Poker is a game of people versus people. Your opponent in this hand might be Larry, in the next hand Terry. We must play differently based on our opponent in order to win the most pots and the most money. We’re not playing poker just for fun or to pass the time after all; we want to be the best we can be and beat our opponents.

exploit

Image credit: itpro.co.uk

A lot of beginners just make decisions based on their hole cards and the board. A huge step in progressing your skills is considering another key factor: Your opponent. If you can understand their tendencies, you can use specific plays that exploit them in order to earn more pots and value out of them.

Let’s look at two extreme players:

Loose Larry loves to see the flop so he calls with about 70% of hands. Loose Larry also loves hitting big hands like 2 pair, straights and flushes. So, if he hits any kind of pair or draw on the flop, he won’t fold before the river.

Tight Terry is a patient player who’s fine folding preflop without a quality hand. He prefers playing in position as the preflop raiser and rarely defends the blinds. He’s also quick to fold post-flop when he doesn’t see good potential for winning the hand either at showdown or through stealing.

With Larry’s and Terry’s tendencies, who should we plan to make these exploitative plays against?

By making plays that exploit their specific tendencies, we are using all the information and strategies at our disposal and truly playing poker.

Pay Attention to Spot Tendencies

Paying attention and watching the action is key in spotting tendencies. You’re going to notice things like Loose Larry doing a lot of limping and calling and rivering gut shots. Whereas Tight Terry never limps, rarely calls and seems to love open-raising, iso-raising and cbetting.

When you see a showdown, replay the action of the hand in your mind to learn their tendencies. When you see that Loose Larry overpaid on the flop and turn with a weak gutshot draw, and then he gets there on the river and shoves into his opponent, you just learned so much about Larry that you can use against him in future hands.

And at showdown with Tight Terry, you see that he triple-barreled 3/4-pot each time with top 2p AK on the AK792 board. But in a different hand, when he flopped TPWK, he bet 1/2-pot on the flop, checked the turn, then bet the river for 1/2-pot. Valuable bet sizing tendencies to know, wouldn’t you agree?

Use a HUD to Learn Tendencies

Online players need to pay attention, watch the action and analyze showdowns just like live players do. But we have an additional tool to help us spot tendencies: our HUD (heads-up display). A HUD is like a friend whispering information to you in a live game. “See Larry over there, that dude is the biggest calling station in the joint. See Terry over there, he’s super quick to fold.”

If we consider the tendencies just mentioned above, Loose Larry might show these statistics: 55% Limp, 76% Call PF 2bet and 23% Fold to Flop Cbet.

And Tight Terry might show these statistics: 0% Limp, 6% Call PF 2bet, 33% RFI and 65% Cbet Flop.

If you don’t already know how to use your HUD to learn their Tendencies so you can exploit better, start working on this aspect of your game right now. It’s going to open up a world of exploiting possibilities.

Easy Exploits for Common Tendencies

I’m going to give you 3 quick-to-spot preflop and post-flop tendencies with easy-to-use exploits. Over your next few sessions, practice spotting these tendencies and using the exploits at every opportunity. And because you’re paying attention even when not involved, put yourself in the other player’s shoes and decide which exploits you would use in the hand. Game planning like this will strengthen your poker mind and make it so you’re more capable of spotting the tendencies and pulling the trigger on exploits when you are involved.

Preflop

Tendency: He defends his blinds almost half of the time.

Tendency: He hates folding versus 3bets after raising (Raise/Fold to 3bet = 0%).

Tendency: He’s an honest 3bettor (rarely 3bets, maybe 2%).

Post-flop

Tendency: He’s a flop honest cbettor (cbets only TP+ and nut draws, Cbet ~30%)

Tendency: He loves to double-barrel cbet.

Tendency: He donk bets 1-2bb all the time with marginal hands and draws (blocking bets).

Enjoy exploiting their tendencies!

Introduction to the Digital Revolution

The digital revolution has irrevocably changed many aspects of our lives, including shopping, communication and leisure activities. Unsurprisingly, it’s also significantly impacted the financial industry. Digital assets, like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, have gone from being obscure concepts to power players in global finance.

The Rise of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin, the first-ever cryptocurrency, was launched in 2009 in direct response to the financial crisis. Powered by blockchain technology, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies promise user autonomy, peer-to-peer focus, and most importantly, security—encrypting user data to make transactions safer. This radical restructuring of the financial system quickly gained popularity, capturing the attention of investors, businesses, and governments alike in America and around the world.

Crypto Adoption in America: A Mixed Bag

In America, the reception of cryptocurrencies has been mixed. This new financial landscape has introduced unique benefits and drawbacks. While Bitcoin offers the freedom and security that appeals to many younger Americans, scepticism prevails in a larger portion of the population, and rightly so. Stories of fraud, theft, and market crashes in the crypto realm are difficult to ignore. Added are the regulatory uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrencies, with lawmakers, courts, and regulatory entities all trying to figure out where digital assets fit in the existing financial framework. Bitcoincasino.us provides one example of a business that’s successfully incorporated cryptocurrency into its services. Their system allows users to play their favourite games using Bitcoin as their currency. However, while legal and operational, the mixture of gambling, cryptocurrency, and often-confusing laws can make such services controversial and problematic.

Economic Implications of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies

Critics highlight that the cryptocurrency market is notoriously volatile, pointing to Bitcoin’s history of drastic price fluctuations. Proponents counter that, just like any financial market, cryptocurrencies also experience ups and downs. Further, these digital currencies could break down barriers to financial system access. Traditional banking systems often leave behind those who live in countries with unstable currencies. In this sense, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could provide financial services to those who are unbanked.

Legal Challenges and Road Ahead

Large businesses in the U.S. such as Overstock, Microsoft, and AT&T have started to accept Bitcoin, marking a significant step towards mainstream adoption. On the other hand, regulatory acceptance is a different story. In the U.S., cryptocurrencies do not have the same protections as fiat currency, and their legal status varies from state to state. Despite the challenges, it seems that the digital coins are here to stay. They’re increasingly changing the landscape of numerous industries and seeping into various aspects of everyday life. With that in mind, it’s only a matter of time before they become the new normal for a digital-savvy generation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey to widespread cryptocurrency adoption in the U.S. isn’t a smooth one. As with any new technology, it faces legal, economic, and societal hurdles. However, it is undeniable that this is a revolution in the making that holds potential for a more inclusive and secure financial system. But it’s up to users and lawmakers alike to figure out how to effectively navigate its challenges. As the intrigue around digital currencies remains high, all eyes will be on the evolving American crypto landscape. Despite all this, Bitcoin has proven to be more than a fad. It is becoming an integral part of the financial future. The question is no longer if digital currencies will become mainstream, but how, and the U.S. is right at the forefront of this exciting development. As digital currencies continue to evolve and impact sectors such as online gaming, it’s important for businesses and users alike to stay informed and adapt as necessary.

From the moment the cards are dealt and the tension begins to fill the air, poker starts to come alive. According to The Guardian, this game combines luck, strategy, and mental agility and leads us to live exciting and adrenaline-filled challenges that have made this one of the favorite games at the tables.

However, poker is much more than a game, as it has evolved into a scenario where players compete to achieve success and win attractive cash prizes. This has paved the way for elite competitions that captivate fans and experts worldwide through different formats, which we enjoy on television, physical tournaments, or online events using apps and electronic devices.

There are several types of poker competitions; some of them stand out for their reputation and the impact they have on millions of players around the world.

On this occasion, we will look at the most important poker tournament series in the world, from the World Series of Poker to the World Poker Tour to the European Poker Tour to the incredible online tournaments of the World Championship of Online Poker.

