Check it out. This story in PokerListings is probably a bit too kind without any LOLs. But hey, as a guy who’s key flaw in his plan to offer Pokeratizens the best low-stakes action in Vegas was not learning how to fold more often pre-flop, I’ll take the love!

While it is true that nowhere in Vegas could you “run it twice” in a 1/2 game before Pokerati NLH/PLO came to town, now plenty of poker rooms hardly blink when two or more players get it all-in and want to reduce variance by seeing more than one river … just like they used to do it on High Stakes Poker.

So crap now the secret of the Pokerati Game’s success is out:

• Offer games people want to play, at stakes they’re comfortable playing
• Give preference to poker rooms with skillful, supportive staff (and maybe a really big sign)
• Treat low-stakes players no differently than high rollers (h/t Benny Binion)
• Suck out often to keep the nits away

That’s pretty much all it takes to host a game that attracts tourists and locals alike. And now that I can expect casinos everywhere to be spreading Pokerati-style live action, I suppose my pioneering days are over and I can go back to being just another poor-man’s Jean-Robert Bellande.

Special thanks to Tricat in Vegas, who snapped a video of Pokerati Game, the Movie, as it played on the big screen outside on Flamingo. It’s an epic saga of … er … it’s an action/adventure in NLH/PLO told as a silent film of about 12 seconds. Powerful stuff:

And speaking of the game … congrats to TJ Downing and @JaKatkin … who won president and vice president in our Pokerati Game “election” on Thursday. For the wins, TJ will be representing in tonight’s $340 satellite* to the $1,500 Epic Pro-Am at Palms Poker Room … and Katkin will be taking a stab in a Sunday $180.

* special bounty tournament

I really hope everyone had a great time this summer playing 1/2 No-Limit Hold’em/PLO at the Palms. I know I did … even though my own poor performance over the past couple weeks kept my summertime bankroll graph a little below sea level. But still, it was great to sit down for just some good old-fashioned poker with so many friends, colleagues, old Dallas players, low-stakes Vegas grinders, poker media hangers-on … as well as various new players from multiple continents with whom I got to enjoy some incarnation of sucking out. Thanks to all who played and especially thanks to those who embraced the Pokerati Game commitment to keeping the best low-stakes action in Vegas douchebag-free. (A bigger challenge than you might think.)

Tonight, we’ve got a little game-sweetener: The two best players in the game will get satellite seats for the Epic Pro-Am (also at the Palms) — one for a Saturday $340 and one in a Sunday $180.

And to determine who these players are, we’re gonna vote. Totally subjective and very unscientific, befitting of my ongoing social poker experiment, aka The Pokerati Game … and hey, if you don’t like the way we do it, you’re welcome to heckle from the rails. (2-drink minimum, though.)

That’s pretty much it. We’ll be playing the game as usual tonight — 1/2 NLH/PLO round of each, $100 min $400 max buy-in, game changes on the one seat, option to run it twice in both games, $5 button straddle gets ultimate last action — except everyone who plays will also get a ballot. And on that ballot they get to cast two votes:

+1 ____________

-1 ____________

More…

I haven’t seen it yet on the big screen, but it should be there soon … celebrities galore expected for its Vegas premiere at the Palms. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry … oooh, the tension! Can only imagine how good Pokerati No-Limit Hold’em/PLO must look and feel in Imax.

As always, you are welcome and encouraged to run it twice.

As much as we’d love to be at the Hotel Club Casino Loutraki right now (site of the Greek Poker Cup 2, beginning today) PokerStars, as a place of virtual felts, has kinda dropped off Pokerati’s radar the way PartyPoker did back in ’06.

However, one thing catching my attention — not because of the results, but simply because they’re playing the game — Isildur1’s high-stakes No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Mix. (Hey, I know that game … we play it at the Palms! “High-stakes action for low-stakes players” is the buzzphrase I like to throw around.) Pretty sure because it’s heads up they don’t have an “ultimate button straddle” the way we do at the Palms … and I’m not sure if they can run-it-twice … as the nature of the match suggests they’re not necessarily interested in reducing variance.

But still, sounds like Isildur1 is playing it pretty close to the right way.

SuperStar Showdown

Team PokerStars Pro Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom enjoyed another SuperStar Showdown win on Sunday, when he defeated Norwegian player Terje ‘Terken89’ Augdal.

The match, which was a mix of No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, was over in slightly more than 1,500 of the scheduled 2,500 hands, as Blom blew his opponent away to rake in Augdal’s entire $150,000 Showdown bankroll.

Despite losing $10,000 in the opening hand, Blom quickly got on top and showed his dominance throughout, his win taking his total SuperStar Showdown profit to $651,941. It also means he now has an impressive 9-2 winning record (7-2 versus high stakes opponents) in the SuperStar Showdown matches.

