Feb 9
by Chad Holloway
Sometimes the answer to tilt is a little Call of Duty.
I’ve made preparations to attend the World Series of Poker circuit event in Council Bluffs, Iowa that runs from February 18 thru March 2, 2010. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play the duration; in fact, I can only manage to go for a few days. I will be there from Feb. 24-26, which isn’t ideal but will still allow me to get some lucrative cash game action in. I will also play their Event #17, a $345 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament. I’m long overdue for a poker excursion and I’ve always enjoyed the circuit events. I’m hoping to have some UnaBomber Poker gear or patches to wear by that time as well.
Poker on TV has been keeping me entertained recently. A couple weeks back I watched Phil claim victory on Poker After Dark by outlasting Annette Obrestad, Mike Matusow, Erick Lindgren, and Phil Hellmuth. Laak also defeated Antonio Esfandiari heads-up for the $120k. which was entertaining to say the least. Speaking of entertaining, watching the two of them heckle Hellmuth as he blinded himself away was priceless. Congrats to Phil on that win. ESPN has also started to air the WSOP-Europe Main Event. I haven’t watched it yet, but it’s waiting for me on my DVR.
In other poker news, I’ve been on a bad run in recent weeks. This isn’t due so much to bad cards, but to my bad play. I’ve been struggling with two major problems: bankroll management and tilt. I’ve been risking way too much money every time I play and can’t seem to walk away when things aren’t going my way. Top this off with some really bad steaming and it makes for a dangerous situation. I’m going to try righting the ship by tightening my game and finding outlets for my tilt other than trying to make things happen. I know how important it is for successful poker players to exhibit control, over themselves and their bankroll, but this is proving easier said than done. It is something I know I need to work on and I’m making it a priority.
I hate to overlap on a topic that Phil talks about often, but I started playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (COD 2) and it is fantastic. I started off terribly but after a few hours I started getting back into the swing of things (I used to play the first one) and quickly rose through the ranks. I haven’t played online with Phil yet, but I should get his gamer-tag . . . for some reason I think that’d be a wicked good time.
My next blog will focus on some more WSOP Fantasy Poker stats. More specifically, I will reveal the top ten six-handed hold’em tournament players; as well as, the top ten Deuce-to-Seven tournament fantasy studs. These lists ought to help you if you’re planning on playing in a Fantasy Poker league this year, so check back for those.
Jan 13
by Chad Holloway
Barry Greenstein makes for a great WSOP Fantasy Poker HORSE pick.
I’ve been doing a lot of work in preparation for this year’s upcoming WSOP Fantasy Poker season. One project I’ve undertaken is sifting through WSOP stats since 2005 (which is the year Fantasy Poker began) and compiling a list of the best players in each poker variation. I just finished the H.O.R.S.E. stats and came up with what I determined to be the most valuable Fantasy Poker H.O.R.S.E. players at the W.S.O.P.
Before I get to the list, let me explain the criteria I looked at. First, I looked at the amount of money earned in H.O.R.S.E. events by each player. This meant literally making a list of every player to have ever cashed in an H.O.R.S.E. event at the W.S.O.P. I then made note of their finishes and the number of final tables they made (all important criteria in Fantasy Poker). After looking at all the stats, here are the players I consider being the top ten Fantasy Poker H.O.R.S.E. players:
10.) Doyle Brunson
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $407,904
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 1
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 3 (8th, 16th, & 22nd)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 23rd
9.) Huck Seed
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $569,769
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (5th & 7th)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 15th
8.) James Van Alstyne
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $439,899
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (1st, 2nd)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 22nd
7.) Mike DeMichele
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $1,251,174
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 1
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (2nd, 17th)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 7th
6.) David Bach
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $1,436,646
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 1
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (1st, 11th)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 5th
5.) Freddy Deeb
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $2,360,462
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 1
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (1st, 14th)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 1st
4.) David Singer
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $791,605
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 4 (6th, 6th, 37th, 41st)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 11th
3.) John Hanson
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $1,641,679
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 2 (2nd, 3rd)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 4th
2.) Barry Greenstein
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $825,693
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 4 (6th, 7th, 12th, 43rd)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 10th
1.) Phil Ivey
Total H.O.R.S.E. earnings: $851,022
H.O.R.S.E. final tables: 2
H.O.R.S.E. cashes: 4 (3rd, 4th, 12th, 24th)
H.O.R.S.E. Money List Rank: 9th
I wrote a full-length article on the H.O.R.S.E. Fantasy Poker studs that will appear in Poker Pro Magazine, so check that out in the coming months. Also, I’ll be doing this with the other poker variations so you can check back here and in Poker Pro Magazine for information on the all-time top performing Fantasy Poker players. I honestly believe this’ll catapult Fantasy Poker into a whole new realm.
In other Fantasy Poker news, I’m working on a big project that I can’t talk too much about yet. Basically it’d be the best free Fantasy Poker League on the web with top notch competition and great prizes. Once things flesh themselves out, I’ll be sure to write a bunch more on it, so keep checking back. Other than that, I’ll be watching Poker After Dark this week, rooting for the UnaBomber against the likes of Antonio Esfandiari, Annette Obrestad, Mike Matusow, and Phil Hellmuth (Erick Lindgren has already been eliminated).
