My Black jack code

Having played a just amount of blackjack (I learned card numeration when I was 21), I’ve noticed some interesting forms in the manner people play the game that look to reflect bigger life patterns.

Background Story

Feel free to jump ahead to the “Interesting Observations” subdivision if you just desire to read the lessons. This portion simply supplies some background information for the curious.

When I was 21 old age old and life in Los Angeles, some friends and I decided to take a weekend trip to Las Vegas, my first trip there as an adult. I decided to read up on some of the casino games before I went, so I could be prepared.

I quickly learned that most of the casino games were skewed to give the house an advantage — how partial is that? — but blackjack was supposedly beatable if you learned a technique known as card counting. So I bought a book on blackjack, learned the rules of the game, memorized the basic strategy, and then studied a simple +/- card numeration system. It took a heck of a batch of pattern and was boring to learn, but I eventually felt comfortable with it. Then I was off to Vegas to seek my fortune with a humongous $40 of gambling money. Not much of a bankroll I know….

My friends and I stayed at the Aladdin Hotel (before it was demolished and rebuilt). Since there are many fluctuations on blackjack rules, I scoped out the nearby casinos to happen one that had the best player-favorable conditions. That turned out to be the Barbary Seashore on the Strip (across the street from Caesar’s Palace), which had a nice double-deck game with broad rules (the fewer the decks, the better for the player, all else beingness equal). Asset they offered a $2 minimum, so my $40 had a opportunity of lasting. $400 would have got been a more than adequate bankroll for that limit, but at the time I didn’t desire to put on the line $400.

I felt a spot intimidated playing blackjack for the first time in a existent unrecorded casino. But I trusted I was as prepared as I could be, so I sat down and dove in. The readying paid off, and after a few proceedings I began to experience at ease. Aside from making a few minor etiquette mistakes, I played my hands perfectly and had no problem keeping path of the cards. After a few hours of playing I had turned my $40 into $165 while betting only $2-10 per hand… making more than adequate to pay for my trip expenses. This was during the time when you could still happen counters for about $5.

After that first trip I was hooked on the game, not so much for the money but for the challenge of it. Card numeration appealed to the swot in me far more than than the entrepreneur. I made many tax return trips to Vegas and played in tons of different casinos all around the city. One of my favourite places to play was the Frontier Hotel, which used to have got a single-deck game with generously player-favorable conditions. That was very moneymaking until they changed their rules, like many other casinos eventually did, probably in big portion owed to card counters.

Between Vegas trips I studied blackjack and card numeration ever more than deeply. I read 10-12 books on the topic and mastered different numeration systems (Thorpe, Uston, Revere, etc.). I practiced advanced counting systems that maintain a side-count of aces. I drilled myself until I could number down a deck of cards in under 14 seconds. I learned to change the play of hands according to the count, memorized optimal schemes for different rule sets, and learned the nuances of the game that would increase my border even the slightest degree. We’re talking a sum border of maybe 1%.

As I gained experience, I became comfortable doing all these mental gymnastics under existent casino conditions. I learned to play cat-and-mouse with the cavity bosses. I even got a batch of comped repasts for myself and my girlfriend (now my wife), although we got tired of eating at the same places over and over. Casinos have got grown stingier with the comps, but back then you could play $5 blackjack for about 30 proceedings and acquire a free counter for two without much trouble (and without being asked to fall in a players club).

Card numeration isn’t illegal, but casinos will kick you out for it and sometimes ban you for good. Fortunately I was never banished for life anywhere, and I was only kicked out once (from the Barbary Seashore of all places). Mostly this was because I played only in the $5-25 or $10-50 scope of betting… too little for the casinos to care much. At that degree I certainly wasn’t going to acquire rich, but I was doing this more than for merriment than for profit.

The amusing thing is that now I dwell in Vegas, I hardly play blackjack at all… I’ve played only twice this whole twelvemonth for a sum of about 45 proceedings (and won both times). Even though I establish that card numeration worked, I never seriously considered trying to do a calling out of it. For one it’s very difficult work, and for another it doesn’t lend anything. I still bask blackjack as a recreation sometimes, and I like meeting people from around the world at the table, but I wouldn’t desire to seek to do a life from it.

Interesting Observations

While learning to get the hang the game of blackjack, I made a figure of observations in the manner players approached the game, especially the direct contrast between novitiate and expert players. Most people who play blackjack are novitiate or intermediate players. During all the times I played blackjack, I felt I had identified another card counter at the same table with me on lone two occasions. In both states of affairs we could each state the other individual was counting cards, and we gave each other knowing looks. But card counters are extremely rare as a per centum of entire players… way, manner below 1%.

1. Novices will do right determinations most of the time. About 80-90% of the time, novitiates will play their hands the same manner an expert player would. But the house additions a large advantage on the 10-20% of determinations they don’t do correctly. That 10-20% do all the difference in the world between winning and losing because it’s cumulative. How is this different from other parts of life? An other 10% do a large difference. Eat 10% less food, and you lose weight. Save 10% of your income, and you retire a millionaire. Spend 10% of your twenty-four hours on some cardinal goal, and by the end of the year, you’ve written a book, started a business, or establish a mate.

2. Novices lose aureate opportunities. Novitiate blackjack players will almost invariably play their hands too conservatively. They’ll base too often when they should hit, and they’ll neglect to duplicate down and split braces as often as they should. They waver to hit 16 against a dealer’s Seven or to divide a brace of 2s against a dealer’s 4. They give up a batch more to the house by playing defensively, trying not to bust. But expert players work every chance to maximise their wins, meaning that they’ll two-base hit and split far more than often when the likelihood prefer doing so. Expert players will flop more often, but they’ll also hit their large hands more often. You see a similar form in life too. High winners will flop more often, while underperformers play too conservatively, afraid to take calculated hazards for fearfulness of losing what they have. In blackjack, it’s those divides and dual down hands where you do your existent money. Novitiate players believe it’s the ten-ace blackjack manus that’s the best — the bonded win. Expert players cognize it’s those hands where you divide braces 4x and dual down on each 1 and see the trader bust, winning 8x your original stake (but also risking 8x) instead of the mere 1.5x you acquire from a made blackjack. The large wins come up disguised as refuse hands, like a brace of 3s. So it is in life — existent chances come up disguised as problems.

3. Novices don’t set in the time to fully understand the game. Expert players understand the game inside and out because they’ve invested many long hours studying it. Experts work harder. Novices have got a strong apprehension of certain parts, but their cognition is very fuzzed in other areas. They often acquire confused on how to manage states of affairs that originate infrequently. But eventually those states of affairs make arise, and that’s where novitiates lose. Novices can’t manage the exclusions as well as the experts. But aside from a deficiency of understanding, novitiates also have got some false understanding. If you could play blackjack and be dealt an 18 every hand, would you make it? A novitiate will usually state yes, thinking 18 to be a pretty good manus because a trader have to hit 19-21 to beat it. But an expert player cognizes that 18 will lose more than often than it will win — if you have got an 18 every hand, in the long run, you’ll lose money. Experts have got a more than accurate apprehension of the strengths and failings of each manus than novices. It’s the same with life. Novices don’t take the time to get the hang the basics, like goal-setting, time management, motivation, and self-discipline. They make all right most days, but whenever an exclusion happens such as as the loss of a job, they’re thrown completely out of whack, and it takes them a long time to recover. You can throw a bankruptcy or a divorcement at certain people, and they retrieve quickly and then maintain on going. But novitiates are more than likely to let impermanent reverses to float into long-term ruin.

