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I miss Miriam and my kids a lot. It’s been way too long since I’ve hugged and kissed them.
I miss the ambience of my shabbat table, and the feeling of not being “the only one” treating it as “not just another regular day of the week.”
I miss my Dad.
I miss the ability to make myself hot food in the oven, on the stove, and having a microwave to heat up leftovers instead of leaving food to heat up in the 100-degree sun. Yeah, that’s a thing when you’re in a hotel on a summer shabbat.
I miss my home poker game friends.
To be sure, there’s plenty I DON’T miss…
But above all I really just miss actively being a husband and daddy, and I’m “ready” to go home.
But even after almost three weeks in Las Vegas, it’s STILL so hard to say goodbye to this magical place.
I’m going to miss walking into any poker room around the city and knowing I’ll recognize at least one friend (usually more) and have a hug waiting for me.
I’m going to miss being tapped on the shoulder by someone asking “hey, are you Robbie?”, and sharing that they listen to the podcast I host.
I’m going to miss wanting to play poker and knowing that a game is just minutes away instead of days away. That’s a biggie… I was able to play more and improve more during these three weeks than I do in an entire year back home.
I’m going to miss a great kosher restaurant called Mother Falafel that’s literally open 24/6 – perfect for an orthodox Jew like me – including at 3:30 am after winding up a poker session.
I’m going to miss being in “poker environments”, where people really understand me and what I do.
I’m going to miss looking into the distance and seeing the bright lights of the Strip, or further into the distance and seeing majestic desert beauty.
I’m going to miss meeting new and interesting people all the time, with whom I might have relatively little in common, and yet share so much more in cultural commonality than the overwhelming majority of people at home outside the little bubble I’ve created for myself in Israel.
I’m going to miss not paying attention to the news and being too busy and active doing, working, and playing versus “just sitting in front of my computer all day” with forced breaks to run to the supermarket or walk outside to pray on the balcony just to make sure I get out a little.
Perhaps I’m too open, emotional and public about the challenges I face. It’s not difficult to step back for a minute and realize just how fortunate I am… quite literally having the ability to live and experience “the best of both worlds.”
But simultaneously living in two worlds is very, very, VERY hard.
At home in Israel, I record and send audio files out into the ether. I click Publish only to feel like I can be productive and knock something off my to-do list. I send newsletters advertising a Mixed Game Festival and can barely find a soul who gives a damn.
Here in Las Vegas, my words resonate and are impactful. People listen. People read. People care. And they let me know! And they circle dates on their calendars and literally schedule trips around events I promote! All of that equals the most incredibly fulfilling professional feeling.
Here I have the exquisite privilege of rubbing shoulders with Hall of Famers and getting invited to attend Honors ceremonies… but I never have a “plus one”, as my queen, prince, and princesses are just so far, far away in the castle.
“When’s the next event, Robbie? When will you be back?”
I don’t know.
I just need my wife right now. I need my kids right now. And while I’ll miss this place and I’ll be missed here, I know my absence is felt where it matters most.
Having all the professional success, poker chips, diamonds, clubs, and spades in the world just isn’t the same as being flush with heart.
And home is where the heart is.
While I’ve enjoyed playing poker ever since I was a little kid, I suppose you could say my entry into “proper poker fandom” came in 2002-2003. It was during that period of time that the World Poker Tour, PokerStars, and the World Series of Poker entered my consciousness through the twin media of television and the internet. Two decades later, as the biggest WSOP Main Event of all time was being staged at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, I had the exquisite privilege of being extended an invite to the WPT Honors ceremony just down the road at Wynn Las Vegas. That’s where the special distinction was to be bestowed upon a pair of recipients: longtime commentator Vince Van Patten and PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg.
If you would have told 21-year-old me that I’d someday get to be in the same room with those two legends, I’d be beside myself. Hell, 41-year-old me typing up these words still can’t believe I had that opportunity just a few short hours ago.
You might be asking yourself, “what was so special about that opportunity?”
There’s an old saying that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. As much as the 2023 WPT Honors ceremony was about the honorees, in my eyes it was similarly about the group that assembled to pay tribute to said honorees.
A good deal of pomp and circumstance went into the ceremonial aspects of the event, with numerous individuals stepping up to the podium to “make the case” for each nominee’s worthiness of receiving the WPT Honors to the dutifully bespectacled and robed WPT President Adam Pliska. The World Poker Tour might be unrivaled in our industry when it comes to putting on special events like these, and to have had a seat at the ceremony was akin to witnessing a very special episode of poker’s greatest show.
After Angelica Hael officially nominated Vince Van Patten, a parade of World Poker Tour stalwarts including Matt Savage, Lynn Gilmartin, Tony Dunst, and company Founder Steve Lipscomb ascended to the mic to heap oodles of praise upon their longtime colleague and friend. Beyond their obvious outpouring of love and appreciation for the man, what stood out to me from the speeches about Vince was his colleagues’ admiration for his work ethic. Plainly speaking, the man showed up every single day and just put in the work. But Vince hasn’t just “clocked in” for 21 years; he’s done so with the same vim, vigor, and joie de vivre with which he showed up on his first day. A rare quality, to be sure.
Ever humble, Vince deflected the praise to in turn show appreciation for his World Poker Tour colleagues and the late Mike Sexton; the people who helped and supported him along the way. In response to the deluge of kind words spoken about him, he humorously quipped that “this is like attending your own funeral.”
I couldn’t help but draw direct lines of comparison to the reactions when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Major League Baseball’s consecutive games streak years ago; a veritable poker Iron Man was getting his due. How sublime for someone who has worked so hard for so long to enjoy such a special moment of public appreciation.
A similar cavalcade comprised of Jeffrey Haas, Hermance Blum, Lance Bradley, Israel Rosenthal, and Sven Stiel took to the stage one by one to express their gratitude and appreciation for Isai Scheinberg’s contributions specifically to their careers as well as to poker on the whole.
From my perspective, it was astounding to note the attendance of so many former PokerStars employees who had worked under Scheinberg until the then-privately owned company was sold in August 2014. It’s simply surreal to think that one man was ultimately responsible for putting together such an impressive array of talent. All of those people have since moved on to other successful endeavors and roles in the subsequent years, many still within the poker industry. But witnessing “the old PokerStars family” reunite under one roof felt like watching the Avengers assemble.
They spoke of Isai’s three simple, straightforward rules: never lie, never cheat, and always do the right thing. While simple, rules like those aren’t always easy to adhere to in an industry with billions of dollars at stake, as history has taught us.
