Poker Chip Sets – The Poker Chip and Challenge to Counterfeiters

Poker is a popular card game across the world with the excitement of gambling and potential for huge payoffs. Almost integral to the poker game are the poker chips
and indeed poker does not feel like poker without poker chip sets.

The chips are small discs of various colors representing different denominations
meant as substitutes for real money
which is instead stored in a more secure place. The use of money substitutes
or token money
can be traced back through the 13th to 17th centuries in Europe. Today poker chips are often made according to themes and formats that unite a particular set of chips. This is useful in avoiding counterfeiters
even for games at home or in private.

Casino chips use many different anti-counterfeiting measures
with the most basic being chip coloration and embossed or molded patterning. Holographic inlays
distinctive colored markings on the edges and ultraviolet markings on the inlays further deter potential counterfeiters. Lastly
Radio Frequency Identification or RFID tags are used by some establishments. The latter method can be quite costly
but the establishments that use them feel the cost is justified. Given the difficulty in counterfeiting chips
poker chip frauds in casinos are rare.

If you plan to play in private though
you should be careful of frauds
especially if you are using mass-produced chips. Another reason for these security measures is to identify which casinos they came from. This is usually not a problem
since casinos usually honor only their own chips and it is more of a matter of branding. In Nevada however
casinos are permitted to honor chips from other casinos
and these identifiers make returning chips to the casinos they belong to easier.

Poker Chip Sets – Composition and Coloration

Authentic casino poker chips are made of clay
though not pure clay which is too soft. Special composite mixtures have been made
using trade-secret techniques
the confidential nature of which is yet another speed bump on the counterfeiter’s path. Sometimes
special edition poker chip sets may be bought from casinos
though generally poker chips stay in the casinos. Poker chips made for home use on the other hand may or may not be of the same quality as their casino counterparts.

For home use poker chips
ceramic and ABS plastic are the most common materials. When ceramic is used
special compositions allow them to approximate the feel of real clay while maintaining a lower price profile. Ceramic chips are also used in some casinos. ABS plastic chips on the other hand may be molded with a metal disk or slug inside
to give them some heft. For those in Europe
poker chips may come in mother of pearl
which gives them an incomparable sheen and luster. Coloration is standard for different denominations in one set
but may differ across sets. For example
in some places there are standard coloration schemes for chips
while in others there are none. Of note is the US State of Nevada
where casinos are given free rein on their chip designs and colors.

Poker Chip Sets – Sets and Themes

Since poker games often involve large amounts of money
a large number of chips are needed. Standard sets have 300 pieces
while others can have 500 pieces
and yet others reaching a stunning 1000 pieces. Some casinos sell poker chips similar to those used on the floor but with a few differences for identification purposes. This is great for those who want to emulate the feel of their favorite places of gambling at home games. Limited edition sets can be highly collectible
and there is a thriving community of poker chip collectors.

Many of the poker chips are traded via eBay
and the most special ones can go for thousands of US dollars
regardless of face value. Whole sets of these special poker ch
ips can cost even more than the individual pieces. What really ties the members of all poker chip sets together is the design of the chips. Poker chips in one set are often of identical sizes
of consistent coloration
and having similar inlays. Colors and inlays vary according to denomination
but the idea is that chips from one set are identifiably from the very same set.

The edges and rims may also be embossed with characteristic patterns and even have colored sections made via special multi stage molding techniques. The designs may be simple and straight forward
just simple chips with numbers. They could just as well be whimsical
like having humorous or otherwise interesting prints on the inlays. A set of poker chips will often be packaged in a poker chip case or some such container such as an acrylic poker chip carrier or humidor style wooden poker chip case
in the tradition followed in casinos worldwide. One would suppose that if you are going for the authentic feel
then there’s no point skimping on the little details.

Poker Chip Sets – Elements of Authenticity

Poker chips are essential to playing poker. One can “play” poker without them
but it will not feel like poker without the chips would it? It is the feel of these poker chips that gives a tactile sense of authenticity. The clink of these poker chips as they hit the table and trade hands adds to the ambiance. The nature of these poker chips ensures that no one can weasel out of the bet that they placed
so it ensures a fair game as far as bets are concerned. Speaking of amounts
the printed or inlaid values may vary depending on where you buy your poker chip sets.

