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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Ask the Newbie: Why do some people wear dark sunglasses to play hold'em?

Ask the Newbie
by Lisa Bannon

Question:
Why do some people wear dark sunglasses to play hold'em?

Answer:
Usually I am not exactly certain of my answers. This time, I truely know the answer. Some people think it is becasue the wearer of the light filtering attire is attempting to hide their "tells". This is completely untrue - the wearer of the patently dark eye wear is actively attempting to see their CARDS better. One time, in a tournament I accidently bluffed my way into a pot. I was *not* attempting to bluff though. I had (because of a glare on my card) mistakenly bet on a flush that in reality I did NOT have. Although I did win that pot, I wouldnot recommend playing in this manner. I think that the next time I play I will bring along the darkest sunglasses I can purchase. This way, I will not mistake a diamond for a heart because of a light reflection on my shiney new card.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PPL Premier Poker Lounge in Brighton

Premier Poker Lounge
4141 Bauer Rd
Brighton, MI
810-610-7208
http://www.premierpokerlounge.com

4 Days a Week
Thursday to Saturday: 5pm – 2am
Sunday: 2pm - midnight

Date Room Reviewed: Saturday, March 21, 2009
22 of 25 Chips



The Premier Poker Lounge was hosting United Retired Government Employees Local 1 (M45910) playing to monitor and protect government employee pensions. The PPL is located inside the Mt Brighton Ski Lodge and Jackal Golf Course. My partner Lisa and I came out to play between seasons – skiing season just ended, and golf starts up the next week-end.

There was one cash game going before the tournament. PPL offers great cash game promos - $3 max rake before the tournament starts on Thur – Sat, $4 max rake all day on Sunday. We played in the Saturday night FreeRoll. $0 buy-in for 1000 chips, optional $20 add-on at registration for 6000 chips, and another optional $20 add-on at the first break for 10,000 chips. The tournament was maxed out at 50 players with two alternates.

#1 Games: 5 of 5 chips
Five of five chips for games offered at PPL! The rake is 10% up to $3 before the tournament start at 7pm, 10% up to $4 all day on Sunday, or 10% up to $5 any other time.
· $1/$2 NLHE $50 min / $200 max
· $1/$2 NLHE $100 min / $300 max
· $2/$5 NLHE $200 min / $500 max
· $1/$2 Round by Round Omaha / NLHE
· Blackjack
· Sit-n-goes available any time!
PPL is starting a high hand jackpot that pays out every 2 hours! 90% payback on high hand; both card in your hand must play.

#2 Tournaments : 4 of 5 chips

Tournaments at PPL start ON TIME! There’s a countdown clock in the poker room to let players know when to take their seats. Card will be dealt when the clock reaches zero. With the number of players showing up for the Saturday FreeRoll, arrive early or call ahead to reserve your seat! These tourneys fill up quick!

The tournaments offered at PPL are all low or no buy-in with add-ons or rebuys available for each one. Each tournament has a generous 80% payback, which builds some nice prize pools. This is the schedule we played for the URGW:

  • Thursday: 7pm $5 rebuy with $200 guaranteed prize pool. 1000 starting stack with unlimited $5 rebuys until the first break. $10 add-on at the break for 3000 chips. 10 min blinds.
  • Friday: 7pm $300 Freeroll with $10 rebuys and add-on. 1000 starting chips for free! Unlimited rebuys until the first break, must be at or below 1000 chips to rebuy. $10 add-on for 3000 chips at the break. 15 min blinds Min 30 players, max 50 players.
  • Saturday: 7pm $750 Freeroll 20/20. 1000 starting chips for free. Optional $20 add-on at registration for 5000 chips. Another optional $20 add-on at the break for 10,000 chips. 15 min blinds. Min 30 players, max 50 players.
  • Sunday: 7pm $5 rebuy with $200 guaranteed prize pool. 1000 starting stack with unlimited $5 rebuys until the first break. $10 add-on at the break for 3000 chips. 10 min blinds.

Tournament director software is on one of the TV’s – keeping everyone at the same blind level, and informed of the time left in the current round. All tournaments start with 25/50 blinds, and notch up at a reasonable pace.

PPL has a generous payout, good blind structure, standard house rules evenly enforced. We would really like to see some higher buy-in or deep stack tournaments on the schedule.

