Ace your Poker Skills: The Golden Rule and More.....

Maybe it is the graying of the hair or the exposure from writing a column for SOAK magazine, but for some strange reason this past World Series of Poker it seemed like a lot of the new, younger players came to me seeking advice. They asked my opinion about many things that have to do with poker or the poker world. The questions of course differed, but when I think back and try to examine them the realization was that they could mostly be summed up with one general question, "How do you survive and prosper in the poker world?"

Since I am no youngster and have been around quite a long time, I thought I might be able to get away with giving some advice to the many new, mostly young players that I referred to earlier. I don't pretend to be an authority but if I may, let me try my hand at dispensing some words of wisdom.

First, let me say welcome to all the new people who are just entering the poker world. It can be heaven or it can be hell. Here is a list of some dos and don'ts that I hope will help you in this endeavor in which you have recently entered. The following list has taken years of pain and pleasure to compile.

There is only one that is more important than all the rest and that is the first one that I learned many years ago. A couple of years after I started playing poker, I asked the owner of the card club where I was playing, for a job dealing. Even though I was a recent college graduate and had a good job, I was intrigued by poker and wanted to be a part of it. Soon after becoming a dealer, I noticed that all my heroes, the winning players, always seemed to eventually get busted. I asked my boss, "What's the secret?"

His answer has stayed with me all these years and "I think" is still the secret. He said, "First and foremost, always have something going for yourself to make money besides playing poker." This I call the " Poker Golden Rule".

I have listed other dos and don'ts for you. They are listed randomly and have nothing to do with which ones are more or less important. The list reads:

• Rid yourself of anger. It is counterproductive in poker.
• Do not overvalue experience when it comes to surviving in the poker world.
• Do not undervalue experience when it comes to surviving in the poker world.
• Take vitamins.
• Practice self control--one day a week do not use profanity.
• Leave a tip for the maid in your hotel room, it will make you lucky.
• Overlook minor annoyances.
• Have some friends who know nothing at all about poker.
• Beware of free food.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will loan money.
• Do not have a list of more than three people to which you will borrow money.
• When you're playing poker, "pay attention".
• Never rush to play in a poker game--walk to the table slowly.
• Develop a hobby such as golf.
• Wear sunscreen when you play golf.
• Savor being called "Kid". Someday you'll wake up and some "Kid" will be calling you "Sir".
• Be brave at the table. Speak up when the floorman is trying to make a decision and asks what happened. Tell him what you saw.
• If you smoke, quit
• Beware of free food.
• When someone says "Nice hand kid," always say "thank you".
• Learn to control your breathing. You will be a lot more relaxed and live longer.

I hope this list will be of some value to some of you. But, if you get nothing else from reading this but to understand the importance of the "Poker Golden Rule", 'First and foremost, always have something going for yourself to make money besides playing poker." One of my personal additions has been, "even if it's just " writing poker columns." Follow the "golden rule" and you will be way ahead of most people wanting to survive and prosper in the poker world

For What it's Worth

(By Vince Burgio)

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So another mediocre gambling movie hits the scene – this one featuring blackjack. 21 is loosely based on a true story about a group of MIT students who form a team of card-counters headed up by a money-hungry professor, and head to Vegas to start raking in the big bucks. Obviously the movie distorts the real story to the point that it’s completely Hollywood-ized, but what do you expect? Unlike the original account (outlined in the book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, by Ben Mezrich), the brainy team of cheaters in 21 becomes an insta-success on the strip and proceeds to get a typical cinema-enhanced crash course on life - Vegas style. Except it’s not the Vegas anyone who’s been there would recognize – it’s a Vegas straight out of La La Land, replete with large, menacing gangster types, and implausibly conspicuous moves by the MIT Team that would be caught in under two minutes by any respectable casino security team.

Add to that a glitzy, stylish vibe that tries a bit too hard to be thrilling and glamorous, some mundane grade-B acting, and a lame yet predictable ending… and you’ve got 21. It’s a little like watching a music video, only without the cool music. But OK you say you still want to see it.

Watch Trailer Here!


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I Hate Rabbits - Poker Magic -

You won't see any rabbits pulled from hats in James Galea's magic shows. Nor will you see girls sliced in half or people levitating above the stage. What you will see is a suave 26-year-old in ripped jeans and a T-shirt performing card tricks, reading minds and stealing audience members' watches before their very eyes.

"I want to show magic to a new audience," he says. "It's not about an old fat guy pulling scarves out of his sleeve. It's just me and my talent. I don't need smoke and mirrors."

Galea says his show, I Hate Rabbits, is a stand-up comedy romp infused with magic. For a guy who learned his magic from a card shark who perfected the art of cheating to win illegal poker games, Galea is more fresh-faced pop idol than hustler.

"People are so used to seeing cliche tricks," he says. "Now they know as soon as they buy their tickets this is not a normal magic show; it's edgy and different. I'm trying to create my own style and it seems to be taking off."

