Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Holiday Special - Spend $100 and Receive 5% Discount on Purchase

The Holidays are upon us and in the spirit of this special time we at http://www.morethanpokertables.com/ are offering a 5% discount on all purchases over $100 (excludes shipping & sales tax, if applicable).  We also offer blackjack tables and roulette tables as well as poker tables. 

To receive your discount, type in the Coupon Code at checkout "HOLIDAY5".  If you have any requests that you can't find on our web site, call me at 702-994-0777 and I will research it and fill your order for it.  Or if I can't locate it, I will be able to direct you to another site to find it.

We also offer poker products to make your home game complete and fun for all.  Happy Shopping!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

World Series of Poker

November has been an exciting month for poker with the final results of the 2010 WSOP Main Event behind us. John Duhammel earned the title, the poker bracelet, and the approximately $9 million prize pool.

The WSOP Circuit event is currently going on at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Last night I was excited to play in the Omaha Limit High Tournament finishing in 9th place. Unfortunately, the participation was only four tables so only the top five got paid. I happen to enjoy Omaha Hi-Low better than Texas Hold’em and thought I was participating in a Hi-Lo Tournament. This was the first time I’ve played Omaha High only.

The poker tables are ablaze in Tahoe with 150 – 400 players in each event – three tournaments a day (except the Omaha). The live games are extremely busy as well with most tables in play. It’s certainly keeping the Harvey’s employees, especially the floor staff, very challenged.

Saturday, November 20, is the next tournament I plan to play. It’s the Ladies Texas Hold’em Tournament. Several of my poker league players will be here to play as well – Go Poker Pirates! And several of us will hit the poker tables at Harvey’s to vie for the money and the prestige. Last year our Poker Pirates Mimi and Candy ended in the money with 2nd and 4th place finishes. Hopefully this year one of our poker friends will win the event!

I’ll keep you posted on the results of the Ladies Tournament. Be sure to visit our web site at www.morethanpokertables.com to purchase your own poker table and accessories for your home games and tournaments.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

WSOP November Nine - Who Will Win?

The 2010 November Nine was set at the Rio in Las Vegas last month and include Jonathan Duhamel, John Dolan, Joseph Cheong, John Racener, Matthew Jarvis, Filippo Candio, Michael Mizrachi Soi Nguyen, and Jason Senti.

Excitement is brewing for the WSOP November Nine to shuffle up and deal starting November 6 to win the most coveted and sought after prizes - an impressive $9 Million and the poker bracelet. The final table of the Main Event will be played in Las Vegas.

Jonathan Duhamel of Boucherville, Quebec, is the chip leader in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event heading into the final table with a chip count of $65,975,000.

Probably the most well-known contestant is Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi.  He followed up his 2010 WSOP Player's Championship win by booking a spot in the 2010 November Nine. He will start at the final table 7th in chips with a starting stack of $14,450,000. Easily the most recognizable player at the final table of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event, all eyes will be on Mizrachi come November.

Last year the WSOP powers to be changed the format of the WSOP Main Event to be played in November.  As the time has unfolded it is obvious that the 3+ month lag gives the players time to rest and the marketing of the event to be hyped and maybe given even more sensation than in the past.

I'm wondering how you feel about it.  Do you like the new format of the final table being played in November rather than July?  Please share your thoughts.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Improve Your Poker Game - Start or Join a Texas Hold'em League

I belong to two great poker leagues. One meets twice per month and the other meets once per month. There are several advantages of playing in a Texas Hold’em poker league. The most important of which is becoming a better player, understanding the strategy (and boy, is there a lot of strategy!), learning the value of your betting and the secrets of winning the tournament.

The other most important component is the social aspect. The making of friends that share common interests and enjoy each others’ company. I’m very fortunate to be playing poker with some very top notch, committed, and energetic ladies. And it’s been great to see all of us improve over the past three years .

Although this year I haven't been playing that well so I’m not sure if the “practice makes perfect” concept always works. Thank goodness I’m continually “practicing” and realize that “that’s poker”.

If you’re thinking of starting a poker league in your area, we offer complimentary league rules with purchase. Visit us at http://www.morethanpokertables.com/ and click on "League Rules".   These are the rules that we use for our league.

Thanks to those of you who are responding to my call for Recipes for Poker Parties. I have received several via email and will share those with you soon. In the meantime, keep them coming, please!

If you currently play in a poker league, please share with us what you get from belonging to a poker league. Please post your reply. Or if you want to start a league and need help, post that also or contact me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I’ll be happy to share our stories.

Please remember to share your recipes as well – easy to prepare and easy to eat!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Poker in Lake Tahoe

The past few weeks I've been able to spend some time working and playing in South Lake Tahoe.  The weather here is perfect - slight wind and 80 - 84 degrees.  Cool in the evenings and early morning.  Great beach weather!! 

I've been able to play Texas Hold'em at the poker tables at Harvey's and Mont Bleu.  It's a great way to learn the game better and to check out their poker chips, cards and poker tables; items that we sell on our website http://www.morethanpokertables.com/ for you homegamers to enjoy.

Most of the casinos that I supply playing cards to use Copag plastic Bridge cards; although some also use brands such as Gemaco and Paulson.  The Copag are a popular purchase and we carry many different colors, Jumbo and regular, and bridge and poker cards.

One night the casino was so busy they started an Omaha game which is actually my favorite poker game to play.  It suits me better because you have to think more and usually can figure out what your opponents have in their hands.  Texas Hold'em is sometimes a surprise when a player shows unpredictable cards that hit the flop, the turn or the river to beat you.  Omaha, however, is certainly a river game as well.  Since any card can counterfeit the best hand.

If you're interested in improving your game take a look at our Texas Hold'em Poker Strategies on our website. And I'm still looking for poker party recipes, so please share.  They should be easy to prepare, easy to eat, and somewhat healthy and delicious.  You can comment below...

Friday, July 9, 2010

Cranberry Quinoa Salad - A Treat For Poker Players

I'm still looking for some great recipes that are easy to prepare, somewhat healthy to enjoy, and not too messy to eat at our poker league and poker parties.  A special thanks to Pamela T., one of my fellow Poker Pirates, for her high protein and delicious Cranberry Quinoa Salad.

Prep: 15 minutes, Cook: 10-15 minutes


Chill: 1 hour, Serves: 6
1 cup quinoa (natural foods department)
2 cups water
1/3 cup prepared red wine vinaigrette
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
¼ cup sliced green onions
1 tbsp. orange zest
1. Rinse quinoa well in a strainer until water runs clear; drain well

2. Place in a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

3. Let cool then toss with the remaining ingredients. Chill for at least one hour.

Nutrition per serving: 290 calories, 6 g. protein, 18 g total fat (2 g sat), 27 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 0 g cholesterol, 85 mg sodium, 6 points.

If you have recipes you'd like to share, please add them or email me at jhjanel@gmail.com and I'll post them for you.  Enjoy these recipes for your poker parties or for any gathering you may be planning or attending.
Bon Appetit!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Poker in Lake Tahoe

Boy, has it been a busy month.  I've been spending some time in South Lake Tahoe planning a Ladies Texas Hold'em Tournament.  Before I move forward I want to make sure I have enough Ladies who will plan to visit this beautiful mountain setting to play poker. 

The event is tentatively set for the weekend of September 25 at Mont Bleu Resort Casino.  We plan to have several one table satellites - buyin approximately $25 - $30 - to help pay the entry fee.  Should be lots of fun and a great event for the lady poker players especially in Northern California.

Easy to get to, fun place to be, and fun things to do.  What more can you ask for?  How about it, are you interested?  More information will be shared as the event unfolds.