Scheinberg has always been notorious for his preference of privacy. The entire poker world knows of his accomplishments, but the great man rarely, if ever, surfaced publicly. Being at the 2023 WPT Honors ceremony to see Isai accept his award felt like being transported to PokerStars’ headquarters prior to 2014; a place full of people who never lied, never cheated, and always did the right thing. No wonder it proved to be such a successful venture.
While fish may be surrounded by water, they still rise to the surface when it rains to welcome new droplets. So, too, the entire room full of luminaries could be seen leaning in to listen closely to the soft-spoken Scheinberg during the latter’s acceptance speech. It was a telling moment.
Reader can clearly identify my long-held esteem for both the World Poker Tour and PokerStars, but I’ve always been an outsider and independent media voice. So, in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for what I had borne witness to, I asked a few insiders who worked with Vince and for Isai, to share their thoughts and perspectives on the evening. Here’s what they had to say:
“There are two men in my life who have been incredible role models of what it means to be an honest entrepreneur. One of them was my late father; the other is Isai Scheinberg. I didn’t think that I was going to get into the world of gambling and learn more about honesty than I had learned before in my life as a journalist. Isai taught me that you can be a good businessman and you could be a good person at the same time. He was more generous with me than any other boss or company owner ever has been, and I think he is worthy of every honor he’s been given and more.”
Brad Willis, Editor-in-Chief of Poker.Org, formerly the Head of Blogging at PokerStars
“Both of these gentlemen have meant so much to me in my poker career. Isai doesn’t realize it, but of course being a part of the poker industry just would not have been the same without Isai Scheinberg. I want to thank him. He hasn’t received the accolades that he deserves; I think he should of course be in the Poker Hall of Fame.
And I think that Vince Van Patten deserves recognition for all that he’s done for the game. It’s not very often that you see someone who has been around in the game for as long as he has been. He’s become like family to me, so I speak from the heart: we’ve spent a lot of time together sharing our passion for poker. I really appreciate everything both of these guys have done.”
Matt Savage, Executive Tour Director of the World Poker Tour
“I’ve been in poker for just over seven years. It’s incredible to hear the historical stories and learn how our industry has evolved. We get into our positions these days and de facto only think about our current time and present roles. To go back and see the history is just incredible. There are so many stories from the people who came before us, and it’s important to appreciate them.”
Eric Lusch, Media Relations Manager with the World Poker Tour
“I have not been to a poker event since 2016. The only reason I came tonight was because of Isai Scheinberg. All the things that have been said about him; it wasn’t enough, about what this man taught me and what he taught everybody in the room. Not just about business and about poker, but about life and how to treat people the right way.
The emotion that I feel tonight is because of the sense of community that I’m feeling and don’t remember poker having had for a very long time. I miss it. The World Poker Tour was always the rival to the organization that I worked for… and I didn’t realize until tonight just how super cool the people who work for the World Poker Tour are, from the top down… and there’s no such thing as ‘down’ with them! Everybody’s got an important role to play in the World Poker Tour. I’m so impressed with the WPT, what they’ve done tonight, the sense of camaraderie they have, and the love they have for each other.
When we talk about playing poker, sitting around a table, and competing to take each other’s money… the game is about more than that. It’s about the friendships, and the love, and the trust, and the lessons you learn from one another. Even though I was here for just two hours tonight, I came away with a great sense of energy.”
Nolan Dalla, former Director of Communications at PokerStars
Poker.org owner Eric Hollreiser, himself a former PokerStars employee, hosted a swanky afterparty in one of the Wynn ballrooms that featured an open bar, flowing chocolate fondue fountains, and the most succulent strawberries to delight our tastebuds as we mingled to mellifluous music. Designed to orchestrate a reunion of former PokerStars employees, many World Poker Tour personages could also be found among the attendees.
You can tell a lot about people by the folks they surround themselves with.
I hesitate to use the word “magic”, but there was something indescribably unique in the air throughout last night’s festivities.
I suppose that’s what happens when the spotlight shines on poker’s best. The entire room lights up.
Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, has signed a bill to extend online gambling in the state through 2028. The bill was sponsored by Senators Vince Polistina and James Beach and is a middle-ground solution. The signing of the bill comes at the end of several weeks spent calling for extensions of between 2-10 years to the previous bill signed in 2013.
The new legislation is good news for poker players in the state who want to legally continue honing their skills and participating in tournaments. It also gives the state an opportunity to remain at the forefront of the evolving gambling industry in the US. After the bill was passed, Senator Polistina spoke positively about the effect the extension will have on the economy and job market in New Jersey.
Poker fans in New Jersey have been legally allowed to play different formats of the game online since Governor Chris Christie signed legislation permitting Internet gambling in the state in 2013. The new extension allows people to participate in online gambling, including poker, until 2028.
Players can find regulated casinos by using resources such as this page that lists all nj online casinos, including poker-specific sites such as NJ Party Poker and US 888 Poker. Listed sites such as Golden Nugget Casino and Hard Rock Casino provide a wider gaming experience. New Jersey residents can enjoy using these sites for a further five years as a major benefit of the extension.
Players are not the only ones to be excited by the benefits of the bill to extend Internet gambling. The casino industry in the state also welcomes the extension. It has the opportunity to build on May’s Gaming Revenue Results announced by the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The overall Internet gaming win reported by casinos for May 2023 was $161.4 million, which represented a growth of 18.7% compared to the previous period. Year to date (YTD), the reported Internet casino win was $781.5 million, which represented a growth of 14.7% compared to the previous YTD period.
Looking specifically at online table games, including poker, there was a decrease in casino win when comparing May 2023 to May 2022, from $58,700,698 to $54,410,444. However, the YTD figure for May 2023 of $295,597,128 compared favorably with the YTD figure for May 2022 of $291,716,618. So, the overall outlook for online poker in the state is positive.
There is also a positive outlook for job creation and economic growth in New Jersey that are linked to online gambling. They will be impacted by growth in revenue from the industry and the expansion of its legality for a further five years.
Although the five-year extension to online gambling in New Jersey has been welcomed by players and the gambling sector, questions have been asked about why the original proposed 10-year extension did not happen. State politicians revised their original ten-year suggestion to two years without any explanation. The reason for the change remains unknown.
The proposed two-year extension was increased to five years as the result of pushback from the gaming industry. Many members of the industry remain unhappy about the number of years. For example, Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts and the Casino Association of New Jersey, said that the original suggestion of a ten-year extension should have progressed. He believes that this would have been the best option for the casino industry and the state.
Given the signing of the recent bill, Mr. Giannantonio will have to be satisfied with five more guaranteed years of Internet gambling in New Jersey, as will poker fans who are certain to be able to continue enjoying online play until at least 2028.
Are you looking for a new, exciting way to participate in the cryptocurrency market? Let me introduce you to JetX – the ultimate crypto trading experience. This multi-faceted platform combines the thrill of video gaming with the opportunity to trade and earn real digital assets.
