Archive for October, 2009

 Mike Sexton represents everything good about poker. He is a true gentleman and a prince of a man. As the sole inductee of 2009 to the Poker Hall of Fame, Mike just makes me so proud, I’m sitting here grinning from ear to ear as I post this!

By the way, there are few people in the poker world I respect and admire as much as Mike Sexton. Three of them are with Mike in this picture. Jan Fisher is on the far left, then Cyndy Violette. Linda Johnson is on the far right. Along with Mike, Jan and Linda were intimately involved helping make the World Poker Tour a great success.

Usually when I hear the word “etiquette”, what comes to mind is a white-gloved Ann Landers sitting straight-backed creating her daily newspaper column by way of an old fashioned, manual typewriter. Then, you add the word “poker”, and Ann’s image instantly morphs into the Dogs Playing Poker painting by C. M. Coolidge. Go figure… I have a vivid imagination.

Typically, the word etiquette means "rules of acceptable behavior: the rules and conventions governing correct or polite behavior in society in general or in a specific social or professional group or situation.” (Thank you, MSN Encarta dictionary.)

While we're not talking about a white-gloved ceremony, (not really my specialty, as you might imagine), let's just say there are similarities between the ceremony and etiquette of poker games and what you learned in kindergarten. Did that just take the wind out of your sails?

Okay, when we talk about poker etiquette, we're talking about agreed-upon ways of acting at the poker table. So, take what you learned in pre-school and combine that with the rules created by the Tournament Directors Association (TDA). Even when you are playing in a cash game, these poker tournament rules will serve you well.

TDA rules are personal to me. Even thought I was not one of the founders of the Tournament Directors Association, I was intimately involved with the tedious creation of the rules earlier in this century. (Don’t wise crack.) It involved thousands of emails over nearly a year, and, yes, I am as protective as a she lion of her cubs.

Why should you care about poker etiquette? You paid your money to play, you are a rebel, or, you are frankly not concerned with convention in general. Besides, you turned to poker as a diversion from all the constraints put on you in your daily life. Right?

You should care because unless you know how to act at the poker table, you might be given a penalty “time out”, or, your hand could be ruled dead, causing you to lose a pot you might have won. It might have been that one significant pot that would have made the difference between you actually winning the entire poker tournament or busting out before reaching a payday.

Besides, would you rather learn how to act at the poker table or risk being stoned by the other players? It’s not a popularity contest, but it is about having fun while you turn a profit.

Does your poker face keep them guessing, or can they read you like a book? Join poker coach Donna Blevins, in person for this full day, hands-on workshop and find out how to UnMask their poker face and perfect yours. It’s for beginners and seasoned players, both men and women. 

What: Live Workshop: Learn to Play Winning Poker on Halloween – UnMask Their Poker Face

When: Saturday, October 31, 2009, 9am to 3:30pm

Where: Crystal Oaks Community Center, in Lecanto, Florida

Tuition: $99 per person, $149 for any pair (or couple) Bonus: Includes catered lunch and beverages.

Right click here to download a pdf about this poker workshop on Halloween

Testimonial: "This workshop contains a lot of meat, but it is presented in a way that tastes like desert."

Our Guarantee & Refund Policy: "We are so convinced that you will love this workshop, we offer a unique guarantee. If for any reason you feel that the workshop has not met your expectations, return all your materials before the lunch break, and your entire tuition will be promptly refunded."

Poker fundraisers are fun places to make new friends. Join me, 7pm on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Citrus County Auditorium in Inverness, Florida, for another No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament. Come by 6:30pm for poker coaching and strategies.

Sponsored by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, the buy-in is only $70, and the prizes are the nuts. Besides the other great prizes, two lucky players will win full tuition to my Learn to Play Winning Poker full-day workshop this Halloween, October 31, 2009.

To download a registration form for the Cooter Poker Tournament on October 17, 2009, Right Click Here and save to your computer.

What the heck is a Cooter?

According to legend, it is a courageous turtle. To me, that sounds like another name for a winning poker player!

Sure, I knew that poker was hot worldwide, but who would have thought that poker was on fire in Citrus County, Florida? Last night during Casino Royale at Black Diamond Ranch, people played, laughed, shouted, and had a grand ole' time. It was certainly a night to remember and the place to be.

Since everyone knows, you are not an expert until you are 100 miles or more from home, even though we have lived in Citrus County since 2001, very few people knew that I spent my time as a professional poker player and poker coach. Last night I came out of the closet. Now they know, and by golly, they love it! Besides, I came in second in the no-limit Texas Hold'em tournament, and we all know, it is more fun to win.

 Poker players often joke that their poker game is a charity since they donate often and generously at the poker table. However, one of the best ways to help a worthy cause while honing your skills and experiencing the thrill of the game is at charity or fund raising poker tournaments. I love them. They are fun and give many people their first opportunity to play in a structured event while allowing people to join together to lend a helping hand.