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The mental game fish strategy

Jared Tendler and Barry Carter have written a book that could change your perspective on playing poker.

‘The Mental Game of Poker’, written by Tendler – a psychologist who coaches some of the top poker players in the world –and Carter – a successful poker player and writer – seeks to deconstruct the mental game of poker and demonstrate how important it is to stay on top of the mental side of the game. They argue that it is in fact more important to keep the mental side of your game running smoothly than your tactical side.

Those at many a UK poker site note how Tendler’s aim is to provide the necessary tools for poker players to study the predictable patterns and habits that lead to people going on tilt.

Mental game fish are players who have no control over their game. They get frustrated when a bad player plays badly, they think other players are luckier than them, and they say things like ‘one time’.

Tendler realises that the mental game is difficult and needs as much practice as the other, more obvious side of poker. He also realises that you need quite a bit of talent to master the mental side of poker, and that is why there are the best players in the world, and then the rest of us!

‘The Mental Game of Poker’ seeks to give simple, step-by –step instructions and proven techniques to fix tilt, handling emotions, confidence and fear.

In the future for free online poker, the mental side of poker will become ever more important as more and more players become experts in poker strategy. And people like Tendler will be the new poker royalty, ready to take over from the Brunsons and Harringtons of the old established order.

Lewis eyes more glory after successive PDC triumphs

Adrian Lewis believes he can go on to win the world title “at least 10 times” after he retained his Ladbrokes PDC World Darts crown with a comfortable victory over Andy Hamilton at Alexandra Palace on Monday evening.

The 26-year-old secured a 7-3 win over his fellow Stoke-born opponent in a fairly one-sided contest in the capital to hand him back-to-back world titles.

The final had begun with both players struggling for top form and it ebbed and flowed initially with the score locked at 2-2 after four sets. Those following the online darts betting will have been on the edge of their seats.

Lewis slowly began to assume control, however, and a 12-dart leg gave him a 3-2 lead before he extended his advantage to two legs by winning the next.

Hamilton, who had the majority of the packed crowd on his side, then hit back to make it 4-3 before Lewis upped his game to again take a two-set lead at 5-3.

He never looked back after that and soon claimed the final two sets to seal an impressive victory – and also secure the £200,000 winner’s cheque in the process.

Afterwards, Lewis insisted the win, following hot on the heels of last year’s success, was only the start of his bid to dominate the event ever the coming years and he has set his sights on many more titles in the future.

The champion said: “It’s not quite sunk in yet. I take everything on the chin and have a busy year ahead. This is (title) number two and I’ll have a lot more.

When asked how many times he could win the world title, he replied: “At least 10.”

Lewis was also questioned on how he felt after his late-night finish on New Year’s Day against James Wade when he came from 5-1 down to eventually win a classic semi-final 6-5 and he admitted that stunning win had set him up for the final.

“The fightback against James Wade last night won me the tournament. I believed in myself,” he added.

Trump: Snooker doesn’t need Rocket

Rising star Judd Trump has declared that snooker is no longer reliant on Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The sport is enjoying a renaissance not seen since the 1980s thanks to chief Barry Hearn introducing new sponsorship and tournaments, yet some critics still believe three-time world champion O’Sullivan is vital for its continued growth. Those looking to place a snooker bet may agree.

But Trump, recently-crowned UK champion, said: “I have wanted to be the next Ronnie O’Sullivan since I was eight. When I was younger, playing Ronnie would’ve brought the most pressure. Not anymore. The game doesn’t need Ronnie.

“The game can cope without him. There are a lot of top players coming through. Within the next couple of years, there’ll be someone to take over from him.

“He’s always talking about quitting the game so I don’t think he enjoys it as much as I do. But I still think he’s got a hunger and I think he’ll still be around for a long time.”

After coming close to toppling John Higgins in the 2011 World Championship final, the 22-year-old from Bristol has stormed up the rankings to number five and in December overcame Mark Allen to win the UK Championship – his first major trophy.

The player known as ‘The Ace’ has played O’Sullivan this year in two Players Tour Championship (PTC) events and in the Premier League.

Most recently, Trump secured a stunning victory over his former idol 6-5 to bag a quarter-final sport at the UK Championship and admitted: “It wasn’t pretty, but I’m just relieved. Normally if you play like that against Ronnie you’re going to get beaten.”

Taylor talks about retirement

Phil Taylor admitted after his shock PDC World Championship defeat to Dave Chisnall that he could retire from the sport he has dominated in the next three years.

The 15-time world champion was well beaten by Chisnall in the second round at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday, going down to a surprise 4-1 defeat that left the packed arena stunned.

‘The Power’ looked nowhere near his scintillating best as his usual confidence and skill deserted him in the capital.

Taylor, who, ahead of the match, had been a short-price favourite to win the tournament once again this year, said he had struggled with his eyesight and heat inside the venue during the match and appeared to question his future in darts following the loss. Those looking at the best darts betting odds will have been shocked.

Afterwards, the 51-year-old admitted he could retire in around two or three years.

“I’m going to do another two or three years and then I’m going to retire,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m not going to knock my performance, I’m not going to knock Dave’s performance. I thought he was the better player.

The Stoke-born star admitted the fourth set had been the turning point with Taylor trailing 2-1, Chisnall took charge of the contest when winning it to give him a clear two-set advantage and he never looked back.

He added: “When he took that fourth set [to make it 3-1] it was a massive blow for me, then I was struggling.”

“It’s all on the night and I wasn’t good enough.”

Selby – I am top target

Mark Selby is determined to work even harder at his game despite having achieved top ranking status.

Over a 12-year career, the 28-year-old ‘Jester from Leicester’ has been enjoying life as a newly-married man and being world number one.

But having still under-achieved in the major tournaments, Selby has never been hungrier and more focused for glory. The online snooker Masters odds show he is in with a chance.

“I know I’m expected to win now that I’m number one but it doesn’t matter what the rankings are or what other people say, I just ignore it and concentrate on my own game,” Selby said.

“I’m going to be a marked man. That comes with the territory of being world number one, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. No match is easy and I’m sure now that a lot of the players will see beating me as a massive scalp.

“I’ve already noticed that a lot of them seem to raise their game against me. When I’ve lost matches this season, I feel like I’ve been playing pretty well, but it’s just that my opponent has played outstanding snooker.”

Selby has only won two ranking titles – the 2008 Welsh Open and 2011 Shanghai Masters – and is acutely aware of his failings so far, although he can reflect on bagging the Masters title twice.

He is also the only world number one not to have secured either the World Championship or UK Championship – an accusation often directed at world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki who has still to win a grand slam.

“I put enough pressure on myself, and always go into a tournament determined to try my best,” Selby added. “Every time I go out, I play to win. I look on it as being a good thing that I’m one of the favourites for the title.

“Being number one shows I’ve been consistent, even if I’ve not been winning titles left, right and centre. But it shows that I’m always in contention and that, sooner or later, I will win.”

Whitlock wary of Hamilton test

Simon Whitlock says he faces a tough task against Andy Hamilton in his Ladbrokes World Championship semi-final despite a convincing 5-1 victory against Gary Anderson in the last eight.

The Australian continues to play well despite breaking his ankle at the end of October and looks in good shape to make it through to the final on this form.

However, he takes on the impressive Hamilton next and is aware it will be a difficult encounter. Those looking at the PDC darts odds online should remember this.

“Andy Hamilton will be a tough opponent in the semi-finals. He playing some fantastic darts at the moment, and he seems to thrive under pressure,” he said.

Whitlock had to come from a set down to beat Anderson, who was left to rue 29 missed darts overall in the tie, as he eventually eased past the Scotsman by taking the next five on the bounce.

Whitlock, who has already won the Premier League this season, says he is playing with confidence and does not appear to be affected by his ongoing ankle problem, despite it slowing his play down.

“I’ve got belief in myself at the moment, and I’m not letting my ankle problem be a handicap to me,” he added.

“I think Gary struggled with the pace of the game a little, because I was having take more time with my throw, because of the injury.”

Whitlock’s semi-final clash against Hamilton is set for New Year’s Day at 7.15pm after the latter made it through thanks to a hard-fought 5-3 win over Kim Huybrechts earlier on Friday.

McCall hails his English youngsters

England’s new backroom staff will certainly have had their eyes on Saracens’ 19-11 victory over Harlequins at Twickenham and they can only have left feeling positive about the future. A number of young English players shone in front of packed Twickenham as Saracens ended the Quins’ 10-game winning run.

England’s new interim head coach Stuart Lancaster has made it clear his Six Nations squad will be made with one eye on the future, with a number of players on display at the national stadium expected to be included. Those looking at the best pre-tournament Six Nations betting should remember this.

That’s certainly the view of Saracens chief Mark McCall – who backed his English players to earn inclusions in the 32-man squad that will be shortly named for England’s upcoming defence of their Six Nations crown.

“I thought Andy Saull was absolutely magnificent and, from an England perspective, I thought a lot of our young, English players really made a good impression today.”

