Perfect Play, SICK Beat!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

My Dupe

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Poker Imitates Film

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

EZ Double Hold’em ™ is coming soon for worldwide real play on OpenBet!Read the Rules or Play the game right now! 

New York and London – 12^th October 2012 -- EZ Double Hold’em, a.k.a EZ Double ™ , is coming soon for worldwide real play on OpenBet. OpenBet Technologies Ltd., based in London, is the world's leading provider of interactive gaming and betting solutions.  TableBrain takes poker to the next level in both peer-to-peer games and video poker.

EZ Double ™ was created by TableBrain Corp. and is video poker with a unique twist – it’s based on Texas Hold’em!

TableBrain and OpenBet, as a result of discussions and meetings started and then advanced in the UK at the ICE Totally Gaming show, have reached agreement for launch of EZ Double on OpenBet’s worldwide platform in tandem with their premier partner. More details to follow soon.

As our Double Hold’em™ continues its play at http://www.partypoker.com/, our EZ Double video poker game (which benefits from our same set-3-cards-into-two-Hold’em-hands approach), will be launching soon for play on the OpenBet platform.  It’s expected that each game’s play will enhance appreciation of the other game.

EZ Double Is Fun, Exciting and its Rules Are Quickly Understood –

1.  Select the amount you want to wager.

2.  You’re dealt 3 hole-cards as 3 flop cards are also dealt.  Consider the board’s 3 flop cards and set the hole-cards into your best two 2-card hands, by choosing a card to place at the point of an inverted ‘V’ - It will act with each of the other cards to form two 2-card Texas Hold’em hands.

3.   The turn and river cards are then dealt.

4.  You win when your best 5-card poker hand is on the pay-chart.  The highest payout is for a Royal Flush!

The EZ Double Hold’em ™, a.k.a EZ Double™ marks, game concepts and rule-set are the intellectual property of TableBrain Corp. and used under license. The patent-pending game is owned by TableBrain Corp. which holds rights under trademark, copyright, common-law, moral rights, artist's rights, droit moral and other like laws. Rights in the game and its use may only be acquired through written agreement with TableBrain Corp.

For more information, please visit www.Tablebrain.com

Contact:

Judy Shapiro - media@tablebrain.com TableBrain VP, Marketing +1 (917) 617-3917

My Hand-of-Doom

Now, comes my torture.  Hear ominous organ chords in your mind!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

So, What's the Cloud?

My friend 'V' plays this great hand at a Borgata $20/40 limit table last week:

He defends King, 10 suited against a late-position raise after 3 limp-called, so 5 players will likely enter the hand, making for a likely juicy pot.

By the turn, he's heads-up and holding a Royal Flush while the pre-flop raiser (who he later finds out has pocket Queens) is holding Quad-Queens.

V check-calls the turn. It's fireworks on the river - 5 raises. Finally, Quad-Queens sees he's vulnerable to one hand and stops raising.

V's Royal Flush drags him a $700 pot, but amazingly that's the 'silver lining.' So, up over $400 on one hand, what's the 'cloud'?

Borgata's $20/40 limit tables are among a very few tables NOT participating in the Bad-Beat pool.  V misses out on about $35,000. Mr. Quads loses and insult-to-injury misses the about $70,000 BIG Bad-Beat Jackpot (cashed on losing with better-than-Quad-10s). Leaving everyone disappointed, payouts of about $8,000 don't go to all others dealt in on the hand.

Quite a story and there were many different reactions. Mine was to ask V if he ever asked himself: 'Is it good?' as he kept raising his Royal Flush on the river.

Amazing how a poker room always has a new bad-beat story to buzz about.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Playing the Crown Casino in Melbourne; Poker Abroad

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Come-on Magic Jack

Yesterday was my last day in Singapore, which has two of the world's most costly and amazing casinos. Early in the week, I visited the Marina Bay Sands. OMG: High-end, but alas no poker.  And, they informed me that poker's not spread in Singapore. So, I spent the week otherwise engaged in a great city.

But, as my Friday plans involved travel from the HarbourFront Centre terminal, I decided to visit Resorts World Sentosa, which opened in 2010 and is near the terminal.  After all, it cost nearly $5BIL, so I wanted to see their impressive casino.

While there, I learned the latest: RWS opened their poker room last week :-)  Well, christening a card room is something I won't pass up!

I played their $5/10SGD no-limit Hold'em table [The Singapore dollar is valuable, so the game's about a US $4/8 no limit.]

I bought in for $1000SGD, quickly lost significantly in two nasty beats and over half a day fought back to near even, when I was dealt Queen and 9 of diamonds in the 6-seat. There'd been a limper and I decided to play my hand with a raise to $50SGD.  My image at the game was quite tight, so I hoped to control the action by acting last (if everyone after me folded).  Unfortunately, I got two later position callers (likely bigger hands, that would have raised, had I not).

Five of us saw the flop: 7, 8, 10 with two hearts and a diamond.  The action was checked by the small-blind to the limper on my right, who bet $150SGD.  With the open-ended straight-draw and a back door running-diamonds flush-draw, I wanted to see more.  So, I called. Both players behind me folded to the small blind, who also called. I read him for at-minimum a hand with a 9. Silently, I repeated a mantra: Jack, Jack, Jack..... And, the turn brought the Jack of spades - giving me the nut hand. The small blind immediately shoved all-in for over $600SGD and the player to my right quickly folded. I Insta-called, while opening my hand  When the river wasn't a Queen (would have given him a tying Queen-high straight - his went to the Jack), my straight to the Queen held, and I dragged a pot that put me well into profit.

Sometimes, all a session needs is one card falling right: way to go Magic-Jack.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Well Done Mr. Solid

In my free time from the G2E Asia gaming-industry convention last week, I played several nice poker sessions at the Wynn Macau and at the Venetian Cotai (a Macau outer area).

I watched a really great play by a middle-aged quiet corporate guy, who I'll call Mr. Solid.

When the hand happened, the table's players had been together for hours and had seen Mr. Solid make several seemingly good folds, like open-mucking 10, 10 preflop to a big re-raise. And, as we were playing an HK$25/HK$50 no-limit Hold'em table (that's about $3/6 no limit), with many playing DEEP stacks, raises amounted to real money.  That's Macau, way different from other Asian cities I've played. BIG in Macau is often bigger than anywhere else. Many properties  - including the Venetian Cotai (where the below happened) - dwarf perhaps everything in Vegas in casino size, profitability and bankrolls played.

Sixth off the button, with everyone folded to him, Mr. Solid raised to HK$200 - four times the big-blind.  In the cutoff, a young hyper-aggressive sharp player (who'd been winning up to then) - I'll call him Young Turk, smooth called.

Both saw a Jack, 7 2 flop, which had two spades. First to act, Mr. Solid bet HK$400. He was again smooth called.

The turn brought a blank offsuit 3. Probably wanting to close out the hand, Mr. Solid bet HK$1400. Again, he got smooth called.

The river was the King of spades. Both an over-card to the board and completing the flop's obvious draw-hand.

Mr. Solid checked.  Now, Young Turk bet HK$4400, more than the pot (well over US$500).

