PokerChest.com — Poker Chips and Blackjack Tables

Cheat At Card Games! Check Out These Tips!

2010-01-25T03:03:00.000-08:00

While most people will consider cheating as being "wrong", sometimes cheating is more about learning and pulling the wool over your mates than anything else. Get caught cheating at a World Poker tour and you get thrown out and in a lot of trouble! Cheat with your friends? And it's usually funny, especially if its played with REAL money! I'm not promoting cheating, but if you want to, here are a few things you need to consider doing! First there is the old "card up the sleeve" trick. Not everyone can do this, especially if you laugh at funny stuff.

If you do want to do this, you should wear long sleeves so you can hide the card(s) up there! You also will want to stick cards up your sleeve when you know you're going to lose. Then, once you have all the cards for something like a straight flush, take them out slowly and bet big! Another big and very popular cheat is the bum deal trick. Try not to make it TOO obvious, but when dealing the cars arrange it so you get the best cards. And lastly, you can try peaking at your opponents cards. I'll be honest, I've done this one!

You can purposely play in front of something with a mirror or glare which is going to be able to let you see their cards. You can also try this with a glass table as well, but if you are playing with casino poker tables you can also "accidentally" drop something on the floor and look up at their cards. Most people won't even know what you're doing! Collect your poker chips and make some money - you cheater you!

The Different Kinds Of Rummy 500

2010-01-18T03:53:00.000-08:00

As a kid, my mom and I always played Rummy 500, its one of my favorite card games, mostly because I actually KNOW how to play it. Other games like Texas Hold Em absolutely confuse me and take way too much patience for my liking! The rummy 500 game can be played with either just cards or you can also add in chips as well, poker chips work fine. The poker chips are if you want to make bets or side bets. There are several different kinds of rummy games that can be played right in your very own home.

Each one is going to have varying rules and guidelines. For example, with Canasta, also a personal favorite, you can play with 2 or 4 people. If you play with 2 people there are 108 cards in the pile, jokers, no laying off, and the main target is 5000 points. Each player also gets 15 cards for two players. Whereas with something like Kalooki which is a European game (known as Rummikub in the US), you get two decks, can play with almost as many players as you want, as long as each one gets 13 cards, there are jokers, you can lay off, and it's very similar to rummy 500.

Other card games you can check out are Pagat, Gin Rummy, and of course Russian Rummy. Rummy isn't your game? That's okay, you can also find poker chips and casino poker tables at our website as well as other accessories for all your gambling needs. This includes poker, blackjack, bridge, mahjong and just about any other game that has cards and chips!

How To Play Smart At The Casino Poker Tables

2010-01-11T03:51:00.000-08:00

One of my number one rules about ANY kind of gambling is to NEVER bet more than you can afford. Remember, just because you are good, doesn't mean the cards are going to do exactly what you think every single time. You can lose and you can lose big. You hear about stores like this all time - heck they even made a few movies about it (see Lucky You with Drew Barrymore)! In order to play smart you have to be smart, this means using common sense. One thing you should be doing is cashing in your poker chops regularly.

Casinos are ALL about the lights, the action, and the excitement. So if you cash in your poker chips, you will be more liable to STOP betting. Which is sometimes a good thing! It’s like having a 22oz steak in front of you. Its juicy, it's delicious and it's calling your name. Same thing with poker chips. They sit in front of you and taunt you until you finally give in. Second off, have a "keep" pile and a "gambling" pile. For instance, if you just played on the $100 casino poker tables and you won $100 take that $100 you won, and pocket it.

Don't use this! You can use the $100 you originally started out with. If need be, and you really want to up the ante so to speak, take 20% out of the won cash and re-bet that amount, but place the rest in your keep pile. Lastly, stay smart and don't get emotionally involved. If you win big continuously throughout the night and you end up losing big - chances are you are going to feel really bad! Know when it's time to stop!

How Can I Learn To Read Poker Tells?

2010-01-04T03:49:00.000-08:00

As most of you probably know, a person that can tell another persons "tells" are considered to be the most skilled player. A tell is any physical reaction to a hand. For example, maybe you have played with someone that coughs every time they have a good hand, or someone else that "shifts" in their chair when they have a bad hand - this is a tell! If you learn these tells then you can ultimately make better decisions in the game and hopefully win more money! There is a whole slew of them so here are just a few of the top ones!

If a player is caught glancing at his poker chips or the actual poker casino tables - chances are they have a good hand and are trying to figure out how much they should bet. If a player stares you down and tries to "scare" you, he probably has a weak hand and is trying to make himself feel dominate over you! If a player takes a long time to call or to make a bet, he or she is probably calculating the pot in their head trying to figure out if its worth it and if he or she has the cards they need to draw a completed hand!

Remember, a lot of experienced players will purposely throw off "false tells" to confuse YOU, so it's always a good idea to find out if a player is a novice or a pro before you even play them! To find some of out top rated poker chips and casino poker tables, visit www.PokerChest.com

How Can I Buy Casino Poker Tables?

2009-12-28T03:27:00.000-08:00

It used to be that the game of poker was only played in casinos. But nowadays, people would rather play in the comfort of their home than have the inconvenience of going out. Which is pretty understandable! Dodge the crowds, dodge the noisy people, and sit at home with your friends doing what you guys want to! When choosing ANY table - you absolutely need to make sure you focus on three main aspects; size, price, look. The size is going to depend on how much room you have for the specific table.

If you want a cheap and spacious choice you should take a look at tabletop options or fold-aways. If you want to spend a little more money and have the space, then you could consider something like a professional poker table. The professional table is also going to have some extras as well such as drink holders! Also, for size, you need to consider the number of people that will be playing. The price is going to depend on you and what casino poker tables you buy. For something like a tabletop, you are looking at a measly 100 bucks, but you also get less options as well. As for something like a professional table it's can come to 1000 more or less.

Alas, these tables are very sturdy, and have a very professional look to them - choose from different options, colors, and shapes such as circular, square or oval. For some reason the oval ones are always the most expensive! For something that's aesthetically pleasing you might want to choose from a professional or premium professional table. You can pick the color of the material and the textile used for the actual table set up, type of material (wood, plastic, metal), and you can also choose from various felt options as well. Don't forget about accessories! You will need things like poker chips and card dealers and you can get’em all at www.PokerChest.com!

I Need To Buy Folding Casino Poker Tables - What Should I Look For?

2009-12-21T03:23:00.000-08:00

#1 Buy!
Solid Poker Table with Folding Legs

The main reason one would want to buy a folding table is mainly because they are cheap and they are space saving! However, these tables still can have quality and a nice look to them as well. The Internet is an awesome place to start looking for things like casino poker tables and poker chips. First off you should be taking a look at sizes. How many people need to sit at the table, how much room do you have for the table and what will you be playing at the table? Secondly, you need to think about how much you might want to spend.

Usually the cost of these folding tables depends on the size and the railings. Make sure if you buy a tabletop table that it actually fits ON your table - measure first, ask questions later. Next, you need to start taking a look at poker accessories such as poker chips, poker chip sets, holders, different kinds of felt, card dealers (auto and manual), etc. You have your choice when it comes to chips, there are all kinds of makes, models and textiles to choose from, but most people prefer clay or plastic PVC.

Lastly, make sure you take your time choosing a poker table. It doesn't matter if its $40 or $10,000 this table should be something that you really like and can get a lot of use out of!

How Can I Buy The Perfect Casino Poker Tables For Home Use?

2009-12-14T04:59:00.000-08:00

If you want to host the best game in the neighborhood, you will need to invest in a few things such as poker chips and casino poker tables. I'm sure when you were playing with your family or practicing the game, you probably used your kitchen table, but now that you have special guests coming for a real game you are going to need to upgrade! There are several factors to take into consideration when buying new poker chips and a new casino poker table. First off, how often will you be using the table?

Usually if a game is only played once or twice a month you can get away with purchasing an inexpensive table. If you plan on scheduling regular poker games once a week it's a good idea to buy a quality table. Second off, you need to consider the number of players. Ten or less and one table should be good enough, ten or more then you would need to buy extra tables or an extra extra large one.

You can also buy a variety of felt options as well. Everything from solids and patterns to actual logo inspired themes. Depending on how much you want to spend, you will buy whatever table is up to par with your expenses. The premium is obviously going to costs a couple of thousands and the Roll Ups are going to cost the least at around $45!

Visit www.pokerchest.com and find the highest quality gaming products and some of the lowest prices on line.

Why Should You Play Casino Poker Tables Online?

2009-12-07T03:37:00.000-08:00

Since the forming of the Internet, there are now tons of gaming options available to you – one of them is, of course, Poker. There are millions and millions of people that enjoy playing this game at home at their casino poker tables with real poker chips, so why not play online too? First off, at home you might only be able to play a few different games, maybe a handful. But online? You can quite literally choose from thousands of games to play with. Plus, on a lot of these sites YOU can choose to play for free or to play for real money.

If you play for free, you get "fake" poker chips. If you play for real money, then you can receive real money back when you win. The rake at online casino poker tables is much less than it is at a regular casino (if you plan on playing at a casino!) A standard casino rake is usually around 10% with the pot being $4 or increasingly higher. Whereas with an online game you have a 5% rake with a minimum of $3 or even less sometimes. Once in a while you might even find a game/room that has NO rake.

It's also about convenience - when you play at a casino, you have to dress a certain way, deal with crowds, noisy players, etc. When you play online you can sit back and relax. Make dinner. Talk on the phone. Where whatever you want! Lastly, you have the choice to multi-table which is going to allow you to play more than one game at a time. If you are good enough, you can win at several different tables at one given time!

Plus, the best way to practice is by playing online and when turn into that poker shark, get your real poker chips and ask your friends to your casino poker table, and win big!

Did You Decide To Establish A Poker Community Group?

2009-11-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

Poker isn't always about the money, sometimes it's just about the fun and the glory! If you have recently decided to start up a poker community group, you are going to need a few items in order to play the game! Obviously you will needs things like poker chips and/or casino poker tables, but you could also get other things as well such as accessories like card dealers, cards, dice, poker cases, card covers, and spacers! Of course if it's just a little group you could just go with poker chips and/or casino poker tables.

But if it's the big leagues and you have a ton of people playing, it's always best to make sure you try to look as professional as you can! This could end up being a lot of fun - just make sure it's legal for you to do something like this! Usually if you don't play for money you can play poker just about anywhere, but it's always better to be safe than sorry! This game is one of my favorites. It’s fun, competitive and sneaky as heck! Do you have your poker face on yet? If not, you soon will!

Especially with some awesome accessories and supplies available online! Looking for an incredible selection of poker chips, poker tables and other gaming accessories? Visit www.pokerchest.com and find the highest quality gaming products and some of the lowest prices online.

Poker Chips, Casino Poker Tables And Much More!

2009-11-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for poker chips and/or casino poker tables then you are in luck! Maybe you looked offline at a few stores and you just couldn't find what you wanted. Well have you considered looking online yet? The cool, thing about the Internet is that you can virtually find everything and anything you could possibly want, even poker chips and/or casino poker tables!

Chances are if you find a store that specializes in things like poker chips and/or casino poker tables you will be able to find the top brands you know and love, but at very cost efficient prices! Plus you can find all kinds of "custom" options for your poker chips and/or casino poker tables as well. For example, I visited www.PokerChest.com and they let me choose everything from the types of chops (clay or plastic) to the "writing" on the poker chips. They also let you choose from different colors of felts for the casino poker tables and much more!

Also, if you are just doing this from home, or you have formed a group of some kind that competes, you could also consider doing some other options as well such as Team Apparel - hats, shirts, pants, logos, etc. Oh! Be sure to take a look at the poker chips cases too! There are some really awesome options available. Everything from HUGE kits and cases to little small ones depending on how many chips you need to hold in it!

The Best In Poker Chips And Casino Poker Tables!

2009-11-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

If you are looking to find and purchase poker chips and/or casino poker tables the absolute best place you can look is right online. They have hundreds of different custom options to choose from. In fact, this is a lot like buying a pool table with all of the trimmings. You can choose the size of the casino poker tables and the colors, along with the colors, materials they are made from (clay, plastic, etc) and symbols on the poker chips. This is actually really cool. You could probably do everything from team sports to business acronyms to your name!

You can also choose from an array of accessories for your poker chips and/or casino poker tables including a case for your poker chips, dealer buttons, drink coasters that look like poker chips, card shufflers, cards, casino dice and so much more!

Some of these stores are JUST poker stores, whereas www.PokerChest.com is really a mixture of gaming products and supplies. If you want just cheap cards for your kids, go to a 99 cent store. If you want all gaming products, then you can look at a store that offers everything!

