FULL REVIEW - Full Tilt Poker (8.41)

Launched in 2004, Full Tilt Poker continues to showcase its ambition through massive growth and a reputation as one of today's market leaders. Adding to its prestige is Team Full Tilt, a group comprised of more than a dozen poker legends, including Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Allen Cunningham, Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Mike Matusow, Clonie Gowen, Jennifer Harman and Erik Seidel.These sponsored pros can be found playing at all limits in all variations across Full Tilt, and are also available for real-time chat at the tables. Anyone good enough to win Full Tilt Poker satellites for entry to the biggest live poker tournaments will also be able to play the pros live.
At Full Tilt Poker there is action to be found at any poker game and at any limit. The site was the first poker room in the business to offer ultra high-stakes games, attracting some of the absolute best players in the world. The high-stakes player and the railbird alike can often find monster action or watch hands unfold at tables filled with the best in the world, playing for pots of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The games offered at Full Tilt Poker include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, Five-Card Draw, Razz and various mixed games. The games vary between No-Limit, Pot-Limit and Fixed-Limit. Full-table games, shorthanded and heads-up tables are all available. Full Tilt Poker is also one of few sites offering mixed games such as H.O.R.S.E., H.A. and H.O.S.E. in both cash games and tournaments, making the game variation some of the most extensive and impressive online.
The poker room's software is unique, boasts some very innovative functions, is very stable and features excellent graphics; indeed, it is one of the best in the industry. The functions are easy to use and the points shop is also excellent, offering players all sorts of cool merchandise that can be acquired with their Full Tilt Poker points. The graphics are innovative, with cartoon-style avatars, and the software offers different table types with optional backgrounds.
Overall, the traffic volume is in the very top segment of the industry. Real-money player statistics as of October 2008 show 10,500 ring-game players at peak hours, and 70,000 tournament players at peak hours.

FULL REVIEW - Poker Stars (8.35)

PokerStars is the largest poker site in the world - an especially impressive feat considering it's not part of any network and has created its staggering player base entirely on its own. The world-famous room offers huge volume in cash games and tournaments at almost any variation and level, making PokerStars an excellent option for all players - including those who enjoy competing in the more unusual poker variations. In addition to massive traffic and game variety, PokerStars also offers great promotions and an exceptional loyalty program with a huge selection of merchandise, special events and qualifiers to all major poker tournaments. It also sponsors many of the world’s most famous poker players, including Canadian prodigy Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein and WSOP Main Event winners Chris Moneymaker, Joe Hachem and Greg Raymer.
The PokerStars software is top-notch in terms of functionality, layout and graphics, and offers fast play and very high reliability. The software also features great multi-table options and a high level of customization, allowing players to upload pictures for use as avatars and choose graphics and sound options.
Because of the massive player base, the opposition ranges from soft to very aggressive, and there are many opportunities to compete with top players for anyone interested in improving their skills. The customer support is well above average, answering questions fast and with high response quality.
The games offered are, of course, Limit and No-Limit Texas Hold'em as well as both Hi and Hi-Lo versions of Omaha and Seven-Card Stud. The site also offers No-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo games, H.O.R.S.E., H.O.S.E., 2-7 Triple Draw, Five-Card Draw and Razz. PokerStars started the micro-limit tables trend when it introduced games for as little as 1¢/2¢ in Hold'em and Omaha Hi. At these micro-limit tables, there is no rake.
In general, the games at PokerStars vary between No-Limit, Pot-Limit and Fixed-Limit. Full-table games, short-handed and heads-up tables are all available. Due to the size and geographical diversity of PokerStars, action can be found at pretty much any game at any hour.
PokerStars offers plenty of tournaments and freerolls with great value and the traffic volume is the best in the industry. Real-money player statistics as of October 2008 show 22,500 ring-game players at peak hours and 155,000 tournament players at peak hours.
Overall, PokerStars is very professionally managed with a real "feel for poker." They offer massive player volume, game diversity and software quality plus generous promotions and bonuses for loyal players. The software is available for both MAC and PC users and is updated frequently to ensure safety and stability, with virtually no downtime as a result.

