The One-Minute Guide to Poker

(By Tom Chiarella, Esquire magazine, October 2010)

The World Series of Poker Europe started this week in London. Here are a few words of advice from our writer at large, who played in the World Series of Poker and taught a poker class for almost ten years at DePauw University.  

Bet. Bet hard. Poker is a game of courage and reaction. When in doubt, don't call, raise. You'll get a reaction. If someone comes over the top and puts you all-in, then you've paid a little to learn a lot. When you get beat — and you will — do not button up and stop betting.

You can ignore the first rule and win. But if you do not completely understand its principles, then you should not sit at a poker table.

Be a bastard. Drive people crazy. When they hate you, you can take advantage.

Know your outs. Play enough, practice enough so you can understand whether you have three cards that can help you or fifteen.

Think of your chips as weapons: When you have a lot of them, they are a gangster's stockpile of gats. When you have a few, they are samurai swords. Both dangerous, but in different ways.

Here's a saying: When men draw to flushes, they leave Vegas on buses.

Opt for the home game; it's the best way to enjoy poker. Play dealer's choice, serve good sandwiches, and set the stakes so no one is making a living at beating down his friends.

Shut up. Did someone draw out a runner-runner flush against your set of aces? Get used to it.

Things You Should Never Do at the Poker Table
• Splash the pot.
• Ask if it's your turn.
• Ask to see a losing hand.
• Ask for advice.
• Offer advice.
• Suggest a round of shots.
• Blame the dealer.
• Throw in your watch.
• Weep.

  http://www.esquire.com/features/world-series-of-poker-advice-1010