Are You Looking For A Store That Sells Poker Supplies?

2009-11-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Recently I decided that I wanted to buy my dad a poker table. He absolutely loves playing poker or any other gambling game for that matter. Right now he uses the dining room table and it can sometimes get a little annoying and a little loud. So I figured we could use the finished basement, and I could buy him poker chips, and a casino poker table instead. The cool thing about this is that you have ALL kinds of options available that I didn't even know were possible.

Everything from different sizes of casino poker tables to different colors, different felts, you can even place logos or slogans on the casino poker tables as well to really personalize it! Not only can you personalize the casino poker tables, but you can also customize the poker chips as well with just about any symbols you darn well want! One of the coolest options I found regarding poker chips were these kits. The kit included a really nice "box" with rivets for the chips, and the box itself was made out of pulverized aluminum.

You could also pick from different case colors (outside) and different case colors (inside). Really in the end what you choose for your poker chips and casino poker tables is going to depend on you, but chances are whatever options you want, they will have available to you and at an amazing price to boot!

Looking for an incredible selection of poker chips, poker tables and other gaming accessories? Visit www.pokerchest.com and find the highest quality gaming products and some of the lowest prices online.

Slot machine tips, tricks and urban myths.

2009-10-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Slot machine tips. It’s kinda weird to give out tips for a successful slot machine play. The sad truth is that slot machines aren’t for making money. The only purpose they serve is to feed your recreational needs. There are a few things to remember when you approach the slots. You might call them slot machine tips, you might call them hope, but they're sure worth the read.

When you got up and left and that old lady made the next spin and won a whole bunch of shiny coins – it wasn’t your win. You have had to hit the machine at the same exact fraction of the second that she did in order to get that money. You have more chances of winning the lottery.
Take your time. There is no Play per Minute rate of success. Doesn’t matter how fast you feed the machine – your chances still relay on one factor only and her name is lady luck.
Hit the button or pull the lever? Some prefer the old school method. Some go for high-tech. The casino goes for your money anyway.
Here’s a sure way to win – order a free drink. And order an expensive one. If you lost some dollars on slots, why not spoil yourself with a fine, triple bourbon on the house?
This one might actually work – try and bet the max amount. There are more winnable combinations with higher bets and they are always better.
The loose machines myth. Some say that the loose machines are placed by the casino near the entrance, cashiers, bar or anywhere near people who are not playing, in order to get them to see winners and motivate them to play. I say that there’s a better chance of finding loose screw in the casino manager’s head.
That card you stick in there, well ye, it’s actually money. Casinos are using machine credit cards on a nation that already has way more credit over its head. The fact that you don’t put green paper in the machine doesn’t mean that you are not gambling with real, hard earned money. Know your limit and get out while you still can. You might even be able to afford buying some roses to your wife.

Oh, and last but not least! Practice! This is the best advice we can give you. The more you practice at home on slots – the more chances you get at a casino. Naaa… We’re just messing with you. But you should definitely go online to www.pokerchest.com where you can also find notable items such as custom poker chips, playing cards, dice, casino tables and tabletops, storage cases, and much more.

Priest Plays Professional Poker

2009-10-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Some people will tell you that gambling is the root of all evil – just don’t tell that to Father Andrew Trapp, an assistant pastor at St. Michael Catholic Church in Garden City Beach, South Carolina. Father Trapp has found a way to use his skills at his favorite pastime to raise large amounts of much-needed funds for his church.

You see, while other priests may spending their time engaged in bible study or working with bake sales and other fund raising initiatives, Trapp went and auditioned for the hit Fox poker show, PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge.

After seeing his YouTube audition tape, producers fell in love with Father Trapp and immediately booked him to be a contestant on the show. Father Trapp sees it not only as an opportunity to build a new church, but as a means of drawing you men to serve God and their communities, “people across the country to see that there are still young men choosing to be priests, and that one can be joy-filled and have fun as one serves God.”

So far Father Pratt has won over $100,000 in the tournament and hopes to earn enough to begin the process of building a new church for his parishioners.

Looking for top poker chips, poker accessories and everything you need to hold the perfect home game? Visit www.pokerchest.com and choose from an amazing selection of clay chips, cards and more!

Poker Players Alliance Moves their Fight to Capitol Hill

2009-10-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ever since the U.S. Government banned the use of credit cards at online poker and gaming sites, the industry has found itself in a tailspin. Once considered one of the biggest growth markets in the entertainment industry, online poker has shrunk significantly in this country, as men and women have pulled out their poker chips and returned to their home games rather than risk losing their money, or worse, face prosecution.

Now, a group of hearty poker players looks to change all that. The Poker Players Alliance, a non-for-profit group, has come to Washington D.C. to plead their case – the case for the legalization and government oversight of online poker.

Made up of amateur players and well-known professionals, the Poker Players Alliance is visiting with various Senators and Congressman in an attempt to get them to see the benefits of legalization and regulation – namely, billions of dollars into potential tax revenue that in years past would have been lost because of the international hosts of the games.

While there is still a significant road to traverse – many government officials see online poker as a means of corrupting our youth – there is hope on the horizon. In particular, Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank supports the return of online gaming and has been quite active in restoring it to our national landscape, introducing a number of strong bills into the House and Congress.

What does the future hold? It’s hard to say. But one thing is for certain – the Poker Players Alliance won’t rest until the games are live and online once again!

Looking for an incredible selection of poker chips, poker tables and other gaming accessories? Visit www.pokerchest.com and find the highest quality gaming products and some of the lowest prices online.

How can you tell a Poker Tell?

2009-10-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

When you master Poker Tells, you master other players’ reactions. Poker tells can actually be more beneficial than cheating because it’s almost impossible to keep a true poker face and even if some players are able to conceal feelings and emotions, a lot of them forget that the body language matters as well.

So next time when you get the cards, hold your horses, try to look at the other players instead and spot poker tells. Your cards will be there later on, but some expressions and body language will be gone in a second.

The first and most obvious tell is the reversed tell. When an opponent plays strong, most chances are that he is weak. When your opponent plays weak – most chances he’s got a pretty strong hand.
Now take a look at the players around you. What they wear? Who they’re with? How they keep their cards and chips. Generally, a loose player will also appear loose, messy, have his chips all over and a tight player will have his chips stand like an army platoon.
In poker, people are shaking because they are excited and not because they are afraid. So if you see a player’s hand shaking, you can bet he’s got a good one.
Also notice that when players immediately look away from their cards, they often try to hide a good hand. And walk away if you see them stare at their chips – believe us, they are thinking about big money.

If you’re looking for more tips and poker tricks, visit us online at www.pokerchest.com where you can also find notable items such as custom poker chips, playing cards, dice, casino tables and tabletops, storage cases, and much more

Man wins a Ladies Poker Tournament. Huh?

2009-09-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

The South-African athlete Caster Semenya had to prove the world she is not a man as many claimed, but Abraham Korotki, the man who won the Ladies Event at the Borgata Poker Open is actually a proud member of the male specie.

How did a man enter the women poker tournament in the first place? Easy. He applied. You see, under federal law, a casino can not deny anyone over the age of 21 from entering the tournament. Disqualifying a person on a basis of gender would be illegal.

Korotki with the ladies and Rowe (third from the right)

Korotki was the only man amongst 270 women that participated in the Ladies No Limit Hold’em and except all the stir he managed to create around him, he also won the tournament and took home a $20,000 worth of poker chips.

Korotki competed against Nicole Rowe for the final prize and the whole thing could’ve been a funny anecdote and a great idea for a movie script. But we’re not in movieland and Miss Rowe was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. You can probably imagine she needed some extra cash and she offered Korotki to split the money, but like a true gentleman, he politely refused. Yep, it’s a man’s in a ladies poker night world.

The Mad Genius of Poker - Be a poker pro with Mike Caro DVD

2009-09-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Are you new to poker and looking for some professional advice? Even if you think that you know a lot about playing cards, there’s always room for improvement.

There’s one poker guy that everybody turns to in times of trouble and we thought you’d love to meet him. Ladies and gentlemen, give a warm welcome to the Mad Genius of Poker, Mr. Mike Caro!

Mike Caro is pro poker player and a pioneer in poker theory. You might have heard about MCU – Mike Caro University where Mike is teaching Poker 101 including advanced classes in Poker Strategy and Poker Psychology.

But if you’re not ready to go back to school, we wanted to let you know that you can now take a crash course thanks to Mike Caro Poker DVD. Caro’s been making this video for 11 years now, using bunch of cameras to capture even the most delicate human gestures and body language.

We'll throw in the first 10 tips, on the house:

If you want more of this valuable information, visit us online at www.pokerchest.com and take your game level to new heights.

Go Pro with Shuffle Tech's Casino Grade Automatic Card Shuffler

2009-09-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

You take your cards seriously. It’s more than just a night with the guys for you and you’re looking for something better than a 15 dollar card shuffler. You wanna go pro with the real deal. You need a Casino Grade Automatic Card Shuffler.

Why? Because Shuffle Tech patent pending shuffling process mimics hand cutting, riffling, and stripping in 90 seconds or less. You get the Casino Dealer Shuffle and the full Randomization Shuffle.

If you don’t trust your friends, just know that there is no way that a Shuffle Tech machine can be manipulated to "stack the deck" in favor of the operator.

After all the shuffling, the cards are ejected into a presentation tray, which can be removed from the machine and passed intact to the dealer, since nobody touches the cards until it's time to deal.

The presentation tray does not have to be in the shuffler for it to shuffle a second deck. The unit will complete the shuffle and then pause until the tray is returned. The shuffled deck will then be ready in less than 3 seconds once tray is inserted. This means you can actually use three decks to play the game: one deck in play, another one in the presentation tray ready for the next game, and a third deck shuffling. Now that’s what we call playing cards.

This card shuffler makes the perfect gift to any poker enthusiast and you can get it at www.pokerchest.com with many other notable items such as custom poker chips, playing cards, dice, casino tables and tabletops, slot machines, storage cases, and much more.

They call me Lady Luck - Great Poker Scenes

2009-06-24T14:46:00.001-07:00

You might not learn how to gamble by watching poker flicks, but you sure can have some fun. Most of the poker scenes are great, though some of the crazy card combination these stars get - will even make Lady Luck laugh out loud. We decided to bring you the best Hollywood poker scenes out there, who knows, maybe you will be able to a catch a trick or two, at least a new poker face.

This is one that every poker player needs to know by heart. Marlon Brando wooing Lady Luck just before a crucial game in "Guys and Dolls"

This one is my favorite. It's from the classic movie "The Sting" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Newman is lucky alright, not with the cards, but for the fact that he did not get shot after cheating:

This one is also a classic - "The Cincinnati Kid" it features Steve McQueen as the best poker player in the world in New Orleans - the best city in the world.

Here's to chances! If this ever happened to anybody out there - I'm quitting poker. It's Mel Gibson in Maverick and his royal flush beats a straight flush and a four of a kind in one hand.

Last but not least is Guy Ritchie's "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and this is more of what your neighborhood poker nigh t might look like:

Until the next time, check out www.pokerchest.com and get yourself a taste of Hollywood in your own home.

How to Cheat at Poker

2009-06-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

What? Isn’t this why you play for? We’re not saying that you should cheat a casino – just your friends, it’s really fun and if they are good friends, there is a good possibility that you won’t get hurt.

Easy - The dealer that can’t count.

You have the cards, you have the power! When it’s you that’s dealing the cards, slide yourself an extra card. Heck, slide yourself two cards. It’s easy if no one’s looking. When you need to get rid of the extra cards, just throw the cards you don’t need into the pile. Nobody’s going to notice, and if they will notice, just say “oops.”

Medium – The ol’ card up the sleeve.

It only takes basic planning and the ability to hide a card in your palm. You can palm cards from the deck into your pocket, sleeve, on the floor, sock, underwear or whatever works for you. When the time comes, slid the card back into play. Remember to elegantly surrender a hidden card when performing a deck count.

Hard – The Card Shark

What do you need? A good pack of cards from www.pokerchest.com, some poker chips and some unsuspicious friends. Good luck!

Backgammon History

2009-06-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

When you play Backgammon you should have respect for the game. The history of backgammon goes back approximately 5,000 years. Can you believe that the ancient Egyptians rolled the dice centuries ago and prayed for doubles just like you? Some might say it’s only a game of luck, but great players know that strategy has important role in backgammon. There are so many moves possible, so many techniques and counter-moves. In every turn you can do something risky, foolish, and even heroic. You don’t believe me? So how do you explain that computer scientists actually research backgammon? Just like in chess, there is even software that can beat the best human players.