Friday, May 7, 2010

How to Select a Poker Table

The art of selecting a poker table starts with how often it will be used and where will it be housed or stored. Existing space is a huge factor as well. If you don’t have much space, but would like to keep your table up all the time and you have less than 10 people who usually play Texas Hold’em or poker, then you may be interested in an octagon table.

You can usually find a nice, sturdy, good looking octagon poker table for a reasonable price. If you plan to store it, you can also find one with folding legs. This table pictured above is the hottest selling poker table on our web site http://www.morethanpokertables.com – it fits well in smaller spaces, is easy to store, is made of solid wood, has padded armrests for players’ comfort, sturdy legs, and 8 individual trays for beverages. .

If you have personal preferences with the shape of the table and prefer the traditional oval poker table, then you will by far have a much wider selection. They come in several different colors including green, red, burgundy, and blue being the most common. You can also purchase them in different quality of felt, padded bumpers, steel or aluminum reinforced folding legs, and with or without the dealer position built in.

If you’d like a table that is part of your furniture, there are several choices with wood tables. Remember the more wood in the body of a poker table, the higher the price tag. Some less expensive tables may have more particle board rather than natural wood frame. You’ll want to be sure that the legs on your table are either wood or reinforced steel rather than aluminum. The poker tables should be sturdy and wear well for a long time.

Other things to look for when selecting your table include upgraded felt cover, thick vinyl or leather bumpers for comfort, ease of storage if you’re not going to have the table up 24/7. When purchasing a table, keep in mind that most poker tables weigh 85 – 100 pounds, so the shipping charge for one table can be expensive.

If you’re really thrifty, you may want to purchase tables that are more lightweight with aluminum folding legs, but make sure you protect your investment by storing the tables properly. Another answer to a tighter budget purchase are poker table tops. They offer the same properties as the poker tables, except they have no legs and can fit nicely over an existing table. They can be purchased with cup holders, upgraded vinyl bumpers and a table cover. They’re also easy to store and lighter weight than most tables. This is a great solution for the thrifty budgets.

When you select a poker table, be prepared to answer the following questions:

• How much space do I have for the poker table?

• Will the poker table be set up 24/7?

• Will the table be doubling as furniture – if yes, you may want to look at the premium wood tables.

• How easy is the table to store?

• What shape table would I prefer?

• In order to preserve the table, I should look for upgraded felt.

• Make sure the legs, if they fold, are reinforced steel – or if you’re on a tight budget, make sure they’re carefully stored after use.

• If you prefer to build your own, there are many places that carry the felt and table parts. Or you can hire someone to build the table for you.

Whatever your decision, owning your own poker table definitely has its advantages. Your own table enhances your home game, adds to the ambiance of your poker room, and gives you, your friends and family a comfortable and safe place to play Texas Hold’em and other poker games.

New Recipes for Poker League and Poker Parties

A huge thanks to my good friend, Kathy Wiens who lives in Maui with her husband, Lloyd and her wonderful family.  She sent me her cookbook with lots of pictures of friends and family members and lots of stories with each recipe.

I especially like this one that I'll share and is a great supplement to any poker party.  Our Ladies League, the American River Poker Pirates, would especially like this recipe.

Chicken Salad

3 lb chicken pieces cooked in well seasoned broth.  Remove chicken, saving broth.  Bone and chop the chicken.

1 cup frozen peas, cooked in broth                         1 tbsp. broth
1/4 cup bottled capers                                            1/2 cup pickle relish
1 clove garlic, pressed                                            1 cup finely chopped celery
mayonnaise to blend                                               small pkg of slivered almonds

Mix all ingredients together, refrigerate several hours or overnight and enjoy!

And how about Chicken Noodle Soup to go with.  Here's Kathy's Grandmother's recipe for a delightful sampling.