4. Experts are more than disciplined. Novitiate players be given to play their hands inconsistently. When the same state of affairs arises, they often do different determinations with no rime or reason. They exhibit mediocre subject and will often imbibe alcoholic beverage while playing. Experts understand that you can do the right determination and still lose, but they concentrate on making right decisions, not on trying to coerce a peculiar outcome. Experts have got the forbearance to cognize that making right determinations is all it takes to win in the long run. You see this in existent life too, don’t you? Achievers be given to be more than consistent in making determinations and taking action; they concentrate their energy. Underachievers, however, waste material their energy, never applying adequate military unit in a consistent way to convey about a breakthrough.

5. Private triumph predates public victory. Novices larn how to play in the casino. Experts larn how to play at place and then use their cognition in the casino. Experts pass a batch more time practicing, which takes enormous patience. Their existent triumphs are unseen. Talented people who execute in public have got often spent many old age honing their accomplishments in private.

#2 is the observation I happen most applicable to business. Even winning blackjack players will lose most of their hands. They typically win about 48% of the hands they play. That’s just the nature of the game; you’re going to lose more than hands than you win. But on norm the winning players will wager more than money on the 48% of winning hands than they will on the 52% of losing hands. These larger stakes are made in two ways. First, with card numeration you can acknowledge when the deck composition is in your favour and when you’re More likely to win than lose, so you increase the amount of your initial bet. But also you can acknowledge states of affairs to duplicate down or split braces where you can increase your stake after you see your first two cards.

Novice players lose chances in these same two ways then. They don’t cognize when the likelihood are in their favor, so they don’t cognize when the statuses are right for a larger initial bet. And secondly, after they see their first two cards, they don’t cognize when it’s A good thought to set more than money out. And by missing these two key opportunities, they lose money in the long run, typically giving the house around a 5-8% edge.

How makes this lesson use to existent life? Life isn’t about the measure of successes and failures you experience. You also have got to see the magnitude. When you comprehend the statuses of your life are mature for success in some area, that’s the time to wager big. Asset there are also states of affairs where you have got the opportunity to see what results you’re getting, and if they demo promise, you can raise your stake even higher.

For example, say your end is to happen a long-term relationship. When the statuses in your life propose you have got A better opportunity of succeeding at this end than you did in the past, that’s a great time to force yourself. Perhaps you have got a stable occupation and money in the depository financial institution and your wellness is great. It’s time to place a large stake by focusing difficult on your human relationship goal. Go out on a batch of dates. Ask! Don’t sit down on the outs of-bounds waiting and lose the opportunity. It will be a batch harder to accomplish this end under less optimal conditions.

And then when you happen a individual who looks compatible with you, dual down and raise your bet. Find ways to pass more than time with that person, and set your lesser ends on the dorsum burner. Don’t disregard the chance to turn closer. Strike while the Fe is hot. Rich Person a batch of merriment together. Construct your human relationship when the statuses make it easy to do so.

When the statuses in your life are right to seek out chances instead of merely holding your ground, acquire out there and take advantage of them! And when you start getting promising results in some country that show you the likelihood are in your favor, pushing yourself to capitalise on the state of affairs as best you can. Don’t sit down around waiting and waiting.

Sometimes the statuses in your life aren’t right for going after opportunities. Maybe it’s A battle just to hold your land or to delve yourself out of a cavity you happen yourself in. Be patient and remain your course. Eventually there will come up a time where things are going your manner again. And when that happens, make NOT let yourself to be complacent. Everyone loses when the deck is stacked against them. But the greatest losings come up not from the no-win state of affairs but from the could’ve-won-but-failed-to-act situation. Could’ve started the concern but didn’t. Could’ve gotten the day of the month but didn’t. Could’ve lost the weight but didn’t.

As in the game of blackjack, the could’ve-but-didn’ts are the greatest also-rans in life. Don’t fall in them.

Here’s A related to station you may enjoy: Life Lessons From Poker

A twelvemonth ago, I wrote a passionate article on the virtues of charging $15 when you sell your CDs. Some of my logical thinkings included: It's tough for indie instrumentalists and you have got a good music, so don't short-change yourself; you can always price reduction the cadmium for particular grounds (2-for-1 special); and, the "high" gross sales terms also includes your assorted expenses. I made a few addendums, but that's the effect of it.

But now, if you head over to http://mp3.com/thebards and bank check out the Brobdingnagian Bards page at MP3.com, you'll detect something kinda hypocritical...none of our CDs are priced at $15! What gives??

Well first allow me say, yes, I make still believe in a $15.00 gross sales terms for many artists. Certainly, it works best for common people artists, and singer/songwriter types. But my ground is not lip service it is a dramatic alteration in our selling plan.

You see, when we started out, I knew that the lone "real" income available to indie instrumentalists come ups from cadmium gross sales and selling since royalties from ASCAP and BMI are a joke. So our program was to enter every 6 calendar months or less and set out new material. By then stop of last summertime the indie procedure was leaving us drained, and we were thinking we overextended. Then along come ups MP3.com.

One of the things I've been raving about for the past few calendar months is that MP3.com offerings a new selling theoretical account by offering "royalties" for listens to your music. And if you're getting paid from people listening to your music. Then it necessitates to be readily available right?

Well, we've followed the footfalls of many of the top MP3.com people and have got about 40-50 paths available on our site and more than are coming every week. In doing so, we do a solid $20 a twenty-four hours from our site.

Now with each listen, the songs are tracked on MP3.com on their music charts. You sell a CD, the songs on that cadmium will rocket up the charts. So you desire the CDs to sell, because higher charting bes higher payback. Thus, our low terms on MP3.com.

Now believe for a second. If you have got 40 songs on your site like the Hillbilly Hellcats, you're most likely departure to do your 15 alone listens because your songs are located all over the charts. There are plenty of songs to take from. Thus the new selling theoretical account no longer trusts on cadmium gross sales of $15.00, but listens. When you recognize that you open up yourself up to a whole batch of, in my opinion, simple merchandising tactics that volition do you more than money from listens than selling CDs from your website.

I cognize this all looks simplistic, but the huge world is most people on MP3.com are still running their set with an aged selling theoretical account that makes not give the peak payback. So think about that for a bit, and adjacent week, I have got a invitee author who will give you an exciting promotional thought that could direct your listens over the top. Then the hebdomad following that, I'm going to betray my secret that have my song "Tolkien" at #35 on all MP3.com...

Stay tuned. Same bard time. Same bard channel!

The recent alterations in the payback formula at MP3.com had catastophic results to indie people everywhere. My band, the Brobdingnagian Bards, was making over $100 per twenty-four hours when the system dropped out from beneath us. But you know, it didn't hit us as difficult as many artists.

The grounds is that about two calendar months ago, I saw the alterations that were happening and decided to do a alteration in my ain selling procedures. Vivendi was taking charge. They desire to impede free downloads and maintain CDs feasible for as long as possible. Alright, so we necessitate to sell CDs. How make we make that?

That's when I started surfing to the masters. Fellows like Jim Daniels of BizWeb2000.com, and even to some of the Spam marketers.

You see, I read a book on advertisement transcript about a twelvemonth ago, and I started to understand what these people do. Sure, when you head to some Spam seller webpage, you see advertisement transcript three pages long that doesn't state you jack. It kinda beats around the bush. But you cognize what...some of that material ACTUALLY SELLS!

It's true. Ad transcript for your CDs is all about convincing your possible fans to purchase your albums. It's easy to compose because all you necessitate to make is state your fans what you believe is so great about your album. Why make they desire to purchase your album?

