TOURNAMENTS ARE NO.1 The biggest driving force behind the continued expansion of online poker among the British public is definitely poker tournament play. There is a major big prize tournament available more or less every day of the week for an online player to join. All of the major sites at one time or another are offering $5,000 and $10,000 buy-in seats for massive tournaments, giving their regular players the chance to sit down for FREE and compete in multi-million dollar prize pools in all kinds of exotic locations. Just last week our own exclusive Daily Star freeroll in association with 888.com will be sending a lucky reader off to the Caribbean Adventure (All expenses paid) with a FREE $8,000 buy-in and a chance to fight for a share of the mega prize pool. This real life excitement is what’s making online poker the first serious challenge to evenings spent in front of the TV set. The British public is now seeking out exciting, inter-active entertainment and finding it in the gladiatorial global arena of online Texas Hold’em contests!
FOLDING A SET Sounds like nonsense to fold a set, doesn’t it? There are occasions though when it might be the right play. I’ve watched professionals do it on occasions. The only time it makes sense is when the flop and the turn are screaming “flush” or “straight” at you. It stands to reason if four cards of a flush are on view and you’re not holding the fifth, why would you get into a bidding war on behalf of your set that’s almost certain to clean you out? This would be especially true if several players were still aggressively in the pot at the turn. Yes. There are occasions to fold three-of-a-kind. It’s one of poker’s tragic but realistic moments and doing it under the right circumstances is the mark of a smart player.
GREATEST MOMENT IN 2006? As we approach the year end I think the final hand of Jamie Gold’s barn storming $12,000,000 WSOP win deserves to take the award as this year’s Greatest Moment in poker. The final hand ignited when Gold made it $1,700,000 to go with Queen-Nine and Wasicka smooth-called with his Ten of Hearts and Ten of Spades. Queen of Clubs-Eight and Five of Hearts came down as the flop and Wasika bet out $1,500,000. Gold went all-in with the remark, “If you can’t beat a Queen do not call this bet!” Wasicka ignored the warning and immediately called with his last $11,000,000! The final board was Queen of Clubs-Eight and Five of Hearts-Ace of Diamonds and Four of Clubs. The $12,000,000 title went to the man they now call Goldfinger!
