Pokerchick’s blog

Goalkeeper Skills You Need to Master

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:06:25 -0700

A soccer team is composed of eleven players and you can have any combination of defenders, midfielders and attackers, but you can only have one goalkeeper. Most people think the goalie is not that important but history has shown that goalkeepers can be very influential on the outcome of a match and are very important for example cup final and even the world cup have been won over a penalty shoot out, so imagine if your team did not have a good keeper and they were involved in a cup final the results will be disastrous. These are some of the reasons why big European clubs like Manchester, Chelsea, and Arsenal etc spend millions of dollars on signing a new goalie every season. The goalkeeper is the most important player on the team because you can have the best set of players on your team but if you have a bad goalie then you are going to lose every game. The goalkeeper is the last line of defense of a team and his main job is to ensure that the other team does not score. A goalkeeper has very little room for mistakes because a single mistake could cost the team the game.

A soccer goalie is under pressure all the time and has to be alert for the entire game, so the most important thing for a goalkeeper is to maintain his calm in difficult situations. A goal keeper can also play an extra role, that of motivating the team. If you have watch top class goalies like Oliver Kahn shouting out at his defense, this is to try and keep them alert and in the game.

One of the first answers that comes to mind when asked this question is height, most people believe in order to be a good goalkeeper you need to be tall which is not true. Just because you are short does not mean that you cant be a goalkeeper some of the best goalkeepers in the world were not that tall take for example the Mexican Jorge Luis Campos who was only 1.68m tall.

To be a good goal keeper you need to have skill, although height does play a part skill is more important, a goal keeper needs to have good physical strength does he will usually have up to two players around him jumping for the ball especially when a corner kick is being taken . Here are some of the other skills a good goalkeeper should have.

Motivating your players: a goal keeper has to have good mental abilities and communication skills because what the goalkeeper says will affect the performance of the team, so its important not to complain all the time someone makes a blunder that’s the coaches job you should motivate the players all the time even when your team is trailing 5:1 you need to stay calm and try to boost their confidence becu8ase the worst thing to have as a field player is a goalkeeper who is always complaining about your poor performance.

Analyze the game: a good goalkeeper keeps analyzing the game, this is the same as recording your matches, this is a bit difficult to do because you will have to keep watch of your goal, try to analyze your strengths and weaknesses during the game and make a mental note of them, then you can right them down after the match and bring them to practice and work on them as a team.

Reinstate the attack: this is one skill every goal keeper must master because knowing how to reinstate the attacks is important because they give your team the opportunity to launch a counter attack quickly before the other team can regroup and defend. As a goal keeper you need to throw and kick the ball with precision its not just a matter of kicking and hoping for the best you need to have someone on the receiving end of every kick or throw that you make, a good goalie can throw and kick a ball accurately to about 40 yards .

Organizing your defense: a good goal keeper should be able to organize his defense, for example he has to be able to make the wall stand properly when a free kick is being taken or during a corner. Most mistakes results from deflections off team members or the goal keeper bumping into one of his own players.

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Facing your own ego

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:19:56 -0700

What player do you think you are? With this in mind the following - what limits you believe it is appropriate to play? It does not matter whether we talk about the Internet. Your place is big tournaments? Are you 100-200 player. Maybe you are one of the "big" in Belazhio, or your level of $ 0.50-$ 1.00 fixed limit tables? Answer you risk hiding your poker bank, especially when you try to build it.

Recently entered into a series of minor sore. And as I wrote earlier, began his adventure with online poker bank amounted to only $ 50 to try and I, along with many other poker authors to repeat the achievement of Fargyusan Chris, who made $ 10,000 online, starting from scratch (yes, I know that is my dodge, but, believe me, do not have that unnecessary time to go through hell to friyrolite only and only to make the first few dollars. judge me.)

In the beginning I had some scruple in terms of levels of that play. Afford to participate in games and tournaments, which were consistent with my bank. Peak moment came when I turned my $ 50 to $ 2300. Then things looked pretty good in terms of my future earnings. At the same time I set my limit that, if they get into a bad series and lost more than 20% of accumulated so far, had to be forced to withdraw money from the account and spend them for fun with my family. So eliminate $ 1350 earnings until realized, which ensure that the whole project will be a profitable enterprise for me. I know that no one knows how "play" in this, but I am not supporter of the theory that a player must destroy several times before making his "great shock". I believe that if we keep this idea in their heads, even if you manage to hit the big win, it will ultimately lose her.
Which returns me to my original question - namely, what kind of player are you?