Cover 1 cut up chicken with water and add

1 tsp chicken bullion                                           3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp of salt                                                     5 peppercorns
hand full of fresh parsley

Boil for one hour.  Remove chicken from pan.  Boil noodles.  Strain, pour into large pan.  Strain broth over noodles.  Salt to taste.  If you choose, you may flour chicken pieces and fry them in hot oil til crispy.  Thanks Grandma Regier and Kathy for the great recipes for us all to enjoy!

If you have recipes you'd like to share, please post them below or email me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com - I'd love to hear from you!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Poker Tournaments In General

Okay, the results of the Battle of the Sexes was not good. There were only two women at the final table and I have to say the men dominated the contest. We needed some ringers like our friend Linda Johnson and our local star player Kelli Griggs.

There are some major tournaments coming up including the Jennifer Harman Kidney Foundation Benefit scheduled for May 8 in Reno. And, of course, the WSOP Tournaments in Las Vegas, Nevada, start soon with the Ladies Tournament scheduled for June 11.

Our Charity Event benefitting Animal Rescue League is scheduled for April 24 in Elk Grove, CA and should be a well-attended event. Most of our dealers are the lovely ladies that I play poker with – the American River Poker Pirates and the Untouchables. Thanks to Alma, Donna, Candy, JoDee, Jamie, Dottie, Pam T., Pam D., Adriana, Sandy K. and Rose for agreeing to deal and volunteer their time for the event.

I have a wonderful surprise for all of you that are interested in trying new recipes – I have a ton to share with you. These are easy to prepare, easy to eat recipes for poker league and poker parties. My good friend, Kathy from Maui, has sent me her wonderful cookbook with tons of family and friends photos with many passed down recipes that are terrific.

Mimi has also shared her poker recipe book with me and I’ve picked up several new ideas from the MPI Trade Show that I attended in March. So watch for some great food ideas to come your way in the next few weeks. And if you have any to share, please add your comments below or email to me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I’ll post them for you.

I’m very pleased to welcome some new customers to my web site – one is hosting a satellite for the WSOP main event in Texas and another has started a new business in California renting tables and chips for local events.

As part of my other business, Hansen & Associates,we coordinate the details of poker tournaments, golf tournaments, conventions and special meetings for non profit organizations. This business is licensed in California to provide rental tables, chips, playing cards and other supplies to charity groups that are hosting these events. I’d be happy to give a free quote to any group that is looking to hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament as a benefit - either as a consultant, an equipment provider, or an event planner.

Stay tuned for some new recipes and some product highlighting in the coming weeks. Have a great week…

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Exciting Local Poker Tournaments

I'm very excited this week as there are some really fun Texas Hold'em Tournaments happening in the Folsom, California area.  Tonight Folsom Lake Bowl Casino is hosting a "Battle of the Sexes" Tournament.  There are 20 men and 20 women competing for both the team and individual awards.

It should be lots of fun - I'm really looking forward to it.  Several of the ladies that play in our poker league will also be there.  Should be a good match.

On Saturday I'm playing in a Freeroll Tournament at the Phoenix Casino.  It's a great tournament that they host monthly and add lots of extra cash in.  The players are about 100 and the top 40 cash.  It's more of an appreciation tournament for their customers.

The web site sales have been picking up and today one of my new customers complemented me on my excellent prices on my poker tables.  Even with shipping added, he said he's done his homework and my prices are the best he's found. 

I have a bunch of great recipes to share with all of you.  On Monday evening, March 22nd, I attended a Trade Show that was coordinated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Sacramento Sierra Chapter.  The theme was "cooking up a meeting" and all of the wonderful suppliers brought their favorite recipes to hand out.  So now I have plenty of ammo to share with you in the weeks to come.

I'm still looking for your favorite recipes that are easy to eat and easy to prepare, preferably low in calorie.  Share your story or just share your recipe by adding a comment below or email to me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I'll add them for you!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Freshen Up Your Poker League Party

Here's a refreshing, simple, yummy and healthy recipe for Butterscotch Apple Salad shared with us by another friend, Poker Pirate and our League's best dealer, Jamie.  She's even promised to make this a staple when it's her turn to bring the snacks.

