SOLO ARTISTS! NOT GROUPS! In this column and in poker guide books you’ll frequently read that from a standing start you should play Ten-Ten, Jack-Jack, Queen-Queen, King-King and Ace-Ace. This is helpful to give beginners a handle on what they should be betting on or folding in a very general sense. It does however mask a more telling truth which you need to become aware of as you get more experienced and creative in your play. This handy habit of categorising doesn’t point up the unique playability of the above hands under a range of different conditions.
WELCOME TO POKER’S X-FACTOR! For example it is actually not reasonable to think that the Jack-Jack hand above will play as well as an Ace-Ace. It simply won’t, yet the two hands are categorised together. It’s far more sensible for a player gaining in experience to begin thinking of starting hands in the following manner: What are the pitfalls and advantages of this particular hand? Is it a hand which will play better depending on my position at the table? Is this a drawing hand? Would it play better heads up or with multiple opponents? In other words, rather like a good tipster who studies racing form, it’s important to begin to know how to choose horses for courses.
TIPPLE OR TRIPS? YOUR CALL! How many players have you heard saying that a few drinks, “Loosen me up and give me more confidence when I’m going into a tough evening game?” Sounds reasonable. We don’t live in a nanny state, yet. But what are the scientific facts for a serious poker player? It’s an absolute medical fact that alcohol disrupts the signals communicated between nerve cells, damaging your concentration and changing the way you view things going on in front of you. This happens long before you are tipsy. The real danger with drinking is that the apparent added confidence and extra aggression it gives you as a player causes two rather alarming things to happen. The first is you make more rash decisions. The second is you start seeing opportunities that aren’t actually available to you. Drinking’s just fine if you’re not playing serious poker. The two ingredients together don’t make for a winning cocktail.
NOT SO FREQUENTLY ASKED POKER QUESTIONS Q: I’ve only just started playing online. How will I know when I’ve stopped being a fish and become a shark? A: When other players at the table stop being so damn pleased to see you.
Q: What’s the most interesting question you’ve ever been asked? A: How do you play Strip Poker?
