Daily Archives: March 18, 2022

Letters to the editor: Pensions, Ukraine and sky-high gas prices – HollandSentinel.com

Posted: March 18, 2022 at 8:40 pm

House bill on pensions an insult to public workers

House Bill 5054 must be stopped in the Michigan Senate. This bill would allow the Department of Treasury to fund a $1.5 billion pension relief grant program without any real requirements. … This bill is an insult to every public worker who has taken concessions, such as reduced pension benefits, in an effort to help their communities become financially stable.

This bill means municipalities who have implemented reforms and pension plan adjustments, such as bridging down the benefits, capping overtime hours in pension benefits, closing the systems to new hires and deploying a 401k-style retirement benefit, would sit by as those communities who have not acted would receive millions of dollars in unrestricted bailouts. House Bill 5054 is a reward for bad behavior and failure to be good fiduciaries of taxpayer money.

Here in Port Huron, we didnt kick the can down the road. We are proud of the hard work we completed by working with our collective bargaining groups to implement the above reforms to our pension system. We saved our taxpayers more than $80 million, which will be reappropriated for years to come preserving and enhancing core public services such as police, fire, and parks and recreation.

Additionally, this bill would only prop up failing systems, creating a larger problem for the next generation. The Michigan Senate now has the opportunity to send a clear message to municipal leaders across the state: if you want relief, you must reform.

Everyone supports helping municipalities struggling with the burden of unfunded liabilities, but giving grants out without any meaningful reforms in exchange for this financial assistance is a disservice to the taxpayers of Michigan.

James Freed

City Manager, Port Huron

Morality of friend and foe

Today the world is rightfully appalled and standing up to our enemys violent occupation of Ukraine. It is time for us to have similar outrage and action against an occupation by one of our friends, Israel.

Why? Hear Palestinian theologian Munther Isaac, … the occupation has made us both (Palestinian and Israeli) victims ... affecting the soul of many Israelis. They are, in this manner, victims to their own acts of oppression. ... I began to see that they, too, need liberation again, not in the same manner that Palestinians need it. This reality is captured well by what Kairos Palestine declares about the occupation, that it is a "sin against God and humanity" because "it distorts the image of God in the Israeli who has become an occupier just as it distorts this image in the Palestinian living under occupation."

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Fact: In the past 15 months Israeli soldiers have destroyed more than 1,000 Palestinian homes!

We are called to resist violence and occupation non-violently, not out of a spirit of revenge, but in the context of loving (even) our enemies. Do you support our nonviolent response to Russias oppression of Ukraine? Good! Now I call for our own similar nonviolent action regarding our ally Israels violent occupation of Palestine.

Bart Den Boer

Kairos West Michigan

Not everyone can afford to suffer sky-high gas prices

So unfortunate that Jeff Raywood was granted his wish, "Gas prices need to be higher, not lower."

As one of the "haves" Mr. Raywood has no sympathy for those of low or fixed income. Higher energy costs directly impact the costs of living higher rent, higher food prices; and he would deny the poor the freedom to travel because of high fuel prices.

More: My Take: Gas prices need to be higher, not lower

Electric vehicles for the haves, and solar and wind power, would not survive except for rebates and government subsidies. Only the "haves" will be able to have the freedom to travel by car, boat and plane. Michigan as a tourist destination will only be available to the "haves."

For sure America's high rate of inflation and energy costs are the result of the Biden administration's and Democrats' "pie in the sky" green energy politics and policies.

So, what can one do to survive in these days of Trouble? Proverbs 11:4 reads, "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death." KJV

What can one do? Turn to God, the answer is Jesus!

Meredith Nienhuis

West Olive

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More must be done to prevent violence against women: President Halimah – The Straits Times

Posted: at 8:40 pm

SINGAPORE - There is no place in Singapore for violence against women, and more must be done to prevent such abuse and to support its victims, said President Halimah Yacob on Friday (March 18).

Speaking at a fund-raising dinner organised by United Women Singapore (UWS) - a local non-profit organisation formerly known as the Singapore Committee for UN Women - she condemned the perpetrators of such abuse and the harm they cause.

"Such violence robs women of their dignity, inhibits their development, and prevents them from taking their right place in society," Madam Halimah said.

"Often, it's not just the women who suffer. The worst victims are their children, whose lives are disrupted and future compromised."

Citing a 2019 survey jointly conducted by UWS and market research firm Ipsos, President Halimah noted that three in 10 Singaporeans say they have experienced domestic abuse, or know someone who has.

Even so, 40 per cent of the population are apathetic on the issue as they think it rarely occurs - demonstrating a lack of awareness, she said.