Galea has just walked off the set of TV show Mornings With Kerri-Anne when we speak. He performed his signature card trick, one that earned him the title of Australian Magician of the Year, and is buzzing. With the cameras in tight for a close-up, and Kerri-Anne peering over his shoulder, cutting the cards to prove it isn't a trick deck, Galea told a story about a night on the town, using the cards to illustrate his tale. He meets two redheads (out come two red queens) and then goes to a club on King Street (he pulls the three numbers of the street address and a king). On it goes until James (he pulls a jack) hits the casino to play poker and produces a full house hand.

"If it goes wrong, there's no way out," Galea says. "It keeps my adrenaline rushing because I'm going all-out."

The Sydney magician says he was a late bloomer. Most magicians get the bug after receiving their first magic kit at five but Galea was 14 when he first started his tricks. He practised on his teachers, stealing their watches and finessing his card tricks. He says he escaped beatings from his three older brothers with his quick-handed tricks, stealing their watches too.

He learned to play the piano when he was three and had aspirations of becoming an actor or musician.

"My parents wanted me to have something to fall back on - they didn't want me to become an actor or a musician," he says. "So now I'm a magician. They love it now."

Galea says he has never had a "real" job. When his high school mates went to Queensland for Schoolies Week, he ventured to Las Vegas on a magical pilgrimage. Straight after school he worked as a magician in a restaurant, performing at tables.

He has since worked on cruise ships as the in-house magician, as well as combining his musical and magical talents for extravagant stage shows. He has performed at Hollywood's famed Magic Castle and in Las Vegas. He is now working with Hugh Jackman's production company, Seed, to develop a magic show for television that he describes as "Borat meets Hidden Camera".

Yet for his Cracker Comedy show, Galea is stripping it back. He says he needs nothing more than a bare stage to wow an audience. "The traditionalists are turning their nose up," he says. "They don't know why I'm not wearing a top hat and tails. But entertainment is changing in all areas. That's so old hat now - pardon the pun. I'm trying to make [my show] as original as possible."

Galea likens his training to that of a doctor or lawyer.

"They spend six years at university doing the hard yards," he says. "They learn everything they need to learn. I studied and studied for about six years to learn from the best, to learn from everybody out there."

Unlike the David Copperfields of the world, who suspend reality and make their magic accomplices swear they will never reveal the essence of their tricks, Galea doesn't want people to think his magic is real.

"Magic isn't real," he says. "It's all tricks but it's fun and entertaining. I hate when people try to make the audience believe they have special powers, that they are really floating in the air.

"What I do is a load of bull but you are going to have a whole lot of fun watching me do it."

Is Poker A Sport? You Can Bet On It

The World Poker Tour deals its aces in Central Florida this week, and the up-and-comers of the sport are betting on a bright future.


The World Poker Tour Amateur Poker League National Championship is in Orlando. The winner will receive, among other things, a $10,000 seat in a WPT Main Event to play with the pros. But a lot of the participants just like to play cards.

"I mostly just play at the APL events in different venues around the city. I don't play online very often. What I like about it is that it's always fun people and I enjoy being around the people and playing cards," said Kelly VonHohenstraeten, of Orlando.

If you every want to start an argument in a bar, just walk up to someone and ask them, "is poker a sport?" It seems like you can't turn on any sports channel without seeing it, including ESPN. But remember, ESPN actually stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.

"It is a sport. It's a sport of a different kind. There is many different types of sport. Is darts a sport? I mean, come on. Is bowling a sport? Do they sweat? It's a sport that doesn't take place across grass but across green felt. It's a battle of the minds. It is a terrific sport and I'm happy to be a part of it," sai Kenna James, a WPT pro.

"I think it's more complicated than a lot of people believe. It's a very mentally challenging game and it's a lot about posturing and position, so I'm really learning that there really is a lot of strategy involved, so yeah, it's absolutely a sport," said Shaun Miller, of Kansas.

No matter which side of the fence you're on, one thing is for certain. Poker takes minutes to learn and a lifetime to master, and these players are well on their way toward that.

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Las Vegas, Nevada - Bring It Home Baby!!

"What happens is Vegas.....Doesnt have to stay there!"

Bring It Home, Baby!!

Spring Break is here....Let the fun Begin!!!
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Atlantic City Poker Fight Ends in Stabbing Death

An argument at a poker table in Atlantic City's famous Trump Taj Mahal casino led to a fatal stabbing when the altercation spread into the valet area of the parking lot.

The fight took place just before 3pm on Saturday afternoon and the victim, whose name is not being released at this time, was pronounced dead at 4:50pm after being transported to AtlantiCare Medical Center in Atlantic City.

Vicente Perez, 57, of Georgia, was taken into the custody of the Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and was expected to be charged with aggravated manslaughter and two weapons charges.

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LAPT = Poker Tour of the Americas

The Latin American Poker Tour has decided to break new ground for itself, and take the tour in a new direction according Vega's CEO Michael Herron.

Vega's Latin American Poker Tour Expands to 'Poker Tour of the Americas'

The Latin American Poker Tour has decided to break new ground for itself, and take the tour in a new direction according Vega's CEO Michael Herron.

