The Bellagio is one of the best casinos in all of Vegas.

Bellagio

When the Bellagio opened in 1998 it immediately became the king of Las Vegas casinos. Steve Wynn wanted to create the biggest, most luxuriously casino Vegas has ever seen. He picked the site of the old Dunes casino to build the new crown jewel of Las Vegas casinos.

Bellagio has the finest restaurants, the best poker room, a world-class art gallery, as well as many other attractions. The Bellagio fountains have been featured in several movies, notably Oceans 11. The Bellagio also has a world-class conservatory and botanical gardens.

Aria Resort and Casino

Aria opened in 2009 as part of the grand City Center project. This was a project to bring a new level of extreme luxury to Las Vegas. It is comparable to the Bellagio. In fact the two Casinos have been battling it out for the top spot for a few years.

The Aria has some of the finest food, shopping, and hotel accommodations in the world. The poker room at the Aria has become one of the most popular ones in Las Vegas. Historically the Bellagio was where the biggest poker action took place, but the Aria is now challenging that.

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay opened in 1999. It is another of the new, luxury casinos to have been built in Las Vegas. The theme of the hotel is that of a beach style resort. It is especially popular with people looking for an enjoyable vacation. The casino is also quite popular and offers everything from low stakes slots and table games to high stakes action.

The Venetian

The Venetian was built to replace the old Sands casino. It was opened in May 1999. The theme of the Venetian is a Renaissance style look. It is especially popular with first time tourists. The ceilings have been designed after classic Renaissance paintings. There are gondolas throughout the property.

The poker room at the Venetian is considered one of the best in Vegas. There are plenty of offerings for people who do not want to play the higher limit games that are found at Aria and the Bellagio. The casino is also located right on the main strip and near lots of attractions.

Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace is a classic. If you are going to Las Vegas, then you should really check out one of the most famous casinos in the world. The Roman theme is one of the most recognizable in all of Vegas. It is the most poplar of the classic Las Vegas casinos. If you are looking for that “old time” Vegas feel, and also want the luxury of a modern casino, then Caesars is the place.

Caesars offers a great selection of poker games and tournaments. There are daily tournaments as well as a nice selection of cash games. Caesars is also famous for having some of the best concerts and entertainment in Vegas. Some of the performers include: Celine Dion, Elton John, and Rod Stewart.

Free hats, shirts, and game play are common promotions for new members.

Is it a True Promotion or Play Dependant

The two main types of promotions that you see connected with your players club are either going to be true promotions or they will be based upon play.  For example, when you see a casino offering something like a $1 steak dinner for player’s club members, this is usually something that is going to be open to everyone that is a member.

On the other hand, a promotion giving away free sets of China to player’s club members may require a certain amount of play, such as accumulating 40 points during that day’s play.

There are other offers that seem like free offers but will wind up costing you money.  For example, some casinos may offer a free night’s stay during the week at the casino for club members.  This offer usually does not have strings attached, but they know there is almost zero chance that you will stay there and not play at the casino or partake in the paid hotel services.

Read the Fine Print

Pay close attention to the fine print for any deals offered to player’s club members.  Remember that $1 steak dinner?  That may only be offered from 4-7 pm on Wednesdays and may be a steak dinner at the buffet.  Essentially you got a free buffet comp.

Many free hotel stays have limits to the maximum number of nights during the week and some casinos will not allow you to stay more than 2 consecutive nights.  Also, remember the 40 point accumulation?  You better be sure to read the fine print because with many of these offers, the casino day does not start until 6 a.m. or the promotion only runs until 5 p.m.

How Much is the Free Offer Really Worth?

Consider what you are really getting with your free offers.  That free set of china that you get for earning 40 points is going to at minimum cost you $100 in slot play.  Is that china set really worth $100?

That free steak dinner that turned out to be a buffet comp is worth about $8, the cost of the buffet.  You saved $7.  If you drove to the casino just to get the free steak dinner, you might have spent more than that in gas.

Player’s club offers are ways to give regular guests some type of incentive to play.  Some of these incentives help to soften the blow of a losing night and others can help to offset some future costs.  Just keep their true value in perspective and don’t let yourself get carried away just because of a free offer.  Good luck at the tables.

If you have a large amount of money you plan on playing with at the casino, setup a marker account.

Most casinos of any size will offer its players some type of deposit system that allows you to transfer money via bank wire to the casino where you do not even have to carry cash on your when you travel to a casino location.

