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People ask me all the time how
they can improve their Texas
Holdem poker skills. Today, I am
going to give you several ideas
of things you can do to become a
better player if that truly is
your goal. If you don't like an
idea in one paragraph, skip it
and go to the next, because I am
going to mention lots of
different things, and one idea
might just suit your fancy.
One great tool I have used
lately is the Poker Odds
Calculator. You can input
different hands and get their
chances of winning in a variety
of situations. It is pretty
cool, and is free and easy to
use. If you wonder, after
playing a hand, if you really
had the best of it, the odds
calculator will tell you. You
also can make up and simulate
situations. It is neat to input
various starting hands and
scenarios and see how they match
up, or learn just how big a
favorite one hand is over
another. Some of the stats might
surprise you.
Another great way to improve
your game is to get instruction
from the pros. Coincidentally,
it is time again for Card Player
Cruises to host the annual World
Poker Players Conference. It
will be held Nov. 6, and it is
not too late to register to
attend. In fact, until Nov. 1,
you can get the early-bird
special price of $99. Held at
the beautiful Bellagio Resort
and Casino in Las Vegas, this is
a perfect opportunity for all of
you who are serious about your
games to bring a notebook and
pen and take some notes on the
many great poker ideas,
theories, and anecdotes you will
hear. Also, bring your cameras
and autograph books, if that is
your thing, because many of the
poker stars and legends will be
there, and will be available up
close and personal. There is no
excuse for anyone who is serious
about his game not to attend
this affordable full day of
poker, poker, poker.
Slated to appear are Doyle
"Texas Dolly" Brunson, Mike "The
Mad Genius" Caro, Roy Cooke,
George Epstein, Mark Gregorich,
Jennifer Harman, Linda Johnson,
Lee Jones, Daniel Negreanu, Mike
Sexton, Barry "Poker Bear"
Tanenbaum, and Mark Tenner. In
addition, there are likely to be
many other poker celebs. You
will have an opportunity to
listen to the pros talk poker
strategy and discuss a broad
range of poker subjects, and ask
them questions, as well. I will
be there and will look forward
to meeting you.
One of my favorite ways to work
on my game is to work with a
poker mentor. Find someone whose
game you respect and watch him
play, take him to lunch to talk
poker, and ask him to watch you
play. One of the difficult
things about having someone
watch and critique your play is
that you tend to play
differently than you normally
would. Doing that won't teach
you a thing. You need to avoid
the temptation to play to
"impress" the mentor and just
play your normal game. Then, be
ready to listen to his
evaluation — the good, the bad,
and the ugly. It is very
eye-opening indeed. The player
who helps you needn't be
world-class, but should be one
of the better players in your
poker world. You can learn
something from virtually anyone
just by talking poker theory.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
until you are sure that you
understand what your mentor is
saying.
There are many new poker
products on the market, as well.
There is poker software, whereby
you can play at home on the
computer and have a program
access your play and make
suggestions. There are a zillion
new books. There are videos,
camps and conferences, private
instruction, and groups who meet
to discuss poker. As I have
frequently mentioned in this
column, in Las Vegas there is a
poker group that meets every
Wednesday at 2 p.m. to have
lunch and then discuss any and
all things related to poker. We
have been meeting for several
years now, and have a wonderful
core of regulars as well as
guest visitors. If you would
like information about how to
join this group, either as a
guest visiting Las Vegas or a
regular, please e-mail me.
I
hope to see you at the WPPC on
Nov. 6, and welcome any
questions or comments you have
about that or anything else.
Until next time, class
dismissed.
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