The World Series of Poker (WSOP)

Let’s start our selection with the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With impressive worldwide recognition, this tournament series attracts thousands of players from all over the planet. The WSOP competes with high-performance players who seek the visibility that can bring them the reputation of this event, in addition, of course, to its attractive cash prizes. In this tournament series, we have seen some of the most exciting games in the poker world, starring some of the most famous stars in this game, which has undoubtedly contributed to its growth and popularity in the world. Beyond the WSOP, the brand has branched out to also include the World Series of Poker Circuit and the World Series of Poker Europe, which are held in the United States and Europe, respectively, but are followed from all corners of the world.

WSOP

The World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP)

Another poker tournament series that is among the most famous is the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP). This tournament series was designed to be held exclusively online, an alternative that is becoming more and more popular thanks to the growth of online poker platforms. The World Championship of Online Poker has managed to bring together professional players in international-level competitions, leaving aside geographical barriers.

Undoubtedly, these types of tournaments have opened up opportunities for players of all types, regardless of their experience or location, allowing them to develop and hone their playing skills.

Talking of online poker, it is worth noting that, in addition, all new players must be prepared to participate in casinos. And what better option than to train your skills in the best online casinos? Besides, they can always offer a series of benefits, such as bonuses, which improve the winnings as long as you play with real money. Welcome bonuses and no deposit bonuses are some of the many that can be found among the multitude that exist, as you can see in CasinoBonusCA. These incentives make the online gaming experience even more attractive.

The World Poker Tour (WPT)

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a tournament series that was first founded by Steve Lipscomb, Mike Sexton, and Linda Johnson whose reach extends beyond the confines of America and Europe. This tournament series allows games to take place in casinos all over the world which are broadcast on television. The WPT’s format has facilitated the internationalization of poker tournaments, attracting the attention of players from all corners of the globe. Notwithstanding its global scope, many of the World Poker Tour’s premier tournaments, including the WPT World Championship, have taken place in Las Vegas casinos, the city being considered the epicenter of poker competitions. Since its first broadcast in 2002, the WPT has experienced steady growth, gaining significant fame and recognition and offering an engaging experience for viewers.

WPT World Championship

The European Poker Tour (EPT)

The European Poker Tour (EPT) is a tournament series focused on Europe, coverage of which you can often find right here on Cardplayer Lifestyle. However, it has gained such significant prominence within the gaming industry that it has transcended European borders, positioning itself as one of the most important poker tournament series in the world. This tournament series was first launched in 2004, and since then, it has garnered undeniable popularity, thanks to television broadcasts reaching audiences across the European territory.

EPT Barcelona

The European Poker Tour allows players from all over Europe, as well as those who fly in from elsewhere around the world, to compete at professional tables. As a result, the European player community has been growing year by year, finding in the European Poker Tour a platform where they can showcase their skills in a high-level environment.

These poker tournament series represent just a small part of the exciting competitions that have adapted worldwide, each establishing its allure and style, attracting players from all corners of the globe seeking recognition and prizes. Regardless of your location or gaming preference, whether in the physical world or online, these tournaments have allowed players to demonstrate their skills by facing off against the world’s best.

Written by Lauren Harrison

In the complex legal outlook of USA gambling, Poker is the only game that can take you across state lines. This unique game of skill transcends state borders, facilitating bigger prize pots and wider competition, but how and why is Poker the only real money game not limited by geography in the USA?

USA map

Legal Gambling Outlook in the USA

Poker hasn’t had the easiest ride in the USA. Pre-2006, multiple online poker sites accepted US players, operating in the grey zone of lacking regulation and leading to a poker boom. However, on the last day of Congress’ session in 2006, the SAFE Port Act was passed, which included Title VIII, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

UIGEA prohibited “gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law (termed “restricted transactions” in the Act). In short, the government cut access to poker sites and interstate online gambling by making online payments in connection with gambling illegal in states that haven’t regulated the activity – which at the time was all states because of the federal Wire Act, which prohibited gambling via telephone wires and extended to wired internet connections.

Fast forward to 2011, and the DOJ re-interpreted the Wire Act, stating it only applied to sports betting, leaving states free to regulate online casinos and games of skill. Shortly after, in 2012, Delaware made history, becoming the first US state to legalize online casinos and poker, creating an inter-state compact with Nevada and forever changing the face of US poker.

Since this and the 2018 repeal of PASPA, the USA’s gambling outlook has been rapidly expanding, in 2023, 37 states allow some form of gambling, with online poker permitted in seven and in-person poker games available in many.

However, unlike other forms of online gambling in the US, which, due to UIGEA, are offered exclusively to players present in the state when they gamble, there exist special agreements in place that govern cross-border poker between states that are party to the Multi State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

Development of MSIGA

On Feb 25th, 2014, Delaware and Nevada signed the MSIGA, followed by New Jersey in 2017 and Michigan in 2022 (PokerStars became the first operator to launch multi-state poker games in MI almost a year later). West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are potential future parties to the compact.

MISGA allows liquidity sharing at online poker rooms in the states that are party to the agreement, which means more games, bigger prize pools, and better competition. While it’s not seen a return to the pre-2006 Poker boom in the USA, it’s been instrumental in re-creating the poker market. Moreover, it is the only form of online gambling in the USA allowed across state lines.

Impact of Legal Online Poker Platforms

While it’s always been legal for US citizens to travel and partake in live poker tournaments and games in different states (where the activity is permitted), the rise of legal internet poker and MSIGA eliminated this in-person requirement, opening the game to a broader audience.

Online platforms operating in multiple states, like WSOP.com, BetMGM, and PokerStars, have been instrumental in uniting players across geolocations for pooled games while skillfully navigating each state’s varying gambling regulations and standards.

What’s more, the USA is home to some of the world’s best live poker tournaments, like WSOP, which bring players together across state lines, creating a community not controlled by borders.

Why Does Poker Have Different Rules?

When no other type of casino or real money game is facilitated across state lines, why is poker the only game where interstate compacts are allowed? A large part of it comes down to viability. For poker sites to be successful, they require enough players of different budgets and skill levels to run games around the clock.

In Delaware, the first state to legalize online poker, the population is just over a million. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 78% of the adult population in Delaware gamble, with 23% playing card games. Break that down by skill and budget, and there are simply not enough players to run a poker room successfully.

While other states have much larger populations (Nevada has 3.14m, New Jersey 9.27m, and Michigan 10.05m), once Delaware and Nevada already had set a new legal standard, it was a more shrewd move for other states to join and increase the resources and quality of the product, games, and competition.

What are the best options for players in states where poker is illegal?

Players outside of legal online gambling states often revert to offshore gambling sites, which are unlicensed, unsafe, and do not guarantee payouts. However, according to US online gambling experts Casino Cabbie, there are legal options available in these locations (Washington and Idaho aside) called sweepstakes or social casinos: https://casinocabbie.com/sweepstake-casinos/.

Sweepstakes use virtual currencies to facilitate free-play games with the same excitement and engagement as real money games and have grown in popularity over the past few years. To learn more about playing online poker from any US state legally, check out the link above.

What’s Next for US Poker?

As more states legalize online casinos and poker, the US online poker market is set to grow, leading to ever more competitive poker options and prize pots.

Still, not all states that legalize online poker and casinos opt for the multi-state model. Take Pennsylvania, for example; despite rumors they would join in 2021, state regulators are still holding out, and the situation is similar in West Virginia.

That said, many states have yet to legalize internet gambling, meaning things can only get better for poker players in the US.