One of the most pleasant parts of the initiative was a gradual ascent to the higher limits. While $ 1 at the beginning of the game of profit Stad with limits $ 0.04-$ 0.08 was an occasion for joy, when it's doubling 80 dollars, which started a game with limits $ 2 - $ 4, or when "enter the money of the tournament with a $ 20 entrance determined was feeling more comfortable. flow of endorphin is stronger when win bigger amounts.

Began to define himself "at least" as $ 2 - $ 4 limit player, SnG player ranges between $ 12 and $ 27 entrance, and player of $ 0.50-$ 1.00 game without limit. Unfortunately, due to the reduced draw poker bank was subjected to quite serious risk that carries the normal variation of profits and losses in poker. and I did. At this point online poker for money I had less than $ 250, due to a combination of poor play and inatlivo driven by my ego idea of what level "deserve" to play.

Ego says: "Keep playing the same levels? Luck you will certainly occur, and once you have proved successful as a player there, it will be so! "

Ego says: "You need only one good tournament result and will go back where you belong!"

That inner voice that asks to make payment of the River hopeless when your opponent has taken one of the four dragons cards. Afraid that this is actually the voice of the losers.
The winner controls the ego, not his ego. The winner was calm because I knew the universe does not owe him anything and realizes that luck is variable. Moreover, it is not shameful to disembark at a safe low level, where you can relax and rethink his game to break again over time. In many aspects, just ego provoked by gambling to cause this collapse of the economies with which the world must fight now. Bankers created a situation that began to play an ever higher and higher levels and make even more risky bets. Everything was great until the percentage of profits, as always happens, do not turn their direction.

In recent days drastically diminished the levels of which play, as well as entrances to pay for tournaments. Go back to limit games $ 0.25-$ 0.50 and tournaments with entry $ 4 - $ 5. If you need to be honest, I was easy. Catch is that the current risk of a weak hand, just because they do not appreciate the value of money, for which play. Become impatient with regard to how slowly gains accruing to low levels. As a result, the siege hands, which I know to throw. Ironic is that in the past, even when playing at lower levels, I was completely satisfied with the small victories. But the taste of fast profits gives me no peace.
I need to do something very simple. You should be back attitude, which started all this. It is not complicated, just enjoy the challenge of playing my best game in the name of profit, regardless of limits. To stay focused all the time and know the right moves that have to do at any time, is satisfaction, which in many ways is even more money from the profits.

You were there, right? That place in which everything becomes crystal clear where you know exactly when to bluff, feel the right time harassing others know when you should be passive. This is territory which is inhabited by large players. There live those who win in the long term. This is the place in which truly want to be.

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Attending A Las Vegas Casino Grand Opening

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:47:57 -0700

Las Vegas is popularly known as the Mecca of casinos. You can find a big or small casino at every nook and corner in this city. Almost every month, a couple of new casinos are opened that appeal to the locals and tourists alike. You can attend the grand opening of these new casinos for free. Following is a brief rundown on how to enjoy the occasion.

Read About It

Before you attend the opening ceremony, it is good to read the details of that casino on the Internet or in the newspapers and magazines. The more you know, the more comfortable you will feel there. Get as much information as you can, such as the type of community involvement, what is so different about this casino, how much was spent to build it, and other such things.

Traveling To The Casino

If you are thinking about visiting a casino by your car, you may like to think twice because parking will most likely be not easily available. What’s more, if you are planning on drinking, buses will be a much better alternative. If you do plan to take a bus, you must be well aware of the bus route and schedule.

Dressing

There is no specific dress code that you have to follow in a casino. But, it is important for you to keep in mind that the place is freezing during the winter and hot during the summer months. Therefore, you should wear clothes that are comfortable and weather appropriate. Depending upon your choices and taste, you can wear your sweats and say, "Who cares". You may also like to wear your stunner shades and be a rock star for a night.

Most importantly, in order to make the event even more enjoyable, you should not go alone. Attend these grand openings with your friends. You will have great fun, regardless if you play poker, roulette or slots.

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Win Jackpots through Casinos

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:55:26 -0700

International standard games, allow only players belonging to specific team of age. However, gambling is also international and it can be played by any one who knows the techniques and strategies of gambling. Gambling whether online or offline is played for fun and enjoyment. People, like to play casino games for getting jackpots. Without jackpots and heavy bonuses casino games wouldn’t have gained recognition. Jackpots history goes into the origin of river boats. In earlier days, when casino was gaining importance people were trying the bonus points and small prize money. They were not much interested in trying spots of gambling, which offered heavy prizes. The jackpot theory came into existence when river boats with casinos passed over Mississippi river.

