First, PokerRoom offers a variety of games that you don’t see on many sites.  Much like it did back in 1999, PokerRoom offers more than simply Texas Hold’em.  While Hold’em is still the king of poker, many players like variety in their play.  At PokerRoom, players have the opportunity to play in Omaha poker games, Stud Poker Games, as well as Draw poker games.  For those that like split pot poker games, Stud 8 or Better and Omaha 8 or Better are both offered.

Next, the PokerRoom Community offers more to players than most sites.  Some sites might give you a few set of rules on how to play their games and others may give you an occasional newsletter.  The PokerRoom Community goes far beyond that with forums, groups, and more to help players grow their game.  In addition, strategy articles are available in the forums to help poker players level up and grow their bankroll.

In recent months, it has become increasingly important for players to feel safe and secure in their online gaming experience.  PokerRoom is fully licensed in bother Gibraltar and Canada and has the eCogra seal of approval.  This means that not only is the site certified safe, but it is constantly monitored for safety.  US poker room members likely now wish that their site had been as safe.

PokerRoom promotions and commercials are unlike many other online poker sites.  They are fun, witty, and highly memorable.  For a taste of their creativeness, check out the following commercial spot.

Also, PokerRoom’s support staff simply cannot be touched by any other online poker site.  In addition to their Frequently Asked Questions section, PokerRoom has support available via telephone, email, and online chat.  Support reps can be reached around the clock, so you never have a long wait to get your problems resolved.

As you can see, PokerRoom sets itself apart from other websites with strong security, great support, and an awesome spread of games.  Players can test out the software for free and when you are ready to go to the next level, deposits are quick and easy.  Register for your PokerRoom account today and experience what sets PokerRoom apart from other sites.

Before we talk about the games, let’s talk traffic.  A poker site cannot thrive if players don’t show up for the games.  That is not a problem at PokerRom.  As a member of one of the largest poker networks in the world, PokerRoom has literally thousands of players at the cash game tables each and every day, even at off hours.  What this means is that you will always have plenty of players to compete against.  Also, since PokerRoom does not use props or allow bots on their network, you can rest easy in that you will play against live players.

Now, let’s talk about the games.  It is obvious that Texas Hold’em is spread at PokerRoom.  It is the most popular game.  However, unlike some sites, you can also play fixed limit and pot-limit Texas Hold’em.  Limits in games start as low as .01-.02 for NL games and move all the way up to $500-$1,000 blinds in fixed limit games.

Omaha players will find plenty of action on PokerRoom.  As the second most popular poker variant in the world, there is plenty of action in both pot-limit Omaha and fixed limit Omaha Hi-Lo split.

If you are a Stud player, you know that a limited number of sites actually have regularly running games.  At PokerRoom, both Seven Card Stud and Stud Hi-Lo split are offered at most limits.

Old school games such as Five Card Draw have begun to make a comeback in recent years.  PokerRoom has always offered Five Card Draw games and players can play in either fixed limit or pot-limit games.

If you don’t know how to play any of the games listed above, check out the PokerRoom website.  There you will find rule for the games spread at PokerRoom and in the forums at the PokerRoom Community, you can find strategy articles written by PokerRoom members to help you further your game so you don’t become like the guy below.

PokerRoom is the first poker site you should check out when searching for cash games.  With a wide spread of games on one of the largest networks in the world, you are sure to grow your bankroll.  Register for your free account today and in a few minutes you can take your seat at some of the juiciest cash games on the net.

Today, online casinos include games with different variations. It offers you a wonderful choice to pick one and to try your luck on it. If you take a look at the present scenario, you will find that casino owners are adding a lot more features into those games which players may not have been familiar at one point of time. With the changing times and demands, new things are being introduced to help you to check them out and feel the excitement from within.

There are many people who like to visit a casino online only to play slots or to play poker. However, playing your favorite game is a different thing altogether but when you have an option of selecting and playing a range of games with plenty of added attractiveness then it calls for a worth try each time.

Remember that both loosing or winning is an integral part of the game and we should enjoy the game for feeling the pulse of the game. While you are gambling, it is true that the choice of your game solely depends on you and thereby you may select one according to your own likings and interests. If you’re interested in card games, you can select amongst blackjack and poker while for simple fun you can try the slot gaming machines. Other games provided in the modern sites include video poker and dice games.