Mr. Solid looked straight at Young Turk and said: 'That's such a bad card, an overcard and it completes the flush." As he spoke he stared into Young Turk for about 10 seconds, like he could see his soul. Then, Mr. Solid went into a minute's deep thought. Afterwards, he SAID OUT LOUD, like there'd been no long-pause: "......but you look like the kind of player who'd float on me, thinking you could get me to fold with a big river-bet, if any threat-card fell." Mr. Solid then pushes forward the HK$4400 call (about 70% of his remaining stack).

Here's the best part, Young Turk says: 'Your Jack is good,' but Mr. Solid DOESN'T open.  He waits. This forces Young Turk to muck or open his hand.

As Young Turk  holds a suited-diamonds 10-7 hand, he's forced to open, as his pair of sevens beat some hands that might've called.

Mr. Solid opens Ace, Jack offsuit and drags the BIG pot (more than US$1500).

And, by his speech and forcing Young Turk to show his cards, Mr. Solid neutralized the table's real threat-factor. Young Turk was revealed as someone with plenty of moves, but perhaps often without the cards. Entering a pot which had been significantly raised preflop, to play a non premium hand like a suited 10, 7 heads up, is suggestive of Young Turk's I'll-outplay-you swagger. That approach only works until you're outed.

Shown up as a guy with more moves than a snake, Young Turk cashed out slightly down, with half the chips he'd had in Mr. Solid's stack. I for one was glad to see Young Turk go. Well done Mr. Solid!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

A Player Who Should Lose, Does

TABLEBRAIN BROADENS IN ASIAN MARKETS

Macau – 20^th May 2012 -- Expanding its Asian initiatives, TableBrain will be participating in the upcoming May 21-23, 2012 G2E Asia gaming convention at the Venetian Macau in China.

This is the 6th Global Gaming Expo in Asia (G2E Asia).  It’s the premier Asian gaming event and an excellent forum at which to showcase our products, meet industry professionals, establish contacts and further relationships. Year to year attendees have come from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and India. The convention is among the world’s most important gaming shows.

E. Mark Gross, TableBrain’s CEO said: ‘I’m becoming more and more familiar with the many opportunities presented in the rapidly growing Asian gaming markets.  We’re looking forward to advancing relationships concerning licensing of our games in Asia.”

Contact us about how our fun and innovative new games will benefit you.

Contact:

Judy Shapiro - media@tablebrain.com TableBrain VP, Marketing +1 (917) 617-3917

On the Winning Side of a Really Wicked Beat! Ship the Sherbet

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

I'm Doing My Part

I'm playing a bad beat eligible $10/ 20 limit game at the Borgata last Saturday, where it's been super-busy.  Who wouldn't want a piece of the over $500,000 prize that's waiting to be hit?

Mid-position, I limp the 10 and Queen of hearts for $10 (heck, it's suited).  To my left is my new friend  Eddie, who folds and I flash him my cards, while whispering; 'I'm doing my part.'

Five of us see the flop; a Jack of hearts, 9 of spades and 4 of diamonds. Having an open ended straight-draw and an over-card (my Queen), I bet.  Three call and the dealer Lillian opens the turn card, the Ace of hearts.

Having added good flush-draws, I bet again. Two callers, and  Lillian deals the river, the King of hearts. Yahtzee!

I bet again and both players call.  It's great to see that poker still holds new thrills.  It was a singular pleasure to open my first casino Royal Flush.  As I dragged the pot, I loudly repeated my 'I'm doing my part,' as we all asked; 'Where's the losing-quads, so we could've hit the bad best?'  Maybe that's the next new-pleasure poker has to offer?  I'll keep playing, if only to find out:)

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

My Tilt-Point and Recovery

I used to think I’d never tilt.  Not me. Then, about a year after I started playing extensively, I was into the-session-from-Hell and I reached my limit. Argh! I probably wound up losing an extra $500 during that relatively short session. As I was cashing out and licking my wounds, I realized: Hey, I can tilt too. Caused me to recognize this and occasionally blow off steam rather than going really over the edge.

This past Presidents' Day weekend, was one of those rare instances when I reached my personal tilt-point.  I was in Atlantic City playing the Borgata's $20 / 40 limit game and was taking the nastiest losses, over hours. One of many examples was losing with my flopped top-set, to a fellow who’d PREFLOP four-bet me with a suited 7-4 of hearts hand.  He flopped one heart and then made runner, runner hearts to win with a straight-flush.  Amazingly, I finished 3rd in that hand, as the 3-bettor made a heart flush too (made the beat even more ridiculous, as their hands held four of the thirteen hearts). Crazy stuff!

Anyway, after losing that brutalizing hand, I had to let off steam.

About three hands later, I was dealt 2, 3 suited.  I preflop 3-bet a really tight player, who’d raised from early position.  Well, at least I held position on him.  It was heads-up, after no one else called.  We went to the flop: Ace-Ace-Jack. He checked and I did too. Perhaps because he sensed weakness, he bet into me when the turn brought a Jack – making the board Ace-Ace-Jack-Jack.  Sensing that he might have a counterfeited pre-flop raising hand – like a 9-9 pair, and more significantly just tired of losing, I raised (with nothing and no flush draw). Won it, when he folded!

Best part, my steaming play not only cleared my head, I made money off it. Went on after that to recover and walked out with a win.

Bottom line, either blow off steam and get over your tilt when it happens or end your session.  Playing tilted for any long stretch is often costly.

Postscript:  I thought about the hand and realized its surprising quirk. Played out (rather than won via betting), there's no hand I could ever beat with my 3 kicker playing (I might at best tie, by playing the board).  Even if a 2 opened on the river, making the board Ace-Ace-Jack, Jack and 2, I'd still be left in a tie against a theoretical 2-3 held by my opponent (if we had the same hand) and losing to every other hand he could have, including 2-2 (where he'd have made a winning full house).  Strange twist.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

ICE Totally Gaming Show

Last week’s ICE Totally Gaming show at Earls Court London was a demonstration of how gaming is turning the corner, away from the economic malaise that’s affected many in the sector.

The show’s internal newspaper contained daily stories relating to combinations, acquisitions and other gaming deals being made.  Of course, this level of new activity in the sector comes as no surprise to those who read gaming’s daily trade publications.

Part of the resurgence is certainly attributable to the US Department of Justice's "Christmas Bonus," which undercut those who had argued that a US Federal law prohibited online poker and other casino type online betting activities. The DOJ opined that the federal Wire Act of 1961 only addressed sports-related gambling.  This removed a major cloud that had deterred investment in online poker.

In the aftermath of the DOJ determination, New Jersey, Nevada and other states are quickly advancing legislation to allow intrastate online play.  Consequently, there’s a significant resurgence of industry interest in investment in both online poker and social gaming platforms.  Beyond initiatives to freshen existing platforms (with UI enhancements and features) and launch new platforms, there’s also a heightened interest in new games generally and poker games specifically as a means of platform differentiation.

