Texas holdem calculators have been around for a few years now. Most cost in the range of $20-$50 and promise to improve your game and win you lots of money. They calculate pot odds and advise you on the proper play for the situation.

Now Holdem Radar Company is offering a free version to anyone who may want it. Now players can try out the calculator without worrying about getting ripped off by a shady company with a junk product. Offering the free version lets the player try out the product without concern or commitment, and then the company can pitch the super-awesome updated deluxe’ professional version for $59.99.

Poker calculators are for suckers, whether they’re free or not. They’re used by players who are too lazy to read poker books and document their play. They’d rather find a way to cheat than get better by paying their dues. They can keep their free poker calculator.

Some people can play poker for a long time. I’m sure that I could handle a 24-hour session no problem. I’ve had a few 16-hour sessions, and I can’t recall any of them being difficult. There are some legendary stories about sessions going on for days. The official leader is Larry Olmsted, with a 72-hour session at Foxwoods in Connecticut. He started with $100 playing $0.50 ante Seven Card Stud. He managed to win close to $1,000.

Michael Mizrachi claims that he played for 75 hours at the Mirage. He played $6/$12 limit holdem and continued on a good run for the length of the session. He didn’t stay for any reason other than he was winning lots of money.

The official record for a game is 43 hours. It was set in 2006 by a bunch of guys in London England. They only stopped for bathroom breaks.

1. Barry Greenstein is very successful in tournaments, and is one of the kings of the Texas Holdem cash games. He donates all his tournament winnings, so one can just imagine what he makes in cash games.

2. Daniel Negreanu is the one of the best cash game and tournament Texas Holdem players. He is probably the best all-around Texas holdem player in Vegas.

3. Phil Ivey has won many tournaments and plays in the biggest cash games in Vegas. He started in Atlantic City, but you’re more likely to see him in Vegas these days.

4. Gus Hansen has been dominant both in cash games and in the tournament environment. His game has really evolved recently and he’s more dangerous than ever.

5. Phil Hellmuth is the best Texas Holdem tournament player in Vegas today, but not cash games. His 11 bracelets make him the No. 1 tournament player.

Most poker players know the best poker room in Vegas is at the Bellagio. They spread the widest selection of games there, but sometimes it can be hard to get on a Holdem table. Some players think that if you’re looking for Holdem action, the Wynn poker room might be a better option.

The new poker room at the Wynn has limit Holdem games starting at $4/8 and going to $100/200 and above. They also offer no-limit Texas Holdem starting at $1/3. They have 26 tables with most of them dedicated to holdem games. You can buy into a $1/3 no-limit game for $100 minimum, or $200 will get you a seat at $2/5 no-limit.

If you’re staying in the Wynn Hotel there is a poker perk. You can put your name on the waiting list and watch the queue on the in-house poker channel right in your room.