Tips for players:.

Type of games and deciding how much to spend: Casinos usually vary from one another in offering variations of a number of games but they generally do include popular games like that of slot machines, baccarat, roulette, blackjack and poker. When you decide to move towards gambling, you should make it clear to your own self that what amount do you have to bet at any games. Decide upon how much cash you will be willing to spend first and then decide on the total number of casino games you will be playing.

Gaming rules to consider: The methods used in playing different games vary from one another in accordance with their related house rules. For instance, card games offered in some casinos will be including low stakes while in some sites you will find that these games include higher stakes including 1 or 2 decks of the cards. This kind of available option makes your game much more interesting than ever.

Tips for newcomers: If you’re new to casino gaming, avoid games like roulette as this type of game can be a bit confusing and technical knowledge is required to some extent. However, if you wish to put money on the roulette wheel, it will be essential for you to go through the rules related to the game.

Some Casino Bets

• Poker: This is a game of skill where the players compete against each other and not against the house. Here there is no house edge except for the small amount that the online casino takes for releasing each pot. You should place your bets on a poker only after you have become a pro at it.
• Blackjack: If you know how to count your cards then you definitely have an edge over other players. Though card counting is not illegal, it must be disguised or you might get barred from playing further. However, if you have already mastered the art, then go ahead and place the largest of bets on the game.
• Video Poker: This game can help you win thousands of dollars if you make the right playing decisions. Various video poker games also offer 100% payback if the players manage to make use of the perfect strategy.
• Craps: The house edge in this game is 1.14 percent. If you consider laying double odds then you can lower the edge to .59. However the safest bet would be to place your money when the shooter is on the pass line.
• Pai Gow Banker: In this game the player can choose to be the banker while the game is in progress. As the banker, the player would have to pay a five percent commission to the house. As a player you would win the bet of all the other players that you manage to beat. If you are not very clued-up about the game then it would be better to learn the skill of setting hands before you place your bets.

The report said that between June 2003 and December 2007 cheating occurred where the player’s rights to a fair and honest game were violated. The cheating was declared to have been initiated before the current owners Tokwiro Enterprises bought the site and that Tokwiro had no prior knowledge of any flaw in the security of the site when they took ownership of Ultimate Bet. The report vindicates the current owners saying that “No Individual identified by the Commission as unsuitable is currently involved in any aspect of Tokwiro’s ownership, management and operations”. Tokwiro have refunded an amount totally $22,054,351.91 to player’s adversely affected by the cheating and this was overseen by KPMG. This is the largest refund ever initiated in regards to online gaming. Tokwiro also paid a $1.5 million dollar fine.

Tokwiro have been permitted to carry on being licensed for online gaming purposes meaning Ultimate Bet can continue trading. They are, however, subject to certain conditions. These include agents conducting periodic checks on the software and code to detect or monitor for any anomalies, any upgrades must be tested by an independent testing facility which the Kahnawake Commission will select, all daily operations for the next twelve months must be passed to the commission including details of financial and gaming records. Because of the difficulties in ascertaining ownership identities of personnel, within 30 days of 11th September Tokwiro are required to file applications for licensing of any person, entity associated with the company in terms of their role as director, key person, shareholder or officer to ensure transparency of ownership. This will reveal whether the professionals who chose to defend the site during the scandal, namely Annie Duke and Phil Hellmuth, have an ownership interest in the site which has been speculated upon during this investigation.

The blame for the scandal was placed at the door of 1995 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Russ Hamilton. The report suggests he was primarily responsible for and benefited from the cheating. They said the vast majority of the accounts associated with the cheating were linked to Hamilton and money transferred to player accounts was owned or linked via IP addresses to Hamilton. The commission have reported “extensive information” to law enforcement groups regarding Hamilton and “31 individuals who were associated, to varying degrees, with Russell Hamilton, the cheating accounts and/or transactions relating to the cheating accounts”. It remains to be seen whether criminal proceedings will be made against Hamilton or any other party in regards to the cheating.

The online community who reported the cheating are disappointed the names of the 31 people associated with the scandal and Russ Hamilton have not been named. The commission, by not naming them, have left it to Tokwiro to identify the individuals involved which they have not chosen to reveal in the past. The report praised the work of the online community for their policing and investigation into the cheating scandal and said they would play an important part in the future of secure online gaming.