“Brad Barritt, who is just getting better and better, Owen Farrell again and Alex Goode who has really come into form in the last month or so.”

“Hopefully they [the England coaches] will take notice.”

As well as the younger players on view all impressing, experienced fly-half Charlie Hodgson continued to show there is still plenty of life left in the old dog yet. The former Sale Shark has been linked with a possible recall to the national side after a strong start to the new season with the London club.

Hape ready to move aside

Shontayne Hape has admitted he doesn’t expect to be among the England squad for the upcoming Six Nations, after revealing he believes his international career could be over. The centre looks set to be one of a host of changes made to the England squad, as interim head coach Lancaster looks to ring wholesale changes following the disappointment of the World Cup.

Lancaster will name his 32-man squad on January 11, with a number of the older players expected to be left out. At 30, Hape could still have a chance of earning a place in the party, although, the London-Irish star has admitted he believes England need to plan for the future. Fans of the best England Scotland rugby should remember this.

The New Zealand born Hape insists he would bear no grudge should he be left out, admitting he has enjoyed his time as an England player, making 13 appearances since his debut in 2010.

“I won the Six Nations, which was a treat, and I think it is time the young guys experienced that.”

“It is time to start rebuilding for the next World Cup. You have to start looking at the new breed coming through.”

The cross-code star spent the majority of England’s ill-fated campaign as a frustrated spectator, Martin Johnson preferring younger options in the middle of the backline. Hape was one of the few England players to come home from the World Cup with any sort of credit, however, – scoring two tries in his solitary appearance in the tournament against Georgia.

Cowboys and Giants go down to the wire

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants appear headed for a winner takes all showdown on January 1st with the NFC East crown as the prize and quite possibly unemployment on the cards for the losing head coach.

Both teams have suffered from inflated and unrealistic expectations for the season from the fan base and management and with the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons up a game in the wild card chase, one of these NFC East rivals is likely to stay home come the post-season. The Giants play the Washington Redskins and cross-town rivals the Jets before welcoming the Cowboys into town the last Sunday of the season.

Eli Manning is considered by some to be the most clutch quarterback currently playing in the NFL, even more so that brother Peyton with the Indianapolis Colts, but the four game losing streak mid season may be too much for the Giants to overcome – with those who bet on NFL agreeing with that assessment.

The Cowboys have the slightly easier schedule traveling to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Saturday before welcoming the Philadelphia Eagles into Dallas. However, with the Giants comeback victory over the Cowboys in week 14, New York would hold the edge should they go to the final game with the Giants one game behind in the standings. In that scenario, a New York victory would send the Giants through on the tiebreaker – the online bets suggest this one is too close to call.

A season that started with so much promise for the Eagles amid predictions of a Super Bowl run has instead turned to calls for the ouster of head coach Andy Reid. It’s a stunning reversal for a club that made the big free agent splash of the summer picking up Nnamdi Asomugha when the cornerback became a free agent. You get the sense that the Eagles would like nothing more than to blunt the playoff hopes of the Jets whom they play in week 15 and the Cowboys the following week.

Welsh Need to ‘Calm Down’ – Lydiate

Before their players began to depart the valleys two-by-two, Wales were enjoying a surge in popularity among rugby fans, with many observers commenting on how young – yet somehow experienced – their
current squad had become since the beginning of 2011.

The idea that the Reds could soon become the “team of the future”, to quote the official Six Nations website, was a popular one. Fans of Betfair Six Nations Championship should remember this.

However, Welsh flanker, Dan Lydiate, has tipped cold water over Wales’ adoring fans, by asking “the people who are pouring so much praise on us” to calm down.

Lydiate, noting that his country has not won a gram of silverware since the Six Nations in 2008, added that Wales’ defeat of Ireland in the recent World Cup represented the totality of the side’s successes
in recent months. “We haven’t achieved anything yet”, Lydiate explained. “We’ve still got it all to prove.”

The 24-year-old, who made his debut for Wales in 2009, against Argentina, believes that as long as the Welsh recognise the length of the path that they have yet to tread, in order to reach the apex of world rugby, then the side “can’t really go too far wrong. We, as a squad, are so hungry for success.”

Unfortunately, with Welsh rugby in disarray, – Regional Rugby Wales has implemented a salary cap on domestic wages, in a bid to stem the flow of Welsh players heading for France – the nation will be at pains to prevent club-level problems ruining their Six Nations campaign, in February and March. Anyone looking at the Betfair Rugby Betting should bear this in mind.

Add in the fact that both England and France are breaking in new coaches, and next year’s contest could be one of the most ‘open’ in recent years.

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