Do you know what percentage of poker players make it to the highest stakes? Despite the bragging you might hear in your local card room, it’s not very many.

Though we all begin our poker careers with a dream of pulling ‘a move on Chan,’ the reality is that most players spend their time stuck in a rut. They’re too weak to move up and too proud to move down.

So, what stops us from progressing?

• Do we lose the hunger?
• Does the dream die?
• Or are most of us just too unlucky?

We’ll examine ten reasons why you may be struggling to move up in stakes. 

1: You’re Not Being Honest with Yourself

Here’s some bad news: You’re probably not as good at poker as you think.

It’s not that you can’t play – on the contrary. You’re probably pretty good if you’ve done your fair share of work in the lab on your poker combos. It’s just that there’s a lot of ego in poker, so players will blame their opposition, variance, or even their lucky pants way before criticising their skill level.

Can you bluff? Do you know how to read people? If yes, playing poker might be the game for you! And while many people often think that this game requires a lot of spending, social casinos have come to change that. The social casino concept allows people to enjoy their favorite casino games at no extra charge. We explain how it works and how you can enjoy playing poker games while interacting with other poker fans. Let’s get into this exciting innovation.

Poker in Social Casinos

Did you know that social casinos offer poker games? The games are pretty much like what you would find in an online (real money) casino. However, they have the following key differences:

1. The cost: While online casinos require players to part with money to play games, social casinos do not. Instead, players get coins to use in the games. Once they run out of these coins, they can complete challenges inside the game or purchase more using standard payment methods.
2. The wins: In online casinos, players stand the chance to win cash when they beat other players. But in social casinos, you do not get money. Instead, you get more coins to use in other games. Additionally, players can earn higher levels in the ranking such that they move from newbie to intermediate to expert categories. The higher your ranking, the more competitive the games become.

Besides these factors, everything else remains the same. As such, your experience from a social casino will match what you would get from a real money online casino.

The Benefits of Social Casino Poker

Social casinos have gained a huge following since their inception. But why is this?

1. Legality: Social casinos are acceptable in regions where online gambling is illegal. After all, players do not win money from the games and are thus not engaging in gambling. It makes it easy for anyone to enjoy these games.
2. Cost: All players get coins to use in the game. Thanks to this, players can enjoy free poker games without ever paying for more coins. It is especially easy if players manage their coins well and keep racking them up at each level.
3. Socializing: Social casinos place an emphasis on player interactions. It is easy for players to join other teams, compete in challenges, post on message boards, and get to know other people. Since these communities are subject to strict guidelines, the interactions are positive and enhance the mental well-being of players.
4. Practicing: The competitiveness in social casino poker makes these sites a great training platform for people who want to win money in real money casinos. You can learn how to perfect your gameplay and take these skills to other platforms, including international tournaments.

Thanks to these benefits, these spaces have taken the casino world by storm.

How to Win

In poker, the goal is always to beat the other players. But how can you do this and rise the ranks in a social casino? Interestingly, the strategies are similar to those of any other poker game. Consider them as follows:

1. Understand how the game works: Social casinos offer different poker games, including the popular Texas Holdem. Knowing the rules is important as variations require different approaches. In some cases, the highest hand wins; in others, the lowest hand wins. You are unlikely to win if you’re not conversant with the rules.
2. Practice the game often: Social casinos offer players different options, including challenges where players may not need to use coins to participate. Put your knowledge of the game to the test by trying these challenges. You will soon learn your weaknesses and strengths and can use these to position yourself better against your opponents.
3. Mind your money: All players get a certain amount of coins to start playing poker. In each game, you will use some of the coins to play; if you don’t win, you won’t get the coins back. If you continue on a downward trend, you will run out of coins and will need to complete challenges or pay for coins to keep playing. It’s thus a good idea to keep an eye on the coins to avoid such fates.
4. Play good hands: You have two options when you have a bad hand. The first is to play it and hope others have suffered the same fate as you. Of course, this is a risk as you cannot tell what other players have and may end up spending more of your coins to cover up your flaw. The second option is to fold and try another game. This latter approach usually works better as it prevents you from taking on too much risk.
5. Don’t fall for the bluff: Many players employ the art of bluffing to scare others into folding. There are two ways to look at it. The first is when other players do it. If you have a good enough hand, don’t let that scare you into getting out of the game. And the second way to look at it is when you do it. Bluffing can work great when you have a good hand. But when you have a bad one, getting to the end will not do you much good.
6. Manage your emotions: Poker is a highly competitive game where everyone is out to win. As such, you’ll likely feel intense emotions such as excitement, anger, and sadness when playing. Knowing how to deal with these feelings as they come and go is important in maintaining your cool regardless of the outcome.

