Monday, March 31, 2008

Jackpot Rewards

Jackpot Rewards is a new online rewards program that is the Web's best
place to win big, save big, and give big. Jackpot Rewards provides
consumers with the most cash back on online purchases as well as exclusive
deals and discounts. Members are automatically entered into three drawings
every week for Jackpots of over $100 Million, plus a $1 Million drawing
every Sunday in which a winner is guaranteed. In addition, by joining you
become part of the company's mission to advance the common good. Founded in
2007, Jackpot Rewards gives back by donating 50 percent of its profits to
charities that are dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and
educational opportunities of children across America and around the world.
Sound too good to be true? See for yourself at
http://www.JackpotRewards.com where you can win big, save big, give big
and dream big.
WIN BIG
Jackpot Rewards(TM) held its
first Jackpot drawing on Monday, February 25. As part of that drawing, 115
people qualified for the $1 million drawing that will be held this Sunday,
March 2 -- where one person will win a guaranteed $1 million Jackpot.
Sunday's drawing will be the best odds ever of winning a $1 million
jackpot.

"These are extremely good odds in comparison to those given in other
sweepstakes games and much better than any state lottery," said Richard
McGowan, Ph.D., a professor of statistics at Boston College and a
nationally recognized expert in gaming. "In fact, to my knowledge these are
the best odds ever to win a $1 million jackpot."
OTHER SWEEPSTAKES GAMES           Prize       Odds

Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes $1 Million 1 in 699,190,799
Lycos Lotto sweepstakes $1 Million 1 in 699,190,799
McDonald's Monopoly sweepstakes $1 Million 1 in 184,698,474
Mega Millions Jackpot 1 in 175,711,536
Powerball Jackpot 1 in 146,107,962


"On Sunday one person is guaranteed to win the $1 million jackpot,"
said Jim Miller, Jackpot Rewards' founder and CEO. "Think about what you
would do with $1 million -- pay off your mortgage, send the kids to
college, retire in style, or make one of your dreams come true. You have
never had a better chance to make your dreams come true. The bottom line is
everyone should be in this game."

Jackpot Rewards has drawings for jackpots of over $100 million every
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday -- and a guaranteed $1 million winner every
Sunday.
SAVE BIG
 Jackpot Rewards is the online shopping rewards program that puts the
most cash back in its members' pockets. The program's benefits include
Jackpot Shopping, which features the most cash back on more than 20 million
items at more than 550 of the most popular online retailers such as Apple,
Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Land's End and Target; and savings of up to 50
percent on the Deal of the Day and other exclusive deals and discounts.
Members can also list up to 10 classifieds that receive priority placement
at the top of every search result from more than eight million listings
from across the Web.
 Becoming a Member

Jackpot Rewards offers a free one-week trial with complete access to
all its membership benefits, including shopping discounts and deals, as
well as three chances a week to win Jackpots of over $100 Million, and the
chance to enter to win the weekly guaranteed $1 Million Jackpot. Ongoing
membership is available for $3 per week. Get ready to win big, save big-and
for the company to give big at http://www.JackpotRewards.com.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Online Blogger Poker Tournament

Texas Holdem Poker

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 6240795

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Playing on Ultimate Bet

Long time no post.... I will try to post much more often. Its tough with a toddler running around!
I have been playing on UB mostly. I have been playing the 10:21 PM $1 rebuy MTT alot, and $1 and $5 SNG's, and the .05/.10 ring games.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Daniel Negraneau Stacked for Playstation


I recently tried the playstation game "Danie Negraneau Stacked". The graphics are great, and it was neat to peek at my cards like in real life, and you can choose what emotion to display. But I must say I would much rather be playing for real money on multiple tables on the computer.

But it did get me thinking... wouldn't it be cool to combine the great PS graphics and the comfort of the living room couch and big tv with real money playing .... and what if one of the online rooms added the emotion/face feature to add another element to online playing?

Friday, June 30, 2006

Sure signs that you're broke!

Sure signs that you're broke!

1. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!"
2. Your idea of a 7-course meal is taking a deep breath outside
a restaurant.
3. You're formulating a plan to rob the food bank.
4. You've rolled so many pennies, you've formed a psychic bond
with Abe Lincoln.
5. Long distance companies don't call you to switch.
6. You look at your roommate and see a large fried chicken in
tennis shoes.
7. You rob Peter...and then rob Paul.
8. You finally clean your house, hoping to find change.
9. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment.
10. Your bologna has no first name.
11. You give blood everyday...just for the orange juice.
12. Sally Struthers sends you food.
13. McDonald's supplies you with all your kitchen condiments.
14. At communion you go back for seconds.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

100% RELOAD BONUS

Poker.com is offering a 100% reload bonus up to $500 thru June 30th. Use coupon code "VERSION3"

This is to celebrate the brand new Poker.com software version 3.

The new features are as follows:

New Game windows:

  • Allows you to play each table game in a separate window.
  • 2x2 grid mode allows you to play up to 4 games in the same window.
  • Maximized mode won't take over your Windows taskbar.
  • Each window is fully re-sizable.
  • True multi-monitor support.

Lobby and Games:

  • New "Players Online" indicator.
  • Preferred seating now available on all poker tables.
  • The long awaited "Bet Pot" button has been added.
  • Backgammon now available as play money trial.
  • All new emoticons, smilies and chat features.
  • Auto-login option will by-pass the login screen.

Comp Points:

  • Now awarded hand-by-hand instead of 15 hand blocks.
  • Now awarded for every raked hand.
  • Comp Points store is fully operational with more products arriving soon.
Poker.com was already 1 of my top 3 places to play because of their software, I can't wait to find some time to use the new version!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Deadwood Themed Poker

Dead Mans Hand at HBO's Deadwood website

Are you a great poker player? Think you can beat Al in a game? check out Deadman's Hand and see how good you really are.


Grab a seat at the Gem Saloon and Strike it Rich in a Game of Poker...You'll be lucky to walk out alive.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Dating Site for Poker Players

Find your own King or Queen, Date a poker player

PokerFaces.net gets renovated and re-launches as a unique dating site for poker players. This marrying of the 2 ideas creates a clever niche dating site where players can play poker and find love at the same time.


/24-7PressRelease/ - June 12, 2006 - Online dating has long been one of the most useful services to emerge from the Internet. It's popularity borne out of a new generation of people who are turning to the Internet to seek out love and romance.

People are running such busy lives in today's competitive society, that many have simply don't have the time or opportunity to find the perfect match.

Let's be honest, the same applies to poker players. You spend a lot of time on the tables or online and not enough time looking for true love!

For several years, PokerFaces.net has been an active portal site in the community of online poker. Through it's interaction with quality poker players and feedback which members have provided, it was felt that there was a need to re-invent the site as a fully fledged online dating site, specifically for poker players.

Identifying that the typical online poker player will spend hours playing poker online, PokerFaces.net aims to provide an online dating service that will bring players of similar interests together.

Players are getting together, and high profile couplings in the poker celebrity world has identified that players also have needs, other than winning tournaments.

What better way to enjoy your favourite game of poker than to do it with a lover by your side, perhaps even participating! Who knows, maybe even one day you'll go head to head at a tournament final!

The full service dating site provided by PokerFaces.net will have added benefits of having a growing selection of poker information as well. Articles on improving your game of poker are there as a part of their comprehensive poker school, containing also rules, probability studies and columns.

Furthermore, there are in depth reviews on the top online poker rooms, providing visitors with all the information they need at their finger tips. Reviews are the best way for players to get a quick opinion on a specific poker room.

Don't gamble on Love, let PokerFaces show you the way. http://www.pokerfaces.net

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Blackjack Kit great deal

Awesome deal on a blackjack kit...
Normally $79.99
now just $19.98 (a savings of 75%) Plus FREE SHIPPING...

Book Cover


Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Tim Mcgraw hosting charity poker tournament

Tim Mcgraw is hosting a charity poker tournament on November 3rd in Philadelphia.

Proceeds will benefit the Tug Mcgraw Foudation. Tug Mcgraw (Tim's Dad) died in 2004 after a battle with brain cancer, and the Tug Mcgraw Foundation was formed.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Daniel Negreanu's STACKED Poker Television Special to Air on MTV2 on June 2nd and on MTV on June 3rd

STACKED™ with Daniel Negreanu, has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America. A breakthrough Texas Hold ‘Em video game, STACKED steps to the table with a powerful hand of groundbreaking artificial intelligence, massive online multi-table tournaments and involvement from seven of the most celebrated professional poker players in the modern history of the game. Rated T for Teen by the ESRB, STACKED is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC, and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

In addition, MTV will be airing a half-hour special premiering on Friday, June 2nd at 9 PM on MTV2 and Saturday, June 3rd at 9 PM on MTV entitled, MTV Presents: STACKED Poker, to support the release of the highly anticipated title.