It is even possible to find manufacturers that make poker chips that reflect your country’s currency and useful denominations
though generic chips are also available. With the popularity of televised poker and TV series set in casinos
the mystique of poker chip sets has increased
and many people feel that poker chips are the only way with which to play poker. If you are the kind of person who likes taking souvenirs
then chips from the casinos you have visited make fine reminders of good and bad times alike. Poker chips are definitely the elements of authenticity in poker games.

–

Full Tilt is under fire

The world of poker is a very complex structure built around players
the online poker sites and casinos that provide the games
the limits and games played
rake
backers
and a lot more
and in the end
trying to provide the best game possible that helps everyone. The entire situation with Townsend
Hastings
and Cole [...]

Poker Pros Play Live and Online
Poker played at online poker sites is the way that many professional poker players are playing poker today but it is not the only way. Professional poker players still choose to play at regular land based casinos for their poker action. Some players even do both. Is the game played the same online as it is in local cardrooms?

Poker Professional Reality
With the huge increase of people playing poker online and in casinos
the thought of becoming a poker professional always enters peoples minds. As appealing as becoming a poker professional might be to you
it is not easy to become a poker pro.

Interested in learning poker online for free? Then check out one of the best ways to learn poker: Free Texas hold Em Poker Schools. No matter if You are an absolute newbie or an advanced player
these poker schools will have the right poker lessons for You.

To get started You will have to open a free account at the poker school and You will get access to to the Beginners Learning Materials. Usually the schools offer a choice of articles
videos and coaching sessions to teach You poker. The Beginners Sections are usually aimed at teaching You a small stack cash game strategy.

Once You mastered the basics You can take a simple poker quiz at the free poker schools. If You pass the test You will be given a no deposit poker bonus. The Texas Hold Em Poker School will start Your poker bankroll for free. Up to $150 is given away to players by the poker schools. No Deposit Needed.
This way You can start to test Your new Texas Hold Em Poker Skills at real money tables without investing own money.

Should You make some of the typical beginners failures then it will not cost You any of Your money but just the bonus You got free. This also puts You in a situation without any presssure and helps You to develop Your best game this way.

As You continue to become a more advanced player the poker lessons the schools offer will become more complex and YOu will learn a big stack strategy then and also learn about the right tournament play. The Online Poker Schools have poker lessons available for every level. Their Poker Courses are aimed at helping You to improve Your game and a solid bankroll managment
to help You to climp up the limits You play at.

All the poker lessons are usually presented in different media. You can read articles to learn poker or watch a video that will tech You that lesson. In the bigger online poker schools these materials are available in different languages
so everyone will find the right way to learn poker for him.

Although these schools don’t charge You for their poker education they offer You live poker coaching sessions. The Coach is playing online and will discuss his concepts and strategy right as he plays
while You watch it live and can contact the coach via internet directly. It’s a great way to learn poker. You get Your questions answered instantly and can get back to coach in real time with everything You don’t fully understand.

Compared to Poker Books or Poker Lessons DVDs the Texas hold Em Poker Schools on the internet offer You more varieties of learning materials. They also put You in contact with many other players via their forums and communitites. You will always have someone at hand to help YOu if You should get stuck. I think You can learn much more much faster this way then at home with a book or Poker Lessons DVD. The hand discussion forums of the online poker schools alone are worth joing these sites.

And only the online poker schools will give You free money to play poker with. Remember that You will get a free poker bankroll for passing the beginners quiz. A Poker Book or DVD has to be paid for ( and unfortunatly the rather good ones aren’t cheap ) while the free online poker course pays You to learn poker. Can it get any better than this?

