Monthly Archives: August 2022

August 1, 2022Poker Strategy

Read any beginners poker book. Early in the text, right after the ranking of poker hands, youre likely to see the age-old rule against drinking alcohol while playing poker. Youll be warned about demon rum and its deleterious effect on your game. Youll be soberly advised not to imitate the scenes out of the old Westerns, where the seasoned cowboy swigs some red eye while playing yet another hand of 5-card draw. Dont be like that youll be told.

To be sure, there are many good reasons to follow this basic rule. Alcohol, in all its forms, is a sedative. It interferes with your best judgment, unleashes your emotions, makes you tired, and, in general, hinders your ability to play your best game. For some, alcohol is also dangerously addictive.

Because of this, it wouldnt be wrong for many people poker players or otherwise to avoid alcohol altogether.

That said, its also true that some poker rules are meant to be broken, at least occasionally. And heres why this one, about staying booze-free at the table, has its exceptions:

Lets say youve been invited to a home game. Its a $1/2 game with no cap on the buy-in a casual affair set up by some friends from work.

Things are just getting started as you arrive, with just taking their seats. Theres a grill going, people are having a great time, and the host asks if youd like a beer or something harder as he points you to a cooler and motions to a bar. Sure enough, all of the other players are either sipping a cocktail or have a beer in front of them at the table.

In this situation, it would be best if you had a beer, too, unless, of course, youre an alcoholic, pregnant, or have some other personal reason for abstaining. So long as its not just because youre playing poker.

The idea is to fit in. You dont want to appear to take the game too seriously. If you ask if theres a Red Bull, coffee, or water, you run the risk of drawing attention to yourself something you dont want to do in this extremely casual place.

This is especially true because your style of play and expertise (and probably results) will already tend to set you apart and alert people to your poker skill. Its not so much that you want these folks all to become your friend. But by seeming to take the game so seriously that youre not willing to drink with everyone else again, not including recovering alcoholics, pregnant people, or conscientious abstainers you increase the chance that your opponents will adopt a more serious or cautious style of play around you.

I know many players who have developed the skill of nursing a beer. They hardly consume much alcohol at all, but dont look like they are trying to avoid it. Thats the key.

Just as alcohol tends to be a lubricant for conversation by lowering inhibitions, it also tends to be a catalyst for gambling as alcohol often erodes a players plans to be strategic and careful in their approach to the game. While imbibing alcohol may not be good for your game, its often very good for the game itself.

Ive found that ordering a drink myself can encourage others to do the same. Especially at my own home game, if I have a drink it tends to give others a green light to ask whats on tap. On the other hand, if I start out with a seltzer, water, coffee, or some energy drink, some of my more observant guests are likely to follow my lead and instead of a loose and friendly game, were in for an all-night nit-fest.

Ive even heard visiting players say to me, when Ive popped open a Sam Adams, as long as youre drinking, Ill have something too. Similarly, upon noticing my non-alcoholic beverage, they have commented, Oh, its one of those kinds of games as they eschewed the freely offered alcoholic beverages to grab water instead.

Your goal here isnt to encourage your friends and competitors to get wasted and lose all sense of reason. But if you can help foster a friendlier, looser atmosphere at the table, thats the sort of environment that has players wanting to come back regardless of whether they win or lose.

So help set a tone for gambling, maybe a little more than usual. Its a friendly game of poker, sure, but doesnt mean you dont want to come out ahead at the end of the night.

If, for biological, sociological, or religious reasons youre a teetotaler, far be it for me to encourage you to take up a new addiction. But if you refrain from alcohol for strategic reasons, or because youre concerned that alcohol will have a negative effect on your best poker game, let me suggest that there are times when you can loosen up. Im not saying you should start pounding them down. But a little bottoms up may help your bottom line.

Written by

Ashley Adams

Venerable grinder, 7-stud enthusiast, host of "House of Cards Radio" and author of Winning Poker in 30 Minutes a Day (D&B Publishing, 2020).

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Poker Rules to Be Broken: In Defense of Drinking at the Table - CardsChat.com

LAS VEGAS (KTNV)A Las Vegas local made a trip to The Orleans Hotel and Casino hell never forget on Friday.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, is a regular at The Orleans who hit Boyd Gamings regional linked Pai Gow Poker progressive jackpot for a payday of nearly $340,000, Boyd Gaming shared in a press release.

He was playing Face Up Pai Gow Poker with his wife late Friday afternoon when he hit a seven-card straight flush (two to eight of spades with a joker), capturing a Pai Gow Poker progressive jackpot of $338,703.99. He also placed a dragon bonus side bet that won him an additional $5,000, Boyd Gaming says.