The PTA was contemplating the idea of starting a second tour to focus on North America, but decided to merge the idea into their existing LAPT tour. PokerStars has recently began its own LAPT, and in the spirit of avoiding confusion, Vega re-branded their tour the PTA - Poker Tour of the Americas.

The Company is currently negotiating with venues in several Latin American countries, including Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. New potential Tour stops include venues in the United States and Canada, with a season ending Tournament of Champions to crown the champion of the "Poker Tour of the Americas."

With all the new venues on board, the PTA will become one of the world's largest poker tours, and should draw the attention of many, if not all of the biggest names in the game. All PTA tournaments will be structured as invitational events with players able to win seats though satellites online or live.

The tournaments are planned to be aired throughout North and South America with Vega acting as the executive producer for the programming.

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My First Try At Poker In The Biggest Little City

I was invited to a charity poker tournament at the Grand Sierra. I have played poker since I was about 11 years old but I am not that good. In the last five years I have probably played in a dozen "all in" tournaments. They have always been in a friends basement, never for more than a five dollar buy in and never with more than six people.

By some miracle, I won the 32 person tournament. Reno Active 20-30 was the charity that I was playing for. I am happy to say that dozens of disadvantaged kids will get new school supplies thanks to the $5000 cash prize.

It was a lot of fun, which is probably because I got A LOT of good cards. And who doesn't like to win once in a while?

The casino took a bunch of great photos....so here you go.

I never thought I would win, so I figured...If I can't be a high roller, I can at least look like one...so I dressed for success. Maybe thats what did it for me. Or maybe it was all the pocket pairs I was dealt.

The final table.

The final two...heads up poker. I was down in chips 2-1 and we were all in. If I didn't get a ten or a queen on the river he had me beat. The dealer turned over the final card, it was a queen. I jumped out of my seat with excitement! I hadn't won yet, but I had survived and I now was in the drivers seat.

The winning had was an Ace/King suited...I told you I got good cards!

I got a little goofy after I won.

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Free minds, free markets - and free poker!

Reason, the Washington D.C.-based magazine about "free minds and free markets," opens its doors tomorrow evening for a night of poker activities.

"Poker Night At Reason HQ" will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 local time at the magazine's offices, located at 1747 Connecticut Avenue in Washington D.C.

In attendance will be Team Full Tilt pro and former MIT Blackjack Team member Andy Bloch and 2000 WSOP Main Event champ Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. The two poker pros will join Reason for a panel discussion on a wide variety of poker topics before joining the attendees in a game.

Hosting Reason's poker night is Radley Balko, a senior editor at the magazine. Balko testified before Congress on the issue of Internet gambling last year, and has been a consistent critic of local police departments' use of SWAT teams to break up private poker games across America.

According to Balko, more than 100 individuals have sent RSVPs so far, and press outlets such as the Washington Post, Washington Times and the Associated Press will be on hand for the event.

"We've gotten a very favorable response," he says, noting that the magazine's small office will likely be filled to capacity - no surprise given the star power of the pros in attendance.

I talked to Balko today about the Reason poker night, the legal state of online poker, and how the poker community can best pitch its case to the public.

The future of online poker

The cloud of negativity that hung over the poker community after the passage of the UIGEA has begun to lift in recent months thanks to a number of factors, including the WTO's rulings in favor of Antigua and the slow but steady progress of pro-online legislation such as Massachusetts representative Barney Frank's proposed Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act. The sense that legal online poker is coming back to the United States has been hard for some poker aficionados to shake.

For his part, Balko doesn't seem to think it's quite as close.

"I think Rep. Frank is doing great work, and we have seen some Democrats defect over to the pro-legalization side. But my general perception is that we're still a long way from the Frank bill being passed."

Among the other bills currently before Congress that would benefit online poker is the Skill Game Protection Act, proposed by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.). Rep. Wexler's legislation would carve out an exemption for skill-based games like poker and backgammon without touching the rest of America's shaky legal framework with regard to online gambling.

"The Wexler bill is a little problematic in this idea of drawing distinctions and carve-outs for skill-based games," says Balko.

"If you try to carve out exceptions like that they can be revoked as easily as they can be passed. [A carve-out] is certainly better than a prohibition. But I do think it's important to make the broader-principled argument that it's none of the federal government's business and [prohibition] is not going to work anyway."

With what Balko describes as a "moral crusade" on the right and a "Nanny Statist mentality" on the left lined up against online poker's supporters, the push for legalization is bound to be a tough one.

"Your best hope here is to win over some libertarian-minded Republicans and the Democrats like Frank who still sort of understand the importance of civil liberties," say Balko. "But I think in general we're a long way from any kind of legalized regulatory scheme. I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it in the near future."

'Scary stuff'

A number of larger problems surround the legal issues currently of concern to poker players. Balko says that the government's proposed regulations for enforcing of the UIGEA, which PokerListings.com summarized a few weeks ago, has some of the most disturbing possible consequences.

"This idea of deputizing financial institutions to start monitoring your transactions - that's scary stuff," say Balko. "They're basically asking your bank to become a cop to monitor everything you do."

Then there's the issue of state laws attacking free

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