The most important tip? Make friends! Social casinos relieve some of the pressure by providing positive environments where players can share experiences and get to know each other. It’s a good idea to participate in these discussions. It helps you learn more about the games and forge strong connections that can improve your mental health.

Poker and pokies are two popular games that are a must-have in any casino. However, there is a considerable difference between them. Poker is not for newbies who have no clue about the game rules. That’s because it is a game that requires skill and strategy. More importantly, it will test your cognitive ability, making it a very fulfilling game.

Pokies, on the other hand, are a game of chance. So, it does not matter if you have vast experience playing casino games. The outcomes of each spin are based on a Random Number Generator. However, these games are designed to provide instant gratification through a combination of relatable symbols and sounds.

Beyond spinning reels and waiting for random outcomes, modern pokies have evolved. The integration of gaming elements through gamification ensures that players enjoy every moment. Modern-day slots include storylines and excerpts from popular movies and stories, making them fun. Poker, on the other hand, involves real-time interaction that makes it super competitive. So, what’s it going to be? Poker or Pokies?

Understanding Pokies

Pokies are the most popular games in any online casino. That is because they are easy to play and do not require any strategy. The first step in understanding how it works, is to visit the best-rated real money online pokies sites in Australia. These sites offer extensive unbiased casino reviews explaining how these games work, their payment methods, welcome bonuses, as well as the pros and cons of each online casino. With the free spins, players can explore the possibility of landing a winning symbol. Usually, the RNG determines the outcomes. So, using an online casino where the RNG is independently audited and verified is best.

Other crucial elements of playing pokies include understanding the Return to Player and winning odds. Typically, these games have their RTP clearly stated. It is a term used to describe how much the machine will likely roll out to players over time. For instance, a pokie with an RTP of 96% will likely pay back $96 for every 100$ deposit. The 4% is considered the house edge, the casino’s default advantage over players for every wager.

Understanding Poker Machines

Poker is one of the biggest games in any online casino. The gameplay combines the elements of luck and strategy to determine the player’s outcome. Luck in that the cards are dealt to the participating players randomly. However, what you do with it is a function of your skill, strategy, or psychological strength. The gameplay is such that the player with the best hand wins. The payout depends on the winning combination as stipulated on the paytable. For instance, the highest-ranking hand is the royal flush.

The trickiest part of playing poker is that a player with the strongest hand can also lose to a simple bluff. In competitions like the World Series of Poker (WSOP), Phil Ivey, Scotty Nguyen, and Chris Moneymaker won the tournament’s main event by bluffing their way to the top on multiple occasions. That way, they cause other players to fold. In the end, the player with the best hand wins the game. Typical examples include Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, and Seven-Card Stud poker.

Comparing Experiences from Playing Poker and Pokies

The goal of playing poker and pokies is to have fun while also winning some money. Nevertheless, both games follow different approaches to providing players with an enjoyable gaming experience. Below is an overview of the expectations regarding player experience from playing poker and pokies.

Long-Term Strategy Vs. Instant Gratification

Poker tests patience, psychology, and emotional intelligence. It is one thing to have a strategy and another to put it to work. Upon receiving the five poker cards during a typical game, the player must patiently rearrange the hand across multiple rounds while waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

For pokies, it is almost the reverse. These games provide players with instant gratification. Each spin takes a few seconds. Afterward, the results are displayed, and if you hit a matching symbol, you get the reward as stipulated.