JetX Game has quickly established itself as a player favourite, attracting gamers, traders, and investors alike. In fact, the platform has seen significant growth since its launch thanks to its unique approach to trading and gaming combined.
One user on the platform described their experience as “addictive,” comparing it to playing their favourite video game while also having the ability to make money from their trades. The excitement of winning both digital assets and rewards throughout gameplay kept them engaged and motivated.
JetX’s innovative approach is what sets it apart from other trading platforms. Instead of simply tracking market trends and allowing users to buy or sell coins, JetX offers a fully interactive gaming experience that allows players to earn rewards for their actions within the game.
Some may argue that JetX’s emphasis on gaming detracts from the seriousness of cryptocurrency investment. However, I would argue that this integration actually makes trading more accessible and engaging for those who may be intimidated by traditional trading platforms. Plus, with JetX’s emphasis on education and tutorials, even novice users can become informed traders in no time.
From the moment you log in to JetX, you’re transported into a world of immersive graphics and sounds. But what truly sets this platform apart is its unique gaming interface.
Through its sleek design and user-friendly interface, JetX makes trading simple and intuitive. Users can access live statistics on coin price movements along with charts that track historical performance over time.
But beyond these basic functions lies an entirely new layer of gameplay. JetX’s gaming interface immerses users in a digital world where they can navigate through levels and purchase in-game items with their earnings. The platform offers a range of games, each with its own rewards and challenges.
Imagine you buy a coin that begins to trend upward. In traditional trading platforms, this may cause excitement, but little else. With JetX, however, you’re able to watch your earnings increase in real-time while also making progress within the game. The thrill of success on both fronts keeps players engaged and motivated.
Gamification of cryptocurrency trading makes it accessible to a wider audience while providing an added level of interest and entertainment. By integrating gaming elements into the platform, JetX creates an experience that is both engaging and educational for users.
Some may argue that any focus on gaming draws attention away from investment outcomes. Yet, with JetX, the emphasis is always on earning real rewards for trades made within the platform.
Now that we’ve explored JetX’s unique gaming interface, let’s take a deeper look at how this innovative platform benefits its users in more detail.
Have you ever found yourself confused while using other crypto trading platforms? Are you tired of feeling like you’re missing out on profitable trades due to complicated navigation and confusing interfaces? Well, JetX Crypto Game has solved that problem.
With an intuitive and straightforward gaming interface, even novice traders can easily understand the platform’s crypto trading aspect. Instead of overwhelming users with complex charts and graphs, JetX has simplified the process of buying and selling cryptocurrency through a user-friendly system that is both enjoyable and informative.
For instance, players can easily see the real-time prices of each cryptocurrency available for trade on the platform simply by hovering over the assets’ symbols. This feature enables users to make informed purchasing decisions based on accurate price fluctuations seamlessly. Additionally, there is a pop-up notification that appears whenever trades have been made successfully or if there are any errors during transactions.
Beyond its simplicity, JetX Crypto Game implements a strategic mechanism into its trading aspect to help players maximise their profits. On the platform’s dashboard, a player’s account shows their current balance, including all cryptocurrency holdings and win-earnings from games. The dashboard also features a ‘hot deals’ tab that shows trending cryptocurrencies with high market value at the moment. Players can easily monitor these tokens’ values without searching them manually, which ultimately leads to higher earning potentials.
Some critics may argue that incorporating gaming elements into crypto trading takes away the serious nature of traditional trading platforms. Still, JetX has proven that incorporating gamification actually simplifies trading processes for new traders while adding fun and excitement to experienced traders’ experience. The mix of gaming elements combined with crypto trading may be unconventional, but it has proven successful thus far.
With the simplicity offered by JetX Crypto Game’s trading aspect, users quickly move past just learning how to trade cryptocurrencies and instead start having fun while doing it.
JetX Crypto Game allows players to enjoy the benefits of both gaming and crypto trading in one platform. The platform offers numerous benefits, including an interactive gaming experience and rewards system that makes it stand out from other crypto trading platforms.
One of the key benefits of JetX is its entertaining gaming experience. With a wide range of games such as spin the wheel, trivia, and simulators, traders can compete against each other while trying to win more profits. This engaging experience adds an extra level of excitement beyond just traditional trading platforms. In addition, JetX’s games run seamlessly on all devices, reducing the need for downloads and complicated installations.
Another benefit is that JetX offers a unique reward system. Similar to traditional loyalty programmes, players earn jet% points every time they make trades and play games on the platform. These points can be redeemed for cryptocurrency rewards or used for discounts in future transactions.
Think of it this way: instead of collecting points to redeem for travel or merchandise rewards like other loyalty programmes, JetX’s reward system gives loyal users monetary equivalences- a concept truly fitting for a crypto marketplace.
However, critics may argue that gamified crypto trading distracts traders from focusing on serious investments. The fact remains that by circumventing trading jargon and specialised knowledge required by traditional crypto exchanges, JetX enables beginners to learn about cryptocurrency investment through a fun medium without risking too much.
Ultimately, whether you’re new to cryptocurrency trading or an experienced trader looking for entertainment, JetX Crypto game delivers both with its interactive gaming experience coupled with profitable trades and profitable rewards systems in place.
Australia has a lot to offer in the realm of poker. The residents love to play the game – online or offline. They spend considerable amounts of money and countless hours in casinos. There are even sites dedicated to training new players how to play poker.
With poker ingrained deep in the nation’s culture, the Land Down Under is home to some of the most exciting poker experiences you can find. When you love poker as much as the Aussies, of course, you should keep up with the thriving online casino scene.
Australians have a long history of playing cards for both leisure and profit. They master games like five hundred, euchre, Swedish rummy, hearts and fish. This foundation in card playing provided a seamless transition to poker, which has been embraced by Australians across the country.
Prior to the 1990s, poker was primarily known through Hollywood representations and limited access to poker rooms. However, the advent of online poker rooms in the late 90s changed the game. Australians quickly took to online poker, engaging in games like Draw Poker, Omaha, Texas Hold’em and 7-card stud.
In 1997, Melbourne’s Crown casino introduced poker tables. This marked a significant moment in Australian poker history. The year also paved the way for the Australasian Poker Championship, a tournament with a modest prize pool of $74,000.
Over the years, the tournament evolved into the Australian Poker Championship. The championship attracted international attention and surpassed $1 million in prize money. In 2014, it was rebranded as the Aussie Millions. The event now boasts a prize pool exceeding $6 million.
Recognizing the demand, the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific (WSOP APAC) was established in 2013. Held annually in Melbourne, the WSOP APAC features various events and is eagerly anticipated by poker enthusiasts worldwide.
