Qualify For 2009 WSOP at PokerStars - 200 Seats Guaranteed!
Once each year, the largest site in the world, PokerStars.com comes out with their huge WSOP guaranteed qualifier tournament. KickAssPoker.com members have qualified in this event for the past two years running and we’d like to keep this tradition going! This one tournament offers players a fantastic chance to get a seat into the biggest poker tournament of the year, it is one of the biggest chances and best ways to qualify for the 2009 World Series of Poker.
Qualify in This WSOP Satellite Tournament - 200 Seats Guaranteed
Join previous champions who either won their seat at pokerstars or later became endorsed by the worlds largest online poker room.
- $370 direct buy in
- June 14th, 16:30 (that’s this Sunday)
- 200 WSOP Seats Guaranteed
- Satellites to this qualifier start as low as $2 - we like the $33 qualifiers
- Play In This WSOP Qualifier at PokerStars
This WSOP Satellite tournament guarantees 200 players will win a seat to the 2009 WSOP in one satellite tournament. It’s the biggest and largest World Series of Poker qualifier online, and it is at the largest poker site in the world, PokerStars.com
Where to Find this WSOP Qualifier Event
To play in this tournament, first you need to have a current version of the PokerStars Software, if you do not yet have that you can download Pokerstars here and create your account. It’s free to get signed up and by using PokerStars.com marketing code “kickasspoker” when you sign up, you will be eligible to get a 100% deposit bonus up to $50 on your first deposit as well as play in upcoming WSOP Qualifier freerolls (more details below).
- Click Events >
- WSOP >
- ALL >
- Tourney ID = 180000200 (double check tourney ID obv, the satellites name is “WSOP: $370 M.E. Qualifier 200 pkgs guaranteed)
- Double click and buy in directly for $370 or qualify via satellite
What You Win In The WSOP Qualifier
Top 200 at least are guaranteed a $12,000 WSOP Prize Package via PokerStars.com
- 1 Entry into the 2009 WSOP
- $1k Travel Funds
- Eight Nights Hotel Stay at Palms (across the street from the Rio) and guarantee of more nights if you are still in
- Pimped Out PokerStars.com Players Bag with lots of schwag
- ShuttleBus service (sweet, the shuttle, thanks pokerstars!)
- Poker Stars Party Invite
- Of course, check all these for yourself as they are subject to change - PokerStars WSOP Details
Free WSOP Qualifiers or Satellite Tournaments?
Yes, if you sign up at PokerStars now they are having 14 freerolls each day where you can qualify to win a seat in one of the major WSOP satellites.
These freerolls happen every day leading up to the big event so if you are looking for a great way to qualify for the World Series of Poker 2009 then look no further. The huge event coming up this Sunday may be your best chance ever to win a seat to this years World Series so what are you waiting for?
We’ll see you at the tables!
Play Now At PokerStars - $50 Bonus + Freerolls
Additional WSOP Satellites
Most all of the major online poker sites are offering satellites to the series this year. We really like the qualifications paths offered by the Bodog Poker WSOP Satellites 2009.
How To Play Small Pocket Pairs Pre-flop
Sitting in a late position and carrying pocket aces into the flop is a great opportunity to not only steal blinds, but also to draw others into the pot. Big pairs make the pre-flop action easy to toy with. However, playing small pairs pre-flop isn’t nearly as simple, even if you have position on everyone else.
Today, we’ll explain how to ride your small pocket pairs into the flop and how to know when it’s better to fold. Your chip stack, position, and raise strategy all play key roles in leading the table and having a chance to flop your set. For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to consider deuces through sixes “small.”
Small Pairs With A Small Chip Stack
Let’s suppose you’re in an early position coming off $2-$4 blinds. You have a small chip stack compared to everyone else, so you don’t have a lot of room to chase flops. You’re dealt pocket fives.
In this scenario, there’s no reason to fold (yet) and calling is a bad idea. If you call, you’ll lose control and have to play catch-up to the action coming back around to you. A good tactic is to throw out a standard raise (i.e. $12). By doing so, you’re sending a message that you holding pocket cards worth a few chips.
If everyone folds off your raise, you’ll walk with the blinds. That’s not bad. An even better situation is when a few players call. That gives you a chance to make a set off the flop. If someone reraises, you’re better off folding. Leaking a few chips is better than busting on a wing and a prayer.