I’m thrilled to announce that our upcoming Mixed Game Festival VI will be further enhanced by an added layer of media coverage courtesy of Poker.org. Beyond the daily recaps that we’ll be producing right here on Cardplayer Lifestyle, Poker.org will have a reporter on-site to document the highlights and capture the fun-filled atmosphere of our event from November 26-30.

Since bursting on to the scene a little over a year ago, Poker.org has introduced a unique, innovative style of poker media coverage that has been very warmly received across our industry. I’ve been a fan right from the get-go, and I’ll be delighted to have them present to experience the magic of Mixed Game Festival VI firsthand.

poker.org cpl partnership

Over the course of their Mixed Game Festival VI coverage, Poker.org will be focusing on capturing videos, pictures, and player interviews in real time to showcase across their platform and social media channels.

Beyond the natural poker stories that will emerge from our two tournaments on November 27th and 30th, there’s just SO much more that will happen over the course of our dozens upon dozens of hours of dealer’s choice cash game play. I’m elated that another big slice of the poker action will get further documented for posterity.

“We’re beyond excited to bring additional coverage to the upcoming Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival. We know and share the passion that MGF attendees have for poker, so it was a perfect match for us to be a part of the festivities” said TJ Reid, Live Events Manager for Poker.org.

Why More Media Coverage?

The overwhelming majority of poker media coverage is understandably of tournaments. To be sure, we’ll be staging two tournaments during Mixed Game Festival VI – most notably the $260 HORSE on November 30 that awards the $5,000 WPT Voyage Prize Package. But at the heart of our event are the 24/7 low-stakes dealer’s choice cash games.

Poker.org’s extra layer of coverage means that more unique and enchanting poker stories will now be told and shared from the cash game felt. Plus, I’m already looking forward to checking out the creative media they’ll be producing about our scheduled “extracurricular activities”.

MGF VI schedule

Storytelling is the fuel that drives the media side of the poker industry. The more eyeballs we can collectively manage to bring to the game(s) we love, the more likely poker is to thrive. Cardplayer Lifestyle’s overarching goal has always been to get more players interested in mixed games, and having run five increasingly successful Mixed Game Festivals, I’m positive we’re on the right track.

I have no doubt that partnering with Poker.org will serve that intended purpose, and that more media coverage will help to garner added interest in non-Hold’em variants. Looking forward to seeing you at the tables!

There are many reasons why there are individuals who like to gamble. Some like the feeling of happiness they experience every time they win a round. Meanwhile, there are other players who like to seek their fortune and obtain monetary gain in their gambling activities.

Whatever the case, it’s always best to win in a game – especially with online gambling. To help you win and gain success in gambling, online gaming, in this case, this post is for you.

The following points will tackle five tips for online gambling success to help gamblers like you boost your bankroll and maximize your chances of succeeding and winning in each game. Continue reading below.

mobile online casino

1. Pick The Right Online Casino

The first step to online gambling success is to choose the right online casino. There are hundreds of different casinos to choose from; hence, it’s important to scour the web to find an online casino that has a stellar player reputation.

Below are some things to look for when choosing an online casino:

2. Keep An Eye On Your Gambling Bankroll

A stepping stone to achieve online gambling success is to manage your bankroll effectively. This means setting a budget for yourself and sticking to it while gambling. And it’s important to know when to walk away, even if you’re on a losing streak.

Below are points to help you properly manage your bankroll:

online gambling

3. Choose The Right Games To Play

Not all online casino games are created equal. Some games have a higher house edge than others, which means that the casino has a better chance of winning.

If you want to increase your chances of winning, it’s important to choose games with the house having a low advantage. Some of the best games to play include blackjack, video poker, and baccarat.

4. Formulate Winning Strategies

Once you’ve chosen the right games to play, you need to develop winning strategies. This means learning the rules of the game and practicing until you’re confident in your abilities.

There are many different resources available to help you develop winning strategies. You can find books, articles, and even online tutorials about how to increase your chances of winning in various online gambling games.

5. Deal With Your Losses Like A Pro

Even the best online gamblers, whatever generation they’re from, lose money from time to time.

As a golden rule, it’s important to be able to deal with losses effectively and not let them discourage you from pursuing other online gambling opportunities.

Here are a few tips for dealing with losses:

In Conclusion

Following the abovementioned tips will help you increase your chances of success when gambling online. Yet, it’s important to remember that gambling is a risky activity. The possibility of losing money is always there.

Luckily, if you gamble responsibly and manage your finances effectively, you can have a lot of fun and even make some money. Do remember, though, that gambling isn’t a guaranteed way to make money, and it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a stable flow of regular income.

Back in May, the World Poker Tour made a major announcement, that they’d be setting sail on the inaugural WPT Voyage, a first-of-a-kind “full ship takeover” of Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady. Scheduled to take place next spring, from March 31-April 6, the WPT Voyage will combine all the best aspects of a top-of-the-line cruising experience with world-class poker tournaments and cash games.

We spoke with WPT Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Warren Woodall to get a deeper understanding of what the WPT Voyage will be like both from a poker playing and poker fan standpoint, as well as what sorts of adventures passengers can expect away from the seafaring felt. In addition, World Poker Tour President and CEO Adam Pliska also shared some insight with us as to how the WPT Voyage materialized and progressed from the seed of an idea to eventually take its present form.

WPT Voyage 720x480

How many passengers are you expecting to welcome on the WPT Voyage?

Warren Woodall: The Valiant Lady is equipped with 1,400 cabins. We are expecting to have upwards of 2,200 passengers.

How many poker tables will be set up in the tournament area? How about the cash game area?

WW: In total, WPT Voyage will have more than 80 poker tables with 20 of them reserved for cash games.

Will the poker areas of the ship be open 24/7?

WW: Cash games will be open when we are in international waters. Late night poker tournaments will go until 3am.

The WPT Voyage is being advertised as a “full ship takeover”. Can you give us an idea of what exactly that means? How will that be tangibly manifested?

WW: Most poker cruises have a tiny portion of a very large ship, but WPT has taken over the entire Virgin Voyages ship, meaning it is completely ours for the entire week and can dictate many other aspects of the voyage, such as destinations, room usage, entertainment, etc.

We have worked in coordination with our partner Virgin Voyages on almost every aspect, and they were more than happy to accommodate for our vision of a poker extravaganza “full ship takeover.”

Surely a host of WPT talent and ambassadors will be aboard the ship as well. Would you be able to share with us a list of some of the confirmed WPT-affiliated passengers that folks might bump into while aboard the Valiant Lady?

WW: All WPT talent, ambassadors and members of the Royal Flush Crew are scheduled to attend.

This SPRING — the @WPT takes over an ENTIRE @VirginVoyages ship featuring a @WPT Championship, @WPTPrime Championship and tons of off the felt activities! 🚢

📆March 31 – April 6
💰$1.5 million in guarantees

Book your cabin now! We’ll see you on board! https://t.co/TssP8s6wUD pic.twitter.com/tMOWIjyRm8

— World Poker Tour (@WPT) October 19, 2023

There are obviously many cruise companies out there, and cruising is more popular than ever before. What specifically prompted the World Poker Tour to opt to work with Virgin Voyages? In particular, why do you see their brand as one that complements that of the WPT?

Adam Pliska: The inception of our partnership with Virgin Voyages actually came from a conversation I had with Richard Branson on Necker Island. I mentioned to him that WPT has done poker cruises in the past, and he responded with ‘Why don’t you do the cruises on Virgin Voyages?’ I joined him on a Virgin Voyages cruise for his birthday and it was a phenomenal experience.

Adam Pliska Richard Branson

The brand complements WPT in so many ways, from the 18+ age limit for sailors to their exceptional customer service on board and propensity to providing passengers with a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The WPT Voyage is set to be an extraordinary reunion celebration for the poker community.

