I’ve been wagering poker now for about five years, I’ve wagered cards my entire life beginning with games of Gin Rummy for pennies with my Grand Mother, to all of the various styles of Brag and basic random games such as Go Fish, Crash and one so gracefully called, card on head game. I used to usually win, whatever game we were wagering and although I liked to call it skill, it was extremely tough to justify thinking about the randomness of the games we were betting, so I was happy to accept I was having a prolonged run of luck.
Then came Poker, or a lot more importantly Texas holdem Poker, made famous by a group of Texas card players in the 1960’s and since developed into one of the largest card phenomena ever seen. Poker is totally the new black, it can be uber awesome with several of the world’s top celebs racing to have their name connected with it. Just a quick flick through the TV channels these days and you’ll be able to not escape from poker, and naturally there’s the fabled World Series of Poker, the Holy Grail and Mecca all rolled into one for each individual player.
So with all of this fresh found recognition, with so numerous Tv shows devoted to poker, and magazine and book shelves filled up with quality material written by the leading minds on poker, when are folks going to learn that this game is all about position!?
Perhaps I must not receive so worked up about this, after all the far more folks who struggle with the delicate techniques and approaches required for succeeding consistently at Texas hold’em, the far better it is for everyone else, right? I mean, if they can not be bothered to look at all of the accessible data about why placement is so crucial, why must we bother? We ought to just be happy there’s one more fish at the table!
It is true, we should not reward inactivity with guidance and support. Nonetheless, I liken this to a helpful casino game of football. Granted the levels are not so great, except when you see a player struggling, you support them, provide them a few advice, ultimately showing them a method to enjoy, love and be thankful for the game as much as you. I am askin all home players to do the same thing with their poker buddies who have not quite grasped the nuances of wagering position. Assist them to grow their respect for the game. Naturally, don’t attempt to try this one in your nearby betting house, the sharks won’t appreciate you teaching their supper how to swim!