U Michigan Poker - Promoting Charity Poker in Michigan

Michigan Poker Tour Day 2: Holland

2009-11-21T17:30:00.002-05:00

There are two poker room in Holland. The Poker Zone and Century Lanes. I've played at the Poker Zone a couple times and had a great time at both visits, so I was pretty excited to get there again. (check out the poker room review - on UMichiganPoker.com under the "Reviews" tab, and on this blog)

Around 5:30pm I pulled into the strip mall where the Poker Zone is located - I could see a full cash game when I parked the truck. As I walked in, Tom greeted me with a smile. People were signing up for the 7pm tournament. There was one seat left at the cash table, so I bought in and sat down.

The plan was to play for about an hour, cash out and drive over to see what's going on at Century. You know what they say about the best laid plans....

Two terrible hands in less than 10 minutes, and I was done at the Poker Zone.

On to Century Lanes...

Century Lanes is, as the name implies - in a bowling alley. The parking lot was packed. The poker room is in the middle of the bowling alley down the hall. There's also an entrance on the north end of the building. Completely non-smoking poker room, tunes in the background, and separate from the bar & bowling alley.

I showed up at 7:10 for the 7pm tournament and was put 2nd on the alternates list. That was great - gave me a chance to meet the crazy room manager, Russ. Within 5 minutes of the tournament start, there were enough alternates so they opened another tournament table. 65 players for the $10 + $10 add-on tournament paid 6 places with a $380 first prize. Add-ons available in the first 4 levels as long as you still had chips.

Before the tournament end, Russ had opened a 7-card stud $3/$6 limit table. Now, I've heard of charity rooms playing 7-card, but this was the first time I had ever seen it in person! Pretty cool. There were also two $1/$2 hold'em cash tables going. With the complete beat-down I took earlier, cash tables were a rail-birding only!!

Two great poker rooms! Can't wait to see what Muskegon has to offer!!!

Nov 19 Michigan Poker Tour : Lansing

2009-11-20T08:49:00.003-05:00

What a fun night of poker!

We arrived in Lansing later than we had planned due to traffic, and some other hang-ups. By the time we got dinner and checked in to the hotel, it was getting too late to get into a tournament. It was destined to be a cash game night. I punched the address into the GPS and quickly found myself in front of Club on the River just after 8pm.

Club on the River is not just a charity poker room - they've got pool tables, a video game area on big, flat-screen TV's, a small arcade, and chess. It's a very big venue with lots of room around all the tables. I'll get some photos up later on today.

Luckily, they were putting alternates into the $20 buy-in plus $10 add-on tournament. The tournament players were on break - I bought in and sat right down in seat 1 as break ended. I'm not a big fan of being in seat 1 - can't see the players on the other side of the dealer, and had some bad experiences of dealers mucking my cards when I'm raising a hand - but I was really happy to get into the tournament and thought I'd make the best of it. It only took about two hands to erase my card-mucking paranoia. Jesse is by far, one of the best dealers I've ever seen. Fast, accurate, alert, knows where the action is, and even *asked* me if I folded my cards when he didn't see me push them towards the muck. Impressive!!!

Club on the River had 70 players in the tournament on Thursday night, and one full cash game going the entire time I was there. The tournament was fun and well run. Blinds cranked up pretty good, but necessary to get the tournament finished up by closing time.

I'm also completely star-struck!! I got to meet Dean Hamrick, and managed to *not* spend the whole time with my foot in my mouth. Dean is great - lots of fun, great sense of humor, and runs a fabulous poker room.

More from Holland coming tomorrow - and photos too!

UMP Michigan Poker Tour Nov 20 - 28

2009-11-16T12:54:00.002-05:00

UMP is embarking on a poker tour of Michigan! We will be visiting a whole bunch of cities and checking out the local poker scene. Here's our tentative agenda:

11/20 Lansing
11/21 Holland
11/22 Muskegon
11/23 Grand Rapids
11/24 Mt. Pleasant
11/25 West Branch
11/26 Happy Thanksgiving - we will be with family
11/27 Saginaw/ Owosso
11/28 Troy / Auburn Hills

We will be posting trip reports & photos. Meet us at a local poker room during the tour!!

Trip Report: Aug 4 Joe's vs Pros at Kickers

2009-08-20T12:41:00.015-04:00

The Kickers Poker Room crew really know how to host an event! I arrived early to make sure I got a seat, and have a little time to grab dinner, meet the folks who work at Kickers, and just network a little. The tournament tonight was up in Joe's Comedy Club. There was a cash table going when I arrived, and the charity volunteers were signing folks up for the tourney. I paid my money and drew a seat card out of the bucket.

Dinner downstairs at the restaurant was amazing - the Kicker's salad is very tasty - highly recommended! After dinner, it was time to play. There was a silent auction of sports equipment - jerseys, photos, equipment, etc - all autographed and authenticated. In hindsight - wish I would have bid on a few items!!

The tournament started a little late - there was a better than expected turn-out. The Kickers team added another seat to every table, and set up an 11th tournament table to accommodate all 110 Joe's and Pros in record time. Jeff introduced each pro was introduced before the cards flew - it was a really great welcome for each professional who came out to play, and a great opportunity for the players to match up the pro's names and faces.

Each tournament table had its own dealer, keeping the game moving, the bets and pots correct, and really adding to the great poker room atmosphere at Kickers. Floor people were easy to find and easy to get their attention. With all the great things about the whole night, I never won a pot. Seriously - never won a single pot!

Here's the good, bad and ugly of my tournament experience. Each pot at my table was a multi-way pot with four to seven player in each pot. Very few limped pots - no cheap flops. I got into a few hands with AK-off, AQ-off, small pocket pairs. Not bad cards, just never matched a flop, and never found myself in position to steal a pot with so many players paying to see the flop. Slowly but surely, my stack was evaporating.

Shortly after the break, I found myself in 3rd or 4th position with pocket 10's. The pot was raised in front of me to 500. I called, and so did four other players. The flop came 9-5-6 rainbow. First to act after the flop, all of a sudden, my 10-10 hand looked pretty good! I went all-in for another 2000 chips, hoping to take down the pot right there, or at lease narrow the field to one or two other players. *One* player folded - three of us were all-in with three callers. The turn and river didn't help or hurt anyone. Here's how it ended:

me, all-in #1: 10-10
caller #1: J-J
All-in #2: 5-5 for trips
All-in #3: 6-6 for trips
caller #2: 9-9 for the highest trips
caller #3: mucked

Three of us out in one hand!!! I was beat in so many ways, I'm still counting them up! Very unfortunate place to try to make a move... Here's the player who won that monster pot! He made a deep run towards the final table, I'm not sure if he cashed.

This was the most fun I've ever had at a tournament where I didn't win a single pot. Jeff had each pro sign a UMP t-shirt for me, and I walked out all smiles.

Jeff K- the tournament organizer

Pete S. - owner of Kickers
and yours truly

Michigan Charitable Gaming Rules Meeting 8/12/09

2009-08-13T15:21:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I attended the Charitable Gaming Commission Rules Meeting in Monroe. The meeting started right on time at noon, and wrapped up at about 3pm. Here's a quick summary of what went on. It was a long meeting, so I'm only going to cover the highlights.

5 years ago, there were 681 Millionaire's Party Applications
the State is estimating over 9000 Millionaire's Party Applications by September '09

Main Subjects Covered:

Common Application Mistakes
Rental Agreement language
Application Information Change form
June 1st started the moritorium on new locations and suppliers. This moritorium will be in place for an indeterminate amount of time.
Advertising rules overview.
Review of event forms
Review of games allowed on the millionaire's party license - anything not explicitly allowed in the directives is prohibited. Org's can write to the state for permission to play games not explicitly allowed.
Workers cannot work and play at the same location on the same day.
Review of accounting and where the money goes. What is included in the 50% to cover expenses, what is not, and what is paid in cash, what is paid with a check.

The meeting was very informative, with lots and lots of details and questions clarified. Special thanks to Tom Reich, Mark Bently and Ron Wells for a great presentation, and lots of patience with lots of questions.

UMichiganPoker.com | Michigan Charity Events Aug 11 - 18

2009-08-13T15:19:00.000-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans -

We have a bunch of great tournament offerings and special events this week! Be sure to mark your calendar - don't miss any of these amazing events!!

New Locations on UMichiganPoker.com!

Please help me welcome three new sites to UMP! Grand Openings are coming up really quickly - be sure to stop by these new locations to welcome them!

Michigan House and Senate Bills that would CLOSE your Local Charity Poker Room * Update!! *

Have you read Michigan House bill 5121 & Senate bill 669? The wording is the same for each bill. The bills are proposing raising the price of a license to host a charity poker fundraiser from $50 / day to $250 / day.

$1000 to *host* a Texas Hold'em Fundraiser!!!

Due to the current budget situation for the state of Michigan, both of these bills have been temporarily put on hold. The legislators have to figure out how to make the state of Michigan budget work, then get on to other things. As far as I can tell, nothing will happen with either bill until after October 1. Please stay tuned and ready to fire off letters, e-mail and phone calls!

Are you a Dealer looking for employment? Do you live near Auburn Hills?

All-In Poker Room is currently seeking dealers for our Auburn Hills, Michigan location. If you are interested in being part of the fun we are having in the card room. Please click on the link above and complete the application form.

Friday $10 buy-in, $1000 est Prize Pool, Sunday $30 Deep Stack Tournament, Trip Kings at Garden Lanes

Trip Kings at Garden Lanes is hosting a $10 buy-in, $1000 estimated prize pool Tournament on Fridays, and a $30 Deep Stack Tournament on Sundays! Be sure to check out Trip Kings regular schedule! They also offer great Live Action Cash Games spreading Hold'em, Omaha, Round by Round & Blackjack daily.

Benefitting: St Valentine's School for books & supplies M47498

When: August 14-16 starting at 7pm

Where: Trip Kings at Garden Lanes, 29145 Warren Rd, Garden City, MI

Call for Info: 734-556-2163

$4000 est Prize Pool, $20 buy-in, $20 Rebuys at Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts at Woodhaven Lanes is hosting a $20 buy-in, $20 rebuy tournament with an estimated Prize Pool of $4000! Queen of hearts also has some of the best live action cash games in the area!

Benefitting: Jefferson HS for books & supplies M49397

When: August 13-15 starting at 7pm

Where: Queen of Hearts, 20000 Van Horn, Woodhaven MI 48183

Call for info: 734-556-2164

Diamond Poker Allen Park $10,000** Mega Tournament

Don't miss this great deep stack tournament for some serious prize money. Satellites will run from Thur - Sat with the Main Event starting on Sunday at 6pm.

** Estimated Prize Pool.

Here's the info:

Benefitting: Southern Wayne Co Regional Chamber General Fund M49661

When: Thur - Sun Aug 13-16

Thursday @ 6pm Qualifier Tournament $20 buy-in, top 10% advance to Sunday's Main Event
Thursday @ 10pm Qualifier Tournament $40 buy-in, top 20% advance to Sunday's Main Event ***Winning Seats *are* Transferrable***
Friday @ 6pm Qualifier Tournament $20 buy-in, top 10% advance to Sunday's Main Event ***Winning Seats *are* Transferrable***
Friday @ 10pm Qualifier Tournament $40 buy-in, top 20% advance to Sunday's Main Event ***Winning Seats *are* Transferrable***
Saturday @ 6pm Qualifier Tournament $30 buy-in, top 15% advance to Sunday's Main Event ***Winning Seats *are* Transferrable***
Saturday @ 10pm Qualifier Tournament $60 buy-in, top 30% advance to Sunday's Main Event ***Winning Seats *are* Transferrable***
Sunday @ 6pm $10,000** Mega Tournament Main Event!!! $150 direct buy-in

Where: Diamond Poker Allen Park at Thunder Bowl 4200 Allen Rd, Allen Park, MI 48101

Call for info: 734-624-9683

UM vs OSU Football Kickoff Border Battle Aug 28-30

$30,000 in estimated prizes. OSU-UM Tickets, OSU-USC Tickets!! Take a short drive to Toledo to play in this huge prize-pool tournament!! Direct buy-in or satellite in on Thur - Sat! Here's the schedule.

Benefitting: Robert Mornsen Scholarship Fund

When: Aug 28 - 30

Friday, Aug 28th 6pm - midnight

$40 Satellites & Sit and go's to the Championship Match

Saturday, Aug 29th 10am - 5pm

$40 Satellites & Sit and go's to the Championship Match

Sunday, Aug 30th 7pm to finish

$120 buy-in with optional $80 double-stack

Deep Stack Championship Game

Where: Toledo American Legion, 206 S. Byrne, Toledo, OH 43615

More info: Woody 419-297-2344 or Janet: 419-252-0688

One-Day Event at the Dexter K of C 2959 August 28th

Estimated $1000 first place, paying 8 add'l places based on 91 players!! Payouts adjusted based on number of players.

$55 buy-in with optional $5 bonus chip at registration. Cash Bonus for first "4 of a kind" and first "straight flush". Smoke free facility, 18+ welcome.

