enjoy the occasional foreign or classic film will have to resort to storing flicks on the Memory Stick. Oh well…least common denominator, I suppose…

Film snobbery aside, the PSP is truly a remarkable piece of engineering. When the PSP’s specs were first unveiled a mere two years ago, it was widely believed that Sony’s handheld system was vaporware in the making, and that the final product couldn’t possibly deliver. Amazingly, they have. Nearly every point on Sony’s ambitious list is intact. With numerous hardware and software improvements on the way (digital camera attachments, installed web browser and chat clients, PSP MMORPG’s), Sony has crafted the first true challenger to the handheld gaming throne…and suddenly it feels like 1995 all over again.

Alex Mayo is a graphic designer of Irish/Filipino descent who grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was raised on comic books, punk rock, and grade-B kung fu movies, which explains his complete and utter inability to deal with real life in a rational manner. He is reasonably well-educated (if Art school counts), reasonably well-read (if graphic novels and the ‘Letters to Hustler…’ columns count), and reasonably well-fed (if Sliders from White Castle count).

Alex currenty supprorts himself as a freelance graphic designer and as the helmsman in charge of http://destroy-all-monsters.com a popular Asian-American Pop Culture webzine.

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Casino Bonuses Explained

2 January 2009

Casino Bonuses - what is the truth behind it?

There is a lot of competition in the online gambling market today. Each day, new casinos form, old ones regroup and change owners, and the supply is nearly endless.

When a player is looking to choose in which casino to play, he (or she), has many different factors to consider:
• Do I like the look of the casino?
• Does it have the games I’m interested in?
• Do I know anything about the Casino?
• Did someone recommend it to me?
• Does the customer support efficient and offers around the clock help?
• But most importantly I ask myself - what’s in it for me? What do THEY offer me to play at their casino of all places?

This is where the Bonuses come into play.

You will not find anywhere online a casino that does not offer some sort of bonus.
Some offer first time deposit bonuses, some offer loyalty bonuses, some offer 2nd and 3rd deposit bonuses and some have invented all sort of tricks and treats in order to attract the player to their casino.

We will now try to make a little order in the ever growing world of casino bonuses, and try to explain what they mean.

First deposit bonus:
This is a bonus a player can collect only once, when making the first deposit. Usually it is the biggest bonus he casino offers, and you can find places offering bonuses of up to 1000$.
In order to claim the bonus, you have to deposit a specified amount, usually close to the bonus amount (or sometimes even more), and play with a certain amount of money before you are allowed to cash out.
The standard is between 4 times and 12 times the amount of the bonus or combined bonus + deposit. (For example - if you deposited 100$ and received 100$, you will have to wager at least 800$ (4X(100$+100$)) in order to cash out. This means you can put the 200$ on the roulette, win, put another 400$, win, and now you have played the due 800$ and you can cash out.

Read the fine print in the term & conditions for each offer, there you will see what is the amount needed, and if there are games banned from the bonus play.

Second, Third etc. deposit bonus:
Same rules apply here - but every player can enjoy the bonus - even an old timer at the casino, provided it is their 2nd or 3rd deposit. (or more -depending on the casino).

Monthly bonus:
Some casinos will give you a bonus for the first deposit of each month.
Same rules apply here - read the T&C.

Players club or Comp points:
Most casinos will reward players with credit for money spent, and allow them to receive money back for a predetermined amount of points. Read each casinos rules concerning the exchange.
Some places will let you use the points you earn to get merchandize or enter special private tournaments.

Bonus when using different depositing methods:
If you are using services like NETeller or Citadel or any of the sort, some casinos will offer you extra 10 or 15% bonus. This is in order to advance new methods, and reduce the dependency on credit cards.

Your loses back or extra winnings:
This is a bonus that is rarer than the others, but it allows you to get some of your loses back (usually about 10% back), and if you are a winner, the casino adds to your winnings (usually about 1%).

VIP Clubs
Most casinos will have some sort of VIP program, allowing veteran players and high rollers to each more Comp points, have better exchange rates, play in private games and more.

These are the most common bonuses today. Some times a casino will add something special, a little extra, a promotion for a special occasion (Christmas, Halloween, etc.), and details on each one you can always read in the home page of each casino.

Before you start playing, there is one thing you need to know, and that is how to play - after that you’re on your own…

If you’re interested in finidng more on the subject, please visit one of these two sites:

Texas Holdem or
casino Bonus

Good Luck!

The author is a gamer, and has been for most of his life. In the last years, he specialized in Casino games and Poker, and aquired a vast knowledge of online gaming and poker. His websites, Texas Holdem and
casino Bonus offer great resources for players, both in reviews and articles.

