What is a Poker Prop Player?

The majority of the poker population has never heard of the term "Poker Prop Player", and most who have do not understand what that is. A poker prop player is a payer that works for the house. All of the poker that they play is for the casino or poker room. The house pays for them to play poker, and they get a percentage of the money that they win or they get paid by the hour by the casino.

For a poker prop players, this can be a great way to make a good living. In order to be a poker prop player that player needs to be very good at poker. Considering that simple fact, it is safe to say that most poker prop players do well. It is a good way to be able to make a good living off of poker without taking as much risk. The amount of money that can be made differs just like if the job title was just poker alone. 

The reason why the casinos hire poker prop players is to keep games going. At bigger more popular casinos and poker rooms, it is not as necessary because the tables are always full. However, at newer, smaller, or not so popular casinos; this is an issue. The smaller casinos will need some way to keep the poker games alive. There are always those players that will sit in the casino and play poker for days. Sometimes, even those players have to leave a game because there is nobody to play with them. In these circumstances, the poker prop player will step in and keep that game alive. This is a good way to make sure that the action stays strong. There might be three or four poker prop players that sit at one table just to keep that table going strong. A table will last for days if it stays full. The poker prop players take the place of the guys and girls who just sit down for a minute and then leave right away.

The problem with being a prop player is that you do have to risk your own money most of the time. Along with that, you are usually only playing in dead games often with other prop players. A prop player could be right in the middle of a juicy good profitable hand and still have to move to another table. The whole point is to get tables started and keep them going. There would be no need for a prop player at a hot full table. 

The good thing about being a prop player is that you get paid by the hour to play poker. You get to keep all the money that you win, and you get an hourly wage on top of that. It is ideal for a prop player to be very careful and tight when playing because their job is not really to make money at the table, but to make their salary by keeping the games going.

There is nothing wrong or illegal about prop players. They work for the casino or house for one purpose only and that is to keep games going. There is nothing wrong with prop poker players or the poker room for having them. They are just there to do a job and make a living.

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How a Winning Poker Player Can Start With No Money at All

Online poker offers opportunity, risk and reward all rolled into one illusive combination. I started playing online poker because I love being on the Internet surfing around but did not really know what to do once I got online. Bored with reading articles, visiting websites about soccer or news I decided to play some online games. One of my friends was playing cards online, and it looked like fun.

So I had a go, and instantly there was just something enjoyable about the game. I am the type of character where I judge myself based on the very best. If I run 100 meters, I want to know how far from 10 seconds I am. If I play soccer I want to know whether or not I could play against the best. This has kept me striving for the top in many areas of life, and poker was (and is) no different. Once I started watching T.V and learned to play properly, I was hooked.

I quickly discovered that poker is basically about the battle for money. We use chips, which are more fun than the paper cash to handle and possibly less daunting, and cards are the mechanism where we mentally oppose one another for the cash reward. This is true of cash games and to some extent tournaments. Poker can be viewed as the most simple form of combat, the person with the most at the end of the battle is the winner. But poker is not limited to people who have money and the rest must watch. There are no barriers to entry to this potentially lucrative market.

One of my passions is starting something from very little and building up, in business and in life. There is as much satisfaction in the journey than in the crossing the finish line in my opinion so it is only natural I looked for ways that anyone can enjoy playing poker no matter whether they have cash to spare or not. I see online poker as a legitimate way of building something out of absolutely nothing. In short, the American Dream, the ultimate challenge in many different ways.

Annette_15 is a female Internet poker player famous for her amazing results, aggressive play, and being the first female to win a World Series of Poker Main Event when she won the WSOP Europe main event a couple of years ago. Her story is amazing because she asked her mother when she was 14 years old for her mothers credit card to deposit $50 into online poker so she could play for real money. Her mother refused her request. Undeterred, Annette played free roll tournaments until she got a few dollars by finishing high in the tournaments. She then built her bankroll over time with good results and careful bankroll management to the massive bankroll she enjoys today. Poker is littered with stories like this. The only thing you need is a good poker game, and plenty of discipline and you can have a story like Annette_15. But how do you do it?