#3 Atmosphere: 4 of 5 chips

The poker room is located at the north end of the lodge. Go in through the gate next to the Pepsi machine and turn left. Once you’re inside, walk all the way to the end of the building. The poker room has a gazebo inside where the charity volunteers sell chips and tournament buy-ins. There’s also a bar at the end of the poker room, and booths on both sides.

This is a really fun poker room! There is music playing in the background, TV’s with the March Madness games going, big globe lights coming down from the vaulted ceiling, fully stocked bar and a gazebo. A full wall of windows opens the room up to the face of Mt Brighton’s ski hill. The room is non-smoking. The full menu from the Bauery Restaurant is available. The Bauery makes home-made potato chips every day. You can order at the bar – the food is delicious!

PPL is always looking for ways to make your visit better. If you have a compliment or concern, bring it directly to Brian, or fill out one of the customer satisfaction surveys on the tables in the booths.

Lack of lighting in the parking lot and difficulty finding the poker room are why PPL gets 4 of 5 chips.


#4 Equipment : 4 of 5 chips
Brian & Dan have a fully equipped poker room. Each of the seven custom-made table seats 9 players plus a dealer comfortably. There are plenty of drink/snack scooters to keep food and beverages out of the playing area. Cushy banquet chairs seat each player, with plenty of room between tables so you don’t bump someone else’s chair when you get up. Custom chips on the cash table, brand new cards at each table, nice tournament chips too.

#5 Staff: 5 of 5 chips
Kyle, Heresh, Adam and the rest of the dealer team are fast, friendly and accurate at the cash and tournament tables at PPL. Brian, the poker room manager, and the dealers all had a friendly rapport with the players, welcoming them to the poker room. Cash players were quickly seated, tournament players directed to the right seat at the right table. The dealers are great at making new players feel welcome and keeping the game moving to make the veteran players happy. PPL also gets an extra chip for fast friendly wait staff!

Tournaments are PPL’s big strength. They regularly fill up, so arrive early or be an alternate. They really have a deadly combination with the golf course and the poker room. What a beautiful outing – 9 holes of golf, a cold beer and a cash game!

UMichiganPoker.com Announcements for March 24-31

Hi Michigan Poker Fans -

Hope we're finding you pulling in monster pots! Here's this week's listing of charity poker events - check it out & share our info with a friend: Forward to a Friend

UMichiganPoker llc is always working to get more and more tournaments from all over Michigan on the web site. Take a look and see if we’ve got a listing close to you. Do you know of a tournament that is not on the list? Reply to this e-mail with the information and UMP will contact the tourney director to get the games listed!

Announcements!

Hot Rods in Jackson have raised their tournament payout for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to 90%!!! Yes, it's true!! 90% Tourament Payout starting with Sacred Heart School M46079 & St Mary Elementary M45981 this week-end.

MVP in Romulus has a new commercial airing on Comcast and WOW from 3/20 - 3/29.

PPL in Brighton - Poker Room Review - Check it out below this week's tournament schedule!!! Be sure to check the web site and blog for the video review! (We've got film of the poker room, Brian and Dan, and Michele talking about the poker room.). I also got to meet Nik (host of Tuesday's online tourneys) in real life!!

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
UMichiganPoker.com and Nik's Poker Palace are thrilled to announce a merger! Check out the press release on nikspokerpalace.blogspot.com! They have partnered to combine their Tuesday Night Online Tourneys on Poker Stars. The tourneys will start at 8PM with the same $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

Wed Online Tourney hosted by MIPokerForum.com
UMichiganPoker.com and MiPokerForum.com have partnered up to bring you a great forum, plus an exciting weekly tournament! The tourneys will start at 8PM with the same $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

UMichiganPoker.com Announcements fro March 17 - 23

Hi Michigan Poker Fans -

Hope we're finding you pulling in monster pots! Here's this week's listing of charity poker events - check it out & share our info with a friend: Forward to a Friend

UMichiganPoker llc is always working to get more and more tournaments from all over Michigan on the web site. Take a look and see if we’ve got a listing close to you. Do you know of a tournament that is not on the list? Reply to this e-mail with the information and UMP will contact the tourney director to get the games listed!