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Poker Betting Methods

31 December 2008

You must have developed a great betting strategy playing the regular limit, no-limit and pot-limit games. Now let’s see some other methods of betting involved mainly in private games. I will just cover a few for example Set limit, Straddle method, Freeze out and Running out of money. So let’s discuss each of them. These methods bring in a lot of excitement and fun when playing private games.

Set limit:
Here players agree to a minimum and maximum bet where there is enough opportunity for them to make good raises. It is important because if you raise a decent amount of chips then you might force other players into folding. Also there is an agreement on a minimum ante by every player before the cards are dealt, so, there is some money in the pot before you start playing. To stay in the game each player must bet an amount equal to the previous player or raise the stakes up to the maximum as agreed before the play.

Straddle Method:
Here first a player bets an ante and the next player doubles the bet called straddle before the cards are dealt. Now the third player can either fold or double the straddle depending on his cards. The betting continues and each player must bet at least the same amount as the previous player. Here showdown occurs when no one else raises or the maximum bet is reached as agreed before the play.

Freeze Out:
Here the betting is same as in regular games but with few exceptions. Betting is arranged using an agreed method and the objective is for one player to win all the chips. When a player runs out of chips, there is an immediate showdown and the player with the best hand wins the pot. Games like these are already marked as Freeze out tournaments.

Running out of money:
Again the betting here is same as in regular games but with few exceptions. If a player runs out of money during the game a second pot is opened by the remaining players. Now that player has to wait until one player remains or there is a showdown. If one player remains then he definitely wins the second pot or else a player with the highest hand wins the pot. Now the hand that won the second pot is compared to that of the player who ran out of money. The player with the best hand wins the first or original pot.

Also visit us for Official poker rules and strategies.

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Feeling OK about Losing in Poker

30 December 2008

Some hands in pokern seem just designed to take your money. Most poker players will be able to remember with disgusting clarity the time they had quads that lost to a better set of quads, or when their opponent had the high end of the straight flush while they had the low. It can be a rough thing to shake to put all your money in just 100% positive you can’t be beat, only to see the minor fraction of a possibility become a reality.

In these situations, though, you have to able to accept the game for what it is. You can’t beat yourself up over losing all your money with quads. There are few, if any, poker players that could get away from it for any price. In the end, what matters is knowing that you played right and well and were foiled only by something that will happen not even once a blue moon (unless you’re really unlucky). Being able to get over situations where you had little to no choice to go broke, and to then turn around and continue playing A-game poker is a vital, if sometimes difficult, aspect of surviving in the long run.

If at the end of the day you can say ‘I pretty much played exactly as I was supposed to, I just got screwed’ you are doing okay. In the long run, the odds all shake down to even.

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What Types of Things Can You Make to Earn Money | Free Paid Survey List

29 December 2008

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How To Build A Poker Table

29 December 2008

Are you interested in building your own poker table? There is an amazing sense of pride that comes from being able to tell your friends that you made, with your two hands, the table that they are sitting at. If you have ever used a tape measure, a saw or a staple gun, you can build a one of a kind poker table. Just a few simple tools, some wood and an idea of what you want it to look like are all you really need to get started.

Before you can start your project, you need to have wood. A good choice is usually Red Oak, this is because it is a hardwood which is known for its durability and beauty. This is the phase of building where you can really customize your design. If you want to add cup holders, chip holders or any other kind of holder, now is the time to do it. When you are measuring the size of your table, remember to take into account that you will be adding rails along the edge, these will take up surface space, so you will need to plan accordingly.

When building a table, you first need to find a piece of wood large enough for the table surface or two pieces what will fit together nicely to form the surface. Next, the wood needs to be cut out in an oval shape according to the size of the table. After the tabletop is made, a one-inch rim needs to be made. The rim should be cut to fit the tabletop and glued into place. Once the rim is in place, a rail needs to be measured and cut out so it fits nicely onto the rim, this will prevent cards and chips from falling off the table.

Next, a pad should be fitted to the table so the table will have a soft feeling. Holes need to be cut through the padding to fit the corresponding holes in the table that were made to hold the chips, cups, plates, etc. Then the table is, often times, covered with a soft velvet like cloth. Some people prefer a billiards table cover, which works just as well. Make sure to cut holes in the cloth to line up with the holes in the table.

After getting the table padded and covered, the rail needs to be padded. This can be completed by simply cutting out the padding to the exact measurements of your rail then covering it with a layer of vinyl. When covering the padding, be sure to pull the material tight and use a large amount of staples so it will stay that way.

Keep in mind that this is a very basic overview of how to build a poker table. The beauty of building your own table is that you can personalize it to fit your needs and wants. If you would like directions that are more precise, there are handbooks available on the subject of building a poker table, which can be purchased at almost any poker store as well as online.

For the best online poker systems and local poker games, please visit www.poker-weblog.com and www.localpokerplay.com

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