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Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:15 PM

Black Friday Deals

Aldo Shoes 

The fast-fashion shoe chain will offer 30% off all shoes and 20% off bags.  Friday only.
Various locations 

American Eagle Outfitters

Take half off logo tees and 20% off a purchase that includes 2 hoodies or sweaters. Not a tall order if you have kids and tweens on your shopping list. Friday only.
Various locations

Ann Taylor Loft

20% off all store merchandise if you shop before noon. Friday only.
Midtown: 35 West 34th Street

Bare Escentuals

Receive a four piece makeup set with any $50 purchase made before noon.  Friday only.
Midtown: 44 West 34th Street
Upper East Side: 1140 3rd Avenue

Barneys New York

Save on Rag & Bone denim (marked to $119 from $242), Giles & Brother accessories and Moschino footwear.  Friday through Sunday.
Midtown: 660 Madison Avenue
Chelsea: 236 West 18th Street
Upper West Side: 2151 Broadway
Soho: 116 Wooster Street

Bebe

Try your luck with Bebe's scratch-off savings cards. Friday only.
Midtown: 1 West 34th Street

Betsey Johnson

Enjoy 40% off the wack-a-doo designer's fall offerings (with the exception of intimates, swimwear and accessories).  Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 138 Wooster Street (between Houston and Prince) 

Bird

This hip Brooklyn boutique is offering between 25 and 40 percent off select men's and women's fall collections.  Keen shoppers should keep their eyes peeled for Alexander Wang, Loeffler Randall, and Commes des Garcons.  Friday through Sunday.
Cobble Hill: 220 Smith Street (at the corner of Butler)
Park Slope: 316 Fifth Avenue (between 2nd and 3rd streets)
Williamsburg: 203 Grand St (between Bedford and Driggs)

Blue & Cream

30% off select designers like Yigal Azrouel, Rag & Bone and Charlotte Ronson.  20% off all other merchandise.
East Village: 1 East 1st Street

Brooks Brothers 

Built By Wendy

Rising indie star Wendy Mullen will offer 30% off select fall styles--we're particularly enamored of the hooded wool car coat, now $220 from $315. Friday through Sunday.
Williamsburg: 46 North 6th Street (near Kent Avenue)

Charlotte Russe

Take 25% off all store merchandise. Friday only.
Midtown: 901 6th Avenue

Cloak and Dagger

Last spring's collection will be marked down up to 75% off, with fall/winter styles at 15%. Friday through Tuesday.
East Village: 441 East 9th Street (at Avenue A)

Club Monaco

Scoop up Italian cashmere, marked down from $150 to only $99, at Club Monaco locations throughout the city.  Friday through Sunday.
Various locations

Diesel

Fall collections from the Italian mega-brand will be up to 30% off--a good opportunity to stock up on new jeans. Friday through Sunday.
Various locations

Dusica Dusica

This one is sure to get shoe-aholics exercising a little spending power: additional markdowns of 20% on previously on-sale boots and shoes;  30% off full-price styles. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 67 Prince (at the corner of Crosby)

Elie Tahari

40 to 50 percent off Fall collections--which, by the way, were particularly awesome this year. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 417 West Broadyway (between Spring and Prince.

Express

25% off everything purchased before noon; 20% off purchases after noon.  Friday only.
Various locations

 Fred Flare

We're big fans of this discrete Greenpoint boutique, and even more so now that it's marking down all store merchandise by 25%. Be sure to scope out the faux fur vest, down to $45 from $60. Friday Only.
Greenpoint: 131 Meserole Avenue (at Leonard Street)

Frock

 H&M

Ye Olde H&M will knock 25% off the item of your choosing should you arrive before 10am.  Plus, the $5 rack is rumoured to be stocked aplenty with dresses, tops, and (gasp) outerwear. Friday only.
Various locations

Hayden Harnett

Brooklyn natives Toni Hayden and Ben Harnett will offer up to 40% off their complete fall collections. Don't miss the handbags!
211 Franklin (at Freeman Street)
253 Elizabeth Street (near Houston)

Helianthus

Womenswear up to 40% off including pieces from buzz-worthy designers Pencey and Wren.
Soho: 196 Spring Street (at Sullivan Street)
West Village: 552 LaGuardia Place (near 3rd Street)

Hickey Freeman

40% off all fall sportswear and dress shirts for men.  Dad much? Friday only.
Various locations

J. Crew Factory Outlet

J. Crew's Woodbury Commons factory outlet will offer an additional 40% off to shoppers who arrive before 8am.  Looks like the early bird catches the fitted tweed blazer. Friday only.
Woodbury Commons

John Varvatos

Perfect if you're shopping for the men in your lives, Varvatos will offer 30% off its fall collection. Friday through Sunday.
East Village: 315 Bowery ( at Bleecker Street)
Soho: 122 Spring Street (at Greene Street)

Kate's Paperie

Channel the thrill you felt at age six when shopping for new pens and notebook covers for school: chic office supply and stationary supplier, Kate's Paperie, will offer 21% off all calendars, planners, and agendas in honor of the brand's 21st birthday. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 72 Spring Street (between Crosby and Lafayette)
West Village: 8 West 13th Street (between 5th and 6th)
Midtown: 140 West 57th Street (between 6th and 7th avenue)
Upper East: 1282 Third Avenue (at 74th street)

Kenneth Cole

For the first four hours of Black Friday shoppers will receive 41% (not a typo--41%) off all store merchandise, which will revert to 31% for the rest of the weekend. Friday through Sunday.
Various locations

Kill Devil Hill

Another hidden Greenpoint gem: Kill Devil Hill is offering 25% off all store merchandise, including vintage clothing, antiques, furniture and assorted bricabrac. As an added incentive and/or hazard, all edged weapons will benefit from an additional markdown at 50%. Friday only.
Greenpoint: 170 Franklin (between Huron and India Street)

Kisan

Lifestyle boutique Kisan will offer clothing and home accessories at up to 70% off. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 125 Greene Street (near Prince Street)

Oak

Take 20% off all clothing and shoes.  Look for choice selections from Alexander Herchovich, Filippa K and Clu. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 28 Bond Street
Williamsburg: 208 North 8th Street

Old Navy

Already budget-friendly Old Navy crosses over into the dirt-cheap, with all adult sweater and jeans at $15 a pop. Friday through Sunday.
Various locations

Opening Ceremony

Major discounts on the in-house brand as well as serious designer offerings from Boy by Band of Outsiders and Jeremy Scott. 30 to 50 percent off select men's and women's styles.
35 Howard Street (at Broadway)

Project No. 8

Shoes and women's styles between 25 and 40 percent off.
138 Division Street (at Orchard Street)

Rebecca & Drew

Pick up a fitted button-down or shirtdress and have it monogrammed for free on top of savings up to 40%.  Friday through Sunday.
342 West 13th Street (at Hudson Street)

Ralph Lauren

Belated but no less noteworthy, Ralph Lauren's "open invitation" Friends and Famiy sale will offer 25% off to those who request it. Starts Tuesday, December 1st.
Soho:  381 West Broadway (between Spring and Broome)
West Village: 383 Bleecker Street (at the corner of Perry Street)

Rogan

Shredded-denim afficionados will enjoy  30% discounts off men's and women's collections.  Today through Sunday.
Nolita: 330 Bowery Street

Sephora

Rumour has it that the first 100 guests to any of Sephora's NYC locations will receive a mystery gift card worth anywhere between $10 and $500.
Various locations.

SHOP BROOKLYN

A slew of participating Brooklyn merchants -- from St. Kilda to Brooklyn Fox lingerie -- will be offering a special "Brooklyn Bonus" to holiday shoppers this season, from discounts to free gifts with purchase.
For participating locations and information, visit ishopbrooklyn.com

Stella Filante

40% off all fall styles including Bulga, Boy Meets Girl and Antik Batik.
Lower East Side: 156 Ludlow Street (near Stanton Street)

Steve Madden

More scratch cards!  cards!  Shoppers can receive up to 40% off with one of Steve Madden's Black Friday gambles.
Various locations