The Say No To The Oppression of Women dinner - or Snow for short - was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, and saw around 300 guests, including Minister of State for Social and Family Development and for Education Sun Xueling.

In her speech, Madam Halimah outlined efforts by the Government to protect women from harm.

These include instilling values of respect at home, reinforcing them in schooland making sure they are upheld at the workplace.

Punishments for offenders should also serve as a sufficient deterrent and be commensurate with the harm they inflict, Madam Halimah added.

The courts have been able to deal with sex offenders more severely since March 1, when amendments to the law kicked in.

Lastly, the recommendations of the Taskforce on Family Violence will help enhance protection for people who face such abuse and raise greater awareness of such violence.

President Halimah lauded the work that UWS and other social service organisations do, adding: "Such efforts must be reinforced by policies and institutions that foster a strong culture of safety and respect in our society."

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Letter to the editor: Taube got it wrong on ‘modern Canadian conservatism’ – National Post

Posted: at 8:40 pm

Breadcrumb Trail Links

The policies of Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government, in which Jean Charest was a cabinet minister, serve as an example for today's Tories

Publishing date:

Re: Jean Charest is the wrong choice for Conservatives, Michael Taube, March 11

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Modern Canadian conservatism, argues Michael Taube, looks more favourably at small c conservative values from an American perspective and, to a lesser extent, a modern European perspective. Theres more emphasis on the principles of small government, lower taxes, more individual rights and freedoms, support for privatization, capitalism and the free market economy, trade liberalization, a more muscular foreign policy, and so forth.

And although Taube lists some of these modern Canadian conservative values, he doesnt say when this modern era of small c conservatism began. But as a speech writer for former prime minister Stephen Harper, we can all safely deduce when he believes it did. And it is at that point where I disagree with him.

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So too, would Harper. In 2007, when Brian Mulroney received the Order of King Yaroslav the Wise, the highest honour the Ukrainian government can bestow, prime minister Harper introduced him in the following way:

He is the first prime minister who defended free trade. At the time he was vilified for the free trade deal. But history will remember him as the leader who set Canada on a path to unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. He is also the prime minister who took action on acid rain and invested billions of dollars in environmental research. His environmental initiatives won him no credit from the left or right, at the time. But now hes remembered as Canadas greenest prime minister, by no less than the current leader of federal Green Party. And this is the prime minister who came to power in 1984, five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, determined to restore Canadas reputation as a reliable ally in the struggle against communist tyranny Under his leadership, Canada took a stand. We stood against oppression in Ukraine and elsewhere We stood with the brave people of Ukraine, of the Baltic republics, and the other captive nations of Central and Eastern Europe. Today they are free people living in free nations. And they are grateful to the strong western leaders who stood firm against the communists and their apologists. Leaders like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, John-Paul the Second, and Brian Mulroney. Thats the way it is with real, effective leaders. While in office, they set clear goals. Then they remain true to these objectives, and they see them through against attacks motivated by misunderstanding, misinformation, or just plain old political opportunism. And, in due time, they are recognized and rewarded. So it is with Brian Mulroney.

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Harpers laudatory statement about Mulroney echoed an earlier one by president Ronald Reagan, who famously said: Brian Mulroney led Canada during a remarkable time, a time when conservative leaders dominated the free world. It was a closely knit circle; Brian Mulroney, Margaret Thatcher, Helmut Kohl, and a U.S. president named Reagan.

Reading Harper and president Reagan, one gets the feeling that Mulroneys Progressive Conservative governments policy agenda sounds a great deal like Taubes list of what he terms modern conservative values.

For example:

Taube cites trade liberalization.

It was Mulroneys Progressive Conservative government that negotiated and implemented the Canada-U.S. and NAFTA trade agreements. It had taken Canada 120 years to achieve a GDP of approximately US$567 billion. With these free trade agreements, it took only 30 years to more than triple it, to US$1.74 trillion.

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Taube cites smaller government.

It was, according to the Fraser Institute, Mulroneys Progressive Conservative government that recorded average annual per-person spending declines of 0.3 per cent, making him one of only two prime ministers in Canadian history to have done so. And Harper was not the other one.

Taube cites support for the free market economy.

It was that same Progressive Conservative government that deregulated the energy, transportation, and financial services sectors. For example, on the energy side, the National Energy Program was abolished, along with the Petroleum and Gas Revenue Tax, and the Foreign Investment Review Agency was abolished and replaced with Investment Canada.

Taube cites privatizations.

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Well, Mulroneys Progressive Conservative government privatized or dissolved 39 Crown corporations and other holdings. Legislation was introduced and administrative changes implemented to eliminate or consolidate 41 agencies, boards, and commissions. Those initiatives, along with operational efficiencies, resulted in 90,000 jobs being removed from the federal payroll.