Essentially how it works is that you contact the casino and inform them that you are interested in setting up a deposit account with the casino. Sometimes this will be referred to as a marker account. If you are a poker player, contact the poker room and they will usually give you the exact person to contact. Note that this type of marker account is not the same as a markers issued as credit. That is an entirely different setup.

Once you contact the person in charge of setting up your charge account, you will then need to setup a wire from your bank to the casino. Once that wire is made, you are set. When you arrive to the casino and are ready to get money to play with, all you need to do is go to the cashier and tell them that you need a marker against your deposit with them. They will ask for your ID, get you to sign a receipt, and issue your cash.

Setting up a marker account with a casino does require a little effort on your part, but it allows you to be a lot safer when you are traveling to casinos, especially to casino towns like Las Vegas. You don’t have large amounts of cash on your and will be less likely to be targeted than those that are known to flash a lot of cash around. Stay safe and good luck at the tables.

Bellman Services

For those not familiar with the term, a bellman is a person who helps you with your bag and takes them up to your room for you.  Many people decide to carry their own bags to their room just so they don’t have to pay a few bucks in tips, but for some this is just silly.

If you have multiple bags, kids, or a mile long hike just to get to your room, pay the few extra bucks to take the strain off your back.  Sometimes you can also get some helpful info from the bellman about the hotel, the casino, the area, or more.

Valet Parking

This is the one area that many people tend to skimp on.  They choose self parking either for health reasons or because they don’t want to pay the fees or tip.

However, there are a few instances where valet parking is a smart move.  If you go to a casino at night on a regular basis, valet parking is safer.  For those with mobility issues, valet parking is easier.

Finally, not all self parking is covered.  Valet parking can keep you dry when its pouring rain and warm when it is 20 degrees outside.

Drink Service

Believe it or not, many players choose to forego drink services because they don’t want to give the waitress a tip.  In some cases, this is actually stupid.  Some casinos will serve free beer and even alcohol to players.

In addition, many waitresses will remember your orders and keep them coming.  Depending on the casino, the cocktail waitresses may actually save you more money on your drinks, even after tipping them, than you could have getting them yourself.

While there are many services at the casino that overcharge, such as room service, some services are worth the money.  Sometime the convenience is worth more than saving a few bucks.  Good luck at the tables.

On this board, a check raise bluff at the river could take the pot.

In this guide, I will introduce you to the Check-raise technique being used as a bluffing tool.

Understanding the concept of Check-Raise

Check Raise is a way in which an opponent checks then other opponents bet at which the opponent who has checked makes a raise. The check raise technique is often used by a player who decides not to bet at first but anticipates any other opponent to bet then s/he raises that bet as a way of making the pot profitable. For instance, when you check and your opponent bets and you raise this is known as 3-bet and if two opponents bet after your check and you raise this would be known as 4-bet. The concept of check-raise basically refers to the betting action done by an opponent to induce other opponents to call thereby raising given that you are holding a strong hand.

Usually the check-raise technique is often done by a player who is holding a strong hand.

Using the Check-raise technique as a bluffing tool

Did you know, the concept of check-raise can be used as a bluffing tool during game play? One thing you need to bear in mind is that this technique should only be used when you anticipate that you are holding a stronger hand than what your opponents are holding. The main reason with check-raise when pure bluffing your opponents is that it can cost you lots of cash and at times your opponents can catch your bluff (bluff-Catching).

Hence, when implementing the check-raise technique during game play, you should only apply it when holding a good hand but send a signal to your opponents that your hand is the weakest according to your betting actions.

For instance, if you have completed a flush, a straight, or three-of-a-kind and your opponents are able to analyze the board that there can be a player holding a good hand then the check-raise technique becomes effective and profitable. In such situations, you would have to act as if your hand is weak at which your opponents may think of taking an advantage.

Suppose you have TT and the flop shows A-T-T then the only way you can stop your opponents from folding is to check than bet. This is one of the major mistakes done by rookies, whenever they hit a strong hand they immediately overcall or go all-in at which this automatically alarms all other opponents to fold their hand at which you will not gain much from the pot.

Therefore, whenever you have a stronger hand than your opponents its best to implement the check-raise technique and act as if you are trying to catch a draw or improve your hand. For instance, looking back at the situation above, you have TT and the flop shows A-T-T and you check, if there is any other opponent who has an Ace, s/he will be attempted to bet in a way to induce other players to fold their hand trying to convince them that his or her hand is stronger. However, when this happens you will immediately raise your opponent’s bet and if playing against a pro s/he will immediately fold and you gain but rookies will keep calling as a way to win the pot out of luck because they do not understand the concept of check-raise.