No, you don't have got to compose 10 pages to sell your CD. Just compose one. Or caput over to our Celtic Language Wedding cadmium page. I apparatus that page in late July of 2001. Since then, our wedding ceremony cadmium have been our best merchandising CD. What makes it make that is so special?

Not much. It directs traffic to the site. Tells visitants about the CD. It gives them free samples to listen and download. Offers a few testimonials. And it tells them why I believe our cadmium is the perfect record album for person who is getting married or just in love. Finally, it gives them something extra. That's all advertisement transcript is. And it works!

Hey, follow my example. Steal my advertisement transcript and provide it to your ain needs. And start merchandising CDs.

We all cognize that off-line promotion is just as critical as on-line promotion. But what other agency of "off-line" promotion can you make other than mailing out your Circular or Newsletter? Alot. We could travel into Media, Radio, Television and others but that is another subject in itself. Postcards are the "new" moving ridge of off-line promotion, or direct mailings. The costs incurred are far much less than those of traditional direct mailings. Postcards, leave of absence out the other extra’s sorta speak, no envelopes, no envelope stuffing, and the postage stamp stamp is half the cost of first class postage on a criterion letter, while still obtaining first class handling through the United States Postal Service.

I myself, have got had rather good results from my postcards mailings, and wanted to share some tips with you on how you can successfully advance your website, CD, or event effectively with Post Cards.

Don’t make what many postcard Mailers do: They set a terrific designing and/or newspaper newspaper headline on the image side of the card and nil but the computer computer address on the address side, and many people never see the eye-catching design or headline. All they see is the computer address side - the side that’s facing up when the mail bearer presents it. Because people always look at the computer address side of a postcard to see whether it’s for them, they may make up one's mind to throw the card away without turning it over. That’s wherefore BOTH sides of a postcard should sell. The computer address side is where you desire to set your newspaper headline or attending getting graphic.

The disadvantage of a postcard is that space is limited. You must be able to present a very concise message that elicits the desired response from the recipient: You necessitate to derive attention, excite interest, arouse desire, and do the prospect take action. That’s alot for a small postcard to accomplish. That’s not to state it can’t be done; its just more than difficult. Postcards are a good manner to construct consciousness and excite interest. You’ve really got to hit the nail on the head.

Watch your ain mail. You probably acquire dozens of postcards in the mail from magazine publishers, web host companies etc., urging you to subscribe or "try" our service. These postcards are among the best beingness used today, survey them carefully, maintain them. Even other Artists Post cards that you pick up here and there, Keep them, survey them. Then sit down down and inquire yourself the following:
1) what about this card make you like? 2) Colors used? 3) What’s written on the computer address side? 4) What stand ups out more than than anything on the card a graphic, text, or color.

Once you have got got got studied the cards you now have, you will have a better thought of what you desire your cards to look like. Ask yourself, what am I trying to accomplish? Website traffic? Selling CDs, or denote a event? Take all these into consideration, prior to determination the pressman or graphical interior designer to develop your station card. These are the exact inquiries they will inquire you.

Then once your ready, acquire them designed and printed. Two great companies that I have got got establish and have used are Digitalwork.com and 1800postcards.com/ Both of these companies run specials, so when you see the particular hang-up it you will salvage money.

Blackjack is an extremely popular game and for good reasons. First of all it is extremely easy to play. Then, since it is based on skill, you are the one that influences the outcome of the game. With the aid of basic blackjack strategy you can lower the house edge to about 1%. No other casino game offers such a low house edge. Take the roulette wheel for example. It offers a house advantage of 5%.

I have taken the time to put together a few blackjack tips that you should keep in mind whenever you play blackjack online or in a land based casino. The order in which these blackjack tips are presented is of no importance. What is important is for you to read and understand them and improve your gambling skills.

Learn the rules of the game.

There are countless online gambling sites that present all the blackjack rules in a comprehensive and detailed manner. You cannot possibly expect to be a good blackjack player if you do not know the rules. At least learn the basic rules that apply to all blackjack variations. In case you were wondering, there are several types of blackjack games: blackjack switch, multi-hand blackjack, Atlantic City blackjack, double exposure blackjack, European blackjack, high limit blackjack, Spanish blackjack, and so on. If you know the basic blackjack rules you should pick up on the rule variations easily.

The true goal of playing online blackjack or casino blackjack is to beat the dealer.

Forget that nonsense about getting a 21. You do not have to keep hitting until you get a 21. Just hit until you have a card total that is good enough to beat the dealer. If you get a natural blackjack, congratulations. But not even that will guarantee that you will win. If the dealer also has a natural blackjack the game will be pushed. But you could very well win with a card total of 14 if the dealer busts.

Do not play with your gut - use a basic strategy card instead.

The best way to increase your chances of winning is to use basic strategy. Sometimes you will get a gut feeling that you should hit even if the basic strategy card advises you to stand. What you probably do not know is that playing by gut feeling alone gives the house an edge of 6%. But when you use basic strategy the house edge is reduced to 1%. So keep one on you at all times and consult it if necessary.

Choose your gambling environment carefully.

The main difference between casino blackjack and online blackjack is the environment. Land based casinos are noisy, crowded and extremely distracting. If you are struggling to keep focused maybe you should turn to playing online blackjack. Playing blackjack in a reputable online casino can prove to be a lot more lucrative than playing in a land based casino. Not only do you get to play from the comfort of your own home, but online casinos also offer great free blackjack games and fantastic sign-up bonuses. Now tell me what land based casino lets you play for free or lets you play with their money. Beginner blackjack players are well advised to make good use of these free casino games and improve their blackjack skills.

Proper money management.

First of all you should sit down, take a calculator and figure out how much money you can afford to spend on internet blackjack or casino blackjack. Budget your money carefully and never spend more than you can afford to lose. If you have spent all the money that you had set up for a blackjack session then walk away. Do not dip into other funds in hopes that you will win. Winning is never a guarantee, even if you lower the house edge to a minimum. Playing smart is the best option.

Always tip the dealer.

Casino dealers are not unionized and are not paid very well. They do not care if you win or lose. It's not like they are playing with their own money. Do not annoy the dealer as they can make it harder for you to win. Always remember to tip.

Hopefully the blackjack tips presented above will improve your game. Remember that blackjack is a game if skill and that the outcome of the game is in your hands. Your skill determines if you will walk away with a profit or if you will lose. Being a bit lucky never hurts either.

It's time for more important texas holdem poker terms
to help you become a better texas holdem poker player.
If everyone else at the table is speaking a language
that is completely foreign to you, how are you going
to improve your texas holdem poker game, let alone
become good enough to win consistently?

Let's get on with more texas holdem poker terms:

Quads: Simply, four of a kind.

Rag: This is a card that doesn't have any apparent
impact on the hand being played.

Rainbow: A rainbow can be one of two things in texas
holdem. 1) A flop that contains three different suits,
so a flush can't be completed on the turn. 2) A complete
5 card community board with no more than two cards of any
one suit, making a flush impossible.

Raise: This occurs when a player matches the previous
bet and adds to it as well, adding more money to the
pot and increasing the bet to the players after him.

Rake: The money that the casino/house charges for
each hand of poker that is played. It's usually a
percentage or flat fee that is taken from each pot
at the end of the hand.

Rake-Back: The percentage of the rake that the house
returns to the players.

Re-Buy: In certain tournaments, players can buy back
in by paying to add chips to their stack.

Re-Raise: To raise after someone already raised in the
same hand.

Ring Game: A live poker game that isn't a tournament.

River: In texas holdem poker, the river is the final
(fifth) community card dealt in texas hold'em, after
which the fourth round of betting occurs. The river
is also known as "Fifth Street."

