Ash Keene

As social media feeds become saturated with Wordle scores, many players consider the game to be a way to keep their minds sharp by piecing together the day’s word. Studies have definitely supported this hypothesis, as such games are widely believed to be a positive source of mental exercise. However, those who stick to daily word or puzzle games can be missing out...

We all sit down at a home poker game in the hopes of winning a little extra cash, but as we age we’re likely to reap a few more perks from that kitchen table game night than we might think. Academic studies have been championing the benefits of playing games for some time, with research showing that doing so can improve everything from...

In the last installment of his Self-Defense series, the late Alan25main describes what to watch for when it comes to shady dealing. Read on. -- In part one, we looked at ways to make the deck itself crooked. Part two looked at the players. Today, we’ll look at the dealer. Very few casual players ever really worry about all the things a good...

How does thinking through a strategy for a simple game like Wordle compare to a much more complex game like poker? And how can you use it to your advantage? Define an objective With Wordle, you want to keep your daily streak going at the very least, but...

In the second part of his series on self-defense, the late Alan25main focuses on the players. Read on to know what to look for when you're playing in private poker games. -- In part one, we looked at ways to make the deck itself crooked. Today, we’ll look at the players. Other players are essential -- without them, there is no game. It...

How do you protect yourself in private poker games? We at Replay Poker are honored to share Alan25main's last blog series, which is all about staying savvy in these situations. -- In the course of an average week, there are likely to be vast numbers of private card games played for cash. Not all are poker, either. Many dollars change hands at Pinochle...

Online poker may feel like a free-for-all. But there are well-defined rules so players can understand what's actually fair play. We're here to explain some of the unwritten rules of online poker etiquette. You're probably aware of online etiquette no-no's like:...

One of the ways to improve your own play, or discover weaknesses in opponents, is to study hand history. Those hands which seem like surefire winners all too often turn out to be coin flips -- or worse -- in the cold light of day. The easiest way to review a hand is to watch a visual replay. There's usually another hand...

If you could master just one poker skill, what would it be? Alan25main poses this question below, sharing some of the ones he finds most important. -- Poker may be the world’s most complex game that’s commonly played for money (real or pretend doesn’t matter, the principles are identical). Keeping in mind that world-class players master many or most of the needed skills,...

In the Replay Poker forum, there's often been debate about mucking and folding. So, who can actually see your cards at a showdown? We're here to clear up the confusion. This is how Replay Poker interprets the showdown rules: When is it a fold? Players...

An accelerated learning curve, or a worldly wise head? Which is the strongest trait of a poker player? Which road have you traveled to learn poker? Movies seem to have conversely romanticized or demonized gambling as an occupation. Now that leisure is big business, it has emerged from the shadows to be much more accessible to all. In the...

When people, particularly gamblers, think about odds and probability, they usually only remember their recent experiences to determine if they have been lucky or unlucky. Gamblers seem to be guilty of doing this more often when they sense that they've been unlucky. They are also prone to perceive the information in such a way to back up that idea of misfortune -- or...

So, what's the real reason why we play poker? Alan25main discusses several poker settings, and what they all have in common. -- At any given moment, there are almost certainly several million people around the world playing poker. Of course, there are a lot more people just sleeping or working, but we can ignore them for now, while we look just at the...

You may have seen Hold'em poker analysts writing about your pre-flop hand selection, and what "ranges" you should be entering the hand with in certain seats, early, late, on the button, etc. Another consideration is what ranges your opponent may be holding, particularly when it comes to betting strategy. Why is this...

What's kept you busy while at home? Many people have turned to online games to fill the time. Alan25main shares his thoughts on why poker stands out from the crowd. -- Especially over this past year of the pandemic, a lot of people have been searching for a way to keep their minds active and focused while sitting alone with only a computer...

Good poker players take time to notice things. Even online, there are plenty of things to observe. Alan25main details some areas where you can focus your attention to improve your game. -- Suppose you are a brand new recruit to Replay Poker, still stumbling around wondering how to do things. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’re playing against a machine....

Replay Poker has introduced some new Satellite tournaments! And now we've got some advice on how to exploit them. Yes, you read that correctly! These Satellites are a useful source of free tickets, and they can be used to get even more tickets and chips for no...

Do you pay attention to the players at a table before you join a poker game? You should! Alan25main explains why. -- Decisions, decisions! You enter the card room or lobby and see a dozen tables playing your favorite game and at your price–and most have an open seat. How do you decide which table to join? You could pick one at random....

You've probably heard about the Monty Hall problem. At the climax of a game show, a single contestant has to make a decision, sometimes concerning goats or cars, which eventually leads to determining the value of a prize they may or may not win. This has been thoroughly examined and...

Good poker players don't go it alone. They talk strategy with others, read books and blogs, and ask plenty of questions. But who should you trust? Player and volunteer Marc978 shares his opinion below. -- It's a good idea to seek advice from other poker players and exchange ideas regarding strategy. The question is -- who...