Hence, check-raise can be a bluffing tool that can give a blind side to your opponents that your hand is weak from their point of view but strong.

Be careful when lending money to players you don't know or to big score artists.

The Random Borrower

You are playing in a cash game or a tournament and are doing well and while on break you are approached by a guy who is praising you on your play. Suddenly, the conversation shifts to him either proposing some type of arrangement or him trying to hype his own skills.

Sometimes he might offer you a percentage or try and give you some type of sob story in order to borrow money. This is one of the worst players to lend money to as chances are he has borrowed money from everyone else and you are the “fresh meat” to borrow from.

If he was so good, why does he need to borrow from you. Why isn’t one of the regulars backing him. The reasons are simple. He is either not that good or he has some major holes in his bankroll that keeps him broke. Either event, the chances of you getting your money back are slim to none.

Big Score Artist

Players who are big score artists are type of players that backers love to gamble on. They may go for 30 to 40 events in a row without even sniffing the money and then suddenly finished in the top three or win it all.

Chino Rheem is the classic example of a big score artist. After making the WSOP Main Event final table a couple of years back, he was backed and borrowed money from anyone that would lend it. He then either slowly or never paid back the majority of these players.

It wasn’t until he took down an Epic Poker League event this past year that he was able to pay back a portion of those he owed. Players like Rheem can hit massive scores but the money it will cost backers to get there may not be worth the risk. For those of you that don’t have massive bankrolls, it is better for you to avoid this type.

While there are many players that borrow money in poker, the two types listed above are the ones you should avoid like the plague. Odds are that once you lend them money, you will never see it again. You would have better odds with the lottery.

He plays the pokerz.

The Baller aka Douchebag

There seems to be at least one of these at every table and multiple ones on the weekends. They come up looking a cross between a rapper and vanilla ice, with a backwards baseball cap, and think they are the greatest thing since Jason Mercier. (Yes, they dress like Jason Mercier.)

These players are usually going to be one of two ways at the table. First, they are going to be super-aggressive and borderline reckless. A solid player is going to benefit greatly by picking their spots against them. The other type is going to be the guy who tries to be an utter jerk to everyone at the table because it is “part of the game.” While playing to suck out on someone isn’t the best strategy, if you can do this to the guy, it will tilt him beyond belief.

The Businessman or Pretty Girl

Whenever I see someone sit down to the table in a suit or a girl that comes to play looking like she is ready to go to a formal dinner, I think uber-rock. Many times this is true. They dress way too conservatively for the poker table and end up playing a very solid game.

Sometimes this works out well, especially in lower stakes games. However, these players will usually be played back or have players take longshots against them to win a huge pot by cracking their big hands.

The Hobo aka Elix Powers

Many of you remember Elix Power, the former homeless guy who made a WSOP final table a few years back. In many casinos, especially at lower stakes games, you will see some players that come in looking like they slept on the street. (Sadly, some have.) These players are going to be a mix of really bad or really tight, and sometimes both. If they happen to be winning, they will sometimes jump up to a bigger game and try to run it up. For example, if someone sits down with $40 at $2-$4 and runs it up to $80 or $100, they may jump up to $1-$2 NL. Don’t be shocked if in a couple of hours they are back at $2-$4 with $20 for a stack.

Granted, these are very stereotypical and there are players that dress like this that don’t fit the mold. Jason Mercier dresses like a douche and plays excellent poker. Mickey Appleman usually dresses like he is homeless but has numerous WSOP bracelets, as does Eskimo Clark. (Granted, Eskimo many times fits the hobo’s playing style too.) However, by and large you will see the player types listed above fit into those molds perfectly. Adjust your play accordingly and you should see results improve.

The Borgata is among the most prestigious casinos in Atlantic City.

The biggest and most prestigious casino in Atlantic City is the Borgata. Borgata has around 85 poker tables and spreads games ranging from $2/4 Limit Hold Em and Stud all the way up to $200/400 Stud and Mix games. If you want to play high stakes then the Borgata is the choice.