Player Engagement

Playing poker requires so much attention. A typical table consists of many players. Each one tries to read facial expressions, body language, and patterns for an edge to win. This is usually not accompanied by exciting graphics and sounds.

Conversely, pokies integrate stunning visuals, HD sounds, and symbols, making the experience exciting. Popular pokies like Gonzo’s Quest, Jumanji Next Level, Jurassic Park, and Cleopatra include relatable symbols and sound excerpts from the original movies or stories. So, pokies are your best bet if you are looking for a quick engagement.

Final Thoughts

Poker and Pokies are different in many ways. Poker tests your emotional, psychological, and overall cognitive resolve. It relies on your strategy or ability to convince an opponent to fold their hand through a bluff. Totally opposite, pokies is a straightforward game. All you need to do is spin the reels and wait for a random display of symbols. Slots are designed to be fun through their display, sounds, and symbols. Hence, they provide instant gratification than poker.

We all know that poker is becoming more popular and competitive every day. There’s lots of fun to be had and money to be made.

But truly mastering the game has a steep learning curve.

There are so many areas to study and perfect that it can feel overwhelming, if not impossible.

But it is possible, and there are many things you can do to give yourself a mental edge in your development. The psychological frameworks within which you study and practice can make a huge difference in your progress and performance. This fact is true whether you are just getting your feet wet in poker or an intermediate player looking to elevate your game,

• But how exactly does your mindset influence your learning?
• What can you do to ensure that your mental approach boosts rather than hinders your poker growth?
• Do you see challenges as opportunities for growth, or do they feel like an insurmountable roadblock?

Your answers may hold the keys to unlocking your poker potential. So, let’s dive into the psychology of learning and see how the right mindset can transform your learning.

The Role of Mindset in Poker Learning

The journey to becoming a better poker player starts in the mind. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck is well known for her research in this area. She suggests that two types of mindsets can affect learning: fixed and growth.

A player with a growth mindset sees obstacles as challenges to overcome. They believe they can hone and develop poker skills with enough effort and persistence.

The 2024 Irish Poker Open gets underway next week as Europe’s oldest poker tournament will return to the Royal Dublin Society for the second straight year beginning on March 25th. The festival will host 35 events over eight days featuring a €1,000,000 guaranteed Irish Open Main Event and a new Mini Irish Open event boasting €500,000 in guaranteed prize money. The festival also sees The Hendon Mob Championship (THMC) return for the fourth time.

Massive fields throughout the festival are expected. The Irish Open’s second year of partnership with PokerStars and Paddy Power has already reaped huge rewards for players with hundreds winning full prize packages or €1,150 Main Event seats. There are over 800 players already having won a seat online or live across the globe including over 450 from PokerStars.

For players attending this year’s Irish Open, the team has released a full guide to Irish Open 2024, in its second year at RDS, which details registration, food and beverages, off-the-felt entertainment and much more. 

The Hendon Mob Championship Returns for the 4th Time

The Hendon Mob Championship (THMC) Dublin will take its usual place in the Irish Open schedule as it has done since 2019, running on Tuesday, March 26th. Many marquee names are expected to be in the field including David Lappin, Dara O’Kearney, Fintan Hand, Spraggy, Rory Jennings, Adam McKola, and Niall Farrell.

Cards get in the air at 2 p.m. Entry is €250 with late registration open for the first eight 30-minute levels. Players begin with 25,000 chips and may re-enter one time. THMC has been a growing success within the Irish Open schedule hitting 238 runners in 2019, 332 in 2022, and 400 in 2023.

On top of the custom THMC trophy and THM profile badge for the winner, The Hendon Mob and Sunbet Poker Tour by MJPT are offering The Hendon Mob Championship winners across 2024 a package to the THMC Cape Town Million, later this year. Winners of the package will receive the chance to attend SunBet Poker Tour Cape Town with accommodation, transfers, and a THMC Cape Town Million ticket worth R8,000. For more details on the contest, please check out our post here.

