$500 Freeroll, for facebook fans..

$500 Freeroll

Join us on Wednesday 7th September at 7pm (UK time) for a Club32 exclusive $500 Freeroll!

Sign up now, it’s 100% FREE!

 

1.  Click here and LIKE our facebook page.
2. Click on EVENTS for the password.

 

FREE POKER QUIZ!

Congratulations to kosmosAA for winning our previous Poker Quiz (click here for details).

Welcome to 32Red’s regularly updated Poker Quiz section where we ask you all sorts of poker questions and all you have to do is answer them correctly to enter our draw for free cash prizes & tournament tickets!

Are you ready?

On which day and at what time do our X Factor Freerolls run?

A: Fridays at 7pm (UK time)?
B: Saturdays at 8pm (UK time)?
C: Sundays at 9pm (UK time)?

Click here for a clue!

Post your answers below and if we pick your name out of the hat and you’ve posted the correct answer, we’ll give you a free poker chip worth $32!

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No Limit Hold’em: The Importance of Position on the Turn

No Limit Hold’em: The Importance of Position on the Turn

We all know by now the importance of position in No Limit Hold’em, and just by sensibly acquainting ourselves with the numerous implications of being in or out of position in the more common types of situation we can make a significant improvement to our game.

Here we shall touch upon considerations we should give to position in certain scenarios at the Turn stage of betting. The turn is a particularly awkward phase to play because by this stage the field has been whittled down to those players who believe that they have a realistic chance of winning the pot, whether this is through the strength of a made hand, draws or by way of a bluff. But of course there is usually only one winner, so how the players act on the turn plays a vital role in deciding who emerges with the chips, and whether or not players have made the best of their circumstances – do we get the most out of the pots we win and – equally important – do we get away with losing as little as possible when we don’t succeed in taking a pot?

Regardless of what our strategy has been during a hand then, depending on what the turn brings, we might find ourselves having to change tactics, and we must also look at the action (or otherwise) on the turn in terms of how the card might have affected the opposition’s play. Clearly, with only a limited amount of time to act, it helps to have in mind what we might do in response to certain cards appearing that are related to both our own hands and those we put our opponents on. We need to get used to thinking along these lines rather than allowing ourselves to be distracted while ‘waiting’ for our time to act – it’s not possible to concentrate ‘too much’ during a hand, and there’s no excuse for realising that we made a mistake moments after the hand has gone pear-shaped when we could have worked it out when it mattered and acted accordingly (of course we should be concentrating throughout a hand – even those we’re not involved in!).

For instance if a scare card comes on the turn we need to weigh up for whom the card has more meaning. It might not help us, but may also not help our opponent, who could well me more afraid of its arrival than we are.   Consequently the matter of position here is crucial. Let’s say the card brings a third heart that could have filled someone’s flush (but not us). The choices afforded us by being in position are very helpful indeed. Factoring in our opponent’s tendencies both in this hand and in previous play, we can respond to a check, for example, by checking behind if we judge that by betting we might run into a spoiling check-raise. Alternatively, if this opponent has shown a willingness to back down, then we can instead bet and most likely take the pot if doing so fits in with how the betting has panned out thus far (and, hopefully, is believable in terms of our table image). Even if out of position it might be possible to exploit these same factors by betting if it appears that assuming the initiative will induce a fold. However, such a play brings with it some danger, highlighting the problem of being out of position in this typical scenario. First, this being a game of information, having to act first means that to avoid being in the dark we need to invest more money, yet even when we do bet we are not going to be much wiser if our opponent merely calls – in fact the problem could be compounded if the river fails to help or further adds to the confusion and again we are first to act. On the other hand, if we check the turn and are faced with a bet, this ‘information’ could mean completely different things – our opponent might have filled a flush or the bet could be a total bluff that might see us folding the stronger hand, while it is also quite feasible that it is a genuine bet with another made hand. This example well illustrates the implications of position at the crucial stage of a hand. Of course it helps to be in position, but the more we appreciate its significance the more opportunities we will come across if it is apparent the opposition doesn’t fully understand the concept.

Having position on the turn also gives us more influence on pot control, so that we can call/bet/raise and so on according to the relative strength of our hand. Acting first might mean having to check-call with a decent but not great hand, for example. With the same hand when in position we can simply check behind to keep the pot at an acceptable level in order to be able to make an affordable call on the river. This has the advantage of inducing a bluff and thus earning more from the pot than if we had bet the turn (thus running the risk of running into a hefty check-raise).

With a not so good hand that we probably won’t want to invest further in should the river not help, then it is prudent to give way to any aggression on the turn rather than planlessly waste a bet.

Some players don’t like to check with a decent hand out of position because of the subsequent uncertainty in the event of having to deal with the opponent betting. Instead they bet out to hopefully take the pot against an opponent who simply believes this show of aggression, but to do this it helps if we feel that a further bet (bigger, as the pot is growing) will do the trick – otherwise the resulting bigger pot makes the river situation more urgent than the turn. Nevertheless, getting into the habit of being too passive doesn’t win pots, and betting here also has the advantage of earning value from those players who call (and are loathe to raise) with a weaker hand.

