Where have I been??

Hello fellow rounders, It is time once again for me to start posting my rants and raves about the world of poker and the Toledo Poker League. last night kicked off what feels like the 25th season of the TPL. It seems like years ago when we were meeting at BW3's to get things kicked off. The TPL has seen incredible growth and and the leadership of Commisioner Woody gets better and better every season. With the help of other knowledgeble players, this league can get huge. After the success of Steve Danneman (sorry for the misspelling), home leagues have began producing quality poker players. One only has to look at the "Crew" with the likes of Dutch Boyd and Fischman to see that home league poker can propel that next player to cash and stardom. When one looks at our league (with the help of a crystal ball..or 70's icon, the magic 8-ball) I will attempt to predict which of our players will move in to the realm of WSOP champ...This is all make believe so don't bet on anything. The most obvious choice is Woody. He has the patience to wait for quality hands and the right time to make the best moves. Once he has the chips, he can switch gears and play big stack poker. Then there is Gerald....Mr. ATC (Any Two Cards) can play as loose as any player I have seen. And when he does get that monster hand, he will get paid off huge by players thinking that he is playing anything. Like Doyle says "I'm suppose to hit my draws sometimes". And when Gerald does...look out. I'll end this entry here as it is getting too long. But check back in a couple days and I'll look in the crystal ball or shake the hell out of the magic 8-ball and take a look at a few other players and let you know when we will see them on High Stakes Poker.

2006..The year that made on line impossible...Almost

As the year of 2006 comes to a close, I would like to take this time to wish each of you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The end of the year seen the passing and signing of a law that makes it illegal for banks and credit card companies to deposit money in to gaming accounts. The leadership that is in Washington decided what was moral for America and tacked the law on to a Safe Port act. I ask you, what choice did the President have? If he doesn't sign it, he isn' protecting Americas ports. If he signs it, he is making it almost impossible for on line play. Some of the on line sites have decided that the law is un-enforceable and will continue to allow play. While others have "mucked" the American players.
The 2006 WSOP main event witnessed a starting field of over 8000 players this year. I'll say it...The best (or even better) player did not win. When the playing style of Jamie Gold is so prominately displayed (airing of the WSOP on ESPN), it encourages bad play as rewarding. Mr. Gold will soon be appearing on High Stakes Poker, televised on Game Show Network. It is my desire to watch Mr. Gold lose what ever stakes he decides to bring to the table. If it wasn't for his pending legal battle, perhaps his buy in would be $12 million, but due to making promises that were not kept, Mr. Gold is entitled to $6 million. Great guy that Mr. Gold..I'm sure his parents are proud.
10 X 10 X 10. Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan and Phil Hellmuth are currently tied with 10 bracelets each. The question at hand is who will make it to 11 first? Bet on Phil Ivey as getting 11 before the other legends.

See You @ the FELT!!!

WSOP and Internet qualifiers

Harrahs has released a statement with regards to internet qualifiers and the Main Event. In short, Harrahs is considering not allowing internet qualifiers into the Main Event for 2007. The reason for this is the new law that makes it illegal to allow banks and credit card companies make deposits into off shore gaming sites. Therefore...The bank can't deposit money off site, then you can't play, then you can't qualify for the main event.

In a side note, Netteller has also stated that they will comply with the new law and cease from depositing money into off shore gaming accounts.

www.cardplayer.com has episodes of "The Circuit" which is hosted at every WPT event by Joe Seabock and Gavin Smith. It is an interesting show with colorful guests. I recommend that you jump over to the site and give it a listen. Each show is about an hour long.

See you at the FELT.

On Line and the WSOP Main Event

With the recent passing of the law that makes on line poker illegal, one must ask does that mean less players in the Main Event? You would have to think so. Party Poker has released their statement stating that they will no longer accept cash play from the US players. A few other internet sites have determined that they will follow Party Poker and stop allowing US players access unless it is Play Money games. Full Tilt Poker, Pokerstars and a few other have said that they will continue to accept US players and that the players funds are safe. So what does that mean for the Main Event???
Perhaps a reduction in players by maybe 10%. Of the main internet sites that provided Main Event qualifyers, Pokerstars had the most on line players there. Party Poker will be missed, but Full Tilt, Doyles room and others will probably pick up the players from Party Poker, so the drop off might not be much.

See you at the Felt.

Terrorists and On Line Poker

On 10-13-2006 (Happy Friday the 13th) the President signed into law a bill that practically makes on line poker illegal. I say practically because I'm not sure if netteller or paypal will be affected. The newly signed law was tacked on the back of a Dept. of Defense bill. The law makes it illegal for banks and credit card companies to deposit money into off shore gaming sites. Now I don't know about you, but I can't see a terrorists group using one of the various gaming sites to transfer money. Maybe I am being naive, but I just don't get it. If the gov't wants to get involved in on line gaming, there is $3.3 billion there in taxes. But why use that tax money when they can keep taxing us in other ways.
See you at the felt.
p.s. don't play 9-4 off....it dosen't work.

This is the Toledo Poker League

When I made this blog it was titled Toledo Poker league. Looking back at the previos posts I have noticed one thing...when am I going to talk about the TPL??? Well now is the time. Last night we had another great turnout. Each week we are seeing 27-30 players and not much in the way of complaints. Making it to the last two tables last night was something of a silent celebration for me, which brings me to this topic:
What is worse....getting no cards or getting drawn out on? I can't count the number of times I seen 10 / 5 in my hole cards last night. And then to get eliminated on a draw..ugghhhh. But I have nobody to blame but myself. If I would have played earlier hands better, I wouldn't of had to push with 10 / J with a board of A Q J. Now that I write this...what was I doing pushing...why didn't I check down?? Now I remember, I had $1000 chip left.

See you at the felt.

Illegal to play poker on the internet??

There has recently been a law passed that makes it illegal for banks and credit card companies to deposit money in to off shore gaming companies. The think that stinks the most is that the law was tagged on to the back of a Department of Defense bill. Once the bill is signed by the President it becomes law.
You can find more information on www.cardplayer.com or www.pokerplayersalliance.org.
Full Tilt Poker has released a statement on their blog that can be found at www.fulltiltpoker.com under the news section.
When the goverment keeps asking for money, it's amazing that they are willing to let $3.3 billion (yea...BILLION) get away by not regulating and taxing on line play. See you at the felt.

Check it out

For those of you looking for the latest and greates in poker news, check out www.cardplayer.com. It is a great site. I get the magazine and look forward to getting it in the mail.
See you at the felt.

Poker Etiquette. Casino -vs- Home Game

When you sit back and think about it, do we conduct ourselves the same way at a Casino as we would (do) at a home game? I think not. How many times have you heard at a home game the following: You have to call, keep him honest. Don't let him steal another pot. He's trying to push you around..call him. He's the bounty...you have to call.

I don't imagine many of the above comments would be appreciated at a Casino, but seem to be fine in a home game. The rule one player to a hand seems to apply everywhere except the place where friends play.

This is one player that you will never and I mean NEVER hear try to convince another player to make a call.

See you at the felt.