These are just some of the terms you'll need to know if you
want to sound like a texas holdem pro. It may seem silly to
have to know these terms if you know how the game is played.
But showing your ignorance at the table could make you a mark.
And if you don't know what I mean by mark, you really need to learn
these terms!

Learn to Be A Texas Holdem Poker Pro Part I

Have you seen the new Kevin Spacey movie, Pay It Forward? I'll tell you, I loved the movie. I'm an idealist. So seeing an "idea" rocketed forward to me is beautiful.

For those of you who haven't seen it, it's about a boy responding to a class assignment comes up with basically an idea to improve life. Basically, he determines to help three people in a "special, life-changing way". But instead of having them pay him back for his kindness, he tells them to pay it forward, that is, to help three people in a life-changing manner. Then they require the same pay it forward philosophy. It's a beautiful example of... well, network marketing.

Well, I left the theatre inspired, thinking, "How can I institute this in my life?" With MP3.com's help, I came up with "Play It Forward". It's an internet radio station. But using custom HTML, I designed a station designed to promote your music.

On the Brobdingnagian Bards MP3 page, it reads, "Is there a song here that you really like? Play it forward and share it with your friends. Your friends and we will both thank you."

Since posting that link we get an extra 2-5 more email click throughs every day from people "Playing It Forward". And that is very personal way to get more people listening to your music.

Now help us out and play this article forward!

PS. If you want to really take advantage of this great idea, I found a secret website that has achieved amazing results with this very idea. Don't miss out... click here!

If you are just starting out promoting your band, if you have got no fan base, or if you just desire to pull fans who like your style of music, then start publication a Genre Ezine.

Genre ezines are electronic newssheets catering to your style of music. Unlike set newsletters, they are not limited to your band's music. Instead, they advance every set that is similiar to your set and your style of music. By promoting a genre, rather than your set in this style of newsletter, you will pull people who might be extremely interested in a specific style of music, but aren't interested in you...yet. And best of all you, you are in control.

I print the Celtic Language Language MP3s Music Magazine, a free weekly ezine of free Celtic music downloads. In every issue, I advance two songs from two Celtic Language sets on MP3.com. I add these songs to my MP3.com station, entitled "Celtic Muse: Song of the Week". And once a month, I give away a free Celtic Language cadmium to subscribers.

The newssheets is short, sweet and too the point. My listing have grown mostly from Celtic Language music lovers who are looking for free CDs. They lodge around because they are enjoying the chance to hear new, free Celtic Language music every week.

And at the underside of every issue is printed the name, "Brobdingnagian Bards". Of course, there's a nexus to our website, and I also supply a signup word form on our Bard homepage with golf course to my other newsletters. Most of the time when person subscribes to one ezine, they'll subscribe to another as well. Plus, whenever person first marks up, they can "start hearing great Celtic Language Language music now"...our music of course.

The point is that we are now not only the patrons of the newsletter, but we define what is "great Celtic music" for our subscribers. It gives us credibility, and likewise gives the 'zine credibleness if they like our music.

Thanks to the newsletter, we've seen an addition in sales, and of course, our songs are always at the top of the MP3.com stations so we acquire more than listens than other sets on our station. And as an affiliate of MP3.com, I also acquire paid every time person chinks 1 of my links.

In all, the Genre newssheet is a fantastic, easy-to-manage manner of attracting and selling to people who like your style of music without bothering them whether they'd be interested in YOUR style of music or not. Give it a try. You could do a new fan.

A couple of my groupings favourite Celtic Language sets are Enya, Loreena McKennit and the Chieftains. I think I kinda liken the Brobdingnagian Bards to these groups. Like Enya, we play some beautiful romanticist temper music. Like Loreena McKennit we add a popish flame up to our performance. And like the Chieftains, we play many riling Celtic Language tunes.

So what make you think? Pretty good endorsements? Bash you have got an thought what sort of music my set plays? What it sounds like? Guess what? Sure I'd "liken" my sets to those and now when you adjacent hear those names, you will believe of the Brobdingnagian Bards (although you may not be able to state it, at least The Bards) and you will believe of me.

But you cognize what, despite what you believe WE may sound like, you'd probably be wrong. Enya utilizes synth, Loreena is a dad diva, the Chieftains...well, honestly, I'm not to familiar with their music (I apologise to other Celtic Language people out there). We play the autoharp, recording equipment and mandolin. Yes, the sound is quite different from all three of those bands. But hopefully you acquire the "idea" of what we sound like.

By endorsing a popular set or artist, people who have got got not heard you before volition have a general thought of what you sound like, and they will be a small more than susceptiple to hearing to your music. All you necessitate is one opportunity to convert person you are the best and you'll have got a opportunity to win them over.

Of course, you also run the hazard that they will be disappointed and alienated, if you sound nil like the set you are endorsing, but that is a hazard you run day-to-day so it's nothing new.

So your undertaking for this hebdomad is to happen a band, local or national. Start endorsing them. Who knows? Maybe one twenty-four hours you'll even acquire a opportunity to open up up for them...or better yet, they open for you.

The Brewers are one of those teams one would call the exception to the rule. Despite a very modest payroll, Milwaukee showed in 2006 that they will be able to compete for the National League Central title. The Brewers ranked near the bottom of the NL in pitching, hitting, and defense last season due to some costly injuries yet they were able to finish a close fourth in the deep Central division. With the prospects of a solid starting rotation, and growing offensive threats in Bill Hall, Prince Fielder, and Ricky Weeks, this is a team which can give the Cubs and Cards a run for their money.

With Ben Sheets the Brewers have themselves a 20-win caliber pitcher, and with Chris Capuano they have one of the best young lefties in the game. Last season, he only tallied one victory in the second half which really cost this team to move up in the standings. Jeff Suppan comes over from the Cards landing the biggest contract in Brewers team history. He's not worth all those chips, but he will fill one more void in this staff. Dave Bush led the Brew Crew in wins last season, but it was only 12. Vargas also tallied 12 wins for the Diamondbacks last season which was his career high. All five starters in Milwaukee's rotation have 15-win potential. That's the upside. This is the reality. Sheets has never won more than 12 games. As I already mentioned, Capuano fell off in the second half of last season. Suppan has a record of just five games over .500 for his career. In my opinion, the upside outweighs the pessimism here and the Brewers have the makings of a great rotation.

Offensively, Rickie Weeks leads off for the Brewers. He hit over .300 within the Central Division last year and I expect this guy to steal over 30 bases out of that lead off spot. J.J. Hardy is a very weak hitter in the two hole. Bill Hall was a big surprise in 2006 while, Koskie and Jenkins had disappointing seasons. The guy I look to for a breakout season is Prince Fielder. He set a Brewer rookie record by slugging 28 homeruns last season. He is very young and will get better and better each year.

One of the Brewers biggest concerns has to be their defense. Hall makes the move from short to center field ala Robin Yount, but I don't foresee the same success. Get ready for Hall's power numbers to suffer at the plate with the extra pressure there is on outfielders to swing the biggest bats.

Last season was Milwaukee's big chance to take the division when just 84 wins would have won it, but injuries prevented them from doing so. It's going to take a few more wins than that to get it done in 2007 and I don't think Milwaukee has it in them. My best guess is that Milwaukee will be a solid team to back in 2007 from a bettor's perspective though. The perception is that they are still a bad team. The starting pitching staff is going to surprise you and we'll take advantage backing these boys, especially at home where they won their most games in 2006 since 1992.