Positional considerations are key to turn play, and combining these with relevant factors will make a big difference to our results, especially if we haven’t before properly investigated this specific part of the game.

Good luck at the tables!

Angus Dunnington (AngusD)
32Red Poker Ambassador

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€150 “Spring Bank Holiday” Freeroll

€150 “Spring Bank Holiday” Freeroll

Enjoy a €150 Freeroll this ‘Spring Bank Holiday’ courtesy of 32Red Poker!

Tournament Details

Tournament Name	€150 “Spring Bank Holiday” Freeroll
Date & Time	Monday 30th May at 3pm (UK time)
Buyin	100% Free
Chips/Blinds	3000 starting chips, 6 minute levels
Details	No-Limit Texas Hold’em, Knockout
Prize pool	€150

 

PASSWORD: club32

 

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POKER QUIZ

Congratulations to Cidium for winning our previous Poker Quiz (click here for details).

Welcome to 32Red’s regularly updated Poker Quiz section where we ask you all sorts of poker questions and all you have to do is answer them correctly to enter our draw for free cash prizes & tournament tickets!

Are you ready?

 

What is 32Red celebrating on May 28th?

A: Will & Kate’s Honeymoon (€500 Freeroll)
B: Summer is Coming (€1,000 Freeroll)
C: UEFA Champions League Final (€2011 Freeroll)

Click here for a clue!

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Post your answers below and if we pick your name out of the hat and you’ve posted the correct answer, you’ll receive a FREE WSOP Qualifying Ticket (worth €9 + €1) to play at 32Red Poker!

Friday the 13th on 32Red Poker

€50 Bloodbath Freeroll

Tournament Details
Date & Time	Friday 13th May at 21:15
100% Free Buyin	Free
Chips/Blinds	600 starting chips, 6 minute levels, 6 seat tables
Details	No Limit Texas Hold’em, Freezeout
Guaranteed Prize Pool	€50

Password: bloodbath

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€150 SURVIVOR FREEROLL

Join us this Friday the 13th at 10pm (UK time) for a €150 Survivor Freeroll, courtesy of 32Red Poker.

Simply play 1 raked hand in May on any of our cash-games before signing up.

Tournament Details
Date & Time	Friday 13th May at 22:00
Entry Requirement	1 Raked Hand in May
Chips/Blinds	1000 starting chips, 6 minute levels (see ‘extra starting chips’, below)
Details	No Limit Texas Hold’em, Survivor, Freezeout
Guaranteed Prize Pool	€150

Get a head start…

Want an edge over your oponents?  Start the tournament with a bigger chip-stack!

Extra Starting Chips

Raked Hands Additional Chips 25 +750 Chips 50 +750 Chips 100 +750 Chips

Note! You can earn 1 raked hand anytime in May to gain entry to this Freeroll.  However, additional chips will only be issued on raked hands played in the final 24 hours prior to 30 minutes before the start of the tournament on Friday 13th May.  To check your raked hands launch the 32Red Poker lobby and select My Account > View My Raked Hands.

Irish Open 2011: Last Chance Freeroll

ONLY 2 PACKAGES LEFT!

If you took part in any of our Irish Open satellites but failed to qualify, then make sure you’re logged in to 32Red Poker on Sunday 10th April at 18:30 (UK time) for your last chance to get to Dublin.

There are only 2 remaining packages being offered at 32Red Poker to this year’s Irish Open, each worth €5,500, and they will be awarded to the top 2 finishers in Sunday’s “Irish Open Loyalty Freeroll Satellite” tournament.

Players who are eligible to take part have already been pre-registered to the tournament and will receive an email invitation a few days before the Freeroll kicks off.

Tournament Details

Tournament Name: Irish Open Loyalty Freeroll Satellite
Date & Time: Sunday 10th April at 18:30 (UK time)
Prize Pool: 2x €5,500 Packages to Irish Open 2011, 1st & 2nd place
Chips & Blinds: 2,000 starting chips, 15 minute blinds
Extra Chips: Extra starting chips awarded according to level of satellite played (see below)

Extra Starting Chips

Players can start with either 2K, 3K, 4K or 5K chips.  This depends on the Irish Open satellite they played at 32Red Poker.

• If you played a Monthly Final, you start with 5,000 chips.
• If you played a Weekly Final, you start with 4,000 chips.
• If you played a Daily Final, you start with 3,000 chips.
• If you played any other satellite, you start with 2,000 chips.

32Red Poker Lobby

To locate this Freeroll login to 32Red Poker and select Scheduled Tournaments > Freeroll, as illustrated below:

Poker Chat

Poker Chat

Taking too much interest in other players’ chat can be quite distracting, so those new to online poker might want to switch off chat until they get used to the actual mechanics and pace of the game itself. Some players – particularly multi-tablers – simply never look at the chat and concentrate wholly on the game.

