Pondering Poker

Mary reads from the first 2 sections in Jonathan Little's new book Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker.  The book can be purchased through Amazon or @ www.FloatTheTurn.com.  After the reading Mary discusses her impressions of the intro and chapter 1 and relates her experiences in developing a professional career in healthcare to the recommendations by Jonathan regarding learning poker as a profession.  Music by Sounda, The Protector - courtesy of the Mevio Music Alley/Podsafe Music Network.  Please subscribe on iTunes to Pondering Poker podcasts.  Also, please vote for Pondering Poker as one of your 5 favorite podcasts @ www.CheckRaze.com.  As always, feel free to jot me a line at Mary@ponderingpoker.com - put 'podcast' in the subject title to let me know it's from a listener. 

Mary reads a short section from Hold'em Poker by David Sklansky.  This podcast serves as a review of Sklansky's hand groups, starting hand considerations based on position, and preflop play.  Information for beginners, review for intermediate players.  The book, first written in 1997, is a classic and may have beeninitially written for limit hold'em play in mind.  Music by Jordan Ogg, Tin Sardine Box; Bobby Alu, Take it or Leave it; and, Chimpy, Kipple.  Music courtesy of Mevio Music Alley.

Mary gets to read from The Mental Game of Poker by Jared Tendler with Barry Carter from Chapter 8: Confidence.  Music by The Fump/Morning Sidekick, Meds - My Story.

Mary reads from Caro's Secrets of Winning Poker by Mike Caro and No Limit Hold'em, Theory and Practice by Sklansky and Miller.  Strategies of play and manipulating your opponent are topics reviewed.  Music by Dr. Slim Peru, Martinis on the Bluff and Gerry Wall, Willow Bluff.  Willow Bluff is palyed without interruption at the end of the podcast.  Thought you might like this quirkly little ditty.  Music courtesy of the Mevio Music Alley.

In preparation for an upcoming tournament Mary reads a few paragraphs from Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide, edited by Michael Craig section Omaha 8 or better by Mike Matasow.  In the section Mr. Matasow discusses early and late play strategy in Omaha 8 tournaments.  He reminds the reader that having good cards in Omaha and playing them optimally is vital.  Music by Alessadro Bottera, Mind, Passion and Instinct.

In this second of a two part interview Mary talks with Mike Owens (www.checkraze.com) about his poker playing history, including a stint at dealing.  They discuss a recent tournament that Mike won and a few key hands.  Mike also talks about online play and his optimism regarding the future of poker in the US.  A short discussion of Mike's successes is followed by how he learned to play and the title of one of his favorite poker books.  Follow Mike on Twitter @HoldemAG.  Music by Alt Producers, Fast Lane and The Suicide Denial, Insane both songs courtesy of the Mevio Music Alley.  Be sure to check out Part 1 about Mike's website www.checkraze.com.  And, if you haven't already done so, please follow me on twitter @PonderingPoker.  Contact me:  Mary@Ponderingpoker.com

In this first of a two part interview Mary talks with Mike Owens about his website www.Checkraze.com.  Mike's ambitious site already includes over 35 interviews with some of the most famous poker personalities including Gavin Griffin, John Nicolak Kim, Sam Trickett, Jared Tendler and Barry Carter.  His blogs are interesting and there's a Forum as well.  Be sure to check out the video that changes weekly on the site.  Follow Mike on Twitter @HoldemAG.  Music by Tim Blane, Magnetic and The Suicde Denial, Insane both songs courtesy of the Mevio Music Club.  The next segment with Mike will be about his poker playing.  Enjoy!

Mary reads portions of 'Chapter 6 - Fear' from the amazing book The Mental Game of Poker by Jared Tendler.  This is a must-listen-to podcast, but be forewarned, you will almost run to buy the book after hearing the information about the need and value of a good mental game.  Good news because the book is available!  Google the title and look for the variety of areas to puchase.  I hear there's a discount available this month on either Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.  Music by Curly Camel, BoaBoa the Tree.  Jazz seemed somehow appropriate.  ENJOY!

This short podcast highlights portions of a chapter in Leadership - Texas Hold'em Style by Dr. Harvey and Ltn. Foster.  Music courtesy of Podsafe Music Network.  This intelligent book is available on Kindle and is about Leadership with a poker backdrop.  When listening the poker player may be well served to view the information inthe context of the poker table.  Chip leaders, bluffing, running the table and managing both the other players and ones self can be explored.  Enjoy!

In this short podcast Mary discusses previous tournament and cash hands and prepares for the night's play by reading David Williams paragraphs regarding Junk Hands from Daniel Negreau's excellent book:  Power Hold'em Strategy.  Music courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Short read from Evelyn Ng's section of Negreanu's book Power Hold'em Strategy.  Ms. Ng suggestions regarding Post Flop play are primarily for beginners however using her suggestions at varying levels within a tournament would provide a mix of play that more advanced players could easily employ.  Music courtesy of Podsafe Music Network.