The Hendon Mob team members will be in the room so feel free to drop by and say hello.

€1,000,000 Guaranteed Irish Poker Open Main Event

There are four Day 1 flights for the €1,150 Irish Open Main Event. Day 1A gets underway at noon on Wednesday, March 27th. Day 1B follows on the 28th with two flights on the 29th. All Day 1 qualifiers will return for Day 2 on March 30th with the winner crowned on Day 4.

Players will start with 30,000 chips and 40-minute levels One re-entry is permitted per day and late registration will remain open for 10 levels on each Day 1. Click here for full details of the Main Event.

At the 2023 Irish Open, Scotland’s David Docherty claimed the lion’s share of a €2,428,725 prize pool after topping a field of 2,491 entries. Docherty scored a career-best €365,000 for the win joining the likes of Colette Doherty, Noel Furlong, Mickey Finn, Liam Flood, Joe Beevers, Neil Channing, Ian Simpson, Griffin Benger, and Steve O’Dwyer as Irish Open Champions.

2024 Irish Open Kicks Off With New €500,000 GTD Mini Irish Open

A brand new feature event will help get the festival underway this year as players arriving for the first day of the 2024 Irish Open will get the first crack at qualifying for Day 2 of the €500,000 guaranteed Mini Irish Open. The €200 event runs the length of the festival with eight flights leading to the final day on April 1st.

Starting stacks give 30,000 chips and levels are 20 minutes. Re-entry is unlimited until the close of registration.

Highlights of the Schedule

• Mini Irish Open: March 25-April 1 – €200 (€500,000 GTD)
• The Hendon Mob Championship – 26 March – € 250
• Irish Open High Roller: March 26-27 – €5,000
• Irish Open Main Event: March 27-April 1 – €1,150 (€1,000,000 GTD)
• Irish Open High Roller: March 30-31 – €3,000
• Irish Open PLO Mystery Bounty: March 30-31 – €1,100
• Irish Open Mystery Bounty: March 31-April 1 – €1,100
• Irish Open Ladies: March 28th – €250
• Irish Open Americas Cup: March 27th – €350

The full schedule can be found on the Irish Poker Open website: https://irishpokeropen.com/schedule/

For further information, please contact info@irishpokeropen

Do you want to take your game from good to great in record time? Most expert players got that way by approaching their study and preparation in a specific way. 

If you take the time to create and execute a personalized study plan, you will reap the rewards!

Step 1: Look for Your Leaks

There is a popular principle in business literature known as the Pareto Principle.

It states that 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts.

In practical terms, focusing on the right things will get you maximum results. Generally speaking, you want to look at your poker board game with a critical eye towards your most significant areas for improvement (also known as your leaks).

There are many ways to determine where to focus your study time.

• You could do a database analysis (either by yourself or with a coach).
• Or it could be as simple as reflecting on the spots where you are the least confident.

Confidence is a key element of poker success, and anything that improves it will pay dividends in the long run.

Whatever you do, make sure you spend your study time in a way that will give you 80/20 results. This method will ensure that you make progress quickly!

In 2023, KKPoker, one of the leading mobile poker apps, successfully hosted its exclusive online poker event, VEGAS DREAM, for the first time. Now, KKPoker announces its 2024 VEGAS DREAM. From March 30 to May 4 (GMT), KKPoker is holding online satellites on its App with buy-ins varying from $0 to $300. VEGAS DREAM 2024 will feature a guarantee of 12 Packages for the biggest poker event in the world, each valued at $13,500. 

This showcased KKPoker’s dedication to providing poker enthusiasts with the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of participating in the world’s most prestigious poker event in Las Vegas.

Download KKPoker now: https://www.kkpoker.net/downloadpage/

“CHILLS THAT CAN’T BE DESCRIBED, BUT HAVE TO BE EXPERIENCED”

Last year, during the scorching summer heat, five passionate poker players from KKPoker embarked on this journey to the ultimate poker destination. Among them, Krzysztof Mielnik returned home with an astonishing $92,600 in earnings.

Reflecting on his experience at this prestigious event, Mielnik expressed, “After winning the package at KKPoker, everything happened very quickly. Before I knew it, I was walking with my ticket to the Main Event table. You realize you are part of something special. This cannot be described, it has to be experienced!”

The biggest poker event in the world, held annually in Las Vegas, continues to captivate enthusiasts. In 2024, KKPoker is enhancing its offering with a full-scale upgrade, doubling the prize pool and offering free buy-ins. 

2024 VEGAS DREAM: DOUBLED PRIZE POOL & FREE ENTRY

In 2023, five lucky individuals secured exclusive KKPoker Vegas Dream Packages. In 2024, this number will increase to twelve. 

Each KKPoker 2024 Vegas Dream Package includes a Main Event Entry Ticket worth $10,000, along with a $3,500 travel allowance, ensuring a seamless journey to this dream world.

As the dream builder for all poker enthusiasts, KKPoker is paving the way to the ultimate poker realm. Online satellites featuring multiple Freerolls will commence on the last day of March within its app.

PATHWAY TO POKER DREAMLAND

KKPoker provides multiple ways to win the packages that wrap up your poker dream. During the time of 5 weeks, you can win exclusive packages via Freerolls, PKO, Tournaments, and Missions. 

Vegas Dream PATH – turn $1 into a dream package

From April 6 – May 4  (GMT), Vegas Dream 2024 will feature a three-step PATH for players to battle their way to the massive rewards, 8 Vegas Dream Packages!

Step 1

• Buy-in: $1
• Time: April 6 – May 4, daily at 21:00 & 09:00  (GMT) for regular games, 20:30 & 08:30 (GMT) for FLIP
• GTD: Entry Ticket for Step 2

Step 2

• Buy-in: $20
• Time: April 6 – May 4, daily at 22:30 & 10:30 (GMT)
• GTD: Entry Ticket for Main Event

Step 3 (Main Event)

• Buy-in: $300
• Time: April 13, 20, 27 and May 4 at 00:00 & 12:00 (GMT)
• GTD: Vegas Dream Package valued at $13,500 x 8

Tokens to Lucky Draw – FREE play to win

From April 7 to 28, there will be 4 lucky winners who get the dream packages from Freerolls MTTs and Missions. Lucky draws will occur every Sunday. 

Freeroll

Time: March 30 – April 28 daily at 16:45; 22:45, 04:45 & 10:45 (GMT)

GTD: 10 Tokens for top 10 winners

Madness PKO

Buy-in: $15

Time: March 30 – April 27 daily at 16:00 (GMT)

GTD: 25 Tokens for top 25 winners

Classic 

Buy-in: $20

Time: March 31 – April 28 daily at 05:00 (GMT)

GTD: 25 Tokens for top 25 winners

Mission

For everyone:

Buy-in: Any Flash NHL game ≥ 25c/50c

Time: March 31 – April 28 (GMT)

Win 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 hands weekly to get Tokens. 

For players who haven’t made a deposit: 

From March 31 – April 28 (GMT), finish the mission of depositing $20, you can also get a $20 Vagas Satellites ticket that can be used for Vegas Dream PATH Step 2! 

For players who haven’t joined KKPoker or haven’t logged in for a while: 

Join KKPoker today and play ONLY ONE ring game to get one free token! 

Please visit KKPoker official website for download and more information about VEGAS DREAM 2024 https://www.kkpoker.net/, and follow KKPoker on Instagram @kkpokerglobal or Facebook @KKPoker for updates. 

KKPoker also offers an exhilarating $33 Welcome Bonus and up to $1,000 first deposit bonus to boost your bankroll! 

It’s no secret that professional poker play can be demanding. Performing at our best and staying productive is something that many players fall short of accomplishing.

The following tips from 888poker should help us to stay productive and bring our best game to every poker session.

Tip 1 – Schedule Volume

Playing a decent volume of solid poker hand rankings will significantly impact how successful our career is. We’ll improve faster and make more money.