The challenge of jackpot came from a person called Jack Rodgers. This person was a skilled poker player who had learned how to play poker and he challenged his opponents to win big iron pot. This pot was secure and safe at his favorite casino. He declared that people, who beat him, will get all his wealth and money. This is the reason why people called the name “Jack Pot”. Although the concept was not money based, the person’s name was used for distributing huge amounts to the players who win in competitions. Most of the people find jackpot as an interesting feature in casinos, they think that jackpot makes them the richest people and gives them value for their hard work.

Slot machines also have the names as jackpots. Casino jackpot is slot machine which is seen is most of the casinos. This game is simple and does not take much time to play. In this machine, there will be three different numbers and the player will start this game by inserting his token. Once he pulls the lever of the machine the numbers move on and if they pair up equally in all three sections, the player is declared as the winner of the jackpot. Players can try their luck in such games, instead of wasting their time in playing card games. This game is quite simple and takes only one single coin from the player.

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Psychology on Backgammon

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:47:25 -0800

Psychology applied in Backgammon is one way of improving your game strategy. Backgammon, unlike its game card counterpart when it comes to popularity requires mathematics and numbers. And unlike the poker game, the backgammon provides players with unlimited information and data. The psychology of Backgammon enters on this situation where you do your mathematics, plan and pretend to be up to something; and some even call it bluffing. There is no better way to disarm a proponent than through his weak side and on his weakest state. Often, a weak spot can be identified when a person get defensive. And a good psychology technique can put a certain individual in a temporary confused state once they feel threatened by the opponent. For a certain player, psychology works in two ways: to bluff the opponent and to control your emotions.

Like poker, you have to do readings however unlike in the card game you do not read the hand but the mood of your proponent. By learning from your opponents’ movement, you can counter-attack or advance your moves towards your goal: winning. For example, during the highlight of a game maintaining a poker face will keep your opponent from reading what you are thinking hence preventing him to analyze what will be your next move. Likewise, if you apply psychology by trying to read your opponents mind through prediction of the state of his emotional and mental state at this point can give you a head start to win the game.

Bluffing can be difficult when it comes to Backgammon since you are in the open. If you are not expert on doing this there is a tendency that the opponent can easily side step your bluff and brush it aside effortlessly. Like bluffing in the poker games, bluff in backgammon is attacking an opponent in his most insecure state thus convincing him subtle to give up and drop out of the game. The advantage of bluffing in a backgammon game is that you do not go beyond the opponent itself. Since you will be playing with a single player during the entire game, understanding how the opponents work and identifying cue expressions can make the information helpful thus, you get more faster in conjuring better decision on making your moves.

The backgammon psychology application can be comparable as well with chess game where there are two players who play for the prize or bet. Like backgammon, the information are all over the face and coming up with strategy can be easier for a good player. The bluffing can be done in the form of doubling. Doubling is where a doubling cube is used by a player who is on favorable side of the game. The doubling as it names indicate doubles the stake of a game. Remember that in the basic rules of backgammon, the stake is mutually set by both players at the start of the game. If use of doubling cube is allowed in the game, the stake being played will doubled. So, how would doubling work as a bluff? The doubling will make the opponent re-think his advantages. Since most players who call for the use of doubling cube are usually someone who sees his game to be on the better position than the other, quitting becomes the best option for the opponent.

Although application of psychology is not limited on doubling cube alone, you have to understand still the different doubling rules of backgammon. There are three important doubling rules in backgammon, Woolsey rule, Jacoby rule, and Crawford rule. Considering that bluff is something that you do to threaten the opponent, the Woolsey rule best describes the psychology in backgammon by bluffing. It is the act of using double at the time whether a position is a take or pass, therefore very uncertain. If you are unsure of your position, you should double. The doubling is the only sure fire way for your opponent to commit mistake. Jacoby rule is used when the game is for cash. Jacoby rule is wherein in a game that did not use double the gammons and backgammons will be automatically counted as one game. Crawford games is where the next game when a player scores one in the game the doubling cube will not be used until after the said match.