“STACKED is the perfect way for a beginner to learn poker,” said Negreanu. “It won’t disappoint the advanced players either, especially when they have to face off against me!”

“STACKED brings the excitement and strategy of professional poker into your home,” said Ken Woo, producer at Myelin Media. “Whether playing alone against the game’s realistic learning AI or online against real world opponents, you will feel the same exhilaration with every big bet, bluff and victory as if you were at the final table of a high stakes tournament.”

“MTV Games was formed with the vision of creating and promoting original video game IP and unique gaming experiences that encapsulate the passions and interests of the MTV audience,” said Jeff Yapp, EVP, Program Enterprises. “STACKED represents the first true MTV Games 360° initiative by delivering a video game experience, television special and an online component with the Stacked Masters multi-table tournaments.“

About MTV Presents: STACKED Poker
MTV Presents: STACKED Poker is a half hour special premiering on Friday, June 2nd at 9 PM on MTV2 and Saturday, June 3rd at 9 PM on MTV. The program gets inside the breakout phenomenon of professional poker and highlights the launch of STACKED™ with Daniel Negreanu. Negreanu stars in this half-hour special with his unique brand of strategy, intuition and charisma. Shot on location at The Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, MTV Presents: STACKED Poker takes viewers through an explanation of the video game, STACKED, an introductory game of poker with Negreanu, then he faces a group of college age competition, competes against some of the world’s top ranked poker players and ends the show by sitting down at a table with special celebrity guests, Ryan Cabrera and Benji from Good Charlotte, to pass on some of his poker expertise. Throughout, Daniel will occasionally “freeze frame” and address the audience with his unparalleled insights into poker strategy, player tells and insider tips.

The special also kicks off a once in a lifetime opportunity for MTV viewers. The STACKED Masters Tournament is a series of STACKED Multi-Table Tournaments, to be played live online. Four players who meet certain eligibility criteria may be cast to participate in the MTV STACKED Masters Showdown Special. Participants in the special will be flown to Las Vegas, where they will face off against Daniel Negreanu at the final table, for a chance to prove their poker prowess against the best in the business.

About STACKED
The premiere Texas Hold ‘Em video game, STACKED utilizes an advanced learning artificial intelligence system that devises new strategies for victory as it learns more about each player’s individual style of play. As the player progresses through the game, the AI will become more sophisticated, as it builds a profile of weaknesses and attempts to exploit them, helping the player to learn and become a better overall player. As they progress through the game’s career mode, players will encounter seven of poker’s most decorated pro players: Josh Arieh, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Juan Carlos Mortensen, Evelyn Ng, David Williams and Daniel Negreanu himself, each with a custom AI bot that matches their real-world play style. Players can access the game’s Poker School mode at any time to learn from nearly an hour of video tips and strategies from Daniel Negreanu, covering all aspects of the game from basic rules to advanced guidance for tournament victory.

STACKED lets players compete online against the best players in the world in a unique multi-table tournament system known as STACKED Masters. Sanctioned tournaments will be regularly announced through the game’s official web site, and players with the necessary online ranking can participate to go head-to-head against hundreds of the game’s best players in a ladder based tournament system and seize their place in the STACKED Hall of Fame. Players can also choose to create their own custom online tournaments as well as smaller individual games with friends.

For more information about STACKED with Daniel Negreanu, please visit stacked.mtv.com


Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Great Deal on 300 Poker Chip Set

Amazon is currently offering a great deal on a Caesars Palace Texas Hold' Em Poker Set - 300 Chips with Aluminum Case. It is normally $119.99 but they have it 75% off for only $29.98 and FREE SHIPPING. If you dont already have a poker chip set, or need an extra set now is the time. It makes a nice gift too. They are 11 gram chips and have the Caesars Palace Logo on them.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Deals on Baby and Infant Toys with FREE Shipping

Amazon has some unbelievable deals on infant and baby toys with free shipping. Even if you dont know of a baby to buy these for, take advantage of the great deal and donate them to Toys for Tots at Christmas time :)

Some of these were originally over $24! Thats more than a 75% discount... and free shipping (at least at the time I write this... prices do change frequently at amazon)


How I did in Blogger Poker Tour event today

A couple hands into it, I was the first player out :(

I had a full house and was beaten by 4 of a kind for all my chips. I was good until the river though (my 3 of a kind beat his until the board paired on the river and gave him 4 of a kind)

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Blogger Poker Tour Freeroll Event #6 on Saturday

I am hosting Blogger Poker Tour Event #6 on Saturday at Poker.com. The time is 15:30 GMT-5, which translates to 4:30 PM Eastern.

If you arent familiar with Blogger Poker Tour , it is a series $500 freerolls, with a grand final worth over $20,000. You need to be a blogger to play, and you can start playing with us anytime before the grand final on June 30th. Event #6 is May 27th, Event #7 is June 10th and Event #8 is June 24th.

The grand final will have 50 players in it and 1st place is a $12,500 WSOP package. Even if you don't get to the grand final, each qualifier pays $500 over 10 places.

To play you have to have a blog registered with the BPT & a Poker.com account (both are free).

1. Click here to download the Poker.com software and signup if you don't already have an account.

2. Go to BloggerPokerTour.com and register. You will then need to add their linking code to your blog.

3. To register for the tournamant you will need a password which is "pokerblonde". The tournament is in the Private >> Scheduled Tournament tab

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Cpayscom Online Casinos

I'm participating in the biggest Search Engine Optimization contest from great Affiliate Programs competition organized by the best of the Casinos


Online Poker Blogger Freeroll

Thanks toPoker Source Online for the Online Poker Blogger Freeroll held last night at Absolute Poker. Only 118 of the 460 registered showed up. I finished in 18th adding $45 to my poker funds. My kids both cooperated (Thank you) during the 2 hours+ I was playing and it was a fun evening.

Today's Quote:
Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well.

-Josh Billings

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Blogger Poker Tour Event #6

I have been chosen to host the Blogger Poker Tour Event #6 which is being held on Saturday May 27th at Poker.com. The time is 15:30 GMT-5, which translates to 4:30 PM Eastern.

If you arent familiar with Blogger Poker Tour , it is a series $500 freerolls, with a grand final worth over $20,000. You need to be a blogger to play, and you can start playing with us anytime before the grand final on June 30th. Event #6 is May 27th, Event #7 is June 10th and Event #8 is June 24th.

The grand final will have 50 players in it and 1st place is a $12,500 WSOP package. Even if you don't get to the grand final, each qualifier pays $500 over 10 places.

To play you have to have a blog registered with the BPT & a Poker.com account (both are free).

1. Click here to download the Poker.com software and signup if you don't already have an account.

2. Go to BloggerPokerTour.com and register. You will then need to add their linking code to your blog.

3. To register for the tournamant you will need a password, which will be available here in a few days...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Woman Poker Player Star Challenge

Woman Poker Player Magazine, Partners with Poker Zone and Dream Poker to Present the Woman Poker Player Star Challenge

(PRWEB) May 3, 2006 -- PokerZone.tv the award-winning producer of Poker Night Live have teamed up with online sponsor DreamPoker.com, and Woman Poker Player to present the Woman Poker Player Star Challenge.

This online tournament will be broadcast on Poker Night Live, available on Sky Channel 843 in the UK, CGTV in Canada, and via broadband on June 18th at 4 p.m. EST.

One lucky winner will win her way for free to the World Series of Poker Ladies Event, in Las Vegas, including travel funds to a prize package of $2,000. The champion of this tournament will also receive a profile in Woman Poker Player magazine.

Final table players will claim their share of an additional $1,000 in prize money.

This tournament is open to females only. For information on how to join the tournament, see: http://www.womanpokerplayer.com/pokerzonepromo.htm

Woman Poker Player magazine is a niche market publication that caters to the growth of women who enjoy playing poker. The publication is distributed through casinos in both the United States and Canada, through Walmart Canada, Barnes & Noble, Hastings, Amazon, Chapters and various independent bookstores.

For more information on Poker Night Live, including broadcast schedules, see pokernightlive.com.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Mothers...

SOMEONE said...