Six Boyd Gaming destinations are participants in the companys regional linked Pai Gow Poker progressive, including:

By offering the Pai Gow Poker progressive at multiple destinations citywide, players have a shot at winning a much larger jackpot than individual properties could offer, Boyd Gaming says.

Friday's win is the first Pai-Gow progressive jackpot since July 2021, when a lucky player won a $119,000 prize at The Orleans.

RELATED: Las Vegas man hits jackpot at The Orleans hotel-casino

Boyd Gamings Pai Gow Poker progressive jackpot has reset at $75,168, a company spokesperson said.

OTHER RECENT JACKPOTS

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Las Vegas local hits $338K Pai Gow poker progressive jackpot at The Orleans - KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas

As a result of the rise of different streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon Prime, finding a TV show has never been easier.However, its never been harder at the same time.

Hicks Law states that the more choice we are faced with,the harder a decision becomes and this is probably best exemplified by the hours of browsing you can end up doing on a streaming platform.

There is no sure-fire way to choose a new TV show,but narrowing down your options will certainly help. Picka theme youre interested in,perhaps relating to your hobbies or genres you find most entertaining.

In this article, weve chosen the theme of gambling, which has been used frequently as the topic for multiplefilms and TV shows. Poker, in particular, has become so popular that the offer of online casino promotionshas become a staple for many providers. Its now possible to get free chips when you deposit a certain amount on a live casino game, for example. And that popularity is arguably what led tothe show Poker After Dark. It originally aired in the 2000s and remains a great watch for anybody interested in gambling.

Unlike a lot of other TV shows, Poker After Dark doesnt lean on the action and tension that comes with high-stakes gambling on-screen. Rather, it entertains its viewers by diving into the history of different poker games and gambling. Here, youre going to pick up new tips and tricks for different casino games and will also learn about how certain poker strategies became famous and when they should be used.

The show had a particular format that was enjoyable by many because it expandedupon everything that we originally thought we knew about the game. Though luck plays a large part, when you begin to dive deep into the different strategies that are availablethe number of different ways to play games is astounding, and Poker After Dark explained them in great detail.

The format particularly stands out in the modern age as there are a large number of people who enjoy playing on online poker websites. This means the number of people that have an interest in the game is higher than there was when it originally aired, helping the show keep its credibility and relevance in a way thata lot of other TV programs were unable to.

When it comes to choosing a TV program that centres around poker and casinos, it can be hard to find options that actually revolve around the game rather than those which create a storyline surrounding it. Poker After Dark is a great option if you would like to learn about different tips and strategies surrounding gambling games. The amount of variation that comes with different games and the strategies that players can implement are all explored in a way that few other TV programs have properly done.

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Why Is 'Poker After Dark' One of the Best TV Programs for Casino Lovers? - Entertainment Focus

I thought Id have a bit of fun when out shooting the street, so I started naming my street compositions according to winning hands when playing cards. So from a truly exceptional hand (a brilliant composition filled with complexity) to the simplest card (a simple snapshot of a straightforward subject).

Taken in Kolkata at the famous flower market. Id been going there most days during my week-long stay in the city and one early morning, as I walked under the motorway bridge, this image presented itself to me: beautiful light, almost biblical, and against all common compositional rules in street photography, with the main figure in the center being camera aware. I took just a couple of frames before the grouping split apart.

Its definitely one of those places that you know one day is going to reward you, and after 5 years and over 20 visits, it certainly paid dividends!

Taken again in Kolkata at the Kalighat Kali Temple. Again I knew this background well and visited it many times and have kept doing so since, but on this one occasion, the three different compositions all came together. And then, to complete the photograph, an Indian lady with a red sari walked through the image filling the space to the left. This composition splits the frame into three or four smaller ones, each with its own story: its one of the street photography techniques that can yield great images.

An image taken in Dawei, Myanmar. This was one of those great photography adventures, originally flying into Yangon and then taking a prop plane all the way down to Myeik to then work our way back every few days via Ye, Dawei, and Mawlamyine, taking in the beautiful cultures found well off the beaten track. Im looking forward to going back someday when the borders re-open to rekindle our memories.

Wed made our way into one of the many monasteries in Dawei where I found this great background with four kids just chilling and a dog lying on the stairs, I stayed there for about 15 mins as the scene developed with dogs wandering through the picture and waited till the whole composition came together.

Taken on a photography course in Dallas called Foundation Workshop, probably the best course Ive ever attended, with two of my mentors being Pulitzer prize winners: Deanne Fitzmaurice and Greg Gibson. It was probably one of the first layered images I set out to take.