From the way 2012 is starting, we can all look forward to a year of opportunity and growth.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Proud of Myself, Opening the Year with Character

On New Year’s Day, I was playing my regular game, the Borgata's Atlantic City $10 / 20 limit table.  In an unraised hand, as big blind, I 'played' Jack, 6 offsuit (I can't fold to no-raise).  The flop fell Ace, Ace, Jack and everyone checked.  When a third Ace fell on the turn, I bet my Aces-full-of Jacks.  [With three Aces on the board in a limped pot, my hand seemed likely the best.]

Everyone folded, except for the small blind, an elderly gentlemen named Dimitri, who I’d never seen before in the cardroom.  Same hand?

He and I checked the river after a King opened. In position, I saw no reason to bet. He'd only call with the same hand (he holds a Jack too), or maybe he caught the King and rivered the winner.

I tabled my hand Aces-full-of Jacks. He held up his Ace, Jack hand for-my-eyes-only. I looked, smiled, laughed and congratulated him: ‘Nice hand!’

He then tossed his cards face down into the muck.  He killed his Quad Aces!

The dealer pushed the pot my way.  I practically jumped out of my seat and insisted that the pot be awarded to Dimitri.  As this happened, Dimitri showed his confusion.  I again congratulated him and told him: 'ALWAYS table your winning hand and any that you think might be a winner. ' You can’t win, absent an opponent with integrity, if you fold your hand.

Postscript:  Mary, on my left, whispered to me later: ‘There wasn’t enough for you to insist on winning the pot.’  She missed the point:  There is no 'enough' to take a pot from an elderly player who makes a technical error.  Imagine his story if he’d lost: I went to a poker room and was robbed of my pot, when I made four Aces.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

TABLEBRAIN EXPANDS ITS WORLDWIDE FOCUS WITH EUROPEAN INITIATIVES

London – 28^th December 2011 -- Expanding its global initiatives, TableBrain’s key executives will be participating in the upcoming January 2012 ICE Totally Gaming show in London, England.

ICE Totally Gaming brings together key global land-based and remote gaming concerns from throughout Europe and the world. It’s among the world’s most important gaming shows.

Zvi Lando, TableBrain’s President said: ‘The timing is right for our again heading across-the-pond.  We’re looking forward to both furthering ongoing discussions concerning licensing of our games and also to opening new relationships.”

Contact us about how our fun and innovative new games will benefit you.

Judy Shapiro - media@tablebrain.com TableBrain VP, Marketing +1 (917) 617-3917

The Poker Gods Laugh At Me!

I was playing a fairly loose Atlantic City $10 / 20 limit table last weekend at the Borgata.  I started off down about $100, a small amount on the table where every hand had a pre-flop raise and at least 4 callers.  Luck was a major factor on the table, as no one could control the pre-flop action. For me, it was like playing in quicksand, as I kept fluctuating in a small range without ever being up.

After hours, I decided to work out and run in the Pump Room gym before it closed.  Hell or high-water, I would pick up before the next dealer change – another half hour of play.

Shortly thereafter, playing the button, I looked down at the Ace and King of diamonds.  There’d been four limpers already.  I raised to get money into the pot, knowing that I held the best starting hand.  But, would it hit?  Not surprisingly, I got many callers and six of us went to the flop, 4, 6, 9, with one diamond.  Everyone checked to me and hoping to weed-the-field-down, I continuation bet.  There were two callers and the third to act raised. I three-bet to control the action plus hopefully see two more cards before having to put more money into the pot. Several called.

Everyone checked the Queen of diamonds turn card to me and I checked and took the free card.  Then, bingo, the 2 of diamonds opened on the river giving me the nut hand: Ace-high flush.  I took down the pot and was up for the first time during the session.

The poker gods laugh at me!

I decided to try locking-in the $80 profit by basically shutting down, looking and folding my last ‘free’ hands before I’d pickup (instead of taking the big blind).  Mentally, I’d decided to only play the absolute best starting hands.

My penultimate hand before picking up was a pair of 4s, which I tossed after showing Dianne who’d just folded on my right.  There were several callers and predictably a raise. Five players went to the flop. Arghhhh, the door card was a 4 - my set, and the next card was a 4 – my Quads!  The raiser later showed the winner, pocket Kings.  I’d have hauled in a nice pot with Quad 4s, but instead knew I’d played well.

I’ve shaken it off, but have to say folding unplayed flopped Quads really sucks.  The joke's on me!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

A 'Familiar' Setting in a New Location; Playing Wynn Macau

It’s always nice when business travel – meeting Asian gaming concerns in Macau, has unexpected upsides.  Talk about an amazing city, with a mega-casino around every corner, and you're talking Macau.

I played Ace King against a gentleman who had the same hand, and won a big pot by continuing to bet throughout, despite having missed the board.

After I bet a respectable amount on the river (having bet each street), he open folded his Ace King. I looked at his hand and told him "no good" as I dragged the pot without showing my Ace King.  Well, his hand wasn't good, after he folded:-).

Postscript: MGM and others also have many ‘familiar’ aspects to their presence in Macau.

The Worst!  And Thanks for the Pesos

I've been staying in Cebu City, The Philippines. Last night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, I saw the worst play!

I'm table captain of sorts at a 7-handed 10-pesos/20-pesos no-limit Hold'em table (that's about $1/2 no limit to us Americanos), where I've more than doubled my 2000 pesos buy-in and have about four times the next largest chip stack.

I'm seated under the gun +1, the UTG folds and I look down at Ace -10 offsuit.  I raise to 100 pesos, hoping to find out where I'm at and perhaps simply take the blinds without a flop.

A new player directly to my left with most of a 500 pesos buy-in smooth-calls. No one else calls and we go heads-up to the flop; an Ace and a low pair.

It's possible the caller has a better Ace than mine (Ace-Jack maybe?).  Still, I bet 300 pesos hoping to win (he could have a calling hand that missed, like King, Queen suited).

Instead of folding, he goes all-in with his 395-pesos stack, thereby raising me by 95 pesos. I groan, figuring he holds a better Ace.  Still, I have to call the additional 95, being pot-committed.

Here's the amazing part:
He turns over his hand; pocket Kings. Given his chip stack, he had two good choices. Either, he should have raised me all-in pre-flop (I'd have folded, and at least he wouldn't be inviting and pricing-in possible over-callers), or he should have folded to my 300-pesos flop bet when the Ace opened on the board.

I actually later asked him his thinking, because I was so surprised at his play.
Here's what he said: "It's a game and I come to have fun." Well, there is that.  But, I'll try to play smart and have fun while hopefully winning. And winning is more likely if you know how to make a good laydown after a questionable pre-flop play.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

What if (almost) everyone at the table was Asian?

I'm always into playing in exotic locations. So, I was thrilled to hear that Cebu City, The Philippines – where I'm visiting – has poker!

When I went over last night to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, they were spreading 10peso/20 peso no-limit Hold'em and 25 peso/50 peso no-limit Hold'em. I joined the 25 peso/50 peso no-limit game - that's about $.50/$1 US - and bought in for $100, or 4100 pesos.

I was the only Caucasian at the table [PC Q. Am I allowed to say that? :-].  As you might imagine, the action was off the charts. It was great to watch the hands play. I say 'watch,' as I was playing super tight - no limping cheap here. Players were raising weak hands to $20, just for the thrill. I was the only person at the table who seemed to appreciate that ideally 're-buy' is not something you say every several minutes. Probably the best, was a re-buy of 50,000 peso - more than $1000 - to continue playing on our 'small' table.

