Max My Poker

As an experiment, I created a new web site called Max My Poker.  It is a solitary page of poker information and links.  It is the .info version.  I'll built a .com version another day with much more information.  There is not much poker content, but still there are links to 20 or so poker sites.

Try the site out and see what it offers.

The Problem with Points

Ok.  So everyone complains about points in the Red, White, and Blue Poker League.  Some of the problem is the league's fault, but some of the problem is the player's.  There are two strategies to resolve issues - one is to mention it to Robert.  He usually fixes a problem within a day or so.  The other way is to create four pages of rants on Facebook stating that it is the third day of the quarter and you only have enough attendance points for three days.

The biggest problem with points is in the computer trying to match up what people write or type.  Here are some examples from real life.  Sorry, I don't mean to embarrass anyone.

The database lists
Domingo Unknown
Domingo Aguilar

Here Domingo did not put in his last name the first time, so the computer added "Unknown".  You and I may know who Domingo is, though I can't recall how to spell is last name if he doesn't write it, but the computer just does a strict match on the way the full name is spelled.

Or how about
Ronnie Thomas
Ronnie Thomas Jr
When I type this into the computer, I sometimes forget if Ronnie is Jr or not.  It was easy until his son started playing, who is
Ronnie Thomas III
I was making a mistake and adding Jr when it should be without Jr.

Some people put in a number, and some people don't put in a member number.  In theory, when the computer finds a member number it looks up to see what the original registration name was and then uses that name.  And sometimes the computer does this, but basically no one puts there number in every time.

So the player who sometimes goes by Steve, and sometimes by Steven gets two different entries in the points list.

Then of course there is the Best Player in the League who uses ten different names to sign in with, two totally different names in the last week.

In summary, there are three sources for your points entry.  You can type attendance points in the computer sign-in, you can scribble your name on a paper sign-out or sign-in, or the computer can look up your original registration name.

Now as for how it actually works, the member numbers while important, are mainly used to look up your photo or other information.  Your points are calculated totally on how your name is spelled.

Blood Drive at the Casino

Recently, I found myself selling my blood to eat at the casino.

Technically, the Red Cross had a blood drive at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.  Instead of a t-shirt, if you gave blood they gave you a free ticket to the Epic Buffet at the casino.  It was all you can eat crab leg night, so I gave it a try.

Just to let you know, I am not all that altruistic.  I think giving blood is a fine thing, but I did it for the crab legs, not for humanitarian reasons.  I happened to be at the Fleabag Motel across the street from the casino and noticed the blood drive on the casino's Facebook page.  I went in a little early before the poker room opened and gave blood and got a free meal.

The next blood drive will be Tuesday, September 28th from 10am - 4pm in the Skyline Ballroom.  Hope you can make it.

The Insanity of Her Poker Life

A fellow player decided to start a blog.  It's hard to do, to write something on a regular basis.  It talks about her ups and downs with poker, maybe she is mostly down this week.

Not that she has lost money, just that she is doubting her poker skills and is down on an emotional level with it.

I'd be more supportive, but I don't write on my blog either.  So months have passed... Like Natasha, I am still trying to figure it out.

Visit 7-10 offsuit and read Natasha's blog.  Join in on the fun.

Expanded Poker in Charles Town West Virginia

Starting Thursday, August 12, 2010, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races will have expanded poker room hours.

The poker room will open every day at 1:00, and stay open until 4:00 am.  Not quite 24 hours yet, but they are moving in that direction.  Better yet, they will expand from 16 tables to 25 tables.  (The number would be 27, but they have two poker tables out on loan.  Expect to see the other two tables to appear soon.)

Apparently the waiting list is gone.  They will just open the poker room at 1:00 each afternoon and seat people directly.

In addition to current Omaha and  limit/no limit Texas Hold'em poker games, they have announced they will also have limit/pot-limit Omaha 8 or better and 7 card stud.

There is also a rumor of more tables, in another poker room that will be in addition to, not a replacement for the existing poker tables. There has also been visible construction on the cashier's cage in the upstairs poker room.  It should be ready soon.


My guess is the significant wait in the poker room is now over.

Secret to Winning at Poker

Over time everyone at the poker table will get good hands the same percentage of the time.

To win at poker you have to develop a strategy that does not depend on your getting the best cards.

While this won't work very often, here is what happened to me recently.  I was dealt four of clubs and two of clubs.  Probably should fold, but, hey, why not?  I might get a flush.  I might get a straight.  I could flop trip deuces or flop trip fours.  Who knows, maybe the moon is really made of green cheese?

I called the seven dollars along with five others for a total of six players.  The flop comes out, it's club, club, trash.  I flopped a four flush.  That gives me a 35% chance of making a flush by the river.  Everyone checks to me.  I can feel runner, runner for trip deuces coming my way.  Seizing on a free card for my draw, I check.

The turn is a seven.  Everyone checks.  That extra club is out there somewhere.  I just know I'm going to win this pot one way or another.   But there is not much money there.  Only the $42 for the preflop bets.  I figure I better get some money in the pot - and of course push some people out of the hand.

I bet $20.  Everyone calls me.  I mean all of them with no hesitation.  I checked the flush draw, I guess I'm representing a pair of sevens.  This must mean everyone thinks they can beat a pair of zevens.  Technically what I doing is a bluff, maybe I will soon be "bluffing" a semi-bluff.  I am hoping to improve my hand, but my hand is so bad I'm playing the board at this point.

The river is another seven.  That's it for me, I have nothing.  Everyone checks to me.  But wait, if I was representing a pair of sevens, I am now representing a set of sevens.  Not a bad hand.  Without hesitation I quickly bet $40.

Everyone folds.  And I pull in a $162 pot with nothing.  I am sure that everyone had my four high beat.

You have to develop a way to win without having the best hand.

Tourney vs. Ring - Differences in Poker

Difference number two in tournaments vs. ring games is in when you can get up from the table.

In a poker tournament you play until your last chip is gone.  In a ring game your chips have actual value and you can leave at any time.  If you are having a bad day just get up from the table and go home with what is left of your chips.

It is one way to stop your losses.