–

Poker Study Nears Release


A study analysing the behaviour of almost 3
500 poker players over 2 years is about to be released. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/PokerNews/ns_23042009_208.html

CEREUS Online Poker Network Approved by eCOGRA


CEREUS online poker network has received the eCOGRA Certified Software accreditation seal. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/PokerNews/ns_11122009_411.html

Quebec to Introduce Regulated Online Poker


The Canadian province
Quebec
is preparing to introduce legalized online poker
operated by Loto Quebec
by September 2010. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/PokerNews/ns_09022010_461.html

In online poker
there is no doubt that the Texas hold-em poker is still considered the most popular. But it probably would not hold that spot for long
as Omaha hold-em is steadily gaining ground in the poker popularity contest. You’ll find many respectable poker rooms and other live dealer casinos offering the Omaha Poker version.Omaha hold-em
or simply Omaha
is the game of choice of a lot of poker players because it is perceived that the mathematical probabilities that poker nerds look forward to computing are more obvious there. Also
because these probabilities are more apparent
Omaha is said to be more of a game of wits than a game of chance.Another characteristic that makes Omaha distinct from the other kinds of poker games is that in Omaha
it is not always the player with the highest hand who wins the pot. The object of Omaha is to come up with both the highest and the lowest hand. The two players who got the highest and the lowest hand respectively get to split the pot. In some cases
two or more players tie in having the highest and lowest hand
and so they split the pot amongst themselves. Of course it is entirely possible for just the player with the highest hand to get the whole pot to him/herself.There are
however
restrictions as to how a hand of cards can be considered a low hand. First
the highest card in the hand should have a value not bigger than eight. Second
the five cards making up the hand should all be unpaired.In addition
in Omaha
a player makes up his/her hand
be it the highest or the lowest
using exactly two of his/her four hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards.Here is how Omaha is played
step by step:1. The dealer deals out the four hole cards to each player one at a time. Once all the players have their cards
an initial round of betting is made. The person to the left of the dealer makes the small blind and the one to his/her left makes the big blind. The other players can then check the big blind
raise it
or fold.2. After this first betting round is done
the dealer draws out the first three community cards
also called the flop. Another betting round happens
with players raising
checking or folding. Afterwards
the dealer draws the fourth community card
called the turn
which is then followed by another betting round with the subsequent raising
checking or folding. The same happens with the fifth community card
also known as the river.3. The showdown happens among the players who have not folded after the river is placed down. Again
the players use exactly two of the hole cards and exactly three of the community cards. The players with the highest and the lowest hand win the pot and split it among themselves. If there are no hands that qualified for the lowest hand
then the player who got the highest hand gets to have the pot entirely to him/herself.

–

Online Poker Weekend: ‘sistabossen’
‘METZMAGNY’ Capture Majors (source: pokernews.com)
Another Sunday night full of online poker action saw ‘sistabossen’ and ‘METZMAGNY’ capture the night’s biggest prizes at Full Tilt and PokerStars
respectively. Overall
attendance in the biggest online events ticked upward… (source: pokernews.com) – RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Poker Hall of Fame Adds Two Players (source: about.com)
This year
the Poker Hall of Fame inducted two new members to it’s exclusive club: Harry Orenstein
who invented the hole cam that’s made poker on TV exciting
and Dewey… (source: about.com) – RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Learning the art of poker play is a skill that takes a whole lot of time. Its no wonder that poker players and intending poker players sometimes feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to picking the best online poker guide as a resource to help them pave the way towards better poker plays.

Luckily thats all about to change because 5plusnet poker guide is compiled by poker industry professionals who have player interests at heart. Indeed the fact that online casinos only profit off the rake and dont actually lay claim to any of the online poker pot is reason enough to believe that casinos and poker sites actually do want people to learn to play and keep them playing by providing them with as much information as possible to keep them at the tables.

Poker tips and tricks

There are many tips which online poker players can take with them when it comes to enjoying this great game. Foremost among them is the ability to be able to control emotional urges to raise or fold
that eagerness to quickly jump in or bail out is as evident as the smile forming at the corner of a players lips when sensing imminent victory. Poker is all about control. Its about controlling those urges and playing those hands as professionally as possible without giving too much if anything away to others.

