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Online Texas Holdem
What is the future of online poker, specifically online texas holdem? There are those who claim
that PokerStars and FullTiltPoker are just too big to compete against and that there is no way to
get into the online poker market as it is too mature and the barriers to entry too large.
The Global Online Gaming market has experienced rapid growth since its establishment in
the 1990’s but remains relatively immature, in our opinion. Run mostly by greedy offshore entities
who cheat affiliates and have been known to cheat their own patrons in order to make more money without
anyone looking out for the players. It is an industry ripe to be regulated, taxed, and cleaned up.
Although estimates as to the current size and growth of online gambling, particularly online poker, vary
considerably, it is estimated by Christensen Capital Advisors LLC, that the online gambling market
generated revenue (to offshore companies) in the range of $8 to $12 billion dollars in 2004. And hard to
believe but the online action representeted just over three percent (3%) of the total Gambling Market -
land based and online collectively. In 2004, Casino and Bingo games represented 29% of the Online
Gaming market, and online texas holdem represented approximately 13%. For the five year period from
2005 to 2010, it is estimated that revenues generated by the global Online Gambling market have increased
to approximately $26 Billion, of which $10 Billion will come from Online Poker alone. Note that some
experts say PokerStars alone will earn $1 billion dollars this year. Not bad for a company that has been
breaking the law (UIGEA) for the past 4 years. Today the Global Online Gambling market represents under 8%
of the total Global Gambling. Some people would say there is room for growth in the online gambling market
while we claim that unless the online gambling market is regulated it will become a place where cheating
the public is common place and where fraud is the norm, for both players, and for affiliates. We have
experienced the fraud on both fronts and we can tell you it is not fun to send players to FullTiltPoker
and see the $0 commission number month after month after month. How could thousands of search engine
visitors who type in "Online Texas Holdem" never sign up for a real money account and never wager $0.01.
While some claim the online texas holdem market still in it's infancy stages, we believe that the time is
right for all online texas holdem players and operators to ask their local governments to regulate and tax
this market. There are billions in tax revenues on the table and it is time that players and affiliates make
their fair share of the market. Software needs to be regulated. Operators need to be regulated. And players
need to be regulated. That is the only way the online poker market will achieve the number of players who
would like to play online, but who currently do not play at unregulated websites. Ony with government
regulation will we see the real numbers behind online participation and online gambling.
Who will Win:
The winners in the Online Poker industry will be those companies that are unique
in offering, are able to reach the masses, and offer a reliable, secure, fun, and
Interactive gaming extravaganza, and those that forge relationships with State and Federal
agencies who license and regulate online poker. As with any online company, a successful
business strategy must focus on delivering long-term customer value in an effort to satisfy
both shareholders (investors) and stakeholders (non-investors with active interest in the
company’s growth and success).
The best Operating Strategy:
The new breed of online poker offering will build an operating strategy on player
loyalty and player loyalty programs. Eventually all sites will offer live play with
online simulated play and this will be the big ticket that brings the large players
into online poker and online gambling. We look forward to that day.
Players want to know how to bluff playing online texas holdem?
Bluffing is an art, especially in high stakes games. You just don't decide on the spur of the moment that
you're going to bluff a hand on the river or the turn. The better players. even online, can read bluffs
like this and realize something is wrong with your style of betting, and most will take advantage of it.
The higher up you go in the online poker hierarchy the harder it is to bluff. Or is it? Bluffing is a skill
most players never achieve, though many spend a lifetime attempting to learn how to bluff. And if you play
online poker then bluffing is something you must know how to do.
Proper bluffing requires an attitude you must employ at the start of the hand. Your position is that, “If
I miss this flop, I will attempt to steal the pot”. This way you are able to adjust your play from the start
and if your opponent hits the flop and calls you down at least you went out betting, not calling. Bluffing
on the turn card or on the river card (final card) just isn't the way to go.
This really is as easy as it sounds. Most players don't have the skills to realize when this type of bluffing
can be utilized. And obviously, just because you say you will bluff the pot, doesn't mean you will succeed.
Recognizing when the opportunity is right will help you become a good bluffer.
If people knew how important bluffing is at the higher limits it would amaze them. The number one
prerequisite to becoming a great bluffer is to become a great value bettor. Again, harder than you may
think. Great bluffers and great value bettor's are also great hand readers.
So, value betting is what makes great bluffers. Having people call you with sub par hands means you are
dictating the betting. Sooner or later people get tired of calling with second or bottom pair, or even Ace
high. This is why the best players are also the best bluffers and the best hand readers and why betting, not
calling, is such an essential part of the game. And don’t forget why position plays such a great part in the
game.
In smaller Limit games bluffing is not as important an issue, as many times there are too many people in
the pot and there is almost zero chance a bluff will succeed. In games like this you tend to adopt a style
of betting on the come, with proper value which basically eliminates bluffing. But, as in all things, there
are exceptions and though the opportunities are few they do arise, and those with the know-how can take
full advantage.