You need to have a good poker game, if you cannot win you will never move up the poker ladder. I would consider using a poker training website to brush up on your skills. But to be honest if you are playing plenty of holdem, reading books and talking with friends and participating in forums that effort will result in you having an advantage over the random fish that just play because they feel like it. Free information abounds online so make full use of it. Note that there are less and less bad poker players online, so you really have to put some effort into learning how to play good quality poker. Long gone are the days where a decent game reaps big rewards. You really must play well to win, and there is no greater power than learning and information.

Start with the free roll tournaments. You are probably going to find there are thousands of players in these tournaments because it's free to play. Do not panic. Because there is nothing to lose the players will play as such so if you are careful and play good poker you will build a stack and work your way through the mass of players who commit poker suicide because win or lose they lose nothing. You have an immediate advantage because you are playing for a reason.

You strategy is important, do not bluff! Players will not make great folds in a free roll tournament. When you have a hand play a straight forward style of poker. When you make your hand, get your chips in. Only trap check in situations where you believe your opponents will definitely shove all-in. Then you call and double up. Once in a while you may be behind in this situation and go out, but that's poker. When you finish in the top 3 a few times you will have a bankroll of around $10 that you can begin to consider playing $1 Sit and Go tournaments. Playing good poker here will increase your bankroll quickly. Again do not worry you only have ten buy-ins because you can try the free rolls again if necessary. You can play without fear because you did not deposit your own money.

Working your way up the limits is hard work but these are key skills to your successful poker career. You will probably find you must play a lot of free rolls before you win anything. You are learning excellent patience and discipline in continuing to play these tournaments, two skills more important than chip shuffling! Do things right with your money and your card skills will do the rest. So your check list is as follows: 1. Get learning to play great poker. 2. Play the free rolls and get some dollars. 3. Use good bankroll management and use what you learned in step one to get yourself on the ladder to success. As always, see you at the tables.

If you enjoyed this poker article you will definitely enjoy visiting Mals Poker Website.

http://www.itsawinner.co.uk is the online home of Mal Clarke, and one of the best online poker blogs on the Internet with poker room reviews, hand analysis and links to the best poker videos.

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Some Useful Tips For Internet Poker Player

Internet poker provides an opportunity to the players to play against each other regardless of their geographical location. There are two main ways to play a poker i.e. on a website or through downloadable software.

You need to have high speed internet connection to make your online poker experience full of excitement and fun. There are many poker sites offer good bonuses and cash prizes to the players.

Internet poker is a risk free method to generate good revenue provided the poker site you selected is tested and secure. You can get feedback from other users about a particular site.

With some research on internet, you can find the best poker sites that suit your requirements. Good site selection is a basic element of your poker experience. Poker sites enable you to earn your first bonus or prize when you sign up with them. Some of the most popular internet poker sites are titan poker, carbon poker, poker stars, fulltilt poker, cd poker and bodog.

These sites offer different types of gifts, bonuses and prizes. Every site has its own rules and policies so before selecting a poker room, make sure you have fully understood their rules and terms. Many poker sites also offer the tips and techniques to learn and win the poker games. You can also become a club to be benefited from additional features.

Internet poker sites also offer the gambling tournaments and you can participate in these tournaments based on your skills and bankroll.

On internet, you can play a variety of poker games anytime you like and from the comfort of your home. Internet poker games and usually played at a high speed, which enables the good players to win the money fast. Players have the option to play poker at two, three, four of five tables.

You need to be an expert to win the money from different tables. Before selecting a site, you need to know the features it offers. A good practice and experience is required to make multitasking. You need to know does the site has appealing graphics? Does site offer promotional offers and tournaments? Your decision of selecting a poker site is the basis of your internet poker experience.

Many of the poker sites also features forums and chat rooms where you can make new friend and talk to the professional players to learn the strategies to win a game. Internet poker can be an exciting experience if you have high speed internet connection, good computer graphics and big screen. When playing poker online, you need to make records of your play and compare the results.

Learn more great tips about Internet Poker and get great bonuses and Strategy at Online Poker.