For a full report, including replays of some of the key hands, check out the [report of the match at PokerStars Blog].

I spent the first part of today chilling at my place for a few hours, getting in a light workout then writing a couple emails. Then I made my way to the VW dealership. I drive a 2010 Jetta that I’m a pretty big fan of and it was time for my free 10k mileage maintenance and car wash. Before this car, I drove the 2007 version. Two days before my lease was up on that car, it got totaled when a drunk driver blew a red light in West Hollywood where my girlfriend and I were for the weekend.  Neither of us were hurt, thankfully.  He took off after we smashed into him, but he couldn’t get very far with the condition his car was in. A good samaritan followed him and was able to let the police know where they could find him. I had my car towed to a VW dealership and was like, “My lease is up… here’s your car back!” Then I leased a brand new model that same day.

I picked up KK in the first orbit of NL in late position, raised and picked up the blinds …

While at the dealership today I read through 944 magazine a bit.  If you happen to live in a city that 944 covers, and you like going out, doing stuff and checking out new things in your city, I highly recommend picking up a copy. I also highly recommend they pay me for this advertising I’m giving them but that’s probably not going to happen. There are always so many things changing in the city of Las Vegas–new restaurants, DJ appearances/residencies, happy hours, special events–that it is nearly impossible to keep up.  It’s fun to try though, and it’s obviously tough to get bored here.

After VW, it was that time: 7pm on a Thursday, which means Pokerati 1/2 PLO/NLH at the Palms.  When I got there around 8 there was a full game up and running and Danielle was already on the waiting list.  It took about 15 minutes before we had enough people to start a second table.  Pretty impressive, I must say, but not entirely surprising.  The half-and-half nature of the game is just so much more interesting and entertaining in my opinion, that I think you’ll eventually see it spread elsewhere more regularly.  This coupled with the fact that the WSOP is in full swing means there’s no shortage of players around.

More…

Fans of low-stakes PLO in Las Vegas rejoice. The Pokerati Game looks to get back into regular action, kicking off tomorrow, Thursday, 7pm, at The Palms poker room.

We had a good run at the Hard Rock … convincing a Vegas casino that a time-charge isn’t necessary to make running-it-twice work in low-stakes games … and culminating with an NLH/PLO tourney in Matt Savage’s (short-lived?) Detox Poker Series. Good things were happening, but I guess when your CEO offs himself (after dropping $850mil days before worldwide financial collapse) and security escorts your poker director’s corporate big-boss off-premises with Gaming enforcement officials watching … well, it doesn’t matter how many turns and rivers you get to see to recognize it’s time to move on.

In the off-time you’ve probably been jonesing for the action Pokerati provides, and I’ve read seven pages of a new PLO book … also finally figured out how to condense the rules into something less than a page, so we’re back, or at least will be soon — starting with the relaunch prelaunch Thursday eve.

Click here to see how we play it … become a fan of 1/2 NLH/PLO round of each on Facebook for regular updates, and add @PalmsPokerRm to your Twitter follows for, um, I’m not sure yet. I do know @PokerGuyJoeV is the new poker room manager there — charged with reinvigorating an architecturally challenged room with 3/6 limit games that don’t quite jibe with the made-for-MTV vibe felt elsewhere in the casino.

Only two states in the US have no legal gambling — Hawaii and Utah. Could be just one soon, say supporters and opponents alike of a bill in Hawaii that would specifically legalize Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker, live and online.

The bill, which passed out of committee yesterday, looks to make Hawaii a destination for big-time live (and televised) poker events … as well as a potential home base for online sites serving US players … by designating the foundations of Pokerati NLH/PLO as games of skill, not played against a casino “house” and therefore exempt from state gambling prohibitions.

PPA Exec Dir. John Pappas supplied written testimony for the hearing, suggesting that the way this current bill is crafted could be problematically prohibitive, as it seeks to charge $100 million for a server license and impose a 20 percent tax on all wagers while potentially challenging federal law. Pappas, however, did not provide any statement on the economic impact such a law would have on Waikiki vendors selling T-shirts like these:

Surf’s Up by Pokerati Generic T-Shirt Shoppe

The Hawaii poker bill — originally written supposedly to provide a tax holiday for buying school supplies — passed out of the Economic Revitalization & Business Committee on a 7-1 vote, and the House Judiciary Committee, 9-3. It now moves on to the House Finance Committee.

(Mahalo Poker Gnome for the heads-up.)

Click to download. Image 1: Serzhenko, Image 2: Cheong, Image 3: Game logo. Hi-res images available on request.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2010

Pokerati Game Releases Minor Rules Update for Version 2.0 Upgrade
without Revealing Real Facts Behind Brief Hiatus, Rumors of Discord
A 1/2 no-limit hold’em/pot-limit Omaha (round of each) game that has become known as “the Pokerati game” is preparing for its return to the Las Vegas felts with minor tweaks to its rules. The game has been called “high stakes action for low-stakes players”, “real poker for advanced beginners”, “festive high-stakes action for ‘advanced’ low-stakes players”, and “good times!” on Facebook and Twitter.

Key components include alternating rounds of the world’s two most popular games, running-it-twice, limited buy-ins, and small pre-flop betting in unstraddled Omaha hands — none of which were offered for low-stakes at licensed Nevada casinos until packaged as such by Pokerati, the most awesome and influential award-winning independent poker media outlet in the world.

“We are confident these changes that we’re not really pointing out will vastly improve the game and make it even more attractive to pros, PLO beginners, and players with plans to play in the November Nine,” said a spokesman for Pokerati. “Or they will be completely inconsequential.”

More…

One of the biggest non-major tournament series of the year is underway in Thackerville, Oklahoma, promising $3 million in guarantees. “The River” — hosted by Greg Raymer and the historically storied WinStar tribe — is 9 events spread across two weeks, Aug 23-Sep 6. They’ve got some sort of overall points leader prize for a Porsche Cayenne overlay, too, worth $70k.

2009 twitpic: @EweE420 (now @EricMizrachi)

Today’s event, Event #3, happens to be $440 NLH/PLO with $40k Guaranteed. Wonder if they’re aware that Lev Serzhenko was recently crowned the World Champion of $230 NLH/PLO with a Single $200 Rebuy.

Since the main here will be more or less the regional championship in my old stomping grounds — in fact, thinking we might-should call it the North-North Texas Championship in future posts — I find myself wanting to follow these events uniquely as a fan. I’ve got tons of friends playing and would expect to see plenty of past opponents from the Dallas underground, presumably some Batfaces, lots of ole Lodge amateurs, and, I hope, a few Team Pokerati players. Also curious to see what type of pros show up.

But semi-live coverage of the River is hard to come by. Lots of future thoughts on why that is … but in the meantime, here’s where I’ll be checking for River buzz, for starters …

@WinStarWorld
@Fossilman
2+2 Tournament Circuit thread

And because Pokerati can’t be there this year (but kinda-sorta would like to be) here are some possible news stories I see shaking out, or at least stuff worth looking into for anyone who might wanna ask some questions or snap pics with their iPhone and send an email or an @reply on Twitter:

More…

Wednesday’s tournament action at the Detox Poker Series at the Hard Rock Hotel was good for those who like overlays in guaranteed tournaments, while the founder of the Pokerati Game almost won his own tournament.

$230 NL Holdem w/ 1 rebuy $50,000 Guarantee

Event #10, $230 NL Holdem w/ 1 $200 rebuy drew a field of 122 players with 106 rebuys, falling short of the $50,000 guarantee by about $5,000. The final 18 players made the money, with the final table of nine returning this afternoon. Among the notables making the money included Event #1 winner Joe Tehan and 2010 November Niner Joseph “subiime” Cheong, each earning $650. Here’s how the final table looks when play resumes at 3:30pm with 45:45 left in level 14: 1,000/2,000 blinds and a 500 ante:

Seat 1: Steve Frederick 38,700
Seat 2: Amir Sandy 180,800
Seat 3: Jason Eldridge 81,400
Seat 4: Sam “Homeless” Bensinger 129,700
Seat 5: Warren Fraleigh 26,400
Seat 6: Bona Sar 85,500
Seat 7: Ari Engel 172,100
Seat 8: David Tuthill 47,500
Seat 9: Chris Lindh 43,000

Full results and pictures can be found at the Detox Poker site here.

$230 Pokerati Game w/ 1 rebuy

Event #11, the $230 Pokerati Game w/ 1 $200 rebuy, consisting of 9 hands of NL Holdem followed by 9 hands of PLO, drew a field of 31 entrants, with the final five making the money. In what surely was a surprise to all involved, Pokerati.com founder Dan Michalski nearly won his own tournament, finishing 2nd to Lev Serzhenko in heads-up play. Serzhenko collects $5,184, along with sash for the win. Michalski earned $2,880 for the runner up finish with Darryl Dauenhauer (3rd $1,728), Aria poker room manager Adam Altwies (4th for $1,152) and Carol Kline ($576) completing the list of players making the money. More pictures of the winner and Michalski here.

Thursday’s tournament

One tournament takes place at 1pm this afternoon with another $350 NL Holdem event, with two $140 Mega Satellites scheduled for 5 and 9pm, each with 5 seats added for Friday and Saturday’s $550 NL Holdem – $200,000 Guarantee tournament. To watch the final table of the $50,000 guarantee, find more pictures from the Pokerati game and more stuff, be sure to hit www.detoxpoker.com.

