Getting you in the mood for a winning festive season at the poker table
HAPPY HOLIDAYS Just to get us in party mood I thought we’d kick off today’s column with a poker joker.
POKER JOKER A poker player arrives in hell to be greeted by the Devil. “Don’t look so glum!” says the Devil. “But I’m in Hell!” says the poker player. “Are you a drinker?” asks the Devil. “You bet I am!” says the player. “You’ll love Mondays! We drink all day on Mondays!” says the Devil. “Hey! This doesn’t sound so bad after all!” replies the player. “Do you like gambling?” asks the Devil. “Of course! I adore gambling!” says the poker player. “You’ll love Tuesdays! We gamble all day!” promises the Devil. “Wow! If I didn’t know better I’d think I was in Heaven!” cheered the player. “By the way. Are you gay?” queried the Devil. “Certainly not!” protested the player. “Hmmm!” murmured the Devil, “You’re gonna hate Wednesdays!”
TOP TEXAS HOLD'EM TIPS FOR XMAS! 1) Always approach each round of betting in Texas Hold’em as though it was the first round. In other words consider each bet in isolation. If you allow the echo of your last bet to influence what you do with the current bet you will end up “chasing” the money you have invested. This is bad poker play. Never concentrate on the chips you may have lost. Always concentrate on the ones you will save if folding is the right decision at that specific point in the game. 2) When I sit down to an online table of complete strangers I often like to use an “opener” by way of introducing myself. An opener is where you immediately raise, causing every other player at the table to call two bets at once. It’s a bet for information. A majority of the players will fold revealing those with a strong hand or a psycho temperament. 3) Look out for “action junkies”. These are players who play just for the thrill of the game. Their play pattern stands out a mile and you need to take them on. They will always lose more than they win and that’s the kind of percentage play an experienced player looks for.