Taken in the fish market in Yangon.

Taken in Jodhpur.

An image with a group of three and a group of two taken in Kolkatas vegetable market. The key to the picture is background selection and then waiting for the elements to come together, such as heads in spaces and a natural decisive moment between the group of 3. This is one of the fundamental street photography techniques to get a successful shot: work the scene, compose ad wait for it to develop.

This image is also taken in Kolkata.

Street Scene Kolkata

The Flush: five people come together. Taken in Dawei on the beach where we were practicing putting heads in the sky and shooting thru creating natural frames. I shot a lot of frames for this image on my Sony A9 and 35mm lens to make sure the ball was captured in its own space.

Five similar people in a group. Taken in Kolkata around the Sudder Street market area. The photo above was a gift with three guys leaning chatting on a poster wall, whereas in the below image the group in the foreground was stationary with a great background and it was a case of waiting for someone to fill the gap. I got the added bonus of a random hand.

A bar in Myanmar.

Three workers in Hanoi central park.

Kolkata Flower Market. Its often fun to challenge yourself and look for different items with one of these street photography techniques of shooting through along with keeping all their heads in spaces. I noticed a lot of the bikes had these huge saddles so tried on several occasions to use the large spring to shoot thru, and patience rewarded me.

I noticed the guy reading the paper and that it was acting as a reflector pushing the light back into his face. I acknowledged him and he let me continue shooting as I waited for the other two people in the temple to make a better composition.

Two men and his son repairing a bike in Yangon. As I approached the scene the kid jumped over his dad and used the wheel to almost hide behind making a great composition. All I had to do then was ensure that the childs eye wasnt obscured by the spokes of the wheel.

Sometimes you get lucky. I saw the scene from across the street so crossed over to take the photo and at that moment the cat got up and stretched out making a nice little addition to the three men.

Taken in Nagaland, not strictly street photography but we had arranged this adventure to visit and photograph some of the last headhunters alive. We were really lucky to witness them smoking opium.

Taken in the Kolkata Flower Market using the foreground subjects as a frame and waiting for the right shape to happen, allowing me to capture the secondary subjects behind

Taken in Camden Market relatively early in the day: I saw this great prop hanging from a glasses store so then waited for the right grouping to come into the frame.

A group of two people or a pair of hands. These character hands were spotted in Myanmar along with the twins in matching dresses.

Just a single great image or street portrait in the context of where the person is or what they are doing.

Taken in Kolkata.

Taken in Soho, London where I pre-focused on something at a similar distance, then just moved in and took the picture before he hastily moved on! Pre-focusing is another one of the street photography techniques that allow you to be unobtrusive and fast.

Part of a project I covered shooting speakers corner.

I hope this fun little exercise was interesting and inspirational to you. Happy shooting!

About the author: Mark Seymour is an award-winning wedding and street photographer based in the UK. He has over 30 years of experience shooting at over 1,000 venues across his nation. Seymour has shot for National Geographic and has his work displayed in The National Portrait Gallery in London. He also runs street photography workshops through Shoot the Street. You can find his wedding work on his website. This article was also published here.

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A Poker Hand Ranking of Street Photo Compositions - PetaPixel

Controversial opinion incoming poker hoodies are an excellent asset for any player.

Obviously, I am not alone in thinking that. However, I would wager to guess that there are more that would disagree with me. Were all entitled to our opinions, of course. The same applies to what we decide to wear to the table. Well, within reason.

Looking good can make you feel good. Feeling good can help you play better. Beyond these points, there are other practical cosmetic reasons why you should hood up before hitting the tables. Not with any old hoodie, of course.

What you wear is not usually something you must concern yourself with while playing on the best online casinos. But in person? What you wear can influence how others see you. And no game on earth requires the type of psychological nous that poker demands from its players.

Ill rank the four top poker hoodie types you should consider for playing in person. First, lets look at the best styles to wear when hitting the online poker rooms.

Top Poker Hoodies for Playing Online

If youre looking for the best hoodies for poker players but only intend to play online, Ive got some excellent news.

You have multiple options. You can wear a big, fluffy onesie with a pink wolf on the front, and no one will bat an eyelid. Well, none of your opponents, of course. After all, its not like they can see you, is it?

The two main reasons why poker players wear hoodies these days can be broken down into two categories practical and vanity. Where practicality is involved, we wear hoodies at the tables to limit the number of tells an opponent can potentially pick up on. But the main reason? To keep us warm!

Casinos can be cold. You dont want to end up like Frankie Carbone in the back of the meat truck in Goodfellas.

If you think freezing to death will almost certainly prevent any keen observer from reading your next move, youre pretty right and kinda wrong. But what good are those chips to you if you cant cash em in with Saint Peter?

As for playing online? Sure, utility prices have gone through the roof. If youre playing in winter, you dont exactly need a fashionable poker hoodie when youre playing in the top poker rooms on the net. You can wear anything that will do a similar job in keeping your temperature in line with other mammals.

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The sites above are a great place to try your luck against other poker players.

If youre killing it, you can wear whatever you want. Before you launch an assault on the world, just make sure to play at sites that are congruous to playing comfortably and safely. The ones above, which our poker experts recommend, are all 100% legal, trustworthy, and above board.

In addition to top bonuses for players, you can play various games and variants. Depending on your stake, youll find plenty of cash games and even some freerolls to get involved in. There is no dress code, either. So feel free to rock up in one of the top hoodies for poker players or that same Metallica/y-fronts combination that youve been rocking for the past week.

Well, Id suggest a shower and a change of clothing if it is the latter.

As someone who enjoys wearing the best poker hoodies for vanity reasons and the practical kind, looking good can help you feel good. Positivity can be a key factor in playing right. You might not have any designs on hitting the tables in a brick-and-mortar casino. But if youre crushing it, that might change.

And youre going to need an outfit to match your new ambitions.

4. The Unabomber Hoodie

Perhaps the most famous of all poker hoodies is Phil Laaks Unabomber.

Now. While the World Series of Poker bracelet winner has become synonymous with wearing hooded sweatshirts since breaking onto the scene, he has worn multiple versions over the years. I mean, who would have thunk it?

Dublin-born Laak first became prominent in February 2004 with a Celebrity Invitational win. This was around the time of the first global poker boom, which saw him and his peers gain world stardom. Its easy to understand why a guy named after one of the most infamous domestic terrorists of the 20th century would turn heads. Especially when dressed in the famous hoodie-shades combination.

I cant be sure if Laaks moniker was donned before or after his success at the tables. Yes, thats a halfhearted attempt at a joke

I am sure that Laaks style influenced many tryhards and upstarts. Im talking, of course, about his style of clothing. While I wouldnt rate Laaks the best poker sweatshirt of all time, others see the cultural significance of his hoodie as something to imitate. The good news is that you can get the look without shelling out big bucks.

While Laak has changed the style of the hoodie he has worn over the years, the original which some still see as the best is the Unabomber. And according to some sources, its just a gray Champion hoodie with the tags and markers taken off.

Of course, the style of hoodies back in the day are harder to come by. Even harder than a guy born in Dublin and raised in Massachusetts that wears a Union Jack cast. My brain cannot figure that one out. I guess he just took the entire unpredictable very seriously?

Anyway, Ive had a look and come across some new and older poker hoodies online, which could do the trick. Your call!

3. The Cheapo Poker Hoodie that Wont Break the Bank

The best poker hoodies dont have to cost an arm and a leg.

They can come in all shapes and sizes. Providing they keep you warm in the arctic temperatures of the casino floor and dont hinder how the rest of the table sees you, you could pick a solid one up for less than $25. And yes, Im serious.

Cheap doesnt always mean good, of course. But if youre a struggling young player looking to rock the enigmatic, mysterious look, they can be very cost-efficient. With more wins, you could raise enough funds to target the best poker player hoodies over a few hundred dollars. But who knows? You might think, Nah, Im good, and wear that sweatshop-made piece of crap as a self-identifying marker.

As your rise to the top begins to gather steam, you could even find your choice of clothing leads to other players creating nicknames on your behalf. In a matter of days, you might find yourself heading to your state courthouse with a change of name application for Cheapo Charlie, Thriftshop Tim, or, erm, Kenny.

Still, would you care? As long as you are winning, does it even matter what you are wearing?

Well, no. Not necessarily. But you might see how some people ask, Why do poker players wear hoodies? More to the point, why many will provide an answer that points toward it being down to vanity.

Sometimes that is the case, of course. Yet, one of the good poker habits to always keep in mind is to pay attention to other players. Part of that is analyzing what they are wearing. So, if youre not comfortable with the idea of playing poker in a cheapo hoodie, it might be time to consider the alternatives.

Moving on

2. The Midrange Priced Hoodie for Poker Players

There is a misconception that the top poker hoodies must be branded by a leading poker apparel company.

Nope. I have never found that to be the case. I havent found one dedicated hoodie for poker players that could transform my game. By that, I mean play better. After all, a hoody is just another piece of clothing. So, why shell out $200 when you get something to keep you comfortable and warm while giving you a sense of anonymity?