Temperley London

Accessories and fall collection up to 40% off. Friday through Sunday.
Soho: 435 Broome Street (at Mercer Street)

Terra Plana

Eco-friendly footwear from Terra Plana's Fall/Winter 2009 collections will be marked down 30%. Friday through Sunday.
Nolita: 245 Elizabeth Street (at Houston)

Thistle & Clover

Enjoy 30% off select women's styles--Sunner, Trovata, and Geren Ford ready for the the taking. Friday through Sunday.
Fort Greene: 221 Dekalb Avenue (near Clermont)

Tommy Hilfiger

Receive 20% off purchases of $150 or more, 30% off purchases of $300, and 40% off purchases over $500.  We've been eyeing a navy peacoat with gold buttons for some time now...
Various locations

Tracy Reese

Take 20% off jewelry, womenswear, and shoes. Friday only.
Meatpacking: 641 Hudson (at Gansevoort Street)

Uniqlo

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Uniqlo will offer a different promotion each day for 25 days, kicking off--when else?--on Black Friday. Ease in with women's cashmere for only $49.90.
Soho: 546 Broadway (near Spring Street)

Poker books

Play Poker like the Pros
By Phil Hellmuth, Jr. (Phil was one of the professional players who was present at the 2005 Wall Street Poker Night Tournament)

Championship No-Limit & Pot Limit Hold ‘Em
By T. J. Cloutier and Tom McEvoy. (T.J. was one of the professional players who was present at the 2007 Wall Street Poker Night Tournament)

Championship Tournament Practice Hands
By T. J. Cloutier and Tom McEvoy.

Doyle Brunson’s Super System
By Doyle Brunson. This is the classic—the bible of poker—that has taught thousands of players the game for the past three decades. Look out for the new, updated edition coming soon!

Bad Beats and Luck Draws: Poker Strategies, Winning Hands, and Stories from the Professional Poker Tour
By Phil Hellmuth, Jr. He is an esteemed poker professional, 1989 World Series of Poker Champion, and a veteran Wall Street Poker Night announcer. In this book Phil presents literally hundreds of hands that he and some of the best pros in the world have played over the years with commentary and advice that is bound to improve anybody's game.

Have you ever wondered what the life of a poker professional is like? Read any of these terrific books and find out!

The Biggest Game in Town
By Al Alvarez. He is a literary figure and poker enthusiast. Read about the world series of poker as it was played in the early 1980s before poker hysteria swept the world. This entertaining and well written book is the first of the "literary" poker books.

The Big Deal
By Anthony Holden. Ever wonder how someone who has written a biography of William Shakespeare might write about life as a poker pro? Well, spend a year in the life of respected author Anthony Holden as he takes a year out of his life to become a professional poker player and report about it. This is number two in the literary poker series.

Positively Fifth Street
By Jim McManus. Harper's journalist and poker buff Jim McManus reports on the 2000 World Series of Poker and winds up almost winning it. Read about his exciting adventures playing in the Biggest Game in Town. This is the third and final installment in the literary poker series.

Harvard Poker Pro Says Texas Hold 'Em Can Teach Traders to Fold

“They’ve essentially been the survivors in the system, a very difficult system where 95 percent of people lose money,” the 30-year-old Adams, who plays at the site, said in a telephone interview. “Anyone smart enough and disciplined enough to survive that system is probably going to do very well in the trading world.”

An increasing number of hedge funds and brokerages are scrutinizing professional poker to find talent and analytical tools, according to financial recruiters including Options Group, a New York-based executive-search company. Susquehanna International Group LLP, the Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania-based options and equity trading company, uses poker to teach strategic thinking.

“Someone who has made a successful living as a poker player for a few years would more likely be a good trader than someone who hasn’t,” said Aaron Brown, a 53-year-old former poker pro who is now a risk manager at AQR Capital Management LLC in Greenwich, Connecticut, which oversees $23 billion. “They know to push when they have the edge and they know how not to bust, and that’s a tough combination to find.”

Skill Sets
Skills that define successful traders -- rational approach toward risk, speedy decision-making under pressure, discipline and a well-trained memory -- are the same ones that separate elite poker players from ones known as “dead money,” financial recruiters say.