Butterscotch Apple Salad

3 medium apples, diced
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tub of fat free cool whip
1 small butterscotch sugar free pudding mix, unprepared
1 cup mini marshmallows
Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Chill and serve.

Thanks, Jamie!  And speaking of great recipes and cookbooks, my friend, Kathy, whose recipes I've shared with you all on this blog, was visiting us from Hawaii this week and I was able to spend some time with her.  She has put together a wonderful recipe book that's full of stories, family and friend photos, and great recipes.  She plans to make me a copy as well so we should have some fabulous, passed-down recipes to share when I get it.  I'm certainly blessed to have such wonderful and talented friends.

If you have favorite recipes that you'd like to share, please post them below or email me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I'll post them for you.  If you have any stories about the recipes or pictures, please include them as well.  And I always have to ask you to sign up to follow my blog so you can keep track of what we're doing and what we're eating...

Friday, March 5, 2010

Poker Recipes for Poker Parties

Thanks again to one of my fellow Poker Pirates and friend, Dottie, who by the way is in first place in our League. She is providing the recipe this week and what a wonderful recipe it is! She always brings deviled eggs to our League night and I can tell you firsthand how great they are. I’m usually good for at least 3 – 4 myself.

Her recipe is below.

Deviled Eggs

12 eggs
1/2 to 3/4 c mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
salt to taste
paprika

Place eggs in enough water to cover them. Cook over medium-high heat until the water comes to a hard boil. Remove from heat, and cover for 20 minutes. Pour out hot water and let the eggs sit in cold water until they are warm enough to peel. Cut eggs in half and put yolks in small mixing bow. Set whites aside. Add 1/2 c mayonnaise,1 tsp. mustard, and salt to the egg yolks and mix. You can add more mayo to your desired consistency.

Fill the egg whites with yolk mixture. Hint - cut the corner of a small baggie (no more than 1/4 inch), fill the baggie with the yolk mixture, and squeeze into the egg white. Chill. Sprinkle with paprika before serving.

If you have recipes that are easy to prepare and easy to eat that would be great ideas for Poker League Play or Poker Parties, please post your comments below or email them to me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I’ll post them for you. Remember to add a story or pictures if you’d like and I’ll share them as well. And please become a follower so you can get this information as it gets posted.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Dieter's Dream - Try It!

A special thanks to friend and fellow poker league player, Alma, who has contributed one of her favorite and low calorie recipes - a dieter's dream, a four-ounce serving of spaghetti squash that has only 37 calories!  Below are detailed directions so you can try it for your next poker party or social gathering.

Buying & Storing

When buying spaghetti squash, look for hard fruit that is heavy for its size, about eight to nine inches in length and four to five inches in diameter and with a pale even color. Avoid any squash with soft spots and green color is a sign of immaturity. The average four-pound spaghetti squash will yield about five cups.
Spaghetti Squash can be stored at room temperature for about a month. After cutting, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days. Spaghetti squash also freezes well. Pack cooked squash into freezer bags, seal, label and freeze. Partially thaw before re-using, then steam until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes.

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash

Bake It -- Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish. Cook squash in preheated 375F oven approximately 1 hour or until flesh is tender.

Boil It -- Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash. When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size. When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.

Microwave It -- Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash. Add more cooking time if necessary. Let stand covered, for 5 minutes. With fork "comb" out the strands.

Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot - Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit. Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker. Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.

Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes so it will be easier to handle, before cutting in half (if it wasn't already) and removing the seeds. Pull a fork lengthwise through the flesh to separate it into long strands. You can do these steps ahead of time, then prepare spaghetti squash recipes whenever the mood strikes.

