Selected Poker Rooms
It’s wise to go back to the well occasionally. This age-old saying refers to the practice of getting fresh, cool water directly from the well rather than drinking it from a jug or bottle that is stored in the house. The saying has been adapted to fit other situations too, including poker. In this case, we are going to the well called Doyle Brunson and his 1984 book Poker Wisdom of a Champion (Cardoza Publishing, New York).
Over the course of about 50 years, poker players have had access to dozens of books on poker strategy, bluffing, making good decisions, using position at the table etc. Since the mid-1990s the number of books has risen dramatically. Thousands of new readers have come to poker thanks to televised Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments.
Some of these books contain information that, when combined with playing experience, can help some people achieve success at the table.
However, Brunson’s book is a bit different. There is plenty of useful information here – strategy, tips and tricks, of course. But the really good stuff is folded into easily readable narrative rather than being organized in textbook form like many others. The legendary “Texas Dolly” definitely covers specific areas of poker, such as calling, bluffing and soft play. But there are no lists or hand examples to study.
Instead the author tells a story in each section, with chapter headings like “Broke Is Not Fun” and “A Sad Tale of Superstition.” If those don’t grab you, maybe you should look into “Winning: It’s A State of Mind” or “A Smooth Game and Nobody Came.”
Wise readers will also look at some of the sub-titles that come with each of the major sections. For instance, Part I “Poker For The Wrong Reasons” has this little nugget: A man needs a motive to play poker. For me, it’s money. Part VII “Home Poker” has this sub-title: There’s no place like home – except a public poker room.
One chapter in particular could help the bankroll grow, if the information is used carefully and in the right situations. Brunson wrote a chapter entitled: Calling – The Right Motive. He starts with this advice: “You should only call a bet when you think the odds are big enough to earn you a profit. Maybe that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often a man will call for the wrong reasons.”
With an opening sentence like that, you can’t help but read the rest of Chapter 14.