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby
somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "Normal," is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring .....
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices .
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ........
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery ....
Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day! of kindergarten.
or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back .......
somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ..
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law a to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home ....
Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her
Somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the "mothers" in your life.

And Happy Mothers Day!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Women take on the men at poker - and come up with aces

The talents required of a poker player are traditionally male traits: aggression, the ability to lie and hide your emotions. And, of course, staying up late smoking cigars.

But women are finally breaking into the world of poker and some are beating the men at their own game.

Britain's first live all-women poker championship is being held this summer with an estimated prize of £100,000 and a promise of "celebrity status in the poker world".

Poker has emerged from smoky back rooms and has exploded in popularity, first by being shown on television and now by the popularity of internet games.

Suddenly it is not only respectable but fashionable to play, attracting more women and young people. Women are still in a minority, but they have come a long way from the days when a female face around the table was rare.

A YouGov poll last year showed that women made up 30 to 40 per cent of online players. In casinos, the proportion of women is estimated to have increased from one to five per cent of players.

Rest of Article

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Ladies Night at Poker Host

Thursday is the girls night out at Poker Host - and why not all day too !

First ladies, we start the festivities at 12:00am EST Thursday morning with a special promotional bonus that is good until 12:00am EST Friday morning !

On any initial deposit or reload of $50 or more !
Receive a 115% Insta Cash Bonus !

Promotional Code
PHL115 - receive a 115% Instant Cash Bonus of up to $100

Then, join the rest of the ladies for our Ladies Night WSOP Freeroll ! Top 5 positions grant access to the Ladies WSOP Main Event held on May 12th 2006 at 9:00pm EST. Win your seat to the $1,000 Ladies WSOP event and $1,000 for travel ! Please contact customer service through live chat for your access now !

Monday, May 01, 2006

Britney Spears saga continues...

A couple days ago, I posted "Will Britney Spears sue over a broken high chair?".

This story gets even more interesting, and it comes from MSNBC...

"the antics of current white trash pinup girl Britney Spears and her no-means-of-visible-support husband Kevin Federline. The real-life Beverly Hillbillies recently got a visit from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and a deputy sheriff. It seems a doctor reported their baby, Sean Preston, suffered a skull fracture six days before he was brought to the hospital. Two months earlier, Britney was caught driving with baby Preston on her lap."

White Trash or Redneck?

I just got done reading Welcome to White Trash Nation on MSN and I started wondering what is the difference between white trash and redneck?

MSNBC mentions the following things associated with white trash...
My Name is Earl (happens to be 1 of my favorite tv shows)
Larry the Cable Guy and Blue Collar Comedy Tour (Jeff Foxworth the ultimate redneck)
Toby Keiths new album is "White Trash with Money

According to 1890's defnition white trash is "impoverished and uneducated"

So I got to wondering... is white trash just the new term for redneck? Or are rednecks from the country and white trash from the trailer parks? Or is white trash just poor rednecks? I searched around for some answers....

According to All Kinds of Redneck Stuff

It is possible for a redneck to also be white trash.

White Trash/Trailer Trash live in Trailers.
Rednecks do not. Rednecks live in run-down, partially constructed homes or log cabins

Rednecks are not lazy. White Trash/Welfare Trash/Trailer Trash is.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Party Poker Hosts Singles Poker Tournament

Singles Compete for Prizes, Snag Dates

TORONTO, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Poker is a growing trend across the nation, but can it actually help you win a date? Deal yourself into the Lavalife Party Poker Challenge, and you could get lucky -- walking away with fabulous prizes and maybe even a date! Lavalife, a leading online dating site, and Party Poker, one of the world's largest online poker sites, have partnered to host a 12 week-long poker tournament designed exclusively for singles. Visit http://www.lavalifepokerchallenge.com/ to find out more.

Singles who are members of Lavalife and Party Poker can flirt over the poker table throughout the 12-week, no-limit Texas Hold'em tournament, happening now. The tournament takes place at 9:30 pm EST every Thursday and the top 20 players from each of the first 11 weeks will have the chance to compete on June 9 in the final online championship tournament. The 220 players in the final tournament will compete for prizes worth a total of $25,000, including an all expenses paid vacation for two to the Club Med Turkoise in the Turks & Caicos Islands, a 50-inch plasma screen TV, an X-BOX 360, iPODs, and gift certificates to various leading online vendors.

"Online dating and poker are both extremely popular today -- the Lavalife Party Poker Challenge tournament was a natural fit to offer Lavalife members a unique, fun way to mix and mingle," said Lori Miller, Lavalife's singles and dating expert. "Singles will be able to chat with each other via the poker table's chat room as they play and hopefully they will walk away with a spot at the final tournament and with a date!"

"Online poker has grown so much as a social activity in recent years," said Warren Lush, spokesperson for PartyPoker.com. "This partnership with Lavalife which creates poker tournament tables exclusively for singles was an inevitable move for us."

How the Tournament Works:

The Thursday evening tournaments will begin with multiple 10-person tables, allowing singles seated around each table to chat -- or flirt -- during the games. Each table operates on a knock-out basis whereby players attempt to win each others' chips, until there is only one chip-holder remaining. Players winning the "first" table proceed to the next one for further rounds of knock-out. The process will continue until only 20 players remain, who will then proceed to the final tournament on June 9.

Singles can sign up for a free profile and register to join the tournament fun! For more information, visit http://www.lavalifepokerchallenge.com/. No money is needed to play.

Lavalife and Party Poker's Tips for Single Poker Players

Learn more about how to play -- and how to flirt at the Lavalife Party Poker Challenge. Check out these tips for singles from Lavalife and Party Poker.

* Chat! While chatting can reveal a lot about yourself (so be careful not
to reveal your hand!), the Lavalife Party Poker challenge is a great
time to get to know your other players by instant messaging them during
the game.

* Keep knowledge of your level of poker skill to yourself. Your opponents
are at an advantage if they can learn your degree of skill (or lack
of it!).

* Pay attention. Poker is a little like dating. Watch who is playing in
an aggressive or loose way and who's playing tight, try to play the
loose players and avoid the tight players, unless you've got a
strong hand.

* Like the person's style who sits across the table? Flirt! You may not
win the tournament, but you can win another single over.

* Exchange Lavalife profile names at the end of the game to keep in touch
with your newfound friends and intriguing personalities.


Thursday, April 20, 2006

Will Britney Spears sue over a broken high chair?

I Have a 5 month old baby who is starting to use a high chair, and each day I am quite careful making sure she is buckled in, and that I don't turn my back on her even though she is buckled. Because I know from my 1st child it only takes a second for them to figure out how to stand up or lean over the side of the highchair.

I can't say I was surprised when I saw the headlines at the grocery store checkout lines "Britneys Baby Falls Out of High Chair" and it went on to say the baby was rushed to the ER.

Now I see Britney may sue over baby’s fall from high chair. I suppose thats one way to save face if your a celebrity... blame the high chair maker. And of course, the nanny was watching the baby.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Toby Keith I Love This Bar

I'm a big Toby Keith fan, and I just found out Harrah's in Las Vegas has Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill. We will have to check it out on our next trip to Vegas.

"I love this bar & grill. It´s my kind of place.
Just walkin´ through the front door, puts a big smile on my face."

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Reload Bonus at Poker Room

30% TEAM TAG RELOAD BONUS at Poker Room - up to $150 thru April 17th. Use code APRILTAG

Poker Room also has a software update that added a few features, including player classifications, all in probability percentages, graphical updates, and a new layout in the starting lobby regarding Levels, Starting stacks and Rebuys.

American Poker Player Championship™ adds a Ladies No-limit Hold'em Event,

Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel adds a Ladies No-limit Hold'em Event, and Gambler's Golf Tournament to the American Poker Player Championship™

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 12, 2006 -- Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, and Omni Media & Entertainment have added a Ladies No-limit Hold'em event, and a Gambler's Golf Tournament to their American poker classic, the American Poker Player Championship™ - http://www.americanpokerplayerchampionship.com

Cary Davis, president of Omni Media said, "The response to Binion's American Poker Player Championship™ is exceeding our expectations, and we are especially pleased to have so many talented poker players entering the field of competition. The American Poker Player Championship™ is going to be a highly competitive event where amateur, professional, and former WSOP champion poker players will match their skills in hopes of winning the first American Poker Player Championship™."