Benefitting : K of C2959 Charities M50794

When: Aug 28th 7pm start. Cash Games from 6pm - 11pm

Buy-in: $55 w/ opt $5 add-on

Where: Dexter K of C Hall 8265 Dexter-Chelsea Rd, Dexter, MI 48130

More info: Larry 810-231-1674

One-Day Event at the Dundee Sportsman's Club Sat, Sep 5

Estimated $1000 first place based on 100 players!! Paying 8 places, increase or decrease based on number of players. $50 buy-in for 3000 starting chips. 500 bonus chips at reg for $10. 30 minute blinds. Cash Games start at 3pm

Benefitting : Monroe County Special Olympics & Make a Wish Fdn M46336

When: Sep 5 @ 5pm, reg at 3pm

Buy-in: $50 w/ opt $10 add-on

Where: Dundee Sportsman's Club, 2300 Plank Rd, Monroe, MI 48131

More info: Charles at 734-529-3581

2009-07-08T18:21:00.003-04:00

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.

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.

Announcements!

On July 1, the state put out a new set of directives. Your local charity poker rooms will be updating their schedules and tweaking their offerings to comply with the new rules.

Friday $10 buy-in, $1000 Guaranteed Prize PoolSunday $30 Deep Stack Tournament, Trip Kings at Garden Lanes
Trip Kings at Garden Lanes is hosting a $10 buy-in, $1000 Guaranteed Tournament on Fridays, and a $30 Deep Stack Tournament on Sundays! Be sure to check out Trip Kings regular schedule! They also offer great Live Action Cash Games spreading Hold'em, Omaha, Round by Round & Blackjack daily.

Benefitting: K of C 5446 Sr Citizens Club General Fund M48724 July 9-12

When: July 10 & 12 starting at 7pm

Where: Trip Kings at Garden Lanes, 29145 Warren Rd, Garden City, MI 734-556-2163

$4000 Guaranteed Prize Pool, $20 buy-in, $20 Rebuys at Queen of Hearts July 10
Queen of Hearts at Woodhaven Lanes is hosting a $20 buy-in, $20 rebuy tournament with a Guaranteed Prize Pool of $4000! Queen of hearts also has some of the best live action cash games in the area!

Benefitting: Trenton High School for books & equipment M

When: Friday, July 10

Where: Queen of Hearts, 20000 Van Horn, Woodhaven MI 48183 734-556-2164

Ball Joint $400 buy-in Deep-Stack Tourney July 11
The Ball Joint is hosting an exciting, high payout Deep Stack Tournament. The tournament is capped at 37 players, with a $6000 First Prize, paying 6 places. Direct buy-in is $400 - you can reserve your seat today with a $50 non-refundable deposit. They are also running $60 Satellite tournaments every Thur - Sun to win a seat in the Main Event. Win your $400 Seat for $60!! Call the Ball Joint for more details!!

Benefitting: Lakeview High School General Fund M49176

When: July 11th with $60 satellites running every Thur - Sun until July 11

What: 37 player Deep Stack Tournament

Buy-in: $400 Main Event

Where: Ball Joint 4720 Beckley Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015 269-979-0080

Hazel Park Deep Stack NL Texas Hold'em $20,000 estimated Prize Pool July 9-12
Don't miss this great deep stack tournament for some serious prize money. Satellites will run from Thur - Sat with the Main Event starting on Sunday at 2pm. All proceeds benefit the Bridging Communities General Fund M49025. Early Direct buy-in are $225. Here's the info:

Benefitting: Bridging Communities General Fund M49025

When: Thur July 9 - Sun July 12

Thur @ 7pm $35 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 2:30 $35 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 7pm $65 Main Event Qualifier, min 20% to Main Event
Sun @ 2pm $250 direct buy-in Deep Stack Main Event 85% payout, no rebuys, no add-ons, 30 min blinds for first 4 rounds, 20 min blinds thereafter

Where: Hazel Park Raceway Poker Room 1650 E. 10 Mile Rd, Hazel Park, MI

Trippers Deep Stack NL Texas Hold'em $10,000 estimated Prize Pool July 9-12
Don't miss this great deep stack tournament for some serious prize money. Satellites will run from Thur - Sat with the Main Event starting on Sunday at 2pm. All proceeds benefit the Williamston Foundation General Fund M48937. Here's the info:

Benefitting: Williamston Foundation General Fund M48937

When: Thur July 9 - Sun July 12

Thur @ 7pm $20 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 2pm $20 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 7pm $40 Main Event Qualifier, min 20% to Main Event
Sun @ 2pm $150 direct buy-in Deep Stack Main Event, no rebuys, no add-ons, 30 min blinds for first 4 rounds, 20 min blinds thereafter

Where: Trippers Sports Bar, 350 Frandor, Lansing, MI

Northville Downs Deep Stack NL Texas Hold'em $20,000 estimated Prize Pool July 23-26
Don't miss this great deep stack tournament for some serious prize money. Satellites will run from Thur - Sat with the Main Event starting on Sunday at 2pm. All proceeds benefit the Homer Trojan Athletic Club General Fund M43918. Early Direct buy-in are $225. Here's the info:
Benefitting: Homer Trojan Athletic Club General Fund M43918.
When: Thur July 23 - Sun July 26

Thur @ 7pm $35 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 2pm $35 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy tourney min 10% to Main Event
Fri & Sat @ 7pm $65 Main Event Qualifier, min 20% to Main Event
Sun @ 2pm $250 direct buy-in Deep Stack Main Event, 85% payout, no rebuys, no add-ons, 30 min blinds for first 4 rounds, 20 min blinds thereafter
Where: Northville Downs, 301 Center St, Northville, MI

August 4th at Kickers: Joe's vs Pro's
The first Joe's vs Pro's, $100.00 buy-in Hold em tourney, at Joey's Comedy club, inside Kicker's All American Grill. Here's your chance to play alongside some of the area's best atheltes and local celebrities. We will have book signings from the Pro's and special prizes, throughout the night.
Benefitting: VFW 4553 Building Fund M49224

When: August 4th, 2009 @ 7pm

Buy-in: $100 - pre-register at Kickers starting 7/6, only 100 seats available!

Who: Scheduled to appear Lem Barney NFL, Willie Horton MLB, Tyrone Wheatley NFL, Pete Stoyanovich NFL, Chris Tamer NHL, Dave Roberts NHL, Linda Lee (WYCD), Terry T Brown WWJ, plus more celeb's added each day.

Where: Kickers, 36071 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
UMichiganPoker.com and Nik's Poker Palace have partnered up to bring you the toughest private tournament on Poker Stars! Come join us every Tuesday at 8pm for a $5 + $0.50 buy-in tournament. More details are here!

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! For now, the MIPF weekly tournaments are on break through mid June. Be sure to check back to find out when they start up again! The tourneys will start at 8PM with the same $5 + $0.50 buy-in. More info here!

When you go to an event, please let the organizers know you found the listing on UMichiganPoker!

Putting More Buns in Seats
Promoting Local Charity Poker Tournaments
Michele Ingalls
734-864-1280
mich@umichiganpoker.com
http://umichiganpoker.com
myspace.com/umichiganpoker
facebook.com/umichiganpoker
twitter.com/umichiganpoker

Trip Report: The Links Poker Palace in Whitmore Lake, Michigan

2009-05-26T12:46:00.002-04:00

The Links Poker Palace in Whitmore Lake, Michigan

Vital Stats
Date: May 23, 2009
Address: 1111 Six Mile Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI 48184
Phone: 734-449-5451
Charity & License: American Legion 419 Auxiliary M46441
Tournament: 8pm $5 entry, $500 Guaranteed

The Set-up:
It’s a beautiful sunny Saturday over Memorial Day week-end. Chris, my husband, Lisa, my sister and I headed out to the Links around 6pm, with the 45 minute drive, that would put us at the Links around 7pm – enough time to grab some dinner and maybe get into a cash game before the 8pm tournament start. We expected a little slower day due to the 80° weather and holiday week-end. The Links is at the golf course club-house, tables set up in the restaurant/bar area with huge windows overlooking the course, and a deck just outside. The room is non-smoking, easy to find, with a full bar, keno, kitchen and waitstaff.

There was one waiting cash player when we arrived, and no cash games going before the tournament. The tournament did fill up just before 8pm with four full tables (36 players). The total prize pool was $750 paying 1st $375, 2nd $200, 3rd $175 and 4th $50.

Players on the trip: Lisa is a newbie live player this was her 3rd or 4th live tournament. Her biggest problem is that she tends to think players are bluffing – I think this may be directly related to living with three teen-agers...

Chris is a numbers guy and computer programmer (think Chris Ferguson). I’m always amazed at the statistics he can figure out in his head.

I’m a middle of the pack player. Sometimes I play by the numbers, sometimes I play by my guy. More often than not, I’m checking when I should be raising, and calling when I should be folding.

Tournament: We all sat at different tables for the $5 buy-in for 1k chips, $5 add-on for another 1k chips. Unlimited $10 (2k chips) or $20 (5k chips) rebuys until the break when a player busts out. At the break, add-ons were available for the same amounts, $10 for 2k chips or $20 for 5k chips. The blinds went up every 15 minutes, and doubled every level after the 1st break. This wrapped up the tournament quickly after the rebuy period was over.

There were two other ladies at my table. One I recognized from a tournament at an Ann Arbor poker room – a solid, aggressive player from what I remember. It’s nice to see the girls getting out there to play cards with the guys. Jeff, the dealer until the break, was familiar with a couple of the regular players, kept the game friendly and moving. He was really nice about washing the cards upon request, and demonstrating his custom “speed wash” a couple times. One guy at my table busted out before the break and didn’t rebuy. Lisa also busted out before the break after one rebuy.

Going into the first break, I was short-stacked 1350 chips and had been card dead for quite some time. Blinds were 400/800. In first position, I peeked at A-7 and figured if I bust out before the break, I can do the $20 rebuy, plus the $20 add-on and come back with a healthier stack. Bob, immediately to my left called with a smaller stack than mine, the blond called with 1300 chips, and John – one of the table big stacks. Three players all-in, last hand before the break.

Me: A©-7§
Flop: 4§-4¨-5© (no danger – good flop for me!)
Turn: A¨ **woo-hoo – Aces!!!
River: 3¨ seems to be a blank...

Bob turns up his cards: K¨-2¨ for a flush – winning the main pot
Blond turns up A§-7ª to split with me, each winning 1300 chips
John mucked his cards.

After the break, four tables went down to three, then down to two very quickly. I won a few small pots, stealing the blinds, but mostly I was card dead. I kept looking for a place to make my move. The best cards I got were Q-7. About three hands after we went to two tables, I was out. In the big blind, I was all-in blind with three callers/limpers. As much as I wished for it, I just didn’t come up with that miracle river card, and I was out.

Chris made it to the final table and ended up taking 4th. He too was short-stacked from the 2nd break on, but managed to make the right moves at the right times and held out to the money.

Cash Games: I played on the $1/$2 cash table for about an hour after I busted out of the tournament. The play was friendly, and not overly-aggressive. There were a few limped pots, a few expensive flops. I saw a really horrible bad beat – here it is to the best of my memory:

Limped pot, 4 players in – player 3, 4, small and big blinds. The flop comes A, Q, 7 rainbow. Player 3 bets ~$15, player 4 re-raises all-in ~$75, blinds fold. Player 3 has 4 covered and calls.

Flop: A-7-Q
Player 3: 7-7
Player 4: A-Q

Turn: 7
River: A

Just sick – full house, aces over queens beat by quad sevens. Player 3 scoops, player 4 buys more chips.

As players dropped out of the tournament, they joint the cash tables. There was one $1/$2 table going with a few players waiting for another. After the tournament, a full $1/$1 table opened up.

Wrap-Up: This is a very nice poker room with a regular, friendly crowd. The players and dealers know eachother – there’s a lot of friendly banter going back and fourth. If you are in the area – drive out here and play in the tournaments or cash games.

ps. - Ed - I wrote all this stuff down ;)

$2000 Guaranteed Prize Pool & WSOP Satelite at Town & Country Lanes May 28 & 30

2009-05-26T12:41:00.003-04:00

Town & Country Lanes : 2 Special Events this week!**$2000 Guaranteed Prize Pool $20 buy-in tournament Thur 5/28

**$2000 WSOP Satellite Tourney in Vegas Prize, $135 buy-in for 10k chips Sat 5/30
benefitting John Glenn HS Athletic Fund M45863

Sometimes we get news so exciting we can't wait to share it! Do you want to share this info? Forward to a Friend

$2000 Guarantee at Town & Country Lanes May 28
Benefitting John Glenn HS Athletic Fund M45863

$2000 guarantee prize pool, $20 buy in tourney, 6000 chips, 20 min blinds. Unlimited re-buys the first hour when under 6000 6 chips, 1 bonus add on the last 10 minutes of the first round.