Enjoy!  If you have recipes that you'd like to share with us, please post them or email them to me at jhjanel@gmail.com and I will post them for you.  These should be recipes that are easy to make and easy to eat while you're playing poker.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Poker Jargon to Use At the Poker Table

In my ongoing learning of being a better poker player, I recently read the "Little Blue Book" by Poker Professional Phil Gordon.  He discusses several different hands and pots that he's been part of and his thinking behind his actions for each hand.  It's a very good book to help develop your Texas Hold'em strategies and it is available on our web site http://www.morethanpokertables.com/.

The part of the book that I want to share with you is the section at the end of the book called "A Short Guide to Poker Jargon".  When you're at the poker table, whether it be playing in a league, home tournament or at a card room or casino, these are terms you may hear and wonder what they mean.  I'm going to share a few with you so that you not only know what they mean, you can also use them yourselves.

For example, the term "board texture" means the general "feel" of the community cards, which allows an observant player to get a sense of what hands his or her opponents might be holding.  You may know that a "calling station" is a player who is easily exploited for his or her exaggerated tendency to call too many hands.

The "cut off" is the seat just to the right of the button.   "Fold equity" is the chance that a bet or raise will get an opponent to fold a better hand than yours.  And when poker players say they're playing their position, this refers to where you sit in relation to the dealer, which determines how early or late you will act on each round  of betting.

If you're at the poker table and you're "under the gun", this means you are the player who has to act first before the flop.  A "value bet" is a bet with what you think is the best hand, sized to encourage your opponents to call.  An "underbet" is the act of betting too little with a made hand, giving opponents the correct pot odds to draw for their outs.

This should give you a good beginning of poker jargon to make you sound like you know what you're talking about and help you improve your play.  A special thanks to Phil for his eloquent description of these poker terms.  Enjoy and try out the new terminology!   

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Charity Poker Tournament Scheduled

January and February have been busy months for my other business, Hansen & Associates. As an independent meeting planner, I work with non-profit organizations to assist with their conventions, golf tournaments, special events and poker tournament fundraisers.

The first fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th at the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge. Doors open at 5:00pm, Cards fly at 5:30pm. The event is a Texas Hold’em Tournament and the net proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League, a 501 (c)3 charity that care for and find homes for homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals.

We are currently calling on potential sponsors to support the event and ARL. If you are interested in donating a prize, a silent auction item, or get more information on the sponsor opportunities, please email me at jhjanel@gmail.com and I’ll make sure you get the information that you need.

One of the reasons for creating our eCommerce website http://www.morethanpokertables.com is to be able to offer product discounts to the non-profit groups that we coordinate poker tournaments for. So we can offer our services and the products that they need at a reasonable price.

Most of you know that I belong to two poker leagues and enjoy playing and learning Texas Hold’em and other card games very much. Coordinating the details of poker tournaments as fundraisers for non-profit organizations has enabled me to combine my passion for event planning and playing poker to benefit and further the work of charities based in California.

If you are interested in getting more information on Texas Hold’em Tournaments as fundraisers or How to Start a Poker League, post a comment and your information below or email me. I’d be happy to help you as a consultant or as an Event Coordinator for your event.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Poker Leagues Improve Your Poker Play

Okay, I belong to two great poker leagues. One meets twice per month and the other meets once per month. There are several advantages of playing in a Texas Hold’em poker league. The most important of which is becoming a better player, understanding the strategy (and boy, is there a lot of strategy!), learning the value of your betting and the secrets of winning the tournament.

The other most important component is the social aspect. The making of friends that share common interests and enjoy each others’ company. I’m very fortunate to be playing poker with some very top notch, committed, and energetic ladies. And it’s been great to see all of us improve over the past three years .

The amazing thing is that in one league I remained in first place for 7 games and slipped to third place this month. The other league I’m in dead last after five games. So, I’m not sure if the “practice makes perfect” concept is working this year. Thank goodness I’m continually “practicing” and realize that “that’s poker”.

