Poker Blog and Poker Gossip

Since I offer rakeback on my site, one of the questions I get all the time is: “Can I get rakeback at PokerStars?“.

As we all know PokerStars.com is the biggest poker sites and many big online poker players will not even consider playing at a site unless they offer rakeback.  PokerStars has always been a tough one though, because the site is so good, many players are willing to give up the rakeback, because they games are just THAT good.

Here are some of the common questions I get about rakeback at PokerStars:

Someone told me they can get me rakeback at PokerStars, is this true?

It is possible that they are a large affiliate on MGR, but the PokerStars affiliate back end has no way of finding out information about how much a player is playing.  Therefore it will be impossible for them to determine how much rake you generate.  Also, if they do find some way to do it, it won’t last lon.  When asked about if this is a possibility, the head of the PokerStars Affiliate department responded: “any affiliate found to be offering any form of rakeback will be terminated from the program”

Will PokerStars ever offer rakeback?

I highly doubt it.  PokerStars has spent a lot on their amazing VIP Program.  With their VIP Program you can essentially get an equivalent to rakeback with their reload bonus offers.  For example, a SilverStar player can get a $50 Bonus with 5000 player points.  This is the equivalent to about 8% rakeback.  As you move up in the VIP levels, the bonuses they offer will be equivalent to a rakeback percentage.  At the highest level, SuperNova Elite, you will be getting the equivalent of 60% rakeback, but this is no easy feat.  You will need to earn 1,000,000 VPPs in one year to get to this level.

So, if you are holding off signing up for PokerStars because you want rakeback, you might be waiting a very long time.  You are better off just taking the $50 Sign-Up Bonus and getting in now on some of the biggest poker tournaments in online poker.

WOW! Huge news, found this email from a UB/AP Affiliate Manager on a site I work with for my rakeback stuff. Obviously an attempt to cover up the scandal:

Vegas is the poker capital of the world, and with the money that flows through the casinos you would expect some pretty nice poker rooms. Here are some of the best looking poker rooms in vegas:

Top 5 Vegas Poker Rooms

1) Bellagio
Every poker player dreams at some point of playing in the big games at the Bellagio.  Bobby’s Room is the poker room in the Bellagio where some of the biggest poker games in the world happen.


2) MGM Casino
The MGM is known for hosting all the biggest boxing fights in Vegas through the 80’s and 90’s.  They have spent quite a lot of money on their poker room, and it has one of the nicest, modern looks of all the poker rooms in Vegas.  The nice thing about the MGM is they offer much more affordable games, so you don’t have to break the bank to play here.

3) The Wynn
Steve Wynn spent $630 Million dollars to build the Wynn Hotel, and some of this price definitely went into their poker room.  The Wynn is one of the nicest hotel’s in Vegas and if you are looking to play some higher stakes poker, check out their poker room:

4) Red Rock Casino
The Red Rock is a little off-strip, but is one of the nicest looking hotel/casino’s in Vegas.  Their poker room is ultra-modern and is definitely worthy of a top 5 position.   Since it is right beside the sportsbook, you can also place bets on the games while playing poker:

5) The Venetian
If you are heading to vegas and aren’t strapped for cash, the Venetian hotel has some of the nicest and biggest rooms in town.  Their poker room is also lavishly decorated with TVs everywhere, and nice chandeliers.

Some random gossip from the high stakes poker tables.  Tom “Durrrr” Dwan posted in a chat box on Full Tilt that he is currently on a major downsizing this week from live poker.  After another high stakes player “OnTheRize” refused to play Dwan heads up, the two started chatting.  In the chat Durrrr posted that he lost $1.6 Million playing live poker this week.  Tough beat, but I guess when you play at the nosebleed stakes these guys play at, things like this are bound to happen.  Here is the chat:

durrrr: i lost 1.6m this week live
durrrr: =(
OnTheRize: i heard
OnTheRize: sick game
OnTheRize: too big for me
OnTheRize: srry man
durrrr: me2
durrrr: im hoping to run good online
durrrr: n get even by the end of july
OnTheRize: u always do well online
OnTheRize: u’ll get it back
OnTheRize: this is all a learning experience for me

Playing poker after a few drinks is a BAD IDEA.  All too often it seems that I lose the most money playing poker when I am drunk.  After a few drinks I get “the urge” to gamble, and start making stupid plays based on greed.  Your calling range goes way up and you think that you are probably going to hit your gutshot straight draw. When you drink, all you want to do is WIN, and often this means you will make stupid calls in hopes of sucking out for the win.

Here are 5 tips to avoid playing online poker after you have been drinking:
1) Hide your laptop (or get someone else to do this for you).  If you can’t find your computer it will be hard to play.
2) Pick up a girl/guy when you are drinking.  If you bring home someone from the opposite sex, chances are poker will be the last thing on your mind.
3) Withdrawal before going out.  If there is no money in your accounts, it will make it harder to play.
4) Drink more than usual.  If you get too drunk, you will probably not even be able to turn on your computer as you will probably be spending most of your time hovering over the toilet.
5) Phone a friend.  If you get the urge to play, work out a deal with a friend where you can call them and they will talk you out of it.

Preserve your poker bankroll, and don’t succumb to playing when you aren’t in the right mind state.

Disclaimer for the above points. We can not he held responsible if you:
1) Never find your laptop
2) Pick up an ugly guy/girl
4) Drink too much that you do something really stupid, or hurt yourself.

This post is intended for Entertainment Purposes only, but in all seriousness, DON’T PLAY POKER DRUNK!

After several tough days of poker, Michael “SirWatts” Watson came out on top as the winner of the 4th annual $15k Bellagio Cup. Wats faced a very tough final table, which included players like David Benyamine, Ralph Perry and John “The Razor” Pham.

SirWatts entered the final table with the largest chip stack and just 100,000 lead from David Benyamine. The two would go on to make it to the final two to play heads-up for the big prize. Benyamine held the early lead, but SirWatts doubled up after an all-in where Benyamine held QQ and Watson AK when he hit an Ace on the river.

On the final hand, Watson moved all-in with Q9. Benyamine made the call with a dominating K9, but Watson hit his queen on the flop to seal his tournament victory.

For the win, Watson took home $1,673,770, a WPT bracelet, a Bellagio bracelet, and entry into the Season VII WPT World Championship next April.

Here are the full final table results:

Final Table Results:

1st: Mike “SirWatts” Watson - $1,673,770
2nd: David Benyamine - $840,295
3rd: Luke Staudenmaier - $452,465
4th: Ralph Perry - $290,900
5th: John “The Razor” Phan - $193,915
6th: Gabe Thaler - $129,275

Here is Watson being interviewed after the win: