Archive for March, 2010
Poker Lessons in Plain Sight
March 28th, 2010 | 
Author: Poker Pure and Simpletm
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Poker Book Review
When Gus Hansen first published the poker book Every Hand Revealed in 2008, I got it and spent the better part of a week absorbing it. I was thrilled with the close-up look at the motivation behind much of Gus' action at the poker table. It gave me valuable insights that helped me open up my personal poker game.
Recently, I recommended this book to a relatively new poker player, who later said he just didn't get it, and he gave it away. So, this week, I pulled the book off my shelf and revisited it.
Do I still recommend this poker book? Absolutely.
Do I recommend this poker book to players new to poker? Maybe, IF, and this is an important if, they have the patience to work through each hand AND are serious about their game. They also must have a full understanding of how the physical aspects of Texas Hold'em, the importance of position, the value of the check-raise, and so on.
Certainly, going through 329 hands can be tedious; however, Gus' comments on every hand are priceless. Often he gives What-if's as well as his optional actions. Sure, it took me nearly a week to absorb the book, because I would carefully go through 50 or so hands and lay the book down. It is not a quick read, nor is it intended to be a casual read.
Who can benefit most from this book: Poker players who want to get into the mind of a world-class poker player and take their game to the next level.
Until next time, remember my motto:
If you can't raise, don't call.
Donna Blevins
Poker Coach, Speaker and Consultant
NOTE: I am referring this poker book because I own it, have read it and personally benefited from it. If you decide to purchase this book through my link, Amazon will pay me a referral fee. Even though it is a tiny referral fee, I thank you in advance for using my link. Donna
Poker Greats Give Visual Lessons
Poker Coach Meets Husband Online
Poker is a competitive sport requiring concentration and focus. That is one of the things I love about poker.
Poker tournaments are long and often go well into the early morning hours leaving little time for social gatherings. That is one of the things I like less about poker. Sure poker is, by its very nature, a social event, however, like every other profession there are tradeoffs.
This morning, when I sat down to check my emails, Twitter, and Facebook before I dash off to a $10,000 guaranteed poker tournament at Ocala Poker, I was delighted to find two emails from my husband as well as a love note on Facebook! How sweet is that!
Sure, he is sleeping soundly about 50 feet from me… and when I say 'soundly', believe me, he sleeps. He even slept through Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when its 120 mile-an-hour winds just missed our home in Florida!
It was especially heartwarming to find his public and private messages this morning. He even found a 1999 photo he took of me in front of the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, and posted it on Facebook along with the caption: "My beautiful wife." He makes me blush! (My goodness, I looked like such a 'little girl!')
Our days and nights are turned around, so I may not see him until tomorrow, especially since my intention is to win the poker tournament. Not just play in it, but win it. That is not egotistical folks, that is a vital part of my poker strategy. And, it must be your state of mind… IF you plan on being a consistent winner at the poker table.
If you only say to yourself "playing" rather than "winning", which would be more likely to happen?
How do you think of yourself as you prepare for a poker tournament? Do you see yourself struggling to amass poker chips, or do you see yourself breezing through the levels controlling the tables?
Here's the email message my husband sent me as his thought for today:
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Practice Makes Perfect
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Perfect practice makes for perfect results
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Repetition makes for consistent results
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Imperfect practice makes for imperfect results
He is so wise.
I am a lucky, lucky woman!
Today in your poker games and in life, remember my motto:
If you can't raise, don't call!
Donna Blevins
Poker Coach, Speaker and Consultant
If you are ready to take your poker game to the next level, take a look at my upcoming program. You can experience this personal live poker coaching from the comfort of your home at a fraction of the cost of what live coaching used to be.
Take a look and take action:
Poker Coach Donna Blevins’ Roots
I am proud of my roots in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. I grew up in a coal mining camp, 15 miles from where this log cabin once stood. (If you want a better look at the photo, click on the link above and it will open up. My mom is Peggy Reasor Blevins, the little girl, second from the right.)
Florida Poker Players Rights in Jeopardy
THIS is LONG, but it is IMPORTANT! If you live and play poker in Florida, please read and take action.