Players were OVER-calling their entire multi-thousand peso stacks with losing top pair, top kicker hands, on boards that supported full houses and flushes. One player lost about $600, playing an off-suit 3, 7 -- the flop was 4, 5, 6 and another player of almost equal stack had a more reasonable 7, 8 hand. The winner flopped the higher straight that won the hand.

Of equal interest was the hand where a player called a $400 turn bet (the bettor held the nut hand; a straight) and rivered a medium flush to win about $900. This might have made sense, except when the ultimate winner made the call, he had about $7 invested in the pot and there was no assurance that if he made his hand it would be good (I guess it never entered his mind that two flushes are better than his Queen-high flush draw).

It became commonplace to hear people re-buy for several hundred dollars, at a table where the big blind was less than one dollar. I don't have enough experience to tell you it's always true, but based on my session I have to say: If you want 'action, action and more action,' come to Asia! 

Given the size of pots at this table, it's just a postscript to note: I lost my $100 playing two hands (I played about four hands in 3 hrs.).

1. Holding pocket Queens, I limped and then re-raised all-in (about $95). This lost me half my chips to a  short-stacked player holding 10, Jack off-suit, who felt he should call my massive raise and won with a straight. [Don't look for more rationale than his interest in action - he had about $2 invested in the pot when he called and everyone else had folded].
2.  I lost the rest of my chips going all-in pre-flop with pocket Jacks. A player with a King flopped trips.

So it goes.....Hours of entertainment and for-me, no re-buys.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Happy Labor Day; With Icing on Top!

Okay, like any player, I sometimes crow a bit after winning a nice hand that I've played well. I'll do it here, instead of at the table, where it's poor etiquette.

I'm playing the $20/40 limit Hold'em game at Atlantic City's Taj Mahal on Labor Day. The table is very loose aggressive, with big pots building in almost every hand. I'm mid position (two left of under the gun) and someone has already limp called. I look down at the Ace and 8 of diamonds and call for $20. There's a button raise by Julie (a decent Vietnamese player) and the action completes with six people seeing the flop. It brings the Queen of diamonds, 10 of diamonds and an off-suit 3. Jon, an early position player, bets $20 and I call behind (no use in raising my draw-hand on this table, I can't control the action from mid-position).

It's called around to Julie on the button, who raises $20. After my call, there are four of us who see the turn. Bingo! The 7 of diamonds opens giving me the nut hand; the Ace-high flush. Jon bets $40 into me and I quietly smooth call. Everyone aboard......please:) Julie again raises and I inwardly smile, reading her for the second-place King-high flush. Jon and I call and we three go to the river, the Ace of hearts (changes nothing:). Both Jon and I check to Julie, who bets $40. Jon calls her bet and now I raise.

Drumroll.....

The icing on top is that Julie 3-bets me! Jon folds, seeing he's lost. I 4-bet my nut hand. Julie grumbles, recognizing she's been cold decked, and calls the last $40 bet, while showing her losing King-high flush. As a sweetener, Joe and Marco, two players I respect, both compliment me on maxing value on the pot.

One of many nice moments in my Labor Day winning session.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Can't win, but played it great!

I was playing a short stack of about $85 at a fairly loose Atlantic City $1/2 no-limit table over Labor Day weekend at the Borgata.  There's a bad-beat jackpot in the room.  From early position, I limp-called the $2 blind, with the potentially qualifying bad-beat hand of 3, 6 of clubs (supports a straight flush).  The six-seat raised pre-flop to $10, after me.   As the last-to-act player, I called the raise, knowing that with five players in, the winner would drag at least $53 from the pot.
Not a bad return for me, as the most I stood to possibly lose was $85, my small stack.

The flop was 8, 10, Queen - two clubs.  As the first to act, I shoved my $75 stack (what I had after my pre-flop call) with my flush draw.  I reasoned there were many quality starting-hands the five players I was up against might fold (I'd gladly have taken down the $53 pot:).  My opponents might have been drawing very thin if I held a set, or better still a 9-Jack, for the straight.  The six-seat went into the tank for several minutes of thought and ultimately backed up his pre-flop raise, by over-shoving his larger stack than mine (hoping to isolate).  The eight-seat called.

The turn and river brought a red 3 and 6 - double pairing me. I said: 'two pairs,' without opening. The six-seat, in disgust and out of turn (my hand was still closed), opened pocket Aces. Then, the eight-seat opened the winner: a set of 8s which he had flopped (his pocket 8s hit).  I mucked without ever opening.

Post-Game Analysis, Why I Like my Play:
I defined the action when I shoved, and gave myself that chance to nearly double-up.  And, I was super live to quadruple-up against the callers.  Then, I protected my image after the river opened, by stating but not showing my two pair.

Postscript:
As it was late, I picked up after the hand. I'll play the folks from the table again, with their being unaware that I shoved on a draw, holding 6-high.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Cold Decked

I think of a cold-deck as being one where the cards are ordered so that you're predestined to lose the maximum.  I met the granddaddy cold-deck yesterday and was on the losing side.  Still, I got a good laugh out of it, as I was having a winning session at the Borgata and the table was only a $10/$20 limit game.

Here's the amazing confluence that produced my incredible loss in a hand that I'd usually consider garbage, King 4 of clubs.

The Setup: I'd just played the big blind from the table's six-seat, when the nine-seat picks up, and a fellow named Rich says he's moving from the ten-seat into the nine-seat. I really want to play after Rich, as he keeps smooth-calling pre-flop two bets (mine included, as he's playing behind me), with terrible / unpredictable cards.  This brings in many other callers; the let's-play-a-big-pot crew. Rich's action after me has been undermining my play (which favors premium hands). Against 5 players (their win-chances combined), even suited Ace-King type of hands are a serious underdog.

I move to the ten-seat, so I can raise after Rich, when I'm playing high value starting hands. This way, I'll have better control of position and how many players enter those pots.  Having moved as the small blind, I already have $5 posted, when the next hand's action comes to me. Two players - the eight-seat and predictably Rich (now seated in the nine) - have already called $10, so I complete for another $5 and come into the pot with my hand, King 4 of clubs.

There are 2 more smooth callers, when the action comes back to Pete in the big blind. He raises. I give him a big hand but am 'priced in,' so I call his $10 raise - as does everyone.  The flop is the Ace of clubs, 9 of clubs and 2 of diamonds. Pete bets out.  I call - with the nut flush draw. The button raises and Pete calls. I again call.  The turn is the King of hearts. The action is checked to the button, who foolishly doesn't take the free card.  When he bets, Pete instantly raises. Given what's already in the multi-way pot, and still holding the nut draw (and a clearly trailing pair of Kings), I reluctantly make the $40 call.

The river is my worst card, the King of spades.

Pete bets out. I actually whisper to the dealer 'crying-call,' as I throw away another $20. There's a small chance my trip Kings will win, if Pete holds a hand like suited Ace Queen (which he might've raised pre-flop).
Pete opens pocket Aces, and wins with Aces Full.