If you’re in a late position with small pairs, you have an advantage. But, that doesn’t mean you’re invincible, even if the action is folding to you. The blinds could be holding stronger pocket cards. If you overbet the flop, you could be asking for trouble.
Small Pairs With A Large Chip Stack
More chips equals more flexibility. You can often use your stack to slowly siphon chips from the smaller stacks by bullying them pre-flop. However, your early position play with small pairs should be the same as if your stack was small. A standard raise off the big blind will push a few players out and give you a chance to see the flop.
If you’re playing in the middle position, watch the action coming toward you, especially when it’s coming from smaller stacks. A large raise from a small stack is a red flag. If you chase it, you’ll get sucked into the flop. If the small stack raiser flops his or her set, you’ll be staring down the barrel of an all-in scenario. That could get expensive given your small pair.
Being in late position with a large chip stack gives you a huge natural advantage. If other players are limping in, push out with a raise at 4 or 5 times the BB. That sets the tone going into the flop. Regardless of what the flop brings, you can fire your second bullet using your position strength and stack as leverage. If you’re lucky, you’ll flop a nice set.
If the action is raising and reraising coming toward you pre-flop, it’s probably better to fold your small pair. Let the others fight it out.
That’s a good primer for playing small pocket pairs pre-flop. The key to profiting from them is to realize how your chip stack, position, and raise strategy can influence the action. Often, that’s all it takes to steal the blinds or scoop the pot.
To put the strategy we’ve described into practice, visit Bodog Poker. They’re one of our top-rated poker rooms and boast steady, brisk traffic across their tables. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to read our extensive Bodog Poker review as well as a round-up of Bodog bonus promotions.
Also, we’d like to invite you to join our KickAssPoker League in time for the coming season.
How To Steal Blinds In Texas Holdem
Stealing blinds is one of the core fundamentals of playing texas holdem. In loose games with a full table, the blinds won’t matter much. It’s far easier to make money by playing tight and waiting for a strong hand before going after the pot into the flop. But, if you’re in a shorthanded game and your opponents are playing tight, knowing how to steal blinds is valuable. It’s a great way to go after chips uncontested and add to your stack while waiting for your monster hand.
The challenge is that it requires finesse to do it right. Let’s get started.
Know Thy Opponent
Your success in stealing blinds has a lot to do with the type of players you’re up against. For example, calling stations are usually a bad bet. They just want to stay in the game and are always willing to risk a few chips to call your bluff. Even if you’re in a late position, steal attempts often end badly.
** By the way, we recently covered texas holdem position strategy. Be sure to go back and read that post if you missed it.
On the other hand, an opponent who’s playing weak-tight is a fantastic candidate. They’ve probably read a few poker books and know something about texas holdem starting hands. They’ll be less inclined to risk their chips on anything but a high pair. That means you can slip through and take the blinds easily.
Bottom line: know your opponents and how they’re playing.
Cultivate Your Image
If other players see you as a loose cannon, it’s going to be a lot tougher for you to steal blinds. The same is true if they consider you to be a perpetual bluffer. It’s like the boy who cried wolf; at some point, your opponents are going to start calling your steal attempts. Your raises will begin to lose credibility.
Now, let’s suppose you’ve been able to build an image as a tight aggressive player. When you raise, your opponents will think you’re holding a good starting hand. They’re less likely to call your bluff. That credibility clears the path for you to steal the blinds.
Cash Game Versus Tournament Blind Stealing
Stealing blinds is usually less important in cash games than tournments; it’s especially true if you’re playing no-limit holdem. In no-limit ring games, the blinds are usually small and seldom worth the effort. It’s easier to play tight and go after the pot with strong hands. Of course, if you’re in a late position and everyone is folding to you, the blinds may be sitting ducks. If that’s the case, it’s silly to say no to free chips.
Tournaments are different. The blinds rise as the tournament advances. Stealing them in the early stage may not be important, but going after them later can add significantly to your chip stack.
Here’s what you should take away from today’s post: you won’t get rich from stealing blinds in texas holdem. But, depending upon the type of game you’re playing and the type of players you’re up against, you can preserve - and even build - your chip stack.
And that can make the difference between going bust and surviving.
If you’d like to sharpen your blind stealing skills, visit PokerStars and use bonus code “stars50“. They have a lot of table traffic with plenty of fish at the lower stakes. Plus, when you’re ready to put your skills to the test, you’ll find top-notch players at the higher stakes. And if you haven’t watched our free Poker Stars Strategy Video, make sure you do that, too.