In a country that loves card games so much, it’s no wonder online poker sites have such high popularity. Players log on to these platforms from all corners of the country, competing, winning and carving out their reputations.
There is nothing wrong with taking the extra step of researching and assessing the most suitable online poker sites for you. This is similar to choosing a trusted online casino, which you can do by reading AU casino reviews to decide whether the sites are good or not. These reviews provide insights into the reputation, features and overall quality of gambling sites in Australia.
Certain factors play a pivotal role in determining the quality and reputation of an online poker platform. Let’s explore some of these crucial aspects.
A reputable gambling site should hold licenses from an established authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This ensures the platform operates within legal boundaries and adheres to strict fairness and player protection standards.
Player security is of utmost importance. The best poker sites employ advanced encryption technology to safeguard personal and financial information. They also promote responsible gambling practices and provide tools to help players keep their gambling habits in check.
Generous bonuses and promotions can significantly enhance the player’s experience. A reputable poker site offers attractive welcome bonuses, regular promotions and a rewarding loyalty program.
It was an incredible month of June for poker on PokerGO with every day featuring at least one 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) livestream. With the calendar ticking over to July, the focus will now shift squarely to the marquee event of the series; the 2023 WSOP Main Event!
The 2023 WSOP Main Event will be aired live and exclusively on PokerGO with coverage beginning on Day 1A and continuing until the next World Champion is crowned from Horseshoe / Paris on the Las Vegas Strip.
Beginning on Monday, July 3, there will be four Day 1 flights followed by two Day 2s with registration open through two levels on Day 2. With record-breaking entrant numbers in many events throughout the WSOP so far, the 2006 WSOP Main Event record of 8,773 entrants may only hold onto the record for a few more days. Field sizes as high as 9,000 or 10,000 entrants are being touted by people as everyone flocks to town to be part of the biggest WSOP Main Event in history.
Thankfully PokerGO will be on hand to catch nearly every minute of the action live across both PokerGO.com and the PokerGO YouTube channel.
Day 1s Live on YouTube
Coverage of Day 1s will begin at the start of Level 3 at approximately 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET and run until players bag their chips at the end of Level 5.
A table will be selected to play out on the Horseshoe table with all the action available exclusively on the PokerGO YouTube channel.
Split Coverage for Day 2s, 3, and 4
When Day 2 is reached, the Horseshoe table will be in action from the start of day and will broadcast the first two levels on the PokerGO YouTube channel. The coverage will move to the WSOP Main Stage and PokerGO.com from the third level of the day until players bag their chips for the day.
This will also be how Day 3 and 4 are covered with the money expected to be reached late on Day 3, or early on Day 4. The PokerGO production team will be on hand to catch that unlucky moment for whoever claims the moniker of 2023 WSOP Main Event bubble boy or girl.
Early level coverage will start at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET and run to approximately 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. While the PokerGO.com WSOP Main Stage coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET and run until the players bag for the day; approximately 1 a.m. PT / 4 a.m. ET.
Full Day Coverage from Day 5
Starting on Day 5, the WSOP Main Stage will be in action from the very first hand with everything broadcast on PokerGO.com.
The WSOP Main Event will reach some of the most intense moments as players jostle for position on the leaderboard, look to ladder up, and eye payouts that approach seven figures.
Following an off day on Saturday, July 15, the final nine will return on Sunday, July 16, to begin the 2023 WSOP Main Event final table. The plan will likely see the final table trimmed to the final four players who will return on Monday, July 17, to play down to the winner who will be crowned the 2023 World Champion and awarded a payday of what some to believe will eclipse $10 million.
Three more WSOP bracelet events remain in 2023 with the Event #65: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed kicking off on Saturday, July 1, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.
The next day will see the Event #57: $1,000 Ladies Championship final table take center stage on the Horseshoe table. These ladies will be playing for the coveted Ladies Championship gold and the $192,167 first-place prize.
On Wednesday, July 5, a special final table will play on the Horseshoe table with the WSOP Online Event #13: $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller Championship concluding. Played online on WSOP.com, the final eight players will have approximately 36 hours to travel to Horseshoe / Paris Las Vegas to crown the hybrid WSOP bracelet.
The highlight of June on PokerGO was the beginning of the 2023 World Series of Poker and an accompanying 40 livestreams to live no day of June unstreamed!
Plenty of WSOP veterans added to their WSOP trophy case while hundreds of thousands, and occasionally millions of dollars were decided upon the turn of a card.
Some of the best moments from June at the 2023 WSOP included this runner-runner from Chris Brewer to win the $250k Super High Roller and his first WSOP bracelet:
Phil Hellmuth making a colossal mistake in the Poker Players Championship:
Tyler Brown’s hero call with ace-high to ensure himself of a $1 million win:
Finally, Doug Polk hitting an incredible two-outer on the river with a celebration to match:
Connect with PokerGO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Watch daily poker clips on the PokerGO YouTube channel. Join the conversation on the PokerGO Discord server.
With so many places to play poker online, some people choose where they’ll go by the special poker offers and bonuses these sites offer. To understand which of these bonuses are the most appealing, you must first understand what some of these offers mean.
What is a welcome bonus?
How does the refer-a-friend program work?
What are freerolls?
Let’s try to answer some of these questions and more!
Most sites offer some sort of welcome bonus to incentivize newcomers to register to receive a bonus. Once they set up the account, the player will usually have to make an initial deposit, and after this deposit, they’ll usually receive a bonus.
Now, there are several different types of these welcome bonuses:
Remember that sometimes you’ll need a promo code when you sign up in order to unlock a welcome bonus—if you don’t enter this code when creating your account, you won’t qualify for the bonus. This means that you’ll have to be extra creative and search for the latest offers before joining a new site. For instance, you must find the best promo code in New Jersey when playing in NJ or on an NJ-based site, but the same codes aren’t available to players in all areas. Always check the terms and conditions of the offer before signing up too, to make sure that you will qualify and you know what you have to do to unlock the bonus.
Yes, freerolls exist even on online poker sites. Unlike other games, they usually earn you a spot in an online poker tournament. As we’ve already mentioned, you typically have to buy in to play in a contest; however, this is no longer a requirement with a freeroll.
Remember that the tournament treats you just like anyone else (who has actually paid for their spot in the tournament). You don’t have a leaderboard disadvantage, and nothing prevents you from having a chance at the main prize. The payout structure is the same for everyone.
While freerolls are usually a reward for the regulars, they’re also used to attract new players. A chance to play without real money is ideal for new players who are still learning the ropes. You have no up-front costs, meaning you’re virtually playing for free, but the chance to win is still there.