Memo Okur was struggling with his play the last two weeks and now suddenly he is not and announced to the basketball world that his slump is over with 32 points during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats which the Jazz won 120 points to 95.

Just after the All Star break, Okur was struggling with his game. He was sidelined for two games after the All Star break because of severe back spasm. He returned to the game and ended up missing 16 of the 19 field goal attempts and this resulted in the Jazz losing 102-94 to the Lakers.

Against the Bobcats, Okur showed everyone that he still had it in him to beat the odds. He scored 6 of the first 7 points for the Jazz and ended the game with more than 30 points to his credit. This was the fourth time this season that Okur has scored more than 30 points in a game.

However, in the second quarter Okur did miss a three pointer and then a 15 foot bank shot when there just 5 minutes of the game remaining. Other than these two misses, Okur was perfect and Bobcats had no reply to his play. The Bobcats were playing without their forward Emeka Okafur who was out of the game because of a strained calf.

According to Andrei Kirilenko, Okur has finally realized that he is an All Star player and at the moment he is the one who is leading the team by scoring at crucial moments. We will get back with more news with respect to Okur later on.

Do you know the power of a pocket pair?

Everyone new to poker thinks that AJ, AQ , AK are better then pocket pairs.

I have a secret to tell you, those hands are not!

Pocket Pairs are one of the best kept secrets for professionals in poker.

There are so many opportunities when you receive one.
You are head of hands like AK and AQ. You can hit a set. Nobody really expects you to have it.

The biggest beats put on players are usually done by pocket pairs.

What is your chance of hitting a set on the flop with a pocket pair?

1 out of 38

In Texas Hold'em you need to know the odds of every hand you enter. If you are not armed with the right information on odds, hand rankings, and probability then you are behind the game right away.

You need to look for an edge in any tournament you are in.

I suggest always playing a pocket pair if it is above 6's. This mean's if there is a standard raise, call it.
If you just need to call the big blind, then just limp in the pot.

When you finally hit that set, chances are you are going to do a lot of damage to anyone else that is in the pot.

Always be aware of your opponent holding a pocket pair that turns into a monster set. It is hard to put your opponent on or detect they have three of a kind (also known as set, trips)
You really just have to do your best to detect this silent assassin.

Until next time, good luck at the tables!

At the end of August 2000, I read some advertisement transcript at CelticWays.com. In it Toilet Wilmott, NMA Promoter, spoke of a new way in the music market. He predicted CDs were going out of style to be replaced by MP3s and the new digital technology. And he awoke in me a desire to look into the new music theoretical account establish in MP3.com.

Three calendar months later, the Brobdingnagian Bards are nearly $4000 richer, and have got been #1 on the World/Folk and Celtic Language charts, plus, a Top MP3.com creative person for a over two hebdomads in January 2000.

So the inquiry many of you are asking is how did we make it? Are there a peculiar formula that you used to accomplish this success? At the hazard of creating some awful competition, I'm going to give you my step-by-step formula for making a number ONE hit on MP3.com.

First, allow me state you some rudiments about us. We execute regularly throughout Southwest. Yes, we have got a mailing listing with nearly 400 subscribers. But quite honestly, I don't believe that those were the head factors in our success, because our success struck nearly two calendar months after our last gig!

No, rather, it flexible joints on something else. And here it goes.

1. Pick a song. Any song. While I believe with adequate promotion you can do any song a hit, it assists tremendously that it is your best. So do it the best recording, the best songwriting, the best at everything. If the production sucks! Remake it. Hell, record a unrecorded version professionally. You can do a good solid recording of one song for under $40. So make your best.

2. Name your song creatively. Quite honestly, you might necessitate to rename it a few times to happen one that gaining controls the attending of MP3.com visitors. I establish out through experience that "The Bridge" was no where as interesting as "Tolkien", or even better "Tolkien (The Hobbit & Godhead of the Rings).

Now prove it out. See if people are willing to chink that name. How? Ask some friends. Post to newsgroups. Join mailing listings and inquire them. Contact other instrumentalists and see what name lodges out. Ask your mailing list.

Also, see naming it something with which people can associate it. The amusement industry is a good start. Political events can be hot if timed right.

Remember that on the MP3.com charts, it's not about what your song sounds like, it's all about the song title! Desire some more than great tips? Order a transcript of "50+ Tips On How To Maximize Your Income on MP3.com."

3. Instrumental songs make better. So if you have got an instrumental songs, see using that as your chief hit to break. Quite honestly, instrumentals make better on the charts because they can be anything to everyone. If you don't desire to utilize an instrumental fine. But you will probably accomplish greater success if you lodge with an instrumental ballad. The cool thing is when your instrumental songs starts climbing the charts, you can utilize its success to pushing up your non-instrumental tunes. You see my whole end was not to force "Tolkien" to the top, but rather acquire all of our melodies up the charts. The success of "Tolkien" brought us over twenty melodies in the Top 40 throughout MP3.com!

4. Post the song in the right genre. From twenty-four hours one, "Tolkien" was in the Celtic Language genre. It could've gone in "mood music" or some other classical genre, but we picked one that tantrums the style of the song. It's named after a phantasy author. Most phantasy music could suit in that genre.

However, there is one of import short letter here. The Celtic Language genre is not an easy one. While I state the right genre, the right genre is the 1 that gives you maximal exposure with minimal effort. Remember that it usually works best to start your song in a class as deep as possible. The ground is that once you acquire to the top of one chart, you will automatically be moved into the adjacent peak chart.

For instance, "Tolkien" was posted in > World/Folk > Traditions > European > Celtic. As it climbed it moved to the #1 place in each of those classes before hitting #1 in World/Folk and finally #34 on all MP3.com.

5. Add song short letters and lyrics. Though it is up for argument just how much clicking through to read the song short letters and words really increases your payback, it makes supply interest. So add some short letters about your song. State your hearers how your song came about. It do the song more personal. Plus, many sites will utilize the line drive short letters for reviews. If you don't have got any, you might acquire lean reviews.

6. Brand the song available for download. Yes, you can fervently seek to protect all your music from being pirated, or you can have got a figure 1 hit. It's your choice. I have got yet to see a Top 40 hit that was not available for free downloading.

People desire to take your music with them...so they can state their friends. Plus, believe of it in this terms. A visitant come ups to your website, listens in HiFi. He wishes your song. So he downloads your tune. You've just gained TWO listens from one listener! If that individual listens and wishes more than of your tunes, you'll derive a batch more.

Now a speedy tip. MP3.com makes not properly label MP3s. The lone label
that you have got control over that they make properly tag is the lyrics. So, whether you have got words or not, include some contact information in the words section. That way, when they start sharing your MP3 with their friends, their friends will cognize how to acquire back to your website to download more music, and purchase your CDs!

A amusing short letter about "Tolkien", our MP3.com top 40 hit in January."Tolkien" was originally spelled "Tolkein" because that name is one very commonly misspelled name by fans. But despite the mis-spelling it still was a major hit on the charts.

7. Your dam CD. Just like in the world outside of MP3.com, cadmium gross sales bid the charts. If you are selling well, your songs ascent the charts. If not, they don't. For two months, "Tolkien" sat just outside the Celtic Language Top 40. Finally, in early January, I was talking to my friend Rimbo, he decided to travel ahead and purchase a transcript of our new CD, the "Best of the Bards". The adjacent day, we leapt in to the Celtic Language Top 40 and kept climbing! Honestly, I am forever thankful to Rimbo for his assistance, so delight driblet by his site and listen to some slayer music (including another J. R. R. Tolkien tune).