If you’re thinking of starting a poker league in your area, we offer complimentary league rules with purchase on ”http://www.morethanpokertables.com/”. These are a variation of the rules that we use for our league.

Thanks to those of you who are responding to my call for Recipes for Poker Parties. I have received several via email and will share those with you soon. In the meantime, keep them coming, please!

If you currently play in a poker league, please share with us what you get from belonging to a poker league. Please post your reply. Or if you want to start a league and need help, post that also or contact me at pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and I’ll be happy to share our stories.

Please remember to share your recipes as well – easy to prepare and easy to eat!

Monday, January 11, 2010

"Easy to Fix" Recipes for Poker League Parties

When I say "Easy", I mean "EASY"!  The amusing thing about collecting recipes to create a Poker League or Poker Party cookbook for you all to enjoy is that I'm probably the worst cook alive.

Fortunately, I have very talented and creative friends who are fabulous cooks, chefs and bakers.  And they're willing to share their wonderful and easy to fix recipes with us all.

I'm hoping that each of you will also share so others can benefit and be able to try new food delights for your next poker league or poker party.  Below is a recipe from my friend, Kathy, in Hawaii for a Cheese Ball.  I think through this experience I may even become a cook of sorts.  I'm definitely willing to try, especially if they are easy.

Cheese Ball

2  8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup minced onion
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dill
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp Beau Monde

Squish together, mixing well and form into a ball.  Roll in chopped nuts on wax paper.  Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate til ready to serve.

Okay, My Friends, try this recipe and SHARE yours, please.  If you have any problems posting your recipe, call me immediately at 702-994-0777 or email your recipe and stories to pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com- I have included a How to Post article that can be found on the menu on the right side of our blog.  POST YOUR RECIPES so we can all enjoy them!

How to Pick a Poker Table

The art of selecting a poker table starts with how often it will be used and where will it be housed or stored. Existing space is a huge factor as well. If you don’t have much space, but would like to keep your table up all the time and you have less than 10 people who usually play Texas Hold’em or poker, then you may be interested in an octagon table.

You can usually find a nice, sturdy, good looking octagon poker table for a reasonable price. If you plan to store it, you can also find one with folding legs. This table pictured above is the hottest selling poker table on our web site http://www.morethanpokertables.com/poker-tables/ – it fits well in smaller spaces, is easy to store, is made of solid wood, has padded armrests for players’ comfort, sturdy legs, and 8 individual trays for beverages. .

If you have personal preferences with the shape of the table and prefer the traditional oval poker table, then you will by far have a much wider selection. They come in several different colors including green, red, burgundy, and blue being the most common. You can also purchase them in different quality of felt, padded bumpers, steel or aluminum reinforced folding legs, and with or without the dealer position built in.

If you’d like a table that is part of your furniture, there are several choices with wood tables. Remember the more wood in the body of a poker table, the higher the price tag. Some less expensive tables may have more particle board rather than natural wood frame. You’ll want to be sure that the legs on your table are either wood or reinforced steel rather than aluminum. The poker tables should be sturdy and wear well for a long time.

Other things to look for when selecting your table include upgraded felt cover, thick vinyl or leather bumpers for comfort, ease of storage if you’re not going to have the table up 24/7. When purchasing a table, keep in mind that most poker tables weigh 85 – 100 pounds, so the shipping charge for one table can be expensive.

If you’re really thrifty, you may want to purchase tables that are more lightweight with aluminum folding legs, but make sure you protect your investment by storing the tables properly. Another answer to a tighter budget purchase are poker table tops. They offer the same properties as the poker tables, except they have no legs and can fit nicely over an existing table. They can be purchased with cup holders, upgraded vinyl bumpers and a table cover. They’re also easy to store and lighter weight than most tables. This is a great solution for the thrifty budgets.