Mr. Davis went on to say, "On the 21st of May we are bringing back the Ladies No-limit Hold'em Event which was a memorable highlight of the World Series of Poker, and two time Ladies World Series of Poker Champion Susie Isaacs, and World Series of Poker Champion Tom McEvoy will be the tournament hosts. Additionally, because we want to maintain the strong tradition and hospitality at Binion's casino that helped make the WSOP famous, we are inviting the American Poker Player Championship™ poker players and their guests to a Gambler's Golf Tournament at Las Vegas National Golf Club."

The Gambler's Golf Tournament will be held on May 17th at the world famous Las Vegas National Golf Club, and Binion's will provide bus service for entrants to the golf club. Entry fee for the 18 hole event will be $300 (limited to 144 entrants), and include: breakfast, golf cart, green fees, complimentary beverages during play, and an award ceremonies luncheon after the golf tournament where a possible prize pool of $25,000 will be awarded between the top finishers. You can sign-up for the Gambler's Golf Tournament by calling our toll-free number, 1-877-584-6787 or if you're in Nevada you may call us at 1-702-798-8309.

The American Poker Player Championship™ poker tournament will take place May 10th through May 24th, 2006, with 29 individual events, and featuring the $5,000 buy-in Championship Main Event. The Ladies No-limit Hold'em Event will be held on May 21st, and buy-in for the ladies will be $300+$30. Each event in the tournament will be limited to 800 players. For exact times, buy-ins of gaming events or accommodation packages please check our website - http://www.americanpokerplayerchampionship.com or call 1-866-916-6664.

To read more about Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, and the American Poker Player Championship™, please read our Featured Story at Poker News Web - http://www.pokernewsweb.com/featured.html

WSOP Ladies Event

Win a Seat at the World Series of Poker Ladies Event at Poker.com

Poker.com looks to become the home of ladies Poker with the adition of WSOP Ladies Event Satelites to go along with their growing ladies only features.

Manhatten, NY (PRWEB) April 13, 2006 -- Poker.com has announced dedicated satellites to the 2006 World Series of Poker Ladies Event, and an aim to become the home of ladies poker.

Starting April 12, there will be daily satellite tournaments into the Poker.com Ladies Grand Finals, where $2000 packages are given away. This includes $1000 buy in to the WSOP and $1000 travel and spending money.

2005 winner Jennifer Tilly took home $158,625 along with the WSOP bracelet in the ladies only event last year. With entries this year expected to far exceed last year's 601, 2006 promises to be very profitable for the ladies bracelet winner.

With a dedicated ladies club, forum, tournaments & now ladies only WSOP satellites & custom tables, Poker.com is striving toward becoming not only the home of online poker, but the home of ladies poker also.

Player host and ladies' favorite Poker.com staff member, Liam Nicholson, thinks that the ladies of Poker.com will put in a strong showing at the WSOP. "We have a very friendly, but competitive group of female poker players at Poker.com. I think that anyone that makes it through the Poker.com satellites will not only have a fun time qualifying, but will also have a great chance of doing well at the WSOP" Nicholson said.

More information is available by signing up for an account at http://www.Poker.com and visiting the Ladies Only section of the forum or player admin.

And of course not just the ladies are able to qualify for the World Series at Poker.com.There are still daily satellites starting from just $1 open to everyone.

Poker.com - the home of online poker.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Ultimate Bet

The same day I noticed Ultimate Buddy was working again, I found time to play a tournament (not easy with a baby in the house), so I decided to use my 1 free entry into Ultimate Bet's Million Dollar Freeroll Qualifier.

An hour into the tournament I'm doing good and in 300-something place. Then my table freezes... I patiently waited for a 1/2 hour before this happened:




UB's Response:

We are sorry for the inconvenience it has caused you. This tournament has been cancelled due to technical difficulties and your account has been credited with 50 ultimate points. You can use these points to register in one of the Million Dollars Tournaments located in the Ultimate Points Lobby.

Note:
You need 50 Ultimate Points to enter our daily events, 500 points to enter our weekly events, 5000 points to enter our monthly events, or 30,000 points to make your way directly into our Million Dollar Freeroll on July 15th.


Does UB really think giving me another entry makes up for wasting an hour and a half of my time?!

Poker Nicknames

I've been noticing more and more cute poker nicknames lately, and made a list of some of them...

99harley
Aceskillme
Angryredneck
Barstool
Bigfish
Chevy99
Coorsdrinker
Cowboytrucker
Damnwife
Dancersdad
Deadwoodrich
Deercamp33
Doubleflush
Drunkass
Dumbfemale
Fisherman77
Gatorbait
George-st8
Git-r-done
Goingfishing
Gonehunting
Grannyliz
Grumpybear
Guttergirl
Here2getchips
Hillbilly55
Idblonde
Imthedog
Ineedmoney
Jacktheriver
Justjohn
Kingofbull
Lisacantwin
Mylastbuck
Pokerpreacher
Pokerprinzess
Poorman
Redmustang
Riverrat
Riverscrewedme
Shortstack
Simplegirl
Sir loose A lot
Tatoogirl
Tennesseeboy
Tornadotracy
Txpokerplayer
Unemployed
Winedrinker
YourNightmare

Anyone have any to add to the list?

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Hot Damn Lucky Ladies Poker Club

Female poker novices ante up to the game
By Emily Seftel
The Arizona Republic

There will be gambling this night, you can bet on that. Stacks of chips will dwindle and re-form, then dwindle again. There will be bluffs and raises and groans over lost pots -- even though there is no money gambled.

More than 40 women are gathered at a restaurant in Phoenix to participate in the Hot Damn Lucky Ladies' Poker Club. They're here to eat, drink and socialize, but most of all, to play cards. Many of them are first-timers and have never played a hand of poker before.

"Does a flush beat a straight?" one woman asks.

"What's the difference between them?" asks another.

A little bit of instruction is in order, then, before the playing begins.

The game this night is Texas Hold 'em, a form of poker in which players use the two cards in their hands and five community cards to make the best possible five-card combination. At a table in the back, dealer Larry Pabst has just laid down the last of the community cards.

"Now, what's the best possible hand that could be made with these cards?" he asks.

The novices at the table frown at the cards. "A straight?" one ventures. Pabst nods. Enough practice. It's time to play poker.

The players aren't thinking about what their presence means to the game of poker. They're busy examining their cards, calculating how much to bet, deciding between a chocolate martini and a cosmopolitan.

But this group represents a larger trend in poker: The increase in women players, from home tournaments to online gaming to casino poker rooms. It's hard to determine how many women are in the game, says Eric Morris, co-owner and publisher of Bluff magazine. He estimates that women now make up 25 percent of players.

Morris credits that growth to increased exposure to the game, adding that Annie Duke and other female players have had an enormous impact.

"TV has really helped bring that out," he says. "Annie Duke won the championship (at the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions) on ESPN. You see a lot more women now profiled in magazines and television. We've seen a lot of women subscribers coming in."

Maryann Morrison, founder of Womens Poker Club, a national women-only Web site, has seen membership climb to more than 3,000 since December 2003, when the site was launched.

"At that time, it was right before the big poker rush," she says. "I noticed the difference in treatment of women at the tables and figured it would be great if women could get together."

An avid poker player, Morrison recalls that she was treated differently from the male players at the table. Men would single her out and play more aggressively, or worse, fold or play as if she needed help. She started the site so women would have a place to meet and exchange strategies without feeling intimidated by male players.

Now the atmosphere at the tables is changing, she says.

"That (behavior) is not really apparent today, because more and more women are playing."

Monday, April 03, 2006

Montana People

I haven't been playing poker the last week, or updating my blog as both of my daughters and myself have been experiencing the wonderful thing called flu (DH hasn't been so lucky...so far anyway)

I did come across this the other day...
Montana People: Weird In Their Own Special Way

"We have all heard tales of strange people living in Montana; the Unabomber, the freedom militias, the poor sods stuck in the Federal Witness Protection Program.

I assure you the majority of people living in Montana are friendly, polite, are reasonably sane, and will go out of their way to lend a hand to strangers.

Now, I am a cynical Californian transplanted in Montana. I cannot help but feel suspicious of helpful strangers.

Oh, the clerk wants to volunteer the use of his truck to haul a new desk to my home, does he? Back off! I know how to use this pepper spray!

This actually happened, sans threats and pepper spray.

I bought a desk at the local Staples, and then realized I had no way to get it to my apartment. The clerk offered to haul it to my place, free of charge and after work hours.

No, he was not hitting on me! The guy was at least sixty years old. He volunteered because I needed help. His no-strings-attached offer blew me away.