Other strategies that use psychology for the backgammon match are the following:

•   Always counterattack your opponent even during the initial stages of the game. Ensure that you go with even his bolder moves so that you can build your defense as you moved into the middle game.
•   Another good psychological move is letting him assume that he is leading the game. This move allows you to find an opening where you can hit again without making him prepared when you will strike back.
•   Think like you are in your opponent’s shoes. By doing so, you can take advantage of the doubling cube or even make appropriate decision that can be your strategy in the later part of the match.
•   Since backgammon involves cash when played, it is important that you analyze your strength and your opponent’s. Some players lose more than they planned just because they have underestimated the capability of their opponent.
•   If you can bluff, remember that others can do bluff too. So do not play victim to your own tricks. Watch how the game unfolds and do not just remain inside the box. Aggressive moves and unpredictable choices can sometimes increase your add of getting the best deal.
•   Since in a double cube a player who takes the double would now have the 25% chance of winning, take note of the tactics that player should be less conservative when they are obviously behind and less aggressive when taking the lead.

Always remember that there are different stages of the backgammon match that you can choose from to determine which part you will start building on your defenses. Since most try to get ahead during the early part, pay attention to your opponent’s facial expression and body language as you moved ahead. Maintaining yours is also just as important with reading his next moves.

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BlackJack

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:41:49 -0700

The American hazard game Black Jack is a classic game in the casino business, the game can be played on all casinos around the world. Most people that like to play poker also enjoy a game of Black Jack time and again.

The game was originally from France and was called vingt-et-un, but was after a few years introduced in the USA. At first the game was called 21 and where a hit buy American gamblers. The dealers wanted to draw players to the tables buy give different bonuses. One of those was if you got 21 with an ace of spade and a king of spade you would get a 10-1 bonus win. Therefore the name “Black Jack”, now a day these bonus systems don’t exist but the game is called Black Jack anyway.

When you play Black Jack you play against the bank. Your main task is to get so close to the number 21 as possible, if you get a number higher than 21 you are bust and you loose your bets. Every player around the table is playing against the dealer (The bank) and are given open cards. First you get two cards and the dealer gets on open and one dark card. If you say hit it means that you wand another card and then the dealer gives you a third card. Your goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer is. After every player has done their choices it’s the dealers turn to play. The dealer can now se on the dark card and can decide if he wants to continue, the dealer cant stop under 17 has to have cards between 21 and seventeen. If the dealer gets bust all the players that didn’t get bust wins their money.
If a player gets 21 he gets “Black Jack”. If both the dealer and the player get Black Jack you win back your money.

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Daniel Negreanu

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:50:43 -0700

The 26^th of July in 1974, Daniel Negreanu was born in Toronto, Canada. He is a professional poker player whose parents moved to Canada from Romania a few years before he was born.

He dropped out of high school to become a rounder and attended several illegal games in the town. At this time he dated Evelyn Ng, who is now a very good professional poker player as well, and they learned a lot from each other. Later on, when Negreanu was 21, he headed for Las Vegas in order to become a poker pro’. However, he didn’t succeed very well and had to return back to Toronto after losing all his money. In 1997 things started to look better again. He won two events at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, which named him the tournaments best all-around player. Not to mention that it gave him $133 600… He soon became the youngest WSOP bracelet winner, and he held that record until 2004. This made him acknowledged as one of the best poker players in the world and he was named the World Series of Poker Player of the year 2004 and World Poker Tour Player of the year 2005.

He also won two World Poker Tour events, two more WSOP bracelets and reached eleven final tables.

Since then he have been “Poker ambassador” at the Wynn Las Vegas resort where he played for any stake in their poker room. He also opened his own online poker cardroom, which he recently used to arrange a competition where the winner would become his protégé. The winner would not only get his golden advices but also get the entry fee of $10 000 paid for him in four buy-in events. The first winner was Brian Fidler and the second one was Anthony Mak. Since the middle of 2007 Negreanu is signed with PokerStars, together with big names such as Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer and Chris Moneymaker.

In addition to this, he has written more than a hundred articles for the CardPlayer Magazine.

More privately, he isn’t that private at all. He has a blog where he speaks openly about his poker playing, his private life and his thoughts in general. Until the end of 2007 he was married to Lori Lin Weber, who he wed in 2005. He now lives in Las Vegas, not too surprisingly, and he is giving poker lessons to celebrities such as Tobey Maguire. Negreanu is a big supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs and also supports politicians such as Al Gore.

In February 2006 Daniel was named “Favorite Poker Player” at the Card Player Magazines Player of the Year Awards Gala – and he was well deserved of it.