8. Price Your cadmium Low. While we're talking about merchandising CDs, retrieve to terms your cadmium LOW. That agency $6.99. Why? Well there are many reasons. First and first is you will sell more than CDs, especially overseas. All of our cadmium gross sales this calendar month have got been from outside of the United States. Basically, foreign transportation is expensive. If your cadmium terms are low, other countries will see purchasing your cadmium more.

Also, you can follow Ernesto Cortazar's illustration (and now our own) and apparatus regional distributors. Thus, you can promote your fans to purchase big measures of your CDs and sell them in their regions. This manner you sell more than CDs and your songs go on to climb up the charts. Check out our Bard Distribution programme for an example.

9. Use Your Mailing List. While the mailing listing did not acquire us going, it did impel us to the top. I had a good mark of Nagians who were listening and downloading our music day-to-day to give us an other manus at pushing our music up the charts. Your fans are an invaluable resource so usage them, but don't maltreatment them. Also, retrieve to offer inducements now and then. It'll do the the success all that morning.

11. Pay It Forward. Some of you may retrieve the article I wrote a few calendar months back on effectively using the the "email a friend" mathematical function on MP3.com. Well after start the Pay It Forward plan, where we put up a web page with just email golf course and told people, if they enjoyed our songs to "Pay It Forward" and share the music with a friend, we started having 5-20 people emailing others with our music per day. That was up from zero before the program. So see encouraging your fans to "pay it forward".

12. Play live. Alright, this is of course the most obvious, and I surmise everyone's saying, "yeah, yeah, I know, and I read it elsewhere about a twelve times". Well of course it is deserving mentioning because after "Tolkien" took off. We started having gigs a few hebdomads later. And at those gigs, people began requesting this song. It also gave us an chance to stop up the song. "Yes, caput over to MP3.com and you can download it free. Just see mp3.com/thebards". It worked. When our stats started to sag, the unrecorded gigs kept the song at the top. So acquire out there and stopper your music live!

13. Custom HTML. This was one of my absolute favourite small fast ones that really helped our music to soar. Head over to http://mp3.com/thebard and expression at the usage hypertext markup language we set up there. There's quite a few golf course listed, right?

Well all of those golf course were indispensable to our success. You see, when I started adding golf course directly to our page, I had only a few. Immediately, I noticed that every song in that listing was climbing the charts. Basically, people dropped by proverb some golf course and downloaded or listened using our links. Well, while the MP3.com affiliate programme was going I saw 100s and then thousands of people clicking each of those golf course so I added more.

Then I added direct golf course to the audio data files on my other sites. If you travel to the Brobdingnagian site and hunt for "(Princess Bride) Buttercup's Lament", or "Eleanor Plunkett" you won't happen them. You see, both of those songs are listed on different sites (Marc Gunn, Bard & Classical Celtic, respectively). But anyone who came to the Bards site could listen to songs from these other sites and these other sites would acquire paid for the listens!

So now I have got three sites making money. Next thing you know, you could've checked out our MP3.com net income while we had a #1 hit, and you would've seen only $100 per day. But we were actually making about $130-150 thanks to those other two sites (and not including the affiliate income).

Then, I started the BardsCrier Network to assist out some friends. So adjacent thing I cognize all of my NMA people like Rimbo and Carol Stober started making an other vaulting horse or two from people at our site downloading like crazy!

What it boiled down to was that having easy entree golf course on your website is invaluable. People will utilize them and your songs will acquire more than listens, than if they remain in the MP3.com format. And since all of those Custom linked songs were climbing the charts, it helped pushing and maintain "Tolkien" at the top!

So what are you waiting for!? Start adding your Custom HTML!

14. Payola. Payola is variable auction bridge advertising. You can offer your song for placement in one or respective of the many genres on MP3.com. This placement travels on every page in the genre you win, so you're getting a batch of visibility.

Back in January. I offer for the top Payola places in about four different genres, including genres in which "Tolkien" is not normally associated (such as Classical, Easy Listening, World/Folk, and Books/Spoken). I offer for the top place and usually won one of the top three in each of those genres. I
received a good 15-40% of my hits from payola as a result.

But now, MP3.com have added respective other word forms of payola that are even more than valuable including: Main Page Promotions, Greeting Cards, and Search Engine Promotions.

While none of these promotional tools are the end-all and be-all of getting your song to #1. Each tin be an unbelievable tool for pushing you up the charts.

One Concluding Note About Payola. How make you offer with payola? Well if you travel to the Bards Weeper mp3 page you will happen some "secrets" in audio form. But allow me start by saying if you're not making money, it really is not wise to start command on payola. I used payola to force us over the edge, not as a crutch. Instead, start by making certain you're making a few dollars from free promotion. Once you maestro that and have got earned a few bucks, then start using payola to force you over the edge.

Recently, there was a treatment on the MusicThoughts listing regarding how to develop inactive income as a musician. Of course, there are many types of inactive income unfastened to musicians, but this treatment in peculiar involved using affiliate programmes to gain money.

For the newbie, affiliate programmes are programme online that let you to gain money by merchandising merchandises or services that you make not own. Companies like Committee Junction, LinkShare, ClickBank offering a assortment of a affiliate programmes on every subject. While companies like Amazon.com (books, music, and more), MP3DownloadHQ (free music downloads) offering more than specific merchandises or services.

Building a successful affiliate income is NOT easy. And as cyberspace companies come up and go, they are also not a hugely dependable beginning of income for the long-term. I prefer to concentrate on offering merchandises and services for my active websites, but most of my websites were created with affiliates in mind. Consequently, I've learned the affiliate game quite well.

Most people don't like sharing how much they gain from inactive income. So determination those stats Will be difficult. But frankly, I prefer helping folks with facts.

So, here's a couple short letters on the assorted passive voice cyberspace income beginnings I gain or have got earned in the past:

1. Google Adsense. Google can be great, but a batch of it depends on what keywords your site is focused on. Head over to PixelFast offers a great Overture Keywords and Command Amounts Tool and you can happen out how much people command on certain types of keywords through overture.

Having done testing which got me banned from Google Iodine learned a few things when I was using Google Adsense. I establish on the average, I made about pittance on each of my random websites. Some however, did much better. Namely the 'free music downloads' websites.

You'll observe at PixelFast that companies command heavily for those keywords with clickthrus averaging at about 45c per click. Seventy percentage of the income I earned on Google was from one free music download website that somehow made it high on the hunt results. I'm not allowed to state how much Iodine made, but you can make the mathematics when a site acquires approximately 500 alone visits a twenty-four hours and have a 5-10% clickthru rate.

The point is if you make and advance webpages with high impact keywords, you will make fairly well.

2. Affiliate Programs. Since I'm no longer with Google, I've feel learned to happen other options using Google style ads. You can those on my Directory of Free Music Downloads as an example.

I've establish other affiliate programmes to fill up the spreads lost by Google through:
Clickbank. I've focused primarily on free music downloads. The large job I have got with Clickbank is that my Mozilla browser at place doesn't like their redirects. But I still gain about $500 per calendar month from Clickbank.

MP3Dollars. This is a free music downloads site for MP3DownloadHQ. Their affiliate golf course are good redirects. So I've made them much more than outstanding so as not to lose income that might've been lost from Clickbank. The affiliate programme is solid paying 50% of the money they earn. So I gain about $500 per calendar month from them. Best of all, it's paid weekly!

Amazon.com. Usually gains me about $50 a month. And this come ups from a batch of heavy referrals from my Celtic Language MP3s Music Magazine.

Commission Junction. Their redirects look to have got the same job as Clickbank. I mainly utilize them for web hosting services that gain about $150 per month.

