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One of my recent time-suckers is online poker, particularly PokerStars. It is a great stress-reducer/creator and as addictive as hell. My son gave me a cash stake last Christmas, and though I was a little tenuous about it, by February (with his guidance) I was mixing it up. This page will illustrate some of my fantastic (and very often lucky) hands.
What I play
At first, to get a feel for the interface and the social etiquette (such as there is) I played the free money games. That's okay, and I still do that from time to time. But since it's not real money then there's no real risk, therefore people do some uncommon things and take outrageous chances. So it's good for exposure but not good for technique. Here is a short list of things to know if you play, check out the mondo options:
You can choose your own Avatar (personal icon)
Account > Select/Change Image
Control the sounds including pick your own
Options > Sound Settings
Learn the rules of the games (Badugi is a hoot)
Help > Games (Web)
Turn off the annoying game announcement pop-ups
Options > Block Pop-ups...
Kill the animation (my son like it, I don't)
Options > Animation
My "handle" is tomtracks (an anagram), and my avatar used to be a picture of a universe (I do love astronomy), but at a recent party my good friend Vince took a picture of me playing bass that while not particularly good, was etherial enough to represent, as they say.
Pet Peeve
Hey, whatever you want to use to "identify" yourself to the poker-playing community is your business. But I'm entitled to my bizarre opinion, and I'm also entitled (and so are you) to "block" any other player's avatars that you find offensive or disturbing. There are a lot of them. But I pretty much let anyone represent themselves any way the like with TWO EXCEPTIONS:
KIDS and PETS (Cats or Dogs)
When I get to a new table, I scan the other player's avatars, and anyone with so little going on for themselves that they have to put their dog or cat up there for all of us to admire gets the old "right-mouse click > Block Image" treatment! And why would someone want to put a little baby or a child (or grandchild) up on there for all of the predatorial world to ogle? Please notice I didn't say animals. Heck, if someone puts an artsy version of their dog or cat, or a dolphin, frog or even a pig, I have no problem with that. Many times their pets are wearing sunglasses or funny hats. "Right-mouse click > Block Image".
Here's what I mean:
OK Pet Avatar | 
NOT OK Pet Avatar |
See the difference? C'mon, I know you LOVE your pet, but have a little class.
Many of these avatars are sexy
or provocative, with skulls or other menacing object or faces - no problem. I don't like the close-up eyeballs (what's your point?) or intentially gross stuff, but my tolerance for that is much higher than for KIDS and PETS. Get a life. ;'_
Speaking of kids, there is often a lot of immature chat. It would appear there are a lot of adolescants and teens that have access to mommy's PC play at some of these games. In the chat window, if you see anyone doing this:
grandy13:zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
That means you, or someone at the table is just taking too long. But that also probably means they're a juvenile, at least I assume so. Most adults have a little more patience and might suggest politely to please move along or something more "civilized".
So here are some sample tables I've taken screen shots of for your (and my) enjoyment. Hope to see you on the felt. shuffle up and deal. Oh, and please note that the pot total is up near the top of the screen where all the chips are. To clarify, I will put the amount (of pretend money) I won below the image.
$5,300
$13,420
$28,720
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Mark Scott, All Rights Reserved.