(Distributed Dec. 26, 2006)

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME WITH THESE RESOLUTIONS FOR 2007

Repeat after me: In 2007, I resolve to…

* Play my best at all times.

It’s amazing how many players sit down to play poker without a plan and without paying attention. Never play for money unless you’re focused and have a strategy in mind for that particular game and that unique set of opponents.

For example, both online and in card rooms you’ll usually have a choice of low-limit hold’em games to enter. Check them out. One might be full of strangers you know nothing about, another could be mostly regulars or friends you’ve played against many times. Some games could be marked by tight players, others might be wild and woolly. 

Decide what type of game is best for you on that particular night.  If you’re in a game that’s uncomfortable for you for any reason, change tables.

Don’t play if you’re not feeling well or if something is bothering you. Go see a movie instead.

* Listen (even if only with feigned interest) to players’ bad-beat stories.

Table talk is a key part of any poker game. Use it to your advantage.

Some players love to chat it up when they’re playing. You may have zero interest in their latest hunting trip or how their pocket aces were cracked last week, but be courteous and at least nod your head occasionally when they’re telling their stories.

Don’t be a grump. Two things will happen if you act like a grouch: Either you’ll alienate your opponents and they’ll opt not to give you action when you’ve got good hands, or you’ll become a target and they’ll play harder against you than normal.

Be friendly. Tell a story or two yourself to let your opponents know you’re enjoying the game and their company. Your results likely will improve and, as a bonus, you’ll have more fun.

* Read and follow the rules of poker.

Craig D. of the Illinois Quad-Cities e-mailed me last week to say he had come to the conclusion that this year’s World Series champ, Jamie Gold, was “loud, rude, obnoxious and recklessly lucky. Am I right or am I right?”

Well, Craig, you’re right. Gold should have received multiple time-out penalties for showing his hole cards,  telling opponents what hand he was holding, and announcing his intended betting action during a hand with other players still to act ahead of him. I can’t believe his mentor, two-time world champion Johnny Chan, coached him to play like that.

All players should know the rules of poker. They’re easy to find online, or you can buy a book. Acting out of turn, exposing cards deliberately, splashing the pot with an undetermined number of chips, calling attention to flush or straight possibilities on the board — all of these and more are breaches of rules or etiquette. Have respect for the game.

* Never play with money I can’t afford to lose.

Both bad and good players make this mistake, and depending on how deep of a hole you dig for yourself, you can negatively impact your family, your job and yourself.

Save up a bankroll before you take up the game. It’s smart to open a separate bank account solely for your poker activity so you’ll have an ongoing tally of how you’re doing. At the very least, keep an accurate notebook of your results showing dates, type of game, hours played, and the amounts won or lost for every time you play.

To start, your bankroll should be about 100 times the level of poker you’ll be playing. For instance, if you intend to play $3-$6 hold’em, stake yourself with $600 or more to play on. Don’t move up to the next limit until you’ve at least doubled your starting bankroll.

If you’re an established player, you still must keep track of your wins and losses. You can’t honestly call yourself a winning player unless the numbers say it’s true. Never borrow money to play and never play outside your financial comfort zone.

Happy New Year, everyone! Best of luck at the tables in 2007!

 E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.
COPYRIGHT 2006 RUSS SCOTT
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.