Taube cites a muscular foreign policy.

Mulroneys Progressive Conservative government was the last Canadian government to meet our NATO commitment of spending two per cent of GDP on defence.

However, Mulroneys Progressive Conservative government did other things as well. His government took the leading role in feeding the starving of Ethiopia, led the effort to free Nelson Mandela and end apartheid, and had a higher level of foreign aid spending than any government that preceded or followed his.

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That record of accomplishment is proof enough that Canadian conservatives have no need to import American or European conservatism. We just need good old-fashioned common sense Canadian conservatism.

Taube has endorsed Pierre Poilievre in the current leadership race because, he argues, Charest would be the wrong choice for Conservative leader. Hes not only yesterdays man, but he represents yesterdays ideology.

Keeping in mind that Jean Charest was a cabinet minister in the Mulroney government, Taube inadvertently makes the case that Charest is the right choice for Conservatives because yesterdays ideology doesnt look so bad after all.

The Honourable Charles J. Mayer, PC, St. Francis Xavier, Man.

Charles J. Mayer served as Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Minister of Agriculture, in the Mulroney government between 1984-1993.

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Letter to the editor: Taube got it wrong on 'modern Canadian conservatism' - National Post

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Where To Find The Deaths Poker Sword In Elden Ring – DualShockers

Posted: at 8:38 pm

The Deaths Poker Greatsword is one of the many different types of weapons available in Elden Ring, and players are eager to know how they can get their hands on it.

Weve put together everything you need to know about the Deaths Poker Greatsword, including the official in-game location and what boss you need to defeat to get your hands on it.

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The Deaths Poker is one of the many types of Greatswords available in Elden Ring. According to the official Elden Ring Wiki, the weapon scales primarily with strength, dexterity, and intelligence, whilst also causing piercing and damage and frostbite.

Check out the full stats for the Deaths Poker below:

Attack

Guard

The Deaths Poker Greatsword can be located just south of the Southern Aeonia Swamp Bank Site of Grace in Caelid. During the nighttime, players will encounter a Deathbird Boss to battle at this location, they must defeat this boss as it will then drop the Deaths Poker Greatsword.

Although the Deathbird Boss is an optional boss, it will need to be battled if players want to get their hands on the Deaths Poker, but it doesnt need to be defeated to progress the story. The Deathbird is a bipedal bird with arms and a bird skull for a head and is found in various locations.

The Deathbird can be found at:

However, only the Deathbird found in Caelid will drop the Deaths Poker, all over Deathbirds will drop different weapons and items.

Weve circled the location of the Deathbird Boss and Deaths Poker Greatsword on the map below, you so can find out exactly where to travel to in order to get your hands on the weapon.

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Poker players are better at work because they can make quick decisions and theyre far more likely to ge… – The Scottish Sun

Posted: at 8:38 pm

BRITS hoping to be flushed with success at work are advised to call their employer's bluff - and learn how to play poker.

Workers are urged to have an ace up their sleeve at their jobs by learning to play the card game.

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Research suggests those who do are better at making tough decisions and critical thinking.

They're also more likely to get a rise than their non-playing colleagues.

A poll of 500 British adults who play the card game found more than half (54 per cent) believe its given them abilities they can use in the workplace.

They include being able to read people (58 per cent) and deal with pressure (56 per cent), while 54 per cent have boosted their levels of patience.

Overall, more than half of players polled in the study commissioned by 888Poker.com said playing the popular card game has helped them progress in their career.

Abby Merk, teacher at the organisation Poker Power, said: I now focus on the quality of my decision-making, not the outcome of the hand.

I learned how to handle losses and how to take a front seat in my learning development to position myself best for success.

Other areas where players felt poker skills could be particularly beneficial in the workplace included negotiating pay rises (40 per cent) or having difficult conversations with clients (38 per cent).

Of those polled, a higher percentage of women than men (64 per cent vs 55 per cent) believe poker further developed their abilities to read people.

Similarly, 62 per cent of female poker players agreed their decision making improved through playing the game, compared to 54 per cent of men.

Confidence is also a key skill women feel theyve developed through poker 54 per cent agreed as opposed to 46 per cent of men.

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Poker players are better at work because they can make quick decisions and theyre far more likely to ge... - The Scottish Sun

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The legend of Phil Kessel’s poker-playing casino nights in Pittsburgh: ‘The nice guy at the table’ – The Athletic

Posted: at 8:38 pm

Its a rainy Monday in Pittsburgh, and all is quiet at Rivers Casino. The weeknight crowd slowly files in, but its a dead night.