To many poker players, embarking on the WPT Voyage would seem like a dream. Most cabins accommodate two people though, so I’m wondering what else will there be to do on board for those “significant others” who may not be too into poker?

WW: There will be an abundance of activities available to sailors, such as top-class dining experiences, immersive theatrical performances, an amazing top-deck pool area, fully equipped workout facilities, trivia nights, and more. When docked in Grand Cayman, there will be a pickleball event with Vince Van Patten, Golf tournament with Phil Ivey and Matt Savage, and a tennis event with Tony Dunst.

Poker, Sailing, and Pickleball… my favorite combinations! 😜

An unforgettable poker adventure Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2024, on @WPT Voyage with over $1.5M in GTD! https://t.co/v18e4Nf73x #WPTVoyage pic.twitter.com/R2jt4dscdV

— Vince Van Patten (@VinceVanP_WPT) September 14, 2023

As per the “events” section of WPTVoyage.com, we know there’s going to be a $5,000 Main Tour Championship event with a $1 million guarantee, a $1,100 WPT Prime event with a $500,000 guarantee, high roller and super high roller events, and smaller events in the $150-$600 buy-in range, including PLO, Tag Team, Heros, and more. Will you be releasing a formal “schedule of events” at some point so that players can plan out their tournaments of choice ahead of time?

WW: Yes, an official tournament schedule is still yet to be finalized but should be released sometime this month.

Will there be any sort of provisions/possibilities for advance payment of tournament buy-ins for passengers who don’t feel as comfortable bringing large sums of cash aboard the ship?

WW: Players will have multiple options to send money to their onboard ship account ahead of the WPT Voyage. Once aboard, all poker & casino activities will be completely cashless. This is the beauty of Virgin Voyages’ payment system. Sailors load money onto a wristband that is then used for payment across the entire ship.

For those who’ve already booked their cabins, or who are intending to do so, can you share any important logistics tips/advice as regards arrival to the ship, boarding, etc.?

WW: All sailors will need an official passport, and that passport must not expire within six months of the disembarking date (April 6, 2024). On March 31, boarding begins at 2:00 p.m. EST. Sailors need to arrive at Terminal V in Miami no later than 4:30 p.m.

The best way to learn more about these procedures, and for any other specific questions about the ship is to chat with one of our customer support representatives at (316) 747-4446 or live chat on the website at wptvoyage.com.

Plan Your WPT Voyage, or Win One for FREE!

If all of that sounds enticing to you, we’ve got great news: you could potentially win a FREE WPT Voyage prize package, valued at over $5,000!

Cardplayer Lifestyle will be awarding a WPT Voyage prize package to the winner of our $260 HORSE tournament at Mixed Game Festival VI at Resorts World Las Vegas on November 30.

The package will consist of:

*Note: Prize does not include cost of travel to Miami, Florida, to board the ship. Winner is responsible for making their own such arrangements.

The WPT Voyage is expected to sell out, so if you want to play things safe and not risk missing out, you can bet on a sure thing and book your cabin today

Tournament poker dominated the previous month on PokerGO, but November will be all-in on episodic cash game content. Prior to Thanksgiving, Season 11 of High Stakes Poker will conclude, while Season 3 of No Gamble, No Future will wrap up.

But don’t get too sad because Season 12 of High Stakes Poker is being filmed in November, while Season 4 of No Gamble, No Future is already being edited in preparation for release.

PokerGO Preview November

High Stakes Poker

The penultimate lineup of the season will see Brandon Steven, Bobo Chann, and Justin Gavri join Rick Salomon, Jean-Robert Bellande, Jennifer Tilly, and Rob Yong to play $200/$400 No-Limit Hold’em for one episode.

The final lineup of Season 11 will see the debut of Nik Airball who will join Bellande, Tilly, Yong, Doug Polk, Matt Berkey, Lynne Ji, and Eric Persson in a $200/$400 No-Limit Hold’em cash game for two episodes.

Watch Season 11 episodes of High Stakes Poker every Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

No Gamble, No Future

Season 3 concludes with the $100/$200 No-Limit Hold’em game featuring Eric Hicks, Kevin Martin, Matt Berkey, Matt Steinberg, Lynne Ji, Eli Elezra, Daniel Negreanu, and Phil Hellmuth. It will be action-filled final three episodes to wrap-up another season of No Gamble, No Future, as poker legends Hellmuth and Negreanu go to war with their chips and their words.

Watch Season 3 episodes of No Gamble, No Future every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

What Did You Miss in October?

The month of October on PokerGO would be incredibly busy with PGT Mixed Games, Super High Roller Bowl: Pot-Limit Omaha, and PGT PLO Series taking center stage at the PokerGO Studio.

The inaugural SHRB: Pot-Limit Omaha attracted 38 entrants for the $100,000 buy-in, and it would be Jared Bleznick emerging victorious to win $1,292,000 in prize money and the Super High Roller Bowl ring.

Following the biggest buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha tournament of all-time, the second PGT PLO Series of 2023 would be met with the first use of the new PokerGO Studio Triangle Room. Eight of the PGT PLO Series final tables would be livestreamed on PokerGO with winners including Matthew Wantman, Eelis Parssinen, Stephen Hubbard, Adam Hendrix, Bryce Yockey, Joao Simao, Benjamin Juhasz, Zhen Cai, David Wang, and Daniel Geeng. Geeng was also crowned the PGT PLO Series II champion after winning Event #9 and cashing three other times. He collects the $25,000 championship bonus and PGT Gold Cup.

Wedged in the middle of the PGT PLO Series was the StormX Invitational III that attracted 95 entrants and was won by Jonathan Little for $130,386.

High Stakes Poker continued in October with everyone’s favorites returning, including Jean-Robert Bellande, Rick Salomon, Jennifer Tilly, Rob Yong, and Andrew Robl. New faces to the show included Bob Bright, William Tjokro, Farah Galfond, and Matt Berkey.

No Gamble, No Future also returned with the conclusion of Clash of the Titans before Phil Hellmuth headlined a $50/$100 No-Limit Hold’em cash game that included Arden Cho, Lawford Edwards, Lynne Ji, Matt Steinberg, Shawn Madden, and Justin Young.

Connect with PokerGO on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and TikTok. Watch daily poker clips on the PokerGO YouTube channel. Join the conversation on the PokerGO Discord server.

Ed. note: Ashley is working on a book of his poker travels entitled Poker in 50 States (and 26 countries). He has agreed to publish a few of his chapters here first. This is the latest installment in his ongoing series.

How do we extract the most out of our brief time here on earth? For me, it’s by making connections with other people — by sharing something with them, and letting them share something with me about their lives.

The great thing about poker, for me, is that it provides a point of contact with people from otherwise inaccessible worlds. My recent trip to and through the south-central part of the United States known as Appalachia is a case in point.

Appalachia

How Did I End Up Playing Poker in Appalachia?

My wife had a professional conference in the back woods of central North Carolina, near Boone, in a small town called Blowing Rock. I accompanied her there, as our travel would involve a Friday night, and we are always together on Friday night.

For many, my trip from Boston, Massachusetts where I live, to this relatively remote region of North Carolina would be an awful exercise in dutiful spouse-ness — trying to stay occupied in a distant place. But for me, it proved an opportunity to engage in the world.

I had done some research on the area before I arrived. My wife and I were going to be in Blowing Rock, North Carolina — about 20 minutes south of Boone. Boone is a college town — home to Appalachian State University (known as App State). Blowing Rock is a stretch of hilly North Carolina fields, lakes, forests, and estates — known as the summer mansion of Moses Cone, the “Denim King”, a late 19th Century industrialist.

