Improve Memory Skill and Ability - Some Tips

Improve Memory Skill and Ability - Some Tips
Both the young and the old can benefit greatly from exercises designed to improve your fading memory power and prevent your memory from experiencing deterioration in the future. Older people who may already be experiencing some memory loss can regain the mental ability they had earlier by simply carrying out some mental exercises. Likewise, those who are young can keep their brain in shape with the same exercises, and putting off perhaps indefinitely any loss of memory function.
We will share here some methods that you can use to sharpen your mind and increase its power and functioning ability.
Strategies to improve your memory
Believing that you can improve your memory is the first step to actually doing it. If you highly doubt that there is any way that you can improve the functionality of that gray matter between your ears then it's likely that any method you try to employ is not going to work. Quite frankly, you'll be more likely to give up if you are pessimistic. However, if you have positive feelings about your ability to succeed in increasing your brain and memory power, then you will be more likely to keep trying and not give up until you reach success.
Just like we are likely to fail if those around us are criticizing them being negative about every effort we make, we are also likely to fail if it is we that is being difficult on ourselves.
Goals are very necessary if you want to make any progress with your memory and mind power. So be sure to set goals. You might try this. Jigsaw puzzles are a powerful way, and a fun way, to increase your brainpower and improve your memory. Purchase some small jigsaw puzzles. One small enough so that you could complete it in a single day, maybe in an hour or two. Set a goal to complete so many in one week.
Shorter goals increase our chances of success are. After a week of carrying out this activity you will be able to see a quick success at improving your brainpower. Very quickly you'll have a benchmark that proves your success. Setting a one-month or a one-year goal will likely cause you to fail. You'll be very likely to quickly give up.
Do you find card games interesting? If so, then you can play cards instead of the activity mentioned above to increase your memory power. Simple games like Go Fish and complicated games like bridge are both effective. Games like solitaire that you play on your own are just as effective as games like spades that you play with a partner. Don't worry if you do not have a partner, there were many card games that you can play against the computer.

Deal Or No Deal

"How about a game of cards?"
You love cards. Playing a game of 500 at the ski lodge, yuka with friends on a Friday night or cheat with the kids are great pass time activities, especially on holidays when you are on relaxed mode. But you need other people. Sometimes you feel like a game of cards but no people to enjoy it with. This is the golden opportunity to turn to your computer and indulge in a little online card gaming. And there are many games to choose from. But will you deal or no deal?
Here is some information to help you decide.
1. Some games are free, others are not.
Take advantage of the free sites before you venture out into subscription  want to make sure you know how to play the game first and more over enjoy it.
2. There are a range of games:
a. simple games like solitaire. Some computers have solitaire and spider solitaire but if you go to online game sites there are many more choices.
b. more complex games like poker. There are many sites in which you can play poker and also there are many types of poker you can play. People can find out a lot of information on these sites. Players can exchange tips and ideas with message boards and game chats. many people have loads of fun, they find it safe and with most sites you are not dealing with real money.
c. many games in between solitaire and poker
3. They can have bright graphics and cool sound effects.
4. You can customise your gaming experience.
5. Most games are available in several skill levels.
6. There are competitions available.
7. Once you are familiar with the games you can go on to the next level and spend real money for betting purposes. But be careful and do not bet more than you can afford.
8. And do not forget that you can enjoy online gaming on your own, in the comfort of your own home or wherever you have a computer or laptop and an active internet connection. So it is perfect for those solo moments and satisfy your hunger for your card fix. whenever you have the craving.
Now you have to decide if you will deal or no deal on online card games. After all, you can while away some hours (or minutes) by yourself and have a heap of fun.

