Genius Poker

Sartori - New Kid on the Block. a Rare combination of Music and Poker

Thirty year old Tom Sartori is a maverick musician from Buffalo, N.Y. He has been traveling the countryside singing his songs and also playing poker and raking in money and moolah. This gives him publicity and boosts his singing career. He was competing with 450 other players in Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship last week, at Bellagio. Although he lost out half way, he managed to win $20,000 from side games. Out of more than 5,600 entries he had the 26th rank in Harrah's World Series of Poker at Rio. He took a huge prize sum of $300,000. He then used the money to get himself a producer, Geza X; a latin Grammy-winning mixed Charles Dy along with a publicist. Lasvegassun.com reports:

"The title is a poker reference, since all of my poker winnings are being dumped into my music career," Sartori said. The album is being produced by his own independent label, Ace High.

Read More: Poker Whiz Sartori hopes to deal an ace in music

Celebrity Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore Come Together at Las Vegas Aution, and Bid For Katrina Relief

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore made their first public appearance since marriage. They came together for a charitable cause, at a Las Vegas, Nevada auction. Ashton got a poker lesson with top player Annie Duke. The actor made a bid of $14,000. He gave this for the private poker session at uBid.com online celebrity auction. The auction was made at the Empire Ballroom. The stars attended the event once they got to know that all the proceeds will go to the ongoing Katrina relief effort. A Noble endorsement by celebrities for a charitable cause! Contactmusic.com reports:

Ashton's girlfriend, Britney Murphy, also attended the Sin City party, as well as 'N SYNC star LANCE BASS, who bid 430,000(GBP 16,600) to snowboard with pal Justin Timberlake.

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KUTHCHER BIDS FOR POKER LESSON AT AUCTION

Meet the Poker Pro - Arnold Spee

It takes commitment to be a successful poker player. Arnold Spee has that in abundance. Spee has worn the 2005 World Poker Challenge in Reno and has got a great start by collecting $663,880 as the first prize. Spee says he always loved playing cards. Earlier he played Canasta with his parents, while on holiday. At Las Vegas he would play poker while his friends gambled in other things. The poker bug caught him and got him hooked on, only once it became very visible on the television, in  the U.S. With WPT airing its tournaments it brought him closer to the game. Pokernews.com reports:

After catching the poker action on the tube, it wasn't long before Spee was knee-deep into the world of poker, cutting his teeth at the Commerce Casino in L.A. It took about three months for Spee to find his way tot the WPT main events.

Read More: Arnold Spee: Poker Player

Meet Poker Pro and Host of "Live At The Bike" - Shirley Rosario

Her face may be familiar to many viewers if have been watching "Live At the Bike" on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They must surely be wondering who the host of the program really was. The lady in question is Shirley Rosario who is more than just a pretty face in the poker community. Shirley is a successful poker player from LA. She has an excellent record in tournaments at casinos in California. Shirley has the distinction of finishing at a final table on the LIPS Tour at the World Series of Poker Circuit stop in San Diego. She has taken part in many World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker events. She can be seen playing the online version of the game or working as a proposition player at the Bicycle Casino. Pokernews.com reports:

She is one of the women who, while many may not know it, is truly immersed in the game of poker and is working to improve the sport in many ways. Be sure to take a look at the Los Angeles poker scene (and Shirley) during "Live At The Bike" from 6-10PM (Pacific Time) Wednesdays through Saturdays at thebike.com

Read More: Shirley Rosario - More Than Just 'The Poker Babe'

Second Book on Poker Written by Phil Gordon Discusses the Importance of Thought Process in Poker

Phil Gordon is the well-known co-host of Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and World Poker Tour Champion. He has just published his second book named "Phil Gordon's Little Green Book" this month. There are very many books today  telling about  correct play. They show the moves and what to do. But what most leave out is the thinking that is an important in any game of poker. According to Gordon, getting into the thought process behind a particular move, is more important. Gordon says that he has studied almost every book on poker, ever written. He felt that a gap was left despite the many books and a lot about the game was left unexplained. Mndaily.com reports:

"Understanding the differences in mental thought process is what this book is really about. I'd rather give you a thought process and let you make up your own decision."

Read More: Phil Gordon's poker pointers

Who's the Fairest of Them All - In Poker?

