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<channel>
	<title>Vincent's Poker Blog</title>
	<atom:link href="http://vincentfiore.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://vincentfiore.com</link>
	<description>I'm Vincent -- and I talk about poker.</description>
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		<title>Excellent Laydown by Annette Obrestad</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/08/excellent-laydown-by-annette-obrestad/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/08/excellent-laydown-by-annette-obrestad/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:23:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Vincent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Annette Obrestad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Negreanu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Series of Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Series of Poker Europe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=140</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I love seeing Annette play. She calls the flop, she improves her hand on the turn and just knows she&#8217;s beat. That&#8217;s the differnce between a world-class poker-playing machine from Eastern Europe and me. I just stick it in there, Annette Obrestad doesn&#8217;t, she gets away from it losing close to no chips. Pure beauty!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I love seeing Annette play. She calls the flop, she improves her hand on the turn and just knows she&#8217;s beat. That&#8217;s the differnce between a world-class poker-playing machine from Eastern Europe and me. I just stick it in there, <a href="http://www.annetteobrestad.info/" target="_blank">Annette Obrestad</a> doesn&#8217;t, she gets away from it losing close to no chips. Pure beauty!</p>
<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/2010/08/excellent-laydown-by-annette-obrestad/"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
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		<title>How to properly play rag Aces</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/04/how-to-properly-play-rag-aces/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/04/how-to-properly-play-rag-aces/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:35:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Vincent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aces]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=134</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Holding rag aces or an ace-rag simply means you were given an Ace and another card that is lower than 10. You can call A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, and A9 rag races. In short, ace-rag is an Ace coming with a low kicker. Now how do you play an ace-rag hand? [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.freepokerphotos.com/archives/a3-of-spades-ace-of-spades-3-of-spades/"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-136" title="Ace Trey of Spades" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/DSC_9084-300x199.jpg" alt="Ace Trey of Spades" width="300" height="199" /></a>Holding rag aces or an ace-rag simply means you were given an Ace and another card that is lower than 10. You can call A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, and A9 rag races. In short, ace-rag is an Ace coming with a low kicker.</p>
<p>Now how do you play an ace-rag hand? It will be a very common mistake for inexperienced to get very confident with their hand because of the ace that they are holding. Most of the time this gets them into trouble.</p>
<p>One good rule for rag aces is to consider to fold them always since they will rarely win big for you. More often than not, you will end up losing money because you will be out kicked.</p>
<p>If you want to consider playing the ace and the low kicker, wait for a top pair on the flop. Watch out though for another opponent who raises before the flop because most likely they out kick your cards &#8211; and you&#8217;re on your way out of the <a href="http://casino.gamingsupermarket.com/">casino</a> broke.</p>
<p><span id="more-134"></span>Here are some tips on how you play rag aces:</p>
<ol>
<li>You can only win small pots even if you get a top pair. There might be another player who has a worse kicker but most likely he will not put much chips into it unless he is true <a href="http://donkaments.info/">Donkaments</a>.</li>
<li>It can be a profitable scenario but it is also a rare one that you make two pairs after the flop but you will be head on against someone who has a better kicker. The chances of being profitable are very slim.</li>
<li>You can bet it out if you are holding an ace-rag but there can be another player who has a better ace making you doubt your hand or there will be an opponent who has a lower kicker who eventually folds his stand. It is still a small pot for you in the end.</li>
</ol>
<p>As you can see, what we highlight here is that rag aces do not win you big pots. It does not work miracles for you on the poker table. Even with a two pair, it can be a losing battle in the long run. Drill it in your head, an A6 that you hold will not be better when someone holds an AQ before you see the flop. <strong>Save yourself some chips and fold</strong>.</p>
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		<title>Pokerstars sounds SEXIER in Polish</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/03/pokerstars-sounds-sexier-in-polish/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/03/pokerstars-sounds-sexier-in-polish/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:02:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Vincent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Pokerstars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Negreanu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online poker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=131</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BAM BAM BAM! I love this Polish stuff!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>BAM BAM BAM!</p>
<p>I love this Polish stuff! <img src='http://vincentfiore.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt=':D' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/2010/03/pokerstars-sounds-sexier-in-polish/"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>It's vital to pick <a href="http://vincentfiore.com/what-are-the-characteristics-of-a-good-online-casino/">the right online casino for you</a> before you start your gaming career. Read up <a href="http://vincentfiore.com/what-are-the-characteristics-of-a-good-online-casino/">in this article</a> about what makes a good, and what makes a bad online casino.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>KATHY LIEBERT IS THE SHIZNIT! :D</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/01/kathy-liebert-is-the-shiznit-d/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2010/01/kathy-liebert-is-the-shiznit-d/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:48:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Vincent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daniel Negreanu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kathy Liebert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=128</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[LOOOOOL I LOVE KATHY LIEBERT SO FREAKING MUCH. HAHAHAHAHA. She talks about Howard and Annie &#8211; she talks shit about Daniel in his face. Daniel Negreanu: REPREZENT HOLMES!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>LOOOOOL I LOVE <a href="http://www.kathy-liebert.com/">KATHY LIEBERT</a> SO FREAKING MUCH. HAHAHAHAHA. She talks about Howard and Annie &#8211; she talks shit about Daniel in his face. <a href="http://danielnegreanu.org/">Daniel Negreanu</a>: REPREZENT HOLMES!</p>