Announcements:

UMichiganPoker.com Banners!!! Have you seen any of the brand new UMichiganPoker.com banners at your favorite charity poker venue? They are a beautiful blue & yellow letting everyone know you can find poker tournaments at UMichiganPoker.com! We also have cups, keychains, t-shirts, and window decals. Do you want some UMP swag? Send a note to mich@umichiganpoker.com with a mailing address!!!

March Madness at Hot Rods in Jackson: Hot Rods is announcing a 6-Even Turbo Championship Series!!! On Saturdays and Sundays between March 21 & April 4th starting at Noon there will be a $20 buy-in tournament with an amazing 90% payout! Points will be awarded based on tournament finish and the top point getter for the 6 events will receive a trophy and plaque on the wall.

Kickers in Livonia Tournament Schedule Update Kickers is bringing you a brand new tournament schedule starting this week with the Westland Community Foundation M46041. On Mondays at 7pm $1500 FREEROLL, add-ons & rebuys with preferred seating, Tuesdays Kickers will be hosting cash games from 5pm - 2am featuring a High Stakes $2/$5 table. Wednesdays at 7pm will be a different tourney each week - be sure to call for the day's format. Thursdays Kickers will be hosting cash games from 5pm - 2am featuring a High Stakes $2/$5 table.

Doc's Sports Retreat in Livonia Grand Opening There is a brand new poker room in Livonia hosting the Melvindale Moose M46496! Tonight with a St Patty's Day Green $500 Freeroll at 1pm. On Thursday, they are hosting a March Madness $20 buy-in starting at 1pm. Be sure to stop by this brand new poker room - and let them know you found them at UMichiganPoker.com!!

Champions Poker Zone in Holt Grand Re-Opening Thursday Champions Poker Zone is playing for the Mason Masonic Center #70 M46331 with a $10 buy-in $10 rebuy Tournament, $500 guaranteed prize pool! Cash games run from Noon to 2am Thur - Sat!

Rounders in Clinton Twp Ladies Only tournament March 20 at 7pm $25 buy-in, $10 bonus option. No add-ons, no rebuys, 15 min blinds. WSOP Seat, April 24th $150 buy-in main event. 1 WSOP Package per 30 players. $40 satellite qualifiers started March 13 - every Friday & Saturday. Rounders Poker League started Sunday 3/15. Sunday nights at 7pm, 11 week poker league. 1st & 2nd place win WSOP packages ($3000 & $2500 packages) $500 weekly payouts, 3rd-11th palce plays for $2000 prize pool. $65 per week, 20 players currently signed up.

J Dub's in Riverview Grand Opening!! The Charity Poker Room at J Dub's in Riverview is hosting their grand opening TODAY!!! J Dub's is playing for VFW 552 (M46150) for operational needs. Cash Games start at 4pm. 7:30pm Sun - Thur is a No Cash buy-in for $1000 prize pool based on 100 entires. $500 first place, unlimited rebuys 1st hour. Friday, Deep Stack $30 for 7500 chips, $20 add-on for 5k more. Super Saturday 7:30 $50 Deep stack 10K chips, no rebuys, no add-ons.

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
The toughest private online tournament around!! Get more info at nikspokerpalace.blogspot.com! Tuesday Night Tourneys will start at 8PM with $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

Wed Online Tourney hosted by MIPokerForum.com
UMichiganPoker.com and MiPokerForum.com have partnered up to bring you a great forum, plus an exciting weekly tournament! The tourneys will start at 8PM with $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

Announcements from 3/11 - 3/17 e-mail

Grand Opening: J Dub's in Riverview - Today!
The Charity Poker Room at J Dub's in Riverview is hosting their grand opening TODAY!!! J Dub's is playing for VFW 552 (M44999) for operational needs. Cash Games start at 4pm. 7:30pm $10 buy-in, $1500 Guaranteed prize pool with $750 first place tournament. Unlimited rebuys for the 1st hour! (all prizes based on 100 players!) Come out and welcome the newest charity poker room in the area!!