What is the hottest topic of discussion today in the poker circuit? Who is the best Poker player in the world? This question is being raised all over. From home games in small cities to big time casinos, the debate continues. Internet poker sites have come up with different answers. Poker magazines have come with their opinions on the topic. One magazine claims that Californian John Phan is the leader. Another one names John Juanda as the best. Yet another magazine believes that the best player is none other than Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. Pokernews.com reports:

Poker players and poker organizations also are getting into the conflict. The International Poker Federation looks at Michael Gracz, the WPT and WSOP champion, as the best player in the world. Pokernews.com reports:

Read More: Rankings, Rankings, Rankings: Who's the Best Poker Player?

Superstar Mariah Carey Gets Lucky In Poker

On Friday, Mariah Carey, won $27,000. The superstar won this amount while playing poker in Las Vegas, Nevada. This singer was present along with Usher, Janet Jackson and Nelly. They had come together for the 33rd birthday bash of producer Jermaine Dupri. The party was held at the Tao restaurant at the Venetian Hotel. While there, Mariah went to the nearby casino. She won this huge prize money after just three rounds of poker. It could be pure luck or probably, the other players got overwhelmed by her sheer presence. Pokermag.com reports:

Carry enthuses, "I used to play poker with my sister. But I think my low-cut dress put some of the other guys off."

Read More: Carry Wins Poker Contest

European Player of the Month Award Goes to Tony G

The Top European Player of the Month award goes to Tony G. This award is adjudged by a committee at William Hill Poker. This month the competition was very high. Winning in the European Championship, pushed Tony G. towards winning this award. Giving him a very close competition was Tony Bloom and Iwan Jones. Bloom had earlier won the Victor cup while Jones had won the London open. Tony G. said after his win that he appreciated the acknowledgment from  William Hill and felt that it was good to be recognized by peers. He also said that he had been enjoying the game and had been playing very well lately. Pokernews.com reports:

As for the European Championship, Tony had this to say 'I played really well at European Championship, and as with any win, I had a bit of luck as well. I look forward to playing a lot more poker in 2005, and in fact I am playing both the Speed Poker Championships, and the London EPT event this week.'

Read More: Tony G. wins European Poker Player of the Month Award

What Sets Poker Pros Apart From the Rest

One common thread that connects most top ranking poker players is their very similar profiles. Most of them love to compete and are well educated. However, the most distinguishing characteristics of all is that these poker pros is that they have a strange knack or ability of being able to identify the weakness of their opponents and cash in on this weakness. The best poker players in the world do not play good poker purely because they are lucky. They do so because they have developed a strategy. They are able to read the thoughts of their opponents in a very uncanny manner. The minute they have deciphered the flaw in the oppnonents' strategy or move, they use it to their advantage. Ray Zee is a great player whose moves are as well calculate, as in a game of chess and he says that he spends all his energy trying to find out what his opponent is thinking about him; before he makes a move. Pokernews.com reports:

Billy Baxter is one of those players. Like Bobby Baldwin and Amarillo Slim, Baxter began his gaming career in pool halls.

Read More: Legends of Poker: Billy Baxter

Poker Pros Join in The California State Poker Championship

For the past two weeks, the Commerce Casino has been hosting the California State Poker Championship. The Buy-in's have stand between $300-$2000. The event which is scheduled for Sept. 23 will be $5,000 buy-in no limit hold'em event. Many top poker players in the world belong to California. They are proving their mettle at this tournament. According to recent reports, Men "The Master" Nguyen of Bell Gardens and Young Phan of Irvine, made it to the final table in the $2,000 no-limit hold'em event. Touring professional player Amir Vahedi reached the final table in the $500 no-limit hold'em event. He made $2,250 for finishing ninth in the tournament. Cliff Cantor of Hollywood and Frank Mariani, the Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president are other notable players who have been playing in this tournament. Cardplayer.com reports:

With the California talent pool as stacked as it is, the main event should have a tough field regardless of the poker community's attention being focused on upcoming World Poker Tour (WPT) events. Last year's champion, actor Ben Affleck, took home $356,400 and a $25,000 seat in the WPT championship.

Read More: Golden State Pros Hold Court at the Commerce