All quotations from this article are taken from the report which can be viewed in full by visiting the Kahnawake Gaming Commission website and downloading the full report.

By Malcolm Clarke

If you announce at a family reunion that you are now a hardened gambler this will probably not be met with encouraging back slaps. People may look uncomfortably at you with pity in their eyes. It is considered by most people to be a losing enterprise, especially as bookmakers are there only to make profit and ban people from the shops if they win too much. That means if they let you bet, they believe they will beat you!

But there is never any consideration given to the fact that you may have a system that picks out consistent winners and an excellent staking plan that helps you take an edge in betting. Poker players, for example, can practise and learn the psychological and actual hand playing skills that give them a tangible edge on the competition. To simply assume that people are randomly gambling is not always correct and I found whilst working in the Industry that most people operating some sort of system either in picking selections or staking. There is also no consideration made by detractors that you conduct your betting with money you can afford to lose. I have never personally had a problem with gambling beyond my means, although I accept that places like gamblers anonymous exist because not everyone has this strength. Whilst addiction is a problem you must always be aware of, some of the best gamblers I have encountered have an incredible hold on their emotions with strong self discipline.

There is a distinct difference between random gamblers and people who gamble sensibly with a strategy. The aspect of gambling that worries me is the hypocrisy, although not malicious, that is given to other forms of gambling that almost make a positive out of what can be a negative and addictive enterprise.

One thing that should never be encouraged is random gambling. Yet many people buy property speculatively without having the necessary research or skills to profit. I worked in the property industry for three years and fount that this type of gambling is every bit as addictive and dangerous as sports betting. The rising market made many wealthy property investors, but the credit crunch now means you need skills as profiting are making serious mistakes is now highly unlikely. Investors are now realising there is a downside to their investments when things go wrong. Property investment is gambling, as is the stock market. Going back to our example of announcing to family you are a gambler, if you reword this to say you are investing in stock markets and acquiring a property portfolio you will probably get those admiring glances not given to even the savvy and winning gamblers.

Random gamblers should be encouraged to either not bet or bet more sensibly. Websites such as this offer assistance and advice for free, so why not use it? I must stress that caring family members are making objections out of love which is never a bad thing, but perhaps they should be aware that people do win from gambling and poker. Try and explain that you are taking part with restrictions and lots of self awareness. Poker players should be aware of the risks and just like the property investors or stock traders, managing these risks and playing within your bankroll is essential to success.
People should be slightly more sceptical of the accepted forms of gambling and be slightly more tolerant of the more frowned upon versions of gambling. They all have one thing in common; in order to win you must beat the house which is never easy.

By Malcolm Clarke

E! Hollywood Hold’em

This show offers you an opportunity to watch your favorite celebrity by allowing you to be a railbird at his/her home game with some famous and not so-famous friends.

Tilt On ESPN

This is a fictional show that runs on ESPN. You will have some amazing entertainment here watching Michael Madsen as Don “The Matador” Everest.

Ultimate Poker Challenge

There is a lot of poker to watch at this show, as it hosts a series of no-limit Texas Hold’em Tournaments taking place at the Plaza in Las Vegas.

Poker Superstars On Fox Sports

Poker Superstars is a great show that runs on Fox Sports. Watching this show will help you compare the pace of the action with playing online, as this is a fast-paced invitational series of tournaments, where the blinds go up very rapidly.

Poker Royale On GSN

The poker table of this show brings together two opposing groups to duke it out. It can be Celebrities Vs Pros or simply Boys Vs Girls. It is always great to watch your favorite celebrities like Lance Bass and Jennifer Tilly holding up against Pros like Kathy Liebert and Scott Fischman.

Celebrity Poker Showdown On Bravo

This is one of those shows that have contributed a lot to the huge popularity of the poker game. Though, it cannot be said that it is the best poker TV show, yet you will love it because of the humor and commentary of the hosts Phil Gordon and Dave Foley.

Other popular shows on television include ‘The World Series of Poker’ on ESPN and GSN’s ‘High Stakes Poker’.