Become A Better Poker Player With Winning Online Poker Strategies

If you are an internet gaming enthusiast, chances are that, at some point or another, you have already tried online poker. The strategy behind online poker is much like the strategy behind any other poker game, in person or through the web interface--the only thing that actually changes is that an actual 'poker face' is not needed.

In online poker, strategy is important. Knowing when to go all in and the odds of you clearing the pot are the first steps in gaining a good poker strategy and having a consistent online poker strategy is the best way to keep yourself on the winning side more often than not.

If you are looking to get into online poker, knowing how to play poker is the first step but not everything. Online gambling is a whole different ball of wax than any other type of gambling that a person could do. When the lights, the drinks, and the people are not fazing you it is possible to come up with a whole new kind of focus and it can actually boost a person's chances of winning if they don't do well in the traditional poker setting.

If you are looking for a bit of extra help, there are online poker strategy guides all over the web if you know how to look. Strategy guides are available on the web for just about any type of poker a person could think of to want to play, with tips and extra hints on how to play the game and maybe even win while you're at it.

You don't have to be a card shark to learn the ins and outs of online poker. Strategy is key and sticking to your strategy is half the battle. Many of the web based strategy guides can help you to learn new hints and tips for the game even if you call yourself an old pro at poker. Keep in mind that when it comes to poker somebody you are playing with is always going to be better than you or at least on your level as far as skill goes, so no matter how talented you think you are there is always room for improvement.

So, what are you waiting for? If online poker is something you want to try, online poker strategy guides are all over the web and can really help you get started on your path to online poker success. Don't think you will always win, especially when you are just starting out with the strategies you have picked up along the way, and remember to have fun and gamble sanely. After all, nothing kills your online poker strategy more than losing all of your money in your very first game.

Have fun with your online poker strategy and try to win some money, but don't put in more than you can afford. Remember that online casinos feed off of your lack of knowledge about poker, but with the appropriate strategy, you don't have to let them.

Learn how to play poker the way the professionals do and start winning more online poker tournaments with winning online poker tips that the pro poker players don't want you to know by visiting http://www.winningonlinepokertips.com/. A poker site designed to improve your Texas Hold'em playing ability.

Learn Poker - Become the Best Sit-N-Go Player

Becoming a great poker player isn't easy, especially constantly winning Sit-N-Go's. Most people start on free online poker sites such as bodog, pacific poker, poker stars, or full tilt poker. They play a bunch of poker freerolls and see what exactly these sites have to offer. Once you get the hang of poker, most people begin to deposit real money which turns into a life long journey of online poker.

Whether your journey becomes successful or not, really depends on how well you learn every aspect of the game. Knowing when to holdem, foldem, your poker odds, taking notes on each player, how to read your opponents hands, slow playing poker sets, and bankroll management to name a few you must KNOW in and out before you begin your life-long quest into making money playing poker. Most people do not make their money playing cash games or called on online poker sites ring games, they make it playing Sit-N-Go's. In a cash game, you think you have the best poker hands and you wind up getting destroyed by poker sets and you lose your whole bankroll in ONE hand. It can be frustrating and most people will go on Tilt and keep depositing over and over again until they are just flat broke. Now with Sit-N-Go's, if you run into a horrible bad beat you can ONLY lose a set amount, the buy in of the Sit-N-Go. Sit-N-Go buy-in can very, but the lowest ones around start at 2 dollars. If you are just starting out for real money, it's best to start in the 2 dollar Sit-N-Go's and work your way up to the 5 dollar ones as soon as you have ATLEAST 20-30 times the buy-in of that Sit-N-Go. The minimum bankroll you should have for 5 dollar Sit-N-Go's is $100.00. If you have ANYTHING less, stick to 2 dollar games! Many poker articles you read will tell you the exact same thing I am telling you, having the proper bankroll is a key to success at the poker tables.

There are many free online poker sites to practice poker, but it just isn't the real thing. People will honestly play different and go all-in with weak hands just cause they think it's funny because nothing is riding on the line. For you to experience real poker, the only way to go is REAL MONEY. Play money tables are to learn poker and understand the game if you don't already, but if you think play money poker tables are anything like real money you will have a rude awakening. Stick to your game plan, focus, and learn poker as much as you can. Find out which online poker rooms you are comfortable playing at and stick to one site. By sticking to one site, you will be able to take notes on players and see how they play because 99% of the time you will run into the same player again at the poker tables. Remember, have FUN and good luck!

