Posts Tagged ‘Guest Posts’
Guest Post from Drizztjd – Tournament or Cash?
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
It’s usually fuel to fire up a fine argument amongst poker players, especially those plied with large amounts of alcohol and a spur under their saddle. What’s the best, poker tournaments or cash games?
It generally goes a little like this: Tournaments are the best format, cash games players rule. Tournaments are for lucksack push monkeys, cash games are for boring rock-garden nut-peddlers. As long as poker has been around there has been an argument for both sides of the equation. Nothing is ever solved but in the end it’s just a matter of preference and comfort zone.
You can count me in with the nut-peddling grinder crew as I generally view the tournament players as a bunch of gamblers looking to get all their chips in the middle on the come. It’s also true I’m so tight that I make Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler look like the world’s biggest LAGtard. Different strokes for different folks. Tournament players find my process of grinding out my daily nut in number of big-bets won the dullest most unimaginative form of the game.
This week’s guest blogger comes along and tells both sides it’s our best interest to cross the line, get our money in the game when the price is right and expand horizons. I’ll let him explain.
Ladies and gentlemen, your guest blogger Drizztdj.
Tournament or Cash Player?
by Drizztdj
Unless you have been living under cryogenic freeze for the past six months, or last decade for that matter, you dear readers are aware of the poker exploits of one Phil Ivey. He flies, he wins, he grinds, he smiles on a rare occasion when certain loggers from Maryland are not outdrawing him at the World Series of Poker Main Event final table (that apple must have tasted bitter after the queen flopped).
He’s a tournament player obviously, right? Nearly won WSOP bracelet number eight by becoming one of this year’s “November Nine”, a WPT bracelet, $12.2 million in tournament winnings, the man excels at closing out the tournament once given the chip ammo piled up from the countless check-raises and reading the souls of those who dared to pony up the entry fee to sit at his table. No emotion unchecked, staying just ahead of the blinds to cash isn’t an option as its first place or no place, Phil Ivey is definitely a tournament player.
But, wait. There’s a little side cash game going on at the Bellagio with millions of dollars on the felt. When the lack of tournament chips appear in front him, the high roller can be seen behind the glass doors of Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio playing for stakes that normal nine-to-five cube monkeys like myself only see while hitting up the play chip games. Only those aren’t play chips they’re $10,000 and $25,000 real currency chips being splashed across the felt on an up-and-down straight draw, or trying to squeeze out a wheel in deuce-to-seven triple draw. Likewise, if you’re a closet online nosebleed railbird like me, you’ll see Mr. Ivey’s avatar taking on all comers at Ivey League, Ivey Showdown, Ivey Thunderdome, and Ivey’s Playground tables, playing with $1,000 /$2,000 blinds all levels limit or no limit and in all games.
So, he’s a cash game savant right?
Wrong.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, drizztdj, Guest Posts
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 3
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
2009 World Series of Poker Bracelets
Photo credit: Pokerati.com
There are just over two weeks remaining before the poker world once again focuses it’s attention upon the Rio Hotel and Casino where the 2009 November Nine will gather around a table and play for the world championship. The players are preparing themselves in different ways. Some with coaches, others trying to stay as lowkey and relaxed as possible, still others are practicing non-stop. Or if you are Phil Ivey you continue to pound away at the dead money sitting around the Bellagio poker room.
Today brings our third and final installment of the November Nine preview. I am joined by two bloggers to help handicap the 9 players at this year’s Main Event final table and we end it with the three smallest chip stacks. Phil Ivey is by far the biggest name but starts with just 9,765,000 in chips. “Those-in-the-know” have set his official odds more along the lines of the bigger stacks around the table, a credit to the experience and talent he’ll bring along.
This post also highlights the two non-US born players in Antoine Saout and James Akenhead. Saout is the unknown Frenchman while Akenhead is regular figure around the UK tournament scene with his poker playing friends. Both have plenty of work ahead of them if they wish to make a big run for the title.
Our two guest bloggers, “Spaceman” the consummate professional writer and “Riggstad” the half-breed poker player/gambler, give you their opinions below. Once again odds and lines are strictly for informational and educational purposes, any loses due to our information is on your head. If you use this information to win, we will accept any credit/reward.