Linkshare. I've used it for years. Earned no money (like the huge bulk of affiliate programmes I've tried). I did mark up for iTunes earlier this month. And we'll see if that alterations substances at all. I also gain another $100-150 per calendar month from the Bards Weeper Music Selling and Promotion Ezine's assorted associations with IMHO some of the best music sellers out there. Course, I also have got got a nice online cadmium gross sales income, and other artistic undertakings that gain me money (and I still have a twenty-four hours occupation for at least another year).

3. The Key to retrieve when you're making money with affiliate programmes is really to intermix it into your website. For instance, if you travel to thebards.net. You can download our MP3 "Tolkien (The Hobbit & Godhead of the Rings)" on the homepage. It downloads from amazon.com using my affiliate link. So it makes another cooky which hopefully will gain me more than income from future amazon.com orders from that customer.

Prominent advertisements also work like at my Directory of Free Music Downloads. Meaning, Google have really hit upon a great style of advertising. Oh, and Vertical advertisements out execute horizontal ads.

I'm also a large advocate of creating a website that volition gain you income as well as popularity. Again, bank check out the Celtic Language MP3s Music Magazine. The site is designed for two purposes:
Promote independent Celtic Language Language music by luring in signed Celtic music fans of Enya, The Chieftains, etc. It's a technique I learned from Saint David Nevue's How to Successfully Promote Your Music on the Internet and have proved exceptionally profitable, and
Promote my music. You'll see a batch of golf course and information about the Brobdingnagian Bards and my ain solo Celtic Language music recordings. There is one other facet I would wish to point out that volition make whatever you do more than money. It's sales letters. Quite honestly, I detest difficult sales. I don't typically care for gross sales letters online. But they bash execute well.

Some of the best-selling webpages are composed of one long gross sales missive like some of the material you'll see at indiebiz.com. I've no uncertainty that Saint David do well-over $3000 a calendar month for any of his webpages just from some of his inactive income gross sales letters. By learning about copywriting, you can make webpages to execute just as well to advance your affiliate programs. It's an astonishing accomplishment to have.

One Last Important Note: I have got got NO Religion in most of my cyberspace affiliate income. Sure Iodine believe Amazon will be there for old age to come. But the passionateness for 'free music downloads' volition dice with the adjacent cyberspace fad.

My suggestion is to make a difficult merchandise that you can sell. For instance, make and sell ebooks using your cognition and those gross sales letters I mentioned. People are willing to pay fo your cognition of the most everyday things. It's not about being stupid, it's about ease. If you can collect that cognition and sell it, more than powerfulness to you!

You will constantly necessitate to mulct melody everything. And larn how the hunt engines work.

Passive money on the cyberspace is not unreasonable. But it's also not easy. It takes quite a spot o'work and a batch of forbearance because it can take calendar months for hunt engines to happen out if you're website is important.

Hope that assists some folks, slainte!

How to win in an online poker game? Over the years there have been a lot of strategies devised to beat online poker gaming. Here we go over some of the few winning tips you could consider to win in the game.

Bear in mind that these are just tips not set in stone methods that guarantee you to show you how to win online 100% of the time.

1. Always make sure you play your starting hands using hands with higher value.

2. Know when to hold 'em and when to fold'em. As a player you need to learn the best time to fold a hand in online poker. You will not know how to win online playing every hand. As every profession poker player say, winning or losing depends mostly on the player and not just luck.

3. If you have just started to play poker or if winning is what you always want to do, then make sure you pick easy opponents to bet. This may sound like a very obvious way but it is a fact that some players know how to win better than others because of their experience or sheer good luck although the latter is of secondary importance. Also, if you are having a bad time, decrease the size of bet or simply walk away and leave it for another day.

4. Study your opponents. See if you can read their play and if you can pick patterns in their betting strategy. Knowing how your opponents play will allow you to outsmart them.

5. Learn the art of betting. When you bet you should always do so in a defensive style; another good thing about knowing the proper time to make a bet is that it gives you an idea of your opponent's hand.

6. Putting yourself in the situation of your opponent will help you determine his next moves.

7. Learn how to bluff. This is a technique that professional players use most of the time to confuse opponents and is lethal against beginners who often will fall for it.

8. Knowing how to win at online poker will mean learning how to play the different types of hands. It is an asset in poker to have high flexibility with different types of hands. Professionals are able to glean right away what a beginner's hand is as well as knowing when they have bad hands so that they can take advantage. So you must practice continuously using different types of hands so that you can taylor your
play in such a way that you do not give away the fact that you are a new player or an experienced one.

9. How the players are seated at the table should also be considered. It is always to your best advantage when you are the last player to take action because this will allow you to observe your opponents action making it more easy for you to create a game plan.

10. Spend a lot of time researching online, read books and articles about poker and most of all learn from your mistakes. Being prepared with al the information and skills is how you will know how to win in an online game or any game of poker.

By following these simple tips, you may now have an idea about how to win in an online poker game; however you could also incorporate your own style because not everything fits for everybody. Just have fun playing the game.

It goes on to boggle my head how many sets don't take the time to come up up with a nice verbal description of their music. It's extremely important, and when you're marketing yourself online, it's essential.

So catch some paper, we're gonna make two simple set verbal descriptions that volition aid you gain you web traffic and assist you with all facets of your music promotion. Whether you're looking to advance your set to person in an elevator, on the telephone or submitting to a directory, these two verbal descriptions will function you well.

1. The Ten-Word Elevator Description
Saint David Hooper of Kathode Raye music utilizes the term "Elevator Description" as a manner of describing your music quickly. Your Elevator Description is the words you would utilize in an lift if you had to state what type of music you make quickly... in just 10 words.

This mightiness look like the most-difficult part about describing your band, but it's also the most utile all around. To make it, focusing on an intense verbal description combined with a benefit for your audience. I set this speedy verbal description in the first sentence on our homepage.

"The Master Celtic Language Language Renaissance music grouping from Austin, Texas offering free Celtic mp3 downloads."

Obviously it's not ten-words exactly. But it acquires acquires the point across.
Musical style: "original Celtic Language Language Renaissance music"
Location: Austin, Texas
Benefit: free Celtic MP3 downloads

Short sweet and to the point. Obviously, not everyone is as focused on downloading music. Coming up with benefits, but make some brainstorming and you'll happen your niche. Check out these descriptions:

The Rogues
A Houston based Pipe and Drum Set with an attitude.
http://www.therogues.com/

Gilli Moon
Melodic-Kinda-Folkie-Indie with a multi-layered guitar
(and all-sorts) wall of sound.
http://www.gillimoon.com/

Mountain Mirrors
Psychedelic Zen Buddhism Rock. Fans of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
or Spiritualized will bask this music. Free MP3 Downloads!
http://www.mountainmirrors.com/

Add your lift verbal description to your "Description" META Tag. Also add an even shorter verbal description in your statute title tag, and you'll hike your traffic for people looking for those keywords.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of "Two Easy Steps to Describing Your Set for Greater Web Traffic and More Fans."

If you're looking for more than great web traffic tips for your music, Saint David Nevue wrote the book on it, literally. See how he earned over $4000 per calendar month turning music into a full-time profession. It's all in this book How to Successfully Promote Your Music the the Internet.

I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on how wait staff can increase their tips.

That got me brainstorming and surfing the net for other ideas to boost tips. That combined with lots of performances at Renaissance Festivals helped me to develop my own list of ways musicians can improve their tips.

1. Introduce yourself by name

Too often musicians forget to introduce themselves on stage. Make sure you tell the audience your band name, but to really boost your tips, you should also introduce yourselves individually. Let people know who you are as an individual and you'll see greater tips.

