Full Tilt Poker announced just yesterday that Sam Chauhan, who calls himself “the coach to hire to make a comeback in your life or business,” has been signed to join the Full Tilt Poker team. Chauhan will be developing a program of poker mindset coaching, exclusive to the Full Tilt Academy. The goal of the [...]

“It’s all in the cards” – What a load of baloney. As any devout poker player knows, the cards play a more minor role than most outsiders would ever believe. While the game’s practitioners and devotees have long been aware of this distinction, it seems as though the court of public opinion is finally beginning to swing our way. More than ever, individuals and entire nations are beginning to see that a winner’s edge comes not from the two pieces of paper in his or her hand, but from the quick computations and sharp observations made regarding their opponents.

Building on the success of his critically acclaimed “Hold’em Wisdom for All Players”, Daniel Negreanu has returned for a second round.

In the aptly named “More Hold’em Wisdom for All Players”, Kid Poker presents readers with 50 additional playing tips. As with the first volume, each bit of wisdom is presented in a clear, easy to understand fashion. Retailing for $14.95 US, you’d be hard pressed to find a better read for the money.

A Canadian University has recently released a study indicating that poker may reduce stress. This may come as a surprise to many people since poker, as many top professionals will tell you, is a rather stressful game. Cortisol is commonly called “the stress hormone.” Canadian scientists monitored the cortisol levels of online poker players as [...]

If there’s any better way to bring yourself out of a funk at the tables, I have yet to learn about it. Sometimes, playing a few less-than-premium hands can generate big wins and increase your level of play.

During my time at the tables, I’ve had a chance to observe an extensive amount of human behavior. Thanks to the growing popularity of the game, I’m seeing more and more diverse personalities sported by players operating on a variety of skill levels.

But with the ever-expanding pool of competitors, I find many of my brothers and sisters who’ve been around for a while are forgetting some of the cardinal rules of the game. I’m talking, specifically, about the treatment of new players at the tables. It happens both at live events and when surfing through the online card rooms. There are veterans (and even more who think themselves to be veterans) who, by carrying themselves in a certain fashion, do themselves a disservice and consequently reduce their own level of play.

It’s never easy to shrug off a losing session. We’ve all taken our share of beats, both good (if there is such a thing) and bad. Sometimes, they can effect us so deeply that they permanently alter the way we play. But, even in the midst of these trying ordeals, there are lessons to be learned. Each hand we lose becomes a teaching opportunity, and the careful student of the game will gather up these bits of knowledge like so many invisible chips. Here now are some of the best ways I’ve found to recover from a rough stretch at the tables.

Low-limit, people say, is too difficult, because novice players will move all-in at the drop of a hat, or make ridiculous calls in obvious folding situations. They’re playing for pennies, not pride, and their decisions fall into the “What the hell, let’s gamble” category more often than veteran players would like. While these things can be frustrating, they’re a part of the game. Besides, a truly skilled player should be able to win at all levels, regardless of the competition.

Heads-up is, without a doubt, my favorite way to play. It’s a true test of your poker skills, and the best way to improve your game. While it may be nearly impossible to find a one-on-one table in a brick and mortar card room, online clients such as Poker Stars and Full Tilt offer it as a regular staple. They’ve even gone so far as to incorporate heads-up tournament play. It’s something that any aspiring poker player should check out.

It’s one of the scariest feelings in poker – You’ve just lost a huge pot to a three-to-one underdog and given up most of your stack. As you watch the opponent sort your chips and integrate them into his pile, a sickening realization creeps up on you… You’re short stacked, playing against opponents with more the five times your chip count.