$2000 WSOP Satellite Tourney in Vegas Prize, $135 buy-in for 10k chips May 30
Benefitting John Glenn HS Athletic Fund M45863

Saturday May 30, 2009 win a seat in the WSOP $2000 Satelitte tourney in Vegas. Starts at noon, OPEN TO THE FIRST 75 PLAYERS, $135 buy in, $10,000 CHIPS, 30 MIN BLINDS. TOP 3 FINISHERS, will have their seat bought for them in the WSOP satelitte in Vegas with $500.00 for accomodations. Next 3 finisher's will receive a cash prize.

MAKE NOTE: Coming soon The first Joe's vs Pro's, $100.00 buy-in Hold em tourney, at Joey's Comedy club, inside Kicker's All American Grill. Here's your chance to play alongside some of the area's best atheltes and local celebrities. We will have book signings from the Pro's, bounty chips for knocking out a Pro and special prizes, throughout the night. Stay tuned for more Info.

Town & Country Lanes
1100 S. Wayne Rd
Westland, MI 48184
734-722-5000

Kickers
36071 Plymouth Rd
Livonia, MI 48150
734-469-8177

The Links at Whitmore Lake:Freeze-Out Tournament and Poker 7 Days a Week!

2009-05-23T16:59:00.001-04:00

Sometimes we get news so exciting we can't wait to share it! Do you want to share this info? Forward to a Friend

May 31, 5pm $60 Freeze-Out NLHE Tournament Benefitting Agnus Dei Academy M48543 May 28-31

The Links will be playing 7 Days a week starting June 8th!!

Benefitting the Whitmore Lake Rod & Gun Club for community projects M48438 June 8-10

The Links hosts 8pm $500 Freerolls with a $5 entry fee Thursday - Sundays. Starting June 8th, the freerolls will be 7 nights a week!

$25 Bounty Tournaments Sundays at 5pm (unless there is a special event - like the $60 Freeze-out on 5/31!

The Links hosts $1/$1, $1/$2 and $2/$4 Cash Tables, spreading NLHE, Round-by-Round and Black Jack from open to close.

The Links Poker Palace
1111 Six Mile Rd
Whitmore Lake, MI 48184

734-449-5451

UMichiganPoker Announcements - Updated April 8, 2009

2009-04-08T11:23:00.002-04:00

What's going on Today? How 'bout Tomorrow? Click here to get to our listing of today and tomorrow's events!! We've got all our events listed by county - click on the county & venue name to get the charity, license number, start time, buy-in, address, phone number, etc. We think it's a really great new feature!

Holiday Week-end!! If you celebrate it, Happy Easter!! If you don't celebrate Easter - Happy Sunday!! Some Poker Rooms are off for the Easter Holiday, others are celebrating Easter the way they celebrate any other Sunday by hosting charity poker tournaments! Be sure to double-check the poker schedule to see of your favorite poker room is playing over the week-end.
WIN A UMichiganPoker.com T-SHIRT!! Fill out our survey about UMichiganPoker.com e-mail notices and win a free t-shirt! Here is the link to our survey (just a few short questions!!!). All the people who respond will be entered into a drawing - one lucky random person will win a brand new UMP T-shirt. These shirts are navy blue short sleeved shirts with a small UMP logo on the front, and a really cool UMP logo on the back. These shirts repel bad beats, and have been treated with donkey-repellant. Start the Survey NOW!!
Northville Downs Texas Hold'em Derby! $20,000 NL Deep Stack Tournament & Qualifiers April 30 - May 3 benefitting the VFW 345 General Fund M45870!! Thursday at 7pm is the first $30 Main Event Qualifier, Friday & Saturday at 2pm, $30 Main Event Qualifier, at 7pm $60 Main Event Qualifier. Sunday at 2pm starts the main event! Early direct buy-in $225. The day of the tournament, $250 direct buy-in for the $20,000 prize pool!!!
New Poker Room in Farmington Hills: Players Billiards Now OPEN!!! Players had its Grand Opening on Friday! Come out and play in one of their $20 rebuy tournaments with guaranteed prize pools, or sit down at a cash table for a while. This week Players is playing for Eagles 3816 for community projects license M45836 and Eagles Fastpitch Softball Club M47330.
New Poker Room in Jackson: The Main Event at Avenue Billiards Grand Opening April 16th with the Columbia Athletic Boosters M47137. The Main Event will host $25 Monster Stack Tournaments every Thur - Sun at 6:30pm. Cash Tables will run from open to close! Thur 6pm - 2am, Fri 6pm - 2am, Sat 1pm - 2am and Sun 1pm - midnight.
New Poker Room in Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Country Club Grand Opening April 23rd Grand Opening April 23rd with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Metro Detroit General Fund M46853. The Ann Arbor Country Club will be open from 6pm - midnight on Thur, 6pm to 2am on Friday & Saturday and 6pm to midnight on Sunday. 85% payback on all tournaments, and cash games from open to close.
MVP in Romulus is hosting $500 & $1000 freerolls 7 days a week. Be sure to check out MVP's cash game promos! If you get a full house during a cash game, MVP will give you 500 extra tournament chips the next time you play in the tournament!

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

2009-03-26T08:42:00.003-04:00

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.

PPL Premier Poker Lounge in Brighton

2009-03-24T17:34:00.004-04:00

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

2009-03-24T17:30:00.002-04:00

UMichiganPoker.com Announcements fro March 17 - 23

2009-03-24T17:26:00.000-04:00

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

2009-03-24T17:23:00.002-04:00

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.

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

2009-03-03T19:30:00.001-05:00

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.Â 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:

Poker Zone in Holland

2009-02-27T10:05:00.010-05:00

Poker Zone
12330 James St
Holland, MI 49424

616-396-6869

7 Days a Week

M-Th 4PM—1AM, Fri 4pm-2am Sat Noon – 2am, Sun 2PM—11PM

Date Room Reviewed: Friday, February 13th

23 of 25 Chips

The Poker Zone was hosting Holland Youth Football (M45220) playing for uniforms & equipment on Friday the 13th. The Poker Zone is located in the middle of a strip mall, next door to Famous Footwear with a lighted sign and plenty of lighted parking. The location seemed really easy to find – though I have to admit – I punched the address into my GPS and did what I was told. The Poker Zone has a BYO policy for food & beverages, though the sell water, pop, energy drinks, candy bars & chips. Tom & Cindy – the hosts and owners of the Poker Zone – have done a lot to make their room stand out, from atmosphere, tournament structure, payouts, etc. For me, it was really worth the wait and the drive.

They were playing a $35 + $5 bounty tournament the day I visited the Poker Zone. I did not play in any cash games, though there were two full tables when I arrived, and four when I left!!

The Poker Zone Store Front – from http://hollandpokerzone.com/

#1 Games: 5 of 5 chips

Five of five chips for games offered at Poker Zone! Another location with more games than UMP has chips to offer! The rake is 10% up to $6.
· $1/$2 NLHE $20 min / $100 max
· $1/$2 NLHE $20 min / $200 max
· $2/$5 NLHE $100 min / $400 max – Saturday only
· $3/$6 Limit Hold’em
· $3/$6 Limit Omaha

The Poker Zone also donates the prize money to do Krazy Quads! You win $25 when you are the first to hit quads (you must use both cards in your hand ie you must be holding a pocket pair!) All cash games and tournaments are included. If you hit the LAST quads on the list, you win $100 and the board is reset.

Be sure to check with the Poker Zone for any other specials they are running!

Cash Tables at the Poker Zone on Friday the 13th

#2 Tournaments : 5 of 5 chips

Every tounament player will find a format they just love at the Poker Zone – and who can argue with their payouts? Did you know that the Poker Zone pays out 90% on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays? Other days have 80% payouts. The night I played – we had around 36 players paying $530 for first place, $330 for second, plus two more places. With twelve 108” tables, there’s plenty of room for huge tournaments and lots of cash games.

Monday: 7pm $30 buy-in Turbo Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 80% payback & 3000 starting chips. Approx. 3 hours.
Tuesday: 7pm $50 Borgata Tournament. 15 minute blinds, 80% payback, 10,000 starting chips with antes. Approx. 5 hours.
Wednesday: 7pm $40 Rebuy Tournament. 15 minute blinds, 80% payback, 5000 starting chips. Unlimited rebuys within the first hour. $20 for 2500 chips if you have less than 2500 in front of you, or $40 for 5000 if you are out of chips. Approx 5 hours.
Thursday: 7pm $30 & $5 Knockout Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 90% payback, 3000 starting chips. Receive $5 for each player you knock out. Approx 3 hours.
Friday: 7pm $35 & $5 knockout (first place guaranteed for $500!) 15 minute blinds, 90% payback, 5000 in starting chips. Receive $5 for each player you knock out. Approx 5 hours.
Saturday: 2pm $30 Turbo Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 90% payout, 3000 starting chips. Approx 3 hours.
Saturday: 7pm $600 FREEROLL Event! 15 min blinds, 2000 starting chips. Add-ons and rebuys, $10 for 1000 chips for first 1.5 hours. Approx 6 hours.
Sunday: 7pm $30 Turbo Tournament. First Place Guaranteed for $400! 15 minute blinds, 90% payback, 3000 starting chips. Approx 3 hours.

Tournament director software projected from table top to ceiling on the back wall keeps everyone up to date on time left in the round, and blind levels. The Poker Zone has customized the music that plays as the blinds go up. Tom got on the PA System to announce the tournament start, number of players, and in a really classy move – announced the charity we were playing for, directing everyone’s attention to the hard working Holland Youth Football volunteers. (Oh – and did I mention the Poker Zone has a PA System?)

The blind structure moves along at a good pace. Fast enough to keep you on top of your game, but not too fast that it comes down to a series of coin-flips to win the tournament.

First place winners get their photos on the Poker Zone’s web site and on the “Wall of Fame”. They also get to choose the trophy they want from Tom’s trophy case!

With a variety of tournament formats, great blind structures, amazing payouts and a bunch of perks, the Poker Zone receives 5 of 5 chips.

Cash tables towards the end of the tournament.

#3 Atmosphere: 4 of 5 chips

Tom and Cindy have worked really hard to make a welcoming and fun poker room. They have eight flat-screen TV’s around the room playing different news and sporting events. Imagine my surprise when I had to take a bathroom break and didn’t miss a second of the Red Wings game! There’s a flat-screen TV in the nice, clean bathroom!!! (This was a first for me – I’ve never found a TV in another charity poker room bathroom!) There’s a lounge area with free internet access where players can get on Facebook, MySpace, or send that “Hi Mom!” e-mail message waiting for a seat to open at a cash table. There are also poker magazines racked up, and ready to browse, and a showcase full of poker stuff (books, signs, cards, etc.)

Once you are in the strip mall, the Poker Zone is easy to find, with lots of well-lit parking. Walking in, the charity volunteers and snacks are on your left, the lounge area is on the right. For players convenience (or detriment!!) there’s an ATM inside the Poker Zone! The place is clean, fresh and welcoming. There are also web-cameras installed in the ceiling – you can watch your favorite player from home!

The Poker Zone does not serve meals or alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own, or have dinner delivered. There are non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available where the poker chips are sold. Minus one chip due to the lack of meals & beverages.

The floor working through a tricky cash hand...

#4 Equipment : 4 of 5 chips

Tom and Cindy have gone all out to equip their poker room. All twelve oversized tables are custom felted with cup holders in the rail. Chairs are cushy and comfortable. Plenty of room so your chair isn’t on top of the person seated at teh next table. Cash and tournament chips are all custom, the cards are new. Because the tables have folding legs, 4 of 5 chips.

Tom at the end of the night in front of the “Wall of Fame”

#5 Staff: 5 of 5 chips

From the moment you step through the door at the Poker Zone, everyone makes you feel like they are glad you are there. The dealers here at the Poker Zone are fast, friendly, accurate, professional, and keep the game moving. Katie was the fantastic Poker Zone dealer at my tournament table. She was lightning fast dealing, kept players attention in the game, and moved the tournament along with a smile. She handled split pots quickly and accurately.

The floor is quick to arrive to handle any situations that come up. They are also quick to welcome and seat players.

People, payouts and perks are the three main areas where the Poker Zone really shines! The dealers, floor managers, owners and even the charity volunteers make you feel welcome from the minute you walk in to the moment you walk out. The tournament payouts here are amazing with 80% - 90% payback on all the tournaments. And the perks, like the ATM in the poker room, the Large flatscreen TV in the bathroom, webcams, PA system, free internet access, the “lounge”, and the other perks make the Poker Zone a must-visit Michigan charity poker room!!