Playing good volume won’t happen automatically, though. Why not take some time to do the following?

• Decide the number of hands you need to play weekly based on your winrate and required earnings.
• Calculate how many hours it would take to play that number of hands.
• Use a spreadsheet (or other tool) to plan precisely when that volume will be played across a standard week.

In the world of poker, where every card flip can mean the difference between victory and defeat, the role of mathematics cannot be overstated. While luck indubitably plays its part, the true masters of the field are those who wield numbers as their weapons, calculating odds, probabilities, and expected values with the precision of career mathematicians.

In this article, we’ll be taking a deeper look into the stories of the greatest mathematical minds to have graced a poker table, while dissecting how their understanding of mathematics was used to turn the tide in their favor.

John Nash

Though not a poker player by profession, John Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician and the mind behind the Nash Equilibrium, has left an indelible mark on poker strategy. The Nash Equilibrium provides a framework for understanding the optimal strategy in zero-sum games, including poker. This theory is deployable at online casinos and the best online slot sites that offer online poker games for budding poker strategists, to hone their skills. 

By applying Nash’s concepts, players can make decisions that are mathematically guaranteed to yield the best outcome based on the assumed strategy of their opponents.

Edward O. Thorp

Edward O. Thorp, often considered the father of card counting in blackjack, also made significant contributions to poker. Thorp’s understanding of probability and statistics allowed him to develop strategies that minimized the house edge. His book, “Beat the Dealer,” though primarily focused on blackjack, laid the groundwork for future poker theorists to explore the mathematical dimensions of card games.

David Sklansky

David Sklansky’s contributions to poker theory are unparalleled. With numerous poker strategy books to his name, including “The Theory of Poker,” Sklansky has shaped the way the game is played. His discussions on the importance of pot odds, the gap concept, and the fundamental theorem of poker have become foundational knowledge for any serious poker player.

Chris Ferguson

Chris Ferguson, a Ph.D. holder in computer science from UCLA, is a prime example of how mathematical mastery can lead to poker perfection. Known for his ability to calculate complex pot odds at a whim, Ferguson’s approach to the game is deeply rooted in game theory and probability calculations. His success, highlighted by six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, is a testament to the power of applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios at the table.

Bill Chen

Bill Chen, a quantitative analyst and poker player, co-authored “The Mathematics of Poker,” a book that has become a bible for players looking to understand the game from a mathematical perspective. With a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, Chen’s work applies advanced mathematical concepts to poker strategy, offering insights into risk management, game theory optimal play, and other critical aspects of competitive poker.

Conclusion

The intersection of mathematics and poker is a field rich with insight, strategy, and intrigue. The players mentioned above are a few examples of those who have leveraged their mathematical brilliance to master the game of poker. Their legacy is not just in their winnings but in the strategies and theories they have developed, which continue to influence both aspiring and seasoned players around the world.

As poker continues to evolve, the role of mathematics remains constant, a steadfast guide in a game of variables. The greatest mathematical minds at the poker table are those who see beyond the cards, calculating not just the odds but also the nuances of human behavior and strategy, proving that in the world of poker, knowledge is indeed power.

Hands up if you start a poker session with the intention of losing… Nobody? Didn’t think so! For most sane people, the prospect of winning a little extra cash is precisely what brings them to the tables like the ones at 888poker.

But with so much focus on winning, it can be easy to forget that most poker players are losers in the long term.

So, what do you do if you’re a losing player? Well, firstly, don’t worry just yet. Most players struggle, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined to do so forever.

Here’s a list of leaks that might hinder your progress at the tables. Work through it and be honest with yourself.

Elon Musk can’t listen to your thoughts yet, and who knows? You might find something to turn your losing streak around.

1: You’re Not as Good as You Think You Are

Poker is a pretty simple game, which means you can teach a complete newbie to play in just a few minutes. New players can learn this poker board game so quickly. It makes it easy to overestimate your ability after learning a few basic strategies (especially if you enjoy some beginner’s luck).