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Tells

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:49:13 -0700

In the field of poker, a tell is when you or someone else does something that reveals to other players that you are holding, or that you are not. Let us look at a school book example: In the movie “Rounders” rough poker player Teddy KGB (played by John Malkovich) often cracks open a cookie and listens to the sound of it. His opponent – our protagonist – Mike (played by Matt Damon) realizes that he only eats the cookie if he actually has something. Otherwise he just keeps it. When he notices this tell, he uses the knowledge for one round before informing Teddy KGB that he knows his tell. This might seem unstrategic to some, but it puts Teddy KGB off so much that the effect is even better than if Mike had just used the exposing to his advantage.

So a tell is when a player, unknowingly, gives a clue to his hand. It is not impossible that a tell is being faked, in order to fool other players, but if you watch someone for a longer period than you will probably be able to tell the difference.

There are many types of tells; whether you lean back or forward in the chair, the way you place your chips, your facial expressions, your tone of voice, the way you breathe, whether you fidget in some way or if you do something special with your drink, cards or cigarette. In other words, it takes good concentration and awareness to notice relevant differences in all of these different areas. It is not only the expression on ones face that is included in a poker face.

Also be attentive to things like if someone is trying to bluff and seem overly cocky by throwing the chips in the pot with confidence, or if they are blushing while they seem to speak in a very casual, almost bored way. Is the other player looking at his hand often, or does he/she seem overly calm? More than often, this is signs of acting the opposite way that he/she really wants to, in order to mislead the other players. So if someone seems aggressive or loud, than it is very possible that he/she really has nothing, but try to act like this wasn’t the case.

But it is not only in real life poker that you can discover different tells. This is actually also traceable online. Look at things like how fast the player is playing and the way he or she bets. This might actually be even more revealing online, since all other distractions disappear.

Even if you think that you are sure what someone’s tell is, be sure to not put too much trust in it initially. Be aware of your own game and bet wisely until you are convinced that the other players tell is reliable. As usual, there are no guaranties in poker…

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Tired of casinos

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:45:46 -0700

Honestly, the casinos aren’t what they used to be. I am really sick of going there, but since all of my friends go it kind of leaves me no option. I used to like the atmosphere, but now I just look around me and sigh.

Tourists come and go with their never-ending enthusiasm and they lose their money like they just won’t ever learn. The roulette wheels spins loudly while people but their drunken faith in that tiny little ball that moves so rapidly. At the bar, young chicks are getting free drinks from men twice their age and they giggle obediently to the old men’s stupid jokes. Some of the girls are too young and will soon be thrown out, but until then they can might as well get as much free stuff as possible. They rarely play, and they never win. At the door to the casino guards stand like mongrels refusing decent people to come in just because they are a bit drunk. Don’t they realize that they will just play more bluntly? I think it would be profitable to invite guests that had already had a drink or two.

As you can tell, I am a bit tired of all the regular casino visitors. The only ones I can stand are the poker players. They have more integrity, more genuine interest for the game, they are quieter and calmer.

Personally I’ve started spending more and more time at online casinos. There it doesn’t matter if I have nice shoes or not, which mood I am in or what time it is. I can eat while playing if I want, I can talk in the phone at the same time and I don’t have to be nice to anyone.

But I still like every tenth of my poker game to be at a casino. If nothing else, it is useful to actually see the other’s game – not only their strategies, but their facial expressions and movements. It is hard to read poker faces online, that is for sure…

I just wished I wouldn’t have to deal with all the other silly characters at the average casino. I think I am gonna’ have to look up regular poker rooms where the standard is a bit higher. That usually sets the atmosphere in general. The only problem I can see is that it is so male dominated. Hopefully in the years to come more and more women will get interested in the game of poker.

And in the meantime I will keep my behind online. Once in a while you find the perfect online casino, where you can just sign on and start collecting money from the other players…

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Ok, how about this

nobody@vox.com(Pokerchick) — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:51:48 -0700

Was playing a $50+5 No limit Hold'em tourney yesterday (Unibet). About 300 players and most had been booted. With about 55 players left I got a Pair of tens in the pocket. A big bet before the flop from the first guy gets raised by the guy next to me. I call and the first guy calls too.

The flop shows 10, 9, A and I check. Both guys raise, I call.

Turn shows 10 and both players raise, I call.

The river comes A and I'm sure at least one of them hit Full House. I bet big. First guy goes all in, other one calls, i call.

The guy that was first to go all in had nothing, the other one had AA in his pocket

Bad Beat?

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