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.
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.
Full Tilt Poker Academy Is Up And Running
One of the reasons we cover Full Tilt Poker often on this blog is because they keep pumping out new features, competitions, and tools for their members. Their recent launch of the Full Tilt Poker Academy is a perfect example. Once you join FullTiltPoker.com, enrolling into their Academy is absolutely free.
But, don’t let the price (or lack of one) fool you. The Academy is jam-packed with lessons, videos, and live sessions from the biggest names in poker.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect…
Poker Strategy Lessons With The Full Tilt Pro’s
FullTilt Poker has a huge roster of pro’s including high-profile stars like Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Phil Gordon, and Chris Ferguson. They come together in the Full Tilt Poker Academy to explain their expert strategies and techniques. They’ll break down their hands in multimedia videos so you’ll understand the reasons behind their play. Would you like to learn how Lederer, Ferguson, and others pro’s climbed their way to the top of mountain? These video strategy lessons will show you.
Visit Full Tilt Poker to enroll (for free!) into their Academy.
Pro Sessions: Putting Theory Into Practice
The Academy’s pro sessions take the strategy lessons to the next logical level. In the lessons, you’ll learn specific techniques as explained by the best minds in poker. In the pro sessions, you’ll watch as those techniques are applied during hands.
You can see Paul Wasicka gradually increase the pressure in a $2/$4 heads-up NL hold’em game. Or, watch Allen Cunningham battle his way through a $1/$2 NL 6-handed game. Amanda Baker will take you through a 9-handed $1/$2 NL cash game.
Full Tilt Academy Challenges: Testing Your New Poker Skills
You’ve learned opponent-crushing poker techniques in the strategy lessons. You’ve watched them played out step-by-step in the pro sessions.
Think you’ve got what it takes? It’s time to prove it.
The Full Tilt Poker Challenges are specifically designed to put your new skills to the test. They’re not limited to testing whether you know how to play suited connectors in the pre-flop or how to bluff. These challenges go much further.
You’ll have a chance to test your bankroll management skills (this is more important than most players think). You can also show off how well you know how to leverage your position, master the bubble, and go deep into the SNG’s.
The Full Tilt Poker Academy is the latest offering in a string of tools and promotions. Again, enrolling is free after you join FullTiltPoker.com.
If you’re not already a member (what are you waiting for?), visit Full Tilt Poker and register your account. The Academy awaits.
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.