FULL REVIEW - Titan Poker (8.88)

FULL REVIEW - Titan Poker (8.88)
Due to U.S. legislation preventing credit card companies from collecting payments for wagers made by U.S. residents, Titan Poker has determined to suspend all real-money gaming business in the United States.
Titan Poker is the top poker room in the iPoker network, developed by leading software firm PlayTech. The network took a hit volume-wise, like everybody else, with U.S. gaming regulations in Oct. 2006, but recuperated very quickly and is now back to the top end of the industry.
Games are somewhat loose, with lots of casino players and new recruits, and with lots of high-value promotions, more and more players are continually being drawn to the site.
Titan Poker and the iPoker network have been very successful in building a strong connection with players, and the software has an innovative and good-looking interface with colorful and attractive graphics.
Functionality is intuitive and efficient for all the poker variations offered on the site. Games offered include Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Omaha Hi, Five-Card Stud Hi and Seven-Card Stud Hi. Ring games, heads-up tables, various sit-and-gos and multi-table tournaments are all available.
Titan Poker also offers plenty of tournaments, satellites and freerolls with great value. The traffic volume overall is near the top of the industry and growing. Real-money player statistics as of October 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players at peak hours, and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.
Overall, Titan Poker offers relatively loose action with attractive software, even though the game pace can be slower than other sites. The software is updated frequently to ensure safety and stability, resulting in little downtime.
Due to U.S. legislation preventing credit card companies from collecting payments for wagers made by U.S. residents, Titan Poker has determined to suspend all real-money gaming business in the United States.
Titan Poker is the top poker room in the iPoker network, developed by leading software firm PlayTech. The network took a hit volume-wise, like everybody else, with U.S. gaming regulations in Oct. 2006, but recuperated very quickly and is now back to the top end of the industry.
Games are somewhat loose, with lots of casino players and new recruits, and with lots of high-value promotions, more and more players are continually being drawn to the site.
Titan Poker and the iPoker network have been very successful in building a strong connection with players, and the software has an innovative and good-looking interface with colorful and attractive graphics.
Functionality is intuitive and efficient for all the poker variations offered on the site. Games offered include Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Omaha Hi, Five-Card Stud Hi and Seven-Card Stud Hi. Ring games, heads-up tables, various sit-and-gos and multi-table tournaments are all available.
Titan Poker also offers plenty of tournaments, satellites and freerolls with great value. The traffic volume overall is near the top of the industry and growing. Real-money player statistics as of October 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players at peak hours, and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.
Overall, Titan Poker offers relatively loose action with attractive software, even though the game pace can be slower than other sites. The software is updated frequently to ensure safety and stability, resulting in little downtime.

How to Play the Money Bubble

Bodog Nation Contributing Writer
When you are playing in a poker tournament, there will come a time when the next person who gets knocked out will receive nothing and everyone else will "make the money." This is well-known by most poker players as the "bubble" and very few players know how to play through it correctly. Instead of being scared and backing down from marginal holdings so you can be guaranteed to make the money, the correct course of action to take is to pick your spots and be very aggressive against others who you think might be weak or scared of the bubble.
One reason why you should be aggressive like this is because making the money shouldn't matter to you. You are playing to get first place and first place only! The bubble should just be another stage in the tournament where making chips is easier than before, thanks to the fear instilled in most novice players who are either playing outside their bankroll or extremely scared of bubbling after hours of play. When you happen to make the money, you really only make your buy-in back, plus a little extra, so if that's all it takes to make you happy, then perhaps you should just stick to the single table Sit and Go tournaments where your risk/reward is better for the percentage of time you are cashing.
The bubble is one of the best places to pounce on chips and build your stack.
Another reason why you should play the bubble in a fierce manner is simply because you lose out on perfect opportunities to acquire chips while you are devoid of any strong hands. Due to the fact that strong hands are very rare in No Limit Holdem, you should pounce on any chance you get where you can build your stack without having strength. The bubble is obviously one of the best chances for this, and it definitely helps if you make sure you have a big stack by this point.
More Poker Advice from the Pros
Mixed Holdem
Everything (You Think) You Know is Wrong
Protection vs. Control
Learn to Read
Stealing Under the Gun
Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?
Re-buy Aggression
Bet Your Draws
The Power of Position
Don't Get Cute
Your Psychological Bankroll
Players will sometimes fight back if they have more chips than you on the bubble. However if you make sure you have the most chips at the table by the time the bubble arrives, it will become a very easy game indeed. You can then begin opening a lot of pots, almost all of your continuation bets will work and you will start to get more walks.
In conclusion, by making sure you remain aggressive and relatively large-stacked to most people at your table, the bubble will become your favorite part of the tournament to take advantage of scared opponents who just want to tell their friends they went out with the best hand in that tournament. Sometimes you may be the bubble boy by playing this strategy, but you just have to know you are playing correctly and that when you do make the money, you will not be short-stacked like all of the scared players who folded their way into the cash. Good luck and see you in the money!

