Over the past six months or so, I have been working with Chris Levick, and several others from www.redbackpoker.com, an online poker site, based in Australia.  Redback Poker, part of the Cake Poker network introduced a different type of tournament in November called the Redback International.  The goal of this tournament was to have bar poker players from around the World compete against each other in a single online free-roll tournament for huge cash prizes in an online arena.  Straight Flush Poker was proud to be the first US-based bar poker league to become a part of this setting.  We were able to sign up 12 of our players into the December Redback International held on December 11^th, at 7p.m. One of the logistical issues we had was that the initial tournament in November was held on Australian time, which meant it would have started here in the States at about 11:00p.m.  So we were able to work with Redback to get the tourney started at noon Oz time, which meant it was 7p.m. the evening before here locally.  In this tournament, there were only 237 players (primarily from the Australian bar poker leagues), with a prize pool valued at almost $18, 000 USD.

Why join forces to work in an online setting?  Most bar leagues focus on the live tournament settings, and many of these players do not actually play in an online venue.  When Redback Poker approached me with the idea, I was skeptical.  First being more of a live player, my experience with online poker is limited.  However, here was an opportunity to venture into a new realm of poker prize packages.  Being a relatively small company, I wanted to be able to provide my players with opportunity to be able to win larger prizes.  In the past Straight Flush was offering seats to big tournaments like the Canterbury Classic, and the WSOP circuit events in Iowa.  But with the continued success of online poker, I can provide the players with a new avenue to play poker.

From a first-time standpoint, the Redback International turned out to be a huge success for everyone involved.  Two of our twelve players cashed, which was actually more exciting to watch than I anticipated.  The tournament itself was run very smoothly, no complaints from our end, and the players, many of whom were even more skeptical than I was, were very happy in playing the tournament.  Our players were able to mingle with overseas players, something they would typically not be able to do.  Personally, I had a great time playing with all of the players.  Although I was knocked out about midway through, I was able to chat with and cheer on my other league players from the rail.  One thing I found in this setting, was that I could cheer for only a few players, versus when I’m running a live finals within our venues, I’m basically cheering for all of the finalists.   I look forward to continuing to work with Redback, and gearing up for February’s RBI tournament.

For more information on Straight Flush Poker, visit www.sfpokertour.com.  Redback Poker, visit www.redbackpoker.com or www.theredbackinternational.com.  Tell them the Straight Flush Poker Tour sent you.

Bar poker and its popularity around the United States has continued to grow at a staggering rate as does online poker.  Most of the larger online poker sites offer free tournament and ring game options which introduce the newer player to the game and hopefully allow them to venture further into the cash options later down the road.  Bar poker does the same thing by giving novice players an opportunity to play with other live players, where one is able to catch reads and hone other live skills that one typically would not learn from online play.  If the league is running a tourney correctly, it can get as close to live cash games as a brick and mortar card room tournament.

There are other similarities between live bar poker and the free online sites.  The play is typically much looser than it would be in a cash-type setting.   What every bar player needs to keep in mind during the game is that there is typically no investment from any of the other players in order to play the event.  Because there is no real “risk” involved for the player, they can and do get much looser and more aggressive with their play.   Many of the books written out there call these players calling stations, donkeys, or a number of other terms.   However, some better players will mix it up a lot more frequently when playing bar poker and play many more marginal hands.  And when a regular cash player comes in and sees these players calling all sorts of bets with a marginal hand such as 53o, there tends to be a little frustration, especially when those hands are winning. Many bar players are just starting to get their feet wet in regards to live poker.  So what better way to learn than at a free tournament setting?

I’ve been to many tournaments and there is always at least one incident where one player runs into a calling station and gets beat, to lose all of the chips.  Granted most of these incidents do not escalate any further than some light comments being passed back and forth, but occasionally there are some truly upset players, and they make it known to the rest of the bar that the calling station just called off their chips on a one-outer and caught.  Many of the bar players are there for the social interaction, maybe some good food or drink specials, but the bottom line is they are there for fun and relaxation.  If they end up winning the first place prize at the end of the night, it is merely a bonus.   So when the player that typically plays in live action or cash games at their local card room comes in to play free poker, they fail to separate the two styles of play and hence players.