Thats not a knock on the top poker player hoodies, of course. But remember that many legends and high-level pros are gifted these items and even paid to wear them. You are not.

At least, I dont think you are. I mean, you could be Phil Hellmuth or Espen Jorstad. But I doubt it.

Anyway, what will a midrange-priced poker hoodie get you? Aside from a well-crafted fashion accessory, you will also benefit from feeling rather sharp while not dishing out silly amounts of cash for the privilege.

Best Hoodies in This Category

Multiple hoodies by the likes of North Face, Adidas, Nike, and more will serve the key purpose of wearing one in the first place.

You want to stay comfortable with a fit-for-purpose hood and drawstring. However, you dont want to overheat when things get a little testy.

Ever heard of Roots of Fight? They do some awesome clothing based on boxers and martial arts from the early 20th century. The quality of their stuff is excellent and doesnt break the bank.

My favorite piece of clothing I have from these guys is a red Sugar Ray Leonard hooded sweatshirt. I got it as a gift a few years ago, and it has been my top poker hoodie to wear when I am playing in-person games. It also goes well with my Ray-Ban glasses, so I dont look like a try-hard.

Not only does it feature my favorite boxer of all time on the front, but its mega comfortable. It has a great hood, drawstring, and large, deep pockets. It will keep you warm, but not to a level where you start overheating.

If you can find it, all the best to you. If not, you can see what other gems the company has out. If youre not the biggest fight fan or dont want to be associated with the companys gear, Id suggest looking at brands like North Face or Nike. Just make sure to choose from the best poker hoodies that are also fit for purpose.

Just dont forget to have a hood with deep pockets for all those chips youve collected!

1. The High-Priced Designer Hoodie

My list of the best poker hoodies you can buy will always include top-of-the-range designer brands.

But are you putting the likes ofGucci, Armani, and Louis Vuitton at number one? Isnt that about as braindead as it is predictable? Do I have any self-respect, you ask?

Well. Why bother with the crap when you can float onto the casino floor looking like 1.2 million dollars (adjusted for inflation)? As we have seen with every ostentatious rich person ever, wearing designer brands turns you into a philanthropist, shoots your IQ up about thirty points, and makes you better than everyone at pretty much everything.

Ah, but do hoodies make you better at poker? Potentially. Would a designer hoodie raise your poker game to unimaginable levels? Maybe. I mean, have you tried yet?

Lets reel things in a minute. I dont want anyone getting confused here. I am, of course, joking. Wearing an Armani hoodie to the poker table is unlikely to see you change from an average player to the next WSOP champion. Psychologically, though?

Yes, it could help. Youd feel as fresh as a spring daisy and look so awesome in the bargain.

Providing your carry yourself right and make sure to also have some crisp pants and shoes to match, youll be sending off the right vibes. Everyone will be too invested in your magnetism to pay attention to what they are doing. Before long, the entire casino will be glued to you and your table as chants of Jerry, Jerry, Jerry! ring out even though your name is Brian.

But you dont care. Youre dressed like a rock star and crushing it in the looks department. And thats all that matters, especially when you awake from your fantasy to find that youve been eliminated and have nothing left.

Money might not buy you happiness. That is true. But its much cooler to cry your eyes out in the bathroom of a casino when you are wearing a Louis Vuitton hoodie.

Much better than welling up in a cheapo hoodie that decided to divorce its zip over a dispute with your bulging waistline

What Makes the Best Poker Hoodies?

Like my treasured Ray Leonard piece, the best poker hoodies are ones that are practical and provide warmth.

At the same time, you want one that doesnt make you sweat faster than Prince Andrews body double in a sauna. While most casinos can be chilly places to sit around for hours on end, Ive also been to more than one that feels stuffy and overbearing.

Important

Remember, some casinos might not let you wear hoodies. Even if hoods are allowed, wearing those with political or offensive language might see you crap out before you can get in.

This is something that is often learned the hard way, so prepare to be challenged.

Finally, if you cant stand the thought of wearing a hoody, do not fret. You can always wear a shirt, a blouse, a suit, or a ballerina costume. Providing the casino has no rules against it, which you can check before you go, feel free to wear whatever you please.

If the idea of hoodies and the people inside bother you, there is another way of playing poker. That is, to get in on the action from the comfort of your own home. Or your partners. Or wherever, once you have a means to do so and an internet connection.

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Best Poker Hoodies to Wear in the Casino - Top 4 to Buy - Gambling Sites

Visitors check out a classic Chevy Bel Air convertible parked in downtown Minden for the 2021 Hot August Nights Poker Run.Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.

