MEL’S HOLD’EM POKER

North America and Europe, and quite possibly other parts of the world have been overtaken by a new rage, Texas Hold’em or as more often referred to - “Hold’em”. I have been playing poker for over 40 years and find it hard to explain this phenomenal growth.

Perhaps the most influential event to promote this rage has been live poker on the internet, followed by television coverage of some of the major tournaments. I’m not sure which came first. The rapid expansion of the prize money certainly acted as a catalyst that further accelerated this phenomenal growth. I am convinced that another contributing factor is that certain behaviour in poker is permitted, accepted, and if done well even respected. Where else can you lie, bluff and fake. Somehow I would bet that this devious behaviour appeals to our dark side. Some are awful good at it.

Having an inexperienced poker player, an accountant, Chris Moneymaker, win the World Series of Poker ($2.5 million first place prize) after paying less than $100 entry sure did help. Dreams are made by every new player and by Jove, if he can do it, so can you.

Hold’em is the great equalizer. An inexperienced young kid can outstare or bluff an outstanding experienced player and yes, we have all seen that any player can win. As they say, any two cards can win.

Poker has several addictive lures. The first is money.

Easy money, there for the taking.

Just get lucky. The second is ego. I have never seen a poker table that is not abundantly overstuffed with ego. There are no bad players. It takes only bad luck to lose, and only skill to win. Just ask the “poker gods” that we all pray to. I might also add that there is a shortage of sympathy. No matter what the other players say, they really don’t give a damn.

This is the first of a weekly series of columns to appear in your newspaper. The column will cover many different interesting hold’em stories.

From week to week we will feature:

• Tournaments to watch for
  
• Results of recent tournaments
  
• That special poker story-don’t forget poker players are just like fishermen—they never lie
  
• The worst of the bad beats
  
• Biggest mistakes that the inexperienced player makes
  
• “Tells”, how to avoid giving out, and how to read others
  
• No Limit, the ultimate hold’em game
  
• Budgeting and gambling
  
• Courtesy at the table (this may be the perfect oxymoron)
  
• Tip of the week to play better and win more