Like any game that should be played with respect, you can buy backgammon sets in various sizes and prices. There are luxurious, black leather sets and your basic, beer night tournament sets. Even if your dice went missing, you can find a replacement, certified backgammon dice online. Try out a backgammon table or an e-backgammon if you keep loosing them checkers. Remember to check out the Monte Carlo World Backgammon Championship and make sure you come ready. PokerChest the leading retailer of gaming and casino supplies can get you well equipped with all your backgammon needs. At www.pokerchest.com you can also find notable items such as custom poker chips, playing cards, dice, casino tables and tabletops, slot machines, storage cases, and much more. Click on www.pokerchest.com, browse the online store, request a catalog and who knows, maybe you are the next world champion.

Dominoes Face

2009-06-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

It’s always nice to have Dominoes around the house. It’s not a complicated game, it does not take to much strategy or thought, but it is always fun and relaxing. Plus, if you’re not in the mood for actually playing dominoes, you can always set them up in a line and knock them down. If you want a challenge, check out this video, the world record stands on 4,345,027 dominoes knocked. Think you are up for the task? You’ll need a bunch of dominoes that’s for sure. But even if you are not going for the record, you can still find some pretty nice dominoes sets in the market. Buy dominoes, they make a great gift or a lovely addition to your game room. You can find luxury dominoes sets in beautiful wooden boxes, or just your regular pack of dominoes to give out to the kids. Whatever you decide to do with your set, remember to get rid of doubles early in the game. They might look promising, but they get impossible to use later on. Just like in any other game, your opponent probably has weaknesses and may not know how to carry a “dominoes face.” See his reactions to what you throw away and you might identify what numbers he is missing.

Where to buy dominoes? Check out PokerChes t online, the leading retailer of gaming and casino supplies. Besides Dominoes you can find notable items such as custom poker chips, playing cards, dice, casino tables and tabletops, slot machines, storage cases, and much more. Click on www.pokerchest.com, browse the online store, request a catalog and who knows, maybe the next world record is yours.

Big Stakes in Vegas

2009-05-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Talk about big stakes. Top professional and amateur poker players put up $40,000 a piece this Thursday preparing for the first major tournament at the World Series of Poker. The World Series of Poker encompasses 7 weeks of poker, thousands of players, millions of dollars and 57 gold bracelets, all a the Rio hotel.

To kick off the series no-limit Texas Hold'em was he main event with a $10,000 buy in. Peter Easgtate won $9.15 million and the coveted title. This is exactly what tournament officials were hoping for. They wanted a star studded final table to begin the 40th series. Professionals like Phil Laak literally doubled his poker chips during the first hour of play.

40 years, $40,000 buy in. We look forward to July 3rd when the thousands of players are reduced to 9 and then the 4 month break happens until the final table and the final prize.

Learn Poker From Home

2009-05-20T08:07:00.001-07:00

Forget expensive poker classes, online websites, and all the other poker learning tips that don't work. The best way to learn poker is through poker software and games that you can take out and play over and over again any time and anywhere. You say you want to be pro? Well, here are some amazing products to help you get there:

WPT The Bad Boys of Poker
This is one Vegas trip you'll never forget as you learn the ins and outs of poker with Antonio Esfandiari, Paul Darden, Phill Laak, David Ulliot, and Mark Richards. These bad boys will leave you at the end of you seet as you view some amazing bluffs and hot shot draws.

Secrets of Texal Limit Hold'Em with Howard Lederer
Yes, you have seen it on tv. The Professor of Poker takes us through a how-to video on No-Limit Hold'Em. Get some amazing strategies as well as a free pre-flop strategy chart.

Wireless WSOP Plug N Play 6 Player Texas Hold 'Em Poker
This cool game takes your practice and poker level to another level. Just turn on yur TV, turn on the game and learn poker or throw a poker party without playing cards or custom poker chips.

How To Throw A Poker Party

2009-05-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Throwing a casino party is probably the highlight of a man's month, even better than a year subscription to www.netflix.com. But when you have all the professional tools right at home, your casino party can become the talk of the town. But how can you throw the perfect casino party? All it takes is a little resourcefulness, a casino table, friends and lots of fun!

1. Call Up Your Friends

Invite about 10 friends over for the night so that everyone will have space around your table and while one group is playing another group can mingle.

2. Buy some Poker Chips
Investing in some custom clay poker chips will not only get the mood going but you will also have an investment that will last party after party. A great option is the PokerChips: Pro Clay Casino 13 Gram from PokerChest:

3. Invest in a Casino Table
This is kind of a no brainer. You can't call it a casino night if you don't have a casino table. A great option is the Poker Table, Craps Table, & Roulette & Blackjack All in 1 from Poker Chest:

4. Print Out The Rules
As much as we all like to brag, many of your guest will not know how to play every game so be sure to print out a few rules from online to have ready at the party.

5. Eat
Food and drink is the staple of a real casino and your casino party. Layout some finger foods like chips and chicken as well as beer and other liquor to get the party going.

6. Enjoy and have fun.

Hello Poker, Goodbye Yacht

2009-05-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

What would you loose in a poker game? Tickets to that anime expo you've been waiting for? The first picture of Julia Roberts' tattoo? $500,000?

If you answered yes to $500,000 then you and Russian billionaire and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich have a lot in common. Supposedly he lost his yacht in a game of poker. However, don't feel bad for him... he had more than one! Not surprisingly a Abramovich spokesman denied the whole thing; it is a little embarrassing.

According to Abramovich he was never in Barcelona where other news sources are claiming the poker game was lost. He also claims he never lost the 500,000 dollars yacht and that he will take legal actions.

I guess the poker chips are against the guy who the British call "The Roman Navy" because of the hundreds of million dollar yacht collection. However, as much as he denies it everyone knows that the guy has poker "habit". He’s admitted it himself.

Poker Chip Tricks

2009-04-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

Of course, poker chips alone won't make you the Rat Pack of poker, however they are great tool for messing with your opponents head. Here are 2 reasons why poker chip tricks can help your game:

The Art of Seduction
Distracting and seducing your opponents attention to you takes their mind off the game. With the right poker tricks you can have your opponent watching your hands instead his or her cards.

The Art of Peak a Boo
If you are trying to figure out if your opponent is bluffing in a game of poker, you can look them directly in the eye and hope they give away something. But let's say you have on sunglasses and you are paying with your chips and you look over at your opponent. They most likely won't even know you are looking at them and you may be able to pick up a hint to see if he or she is bluffing or not.

Here's a great video form skd1337 on YouTube that takes you step by step through some poker chip tricks. Enjoy!

Intense Poker Buffs

2009-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

What's the most important thing about Poker? It's not the custom poker chips, its not the poker table, it's not your ESPN poker cards, it's the poker face... the ability to keep a blank face and bluff your way to victory. It's an amazing concept and has won lots of players millions of dollars.

But what's in a great buff? Well, we can show you better than we can tell you. Check out these videos of some great poker buffs:

Poker Tables

2009-04-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

At poker.com they have a really cool step by step process on how to build a poker table. However, no matter how much money you can save, or how much fun that could possibly be, for some of us it’s just not a great idea.

Whether you are accident prone, aren’t the building type, or maybe love to build but can't guarantee the final product will be what you started on, it's okay. We know poker tables can be expensive but at Poker Chest we have REAL poker tables and a few of them are under $500. Don't believe us?

JH II Professional Poker Tables

The Award Poker Table

Folding Poker Table

So put down the tools.... you've been promising the guys a poker night for 6 months.

The Origin of Poker Chips

2009-04-07T13:19:00.001-07:00

Poker chips have been around since the 1800's, about as the long as the game of poker has been in existence. It all started when players wanted to play with more money than they carried. Yes....even back in those days the same logic existed.

Other smart players had the money but didn't feel safe carrying it around in fear of theft or being robbed on the way to the casino. As a result gambling houses began providing poker chips so that they could continue to bid higher their money would be safe.

Since then poker chips have continued to be used on casino floors today, and some players have a very "personal" attachment to their poker chips... hence the customized poker chip. Some of our favorite custom poker chips are ones that are a little quirky and have a little personality.

Below are some cool options for Custom Casino Ceramic Poker Chips from Poker Chest:

These custom poker chips are made of ceramic polymer and the image isn't a sticker... its actually a part of them chip and cannot be destroyed. Well, unless you destroy the poker chip itself.

Craps Table for new Laws

2009-03-31T09:19:00.001-07:00

From Pennsylvania to Florida the idea of bringing table games like craps is becoming reality. Not will including craps and other table games at casinos create hundreds of jobs, it's also a fun game for responsible gamblers.

A PokerChest we have a number of craps tables and accessories to help you get into the mood. But with the recession, you can still practice your craps at an affordable medium right from the comfort of your own home with the Reversible Craps & Roulette Folding Table.

Don't let the price fool you! This craps table is made of solid and durable wood, high quality green felt, and fold for easy storage. We'd love to leave you some tips on playing craps effectively... but no one knows what the throw of the die will reveal…that's the exciting part of the game! However, here are three tips to help you bet correctly:

1. The scariest best is called the Field Bet because you bet before the next throw of the dice. Sometimes all of us get that "feeling" of what's coming next. If you feel a little dangerous go for but use it sparingly!

2. Proposition Bets are for the exact outcome... no our favorite but if you are feeling lucky go for it.

3. "Hard Number Bet" is when you bet that two dice numbers will the same. A "Hard 8" would be a 4 and a 4 where a "Easy 8" could be a 5 and a 3.

Blackjack Table For Blackjack Champions

2009-03-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Above is Wilbert Cantley (left) with Roger Baldwin (center) and James McDermott (right) after their induction into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Missing from the picture is Herbert Maisel... so who are these guys?

That's right, the Four Horsemen of Aberdeen... the Blackjack mathematicians who never tried to beat the casino or become rich from gambling. They just wanted to understand Blackjack. According to the Washington Post:

"From their research, the mathematicians wrote a 1956 article for the Journal of the American Statistical Association, "The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack," and in 1957 published a small book, "Playing Blackjack to Win: A New Strategy for the Game of 21," which became one of the most widely used references on the subject. "

If you wanna even measure up to these guys shadows, you at least have to have the right blackjack accesories, especially a blackjack table. Here's a great one from Poker Chest.

This Blackjack Table with Folding Wood Legs and is constructed of solid oak with a black finish . It comes complete with padded armrests, padded wool felt, poker chip tray, and money slots.

Dice Cups

2009-03-18T10:45:00.001-07:00

Dice cups have been used for centuries. Actually, some can be found as far back as 1426. There are many games where it can be beneficial to use dice cups including craps, casino dice, heaven and nine, shut the box, and many more.

A great choice from PokerChest are these 2 Professional Bar Dice Cups that come with 10 dice (above). However sometimes, using a dice cup leaves room for cheating. To avoid getting duped, beware of strangers and stick to playing in a controlled environment like a casino, or playing with people you know well and that you trust.

According to Dice-Play, the Dice Cup False Shake consists of a cheat placing the dice on top of each other and rotating the cup vertically.

So there are some downfalls to using dice cups with strangers, however, with friends and family it can be good natured fun.

Learn Fast With Texas Hold'Em Poker Supplies

2009-03-10T14:08:00.001-07:00

Wooohooo! It's Texas Hold'Em time... While that may be overdoing it a bit... we can't deny that Texas Hold'Em is a favorite among poker fans and one that everyone wants to master. But going to the casino every night or stopping by a friend’s house can get a little expensive.

Cut all of that out by getting the ultimate in Texas Hold'Em Poker Supplies right at PokerChest. But why are our Texas Hold'Em Poker supplies different from our competition? Because not only do we have them at a super low price but our Texas Hold'Em poker supplies teach you how to play the game.

The perfect example is this Learn & Play Texas Hold'Em Poker set. Here's what's included:

Instructions on How to play the Texas Hold'em Poker Game

200 casino style, suited poker chips in 4 colors: Red, White, Blue, & Green
Poker Chip Rack to hold the 200 Poker Chips
1 Professional Dealer Button
1 Deck of Casino Playing Cards
1 24" x 36" Green Felt Poker Table Layout

Baccarat Supplies and Playing Tips

2009-03-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

Baccarat is a very simple and fun casino card that many people play but few understand. For you next casino party impress the your friends with baccarat supplies and some amazing baccarat skills! The aim of Baccarat is to get your hand to 2 or 3 cards that value 9 or 8. Of course, Natural 9 is the ultimate hand but Natural 8 can win as well. Here are three quick tips to make sure you have the upper hand in the game:

Strategize how much you want to win or lose before you start playing
Play at tables with only one zero so you don't decrease your odds of winning
Double zeros greatly decrease your winning oddsWin your money back before you start playing again

Now that you have the tips its time to practice at home with family and friends. PokerChest has many Baccarat supplies including the above Craps, Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette Combo . This game is 36" by 18" by 4" and include reversible craps and blackjack table with a roulette and Baccarat layout, 120 plastic chips, 1 deck of bridge size cards, and an 8" roulette wheel.