Participants in the annual Hot August Nights Poker Run will be in Minden on Thursday hoping to bolster their hand.

The Hot August Nights Poker Run stops at Minden Park for lunch between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Music, shaved ice, games and shopping and a lot of classic cars are on tap for the day.

Hot August Nights kicked off Friday and today in Virginia City with a cruise 4-5 p.m. both days.

Dubbed the largest nostalgic car show in the world with an upper participation of 5,500 vehicles from the 50s, 60s and 70s, and older.

Registration for the Reno-Sparks show is Saturday, and the official kick-off is noon to 10 p.m. at the Peppermill.

The full schedule is available online at HotAugustNights.net.

The Grand Finale Parade and Awards is Sunday.

A nonprofit organization, Hot August Nights, started as a way to drive tourism to the area during August while raising money for local charities.

Now, its considered an iconic special event for the region draws spectators and participants to Northern Nevada from around the world to participate in a variety of events including Show-n-Shines, controlled cruises, an auction, drag races and more, organizers said.

The classic cars run down to Minden for lunch is the only stop along the poker run where people stop and get out of their cars.

Last year the town signed a three-year contract to ensure the return of the event, which has visited Minden with a few breaks over the last 21 years, or nearly three-fifths of the 35 years the event has been active.

Members of the Valley Cruisers Car Club volunteer to deal cards and direct traffic.

The Poker Run comes eight days before the 2022 Main Street Event scheduled to start 4 p.m. Aug. 12 in Minden Park.

The Event presented by Mike Schiller is $25 for all vehicles and will raise money for the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club.

It features food and dancing on Esmeralda Avenue and around Minden Park.

For more information, call or text Schiller at 775-721-8686.

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Hot August Nights Poker Run in Minden on Thursday - The Record-Courier

Did you wish that the World Series of Poker had made it from your wish list to your To Do list this summer? Maybe you faced down one of those conversations that ends with the question asking you whether you could cope with bubbling a tournament and the inevitable crushing feeling that can come with such an eventuality.

One man who made his trip to Vegas happen and bubbled was GGPoker player Eric Raus. The recreational player, who works full time, was in play in a $1,000-entry WSOP event when he approached the money bubblewith no fear.

I dream of winning big just as anyone and will continue shooting my shots!

In the build-up to the 2022 World Series of Poker, Raus was one of several players who became a ClubGG member. With ClubGG running promotional paths through satellite qualifiers into events as prestigious as the WSOP Main Event, Raus could look forward to bubble protection. Specifically, being a member of ClubGG meant that if Raus went out of an event on the direct bubble then hed win entry into that tournaments corresponding 2023 event for free.

Rather than risking leaving for nothing like everyone else, $1,000 was his if he busted, as he eventually did. Raus, who also has strong live results in Choctaw and the Lodge Mystery Bounty Event too said that while it wasnt the result he wanted, he had a great time playing as he always does at the WSOP in Las Vegas.

I dont get many opportunities to travel for many of the great events year round so I have a greater appreciation for the times I do play, said Raus. Overall, its a great experience for me. I would consider [myself] a recreational player who enjoys the game for the experience and social aspects first and foremost. Obviously, with that said, I dream of winning big just as anyone and will continue shooting my shots whenever possible!

Raus first heard about the ClubGG Bubble Protection promotion after the fact, thinking it was a separate promotion rather than being inclusive of his ClubGG membership.

I happened to see it posted in the updates on PokerNews as I was following some friends who were still playing. I was a bit disappointed as I thought How I could I miss that? It was already disappointing enough to stone bubble and then to think I missed out on this great promotion.

Needless to say, Ill be keeping the membership!

It turned out that Raus was eligible and was a member of ClubGG so after GGPoker verified his credentials, they paid right out.

I indeed stone bubbled and they honored their promotion which was a great feeling afterwards. Most people wouldnt even bother following up, but they did, and Im satisfied with the result. Needless to say, Ill be keeping the membership!

In the heat of the moment, it was a great time to be had at the WSOP in Vegas. With everything on the line, the drama built.

The atmosphere was pretty entertaining as it got closer and closer to that magic number 591. Its funny because my friends were just outside the ropes since my table was fairly close to the middle aisle and they were rooting me on laughing because of how close it was and I was basically going to be all in blind on my big blind after losing an all in just a few hands prior.

With four hands before he was all-in blind, every hand Raus picked up was insta fold. The atmosphere on the rail was raucous, with Raus friends egging him on.