Since you never know what tournament is next, you might want to become a well-rounded player by mastering mixed games.
Most poker sites incentivize referral programs, meaning that you get a bonus if you recommend them to a friend, and this friend registers using your code.
Now, this is not as simple as just registering. There’s a certain eligibility criterion that they have to pass to avoid scams or scenarios where you just make fake accounts to get as many referral bonuses as possible.
Usually, a friend must place a certain deposit or play a specific number of games before you get your bonus.
Now, this is a unique bonus that acts as a sort of consolation prize. There’s no worse feeling than having a strong hand and getting beaten by an even stronger hand. Well, as it turns out, this may qualify you for a bad beat jackpot bonus.
Just keep in mind that while you may find the term “strong hand” quite intuitive in poker, the truth is that most sites have their own interpretation of the term. So, make sure to check this beforehand.
Since a small percentage of each pot goes to the jackpot, this loss at a table may be the best thing ever happening to you. Just keep in mind that, most of the time, this is indeed a consolation prize giving you a few more moments of hope.
Player retention is a high priority for every poker site, meaning that most have at least some loyalty program.
This works like in any other field – players accumulate loyalty points by participating in real-money games. These points (whose conversion rate may depend on the site) can usually be redeemed for:
It’s also not uncommon for poker sites to offer enhanced customer support for players who have accumulated a specific amount of loyalty points. This gives the user a higher sense of belonging and may evoke brand loyalty.
While these bonuses may not seem as much, the truth is that they do a great job at sweetening the pot. In a time when there are so many online options, even a single additional bonus may sway players one way or another. Why not use a welcome bonus to spend more time getting familiar with the site? What’s wrong with being appreciated as a regular player? It turns out that these bonuses matter more than you think.
Poker is undoubtedly one of the most popular card games worldwide. From casinos to sleepovers with friends, the game is played everywhere and loved by most. Over the decades, this popular card game has transcended the traditional table-chair setting and is now played online by millions.
According to Global Brands Magazine, there are over 100 million online poker players, and 60 million of them are from the United States alone. The game’s growing online popularity has led to the development of thousands of online poker sites. Players can play against computers or even other players in a live casino setting.
While poker’s popularity is undeniable, many people still find it risky, mostly because of how much money one can lose in this game. Recently, Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar had to deal with a similar situation.
As per Goal.com, the Brazilian and PSG forward lost $1.08 million playing online poker. Of course, Neymar’s net worth is around $200 million right now, so losing a few million dollars is unlikely to affect him much. But the same isn’t true for ordinary poker players.
That doesn’t mean people who enjoy poker should refrain from playing. There are ways to enjoy poker without breaking the bank, and the best way to do so is through sweepstakes poker.
Sweepstakes poker is a type of sweepstakes-style gaming where people can enter without paying anything while still being able to redeem cash or win prizes later on. A sweepstakes casino – often referred to as a social casino – has a luck-based system. That means the winners of different sweepstakes casino games, including poker, are chosen at random.
When it comes to sweepstakes casinos, the rules vary from state to state in the US. However, no matter which states you play these games in, they all enforce a no-purchase-necessary policy.
According to OddsSeeker, apart from Washington, sweepstakes casinos are completely legal in most other states of the US. States like Idaho, New York, and Florida do allow these types of casinos but have some restrictions. For instance, in Idaho, no prize redemption is allowed from sweepstakes casinos, while in New York and Florida, the cash prize redemption is limited to $10,000.
The first thing you need to know about sweepstakes gaming is that it runs on virtual coins or tokens. Unlike traditional online casinos, social casino games don’t require you to spend real money. You can play these games anywhere on your phone or laptop as long as you have an active internet connection.
Although sweepstakes casinos are different from real money online casinos, they still have several similarities, especially when it comes to receiving bonuses. That means you can still enjoy perks like welcome bonuses, free spins, and deposit bonuses. While all of these bonuses come in the form of virtual coins or tokens, you can always redeem them for real money and other prizes.
Having said that, let us now tell you how sweepstakes gaming allows you to enjoy poker without spending a ton of money.
There are two different game modes available on all sweepstakes gaming sites.
The first is the standard mode. This one is like your typical traditional online poker game, where you have to pay to participate. You’ll have an unlimited selection of poker games to choose from and can play against a wide range of players from across the world.
Then there’s the promotional mode, which is free to play. Here, you can enter a poker match without paying an entry fee. Compared to the standard mode, the free-to-play or promotional mode has a limited number of options when it comes to poker or any other type of game. However, if you do win anything in the promotional mode, you get to keep it and redeem your winnings for real money or in-game prizes.
What’s more interesting is that you can always keep playing sweepstakes poker for free in the promotional mode. You don’t have to worry about a limited trial period.
When you play poker on a traditional online platform, you usually have to share your credit or debit card information. Every time you want to place a bet on a game, you let the casino charge your card.
This is rather irresponsible, not to mention, poor decision-making on the financial side of things. Having your card pay for your losses continuously will mean you might lose count of how much you’re actually spending on the games.
However, in sweepstakes gaming, you play with virtual coins that are limited in number, and you have to purchase them every time you run out. This is beneficial. For instance, if you’re willing to spend $500 a day on poker, you buy tokens worth $500 in the standard mode. Once those tokens are all used up, you might be tempted to play or bet again, but you’ll have to buy more tokens.
That means here, you have the option to not keep using your credit or debit card repeatedly without keeping track of how much you’re spending.
One major financial plus point of sweepstakes gaming is that you get to enjoy more bonuses than traditional online casino games. You have your typical welcome bonus and free spins. You also get to enjoy deposit bonuses for standard mode.
However, the biggest advantage here is that you can enjoy many of the bonuses without paying a single penny. Most traditional casino games require a deposit first, even if it’s a small amount. This is possible in the promotional mode. Here, you simply enter the poker game and try out your luck. If luck does favor you, you not only get to win the bonuses but also any other winnings from the game.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the US suffers over $100 billion in gambling losses every year. Many of these losses are from online poker games, which is indeed a worrying statistic for anyone who likes to play this popular card game.
However, with sweepstakes gaming, poker can be made financially friendly, especially if you think you have a spending problem when it comes to online gambling. If you want to spend even less, you can always buy fewer tokens to play with. As long as you can keep up with these small habits, sweepstakes gaming is, without a doubt, the best way to enjoy poker without spending all your hard-earned money.
If you’ve ever watched a big poker tournament final table or televised cash games you may associate poker with high stakes gambling. These games show people risking respectable or even high annual salaries on a single hand. Tens or hundreds of thousands are being wagered on the turn of a few cards. While this is exciting to watch, the vast majority of players are playing low stakes poker.