Ouch! $95 more lost than my initial $5 small blind post. And, there wasn't a point in the hand where I could correctly fold.

Still, I've gotta laugh at the Sting-like scenario, which resulted in my being cold-decked.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Where Everybody Knows Your Name

I think every poker player knows it, you see the same faces from time to time.  Doesn't matter which state you're in, or if you've never been in the casino before. Yesterday, I decided it was time to check out Parx Casino in Pennsylvania's Philadelphia area. It, together with the other recently opened PA poker room of Harrah's Chester (a bit south of Parx), have been taking many players away from Atlantic City.

On arriving at Parx, I was seated by the floor manager at a table where the dealer glanced over, recognized me and greeted me by name. I looked left to see Nick, who I know from Atlantic City. At the table, I knew two of the players even though it's not my usual game - it was a $1/2 no limit game, not my preferred higher value limit hold’em.

When I got into the $15/30 limit game (they don't spread $20/40 at Parx), I knew half the table.  It's really great that you can feel so welcome, and by name.

Overall, I thought that the Parx experience was pretty good and worthwhile for daytrippers coming from the north (it's about 45 min. closer to NYC, over AC).

Still, AC will keep the weekend crowds, what with its Jersey shore attractions (not present elsewhere). It should also appeal more to folks looking for lodging (not present at Parx) and dining, where AC wins it hands-down.  Of course, the new PA casinos will likely grow the player base, so there will be more people going to more places.

Even though player levels have dropped in AC, the games continue. And, best of all, you can always anticipate finding people you know at the table, doesn't matter where you go.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Poker Torture

Background: I'm at a newly opened $2/5 no limit table in Atlantic City at the Borgata. In just 30 minutes, I've already felted a guy with my Aces full (he had 10s full), and three hands later had my top set of Aces hold up, to win me another $205.

The hand: I've posted my $5 as big blind and look down at the 2 and 5 of diamonds. Mid position, Jane raises to $20 and a fellow I don't know (later he introduces himself as Ashford) has called. 

I'm running fantastically and have a great table image, so I call the $15 raise and check dark. The flop comes 10, Queen, 6, with one diamond. Everyone after me is somewhat suspicious, and perhaps this is their reasoning for checking. The turn brings the Ace of diamonds.

Jane goes all-in for her remaining $45 and Ashford calls - Big mistake, he should've raised! I call behind, with my draw. 

The river is the 7 of diamonds, completing my flush. I look at the card and Ashford (out of turn) states he's checking behind me (another mistake, inviting my bet). I know there are a lot of large bets I can make which will earn me nothing, because he'll fold. As Jane is going to show down with me, there's no reason for him to call unless he has a really good hand. 

So, I bet an amount so small that he can't fold, just $40. 

Now here's the poker torture, Jane mucks her hand (either she gave me a lot of credit or she was on a busted draw).

Ashford looks so unhappy. There is the main pot at stake and only his and my hands are now contending (Jane's folded). He knows he's beat, but the amount that I've bet is so small relative to the pot, that he HAS TO make a crying call, which he does. I table my flush and he open mucks Aces-up.

Sometimes poker can just torture a person. Better to give then to receive!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Queen High

I'm playing a $2/5 no limit table at the Borgata. I have Jake playing two to my left, who keeps making large pre-flop raises, and then showing unplayable starting hands (like, Jack 4), as he's dragging the pot.  Everybody's been folding away to his raises.

Fourth off the button, I look down at Queen Jack off-suit, which I want to play.  So, I min raise to $10 hoping for no re-raise by Jake.

No luck. Jake brings out $35. As there are two other callers, I call too.

The flop is 9, 10, 4, rainbow.  As I have the up and down straight draw and two overs, I bet out $40 - Maybe I can close out the hand.  Instead, Jake makes it $85 behind me and everybody folds away. I call.

The turn is an absolute blank, the 2 of clubs.  I check and Jake pushes his stack, which has me covered. If I call, it will be the $205 I have left.  I think about it and make the call. I have eight outs for the World; Any 8 or King gives me the nut hand, a straight. Also, any river Queen or Jack may win it for me, another possible six outs.

The river is a blank 3. I wait and Jake says: 'Nothing, I missed,' as he opens 8 Jack (the flop's wrap-around straight draw).

I win a pot of about $600, with Queen high.  Some days, all you need, is more than 'nothing.'

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Prosecution of online poker - FBI vs. Full Tilt / Poker Stars

It's sad that the United States is so interested in taking steps which can undermine our economy. Costly domestic programs, overseas campaigns, our economy in malaise - all producing a severe Federal deficit. Does this concern the United States? Perhaps not.

Here we are on April 15th, working on our taxes, and the US is apparently doing what it can to undermine our tapping a major new source to increase tax revenue - online poker.

Earlier today, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed a major indictment against 3 major online poker companies - PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker - and 11 individuals.

The US is making serious claims against the online poker industry and people who are allegedly key insiders or associated with the banking that's integral to the players and the poker companies.

Then again, perhaps this is a first step which will bring about the clean-up of the industry, by allowing a backdrop for negotiations that could produce a settlement with 3 major online poker companies. After all, that's what happened several years back, after the US pursued PartyPoker, through the same New York US A.G's Office. That case settled. Now, if legalization happens, PartyPoker would be poised to service US players.

There's been recent buzz about PokerStars and Full Tilt getting backing from established US gaming concerns.

So what does it all mean to you, fellow player? Time will tell. That's one more thing you can bet on......

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross 

April Fools!

 I'm playing $20/$40 limit Hold'em in Atlantic City at the Borgata over April Fools weekend.

I limp call into a pot with red deuces, after another player has limped. It's a table which has mostly medium-skill players.

I'm thinking that I'll see a cheap flop and either hit a set or kiss the $20 goodbye. Worth the admission price.

After my limp, another player calls, then the cutoff raises to $40. The big blind completes and it's called to me. I call too, and we go to the flop: 9, 10, King with 2 clubs. The 6 of clubs on the turn brings the flush into play and opens a straight. Amazingly, I'm still in, as it's been checked around.

The river is the Queen of clubs, creating more straight possibilities (any Jack) and almost assuring a live flush in someone's hand. It's checked to me.

Figuring maybe I can steal the $210 pot by risking $40, I pause, Hollywood (why not act a bit?) and say "I think I'm supposed to bet" as I bring out $40.

The players start folding in turn, but one player in mid-position calls after some thought.

Hoping to preserve my reputation, I say: "You probably have this, I just have a small pair." He hears but doesn't voluntarily open his hand. Since I'm the last bettor, having no alternative, I table my hand of pocket deuces.

He looks at my hand and, amazingly, mucks his, so I win the pot! 

What can I say, only on April Fools.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Postscript: What did he have? I’ll never know. Asking to see his hand, might have revealed he held the winner – thereby making it April Fools on me.  How he could have called with a hand that didn’t beat deuces, well, that's beyond me.

My Dream Hand

I'm playing a $20/$40 limit Hold'em table and am the little blind. It's a pretty soft table.

The first player to voluntarily enter the pot, in mid-position, flashes his cards and I see he's holding 6-6. He just calls the $20, another player calls and it's my turn.