Florida poker players must take action, NOW! Following is an email I sent this morning to my state House Representative asking that he NOT support the proposed Florida HB 1441, which is an effort to establish licensed and regulated intra-state Internet poker in Florida.
Following is the email I sent to my Florida House Representative this morning. Feel free to use it as a model for your email:
"I am a voter and a poker player who lives in your state House district. I care about my right to play online poker and I am very concerned about HB 1441, Internet Poker Consumer Protection & Revenue Generation Act of 2010, which if passed would restrict my rights as a consumer and a poker player.
While I support efforts to license and regulate Internet poker, such as those being debated in the U.S. Congress, I am troubled that the legislation being discussed in Florida would limit my online choices and create an anti-competitive monopoly for Internet poker in this state. This is not only troubling for me as a consumer, but it would be disastrous for the state. The undesirable monopoly model will not attract the critical mass of players needed to generate the expected revenue for Florida. Instead, any state legislation should find a way to capitalize on the current, robust marketplace of Internet poker sites to maximize revenue while at the same time providing the strong consumer protections afforded through regulation.
I respectfully ask you to carefully consider my objections to HB 1441, and I look forward to hearing about your position."
If you want more, the following came from Poker Players Alliance this morning:
"First, what does “intra-state” poker mean? Today, when you play online poker you compete with other players from across the United States and the world. Essentially, you are part of a global network of millions of poker players. Under Florida bill HB 1441, your access would become limited to poker games only with other Florida residents. Ultimately, this means fewer players, fewer games, fewer stakes/limits and less opportunity for you to play poker how you want, when you want.
Of equal concern, HB 1441 would seek to eliminate play on the various Internet poker brand-names you know and play with today and replace them with a state-controlled monopoly provider of Internet poker in Florida. So, not only would you have less players to test your poker skills against, but you would be forced to play on the state-sanctioned, Florida-only, poker network. From a consumer standpoint this is a definite step in the wrong direction: it limits choice, destroys the competitive marketplace and dramatically reduces the need to provide player incentives like rakeback and bonuses.
To be clear, the PPA does not oppose State-based licensing and regulation of Internet poker. We strongly believe that a regulated marketplace will provide a better experience for the Internet player. In fact, that is why we have invested so much time and so many resources to push the U.S. Congress to enact a sensible federal policy of licensing and regulation. We are concerned, however, when state proposals like the one being contemplated in Florida seek to cut Internet players off from the rest of the world and limit their choice in the marketplace.
What You Can Do!
Florida poker players must let their elected officials know where they stand. Please take these two very important actions now by calling and emailing your state House Representative."
Poker Tournament for Women – Orange Park, Florida
For Immediate Release: The Poker Room, Orange Park Kennel Club, Florida (in the Jacksonville metroplex)
Dateline: Saturday, March 6, 2010, start time 2pm, buy-in $150
What: Women Poker Tournament – Ms March Madness
Structure: Fantastic!!
Yesterday, after I spoke with the tournament director, Anthony Furnier, he sent me the blind structure for the event. It is fantastic with plenty of play!
We start with 20,000 chips, 30-minute levels, initial blinds at 25-50. For the first three levels (90 minutes), the blinds double, however, after that they increase at a slower rate.
Bravo for you, Anthony! And, hurrah for The Poker Room at Orange Park Kennel Club!
See you THERE!
Whenever you are in a tournament, remember my motto… my primary poker strategy:
If you can't raise, don't call!
Donna Blevins
Poker Coach and Motivational Speaker
In my upcoming live poker coaching program, I share strategies to help you get past the bubble during a poker tournament. To find out more go to: Poker Pure and Simpletm
Poker Players Alliance Director, John Pappas, Testifies in Florida
DATELINE: February 16, 2010 – Florida Senate Committee Hearing
Poker Coach Donna Blevins is Motivational Speaker
Looking for a fun and entertaining keynote for your next meeting? Poker will get their attention; poker coach and motivational speaker Donna Blevins will keep it.
Donna also customizes classes for both management retreats and team-building outings for employees. Poker becomes a fun vehicle for working through issues without the participants even realizing they are solving their own problems. They come away happier, more confident, and energized. You might say poker is like recess and nap time all rolled up in one tidy package for adults.
Poker Question – How Should I Play This Hand?
Poker Strategy Coach
