Texas Hold'em

[Jameseb]

I am an absolute crazed fan of poker... or rather, Texas Hold 'em. Once a month I play with my mates in a "tournament," but I also play online at Pacificpoker.com. Its not even about the money, just the thrill and the strategy. I was just curious... are there any other poker enthusiasts here... particularly, Texas Hold 'em fans?

[wade-w]

I love playing poker. Texas Hold 'em is a great game. I also like seven card high low.

[seebs]

My only exposure to it so far has been that it is probably the #1 topic of spam comments autoposted to my blog by the dozen. There was one place that would do sets of 25 posts at a time about it. Never figured out why.

So I have no actual clue what it's like. I'm not much for poker, although I am fond of video poker, and picked up an implementation for my PDA. (You would be amazed at how cheap that gets to be per game over a few years.)

[Jameseb]

I love playing poker. Texas Hold 'em is a great game. I also like seven card high low.

I think I love it to the point of addiction. I'd probably find myself playing cards every day of the week if I could find a game around here. Straight-up five card draw is a fav of mine as well.... but I've been on the Texas Hold 'em kick for a couple of years now. I've been trying to find some good books on the game, strategy and tips. Maybe someone here has a few recommendations.


My only exposure to it so far has been that it is probably the #1 topic of spam comments autoposted to my blog by the dozen. There was one place that would do sets of 25 posts at a time about it. Never figured out why.

So I have no actual clue what it's like. I'm not much for poker, although I am fond of video poker, and picked up an implementation for my PDA. (You would be amazed at how cheap that gets to be per game over a few years.)


Well, you can get a taste for Texas Hold 'em at Pacificpoker.com. You have the option of playing with real or fake money. I started playing with fake cash and did very well. Only problem is that people obviously play a little looser when their money isn't on the table. ;) All the same its a great way to learn the game and its free.... so if you like video poker, I'm sure you'd love playing there too.

[viscousmemories]

I've played poker a bit, but not a lot. I won about 10k playing Blackjack online a few years ago, though. At Intercasino.com. I'm pretty sure they have Texas Hold 'em too. ;)

[livius drusus]

I've enjoyed the occasional game here and there, but I have a poker disability. To wit: I can never remember the hierarchy of hands past 2 pair. I know... it's pathetic.

I haven't played Texas Hold 'em, but I love watching it on Celebrity Poker Tournament. :yup:

[seebs]

Ooh, now I'm curious. Lemme think.

I'm gonna guess...

Three of a kind
Straight
Flush
Full House
Four of a Kind
Straight Flush

... And I was right! Woo! (I know, theoretically "Royal Flush" is distinct, but in practice, the rules are equivalent if you just note that it's the highest possible straight flush.)

But what can I say; I like cribbage better. I won my wife in a cribbage game!

[livius drusus]

So what do you think you're better than me? Oh sure it looks all easy when you're just posting idly on a thread, but think of the pressure, man. All those matchsticks piled up, staring at you, mocking you with their jaunty red heads while people say things "are you gonna play or are you just gonna sweat on the cards all night?"

[seebs]

So what do you think you're better than me? Oh sure it looks all easy when you're just posting idly on a thread, but think of the pressure, man. All those matchsticks piled up, staring at you, mocking you with their jaunty red heads while people say things "are you gonna play or are you just gonna sweat on the cards all night?"

Hah! No, I don't even know why I know that.

I am one of nature's non-Poker-players. I have nothing even similar to a poker face. If space aliens came to our planet, and I were the first bilaterally symmetric creature they'd ever seen, they could read my facial expressions easily.

[livius drusus]

But you must have an amazing cribbage face.

[wade-w]

(I know, theoretically "Royal Flush" is distinct, but in practice, the rules are equivalent if you just note that it's the highest possible straight flush.)

But what can I say; I like cribbage better. I won my wife in a cribbage game!

Actually, it's not theoretical, a "royal flush" really is not a distinct hand. It only has a special name because it is the best possible hand.

For me, one of the most fascinating things about poker is that it is not as mechanical as other card games. In other words, you don't have to have the best hand at the table to win. This becomes more of a factor in higher stakes games. There's really nothing like playing no limit poker.

[seebs]

I find it interesting that many sites list it separately. I guess it's because there's a special name for it.

I figure, everyone should know enough poker terminology to get song references.

[wei yau]

I haven't played Texas Hold 'em, but I love watching it on Celebrity Poker Tournament. :yup:

*gasp*

You admit to that?!

It's my secret shame.

[livius drusus]

Wear it with pride, eldar. It's a great little show: funny, goofy and cool all wrapped into one. Plus, it's always fun to play Spot the Scientologist when they mention which charity they're playing for. :chuckle:

[wei yau]

Wear it with pride, eldar. It's a great little show: funny, goofy and cool all wrapped into one. Plus, it's always fun to play Spot the Scientologist when they mention which charity they're playing for. :chuckle:


BWAH!