I tried to find a poker game in either Boone or Blowing Rock — to no avail. None of my wife’s fellow conventioneers seemed even remotely interested in playing poker (at least not with me), so I scanned the area around me for other venues for my favorite hobby.

Two hours to the west of Boone is the large Cherokee reservation, home to Harrah’s Cherokee — a full-service casino that houses a beautiful 32-table poker room. Four-and-a-half hours to the northwest, and a couple of hours north of the Cherokee room, is a private poker club in London, Kentucky. This eight-table room hosts a couple of tables of $1/3 every night (sometimes more on the weekends).

Asheville is 90 minutes west of Blowing Rock. Raleigh is three hours to the east. I went on Facebook and found a few poker interest groups. I signed up as a member and posted my interest in a game. I got a few replies.

I did my research and came up with a plan for poker. I would play poker at Harrah’s Cherokee. I would then head up to London, Kentucky for the quasi-legal public poker club. And I would end my stay by playing a night in Raleigh, at a private game, almost surely illegal, but magnanimous enough to overcome their suspicion of outsiders – and to invite me, a stranger, to join them.

Here’s the story of my experience playing poker in Appalachia.

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE: Cherokee, North Carolina

This is a great room, appearing even greater because of the hour-long drive up to it. The road in from the east snakes through the mountains, with severe switchbacks, steep declines, hairpin turns, the rural scenic beauty of a mountainous forest. Anyone with a little sports car would come just for the driving adventure. As it was, I was driving my 2017 Toyota Corolla, with 155,000 miles. But I was hustling to make it by 10:00 AM when the room opened. So the serpentine ride was especially exciting even for me.

Harrahs Cherokee

Unfortunately, though I arrived a few minutes before 10:00 AM, I didn’t get an immediate seat in the game. I could only muster being first on the waiting list for a $1/3 game, as a table full of regulars showed up in the room before they opened and locked up seats for themselves. I was first on the list for $2/5. I went to the nearby Starbucks, had a cup of coffee and some breakfast while waiting for them to call me to a game.

By 10:30 they had a second table of $1/3 and a new table of $2/5. I sat in the $2/5 game, realizing that with the much larger pots in $2/5 than $1/3, the $7 + $2 rake would not have such a draining effect on my bottom line.

The game was filled with regulars. They were relatively predictable and very friendly and welcoming to me. I don’t think any of them made a full-time living at the game, though a few showed a nice bit of aggression. I enjoyed my two hours. Good conversation; no memorable hands, but I managed to leave a small winner — up about $200 or so for my efforts.

The room has a great promotion going in October. Players earn $500 for 100 hours of play. This promotion ends at the end of the month, to be replaced by an even better one. Players with 100 hours of play in November will earn a free $1,700 seat in a WSOP Circuit event. In addition, I think players also earn another $1 an hour in comps.

I was not there long enough to sample the food places — except for a breakfast sandwich and a latte at Starbucks. Breakfast was, like the players at the $2/5 game, predictable and fairly good but not great.

I spoke to the friendly floor people who informed me that they have four (count ’em, FOUR!) WSOP Circuit events each year. They encouraged me to return then. I just may!

Poker Atlas

Poker Atlas is a great app that every traveling poker player should have. They list nearly all public poker rooms operating in the US and Canada — and many in foreign countries as well (though their information for those countries tends not to be nearly as accurate as it is for the US and Canadian rooms).

Rooms in the US aren’t listed by state, however, but according to self-described regions. I couldn’t find a listing of rooms in the state of Kentucky, West Virginia, or North Carolina. but rather for “Appalachia”, which lists a room in London, Kentucky, a room in Nitro, West Virginia, and a room in Cherokee, North Carolina. To find a room in Louisville, Kentucky, I’d need to check the list for “Cincinnati”, which also lists rooms from parts of Ohio and a room from Indiana. To find other rooms in Ohio, I’d have to check the listing for Detroit & Toledo. A bit confusing, right?

Nevertheless, the listings make sense for travelers and it’s more thorough than anything else out there. I wanted to know the rooms closest to me, regardless of what state they were in. And Poker Atlas showed me that immediately, including the number of tables, the hours of operation, and the games offered – with their respective rake and player compensation.

The app provides another function for many of the rooms. It allows people to view games “in real time”, and get your name on a waiting list. Not all rooms have this service through Poker Atlas. Some use Bravo, another great app. And some rooms don’t have this feature with anyone. But between Poker Atlas and Bravo, a player has a great way of finding out what games are going, and then signing up for them.

ROYAL SOCIAL CLUB, London, Kentucky

Using Poker Atlas, I found a poker room in London, Kentucky. It’s important to note that Kentucky is in the bible belt. Like many states in that part of the US, running a gambling establishment is generally considered illegal. Even so, a few rooms have sprung up in Kentucky in the last couple of years. They attempt to get around the law by not taking a rake, but by charging a membership fee, that is paid as an hourly charge for playing – like renting a pool table at a pool hall. It’s also how they spread poker in Texas – where over 60 public poker rooms have been established in the last couple of years. But even with this apparent loophole, some Kentucky rooms have had their poker games closed down by local constabulary. Most notably, this included the Moneymaker Social Club in Paducah, Kentucky opened by World Series of Poker Main Event winner Chris Moneymaker. Others, like this one in London, have been allowed to stay open. The Royal Social Club even has the seal of approval from the local Chamber of Commerce.

royal social club

I found this to be a great small room. Six or so tables, a friendly, neighborhood feel to it, and welcoming players – who made me feel right at home in the $1/3 game I played in for five hours. I paid $12 an hour to play. You get a slight discount if you buy four hours at a time. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to play, so I just kept buying time each hour.

The food deserves a special mention. They have their own kitchen. I met their cook. She produces sandwiches, chili, pizza and other bar food. But I would have none of it – as I was trying to lose some weight by only eating healthfully during my trip. So I ordered the one thing on the menu that appeared healthy: a salad. It came highly recommended. The salad consisted of a bowl of fried chicken, pork, and bacon, buried in melted cheese, on a bed of lettuce! Now that’s a salad! Probably not the healthiest thing I could have ordered – but, my, my, it surely was most tasty.

I washed it down gratis with diet cola from their soda and coffee bar. I ended up eating one of their free hot dogs as well. So much for my diet!

The room is extremely well run, with players seated quickly and efficiently. No alcohol is served by the house. Players who want to drink bring their own bottle.

royal social club inside

The House: Raleigh, North Carolina

Outside of tribal land, gambling is illegal in North Carolina. Unlike Kentucky, there are no apparent loopholes that allow establishments that charge time instead of raking the game. Even so, there is a lot of poker throughout the state. It’s just kept on the down low, in private games that keep a relatively low profile. You need to know someone who gets you a personal invitation.

The last time I was in the state, the best I could do was find a tiny $.05/.10/.25 game run by a couple of octogenarians at the Knights of Columbus in Murray, Kentucky. I enjoyed the dealer’s choice game immensely, but I wondered at the time how I could access a bigger game upon my return.

This time, I turned to social media. I went on Facebook, and searched for “Poker in North Carolina”, “Poker in Asheville”, “Poker in Greensboro”, and “Poker in Raleigh”. I found a few Facebook groups, and posted my request for an invitation on each of them. One of them, “Poker in Raleigh” responded, asking me some questions about myself. I guess I was checked out and passed muster, because the following morning I received the address to a private Raleigh poker game.

Raleigh North Carolina

I was asked if I’d be playing in the tournament or the cash game. I asked about the rake. The tournament was raked at 12% of the buy-in. The cash game was 10% up to $13. I elected for the tournament.