I look down at 6-7 of hearts.  I think for several seconds and really consider folding, as my 6 is dead. But, as it's a suited connector, I complete for the extra $10, and the big blind (as I know she will) checks her option.

The flop is 3, 4 9 - rainbow. Although I'm holding nothing but a gut shot to the nut straight (any 5), I pause significantly. Aware that everyone saw my pre-flop consideration (I'd have done that with a hand like 9,9), I decide to bet out.

With just 7 high, I'm thinking I can see two cards for free by betting out, and who knows?

More significantly, I have very good table presence and a "read" on my opponents.

Everyone folds! I drag the $80 pot.

What makes this my dream hand? Well, I actually dreamt it! Every detail and awareness. It was that real. Except it never happened.

Poker is often about attitude. I can tell I'm in my game when I'm dreaming a hand with that level of detail. Remember, dreams often lead to reality.

Your confidence at a poker table has a lot to do with how your opponents react to your play, and by extension whether you win or lose. 

-E.Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Lay Down Sally! 

I'm playing a small limit game from mid-position.

After a player has limped in with a call, I look down and find red pocket Queens. I raise.
I get a caller behind, both blinds and the initial caller who'll see the flop with me: Ace, Jack, 9, with two Spades.

As everyone playing is pretty passive, they check to me. I fire a small bet. This way, I'll likely see the turn and river by my having continued to show strength. And who knows? I even might close it out if (unlikely) everyone folds.

Instead, everyone calls. Get life-support. The turn brings a King -- even worse. Everyone checks to me and I check. No action.

At least I have a draw on a Broadway straight to the Ace (if the river's a 10).
LOL, the river brings another Jack, and coup de grâce - it's a 3rd board Spade.

When an early-position player bets and gets called I laugh and make the easiest lay down of my life!  I can't beat a hand with a Jack, King or Ace, or a Straight or Flush.
Talk about great to dreck.

But hey, losing less counts too. 

-E.Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Action? 

I'm playing a full $2/5 no-limit table at the Borgata in Atlantic City which has mucho betting and, of course, big pots!

I'm out of a hand watching bet, call, bet, bet..... Several people have played through the flop, fewer are in at the turn and there are three players left when the river opens.

A dispute arises when the first guy to act says: "pot!"

The dealer has no idea what to do and calls for the Floor Manager. After all, we're not at a pot limit table.

Still, is it an enforceable bet?

I had this one completely wrong. What would you do?

After much consideration, the house makes a ruling that seems fair.

No action -- the player needs to declare an amount or check. 'Pot' doesn't constitute a valid act.  Interestingly, this had nothing to do with our not being in a pot limit game. Instead, it had to do with the fact that the casino won't break down the pot in a no-limit hand (rules of no limit).

Live and learn.

PS: I asked Thomas, a Foxwoods' Floor Manager I know, what he'd have done. He said the same thing. 

-E.Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

How "Cute" Are We? 

No "Free" Lunch Today

Table image? YES! Or is it karma?

So, I know I've seen plenty. Still..... these two hands from a $4/8 limit Hold'em session, at a table with real nice folks, really stand out.

To my right is Flo, a lovely senior from Baton Rouge and previously New Orleans. Her full name is Flo Rida - pronounced that way, like the rapper.  [I guess she's grown tired of people calling her 'Florida,' in her 86 years.]

She limps into a pot and I limp behind her on the button, with King 10.

I flop Broadway with no obvious draws to worry about.

When Flo bets into me, I simply call. Lots of callers behind. When the turn opens a second heart, I raise Flo's bet while showing her my cards and how she's likely drawing dead (I'm right -- she's on a mid-kicker Ace hand). Everyone folds and I drag the pot. Did I cost myself profit? Likely. Still, I didn't want to take any more of Flo's small stack.

Karma part:

Several hands later, I raised the flop on a Queen-high board with two spades. I had middle pair. When the turn - a third spade - double paired me, I fired again. My heads-up opponent folded, showing me a SET of Queens.

What are the chances?

Good goes around and comes around!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Show Me A Winner, Please

Sometimes, it's hard to see it coming.

I'm watching a pretty aggressive, shorthanded Borgata $40/$80 limit Hold'em table with four players.

The action is folded to the blinds. The little blind completes and the big blind checks her option.
The flop comes 3, 9, 10 rainbow and the little blind checks, then calls the big blind's $40 bet.

The turn brings another 10. Now the little blind bets and the woman in the big blind calls $80. When an ace hits the river, both players check.

Getting tired of waiting, the dealer says, "Somebody show me a winner."

Both players hesitate, and finally the little blind opens pocket Aces. He's sheepish about his overly cute play, having played his monster hand of Aces full of 10s to nearly no action.

Who could see that coming?

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 Worst Bad-Beat Story Ever!

Wait long enough and everything happens.

I'm dealt into a $20/$40 limit Hold'em hand in the Borgata this past weekend and fold rags pre-flop.

It's an uneventful hand, a couple bets and calls, a medium-sized pot.  Then it goes wild at the river when the dealer opens a 5 that pairs the board and creates a flush possibility.  Because it's heads-up by this point, there's no cap on the number of $40 raises. It goes 9 bets! Most I've ever seen on a single card.

When the players open their hands, the first shows pocket fives for four-of-a-kind.

Amazingly, he's lost! The winning player opens a suited Ace-4 and has a steel wheel (A2345), a straight flush in hearts.

The Borgata poker room has a bad beat jackpot -- it's just over $38K when this hand plays. Everyone dealt into a qualifying hand stands to make thousands. The bad-beat loser makes the most, then the winner, followed by the table's other players.

So, why no celebrating? What's the problem?

The $20/$40 limit game at Borgata doesn't play in the bad beat. There are about 80 tables going (most $1/2 and $2/5 no-limit), and we're at the ONLY table in the room not playing for the prize. Ouch!

Painful for us, but way more so to Mr. Quad Fives. He loses 9 bets on the river and doesn't hit the buy-a-car size prize pool. Now that's a bad beat!

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross 

 The Shirt Off His Back

 So clothes make, or at least often say something significant about, the player.
Rumpled-up threads and it's 10AM, guy's been up all night.
Cheap utilitarian sunglasses, dark ones, maybe he's a player.
Oakleys? Jesus Ferguson wanna be.....
But how 'bout this one: I'm at a small limit game with a pink-shirted young athletic guy on my left. His loyalty card says 'Matthew.'  He's otherwise well dressed, boat shoes, designer cap.
So, I take a shot: ''The shirt means something to you?'
Yes.
He teaches math in a small South Jersey rural middle school, and coaches the cross country team. How small? The runners often race older students. The teams are mismatched.  The class-designed shirt he's got on is part of a worthy esprit de corps campaign. They're raising funds for breast cancer. So far, more than $1500 has been raised.

Now, it's a bit more.....
I bought the shirt off his back! First time for everything.
My read on Matt, nice guy. You can and often do meet them at the card table. 

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

That Dog Can Hunt

Okay, so this is more of a traditional posting - but with a twist at the end.

I'm watching my friend John play a deep-stacked $1 / $2 dollars no-limit table at the Borgata. Sitting early position, John raises to $6. Three people call behind.