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
UMichiganPoker.com and Nik's Poker Palace are thrilled to announce a merger! Check out the press release on nikspokerpalace.blogspot.com! They have partnered to combine their Tuesday Night Online Tourneys on Poker Stars. The tourneys will start at 8PM with the same $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

Wed Online Tourney hosted by MIPokerForum.com
UMichiganPoker.com and MiPokerForum.com have partnered up to bring you a great forum, plus an exciting weekly tournament! The tourneys will start at 8PM with the same $5 + $0.50 buy-in.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

What's New on UMichiganPoker.com? Updated march 1, 2009

What's New? Updated march 1, 2009

  • What's going on TODAY - How 'bout TOMORROW??? Scroll down and check out our new listing of all the Charity Poker Events! We have all the events for today and tomorrow listed below - check it out!!!
  • 2/26 - 3/1 2nd Annual Charity Hold'em Invitational at Trippers in Lansing to benefit LLC Couger Club M44700 for equipment & uniforms. Up to $20,000 prize pool. Qualifiers Thur - Sat, main event on Sun.
  • Uptown Grill in Commerce Township has updated their tournament schedule. Starting this sunday, they will host a $90 + $10 buy in, $2000 1st prize, 100% payback tournament limited to 50 players. They are playing for the MI Mustangs Elite Softball M45854 with a $100 bounty on Dan Lacourse - the 2008 WSOP Event #42 Bracelet winner!
  • Roundtree in Ypsilanti: The license came through! Roundtree will be hosting the VFW 2408 benefitting comm. projects (M45983). On Monday, Michele from UMichiganPoker.com will be playing with a bounty on her head. Stop by and knock her out of the tourney!
  • Queen of Hearts in Woodhaven has updated their tournament schedule! On Saturdays they are hosting a $50 Straight-Up Saturday Deep Stack tournament! 10K Starting chips, no add-ons, no rebuys! Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc
  • Kickers in Livonia has updated their tournament schedule! On Mondays they will host at $1500 Freeroll with add-ons & rebuys, Tuesdays $50 Deep Stack, Wed $1500 Freeroll w/ add-ons & rebuys and Thur $100 Deep stack. Preferred Seating for all tournaments at Kickers! Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • Krazy Kopz at Town & Country in Westland has updated their tournament schedule and days they are open. T&C will not host charity poker tournaments Wednesdays through Saturdays. Wed: $10 buy-in with rebuys & add-ons, Thur: $1000 Freeroll w/ add-ons & rebuys, Fri: $50 Deep Stack, Sat: $1000 Freeroll with add-ons & rebuys. Preferred Seating for all Tournaments at Krazy Kopz at T&C. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • US12 in Wayne has changed their tournament schedule. Sun: $30 + $5 bounty tournament, Mon, Tue & Wed is $10 rebuy tournament with $1k Guaranteed with 50 players. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • Skinny's in Warren has changed their entire tournament schedule. Mon $100 + $20 Deep Stack, Tue, Wed & Thur is a $1000 Freeroll with add-ons & rebuys, Fri & Sat $10 buy-in, $1k Guaranteed Winner-Takes-All Tournament, Sun $1000 Freeroll with add-ons & rebuys. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • LA Cafe in Adrian has updated thier tournament schedule. They have added a $1500 Freeroll to their Tuesday night line-up.Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • Diamond Poker in Wyandotte has updated their tournament schedule. Thur: $20 Ladies Night, Fri: $30 Deep Stack, Sat: $10 Turbo & $40Â Battle of the Sexes, Sun: Freeroll. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • PPL in Brighton has updated their tournament schedule. Thur: $5 rebuy $200 Guar. & Sat: $750 Freeroll. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • Trip Kings at Garden Lanes in Garden City has added two new tournaments to their line-up: a $65 deep stack, no add-on, no rebuy, 80% payback tournament, and a $25 buy-in, rebuy, 80% payback tournament. Be sure to check our information on the calendar to see our charity, license number, start times, etc.
  • UMichiganPoker.com has a FORUM!! That's right! We've partnered up with some great poker players on the west side of the state - mipokerforum.com!! Stop by, introduce yourself, post your opinions, thoughts, strategies, where you're playing tomorrow, etc!!
  • Tuesday Online Tournaments Hosted by Nik's Poker Palace Blog! We're merging the UMP and Nik's Poker Palace Online Tournaments starting in November! I've played over there the past two weeks - it's really fun (even though they keep beating me up!). There is a new starting time
    When: Tuesdays at 8PM
    Where: Poker Stars (bunny slippers optional)
    What: Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em
    Who: YOU - Michigan Poker Players
    How Much: $5 + $0.50
    To be officially in the league, please email Nik Faldo at npokerp@yahoo.com:Your Name:Poker Stars Exact Name:City shown on Poker Stars:e-mail address:Phone Number: