Saturday, February 7, 2009 - JMURJEFF
My experience at the Superbowl was definitely a good one. Ultimate bet contacted me about the promotion to get the tickets right before Christmas time and I traded in points to obtain the tickets. The tickets were to be either picked up in Tampa or delivered to your hotel during the week of the Superbowl.
Ultimate bet makes sure they keep in touch with you to let you know what is going on. They sent me a jacket, a hat, and a shirt as well as for the guest who I brought along. On the day before the Superbowl we went to pick up our tickets from Tony Luisi who was definitely a nice guy. The pick up location was on the same street as the stadium so it was very easy to get to. Also when we got there Tony gave me and my guest a bag with Superbowl memorabilia as well a pass for parking. The parking pass for no additional cost is good because stadium parking is $50. I also ordered the NFL on location party from Ultimate bet through points redemption. So I was able to pick up the tickets for those as well at that time. On the day of the Superbowl I was offered a drink by Tony and a manager from Ultimate bet, however my guest really wanted to go to the NFL experience right away so I had to turn down the request. Although it was definitly a good gesture and maybe another time I would definitly take them up on this offer. Right outside the stadium there is a lot to see from football beginnings to present times. The NFL on location was definitly the place to eat because the open bar with the food was worth it. Cause if you were hungry at the stadium you would be paying $10 a beer and $9 a cheeseburger. When we went to the stadium it was awesome because our seats were on the 50 yard line 23 seats up from the field. So I was able to see everything during the game and it was definitly an experience. It definitly is much better to be at the stadium cause you can see all kinds of things you don’t normally see. Like how the recievers run their routes and the sidelines. The half time show was awesome because whenever Bruce Springsteen plays you know it has to be good. Everyone was standing up during the 4th quarter because of how crazy the game got. The majority of the fans may have been for Pittsburgh but towards the end I don’t think anyone really cared who won because both teams were putting on such a great show.
After the game we got to go back to the NFL on location to eat more food. So that party is something I recommend cause it is better to enter the stadium and leave on a full stomach.. Also because traffic is crazy in the beginning so you might want to wait a while before leaving. Overall this was a great experience and if you can take advantage of this offer then I recommend it! Cause how many times will you get the go to the Superbowl?
Tags: Icon, loyalty, NFL, players, points, Promotions, RAI$E, Super Bowl, VIP, vip host
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Saturday, January 31, 2009 - Phil Hellmuth
On Super Bowl weekend in 2001, all of the players had been eliminated from the $5,000 buy-in World Poker Challenge’s Championship event except renowned player Mike Laing, with $200,000 in chips, and unknown Bill Eichel, who had $630,000 in chips. The two were locked in a one-on-one poker duel and the game was no-limit hold’em, where you can bet any amount at any time.
With 166 entries, first place in this event would pay $331,000; second place $166,000. Not bad for two days work at the Reno Hilton! Besides the money, a measure of history was at stake. This event figured to be one of the top-six “Prestigious Poker Events” of 2001. If it were pro golf, we would call it a “major.”With the blinds (reserve bets) at $7,000-$15,000 and the antes at $3,000 a player, the following key hand came up between Laing and Eichel. Laing called $8,000 on the button (the dealer) with a 4-9, and Eichel then checked from the big blind (he made no bet because he’d already placed the big blind bet). The flop came down 4c-7s-Jd, and Eichel bet out $100,000. Now the heat was on Laing, who was staring down a $100,000 bet into a $36,000 pot with a measly pair of fours! At this point the writing was on the wall: time to fold. For Laing to call or move all-in, he would have to sort out — with nothing more than his guts and feel — what Eichel had.
Good “guts and feel” are what separate the men from the boys in the poker world. In theory, if you knew everyone’s hole cards for every hand, then you would never lose. Thus, it is important to “read” people well. You learn to measure a man’s relative strength by your instincts, and his “tells” (signs like not being able to look his opponent squarely in the eye when bluffing). A few other common tells are: when players act weak they’re usually strong; when players talk they’re usually strong; and when players bet quickly they’re usually weak. Although there are many well-known tells out there, personally, I like to stare down my opponent and trust my own feelings.
As Laing pondered the possibilities, he suddenly decided that Eichel was bluffing, and that his pair of fours was the better hand. Laing then moved all-in for $190,000, a mere $90,000 raise, and incredibly, Eichel folded and Laing won the pot! Give Mike Laing a lot of credit here. He risked it all on guts and feel (his read of Bill Eichel’s tells), and he was right! Two hands later, Mike went on to win the World Poker Challenge Championship and the $331,000 first prize.