The flop comes 7, 7, King with two hearts and John bets another $25. Continuation bet? Anyway, after a fold, a mid table player and the cutoff player call.

The turn brings the 3 of clubs. John bets another $55 and gets two calls.

The river's the 5 of hearts, the flush-draw got made.  John checks and the mid table player ships it. All-in, $525! The cutoff player, after thinking, goes all-in calling.

John insta-calls, as he opens his hand. He had flopped Sevens-full-of-Kings, playing a suited 7-King. Grumbling, the mid table player open-mucked the nut-flush.  The cutoff player said; 'Nice-hand, I had a lower flush.

As he started stacking the chips (about $2000), John turned to me and while pointing at his cards, says: 'that dog can hunt.'

We've all seen it, in no-limit, some very odd hands can drag monster pots.

Also, remember that line about the dog; have fun with it some time.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Gibraltar – 11^th October 2010 -- Double Hold’em™ has arrived at http://www.partypoker.com/! Double Hold’em™ was created by US company TableBrain Corp. and is online Texas Hold’em with a unique twist!

The players start their hands with three hole cards instead of two. Then, after the flop, they nominate one card to be the ‘point card’. This card plays alongside the other two cards, making two separate 2-card Hold’em hands. The player then automatically plays both through the river, finishing with whichever is the strongest! PartyPoker.com is offering Double Hold’em™ live – real money and play money options are available.

A spokesman for PartyPoker.com said: “We’re extremely excited to be offering Double Hold’em™ in Limit, Pot Limit and No Limit formats, and it’s live in right now in the cash game lobby. PartyPoker.com is the only place where you can play Double Hold’em online ”

E. Mark Gross, co-creator of Double Hold’em and CEO of TableBrain said: “Double Hold’em™ is a new form of poker set to change the game as you know it. It’s quickly learned, has the ease-of-play of regular Hold'em and has great action.  With more playable hands, Double Hold’em appeals to casual players and experts alike.  As with every great new game, players are developing and growing their game strategies, so the earlier you start playing, the more of an edge you’ll have!.”

In a special blog post game creators E. Mark Gross and Zvi Lando give more background to their vision for Double Hold’em™. See:http://www.partypoker.com/blog/partypoker-software/double-holdem-pokers-time-has-come-again.html

The Double Hold’Em™ mark, game concepts and rule-set are the intellectual property of TableBrain Corp. and used under license. The patent-pending game is owned by TableBrain Corp. which holds rights under trademark, copyright, common-law, moral rights, artist's rights, droit moral and other like laws. Rights in the game and its use may only be acquired through written agreement with TableBrain Corp.

About TableBrain

After successful careers in New York City's high energy legal and financial worlds, longtime friends E. Mark Gross and Zvi Lando decided to pour their intelligence, expertise and creativity into the arena they love most: Poker. Together, their vision became TableBrain, which was founded in 2005. E. Mark and Zvi came up with Double Hold’em^TM and many other poker innovations. Double Hold’em provides more playable hands, more action and more fun!

For more information, please visit www.Tablebrain.com

Contact:

Warren Lush – warrenl@partygaming.com +34656236600

Judy Shapiro - media@tablebrain.com TableBrain VP, Marketing +1 (917) 617-3917

Explanation Provided!

Understanding an opponent's twisted thinking might not add to your bankroll immediately. But it will make you a little calmer, keep you from going on tilt and benefit you in the long run.

So I just took the most vicious beat of my life. Flopped top set, after raising with pocket Aces before the flop. The flop is Ace, King, 7 with two spades. I bet the flop but wind up losing to an 8-high straight, as the turn and river come 4, 5. The player who wins is holding the 6-8 of diamonds. He flopped nothing and hit the perfect runner, runner cards. I wonder, "How did I lose the hand to this clown?"

I heard perhaps some of the best poker wisdom about this hand: My opponent was following the ridiculous theory of "Peel for a draw."

What to do? Recognize, you may take beats that are very frustrating!

This appreciation is thin solace when you lose to runner, runner cards. When your opponents needed those exact two cards consecutively.

But there's an upside. You'll win very big pots and mucho denero over time from opponents who call the flop with nothing.

Stay strong in your mental game and eventually, things balance out.  You will emerge a big winner.

E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Escaping a Bad Session Alive

Florida now has poker laws allowing reasonable buy-ins for no-limit games. The days of $100 max buy-ins are over, thankfully!

To start my August, I checked out The Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Hollywood, FL and played their $2 /$5 no limit game.

In my first orbit, five minutes in, I completed from the small blind with a trouble hand: Queen 4 offsuit. (It was only $3 more).

The flop came Queen 4, 7 rainbow. I checked, the fellow to my left made it $25 and the older gent behind him insta-called ('danger Will Robinson'). Everyone folded and I shoved my $300 stack.

The initial bettor folded and the older guy called -- he'd limped with Ace, Queen. When an Ace fell on the river, he'd cracked me.

About an hour later, having reloaded, I limped into a pot with a suited King 5. You need to know that a fellow who had posted into this pot had been called over by the dealer saying, "Jon, we want an action player."

This "action player" took his option when the betting came to him, and made it $25 on top of his posted $5.  When it came back to me, I shoved $230 (hoping to take down the pot preflop).  He overshoved his entire stack, he had me covered.  I was pot-committed and called off the rest of my stack, less than $100. He opened pocket Queens --  WAY ahead. The flop was Jack, 2, 7. But I hit running 5, 5 to win. How lucky!

Happily dragging the pot, I got up and left.  My reputation was clearly destroyed at the table. Know when to leave!

Bottom line, you need to understand who you're playing against. I'd played very poorly at this session, misreading two of my opponents. The older gent was a limper of MANY super-premium hands (including pocket Kings) and the "action-player" had the goods.

If you want to grow your game, you've got to be self-analytical for good and bad. I'd played badly. Live and learn and you'll grow better.

Just the same, luck counts too. I made $42 on my piss-poor play.

E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

 We are pleased to let you know about our exclusive bonus codes that you can use when playing on these leading online gaming sites*.

PartyPoker: Bonus Code:  DOUBLEHOLDEM   -  Current Offer-  $500.00 Welcome Bonus Available!

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*Please note that our provision of these bonus codes is not an endorsement of any of the website mentioned, nor a representation by TableBrain Corp. that your use of any of the above websites is legally permissible in the jurisdiction in which you are located. All promotions are subject to availablity of the respective originating web sites and the terms and conditions thereof.

The Poker Surge

I just returned from Vegas where the World Series of Poker was playing. Beyond the great action, I was encouraged to see all the neon signs proclaiming, Poker is again on the upswing!

Well, they didn’t really say that, but it sure felt that way.

Signs of a poker uptick were everywhere.

First, there was the throng that swarmed the Rio for the World Series.  The crowd filled three separate expansive areas with poker tables. Players came from 117 countries. Total WSOP attendance rose 20 percent from last year’s super number.

Meanwhile, in British Columbia the government launched a major expansion of its online gambling operations — planning an upcoming opening of the first government-run online poker room in North America.

In Paris, there’s a new sense of personal freedom. In Vegas, the card rooms are hopping. And in my mind, those neon signs are all screaming: Poker is surging!