Rounders Poker Room in Clinton Township

2009-02-12T12:52:00.006-05:00

Rounders Poker Room
“The only Vegas style poker room in Metro Detroit.”
34244 Groesbeck Highway
Clinton Twp, MI 48035
586-792-0356

7 Days a Week
M-F 5:30PM—2AM, Sat 3PM – 2am, Sun 1PM—11PM
Date Room Reviewed: Jan 24, 2009

24 of 25 Chips

Rounders Poker room was playing for Rosemar Techaid Foundation’s General Fund. The poker room is located at Fountain View Lanes – just south of 15 Mile on Groesbeck. Chaplins’ Comedy Club is also located there. There isn’t a sign on the outside of the building, so to find the poker room, drive to the north-most part of the parking lot, park around the side and look for the double-doors – you’ll walk right into the poker room. Once you come through the doors, you know right away that this is no ordinary charity poker room! Patrick has put a lot of thought, time and effort into making Rounders look and feel like you’re playing in a casino poker room. On Saturday night, I played in the $10 buy-in, $1000 guaranteed tournament, then donated some chips at the $1/$2 cash table.

#1 Games: 5 of 5 chips

Five of five chips for games offered at Rounders. They spread $1/$2 & $2/$5 NL Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Omaha, and Round by Round, along with a different tournament format every night of the week. The rake is 10% up to $5.

Rounders is also hosting a High Stakes cash game on Monday nights. The buy-in is $200 - $500 for $2/$5 Round by Round NLHE / Omaha. This game starts at 7:30 every Monday. If you’re looking for a great high stakes game – try this one!

Starting Superbowl Sunday, Rounders is offering “The Nuts” Jackpot on the cash games. Here’s how it works: the player must use both cards in their hand, and must have played the hand to get paid. It’s only available to cash game players. The jackpot is funded with $1 rake from each pot over $20. Now for the payouts:

Royal Flush : minimum $1000 payout, 50% to the player, 50% to the table
Straight Flush : 25% of the jackpot, 50% to the player, 50% to the table
Quad Aces: $150 to the player, $25 to each player at the table
Quad Kings: $100 to the player, $20 to each player at the table
Quad Queens: $75 to the player, $15 to each player at the table
Quad Jacks: $50 to the player, $10 to each player at the table

Cash game players also get priority seating for the freerolls & tournaments. Way to take care of your cash players Patrick!

#2 Tournaments : 5 of 5 chips

With a different tournament format every night of the week, Rounders takes care of all the tourney players from freerollers to deep-stack fans. With enough seats to accommodate 90 players, all of the alternates get a chance to play too!

Monday: 7pm $10 buy-in $1000 guaranteed tournament*. ($20 bonus 6000 chips at registration) 1500 starting chips $10 rebuys for 1500 chips. $25 add-on for 10,000 chips at the break. 12 min blinds. *based on 50 players
Tuesday: 7pm $25 buy-in ($10 bonus 1000 chips) 2000 starting chips – no rebuys, no add-ons. 15 min blinds
Wednesday: 7pm $35 bounty ($15 bonus 2000 chips) 3000 starting chips, no rebuys, no add-ons. $5 “bounty” for each player you knock out. 15 min blinds.
Thursday: 7pm $1500 Winner Takes All Freeroll*. 1000 starting chips ($20 bonus 6000 chips) $10 rebuy for 2000 chips, $20 add-on for 10,000 chips. *based on 50 players
Friday: 7pm $50/$100 + $15 5000 starting chips – no rebuys, no add-ons. 20 min blinds
Saturday: 7pm $10 buy-in $1000 guaranteed tournament*. ($20 bonus 6000 chips at registration) 1500 starting chips $10 rebuys for 1500 chips. $25 add-on for 10,000 chips at the break. 12 min blinds. *based on 50 players
Sunday: 2pm FREEROLL 1000 starting chips ($20 bonus 6000 chips) $10 rebuy for 2000 chips, $20 add-on for 10,000 chips.

Tournament director software on a laptop keeps track of blinds, rounds and payout structure. Payback to players ranges from 75% - 85% - and includes all add-ons and rebuys at this percentage!

For variety of tournaments, percentage payouts, blinds and length of round adjusted to format, and that “fun” factor, Rounders receives 5 of 5 chips.

#3 Atmosphere: 4 of 5 chips

This is an amazing room with custom finishes around the edges of the room, framed photos of poker pros, a giant canvas of KGB (from Rounders, the movie). The lighting is great, and it is a 100% non-smoking room. For me this is a huge plus. It was wonderful to go home –not- smelling like smoke after playing poker. Smokers could do their thing outside the doors in the parking lot, or step into the bowling alley for a break.

The charity has a great set up in a “drive through” window a step up from the main floor. Once inside, you are greeted by a floor manager, and it’s easy to get into the tournament, or buy into a cash game.

There’s a large screen TV in the room, along with some smaller ones. Music is playing in the background – loud enough to hear, but soft enough to talk over easily.

The only thing that keeps Rounders from getting all five chips is the outside signage. It’s hard to figure out where to go the first time you come to Fountain View because there isn’t any signage directing you to the north end of the building.

#4 Equipment : 5 of 5 chips

The equipment in this room is top notch! Let me start with the tables. All the tables in the room are 9 foot tables with red speed cloth, cushy bumpers, and permanent (non-folding) legs. The cash table has an in-table card shuffler and a “rake slot”. There are no chip racks in these tables. The chairs are great! Cushy, big, new and clean. You will not get “chair seat butt” playing here. (chair seat butt: when you’ve sat in the same chair for so long, your buns get a flat spot from the seat). Because the tables are all nine-footers, even with ten players at the table, you are not squished in. Rounders also has side tables for your drinks and snacks. Custom chips are used for cash and tournaments.

#5 Staff: 5 of 5 chips

Patrick and his team run a great poker room. Players are greeted as soon as they enter the room. Questions are answered quickly and professionally. Dealers are very knowledgeable about the rules, quick to get you your cards, figure out split pots, pull rakes, and keep the game moving. Any disputes or disagreements are settled by the floor quickly. Fountain View also dedicates one waitress (or waiter) to the poker room, so food and beverages are delivered tableside.

From the moment you step into Rounders Poker Room, you know the room was set up for poker players, by a poker player. The atmosphere, staff professionalism, cash games and tournaments make Rounders a great place to play.

Roundtree in Ypsilanti Special Events for Valentines Day!

2009-02-11T19:02:00.002-05:00

PRINT THIS SCHEDULE PLAYERS and FORWARD it to Friends, You will want to remember these deals!

SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY!!! Playing for Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club M44904

Saturday Special
SWEET DEALS FOR VALENTINES DAY Weekend!

$25 Cash For any ACE high HEART FLUSH (CASH TABLE ONLY PLAYER MUST HOLD Ah in Hand) 4PM-MIDNIGHT!
3PM Free Roll $300 Guarantee, 1st Place with also take home a NEW TEXAS HOLD'EM chip Set for your next Home Game
7pm $25 Hold'em tourney FREEZE-OUT9PM Black Jack Tourney $20 Buy in Winner take all!

Sunday Specials

First 10 cash players receive a WSOP t-shirt.
$4 rake special from 4-6pm
3pm Free Roll final table receive 1/2 off TEC (Tournament entry chip) for any future tournament
7pm DEEP STACK, 8000 chips 30 minute blinds! (80% payout!)

Monday Specials

ZERO RAKE 5pm-6pm first 3 cash tables!
$3 Rake til 7pm!
7pm Bounty Freeze-out $25 buy in Win $5 for every player you take out!
9pm free roll
LATE NIGHT RAKE SPECIAL $3 from 11pm to midnight

Tuesday Specials

ZERO RAKE 5pm-6pm first 3 cash tables!
$3 Rake til 7PM!
7pm $20 Re-buy, Unlimited first Hour, Final Table Receives 1/2 off TEC
9pm Black Jack Elimination Tourney! Winner take all! $20 (80% payout!)

Roundtree Bar & Grill

2203 Ellsworth

Ypsilanti, MI 49197

734-358-3989

Michigan Charity Texas Holdem Poker Events for Feb 10 - 17

2009-02-11T18:56:00.002-05:00

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!

Special Announcements:
Trippers in Lansing: 2nd Annual Charity Poker Invitational Feb 26th - March 1. Proceeds to benefit the LCC Couger Club M44700 for equipment & uniforms.
Thur: 7pm $30 Main Event Qualifier Rebuy Tournament. Min Min 10% advance to Main Event on Sunday
Cash Games from 2pm - 2am
Fri: 7pm $60 Main Event Qualifier. Top 20% advance to Main Event on Sunday
Cash Games from Noon to 2am
Sat: 4pm & 8pm $60 Main Event Qualifier. Top 20% advance to Main Event on Sunday
Cash Games from Noon - 2am
Sun: 2pm $250 buy-in Main Event! Only 60 direct buy-ins available!
Cash Games from noon to 2am

Merri Bowl Lanes in Livonia: $250 BIG STACK TOURNEY - SATURDAY FEB 14TH @2PM. Register at www.pokeratmerri-bowl.com. $5000 to first place! 7,000 starting chips.

Merri-Bowl is going to a 7-day schedule. To celebrate their new schedule, Merri-Bowl is hosting freerolls every day.

Kickers in Livonia is hosting a $1500 FREEROLL on Feb 23rd with proceeds to benefit Derby Middle School Scholarship Fund M45727.

Poker Town at Oak Lanes in Westland has a new tournament schedule with $1000 guaranteed prize pools with $10 buy-ins. Check it out on the UMichiganPoker.com web site!

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.

PPL in Brighton has updated their tournament schedule with Freerolls and guaranteed prize pool tourneys.

Fair Lanes in Madison Heights is going to a 7-day schedule starting Feb 18th.

The Manhattan Club in Lansing is moving to a 7-day schedule and is opening the doors at noon each day.

Roundtree in Ypsilanti is running Valentines day promos Sat - Tues this week - watch your e-mail for more details!

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
http://www.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
http://www.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.

Link to February's Calendar of Events in UMichiganPoker.com!

When you go to an event, please let the organizers know you found the listing on UMichiganPoker!

Putting More Buns in SeatsPromoting Local Charity Poker TournamentsMichele Ingalls734-864-1280mich@umichiganpoker.com http://umichiganpoker.com

Get your Friends on the List!

Do you like getting e-mail updates every week? Be sure to get your buddies on the list too! Click on the envelope to get on the weekly e-mail list. Help spread the word and keep your favorite local charity poker room full!
***UMichiganPoker will not sell or share your information with any third party. We're just not that desperate for money!

UMichiganPoker.com & MIPokerForum.com
Join in with poker players all over Michigan! Want the scoop on a local poker room? Looking for some players to get a home game together? Stop by and say Hi!

UMichiganPoker.com on MySpace!We're on MySpace too! Check us out here!!

UMichiganPoker.com is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest information about charity poker tournaments in Michigan.

Are you a poker player (with buns) looking for a tournament seat? Are you a tournament director with some empty seats? Let UMichiganPoker.com play matchmaker and put those buns in seats!

When you go to an event, please let the organizers know you found the listing on UMichiganPoker!

Putting More Buns in Seats
Promoting Local Charity Poker Tournaments
Michele Ingalls
734-864-1280
mich@umichiganpoker.com
http://umichiganpoker.com

Merri Bowl Poker Room Big Stack Tournament Feb 14

2009-02-11T18:51:00.002-05:00

Merri-Bowl Poker Room

$250 BIG STACK TOURNAMENT $5000 TO FIRST PLACE!!!!

HOSTING: NORTHVILLE MOOSE LODGEM44773 PROCEEDS TO G.F.

Sometimes we get news so exciting we can't wait until Tuesday to share it! Do you want to share this info? Forward to a Friend

MERRI-BOWL POKER ROOM30950 FIVE MILE RD, LIVONIA MIHOSTING: NORTHVILLE MOOSE LODGEM44773 PROCEEDS TO G.F.
ATTENTION POKER PLAYERS,
$250 BIG STACK TOURNAMENT $5000 TO FIRST PLACE!!!!
(WITH FULL FIELD OF 60)
WHEN: SATURDAY, FEB 14TH @ 2PM

HOW: Players may pay direct, win seats during $30 satellites, or win a seat during Sunday free rolls.
STARTING CHIPS: 7,000

BLINDS: 35 MIN

REGISTRATION: Register at http://www.pokeratmerri-bowl.com/ or http://www.pokeratrounders.com/

Simply give your full name and a phone number.

SUNDAY FREE ROLLS - Sunday's free rolls will still be $1000 guaranteed. Instead of cash we will be giving the top 4 finishes seats into the $250 buy-in tournament on Feb. 14th at 2pm. What happens if there is not enough players for the tournament to run (20 min)? You will be able to trade your seats in for cash anytime after the scheduled event.

FREE ROLLS
THURSDAY $1000 GUARANTEED (FIELD OF 60)

FRIDAY $500 GUARANTEED (FIELD OF 50)
SATURDAY $500 GUARANTEED (FIELD OF 50)
SUNDAY $1000 GUARANTEED (SEATS TO BIG STACK TOURNEY)

SATELLITES - ANYTIME WE CAN GET 10 PLAYERS WE WILL RUN A $30 SIT N GO. 1 SEAT PER 10 PLAYERS. COME INTO THE ROOM AND SIGN UP ON THE BOARD.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - STARTING WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4TH. FREE ROLLS EVERY DAY!

