FLASH MEANS CASH! It’s actually true as far as social games are concerned. If you sit down at a live game opposite a guy who can shuffle cards like he was a consultant to Steve McQueen in “Cincinnati Kid” there’s no doubt it’ll intimidate opponents. If the same guy then starts rolling chips over his knuckles like they’re magnetised to his hand, the shiver in opponents re-raises to a shudder. So if you’re thinking of taking up anything over the holiday period, practice your poker tricks. They’re an investment in your social table image.
FREQUENTLY ASKED POKER QUESTIONS Q: Is it true that poker is being considered as a sporting event for the London Olympics? A: Barry Hearn, the big time sports promoter and keen Texas Hold’em player, has certainly been pushing for it and he has an important voice in the right circles.
Q: What’s your favourite play in a big game of no limit Texas Hold’em? A: To try to get an opponent into a situation where he or she is actually risking their entire stash if they want to make a bet. Assume your opponent has $2,000 in chips and you lead with a $700 bet. In real terms you are betting him his $2,000 for the price of your $700. If he calls your $700 he’s got to go for the rest. Always look to make the bet that puts your opponent’s stack under nuclear threat.
Q: Most of your advice seems to be against playing weak hands. Surely there are some exceptions? A: My advice applies in the main to new players. Of course, if you have the advantage of late position and you are facing some obviously weak players then a combative raising game may well have them all folding with you stealing the pot. You do however need to be a reasonably cultured player to spot these situations accurately and take them down.
Q: I’m just starting out. I’ve been playing on the free money games and want to begin playing in real cash $1-$2 games. What would be the right stack size for starting out at this level? A: You are going about your entry into poker playing in the right way. The most important thing to remember, even with $1-$2 games, is not to enter the game until you can afford a good size stack. You need to be able to weather any storms and still have enough ammo left to really capitalise when you hit that premium hand. I’d set myself a $100 entry target.
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THE ACES poker column: Sunday, December 17, 2006: "Poker Tricks Enhance Your Table Image"