Once upon a time, a very familiar figure used to provide some spice on such evenings. Hed walk into the casino a little before sunset, wearing a ballcap and sweatpants and carrying a bag of cash.

A security guard stands near the poker tables and points to one in particular.

Thats where my guy Mr. Kessel liked to play, he said. Damn. We miss that guy. Nice fellow.

Phil Kessels four years in Pittsburgh were legendary. He helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup twice, he scored 110 regular-season goals and 20 postseason goals, and, along the way, became a folk hero.

Those who frequent the North Side casino knew the drill.

If the Penguins were in town, and if it wasnt a game night, Kessel would appear around dinner time. And he wasnt there to play penny slots.

Phil likes to play poker, said Jim Rutherford, his former general manager who now runs the show in Vancouver. Its not like we didnt know. And theres nothing wrong with it. He literally would just enjoy playing poker with Pittsburghers. I think that was part of his charm. Just one of the people. Hes got his people, you know? Kind of like a fan club. Hes got a group of people in Pittsburgh who absolutely love the guy, and I am one of them.

He has balls, and he has a lot of money

Rick Tocchet has been called the Kessel whisperer. Coaching Kessel can be a bit of a challenge.

Hell drive you nuts if you let him, Tocchet said. But hes a good guy. Hes a friend.

They are such friends, in fact, that Tocchet has shared a poker table or two with Kessel.

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The legend of Phil Kessel's poker-playing casino nights in Pittsburgh: 'The nice guy at the table' - The Athletic

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Have the Rules of Poker Evolved Throughout the Years? – The Game Haus

Posted: at 8:38 pm

Poker is one of the oldest games of all time. This notorious casino game has been played around the world for centuries on end, and the number of transformations it has gone through is far too numerous to count.

However, since the innovation of traditional poker, it seems as though the rules have stayed practically the same. Whilst this may not be entirely the case, there certainly is an element of truth in this notion, and as you are going to find out throughout this article, poker has remained relatively unchanged for the most part. Lets jump straight into it.

How Far Back Are You Willing To Go?

If you are truly looking to discover whether or not poker has changed much throughout the years, the first thing you need to decide is how far back you are willing to go. Poker is a game that has been around for thousands of years in one form or another, and even if the game in question isnt called poker, it doesnt mean it isnt the same game at its core.

This question is incredibly important when talking about how much poker has changed, and depending on how much you limit your search, you may get a vastly different answer. For example, if you were to say that your range had no set starting point and you were happy to go back right to pokers origins, then the answer would be a resounding yes.

The question that is raised -where did poker originate from? is one that is up for debate. There is no definitive answer to this question, and there is evidence that points towards a plethora of different times in history. However, one thing that is not up for debate is just how old this game is.

Traces of poker can be found from thousands of years ago in by-gone eras, and if you are wondering if the rules have changed a little from then, the answer would be yes. The poker we have come to know and love is a mish-mash of different games from around the world, and it is incredibly likely that poker features a little something from each and every one of its predecessors.

This also brings up the debate of whether these previous incarnations of poker should even still be considered as a form of poker. Poker has evolved over thousands of years, and comparing our current form of poker to that of what was widespread thousands of years ago is like comparing modern dogs to ancient wolves.

However, there is certainly still a connection there, and if you are willing to accept the fact that poker is a game that has evolved through the ages, then it would be unquestionable to say that the rules of poker have changed since its early days.

Its a Classic For a Reason

Apart from pokers predecessors, it would be safe to say that this notorious game has remained relatively untouched throughout its entire lifespan.

Poker is a great game. If poker wasnt already developed through thousands of years of innovation, it is highly unlikely that anybody would be able to come up with a game similar to this. Sure, poker might not be terribly complex, and there are definitely harder-to-play casino games out there. However, when it comes to overall game design, there are few out there that manage to get anywhere near to pokers level.

Dont just take our word for it. A prime example that shows that poker is an incredible game is within the game itself, and the fact that it has managed to stay relatively unscathed over hundreds of years is incredibly impressive.

Its not surprising that millions of people learn how to play poker every day and it still finds itself being one of the most popular casino games of all time. People just love poker, and this is likely going to remain the case for as long as humans are around.

The Plethora Of Different Avenues Poker Can Take

Despite the fact that classic poker has remained mostly unchanged throughout the years, thats not to say that there arent a plethora of different types of poker out there with vastly different rules to the original.

There are a seemingly endless number of poker variations now, and each and every one of these usually have some sort of unique flair that makes them different from all their contemporaries.

