Poker pearl #9

The cover of Card Player magazine (scanned in) shows Peter Eastgate, winner of the Main Event at the WSOP that ended in November.

Some of the poker magazines aren't worth reading. There is a lot of meaty content, however, in Card Player magazine. In the Dec. 3, 2008, issue (casino edition), there was an interview of Michael DeMichele, the player who finished second in the 2008 H.O.R.S.E. event at the WSOP, arguably the most elite and toughest event in the world. You can read his profile here.

DeMichele was asked to compare and contrast tournaments against cash games. Here's some of what he said:

"There are many more variables to consider in tournaments than in cash games because of the differences in the players' stack sizes. When you have short stacks on your left, you are forced to tighten up because of the possibility of being shoved (all-in) on.

"It creates many new dynamics when you are short-stacked yourself. Knowing what hands to play in various situations is totally related to how many blinds you have in your stack.

"Good preflop play is much more difficult and important in tournaments, whereas in cash games, it's important to know how to properly play your hands after the flop, becuase deep-stack play often makes it difficult to get all the money in before the turn."