Archive for December, 2009

Poker cruises have distinct advantages to playing online poker or even to playing live in a card room or in a tournament venue. Following are only three of the many that come to mind.

First and foremost, a poker cruise is a perfect vacation, and people in the U. S. really need vacations. Period. Consider this fact – in 1980, people in 10 other countries lived longer than people in the United States. By 2008, people in 41 countries lived longer.

Why? Because we stress ourselves out and do not give our bodies, minds and spirits time to rest and recharge.

Second, most of the time during a poker cruise, you are out of range of your cell phone service. Once you get over the withdrawal panic, it can be a wonderful thing. We are in a multi-tasking world, and we feel we must do everything at one. Despite the fact that cell phones are prohibited at poker tables, there is still that nagging feeling that you must make a call, or that someone is trying to reach you. That will hurt your game and dilute your focus.

If you doubt that being out of range of your cell phone signal is a valuable benefit of poker cruises, see the first item above.

Finally, new players can learn to play poker in an environment where they have personal access to professionals. During onboard workshops and coaching sessions, both new and seasoned players can pick up pointers from poker pros. Players have often been reading these professional's articles for years, and finally they have the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best in the industry.

My first poker cruise was in 2000 to Alaska where I spent time with two of my dear friends, Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher. Affectionately known as the First Lady of Poker, Linda was the perfect host. She and Jan are two of the owners of Card Player Cruises, and they put on a top-notch cruise.

During that cruise in 2000, I first met Mike Caro and was able to spend some quality time with him in a workshop setting as well as at the poker table. Mike's work on Poker Tells is world famous, and he has a colorful history as well. I promise more specifics about Mike another day, however, it was that poker cruise environment that gave me the opportunity to get to know and bond with Mike as well as several other famous poker personalities.

I'm looking forward to working with several Florida based companies that have plans for 2010 poker cruises. I'm putting my money on this coming year as the turning point in our economy. I also expect it will be a terrific year for the poker industry and for poker in general.

If you are interested in upcoming poker cruises or in poker coaching, contact me here http://biggirlpoker.com/contact-us/ and I will forward more information as it comes available.

Remember, if you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

A friend of mine just called and said he booked a six-night, five-day poker cruise out of Tampa for May 3, 2010, and he will be announcing the details soon. Knowing this guy, it will be a terrific deal and a fantastic time.

We talked about doing poker workshops at sea for both novices as well as advanced players. I believe that offering specific poker training to help people make that transition from kitchen table poker to card room poker will be a distinct advantage for this cruise.

At the same time, I suggested that one of my Poker JumpStart programs for poker widows could mark the rebirth of many a strained relationship. I remember when I first started playing poker in 1996, other men at the same poker table as my husband would say to him, "You are so lucky! Your wife really loves the game! Wish mine did."

If you are interested in coming along, just contact me here http://biggirlpoker.com/contact-us/ and I will forward more information as it comes available.

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

What are some of the headlines for 2009 and Poker?

• "Records are Broken"

• "Trends are Set"

• "Important Legislation in Process"

• "Poker Coaching Comes Out of the Closet"

Any year in review about poker must start with the signature event for the industry, the World Series of Poker® and its Main Event Championship. This year was the 40^th annual event with 57 bracelet events that ran from the end of May to the middle of July.

This was the second year the WSOP® Main Event Championship played down to the final nine players then adjourned for four months. The finalist returned during the first week in November as the "November Nine."

First introduced in 2008, this delay initially stimulated much controversy. After two years, I've concluded it is not only a good thing, but it has literally changed the face of poker. Besides giving time for all the events to air on television, it gives the players enough time to prepare for the final table and monetize their fame.

In the past, players labored for nearly two weeks to get to the final table in the Main Event, then, with only one-day delay, jumped back into the heat of battle. There was no time to line up sponsorships, review their competitors' play, or engage poker coaches. Certainly, there was no time to take advantage of publicity and promotional opportunities.

Finally, in 2009, poker coaching came out of the closet when Phil Hellmuth publicly outlined how he, along with a team of professionals, coached Jeff Shulman for his Main Event final table appearance. I've known Jeff since 1998 and watched as he has grown into an accomplished, professional player. I applaud Jeff's commitment to his craft and for allowing Phil to disclose the details of the coaching.

The Main Event totaled 6,494 players and was slightly down from 2008 (6,844) but a little above 2007 (6,358).

This was the first year players in the Main Event started with 30,000 chips, up from the previous 20,000.

Two previous world champions made noteworthy runs at the title: 2005's Joe Hachem finished in 103rd place, and defending champion, 2008's Peter Eastgate made it to 78^th.

This year the record for the youngest-ever poker champion was broken by Joe Cada. At 21-years-old, Cada won the Championship on November 10, 2009, and broke the previous year's record set by Peter Eastgate. Cada is 340 days younger than Eastgate. The record had stood for nearly two decades. In 1989, 24 year-old Phil Hellmuth defeated two-time defending champion Johnny Chan.

The year saw poker history made when on November 27, implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) regulations was delayed by six months. This is significant for the poker industry, because it gives legislators extra times to clarify this vague law and to pass legislation to license and regulate online poker early in 2010.

And, who could talk about poker and 2009 without mentioning Lady Gaga's Poker Face?

Remember, if you can't raise, do not call.

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

That's right! Temporarily lost my voice this weekend, but my fingers are in overdrive. Not sure of reschedule date for my radio interview by Dr Marlene for her show Amazing Women, brains, beauty & style. Will notify you as soon as we align our schedules. Here's the link to her show: http://www.amazingwomenbbs.com/

This voice challenge reminds me of one important poker lesson that also applies to life. We have two ears and one mouth, which means we should spend twice as much time listening at the table as we talk. In fact, the majority of poker champions are quiet most of the time. Sure, you see the chatty ones on television, because that makes for good TV. What is interesting about watching a stone-faced poker player

I'll take that one step further and tell you to turn off your chat when you play online. It is only a distraction, and few players have the ability to stay detached from the chat. Some swear that they pick up poker tells from the chat. That may be. However, for my money, I want to stay focused on how the other players bet and from what position.

At the same time, when I am out of a hand, I go back to hand history to see what particular players held during significant hands. Some of the sites now have amazing replay features that can dramatically help you improve your game.

Until next time, remember…

If you can't raise, don't call.

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

Would you like your poker questions answered on live World Talk Radio, Wednesday, December 9, 2009? Just ask, and I will answer. Go to the contacts page and send me your questions… http://biggirlpoker.com/contact-us/

Dr Marlene Siersema just asked me to be on her show Amazing Women, brains, beauty & style. Her show title is perfect, because Dr Marlene is indeed amazing! She has a personality you must hear to believe! She is energetic and on fire, to put it mildly. Back home in the hills of Virginia, we would say she is full of 'spit and vinegar!'

Tune in, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, for an hour of live talk about poker, poker, and more poker including: "5 Strategies to Improve Your Poker Game" plus "3 Secrets about How You Can Use Poker to Improve Your Life."

Where:  http://www.amazingwomenbbs.com/ 

When: Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Time:
2-3 pm Pacific
4-5 pm Central
5-6 pm Eastern
10-11 pm GMT

"C" you there!

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach
"Guts Required… Sports Bra Optional!"