Once again, this may seem to be twisting the subject of this article, and there is no doubt that many people would deny that these different forms of poker count when it comes to this conversation. Whilst this may be somewhat true, it would be ignorant to neglect to mention the endless number of poker variations out there that have different rules than the original, and this is definitely something that should play a part in this discussion.

So, were you surprised to find out that poker has remained relatively untouched for decades? The old saying works perfectly here; if its not broken, why fix it?

Poker is a game that has amassed more fans than any other casino game ever, and there is a reason why people seemingly cant take themselves away from the table when playing.

Of course, different variations of poker may have different rules, and if we were to factor in every variation of poker in existence, this article would have no end. However, if we are talking about traditional poker, then the same game can be played now that our forefathers would have been playing fifty years ago. Have fun.

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Have the Rules of Poker Evolved Throughout the Years? - The Game Haus

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Triton Poker Tour Returns with 7-Day Event in Cyprus – Beat The Fish

Posted: at 8:38 pm

The Triton Poker Tour will finally return, after a two-year hiatus. Its first event will be held in Cyprus as a four-tournament series with buy-ins as high as $125,000.

The Triton Poker Tour will return in April. Its been two years since the prestigious event was last held, as COVID-19 caused organizers to postpone their plans so high rollers around the world are thrilled for the chance to play for some of the biggest prizes in the poker tournament world.

Tritons first event since 2019, called the Triton Poker Cyprus Special Edition, will take begin on April 6th at the Super High Roller Series in Cyprus. It will take place at the Merit Royal Hotel & Casino in North Cyprus.

Just like all Triton events, this tournament will raise money for charity as a portion of the buy-ins will be donated to good causes. In previous years, events held by Triton have raised money for the One Drop Foundation, Malaysian Red Crescent and the Sarawake Chidrens Cancer Society.

The event will consist of four two-day tournaments. Buy-ins will range from $50,000 to $125,000 so it is sure to attract high rollers in the poker world.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

The two short deck events are the ones youll certainly want to tune in for, as they are sure to be action-packed. In these tournaments, the twos, threes, fours and fives are removed from the deck. It sounds unusual but it has become a huge hit among high rollers.

We look forward to welcoming all our familiar and loved players who have waited patiently for this day. reads a statement from Triton Poker

Triton Poker Tour events are incredibly exclusive, attracting only the best and most monied players in the world. However, you can still get in on the action by tuning in.

As always, the Triton Poker Tour will be broadcast on Twitch. So, you can watch all of the exciting events in real time.

You wouldnt want to miss out on history-making moments like weve seen in previous years. It was during the 2019 Triton Million that Bryn Kenney snagged the 16 million prize that pushed him to the top of the Hendon Mob All-Time Money List and once-in-a-lifetime achievement that was incredible to watch.

Will you be tuning in to the Triton Poker Tour next month?

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Welcome to Day 1b of the MSPT Riverside Main Event! – PokerNews.com

Posted: at 8:38 pm

Day 1b of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Riverside $1,100 Main Event is set to get underway at 3:00 p.m. local time, the second of three starting flights.

A strong showing is expected today after Day 1a drew 140 total entries with 17 players punching their way into Sunday's Day 2.

Jason Bender bagged the chip lead of the first flight with a stack of 437,000. Today, another group of players will try to challenge that mark.

Following behind Bender were Godson Wright (350,000), Kevin Berthelsen (341,000), Angelo Tsilibiris (274,000), and Rob Chiappone (256,000).

Others to advance included Tim Garles (254,000), two-time MSPT Main Event Champ Taylor Howard (161,000), Phil Mader (118,000), and Joe Landazzi (113,000).

The second starting flight will be identical to its first as the day will end once fifteen 40-minute levels are completed. All players will start with 25,000 in chips with 10-minute breaks coming after every two hours of play. All players are allowed unlimited re-entry per starting flight and registration will remain open until the end of Level 13.

Once the final level is completed, all remaining players will bag up for the night and will combine with Day 1a players for Day 2 action on Saturday, March 20th at 11 a.m. local time.

*Visit msptpoker.com for a complete listing of rake and staff fees.

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Online poker: from beginner to pro – Times of Malta

Posted: at 8:37 pm

Those who sit on the sidelines only tend to see how a race unfolds between the start and finish line, but the game actually begins long before the starting pistol goes off. Athletes train long and hard before they finally make it to the races that really count. With poker, itll take a lot of training and effort too to get to the level you feel happy about. Most importantly, do not fool yourself: making it as a professional poker player in todays competitive poker landscape is one heck of a challenge. But if you take it seriously, it can be well worth the effort.

