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 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.
Poker Bankroll Management: Living To Fight Another Day
Every professional poker player learns how to manage their bankroll. If they don’t, they’ll go broke. A lot of poker neophytes think bankroll management involves looking at their stack of chips and thinking to themselves, “that should be enough.”
It’s not. But, it’s a great way to go bust.
Today, we’re going to explain the basics of poker bankroll management. We’ll describe how to manage your stack in cash games (both limit and no limit) and SNG tournaments. As you’ll see, drawing a line in the sand and sticking to it no matter where it leads is a critical piece of the process. For a full treatment on the subject, read our article on bankroll management.
Before we get started, take a peek at this picture to see what’s possible…
Cash Game Bankroll Management
The size of your bankroll should determine the stakes you’re playing. Obviously, if you have $50 in your account, you don’t want to jump onto a $5/$10 table. You’re not playing online roulette. That said, you need to establish your metrics and stick to them.
A good rule of thumb for limit cash games is to have at least 300 times the big blind. For example, if your bankroll is $100, you can comfortably get into a $.10/$.20 game. On the other hand, a $.25/$.50 table would stretch your chip stack too thin. For those stakes, you should have a minimum of $150 (or, 300 x $.50).
No-limit games require a larger bankroll because blood can flow quickly. It’s not uncommon to see players lose their entire stack in one hand (and look confused after it happens). So, your bankroll needs to be bigger in order to handle the crashes. For NL games, plan to have at least 20 times the maximum buy-in. Assuming the buy-in is equal to 100 big blinds, playing a $.05/$.10 game would require $200.
Those stakes may sound small, but remember, no-limit games can get messy fast.
SNG Tournament Bankroll Management
A lot of beginning poker players jump into sit-and-go tournaments thinking they’re less volatile than cash games. They’re not. SNGs actually have more variance than NL games. That means your bankroll should be even larger.
Experienced players often suggest having a minimum of 25 times the max buy-in. Personally, we’d suggest bumping it to 40, especially if you’re just starting out. For example, if you’re getting into a $5 + $0.50 SNG, you should have $200. That will give you a good buffer to withstand a couple of blowouts on your way past the bubble.
Moving Down Or Going Broke
So far, we’ve focused on how to choose your stakes based on the size of your bankroll. But, what if your stack suffers a brutal beating? You need to be open to moving down to lower stakes until you can rebuild. We know it doesn’t feel right, but if you stay at your current stake level, you’ll go broke in a hurry.
For limit games, move down once your bankroll hits 200 times the big blind. For no-limit games, 15 times the max buy-in should be your signal.
One last note about choosing your stakes: your playing style matters. If you’re a tight player who rarely goes into the flop, you can probably get away with a smaller bankroll. After all, a tighter play means smaller swings and less variance. Of course, if you’re a gunslinger raising every bet, you’ll want a bigger buffer. You should probably review our poker tips, too.
That’s bankroll management in a nutshell. To get some experience, visit Poker Stars and claim your 100% match up to $50. It’s one of the easiest bonuses to clear. Plus, starting with $100 ($50 deposit plus your $50 bonus) is a great way to learn how to manage your bankroll on the cheap.
You can read a full explanation regarding how to redeem your PokerStars bonus code (stars50) and clear your bonus.
Your Position, Strength, And Strategy In Texas Holdem
We’d be willing to bet over 80% of the folks playing at the biggest poker rooms don’t realize how important their table position is.
If you play at PokerStars, FullTiltPoker, or SportsBook, you’ll often see flop percentages hovering over 50%. A lot of those high percentages are due to fish who get pulled into the flop because savvy players are exploiting their position. If you’re not sure what position is and why it should influence your holdem strategy, don’t worry. We’re going to cover that today.
Let’s get you up to speed so the next time you log into your poker account, you’ll have your guard up. Before we start, take a second to get acquainted with the following table:
Early Position Strategy
Position is based on where you’re sitting in relation to the button. If you’re in the early position, you’re at a disadvantage. Every person to your left has more information than you. They’re reacting to what you and others before them do.