Don’t forget to check out the ESPN broadcast over the next two weeks as the field goes from seven tables to just one. Day 7 will be shown on October 20th at 20:00ET and Day 8 on October 27th at the same time.
2009 November Nine chip counts:
Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
Jeff Shulman = 19,580,000
Joe Cada – 13,215,000
Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
James Akenhead – 6,800,000
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 1
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 2
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 3 after the jump:
Popularity: 2% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Antoine Saout, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, James Akenhead, Jason "Spaceman" Kirk, Phil Ivey, Riggstad, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 2
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
The 2009 World Series of Poker Championship bracelet awaits the November Nine winner
Photo credit: flipchip at LasVegasVegas.com
The field is into double digits on the ESPN Main Event broadcasts and you start to see some of your November Nine players pull to the front. Tuesday’s show finally gave everyone a little taste of Darvin Moon’s run through the Main Event, the man couldn’t miss. Billy Kopp also starts to build a massive chip castle setting up very nicely for the Day 8 broadcast when the two go to war. Other players also spent this last episode donating chips to Phil Ivey, even when he didn’t have the goods he would flop golden. “You know I can have a hand once in awhile, right?” he told another player. November Nine players James Akenhead, Joe Cada, and Steve Begleiter began to get some exposure as the field narrowed. Still not seeing too much mention of Eric Buchman, Kevin Schaffel or Antoine Saout but those three will show up very soon. Nicole Peppe was eliminated in this latest broadcast leaving Leo Margets as the “Last Woman Standing” in the Main Event.
There are just a few episodes remaining before the final players gather themselves back at the Rio to play down to the champion. Last week I brought you Part 1 of a series attempting to gather a few friends together and handicap the November Nine for entertainment purposes. I was joined by professional writer “Spaceman” and semi-pro donk “Riggstad”, both shared their thoughts on how the top 3 chip leaders would fair. This week we move onto the middle three stacks with Jeff Shulman, Joe Cada, and Kevin Shaffel. Shulman is the polarizing player, Cada the young internet professional, Shaffel the amateur crashing on his friend’s couch in Florida. Another interesting cast of characters. You can find the link below for Part 1 and Part 2 is after the jump.
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 1
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 3
Popularity: 2% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Jason "Spaceman" Kirk, Jeff Shulman, Joe Cada, Kevin Schaffel, Riggstad, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 1
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
2009 World Series of Poker Main Event “November Nine”
The poker world is now gearing up to crown the 2009 World Series of Poker Champion. Just a few short weeks from now the final 9 players left standing in the Main Event will make their way back to the Rio Hotel and Casino to play down to the bracelet winner. Some players are well known while a few have come from nowhere with a chance at poker immortality. Over the next few days I will be joined by a few poker bloggers who will do their best to handicap the entire table from chip leader to short stack.
The odds provided are purely for entertainment sake. Unless you are in a country that allows such things, in that case feel free to use their insight to your favor. Two fellow poker bloggers have found the time to join along in my crazy attempt to enlighten, inform, and entertain. They both come from different backgrounds and shed a different light on the remaining players. Your Poker From the Rail Handicapping Team:
Spaceman – one of the original poker bloggers who has worked in the poker industry for many years. He’s been everything from a tournament reporter to a published columnist. From home games to side events to world championship tournaments, he’s seen more hands of poker than the average person would even consider sane. It’s for this experience I recruited him to join along in helping us get a better feel of the players as we get set to claim a new poker champion.
Riggstad – a many faceted individual who has ties to all parts of the poker world. His unique experience also involves witnessing players at every level of poker, from complete amateurs to some of the best players in the world. He brings his East Coast grinder perspective to the biggest poker tournament in the world.
Each installment will feature 3 players at the final table, starting with the chip leader and moving to the short stack. I’ve listed their current odds from various sources as well as a short bio. There is plenty of information below, feel free to leave a comment if you agree or disagree.
2009 November Nine Handicapping Part 2
2009 World Series of Poker November Nine Part 3
2009 November Nine Handicapping Part 1 is after the jump.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Darvin Moon, Eric Buchman, Guest Posts, Jason "Spaceman" Kirk, November Nine, Riggstad, Steven Begleiter, WSOP
World Series of Poker – Should it go old school?