If your goal is to be a professional poker player, it is crucial to have a plan. Success in your poker career will require skills, dedication, and a plan which together will greatly increase your chances of realizing your goals. If you think you've got what it takes to become a poker professional, there's no better time to start than right now. Up for the challenge? Heres how to start your poker journey.

This journey begins in Malta as this is where youll be frequently heading, either directly or indirectly as this country is the home base for some of the biggest poker brands which means youll probably end up on a Malta hosted website soon or later. As youll learn along the way, many poker experts recommend sticking with poker rooms that hold a licence that is issued in Malta, and there are some solid reasons for this. The most important reason is that Malta is regarded as one of the world's leading centres for online gambling. To many beginners within the game of live and poker online , it might seem difficult to believe that a small island in the Mediterranean is the home of many online gambling companies and even land-based casinos that host major live poker events.

As one of the EUs first governmental gambling institutions, the countrys regulatory body, MGA, the Malta Gaming Authority, has managed to become one of leading authorities in the world. When it comes to iGaming Malta is Europes undisputed number 1. The domains that MGA regulates include online casinos, live dealer casinos, sports betting, eSports betting, online poker, brick and mortar venues, land-based tournaments, and even B2B events.

Today, both players and operators typically first look for a MGA licence when joining a site and many international poker players even prefer to play at a poker room that is hosted in Malta, than on a site that works with a licence from their own jurisdiction rather than casino sites in Canada. Although countries all over Europe have their own licences as well, there is still a lot of work to be done before they get to the same service record as the Malta Gaming Authority.

The main responsibility of a regulating body like the MGA is ensuring that consumers have a safe platform to make their wager. To do so, every licencee goes through strict evaluation before a licence is eventually issued. Poker operators that hold a licence by the MGA are generally considered reliable and trustworthy as they are frequently audited. Some of the worlds best known poker brands are based in Malta, including names like:

While many poker tournaments were put on hold during the pandemic, it seems like most are coming back with full force now, in 2022. Some poker experts dare to say that pokers popularity finds itself in the upward trend again as a lot of players turned to online poker in times of lockdowns, restrictions, measures, and casino closures. Others might argue that poker doesnt have the same appeal that it once had or that it no longer interests new players, especially since were entering a new era that seems to favor live game shows, 3D, and VR.

What we know for sure, however, is that its been a while since Black Friday (On April 15, 2011, the United States Department of Justice dropped the hammer on the largest online poker websites in the country) shook up the world and backlashed pokers popularity, but it looks like there has been a recent change in the online poker industry. Poker seems to be recovering right about now as people have massively found their way back to the online poker rooms. Despite not enjoying the same reputation as in the zeros, poker is still one of the most played casino games of all time. This also explains why there are still many loyal and strong communities within the game of poker. Many players still have the dream of becoming world champions and being able to make poker their full-time job. Its just that the newer generation players will need a fresh wave of new idols to look up to.

Some suggest that you need 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in poker, but a lot of experienced players believe that a genuine interest and a drive to become good is a contributing factor to being the best. If you make sure you start this poker journey with the right intentions and a sound mindset, youre on the right track of what is going to be a very bumpy ride. One of the reasons for this is that gambling can be risky and its easy to get carried away when money is involved. When starting this journey, make sure your goal is not about winning a lot of money, its about completing a dream and the lessons you will learn along the way. Its not just about the finish line itself, but the way you make it there.

The worlds best poker players reach the pinnacle of their careers by working hard and taking the time to work through new tactics, strategies, and drill the basics of how a particular game situation is played, to apply that skill in practice. We believe it's fair to say that the grind in the lab is just as relevant as gaining enough experience over the felt. Considering yourself a poker pro doesnt only mean having your name in lights: it especially means youre playing poker as your job as a way of living, as your bread and butter, or whatever you want to call it. Being good at your job and continuously improving yourself should therefore be a daily mission.

Luckily, hard work can also be done remotely. Today, you wont have to travel poker circuits around the world to be able to do your job. Your main source of income can easily be earned by playing online, if you have the skills to outperform other players. Those players are to be found on both online platforms and live venues and the most practical of the two would be to begin with online events. If you find a poker online site you feel comfortable with, stick with that place. Ideally, look for one or two additional options so youve got some alternatives in case you need them, but dont keep on looking around for new websites as were talking about time is money here.

Online poker is one of the most efficient ways to pad your bankroll and the key objective should be to make things as efficient as possible. A lot of players find online poker easier to begin with as its usually quicker, hassle-free, and of course a lot easier to compete with the faceless.

As we previously mentioned, when you look for a website to sign up to, make sure to stick to one or two that are licenced. This is rather easy to recognise if you stick to a platform that works with a licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. Just make sure to do your research by double checking the licence number that can normally be found in the footer of the website youre thinking of joining.