I showed up at the designated time to the address I was given. It was a large apartment in a garden apartment complex. There was plenty of parking. A few people were walking toward the game when I drove up. I followed them in. The place was crowded with people – easily 40 folks were there 15 minutes before the start of the tournament I had been invited to join. There were two cash games going as well. I noticed four rooms with poker tables and a very busy kitchen. Food was provided.

They got three tables for the tournament. It was very professionally organized, with a couple of large display screens listing all of the relevant tournament information – just like in a casino poker room tournament. The chips and cards were first-rate. The chairs were extremely comfortable. The tables were professional quality as were the dealers. In all respects, this private game played like any of a few hundred tournaments I’ve played in public poker rooms around the world.

tournament clock

There were 40 buy-ins from 28 starting players. Four players were paid. There were a few students from North Carolina State, and a bunch of middle-aged regulars. The players were generally experienced. As is often the case, there was a mix of skill levels – with one or two seemingly quite good. There were no players I saw who seemed new to poker or clueless – though some were not very good at all. I finished just barely in the money, in fourth place. The tournament lasted six hours – 90 minutes longer than predicted by the game operator.

It was a highly entertaining evening. I’d gladly return and play in another tournament.

The food was also excellent, with a chicken stew, beans, and dirty rice. The chef was already preparing a lasagna for the next game in two days. There were also tons of small-bagged savory and sweet snacks – candy, chips and the like, and a wide variety of beers, sodas, and flavored water and seltzer.

I was told that there were many games like this one all over the state, including a few right in the Greater Raleigh area. There were regular PLO games as well. Had I been from the area, I’m sure I would have been able to tap into a game every night of the week. As it was, this place alone had multiple games going weekly.

My experience here demonstrated to me that in spite of any law, people will figure out how to play poker one way or another. I rather liked this underground North Carolina poker scene. I’ll gladly come back to this great room if I’m ever in or near Raleigh, NC in the future.

Conclusion

The area known as “Appalachia” is generally thought of as an impoverished rural part of the United States. That’s no longer a valid way of describing the area – as it has undergone a renaissance in the last 30 years – with prosperous cities, college towns, and rural resorts. It is an area of unparalleled physical beauty, with lush green mountains, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, rustic lodges, and hundreds of miles of gorgeous hiking trails and scenic drives. Appalachia is also a region with a lot of poker, in many different settings. There’s Harrah’s Cherokee in Western North Carolina: a large major casino poker room; a legal poker social club in London, Kentucky; and a whole bunch of underground poker rooms in central and eastern North Carolina.

I don’t think I would go to Appalachia just to play poker. There are better parts of the world for that. But any poker player traveling to or through Appalachia will surely enjoy pursuing their passion while they are there. The people are friendly and welcoming; and the poker is great!

As technology keeps improving, more forms of entertainment appear. From what used to be in-person casino games has evolved to online games available through desktops and now mobile devices.

Developers started noticing how many casino enthusiasts were looking for immersion. Now, players can get immersion through a live casino online and even through virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Australian players looking to enjoy card games now can get an experience similar to how land-based casinos feel. A real-life dealer accompanies players, who will enjoy the game alongside other real-life individuals in real-time. Developers stream the dealer and the table so everyone joining can see an immersive setting close to a brick-and-mortar casino.

poker chips and cards

Live Poker

One of the main differences between the mechanisms of live poker and video poker is the RNG system. Like other casino video games, video poker implements an RNG technology to ensure all results are random so players can’t manipulate the outcome, and developers won’t be able to tamper with them either.

Like a land-based poker game, live poker progresses according to the player’s choice. They will also compete with other real-life players that use various strategies.

Live Poker vs. Land-Based Poker

There aren’t many differences between land-based poker games and live ones. Players will interact with buttons to decide when it’s their time to pick and choose the wager size they prefer. They can chat online with the dealer and other people as if standing around a table.

The way players join a table is similar as well. When a table is complete, they must wait before they can join. They can only spectate on the sideline if a game is already ongoing.

Live online casinos have multiple poker variations. Some of the most popular are Three-Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, and variations of Hold’em. Reliable Aussie casinos work with reputable developers with extensive game collections. They’re high in quality and provide an excellent variety to give players options.

Live Blackjack

Like poker, live blackjack will work similarly to land-based blackjack games. The game uses a real-life dealer to manage the cards or use the automatic shuffler. The dealer will then spread the cards to players according to their dedicated spaces.

Developers implement a microchip on each card; the table will read the chips. These microchips are connected to a software program. The aim of these chips and software is so that a player can receive the information. The chip interface with the software will translate all actions to the players’ screen.

Players will then be able to monitor everything that the dealer is doing through their display. A player’s choices in a blackjack game will appear as a button. Most blackjack casinos allow a player to hit, split, stand, double, and (some) surrender.

Live Blackjack vs. Land-Based Blackjack

Compared to video blackjack, live blackjack tends to be at a slower pace. Video blackjack tends to end quicker, but live blackjack allows a player to take their time. As the dealer is a real-life human, every step of the game takes time to process.

One of the pros of live dealer blackjacks is the high betting limit. Advanced players tend to prefer live blackjacks when they aim to bet high. They’re more thrilling and provide a more realistic experience than playing against AI, as blackjack is much simpler than poker.

This doesn’t mean all blackjack tables have a high betting minimum. Australian players will find a variety of blackjack tables that come with different minimum and maximum limits. They can choose the one that fits their budgets the most.

Live Baccarat

Live baccarat is played by the same rules that traditional baccarat is. A player must bet on the hand with a total value closest to nine to win the game. Players can bet on their hand, the banker’s, or a tie result.

Like how poker and blackjack work, baccarat has a real-life dealer that they can interact with. They can also interact with other people at the same table through the chat feature.

Live Baccarat vs. Land-Based Baccarat

Game developers now use a high-definition graphic system with 3D technology. As live dealer games provide players with an immersive experience, it might seem like they don’t have any advantages over brick-and-mortar casinos, however, streaming studios often use multiple cameras that allow players to see the game progressing from various angles.

This isn’t something that they can do in a land-based casino as live casinos also offer a variety of baccarat that players can usually access in a single establishment. They must make do with the options they have in the vicinity, but playing online makes it possible for players to choose what they want.

Hot off the heels of the 2023 Poker Masters, PGT Mixed Games Series II kicked off on October 5th at the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Las Vegas. Poker’s top mixed game players descended on Vegas to battle for what is quickly becoming the ultimate series for high-stakes mixed game tournaments worldwide.

Chino Rheem ran hot during the Poker Masters and continued his streak during this series. He cashed five times in the series, including a victory, before becoming the eventual series champion. Other winners in the series include Nick Schulman, David Funkhouser, and Dylan Weisman.

PGT Mixed Games II Champion Chino Rheem

David Funkhouser Wins Opening $10,200 HORSE Title

PGT Mixed Games Series II kicked off with a $10,200 HORSE event that drew a field of 72 players. Heading into the final table, Paul Volpe held the chip lead with Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra in a close second. Others making the final table included David Funkhouser, Anthony Zinno and Chino Rheem. Rheem had a stellar Poker Masters and looked to continue his winning ways in this one.

Volpe, Elezra, and Funkhouser started the final day in the top 3 in chips, and that’s how they finished. Elezra managed a third-place finish, with Volpe and Funkhouser battling heads-up for the title. Funkhouser started heads-up play with a 2.5-to-1 chip advantage. Volpe began to close the gap, but a failed bluff attempt during Limit Hold’em would put him on the ropes. Soon after, he hit the rail in second place.

David Funkhouser took the opening event for $187,200 and 187 PGT points.