Those high stakes poker players who make their way onto streamed or televised games started in the low stakes arena, just like everyone else. Luckily, since the majority of poker players are playing low stakes poker you have a ton of options to get into the game for a small amount of money.
If you prefer playing poker in a live casino setting then you’re in luck. There are thousands of poker rooms across the globe, most of which are in North America and Europe. All of these poker rooms will run low stakes poker games making the game accessible for beginners just learning how to play poker.
The smallest No-Limit Texas Holdem game that live card rooms offer has blinds of $1 and $2 and shows on the list as $1/$2. While the buy-in range can vary by location it is usually a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $300. You may also hear people refer to it as a $300 cap game, meaning the buy-in is capped at $300. Some casinos including most MGM properties have a larger buy-in structure of $100-$500 but this isn’t as common. Additionally, some casinos will offer $1/$3 instead of $1/$2 with a similar buy-in structure.
Despite the ability to buy into these games for $100 or less you don’t want to come in for the minimum. Most poker players will tell you to only play a game if you are buying in for the maximum amount. If the maximum is a little too steep for your starting bankroll you should be fine buying in for at least 100 big blinds, so $200 at $1/$2 and $300 at $1/$3. At 100 big blinds, you still have enough money to maneuver postflop and won’t find yourself all in on every hand. Many solvers and poker training sites use 100 big blind stacks to study the optimal strategy of poker in various scenarios.
$2/$5 is the next step up in the poker world but is still considered low stakes in the live arena. In many casinos, $2/$5 is the biggest game in the room. Buy-ins can be capped anywhere from $500 to $1,000 depending on the room, although most are somewhere around $800 max. These stakes are still low but are considered the first stakes where you can be a professional and make a living from the game. Even if you have the bankroll for it you may want to start at $1/$2 and be a winning player before you move up.
Speaking of bankrolls, if you want to take low stakes poker seriously, you need to have a dedicated bankroll. While the exact number of recommended buy-ins can vary based on who gives the advice, the absolute lowest bankroll you want to have for live low stakes poker would be 20 maximum buy-ins. For a $300 cap $1/$2 game this means $6,000 as a starting bankroll. 20 buy-ins may be the minimum but it certainly isn’t suggested for a bankroll, so if you want to give yourself a little wiggle room 30+ would be safer. If you are just starting out you should aim for 40-50 buy-ins to account for expected losses at the beginning of your poker-playing career. It’s always better to be over-rolled than under-rolled for a game, so no need to stick to 20 buy-ins since you’ll be more comfortable with more.
As mentioned earlier there are thousands of poker rooms worldwide. If you don’t immediately know which card room is closest to you there are a few apps you can use to find out. PokerAtlas and Bravo Poker are two very helpful apps/websites that can show you the poker games in your area. Not only can you see a list of casinos and what games are offered, but both sites offer a live look at the cash game waitlist. With most casinos on PokerAtlas and some on Bravo, you can even put your name on the list from the comfort of your home before you head over.
This makes scoping out games much easier than simply showing up at the local casino and hoping you get a table. Since most poker players are in the low stakes field, you should have plenty of tables running in the card room near you. If you want to ensure there will be games running, plan on playing Friday and Saturday nights since weekends are always busy.
Live low stakes poker has a very eclectic player pool. Since this is the most accessible option for poker, you will see a wide range of skill levels at the tables. Some players are studying hard and trying to build a bankroll to make it to $2/$5 and higher so they can play professionally. Others may not study or play full-time but have been playing regularly for years and have learned how to exploit other players in the pool. You’ll also find casual players happy to spend a few hours tossing chips in the middle with little-to-no strategy. Finally, you will get people who have never played but wandered in from the casino bars or blackjack tables and decided to give poker a shot. These last two groups are more plentiful on the weekends, another reason to block off Friday and Saturday nights for poker.
Since the skill range can vary so widely it is best to go into each game with little to no assumptions made on the player pool. Each player is a blank slate so until you see how they play and take some hands to showdown, assume they all play a decent strategy. One of the exceptions to the “no assumption” rule is that you can assume players are not 3- and 4-betting preflop correctly. Any $1/$2 regular can tell you there are very few 3-bets and almost no 4-bets at these stakes. Unless you have proof to believe the contrary, assume 3- and 4-bets are very strong in live low stakes poker.
At the $2/$5 level, you can assume your opponents will be better than the $1/$2 player pool. This certainly will not be true for everyone, as many of these players will simply have more disposable income and prefer to play for larger stakes. As a whole, this player pool will be more aggressive than $1/$2 but only slightly better.
Despite the poker rules being the same, the online game is much different than live poker. You have many more options to play online through multiple large online poker sites and private poker clubs. Since you aren’t dealing with physical chips and cards, you will see more hands per hour and can have more variety in stakes.
There are many more stakes offered due to the relative ease of making tables available on large sites. Due to the high demand for low stakes online poker, large sites have created games as small as $0.01/$0.02 with a $2 buy-in. This spawned a subcategory of low stakes online poker known as micro stakes. Micro stakes are considered $0.01/$0.02 through $0.10/$0.25. Low stakes online poker is $0.25/$0.50 through $0.50/$1.00.
Buy-in structures are a maximum of 100 big blinds on almost every poker site. Depending on the stakes you can buy in anywhere from $2 to $25 for micro stakes and $50 to $100 for low stakes. You will often see online poker games referred to by the buy-in rather than blinds. So $0.25/$0.50 is often shortened to 50NL, $50 buy-in No-Limit Texas Holdem. The micro stakes are 2NL-25NL and the low stakes are 50NL-100NL. Once you get to 200NL you are in the online poker mid-stakes.
Perhaps counterintuitively, even though games are spread for lower stakes online, if you want to play online poker you should have a larger bankroll than live poker. This is because online games can play more aggressively than live and the players tend to be better. Most players will tell you to start with a minimum of 50 buy-ins for online poker. If you are starting at 2NL that’s a very reasonable $100.
Luckily, online poker is much easier to find than live poker. Depending on the country you live in there will be a variety of options open to you. There are numerous mega poker sites like WPT Global, PokerStars, and GGPoker. These sites are not available in America but you still have options like WSOP.com (if you’re located in regulated markets), or other offshore-regulated operators.
There are also plenty of private club options through various poker apps. These are not monitored or regulated in any way, however, so be very careful about signing up for one and depositing money. While these can be a fun way to play poker with friends it may not be the best investment as a site to play on full-time.
When searching for online poker sites, make sure you pay attention to the rake structure and find the best option for your stakes. You can find information online about how sites rake each stake and compare to find what the lowest is. Also, be sure to look for any rakeback deals. Rakeback is when a site will return a percentage of the rake you generated based on the number of hands you’ve played. This can be a huge incentive if you plan on playing a lot and will impact your win rate greatly.