Sean Moronse is a professional poker player. Visit his website and subscribe to his free ecourse on how to learn poker and texas holdem poker at http://www.SitNGoGenius.com

What Makes a "Good Poker Player?"

The game of poker is arguably the most popular aspect of modern gambling. The intricate skill level and variety of hands and strategies entice even the most seasoned players to get involved in the game of poker.

There are many considerations as to what makes a good poker player, but the core concepts in the gambling realm are similar. The things that make a good poker player are usually the things that will assist you in the world of gambling as a whole.

The first thing that makes a poker player good is probably the most agreed upon consensus with those involved in gambling worldwide: quick and accurate decision making skills. A good poker player will be able to think quickly and apply the decisions they make at the proper time to succeed in the game of poker. Almost comparable to a quarterback on a football team who must possess good decision making skills, a good poker player is put in a similar situation when gambling. They have to think on their feet and quickly. This is the single more important aspect of succeeding at gambling and becoming a good poker players.

Another aspect of a good poker player is the ability to change gears at a moments notice. Poker, like gambling as a whole, is always changing and when playing a poker game, things can change quickly and the ability to adapt with those changes is what makes a poker player good.

Yet, another consideration of gambling, especially in particular poker, is knowing the game - really, really knowing the game. A good poker player or gambling enthusiast in general, will know all of the ins and outs of the game. They will know poker history, popular poker players, online poker rooms, different hands, strategies and more. A good poker player will study the game of poker like a craft and cultivate it accordingly. The good poker players are the people who have a genuine love of the game and have an acute desire to continue to learn developing trends in poker and in gambling as a whole.

Finally, a good poker player will posses the most amount of confidence a human being can have. Gambling requires not only brains, but confidence and poker is no exception. Some of the world's best poker players win because they are confident in their decisions and don't second guess themselves. Confidence will make a good poker player as surely as any of the other traits mentioned above - but the combination of all of the skills makes a good poker player and a great student of gambling as well.

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Every Poker Player Has to Start at the Beginning

Every poker player should know that you have to start at the beginning.

So, you are a beginner at playing poker; well, we all have to start some place. Even the professional poker player had to be a beginner at one time. Like the rest of us, you just have to start playing.

Maybe you have watched the World Series of Poker (WSOP) on TV, maybe you've read some of the poker books, maybe you've been to a casino and stood at the rail of a poker room or maybe you have played a little free Internet poker.

But the best way to learn how to play poker is in a live ring game for real money!

Now, you are about to jump feet first into the poker waters. You are at the casino poker room and they have just seated you at a table. You mumble, "Hi," to the dealer and other players. Your hands are clammy, there's sweat on you upper lip and you feel light headed. (Yeah, we've all been there.)

You are somewhat overwhelmed and a bit shy about sitting down at the poker table. You don't know what to expect and are having self-doubts. "Are the other players going to run all over me?," you think to yourself, allowing your own hype to intimidate you.

Oh no, here comes the first hand. You look at your hole cards, studying them to make sure you know what you have. The Ace and Jack of Hearts. Now if only you could remember what all the poker books say about good starting hands. Am I supposed to raise? You just call.

The flop comes King of Spades, Ten of Hearts, and Four of Hearts. Wow, four to a straight and four to a flush. You are trying to look nonchalant but your heart beats faster. You call the bet.

The turn card is the Jack of Spades. "Okay, not too bad; at least I have a pair," you say to the little poker player inside of you.

The dealer discards, and what seems like slow motion, lays down the river card. The nine of Hearts! You have the nut high flush.

"Check raise, check raise, check raise," your mind is screaming.

"No, no. I can't do that. I'm just a beginner. What do I know?," says the scaredy- cat. So, you just place the required bet.

The only player left in the hand raises. What could he have? You stare at the cards on the board; you check the cards you hold. All the players are looking at you, waiting to see what you will do.