Building Better Poker Strategy - Poker Psychology and the Art of Deception

Building Better Poker Strategy - Poker Psychology and the Art of Deception
If you have ever sat down at a poker table, one fact must have been abundantly clear - everyone at the table is trying to abscond with your money, and to do so they are trying to trick you. Poker is, as many would attest, a game of skill. In order to be a top earner, or even sufficient, you will have to adapt to the psychology behind the game of poker. Simply knowing which hands win, which hands lose, and how the game flows is simply not enough. You will need to know when and how to psych out your opponents - as well as avoiding them doing the same to you.
For all intents and purposes, we will focus primarily on Texas Hold 'em. As one of the most commonly played types of poker, and indeed the most televised, Texas Hold 'em is the game that many poker fans have turned to. Since Hold 'em is broken down into four rounds of betting, you will have sufficient opportunities to be the puppet master over your opponents, or have the tides turned against you.
Assuming you already understand the basics, let us begin with the pre-flop betting round. Folding weak hands is almost always advisable, depending on your play style. A well rounded, adaptable play style is suggested, though when you first sit at a table it is best to establish one type of play and stick to it religiously. This will allow you to ultimately throw your opponents off guard when you play in a wildly different manner. If you convince your opposition that you only play the best and the brightest hands, they may be more willing to fold under your pressure - even if you have nothing.
In order to sufficiently set a stage, you will have to play the part. If you are a bad liar, you may want to reconsider anything found here in. Bluffing is essential, but only when the time is right. Many top players will say that tight aggressive is the best way to play, and after some experience with this style, you may agree. By playing tight aggressive, you will not be in on many hands, but those in which you are active, you will be playing hard and fast. Pre-flop raises, continuation bets, and similar tactics are common with the tight aggressive player.
This strategy works well against most play types, and can even crush the infamous poker bully if played properly. Once you have established yourself as this sort of player, you can then turn the tides and abuse the psyche of your opposition. If you can thoroughly convince your opposition, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are set in your ways, you can abuse their trust and begin to take down more pots. You will not want to bluff on every hand, as they will soon learn that you are being fake, thus making your sound strategy turn trite.
 Knowing When to Hold and When to Fold
If you do begin to use a bluffing strategy, you will have to remember that not every hand can be a winner. If you are trying to bluff, the amount you bet can make or break your return on investment. You will need to spend some chips in order to successfully put off your opponent, but always be wary of the check raise, or indeed any raise. If you are trying to bluff, three to five times the blinds would be a wise bet. If your opponent calls, you may want to fold - especially if you carry no weight, before or after the flop. Knowing when you are beaten is essential, so keep in mind that folding is not always a bad thing. Conversely, you will usually let your opponent know that you were bluffing if you fail to meet their raise. Maintaining an air of carefree arrogance can help, but you will not want to throw away your fortune simply because your pride or fear got the better of you - especially if they are counter bluffing.
Avoiding A Bluff
Since you want to be the puppet master and not the puppet, you will have to learn your opponents. Sitting at the table is simply not enough to learn about the enemy. You must watch your opponent's every move, learning their habits and their flaws. If you can pick up on their distinguishing features, you should be able to avoid the lies they wish to tell at the tables. Over raising and shoving all in are two signs that they either have nothing or a powerful hand, and it can easily be determined which. A high raise from under the gun is typically a solid hand, though the big blind raising after everyone has limped into the pot is a sure sign of a stolen pot. An all in shove with no possibility of a straight or better on the table is also a good sign of a bluff, but as is the converse. If a flush or straight draw is showing, provided it is a middle straight, then there is a good chance your enemy is bluffing.
 Misreads To Avoid
If you think your opponent is working his or her way into your psych, you will have to tread lightly. As a rule of thumb, always calculate the possibilities in the community cards. If the board is showing a flush, you may want to fold that set or two pair you are holding. Pocket aces may be a solid starting hand, but they can be cracked. Your worst enemy? The check raise. Check raising is a tactic that can easily turn the tables against you, and you can always be assured that the cocky grin and the large raise is a sure sign of a solid hand. If you are attempting to bluff it out, you may want to consider folding to the check raise. If your enemy happens to bet pre-flop then fails to make any continuation bets, you may also want to apply pressure.
The fact of the matter is, you can never be certain. Poker psychology is completely dependent on a number of variables, not the least of which is the cards, both apparent or otherwise, as well as the players involved. No tactic will always work, no players will always be the same. Poker is a game of adaptation as much as it is deception, so make yourself flexible. The moment you become a static player is the moment you start to lose.

Where the Best Poker Room Reviews and Poker Promotions Are

Where the Best Poker Room Reviews and Poker Promotions Are
If you would have told me 2 years ago that I'll be playing poker regularly now and even make money of it, I would have laughed in your face and walked away. There was nothing that connected me to cards or poker, me and gambling? No way!
That is until something opened my eyes and I realized poker is not gambling at all, it's a game of strategy, psychology and a little luck but if you master the first two aspects you'll be a great player and you will earn money.
It was 2002 when poker became so televised and covered by all networks that I've decided to take an interest in this game and I'm glad I did. I read some books, learned from the pros themselves by watching them play on tournament, cash games and even online and little by little I started playing, building my bankroll until I was able to play myself for large amounts of money and win. But I didn't know where to start at first and where it's best to signup, so I am here to help you out a bit if you're thinking of diving into the game of poker - here are just a few tips on how to choose a poker room:
1) Poker Room Reviews - Search the internet for reviews about different poker rooms. The idea here besides the review itself is that the more sites cover a specific poker room, the more it is famous and trustworthy (according the the review as well of-course). It means it's a known poker room and it is featured in many other sites and reviews, so you may want to signup there.
2) Poker Promotions - Look for poker rooms that have various poker promotions. That means they have great promotions that update from time to time, that offer bonuses or very interesting features to their players, that means these rooms are creative and have money to share with you.
3) Know Your Bankroll - This was supposed to be the first point I guess since it's the most important one. Always play on amounts of money you can afford to lose. That means that if you lost it nothing happened and you're safe and secured. It may take some time to build your bankroll at first but better safe than sorry. I started slow and it took me some time but now I play for big money so don't be greedy - be smart. Play for low amount at first and build your bankroll slowly and safely. Look for rooms that allow small stake rooms, some even offer $0.01/$0.02 and don't underestimate these amounts, I tell you from experience, they will rise later.
These are only a few important tips for starters. For more tips and guides how to play poker wisely and win money, keep on reading our articles.

The Art of the Bluff in Texas Hold'em Poker - Part 1 of 3

The Art of the Bluff in Texas Hold'em Poker - Part 1 of 3
Reasons to Bluff
The best hand does not always win the pot. Often the player that acts as if they have the best hand is the one who rakes in the chips. When playing short-handed, the chances increase that no one has a good hand. Normally, to get a bluff to work, you need to fire more than one bet at the pot, establishing that you have a strong hand. If you raise pre-flop and miss on the flop, the other players do not know it. It is possible to fool them with a bluff here, since they are likely to assume you have a high pair or hit the straight or flush draw. If you are in a late position and everyone checked to you, it is smart to bet strong.
This move may force some players out of the hand. This is true if the board holds a couple of high cards, a straight draw or a flush draw. Unfortunately, since some players may stay, you must continue the bluff to make it work.
Most high quality players stick to the rule and throw away a hand as soon as they know it cannot win. By bluffing, you increase the chances they might throw away a missed flush/straight or low pair. You can also steal the pot by bluffing on the river card. When a middle or low pair appears on the flop, other players might be waiting for a high card and not want to waste their chips against a possible set. In this instance, a strong bet may cause the other players to think you made the set. Betting strong when an Ace is on the board is a prime bluff opportunity, but it could also come back to haunt you, since, statistically, an Ace appears as a hole card 22% of the time.
When there are fewer players in a pot, it is easier to bluff: It is easier to trick a couple of people than to trick a crowd. With fewer hands out there, chances are better that no one has made a reasonable hand. Some players, especially low quality ones, stay in the hand just to keep you honest. Sometimes it needs to be a persistent bluff over a period of two or three betting rounds. This can be costly if they do not fall for it, so you need to know the opponents before you use this type of bluff.
Tight-passive opponents tend to fold easily and are the best targets for a bluff. Bets put out just as a form of information gathering on this player's hand can turn into a bluff. If you bluff early (pre-flop or flop) against a very tight player and they do not fold, you should think about folding and trying it again on a future round. Your job, in this situation, is to determine whether they have a made hand or are drawing to one.
When the river card falls and it is apparent that the players with drawing hands did not hit, a bluff often works. It is on the river that even weak players are more likely to follow the age-old advice that the moment you know you cannot win, throw in your cards.
If the betting patterns show weakness, it is often profitable to bet strongly when holding a strong Ace or a low pair. Often, you will find some players staying in the hand with a busted draw because of their pot odds, while others feel pot committed in this situation. Just be aware that bluffing with a weak Ace here can be troublesome, because your opponent may have a better kicker or a slightly higher pair they felt was a loser, but that can beat the river bluff.
One bluff that weak players often use far too frequently, especially in freerolls or in the initial stages of a multiple re-buy tournament, is the All-in bluff. With marginal hands at best, they try to steal blinds early in the seating. When they hold a poor hand, they are hoping for a miracle hit to double or triple up.
Sometimes these players continue this pattern of all-in until they have a sizable chip lead or until someone stops them. Do not let this type of player frustrate you. It is easiest (and most profitable) to wait until you have a huge hand, call their all-in and then punish them.
Unlike the All-in bluff, and most other bluffs, the Post Oak Bluff differs in that it does not involve a large number of chips. For this, you make a small bet, representing the value bet of a strong hand, rather than the scared bet of a weak one. This is especially effective if you have been making the value bet a common part of your winning hands.

The Strategy of Short Hand

The Strategy of Short Hand
Playing the Short Hand
For short hand means short-handed play, or a game situation with few participants. This situation can occur is if the table permits the participation to a maximum of 6 players or, as some in the case of an Everest poker tournament a final table with one or more players where for obvious reasons the other participants were eliminated. If you are in a table or single elimination tournament, the question is: why are among the finalists? What have I done to be there? How do I play? Now that I am a finalist I have to change strategy?
A�
The same applies to those leaving the table with few players, with the only difference of not having "experience" with opponents. In this article, give the player some things to consider in such a condition of play. To avoid confusion, for now consider only the short hand as a table of 6 players as initial condition.
A�
The big difference between Short and Full Hand Ring
The short hand, as we said, is literally the "short hand", a hand with few Everest poker players. It differs from the table full, complete ring, called precisely Full ring. The difference, not only in number, is the pre-flop. Think about it: where we will have more chances to find, among the papers of our competitors, a higher amount of good scores pre-flop? In short hand or full ring? Obviously, for a statistical matter, there being fewer players will be more difficult. Now, the most obvious question. If the short hand you have less chance of finding an opponent with good cards pre-flop, the same goes for me: what's new?
Why play the Short Hand
In short hand, if we have some minimal ability to frame our opponents, we can more easily exploit our ability to read the game and our aggression. Imagine one or more opponents fairly poor, who are at your own table: that given their immaturity play hands that should not, exposing more of the experienced players, where they will have more opportunities to watch our bets with a good score? in short hand or full ring? Obviously in a full ring.
So, in summary: the difference between us and our less experienced opponents will exploit the very fact that their continuous exposure to many points, despite relaunch with discrete cards just because statistically in short hand is more difficult to be against good score pre-flop, compared to a larger table.
The development of the game
If you play a turbo or any table that includes a change of level fast enough, we must use every opportunity to steal the blinds, which will become immediately very substantial. In this, it raises the combined profit of inexperienced players, on which we can raise counter-infinity (or go all-in) with a pair of K in the hole. Being able to see some shows down at the beginning of the game, when the game is not expensive, will help us understand which players are to watch and gradually reduce. Consider that the novice player, will aim to do is already covered by the opening bars, with the presumption of intimidating.

How to Win a Poker Tournament - End Game Strategy Using "M"

How to Win a Poker Tournament - End Game Strategy Using "M"
What is M?
In Harrington on Hold'em Volume II, Harrington reviewed the concept of M and the strategies based on your M.
M is your chip stack divided by the total of the blinds and antes. It tells you the number of rounds of the table you can survive before getting blinded off.
Unlike simply comparing your stack to what is posted in the big blind, the M takes into account both blinds and antes. As a result, you push the action more often with a wider range of opening hands, using the edge of acting first pre-flop to your advantage.
As your M drops, your need for more chips becomes more desperate and you must be more aggressive.
It is also a good idea to know your opponents M, since they also may be pushing with a wider range of hands when there M is getting low.
My additional thought on M is that you may want to adjust your M based on the time remaining in a round. For example, if the round just began your M is a good formula. However, if there are only a few minutes left in a round, you may want to adjust your M for the next level of blinds.
The Zones based on your M and the strategies
In general, the M tends to come into play towards the end of a tournament. Of course, if you've taken a big hit on your stack, you may need to use it earlier. Also, the M comes into play earlier on many online one table satellites, especially those turbo events.
Here is a brief review of the strategies using M:
Green Zone: M is 20 or more. You can play your style as you have ample chips.
Yellow Zone: M is 10-20. You need to be somewhat more aggressive with high pairs and high card hands. With small pairs and small connectors be more conservative.
Orange Zone: M is 6-10. You need to open with more hands and try a small ball approach. Again, be more careful with those small pairs and suited connectors. However, if you are considering opening with an all-in move, the small pairs and suited connectors are playable.
Red Zone: M is 1-4. Move all-in with a wide range of cards, like two face cards, small pairs or better, suited connectors. Your position at the table doesn't matter.
Keep in mind the concept of first in vigorish; this means that when no one is in the pot, the player who makes the first pre-flop raise has the initiative. Therefore, when your M is 3, if there is a 50% chance your opponents will fold, move all-in first pre-flop with almost any two cards.
When your M is below 2, move all-in with  Ace, King, Queen, medium strength hand, connectors, pairs, etc.
Additional points on M
Know your opponents M since these players will be pushing the action. And your positional advantage of acting last will decrease.
Effective M is a way to adjust for short tables. To calculate your M when the table is short simply take your M and multiply it by the number of players left/10. So, if your M is 8 and there are 5 players left, your effective M is really 8 multiplied by .5 or 4. The result is that you need to be taking more chances. Also at a short table, your weak cards plus good pot odds really equals a playable situation.
Conclusion
This is a solid concept since it forces you to play when your stack is low relative to your survival rate. It makes your decision making easier since it is math based.