After the World Series of Poker started in Las Vegas four months ago, Options Group recruiter Simon Satanovsky said he received a hedge-fund request for online poker players with no financial experience. He wouldn’t identify the client.

“Before, we were asking about GPA or the Math/Physics Olympiad,” Satanovsky, a former Russian national bridge champion, said in a telephone interview. “Now, we’re asking questions about poker successes.”

Satanovsky said Wall Street firms and recruiters have been paying increasing attention to poker players as job candidates since 2003, when amateur Chris Moneymaker beat hundreds of professionals to win the World Series of Poker’s No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em main event.

The Right Game
Adams, who has taught at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, each spring since 2003, said disciplined poker players can be spotted on sites such as Full Tilt and PokerStars.com waiting for particular games, not tempted by those outside their area of expertise or financial comfort level.

Their self-control and confidence would be useful in trading where large profits are possible, the probability of going broke high and the competition formidable, he said. Adams cited as an example a trader who notices a slight imperfection in the way options are being priced, then works to come up with the proper bet per trade.

“In poker, people are used to not sitting back and waiting for the fat pitch,” Adams said. “They’re used to skirting the edge of ruin and they learn the tools of how to do that.”

Susquehanna has been using poker to teach its new traders since it was founded in 1987, said Pat McCauley, who heads the privately held firm’s trader-development program.

College Friends
The company’s founders played the game as college friends at the State University of New York-Binghamton. Susquehanna has held in-house poker tournaments to recruit traders and monitor decision-making skills.

The trainees learn to use information they see in the marketplace to infer what motivates others, helping them make better prices. It’s the same way poker pro Phil Ivey, considered among the game’s greats, makes bets based on what he sees among his opponents, McCauley said.

“What professional poker players are really good at is taking this information that’s relatively subjective, quantifying it and making it objective, and that’s what trading is about,” McCauley said.

The ability to write complex poker algorithms, which either run poker Web sites or try to beat them, will get hedge funds interested, said Todd Fahey, a recruiter who specializes in quantitative finance at New York-based Exemplar Partners.

“There have been a few guys that I’ve placed in the industry that come from the poker software side of the house,” Fahey said in a telephone interview. “Two Sigma, D.E. Shaw and any of your larger computationally-based hedge funds are going to want to see people like this.”

Two Sigma Investments LLC and D.E. Shaw Group, both based in New York, declined to comment.
Begleiter’s Try
The worlds of poker and finance often intersect. Steven Begleiter, who headed corporate strategy at Bear Stearns Cos. before its 2008 collapse, earned $1.6 million earlier this month with a sixth-place finish in the main event. Greenlight Capital LLC founder David Einhorn was 18th in 2006. The annual “Wall Street Poker Night,” benefiting Math for America, was started by billionaire James Simons, the founder of hedge-fund firm Renaissance Technologies Corp. This April, the $5,000 buy-in tournament drew 100 entrants -- 90 percent from hedge funds or other Wall Street jobs -- raising $1.3 million.

Even though poker players make good traders, they aren’t necessarily good with their own investments, said Adams, adding that he is almost “famously unsuccessful” as an investor.

“Poker players are lazy and they’re gossipers,” he said. “If you look at the way they trade, they tend to latch onto other people’s ideas.”

Texas Hold ‘Em
One person who has chosen poker over finance is Joe Cada, who this month outlasted Begleiter and Ivey at the main event final table. Cada, who plays the game professionally, was first among 6,494 entrants and took home the $8.55 million top prize, giving half to financial backers Cliff Josephy and Eric Haber, poker pros with Wall Street backgrounds. The Texas Hold ‘Em contest had a $10,000 entry fee.

“As a little kid, I used to watch the stock markets day in and day out,” Cada, 22, said in an interview. “My parents always thought I was going to get into banking or become a stockbroker because I was really good with math and logic, and I was obsessed with money.”

Cada said he plans to remain a poker pro. AQR’s Brown, the author of “The Poker Face of Wall Street” and a life-long player, long ago gave up the game professionally after a couple years of trying.

“I eventually decided finance was easier,” he said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

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