ROUNDERS MANAGEMENT

http://www.pokeratrounders.com/

ROUNDERS MANAGEMENT

UMichiganPoker.com | Michigan Charity Poker Events Feb 3 - 10

2009-02-08T11:33:00.002-05:00

New Locations added to UMichiganPoker.com
Hot Rods in Jackson: Please join me in welcoming Hot Rod's in Jackson to the UMichiganpoker.com web site. Be sure to check out the games and charities playing at Hot Rods - and let them know you found their tournaments on UMP!!

Upcoming Deep Stack, Big Buy-in Tournaments
There are a bunch of great Deep Stack Tournaments coming up in the next few weeks! Here's a preview - be sure to watch your e-mail or check the web site for more details!
- 2/14 2pm $250 buy-in at Merri-Bowl Lanes in Livonia to benefit the Northville Moose Lodge M44773 proceeds to the General Fund. Qualifiers through the week.
- 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.

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
http://www.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
http://www.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 Calendar

UMichiganPoker.com | Michigan Charity Poker Events Jan 27 - Feb 3

2009-02-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

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 it 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!

Poker Room Review: Rounders in Clinton Township
UMP went out to Clinton Township to play in the tournament & cash games at Rounders! What a great time!! Check out the poker room review towards the end of this e-mail - right after the calendar!

Grand Opening: Northville Downs
The folks who have brought us Trippers in Lansing, and the Ball Joint in Battle Creek are opening up at a brand new location: Northville Downs! The Grand Opening is February 5th. Watch for more updates on that brand new location!

Grand Opening: Pinnacle Poker Room at Kickers in Livonia
There's a brand new poker room in Livonia! The Pinnacle Vodka Poker Room is located inside of Kickers 36071 Plymouth Rd, Livonia. They're playing Cash Games from 4pm to 2am Mondays through Thursdays. Check the calendar or the UMichiganPoker.com web site for more details!

Deep Stack Tournaments!!
There are a bunch of great Deep Stack Tournaments coming up in the next few weeks! Here's a preview - be sure to watch your e-mail or check the web site for more details!
2/1 3pm $100 buy-in at the Ball Joint in Battle Creek benefitting the Rotary Club of Climax M44840 for community projects. Qualifiers running Thur - Sat.
2/1 7pm $125 buy-in, 80% payback at the Dawg House in Chelsea benefitting K of C 3092 Charities M45247.
2/14 2pm $250 buy-in at Merri-Bowl Lanes in Livonia to benefit the Northville Moose Lodge M44773 proceeds to the General Fund. Qualifiers through the week.
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.

Tuesday Online Tourney hosted by Nik's Poker Palace
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=47001766&msgid=629855&act=8K6P&c=323994&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umichiganpoker.com%2F 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
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=47001766&msgid=629855&act=8K6P&c=323994&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umichiganpoker.com%2F 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.

Gameside News & Views
The print newsletter has been retired. The last print issue was January 2009. As with regular print newspapers, the costs to produce and deliver 1500 hard copies every month just kept going up. After much thought, UMP has decided to keep bringing you the content! Each week, in this e-mail, we will include one of the all-time favorite articles from Gameside: Poker Room Reviews, Ask the Newbie, Non-Profit Profiles, and of course, the charity event calendar!

January 27 - February 3 2009

http://www.umichiganpoker.com/localpoker/calendar/cal.php3

UMichiganPoker.com | Charity Poker Events Jan 20 - 27

2009-02-08T11:27:00.001-05:00

I'm trying to get the e-mail announcements on the blog too - and catching up on a few entries. With the new calendar format, and a bunch of new changes with the new year, I've been neglecting the blog! Be sure to check back for a bunch of new and exciting things!

Hi Michigan Poker Fans -

The format has been getting a little out of hand with all the tournaments on the site. We're trying out a new format - 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!

Tuesday Online Tournament hosted by Nik's Poker Palace

http://www.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.

Wednesday Online Tournament hosted by MIPokerForum.com
http://www.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.

Canton Charity Casino at the Shark Club

2008-11-26T11:31:00.004-05:00

Canton Charity Casino at the Shark Club
42070 Ford Rd
Canton, MI 48187
734-844-7665
7 Days a Week
M-F 6PM—1AM, Sat & Sun 2PM—1AM
23 of 25 Chips

The Canton Charity Casino was playing for Strategic Partners in Community Athletic Development on the day I came in. The Shark Club is a huge venue with pool tables, darts, and large screen TV’s everywhere you look! At 6:30 there were two full cash tables running, with players waiting for a third table to open up. Tom, the poker room manager, seems to be having
the time of his life, and it shows everywhere in the venue.

#1 Games: 5 of 5 chips
The Canton Shark Club is another one of those venues that offer more games than I have chips to give! You can play $1/$2 or $2/$5 NL, $3/$6 Limit, $1/$2 or $2/$5 Omaha H/L, 7-Card Stud and Round by Round. Plenty of cash game players come into the Shark Club—there are always enough players to get a cash game going. They offer Sit-N-Goes any time and a different tourney format every day of the week.

#2 Tournaments : 4 of 5 chips
80% of the tournament buy-ins go back into the prize pool, along with a generous 70% of the add-ons and rebuys. Each day the tournament format changes. Tournament Director
software on a laptop keeps the blinds and timer on display. Dealers keep the game moving along. There’s not always enough tournament players to get a game going—though the cash tables are packed!

#3 Atmosphere: 5 of 5 chips
What a great location! Just off 275, a little past Ikea. Lots of well lit, close parking. As you walk in, the bar is in front of you, pool table & darts to the right, more pool tables and
poker tables to the left. Big screen and projections TV’s are everywhere. Music plays in the background. Giant fish tanks run the length of the room. The high ceiling and ventilation
keep smoke to a minimum. The pool tables are well lit. The place is huge, but arranged to keep the atmosphere friendly and social. The Shark Club has gone above and beyond to welcome the charity poker room players.

#4 Equipment : 4 of 5 chips
This is a well-equipped poker room! Each table seats nine players plus a dealer in nice cushy
chairs. These are the race-track style tables with cup holders at each seat. Custom stamped chips at each cash table, professional dealer buttons. Minus one chip for the folding legs on the poker tables.

#5 Staff: 5 of 5 chips
Tom and his team run a professional and welcoming poker room. Tom welcomes each one of his regulars with a smile and a handshake, escorting each new player to their seat. The dealers are fast, friendly and accurate! Jen, Charlie and the rest of the dealers are great making new players feel welcome, and moving the game along to keep the veteran players happy. The Shark Club also gets extra chips for the fast, friendly wait staff!

The Canton Shark Club is a first-class establishment, fun atmosphere, a great location, amazing staff and great equipment. The players have fun and the non profit organizations raise funds for great causes.

Nik's Poker Palace Standings / Tues Tournament information

2008-10-29T16:06:00.001-04:00

Nik’s Poker Palace Presents:

Weekly Internet Tournament League on Poker Stars!

Every Tuesday at 8:00 pm (20:00)

No-Limit Texas Holdem

$5.50 entry

Standings, tourney write-ups, articles, jokes and trash talk located at nikspokerpalace.blogspot.com

2008 league season will be broken into quarters.

The four quarter winners and the total top point getters (number TBD) will play in the Final on December 16, 2008.

Still time to win the final seat in the Championship, or come join the action to get ready for 2009!
Password is: heartsof9
Points awarded for each tourney:
1st – 10
2nd – 7
3rd – 5
4th – 3
5th – 1

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:

Check Raise Charity Poker Room at Woodhaven Lanes

2008-10-28T19:34:00.003-04:00

Check Raise Charity Poker at Woodhaven Lanes
20000 Van Horn Rd
Woodhaven, MI 48183
734-556-2164
7 Days a Week
24 of 25 Chips

My new writer, Lisa Bannon, and I went to Check-Raise for the
Tuesday $1000 Guaranteed freeroll. We arrived about quarter
after six and the place was packed, the tournament was full,
and four cash tables were running. We were put on the waitlist.
**Player’s Tip** Arrive early for the freeroll *and* get a player
loyalty card! You get priority freeroll seating. That means you
will be put ahead of all the non-loyalty card players when the
alternates are put into the tournament. What really struck me
when I visited this room was the professionalism of the staff.
Patty, Brenda, Ed and everyone on the staff greeted players
with smiles, quickly answered questions and kept a packed
poker room organized and welcoming. While Lisa and I were
waiting to get into the freeroll, we watched Dave dealing a cash
game. I never saw him without a smile on his face. He could
shuffle, deal, keep the game moving, split out side pots **and**
carry on two or three different conversations with the players at
his table.

#1 Games Check-Raise is another one of those rooms that has
more games that I have chips!! They offer several different
blinds levels of fixed limit games, sit-n-go’s, Omaha High,
Round-by-Round, and 7-Card Stud, along with a different tournament
format each night of the week.
5 of 5 chips

#2 Tournaments A different format tournament runs each day
of the week. These guys run an amazing tournament! With
over 100 entrants and over 50 alternates, they had the place
running like a well-oiled machine! As people dropped out, each
alternate was located and seated within minutes. The blinds
were projected on a large screen TV –and– announced as they
increased. The blinds for the freeroll started at 25/50 and increased
every 15 minutes. After level 4 (150/300) antes
started. What I really liked about this freeroll was this: If you
added on before the break, you had enough chips to actually
play after the break (3000). Dealers kept the game moving,
questions quickly settled.
5 of 5 chips

#3 Atmosphere Woodhaven Lanes is a huge place with a
well-lit parking lot and easy to find poker room. There’s a full
bar, several booths and tables for non-players. Sporting
events played on several TV’s in the room. The room is carpeted
and well-lit with non-smoking tables. Smoking is allowed
in the bar.
5 of 5 chips

#4 Equipment Custom stamped chips are on the tournament
tables. Different custom chips for the cash tables.
Casino-style dealer buttons at each table. Cushioned seats
for cash and tournament players, drink tables available at
tableside to hold your beverages. The tables are new, cushion-
bumpered folding tables that seat 10 players plus a
dealer. Because the tables have folding legs:
4 of 5 chips

#5 Staff These guys earned more chips than I have to give.
Some of the dealers also deal at the Detroit casinos. They
are fast, accurate, professional and friendly! They make
newbies feel comfortable asking questions, and keep the
game moving keeping the veteran players happy. The floor
managers are fast and friendly, quickly answering questions
and keeping the action moving. The floor managers were on
top of seating each alternate, walking each one to their seat.
On top of all this—there are fast and friendly waitstaff bringing
beverages to the tables!
5 of 5 chips

The professionalism of the staff at Check Raise is amazing.
What a great experience playing at this poker room, and what
a great fundraise for the Seaway Chorale! Highly Recommended
with 24 of 25 chips!!

UMP & Nik's Poker Palace Merger

2008-10-28T19:34:00.002-04:00

I loved this post on nik's poker palace about combining our online tourneys - so I copied it over here:

Exciting news!

At a secret location known only to the other most powerful people in the world, Nik Faldo and the CEO of Umichiganpoker.com met to negotiate maybe the biggest merger in the history of the world!

Wall Street was on pins and needles waiting for this to finally be settled. World peace may also now be in the offing. Michele will be merging her tournament into ours! Nothing will change here at NPP, but a flood of new players is expected. A tidal wave! A tsunami! Well, 3 or 4 anyway.

U of M Poker will put NPP and our tourney on their mailing in October and this can only increase the fun on Tuesday nights this winter, and hopefully the rest of the year as well.

The stock transfers, cost of the merger, and the massive entry fee paid by Umichiganpoker to NPP was not disclosed. The Wall Street Journal is begging for details, but they will have to be content with the little guys like Walmart and Exxon. Michele and Faldo are not talking to the crush of media hounding us.

UMP Tuesday Tourney: NL Hold'em

2008-10-13T10:12:00.001-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

Tonight's Tuesday Tournament will be Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em. Come join us for a fun friendly game!Here are the vital stats:

When: Oct 7 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Super Secret Password: goblue
Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

See you there!!

Michele

Oct 7 9PM UMichiganPoker Tuesday Tournament:HORSE

2008-10-06T11:18:00.002-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!
Tonight's Tuesday Tournament will be HORSE. Come join us for a fun friendly game!
Here are the vital stats:

When: Oct 7 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: HORSE
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Super Secret Password: goblue
Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

See you there!!

Michele

Poker Room Review: Trippers in Lansing

2008-09-23T17:17:00.002-04:00

Trippers
350 Frandor
Lansing, MI 48912
517-282-7724
7 Days a Week
24 of 25 Chips

Trippers has been hosting charity poker tournaments for quite
a while. They are one of the more well established charity
poker rooms in the state. I played in the Sunday 4PM circuit
event with 26 players at Trippers. Vinnie and his team were
hosting three charities on Sunday: Coalition of Labor Union
Women, Lakewood Habitat for Humanity, and the Eagles 3782
Ladies Auxiliary. Two full cash tables going when I arrived
around a half hour before the tournament.

