24/01: DEUCES STRATEGY
The following strategy is a little more complicated than the other two versions covered in this casino chapter. Some basic rules are not to play any machine that does not pay five_for.0ft’ for four—of-a-kind. And most important of all, even if you’ve got a shot at a natural royal, do not discard any Deuce!
17/01: Cheating at Draw Poker
It is much easier for the sharp to cheat at Draw Poker than at Stud for the relatively simple reason that the player at Draw can hold his cards closed in his hand while the hand at Stud remains in full view of the other players on the table before him at all times.
17/01: Draw Poker
IN THE ORIGINAL Poker game, each player received five cards face down, did not show any of them until the showdown, and never had a chance to improve beyond the five cards originally dealt to him. This was “Straight” Poker.
Although much has been written on this subject, here are some brief comments about defending your blind in an aggressive but slightly loose $ 10-20 hold’em game.
If you are the small blind (half a bet), in a situation in which everyone folds, it is advantageous to have arranged a friendly “split” agreement with the big blind on your left. Otherwise, you should raise frequently whenever you have enough to call (very roughly, two cards eight or higher) and follow through very aggressively. Whenever there are callers (not raisers), you usually should call the half-bet because only the big blind can raise after you, and you always get adequate odds if there is no raise. However, if there is a raise before the flop, you generally should concede your small blind rather than put up another one-and-a-half bets — unless you have a very good hand. Occasionally, you might judge that the situational percentages are sufficient to play (“fish in”) with suited, connecting rags.
If you are the small blind (half a bet), in a situation in which everyone folds, it is advantageous to have arranged a friendly “split” agreement with the big blind on your left. Otherwise, you should raise frequently whenever you have enough to call (very roughly, two cards eight or higher) and follow through very aggressively. Whenever there are callers (not raisers), you usually should call the half-bet because only the big blind can raise after you, and you always get adequate odds if there is no raise. However, if there is a raise before the flop, you generally should concede your small blind rather than put up another one-and-a-half bets — unless you have a very good hand. Occasionally, you might judge that the situational percentages are sufficient to play (“fish in”) with suited, connecting rags.
03/01: Variations of Poker
Hiens. Depending upon the locality in which the game is played, and the personal preferences of the players, certain special combinations of cards may be given values along with the standard poker hands enumerated on page 2. Some of these hands are:
27/12: POKER CDNTRARIAN RULES
The idea of grinding out a profit starts with a sufficient bankroll. That starting bankroll is a bettor’s foundation for success. But most amateur gamblers start off from day one with insufficient funds. They don’t realize it, but in most cases that poorly financed start is deadly. They are “walking dead” from the first moment they make their first wager.
“Dollink,” asked my Aunt Linda, “why do losers play cards?”
I dropped a crust of raisin toast over the side of the balcony that runs the length of my first-floor apartment. Several of the fat mallards that live in the duck pond around which are arrayed the buildings of the complex waded through the ivy for their late- afternoon treat. They seemed particularly pleased with the peanut butter remnants on the crust.
I dropped a crust of raisin toast over the side of the balcony that runs the length of my first-floor apartment. Several of the fat mallards that live in the duck pond around which are arrayed the buildings of the complex waded through the ivy for their late- afternoon treat. They seemed particularly pleased with the peanut butter remnants on the crust.
13/12: Poker Clack
Sure, we sometimes talk about “poker clack.” But that’s wrong. It’s one word: pokerclack — look it up in the dictionary. No, wait! Don’t look it up; I was just bluffing. But it should be in the dictionary, because it’s among the most profitable sounds in poker.
05/12: Greg’s Dilemma
A friend of Phil’s loses two hands, but things could have been worse
Greg Pierson is the man! No, you haven’t heard of him yet, but mark my words, GP’s new company, loVation — an Internet security company — will have a billion dollar valuation by 2008. Considering how much respect I have for Greg and the fact that I’m lucky enough to be an investor in loVation, I vowed to him that he could get some private lessons from me anytime.
Greg Pierson is the man! No, you haven’t heard of him yet, but mark my words, GP’s new company, loVation — an Internet security company — will have a billion dollar valuation by 2008. Considering how much respect I have for Greg and the fact that I’m lucky enough to be an investor in loVation, I vowed to him that he could get some private lessons from me anytime.
I originally learned to play by reading the earliest video poker books and I continue to upgrade my strategies as new titles are published; these books are readily available and I recommend the best ones in the Appendix. I do cover the most important skill, choosing a
Video poker machine by analyzing the pay schedule, and I explain two variations of video poker play, known as 9/6 jacks or better and deuces wild. I also discuss aspects of video poker that aren’t usually covered in the how-to books, but are nonetheless important, things such as low-roller bankroll considerations, how to decide whether to play quarters or dollars, when to deviate from optimal strategy, and other practical considerations.
Video poker machine by analyzing the pay schedule, and I explain two variations of video poker play, known as 9/6 jacks or better and deuces wild. I also discuss aspects of video poker that aren’t usually covered in the how-to books, but are nonetheless important, things such as low-roller bankroll considerations, how to decide whether to play quarters or dollars, when to deviate from optimal strategy, and other practical considerations.