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
After spending two straight months covering the World Series of Poker, it was interesting to see a lot of those non-NLHE games drawing big crowds and how they played out. The world of poker is not limited strictly to go ol’ No Limit Texas Hold’em (Cadillac of Poker not withstanding). I was able to witness all varieties of Stud and Omaha games, there were two HORSE tournaments, an 8-game mix event and throwing a little Deuce to Seven Lowball.
Blogger “Tuscaloosa” Johnny brings us a guest post and asks the question of whether the WSOP should go back to even more old school events. I first started looking at some of the old events in the middle of the series this year after doing some research of Full Tilt pro Berry Johnston. He won his first bracelet in an event called “Match Play” which held no meaning for me. I asked around to some of the historians and was unable to get a absolute answer to what the format for “match play” would be. The most popular answer were either an early form of Heads Up tournaments or a Shootout Tournament. Still waiting on the final answer.
The odds are very long we’ll see a “Match Play” event but “Tuscaloosa” Johnny brings up some games from the past and the chances we’ll ever see it again.
Enjoy.
Should the WSOP go old school?
By Johnny Kampis
Five-Card Stud or Mixed Doubles, anyone? The history of the World Series of Poker is littered with bygone events – some games that are practically prehistoric by current standards.
Let’s look at some of the events the Series used to have that haven’t been played either recently or in a long time and my own personal odds that tournament organizers would ever bring them back.
Popularity: 19% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Tuscaloosa Johnny, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker preview – Summer Vegas Tournaments
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Less than a week remains before the first event of the 2009 World Series of Poker is underway. After you’ve already won your way into a WSOP event, booked that insanely cheap airfare and hotel room, have our handy tips to getting around the Rio set firmly in your mind, it’s time to start thinking about the world outside of the Rio.
It may sound like sacrilege to suggest stepping outside the big poker series in the world but you can find some good value in other poker tournaments around town. Sure you are sacrificing a boat load of big field action and the prestige but you might find some other things to your liking during your down times. I personally plan to play in a Limit Omaha/8 tournament at Binion’s on my one day off from the series, assuming my dedicated readers will allow that indulgence.
Tuscaloosa John’s next post will highlight the other tournament series going on at the time and give you the pros/cons.
Comparing the summer Vegas tournaments
By Tuscaloosa Johnny Kampis
What is great for us poker players is there has been a sort of arms race in Vegas the last few summers as competing casinos have begun starting their own events, and then as that competition grows they each try to outdo each other with better structures and higher starting stacks. Each summer you get more play for your money. The triple starting stacks at the World Series of Poker this year is a direct result of all of this competition. Just a few years ago you only got 1,500 chips in $1,500 events – now it’s 4,500.
If you are planning your first Vegas trip, or even if you are not, you should keep in mind that there are plenty of other tournament options in Vegas this summer. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each of these events as you consider making the trek away from the Rio through the desert to other poker nirvanas. (I am omitting the annual Orleans Open because it was held early this year and will be completed by the time the WSOP rolls around.)
Popularity: 31% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Tuscaloosa Johnny, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker preview – Stu Ungar profile
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Stu Ungar is an iconic figure in the poker world, unfortunately known for his destructive life-style as much as his brilliance at the poker table. There was no disputing he was one of the best poker players but his demons eventually won the battle and the poker world lost a champion. A compelling story with an unfortunate ending.
There have been several movies made of his story as well as the top Stu Ungar biography One of a King by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson. People are still drawn to his story over a decade after his death. “Tuscaloosa” Johnny brings us his profile of Stuey “The Kid” Ungar.
World Series of Poker: Stu Ungar
By Tuscaloosa Johnny Kampis
What hasn’t been said about the prodigious talents of the great card shark Stu Ungar?
The skinny kid from Brooklyn was such a good gin player that by the time he was 22 he could scarcely find a game. He took up poker and immediately found success in the biggest games in Las Vegas. At age 26, he entered Binion’s Horseshoe for his first WSOP as the decade of bell bottoms and eight-tracks was ending.