#1 Games Trippers offers more levels and types of cash
games than I have chips to give! Texas Hold’em, Omaha,
Omaha Hi/Lo, 7-Card Stud and Round by Round in limits from
$1/$2 up to $2/$5. If you’re looking for a variety of cash
games, these guys have them—and the players to get a game
together!
5 of 5 chips

#2 Tournaments 15 minute blinds that climb up at a regular
pace (not doubling every round), standard rules enforced
across the board—the tourneys are run like the casinos. 75%
of the buy-ins go back to the prize pool. Trippers offers a differ-
ent tourney format every night of the week, with special $150
deep stack and partners tournaments once a month. Tourna-
ment director software is on two screens to let you know how
much the blinds are, and how much time left in the round.
Payouts are also posted.
5 of 5 chips

#3 Atmosphere Located in a strip mall, Trippers is easy to
get to with lots of well lit parking. The poker room is on the
left after you walk in the door. One big screen TV and sev-
eral smaller ones let you keep up with the football game as
you play. All kinds of sports memorabilia is on the walls. The
room is carpeted, well lit with non-smoking tables.
5 of 5 chips

#4 Equipment Fourteen custom felted portable tables with
padded bumpers & chip racks are in the Trippers Poker
Room. Nine players per table get padded banquet chairs to
sit in. Cash chips are custom made. The tournament chips
are hot stamped with value denominations. The equipment is
one small step below a casino setup.
4 of 5 chips

#5 Staff The dealers at Trippers are lightning fast, accurate,
and keep the game moving. The tournament director and
room manager were walking around answering questions
and keeping the cash game wait short. Extra chips also
awarded for quick, friendly and accurate wait staff.
5 of 5 chips

It was a great experience playing at Trippers. This is a pro-
fessionally run, very busy charity poker room with a great
atmosphere, great staff, fun tournament and tons of players.
Highly recommended with 24 of 25 chips!

1-5 Chip Scale for each Category

#1 Game: One chip for each different game offered beyond the tournament.

#2 Tournament: The fun factor has a lot to do with this category, as does blind structure, %
payout, house rules & rule enforcement.

#3 Atmosphere: Well lit, clean, easy to find poker room, TV’s, music, food & beverages influ
ence this category.

#4 Equipment: Is it casino quality equipment, or something from the local super-store?

#5 Staff: Professional, knowledgeable and friendly! Dealers are quick and accurate. Extra chips for fast, friendly wait staff!

Omaha H/L Tuesday Tourney 9/23 at 9PM

2008-09-23T17:15:00.001-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

Tonight's Tuesday Tournament will be Omaha H/L. Come join us for a fun friendly game!

Here are the vital stats:

When: Sep 23 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: Omaha H/L
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Super Secret Password: goblue
Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues (#97457055)

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Hope to see you there!!

Michele

Tuesday Tourneys: Heads-Up NL Hold'em 9/16 9PM

2008-09-16T13:59:00.002-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

Tonight's Tuesday Tournament will be Heads-Up NL Hold'em.

Come join us for a fun friendly game! Here are the vital stats:

When: Sep 16 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: Heads-Up NL Hold-em
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50

Super Secret Password: goblue
Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues (#97457055)

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Hope to see you there!!

Michele

Tuesday Tourney is HORSE - Tonight - 9PM

2008-09-02T10:35:00.001-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

Tonight's Tuesday Tournament will be HORSE.

Come join us for a fun friendly game! Here are the vital stats:

When: Sep 6at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: HORSE
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Super Secret Password: goblue
Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues (#97457055)

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Hope to see you there!!

Michele

Tuesday Tournaments: Omaha H/L Aug 26

2008-08-25T19:50:00.003-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

Tomorrow's Tuesday Tournament will be Omaha H/L. Come join us for a fun friendly game! Here are the vital stats:

When: Aug 26 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: Omaha H/L
Who: Michigan Poker Players
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Super Secret Password: goblue

Tournament Title: UMichiganPoker Tues (#97457055)

To find the tournament, log into Poker Stars. Click in the "Tourneys" tab. Next, Click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title. Double-click and log in.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Hope to see you there!!

Michele
To find the the tournament, log on to Poker Stars - Click on the "Tourneys" tab. Next, click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 and find the tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Poker Room Review: Sunnybrook in Sterling Heights

2008-08-25T19:34:00.002-04:00

Sunnybrook Golf & Bowl
7191 E. Seventeen Mile Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
7 Days a week
24 of 25 Chips

Jim, Tony & the Sunnybrook crew were hosting Kelly Middle
School on the Monday I went out to visit. This is a huge location
that regularly hosts a lot of poker players. Around 100
players plus alternates were in the tournament on Monday
night. Upon arrival at 6PM, two cash tables were full. When
the tournament started at 7PM, seven cash tables were full of
players.

#1 Games
In addition to a different format tournament every night of the
week, Sunnybrook offers $1/$2, $2/$5, $5/$10 round-by-round
fixed limit Texas Hold’em / Omaha, and both pot and fixed limit
Omaha. Sit-n-goes are available upon request.
5 of 5 chips

#2 Tournaments
Sunnybrook offers a different tournament every night of the
week—from free rolls, to deep-stack tournaments, poker
league nights, shoot-outs, and knock-outs. The blind structures
differ by night, as well as the strategy for each tourney.
Some of the blind structures can be really aggressive—be sure
you know what to expect before you take your seat. The rules
are standard, and enforced evenly across the board. Tables
are quickly balanced. For the variety of tournaments, great rule
enforcement, dealers at every tournament table, quick & fair
table balancing.
5 of 5 chips

#3 Atmosphere
Sunnybrook has a huge banquet room for poker. There are
twelve tables set up with lots of extra room for players to move
chairs in and out. The walls have wood wainscoting, beautiful
overhead light fixtures and a fireplace add to the atmosphere
here. Blinds and times are projected and easily viewable for
tournament players. Jim, the poker room manager, informed
me that Sunnybrook was building a dedicated poker room for
them this fall—this atmosphere rating should shoot through
the ceiling when the new room is complete! Down one chip
due to some dim lighting and awkward entrances.
4 of 5 chips

#4 Equipment
Professional, casino quality chips are available for both cash
and tournament play. The cash tables all have chip-racks,
no chip racks on the tournament tables. Drink scooters are
available for beverages and snacks, keeping the table tops
clear of cups and clutter.
5 of 5 chips

#5 Staff
The staff at Sunnybrook is great! The dealers are quick,
accurate and easy to spot in white shirts and black pants.
When there is a dispute, the room manager is on the spot
quickly with a clear and consistent ruling. The charity workers
have a “drive through” window to sell cash chips and
tables set up for tournament sign-up.
5 of 5 chips

This is a great, busy, professionally run room—highly recommended
with 24 of 25 chips!!

What the ###k happened?!?!?! I can't get to UMichiganPoker.com

2008-08-13T18:05:00.002-04:00

It's true - the web site was down for a few hours. My tried and true Linksys Router went belly up. The extended wireless rabbit ears drooped and the happy little green lights were blinking, but no one was home.

Now, there's a brand new, faster, sleeker router with working harder than ever to keep the web site and all my other stuff up and running.

Sorry for any inconvenience! I just can't make the hardware schedule their breakdowns when it's convenient for me. hmph!

Michele

Aug 12 Tuesday Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em Tournament

2008-08-11T20:53:00.002-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!!

UMichiganPoker.com is hosting a $5 + $0.50 buy-in NL Hold'em tournament on Poker Stars. Here are the vital stats:

When: Aug 12 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: NL Hold'em
How Much: $5 + $0.50 (cheap!!)
Who: Michigan Poker Players - YOU!
Why: Just for Fun
Super Secret Password: goblue

To find the tournament, log in to Poker Stars. From the main lobby, click on the "Tourney" tab. Then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 9PM (21:00) and look for a tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title. It's usually right under the Negraneau private tourney.

It will look something like this:

21:00 90244777 UMichiganPoker NL Holdem

Hope to see you there!

Michele

Aug 5 HORSE Tournament on Poker Stars - 9PM

2008-08-04T13:05:00.002-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!!

UMichiganPoker.com is hosting a $5 + $0.50 buy-in HORSE tournament on Poker Stars. Here are the vital stats:

When: Aug 5at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: HORSE
How Much: $5 + $0.50 (cheap!!)
Who: Michigan Poker Players - YOU!
Why: Just for Fun
Super Secret Password: goblue

To find the tournament, log in to Poker Stars. From the main lobby, click on the "Tourney" tab. Then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 9PM (21:00) and look for a tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title. It's usually right under the Negraneau private tourney. It will look something like this:

21:00 90244777 UMichiganPoker HORSE

Hope to see you there!

Michele

August Tuesday Tournaments Line Up Has Been Set

2008-07-30T09:39:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The line-up for August's Tuesday Tournaments has been set - come out and play in a couple of them!! Here's the info:

When: Tuesdays at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
How Much: $5 + $0.50
Who: Michigan Poker Players
Super-Secret, Unguessable Password: goblue

What are we playing....

Aug 5: HORSE
Aug 12: Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em
Aug 19: No Limit Heads-Up Matches
Aug 26: Omaha H/L

Should be lots of fun!!!

To find the tournaments, go to the Poker Stars Lobby and click on the "Tourneys" tab. Next, click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the tourney title with UMichiganPoker in it. Double click and register.

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Poker Room Review: Howell Shark Club

2008-07-30T09:36:00.001-04:00

Howell Shark Club
1140 Pinckney Rd
Howell, MI 48843
4 Days a week Wed—Sun 5PM –2AM
20 of 25 Chips

It was pouring buckets when I pulled into the Shark Club
parking lot. Plenty of cars in the lot for a Wednesday
night, plenty of poker players.

Two full cash tables and a good sized list for the tournament
greeted me at the door. Later in the evening a local
poker star dropped in to play some cash games—the first
place winner of the WPT Open on Jan 24, and at the final
table in the Heartland Poker Tour at Greektown in June.

#1 Games
The Shark Club offers $1/$2 and $2/$5 Cash Games, $20
Turbo 9-player Sit-n-goes, plus a $25 buy-in tournament
each night. Cash rake is 10% up to $6.
3 of 5 chips

#2 Tournament
Another fun tournament! For a $25 buy-in, you get 2500
chips—plus another 500 bonus chips for $5 more. 80% of
the tourney buy-in and bonus chips go to the prize pool.
The top 5 of 23 players cashed the night I played. The
blind structure is pretty aggressive, increasing every 15
minutes with blinds starting at 25/50. Get aggressive or go
home. Players deal to themselves until the final table.
Rules are standard, enforced across the board.
3 of 5 chips!

#3 Atmosphere
As you walk in the main doors, the poker room is to the
left, the bar straight ahead, dining tables and additional
bar seating to the right. Music plays at just the right volume,
where you can hear it, but don’t have to shout over
the songs. Flat screen TV’s are everywhere.
5-Chips in this category!

#4 Equipment
We played on six brand new 10-person poker tables with
cup holders and the card suits on the center felt and padded
chairs! Custom Shark Club chips with denominations
stamped in at the cash tables. The tourney chips are
pretty generic—but brand new!
4 chips for equipment—nice stuff!!

#5 Staff
The charity volunteers are at the bar as you walk in selling
chips and taking names for the tournament. Cash table
dealers are quick, accurate, and friendly. The Shark Club
wait-staff are quick, friendly, and cute.
5 chips for a great staff.

This was a really fun evening with friendly players, and a
brush with fame!! Recommended!!!

July 29 Plain Vanilla NL Hold'em Tourney

2008-07-28T09:53:00.002-04:00

UMichiganPoker.com is hosting a $5 + $0.50 buy-in NL Hold'em tournament on Poker Stars tonight. Here are the vital stats:

When: July 29 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: NL Hold'em
How Much: $5 + $0.50 (cheap!!)
Who: Michigan Poker Players - YOU!
Why: Just for Fun
Super Secret Super Strong Password: goblue

To find the tournament, log in to Poker Stars. From the main lobby, click on the "Tourney" tab. Then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 9PM (21:00) and look for a tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title. It's usually right under the Negraneau private tourney. It will look something like this:

21:00 90244777 UMichiganPoker Holdem

Hope to see you there!

Michele

Charity Poker Room Review: Poker Palace in Ann Arbor

2008-06-26T16:17:00.008-04:00

Poker Palace
3530 Jackson Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
7 Days a week 5PM –2AM
23 of 25 Chips

As promised in June’s issue, here’s the very first charity poker room review! The Poker Palace in Ann Arbor scored 23 of a possible 25 poker chips! Way to go guys! The five categories are listed at the left with a possible five chips in each category.

I went to play in the tournament on the very first Monday when the Poker Palace switched from 4 days a week to 7. There were three cash tables that had been full since 5PM. Here’s the rundown of each category.

#1 Games
The Poker Palace offers a $25 buy-in unlimited $10 rebuy through the first break. Cash Tables: $1/$2, $2/$5, $3/$6, & $5/$10 Limit Holdem. Five games offered—5 chips!

#2 Tournament
This is a fun rebuy tourney. It starts right on time and uses good combination of Robert’s Rules of Poker & WSOP rules. Alternates can get in until the first break 1 1/2 hours in by posting both the big and small blinds when they sit down. The blind structure is pretty aggressive, increasing every 15 minutes. To do well in this tourney, you need to catch some cards or you’ll get blinded out. 70% of the buy-ins and rebuys go into the prize pool. 1 place paid for every 7 tourney entrants. 4 chips—down one due to the 15 minute blinds.

#3 Atmosphere
The Poker Palace is inside Bel-Mark Lanes behind a huge glass wall. The place is smoke-free, well lit, lots of parking, ATM inside the building. Two flat-screen TV’s in either side of the room. The dealers and regulars have a great rapport. Chips are sold by the charity volunteers through a window—very nice set-up. 5-Chips in this category!

#4 Equipment
The chips at the Poker Palace have a gold old-English “D” (Tigers-style) stamped on them. The tables are all felted poker tables with black rails and drink holders. The cash chips are different colors than the tourney chips. Cards are new. 4 chips for equipment—nice stuff!!

#5 Staff
This is where the Poker Palace really shines! The dealers are professionally dressed in tux shirts, bow ties and black pants. They are fast, friendly and accurate on the cash and tournament tables. Randy, the room manager has been overseeing card rooms for around 10 years. Great for consistent rulings in disputes. Waitresses are prompt and smiling. 5 chips for a great staff.

The Poker Palace is a fun poker room—recommended!

Omaha H/L - Tonight - 9PM - Be There or Be Square!!

2008-06-24T11:54:00.002-04:00

Hi Michigan Poker Fans!

UMichiganPoker.com is hosting a $5 + $0.50 buy-in Omaha H/L tournament on Poker Stars tonight. Here are the vital stats:

When: June 24 at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
What: Omaha High/Low
How Much: $5 + $0.50 (cheap!!)
Who: Michigan Poker Players - YOU!
Why: Just for Fun
Super Secret Super Strong Password: goblue

To find the tournament, log in to Poker Stars. From the main lobby, click on the "Tourney" tab. Then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 9PM (21:00) and look for a tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title. It's usually right under the Negraneau private tourney. It will look something like this:

21:00 90244777 UMichiganPoker Omaha

Hope to see you there!

Michele

UMichiganPoker.com is going to start rating Charity Poker Rooms on the 1 to 5 Chip Scale!!!

2008-06-09T17:19:00.005-04:00

UMichiganpoker.com is going to start rating charity poker rooms around the state! Check the web site and blog for ratings, and my opinion of different poker rooms! You will be able to throw your two cents into the ring—leave some comments on the blog!!

The more chips, the better with a max of 25. The 1-5 chip rating will be given in each of the following categories:

Games Offered: This one’s really simple, one chip for each different game offered beyond the tournament.

Tournament: The fun factor has a lot to do with this category, as does blind structure, percent payout, house rules and rule enforcement.

Atmosphere: Well lit, clean, easy to find poker room with non-smoking available. Televisions with sporting events on, music, easy access to food & beverages also influence this category.

Equipment: Is the equipment casino quality, or something found in the local super-store?

Staff: Professional, knowledgeable and friendly! Cash game dealers are accurate and quick pulling rakes. Tournament dealers are fast, friendly and familiar with the rules. Extra chips for fast, friendly wait staff!

We'll take some photos of the poker room and give some sort of commentary on each room. Keep checking back and let us know what you think too!!!

UMichiganPoker.com June Tuesday Tourneys Line-Up

2008-05-30T11:18:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The June line-up of Tueday tournaments has been set! Here's the line-up:

June 3: NL Hold'em
June 10: Stud H/L
June 17: HORSE
June 24: Omaha H/L

Here's the info that doesn't change:

Day: Tuesday
Time: 9PM
Place: Poker Stars
Password: goblue

To find the tournaments, log in to Poker Stars. Click on the "Tourneys" tab in the main lobby. Then click on the "Private" tab.

Scroll down to 21:00 and double-click on the tournament with UMichiganPoker in the title. Register and play!!

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Hope to see you there - we'd love to get more than one table in the tourneys - so feel free to invite some friends!!

Michele

Omaha H/L Tomorrow Night

2008-05-19T13:33:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The Tuesday Tourneys on Poker Stars are going strong! We're playing Omaha H/L tomorrow night!

Day: Tuesday
Time: 9PM
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Password: goblue

To find the tourneys, click on the "Tourneys" tab in the Poker Stars lobby. Then click on the "Private" tab.

Look for the tournament at 21:00 (9PM) with UMichiganPoker in the title. Double click and log in!

On May 27 we're playing Stud H/L

Come play and have some fun!

May 13 HORSE on Poker Stars - 9PM!!

2008-05-12T17:33:00.003-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The Tuesday Tourneys on Poker Stars are going strong! We're playing HORSE tomorrow night!

Here the info that stays the same:
Day: Tuesday
Time: 9PM
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Password: goblue

To find the tourneys, click on the "Tourneys" tab in the Poker Stars lobby. Then click on the "Private" tab. Look for the tournament at 21:00 (9PM) with UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double click and log in!

Now the stuff that changes every week - the game!

May 13: HORSE
May 20: Omaha H/L
May 27: Stud H/L

Come play and have some fun!

Tuesday Tourneys for May

2008-05-05T19:55:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The Tuesday Tourneys on Poker Stars are going strong! Here the info that stays the same:

Day: Tuesday
Time: 9PM
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Password: goblue

To find the tourneys, click on the "Tourneys" tab in the Poker Stars lobby. Then click on the "Private" tab. Look for the tournament at 21:00 (9PM) with UMichiganPoker in the title. Double click and log in!

Now the stuff that changes every week - the game!

May 6: NL Hold'em
May 13: HORSE
May 20: Omaha H/L
May 27: Stud H/L

Come play and have some fun!

Apr 29 Omaha H/L

2008-04-29T08:50:00.000-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

Tonight we're going to play some Omaha h/l!! Get ready to go!! Next week is NL Hold'em

When: Tuesdays at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
Buy-In: $5 + $0.50
Title: UMichiganPoker Tues
Password: goblue

To find the game, from the Poker Stars Lobby, Click on Tourneys, Click on Private, then scroll down to 78666719 April 29 21:00 UMichiganPoker Tues.

Double-click and register!

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Poll Results: Favorite Online Game

2008-04-14T19:54:00.002-04:00

We had 9 people respond the opinion poll: What's Your favorite online Poker Game? Here are the results:

6: Texas Hold'em
1: Omaha
0: Stud
1: HORSE
1: Razz
0: Something Else

Thanks for your input! Ready for the next poll?

Heads-Up Hold'em for Tuesday Tax Day April 15

2008-04-14T19:47:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

Tomorrow we're going to play some Heads-Up Hold'em!! Get ready to go!! Next week is HORSE

When: Tuesdays at 9PM

Where: Poker Stars

Buy-In: $5 + $0.50

Title: UMichiganPoker Tues

Password: goblue

To find the game, from the Poker Stars Lobby, Click on Tourneys, Click on Private, then scroll down to 78666719 April 15 21:00 UMichiganPoker Tues.

Double-click and register!

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Tonights NL Hold'em Tournament on Poker Stars (Better Late than Never!)

2008-04-08T19:34:00.002-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

Today we're playing plain Vanilla NL Holdem Tournament on Poker Stars. Here are the details:

Date: Apr 8
Time: 9pm
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: NL Hold'em
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tourneys" tab in Poker Stars main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker Tue in the title.

Double-click and register! Hope to see you there!

Don't have Poker Stars Account? Sign Up Here!

Tuesday Tournaments April Schedule of Games

2008-04-01T08:22:00.003-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

We will be staying on Poker Stars for April.

When: Tuesdays at 9PM
Where: Poker Stars
Buy-In: $5 + $0.50
Title: UMichiganPoker Tues
Password: goblue

Schedule of Games:

April 1: Omaha H/L
April 8: NL Texas Hold'em
April 15: Heads-Up Hold'em
April 22: HORSE
April 29: Omaha H/L

From the Poker Stars Lobby, Click on Tourneys, Click on Private, then scroll down to 78666719 April 1 21:00 UMichiganPoker Tues. Double-click and register!

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

7-Card Stud - Poker Stars - 9PM March 18th

2008-03-17T13:26:00.000-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

On Tuesday we're playing Heads-Up NL Holdem Tournament on Poker Stars. Here are the details:

Date: Mar 18
Time: 9pm
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: 7-Card Stud
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tourneys" tab in Poker Stars main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker Tue in the title.

Double-click and register! Hope to see you there!

Don't have Poker Stars Account? Sign Up Here!

Bubble-Girl in Brooklyn No More!!

2008-03-17T09:02:00.002-04:00

For quite a while now, I've been going to the Brooklyn American Legion tournaments.

I really like this tournament, the structure, how it's run, the players, etc. Jim and his crew run the tournament like a well-oiled machine. Eight players per table until the finaly table. It starts on time, blind increases are announced loud and clear, 20 minute breaks allow enough time to enjoy the great buffet and chip up. The buffet has the tastiest brownies and sloppy joes ever! Rules are clear and enforced consistantly.

The biggest problem I've had with the Brooklyn Legion tournaments is this: I'm always finishing at the 2nd to last table - just out of the money and on the bubble. Frustrating as all get-out! At the last tournament in February, I donated two UMichiganPoker t-shirts for the Legion to give out to players. Jim decided to give the first shirt to the first person to bust out of the tournament. The 2nd shirt would go to the person on the bubble (in this case, 11th place). I finished in 12th place and almost won my own t-shirt. Talk about frustrating....

This Saturday, I decided it was going to be different. I needed to change up my play and make sure I had a decent chip stack towards the end of the tournament - either that or go out in an amazing blaze of glory!! Back to the basics was my strategy. Choose good starting hands - if the hand wasn't good enough to raise, fold it. Bet aggressively when you're in a hand - don't let anyone catch a free card to beat me.

One hundred players showed up to the tournament. Ten places to be paid with $1000 going to the overall winner. I sat down at Table 11 to start. It was strange, no one said anything during a hand. All calls, raises, folds and checks were made with hand signals or just by sliding chips into the pot. Very quiet and kind of unsettling. The quads were hitting like crazy all over the room - every table but ours it seemed.

Players got knocked out, tables broken down and players re-arranged. After the first break, our table was taken down and I was put at Table 6 with one very large-stacked player, two shorter stacks than mine, and the rest about even. About two hands after the break, I was the player before the dealer. Two positions ahead of me, the player went all in for about 5K chips. I looked at my cards to see pocket 10's. With about 8K chips in front of me, I was torn. Pocket 10's is a decent hand for calling an all-in. I hadn't seen this person play any hands - we had both folded the previous hand - so I had no idea what type of cards this guy thought was all-in worthy. I counted out the chips to call him, took a deep breath and pushed my chips in.

Mr All-In flipps over A-Q unsuited.

The flop came J-10-4(I think). With Trip 10's - I'm feeling like this was a good call!

The turn 8

The river 9

Mr All-In doubles up through me with a river straight. OK - it's true - I dropped the f-bomb after that hand. Steaming - I folded the next four or five hands.

After cooling off a bit and getting my head back on straight, I got back to the game. Other players were making moves, knocking eachother out. I claimed a couple pots - rebuilding my depleated stack. Before I knew it, the 2nd break was upon us and it was time to chip up again.

Four tables went down to three, then two. Blinds were starting to take bigger and bigger chunks of our stacks at 500/1000. Everyone's talking about the bubble. Fourteen players left... Thirteen....Twelve.... The big stack straight across from me had a huge stack of purple (5K) chips - I have one purple. Suddenly I'm feeling doomed. We're all waiting for the bubble to go out. This is usually where I'm so short stacked the blinds will eat me alive and I have to make a move. It's feeling strangely familiar - an eerie deja-vu, but this time it's different. My stack isn't huge, but it's pretty healthy. I don't have to make a desperate all-in move to survive. Just sitting back and folding is a perfectly viable option! A player from the other table goes out and guess where I find myself??!?!?

At the final table - really!!

I folded a lot of hands, had some hands fold-around to me to collect the antes and blinds, and made a couple moves with good cards to scoop the pot a couple times. Suddenly we were down to four players. The short stacked under the gun player went all in. I had junk cards and folded. The small blind went all in too. Mr Big-Stack thought about it for a while, but with his big blind already in the pot - it was an easy call no matter what cards he held. I don't remember what cards any of the three players had - the end result was that Mr Big-Stack knocked out the other two players. Hand shakes and "Good Games" all around.

Suddenly I found myself heads-up against an even bigger-stacked Mr Big-Stack. He had me out-chipped about 15 or 20 to 1. Needless to say, this heads-up match didn't last long - the blinds ate up my stack pretty quickly. It was a great game, and I was thrilled to come out in 2nd place!! Congrats to Mr Big Stack. He played a smart, quiet and lethal chip-hoarding game.