Once you look for a site it is also advised to check out the online operator's overall offer, general look and feel, mobile functionality, and see whether there are bonuses that can be claimed. A welcome offer and other recurring promos for existing players make sure you lower your financial risk, and youll even feel a lot more welcome. Some of the best and licenced poker sites offer both a trustworthy service and lots of bonuses.

Professional poker players typically cite the freedom and flexibility the game has given them and its easy to see why. That doesnt mean, however, that you shouldnt have a professional attitude towards your job, just because you enjoy a high level of flexibility. In fact, most of the best poker players are known to be highly disciplined. You wouldn't put your feet on the desk at the office when youre supposed to work, so make sure you get the most out of your time as well as a poker pro too. Once again, time is money, and every moment youre either not playing or learning, youre being less efficient. Its time to start acting like one, a professional that is.

Becoming a poker professional isnt only about learning the math and knowing which game to play. You also need to have a good attitude towards money management and know when to quit. It is true that poker is a game of skill that gives you more advantages if youre well trained, but it still involves pure gambling. This combination is why poker is considered to be highly addictive, especially those who turn to chasing losses. Having the right mindset is therefore crucial if you want to know how to make a living playing poker.

You need to be mentally fully alert when playing poker hands, which means youll need to recognise game situations and know how to act accordingly. Know for instance that you should avoid hitting the tables when youre on tilt. Always remember that even in the event of a perfect play, the odds can turn against you. You might just have a lucky player hitting a two-outer against you, which is just a philosophical thing, and you should learn to accept that its all part of the game. As long as you know that being consistent and sticking to a strategy in the long run, will win you money, you can avoid tilt and negative emotions. Make sure to leave any frustrations and emotions at the door before you take place at the table.

The worlds best players approach poker like trained athletes. To perform well over the course of a tiring poker tournament, you will need to prepare both your body and mind.

Remember, poker is a high variance game. For this reason, it is important to build in a financial margin. Poker players do this by playing with a bankroll. This means you should put money apart that you can really miss. Feeling comfortable with a fixed budget and an acceptable bankroll will also influence your decision making during the game as you won't have to worry about losing money you cant afford to lose. As your bankroll grows, you can eventually start to play with higher amounts.

Some professional poker players will also cross over into other forms of gambling, like sports betting or casino games which is where things can get tricky in terms of money management. Its vital to keep a separate bankroll on each of the platforms so you dont mix up the net amounts. As we mentioned, budget making is done to eventually get the highest Return on Investment (ROI). A proper bankroll and a predefined budget will help you get on your way.

Make sure to get really, ridiculously good at what you do. It shouldnt matter when and where youre playing, you need to be the best at the table. In order to get there, you will need to play against all sorts of people. Players you can read, players you can't read, those who work with fixed strategies, those that dont, players with sunglasses, players without glasses have your opponents run the range of diverse personalities. Learn more about odds too.

And about poker hands, money management, mental health, when to bluff and when not to. A poker strategy is what we define as a set of choices that describes players' actions in poker. It gives players a plan to maximize their profit in a game of poker. A strategy stretches from anything that should be part of a mid- to long-term plan.

The characteristics of poker strategies are highly affected by game-theoretic properties. As a result, mixed strategies, deception detections, and probabilistic considerations are all known to be common characteristics of poker strategies that work. A well-balanced poker strategy considers the complexity of decision making in a single poker hand. The difficulty of one decision is reflected in the multitude of factors to be considered at that moment, such as the number of players, position at the table, opponents' playing styles and their related perception of the player's own playing style, previous situations, pot size, stack size and other circumstances such of the stage of the tournament in play.

Certain strategies have turned out to be more successful over the long run. This explains why skills are widely believed to play an important role in poker and online poker, which continues to be a subject of dispute. Whether you consider poker a pure game of chance or a skilled based game, you should be thinking about more than just Hold 'em. Know how to play Caribbean Stud Poker, Omaha, Omaha hi/lo, and 7-card stud, too. The more poker variants youre familiar with, the better your overall poker skills. Playing long hours and hitting win rates is what its all about when youre pursuing a career as a poker pro. Professional players will need to put in the legwork, work with targets, and apply strategies on their way there.

Freeroll poker is one way to practise without running a high risk, which is why a lot of beginning players start with freerolls. This type of poker is almost as old as the game of online poker itself. Since the beginning of online poker, online poker rooms have been competing to bring in new customers and this is how the best free freerolls were born. These are free poker tournaments where people didn't have to make real money wagers, and still be able to win a prize, which turned out to be highly popular among players. Playing freeroll poker is considered the best way to work on your poker skills without having to risk lots of money.