Ungar’s success in poker is highly intertwined with the World Series of Poker, largely because it was one of the few – and certainly the biggest – games in town in the 1980s and early 1990s when Ungar shot to fame on the felt.
He made an immediate splash in the 1980 WSOP, with a second place finish in the $5,000 Seven-Card Stud event.
Popularity: 37% [?]
Tags: AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Stu Ungar, Tuscaloosa Johnny
2009 World Series of Poker preview – Planning Your Vegas Trip
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
Continuing with out 2009 World Series of Poker preview, we move outside the Rio and start planning your trip to Las Vegas. You’ve already won your way into your tournament of choice or decided which game to play, you read our Rio preview telling you what to expect. But what about getting there and where to stay?
“Tuscaloosa” Johnny has your answers. He’s here to give you advice on getting there, where to stay and how to get around town while your are there. Some great information and worth bookmarking for use at any time.
Planning your summer Vegas trip
by “Tuscaloosa” Johnny Kampis
Whether you are a Vegas virgin considering your first trip to Sin City or a grizzled WSOP veteran preparing for yet another six to seven-week slough at the Rio you should find some useful information in my guide to planning your trip to Vegas and the WSOP.
Below are some helpful hints that I hope will enable you to save time and/or money as you make your Vegas planning for June and July. This is the best year since I’ve been regularly traveling in the summer for the WSOP for vacation discounts in Vegas.
Keep checking back here at Full Tilt’s Poker from the Rail in the coming weeks in the run-up to the granddaddy of poker tournaments as I bring you a series of articles highlighting the ins and outs of summer in Vegas, from WSOP orientation, to the must see sights, and the other tournaments in town you may want to consider during your stay.
Popularity: 49% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Tuscaloosa Johnny, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker preview – First-timer Guide to the Rio
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
You’ve finally realized one of your poker goals and qualified to play in a World Series of Poker event. You battled your way through a Bracelet Race or Main Event satellite, maybe decided to dedicate part of your bankroll for a shot at a big payday, you hit the Powerball. Whatever the reason, you are now ready for your first trip to play in one of the many WSOP tournaments being offered.
But you’ve read the stories about the huge crowds, warehouse sized poker room and the miles long walk from the casino to the Amazon room. This has you a bit nervous and that’s an added pressure you don’t need heading into your first monster event.
“Tropical” Steve brings us a guest post with a Beginner’s Guide to the Rio and WSOP. Enjoy and good luck in Vegas.
Beginner’s Guide to the Rio and the WSOP
By Steve Horton
You’re new to Vegas, or you’ve been a few times but stuck to the Strip or downtown. You’re playing in your first World Series of Poker and you’re about to head up to the gigantic blue monstrosity that is the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. I’m going to walk you through a few shortcuts and a few things to keep in mind.
Let’s assume you’re planning to show up a few hours early for Event #3, the $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em event, on Day 1A.
Popularity: 52% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Tropical Steve, WSOP
2009 World Series of Poker preview – Jeffrey Pollack Conference Call
Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail
World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack
Photo credit: Flipchip at LasVegasVegas.com
You really really know it’s getting close to go time at the Rio when it’s time for the annual conference call / new conference with WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. It involves a handful of the top poker media personnel and a boatload of main stream media looking to ask the most insane inane questions. Some people bogart the question session (showing my hip side. Do the kids still say ‘bogart”. Or “hip”?). I considered putting myself through the misery because there is actually some good information to come out of the process.
Fortunately for me regular guest poster “Tuscaloosa” John planned to attend saving me the good times. Even more fortunate for you the reader since he’s 100 times the writer as me. Below are his notes and views of what was presented.
2009 World Series of Poker Media Conference Call
by Johnny Kampis
It’s now less than four weeks away.
The 40th annual World Series of Poker will begin on May 26, with 57 bracelets events on the schedule this year. In preparation for the granddaddy of poker tournaments, WSOP officials held their annual conference call with members of the poker media on Tuesday afternoon. Here are some of the highlights of that session:
Popularity: 54% [?]
Tags: 2009 World Series of Poker, AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Guest Posts, Tuscaloosa John, WSOP