Desperate, I agreed. He delivered the desk as promised, said, “Glad I could help”, and left.

“Weird,” I breathed. “What is wrong with these people?”

The clerk’s admirable attitude is commonly found throughout Montana. Even the children are reasonably polite and helpful.

After three years of living here, though, I remain wary. You can take the girl out of California, but you cannot take the pepper spray out of the girl.

The communities in this state are heavily family-oriented. Community barbecues are held in a park near my home during the summer. Fourth of July picnics, duck races (don’t ask), actual church socials—if the event is wholesome family fun it happens
here.

I do not attend these functions.

I have more born-again Christian relatives in this state than should be legally allowed. A relative is usually connected to whatever community event is being held.

If I attend a single one of these events, I will be expected to attend every single event following. If I fail to do so, all of my relatives will knock on my door at the same time to find out why.

The above is an example of how closely knit the communities are. Most people here are hardworking, conservative, bible-thumpers. The main topics of conversation are: huntin’ and fishin’, church, children, family in general, and ranching.

For those of us more liberal minded, not married, without children, not ranchers, and disapprove of huntin’ and fishin’ any chance at conversation is limited.

Nice people, but a trifle dull.

The crazies Montana is famous for, though, do exist.

A large muscular man lumbered into the local humane society while I was recently there. Dried mud caked his boots. Black hair draped his shoulders. He wore a leather and wool coat over his flannel shirt and jeans. The coat smelled as if he just
peeled it off the back of a buffalo.

He asked for his dog in a growling voice, a scary gleam in his eyes. His hunting dog was brought in from the back cages.

The woman behind the desk told the man he needed to buy a license for his dog. He asked why. Every dog needed to be licensed. It is the law.

The man burst into a passionate speech about how licensing dogs was another trick by the evil government to squash our freedom. He mentioned something about mind-control. His muscles seemed to grow along with the scary light in his eyes.

I edged away from the man while I filled out a form for a new license for my dog. Each woman behind the desk kept a polite smile fixed on her face. The older woman kept her hand on the phone.

The man finally grabbed a license form and stalked out of the office, poor victimized devil, and took his stench with him.

What can you say after an exit like that? I hope the big guy is happy pawing the ground with his fellow buffalo men.

Montana’s weirdoes come in all shapes, sizes, smells, and personalities, but then people do all over the world.

God bless the weirdoes for making life colorful."

About The Author: Visit http://www.blogcharm.com/knowledge/ to
try out Jenny's writing exercises and read her humorous articles"

I do believe this is a perfect "Californian transplanted to Montana" viewpoint. I also think she sees alot of us as "weird" because she doesn't have kids.

As a Montanian I have to say, yes we are definitely a different bunch, the majority friendly, more than helpful and family oriented. I lived in the midwest for several years, and never could quite get used to the rudeness and unfriendliness I experienced there. I am quite happy to be back in Montana. Here strangers say "Hi how is your day" instead of cutting in front of you in the grocery store checkout lines. High school boys hold doors open for women at the mall instead of brushing past them.

But I do feel, just as the governement should not be controlling online poker, the government should not be controlling us by making us license our dogs.

The man described sounds like a rancher. Work here in Montana is hard, whether ranching, logging or working at a lumber mill. Therefor, the men don't all smell like a california executive at the end of the day. If you don't like the smell of a hard working man, you are probably in the wrong state!

And I don't consider myself dull... yet I'm married with children, conservative, and hunting and fishing are a couple of my favorite outdoor activites. Actually, my family enjoys hunting and fishing as a FAMILY.

The Montana I know, there is nothing wrong with its people, nothing at all. There is no one else I would rather have for neighbors than the kind of people that go out of their way for strangers without thinking twice.

Friday, March 24, 2006

WSOP Ladies Event

Women Poker Players...

Want to win a seat to the WSOP 2006 Ladies Event?

Poker Heaven is offering a $2500 package which includes the $1000 entry and $1500 in travel expenses. Poker Heaven has $3.50 satellites every day. There are also weekly $30 satellites, and $270 finals Sunday April 16th and Sunday May 14th.

The World Series of Poker Ladies No Limit Holdem event is being held July 9th and 10th at The Rio in Las Vegas.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

What starting Hold 'Em hand are you?

Found out about this quiz at Hella Holdem

What starting Hold 'Em hand are you?

You scored as Pocket Aces. You are Aces, baby. Pocket aces, to be exact. You are confident, value yourself highly, are most comfortable in small groups - large gatherings tending to expose your vulnerability.


Pocket Aces

69%

Big Slick

69%

Pocket Kings

50%

Pocket Queens

44%

The Hammer

38%

What starting Hold 'Em hand are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

$25,000 Bloggers Freeroll

Bloggers ChampionshipI am registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Freeroll
Win your share of $25,000 and a set
of Nevada Jacks poker chips.
Hosted By: Absolute Poker
Sponsored By: Poker Source Online
Registration Code: 66730696

Blingo

I've been using Blingo to search the web. It's just like searching at Google except Blingo gives away prizes, like iPods and PlayStation Portables & Visa gift cards.

You can also invite your friends to use Blingo, and when one of them wins a prize, you win the same prize. That means if someone you invited wins an iPod, you win one too.

Blingo uses google for its searches, and also has an internet explorer search toolbar. If you use firefox, you can quickly add Blingo to your quick search box.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Blogger Poker Tour

The Blogger Poker Tour starts March 25, so register now. There are 8 freerolls and a Grand Final, with the champion blogger being sent to the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event ($10,000 entry and $2500 in travel & spending money). There is another $7500 worth of prizes for 2nd-50th place. Each freeroll pays cash down to 10th place, and the top 5 go to the Grand Final.

The Blogger Poker Tour is being played at Poker.com, if you don't have an account there, sign up now.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Update on Keeping Online Poker Legal

Back on March 2nd, I posted about H.R. 4777, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.

Today I found out there is another bill in the house, H.R. 4411 introduced by Rep. James Leach (R-IA. And in the Senate, Jon Kyl (R-AZ) is pushing similar legislation.

Please take a moment to let your Seators and House of Representatives know that you would like to keep online poker legal. This is a different letter than back on March 2nd.

Thanks to The Poker Players Alliance for keeping us informed. The Poker Players Alliance is a non-profit organization advocating on behalf of more than 20,000 American poker players. If you want to join, the membership is $20. If you join thru a special offer on Party Poker's deposit or withdrawl confirmation page, Party Poker will give you a $25 credit.

Absolute Poker 200% bonus to $200

From now until the end of the month, Absolute Poker is offering a 200% bonus to $200! If you haven't tried Absolute, now is the time

200% up to $200!!!

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

100% Reload Bonus on Ultimate Bet

Ultimate Bet is offering a 100% Reload Bonus!

Redeposit $25 or more into your account between Noon EST on Tuesday, March 14th and Noon EST on Tuesday, March 21st and UB will give you 100% of your deposit - up to $500 - in bonus dollars!

Playing on Party for Bonus

2 days ago, I deposited $500 into party for a maximum 15% bonus of $75. I have been playing 4 tables at a time to get my 750 hands done. Although I don't normally like to play more than 2 so I can focus on playing the players instead of playing the hands.

I have been playing .10/.25 NL, and had to share this hand, it was a fun one!

$25 NL Texas Hold'em

Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 10: cutoff ( $21.15 )
Seat 3: Luckyblonde ( $15.80 )
Seat 4: bigblind ( $24.75 )

Luckyblonde posts small blind [$0.10].
bigblind posts big blind [$0.25].

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Luckyblonde [ Ah 9h ]
cutoff calls [$0.25].
Luckyblonde calls [$0.15].
bigblind checks.

** Dealing Flop ** [ 2s, 8s, Kh ]
Luckyblonde checks.
bigblind checks.
cutoff checks.

** Dealing Turn ** [ 5h ]
Luckyblonde bets [$0.25].
bigblind folds.
cutoff calls [$0.25].

** Dealing River ** [ 6h ]
Luckyblonde bets [$0.25].
cutoff raises [$3].
Luckyblonde raises [$5.50].
cutoff raises [$6.50].
Luckyblonde raises [$7.50].
cutoff calls [$3.75].
Luckyblonde shows [ Ah, 9h ] a flush, ace high.
cutoff doesn't show [ 3d, 4d ] a straight, two to six.
Luckyblonde wins $26.40 from the main pot with a flush, ace high.

Monday, March 13, 2006

$17 and $22 hands on .05/.10 NL on Ultimate Bet

I was playing on UB last night, and took down 2 nice pots, especially considering they were on .05/.10 NL 10 player table!