Sit & Gos are yet another good alternative to move your way up the ladder, for several reasons. Just like in a tournament, at a Sit & Go, players compete against each other until there is a winner. This differs from regular cash games, where you can stop at any time. Sit & Gos are less time consuming which is why players can learn a lot within relatively short periods of time. If youre thinking of joining multi-table tournaments, make sure to check out Sit & Gos as they also give you a little taste of what it's like if you make it to the final table. Whatever type of tournament you enrol in, you always need to look at the ROI. You can keep track of your ROI by using tracking software available online.

Online poker play is a lot faster than live games and youre able to play multiple tables at the same time and for lower stakes, making it a lot more accessible to beginning players. As such, gaining online experience adds up extremely fast if you want to learn a lot within a short period of time. Whether you play online or prefer to stick to offline poker, it is important to choose the right poker variant. Texas Holdem is clearly the most popular poker variation and is widely available both online and in land-based cardrooms. Try to work out what variant you want to play before you start and make sure to master this variant well before you consider trying others. Every pro will want to take a shot at the biggest poker events and ideally get into the World Series of Poker, but the trick is to know your level and stick to tournaments that have players that have the same level as you.

An advantage of playing on the internet over playing tournaments on location is that there are many more hands to be played. When you participate in a live poker tournament, you get to play about 20 hands per hour, while at online poker sites you can get up to 700 hands per hour. This makes sure you will come across a lot of different situations in a short time. Something to bear in mind when youre thinking of playing live poker tournaments is that these are often played with a lot less caution. As there are fewer hands to play, not everyone wants to wait for a good hand, which can lead to tricky situations for new users.

Other than that, live poker requires a whole new set of skills as youll take place at a real table and visually see your opponents. We pointed out that playing against faceless opponents is a lot easier as it is less intimidating. Bluffing, and physical behaviour now suddenly start to play a role as well, which will require a new approach and strategy. The mental part we discussed before also becomes even more important, as live poker events tend to be a lot more challenging and stressful. If you ever called poker a game of luck instead of a game of skills, youll probably change your mind by now.

Playing with friends and family at your favourite local pub and constantly beating them isnt the same as winning against skilled people in red-carpeted VIP rooms. To be fully sure youre made of quality stuff too, youll need to know how to stand tall when the going gets tough. Live poker tournaments are also organized by local casinos, so those may be useful during your poker journey and thinking of the worlds biggest tournaments such as:

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is regarded by many as the unofficial world championship of poker. The WSOP is arguably the most prestigious poker tournament in the world and thousands of poker players find their way to Las Vegas every year to participate in the World Series of Poker. The WSOP once started with just one event, but now has more than 70 tournaments played over the summer. The winner of the main event with a buy-in of $10,000 is considered the world poker champion.

The Battle of Malta takes place in Malta and every new edition tends to outperform the previous event. It all once started in 2012 as a weekend event with 350 players and a prize pool of 150,000. Nowadays, the prize pool stands at an impressive 1 million.

This is also a series of poker tournaments held across Europe with the grand final taking place in Monte Carlo. The prize money at the European Poker Tour depends on the number of participants with obviously the more players, the higher the pot. Be prepared for prize pools of at least six digits.

Coolbet Open is what some would call the coolest poker event in Northern Europe with low buy-ins, major prize pools, and lots of fun to be found at the tables. The Coolbet Open has made a lot of poker players from all over the world discover Estonias capital city Tallinn as a premium poker destination.

The poker journey ahead will be a lot harder than merely choosing a variant and hoping for the best to happen. When pursuing a career as a poker professional, players will need to have a steely mental attitude and are required to be willing to constantly learn. From the very first day you decide to take up the challenge you should prepare yourself to gather all the knowledge and skills to eventually outperform other players. Make sure to spend time and effort, join like-minded people, and slowly work on your bankroll with low-stakes cash games and smaller tournaments at first.

Try to think of online poker and live poker as two different ways of playing the same game, and make sure to learn everything about one variant before moving on to the next. Online poker platforms are very efficient in terms of time and money management, but its always allowed to dream about the worlds biggest tournaments. When picking a site for your first freeroll or a Sit & Go event, make sure to stick to licenced websites only preferably those that are in Malta. And once you sign up, remember to claim your bonuses as the worlds best operators offer lots of promos for both new and existing users. Make sure to work on yourself every day and never give up. The beauty of the poker game is that itll always be there waiting for you.

Disclaimer: Play responsibly. Players must be over 18. For help visit https://www.gamcare.org.uk/.

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Online poker: from beginner to pro - Times of Malta

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