Enhance Your Poker Party with Electronic Toy Slots

2009-02-24T10:02:00.001-08:00

Want to feel like you are in a casino without losing the money? For your next poker party get a toy slot machine, the perfect poker accessory. No need to be in Las Vegas, score the jackpot and enjoy your night with your friends.

At PokerChest we have a few options for you, first is the Super Slot Triple Thunder Toy Slot Machine. It's just like the real thing with tones of flashing and beeping. Save money with fake coins... insert up to three ad pull the lever!

Or try our 5 Video Poker Games in 1 Slot Machine. It's 8 inches tall and takes real coins so you can make money off of your friends with the built in savings bank. Not only is it digital but you get 5 poker games including Draw Poker, Deuces Poker, Bonus, 2x Bonus, 2x2 Bonus Poker.

The Ultimate Poker Table Top with Poker Chip Set and Poker Chip Case

2009-02-17T08:08:00.001-08:00

Whether you are taking a road trip, tailgating for your favorite college football team, or camping with the guys, you can bring poker with you buy getting a portable poker table top.

A poker table top is the perfect poker accessory for poker fans on the move. You'll never be bored again, and just think of the look on your friend’s faces when all of a sudden everyone is looking for something to do and you pull out a full poker table top complete with poker chips and poker playing cards?

But don't just get any poker table top, get one from Poker Chest... because we don't do anything half way. Above is The Poker Traveller, with this amazing poker accessory you get more including built in chip holder, poker chip organizers, a carrying case with front pouch, 2 decks of playing cards, dealer button, blind buttons, instructions, 300 Casino Style Poker chips, and a durable holding case.

Poker Chip Cases

2009-02-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Walking into a poker game or walking in for a poker game with you own poker chip case can not only set a great impression, prove your love for poker, but also let people know you are serious about your game.

Pokerchest has a number of poker chest cases for every personality. The poker chest case above is a brown leather poker chip case that can hold 300 poker chips, space for 2 decks of playing cards, and 5 casino dice.

Another great choice is for serious poker games with a large number of people is the 100 Chip Capacity Clear Carrier. It carries 1,000 chips and has been used in casinos all over the world and makes it easy to transport poker ships from your casino or gaming room, plus you'll have access to your chips when it really matters.

This poker case is made of clear acrylic and is reinforced as well as being able to hold 10 poker chip trays neatly stacked. Lastly, the top easily slides off and it can be carried with a comfortable handle.

Monogrammed Poker Chips for Him on Valentine's Day

2009-02-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

So what makes our poster chips so special? These are 11.5 Gram Clay Composite Diamond Poker Chips with your choice of 8 monograms. These monogrammed poker chips are heavy duty, are made of high quality clay and has the traditional diamond motif around the rim.

Not only are they high quality but they are also available in 10 colors including purple, grey, white, black, green, orange, blue, yellow, red, and black. Could you imagine his face when he opens a box of 200 customized, heavy duty, monogrammed poker chips on Valentine's Day? And, to really make is personal you can choose a 3 letter monogram or other symbols for that extra touch.

The Ultimate Poker Playing Cards

2009-01-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

Real poker players know the importance of playing cards. The feel of a fresh pack, the smell of the shuffle and the uncertainty the deal. It's pure poetry! So why play with regular poker playing cards?

Make poker night an exciting night! Here are two choice we recommend for the ultimate poker playing card experience:

GEMACO Plastic Star Jumbo Poker 2 Deck Setup
For regular poker players who like to the most out of their cards, the GEMACO plastic jumbo playing cards are for you. They are specially covered with engineered plastic so that they can withstand the wear and tear of multiple poker games. As a matter of fact, these will cards outlast paper up to 500 times. Another cool feature, if they get dirty all you have to do is wipe them off with a damp cloth and then let them dry.

ESPN Poker Club Playing Cards
What else can we say, ESPN playing cards are “the professional” playing card. They come in a deck of red and black and are 100% plastic. They can handle the normal wear and tear of normal poker games, are wash and dry ready and are ESPN approved.

So next time you look for poker accessories, especially poker playing cards, get creative and get something you'll really love, that will last long, and that you can brag about.

4 Poker Automtaic Card Shufflers for under $20

2009-01-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

Card shufflers are a necessity for real poker players. Especially when you have a buddy that thinks he or she is real slick when shuffling the cards! Even more reason to stop procrastinating about getting your card shuffler, here are 4 great online deals for under $20.

The 1-2 Deluxe Wooden Card Shuffler for $18.00
This portable wood card shuffler has a tray that comes out to unload the cards. No adapter or plug required just AA batteries.

Card Shuffler 1-2 Decks $10.00
Classic and old school, shuffle like poker pro with this automatic card shuffler. Fast, reliable, and easy to operate, even with two decks at once.

4 Deck Card Shuffler $15.00
Now this is a deal! This automatic card shuffler shuffles 4 decks and runs on four "C" batteries to keep the game moving.

6 Deck Card Shuffler $18.00
Still under $20 dollars is this 6 Deck Card Shuffler. It does six decks at once, is battery operated, and the perfect companion to a Blackjack game.

No play with no worries about your opponents questionable shuffling skills!

Poker table choices for poker lovers

2009-01-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Buying a poker table can be a big investment, especially when you take poker night seriously! The best way to choose a poker table is to find one that fits your personality!

Are you traditional and classic?
If design is important to you as well as a good would base and a great choice would be a Custom Solid Wood Poker Table with Table Top Option. This table is the perfect centerpiece for your game room and is constructed of solid oak wood with comfy padded arm rest, padded felt, metal table cup holders, and wood insert on surface.

Do you wanna play like the pros?
If impressing your friends and with a professional game then a JH II Professional Poker Table would be best for you. This custom table include 10 player seating, wool nylon playing surface, high density arm rest, 10 stainless steel cup holders, folding legs for storage, and pine accents.

Do you crave versatility?
Do you love poker, blackjack, and roulette? Then don't settle for just a poker table... get the Poker Table, Craps Table, & Roulette & Blackjack All in 1. This table has a 9 player position made with silk and also has 8 cup holders, padded and water resistant arm rest, folding legs, roulette wheel, 2 dice, dice rack, and silk screen game felts.

Make sure to find the table of your dreams…not just any old poker table.

3 Great Customized Poker Chips

2009-01-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

Play Poker allot? Then why not invest in some customized poker chips! There are many great discount customizable poker chips to choose from.

These Custom Casino Ceramic Poker chips are made of high density ceramic polymer and are easily customizable into any picture, style or color your heart may desire. Upload any image and get it customized... no pictures, no labels, a real customized poker chip.

Another great choice are these 11.5 G Gambling chips which come in six denominations: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 and customizable options. Quality matters and these custom chips are authentic and made of clay composite.

Lastly, try these 11.5 Gram Dice Stripped Poker Chips with custom options. These bestselling customized poker chips come with a dice motif and you can
close windowadd letters and change the engraving color fill to gold, silver, black or white.

Really enjoy the game and start winning with your personalized and lucky poker chips.

Popular Poker Rituals for Good Luck

2009-01-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that one person that has that ritual before they gamble. Some kiss the scratch off three times before scratching, some play the same numbers for years in the lotto, some wear tokens and certain apparel when competing in sporting events. Poker players are no different; sometimes they have strangest rituals that they swear by. Here are some common ones:

The Lucky Accessory
Many poker players will put on a lucky piece of clothing or jewelry that they will wear every time they enter the casino or even enter a house to play poker. These rituals give players a sense of calm and focus when playing the game.

The Lucky Meal
Some poker players have to eat a certain meal the night before, the day of, or even in between poker games.

The Lucky Stars
Poker players know that the game is part skill and part luck, that's why many of them have to read their horoscopes, numerology, or even see their psychics to make sure they are having a lucky day.

The Lucky Charms
Not the cereal but a weird charm that a poker player will refuse to play without. These can range from trolls, teddy bears, stuffed animals, wishing wells, rosary beads, and even crosses. For some players, stuffed animals aren't enough; their stuffed animals have to be dressed in a lucky t-shirt, football team attire, and even hair dye!

The Lucky Affectionate Gesture
Sometimes in the Casino you may see a poker player talking or kissing a poker machine or their hand of cards. The extremes include baby talk, fondling, intimate talking, kissing, saying hello and good bye, and even tapping.

As we can see, poker rituals are an important part of the game and psyche of poker players. However, remember luck without skill is futile...

Unknown Poker Games: Pai Gow Poker

2009-01-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of poker games that are unknown or have never been heard of. One of those games is Pai Gow Poker.

Pai Gow poker is a casino poker game and it's based on the Asian game called Pai Gow. Pai Gow is similar to domino and is a popular game in Asia. Using the popularity of Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker was born. In Pai Gow Poker each player receives 7 cards, with those seven cards; each player arranges two hands, a five card hand and a two-card hand.

In Pai Gow Poker a player wants to win both the 5-card hand and the 2-card hand. Winning one hand will most likely allow a player to "break even" however, winning both hands can be lucrative. The two-card hand is called the forward hand and can contain two things...a pair or a high card. The five-card hand will look familiar to poker players because it looks like most poker hand and incorporate the same concepts, like the importance straights and flushes.

Another interesting aspect of Pai Gow Poker is the joker. The joker is thrown back into the deck and is considered a limited wild card. The joker in Pai Gow Poker can only fill out a straight or flush or played as an ace.

Always remember that in Pai Gow Poker your two-card hand cannot beat your 5-card hand or your hand will be a foul and any bet placed is immediately lost. It's an interesting and fun game that's not that hard to learn and that could turn out to be a favorite.

2008's Best Online Gambling Sites

2008-12-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

With 2008 coming to an end, the gambling world was sitting on the edge of its seats to find out who would win the Online Gambling Insider Best of 2008 awards. But before we get to all the recent online gambling news its important to know a little about Online Gambling Insider and they have the ultimate say on who has the best online gambling.

Online Gambling Insiders is a portal that offers online gambling players $1,000 deposit guarantee which protects player deposits at all online gambling sites promoted by the portal. They also offer a online casino bonus guide and regularly review online gambling venues. As a result of their expertise, every year they dish out the best of the best when it comes to online gambling; here are the winners of the coveted Online Gambling Insider Awards for 2008.

Best Overall Online Casino 2008 - VIP Slots Casino
Best New Casino 2008 - Online Vegas Casino
Best US Casino 2008 - Paradise 8 Casino
Best UK Online Casino 2008 - Ladbrokes Casino
Best Sportsbook 2008 - BetUS.com
Best Overall Gambling Suite 2008 - Playersonly.com
Best Online Casino Promotion 2008 - The Jackpot Factory Group
Best Slots Casino 2008 - All Slots Casino
Best Online Casino Bonus 2008 - English Harbour Casino
Best Online Casino Games 2008 - Microgaming
Best Customer Service 2008 - Club USA Casino
Best Online Poker Room 2008 - Poker Stars

According to Online Gambling Insider Founder and Editor in Chief Ryan D:

“Despite some setbacks for the industry in the US, the industry is getting stronger with the entry of some new operators and the continued performance of well known brands...Choosing our Online Casino Award winners is a daunting task each year, but we take into account player feedback and our own interactions with each gambling site we promote over the course of the year to come up with our list of top performers."

Excuse us while we check out the winners for ourselves...especially The Best Online Poker Room; but while you wait visit www.pokerchest.com for an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories.

What are the worst bets in the casino?

2008-12-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder if there was a way to walk into a casino and lose your money even more quickly than you usually do? Well, wonder no more because playing the following games is the quickest way to become separated from your hard-earned money. That’s right, it’s time to find out what exactly are the WORST bets you can make in a casino.

The following represent those games where the house advantage is either ridiculously high, or the risk/reward equation of making the bet will break any household calculator.

Five worst bets/games on the casino floor:

1. Keno. Have you ever played the lottery? Ever WON the lottery? We didn’t think so. Keno is like playing lottery 25 times in a row while you eat your Steak and Eggs special in the casino coffee shop.

2. Blackjack Insurance. If you want to spot the beginning blackjack player at the table, look for the one putting money up for Insurance. The side bet is supposed to protect the player from losing their shirt on the dealer’s 21, but with a house advantage of 8%, who’s really getting the best deal here?

3. The Wheel of Fortune. The big wheel looks enticing when you walk into a casino, but try to avoid the urge to play it. The house’s advantage can run as high as 24% depending upon your bet, making this one is a must-avoid.