David Funkhouser

Chino Rheem Remains Hot After Taking Big Bet Mix Title

Chino Rheem has been on fire in recent weeks. He finished third in points during the Poker Masters last month, taking one title. He continued his winning ways during this event after taking down the $10,200 Big Bet Mix Title.

Stephen Chidwick took the Poker Masters Purple Jacket last month and came into the final table of this event as the chip leader. He could only muster a third-place finish. This left Chino Rheem and a streaking Andres Korn to battle for the title. Korn came into the final table as the short stack and managed to take the chip lead by heads-up.

Rheem stormed into the chip lead after taking a pair of hands during an NL Hold’em round and then managed to seal the deal during PLO. In the final hand, Korn was all-in with a flopped set against the nut straight for Rheem. The board failed to pair, and Rheem took the title, $171k in prize money, and 171 PGT points.

Chino Rheem

David Prociak Wins $5,100 10-Game Mini Championship

The $5,100 10-Game Mini Championship was fast-paced, with play reaching heads-up in a single day. Some players making the final table included Alex Livingston, Jeremy Ausmus, and Bradley Ruben.

Philip Sternheimer and David Prociak battled heads-up for the title. Sternheimer started play with a 2-to-1 chip lead. However, Prociak managed to chip up steadily and soon took the chip lead. He continued grinding Sternheimer’s stack to take a large chip lead.

The final hand came during PLO. Sternheimer shoved with two pair but ran into a set of sixes from Prociak. Prociak’s set held, and he took the title, $93,600 in prize money, and 94 PGT points.

David Prociak

Dzmitry Urbanovich Wins $10,200 8-Game

Event #4, the $10,200 8-Game, was a small field event with an exciting finish. The five-handed final table was stacked with poker talent with Arthur Morris, Max Hoffman, Anthony Zinno, Dzmitry Urbanovich, and Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu.

Negreanu ultimately battled Urbanovich for the title, and players started dead even in chips. Negreanu briefly took the lead during a Stud round, but PLO proved his downfall. After losing the chip lead, Negreanu was all-in with two pair. He was in the lead against Urbanovich’s single pair and a straight draw.

Unfortunately for Negreanu, the straight got there and Urbanovich took his first career PGT title. He also earned $179,200 in prize money and 179 PGT points.

Dzmitry Urbanovich

Nick Schulman Wins $10,200 Triple Stud

The $10,200 Triple Stud was another small, yet mighty field. This was highlighted by those making the final table. Ryan Miller, Adam Friedman, and Nick Schulman were among the finalists. Chino Rheem made his second final table of the series, looking to climb the leaderboard.

Rheem only managed a fourth-place finish, and it was ultimately John Racener against Nick Schulman for the title. Schulman held the chip lead to start heads-up play, but Racener managed to come back and take a massive lead.

Schulman did not give up and steadily clawed his way back on top. Ultimately, he took a 4.5-to-1 chip lead into the final Razz hand. Racener was all-in with a J-9 low, while Schulman had a worse J-9 low. However, Schulman would improve to a 9-7 low by the river, and Racener failed to improve.

Schulman is widely considered one of the world’s top Stud poker players, and this title further solidifies his reputation. In addition to the trophy, he won $144,000 in prize money and earned 144 PGT points.

Nick Schulman

Dylan Weisman Wins $10,200 Dealer’s Choice

Dylan Weisman made his second final table of the series in the $10,200 Dealer’s Choice. This time around, he managed to take the title. The final table included Dan Shak, John Monnette, and David Funkhouser.

Weisman battled Craig Chait heads-up for the title. Chait started the battle as the chip leader, but his lead did not last long. Weisman soon took the lead, and he never relinquished it. The final hand was in Pot Limit Omaha 8, which proved to be a cooler for Chait.

Chait flopped the nut straight, but Weisman hit runner-runner to make a flush. Weisman put Chait all-in on the river, and Chait made the reluctant call to discover the bad news.

POKER TRAINING COURSE REVIEW: Upswing Poker’s PLO Launch Pad, by Dylan Weisman

Weisman won the title, along with $156,400 and 167 PGT points.

Dylan Weisman

Hal Rotholz Beats Nick Schulman for $10,200 Triple Draw Mix Title

The final table of the $10,000 Triple Draw Mix was one of the best of the series. Jeremy Ausmus, Hal Rotholz, and Nick Schulman made their second final tables of the series, while Chino Rheem made his third. Others making the final table included David “ODB” Baker, and Andrew Yeh.

Nick Schulman made heads-up for the second time this series, facing Hal Rotholz. Rotholz had the chip lead at the start of heads-up play, but Schulman quickly took the lead. Later, Rotholz would make an eight perfect in A-5 Triple Draw to retake the lead.

From there, Rotholz continued climbing, and the title was decided during a Badugi round. Schulman was all-in with a 9 Badugi, and Rotholz was drawing to a wheel, holding 3h-2s-Ac. On the last draw, Rotholz drew perfectly, hitting the 4d to complete his wheeled Badugi and take the title. Rotholz earned $163,200 in prize money and 163 PGT points.

Hal Rotholz

Maxx Coleman Wins $25,300 10-Game Championship

The $25,300 10-Game Championship kicked off on Friday and drew a small 29-entry field. The five-handed final table was stacked and included Poker Hall of Famer John Hennigan, Maxx Coleman, and Alex Livingston. Chino Rheem made his fourth final table of the series, while Dylan Weisman was looking for his second title, respectively.

Ultimately, it was Alex Livingston and Maxx Coleman battling for the bracelet. Livingston started out as the chip leader, and both players took turns exchanging top stack. Ultimately, Coleman built some momentum and ground Livingston down to less than four big bets.

In the final hand, Livingston was all-in with A-7 against a flopped top pair for Coleman. Livingston could not spike an ace and had to settle for second place. Maxx Coleman won the title, $245,630 in prize money, and 174 PGT points.

Maxx Coleman

Arthur Morris Wins $5,100 NL 2-7 Single Draw to Close Series

The final event of the series was the $5,100 NL 2-7 Single Draw. This was the smallest field of the series at just 24 entries, and only the top four players earned a payday. David Funkhouser was looking for his second title in this one, while Arthur Morris, Philip Sternheimer, and Andres Korn were looking for their first.

Heads-up in this event came down to Arthur Morris and David Funkhouser. The pair quickly struck a deal to chop up prize money and played for the final $5k. Heads-up play lasted just a single hand. Funkhouser moved all-in pre-draw and was called.

Both players stood pat, and Morris revealed a #2 (7-6-4-3-2). Funkhouser’s nine was no good, and his quest to win a second title fell short. After the deal, Morris earned $49,902 and the final title of the series.

Arthur Morris

Chino Rheem Crowned PGT Mixed Games II Champion

Chino Rheem finished in third place for the Poker Masters Purple Jacket, but he would not be denied in this series. He cashed five times, won one event, and earned $433,600 en route to becoming PGT Mixed Games II Champion. Along with the title, Rheem took home a $25,000 championship bonus.

The last month has been wildly profitable for Rheem. He’s earned two PGT titles and over $1 million in prize money. His recent performances have moved him to 31st on this year’s PGT Leaderboard. The top 40 players on the leaderboard will earn a seat into the 2023 PGT Championship, a $1 million freeroll with a $500,000 first-place prize.

Credit to PokerGO/PGT for all images used in this article.

In the performing arts, there’s a concept called the “fourth wall”. Essentially, it’s a construct that acts as an imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience. The audience can see through it, but the performers exist solely within their own world. In purely theatrical terms, that fourth wall must remain intact. The idea that poker media coverage also has a fourth wall would never have occurred to me. But Hamas blew all of that up a few days ago.

