August 2010 Archives

WORLD Series of Poker reigning champion Joe Cada has spoken of his own annus horriblis after bombing at this year's event.

The 22-year-old PokerStars pro scooped $8.5 million at the Main Event in 2009 after a storming run to the final table in Vegas.

But things were a little different this summer as the Michigan marvel crashed out of EVERY event he entered, failing to make a single cash.

Yet fun-loving Joe remains remarkably upbeat in his latest blog for PokersStars. He said: ''I may have bricked the entire Series, I may have bricked 90% of the tournaments I've played since last year's Main Event, but I am still 100% grateful.

''In 2009 I was able to accomplish something that millions of people dream of; I'm not about to forget that just because I'm going through a bit of a rough patch.

''Besides, the summer wasn't a total waste, as me and a bunch of guys rented a house in Vegas. PokerStars offered to get me a room at the Palms, and while that place is off the chain, I couldn't pass up the chance to share a sick house in Vegas with some of the best poker players in the world, who also happen to be great friends.''

To read Joe's full interview, visit PokerStarsBlog.Com

ENJOYED a good cash on Full Tilt at the weekend - yet still kicking myself over one hand.

Having spent six hours battling through a field of 1,650 players in a $6 SnG, I made the final table about fifth in chips.

After another 30 minutes of seesaw play, I was down to the final four, all pretty evenly matched with stacks between 600,000 and 800,000.

With the huge 40,000/20,000 blinds and 5,000 antes, there had been a LOT of pushing, and it seemed there was more than a bit of stealing going on from the super aggressive player to my right.

So when he pushed again and I woke up to find A7 suited in the small blind, I was put to a big decision.

I was sure I had him beat, but if he had a small pocket pair or even KQ/KJ/K10 or lower did I really want to chance it?

Hell, yes! I fancied my chances, so I called.

LOVING Pokerstars' excellent Big Game show, with its hilarious table banter and serious cash stakes.

A line-up boasting Tony G, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu was always likely to cause sparks - and it certainly has.

The latest episode saw PartyPoker pro Tony suffer a $177,000 loss - and he was forced to accept a $100,000 loan from Negreanu.

The nice twist with the Big Game is the introduction of a Loose Cannon online qualifier. They stand to take home every cent over their comp'd $100,000 buy-in after a designated number of hands.

That creates some exciting tension - and memorable clashes.

To view the latest episodes visit Pokerstars Big Game

IT'S long been rumoured that Gus Hansen is a big on-line loser at the poker tables.

But a new report claims the Great Dane has lost an astonishing $7.7 million in cash games in the last three years.

Since 2002 the Full Tilt star has raked in $7.2 million in live tournament cashes, including his $1.3 million victory in the 2007 Aussie Millions Championship.

But on-line is a very different matter, according to the MakePokerLegal blog

It says: ''More than likely, Gus Hansen's live cash play has more than made up for his online poker losses.

CONGRATS to Jennifer Harman and Kathy Liebert who are the latest names to be inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.

The pair will join an elite roster of honored females at the third annual event at Las Vegas Golden Nugget Casino on September 3.

A lifetime achievement induction will also be posthumously awarded to poker industry visionary Billie Brown.

The US Ladies Poker Championship $500+ $50 no-limit hold'em event will take place at the Golden Nugget on September 4th, and will be broadcast live over the internet.

To read more visit the greasiewheelsblog

IT'S been voted the number one poker film of all time.

Now Hollywood star Matt Damon has reportedly revealed that a sequel to Rounders is, er, on the cards.

"Everybody would probably come back," Matt told PokerListings.

"The actors all had a really good time working together. [Director] John Dahl I'm sure would like to do it. Maybe someday it will happen.

"The only reason to do a movie like that would be if we had a great idea. If the two writers suddenly said eureka! We have a great idea. Then everyone involved would be interested in exploring it."

According to one half of the David Levien and Brian Koppleman writing team, who penned both Rounders and the casino caper flick Oceans 13, that "eureka" moment may not be far off.

HE has one of the best reads in poker.

Now Pokerstars pro Daniel Negreanu has revealed his top five tells for the rest of us amateurs.

The Kid done good...

MIKE Matusow has claimed he HAS put his money where The Mouth is - by paying off a weighty $2 million prop bet.

The famous trash-talker bet against fellow poker pro Ted Forrest losing 50Ibs in just two months.

Determined Ted slimmed 188Ib to 138Ib in the timescale - but The Mouth was later quoted as saying he was struggling to pay the huge wager.

''I don't have the $2 million to pay out,'' Matusow said.

''I made that bet because I didn't think it was feasibly possible.''

But The Mouth now claims he HAS paid off slimline Ted - a day after winning the Florida State Poker Championship, pocketing more than $100,000.

TIME to fess up about my biggest tilt weakness - cash games.

Busting out in a tournie brings tweaks of pain, but losing big pots in cash games is simply excruciating. It's not just the money, but the injustice of it all!

The latest bad beat involved a $1/$2 game.

After going an hour without seeing anything, I wake up in the small blind with AK off suit. An early position raiser makes it $8 to go, so I stick in a standard three-bet to £22.

They call and the flop falls AKK - and my eyes nearly pop out. I stick in a less than half-pot sized bet, hoping for a raise from a suspected pocket pair or weaker ace. Instead, he moves all in.

WHERE there's money... there's usually an agent.

So it's no surprise that the biggest names in the poker world, from Tom Dwan to Doyle Brunson, are represented by the biggest sports agencies.

Yet even the middle-ranking pros usually have an agent, winning them crucial sponsorship deals or invites to money-spinning TV tournies.

But how do you get an agent? UK Poker News has just published a fascinating interview with Nick Ferro, the CEO of CheckRaiseManagement.com offering his own tips.

Read the full article at http://bit.ly/ayPwNe