YouTube is an Internet phenomenon that has allowed people to submit their videos and turned some people into worldwide stars with millions of video views. Pokertube, as the name suggests, is pokers version of YouTube where you can watch tons of free poker video without having to filter through everything else. Pokertube is not part of YouTube, but uses a similar format just for poker content.

You can post your own videos if you wish and register your own account but even if this is not quite up your street you can just log in every few days and take a look at some of the premium content on offer. Pokertube make their money from various offers from poker sites and so on, but on the front page are quick links to various well-known poker shows from T.V. which is really user friendly. The Aussie Millions, High Stakes Poker, Poker after Dark, WSOP shows, World Poker Tour and many more are available to watch immediately from your computer. There are also many feature programmes, usually split into ten minute segments, where you can watch documentaries and short films about poker. A recent submission, for example, is a documentary about Team Domeski which profiles four high stakes young Internet pros, currently living it up in Athens, Georgia and is very entertaining.

Pokertube is not just for filling in some of your non playing time, there are strategy benefits to using the site. Pokertube posts regular video captured from tournaments and their resident commentator “dabear” posts some lengthy video regularly discussing strategy and real tournament hands played. If you are not sure which poker room to sign up with you can watch these videos even just to check out the format of the tables, card design and playability of the sites software before downloading it to your computer.

I check Pokertube two to three times per week and there is never a shortage of shows to watch. If you delve deeper into the content some other user’s personal videos can be found which can be both good and bad in quality. But the proper shows are shown on the home page and are fantastic quality considering it is offered free and if you watch nothing else you will still enjoy Pokertube. In the future we may look back and marvel at when the Internet offered free things there is not much good free stuff around these days, but certainly Pokertube gives the poker player some good video to enjoy.

My biggest recommendation for strategy is to check out the High Stakes Poker shows on Pokertube. The whole series 1 to 5 are available to watch and these are some of the best poker cash game players in the world showing you how they play cash games. Where else can you find this tuition? Some of the play is a little loose but on the whole, particularly with starting hands and how to bet size, you see some interesting strategy that very much contrasts normal tournament strategy. I consider this essential viewing. As a poker player I take advantage of anything that can help me. I would pay for Pokertube video viewing that is how much I like it, but do not tell them that!

By Malcolm Clarke

The stupidity of the large scammers was that they were taking huge sums of money from the top players. Players like Dustin Wolff and Todd Witteles were winning tens of thousands on some sites, but on the scam sites they were getting hammered for big losses. Naturally they could not understand this. They therefore requested hand histories and when those were not forthcoming, data mining websites exposed inhuman win-rates from certain new users that started to suggest something was not right. Eventually the scams, albeit never convicted, were exposed.

If a poker room authorises a player who has access to others hole cards to be used in a real game, this is an in-house security fraud. The time span for this super-user fraud to occur is short, and almost sure to be exposed due to data mining and hand playing patterns. The poker players with the most money usually analyse the hands best and put their time into analysing hands. It is hard to get a scam past them. The poker rooms also need to be earning millions from any fraud as the normal earnings through their rake are so high. It is better for poker rooms to simply play poker rather than be dishonest, they make plenty of money.

Full Tilt Poker, for example, would need to scam a quite staggering amount of money to be worth it to them as they have rake revenues of around $400 million a year. It is simply not worth it for them in my opinion. The larger sites are therefore safer to play on (that we know of) as they are successful enough to invest in the most data encryption technology so their site is trustworthy. They also have many named pros with ownership interests. Full Tilt is probably the most transparent in terms of ownership of every poker room.

Rather than focusing on the site ripping you off, you should be particularly careful when playing cash games where players could be working together. For example, if you play a hand where the same two players are raising then re-raising to expose you, report this activity to the room’s security who will investigate. Poker rooms have the ability and authority to refund you. Betting patterns of players guilty of cohesion are easily spotted and poker rooms have software designed to expose this behaviour. This is more common at the lower staked games where players just want to win money without the risk.

Another safety measure would be to minimise the amount of money you hold in the poker room’s accounts. Poker rooms are usually based offshore. I would rather keep money in my own personal account where it can still be part of my bankroll. It may be worth opening a separate personal account where your poker bankroll resides. There is nothing to suggest that poker rooms will scam your bankroll money, but the fact is most of the time we just do not know how they are operating. I trust the poker rooms, but I am careful nonetheless.

By Malcolm Clarke