From somewhere you hear your voice squeak, "Re-raise."

Your opponent calls the re-raise and shows a King-high straight. You turn your cards over and the dealer declares, "Winner, Ace-high flush", pushing the pot your way.

As you stack up the chips, you hear the losing player grumble, "Beginner's luck."

Gee, this poker playing stuff is easy. Shuffle up and deal!

I started playing poker when poker wasn't cool. My family always played card games so poker came naturally. I am not a pro by any means; I'm an average person just like you who likes to play all types of poker; although Texas Hold'em is my favorite. My only "claim to fame" is that I have played for many years and in all kinds of venues. My philosophy is: Poker Knowledge = Poker Skills = Poker Wins. I'll leave you with this thought, "There are no perfect poker players; only those of us humbled souls who strive to be".

You can read more of my poker articles at http://www.pokerplayershouldknow.com

This site is about poker games, strategies, rules, advice, tips, terms, hands that a poker player should know to learn how to play poker, gain poker skills and win at poker.

Kirill Gerasimov - Russia's Top Poker Player

At a young age of 35, Kirill Gerasimov has reached a level of popularity that many aspiring poker players have dreamed of. This young poker player was born in Moscow and used to be an insurance salesman. Whether or not that day job had any bearings on his poker skills, it is clear that Gerasimov is one of the more well known members of the poker world.

Gerasimov's success as a poker player is nothing short of phenomenal. In his own country, poker is not the popular game it is in the US. However, he became interested in poker and is now probably the only "real" professional poker player in all of Russia. Perhaps the most instrumental thing to have influenced his interest and success in poker was when he read Super/System by Doyle Brunson. I am sure that this poker Hall of Famer would be glad to know how he influenced another to become one of the most famous young poker players of today.

After reading this classic poker book, the young poker enthusiast's skill just shone. Whether it was because of the book or he was simply talented, Gerasimov showed that he had what it takes to be a successful poker player. He claims that his greatest strength as a poker player lies in his ability to read people. Indeed, this is one of the best talents that any poker player can possess. As one poker great once said, poker is a game of people played using cards. If you have the ability to read people and how they will behave, then you have a definite advantage over the other players sitting around the table.

However, Gerasimov continues to say that though he has this edge, it means nothing when he plays online. True enough, the dynamics of the game changes totally when you play online. Though there are still ways in which you can read players, the interaction is just so different that one simply cannot apply the same principles online as those one uses when playing face to face poker. Gerasimov acknowledges this and in fact praises online poker as it has helped improve his other skills. For those who prefer to play only one form of the game and not the other, you might want to ponder on Gerasimov's statement that online poker has helped him develop his game to produce a more robust all around game.

Gerasimov started playing in poker tournaments all over Europe in 2001. It wasn't till 2003 when he made his first final table at the World Series of Poker. In the following years, 2004 and 2005, he made final tables and won money as well. However, he has yet to win a WSOP bracelet. He has also made final tables and money finished in the World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour though he does not have titles in either. Being at the young age he is at present, it would not be far from reality for him to earn a bracelet or a title in the near future.

Paul Graham is a poker enthusiast, a writer, researcher, speaker, and consultant. You can visit his blog and sign up free to get blog updates by email, along with game winning tips, tested poker strategies, the latest poker news, free poker tools, additional resources, and a whole lot more! Go now to http://www.SmokePoker.com and you'll also receive a Free Poker Bot for streamlining and automating your poker play, as a thank you for visiting!

How You Can Succeed As a Professional Online Poker Player

So, you want to learn to become a professional online poker player? Well, there are a few steps you must take first and a few poker strategy tricks you must learn before you can realize that easy dream of becoming a pro online-poker player.

In recent years, many people have made the decision to leave their full time jobs and even drop out of college in pursuit of becoming a professional online poker player. This task is not nearly as hard as one would think, if you have the discipline to adhere to certain poker strategy techniques and apply them to your game.

Many professional online poker players will tell you the hardest part to overcome is building a bankroll while trying to avoid constant bad beats in poker. Since many poker sites using a randomizer makes it more difficult to win, especially from novice players, a certain online poker strategy must be used.

