Littlewoods Poker Blog

American star Kara Scott is set to make a return to poker games next month, it has been announced.

The model will fly over to Ireland for a tournament between April 2nd and 5th, which she hopes will prove to be a worthwhile experience.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from her home in California, she said: "It’s a lot of money to win for doing something that you love and to earn in such a short space of time, so hopefully I can hold my nerve again."

Ms Scott acknowledged her success in past Irish poker tournaments, which she hopes will be emulated in 2010.

She is well-known in the US for a variety of reasons, with stints as a journalist, TV presenter and glamour model under her belt.

Over the past couple of years in particular, she has featured in a number of big name poker tournaments such as the 2009 World Series of Poker.

No doubt many of the people out there who have seen poker being played out on the silver screen or who have friends that are doing rather well for themselves thanks to the game have entertained notions of themselves with a couple of cards in their hand and a hell of a lot of chips in front of them.

It’s like any hobby - while participants may have reconciled themselves to the fact that they will never be able to quit their day job and do what they actually love for a living, there’s still a tiny part of them that refuses to make this admission and secretly hopes against hope that one day their big break will happen and they’ll be able to live out the rest of their lives happy and content with their lot.

According to Sports Media Network, it is definitely possible for newbies arriving at the felt - whether it be in real time or on a computer - to make this transition, although they must first acknowledge that they will need to take things at their own speed.

"Poker is quite easy to learn," the news source observed but added: "[It] takes a long time to master, as there are many facets of the game other than playing one’s cards that come into play."

However, all is not yet lost, as it was further explained that there are places to go in order to improve in all aspects of poker, with the website directing would-be poker greats to the web and noting that there are lots of online lessons that can be found which will aid in improving confidence, as well as skill.

"One must learn the rules, strengthen one’s strategies and refine one’s play in a friendly [and] relaxed environment," it was noted.

Novices were directed to poker dictionaries that contain learning resources, as well as zones that are not frequented by professionals and tables where play is free. They were reminded that by taking the game at their own speed, they will be able to gain "valuable playing experience" and will not feel as much under pressure as they might during faster hands and against opponents.

But it could be just as important to remember that even professional players lose big on occasion. Anonymous poker player Isildur1 was recently schooled by fellow card sharp Justin Bonomo and, according to Cake Poker Blog, lost more than $560,000 (£357,889).

The line-up for the third season of an online radio poker show has been announced, in what promises to be a star-studded event.

Available as of March 2nd, the Poker Show Live will feature a range of pre-recorded features which are sure to be of interest to fans of the game.

Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu will be on hand to debate a number of poker-related issues, including who they think will win this year’s World Series of Poker.

Listeners will be able to download the poker podcasts after the show has finished to get up-to-date on the latest goings-on in the gaming world.

Jesse May will be reviewing the recent Premier League IV tournament held in Las Vegas, while offering expert opinion on a number of top players.

Last month, the PocketFives.com Podcast welcomed Johnathan Wein, who has won a number of top events in recent times, to its line-up.

It’s official - online poker is good for you. Or so the results of a new study would suggest.

At the McGill University of Montreal researchers concluded that the levels of cortisol in poker players decreased by as much as 17 per cent when they were engrossed in a game.

The chemical is produced by the body in times of stress and although it is needed in everyday life, abnormally high levels can be dangerous.

Among its negative effects can be decreasing bone density, blood sugar imbalances, problems with muscles and lowered immunity to infections.

However, scientists found that poker players are so involved in the game that their bodies do not create the hormone to the same extent.

It can also be said for other casino games, the study found, as people are able to shut out the stresses of everyday life.