Yes, Hamas. Why? How? Because I am a Jew and I live in Israel.

For almost 14 years, now, Cardplayer Lifestyle has cultivated and grown its audience exclusively by bringing you poker content: interviews, news, op-eds, strategy, reviews of the best poker training sites, live event coverage, hosting Mixed Game Festivals, and much more. Starting out with just one poker writer (me), we’ve grown to showcase the work of dozens of contributors, bringing top-quality, unique poker content your way day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.

Publishing’s rule of thumb is that one must always stay active; and, indeed, we have, for poker has no true offseason. We’re obviously not the largest poker media site, but we’ve undeniably made something of a name for ourselves in the poker industry. I’m so incredibly proud of the consistency we’ve delivered for so long. Just poker. We’re purists. We’re performing poker artists, for you, our audience.

But now Hamas has broken through the fourth wall, meaning I need to address you all directly. From my home. In Karnei Shomron.

fourth wall

Bigger Than Me; Bigger Than the Brand

In business, it’s all about branding. Sure, I’m Cardplayer Lifestyle’s front man and primary representative, but this site long ago got bigger than me. We’ve created something. We’ve worked tirelessly to compile a body of work that any group of poker media professionals could take pride in.

And that’s why writing this article, publishing it, and sharing it with you goes against every “professional” bone and instinct in my body. I desperately don’t want to ruin that illusion. I want to stay true to my craft; my undeniable calling. And believe me when I tell you that I’d much rather write about Phil Hellmuth dodging figurative bullets at the felt (baby!) than soldiers and reservists — like my home game buddies and their sons — dodging very real bullets aimed at very real babies.

But I didn’t break the fourth wall. Hamas did.

Hamas derailed me. Hamas threw me off my game. Hamas has made it nigh impossible for me to do this poker media thing; and impossible for me to continue separating the professional from the personal.

I’m so incredibly fortunate. I don’t live near the frontlines. I don’t serve in the army reserves. I’m safe. I’m home. My wife and my children are with me. How utterly sad that hundreds of thousands of people in my country cannot say that right now. Please read that last line one more time!

But while I’m muddling along on the home front, I’ve also been attacked. I’m one of the millions now experiencing and living through a national trauma that’s anyone’s guess re: how long it’ll take to pass, if ever. It’s a trauma that has affected every waking moment of my days. Naturally, that includes my efforts to run this poker media site and carry on with my business.

Have we continued publishing? Damn right, we have! Thanks to the efforts of our regular contributors, our editor, and our social media manager, (my hope is that) our audience hasn’t noticed too much of a disruption in our regular output.

But me? I feel like I’m malfunctioning. And while my ship might perhaps be able to navigate its way through poker’s seas without me holding tight to the wheel, a captain knows when his vessel is in jeopardy of running aground.

EPT Cyprus: The Poker Stop that Got Away

I was supposed to be heading to cover EPT Cyprus this coming Sunday. I was so excited. A European Poker Tour stop in my own time zone! A brand-new location for one of poker’s great longtime event series. The chance to see so many familiar faces at the felt once again. The chance to discover new up-and-coming rising stars. The opportunity to share a host of magical experiences with you. I was going to Cardplayer Lifestyle the heck out of my five days on-site.

Like a desperate poker player, I kept hoping for the one outer to come through; maybe this thing would somehow settle down quickly…

But foreign airlines are staying the hell away from this war zone right now, and justifiably so.

cyprus cancelled

But even if I had a ticket out on a national Israeli carrier, how could I in good conscience possibly leave my family right now? Now, when my kids decided on their own that they want to sleep in our house’s fortified safe room even though our region of the country is in (relatively) no ostensible danger. Now, as our nation’s orthodox rabbis have issued directives that when leaving the house to attend synagogue this coming shabbat we MUST take our phones with us.

How can I fathom leaving my country right now? Now, as my compatriots are scrambling to find flights TO Israel from all over the world, so that they can rejoin their army reserve units in defense of our Homeland. It’s simply anathema to abandon the Home Front at this critical moment, even if it’s just a one-hour flight away.

Hopefully things will be back to some semblance of normal soon. We need to fully regain that all-important sense of personal security. Our kids need to go back to schools in classrooms, and do so without fearful parents worrying about them having to scurry off to bomb shelters multiple times a day.

And, yeah, it would also be really nice to be able to travel again for poker trips.

Busted, But Still in Action

My sleep schedule is off. The little sleep I’m getting is of poor quality. I’m managing to (mal)function, but just barely. How, barely? Because of your love. Because of your care. Because of your support. Because I don’t want to let anyone down.

There are silver linings to this dark cloud. I have never seen my country, my nation, more united. Everyone is stepping up. Everyone is doing something, be it serving, volunteering, or even just an extra unnoticed deed of a Good Samaritan.

And you’re all helping me, too. Your messages, public and private, have swelled my heart with positivity. Some of you have sent me money to assist with my efforts to procure foodstuffs and supplies for our soldiers. Others have taken time out of their day to speak with me on the phone, allowing me the most delightful occasional respite from this situation’s incessant, unending anxiety. I even got a spontaneous video call directly from Poker Hall of Famer Linda Johnson‘s 70th birthday luncheon yesterday where, for a couple moments, the three dozen or so attendees very vocally sent all their love my way.

I’ll freely admit that I shed a couple tears of gratitude when that call ended. I’m exceptionally fortunate to have such wonderful friends.

Everyone out there is exhorting me to try and stay safe. I’m just trying to stay sane, folks.

Rebuilding the Fourth Wall

Poker media doesn’t “matter”. Not in the grand scheme of things. Not when a war of good versus evil is raging.

I don’t know how to defend my country other than to just stay and be here. Really. I quite literally told my wife: “this past week has demonstrated to me JUST how useless I’d be in defense of this country.”

But a local friend told me “Robbie, you have a following; you should speak out. That’s how you can help.” I gently corrected him: “There are many people out there who trust me. I can’t abuse that trust, but maybe If I say something they’ll listen. So yeah, I’ll try.”

Over this past week, I’ve been posting regularly on my personal social media platforms… wondering if it makes a difference.

I can’t remember anything I’ve written getting such tremendous “engagement”. Here are some of the incredible reactions:

“It’s not your job to ensure the rest of the world continues to pay attention, I know that your updates are doing an equal job to the news stories I read of making sure that people like me who are geographically far away from the horrific reality, understand the daily impact of it a little bit better than we otherwise would.”

“You always express yourself with tremendous foresight and fortitude… Please share your thoughts, we all get an abundant sense of being strengthened from it.”

“Your efforts are not lost or underappreciated over here on the other side of world.”

“Please don’t stop writing; your friends are listening.”

“Robbie you are part of my world in poker, and one of the good ones. However, there are certain aspects in life that hold far greater significance. I want to express my deepest appreciation for your willingness to share with us, as it allows us to establish a genuine human connection to something that our minds often struggle to comprehend.”

“What you wrote here would be suitable for an article, too. Poker takes a back seat when there is war.”

So perhaps even a broken fourth wall can be a hidden blessing, too. And it’ll get rebuilt soon enough, in due time.

So, What Can YOU Do?

Everyone… and I mean EVERYONE is asking me “how can I help?”

Well, if you want to help me then I’ll humbly ask that you please keep actively showing Cardplayer Lifestyle some love when it comes to consuming poker media. That’s the fuel on which I thrive.

Far, FAR more importantly, if you really want to help and can’t think of a way how, here’s a curated list of some registered non-profits and grassroots efforts that you can choose to support, to help get us back on our feet and rebuild: https://support4israel.com/