Although constant bad beats in poker are a fact of a professional online poker player's life, by keeping a steady and disciplined approach toward your poker strategy, you can avoid those constant bad beats in poker and win cash for your account.

Whether you are playing in a poker cash game or tournament, you want to stick to the methods of a professional online poker player and keep from going on tilt. The best poker strategy is to approach becoming a professional poker player as a business venture. As a business, you will have up days and down days, just like any business.

Even the prolific pro Tom 'durrrr' Dwan has admitted to losing as much as $1 million in a day. However, applying the correct poker strategy to your game will cushion you against major losses and allow you to continue in your career.

For the best advice, to become a professional online poker player and win cash for your poker account, play each tournament or poker cash game with the intention of making a profit. Do not play for fun or entertainment, and definitely do not play when you are on tilt (upset or mad).

Find the best poker strategy that works well with your style of game and apply the methods of other professionals to excel in your career choice. Learning from other pros in the field is perhaps the absolute best poker strategy you can apply to your game.

It only takes one or two great wins in an online-poker cash game or tournament to propel your poker career to the top. Therefore, use proven and steady discipline to advance your game and learn as much as you can from other professional online poker players who have already made it! Good Luck!

Get a free copy of the Ebook "How to Succeed as a Professional Online Poker Player with in-depth techniques and tricks for winning online poker. The book contains poker strategy and insights from several online poker professionals.

Paul Westin is a professional Poker player and has written several books and articles in trade magazines about online poker, including the award winning Online Poker Code Crack.

Player Profile: 2005 Winner of the World Series of Poker

One of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the brick and mortar world in the 21st century (and previously as well) is the World Series of Poker. The event draws thousands of enthusiastic poker players from the world over each and every year. Indeed, the 2005 World Series of Poker features over 5,600 dedicated participants.

The winner of the World Series of Poker 2005 tournament was Joe Hachem. In winning in the World Series of Poker tournament in 2005, Hachen took home a record breaking prize of $7.5 million.

Brief Bio: Joe Hachem

Hachem is garnering the reputation as being one of the best poker players anywhere in the world. This perception of Hachem actually began to take hold even before his historic winnings in the 2005 World Series of Poker tournament. Many poker experts believe that Hachem will remain a force to be reckoned with on the tournament circuit for years to come.

Hachem was born in March, 1966, in Lebanon. As a boy, he moved with his family to Melbourne, Australia. (Australia remains his home today.)

Prior to taking up professional poker, Hachem was a practicing chiropractor in Australia. He saw patients until about a decade ago when he developed a rare blood disease that prevented him from effectively working with his patients. At that time, and in order to kill time, he took up playing poker as a hobby. According to a number of interviews he has given over the course of the past couple of years, he never envisioned the day that he would be playing poker professionally -- let along winning a large scale tournament like the World Series of Poker.

Hachem is married and has four children.

Joe Hachem and His Career as a Professional Poker Player

Prior to taking home the coveted World Series of Poker prize, Hachem played poker for a mere ten years. As mentioned, he took up poker at that time as a means of passing the time.

2005 actually marked Hachem's first turn at play in the World Series of Poker. While it certainly is not heard of for a person to win such a large tournament his first time in the door, Hachem is marking territory as a very formidable player in the 21st century.

Hachem is the first Australian who has won the United States based World Series of Poker, although not the first non-U.S. citizen to take home the first place prize.

Joe Hachem and Online Poker Playing

Although Hachem is making his mark in the poker tournaments of the brick and mortar world, he has set his sites on the world of online gaming and poker playing. According to Hachem himself: "I started in casinos (in the brick and mortar world). But, in the past two years, I've been playing online a lot."

Hachem made his remarks following his victory in the 2005 World Series of Poker competition. Hachem joins a growing number of poker professionals who have cut their card playing teeth in casinos the world over who are becoming more heavily involved in online poker playing and Internet based poker tournaments. At this point in time, Hachem spends at least some time each week playing poker online.