<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/2010/01/kathy-liebert-is-the-shiznit-d/"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Determine a Good Starting Hand: 3</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-3/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:30:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Poker Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting hands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let&#8217;s take a moment to talk about raising and the strategy you should employ when you do so &#8212; specifically as it applies to your starting hand. There are certain times when you need to bet or raise very, very aggressively before the dealer even lays out the flop. If you have two aces, two [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-3.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-118" title="hand-3" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-3-300x217.jpg" alt="hand-3" width="234" height="170" /></a>Let&#8217;s take a moment to talk about raising and the strategy you should employ when you do so &#8212; specifically as it applies to your starting hand.</p>
<p>There are certain times when you need to bet or raise very, very aggressively before the dealer even lays out the flop.  If you have two aces, two kings, two queens, or an ace and king combo before the flop is dealt, that is when you need to be aggressive.  This is because these particular cards can often lose their inherent values when the pot is large and there are multiple players in the game.</p>
<p>Sometimes, you need to be very careful and even moderate when you are betting and raising for the flop.  You should be somewhere in the middle if your starting hand consists of an ace and a king, an ace and a queen, an ace and a jack, or a king and a queen.</p>
<p>Lastly, remember that you should only raise two jacks when you are playing a tight table, because it will run out those hands which consists of aces and nines, and things of that nature.  You should probably not ever raise on two tens.</p>
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		<title>How to Determine a Good Starting Hand: 2</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-2/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:19:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Poker Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=114</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now, while two aces or two kings and cards of a similar nature are unquestionably a good starting point, even they will not necessarily guarantee you a win. Many poker players, whether they are new to the game or seasoned at it, do not truly consider the importance of their starting hand. You can look [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-2.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-115" title="hand-2" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-2-300x199.jpg" alt="hand-2" width="231" height="153" /></a>Now, while two aces or two kings and cards of a similar nature are unquestionably a good starting point, even they will not necessarily guarantee you a win.</p>
<p>Many poker players, whether they are new to the game or seasoned at it, do not truly consider the importance of their starting hand.  You can look all over the internet and in any number of strategy books, and most of the resources you find will give you the same list of acceptable starting hands &#8212; but those are only anticipated hands.</p>
<p>You see, the strength or weakness of your hand depends on more than just the cards.  It depends largely on how many players are still in the game and how many callers there are within that number.  Whether you get ace/ace, king/king, ace/king or anything like that, you have to consider raises, calls and any number of other aspects of the game &#8212; over which you have absolutely no control.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How to Determine a Good Starting Hand: 1</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-1/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/how-to-determine-a-good-starting-hand-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:11:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Poker Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting hands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Naturally, even a beginner poker player has to know that quite often, everything relies on your starting hand. That is typically your key to winning &#8212; now, not always, of course, because who knows what will happen in the course of a game? Often, however, your game will hinge on your starting hand and it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-1.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-112" title="hand-1" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hand-1-289x300.jpg" alt="hand-1" width="186" height="194" /></a>Naturally, even a beginner poker player has to know that quite often, everything relies on your starting hand.  That is typically your key to winning &#8212; now, not always, of course, because who knows what will happen in the course of a game?  Often, however, your game will hinge on your starting hand and it can be the whole key to being able to win a hand of poker, whether it is Omaha, Texas Hold &#8216;Em, or 5 Card Stud.</p>
<p>But how do you judge your starting hand?  What marks a good one?  The odds are typically against the kind of hand that will make you a winner right off the bat.  You have to learn about considering percentages and learn to rely on your hole cards the most.</p>
<p>Two aces are great for a start; two kings are as well, or suited face cards &#8212; but what if that does not happen?  Are those the only good starting hands?</p>