World Series of Poker Europe Main Event Begins

The World Series of Poker Europe is not as big or does not have as many events as the one held in the United States. That has not kept the professionals from showing up, however. The Main Event at the WSOPE began on Saturday and it was not started with the same fanfare as the Main Event in the United States, which has yet to be completed. Many players still anted up the almost $20,000 entry fee to take part. While the American version of the tournament draws thousands of players to the tables, the European version only had 165 people sign up. Of those 165, many are pros who are looking to add another major title to their resumes. Andy Black and Andy Bloch have both come out of the gates quickly at the Main Event. Mike Matusow, better known for his mouth than his card playing, also is among the leaders on the tournaments first day. Howard Lederer, who almost won an event earlier in the WSOPE, has already bowed out of the Main Event. He is joined by some of the biggest names in the game. Phil Ivey, David Benyamine, Jeff Lissandro, and Linda Lee are all out of the tournament already. There are currently ninety four people remaining. Justin Smith is the chip leader with 105,000 chips. Erik Sagstrom is second with 97,000.

Daniel Negreanu And "The Mouth" Vying For Main Event Poker Title

The biggest names in professional poker are expected to travel the world in search of making money at their occupation. This week most of them are in Europe for the World series of Poker Europe Main Event. Daniel Negreanu and Mike Matusow are two of the most recognizable names in poker. They both have many wins and are both playing with the same goal in mind this week. They are both trying to become Main Event champions. Negreanu and Matusow are on their way to a possible clash at the final table. Both men are in the top ten in terms of chip counts. Negreanu actually is the chip leader with 261,000 chips. Matusow has 160,000. There are other big name pros hovering near the top of the leader board. Erik Seidel has 146,500 and Andy Bloch has 140,000. John Juanda is also in position to win another bracelet. He has 205,000 and is in fourth place in the chip count. Phil Hellmuth has been knocked out of the tournaments has Jennifer Tilly. Tilly was one of the early chip leaders but ran into some tough luck to get knocked out. There are currently ninety five players left in the tournament.

John Juanda Wins World Series of Poker Europe Main Event

John Juanda had to stare down Daniel Negreanu for much of the final table at the World series of Poker Europe Main Event. That is not an enviable task for any poker player. What was not well known before this final table is that Juanda has as nice a resume on the poker tables as Negreanu. After the tournament was over, Juanda had even more bragging rights when he emerged as the champion. Juanda endured the longest final table in World Series of Poker history on his way to the championship. He was the chip leader much of the way, and played nearly flawless poker. he now adds another bracelet to his others. "A relieved Juanda had this to say after his win. "This is the longest final table that I have ever played. It's so long ago when I won my last bracelet." It might have been long ago, but there is no doubt that he is a true champion and one of the greatest players of his generation. As for Negreanu, he was making waves at the Main Event throughout. He held the chip lead at several different points in the tournament, but was unable to put together a chapionship run in the end. The focus of the poker world will now shift back to the United States. At the beginning of November, the World Series of Poker Main Event will resume with its final table.