The online player pool tends to be a bit stronger than the live pool. The main reason for this is you don’t have any “randoms” wandering in. Unlike a casino, you have to seek out online poker to play it. It’s not like someone would search online for a pizza place near them, stumble upon an online poker site, create an account, deposit, and start playing. These are people who want to play poker and for the most part, will be slightly better than the live player pool as a whole.
Online players also see more hands per hour so they have more experience. This won’t always make them better players but it certainly can (and should). The micro-stakes will still be fairly soft but low stakes online poker can become more difficult. Some players won’t mind punting off $2 at a time in 2NL, but players will be more careful in the 50NL and 100NL games.
A key difference with online poker is the ability to use a heads up display or HUD for short. HUDs will track hands played against opponents and give you statistics like their VPIP (voluntarily put in pot), 3-bet percentage, C-bet percentage, and many others. If you are playing against the same opponents regularly you can build a large enough sample size to make assumptions on their skill level and play style. If a player has a 50% VPIP over 1000+ hands they are playing far too many. On the other hand, if a player is only C-betting 10% of the time they are not being aggressive enough on the flop. HUDs can give you these insights to make adjustments based on your opponent.
There are so many options for players to get into the action with low stakes poker. Whether it’s at your local cardroom or online you can start playing with as little as $100. Be sure to have strict bankroll management and pay attention to your player pool to grow that bankroll and beat the low stakes.
The onset of digital transformation has been the catalyst for many groundbreaking technologies. At the forefront of these changes are cryptocurrencies, which were initially met with skepticism but have since evolved into a globally accepted phenomenon. Their influence has penetrated numerous sectors, leaving an indelible impact. One industry that bears testament to this disruptive power is online gambling, specifically poker, where the rise of cryptocurrency casinos is turning the tides.
Cryptocurrency casinos have masterfully integrated into the online poker environment, presenting a novel alternative to traditional gambling platforms. A shining example of this integration is BigWins. Enjoy the convenience of cryptocurrency gambling at BigWins, a platform that leverages blockchain technology’s advantages to create a superior and enhanced gambling experience for its users.
Crypto casinos, like BigWins, have effectively incorporated popular digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others into their operations. The benefits offered by these cryptocurrencies are unrivaled: swift deposits and withdrawals, negligible transaction fees, and an elevated level of security and privacy. Traditional banking methods, plagued by long processing times and substantial fees, are losing their sheen in the face of the efficiency and seamlessness that cryptocurrencies offer.
The adoption of blockchain technology within these casinos brings an unmatched level of transparency and fairness. This technology’s immutable recording system brings a crucial sense of trust to the table, a vital aspect in a game like poker where platform integrity is essential. With every transaction verifiable and game outcome auditable, players can enjoy poker with the confidence that the house isn’t unfairly stacked against them.
The rising popularity of cryptocurrency poker rooms isn’t confined to the online gambling realm; it mirrors a global shift in financial attitudes. The increased acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions symbolize the world’s steady march towards a decentralized, digital-first economy. As such, the rise of crypto casinos shouldn’t be dismissed as a passing trend; instead, it represents the advent of significant societal and financial changes that are poised to redefine our understanding of currency and commerce.
Crypto casinos, especially those with a poker focus, are witnessing an influx of players from various demographics. The allure of these platforms is twofold. On one hand, the novelty of using cryptocurrencies for gambling appeals to the modern, tech-savvy player. On the other hand, it’s the tangible benefits of using cryptocurrencies that are drawing in the masses. These advantages range from enhanced security and privacy to quick transactions.
However, arguably the most noteworthy advantage of cryptocurrency gambling is its global accessibility. In traditional gambling platforms, players often face hurdles with currency conversion and associated fees. Crypto casinos, by allowing players to gamble with cryptocurrencies, eliminate these roadblocks. Consequently, players from diverse geographical locations can compete without having to worry about conventional currency-related challenges. This international reach is not just transforming the world of poker and online gambling, but it is also fostering a more globally connected community of players.
As the benefits of cryptocurrencies continue to unfold, we can expect their usage to become more mainstream, propelling the industry towards a more transparent, decentralized, and user-friendly future. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has given a significant push to online platforms, further augmenting the growth of crypto casinos.
The evolution of cryptocurrency casinos in the poker world has brought forth a paradigm shift in online gambling. It offers a glimpse into the future where digital currencies might become the norm rather than the exception. As we navigate this exciting digital landscape, platforms like BigWins remain at the helm, setting standards and paving the way for others to follow.
In conclusion, the rise of cryptocurrency casinos in the poker world isn’t a mere ripple in the ocean. It is a tide that carries the potential to reshape the landscape of online gambling and beyond. As we delve deeper into this digital era, it will be interesting to see how cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology continue to redefine the norms, pushing boundaries, and creating a future that we might have only dreamt of a few years ago.
According to recent industry reports, business is booming for the online casino scene in the UK.
Thanks to the rise of new online betting platforms, the casino sector has gone from being dominated by brick and mortar establishments, to being driven primarily by digital-first companies.
This shift has revolutionized the industry. Over the course of just a few years, revenues have never been higher for the most popular online casino platforms in the UK.
In fact, according to reports from last year, the UK is one of the world’s biggest gambling markets. The entire gambling sector was worth a whopping £14.1bn in 2022, with around £6.4bn of this coming from online or remote betting platforms.
Clearly, Brits across the island have gone betting mad. To service this massively growing cohort of casino and betting fans, there has been an explosion of new platforms over the last few years.
Out of the seemingly endless number of online casinos that have set up shop, here are some of the best new online casinos for players in the UK:
Vegasland
Want to experience the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas but can’t afford the flights? Don’t fret, Vegasland has you covered!
Vegasland is popular online casino that perfectly recreates the glitz, glamour and unadulterated excitement of the Vegas Strip from the comfort of your own home. Signing up for an account will also give you plenty of bonuses, including 100 free spins and a generous welcome deposit bonus. This level of generosity would rarely be available in a brick and mortar Vegas casino, so be sure to take advantage of it while you still can.
Hotstreak Slots
Fancy getting yourself on a winning streak? Then why not give HotStreak Slots a try?
HotStreak Slots is an online casino focused on slots that has been delighting Brits across the country since they first set up shop. If this slots focused operator sounds like it might be right up your street, sign up for a free account today to take advantage of the 10 no-deposit free spins on offer. They say the best things in life are free, which is definitely proven true when it comes to HotStreak Casino.
Winomania
Despite only being set up in 2018, Winomania has quickly built a reputation as a fun, customer-centric online casino that gives you plenty of bang for your buck! Thanks to a recent makeover, Winomania has never looked better either.