----- FIRST HAND --------
I am in middle position with pocket 3’s.

Small blind posts the small blind of $.05.
Big blind posts the big blind of $.10.
underthegunplayer raises to $.25
Earlyplayer re-raises to $.90.
Earlyplayer2 calls.
earlyplayer3 calls.
Luckyblonde calls.
underthegunplayer re-raises to $2.25.
Earlyplayer folds.
Earlyplayer2 calls.
earlyplayer3 folds.
Luckyblonde calls. (I know $2.25 is a lot for 3’s, but I figure I’m already in it for .90 and if I hit I’m golden)

Flop (board: 4s Qh 3s): I have a set of 3’s
underthegunplayer goes all-in for $7.25.
Earlyplayer2 folds.
Luckyblonde calls, hoping underthegunplayer has AQ and not pocket Q’s or pocket 4’s

Turn (board: 4s Qh 3s 8h):
(no action in this round)

River (board: 4s Qh 3s 8h 6c):
(no action in this round)

Showdown:
underthegunplayer shows As Ac.
underthegunplayer has As Ac Qh 8h 6c: a pair of aces.
Luckyblonde shows 3h 3d.
Luckyblonde has 3h 3d Qh 3s 8h: three threes.

$1.15 is raked from a pot of $23.20.
Luckyblonde wins $22.05 with three threes.

----- SECOND HAND --------
I am in the cutoff position with As Ks

Pre-flop:
middlepositionplayer calls.
Luckyblonde raises to $.20.
Playeronbutton re-raises to $.80.
bigblind folds.
middlepositionplayer folds.
Luckyblonde calls.

Flop (board: 2d 8d Qh): $1.80 in pot
Luckyblonde bets $.50.
Playeronbutton calls.

Turn (board: 2d 8d Qh Kh): $2.80 in pot
Luckyblonde checks.
Playeronbutton bets $2.80.
Luckyblonde goes all-in for $7.55.
Playeronbutton calls.

River (board: 2d 8d Qh Kh 4d):
(no action in this round)

Showdown:
Luckyblonde shows As Ks.
Luckyblonde has As Ks 8d Qh Kh: a pair of kings.
Playeronbutton mucks cards.
(Playeronbutton has Th Ah.)
$.85 is raked from a pot of $17.90.
Luckyblonde wins $17.05 with a pair of kings.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Poker night food: More than just pizza delivery

From an article in the Southern Mississippi Sun Herald

Winter weekends are great for having friends over for game night.

Texas Hold Em poker and bunco are games people enjoy playing at monthly gatherings, but you can just as easily get out a deck of cards and play gin rummy, spades or canasta.

Heidi Tobey of Lexington, Ky., said she and her friends started playing poker before it became a big thing. "Most couples you meet play some sort of cards, Uno, Yahtzee, when they're getting together with family and friends," she said. Tobey said she usually serves sandwiches, spinach dip and vegetables, and chips and cheese dip. "If it's just the guys getting together, they order pizza. They don't care about sandwiches, they just want pizza, beer and chips."

Phil Kearns and his group of buddies have been playing poker for about two years. They started when Kearns' wife, Kim, began playing bunco with the wives of three of his friends. "We said if they were going to be out playing bunco, then we should be playing poker," he said. Whoever hosts game night decides on the menu, Kearns said. It includes chili, bean soup, barbecued sausages, country ham sandwiches, hot wings, chicken fingers, sub sandwiches, pretzels and peanuts.

The food served at bunco parties usually is simple. But if it's a special occasion, cooks like Paula Goins will take extra time to make the meal more elaborate. When it's Goins' turn to host the monthly party, she usually gets requests from the players for chili or vegetable soup, and pimento cheese sandwiches. Once a year the group invites husbands, and then it's potluck.

For 30 years, Goins has been part of several bunco groups. "Some are dessert groups or appetizers, or the hostess sticks to dinner. A lot of times I've done lasagna, bread, salad and dessert," she said. She once served roasted duck at a Christmas bunco party. "Some hostesses love to cook like I do, but some are not oriented like that, and they buy lasagna. "It doesn't matter, we just get together and have a good time. It's a fun night."

DORIS' FUDGE PIE
Paula Goins of Lexington, Ky., has been hosting bunco parties for three decades. This recipe and the one that follows are a couple that her friends request.

1 square unsweetened chocolate
1 stick butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

Melt chocolate with butter in a saucepan on low heat. Beat eggs, and set aside. Mix sugar with flour. Combine all ingredients and add vanilla. If desired, add pecans. Pour into a well-greased pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not overbake.

PAULA'S ANGEL DESSERT
1 10-inch angel food cake
1 pint strawberries, crushed
1 tablespoon milk
1 16-ounce container Cool Whip Light, thawed
1 pint strawberries, sliced
Fresh strawberries and mint leaves for garnish

Cut angel food cake horizontally into three layers. Stir crushed strawberries and milk into 1-1/2 cups Cool Whip. Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread half of strawberry mixture on top of cake layer, and top with half of the sliced strawberries. Repeat layers and end up with cake on the top. Frost sides and top with remaining Cool Whip. Decorate with strawberry slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

MINI RACHAELS
Food Network star and cookbook author Rachael Ray suggests serving a mini sandwich buffet for game night, mini versions of such sandwiches as mini grilled cheese and tomato, mini burgers and mini Rachaels. Here's her recipe for mini Rachaels.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
16 slices mini rye bread
1/2 cup sweet red pepper relish
1 pound smoked turkey, thinly sliced
1 pound sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
1/3 pound sliced sharp cheddar

Suggested accompaniments:
Mini pickles, mini pretzels, mini Chess men butter cookies.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Preheat large griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
To a small pot over medium low heat, add 1tablespoon vegetable oil. Add butter, and melt it into the warmed oil. Keep a pastry brush on a spoon rest or small plate on hand.
Lay out 8 slices of rye bread. Dot bread with teaspoonfuls of red pepper relish. Top with even amounts of smoked turkey, sauerkraut and thinly sliced cheese. Top cheese with remaining slices of bread. Brush griddle or skillet with oil and butter mixture. Grill and toast sandwiches 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer sandwiches to cookie sheet, and place in oven to keep warm. Makes 8 mini sandwiches.

MINI BURGERS ON TOASTED DISCS
Sandra Lee, on a recent episode of "Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee" on the Food Network, prepared a simple menu for game night. She made mini burgers on toasted discs, poker potato chips, mini chicken pot pies, casino lemon almond cake, and fruity queen of hearts cocktail. Here's her recipe for the mini burgers. Other recipes can be found at www.foodnetwork.com.

8 thin slices white bread
Olive oil cooking spray
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pack (1-ounce) pot roast seasoning
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Toast the bread the day ahead. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Take 8 slices bread and cut out 32 circles using a 1-3/4-inch round pastry cutter or an empty, clean 6-ounce tomato paste can. Arrange disks on an unlined sheet pan, and spray lightly with olive oil. Toast rounds for 7 minutes. When cool, store in an airtight container.

To make the burgers, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix ground beef, seasoning, egg and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Form 1-inch meatballs using 1 tablespoon of meat mixture per ball. Arrange on a broiling pan, leaving meatballs an inch apart. Using index finger, gently poke holes in the middle of each meatball. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn temperature to broil and cook 5 minutes more. Let stand 7 minutes before transferring to toasts. Gently fill each burger hole with ketchup or mustard. Serve warm. Makes 32 cocktail burgers.

More No Limit on Poker.com

I had about 45 minutes to play this morning, and I decided to try poker.com again... wow, does everyone on there play stupid? See the 2 hands below.

One thing I do like about their software, in the betting area there are buttons to bet 2x, 4x, and 8x the minimum bet. I forget what site it is, but somewhere I have seen a 1/2 pot bet button. These are useful buttons... I wish UB and party did some one-clicks in addition to pot and all in.