Once a player can discern the difference between live cash investment and the no risk poker tournaments, the experience can be played as it was meant to be.  This should be a relaxing environment, with an opportunity to learn how to read players and play against a looser environment.  It is no fun for anyone in the establishment to see or hear a player berate another for a play that they do not agree with.  I’ve taken a few bad beats in my day, but dished out a lot more as well.   There is still a little skepticism for hosting bar tournaments throughout.  Mainly because no one wants a group of troublemakers loitering their establishment, scaring off the regular customers.  I’ve seen bars drop leagues for that reason alone.  So when you go to the local pub for your favorite game, remember that the players are there to have fun.  If you’re really there to win a $50-$100 prize, you’re there for the wrong reason.  I haven’t seen anyone make a career out of winning bar poker tournaments.  Keep in mind that even if you happen to win, you make about 60% after you pay your tab.  That averages out to about $6.00/hr.  Is getting really upset over a bad beat really worth it?  Free poker is an entertainment venue.  Let’s not have one or two people ruin it for the rest of us.

I have been playing live poker professionally part-time since early 2004. In the beginning, I really didn’t understand the concept, but over time got better at the game and eventually became able to support myself, at least to a point. You can say I invested quite a bit (time and money) into the game to learn some invaluable lessons through my part-time endeavor. When Minnesota passed its legislation allowing Texas Hold’em to be played as a skill game, we started seeing a huge influx of bars and other establishments hosting these NLHE tournaments. Today, one can look and find a poker game just about anywhere on any night of the week. These tournaments attract 20-100+ players for each tournament.

Over these past few years, I have seen a lot of these bar players come over to the live action, through either the Brick & Mortar casinos, or home garage games. I run across players all of the time that came from the bar tournament scene and play live cash just like they would at the local pub. The thing to keep in mind when a player decides that he/she understands the game enough to venture out into the real world to play poker is that there is now an investment in the game. There will be real money at stake, and if one is not careful, it can cause a lot of problems financially.

When I talk to bar players about the transition, I get the question all the time about why I would want to divulge information basically helping a bar player to get better at a live action game. Isn’t this the kind of person I want to play with me at a live table? When you think about it, no it isn’t, not really. Even though the odds and percentages may be in my favor most of the time, I want someone who has a little better understanding of the game, and can be able to lay down 78 to a three-bet when the Flop comes 10-9-2, especially when I am holding a set or two-pair at that point. This past summer I saw a lot of draw-happy players in the card rooms and at a Limit table it is nearly impossible to have bad players fold drawing hands. The pot is way too juicy, and it is just too good to pass up. So when the bad player hits his 8-outer in this case, on the river to catch that straight over your two-pair, you’re left to fume as the dealer shoves the pile of chips the other way.

In the cash game arena, there are a number of articles and blogs on the importance of your bankroll. This is probably the most important factor when it comes to visiting your local card room for the first time. Never play outside of your means. You will enjoy the game a lot more if you play with what you can afford, and nothing more. And based on your bankroll play games that are within your range. Don’t expect to walk into a card room with $200 and expect to play at the 8/16 table, at least for very long, but at a 3/6 table, you should be comfortable for some time. 50-100XBB is generally a good starting figure to buy in with, depending on what the rest of the table has in front of them when you sit down. If you don’t have it, don’t play it. When you win, save your winnings so then you can get to the bigger tables eventually.

If you are a bar poker player and want the opportunity to play in a “real cash” environment, go for it. But make sure of a few things… First, you have the extra funds to be able to afford to lose in the event you do so. Do not go into the card room expecting to turn your last $500 into $3000 to pay a few bills off. There are plenty of sharks in every card room that are just waiting for the fresh chum to stir the waters. It’s been said in the past that if you can’t spot the fish in the first 15 minutes, you are probably that fish. Next, make sure you start off much tighter than you would in a bar game. There is a new investment in this game, yours. If you haven’t learned odds or percentages, then try to get that basic understanding down before sitting at the table. And lastly remember patience. You are going to get a run of cards that may be enticing to play in a bar league that will just get you into trouble in a cash game… Patience will net you bigger success.