E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Maximizing a Whale

What happens when you flop a whale?

Don't think about winning -- calculate how to win the most.

Here's a hand I played recently at a Foxwood’s $10/$20 limit table.

It was folded to me in middle position, I looked down at Aces, and of course raised.  The button called, so did the big blind and we took the flop three-handed.

The flop was two aces and a 9. Talk about a jackpot flop!

There were two diamonds on board.

The blind checked, I checked and the button bet. Both of us called.

The turn was a 7 of clubs.
Again the blind checked, I checked and the button bet. Again we both called.

The river was the 3 of diamonds (completing the possible flush). The blind checked, I checked, and the button bet.  Same exact pattern as the previous two streets.

This time, the blind raised and I re-raised. Both players called me down.

When they opened their hands, I saw the button had turned 7s full of aces. The blind had rivered a flush. I collected a massive pot.

Had I bet the flop, I likely would've made little on this hand. Had I raised the flop, bet or raised the turn, I also would have made less than the max.  Instead I raked in an extra $140 post-flop.

As you can see, maximizing a whale is the way to go. It also will land you a great fish story.

E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

The new poker game is drawing throngs of players worldwide and increasing play time

.
Westchester, NY, July 1, 2010 – TableBrain Corp., a cutting-edge developer of poker games, released results today showing that its latest offering, Double Hold’em, is a smash hit with the public, boosting player activity and loyalty.

In four months of play on the GameLogic PlayAway platform -- used worldwide at major casino Web sites like PearlRiverResort.com -- Double Hold’em has captured a disproportionately large share of all poker hands played. In addition, the game has increased player engagement among valued casino loyalty program members.  

By analyzing the data from millions of Double Hold'em hands played on the GameLogic PlayAway platform, these trends emerged:

• Player loyalty improved, with over 80 percent of players returning to the game.
• Player frequency improved: Double Hold’em was played 150% more often than standard online poker games. Double accounted for 21% of all poker hands played, far eclipsing Omaha and every other poker variant besides Texas Hold’em.
• Play time increased – The average player session was 30 minutes, longer than the average time for Hold’em

“I'm excited by the snowballing interest in our Double Hold'em game,” said E. Mark Gross, president of TableBrain. “When we started marketing the game, we were extremely pleased by its initial success with players, which reaffirms our vision to create great games that people love to play.  We're proud to be partnering with GameLogic and based on this success, we are rapidly gearing up to make the game available for much more extensive worldwide play.”

Tablebrain’s goal in inventing Double Hold'em was to create a fun game that had many more playable hands than Texas Hold’em, where many hands are unplayable. In Texas Hold'em, the action is often limited -- two or three players vie for a pot, or everyone folds to one player pre-flop. Double Hold'em creates a lot more action as multiple players compete for every pot. Strategically, more playable hands means more fun for players, which leads directly to important casino and player benefits:

• For casinos:
  o More action = more money for casinos taking a rake from each pot
  o More player loyalty increases number of hands played and revenue
• For players:
  o More profit for winning players, since pots are massive
  o More fun with low learning curve
  
  

In the poker world, the biggest challenge facing any new game is building an initial player base and sustaining participation. On PlayAway, Double Hold’em continues to grow and maintain players. GameLogic has been equally enthusiastic about its tremendous success.

Double Hold’em is currently available at numerous casino Web sites and can be previewed at gamelogicdemo.casinobonusplay.com/play/guest.  For more information on this and other TableBrain games, please visit www.tablebrain.com .

Stop-Loss Isn't Just a Movie

Is there anything more beautiful than waking up with pocket Aces or Kings?

I appreciate a monster starting hand as much as anyone, but some players get too attached to them.  It’s like they're dating a really pretty girl.  They won’t end the relationship, even after she cheats on them, burns through their money and says things like, "We’re watching America’s Next Top Model, not Entourage."

A man in his 50's with an unruly mustache proved my point recently at a 20-40 table at Foxwoods Casino.  He had K-K in late position.  After three raises, he capped the action.

The flop came 8-8-9 with two spades.  The small blind bet, the big blind raised, and two subsequent players raised too!
Instead of realizing he was beat, mustache man called.  Oops!  Anyone with an 8 was way ahead of him.  Someone could have held aces.  Strong drawing hands, like J-10 of spades, also seemed likely.

At showdown, after investing multiple bets, mustache man learned he was beat, by a suited A-8 that out-flopped him. He'd been drawing to just 2 outs.

Don’t be like mustache man and throw good money after bad.  Stop-loss is more than a movie title.  It’s a good phrase to remember when you wake up with something that WAS beautiful but didn't stand the test of time.  Honey, hit the road.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

Become a Poker CEO

Politicians say it all the time: Run government like a business.

Well, that's how I think about poker.

We involve ourselves in poker and business for many reasons, but there's one overarching common denominator that leads to satisfaction: Profit.  Decide well, make money.  Decide poorly.... we all know how that goes.

Sure there are aberrations, instances where good choices aren't rewarded and bad choices work out well.  But over time, thanks to probability, good choices will bring you healthy returns and the enjoyment that results.  Bad choices bring aggravation and consistent losses.  Poker, played right, teaches skills and principles that help you succeed in the game and business.  Risk management, bankroll management, calculated aggression, knowing your competition -- these are all poker skills you can transfer to the business world.

When you start thinking of your poker game as a business, and vice versa, you'll have more success at both.

- E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

PokerNewsDaily:  "The new poker variety is available at both real and play money tables and should prove to be a fun change of pace for even the most devoted Texas Hold’em players." 

Pokernews:     "New games come and go in poker but not many stick, this one however could be an exception."

PokerNetwork:     "This exhilarating new game is exclusive to PartyPoker and is sure to be a hit."

PokerStrategy:     "Not only does PartyPoker's Double Hold'em keep the game fresh and interesting for seasoned players, but it may also have the potential to attract a brand new pool of players to the tables, who will be eager to try out the new game."

RakeBack:     "...a game that is simple enough for beginners yet offers more complexity than regular, two-card hold'em."

RoundersPalace:     "Innovation is clearly alive and well in the online poker world... initial reaction from online poker forums and commentators is positive."

“This is our time. When I say “our,” I mean everyone who loves playing poker for fun; everyone who plays professionally; even the poker industry. I happen to fall in all three categories. You’ve heard the grumblers, those who say poker has peaked, maybe it's even on a gradual decline. Well, they’re wrong. Dead wrong.”

                                                                             - E. Mark the "e-Shark" Gross

At TableBrain, we are creating new poker games and developing related technology to entertain, educate and inspire. We have a proven track record of introducing patent-pending games for the poker sector of the gaming industry. Our games capture players’ attention, are revolutionizing online poker, and creating strong customer loyalty.

Double Hold’em™, our new and exciting game, is now available on the PartyPoker system!. Go to partypoker.com or partypoker.net (download required) and start playing today!

EZ Double Hold’em™ is a fun, new video poker game based on Texas Hold’em. It’s a much better game than 5 Card Draw based games. Read the Rules or Play right now!

You are solely responsible for your legal compliance related to your PartyPoker play and to their and our terms and conditions.

 Good luck and enjoy!