Hachem and other well known professional poker players are joining the literally thousands of men and women who are taking up poker playing online each and every year. With the tremendous rise in the number of people taking part in online poker, even large casino operators like Harrah's are getting into the game. (Harrah's has announced its intention to play a large role in the online casino market -- including poker -- on into the future.)

A growing number of poker enthusiasts (both professional and amateur) envision the day when online poker tournaments will in fact carry with them hefty prizes like the multi-million dollar purse offered in the World Series of Poker in 2005. Indeed, some insiders from the world of professional poker suggest that the day when Internet based tournaments will match the prizes found in the brick and mortar world is not all that far off.

At the present time, Hachem intends to continue playing poker professionally. (When not at the table, Hachem owns and operates a brokerage firm in Australia. He has no immediate plans to end that particular business despite his great success in poker in 2005.)

Hachem intends to continue to play in high profile tournaments -- both in the brick and mortar world and online.

According to interviews with Hachem his family remains the focus of his life. When asked what he sees himself doing down the road, he has replied simply (in multiple interviews):

"Look after my family, my mum, my kids."

Certainly, it goes without saying that a bright future is in the cards for Joe Hachem.

A regular tournament player who contributes to sites dealing with a variety of poker games both online and off, visit Matthew’s site at [http://www.playrealpokeronline.com] for the latest news and articles on America’s favorite card game.

Professional Texas Holdem Poker Player Stress Relief - The Home Poker Room Solution

Anyone who has ever played Texas Holdem poker online, in casinos or even at home with friends feels pressure when engaged in playing a big hand. Your heart beats a little faster and a knot forms in your stomach. Depending on the size of the wagers or the size of the pot, your muscles might tense up, hands may start to tremble and you may even begin to perspire. These physical symptoms occur in novice and intermediate players when involved in relatively small pots. Imagine the pressures that professional poker players experience while playing high stakes poker games where huge amounts of money are at stake. Add to this scenario television coverage or a large live audience where your every decision and move is being analyzed and second guessed by the audience and the commentators. At stake is not just a large amount of money, but also your reputation as a poker player. Now that's pressure!

In the early days of televised professional Texas Holdem poker, players were fitted with heart monitoring devices that allowed their heart rates to be displayed throughout a poker tournament. It was amazing to watch how heart rates of these professional players soared as the cards were turned and the players tried to maintain a calm and relaxed facade. It was not uncommon to see heart rates soar from the low 70's beats per minute to 140 beats per minute and higher. In the course of a high stakes or a high profile poker tournament, the professional poker player undergoes these types of stresses repeatedly throughout long days over the course of several days. The physical and mental pressures are enormous. Human beings cannot continue to experience these extreme pressures for a prolonged period of time without potential threats to their physical health. Poker players require down time between events to relax and get away from the pressure.

Like any other professional athlete, the professional poker player needs to continue to practice his or her trade even during down time to keep their skills sharp. Professional golfers may return to their home course and play some "friendly golf" with their friends. Pro basketball players take the opportunity to play a little one-on-one or three-on-three for "burgers" with their buddies at the school yard. Athletes in all sports have similar outlets that allow them to engage in their sport at a fun level but with sufficient motivation to work on their skills and to even try to develop something new.

A home poker game room offers professional poker players the same sort of fun and relaxed environment to play a little "fun" poker with friends. It provides the opportunity for face-to-face interaction buddies where the pro players can work on their poker persona and on controlling the physical manifestations of the stress that they encounter during high stake and high stress poker. Building a fun, comfortable home poker room with the necessary equipment and proper decor to create the right mood and atmosphere requires good planning and the best professional quality poker supplies.

The first major component of a first class poker room is the poker table. This table needs to be a full size, casino grade table with all the amenities that are necessary to ensure optimum player comfort. Padded arm rests and a padded table top with casino quality speed felt would be mandatory comfort considerations. Proper lighting is important to ensure that eye strain and eye fatigue do not become factors that will affect the comfort needs of players during prolonged periods of poker play. The chairs selected must also be capable of providing optimum support and comfort for extended periods of time.