Mary reads excerpts from The Mental Game of Poker, a new book by Jared Tendler.  After reading a section from the introduction, issues from the section on Tilt are considered.  The book includes chapters about Tilt, Fear, Motivation and Confidence.  Purchase the book at www.MentalGameofpoker.com  Music by Terri England, Lil Ray of Bossa.   

Mary talks with poker pro Scott Mutchnick.  Scott is a casino cash player who frequents multiple casinos on the east coast.  After a review of Scott's start in poker Scott discusses Black Friday's effects on live games, strategies involving straddle plays, the importance of position in any poker game and bankroll management. Scott is a winning player.  Listen for his mature approach to the game, the foundations of his early learning, his methods of review and ongoing adjustments.  Scott can be found on twitter @ACPokerman.  Find Scott's website at www.atlanticcitypokerman.com  Music by 37Hz, The Hood2.  Comments to me at Mary@Ponderingpoker.com or twitter @PonderingPoker

In this podcast I review the preparation and results of a tournament I played held at Turning Stones Casino in Verona NY.  This is the first podcast published by Pondering Poker since Black Friday, April 15, 2011.  Although I give a few thoughts resulting from the events, please refer to other podcasts for the details of what occurred on Black Friday and subsequent news.  Ante-Up has an excellent podcast on the topic and there are plenty of other podcasts and websites that provide information. Also since the last podcast I've begun tweeting and following tweets.  Please follow me at PonderingPoker on twitter.  Back to the podcast:  Listen in for basic preparation techniques including a review of some Holdem, live play, basic strategy.  A review of a previous winning hand also helped in my preparations.  I didn't edit this too much and I hope you enjoy some of the confusions I had in developing the podcast. Music by 37Hz, Almost Kaput i

Mary reads from Secrets the Pros Won't Tell you About Winning Hold'em Poker by Lou Kriege and Sheree Bykofsky.  From the Chapter titled Minimal Math, Mary reads about Pot Odds, figuring Pot Odds.  Also check the website www.ponderingpoker.com for a short video by Gus Hansen on the same topic.  The next section read has to do with Game Theory and implications for it's use in Poker.  Music by Charles J. Tan, Almost Sunday.  Enjoy!  Please consider purchasing any/all books featured in the Poker Reads podcasts.  They are valuable to own.

In this podcast Mary and David play and scrutinize a few Pot Limit Omaha hands, discuss Omaha betting concepts, poker tells and more.  Listen in.  Music by Nicola Milan, Take your Chances, and 7 Day Visa presents Anji Bee singing Que Queiro.

In this episode Mary reads from Harrington on Hold'em, Volume 1 Strategic Play.  Betting Patterns, some tips for beginners, and Playing after You've been Raised.  Music by 37hz, song 37hz. 

In this short podcast Mary reads from Daniel Negreanu's book Power Hold'em Strategy; specifically from the chapter called Mixing It Up by David Williams.  The reading is just a snippet from this excellent book.  The section deals with stack sizes and an overall strategy for dealing with them.  David includes an idea that I will employ soon.  I'm usually not one to show my cards especially when I've gotten caught speeding, but his suggestion is to make it a deliberate move.  What Fun!!  Music again by 37Hz, Scott Who?  Enjoy!  Buy this book and all the others that I read from.  I only read from the best!

In this short podcast I discuss both weakness and predator behavior at the poker table, in essence, the somewhat natural attempt by the aggressor to feast on a weak opponent's chips.  What more can be said?  Probably a lot!  Please, send your comments to me at Mary@PonderingPoker.com or leave a voice mail message for me at 914-736-9868.  If I get enough comments I'll compile them in another episode on weakness and aggression at the tables.  Music by 37hz, Zoloft.

In this episode I interview Vinny, well sorta.... actually I'm playing in a tournament and I give Vinny some questions to go off on his own to answer.  I think you'll enjoy getting to know Vinny and I didn't edit much out.  Vinny deals poker at local NY home games and at the Moose in Ossining.  Although only 30 years old, Vinny has many years of experience.  Listen to his take on poker from a dealer's perspective.  Close to the end of the episode Vinny gives some excellent advice for the novice player.   I hope to have him back to tell some of his many stories.  Also included in this episode are comments from a future player.  This Pondering Poker podcast is listed on iTunes as explicit in content due to the musical selection only, just a warning in case the kids are listening.  This episode features music by The Shark, the song:  Italiano.  Enjoy!  As always, feel free to contact me at Mary@PonderingPoker.com.