Yeee. A little giddy like a school girl here … registration is open at the Hard Rock Poker Lounge for Event #11 of Matt Savage’s Detox Poker Series:

$230 Pokerati NLH/PLO (with single $200 rebuy) – 5 pm

Registration will stay open until, I believe, 7 pm.

The winner, of course, will earn not just the lion’s share of whatever semi-phat prize pool coagulates, but also his or her place among this website’s honored, heralded, and sometimes ballyhooed victors.

Scroll down to see who already has earned their lifetime spot in this special stratum of Team Pokerati.

(It was a tough call, but the P-board decided a few years ago that no matter how grievous an offense… you are, and always will be, a Pokerati Champion — entitled to at least a fractional percentage of the rights and privileges bestowed therein. Seriously, lifetime … like emeritus. You could be a cracked-out porn star caught disemboweling an illegal immigrant or colluding online while being blown by Russ Hamilton … and you still retain the title!)

It’s been too long … but not-so-incidentally, 2010’s $230 NLH/PLO w/1×200 Rebuy winner will be the first Pokerati Champion crowned outside of Texas, and the first to be recognized for something other than just Texas Hold’em.

More…

Two more tournaments of the Hard Rock Hotel’s Detox Poker Series are now in the books, with the defending CardPlayer Player of the Year making one the final tables.

$350 NL Holdem 6-Max

Event #8, $350 NL Holdem 6-Max, drew a field of 59 players, and when poker curmudgeon Sam Grizzle finished on the bubble, leaving the remaining six players in the money. In a two-way deal, Joseph Neiman was declared the winner over James Hoeppner, with Neiman earning $6,308. Full results and the winner’s photo available at the Detox Poker site here.

$350 NL Shootout

Event #9, $350 NL Shootout, started with 34 players surrounding four tables, with the winners making the money. Notables who entered the tournament included Gavin Smith, Layne Flack, Jess Welman, Justin Young, Ylon Schwartz and Brian Micon. However, it was 2009 CardPlayer Player of the Year Eric Baldwin who won his table, guaranteed $1,020. Baldwin ran into the buzzsaw that was Derek Payne, eliminating the other three players to earn $5,100. Craig Doyle finished in 3rd for $1,530, while Dustin Lytle was runner-up, earning $2,550. The winner’s photo and the final hand can be found here.

Wednesday’s tournaments

Two more tournaments get underway today, starting at 1pm with the $230 NL Holdem w/$200 Rebuy event. Players will start with 2,000 chips, with the rebuy giving you an additional 4,000 chips. There’s also a guaranteed prize pool of $50,000 for this event, with ~250 buyins/rebuys needed to reach the guarantee.

Pokerati NLH/PLO Championship

The 5pm tournament is the $230 w/$200 Rebuy Pokerati Game NLH/PLO Championship. Like the 1pm tournament, players start with 2,000 in chips, with the optional rebuy giving players another 4,000 chips. Like the Pokerati cash game at the Hard Rock, it’s nine hands of NL Holdem, followed by nine hands of PLO.

Be sure to check out www.detoxpoker.com for structures, chat, streaming video and more later today.

Tomorrow is the second guarantee @DetoxPoker … $50k assured, for a $230 buy-in with a single $200 rebuy. That makes the math pretty hard to do for how many runnin’ rebuyers they need to avoid putting up an overlay … and potentially having one of the new suits chopping heads from the Poker Lounge staff willy-nilly. But gotta think they’ll make that small one.

Of course the real event everyone’s talking I’m thinkin’ about is tomorrow’s big Pokerati event at 5 pm. While there’s no guarantee in play beyond good times, lots of action, and a little PLO tourney experience — and its still unclear how CardPlayer intends to interpret their own rules for POY points — Event #11 is the one tournament at Detox offering a true World Championship.

I know this because I declared it so myself … and I’m pretty sure that’s how it works in poker! So as of right now, until someone declares otherwise, tomorrow’s late Detox event will be the 2010 Pokerati NLH/PLO Championshi … check that … make it the 2010 NLH/PLO World Championship!

More…

Special running of Pokerati action tonight, Tuesday, at the Hard Rock. That’s in addition to the usual Thursday fare. Should be a blogtastic 1/2 NL/PLO good time, with Joe Speaker, Bad Blood, and The Mark in town, specifically for PLO at the WSOP and beyond … hoping to draw a few Brits as well, you know, in case we end up playing through Honduras vs. Chile.

Though we haven’t run this game on a Tuesday in forever, the list usually starts taking shape at 7:30 … with cards in the air about 8.

Also don’t forget, for a different kinda wild, Wednesday night is the PokerNews Half-Kill game, bringing hardcore $4/$8 limit and higher to the Hard Rock.

You can find/follow many of the players in both these games on twitter (do a search for “hard rock”) and get updates from the poker room about what’s running @HardRockPoker.