Dec 31
by Chad Holloway
The 2010 WSOP will see several changes from last year.
Can you believe that final table of the Doyle Brunson World Poker Classic? It was the last World Poker Tour event of 2009 and it definitely ended the year on a high note. The final table was a laundry list of poker pros including Shawn Buchanan, Scotty Nguyen, Josh Arieh and eventual winner, Daniel Alaei. You may best remember Alaei for his performances on High Stakes Poker on GSN, but he is quite an accomplished tournament pro as well, adding a WPT title to his two WSOP titles. Congratulations to Daniel Alaei.
In other news, I see the WSOP released it schedule for the 2010 series as well as a number of changes. This year there will be 57 bracelet events running from May 27-July 17, 2010. Here are some of my thoughts on the upcoming series and newly implemented changes:
Expanded capacity- I was at the WSOP last year and was amazed by the sheer size of everything. Poker tables as far as the eye could see; however, as it turned out it still wasn’t enough. After the Day 1D Main Event debacle, where players were shut-out for the first time ever, the staff has decided to add more tables (about 20% more) and utilize their biggest space, the Pavilion Ballroom (58,000 sq ft). I thought the Amazon Room was tremendous so I can’t wait to see the Pavilion. Needless to say, this year’s event is going to be huge.
No Food Tent- Instead, the staff is using the Miranda Room to develop a food court. This is a great idea. The food tent last year was nothing special, over-priced and way too warm for comfort. Hopefully, they will add to their selection. Definitely a positive change here with a lot of potential.
$50k H.O.R.S.E. Format Change- The decision has been made to transform the format from H.O.R.S.E. to an 8-game mix. The Chip Reese Trophy is still up for grabs and I think this is another good change. Unlike last year, this event will be broadcast on ESPN, brining the prestige back into the mix. Furthermore, most of the top pros have been enjoying the 8-game mix online and in big cash games, making it the best test of poker skill for all-around players.
Deep Starting Stacks- Last year the players really seemed to enjoy getting 3x the buy-in starting stacks with slower blind structures. This allowed players to get more play for their buck, and I’m glad the WSOP staff kept it.
More $1,000 Buy-in Events- I was there for the $1,000 “Stimulus Special” last year and it was amazing. Literally too many people too count, with multiple eliminations occurring every minute. It was obviously popular and realistic for the average poker player in today’s economy. It was a fantastic idea to expand on a successful tournament and provide the players with an affordable shot at a bracelet.
$25k 6-Handed No Limit- This is a brand new addition to the tournament schedule. With such a large buy-in, the event will likely attract the biggest names in poker. This should be a field stacked with pros, which always makes for intense competition and entertainment.
I always get excited when the new WSOP schedule is announced. It’s a great opportunity to check out the changes and begin planning what events are worth playing. This year was no different and I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited for a WSOP. If the new changes are any indication, this may just be the best WSOP yet.
Dec 14
by Chad Holloway
As some of you may know, I write Fantasy Poker articles for Poker Pro Magazine and the European publication, Online Poke Pro. This has been a great experience and has allowed me to contribute to one of poker’s highest quality magazines. Another benefit from this experience is that my editor and fellow University of Wisconsin Alum, Johnny “Quads” Wenzel, informs me of some great opportunities in the poker world. Most recent he told me of an upcoming online tournament they are holding for a great cause, to honor the armed services. Not only that, the winner of the freeroll tournament will win a seat to the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event plus $2,000 for expenses. I’m looking forward to that and to learn more you can always pick-up a copy of Poker Pro Magazine (plus you’ll get to read some of my articles on Fantasy Poker).
In other poker news, I’ve decided to grind it out at some low stakes Sit & Gos here on UnaBomber. I’m usually playing some sort of ring games, but after scrolling through the lobby, I noticed UnaBomber offers some pretty decent Sit & Go options. My plan is to just grind those out for awhile and see how I do. I’m actually having a good time playing the “Double or nothing” tournaments. I’ve decided to avoid Pot Limit Omaha unless it’s the micro stakes, because it seems no matter what I do, I can’t beat that game.
My other poker plans include a trip to New Orleans in February. I’m going to visit some old friends and live it up at Mardi Gras, but I’m looking forward to putting a session or two in at the poker room in Harrah’s. I used to play there almost every day when I lived in NOLA, and I loved it. It’s a great room and it’s right off Bourbon Street. The 2009 WSOP Winter Bayou Poker Challenge is going on right now and I hate to miss it. Just the same, I can sit home all day playing online poker and avoid the 5 degree weather here in Wisconsin.
I’ll also be glued to the internet checking updates on the WPT Doyle Brunson Classic. I know the Unabomber himself will be playing, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed. Speaking of Mr. Laak, he seems to be addicted to Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. I can’t say that I blame him. I’m not the video gamer I used to be (thanks to internet poker) but even I can’t put down C.O.D.2. It is by far the best first-person shooter I have ever played and it is so much fun. You might see me on X-Box live playing under “Hollowayism.” If I’m not there check UnaBomber and I’ll probably be playing under the screenname “LuckBox07.”