.25/.50 NL Full 10 player table

My 15th hand

player1** Posted Small Blind $0.10
luckyblonde in Big Blind $0.25 with (2h, 7h)
player2 Calls $0.25
x Folds
player3 Calls $0.25
LOOSINGHAND Calls $0.25
x Folds
player4 Calls $0.25
x Folds
player5 Calls $0.25
player1 Calls $0.15
luckyblonde Checks
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (Ah,2c,9h) $1.75 in pot
player1 Checks
luckyblonde Bets $0.50 with 4 to flush and bottom pair
player2 Folds
player3 Calls $0.50
LOOSINGHAND Raised to $1.50
player4 Folds
player5 Calls $1.50
player1 Folds
luckyblonde Calls $1.00
player3 Folds
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (7c)
luckyblonde All In for $4.74 with 4 to flush and 2 pair
LOOSINGHANDCalls $4.74 with top pair and best kicker
player5 Folds
-------------------------------------------------
luckyblonde has (2h, 7h)
LOOSINGHAND has (As, Ks)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (7s)
-------------------------------------------------
luckyblonde Wins $15.42 from pot 1 with : Full House, Sevens over Twos

2 hands later:

Player1 Posted Small Blind $0.10
LOOSINGPLAYER Posted Big Blind $0.25

player1 Calls $0.25
player2 Folds
player3 Folds
player4 Folds
player5 Folds
player6 Folds
LuckyBlonde Raised to $0.50 with Ks Kd
Player1 Folds
LOOSINGPLAYER Calls $0.25
player1 Calls $0.25
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (As,7d,Kh) $1.50 in pot
LOOSINGPLAYER Checks
player1 Bets $0.25
LuckyBlonde Calls $0.25 with a set of kings
LOOSINGPLAYER Calls $0.25
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (7h) $2.25 in pot
LOOSINGPLAYER Bets $0.25
player1 Calls $0.25
LuckyBlonde Raised to $4.00 with a boat, kings over sevens
LOOSINGPLAYER Calls $3.75 on 4 to the flush (an 8 high flush no less)
player1 Folds
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (6h)
LOOSINGPLAYER All In for $1.77 (made his flush)
LuckyBlonde Calls $1.77
-------------------------------------------------
LOOSINGPLAYER has (4h, 8h)
LuckyBlonde has (Ks, Kd)
-------------------------------------------------
LuckyBlonde Wins $13.44 from pot 1 with : Full House, Kings over Sevens
LOOSINGPLAYER Sits Out

**Names changed to protect the innocent.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

I was playing at Poker.com

For something different, I was playing at Poker.com this morning.

Pros: fish... See hand below, need I say more.
Cons: doesn’t work with poker tracker, software isnt pretty, reminds me of absolute.



They have a Ladies only tournament with $300 guaranteed. $1 entry fee. 1000 players max. Sunday at noon est. Registration starts at 10:55 est.

My 5th hand .25/.50 NL Full 10 person table

Cutoff Calls $0.50
otherplayer in small blind Calls $0.25
luckyblonde in big blind Checks (Kh, Qh)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (5h,Th,7c) I have 4 to flush and 2 overs.
otherplayer Bets $2.00
luckyblonde Calls $2.00
PayMe2CThem Folds
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (6h) $5.50 in pot. I make my flush.
otherplayer Bets $5.00
luckyblonde All In for $7.00
otherplayer Calls $2.00
-------------------------------------------------
otherplayer has (Kd, Jh)
luckyblonde has (Kh, Qh)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (8s)
-------------------------------------------------
luckyblonde Wins $18.53 from pot 1 with : Flush, King High

What was the other player thinking? were they bluffing the flush? They had no draw... did they think their king high was good?

Monday, March 06, 2006

Jennifer Tilly skips Oscars for poker game

Jennifer Tilly skipped the oscars and joined 63 other poker stars, including her boyfriend, poker professional Phil "Unabomber" Laak, for the 2006 National Heads Up Poker Championship in Las Vegas.

Although Tilly was knocked out Saturday in the first round, she knows her poker. Last year, she beat 600 other women, including several poker pros, to win the World Series of Poker Ladies event.

The National Heads Up Poker Championship is a single-elimination, one-on-one tournament, which has $1.5 million in prize money up for grabs and will be televised on NBC over six Sundays starting April 16.

Full Details at The Myrtle Beach Sun News

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Casinos Marketing Towards Women

Just a few days ago I was wondering why one of the Las Vegas casinos doesn't cater to women instead of men, by that I mean its always women cocktail servers. Why doesn't one of the market to bachelorette parties or girls getaways and have male cocktail servers?

The closest thing I could find was Betfair Pokers Ladies Night, every Tuesday night from 2/28-3/28 they have a womens only freeroll. After each freeroll event one lucky winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants. The "Ultimate Night In" experience includes a very attractive dealer, and all equipment (cards, chips, branded table cover). The handsome hunk coming into your home will teach you how to play poker and be your dealer. He’ll bring along everything you’ll need. The poker gear, some canapés and drinks – all you have to do is invite your girlfriends around and have a great night. Betfair is also giving away a seat at the Ladies World Series of Poker event.

The freeroll events are limited to 350 women only - so the odds are quite good!

And no, they do NOT accept accounts from the U.S. :(

Funny Poker Sayings

I was looking around at poker tshirt stores for a birthday gift for DH. There are some funny ones, but I couldnt find what I was looking for, he wants one that says

F.T.R
F&@% the River

Here are the funny ones I found:
  • Act like you know what you are doing.... FOLD
  • Got Poker?
  • Got Chips?
  • Eat, sleep, play poker
  • Friends Don't Let Friends Play Bad Cards
  • Poker is not my life. Its much more important than that
  • I'm on a strict poker diet. Nothing but fish and their chips
  • I would check raise my own grandma
  • But they were suited
  • You don’t have the nuts to call my bluff
  • I may be short stacked by my wife is a 36D
  • I've Got A Big Kicker
  • The River Will Deliver
  • There are no bad beats, only bad reads
  • The nice thing about poker is as along as you have a chip, and a chair, you've still got a prayer
  • It's only a gambling problem if your losing
  • Who needs balls when you've got the nuts
  • All I need is a chip, chair & a pocket pair
  • Its all about position
  • You raise it, I'll hold it.
  • Aces in all the right places
  • Wanna see my big slick?
I thought they might be going a little too far when they have infant & toddler tshirts... At least until I saw the "Future Poker Player" t-shirts :)

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Likelihood of Congress Banning Poker Growing

As a member of the poker players alliance, I received this urgent letter today...

Please take a moment and click here and voice your opposition to legislation banning online poker. If you want more info on the Poker Players Alliance click here

Recent actions in the nation’s capitol are clear signs that federal lawmakers are determined to ban online poker. On February 16, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and his supporters held a press conference to announce the introduction of H.R. 4777. If passed, this bill would make outlaws of on-line poker players!

Goodlatte and other members of Congress use this bill in a misguided attempt to lump poker in with other forms of gambling. Although they claim to have an exclusion for games with a “predominance of skill,” poker has been singled out. As Goodlatte says, “…technology has allowed for new types of electronic gambling, including interactive games on the Internet such as poker and blackjack, which may not clearly be included within the types of gambling currently made illegal by the Wire Act.” So he is really targeting poker players who enjoy the game online.

The legislation is troubling for many reasons, but the following issues are key:
  • First and foremost, it tramples the rights of poker players who enjoy playing online and represents a slippery slope that could lead to the federal government denying people the right to play poker in offline venues.
  • Second, the Goodlatte bill hypocritically makes exceptions for some gaming activities, including state lotteries and placing online bets for horse races, even while prohibiting games of skill like poker.
  • Finally, by forcing ISPs to eliminate access to gaming content on the Internet, the federal government is moving away from long-established protections of free speech in this country. Ironically, many in Congress recently chastised China for forcing ISPs to regulate content that Chinese citizens could receive, yet those same lawmakers now find it acceptable for the U.S. government to censor the Internet.

Rep. Goodlatte’s bill has already gathered 115 co-sponsors representing districts in 36 different states. Use the links in the box to the left to determine if your Member of Congress has signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 4777. Please click here and voice your opposition to this legislation.

Let your member of Congress know that we are a strong and unified voice to keep poker legal.The Poker Players Alliance is committed to defeating this kind of egregious government intrusion into our personal lives. And with your help, we can succeed!

Party Poker Players Online Romance turns into Wedding

Gary Suffir and Jackie Johnson, who met at PartyPoker.com will marry at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas next week

The couple first met online on PartyPoker.com in September 2004 in a $30Omaha game in the site's virtual chat rooms after Jackie defended Gary in arow over a bad beat. After initially communicating via the buddy function on the website and being in consistent contact for months after that, Jackie moved to New York City from Las Vegas to live with Gary in March 2005. Now a year later, they are getting hitched at the Paris Hotel in Vegas on March 7th, with famous poker ambassador Mike Sexton as a witness. And the couple are rapidly stacking the deck by planning a new family.