Results for Tuesday March 11 Heads-Up Matches!

2008-03-11T21:48:00.003-04:00

Nine players showed up for Tuesday's Heads-Up Battle! Here's how things shook out:

wingnut58 went out first - sorry - I didn't see who wingnut was matched against - please let me know!

LittleRedElf was taken out by MI-Rockstar

ThePunk75 was taken out by S_Kinison

umichpoker was taken out by 1crumb

Tripps111 and spchillin battled back and fourth for quite a while with tTripps111 winning a series of small pots, only to have spchillin come back winning a big pot. Tripps111 did wear spchillin down and take all sp's chips.

After the first round of eliminations, here are the match-ups:

1crumb vs Tripps111
MI-Rockstar vs S-Kinison

Paying four places, it's just a matter of sorting out who gets what!

1crumb fell to Tripps111
MI-ROCKSTAR fell to S_Kinison

Tripps111 & S_Kinison matched up to determine the one overall Heads-Up Champ! After a long, back & forth battle S_Kinison took Tripps111 down. The battle wrapped up about 11PM

Great tournament! Hope to see everyone next week for Stud H/L

Feel free to fill in the details of your heads-up tourney in the comments! I try to get a general overview - but I miss a lot of details.

March 11 Tuesday Tournament on Poker Stars

2008-03-10T13:48:00.003-04:00

Hi Poker Fans!

On Tuesday we're playing Heads-Up NL Holdem Tournament on Poker Stars. Here are the details:

Date: Mar 11

Time: 9pm

Place: Poker Stars

Buy-in: $5 + $0.50

Game: Heads-Up NL Holdem Tournament

Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tourneys" tab in Poker Stars main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker Tue in the title.

Double-click and register! Hope to see you there!

Don't have Poker Stars Account? Sign Up Here!

Results from Tuesday's Omaha h/l on Poker Stars

2008-03-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

Four contenders came to play Omaha h/l on Tuesday. With such a small field, everyone was in almost every pot. The starting hands were all over the place, along with the swings in chips - though wildwoode grabbed up a bunch of chips early and kept his stack at around 2300 for quite a long time.

tripps111 busted out first when his trip Queens fell to umichpoker's Queen high straight.

1crum went out two hands when his two pair also fell to wildwood's Queen high straight

umichpoker had ~2000 chips versus wildwood with ~4000 chips when the heads up match started. Chips flew back and fourth between the stacks with big pots getting split on high/low hands. Eventually umichpoker wore wildwood down and took first place.

Thanks to everyone for coming to play!

Invite to another Michigan Online Tourney

2008-03-03T10:11:00.002-05:00

Nik of Nik's Poker Palace fame has invited all the UMichiganPoker.com players to their online tourneys. We've also invited all of Nik's players to come over and play a few hands with us!

Here's the link to Nik's blog and online tourneys:

http://www.nikspokerpalace.blogspot.com/

Every Tuesday @ 8:00 PM
2008 league season will be broken into quarters.

The four quarter winners and the top point getters will play in the Final on December 16, 2008. Tourneys will start at 8pm in 2008 to accomodate the increase in players.
Come join the action in 2008!

Write Nik Faldo at npokerp@yahoo.com for the password.

If you play over there - check in and let us know what you think!

First Tuesday Tourney in March: Omaha h/l on Poker Stars!

2008-03-02T23:29:00.003-05:00

Hi Poker Fans!

On Tuesday we're playing Omaha H/L on Poker Stars.

Here are the details:

Date: Mar 4
Time: 9pm
Place: Poker Stars
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: Omaha H/L
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tourneys" tab in Poker Stars main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker Tue in the title.
Double-click and register!

Hope to see you there!

Don't have Poker Stars Account? Sign Up Here!

Results from Feb 26th Tourney

2008-02-26T21:31:00.002-05:00

We had a lot of new players tonight! Thanks for stopping by new folks - come on over to PokerStars for March.

BR1JMT fell to cribrocks when his two pair was bested on the river by trip Kings.

electricclaude with AK got a call from btcruiser with 10-K. The board came up K-Q-3-K-10 and cost electricclaude all his chips when btcruiser hit a full house on the river.

Two hands later btcruiser took another victim out - yep - yours truly! I had AQ - short stacked on the button - this looked like a good place to get all my chips in with the best hand. btcruiser called with A-9 clubs. With K-7-4-9-8 on the board, btcruiser took my chips and I went home.

cribrocks fell to btcruiser when cri's A-5 didn't hold up against bt's K6. The board was 7-3-K-9-6 to take down cribrocks on the river.

btcruiser and mr heatmizer battled heads-up for a long time. After a lot of back and fourth, and an offer to split the pot (too bad Full Tilt doesn't have a 'chop' button!) mr heatmizer finally took the whole tournament.

btcruiser had Ah-4h against mr heatmizer's Qd-Jh

Kh-8d-9d-Qc-10s

On the board to make a straight for mr heatmizer

Nice Game Mr Heatmizer!

Hope to see everyone next week on Poker Stars for Omaha H/L

March's Tuesday Tournament Schedule

2008-02-25T11:10:00.002-05:00

Hi Poker Fans!

The Tuesday Tourney schedule for March has been set. We're moving back to Poker Stars for the month of March. Most everything is going to stay the same.

Day: Tuesday
Time: 9PM
Place: PokerStars
Title: UMichiganPoker Tues
Password: goblue

Mar 4: Omaha H/L (ID 78666719)
Mar 11: Heads-Up NL Holdem (ID 78666886)
Mar 18: Stud H/L (ID 78667002)
Mar 25: NL Holdem (ID 78667109)

To find the tournaments, go to the Poker Stars Lobby after you log in. Click on the "Tourney" tab, then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down the list until you find "UMichiganPoker Tues". Double-click and register!

Don't have a Poker Stars Account? Click Here!

Tuesday Night's Tournament - NL Texas Holdem on Full Tilt

2008-02-25T10:40:00.002-05:00

Hi Poker Fans!

Tonight we're playing a NL Hold'em on Full Tilt.

Here are the details:

Date: Feb 26
Time: 9pm
Place: Full Tilt
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: NL Holdem
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tournaments" tab in Full Tilt's main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker in the title. Double-click and register!

Hope to see you there!

Don't have a full tilt account? Sign Up Here!

Wrap Up of Last Week's KO Tourney

2008-02-25T07:18:00.002-05:00

We had seven players step up to the plate last week. Here's how things shook out:

7) Philiip went out when his two pair fell to tripps111's trip fives

6) LittleRedGnome went out to electricclaude. Electricclaude called with pocket nines and LittleRedGnome in the big blind with J5. LRG paired his Jack on the flop (Jd 6s 2h). EC rivered a third Nine to end LRG's night.

5) mr heatmizer went out tripps111 when he didn't get any help on the board for his A9. Tripps111 paired up his K to end mr heat's night.

4) uminga went out to electricclaude's pocket Jacks. Neither player got any help on the board and my night was over. Always a bubble-maid, never the bride ;)

3) slick28 went out next to electricclaude. Slick28 had pocket 4's - electricclaude called with 10d Ac and paired up his ace on the flop.

electricclaude and tripps111 went heads up with almost equal stacks. electricclaude went all in with pocket kings. tripps111 called with A5.

The board was:

A 5 2 2 5

A full house for tripps111. Great hit tripps.

Tuesday Online Tournament - Turbo Knock-Out on Full Tilt

2008-02-19T06:16:00.001-05:00

Hi Poker Fans!

Tonight we're playing a Turbo Knock-out Tournament on Full Tilt. Here are the details:

Date: Feb 19
Time: 9pm
Place: Full Tilt
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: Turbo Knock-Out
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tournaments" tab in Full Tilt's main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and register! Hope to see you there!

Don't have a full tilt account? Sign Up Here!

Wrap Up of Last Night's HORSE Tourney

2008-02-13T09:26:00.002-05:00

Five people came to play last night. It was a fun, small get-together! Here's how things shook out:

5: lilwoozy
4: uminga
3: electricclaude
2: LittleRedElf
1: mr heatmizer

mr heatmizer took me out while we were playing Holdem. I was short-stacked, looking for an opportunity to get all my chips in the pot with the best hand. Pocket Kings showed up - this was my chance! I maxed out the raises pre-flop going heads-up with mr heatmizer. After the flop (8-J-7 rainbow) I pushed the rest of my chips in and showed my KK. mr heatmizer showed up with pocket Jacks and took me out with trips. The turn and river were blanks. Good catch heatmizer!

Let's hear your take on last night's game - write it up here!

HORSE Tomorrow Night

2008-02-11T12:52:00.000-05:00

HORSE is the name of the game tomorrow night! We're playing on Full Tilt at 9pm. Here are the details:

Date: Feb 12
Time: 9pm
Place: Full Tilt
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Game: HORSE
Password: goblue

To find the game, click on the "Tournaments" tab in Full Tilt's main lobby. Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 and look for the $5 buy-in and UMichiganPoker in the title.

Double-click and register! Hope to see you there!

Tuesday Night Tourney Wrap-up for Feb 5

2008-02-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

Six players came out to play tonight! Thanks to everyone who came to play!!

6 obcobi1
5 electricclaude
4 mr heatmizer
3 uminga
2 ccaracciolo7
1 tripps111

After a whole mess of heads up hands, ccaracciolo7 went all in with Kh Jh. tripps111 called with 3s-3c.

5d-7h-3h came on the flop giving tripps111 trips and ccaracciolo7 a King high hand with four hearts to the flush

9h on the turn. No help for tripps111. The third heart on the board filled in ccaracciolo7's flush.

9s on the flop. No additional help for ccaracciolo7's flush. This 9s filled in tripps111's full house to take down ccaracciolo7 on the river after he made the flush on the turn.

Great game - feel free to add your comments about specific hands!!

Tonight's Tournament & Some Questions!

2008-02-05T17:07:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone! We're playing NL Holdem on Full Tilt tonight starting at 9PM. Here's the rest of the info:

Game: NL Holdem
Place: Full Tilt
Buyin: $5 + $0.50
Password: goblue

To find the tournament, start at the Full Tilt Lobby and click on "Tournaments". Then click on "Private". Scroll down to 21:00 (9pm) and start looking at the $5 + 0.50 tourneys. The title of tonights tourney is UMichiganPoker Tues Trny.

Double click & register!

Feel free to invite anyone you want to these tournaments. They have to be set up as 'Private' but that's only a label ;) If you know the password, you can play.

------------------------------------------------------------
Now for some questions!

I've been asked about hosting some Friday or Saturday night tournaments. I'm happy to set them up - I just need to be sure there will be players logging in to play. Post a comment below if you want to set up another weekly tournament (we would have 2 every week - one on Tues and one on another night)
How do you feel about the buy-in? Should it be more, or keep it at $5?
Do you want to set up a series of tournaments with some sort of prize at the end of the series based on some sort of point system to be developed later?
Anything else you'd like to comment about during the tourneys?

Thanks for the feedback!!

What Time to Start Live Charity Tournaments

2008-02-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

This has been a subject of conversation lately. What is the best time - according to poker players - to start a live charity event?

Should the tournament start

Early on a Saturday or Sunday 11am - 1pm
Later in the afternoon 2-4pm
Even later in the evening 5-7
Or later?

There are a lot of compelling reasons for each answer. As poker players, give some feedback! What is your favorite time for a tourney to start? Why do you prefer that timing?

Thanks for your feedback!!!

Go back to UMichiganpoker.com

Tuesday Night Tournaments

2008-02-03T13:12:00.001-05:00

The Schedule for Feburary has been set. February is Full-Tilt Month.

Here's the run-down:

Feb 5th No Limit Texas Holdem
Feb 12th HORSE
Feb 19th Turbo Knock-Out Tournament
Feb 26th No Limit Holdem

Start time: 9PM
Place: Full Tilt Poker
Buy-in: $5 + $0.50
Password: goblue

To find the tournaments, click on the "Tournaments" tab in the Full Tilt Lobby, then click on the "Private" tab. Scroll down to 21:00 (9PM) and look for the tourney with UMichiganPoker in the title. Double click to register.

If you don't have a Full Tilt Account, click over to the web site for directions to get one!

Out with the Forums, In with the Blog

2008-02-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try a new format for communicating with the Michigan Poker Players who visit the web site and receive e-mail every week. Check here for Tuesday Tourney information: the who, what, when, where, why & how much. Also check for the results!!

Updates about the web site, other web sites, fun stuff and interesting strategy will also be posted here. Comments will always be open and available - so let me know what you think! (Just an aside, I did customer service for over 10 years - it's pretty hard to hurt my feelings, especially if you've got some constructive things to say!)

The forums never really took off. I think the measures I had to take to minimize the spammers made it really user un-friendly. It got to the point where the fake accounts outnumbered the real ones about 4-5 to 1. Still, more time was spent deleting spam from the forums than reading real posts. This spam-stopping time can now be dedicated to the blog!

Want to go back to UMichiganPoker.com? Click here!