The Borgata is also considered the nicest looking and most comfortable casino. The hotel boats some of the best accommodations in all of Atlantic City and can be said to be on par with the top casinos of Las Vegas. When it opened in 2003 it immediately became the focal point in Atlantic City. It has some of the best restaurants, spas, and shopping in the entire area.

The next biggest poker room in Atlantic City is the Trump Taj Mahal. This is the casino featured in Rounders. The scene where Matt Damon’s character plays against Johnny Chan took place in the Taj, as did some of the other poker scenes. The Taj has around 75 poker tables. It was, until the Borgata opened, the number one poker room on the East Coast. The Taj is still a favorite of many Atlantic City regulars.

The third best poker room in Atlantic City is the Tropicana. The Tropicana has around 45 poker tables and spreads low limit stud and Hold Em. While the Taj does not have as many seats as the Borgata or the Taj, it is still a viable choice for someone looking for poker action.

All three casinos offer daily Sit and Go’s. The buy-ins for SNG’s start at around $50 dollars. Around large WSOP-C events and WPT events the action at the Borgata heats up. It is not uncommon to see a $200/400 mix game being spread. If you are looking for the best poker action in Atlantic City, then it is definitely wise to check out these three casinos.

Bad beat jackpots are fun, but you need to know how they work before playing.

Pot Minimum

Most bad beat jackpots will have a minimum pot requirement for the hand to count.  Many times the pot only has to be at least $20.  This allows players even in $2-$4 Limit Hold’em to have a chance to compete for the bad beat.  However, some have a requirement of as much as $40 in order to hit the bad beat.  As such, those with a higher limit require that players play in a bigger game or play in NL games.

Cannot Influence the Action

When you are in a potential jackpot hand, you cannot say or act in any way that would influence betting in either direction.  For example, if you feel that a jackpot is going to be hit, you nor your opponent can comment on this.  If you do, the casino has the right to revoke the bad beat jackpot.  The reason is that players can artificially inflate the pot to meet the minimum requirement.  As such, if you think that a bad beat is possible, keep your mouth shut.

You Can’t Win if You Don’t Play

Every player that is in the hand will get a portion of the bad beat jackpot.  The loser of the hand will win 50% of the jackpot and the winner of the hand will get 25%.  The other players will divide up the remaining 25%.  While that does not sound like much, it can mean thousands of dollars in your pocket just for being in the hand.  However, if you are sitting out or on break, you will not qualify for the pot.  You got to be in it to win it.

The Game Will Rake More Money

When you play in a bad beat jackpot game, the game will take about $1 from every pot on average for the bad beat.  This means that the game will cost you more in rake than the customary game.  Granted, some bad beat jackpots get up to $100,000 or more.  This means that for the extra rake, you have a chance to get up to $50,000 if you were to suffer the bad beat.

While a bad beat jackpot requires you to lose a massive hand, it is a loss that many of us would be happy to take.  However, be armed with the rules when playing and be prepared to pay for the right to be sucked out on.  Good luck at the tables.

The 2012 WSOP is just two months aw

The first event will be the $500 Casino Employees event. This will be held on Sunday, May 27 and is only open to Casino Employees. The second event, and the first open event, will be on Monday, May 28. It will be a $1,500 No Limit Hold’ Em.

This year there will be 61 bracelets up for grabs. That is 3 more than last year. The Rio plans on expanding the playing tables and is going to add an additional 92 poker tables. The organizers expect around 470 poker tables to be in play during the event.

Organizers are designing the schedule to accommodate players they refer to as “weekend warriors”. The events on the weekends during June will be primarily low buy in No Limit bracelet events. These include the opening weekend $1,500 No Limit re-entry tournament.

Also new this year is the Big One for One Drop tournament. It is going to be the largest poker tournament buy-in ever. The entry fee is $ 1 Million dollars. 11 percent of that is going to be donated to the global water charity One Drop.

The Main Event is going to be shortened by three days. This, organizers say, is going to attract more people to play the event who might otherwise not want to because of time commitments. Also, because of the Presidential election in November, the final table will be broadcast in October. The October Nine will play on Sunday October 28th.

There are 5 new events this year. They are: $3,000 Heads-Up NL/Pot Limit Omaha, $5,000 Min/Max NL (a mix of 9 handed, 6-max, and Heads-Up), $2,500 4 Handed NL, $1,500 Ante Only NL, and the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop.

There are also going to be daily, non-bracelet tournaments at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. These one-day events have modest buy-ins ($235, $185, $135). There are also going to be satellites offered through the entire event.