Remember that going to poker school

As players inherently do when they read online poker guides is as much about reading the information as it is about taking it in and applying it. Poker requires discipline. That comes in the form of knowing how much you can afford to wager before the gaming has started. Going in with a blank check approach is feeble. If youre not accustomed to budgeting
take a 101 course and learn to know what you have to gamble with before you lose what you dont. Luckily you can enjoy playing for free before you face real-money plays at your favorite game of poker. And online poker offers such low-limit gaming that its affordable to most everyone who wants to enjoy some good poker action. The education begins

–

Poker Hall of Fame Adds Two Players (source: about.com)
This year
the Poker Hall of Fame inducted two new members to it’s exclusive club: Harry Orenstein
who invented the hole cam that’s made poker on TV exciting
and Dewey… (source: about.com) – RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Poll: Best Places to Play Poker in Vegas (source: about.com)
So I’m having a grand time in Vegas at all my favorite Vegas poker rooms
but I am always open to new opinions and ideas. So vote on what you… (source: about.com) – RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

If you want to become a serious poker player online or offline
you need to know the poker
hand rankings or you not know if you have a good hand or a bad hand. Of course
if you are use to playing with friends at home
you are more than likely not playing by the rules that are seen at casinos. All casinos
poker rooms online
and offline play by the same rules. The first thing you must know is that all 52 cards are used to play poker in most cases; however
the joker may or may not be used. The joker is often only seen in Draw Poker games and is not used in Texas Holdem
other holdem games
and stud poker.Cards are ranked from highest to lowest with the Ace at the top. The King
Queen
and Jack come next in that order and then 10 all the way down to the 2 often referred to as the deuce. The Ace can be used at the top or the bottom as a one for straights or even for the lowest card. In practically all poker games
only the five best cards are counted even if you are playing a seven-card game. Here is the breakdown so you will know if you have a good hand.If a joker is in play
the best hand a person can have is a five of a kind with five Aces at the top of the list. If no joker is in play
the best hand is the straight flush. A straight flush is five cards of the same suit such as all spades
all hearts
all clubs
or all diamonds. Of course
the cards must be in order to be a straight such as five diamonds from 5 to 10. A Royal Flush is the best hand
which includes the Ace
King
Queen
Jack
and Ten. Four of a kind comes next. All four cards must be the same card
such as all tens
kings
etc with the higher the card ranking the better. The best of course would be four Aces.Next is the Full House. A full house is three cards that have the same rank and then a pair. The higher the three cards the better such as 3 Kings and 2 5s. Of course
the person with the higher three cards will beat other players.The flush is next. A flush is cards of the same suit
but not in order. This means you can have five hearts of any rank. The person with the highest rank card will win if everyone has a flush. The straight is next with five cards in order from various suits. This means you can have 1 ace space
1 diamond king
1 heart queen
1 club jack
and 1 spade 10. The suit does not matter.Three of a kind means the same card such as all three kings. The next is a two pair of the same such as 2 Aces and 2 fives. The last one is one pair such as 2 tens. Of course if no one has any of the above
the person with the highest card will win the hand.

–

More No deposit poker bonuses

There haven’t been very many changes in the world of free bonuses lately. There is a new offer from PokerSource at RedKings poker room. You can find all the details of this and many other bonuses on the new site at No Deposit Poker Bonuses. This site has more than twenty of [...]

Free Poker Money at Titan Poker

This free poker bonus is from PokerNetOnline who have been giving out free bankrolls at Titan Poker for a few years now. PokerNetOnline (PNO) give out 200 bankrolls of $50 each day to new players at Titan Poker. This free offer is probably one of the easiest to claim of the many free bankrolls offered at Titan [...]

New rooms at PokerStrategy

PokerStrategy has added two new poker rooms for their members to receive their $50 free bankroll in; Mansion Poker and Pacific Poker. This brings the choice of poker rooms up to six. The PokerStrategy deal gives their members a $50 starting bankroll in any one of the six available rooms
but only gives the bonus [...]