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banoster

Norbert Bárdos — Editor-in-Chief Norbert has written about poker as banoster since 2009. He came to the game from sports journalism, by way of the television broadcasts that followed the poker boom — which meant he arrived already knowing how to file copy, and learned the poker afterwards. He joined PokerAkademia first as a player and then as an editor, and wrote most of the news archive that turned it into the defining community site of Hungarian poker. In parallel he built a playing career: an NL100 six-max cash regular, several years spent as a backed player, and three years in Team Hero's Hungarian cash game programme, coached by high-stakes regulars including Katz0r and neomorf. He is still an active, winning player at those stakes. What he brings to RakeRace beyond the editing is fifteen years inside the poker industry itself, including the affiliate side of it. He knows how rakeback deals get negotiated, why one room's offer wins on paper and loses at the table, and which parts of this business readers are usually not told about. That is the beat he covers personally: poker news, the industry, and how the money actually moves. He has followed casino games since 2025, and plays blackjack away from the poker tables. The hands-on casino reviewing on this site is done by Patr1ckz, who has six years of play behind it; Norbert's role there is editorial. What he covers Poker news and industry analysis Poker room reviews and rakeback deals How the affiliate business works — including ours NLHE cash game strategy at micro to mid stakes Experience Playing since 2009 Stakes and format NL100, six-max No-Limit Hold'em cash Coaching Three years in the Team Hero Hungarian cash game programme Editorial background Sports journalist, then editor at PokerAkademia Casino games Following since 2025 Role at RakeRace Editor-in-Chief Elsewhere His  A  The  — most of it his Disclosure Norbert spent three years in the Team Hero cash game programme, and RakeRace has a commercial relationship with Team Hero. He does not write our Team Hero coverage, and any article that mentions them carries this disclosure. The rest of the team Norbert edits the work of the writers on our team page — Zenderman on cash game strategy and poker news, Daniboy on solver work and study method, and Patr1ckz on tournaments and casino reviews.

Articles by banoster

Phil Hellmuth Struggles While Negreanu Dominates – Will He Recover in Time?

Phil Hellmuth is off to a slow start at the 2025 WSOP, while Daniel Negreanu is thriving. Can the Poker Brat turn things around in time?

He Ran $23K Up to $500K — Then Lost a $738K Pot to Mariano Grandoli

Mariano Grandoli wins a $738K pot on Hustler Casino Live after Jae Cusick’s epic runback ends in dramatic fashion. Watch the full hand and breakdown.

The Immortals of Poker: Stephen Chidwick, the Silent Assassin

Stephen Chidwick’s journey from online prodigy to $66M+ live earnings and a legacy built on precision, discipline, and lasting impact.

How Poker Players Use ChatGPT to Find Leaks, Exploit Opponents & Win More

Analyze poker stats with ChatGPT. Find leaks, profile opponents, and uncover winning strategies with this powerful AI tool.

Unibet Poker Unveils HexaPLO – Exclusive Omaha LSNG Format Every Thursday

Unibet Poker launches HexaPLO, an Omaha lottery sit & go format running Thursdays only. €2 buy-in, 1000x top prize, 125x jackpots every 2 hours.

PokerStars Removes Classic Spin & Go Depth – Players React to Flash-Style Merger

PokerStars merged Spin & Go with Flash, making classic games faster and shallower. Regulars push back—here’s what changed and how it affects strategy.

microFestival 2025 – Over $10 Million Guaranteed in GGPoker’s Micro-Stakes Series

GGPoker’s microFestival returns with more than $10M in guaranteed prizes, buy-ins from just $1, daily tournaments, and Second Chance Freerolls for beginners.

WPN Launches Battle of Malta Online Series

For the first time, the Winning Poker Network (WPN) will host the Battle of Malta Online, featuring $5 million in guaranteed prizes and exclusive live satellite packages.

Majka, Hungarian Rapper Behind Viral Anti-Orban Video, Makes Final Table at WPT Slovakia

Hungarian rapper Peter Majoros, known for his viral anti-Orban video, finished 4th at WPT Slovakia—his strongest live poker result to date.

CoinPoker Mid Stakes Cash Game World Championship: Play Rake-Free and Win a $15K Rolex!

Play rake-free in CoinPoker’s Mid Stakes CGWC from June 1–28 and win a $15K Rolex, $10K cash, and VIP entries across 4 action-packed weeks!

Tom Dwan Interview: Inside His Experience at a London Psychiatric Facility

Tom Dwan gives first full interview to Abril Zucchi after UK mental health incident—talks PokerNews controversy, coercion, and legal action.