RAISE OR FOLD
A common tell is:
a) When a player talks he’s usually strong
b) When a player acts weak he’s probably strong
c) When a player bets quickly he’s usually weak
d) All of the above
Answer: D
Tags: Hilton, Mike Laing, Reno, Super Bowl, World Poker
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - Shawn Rice
The UBOC3 just wrapped up and I love this time of year as it’s fun to play the higher buyin tourneys. I am somewhat disappointed in my results and not super happy with my play. It seems when I do bad it’s often self induced. I know when I put myself in a situation where I am forced to guess it’s often bad for me. In the final 1k buyin, $1,000,000 guaranteed main event there was over 1,100 players and it paid over 100 spots. I was down to less than 200 players in about 54th place and an early seat player double raises. If you know anything about me I always hate the double raise play because you are putting chips in the pot and gaining no information on the others behind you or the blind hands. I have 2 red 9’s and I hate to reraise here and possibly have to fold preflop; I hate to just fold here and I decide to just call and see a flop. Now the button makes a pot size squeeze play, the double raiser folds and I am certain by the size of his raise he does not have AA, KK or even QQ, so I have to worry about JJ or TT and flipping vs AK and with the double raiser folding maybe the deck could be a lil short on aces. I take the gamble and call and he shows JJ. I am knocked out and hate the way I played the hand. I know I am supposed to fold the 9’s there and just move on. I know most all I can beat if there is a bluff (88 or worse).
The Best Damn Poker Show has aired and it’s bringing back many good memories. This show is without the star power of the first show and in my opinion is a much better show overall. There is a little less fighting with Annie and Phil and better overall poker playing. I don’t think any of the players are as good as several of the players of last year that included Gary “Debo34″ DeBernardi, Mike “WiscoMurray” Murray and Tracy “Fatcats” Scala, but overall there were alot less mistakes and really good playing. Keep watching every week as the show gets very interesting all the way til the end, trust me.
Also check out Rounders Radio every Sunday night at 8pm Est on www.roundersradio.com. It’s a great radio show with Annie Duke and Mark “P0ker H0″ Kroon with very entertaining guests. I listen to every broadcast and I even try and call in but the lines are so busy I can’t get through. I will be calling in the next few weeks, so if you have any questions for me or any of us please call in and ask away. We all love to talk poker and strategy and love to hear from people whom are serious about their game.
I plan on being in Vegas for the Super Bowl and I will be making a big bet that there will be a score in the last two minutes of the first half. I am currently shopping around for the best price. I have not made this bet in a few years and am very thankful I have not. The Cardinals sure look good to me getting 7 points the way they beat up Carolina and Philadelphia really impressed me. I am hoping to find some Arizona plus 7.5 somewhere before the game starts. I do think if Arizona covers the spread it will go over the 47 point total and if Pittsburgh covers it will go under the 47 points. This is pretty rare. Usually when you like the favorite you like the over and when you like the underdog you like the under. I think if Pittsburgh controls the game it will be low scoring because their defense will with it for them and if Arizona covers it’s because their offense is on fire like it has been in recent weeks.
Good Luck online fellow Ubers
Proud UB Team Member
Shawn Rice
Tags: Annie Duke, Best Damn Poker Show, Debo34, P0ker H0, Phil Hellmuth, Poker Strategy, rounders radio, ShawnRice, Super Bowl, UBOC
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Friday, January 2, 2009 - UB Marketing
Lots of marketing initiatives to kick-off in January and hopefully a fully energized team ready to support them. You’ll see many of these initiatives posted on the UB Blog before the Super Bowl and over the next three weeks, right through the end of the UB Online Championship (UBOC). Which reminds me, still two weeks to win your free seats, center-field, for the Super Bowl. Check out the Wild Cards promo.
We’re all excited and looking forward to 2009, but I used my New Year’s day to look back and take note on 2008 suggestions from players. UB got a lot of player support and suggestions throughout the year. This resulted in many of the additional features and tournaments now available on UB, but other stuff players suggested is still in the works, including:
SUGGESTION: BETTER EMAILS OR MORE VARIETY – We’re working with new technology to improve messaging and make sure players can choose and customize the information you get via e-mail. So, if you’re interested in reload bonuses that’s waht you’ll get, but if you’re only interested in reading about Phil Hellmuth, or you only want news about live events, you’ll be able to sign up for customized newsletters.
SUGGESTION: EVEN HIGHER VIP – RAI$E kicked off last year with incredible success. Players have been cashing in. For 2009 there are rumors of yet another level, a higher one, that will provide a personal concierge and exclusive access for top players.
SUGGESTION: EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISING – A new line of gear is in the works. Exclusive gear for certain RAI$E tiers and special gear for UB players that qualify for live events. I love the idea. Not only do you wualify for Aruba, WSOP, or any other great event, but you get decked out in exclusive gear. It’s like being a pro for a weekend. Maybe there can be huge quantities of Dom and dozens of uniformed models so it can feel like being Phil Hellmuth for the weekend.
SUGGESTION: MORE LIVE EVENTS - I had to include it. But, I’m sworn to secrecy. Some new events are coming…
SUGGESTION: MORE NAKED WOMEN IN ARUBA – This one we overheard in Aruba during the opening party on the beach. Not much we can do here unfortunately, but now you know we’re paying attention, even with a drink in hand.
So, keep ‘em coming. If you have a comment or suggestion for the marketing team you can send it through the support team support@ultimatebet.com or directly to suggestionbox@ultimatebet.com
Tags: Aruba, Marketing, Super Bowl, UBOC
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