Top quality clay poker chips and playing cards are required to ensure a professional mood and atmosphere. To keep the poker game running smoothly with blind and ante increases occurring automatically and on time, a quality timing system is required. Finally, the home poker room decor should have a decorative theme that creates a comfortable, inviting setting. In this environment the interaction can be fun and relaxed but with enough structure and atmosphere to provide good competition.

A well planned poker room with professional quality poker supplies can be a great environment for the professional poker players to relax and recharge their batteries between big events. It can be equally valuable to novice and intermediate poker players who may aspire to greater things, to improve their poker skills and strategies in a low-risk but professional quality environment.

For Texas Holdem poker information, poker quotations and a complete line of top professional poker supplies that will enable you to build your own Texas Holdem poker room and meet all your other poker supply needs at great discount prices, visit our website at http://www.holdempokersupplies.com today.

Why Do I Lose At Poker? 5 Tips That Will Turn You Into A Winning Online Poker Player!

There is far more to online poker than deciding which cards to play. This article is for people asking the question Why Do I Lose At Poker? The good news is that asking this question is the first step on the road to becoming a winning player! Below are 5 areas that every poker player should consider in their efforts to become a winning player.

Why Do I Lose At Poker? Tip #1: The Importance of Bankroll Management

Every online poker player experiences winning and losing sessions. What differentiates the long term winners is good bankroll management. The natural variance of poker play means that you are likely to hit 'downswings' of several buy-ins for the game you play. If you are playing with a large percentage of your bankroll in a single game then just one downswing could wipe out your entire bankroll.

Winning online poker players ensure that they only have a small percentage of their bankroll at risk in any one game. Good rules of thumb are 5% (1/20th) for cash games and 2% (1/50th for tournaments). To some this may seem overly conservative - but players who manage their poker bankroll well are statistically less likely to go broke!

Why Do I Lose At Poker? Tip #2: The Importance of Site and Table Selection

Not all online poker sites are equal in terms of the skill level of the opponents you will face. Some sites are the home of many internet poker professionals who each play many tables at once - meaning that you are likely to be playing against a high ratio of winning players compared to average or losing players. Read poker room reviews and ask questions on poker forums - no matter what your current skill level there is a right poker site for you out there somewhere.

Table selection is also an important aspect of explaining why people lose at poker. Winning players routinely take the time to select the tables with the weakest opponents, this in turn translates directly into poker profits. Before you sit at the first available table ask yourself whether waiting just 5 minutes might result in finding a more profitable spot.

Why Do I Lose At Poker? Tip #3: Psychological Factors

Losing poker players often exhibit some of the following characteristics:

- Playing when tired, unwell or even drunk.

- Tilting, either through anger or frustration.

- Playing while watching TV, Surfing the Net or chatting on IM.

- Playing too many tables, especially with different games simultaneously.

- Playing when you 'know you will lose'.

To become a winning poker player you need to be focused, disciplined and mentally fresh - after all winning online poker is all about making correct decisions. Next time you sit down to play when tired (for example) ask yourself whether you are in the best frame of mind to win. If the answer is no then find something else to do and come back to the poker tables fresh - your results will improve dramatically.

Why Do I Lose At Poker? Tip #4: Bonuses and Incentives

Many online poker rooms offer bonuses and incentives for their players. Winning players make sure that they optimise their share of these offers. Simple tips include signing up for more than one poker room to take advantage of more bonus offers and ensuring that your VIP club level is as high as possible. While bonuses will not make you a winning poker player on their own they go a long way to protecting you from downswings and building up your online poker bankroll.

Why Do I Lose At Poker? Tip #5: Never Stop Learning!

This is the single most important tip for anyone asking why they lose at poker. The online game is a dynamic environment - the amount of quality training material available means that the average skill level of opponents is increasing all the time. If you stop studying the game you are liable to be left behind very quickly indeed. Winning players look for 'leaks' in their own play as well as learning poker strategy. Make sure you dedicate some time to this area, you will see the results as your bankroll grows.

GL at the tables, Mark

Mark Holland is an online poker pro, Poker Blogger, and writer for high-quality poker websites.

For great strategy tips to boost your poker profits today visit SNG Planet - you'll find fantastic Online Poker Strategy Tips and Articles right there!