Anxiety was killing me at that point. It was fun until that moment I was called, and my opponent showed six-eight. I hadnt looked at my cards at that point and flipped them down hard as if I had a monster, which it turns out I clearly did not.

Long story short, Raus was rustled out of contention, and with the $1,000 entry fee, his $50 membership looked like amazing value.

As it turned out, I would say [it was] definitely great value, says Raus. In the event you can make it to Day 2 at least.

Raus enjoyed his time at the World Series of Poker so much he cant wait to go back and play again this time for free!

It was fun, and I cant wait to do it again!

Eric Raus will be back in action at the WSOP in 2023 as Las Vegas once again welcomes those with ClubGG and the ultimate protection not having to sweat the bubble in some of the most important events of the summer.

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Eric Raus on Beating the Bubble at the 2022 World Series of Poker - PocketFives

Though Hawaii is considered one of the worlds top destinations, many locals actually find themselves traveling to the mainland specifically, Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority reports that about 300,000 passengers fly from Hawaii to Sin City each year. Hawaiian residents are willing to pump millions of dollars into Nevadas economy because of one key thing: the casinos.

Hawaii doesnt have a single casino. In fact, tourists will discover that there arent even any poker rooms in the state, and this is because of the islands stand on poker itself.

Out of the 50 U.S. states, Hawaii is one of the two states that doesnt allow any form of organized gaming. This means that tourists wont find any race tracks, sports books, casinos, poker rooms, or even lottery sites across the islands.

But given that numerous Hawaiians fly out to Las Vegas for casinos, its no surprise that legislators have tried to legalize poker within the islands. Just last year, legislators pushed for the House Bill 383, which would have created a state commission for overseeing live poker rooms. Other legislators also tried to pass the House Bill 772, which would have permitted the establishment of a casino in the Hawaiian Convention Center, therefore allowing tourists to play live poker. However, these bills were deferred, so residents and tourists in Hawaii have to observe current prohibitions on poker and other forms of gaming.

Hawaii isnt the only state thats struggling to pass bills for both live and online poker. This list of poker legislation across the country shows that just over half of US states allow live poker while only six permit online poker, proving that Hawaiis strictness isnt isolated. Though several states are firm about gaming, lawmakers still make an effort to submit bills that can legalize either live or online poker within their own jurisdictions. As such, fans of poker can look into Hawaiis local legislation every year to check if you can finally play poker within the state.

How Can You Play Poker in Hawaii?

Due to Hawaiis firm stand on poker, its no wonder that Hawaiians often fly out to get a chance to play live poker. Boyd Gaming Corporation has even started to call the desert city the ninth island of Hawaii because of the number of Hawaiians that are drawn to Sin Citys casinos.

While youre free to fly to other states to play a game of poker, there are still a few ways to enjoy the game within Hawaii.

The state laws may prohibit organized gaming, but residents can still participate in social poker games. You can meet up with your friends and loved ones to play poker, as long as the game isnt held in a public establishment like a hotel or a restaurant.

If you want to play on your own, action-adventure games and other popular video game genres feature poker as a side challenge for players. Action-adventure video games have a strong emphasis on storylines, so games like Grand Theft Auto V and Watch Dogs feature mini poker games that allow in-game characters to carry out their missions or even win prizes.

Despite the number of locals who enjoy casino games like poker, it looks like Hawaiis strict regulations on gaming will continue. As such, poker fans in Hawaii may need to wait a little longer for poker legislations to be submitted and approved so that they can finally play and enjoy poker (and much more) in public.

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What You Need to Know About Poker Legislation in Hawaii - Hawaii Army Weekly

Terrifying footage captured the painful show of support as the shirtless man was branded by the hot iron. In the video, the man braced himself by leaning back against a piece of scrap metal, closing his eyes and holding onto his legs. The letter 'Z', which was branded onto him, has become a sinister symbol marking support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The video comes after a Ukrainian prisoner of war was mutilated and brutally murdered by Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun shared a now-deleted video on Twitter of the prisoner's genitals being cut off.

She wrote: "Russian soldier from Chechen battalion Ahmat cut off the genitals of Ukrainian POW.

"This is what Nazis are doing to Ukrainians.

READ MORE:MI6 boss exposes crisis for 'desperate' Putin - 1000s of troops dead

"Russia has to pay for it!

"Give Ukraine the weapons we need to stop this nightmare once and for all. The world can't pretend like this isn't happening!"

She later revealed that her account was banned by Twitter for the distressing content.

Ms Sovsun wrote: "witter banned my profile today. Because I posted a video where a Russian soldier castrates a Ukrainian POW.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba calls on the international community to condemn the brutal violation of international law by the Russian Federation and to immediately recognize Russia as a terrorist state

"He emphasised that any delay in this decision will only encourage Russia to commit further crimes and inhumane acts."

