Poker pro Evelyn Ng plays for Team Bodog

If you can’t make it to the World Series of Poker in Vegas you can still get in on the action without having to leave the comforts of your own home. To be held during the same time period as the WSOP in Vegas, Bodog Poker’s Mini-SOP online poker tournament will only cost you about 1 percent of the actual buy-in of the WSOP Event.

“We’re happy to offer those not able to attend the 2008 WSOP in person an affordable and exciting online alternative,” says Alwyn Morris, CEO of the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, which runs Bodog in North America. “For only one percent of the standard WSOP Main Event buy-in cost, Bodog online poker players can have a shot at the Mini-SOP crown and three $12,000 prize packages including entry into the 2009 WSOP Main Event.”

The Bodog Poker Mini-SOP starts on May 30th through July 3rd, with the top 27 players (on the tournament leaderboard) competing in the final event to be held on July 10th. The top 3 finishers at the final event will each be awarded a $12,000 prize package to the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Places four through nine will receive $109 to buy into online poker tournaments in the Bodog Poker room.

For more information on the Bodog Poker Mini-SOP, visit the Bodog Poker Room.

Every year at this time casinos offer odds on certain players winning the WSOP. The top professionals usually have the best odds; this year you can get 5/2 on Daniel Negreanu. Other celebrities like Ben Affleck and James Woods have odds available to wager on, but it’s traditionally been the big-name professional players that get all the attention.

Online players are getting more respect this year. Last year the bet was any internet player winning, but this year bets on specific online players are being offered. Stars like Justin Bonomo are getting odds of 3/1, and Brian ’sbrugby’ Townsend is getting 9/2. That’s not bad for a couple of relatively unknown players.

That’s the beauty of the World Series of Poker; anyone can win it. It could be a professional live game player, an internet player or an amateur. I predict we’re due to see a big-name pro win.

Get all your fun World Series of Poker betting here.

Following the finale of their hit series, “Scrubs”, the cast made their way over to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research fundraiser to play a little poker. Some of the celebrities in attendance included: Zach Braff, Michael J. Fox, Tracy Pollan, Sarah Chalke, Teri Hatcher, Julie Bowen, Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, Donald Faison, Cacee Cobb, and Bill Lawrence. (See more photos of the charity poker event here.)

I’ve read that “Desperate Housewives” Teri Hatcher likes to play poker on set with gal pal Eva Longoria, but I had no idea that the cast of “Scrubs” also played. Come to think of it, it makes sense that poker would be a popular passtime on the sets of many television shows considering its immense popularity in general.

That brings to mind the idea of having “The Ultimate A-List Celebrity Poker Tournament”. Imagine all of your favorite Hollywood stars — from the big and small screen — playing in a No Limit Texas Holdem tournament, with the money raised going to charity. Who would you have at your final table? Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and maybe Scarlett Johansson?

I admit it. I’m a podcast junkie. Most of the time I have my head phones on and it’s not because I’m listening to music. Most of my learning now a days comes from podcasts and if you can think of it, there is probably someone out there doing a podcast about it.

As most people like us, we are into poker and I just found a great podcast from Full Tilt. With all of their great poker pros on the Full Tilt team they have just put out a “Tip From the Pros” show. They also have a video cast too!

Now you never have to read again and you can dominate the poker table!

If you’re a newbie to the game and don’t have a lot of time to learn here are my best poker tips I can dish out so you will become optimum performance and profit making player!

1. Pick the Right Game for Your Skill Level.
You always want to be the best player sitting at the table. If you are starting out make sure you know where you stand. Players can see a new guy before they are even at the table and will no doubt take advantage of you.

2. Pay Attention to the Other Players.
Poker is all about reading people and finding out their tells. The single best thing that you can do and learn to develop is observing your opponents. Even when you’re not in a hand keep your eyes in the game.

3. Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table.
It’s incredibly important to look at what’s going on at the table. Look for flush and straight possibilities. Also notice what’s showing and what people have folded when you consider calling opponents.

4. Always Play In a Good Mood.
Never use poker as an escape from your bad day or life stresses. This usually leads to people playing emotionally and not rationally. You’re opponents are watching your every move so if your head’s not in the game it wont be a secret and you will soon find out you cant get ahead. If you do feel your emotions are getting the best of you, take a break and calm down before returning to the table.

5. Just Because you’re in Doesn’t Mean You Have to Stay in.
You can’t win a pot just because you throw money in it. The money you’ve put into the pot isn’t yours anymore and you can’t get it back by playing your hand all the way to the end. No when you moment is up. Think smart.

6. Don’t Bluff for the Sake of Bluffing.
There is no rule that says you have to bluff. Most new players think that in poker that’s all there is. Bluffs will only work in certain situations against certain people. Learn your opponents first then you will know if bluffing will work for you.

7. Don’t Play Drunk
This is the best way to loose your entire bankroll. What is alcohol known for? Loosening you up and freeing your self from rational thinking. What is poker all about? Rational thinking and staying focused. I have never in my life seen or heard of anyone who plays better poker after each drink they have.

8. Don’t Play Every Hand.
Playing more doesn’t mean winning more. We’ve all heard the saying “know when to fold em’” and it rings true especially for beginner players. The tendency is to want to play poker to the end but just because you’ve got a hand doesn’t mean you’re going to win it.