Don’t go in with a marginal hand. If you have a high pocket pair (Aces, for example), you’re safe. But, don’t push with a weak suited connector hoping to flop your set. Remember, in a full game, there are at least 7 players after you. If you get squeezed, you’ll just hemorrhage chips.
Middle Position Strategy
Being in the middle position is better than being in the early position. But, not that much better. You don’t have to play as tightly going into the flop as you would when your Under The Gun (Carol’s position from the above table). That said, there are still several players acting after you. If they’re aggressive and know how to use their late position, they can easily pull you into the flop and take your chips.
Things aren’t clear cut when you’re in the middle position. Watch the other players. Be wary of the aggressive ones in late positions. But, if you notice a few players limping into the pot before you, call on a low pair or suited connectors. If they fold to you, raise. Your odds just increased.
Late Position Strategy
This is where you can make money. Not only are you positioned to know more than nearly every player at the table, but you can steal blinds much easier. Stealing blinds is practically impossible when you’re Under The Gun. It’s tough even when you’re playing the middle position. When you’re late, you’re acting on what everyone else does.
If every player before you simply calls the blind, raise. Even if you’re not holding anything. If the table isn’t overly-aggressive, you’ll weed out several players when they fold. Plus, those who don’t fold will be under your thumb for future betting rounds.
Exploiting your position and the positions of your opponents can take a lot of players by surprise. Like we mentioned, most of the players at PokerStars, FullTiltPoker, and SportsBook don’t seem to appreciate the power of position.
If you want to practice your position strategy at Texas Holdem, visit PokerStars. They draw a lot of new players, so the hunting grounds are full of easy game. Plus, remember that PokerStars has one of the easiest to clear bonuses around (100% match up to $50).
Visit PokerStars and start using your position against the fish.
Battle The Pros In PokerStars All Star Week
On March 23rd (this coming Monday), Poker Stars is kicking off their inaugural All Star Week. A tightly-selected group of All Star Challengers will take on Team PokerStars Pro, a syndicate including pros such as Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker, and Greg Raymer. The Challengers and Team Pro will face off in a series of heads-up matches.
If you have taken the time to read our PokerStars review, you already know they’re our top-rated poker room. When you join Poker Stars.com, you’ll have a chance to get in on the All Star Week action. Today, we’ll tell you how it works and how you can get involved.
Visit PokerStars and use bonus code “stars50“.
How PokerStars Selected The Challengers
There are 5 ways to make it onto the All Star Challengers team…
1. Win a Sunday Million Tourney in 2008.
2. Reach a WCOOP final table in 2008.
3. Make it to Supernova Elite status in the PokerStars VIP Club.
4. Hit a top rank in the Yearly Tournament Leader Board.
5. Qualify as a wildcard with an $11 buy-in.
Poker Stars held 5 preliminary tournaments this past Sunday to whittle the number down to 5 Challengers. Those 5 players are scheduled to hit the tables in 35 heads-up matches between March 23rd and March 29th (5 matches per day).
Each match has a $1,000 prize attached. For every heads-up that Team PokerStars Pro wins, $1,000 goes to a charity of Victor Ramdin’s choosing (Ramdin is the team Captain). For each match that the All Star Challengers win, $1,000 goes into a prize pool they’ll split at the end.
Here’s where you come in. When you join Poker Stars.com (use bonus code “stars50“), you can get a piece of the action.
How You Can Get In On The Action
On April 5th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. EST, PokerStars.com is holding two All Star Week fan tournaments. The buy-in for each is 100 Frequent Player Points. Here’s how it works:
First, choose which team you’re rooting for: the All Star Challengers or Team PokerStars Pro. Then, visit the Lobby in your Poker Stars software. Click “Tourney” and then click “Special” to register. You can only choose 1 tournament; you can’t participate in both.
Each time a player from your chosen team wins a heads up match during All Star Week, $1,000 is added to your tournament’s prize pool. Win your tournament and you’ll share in the spoils.
It’s not too late to visit PokerStars.com and join the fun. If you don’t have an account yet, use bonus code “stars50” to get your 100% match up to $50.
We have a feeling that All Star Week is going to be a phenomenal hit.