Oh, what's the name of the charity....some twisted little group that hates evil psychologists or something....or NARC-ANON....damn, I can't remember. Time to revisit "Operation Clambake"

Alright, I'll wear it with pride and geek out now.

Do you think David Foley stopped drinking? It seems slimmer and a little more clear eyed, but still funny.

Love Phil and his blatantly obvious crushes on just about any female celebrity.

I enjoy the show because you get to see celebrities in an almost-natural environment. Sure, they are on TV and they are putting on a show...but, the competitive aspect of the game does bring out qualities that are probably reserved for more private moments.

Sadly, it is this show that made me realize Sean Astin is a lonely man, always seeking approval and always trying way too hard.

*(The charity I'm trying to remember is the Citizens Commission on Human Rights)

[Sycophant]

*(The charity I'm trying to remember is the Citizens Commission on Human Rights)

Oh yeah, it's freaky where you see that turn up. And it sounds so wholesome.

As for poker, I suck at it. I'm also at a bit of a loss with a poker face.

[livius drusus]

Do you think David Foley stopped drinking? It seems slimmer and a little more clear eyed, but still funny.

Hmmm... Good question. I haven't noticed him eschewing the cocktails, but that doesn't mean anything. In any case, yes, he's consistently funny. They could not have picked a better host.

Love Phil and his blatantly obvious crushes on just about any female celebrity.

I know! He gets all puppy-dog eyed and boyish around them. It's adorable, particularly since he's such a badass cardsharp.

I enjoy the show because you get to see celebrities in an almost-natural environment. Sure, they are on TV and they are putting on a show...but, the competitive aspect of the game does bring out qualities that are probably reserved for more private moments.

:yup: I love that too. You get to see who's actually cool, who's an ass, who's a ditz, etc... I thought Norm MacDonald was a cock, for instance, playing that hardcore act. It bugged me.

Sadly, it is this show that made me realize Sean Astin is a lonely man, always seeking approval and always trying way too hard.

Oh man, I felt so bad for him. He was just pathetic. :beagle:

[livius drusus]

My boss went to play Texas Hold 'em at the local redneck Bingo hall last weekend. The high point was apparently when his cousin told the registration folks that his name was Mike Hunt. :giggle:

Oh, and look what I found: :poker: I had forgotten all about it.

[JoeP]

My boss went to play Texas Hold 'em at the local redneck Bingo hall last weekend. The high point was apparently when his cousin told the registration folks that his name was Mike Hunt. :giggle:

Apparently (possible urban legend here), Wang (remember - computer manufacturer, word processors) had a customer support organisation called Wang Care. In the UK they had to call it Wang Guard instead...

[Jacey]

I've been trying to find some good books on the game, strategy and tips. Maybe someone here has a few recommendations.


Sklansky's books are good.

I liked Hellmuth's first book too, he's a very aggressive player though.

Phil Gordon has a decent one out too that I liked a lot.

And Super System by Dolly is the Bible of course.


There's a lot of places around to play where I live, I've played every night this week. Finished 2nd out of 70 on Tuesday night, earned a $50 bar tab and I get to play in their tournament of champs, winner gets a week in Vegas, flight and hotel paid for. I could've finished first I think, but they stopped us at 2:15 and we did a chip count. Wed night I was one of the final 15 or so of about 80 players, but I took a real bad beat on the river and could only hang around another half hour after that. Last night I had aces v jacks, was all in. The guy called (pocket jacks, an ace and a king on the table, fuckin' idiot), he had only two outs and he caught one of them on the river. Hate playing with clueless people who want to see every flop, but I enjoy putting them out.

Some guys I know are going to a 2005 WSOP Satellite in New Orleans, I'm thinking of going with them. Really want to go to Lederer's fantasy camp but the timing sucks with me just buying a house and about to go into a business, bleh.

[Roland98]

Jacey!!!!!! :glomp:

[Jacey]

Jacey!!!!!! :glomp:

Hey gorgeous.............check out your IIDB messages......... :wink:

[Ensign Steve]

Jacey?! :eek:

hi, hon

[Jacey]

Hi there! Finally found my way over here...........I'm working in the office for a few weeks, so I finally have :eek: good internet access!!

(PS- I was sick as a dog new year's, didn't go out........)

[xorbie]

I'm a pretty big fan of No Limit Hold Em, which is basically all I play. I play once or twice a week here, but almost always with the same people. I've gotten fairly good at reading them, but again that's playing with them week in, week out.

[Jacey]

Played Sat night in a game with 9 players, $40 buy-in. Was one of the last two, I had about a 2-1 chip lead, but he's much better than I am, so it was about even. We were both tired, he suggested we split, was cool to me. So I'm $140 richer, more than holding my own with players far more experienced than I am. At another game the other day I was invited down to New Orleans with a group of guys when they go to play in one of the WSOP Satellites. I love this game...............

[Beth]

I used to watch my neighbors play. It looked ok but I was always afraid I would lose my shirt if I tried to gamble like that.

Nice to see you in here Jacey.