When you select a poker table, be prepared to answer the following questions:

• How much space do I have for the poker table?
• Will the poker table be set up 24/7?
• Will the table be doubling as furniture – if yes, you may want to look at the premium wood tables.
• How easy is the table to store?
• What shape table would I prefer?
• In order to preserve the table, I should look for upgraded felt.
• Make sure the legs, if they fold, are reinforced steel – or if you’re on a tight budget, make sure they’re carefully stored after use.
• If you prefer to build your own, there are many places that carry the felt and table parts. Or you can hire someone to build the table for you.

Whatever your decision, owning your own poker table definitely has its advantages. Your own table enhances your home game, adds to the ambiance of your poker room, and gives you, your friends and family a comfortable and safe place to play Texas Hold’em and other poker games.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

How to Post a Comment

This is for my friends who have had problems posting your recipes or relevant comments to this blog.  I actually experimented with it this morning and understand the confusion.

Before you can post your comment there is a drop down box that says "Add profile".  I downloaded it and selected "Google" since I have accounts currently set up with google.  You can actually select any of the profile groups.  They are asking you to set up an account so they can identify you when you post in the future.  If it asks for a URL and you don't have a web site address, select another program.   You should be able to post your comments without a problem once you're set up.

To become a follower, simply hit the "Follow" button on the far right and fill in the information they request.  You will only have to do both of these processes once.  And if you'd like to upload a photo, please do.  I'd love to see your charming faces.

I hope this helps.  I look forward to sharing your poker recipes!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Let's Share Recipes for Poker Leagues and Parties!

Now that the holidays are behind us and we’re firmly in the year 2010, it’s time to put some new ideas into action.

On Christmas Day I watched the DVD movie “Julie and Julia” with loved ones and related to the movie in two ways. First, I laughed when she first started her blog and was disappointed that she only had one follower – her mother. I know what it’s like to wonder if anyone is listening to your words.  I thank my one follower and would like a whole lot more!

Second, I belong to two Texas Hold’em Poker Leagues and was inspired by the show to start recipe sharing. The recipe topic would be “Poker Party Recipes” and would include food that is easy to eat while playing poker and not too messy. You can include your favorite dessert recipes here, too. In the interest of time, we often eat at the table while we're playing poker.

We can try new recipes for our poker leagues and poker parties or even other personal get togethers and share results.  If we get enough recipes we can create an eBook and I can sell it on http://www.morethanpokertables.com/ .

If you contribute a recipe, you can also briefly discuss where you got the recipe, and if you have a photo of the finished product, that’s even better! If we use your recipe, we’ll give you credit for the recipe and you will receive 25% off the price of the eBook. You can also copy the recipes from this blog at no charge if you wish of any that you would like to try for your future poker league or home poker parties.

To start I asked my very good friend Kathy Wiens to share some of her recipes. Kathy and I have been the best of friends since we were both in our 20’s. She lives on the Island of Maui, Hawaii, with her husband, Lloyd and her family. The first one was handed down to her from her Mother.

Cottage Cheese Dip

1 pint cottage cheese                                        1 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp. green onion,                                          chopped 2 tsp. dill

2 tsp. Beau Monde seasoning                           2 tbsp. chopped parsley

Put all ingredients in a Quisanart, mix well. Serve with carrots, celery, zucchini, etc. and Enjoy!



Super Nachos

In a large Pyrex baking dish, layer following:

1 can refried beans

2 lb. browned, ground beef, onions, salt & pepper – drizzle taco sauce over meat layer

1 can diced chilies

1lb. grated cheddar cheese

1 lb. grated Monterey Jack cheese

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, top with:

Guacamole                                                               1 cup sour cream

3 chopped green onions                                            Sliced black olives

Toss with a few tortilla chips. Put a basket of tortilla chips on the side!

IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RECIPE THAT YOU THINK WOULD BE GOOD FOR POKER PARTIES, PLEASE POST ON THE BLOG OR EMAIL TO pocketaces@morethanpokertables.com and remember to include your stories and photos.