4. “00” on a Roulette Wheel. Betting the green Double Zero on a roulette wheel may seem like a sexy bet, but it is actually the worst possible bet you can make on this classic casino game. The house advantage here skyrockets over 5% when you play the green.

5. Craps Prop Bets. The bets in the center of the craps table are known as “Prop Bets” or “Proposition Bets”. They include things like betting on “Any Seven” or that old standard YO-ELEVEN. Play the Pass and Come bets for better odds and your money will last a heck of a lot longer.

This holiday season, the place to go for all your gambling gifts is www.pokerchest.com. Poker chest offers an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories for everyone on your list.

Why Online Poker is way too dangerous to play right now

2008-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Currently the state of the online poker world could best be described as fragile. To be more specific, the climate is murky for online poker players from the United States(the rest of the world seems to have no problem with regulating the activity). Right now, you’d have to say that it has never been a worse time to play poker online.

Consider the following:

* You can’t use your credit card.
The passage of the Kyl Bill made it illegal for credit card companies to process ANY transactions involving online gaming.That means if you want to play, you will have to fund your account using wire transfers to unknown individuals (NEVER a good idea), or potentially sketchy money transfer firms.

* There are cheaters afoot.
As a recent story on 60 Minutes found, several online poker sites have been overrun by cheaters – advanced mathand hacking gurus who have stacked the deck against online players.

* The whole thing could come down at any moment. President Bush is on his way out of the Oval Office, but it has been rumored that one of the things he is trying to pass into law before he leaves is an outright ban on gaming online for Americans. If that happens, getting your money in your online accounts back into the U.S could be next to impossible.

So what’s an honest poker player to do? Obviously, he or she can travel to one of the many legal poker rooms throughout the country, or visit Atlantic City or Las Vegas. We recommend calling up your friends and re-igniting your home game. After all, before online poker, that was how you enjoyed your game, right? Online poker is an entertaining pursuit, but you lose the deliberate pace of play and the social interaction that make the game so great.

So steer clear of online poker until further notice – but keep you love of the greatest card game ever invented burning bright!

This holiday season, the place to go for all your gambling gifts is www.pokerchest.com. Poker chest offers an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories for everyone on your list.

5 Essential Craps Tips to Keep You in the Black

2008-12-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Thinking about hitting the craps table on your next gambling excursion?

Best to know the game and its many intricacies before you throw your money down.
The following are five essential tips designed to keep you from crapping out.

1. Don’t play the prop bets.
Shooting for big payouts on the proposition bets in the center of the table may seem like a fun way to win some quick money,
but “yo-eleven” and their ilk are actually some of the worst odds on the table.

2. Learn the odds.
It is absolutely crucial that you enter a craps game with a thorough understanding of the odds.
The basic version goes something like this: certain numbers are rolled more often than others
(an “8” is much more likely to come up than a “3”) and as such, the odds paid out for that roll are going to be lower.

3. Bet the Pass Line.
The “Pass Line” and “Don’t Pass Line” bets offer the lowest house advantage of any bets on the craps table.
Compare the 1.36% house advantage on the Pass Line to the 16.67% edge it enjoys on the “Any Seven” bet
and you can start to see why the proposition wagers are such a bad deal.

4. Three is the magic number.
Experts agree that having three bets going at once is the ideal situation for winning more money.
Bet once on the Pass Line and place two Come bets during the roll and will be able to minimize losses and enjoy the best chance of winning.

5. Practice.
One of the soundest strategies for winning at craps is to practice before you play.
There are plenty of free craps simulations online to help you get a better feel for
the game and its many potential outcomes before you start using your own bank roll.

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The four different types of poker chips

2008-06-27T05:22:00.000-07:00

If you’re serious about your poker, you’ve got to have your own poker chips. Poker chips can be a significant investment, but making the right choice can provide you with years and years of durable play out of your set. There are four different types of poker chips, each with unique, defining features and a price point to meet every budget.

Clay Chips

Clay chips are not actually made of 100% clay. They are instead crafted from a complex combination of polymers that includes a specific amount of clay in each chip. Clay chips are the most expensive chips you can buy, but deliver that perfect weight and texture that just feels good in your hand.

Composite Metal Core Chips

Serious home players choose these chips because of their incredible durability and the ease in which a personal monogram or detail can be stamped on their center. Composite metal core chips are expensive, but they look amazing and deliver quality play for years whether you play every day or once a month.

Casino Chips

Sought after by chip collectors everywhere, casino chips are the real deal. For security purposes, only a handful of companies in the world make actual casino chips, and they must be licensed and bonded to prevent counterfeiting. If you want your own set of casino chips, well just go into a casino and lay your money down. They would be happy to sell them to you at face value!

Plastic Chips

If you’re on a tight budget, or the game itself means more to you than aesthetics, then head down to your local drugstore, look for the aisle with pipe tobacco and lighter fluid, and there you will find all the plastic goodness you can handle. Plastic chips do have their advantages, however, as they are waterproof and won’t cause you stress if they get lost in the couch.

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Tips for playing winning craps

2008-06-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today, we continue our “man cannot live by poker alone” series with a look at some quick and easy strategies for playing winning craps. Many people are too intimidated by the craps table to walk up and play (“Where do I place my bets?”, “Why is everyone yelling at me? It’s not my fault I rolled a two!”) but following these leads will help you get in the flow of the game and decrease the odds that you’ll lose your shirt!

Tips for playing winning craps:

· Watch the other players at the table and find the person with the most chips. Make the same bets he does (although in smaller amounts) to get a feel for how a “pro” plays the game.

· To make the game last longer, stay away from the long-odds bets and stick with betting on “Pass/Don’t Pass” or “Come/Don’t Come”

· Don’t leave the table after you win. Craps is a game of streaks and while you need to bet responsibly, you must also be prepared to keep a winning streak going.

· Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most dealers (the ones who want to get tipped anyway) will provide friendly, patient advice for the new player.

· Try and limit your betting to a Pass Line bet and two Come bets. This is enough action for most folks and will keep you in the game longer by limiting losses when the shooter craps out.

· Stay away from crazy long odds bets such as “Yo-Eleven”. There are plenty of smarter investments to make around the table where the odds against you are not as great.

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And now, a word on playing winning blackjack

2008-06-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Believe or not, man (or woman) does not live by poker alone. Sometimes, a little game of 21 sounds just too good to pass up! And if you’re going to play blackjack, we believe you might as well do it right! With that in mind, we hope you’ll enjoy the following super-terrific, 21-tastic tips for playing better blackjack.

Basic tips for playing winning blackjack:

• Never split 10’s, Jacks, Queens or Kings. Stick with your probable winning hand (and avoid a beating from everyone else sitting at the table).

• Always hit a soft 17 if the dealer is showing a 10. And by soft 17, we mean an Ace and a 6. Things can only get better…probably.

• If the dealer is showing a 10, keep hitting until you reach 17. A pretty obvious tip, but you would be amazed how many people “just have a feeling” that a 15 is going to do the job.

• Never say yes to insurance. Much like renting a car, the insurance is just a waste of money. Only the most skilled card-counters can gain any benefit from the act.

• Always split 7’s and 8’s. When you are dealt a pair you are given the option of splitting them into two separate hands (with two separate bets). Doing this with 7’s and 8’s gives you a chance to turn one crappy hand into two good ones!

• Always tip your dealer after a winning hand. There’s no mathematical formula behind this one, just good karma! And after all, these guys really don’t make much money, and they have to put up with people like YOU all day long.

• If you feel uncomfortable, get up and leave. If you start to register heavy losses at a table, or are seated around people who are throwing off your game, get up, take a break, walk around, and find another table. A clear head will help you make better decisions…and it just feels right to start anew.

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What are the odds?

2008-06-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

The moments before the river (the last flop card) is turned over can be tense as hell. And while there’s an air of the unexpected going around the table, good players know the odds of the hand they are trying to pull. Want to join the ranks of the mathematically proficient? Check out the list of odds below, and you’ll be able to make better decisions about whether you want to stick a hand out to the end.
Odds of pulling common hands on the river
• Odds of pulling a straight on an open-ended draw = 4.8 to 1
o Example: You’re holding a 5–6 and the cards on the table are A-7-8-J. These are the odds that you will pull a 4 or a 9.

• Odds of pulling an inside straight = 10.5 to 1
o Example: In this situation, you are holding a 7-8 and the cards on the table are 6-10-2-K. Therefore, the only card that will get you your straight is a 9.

• Odds of pulling a flush when you are four to the flush = 4.1 to 1
o Example: Simple one here. You’ve got two hearts in your hand and there are two more hearts on the table. These are the odds that your prayers will be answered and another heart will turn up on the river.

• Odds of pulling two pair or trips when you’ve got a pair in the hole = 8.2 to 1.
o Example: In this scenario you need two pair or trips to win. You’re holding J-J and the board shows K-A-2-8. These are the odds that you will pull a J, K, A, 2 or 8.

• Odds of pulling trips when you’ve got a pair in the hole = 22 to 1.
o Example: This is a tough pull. In this scenario you need trips to win. You’re holding J-J and the board shows K-A-2-8. These are the odds that you will pull that magical Jack and win the day!

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Winning Tips for Video Poker

2008-06-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

Every now and again, we all need to try something different. And after hours, perhaps days in the poker room at a major casino, that something different just might be video poker. I know, it’s not real poker, but if you’ve got a couple of $20 dollar bills burning a hole in your pocket, there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

Here are some tips to keep you from getting fleeced by the five-button bandit.

Winning tips for video poker

· Take your time. There’s no time limit on a video poker machine, so take the time to study your hand closely. Make sure you’re drawing the cards you want to draw, and the holding the ones you want to keep!

· Always bet the maximum. The only way to get a great return when you hit a top hand is to put in all five coins at the start. This is not the time to penny pinch. Your money may go a little faster, but you’ll kick yourself if you hit that Royal Flush with only two quarters in play.

· The Jack is more important that the Ace. One of the most important, yet overlooked truisms of video poker is that you can make more good hands by holding on to the Jack than you can with the Ace.

· Practice makes perfect. A $10 handheld video poker game lets you perfect your skills with no risk factor. Pick one up at your local drugstore, and then whip that bad boy out on the plane trip to Vegas. It should help your game immeasurably!

· Get yourself a comp card. Most casinos will give you perks according to the number of hands you play at the video poker machine. Sure, it looks a little dorky, but if you’re going to plant your butt at the machine for several hours, shouldn’t be rewarded for it?

· Go for the Royal Flush. If you’re making a decision between drawing four random cards or drawing three to get the big-mama Royal Flush, always go for big hand. You’re not there to break even right?

· Never draw five cards if you have a Jack or higher in your hand. You always want to do everything possible to turn a bad hand into at least a break-even proposition.

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Great poker quotes – Volume I

2008-06-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

With all the creative, literary, politically-astute minds that have enjoyed our great game throughout history, it’s no wonder that there’s so many great poker quotes out there.

Here are some of our favorites:

“It never hurts for potential opponents to think you’re more than a little stupid and can hardly count all the money in your hip pocket, much less hold on to it.” - Amarillo Slim

“When we play, we must realize, before anything else, that we are out to make money.” - David Slansky

“If, after the first twenty minutes, you don't know who the sucker at the table is, it's you.” – Unknown

“The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time.” - David Shoup

“I must complain the cards are ill shuffled till I have a good hand.” - Jonathan Swift

“Poker's a day to learn and a lifetime to master.” - Robert Williamson III

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Five things that make the Hollywood Park Casino a place to visit before you die.

2008-06-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

Ah, glorious Inglewood, California. A stone’s throw from Los Angles proper has never felt so far away. When in Inglewood, you absolutely must visit the epitome of class and style, The Hollywood Park Casino. It’s got poker, right smack dab in the middle of Southern California.

Need more reasons? Let me count the ways.

1. A poker room 5 minutes from LAX! Got a long layover? Have the cabbie shoot up the Imperial Highway and he’ll have you sitting down at a $3/$6 table in minutes. Just make sure he’s there to pick you up. Cab service around this neighborhood? Not so much.

2. Pink’s! There’s a real live Pink’s Hot Dogs inside the Hollywood Park Casino. Not a landmark like the one off of La Cienaga, but then again, the line is shorter.

3. The ponies! Hollywood Park is actually one of the pre-eminent horse racing venues in the country. In between hands, you can play via simulcast from your seat, or walk over and see the horses run live.

4. The delightful people! You can play poker with the patrons of Hollywood for hours and never have a problem. Just don’t make eye contact. On second thought, go ahead and stare, they’re going to be oblivious to you anyway…frankly, they’ve got their own problems.