However, with no physical tells available, the contents of the chat box during a session often offer useful information about players. Indeed different games attract different types of player, and the chat tends to vary from one format to another. On a NL cash table, for example, the very nature of the game, when a whole stack can disappear in seconds, tends to generate simplistic comments such as ‘bad luck’ or ‘wow!’ rather than analysis of a hand.

It is not unusual to see emotional, abusive chat after a big pot. Some players bemoan their bad luck, reload, are unlucky again, reload and start to play wildly (or too passively) because they are too emotional and should really be taking a break. While it might seem a little mercenary, in these cases keeping an eye on the chat will help against such players.

Potentially valuable chat might follow a fold in the face of a big bet, with players giving away information either voluntarily or in response to a question from someone trying to induce opponents into revealing something. For example a pre-flop raiser might be called in two places and then again post-flop. Then a sizeable bet on the turn could be called by one player but met with a massive all-in, which takes down the pot. After folding, the pre-flop aggressor might then say something like ‘Nice bet – did you have trips/flush draw/two pair?’ in order to gain some info while the winner is feeling good about winning. The answer could mean anything, of course, and might not be true, but cumulative comments combined with that player’s actual play could come in useful. Note that it is worth considering this psychological aspect of the game only if we keep an eye on the play itself. Chat information is far more valuable when part of an overall picture.

When it comes to luck, the ‘luck of the Irish’ always plays a part in the Irish Open, which is one of the world’s best poker festivals. 32Red Poker are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by offering 32 free qualifying tickets to this year’s Irish Open in Dublin in the special “St. Paddy’s Day” Freeroll today, Thursday 17th March at 19:30 (UK time). Entry is free and the top 32 positions will each receive a free shot at qualifying for the Main Event.
Good luck at the tables!
AngusD

€50 Blog Freeroll

Non-stop action at 32Red Poker, the world’s favourite online poker room!

Up next, we have prepared yet another €50 Blog Freeroll especially for 32Red’s blog members.

Tournament Details

Date & Time: Tuesday 4th January 2011, at 20:00 (UK time)
Buy-in: 100% Free
(Click here to download 32Red Poker)

Password

2011ismyyear

32Red Poker’s Welcome Package

If you have not yet made your first deposit at 32Red Poker, here’s what you’re missing:

• 100% Welcome Bonus up to $320 FREE!
• €500 New Player Freerolls
• €1,000 Depositor Freeroll
• 100 Free Redbacks

Click here to find out more about 32Red Poker’s Welcome Package and good luck at the tables!

Multi-Tabling at 32Red Poker (Part 2)

Not surprisingly there is no guaranteed recipe for success when it comes to multi-tabling, but the good news is that playing two, three or four tables simultaneously is by no means two, three or four times more difficult than focusing exclusively on a single table. In fact a key aspect of your game can be made even easier by multi-tabling – namely hand selection. We are all guilty (with just one table) of ignoring logic pre-flop by throwing money into the pot with mediocre hands, either because we simply like the look of them (don’t get friendly with 73 suited, for example, because it gave you a big win a couple of times and is now your favourite hand – in fact if you must have a favourite I suggest AA) or because we overestimate their potential in certain situations. Boredom is another excuse (if you’re bored you’re doing something wrong), and another reason why multi-tabling could be for you. Adding a table or two ups your hands per hour rate considerably, giving you less time to talk yourself into making poor pre-flop decisions (note the imperative optimistic poker player’s approach – less time can be a good thing) and essentially forces you to tighten up this vital part of the game so that you can be properly selective and thus confident that when you do get involved in a hand you have more strength. There is also a positive knock-on effect in that you reduce the number of times when poor pre-flop play puts you in an awkward post-flop situation that tends to compound the problem – with your attention required elsewhere the need for clinical, logical decision making means simply letting go of potentially troublesome hands in order to focus on hands that really do have legs (if you will). To sum up, even going from one to two tables affords you better concentration, getting you into the habit of sensible hand selection by increasing the rate at which you are dealt genuinely playable hands – multi-tabling helps tighten up your game.

32 Days of Poker…

Now is a great time to give multi-tabling a try thanks to 32Red Poker’s feast of freebies and specials that can be found every day during the 32 Days of Poker – Click on a bauble and see what’s on offer for that particular day. For example several days are set aside for giving you free money, with 10 euros going into your account for every 500 Redbacks earned! If you’re used to playing a single table this is a perfect opportunity to open up a second in order to double your Redbacks tally. Fortunately there are quite a few days with this particular offer, so as you progress you’ll be able to add another table or two.

Other events include freeroll and bounty tournaments (with generous prizes) and qualifiers for the main event, the €5000 Freeroll ‘Goodbye 2010′ which takes place 27-28 December, nicely slotted between Christmas and New Year. And don’t worry about qualifying, as just by taking part in an event you receive a coupon that entitles you to enter – each coupon is worth 500 chips, so start racking them up to boost your stack even before a card has been dealt! Oh – there are also iPads up for grabs.

Good luck at the tables!

AngusD

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