2. Go out into the audience with a tip jar

You really can't be passive when it comes to getting tips. You have to walk out into the audience with some visual reference that says "Tip Me!", and they will tip you.

3. Meet your audience at their level

Take the time to talk to your audience members at their level. Holding a discussion from a stage puts a wall between you and them. So instead, go out into the audience and talk to them face to face. Kneel if they're at a table, so you're at eye level. And if you have ayour tip jar with you, you will you will not only gain a fan, but you will also improve your tips.

4. Make your appearance personal

We wear kilts to most of our gigs. A kilt adds a very personal touch It links us to a certain culture and makes people take notice. Course you don't have to go that route, instead find some piece of clothing that reflects your personality and you will boost your tips.

5. Recommend your favorite CD

If you have multiple CDs, your audience will always ask for your favorite. Tell them what it is. If you only have one, you can do the same by recommending other artists that you like. That adds a two-fold advantage of helping your audience find music they like and helping your fellow musicians.

6. Smile

A bright, confident smile will bring fans back again and again with lots o'big tips.

7. Involve your audience in the music with a joke or game

Next time you're up on stage, see what happens when you joke around with the audience. Your personality will glow all the more and so will your tips.

8. Chat with fans by name

Music fans love nothing more than to be recognized by the bands they love. So do your best to remember their names. They will feel that much more attached to your music and feel like your friend. And these friends will tip you better for the courtesy.

9. Touch your audience

When you're out socializing with your audience, touch them (in a non-sexual way). Whether you shake their hand, pat them on the shoulder or back, or just brush against them, wait staff find that that even that will boost their tips 50%. And it will yours too.

10. Use tip jars with the VISA/Mastercard Logo

According to studies done in restaurants, just seeing those logos is enough to encourage customers to tip more. I know it sounds crazy, but give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

11. Give your audience something in return for their tip

People love feeling like they're getting their money's worth. And many people don't realize you should tip bands. So give something in return. It could be something as big as a sticker or magnet, or as simple as a business card that might include a $1 off your CDs. Or hey what about feeding their sweet tooth with a piece of candy. Whatever the case, that little gift will mean big tipping results.

12. Draw a picture

On a similar note, if you give them a business card, draw or make a comment on it. That piece will be more valuable to them and will result in bigger tips.

13. Make tipping a part of the show

Why wait until the end of the set to ask for tips. Sing a song about tipping, or get your audience involved in the tipping process by shouting something. Or offer a prize to the first tipper. But integrate it into your show and it won't seem like you're just begging for money, rather you're making it fun to tip.

14. Thank your audience

No gig would be complete without an audience. So thank them for taking the time to watch you perform. They will feel the personal touch and respond when you ask for money.

15. Bonus Tipping Suggestion:

If the change is five dollars, never return a five-dollar bill. Always give back five ones. This allows the customer to tip you with some of the dollar bills you returned. You will rarely get a $5 tip and returning a $5 bill will turn off tippers. In general, it's good to return all ones if the change is less than $8. You want the customer to have at least two ones so they can give it back as the tip.

Did you know that Jack/Eight off suit is a favorite against one random hand?

Without the knowledge of knowing what two cards have above average equity, you could be putting yourself at a big disadvantage even if you are the Big Stack. When you are the short stack, it's absolutely critical you understand the percentages to make the correct play. Of course it's not a guarantee to victory, but it is a guarantee you'll more likely than not get your money in with the best of it.

Whether you're in a situation that presents an opportunity to steal or late in a tournament with a short stack, the correct play is to press your advantage against one player.

Simulation work has been done using the Donahue Digital's DD Tournament Edition Poker simulator, for the answers as to what hands had an above average equity against one random hand.

Here are the obvious cases:

* Any pocket pair. Even pocket twos have a 50.35 percent equity against one random hand.

* Any Ace or King. A-2 off suit has a 54.94 percent equity against one random hand, K-2 off suit has a 50.5 percent equity against one random hand.

Of course, there are some less-than-obvious answers. The following combinations are just above even equity, and thus, are "better than average" hands:

* Q-5 off suit or any better unsuited Queen.

* Any Queen if it is suited.

* J-8 off suit or any better Jack.

* J-6 or any better suited Jack.

* T-9 off suit.

* T-7, T-8, T-9 suited.

* 9-8 suited.

All other hands are less than 50 percent equity and should be folded in this situation.
One of the reasons I really love this game is that I'm always discovering the seemingly undiscovered. I've never seen anything like this in print before—it truly was an undiscovered fact.

I was walking on campus today back from our weekly gig at the University of Texas' South Mall, when I heard a member of the Young Conservatives of Texas speak. March 2nd is Texas Independence Day and so this chap was sermon that if you work difficult and play by the rules you too can take a good life.

Maybe it's the sceptic in me, but it made me think, "What a clump of crock!" Most people, including most musicians, work difficult and play by the rules, but did you cognize that Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in recognition card debt from calendar calendar month to month. Well Iodine inquire you, what sort of life is that when a immense bulk of state is in unprofitable debt?

But I've been reading books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" recently, in an effort to larn music concern and finance accomplishments from people who do millions. Bash they follow the rules? Yes...sorta.

The inquiries that came to me as I walked by the Young Conservatives were, "Who do the rules?" and "Are we following the Right rules?"

That's really the cardinal that many successful concern people learn. It's not a substance of are you following the rules. It's are you following the Right rules?

You see, our community is filled with rules on what you can't do, but there are also dozens of rules that say what you can do, but most people don't cognize what they are.

Taxes are a great example. The norm instrumentalist might not subtract things like auto traveling to and from gigs, or the cost of their picks, because they may not cognize that they can.

The same travels with promotion. Just because you're on MP3.com and acquire a twelve electronic mails from other instrumentalists in a word word form missive saying, "play my song", makes not intend that you should set together your ain form missive and Spam thousands of musicians.

Or just because most instrumentalists make their best to pull the attending of a Major label A&R Oregon even the President, makes not intend you shouldn't schmooze with the secretary.

The point is cognize the rules, but then look beyond them. The rules are a guide. They are not etched in stone. Interruption the rules. Bash what others are NOT doing and you will make a better of occupation standing out in the crowd.

I'm a immense fan of SpamAssassin. I have got many websites and all of my waiters utilize it. It cuts out about 80% of the dirt heading to my inbox. And while I make lose a few newsletters, it's worth it.

The job is too many indie concerns just don't acquire it. They believe flashy is the manner to go, but more than than than and more people recognize as Spam goes ever more rampant that if you desire to reach your fans, you necessitate to make your newssheets accessbile first, flashy second.

How make you do that?

Start by doing away with hypertext markup language in emails.

That's right. Ditch it. It's useless. I cognize one music game website that actually directs out hypertext markup language messages with artwork and all. And every edition acquires SpamAssassinated. hypertext markup language electronic mails are selling heaven. A seller can track which electronic mails are opened and which not. They include javascript and cookies, and of course, hypertext markup language is easy to steal a virus into.

So halt using hypertext markup language newsletters. Remember the point of fan newssheets is communication. If you don't effectively pass on with your fan base, then you're wasting your time.

How make you cognize if your newssheet is being Spam Assassinated?

For the past twelvemonth or so I've been using SiteBuildIt to optimize my websites for the hunt engines. SiteBuildIt is programme designed to assist you construct a webpage that Effectively sells your merchandise while helping you to exceed the hunt engines.

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Instead, fall in their affiliate program. You will happen out about ALL the great services they offer, like their SpamChecker, and happen out IF it's compensate for you.

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