5. The celebs! Yes, celebrities do play there. This author has seen Ben Affleck, Chris Moneymaker and Gary Coleman playing poker at Hollywood Park…all in the same month!

For more information about this Inglewood institution, visit www.hollywoodpark.com.

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Jamie Gold: Not your average WSOP winner

2008-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

When Jamie Gold took home the biggest prize in World Series of Poker history, an estimated $12 million dollars in 2006, there were a few things that made him a little bit different than past winners. For one thing, he was a high-powered talent agent living in Malibu, California with a roster of A-List clients like James Gandolfini, Jimmy Fallon and Lucy Liu.

Also, Gold may or not have been the inspiration for the character Ari Gold on the hit HBO show Entourage.

That debate is on-going, but it is 100% clear that Gold played the main event at the WSOP like nobody who has ever won the tournament. He aggressively pressed hard on his opponents, challenging them to go all-in whenever he held the positional advantage. And while the style annoyed many seasoned pros, it did the job, allowing Gold to walk away with a HUGE prize that fueled by the online poker boom and the high number of entrants it generated.

And speaking of online poker, Gold also became involved in a dispute over his winning with his quasi-sponsor Bodog.com. Bodog claimed that Gold had agreed to provide sponsored talent for the WSOP to play under their name. When he himself won, they claimed their cut. The two parties would eventually settle out of court, but not before the Hollywood media had plenty of fun at Gold’s expense.

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World Series of Poker: Look how big you’ve gotten!

2008-06-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

Given the popularity of the event today, it’s hard to believe that not long ago The World Series of Poker was an invitation-only event that barely took up one table. The multimedia experience that is now broadcast concurrently across the internet and high-def television was once hard for the participants to even find.

Consider some of these interesting facts from the first four decades of the WSOP’s existence:

Johnny Moss won $30,000 for taking the main event in 1971. In 2006, Jamie Gold brought home $12 million at that same event.

In 1970, there were 7 participants in the WSOP. In 2006, there were 8,773.

The first TV coverage of the WSOP came in 1973. Highlights, hosted by the late Jimmy-the-Greek were aired on CBS.

Phil “The Brat” Hellmuth has the most WSOP bracelets with 11.

In 2005, the World Series moved out of its humble original home at Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, and into the huge poker room at the RIO Resort and Casino, located several blocks off of the Las Vegas Strip.

2007’s winner, Jerry Yang, had only been playing the game of poker for two years prior to his victory in the main event.

Today, casinos around the world (both online and offline) offer tournaments where the winner is given a seat at one of the WSOP tables. In fact, several of the most recent winners of the tournament have entered as a result of these “satellite” tournaments.

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Incredible cheating scandal at Absolute Poker

2008-06-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

While the charges of fraud and cheating that are swirling around the world of online poker this month will come as a shock to many, those who knew about the comings and goings at www.absolutepoker.com in 2007 probably won’t find it all that surprising.

In a little-reported story, captured exceptionally well in this article by Freakonomics author Steven D. Levitt, it seems that there was some serious cheating going on at the high-trafficked site.

The story went like this: last year, a group of observant individuals noticed some odd behavior coming out of one of their fellow players. In fact, he was making ridiculous bets that seemed to indicate he knew what everyone’s hole cards were. They asked for the player’s hand history, but instead got a data file filled with private information about other players – the kind of data the Absolute Poker would never release to the public.

Whether or not that information was sent accidentally, or by a concerned whistle-blower from within the company remains to be seen. But what quickly became clear from the data was that whoever had that information knew, in real-time, all the other players’ hole cards!

An even bigger shock came when the IP address where the information originated was traced back to one of the founders of Absolute Poker. It was a complete violation of the trust between house and player, but yet the site carried on, and only a select few knew of the incident.

So while many will continue to gamble millions at the offshore facilities, these recent stories should provide a measure of caution for anyone who puts their faith (and bankroll) in a “House” they can’t see.

Read the full story here

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Poker Chip Sets Video on Youtube - Exclusively from Pokerchest.com

2008-06-13T13:48:00.001-07:00

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Anatomy of a poker meltdown, starring Phil Hellmuth

2008-06-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

So you’re talking to a buddy about poker professionals, and the words “poker hissy fit” aren’t out of your mouth for more than a split second when the person you’re speaking with interjects, “Phil Hellmuth, right?”

While there’s no doubt this guy has built his brand by being the self-proclaimed “Brat of Poker”, it doesn’t make his reactions to bad beats any less real…or hilarious.

Check out this video of Phil losing to Jim Pittman at the 2005 World Series of Poker. Pity poor Jim, who had the misfortune of calling Phil’s A-K with his lowly K-J. Now granted, this wasn’t the smartest play – he was a 3-1 underdog going into the flop – but let the guy have his moment for crying out loud.

The bad beat is funny enough, but the tirade that follows is pure comedy gold! (And if you ever forget that Hellmuth is one of the best players in the world, don’t worry, he’ll remind you.)

NOTE: Pay special attention to Mrs. Hellmuth. That woman MUST be up for sainthood.

Watch the video here

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What the heck is Omaha poker?

2008-06-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

Many people hear the word Omaha and flee in fear. After all, what’s the deal with that crazy game that looks like Texas Hold ‘Em on steroids? The truth is, Omaha is played by millions of players, both at home and in the highest level tournaments.

Here’s a little primer course on this big-time poker variant that will help introduce you to the world Omaha:

· Omaha is like Hold ‘Em in that it is a community card-based game
· The game is dealt the same way as Hold’ Em with a 3 card flop, the turn and the river
· One of the major differences in Omaha comes in the hole cards, where each player is dealt 4 cards instead of 2.
· To complete your hand in Omaha, you must use 2 of your hole cards and 3 cards from the board. This is what makes Omaha unique – and will greatly effect your betting and play strategies.
· You can play Omaha in all the ways you play Texas Hold ‘Em, including limit, pot limit, and no limit and even high-low.

And when you’re ready to break out the Omaha rules in your next home game, visit http://www.pokerchest.com/ where you’ll find an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories!

Breaking News: GSN considering cancellation of two top poker shows.

2008-06-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

The Game Show Network (GSN) is considering dropping two of its flagship poker shows, High Stakes Poker and World Poker Tour. While no official announcement has been made yet, the period for renewing shows has almost passed, and producers of both programs say they haven’t heard any word from GSN executives about their respective fates.

While HSP and WPT are the two highest-rated shows on the network (each drawing audiences of about 100,000) the move is likely indicative of the decline of Poker-related TV programming. It seems like only yesterday when you couldn’t change the channel without bumping into a celebrity tournament, heads-up competition or rebroadcast of a WSOP final table.

Whether or not these shows find a home on GSN or another network, the fact remains that we are returning to a time when poker lives in the hearts and game rooms of the home player. The poker boom introduced millions to our great game, and hopefully most of those folks will stick around and keep playing. But while the Internet provided a wonderful poker experience (and still does for those who live outside the U.S.) there is still no substitute for getting a group together, divvying up your own clay chips and hosting a poker night.

And if you need a TV fix, why not record your home game, and then pop in the DVD when you want to relive the memories!

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Poker Player Profile: Phil Ivey

2008-06-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

Although jealousy may be a sin, it’s hard not to lust after Phil Ivey’s life. Young, good looking and with over $7 million dollars in tournament winnings under his belt, Phil seemingly has it all going for him.

When the poker explosion hit mainstream media, Ivey was there to pounce. His phenomenal card playing skills and killer instinct was enhanced by a handsome mug that soon got him dubbed “The Tiger Woods of Poker” by writers around the world. While it’s good to be the Tiger Woods of anything, we can imagine that Phil took it all in stride. That’s just how he rolls.

His aggressive playing style have netted him five WSOP bracelets to date, and at the ripe old age of 32, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be adding more jewelry to his collection in the years to come.

Fast Facts about Phil:

Fast Facts about Phil:

· Where you’ll see him when he’s not at the poker table: courtside at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, watching his beloved Lakers ball up another opponent.
· Where he fine-tuned his aggressive style: as a top-performing telemarketer
· Tournament accessory of choice: Apple iPod

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Great Poker Videogames

2008-06-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

The next generation of videogame consoles and game-friendly PC’s has made it easier than ever to hone your poker skills in between money games. Intense computer AI and immersive game play have made these games a true revolution in poker gaming. Here’s a look at some of the best in the business!

World Series of Poker (Multiple Consoles)

The officially licensed videogame of the WSOP, this deep simulation features a variety of tournament events and lets you play online against friends or other poker lovers from around the world.

High Stakes Poker on the Vegas Strip (PS3)

This budget title lets you play five different games online or offline. The ability to use the PS3’s camera to upload your photo is cool, but the solid computer player AI is what will really keep you coming back for more here.

World Championship Poker (DS)

One of the best handheld poker videogames on the market, this little cartridge actually boasts 16 different poker varieties and full tutorials for all of them to help boost your skills. Most games for the DS run for the younger crowd, but if you can pry the thing away from your child for a few hours, pop this is and let the chips fly!

World Championship Poker 2: Featuring Howard Lederer (PSP)

The perfect game for Sony’s handheld game player, this title plays a solid game of Hold ‘Em and features some useful tutorials from poker pro Howard Lederer. If you’ve got a long flight ahead, and a PSP, it’s worth your time to pick it up!

For everything you need to hold a real, non-virtual game, visit www.pokerchest.com where you’ll find an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories.

The Five Worst Things We Got From The Poker Boom

2008-06-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

After golf peaked in the general American consciousness, poker was there to fill in the gap. But the rise in mainstream poker popularity was short-lived. Those who loved the game are still there, but now have to deal with some of the residual effects of that crazy time.

The five worst things we got from the poker boom:

1. Online players who thought they knew the game. While it is fun to take their money, guys who constantly chase cards and require a little plastic index card to remember “what beats what” are just plain no fun to play with. The online poker boom created an army of these folks and released them on the world.

2. Gambling addicts. In all seriousness, online poker was way too accessible for many individuals who had trouble controlling their gambling habits. With hands moving many times faster than live poker, this was the crack cocaine of poker.

3. Too much poker on TV. We all love the World Series of Poker. Heck, the WPT tournaments are nice, slick productions as well. But do we really celebrity tournaments, ladies-only events and hour after hour of televised heads up play? Thanks to the sudden rise of the sport, like it or not, that’s what we got.

4. The Kyl Bill. Arizona Senator Jon Kyl was the author of this bill that essentially put an end to internet poker as we know it the United States. The bill, which made it illegal for banks to allow their credit cards to be used for gaming transactions, was a good thing for compulsive gamblers (see above), but a downer for anyone who wanted to pick up and play without having to put on pants.

5. Celebrity players. Unless we’re talking about Jennifer Tilly (whose movie career was a little suspect before her poker career anyway), the celebs who came out and start playing poker during the boom period were lame at best. Ben Affleck, Tobey McGuire, Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner and others all looked like folks who had too much money and/or time on their hands, and were stealing seats from guys trying to make a legitimate living at the game.

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Variations on Draw Poker

2008-06-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

From the pre-Hold ‘em archive comes these variations on the classic game of 5-card draw. Hey, it’s the first game you ever learned how to play…don’t you think it’s time for a facelift?

WARNING: The mere suggestion of some of these games may result in being shouted off of the table and sent out in the freezing cold for a beer run.

Baseball. Standard 5-card draw, where 3’s and 9’s are wild.

Night baseball. Same as Baseball, but 3’s, 7’s and 9’s are wild.

Double Draw. If you’re looking for bigger hands, give this one a spin by simply adding another draw and round of betting after the initial draw-bet sequence.

Triple Draw. Yeah, you guessed it: one more draw means super-colossal hands for all!

Lowball. It’s standard 5-card draw rules here, but the lowest hand wins the pot. (Lowest hands = 6-4-3-2-1, 6-5-4-3-1, etc.). For additional wackiness, throw in the double or triple draw rules into the Lowball game.

Jacks or Better. In this 5-card draw variation, you must have at least a pair of jacks in your hand to open. If nobody has the jacks or better, everyone tosses in their cards and the hand is re-dealt.

Jacks or Better, Trips to Win. Same as above, EXCEPT you will need to be holding at least a three-of-a-kind in order to bring home the money at the end of the hand. If nobody has trips at the end, those who did not fold are dealt into a new game (with the pot carrying over into the next hand).

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Poker player profile: Chris “Jesus” Ferguson

2008-06-04T04:22:00.001-07:00

How can you NOT love Chris “Jesus” Ferguson? Awesome nickname? Check. Kick-ass table persona? Got it? Millions in the bank from tournament wins and smart endorsement deals? Yup-yup. If there was a Mount Rushmore for the greats of the modern game of professional poker, you’d have to clear a space for Jesus – wraparound shades and all.