"We thought that if the baby is a boy we could call it Mike after MikeSexton but in honor of the way we met we'll call him Chip," said a smilingGary. "If our baby is a girl we may call her Linda after Linda Johnson, thefirst lady of poker, but Queenie is a possibility." What about Doyle after poker legend Doyle Brunson? "I don't think so - my chips would be on Chip." added Gary, a 28-year-old New York attorney.

Gary and Jackie are celebrating their honeymoon on the PartyPoker.comMillion V Cruise around the Caribbean, starting on March 12th. With their minds on a family and the full house it would bring the poker mad couple aren't worried about building a bankroll on the cruise, they already figure they have a royal flush. "It is going to be great playing poker on our honeymoon," said Jackie, who credits Gary with her improved Omaha play. The couple actually considered having their honeymoon in Omaha, Nebraska but the card-playing cruise stopping in Jamaica and Grand Cayman won the day.

Gary and Jackie's friends and family are taking part in a special online tournament before the ceremony, while plans for the wedding itself include a unique poker wedding cake and poker floral displays. There was speculation that the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Suffir would dress as a king and queen and request 'Cry Me A River' for their first dance, but their celebration of happiness and poker is being handled as straight as their poker faces.

The couple couldn't be happier as they contemplate going all-in for life."We're just so happy to have found each other and we can't wait to start afamily," said Jackie, a 27 year-old artist.

PartyPoker.com spokesman Warren Lush said: "It is with great delight thatwe are hosting what we believe is the world's first online poker wedding. Wehope that they'll have and to hold'em forever and ever."

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Digital Prints

With a new baby, I have lots and lots of digital pictures. I'm finally finding time to get some prints made. I have been meaning to upload them to walmart.com and then pick them up when I go shopping this weekend. But I think I have changed my mind on where to have them printed.

The march issue of PC World did a review of the photo services... And walmart came in last with dismal print quality at 12 cents. Kodak Easy Share Gallery was first "very good" quality at 15 cents. Snapfish was next with "good" quality at only 12 cents. Shutterfly was tied for good quality, but at 19 cents, I think I will try Kodak or Snapfish.

Thought for today...
A good friend will come bail you out of jail... But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying. "Damn that was fun".

Monday, February 27, 2006

Shopping Shopping Shopping...

I am a mystery shopper. I did a McDonalds mystery shop the other day for $70. I sometimes do Staples, Office Depot and Arby's secret shops too.

While I am writing about shopping, I read some tips in parenting magazine about kids clothes shopping...
  • Gap and Old Navy final markdowns end in .97. So if the clearnace tag ends in .99, the price will go lower
  • Some Targets mark down kids clothes on Mondays. They start with 30% and in 2 weeks, it goes 50%
  • The Childrens Palace online has clearance prices as low as $3.99

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Women's card club marks golden anniversary

I just read this article in the Salt Lake Tribune, and I have to say these ladies know how to start a ladies card club! I wonder if they played any poker, or if it was just canasta or bridge. Reminds me that I need to learn how to play Bunco.

Whether it's a friendship, a business partnership or a marriage, few relationships last 50 years. Which is why Rachel Zaelit's card club is so extraordinary. For five decades, this group of eight women has gathered once a month to play cards, enjoy good food and savor lasting friendships.

The group recently celebrated its golden anniversary at Zaelit's Salt Lake City home, the same place the club played its first hand of canasta in November 1955. Since then, the women have added games and welcomed new members and lost others, including one of the original players to death. (The group reached a high of 24.)

Too many years have passed for the women to remember whose idea it was to start the club or why they picked the second Wednesday of the month as their official meeting day. But all agreed that as stay-at-home wives and mothers, they needed a regularly scheduled "girl's night out" to maintain their sanity. From the beginning, their husbands and children understood that few things could keep them from attending. No one is officially in charge, but all admit that Zaelit keeps the group organized.

The death of a close friend in November prevented the club from celebrating its 50th anniversary on the exact date. And they couldn't get together in December, because that is the one month they allow husbands to attend. So the women - who range in age from 62 to 73 - waited until January to mark the milestone. It may have been belated, but was no less sweet.

It seems that Zaelit and company are ahead of their time when it comes to card playing. Today, a growing number of women are shuffling and dealing for fun and competition, according to the trade magazine Woman Poker Player. Women, for example, make up 35 percent of the nearly 75 million people who play poker in the U.S., according to the publication. And over the next two years, experts predict an increase, with the number of women equalling or possibly surpassing men.

Those numbers do not account for all the women who get together regularly to play bridge, canasta or Bunko - an especially popular game among Utah women. Even the beauties on the popular television soap "Desperate Housewives" have a regular card date to catch up on the gossip of Wisteria Lane.

Initially, they made elaborate dinners for each other and lingered into the wee hours of the morning. One time, after playing cards, they decided to go bowling and stayed up until daybreak. They have taken trips to a mountain cabin together and rented a limousine for a Wendover weekend. But these days, they go out to a favorite restaurant to eat and then take turns at one another's homes for snacks and chitchat and however many hands of cards they can squeeze in before 10 p.m. Because after all these years, these women know card club isn't really about the cards.

Powerball Jackpot

Eight workers at a Nebraska meat processing plant have claimed the record $365 million Powerball jackpot. The seven men and one woman will each receive $15.5 million after taxes under the cash option. When one of the winners, Eric Zornes, 40, was asked whether he was still working at the plant, he replied: "No. I've been retired for about four days now."

I must say working at a meat processing plant is definitely one job I would NOT go back to... I have several relatives that work at them back in Southern Minnesota, and I don't know how they do it. I can't even stand to be a few miles downwind of the plant :(

Reminds me of the "Roby 43" a group of farmers from Roby, Texas that won a $46 million Thanksgiving Lottery. They each receive $39,000 each November for 19 years.

Quote for today...

Please excuse my parents, they don't get out much.

There are 3 kinds of people - ones that can count, and ones that can't.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Sit n Go's on Party Poker

The last 2 mornings after feeding the baby around 7 AM and getting her back to sleep, I have played a sit n go at Party Poker. I won 1st place and 2nd place. Would have both been 1st place if I hadn't gotten rivered! I had KQ and went all in. I made 2 pair on the flop. And the other player had AK and an ace came on the river.

Oh well, I still made $19 and $9 for 45 minutes of playing while eating breakfast and still in my jammies. I can't think of a better way to start my day either. I wish I could play more sit n go's, but unless I'm sure the baby is going to be sleeping for an hour, I just don't want to get started playing a tournament. So I will stick to playing a SNG each morning, and playing ring games the rest of the day.

Now if party would only offer a reload bonus, I would play some ring games there instead of UB.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Ultimate Bet 100% SIGN-UP DEPOSIT BONUS!

In spite of the last couple losses with pocket aces, I really do like UB. About a week ago, I sat down on the .01/.02 NL table with .28 and turned it into $29.38 (I moved up to the .05/.10 once I had turned the .28 into more than $2.50). Not bad for about 90 minutes.

If you aren't playing on Ultimate Bet yet, they are offering a 100% (up to $500) SIGN-UP DEPOSIT BONUS thru March 31st, 2006.

Party Poker changed their layout a couple days ago and while I like new stuff, I have heard lots of people complaining. Some people are just resistant to change...

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Full Tilt Poker Reload Bonus

Its time to reload at Full Tilt Poker... For the next two weeks, Full Tilt Poker is offering 50% Reload Bonus. If your bonus account is empty, just make your first redeposit between February 15th and February 28th, 2006 to qualify for your 50% bonus, up to $300. Once you reload, all you have to do is play in any of their ring games or tournaments to earn Full Tilt Points. As your point total grows, they put free money in your account.

Don't have a Full Tilt Poker account? Sign up here and get a 100% sign up bonus up to $600.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Pocket Aces Lose Again

My ongoing bad luck with pocket aces on Ultimate Bet.

.05/.10 (No Limit Hold'em) Full 10 person table.

I am under the gun with As Ad. Deciding to slowplay, and let someone else raise, I call .10.
Next person also calls
Next person raises to .55
everyone else folds to the small blind and big blind who both call .55
I re-raise to $1.60
The original raiser goes all in for $2.45.
The small blind and I both call.

Flop comes Jh Ks Qd
small blind checks, I go all in for $2.27, and the small blind folds.

Turn is Kh
River is 3s

I have two pair, aces and kings, and am beat by pocket jacks...with a full house, jacks full of kings for an $8 pot ($7.60 after a .40 rake)