Simple examples of pretty obvious bluffing can be found in many of the online Pot Limit and No Limit
tournaments. When flops such as 3h, Jh, Qs hit the board with several players in the pot and a person from
an opening position leading out for a small percentage of the pot, this is a possible if not probable
indication of a weak hand. Many times you will notice 5 way action making the pot $100. All of a sudden the
person in front leads out with a $20 bet. What is this bet? Really, what kind of bet is this? What kind of
a hand is ‘required’ to make this kind of bet?
To tell you the truth, this bet is not even in the book Super System, and the bettor should be considered a
weak player. But even a weak player can surprise you. By the turn card his hand will normally be an open
book. (By the way, I have gone down in the ranks a little way, actually a long way, to illustrate of this
bluff.) Much of the time when $20 is bet like this, most of the players will call, unless one makes a play
at the pot. As long as we’re presuming, let’s presume that most players’ just call – but we can also assume
most players are also weak. Obviously, there is the ever-present possibility someone is slow playing, but the
possibility also exists that this player is giving away a cheap card. Position is not required in this hand
as you can steal from the front or the back. Just call and see what the next card brings. Obviously a brick,
meaning a card that wouldn't seem to help anything, would be very advantageous. A player comes out betting
$20 again, and, again, gets several callers. You’re now presented with a great opportunity to make a move
on the pot - if you’re in the front, you check and raise, in the back you raise. You don't even have to
raise that much, a pot size bet should do the trick. Even if you get called, it's odds-on the person is
on the come, and you'll know the safe cards that will allow you to follow through on your bluff. Just
follow through and don't chicken out.
Watch how many times players make bets like this in online tournaments. Truthfully speaking, these bets
‘don't exist’. They are just pointless for if you are sitting with anything why give any indication? And
if you have anything and wish to protect it, you would obviously bet the pot, and betting the pot in a
position like this really doesn't give much away. It's easy to be on the come here, just as easy to have
a set. The hard thing or shall we say the stupid thing is to be stone bluffing the pot from the front
position. This is a situation that will seldom if ever occur, but sometimes you get your entertainment at
the most unexpected times.
Many inexperienced people, holding a pair, attempt to slow down the action and get a really cheap card;
a maneuver that is doomed to failure if anyone in the game can play at all. This is one of the more obvious
bluffs in smaller Limit tournaments and games with which you need to become familiar. A more skilled
bluffer may sense weakness from a limper or several limpers and raise a pot size bet, attempting to steal
the pot if he misses the flop.
Bluffing isn't for everyone. Many can attempt a bluff but the real bluffers follow through. A common
scenario - a player will attempt to bluff and the others will sense this (or at least think they sense
it) and take away the bluffer’s thunder by raising. Now a better bluffer/card reader (someone with the
nerve or confidence in his ability) will realize what has occurred and follows through, raising again or
go all-in, with nothing but his gut feeling telling him he is making the correct play. These are the
bluffers. These are the true players of the game. It doesn't take much of a player to attempt a bluff,
but step the play up one notch and you have a player that will make a read he suspects the other player
is bluffing. Now tell me you haven't seen this when playing online or in a brick and mortar casino.
Many players like to show they raise you with nothing. How many times have you wished you had raised
them again, after you bet and they raised?
Have you ever laid down a set on the flop playing Hold’em without a flush or straight possibility? Have
you ever laid down KK before the flop? If you ever laid a hand like this down against a World Class Player
be aware that they will own you. Players think they are being so smart showing hands like this, but this is
a real mistake. The hand is too strong. Obviously occasions will occur when a player will be so obvious
such a lay down can be made, but if this player can be made to lay down hands like this, and show it, you
can be sure, he has no win in the long run.
Have any of you given much thought on how you would proceed when a sizable bet is made pre-flop and you
hold AA? Is it really correct to go all in at this time? If you are guaranteed a call, this is always
acceptable. If you aren't, why raise? Allow the KK to have the lead and bluff the money off, thinking he
is betting the best hand. Players are always far more eager to bet their chips off than to call.
The main mistake made by players who bluff in Pot Limit and No Limit games is the amount they bet. Use
this as a normal guideline for bluffing if the blinds are $25-$50 and you opened for $150 and received a
call. If you miss and intend to bluff, follow through with a bet about equal to the pot. Also use this as
a guide for betting when you flop a big hand. Your main focus for betting and bluffing should be putting
yourself in the shoes of the player who's facing you. If he bets, what you would do with what type of
hand and how to adjust to the play. Consider how your shoes feel on the other guy’s feet…what kind of
image are you projecting?
I am a firm believer in not making big lay downs. One reason is I sense a possibility far earlier in a
hand that the player may have something. So I slow the action down to adjust for this. (There are many
ways to skin a cat.) Realize not everyone holding AA can break a person holding KK. Then accept that if
you can't break a person when he has KK and you have AA, you need some adjustment to your play! The
numero uno best way to break KK is to have him bet the chips off while you call.
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