A master bluffer, Chris Ferguson was practically born without a “tell”. Even without his trademark sunglasses and oversized hat, the guy is next to impossible to read. Just ask fellow poker legend T.J. Cloutier, who Chris defeated to win the main event championship at the 2001 World Series of Poker.

Ferguson used that high-profile WSOP victory as a springboard to world-wide fame and fortune. He’s racked up over $7,000,000 in earnings to date and was one of the co-creators of the wildly successful online poker site Full Tilt Poker.

All this from a geeky guy who received his PhD in Computer Science at UCLA after 13 years of staying buried in the books. Guess grad school does pay!

Unlike some of the other A-list poker players out there, we love Chris Ferguson because he seems so accessible – the type of fellow you could share a beer with, and be regaled with stories of amazing head-to-head matches.

Here’s to Chris and his one-of-a-kind poker style, and here’s to www.pokerchest.com, your online superstore for an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories.

Five great things to come out of the poker boom

2008-06-03T06:51:00.001-07:00

Ah, memories. It was just a few short years ago, when you couldn’t step outside without running into two guys who had qualified for the WSOP. The internet was flush with players, poker movies were being green-lit in Hollywood , and it seemed like the sky was the limit. Then, the roof caved in. Online poker became a no-no in the U.S. and the TV ratings began to plummet. Poker, for better or worse returned to those who loved it in the first place.

But it wasn’t all bittersweet memories. Here are five awesome things that the poker boom left behind (and why we’re grateful it did!):

1. More fish in the sea.
After poker became a mainstream sensation, there were more guppies in the tank that at all the Pet Smart stores in the world combined. And experienced players came right in and took their money – especially online where the games were plentiful and there was always a credit card handy to replenish chip supply. Many of these fish still remain, in a never-ending, never-successful attempt to improve their game.

2. More poker on TV.
Although the number of shows has tapered off a bit, there’s still lots of great poker on TV to choose from. The poker fan no longer must wait until annual snippets from the 1999 WSOP appear magically on ESPN2 at 3:30 AM.

3. A rebirth of great poker writing.
The New Yorker, Esquire, The New York Times and countless great fiction and memoir writers all turned their attention to our grand game. And although the huddled masses are no longer around, the literature remains for our reading pleasure.

4. More tournaments.
Stop by any poker room these days and you’ll find a couple of quick sit and go options mixed in with the week’s big tournaments. The popularity of poker has proven to casinos that there’s money to be made in the rake from these added events than adding a couple of extra blackjack tables on any given night.

5. Nice poker rooms.
In the 12 – 18 months following the height of the poker boom, casinos in Las Vegas and around the world sank millions into refurbishing their poker rooms. What had once been the nastiest, most neglected spot in the joint, now looked like the high-stakes baccarat room in a James Bond movie. The rooms are still there…now with even more table openings!

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Coming later this week: The top 5 WORST things to come out of the poker boom.
Don’t you dare miss it!

Profiles of women in poker: Annie Duke

2008-06-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

Women who graduate from Columbia University usually find themselves at the corner office of major law firms, or heading up successful medical practices in major cities throughout the country. If you’re Annie Duke however, you took your smarts and put them to work at the poker table. A ruthless, highly-intelligent player, Duke has moved removed the term “women” from the title “One of the best women poker players in the world”.

Duke’s humble beginning led to learning the game by necessity. When she and her husband first started their family, they were struggling to make ends meet in Montana, living check to check as both tried to jump start their respective careers. Always a good card player, Annie started playing in backroom games around town to earn a little money, honing her craft along the way. She made enough to get the family on its feet (and then some) and at age 42, she’s got a WSOP title and almost $1,500,000 in career earnings under her belt.

Annie Duke’s life has never been easy, but it certainly has been inspiring. When the poker boom hit, Annie turned her new found popularity into a best-selling autobiography, “Annie Duke: How I Raised, Folded, Bluffed, Flirted, Cursed and Won Millions at the World Series of Poker”, and even gained a fan in A-lister Ben Affleck, who became her star poker pupil during his own quest for a WSOP championship.

Annie Duke remains one of the most recognized faces in the world of professional poker.

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Five great reasons to watch reruns of the World Series of Poker

2008-05-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

World Series of Poker Reruns (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic) Even if you know how the tournament will end, there’s still great joy in watching the WSOP of years past over and over again.

Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t be ashamed to load up the TIVO!
1. Great drama.

Every hand is like a mini-episode of The Sopranos. There’s drama, comedy, tension, the highest highs and the lowest lows.

2. It’s educational.

You can learn a lot by watching how each player handles their cards, lures in their opponents and then goes for the kill. Poker on TV is great because there so much you to see that can be to incorporated into your own game (with the NFL, not so much).

3. Interesting people.

The short bio vignettes offer an interesting look at the lives of professional gamblers. While we all think it’s the easy life, these video clips show us how much work goes into getting to the final table.

4. Transports you to the happiest place on Earth.

Maybe you couldn’t afford to get to Vegas this year, but watching the WSOP lets you live vicariously through those whose wives let them go.

5. It’s in HD baby!

Not every wants to see Phil Hellmuth’s three o’clock shadow in 1080p, but for everyone else, the high-def coverage of the last few WSOP tournaments have really brought it to life.

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Tired of pure Texas Hold ‘Em? Spice up your game with these variations!

2008-05-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves Texas Hold ‘Em. And with good reason: there’s no purer, more action-packed version of poker in the world. But when you’re ready to mix things up a little bit, try one of these variations of the classic Hold ‘Em format:

Eight Ball Hold ‘em.
This game is played the same as standard 7-card Texas Hold ‘em except that all players receive 3 hole cards at the beginning of the game (instead of 2).
Pineapple. The same game as above, with the exception that before the hand begins, each player must discard one of their 3 hole cards. After that, the game plays the same as standard Hold ‘em.
Tahoe. Another variation on the Eight Ball game. In this version, players keep all 3 hole cards, but at the end of the game, can only use two of the three cards to make their hand (with the community cards).

Double Flop Hold ‘em.
In this wacky game, two sets of community cards are flopped throughout the course of the game. Players can use either of the sets of community cards (but not both) and do not reveal which one they are using until all bets are called at the end of the game.

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5 Must-Read Poker Books

2008-05-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Few games are captured more effectively by the written word than poker. Whether it’s tall tales of high stakes games, the memoirs of colorful characters, or simply hand-by-hand strategies for winning, everyone loves a good poker-read.

Here are five of the books that should be in every poker lover’s collection:

1. Super/System I & Super/System II (Doyle Brunson). Mixing unforgettable stories of a life in poker with top strategies for winning, these giant volumes remain popular decades after they were released. Brunson is a master at simplifying complicated concepts and breaking down “trade secrets” so that everyone can use them in their own game.

2. The Biggest Game in Town (A. Alvarez). Before the World Series of Poker was a television event, this author took his own money and slightly above-average poker skills and put them up against the best in the world at the then little-known WSOP. Alvarez’s stories of the great players in attendance, the character that was Benny Binion, and his own blow-by-blow account of his play all make this book unforgettable.

3. Poker Essays (Mason Malmuth) This collection of short, easy-to-read essays cover every facet of the game: from mid-hand strategies to bankroll management. What makes it special is the way each story is delivered, using an anecdotal style that transports the reader to the smoky card room where the game in question likely went down.

4. One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey “The Kid” Ungar, The World’s Greatest Poker Player (Nolan Dalla) There will never be another poker player like Stu Ungar. A true mathematical genius, Ungar was a troubled prodigy who lost as many battles with addiction as he did win tournaments. This is the story of a once-in-a-lifetime talent, that is also a cautionary tale about the nature of addiction and self-destructive behavior.

5. Phil Gordon’s Little Black Book (Phil Gordon) Few books combine poker strategies with a hard look at what it takes to “live the life” of a professional card player better than the Little Black Book. Gordon helps the aspiring player prepare for the rigors of the game, not only in terms of probabilities, but psychologically as well. (Also see the author’s Little Green Book and Little Red Book for more invaluable tips from the felt.).

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Profiles of women in poker: Jennifer Tilly

2008-05-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

The first time Jennifer Tilly sat down at a professional poker tournament, the event was likely met with odd stares and questions ranging from "What is SHE doing here?" or "Wasn't she in that movie where Jim Carrey couldn’t stop lying?" or "Did she get lost on her way to the Roulette table?" But several hours later there's a good chance the consensus opinion was, “Damn, that woman can play poker!”

Jennifer Tilly has starred in a variety of films – some of them cult favorites, others just out and out bad. And while her exotic beauty and sexy voice helped her achieve a moderate level of success in Hollywood, nobody could have foreseen that her greatest role would come in real life, as a top level Texas Hold ‘Em player on the professional circuit.

Since she joined the ranks of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and Phil Hellmuth, Tilly has earned the right to be taken seriously as a card player. She’s earned almost a half million dollars playing around the world and has a World Series of Poker bracelet to show for her efforts.

With her outgoing personality and high-profile “day job” as an actress, Jennifer Tilly has helped raise awareness of the game of poker and inspired countless women to find their own place at the upper-levels of the game.

All we know is, whenever Jennifer’s playing, we’ve got plenty of good reasons to watch.

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Poker slang you need to know – Part I

2008-05-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Poker slang you need to know – Part I

Do you want to play poker like a pro? Then you better learn to talk like a pro! The terms below, along with stacks and stack of chips, are what separate the big time players from the busted bankroll crowd.

All-in – Putting all your chips into the pot in a no-limit game.

Bad Beat – Losing with a great hand to an even better one. (For example, your full house losing to your opponent’s four of a kind. “Ouch! Bad beat.”)

Big Fish – An unintelligent player who spends (and loses) his money freely. (Note: beware, it may be you!)

Big Slick – Being dealt ace-king in the hole. One of the post powerful opening hands in Texas Hold ‘Em.

Dead Man’s Hand – 2 pair: Ace’s and 8’s. So named because it was the hand Will Bill Hickok was holding when he was shot down.

The Flop – The first three community cards shown in a game of Hold ‘Em.

Fourth Street – The fourth community card shown in a game of Hold ‘Em

Loose player – The kind of poker player who takes a lot of chances. This is the guy who stays in until the end of the hand at the microscopic hope of catching his inside straight.

Pocket Rockets – Being dealt two aces in the hole. (Ah, sweet! Now don’t blow it…)

The River – The final community card revealed in a game of Hold ‘Em.

Tilt – A player who has lost the ability to make good decisions at the table, and is losing their money fast, is considered to be “tilting” or “on tilt”.

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Tips for how to be a better poker bluffer

2008-05-22T23:42:00.001-07:00

Tips for how to be a better poker bluffer

It is a well-known poker axiom that the person with the best hand does not always win. The player who knows how to bluff effectively can bring home just as much money in a night, even if they’re never dealt a pair-in-the-hole, big slick or any other worthy opening hand.

Here are some basic rules for the up-and-coming bluffer. Practice these skills and bust them out the next time you hit the felt!

If there looks like there is a flush working on the table, bluff as if you have it. This is an easy one for you to get other players to buy into. Make a nice bet when the third of a suit is flopped.

Bet big against indecision. If another player is looking wishy-washy, and seems like he needs a reason to fold, why not give him one with a BIG bet?

Study your opposition. It only takes a few rounds to learn the general tendencies of your fellow players, and get a handle on how easy or difficult a target they will be for your bluffs.

Don’t bluff with “loose players” still in the hand. If you know one guy who stays in until the end in the hope of pulling his hand on the river, there’s no way he’s going to fall victim to your bluff. Play with the tight players instead.

Don’t bother bluffing in low-limit games. If the stakes are low, there’s less of a motivation to fold. Save your bluffing for the bigger money games where people genuinely have to make some tough decisions.

Only bluff smart players! It may seem counter-intuitive, but frankly, dumb players don’t even realize when they’re being bluffed. And don’t you know they going to be the ones to get lucky on the river and beat you anyway.

Bluff from one of the late positions on the table. This way, you can get a good handle on how other people feel about their hands before you jump in. Bluffing from an early position is too risky.

Now that you’ve got your bluffing strategy in order, invite everyone over for a game. Just don’t forget to visit www.pokerchest.com for an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories

Clay Poker Chips - Composite Poker Chips

2008-05-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

Clay Poker Chips - Composite Poker Chips

Phil Hellmuth is the brat of poker

2008-05-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Phil Hellmuth is the brat of poker.