Bodog Qualifiers to the 2009 WSOP
Each year there seem to be a small handful of sites that offer some unique ways to qualify for the World Series of Poker. Sure all the big sites have qualifiers and many of them are great value but many players find it easier to qualify on the smaller sites.
This year, Bodog.com seems poised to be on of the best opportunities for many of the recreational poker players to qualify. In 2008, KickAssPoker.com league member WSOPJoe won his seat in the World Series of poker at Bodog, so lets keep the tradition alive.
Here are the different Bodog WSOP Qualifiers.
Benefits of Qualifying through Bodog
- Smaller Qualifying Fields
- Small to Large Qualifier paths
- Sit-N-Go’s to Last Chance Events
- 100% Bonus up to $500 with Bodog Bonus
*WSOP and World Series of Poker and related trademarks are property of Harrahs and related brands, and they get their panties in a wad if you don’t clarify that on every page where you mention them, so this is to do that so they don’t bitch and moan about it more.
3 Steps To Mastering Your Freeroll Poker Tournament Strategy
There are two advantages to playing in freeroll tournaments. First, there’s no entry fee. Second, it’s a great opportunity to cut your teeth and develop your poker chops without springing any cash. Having said that, you still need to know what you’re doing. After all, your time is worth something and there’s prize money up for grabs.
Back in March, we covered a basic strategy for SNG tournaments. Our advice was to play tight into the Bubble so you don’t bust out before getting into a money position. With freerolls, it’s a little different.
Here’s an easy 3-step plan for making the most from freeroll tournaments. You’ll learn how to start with $0 and build your bankroll on the backs of the fish. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Loosen Up In The Beginning
Again, with SNGs and other tournaments, you should play tight going into the Bubble. But, with freerolls, you don’t have any of your own money on the line. Your most valuable asset is your time. The problem is that a big freeroll can suck hours from your day and not deliver much of a payout. So, loosen up a little and claim your chips early.
For example, in a multi-table tournament, you might play tight early and hit the flop only when you’re holding a high pair, Ace/King suited, or something similar. In the early stage of a freeroll, go in with weaker hands to work off the flop. It’s a little riskier, but again, you’re not putting your own money on the line. You want to make a quick strike to build your stack or move on to another freeroll.
By the way, there’s no shortage of them. For example, if you visit Full Tilt Poker, you’ll notice they organize over 500 freeroll tournaments every month.
You can see a visual presentation of how to use the Full Tilt Poker referral code here.
We know this early-stage strategy is contrary to what a lot of folks recommend. In fact, we often play tight ourselves. But, keep in mind that freerolls are a different beast and a contrarian approach can work beautifully.
Step 2: Choose Your Target Stacks
90 minutes into the freeroll, half the players have busted out and the blinds are much higher. Welcome to the middle stage. Look at your chip stack. If you loosened up your play during the first 90 minutes, you should either have a better than average stack or have busted out yourself.
At this point, tighten down the hatches and go after the smaller stacks struggling to hang on. Avoid taking on the bigger stacks. The good players will be raising more than calling; taking them on with weaker hands will get expensive. But, definitely put pressure on the smaller guys. They’ll be going after the blinds and will fold with the slightest pressure.
If the small stacks bet big from an early position, there’s a good chance they’re holding something solid. So, let them have it.
Step 3: Floor It
Toward the end of the freeroll, your window of opportunity starts closing quickly. Now’s the time to be aggressive. The smaller stacks will be tightening their play and hoping for a miracle flop. They’re not the ones you need to worry about. Keep the pressure up to make them fight for the blinds or die trying. Your true targets are the bigger stacks because chip strength is a huge factor during the late stage.
Tighten up your play because aside from completing a Hail Mary, going in with draw hands will decimate your stack. Remember, the players who are still at the table aren’t stupid. They won’t be easy to trap. If you’re holding a big hand past the flop and get into a heads up contest with a bigger stack, raise. Don’t call. Raise.
There you have it, a 3-step plan for making freerolls pay off. The key thing to remember is that you didn’t put any of your own money at stake. You can afford to play aggressive.
To get your feet wet in freerolls, visit FullTilt and try the strategy we’ve described above. Then, visit the Kick Ass Poker forums and let us know how you did.
