How To Play Smart At The Casino Poker Tables

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 Buy Casino Poker Tables?

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!

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

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

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

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 night might look like:



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

Backgammon History

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.

Poker Chip Tricks

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!

Dice Cups

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

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

Enhance Your Poker Party with Electronic Toy Slots

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.

Poker Chip Cases

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.

4 Poker Automtaic Card Shufflers for under $20

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!

Popular Poker Rituals for Good Luck

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...

Poker player profile: Chris “Jesus” Ferguson

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.

Play Free Online Video Poker

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For What it's Worth

(By Vince Burgio)

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

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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Lady Luck and Slots: Part One

So, I've been writing some new content for the PokerChest website. Here's a little excerpt from the section on slot machines:

Remember, in the long-run variance won’t add up to that much. Slot machines are programmed to only pay you back a percentage of what you put in, and that percentage is always less than 100.

It's really interesting to me that people play at slots, a game that pretty much assures a loss and doesn't even seem enjoyable. Poker is not that sort of a casino game - if you know how to play, you can beat the house and your opponents in the long run. And even in a lot of the other card games, though it is statistically probable that you will lose, there is some level of agency. And, beyond all of that, most casino games of chance are fun. You are basically paying for the enjoyment of losing your money at Craps, for instance.

With Slots, that doesn't seem to be the case. It's all computerized. So, is it enjoyable? I mean, c'mon. Is it enjoyable to watch numbers blast out of a chute when you are playing lotto? I don't hear of those broadcasts having particularly high viewerships. I don't think it is quite so simple.

Next Post: My Theory.