In addition to looking fantastic and being easy to enjoy, Winomania has also pumped some serious resources into beefing up their welcome bonus packages. New players signing up for an account can take advantage of a sizable deposit match bonus in addition to 100 free spins.
Pink Casino
As one of the UK’s leading online casinos, Pink Casino is an easy choice for the insatiable casino fan looking for the next platform to try out. There are slots galore, as well as a wide range of bonuses and promotions we guarantee you won’t turn your nose up at. If you want to score 50 free spins and a decent deposit match bonus, give Pink Casino a try today!
Spinzwin
As the saying goes: you have to be in it to win it. This is especially true of Spinzwin casino, which is a relatively new online casino that has proven to be a hit with Brits across the country.
As the name suggests, Spinzwin is an online casino specializing in slots with lots to offer online casino fans of all skill and experience levels. This includes a truly massive welcome deposit bonus, as well as 100 free spins as an added extra.
Win British Casino
Feeling patriotic? Then why not let the Union Jack fly with pride at Win British Casino — an appropriately patriotic online casino that gives British casino fans plenty to feel nostalgic about!
Win British Casino gives you instant access to the usual suspects you would expect to see in terms of providers and games, although there is a definite focus on online slots which may not appeal to those who prefer poker or other more traditional table games. To sweeten the deal, Win British Casino will even throw in 500 free spins for new users signing up for the first time.
Swift Casino
Fancy a swift one? Then Swift Casino could be just what you have been looking for! Just like the name suggests, setting up an account with Swift Casino is a quick and easy process. Once you are up and running, you will have instant access to hundreds of games from the industry’s leading developers. Added to this is a generous welcome bonus consisting of a deposit match bonus and free spins.
Mr Q
Despite the mysterious name, Mr Q is anything but secretive when it comes to letting players know how much they have to offer!
Now part of a global online brand, Mr Q is a major player in the casino space that has been delighting millions of fans across Europe since they first set up shop. There are plenty of games available, as well as a decent welcome bonus that gives you plenty to keep you busy once your account is up and running.
Kaiser Slots Casino
If you have always fancied yourself as a bit of a ‘king’ of the casino, then Kaiser Slots Casino is one of the few online platforms that is truly befitting of nobility! In addition to giving you access to top titles from the industry’s biggest names, Kaiser Slots Casino also gives new users signing up for an account a welcome package which includes a deposit match bonus in addition to free spins.
777Cherry
Want to pop your online casino cherry? Then 777Cherry could be the perfect place to get started!
777Cherry is a popular online casino with Brits of all skill and experience levels thanks to its fantastic selection of games, easy sign-up process and fantastic welcome bonus that truly must be seen to be believed.
Few people know that there are a wide variety of novels with poker in their plot and many of them are excellent. When not playing online poker, studying poker, or mixing it up at a brick and mortar live poker venue, reading a good poker novel is a great way to spend your downtime.
That is why we’ve made some selections of what we think are the best poker novels for you to read and enjoy at home, on a trip or on vacation.
Here are the poker novels I enjoyed the most and recommend you to read:
“The Only Way To Play It” – Peter Alson
It tells the story of Nate Fischer, a former painter who begins to play the clandestine cash games in the clubs of New York City, those shown in the movie “Rounders”. He must try to balance the game with raising a young daughter, as well as his father with whom he does not have a great relationship. You can check out Cardplayer Lifestyle’s review, by Amanda Botfeld.
“CARDS” – Jonathan Maxwell
A must read for cash game players. It shows the harsh reality of those who spend the whole day in casinos playing live tables fighting against variance. The protagonist also takes trips to Las Vegas and to France, where he plays at the Aviation Club in Paris. You can check out Cardplayer Lifestyle’s interview with the author, by Ben Saxton.
“Shut Up and Deal” – Jesse May
Published in 1998, it is one of the most classic, realistic and recommended poker novels. The main character is Mickey, who tries to make a living from playing cards and, to do so, he grinds through long sessions in the casinos of Atlantic City, California and Las Vegas.
“King of a Small World” – Rick Bennett
Joey is one of Maryland’s best live players in Washington. But his life will change when he is offered to become the boss of a casino, a rival commits suicide and his ex-girlfriend gets pregnant. Realistic and entertaining. The digital edition is only $3.
“The Cincinnati Kid” – Richard Jessup
The novel on which the classic 1965 movie starring Steve McQueen was based. I think it is one of the best poker movies of all time and the book is almost always better than the movie, so I can’t stop recommending it.
“Drawing Dead” – Rick Fuller
In this funny poker novel, a famous player dies before playing a final table at the WSOP in Las Vegas. The detective will have to get into the Rio Hotel & Casino to investigate the possible suspects and solve the case. You can download this book for free from the author’s website.
“The Big Blind” – Lavie Tidhar
A quick (80 pages) and entertaining read about a nun with poker skills who sneaks out at night with the habit of playing cash games. When the convent is in danger of closing, she enters a major European tournament to try to save it.
“The Dark Side of the Felt” – Tyler Nals
The book I enjoyed most by prolific author Tyler Nals. By reading it you will be able to accompany the protagonist as he plays cash games and illegal tournaments in very dangerous places. Very entertaining, and the first part of a trilogy that was made into a movie script.
“Final Table” – Dan Schorr
This book was published in 2021 and combines different interesting topics such as social networks, sexual abuse, labor relations and a high stakes poker tournament in a disreputable country.
“4 Bullets” – Tylar Nals
The biographical novel tells the incredible story of Costa Rican gambler Steven Thompson, who won $500K in live tournaments, but due to his addictions lost everything and ended up being shot four times for not returning borrowed money.
“Rounders” – Kevin Canty
Did you know that the movie Rounders has its own book? It is based on Brian Koppelman‘s screenplay and adds some facts to the plot, like the ending, where the author writes about what became of Mike’s life after beating Teddy KGB at the New York Club.
“The One Knight Stand” – Marek Garcia
Chuck feels that he is living two different lives: by day he is a diligent student and by night he becomes a great poker player. He will find it difficult to live both lives and will have to choose between poker and studying.
More recommendations: “Broke” – Brandon Adams, “The Picasso Flop” – Vince Van Patten, “Mystical Glasses” – Jack Kregas, “We Run Bad” – John Curry, “This Is Where You Fold” – Robert Needham, “The Home Game” – Liam Teller and “A Poker Story” – Greg Winick.
All of these poker novels can be found on Amazon, both in paper and digital versions, which are cheaper and can be read on any device. I invite you to put aside your social networks for a while and immerse yourself in the pages of a good poker book. Enjoy the reading! 📖