Would Trump Be a Good Poker Player? – Where Politics Meets the Card Table

Would Trump make a good poker player? A recent article says no – and John von Neumann’s game theory helps explain why his approach may be easier to read than it seems.

5-Card PLO Mayhem: Yodogoki Battles Omaha4rollz at $100/$200 on CoinPoker

While crushing the Triton PLO Main Event live, Omaha4rollz still found time to battle Yodogoki online in this fierce $100/$200 5-card PLO slugfest!

From Chess Fame to Poker Tables: The Rise of Alexandra Botez

From chess prodigy to poker talent—Alexandra Botez bridges strategy and entertainment, inspiring a new generation in two of the world’s most iconic games.

Jason Koon Wins Triton Montenegro Finale, Secures Record 12th Title

Jason Koon won the $30K PLO Turbo Bounty Quattro at Triton Montenegro, claiming his 12th series title. He earned $4,078,999 across five cashes at the stop.

Macau’s Big Games: Where Poker Pros and Asian Billionaires Went to War

Behind closed doors at StarWorld Casino, poker legends and tycoons battled in high-stakes games that defined an era in Macau poker history.

Greek Poker Odyssea 2025: Win Your Seat through iPoker Satellites

Win a full €1,800 package or a €600 seat to the Greek Poker Odyssea 2025! Qualify now through daily iPoker satellites and freerolls.

Patrick Leonard Analyzes Bobby James’ Tournament Win – New Video on BJPoker Channel

Patrick Leonard reviews a CoinMasters tourney won by Bobby James – watch the 35-minute poker coaching video now!

Tom Dwan Hospitalized in UK Against His Will, Plans Lawsuit

After a series of erratic posts, poker pro Tom Dwan was hospitalized in the UK against his will. He now claims he was drugged and plans legal action.

The Immortals of Poker: Tom "durrrr" Dwan, the High-Stakes Maverick

Tom Dwan rose from a $50 online bankroll to global poker fame—explore his meteoric rise, the Durrrr Challenge, and his mysterious Macau years.

Understanding the PVI System at GGPoker – How It Affects Your Rakeback

Wondering why your GGPoker rakeback is low? Learn how the hidden PVI system affects your cashback and how to calculate your real rewards.

Phil Hellmuth’s Son Scores Career-Best Poker Win on Poker Night in America in Reno

Phil Hellmuth’s son wins $27,050 on Poker Night in America in Reno—his biggest poker result yet. Full story and reactions via CardPlayer.com.

Patr1ckz Secures Career-Best $170,000 with 5th Place Finish at TLPT Jeju 2025 Main Event

RakeRace.com player Patr1ckz secured a $170,000 payday with a 5th place finish in the TLPT Jeju 2025 Main Event — his biggest live result to date.

Alexandra Botez Joins ClubWPT Gold After Leaving GGPoker

Alexandra Botez leaves GGPoker to join ClubWPT Gold as ambassador, joining Doug Polk and Rampage in a growing influencer roster.

Linus Loeliger and Kayhan Mokri Clash at CoinPoker’s High Stakes Tables

Linus Loeliger and Kayhan Mokri exchange big swings in a $100/$200 CoinPoker heads-up battle. Watch short recaps of both sessions in video form.

Shevliakov Responds to EPT Controversy: “There Was No Trickery”

Controversy surrounds a key hand from the EPT Monte Carlo final table. Shevliakov claims it was a mistake, Wakil is sure it was a deliberate angle shoot.

NV22 Dominates CoinPoker High Stakes PLO – omaha4rollz and GucciNIKE Among the Victims

Mysterious player NV22 crushes CoinPoker high-stakes PLO, earning nearly $1 million and defeating top pros like omaha4rollz and GucciNIKE.

How to Use GGPoker's Smart HUD Effectively for Player Profiling

We’ll show you how to use GGPoker’s Smart HUD to build player profiles and adapt your strategy based on preflop statistics.

Spin & Go Max Update: PokerStars Removes Forced All-In and Boosts Jackpots

Major Spin & Go Max update on PokerStars: forced all-ins removed, bigger jackpots, new blind levels, and buy-ins. A more skill-based format returns.

Shevliakov’s Controversial Move Sparks Uproar After EPT Monte Carlo Final Table

Aleksandr Shevliakov’s disputed play during the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event final table stirred widespread debate – he ultimately took down the title and the €1,000,000 first prize.
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