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		<title>The Dangers of Poker: Keeping It in Perspective</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/the-dangers-of-poker-keeping-it-in-perspective/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/10/the-dangers-of-poker-keeping-it-in-perspective/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:27:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gambling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=107</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[To a very large extent, poker is a game of logic. The professional players you see winning time and time again do so because they are able to keep things in perspective, even when the game gets fierce, even when the hand they are playing is particularly the nuts. People are by and large drawn [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/addict.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-108" title="addict" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/addict-150x150.jpg" alt="addict" width="150" height="150" /></a>To a very large extent, poker is a game of logic.  The professional players you see winning time and time again do so because they are able to keep things in perspective, even when the game gets fierce, even when the hand they are playing is particularly the nuts.</p>
<p>People are by and large drawn to poker because it is one of only several betting based games wherein winning is actually a possibility.  With casino betting, whether you are at a bricks casino or playing online, the odds are generally stacked against you, no matter what you may think.  Roulette, craps &#8212; there are no guarantees, even in Blackjack, unless you know how to count cards.</p>
<p>A lot of people never play poker because of the money &#8212; they play for fun, enjoyment, and entertainment.  However, just as many players <em>are</em> in it for the money &#8212; and that is where things can get dangerous.  You may not necessarily develop a gambling problem, but you don&#8217;t have to be addicted to lose a butt load of money.</p>
<p>Never, ever start playing because you think you can get rich quick.  By the same token, take every loss with a grain of salt.  When you start thing you have to win your losses back immediately, you&#8217;re in trouble.</p>
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		<title>Online Gambling Notices Rescinded in Minnesota</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/06/online-gambling-notices-rescinded-in-minnesota/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/06/online-gambling-notices-rescinded-in-minnesota/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:20:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minnesota]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=104</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s some good news for gamblers and poker lovers in Minnesota, not to mention for eleven of the biggest internet service providers in the world. A mere four days following the statewide victory of the Poker Players Alliance, the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of Minnesota&#8217;s Public Safety division set word to the aforementioned ISPs. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/banned.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-105" title="banned" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/banned-300x240.jpg" alt="banned" width="282" height="225" /></a>Here&#8217;s some good news for gamblers and poker lovers in Minnesota, not to mention for eleven of the biggest internet service providers in the world.  A mere four days following the statewide victory of the Poker Players Alliance, the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of Minnesota&#8217;s Public Safety division set word to the aforementioned ISPs.  The purpose of the letters sent?  To let the ISPs know that the state was officially rescinding the notices it sent out announcing that it would be blocking two hundred web sites devoted to gambling on the internet.</p>
<p>Verizon, Qwest, Charter, Sprint, and Comcast were but a few of the internet service providers served with this notice.  The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division was calling for a block of more than just poker sites.  There were a veritable bevy of <a href="http://www.bingoliner.co.uk/">bingo</a> sites included in their list of the sites they wanted blocked as well.  They even included web sites which actually do not accept any actions from within the United States.</p>
<p>iMEGA filed a suit against the director of the division soon after the list was publicized.  And they ultimately won, leading the division to rescind its demands.</p>
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		<title>Harrah&#8217;s Goes for EuroPoker</title>
		<link>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/05/harrahs-goes-for-europoker/</link>
		<comments>http://vincentfiore.com/2009/05/harrahs-goes-for-europoker/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2009 01:25:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lyndsie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online poker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrah's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legalization of poker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://vincentfiore.com/?p=99</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The latest in online poker news is revolving heavily around Harrah&#8217;s Entertainment.  Just this Friday, the company made the annoucement detailing plans to expand internationally.  Specifically, a spokesperson for Harrah&#8217;s announced plans to expand in both gaming and the technologies, beginning on the European continent. This was actually a very smart move on Harrah&#8217;s part.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-100" title="online-poker2" src="http://vincentfiore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/online-poker2.jpg" alt="online-poker2" width="300" height="350" />The latest in online poker news is revolving heavily around Harrah&#8217;s Entertainment.  Just this Friday, the company made the annoucement detailing plans to expand internationally.  Specifically, a spokesperson for Harrah&#8217;s announced plans to expand in both gaming and the technologies, beginning on the European continent.</p>
<p>This was actually a very smart move on Harrah&#8217;s part.  This past week, a lot of companies in the United States have been making a very big to do about legalizing online poker.  The ensuing uproar has, of course, garnered a lot of attention.  And yet, there you have Harrah&#8217;s, releasing a rather subtle, understated press release, because they are essentially one upping every single one of their competitors.</p>
<p>To be sure, this announcement is sure to have an enormous effect on the World Series of Poker, especially if the game gets legalized in the United States.  The World Series is already huge, but experts anticipate that with the legalization of the game coupled with Harrah&#8217;s new EuroPoker venture &#8212; which is certain to do better than EuroDisney, since it involves gambling and money &#8212; will make the World Series of Poker an internationally huge phenomenon.</p>
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