There are few individuals in the world of professional poker as entertaining as Phil Hellmuth. With his dramatic bad beat hissy-fits and unending trash-talk, the self-proclaimed “brat of poker” was instant sensation when televised tournaments began to rise in popularity. Behind the veneer however lies a true poker talent who has enjoyed a tremendous run of success since he dropped out of the University of Wisconsin to play professionally.

Hellmuth’s career highlights include:

Won the main event at the World Series of Poker at 24 – the youngest player to do so.
Is one of only three players to bring home three gold WSOP bracelets in one year.
Remains the only player to achieve the incredible accomplishment of winning three straight WSOP tournaments over three consecutive days (he did it in 1993).

Over this period, Hellmuth has used his bravado and marketing know-how to turn himself into a fully-fledged poker brand, with a series of popular books, CDs, DVDs and more.

There’s likely no end in sight for Phil Hellmuth, who has already seen his career earnings top $7,000,000.

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Most common mistakes losing poker players make

2008-05-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

Most common mistakes losing poker players make

It was once said, if look around the room at a card game and can’t spot the sucker…you’re it. To help you live a sucker-free life as a poker player, we offer you the following list of common mistakes that are sure to land you on the wrong end of a cash game.

Common poker mistakes

Don’t go in every hand. Great players pick their spots, and spend most of the game studying their opponents and learning their behaviors before moving in for the kill.

Don’t play passively. If you have a leading hand, don’t give away cards for free. Play from your strengths, not out of fear.

Don’t over-bluff. Simply put, the more you bluff, the less effective they are. People have memories, you know.

Don’t play in a game you can’t afford. If you’re worried about losing your shirt on a single hand, you won’t make good decisions. Find a cash game that meets your budget, and make sure your bankroll is an amount you can afford to lose!

Don’t forget to watch the other players. The greatest players in the world make their fortune by studying and dissecting their opponents. Keeping mental tabs on how those seated around you play their hands will reap big rewards in the end.

Don’t fight the math. The more you ignore the odds of drawing into a particular hand, the more likely you are to lose over time. Sure, you may get lucky and hit a flush here and there, but playing against the odds over time is like fighting Mother Nature…you’re doomed to fail.

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10 cool facts about poker

2008-05-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

10 cool facts about poker

Nixon Poker Face... :)

Everybody knows a flush beats a straight and a four-of-a-kind beats a full house, but how many of you know all these interesting facts about poker and its origins?

The first recorded instances of poker in the United States came around 1820, in New Orleans. The game spread to the rest of country by riverboat – where gambling was the top on-ship activity.

The first poker played in the U.S. featured a 20-card deck. The now-standard 52-card English deck was incorporated just before the Civil War.

During World War II, Richard Nixon won $6,000 playing poker when he was in the U.S. Navy. He used the money to fund his first run for Congress.

In 1937, a fifth suit was added to the game of poker, but it was quickly abandoned because people were forced to buy new decks of cards

“The Dead Man’s Hand” (2 pair, Aces and Eights) refers to the hand Wild Bill Hickock was holding when he was shot and killed during a poker game.

Being dealt a ten and a two is referred to as a “Doyle Brunson” in reference to the hand the great player was dealt when he won each of his back-to-back World Series of Poker titles.

70 million decks of playing cards are sold every year, and most of them are used for poker!

Warren Harding, the 29th President of the United States, loved the game so much that he played twice a week during his term in office.

Despite signing the bill that prohibited electronic gambling transactions, current President George W. Bush was known as a skilled poker player while attending Harvard Business School.

The first World Series of Poker was a small, invitation only affair held in 1968 at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno.

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5 Mind-blowing Poker Chip Trick Videos, and how you can learn them too

2008-05-19T14:37:00.001-07:00

5 Mind-blowing Poker Chip Trick Videos, and how you can learn them too

You know the guy. As he mulls over his hand, he starts fiddling with his checks. But we’re not just talking about random stacking and restacking here. He moves single chips through his fingers, produces four chips in the web of his hand, makes chips walk-the-dog along the rim of the table, shuffles them with one hand, etc. It’s all amazing stuff, designed to intimidate. Well, get ready to kick it up a notch for yourself with these sick poker chip trick videos and helpful tips on how to do them with ease.

Poker Chip Tricks By 21ace

College kids, get back to work! You think your parents are paying 20 large a year for you to play with chips all day? (Cool moves, though)

ZaKRoM's Poker Chip Tricks 2

If you’re at the office, turn down the volume unless you coworkers love Death-Metal.

A classic trick with a hilarious host.

I’m sorry, which one is the index finger again?

No, really. Let’s learn how to stack chips like a pro.

Here’s the non-stoner version of how to get it done.

Top Poker Chip Tricks Compilation

One more look at some of the classics, delivered with suave British cool by a guy sitting on his bed in a tiny flat for some reason. Low production values, great tricks!

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Play Free Online Video Poker

2008-05-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Game Description

Play free online video poker. Build your best poker hand in this addictive casino game. It's fake money, so go totally Poker-crazy. Press "Deal" to draw five cards and choose which cards to hold or discard. The machine replaces your discards and pays you off according to the value of your hand (using play money).

Great moments in Poker History: Doyle’s Brunson’s Super/System is published

2008-05-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Great moments in Poker History: Doyle’s Brunson’s Super/System is published

Doyle Brunson, arguably poker’s answer to Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer, was riding high on the professional card player’s circuit when, in 1979, he wrote Super/System, the epic guide to playing the game correctly. It was the first real book to outline a serious poker-playing strategy and it catapulted Brunson into the world-wide poker spotlight. How popular was the book? It is still being carried around today by big time pros, many of whom weren’t even born when it was published. The book actually caused a significant furor when it was released, as many of Brunson’s fellow pros thought he gave away too many of their secrets, thus allowing the rest of the world to gain equal footing in tournaments and high-stakes games. Nonetheless, the poker stories and top-notch strategy sessions make for an unforgettable read, even now, 30 years later.

To polish your game, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy today. And to build a home game that would make Doyle proud, visit www.pokerchest.com for chips, tables, cards and other accessories to help you play like a pro.

What Happens in Vegas - Great New Movie !

2008-05-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

What happens in Vegas (2008)

Set in Sin City, story revolves around two people who discover they've gotten married following a night of debauchery, with one of them playing a slot machine and winning a huge jackpot after playing the other's quarter. Unhappy pair try to undermine each other and get their hands on the money -- falling in love along the way.

Watch trailer:

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Theatrical Release: May 9, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $20,172,474

Synopsis:

Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher star as strangers who unwittingly end up as bride and groom in this comedy. When one of them strikes it rich after playing the other person's poker chip, the pair gets married. But all's fair in love and war--and Las Vegas--as each of them tries to get the money.

Genre: Comedies

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Dennis Farina, Michelle Krusiec

Director: Tom Vaughan
Screenwriter: Dana Fox
Producer: Jimmy Miller, Shawn Levy, Michael Aguilar, Arnon Milchan
Composer: Christophe Beck

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Chris Moneymaker – The Man Who Changed Poker Forever

2008-05-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

He wasn’t as graceful as Kobe, or as naturally gifted as Tiger, but five years ago he changed the face of one of the greatest sports in the world. His name was Chris Moneymaker, and he saddled into the 2003 World Series of Poker as an unknown accountant from Tennessee, and left a champion…and an inspiration to millions of other online players who believed that with just a few buy-ins and a little nerve, they too could wear the WSOP bracelet. Moneymaker kicked off the “Hey, I can do that!” era of poker, and although the online poker boom has come and gone, this attitude still resonates in living rooms and casinos across the county. Chris Moneymaker has brought more people to the table – and kept them there to play more hands, improve their skills, and hone their craft. He’s been good for the game, even if he doesn’t have an athlete’s physique.

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poke face

2008-05-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

Dice at PokerChest Product Video

2008-05-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

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Online poker is dead. Long live the Home Game!

2008-05-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

The online poker boom was both a blessing and a curse for the game of poker itself. On the one hand, it introduced countless millions of people to our beloved game, showing them how much fun a little game of Texas Hold ‘Em could be. But on the other hand, it shut us all off in our apartments, chained us to our PC’s and killed the social aspect of the game.

Well, now that the Kyl Bill has all but completely ended the Internet poker scene (in the U.S. anyway) the best way to satisfy your Poker Jones is to gather up some friends, send your wife to the movies and kick-start the home game you abandoned five years ago for PartyPoker.com.

The Home Game is back baby, and it’s looking sweeter than ever!

Don’t wait another minute. Pick up the phone and call your buddies. Set up a game and rejuvenate poker the way it was meant to be played.

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BRING IT HOME BABY!!

2008-05-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

This summer bring the fun of Las Vegas to the comfort of your own home! At www.pokerchest.com we can accomodate you with all your poker and gambling neccesities. From poker tables, poker chips, cards, shufflers, dices..you name it, we have it!!

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- Mothers Day Gift Ideas -

2008-05-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

If your mom is a poker player, enhance her poker playing this mothers day with our great poker and gambling suppplies! Here are some gift ideas....visit our site for all your poker needs.
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100 Poker Chips Set in Wood Case - Custom Engraving on Case!

This poker chip set in a wood case, holds 2 decks of playing cards, 5 dice and 100 poker chips (25 red, 25 blue, 25 white, & 25 black) - all included - and packed neatly into this beautiful wood poker chip carrying case.

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SpadeClub to Giveaway Four $12,000 World Series of Poker Main Event Seats

2008-05-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

SpadeClub will award its Exclusive members four seats to poker's most prestigious tournaments this summer LAS VEGAS/PRNewswire/ -- SpadeClub announces the WSOP 40K Giveaway which will award four World Series of Poker* main event seats toits Exclusive members between June and July. SpadeClub members can competeduring the June and July $40,000 mega monthly events, on June 1 and June 29respectively, for a World Series of Poker Main Event prize package consisting of a $10,000 buy- in and $2,000 in travel expenses. SpadeClub offers more than $100,000 in cash prizes every month,extensive community features, and tools and tips to improve poker play for FREE. Members enjoy everything from creating a player profile andparticipating in free daily poker tournaments to the recognition as a topplayer amongst SpadeClub's leader boards. The winners of the WSOP 40K Giveaway will represent the entireSpadeClub community at the 2008 World Series of Poker. SpadeClub will thenhost a freeroll poker tournament for the SpadeClub community with a growing prize pool based on how well the players perform at the main event. Players who make it to the final table of the main event will be offered a player contract from SpadeClub valued up to $250,000 a year for 10 years! Barry Shulman, CEO of SpadeClub, states "To compete in the World Series of Poker is every poker player's dream and Spade Club is making it apossibility for all our valued members. We're excited to provide ourcommunity with opportunities to win millions at poker's most prestigiousevent." About SpadeClub: SpadeClub provides a new online poker experience that combines competitive poker play with the ability to win cash prizes and developpoker skills in a social networking environment for poker enthusiasts ofevery level. SpadeClub is powered by Card Player Media, the leading mediaresource, with more than 20 years of service in the poker industry, andpublisher of Card Player and Card Player Europe. All products of Card Player Media, such as SpadeClub, are U.S. owned and operated. * World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is notassociated or affiliated with, SpadeClub or its products, services,promotions or tournaments.

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

2008-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

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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SALE! - Spiderman Slot Machine - * SUPER ELITE MODEL *

2008-04-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is a DREAM slot machine for any fan of the Spiderman brand, and is available here for the first time on U.S. soil in this very limited release.* The Spiderman Slot Machine plugs right in to your wall and there is no installation required (110 volt ready) * Factory re-furbished slot machine * Two year warranty with each slot machine which covers everything but the light bulbs. * A key for complete access to your machine * Reset switch / Key to change the odds. * Basic operating manual, along with unlimited technical support by phone * We install custom made labels in each Spiderman slot machine so that you can easily locate the reset switch, power, and volume controls without referring to the manual (refer to the picture to your left.) * Play 1, 2, or 3 coins at once (some of the newer machines are 3 coin max bet only) If you have a question about the slot machine listed in this ad please email us. * Accepts tokens only and cannot be readily changed to accept coins * Full light and sound just like you've enjoyed in the casinos for years! * Animated display or video screens (depending on title) * Toll free customer support to answer any and all of your questionsIncludes a fully animated LCD screen which provides hours of entertainment.Upon arrival of the slot machines from the Japanese Casinos to our refurbishment facility, the transformation to like-new conditioning begins.The cabinet defects are filled and sanded to ensure a uniform surface. The cabinet is then painted with a highly durable exterior paint. The painted is allowed to dry on the way to the electrical department.This electrical overhaul utilitzes a checkpoint system which addresses machine safety, user safety and functionality.

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2008-04-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

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 -

2008-04-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-11T15:21:00.001-07:00

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!!

2008-04-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

"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

2008-04-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

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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