With online poker still booming, new websites continue to buy-in to the game and hope to take chunks of the huge chip stacks in front of the major players, like PokerStars and PartyPoker. One such newcomer to the table is MANSION. This site may be metaphorically "out of position", but it has made a strong play at the pot with its Fox Sports Net show Poker Dome Challenge. <READMORE>

Earlier this summer, I managed to play my way into the Poker Dome via a satellite on MANSION, and joined five other Internet hopefuls in a first round game of a triple shootout tournament that will lead to one player walking away with $1 million. This night, we were vying for advancement to the second round and a prize of $25,000.

With skill and luck, I took down that prize. In the list below, you may find insight as to how one conquers the Poker Dome (or any winner-take-all, single table event).

1. Save It

Whatever "it" is, that very thing needs conservation – and by you. For me, "it" was my mental energy. The best play I made all day was several hours before we were dealt into the first hand inside the Poker Dome. Two of my competitors, plus our episode’s alternate, spent the morning of the tape day in Caesar’s poker room playing each other in $1-2 No Limit Hold ‘Em. I walked them to the room and watched a bit, but I never considered for one second joining that game. Why would I thumb wrestle over a couple hundred dollars on the same day we would wage war for $25,000?

At least two of the remaining competitors were off in the casino playing table games. I think it was their first trip to Vegas, so each was trying to make memories. The only memories I wanted to make were within the Poker Dome.

2. Focus

Almost everyone who enters the Poker Dome does so as a novice to playing poker on television. I wanted to enter this situation grounded and mellow. With my mp3 player at the ready, I found my own space in the show’s green room. (Yes, green room! You are dealing with a bona fide TV star, here! Get me an Evian!) I pressed Play and chilled. This helped me a good deal, later when I made mistakes. (If you saw the show, you know. I made mistakes!) Pregame focus helped me recenter, readjust, and recuperate.

3. Push! This Is a Fast Tournament

At Poker Dome Challenge, each of the six players starts with 50,000 chips and the blinds are each 1,000. Early, if I recall correctly, we got through about two orbits before jumping to the next level, where blinds went to 1,000/2,000. Suppose one went on the show and did not voluntarily put chips into the pot the first two levels. That player would be down to 40,000 chips at the start of level three, with blinds of 2,000/4,000. Holding only ten times the big blind is a tough situation in a six-player, winner-take-all format, especially one that is pot limit before the flop.

If you get a premium hand, and someone re-raises you before the flop, forget about playing poker. Get your chips in there and race!

4. Get Lucky

Speaking of racing, that is exactly what I did when I raised with QQ and chip leader Greig Lumsden re-raised behind me. After employing my time extension just to make sure, I pushed all-in, and Greig quite correctly called with his AK. I was ahead, but in a race, for sure.

Within the Poker Dome, they slow roll the flop for dramatic effect. (This is TV, after all. And speaking of that, where is my damn Evian?)

First to the felt on the slow roll, a heartbreaking ace! I started thinking about how happy I was for the opportunity, how I was going to have to stand up and do the walk of shame from the table, and how I needed one of the two remaining queens. Damn!

Card two was a blank. Card three? QUEEN! Yes! The turn fired a blank, and Greig was drawing dead. I was very relieved. Luck took my side that time. You will need it at the Poker Dome, or any winner-take-all event for that matter.

5. Play like the $25,000 Doesn’t Mean Anything to You

Just about anybody could use 25k. It has changed my life. I returned to self-employment as a writer (and poker player), as I knew I would if I won. That said, I told myself all along the money did not matter. I have been told by many an observer, including the show’s lead poker expert, Michael Konik, that I played my heads-up opponent – Joyce Siewert – all wrong. I was too fast and loose with her as she only plays cards, not position or chips.

I agree that I was rather reckless with Joyce. That said, I did win, and I believe it is partly because I told myself there would be other chances to win big at poker if this one fizzled.

Obviously, I am glad I won. (Now, I command superior service from my underlings. Where’s that damn Evian? Someone is getting fired!) I hope to see you on Poker Dome Challenge soon.

--Reg Brittain
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