Russia has been accused of committing thousands of war crimes since their invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The International Criminal Court has described Ukraine as a "crime scene", sending its largest ever team to investigate.

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Russian man brands himself with hot 'Z' poker in show of loyalty to Putin - VIDEO - Express

BACK when he was at business school in Silicon Valley, Rishi Sunak would occasionally play poker.

The stakes werent high he and his mates would throw in $20 or so and the winner would treat everyone to a round of drinks.

1

Clean-living Sunak, a teetotaller whose day now begins with a gruelling 6am workout on a 1,750 Peloton fitness bike, was never a natural gambler.

Yet in recent weeks he has bet everything on succeeding Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

With his rival Liz Truss now widely tipped to win, he has just over a month to reverse his fortunes.

The question is how?

One things for sure: Continuing to focus on sensible, honest measures, to tackle borrowing and inflation on the promise of a return to traditional Conservative economic values some time in the distant future, wont work.

The majority of the 150,000 Conservative Party members who will decide the outcome of this contest are appalled by the historically high taxes Sunak imposed as Chancellor, and will not vote for more of the same.

His tin ear to the howls of dismay from traditional Tory voters over his high tax, high spend, low growth agenda something that dominates every single discussion among grassroots activists about the direction of this country has been a catastrophic mistake.

As Truss has so successfully demonstrated, all his rival needs to do is pledge the opposite, and keep the debate focused squarely on this issue.

To stand any chance of winning, the former Chancellor must now move the battle away from ground that hes already lost (the economy) on to territory that he can still win namely, how to re-shape Britain so that it remains one of the greatest countries on Earth. Like any politician asking for the honour of leading a country, he needs to sell a dream.

Without diminishing the cost of living crisis and the very real hardship it brings, he must argue that there is more to life than inflation and taxes.

He needs to paint a dazzling picture of Britain in 2025, 2030 and beyond: A land of opportunity for all, with faster growth, higher wages and less maddening red tape and regulation a Britain that has public services to be proud of and attracts the worlds brightest and best.

That vision should be of a truly United Kingdom that continues to exert massive influence on the world stage, a Britain no longer riven by Scottish, Welsh and Irish nationalism and divided by bitter culture wars. Sunaks Britain should no longer approach Brexit as a damage limitation exercise or source of slightly embarrassed regret, but as the brilliant opportunity it always was and remains.

In this battle for the biggest of all political prizes, Sunak has many advantages.

He is one of the most intelligent, able and hard-working politicians in this country: a Fulbright scholar with a first class degree from Oxford University.

He is charismatic, engaging and attractive and nice. I spent the best part of a year researching his life for a biography and found nothing to dislike.

When I was working on that project two years ago, he did not appear to have made a single enemy quite remarkable for a politician who had reached No11 Downing Street.

Like any politician asking for the honour of leading a country, he needs to sell a dream

Yet now his campaign is on the floor. His core team of around 20 volunteers most of whom are very young and working unpaid are putting in insane hours in an effort to turn things around, but are increasingly demoralised as they see his hopes of reaching the top job slip from his grasp.

Certain high-profile supporters while still publicly backing their man are so depressed that they are privately trying to cosy up to Truss.

(A former Cabinet minister who was among his earliest supporters recently sidled up to a leading representative of the Truss campaign and sought to position himself for a job under her premiership. Thats politics for you!)

All the snakes and knifers (as one Truss ally dubs them) who contributed to Johnsons downfall and backed Sunak just because they thought he was unstoppable are now staring in the face of political oblivion.

If she wins, Machiavellian Michael Gove whose political cloak always conceals a dagger looks finished.

Gone too will be Gavin Williamson, the cunning political operative who played a key role behind the scenes in the leadership campaigns of the last two Prime Ministers, and temporary Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi.

As for the former Chancellor himself, if he loses, he can expect to be offered a job running the Department of Communities and Housing, or perhaps the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs a prospect he will probably find easy to decline.

Victory now will take the political equivalent of an SAS operation: A parachute landing behind enemy lines in which a small group of highly trained operatives identify and ruthlessly target the enemys vulnerability and defy overwhelming odds to change the course of history.

Truss has yet to convey a compelling vision of the kind of Britain she wants to lead. Herein lies Sunaks big opportunity.

He should remember the skills he displayed as a poker player at university and dramatically raise the stakes.

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Poker player Rishi Sunak has to raise the stakes if he wants to become PM... - The US Sun